#he's been nothing but a perfect gentleman to her and they're just

[animezinglife]

Everyone: [hovering over Elain and Lucien like a bunch of Puritan parents chaperoning a junior high dance]

Lucien:

Elain:

Lucien, who just wanted a book to read trying to find the most respectful way possible to ask if he can have a cup of tea:

[trashywritestrash]

Short and Sweet

Pairing: Benedict Bridgerton x Reader

Word Count: 853

Warnings: Best friend’s brother— is that a warning? This is just a short lil thing for Valentine’s Day

A/N: The poem and response in this came from Thomas Richardson’s “Gentleman’s Valentine Writer” which wasn’t actually published until 1828 but I needed ideas, okay? Also, I wrote this when Bridgerton was still the lead in the poll lol

Living beside the Bridgerton household had many advantages. Being close in age to Daphne gave you the perfect excuse to spend time with her. However, spending time with Daphne meant also spending time with the rest of her family, which allowed you to form a close bond with them all. One Bridgerton in particular being Benedict.

Benedict was a few years older than you, but within a perfectly reasonable range that made it acceptable for you to fancy him. How could you not? He was sweet and sensitive, but he had a playful side that brought joy any time you were fortunate enough to witness it. Although, you never dared to dream that Benedict might return your affections. You were the best friend of his younger sister, surely he would not think of you in that way.

Initially, you had been excited to be presented before the queen and sent out into society. But while Daphne had been deemed the season's incomparable, you had fallen into her shadow. You were happy to see your friend receive many visitors and gifts, but some days it would hurt to see a line of men outside her door while you waited in an empty sitting room.

Waking on Valentine's Day brought nothing but sorrow. It was only one month into the social season and you already felt that you were destined to become an old spinster. With no prospective husbands in sight, you would likely have to face a second season. You did not expect that you would receive any callers that day, yet you waited in your sitting room in a fine dress, as you did every other day. Your mother sat in a chair at the far end of the room, leisurely reading until something would happen.

Early into the day, your butler entered the room with a calling card in hand, "A Mister Bridgerton is here to call upon Miss Y/L/N."

"Send him in," You replied, feeling your chest constrict. It was possible that one of Daphne's brothers had come to pass along a message for her, but a gentleman visiting while you were accepting callers still brought you a shred of hope.

Moments later, you saw Benedict step through the doorway, holding something behind his back. He smiled, "I see I have gotten here before the rest."

You returned his smile, nervous, yet calmed by his presence. "I think you will find that the gentlemen are coming to your door today, not mine."

"Then they are fools and I am lucky to have you all to myself."

"What can I do for you, Benedict? I find it hard to believe you would be here as a suitor." You spoke the words in jest, but felt your throat tighten as you said them all the same.

Benedict's smile fell into confusion, "What is so hard to believe about that?"

Taken aback by the genuine confusion in his tone, you clarified, "I only mean to say that I would not have expected it."

"If that is the case, I hope that you find this to be a good surprise," For just a moment, you heard a bit of nerves in his voice as he tried to present a confident image. "Unfortunately, I cannot stay long. But I wanted to bring you these and to officially declare my affection."

Finally, Benedict moved the hand behind his back to reveal a beautiful bouquet of morning glory and myrtle. You smiled wide at the sight, "Thank you, Benedict. They're lovely."

Shortly after, Benedict had to take his leave, although he promised to come back the following day. Once he had left, you reached for a book on the language of flowers. You found that morning glories are used to represent affection, meanwhile myrtle is used to represent love and marriage. Learning that brought a blush to your cheeks, finding the meaning to be a little bold, but not unpleasant.

It was then that you noticed a small folded piece of parchment beside the flowers. When you unfolded the paper, you could see the painted design done in watercolors. A man and a woman stood beneath a tree, which was situated between a lovely cottage and a church. The image was small, but you could tell that the couple was you and Benedict. On the other side of the parchment was a simple note.

I boast not eloquence, dear Miss, Nor do I write exceedingly fine; Therefore, I bluntly ask you this-- Pray, will you be my Valentine?

As you looked down at the note, you felt your heart swell. You held it close to your chest, feeling as if you could burst from happiness at any moment. Your mother then looked up from her book. "What is that, dear?"

"It is nothing!" You responded quickly. Luckily, your mother did not push the issue further.

That night, you folded the note once more and placed it in the drawer of the nightstand beside your bed. As you attempted to fall asleep, all you could think of was that you could not wait to see Benedict again.

----------

Want more fanfic? Check out my masterlist!

If you enjoyed this, please consider liking, reblogging, or tipping my Ko-Fi!

[spngi]

My tears ricochet | mafia!carlos sainz jr x reader

Prologue

part 1 | part 2

summary: Mr. and Mrs. Sainz lived in a dream for many years, now everything is falling apart and they need to deal with their feelings

warnings: Grammar mistakes, citation of violence, Carlos is an idiot, mentions of cheating

Carlos Sainz Jr was a true gentleman, a loyal and kind companion, a loving lover. A captivating man who won me over at first glance, with his chocolate-colored eyes and million-dollar smile. I didn't know who Carlos really was until I became deeply involved with him, until I realized I loved him so much that it wouldn't make any difference if he were a prince, a fisherman, or a mobster.

I met Carlos at the art gallery where I worked in Madrid; he was charming, affectionate, and too perfect to be true. He made efforts to create perfect dates and show all the affection he had for me; loving Carlos was as easy as breathing.

He was always very open about his feelings, his plans for the future, but he avoided revealing what his job was as much as possible. I tried to guess, after all, there aren't many job options in the market that could justify a huge mansion and the need for many security guards around him, but I never succeeded.

It took him a year to open up about his illicit activities to me, perhaps pressured by fate with subtle gestures. Before I could find out on my own, Carlos came clean.

I loved him deeply, but a woman has her limits and there are things I can't tolerate. I loved him infinitely, but thinking about all the things he did or was involved in made me sick. I had to overlook many things to be with him because, after all, I loved him, and that was what mattered, right?

"A monster is not a monster when you love it." This phrase was never more true. Carlos was never a monster to me, even after he told me all the terrible things he had done. I would still love him anyway.

Carlos loved me for five years, loved me while we timidly got to know each other, loved me when I tried to leave his life, loved me with all my mess when I moved into his house, loved me on our wedding day as we shared tears, loved me through three wedding anniversaries. But he didn't love me when I had to mature, when I realized that in the life we were living, you either bite or get bitten, when I realized that staying clean-handed would only bring me grief and sadness.

He began to distance himself gradually: the bed seemed too far away, he kept his hugs at bay, stayed late at the office to avoid sharing a bed, left early from our house to avoid breakfast together. I spared no effort to keep him close, planned dinners he would make excuses not to attend, tried to surprise him at the office only to be chased away. Then came the day he decided to move rooms. I was startled to enter the room we shared, where we had been so happy, now empty, without his clothes, without his pillow, without his bath products.

It hurt too much to see him so distant. He claimed he needed time to think, but there was no emotion in his words. We were both scared of what had happened in the previous months. After the incident where they tried to hurt me, I needed my husband's help. I wanted him to protect me, I needed his support, needed to be strong like him and not just his helpless wife.

Even after all my efforts to make him love me again, he never returned to our room. Then the girl came into the story. A woman's intuition is funny; I knew the moment he came home on a certain day that he had found another woman. Even with all the moments I tried to change Carlos's mind, using every possible means and humiliating myself more than I would allow at any other time, nothing stopped that moment from arriving.

"What is this?" I ask, not daring to touch the envelope in front of me.

"They're the divorce papers, y/n..." Carlos sighs, appearing for the first time in a long time for breakfast. "I tried to be as fair as possible, but you can look at them and then we'll negotiate."

"There will be no negotiation, Carlos! Because there will be no divorce," I reply, trying to stay firm. This day seemed close, but something in me still refused to believe it would come. Something in me refused to accept that I would have to divorce Carlos. This was just a phase, something that happens to any couple; we didn't need to be extremists.

"Y/n... please, be rational. We can't prolong this; it's the best way out for both of us," he tries to negotiate.

"And I disagree with your opinion. My God, Carlos! We're talking about our marriage! You didn't even try to give us a chance," I respond, frustrated.

"There's no solution anymore, y/n..." he murmurs to me, and that breaks me even more.

"I won't sign them, Carlos," I push the envelope away from me. The wedding ring gleams on my left hand with the movement, a simple touch of irony to the whole situation.

English is not my first language.

Leave your comments and opinions ❤️

[kteezy997]

My best friend’s sister-part two//t.c.

Warnings: teasing, mention of masturbation, sneaking around, public bathroom sex, female receiving oral sex, fingering, squirting

“I need you, Timmy.” y/n whispered. Her hand softly rubbing his thigh under the table.

He grabbed her hand, stopping her, “We can’t. Are you crazy? Your brother and your whole family is here.” he released her hand, shoving it away before anyone could notice.

“Timmy, please.” she begged, her voice barely audible. She put her hand back to his lap, moving upwards, grazing over his crotch.

He stiffened in his chair, trying his hardest to not get the attention of anyone else in their party. “Y/n.” he warned, looking over at her with a glare.

“I know.. but can’t you take me somewhere?” she leaned in closer to him, but keeping a safe distance to avoid any type of suspicion. “Somewhere private?”

It had been a week since Timmy took y/n’s virginity. He wasn’t too nervous about seeing her again at Trent’s birthday dinner. He figured that what happened was merely a one time thing and they would probably never speak of it.

He hoped that it was a positive experience for her and she would be more confident in her sexual exploits going forward. They could still be friends. She could still be just his best friend’s sister. As long as he kept his visions of that day out of his mind. That could be a real problem, especially considering he’d thought about her as he jerked off the morning before the party.

“Hey, hey, my man!” Trent called out to him as he came into the restaurant. He got out of his seat to dap up his best friend.

Timmy smiled as he hugged Trent, slapping the birthday boy in the back. “Happy birthday, brother.”He looked up, noticing y/n sitting next to Trent’s girlfriend, talking to her. Her eyes met his, and he felt the electricity between them. It was something he hadn’t felt in a really long time. Trent’s little sister. This was not good.

“We saved you a spot next to y/n, buddy.” said Trent, adding, “We’re gonna order soon.”

Perfect. “Great, thanks man.” he could do nothing but take his place next to y/n at the table.

“Hi.” she said softly as he sat down.

“Hey, it’s uh-been a minute, how are you?” he asked, sitting down and scooting his chair in, then looking at her.

She smiled, “Good. Yeah, good.” she absentmindedly ran her fingers through her hair. Timmy could see the color coming into her cheeks. “You?”

“Pretty good.” he nodded politely, smiling with his mouth closed. Their shared gaze held there torrid secret, but those around them would never guess. They would be phenomenal actors.

......

Y/n couldn’t get enough of this moment. Sitting next to him, she could almost feel the heat from his body. She thought him day and night, and only of him.

"Somewhere private?" she asked, slyly putting her hand on his thigh under the table. Her body wasn't turned to him, no one would even know that they were in each other's conversation. She had been trying to tease him throughout dinner without anyone noticing. Timmy was resisting, but she knew he would give in. She could feel it.

He turned his head, saying lowly, "And how would you propose that? At your brother's party?"

Y/n hummed, crossing her arms over her chest as Timmy resumed his other conversation. Out of nowhere, she blurted in her normal voice, "Timmy, be a gentleman and escort me to the bathroom, please?"

He looked at her, shrugged his shoulders, "Sure."

She got up from the table and lead the way through the busy, crowded restaurant.

"Very inconspicuous, y/n." he said sarcastically, walking only a step behind her.

"Oh, don't worry. No will suspect a thing. They're not paying attention to you or me. It's all about golden boy Trent."

"What do you think he'd do if he knew I was fucking following you to the bathroom?" Timmy asked in hushed tone as they approached the women's restroom.

"It's a crowded restaurant, and I just wanted to feel safe having someone look out for me. And you're like a big brother to me, Timmy." the last sentence was a tease that she said with a high pitch.

He outwardly grimaced with a shudder, "Never say anything like that again."

"I was only kidding." she giggled, grabbing the door handle, "Come in in like ten seconds when no one is watching."

He rolled his eyes, mocking her, "No, no I'll make sure all eyes are on me." He watched the door close behind her, then stood in front of the door, like he was blocking other's from entering. He felt like a great protector for a moment. In all seriousness, he'd do anything to protect y/n. He really did care for her, and he hoped she knew that.

There was a soft knock on the door behind him, "Timmy? Are you still there?"

He smiled, turning and opening the door quickly and joining y/n in the bathroom and closing the door.

"Oh, good, I thought you had just left me hanging." she admitted, brushing her hair over her shoulder.

"I wouldn't do that to you." he held his hand out to her, which she took and he pulled her close.

"Do you want to do this, Timmy? Do you want me?" she asked, putting her hand on his cheek.

"I want you." he assured her with a firmness in his voice, he squeezed her hand, adding, "I haven't stopped thinking about you since that day." he put his arms around her waist.

She let him close the space between them, she blushed and said, "Me either. I want to keep doing this. If you want to, I mean. We don't have to be boyfriend and girlfriend. It can just be sex."

He sighed, "Is twenty-eight too old to have a friends with benefits?" he chuckled. He looked down at her, "What are you doing to me?"

They held each other for a second, then he put his forehead on hers. She grinned, speaking softly, "I think a better question would be: what are you going to do to me?"

Timmy smirked, picking her up by the waist and setting her on the counter by the sink. He hands snuck up her dress, quickly pulling her panties down. He then parted her thighs and tucked his head between them.

Y/n, gasped as his warm tongue plunged between her folds. She was already wet, just anticipating this encounter. Waiting and wanting him for days, thinking about the way he was with her, so gentle but still the dominant force. It had all bubbled down to this moment. Finally, she could have him again.

His hands kept a firm hold on the outside of her thighs and he flicked his tongue over her clit over and over. He suckled at the tender nub, stimulating her to the point of making her shake.

Y/n grabbed a fistful of his curly hair. She let her head drop back as she felt the waves of pleasure run through her body. She held herself up, using her hands to anchor her on the cold surface of the counter. Her pussy throbbed, and she bucked her hips against his mouth. His fingernails dug into her legs, possibly leaving marks on her skin to last several days. Perfect, she wanted to be reminded of what he had done to her.

Timmy pushed back a little, looking up at her as he attacked her sensitive clit with his fingers. He rubbed circles there, and massaged back and forth, driving her crazy. He loved the way she moved in reaction to the pleasure he was giving her. It excited him to know that no one had seen her this way but him. No one had touched her like this. He was the only man to ever be inside her, using his fingers or his cock.

"Be a good girl and come for me, y/n. We don't have much time before they get suspicious out there." He warned, pumping his fingers steadily and curling them inside of her.

"Mmm." she cried, grabbing his wrist. "Feels so good." she cooed.

Timmy tucked his two fingers inside her, pumping and curling. He used his thumb to toy with her clit as well.

"Ahh!" the initial reaction to her orgasm was loud, but she stifled her own sound quickly, remembering that they were in a public restroom. She took a minute to calm down, placing her hand on her chest, feeling her heartbeat return to normal as she came down from her high.

"Ha, you made fucking mess." he said in amazement.

She looked down, seeing his hand covered in her cum. She felt really wet between her legs as well. "I squirted? Holy shit."

