#he knows my mother's car and license plate and my sister's too

[psychoticwillgraham]

sorry for the triggering post, i'm just. Spiraling rn

[super-predictable98]

Glass and Gold Child (There She Goes AU)

Chapter 1: One Day in the Life of Alex Yates

Word Count: 2 k

Warning: Strong language, alcohol abuse

a/n: Hello everyone! In my mission to write as many Michael and David characters as I can, here's another effort: a wee rewrite of There She Goes with my OC.

2015:

Simon had been trying to get Rosie to calm down all morning. Ben just watched that disaster unfold while their father tried to drag her back from the park to have dinner.

"Where's your sister when we need her?" Simon groaned, pulling Rosie away from a car that she ran to because the license plate had a big X on it, her absolute favorite.

"What's going on?" Alex asked when she came back from her judo practice. She still wore her white trousers with a black tank top and her brown belt wrapped around her waist.

"Fuck, Alexandra, there you are! Can you…?"

"Hey, Rosie!" She greeted with a big smile.

"X! X!" The little girl called.

"That's me, come on, are you gonna be good or will I have to give these wotsits to Dad?"

Rosie let out a happy screech when she saw the blue package and reached for it. It was never too quiet around her, she was always making noises to communicate, but those happy noises were always welcome.

She took the snack from Alex and gave her older sister a clumsy hug.

"Can you say thank you?" Alexandra asked.

In response, Rosie did the sign in BSL and her sister ruffled her hair.

"You're a miracle worker," Simon sighed as they walked from the park. "You can't be going around and leaving us alone. She needs you."

"You hear how insane that sounds, Dad?" Ben chuckled. "She's not her mum, besides, she was at practice not even hanging out."

"Not helping, Ben," he hissed.

"It went well then?" Emily, the matriarch of the family, asked while she prepared the food.

"As well as it can go," Simon murmured, watching the kids get around the table. "I was thinking, what if we never send Alex to college?"

"What? Are you insane?"

"You know what I mean! Sometimes she's the only one who can calm Rosie down and can you imagine the epic meltdown that Darwin's little exception is gonna have when her big sis moves out?"

"Simon, we can't just ask Alex not to live her life. We're their parents, it's our job to look after them, not hers."

"Now you just sound like Ben!"

"Because even an 11-year-old boy has more common sense than you! She's 17, she'll leave eventually, we're gonna have to make it work."

"Remember when it was just her?" Simon smiled.

"When you were not a total prick? Yeah, I remember."

*

2001:

"Where's Daddy?" Alexandra asked, crawling on the floor, even after she learned how to walk, she still loved to crawl.

"He's coming home, remember when I told you about Daddy working to buy your Christmas presents?" Emily picked up her little girl and kissed her forehead. "Why do you love Daddy so much? Can't it be Mummy?"

"No! Only Daddy," Alex laughed at her mother's expression when she said that.

"Where are my girls?" Simon opened the door and opened his arms to take his daughter. "There's my little princess! How you doing, sweet pea?"

"Good! I missed you!"

"I missed you too!" He bounced her and kissed all over her chubby little cheeks. "Oh, there's my queen."

"Good one," Emily laughed. "She's been talking about you all day, she's a little chatterbox."

"Aww but that's cute! Remember when she'd speak full sentences before she could even walk? It was a nice party trick."

"I know, and it's cute, but I do hope our next daughter is less chatty. For my sanity."

"I heard that!" Alex gasped.

"See, now you hurt my little princess!" Simon joked. "Can you get me a beer, Em?"

"Noooo I don't like beer Daddy," the little girl cried.

"Wow, that is not concerning at all…" Emily arched an eyebrow. "Did Daddy ever hurt you after drinking beer?"

"Only on the inside…"

"No! I'm not-! You meant your heart, right? I hurt your feelings?" Simon asked, panicked.

"Yeah, you were mean."

"See, Em? Never say that again, sweetie, people might get the wrong idea and then they'll take Daddy to jail. Is that what you want?"

"No! We need to watch Barbie and the Nutcracker!"

"Good girl, if Daddy's in jail he can't watch Barbie and the Nutcracker with you."

*

2006:

"HIYAAAAAA!" Alex jumped on her father's stomach after bringing him to the floor with a rather flawless valley drop.

"Jesus Christ! That's what we're paying for? For you to learn how to kill your father in karate?" Simon groaned, curling up into a ball.

"It's judo, Daddy!" She laughed.

"Oh pardon me, I wouldn't wanna be rude to the little girl who just broke my ribs. You're always complaining I'm not home enough and when I am, you just wanna punish me."

Alexandra frowned and wrapped her little arms around him, kissing his cheek. She did complain because ever since her mum got pregnant, she would barely see him at all.

He was always 'at work' or with his friends and whenever she saw him, it was beer Daddy, not the one she loved.

"I'm sorry, I didn't wanna hurt you."

"Hey, sweetheart, it's okay," Simon assured, kissing the top of her head. "Daddy's sorry, okay? I wish I could be home more, but- it's hard to explain, my baby. Sometimes grown-ups do silly things even when they know it's wrong and then when they try to undo it, they can't right away. But I promise I'll make it better."

"Are you and Mummy getting divorced?"

"Why did you have to be such a smart girl?" He sighed. "I don't know, darling, I don't want to, but sometimes it's what's best for mummies and daddies."

"And then we'll never see you again?"

"Of course you'll see me, Alex! Even if one day I'm no longer Mummy's husband, I'm still your and your siblings' daddy, that'll never change. You're stuck with me for life, kiddo. Is that okay? You being stuck with your old man?"

"That's okay," Alex smiled. "I wanna come live with you if you leave."

"Why is that, princess?" Simon sat up, a bit worried that she'd given that whole thing so much thought. She shouldn't be pondering on that sort of thing.

"Because Mummy loves Rosie more. She only ever holds Rosie and talks to Rosie and about Rosie."

"Awww Alex, that's not true," he took her in his arms, stroking her long dark waves. "Mummy is only busy with Rosie because she was just born. She's just a little baby and she was born really small, she needs attention."

"I know, but when Ben was born, it wasn't like that. Mummy still loved me when he was a baby."

"Mummy still loves you now, sweetie, don't worry. But if you ever wanna come live with me, that'll be okay and… I mean, not that we're actually getting divorced. That's not happening as far as I'm concerned. Okay?"

"Okay… is it time to go to judo yet?"

"Yeah, it's time, come on."

Simon grabbed her Barbie backpack with her uniform and a little snack.

"Are you gonna stay and watch me?" Alex asked hopefully.

"I can't, sweetie. Daddy's meeting Aunt Helen, but I'll be there when you're done," Simon picked her up and looked up the stairs. "Em! I'm taking the little monster to judo!"

Father and daughter took the train, as Simon wouldn't learn how to drive to save his life, and he dropped her off at her class.

Alex saw Daddy leave and wanted to cry, to scream about how he never sat to watch her practices anymore like the other parents did, but she didn't. She was brave and put on her uniform all by herself.

She diligently got through her class and changed back into her street clothes, excited to tell her father that she was getting a new belt soon.

"Hey, I'm getting the yellow-orange belt, Daddy. It means I'm halfway to getting my orange belt which is my favorite color! I can't wait!" She whispered to herself as she sat right outside the dojo with the other kids.

One by one, the kids were picked up by their parents, but Alexandra stayed there, swinging her little legs and rehearsing what to say to Dad when he finally arrived.

"Yeah, she's still here," the sensei said into the phone. "Don't worry, I know you have a new baby at home, Mrs. Yates, I can drive her. It's no problem."

Alex never got to say her perfectly rehearsed lines celebrating her new achievement. She sat in silence the entire car ride back to her house and when her mother opened the door, she burst into tears.

"Hey, hey sweetie, it's okay," Emily hugged her after putting Rosie down in the crib. "Don't cry, baby. I'm sorry you were scared."

"I wasn't scared! He didn't come and he told me he would! Why won't anyone love me anymore?" Alexandra hit her head on the wall a few times before her mother could catch her.

"Mum? Why is Al hurting herself? Don't hurt yourself, Al!" Ben whispered, bringing her a pillow.

"Hear that? Your brother is worried about you, he loves you and so do I, so does Rosie, so does Daddy. And your grandparents, Aunt Soph…"

"Daddy doesn't love me, he left me there. He's not my daddy anymore!"

"It's not true, Al, you're his precious little princess and he just made a mistake. He forgot he was supposed to be there or he missed the train- the point is, everyone makes mistakes," Emily said even though she was also furious with her husband and that was far from his first fuck up. "Tell me how was class, let me make you something to eat."

"I get a yellow-orange belt next week, I'm not hungry," Alex said while she stomped up the stairs to get to her bedroom.

She hid in there all afternoon and when it was almost time to sleep, the door slowly opened and Simon came in stumbling over himself.

"Mummy just told me what happened, I'm so sorry, my pumpkin pie. I lost track of time, when I realized it was already eight," he slurred.

"Get out of here! You stink, I hate beer Daddy! I hate all daddies! I hate you!"

"I understand, I get it. I love you though and I'm really sorry," he said, too embarrassed to look her in the eye. "Mum told me you're getting a new belt? That's exciting, you're one closer to orange, your favorite."

"Whatever, if you cared you would've watched me."

"I swear, I promise next week I'll be there to see it."

"No, you won't! I don't believe you anymore. Go away, I'm going to sleep."

*

2015:

"That is my monster, its ears are so fluffy!" Alex read and closed the book. "Now, my little monster Rosie, it's time for bed."

The noise her sister made was indication she wasn't happy about it.

"I know, I know you don't want to. But let me tell you something. I know you can't talk, but you understand me, right? You get what X is saying?"

Rosie didn't nod or give any proof that it was true, but she stared directly at Alex, she was listening.

"If you close your eyes and fall asleep, you can play with the nice monsters and Hippo in dreamland. Right here," she touched Rosie's head. "Don't you wanna play with Hippo and the monsters from the book? Yeah, I know. So please, close your eyes and sleep, alright? I love you, pretty girl."

When Alexandra put up the gate to stop her sister from leaving the room, she noticed her parents were watching from afar.

"Sorry, I'm gonna go wash the dishes now," she chuckled, knowing she was behind on her chores.

"No! Don't you dare, Alex," Emily hugged her tightly. "You help more than enough and honestly I feel bad about it sometimes. Daddy will do the dishes."

"What? Why me?" Simon yelped. "I mean, yeah, I agree she shouldn't have to after getting Rosie to sleep, but why me?"

"Because you're a lazy arse," Alexandra laughed.

"You know what? Let's just order some pizza and relax while we have a little time," Emily suggested.

"Ah come on! We order pizza every week, let's have something different," Simon wrapped his arms around each of them.

"I don't think lazy arses have the right to decide," Alex laughed. "Come on, let's play a game while we wait. Oh! And remember tomorrow everyone needs to come to the gym, I'm getting my black belt!"

"Don't worry, princess, we'll all be there for you," he smiled.

[littlewitchthatwrites]

Cauldron (part one)

The Ordinary World (chapter one)

Somewhere in the world (though no one is sure which one) there was a special little town in the middle of nowhere full of happy people, tall trees with red and golden leaves, and sweet little houses that lined the neat sidewalks and streets.

Our story begins on one particular street. The house on the corner of a cute little neighborhood was a two story house painted white with a blue front door and a big gorgeous garden. It was three days from Halloween and this family was preparing a little late. Orange christmas lights hung from the railing on the porch, there was a plastic skeleton hanging by the porch swing, and four glowing jack o'lanterns by the door. “Hey puck,” a voice called from the kitchen, “Mom says it’s breakfast time!”

The voice traveled up the stairs and into a small room where a girl sat in the middle of the floor… well, hovering above it. She was in deep thought and concentration, the world around her had melted away from her mind. Her room was small and quiet, books lined one of her walls, stuffed animals covered her bed, pendulums, tarot decks, and loose pieces of paper covered in runes and symbols covered every surface. She had red curtains that gave a warm glow to her well decorated living space. One of Puck’s walls had a long window that opened to a little hang out spot on the roof where she had spent many nights stargazing.

Puck smelled of roses and vanilla and the world around her was still, calm, and peaceful. Puck inhaled and exhaled slowly. With every breath the room got warmer. Shadows danced the waltz with the flames of newly lit candles that were positioned in a circle underneath the little witch. With every inhale another candle lit and began the dance.

“PUCK!” The door burst open and a tall boy rushed in. Puck screamed and the second she broke concentration she felt her tailbone slam onto her floor. “Ow! Damn it Oisin!” She yelled at him. Oisin was a tall boy with light brown hair and small freckles that were lighter that his skin, much like a fawn. He was like a deer in many ways. He was a graceful boy, he had very nice reflexes, and was on the track team at his high school. “Come on! Mom made lavender waffles.” Oisin smiled at his sister and walked off. He didn't even close the door. Puck rolled her eyes and threw on some clothes. Some navy blue shorts with fishnets under them. Brown combat boots stretched up just below her knees and a white tank top clung to her honey tan shoulders, completing the look with a belt and her mother’s favorite necklace. She loved that necklace, though you’d never hear her say it out loud. Kendo The kitchen smelled like lavender and cinnamon. It was bright and colorful. Four plates of waffles were set on the counter while Puck and Oisin’s mother, Rose, hung bundles of herbs in front of the windows. She smiled at her children. “Good morning my dears. How are you feeling?” Oisin beamed at his mother. She was so bright and lovely. How could anyone wish for a better mother. Noted, she was pretty much a human Disney princess but less animals and more kids. “Sore.” Puck grumbled before shoving a fork full of waffle into her mouth. “Where's Dad?” Oisin asked. He tapped his fork on the wooden counter. “Hon, he’s never awake this early in the day. He’ll… you know…”

Puck made an explosion sound and acted it out with her hands. He nudged his sister a little too hard making her fall from the stool she was sitting on. She let out a loud ‘OUCH’ as she hit the wooden floor of the kitchen. Rose rolled her eyes and helped her daughter off the floor. “You guys need to get to school. Oisin, don't wreck my car!” She said tossing the keys to him. “Okey Doke.” He pulled Puck by her backpack towards the door. She reached for her waffles in a desperate attempt to take another bite but it was no use. They closed the door behind them and got in the car.

“I have my license too! Why do you always get to drive?”

Because, my little sister, mom loves me more.” Oisin smiled and ruffled Puck’s hair.

“You are literally one minute older than me!”

Oisin laughed, “Oh I know. Haha i know.”

[anagentinwriting]

Lifeline - Part 18

Summary: (First Responders!AU) Moving to Los Angeles and living with your brother, Thor, was never part of your plan nor was being a 9-1-1 dispatcher, but plans change when you are faced with your own emergencies. In your case, it was leaving behind a relationship that wasn’t as perfect as it seemed. Will this be the fresh start you were hoping for or will your past find a way to catch up with you?

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Odinson!Sister Reader

Word Count: 3800+

Warnings: Angst, blood, violence

Lifeline Masterlist / Main Masterlist

After receiving information from dispatch about the location of Billy’s cell phone, Thor called in an anonymous tip to Fury’s team, but instead of waiting around, Nat and Thor pulled onto the interstate, following the cellphone south to San Diego. 

Thor stared out the window, resting his elbow on the window railing with his chin in his hand. “I’m sorry, Natasha, for acting like a jerk earlier. I know you were doing your job and following orders. I would’ve done the same.”

“We’ve good,” Nat replied, giving him a once over. “You doing okay?”

“I keep thinking everything will be okay, and everything will work out--” he rubbed his eyes “--but um, I don’t know… I don’t know what we are going to find when we get there? Is she gonna be mad at me, is she going to be hurt, is she gonna be…” Thor took in a sharp breath, clearing his throat. “Billy threatened to kill her once before, you know, and he almost killed Steve. I’m afraid of what we are going to find.”

“Don’t think like that,” Natasha reassured, patting him on the shoulder. “We’ll find her.” She bit her lip, nodding to herself for her own reassurance. “YN’s strong…and with everything she went through, she rebuilt her life and herself. Billy might have her, but I have a feeling he has no idea who he is dealing with now.” 

Thor nodded, “If Billy lays another one of his grimy hands on her, he will suffer a fate worse than death. He’ll be…”

“More dead?” Nat asked, trying to contain a chuckle in this highly stressed situation. 

“Yes, but I was thinking more like being stuck in rush hour traffic for the rest of his life,” Thor smirked, trying to keep the conversation light. 

“Oh yes, that sounds so much worse.”

_____________

“Where are we going?” You questioned, sneaking a peek at Billy, gripping the steering wheel. 

“We’re starting over. I’m saving us from this tricky situation you put us in.”

You leaned back into your seat, chewing on the inside of your cheek. “Right, because everything is my fault,” you grimaced, rolling your eyes. “Why don’t you get it over with and kill me? I mean, isn’t that your plan.”

“WHOA, WHOA, WHOA,” Billy retorted, widening his eyes. “I can’t imagine my life without you. Why would I want to kill you, YN; I love you. You’re all I have.”

“But, that’s it, you don’t have me,” you mumbled, wringing your hands together. “I just never got a say in the matter.”

He huffed out a breath, shaking his head. “What’s with this attitude?”

“Well…what more do I have to lose? I lost my friends and family…like yesterday, and now, you’re all I have,” you admitted with a shrug. “It’s what you wanted, right? Me and you, both ghosts, living in the shadows, or did this car come with new identities, too? Oh wait, is that what’s in the duffle bag in the backseat?”

“Why would you think that?” He narrowed his eyes, licking his lips.

“Well, a creepy guy with a scar and milky eye drops off a car at a gas station. Now, doesn't that sound like the start of a bad joke? I mean, he definitely didn’t look like a criminal or a bad guy in his dark suit, and his name sounded so original, Agent Orange. I think I know a few people by that name.” You pressed your lips together, tilting your head. “On the other hand, if he looked like a dad, wearing crispy white boys on his feet, jean shorts, and a polo shirt. It would have been an immediate red flag.”

Billy smirked, shaking his head. “Luckily for you, you don’t have to worry. I have our lives all planned out, but I did miss your snarky attitude. Whatever happened to it?”

“I will give you a hint,” you leaned over the center console, “if you look in a mirror, you could probably spot the reason.” 

“Touche,” He added, cracking a smile, making the corners of his dark eyes crinkle. He gently grabbed your hand in his, sending an unpleasant shiver through your body, and brought it to his lips, kissing the back of your hand. You tried not to make a face as he lowered your conjoined hands back onto the center console. 

“I want you to know it isn’t going to be like this forever. We’ll get past this like we always do. I will forgive you, you will forgive me, and we’ll start over in this new city, meet new people, and create a whole new life for ourselves.” He squeezed your hand. “You can forget about the life you created yourself because you're never going back to that. This is our chance to start over...together.” 

____________

Nat pulled up behind two other police cruisers and a Chrysler 300 Black Sedan. Thor jumped out before she could get it into park and jogged up to the Chrysler but was stopped by Fury's hand. 

“Thor, for what do I owe this pleasure?” Fury asked, his one eye-widening, looking him up and down.

“Is she here? Is my sister here?” Thor gulped, looking past Fury to try and get a better look, but the officers were retreating away from the vehicle. 

“No, she’s not.” Thor’s shoulder sank, letting out a breath. “But, I assume you were the one who called in the anonymous tip.”

“Me… anonymous tip…no, no, that doesn’t sound like something I would do.” He shook his head while Nick stared him down.

“Odinson, I listened to the tape, and it sounded just like you.”

“Did it? Huh?” Thor rubbed his chin, staring hard at the ground.

“Seeing it will be better if we just work together at this point. I want you to know that we were able to recover the video surveillance from your sister's home, and we can confirm it was her husband, Billy Russo.” 

“I told you this. I told you the night it happened.” Thor shook his head. “And it’s her ex. Ex-husband,” Thor corrected, placing his hands on his hips. “So what…we have nothing now?”

“Russo is smart and is playing his moves carefully. He knows what he is doing, making all the right moves, but he'll mess up, and when he does, we will find him.”

“Wouldn’t expect anything less from him given his background,” Nat stated, coming up to stand next to Thor. “Are we even sure this is the right vehicle?”

Fury narrowed his eyes at her, raising his voice. “Believe it or not Ms. Romanoff, but we do know how to track a phone and find a vehicle.” She smirked at his change in attitude. “And for your information, there was a 911 call placed earlier this morning from a gas station near San Diego. A mother and daughter found a note with YN’s name, Russo’s name, the vehicle description, and the license plate number. It said to give this information to the police. This would explain how Russo’s phone ended up in this car.” Nick pointed over his shoulder at the Chrysler. “YN made a smart move, but Russo must have pulled a fast one on her and switched cars at the last minute, so it doesn’t do us much good right now.”

“Did they see YN at all? Was she okay? Was she hurt...”

Fury held up his hand, and Thor shut his mouth. “Yes. The woman mentioned her looking a little beaten up but seemed hopeful.”

“When I find this bastard, I am going to…” Thor bit his tongue, clenching his fist and punching it into his palm. He mumbled to himself, shaking his head, stepping away from them.

“How’s your friend in the hospital? Any word yet?” Fury asked Nat, who narrowed her eyes at the scene behind him.

“He’s in recovery now. They're keeping a close eye on him.”

“Good.” Fury’s eye caught on to Thor’s unexplainable gestures while he paced back and forth. “What would you say about getting your friend a bulletproof vest; he looks like he could do something reckless.”

“I do have an extra one in the cab; I’ll give it to him for safe measure.”

“Excellent.”

“Since this is the correct car, who is the man behind the wheel? Any connection to Russo?” Nat questioned, staring at the black sedan. Thor returned, giving Nat a reassuring nod.

“We haven’t looked into much yet, but his name is William Rawlins. He is the COO of Cerberus and says it’s a company vehicle but doesn’t know who used it before him. He checked it out to run a quick errand over his lunch break, but we are headed back to his office now to look over the record logs.”

“What’s Cerberus?” Thor asked, looking between Nat and Nick for more information.

“It’s a security firm in San Diego, but I think they have different branches all over the country now. It protects public officials, and they also have a private investigating sector that started up a few years ago. I was on a case with one of their ‘agents’ as they call themselves, and he was an asshole.” Nat informed him, Nick nodded in agreement.

“Sounds a lot like Anvil,” Thor added, rubbing a hand over his scruff. “If this is a company vehicle, then someone must be helping Billy. For all we know it’s this Rawlins, and he’s playing us.”

“As much as we want to speculate at this point, it’s too early to tell.” Nat shrugged, and Fury nodded.

“Why would Cerberus remind you of Anvil? What is this Anvil?” Nick inquired, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Oh, it’s a security firm Billy works at in New York City. He’s in the private investigating sector there.”

“Is there any reason to believe that Anvil is a branch of Cerberus?” Nat raised a brow at him, and Thor narrowed his eyes, processing the information.

“If there is a connection between the two, this could be it,” Nick answered.

_____________

You sat back in the passenger seat, opening up the glove box, seeing a map of California, New Mexico, Nevada, and Arizona. “Where is this new home of ours going to be?”

“You’ll see,” Billy replied with his elbow resting on the door and his head in his hand.

