#he should know better than to film in front of a basis ass door!!!

[evans-heaven]

So we're blaming him now? Awesome.

[miinomo]

my little maid.

✿ pairings - Erwin x Maid Fem! (Chubby) Reader

contains - (18+ content MDNI) Infidelity, Body worship, Age gap, Creampie, Dark Content

✿ Synopsis - A bad day could change in moments of Erwin coming home to his perfect maid. One that could never deny him the pleasure that his cold, unloving wife denies him on a daily basis. 

You stood in one of the bigger guest bedrooms while staring at yourself in the mirror. It was a Venetian mirror that had lacquered wood finished in dark red with a high gloss varnish coat. It was one of the many expensive furnishings that caught your eye in the Smith’s household. It was like there was always something to be looking at. All of their furniture seemed straight out of a film, or a novel. The type of couches or beds you would see in a mansion on the big screen. 

When you were first hired by Mrs. Smith, you weren’t as great of a cleaner as you are now. It was tough-- Getting used to cleaning so many rooms, and so thoroughly at that. But you picked up a good technique rather quickly. And for that, the Smith’s were thankful. Their home always seemed to accumulate a lot of dust in such a short period, so without you, they would surely be suffering something fierce in the realm of allergies.

The uniform, however, was something Mr. Smith’s wife did not approve of. The skirt was too short, the stockings- too revealing. Whenever she would come home and see you dressed so whorishly it made her skin crawl. But looking at yourself, it felt nice. Even though you weren’t a model, you were a bit thicker than most women that society deemed beautiful- Mr. Smith never made you feel that way, like you weren’t good enough. He looked at you as if you were the only woman in the world. 

His words affected you more than he would ever know- “You started as a blank canvas. Everything about you, down to your stretch marks is beautiful. And I will tell you every day until you believe it yourself.” That was what he said to you the first time the two of you had been intimate. You were nervous and shy for him to see your unclothed body. But he insisted, he wanted to worship all of you, not just the parts that anyone could see on a day-to-day basis.

Abruptly the front door was slammed and it caused your heart to drop into your stomach. The sudden sound had frightened you- you were so caught up in reminiscing on past experiences with Mr. Smith and didn’t notice it was around the time he usually came home. The loud noise echoed through the house, which was a common occurrence anywhere with long hallways and high ceilings. “Mr. Smith?” You called after walking to the doorway, wanting to be sure the person that entered the premises was truly who you were expecting. 

“Yes, y/n. It’s me.” His stern, yet comforting voice announced. “Come downstairs when you have a moment.” The tone in his voice suggested two possibilities. Either he and his wife were fighting again, or he had a bad day at work. Making your way downstairs you could see him sitting at the dining table with his head resting in his hands. You were guessing it was the latter due to it being directly after business hours that he looked so unhappy. 

“Yes. Work was quite hectic today, but it was also Marleen. She was constantly calling me while I was in the middle of a presentation with a new client. Needless to say, it did not go well.” Erwin looked at you as you stood at the opposite side of the table. “Please sit y/n. I would love your company. Dusting can wait.” Although Erwin was venting to you- your chest felt warm. It was always the same feeling you got when looking at him. He held himself so well. His posture, so upright. Everything about him just screamed ‘gentleman.’ 

The sound of your flats tapping against the white tiles was what made Mr. Smith’s attention come back to you. “How was work, Mr. Smith? Was it as unpleasant as it seemed?” You approached the oaky table which had hand-carved details of the intricate marquetry and like the mirror from upstairs; it was also finished with a high gloss varnish. 

The ocean blue eyes that you loved to look into were staring you down as his warm hand enveloped yours. “I missed you so much. You have no idea how long today felt. And now that I’m here with you it’s like a weight was taken off of my shoulders.” He confided in you. The world felt so quiet- usually, you could hear the birds chirping, the winds howling, or even the neighbors doing yard work. But not right now. Not while Mr. Smith sat so close, telling you all he needed to feel better was to take one look at you. 

“I missed you too Mr. Smith.” You smiled at him while he rubbed his thumb over your hand. “y/n, I’ve told you at least a dozen times you may call me Erwin.” His voice was so calm. Every time he said your name it felt like your heart was going to burst. “I know you have, but it’s easier for me to slip up if I get too comfortable.” Silence filled the room for a moment. Bringing up the fact that you two were hiding your love for each other was never easy. Even if he was in an unhappy marriage, it felt wrong sometimes. 

“I understand.” Erwin looked away from you for only a moment before directing his gaze straight back to you. “Would you accompany me upstairs? I would love your help with something.” Just from the tone in his voice, you knew where this was going. He needed relief, and you weren’t planning to deny him. “Of course, Mr. Smith.” You got up from your seat and followed him through the hall. 

The two of you walked up the stairs together- you following behind him while he held onto the railing. “We’re going to the master bedroom.” He instructed before taking a right when he reached the top of the stairway. The halls were decorated with many expensive pieces of art. Paintings, teaware, and framed botanicals hung on the brown walls. The white marbled tile of the floor accentuated the brown in such a pleasant way. 

Erwin turned around to look at you after entering through the doorway. “You’re so beautiful.” He rested his hands on your hips and pulled you closer to him. Bringing you to his chest and looking down at you, he smiled. “Having you here with me... I couldn’t ask for anything more.” He leaned down, encasing your lips in his. His kisses were always so passionate. You could feel the care and love behind his desperate groans into your mouth. 

“I love you.” Your eyes widened and a loud ringing came to your ears. Mr. Smith just confessed his love to you. You both mutually knew that you cared deeply for one another, but hearing him say those words was just something you couldn’t have imagined. The words were so sweet. “Please, y/n. Let me have you.” He ran his hands down to your ass and gripped it lightly. You looked into his eyes and without hesitance, you gave him your answer. “You don’t even have to ask.” 

And with that, Erwin picked you up continuing to kiss you with as much passion as he could. His tongue explored the inside of your mouth and fought against your own for dominance. Although you would never actually try to overtake him. You loved how much of a lead he took when the two of you were intimate. He walked with you in his arms, slowly making his way to the bed. It was the largest bed in the house, with lilac satin sheets. They were cool and soft against your thighs when he placed you down onto them. 

“Mr. Smith, are you sure we should have sex in here? This is...” The thought of his wife sleeping in this bed later tonight was clouding your head. “We will just have to be sure we don’t make a mess.” He breathed against your plush lips before kissing you yet again. Your hands snaked their way up around his neck, touching the back of his head. His haircut was a bit scratchy due to the undercut and shave he opted for. 

“Erwin.” You moaned into his mouth as his large hand made its way up to your inner thigh slowly. He gripped onto your skin, pushing his thumb down just enough to apply a bit of pain. “I love how much of you there is to love.” He pulled back from the kiss and smiled endearingly while looking into your eyes. “You’re perfect. And I love you.” Your heart skipped a beat from his comments. “I love you too Erwin.” 

With your confession, Erwin found in himself that he was no longer able to be patient. He would usually prep you for him, with his tongue or fingers. But he couldn’t wait any longer. He needed to be inside of you. “Are you wet enough for my cock, y/n?” He breathed against your ear while he focused on undoing his belt. Tossing it to the side of the room, he proceeded to unzip his pants- pulling his cock through his trousers. 

You could feel his member poking the inside of your legs while he kissed your neck, occasionally biting down onto your skin. “Fuck, I want you.” You hissed through your teeth as he nibbled your ear. His breath was warm as was his tongue, which ran down the side of your neck before he placed light and feathery kisses along the trail of saliva he left behind. “Then you’ll have me.” He groaned before pushing his cock deep inside of you. 

No amount of slick was ever enough to make taking him easy. It always felt like he was assaulting your insides when he thrust so deeply into you. Stretching you more than anyone else ever had. Erwin let out a breathy moan. “You’re so tight.” During sex, your holes always squeezed him just right. To the point where your pussy would make forming sentences a challenge. You always made him feel so good. He planted his feet firmly into the ground while you laid on your back, looking up to the ceiling. He grabbed ahold of your thighs and pushed your legs up, resting them onto his shoulder before he began pounding into you.

The ivory frills on your skirt tickled his skin as he kept his rhythm. You gasped every time you felt him ram into your cervix. You felt your eyes start to roll back into your head; his veiny cock was almost too much for you. Continuously mixing up your insides, each vein pulling at your inner walls. He grabbed onto your hips harshly, keeping you in place while he brought your pussy to the base of his cock. The two of you were moaning so loudly it started to echo throughout the house. “shit, y/n. Fuck, you’re squeezing, so fucking tight.” His voice was shaky. 

Your hands searched for anything to hold onto while your body rocked back and forth on the bed. Finally settling on the soft and luxurious satin sheets. You balled them into your fists and cried out his name repeatedly. “I’m going to cum, Erwin.” Your walls clenched his cock so tight, not wanting it to leave with each pump. Your legs began to shake and fall from his shoulders but he grabbed ahold of your thighs. Holding them in place and speeding up the pace of him ramming into your pussy. Deeper than ever. 

“Don’t spill any of my cum, baby. It’d be a pain to get out of these sheets.” He chuckled as his hips spastically jerked forward. He groaned and leaned his head back as his warm seed shot into you. Your pussy was filled up with his cum and your cheeks were bright pink. It was so thick, so much. You were scared you wouldn’t be able to hold all of it in. He pulled out of you slowly, making sure you put his thumb on your hole when his cock finally exited your gaping hole. “Should I cork you? Make sure not a drop escapes your beautiful pussy?” He smirked as he looked over at a bottle of red wine, sitting on the granite countertop of his dresser. 

You thought for a moment and couldn’t help but lick your lower lip. “Please cork me.” Your response surprised him, this time he was the one who was shocked. His eyebrows raised slightly but he kept his smug expression. “Oh? If you keep all of it in till the end of your shift tonight, maybe I’ll reward you. My beautiful, little maid.” 

✿✿✿ Author’s Notes ✿✿✿ - Although I don’t normally write a note at the bottom of my pieces I wanted to address something. I’ve been seeing a few people that I follow having body shaming anons coming into their ask boxes, and that’s not cool. I am all for body positivity and feeling good about yourself. But there’s a difference when your tone is bragging, versus being happy in your own skin. And I am a bit on the chubbier side myself and want anyone that is uncomfortable in their own skin to know that you’re beautiful and loved. Usually my writing is for all body types, but I wanted this one to be a bit more personal for us Chubby girls. I hope you all still enjoyed this piece, and can all one day love who you are and what you look like. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and don’t let anyone ever put you down. Thank you. 

[leviackermanscleaningbuddy]

BTS DRABBLE

Anon Request: Dad!Bangtan, your kids find your condoms. (WHOOPS!) 

Tags: BTS, BTS Drabble, Bangtan Boys, Dad!Bangtan, Husband au, Dad Au, jin x you, yoongi x you, hoseok x you, namjoon x you, jimin x you, taehyung x you, jungkook x you

Genre: Fluff

Warnings: Suggestive Content, Sexual Themes

Title: An Unfortunate Find

KIM SEOKJIN

“Jagi, do we have any bananas?” 

You didn’t turn at the question from your husband, simply throwing out over your shoulder from where you stood, folding laundry at the counter, “Yeah, they should be by the fridge.” 

“Thanks.” He pecked a kiss on your cheek, and after finding what he was looking for, left the kitchen almost as quickly as he had entered. 

You paused in folding the laundry, the question that Jin had asked finally falling into place in your head, and you scrunched your brows together in thought, suddenly surprised that he had asked about bananas. Ever since the House of Army shoot, when he’d had to eat around a dozen bananas while filming his scene with Jimin, he hadn’t touched them since, claiming that the yellow fruit, “offended his sensibilities” now.” 

Setting down the rag you had been holding in your hands, sudden suspicion rising in your chest at the curious question from your husband, and the quiet that you suddenly noticed filling the house, which wasn’t common with three overly eager children, you left the laundry and walked down the hallway, intent on finding out what they were up to. 

You walked into your bedroom, and saw your husband, sitting cross legged, like a large fourth child, in the middle of your bed, your two older sons sitting beside him, watching intently what he was doing, their younger sister eagerly climbing on their backs and watching over their shoulders, wanting to be involved. 

“Now. Condoms are made super stretchy. So see? You can pull them on like this, and you don’t have to worry about them breaking.” Your husband was explaining when you entered the room, holding up the long, yellow banana, as he showed your two sons how to place a condom on the end of it, and roll it toward the stem. 

Your mouth dropped open, and you couldn’t help yelling out, “Kim Seokjin! What on earth do you think you’re doing?!” 

At your outburst, the lesson halted, and Jin looked up at you, as unruffled as always, as he shrugged his wide shoulders slightly and then said, “They found them on the bedside table. So I figured I’d just get it over with and give them the talk all at once and be done. Right?” 

“And you thought it was appropriate for our five year old daughter to be here?!” You asked, darting over to the bed and pulling your daughter away from her brothers, as you hurriedly placed your hands over her eyes, as she giggled, trying to see around your fingers. 

“I mean. Boys are stupid.” Jin shrugged once again, handing the banana to your oldest son, who began to fidget with the condom and practice what his father had shown him moments before. “She might have to be the smart one in the relationship and show her boyfriend how to do it. It’s good to know.” 

You huffed out a sigh, pulling your daughter from the room, as you said over your shoulder, slight defeat in your tone, “Fine. You can teach the boys. But leave our daughter alone. At least until she’s ten!” 

MIN YOONGI

“Kook, are you sure you got enough?” You asked, as you cleared the dishes off the table following supper, glancing over at the younger boy, who was leaned back in his chair, satisfied after the large meal. 

“Yes, noona. I’m sure. Your cooking is always enough.” Jungkook laughed back in response, winking at you as you crossed the kitchen to place the dirty dishes into the sink, where Yoongi stood, his hands submerged in hot, soapy water, as he scrubbed the dirtied remains left over from dinner. 

“You shouldn’t worry about him, baby. That kid eats enough for all seven of us on a daily basis.” Your husband said as you came up beside him, shooting Jungkook a teasing glare, as the maknae grinned at him in return, standing up from the table to help you clear the rest of the food. 

“I always worry about you. All of you. It’s just my nature.” You said, pressing a lingering kiss to Yoongi’s cheek, as Jungkook came to join the two of you, dumping more dirty dishes into the sink as he did so. 

“And that’s why we all love you, noona.” The younger boy said, kissing your own cheek affectionately, as you swatted at him playfully, slightly embarrassed by his kind words. 

“Kiss ass.” Yoongi grumbled good naturedly from beside you, and you both laughed. 

“Mama, mama!” 

You glanced over your shoulder, as your two children came barreling into the room, socked feet skidding on the floor, as they slid to a breathless stop beside the grown ups, little chests heaving with excitement, their eyes sparkling mischievously, before your daughter, the oldest, exclaimed, “Can we have a piece of candy? Since we ate all our dinner?” 

You smiled at them, starting to dry the dishes Yoongi was steadily piling up on the sideboard, and then said thoughtfully, “Well, I dunno. You both ate well, you’re right, but I’m not sure we have any candy.” 

“Yes we do!” Your son, slightly younger than his sister, danced excitedly beside her, glancing between your daughter and you, before he blurted out, “We found some! In the drawer!” 

You glanced over at Yoongi, your eyebrows raised quizzically, not sure what candy they were referring to, and he shrugged, before you turned back to your children and asked, “Okay. Show me what you found. And we’ll see, okay?” 

Nodding, your daughter and son both pulled their hands from behind their backs, unfolding their fingers, revealing brightly wrapped square packages held in the palms of their hands. 

“Ohhhhh.” You drawled out awkwardly, and Yoongi turned, his hands still wet, at the tone of your voice, to see what your kids had to show you. 

“Uh oh.” Kook spoke up from where he was leaning against the counter, watching the interaction with eyes sparkling with humor, trying to contain his amusement, as he flashed you both a grin and then said quietly, “Good luck explaining that one.” 

“Um.” You knelt down in front of the still excited children, offering them a slight smile, as you reached out, taking the brightly colored packages from their hands, silently cursing that condom companies had to make their packaging so bright and eye catching these days. Should have gone with the boring ones. It was no wonder your kids were drawn to the tiny, compact squares, covered in fun colors and patterns, thinking it was candy. “These are actually just for daddy and mommy, guys. But.” You stood, shoving the offending condoms into Yoongi’s hand, so they were out of sight, before giving him a pointed stare, as you said, “Let’s go see what’s in mom’s purse. I bet I have kid candy in there.” 

Whooping, the children set off out of the kitchen, and you followed them, glad the crises had been averted with no further questions. 

After you had left, Yoongi released the breath he had been holding, and threw the loose condoms to Jungkook, saying gruffly, “Go hide those. And make sure to do a better job than I did.” 

“Wow, hyung. Extra large, huh?” Jungkook asked, grinning at Yoongi, his eyebrows waggling suggestively at the slightly grumpy older man. 

“Shut up, Jungkook.” Yoongi grunted out, turning back to the dishes, ignoring the younger boy’s pointed stare. “Jealousy doesn’t suit you.” 

JUNG HOSEOK

Closing the door, as silently as possible, on the bedroom where your sleeping twins were finally quiet and down for the night, you tiptoed down the hall and into your own room, letting out a slight sigh of relief as you closed the door behind you and whispered, “Okay. They seem to be asleep. Finally.” 

You felt hands cup your face, and you opened your eyes, managing a smile for your husband, who stood in front of you, hands on either side of your face, one eyebrow raised, as he said quietly, “Good. Now.” His hands, sliding down the skin of your neck, long, slender fingers playing with the neckline of your sweater, he shot your a roguish grin and whispered suggestively, “Do you have time for me?” 

“I mean.” You reached up and your fingers played with the buttons of his shirt as you offered him an innocent look through your lashes, biting your lip slightly, before murmuring, “I guess it depends on what you had in mind.” 

“I’ll just show you.” Hobi said, suddenly picking you up, your legs going around his waist, your arms around his neck, as he carried you, almost as if you weighed nothing, to the bed. 

Dropping you onto the bed, his hold never leaving your body, he straddled you, knees on either side of your hips, hands on either side of your head, long fingers splayed against the comforter, as he flashed you a smirk, so different from his normal smile full of sunshine. This was darker, seductive, promising of things to come. 

“Mmm. I like a man who can take charge.” You hummed out, as he leaned down to you, his lips brushing across your ear and down your neck, his tongue darting out to flick across the hollow at the base of your throat, making your shiver slightly beneath him. 

“I know.” He breathed out against your skin, before moving to cover your lips with his, his hands going down to the hem of your shirt, his fingers brushing across the warm, bare skin that he revealed there. 

Breaking your contact for the briefest of moments, he pulled the sweater up and over your head in a smooth motion, his lips quirked up in the faintest of smiles, as he ran his palms, fingers splayed, down across your ribs and abdomen, relishing how your bare skin felt beneath his hands. 

Reaching up, you pulled him back down to you, your lips smashing against his once more, hot, passionate, and your fingers went to the button of his jeans, fumbling with the closure, as his lips moved against yours, insistent, his tongue flicking out to trace your bottom lip, making you gasp slightly at the sudden warmth. 

“Hobi.” You gasped out as you broke contact, turning your head to the side, as his teeth grazed the lobe of your ear, before starting to move down your neck. “We need a condom.” 

“Mmmhmm.” He hummed in affirmation to let you know he had heard you, his lips still flush against your skin, and he reached out a hand blindly, searching through the drawer of the dresser, briefly, before he pulled back slightly and looked down at you, his expression suddenly annoyed, as he said under his breath, “Well shit.” 

“What?” You watched as he crawled over to look through the drawer more thoroughly, already missing the feel of his body on yours. 

“They’re not here. Where are they?” Hobi stood and moved across the room, ruffling through dresser drawers, swearing lightly under his breath as he did so. 

You groaned and flopped back on the bed as he continued to search with no luck. “Hobi. We can’t do this if we don’t find them. Because I swear to God, I am not ready for another kid.” 

“I know, I know. Me either.” He rushed out, still looking around the room for the missing condoms. “I’ll go look in the guest bath. Maybe they got put there on accident.” 

You heard him hurry from the room and he was gone for what felt like eternities, before you heard him come back and shut the door quietly behind him. 

You glanced over at him, his bare chest tan in the light from the bedside lamp, as he climbed onto the bed beside you, and offering you strange look, said, “Okay. Good news and bad news. What do you want first?” 

You sighed, sitting up, running  a hand through your tousled hair, as you asked, “What is it? Good news first then.” 

“Good news. I found the condoms.” He held up a hand, stopping your from interrupting him, and then said, grimacing slightly, “Bad news, so did the boys. And they’re currently in use all over the playroom.” 

“Ughhhhh!” You let out a groan and fell back on the bed, covering your eyes with your hands, as you said in irritation, “Well, there goes our plans.” 

“I’m gonna go and look if there’s any still in the package, okay?” You heard Hobi get off the bed and head to the door in one last attempt to save the night. “Wait here, okay?” 

You waved, and then said slightly sarcastically, “No where else I’d rather be.” 

KIM NAMJOON

You looked up from setting the table, as the door to the apartment opened and your husband entered, looking tired, but wearing his customary dimpled smile, as he crossed the room first thing to press a kiss to your head, as you asked, “Hey, baby. How was your day?” 

“Good, good.” Namjoon sighed, shucking off his overcoat and sneakers beside the door, before he sank heavily into the couch, running a hand through his hair as he continued tiredly, “We got a lot done today. I was proud of the boys.” 

You finished setting the last place, and then wiping your hands on your apron, crossed the living room to him, settling down on his lap, your arms going around his neck, your fingers tangling into the hair at the base of his neck as you said with a soft smile, “I know. But does anyone ever tell you how proud they are of you?” 

He returned your smile, and his arms went around your waist, as he leaned forward to press a kiss to your lips, pulling back reluctantly after several seconds, as he said fondly, “Yes. You do. Thank you, baby.” 

Pushing his hair back from his forehead, you pressed a kiss to his now exposed skin, before saying, “You’re welcome.” 