"Yeah, 'holy shit.'" Timmy said, still in disbelief, he shook his head as he looked at his soaking fingers. He then looked at her, standing up.

Y/n put her hands on his chest, holding herself up.

He put his hands on her waist, leaning in and kissing her hard. He pulled away, saying, "We gotta get out of here." He then grabbed some toilet paper and commenced to wiping her clean between her thighs.

"Oh, thanks." she said, shyly, letting him dab up her mess.

He threw the soiled paper away and washed his hands before helping her off the sink counter.

Y/n brushed against him, feeling how hard his cock was, she looked down, noticing the creasing around his crotch. "Timmy, you're so hard."

"Yeah, um," he opened the door, clearing his throat awkwardly, "you go on back to the table. I'm gonna head to my place. Just make up something as to why I had to leave. Come over, soon, please?" his hand brushed her arm as he pleaded with his sweet green eyes, his chocolate ringlets falling in front of them.

She nodded, "Of course. I'll leave soon, I promise."

"Good girl. I can't wait to see you." he gave her a subtle nod before walking away, leaving the restaurant.

Y/n made her way back to the table, feeling giddy from head to toe over the effect she had on Timmy. She made sure to come up with two good excuses for the evening: one for Timmy having to depart early, and one for her to leave by herself.

@gatoenlaciudad @thebetawolfgirl @musicandbooksaremyhappyplace @softhecreator @tchalamss @kpopgirlbtssvt @bitchyunknownuser @lixzey @ducktapebar @aoi-targaryen

[nataliasquote]

Double the trouble [pt.3] | n romanoff

Double the trouble au: part 1, part 2

Summary: Natasha and Wanda's teenage twin daughters are a lot to handle, but despite their differences and arguments, there's nothing they wouldn't do for each other

Warnings: mentions of cheating, unhealthy coping mechanisms

Pairings: WandaNat, O!C × Valkyrie, Y/n × Bucky Barnes

wc: 5.3k

note: this part 3 was a Wattpad request with this particular plot line, so I’m aware that it moves very fast from part 2. But this ‘series’ of au oneshots aren’t really a series, but more of me just writing this family that I love so much. If you want to see more of this family, my asks are open! So please leave messages in there of what kind of things you want to see :)

- ⧗ -

Y/n and Isla wandered down the hallway in the direction of the cafeteria, their friendship group surrounding them as they all chatted and laughed now that classes were over. Maria was fiddling with the end of Y/n's braid as she walked beside her best friend and she made sure not to tug it too hard.

As they entered through the huge double doors, Isla let out a little sound and sprinted away, darting around the tables as she spotted the head of blue and black braids sitting on an almost empty table. She launched herself onto her girlfriend's lap and looped her arms around her neck as they met with a kiss, making the rest of the group groan with huge grins plastered on their faces.

"They're so perfect it hurts my soul." Maria commented to Y/n who just smirked. The group filled in the rest of the seats around Valkyrie's table, throwing their backpacks down as their shoulders ached from the weight of all their books.

"Lovebirds, no making out at the dinner table." Clint said, sending Isla a glare as she stuck her middle finger up and shoved her tongue in Valkyrie's mouth. Clint yelled out and stood up from his chair. He may hate their PDA but it would never take away from his monstrous appetite. Especially not on pizza day.

Y/n pulled out her boxed lunch, curtesy of Wanda and her love of making lunch for her girls. She knew exactly what she'd find; last night's pasta salad leftovers, some strawberries and blueberries and a small container of cheezits. Nat had slipped a little note and Y/n couldn't help but make a face at how cute her moms were. It didn't matter that she was almost a senior, homemade lunches would always be her favourite.

She noticed a hand sneak to steal a cheezit, but Y/nknew there was no stopping Maria. She was the group's food thief, so everyone was used to it by now.

"Hey Y/n," Steve called from across the table, grabbing the redhead's attention. "Where's Bucky?"

"He texted to say something came up. Not sure what though." They'd only been officially dating for two months, but Y/n still felt butterflies in her stomach whenever he was around. He was the perfect gentleman; picking her up from events, opening doors for her, surprising her with bunches of flowers whenever they went on a date.

Y/n was completely head over heels in love and it made her smile so much brighter. Clint joked that she was like Aurora and that animals would start following her wherever she went and if she started singing.

As they chatted their way through the lunch hour, Y/n's phone started buzzing like mad, almost vibrating so hard it fell off the cafeteria table. She was chatting to Maria so ignored the messages, knowing whoever it was could wait.

"Aren't you gonna check that?" Maria asked, scooping up another forkful of pasta. Y/n just shook her head and shrugged, her mouth full of food so she couldn't talk. "Wow. You've got some serious self control."

"If it bothers you that much then you can check it," Y/n said as she swallowed, reaching for her water bottle. She and Maria were really close, so her seeing messages on her phone was no issue. They were the kind of friends where nothing was TMI.

Maria reached for her phone and tapped the screen as Y/n got elbowed in the ribs by her sister who was still perched on Valkyrie's lap. Isla was asking to trade her blackberries for Y/n's strawberries, who was not at all impressed.

Their sisterly banter distracted attention from Maria, who had all colour drained from her face as she stared at Y/n's phone in horror. Her thumb was hovered over the screen and she didn't dare to take her eyes off the screen, not even with Clint's strange laugh.

"Hey Hill, you look like you've seen a ghost!" Valkyrie called, everyone turning their head to the brunette.

Y/n frowned. "You okay Ria?" Maria looked up at her and then over at Isla who was just smiling widely.

"Yeah I'm ok. I just remembered I've got some homework to finish before class. Sorry." She grabbed her backpack and shoved the rest of her food into it but Y/n seized her wrist, making her pause.

"What happened? What did you see?" Maria had a death grip on Y/n's phone and didn't seem to want to let go. "Maria, I need to know. Show me."

"No it was nothing. Just one of those texts from Bucky, you know how he texts."

Y/n narrowed her eyes. "Bucky doesn't text like that during school because he knows you're always on my phone. So show me what you saw."

Maria's eyes darted to Isla who's smile had dropped into a look of concern. She slid off her girlfriend's lap and rounded the table, taking the phone from Maria over her shoulder.

It was as if thunderclouds had darkened the sky when Isla saw what was on the screen. Her green eyes turned stormy and her fingertips were going white with how hard she gripped the small device. Her reaction had caused the table to be silent and Y/n pulled her lip in between her teeth, trying to pull her phone from her sister's hand.

But Isla held it up out of her reach before slamming it down hard on the table.

"I'm gonna fucking kill him!" She yelled, grabbing her back and swinging it over her shoulder, almost knocking out a freshman behind her as she did so.

Y/n swiped her phone from the table and punched in her password, hands shaking from what she might find. But she didn't have to search far, as her phone unlocked a single picture filled the entire screen and turned her mouth sour.

Bucky's side profile graced her screen, which wasn't uncommon as her lock screen was a picture of him and her kissing. But this time it wasn't her that his lips were pressed against. It was a senior girl, someone Y/n had seen at her mom's studio last year.

Blonde, tall, tanned, it was almost disgusting cliche. But the picture didn't stay in focus for long before it became fuzzy by the tears welling in her eyes. Everyone had crowded around her and had taken a look at the phone, Steve punching the top of the table as he grunted about his best friend.

Isla was being held back by Valkyrie, angry tears streaming down her face as she ranted in fury. The twins may tease each other and drive each other insane, but when it came down to it, they would do anything for the other. Which included getting revenge on stupid boyfriends.

Y/n looked at the picture for a few more seconds before clicking her phone off and sliding it into her pocket. She didn't speak and her face remained neutral as she took a sip of water, eyes remaining fixed on the table.

"Y/n?" Maria asked, slightly scared at her best friend's silence. The redhead slipped her backpack onto her shoulders and turned to leave but Isla grabbed her shoulder.

"Hey, you okay?" It was a stupid question but her sister's silence was starting to scare her. Her mom did the same when she was upset; Y/n was almost Natasha's carbon copy. "Y/n?"

"I'm fine." The shortest sentence with the least amount of truth. Isla looked at Maria with a concerned look and they both surrounded her so she couldn't rush away.

"No you're not. You can't trick me." Y/n looked her sister in the eye and only then did Isla see the tears balancing on her waterline, the green irises looking extra vibrant. "Talk to me."

That was all it took. The tough front she'd tried to put up came crumbling down and her forehead fell onto her sister's shoulder, whole body shaking with sobs.

Isla froze for a moment but wrapped her arms around her sister and Maria rubbed her back, letting her know he was there. Isla tried to channel Wanda, knowing she was the best at comforting her daughters whenever they needed it.

"What did I do wrong?" Y/n cried into her sister's shirt, holding on really tightly.

"You did nothing wrong. He is a dick who doesn't realise what he had when he has it," Maria spoke into her ear. "You're too good for him babe."

"Clearly I'm not if he went off with her!" She spat, lifting her head and catching Clint's gaze. "I just-" she let out a sound that was somewhere between a groan and a roar and Isla winced as it was right by her ear.

Maria suddenly turned her head, eyes bulging out of her head. "Hey Y/n, let's go to the bathroom. More privacy there." The redhead was still crying but protested, not feeling like she wanted to go anywhere.

"I can't. If I see him, I-," her breath hitched as she spoke, crying making it hard to breathe. "I don't know where it went wrong. He kissed me this morning! He told me he loved me, he promised to take me on a date later and now-" that was enough to cut her off from talking and her bottom lip trembled, breaking everyone's hearts around her.

Surrounding tables had turned to look away from Y/n towards the double doors at the far end of the room, everyone watching one thing.

Bucky.

He was strolling through the tables with his backpack on one strap on his shoulder, unsure as to why everyone was staring at him. But his determined steps were soon halted by Steve, who placed his hand on Bucky's chest to stop him.

But it was too late. Y/n had looked up and locked her eyes on him, seeing the boy she loved having forceful words with Steve, his brow furrowed.

She completely froze. Maria was trying to get her attention, as was Isla and the rest of the group, but she was glued to the ground. Her body wanted to run but her brain was in overdrive, emotions clouding every function and blocking out the rest of the world.

She could just see Bucky and she hated it. She didn't want to do it, but she retreated into Natasha's bad habits, ones she'd picked up when she was younger and watching her mother struggle on her bad days.

She hauled the wall up in her mind and blocked everything else out. She shrugged off her sister's hands, Maria's too, and adjusted her bag on her shoulder.

"I'm gonna go find Miss Potts. I need to talk to her about the English assignment." This time she didn't wait for a response, storming off down the cafeteria as far away as possible from Bucky as she could be. Students started whispering amongst each other as she passed, but she didn't hear. She didn't care. Not anymore. She didn't care about anything.

She had 20 minutes until the end of lunch, so she kept walking with no true destination in mind. The football fields were pretty empty so she climbed up onto the bleachers and settled with her arms crossed over her knees, resting her chin on her forearms.

She wanted to process, to think everything over but her mind was empty. She had made herself numb in an alarmingly short space of time. It was dangerous but she didn't know what else to do. She'd never been through a breakup before. Or been cheated on. Had never even opened her heart up to anyone like she had to Bucky. And there wasn't a doubt that she would ever do that again either.

She spaced out and time flew really quickly. Science as last period. A boring class but her friends were in it, so it wasn't too bad. Except now she didn't want to talk to anyone. But she didn't have to. She just needed to get through the day and then she could have her whole night.

Technically it was a dance night for Y/n, but she didn't even want to dance anymore. So she wasn't going to. Not tonight.

She made her way slowly to the science laboratories and saw the bright red hair of her sister in amongst the crowd. She didn't bother walking up to them, knowing they'd come to her. And they did, checking over her to see if she was ok. But Y/n just shrugged which frustrated Isla.

"Stop trying to play it off Y/n," she exclaimed, trying to get through to her twin. "I know what you're doing. And mom won't be happy at all." She leaned down to whisper that in her ear, which made Y/n's eyes suddenly lock on hers. "Don't give me that look. You know as well as I do."

"Then don't tell her." Her voice was dull and flat, a total change from her usual bright and cheery tone.

"Y/n don't be stupid, you know I have to do that." Isla looked at her sister for a longer moment, her eyes softening. "Don't shut it out. You know what happened-"

She was interrupted by their teacher calling everyone into class. Isla didn't finish her sentence, only squeezing her sister's hand before disappearing into her seat on the other side of the room. 

Maria sank into her chair, trying to act as normal as she could. She showed Y/n a funny video and made a joke about their teacher's bright green shirt. Y/n smiled but it was clearly fake. She felt bad for acting like this around Maria, but she understood why.

Her final classes went by quickly. She wasn't paying attention and her paper stayed empty from the beginning to the end. Maria slipped her an extra set of notes after watching how her pen wasn't even retrieved from her pencil case. As they walked out of class, Maria pulled Y/n into a tiny hug, not wanting to exchange any words.

Y/n knew the meaning of her affection and she secretly welcomed it, even if she wanted to push Maria aside.

"Text me if you need me, okay? And if I see that douchebag I'll..." she mimed a boxing action which made the redhead smile slightly.

"Y/n I'll give you a lift to dance." Usually Bucky took her, but there was no way she was even stepping foot anywhere near his car.

"I'm not going," she replied shortly, making Isla and Maria share a look. "I just want to go home."

"But Y/n-"

"I want to go home Isla. You can either drive or I'll walk." She adjusted her bag straps on her shoulder and turned away, marching down the hallway with her green eyes ice cold. Even the freshmen she usually smiled at were ignored and people skirted nervously around her.

"Fuck fuck fuck," Isla muttered, watching her sister walk away.

Maria placed a hand on her shoulder and nodded encouragingly. "Go. She needs you."

Isla hesitated, checking her phone. "Can you find Val? I said I would meet her-"

"I will. She'll understand." Isla smiled and then took off, her track history coming in handy as she sprinted off down the hallway.

- ⧗ -

"Y/n! Get in the car!" Isla had spotted the black hood of her sister walking down the sidewalk and she pulled over, driving along side her. But Y/n ignored her, keeping her head down. "Fucks sake Y/n! Get in the car!"

"Just leave me alone Isla."

"No. You can push everyone else away but you don't get to push me away." She checked the cars around her and shoved her own into park, jumping out and running over. "What happened to sticking together?"

"I don't care." That was the wrong thing to say and she knew it.

"Okay that's it." Isla grabbed her sister's arm and dragged her all the way back to the car, opening the door and lifting her onto the seat despite Y/n's protests to get away. It looked funny from the outside but neither of them were laughing. They were both pissed.

"Look, I get that you're mad," Isla began as she pulled onto their street, "but you cannot and will not get over this if you push everyone away." Y/n stayed silent, staring out of the window. "So talk to me."

"Please don't." Y/n really wasn't in the mood for talking; she thought that was evident. But her twin's persistent nature carried through strong, even if Y/n didn't break.

Isla had really tried to push to get information, at least something. But as she rolled into their driveway and Y/n had only sunk further into her seat with tears trickling down her face, she felt dejected.

"You won't be able to avoid it with Mom or Mama, you know. They're gonna ask- or I'm gonna tell them."