“What are you going to expect me to do? Am I going to get a job, or are you going to make me stay at home and be your trophy wife?”

“Would that be a bad thing? It’s not like you liked being a 911 dispatcher.”

You swallowed, wringing your hands together. “But, I did.”

He scoffed, shaking his head.“You like being in the action, getting dirty in the line of duty, and seeing it first hand. You don’t like being behind a desk, waiting to answer a monitor every time a call comes in.”

“I might not be where the action is, but I am still helping people. I might not see them or get to meet them, but I’m here to help them with whatever they are going through. Using your voice to help is hard, but sometimes that’s all people need to hear to put them at ease and give them a sense of safety.”

“Hmmm, okay,” he snorted, smirking into his hand. 

“You have to give me something.”

“I don’t have to give you anything,” he grumbled, running his hand through his hair. 

“Well, how do you expect me to trust you again if you don’t tell me what’s going on?”

He licked his lips, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. “Trust me; You want to know how you can trust me? That’s rich because I could ask you the same question. Can I trust you?” 

“You don’t have to trust me, but don’t you think I should know what we are getting into. Shouldn’t we at least have a plan once we get to where we are going? People ask questions, Billy, and don’t you think it would be a good idea to figure it out before we get there?”

Billy remained silent, gripping the steering wheel tight. He licked his lips, scrunching up his face enough to form a crease on his forehead. “Do you think I’m an idiot? How do I know that if I tell you, you aren’t going to use the first phone you find to call someone.”

“You don’t,” you answered with a shrug. “But you’re gonna have to trust me a little eventually if you want to make us work again.”

He glanced between you and the road, fighting a battle in his head. He clenched his jaw, letting out a defeated breath. “You’re right; you’re always right.” He licked his lips, shaking his head. “I’m giving us the fresh start we both need, and everything we need is in the bag in the back.”

You turn in your seat, reaching for the bag, and put it on your lap. You unzip it, staring at the contents inside. A rubber band was wrapped around new Arizona IDs and new passports with new names on them. A container with an assortment of keys and enough cash that could get you through at least a few months. 

You reached into the bottom of the bag and pulled out three framed pictures of you and Billy. One of you posing and smiling at each other when you first started seeing each other, another one of you at the wedding altar saying I do, and the third, standing close to each other on your honeymoon with the ocean behind you. You swallowed, staring at each one. They were supposed to bring back happy memories, but it only brought back the nightmares this relationship turned into. 

“It’s not a home without a few personal touches, right?” Billy shot you a warm smile, and as much as you wished it was sincere, you knew it wasn’t.

“Right,” you breathed, putting everything back and tossing it in the backseat. “So we are moving to Phoenix, then what?”

Billy raised his eyebrows. “We’re going to lay low for a bit until this mess dies down, and I can trust you again.” He throws you a quick glance, rubbing his gauze-wrapped wrist where Cosmo bit him. “Then, once we are a happy couple again, I’ll be taking on a new position at the Cerberus Phoenix branch.”

“What do you expect me to do once we are a happy couple again?” You bit your lip, feeling a lump rise in your throat. 

“Let’s not get into specifics right now.” He reached over and grabbed your hand.  “I want you to focus on forgetting about your life in LA and everyone in it. They’re not important anymore. It’s you and me, together forever, like we always planned.” He nodded, squeezing your hand for reassurance. 

You gave him a quick nod, fighting the tears threatening to escape. You turned your head to look out the passenger side window. The world outside was becoming a blur, and you were stuck inside with Billy, and there was no way to get out. He had a solid plan that left little room for error. Once they arrived in Phoenix, you wouldn’t exist anymore; Billy wouldn’t exist anymore. You would disappear, and those you cared about would be left wondering. Wondering if you were okay; wondering if you were even still alive; wondering how they let this happen to you. You blinked, feeling a few tears escape down your cheeks as you swallowed back a sob. Your friends, family, and Steve were gone, and right now, you might as well be too. 

____________

The police unit pulled into Cerberus, following the Chrysler through the electric gate and up the short drive until they came across a facility beyond the gate. It was a modern building, heavily secured and well secluded from the main road. 

Fury and Nat walked behind Rawlins while Thor stayed towards the back, taking everything in. He readjusted his bullet-proof vest underneath his shirt and sweatshirt, trying to get used to the tight feeling around his upper body. He didn’t want to wear it, but Nat insisted.

Inside the building, everything had white and gray tones to it from the furniture to the walls. Everything looked pristine and clean, almost like they were hiding something. Thor smiled at the lady behind the front desk, causing her to blush. He continued following the rest of the group up the floating steps to the second floor to an office at the end of the hall.

Fury and Nat began questioning Rawlins, sitting behind his desk. Thor stood off towards the back of the room, half-listening and half scanning his surroundings. If something was connecting him to Russo, he wasn’t going to talk about it; instead, he would have to search for it. 

His office looked like every big wig’s office he’d seen in the movies.  Floor to ceiling windows, showcasing a beautiful view of the trees on the property. Another wall was lined with artwork and a few bookshelves, filled with books that were probably more for show than actual reading. Thor’s eyes traveled to the walls behind him, noticing a bunch of framed photos hanging on the wall in sort of a college way. He took a step closer, noticing how each frame had an engraved plate under it, stating what branch of Cerberus it was and its location.  

“Would anyone else have access to company vehicles?” Fury asked with his pad and pen in hand.

“No, only company employees.”

“Does that include employees from other branches of Cerberus or just current in-house employees, so to speak.”

“Nope, all employees from any branch are welcome to a vehicle as long as they have proper ID,” Rawlins answered, leaning back in his chair. “Who is the young lady that is missing? Maybe one of my teams can assist you. We don’t do many missing person cases, but we are more than happy to help.”

“Oh no, that won’t be necessary,” Fury replied, holding up his hand. “But, we do have reason to believe you know the captor.”

“I’m sorry.” Rawlins looked taken aback, and in some ways, offended. “But this is news to me. I have many employees, so you will have to be more specific.”

Thor read off the frames one by one and glanced at every single picture. He needed to find a connection so he could find you. He clenched his jaw, reading the plates: Vistacorp, Arizona; Vancorp, Texas, and his eyes stopped on the next photo. He didn’t even need to read the plate to know it said Anvil, New York City. He narrowed his eyes at the picture, seeing Rawlins shaking Billy’s hand, and he had that stupid smile on his face that could win everyone over. 

“His name is Billy Russo.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t recall anyone by that name.”

Thor growled, tearing the picture off the wall, starling everyone, and marched across the room. “Don’t know him, then why are you shaking his hand in this picture,” Thor shouted, throwing the picture on the desk. 

“Oh, look at that he works at the New York branch.” Rawlins scanned the picture before placing it back on the table. “Why are you including me in this accusation? I don’t have anything to do with him or this abduction. I didn’t even know he was in town.” He sat up straighter in his chair, folding his hands together, and placed them on the desk in front of him.

An officer opening the door pulled everyone’s attention away from Rawlins and to the female officer. She handed Fury a piece of paper, whispering something in his ear. Fury nodded, dismissing her. He unfolded the paper, reading what it said before folding it backup and stuffing it in his pocket. “It’s a bit funny how this picture is saying one thing, and you’re saying something completely different. It’s like the picture is lying, and you are telling the truth. I don’t know what I am supposed to believe.”

“I am telling the truth. I have had no contact with--” he pulls the picture back to him “--this Russo since this picture.”

“Then, why was Russo the last person to check out the car, and according to this, he has yet to return the vehicle back to this facility. So how did you check the car out at noon if it wasn’t even on-site?”

Rawlins sat on the other side of the table, staring blankly at the three of them. He licked his lips and tilted his head at them. “Huh? How about that?” He let out a dark chuckle, shaking his head. “Well, I honestly thought it was going to take you longer to figure it out, Detective Fury, but you surprised me. All of you did.” He pointed to each of them, his sinister smile never faltering. 

“Where is she?” Thor growled, leaning over the table mere inches from Rawlins's face.

“That’s the thing about Billy,” he licked his lips, challenging Thor. “He is sneaky and quiet. He can hide in plain sight, is fast on his feet, and knows just the right time to strike. If you haven’t found them yet, you aren’t going to. They're both gone, and you’re going to have to live with the fact that you failed her.”

Without further hesitation, Thor punched him straight in the face and knocked him to the floor. Thor slid across the desk to find Rawlins, clutching his broken nose as it bled into his mouth. Thor grabbed him by the collar and punched him again when an officer rushed over and dragged Thor off of him. Thor grunted, pushing the officer into the wall with his nostrils flaring. He headed right back for Rawlins, but Nat stood in his path, pushing on his chest and forcing him to stop.  

“Forget about him. Don’t listen to him, Thor,” Nat commanded. “He’s not worth it; put this energy into finding YN and Russo, and then take it out on him.” Thor stopped in an instant, giving her a quick nod.  

The officer that held Thor back went over to Rawlins and put his face down on the hardwood floor. He started reading him his Miranda Rights and slipped the cuffs around his wrists.

“You’re lucky only your nose is broken, and both your eyes don’t match, asshole,” Thor threatened as Rawlins was escorted out of the office. 

“Feel better?” Fury asked, standing up from his seat.

“No,” Thor answered in a gruff voice, leaning against Rawlins desk and crossing his arms across his chest. “He’s right, you know…Billy is good at hiding. I mean, we didn’t even know he was following her.” He ran a hand down his face. “He does this for a living. Reads crime scenes, follows the evidence, finds suspects, and solves cases. He knows what we are looking for and makes sure to drive us in the opposite direction. He is good at what he does and probably even better at making someone disappear.”

______

 AN: Thanks for reading Part 18! Just when you think they have something to go on, they are one more step behind. Thor sure did sack Rawlins pretty good though, but he did deserve it. And it's a good thing Rawlins was slacking on his paperwork, or maybe he just didn't have time to change the name to who checked the car out! 🤷‍♀️ On the plus side, at least they were able to track Billy's cellphone (the wrong one, but it was something), they know about the note she left in the gas station, found 'the other guy' but still got nothing...or do they?! 🤔 Not sure if any of you understood the crispy white boys reference, but it's usually the white tennis shoes dads wear on their feet! It's an Instagram reference me and my friends use all the time now! 😂😂 I will say she is getting more confident and seems to be pushing all the right buttons to get information from him, but he isn't giving much away. And can she trust him enough to know that he is telling the truth? The plot thickens...as always thanks for reading! Comments are always welcome! 

[gingerale2017]

“Now, Kiss!”

Based on this hc I made earlier :)

3474 words

Fandom: The Lunar Chronicles

Pairing: Kai x Cinder

Fluff

Description:

Kai knew that the annoyance was part of having a sibling, but he hated it all the same. Nainsi would tease him about everything and when she figured out his crush on Cinder Linh, it only got worse. When Cinder calls Kai on the day that Nainsi brings some friends, she suspects that something might be cooking in the pot. Is she right, or are they friends for another agonizing day?

(Also I decided to name her Nainsi bc I’m too tired to brainstorm anything else I like it)

“WAKE UP KAI!” was the first thing Kai heard after being unfortunately interrupted by a sweet dream involving a certain someone. He was awake now, with a 100-pound pillow being tossed onto his head. Groaning, he flipped to his other side, squeezing his eyes shut as if that would make the tiny monster go away.

“KAI WE’RE GONNA BE LATE!” Nainsi yelled. She threw another pillow at him and when he didn’t show any signs of stopping, she yanked the cover out. Thank the stars for sheets.

“Stars, what time is it?” Kai managed to ask. Knowing his family it was probably five in the morning.

“Seven-thirty, ” he groaned again. It was way too early to get out of bed. Plus, the school didn’t start until eight-thirty so they were very much not late. He tucked his head in the pillow and wished for his sister to magically vanish away into whatever drama she obsessed with now.

“KAI! GET OUT THE BED RIGHT NOW!” Kai turned his head to glare at her. She glared right back.

“You know Cinder gets up super early for whatever reason. That’s something you two can get along with, ” instead of rolling her eyes like she usually did when Kai talked about Cinder, Nainsi's lips formed into a coy smile.

He cursed.

She somehow smiled even further and cocked her head, “Got any plans with her tonight?”

He could feel his ears turn red, and he tried to kill her on the spot with his eyes. His little sister took the smart choice and sprinted out of his room with Kai on her heels.

She screamed as he followed her down the stairs into the kitchen, seeking refuge next to their father’s chair. Kai could tell he was annoyed by the posture he was in and the way he took another sip of his coffee.

Nainsi shot Kai a smug smile that he wished to wipe off her face, “are you gonna wear pajamas to school, Kaito?”

“I’m going to kill you.”

“Ah, yes, but then you’ll spend the rest of your life in jail and will never see your precious Cinder again.”

He glared at her once more and left to go change. When he came back, the aroma of fried eggs was so strong that it filled the whole house.

His father was humming a tune while seasoning the eggs with pepper, now in a less annoyed mood. There were two plates on the kitchen counter already equipped with breakfast. Nainsi rebelliously made cereal instead of eating eggs. Kai, on the other hand, was grateful for the free breakfast.

He sat grabbed a ate and sat at the barstool, preparing to dig into his meal. Dad wanted to make small talk instead, “Good morning, son, and you're welcome for the delicious breakfast that I so graciously made for my marvelous kids.”

“Good morning, father, and us marvelous kids are so grateful for this delicious meal that makes caught us by surprise. But unfortunately, one of your children prefers Lucky Charms to you’re amazing breakfast, ” Kai responded after swallowing his first bite of eggs.

Nainsi looked up from her cereal, “that’s because I don’t like eggs, they’re disgusting.”

“You don’t like anything, ” she stuck her tongue out. Kai picked up his plate and placed it in the sink. Unsurprisingly, he was still hungry, so he went to see what was in the fridge.

“Kai, why don’t you ever want up early?” his father asked.

“Um, because-”

“Because he’s up all night thinking about making out with Cinder in the back of her BMW, ” the little monster interrupted before he could continue. He grabbed a tomato and slammed the fridge shut.

He then threw the tomato at her, “two strikes, Nainsi.”

She dodged the tomato and looked back at Kai with big round eyes.

“Hey, it's too early to fight with your sister just yet, ” interjected his father, “also, if you couldn’t tell, your mother is working double shifts at the hospital today so she wouldn’t be coming back tonight and I have a business trip. I know you have some friends coming over today, Nainsi, so behave better than usual. Both of you.”

“What friends are coming over, Nainsi?” Kai mused, an idea forming in his head.

“Just Geovanna and Emily. Possibly Ben but he hasn’t confirmed yet,” she answered, “why?”

“Just wondering. Anyways, we gotta go now,” Kai pulled on his sweatshirt from the laundry and headed towards the front, “bye dad.”

He nodded at Kai, currently preoccupied with his second mug of coffee while Nainsi rushed to follow Kai.

It was freezing out, as it usually was during winter in Maryland, but today was unusually cold. He turned on the car while Nainsi hopped in the passenger seat.

“Are we gonna go or what?” she barked.

“In a minute. Let me close my eyes for a bit.”

“You always do that, you lazy bum.”

“Your insults are getting drier and drier Nainsi.”

“Just go, ” this time she hit his forearm with her binder from nowhere. Repeatedly.

“Okay, stop hitting me. Ow.”

They drove off towards the school. Although Nainsi lived to tease Kai, they got along pretty well. They talked about this new show and had similar opinions on it during the short car ride. Once they were at Nainsi’s school and she was gone, then he could start playing the radio.

He bid his goodbye’s and see you later’s and now was off to his school.

᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽

Kai was unsurprisingly drained during the last period of the day. He fiddled with the corner of his notes to keep himself awake for at least ten more minutes. When he felt himself starting to doze off, he began to replay the day so far.

When he got to school, Cinder was marked absent which made his day worse. He always looked forward to hearing her sarcastic remarks or her smiling at one of his witty jokes.

Anyways, she was gone and he was sad, but Cress wasn’t. She happily explained to Kai that she and Thorne were going on a date Sunday. He was happy for her, truly, but all he could think about was how he can unsuccessfully tell his feeling to Cinder.

Not telling her felt like he was forgetting something important every day, except he was not forgetting. He knew exactly what he was doing and it killed him, but he also didn’t want to ruin the good that they have now. Then Kai would think about how it would be better and his thought would circle around and around.

After meeting up with Cress, they endured through the first two periods they shared, Scarlet and Thorne joining during the second. Although he had plenty of friends to talk to and enjoy, he couldn't help missing Cinder.

She's gone for one day and you feel like this? he thought, get a break. The little voice inside Kai's head was right.

Then the last bell rang, startling him. He stood up and began to pack his things. Then he fast-walked out and left.

"Kai!" he heard someone call.

Iko and Cress gestured at Kai to come to their lockers. He obliged.

"Look, Winter's birthday is in a couple of weeks, during the break. We want to throw a party because it's her sweet sixteen! We already have all the decorations ready, I know it's early, but long story short, can we throw it at your place?" his blue-haired friend asked as innocently as possible. Although she had to change her posture, tone, and expression to look innocent, Cress had that personality as her default.

"Please, Kai?” Cress pleaded and she knew what she was doing. It was always impossible to say no to her without feeling guilty. Or maybe it was just Kai who hated saying no.

“Of course! My parents are going to their parents during that week, so I’ll just ask to stay behind.”

“Yay! Thank you so much!” Iko hugged him tightly, “also not a word to Winger. It’s going to be a surprise.”

“Sounds nice.”

“Yep. I got to go to my job interview, remember what I was telling you about. Ah, the chance to work a boutique, what a dream,” and with that, his friend walked away.

“Hey Cress, did you hear anything about Cinder, ” he pressed.

She nodded, “Adri was mad at her again so she’s stuck at the garage, ” the blonde began to nibble in her fingernails. Noticing the bad habit, she brought he hand down.

“Oh, ” he hated Cinder’s stepmother, he truly did. And it killed him he couldn’t do anything about it.

They walked silently down the hall. Girls batted their lashes and some greeted him but he ignored it as usual.

“Do you think Adri would let Cinder free tonight?” he asked, now in the parking lot of the school.

“If you’re the one taking her anywhere then, of course, Adri would.”

Cress, Cinder, and Winter all skipped one grade. Cinder and Winter skilled first, and Cress skipped seventh. Cress was the smartest of them all, granted, and they don’t have a driver's license. So Cress got a ride with her older brother Jacin, and so did Winter (Jacin’s girlfriend). Cinder usually rode with Thorne, but on the good days, she rides with Kai.

They reached Kai’s car which was near Jacin’s car and being the super over-protective brother he was, he glared Kai down. Kai found this confusing because his feelings for Cinder were quite obvious, but then he saw Thorne parked next to Kai.

Thorne was currently ‘interested’ in Cress which made her a flustered mess.

Cress walked quickly to Jacin’s car and hopped in the back. Kai called goodbye and started his car. Then there was a rap on his window.

“What?” he asked Thorne, “I got to pick up my sister.”

“What flowers does Cress like?” he lifted an eyebrow at his friend, “not like that,” what Thorne did not know was that Cress told Kai everything about their date. Perhaps Thorne wants to keep it secret until then.

“Uh-huh.”

“Just answer the question!”

He shifted in his seat, “I dunno. Ask Jacin.”

“Great advice,” Thorne deadpanned.

“Get her roses. Those are super romantic and she’s all about the romantic gestures.”

“Nah, too cheesy. Pretend it's Cinder, what would she like?”

“Cinder doesn’t like flowers. Wrenches, however, are much appreciated.”

“I think I’ll just get roses.”

“Yeah, now move, my sister is waiting for me, ” Kai rolled up the windows and drove out.

Time passed very quickly and the next thing he knew, Nainsi was climbing in the passenger seat with her three friends in the back seat.

“I thought it was only two people, ” he whispered harshly.

She shrugged, “Ben decided to come.”

“What are you gonna feed them.”

“Pizza.”

“Who’s money?”

“Yours,” he shoved Nainsi but she shoved back.

“Fine but you owe me.”

“We’ll see, ” she turned in the seat to talk with her friends.

᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽

Once everyone was settled inside and pizza was ordered he began to brainstorm ways Kai could punish Nainsi for this morning.

Then, like a light bulb, a perfect idea formed into his head. He walked into the laundry room where a basket filled with his clothes was waiting for him.

He pulled off his shirt, grabbed the basket, and headed into the living room. His sister was watching a realistic drama with her friends, although Kai wasn’t sure the drama wasn’t ‘realistic’ at all.

This plan happened before on accident with the same friends and they just stared at him while Nainsi shooed him out. Little did he know that her friends would just start talking about him and his looks. When Nainsi told him this, he groaned and whined about how he got enough of this from school. So when Nainsi had people over, Kai would camp in his room to avoid the awkwardness.

Now, he knows how her friends would react. And how she would react.

But before he could do anything, the phone in his pocket vibrated, making him turn a one-eighty back into the laundry.

It was actually Cinder calling and he answered quickly, “hello?”

“Uh, Kai?”

“Yes?”

“Can you do me a favor? Please?” it sounded like she was outside where it was currently raining.

“Yes, of course, what do you need?”

“I need a ride. I’m stuck here in the rain, by myself. Also, this is going to sound weird but, can I also stay with you for an hour and a half?” she defeated like she lost an argument.

“I can pick you up and you can stay with me. Nainsi has some friends over but it should be fine, ” Kai wondered if he sounded too cheery.

“Ok, thanks. I’m at the gas station outside your neighborhood, by the way.”

“Great, see you in a few minutes. Bye.”

“Bye, ” she hung up.

Kai hurried to put on a shirt and grab two rain jackets from the close, just in case Cinder needed one. Then he walked into the living room and out the front door, only to come back in. He forgot to tell Nainsi where he was going.

“Hey Nainsi, I got to pick up someone. I’ll be back soon though, ” she nodded, mouth full of pizza crust, “uh, don’t open the door to strangers. Bye.”

This time he didn’t go back inside after he left. He drove out of the neighborhood, slowly because it was pouring buckets and he could barely see three feet in front of him. After an eternity, Kai finally reached the gas station and parked under the large roof.

He didn’t even see Cinder come in, only heard her, sacring him witless. She smiled apologetically while tossing a white plastic bag onto her lap. It was full of snacks.

“Thanks for coming to get me, I owe you one now, ” she said, handing him one of the bags of chips.

“Of course, Cinder, I would do anything for you, ” the corner of her lip curved upwards as Kai’s cheeks heated, “that came out wrong. I meant that you’re my friend and such. Like the good moral movies where like the one friend reminds the other what friendship is truly about?”

Cinder snorted, “Like My Little Pony?”

“Isn’t that a TV show?”

“Same thing.”

“Is not.”

“Whatever, I know what you meant. Peony had made me watch enough TV shows and movies to last a lifetime.”

“Okay then, ” the rain seemed to finally thin during their conversation making it much more comfortable conditions for Kai to drive in.

Cinder had a habit of talking with her mouth full and the ‘good manners kid’ inside of him cringed. He hoped he hid it well.

Anyways Cinder explained why she was soaking wet at a gas station abandoned with snacks. She was bored and hungry and wanted something to do. So she walked to the gas station, alone, for snacks and a good walk.