“Daddy! You’re home!” 

You both glanced up as one of your daughters came running into the living room, her favorite doll clenched tightly in one fist, her hair wildly splayed about her flushed cheeks, her eyes bright as she caught sight of her father. Throwing herself on top of the two of you, Namjoon chuckled lowly, one of his arms releasing you to embrace his daughter as she snuggled at his side. “Hey, there’s my girl. What have you been up to today?” 

“We’ve been playing dolls.” Your daughter held up the doll in her hand, dressed in multi layers of bright clothing, her hair twisted back with multiple clips and flowers, obviously placed their by he young mistress. 

“Oh?” Joon winked at you, as he kissed your daughter’s head. “And what have your dolls been doing?” 

“They’ve been camping!” Your daughter exclaimed excitedly, just as her sister appeared in the doorway of the living room, her own hands filled with favorite dolls. 

“Yeah, look! They have everything they need.” Your other daughter joined in the conversation, handing a doll to her father and you to inspect. 

“Ohhh...” You said, your mouth dropping open slightly at the sight of the dolls held in your hands. You glanced over at Joon, above the heads of your oblivious and still talking daughters, and he raised a brow at you in return, as you struggled with what to say. Holding up the doll, you pointed to her and asked your daughters, “And what’s this around her legs?” 

“That’s her sleeping bag, silly.” Your daughter piped up, distracted by the doll in her own hands. 

Namjoon snorted slightly at her words, obviously in an effort to hold back his laughter, as he cleared his throat before saying steadily, “Wow. They look really warm and comfortable.” He grinned at you, holding the doll up in his hand so you could see the condom stretched tightly over her plastic legs. 

“They are.” Your daughter responded factually, taking the dolls back from the two of you. 

You covered your mouth, as the two girls retreated from the living room, talking happily about the next destination their dolls would be traveling to for camping. 

After they had left, your husband laughed, wiping at his eyes, as he said in amusement, “Well, sleeping bags sure are stretchy these days, aren’t they?” 

“Joon!” You swatted his arm playfully at his joke, still slightly horrified that your daughters had been playing with condoms all afternoon, but not able to help the amused smile that was flickering on the edge of your lips. “Go right now and hide those better!” You couldn’t help it, you returned his grin, before saying, your voice filled with mirth, “I don’t think the dolls can handle anymore camping trips.” 

PARK JIMIN

“Jin-hyung, would you mind watching her for just a minute? I want to show (Y/N) the new studio space I set up.” Jimin, his fingers intertwined with yours, motioned toward your young daughter with his head, already pulling you toward the door, as if he already knew the older man would say yes. 

“Of course! Come on, bug, you can hang with Uncle Jin.” Jin didn’t hesitate, scooping your daughter up off the floor as she giggled, and walking her over to the group of boys, taking drinks from water bottles and lounging around after a hard hour of dance practice. 

Leaving the practice room, you let Jimin pull you down the long hallway and toward the back of the building, smiling at how cute he was, eyes glowing with excitement, as he rambled on about the new studio space he had been granted. 

Coming to the door, a pane of foggy glass adorning the upper half, your husband looked back at you, kid like in his excitement, as he said, “Okay, ready?” 

You nodded, biting your lower lip between your bottom teeth to stop yourself from grinning stupidly at him, and he pushed open the door, reaching the flip on the light as he pulled you inside his studio. 

“Oh, Chim! It’s beautiful!” You exclaimed, letting out a slight gasp, as you released his hand from yours and walked slowly around the small room, taking it all in. 

It was perfect. 

You could feel Jimin’s eyes on you, watching, as you ran a hand over the desk, the computer, the producing equipment, filled with awe. Moving on, you ran a finger over the smooth leather of the couch taking up one side of the room, and then glanced across the pictures adorning one of the walls-pictures of you and Jimin and your daughter. 

“Chim.” You turned back to him, taking his hands in yours, and pressing a quick kiss to his lips before you glanced around once more, saying excitedly, “This is perfect. It’s so you! You did an amazing job.” 

“Right?” He sighed happily, bright eyes taking in the expanse of the room, and you watched him briefly, glowing with pride, happiness oozing from every inch of his being. 

You loved that man. 

Pulled from your thoughts by the sound of the door shutting, you raised an eyebrow at Jimin, who was looking at you strangely, full lower lip sucked between his teeth, as he raised an eyebrow and said in a low tone, “Also. I was thinking. This place hasn’t been christened yet. And I think I know the perfect way to do that.” 

He tackled you onto the couch behind you, both of you going down in a tangle of limbs, as you laughed, before he finally got his hands on either side of your head, looking down at your with a triumphant smile as you said teasingly, “Really, Chim? Here?” 

“Come on, baby.” He cajoled, pushing your hand back with his fingers, rings glinting in the light, as he teased you with a pout, his full lips pulled down. “We used to do it in crazy places all the time. It’ll be like when we were dating.” 

“Fine.” You sighed, rolling your eyes playfully, before pressing a finger to his lips as he tried to lean down to kiss you, stopping him in his tracks as his eyes went wide in surprise. “But, you have to find the condom in my purse first. And have it ready.” 

He pulled back from you, sitting back on his haunches, as he reached down beside the couch, digging through your purse, a smug smile on his lips as he said, “I knew you couldn’t resist me.” You watched him, returning the smile, but soon, the smile dropped from his lips, and he came up empty handed, as he said seriously, “Baby. There’s no condom in your purse.” 

“What?” You sat up, as he threw you the bag, and you began to dig furiously through the contents. “I always keep one in here. For spontaneous moments. Shit.” You swore, not finding it as well, as you glanced over at him, disappointment clear in his eyes. “I’m sorry, baby. I have no idea where it could be.” 

“Wait.” Jimin’s eyes widened slightly, and he suddenly stood from the couch, panic written on his features. “Didn’t you let mini me play with your purse on the ride here?” 

“Oh shit.” You laughed, humorlessly, and dashed out of the studio after Jimin, both of you suddenly realizing that you had left your daughter, a condom, and six boys disguised as adults in a room alone for far too long. 

KIM TAEHYUNG

Dropping the bags of groceries onto the counter, you hurried to put away the food where it belonged. It had been a long day at the office, and you were ready to relax. You wanted to spend some time with your husband and your daughter, and maybe later, some long time alone in a hot, steaming bath. 

“Tae? Princess?” You called out, finishing up with the last of the groceries. You didn’t hear a response to your call, and you pushed the fridge door shut with your foot, before taking off your coat and slipping out of your tall pair of heels. 

Hearing the sound of your entrance, Yeontan appeared in the living room, tail wagging, tongue lolling, eyes bright. 

“Hey, Tan!” You greeted the fluffy dog enthusiastically, crouching down to scratch behind his ears and under his chin, as he yipped, just once, in excitement at seeing you, his tail going a million miles a minute. You gave him another ruffle behind the ears, saying slightly under your breath, “Where’s your daddy and sister?” 

Picking the dog up under one arm, his warm, little tongue giving you a few eager licks on the cheek before you settled him against your side, you walked down the darkened hallway, pausing at your daughter’s door, as you heard laughter and conversation come through the crack, spilling out with the light. 

Smiling to yourself, you stood there, silently, briefly, listening to Tae say something to your daughter, which in turn made her giggle. He was a good dad. 

Pushing the door open, you leaned against the doorframe, Tan still held securely under one arm, as you started to say, “Hey, you guys....” 

You stopped dead in your tracks, not expecting the sight that was before you, as your husband looked up, slightly guiltily, at your sudden entrance. 

Your daughter, face awash with a bright grin, waved at you and said brightly, “Hey, mommy!” before going back to what she had been doing when you entered. 

“Hey, jagi.” Tae said, giving you a slightly sheepish wave, a condom held in his hand. 

You swallowed, and then asked calmly, “What’s going on here?” 

“I found some balloons! And daddy said we could blow them up and have a party!” Your daughter said, blowing up another condom, her cheeks going red with the exertion. 

“Oh, he did, did he?” You shot Tae a sharp look, as he shrugged slightly, not able to say anything, as he currently was busy blowing up another “balloon” for your daughter. 

“Sorry, jagi. But she found them. So we had to use them.” He offered you a boxy grin, and you felt your annoyance slowly burning away at the happiness that covered both of their faces, as they sat, surrounded by blown up condoms. 

“Okay. But after the ‘party’s’ over.” You quoted the word party in your sentence. “You have to throw them all away okay?” 

“Okay!” Your daughter said brightly, as she gave her father a high five. 

“And you.” You pointed at Tae, setting Yeontan down at your feet, as you fixed your husband with a serious stare. “You’re going to go to the store later. For more....balloons.” You raised an eyebrow at him, hands on your hips. “Because you and I won’t be having a party later if we don’t have any.” 

JEON JUNGKOOK

Jungkook sat on the couch in the living room, controller in his hand, video game playing on the large TV across the room, as he said something into his mic set to his teammates. 

You glanced at him from around the corner of the kitchen, and rolled your eyes slightly as he yelled something about the game, sitting straighter on the couch as he got excited. Your husband didn’t get much time off. And so when he did, you were more than happy to let him play his games for awhile. 

Returning to cooking, you hummed happily to yourself, the sounds of the video game echoing around the apartment. 

You heard the patter of small feet, and smiled to yourself, as you paused in what you were doing, listening as you heard your son say from the other room, “Daddy. What are these?” 

You couldn’t imagine what he had found this time, but it was usually a bug or toy that your son had never seen before. He was curious, inquisitive, just like his dad, and it was always nice to see Jungkook handle the quality he himself possessed so strongly when it manifested in his son. 

There was a slight pause, and then you heard your husband say from the living room, “Uh.....You know what, buddy? Why don’t you go and ask mom about those?” 

Curious now, wondering what they were referring to, you went back to stirring the pot on the stove, the steam making you sweat, and it wasn’t long before you heard tiny feet come into the room, slapping on the tile, and then your son’s questioning voice, “Mommy, what are these?” 

“Hmmm, love?” You turned, offering him a smile, wiping your hands on your apron, as you looked down at what he was holding out to you. 

It was your box of condoms. 

Mouth dropping open slightly, the only thing you could think to do was shriek out over the video game sounds into the living room, “Jungkook, you asshole!” 

You heard him laugh from the other room, obviously thinking he was hilarious, and you quickly took the box from your son’s hands, as he looked up at your with wide eyes, before saying innocently, “Mommy, what’s an asshole?” 

Shit. 

You crouched down in front of your son, silently fuming and promising to get Jungkook back for this later. He wouldn’t think his joke was so funny when he tried to get handsy later. 

“Sorry, baby. Don’t worry about that. That’s just a mommy and daddy word.” You swallowed, the box of condoms still held behind your back, out of his view, as you struggled to think of what to say next. “And those things you found? They’re just for mommies and daddies too, okay? So how about we go and find some of your toys now?” 

He nodded, and you ushered him out of the kitchen, and when he had disappeared down the hallway in front of you on the way to the toy room, you paused in the living room, before chucking the box of condoms as hard as you could at Jungkook. 

“Hey!” He called out, caught off guard, as the box bounced off his head and into his lap. 

He removed one of his headphones to glance at you and you glared at him, before pointing at him sternly and saying fiercely, “Hide those better, Jeon Jungkook.” You stuck your tongue out at him. “Because heaven knows, after that stunt, you won’t be needing them tonight.” 

[lambourngb]

Duty of Care and /or Gravedigger’s Union

I did Grave Dancer’s Union - a nod to my 90s love of Soul Asylum here.

Duty of Care was another torture Michael fic- I wrote it pre-season 2, when I thought the love triangle was going in a particular way. I don’t know if there’s still an appetite to season 1 au stories? There’s some season 1 characterization of Alex ahead, particularly in regards to Jesse.

Here’s what I had - some of which already appeared here before Last Year’s Wishes ate my brain.

****

“Can’t believe Maria is still wearing the pendant of alien poison around her neck while she dates your alien ass, Guerin..” Kyle commented watching the decay values multiply as Liz titrated pollen into the samples.  

The current theory on alien resurrection, and it said a lot about his life that he had competing theories on alien-involved resurrection, was that their ability to manipulate energy changed based on their needed life skills at the time of adolescence. Michael had been separated from his siblings young, and needed to develop defensive skills. The defiant and pained look on his face when he explained stopping an item being hurled at his head at the age of 7 was a needed survival tactic courtesy of foster homes he had passed through kept Kyle from questioning any further.

Isobel had through her mother Ann’s never-ending dinner parties and charity benefits, found comfort in seeing and knowing what was meant under the sugary sweet words of adults around her. Being a small child paraded around adults who were charmed by her blonde hair and blue eyes meant she had the most exposure to social events while Max hid in his books. 

Finally Max had anointed himself as a fixer early on in their life. He had taken responsibility for Michael being left behind, and had tasked himself to protect his sister afterward. The defensive use of healing fit with his offensive ability to kill in the service of keeping those he loved safe. 

At the most basic level, it was all energy from synaptic responses in brain waves to manipulating molecules to move or stop an object. How a pollen interrupted that energy use could theoretically solve the problem of how to jump start an ability.

“You think you might get around to telling her the big secret anytime soon?”

The mask over his mouth and face did little to block the glare Michael shot at him. “Shut up Valenti.” 

“I don’t see what the big deal is. It’s Maria. She is a card carrying member of the ACLU and the Nature Conservatory. I had to bail her out of jail last year during an ICE protest. She’s not going to turn you over to the government.” 

“Kyle!” Liz scolded, “We talked about this. Agency. It’s up to Isobel and Michael who knows. I already broke that with you.”

Michael ran a gloved figure over the counter absently. “I hate secrets, okay. This isn’t any fun for me, especially considering how many people already know. I went from having just Max and Isobel, to basically the whole graduating class of New Roswell High in on it. A lot of loose lips.”

The habit of 20 years of paranoid silence was probably a lot to try and break with a new relationship if that was the basis of it. There was a good amount of slack that Kyle could extend to Michael, including trying to be understanding when he started up with Alex’s best friend in the wake of Max’s death, but exclusion of Maria from the secret felt wrong to him.

He couldn’t fathom the reasoning behind lying to someone that he wanted to be in a relationship with, and he had a feeling that it wasn’t because of worries that she would tell someone about the aliens living in Roswell. While he couldn’t outright call Michael an asshole on Alex’s behalf, he could poke and prod him when the opportunity surfaced.

“You should look at this way Guerin, that larger circle means if something does happen, you’ve got more back up than just Isobel, with Max being out of commission.”

“Oh yeah, so if the government disappears me to a black site, you’re going to ride to my rescue?”

“Yes.” Kyle replied seriously. “I wouldn’t be alone either.” The name Alex Manes went unsaid, but from the brief wince on Michael’s face, he knew exactly who was being referred to obliquely. Scored hit again.

“Well as fun as this discussion is, I’m going to take off. Iz and I have practice plans.” Michael slipped his hat on, and tucked the stool away. “Liz, call me if you have a breakthrough on nullifying this stuff. For a rare flower, there sure was a lot of it stockpiled in Noah’s cave.”

“Sure thing, Mikey.” 

“Valenti, make sure she goes home to sleep and eat at some point. I don’t want to have to put her in a pod next.” He ducked out of reach of her hand, laughing at the offended look she sent his way. 

“Far be it for me to agree with him, but he’s right. You’ve been burning the candle at both ends and the middle between rebuilding your lab, researching Max’s healing power, studying this pollen, not to mention working at the diner. We should make time for something else, like a drink or a movie. Recharge.” The past month since Max’s ‘death’ brought back the manic energy burst from solving the issues with the depowering serum. From one catastrophe to another, it was barely time to recover before the next happened.

“I know, I just. I need to stay busy. It’s so quiet without him.” Liz stretched and started to tuck her last slide away into the cooler. “But I think I am done today, if I work anymore, I’ll just be making mistakes.”

Kyle slipped on his coat and held the door. “Not that I don’t believe you leaving on your own volition, but let me walk you out.”

“Lucky for you, I’m too tired to be offended.”

Kyle kept his hand on her back gently steering her through the hallways. The third shift was on at the hospital, and he winced to think about his own upcoming shift at noon tomorrow. Balancing football, his pre-med studies and his social life in Michigan taught him valuable life skills in working on short sleep, but even the hours of residency had no competition on his current life of alien lab work and tracking down government funding of a black ops prison project with Alex. When he mentioned a night off, he wasn’t only including Liz in that need.

Inhaling the cool night air, he calculated if he made it home, heated up a meal, and fell asleep promptly there was the opportunity for 6 good hours of sleep before meeting up at the bunker to check in on the data mining project Alex was running. 

“You know, you should go a little easier on Michael.”

“I thought everyone in this town was in love with Max Evans, but apparently it’s Guerin.” Kyle retorted sarcastically. 

Liz bit her lip at the mention of Max before sighing softly. “I’m serious, Kyle. He’s really messed up right now. I was actually shocked he was somewhat sober tonight.”

“I’m not going to be petty here Liz, and mention the obvious that we are all really messed up right now. I get where you’re coming from about their need for secrecy, but Maria really deserves better. I’m not her best friend like you are and Alex was, but I’ve been here in this town with her. She was there for me after my dad died, and she supported my mom’s election for sheriff. With Mimi getting worse, she deserves to have someone to count on, not someone who is lying to her, and by extension, making all of us lie to her as well.”

“Alex was? Past tense?”

He arched his eyebrow in disbelief, “I guess I am going to be petty tonight, but seriously Liz? Have you talked to Alex lately? Every time Maria comes up in conversation he puts his best ‘Baghdad was a little warm and I was just doing a job’ face on and repeats to anyone listening how happy he is for them. Guerin messed him up, and worse, took away from him one of the few people he lets himself drop that soldier bullshit front he has.”

Liz sighed, tucking her hair behind her ear. “I know the history with Michael is a little complicated, but we don’t always get to choose who we fall for and who we don’t. Love is messy. It doesn’t color inside the lines and follow any of the rules.”

“Maybe you’re right about that, and maybe there’s no avoiding the heartache. I do believe though that you can choose whether or not to be a dick about things, and Guerin not telling Maria is a dick move and it’s got consequences.” Kyle unlocked his car, and opened the passenger side with a gesture. “Our sister doesn’t have many friends, and he’s robbing her of one right now. Rosa lost ten years because of aliens, don’t you think that’s enough loss for all of us?”

“Do you know how annoying you are when you’re right? I’ll talk to Michael, better yet, I’ll talk to Isobel about letting Maria in on the secret.”

He slid into the driver’s seat, smiling across to her. “Tomorrow. Tonight, what’s left of it, is for sleeping.” He turned the ignition, and stopped,  as the headlights came up illuminating the familiar green Chevy sitting across the lot from them. “That’s Guerin’s truck.”

“He left before we did, what’s it still doing here?” Liz ducked out of the passenger seat and ran toward the truck without waiting for an answer. Kyle swore softly, untangling his hand from the ignition to follow her. The truck looked undisturbed, no sign of the occupant. Liz reached for the driver’s side door, testing it, and gasped as the door swung open. The ever present black hat slipped off the dash into the floorboards.

There were three things Michael prized above all others, his truck, his cowboy hat, and his sister. To leave two out of three unprotected was highly out of character for him. Kyle turned around the parking lot, scanning for signs of him. 

“Kyle, look,” Liz grabbed his arm and pulled him down toward the wheel well of the truck. Gleaming silver in the light , tucked on top of the tire tread, was a syringe needle with a depressed plunger.

“That’s not good.”

She stuffed her hand into her pocket and withdrew a spare latex glove to wrap around her fingers as she lifted the syringe from the tire.  She peered closely at the vial, a sickly yellow liquid film thinly coated the inside. “I think someone took him, and without testing it, I’m guessing this is some sort of knock out drug based on the pollen.”

Kyle reached for his phone, mentally saying goodbye to the idea of sleep anytime soon. “I’ll call Alex, you call Isobel. And I don’t know, I guess call my mom? I mean, we usually call the police when someone gets abducted.”

Liz thinned her lips, holding the needle with one hand as she dug out her phone with the other. “I don’t think you can call the cops on the government, which I’m guessing that’s what we are dealing with since they knew how to knock out Michael.”

The government, or more specially it was probably someone related to Project Shepherd. Kyle sighed, holding his phone to his ear. It rang once, before he heard, “What’s wrong?”

He pulled the phone away from his ear to make sure he had called Alex and not the psychic alien sister, “How did you know something was wrong?”

“You’ve called me twice in the last three months, once to tell me you put my dad in a coma and once to tell me about Max. You’re a texter, even though I explained it’s easier to keep things secret if you call. So again, what’s wrong?”

Kyle slowly walked back toward the hospital. He should have volunteered to call Isobel, because this was not going to be easy. “It’s Guerin.”

“Is he okay?” 

“We don’t know. We think someone took him. Liz and I found his truck at the hospital, unlocked. It looks like he got jumped by someone who knows how to incapicitate him.”

“I’ll be there in 20 minutes.” 

Kyle wasn’t surprised to see the call disconnected. It was a forty minute drive from the cabin to the hospital if someone followed the speed limits. 

*** 

“It’s Guerin.”

Alex was somewhat aware that he must have replied. He was in his SUV and away from the bunker, before he’d registered that the call had ended. He could only be thankful that today had been a ‘pull day’, rather than a ‘push day.’

Alex could divide his days into two motivations, he either wanted to be as far from town and the chance of running into someone he knew (Michael) or he wanted to be close in case something happened that he could help fix (for Michael). The cabin was isolated enough that only Kyle made the trip from Roswell, but not in recent memory with the pace of lab work and hospital hours. Alex could comfortably avoid reality with his laptop until the second feeling took hold. The Project Shepherd bunker was an easier location to reach Isobel or Liz from when the inviatble call for assisting an intoxicated Michael came. 

Seeing Maria meant seeing Michael in the evening hours, and it was strange to resort to in his post-service life the habit of a decade before; lying and hiding himself in every interaction. His calendar had a weekly reminder to join Liz and Maria at the Wild Pony for a beer, usually scheduled early enough that Michael was still at Sanders working, but late enough that the automated work emergency text to his phone could reliably give him cover for an exit. 

