#hes been working so hard with job hunting n interview stuff!!

[sillylilpikmin]

MY LOVELY BOYFRIEND GOT A JOB TODAY!!!!! GOOD JOB HANDSOME!!! IM SO SO SO PROUD OF HIM !!!

[tillthelandslide]

Age Gap

Hi everyone! I really hope everyone reading enjoys this. It’s my first ever Henry Cavill fan fic so I am a little apprehensive about posting it. I throughly enjoyed writing it so please be sure to give me feedback and any and all ideas for future Henry Cavill fan fics would be appreciated.

Thank you to @toomanystoriessolittletime for reading over this for me, you’re amazing.

Hope you enjoy - L

You and Henry had been dating for over a year now. Things were great, he was the kindest, most caring and loving person you had ever met. He was so inspiring and passionate about his work and those around him. He was genuinely interested in everyone's lives and he truly cared for the people in his life, including you. He was the most beautiful person both inside and out and you were so lucky to have him in your life.

Henry had just posted a very cute picture of the both of you on his Instagram.

henrycavill:

Liked by freyaallan, anyachalotra, joeybateyofficial and 1,122,800 others

henrycavill horse riding and training for The Witcher 2 @your_username never a dull moment with you by my side

View all 21,669 comments

your_username always my love ❤️ cant wait for everyone to see how amazing you were

  ↳ henrycavill i love you

  ↳ your_username i love you too. Kinda mad at you, making me look all unprofessional, kissing my clients 😂

  ↳ henrycavill hope I’m the only client you kiss

  ↳ joeybateyofficial I’m the only client you kiss @henrycavill 😂

anyachalotra was a pleasure working with you again @your_username. Does he always ride topless or?? 😂

   ↳   your_username it was so fun! cant wait for everyone to see you in action 🤷🏼‍♀️not complaining though 😂

fan1 omg this is so cute

fan2 wow Henry really loves her. Dont blame him 😍

fan3 wait she worked on the Witcher?? what did she even do, wtf??

  ↳ fan4 shock horror! 😳y/n acutally has a job! don’t be silly, she’s so hard working, leave her be 🙄

  ↳ your_username @fan4 thank you lovely 💜

The majority of his fans went wild, they were happy for him but very curious who you were, they knew you had been friends with Henry for ages and had always said how beautiful you were and had recently learnt that the two of you were dating after Henry had posted a cute video to his story of Kal kissing you before Henry said "I'm getting cheated on with my own dog" . Infact it was often joked that both you and Henry were the hottest nerds ever (you too were a massive gamer and a huge fan of the Witcher amongst many other fantasy games and films).

However, a few nasty people had to comment about the age gap between the two of you. You were 25 and Henry was 37. But the age gap didn't matter to you or to Henry and the horrible comments about it made you both annoyed and upset.

 Today Henry had invited you to bring Kal, his beloved American Akita, along to an interview he had. You agreed because you knew it meant you could spend more of the day with Henry and you throughly enjoyed watching him work.

 "Today we are joined by Henry Cavill, known for being Superman, August Walker, Geralt of Rivia and many more. How are you today Henry?" The interviewer said, introducing Henry and smiling at him.

 Henry offered a nice smile back before saying "I'm very good thank you, how are you?"

 "Good thank you, very excited for this interview. So the trailer for season 2 of the Witcher has just been released and we're all very excited" he said making Henry chuckle.

 "I'm excited for everyone to see it" he said. Henry and the interviewer then spoke about the filming of season 2 for a long while. You sat petting Kal who had found comfort in between your legs resting his head on your thighs. You were admiring Henry when the interviewer asked a question about you.

 "So we are joined by your lovely girlfriend who is a massive fan of the Witcher games and books, yes?"

 "We are indeed" Henry said, winking at you before continuing "she's a even bigger nerd about it than me. She's played the Witcher 1 and 2 twice and has played Wild Hunt, 3 times now I think?" he said glancing at you for reassurance, in which you nodded, making him nod to the interviewer.

 "Wow that's impressive" the interviewer said, genuinely impressed.

 "Now we have to ask, do the constant criticism about your age gap affect the both of you, or do you just ignore it?" he said referring to you being quite a bit younger than Henry. 

 "Um, yes and no" he said the gravelly tone of Geralt peaking through a tad. "The age gap isn't a problem in our relationship, we're both adults and we're both fairly mature" he said trying to make light of the situation and making the interview laugh. 

  "No but seriously I am very happy with y/n. She is the most amazing woman in my life, sorry Mum, she is caring and loving and so talented and passionate. The thing that does get annoying about the comments are the ones saying y/n is using me for my money or for the fame. Because that couldn't be any farther from the truth " he said making you smile (and the interviewer). "Anyone who knows the first thing about y/n knows that she is the most career driven person in the world, just because she doesn't share what she does with the world in the same way I do, doesn't mean she doesn't have a job" he said addressing many rumors that said you don't have a job, which quite frankly made you chuckle.

"And its not as if y/n doesn't talk about her job at all, in fact it's something she loves talking about because she's so passionate about it and she's so good at it" he said.

 "She owns her own stables, is that correct?" The interviewer asked reading from a card in his lap, making you smile at how he researched you before this interview (Henry was asked if he was comfortable talking about your relationship, in which he said of course because he often loves talking people's ears off about you).

 "Yes she does. But she also works on film and TV sets" Henry said making the interviewer hum.

 "Her horses have been used many times in films right?" the interviewer said making Henry nod proudly.

 "Zeus who plays Roach in the Witcher is actually one of y/ns horses. She works on TV sets and films, training actors on horses. She helped train all of the actors in the Witcher on their horses, including me. Everyone on set, especially Freya, Anya and Joey, absolutely loved her" he said proudly.

 "I'm even more impressed now. And hopefully that puts some of the rumors to bed. It is honestly so lovely to hear the way you speak about her" the interviewer said making Henry gush a little.

 "She's lovely, I'm very proud of her" Henry said looking off camera at you, making you blush.

 "And she's easy on the eyes too which is a bonus. Think my dog Kal loves her more than me though" he said making you and the interviewer chuckle and making Kal perk up, upon hearing his name.

 They wrapped up the interview after talking about season 2 a little more, showing some teaser videos and playing a game of who's most likely to. Henry thanked the interviewer for being so kind, signing some stuff for him before walking to you, you filming him as he did so.

 He pet Kal on the head before placing a quick kiss to your lips

 "You're too sweet Hen" you said, placing your arms around his waist as his rested around your shoulders.

"Only speaking the truth love. The fans are going to go crazy when they see that interview" he said leaning down to place a proper kiss against your lips, making you sigh against him.

 "Hmm, come home with me" he says in his Geralt voice making you chuckle against him and shoving his chest jokingly, making Kal buck his head in between you which made Henry grunt.

 "Stop getting jealous" he said rubbing behind Kal's ears making him pant up at him.

 "Now who's cheating with his dog?" you said making him chuckle and place his hand in yours.

 "Let's go home" he says, placing Kals leash in his other hand, saying goodbye to the people along the way as you were leaving.

You both got into Henry’s car, Kal sitting inbetween you legs again then posted a video to your Instagram feed.

your_username:

Liked by henrycavill, freyaallan and 400,800 more

your_username thank you for letting me and Kal join you for your interview today and thank you for all the wonderful things you said. Your love and support means the world to me Hen ❤️@henrycavill

View all 4,000 comments

henrycavill of course my love, love you more than life itself ❤️

↳ yourusername 🥰 love you too

fan4 soo cute I can’t deal

fan6 the way they are so cute and fluffy on each others posts makes my heart burst. soft henry is the best

↳  yourusername makes my heart burst too. can confirm that not soft henry is pretty good too

↳ fan6 omg you replied, what in the world? also get it sis

↳ henrycavill she does

↳ freyaallan gross. na jk love you both

[babymetaldoll]

Danger days - Chapter two: "I'm the kinda that you wanna"

Pairing: Matthew Gray Gubler x OC + My Chemical Romance.

Word count: 5.5K

Summary: Joey faces MCR after their awful first meeting. Matthew supports whatever she decides to do with her life. Gerard is still kind of an asshole, and Frank tries his best to be a better person.

Warnings: Cursing.

A/N: WOW!! I can't believe you are actually reading this!! thank you for the love!! I was gonna post this tomorrow, but... here it is.

Masterlist

Chapter one | Chapter two | Chapter three | Chapter four | Chapter five | Chapter six | Chapter seven | Chapter eight | Chapter nine | Chapter ten | Chapter eleven | Chapter twelve | Chapter thirteen | Chapter fourteen | Chapter fifteen | Chapter sixteen | Chapter seventeen | Chapter eighteen | Chapter nineteen | Chapter twenty | Chapter twenty one | Chapter twenty-two | Chapter twenty-three | Chapter twenty-four |

--

::: Los Angeles, October 14th, 2010 :::

Mikey ate his breakfast alone, sitting at the kitchen island. He was thinking about the daily schedule, the band's upcoming tour, and clearly, the severe problems in his marriage, the one subject he kept trying to avoid.

His wife was still asleep, and he didn't want to be around when she woke up. He knew it only meant another fight. Whenever they were in the same room, it always meant an argument, and Mikey was tired of it all.

It was clear they had to get a divorce, but neither of them had brought it up just yet.

He and Alicia had grown apart in the latest months. It was hard with him touring for so long and his wife staying home, persuading her own future in the music industry. And after so much time apart, they were both tired of trying. It just wasn't working anymore.

Frank and Ray were staying at the same hotel. They drove together to the practice studio, doing their best to agree on their ideas about Joey. But they weren't really on the same page at all.

- "Just don't be an ass, ok?"- Ray said when he parked outside the studio, and Frank immediately lit a cigarette.

- "Yeah, whatever,"- Toro got out of the car and closed the door, staring at his friend leaning against the wall to smoke alone- "I'll be right there."

Iero grabbed his phone and read the messages in a vague attempt to think of anything else. But that didn't help at all; Joey parked her car just before him that very second.

- "Shit!"- the two of them said at the same time. Frank put on his dark sunglasses, and Joey grabbed all her things from the passenger seat.

- "I can't catch a break!"- she argued as she opened the door and decided to get over the horribly awkward moment- Hey!- she smiled and waved as Frank nodded- "How are you?"

- "Good, you?"

- "Good..."- and it was still awkward- "So, thank you for inviting me again,"- and Frank nodded again, not saying a word- "I'll... head... inside then."

Joey tried to smile, but it was too uncomfortable to bear. So she ran away.

- "Did you catch the game last night?"- Mikey asked as he sipped his coffee, while Ray grabbed a guitar and started tuning it.

- "No, I played video games until late."

- "What are you playing?"

- "Red dead redemption"

- "Cool, and Christa?"

- "She's back home with her parents,"- Ray kept turning the guitar and never noticed Mikey's sad face- "And Alicia?"

- "She's home. She was sleeping when I left."

- "Is everything ok?"

- "Yeah"- and again, Ray was so concentrated on his guitar, he didn't catch a glimpse of Mikey's sad look.

- "Hello"- Joey walked in, and the two guys smiled- "Am I too early?"

- "No, you are just on time,"- Ray stood up and grabbed a cup of coffee- "I got you this."

- "Oh! thank you!"- Joey was surprised by the gesture- "You shouldn't have."

- "I owed you,"- Toro kind of blushed as Joey held the cup and took a sip.

- "Black, no sugar. How did you know?"

- "I didn't know if you liked cream, and I got a lot of sugar on a side"- Ray quickly answered and showed Joey a bunch of sugar bags on a tray.

- "You nailed it."

- "Hey"- Mikey kinda whispered in a low voice- "I'm sorry, I thought you were getting us coffee and stuff yesterday."

- "Dude, it's ok, don't worry,"- Joey smiled and kept drinking her coffee- "Now I know if I get the job, I can get you black coffee with almond milk to brighten your day"- and he chuckled.

- "And thank you for coming over again."

- "My pleasure,"- Joey answered and stayed quiet looking at the two guys- "So... I saw Frank outside."

- "Yeah, he was smoking, and Gerard should be right here by now,"- Mikey took a look at his wristwatch. It was almost noon, and he knew his brother was going to be late.

Gerard was driving and smoking, trying to devise anything to avoid going to the studio and doing another audition with that woman. He didn't want to. Why? Way really didn't know. It was something inside of him that made him feel like he should stay the fuck away from her 'cos something terrible might happen. And he didn't want to find out what it was.

- "Hey"- Frank waved at Gee when he walked out of his car- "You are late."

- "Yeah, I didn't want to come,"- and Iero chuckled- "What are you doing here?"

- "I didn't want to get in just yet."

- "Is she here already?"

- "Yeah... she got here all happy like fifteen minutes ago."

- "Fine... let's get this over with,"- Gerard walked in and did his best not to look annoyed, which was virtually impossible, 'cos he couldn't stop frowning.

As soon as they walked into the studio, the image was Joey, Ray, and Mikey laughing like they were already best friends. And that got Gerard even more upset, if possible, and because of no reason at all.

- "Hey!"- Mikey stood up and hugged his brother.

- "Hi, nice to see you again,"- Joey reached out for Gerard's hand and smiled to do the same with Frank.

- "Thank you for coming,"- he whispered and cleared his throat. The drummer looked around at the band and started the speech she had prepared in her mind the whole morning.

- "Guys, I just wanted to clear the air here. If you don't want me to do this and you just called 'cos Tucker asked you to, there's no need to go through all this shit. I can go home, no hard feelings or anything"- and the band stayed quiet. Ray looked at Frank and waited for his words.

- "Joey, we just... why did you call Tucker? that was so rude!"

- "First of all, I didn't call him, he called and annoyed me for ten minutes before I told him what happened. And second, you were rude, you barely looked at me, you didn't even pay attention to what I did, and you clearly made up an interview to ask me to leave."

Joey directed those words looking right into Gerard's eyes and just spit the words, knowing that wasn't really gonna help her get the job.

- "Tucker didn't really lie, guys,"- Mikey said and tried to ease the mood- "You were rude at her, and I'm sorry to tell you, she's the best we've had so far."

- "Do you honestly think we can work together after what happened with Tucker?"- Gerard asked her, and she shrugged.

- "If you deal with the fact you were rude to me, then yeah, I've got no problem with it,"- and Frank huffed at that answer.

- "You made us look bad in front of a friend."

- "No, you looked bad in front of me, and when Tucker asked how had it been, were you expecting me to lie and tell him it was awesome? come on!"- Joey frowned, knowing that ship had sailed already- "This shit is high school all over again!"

- "I feel the same!"- Ray said and stood up- "Ok, let's get this straight, you two were assholes! And that's the main problem here! if she did or did not call Tucker to tell him about it, that's not the point!"

- "But dude!"-Frank tied to argue, but Ray stopped him.

- "No! this is our job, and we have to be professional. So now you are gonna be a grown-up, and you are going to apologize for being an asshole with no reason to her, 'cos she just came to apply for a job, ok?"

Ray looked more like a dad than like a band colleague at that point.

- "Sorry, Joey"- Frank whispered and looked down at his shoes. Ray looked at Gerard and raised an eyebrow

- "I'm sorry I was a jerk"- he mumbled

- "And I'm sorry I told Tucker you were assholes. He was really excited about the audition, and he was just trying to help me out. It clearly didn't work out, but he meant good."

Joey tried to be as nice as possible, thinking shit had gotten way too bad to even think about playing with this band.

- "Ok, now I'm gonna go so you can continue your drummer hunt."

- "Wait!"- Mikey held her arm and cut her a smile- "You should jam with us for a while."

- "I don't think that's a good idea. This got too complicated. And whether I'm good or not, I don't want this to be awkward for you. You are looking for someone to work with, it's your band, and you should be comfortable with who you choose."- Joey smiled and grabbed her bag- "I just wanted to thank you for apologizing and for caring about what happened. I'm gonna tell Tucker you are all very nice."- she joked, and the band looked at each other.

- "No, really, stay. We didn't ask you to come because of Tucker. We did it because we really want to give your audition another go,"- Frank's word surprised Joey. She wasn't really able to say a word back; she just nodded and smiled.

- "Great!"- Mikey clapped once and grabbed a bunch of papers from his bag- "I printed you some of the sheets of our songs,"- Joey held them and read them

- "Cool"

- "So... wanna warm-up?"

- "I already played two hours before I left the house."- she whispered, embarrassed of her confession- "Sorry, I just have this weird routine. I work out, eat and play in the early morning, just to get me through the day not killing anyone."

And Mikey chuckled. Frank kinda bit his lips to don't smile. He found it funny.

- "Great, then let's set us up,"- Ray smiled and walked to grab his guitar- "We remembered you were left-handed, so Mikey and I rearranged the drum set for you,"- Gerard raised an eyebrow staring at the scene.

- "Why is Ray so nice with her? Is he crushed on that girl? no way! he is a married man! married guys don't have crushes! it is impossible".

Joey read the music sheets and nodded. She had studied most of the songs, and though she had never been a huge fan of the band, she liked it enough to easily follow the tempo of each tune.

Gerard looked at her playing and hated the fact Mikey was right. She kept following each change they were doing and even threw a few herself that worked perfectly. He hated it 'cos she made it fun, and he wanted to hate her. Very childish of him, but yet, that's how he could describe it.

Frank looked at Mikey and then at Ray as they all played "Thank you for the Venom" and knew in his guts this was it. Musically this is what they needed. And also knew it was a shitty situation 'cos he had already made an enormous fuss and didn't really know how to fix it.

- "Shit!"- Ray said as soon as the song ended.

- "Yeah, that was great."- Gerard said and smiled. He knew he couldn't get away with it. Shit worked. And it worked awesomely- "Can we do "Parade"?"

- "Sure, just let me read it first. That's a long one,"- Joey said and grabbed one of the sheets. Mikey walked to his brother and raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to admit it.

- "I hate you."- Gerard whispered.

- "I know, just say it"

- "No"

- "Say it"- Mikey raised an eyebrow and kinda chuckled.

- "You were right. She's good,"- Gerard whispered, and his brother nodded.

- "God damn, I'm right!"

- "Ok, let's do this before I totally forget it..."- Joey said and smiled- "And who's gonna play the G note?"- the whole band stared at her, and she shrugged- "G note, not G spot, don't get scared"- Gerard chuckled, and he hated himself for it- "Come on pervs, let's do this!"

Somehow, Joey felt a little more in place between the guys, probably 'cos being a drummer, she was pretty used to hang out with men, from her teachers to classmates. She used to have girl bands growing up, but she found it easier working with guys professionally.

- "So, lunch?"- Ray asked and left his guitar aside. They had been jamming for over two hours.

- "Nice, I'm starving,"- Mikey did the same and turned to Joey- "Wanna come?"- she froze and looked at the whole band from behind the drums- "We are gonna go grab something to eat."

- "Yeah, then we can continue the practice,"- Gerard added and walked to the door. Joey kept in silence and looked at Mikey, smiling sweetly.

- "Ok... sure."

- "Great!"- Ray smiled- "Come on, are you a fan of Indian food? There's a fantastic place a few blocks from here!"

Frank sighed and walked outside to light a cigarette. He was sure Ray had a thing for Joey, and that upset him, most of all 'cos, just as Gerard had thought, Ray was a married man, and a happily married man, he shouldn't care about Joey that much. He was way into making her feel good. And that made Frank uncomfortable. And most of all, like a jerk for being mean to her in the first place.

- "Hey"- Joey appeared by his side all of a sudden and scared the shit out of him- "Sorry!"

- "I didn't know you were coming behind me."

- "Everybody had to pee. Apparently, they all have a small bladder,"- Frank grinned, lit a cigarette, and offered Joey one- "Thanks, I quit a few years ago."

- "Really? why?"

- "'Cos I stopped breathing... and found out I was asthmatic, which made total sense when I gave it a thought"- Frank nodded.

- "I shouldn't smoke either. My lungs are shit; I'm a bronchitis magnet."

- "I feel you"- Joey opened her backpack and took out her coconut butter hand cream. Frank looked at her and sort of smiled.

- "Do you want some? it's gonna be good to keep those tattoos from washing away"- Frank left the cigarette on his lips and grabbed the cream.

- "You are not even in the band yet, and you are making me use hand cream."

- "Tell you, what if I get the job I'll make sure I'll keep you moisturize every day,"- the young woman winked at him and saw the rest of the band walking towards them. She didn't notice Frank's face, who had turned purple after those words.

Matthew took a look at his clock as he walked outside the set. Joey should be back home by then, so he dialed her number and waited.

- "Hey, Akumu!"- he heard Joey's cheerful voice at the other side of the line and smiled.

- "Hey, Yami! How was it? Did you get the job? were those guys nice to you? are you ok?"

- "You are not gonna believe this, but we talked about it, and I have the feeling things are pretty much clear between us."

- "That's great, dorky! What are you doing now? are you back home?"

- "No, we came to grab something to eat, and then we'll continue rehearsing."

- "So you are still with the band then?"- Gubler was surprised, but happy things were working.

- "Yeah, and how's the reading going?"

- "Good, we've been at it the whole morning, now I'm about to eat something, and then I'll keep reading my lines."

- "Looking like a maniac pointing a fake gun made with your fingers?"

- "Just like any other day"- Matthew made a pause as he kept walking in circles, thinking about his girlfriend hanging somewhere with that band- "Hey, are those guys being nice to you?"

Joey looked back at the table where the band was eating and nodded, knowing her boyfriend couldn't see her.

- "Surprisingly, yes. They are all being very friendly. They apologize for being assholes yesterday."

- "Wow, really?"

- "Yeah, we had a weird deep talk in the morning. I think shit is cool now."

- "I'm glad, Yami."

- "Yeah, I've got the feeling they might actually give me the job."

- "That would be awesome."

- "I know! Anyway, Akumu, I have to go. I gotta do my best to be nice with these guys."

- "Please, don't be too nice. They don't really deserve it,"- Matthew joked, and Joey chuckled.

- "You are right, but mama needs to work."

- "But daddy can take care of you,"- Joey chuckled, making her best to process that information.

- "I love you so much, Gubler, but I can deal with this on my own."

- "I know you can."

- "Thank you."

- "I just wanna help."

- "Your support and love are all the help I need to make it."

- "So, what are we gonna do?"- Mikey asked his brother, and Gerard cleared his throat, looking at Joey talking on the phone on the other side of the diner.

- "I know you want her to stay, guessing Ray is dying to work with her,"- Gerard raised an eyebrow at his friend, and Frank nodded.

- "Yeah, you are way into that chick."

- "No way! I'm just trying to be nice 'cos you've been jerks."

- "Oh, come on!! you've got jizz all over your underwear!"- Frank's comment made Mikey laugh and almost choke with his lunch.

- "Dude, you went too far!"- Ray argued, disgusted- "And no, I don't have a crush on her, I just feel bad you made her so uncomfortable, and I'm trying to make it up for her."

The band looked at him in silence as Mikey kept coughing.

- "Dude, are you ok?"- Joey asked as she sat back at the table- "Do you want some water?"- and she reached out her glass to him, who took it and drank most of it.

- "Thanks"

- "What happened?"- the young woman asked, and Mikey smiled, breathing a little better.

- "We were talking about jizz"- Gerard covered his face with both hands as he heard his brother talking, and Joey laughed, nodding.

- "I'm so happy I was far away from you,"- Joey said and closed her eyes, pretending to be disgusted- "Anyway, Matthew says hi,"- she smiled at the band and continued eating.

- "Is he on set?"- Frank asked, staring at his food.

- "Table reading, tomorrow they start rehearsal and all those things I don't really remember 'cos I love him, but sometimes I don't follow all the steps into the shooting process."

They all smiled and nodded in silence for a moment. Gerard looked at Frank and lift his brows. Iero sighed and nodded.

- "So... do you wanna play with us for the next couple of months?"- Gerard just put out the question and stared directly into Joey's eyes. She looked at him surprised and didn't know what to say- "We have a very long tour, so we have to compromise to make it work."

- "I thought you hated me."

- "I don't hate you, none of us hates you... we just started with the wrong foot, but I think we can make it work,"- Gerard finished his words, nearly whispering. Joey's heart was racing. She couldn't believe she got the job, this was by far the best job Jo had ever have, and she couldn't wait to tell her parents. They were gonna be so proud.

- "I would love to play with you guys, thank you for the offering,"- Joey answered and grinned- "And again, I'm sorry for Tucker and all that shit."

- "Nah, forget it"- Ray quickly replied- "We know you are right for the band right now."

- "But if you are gonna be with us, we have to talk about the legal agreements"- Mikey said- "I hate that part, but we have to talk with our lawyers, do the paperwork."

- "Sure, not a problem."

- "And we are gonna need a tutorial to learn how to fucking spell your last name,"- Frank added and make everybody laugh. He looked at Joey smiling, and it felt like those few seconds were in slow motion, without any reason. Iero knew he was going to remember that particular moment for the rest of his life. He just didn't know why yet.

- "Yeah, what's the problem with your last name? when I called you yesterday, I had to practice it for a half-hour."

- "And you misspelled every single fucking letter in it, sorry"- she said to Ray and took a sip of her coke before she answered- "It's from Iceland, dad's from there. And my mom is from Colombia, which explains Maria Josefina ... I know, weirdest mix ever."

- "Wow, and what the fuck the last name thing?"- Frank asked and finished his food

- "Well, there your last name is defined by your father's name, so my dad's name is Sveinbjörn Sigmundsson"- the whole band stared at her with a blank look on their faces.

- "Sorry, what?"- Frank asked again

- "Sveinbjörn, it's a very common name."

- "Sure! sure it is!"- Iero laughed, and so did Joey.

- "Anyway, over there, your surname is your father's name and, in my case, the noun daughter, in Iceland, dottir, so my last name is Sveinbjörn, my dad's name, plus dottir, get it? Sveinbjörndottir, 'cos I am Sveinbjörn's daughter"- Gerard nodded and asked

- "And if you were a boy?"

- "I would be Sveinbjörnson... what's your dad's name?"

- "Donald"

- "In Iceland, you would be Gerard Donaldson"

- "Shit! my name would suck in Iceland!"- Frank grabbed his head and scratched it- "I would be Frank Frankson!"- and he burst out laughing

- "Dude! you are so lucky you are from Jersey!"- Ray said and turned to Joey- "So Maria Josefina is your mom's heritage and Sveinbjörndottir your father's."

- "Exactly, and that's why Joey is the best way to avoid people getting mistaken with my name."

- "Seems legit"- Gerard said and looked at everybody smiling. He turned to Joey and tried to study her face for a moment. Sure, her skin was paperwhite, and her eyes were slightly green, but she didn't look like the classic island chick you might imagine. Maybe there was too much Colombia on her.

- "What is it?"- she asked him when she found him staring at him.

- "Nothing"- he blushed and finished his coke- "I was just... trying to find any Icelandic feature on you"- she frowned immediately and didn't answer a word, obviously upset- "Sorry..."