Kai raised an eyebrow at that, “you live far away from me, how and why did you walk miles just for a bag of junk food?”

“People can do miraculous things when they are bored, Kai.”

“Yes, and penguins can fly if they really set their minds to it.”

“They are a bird so, hey, nothing’s impossible.”

“Who drove you?”

Cinder shoved a chip in her mouth, “Pearl,” she admitted reluctantly.

“What?”

“I skipped lunch and she knew I was hungry so she drove me here and left me while I was getting snacks. She also called me and said that it was a prank she couldn’t resist.”

“Oh, ” Kai said as they were pulling in his driveway. It was drizzling now so there was no need for the rain jackets.

“I’m also supposed to be at the garage until later so that's why I have to stay that long. If I come back early, Adri would get mad, and I don’t feel like getting yelled at today.”

“Ok,” he said as he walked out of the car.

He opened the door for Cinder and followed her inside. Nainsi and her friends did not move from before he left, but they switched shows. His little sister locked eyes with Cinder, immediately getting up.

“Hey Cinder. I did not know you two were hanging out today?” She said conspiratorially.

Cinder nodded, “yeah it was kind of sudden. Also, Peony is not with me, sorry.”

“That’s okay. I’m going back to my friends now. So you guys can ‘hang out’” Nainsi emphasized the last part then ran off to her friends.

“So, um, what do you want to do for an hour and a half?” he asked.

Cinder turned to him, “I don’t know, what do you want to do.”

“I don’t know.”

“Let’s just go to your room then.”

“Good idea, ” Cinder has been to his house enough to know the layout. He followed her to his room where she fell on the bed.

“Working under cars all day isn't good for the back you know, ” she explained, muffled by a pillow.

“I would expect so because your posture is not up to standards.”

She snorted, “I guess that’s true, ” Cinder sat up and leaned on the headboards, “sorry for taking up your space. And for calling you. Stars, this was a bad idea, you already have people here. I’m like an intruder-”

“Why are you apologizing so much? I don’t care if you light my room on fire, ” Kai accused. It was true, ever since he met her, she would apologize for every single tiny thing, as if every single wrong thing she did was unacceptable. He moved towards her to place a hand on hers, “it’s okay, Cinder. And calling me was a good idea because you saved me from the little demons.”

Cinder let out a genuine laugh that ended with a genuine smile. A smile that never ceased to make his heart twitch. He bashfully realized that he was still holding her hand.

Kai let go but she only grabbed his hand back. He watched her intertwine their fingers, trying to ignore the strong pounding of his heart. He dared to look up and realized that Cinder was staring at him.

He looked into her chocolate eyes that seemed to shine with stars. He wanted to dive into that sea of brown and lie there for eternity. As long she was there.

“Now kiss!” cried a shrill voice. Kai jumped away from Cinder, noticing that she copied his actions.

“Aw, come on just kiss already, the tension was so thick, ” said... Peony?

Cinder’s eyes widened, “Peony, what- how did- why are you here?”

“Well first, I was invited to the sleepover but I had volleyball practice so I had to come late. I just got here. And second, I saw Nainsi sneaking up here so I followed, and oh my stars, we ruined the money, didn’t we?” Peony looked at Nainsi.

“We did. Sorry guys, we’ll go now.”

“Yes, now you can kiss in peace, ” the girls left, leaving Kai very flustered. He glanced at Cinder and saw that her cheeks were also tinted pink.

“So, do you want something to eat, ” he asked finally. He could not bear the silence anymore.

“Yes, ” she nodded, although they already are in the car.

They got up to leave but before he could open the door, Cinder grabbed his wrist and pulls him down. The next thing he knew they were kissing. It was quick and soft and amazing. It felt like everything suddenly clicked and the world was righted. Like the stars finally aligned.

She pulled away and Kai could feel the heat in his ears. His heart was beating so loud that he was sure Cinder could hear it as well.

“Let’s go get some food, ” she breathed and opened the door. She was still holding his wrist, he realized. He intertwined their hands like before, but this time it felt more meaningful. It was like their hands now signified that they were more than friends. That they loved each other, even if they hadn't admitted it yet. But he could feel it and was sure that she could too.

They entered the kitchen and Cinder began to talk about food options but all he could think about was the kiss. He wanted to kiss her again. And to hold her.

Someone cleared their throat behind them, making them turn around. Nainsi, Peony, Emily, Geovanna, and Ben all stood with knowing faces. Nainsi smirked, “finally.”

Peony looked like she was about to explode with happiness, “I already told Iko. She’s ecstatic.”

Neither Kai nor Cinder said anything. Nainsi probably knew because of the looks on their red faces and told Peony. Then Peony told Iko and Iko probably told everyone in their friend group.

So now everyone knows.

“Just to be sure, you guys did kiss, right?” asked Emily.

Slowly, Cinder nodded. Kai opted to stare at his feet. Peony whooped, Nainsi squealed, Cinder blushed, and Kai groaned.

“Ok now we will leave you alone, for real, ” Nainsi promised, dragging her friends away.

“Why are there so many people here?” Kai murmured then turned to Cinder. She leaned on his shoulder. They were still holding each other's hand, “I really want to kiss you again, by the way.”

“Me too.”

“Okay then, ” he cupped her cheek with his free hand and kissed her. Cinder squeezed his hand affectionately. He once again felt like everything was where it was supposed to be, where he was supposed to be, and that was with Cinder.

Tagging: @just2bubbly @winterrhayle @jacihayle @shelbylmkaider @cerenoya @a-salting-the-world @ladyvesuvia @not-the-founder-of-rome @greenalmond @zephyr-thedragon @cinderswrench @cindersassasin @strawberry-seraph (these are just one-shot tags so please tell me if you want to be added or remove for these types of fics <3)

[mediocre--writing]

after starcourt billy and el get closer, and he introduces her to the things that make him happy (rock music, basketball, etc, etc)

and el isn’t quite sure what to give back. billy has shown her so much new stuff about the world, she wants something to give to him.

she finds his mom. she goes into her little trance and finds the blonde woman she’s seen in billy’s memories. she’s living alone, has a cat or two, and is in a small apartment... in new york.

so she talks to steve. he recons they can find her in the phone book, but when asked for a name, el blanks. she doesn’t have a name to put with the face.

so she goes back into her head, waiting for someone to say it or something, then something catches her eye.

piles and piles and piles of papers on the dining table and all the chairs but one. there are even some discarded on the floor.

el walked to them, reading the best she could (she’s gotten pretty decent at it over the months she was at hoppers cabin and billy has been helping her, too)

‘Custody Agreement,’ one reads. a californian address is in the middle of a few letters, addressed to a ‘Neil Hargrove.’ a half written letter reads:

‘Sorry, ma’am, but we’ve just bought this house and don’t know a Neil, but we’re sorry for your situation.’

there’s bills and payments overdue to the apartment complex, as well as an attorney. letters dating back to 1978 that are worn and read over and over.

there’s pictures in one binder, opened to approximately the middle, showing a boy and the woman—billy and his mother— on a beach eating ice cream. it’s dated 1976.

there’s another picture of billy—cowboy hat on and a funny sheriff pin on his shirt—dancing around a small, but homey, living room.

the final picture on the page, blurry and sideways, shows the woman smiling, a cut on her cheek that was still bruised, but the caption (written in a sloppy, childish font) read: ‘taken by w.t.h. 1975’

the woman is sleeping on the couch, a journal open on her stomach and pen still in her hand, breathing slowly.

the journal is open to a page, one of the last in the book, and has a scribbly font to match the other writings in the kitchen.

they’re addressed to billy, and signed with a heart. there’s ink smeared in some spots, presumably from tears, and el thinks that this is one of the saddest things she’s ever had to see.

but she looks to the woman once more, eyes trailing along the diner costume she has on, a hideous blue/green color (that faintly resembles billy’s eyes) and sees a name tag.

she has a name for steve.

Carrie

she’s not positive of a last name, but she assumes hargrove is a good bet, and, low and behold, there she is.

Carrie Hargrove and her phone number are listed right there in the phone book, and as lucky as that is, el doesn’t know what to say.

this doesn’t feel like a quick-phone call situation. this is a big deal.

carrie has been looking for billy for years, since the week she left, it looks like, and she’s been writing to him, the billy she remembers, and tells him about things in the city he would love. little thinks people she waits on say that remind her of him. how she imagines he looks and acts now. how she wants to murder a son of a bitch named neil hargrove.

(oh, don’t we all)

the hard part starts now, though, because how do you tell a broken mother over the phone that you know her son and, somehow, know her phone number?

you can’t. it’s just not right.

so steve does it. he takes a short, weekend trip out to new york. tells the party he’s going to see his parents since they’re in nyc for the week and he’s gone.

el doesn’t know what happens between the friday steve leaves and the sunday he gets back, but he returns no different than how he left.

el hasn’t been able to ask him about it yet, she hasn’t seen him and she can’t exactly pull him to the side during party outings because that would be a little strange to to without questions.

plus, billy and max are always around. like always.

but it seems that el won’t have to ask steve any questions, she finds the next weekend, when the party rides their bikes over to steve’s house and see a car, ratty and old, sitting in the driveway.

it’s a familiar shade of blue and has a new york license plate hung on the back.

the kids assess the car but el makes her way to a window, peaking in to see steve quietly talking to a woman, the beautiful woman who is still wearing that atrocious diner costume with her hair a mess, and they seem to be arguing quietly.

not long after el peeks in, the boys come around her to look through the window, and that’s when steve sees them. they try to duck but they’re caught.

the boys are asking steve who this lady is and all other million questions they have and the woman—carrie—is still sitting at the dining table, looking ready to bolt back to her car and drive all the way back to new york.

their conversation (interrogation) is interrupted by the roar of an engine—max and billy are here.

billy is here.

max comes through the (open) door first.

“who’s car is in the drive way? steve, i thought your parents were rich?”

but she stills in the doorway when she sees steve looking more guilty than usual, the boys irritated at their lack of answers, and el, standing near a woman, who max remembers from photos—albeit a few years younger.

“woah, that’s—“

billy’s footsteps are heard before he’s seen, and he bumps into max, still standing in the door, while he’s trying to put his cigarettes in his jacket pocket.

“the fuck,” he murmurs as he grabs max’s shoulders to keep her upright

“steve won’t tell us who the lady is!” dustin yells, because of course dustin had to open his big mouth.

“lady?” billy asks before looking around the room, analyzing steve’s face (guilty), the boys (irritated and confused), then els face (hopeful and worried).

his eyes move to behind el, to the dining room, where a mop of blonde hair, not dissimilar to his own, is sitting there, staring at him.

the same eyes connect across the room and both their hearts drop to the floor.

billy takes a small step foreward. stands still for another moment, then walks quickly towards her.

she’s scrambling to get out of the chair and, for a second, this looks like a threatening scene, but then they’re going towards each other and embracing so tightly you couldn’t tell where one started and the other ended.

her name tag was poking into billy’s chest and his boot was partially over her foot, but they had their eyes closed as they breathed in and out, simultaneously calling down and getting excited from the others presence.

el didn’t realize before, when she’d seen carrie in the void, but they had all the same features. their curly, dirty blond hair, their bright blue eyes surrounded by darkness, their hands that kept readjusting and grabbing tighter onto the things they didn’t want to lose.

the way they both had their noses scrunched up while trying not to cry, the way they both didn’t move much as if that would break the trance they got drawn into.

“so who is she?” dustin asked, not so quietly.

“why don’t all you brats go outside for a few minutes?” they didn’t look happy with that idea, but followed steve outside like little ducklings, leaving carrie and billy alone.

they still didn’t break from the hug, not even when the sliding door slammed and the kids’ voices were muffled.

as carrie started moving her arm, rubbing gently across billy’s back, he finally let go of the tears that had welled in his eyes.

“i missed you, my boy,” she croaked out, leaving billy to choke out a sob, holding her tighter—if that was possible.

“missed you too, momma,” billy mumbled into her shoulder, feeling her hug him back tighter as well.

they pulled away, only when billy’s back was beginning to ache from bending down a bit just to feel small in her arms. and maybe it was because he was a kid, but he always thought he remembered her taller.

“i’m so, so sorry, it—“

“why did you leave?”

“i didn’t. no—i mean, i did, but you were gonna come with me, billy. i moved our stuff, in small amounts, to my sister’s place, maggie, you remember her? right?” billy nodded “i was gonna slowly get us out of there, but neil realized, he knew what i was doing and i—i couldn’t stand it and i—“

her throat was burning with anguish as she tried to explain, to the best of her ability, how she could have done something so despicable.

“i didn’t leave for long, i didn’t know he knew, but i was moving some stuff to maggie’s, was gonna stay the weekend, it was after that one big fight, and it was the last load of stuff i had to bring, but i came back sunday night and everything, the whole house, it was empty, i—“

billy remembered that weekend. he noticed how things around the house had been moved or were missing, then how his mom left for two days, his dad told him she wasn’t coming back.

billy didn’t believe him. didn’t want to believe him. neil promised that everything would be ok, that they would stay with grandma and grandpa for a week or two, just to get back on their feet, since they wouldn’t be able to afford the house with only one income.

billy believed his dad. believed the lies he was fed about how his mom didn’t care, left him for crap, got out while she could, stole from his dad just to get out.

in the back of his head, he always knew neil was lying, but if that were true, why did she never come back for him?

he remembers one night, while they were sitting outside, billy and neil and his grandparents, the phone rang, and billy offered to answer it.

and the voice on the other line was his mom, and he begged her to come get him and cried for her to love him again, not realizing that she’d never stopped.

neil had heard the tail end of the conversation. they moved out of billy’s grandparents within the week.

billy wanted his mom back, knew that someone had made a mistake when she’d left, that someone as pure and amazing and loving as she was couldn’t just leave a kid like that.

it all made sense now. why they moved so much. why neil was always angry and going over papers from lawyers or shredding letters that never got opened.

why they moved so far away, all the way to hicktown, indiana (among other reasons).

“neil is a piece of shit,”

carrie choked out a laugh at the off handed comment that came from billy—her boy. she nodded, though.

“that he is,”

they were both a little uncomfortable, but held an underlying relief of seeing one another.

“you know,” billy’s head turned to her, “my apartment, in new york, is filled with pictures of you and i. i was going to bring them, but i couldn’t take all of them and i wasn’t sure which ones were my favorite. but—“

she walked back over to where she had been sitting at the table, reaching into her satchel and pulling out a worn leather book, handing it to billy.

“i thought you should have this.” billy opened the book, the spin cracking with movement, and noted how every single page was filled to the brim with words. “i wrote to you, at least once a week. things that made me think of you, on your birthday and holidays, other occasions. times when i missed you a lot and times when i knew you might need me.”

billy, both listening to her words and reading the first page, was dissolving into a mixed state of joy and sadness.

his mother had thought of him just as he’d thought of her. every day and holiday and situation was filled with thoughts of the other. she didn’t leave him in the dust and start a new family.

she was still searching for the one that was taken from her.

[guiltysecretpasttime]

Blended

I was (thankfully) given some time off during this holiday season; which I promptly used to spend time with the family and recharge at home. Also spent time watching various movies during this time and a little LoK story idea came from it.

In my usual writing preference – it’s still a Lin/Tenzin endgame story but – in sort of a modern setting AU, blended family/semi-highschool themed with ages differed a bit (Lin and Tenzin was aged down by around 5 years). Expect it to be tropey and may be a bit of a cliché. This is written on a whim so if it doesn’t make sense…ah well. Haha! May edit this piece later on…

I’m considering this to be a short story, just a little self-indulgent-written-for-fun type of thing. But if other people enjoy it too then that’s such an added bonus so I’m sharing it with you as well. 😊 Let me know what you think since this is somewhat different from my usual style, I guess.

Also – I have misgivings regarding creating OCs so I’m likely to lean on canon characters and take a lot of creative license in developing them for the story.

 ---

Title (tentative):  Blended

Legend of Korra, Lin/Tenzin, Modern AU, no bending

(Not sure if one-shot or will be multi-part yet)

 ---

Tenzin, Republic City Primary School

“Thank you for making time to meet today,” The silver-haired lady clasped her hands together on her desk. “I know you must have a packed schedule, but I think it would be good to have the check-in session for your daughter today.”

“Yes, of course – anything for my daughter.” The bald and bearded man threw a look at the door’s window, where he could see his daughter swinging her legs while seated at the corridor.

��Ikki is a bright child and she’s been doing her best to catch up with the class requirements. She excels the most at individual tasks.” The teacher continued to talk a little bit more about the projects that the students have been working on.

Teacher Yue handed the father a folder marked “Ikki”. Tenzin carefully picked it up and looked into the contents, smiling as he saw Ikki’s artworks and class outputs.

“However, I see that she seems to have challenges in adjusting in a large class set-up.” Yue shared. “It’s nothing to worry about though. We’ve had several transferees in the past as well and this is usual; I expect that might take a little bit longer since it’s a transition from homeschooling to a big school.”

Tenzin frowned and he hurt for his daughter. His two children had both been homeschooled until recently.

They also had to experience a lot of upheaval in the past year or so – from the divorce, to being uprooted from their childhood home, moving to a new city, and then going to a new school.

He did notice that while his son was as precocious as ever (maybe owing to his young age?), his daughter had become more subdued since their move.

“What can we do for her?”

“Well, we have a big sister-little sister type of mentorship program.” The teacher pushed forward a brochure and several index cards. “It’s mostly an afterschool interaction activity, we have here several students who have been volunteering. Maybe you’d like to ask Ikki to join?” She pointed at the index cards. “Feel free to select which mentor you think would help her best. We usually ask the parent or the student to select their preferred mentor profile from the roster. We would not want Ikki to feel uncomfortable; you’d know her best than any teacher.”

He nodded. After a few moments perusing the index cards and the brochure and pulled out one from the pile. “Let’s go with this girl.”

Tenzin pointed out to a profile labelled Jinora.

 ---

Jinora, Home

The ten-year old girl has just finished putting hair in a bun when she heard a knock on her bedroom door.

“Jinora!” It was her oldest brother. “Mom says I can use the car today – want to leave with us instead of riding the bus?”

“Sure!” She called back, quickly grabbing her backpack. “I’ll be down in a bit.”

“Alright!”

Smack!

“Hey! Why did you do that for?”

“Good morning bro!”

Jinora rolled her eyes good-naturedly. That was probably her other brother slapping the arm of the other one.

Even at eighteen and sixteen years old respectively, they tend to act like children occasionally to the consternation of their mother.

She hurried down, knowing that if she did not do so, there would be no pancakes left for her.

Jinora heard her mother’s gruff voice in the dining room. “Bolin! Leave some eggs for your sister!”

“But, Mom,” Bolin spoke through a mouthful of scrambled eggs. “I’m a growing boy. I need this stuff.”

“And Jinora is a growing girl,” Their mother drolly responded, taking a sip of her coffee after putting down the last batch of pancakes on the platter. “There should be enough from everyone.”

“It’s fine, Mom,” Jinora immediately sat down and her brother forked two pancakes to her plate. “Thanks, Mako.” She slathered butter all over the cakes then squeezed a load of maple syrup.

She ignored Bolin gagging at her left at the amount of sweetness. She also ignored her mother who was hiding a smile and shaking her head at seeing the display.

In their family, it was only Jinora had a penchant for sweets. Her mother said she likely took after her father in that regard.

Her father…her absentee father…

Jinora shook off her maudlin thoughts when she saw Pabu, Bolin’s pet guinea pig, land on her mother’s shoulder, probably hopping from her brother’s backpack which was hung behind his chair.

Pabu began chewing their mother’s greying hair without warning.

Wheek-wheek-wheek.

“BOLIN!”

“I’m so sorry, Mom! Pabu get down from there – leave mom’s hair alone!”

All in all, it was another morning in their household.

It was noisy and sometimes chaotic, but Jinora would not exchange it for the world.

 ---

Ikki, library

Truth be told, Ikki liked going to school. She even liked her teacher and classmates.

She liked to be busy and the activities were very interesting. Getting homeschooled and only seeing their tutor, nanny and Meelo had become very tedious anyway.

Staying at their old home also reminded her acutely that their mother was not there anymore. She did not understand what happened, but she tried to.

It has been more than a year since their parents sat her and her brother down to explain that they were separating but it did not mean they did not love her and Meelo any less.

At first, she thought it might have been her fault (or maybe Meelo’s fault for that matter, he did fart a lot and that annoyed her terribly). Her dad and mom were quick to quash those theories, however. They spoke of drifting apart, change in priorities and other grown-up things that she supposed she will understand when she gets older.

But for now, she supposed as she opened her notebook on one of the long tables in the library, they would need to get used to their new living arrangement.

It was difficult last year as they were shuttled to and from two households. It also did not help that their mother was starting out with her new venture had been spending less time at her home. On the other hand, Ikki noticed their father spending more time with them, cutting down his work hours. It all came to a head when Pema had said she will be moving to another country to establish her new business. And so, they ended up -.

“Hey, are you Ikki?”

Ikki looked up to see an older girl with dark brown hair in a bun.

She nodded her head yes.

The girl gave her a bright smile and extended her hand.

“I’m Jinora and welcome to Republic City!”

 ---

Lin, Future Industries Head Office

Lin tiredly wiped her glasses clean before putting them on again, rereading her email response for one last time before hitting send.

It had been a long yet productive day. Her team had managed to fulfill all the visual design requirements that were due that day. She reviewed the different files sent to the printers, making sure that the final and correct collaterals were attached.

Her last task was to ensure that the last set of proposals were on-brand and aligned with Future Industries’ visual identity. Once she had provided her comments and revisions needed on the file, she sat back as she waited for the files to be uploaded to their server.

She reached for her cellphone, wanting to check on her kids while waiting. She looked at their family group chat and read messages from the last time she sent one.

 Ohana (Lin repressed the urge to cringe. That was the final time that she would ask Bolin to create their group chat)

Lin: Kids – as mentioned earlier, I’ll be home a bit late. No need to drop by to fetch me; have dinner already and don’t wait up.

Jinora: Mom, I’ll be staying behind after class – I got a mentee! ☺ Mako Bolin can you wait up?

Mako: Jinora Bo has training today; I think we can wait for you.

Bolin: Jinora 👍🏼

Jinora: Mako Bolin thanks! 🙌

Jinora: Mako what will you be doing while waiting? You sure you’ll be okay?

Mako: Don’t worry about me. I’ll manage.

Lin scrolled through some more messages. Knowing her eldest, Mako would like skulk off to the library.

Jinora: I met my mentee this afternoon. She’s such a lovely girl.

Lin smiled at this. Her daughter had always been the polite one.

Jinora: Her name’s Ikki and she’s two years younger than me. She said she and her father had first checked out Patola Mountain Primary.

Lin frowned. Patola Primary was far; she went there as a child.

Mako: Kid didn’t like it there?

Jinora: They didn’t have the chance to know. They had to move besause of her father’s job.

Bolin: heeey sorry guys- just about to be done with training. Just gonna shower …unless I just shower at home?