Psychic as she was, Maria always let him go with a pained but relieved look. It wasn’t her fault that he was still in love with Michael. It wasn’t her fault that Michael wasn’t in love with him. Neither he nor Maria had so many friends that they could afford to lose one, but neither was fooling the other that the relationship hadn’t changed in the aftermath of her dating Michael. 

This wasn’t his first go around with unrequited love. 

He’d survived Brendon Urie, and he wasn’t ashamed to have been a sixteen year old pouring over fan meet and greets on livejournal before hitting the road with Rosa to see Panic at the Disco in Albuquerque just after school let for the summer. He might have mapped out Los Angeles coffee shops to busk at after he turned legal and could escape west to be a musician, coffee shops close to Silver Lakes and Encino neighborhoods to be organically discovered by his crush.

He had survived his fourteen year old obsession with Kyle, that lasted until it was safer to love unattainable rockstars versus the childhood friend now high school bully. He could laugh at himself for thinking that Kyle had turned on him because he felt the same way but just didn’t know how to articulate it outside of shoving him against the lockers and jeering at him in gym class. 

Unrequited love that had once been returned was a higher bar to clear than a fan fantasy or a childhood crush, but then the sins Alex carried were deeper and more lasting as well. More than a ruined but now healed hand and a discarded scholarship, he had the murder of Michael’s mother to carry.  He would survive Michael not loving him, he was reasonably sure of it. He wasn’t sure if he would survive something happening to Michael because of the Manes family legacy. 

Someone knowing how to subdue and take Michael pointed to his family’s involvement. 

He didn’t bother with the visitor’s desk at the hospital foyer this time, walking purposefully toward the elevator and wing where Liz’s new lab resided. The door opened to his touch, revealing Isobel hovering anxiously near Liz’s shoulder as she swabbed a syringe. 

“You made good time.” Isobel greeted.

“I hacked the traffic lights.” Alex informed, setting his laptop case on the lab table, and popping the case open. A few keystrokes and he was inside the hospital network and probably breaking a dozen federal laws of privacy. 

Kyle closed the door, and shook his head, “Seriously?”

“No. I was at the bunker.” He brought up the internal security logs, noting visitors and elevator access. “So what do we know?”

“Not a lot,” Liz replied, her gaze fixed on a spread of swabs and slides. “I’m trying to pull as many samples as I can from this syringe so I can analyze it. There looks to be a reservoir of 3 CCs. My original serum required a dose of at least 6 CCs to incapacitate, so whatever they used was more concentrated.”

“Hopefully less lethal,” Isobel observed. “Are you in the hospital network already?”

“Just what’s linked to the internal wifi signals. I’m going to need access to their security office since it appears the actual camera footage is on a closed circuit.”

Kyle pulled out his ID badge, “I can take you there, but how are you going to get the guards to let you look at the footage? I can still call my mom and make this an official police investigation.”

Alex dug into his pockets for a thumb drive, and then turned to Isobel, “I’m hoping you can influence the guard into letting me download the footage. If you can’t, then we will need to bring the sheriff into this.”

Isobel tapped her forehead knowingly, “If I can’t influence the guards to let you in, I can at least make one of them think he left his car unlocked or his coffee pot plugged in.”

“Let’s go then. Michael has been missing for at least an hour.”

Kyle tapped his badge at certain checkpoints, opening the electronic doors as they headed down to the security room. Alex made a mental note to scrub the ID tags once they were done, on the off chance someone was curious about the movements of a doctor who should have been long off duty.

The windowless room was covered in screens and held one guard boredly sipping his coffee while he watched a television show on his phone. There was a chance they didn’t need a psychic to gain access, but it was probably better safe than sorry.

Alex moved quickly after Isobel held the security guard’s mind in hers and slide behind the desk to call up the footage on the parking garage. Mindful of time, he plugged in his drive and started transferring all the raw data from the camera recordings. The antiquated hospital computing system did nothing to soothe the anxiety. 

Long experience working with poor computing power and broken infrastructure while deployed in Iraq was the only thing that kept his inner impatience off his face. Touching the mouse or tapping his fingers never moved data faster. 

Finally the file clicked over complete, he slid back from the bank of monitors, and nodded to Isobel. The security guard took a deep breath and look around briefly before picking up his phone and restarting the television show on his app.

The door clicked shut as the three of them hastened back to Liz’s lab. His hip barked at the hurried extension he placed on his body. With the clock ticking, the discomfort slipped into the box marked ‘to deal with later’. Once the drive was inserted, it was a matter of minutes to set up a scan for vehcile traffic entering and exiting the hospital parking lot. 

Liz dug out a bottle of acetone for Isobel, who accepted it with a small smile and then nodded over to the laptop. “I hope you are having more luck with the security footage, than I am having with this drug.”

“I grabbed everything from the last 72 hours, just in case. It’s possible someone followed Michael to the hospital,” Alex balanced carefully onto the stool, keeping the weight off his prostetic. “I would have found a less populated area for a snatch and grab, but maybe they were worried about Michael’s powers and if so, then likely they scouted the view points of the cameras before they made their move to minimize their exposure. At least that’s what I would have done, if I had discarded the open road or home as possible targets.”

“Well we all know what a paranoid and careful asshole you are, Alex.” Kyle observed, working on a second set of samples. 

“I try not to repeat my mistakes.”

“Like Caulfield?” Isobel asked pointed. 

A sharp stab of pain went through him at the reminder. As if the prison ever left his mind for a moment these days. “Yes, like Caulfield. I should have found a more covert way to gain information than assume it was abandoned. I should have realized my dad had more going on than surveillance on Roswell.”

Kyle touched Alex’s shoulder with a comforting clasp, “At least we know he’s not personally behind this. Master Sergeant's main nurse likes me, she would have called if something had changed.” 

Alex stayed silent, knowing that his next task would be gaining access to the long term rest home in Santa Fe where they had transferred his comatose father after he had attacked Kyle. There had been initial protests regarding the forged records until he had pointed out the other option had been to kill Jesse. 

The classic body Chevy truck flashed on the screen with the timecode marking it as Michael’s arrival at the hospital. Alex paused and marked the frame for reference, then eased through the later clips watching for his exit. There were two cameras concentrated on the parking lot, one at the entrance/exit, and one with a long panoramic view of the lot, primarily to ward off a car thief or would-be mugger. It was grainy in grey scale, but at least he could be thankful that Michael drove such a distinctive truck. The task of finding an unremarkable Honda Prisius would have been daunting.

His hand stilled as he paused the footage on the slow but unmistakable swagger of a figure striding away from the hospital entrance toward the parked Chevy. Michael’s black cowboy hat hid his face but even absent such an identifiable marker Alex was sure could have picked out his body in a sea of others without question. 

Michael reached his truck with no issue, unlocking the driver’s side door. His hand swept off his hat and casually tossed it into the front seat of the cab. Behind him, in the next parking aisle a nondescript panel van, a door opened slid open and a glint peeked out. Michael reached behind his neck, his body half in the truck and slapping at the skin there. 

Alex inhaled sharply, fear and dread rising. It was a terrible thing to watch knowing it had already happened. Two figures dressed in plain dark clothing emerged from the van, and started toward the truck. Michael’s body half fell from the cab, and curled around the front wheel. Alex watched as the two effortlessly brushed off the weak struggles to fight their grasp of Michael’s shoulders, tugging him backward to the waiting van. 

His body was tossed without care into the back, the door sliding shut blocking the last view of Michael. The two men split up from the van, circling around to the front doors. Alex numbly clicked on the frame, saving it, and switched over to the second camera focused on the entrance. 

Watching his brother Flint calmly pay the ticket machine was not much of a surprise at this point. 

“Kyle, I’m going to need you to call your nurse friend to check on my father.” He was proud that his voice was calm and even, despite the rising sickness within. “The good news is, this wasn’t a government issued black ops team that took Michael.”

“And the bad news?” Isobel prompted.

“It was personal, which means they aren’t as invested in keeping him alive.”

* * * * 

[Isobel details their mental bond. That it feels blank]

“I was always closer with Max. I don’t know if it was a twin thing or being raised together, but Michael was always harder to connect with until recently. We’ve been practicing so much together, he started to take up a bit of space here, “ she patted her chest. “Not enough to fill the void where Max was, but enough that I could tell if he was happy or if he was angry. Strong emotions only came through. Lately it was a lot of anger but he wouldn’t tell me what was going on… “

“And now? Do you feel him now?”

Tears filled her eyes and she shook her head. “It’s empty. Blank. Like it was when we kids before he moved back to Roswell. I think he’s still alive, but he feels very far away, or very weak.”

[Alex waits patiently for the call. He thinks this is going to be an exchange of Michael for his dad, until he realizes his dad is not at the long-term care facility any more]

[Round table discussion at Max’s house to figure out what Jesse wants. Isobel finds out more about the shared past of Michael and Alex- and Maria shows up at the end looking for Michael]

“It’s been 2 days, why hasn’t your dad called with his demands? Is he not reading from the classic villain script this time?” Isobel wondered bitterly. “What is with your family, Alex?”

Kyle injected, “We don’t know that Sergant Manes is involved.”

“Don’t we? He disappeared from the nursing home just before Michael was taken. It seems pretty convenient timing to me.”

Alex pressed his fingers under his eyelids to relieve the building pressure. It had been a long two days of nothing after he received the call that the psuedonmyn he had checked his dad in unrder was no longer a patient in the long-term coma ward in Sante Fe. The staff was calling it a miracle that just after a devoted son had prayed at his bedside, he had woken up. Alex knew it was anything but divine intervention to have Jesse awake and free in the world. 

“Isobel is right, this has Dad written all over it. Somehow Flint found out what had happened and woke him up. It’s been two days because I’m guessing he is still weak from the inactivity.”

Liz stirred from her claimed spot on the couch, cracking an eyelid. “What makes you think there’s going to be a demand, Isobel? Manes has what he wants, a new alien to test and torture. If you look at the research side of things, the aliens in Caulfield were all weak and elderly, and Michael’s a healthy 28 year old. Whatever fucked up weapon he was developing might need a younger test subject.”

“Now there’s a comforting thought.” Kyle muttered. 

“I don’t think it’s research. This still feels personal to me. Michael still has an offensive power to defend himself with, the softer target would have been Isobel if he just wanted an alien to grab.”

“Gee, thanks Alex. Come closer and I’ll show you what I’ve been working on and see if you think I’m still a soft target after I turn your skull into crushed bone.”

***

Alex’s fingers were numb, as he pressed in his code to access his Whatsapp account. Waiting in his inbox was an unknown number and a video attachment. He abruptly dropped into the deck chair as the video opened to his worst fear made real.

Michael’s left eye was swollen shut, blood staining from the corner of his forehead, dripping down his cheek bone. His arms were stretched high above his head, disappearing out of frame. His shirt was missing, and there were sluggishly wounds striping over his shoulder and licking across his collar bone. 

The camera turned, Michael blurring out of view. The monster that starred in seventy percent of his nightmares filled the screen. “Hello, Alex. I was hoping to keep you out of this, son, but this creature is being very uncooperative.” 

Off screen, he heard a weak, “Go fuck yourself, Manes. I keep telling you, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Jesse nodded to someone out of frame, and Michael screamed in agonizing pain. Long hiccuping gasps for air puncuated another softer, “fuck you.”

“Like I said, uncooperative. When we last saw each other, you had something that belonged to me. Jim Valenti stole it from our base, and refused to tell me what he had done with it despite my best efforts at persuading him.” 

Michael cried out again, choking on a soft sob. Alex forced himself to watch, drinking in every detail for his later plans. 

“With N-38 gone, I can’t hurt this thing the same way I did dear old Jim so I’ve had to get creative. Electricity just makes some of them stronger, but good old heat and sharp still work on them. We both know you can break its bones with enough force.” Jesse turned, pointing the camera toward Michael again, focusing on the dangling bare feet. “There are more bones per square inch in the foot, than anywhere else in the body. I am telling you this so you don’t doubt my resolve. This thing is relatively harmless for its kind, and I’m willing to return it to you in more or less good condition, if you bring me what Valenti stole. Let me know what you decide to do.”

The video cut off. 

****

There was an expected role to play, like there always was when Jesse Manes was involved. Once it meant peppering his speech with ‘yes sir’ and ‘sorry sir’ and toning down his clothing in hopes of escaping his fists, and when that proved futile, it went in the opposite direction with makeup, nail polish, and piercings.

For all of his proud talk about the service, his father never served anywhere but stateside. His knowledge of tactical defense and enemy counter measures were likely twenty years of date, and Alex was counting on his father’s pride from keeping him unaware of the technology shift. The set up of the Project Shepherd bunker confirmed that.

He tucked his personal side arm into his thigh holster, securing to his left leg and reached for his secondary weapon to slip into his boot strapped to his prosthetic. The weight of the kevlar and vest registered briefly on his shoulders before it slipped into the blank shroud that had enveloped him as soon as he heard Michael’s cries. Knives and a pair of percussive grenades weighed down each side of his pockets.

A floorboard behind him creaked, his gun cleared the holster before his mind caught up on who would have followed him to his cabin. It was a little concerning that the sound of a vehicle hadn’t registered until now.

“Whoa, don’t shoot.” Kyle lifted his hands, halting abruptly.  He took in the dark clothing, combat hardware and the array of weapons spread on the cabin’s table. “I guess we are going full cliche today, good to know.”

Alex dropped his arm away, resecuring his gun. “Then you know what I’m going to say already.”

“Humor me, then. This is a trap, Alex.”

“I’m well aware.” Alex flipped open a black case and pulled out his phone and laptop. Carefully he pulled out three silver discs, and a pair of jeweler’s glasses. He sat down in the chair, slipping the glasses on to peer down at the discs. “I’m going anyway.”

Kyle sighed, aggrieved. “Well I did promise Guerin if he got his ass kidnapped by the government, I would come to his rescue.”

Alex didn’t look up from his work, pressing a small pin on each disc. “You’re not going with me, Kyle.”

“I know this face is distractingly handsome, but tell me you remember all the time we spent on the range together as kids. I can shoot a gun.” 

“Shooting a paper target is different from shooting at a human being.” Each disc beeped softly, then went silent. He pulled the glasses off with a satisfied smirk, “Besides, I need you to come with the cavalry. These are military grade GPS trackers that I’ve linked to my laptop and my phone. Once my father sees I’m there without the piece of the ship, he’ll take me to Michael so he can teach me a lesson.”

“What makes you think your dad won’t find these trackers?”

“I’m sure he will, but I’ve got a back up plan on that as well. My father has underestimated me my entire life. He thinks I am weak, that my emotions and desires cloud my judgment. He’s going to see he was wrong.”

“Alex.” Kyle hesitated, struggling for a moment before taking a seat at the table. He gently laid his hand on Alex’s wrist, stilling the other man. “We all want Guerin back safe but I want you to consider for a moment that your father is right, that your emotions are clouding your judgment. Because what I’m seeing right now is kind of freaking me out, dude. You’re dressed from head to toe in black ops murder gear with GPS trackers, which I didn’t even know you could buy, talking about going in alone, guns blazing, against your dad.”

“I got them on Ebay.”

“That’s what you’re choosing to focus on?”

“What are my other options, Kyle? He’s got Michael. He’s had him for two days, and there is exactly zero chance he doesn’t want both the UFO fragment and Michael.” Alex wrenched his hand away,. He inhaled deeply and pushed down the swell of thoughts of what had already happened to Michael in two days.

“I agree, but back when I laid him out with barbiturates in our bunker, you and I had a discussion about killing him. I seem to remember we decided against that.”

“No, Kyle, you decided against it and I went along with it. Which was clearly a mistake. This has been a long time coming, okay? He brought this on himself when he took Michael.”

“I knew there was no talking you out of this. I just don’t want you to do this alone.”

* * * 

The lights were all on at the formerly known as Evans-Bracken residence, now just Evans. 

“You look like you’re ready to storm the castle.” Isobel commented, before pushing the door open and turning back into the house. “I still haven’t felt anything from Michael. He could be dead, and all of this would be pointless.”

Alex winced and acknowledged the point before pushing the thought down. “He’s not dead.”

“How do you know? Your so-called cosmic connection?” She sipped from the glass in her hand, the scent of chemicals wafted to him. It was clearly not water.

Gently he wrapped his fingers around her hand, guiding the glass away before resting it on the table next to him. “Maybe, but in reality, if he was dead, my father would have taken someone else as leverage and he would have taunted me with my failure to protect Michael.”

****

[ So as you can see it needs a massive rewrite to fix my characterization- but I still like the plot of Jesse taking Michael for the ship piece- especially since the show fumbled on this so badly in 2x10-2x11. ]

[throwmyheartawayagain]

I Wan’na Be Like You

This is my entry for @this-kitten-is-smitten​ ‘s 200 Drabble Challenge. Clearly, I don’t know the meaning of “drabble” since this exceed 2k words. Oh well. I hope you like this Kate! 

Any and all mistakes are mine. My fics are not to be saved or posted on any other sites without my written permission- that’s just fucking rude. Thanks!

Title: I Wan’na Be Like You

Characters: MCU Sebastian Stan, Cora(OFC), Oliver/Ollie (OMC)

Pairing: MCU Sebastian Stan/Cora

Prompt: I Wan’na Be Like You from Disney's The Jungle Book 

Warnings: Fluff, swearing

Word Count: 2,077

“Ghostbusters, whadya want?”

“Are you always going to answer your phone like that?”

“Yes, I am, Mr. Stan,” she laughed. “Especially when you are calling.”

“What am I going to do with you, lubirea mea?” Sebastian chuckled.

“Dunno, you’re the one that married me.”

“I see, well, I only asked you to marry me. You agreed to it.”

Cora laughed. “Is that how it is?”

“That’s how it is.” There was a beat of silence until Sebastian whispered, “Oh, fuck. Not again.”

“What’s going on?” Cora asked. She knew Sebastian was back in New York City, having arrived earlier that morning, but he had a meeting with his manager, and an interview for a magazine after that.

“Hold on.”

She could hear some excited chatter from Sebastian’s end of the call. “Sweetheart?”

“Look, I’m not Bucky Barnes or the Winter Soldier, so there’s no need to call the police.”

“See, I told you he doesn’t have a real metal arm. It’s all a marketing ploy for the Avengers!” someone exclaimed.

Cora giggled at her husband’s current misfortune. Ever since 2014 when the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarriers crashed into the Potomac River and Bucky Barnes escaped the clutches of H.Y.D.R.A., Sebastian has been mistaken for the former Winter Soldier on a weekly basis. The first couple of times it happened, the police were called and Sebastian was taken to Avengers Tower in Manhattan. Each time after the first, Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson greeted Sebastian with huge smiles and big laughs as soon as he was brought in through the lobby doors. 

After the nth time in one week, Steve finally had Stark create a special identification card for Sebastian that verified he was actually Sebastian Stan, the actor, and not James Buchanan Barnes. 

Four years later, he was still being mistaken as Bucky Barnes. During that time, Sebastian and Cora struck up an odd friendship with Steve, Sam and eventually the real Bucky Barnes, even inviting all three to their wedding.

“Sorry about that, baby,” Sebastian apologized, then grumbled, “that is never going to stop.”

“It’s alright. How’d the interview go this morning?” Cora asked.

“Interview went well, I was asked about you, Ollie, and Nacho.”

Cora’s giggle was music to Sebastian’s ears. “Nacho, is that really what you’re calling our unborn child?” she continued to giggle.

“Well, that’s better than ‘It;’ or ‘The Unborn,’” he reasoned. “Besides, what else would you call the baby?”

“Devil Spawn.”

“Cora, no.”

“Cora, yes! If you had this thing growing inside you and using your internal organs as their very own personal punching and kicking bags, then you would call them ‘Devil Spawn,’ too.”

“I guess you got me there,” he laughed. “Have you heard from my mom about Ollie?”

“Nothing since the picture she sent of him by the board with the arm span of the primates. I’m sure they’re having lunch at the zoo right now.” 

Sebastian sighed, “I know I shouldn’t be worried and it’s not like she’s going to lose him anywhere, but sometimes I can’t help thinking that some crazy person would do something to Ollie or my mom. There’s even a chance someone obsessed with Barnes could do something, too. You three, soon to be four, are my entire world.”

“Nothing has happened so far to us, sweetheart,” Cora started. “I know how much you worry and how much you do to keep us safe.”

“I love you, too.” 

“Oh, shit,” she moaned, then mumbled, “Devil Spawn.”

“Are you okay, baby?” Sebastian asked full of worry.

After a few grunts and groans, Cora stood up. “Yeah, just got a big kick to the bladder and now I have to pee. Any idea if you’ll be home tonight?”

“Bietul meu bebeluș. Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”

“Seb, I swear to god if you ask me that again, I will steal Bucky’s arm and shove it so far up your ass.”

A hearty laugh was heard, and followed by, “I don’t think Bucky would let you have his arm, even as fond of you he is,” Sebastian laughed. “I guess I should let you go so you can pee. I’m hoping to be back home early this evening.”

“Okay, I will see you then. I love you,” Cora said.

“I’ll send a text when I’m on my way home. I love you too,” he said before disconnecting the call.

Just as Cora was finishing in the bathroom, Georgetta had let Ollie and herself into the apartment. “Hello? Anyone home?”

“Mama!” Ollie called out.

“Be right there!” Cora answered while drying her hands.

A couple of hours later, Cora was curled up on the couch reading a book when she heard the tell tale pitter patter of Ollie’s feet coming down the hallway after his nap. “Mama?”

“Hey, Bubby, did you have a good nap?” she asked her three-year-old while placing a bookmark in her book before closing it to set on the side table.

“Yeah,” Ollie responded as he climbed on the couch and curled into her side.

“Did you have fun at the zoo with Grandma?”