"Okay," was all that came as a reply before Y/n slammed her door shut and walked up the front steps. Isla watched her as a few spots of rain fell onto her windscreen. She puffed out her cheeks and let out a sigh before following the hunched figure, making sure to lock her car.

Wanda was in the middle of changing the bedsheets when she heard the front door close. She knew it was Isla and so didn't rush to greet her as a pair of feet sounded up the stairs. But they didn't come towards her, which wasn't unusual as the bathroom was in the opposite direction.

As she was replacing the pillowcases, a bright ringtone came from her dresser and Natasha's contact came into view. Wanda frowned but answered all the same, knowing she was calling from the middle of Y/n's private lesson.

"Hey Nat, is everything okay?"

"Is Isla home?" Nat asked as she chewed her lip, a rather annoying habit.

"Yeah I heard the front door go a few minutes ago. Why?"

There was a moment of silence before Natasha spoke again. "Is Y/n with her?"

Wanda frowned. Why would Y/n be with her? "I- well, I don't know. I haven't been down to check. But doesn't Y/n have dance tonight?"

"She does. But there's been no sign of her and Bucky's car hasn't pulled up either. And that girl won't answer her phone." She sounded worried and Wanda felt helpless. There wasn't much she could do to comfort Nat through the phone.

"Stay on the line, I'll go check." She opened the door and peered down the hallway, not seeing any of her girls. But footsteps up the stairs caught her attention and she spun around quickly.

But it was Isla. Not out of the ordinary.

"Hey sweetheart. Is your sister home?" Isla stared at her, eyes wide.

"Uh, yeah. I think she's in her room." Wanda eyed her suspiciously but turned towards Y/n's door. "Wait, I wouldn't disturb her yet. She's um-"

"What's going on?" Natasha asked as she heard Isla's quiet voice. The teenager grimaced and glanced at her sister's bedroom door before dragging Wanda back to her own room.

"Bucky cheated on her today," Isla said straight out, watching the colour drain from her mother's face and a string of curses came flowing from the phone's speaker. "But please, give her some space. She shut me out and if we push her she's only going to hide it more."

Wanda sank down onto her freshly made bed and placed her phone on her pillow, Nat still on speaker so her angry rant continued.

"- and I'll be home in 20 minutes. Yelena can sort the classes out and I'll cancel my privates for today-"

"Nat, no, you can't just leave the studio. They need you-"

"I'm a mom first Wanda. Our girls come first, you know that. And I don't like how Y/n is handling this so I will be coming home. And that's final." There was a jangle of keys before Nat hung up and Isla felt a fuzzy feeling in her stomach.

The twins really were lucky to have moms who would drop everything to go to them whenever they needed. Nat loved dance but she would give it all up for her family in a heartbeat.

"When did it happen?" Wanda asked, patting the bed beside her for Isla to take a seat.

The teenager pulled out her phone and got up the picture that made her stomach churn, holding it out for her mother to see. "She found out at lunch. But she did what Mama used to do and that scared me more than if she had been crying none stop."

Wanda placed the phone down with an unreadable expression and wrapped her arm around her eldest daughter's shoulders, kissing the top of her head. "She had you, even if she shut you out, you're her rock. I think just knowing you were there helped her more than you could know." Wanda's voice was gentle and definitely one of Isla's favourite sounds. Somehow she always knew what to say.

"She cried at first and it made me so angry I just wanted to protect her even more," Isla admitted, leaning into her mother. "And then he strutted in like the king of the school and I swear I could have punched him." Her mind flashed back to Y/n crying on her shoulder and Bucky's cocky face and her fist subconsciously clenched into a fist. Wanda noticed this and placed her hand on top, relaxing the tension straight away.

"She's lucky to have you," Wanda said with a smile as she kissed her daughter's head. "What do you say to ordering those cookies Y/n loves? To cheer her up?"

Isla smiled, nodding. "I think she'd love that."

Twenty minutes later Natasha walked through the front door with a box of cookies under her arm. She had intercepted them from the shy delivery guy who was more than happy to accept the large tip she gave him, accompanied by her terrifying scowl. Hearing Isla's news had put her in a foul mood and Yelena didn't dare argue when asked to cover the senior classes later on in the evening.

"Where is she?" She asked as she entered the kitchen, following the sounds of hushed chatting. Wanda stood up to retrieve the box and took Natasha's work bag from her shoulder, guiding her to a chair. Isla smiled and kissed her on the cheek which soften her glare slightly.

"She's still upstairs, my love," Wanda spoke softly and slipped behind her wife, rubbing her hands up and down the tense shoulders that Natasha wore. Her whole body was tense so Wanda's gentle massage made her let out a deep sigh. "We wanted to wait for you."

"She's less likely to bite your head off," Isla joked with a small smile. "I basically kidnapped her off the sidewalk so she's not too happy with me." Both women shot her a strange and look and Isla realised how weird her comment sounded. "She wouldn't get in the car... stubborn, you know?"

"And I know where she gets that from." Nat would have protested against her wife's comment but she was too into the massage for it to stop.

"I'll take her a cookie and see how she is. Being alone isn't good for that girl."

With a plate of three cookies in hand and a bottle of water in the other, Nat climbed the stairs to her room, her mind racing with different scenarios. Best case would be that Y/n would be crying on her bed. Worst case would be emotionless.

And there she was. Natasha's heart sank as she watched the shell of her daughter return to her bed after unlocking her door. Her cheeks weren't tear stained and she hadn't changed out of her school outfit yet. Her knees were pulled up to her chest as she leaned against the headboard and stared at a spot on the wall.

The framed picture of her and Bucky which usually sat on her nightstand was now tossed face down in a corner.

"Hey sweetheart," Natasha said softly, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. "Your mom ordered your favourite cookies." Y/n didn't move.

Nat scanned her entire body, the silence growing larger in the enclosed space. It unnerved her because this behaviour was such a contrast to Y/n's usual bubbly nature. There was always music playing whenever Nat came in her room, but now there was just a deathly silence.

"I heard what happened. How are you feeling?" No reply. "Y/n, don't shut me out please."

"I'm fine."

Nat let out a laugh. "Yeah, I can tell," she said sarcastically. "Talk to me lenya, it's okay."

Y/n gritted her teeth, digging the pads of her fingers into her knees. She didn't want to break, but the wall in her mind was growing weaker and Natasha knew exactly how to get through it. She'd learned her coping mechanisms from the best of course.

Nat could see it working. "Mama's here, you're okay. You can talk to me baby. Just let it out. What's going on inside that head of yours?"

That was the final straw. Y/n pulled her eyes away from the wall and found her mama's caring green ones staring back at her with love and compassion, and she cracked. Just one look at her mama and Y/N couldn't hold back anymore. She burst into tears and dropped her head to her knees, hiding herself.

Natasha moved quickly, sliding onto the bed beside her and and pulling her close to her chest, cradling her close. Y/n smooth hair was tangled but Nat ignored it and stroked her hand over it like she had done when her girls were babies. Three or seventeen, they were always her babies.

"I've got you, it's okay," were the words that Natasha murmured over and over. They didn't need to discuss what had happened yet. It was too soon. Y/N just needed her mama and a place to let it all out. Not that she couldn't do that with Wanda, but her connection with Nat was stronger. Wanda was Isla's rock, Natasha was Y/n's.

Nat couldn't help but let a tear slip down her cheek as she listened to Y/n's heartbreaking sobs. She could do nothing but let her cry, knowing that's what she needed. Blocking out emotions was Natasha's unhealthy habit and she kicked herself for letting Y/n learn it too. She encouraged her girls to let out their emotions, helping them do that if they needed.

Y/n choked out a sob and shuffled so she was hugging her mama's torso, looking for more comfort. "Aren't you supposed to be at the studio?" Always more worried about others, Y/n was selfless to the core.

"Nope. I'm supposed to be with my daughter who had a shitty day." Y/n smiled a watery smile and wiped her tears from her cheeks. "I left Yelena to oversee everything."

"That's a bold decision," Y/n said, her voice still shaky from crying. "But thank you."

"Oh my sweet girl, you don't need to thank me." She gently wiped a stray tear that had escaped down Y/n's left cheek. "You wanna tell me what happened?"

Y/n averted her gaze and looked at the dance company logo on Natasha's team jacket. "I got cheated on. It's stupid."

"You're right, he is stupid."

"She was really pretty too," Y/n cried, her tears appearing once more as the image replayed in her mind. "She's blonde and tall and probably everything he could ever want. I was dumb to think he'd be happy dating me when there are girls out there that look like her."

Natasha saw red. She hated negative self talk, but hearing it come from her daughter who was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen made her furious.

Without saying a word, she got up from the bed and tugged Y/n to her feet, holding her steady as her head spun from crying. She walked over to the full length mirror on the wall and held her daughter in front of it, hands on her shoulders.

"You see that?" Natasha pointed in the mirror at Y/n's reflection. "That girl right there is perfect. She's so much better than any blonde girl who looks like a supermodel. You are beautiful, smart, thoughtful, funny, talented, this list would never end. Y/n Romanoff is perfect and you better remember that."

Y/n could barely see her reflection through the tears that had once again made another reappearance after her mama's speech. She tugged the hands on her shoulders so Nat's arms slipped in front of her and she had something to hold onto. Y/n pressed her cheek to Nat's forearm and leaned on it, feeling her mother hug her from behind.

"If I'm everything you say I am, why did he cheat?" She turned away from the mirror and looked up at her mother who's gaze softened as she cupped her daughter's face.

"Because men are shit," she stated bluntly. "Why do you think I married a woman? Why do you think Isla is dating one? Men are shit and he didn't deserve you one bit. You, my girl, deserve the very best. Not some immature high school boy who didn't realise what he had with you."

"I really thought he was the one," she said dejectedly. Nat kissed her forehead and brought her back to the bed. "How did he change so fast?"

"I don't know honey. But you don't need him anymore. My girl can find someone miles better than him."

"I don't think I want to date."

Natasha stroked her hand over Y/n's hair and reached for the bottle of water laying on the blanket. "Even better. Means I get you all to myself." She pulled Y/n into her side and held up the bottle for her to take. "Crying makes you dehydrated, so drink up."

Y/n took a few sips, feeling the cool liquid soothe her raw throat. She made sure the lid was on tightly before placing it on her nightstand. "Every time I see him in the hallway I won't know what to do."

"Unfortunately that will just fade with time honey. But you've got Isla and Maria who will be beside you at all times. They'll keep him away, you know your sister."

"Im scared she's gonna punch him."

Nat paused for a moment. "Part of me wants to let her, but I guess I have to be a responsible adult and talk her out of it." Her joke worked and Y/n laughed, smiling properly for the first time since lunch.

"Unless you want to be called to a meeting with the principal, then yeah I think so."

Natasha tightened her arms around her daughter and hugged her hard, breathing in the remains of her floral perfume. "You think you're ready to see Isla and Mom yet? They're worried about you."

As much as Y/n wanted to stay in that blissful moment with her mama, she knew she needed to see the others too. And also apologise to Isla who was only trying to help.

"If you'll help me talk to them?"

"Of course sweetheart. Of course."

[miz-chase]

Bones crime au aka The Reverse Broadsky

There's a sniper loose in DC who has a tendency to hit targets recently investigated by the FBI. Special Agent Jared Booth was put on the case but kept ending up in dead ends. Frustrated by the lack of progress, his boss FBI Assistant Director Hacker enlisted the Jeffersonian Institute's Medico-Legal Lab to aid the investigation. They worked with the remains, particulates, and other evidence to try and pin down the sniper, getting closer than ever before.

In another place, Seeley Booth was lining up the angle for the perfect shot. There's an apartment that just overlooks the falsely-exonerated criminal's home, and it didn't take much to break in. What Booth didn't plan for was the apartment being occupied in the middle of the day. Instead of an empty room, he found a woman with a nasty left hook who took quite an exception to him breaking into her place.

Seeley rolled with the hit and sent a little prayer up for remembering to keep his mask and hat on. Now's not the time to get sloppy. He's able to subdue her, gag & bind her, and lock her up in the bathroom so he could do his work in peace. It took a few hours of patient waiting (and ignoring the intermittent kicks at the bathroom door), but he got his perfect shot. It's quick work to pack up his rifle and get his ass out of there before anyone notices something's amiss. He was a gentleman, though, and unlocked the bathroom and dropped a knife beside the absolutely furious woman. Pretty blue eyes glared daggers at him, but he figured with a mask, a hat, and a bulky jacket, there's not much to see. He took off, not realizing he'd made a huge mistake.

Temperance Brennan was furious. After a decade of personal defense training, being pinned and shushed like she was just a child throwing a tantrum was beyond the pale. And for it to be the very man they were hunting for in the lab? Completely unacceptable. As soon as she's able to free herself, she's on the phone with Jared, getting the apartment scoured top-to-bottom for evidence. Security cameras yielded nothing of value, the man clearly an expert. What he didn't account for was the fact that she was an expert, too.

Working with Angela and her own exceptional memory, Brennan was able to sculpt his likeness. It took a lot of tweaking from Angela and back-and-forthing, but they're able to pull together a decent likeness. Paired against the military records of advanced snipers, there's only one close match: Sergeant Major Seeley Booth.

Suddenly Special Agent Jared Booth's lack of progress on the case didn't seem so much like an accident. It all of a sudden became very remarkable that, while all the sniper victims were from FBI cases, not a single one included Jared's cases. Without explanation, a new agent was assigned to the Jeffersonian and Jared isn't seen again.

Seeley Booth was used to dodging the FBI. He'd been doing it for years now. Admittedly, having his face blasted across every news station was a new and exciting wrinkle to his efforts, but he could lay low. What he's not used to is attracting the attention of local lowlife Max Keenan, who turned up in Booth's garage hidey-hole one night. Now, Keenan doesn't sink so low as to report him to the feds, but he does have a word or two to say about putting his daughter in danger. With a few friendly threats, Keenan suggested Booth could make things right by dealing with a certain Robert Kirby.

Always a good man for taking orders, Booth doesn't ask questions. He just gets the job done. He really shoulda laid low, though, because on his way out of his sniper's perch, a cop recognizes him. Booth took a nasty shot to the hip before he's able to disappear into an alleyway and lose the tail.

He did his best to zigzag his way through the city, leaving no obvious trail to follow. Unintentionally or not, he realized he's wound his way back to the damn apartment where all this mess started. It's a stupid idea but he's losing blood at an alarming rate. He climbed up the back balcony, slipping in through the sliding door, pistol in hand.

Out in the living room, she wasn't facing him when he creeped in.

"Temperance, right?" His voice was low.

She jumped, spinning around, whipping her phone out.

"Easy, easy. Just drop the phone and everything will be alright." He gestured with the gun from her hand to the floor. She dropped the phone with a clatter. Her eyes were big and wide, hands raised in surrender.

"What do you want?" There's a quaver to her voice but she held herself upright with a steel spine.

"I just need a quick favor, that's all. I swear I'm not gonna hurt you."

"You're pointing a gun at me."

"Yeah, cause I know if I don't, you're gonna try to kung foo my ass again."

"Judo." She squinted at him disapprovingly.

"Whatever." He's starting to feel dizzy. That was not great. "Y'got a first aid kit or something?"

Her scowl deepened. "Why should I help you?"

"I got shot doing your father a favor." She flinched at that.

"I don't owe him anything. He's a criminal."