Jinora: Ew, no Bo. Shower first please

Mako: Agree. You’ll stink up the car, bro.

Ding!

Lin drew her attention from her phone as her laptop screen indicated that the files have been uploaded. She hit the send button and packed up for the day.

She was looking forward to spending some quiet time with her kids tonight.

 ---

Bumi, White Lotus Headquarters

Bumi leaned back in his fully ergonomic chair, thinking about how times had changed.

Being in an office was something he balked at when he was younger. But now, after serving a long career in defense and military, he submitted his retirement and come to the aid of his younger brother.

Ah, his only brother – back in the day, he would be hard-pressed to keep contact with his brother.

His brother who took on the role of spearheading their family’s company back when their father died.

His brother who had the task of continuing to revive the company and making sure it keeps up with the times.

His brother, who, despite being the youngest, was tagged by the board of directors as the heir apparent owing to his excellent academic records.

His brother who Bumi had felt envious of at some point. He later on realized that his brother actually missed out on a lot of freedom in his life.

His brother who managed to keep their company part of the Top 100 and make malls relevant again.

His brother who probably made some life decisions for the benefit of their company rather than his own.

His brother who had been through hell and back the past year when he and his much younger wife called it quits. His brother whose ex-wife is now galivanting somewhere in the Fire Nation, expanding a business built on horticulture and floristry.

His brother who, despite making some decisions that Bumi might not agree with, is still family.

And if there was anything that their parents taught them – family is permanent.

The ex-military man took a deep breath, looking at their last family photo. For what it’s worth, he liked to think that their fragmented family had found its way back into each other in their adulthood.

Bumi had to admit that Tenzin did have remarkable business acumen that benefited their company, a conglomerate built on the mall industry. With the fourth industrial revolution at hand and the shift towards virtual and digital, the White Lotus Corporation had been challenged during the last years of their father’s life. Tenzin had worked hard to change the ways of working and the culture in the company.

To do it, he had to make sure that there is a buy-in from the board. Ironically, to bring the company to the current century, he had to abide with one of the most archaic practices – an arranged marriage, a marriage that would serve as a press release to the business world in general, that their company was stable and there to stay.

Bumi had been surprised to get a call from Tenzin back then. He had called to let him know of his impending engagement, seeking support. Bumi had cheered, given his congratulations – but named the wrong bride. He had launched into a long tirade, berating his brother for his choices. Tenzin had shouted back his defense.

He still did not understand why Tenzin acted the way he did. However, he could never regret his niece and nephew which came from this questionable business-like union.

Bloop-bloop-bloop.

Speaking of which…

“Hey Uncle Bumi!”

“Hello there, cloudchild!” Bumi greeted his niece with a nickname his sister Kya came up with, given that the kids were actually born somewhere near the mountains. “How’s the new school?”

“It’s great!” Ikki beamed at him and gushed into a long narrative of what she had been up to in the past days.

Bumi enjoyed video conferencing with his niece and nephew. Granted, Meelo had a short attention span but Ikki had always had the flair for storytelling.

It pleased him to see her spark back. He had heard from his brother and their trusted bodyguard/chauffeur Shung that Ikki had been withdrawn during the first weeks in Republic City. It saddened him to learn that the otherwise bubbly child had been affected in that way.

“…And then, I invited her over! Daddy said it was okay – and she’s sooooo nice. Didjaknow she also knows how to play the piano! We practiced a bit. She’s good even if her family didn’t have a piano, they only had this electronic keyboard but it’s so short. But she did well. She said she had a stepdad and it was totally okay. They’re a happy family. D’you think I’ll have a stepmom too? I think it would be okay if Daddy thinks so and maybe we’ll be a happy family here too and you know I joined this contest in school and I-.”

“Whoa, slow down, kiddo.” Bumi let out his booming laughter. “I didn’t quite catch it – what’s the name of your new friend?” He was heartened that Ikki seemed to have adjusted better now.

“Jinora!” His seven-year-old niece practically chirped the name. “She’s actually here!” Ikki turned to someone from beyond the view of the webcam. “Jin, it’s my Uncle Bumi – I want you to meet him!”

“Um, it’s fine, Ikki.” A calm voice of an older child can be heard. “I can wait here.”

“Nooonseeense.” Bumi could see Ikki pull something, rather someone to the camera. “Uncle Bumi, this is my friend Jinora. Jinora, my Uncle Bumi.” She said by way of introducing them.

Jinora gives a small wave and a soft hello.

Bumi gives them a short bow. “Nice to meet you, Jinora. It’s great to meet the friend of my favorite niece (Ikki ­please don’t tell Korra).”

Ikki gives a delighted clap and proceeds into another lengthy tale on what she and Jinora were working on that day at home.

Bumi smiles back at them, observing the children’s banter as they demonstrate the monologue that Ikki was preparing for. It was amusing.

Heh, they could be cousins.

He recalled when he was young, he, his siblings and even the sisters-who-must-not-be-named would stay over in one house after school to work on school projects. It had been one of the highlights of his childhood. He was glad that his niece would be somewhat experience it; he had been worried a few years back when Tenzin and Pema (primarily Pema) were very protective of their kids. It was to the point that they were both homeschooled and basically kept out of the public eye and the public itself.

It can’t be good for socialization. But what can he say? He didn’t have kids so he probably wouldn’t know what he was talking about, right?

He’s just fun ole Uncle Bumi.

Nonetheless, as he turned his attention back to the two girls, Bumi promised himself that he will always be there for his brother’s kids. It’s the least he could do as their godfather.

 ---

Mako, Republic City High

“I worry about Mom.” Mako picked at his dumplings during lunch time, a stark contrast to his brother who was eating a lot (“Coach said I needed to bulk up!”).

“Why? Has my dad been overworking her?” Asami slipped beside him at their usual lunch table. She brought out her packed lunch of pasta and a bottle of coconut water. “Just let me know and I can try to look into it.” She was, after all, interning at Future Industries in her spare time.

“Now that’s just powerplay.” The exchange student from Ba Sing Se High chortled, taking a sip of his sparkling water. “And that’s a no-no and Auntie will definitely get mad if she hears about that.”

“You would know about powerplay,” Bolin swallowed a mouthful of chicken, pointing his fork at the other boy. “Wasn’t that why you got the last slot in the elective you wanted to take this year?”

“Who? Me?” The other boy dramatically placed a hand on his chest, eyes widening. “You think, I Wu would stoop so low as to manipulate the results of the audition for the voice elective? Don’t you think I have enough talent to get into that class?”

Bolin just snorted into his food and Asami choked on her drink. Wu cracked a smile at their reactions.

“Again, Wu – don’t let Mom hear you call her Auntie.” Mako reiterated for the nth time in their friendship. “She hates it.”

“That’s why I do it.” Wu winked at them.

“Wait, Mako, what were you saying about Mom?” Bolin managed to ask in between bites of food. “Is something wrong? I mean, she’s a little bit run-down but she said it’s just because of the time of the year.” The last quarter of the year, after all, is usually the busiest.

“No, it’s just – well,” Mako sought words to explain it. “I’ll be leaving for college, you’ll be away for training, and okay, Jinora would be there but she’s in middle school now…” He trailed off. With Jinora’s aptitude and interests, Mako would not be surprised if she took on a lot of electives and extra-curricular activities. “Mom works too hard, you know?” He ended lamely.

“She has always looked out for us, but yeah,” A shadow passed over his brother’s face. “Ever since Pa passed away a few years back, she poured much of her energy to ensuring our welfare. She’s barely spent time for herself.”

Mako met Bolin’s now worried eyes.

The brothers knew that their mom had sacrificed a lot for them and Jinora.

When they first met Lin and one-year-old Jinora, she had already been under a lot of duress – taking care of a baby, leaving behind Jinora’s deadbeat dad, settling down in a new neighborhood and restarting a career. It had been two years later when she married their father San, who had been a sergeant at the city’s police station at the time.

And, Mako thought wearily, history has not been kind to Lin Beifong at all. While they did have four years (four wonderful years that Mako will treasure for the rest of his life), their fairytale-like family life came to an abrupt end.

San was involved in an armed bank robbery four years later and had not survived the gunshot wounds – leaving Lin behind with two boys at the brink of puberty and a young daughter.

Bolin and Jinora had been very confused at the time. Mako, already fifteen, had been expecting that he and Bolin would be forced into the system or sent off to their relatives in Ba Sing Se. He felt that Lin would not be in any way obligated to take him and his brother in; they were not blood relatives anyway. They were just stepchildren.

To his stunned astonishment, Lin did neither.  He recalled crying in Lin’s arms that night after his father’s funeral.

She had asked him, with a confused expression, why he was packing. Lin wept alongside him as she explained that Mako and Bolin are her sons and there was no way that she was sending them away.

Since then, Mako made sure to look after his mom the way she looked after them. The brothers’ protectiveness was soon well-known in their neighborhood.

Probably also why no one had expressed any type of interest towards Lin even years after…

Mako reflected that it might have been a good move on their part but now it might have been a little bit selfish.

He and Bolin would now need to rethink their strategy…

After all, their mom Lin deserves all the happiness in the world.

 ---

Tenzin, Republic City Primary School – Parking Lot

“Are you sure you’re not just using this as an excuse to have a sleepover?” Tenzin looked over at his daughter, a teasing grin out of place on his face.

“Of course not, Daddy.” Ikki replied indignantly, kicking pebbles as they waited at the parking lot.

“Why can’t you do the project at our house?” He was actually leaning towards allowing Ikki on her first ever sleepover/overnight but he wanted to hear from his daughter.

“We’ll need a big big printer, Daddy.” Ikki raised her arms to show him just how big. “We’ll need to print out my project and Jinora’s mommy has a big printer and lamin-lami-lamintor (“Laminating machine, dear?” Tenzin clarified.) because she frilancets (“Freelances?”).”

“Mmhhmm.” Tenzin looked across the school building, shifting Ikki’s overnight bag on his shoulder.

Ikki timidly approached him the other night, asking if she could spend Friday night and Saturday at her friend Jinora’s house. They had an output required of them of the big sister-little sister program. Tenzin was actually unclear as to what is the specific output that the girls had decided on but it did require a large-scale printer and a laminating machine.

Jinora attempted to explain to him what they were going to do during the last week that they were in his house but he felt out of his depth so he had nodded and let them work on what they needed to.

The father had met Jinora several times already in the past months so he knew the child was in earnest that their intent for the overnight activity would be mainly to finish a project. He also realized (well, Bumi made him realize) that Ikki was old enough for a sleepover (and Pema’s overprotectiveness would be to the detriment of their kids’ development). Additionally, he thought grimly, it would also keep Meelo from wreaking havoc on the work area of the girls.

Nonetheless, he took up Jinora’s mom’s offer to meet up for snacks before she takes the kids home. This would give him a chance to meet the mom, discuss some ground rules and as well thank the mom privately for letting Jinora help Ikki come out of her shell during her first months in Republic City Primary. Jinora did say that her pa and mom used to do the same before she spends the night over at her other friends – the parents meet up, share a small meal, get to know each other. Tenzin thought this was a good parenting tactic; it would definitely assuage his fears as well.

But now, said mom was late.

Jinora had hurried to them, dragging with her a large cartolina and illustration board. She explained that her mom’s work meeting overran and if it would be okay if she rode with them? Her mom will be meeting them at the local diner instead, so they don’t get caught up in traffic.

Tenzin could feel his impatience growing.

So far, this woman was not making a good impression on him.

How on earth she produced a lovely daughter like Jinora was beyond him.

 ---

Lin, Narook’s

Damn Sato, Lin ground her teeth as she finally parked her car into the last parking space in front of Narook’s. Of all the days for a meeting to go over time, it has to be today when she had explicitly asked to leave early to fetch her daughter.

Jinora had provided her enough context to know that making a good impression with Ikki’s dad was important to her daughter.

Lin heard that the dad was some big shot divorced corporate guy, who, she thought, was a bit paranoid about his kids’ safety.

Lin acted as an arts club moderator so she was regularly present at the Republic City High, which gave her chances to meet Ikki whenever she drops by the primary school to fetch Jinora.

The girl was a sweet child – energetic and delightful once she felt comfortable enough with you. It had come to her attention, in the short conversations with the kid, that she was not allowed to go out and play with other kids in their old neighborhood so she was very much excited to have a new friend outside of her class and her family.

When Jinora mentioned their culminating project and their dilemma on the timeline and materials, Lin suggested that they take the project home to work on.

The crestfallen expression of Ikki as she stated that her dad would not allow her pushed Lin to share that she’s willing to talk to the dad to help convince him to give his permission.

The infectious smile that burst on Ikki’s face was enough to convince Lin that she made the right decision.

Now, however, as she entered the diner, spotting her daughter at the corner booth, she froze and started to doubt all her life decisions that led to this moment.

Wondering and questioning the universe what had she done in her past life for her to deserve this.

Across Jinora, beside the talkative Ikki, sat Tenzin – her former boyfriend and Jinora’s father.

 ---

Note: Soooo hmmmmmm. What do you think?

[suitofvibraniumarmor]

If You Just Realize

Part One: Blindsided

Summary: Sebastian’s close friend stands by his side as he and his family say a sad goodbye and face new obstacles in the days and weeks to come.  Pairing: Sebastian Stan x Reader Word Count: 1900 Warnings: Death, angst, sadness. Lots of creative licensing, I’m sure.  Square Filled: This entire series will fill my realized feelings square for @marvelfluffbingo.  A/N: I’ve much enjoyed writing this series, and I hope all of you enjoy reading it! The tag list is open; requests to be added can be done so here. There are bits and pieces of Romanian throughout the series, mostly from Google Translate and the few things I’ve picked up as I learn the language. Happy Reading! 

Dismal notes sounded together in morbid harmony throughout the church as funeral attendees greeted each other in the lobby. The people filed together toward the sanctuary, offering condolences to the family as they passed. Sebastian did his best to be cordial, but between his grief and looking out for the one other person he needed to be there, he feared he wasn’t doing so well interacting with the guests. 

“Calma, Sebastian,” his mother soothed, rubbing a hand over his back before she went to accept the outstretched hand of another guest. “Y/N will be here. She said she will be here, she will be here.”

Sebastian nodded and gave the next person in line a tight, sad smile. He knew that Y/N would be there; she always was when he asked for her support. The unexpected circumstances of his life, however, made him anxious for her presence. 

In the last few days, Sebastian had thought often of a song released sometime around his senior year of high school. The real troubles in life, the spoken-word song warned, are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at four P.M. on some idle Tuesday. The hour was earlier than four in the afternoon, but it was a Tuesday when he received the call telling him that his sister Irina had been involved in a fatal car accident on her way to work that morning. The doctors had been optimistic taking her into surgery, but her injuries were more extensive than the hospital staff had been able to read on x-rays and CT scans. While on the operating table, Irina’s heart stopped. The surgeon had been unable to restart the organ. 

A pleasantly feminine, floral scent invaded his nostrils as soft fingers intertwined with his, pulling him from his thoughts. He looked to his side to see Y/N Y/L/N next to him. Her eyes met his, and she squeezed his hand. 

“I’m so sorry I’m late, Seb. LaGuardia was a disaster.”

He leaned to kiss her cheek. “Don’t apologize. Thank you for coming. I’m not sure I could have done this without you.”

“Even if you could, I wouldn’t have let you,” she returned. 

Finally, the last of the guests had filed into the sanctuary, and the family could take their places at the front. Sebastian’s mother stepped out of line to hug Y/N and thank her also for being there. Y/N replied in Romanian, something she had learned after becoming friends with Sebastian all those years ago. She wasn’t fluent, but she could comfortably hold a conversation. 

“Trebuia să fiu aici.” She had to be there, not from a sense of obligation, but because she wanted to support Sebastian and his family in whatever way she could. 

When they were all seated, Sebastian between his mother and Y/N, and his stepfather on the other side of his mother, the priest began the service. Sebastian hadn’t let go of Y/N’s hand since she had intertwined their fingers when she arrived. Occasionally, he would squeeze her hand, and she squeezed back every time. If he needed the reminder that she was there, then she would give it. 

After the eulogy and the singing and the praying had all wrapped up, Sebastian stepped out of the pew with the other pallbearers to carry his sister’s casket to the church parking lot where the hearse was waiting to take her to the cemetery. He clenched his jaw in an effort to hold back the tears glazing over his eyes. 

Y/N walked behind his mother and stepfather in the processional out of the sanctuary but hung back with the crowd when the walked to the car at the front of the line of cars. Georgeta turned and motioned for her to join. 

“We know what you mean to my Sebastian,” the older woman assured. “Irina would want you with us as much as possible today.”

Y/N gave her a tight smile and followed the family into the black limousine. Sebastian joined them a couple of minutes later, sliding onto the seat beside her. He took her hand again. 

“I’m glad you’re here,” he told her quietly as the driver pulled out of the church lot. 

She nodded once. “Your mother said Irina would want it this way. I was going to ride with someone else, or take a cab.”

“No, you should be here with us. Mom’s right, Irina would want it this way. But I mean here. For the whole thing.”

She squeezed his hand and held his gaze. “Seb. There’s no way I wasn’t going to be here. I’m around as long as you need me to be, okay?”

He swallowed down the lump in his throat and kissed her forehead. Besides his mother and his sister, no woman was close to him like Y/N. They had become friends when they both had bit parts in the same movie, extremely early on in their careers. The friendship had clicked so easy, they kept in touch and grew closer as the years went on. The media had speculated for years that they were more than friends, but romance had never been a part of their relationship. 

After the burial, the day was only partially over. Sebastian was ready to go home and rest, but there was a whole wake to get through yet. He hoped the gathering would pass quickly and maybe he wouldn’t be required to interact with too many people. 

Guests were busy eating the well-catered food, which gave him the opportunity to visit more with his mother and stepfather. Y/N had gone to the bathroom to freshen up, giving his mother the opportunity to bring up an issue that she hadn’t wanted to stress her son over until they got through the burial. 

“Irina and I talked once about what to do if something like this happened,” Georgeta began. “It was not long after the baby was born. She was supposed to get it in writing, make it all legal. But she was going to school, raising her daughter. She didn’t get it done. And now …”

Sebastian licked his lips and picked up his water glass. “Now it’s too late.”

Georgeta nodded. “She wanted you to take Milena.”

Some mechanism in the swallowing process malfunctioned when his mother made the announcement. He coughed and attempted to clear his throat without causing too much of a scene. He had all but recovered when Y/N returned to the table. 

“Everything all right?” she asked, patting him a couple of times on the back. Nobody said anything. She raised her brow, waiting for Sebastian to come clean. 

Before he could answer, the sound of little feet running in their direction put a halt to the conversation. A little girl in a black dress with curly pigtails was rushing towards them, her arms outstretched. 

“Uncle Seb!” 

“Milena!” Sebastian exclaimed, stepping out of his chair and swooping the toddler up into his arms. Her chubby little hands squeezed his face so that his lips puckered like a fish. Sebastian laughed and switched his hold to balance her on his hip. “I’m so glad you’re here, munchkin. I missed you.”

She leaned her head on his shoulder and whispered, “Miss you.”

Georgeta and Anthony greeted the little girl, but she refused to be held by anyone except Sebastian. Once her grandmother and grandfather were distracted in conversation by the woman who had brought Milena to the reception, the girl pointed to Y/N. 

“Uncle Seb, who that is?” 

Sebastian smiled and sat with Milena so that she could be closer to eye level with Y/N. “This is my very good friend, Y/N. You met her before, but you were a tiny baby, so you probably don’t remember.”

Y/N smiled kindly at the little girl. “Hello, Milena. Your Uncle Seb told me you were pretty. I like your dress — you look just like a princess.”

That was all it took to win the little girl over. She settled comfortably on Seb’s lap while they adults spoke, smiling often at Y/N and asking a couple questions here and there. Y/N was making faces in an effort to make Milena laugh, and distract her from the somewhat heated conversation that seemed to be erupting between the woman who had brought Milena, Sebastian, and his parents. When the voices really got loud, Y/N reached out to take Milena. 

“Are you hungry, princess? We can see what snacks are left at the food table.”

Milena went willingly, walking hand in hand with Y/N, who winked at Sebastian over her shoulder as they walked away. He gave her a grateful smile and turned back to his parents and Milena’s paternal grandmother, Alice. 

“I know that Connor didn’t want to part of Milena’s life,” Alice was saying, “but that doesn’t mean Tim and I don’t want to be. My son’s choices are his own. I think we should explore the option of joint custody.”

Anthony sighed. “We don’t want to keep Milena from you, certainly, but Irina’s wishes were for her to be with her uncle. My daughter was very clear on the matter. Since Connor signed his rights away when the baby was born, I think it best that we honor what her mother wanted for her.”

“I can give her a very good life,” Sebastian interjected, “and you can see her whenever you like. I live right here in the city.”

Alice pursed her lips. “And when you’re working? I know you can afford to give her a good life, but there’s more to raising a child than the financial component.”

Sebastian bit his tongue. He had a lot to say, but none of it was kind or productive. None of it was going to help his case. He leaned back in his chair, letting his parents take over from there. As he glanced around the room, he saw Y/N and Milena standing by the food table. Both of them were smiling, and Milena was pointing to all the different things she wanted to try. Y/N held the plate with two hands as she crouched down so that Milena could pick up a grape in one hand and a cube of cheese in the other. Milena took a bite of the cheese then grinned up at Y/N, wrinkling her little nose. 

The scene comforted him in a way he didn’t think was possible up to that moment. As he continued to watch his best friend and his niece interact, the seed of an idea was planted in Sebastian’s mind. He immediately told himself he was being ridiculous, but the thought tugged at his heartstrings and pulled on one end of his mouth, almost evoking a smile. 

Y/N locked eyes with him as she followed Milena back to the table, a silent warning that any arguments needed to come to a stop. As the conversation between Alice and his parents didn’t seem to be slowing down, Sebastian pushed out of his chair and approached them. 

“How about I take my two favorite girls to the park across the street? I know a little girl who loves to swing,” Sebastian smiled. 

Milena clapped her sticky hands and reached for Sebastian to pick her up. He obliged, and once she had set Milena’s plate of snacks on the table, Y/N followed them out to the park. 

AllOfTheThings: @captain-s-rogers @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan @letsgetfuckingsuperwholocked @hurricanerin @horsesandbandsforlife @im-not-an-armrest-im-short @captain-rogers-beard @shynara51 @sea040561 @pinknerdpanda @xtina2191 @jackryanplz @beakami @heartsaved @fullprunerebelstatesman @blackwidowismyhomegirl @averyrogers83 @jennmurawski13​

IYJR: @elsatxx​ @tanelle83​ @amanda-teaches​ @etherealwaifgoddess​ @kmuir1​ @ntlmundy​ @jayankles​ @rebekahdawkins​ @denise1605​ @rhadigen​

[masterofmunson]

afraid to fall

Harry Styles x Fem!Reader

Summary: You learn to adjust to life without Harry in your life after you broke his heart. Part 2 to Falling.

Warnings: language, angst, and drinking.