Gerard drove back with Mikey. He wanted to avoid Ray being too nice at Joey, 'cos it still bothered him. And Mikey needed to talk about anything random with his brother to keep his mind busy.

- "Hey, maybe we should do something tonight"- Mikey asked his older brother.

- "Like what?"

- "I don't know... wanna go out? Maybe see some bands? Peter told me there are a few cool shows around this week."

- "Yeah, sure, let me ask Lynz if she wants to join us? what about Alicia?"- Mikey looked over the window and cleared his throat.

- "No, she told me she was meeting some friends tonight."

- "Everything ok?"

- "Yeah, it's all ok"- Mikey wasn't even making an effort to sound ok, but Gerard didn't notice- "So, thanks for what you did."

- "What did I do?"

- "You took an executive decision for the band"

- "I hope Frank doesn't kill me"

- "He won't"

- "And I stand by the fact Ray has a crush on her"

- "I don't think so"- Mikey's phone hummed, and he lazily read the text, "I'll stay with my parents tonight." Just what he needed, a confirmation of his lie. His wife was going to be nowhere to be seen that evening.

- "Hey, Lynz asked me to get something for dinner. Wanna grab something with us, and then we can go out?"

- "Sure."

Frank wouldn't stop talking. At some point during lunch, he just stopped trying to hate Joey. He ended up making joke after joke from the minute they got into the rented car until they reached the studio. He was so nice even Ray got worried. But then he thought Frank was probably overcompensating that girl for being such an ass before.

- "Ok so, Tucker ran naked from the studio, got into the car, and drove to get a burger wearing nothing but a cap?"- Joey nearly peed laughing at Frank's story.

- "Yeah!"- he reassured, laughing too- "And the studio was in this basement, and the family of our friend lived upstairs and completely saw him running around mooning everyone"- the drummer couldn't stop laughing, picturing her friend running naked all over.

- "Shitface never told me that story!!"

- "Oh, it's a good one!!!"- Frank chuckled and turned to look at Joey in the backseat- "So why were you touring with him?"

- "'Cos I had an awesome band, and we opened for Thursday for a few dates. I was still in college back then, and Tucker was like my older brother. He taught me a lot and saved me when I was drunk a couple of times, primarily for getting into fights."

Frank smiled and kept looking at Joey for a few seconds, and she cut him a big grin.

- "How come you don't have a band right now?"- Ray asked her and forced Frank to turn around and look at the road.

- "How says I don't?"

- "Do you?"- Joey laughed for a second.

- "No. My last band broke a few months ago, and I've been working on a few projects, but I haven't found people cool enough to share it with,"- Ray and Frank nodded in silence as they parked outside the studio.

- "Ok, kids. Back to work"- Ray said and opened the door. Joey did the same and smiled at Frank when he let her pass before him. She was sure he was extra nice to make up for being such an asshole with her before. And Frank was sure he had to stop being so nice at her 'cos he felt he was about to overstep the line, but he couldn't stop. It was like he stopped hating her to fully endorse a friendship with the girl one minute to the other

- "Get your fucking shit together, Frank."

Around five-thirty, Joey got into her car and sighed. She was exhausted and yet so fucking excited she felt she could run back to her place yelling. She had to wait until she was somewhere safe though, the band could walk out of the studio any minute, and it would be too embarrassing. Embarrassed herself in front of the band's first day working with them was something she wanted to avoid. It was too soon to show her real colors. No need to let them know she was a dork just yet. They had a whole tour to find out.

As she drove back home, she thought of everything that had happened that year. It surely didn't have a great start. Moving to Los Angeles to try to give it a go in music had been hard, really hard. If it hadn't been for her parent's support, she wouldn't have survived. But then she met Matthew, and it felt he could make everything better like magic. On top of that, she now had a real job playing with a huge band. That was a huge reason to celebrate.

- "So, what do you guys think?"- Gerard looked at the band and raised both eyebrows- "Is this shit gonna work?"

- "I don't see why not"- Mikey simply answered and grabbed his phone. Zero news from his wife. Not surprised either- Rehearsal was pretty well

- "No, I mean touring with a girl."

- "Oh, knock it, I thought we had passed that stupid problem,"- the youngest Way looked at brother pretty pissed- "Just grow up!"

- "Aren't you a little too sensitive?"- Gerard frowned and sat back on the couch.

- "No, I'm just tired. I don't wanna hear any more shit about how weird it will be touring with a girl or if Ray has a crush on her."

- "He totally does"- Frank quickly said, chuckling, though he felt slightly out of place saying that considering now he was extra nice with her too, and he didn't have a crush on her.

- "Very mature,"- Ray didn't pay attention to those words and looked at the band- "What we should be doing is preparing the setlist for the tour."

- "Is Brian coming tomorrow?"- Iero asked, walking around looking kind of bored.

- "Yeah, he said so, at ten, I think, to see the venues, schedules, crew. The usual,"- Ray answered and kept typing on his computer- "So, setlist?"- Frank's phone rang, and he walked away immediately.

- "Does anyone remember the name of the movie we watched the other day at my house?"- Gerard asked, looking at the ceiling.

- "The setlist"- Ray repeated.

- "No, it was the Hayao Miyazaki about the little girl."

- "Spirited away"- Ray quickly answered- "Now please! the setlist"

- "Do you think she was tripping?"- Ray looked at Gerard, annoyed, and closed the laptop- "What?"

- "I'm trying to work here, and you are not even listening!"

- "No one is. Why are you blaming me?"

- "Because you are not helping!!"

- "Wanna do the setlist, let's do the fucking setlist"- Gerard grabbed a notebook and a pen and started writing down the name of the songs- "There! A fucking setlist!"

- "What the fuck is your problem?"

- "I have no problem!!"- Gerard kind of shouted.

- "Can you guys please stop yelling?"- Frank asked, annoyed as he turned around, covering the cellphone and giving his bandmate a severe look.

- "Sorry"- Gerard whispered and look down at the sheet of paper.

- "What is going on there?"- Jamia asked her husband.

- "Shit has been kind of tense these last couple of days."

- "Why? preparing the tour?"

- "Yeah"

- "Did you guys find a new drummer?"- Frank sighed and walked outside to smoke a cigarette.

- "Yeah, we signed one today"

- "Great! What's his name?"

- "Joey, with an unpronounceable last name,"- Iero closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he added- "And it's her name... we booked a girl for the tour"- Jamia stayed quiet, processing the information- "She is friends with Tucker, he recommended her, and she is the best drummer we had."

- "Is she nice?"

- "Yeah, and her boyfriend is very nice too,"- Frank knew he had to add the boyfriend factor into the conversation quickly- "She is dating the nerd guy from Criminal Minds."

- "Really? he is hot"

- "I guess... anyway, we've been dealing with the drummer issue most of today, so shit is kind of sensitive."

- "Why? Someone didn't want to work with her?"

- "Well... I didn't"- Frank murmured

- "Why not?"

- "'Cos... I don't know. We've never included a girl in this band."

- "Maybe it's an excellent chance to do something different."

- "Wait, you are not upset we are touring with a girl?"- Frank frowned, not getting his wife's attitude.

- "Why should I?"

- "I don't know? 'cos bitches be crazy?"

- "Franklin Anthony Iero! you take that back!"

- Why are you middle naming me for?"

- "That was sexist!"

- "Sorry, I just thought you were going to be against this whole idea"

- "I think it's cool"

- "Really?"- Frank was in shock- "You are not going to freak out?"

- "No, I'm not going to freak out."

- "Thank you"

- "Besides, she has a really hot boyfriend. Do you think she can introduce him?"

- "Jamia Iero!!"

- "What? It's not like I'm gonna cheat on you. I just wanna stare at him... I bet he is tall"

- "Ok... that's weird for someone who has been a little too sensitive over fans lately,"- Frank joked, but that might have been just a huge mistake.

- "What are you saying? That I'm a psycho about girls around you?"

- "No, no, no honey, it was just a joke"

- "An awful joke"

- "I'm sorry"- Frank took a long drag of his cigarette and sighed- "How are the babies?"

- "Sleeping... I was gonna eat dinner and go to bed too 'cos I'm too fucking tired."

- "You should. Is your mom staying at home with you tonight?"

- "No, Evan is here today. He did some grocery shopping and cooked dinner"

- "He is awesome"

- "Yeah, he is on diaper duty until one, so I better get some rest"

- "Go, honey, talk to you tomorrow, ok?"

- "What are you gonna do tonight?"

- "Drive back to the hotel and play videogames with Ray"

- "Exciting"- Frank chuckled at his wife's words and stubbed out his cigarette.

- "Love you, honey"

- "Love you too"

Jamia was full of it. She hated the idea of Frank touring with a girl, but she knew making a tantrum was worse. They had had too many arguments about female fans already. The last thing she needed was to start a new one. But how was she going to deal with this new drummer? She seemed to be a major threat.

Joey walked into her apartment and jumped around in hyperventilation. She had tried her best to control her emotions all the way back home, but after she closed the door behind her back, there was no way she could stop her excitement.

- "I can't fucking believe this!!"- she yelled and jumped around the place until she finally laid on her bed and hugged a pillow. For the first time in a long time, she didn't feel like a loser. And for the first time ever, she could call her dad and make him proud, giving him the news of her new job.

Taglist: @all-tings-diego

[daydream-believin]

The Never-Ending Roadtrip (St. Louis)

summary: (pt 1) Reader joins Douxie in the quest for Nari’s safety. He’ll need company won’t he? - part 4) Doux and Reader get out of Missouri finally but not before one last stop      (part 5)

warnings: swearing

word count: 6205

a/n: im getting a smidge impatient on my planned mutual pining slow burn as you can see. mmm i want a piece of st louis butter cake. @blixeon​ gets credit for putting the douxie trying to keep y/n away from moppet!douxie idea in my head. its not a big plot point here but idk felt i should still mention it

Douxie stared up at the ceiling with dry, unblinking eyes. There were many interesting cracks in the ceiling, barely illuminated by the light streaming in from the bathroom door. He was wide awake, despite not being able to convince himself to move. He was never a morning person, but once he remembered where he was, it was like someone had poured a bucket of ice water on him. Y/n was no longer clinging to him when he woke up, albeit, she was not even in the bed at all when he woke up. That had gave him a fright before he realized he could hear the shower running. Somehow, this was worse than if she’d still been there when he woke up. This meant she woke, untangled herself from him, and was probably going to pretend like it didn’t happen, since she couldn’t possibly know he stayed awake long enough to know about it. Which, while waking up in her arms would have been a little awkward, at least he would have gotten a conversation out of it. An acknowledgement. Something.

Speaking of the shower, somehow that was doing a number on him too. It was so strange. They’ve lived together for years now; they’ve shared a bathroom for years now. He’s heard her shower so many fucking times. No sweat. These feelings were making him silly. Perhaps it was this fucking room. The domesticity of it all, which was a weird thing to say when you literally lived with said person. Yet, he couldn’t stop imagining that he was waking up in His Home, listening to His Wife get ready for work in the en suite of Their Bedroom. She didn’t want to wake him, how sweet. She was always worried about him getting more sleep. He’d go help her with her hair, braid it for her. His hands would run through her soft hair as he styled it. She’d kiss him on the nose before she left to go make him a cup of coffee while he got ready. She knew just how he liked it. They’d brush their teeth together, every morning, just like they did last night.

Bleeding balroths, last night. What was he going to do about last night. His dumb heart wouldn’t just be able to leave well enough alone, apparently. Does he,,, say something? Perhaps he should wait to see if she says something. That would be,, the safer route. He knew one thing for sure though. He wasn’t going to act like he didn’t love every second of it. He’d made up his mind. His life has been way too long and lonely for him to keep this ‘it’s not like I like you’ act up. And for Merlin’s sake, he had died not even three days ago. He had almost been gone, and would have never known the love of his beloved. And family wasn’t just who you have, it was also who you’re with. And he was with Y/n. She was already his family, so why not be his family? Like he dreamed of? Yes, he was going to come clean. If she said something. Yes.

Suddenly, he was aware of a noise. Someone had just knocked on the front door of the room. Or less of a knocking and more of a rapping. Archie’s ear’s flicked, but he didn’t stir. Douxie held his breath. The rapping stopped, but now whoever it was trying to open the door. Thank Merlin he warded that thing up. It couldn’t open from the outside, he made sure of it. The door handle stopped moving. Doux still made no noise. Hopefully whoever or whatever that was had decided to move on to easier prey.

Y/n combed her fingers through her wet hair. It was the best she could do at the moment. She’d try and braid it back while it was still wet, so it wouldn’t get even worse. Y/n pulled on the same clothes she’d been wearing for a week. Well, actually she had been wearing a medieval dress for most of it, but still. She looked in the mirror. Not bad for someone on the run. But they did need to make a shopping trip. As much as Y/n did not want to waste an entire other day to a store (thanks Kmart), and didn’t want to spend more of their small savings they were living off of, they did need some things. Backpacks to keep their few belongings close, one more set of clothes each so they could have something to be wearing while they wash the other set, maybe some pajama pants would be nice, although nonessential, a couple of toothbrushes that weren’t the motel provided ones, plus a tube of toothpaste, soap, a hairbrush, phone chargers, some emergency food that wouldn’t spoil, some reusable water bottles, a fucking first aid kit even, lots of stuff. It’s not like they were able to pack for this trip. Hell, they should probably get Nari an outfit that would cover up her, eh, forest spirit-ness. Her running around in leaves isn’t exactly helping their conspicuousness. Despite Y/n not wanting to add to that list, she sure was getting cold in her short-sleeved top. She needed a jacket. She’d been borrowing Douxie’s a bit for the last few days, but if she just stole it then he would be cold. She needed one of her own, she supposed.

Y/n walked out of the bathroom. Archie and Nari were still snoozing, but Doux looked like he was awake. He sat up as soon as he realized Y/n had come out. He looked, troubled. And he had every right to be, she thought. He had just suffered the loss of his mentor and died himself. He had been blankly staring at the ceiling when she’d first came into the room. He probably had so much on his mind. Thankfully he had Archie and herself. They’d be there for him, she’d make sure of it. It’d be best to give him some more time to think, though. She didn’t want to push too hard. He’d tell her if he was struggling, she was sure of it. He’d been so open lately. And they’d had plenty of talks in the past about not expressing frustrations in their lives. He hadn’t been too open with her when they first started living together and it had made being roommates stressful at first. It wasn’t a problem anymore though. They’d worked through it, and it had even brought them closer.

She told him it was his turn for the bathroom now. He looked like he wanted to say something, but then quietly nodded as he got out of bed and headed for the shower. Strangely, this inn stay has been the most normal things had been all week. It was almost like they were home. She was back in her routine of waking, getting ready, telling Douxie it was his turn to get ready. He was so sweet, he always let her have the bathroom first. So chivalrous, although, she had a sneaking suspicion it was more of his excuse to sleep in a little longer.

It was nice, living with Douxie. It was the first time she’d been on her own. Or, well, not on her own per se, since Douxie was there, but at least away from her aunt. Her aunt had practically raised her, but that didn’t mean she was too grateful for it. She felt guilty about that last part, but not too guilty. Her aunt was pretty cold. It was clear that Y/n was just a charity case to her, a beggar who wouldn’t be looked at twice if not for blood relation. She hadn’t even bothered telling Y/n about their family’s magic until Y/n had stumbled face first into it herself. And even then, she only taught Y/n a minimal number of spells, just enough to control it, so she could successfully hide it. Didn’t need some troublesome untrained wizard ruining the family name and scaring the party guests. Y/n didn’t even know that wizards were pretty much immortal at a certain point until she noticed it herself. The people she had grown up with were all out there getting their pretty adult faces, and she was stuck with a baby face. Her aunt only told her once she questioned it. She was well past being nineteen now, but was going to be stuck like this forever apparently. What a great way to live.

Of course, she was absolutely thrilled when she found out her new roommate was in the same boat as her in that department. It was serendipity. The whole thing with Douxie was perfect, really. She had heard through her friend who worked at Hextech that someone had put up a roommate ad flyer on the company’s bulletin board and she called right away. She hadn’t been having any luck apartment hunting. She couldn’t afford rent on her own with her bookstore job, and Arcadia Oaks wasn’t exactly a college town teeming with people looking for roommates. A wizard roommate would be perfect, and the price was right. So imagine her surprise when said new roommate also turned out to be her boss. Y/n hadn’t even known he was looking for a roommate, let alone that he was a fellow wizard. His old roommate, Jack, had gotten married and moved out last month, he told her. Y/n was surprised at how very easy it was getting into this agreement too, Doux already knew her so he didn’t even interview her. And she didn’t have to worry about new person awkwardness. It really was serendipity. Of course, it hadn’t been all rosy, as mentioned before, but they were really groovin’ together now.

Y/n stretched out on the bed. She could hear the water running through the wall. It had been so awesome living right above her job. She got to sleep in, and she’d get ready, eat some breakfast, and be able to instantly step into the bookstore. She’d never be late ever again. Or she never was late again. That was a depressing thought. But hey, bright side, now they could have all the fun of starting up a new bookstore. Perhaps she could convince Douxie to add on a tea shop this time too. One that had cute little round tables with pretty gingham table cloths and flower vases, filled with flowers that they grew themselves in the pots on their balcony. They’d make sure the new bookstore had a nice window that was meant for a display but they’d leave as a place for Archie to sleep in and make snarky comments as he watched the people go by. Douxie could paint the letters on the signs and window, he was great at that. It’d be a task, but truly, they had to remake their bookstore. Even if not in Arcadia. A new bookstore they could fill up with love, that’d be an idea Y/n could hold on to.

Stars, she loved their bookstore. She loved the smell. She loved the peaceful homey vibe. She loved the man who owned it. Whoops, forget about that last part. She even loved the quirky characters it drew in. One time, she encountered this really crazy lady, and she wasn’t even sure if this lady was real or if she dreamt her, since she was the only witness. But Mordrax’s miracles, was this lady something. It started normally enough, Y/n picking up the store’s landline.

“GDT Arcane Bookstore! Please state your grievances.” She knew in the back of her mind that she was the only person who found her dumb jokes funny, but she still made them to brighten up her own day. Also to piss off Hisirdoux with her unprofessionalism. He made the same passive-aggressive ‘I’m disappointed in you’ face every time. It was fun.

“Yes, Hello. I would like to know if you carry any children’s books.”

“Yes ma’am, we sure do. A whole section.”

“Great. And are you child friendly?”

“Are we-, child friendly? I-, Yes I suppose we are ma’am.”

“Perfect. And you’re open until eight?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Thank you, young lady.”

The whole phone call was odd. Y/n wasn’t too jazzed about being called ‘young lady’ either. She had mocked the lady as soon as the phone call ended, but she shrugged it off, and had forgotten that the whole thing had even happened as she went about her day. Then, at about seven, this lady rolls up. She was dressed to the nines but like, in an old rich person way. Long fur coat, black dress underneath with pearls around her neck. On one arm, she had a fancy purse covered in the logo of a fashion brand Y/n wasn’t going to admit she recognized. In the other, she carried a large porcelain doll, the size of a five-year-old, which was dressed in a frilly pink dress that remined her of the dresses her aunt used to make her wear. When Y/n greeted her, she recognized the voice as the strange caller from earlier. Y/n got the feeling that some sort of shit was about to go down, and couldn’t wait. If only Archie was here.

Fur coat lady sat her doll down on the old loveseat in the sitting area and asked Y/n to keep an eye on the doll while she went to go pick out some books. Emily could be so mischievous sometimes, she told Y/n. She assured fur coat lady that she’d watch Emily like a hawk. The doll’s painted eyes stared into Y/n’s soul. Fur coat lady came back far longer than Y/n was comfortable with. She asked Y/n if Emily had been a good-mannered girl. Y/n just nodded, not sure if she should be encouraging this, on second thought. Fur coat lady then preceded to read the doll nine children’s books in a row, pausing in between only to ask the doll if she had liked it. Y/n was too baffled to even tell this lady to scram, we aren’t a library, you know. It crept closer to eight, and Y/n was actually dreading what was going to happen when she’d have to kick this lady out, but thank the stars, fur coat lady starts telling her doll about how it was close to its bedtime so they couldn’t read any more stories, aww darn, and they had to go now. She thanked Y/n as she walked out of the door. Y/n flipped that closed sign behind her and quickly retreated upstairs for the night. She’d go make a cup of tea to relax her nerves after that encounter. Y/n had plenty of other wild stories of people who’ve stopped by their bookstore. It was great for conversation at parties.

Y/n loved parties. With Douxie came all his friends, and she didn’t mind that one bit. They were always over whenever Doux had time off. It was so nice; it kept their place lively. Y/n cooked and baked a lot, it was one of those skills her aunt insist she have, and having so many mouths to enjoy her food felt good. And whether it was band practice or game night, she was happy to play hostess. Douxie’s friends were fun to talk to. She suddenly had the freedom to invite her own friends over too. Having so many people around all the time had helped her loneliness big time when she first moved in. Her aunt’s house may have been big, but it was empty. Her aunt threw a fancy party a month, but none of the people there were people worth talking to. It was so cold. Their apartment was warm.

Honestly, as insane as it was to think about, Y/n couldn’t see herself ever leaving Douxie to live on her own anymore. At first, this arrangement was supposed to be a temporary thing until she could find a better job and go off on her own. But somehow along the way, ‘the apartment we share’ became Their Apartment, and the bookstore that she happened to operate with him became Their Bookstore. It was nuts, and also the most wonderful thing that had ever happened to Y/n. It was the home she’d never had. Douxie and Archie were her family. Way more so than her aunt ever was. It was beautiful, magical, marvelous. She no longer worked, she just lived. Hell, she couldn’t even remember the last time Doux had formally assigned her a shift. She was just kind of always there. Which she was glad to do. She loved it. And when it was time to stop working, she’d just head upstairs and get to spend even more time with her favourite person. That is, if he wasn’t on one of his bistro shifts. She felt so safe and cared for. She no longer felt alone.

If Douxie wanted to make that, how you say, a little more official, Y/n wouldn’t be opposed to that. She had a hunch that he had some sort of feelings for her, if his recent actions were anything to go by. Although, just like she didn’t want to push him about the angst feelings, she didn’t want to push him in these feelings either. He’d tell her when he was good and ready. Slow and steady wins the race after all. Besides, if she was wrong and he didn’t have feelings for her, she’d definitely be tossing this good thing they had going out the window directly into the dumpster. She had to admit though, waking up this morning cuddled into him was the loveliest way she’d ever woken up in her life. She could get used to that.

She wondered if Douxie would be a wedding person or an elopement person. Not that she expected him to marry her. But it would be nice. She rolled over and found her phone on the nightstand. There wasn’t any harm in looking at some wedding dresses, right? Just in case. Y/n listened to Nari yawn and shuffle over to the bed. She opened an arm for the forest child who snuggled in, curious at what Y/n was looking at. Y/n tilted the phone for her to see. Nari really liked the poufy dresses. She’d point excitedly to the one’s she thought were pretty while Y/n scrolled. While Y/n wasn’t a fan of big frilly stuff herself, she had to admit, those poufy dresses would make her feel like Cinderella, which was never something she’d have thought appealing, but somehow it was. There were some really gorgeous not poufy ones also, and even a cool black one. Some that Douxie might like too. Y/n leaned more towards those, but wasn’t gonna tell Nari that. The veggie lady sure was having as much fun as her right now, surprisingly. Hopefully she wouldn’t blab any of this to Hisirdoux though.

Speak of the devil, he came out of the bathroom and sat on the end of the bed. Y/n quickly closed the app she was scrolling through. She sat up, taking Nari with her. Archie yawned and stretched, after sensing movement in the room. He moved from the chair into Douxie’s lap. After giving Arch a good scratch behind the ears, Douxie turned to Y/n.

“So, what’s today’s itinerary?”

“I-, wait, why do I have to be the one who decides what we do?”

“Because you’re the one who likes to have a plan when it comes to these things.”

“Fair enough.” Y/n pulled up google maps. If she had known she would have to do this she would have done it while he got dressed instead of fantasizing about their wedding. “Okay, so as much as I hate to say this, but we gotta go back to the store today.”

Douxie groaned as he laid back. His still wet hair was gonna dry funky like this, but he didn’t care. “Fine. We’ll do that in Illinois. We gotta get out of this town before anything else.”

“I agree,” she paused, seeing something that caught her eye. It would be frivolous, but she couldn’t help herself from asking “Ooh! Can we stop in St. Louis?”

“St. Louis?”

“Yeah! It’ll be fun, Douxie. We can go sit in those cafés that people go to in the black and white movies, we can go take a cheesy tourist picture of us by the arch thing, and I’m really craving some St. Louis butter cake now.”

Doux laughed. “Okay, but only for a few hours, Love.” The least he could do was let her have a little down time to relax and have fun after this hell week. Highly populated cities were good for throwing off their scent too.

“Thank you,” she went back to her map, snickering, “And we’ll stop in Effingham to shop.” She snorted.

“Effingham?” Douxie said it correctly, in his proper accent, which was not as amusing.

“Effing. Ham. Baby.” He rolled his eyes.

They booked it out of that motel and out of that town. Douxie all but tossed the room key into the creepy innkeeper’s hands as they rushed out. Back on the boat, safe at last. He ran a mental headcount once they boarded. Y/n always held Nari’s hand when they went places, so they wouldn’t have to worry about her wandering off, but it still made Douxie feel better to go over his tiny mental list and make sure they were both still safe and with him. Archie, he didn’t have to worry about as much. Even if the cat-dragon wandered he’d always come back. He could track Douxie by scent for a hundred miles too. Y/n had a habit of getting lost, though. He had to keep an eye on her. He didn’t need her and Nari off in fairyland where the Order could find and abduct them at any given time.

Douxie’s hair had still been damp when they set off, but the wind took care of that for him. Sure, wind-tousled bangs were in, but not bangs tousled by real wind. He was sure he was rocking it though. He could pass it off as something he did on purpose. People already thought his relatively tame style was outlandish, they’d just think the messy hair was part of the look. His only qualm was Y/n. He didn’t want to embarrass himself to her any further. His Camelot self already inflicted so much damage in that department this week. That moppet with a man bun had messed up spells, quoted sappy poetry to her, bragged about being Merlin’s apprentice, and even tried serenading her with his lute in attempts to impress her. It was mortifying. He had spent the first part of their Camelot adventure distracted by having to keep Y/n away from his younger self. It was not good for the whole ‘save time’ mission. Thankfully, he had Claire there with him, who had agreed to help him once she had buggered the information out of him. Thank Merlin for nosy teen girls. Claire was a godsend.

He had to admit, he was a smidge disappointed that she didn’t bring up the cuddling. Y/n hadn’t even made a joking reference to it in passing. He would have to bring it up then. But when, how? It wasn’t exactly something that would come up in natural conversation.