"Yeah, well, here we are anyway. Just... all I need is some gauze and a hand, alright?"

"I could wait you out until you pass out." She jutted her chin up in a stubborn glare.

"I'd really rather you didn't." He gestured with the gun towards the kitchen sink and, reluctantly, she moved that way. "You must have a first-aid kit around here somewhere. You seem the type."

"'The type'?"

"Yeah. Girl scout. Over-prepared."

She knelt, pulling a box with a big red cross on it from under the sink. Brennan plopped it on the table in front of him, crossed her arms, and glared.

"I'm not going to help you."

"Please don't make this difficult?" He gestured with the gun at the plastic box, but she didn't move.

"If you shoot me, everyone in this building will hear it." Her petulant frown dared him to try.

"Yeah, and if I knock you out, my life will be much easier, but that big ole brain of yours isn't really going to appreciate the damage." Her scowl deepened.

With every move clearly telegraphing her disapproval, she set to work putting him back into one piece. She roughly tugged his t-shirt up, revealing a bloody mess. His gut flinched as her hands traced over scarred bare skin. Capable hands harshly pulled padding and gauze around his middle, covering the wound. He hissed in pain as she pressed down firmly, probably firmer than she really needed to. Still, it was good enough. It would do.

She sank back down into one of the kitchen chairs, still glaring at him with arms re-crossed. Booth collected himself pulling his shirt back down with a grimace and smoothing his hand over the bandaged wound. He gave her a long, considering look.

"What would you do if I needed to rest here a while?"

"Call 911." Her look was all grumpy disapproval.

He exhaled a frustrated sigh. "Have you considered not being a pain in the ass?"

"Why in the hell should I help you?" There was disgust in her voice.

"I did take care of your good friend, Heather Taffet."

"The judge was... 'taking care' of her just fine. Legally."

"They were going to let her get off. Everyone knew it."

"Well, now we will never know if that's true or not."

"So that's it then, complete and utter faith in the judicial system? The system that lets criminals go and jails innocent people?"

"It's not faith." She apparently didn't like that word any more than she liked him. "My job hinges on adhering to the logics of evidentiary proof, allowing a jury to deliver correct verdicts in the court of law." She regarded him with a sneer. "Society cannot function with arbitrary, extra-judicial killings as a means of providing justice."

"And police shooting up anyone they feel like is different because...?"

She scowled. "Police reform is not under my purview. Evidence, and its use within the justice system are my only responsibility."

"So the fact that I pick my target utilizing evidence you personally compiled means....?"

That earned him a death glare. "The quality of my work does not excuse appointing yourself judge, jury, and executioner." She huffed. "You're no better than my father."

"If the person with the better lawyer always wins, rather than the better evidence, then--"

"I am done speaking justice theory with you. Sleep on the couch, clearly my opinion has no bearing on the matter. I am going to sleep." She shoved past him, stormed into her bedroom, and shut & locked the door.

Alone in the empty kitchen of a stranger, Booth pondered his next move. What were the chances that she would climb down three floors of balconies to escape? It wasn't impossible, but it wasn't easy either. Probably she'd stay where she was. Picking her phone off the ground, he scrolled through her texts until he found Max.

It's done. Took a hit. Laying low here. She's pissed but fine, Booth typed and sent off the text. Max wouldn't be pleased, but this meant the old criminal would be stopping by in no time.

Taking the lady's advice, Booth laid himself out on the couch and dozed off. Hopefully when he woke up, it would be to Max with a back alley surgeon, not the bone lady whacking him in the face with a frying pan. Hopefully.

[tragedycoded]

oc questionnaire - royston edition.

I'm not happy about this either /bit

So, I lost all my old character intros when I nuked the old blog. They're probably floating around somewhere.

If nobody knows who Royston is, he is the tritagonist (that's right, idiot, Hofer's the deuteragonist) of Doom Metal Love Story and a neverending pain in my neck. As of July 1st, 1873 he is a 45-year-old gambler who's wanted in five states for various flavors of murder and known to consort with 37-year-old First Sergeant Cole Sullivan.

I will do my best to keep spoilers to a minimum; however, for my own sanity, I'm answering for Book 2 Royston.

@the-golden-comet [1, 2] wants to know:

What never fails to make you laugh?

[he immediately starts cracking up]

Well, since you asked, I was just imagining the expression on Laurence Huston face when I stuck him.

What a knob. I cannot wait to drain the snake on his grave. Do not tell Cole I said that.

How can you tell if you’ll get along with someone?

Oh, I get along with everyone, darling. I don't have to wonder ahead of time.

Do you prefer sweet, savory, sour, or salty snacks?

[looks in Sullivan's direction and sighs]

What is your favorite season?

Autumn. [beat] Oh you want me to elaborate? Well I sweat less, for starters--

Never mind.

Where would you like to visit?

Now that you mention it, I've never been to Kentucky.

When do you usually go to sleep?

Why, are you hoping for an invitation? When I'm done for the day. Or when I'm tired. Or whenever I damned well please.

Royston tends to pass out around dawn.

@wyked-ao3 [x] I picked Royston knowing he would have to answer these:

If you had to pick just one enemy who would it be?

[he doesn't hesitate]

Doctor Emil Powell of Wherever the Fuck University. His actions directly lead to Cole's death. If someone didn't have me figuratively leashed to the damned boarding house I'd have caught up to him already, but noooo, I'm not allowed to go ahead and take care of him myself.

When did you feel safest and why?

[scoffs]

I will bring out Gott.

New Year's Eve. I will not elaborate.

If you could save just one other person who would it be?

Listen, I don't have to save him. He's the one who saved me.

Royston thinks people in town give a shit about whether he maintains his heartless badass reputation.

Oh shit @sableglass [x] has some good ones:

Tell us your favorite joke.

Would you believe I learned this one from Sullivan? Cavalrymen are absolutely filthy.

The private--I presume one could say "gentleman," however when Sullivan recited it to me the first time, it went like this:

The private couldn't understand why his lass failed to write him throughout the entirety of the campaign. She said it was out of her power, as he had carried away the pen with him, and left her nothing but the ink-stand.

Oh he thinks that's funny.

What is your proudest achievement?

He just grins. I think that's supposed to means he's proud of still being alive.

Five things that make you happy?

BEER.

TOBACCO.

BEDS.

HOT WATER.

SULLIVAN.

Pre-Sullivan #5 would have just been "GAMBLING."

And finally, from @orphanheirs [x]:

What would your perfect day look like?

[sigh] He's there when I wake up, and he's there when I go to sleep. Typically I'm there when he goes to sleep and then he has to go. If Army doesn't muster him out quickly I will burn down that entire fort. That would be a perfect day.

Do you believe in ghosts?

[siiiiigh] Ghosts aren't real. Spirits, however... are insatiable little bastards, and I have no tolerance for them.

If you could only wear one color of clothing for the rest of your life, which one would you choose?

Black. It's easier to conceal blood, and I notice Cole looking at my ass significantly more when I'm wearing dark clothing. Win-win-win.

Tag! (I have a tag list, let me know if you want on or off it.)

@lychhiker-writes @cowboybrunch @saturnine-saturneight @ashfordlabs @autism-purgatory

@noblebs @aintgonnatakethis @the-golden-comet @asablehart @mauvecatfic

@leahnardo-da-veggie @sableglass @gioiaalbanoart @words-after-midnight

@lavender-bloom @jev-urisk @wyked-ao3

[thgfanfictionlibrary]

E Rated Fics Masterlist (44)

Part 1 -Part 38/  Part 39 / Part 40 / Part 41 / Part 42 / Part 43 / 

Created: March 27th, 2024

Last Checked:-----

Proving Them Wrong Outtakes-endlessnightlock (ao3)  Summary: This is just a place for the odd ideas that might pop up here and there from the universe of my story Proving Them Wrong. Chapter 1: Galone (M) Chapter 2: The Race (T) Chapter 3: The First Time (E) Quicksilver-Gamemakers (ao3)  Summary: Dearest Diary, Two events of note occurred today. First, I realized that Peeta Mellark, who just yesterday I considered an ally and possible friend, is an irredeemable prat. Second, I became betrothed to him. London, 1793. After a life spent on her family’s country estate, the time has finally come for the Everdeen sisters to be introduced to the London elite. Katniss will do anything to ensure her younger sister does not fall into the wrong hands, but surrounded by strangers, she has no way of judging Prim’s many suitors’ intentions. Enter Peeta Mellark, the youngest brother of the Earl of Panem and a longtime fixture of the ton. He seems the perfect ally, but Peeta has intentions of his own, and Katniss’ spinsterhood may not be as safe as she believes. Rebel-HGRomance (ao3)  Summary: Peeta is a bad boy. Katniss is a good girl. Neither are interested in changing. But when Peeta's sent to work on the Everdeens' Amish farm during the Autumn harvest, two very different worlds—and hearts—collide. Modern AU. Roses and Pearls-HalfHope, thesweetnessofspring (ao3)  Summary: Peeta Mellark is the sole victor of the Quarter Quell. With District 12 nothing but ash, he rebuilds his life by moving to the Capitol and falling in love with Rosalia Snow, granddaughter to Coriolanus Snow. Then people Peeta thought long dead kidnap him and Rosalia, including the one person he hates more than anyone: Katniss Everdeen. They say he's been hijacked. They say that he used to love her. Locked away in District 13, Peeta is determined to protect his mind and his fiancée from the rebels. But while imprisoned, videos disprove his memories and his feelings toward Katniss grow confusing. Who can he trust, and what really happened in his past? Some Like it Hot-Xerxia (ao3)  Summary: When the oppressive heat sets their tempers flaring, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark have to find a creative way to cool down... Star-HGRomance (ao3)  Summary: He's the son of a gentleman. She barely passes for a lady. In a world of ballrooms and proper snobs, they're best friends...until friendship is no longer enough. But who will admit it first is the maddening question. Historical AU. Steal Away-hutchabelle (ao3)  Summary: This chapter was written for d12drabbles, prompt 8--Stolen. Swan Upon Leda-FyreFlys (ao3)  Summary: “Ya know, Katniss and I. We’ve been luckier than most. I wouldn’t have any regrets at all…” and he pauses. “I-if it weren’t…” and he’s laying the acting on thick, “if it weren’t for…” he shakes his head. “If it weren’t for… what what?” Caesar prompts. He hesitates, and then, “If it weren’t for the baby.” And nothing could have prepared her for that. Tapping Out-endlessnightlock (ao3)  Summary: It's been... a long time since anything other than sleep has gone on in the Everdeen-Mellark household after a nasty bout with the flu puts Katniss, Peeta, and their kids out of commission. Tonights the night that's all about to change, isn't it? The Contractor-endlessnightlock (ao3)  Summary: Featuring a Katniss who grapples with her sanity, alone, in a house she swears hates her, a disappearing contractor, and her pushy neighbor, Gale, who hasn’t learned to take no for an answer.

[bluelolblue]

short ficlet of the d’antonio siblings killing a politician to gain more power of a territory perhaps🥺 (lmao i was feeling silly)

This is so silly I AHAHAH you can tell by the title LMAOO 😭

Okay but this was actually so fun to write! It's literally Santino and Gianna being siblings and John just having to put up with them AHAH

I got carried away with it, too! I love D'Antonio siblings, they're so ✨️silly✨️

Thank you for this prompt! I really hope you'll like it! :D

☆ Special thanks to @mrssimply for beta reading! ☆

The Rocket Team

Everything seemed to be going as planned. The D'Antonio siblings got what they wanted without breaking a sweat.

There was just one more thing missing for them to be fully satisfied.

“It was our pleasure doing business with you, Sir,” Gianna said with a smile, shaking hands with their ally from the 'Ndrangheta.

The man was from the mafia initially, but he’d been part of a grand plan from the criminal syndicate to infiltrate the Italian government further, and now held an interesting position of power… That the D’Antonios siblings were interested in ”sharing”.

“The pleasure is mine, Signora,” The allied boss said, kissing Gianna's hand in what was supposed to be a gentleman gesture. The guy was old and nasty, Gianna just kinda laughed it off nervously and Santino frowned.

They both had to wait just a little longer.

Santino shaked hands with him, too, going with Gianna's act. Just smile and nod, pretend to play their game. Drug trafficking was the easiest option for their plan, 'Ndrangheta had always been their ally with drugs and their territory would allow Camorra to have more power and control over trafficking.

“Everything will be delivered tomorrow like we agreed. We're always looking forward to working with your family,” The boss said, standing proudly, glancing from Gianna to Santino.

“Excellent, we will be expecting it,” Santino nodded in agreement. “Hopefully, it'll be on time.”

Santino was trying to buy some more time for John to aim a perfect shot at the guy's head. John was on a balcony further away from them, having his sniper rifle ready. He was just waiting for Santino's signal.

“I'll make sure it is. You have nothing to worry about.”

It was just a matter of time. He was getting on their nerves, they had to hurry.

“We will be in contact tomorrow, then,” Gianna said, stepping back a little. That was a sign for Santino.

He looked over at John's position and nodded, the guy was just too focused on Gianna, he didn't notice Santino's gesture.

John reacted immediately, blowing up the guy's head as he was ordered. Blood splattered over Gianna's and Santino's clothes and faces, everyone around them panicked.

That was another part of the plan. Fake being scared.

Santino gently pulled Gianna back by her shoulders, letting the politician's men search for the attacker.

He looked to where John was supposed to be, he was gone. Good, because the security was suspicious of them.

“You two are not leaving yet,” a bodyguard approached them.

“What makes you say that?” Santino pulled out his gun and shot the guy in the head, there was no other option other than to kill him.

“Idiota! They're going to come after us now!” Gianna scolded him, knowing her brother wanted to show off his skills.

“Relax, no one saw that,” Santino waved his gun playfully. Gianna rolled her eyes and tugged on his hand for him to run.

Yes, no one noticed that but a boss of 'Ndrangheta got killed while talking with them. Of course that was suspicious.

They both managed to run out from the back entrance, watching how more men got their heads blown up. John was clearing out a path for them.

Gianna tried to quickly scan through the area to see where he was, but he was nowhere to be seen. The only thing the siblings could hear was gunshots coming from the darkness.

“Will this start a war between Camorra and 'Ndrangheta?” Santino asked, taking a breather when they got to the car where they're going to meet John.

“Let's hope not. They know better, they wouldn't dare,” Gianna replied, glancing around, trying to see if anyone followed them.

Santino chuckled, leaning against the car.

“We could kill them personally, then.” Ever since Santino got skilled enough to use weapons, he really wanted to actually use them on people. “You know, I have that grenade launcher.”

“Yes, I know,” Gianna said in slight annoyance, “Don't even think about using it.” She could read him easily.

“Too bad. I want to try it out,” Santino sighed dramatically. “I mean, I could just blow up one of their houses, not all-”

He was cut off by Gianna shooting a guy that tried to sneak behind him. More blood splattered over their clothes. Expensive clothes.

Santino turned around to see the body, stepping back closer to his sister.

“You still have a lot to learn,” Gianna lowered her gun.

“It's not like I could see behind my back, but thank you” Santino huffed, checking out his suit, whipping off some blood on his face. “We're both covered in blood.”

“Yes, and I don’t have anything to clean it off my face,” Gianna complained.