Word Count: 4k+

Author’s Note: Thanks to Miss Carona I was able to write part two to my angsty Harry fic sooner than expected. Enjoy and tell me what you think!

It starts with voicemails. You were the first to leave one, and it was on his birthday. You were a nervous wreck. You antagonized over calling. It’s been nearly two months since Harry’s concert in December and neither of you made an effort to reconcile, even if you could. You knew deep down things can’t go back to the way things used to be between the two of you. You broke Harry’s heart and you’re going to live the rest of your life with regret and wondering what could have been.

You don’t blame him for not picking up when you called. He wants nothing to do with you. You missed him terribly and it was all your fault. You were scared and Harry called you out on it, and instead of being happy, you turned the other way. It was the biggest mistake of your life and now you have to live with it.

You were a jittery mess as you dialed his number. It took seven rings before you heard Harry’s automated voicemail. It made your heart race despite the fact it’s prerecorded. “Hey, it’s Harry! Leave a message after the beeeeep!” he sang into the phone before it beeped in your ear.

You let out a hesitant breath of air before talking softly. “Hey, Curly,” you whispered, “it’s me. I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday. I understand why you didn’t pick up. I just… I’m sorry and I miss you. Happy birthday… call me or don’t, I understand.”

Harry leaves you a voicemail almost two weeks later. You were in the middle of your clinicals when he called. It made your heart jump inside your chest. You were dying to answer but you were in the middle of work and couldn’t take any calls while taking care of patients. While you were on your break, you had the chance to listen to Harry’s voice.

“Hey, darling,” his voice was warm in your ears. “Thanks for the birthday wish, it was weird celebrating without you. I miss you too. I’ll come see you soon. Promise.”

The voicemail correspondence goes on for another three weeks before they stop altogether. It hurt more than you cared to admit and you got drunk a few times to forget that you were no longer talking, again. You felt absolutely pathetic. He had every right to be mad at you. You broke his heart. Why would he want to go through that again?

You wallowed and threw yourself a pity party before gathering up the courage to leave one last voicemail. You couldn’t handle the emotional labor Harry was putting you through. He was giving you what you deserved and you hated every second. You were getting a taste of your own medicine.

Like always, it goes to voicemail. You sniffed quietly and let out a defeated sigh. Tears linger on your cheeks. “I don’t know what to say except I’m sorry,” you whispered. “You’re right. I am scared. I am a coward. I do love you. I shouldn’t have pushed you away or said those things. I know there’s nothing else I can say. I love you too, Harry. Goodbye.”

You hung up and cried yourself to sleep, mourning what could’ve been if you hadn’t let fear get in the way.

Now with your voicemail history deleted off your phone, you felt like it was a step in the right direction. You can’t torture yourself with the broken promises Harry left you in late night voicemails because neither of you had the courage to actually talk to each other. You haven’t spoken to each other since that night. You just have to accept that Harry was just a chapter in your life and now you have to move forward.

You’re already busy as it is with clinicals and school while working in the campus bookstore three times a week. It’s easy to distract yourself and not think about Harry and what he’s up to. The last you saw, he released the music video for Falling. You still haven’t watched it. You can’t bring yourself to. You know if you do, it will make you cry.

“You’re spacing again,” your sister, Piper, comments, nudging your foot gently under the table.

You blink out of your thoughts and focus on your older sister. She smiles sympathetically at you before taking a bite out of the sandwich she ordered. Your sister had come down for the weekend to ask you to be her Maid of Honor. You happily and eagerly accepted. She’s your closest confidant and you tell her everything. Piper knows everything that’s happened between you and Harry since December.

“Sorry, Pip,” you apologize, sighing quietly. “What were you saying?”

“I was telling you about Owen’s new job, but you seem preoccupied.”

You frown guiltily. You don’t have the heart to tell your sister that you don’t really care about her fiancé’s new job. Your thoughts always seem to linger on Harry. You hate it. You hate how he still has such a strong hold on you.

“You really miss him, don’t you?”

You sigh, nodding at her. You steal a fry off her plate and chew silently. You feel utterly pathetic. If it was any other man, you would be laughing it off with Harry. It wouldn’t bother you. Harry would tell you that you deserved better and he would buy you your favorite ice cream to help ease your annoyance. It worked every time.

Who would do that for you now that Harry’s the one you’re moping about?

“I called and told the truth. I apologized too. There’s nothing else I can do. It’s not like I can afford to fly wherever he is to force him to talk to me,” you sigh in defeat as you stare out the café window. Angry tears linger at the corners of your eyes. You watch cars race by the busy college streets.

“I’m sorry, Y/n,” your sister reaches for your hand and squeezes gently. You smile weakly before sinking into your chair and pushing away your food. Thinking of Harry and all the mistakes you’ve made over the course of two months makes you lose your appetite. “At least you have me to take care of you when we get drunk out of our minds tonight.”

You laugh softly, nodding in agreement. “I sure do. I’m definitely glad I bought two tickets to ABBA karaoke night instead of one.”

“Me too!”

….

Hours later,  you and Piper find yourselves standing outside Teenage Lobotomy, the karaoke bar not too far from campus or your apartment. You show the bouncer the tickets on your phone as well as your license before he let you inside with a bright pink bracelet. You make a beeline for the bar and order two shots, one for you and one for Piper. You cheer before quickly throwing the liquor to the back of your throat. Piper groans and it makes you laugh before you order a Sex on the Beach.

For the first hour, a band kicks off the event. The alcohol runs through your veins and makes your body warm. You're nursing another Sex on the Beach as you and your sister dance together. She’d only taken the one shot you gave her earlier and has been drinking water since then. The sound of Does Your Mother Know blasts through the speakers and your shouting at the top of your lungs. It was one of your favorite songs and you memorized the dance to it when Mamma Mia was released when you were a teenager. The cheers around you only spur you on further. The host of the event drags you up on the stage and asks for your name.

“Y/n!” you tell him, sipping on your drink. You point to your sister and she laughs. “I’m with my sister, Piper. She just got engaged!”

The crowd cheers and Piper waves bashfully. You drag her up on the stage and she holds you firmly to keep you steady. The host says something to you, but you aren’t listening. You’re too drunk to pay attention to what he has to say. You just want to dance. You chug the rest of your drink and stare at your sister.

“Do you remember the choreography to When I Kissed the Teacher?” you ask her.

She nods carefully. “Yes, why?”

You grin, looking back over to the host. You explain in detail how you and your sister used to dance and knew a choreographed dance to the song you learned as a teenager. The crowd laughed before Piper drags you off the stage. You giggle uncontrollably before she disappears to get you a bottle of water.

You start to dance to Voulez-Vous when you feel a gentle tap on your shoulder. You grin, ready and eager to take the water from your caring sister. Spinning around, your eyes meet the last person you expected to see at Teenage Lobotomy. Harry stands in front of you in all his rockstar glory. He’s wearing an old t-shirt and a pair of jeans. It immediately makes your head spin. Your grin falls from your face and the alcohol rushes straight to your head. It makes you stumble into the barricade. This certainly wasn’t what you pictured your reunion with Harry to be like. You’re too drunk to think rationally and you just wanted to have one fun night without a lingering thought of him at the back of your mind.

He instantly reaches for your waist to steady you, but you immediately press a hand to his chest to keep the space between you. You’re breathing hard and you feel like you’re about to faint, throw up, or both. The bass of the music pounds inside your head and Piper reappears from the bar. Her eyes find yours then follow your gaze towards Harry. Her eyes widen and she curses loudly before pushing her way towards you. She hands you the water bottle before you push your way through the crowd to get out of the bar. The cold air nips at your skin and you turn towards the alleyway beside the bar and puke your guts out. Piper curses loudly before pulling your hair out of your face as you throw up. You spit loudly before sipping the water your sister gave you.

Tears threaten to spill over your cheeks. You just embarrassed the shit out of yourself as well as your poor sister. You won’t remember any of this in the morning. You wipe your mouth with the bottom of your t-shirt and your eyes find Harry’s again. He’s standing in the middle of the sidewalk watching you with careful eyes.

“How did you know I was here?” you spat, leaning on your sister for support as her arm made it around your waist.

“We share our locations with each other, remember?” he tells you, rubbing his arm awkwardly.

Shit. You completely forgot about that. You haven’t checked where he’s been in so long that it didn’t cross your mind to take the permissions away from him. You scoff, rolling your eyes at him. The last thing you want is to have a conversation with him right now. You’re too drunk and you’re starting to get angry. Drunk you wants nothing to do with Harry right now, especially since he’s been ghosting your calls. You deserve better.

“Thanks for reminding me to get rid of that permission when I’m sober.”

Piper starts guiding you to the parking lot and Harry follows closely behind you. She pulls out her phone to call an Uber when Harry gently grasps your sister’s arm. “I can take you back. I drove down from New York with my car,” he tells her as she struggles to keep you from falling out of her grasp.

“Are you sure, Harry? I don’t want to impose,” Piper questions as you silently drink your water. You can’t even look at him in the eyes.

“It’s the least I can do. I can carry her to the car if you can just take my keys and unlock the door f’me.”

She nods and gently hands you off to Harry while he hands her his keys. The car beeps in the parking lot and you struggle in his arms. You don’t want him to touch you. You don’t want to succumb to the feelings you’ve repressed in order to move on from him. You’re too proud and you’re still hurting. You hate it. It makes you feel weak.

“I’m just trying to help you, darling,” he sighed as he carried you to his car. “It’s the least I can do.”

“Don’t call me that,” you snapped. “Don’t try and make me fall at your feet again, not after what you did. I’m tired of playing your games. I’ve done all I can to apologize.”

Harry sighs but doesn’t say anything. Instead, he opens the back door to his car and gently sets you down. He buckles you in before climbing into the driver’s side. Piper slides in beside you before handing the keys back over to Harry. She strokes your hair gently as you stare blankly out the window as Harry pulls out of the parking lot and drives down the street to your apartment. Tears threaten to fall down your face. You don’t want Harry to see you cry. Not when you’re drunk out of your mind.

The five minute drive back to your place is entirely silent on your end. Piper and Harry talk quietly to fill the awkward tension between the two of you. Harry congratulates your sister on her engagement and Piper does the same for his album when he pulls up to the apartment complex. He parks in a guest parking spot before climbing out the car and opening the door to help you out. You don’t say anything besides a quiet thank you when he helps you into your apartment after Piper takes your keys and unlocks the door. She turns the main light on and you groan as Harry pulls you inside. He shuts the door carefully before locking it and kicking his shoes off.

He guides you to the kitchen counter before gently lifting you off the ground and setting you on one of the bar stools. Piper moves quickly in your kitchen, grabbing a glass from one of the kitchen cabinets and filling it up with water. She opens up your medicine cabinet and grabs the bottle of tylenol. She shakes out two pills and puts them in your hand for you to take. You huff childishly before popping them in your mouth and swallowing them with a swig of water. She sighs and turns to Harry.

“Thanks for all the help, Harry,” Piper smiles gently at him. “You can take the couch for the night. I’ll sleep with Y/n. The two of you can talk in the morning when she has a clearer head.”

He nods, thanking her quietly before Piper disappears with you on her arm. The door clicks shut and Harry sighs, collapsing on the comfortable couch beneath him. He tosses and turns all night thinking of you.

The next morning you wake up to an incredible hangover. You don’t remember much from last night. You remember drinking plenty and making it on the stage at one point, but after that it’s all a blur to you. You don’t remember getting home.

You groan loudly, rolling over in bed. You fumble for your phone to see what time it is. It’s almost 11:30. You groan again and wipe at your face. You sister is nowhere to be found in your bedroom and you’re still in the clothes from last night. You change into a pair of old sweats and a raggedy t-shirt. You pull your hair up into a sloppy ponytail before making your way down the hall into the kitchen, expecting your sister to be drinking coffee at the counter.

Instead you find Harry sipping at his coffee and your sister nowhere in sight. Your heart starts to race a mile a minute. Your head starts pounding inside your skull.

“What the hell are you doing here? How did you get in?” you ask him, standing in the middle of the hallway. You don’t bother moving any closer to him.

Harry’s eyes meet yours and he frowns. “Do you remember anything from last night?”

You shake your head. You don’t remember much. It doesn’t take a genius to realize Harry was at the bar with you last night. You squeeze your temple. You don’t have the patience to deal with him right now. It hurts just looking at him. The last thing you want is for him to see you cry.

“What are you doing here?” you ask again, letting out a careful breath. Your voice is even as you speak to him.

Harry sighs, carefully threading his fingers through his hair anxiously. He looks at anything and everything but you. It’s like he’s ashamed. You haven’t seen that look in so long that it almost shocks you.

“I came because I listened to what you said. I heard your apology. I could feel how broken you were and it killed me.”

You shake your head in disbelief. Tears threaten to spill over your cheeks. Harry’s lying straight through his teeth. “You’re lying,” you sniffed, wiping at your wet cheeks. “I left that last voicemail almost three weeks ago. If you really cared, you could’ve called me back. I would’ve answered.  I would’ve been okay with a text too. You left me hanging again. Is this some sort of game to you? You leave voicemails saying all these wonderful things and then you treat me like I don’t exist the next day and it goes on for weeks. I can’t do this anymore. It’s killing me, Harry. It’s exhausting.”

Tears fall freely down your face and your vision blurs. You just want everything to go back to the way it was. You miss having him in your life. You should’ve never gotten too emotionally involved with him when you were still friends. You’re absolutely miserable without your best friend in your life.

Harry takes a careful breath in before taking a hesitant step towards you. Your eyes meet and you don’t move. His shoulders noticeably deflate and he walks towards you until you’re a foot apart. He reaches for you and you allow it. Harry gently caresses your face, brushing away your tears. You turn your head to avoid his eyes.

“Can you look at me, honey?” he asks you in a whisper. His fingers move against your skin softly.

You turn your head and your teary eyes meet his. Harry gently brushes a loose strand of hair behind your ear and you shutter softly.

“I know what I did was wrong. I’m so incredibly sorry. It was childish and immature. I shouldn’t have iced you out when you apologized and told me the truth when you were ready to. I’m sorry. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”

You wipe your face with the back of your hand before leaping into his arms. You cling to him as if your life depends on it and Harry does the same. He laughs softly in relief as his arms squeeze at your sides as he holds you.

Your lingering tears dampen the crock of his neck as you hug. You feel Harry’s lips press a soft kiss to the side of your head. You let out a gentle cry.

“Please don’t cry. I hate seeing you cry.”

You pull yourself out from his neck and gently card your fingers through his hair. “Of course I’ll forgive you, Harry. I’m sorry too. I hope you can forgive me. I was so stupid. I shouldn’t have said what I did just because I was scared of change, even if it meant that I would be happy and that it was good. I was so mean. I’m sorry, Harry, so, so sorry.”

He smiles at you and it’s the first one you’ve seen from him since you last saw him in December. It makes your heart race. “I know. I forgave you a long time ago and I forgive you now. I’ve missed you so much.”

You nod, hugging him tightly again. You take a deep breath in, breathing him in. It makes you shiver and Harry laughs quietly against the shell of your ear. He sets you back on the ground and you pull away with just enough space to look him in the eyes. He grins, sticking his tongue out at you before wiping the remaining tears off your face.

“I’ve been miserable without you,” you tell him softly as his fingers run over your cheeks and nose, committing the touch to his memory. It makes your heart leap inside of your chest.

“Now that makes two of us,” he laughs. You frown at his response and he pinches your cheeks. “None o’ that. Stop frowning. We’ve made up now, haven’t we?  There’s no need for you to frown like that anymore.”

You nod in silent agreement before he takes your hand and kisses it softly. Your heart races and you squeeze his hand. You reach for his chin and gently press your mouth to his in a soft, romantic kiss. Harry hums in surprise and you quickly pull away.

Heat spreads across your entire body as his eyes open to meet yours. You nervously bite the inside of your cheek and fiddle with your fingers.

“For a second I thought I was going to be the one to make the first move,” he laughs, licking his lips, feeling the taste of you on his mouth linger.

You giggle bashfully and his arms wrap around your waist, pulling you in. Your hands rest on his chest.

“I’m going to kiss you again.”

You nod eagerly and your mouths meet again in a passionate kiss. It ignites something within you, something you’ve never felt before. Harry grins against your mouth and your fingers grasp at his wrinkled t-shirt. His hands roam over your body and pull you closer. A satisfied hum leaves your lips and into his mouth. Harry laughs before slowly pulling his mouth from yours.

His face is flushed a warm pink. You laugh, caressing his face gently. He leans into your touch and presses a kiss to your cheek. Your smile only widens in response and you press a kiss to his forehead.

“I love you, Harry,” you whisper against his warm skin. Your hands roam his body and you press another kiss to his lips.

He holds you tightly and kisses you over and over again until you're giggling against his mouth. He kisses your cheek, “I…” he kisses your forehead, “love…” he kisses your other cheek, “you.” Harry’s mouth meets yours in a gentle kiss and you hold his face in your hand.

Butterflies burst inside of your stomach. His confession, the reciprocation of love, makes you weak in the knees and you cling to him. A lone tear slides down your face and when Harry pulls away and opens his eyes, he frowns again.

“Why’re you crying, baby?”

You laugh and squish his face together before kissing his puckered lips. “They’re happy tears, doofus. I’m happy,” you tell him with a growing grin. “I’m happy you're here. I’m happy you’re giving me, giving us, another chance. Thank you for not giving up on me, even when you could have. I love you Harry.”

Harry’s eyes glisten with unshed tears and he gives you one last passionate kiss before pulling you in for a tight hug. You cling to him and you feel him kiss the top of your head. “ I love you, Y/n,” he whispers softly.

Your knees buckle underneath you, but you’re not afraid to fall. This time you know Harry will always be there to catch you.

He is.

Always.

[jaehyunspeachparty]

daddy jaehyun

iii.xvii. (m)

"Is that you?" Eunbi held out her smartphone and showed you an article from a Korean celebrity magazine. She was a fellow student and you hadn't talked to her very much yet. She was always nice and polite and you once exchanged transcripts. She was very young, maybe 20 years old, like your little sister Mia. "Uhm yes." It was an article about Jaehyun on Return of the Superman and a picture of you was also posted. You try to read about it for a moment, but Eunbi is too excited about it. "Oh my god, I can't believe it. I was wondering all the time why you got a Korean last name. I've always been a fan of NCT. Ahhh Jaehyun and Haechan are ... were .. are my bias." She didn't quite know how to express herself so as not to look disrespectful. "To be honest, I was a little bit sad when I found out that Jaehyun had married you. But ... wow ...you look so beautiful!" She talked and talked and could hardly breathe with excitement. You had never experienced anything like this before. "Hey Eunbi, could you maybe not tell anyone? Almost nobody in the university knows that and I would love it if it stays that way. Can it remain our secret?" At some point it had to come out anyway, but you wanted to have your privacy for as long as possible. "Yes, of course, I promise. I swear!!!!" She smiled and put her books on the table. "Thanks, that's really important to me." You smile kindly and turn a little to her. "I just can't believe it. I'm studying with Miga and Sunoh's mother. I love Return of the Superman. They're both so cute." Now she sat next to you and you found it all very exciting, because you never met someone like that yourself. It was always Jaehyun who gets the reaction. You have deliberately moved away from the media, especially since your miscarriage. "Thank you, yes they are both angels." The thought of your children made your heart warm. "Jaehyun seems to be such a good dad. I'm looking forward to a new episode of Return of the Superman coming out tomorrow." She was delighted, but at that moment Matthew came to you with a female colleague. "Are you talking about Return of the Superman?" You didn't really know her, she was in a higher semester, but she may be a good friend of Matthew's. "Yes. Do you watch the series too?" Eunbi smiled kindly and she was just cute in her way. But the other student laughed contemptuously. "What? No. I'm not looking at how parents sell their children to subordinate themselves to capitalist social structures." You had to cough after this statement and hope that you don't react too obviously. "Oh no, it's cute." Eunbin looked at the other woman in shock and tried to defend you also a little. "What is sweet about it? Let us now congratulate the men that they are finally get to know their children? In reality, women are still forced to stay at home in our society. In addition, how should the children lead a normal life? Especially those of former idols. They are already being put in the spotlight and what will become of them later. Like their parents idols? Are they also sexualized? When does that start? " You don't know what to say, you were simply shocked and couldn't say a word. But you didn't have to say anything because Mathew spoke. "In our pluralistic value system, it goes without saying that such things develop. But I am shocked that such industries still sell women and men, portray them as sex objects. Politics only want to keep us from the real problems with such conversations and everyone who supports this supports capitalism and the restriction of democracy." Eunbi looked at the two in shock. "Why do you put that on a political level? Can't someone just enjoy the music and the entertainment without losing social values?" This sweet soul was not only lovely but also super intelligent. "If you consume and support everything, you promote sexism and political secrecy. Who benefits from all of this?" Slowly this debate was too much for you and you feel more and more uncomfortable. "But that's normal business. I still enjoy their music and admire the work of the groups." Eunbin not only defended you and your husband, but also yourself. "Nevertheless, you support sexism and slavery. We have been fighting for women's rights for years and there we see girls jumping on stage in short skirts. They correspond to an ideal that we are not all. For example, I could not be tattooed." She pulled her sleeve up and she could see that her arm was completely tattooed, but then she pointed to you. "Or it would not be okay to be a bit fatter liker her...” She points to you. “...because a flat stomach and a very thin figure are required." You then had to cough. Apparently no one really noticed that you were pregnant, they just think you have just gained some weight. "Hey, that's going too far." Eubin was really angry now and at this moment you get a message from Jaehyun that he was in front of the university. "I'm sorry, I have to go now, unfortunately." You get up and smile. "Yes me too, I still have to learn." Eubin also got up and you leave the cafe together.

"I hope you don't take what they say seriously." Eunbi looked at you with concern and you both slowly left the campus. "No, I can't take things seriously from people who don't know what they're talking about." You smile and Eunbi seems calm. "And you're not fatter. If then it is me." She looks down at her sadly. Eunbi was a bit firmer and she took it all to heart. "That shouldn't be important. She should never have said a comment anyway." You smile and notice how angry Eunbi is. That's why you're trying to calm her down. When you were in the parking lot, you can already see the car, with darkened glasses, that had your license plate. "Jaehyun is already there, should we take you somewhere?" She was so nice all the time and you wanted to reciprocate. "What? No, no. I live here in a student dorm, that's only a bus station away." She smiled and you see the car door open and Jaehyun get out. "Shall we really not take you home." You wanted to offer it to her, but her eyes suddenly grew big and you feel Jaehyun's hand around your waist. Eunbi squeaked softly, turned stiffly and quickly ran away without saying anything. You had to laugh and turn to Jaehyun. "How are you? How are the two?" He kissed you gently and his hands stroked your stomach. "We're fine. Are you ready to see our babies?" You smile and put your hands over his neck. "I can’t wait any longer." He kissed you again and then you set off.