He watched her, hanging over the ship’s railing again. They passed a field with some cows and she made sure to point at them and say cows. He smiled at that; Y/n always managed to make him smile. He could recall how bad he had felt when Jack left and he thought he was going to have to fire her, his only employee, to keep up with rent. He had asked Zoe if he could put up a flyer in Hextech in a desperate attempt to find someone before that had to happen. And low and behold, among the three answers he got to the ad was miss L/n herself. It was an easy decision really, and it took away the uncertainty since he knew she was someone that he already liked. As a bonus, Y/n didn’t have a familiar of her own that might fight with Archie, because let’s be real, as much as Douxie loved Archie, the dragon-cat wasn’t afraid of stepping on toes. Although, it did feel kind of strange to give Y/n her paycheck and then for her to hand a little more than half of it back to him on rent day. But it just worked.

He remembered the first time he walked by the fridge to see that not only had Y/n added some fridge magnets to the kitchen, but she had taken the time to write a message to him. It, um, was sort of a rude note, meant to tease, an inside joke. Which he thought was funny, he just wished Zoe hadn’t seen it. It was hard to explain, and Zoe never let him hear the end of it. Archie got a kick out of it too. Y/n would switch the message almost daily, and it never failed to make him smile. He still had to deal with his friends seeing them and teasing him about it, but he’d never change her magnet jokes for anything. They would stay there until she replaced them with equally embarrassing messages meant just for him. It felt sweet to know someone was thinking about him enough to come up words meant to make him laugh on a daily basis.

They had just passed by a town called Eureka, which meant they were coming up on St. Louis. Good. Douxie couldn’t wait for lunch. He had the appetite of a winning fat bear these past few days. Probably the stress. That butter cake Y/n had mentioned was sounding so tasty. He could almost smell it. What Douxie hadn’t considered when he agreed to this was that the magic flying ship couldn’t go through metropolitan areas. Well, it could, but it’d be seen. So despite his growling stomach, he wound up taking the ship around the entire concrete jungle of Missouri, staying in the forested areas. He figured he could park the boat over in Illinois, just outside of St. Louis. This added a whole other hour to the trip than he was expecting, but now at least he knew to take large cities into consideration when choosing routes.

After hiding the boat in a heavily wooded area, the four took the bus into downtown. So when Y/n said she wanted to go to an old café from a movie, she had meant a very specific old café from a specific movie. She had told him it wasn’t a big deal and there were plenty of other cafes, but Douxie was gonna get her there by golly. And he did. The happiness written on her face was worth the extra bus miles. And wow, this café had some delicious food. They had salmon, which Archie enjoyed a little more than usual. Said something about paying himself back. As if he paid for anything, being a cat. That St. Louis butter cake did not disappoint. Archie was pretty fond of the cake too. It was too sweet for Nari, though. Y/n savored every bite. Doux watched her, while he ate his own, and it was so cute how smiley this was making her. He’d learn the recipe for this cake so he could make it for her once they got… home.

Douxie was still trying to shake off that depressing thought when Y/n finished up and was already trying to get the move on. Not without getting a picture first, of course. Not satisfied with just the scenery of the café itself, she begged Douxie to pose for her in various spots around it. He obliged, despite his scruffy appearance. She didn’t think he was that scruffy, and what was better than pictures of her favourite person in a cool place she’d always wanted to go. She also snapped one of Archie to post to her cat insta she secretly kept of him. Douxie knew about it, and contributed pictures to it himself, but neither of them were about to tell Archie he was internet famous as archie_the_emo_kitty. These pictures were going to hold good memories in them. All pictures do.

There was one more photo Y/n wanted to get. Silly cliché tourist picture with the gateway arch in the background. She wanted at least one of just her and Douxie, after the group photo. She’d have to somehow get one of Archie too, since she wasn’t about to pass up the chance to make a pun in the caption about Archie being in front of the arch. As she pulled Douxie close to get the picture, she got an idea. She asked him if they could get just one more. He was holding the phone since his arms were longer so he was able to get better angles with them both in it. He agreed, happy to do anything to keep that grin on her face longer. This time, when he leaned down to make their faces closer together, Y/n gave him a kiss on the cheek. The shutter snapped. Look, she wasn’t going to push, but she could nudge. Y/n pulled away and grabbed the phone to look at how it turned out, so cute, and Douxie just stayed there, leaning over, still as a statue, with wide eyes.

“Did you just- k-kiss me?” He didn’t so ecstatic. Maybe she was reading him wrong after all. Okay, time to deny.

“Yeah, it was just a cheek kiss, Doux. It was a cute pose for our picture, see,” She showed him the picture. A perfectly captured moment where they looked so happy. Where her lips would forever be on his still burning face. “Friends do it all the time.”

“Oh. Ah, okay.” That sounded disappointed, and his face wasn’t the picture of joy before, but now he just looked crestfallen. Okay so she wasn’t reading him wrong before. Good to know. She’d,, have to fix this now. She casually grabbed his hand and laced their fingers. That got him looking back up from the ground.

“C’mon, we’ve got about ten minutes to catch the next bus.”

~ ~ ~

Effingham was a quaint place. Y/n had only chosen it for it’s funny name, but it was surprisingly pretty okay. It was home to the world’s largest cross. Which would be cool, for it’s target audience, Y/n supposed. And they had a train depot. Fun. And exactly one singular popular restaurant. Which wasn’t that much more than Arcadia had, Y/n had to give it to them. They were in this tiny little mall, to see about finding some spare clothes. Y/n stopped dead in her tracks to gawk at a store that’s sign identified itself as Rural King. She tugged Douxie’s hand.

“Oh we gotta go in there.”

Douxie took one look at it and shook his head, “Are you really going to drag us into a hunting store just because it has a silly name?”

“No, I guess not,” Y/n took one last look at the place, “Can I at least get a pic of you posing in front of it?”

“Fine.” Douxie suppressed a grin as he complied with her silly request.

Once they got into a real store though, Douxie leaned over to Y/n to tell her something without the clerk hearing. “Oh, I’ve been meaning to tell you, I’ve got an appearance modifier spell I’ve perfected over the years. We’re not actually here to buy anything, just get some inspiration.”

Y/n nodded, fascinated. Well, that’ll take care of the extra spending problems. Now came the fun part, finding a new look for Nari. Speaking of whom, she was over at a rack, trying on those fake fashion glasses without real lenses in them. She looked really cute in every pair she tried on, and they helped obscure her face. Good. She really took a liking to this square tortoiseshell pair. Y/n took a mental note. It was going to be getting cold soon, and plants tend to freeze in the cold, so they took the veggie lady over to go check out the winter coats. Nari picked out a puffer that looked pretty comfy, but she didn’t like that it was red. It reminded her of Bellroc. Douxie assured her that the one he’d make could be any color she liked. Not surprisingly, she wanted it to be green.

Y/n just decided on a simple outfit for herself, consisting of a black and white striped long-sleeved tee, a black short sleeve tee to layer over that, and a classic pair of jeans. It was easy, comfortable, and didn’t draw much attention. A band kid staple too. Nari wanted to be similar to Y/n and also decided on a striped tee and jeans to go under her coat. Now they just needed to find her something to contain that gorgeous head of grass. Y/n glanced over to see Douxie trying on a cap in the hat section. Perfect. They’d make her a hat. It’d be a big hat, but nothing too much.

Douxie actually did buy a couple of backpacks from the shop. Y/n was a bit confused but he told her how for some reason he couldn’t enchant something that was technically an illusion itself so he had to buy physical bags since he wanted to enchant them to be infinite vessels or something. Y/n nodded. This was interesting. She was pretty good at the magic she did know but it was mostly by instinct. No one had really taught her the technical side of it like this. She never really knew how stuff worked, just that it worked. They headed to the dollar store after finishing up with the clothing, which surprisingly, this little mall had in it for some reason. They quickly found all those necessity items they needed and got out of there fast. They were burning daylight after all.

Once back at the boat, greeted by Archie who was glad they came back within a decent time this go around, Douxie got to work. First, he enchanted those backpacks. Y/n watched his every move, fascinated, and taking mental notes. He stuffed the supplies into the bags, making sure each had emergency food and medicine just in case they’d ever get separated. The first aid kits were a great idea, considering he didn’t know much healing magic himself and Y/n could only do a temporary pain relief spell. Having stuff to bandage up wounds in their bags made Douxie feel slightly better.

Y/n filled Douxie in on the specifics of Nari chosen disguise, and he set to work on that. It came out pretty cute. Nari liked her new duds, taking her time to look over herself. Y/n handed the veggie lady her phone with the front facing camera on so Nari could use it as a mirror. She really liked that. Y/n snickered at Nari trying out different angles.

He moved onto Y/n. He didn’t magically fairy godmother her like he did the forest child, he just made her a spare set of clothes to go in that backpack. He made them according to her request, but paused at the tee shirt. “Do you want me to put a logo or something on this?”

Y/n twirled her hair around her finger. “Hmm. I’m thinking, Ash Dispersal Pattern. They’re my favourite band, ever heard of them?”

Douxie laughed as conjured up the tee. He picked one of his favourite designs from past merch. It could be considered vintage now, but it wasn’t that long ago to Doux. He fancied the idea of getting to see her in his merch a lot more now. She did have one of their tee shirts back in the bookstore, but she didn’t wear it often as it was in rotation with other band’s tees. He didn’t have competition anymore, it seems. He grinned as finished up.

“Anything else?”

“Yes, actually. Now that I know you can just magic up clothes for yourself, I would like your hoodie.”

“I can make you a hoodie like thi-“

“No, no, I want the one you’re wearing, thank you. It’s warm and familiar and it smells like you.” She said half-joking, half-serious. “It would make me feel safer.”

Douxie couldn’t believe what he was hearing. In fact some part of him thought he may have just daydreamed that. He wordlessly forked over the hoodie. She took it merrily and put it on, giving it a sniff for good measure. Now he really was daydreaming.

“Thank you, Dewdrop!” Oh, he had a pet name now. He’d hadn’t heard that one yet. Frisky people had called him all sorts of strange and embarrassing things over the centuries. But this one was a first. He guessed it was a play on his name. Dewdrop, ay? That was so soft and sweet. A shiny little dewdrop, the first thing you see in the morning. Ah. It seems that miss L/n was plotting to kill him. She was succeeding.

[madtype]

Cabaret Club Czar Training - YUKI (Part 4)

yuki’s training continues! this time she and majima discuss personal improvement, unsuccessful job hunting, and how yuki ended up as a hostess.

highlights: - majima being very kind and supportive to yuki regardless of the option chosen - yuki still being too nervous to even theoretically sit a job interview - majima making brazen assumptions about yuki’s love life...

full transcript under the cut!

---

MAJIMA: Okay, ready for another round of talking?

YUKI: Yes, please!

M: Wow, Yuki-chan. You've got those battle butterflies all sorted out, don't ya?

Y: Well, it is just you, Majima-san.

M: Hey, we'll have none of that, thanks.

M: Alright! I'm the customer, you're the hostess, same as always. Are ya ready?

Y: Yeah! Of course!

Y: Welcome to Club Sunshine, Yuki! I mean, customer!

M: ...We still ain't there.

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

Y: Majima-san, thank you for requesting me. It's pretty cold today, isn't it?

M: Hey, Yuki-chan. You're lookin' cute as ever today.

Y: Haha... Hahahahaha...

M: Yo, what's with the giggles? I'm tryin' to talk to you like a customer would.

Y: Oh, I'm sorry! Majima-san, when you're the one telling me I'm cute, I can't help it... Hahaha.

M: Well, whatever works. At least you're doing okay when it's me you're practicin' with.

Y: Y-Yeah. I used to get nervous even talking to you, Majima-san. But with your help, I feel like... I'm getting it now.

Y: Even the conversations with my customers are getting longer lately. I'm actually starting to have fun at work!

M: That so? What ya been talkin' about?

Y: Everything and nothing. What they've done recently, what they ate... Oh, and hobbies!

M: Hobbies? Yeah, I seem to recall yours was...

> Writing in a diary.

M: ...Writing in a diary, right?

Y: That's right! I've recently started keeping a log of the customers I get each day, and I note all of their unique qualities and conversation topics.

M: Ah, that's some nice dedication to your customers. Way to go, Yuki-chan.

Y: I know my customer service skills aren't that great yet, so I thought I'd do what I can to get better.

Y: Well, I'm still working at it. I know I've got room to grow.

M: Hey, that's some good stuff right there, Yuki-chan. You've come a real long way.

> Bonsai.

M: It was bonsai, right?

Y: Wow, Majima-san, you actually remembered I raise bonsai? That's amazing! I only mentioned it briefly, didn't I?

M: Heh. When you're working at a cabaret club, a steel trap memory is half the battle.

Y: That's true. I found myself forgetting little things, so I started keeping a log of my customers' unique qualities and conversation topics in my diary.

M: Ahh, so now you've practically got a case file on your customers. Way to go, Yuki-chan.

Y: I know my customer service skills aren't that great yet, so I thought I'd do what I can to get better.

Y: Well, I'm still working at it. I know I've got room to grow.

M: Hey, that's some good stuff right there, Yuki-chan. You've come a real long way.

> Reading self-help books.

M: ...Reading relationship self-help books, right?

Y: N-No, it isn't! I mean, I guess I did read one. Once.

M: Yeah, what was the line you fed me? “Meat and potatoes are the quickest way to a man's heart!” Somethin' like that?

Y: Ahhhhh! Seriously! Just forget about that, please!

M: Heh heh heh.

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

M: So, the club's come quite a long way, hasn't it? And you've been here since the beginning to see it all change.

Y: Yes, right. I've only been here for six months, though. I graduated from college just this year.

M: Yeah, remember when this place had three girls in it, including you?

M: So tell me somethin'. Why's a girl like you working in a club like this, anyway?

Y: Th-That's because...

M: Last time I asked, ya clammed up just like this. Maybe it's time ya cleared the air.

Y: ...... (uehh..)

Y: I... I couldn't find a job.

M: Eh?

Y: After I graduated from college, my job search was going nowhere, and I couldn't find anything!

M: Really? In this day and age? Companies are practically hirin' bums off the street, and you couldn't get a bite?

Y: I-It's true! I'm a pathetic woman who couldn't get an offer from a single company!

Y: I do pretty well on written tests, but I get nervous easily, so I'm terrible at interviews. I'm not a good liar like most people are, either.

Y: *sighs* I'm a real loser, aren't I?

> They were clueless.

M: Lettin' someone like you slip through the cracks was a mistake, Yuki-chan. Those fool companies were clueless.

Y: What?

M: Look around ya. It's the times we're in. Everybody's dressed to the nines in lies and vanity, tryin' to one up the competition.

M: But you don't do that. You just put yourself out there the way ya are, honest almost to a fault.

M: I wanna work with people I can believe in. I'd hire an awkward gal who can't tell a lie over a buncha smooth-talkin' succubi any day of the week.

Y: Majima-san, you've made me so happy. I... faced a lot of rejection, but in the end, I'm glad I got to work here.

M: Really?

Y: Yes. Otherwise, I never would have learned to talk to people like this. And I met you, Majima-san, along with everyone else here.

M: Well then, I'm glad ya got rejected too. If you weren't here at the club, who knows what woulda happened.

Y: I'm glad I'm awkward.

> Honesty is a talent.

M: I'd say bein' unable to tell a lie is actually a pretty positive quality, Yuki-chan.

Y: What?

M: Look around ya. It's the times we live in. Everybody's dressed to the nines in lies and vanity, tryin'to one up the competition.

M: But you don't do that. You just put yourself out there the way ya are, honest almost to a fault.

M: I wanna work with people I can believe in. I'd hire an awkward gal who can't tell a lie over a buncha smooth-talkin' succubi any day of the week.

Y: Majima-san, you've made me so happy. I... faced a lot of rejection, but in the end, I'm glad I got to work here.

M: Really?

Y: Yes. Otherwise, I never would have learned to talk to people like this. And I met you, Majima-san, along with everyone else here.

M: Well then, I'm glad ya got rejected too. If you weren't here at the club, who knows what woulda happened.

Y: I'm glad I'm awkward.

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

M: So how'd it happen? I imagine ya musta met Youda-chan somehow, eh?

Y: Yeah. I was spacing out at a park by myself. I shudder to think what would've happened if he didn't approach me.

M: Interesting. I wonder what possessed Youda-chan to roll up on you.

Y: I remember him saying, “There's something brilliant within you! You're the kind of girl that only appears once in a decade!” That's Youda-san for you.

M: Oh. Uhh... I see.

Y: Youda-san is a really bad judge of character, isn't he?

M: Nah, nah, I disagree.

M: So, Yuki-chan, if you could get a normal day job now, would ya still wanna go do that instead of the cabaret club?

Y: I don't know. Until recently, I really wanted to quit this job, to be honest.

Y: But now, I want to see what I can make of myself at this club for a while.

M: I see.

Y: Of course, at some point I'd like to resume my job search and try to get an office job.

Y: But, this club is a comfortable place to be, and I learn so much every day. So I'm thinking maybe I should grow up a little more here before I start looking again.

> You gotta get sexier.

M: If that's the case, your next goalpost's gotta be sexiness.

Y: Me, s-sexy? Why's that?

M: Considering the world we live in, bein' sexy is a great way to land an interview. Women got some tools men don't, so ain't no harm in usin' em.

Y: I-I see. That makes sense. Maybe I failed my interviews because I wasn't sexy enough.

M: Yeah, maybe that was the problem. And maybe a bunch of other things, too...

M: Nothin' better than an interviewer flustered by a sexy woman, though. He's tryin' to ask ya questions when all he really wants to know is the color of your damn underwear!

Y: O-Okay! But I wouldn't want to answer that question...

> You can network here!

M: Ya never know, one of your clients could turn out to be a corporate manager.

Y: What?

M: If he likes ya, he might offer you a job right there on the spot. Haha.

Y: Whaaat? Though I guess that does happen in manga!

Y: Wh-What would I do? I'm getting nervous just thinking about it...

M: Hey, relax, Yuki-chan. Lay your best line on me.

Y: Wh-What can I do for you Mr. President... My name Yuki... It nice to meet you...

M: Oh man, you sound more nervous than a foreigner on her first day at a shady bar.

> I'll work ya hard!

M: Nice. But fair warning, I'm gonna put the screws to ya!

Y: Y-Yes! I'm looking forward to it! I'll work hard!

M: Heh. You've changed, Yuki-chan. Look at that confidence. I bet you'd ace a company interview now.

Y: R-Really? Heh heh... Hahahaha.

M: ...Just make sure ya don't laugh like that at the interview, or they'll boot ya right out.

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

M: Alright, let's call it a day. Good job, Yuki-chan.

Y: Sure. Thank you very much. Whew... Now I'm getting sleepy all of a sudden, now that I can relax. *yawn*

M: You gettin' enough sleep at night, Yuki-chan?

Y: Oh, y-yes. I just had an unexpected guest over last night, so...

M: Oh, I see. A late night guest, eh? Well, now.

Y: Huh? What is it?

> A lady needs sleep.

M: Nothin', nothin'. Just get your beauty sleep, Yuki-chan.

M: Lack of sleep's bad for the skin! And it's doubly bad if ya fall asleep on the job.

Y: Y-Yes! Thanks for your concern. They say nothing's more important to a woman than her skin, after all. And it would be rude to the customer. I'll be careful!

M: Yeah, nothin' wrong with going out for a night on the town. Just don't overdo it, right?

Y: Huh? Going out? I don't really understand, but, anyway, I'll get more sleep!

> I wish ya the best.

M: Well then, Yuki-chan, I wish ya nothin' but happiness.

Y: Huh? Wh-What are you talking about? I don't understand what you're getting at!

M: It's okay, it's no problem. A bit of a shame, I guess, but if you're happy, I'm happy too.

Y: Um, uh. Thank you? Well, I am happy. I guess I'll keep on being happy!

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

M: Okay, I think that'll do it.

Y: Th-Thank you for the lesson.

M: Sure thing. Good job.

[fanfics4all]

The Piano Man

Request: Yes / No 

Requests are closed <3 Have a nice day/night

Spencer Reid x Fem!Reader 

Word count: 3999

Warnings: TALK OF RAPE I will not be tagging anyone but do not read if you are triggered by rape! (This is based on season seven episode 12)

Y/N: Your Name 

Y/L/N: Your Last Name

PLEASE DO NOT STEAL MY WORK, I WORK HARD ON MY FICS AND IT’S NOT COOL TO STEAL SOMEONE ELSE’S WORK! 

If you want to be on the tag list for anything (My series fics, specific character fics, or just all of them) All you have to do is send me an ask and I will add you! 

Masterlist 

(Not my photo, credit to whoever made it!)

A long time ago I used to live in Houston. That was a part of my life that I never wanted to return to. But now, it looks like I had no choice. I had joined the BAU team in the FBI and our case was back in my hometown. 

“So Houston PD needs our boots on the ground for the Piano Man case.” Garcia said and I silently gulped. 

“The serial rapist?” Morgan asked. 

“A case we consulted on about eight months ago. Twelve victims over five years.” Hotch said and he glanced at me. He knew that I was one of those women that he had hurt, he was the only one that knew. Not even my boyfriend of one year knew, I couldn’t bring myself to tell anyone else. Hotch needed to know because it came up on my psych eval, but that was the only reason. The local PD didn’t even know, I never reported it because I was scared… 

“He crosses racial and social lines, ages too.” He added and kept glancing at me, I knew the others noticed as well. 

“Power assertive?” Prentiss asked. 

“Knocks them out with a date rape drug, and binds them with piano wire…” Rossi said. 

“They wake up with no memory of the assault or how they got the permanent scar the wire leaves.” I said, managing to keep my voice leveled. 

“So he’s branding his victims. How does he dose them?” Prentiss asked. 

“Houston PD still isn’t sure ‘cause, you know, date rape drugs metabolize quickly, and he’s keeping them for twelve hours.” Penelope answered before I could say anything. To be fair, I have no memory of how he drugged me, so even I didn’t know. 

“So why are they calling us in now?” Morgan asked. 

“Because of these most recent attacks. This piece of work has elevated sick and twisted to a whole new dimension. Cases in point- Brittany Anderson filed a report after she woke up outside the restaurant she was abducted from, and Vanessa Campbell was just reported missing.” Penelope answered and my eyes widened. 

“Wait, those were victims two and five, weren’t they?” Spencer asked. 

“Yes. He’s going back and attacking survivors a second time.” Penelope confirmed. 

“Vanessa was grabbed from her house? He’s changing his M.O. from what we studied. He’s upping his game.” JJ said. 

“Well, we know he stalks them. But public venue abduction, he has the power. Home invasion, he’s on their turf.” Morgan said. 

“So he’s betting he can gain control before they get to a phone or a gun.” Spencer said. 

“The question is why? What is he getting from revisiting old victims?” Rossi asked. 

“It seems careless for someone who’s been so controlled up to now.” Hotch said. 

“What is this? On the floor?” Prentiss asked.

“Uh, that- oh, God, that is the contents of Vanessa Campbell’s stomach, which she ralphed up.” Penelope answered. 

“And in the glass?” Prentiss asked. 

“According to the police report, it is salt and water.” Penelope answered. 

“Homemade emetic.” Prentiss said. 

“E-what what?” Penelope asked. 

“Quick and dirty cocktail meant to induce vomiting.” Rossi answered. 

“Vanessa Campbell and her husband moved to a new address. They’ve put locks on the doors. They took precautions. She even knew what to do if she was dosed again, and it still wasn’t enough. That’s what he gets out of it.” Prentiss explained. 

“Their fear. He wants them to know that no matter what, he can still get to them.” Hotch said and I felt a chill run up my spine. 

Everyone was getting ready to get on the jet. I gathered my stuff up and headed to the jet early. I walked on and saw Hotch sitting there alone. 

“Hey.” I said. 

“Y/N, I’m glad you’re here. Sit.” He said motioning to the seat in front of him. 

“I don’t want you to go on the case.” He said and my eyes widened.

“Hotch, I’m fine.” I said and he shook his head.

“No, you’re not. You are too involved with this case.” He said and I shook my head. 

“This man is the reason I studied so hard for this job, I want to catch people like him and now I have the chance to catch this son of a bitch. Please don’t take that away from me.” I said and he started at me for a few minutes. 

“He’ll try and come after you.” He said and I nodded. 

“I know the risks, but Hotch I can promise you I’m okay. I’m not gonna let him scare me.” I said and he sighed. 

“Fine, but you listen to what I tell you and don’t try and find him on your own.” He said and I nodded. 

“I promise.” I said, although I knew I might not be able to keep it all that well. Hotch and Rossi were talking with the chief and JJ and Prentiss were interviewing the victims. Reid Morgan and I were sent to the latest crime scene. 

“Does Vanessa smoke?” Spencer asked her husband. 

“Yes, Vanessa smokes. What does it matter?” He asked. 

“It might explain how the unsub is drugging these women.” Spencer said and my eyes widened slightly. Thank God I quit. 

“The media has done a very good job of warning people to watch their drinks so that bars are no longer a fertile hunting ground, but cigarette smokers aren’t as careful. They might ask to have a cigarette from a stranger, or have their pack swapped out of their purse when they put it down and then unknowingly inhale PCP or scopolamine, both of which mimic the effects of date rape drugs.” Spencer rambled, it honestly was always so cute to me, but now wasn’t the time to be thinking that.

“She hid them in her purse. She didn’t think I knew. She cracked the windows so I wouldn’t smell it when I got home.” Mr. Campbell said. 

“You know, if the unsub stalked her from the backyard, he’d have a good view when she lit up.” Spencer said. 

“He also took out the window with something like a center punch.” Morgan said. 

“What’s that?” Mr. Campbell asked. 

“It’s a spring-loaded device used to punch divots into metal. It also breaks glass.” I explained as Spencer walked off towards the kitchen. 

“No cigarettes. He must have taken them with him to hide the evidence.” Spencer said while looking through her purse. 

“You know, it might not be all he’s trying to hide.” Morgan said. 

“What do you mean?” I asked him. 

“Mr. Campbell, was this on when you came home?” He asked. 

“The police told me not to touch anything.” Mr. Campbell answered. 

“Well, you sure got a lot of MP3s on here.” Morgan said scrolling through them. 

“Was it playing one of them?” He asked. 

“No. Why?” Mr. Campbell asked.

“The media center keeps a history of the last twenty songs that were played, but either you don’t listen to any of them or someone erased it.” I said catching on to what Morgan was thinking. 

“It wasn’t me.” Mr. Campbell said. 

“I’ll call Garcia.” Morgan said, pulling out his phone. 

“Whatcha need?” She answered. 

“Hey, there’s an MP3 player in the Campbell house, can you tell me anything about the erased history?” Morgan asked. 