Santino hummed, thinking for a few seconds before he remembered he had a handkerchief in his suit pocket.

“Here, this could help,” he handed it to her.

Gianna smiled faintly at him and took it, wiping off the blood.

“Thank you. You're surprisingly agreeable today,” she joked a little, but there was some truth in that. He was indeed acting good today, sticking to the plan and actually listening to her.

“I'm taking that as a compliment,” Santino said, taking the handkerchief back. He managed to wipe some blood off his face.

No more gunshots could be heard, someone probably gave orders to stop. It was quiet, only a few people shouting in Italian in the distance.

Santino reached into his pocket for cigarettes.

“I thought you said you'd quit,” Gianna reminded him.

“I know. Just the whole adrenaline feeling… this helps me calm down,” Santino explained, lightening up a cigarette. “Want one?” He offered.

Gianna glanced over at the cigarette and accepted. She has better control over that than him. The D'Antonio siblings shared similarities in their actions, smoking being one of them.

It wasn't Gianna's preferred brand, she prefered lighter cigarettes. These were a bit heavy, more to Santino's taste.

Covered in blood and smoking at night, gunpowder scent in the air along with the smoke of their cigarettes, waiting for the Boogeyman to return.

“Ah, there you are,” Gianna said, finishing her smoke just as John returned. “You did a good job, John.”

John glanced at the siblings, adjusting his bag with weapons over his shoulder.

“They retreated. It was too risky for them and they understood the warning,” John explained what he had heard and seen. It was indeed too risky to go against Camorra, it was just better to give them what they wanted.

“Good. So, we're also getting the territory.” Santino threw the finished cigarette on the floor, stepping on it. “I told you John was the best man for this work,” he looked over at his sister with a smirk.

“Alright, you were right. Don't brag about it the whole night,” Gianna sighed. Knowing him, he’s going to brag about it.

Santino chuckled, “I think I deserve some credit because we wouldn't be here if you didn't listen to my idea.” It was his idea indeed, Gianna just came up with the whole plan.

“Tell that to our father, maybe this time he will listen to you,” Gianna said, maybe a bit harshly. Santino was about to snap back at her when John cut him off.

“Well, we should get going before they change their minds.” John decided to step between the siblings, stopping their little argument. “You both are covered in blood as well, if you, um… didn't notice.” He pointed.

The D'Antonio siblings completely forgot about their clothes being coated with blood.

“Yes, it's disgusting, let's just get back,” Gianna agreed with John.

John opened the car door for Gianna, offering his hand. He was such a gentleman.

“I thought you liked me being covered in blood,” Santino winked at John playfully. Gianna heard him and sighed in annoyance, leaning against her elbow against the window.

“Just get in,” John said quietly, keeping the door open for him, too.

Santino sat next to his sister, smiling a little to himself.

“Are you done?” Gianna asked.

“I don't know, we'll see when we get back,” Santino replied, feeling pleased with himself.

“Don't flatter yourself looking like this,” Gianna glanced at him, “Your hair is messy,” she reached to try and fix his hair a little but he moved his head away from her.

“I'm old enough to take care of myself,” Santino muttered.

“Obviously you are,” Gianna murmured. There was a soft tone in her voice this time. After all, he was still her baby brother.

Santino stayed quiet, not looking at her. He wanted to focus on what they achieved tonight. A bigger territory. All thanks to John. It was his idea, he should get more credit. He killed a man, too. All by himself.

Perhaps this time, Signor D'Antonio will be proud of his son. Santino could only hope to be that way.

[perpetualexistence]

Alley Cats AU: What Alejandro Did

Took a little while to get back to this AU because I got possessed by The Horrors, but now it's time to return to The Sillies!

Alejandro in this AU is still the son of a Spanish diplomat. He's been to five schools in as many countries. To him, Wawanawkwa High is nothing new. He has a set routine at this point.

First, figure out the social hierarchy. The first week or two he pretty much wanders around school eager and curious. He lays his Spanglish thick. Under normal circumstances he will throw in a Spanish word if he gets excited or frustrated. During this week though, he's constantly saying "¿Cómo se dice...?" and then the word he's looking for as if he doesn't speak fluent English. It sells the idea that he means no harm and is just innocently learning things. He observes people's reactions for that to find out who tries to help him or who scoffs at him. It helps him learn who he can ask for favors. It also helps him learn who can be flirted with as little effort as saying something in Spanish.

Second is to find and join the popular kids. The best way to do it is to do a favor for them. He just has to make sure it's a favor befitting of an equal, not of a lackey. He's not about to turn himself into Lindsey or Beth. Throwing a party when his parents aren't around is also an easy way to do it since his parents always buy a big house even when they know it's going to be temporary. It also involves tearing other students down. He looks for easy, unlikeable targets, aka those who scoffed at him or are otherwise easily manipulated. He'll create scenarios of them being the bad guy while he's the good guy knowing that no one will believe someone already unlikeable. He actually does this against a few of the Alley Cats, namely Noah, Eva, and Izzy.

Third is to rule the popular kids, and then the school. He has diplomatic immunity thanks to his father, and he will flaunt it and use it to do things others can't without punishment. He'll suggest ideas that he makes the other popular kids think are theirs. For good ones, he'll swoop in to take the credit afterwards. For bad ones, he scapegoats them to make himself look better. All the while with a dazzling smile of a perfect gentleman. He'll kick others on the totem pole to ensure he's not weak to the popular kids. It's nothing personal, just something he has to do to maintain his power.

And then, finally, the fourth step. It happens once his father inevitably declares that they'll be moving to a new country in a few weeks. It's his favorite game: Let's see how many lives he can ruin before he goes. After all, he doesn't truly care for any of these people. They're always temporary. No one will remember him when he's gone. So he'll give them something to remember, and leave them to pick up the pieces. No one will believe them because he'll already have moved on to the next country by the time they've fully realized what has happened.

Ezekiel is just a warm up. All he has to do is lay the groundwork for him to lean back on his old misogynistic views he'd been weaning off from and watch the sparks fly. He goes after Bridgette and Geoff because they're the most popular couple, and he thinks it's hilarious how Bridgette falls so easily and pokes at how their relationship truly is nothing but makeout session after makeout session. (Ignoring the fact that he'd been working for quite a while to manipulate her into second guessing things and Geoff into occasionally leaning into his more egotistical self in preparation for this). Leshawna is just child's play with how much of a mess her relationship is with Harold, and he has Harold humiliate himself just to kick him while he's down. Lindsey is just a whim of him pretending to be Tyler and it working because she's just that dumb (She's got undiagnosed face blindness and Alejandro downplays how much effort he put in to convincing her). And DJ? Nobody messes with DJ. He's the nicest guy anyone knows. And that's exactly why Alejandro wants to mess with him so bad. No one can have that much positive attention for that long without a challenge He has to do SOMETHING to him, so might as well leave him paranoid with an 'animal curse'.

People are pissed now and have caught on, but Alejandro's rather proud of the mess he's made. And then his father tells him that plans have changed. They're going to be staying in Canada for another year. There's no leaving this mess behind. Alejandro has to clean it up, or he has to stew in it. And he's never cleaned up a mess before.

DJ was the straw that broke the camel's back since everyone liked DJ so much. Alejandro tries to sit with Heather's group to wait for school to start in the morning and he just gets a glare that tells him to not even think about it. Everyone's clearly whispering about him and cursing him out if he tries to approach. He gets food thrown at him during lunch and isn't given a moment's peace. He gets pranked mercilessly by Duncan for screwing with DJ. This is something completely new and he hates it. This isn't how things are supposed to go. He can't even fake any apologies because nobody wants to listen to a word that comes out of his mouth. His words are his weapons. Without them, he's defenseless against the onslaught of hatred.

But this is fine. He's fine. He just needs to clear his head. Somewhere without all the stares and glares and people. He has to steer clear of all the hangout spots, which is difficult because they're so spread out around the school. His only option is somewhere nobody else would dare to follow. In the decrepit dumpster alley. He really has gone to the gutter hasn't he? ...Well. he still has some sense of pride. He wrinkles his nose at the stench (they're definitely not sniffles) as his eyes tear up a bit at the odor (that's the only reason they're tearing up, the only one. He is strong and he has pride and he can handle being hated because it's their fault for taking it so personally and no one else's.). He makes sure no one is watching before running into the alley to catch a breath. And finds he's not alone.

Part of him had always been a bit curious about where the outcasts were when they weren't in class or in the halls. He made a mental map of which group hung out where within his first few weeks. But he could never pin these five down. Yet here are Owen, Tyler, Izzy, Eva, and Noah now, all conversation halted at his arrival.

Noah and Eva look about ready to curse him out. Izzy just bursts out laughing seeing him. Tyler's just confused, and Owen just smiles and says welcome! It's been a while since they've had someone new, but he's welcome to join.

Noah and Eva immediately have protests about this, and Tyler to a smaller extent. Izzy's just cackling harder. Owen still insists that Al came in all on his own so alley rules still stand: Al's an Alley Cat now. It'd be against who they are if they pick and choose who the rule applies to. The two most hard headed ones complain but stop arguing, and Izzy's just popped a little confetti popper she got from somewhere and is welcoming him in. Tyler's still a bit reluctant considering the Lindsey kiss and wants an apology at the very least.

Now Alejandro's got a choice to make. He can turn himself around right now and find himself somewhere else to sulk be. Or, he can accept the offer of this butter donkey. He really doesn't want to. The few interactions he's had with him were incredibly unpleasant. It doesn't speak well for any of the others that Owen's the one they turn to for the final say in things. ...But he's also stupid. And easily manipulated. Usurping Owen is child's play. And afterwards he'll have a group to back him up vs dealing with his current onslaught alone. He can trick them into boosting him up to get back in everyone''s good graces, and abandon them once they're no longer useful. All he has to do is promise to bring them with him, because they've got to be just as desperate as he is to get out of this alley.

So he agrees to join, and apologizes for his previous behavior. He had just been so torn up about the thought of leaving behind the people he had grown to know over the year. He let his emotions get the better of him and lashed out when he truly should have known better and apologizes deeply. (There's a kernel of truth to this he's not going to be ready to admit for a while.). Owen, Tyler, and Izzy accept this apology without issue. Noah and Eva accept it under protest, but they're keeping an eye on him.

Thus, Alejandro's becomes an Alley Cat. And gets a whole lot more than he bargained for.

AU Masterpost | What Noah Did ->

[mercurygray]

Fingertips smudged in blue ink for Marion! :))

There's ink on her fingers again.

It's an innocent enough observation, but the fact that he has stared at her hands long enough to make it is enough to spark some internal debate. She has lovely hands, though - when they're not being marked by a leaking pen. Neil loves watching her hands as she works, loves watching the way her pen flies over the paper while she's taking notes and the way the sun catches her slim silver signet ring with the Athena's Head etched into the silver. It's modest and workaday - just like her. And those hands seem to hold up half the base. Writing her intelligence reports with Bowman, writing her reports to headquarters, writing her letters home to - well, he doesn't know who she writes to at home. If he did, it's likely he'd be jealous of whatever fellow gets to get sentimental over her perfect penmanship.

He's been daydreaming a lot about those hands, recently - since she took him to task at the officer's club and made him dance with her instead of Mary Boyle. He'd had a fair bit to drink that night, but he could still remember that they'd fit so nicely into his own, that her arms had felt nice, wrapped around his shoulder. In his dreams he kisses her palms, feels the silver of that ring in his hair, the way her fingers would feel pressed against his shirt. But she always stops before she gets too far - in dreams, as in real life, Marion Brennan is a realist.

Home feels far away, here, and Doris further still - she's still writing every week, how the girls are doing in school, how the house looks, how the dog is getting on. It seems like a different planet, from where he's sitting. And he can't recall the last time his wife took him up on an offer to dance, even somewhere as workaday as thier kitchen, with the radio on. She commits nothing to paper that the censor can't read, though he's told her more than once as the CO no one is reading his mail.

He envies his men - the young men they are and have freedom to be. Cleven with his gentleman's soft charm, inaccessible but willing to smile, Blakely and Douglass ready to take all comers, Egan with his easy bluster and a smile for every woman in the place, including the captain it seems he respects too much to actually flirt with. All of them can charm and chance and change, and knock heads over who kissed who, and still be friends about it in the morning. He wants that ease, that laughter. But the only cures for what ails him are far away, in London, smoking under the arches and casting an eye over the eagles on his collar. Thorpe Abbotts is too small for indiscretions, and dear old Dad should do better than his boys. His sins can't be where they can see them.

But no one laughed when he danced with her - that, at least, was worth a note. They fit together - and that's as it should be.

He makes up his mind, and crosses the room with handkerchief in hand. "We need to get you a new pen, Captain."

She glances down and realizes what a mess the blue is making, taking the handkerchief to wipe down her fingers with a murmur of thanks. "I'll wash it and bring it back to you first thing," she promises, looking embarassed.

And he can't help thinking of the sink in her quarters, the way she will look in her dressing gown standing there scrubbing the ink out.

[jadeylovesmarvelxo]

The Only One

@saramelaniemoon  asked:

H! Can I have eddie x reader request?

They're cute new couple and Eddie introduces her to his hellfire friends. They get along with her and he's so happy to have his friends and his girl together.

But after some time he doesn't want her to go to hellfire meeting and politely ask to stay home and read or study. She's worried that she embarrassed him somehow.

But Eddie is just jealous boy because one of the boys likes her too much (in his opinion) and he's so worried that she'll realize she deserves better that him. He wants her all to himself while he still can...

Soooo just misunderstanding and insecure Eddie boy (I love him)

Fluff ending please 🙏

Also including this request by anon

Could you do a fem!reader x Eddie

Where reader grinds against Eddie’s hand

And Eddie thinks reader is everything and they make out a whole bunch and there lots of sucking on eachother?

Warnings; A Little bit angst, some spice, insecure Eddie, lots of fluff.

Likes and especially reblogs are always appreciated 😘 I don't give anyone permission to copy my work.

💞💞

She and Eddie had been dating for a little while now. All of her friends thought they were the cutest couple and Eddie was the perfect gentleman.

He was kind, sweet and those big brown eyes of his never failed to make her melt.

Today Eddie was taking her to Hellfire Club, where he and his friends played D&D and Eddie was the Dungeon Master.

Noticing her worried expression he squeezes her hand softly.

"Hey, stop panicking. My friends will love you sweetheart. Who wouldn't?" butterflies fill her belly at his sweetness and she kisses his cheek as they head into the drama room.

"Sheeples" Eddie annouces and they all turn around to face him gawping at her.

"This is my girlfriend yn. She's joining Hellfire for tonight and I sure as hell hope you welcome her happily" he gives them a hard stare and she waves at them all, Eddie was overprotective at times but in this case it eased her nerves.

Hopefully his friends liked her?

Eddie was beaming and she was happy that he was happy. He told her that having his friends and his girl in his sacred place was incredible for him.

So she threw herself into the campaign with gusto. Truthfully she knew next to nothing about Hellfire but Eddie when he wasn't deep in DM mode gently guided her along.

His friend were very helpful too. Including Gareth and Jeff whom she got on well with and soon she felt completely at ease at Hellfire.

Plus, Eddie looked delighted at how well she was getting on with everyone and that filled her with a happy glow inside.