It was your next big check-up at the gynecologist. It was the next important appointment in which you will now find out whether everything is going according to plan. Since you can feel the little ones, you are now less worried than before. Jaehyun was almost more excited than you. When you were talking to the doctor, he held your hand all the time and you notice how restless he got. When the doctor started the ultrasound examination, he only looked at the screen. And when the gynecologist put the device on your stomach and you could see the two of them moving, you were completely fascinated. "I will now check the umbilical cord, the cervix, the amount of amniotic fluid, the placenta and the organs." She tried to explain everything to you, but you were only focused on the screen. You can feel the babies moving, but seeing it at the same time made you so happy. "I would now start with the 3D / 4D ultrasound. I have to know beforehand whether you want to know the gender or not." She replaced the device and you feel Jaehyun stroking your head. "We don't want to know it." You smile and the doctor immediately noted this in her files. "Okay, I'm starting now." You look at the screen again and you could hardly believe it. First, you could see their little feet. They were so tiny and while one baby was kicking, the other had crossed the little legs. Then the doctor zoomed in on their face. You could already see so much, there were just two little people in you. "Oh is that a dimple?" The calmer baby was now sucking on his thumb and it looked as if there was dimple on the cheek. "Maybe, but it doesn't have to be." The doctor examined everything further, but you don't really get any of it because it felt like a dream. "Imagine they would get your dimples as well as Sunoh." You smile and feel Jaehyun kiss your forehead. When the doctor zoomed out further, you could now see the whole stomach and you can see how close the two were. They lay side by side, head to head. It was incredibly cute. "Mr. and Mrs. Jung, the babies are in perfect condition. Everything seems to be perfect. There are no abnormalities. The babies have a perfect size and weight for twins. We are still waiting for your blood test, but I will only check your Blood sugar and iron level. But the babies are really fine." You were incredibly relieved to hear that. The gynecologist sent you the videos and photos by email and you head back to the car. "I am so relieved that everything is fine." You smile and buckle up. "Me too. I can't wait to show the kids." He looked at you and kissed you. At that moment you just feel happiness.

It was late now, but Johnny had managed to get all the children ready for bed. You were really excited that he had all three under control so well. "And they're in there?" Miga looks at the 3D ultrasound and cannot believe it. She taps your stomach and you can feel how one of the babies reacted to their sister. It's so sad for you that nobody else could feel it. Sunoh also had his hands on your stomach and giggled.  "Yeah, they're in Mummie's stomach." Jaehyun stroked his daughter's back and smiled. "Where are you?" She leaned forward and palpated you. "One is here and one is here." You draw along your stomach and Miga was totally thrilled. Her reaction was very different now than it was with Sunoh. But at that time she was still an only child and now she had developed into such a great big sister. "When can they get out?" She continued to ask curiously while Sunoh was already falling asleep in your arms. "It takes a little while, they have to grow a little bit. Now they are too small." This time Jaehyun explained it to her and slowly put her in bed. "Tell them to grow faster. I want to play with them." She giggled and you kiss her. After Miga had also fallen asleep, you two put Sunoh in bed and then goes down to the living room. "Would you like to watch another movie?" You ask your husband, he nodded and you make yourself comfortable on the couch together. You sit in front of him, your shoulder lies on his stomach, so he could stroke your belly. You pull a blanket over yourself because you have already gotten cold and you go through the films that are available. "Hey, can I join too?" Johnny came to you and Jaehyun waved him on the couch. You keep looking and in the end, you agree on a film that Johnny and you thought was good but Jaehyun found a little boring. 

Halfway through the movie, you hear a sigh and you know Jaehyun didn't think the movie was great. But you keep watching it when you suddenly feel Jaehyun's fingers a little further down and suddenly under your panties. You press your lips together when he starts massaging your clit under the blanket and you look briefly at Johnny, who was almost asleep. Jaehyun didn't respond at all, just kept looking at the TV. If the feeling gets too intense, you clear your throat to suppress your moaning. But Jaehyun didn't massage you too hard, so you won't get to orgasm right away. In between, he stopped and left you behind. But then he kept starting teasing you again. He then put a finger in you and you feel how needy you already are because your muscles around him contract tightly. You look up at him, but he keeps staring at the television, but at the same time you feel how he put his second finger in you and slowly you can't stand it any longer. "Jaehyun ..." You whisper while he only gives you a kiss on the head in response. He slowly pulled his fingers out of you and starts massaging your clit again. You went crazy, your whole body reacted. It felt like your whole panties were already completely wet. But then suddenly you hear Johnny and you startle for a moment. "Hmm, I think I should go to bed. Good night." He got up, yawned, and then left the living room. You wait until you hear the door that locked. Then you turn around very quickly and sit on Jaehyun's lap. "How can you tease me like this?" You put your hands on his chest and he just grinned. "It's your own fault if you choose such a boring film." He put his hands on the upper side of your thigh and pushed your sweater dress up so that your ass is free. "What if Johnny had noticed?" You start to grind on his middle and you can hardly stand the tension anymore. "That never bothered you in the dorm before." He winked and grabbed your ass. He was right, at that time he had done it often and you both had found it exciting to test limits. "Shit Jaehyun, I need your dick. Now. Inside me." He immediately took off his shirt as you pull his sweatpants down further. His length immediately jumped out and you don't hesitate a second and raise your hips to place it in front of you. Jaehyun put his hand on your ass again and pulled your panties aside with his fingers so that they weren't in the way. You sit down and feel full lust when you have completely absorbed his dick. "Fuck, you make me so hard." Jaehyun groaned and threw his head back. You put your hands on his chest to support yourself and start riding him. The feeling was incredible and you feel how you got closer to your climax. Jaehyun was louder this time too, his moans made it more intense. At some point, he wants more from you. While riding him but throwing your head back. He pushed your dress up so far that your breasts were free. He was playing with your swollen nipples and you feel that your orgasm would come soon. You wanted to lean forward to ride him faster, but when you lean your head forward again, you see someone standing in the room. "JAINA!" You cried out and quickly pulled your dress down. Jaehyun also turned and looked at the little girl who was staring at you with wide eyes. "Shit." Jaehyun swore as you climb down from him. You straighten your dress and walk towards the girl. Then suddenly she started to cry. "Mummy." She was looking for her mother because she missed her and you were so sorry for all of this. "Come on my little one, we're going to your daddy." She rubbed her eyes and nodded. 

Slowly you go back to the guest room with her and wake up Johnny, who then takes care of Jaina again. You go up and see Jaehyun waiting for you. "It can't go on like this. We can't do anything in our house anymore. We should enjoy the time before the twins come." You go up to him and kiss him. "It won't be long anymore." You try to calm him down, but Jaehyun was already pissed off. "But it's enough for me now.”

daddy jaehyun masterlist

[lawandorderforevercsi]

Life Happens

Disclaimer: I do not own Forever Matt Miller and ABC do. Not beta'd.

Author's Note: Various one shots of our favorite Forever pair! Hope that you will enjoy it!

Genre: General

Rating: K+

Admired

Henry had to give it to Jo. He admired Jo for her strength and courage. This was especially true when it came to a case related to an old case that her late husband, Sean Moore prosecuted. He could tell that she wanted to crack but remained stoic even when facing danger with Detective Dunn attempted to harm her.

However, when he had gone to see her, he saw that his visit came at the right time. Henry held her close to him and felt her melt into his embrace. He knew that Sean had sent him there to be with her, even for a little bit.

Baffles

Sometimes the way Henry acts baffles Jo. It didn't matter whether it was at work or when they were spending time together; he always managed to pull a surprise out of his sleeve. One thing is for sure time with Henry, her life will never be dull ever again.

Infant

Annalisa was a dream infant as she hardly cried. But that wasn't why Henry was happy. While he adopted Abe as an infant with Abigail, he now had a biological child with Jo.

Henry will and did everything in his power and move heaven and earth to protect Annalisa; no matter the cost, he will do it.

Insane

Jo and Henry arrived back at Jo's. They had been trying to go on regular dates after they got together. Although lately they had been slammed with cases, it was a quick meal, a stolen kiss here and there. Finally, tonight Henry had the chance to Jo turned and said: "I had a great time tonight, Henry."

Henry replied, "I did too, Jo. You deserve all the best."

Henry then did something surprising. He placed his hands on the back of her neck, supporting her head, and kissed her sweetly that quickly turned passionate.

When they parted, Jo managed to get out, "That was one heck of a kiss."

Henry said nothing, and as he decided it was time to head home, Jo would have to be insane if she were to let Henry out of her life after the date and that kiss.

Sluggish and Morning

Ugh, what a morning. Jo was feeling the most sluggish in her whole life. Even coffee wasn't helping. Even when she was sick, she felt this way. Thankfully today was a paperwork day, and she can go as slowly as she wanted to.

However, at least she knew what was making her tired; she and Henry had been heavily exploring each other. They were even at it when Jo was supposed to get ready for work.

Jo smirked. She totally was going to him back for that.

Possibilities

Henry sighed. He looked down at Jo curled up in his arms and fast asleep. Having just gotten together after finally admitting to their deep feelings for each other.

Now he knew one thing was for sure, the possibilities in their lives are endless.

Immortal

Just like she was an immortal, just like Henry. She was chasing a suspect, and without warning, a car came careening into her and hit her hard, causing her to be airborne before. What was worse was that the car didn't stop and took off. Hanson called in after Henry memorized the license plate number and told Detective Hanson, who called it in. He then ran off to call for the EMT. That left Henry to stay with her.

Henry cradling Jo's head, said, "Stay with me, Detective, I need you to stay with me."

Jo said weakly as she spat up blood, "I don't think I can make it Henry. Take care of yourself, and find someone who makes you happy and know that I love you."

Just as she was about close her eyes, Henry sobbed as he leaned down and kissed her bloody lip (which he didn't care) and said, "No, Jo, don't go!"

Before she vanished, she saw visions of her life pass on by from childhood onward. It also included Sean but also way more of Henry and dreams of their future.

Before Henry could even sob, Jo's body disappeared. He gasped. Jo was now an immortal! Henry got up, called Abe, who happened to be nearby, and got to the East River.

The next thing Jo knew, she was popping out of the water. She was cold over, and when she felt around, she realized one thing, she was naked! The last thing was that Jo needed was to rack up indecent exposure charges like Henry did. Wait, does this mean she is also immortal?

Oh boy, this was going to be fun. Then Jo heard, "Detective over here!"

She looked and saw Henry [and to her surprise, Abe was there too]. Henry stood as close to the bank as he could so they could get the towel on Jo without her flashing anyone. He couldn't have Jo rack the same charges as him. Not when she was a well-respected Detective.

She knew how Henry had to move every few years to keep from found out that while he didn't age while everyone else did. Hopefully, they can stay in one city for as long as possible without detecting her situation.

Trip

Fall 2043

Jo Martinez-Morgan had just retired from the NYPD a month earlier. To celebrate, Henry booked them a trip around the world going by cruise liner.

By now, there was no reason for them to be in New York. Henry had retired from the OCME, Lucas had moved on and had fulfilled his wish to become a filmmaker. Mike Hanson had retired; he and his wife had moved to San Marcos a year earlier, Texas, to be closer to their now-grown sons. Lieutenant Reece had retired a few years before her as she and her husband found a quaint home on Long Island. Abe was no longer with them as he had passed away in his sleep, hers and Henry's two kids, twins Jenna and Noah, were living in different states living their own lives. Jo's estranged father Enrique had passed away in jail due to complications from a stroke he had suffered. Jo's mother, Isabella, had passed, her three nieces were living in California, so her older sister moved to California to be with them. Her estranged brother is well; she doesn't know where he is, and she doesn't really care.

Standing outside the now-closed antique shop and reminiscing all the good times she and Henry had. She heard a familiar clearing of the voice and turned around and saw Henry with the dazzling smile of his, the one that captured her heart.

Henry held out his hand and asked, "Ready to go, my love?"

Jo took his hand and said, "Let's go."

Getting in the car, she took one last look before the cab drove off. Now that she was also an immortal, she had a lifetime with Henry.

Treasure

Henry took the rest of the afternoon off to prepare to take Jo out for dinner to celebrate their first wedding anniversary.

Henry knew that one thing was for sure that he would always treasure his wife, Jo.

They had come a long way since they first met on the case of the murder of the train conductor. To think that she almost lost her to Isaac was well; he instantly banished that thought from his mind.

Now he was ready, ready for them to get lost in Paris just like when they first started dating.

Universe and Careful

For some time, Henry Morgan didn't have any idea the universe had in store for him. His life would never be the same after Henry escaped from the asylum that Nora had him committed to. He also knew he had to keep moving.

It wasn't until he had met Detective Jo Martinez on the case of the train conductor's death and with it a full train of people getting killed.

Now he knew but also know he had to be careful and not screw anything up.

A/N 2: Thanks for reading Life Happens. More to come!

[strawberrysoup]

Let’s Review || Chapter 1

Peter Parker knew that his big sister would do anything for him to be safe and happy. She’d given up everything for him twice over already and would do it again in a heartbeat. And that’s why, when the criminal mastermind Tony Stark started inextricably following him around, he didn’t say a word. Because he knew without a doubt Penny would do whatever she had to if it meant keeping Peter safe. He had to protect her, just like she always protected him. He never considered what would happen if Stark decided both Parker siblings were worth taking. Never considered who else in Stark’s inner circle would agree. He just wanted to protect her and yet somehow, they both ended up with needles in their necks

relationship: Steve Rogers/Original Female Character/Bucky Barnes, background Peter Parker/Tony Stark rating: Explicit warnings: Dark Steve Rogers, Dark Bucky Barnes, Dark Tony Stark, Dark Avengers, kidnapping, non-con/dub-con elements, underage Peter Parker, emotional and psychological abuse, very dark, Dead Dove: Do Not Eat

This story is, as advertised, fucked up. It’s inspired by the recent influx of Dark!Steve and Dark!Tony fics and there is a lot of potentially triggering material so please read with caution. Our heroes are not heroes in this story; they’re criminals with limited to no consciences. 

There weren’t many things that Penny Parker could really rely on. Her paychecks fluctuated unfathomably every two weeks, the electricity bill was never consistent, and for some reason even when she drove her car dry it never took the same amount of gas to fill the tank. Peter’s class schedule seemed to change every time she asked about it, his after-school club activities were never on the same day, and why did she have to sign this report card but not last quarter’s, Pete? Consistency was something she’d learned not to hope for. Mostly she kept her fingers crossed that things would somehow work out to her advantage, day by day.

For the most part, it did. She’d dropped out of high school when uncle Ben died to start working, to help support aunt May and Peter. It had taken three years to get her GED between the three jobs she worked, but she managed. GED accomplished, she checked off that box on her mental list and signed up for night classes at the local community college. It was hard, but she could make it work. Then aunt May had died.

Custody of 14 year old Peter Parker had been hotly contested, as Penny had only been 21 at the time of aunt May’s death. Technically, she was an adult. She had two jobs, a steady income, an apartment, a decent credit score. Somehow, like most things in her life, it had just kind of worked out and she was granted sole custody of her younger brother. She’d dropped her night classes, picked up a third job overnight, and kept her fingers crossed that social services never asked why her “two bedroom apartment” only had one bedroom.

Semi-decent luck was the only thing that really kept her life running, and by extension Peter’s. She knew it would wear off someday, she’d been granted the lion’s share of good fortune in Queens when it came to looking after her brother and it wasn’t super fair. She just didn’t think it would end so spectacularly. The end of the luck was supposed to be a low, painful fizzle.

Instead, it was a flashbang that started with Peter acting like a cokehead. Peter had never been a particularly twitchy kid; Penny had leeched all the chaotic energy from their mother’s womb and left the intelligence behind for her kid brother. Over the course of several months though, he’d begun jumping at the drop of a hat. Penny would turn the corner into the kitchen and startle him so badly he’d have an asthma attack. If she even glanced at his phone when a notification lit up the screen he’d lose his mind, accusing her of not respecting his privacy and dart away into his room. Asking if he needed anything from the store was suddenly the Spanish Inquisition and god forbid she offer him a ride to school.

Because she’d graciously left all the IQ points for Peter, Penny had a tendency to do stupid things. Like assume Peter’s behavior was because he had gotten a girlfriend or was just going through usual teenage boy hormones that made him act like a jackass. Luckily the dumbass wasn’t actually a cokehead, considering he still blanched whenever she had weed in the house, but fuck if he wasn’t acting like a freak. It came to a head when she happened to be coming home from her second job at the same time he was getting home from one of his after-school club meetings.

She hadn’t been sure what she was seeing at first. It was definitely Peter, he’d hit a growth spurt finally and started to put on some height and muscle mass but was still a lanky little shit, and he was arguing with a man in a suit who was walking next to him. Both were being followed by a slow-moving car with blacked out windows and no front license plate. Peter’s body language was uncomfortable, arms crossed over his chest, shoulders angled away from the man and tucked in, eyes down.

When Penny called out to Peter, the man had gotten into the backseat of the black car which promptly drove away. Her brother had gone red in the face and ran up the steps to their apartment complex without waiting for her to catch up, locking himself in the bedroom and refusing to come out when she followed him in. She’d given up on being the casual guardian, the cool big sister who let him live his life. Penny had begged him to come out, to tell her what was going on. She just wanted to help, how could she help him if he wouldn’t talk to her?

It had started with simple answers, after Penny had started to cry, through the door.

Who was that man? Tony Stark.

What did he want with Peter? To offer him a job.

Why were they arguing? Because Peter rejected the offer.

He was lying. Penny knew what it sounded like, the way his voice changed. She’d been glued to his side since their parents died when she was 13 and it had only gotten worse with uncle Ben’s passing. Peter was lying through his teeth and Penny had no idea why, no idea what to do. Helplessness had settled over her shoulders like a lead blanket, her chest tightening. If Peter was willing to lie to her, then whatever was happening with Tony Stark was really, really bad. And she had no fucking idea what to do.

***

“JARVIS, bring up Peter’s file.”

The voice cut through the silence of the car like a shot, Happy glancing at the man in the backseat through the rearview mirror questioningly. Usually his boss was in a pretty good mood after having harassed the high school kid he’d become obsessed with over the last several months, but the tone of his voice said otherwise.

“Of course, sir,” the AI responded dutifully from the Stark phone, a document appearing on the screen, “anything in particular, sir?”

“Peter told me he was emancipated after his aunt’s death and that he lived alone. I think my boy’s lying to me, J,” Tony’s voice was lower than usual, irritation apparent in his stony expression.

“Straight home, boss?” Happy asked quietly, humming in response when the man in the backseat nodded.

“Records show that Peter Parker is under the guardianship of one Penelope Parker, 24 years of age, relation: sister.”

“So he did lie to me,” Tony ran a hand over his goatee, sighing through the motion in disappointment before anger overcame him again, “You mean he lives in that shithole with someone? She’s supposed to be taking care of him, that place is a fucking drug den!”

“The police have indeed responded to 23 calls involving illicit drug use in that apartment complex in the last 10 days, sir. Another 10 calls were answered in response to domestic violence, 5 calls in regards to loitering, 7 calls in—”

“Thank you, JARVIS,” he waved his hand impatiently before the AI could recite every reason his boy shouldn’t be living in such a fucking pigsty, “tell me more about Penelope.”

The name was said with enough venom that Happy’s eyebrows went up, glancing once again at his boss in the rearview mirror as he navigated through the congested New York City streets.

“Penelope Parker, 24 years of age, born in New York City, New York. Dropped out of high school at 16, accomplished a GED at 19. Currently employed at Little Hands Daycare, Starbucks Coffee, and Kroger’s. Owner of a 2001 Toyota Camry, license plate 605-CEG, rents a one-bedroom apartment in Queens for $1,200 a month, credit score of 713, 1 speeding ticket, no medical insurance—”

“Stop,” Tony grit his teeth, tilting his head from side to side to crack his neck, “a one-bedroom apartment. No medical insurance. Didn’t even graduate from fucking high school. How the hell did she get custody of my boy?”

“Custody of Peter Parker went to his closest living relative, with the stipulation that social services kept up regular visits on account of the young age of the guardian. Records show that visits kept up for roughly 3 months before ending.”

“3 fucking months, those useless fucks,” it came out as a snarl, “look up the case workers, I want their names. And their heads. On a platter. Get a lock on their wifi signal, I want to know what they’re doing at all times. I already have a tracker on Peter, hack into the GPS on Penelope’s phone and keep track of her too.”

“The phone number listed on Ms. Parker’s work forms is a prepaid burner with no GPS capabilities. I can use triangulation to pick up on her general location when she connects to cell phone towers.”

“Seriously, a burner phone? Is she a drug dealer?” Tony’s eyes shot up to meet Happy’s in the mirror, “Oh my god is my baby’s guardian a drug dealer?”

“There is no evidence of any misconduct on the part of Ms. Parker, sir,” JARVIS stated calmly, despite the edge of infuriated panic from Tony, “she has no arrest record or suspicious activity.”

“That doesn’t mean anything and you know it JARVIS,” Tony pressed his head back into the cushion behind him, squeezing his eyes shut, “I’ve got to get him out of there, sooner rather than later. Happy, once we get home, start coordinating with Rhodey for extraction plans. JARVIS, keep an eye on any activity on their WiFi network.”

“Shall I connect to the webcam on the laptop computer, sir?”

“And the camera on my baby boy’s phone,” on his own phone, Tony opened his picture gallery to swipe through the images he already had of Peter, a small smile taking over his mouth in the process, “Keep any recorded video for at least 24 hours, let me know if anything interesting happens.”

“Of course, sir.”

“Happy, let’s get everyone ready for my boy’s homecoming,” Tony stated, shifting in his seat as they pulled into the private garage beneath Stark Tower, “its coming up sooner than we anticipated.”

***

Penny had started googling Tony Stark the moment she realized Peter wasn’t going to part with anymore information. The longer she sat in front of the laptop, the more panic began to grow in her chest.

Tony Stark was a bad man. A very, very bad man who made very, very dangerous weapons and had lots of very, very important and powerful people in his back pocket. There was no real evidence, of course. None of his misdeeds could be proven in court, none of the weapons he invented could be traced to his company, none of the people he practically owned would even admit to knowing the man. He was incredibly powerful and so fucking dangerous that Penny’s teeth ached at the thought of him even being near her baby brother.

“Fuck,” she muttered dragging both hands through her dark brown hair, “fuck, fuck, fuck.”

There was no reason for a man like Tony Stark to be offering Peter a job. Sure, Peter was smarter than anyone she’d ever met. The kid’s IQ had to be off the charts, he’d gotten into that insanely expensive private science school in Midtown. But there was no reason for Tony Stark to recruit a high school senior, even if he was a budding genius.

“What are you doing Pen?” Peter’s voice was raspy from crying and the sound made Penny jump, turning in her seat to look at the teenager behind her.

“I’m…,” she glanced guiltily at the laptop before sighing, “I didn’t know who Tony Stark was off the top of my head. I had to look him up.”

Peter quickly reached out and closed the internet browser before shutting the lid of the laptop, running his hand through his hair in a way rather reminiscent of his sister, “You shouldn’t google him, he’s got enough of an ego that he probably gets an alert every time his name comes up.”