“Okay, I can’t tell you who deleted that playback list, but I can tell you exactly when the log was cleared. 7:43 P.M..” She said. 

“Why erase a history of someone else’s music?” Spencer asked. 

“Because he didn’t erase someone else’s music. At 7:36, he loaned an MPS via USB drive, played it, and promptly deleted it.” She said, showing us on the Campbell’s T.V..

“Cleared the history so he could cover up his tracks.” She added. 

“The unsub brought his own music to an abduction?” I asked confused. 

“Yes, he did, and that is creepy. Fortunately, whatever is imported onto this computer downloaded the home network, so, ladies and gentlemen, the mystery song of Mr. Gruesome is…” She said and the music started playing. “That’s specific.” Spencer said. 

“That’s another reason to call this guy the piano man.” Morgan said. 

“Turn it off. Please.” Mr. Campbell said. Morgan turned it off.

“Does this song mean something to you or your wife?” Spencer asked.

“Vanessa hates it.” Mr. Campbell said and I gulped. 

“How come?” Morgan asked. 

“I don’t know. She doesn’t know. But every time it came on the radio, she’d burst into tears.” Mr. Campbell explained.

“So the unsub just happened to play it the night he came after her.” Morgan said. 

We got back and JJ and Prentiss brought the woman back in to see if they had songs that triggered them too. All of us were in the room the local PD had set up for us and looked at all the songs these women now hated. 

“Lady in Red, Up Where We Belong, Glory of Love. Each victim has her own piano ballad.” JJ said. 

“You know, considering the survivors lose consciousness during the rape, we think this functions as the unsub’s signature. He most likely plays the songs repeatedly during the assault, resulting in pavlovian response when they heard it later, sort of a subconscious rape trigger.” Spencer said. 

“The night of Vanessa Campbell’s abduction, that signature became part of his torture.” Rossi said. Hotch looked at me and I shook my head. 

“We need to know.” He said and everyone looked at me. 

“No.” I said. 

“Know what?” Spencer asked confused. 

“Y/N is one of the victims from the first time.” Hotch said. 

“Hotch!” I said and I felt everyone looking at me in shock. 

“So, what song is it?” He asked and I looked away from everyone. 

“Endless Love…” I said.

“So, why these songs? What do they say about him?” Hotch asked, but before anyone could say anything more his phone rang. 

“Go ahead, Morgan.” Hotch said. 

“We just found Vanessa Campbell’s body. He didn’t even bother hiding it.” He said and my eyes widened. 

“How long has she been dead?” Hotch asked. 

“Maybe five hours.” He answered. 

“He’s never killed before…” I said. 

“Are we sure it’s our unsub?” Spencer asked, he was clearly worried. 

“He used a piano wire as a garrote.” Morgan answered. 

“Alright, Morgan, you come back here, I’ll go to the coroner's office once they’ve looked her over.” Hotch said and hung up. 

“Keep working.” Hotch said and pulled me out of the room. 

“You need to go back home now.” He said and I shook my head. 

“I’m not going anywhere until he’s behind bars.” I said, standing my ground. 

“Y/N this is serious, he’s getting more confident, you need to leave.” He said. 

“Hotch is right Y/N.” Spencer said coming out of the room. 

“I’ll give you two some time to talk.” Hotch said and went back into the room. 

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He asked. 

“Because I wanted to forget about it. Hotch is the only one that knew because of my psych eval.” I said not meeting his eyes. 

“I can help you.” He said, gently touching my arms. 

“Spence, there’s nothing to help. The only thing I need to do is to catch him.” I said. He gently guided my eyes to look at his.

“I understand, but this is dangerous for you, he could try and come after you now and what if he kills you? I can’t lose you…” He said with tears in his eyes. 

“I promised Hotch I wouldn’t go looking for him alone and as hard as it is to keep that promise, I need to. Because if I ever see him again, I will kill him.” I said and Spencer’s eyes widened, but he saw the tears in my eyes. 

“I can’t let him get away with this again.” I said and a tear slid down my cheek. Spencer pulled me to him and held me close. 

“Just stay with me okay? I can tell Hotch that we need to stay together, I can protect you.” He said and I smiled. 

“You know, I think that’ll be better for the both of us.” I said and he smiled back. 

“I love you.” He whispered. 

“I love you too, now let’s get back to doing our job.” I said, but he stopped me. 

“There’s nothing I can do to convince you to go home?” He asked and I smiled slightly. 

“You know there’s not.” I said and he sighed, but nodded. 

We walked back in the room and Hotch said the three of us were going to the morgue. So we hopped in a car and headed there. They didn’t have too much to look over apparently. 

“Tissue inflammation is consistent with inhalation of some sort of drug. I can’t tell what yet.” The doctor told us. 

“And the ligature marks?” Hotch asked. 

“Same as before. New wounds on top of old scars.” The doctor said holding up the hand and I felt myself reach for my own wrists. 

“No sexual assault, though. Possibly because she regained consciousness at some point and fought back.” He added. 

“She doesn’t show any signs of defensive wounds.” Spencer commented. 

“No, but I did fish this out of her trachea.” The doctor said handing Spencer a bag. 

“Neoprene?” I asked. 

“From a glove. My best guess is she bit him.” The doctor said. 

“Not enough to break the skin, unfortunately.” He added. 

“An exam glove?” Hotch asked. 

“Most likely.” The doctor answered. 

“Actually, it’s a surgical glove. A little bit thicker than an exam glove. If he was wearing neoprene, it means he has an allergy to latex.” Spencer said. 

“I’ll have Garcia check hospital records.” Hotch said and left the room. 

“Thank you doctor.” I said and Spencer and I followed Hotch out. 

When we got back to the PD Hotch told Spencer and I to take a little break. I objected at first, but he said it was an order so we took a walk around the block. 

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” I said grabbing Spencer’s hand. 

“I understand why you didn’t.” He said. 

“I can hear him still you know…” I said and he looked at me confused. 

“What?” He asked. 

“He sang the song, I remember his voice. I was new to smoking so I wasn’t used to it yet. I was out with some friends and I went to smoke alone, when I tasted it, it tasted off so I got rid of it, but I blacked out after. I couldn’t open my eyes, but I could hear that song and him singing it…” I admitted. 

“We need to go back.” Spencer said and grabbed my hand. We ran back as fast as we could and we saw everyone sitting at a table. 

“Hey you guys are back, we got a suspect.” JJ said and we looked at her confused. 

“Y/N remembers his voice.” Spencer said and everyone’s eyes widened. 

“Let’s go, Prentiss you try and get him to talk. Hotch said and the four of us walked towards the investigation room. Emily went inside and started playing to his fantasies. 

“It’s not him.” I said. 

“He’s definitely assaulted Dianna though.” Prentiss said. 

“Arrest him for that, but he’s not the man that raped me.” I said and walked out of the room. 

“How can Herman Scodie not be the piano man? We’ve got the medical gloves, the medical record he pulled.” Rossi asked. We were all gathered in the room, after Hotch had sent JJ, Spencer, and Morgan to go check his house anyway. 

“The taunt he said to Diana Mitchell, he repeated to us.” Prentiss said. 

“Well, Scobie definitely assaulted Diana the second time. He’s probably re-victimizing all of the survivors.” JJ said. 

“But apply the profile to Herman Scobie, and look at what’s different. There’s no piano wire, and there’s no song played.” Morgan said. 

“You think there are two unsubs, the piano man and a copycat?” Hotch asked. 

“A copycat studies the original unsub in order to learn. Herman Scobie’s a doppelganger.” Spencer said. 

“He’s trying to pass himself off as the piano man.” I said. 

“Why?” Rossi asked. 

“Convenience, maybe. If he assaults the piano man’s survivors, they’re less likely to reach out to the police.” Morgan said. 

“And if they do, the women claim it was the piano man. No one thinks to look at hospital orderlies.” JJ added.

“So who killed Vanessa Campbell, the piano man or Scobie?” Hotch asked. 

“It’s a lay-up. Same neoprene glove in her throat as we found in Scobie’s van.” Rossi answered. 

“There’s something odd about that too, though. If Vanessa swallowed this it would be scarred by digestive acids. I mean, even if it got caught in her trachea as he choked her out, gastric reflux would be evident, but there isn’t any.” Spencer said. 

“So the unsub placed that in her throat postmortem.” I said. 

“Which unsub?” Prentiss asked. 

“He used the piano wire, he played the song, it must be the piano man.” Morgan said. 

“So he plants a piece of evidence to frame Scobie.” Rossi said. 

“Okay, let me get this straight. The piano man is trying to convince us that Scobie is responsible for all of these crimes.” Prentiss said. 

“And if these two have studied each other this closely, then Scobie is the key to finding the piano man.” Hotch said. 

“His lawyer’s here. Scobie’s not gonna talk to us.” JJ said. 

“He will when he finds out he’s been set up.” Hotch said. 

“Let me talk to him.” I said and everyone looked at me. 

“No way.” Hotch said. 

“If he’s studied the piano man he’ll know who I am. He’ll want to talk to me.” I said and Spencer shook his head. 

“No, we can’t let you do that.” He said. 

“Fine. I’ll go in with you. That’s the only way.” Hotch said and I nodded. 

“Hotch, you’re serious about this?” Spencer asked shocked. 

“She’s right, if he knows who she is then it might put him on edge.” He answered. 

“Let’s go.” He added and we walked inside. Herman and his lawyer looked up at us and I noticed Herman’s eyes flash with realization. 

“My client has nothing to say.” His lawyer said. 

“Good. We’d rather he listen anyway.” Hotch said. 

“You’re going away fro rape. The question is whether you’ll let your competition hang Vanessa Campbell’s murder on you as well.” I said. 

“I didn’t kill her.” Herman said. 

“I didn’t even touch her.” He added. 

“Herman.” His lawyer warned. 

“From what you’ve told us, we know exactly what you think of these women.” Hotch said. 

“You don’t need to kill them.” I said speaking as if I wasn’t one of them. 

“They’re not worth that much effort to you.” I said and he never took his eyes off me. 

“But the piano man can’t take that risk. When he’d heard what you’d done, he killed Vanessa Campbell.” Hotch said. 

“He went back to an old victim, just like you, but then he places a piece of neoprene down her throat. Does that sound like an accident?” I asked and he glared at me. 

“He’s setting you up.” I added. 

“I need to discuss this with my client.” The lawyer said. 

“No, he talks to us now, or he takes his chances with a jury.” Hotch said. 

“What do you want to know?” Herman asked, eyes still never leaving mine. 

“Who is he?” I asked and he smirked. 

“You should know, I know who you are.” He said leaning forward towards me. 

“His unknown victim. The one that didn’t report him.” He said.

“Who is he?” Hotch asked again. 

“I never met him. I just read about what he did in the hospital records.” He said looking up at me. 

“You were the only one that didn’t report him, but you came in with the same marks as those other women.” He said, looked at me again. 

“The weird thing though, I had three chicks picked out to do next. I was gonna start with Vanessa, but… He got to her first.” Herman said. 

“Who was the other ones?” Hotch asked. 

“Regina Lampert and Y/N Y/L/N.” He answered. 

“You’re going away for a long time.” I said and walked out of the room. Spencer grabbed me and pulled me to him. 

“It’s okay.” He whispered and kissed my head. We all met in the room and tried calling Regina. 

“Okay, guys, regina Lampert is not answering her phone, and I found something hinky on her, which I’m sending to your tablets.” Garcia said. 

“Alright, Garcia, what are we looking at?” Hotch asked. 

“It’s a surveillance video from the bar that Regina Lampert works at. Do you see the guy she’s talking to?” She asked.

“PLaying the piano. He’s taunting her.” Rossi said. 

“She knows it too. Look at her body language.” Hotch said. 

“Watch what happens when I fast-forward to closing time.” Garcia said and sped up the video. 

“She seems to warm up to him.” I said. 

“And then, watch this.” She said and the video changed to a different angle. 

“Garcia, freeze it right there.” Hotch said. 

“Look at her face. No, she doesn’t. She set herself up as bait.” Hotch said. 

“Credit card says that the guy at the piano is Hamilton Bartholomew. This is what I know, his wife just filed a missing persons report on him this morning. She directed me to some job he just applied for, so I got a background check from that where they did his fingerprints.” She said. 

“Alright, Garcia, pull Regina Lampert’s rape kit and cross-reference the prints found with Bartholomew’s, and see if you get a match. We need to get to her house.” Hotch said. 

“Sending her address to your GPS.” She said and then we hung up. We all left to get to her house. 

“Garcia, did she pick up?” Hotch asked, answering the phone. 

“No, but we did just get a 911 call from her house, and it is freaking weird.” Garcia said and then started playing the call. 

“911 operator. What’s your emergency?” A lady asked. 

“Hello?” She asked when no one said anything. 

“My name is Hamilton Bartholomew. I’m being held captive by a lunatic!” He said then a gunshot went off. 

“She took the piano man captive?” Prentiss asked. 

“Unless he’s not the piano man. I mean think about it. Would the piano man call us to rescue him?” Morgan asked. 

“She could be shooting at the wrong guy.” Rossi said. 

“No, it’s him.” I said. 

“What?” Spencer asked. 

“That’s his voice… I know it.” I said. 

“The lab just confirmed, it’s him.” Prentiss said. We pulled up to the house and everyone got out. 

“Y/N you stay out here, that’s an order.” Hotch said and I knew there was no fighting this on. 

“As long as I’m the one that puts the cuffs on him.” I said and Hotch nodded. They went in and Spencer stayed out here with me. Hotch and Prentiss came out with both of them and Hotch handed him to me. 

“Hamilton bartholomew, you’re under arrest for the rapes of thirteen women and the murder of Vanessa Campbell.” Hotch said and I put the cuffs on him. 

“It’s you…” He said to me. 

“I’m gonna make sure you stay in jail for the rest of your damn life.” I growled at him. Hotch took him from me and Spencer came up and held me tightly. 

“Should have let her pull the trigger.” I said. 

“Come on baby, let’s just go.” Spencer said and took me to the car. 

“He’s never gonna see light again, you know that.” He said. 

“But he’s still alive…” I said. 

“And I’ll be here for you, whatever you need.” He said and held me close. 

[eadanga]

Falling In Love With You Part 1

Summary: Chris is a rich guy trapped in an awful engagement. He meets MC a young medical student and falls for her. Can Chris get out of this engagement to be with the one her loves?

A/N: This series is for @maxattack-powell​ one of the winners of my 400 followers giveaway hope you enjoy this and thanks for participating.

Chris sat in his office chair and spun around as he talked on the phone “…Yes Mr. Burns we shall have it all ready for you…No you takes care thank you” He hung up then sighed Another client down. I’m tired I’m heading home. He packed up his stuff then headed out the door. His secretary waved as his exited “Done for the day Mr. Powell?”

“Yes Grace cancel any meetings and schedule it for tomorrow”

“Right away sir”

Chris walked out the office and headed towards the parking lot. The valet smiled “Hello Mr. Powell”

“Hi John”

He snaps his fingers and his car pulls up. He hands him his keys “Thanks man”

“Your welcome good night Mr. Powell”

“Good night”

Chris gets into his car and drives home Man I need some sleep. He and his family was one of the richest in town. His father was a successful businessman and his mother was a fashion designer. Chris had everything all his life but the lavish rich style bored him. He wanted more wanted to feel free.

He pulled up his family mansion and headed inside. He saw his mother and father in the living room.

Barb smiled “Welcome Chris”

“How was your day at the office?”

“Good I’m tired”

“Yoohoo Chris”

Chris rolled his eyes he turned and saw Scarlet heading his way. She was the heiress to Anderson hotels which was ran by her father. Her family was rich so his parents set up a marriage between the two of them. She threw her arms around his waist as he cringed.

“Scarlet decided to stop by”

“Yeah…that’s…great” Chris slowly untangled her arms from around him.

“I missed you today”

“Glad you did”

Scarlet bats her eyelashes “Didn’t you miss me?”

Hell no “Umm…yeah sure”

“I knew you did”

Barb giggles “I can’t wait for your wedding”

“Umm…me too could you give us a moment Scarlet?”

“Ok” She gives him a flirtatious smirk and trails a finger down his chest “I’ll be waiting”

Chris nearly gagged as she strutted away. As soon as she was out of sight he turned to his parents “Why is she here?”

“We invited her over she’s your fiancé is she not?”

“I do not refer to her as that”

Frank sighs “Oh come on Chris you two are going to get married isn’t that what you want?”

“I do wanna get married just not to her”

“Christopher” Barb stands and places her hands on his shoulders “If you wanna keep your reputation and uphold the family name marrying someone with the same social ranking is the best thing”

“So you keep telling me” He knocks her hands off him “I’m going to bed”

Barb sighs “I don’t understand him”

“He’ll get used to it”

****

Chris walked to his room grumbling “Uphold the family name keep reputation that’s all they care about”

“There you are Chris” Scarlet jumps into his arms with a flirtatious smirk “Now how about you show me your room?”

“How about you get your damn hands off me?” He shoves her away

Scarlet huffs “Stop fighting this Chris you are going to be my husband”

“Don’t make me vomit”

Scarlet scoffs “Whatever” She smirks “I always get what I want and what I want is you I mean what other girl can compare to me we’re so perfect for each other” Chris rolls his eyes as she grabs his arm “Now let’s practice for our wedding night”

Chris pulls her off “If you think I’m doing that you’re delusional out of my way” He shoves past her

“Don’t walk away from me Chris!”

“That’s what I’m doing goodnight and be gone by the morning” He slams the door in her face as she screams

“You can’t stop this Chris we’re getting married whether you like it or not!”

Chris sighs he throws his briefcase down That girl gives me such a headache ugh I need a drink. Gonna have to sneak out with that she-devil in the house. But first I need to rest. He throws himself on the bed and sinks into the covers.

****

“MC! Hurry up we’ve got customers waiting”

“I’m on it” MC dash quickly and placed food on the table then headed to the next put on her best smile “Welcome how may I serve you today?”

“I’ll have some coffee with some hash browns”

“Coming right up sir”

She quickly wrote it down and brought it off to the kitchen. She sighed and turned around only for her manger to stand in front of her crossing his arms

“You gotta move faster! I’m trying to make money here!”

“Yes sir right away”

He sighs “I’m sorry for being so hard it’s just that if I don’t meet quota I could lose the place and then we’ll all be out of a job”

“I know I’m really trying”

“I know you are you need this job as much I want to stay in business” He places a hand on her shoulder “Now please pick up the pace a bit”

“I will”

“By the way how’s your mom?”

MC sighs “She’s been happy and smiling but she’s still sick”

“I wish I could pay you more”

“It’s fine”

“Order up!”

“I should get that”

After a long workday MC headed home. She headed up the stairs to her apartment. She quickly opened the door and found the living room empty. She looked around and heard voices from her parents bedroom. She went down the hall and saw her mom laying in bed with her dad next to her. They looked up and smiled

“Hi MC”

“Hi dad” She hugged him then took her mom’s hand “How are you feeling today mom?”

“Ok a little tired dear”

“How was work?”

“Oh you know the usual” Her mom’s eyes began to close “We should let you get some rest”

Her mom smiled then closed her eyes. They tipped out of the room slowly closing the door

“How is she dad?”

“She wasn’t bad today but she’s still struggling. It kills me to see her like that”

“I know but we gotta keep trying”

Her dad smiles “Of course”

“I’ll get dinner started”

MC heads to the kitchen and starts preparing dinner. The door swings and her brother Kevin walks in “Hey MC”

“Hey where have you been?”

“Just job hunting I had one interview at a fast food joint”

“You should be doing that you gotta focus on school”

He drops his bag “But I want to help”

“I know you do bro but working while your in school is not fun I mean your missing out on being a teenager and what about football you want that football scholarship don’t you?”

Kevin gives her a small smile “Yes I do”

“Good just let me and dad handle the money making”

“Ok sis what’s for dinner?”

MC smirks “You’ve got two hands don’t you? Make your own dinner”

Kevin rolls his eyes as MC laughs “Very funny”

****

After dinner MC went to her room and laid back on the bed Man I’m tired Her phone buzzed she groans as she takes it out Who’s calling me? “Hello?”

“Hi MC!”

“Hey Kaitlyn what’s up?”

“What’s up? There’s this totally cool club downtown and my best friend isn’t here to party!”

MC giggles then sighs “Maybe tomorrow Kaitlyn I’m pretty-”

“Oh no you get your butt out of bed and put on something hot and come down here or I will drag you out of your home myself”

MC laughs then sits up “Ok ok I’m coming”

“Good see you!”

MC grins as she stands and looks through her closet Hmm she spots a red crop top and skinny jeans This will do. She quickly gets dressed and heads down to the club. She looks through the crowd and spots Kaitlyn “Hey Kaitlyn”

She throws her arms around with a squeal “Yay you’re here” She pulls back and smiles “Isn’t this club amazing?”

“It is”

“There’s even a few hotties that were checking me out”

MC laughs “Kaitlyn”

“But another than that this place is happening now I’m gonna get use some drinks and then we can hit the dance floor”

****

Chris sat at the bar swirling his drink around Good to get out of the house especially away from… He grimaced ..her He sighed then took a sip of his drink Well not a total loss at least I have time to myself

****

MC danced along side Kaitlyn she smiled “Thank I needed this”

“Yeah you work too hard MC it’s time to let loose and enjoy yourself”

“You’re right shall I get more drinks”

“Hell yeah”

MC giggles then heads to the bar and orders some drinks.

“Hey there beautiful”

MC turned around and saw a guy smirking at her “Shall I buy you a drink”

MC put her hand to her nose she could smell the alcohol on his breath This guy is drunk “Umm no thank you”

“Come on then we can head over to my place”

“I said no thank you goodbye”

She turned to walk away only from the guy to grab her arm “Don’t be like that”

“Get off of me!”

“Don’t touch her man”

MC turned around and saw a guy with blue eyes crossing his arms

The drunk scoffed “Oh yeah? And what are you gonna do about it hit me?”

“If you don’t your hands off her I will”

He laughs “You think you can take me pretty boy? Come on baby let’s-”

He’s cut off by a fist hitting his face and knocks the guy straight to the ground knocking him out. MC felt her heart pounding as she meets his eyes

****

Chris clenched his jaw and grumbled “Fucking asshole” He turns to the girl “Are you alright?”

“Yeah…fine”

“I hope I didn’t scare you when I saw him grabbing you I just -”

“No really it’s alright he deserved it”

Chris smiles “Yeah he did” He looks her up and down She beautiful He sticks out his hand “I’m Chris by the way”

She shakes it “MC”

“You want me to take you home? I know you don’t wanna stay here after that”

“Thanks that would be nice let me just tell my friend”

MC makes her way over to Kaitlyn “Hey I’m gonna head home”

She pouts “But the party is just getting started”

MC giggles “How about breakfast tomorrow”

She grins “Of course!”

“Good see you tomorrow”

MC heads out of the club where Chris waits “Ok I’m ready”

“Good”

They walk down the street and head to Chris’s car “Nice car you got here”

“Thanks” They get in and starts driving home. After a moment of silence Chris speaks up “So tell me about yourself”

“Well not much to tell just an graduate student who’s trying to get her master’s”

“Nice what are you studying?”

“Medicine I wanna become a doctor”

“Awesome”

“Yeah I wanna help people. What about you?”

“Oh me? Just work at one of my parents companies”

“One? You must be really rich then”

“My family is”

“But you don’t seem snobby”

“I’m not I don’t really care that much about wealth” He ran his fingers through his hair Why am I so nervous? Get it together Chris

“My apartment is right around here” Chris turns and pulls up to the apartment “Thanks for the ride Chris”

Where did the time go? “Anytime…listen if you wanna hang out again…”

MC smiles “You know where to find me”

Chris chuckles “Of course it was nice meeting you MC”

“You too goodnight”

“Night” He watches as she walks into the apartment then smiles She’s great I hope she’ll let me get to know her.

Tags: @mfackenthal @annekebbphotography @liam-rhys @the-soot-sprite @indiacater @maxattack-powell @hopefulmoonobject​

[justformyself2]

P.S. I Love You. (p1)

Hello guys, it’s been a while, but i finally gathered my emotions together and put to use on this amazing challenge.I hope it can be of good  entertainment for you guys in this terrible times. Stay safe, keep your loves ones safe, and for those who are ill, or have loved ones ill i’m keeping you in my prayers, and i hope for your recovery.

The Rom-Com Writing Challenge is brought to you by my dear creative friend @lullabieswrappedinlies​. As the title says, this is inspired by - the great at making me cry hard movie- ‘P.S. I Love You.’ if you haven’t seen it, go see it before you read this.

BEFORE YOU JUMP IN BE ADVISED:

.This series contains spoilers from the movie P.S. I LOVE YOU.

. Pairing: Reader x John Krasinski.

. (Y/M/N) stands for ‘your mother’s name’. Letters in italic means memories.

.It contains strong language.

.It contains angst and grieve.

. IF you want you can read this along with the amazing soundtrack from the movie CLICK HERE

WANT TO KEEP UPDATED ON THIS STORY? CLICK HERE

.gif found by google search.

                                                                                          JOHN’S POV.

“After you’re done with this, can you close the blinds for me?”

Says (Y/M/N) behind my back, toneless, going away with more empty glasses banging against each other.

I drop the green sponge next to the faucet, drying my wet and soapy hands on the back of the jeans, remaining into my slob habits who refuses to use the dishrag. 

The tintinnabulation continues. On the east side of the bar, more hugs, more people, and more loud conversation. I start to pull strings when 'Can’t Get Out of This Mood' softly playing on the background was completely turned off and the doorbell ranged one last time, making the room quieter, leaving the cue that it could only mean one thing, but I still had more strings to pull before looking back. 

The claustrophobic feeling the room induced had to be shaken off. People were embracing her with arms, and ‘I’m sorry’s as she sits on one of the bar stools, strategically put in a circular form where they all could be closer to Gerry’s black quadrangular urn and his picture. I close the door, pulling the closed sign-on, the Priest takes his place, rearranging the clerical collar before standing next to the remains of Gerry.

“Did you closed the door?” (Y/M/N) questioned, and I affirm. She nods. “Good, now go take a seat, (Y/N) arrived.”

She goes back to the counter in a hurry. 

I don’t try to blend amid the crowd wearing black since I was still wearing a green polo shirt with jeans, and hadn’t time to change earlier when my hands were full of all the thanksgiving decorations that had to be taken down, at least it was a darker shade of the color.

I carry myself next to the wall, getting an angular vision of her eyes starting to get red, Denise pats her back, and someone pats mine.

“Hey, John, how are you doing, bud?”

Mark smiles and puts a pack of cigarettes on the inside of his suit.

“I’m fine, and you? still smoking that shit.”

He sighs, scratching the oily forehead.