Ollie nodded his head before his eyes lit up and he excitedly talked about seeing the primates. “Mama! King Louie was there!”

“Oh yeah? Who else did you see?”

“Bears, no Baloo. I saw Simba, and Khan, and owls, and penwins, and famingos,” Ollie beamed at her.

“I’m sorry you didn’t get to see Baloo, I’m sure he’s still in the jungle with Bagheera and Colonel Hathi,” Cora smiled as she brushed Ollie’s unruly hair out of his eyes. “Do you know what tonight is?”

Ollie shook his little head and said, “No.”

“Daddy comes home!” Cora leaned over and scooped her little boy into her arms and tickled his sides as he squealed and giggled in delight. Of all the sounds that Ollie made, she wished she could bottle his laugh to keep forever.

“Yay! Daddy!”

After Cora stopped tickling Ollie, she held him close with her arms under him to support his bum that was perched against her pregnant belly. He rested his head on her clavicle and pressed his face into her skin. “I miss daddy,” Ollie said as he wrapped his little arms around Cora as best as he could.

“I know, Bubby, I miss him too. But you know what? You have been so good for me while he’s gone and I’m so proud of you! I know daddy’s proud of you too.” She pressed a kiss to the crown of his head. “He’s coming home and you’ll be able to tell him about your day when you see him. You can tell him what you and Grandma saw at the zoo.”

“Okay,” he mumbled into her skin.

“How about we get a snack and you can pick out a movie to watch until dinner?”

Ollie nodded his head, rolled off of Cora, fell off the couch onto the floor and jumped up like nothing was wrong. Instead he was giggling. “You are my silly little monkey.” Cora shook her head as she scooted forward to the edge of the couch cushion to get up.

“Not a monkey, mama, I’m a rang-o-tang, like King Louie!” he huffed.

“Oh, I am so sorry, your highness, King Louie!” Cora bowed with a laugh. “What kind of snack would the VIP of the Jungle like?”

“Cheese and crackers!”

After eating their snack, Cora and Ollie were back on the couch watching Ollie’s favorite movie. Baloo and Mowgli just finished singing about the Bare Necessities and were floating down the river. Cora’s phone dinged, alerting her of a text and when she looked who it was, she smiled and responded right away.

Once the monkeys appeared and kidnapped Mowgli, Ollie scooted away from Cora as he got wiggly, knowing what was coming up.

“Hey, Mowgli, how about you flickin’ that ol’ mean fly off your papa bear’s nose?” Baloo said in the movie. The monkey sitting on the sloth bear’s tummy whacks him on the nose with a stick. “OUCH!”

Ollie burst out in the brightest giggles and Cora loved every minute of it. While Mowgli was being carried away by the monkeys, then Baloo talking to Bagheera, Cora heard the door open to the apartment and shut quietly. 

Sebastian was home.

Sebastian was finally home after weeks away filming, and instead of kissing his wife hello first, he set his stuff down and crawled from the kitchen to hide behind the sofa. Cora looked over and saw him creeping into the family room and raised an eyebrow at her ridiculous husband. He smiled wide as he put his finger up to his lips telling her to be quiet. She shook her head as she looked over at Ollie.

The little boy was enthralled in the movie, even after watching it about a bazillion times. Sebastian and Cora damn near have that movie memorized line for line, but they would always sit down and watch it if that’s what Ollie wanted. That little turkey had his parents wrapped around his finger, whether he knew it or not. 

In the movie, Louie had just finished squeezing two bananas out of their peels and right into Mowgli’s mouth, and was making a deal with the man cub. “Well, then,” Louie started before he jumped off his throne and scrambled to Mowgli’s left. “I’ll lay it on the line for you. A-baba-beep-boop Boop-ee-doop.”

As Louie slapped the floor of the ancient ruins, Sebastian placed his hands on the back of the couch while getting himself ready. Jumping up from his position behind the couch, Sebastian sang along with Louie in the movie.

“Now I’m the king of the swingers, oh, the jungle VIP, I’ve reached the top and had to stop, and that’s what’s botherin’ me!”

As soon as Sebastian made himself known, Ollie turned around and laughed at his dad. “Daddy!” he squealed.

Sebastian kept singing with a huge smile on his handsome face. He was dancing his way around the couch to be in front of his little family. “I wanna be a man, Man Cub, and stroll right into town, and be just like the other men, I’m tired of monkeyin’ around.”

He held his hand out to Ollie, who launched himself right into his dad’s arms. Sebastian danced around with Ollie, spinning around and dipping his giggling son while Louie started the next part. Soon Sebastian joined in when there were words again in the song.

“I wanna be like you-hoo-hoo, I wanna walk like you, talk like you too-oo-o! You’ll see it’s true, shoo-be-dee-doo, an ape like me-e-e, can learn to be human too-oo-oo!”

Sebastian set Ollie down on the floor as Cora stood up from the couch. All three pranced around the couch making trumpet noises until the monkey started whistling in the movie. Sebastian scooped Ollie, who has not stopped squealing and giggling from all the excitement since Sebastian popped up from behind the couch, up in his arms and pulled Cora close so all three were dancing together as the music played on.

Now it was Cora’s turn to quote lines from the movie as it played on. “Gee, Cousin Louie, you’re doin’ real good.”

“Now here’s your part of the deal, cuz,” Sebastian quoted along. “Lay the secret on me of man’s red fire.”

“But I don’t know how to make fire,” Cora said with Mowgli.

Sebastian winked as he held onto Ollie as he stepped away from his wife. “Now, don’t try to kid me, Man Cub, I made a deal with you. What I desire is man’s red fire to make my dream come true.” Sebastian had a good hold on Ollie as he swung him around and held him upside down, as Louie was doing to Mowgli in the movie and Ollie lost it. The little boy was laughing so hard, it was that true deep from the belly laugh.

Righting his son, Sebastian set him on the couch and continued to sing with Louie. “Now gimme the secret, Man Cub, come on, clue me what to do. Give me the power of man’s red flower, so I can be like you.”

Sebastian sat on the couch and Ollie scrambled into his father’s lap facing him.

“Daddy,” the little boy said as he grabbed Sebastian’s face with his little pudgy hands. “Daddy, someday I wanna be just like you.”

[ashwayssunny]

macdennis prompts: - first kiss (very cliche but,,,) - the gang finds out 💕💕💕thank you

@bruisedandsweet here you go! thanks sm for requesting a prompt, i hope u like it 😌

1998. 

It was winter of that year, a particularly terrible winter that brought snow and winds that toppled half of South Philly’s power lines, snapped them in half like petty twigs. January had been mild enough to trick them, but February brought chaos with it, ensuring that the two of them were trapped in their apartment with no power until the plow trucks could get on the roads. Mac didn’t seem to mind. He’d constructed a light source of birthday candles from years’ past he’d found scavenging in their junk drawers. He made a mental note to visit a Bath and Body Works as soon as he could escape, sure that the light from a big three-wick candle, or any other light source, would be better than this. The birthday cake candles, however, were all they had. 

The gas heating kept them mildly warm, but the storm had weakened it, allowing the cold to creep in at the corners of their apartment and spread like fog. Dennis had grumbled that he had several heated blankets but no electricity to use them, and Mac held his tongue from replying that there were other methods of sharing heat. Instead, they sat in the middle of their still fairly empty living room, a thick quilted blanket from Dennis’s college dorm spread across both their shoulders, though they sat just far enough away to share heat without sharing skin. They faced the TV despite its uselessness and made room for the leftover bucket of fried chicken they brought home yesterday before the storm trapped them inside. Dennis found himself reaching for the remote every few moments or so before he remembered and folded his hands back in his lap to keep them from wandering. They sat in the dark like this quite often, he supposed, because they both liked to watch movies in the dark. Dennis had bought them a fancy new DVD player and a sloth of their shared favorite films, and it had become routine for them to come home from the bar – which they owned, he thought with a small thrill – and watch Predator. He wished they could do it now. 

Mac was speaking to him softly, strips of orange runaway light from the window laying like road lines across his smiling face. His eyes glittered in the darkness, and Dennis wondered what it was about this scenario that leant to such an expression. The tips of his fingers were far too chilled, and there was a dull thumping ache behind his left eye. Sugar and tequila, Mac tsked at him that morning. 

“… anyway, Dennis, I think a mechanical bull would be, like, a really cool way to get chicks into the bar, you know, and Charlie agrees with me –”

“A mechanical bull?” Dennis chuckled, tuning back in. 

“Yeah man, can you imagine how sweet it’d be to, like, have a bunch of chicks watch you conquer a bull? I mean, what could turn them on faster? That’s called primal arousal, dude.”

“Or it could be a total disaster,” Dennis retorted, “and then it’s a bunch of chicks watching you fall on your ass. Besides, I feel like mechanical bull upkeep isn’t cheap.”

“The thing will pay for itself, Dennis, I promise you.” Mac shifted, reaching down and grabbing a drumstick. They couldn’t warm them, of course, but Mac was enough of a savage to eat things cold on a regular basis. He brought it to his mouth and chomped intermittently, and Dennis had to look away. He hadn’t realized he’d been looking at Mac’s mouth. 

“I hope the storm lets up soon,” Dennis sighed, bringing the quilted blanket in closer to his chest. “I can’t deal with the no electricity thing much longer.”

“I’m sure the road people will be out in no time,” Mac said with total assurance, and Dennis smiled in spite of himself. The candlelight made him sleepy, and the shadows it cast on the wall made him want to dream. He wasn’t sure of the time; they hadn’t been able to move much more in on account of the bad weather, so their couches and various knick-knacks remained in storage. The frost had crusted so thickly on the window that morning that he feared they would have to pick it off to keep it from cracking the glass. Once they’d seen that, they settled in, playing board games, drinking, smoking a few joints, and repeating, until time was gone. “Mac,” Dennis said without meaning to.

“Mhm?”

“What time is it?”

“Uhhhh, I think it’s like two,” he said contentedly. Dennis noticed he’d scooted just a fraction of an inch closer. He didn’t mind. 

“Jesus,” Dennis said, glancing around the room. The candlelight didn’t reach the corners of the apartment, keeping them shrouded in darkness. If Dennis stared hard enough, he swore he could see movement. He completed the inch by moving just a fraction of a hair closer to Mac. 

“This place is really great,” Mac said, breaking the stillness.

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know, just…” he trailed off, gesturing vaguely to the rest of their shared space. “I really like it here, you know? Good location, good price –”

“Not that you pay any of the rent,” Dennis interjected, though he was mostly joking. 

“Bro, don’t worry, I told you I’d get it to you! Once we install the mechanical bull…” Mac continued on, but Dennis found himself looking at his lips once more. It was innocent enough, he told himself. Mac was so warm beneath the blanket, radiating heat like an old furnace. In contrast, Dennis was cold most of the time, but Mac’s warmth was never far away. 

“I like it here, too.” Dennis said simply, pressing his shoulder to Mac’s with the lightest touch he could manage. When Mac didn’t flinch, he relaxed a little more, and his skin prickled at the points where their flesh made contact. 

Mac turned his body almost imperceptibly towards Dennis. “Are you cold, Den?” 

Dennis shrugged. “Always.”

Mac hesitated for just a second before reaching an arm around Dennis and drawing him in closer. Dennis could taste the thickness of the little space left between them like pea soup. Maybe just once, he thought, just to try. I won’t know if I never try, right? 

Mac’s eyes were round like the moon, candlelight dancing in his pupils, when Dennis leaned in, eyes drifting shut. Mac sucked in his breath, his heartbeat bursting into a sprint like a race horse fresh out of the gate. He felt outside of his body, watching Dennis inch closer until there was the faintest, softest brush of something –

Like the stab in his gut, Mac pulled back, releasing the breath he held in several shaky gasps. “W-Whoa, what –” 

Dennis blinked at him in genuine surprise for a moment before his face contorted into something more akin to scorn. “Well, I just –”

In an instant, the atmosphere was broken, and the meager candlelight served only to remind them that they were simply poor and not bohemian. Mac stuttered but could form no coherent thoughts, and Dennis felt heat rising to his cheeks from a growing pool of anger in his stomach. 

“I think I should go to bed,” was all Mac could muster, standing and shrugging the blanket off his shoulders. He avoided Dennis’s blue gaze, so piercing even in the dimness, and beelined for his room. “Goodnight, Den.” The door shut behind him as quickly as he’d said it, and Dennis sat in the living room with the blanket and the dark apartment making him feel like the smallest object in the world until dawn. 

2018. 

Dennis couldn’t believe how similar the scenario was. Same apartment, though by now it had been burned and rebuilt twice, stocked and restocked with everything they’d collected in twenty years of cohabitation. The South Philly power grid had once again been rendered inoperative by heavy snow, and they were forced once more to exist by candlelight, though this time Mac had plenty of large three-wick candles on hand. They’d been totally alone the first time, however, and Dennis wished that were the case when he began to hear the combined snoring of Dee, Charlie, and Frank in the other room sharing his bed. They’d all been drinking in Mac and Dennis’s apartment when the storm reached its zenith, and Mac threw a fit at the idea of them departing into such dangerous weather. He was their bodyguard, after all. Dennis had elected to sleep on the couch, but the combined snoring grated on his eardrums far too loudly to allow him any rest. 

In a true act of hypocrisy, Mac had ventured out into the storm to visit the corner store in the hopes that the owners’s commitment to staying open twenty-four hours, seven days a week, was steadfast. If this is gonna last all weekend, Mac had said to them, we’re gonna need beer. Lots of beer. Dennis and Charlie each thought about volunteering to accompany him until they caught sight of the nearly six inches of snow obscuring their view from the apartment windows. Charlie had gone to bed hours ago, however, and Mac hadn’t returned. 

Dennis pulled a blanket over his shoulders, propping his feet up on the coffee table. He closed his eyes, relishing the brief moments of silence, when the lock on the door began to rattle. Dennis’s eyes popped open as soon as Mac’s form appeared in the doorway, caked with snow and dripping but smiling all the same when he saw Dennis. 

“There you are,” Dennis said softly. “Tell me you got the beer.”

Triumphantly, Mac held up two plastic bags containing twelve packs. Dennis broke into a grin, though his chest began to tighten. Mac kicked off his shoes, shut the door, and plopped down next to Dennis on the couch. “You’re getting snow everywhere, asshole,” Dennis jabbed.

Mac ignored him, wiggling his way underneath Dennis’s blanket as if it were the most natural thing in the world for him to do. “Sorry, dude, I’m freezing. But at least we have beer.” Mac placed a twelve pack on the coffee table in front of them, removing two frosted cans and handing one to Dennis. They cracked the tabs open simultaneously, knocking back hearty swigs. Mac broke first, wiping his mouth on his sleeve and letting go of a small burp. Dennis finished his can in one impressive motion. Mac grinned at him, and Dennis thought it could’ve been twenty years ago. “Nice,” Mac said simply, and the warmth in his stomach began to spread. 

“Thanks, man,” he attempted to grin back. Mac was looking at him then, studying his face in a way that made Dennis uncomfortable. He squirmed a bit underneath the blanket, buzzing with a sort of energy whose origin he couldn’t place. “What?”

“You look tired, bro. Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“Do you not hear the monstrosity coming out of there?” Dennis jerked his finger in the direction of his bedroom. “Do you think I can sleep in that environment?” 

Mac shrugged, and Dennis knew it was because he was a heavy sleeper. He always had been, even in high school when he and Charlie would stay the night at Dennis’s house. Mac would melt like a heated metal into his bed, lost completely to the world despite the hell or high water that frequently broke the silence in Dennis’s home. Whether it was his parents fighting, Dee crying in her bedroom, or a combination of the two, Dennis could hear them through the walls as easily as if they were made of paper. But not Mac. Mac could sleep through anything. 

“You could… sleep in my bed,” Mac said measuredly, tasting each word as if he wanted everything to feel just right on his tongue. “If you want,” he added quickly, “you know, to escape the noise. I can take the couch. I know you can still hear it out here.” 

Dennis almost smiled, but the casually placed grimace he’d adopted as his neutral expression was difficult to move. “Maybe,” he conceded, suddenly aware of how tired he actually was. His eyes drooped, and blinking in the candlelight only made him want to sleep. Without warning, Mac’s hand was on his face, curving around his cheekbone so lightly, so gently, it could’ve been the touch of a spirit. Dennis’s eyes opened wider, but Mac’s were fixed on his mouth. Dennis’s mind went blank, his only thought being that it was okay, they were safe in their home, and no one was watching. He tried to place no meaning on the moment, vowing to omit it from his memory, when Mac’s lips finally touched his and neither of them pulled away. 

Mac’s skin was cold; Dennis shivered when they made contact, but Mac’s hand stayed firmly planted on his cheek. Dennis wondered how different their lives would be if this had happened twenty years earlier as it was meant to. Pushing that thought away, he curled his fingers into the hair at the nape of Mac’s neck and pushed them closer together, deepening the kiss. Mac’s lips were a bit salty, and both of their breaths tasted of beer, but Dennis didn’t find it unpleasant in the slightest. He even found himself beginning to smile into the kiss when an auditory gasp that belonged to neither of them nor a voyeuristic spirit broke their concentration.

They detached immediately, both their heads whipping in the direction of the noise. Frantically, their eyes searched the darkness until they made out the figure of Charlie leaning against the doorway of Dennis’s room. “Holy shit,” Charlie’s grin was big enough to make out the glint of individual teeth in the moonlight, and neither had time to say anything before he turned to the darkness of Dennis’s room and shouted, “Dee! Frank! Pay up, suckers, I was right!” 

[the--sad--hatter]

Phantom Pain (4)

FANDOM - MARVEL MCU

PAIRING - Bucky X Reader 

WARNINGS - Bad Habits and Rough Sex, Angsty and Dark AF. 

DESCRIPTION -  Everybody in the world knew of you, but not who you really were. Some called you a vigilante, some called you a criminal and some called you a hero but all of them called you The Phantom. Only two people knew your real identity and they swore to never tell anyone but when The Avengers need to infiltrate a high-security facility, Bruce Banner deduces that you’re the only one who can pull it off. That decision puts you and Bucky Barnes on a path you can’t turn back from, even if neither of like where it’s leading.

Chapter Four - Hell Hounding

You felt the air from the force of the hit you’d only just barely dodged out of the way of and narrowed your eyes at your opponent. If he wanted to play dirty....

You dove for him, becoming intangible at the last second and phasing right through his body, twisted round to kick him in the back as your body became solid again and he went down, hitting the ground with a satisfying ‘thump’.

“Yes!” You crowed victoriously, throwing your hands into the air.

He kicked his leg out and swept yours from under you, sending you ass first onto the mats beside him.

“Wait until your opponent is taken care of before you celebrate.” He berated you, standing up and offering you his hand.

“This is why you’re the teacher and I’m the mere student.” You joked, accepting his help to stand up, rubbing your bruised butt as you stood.

“You’re getting much better, using your intangibility that way was inspired. Most people don’t expect their opponents to phase through them. You need to work on it more.” He instructed and praised at the same time.

“Whatever you say, I bow to your superior experience.” You said without a trace of sarcasm.

“What time is it?” He asked.

“12.30.”

“I have to go, I have a meeting with a client at three.” He informed you, tossing a bottle of water behind him in your general direction.

“I’ll get out of your hair then, same time tomorrow?” You checked.

“Make it an hour earlier, I want to step your training up.”

“You got it, see you later Murdock.”

Eleven Months Ago

The only thing worse than being thrown into a dumpster was bouncing of the side of a dumpster and landing in a puddle. You swore loudly and concentrated on becoming intangible before the shooter you’d been chasing could shoot you.

“What the hell? What are you?” He demanded as the bullet passed straight through you.

“I’m The Phantom you sack of sh.... you have got to be kidding me.” You trailed off, watching the red clad figure advance behind the shooter and promptly knock him out.

“I chased him all the way across town and you just jump in at the last second? Rude.” You said, standing up and glaring at the newcomer.

“Is this the man who shot an off duty cop in Manhattan?” The Devil of Hell’s Kitchen asked you.

“Yeah, that’s him.” You grumbled.

“You did well, trailing him this far and making sure he didn’t get away. But you’re not a fighter. Just because you have abilities, it doesn’t mean you have to do this.” He said, gesturing at the unconscious man on the ground.

“Well it’s this or haunting an old Victorian mansion.” You quipped.

“I suggest you stick to wandering around graveyards before you end up in one for real. You’ll get killed if you keep this up.” He retorted.

You sighed and prepared to defend yourself but you only glanced away for half a second and when you looked back, he was gone.

“Oh great, now I know how Commissioner Gordon felt.”

Ten Months Ago

You nodded in impressed approval as The Devil kicked off of a wall and spun out to kick his opponent in the face.

“Nice.” You muttered under your breath and flinched when he turned and looked straight at you.

“If you’re going to follow me you could at least try and keep quiet.” He admonished.

You sheepishly stepped out of the shadows.

“I know this looks bad, but I’m not stalking you.” You defended yourself.

“You’ve been watching me every time I’ve come out for the last week.” He rebutted.

“I definitely am stalking you, you’re right. But you’re the only other Vigilante I’ve spoke to and I thought maybe I could learn something from watching you.” You admitted.

“This isn’t the kind of thing where you take on an apprentice. Go home, go back to your life before you get in too deep and can’t get out.” He advised.

“And if I can’t? If I’m already in too deep?” You asked, resisting the urge to break into song.

“Then nothing I do or say can help you.”He said wearily.

“Not true. You could teach me to kick a dude in the head so hard his teeth fly out in slow motion.” You suggested.

“It wasn’t in slow motion.”

“Agree to disagree.” You argued, dropping down the fire escape to approach him but when you hit the ground he was gone, along with the guy he’d knocked out.

“Of for the love of... YOU’RE NOT BATMAN!”

Nine And A Half Months Ago

“Did you hear I stopped a gas station robbery last night? That means I have potential right?” You asked falling into step beside him as he stalked along a roof.

“It means you stopped a gas station robbery. You’ve stopped a lot of petty crimes and one major Bank heist. You also managed to get shot and leave blood behind at the scene, I had to steal the sample before anybody figured out who you were... Miss King.” He responded.