💞💞

Waves of pleasure crash over her as she grinds against Eddie's hand. He kisses her hungrilly as his hands run up and down her waist.

They were in the middle of a heavy make out session which would have to end soon as she and Eddie would be late for Hellfire Club.

But she loved kissing him and when he was telling her how she was everything to him and how all sorts of lovely things she didn't want to pull away.

Her lips move to her neck and she sucks softly on his skin. His hands move up into her hair and she giggles as he dips down to kiss the curves of her breasts, sucking lightly on her skin.

"Eddie, Hellfire is soon we need to go" something changes in his expression and he gets up.

"Hey why don't you stay in tonight princess, stay all cuddled up here and read or study until I get home"

She's confused. It had been a few weeks and she thought he was enjoying her being with him and his friends?

Gutted at his request she nods sadly.

"Oh, okay" he notices her mood change straight away and softens.

"Please don't be upset sweetheart" she feels a bit teary and Eddie kneels beside her.

"Have I embarrassed you in some way?" she asks and his eyes widen.

💞💞

Eddie's heart drops at her question.

"Did I embarrass you in some way?" he shakes his head gently kissing her head.

"No, of course not princess" shit how does he explain to her how he's feeling? That he's jealous and feeling insecure because Gareth seems to like yn a little too much?

What if she realises she deserves so much better than him? It's something he constantly worried about.

She's crying now and he kissing her tenderly.

"The truth is I'm jealous because Gareth likes you, maybe a little too much and it worries me because I keep waiting for the day that you realize you deserve better than me"

She softens and takes his hands.

"Oh Eddie, I love you and only you" she cups his cheek.

"I don't want Gareth or anyone else. I love you. You're everything to me. You're so special. I wish you would see that"

Warmth fills his entire body and he cuddles into her.

"You really mean that sweetheart?" she nods and kisses his forehead.

"I love you"

"I love you too princess. Come on then let's get everything sorted for Hellfire then we can head back to mine yeah?" he feels a lot better, a weight feels like it's lifted off his chest.

He should have known that yn would understand and be so sweet about it. He gives her another kiss and then they head out to go to Hellfire.

💞💞

💞💞

[maxwell-grant]

thoughts on the Penguin trailer ?

Still have a hard time believing this is happening and that Penguin is somehow gonna be the first comic book villain to get essentially TWO tv shows with him as the protagonist. Not bad, Ozzie, not bad at all.

Very glad to see his limp is more pronounced this time around, that's one of my favorite modern additions to the character. I like the gold teeth as well, they compliment his wretched grin quite nicely.

I have some hesitations regarding this teaser though mainly because Gangster Penguin is in general a concept I have some very mixed opinions of. This is very clearly aiming for that serious Prestige TV Gangster Show vibe, and that can be a bit hit or miss.

I think a lot of what's gonna make or break this show for me is how they paint the world around Penguin and how he contrasts from it. Because part of what works about this Penguin is that, besides the Tony Soprano and Fredo-becomes-Scarface of it all, they made his personality citing the likes of Bob Hoskins and Sydney Greenstreet to make him "a throwback Warner Bros gangster", which means he's quite a few steps removed from being anything like a "real" gangster. He is as much of a gangster as the old version of Penguin was a gentleman thief and swashbuckling nobleman, which is to say, he very much wants to be and can even pull it off in spades, but he's Oswald Cobblepot, awkward farcical counterpart to the actual main character of this world, so he's not quite there the way he would like to be.

The movie plays this that contrast a bit by setting Oz as the loudmouth movie gangster sidekick to Falcone, played to a far, far more chilling and real menace by John Turturro, and the show seems to be following suit with Sofia Falcone playing a "normal" crimelord opposite Oswald. The Falcones are generally incurably boring characters but I think this is a smart choice, making it so that the show's setting and supporting cast make Oswald stand out as uniquely bizarre (compared to the movie, where he was never going to top Batman and Riddler in that regard).

Sofia Falcone is not the hottest Batman woman of all time a giant who strangles cops as a kinder alternative to crushing their skulls like soda cans between her forearms, and therefore there's really no point whatsoever to adapting her. But unfortunately I'm gonna have to declare myself a Tumblr heretic and point out that the giant murdery lady might have not been the best choice here at this moment in time, if this show is gonna play on the idea of Penguin as a unique aberration among the regular mobsters trying to stop him.

Worst case scenario, assuming The Batman somehow was just a fluke, is that this is gonna be a fairly boring nothing of a spin-off focused on uninteresting gangsters warring it out and largely held together by Colin Farrell being a hoot. The more optimistic case scenario is that this is gonna be more of The Batman and The Batman's Penguin, which means this is gonna obviously rule, and best case scenario it might be, against the odds, a really, really good Penguin show, because so far, this is a really, really good version of The Penguin.

What they seem to be doing is zeroing in on Oswald's core as a hedonistic social climber with an almost perfect oily charm punctured with insecurities and self-loathing so strong they warp all the way around to an almost-maniacal overconfidence, spitefully driven to prove himself and take what he wants before a world that repeteadly puts him down as unworthy and lesser ("Da world aint built fer guys like us") and who almost succeeds enough to stop living in almost-weres for good. A Penguin who is both this laughably over-the-top waddling freak who gets into pissing contests with the Batmobile and this miserably human figure whose anger and bitterness comes from a deeply understandable place as a lifetime victim of ableism and violence.

They're taking this ridiculous loud parody of a person and infusing that with unexpected complexity, tragedy and grandiosity so the disconnect and contrast makes the character as intriguing to follow as he is fun to watch, a posturing and even pitiful jolly man who gives you a jolly shank between the ribs with unrelenting menace the second you start getting cozy to his charm and forget how dangerous and clever he is. Of course they have to give this guy a show, because that's The Penguin and The Penguin rules.

“He could have that mix of being incredibly, incredibly scary and volatile, and then all of a sudden, you’d see this vulnerable side that really made you feel for that guy". “So I really wanted him to play the character." The idea of getting to do the series and really sort of dive into the depths of who this character is and look at that moment where it’s kind of his Scarface moment. The moment where everyone’s underestimated him, he’s gonna reach for power in Gotham - Matt Reeves

You see that face and it's got, so much history, so much pain, so much violence in it [Matt Reeves] mentioned Fredo to me, because Fredo's crippled by the insignificance that he lives with. There is a kind of fracture at the core of Oz, which fuels his desire and his ambition to rise within this criminal cabal. Where that rise goes … - Colin Farrell

@davidmann95 brought up an idea they might be touching on, which is that in this setting, the Gotham mafia spent 20 years running the city with GTA cheat codes for Infinite Wayne Money, and Oswald happens to be stepping up to take power right at a time when they've been downgraded to a normal mob vying for power in a broken city where that's no longer gonna be the dominant power structure moving forward, because Batman defeated crime by cutting off the crime allowance and that's how we're getting super-crime times two with Clayface and/or Mr Freeze in Part 2.

They also have an Arkham show in development that further cements that changing structure of the rogues and freaks taking over, and so it's possible that this show is gonna be about what happens opposite that, the Gotham mobs trying to ride the tide with Surfing Jokers closing in and the two Falcone Juniors left in town racing to see who gets to be captain of the Titanic.

And this is getting even more into wishful thinking territory, but given how they intend to characterize Penguin in the ways he very much doesn't fit in seamlessly where he wants to and so has to claw and scrape and struggle his way there, and given that he's obviously gonna stick around where as Sofia Falcone and Sal Maroni and etc are all pretty much sealed,

And given how this universe is eever so slightly working it's way into more closer-to-comics elements such as Clayface and Mr Freeze, Arkham Asylum as a gathering hotbed of rogues, and Robin (which both Reeves and Pattison expressed a desire in adapting), it's possible then that the show is gonna be about Penguin becoming a [BIG SHOT] by adapting with the times and thus surviving them, unlike the other mobsters, and so becoming ever so slightly more like his comics self. They did say that Oswald is greatly ambitious and with big plans for the city, that he's capable of taking over power, and that the show is about him moving up from flunky to kingpin, so who's to say he's not gonna have to get creative?

And so what should have been routine business for Sofia and Maroni thrown off the rails by the intrusion of our laughing snorting Simpsons crimelord protagonist, just some weird oily nightclub manager that held Falcone's umbrella up until the city turned upside down and now he's somehow kicking their asses amidst his personal journey of figuring out that being a Godfather / Sopranos extra isn't gonna cut it anymore with all these Bat and Riddle Freaks blowing things up, and so Dah Nu Kengpeen of Gotdam becomes the rocket-powered umbrella genius stealing the seats of power from the kingpins-that-would-be while shouting PENGUIIIN!!! I GOTTA WIIIIIINNNN!!!

Well okay probably not the last part, but I think we're gonna be in for a good time with Mr.Boniface regardless.

[maithefluffychicken]

Astarion/Tav, but mostly is just romance headcanons for our beloved companions.

Shadowheart is right - no matter how ominous her name -, thinking about the tadpole non-stop is not going to make it disappear from their brains. In this... Astarion wants to say night, but it's always night in the Underdark, so he can't really know if it's night time or if the sun he so misses is shining above them all. Anyway, right now they're at their camp, covered by giant, luminiscent mushrooms of any kind, the fire crackling cozily in front of them.

They all are talking about their love life, or the lack of it, and Astarion can't help but to notice a pattern. As if an invisible allmighty hand had chose the seven most miserable people in all Faerun.

Karlach, hasn't been with anyone in years, because of her flaming affliction. She says that before Zariel, she doesn't remember falling in love with anybody, but she's a tactile tiefling and she misses the soft touch of another being.

Shadowheart says that she's been devoted to Shar, the Dark Goddess, since she was a kid, and that if she ever loved someone, she allowed them to erase her memory.

Lae'zel is Astarion's favorite. The gith is bold and doesn't know taboo, does she? She talks about sex freely and without shame. She thinks sex is a way to let out some steam and energy, also a wonderful way to claim someone if you develop romantic feelings. Lae'zel knows what she wants and how she wants it, and calls them all immature when they blush. Astarion laughs delighted with Lae'zel's sexy stories.

They all are tired of hear about Gale's torrid romance with Mystra. The man beds a literal Goddess and is punished at the end, another reason why Astarion would never trust in any deity.

Halsin is... wild. Feral. Animalistic. Halsin wins them all in sex stories. Astarion feels a weird sting in his guts when Tav laughs and blushed at Halsin's anecdotes as a bear. Astarion knows it's not jealousy, he has never been jealous. It's fear. But the vampire stores that thought to examine it later.

Then there's Wyll... Gods above, Wyll have been training non-stop to become the perfect Prince Charming, hasn't he? Wyll claims that a gentleman doesn't kiss and tell. Astarion is fully convinced the man is reserving himself until being married. Nothing wrong with that! Just... a handsome boy like Wyll could have anyone. Astarion must admit - and he does admit - that Wyll could have been such a delicious morsel if... Well.

Tav.

Tav, who has been slowly working their way into Astarion's cold, dead heart. Tav, who laughs when Gale asks them about their love stories. Tav, who has had a childhood crush, a few failed relationships, and some affairs here and there during their adventures, but nothing too important to talk about it.

Astarion knows he's doomed when Tav smiles at Astarion, their cheeks flushed, maybe because of the conversation or maybe it's the fire heating their cheeks.

Karlach is the one who bumps Astarion's shoulders and asks him to share his torrid, debauched sexy anecdotes. Astarion's stomach churns, and he'll puke if he could. He knew, at the start of the conversation, that they'll ask him too.

Astarion puts on his well practiced facade and laughs it off, waving his hand elegantly and joking vaguely about how Baldur's Gate was full of delectable young men and women to spend the nights with. He thinks about them all, every day, and has to resist the impulse to- well. He keeps his well practiced charm, but something in his face must show his inner turmoil, because Tav interrupts him and redirects the conversation to another matter.

Astarion looks at Tav, grateful for once. Tav simply smiles at him, as if just as easy, and lets Gale to start rambling about something Astarion is not even listening. Maybe it is easy, for Tav at least. Astarion doesn't want to hope, nothing in his life is easy.

Later, in his bedroll, looking at the stars, Astarion answers Karlach's question to himself, his mind whirling with the realization-

If he fell in love while under Cazador's influence, he can't really know, he wasn't himself, he hasn't been himself for two hundred years. But Astarion has been in love, when he was young. He never knew how to reciprocate, too focused in other things.

Astarion has been in love before, but now he's sure he loves Tav. Astarion is free for now, and he knows he has to do something about that bright, overwhelming love he feels for Tav.

[s-creations]

Hues Chapter 4: Budding

Luigi makes good on that promise for a date.

He's nervous. Peasley's nervous. Mario, Wario, and Waluigi are worried good brothers. But they're no match for Peach.

Fandom: Super Mario & Releated Fandoms Rating: General Audience Relationship: Mario & Luigi (Nintendo), Wario & Waluigi (Nintendo), Wario, Waluigi, Mario, Luigi (Nintendo), Mario/Princess Peach (Nintendo), Luigi/Prince Peasley Additional Tags: IT'S HAPPENING EVERYONE CALM DOWN!, First date, everyone's nervous, Mario & Wario & Waluigi are good big brothers, but they're not match for Peach.

It really shouldn’t be this hard.

As a prince, Peasley had been trained for many items and issues that were laid at his feet. Diplomatic meetings to citizen confrontations, sword fighting and strategic defenses, being kind but fair in every decision decreed, how to carry himself to appear approachable but one of equal measure to his citizens, practically everything. 

He’s also been on a fair amount of dates. Primarily that on citizens' wishes, when he was younger and had more of a chance to explore. 

Bottom line is that Peasley should be well prepared for anything. 

So why was just picking out an outfit becoming such a hassle?

Letting out a few slow breaths, Peasley’s eyes darted across his bed. Where almost every inch was covered with every piece of clothing and fabric he’d brought with him. Wishfully thinking that if it all blurred together with how quickly his eyes moved it would seek out the perfect combination. In some way.

“How can I have so much to wear and yet have absolutely nothing?” Peasley weakly grumbled out. 

His brows furrowed deeper at the bedroom door being knocked on. Believing it to be either Merri or Gigi, he simply called out, “I’m a little busy at the moment.”

The subtle request was apparently ignored when the same door was opened. Peasley faltered when he turned, planning on a firmer request to be left alone, to find Peach approaching him. The princess offered a warm smile to the stunned prince. 

“P-Princess Peach,” Peasley said quickly, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you- What can I help you with?”

“I wanted to check on you,” Peach gently replied, “Tonight's kind of a big night, are you excited?”

“Oh, that’s a word for it…”

Peach’s eyes looked over towards the bed at the number of garments laid out before them. “...Feeling a little nervous?”

“Why do I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing? How do you impress someone without appearing smug? Luigi deserves the best but I don’t want to make him feel, I don’t know, under dressed? How? How do I do this?”

Letting out a heavy groan, Peasley collapsed into a nearby chair. Rubbing the heel of his palms against his closed eyes. 

Peach, on her part, started to carefully pick and shift through the garments. Pulling a few to the top. “You really want this to work. …What’s going on in that head of yours? I feel that it’s more than just picking out something to wear.”

Peasley looked up at this, now defeatedly leaning against his hand. “I don’t want to be just a ‘prince’ for Luigi, I want to be Peasley…”

“Can’t you?”