“I’m allowing myself today. Otherwise, I will bang my head against the wall till unconsciousness. I can’t fucking believe he-.”

Mark chokes, the corners of his mouth trembling. It is my time to fill the 'guy’s code’ and pat his back.

“I know, bud, at least you got to say a proper goodbye.”

He nods, looking down at his shoes.

“Well, as Gerry would say, let’s get this party started." 

The Priest started, making the murmurs stop.

 "Gerry Kennedy did not want a lot of words. He preferred music. He was a unique young man. As you can see by the urn he had designed by the love of his life…His wife, (Y/N). His life may be over for now, but we can still hear it. He lives in us forever in our hearts, like his favorite song.”

Close to the urn, a small, old stereo box I found in the basement was placed. The Priest hits play and the melody of 'Fairytale of New York’ stars. I spot her giggling.

“Have you finished the job? Did you get what I sent you?”

Mark turns to me, desperately grabbing my shoulder. He was still nervous or too emotional, and I can’t blame him, but this was neither the time or place.

“Can we not talk about this, right now? Later ok? Let’s focus on celebrating Gerry’s life, as he wanted… Look, the shots are ready.”

On top of the urn, small shots of tequila were placed. I see (y/n) getting closer to it slowly, almost as she wanted a turn to another direction, but she takes one of them.

                                                                     A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER.

(Y/N) walks fast in front of me, holding that letter as if it was a map leading her to a scavenger hunt. Her hair was bouncing against her back.

“Come on.” She grabs me by the hand, and I have to match her pace. 

“Come on, are you denying a dying man his last wish?”

We stop by the fountain, in front of the enormous arch adorned with sculptures, at the northern entrance of Prospect Park. On the top, a woman on a chariot carried by four horses, two angels were blowing trumpets besides her dominance.

“This is 'The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch,’ and that on the top is the goddess Columbia, with wings, ready to battle." 

(Y/N) smiles at me, pointing at the piece briefly with the enthusiasm of a toddler. I nod, genuinely impressed by how amazed she looked at the Arch, how enthusiastic, art in any form, made her feel. We just left the Brooklyn Museum, and that smile hasn’t faded away. I hate Gerry less at this moment.

"I always adored this place. It was the first place I visited when I moved.”

I let it slip, getting inebriated by the overwhelming nostalgia that also included her.

“I like it too. I used to spend the Saturdays walking around with my sketchbook in hands, this big jean bag full of art supplies, and my whole afternoon would be drawing random strangers.”

She giggles for a moment and goes back to serious on the other, the circle repeats. I already know why, but waiting to go away was not my thing. 

“Oh, so that is what was inside that bag.” I reminisced and laugh.

“You remember?” She smiles, and of course, I did.

“Of course I do, but you never showed me any of you work. It would be nice to see it.”

I make the suggestion that makes her eyes gain a little more shine again, and she was back for now.

“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”

“Show you what?” I play dumb and receive a slap in the arm.

“Come on, English major in Brown. The hell, of course, you got stuff.”

My mouth drops.

“How do you even remembered that?”

“Because I remembered that after I interviewed you and saw your resume, I couldn’t believe you would just be a barman, and I don’t mean to offend, I just think you are capable of much more.”

I was still stuck on the realization of my thought to even understand how to be offended. She still remembered the infamous day of my interview, made by her, years ago, before she traveled to Ireland, before Gerry.

(Y/N) rolls her eyes and laughs. My blood rushes to my ears; I can feel the tingling.

“Well, that and that big stain on your purple shirt, my eyes still burns even if the memory of it, also your heavy Bostonian accent.”

“Wow, I sound the worst.”

She laughs again, and I’m glad because I felt paralyzed, surprised that I can continue talking.

“You know you were not.”

Her expression changes like she just caught herself saying what she wasn’t supposed to. from paralyzed I get unquiet as she moves along.

“Well, it was a long time ago.”

[bilbos]

Yesterday || Adam Lowry

word count: 8.5k words

requested: yes || no

author’s note: this was written as part of @hockeynetwork‘s Hockey Trump Hate event! This piece is for @antoineroussel <3 Also, admittedly, I was a bit hand-wavey about some things like who Brandon Tanev is dating and I’m ignoring that he was ever traded for the sake of this story. 

ao3 link

~ ~ ~

Deciding to move to Winnipeg to go to university is something you never imagined. Living in the states, back in Seattle, there were plenty of great opportunities. But something drew you to the school and you knew that you had to try and get in. 

Dating a famous hockey player was also something you had never imagined, yet here you are. You met Adam at a party in your freshman year at the University of Winnipeg. To be honest, you didn’t even recognize him at first, but once you started to talk to him more, you developed more of a crush on him.

It wasn’t until the beginning of your sophomore year that the two of you began to date, but Adam has been an amazing boyfriend the last three years. Now that you’ve graduated, you’re officially moving the rest of your stuff into his apartment. While attending university, he was insistent that you live with your friends to get a true university experience. At the time, it hurt, but you’re grateful for it now.

“Babe, how the hell did you get so much stuff living in that tiny apartment?” Adam groans as he carries in the last box from the moving truck.

You shrug. “Nobody was there to tell me no to my late-night impulse purchases.”

Adam looks at you and raises an eyebrow. You know that look and just laugh. Even though it might not seem like it, sometimes he was the more responsible one, at least when it came to money.

“You know what, it all brought me joy during finals week, and I feel like that’s good enough reasoning,” you explain.

“I love you, y/n, but you know that’s shitty reasoning,” Adam remarks. “At least I’ll be around to tell you no from now on.”

“But did you think about when you’re on road trips?” you ask innocently.

Adam just stares at you again, pursing his lips. “I’ll figure something out.”

You snort as you walk into the kitchen to start unpacking all of your kitchenware. Adam sighs and comes in to start helping you. Despite all of his grumbling, you know he doesn’t have that much of an issue with it.

“So, how’s the job hunt going?” he asks, subtly changing the subject.

~ ~ ~

Now that you’ve been out of school for six months, you start to realize the lack of a support system you have here in Winnipeg. Outside of the academic sphere, you’ve had a hard time meeting new people and feeling like there’s people in your corner, rooting you on. You never realized how lucky you’ve been the last four years. It’s not like you don’t enjoy being in Winnipeg, there’s some truly great places here, but it just doesn’t feel like home anymore.

And it’s not that you’re lonely, you’ve met some amazing people outside of Adam’s sphere of friends. But…it’s just not the same. Plus, how often he’s gone during the season really sucks. Somehow, it feels worse than when the two of you weren’t living together. You’ve only brought this up to Adam a couple of times, but each time it was met with resistance. He just didn’t seem to get it. Which is how you’ve found yourself on your coworker’s couch with a glass of wine on a Friday night when Adam is off on another three-day trip.

“Julia, I just don’t get why this is so hard,” you complain for the hundredth time.

“I think it might just be because he doesn’t get it, so he can’t help you,” Julia explains patiently. “It’s hard when your biggest support system just…doesn’t support you.”

You sigh. “Why are you so smart, Julia?”

“Because I have to be. Working with high schoolers is a trip and a half, as you very well know.”

“Unfortunately,” you remark.

You and Julia both work with a non-profit focused on student and family advocacy. It’s tough work, but you’ve met some amazing people this way and you feel good doing what you’re doing. This job is also part of the reason why you’re hesitant to leave Winnipeg. The thought of leaving your students is hard to think about, but you know that if you’re not feeling great, it can be hard to serve the community at full capacity.

“Look, we’ve been over this plenty of times. Just finish out the school year and see if you can find something back home,” Julia says. “I know it feels like giving up, but it isn’t. If this is taking a toll on your mental and emotional health, then it’s okay to go back.”

“God, I wish you weren’t right,” you whisper. “I hate this so much.”

“Well, you know it won’t hurt to look for opportunities. And I know that you’ve been looking at grad schools. It might be easier to get support for that back with your old support system.”

You drain the rest of your wine, then set down the glass. “Yeah, I guess so. I just…need to think about this more when I’m sober.”

Julia snorts. “Okay, kid, let’s get you to bed.”

~ ~ ~

Adam knows nothing about your job search. It feels weird to bring it up if nothing might come of it. You can tell he knows that something is up, but you decide to not bring it up. No use in starting a fight over it, even though it might explode in your face later on. It isn’t until the end of June that you get a phone interview from a school back in Seattle that you start to get nervous.

Now that the hockey season is officially over, Adam is a bit more aware of what you’re doing as well. When you decide to bring it up, you can tell he’s angry, but trying not to show it.

“I just…don’t get it,” he whispers.

“That’s the whole problem, Adam,” you reply. “You always brushed off my concerns about not having the same support system here. I just…don’t feel like I belong here.”

“Did you ever consider that this is your fault?” he accuses.

He snaps his mouth shut, but the damage is already done.

“I think I should go,” you whisper. “I don’t think this is healthy for either of us.”

“Look, babe, I didn’t mean it,” Adam says, desperate to try and fix things.

“Oh, so you decided to just say it out of nowhere?” you ask.

You can feel the tears welling up in your eyes. Immediately, you feel ashamed feeling sad over something you knew might happen. Adam reaches out to you, but you shrug him off.

“I’m headed to Julia’s for the night so we can both cool off, okay?”

He just nods and watches you leave. When you get to Julia’s, she immediately knows what’s going on and wraps you up in a hug.

“So, how bad was it?” she asks softly, as she leads you to the couch.

“He told me it was my fault,” you whisper. “And I guess it kind of is, but I don’t know if he realizes how hard it is, you know? I don’t want to leave Adam; I love him so much. Like, I decided to stay in Canada for him, you know?”

“Look, I think some distance will do you two really well. I mean, things were good when the two of you weren’t living together, right? So now that you’re both all up in each other’s business, it could change things.”

“Yeah, they were. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try. But I’m going to talk to him tomorrow, though. Tonight, I just want to watch some cheesy movies and maybe get a bit tipsy.”

“You’re lucky I just stocked back up on wine,” Julia jokes.

~ ~ ~

When you go back to your place the following morning, he isn’t there. You just assume that he decided to go hang out with some friends last night. So, you take this as a perfect opportunity to call your mom and explain what’s going on.

“Well, if you think that’s what’s best for you, then of course you can come home,” she says softly.

“I just feel like I failed,” you groan.

“Look, I know it’s hard right now and that things didn’t work out how you imagined them, but it’ll be fine.”

“I know, it’s just…I know that things will be weird with Adam now and I hate that I’m going to lose him.”

“We all lose people that are important to us. Maybe one day you can fix things, but it’s important to put yourself first before your relationship with him.”

“Yeah, I get it,” you sigh. “God, I don’t even know when I’ll be able to leave. I have to find a job and everything.”

“Don’t worry about that, honey. Just come back and we’ll figure it out. No need having you stay in a place that isn’t healthy for you.”

You start tearing up. “Thank you, mom.”

“Of course, honey. Now, let’s start planning your trip back.”

~ ~ ~

When Adam comes back a couple of hours later, you’ve already booked a moving truck to come in a week and a half. You and your mom knew that if there wasn’t anything making you pack up and leave him, you never would.

“Look, I’m really sorry, I should have thought through what I’ve said,” Adam whispers as he sits next to you on the couch. “But I still think that maybe things can get better for you here. I don’t want to lose you, y/n.”

“Adam, I love you, I really do. It’s just…this isn’t home for me, you know? I have some friends, but I just feel like I’m floating through my life here. I can’t have that. I want to actually live my life and not just have things pass me by because I can’t bring myself to break up with you,” you explain.

“Y/n, we can make this work,” he pleads.

“You’ve known this was an issue for months now, Adam. What have you done to make it work? Absolutely nothing. Every time I brought something up, you just shrugged me off like it was nothing!”

“Because it is nothing,” Adam accuses.

You suck in a breath and then stand up. “This is what I can’t fucking deal with. I think it’s best we part ways. I’ll pack up my stuff and go to Julia’s.”

Adam purses his lips and nods stiffly. “Fine.”

“I’m sorry,” you whisper.

~ ~ ~

Packing is a somber experience. Adam avoids you like the plague the couple of days it takes you to put everything in boxes. Julia helps you pack everything up between both of your cars and bringing it to her apartment. You feel so exhausted and you’re not sure how you’re going to make it through the next couple of weeks.

Julia is a lovely roommate, making sure that you don’t mope around the apartment too much. She’s there with junk food and wine when you have to put in your notice to work, which breaks your heart more than leaving Adam. Knowing that you won’t get to say goodbye to your cohort of students is hard.

“They’ll understand. They’ll hurt and be mad, but they’ll get it. Besides, you’ll come up here to visit me, right? You can visit them then.”

“Yeah, I know,” you whisper. “God, I’m going to miss getting drunk on this couch, you know? I don’t know what I’ll do at home.”

Julia snorts. “I’m sure you’ll find someone back in Seattle. You made friends with me pretty quick.”

“It’s because we both didn’t know what we were doing. We bonded out of pure confusion.”

“Okay, that’s true, but you’re great at making friends.”

“My current situation would beg to differ,” you joke.

Julia just smiles, and then runs her hands through your hair. “You’ll do good, babe. You were made to do more than live with a shitty boyfriend.”

“You’re the best,” you whisper. “I think it’s time for bed.”

Julia laughs and helps bring you back up to the guest room.

~ ~ ~

Moving back home was hard. You and Julia sobbed as you packed up the last of your things in the moving truck. Leaving her was worse than leaving Adam, something you never thought could be possible.

“Well, don’t forget about me, Julia,” you whisper.

“You know I couldn’t,” she replies softly, before wrapping you up in one last tight hug.

When you get back into the truck with your mom, she gives your hand a tight squeeze before starting up the truck. It’s silent for a little while, until you’re well out of Winnipeg.

“So, you’re finally out. How does it feel?” she asks.

“I…think I’m happy. Or maybe it’s just a relief. I’m not sure yet,” you reply. “I haven’t even talked with him since I left our house. Which I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at, you know?”

“It still hurts, though. You thought he might try to talk to you.”

“Yeah, not like it would have really changed much. But…I thought we could try being friends or something. But that’s hopeful thinking, I suppose.”

“I don’t know if you’ll ever be friends again, but it’s probably for the best.”

“Yeah, I know. Like I know it was kind of my fault for not really trying to settle in and everything, so I don’t blame him for not talking to me. It’s just…weird. I really thought it was a forever type of thing.”

“Well, you’re still young. You’re only 23, y/n. There’s still so much time left for you to find things to explore and learn.”

“Ugh, you’re so right. It’ll just take me some time to get used to, I suppose.”

“Now that you’re coming back home, maybe you can start studying for the GRE next year. I know you wanted to originally wait a couple of more years to do that, but that was when you were with Adam. Maybe you can go sooner now and not worry about finding a long-term job back at home.”

You just nod as you look out the window. She’s right on the dot about why you were waiting. But it wouldn’t hurt to apply next year and go back to school the year after that. It’ll give you more experience in actually trying to settle into a new place away from home because as much as you love it in Seattle, you don’t want to stay there forever.

~ ~ ~

Two years have passed and you’re packing up to move to Eugene. You’ve been accepted to the University of Oregon in their Ph.D. program for cultural anthropology. It’s strange, packing up your life again, but it feels good to be free again.  

Your mom hugs you as you finish packing up your car with everything you need to move back to school with. She’s a bit teary eyed, but you can tell that she’s proud of you. When you first moved back to Seattle, you never expected to be this happy about leaving everything behind, but you are. There’s something freeing about finally being able to pick up the pieces and move on. You’re moving to a new place and you can make a fresh start again.

Other things have changed too. Julia had grown a tentative friendship with Adam after you had left. Both were worried about you when you had left, but he never felt comfortable talking to you right after the breakup, so he heard about what you were doing through her. She never really talked to him until you gave her the okay that things wouldn’t be hard on you if they became friends.

It was through him that she met Brandon Tanev and they hit it off immediately. Remembering him from the couple of times you met him while you lived in Winnipeg, you know that they’re a good match for each other. You were expecting it to be weird, but you’re just happy that Julia has found someone.

The drive from Seattle to Eugene only takes you about five hours. You’re moving in with two people you met over on Facebook who were looking to add one more roommate to their house. The three of you clicked right away and you were excited to be finding people you liked.

It’s weird meeting them in person, but Sam and Vera are extremely kind. It puts you at ease when they help you bring your boxes to your shared house without asking if you needed help. Your room is small, but not too cramped. Even if it was tiny, it’s nice living close to the university.

“So, I know you’re here because of school, but any other reason you decided to come out here?” Vera inquires over dinner.

“I guess I just decided I needed to try and be independent again. Last time I moved away from home, I think I was too dependent on my boyfriend to make everything better for me,” you explain. “It was pretty toxic, if I do say so myself. We weren’t very kind to each other.”

“Oh, is that why you were in Winnipeg?” Sam asks. “I saw that you lived there for a little while on your Facebook.”

“Yeah, it was, on top of going to school as well. But that was a while ago and I promise I’ve gotten better since then,” you reply.

“Don’t worry, we have a pretty open line of communication, so we’ll let you know if something is up,” Sam says. “But we’re happy you’re here! It’s good to know that we won’t have to find a cramped apartment to live in.”

You snort. “I’m glad too. It’s nice to be in an actual house.”

The rest of dinner is fairly casual and they both send you off to unpack your necessities while they clean up the dishes. No matter what, you think you’ll settle in just fine here.

~ ~ ~

Three years into your program and your life has never been better, if you do say so yourself. Sam and Vera have become your best friends, besides Julia. Life here has been great and you’ve been thriving. You still have three years left, depending on how well your research goes, but you’re excited to finally be starting that part of your degree.

You’re also in an amazing relationship with your current boyfriend, Max. The two of you met your first year in your program. He’s studying linguistics in the same department as you and even though you never really were fond of that particular subfield, Max still made it sound amazing. After six months of knowing each other, the two of you went on your first date, and now two and a half years later, you’re happier than ever.

Julia is also getting married this summer to Brandon and you’re going to be the maid of honor. Of course, Adam is going to be Brandon’s best man, but you figure that everything should be okay now. It’s been five years since the two of you broke up and that’s given the two of you enough time to heal from old wounds.

“Are you sure it’s not going to be weird?” Vera asks. “I mean, I know you think everything is going to be good, but you guys haven’t talked in five years.”

“That’s exactly why I think it’s going to be fine. We’re both adults now and surer of ourselves. At least, I am, anyways,” you answer. “Besides, even if I wasn’t okay with it, I would suck it up for Julia. I can’t just not show up to her wedding because I want to avoid Adam.”

Sam purses her lips. “Yeah, we know. But if anything goes wrong, we’ll kick his ass for you. Or…I guess Max can since he’s going to the wedding.”

“I’m sure he’ll be enough of a deterrent for Adam,” you reply. “And it’s just for a few days. The most contact we’ll have is when we walk down the aisle.”

“I bet those were words you never thought you’d say,” Sam jokes.

“No, they really weren’t. But I promise it’ll be okay,” you say, reassuringly.

~ ~ ~

When you and Max get to Winnipeg, it feels like nothing has changed. It feels like you just left. All of this makes you feel nostalgic, but having Max besides you makes everything feel better. The two of you are staying in a hotel near the wedding venue, which is where everyone who travelled in is going to be. There’s a small chance that you’ll run into Adam there, but Julia told you that she placed the both of you as far away from each other as possible.

For that, you’re feeling grateful. When the two of you get to the room, Max hugs you tightly.

“What’s this for?” you ask.

“Dunno, just feeling happy, I guess,” he replies. “Weddings always make me happy.”

“Even though you don’t know the people getting married?”

“They matter to you, so they matter to me.”

“You’re such a sap,” you reply, as you pull out from his hug. “I know we’re having a moment and everything, but I really want dinner.”

Max snorts. “Of course you do. Where do you want to go?”

“There’s a great sushi place not too far from here, if I remember correctly.”

“Let’s get going, then.”

~ ~ ~

The first time you see Adam is at the wedding rehearsal the following day. Well, rehearsal is a loose term, considering that everyone is only quickly running through what the reception will look like. It’s more of a time for everyone to reconnect.

He’s here by himself, which surprises you a bit. You’re fully expecting him to have a girlfriend. Maybe she just can’t make it today and will be at the wedding tomorrow. As much as you try to avoid him, he manages to see you right as you throw away your trash.

“Hey, y/n,” Adam greets.

“Oh, hey, Adam,” you reply. “It’s been a while.”

“Yeah, definitely. What have you been up to?” he inquires.

“I’m over in Oregon working on my Ph.D.,” you answer. “I only have three or four years left. I’m just starting the applied part of my degree, so I’m not sure how long that will take.”

“Oh, that’s nice. Here with anybody?”

“Yeah, I’m here with my boyfriend, Max. What about you?”

“No, I’m not dating anyone right now. But I’m happy for you,” he says.

“Yeah, right back at you. It looks like you’re holding up pretty well on the Jets.”

He nods. “It’s felt good the last couple of years. I’ve really fallen into a good groove.”

“I can tell,” you reply. “We’ll have to catch up later. I told Max I was just tossing my garbage.”

“Oh, yeah, no worries. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

When you get back to the table, Max raises an eyebrow. “How did it go?”

“Not as bad as I was expecting, to be honest. Although it has been five years, so I guess we’re both pretty far removed from it all.”

“That’s good,” he replies. “So, when do you think is an acceptable time to leave? Not that I’m not having fun, but I feel like I need to save up energy for tomorrow.”

“I’ll just tell Julia we’re headed out and then we can go back to the hotel.”

Max nods and kisses you lightly. When you walk over to Julia, she hugs you tightly.

“I’m so glad you could come,” Julia says. “Were things weird with Adam?”

“I didn’t talk with him for too long, so not really. But I think we’ll be okay, Julia. We’re all adults here, so an old breakup won’t come in the way of your happy day.”

“I know it wouldn’t, but I still worry a bit, you know? The two of you haven’t talked in all of that time you’ve been gone.”

You shrug. “I think that was the right decision, though. It would have hurt us more if we kept talking or tried to reconcile through texts or phone calls.”

“That makes sense. It’s weird, though, seeing the two of you together but not together.”

“Makes sense, I guess. But things are good with Max, so I doubt there’ll be an ‘us’ again.”

Julia just hugs you again. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Have some fun tonight.”

You laugh and shake your head. “I really think we’re just going to watch a movie and fall asleep way too early, but thank you for the encouragement.”

~ ~ ~

The following morning is extremely hectic. Max is still back at the hotel, and will be until the wedding starts. But you’re at the venue helping Julia get ready. Or, rather, making sure that Julia’s mom, Emma, doesn’t become too overbearing. You know that she only wants things to be perfect, but it can be a bit much. Hell, you’re not even the one getting married and Emma is stressing you out beyond belief.

“Okay, ladies, we only have an hour left!” Emma exclaims, a bit of panic seeping through.

“It’ll be fine,” you say to Emma, pulling her off to the side.

“I know,” she whispers. “But you know how I get.”

You laugh. “You’ve done an amazing job so far, and it’ll be beautiful.”

She gives you a quick hug. “Always the practical one.”

“I try to be.”

The rest of the lead up to the wedding passes by quickly. When you get to the beginning of the aisle, you see Adam. He smiles at you hesitantly. You smile back and walk over to him.

“How are you feeling?” you whisper.

“Not too bad. Excited for the ceremony to be over.”

You raise an eyebrow at that.

“Look, it’s just the same thing every time. It’s not like I’m not happy for them, I just get tired of the same thing over and over again.”

“I’m telling Julia you said that,” you joke.

Adam lets out a fake gasp, which makes you laugh a little. Before you can continue your conversation, the music starts up, signaling that it’s time for the two of you to walk out. Adam is right, though. Ceremonies can get a bit boring and while you’re happy for Julia, you spend more time staring off into space than you would care to admit.

Once Julia and Brandon walk down the aisle, you’re relieved. The reception promises to be relaxed and fun. It isn’t until you get seated that you realize Adam is going to be at the same table. Julia said that there might be some table changes at the practice reception, but you didn’t realize she would put Adam at your table. It’ll be fine though, you’ll sure it will all be okay. You can tell Adam is a bit surprised as well when he sits down.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that we would be at the same table,” he says, apologetically.

“It’s fine,” you reply. “I guess this means I can introduce you to Max.”

Adam’s eyes flicker over to Max, and gives him a small smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Yeah, right back at you,” Max replies, a bit awkwardly.

Conversation takes an awkward pause as a few other people get seated at the table.

“So, how long have you guys been together?” Adam asks.

“Two and a half years,” Max answers, looking over at you and smiling. “We met in our intro class for the Ph.D. program we’re in.”

“Oh, that’s great,” Adam replies. “What are both of you hoping to do after you graduate?”

“We’re hoping to go into research somewhere and then hopefully teach at a university or community college. But it all depends on where we can get jobs. Finding one teaching job is hard enough, but two would be near impossible,” you explain. “We’ll work it out, though. There’s still a few more years.”

Adam nods. “I’m glad for you both.”

“Thanks,” you whisper.

Conversation flows easily after that, catching each other up on everything that’s happened the last few years. Adam had been in a long-term relationship, but they had broken up only a few months ago. He didn’t say why and you didn’t want to push, he looked heartbroken talking about it. Only a few minutes later, Julia and Brandon come back out to the reception and announce that dinner is going to be served. After eating and sitting through several speeches, the two of them have their first dance.

The music picks up after that, and you and Max decide to only stay for a few songs. Your flight out the next morning is bright and early. Adam stays at the table, stating that he doesn’t have anyone he wants to dance with. You shrug it off, thinking it’s not your problem anymore.

The rest of the night is amazing, and when your alarm goes off the next morning, you groan as you shut it off. Both you and Max get ready in a haze and barely make it to the airport on time. Thankfully, neither of you have anything going on the next few days, allowing the both of you to rest.

~ ~ ~

After the wedding, it seems to open the door to you and Adam talking again. It’s weird, and it feels wrong talking to him again, but you know that it’s just as friends. Max is well aware of it and he has no issue with it, stating that the two of you are both well removed from anything romantic and that he’s sure of your relationship with him.

It isn’t until January that you see Adam again. With the All Stars game going on, he has a week of rest and insists on coming out to Oregon to visit you for a day. Sam and Vera are rightly hesitant about him coming to visit, but you do want to show Adam around. You decide to take him to a small café that you like to frequent when you want a break from school.

“So, how’s the new school year going?” he asks.

“It’s going well. I’m focusing more on research now, so it’s exciting,” you reply. “I’m focusing on homelessness in college student populations.”

“Oh, that’s…depressing,” Adam says. “But I’m glad you’re doing something that matters to you.”

“So am I,” you reply. “How are you feeling about the team this year? I know there’s been some big trades lately.”

“It’s weird, but I think we’ll hit our stride soon enough. We’re getting closer to a cup each year. And I really love the people I’m playing with, too. That always makes things better.”