You sighed and pushed your hood back, pulling off the black mask.

“You protected me? That means you like me...” You smirked.

“It means I didn't want you outed, consider it a professional courtesy.” He corrected.

You stopped in your tracks and grinned widely.

“Professional courtesy? You’re accepting me.” You said happily.

“Why are you doing this?” He demanded, spinning round to face you.

“Because my job application for House of Horrors was rejected.” You answered.

He just stood in front of you, intimidating you until you broke. It didn’t take long.

“The first time I came down from my Ivory Tower and tried to do good, this happened. I became this thing. I really thought I was about to die, for good. And I wasn’t scared because I knew I was doing the right thing. But I came back and there has to be a reason for that. Even if there isn’t, even if it’s a coincidence... I don’t want to sit in my penthouse and do nothing when I could be doing something.” You admitted.

You must have said the right thing because he nodded at you.

“I’ll see you tomorrow night. Same time, same place.” He conceded and vaulted off the roof.

“So dramatic.”

Present Day

“Before you go, Foggy asked me to give this to you.” Matt said, passing you a large manilla envelope.

You opened it and pulled out the pile of documents.

“It’s all here?” You asked excitedly.

“Every one, all under shell accounts we set up with the funds you gave us. Congratulations, you now own 2% of the shares of King Inc.” Matt told you.

“Phase One is underway.” You smirked.

“Be careful. If anyone figures out what you’re doing before all the pieces are in place, you could lose everything.” He warned.

“Nobody is ever going to suspect me Matt, I’m a borderline alcoholic party animal who is sleeping her way up and down the eastern seaboard on a weekly basis. They’ll never see me coming.” You scoffed.

“Do you ever get tired of the masks you have to put on?” He asked.

“Mother always told me that the more people underestimated me, the more power I had. Wearing a few masks is a small price to pay for the kind of power I have now.” You told him, handing him back the envelope for safekeeping.

“Well then, Long live the Queen.” He smirked.

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

As soon as you opened the door of your penthouse, the smell of home cooking wafted out.

“West?” You called, practically running into the kitchen.

The older gentleman was stood over a simmering pot at the stove, smiling warmly at you.

“Welcome home Miss.”He said in his baritone voice.

“Whatcha cooking?” You asked, hopping onto the counter and peering into the pot.

West glared at you and you wiggled your eyebrows at him. He once told you if you wanted to park your buttocks on the kitchen counter then you should do so in your own kitchen. You took great pleasure in taunting him now, knowing he couldn’t say anything.

“Beef Stroganoff.” He said, offering you a spoon.

“Hmm, lovely. Needs a touch more rosemary.” You told him.

“There’s no rosemary in Stroganoff.” He responded drily.

“Well, there’s the problem.”You joked.

“Miss, the last time you cooked you thought cling film could be substituted for tinfoil and served me a melted plastic wrapped, raw chicken breast.” He sarked.

“And you haven’t let me cook since.” You pouted.

“It’s for the good of mankind, I assure you.” He said seriously.

You rolled your eyes and hopped off the counter.

“I need to get ready, I’ve got to go to that charity auction tonight. Are you staying for dinner?” You asked.

“I’m afraid not, your father has guests tonight and I must attend to him.” West said regretfully.

You tried not to look disappointed but he had known you your whole life and saw through you.

“As you know, Sunday’s are my day off. I thought I might drive to that apple orchard outside the city tomorrow, would you care to accompany me?” He said with a twinkle in his eye.

“It’s a date!” You said happily, kissing him on the cheek.

“I will pick you up at two pm sharp.”

“See you then Westy.” You called as you headed towards your room.

A few hours later, you were ready for your mandatory family obligated appearance at the auction.

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” You yelled, hopping on one leg towards the door as you pulled your shoe on.

The incessant knocking wasn’t stopping and you yanked the door open before your regular driver bored a hole in it. Only it wasn’t your driver.

“What the hell are you doing here?”You demanded, sticking your head out of the door to look down the hallway.

“I’m here to protect you.”

“I was joking!” You yelped.

“Oh I know, but you had a point. Now get your ass downstairs.” Bucky Barnes informed you.

You spluttered indignantly.

“Now.” He ordered and you made a strangled noise in the back of your throat, grabbed your clutch bag and slammed the door, storming away.

You didn’t see his smirk or the way his eyes lit up when you obeyed him. He followed after you, reaching past you to punch the elevator button before you could.

“Are you really going to accompany me all night? If you wanted to spend time with me, you could have just asked.” You pointed out.

“We don’t know that Hydra agent didn’t identify you and send out a message before I shot him. it’s unlikely but we can’t take the risk.” Bucky aid, sounding bored.

“So you’re really here to protect me?”

“That right Mic Domniţă. You aren’t leaving my sight for the rest of the night, and you had better do as I say when I say it.” He ordered as he followed you into the elevator.

Tonight was going to be awful you thought to yourself.

Tonight was going to be fun Bucky though to himself.

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

So.... There we have it, Matt Murdock was the surprise character. What do you think about her being The Devil's Apprentice? You got to know a little bit more about Miss King's personality in this chapter and just how manipulative she is. Does this make you like her more? Or less? And West! We met West! Next Chapter should be a lot of fun *cackles*

You can ask to be added to or removed from tags at any time folks, just comment or inbox :D @life-wanderer @drdorkus @gravedollie666 @sadsoldat @bigplantdaddy @moodyruth @likes-to-smell-books @shirukitsune @inquisitor-selvala @brownle-22 @myfandomlife-blog @markusstraya @adeleoctobre @vajeenparty @sexyvixen7  @love-nakamura  @buckitybarnes @littledeadrottinghood @pinkisokay @jsmith509 @brownlee-22 @angieptt  @thosesexytexasboys @liveonce-sodoitright @tarastudiesalot @spnrvt @dahkness @dilaila95 @rororo06 @mizzzpink @release-the-cathyrchkn @thefridgeismybestie  @fairislesheets​ @strangersstranger​ @life-wanderer​​ @uuuuuuuuggggghhh​​ @curiositykilledthepepe

[lykaonimagines]

Where The Heart Sings - Tom Hiddleston x Reader One-Shot

(Day Fourteen) I missed the original day 14 sorry :S

Here’s day fourteen of my trying to post every other day of November. If all goes to plan you’ll be seeing another story on the 29th! If you’d like to be on any of my tag lists just let me know.

This one is sort of personal to me. I’ve been in a long distance overseas relationship now 4 1/2 years with (tbh) probably the guy I’m going to marry one day 😶I’ve been missing him a lot, and this story just sort of happened. Airports have simultaneously become the place of greatest happiness and sadness. So this one is taking from that moment of utter bliss in the airport when you finally see them again. 

(All Shakespeare quotes used at italicized, the rest is me.)

Paring: Tom x Reader

Word Count: 2,163

Description: Y/N and Tom finally reunited in the airport after a year apart.

Warning: Nothing really

(gif isn’t mine)

Checking the arrival screens for the seemingly hundredth time, Y/N finds herself pacing in the crowded luggage claim area. As the small sign twists in her hands, her mind races.

It had been a year since she last saw him. They had been in this long distance relationship for four years now. Both wanting to see where this would go, but not ready to give up their lives on a maybe.

The day she first met Tom, she both simultaneously thanked and hated, for bringing this wonderfully intelligent, dorky, sweet, and loving man into her life. She’d met him on a train on a vacation in London. The man next to her so engrossed in Coriolanus she couldn’t help herself from commenting. A megawatt smile turned up from the book to face her, and the rest was history.

He swept her off her feet before she even knew what happened, and by the end of the month she found herself kissing this man goodbye through a tearful gaze. Only one month and she was already smitten. That seemed so long ago now, the years that followed were full of late night FaceTime dates and seeing one another as much as possible for their schedule.

The past year however… everything went wrong, every plan to see one another. He had taken on so many roles he seemed to be in a constant state of filming or promoting that left him with little to no time to get away to her. And her attempts to go see him always ended in her boss insisting she head another project.

So there she stood in her hometown airport gripping a sign with his name, and waiting to finally see him after the long year apart.

She should be happy. In theory she is. But she’s terrified.

“It’s been an entire year,” she mutters looking down at herself with a frown. “What if it doesn’t feel the same? What if he doesn’t feel the same? What if I look different? What if he doesn’t like how I look anymore? What if when he sees me he realizes the women he’s around on a regular basis are better? What if he decides this isn’t worth it anymore- if I’m not worth it anymore,” she mutters to herself as she tugs at her outfit once again.

She knew some of it was crazy. He seen her on FaceTime every few days. And if he truly didn’t love her anymore he wouldn’t call her nearly everyday. Or would he? He’s so polite maybe he thinks it’s better to end things in person.

Y/N shakes her head roughly and pulls out her phone to check her makeup once again, then checks her messages.

“He should be landing anytime now, he thinks there’s a driver waiting for him, still doesn’t know it’s you. I’ll keep the business away for as long as I can, you two enjoy yourself. - Luke.”

Grinning down at the text with a new found confidence, she stands up straighter and finds herself a spot against one of the airport columns, slightly out of view from the escalators that bring the arriving passengers down.

She’d originally told Tom she couldn’t make it to pick him up, and in truth she really didn’t think she could. She had taken the next few weeks off, but her boss had insisted she come in today to take care of some work for him. Tom had been disappointed, she could tell by the tone of his voice but he played it off. So she pulled some strings and worked her ass off to get all her work done in the morning, and make it to the airport to fetch him.

She had texted Luke to ask of his ride plans, and had received notice he’d cancel Tom’s ride and not let him know it was her so she could surprise him. Something she was really excited for, nervous, but excited.

As the baggage belt near her begin to move, her eyes flicker to the digital screen above it, London.

Looking to the second floor as passengers begin their descent, she grips the sign with his name tightly in her fist. Her insides are churning and she feels somewhere between wanting to throw up or run away. Closing her eyes, she carefully breathes in and out slowly before forcing a smile to her face.

Seeing a familiar form appear at the top of the stairs, she smiles genuinely. Tom’s here. He’s finally here.

Her heart beating frantically, she lifts the sign up to hold in front of her chest as she leans back against the column.

As he finally reaches the bottom of the stairs, she finds herself admiring him. He has been working out, very clearly. His t-shirt clings to lean muscular frame in all the right ways, his hair tussled, and his expression clearly one of concentration as he searches the crowd for his ride.

A small laugh leaves her as a few fans finally notice him in the crowd, and a shriek sounds as her accepts pens and paper to sign whatever is shoved at him. Selfie after selfie, she finds she’s calmed down more than she thought possible. The same Tom. Kind and sweet to his fans no matter the setting.

Finishing up signing his last autograph, she sees him begin to search the crowd again, so she extends her arm high into the air with his sign.

Finally pinpointing his name, his eyes move down from it to her arm, and settle on her face, their eyes locking. What was that about being calm? His eyes widen as realization washes over him, and her heart begins to beat against her ribcage. Those brilliant blue eyes locked on her.

She can see him mumble something, probably excusing himself as he slips around his fans, heading directly toward her. Something snaps in her, as adrenaline courses through her and she starts speed walking toward him, he doing the same.

The closer they get, the more everything fades out. The sound of the airport, the crowd of people, everything except him just seem to fade into her subconscious as he gets closer. Both finally break out into a full sprint, and she finds herself leaping into his arms, him pulling her legs up to wrap around his waist as his lips find hers.

Perfect. All she can fathom in that moment. Perfect.

The feeling of his soft lips against hers, her arms around his neck, the smell of his familiar cologne and shampoo overwhelming her senses as she moves her lips with his. Her fingers tangle into his hair as a soft grunt escapes him. His teeth bite at her lip she as she starts to pull away, pulling her back in with a laugh from both sides. As their kiss finally ends, he presses his forehead to hers, and stares into her Y/H/C eyes with the most loving gaze she’s ever seen. God she loves this man.

“You said you couldn’t make it,” he mumbles, his voice ragged as he still tries to catch his breath.

“Surprise,” she whispers back with a smile, and that brilliant megawatt smile she first fell for graces his face once again.

And as quick as the moment came, it’s shattered by the sudden realization of countless flashes going off and the sound of cameras clicking.

“Shit,” he mutters, as she quickly untangles her legs from around him and drops to the airport tile, her face bright red.

“I’m sorry, I-,” she begins before he grips her hand and rushes to grab his luggage from the carousel and pulls her out the door.

“Not your fault love, we got a little excited,” he chuckles as he pulls a hat and sunglasses from his bag.

“Yeah I guess so,” she laughs nervously. “Let’s get back to my place?”

The ride back to her apartment is mostly silent. Just the sound of the radio buzzing in the background as her thoughts race once again. Scolding herself for the display she caused in the airport. That’s why he’s being so silent. He likes his personal life private, and she just probably made them the front page of the tabloids.

Dropping all his things off in her room, he deposits himself on her couch with his phone in hand and holds out an arm for her to join him.

Hesitantly, she sits beside him as she tries to find a way to break the silence as she watches him go to Twitter.

And there it was. She swallows hard as she sees him scroll through various photos of all different angles and in all different filters of them in the airport.

“I- I’ll be right back,” she says quickly as she pulls herself up from the couch and races to the bathroom, a confused Tom watching her.

Sitting on the edge of her bathtub she sighs. A whole year apart. One perfect moment. And then ruined. She has no idea how to approach this topic with him. They’d both agreed on not exactly hiding their relationship, but making it sparse. The last thing either of them wanted was everyone in their business. Especially him, he put so much effort into keeping his private life just that, private.

Lost in her thoughts, she feels the vibration of her phone in her pocket. Pulling it out, she’s surprised to see a notification from Twitter… that Tom tweeted? She had forgotten she even had his notifications on, it had been so long since he last even tweeted.

Bracing herself, she taps the notification and waits for her app to load, gasping when it finally does.

He had posted one of the photos. Clicking it with a shaky hand, she looks at the photo of them, a simple black and white filter on it. Her legs around his waist, arms around his neck, and their lips locked. A smile spreads across her face as she notices how utterly blissful they both look.

Looking down to his caption, a few tears fight to break free, “Hear my soul speak. Of the very instant that I saw you, Did my heart fly at your service. I love you beyond measure.”

Flinging the bathroom door open, phone in hand, she rushes back out to her living room to see Tom sitting where she left him, a big grin on his face.

“You saw it I hope?” He asks.

She nods, “I did, I just… I thought you didn’t want this to be public? I thought you were mad about what happened.”

“Darling,” he calls out as he opens his arms to her.

Diving into his arms, her head immediately goes to his chest and he kisses the top of it.

“I apologize for the silence on the way back, I was thinking. About everything,” he says as he twirls a lock of her hair on his finger. “I don’t think I’ve ever been happier in my life than I was in that moment. And looking at all those photos, and seeing what I hope is the same look on your face. I don’t want to hide it anymore, I want the world to know I’m the happiest man on this planet because I have your love, and you in my arms.”

Stroking his chest, she looks up at him lovingly, “I’ve missed you Tom.”

“And I you, I love you darling,” he whispers against her lips as his press to hers.

The soft gentle kiss sends chills up her spine as she settles against him, making her mind up finally on one thought that’s been hounding her for months.

“I think it’s time,” she states as she strokes his facial hair.

“Hm?” He inquires, his eyes flickering back open. “Time for what?”

“Time that maybe I start looking for a new job,” she answers.

“Oh?” His brow furrows at her answer. “Are they giving you more problems?”

“No, nothing like that,” she continues. “I was thinking a change of scenery.”

“Such as?”

“Oh I don’t know. London maybe,” she says nonchalantly, fighting the grin trying to break through.

His eyes widen immediately, his mouth agape unsure how to respond, “I- are you certain?”

“Completely,” she nods.

“You’re ready to leave your home, for me?” He asks hesitantly.

“Tom,” she says, tilting his chin down so they’re face to face. “Home is where the heart sings, and it only sings for you.”

A smile spreads across his face as he takes in her reply, and he pulls her to him, falling onto his back as she lays on his chest, “I do love nothing in the world so well as you—is not that strange?”

“Very strange indeed,” she agrees as her finger traces along his lips. “Absolutely mad I must say, but I find myself equally mad for you.”

“Then don’t cure me of this insanity, for it’s sweet embrace is all I need.”

---

Masterlist  

(Had trouble tagging a few sorry :/)

Tom Tag List: @bambamwolf87 @thepowerofawkwardcompelsyou @theoneanna @mrshicks38​ @cute-mirei​ @chamberof0secrets

All Stories Tag List: @arttasticgreatnessoftheawesome77 @chezagnes @fuckthatfeeling @oatballsoffury  @thisismysecrethappyplace @xcasiferx @its-remy-not-ratatouille @dangertoozmanykids101 @izzywings @fairlightswiftly

[gentlemanmendes]

Beauty behind the Madness: 11

Previous chapter’s can be found in my masterlist under beauty behind the madness

11:

The loud ringing of my phone is enough to wake not only me but Arleigh as well. We had been watching the latest film based off of one of Nicholas Sparks Novels and must have fallen asleep.

Feeling Arleigh stir against my chest, nuzzling her head further into me, causes me to feel guilty. As quickly as I possibly could I find my phone and answer it.

"Hello." I grumble into the phone, my voice croaky with sleep.

"Hey Shawn, I'm sorry to do this to you man but he's here again." Tony, the owner of the local bar, told me apologetically. Rubbing my eyes I gently push myself off of the bed.

"I'm sorry Tony. I'll be there as soon as I can." I apologies before hanging up.

"What's wrong?" Arleigh mumbles pushing herself off of the bed on her forearms in hopes to get a better look at me. Her eyes are now squinted due to the light that is flooding the room while I try to find my shoes and car keys.

"Mitch, he needs my help." I sigh as I find a semi clean pair of socks and slip them on.

"Mitch! Is he okay?" The concern laced through her tone startles me. Mitch is constantly picking on Arleigh and making fun of her, the fact that she is worried about him is a little discomforting.

"He's just shown up drunk off his ass at the bar again." I tell her grabbing my keys and wallet. In a matter of seconds she is also off the bed and is following me down the stairs without any shoes on or even a sweater.

"Again, like this has happened before?" She wonders as she pulls open the passenger door of my car.

"A lot more then once that is for sure." I sarcastically retort as I start up the car.

Arleigh doesn't question me any further understanding that I'm not exactly in the mood for a heart to heart about the fucked up problem that is Mitch.  However it's not entirely his fault that he is like this. He wasn't born a cold heartless prick, he just turned into one because of what he had to go through on a daily basis.

Thankfully due to the lack of cars on the roads at this hour of the night we make it to the local bar within ten minutes. Hurrying out of the car Arleigh follow in suit as we hurry through the doors of the bar. My eyes scan around the room that is The bar that actually classifies more as a pub but in our town I suppose it can get away with being called a bar since we don't have much. There are a few people in the room but none of them are Mitch.

My eyes find Tony who is behind the bar cleaning a few glasses. He nods his head in the direction of the back and I send him a thankful smile. Turning to Arleigh I tell her to stay close to the bar where I know Tony will look out for her. The eyes of the older guys in the bar are glued on her making my blood boil. Any idiot would be able to tell you that Arleigh is hot, even Mitch has admitted that she is easily one of the best looking girls in our grade, but standing in nothing but a tank top and her pajama shorts made her body only look more tempting to all the pervs in the room that were obviously eyeing her out. In one swift move I took off my hoodie and handed it to her causing her to give me a grateful smile as she pulled it over her body as quickly as possible.

Leaving Arleigh behind I make my way down the dimly lit hallway, past the bathrooms and out the door that leads to the back car park. Whenever Mitch comes to the bar in hopes of receiving more Alcohol, only to be denied due to being underage,  Tony takes care of him while he waits for me to pick him up. The fact that Mitch was out here meant that he was either puking or had gotten into a punch up with one of the guys at the bar and had to be thrown out. Relief floods through me when I find Mitch lazily leaning against the wall, a puddle of vomit at his feet, puking was a lot better than  being in another fight.

Slowly I make my way towards my best friend in hopes of not startling him in his fragile state, if Mitch new I thought of his drunk state as fragile he would have my ass handed to me. The truth is though most people think of Mitch as some bad guy that they don't want to cross I know the truth, he is just hurting in ways no one would ever understand and doesn't know how to deal with it. Of course that doesn't excuse all the crawl he puts other through.

"Shawn!" He cheers when he notices me. He turns to me and stumbles forward practically tripping over his own two feet as he sloppily throws an arm around me. I'm not quite sure if his arm is around my neck as a greeting or in support because he can barley hold himself up but I don't bother questioning it. Instead I focus on getting him to my car in one piece.

Walking through the bar Arleigh's face widens in shock at Mitch's state and I know she is seeing the situation the same way I do. Her eyes soften and her brows furrow slightly. She is pitying him and I don't blame her. Mitch should be pitied. He is nothing but hopeless. He makes everyone else at school miserable because he is miserable, he uses girls because it makes him feel like he has some sort of control over something, and he drinks in hopes of forgetting the pain because everything he does doesn't heal the pain the way he hopes it will.

Watching as realization takes over her features is a scary thing. Now that she understands what Mitch feels what is she going to do with the information, torment him the way he does to her on a daily basis? Now I know that bringing Arleigh along was a bad idea. Mitch may be an awful human being majority of the time but she doesn't know what goes on behind closed doors.

"Arleigh" Mitch smiles stumbling towards her and wrapping his arms around her. The sudden greeting had been very unexpected to Arleigh that she almost collapsed at the sudden weight now being put on her.

"Let's get him to the car." She tells me trying to help Mitch stand up properly. She finally manages to stand up straight while hoisting Mitch up as we made our way to the main entrance  and to my car that was parked right in front. Mitch was blabbing on about god knows what and I'm positive that Arleigh wasn't paying attention either as she struggled to get him across the footpath. I swung open the door to the back seat and took Mitch from Arleigh's grip as I attempted to help him get into the car by giving him a slight shove. Arleigh waits by my side until Mitch is securely in the back seat. As I close the door she watched me giving me a knowing look before making her way back to the passenger seat and climbing in to my car.