Penny bit her lip, rubbing her hands together in her lap before gathering as much courage as she could and pushing out the chair at the table next to her, “we need to talk, Pete. I need you to tell me the truth about why he was talking to you, no bullshit. I can’t help you if I don’t know the situation.”

The teenager hesitated for all of 30 seconds before dropping into the chair, his expression one of dismay, “I can’t tell you anything, Penny. Its too dangerous, he could hurt you—”

“I’m not worried about me, Peter,” she cut him off, hand rising when he started to open his mouth again, “Stop. Listen. Its my job to take care of you, to keep you safe. Start from the top, how did you meet Tony Stark?”

Another hesitation, eyes darting away from her face before he answered, “on accident. He saw me on the street, I was looking for a job at one of the coffee shops near school.”

Penny held her tongue, refusing to lecture him on getting a job and derailing the current conversation, “and he approached you?”

“Yeah,” Peter rubbed a hand over the back of his head, “Asked me my name, about my uniform. Asked me if I liked science since I went to a special school. I thought it was cool, he runs a research and development laboratory. Then he started… showing up in different places.”

“You think he was in those places deliberately?” The question was a quiet prompt when Peter seemed to clam up and he nodded in response.

“It was weird, but I… I liked the attention,” it was whispered, tears gathering in his eyes as shame built in his chest, “He told me how, how smart I was and how impressed he was by me. Talked to me about science and then just… about me. He wanted to know what kinds of things I liked to do for fun, what kind of movies I liked. I kind of thought we were friends but then…”

“Its okay, Peter,” Penny reached out and grabbed both of his hands in hers carefully, tears in her eyes as well, “what happened then?”

“He started getting handsy,” he murmured, a shiver going down his spine, “at first it was just, just like him putting his hand on my back when we walked through a door. Or he’d put his arm over the back of my chair and touch my shoulder. It was weird because he was an adult but… he’s handsome, Pen. He’s really, really handsome and I was excited because he was interested in me for some reason but now I realize that it wasn’t good and it’s not good and I shouldn’t have let him and I’m so sorr—”

“Don’t say sorry, Pete,” a quiet sob escaped Penny’s mouth and she covered it with her hand, the other still clutching at his, “Don’t apologize, you have done nothing wrong. Oh God, Peter, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I noticed that you’d started acting differently but I passed it off. Oh my God, I should’ve talked to you so much sooner. I should’ve asked what was going on. How long has this been going on, Peter?”

He was quiet for so long that another sob was ripped from Penny’s lips and she shot forward, dragging her little brother into a nearly suffocating hug. Fuck, fuck how long had that piece of shit been conditioning her little brother. That fucking pedophile how long had he been stalking her little brother. Fuck the age of consent in New York, fuck the law, Peter was a baby—he was a fucking child.

“You don’t have to answer, Peter, its okay,” it was a soft whisper, her hand carding through his hair while he cried against her, “I’m going to figure something out, okay? I don’t know what yet, but I’m going to make sure that he leaves you alone. I’m going to take care of this, I’m going to take care of you.”

“You can’t, Penny,” his cries were breathy and quiet, “you can’t take care of me this time, he’ll hurt you—”

Penny couldn’t say it out loud, because Peter would lose his mind, but Penny would let Tony Stark murder her in front of an audience if it meant he’d leave Peter alone. Every promise she’d ever made, to her mother on her deathbed, to aunt May on hers, was to keep Peter safe. To make sure he had every opportunity. Peter was so smart, he had so much potential, if she could just give him the chance, if she could just get him to the point where he could make something of himself—then she would consider her life perfect. She’d die knowing she had done her job, she’d opened the gates for her brother’s success.

“I’ll figure it out Peter, one way or another.”

[crimefightingspiderguy]

a new recruit

Part I to the series, i want you to want me. 

Summary: Peter, May and (Y/N) get an unexpected surprise. 

Warnings: I guess swearing? Maybe spoilers for Captain America: Civil War, but like who hasn’t seen that bad boy lol? 

Pairings: Peter Parker x best friend!reader 

Word count: 2,491

A/N: This is my first series for Peter Parker so come along on this new adventure with me lol. I’m going to be doing something similar to my best friend to the throne series, but with the Spider-Man universe, and throwing some fun surprises in it hopefully. 

“So, I was thinking, for the Spanish project we could make a cultural food to do a sort of “bring the culture to life” aspect. Plus if the rest of our project totally bombs, maybe we can win the teacher over with sweet desserts, I heard he has a bit of a sweet tooth.” You sent a grin over to Peter, who reciprocated. 

“Sounds like a plan to me, but you might have to help me bake because I don’t think May would care for me burning our kitchen down again.” He chuckled, and as you were about to say a clever roast, something caught your eye. You and Peter had been walking back to his apartment so he could ask May permission to stay the weekend at your place and get some clothes if he could. You stop in your tracks, a confused look on your face. Peter turns and looks at you concerned.

“Who’s car is that?” You sped up to get closer and look at the fanciest car you’d ever seen in person. “Holy shit… I think this is Tony Starks!” You grin at it, reading the STARK license plate.

“What? No! What would Tony Stark be doing in Queens, and in my apartment building for that matter?” Peter came to stand next to you to see the plate, and his jaw dropped a little.

“Let’s go in and see if we bump into him!” You push him excitedly, “What if we got to meet THE Iron Man! How cool!”

You were practically bouncing on your toes as you waited in the elevator, you had no luck seeing him on the ground floor, but maybe there was still a chance. You and Peter got off when the doors opened, and to your dismay, Tony was nowhere to be seen. 

“(Y/N), I really don’t think Tony Stark would just be wandering around our apartment building. It might just be a super fan or something, or maybe he’s taking a stroll” Peter gave you a teasing look, and you punched his arm.

“Fine but if we see the news later saying that Tony Stark was going around giving out wads of cash to random civilians, you’ll be biting your tongue.” You joke, realizing that Peter’s probably right and there’s no real reason for the Tony Stark to be in Queens, especially in this building. Peter smirked at you as he unlocked his front door and walked in, heading towards the kitchen table to set his stuff down.

“Hey, Aunt May! There’s this crazy car parked out front!” Peter said, back turned as he set his backpack down.

“Peter…” You stare at THE Tony Stark sitting on Peter’s couch across from May, you smack his arm repeatedly until he finally turns around to see what you want.

“Gosh (Y/N), what’s…” Peter saw him and paused.

“Oh, Mr. Parker,” Tony said, smirking as if he had an inside joke going with everyone else in the room. 

 “Hey! What’re you… Um... I’m-I’m Peter. This is (Y/N).” Peter said, pointing at you, who still had your hand on his shoulder, not really being able to move. You softly smiled and brought yourself together, and slightly and awkwardly waved at him.

“Tony.” He pointed at himself. 

“Wh-What are you doing here?” Peter stumbled to ask.

“It’s about time we met,” Tony said like it was obvious why he was casually sitting with May and eating cookies. “You’ve been getting my emails right?” 

May gave Peter a shocked and confused look, a look that says why didn’t you tell me. Tony gave Peter a look that said, play along man. You didn’t fail to notice either, and suddenly all eyes were on Peter as you looked at him suspiciously. Surely Peter, your best friend of 15 years would have mentioned to you if he had been emailing THE Tony Stark. Wouldn’t he?

“Yeah, yeah. Right. Regarding the…”

“You didn’t even tell me about the grant.” May jumped in.

“Yeah about the grant.” Peter played along but was clearly just as lost as you were. 

“The September Foundation” Tony jumped in. You racked your brain, trying to remember if Peter ever mentioned anything about a grant, but nothing came up. “Remember when you applied.”

“Yeah…” You could read Peter like an open book, and you knew as soon as he put his hands in his front pockets and leaned on his tip-toes, that he was lying. 

“Well, I approved. So now, we’re in business.” Tony shot him yet another look that told him to play along, as May got excited. 

“But you didn’t tell me anything? What’s up with that?” She questioned Peter.

“Yeah Peter, what’s with the secrets?” You asked, and he looked between you and May, at a loss for words.

“Well, I just… I wasn’t sure if I’d get it. Thought I’d keep it a surprise if I did.” Peter pulled out of know where and shot you a look that told you he honestly had no idea what was going on either. “Anyway, what did I apply for?” 

“That’s what I’m here to hash out,” Tony said, finally explaining why he was here. “It’s so hard for me to believe that she’s somebody’s aunt,” Tony said, making aunt May blush.

“Yeah, well we come in all shapes and sizes, ya know.” You snorted at this, but quickly tried to cover it as a sneeze, Peter shot you a grin. 

“These walnut date cookies are exceptional,” Tony said, going back to flattering May. 

“Let me just stop you there.” Peter joined back in. “Does this grant got like money involved or whatever? No?” 

“Yeah, it’s pretty well funded,” Tony said. 

“Wow”.

“Well, look who you’re talking to,” Tony smirked, and you could see the excitement on Peter’s face. Even if Tony had the wrong kid, you knew Peter wouldn’t pass up the chance to get a grant for school, or even to work under a genius like Tony. “Can I get five minutes with him?” Tony asks May. 

“Sure.” She smiles at him. Tony gets up and has Peter show him to his room.

“This is so crazy!” You whisper yell to May as soon as you hear the lock turn to Peter’s room. 

“I know! I really hope everything works out for him. A grant from Mr. Stark would probably be enough to set him up for college.” She grinned at you then at the door where she just saw Tony with Peter. 

“It’s kind of weird that he didn’t tell either of us though, right?” You have known May your entire life. Honestly, you hadn’t had any siblings so when Peter moved in with May and Ben, and you remained close with him, she became more of an older sister to you. Peter’s parents had died when he was young, but May had been around enough that she had met you at some birthday parties and play dates, and she made it a priority to keep you and Peter together so he had some constant in his life in a time of chaos and change. You had grown up with Peter and had May to thank for that. Your parents had been close with Peter’s and when they died, May reached out to your parents and made sure they exchanged information at the funeral, agreeing Peter needed someone to make him feel normal in such a strange time. That was you, and the two of you had been inseparable since. You shared everything with each other. You were each other’s rocks and were together through thick and thin. When your mom had died you were about 10, it happened a couple years before uncle Ben had died, so he had helped your father through the transition. Peter helped you, and aunt May took you under your wing, helping you grow in ways that you need a mother for. She helped you with your first period, with puberty, she took you bra shopping, she helped you with all the things you felt too awkward to bring to your dad who had been left just as clueless as you.

“I would’ve at least have expected you to know. He tells you everything.” May said, holding up the cookie plate to you offering you one. You took one and bit it, immediately spitting it into your hand. 

“No offense May, but… this is raw.” You chuckled as May realized that Tony was being polite as she broke a cookie in half, as it crumbled to pieces. She shook her head and smirked at you, placing the cookies in the trash bin. 

“So how was school?” She asked you as she washed off the plate and put it on their dish drying rack. 

“It was okay. Got a B+ on my chemistry quiz, not my best work, but that damn kid in front of me wouldn’t stop clicking his pen.” You shook your head angrily thinking of that day. “Oh, sorry that I didn’t ask before coming over, by the way. Peter and I have a Spanish project together and he was supposed to be asking you permission to stay the weekend at mine.” 

“(Y/N), you know you don’t have to ask to come over, and Peter doesn’t need my approval to go over to your house. I trust you guys not to get yourselves killed.” She chuckled, drying her hands on a towel, and leaning back on the stove.

“See that’s just foolish on your part.” You pointed at her accusingly. She threw the towel at you, and as it hit you in the head you acted like it was a rock or something, holding where it hit and groaning. You fell to the ground “I’ve been hit!!” You gasp dramatically. 

“Oh get up solider, it was a flesh wound at most.” May shook her head chuckling at you. 

Tony walks out then and nods at May, “It was a pleasure.” He turns back to face Peter in the doorway and points at him, “I’ll be in touch.” He heads towards the door, stopping when he sees you lying on the ground. “(Y/N).” He nods his head, with a confused look. You quickly scramble up and smile at him. When he shuts the door behind him, you and May turn to look at Peter expectantly. 

“(Y/N), can you come here.” 

“Oh come on Peter, you can tell us both…” You point between you and May.

“Now.” Peter’s voice was solid. Unwavering. More intense than you’d ever heard it. You look between him and May but don’t question him, because clearly, something is wrong.

Peter quickly shuts and locks the door behind you as you scramble into his room. You sit on his bed, waiting for him to tell you what’s going on. He paces back and forth, tossing stuff into a duffle bag quickly.

“If you’re worried about aunt May letting you stay the weekend at mine, she already said she doesn’t care.” 

“Good, because I’m not going to your house, but I need her to believe I am.” This caught you off guard.

“What do you mean you’re not coming over? We have our project to work on.” 

“I’m going with Mr. Stark somewhere.”

“Where?”

“I can’t tell you. But I need you to trust me and lie to Aunt May.” You got up and grabbed Peter by his shoulders, stopping him in his tracks. 

“No. You tell me what’s going on right now Peter Parker, or I won’t tell May shit.” 

“I can’t, it’s too dangerous.” Peter pushed past you and kept grabbing clothes and shoes. 

“Bullshit.” Peter stopped, straightened up, and looked at you seriously.

“Please (Y/N), don’t make me tell you.” 

“If it’s too dangerous for me to even know, then it’s definitely too dangerous for you to go and do.” 

“Just, trust me, please.” 

“Peter, I couldn’t trust you more, but the thing is, in order for me to trust you I have to know what the hell is going on.” 

“I’m Spider-Man.” You laugh, maybe a little too loud.

“This is serious Peter. Are you in trouble or something?” 

“I’m being serious. I’m Spider-Man” He pulled his suit out and showed you. “I’m going with Mr. Stark to Germany to stop Captain America from breaking some law.” 

“You’re going to Germany!?” You whisper shout. “To fight THE Captain America?!” 

“And I’m Spider-Man.” Peter nodded, amused at your reaction being greater to everything besides him being a superhero. 

“Yeah, that too!” You chuckle. “I knew you were being weird recently. Ditching our weekly movie nights more than you ever have in our entire lives.” 

“I can catch you up on everything when I get back, but Mr. Stark is waiting for me right now in his car. So will you help me?” You mull it over. 

“Yes,” you nod hesitantly, “but I want you texting me updates every chance you get! I don’t wanna tell May we’re fine baking Spanish treats and two days later your shipped home in a coffin from Germany.” Peter gulps at the thought. You pull him in for the tightest hug you think you’ve ever given him. “Please be safe. I can’t lose you.” You whisper into his shoulder. 

“I’ll be back before you can even say, “what an idiot that Peter Parker” in Spanish.” He chuckled and rubbed your back.

You pulled away and rolled your eyes at him, “Well if that’s what we’re basing our time frame on, take your time. I won’t be getting that phrase down for at least a month.” You leaned in and did something you’ve never done before, kissed him on the cheek. “Good luck, and go for the legs on Cap, his shield doesn’t cover that region.” Peter held his cheek and smiled,

“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.” 

“Hey May, we really gotta get going on that Spanish project,” Peter says as he leaves his room and heads over to her to kiss her cheek goodbye. “I’ll tell you all about everything Tony said when we finalize the details when his people email me this weekend. He didn’t tell me much other than that.” She nodded her head, looking a little flustered at how quickly he was heading towards the door. You knew it would be suspicious if you didn’t say goodbye, so before you left with Peter you gave May a quick hug and then caught up with Peter. 

“Okay, so I just go home and work on the project as normal, then I’ll send you some pictures to send to May so it looks believable that you’re there. Remember, update me every minute you’re not kicking ass.” 

“I will. I owe you big!” Peter said as he got into Tony’s car and drove off.

“Yeah, you do.” You smiled and shook your head, heading towards the train station. 

Let me know if you’d like to be tagged throughout the series. I hope you enjoyed!

Find more of my work here. 

My work is exclusively posted on Tumblr by me, on this blog. If you see my work posted elsewhere, please reach out to me.

Thank you, xx.

[wolfpackimagines14]

Lizzie Swan - Chapter 1

Word Count - 1.8k

A/N: thanks for being so patient! Paul isn’t in this chapter (he probably won’t be in the next one either). Also I didn’t proof read this so be warned!

“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Bella, happy birthday to you,” Dad and I sang to Bella. I had woken up early this morning to make her pancakes for breakfast. Dad had insisted on the candles and the song, even though I tried to convince him that she would hate it.

“Guys,” Bella sighed. “I told you I didn’t want you to make a big deal out of my birthday.”

“Bella, you’re 18!” Dad replied to her dismayed attitude. “How can we not make a big deal out of it?”

“Ugh…” she groaned and pulled her covers up over her head.

“I tried to stop him,” I laughed, trying to pull the covers back.

“Not hard enough, apparently,” she playfully glared at me.

“Whatever, Bells,” I replied. “Just eat the damn pancakes I woke up 30 minutes early to make for you. You know how much I hate waking up early.”

“....thank you Lizzie,” she finally agreed to come out from under her blanket sanctuary to eat the pancakes I had made.

“You’re welcome!” I grinned at her. “Okay I’m gonna go get ready for school now!”

I left our dad to stumble his way awkwardly through giving Bella the presents that him and Renee had gotten her. Despite her living with us for nine months now, he was still just as awkward when he was forced to show that he cared.

We had definitely grown closer since Bella had moved to Forks to live with us. I wasn’t sure I had wanted her to move in at first, but having a full time sister had actually been really great. For the first 12 years of my life, Bella would come to Forks for one month during the summer. While I had enjoyed those visits for the most part, you could always tell that Bella hated it here. She’s always been easy to read and the disdain on her face when she would arrive in Forks was always apparent.

But starting in 2002, all of Bella’s complaining lead to our dad and her spending two weeks vacationing in California together instead. I had been invited, but I’d chosen not to go. Not because I didn’t want to, but because my mother was sick back in Forks.

When I was nine years old, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She’d had to get a mastectomy, but even that combined with the chemotherapy hadn’t been enough to save her. Things turned for the worst in 2004 and mom was tired after fighting so hard for five years. She passed away that year and not even eight months later, Bella had moved to Forks full time.

And though the changes had been tough, going to therapy had really helped. My dad had forced me to go and though it had helped, you don’t easily get over the death of a parent and the sad moments really do still hit me to this day.

But having Bella around more often really allowed us to get closer and I truly do love her. She was difficult to be around sometimes though. And she spent literally all her time with her boyfriend, Edward Cullen. Edward was nice enough, a little distant though.

“Lizzie?” I was interrupted from my thoughts when I heard Bella call my name from downstairs. “Are you ready? I’m leaving now and unless you want Charlie to drive you to school in the cruiser I suggest you move it along.”

“Just a second!” I called downstairs, now rushing to finish getting ready. Nothing was more embarrassing than driving around in dad’s police cruiser. I grabbed my sweatshirt and pulled it over my head before grabbing my backpack and rushing down the stairs and out the door.

The ride to school was quiet, but pleasant. I didn’t want to bother Bella with any more birthday talk and I had to review my notes for AP Chemistry in case of a pop quiz. It was only the second week of school and that class was already kicking my ass.

After parking her monstrous truck in the school parking lot, we were almost immediately bombarded by Alice Cullen.

“Happy birthday, Bella!” she exclaimed eagerly and I rolled my eyes at Bella when she shushed her. I found it amusing when Alice just ignored her and continued her assault. “Do you want to open your present now or later?”

“No presents,” Bella mumbled in response.

“Okay so later then!” Alice kept talking, not thrown off by Bella’s mood at all. “Did you like the scrapbook your mom sent you? And the camera from Charlie and Lizzie?”

Damn, how did she know about that already? Bella must’ve texted her about it I guess.

I looked down at my notes again as Edward approached us and greeted Bella.

“Lizzie,” Edward greeted me politely. “How are you?”

“Fine,” I answered, glancing up at him for a second. “You?”

“Fine,” he repeated my short, but pleasant answer. “Studying for Mrs. Cooper’s class?”

“Yeah,” I sighed. “There might be a pop quiz today and I just want to be prepared.”

“Always good to be prepared,” he nodded in agreement. “But between you and I, I overheard her talking about having the pop quiz on Thursday.”

“Really?” I asked. “Are you sure?”

“Positive,” he nodded at me.

“Oh thank god!” I exclaimed. “I was not prepared for that quiz.”

“So what time are you two coming over tonight?” Alice interrupted us.

“I didn’t know I was coming over tonight,” Bella replied, definitely as confused as I was.

“Oh come on, Bella!” she complained. “We’ve been planning this party for forever!”

“I didn’t even know about it!” Bella exclaimed.

“Well now you do! Lizzie, can you come?” Alice turned her attention to me.

“I can’t,” I sighed, genuinely bummed out. “I have to work tonight. Plus I have to study for that pop quiz on Thursday.”

I worked as a waitress at The Lodge, one of the only formal sit down restaurants in Forks. I made pretty decent money and I was saving up to buy a car for when I turned 16 next year.

“I should get to class,” I interrupted Alice before she could make any excuses for me not to go to work. I really needed the money. “Thank you for the invite though.”

I quickly made my way to my first period class. Even though I was only a sophomore, school was tough. Between all my classes, my job at The Lodge, and my soccer schedule starting up soon I was really stretch out thin. But luckily my best friend, Jenny, was in practically all of my classes.

The day went by fairly quickly. Edward was right, there wasn’t a pop quiz in AP Chem, but there was one in Spanish. We were playing badminton in gym and my team had gone undefeated all class. Soccer tryouts were this afternoon; Jenny and I were really hoping to make the varsity team, but the odds weren’t in our favor because we were only sophomores. And work was pretty busy for a Tuesday night, which was good for me because the busier it is, the more tips I make. Luckily Jenny had already turned 16 and she had her license so she could drive me from soccer to the restaurant.

I got home late and was heating myself up some dinner when Bella walked through the front door of the house, sporting a new bandage on her arm.

“What’d you do this time?” I teasingly asked her.

“I tripped,” she muttered before making her way through the living room and up the stairs, greeting Charlie on the way.

“She’s gotta be more careful,” I told Dad as I brought my plate into the living room to watch the rest of the game with him. He just grunted in response, too engrossed in the game to continue the conversation.

The next few days were weird. Edward wasn’t around as much and Alice no longer greeted us in the parking lot at school in the mornings. I didn’t mention anything to Bella, not wanting to upset her.

I had made the varsity soccer team, but Jenny hadn’t. She was happy for me, but she was still upset and I couldn’t blame her for that. Edward had been right and on Thursday I had a pop quiz in AP Chem. I wanted to thank him for the heads up, but he wasn’t even at school that day and when I asked Bella where he was, she said she didn’t know. Which was weird because Bella always knows where Edward is.

I got home from work on Friday and was immediately bombarded by my dad.

“Have you seen Bella at all?” he asked me frantically.

“Not since this morning when we drove to school,” I answered cautiously. “I had soccer practice after school and Jenny drove me to work after.”

“She hasn’t been home in hours and she’s not answering her phone,” he was definitely panicking now. I was starting to get worried too. It was almost 10:30pm and it was a long time for her to be out without contacting us. “She left a note that she was going for a walk with Edward in the woods.”

“Have you tried calling the Cullens?” I suggested.

“No answer,” he sighed. “I’m calling the guys and putting together a search party.”