“It really does. And I know you guys will get there soon enough.”

Adam smiles sadly. “I hope so. I don’t know how much more time I have, so I would like to get there before I retire.”

“You thinking of retiring soon?” you inquire.

He shrugs. “I’m not sure, but I know that it’s going to happen in the next few years more than likely. Like, I’m in my late twenties now, my body can’t hold out for much longer. And I don’t want to go out with a huge injury I’ll never recover from.”

“Makes sense,” you reply. “Any plans for what you want to do after?”

“I think going back to school would be nice. It might give me a better sense of direction.”

“That would be good. School has made a world of difference for me. It’s what helped me after our breakup.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, it gave me something to look forward, instead of moping about it all.”

“You were sad about it?” he asks, looking confused.

“I really was. I never wanted to break up with you, Adam. But I don’t think I was ready to move away from home and in with you. It just wasn’t good timing for either of us, I think.”

Adam smiles softly. “I always thought you got over it right away, considering how things ended.”

“No, it definitely wasn’t a happy time for me. Not that I’m making excuses, but we were both pretty young and just jumped into moving in together without thinking if it was a good idea or not.”

“Yeah, that’s true. I’m just…it feels good to be talking to you again, y/n. It was weird not having you around.”

“I tried to forget you for the longest time, you know? Pretend that it never happened. I think it was my way of trying to get over it and not take full credit of what I did.”

“Well, we’re both well past that, I feel like. It’s strange, though, seeing how much we’ve both changed,” Adam comments.

“It is,” you whisper. “But I’m glad for it.”

Casual conversation continues on for a few more hours before Adam says he should be heading out.

“I wasn’t sure where this was going to end up, so I booked a flight for later tonight. I didn’t want to stick around if things got weird,” he explains.

“I guess that makes sense. It was good seeing you again, though.”

He hugs you briefly, before he heads out to his rental car and drives off. You sigh and rub your face a bit. It was good, but it still feels odd seeing Adam again.

When you get back to your place, Vera and Sam are immediately asking you how it went.

“It wasn’t that exciting,” you mumble. “We just got caught up on basic life stuff.”

“How weird was it?” Vera asks.

“I mean, not too weird? Like, we were able to hold a steady conversation. It’s just weird how much we both changed the last five years. We both grew up a lot,” you explain.

“Do you think you’ll keep up this whole thing?” Sam asks, slightly concerned.

“I don’t see why not,” you reply, shrugging. “It’s not like I want to get back together with him. I honestly don’t know what he’s thinking about it all, but I don’t get that vibe from him either.”

“If he tries anything, our offer of beating him up still stands,” Vera says.

You snort. “I really appreciate the offer, but considering that there isn’t even a professional hockey team around here, I doubt that we’ll be seeing much of him.”

~ ~ ~

Things with Adam only get better from there. The two of you are close again, but it’s not the same. It never would be, and that was honestly fine with you. When it’s time for you to finally graduate with your Ph.D., he flies out to watch you receive your diploma, as the Jets didn’t make it to the playoffs this year.

You could tell your parents felt hesitant about having him around, but they made room for him after seeing that you’re genuinely okay with him around. Max was a bit wary, but he didn’t say anything, knowing how important Adam is to you.

After your graduation, you meet everyone outside of the stadium. Adam hangs off to the side, letting your parents get too many pictures of you and Max together. He doesn’t say much, until you come up to him.

“So, you’re headed to St. Louis, huh?” he asks.

“Yeah, I got lucky with an amazing position at St. Louis Community College. I couldn’t say no and Max said he would try to find something there as well,” you explain. “It’s a great city and turning down a teaching job wasn’t something I could say no to.”

“Well, it is pretty great,” Adam says smugly.

You snort. “Of course you think it’s great. But what are your plans for the summer now? You’re thirty-one, now.”

“Thank you for reminding me how old I am,” Adam replies grimly. “Besides, you’re thirty-one now, too, so don’t make it sound like I’m the ancient one here.”

This just makes you laugh. “Well, maybe we can hang out if you hang around St. Louis long enough.”

Adam smiles softly at that. “I would like that. But I should let you get back to your family. Looks like they want to take more pictures.”

You hug Adam tightly one last time before walking back to your family. Things are relaxed for the rest of the day and when you head back to your house with Sam and Vera, you’re ready to pass out. Knowing that the next couple of days are going to be busy with last minute packing means you want to get as much sleep as possible.

As you start packing up the next morning, Sam and Vera join you. The two of them had finished their programs last year, but worked around Eugene until you were moving out as well. They had insisted that they needed time to focus on what they wanted to do.

“God, this is so weird. I can’t believe we’re finally moving out of Oregon,” Sam whispers. “We better still be friends.”

“Please, we didn’t suffer through the last seven years of our life together for nothing,” you joke.

Vera laughs. “Well, if we can suffer through my many breakdowns, I think we’ll be fine.”

“I hate how true that is,” Sam comments.

The rest of the day passes calmly, until Max calls you and asks if you can come over for dinner, saying he has something important that he wants to tell you.

“Do you think he’s going to finally propose?” Vera asks. “It has been almost seven years.”

You shrug. “I’ll keep you guys updated.”

Once you get to Max’s place, he looks sadder than you expect. This makes you concerned, as you don’t know what could be bringing this on.

“I got an offer from Stanford for an associate professor position,” Max says immediately, once you’ve shut the door.

“Oh,” is all you can think to say.

“I just…I want it so bad. You know how hard it’s been for me trying to find something I want to do in St. Louis.”

You sit down on his couch, processing this all. “Yeah, I know. And…you should take it, Max. This is an amazing opportunity. Like, that’s an amazing school.”

“It’s just…I don’t want to make you quit your job in St. Louis before you’ve even started. And you know how much I hate long-distance relationships. So, I think it’s best if we broke up.”

“I…yes, of course. That makes sense,” you reply numbly.

“God, this is so shit to do, especially since we were about to sign a lease on a place. But I was thinking maybe Adam or his family could help? I know that’s where he grew up.”

“I could ask,” you whisper. “I think…I think I’m going to go, Max. I need time to process this.”

Max just nods. “Sorry for making you drive all the way over here for this.”

You smile and head back to your place. Sam and Vera are confused, but let you go right up to your room. The second you close the door, you start sobbing. Things with Max were great, they really were. You thought that getting married to him was a real possibility. But you get the whole long-distance thing. It wouldn’t be fair to either of you to try and reroute your careers if your heart wasn’t in it.

A couple of hours later, Sam and Vera come into your room, bringing junk food and wine. When you explain what had happened, they don’t say anything, but hug you tightly. They stay with you for the rest of the night, making sure you fall asleep at a reasonable time.

The next morning, you’re not feeling great, but not as horrible as you were expecting. At this point, you know that you have to rethink your plan. There’s a place that you and Max were going to move into at the beginning of July, but without him there, you won’t be able to afford it. As much as it pains you, you’re definitely going to have to ask Adam for help.

He picks up after a couple of rings to his phone. “What’s up?”

“So, you know how I’m moving to St. Louis for work, right?” you ask.

“Yeeees,” he replies, unsure.

“Well, um, Max just broke up with me last night and I can’t afford the apartment we were going to sign the lease on without him,” you explain. “So, I was wondering if you know any people in St. Louis who need roommates? I know that I can try and find somewhere on my own, but I wanted to check with you first.”

“I have a place there that you could stay in,” Adam suggests.

“Adam, I can’t take your place!”

“Look, I’m not there for most of the year and I only stay there during the summer when I’m not off training. As long as you don’t mind me being there a few months out of the year, then we’ll be fine.”

You frown a bit, thinking it over. “I promise I’ll find somewhere as fast as possible.”

“Take your time,” Adam says insistently. “I know it’s going to take you a while to settle in to your new job and there’s no point in stressing about finding a new place at the same time.”

“Fuck,” you whisper. “You know me too well.”

“We have known each other for over a decade now,” Adam jokes.

“God, why is that the thing that makes me feel old?”

“It is weird to say out loud, huh?”

“I haven’t even thought about it, to be honest,” you reply. “But I think I’ll take you up on that offer. I hate to put you out, but it already took Max and I ages to find a place we could afford. Being a professor isn’t a lavish lifestyle, unfortunately.”

“You know I have your back, no matter what.”

“And I appreciate you for that. I’ll let you get back to sleep, though. Sorry that I woke you.”

“It’s no problem. Just send me the details of when you’ll be moving over to me some time today.”

“Sounds good. Talk to you soon, Adam,” you say.

After you hang up, you walk down to the kitchen, where Sam and Vera are already making breakfast. They both look at you, curious, but you ignore the look for now. The thought of trying to explain that you’re moving into Adam’s house in St. Louis is too weird of a thought for this early in the morning. It isn’t until you start packing again that Sam brings it up.

“So, who was that you were talking to this morning?” she asks.

“I was talking with Adam,” you say. “I just…with Max breaking up with me, I needed to figure out somewhere to live, you know? And since he’s from there, I figured he could help.”

“What’s he helping with, then?” Sam asks.

“He’s offering for me to stay in his place there,” you explain. “It might be dumb to essentially move in with him again, but there’s no way that I would be able to find something in only a couple of weeks.”

Sam frowns a bit. “I hate that this is your only option. I know it’s been over seven years since the two of you broke up, but it just feels so weird.”

You shrug. “It does, but I know things will be better now. We’ve managed to be friends for the last few years, so I think we’ll be okay.”

“I hope so,” she whispers. “God, the last couple of days have been dramatic as fuck. Does this happen every time you move somewhere?”

“Thankfully, no. But whenever it involves a boyfriend, it seems to be overdramatic,” you joke.

“Well, I think we’ll all be okay.”

~ ~ ~

As you make the move from Eugene to St. Louis, you take your time driving there. You make several stops along the way and try to process everything that’s been happening. It’s wild that you’ve gotten a teaching job right out of university, because you know how hard it can be. Granted, it is at a community college, but you think it’ll help when you try to move on to teaching at a university.

And it’s weird that fate has brought you and Adam back together. Even when you first started talking to him again, you never imagined being in a place where the both of you felt so comfortable together again. Now that the both of you are in different places in your lives, you’re interested to see what happens.

When you get there, you see Adam’s car pulled up into the driveway. As you pull up, he opens the door and walks out to greet you. He looks older and more settled into himself. Aging has treated him very well.

“Hey, Adam,” you greet tiredly.

He hugs you as he says, “It’s good to see you again. I think your thirties are treating you well.”

“Please, like it’s been treating you any differently. Besides, it’s only been a month since you’ve seen me last.”

He just shrugs. “Feels less weird saying it since you don’t have a boyfriend anymore. Not that I’m like…happy that the two of you broke up.”

“I know what you mean,” you reply. “I guess it’s time to move everything in, huh?”

“Shouldn’t be too bad. It’s less stuff than last time we moved in together.”

“I’ve gotten better at the impulse purchases. Being a broke grad school student is no joke.”

“Well, that’s good to hear. How about we just move everything into the place for today and unpack tomorrow?”

“You don’t have to help me unpack everything.”

“I know. I just like to help.”

You smile. “Might as well get started then.”

Things are easy for the next couple of days. It doesn’t feel as weird as you were expecting it to be. Adam gives you more than enough space to do your own thing, but you’re still very aware of his presence. A few days after you move in, his mom insists on meeting up with you for lunch at a local diner.

“It’s so good to see you again,” she says. “I never thought I would see you again after the two of you broke up.”

“Yeah, this is definitely weird. But I’m just really grateful right now.”

“Adam is excited to have you back in his life, you know. I think he’s missed you more than he’s willing to admit to himself.”

“I mean, I missed him a lot as well. It was weird not talking to him after the breakup, but it served us both well.”

“That’s good,” she replies. “Now, tell me more about what you were doing over in Oregon. I love my son, but he doesn’t always do the best at remembering.”

The rest of lunch is just playing catch up with each other. It’s good seeing her again, and it’s even better knowing that you’ll have someone here to support you. Without Max being there to support you, you were really unsure of being in St. Louis essentially by yourself. Knowing that Adam’s family seems to be accepting you into their life is helping you cope a lot.

It isn’t until a week later that you go into the community college to meet your fellow staff. Everyone is super welcoming and you’re excited for the year to start. There’s no surprise when you see that you’ll be teaching two sections of introductory anthropology as your only courses. Being a new professor usually means getting the grunt work for a while, which is fine by you.

~ ~ ~

Settling into the new year has been easier than you were expecting. Having the whole house to yourself was weird, but it’s making your life so much easier. As much as you loved living with Sam and Vera, it’s easier to focus on doing class prep without anyone around. You do wish that Adam was around more, but you can only wish for so much.

The first time Adam comes back after leaving during August is during his bye-week in December. He says that he feels too old to be going off to party in Cabo or wherever the younger guys are going this year.

While the time he’s here isn’t necessarily awkward, it feels like the two of you are flying off to some new uncharted territory. The two of you have plenty of late nights together, talking about the smallest of things that have changed over the years. You’ve gained more independence and confidence in yourself and Adam has learned to be a bit more empathetic.

When he leaves, something has changed in your dynamic with him. While you won’t say that you’re falling in love with him, you feel like you could be hurtling in that direction. Living in his place isn’t necessarily helping either.

By the time January rolls around, you’re more prepared to spending a full week with Adam. Things are similar to last time and everything comes to a close halfway through his time back in St. Louis. You’re both a little more drunk than either of you were expecting, which probably helps in the long run.

“I’m so happy that you’re back in my life,” Adam whispers. “I didn’t realize how much I missed you until we started talking again.”

“I’m glad things are back to normal again,” you reply.

“If things were normal, we would be dating again.”

This hangs in the air for a brief moment.

“Well…I suppose we can make things truly back to normal. I wouldn’t be opposed to that,” you comment.

“Are you saying…that you wouldn’t mind dating again?” Adam asks, hesitantly.

“No, I really wouldn’t. It’s been nice being close to you again.”

Epilogue

A few years later, you finally got a professor job at the University of Missouri in St. Louis. You’re overjoyed that you’ve found a great job in the city. Adam has decided to retire and move back in full time with you. He’s still unsure of what to do, but you’re slowly convincing him that going back to school would be a good idea.

“Look, you can try out a couple of classes and see how it goes,” you suggest.

“Are you just saying that so I can take one of your intro classes?” he asks.

You laugh. “Maybe. I’m just saying that maybe classes could give you a new type of happiness outside of hockey.”

He smiles and kisses you lightly. “I think what would make me happier is if you married me.”

“What?” you ask flatly. “Are you serious?”

He shrugs. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I mean, I feel like it’s the right time for us.”

“I thought you hated wedding ceremonies.”

“When did I say that?”

“At Julia and Brandon’s wedding, when we started talking again.”

“How do you even remember that?” he asks, genuinely confused.

“I remembered it so I could make fun of you one day.”

Adam snorts. “I can’t believe I want to marry you.”

You smile smugly. “Oh please, like you would have it any other way.”

[the-everlasting-dream]

Good Fences - The Perfect Cliche Part 2

A/N: I don’t know why I wrote this... I wasn’t planning to continue this au/series/thing but my brother gave me the hilarious idea for the unfortunate incident later on so *shrugs*

PART 1

Trudging up the stairs because the elevator was broken yet again, Elizabeth fished for her keys in her bag to unlock the door to her new apartment. Could you still call it new when you’d already lived there for a month? She shrugged, pulling her hair out of its ponytail while jiggling the key in the door. She cast a cursory glance to the door labelled 144 which housed the subject of her sustained interest. 

Other than that first interaction with Drake in the elevator, she’d failed to have any interaction with her neighbour who was equal parts attractive and grumpy which only intrigued her more. While she was still job hunting, he already had an established full time job and their schedules seemed like polar opposites. Throwing her keys into the bowl near the door, she set her bags down and headed to her bedroom. Actually she corrected herself, there was that time last week..

-

Elizabeth had almost made it home when New York decided to unleash her unforgiving downpour of rain after a long day. Ducking into the concierge, she swiped her damp hair off her face before checking under her coat for the big textbooks she’d borrowed from the library.  Hurrying towards the elevator past the row of mailboxes and highly aware of the judgemental stare of the building’s burly female superintendent, she was painfully aware of the wet footprints she was tracking in. Between balancing the textbooks and struggling to get her keys out of her pocket, she wasn't paying attention to where she was going. The wet soles of her ballet flats failed to find purchase on the tiled floor and before Elizabeth realised it she was pitching towards the floor. 

Dropping the textbooks, she let out a yelp of surprise expecting to meet the hard cold surface with her face when something gripped her arm, halting her descent. Inching her eyes open she looked up to see Drake towering above her, his left hand gripping her bicep. Dressed in a white t-shirt with a denim button down spanning across his broad shoulders, Elizabeth gulped at the sight of her handsome neighbour. 

Helping her to her feet, he gave her a precautionary once over. ‘You okay?’ 

‘Yeah, thanks for the save,’ she replied, straightening her clothes and crouched down to retrieve the books she’d dropped, keeping her head down to hide her embarrassment. 

‘Next you decide to take a dive, tell someone first. I won’t always be there to catch you.’ 

Drake dipped down beside her to help her retrieve her books, handing her one before squinting at the cover. ‘Diagnostic Principles by Dr. Ethan Ramsey.’ 

Elizabeth tucked her hair out of her face nervously. ‘Yeah just a bit of light reading you know.' 

Drake looked like he was going to ask more but seemed to think better of it as they stood up. 

 ''m guessing your last name is Richmond.' Distracted with her coat, she glanced up at him quizzically. 

'Yeah why?’ 

He handed her a letter out of his stack of mail. ‘Must have gotten mixed up with mine.’ 

 Seeing the crest on the top left corner, Elizabeth hastily set her bags down and grabbed the envelope, tearing it open immediately to the amusement of her neighbour. 

 Dear Miss Richmond, Thank you for your application however we regret to inform you that… 

 She sighed in defeat, body sagging a little as she vacantly scanned the rest of the letter. Despair welled up in her as she fought to keep the tears from falling, not wanting to cry and definitely not in front of her hot neighbour and the superintendent lady who was clearly still judging her. 

 ‘Everything okay?’ 

 If she had looked up, Elizabeth would have seen the small crease of concern between Drake’s eyebrows as he looked at her with mild concern. 

 ‘Yes. No. I don’t know. No. I should go,’ she muttered, barely able to keep it together. Hoisting the books in her arms, she gave him a tight lipped, watery smile. ‘Thanks for the save.' 

She didn’t wait to see him shrug or catch the lingering look he gave her as she walked away. 

-

The letter was still sitting on her kitchen counter, squashed towards the side where she’d left it in her distaste. What had she been thinking? No self respecting work place would want a med school drop out period. Sure she could have used her father's connections to find something but she’d walked out of his out having sworn to make it on her own. And that is that she was going to do.  

Right what she was going to do was engage in the longest self pamperation session possible. The last interview was rigorous and from the looks on the interviewers’ faces they’d been less than impressed. 

Shedding her clothes as she walked through her bedroom, she donned her purple silk dressing gown and scrubbed off her makeup in the sink before lighting a few candles all whilst humming to herself. As she reached down to fill up the bathtub, a movement caught her eye. Glancing up, Elizabeth was horrified to find the biggest blackest spider on the wall staring back her barely six inches from her face.   

‘Ahhh!’ 

-

Drake eased into his comfy armchair, equipped with pizza and a beer, eager after a gripping workout to turn on that night’s game and just relax. Things at work were tense and things with Kiara? Even more so. After their last hook up, he’d thought things would ease up a little. Boy was he wrong about that too.. Before he could descend any further into the pit of self pity, his phone vibrated from where he’d left it on the coffee table. 

 ‘Liam?’ 

‘Hey Drake. Don’t sound so surprised to hear me calling or anything.’ 

He shook his head recovering. ‘Nah nah man. Its just… It must be early for you over there. Or late..’ 

There was a quiet chuckle on the line. ‘Yeah can’t sleep.’ 

 Drake felt his brows knit together in concern. ‘What’s up? King stuff..?’ Liam grunted a negatory response. 

Liam hesitated. He never hesitated. 

‘Its... its.. Liv.’ 

‘L-Olivia? What did Red do now?’ he scoffed, his least favourite person in the world springing to mind. 'I knew she was bad news. What she do huh? String another footman from his toes?’ 

 ‘Drake no. Its not like that.’ 

‘Dude if you need a-‘ 

‘I’m thinking of asking her to marry me.’ His best friend’s voice brought him screeching to a halt. 

‘Oh.’ 

‘Yeah..’ Taking a moment, Drake gathered himself. ‘Thats.. wow. Thats awesome man. Really.’ 

‘You think so?’ 

‘I do. I’m happy for you man. I really am.’ 

‘She’ gonna make a hell of a queen.' 

‘That she is.’ Liam laughed, obviously relieved that he thought so. ‘How’s Kiara?’ 

‘Mm fine.’ Drake grunted. 

 ‘That bad huh?’ He ran a hand over his face, staring up at the ceiling. ‘I dunno man. She’s just so… complicated.’ 

‘I have no idea why you’re still with her. The Drake Walker I knew was a simple man. Who are you and what have you done with him?’ 

‘Shut up. You don’t get it. Its.. its…' 

‘Complicated?’ 

 Drake was just about to reply with a snappy response when an unearthly screech ripped through the air. ‘I’ll call you back.'

Frowning, he made towards the door of his apartment before something very purple barrelled through it, dazing him for a moment before he recognised it to be the source of the screeching. 

 ‘Spider… spider… in the bathtub.’ His new very attractive neighbour — Elizabeth if he remembered correctly — gasped out, her towel balanced very precariously on her head as she visibly shook with fear, clutching his arm. ‘I… spider… this close to my face.’ She illustrated her words with a thumb and index finger bent together with barely any space in between. 

‘Just catch it.’ Drake replied, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. 

‘What?’ She gaped at him. ‘I can’t… I can’t just…’ She shuddered vigorously. ‘I.. I have a fear.’ 

‘You’re a thousand times bigger than it. I promise you its more afraid of you.’ 

‘You want me to catch it?’ Elizabeth stared at him. ‘With my hands? My bare hands?’ 

 Regarding her for one long moment, Drake muttered something under his breath about good fences making good neighbours before he gave in. ’Show me where it is.’ 

 Elizabeth's apartment was an exact mirror of his and while he had opted for the minimalist decoration style, her take was much more.. boho. He eyed the colourful tapestries and fairy lights she’d hung up on the walls and colourful throw pillows that he would die before seeing on his own couch. And for the finishing touch, the scent of lavender hung in the room, thanks to a small diffuser in the corner. 

 ‘In there. In the bathtub.’ Elizabeth’s voice echoed out from behind the wall she was hiding behind.

 Drake shook his head again before entering the small bathroom. Here, candles had cast a warm glow on the tiles, their light scent tickling his nose. It was nice but it was also making it harder for him to see. 

‘Alright spider where are ya?’ When he had located and squashed the offending arachnid, he called over his shoulder. ‘Okay, its dead.’ 

Elizabeth shuffled into the bathroom, her eyes squeezed shut, brandishing a wooden spoon. 

 ‘You can open your eyes now,’ he informed her, his voice giving way to a chuckle at the sight of her covering behind him. 

 ‘Where is it?’ 

‘I squashed it.’ 

‘You squashed it?’ Her eyes flew open. ‘In the tub.’ 

'Yep. You’re welcome.’ He dusted off his hands on his pants, turning to leave. 

‘You squashed it in the tub?’ 

‘Yeah... Are you going to repeat everything I’m saying?’ 

Elizabeth’s eyes widened in horror as she clutched the wooden spoon harder. ‘The tub that I was going to have a bath in.’ 

Drake shrugged. ‘Yeah.. So?’ 

‘Can you get it out?’ He forced himself not to roll his eyes, muttering under his breath about how good fences made good neighbours, no matter how pretty your neighbour was. Grabbing a piece of toilet paper, he bent over to pick up the carcass. 

‘See Richmond,’ he started to say, 'there’s nothing to be afraid o-ARGHH!’ 

It was at that moment that the spider who was decidedly not dead decided to exact its revenge, somehow leaping out of the tub and landing on his face. Drake's yell was soon joined by Elizabeth’s high pitched scream and out of instinct she swung the wooden spoon she was holding and 

CRACK!  

-

The TV blared with the highlights of the game that had just played but Drake couldn’t concentrate on anything at that point in time, not even the impressive shiner that was blooming on his left cheekbone. Nope not even the biggest bruise known to mankind could distract him from  the faint sound of someone singing. He shook his head to clear his mind and winced immediately, clutching the frozen packet of peas to his face. 

 Phonebooks, Wall Street, tax fraud. 

Think of anything else. Anything except the fact that the only thing separating him from his very attractive, very naked new neighbour was a ten inch thick wall. 

He tried not to think of how he’d already seen her almost naked twice. Once just then and another time in the laundry room when he’d walked in on her dancing. The moves she’d been making, the way her hips shook stayed with him for a long time after that. If he was honest with himself, if Kiara wasn’t in the picture, he’d totally be down to hit that. 

  Stop. Stop it. He grabbed a pillow and shoved it between his legs, willing his dick to stay down. Elizabeth would inevitably have to come out of that bathroom and he did not want to be sporting an erection when she did.   

’S what I get for being nice,’ he muttered to himself moodily. ‘A bruise the size of Texas and a goddamn boner to match.’

After they had both recovered from the initial shock, Elizabeth had been extremely apologetic after she realised what she’d done, launching into a flurry of sorry’s. 

Drake had groaned in pain, clutching his face as she sidestepped the now dead-for-sure spider to rush over to him as he stalked out into the living room..

 ‘Ohmygod I’m so sorry!’ 

 ‘Its fine. I’m fine. Just.. don’t bring that thing anywhere near me.’ 

Elizabeth had sheepishly lowered her wooden weapon. ‘Are you okay?’ 

‘I will be. I think I’ve got something in the freezer back at my place for this.’ 

 ‘At least let me walk you back. Its the least I can do.’ She was so insistent, Drake could barely refuse and had found himself seated on the couch with a bag of peas to his face and a very worried Elizabeth. 

 ‘You sure you’re gonna be okay?’ 

‘Mmhm.’ 

She'd seemed to collect herself, remembering that she was still scantily clad in little more than her dressing gown and stood to leave. 

‘Well thank you again for killing the.. yeah. And I am so sorry.’ 

 Drake had waved her off, shutting the door, hoping finally to get some peace and quiet. Through the wood of the door, he could still hear her voice however. 

‘He squashed. Its gone Elizabeth. That slimy little bug. Its dead. Squashed. Probably left its disgusting little bug juice all over my tub now. And I was going to have a bath. In bug juice. He’ll be looking at me from bug heaven knowing I’m sitting in his bug juice.’ 

Drake'd sighed for a moment, taking a second to make up his mind before opening the door. ‘Would you like to use my shower?'