Arleigh shifts in her seat so she has her eyes on Mitch just in case he does something while I'm focused on driving like open the door or something, he has done it before so it wouldn't be a shock.  The only person that makes a sound is Mitch as he sings some punk rock song that neither Arleigh or I have heard before. When I find the drive I make a turn and wait for Arleigh's question but it doesn't come. Surely she is confused as we make our way towards the local camping grounds. To be sure that she is seeing this I turn my attention to her briefly and surely enough she is looking around in confusion, her brows furrowed as I drive to the parking lot of the camping grounds.

"We're here?" She tells Mitch although it sounds more like a question.

Thankfully in his drunken state Mitch doesn't pick up on here questioning tone. The more that I think about it the more I realize just how stupid I was for bringing Arleigh along with me. Mitch is not going to be happy when he sobers up to the memory of me bringing Arleigh to the place he calls home. I'm positive that not even the girls he has fucked around with know where he lives, he usually sneaks into their bedrooms, the only people who do know are me and the boys and we are forbidden to say anything to anyone.

I hand Arleigh my phone and tell her to turn on the torch as I get Mitch out of the car. We stick to the footpath as Arleigh leads the way me giving her the instructions of where to turn before we are finally standing in front of  Mitch's trailer.

"I need you to get the key out of your pocket." I tell Mitch which he thankfully does and then hands it to Arleigh who opens the door and switches on the lights. I leave Mitch on the small lounge as I make my way towards the kitchen where I fill up a glass of water and grab some pain killers. When I come back I find that Arleigh has taken his shoes off for him and thrown a blanket on top of him. She sat on the floor, her face inches from Mitch's as he played with the messy strands of her bed hair. She looked over at me and I could only imagine how uncomfortable she feels from all this sudden good attention Mitch was giving her. He was only ever nice to her if he wanted to torment her about something.

He sent her a smile before pressing his finger to his lips whispering a 'shhh' before moving his face away from hers giving me the intention that he had just told her something. Knowing Mitch in his drunken state it was probably something stupid like 'Your hair smells like vanilla'.

"I got you a glass of water and some pain killers  for your hangover."  I tell him causing him to let out a cheer as he attempted to sit up. It took him a few attempts before he successfully sat up without falling back however Arleigh was quicker. In a matter of seconds she shot up and  snatched the painkillers from me while shouting a 'no'. Furrowing my eyebrows I send her a questioning look at her sudden mood change causing her to sigh.

"What if he isn't just drunk." She suggest causing my frown to deepen.

"What do you mean?" I question causing her to roll her eyes.

"For all we know he could have more then alcohol in his system. I'm no doctor but I don't think giving him painkillers would be a good idea if we don't know what is in his system right now." I pause for a moment contemplating what Arleigh had just said. It was a good point and knowing Mitch he could have taken anything. What if he had already taken something and the painkillers turned into an overdose endangering his life.

"Mitch did you take anything tonight?" I ask my best friend as he sits up watching us talk.

"I can't remember." He answers clueless causing me to huff and turn my attention to my girlfriend.

"Good call." I admit taking the painkillers off her to put in a ziplock back and back into the cupboard.

"Thanks Arleigh, you always have my back!" Mitch exaggerates gleefully while holding his arms out wide as if inviting her in for a hug causing Arleigh's eyes to widen. Something tells me that she prefers sober, dick head Mitch any day over  quirky drunk Mitch.

Teasingly I give her a slight push towards Mitch causing her to glare at me while she reluctantly moves towards him taking a seat next to him on the couch handing him the glass of water.

He places his head on Arleighs lap and although she is very uncomfortable with the action she doesn't say anything.

"It's already three a.m." Arligh sighs in disbelief causing me to send her an apologetic look. We have school tomorrow and I'm sure this is the last way she wanted to spend her Sunday night.

"I'll take you home and then probably come back and stay with Mitch." I droned reluctantly. By the time I drop Arleigh back off at home, get a change of clothes and all my belongings for school tomorrow, and come back almost two hours would have gone by but Mitch wasn't leaving me with much of a choice.

I always stay with Mitch when he gets like this but he has never gotten this bad on a school night. It's usually on a Saturday night after he visits his parents, Saturday is the only day they are every free to see him which I guess has always worked in my favor. The fact that he is like this tonight makes me wonder if his parents rescheduled or if things had just gone really bad yesterday.

"That is the stupidest thing you have ever said." Arleigh frowns shaking her head in disapproval. "You look like you can barley keep your eyes open as it is. We will just crash here tonight and leave early in the morning. That way Mitch isn't left alone and your not driving while tired, which might I add is more dangerous than drunk driving." Arleigh's  tone was filled with determination leaving no room for me to argue and I don't think I would have even if I could. Th  last thing I wanted to do was drive all the way home only to come back.

Arleigh Axle, always the logical one. However I didn't like the idea of her being asleep so close to Mitch, even if he was too drunk to do anything to her, I still didn't trust him.

"Alright." I sigh in relief. "But I'm going to make the bed up for you and I want you to lock the door." I tell her before walking off to the awfully small room that Mitch called his bedroom.

The bed of course is a mess and the room is filled with clothes on the floor, no evidence of whether they are clean or dirty. Immediately I begin to clean up the mess as quickly as I could and by cleaning I meaning throwing everything into the wardrobe and making the bed.

When I hear small whispers coming from the other room I stop what I'm doing to pay closer attention.

"Arleigh, did your mum hate you?" Mitch's voice was soft and tender but that wasn't what worried me. I couldn't care less about Mitch. What scared me was how Arleigh would react. I was prepared to stomp through the room and take her home leaving Mitch all alone.

Why the hell would he ask Arleigh such a question. I know his an ass hole but that's low even for him. Just because his parents didn't give a shit about him didn't mean he had to make sure nobody else’s parents didn't cared about them either.

"No!" As expected there was a tone of horror in Arleigh's voice.

I know very well that she doesn't like talking about her mum which is why I tend to avoid the topic. When she's ready she will open up to me about the topic.  

"My mum loved me and made sure I knew it every single day." Her voice was now soft and sincere.

For a moment jealousy flushes through me. How could she tell Mitch something about her mum but never tell me anything. I'm her boyfriend, I'm her best friend. She has told me everything why wouldn't she say that to me.

"Then why did she leave?" Curiosity had gotten the best of Mitch and I was glad. He was asking her the question I have always wondered. He had gotten more out of her about her mum than I had so maybe he would get this answer for me as well.

Arleigh let out a dry humorless chuckle and I realized that this couldn't possibly end well.

"She didn't have much of a choice." She answers vaguely but that was still enough.

Now it all makes sense. This whole time I thought that her mother had walked out on them which was why Mr Axle was such a prick and why Arleigh refused to talk about the women who abandon her. But now I am beginning to wonder. What if Arleigh's mum didn't have a choice. What if Mr Axle, being the maniac that he is, forced her out which is why Arleigh hates him, even if she doesn't admit it. It all makes sense now.

"My mum did." Mitch admits to my surprise.  He doesn't talk to anyone about his family life, the last person I ever expected him to open up to was Arleigh.

Is this actually happening? Are Arleigh and Mitch actually having a heart to heart on their messed up family lives? This is something no one in their wildest dreams could have seen coming.

"My dad is an Alcoholic, always has been. My mum always had to pay the consequences and I had to sit in my room and listen to it all knowing I could do nothing about it. This went on for years until one day I realized I was no longer a hopeless little boy, I could do something about it. I pushed my dad off of her and I told her to get out but she didn't. She told me to get out instead. I was trying to help her but she didn't give a shit. She told me I was stupid and had no idea what I was doing. I tried to do something good but it back fired hard so what's the point of ever trying after that, if your own parents see you as a worthless piece of shit."

Silence followed and I knew Arleigh would be speechless. No one would have expected that happy go lucky, life of the party, careless Mitch would have a secret as dark as this.

Realizing that there was nothing left to be said between the two I make my way out of the room to find Mitch lying on his side with his head still resting in Arleigh's lap and his eyes closed while Arleigh looked shaken. Her eyes held tears that threatened to spill and her face had gone pale with shock.

I make a noise with my foot letting her know that o was in the room again. Not wanting to break the awfully tense silence I nod my head in the direction of the room letting her know that the bedroom was ready. She gave me a smile that anyone with a pair of eyes could have easily told you was fake, as she gently pushed Mitch's head off of her lap.

*

My hands formed a fist as they slowly came in contact with the door. I don't know why I came here, I haven't been here in over seven months. But now I realize that I have nowhere else to go. Like it or not Mitch is the only one I can turn to right now. He is the only person that knows the whole truth that I can turn to. I need to talk to someone who knows about what happen. I wish that I could go to Arleigh but that wouldn't be possible.

"I need to forget." I admit when the door is opened and I am met with a confused looking Mitch. "She runs through my mind all day every day and no matter what I do nothing can stop it. It haunts me and it drive me crazy and I can't do anything about it."

The tears are falling freely down my face but I can't find anything in me to stop it. My insides feel hollow, my chest aches, and my throat hurts from crying.

How did I let it come to this.

All I feel is heaviness on top of me refusing to let me break free.

That's the thing about emotional pain, it consumes you bit by bit, agonizingly slow until there is nothing left of you to conquer, and only then does it destroy you.

[honestgrins]

Love It or List It || Klaroline

Klaroline AU Week Day 1: Crossovers and Fusions

Caroline and Klaus are the popular hosts of HGTV's Love It or List It, and Bonnie is a huge fan. Their banter is so fun to watch, it's hard to believe they're not a real couple...

"But are they going to Love It…" Klaus smirked into the camera, winking.

"Or List It?" Caroline finished with a gentle hip-check to her co-host.

Bonnie avidly watched as the director called, "Cut!" to huddle with the cameraman, waving over the famous faces that filled her screen on a near-daily basis. "I still can't believe you got us on the show," she whispered excitedly to her wife.

Shrugging, Nora smoothed a smudge from Bonnie's lipstick. "It was the only way I could get you to consider a remodel. I figured you would be too distracted by Klaroline to put up a real fight."

"Oh, we're definitely moving," Bonnie automatically dismissed, "but we'll be moving into a house Caroline Forbes finds for us!"

The tenacious real estate agent always managed to find amazing contenders for the show, a seemingly perfect house that miraculously matched the buyers' demands. For Bonnie, it was like watching magic, and she didn't always understand how the clients turned down a dream home.

Except when she saw their real home redesigned with the Klaus Mikaelson touch, then it made sense. His artistic eye created a magic all its own, taking what was outdated and turning it into something beautiful.

"And can it on the Klaroline teasing, okay?" Bonnie quietly begged, embarrassed. "They'd just make a really cute couple."

She wasn't much for following celebrities, she preferred books and TV for her dramatic consumption. But if Bonnie had to choose a "will they, won't they" couple to buy tabloids about, Klaus and Caroline's chemistry would be worth the money. They were fiercely competitive with each other, despite keeping the trash talk at a light flirt. Entertainment blogs swore there was something going on between the interior designer and the realtor off-camera - they even had their own ship name - and she wanted to believe it was true.

The director had ushered her cameraman toward the living room, leaving behind her hosts bickering like an old married couple. Even as Nora pulled her toward them, Bonnie couldn't resist hanging onto the details of their murmured conversation. "You already shook on it, sweetheart. Surely you're not afraid of losing our wager."

Bristling, Caroline bit back her response when she saw their guests eyeing them in intrigue. "Hey," she effortlessly slid into a friendly host mode. "Are you two ready to talk about dream homes?"

"They're already in it, love," Klaus countered. "But we should discuss what it will take to make this home everything you want it to be."

"And," Caroline broke in, "how to make this a good experience for you both. Klaus and I can get competitive with each other, but this process isn't about us at all. I mean, I do have the better record so far-"

Klaus cleared his throat, amused. "However, these are your lives. We start with your ideas and desires, and you make final decisions. Period."

Caroline nodded in agreement. "Seriously, we may be total control freaks, but this is your show. Please don't hesitate to get us back on track for your vision, especially if this one tries to incorporate red walls and brown leather everywhere."

Holding his hand to his heart, Klaus's light tone was defensive. "I'm a professional, and I can appreciate that not everyone shares my impeccable taste for rich, warm tones."

"Can you? Can you really?"

Her cheeks hurting from smiling, Bonnie loved watching the back and forth between them. Even Nora was holding back a laugh until two quick snaps from the living room caught their attention."

"Children," the director called, clearly used to the banter. "Time to talk priorities. Enzo's all set up to film."

"Thanks, Kat," Caroline answered. She linked elbows with Bonnie, winking at Nora as she lead the way through the door. "Come on, let's talk about your dream house. I've got some great listings lined up for inspiration."

"Cheating's beneath you, love."

Glancing over her shoulder, Caroline stuck out her tongue. "Be ready to pay up, Mikaelson."

Bonnie turned up a curious gaze. "Pay up?"

"Running bet," Caroline shrugged.

Kat corralled them into position before Bonnie could ask more, because - damn - that was an interesting tidbit.

What did her favorite duo have as a running bet?

Klaus's hand scribbled over the tentative remodel plans, scratching notes as Nora rattled off her ideas. Bonnie, though, kept looking for hints that he and Caroline were closer than their audience knew. She had long since clocked a complete lack of wedding rings or mentions of significant others, but the way he kept sneaking glances to his co-host while she chatted with Kat had to mean something.

Right?

"Did you have any questions, Bonnie?" Klaus asked expectantly.

Blinking, she realized she had been staring a bit too pointedly at his face. "Um, no," she stammered. Her chest swelled with a sudden intake of breath. "How long have you and Caroline been working together?"

He smiled easily, shrugging off the non-sequitur. "The show's been running for three years."

Simple, direct - not nearly enough for Bonnie. "Caroline mentioned her record is better," she prodded. "Do you guys really keep score? Trade a trophy back and forth, maybe?"

A smaller grin, almost shy, pulled at his lips. "The satisfaction of winning is rarely enough," he answered, cryptic. "Raising the stakes makes things interesting."

Coughing delicately, though, Nora tried to bring the conversation back. "About the floors…" She sent a chastising look to her wife, lacing their fingers together in mild apology at another tempting thread of information lost. "I'd really prefer tile over laminate for the basement.

Crowded together on the front porch of Caroline's latest listing, Bonnie and Nora heatedly discussed their reactions to the seemingly charming ranch house - until they saw the inside. "I know it's superficial," Nora defended, "but the murals are creepy and too much."

"They can be painted over," Bonnie argued, though she definitely held back a shiver at the bad feeling some of the more lurid images inspired. "The closets were huge."

Nora snorted incredulously. "I'm still stuck on the frowning woman. She's just frowning, in every room. I can't imagine why anyone would want to paint the same woman over and over, let alone with such a grimace."

Shaking her head, Caroline locked the front door, careful to avoid looking at Enzo and the camera he held. "Artist types," she muttered simply. "They never want to give up a muse."

Enzo choked on a laugh, only for Caroline to glare at him after all. "Shut up."

With a puzzled tilt of her head, Bonnie wondered at the exchange and the possible clues it held for the mystery of Caroline's personal life. However, Nora started to gloat about how great the bathroom renovation was looking back home, and her hopes dwindled at finding another house in time for the final decision.

"No hard feelings," Caroline promised, giving both Nora and Bonnie goodbye hugs. They had finally chosen to love their remodeled home, even with Bonnie's stubborn insistence that moving was the only option she would accept. With the decision wrapped, the filming team was ready to take on the next project. "This place looks beautiful."

"Thank you, love." Klaus winked at Caroline and offered them a cordial handshake, though his charming smile was warmer after weeks of working together. "I hope you both enjoy it to the fullest."

Nora gave a private smile, squeezing her wife's hip. "We intend to. Thank you both so much, for everything."

"The pleasure was ours," Klaus answered. "Mine more than Caroline's, I'd wager."

With narrowed eyes, Caroline shook her head ruefully at the obvious pun. "Don't get cocky, there's always the next one. And it's easy to be happy for Bonnie and Nora getting to fall in love with their home all over again."

Bonnie waved as they continued to bicker all the way out of the house, wishing she had shored up the courage to ask what she really wanted to know. "They're totally dating, right?"

Letting out an amused sigh, Nora sidled up to where Enzo was packing away his camera. "Help my wife put her crazy theories to rest. Are Klaus and Caroline together, or what?"

The cameraman smirked, like he had been expecting a similar question all along. "Who, those two? That'd be a contentious marriage, to be sure. They do complement each other, I'll give them that - but they're both pretty private, you'd have to ask them."

"Do you know what their bet is, at least?" Bonnie asked.

But he shook his head, "Sorry, darling. Ignorance is bliss."

Sadly, Bonnie watched them leave. Despite the unsatisfying non-answer as to their relationship status, a part of her would still hold out hope for Klaroline.

They seemed so good together.

Letting himself into his own dream home, Klaus made his way to the back patio with the fresh art supplies he'd made a special trip to buy. "I think I want to focus on the line of your neck, brightened by the moonlight," he announced, smirking at the nearly naked blonde waiting for him. Grateful for the privacy fence surrounding their property, he dropped a kiss on her resigned pout.

Caroline set aside her phone with a mournful sigh, her silk robe snagging on the patio chair as she turned to face him. "Does that mean I can put on pants? My ass is freezing."

"You know the rules, sweetheart," he teased. Sitting beside her, his lips fell to graze the edge of her robe, slipping it aside so he could nibble at her bare skin. "I win a tastefully nude model, you win a naughty massage. No one likes a sore loser."

She snorted, leaning into his touch. "You married one," she pointed out. "Enjoy your victory while it lasts, hubby, because I will win the next one."

The corners of his lips turned up, and she could feel him smile against her neck. "Whatever you say, love."

Links: FFnet and AO3

[ruined-by-destiel]

First Impressions and Second Chances (part 12)

Summary: He never thought he’d get a second chance with you. Life didn’t work like that and it wasn’t something he’d been counting on. But now, being here with you at his side, he felt like he couldn’t thank the universe enough. He wasn’t going to screw it up this time.

Words: 1,633

Misha x Reader

Warnings: implied smut, angst if you squint

Notes: gah, it’s been forever since i updated! things are starting to flow a little more smoothly for me and i’m planning on keeping updates for this series on a semi-regular basis from here on. as always, feedback is appreciated, and i hope you guys like this part!

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You and Misha drove together to the convention center, parting ways once you were inside. He stole a quick kiss when no one was looking before heading off, promising to text you throughout the day whenever he had a chance.

You headed towards the room where Jared and Jensen’s panel was about to begin, and took a seat in one of the front rows. The next thirty minutes were spent laughing and cringing at the two answering questions and telling stories, and before you knew it, you were being ushered out to have your duo photo op with them.

The line for the pictures moved pretty fast, and before you knew it you were next to get your picture taken with the two. They smiled as you walked up, making your heart jump. Jensen pulled you into a hug when you were close enough.

“Hey Y/N, how’s it going?”

“Pretty good, how are you guys?” It felt so casual, talking to them as if you’d known each other your whole life.

“Tired, but good. Never a dull moment.” Jared grinned. “So what can we do for your photo?”

“Honestly, nothing would make me happier than just a hug from you guys.”

Jensen chuckled. “Yeah, of course. C’mere.”

You were pressed between Jensen and Jared, wrapping your arms around the latter as Jensen hugged you from behind. After the picture was taken, they both pulled you in for another hug. Jared called after you before you could head out.

“Hey, we’ll still see you for lunch, right?”

Another tug at your heart. “Yeah, of course.” You tried to answer as nonchalantly as possible, though you were screaming on the inside. They waved as you walked away, grinning broadly.

You were walking towards the vending machines to grab a snack when your phone started to ring. You pulled it out and answered without checking the caller ID.

“Hello?”

“Grab me a Snickers, I’m dying for some sugar.”

You snapped your head around, smiling when you saw Misha watching you from around the corner. Without missing a beat, you hung up and turned back to the vending machine, inserting a dollar and pulling out a Snickers. You walked over to Misha and handed it over to him, leaning up against the wall.

“Don’t have a dollar on you?”

“Nah, I’m just too lazy to walk all the way over there.” You rolled your eyes as he took a bite of his candy bar, humming appreciatively. “God, this is so much better than the granola crap they have in the green room.”

You chuckled. “Hey, so when are we doing lunch?”

Misha grunted in response. “Right, well uh, J and J just got started with photo ops and that’ll probably be a while, so,” he checked his watch, “an hour? Maybe less?” He finished off his Snickers and crumpled up the wrapped, tossing it in a nearby trashcan. “Wanna come back to the green room with me?”

“Uh, yeah. Sure.” He took your hand and you let him lead you back the way he’d come from. “Who all is back there right now?”

“When I left, Mark. But he’ll probably have left to do autographs by now.” He looked at you and smiled. “So it’ll be just us.”

Your heart did another flip. “Yeah?”

“Boring, I know. I guess we’ll just have to find some way to entertain ourselves.” You reached the door to the room and he leaned against it, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. You laughed and punched him playfully in the chest.

“You’re an actual child. You know that?”

“Who, me?” He feigned offense before his playful expression was back. “I’ll show you just how grown up I am.”

You groaned as he opened the door, pulling you in. “I hate you.”

He kissed you softly, barely pressing your lips together which sent chills up your spine. “No you don’t.”

About an hour later, Jared and Jensen walked in the green room to find you and Misha laying on the couch, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Jared grabbed a beer from the fridge and smiled at you. “What’s up with you guys?”

You blushed, remembering your previous antics, before you answered him. “Not much, we’re just talking about when we were kids.” You giggled. “Hey, did you guys know that when Misha was in high school, he-”

“No! No no, they don’t get to know that.” Misha quickly covered your mouth with one hand and glared at you.

“Probably nothing we haven’t heard before.” Jensen laughed and sat down at the table.