In less than an hour, there were police officers and Dad’s friends from the reservation in our backyard. Even Jacob and Billy Black were here. It had been awhile since I’d seen them, but this wasn’t the way I wanted to reunite with them.

People were searching for hours and I was really getting worried. Where the hell was she? It was approaching 3 in the morning now.

“What if we don’t find her?” I teared up as I talked to Jacob.

“We’ll find her,” he reassured me, pulling me into a hug.

It was at that moment that I saw Sam Uley, one of the older guys from the reservation come out of the woods. He was shirtless and was carrying Bella in his arms. She looked like she was passed out in his arms.

“Oh my god!” I exclaimed, running across the yard with my dad right on my heels. “Is she okay?”

“She’s fine,” Sam reassured me. “Just a little shaken up.”

My dad insisted on carrying her the rest of the way to the house, despite his back having been bothering him lately.

“Thank you,” I told Sam sincerely before hugging him. Wow, he was really warm considering the cool weather right now. “Thank you for finding her.”

“No problem,” he replied gruffly before turning to go talk to Billy. I ran to catch up with my dad and helped him by opening the front door for him so he could carry Bella inside.

Tags:

@ravenmoore14

@k-n-e

[winterreader-nowwriter]

Right By My Side

Details: Reader’s sister (Sierra) and Reader are in a car crash and Sierra dies, but not everything is how it seems. Tony is there for the Reader.

“Since you picked the movie, I’m driving.”

Sierra laughs, “No way, you’re not driving. Your driving is crazier than Tony’s. Both of you should have your licenses’ revoked and as a federal agent I think I could do that.”

I laugh and shake my head, “Federal agents wish they could drive like us. Our driving is awesome, you just can’t handle it.”

“One of the many reasons why you two are married, but nope, I’m still driving.”

As we get into the car, me in the passenger seat, sadly, I have an uneasy feeling. Shaking it off, I put my seatbelt on.

As we cross the intersection, a car comes speeding out of nowhere and swerves into us, before either of us can react. The car goes flying and then starts spinning. I look over and Sierra and I grab each other’s hands and then my head slams back against the headrest and everything goes black. 

I wake up to a stabbing headache, blurry flashes: being wheeled into a hospital, seeing Tony, going into surgery before everything goes black again.

I wake up to a dull headache, everything hurts. I lift my hand to my nose. There’s a cannula there. I pull on it, but a hand gently pulls mine away, “Honey, can you open your eyes?”

I open them and bright light floods in and I wince and blink a few times to clear my vision. I’m in the Medbay. Tony looks worried but relieved from a chair next to my bed. I try and sit up, but wince. “What happened?” I rasp. The headache from before returning.

Tony gets up and hands me a cup of water and only then do I notice the brace on my right hand. He speaks quietly, “You were in a car crash with Sierra. Do you remember?”

I try and sit up, Tony already had his hand on my shoulder preventing me from sitting up, “Stop trying to move. You have some broken ribs, a sprained wrist, a broken leg, and a concussion.”

“What about Sierra?”

Tony answers, “She’s fine. Well relatively speaking. Because is anyone fine after a car crash? Especially--”

I interrupt him, “Tony...”

He continues, “She has a broken and sprained wrist, a concussion, and some broken ribs. Pretty similar to you.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. At least she’s okay. I blink tiredly and Tony notices. “You should get some rest, I’ll be here when you wake up.”

I close my eyes. I see me and Sierra in the car, right before the crash and I try and move. To tell Sierra, but I can’t talk or move. I start screaming when a hands shake my shoulders. “Y/N!” “Y/N!” I gasp and open my eyes. Tony is breathing heavily and sits back down and rubs soothing circles on my hand. The heart rate monitor is still beeping crazily. Tony puts my non-injured hand on his chest and takes slow breaths. He waits until my breathing is back to normal before asking, “Nightmare?”

I nod slowly and take another deep breath before asking, “When can I see Sierra?”

Tony gives a soft smile, “Maybe later today. It’s around 2 a.m., so when she wakes up. Think you can go back to sleep?”

I shake my head and he pulls out his tablet, “Genius idea on my part.”

I smile at that, while he sits next to me careful not to move my leg or IV. He pulls up Criminal Minds and I lay my head on his shoulder. He kisses my forehead before pressing play. We watch at least three episodes before I fall asleep. 

When I wake up again, daylight is streaming in through the window. I try and sit up, and am pleasantly surprised that the stabbing pain I was expecting is more of a deep bruise. Bruce walks in and his eyes widen. “Y/N, you’re up. How are you feeling?”

I gesture to my ribs, “What happened?”

Bruce responds, “Well you know Shuri and T’Challa brought their advanced vibranium technology and Stark Industries is further developing it?”

I nod and he continues, “Well Tony, Dr. Cho, and I implemented it into our medical department. Dr. Cho regenerated the parts of your ribs you broke when she was plating them. Your leg will take another week because she couldn’t regenerate all of it at once.”

That explains a lot. I ask, “Did the same thing happen to Sierra?”

Bruce nods, “Both of your concussions will take longer to heal than everything else.” Bruce takes his glasses off, “I’ll let you rest, call me if you need anything and stay off that leg.”

Tony walks in soon after Bruce leaves and says softly to not bother my head, “Was Banner sentencing you to bed rest?”

“Technically he said to stay off my leg. Can you help me up?”

Tony sighs, “Can you at least wait until tomorrow, so you don’t give me a heart attack.”

“You have an arc reactor, I don’t think a heart attack would phase you.”

Tony nods thoughtfully, “Probably right, I should figure that out.”

I swing my legs over the bed and Tony asks, “Wheelchair?”

I shake my head, “Wheelchairs are for old people and I’m fine.”

Tony continues, “But what if and this is just a thought; you sat in a chair and I had to move it over to the next room. So it just happened to have wheels on it, so it could be easier for me of course.”

I laugh and wince a little, “Fine, just this once.”

Tony grins, “I painted one to match your suit.”

“You did not.”

“I did. I wasn’t sure if you would agree so I didn’t build a hovering chair, but that can be arranged.”

I shake my head and smile at him, “Tony, help me into the chair before I change my mind.”

Tony kisses me and gently picks me up and puts me in the wheelchair.

I wheel over to Sierra’s room and see her sitting up in bed. “Sierra! You’re okay! How are you feeling?”

At the same time, she says, “Y/N! You’re okay!”

After a few minutes, I say, “You’re going to stay with us until your better, I don’t want to hear any excuses.”

Tony says, “We have the room and Y/N is the most stubborn person I know.”

Two and a half weeks later...

Tony walks up behind me and says, “It feels weird for Sierra to be gone. I’m almost used to her living with us.”

I nod, “Definitely, I’m going to miss living with her again… I know it’s only been a few days, but I miss her already.”

Just then Natasha runs in, “Panic button was pressed, let’s move. Y/N, you might want to sit this one out.”

“Why? The doctor cleared me yesterday,” I respond while pressing my watch. As Natasha responds my suit’s nanotech is at work.

“It’s Sierra.”

I don’t respond, just press my watch so the window opens and shoot out of the Tower towards Sierra’s place in Brooklyn. I burst through the door blasters at the ready. I enter Sierra’s kitchen and see her on the floor, a glass cup shattered next to her. Tony arrives soon after and clears the house, but I don’t move. I check for a pulse, but there isn’t one.

I stand frozen even as the crime scene techs arrive and Tony pulls me into his arms and crying. The next few days pass in a blur. On the day of the funeral, it was raining and I thought it was fitting that even Mother Nature knew one of its best people was gone.

After that, I shut down. I spent a while sitting in bed staring at the ceiling, barely sleeping or eating. One day, I was still sitting in bed, when Tony walked in. He didn’t say anything at first, then, “Sierra wouldn’t want you to fall apart, she’d want you to move on.”

I don’t say anything and he continues, “That asshole wins if you let yourself fall apart.”

I finally look up at him and he looks slightly relieved but still worried, “It’s my fault,” I whisper, my voice raspy from disuse.

Tony shakes his head, “She was poisoned with botulinum toxin because of her job, there was nothing either of us could have done.”

I nod knowing he’s right, but also hoping that will end the conversation. Tony gets up, “The best revenge is living well. So come on, this is your last time sitting in here, it’s been four weeks.”

I hadn’t realized it had been that long. I stand up and Tony asks, “Does that mean you’re back in the land of the living and Shawarma?”

I nod, “It’s been too long. And I know she’s gone... ” I break off crying.

Tony hugs me, and whispers, “You’re strong enough.”

When I’m done crying, he grabs my hand, “I started a bath for you with most of your bath perfumes and there’s Japanese food ready when you get out. When you’re done eating, we’re going to go to sleep and in the morning I’ll be playing ACDC while we go over the week’s schedule.”

He kisses me and I hug him hard, “Thank you for everything.”

He smiles, “You’ve more than made up for with all the stupid things I’ve done, and honey, I’m right here for you.”

Taglist: @snarky--starky

[rohad93]

Authority Online: ch 7

"I don't know…"

"Oh, come on, Celeste. She'd be perfect for the job." Rose insisted.

It was about 11:30 on Monday morning and since there was no school for some holiday or another Celeste couldn't remember, Rose and Steven had parked themselves in the bakery kitchen while she worked for the day.

Out of the two of them, it was the one that was expected to be in the way the least that was the most in the way.

Rose had plopped herself on an empty counter, talking about this and that while Steven sat in the corner at his spot, coloring quietly. 

She'd mentioned that she was going to start looking for a second assistant after talking it over with Sky who had agreed to oversee the new trainee when she couldn't.

Rose had immediately suggested a friend who was also a teacher and had been looking for some part-time weekend and evening work.

"She's a bona fide type A personality… honestly, she probably has OCD I think, either way, she'd be perfect for this," she insisted.

Celeste hummed noncommittally as she mixed together a batch of ingredients.

"At least talk to her. I really think she is what you're looking for." Rose wheedled.

"Fine, fine. If you give me her number I will call her," she finally acquiesced. 

Rose grinned and typed out the number on her phone and sent it to her sister who felt the device vibrate in her pocket and rolled her eyes, but said nothing. Sometimes it was just easier to give in to the exuberant younger woman’s whims than to fight it.

‘So…” Rose started, resting her chin in her palms and looking slyly over to her, and Celeste had a good idea of what was coming. “have you heard from your new girlfriend yet?” She grinned at the annoyed look on her older sister’s face, but especially at the faint pink color, her ears were turning.  

“I’m not sure I’d call her my ‘girlfriend’ just yet...” Celeste mumbled, starring much too intently into the bowl of batter she was mixing.”... and no, not yet.”

Rose hummed and kicked her feet back and forth.

“Maybe you should text her? Whose job is it to call first in a lesbian relationship?” She cocked her head curiously.

“Rose…” Celeste rolled her eyes. 

“What? I don’t know. Is there a guide to this?” she asked with a laugh.

“There’s a class. It’s extracurricular in college and if you fail you don’t get your lesbian license.” Celeste quipped as she moved to pour the batter into the prepared cake pans.

Rose stuck her tongue out at her back. 

“What exactly does that license qualify you to operate? A motorboat? 

"Oh my god!” Celeste turned to her, face a bright pink as Rose giggled uncontrollably. It took a good  three minutes for her to stop looking at Celeste’s flushed face and not start all over again. Celeste turned and ignored the giggling school teacher until she had finished. 

“Heh, anyway, why don’t you text her? I thought you liked her?” 

“I do like her, but I also don’t want to come off overeager or something.” 

“There’s nothing wrong with letting someone you like know you like them and want to see them.” Rose’s voice turned more serious. Steven took the opportunity to trot over with a drawing.

“Look!” He held up the picture and smiled that gapped tooth smile. Showing them a stick figure with a mullet and guitar. “It’s dad.”

“That’s lovely, sweetie.” When he gets home this weekend you’ll have to show him.” She smiled, pinching his cheek and making him giggle. 

“This job lasts all week?” She asked, surprised. Rose nodded.

“He hates to be gone so long, but it pays well.” She frowned with a shrug. 

“He’ll be home before you know it.” Celeste smiled reassuringly at her sister who nodded.

It was then that Sky popped her head into the back.

“There’s a delivery in the lobby,” was all she said before disappearing back out front. 

“I don’t have any deliveries scheduled for today.” Celeste frowned, forehead wrinkling in confusion as she wiped her hands on her apron and walked out front.

Rose followed her out and gasped.

Sitting on the countertop was a black vase of bright white lilies with pale blue centers.

“I think Greg sent you some flowers.” Celeste smiled as Rose moved forward to inspect the flowers. 

“Oh wow, blue heart Lilly’s.” She leaned forward to smell them and pulled out the little card nestled between the petals. “Weird though, he usually sends me roses… he’s clever like that.” She joked, looking over her shoulder at Celeste and Sky who only giggled before looking down at the card and her eyebrows shot up before she turned to her sister with a devious grin.

“These are for you.” She held out the little card and Sky grinned along with the teacher.

“What?” It was Celeste’s turn to look surprised, face turning colors again. She walked up to the counter and took the little paper card.

Celeste,

Have a good week. 

~Jaune 

“Well…,” Rose was grinning at her. “...not the most romantic sentiment, but at least she knows how to let someone know she likes them.” Rose laughed.

Celeste reached out and ran her fingers over the delicate petals. They were beautiful and she couldn’t stop the smile that was pulling at her lips even if she wanted to. 

~ ~ ~

Jaune sat at her desk, hunched over her laptop, clicking through a long list of emails, determining at a glance which were garbage and which were actually important. 

So far her inbox was filled with garbage.

Clients constantly asking for updates on their cases.

Once a week? Fine, doable.

Every. Damn. Day?

No. 

Anyone she talked to Friday went into the garbage today. This usually freed up her inbox for actually important emails. 

Today however it seemed, would be a slow day. Once the garbage was gone there was nothing left of importance for her to look at. 

There were no updates on any of her cases and no clients to meet with for once. 

It seemed that she found herself in possession in one of her rare days where there was nothing pressing to do. 

Normally she would have been elated by the brief break, today however she was chomping at the bit for something to do.

She had ordered those flowers first thing this morning and afterward doubted whether or not she should have done it. She certainly didn’t want to come on too strong but she also wanted to make her interest clear. 

She glanced at her watch. Fifteen till twelve. They would have been delivered by now and she tapped her foot agitatedly.

For all the times for there to be no work to bury herself in, of course, it would be now when she needed it most.

She still needed to talk to her mother about the little stunt she had pulled Saturday, but she just could not get up enough energy for that fight right now and had been in far too good a mood when she had gotten back home after dinner. 

She supposed she could get a head start on some things she would need tomorrow.

Five minutes into writing up some papers for a meeting she had tomorrow her phone buzzed and she reached for it distractedly, only glancing at the screen before doing a quick double take. 

It was a text from Celeste.

Jaune would never admit that she felt nervous as she opened the message.

“Do you like turkey sandwiches?”

Jaune stared long and hard at the text, blinking.

~ ~ ~

When she pulled up in front of the bakery the sign was flipped to closed and no one was inside, but the door opened when she pulled on the handle, making the bells jingle.

Celeste’s head popped around the doorway to the kitchen and she smiled brightly at the sight of the lawyer, whose stomach flipped at the beautiful smile aimed at her. 

“Hey…” She walked around the corner, wearing a dark blue apron covered in splotches of flour and a variety of batters, her hair pulled up into a bun and Jaune couldn’t help but admire her beauty. 

Saturday night she had been undeniably breathtaking, but there was something genuine in the way she looked now that was equally attractive to the lawyer. 

“Hey…” She cleared her throat when she realized she had been staring and the knowing little smile that had moved onto Celetes face said she had indeed noticed.

“Come on back.” She nodded and went back into the kitchen with Jaune following.

The bakeries kitchen smelled of various baking goods and it made the lawyer’s stomach growl. 

Loudly enough that she heard Celeste’s stifled giggle and flushed. 

“Have a seat.” She gestured to the stools placed around the butcher block table in the corner where only twenty minutes ago her nephew had been coloring before Rose had swept him upstairs with her, giving her a knowing look, as had Sky when she sent her on her lunch break. 

“Are you certain you weren’t busy?” she asked, going over to another counter and picked up two plates. 

“My office was positively dead for once.” Jaune assured her as she slid off the black sports coat and sat, laying it in her lap, leaving her in the white button down. “Also, my PA has instructions to call me if anything that really requires my attention comes up.”

Which was true, but Jaune didn’t mention that she had turned her phone off the  moment she’d gotten in her car, having no intention of taking any calls or texts.

A plate was set in front of her and the turkey sandwich on a croissant looked picture perfect and her hunger returned full force. 

“Thank you.” She smiled appreciatively at Celeste as she sat down across from her with her own plate. 

“I should be thanking you. The flowers are beautiful, you shouldn’t have.” She was giving the blond a warm look that immediately made her stomach twist.

Yes, the flowers had definitely been a good idea. 

“It was nothing.” She ran a hand through her short blonde locks. Something Celeste had quickly picked up on as being a nervous habit it seemed and her smile widened. For all Jaune’s serious stociness, she was incredibly easy to fluster.

Something she found endlessly endearing.

“I appreciate it nonetheless, so thank you.” She was smiling at the blonde from beneath her lashes and Jaune felt like her tongue was too swollen to talk at the look.

“You’re welcome…” She managed before Celeste, mercifully, moved those bright cobalt eyes off of her, turning them to the food. She breathed a sigh of relief and picked up her own food.

She wasn’t sure if it was her infatuation with the baker or was this really the best sandwich she’d ever had? Just the fact that the croissant was still warm told her that the woman across from her had baked these.

They chatted quietly in the nearly otherwise silent kitchen, occasionally an oven timer went off and Celeste would hurry over to check on whatever was making all the wonderful aromas in the air.

"It seems you might be the one who's busy.” She commented.

“Oh, no.” Celeste assured her with a wave. “This is just, everyday.” She shrugged and sat back down, picking up her sandwich.  

She was nearly finished tearing through the food when she heard the small giggle and looked up to see Celeste looking at her with a little grin.

“What?” She blinked.

“You have mustard on your face,” she chuckled, pointing at the corner of her own mouth. “Let me get you a napkin.” She walked over to the counter and suddenly there was a commotion in the stairwell of crying and thundering steps. 

Suddenly Steven appeared, crying at the top of his lungs…

And completely naked and splattered with mud. 

The six year old tore through the kitchen as Rose hit the bottom of the staircase.

“Steven! You are getting a bath!” she yelled, chasing the boy and suddenly seeing her sister and the lawyer, flushed brightly. 

“I’m sorry, pretend we’re not here!” she yelled as she chased her son out into the store front, his screaming echoing through the building.

“I don’t want a bath!” 

“Well, that might be difficult…” Jaune mumbled, watching the spectacle with wide eyes.

Only a few seconds later the boy was back with his mother hot on his heels.

Celeste jumped in, trying to cut him off but at seeing her, he ducked under a table as he weaved around the kitchen equipment, still crying and screeching as he eluded his mother and aunt. 

After a full minute of this he turned sharply, running along her side of the kitchen. Just as he ran past the table Jaune whipped the blazer off her knees and snatched the boy up in it, cocooning him in her arms as he flailed and wailed.

“Thank you…” Rose huffed, trying to get her breath back as she walked up to them and wrangled the boy out of the suit jacket.

He continued to cry even as she took a tight hold on him and quickly sent Celeste an apologetic look before hurrying back upstairs with her tearful son. 

Jaune inspected the garment and frowned.

The once pristine white lining was now spotted with mud and dirt. As well as a yellow smudge of mustard on the outside, having been wiped off her face when the boy was thrashing around.

Unfortunately, Celeste also saw the state of the coat.

“I'm so sorry, Jaune. Please, let me have it cleaned.” She offered, stepping forward and looking almost pained.  

An expression that Jaune couldn’t stand on the woman's face.

“Don’t be sorry. I spilled coffee on the sleeve this morning and intended to have it dry cleaned regardless.” She tried to reassure the distraught looking baker but she continued to frown, hands clasped together at her waist. Reaching out she laid a gentle hand on the two clasped ones. “Really, it's fine, Celeste.” 

She still didn’t look happy but she nodded.

“If you’re sure…,” she trailed off.

“I am.” She nodded.   

When they finished eating she turned her phone back on to see several missed calls and a few emails. She needed to get back to the office.

Celeste walked her out to the front, her ruined suit jacket hanging in the crook of her arm, she laid it in the back seat of her car and closed the door, before rolling up her sleeves.

Might as well make her new look appear intentional. 

She turned back to see Celeste, biting her bottom lip and although the sight did something wholly inappropriate to her she knew the face wasn’t a good thing just by the look of her eyes. She was still fretting over the coat. 

“Are you busy this weekend?” she asked, stepping away from the car and closer to Celeste, who looked up at her with those seemingly bottomless pools of blue. 

With Celeste in flats and Jaune in her heels, their already noticeable height difference was blown to even greater disproportions.

“I’m not. Did you have something in mind?” 

“Not yet… but I was hoping to see you anyway,” she said and the smile that appeared on the bakers face, along with the tinge of a blush on her cheeks was enough to dispel any lingering doubts she might have had about Celeste’s own feelings toward her.

“Well, when you figure it out, I can be free anytime after 4pm on Saturday,” the flirtatious tone made Jaune grin even as it made her knees weak.

“I’ll text you.” She stepped off the curb to walk around to the drivers side door when the shop's front door opened, the bells jingling.

“Hold up one second, please.” Rose stepped out with a clean and clothed Steven in her arms. She walked over to the car and set him down on the edge of the curb at the lawyers feet. “Steven has something to say.” She looked up at the blonde, with her own apologetic face.

Even standing off the curb, in her heels she towered over the boy who was frowning mightily with his head ducked. 

He looked back at his mother, who gave him a very stern look, hands on her hips. He turned back around to look up at the blonde with his downcast face.

“I’m sorry I got your shirt dirty, miss tall lady.” He mumbled, looking up at her from beneath his mop of curly black hair, truly contrite. 

It was all the sisters could do not to crack up at that. Rose hit her lip and Celeste slapped a hand over her mouth.  

Jaune kept a remarkably straight face though.

“It’s alright, no harm done this time.” She patted the boys head before lifting a hand in goodbye to the two women and climbing in her car and driving off.

Once she was gone Rose shooed her son inside and turned around to face her sister.

“I. Am. So. Sorry!” She grimaced. “Would she let me pay to have it cleaned?” the teacher asked. “I feel awful. We ruined your lunch date...and part of her suit, her very expensive looking suit!” she fretted. 

“It’s alright, Rose. She wasn’t upset...,well, by the look on her face, she wasn’t happy, but she wasn’t upset and I offered but she wouldn’t let me have it cleaned either. You didn’t ruin anything either. Actually, we're going out again sometime this weekend.” She smiled as they moved back inside the bakery.

“I’m glad” She let out a sigh of relief that she hadn’t ended her sister’s relationship before it ever really got started. “I guess she really likes you.” Rose smirked at the far off look on her sister’s face. 

“I really like her too.” She smiled, flipping the open sign on the front door.