By that time the shower had stopped, which meant Elizabeth was done and he shoved the pillow down harder, hoping it would look suspicious. A cloud of peach scented soap filled his nostrils as he heard the door unlock and Elizabeth step out, dressed again in that purple dressing gown, her hair wrapped in a towel. 

 ‘I’m so sorry.’ 

‘Don’t be. It was an accident,’ he waved her off. 

‘Let me see.’ Before he could protest, she dropped herself onto the couch next to him and was gently lowering the bag of peas, her hand warm on his cold one. 

From this angle, Drake had a fine view of the way her brows drew together in concentration and the tiny crease that appeared between them as she did. He hissed when her fingers touched the sensitive red skin and she mumbled an apology, studying the area with a focus that both unnerved and thrilled him. The fruity aroma of her shampoo filled his nostrils and he felt the tip of his ears burning when he realised how close she was, looking carefully over him with a concerned eye. His eyes flitted to her full lips that had the slightest bit of water still clinging to them, wondering what she’d do if he reached over to wipe it off.

Elizabeth must have noticed their proximity as she dropped her hand from his face, eyes sliding down to his lips and back up. Her breathing had picked up a little as they drew closer and closer, until their lips were centimetres away and- The sound of the frozen peas falling out of his hand to the ground was enough to make them both spring apart. Drake cleared his throat awkwardly.  

‘So umm…’ She looked just as uncomfortable, reaching up to tuck her hair behind her ear only belated realising that she’d twisted it all up into her towel. 

‘I should go. I need to go. Put on some clothes and all,’ she rambled, clearly still reeling from what had almost taken place. ‘I… uh..Sorry. Again.’ 

She made her way towards the door and he followed vacantly. ‘Its fine.’ 

Elizabeth nodded giving him a timid smile. ‘Goodnight Drake.’ 

‘Goodnight.’ 

She gave him a last look before closing the door to his apartment behind her and Drake sagged against it, unable to process the last few minutes. 

 What the hell just happened?

[angelinwhy]

Date Night Goes South

Description: Y/N and Harry leave the restaurant after their date, and are swarmed by fans and paparazzi. During the chaos of it all, Y/N has an anxiety attack, and Harry has to help her.

Warnings: anxiety!

Requested by @beaconforks !

Date nights weren’t a very common occurrence for Harry, and his girlfriend Y/N.

He had a tight schedule and was always travelling, so they barely had the time to go out anywhere for a nice meal. So most of their dates would be in the comfort of their own home, whether that be being tangled between the bedsheets, or doing something as simple as making pizzas and watching a movie. It didn’t really matter to them, what they did, as being each other’s company was more than enough for the couple. But sometimes, a nice meal out was needed and highly appreciated. So that’s exactly what the couple did.

It had been a busy few months for Harry. The build up to the release of Lights Up, the song finally being released, doing promo interviews on radio stations and pre-recording performances and interviews on talk shows. Not to mention the endless travelling for a load of things - Harry had finally got a few days for himself back in London, and he had decided to spend those nights with Y/N. So there they sat, in a nice restaurant in London, as a little date night so they could have a catch up. She had missed Harry a lot, but she understood how crazy his life was, and it was nice for her to see him have fun and doing the thing that he loves most. But, she did miss him being around, and being next to her when she woke up.

“So, I saw that you pratically broke Twitter?” Y/N asks in a jokingly assuming voice, as she finishes off her dessert. Harrys looks at her with a quizzical look.

His head tilts like a confused puppy. “What?”

She scoffs. “‘Kiwi walked so that Watermelon Sugar could run’”, she references his tweet from about a week ago, that she knew for well about, she just hadn’t spoke to him about it. Once the words left her mouth, Harry smiles without showing his teeth as he eats his brownie.

“Yeah,” he starts off as he swallows his food. “It was a complete spur of the moment thing to tweet it, and I remember how mental they all went after I tweeted it. Then the like automated note thing got changed for Watermelon Sugar and they all went crazy over that too - but it’s nice to know they’re still here and waiting for me as I work on the new stuff. But yeah, I did break Twitter. The tweet has almost 700K now, which is absolutely mental,” he explains and she laughs. Stan Twitter was crazy, and Harry knew how hardcore his fans could be, due to how cryptic he could be. Whenever they caught a whiff of something that could be about new content, a new song or even the new album, it was like a fan girl witch hunt.

Though, Y/N found it fun to scroll through her timeline and just watch them all have a complete meltdown every time Harry tweets.

“I am so lucky to have a boyfriend with a pretty brain,” she jokes.

“And I’m even luckier to have a girlfriend prettier than my pretty brain,” he jokes back.

They had been dating for a good few months now, and although 6 months wasn’t that long to some, it felt like a lifetime to Harry and Y/N. She wasn’t really in love with him yet, and he her, but they both knew that if it carried on the way it was now - they would be in love with each other eventually.

Paparazzi was one of the worst things though. There had been no serious run ins with them, but a lot of the time they caugh Y/N and Harry out on the street, and followed the couple about as they bombarded them with random and completely unnecessary questions. They had done some digging on Y/N and found out about her last boyfriend, who was really quite horrible to her. So, a lot of the questions were about him and if she was ever scared that Harry would end up the same. She knew he wouldn’t. Harry was too kind, and too good to ever shame a woman in the way that her ex did. He would never dream of doing something of the sort. Y/N was lucky to have someone like him. He treated her like she deserved.

After they had finished their meal, and argued over who was going to pay the bill (Y/N paid for them as Harry paid for it all the time, although she tried to cut in most of the time so they could half it), the waiter said goodbye to them and they left the restaurant.

But they weren’t prepared for what came next.

Outside the cosy restaurant was a swarm of fans and paparazzi, there was no one to hold them back as Harry didn’t have his security around him 24/7. It was complete bedlam, and Y/N felt her chest tighten in anxiety as she looks at them all around her.

“Shit,” Harry curses in annoyance.

The fans scream as they saw Harry, and the flashes went off all around Y/N and Harry. His car was parked a little further down the street and he knew that it was going to be absolute mayhem to try and get to it without something going wrong. He turns to look at Y/N, who looked pretty scared. Maybe it wasn’t the best time to tell him that she had crippling anxiety. “There’s no one to hold them back, so we’re just going to have to make do with signing as many things as he can and taking photos, okay?” He tells her in a soft tone, despite the screams and asking of questions going on around the two of them. He takes her hand gently, but then grips it tightly just in case.

When he starts to walk forward, the fans crowd him and Y/N had no choice but to follow.

“Harry, what do you think of Lights Up not getting as much radio play as Sign of the Times did?!”

“Is he like your other boyfriend, Y/N?!”

“Harry, Y/N - can you sign this for me please?!”

That was all they heard, and it was deafening. Y/N looks around with fear in his eyes as her and Harry are surrounded by fans and paparazzi.

She felt her chest tighten uncomfortablly and her breathing get a little bit more rapid. It was all going on so fast, and the sounds of people yelling things down her ear and the flashing was making it so much worse that it needed to be. Hands reached out to grab her jacket and pull her in for a picture, but she had to apologise through a shaky voice and say that she couldn’t. Everything was becoming so much worse. That sick and sinking feeling bad settled in her stomach, and she started to feel dizzy. Harry was in front of her, stopping every couple of seconds to sign things and take pictures. Unfortunately, he was too much of a nice person to say no to his fans.

“Harry,” she managed to whisper softly, but he wasn’t able to hear her.

Her breathing sped up, and she felt her hands starting to shake at a scary speed. When she looked around, everything was blurred, and the flashes from the cameras were hurting her eyes.

When she realises what was happening, she stopped dead in her tracks.

Anxiety attack.

When Harry tries to move and felt the slight tug on his hand, his turns around, only to see Y/N paralysed in her spot. He looks at her with a confused look, until he saw how much she was shaking, how her eyes were darting about all over the place. And how she looked like she couldn’t breath. He moves to her, taking her face in his hands and holding it gently. “Are you alright, my love?” He asks and she couldn’t even register an answer for him.

She then felt dizzy, and almost collapsed, but Harry had a hold of her and softened the blow as she fell to the ground. Y/N felt numb as her legs completely gave in on her, and she felt like she couldn’t breathe. “Please give her some space!” Harry yells at them all, trying not to sound rude but he couldn’t help it. The fans backed off and put their phones away, but the paparazzi stayed. So the fans made it their job to make sure that the paps wouldn’t stay around for much longer, as they told them to clear off. Harry’s focus then went back onto his girlfriend, and despite all the commotion going on around them, he felt as if it was just the two of them. She couldn’t even speak.

He didn’t know what was happening, but could only assume she needed help.

“Y/NN, copy what I’m doing - count ten as you breathe in, and hold it for a few seconds before breathing out and doing the same thing over and over. It should help you regulate your breathing, ok?”

Harry started to show her, but her head fell down onto his chest as she grips his black jacket.

She needed to do this on her own.

As she tries to regulate her breathing, as that was the best place to start, a fan hands Harry a bottle of water that someone from inside the restaurant had given to her, having seen all of this happening. “I can’t d-do this,” she chokes, trying to breath like normal but it wasn’t working. She’d just end up choking on her own breath again, as the feeling of not being able to breath settles back in.

“You can, babe. You can.” Harry tells her gently. “Look at me.”

Holding her face in his hands again, he lifts her head up so she was looking directly at him. His heart broke. And he knew he wasn’t supposed to do this, but he knew the only way to help her was if all of her undivided attention was on him. “Copy me, I know it’s hard but you need to focus on your breathing and getting it back to normal.” She nods and Harry smiles slightly, before breathing in. Y/N is slightly hesitant as every time she opens her mouth a choking sound comes out, but, she breaths in, and holds it like Harry does. After a few seconds, he breaths out and she does the same as him. Her hands continue to shake as she grasps his jacket a little bit tighter, but, he repeats the action and she does the same again. Her breathing was starting to regulate slightly, but it was still shaking and still a little bit erratic, but better.

“You’re doing so well, Y/N,” he praises her to keep her going.

She lets her eyes close, as she repeats the action over and over. Everything seems to fall into place as her breathing starts to go back to normal. It was still a little fast, but she had more control now and it felt better. She was starting to feel better.

Harry watches her intently as she does one final breath out, before breathing normally. He smiles in happiness as she lets out a deep breath, feeling like she could actually breath again. He caught one tear that fell from her eye, before letting go of her face so she could sit up properly. He takes the water bottle and unscrews the cap before handing it to her. She thanks him with a slightly shaky voice, before taking a sip and feeling the cold water soothe her throat. It was so scary having anxiety attacks, and she hadn’t had one in a while, so the build up of not having them for a while made this one so much more worse.

“Thank you guys for putting your phones away and getting the water,” Harry then thanks his fans as she continues to drink the water.

They all smile at him, muttering ‘it’s fine.’

Once she had drank enough water, Harry helps her up off the ground before walking her over to the car. Immediately, once they were out of view, he wraps his arms around her and holds her tightly.

She wraps his arms around him, bringing one hand up to run through his brown hair. They stay like that for a second, just holding each other as that was scary for the both of them. As much as Harry helped, he did feel kind of helpless. “I guess now would be a good time to tell you that I have really bad anxiety,” she mumbles, resting her chin on his shoulder. He sighs softly, knowing that something along those lines was coming. “I’ve had it since I was a kid, and I have meds for it. Some part of me always thought it would get better and that I’d be better at controlling my anxiety attacks, but I guess I was wrong.” Y/N explains, as Harry let’s go of her so he can look down at her. He frowns softly, moving a strand of her hair.

“Why didn’t you tell me when we first met?” He asks.

She shrugs, “I don’t like telling people. Normally they get weirded out, and then sometimes I feel like a burden because of it. Plus, I didn’t want to worry you, H,” she informs to him.

His face softens. “You aren’t a burden, I promise.”

“Harry,” she sighs, “this is your life. Everywhere you go you have to deal with this, and it was bad this time, and I ended up having an anxiety attack for the first time in months. Whose to say that it won’t happen again? I just don’t want you to feel like that me and you can’t go out anywhere because of what I’m like and what could happen when things don’t go the way that they’re supposed to. Do you know what I mean?” She asks, and he nods his head, looking down at her with sad eyes.

“I’ll put out a tweet and instagram stories telling them to be more respectful. And the same goes for the paparazzi. I just want you to be safe wherever we go. Plus, although I love my fans, they need to learn how to respect the boundaries.” He promises to her.

She smiles at him, “you’re too good to me, Harry.”

He leans down and kisses her on the head. “You deserve it. Right, now let’s go home and go to sleep, because I am fucking shattered.”

[razineorzea]

Guilty or Innocent - Jonae’ra Vedeshu

Asked someone to marry you?

Jonae instantly stammered, stumbling over his words as he shyly rubbed his neck. “Uh heh n-no. I fancied a girl enough once an-an thought ‘bout askin’ but… we uh… we broke up before I could.” He frowns slightly but shrugs. “Not meant to be I guess.”

Kissed one of your friends?

His eyes widen a little and he now worries what type of interview he got himself into. “Me first girlfriend was me friend first so… I guess that counts? But… no. Not since then.”

Danced on a table in a bar / tavern?

Jonae laughed and shook his head. “Oi no. Thank the twelve no. Had a friend dance on a bar an’ I had to git him out b’fore we got booted out but no. Not myself. Got more sense in me not to get that knackered.”

Ever told a lie?

Jonae’s ear’s droop and his posture shrinks a little. “Me best mate likes to go after more dangerous hunts… By that I be meanin’ people. Me mum have a heart attack if she knew I was pickin’ up them type of bounties… So yea… Fibbed more than I cared to. Told her we was hunting monsters when we was really after thugs and bandits.” He sighs. “That’s the extent of it though. Not make it a habit of tellin’ lies.”

Had feelings for someone you can’t have?

Jonae thought a moment before sighing and shrugging. “Aye. A crush or two. Neva done nufin though. Not that I got the confidence to talk to pretty girls. But oi, it’s also a matter of respect though eh? Not gonna act on feelin’s if the girls taken. Not right, mate.”

Ever kissed someone of the same sex?

Jonae shrugs and shakes his head. “Peck on the cheek or head from me dad an’ older brothers when I was little but nothin’ past that. Nufin romantic.” 

Kissed a picture?

His ears drooped and he became somber. “Aye. Kissed the picture of me dad an’ older brothers. They died during the Calamity. Miss em.” He looked up quietly.

Slept until 5pm?

“Oh ya, mate.” He nodded quickly. “More than once. Usually after bein’ on the road an’ comin home.”

Worked at a fast food chain / restaurant

Jonae shook his head. “Neva have. Looks difficult though so… Not keen on tryin’.”

Stolen something?

“Ok look, mate.” He said quickly to defend himself. “I neva stole nufin but that don’t mean Raz always stealin’ stuff. An’ I happen t’be there. Look. Raz is a shite head an’ I don’t condone nufin like that.” 

Been fired from a job?

“Eh a time or two. Cheap ranch owners not wantin’ t’pay for honest work. First time was a ranch owner not wantin’ to pay when I killed all the beetles in his farm… Long story, they was antlions. Not beetles. An’ he didn’t wanna pay more.” He frowned. “He didn’t pay me so I found another antlion an’ led it to hims ranch. An’ left it there.” He shrugged.

Done something you regret?

“Mum says I worry too much an’ think too much on the past. Lots I regret. But can’t do nufin to change it. So ya think on it an’ learn. Move on, she says.” 

Laughed until something you were drinking came out of your nose?

Jonae chuckled. “Lots. Me best friend is a riot. Think he tries to get me to spit me drink out most of the time.” He laughed.

Caught a snowflake on your tongue?

“Oh aye! Course I did. Promise me kitten sis I would. First time seein’ snow was amazin’.” He smiled.

Sat on a roof top?

“Literally what I do when home in Ul’dah. Somethin’ relaxin’ sittin on a roof top at night watchin’ the night play out. It’s peaceful.”

Kissed someone you shouldn’t have?

“Eh no. Only had a couple of girls… That I got that far with.” He blushed deeply. “An we was datin’ by then.”

Sang in the shower?

He thinks a moment. “I hum. That count?”

Been pushed into a body of water with all your clothes on?

Jonae gives a dead pan expression and sighs in annoyance. “Ye-up. More than once. Cause me best mate is a shite head.”

Shaved your head?

His silver eyes go wide and he looks up at his hair. “Oi no! Nor would I… Like my hair.”

Made a boyfriend / girlfriend cry?

He shakes his head. “No, neva mad eme girlfriends cry. Least not that I know of…”

Shot a gun?

Jonae smile wide and patted the long barreled revolver at his side. “Aye. A time or two.” He winks.

Still loved someone you shouldn’t?

“Ugh aye. For a time still had feelin’s for me ex. Even though she broke me heart.” He paused a moment. “That what you mean, right?”

Have / had a tattoo?

“Not yet! But I want one. Maybe a wolf or somethin’. I dunno.”

Liked someone, but will never tell who?

He just stares at you for a long moment. “Theres a couple girls I… gotta crush on. But oi no. Neva tellin’ em. Pretty sure I barely exist to them.” 

Been too honest?

“I mean… aye? A time or two? But all things that need be said.” He said with a sigh.

Ruined a surprise?

“Oi, listen. When I was a kitten, ya couldn’t tell me nufin. Was terrible at keepin secrets… I’m better now.” He chuckles.

Been told that you’re beautiful by someone who totally meant what they said?

Jonae blushed deeply, “Aye… Or I think she meant it... “

Stalked someone?

He sighs with a frown. “By stalk, ya mean follow someone that had a bounty on their head? Cause done that few times with Raz… But if you mean stalked as in… creepy stalked? Then… no. No I haven’t.”

Thought about murder?

Theres a pause. “No… Neva cross me mind… Now sometimes I go wit’ me best mate to hunt people wit’ bounties. But our aim was always to capture alive but… some fought pretty hard… But neva went into these sorts of things thinkin’ that.”

How about mass murder?

There is a very long pause as he thinks the interviewer is disturbed. “No. No mate. Neva thought about it other than its a terrible thing.”

Cheated on someone?

“No.” The answer was very quick and sharp. “I value loyalty an’ the thought of bein’ with another girl while with another is deplorable, eh?”

Gotten so angry that you cried?

“When I found out me last girlfriend cheated on me, aye. I did. As I broke up with her.” He frowned.

Tried to stay away from someone for their own good?

“Aye… few years ago… Raz an I got inta hot water with a bandit clan. Had t’stay away from me family til the whole thing got taken care of. Didn’t want them comin back an’ hurtin’ me family.”

Thoughts about suicide?

He very quickly shook his head. “No. No way mate.” He sighed. “Sure times get tough an it’s hard livin up to me dads foot steps but me mum and sis’ lookin to me for support. If I go then they got nufin. They mean too much for me to think that selfishly.”

Had a girlfriend / boyfriend?

He gives a dead pan look. “Feel like… this shoulda been the first thing asked… Yes… Two ex girlfriends.”

Gotten totally drunk during a holiday?

Jonae shakes his head. “Not a heavy drinker, mate. Well, no. No I’m not but last New Year Raz got me right knackered. But I don’t make a habit of it.”

-

Tagged by: @ivyffxiv​ (OMG THANKS FOR THE TAG! Sorry this to FOREVER.)

Tagging: Who ever wants to do this! I don’t know many people. T_T Work and life in general have limited my time on FFXIV as well, sadly.

[kenkamishiro]

Ishida’s Q&A comments from YJ compilation, Part 4

Food recs from Ishida, and remembering a disastrous date. Also it says 2013, but Issue no. 1 begins in December of the previous year because that’s how magazine dates roll.

For anyone who doesn’t know about the relevant Questions to Ishida contest, please read here. You can start from Part 1 here.

The recent set of zakki:re and interview translations take a lot of time and effort, so if you enjoyed it please leave a like or reblog. Thank you!

2013

No. 1

We’re already into December of 2012! What do you consider your most important news of the year?

Definitely when I got a comment on the volume obi from Togashi-sensei.

For me, probably finishing my series.

No. 2

When you think of December, Christmas comes to mind! What present would you be most happy to receive?

Ham.

Ham, huh.

No. 3-4

This year is almost coming to an end! What is your most memorable New Year’s Eve story?

When I went to visit the shrine on New Year’s Day and my fortune slip said I’d have excellent luck for the year.

Feels like I end up pulling for a fortune slip every year one way or another. I think this year it said I’d have average luck.

No. 5-6

Back to work starting from today! This year, what do you want to challenge yourself to do for the entire year?

Sleep early and wake up early on a regular basis.

I’ve been able to do that recently.

No. 7

What is the manga that influenced you most when you first became a mangaka (can be a novel or artwork)?

Naruto.

I think the first chapter of it is perfect.

No. 8

Exam season has now arrived! What is your most memorable story that have to do with tests?

When I ranked both first and last in the same school year.

I remember for the test I placed last on, I’d gone on a day trip to an onsen the day before.

No. 9

Time to job hunt at full speed! It’s fine if you only want to do it for a day, so what job would you like to do?

I’d like to try making games.

I wouldn’t even last a day.

No. 10

Valentine’s Day is coming up soon! Where is a date spot that is a part of your memories?

The seafood corner in the supermarket.

I was dumped after that.

No. 11

What’s your favourite song that fills you up with strength even when you’re tired?

“Shine on June’s Sky” by People In The Box.

It hasn’t changed, I still listen to it.

[T/N: If you want to listen to it it’s on the 2nd CD of the TG Sound Chronicle, titled 六月の空を照らす.]

No. 12

The Academy Awards are taking place soon! Do you have a movie you want to recommend everyone should watch?

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

This year I thought “The Greatest Showman” was interesting.

No. 13

Who is a great historical figure you want to talk to until morning?

The 6th generation Sanyuutei Enshou.

I think I’d get along with Nobunaga.

[T/N: The 6th generation of rakugo masters. Nobunaga referring to Oda Nobunaga.]

No. 14

Spring is when animals wake up from hibernation! What pet do you want to raise? (or the pet you’re keeping now)

A turtle, hedgehog or a pig.

I don’t wait to raise a pet.

No. 15

Who is your eternal idol? (male or female okay)

Darth Maul.

Nemu-kyun.

[T/N: Nemu-kyun is from Ishida’s favourite idol group Dempagumi.inc. who he’s drawn on more than one occasion.]

No. 16

Today is Ransel Day! What were you most passionate about playing when you were in elementary school?

Pokemon.

I wrote stuff about the game in my notebook. By myself.

[T/N: A ransel is that stiff-looking backpack that little kids wear to school.]

No. 17

Which person would you want to trade places with, even if it was just for one day?

A student, doesn’t matter who.

I know the feel.

No. 18

Tis the season for starting a new life! What city would you like to try living in once?

Kyoto.

New York City.

No. 19

Which real-life celebrity would you like to draw an illustration of?

Himura-san of Bananaman.

I’d love to draw him.

No. 20

What day is special only to you?

I’m excited on the days when the chapters are released!

So pure.

No. 21-22

What part of your body would you like to remodel?

I want to augment my arms as much as possible. Thank you for your hard work Nakayama-sensei!

I want to fix my nose (I have rhinitis).

[T/N: Referring to Nakayama Atsushi, the mangaka of Uratarou and Nejimaki Kagyuu.]

No. 23

Mother’s Day is coming up soon! What reminds you of your mother’s homemade food?

A long time ago, she made me so many meatballs that I ended up hating it for a while.

When she found out I liked yakitori, I was almost served that to death.

No. 24

Do you have any museums or art museums that you’d like to visit or recommend?

I recommend the Ghibli Museum.

I’m not really interested in art museums.

No. 25

What do you personally think is the most delicious confection you’ve ever had?

Bavarian cream.

Ah, Bavarian cream really is good. I wanna eat some now.

No. 26

The rainy season is fast approaching! What do you recommend spending your time doing on a rainy day off?

Reading.

Training at the gym.

No. 27

What’s a local dish you still remember?

Hakata ramen.

I was definitely just giving out a random answer.

previous || next

[lambroseforlife]

Hi! I saw your post asking for ideas for one shots, here's mine: Lambrose finally discussing what bothers them in their relationship (each one of them tries to defend their point). Thanks!

Hmm so for this one, I feel like this should have really been addressed at the beginning of book 5 since it had the setup. Of course, it didn’t happen but it can happen in this prompt :) This oneshot is a rewrite of Hunting for Silence, Chapter 11: “Return of the Yellow Piggies”, in Lilly Linton’s POV.

⚠️⚠️ If you haven’t read the original chapter and want to avoid spoilers, then DON’T read this oneshot since it contains potential SPOILERS. If you read beyond this then it’s at your own risk and I claim no responsibility. Consider this a FINAL warning. ⚠️⚠️

— — —

Considerably slower than usual, I arrived at Mr Ambrose’s door. I halted. Or, I tried to. My feet delayed in their response and I stumbled. My head thumped against the door.

‘Ow!’

I reeled back and my hand reached out. To my luck, I grabbed onto the correct doorknob out of the three in front of me.

‘Gotcha!’

My hand twisted and the door opened, taking me into the room along with it. I swayed but like a reliable doorknob, it didn’t let me fall. Good doorknob. Nice doorknob. Maybe it could be a fellow advocate for women’s suffrage. Maybe even—

‘Mr Linton.’

I looked up to see who had interrupted my bonding with the nice brass knob. Four tall and dark figures stood by the window. Familiar figures.

‘I assume you’ve finished today’s interviews?’ Strange. I heard only one voice. Maybe one of the four Ambroses decided to speak?

‘Yessir!’ I saluted with my free hand but they couldn’t see. Not with their backs to me.

‘Well? What did you find?’

I could only see one Mr Ambrose now. Funny. The other ones suddenly disappeared. 

‘I found t-that F-French singadingers have s-strong stub— stuffs.

He froze. There was a moment of silence and then…

‘Oh no. No. Not again.’

He turned around slowly. So slow I could count the seconds. 

One…two…seventeen…nine… 

Wait. That didn’t sound right. Oh well. Even for someone as experienced with sums like yours truly, math was still tough.

His dark eyes bored into me, raking me from head to foot. Actually, feet. Luckily for me, I still had both intact.

Using them, I wobbled closer to him, tightly grasping the door handle. His eyes narrowed and his stiffened posture became petrified.

In the literal sense, of course. Not the emotional sense. People like Mr Ambrose didn’t have emotions, right?

As if in protest, a barrage of memories flooded my mind. Good memories. Bad memories. Happy ones. Painful ones.

Memories from months ago. All in another time, in another country. All which felt far away from here and now.

Something painful tugged at my chest. Perhaps I had drunk too much after all…

An indignant squeak within the room voiced agreement.

‘Oh, be quiet!’ I snapped.

‘Mr Linton, I haven’t said a single word for the past minute.’