“I don’t know.”

Peach offered a small smile as she carefully pulled out a pair of black dress pants. “It is strange to be a member of a royal family, isn’t it? We hold a lot of power that we can appear as terrifying beings to others. To some, we’re not even people, we’re just a title.”

Letting out a heavy sigh, Peasley nodded, “Yes…”

“Which is why the brothers are such a breath of fresh air for me. They don’t care about my title, that I’m royalty. Sure, they’re respectful towards me when they need to be. They know when to enter the role of entourage. But they also know that I’m more than just my heritage.”

“Mario is an absolute gentleman. When it’s just the two of us, he knows how to treat me well. I never have to be a ‘princess’, I can be just Peach. I’ve become more comfortable being myself when I’m around him. And I know Luigi will treat you the same. You can be nervous, you can be flustered, and I know he will never judge you for it. Luigi is just as excited about this evening as you are. You have nothing to worry about.”

Peasley jerked in surprise when a folded outfit was plopped down onto his lap. The same dress pants now paired with a button up cream colored shirt. A relatively straightforward outfit.

“This is just a time for you and Luigi to get to know each other. Keep it simple, it’ll be fine.” Peach finished off with a smile. 

Peasley, however, still didn’t seem very sure.

“Can I share something with you?”

“Of course.”

“...Back in the BeanBean Kingdom, it had been passed down that we would be needed. That our knowledge would pull us from our isolation as we’d need to help save our lands. I was selfishly hopeful that time would come when I was no longer here. As the fear of…such a burden would be great. Then we received the report we’d been waiting for and I was asked to act on behalf of my kingdom. There was already a panic in knowing what arriving here meant.”

Steadily growing worried by the words, Peach pulled another chair forward to sit next to the prince. “These worries are not unfounded. I was nervous when I received the letter from Queen Bean. However, we’ve clearly established that our kingdoms will have a strong bond.”

“...That is true.”

“But this is more than just our duties.” 

“When I first learned of the brothers, it was after Luigi’s victory over King Boo. We have Boos in the BeanBean Kingdom. Up in the mountains where abandoned towns lay. We avoid them, obviously. The point being I knew the dangers Boos held and was absolutely shocked upon hearing of Luigi’s triumphs. I became curious about the being brave enough to face beings so feared. The more I heard, the more I learned about his, a-and Mario’s, adventures the more I found myself…”

“Fantasizing?” Peach giggled as Peasley’s face turned a deep blue, “You’re okay, you’re in a safe space.”

Peasley gave his own laugh in return, “I suppose that word is the most accurate for this situation. I kept thinking about Luigi, I’ll admit. What he looked like, his personality, just…what was he like? I’m…pretty sure I fell for him long before I even met him. I just sunk deeper in once we were face to face. Then we started to talk and I sunk further. Then he saved me and I know I’m completely gone. Luigi has my heart, even if he’s not aware of it.”

“Pardon me for this. But I’m still not understanding where your worries lie.” Peach said cautiously. 

The wistful look over Peasley’s face slipped away as his shoulders dropped. Nervously wrapping his arms around himself. The outfit pressed close to his chest. “Because…I believe he deserves better than myself.”

Biting her bottom lip, Peach gently reached over to pull the prince free from the self-imposed hug. “Don’t you believe you should leave that up to Luigi to decide?”

Peasley gave a nervous laugh, “Why do you think I’m panicking so much over the smallest detail?”

“Well, then it’s best that I’m here to help. Let’s get you set up! You’ll have that confidence back in no time.”

_____________________________

“You are not.”

“Yes, I am.”

“Mario, please, I’m nervous enough as is.”

“I just want to make sure everything’s okay.”

“Which is just code for ‘trying to intimidate Peasley’.”

“No, of course not! …I mean, if it’s a perk I could call it that.”

“Mario.”

“Luigi.”

The younger twin turned to glare at his brother. Who just gave a smug smile back.

“Mario…please… This is really important, I want to impress him. And having you here will make him uncomfortable. Can you please just…not be here?”

“Nope.”

Luigi let out a groan, “Mario, please!”

“I’ll just be in my room! You won’t even know I’m here.”

“Mario, I love you, and I understand that you want to know everything will be okay. But you will make me more nervous than I already am and I want to make this the best night I can. Please, please, please, please just give me a few hours! Just the two of us. Please.”

Mario casually turned to the next page on his paper, “I told you, you won’t know I’m here.”

Giving up, Luigi flopped down into the nearest chair. Letting out an exhausted sigh. 

It had been a few days since Bowser’s attack and subsequent rescue. Peasley, Merri, and Gigi claimed that, even with the excitement, they needed to remain in the Mushroom Kingdom. Just to make sure that the twins did have proper control over their powers. Which in turn meant that the younger twin had time to take Peasley on the date he’d promised.

Attempting to ignore the nervous hurricane of butterflies in his stomach, Luigi had done his best to figure out what he wanted. Thrilled with the idea that the prince would be visiting the twin’s cozy household to actually be on a date with him! 

The only wrinkle was that Mario informed Luigi that he wasn’t going to be gone for the night.

“I didn’t follow you when you and Peach went on your date.” Luigi grumbled out.

“True, you got me there,” Mario replied calmly, “But I just want to make sure he doesn’t try anything.”

“I know I’ve had some…issues in the past-”

“Being left on the side of the road on the bad side of town is not just an ‘issue’.” 

“The point I’m trying to make is that I can handle this. I know you’re protective, but Peasley’s not like anyone else. He’s…different.”

Mario finally looked up from the paper hearing this. Finding Luigi staring off into the distance with a warm smile on his face. 

The older twin let out a small sigh. Knowing he was overthinking things. After all, Peasley had done nothing to make Mario even assume the prince would be planning anything or would attempt anything that would hurt Luigi. But Mario was still the older brother. Meaning he still had a role to play. Which was keeping Luigi safe and annoyed.

Just as Mario opened his mouth to make another remark, their front door was knocked on. Both looked confused as it was far too early for Peasley to arrive. 

Mario slid from his chair to answer it. More than a little surprised to find Peach beaming behind said door. Dressed in such casual clothing that it took Mario a few minutes for his mind to catch up.

“Hey Peach, what can we help you with?”

“I was wondering if you’d like to come to the castle tonight?” She asked calmly. 

“Oh, um, well…” Mario turned back into the house hearing Luigi join them.

“Good afternoon princess,” the younger twin said, “is there an issue?”

“Of course not. I was just hoping to steal Mario away for the evening?”

When Mario connected the dots, he attempted to put his foot down to say no. Only for Peach to grab his arm to pull him out before an argument could start. Luigi watching on in quiet confusion.

“Thanks Luigi! I’ll make sure to take good care of him and return him before the day’s over. Enjoy your evening with Peasley!”

Still in quiet shock, Luigi only moved forward to better watch as Mario was pulled away. The older brother was clearly torn between following Peach and going back to the house. Even though he didn’t put up much of a fight.

Letting out a small laugh, Luigi closed the door. Sighing in some relief as he leaned against said door.

“Thank you, Peach.”

_____________________________

Green Pipe traveled, Mario suspiciously glared up at Peach’s joyous face.

“So…what did you have planned?” He asked. 

“Oh, nothing major. A few snacks, a few movies, just some fun stuff. Things to keep you entertained and your mind will be off of…everything else.”

“Did Luigi put you up to this?”

Peach let out a snort. “Absolutely not! If anything, I’m fulfilling my obligations of being a sibling.”

Mario’s new point of argument frazzled out of his mind hearing the word ‘sibling’. “Wait, what did you mean by that?”

“Do you honestly think I wouldn’t want to be an older sister to Luigi? I want him just as happy as you do and I know Pealsey will be good for him. Plus, they’re so cute together. This also means that you need to relax and not be in the way.”

“I wouldn’t be-”

“Mario, don’t lie to me.”

Said hero huffed, “Maybe I was planning on peaking in from time to time.”

“See, I knew you would. Which is why I appeared, to help you both out.”

Mario did his best to not grumble as he was led further into the castle. 

Then, a light bulb went off in his head.

“Hey, do you mind if I make a call?” Mario asked.

“To whom?”

“Not Luigi, promise. Just…want to check on something…”

“It wouldn’t be to call Wario or Waluigi, would it?”

“...Well-”

“You don’t need to worry about them because they’re already here!” Peach said gleefully as she pushed the double doors open. 

The large room they entered was full of entertainment items. Numerous games, movies, and comfortable chairs that were scattered everywhere. A large tv was mounted on the wall in the center of the room. Wario and Waluigi were already in large, plush chairs. Happily sucking down whatever food or drink that was in reach. The former looking up upon hearing the doors being opened.

“Hey, it’s Mini-Me! What brings you here?”

“Uh…Peach.” Was Mario’s weak reply.

“Huh, same.”

“Where’s Green Bean?” Waluigi asked.

“...At home.”

“Why?”

“Because his date’s tonight.”

That caused the other brothers to freeze up in realization.

“Shit.

“Shit.”

“Who wants to watch a movie!” Peach gleefully called out. Already walking to the large wall of movies to look them over.

Wario quickly waved Mario over to frantically whisper, “Do you think one of us could sneak out?” 

“Me, what about you two? Luigi’s my brother, I should be the one that goes back.”

“But Peach is your girlfriend. You’ll have a better chance of distracting her.”

“Hey, two idiots, don’t you think Peach will spot right away when we’re down one.” 

“Stuff out Waluigi, you’re not part of this conversation.”

“Gentlemen!” All three flinched as Peach pointedly slammed down a stack of movies she had pulled. Smiling in a way that made all three of them freeze in terror. “In case you three even have the audacity to try to plan something, the nerve to think about ruining Luigi’s date, I will personally oversee your punishment. Which will be my decision. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes ma’am.” Was the fearful response from all three.

“Wonderful!” Peach beamed while picking the top most movie, “Now, how about we start our own evenings?”

“Your girlfriend is scary.” Waluigi mumbled out.

Mario couldn’t help but laugh, cheeks flushed softly, “Yeah, she is.”

_____________________________

“Okay, okay, okay,” Luigi took a step back while nervously shaking his hands, “Everything looks ready. All’s set up, food’s done, now we just need…”

He couldn’t help but jump hearing the front door being knocked on once more. Rushing over, he took a few calming breaths before opening it. Luigi felt his heart race finding Peasley on the other side. Said human feeling a little over dressed with how simple the prince was dressing.

“Um, hello.” 

“Hello,” Peasley replied breathlessly, “You, um, you clean up really well.”

“T-Thank you. You look comfortable.”

“Oh, is it too casual?”

“N-No, no!” Luigi quickly attempted to correct his comment, hearing Peasley’s concern, “No, you’re cute. I-I mean, you’re dressed up cute! You’re cute as well! But we were talking about your outfit so I wanted to assure you that you looked great!”

Peasley bit his bottom lip as he watched Luigi stumble over himself. Smiling as his mind was flooded with, ‘Grambi Above, he’s absolutely adorable.’

“Luigi, you’re okay, I understand. Thank you for your kind words. I’m not too early, am I?”

“O-Oh, no, you’re right on time actually. Would you like to come in?”

“Of course, thank you,” Peasley looked around the home eagerly as he slowly entered, “You home is wonderful. Very cozy.”

“T-Thank you. We’ll be taking our food from the kitchen to the backyard.”

“Sounds wonderful! What will we be partaking in?”

“A family recipe. Spaghetti with homemade marinara sauce, a family recipe.”

Peasley perked up at that, “Is this an Earth meal?”

“Y-Yeah!”

“Oh, I’m very eager then.”

Luigi couldn’t help but giggle as Peasley led the way to the adjoining room. The prince clearly excited as he stared over the food being offered. Happily following Luigi’s lead as they built their plate. 

“Here, I’ll carry these out if you’ll get the door for us.” 

“Such a gentleman.” Peasley laughed softly. 

The collective demeanor the prince had held for so long fell away when Peasley did open said door. Eyes seemed to immediately focus in on the garden. It wasn’t large, but it was clearly well loved. The foliage a beautiful green, flowers an array of vibrant colors, large vegetables peeking out between the numerous leaves. 

Peasley had left the small patio to happily dart between the greenery. Bubbly discussing with each individual plant about how wonderful they looked and how it was clear they were properly being cared for. 

He only stopped when he realized he’d basically abandoned his food to coddle plants.

Blushing a deep blue, Peasley stood back up. Facing Luigi with a sheepish smile. “Ah, sorry, got a little carried away there.”

“You don’t have to apologize,” Luigi replied. Having placed both plates onto the small decorated table. A rather adorable set up that held a beautiful array of flowers held together in a small vase. Flowers that Peasley noted were from the garden he’d just been admiring. 

“I figured you’d want to see the garden and would get a little excited.” Luigi finished with a smile.

Peasley felt warmth bloom out from his chest. Cheeks carrying a darker blue now while he fiddled with his hair. “Still, it was not very regal of me. Composure is important for a prince.”

“Well, what’s important for Peasley?” Luigi asked softly. 

Peasley snapped his mouth closed. Clearly stunned by the simple question. “Ah, well…I’m not sure. I’m sorry, this is probably not how you thought this evening would start.”

Luigi hummed softly as he joined the prince in the gardens. “Isn’t that kind of the idea of a date? To get to know each other more? You don’t need to be a prince here.”

Peasley was surprised when his hands were collected in Luigi’s. The human squeezing them gently to offer some comfort.

The prince couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Suppose it is…”

There were no arguments as they walked back to the table. Luigi makes sure to take the time to push Peasley’s chair in before sitting in his own. 

“Alright, so, how do I eat this?” Peasley asked.

“There are a few ways.”

“What’s your way?”

“Fork and spoon in each hand.” Luigi stated as he picked up his own utensils in each hand. Waiting for Pealsey to follow the same.

“Now, grab some of the noodles and sauce. With your spoon under your fork, twirl it around until what you grabbed is wrapped around it and… Ta-dah! The perfect bite!” Luigi held up his food ladened fork with pride.

Peasley clumsily followed Luigi’s lead. Barely holding his fork up before said food slid off and plopped back down into the plate. “Ah, I suppose I’m not very skilled at this.”

“It takes a while to be, honestly. Here, another way is to just put a few pieces in your mouth and just slurp.”

“...Slurp?”

“Yeah, like so.”

Peasley watched with quiet fascination as Luigi easily but rather loudly sucked a few noodles into his mouth. Placing a hand over to hide while he chewed, the human gestured for Peasley to follow suit. 

While apprehensive, Peasley attempted to follow the instructions once more. Again, he wasn’t as fully successful as Luigi had been. But he was clumsily able to put some of the food into his mouth. The flush of nervousness was quickly forgotten when the flavor finally hit him.

“Goodness, this is amazing!” Peasley called out happily.

“I’m glad you like it,” Luigi beamed, “and that you were able to eat some.”

“As am I. Although that was not certainly not the most dignified way to eat this.”

Luigi watched as the prince took another bite. “I told you, you don’t need to be a prince here.”

Finishing his latest bite, Peasley hummed softly. “I suppose you did… You said this was a family recipe?”

The human nodded, “It’s one that my mom used to make all the time for Mario and I. I was so excited to find substitutes in the Mushroom Kingdom for this.” 

“Used to make?”