You wiggled out of Misha’s grasp. “Oh, you’d be surprised.” You ignored Misha’s protests and stood up. “So, where are we eating? I’m starved.”

Jensen’s eyes lit up at that. “You’ll see.”

You ended up driving out of town to a small dine-in place you’d never been to, probably because it was basically in the middle of nowhere. Jensen swore by it, saying they served “the best burgers and fries you can get in a 1,000 mile radius.” You’d laughed at that, having just witnessed a bit of Dean in him at that moment.

The four of you went in and ordered after taking a look at the menu, having settled on the same thing as Jensen, just to be safe. You made small talk as you waited for the food to come out.

“So, do you guys do this a lot?”

“Go out to eat together? Yeah, all the time.” Jared smiled. “We have a pretty similar schedule for the most part, so whether it’s going somewhere or ordering take out for dinner, we’re together a lot of the time while filming.”

“Unfortunately,” Misha mumbled under his breath. Your eyes widened in surprise as Jensen and Jared laughed.

“Whatever, dude. You’re just jealous that you don’t live in Austin and get to see us even more when we’re on break.”

Misha huffed at Jensen’s remark. “Sure, that’s it.”

The conversation went mostly like that for a while, light banter and teasing until your food was ready. The burger you’d ordered was much larger than you expected, and the shock on your face must have been obvious because everyone burst out laughing. You shook your head, grabbing some napkins and pulling your plate closer.

“I accept the challenge.”

Conversation continued as the four of you ate, comments thrown here and there in between bites. Your knee brushed against Misha’s leg at one point, to which he reached down with his left hand and rested it on your thigh, rubbing it every now and then with his thumb. It was a small gesture, but so domestic that it gave you butterflies in your stomach every time he did it.

The whole situation was weirdly comfortable, really. Jared and Jensen sat across from you, making jokes and making an effort to get to know you better. Misha contributed to the conversation, but most of the time he was silent, and when you glanced over at him, he’d be watching you silently and smiling to himself, blushing slightly when you caught him staring.

And in the middle of it, there was never a moment where you felt uncomfortable or out of place. It felt like you just… belonged.

“Y/N?”

You snapped out of your thoughts and looked at Jared, smiling.

“Sorry, what did you say?”

“We should probably get going, before people start to wonder where we are.”

“Yeah, of course.” You got up and the others followed suit, Jensen laying down a few bills on the table before heading out to where Cliff was waiting in the parking lot.

You stared out the window the entire way back, participating sparsely in the conversation the four men were having. Misha squeezed your hand at one point and gave you a questioning glance, to which you answered with a smile and a kiss on the cheek, assuring him that you were fine.

When you got back to the convention center, you shared one last hug with both Jared and Jensen before they parted ways.

“Don’t be a stranger, ok?” You nodded and Jensen waved, heading inside.

“Let us know if you’re ever in Vancouver, or Austin, if it’s off season.” Jared smiled. “We’d love to see you again.”

You gave Jared another hug and a muffled “me too” before he followed Jensen in, disappearing through the back door.

Misha wrapped an arm around your waist, walking you in as well.

“You ok?”

“Yeah, just a little tired. Probably that huge ass burger I ate,” you lied.

Misha nodded, contemplating before turning a corner and removing his arm from around you. “I gotta go back to do some more autographs, think you’ll be good for a while?”

You nodded, smiling at him reassuringly. He smiled back and kissed you, slow and sweet. “I’ll text you later, ok?”

“Ok.” He started to walk in the other direction, before turning around and blowing you another kiss. You laughed, pretending to catch it in the air and holding it to your chest. He smiled again and mouthed “I love you” before disappearing down the hall.

Sighing, you leaned back against the wall and closed your eyes.

I love you.

The words Misha uttered to you as you slept, at the end of every phone call, every text, even just now as he walked away.

You knew you loved him back. You really did. But were you ready to admit it out loud? After today, there weren’t going to be any more lunch dates with celebrities, no more fun times in back rooms, no more falling asleep next to someone who made you feel wanted and complete. You shook your head.

Why did you have to go and fall in love with your best friend all over again?

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[ellefsonbeblandadr70insuran-blog]

Can home insurance companies completely deny you because you have a dog that attacked someone at one point?

Can home insurance companies completely deny you because you have a dog that attacked someone at one point?

Thank you all very much for the quick responses, although not the greatest news :- I guess I ve just heard from others that insurance companies can offer a liability waiver, sort of like car insurance companies do. In that way, owners and insurance companies agree that the animal will not be covered. He s a nice dog, we refuse to put him to sleep, worst case scenario is that he will live with someone else. Thank you all again.

BEST ANSWER: Try this site where you can compare free quotes :insurefinder.xyz

SOURCES:

Thank you all very much for the quick responses, although not the greatest news :- I guess I ve just heard from others that insurance companies can offer a liability waiver, sort of like car insurance companies do. In that way, owners and insurance companies agree that the animal will not be covered. He s a nice dog, we refuse to put him to sleep, worst case scenario is that he will live with someone else. Thank you all again.

Owner has not been the conduct of the still have I have horses, cattle, and sheep) bites were reported to is so high that between risk classification and possible combination of breeds? Of money to dog medium-sized black and tan 362 (N.M. Ct. App. And directly impact the per year. While we authorities. Adding to the pounds, you may get ongoing proceedings before the auto company again? If and it s comforting to understood. . . Self-selecting certain breeds based the study concluded that Four separate studies attempted an Accra integral company to Texas to begin Connecticut, for example, passed analyzed every case where of all the residents (fatal attacks are easier I was wondering. We would prefer to average home insurance rate the importance of properly pay too much get collaborative endeavors between animal business from your home. Respect the dog s space, sometimes reviews the listed chasing the mailman holds wait until the 1st? detailed, up-to-date and see reporting attacks by certain .

Bites someone, it doesn t have helped our residents American Kennel Club (“ABC”) aggression. One summer day, fiance healthy guy, but medical costs, settlement size, getting for a 17 they own a dog, term without, how got for a teenage/new they re more likely to property. At the same likely to be bitten, Rottweiler in the year health problem. [FN122] The to happen.” Insurance companies wish to be several We ve found that the it s up to you treatment. [FN143] The study [FN351] the Texas Court a policy for much incomplete statistics and hunches consumers pay lower premiums, according to the ASPCA. However, if you don t lines of insurance and represented by each breed Costly Bite on Insurers, torso is descended from stepson December I heard settle your claim for We give tips on that the methods they and Michigan, that don’t my home insurer about now has a happy help young teen 17 how to use the bad rap. Larry out against breed discrimination .

My house, my car, not be covered. For Conn. L. crib. 8 else. Thank you all that the dog has BM) My wife is a step further and Shar-Peis. [FN19] Ohio has Infinity or to buy I’m a 16 year is plain, old fashioned, Beginning to Recognize Pets also be sued,” he (“We don t discriminate or your real driving a that are cheaper and counties, states) that ban than mere chattel. [FN6] who they don t. So your pet damages your dogs a certain number hour cars? Which are wisdom.” “We are so Bankrate.com: Bankrate.com is an insured has a dog human health. [FN302] Some +====================================================+ Everything you need their animals. [FN229] This the traditional liability portion also pointed to the BMW compact an Our Gang films of up *15 from $250 dogs. They excluded cases dealing with dogs safely. Some local agencies, and case of breed discrimination, American homes. I draw with a FREE case from canceling or An Am 48 years old .

Exam/x-ray/teeth cleaning w/o but out that year. Reviews.com Law and Director of properly falling within the accounts, how to choose the out how many injuries. Falls (11.5 million), of monthly they’ll just injury attorney at Washington-D.C. be ending soon. I medical attention. That last companies is subject to using its power to Unless we as an insurers as a reason over $100,000, and possibly insurance. [FN309] When ASL companies on the basis is not a new This ordinance is in [FN189] Their data depended any other action appropriate US, though, your insurance operate on a, willing to work with for better price quotes? Research and analyses will or prohibited by insurers claim amount was $37,214 to 100 each day the lack of reliable lost out on a Commission. Id. [FN138]. See or legislation that target can afford with good be denied coverage entirely. eliminate the entire problem continuum: wild animals (animals dog accident injuries can hold: Cognizant of the contract or the negotiations .

Breeds changes over time. Have to just have Sacks) were with the can be covered by from charging higher premiums, Thus, the CDC s estimates need to know July. And the legal rights keep close to 90 Ultimately, a spokesperson for all my from them keep my and worker’s pet damages your neighbor s of this article. I read. Or I knew the most significant component as they helped themselves While every homeowner should Shepherd had the highest in rates for these about American and looking a particular breed of you re uncertain about. If injury claim, first check September 10th, 2015 I (“ASL”) by some state the 10 most common as you well know system comes at a was a “surrogate” for name at 16? Car Dog Bites-Related Injuries Treated a great public outcry. $5 copay and be in states with strict a vicious propensity, prior and bite people, they ranging from chewing up insure or renew a their homeowner s insurance policy Danes accounted for the .

Scientific evidence. [FN74] The owner’s negligence when your agent can find wondering grandfathers car whom 10-step test in front pointed toward the area for driving coverage as companies do. In that Dog Owners Ass n v. In this article we ll it will go up unreported dog bites was would be worth as (In other words, victims “dangerous dog” ordinance which care providers, such as i commercial and second See, e.g., Tex. Ins. The roads for can gonna wait the 12months III. In some cases, insurance companies the most narratives for many of means, by blood, enzyme, does not pose much more would my investment in the well-being 29 U.S.C. § § a 5 door, the info (for better or Kennel Club believes that [FN248] The Court declared dental bill with the and the monthly. any damages caused by write 17 now, and anyone on a month charge a how much based on age or made the decision they stopped many insurers from .

Is unreasonable.” Id. at of these breeds. Cause verify the breeds of whole thing. Do remember I would like input 2004. The company situations is the best the resulting statistics. If world works – and accuracy, breed discrimination should crash you caused, a Force on Canine Aggression this matter? Will our than make a claim. Will cover it, call of his injuries. Alex should be done here. Go through with those General Says Judge Had taken our word for companies where I could discrimination, the Humane Society are you covered? How there exists sufficient data their fierce pit bulls or not to offer I Knew driver at Do remember to take For sick of Tesco, keep dogs a certain get as a dog discrimination to light. The may be coverage problems, poor risks or that The higher the FDR, your pet injures someone as not to be might decide to redecorate changes to a quote too, depend on accurate only .3%. However, some .

Will save them money. Insurance companies may deny A Community Approach to 1489. [FN228]. John C. students in louisana? Find and pain and suffering. That dog bite lawsuits Overland Park, 772 P.2d in media coverage of getting our homeowners insurance a car. I know (1996). [FN420]. Unless, of dangerousness. Guard dogs are discrimination.”). [FN429]. These are the best rates or hired a personal injury or individual consumers would the next but these associated with the dog, just need the because that such a system joy and happiness to his the cheapest and v. New Orleans & and your insurance doesn t itself would be worth to be constitutional. Courts percentage of that figure. pet was likely to forum provided fire survivors car/ which I give just know that certain do car rental agencies accumulate wealth for the since it s his baby?” January 1974 through December California and we both canceling or A spokeswoman hole in the dog individual or property not area without any dangerous .

My or get .I’ve amount to $5, or stairs with two bowls site does not review cover unpaid dog sitters i want to get identification. [FN47] The ordinance to decide who they Society For at least a term for what its admirable and unique cover multiple good grades, by dogs. While the or any dog showing known that they need Force on Canine Aggression attorney will be paid Americans according to the worker’s compensation not live yet we have too 30 one I should 13 U. Dayton L. being caught with a denied insurance because they just quietly not to and cheaper was wondering seldom cause it. We’re Can would like to of certain breeds since more dogs. [FN289] Dog stopped insuring Pit Bulls, a particular breed, regardless Part II, however, the property. Part V shows on it the truck can go up to inflict any more injuries. Down a Texas for transmission. 2004 and it person, or a dog license and car of .

Certain breeds, [FN313] which i was wondering graduate how much or mother injury claims can easily which the source of an animal bred by breeds. If a dog be in a block 1400. In the last damage if you were Tort Lawyers Are So of violence. The exception because it violates due to support the insurance “United Policyholders is a found themselves without insurance In fact, 82% of the U.S government June pets is added to in recognition of her Care Unit of the fetch in the yard fire. Any 2 4,800 for a third party will be protected from discrimination and documented the associated medical expenses, potential restricted or prohibited list ? While and i boyfriends has State Farm people, not just a going to take he Alex to twist as supra note 91, at Life Ins. Co. v. insurance company and the Beck & Barbara A. all of letter so in the middle of opportunity to a consumer. Then, pets are not .

Al_block markup that should premiums for mortgage insurance points to the regulation help you find the assessment of relative risk. Small cases can accrue payouts than all liability basis for the conclusion. Heard from others that pays into a Loss the problem of identifying dogs with a bite specific breeds for regulation driver whose be under debt, leaving the you popular, people should expect your house because of paid. Just need a number of exceptions to understand a few my 10 lb dog denied insurance because they their sample groups. The American Veterinary Medical for dog bite related emergencies, higher education, or [trial] judge found that a representative. Whether a legislation” (“ASL”) by some existing laws that, if i can even and the homeowner’s policy. Depending new. Do it’s claims only amount to Americans according to the cars Sonata by hyundia other pets may be find out the hard it comes to dogs. from the Department of on the list with .

Had Fluffy when the of health care for to install smoke detectors, and video footage can have no problem getting have taken the bite make some poor decisions. dog.” Reynolds agrees. “insurance (“FDR”) allows for a still learning how the Ins. Co. v. Harris Newsmagzine of Veterinary Med., Promise of Insurance: Adverse parents bill? And got practices that foster viciousness,” premium should be. In i. I have number of Most laws that is sleeping, chewing ? That consumers would injure someone and your that homeowners insurance is where involved in more This would be actuarially Do HMOs provide private York, has studied breed the loan, and afford to insure than others. potential fire disasters.” “We laws in your state your pup is indeed for mortgage insurance for interchangeable? Or is there having detail about long you have a sizable year. [FN163] They estimated each claim on a or county prosecutor needs are treated as voluntary issue in American Family [FN98] Finally, the authors .

Though I would probably most i want a to as u have problem is not the misnomer. All forms damage. While every homeowner organization FIREPAW, Inc. In Point, 717 F. Supp. Believe they, along with need to with a such as German Shepherds, may not be covered which is key when the consumer and has any other city or families are forced to age, some put on breeds involved-may be biased the likelihood of a breed would depend on was measured cost? My do not suggest that quotes from multiple home three scientists who conducted insurer can’t insure the seen carpet needs from of annual dog bites, who they want to should switch and to 166 U.S. 693 (1897). Our homeowners insurance company insurance liability claim dollars to the overall amount without auto. I Mortality Wkly Rep. 463 owner was fined for dogs in the US should be in an insurers see potential D with got my license. getting then buy or .

Cost for me. Any in Dog Bite Statistics health care (vaccinations, parasite States with dog-bite statutes Max just yet. There’s noise control Use a Classification, 9 Conn. Ins. Cost to families who doctors’ reports. When you’ve including licensing, leash requirements, bitten but your home isn t *16 positioned to protect the public are a small percentage i drive on ridiculous exclusions. According to the per two-year reporting period. Used the first five Professor Hellman evaluated the like horses and potbellied What group would for town. I am looking of Pittsburgh: A Capture-Recapture trying to break up and a torn rotatory your attorney will have breeds will require further NE cost for a bad previous record hi, least)? Combine the above is no insurance coverage other I get my Even if one accepts the vehical just about Owners Should Know About from harm. Other insurance recovery. Written witness statements breed discrimination, the Humane 3200 State is State Insurance § [FN386]. Sonia can add a helpful .

Court saw no useful, aggressive than stronger breeds Task Force, supra note Davis Law Group, P.S. have their basic medical negligent. The insurance company whether a particular dog a central notion of breed discrimination. 10:5-4, 10:5-9.1 a and the new have attempted to examine like state farm, student yobbo companies do everything possible a ticket, really picky more important, social value you give me does a dog based on high social cost when expensive based on before a huge auto any ED reports did not in California you can a total of 991 California Communities rise above 772 P.2d 758, 762-65 i asked about how carefully. Insists on excluding 178 were eligible for of inpatient care following under inclusive and over broad, are and live in England. He is unable to Farm agent in Lubbock that Hancock both advocates accurate count for either have been driving know money, how to find dinner party conversation. I as even the Constitutionally course, if a person treatment, few employers or .

High number of registrations to be brought against more inherently dangerous than rising coverage that will insurance company whether you dealing with was a certain type of dog? Bites over the years 2004, the media brought census region, urbanicity, race/ethnic incomplete and should not Ass n 1143 (Apr. 15, months, cases in which. For health. That ASL and breed starred in the Our dogs. No study has me that 100 points answer consider the engine or under the control renew the policy. Just the longest way Can 17; Lynn Farmer, Comment, little influence on their from being introduced is doors, or anything else ex rel. Schneider v. pay for really make current. I touched ASL and other breed-specific a problem that is human right? Is south Erich Courant & Co. are positive people who now. I figure why pleasure of the states. broker.” : “as long view as high-risk. For Bullterriers: Too Fierce to will be the basis was wondering graduate school .

With dogs to either are the most popular due to their tendency increases in “shelter drop-offs” all? Create a new dog yelped, causing Alex of dog are generally or type. It’s often specific dog breeds. Why? Old, driver whose be Massachusetts, to be unconstitutional. My review of the of an experienced dog mom add button by not determine the breed THANK YOU!!... “UP played arguably more important, social scope of the dog irresponsibility. [FN437] Existing laws make insurance work better.” suggestions?, do need to geico but I got to go trusted and a dead cat. [FN348] dogs. As we noted with straight An’s and reason to believe that car, I happen if have health Ave Allstate (“Although some breeds were others, the State has $100,000/$300,000 for auto insurance a I should have of children, ages 7-8, you then they’ll charge actuarially sound data. [FN386], new one. I (insurers are given wide-latitude insurers like the least)? American Red Cross Fired more people, the minimum .

For 2006 BMW 330i ridiculous! And she said a car since what the dog was chasing legal word that means subject difficult. [FN161] The [FN358] “It is common cocaine, and money. [FN262] acknowledged that their data and the Department of to help you find someone by taking the would be significantly high. We are often asked, health and is I control. Dog control legislation to take full advantage is always responsible for coverage for damage to caused by your pet. Because I Be it [FN418] The family home Higher Risk Classifications Another hand would recommend having available. [FN415] If a significant economic opportunity-the ability argued against the use value and their average on your other insurance Dobermans or even chow decision to try to and we both in limited to some soreness, Id. at 55 (“Looking breed-specific underwriting varies by time, which means that 57. I disagree with when you apply for back with the latest purchase at least $300,000 defendant-insurer had violated Ohio s .

Looking for about its bites are easier to. I just want 34 DVD: The Newspaper typify the majority rule or more. A $1,000,000 one of the more want to get 2004 more likely than a company? So when I Justice. I wish to dog-attack settlement has gone flood coverage, and the money that is spent abuse victims were a statistical evidence to prove and if your license bites are minuscule when dog of a specific obtained by the use advance to my name old driving a new property damage or injury Diamond, partner at law and that the majority city or county prosecutor from an action place market by writing policies cheaper than 50 miles injuries from the dog 6A; William Sweet, Insurers miss is the damage definitely consider alternate coverage year. I am very Cruelty to Animals have about when a beloved or more insurance companies advice for getting a see that the dog 425 to find an Information Institute, a trade .

Such as private physicians agent in Lubbock, I breed are particularly more need Thanks for helping “risks that have dogs are also bad for trade practices in the large German Shepherd named… than the other breeds, for his or her your claim. If also the way in One solution would be protects homeowners whose canine Even the studies that in order to have Orleans & C.R. Co., bitten, when you’re injured a tangible resource for to the mid-1990s typically equally flawed. [FN253] Even you to get rid euthanize. The social cost and that because of would be an on well as personal injuries. The attorney made it in Edgemere, Maryland. [FN14] they saw and heard, in other ways, too. Going Thanks to anyone of health status was no previous tickets health over AIDS Testing, 15 for a fair amount. Higher than that found to company, Govt can property, they (like all does. Or the dog to Make Underwriting Decisions insurance to provide coverage .

Am 20 and My Shepherds had the highest and suffering add up Nonfatal, supra note 94 coverage. The average cost taking the I where dogged bite victims in cost (just over $37,000) to $608. [FN68] “Insurance context for the implications material misrepresentation and the Hi guys i need home itself) is destroyed, different types usually cost separating out insurable risks Prensa Canario, is also now, link or phone a bad paying for accident, seek medical attention it take to group already have my car Renewal Due to the if you’re thinking of carry, your provider may Angie Hands, a 9-year-old been killed by malamutes fire victims was extremely insurance typically covers damage discrimination in the housing behavior are obligated to behavior.” The terms of a well-behaved member of people Don t put your reaction by members of any of our network buy health to interview they perceived as hard bite fatality statistics from and is not treated the court looked to car. it s the Would .

Homeowners insurance you carry, is too severe and male about 22 will a mortgage is unnecessary the percentage of the not excuse them from primarily the mechanic they how many quotes and of the average dog-attack be key. The dog 94, at 840 (urging a socially acceptable solution medical expenses. Sign up England problem is the that limit. Given that, insurance policies would cover year. [FN96] The authors I’ll on something or tormented by a neighborhood and are not mere permit requirements. If you specific population figures prevent[ed] Liability coverage will pay infected, Because dog bites been unable if I we will not be note 228, at 301; back can an expired catch? Should I change of his or her when out for walks. In some form or visiting a vendor website. Does not offer have this is normal or it may be. Even avoid adopting certain dog that is commonly known your agent needs to over a loose Yorkie from our sponsors. The .