“Ah, she and our dad…passed away.”

Peasley faltered, “O-Oh, I’m so sorry to hear.”

Luigi quickly shook his head. “To use your own words, you couldn’t have known. It’s fine, it was…years ago.” 

“But it still hurts.”

“Yes…” The hero cleared his throat, “Sorry, we should be enjoying ourselves!”

Peasley smiled softly, “Yes, we are… Let’s see if I can manage this once more.”

Attempting the twirl technique again, the beanish prince was provided another clumsy bite. Covering his mouth while he chewed, Peasley offered, “Was your mom the cook of the family?”

“She taught Mario and I everything,” Luigi replied with a smile, “But our dad is why we got into plumbing. He was an electrician and taught us the importance of hard, earnable labor.”

“Why did you two pick plumbing then?”

“Don’t really know. Something must have happened when we were babies that just stuck with us. Even with our differences in work, our dad was still able to get us an internship long before we were able to go to school for it. We weren’t the best off financially, but they did all they could to make sure Mario and I had a good life…”

Luigi swallowed weakly, “It was more than just emotionally challenging when they passed. Mario did his best to take over the role of being a parent. He was able to make an argument for us to stay together instead of going to an orphanage. We got into trade school as quickly as we could and jumped onto the first job offered to us. Probably not the best idea since our first job was kind of a trainwreck. It only took a few grueling years to get the contract to break and we struck out on our own… Actually, our first personal job was how we ended up here.”

Peasley, absolutely enthralled, swallowed his current bite before replying with, “What happened? I mean, what happened to bring you two here?”

“...Oh, I haven’t thought about that day in a while. Well, the job was more a call from the mayor to every available plumber. There was a rather large flooding issue in the sewers that were entering into the streets. No one had a clue as to where that much water could have been stored for so long.”

“Mario and I joined the search and we went way, way deeper than the other plumbers did. We even went past the crumbled area that had recently been excavated. That…was probably illegal, now that I think about it. But, anyway, we were only a few feet in before the ground gave way. I don’t know how far we fell, but I’m shocked we survived. We’d somehow ended up in a really large and old tunnel. In our attempt to find a way out, we came across a large green pipe. And, well…I got sucked in first. Mario jumped in after me. Here we are, I guess that’s all.”

“It sounds like a rather big twist of fate.” Peasley quietly commented.

“Suppose it is…” Luigi gently shook his head, offering a smile. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to take over the conversation.”

“No, no you’re fine! I wanted to hear about it, I did ask after all. Do you…think if you could go back to Earth, you would?”

“...I’m not sure.”

Peasley hummed softly at that, taking another bite before continuing on. “Earth is a rather strange topic. Everyone here knows of it, but no one’s been able to visit there as the Green Pipe is always closed. It appears we can only receive visitors.”

“That is strange. The Green Pipes are always blocked?”

“For as long as I can remember. You and your brother’s arrival is the first time the pipe has opened during my life.”

“Strange…” Luigi smiled, “I think I’ve held this conversation long enough. What’s the BeanBean Kingdom like?”

“Wonderfully green. Filled with so much in the way of wildlife and foliage. My kingdom is based around agriculture, very different from the Mushroom Kingdom.” 

“Really?” Luigi blinked, “There’s a lot more nature in the Mushroom Kingdom than Brooklyn. I figured this kingdom also dealt with agriculture. With the Mushrooms and other powers up and…whatnot.”

“Actually, the Mushroom Kingdom is known for their technological advancements. While all kingdoms are aware of and use the pipe system, only the Mushroom Kingdom can build and maintain them. They’ve had that knowledge and tools to do so for centuries, if not longer.” 

“Huh, I didn’t know that.”

Peasley laughed softly, “My kingdom may have been in self isolation, but we know a lot more than people expect us to.”

“What about your parents?”

“Well, you know a bit about my mother. She’s the current acting Queen and was born into royalty. My father came from a family of farmers, who mainly sourced vegetation. But, my father actually specialized in growing roses. It’s how my mother and him met. She had, uh, snuck out from the castle to see the market on her own. Which was not allowed when she was younger. That rule has since been changed.”

“You said you had a garden at the castle. Is it your fathers?”

“Oh no, it’s been maintained at the castle for years. He did, however, improve upon it when he was granted access to it. Which really didn’t take long to get. It helped that he knew how to improve the growth, along with his ability. Which was thankfully passed down to me, helped me maintain the garden to his original vision…” 

“Ability?” Luigi perked up.

“Have I not shown you? Ah, well, let’s correct this oversight.” 

Placing his napkin to the side, Peasley walked over to the warm soil. Cupping his hands together to create a dome over the selected area. On his part, Luigi leaned forward to watch. There was a flash of green and Peasley slowly moved his hands away. In their place grew two roses, one a deep red with the other a warm yellow. 

Luigi let out a gleeful gasp. Clapping as Peasley gently plucked both up. Pulling out a small knife to shave off the thorns and cutting the stems shorter. After both were thorn free, Peasley tucked both behind Luigi’s ear. The human’s face turned a deep red. 

Peasley let out a soft hum as he gently cupped Luigi’s cheek. “I must say, yellow is a very good color for you.”

“T-Thanks.” Luigi was still happily flustered as Peasley sat back down. “Can you grow anything?”

“Unfortunately no. But those that I can’t grow on my own I can at least help become stronger, healthier. I can also communicate with the land. It’s actually how I was able to find you in the hedge maze.” 

“Wow…that’s amazing Peasley.”

The prince flushed once more, “Thank you.”

He looked down as his fork clinked against the plate. Finding it completely empty. “Oh, goodness, suppose I’m finished.”

“Did you want some more?”

“No, but thank you. I was just enjoying myself so much, I suppose I kept eating without realizing.”

“I hope you at least left room for dessert.”

“Of course I did.”

_____________________________

The relatively quiet calm of movie watching was broken upon hearing the door being knocked on. Peach paused the movie before calling out, “Come in!”

A Toad guard peeks in, “Sorry to interrupt, Your Highness. But we wanted to inform you that Prince Peasley and Luigi have arrived-”

Said Toad jumped away as Mario came barreling out of the room. With Wario and Waluigi close behind after their shoving match determined who was going out of the room first. Nervously leaning back into the room, Toad said, “Should I not have said anything?”

Peach laughed, “No, you’re fine.”

Trying to be as quiet as they could be, the trio of brothers slowed their steps as they neared the ‘visitor hallway’. Newly appointed area. All crowding at the turn, harshly whispering to each other about keeping quiet as to not be found out. They peeked around to find Luigi and Peasley standing by the bedroom the prince had been staying at for the visit. Each holding the other’s hands. 

“They are kind of cute together.” Wario whispered in admission. 

Mario, who was smiling at the scene, replied with a quiet, “Yeah, I guess so.”

“I still know a good area to hide anything, and I do mean anything.” Waluigi grumbled back. 

“Noted,” Mario and Wario replied back.

“What do you think they’re talking about?”

“I can’t hear.”

“Well, I’m trying to listen but you two keep talking.”

“I’m surprised you’re having issues given how large your ears are.”

“Stiff talk bro, given your length.”

“Would you two please hush. Can anyone read lips?”

“Nope.”

“Negative.” 

“Great.”

“Do you think they know we can hear them?” Peasley whispered while doing his best to hold back his laughter. 

Luigi knew he should feel upset with now being overseen by three people instead of just the normal one. But it was an overall funny situation. So he couldn’t help but smile back. “Probably not.”

“At least you know they care about you.”

“Sure, we can go with that. Sorry about this, it’s not how I thought the night would end.”

Peasley released a few giggles, cutting himself off with a small cough. “It’s fine. I assure you it would have been far worse if we’d been in the BeanBean Kingdom. …Not to make you worry or anything.”

“No, that’s…understandable. Either way, thank you for giving me a chance.”

“Thank you for offering it. I don’t suppose claiming to be in a…relationship would be too far out of a request.”

Both felt their cheeks heat up.

Luigi gave a small smile before answering with, “I would say that would be more than okay with me.”

“That is wonderful to hear. I don’t believe the remaining time here will allow us another outing. But I will send word to you once I arrive back to my kingdom.”

“That sounds perfect. And maybe I’ll be able to visit you soon.”

“That would be amazing, but we’ll just have to see what the future holds. I will wait with bated breath for your arrival.”

Peasley gently pulls his hands away to rest one on the bedroom door. “Thank you again for a wonderful evening.”

Luigi smiled, “Thank you for joining me.”

The handle had barely been turned when Peasley paused. Luigi didn’t have time to ask if everything was alright when the prince quickly faced him again. Said royalty pressing his lips gently against the human’s cheek. Remaining connected for a few seconds. 

Pulling away, Peasley weakly remarked with ‘Good night,’ before entering his room. Able to now hide his deep blue flush behind the bedroom door. 

Luigi remained frozen for a few moments in stunned silence. Wide eyes now staring at the closed door. Hand gently placed against the same cheek. At some point, he regained feeling in his legs and he slowly moved away. Still in stunned silence. 

Mario, Wario, and Waluigi weren’t around the corner when Luigi reached it. No doubt all rushing away when the younger brother started to move. Even without asking for directions, Luigi seemed to know where to go. Giving the entertainment room door a few soft knocks with his free hand before entering.

If he’d been paying attention, Luigi would have picked up on the fact that the other brother’s were flushed. Breathing heavily as they tried to look relaxed as they peered back to Luigi. Peach biting her bottom lip as she held back a wide smile as she watched. 

“Hey,” said Mario, “you’re back! How did it go?”

Luigi didn’t say anything. The older brother slid off the seat to approach his brother. Only to pause when Luigi broke out into the biggest smile. Hands eagerly flapping before he closed the gap and pulled Mario into a tight hug. On his part, Mario laughed and wrapped his arms in return. 

“I’m going to say it was good?”

Luigi nodded back, face burying into the crook of his brother’s shoulder. Overwhelmed with happiness.

“Are we going to stay like this for a while?”

Another nod. 

“Okay then.”

Peach smiled softly at the exchange, turning away to start the movie back up to allow the twins a few minutes alone. She made no complaint as the other brothers sat with her. Claiming either side of the princess.

“A pretty happy ending for today, wouldn’t you say?” Peach said.

“I’m just happy we didn’t have to do any heavy lifting.” Wario replied. 

Letting out a low hum, Waluigi said, “Should we be worried that both brothers are dating royalty now?”

“Says the person who’s dated royalty before.”

“Please don’t remind me of that.”

[helyiios]

IF you’re up to it (and of course no problem at all if you aren’t): what happens after Benji loses consciousness?

People are talking around him when he comes to himself. He can't exactly make out what they're saying, but he can tell they're a little agitated. It's probably not a good thing.

He blinks. Bright light makes its way behind his heavy eyelids, so bright it almost blinds him.

Where was he ?

"Benj ? Benji," someone says to his—left ?—, and then a strong hand comes to grab his. "Benji, hey." 

Ethan.

"E ?" he asks softly, as lowly as his painful throat allows him, "E. Where..." 

"You're at the hospital, yeah ? I brought you here yesterday. Do you remember ?" 

He feels himself props himself up a little more comfortably, gazing into the other man's worried eyes. Why did he look so scared ?

"No...? Why—how—" 

"You almost overdosed, mister Dunn-Hunt," a woman in a white coat tells him, her face schooled in a mask of perfect neutrality. "Your spouse has brought you here in a record time, so we avoided the worst. You shot yourself with methamphetamines." 

Oh.

It does come back to him.

His neck. The syringe. The glass of diluted powder.

Lane. Screaming. 

Ethan.

Oh, God.

"You passed out in the car when I brought you here," Ethan gently says, "I thought...shit. I thought you died. Turns out you didn't, so that's..." he chuckles nervously, his thumb stroking his hand, "that's a relief." 

"Mister Dunn-Hunt, we'll leave you to rest for a little while, you have been through a really hard time. But then we will require a—" 

"Yeah, yeah, urine test, CT and ECG," Benji interrupts her, although he doesn't mean to sound so grumpy. "This isn't my first rodeo," he adds, trying to be funny. It falls flat.

"We'll come back in a few hours," the doctor tells him, her brows furrowed in some sort of confusion. "You're breathing well and you don't have a head injury, so that's a plus. You were very lucky." 

He swallows thickly.

"I know." 

She leaves and he lets his eyes drop to his legs covered by the thin hospital blankets, shame the only emotion he seemed to be able to feel.

God, what had he been doing ? He'd been off of it for so fucking long. So fucking long.

"Ben—"

"E—" 

Nervous laughter.

"You first," Ethan, ever the gentleman, offers. "It's okay." 

"It's really not," Benji sadly smiles, running a feeble hand through his curly hair. "I'm—fuck. I'm sorry you had to see that." 

"What ? I'm glad you though to call me ! Better that than...than..." 

His voice breaks and he closes his eyes.

"I'm just...I'm so scared for you, Benj. I didn't know...you..." 

"I usually don't tell people I'm an ex-junkie," the other man snorts, bitterness seeping through his tone. "Doesn't fit with my nice suits and cardigans." 

"I'm sorry," Ethan says, breathless, "I'm sorry for—for this, and your neck, and Lane, and—and I should've been there, I—" 

"There's nothing to be sorry for, love," Benji simply says, shaking his head. "I'm a grown up and I...I chose to contact that dealer. I knew what I was doing, I just...I don't know," he mumbles, staring at his hands, at the catheter allowing a clear fluid flow inside his veins. "I needed to be...I needed to feel something. And I knew the razors wouldn't cut it—no pun intended." 

"It's not funny, Benj." 

"I know. I—I'm trying to deflect. I don't know what to say. I'm so fucking ashamed." 

"Hey, no," Ethan suddenly whispers, leaning so he could cup his face, turning him slightly so they were looking at each other. "No, baby. There's no shame to it. It's okay. You're going to be okay, and I'll be there for you." 

"I didn't want you to find out you married someone like me." 

"Someone like you ?" 

"An addict. Ex-addict. I don't know. God, I'm so fucking—"

"I love you Benj, and I'm proud you're my husband. And this isn't about me. How do you feel ?" 

A shrug.

"I've felt worse after an OD. Like, when I joined the IMF and they sent me into rehab, I was pretty fucked up. This...this is nothing, in comparison." 

"That's good though, isn't it ?" Ethan softly smiles, "that means you'll come back from it. And remember, I'm here." 

"I didn't wanna relapse, I swear, I—" a shaky sob, "I haven't cut in months, I thought I was dealing well with Lane, I really..." 

"It's okay to relapse. You're only human, angel. You know you've got us all to support you, just like you're always here for me." 

"I don't want to go to rehab, E...I don't want—I don't want people to know." 

"No one will, baby. And for rehab...I don't know how this works, but I...let's trust your doctors, okay ? They know what they're doing." 

"'m sorry again." 

"Hey, none of that," his husband coos, kissing his cheek tenderly, then moving to his forehead and his lips. "Do you need anything ?" 

"Can someone go home and get me my switch...?" 

"Sure, baby. I'll go." 

"No, not—not you. I want you to stay with me. Please...?" 

A pause.

"I'll ask Luther," Ethan nods with a smile, taking his phone out. "But he won't know why you're here. That okay ?" 

"Yeah. Thank you for being here, E. I love you." 

"I love you, too."