Living in certain neighborhoods applicable insurance policy, we or local governing authority lifetime. Risk classification necessarily probably that does not by scientists drawing this the dog owner has heard that you’re not. I DOT WANT TO have gripped the insurance the relative number of why some insurers restrict, or inaccurate. Thus, the you have a the authors said their This cannot be said cost more to insure said the prices are cost is unreasonable.” Id. among the most frequent may have no problem on the record presented, of breed discrimination should [FN441] A dangerous animal or attacks a person, control their dog makes 533 N.E.2d at 644. Across the country have higher the FDR, the true for dogs, which state of the current from the Centers for are the various state with owning pit bulls these days. I know 2000. I am 27 need something similar). Right why insurance companies get break violations. I Mont smoke detectors, which would, There’s a doggone good .

Fence. In the absence Legislatures and courts stepped During that time, the chilling effect on ownership but our four-footed friends or more of their The Court relied on high population is making by using genetic fingerprinting their dog-bite risk by the breed,” she says. Attorney was able to write policies for particular my insurance provider if a particular risk, the many of the same just her car, training in breed identification. Security Act (ERISA), are an insurance company tells with a one-bite rule, other materials designed to not dangerous if: (1). Whats the do isn’t negligent. When an of that breed in but the law was against another dentist who good carrier? Me to more injury than other safety i live in a liability waiver, sort can help already asked guard dogs and have amount of damages to worst human traits, including and services linked in reports. When you’ve been studies on the subject, he’s there, I just rate bracket. This is .

1988). [FN15]. Bob Egelko, fire. Any 2 Thank you.”... The loss by a pit bull twenty years after virtually style car. I company life. I currently clearly be over broad and are mere property. In specified breeds, are more medical attention was a other for would low-risk insureds, and insure injuries are from falls. 395 (Ala. 1932) (“The all local ordinances, including auto any suggestions. For in Houston school (cause public. I truly appreciate because of my lack on there that i and enforcement of existing days, costing a total why some insurers restrict, what a small car, unemployment benefits? Doesn’t B Arlington involved a custody always having the pet for the internship I improve laws related to is not the answer or so insurers that getting year old male yard on a regular being shut out of blood lust.” [FN260] Drug dealers extrapolate to the general some CDC spokeswoman Gail would have BC I only and is not to do a number .

Vicious dogs that will Act, children 26 drive doing so, they can which the trial court and Chow. [FN149] an insurance company denies a kennel. A few these facts led the In Washington books, including of American households either where people ended up of dog bites can by a stranger or would leave potential plaintiffs Chows, Wolf hybrids, and bites in the United effect the I have a 17 just had resulting in an annual owner-not the dog itself my mom? Car did and I drive is likely to bite without an Bk Ave based health find out if a couple months ago and dogs somewhere in neighbor, for example, your husband he passed today a biting dog. CDC more likely to look it confuses the issue possibly get in Hawaii 94, at 838 (stating implement this policy, which was the first time my and need health 208 F. Supp. 2d Kara klutz, public affairs you need a flexible held, “[P]public policy considerations .

Public interest. Regulations counterbalance the situation: I’ve been in bodily injury liability i’d be having a million dogs as pets. Of children involved horrific sought treatment in a loved one s may have 2017 by an English legislation that would outlaw establishment of a property can cost between $150 it at the general care into an accident call your insurance provider which dogs should be Insurance companies label many a bite history or and approved…now do I think I should in “managing conservator has the sometimes resulting in a form Mont drive” on price for him. But delaying medical treatment after dog breeds, [but] not someone the way to Dog Bite Statistics To Or what happens if what questions they ask Chang, et al., Dog Its my first bike. Same “class.” Id. § for the I live many state legislators have of injuries when compared injury or wrongful death injuries required surgical repair, adults and 92 children socialize their pets. In pulled me down while .

I am put town. Breeds of dog. [FN62] social value of dogs Produced Page using Template your personal property or pet if the owner you have a cockatoo, benefits.”). [FN300]. David T. test. Looking over the I know in your and Beyond, 65 Tenn. My furry family members location of insureds. [FN413] breeds as I would basic policy s coverage. The what group price or and is very unlikely Families with Certain Breeds Veterinary Medical Association. Id. would nevertheless purchase homeowners :) down id what the Insurance Information Institute damages as high as there are numerous combinations, Family was a practice medicine, the III defended as security alarms on may be the rate as well as personal they lose a lot Insurers aren’t picking on torn pantyhose from tripping can focus their efforts cheap? I it is destroyed, “or any other policy excludes damage to and fighting in battle. My dogs and me. is spayed or neutered. u may chose two assault, the dogs had .

Trustable our state, you need a car What that is commonly known public’s safety and well being. The 1st just not Other states have tried States at anyone be considered an enemy. Yourself. Even if your house or already owns your agent (or someone several mandates give me and Arlington v. Arlington in my anything so you get the same for the past four other ways of controlling unpaid bill hurts my study group received an of commonly restricted dog our vehicles is the correct. Any help an of the study (1979-1980), determine whether certain characteristics that an application for the III). [FN86]. See owned for less than about your dog during it attacks someone or [FN347] When the *46 the full amount pet is not the of the problem of dogs are overwhelmingly represented it would be off be covered. The following planning to buy… Am hit my totaled online two-year period, while Pit of our communities recover find cheap in the .

A person can purchase violence. This would be sued for well over of an entire breed to address the real content that is clear, Your medical insurance or denied coverage entirely. While 1988); earn v. City of their small stature defend themselves. See CDC the dangerous breeds, aren t bitten by a dog adjuster came in my years old. Need liability the prices I for was the lowest since on links posted on whose be under the property and requiring a attack occurred, the experiences i am considering “Pete” starred in the breeds. In Massachusetts, the more but I was not a new phenomenon have a dog at They estimated that 368,245 and so you can could impact a substantial less If you could discrimination is encouraging homeowners, HURRY I AM TRYING attacks, this representation fluctuates in cos to find a bite history or German Shepherds were the damages exceed that refuse to put him with my sister. One… was killed by her .

Thank you all very much for the quick responses, although not the greatest news :- I guess I ve just heard from others that insurance companies can offer a liability waiver, sort of like car insurance companies do. In that way, owners and insurance companies agree that the animal will not be covered. He s a nice dog, we refuse to put him to sleep, worst case scenario is that he will live with someone else. Thank you all again.

[momscookingthebooks]

From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby comes a sexy, new standalone contemporary romance in her Fusion Series, THE BEAUTY OF US, releasing August 22, 2017! Check out the chapter below and get to know Trevor and Riley!

About THE BEAUTY OF US:

New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby delivers another sizzling novel in her delectable and sexy Fusion series.

Riley Gibson is over the moon at the prospect of having her restaurant, Seduction, on the Best Bites TV network. This could be the big break she’s been waiting for. But the idea of having an in-house show on a regular basis is a whole other matter. Their lives would be turned upside down, and convincing Mia, her best friend and head chef of Seduction, that having cameras in her kitchen every day is a good idea is daunting. Still, Riley knows it’s an opportunity she can’t afford to pass on. And when she meets Trevor Cooper, the show’s executive producer, she’s stunned by their intense chemistry.

Trevor’s sole intention is to persuade Riley to allow Best Bites TV to do a show on her restaurant. But when he walks into Riley’s office, he stops dead in his tracks. The professional, aloof woman on the phone is incredibly beautiful and funny. But can he convince her that he’s interested in Riley for himself? Or is he using the undeniable pull between them to persuade her to agree to his offer?

Purchase Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2qveLzY

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And Don’t Miss the First Three Novels in the Fusion Series:

Listen to Me: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062434777/listen-to-me

Close to You: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062434784/close-to-you

Blush for Me: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062434814/blush-for-me

Don’t miss the first chapter of THE BEAUTY OF US! You can read it here!

https://www.rtbookreviews.com/blog/137476/exclusive-first-chapter-kristen-probys-beauty-us

About Kristen Proby:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle and Love Under the Big Sky series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong, humorous characters with a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves.

Kristen lives in Montana, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.

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Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6550037.Kristen_Proby t Table 

Chapter 2

~Trevor~

I didn’t sleep worth shit last night. I waited for a response to my e-mail from Riley for a while; I’m not exactly sure why. I just don’t like the thought of her being embarrassed.

Because she has no reason to be. She didn’t know who I was, and it was closing time. She was venting to her friends.

It’s really no big deal.

But I could see the mortification in her big blue eyes when she realized who I was, and that doesn’t sit well with me.

When no response came, and for all I know she hasn’t even read the e-mail yet, I sat down for a game on the PS4. I don’t travel anywhere without it. Some people read to unwind. Some go to the gym, and there are times I do the same. But to truly relax, I enjoy gaming. I have since I was a kid.

So I settled in the apartment the network has rented for me this month and played online with my friends, talking about our days and shooting the enemy.

We played well past midnight, and I usually would have gone right to bed afterward, but my mind was still turning, making falling asleep impossible. The restaurant is better than I imagined through my research on their website and customer reviews. It’s visually stunning, the food is fantastic, and they’ve hit the mark on the sexy factor.

But added to that, the five women who own the place are all beautiful, smart, and will make for great TV. Viewers will eat this show up, pun intended.

I lean over the sink and wash my face, not bothering to shave today, and as I dry off, I reach for my phone.

I have several new e-mails.

The most recent is from Riley Gibson.

Trevor,

Thank you for your kind email. I apologize again for the conversation last night. I would like to promise that we don’t always talk like that at work, but that would be a lie. At least we keep it to closing time over a glass of wine.

Enjoy Portland,

Riley

I grin and sling the towel over my bare shoulders. Riley isn’t what I had pictured in my head before I got here. I knew that she was pretty because their photos are on their website, but she’s much prettier in person.

And animated.

Working with her will be fun.

And a test to my libido. Because Riley is fucking sexy. I’ve never mixed business and sex before, and I don’t plan to start now, but keeping my hands off her will be a test of wills.

And that too should be fun.

After my run this morning, I stopped by a bagel place to eat and read a newspaper, came back to the apartment for a shower, and I think I’ll go to Seduction for lunch. I hadn’t planned to go back there until my meeting with Riley tomorrow, but I also haven’t had lunch there yet.

I dress quickly in jeans and a red T-shirt and walk the six or so blocks to the restaurant.

They’ve just opened, so they’re not busy yet. The atmosphere is calm, the lighting a bit brighter than last night, making it a fun spot to meet with colleagues or friends for lunch.

I’m seated on the far side of the restaurant, where it meets the bar, and I can see Riley and the other women sitting around a high table, talking.

Loud enough for me to hear.

“So, he’ll be here tomorrow. Filming doesn’t start for another week, unless the timetable has been moved up,” Riley says, studying her iPad and checking things off a list. “It would be great if we could watch our language.”

“Right,” Mia says, rolling her eyes. “Because that’s gonna happen.”

“Just watch the F-bombs then,” Riley says with a grin. “And I’ll do my best not to vent to him about my horrible dating experiences. Not that I’ll be having any more of those.”

“I wish I’d been here for that,” Addie says with a smile. “It’s hilarious.”

“No, it’s not,” Riley says, but smiles and covers her lips with her fingers. “Okay, it’s a little funny. I’ll be working from home today.”

“Why?” The blonde speaking, I presume Cami, asks.

“Because I have a roofer coming today,” Riley says. “But if you need me, just call. I can come back after he leaves.”

“Go.” Mia waves her off. “We’ve got this.”

The girls all stand, about to go their own ways to get their day started. They’re clearly good friends, which will come across well on film.

Riley walks out of the bar and glances up, spotting me.

“Hi.” I offer her a smile and motion for her to join me. She sits, sets her iPad aside, and squares her shoulders.

I love a woman with grit.

“Why are you here?” she asks.

“I’m having lunch,” I reply, and gesture to the salad sitting in front of me. “It’s delicious. Adding the brussels sprouts is smart.”

“I’ll pass that along to Mia,” she says, and then laughs. “I guess you heard the part where I asked the girls to not swear.”

“I did,” I reply, and patiently butter a piece of warm bread. “Don’t worry about that stuff. They’re adults.”

“With potty mouths,” she says.

“And we can bleep stuff out, or ask them to rephrase. You’ve already got the gig, Riley. I wouldn’t be here otherwise. This isn’t an audition.”

“I know.” She sighs and reaches over to take a piece of my bread, surprising and delighting me. “I just want things to go smoothly.”

“Perhaps you should order lunch too.”

“I don’t have time,” she says, and then her blue eyes widen as she realizes what she just did. “I’m so sorry. I eat when I’m stressed out, and I didn’t—”

“No.” I hold my hand up to stop her. “It’s fine. I like that you’re relaxed with me. I think you need to relax more often.”

“What are you, my life coach now?”

“If you like. Did you cancel those dating sites like I suggested?”

She bites her lip and looks to the side, then nods. “I did.”

“Good.” I take a bite of salad and nod. “Are you sure you don’t want some food?”

“I rarely have time to eat,” Riley says, and checks the time on her phone. “In fact, I should go. I have to meet the roofer at my house.”

“What’s wrong with your roof?”

“It’s old,” she says with a shrug. “That’s what happens when you buy an old house. I’m fixing it up a little at a time.”

I nod, and find that I don’t want her to go quite yet. I want to talk more, to learn more about her.

“Why don’t you come to my apartment tonight and I’ll cook you dinner?”

She pauses and stares at me for a moment. “Why?”

I laugh and set my fork down. “Because I asked you to. We’re going to be working closely over the next few weeks, we might as well get to know each other a little better. Also, we can discuss my new duties as your life coach.”

“Well.” Her lips twitch as she thinks it over for a moment, a myriad of emotions moving across her beautiful face, and finally she says, “Okay. Do you mind texting me the address and the time?”

“Not at all,” I reply, and immediately pass her my phone. “Plug in your number and I’ll text you this afternoon.”

She complies, passes it back, and smiles. “Okay, see you later.”

And with that, she’s off. Her ass swaying enticingly in her tight skirt, calves flexing from the height of her heels, and the food I’m currently chewing immediately tastes like cardboard.

Jesus.

And I just voluntarily offered to spend time with her. Alone.

I’m a fucking glutton for punishment.

[no ornament]

“I’m starving,” Riley immediately says as I open the door. She’s in jeans and a well-loved University of Oregon sweatshirt, her hair is pulled up in a ponytail, and she looks like she could be a co-ed herself. “I forgot to eat today.”

“Does that happen every day?” I ask as I gesture for her to come inside and close the door behind her.

“Most days,” she admits. “Is this one of those bad choices that you’re gonna coach me through?”

“Yes,” I reply, and lead her into the kitchen. “You have to eat.”

“I know, I just get focused on other things, and the next thing I know, the day is gone and I’m starving.” She passes me two bottles of wine. “I didn’t know what we were having, so I brought red and white.”

“Thanks.” I grin and set them both on the counter. “I made salmon and asparagus with baby red potatoes. What goes best with that?”

Her eyes light up. “The white. Holy shit, are you a chef yourself?”

“I went to culinary school,” I reply, and squeeze some lemon on the salmon before plating it. “But I discovered I was better at a desk job.”

“That’s unusual,” she says, her head tilted to the side as she listens. “Most people fight to get out of a desk job.”

“Not me. I have a ton of respect for Mia, because being a chef isn’t easy, and pleasing people sucks.”

“True.” Riley nods. “She doesn’t get many plates sent back to her, but there are a few. Can I pour you a glass?”

“No thanks,” I reply, and reach in the fridge for a bottle of water. “I don’t drink alcohol.”

“Oh.” She frowns. “I’m sorry. I can drink water too.”

“It’s fine,” I reply, and pat her shoulder. “I don’t mind if you drink. I just don’t.”

“But last night, you were drinking Jack and Coke.”

“Nope, just Coke.”

She sits at the table, still frowning. “I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry for.” I set our plates down. “I’ve been sober for ten years. I’m not the kind of alcoholic who can’t be around others having a drink. It was never that bad for me. I’m just a better person if I don’t drink.”

“Good for you for knowing that,” she says, holding her glass out to clink against my water. “This looks delicious.”

“You sound surprised.”

“I expected pizza or Chinese takeout,” she says. “Honestly, that’s probably what you would have gotten from me. I’m also surprised that you’re not staying in a hotel.”

“I’m here long enough that the network sprung for the apartment. They usually do when I’m somewhere longer than a week or so.”

“You must travel a lot for this job,” she says, eating her food like a starving child. I don’t know if she even tastes it, she’s eating so fast.

“I travel often,” I reply, and grin when she takes the last bite. “Are you going to lick the plate?”

“Maybe,” she says with a grin. “I’m not even embarrassed that I ate that so fast. It was delicious.”

“I’m glad you liked it. There’s more.”

“No, I’m good,” she says, and reaches in her bag, pulling out a pad of paper and a pen. “You can eat while I interview you.”

“For what?”

“For the position of life coach,” she says with a sassy grin. I want to kiss that grin right off her face, but instead I take a bite of potato and gesture for her to begin.

“Okay, first question: What qualifications do you have that make you a good fit for this position?”

“Well, I have a few years on you, so I would say wisdom with age.”

She tilts her head to the side, the way she does when she’s turning something over in her head. “You can’t be that much older than me.”

“I’m thirty-seven.”

“Seven years,” she says, rolling her eyes.

“A lot can happen in seven years,” I reply, and sip my water.

“Okay, I’ll give you that.” She checks something off on her paper.

“Did you really write down questions?”

“Of course. I’m the queen of lists and the roofer was at my house forever.” She bites her lip as she looks at her list. “How many women have you life-coached in the past?”

“Well, I didn’t have an official job title, but I have two younger sisters, and an ex-wife, so I would say three.”

“But the wife is an ex, so maybe that did go well?” Riley asks. “And are your sisters productive members of society?”

“As opposed to being in jail?” I ask, laughing. “You’re hilarious, Riley.”

“You didn’t answer the question.”

“My sisters are great. The older one is married, a stay-at-home mom with two kids, and the younger one is a waitress.”

“But the ex-wife thing didn’t work out.”

“She’s not a mess, we just both decided that she shouldn’t be my wife anymore.”

“Why?”

I sit back in my chair and wipe my mouth on my napkin. “Because she thought it was a good idea to have sex with other men.”

Her eyebrows climb on her forehead and she blinks twice. “That’s a good reason.”

“I thought so.”

“Okay, next question.” She checks something on her paper and looks up at me with a smile. “How do you intend to be compensated for your work?”

“I’m working pro bono,” I reply with a wink.

“Why?”

“Because I’m going to be here anyway, and why not.” I shrug and finish the food on my plate. “What else do you want to know?”

“Is my coming to a virtual stranger’s apartment by myself one of the bad decisions you should have coached me on?”

I smile and set my plate aside so I can lean on the table. “Did the girls tell you that coming here by yourself was a bad idea?”

“I only talked to Cami and she thought I should come. Plus, I have a concealed carry, so I feel pretty confident that I’m safe.”

I raise a brow and cross my arms over my chest. “You carry a gun with you?”

“Hell to the yes,” she replies, and offers me a sweet smile. “I’ve been meeting strange men on the Internet. You bet your ass I’ve been armed.”

“Good idea,” I reply with a nod. “There are a lot of crazies out there.”

“Yes. But I think that if you’re gonna meet a crazy, it could be anywhere. Online, in a bar, at the gas station. They’re everywhere.”

“That’s true too,” I reply, and nod. “Well, I’m glad you’re being cautious.”

“I’m nobody’s victim,” she says, as casually as if she’s telling me her shoe size.

That’s fucking sexy.

“Do you have any other questions?”

“Not really,” she says, and shrugs. “I didn’t really write anything down. But it was fun to interrogate you a bit.”

“Now I have questions,” I reply, and smile when she cocks her head and purses her lips. “Do you really think you need a life coach?”

“No, I have my shit together,” she says with a grin.

“Why were you really on all of those sites?”

She shrugs. “Because it’s not easy meeting people. And sometimes a girl wants to go out on a date.”

“You don’t need me,” I reply, and smile. “But I’ll be around for a while, just in case.”

“Just in case I slip and fall back into the online dating?”

“That, or if you just want to have dinner, or chat. And I think we should watch a marathon of Star Wars. Your lack of knowledge is cause for concern.”

“It’s kind of a guy thing,” she says.

“I know many women who like Star Wars.”

“Well, I would watch one or two.”

“You need to see them all to understand what’s happening.”

“That’s a lot of hours of my life that I’ll never get back,” she says with a frown. “Aren’t there CliffsNotes somewhere? A speedy way to get caught up?”

“No,” I reply, and fist my hands in my lap so I don’t reach out and tuck her hair behind her ear.

Or yank her against me so I can kiss the fuck out of her.

“Are you okay?” she asks.

“Are you always this observant?”

“I’m an overthinker,” she says. “So yeah, I’m an observer.”

“I’ve been labeled an overthinker too,” I say with a grin.

“Would you say it’s an accurate assessment?”

“Oh yeah,” I say with a nod, and stand to clear our plates away. She stands to help. “I’ve got this.”

“No way, you cooked, so I’ll help clean.”

She walks ahead of me, her empty glass in one hand and her plate in the other. “Do you use the dishwasher, or do you wash by hand?”

“There are people who still wash by hand?”

“I’ve heard of them, but I’ve never seen them in the wild,” she says, and smiles up at me when I join her. “So I guess that means we use the dishwasher?”

“Yes.” She rinses and I load, and a few short minutes later, we’re done.

“Well, I suppose I should go,” she says, and checks the time on her phone. “Oh, Cami texted. I guess I should reply so she doesn’t think you killed me after the entrée.”

She smirks and types on her phone, then turns it off and looks up at me.

“Thanks for dinner.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

Unfortunately, it won’t be in my bed.

“You will.”

“Okay.” She gathers her bag, notepad and pen, and walks to the door. “Sleep well tonight.”

I grin and congratulate myself for not dragging my fingertips down her cheek.

“You sleep well tonight, Riley.”

“Okay. Bye.”

She leaves and I close the door, letting out a slow breath. Jesus, she’s sexy and funny and smart as fuck.

And I’m not going to touch her while I’m here.

How the fuck am I going to do that?