‘I wasn’t t-talking to you! I was referring to them.’ My chin jerked towards the smirking yellow piggies in the corner. They stood up and began dancing a jig, smiling at me. I reluctantly smiled back. I couldn’t help it, I hadn’t seen them in a while.

Mr Ambrose’s eyes cut to the corner then slowly travelled back to me.

‘Mr Linton, have you consumed—’ Shaking his head, his fingers pinched the bridge of his nose.

Some time passed before I heard his voice again. ‘Mr Linton, exactly how much alcohol did you drink?’

My head turned from the lively dancing piggies to look at him. I grinned.

‘Enough to be piss drunk.’

‘Mr Linton!’

‘Where did that phrase come from anyway? Piss drunk? Can piss be d-drunk? Perhaps it can? I’ve never seen that. Someone should check that out. But th-they have to close their nose. It would smell pretty bad.’

‘Silence, Mr Linton!’

‘What? Why?’

‘Because I said so.’

‘That’s n-not a good enough reason to.’ I threw my hands in the air exasperatedly. ‘Who do you think you are, telling me—’

In my protest, both hands had let go of the door knob that was keeping me upright. I stumbled and in the next second, the floor decided to make its existence known.

‘Ouch!’

The evil floor had struck again! The coward had waited over a year to make its attack. I shouldn’t have underestimated its capabilities. I should have—

I felt something solid lift me up and support me against something even more solid.

‘Mr Linton.’ A voice breathed into my ear. A cold voice. One that made me feel all tingly inside.

‘I’m all right. The floor attacked me.’

‘All right? All right is not how I would currently describe you, Mr Linton.’

‘How would you describe me then?’ My muffled voice spoke against his tailcoat.

‘Fully inebriated to the point of being physically uncoordinated.’ Ice shards lined his voice. ‘Tell me, Mr Linton. I gave you a job — an extremely crucial one for an investigation, did I not? But here you return, completely drunk.’

‘I’m not that drunk!’ With considerable effort, I freed my head from the confines of his firm chest so I could look at him directly. ‘Also, h-how do you know I didn’t make progress on your indicat…instiga…inspiration?’

His sea-coloured eyes darkened as they inspected me intently.

‘Let’s say I have a hunch.’

‘Bu-But that’s where you’re wrong, Sir!’ My finger jabbed against his chest. Fortunately, it didn’t break. My finger, that is. ‘I did start on the task you gave me!’

‘Is that so, Mr Linton?’

‘It is, Mr Ambrose!’ I triumphantly exclaimed. ‘One of your female staff will translate my interviews tomorrow.’

‘How did you manage that?’

‘Just a small, friendly bet. If I could beat her at drinking, she agreed to translate. And beat her, I did. Boy it wasn’t easy! French people, especially singers, sure can drink!’

‘I’m certain they can.’ His face was expressionless. ‘So you drank during the job to start the job?’

‘That I did, Sir!’ I smiled in a fabulously impish manner. ‘Now I have a translator and tomorrow, I’ll be able to work on the…on the…what was that word you said? Oh right, the irritation. I can irritate. Starting with the staff early in the morning.’

‘I’m sure you will, Mr Linton.’

‘Thank you, Mr Ambrose.’ I beamed at him. If only he could be this encouraging more often.

His grasp on me tightened as he pulled me to my feet.

‘However, I want to add that I’m not so sure it will be early. Given your current state…you might be busy attending to other matters when you wake up.’

My brows furrowed. I opened my mouth to ask him what he meant when the floor took the opportunity to strike again. I stumbled.

That was enough! The floor wouldn’t leave me alone already, the nefarious villain!

‘Stupid floor!’ I stamped my foot to kick it. ‘How d-dare you!’

‘Mr Linton?’

‘What did I ever do to you? Besides walking all over you?’ I glanced at the yellow piggies, now sitting down and playing cards. ‘You better not hurt them either! They’re my precious friends, do you hear?’

‘Mr Linton…what are you doing?’

‘Talking with the floor, can’t you see?’

‘Mr Linton, I better escort you to your room upstairs.’

‘It can wait. This floor needs a serious scolding!’

‘That’s it.’ Leaning down, he swept under my legs with a swift kick and held me up with his strong arms. ‘Upstairs. Now.’

He moved too fast for me to discern and before I knew it, we were already out the door.

‘Hey! Put me down!’ I protested.

‘Why? So you can continue to yell and wake the rest of the residents in your drunken state?’

I scowled. ‘In my defence, the floor had it coming.’

He chose to not reply, moving stealthily through the darkness as we reached the stairs. He started up them effortlessly, my considerable weight not slowing him down in the slightest. 

The only noise I could hear in the empty hallway were his faint steps. Surprisingly, the even rhythm of them as we ascended the stairway was comforting. Unwillingly my head slumped against his chest, unable to resist the warm firmness emanating from him.

I sighed. ‘You’re a blasted chauvinistic miser, you know that?’

‘Yes. I’m well aware from how you’ve informed me on numerous occasions.’

We both settled into silence as he reached the last stair. Marching down a corridor, he finally spoke again in a low tone. I had to strain to hear his words.

‘Is that why you said no? Back in Battlewood?’

My eyes flew open. There was no need to ask what he was talking about. I already knew.

I blinked hard as I tried to push the drowsiness out of my eyes. I glanced up at him to see his gaze focused straight ahead. His expression betrayed nothing save the tension in his clenched jaw.

I bit my lip, trying to think.

‘Yes. Also no.’ I stated after much deliberation.

‘Logically, that doesn’t make any sense.’

‘I’m not a logical person, Mr Ambrose.’

‘But you should be in this situation.’ His eyes cut down to me as he stopped in front of a door. My eyes met his, trapped and unable to look anywhere else but at the icy force resonating from them. My breath hitched in my throat. ‘I know you love me — you made that quite clear already. Back in England, I meant it when I told you that you would be mine, fully and completely.’

‘There it is!’ I crossed my arms, frowning. ‘See, this is exactly what I mean by chauvinistic! When a woman says no, you can’t act otherwise.’

‘Really?’ His frosty stare was relentless. ‘Even if said woman didn’t mean it?’

‘What makes you think I didn’t mean it?’ I glared back. ‘I said no for exactly this reason.’

He grumbled something under his breath too low for me to hear then pushed the door open. I was about to continue my argument when I saw the view in front of us.

The ceiling was high, with an intricate system of wooden rafters. But that wasn’t the best part.

The best part was the view the expansive window offered.

In front of me lay the city of Paris, illuminated by the countless shining lights that extended out into the horizon. I could even see the glimmering waters of the Seine, reflecting the moonlight that extended beyond into the room itself.

I inhaled sharply, unable to take my eyes off of the resplendent scene.

‘Where are we?’ I breathed out.

‘The attic. You’re going to be stored with the rest of the cleaning supplies here.’

I looked around but on the contrary, I could only see a broom in the corner. Faint dust lined the floor and glittering cobwebs hung from the rafters.

Not that I minded. The small things didn’t diminish the beauty I saw. Not in the slightest.

‘I take it that you find the place suitable?’

I managed a nod.

‘Adequate. This is where you will be staying for the time being.’ My eyes looked up to meet his intense gaze. ‘You won’t disturb anyone and this place comes with a lock to prevent you from causing problems.’

My fingers slowly reached up and gently traced his cheek. ‘I appreciate the gesture, Sir. But you already know it takes more than a lock to shut me in.’

He snorted. Still holding me in his arms, he strode over to a cot placed by the window. Unlike the other objects in the room, this one looked recently prepared.

Warmth bloomed when I realised that he had already readied it for me earlier. Much before I had stumbled back into his office after drinking. I looked back at him in awe only to see guarded coldness in his eyes. He looked away and my eyes narrowed.

He slowly set me down on the cot. In one fluid motion, he tugged the blankets over me. ‘There. Now sleep. You need to be ready for tomorrow to continue investigating.’

With a glance in my direction, he rose and turned to leave. That is, until something made him stop. He looked down and pivoted on his heel to face me.

‘What is it?’

Releasing my grip from his tailcoat sleeve, I withdrew my fingers.

‘Why…’ I rasped out. I swallowed and tried again. ‘Why aren’t you looking at me? Do you not want to be with me?’

His jaw tightened as he glared at me. ‘That’s what I want to know from you. Why? Why did you say no, Lillian?’

I recoiled as his words pierced deep. Something tugged at my chest and I had to blink away moisture.

‘You already know why.’ The words were no louder than a whisper.

He bent down to a half-kneeling position by the cot, bringing his face closer to mine. I could see the cold fury slipping from his controlled facade.

‘Because of a few silly words from a wedding vow? Honour? Obey?’

Tugging away the covers, I pushed myself to a sitting position. My face was now merely inches away from his.

‘They’re silly to you because you don’t have to follow them. But can you deny that you wouldn’t make me do so?’

Silence. His eyes didn’t leave mine. Nor did mine from his. This was the closest we had come to discussing the issue. Deep down, I suspected that the alcohol was making me…chattier than usual.

‘You knew…’ I croaked out. ‘You knew for a long time that I didn’t want to marry. I told you I valued my freedom above all. Being an appendage to a man, being dictated on how to live, how that’s what I detest the most.’

He still didn’t speak and I continued. ‘But…I would have reconsidered marriage if the man would respect my wishes. If he would let me be myself. If he guaranteed that I could keep my freedom. If he wouldn’t try to control me. He’s not obligated to obey me so why should I to him?’

My eyes bored into his, unblinking. ‘Marriage should be a union between equals. Partners for better or worse. But that’s not what you want, is it? So far, you have shown that you would be no different from a typical husband that dominates his wife. You don’t even trust me to make my own decisions!��

I chuckled humorlessly. His head cocked, like a panther ready to pounce on its prey. 

‘What do you mean by that?’

‘Captain Carter,’ I glowered at him. ‘Do you remember him?’

By the way his eyes flared, I knew he remembered him. All too well.

‘And…what about the good captain?’

The frigid set of his tone sent warning bells through my spine.

Mayday, mayday! Pull back, Lilly!

I ignored it and did something I would normally never do while sober. I decided to answer his question.

‘Remember everything you did in your parents’ estate? How you prevented him from seeing me by any means necessary? Including using your bodyguard?’

He remained unmoving, a personified statue hewn of polished granite.

‘But even that wasn’t enough for you.’ I continued bitterly. ‘Even though I turned down his proposal, you still decided to send him away. Straight into a war zone.’

‘The Captain made that decision and accepted the offer of his own volition.’ He ground out. His tone hardened even further. ‘Why are you bringing him up again after all this time?’

‘Because we didn’t address it before fully.’ I fired back, scowling.

‘So why now?’ He glared at me. ‘Any lingering feelings for him?’

‘I never had any feelings like that for him to begin with. I never saw him that way.’ I insisted. ‘I told you that clearly.’

‘Oh, but you didn’t.’ He rose and strode over to the window, standing by it.

‘What?’

‘I kept asking what he meant to you. You never gave me an answer. You even went as far as to make a deal with me to protect him. What else could I assume?’

I glanced down to see that his hands were balled into fists.

‘Because you kept treating me like a possession!’ My head felt woozy and my palms were shaking. I clutched at the blankets to stay upright. I wouldn’t back down, not now! ‘I’m a free woman! I can go wherever I want, with whomever I want.’

‘Physically you can…but with freedom comes responsibility.’ He simply said.

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

‘You know what it means.’ He sent me a look before facing the window again. ‘With actions come consequences.’

I stared at the back of his head.

‘You speak about trust,’ he continued while looking out the window, ‘but how can I trust you in the first place? You want to be free, to the point of irresponsibility. It doesn’t work that way.’

‘And you want to control, as far as complete dominance.’ My voice trembled. ‘It doesn’t work that way either.’

Silence.

‘You expect me to give up my principles, my values for you. While you keep yours.’ I whispered. ‘Why should I compromise for you if you can’t compromise for me?’

Still silence. It hung heavily in the air, tainting the space between us. Hurt and pain of unresolved issues filled the gaps, constricting our lungs as neither of us seemed to breathe. Even the yellow piggies in the corner were silent, raptly watching us.

I finally exhaled, once dark splotches started to cloud my vision.

‘Just tell me one thing. Why did you go?’

Was that a pleading tone in my voice? Certainly not! It couldn’t be…

The silence stretched on. My heart felt ready to plunge into further despair with each passing second.

‘When you refused me, I…’

His voice was hoarse to my utter shock. I urged him to continue.

‘Yes?’

‘I felt angry. So angry to the point where I wanted to take it out on someone else. My urges felt more physical. It’s not the first time I felt that way towards others but violence is a waste of both time and effort. The fact that my mind kept telling me to direct it towards you, I wanted to do nothing more than hurt myself.’

I watched him with widened eyes as his back rose and fell. Almost as if he were breathing heavily.

‘I couldn’t stay any longer. I took the first file from my “business problems” stack and it brought me here. Coming here didn’t work either. Do you know what it’s like to sit through and listen to overly dramatic romance operas all day? All it did was make me think of us and what I had left behind. It became a painful reminder.’ He growled out.

Slam!

I glimpsed a flash of something colliding into the wall next to the window. Was that…was that his hand? Did Mr Rikkard Ambrose actually slam his fist into the wall on purpose?

‘It…hasn’t been easy for me either.’ I murmured. ‘You left behind something conspicuous. Rather, someone conspicuous. Do you know what it’s like to have someone trailing you at nearly all times for the intention of your protection?’

‘I do.’

‘Do you know what it’s like to make up excuses so that your lady friends do not notice said person while you’re meeting them at the park?’

‘I…do not.’

Silence settled between us again. But this time, it felt more familiar. It seemed like something had changed, growing into a warmer feeling.

I nervously licked my parched lips. ‘I…I missed you.’

Silence. He turned to face me. And then…

‘I missed you, too.’

Across the faint moonlight, his eyes met mine and something exchanged between us.

‘Come here.’ I heard myself say.

He did, pulling me into his arms. My arms wrapped around him and I felt secure, snuggling into the heat his firm body provided. His fingers weaved into my hair and I felt him crush his lips against several strands.

After a moment of blissful silence, I spoke up again.

‘This still doesn’t fix anything between us.’

His fingers tightened their hold. ‘I’m well aware of that.’

‘So,’ I whispered, ‘what now?’

He knew what I meant. ‘We…could try what you mentioned earlier. Finding a compromise.’

‘How do we do that?’

‘First thing, you need sleep. Right now, you’re in no state to make rational decisions. Then when we have time, we will talk.’

‘When will that be?’

‘Eventually.’ 

‘But when?’

‘Eventually.’

I decided to not push any further. ‘Will you stay with me?’

After some deliberation, his chin jerked forward. Move over.

I did, making space for him. He lifted the blankets over us and drew me to him again. From his warmth, the drowsiness was becoming impossible to fight.

‘How do I know you won’t pretend this conversation never happened? You did that the last time I was drunk.’ My words were slurring together and my eyes were closed.

He sighed. ‘I won’t.’

‘Promise me.’

The last thing I heard before unconsciousness took me under was his words.

‘I promise, Lillian.’

— — —

Well, that was certainly such a pleasant, light discussion wasn’t it? On a less sarcastic note, I found it weird that a majority of the issues from book 4 were never brought up again and fully discussed in book 5. Almost as if someone decided to sweep it all under the rug and pretend that it never happened. Maybe forgot?

Similarly to my other chapter rewrites, I did try to make this chapter parallel the original but added several alterations I feel that give more depth and address the prompt.

[greencrusader13]

OC Interview - Terasas Feldspar

The rules are simple: pick an OC, and then answer these interview questions in-character for them. Then tag five more people to keep it going!

I got tagged again by @melissagt​ so I wanted to do two more: one for Terasas Feldspar, and one for Tyar Kiht. Since I don’t think people know a lot about Terasas other than what I’ve vaguely mentioned of him in previous posts, I thought I’d start with him.

Like with the Raz interview I picked a particular point in time in his life to answer these questions, which for the sake of clarity I’ll make it the same as when I answered Raz’s questions. Terasas would be 33 at this time.

Tagging: @the-sith-in-the-sky-with-diamond @athiefswarwriteblr @nusaran @kunoichi-ume @francestroublr

1. What is your name?

I’m Terasas Feldspar.

2. Do you know why are you named that?

It’s similar t’ my pa’s name, which was Tessir.

3. Are you single or taken?

I just got married t’ a wonderful gal named Mynai. I’ve been infatuated with her since I met her back when we was teenagers, but she was with my best friend back then. It’s really something else that not only is she back in my life, she’s now my wife.

4. Have any abilities or powers?

I’m a pretty decent swordsman, and good enough with a bow t’ go hunting on occasion. I don’t really fancy myself as being anything particularly special.

5. Stop being a Mary Sue.

I don’t know what that is.

6. What’s your eye color?

Green.

7. How about your hair color?

I in’t got any hair, but my fur is sorta this reddish-brown color.

8. Have any family members?

I’ve got my daughter Ariya, whom I had with my late wife Valika. My little girl is my world. I’d do anything for her and t’ protect her. She was a surprise definitely...Val and I weren’t married when she was conceived, but I can’t think of life without Ariya. The first time I held my daughter I... I can’t even describe the sort of love I felt.

My parents aren’t around any more. I wish Ariya could’ve met her grandparents. She looks so much like my ma, and I think the two really would’ve gotten along well.

Like I said before I just got married t’ Mynai, and I consider myself a really lucky man. I didn’t think I’d find love again after Val died, but here I am... here we are. I’m not sure if or when we’re gonna have kids of our own; it’s come up, and we’d both like t’, but right now Mynai wants t’ just adjust t’ being Ariya’s stepmother.

I’ve only got one sibling: my half-sister Dirna. She’s also Raz’s half-sister, so we’re kinda like brothers in that way too. My ma was her mother, and Raz’s pa was hers too.

Speaking of Raz, he’s like my brother. He hasn’t always been there when I needed him, but he’s getting better about it. He helped Ariya and I get t’ safety when true night returned t’ the world, and came back when there was a killer here in New Coalfell and helped put a stop t’ it. Even with small things he’s getting better, like he helped watch Ariya while Mynai and I were off on our honeymoon. My friend needs t’ stop being so hard on himself. He’s a better person than he thinks he is.

9. Oh? How about pets?

I in’t much of a pet person. Besides, until recently I was a single father, and I couldn’t’ve handled looking after my child and a pet.

10. That’s cool, I guess. Now, tell me something you don’t like?

I in’t a big fan of most alcohols. Wine just about does it for me.

11. Do you have any activities/hobbies that you like to do?

I like t’ go hunting and fishing when the stars align. My pa used t’ take me if he ever won a big hand at cards when I was little when he’d have enough coin t’ be gone for a day or two. Fishing is really calming. I like just sitting by the stream for hours without much care.

12. Have you ever hurt anyone in any way before?

I try not to, but everyone’s made mistakes. I’m no exception.

13. Ever… killed anyone before?

Yes. Before becoming guard captain I was a guardsman like any other, and unfortunately that means sometimes I’ve had t’ use lethal force. There was a bandit attack when I was living in Brightscale that I helped defend against, and I killed some bandits during that raid, including the bandit captain leading the attack. That was my first really big battle. 

14. What kind of animal are you?

I in’t an animal...

15. Name your worst habits?

When I fall deep asleep I tend t’ snore pretty loudly. Val used t’ joke about smothering me in my sleep just so she could get some sleep of her own.

I’ve also been described as having a “savior’s complex.” Like, I just want t’ help people. I don’t mean it in a bad way, but some people’ve responded less than favorably t’ me tryin’ t’ help.

16. Do you look up to anyone at all?

Raz. My friend is trying so hard t’ make things right that he doesn’t realize he has already. I’m not sure I would’ve been able t’ step away from the life he was leading if our lives were switched. It takes a lot of willpower t’ stay away from stuff like that after falling into it.

17. Are you gay, straight or bisexual?

I’m straight.

18. Do you go to school?

No. When Raz and I ran away as teenagers that was the last I’d gone t’ school.

19. Ever want to marry and have kids one day?

I never want t’ marry again now that Mynai’s my wife, and I in’t losing her.

We’ve talked about having kids, and we both want to, but we’d have t’ be careful about when we do. Ariya’s normal has already been changed once in a pretty drastic way, and I’d want her t’ be ready and understand that she’d be having a little brother or sister. So, for now, Mynai and I are being careful t’ not conceive until everything’s right.

20. Do you have any fangirls/fanboys?

None that I know of, but I do get t’ meet some grateful people around New Coalfell. They help the job feel rewarding.

21. What are you most afraid of?

Anything happening t’ my family. I went through the pain of losing one wife, and I couldn’t do it again. I don’t even want t’ think about losing my daughter.

22. What do you usually wear?

Just a white collared shirt and trousers at home. When I’m on patrol I wear my guardsman uniform with chain mail armor underneath. It’s good protection, but gets really hot in summers.

23. What’s one food that tempts you?

Okay, so Val used t’ own a bakery, and she used t’ make this one meal that I hadn’t heard of before her. It was, like, this dough that had tomatoes mashed into a sauce on it with cheese and some meats, all baked in a stone oven. Not really a pastry, and not really bread either. It was divine.

24. Am I annoying to you?

*shakes his head*

25. Well, it’s still not over!

Okay.

26. What class are you (low/middle/high)?

Middle I guess? We in’t struggling with our money, but we couldn’t buy some of them nicer places out there either.

27. How many friends do you have?

I’ve got a nice handful of friends; a strong community around me here.

28. What are your thoughts on pie?

Val and I would make pie in her bakery on days where I was off-duty sometimes.

29. Favorite drink?

Apple juice.

...oh, like alcoholic? Red wine.

30. What’s your favorite place?

Our home back when Val and I were living in Brightscale. It was a total wreck when I first showed up there, and Val got a lot of people t’ help me rebuild it after the bandit attack. It was right by a river, so when we were drifting off t’ sleep we could hear the water rushing by. We were also separated a bit from the rest of the town, so it was like our own small piece of paradise as a family. I loved the walk back t’ it from work.

Unfortunately Brightscale became a ghost town after the plague hit, and Ariya and I were forced t’ leave it behind when all the survivors migrated t’ Boulder. Val’s ashes are buried there. Sometime I’d like t’ take Ariya back, but I don’t know what that area’s even like anymore. Could be bandits in the area, or predators, or anything. I’d want t’ make sure it’s safe first.

31. Are you interested in anyone?

*Terasas points to his wedding ring*

32. That was a stupid question…

A little bit, no offense...

33. Would you rather swim in a lake or the ocean?

Lake.

34. What’s your type?

Uh, my type? Honestly I in’t been with enough women t’ have a type, but if I had t’ say it’d be intelligent women who are outspoken. Confidence goes a long way for me, but not arrogance. She has t’ be kind too.

I tend t’ first notice a woman’s eyes first. I don’t know why, but a woman with beautiful eyes seems t’ be what catches my attention.

35. Any fetishes?

F...f-fetishes? N-no...I mean, everyone’s got things they enjoy doing in bed, but I don’t think it counts as a fetish...

Wait, what am I saying? None of this is your godsdamned business! No one needs t’ know I like doggyst...- wait, I didn’t say that before! Delete this part! Delete this p-

36. Camping or outdoors?

*Terasas straightens himself, brushing down his ruffled fur while clearing his throat* What was that? Camping or outdoors? Ooh, what a great, perfectly normal question like all the other ones you’ve asked so far.

Camping. When I feel like it’s safe out I like taking Ariya out for a few nights like my pa used to when I was little. She in’t a big fan of the hunting part of it, so I usually do that by myself along with the skinning and cleaning of the meat afterwards. We have a good time sitting around the fire afterwards eating together. I hope she enjoys it too. I know those memories of my own father mean so much t’ me, and I hope it’s the same for her.

[bloodiedskirtts]

The Safest Way To Go | Part Ten: Advertise My Secret

Summary: After six months apart, and no contact, Y/N returns 

Pairing: Bucky x Reader

Word Count: 2.4k

Warnings: Fluff (who is she?), mentions of sex, SFW smut

A/N: TAG LIST IS OPEN!

Feedback is always appreciated! Thanks for reading. I hope you guys like it! Gif not mine, credit to owner.

Safest Way To Go Masterlist

Bucky Barnes hated the time he spent apart from Y/N. But he realised that she was right, they needed to learn how to be apart from one another. And it was hard. He couldn’t get used to living with Sam, he wanted more than anything to cuddle up with her and watch some Disney movie. He missed her cooking in the kitchen in the mornings and how she would sing under her breath. He missed the way her nose crinkled up when she was thinking and how she teased him.

He missed her sleeping beside her, feeling her curled up in his chest. And the soft sighs that escaped from her lips as she slept soundly. She missed sharing showers with her, going for coffee with her, cooking with her. And God he missed having sex with her. He missed her kisses, the taste of her tongue, the way she sighed into his mouth. He wanted to feel her under his body, feel her breasts in his hands and the feel of her pussy around his cock.

He missed everything about her! Even fighting with her! He never thought he would say, but he missed fighting with her. Although he had vowed to never fight with her again. 

He woke up the final day of the semester his heart thumping but it fell when Peggy told him that Y/N got an internship in Paris for the summer. So she wouldn’t be back until August. That was six whole months where they didn’t speak, didn’t see one another at all. He was panicking. What if she had moved on? What if she didn’t ever want to return to him? 

‘Calm down, Buck,’ Steve said, as he lay on his couch. ‘She loves you.’

Bucky was scrolling through her Instagram, his heart was aching. He missed her so terribly. And she seemed to be uncaring about the distance between them. Her Instagram was a curation of snaps of Paris, smiling selfies and outfit snaps. She seemed to have a perfect life without him.

‘But what if she doesn’t?’ he whispered softly.

And so the months passed, achingly slowly. They finished college, with Tony throwing another massive party. Bucky started interning for a photography company in Manhattan. Steve and Peggy went to visit her family in England for a month. Sam was focusing more on his modeling career over the summer. With the help of Bucky, he had built up a hefty portfolio and his Instagram following was increasing by the day.

Sharon and Nat moved into Steve and Peggy’s apartment because the lease was up on their own. Neither of them were particularly eager to return to their families for the summer. Both of them were busy preparing for law school anyway!

Even though Bucky was busy with his internship, he couldn’t get Y/N off his mind. He thought about her constantly, wondering what she was doing, how she was feeling, who she was with? As the summer came to an end, Bucky was offered a job with the modelling agency Sam had signed with, they needed more photographers on their staff and they loved Bucky’s work.

He was watching Robin Hood with Sam when his phone buzzed, a text from an unknown number. He opened it with a sigh, probably something about work he thought.

However, when he realised that it wasn’t, his heart soared.

Hey Buck. Long time no anything. I’m coming back this weekend & I got no place to go! What’s a girl got to do for a guy to pick her up from the airport?

He read and re-read the message over and over again, he practically jumped on Sam with excitement. He was as giddy as a schoolgirl before he quickly typed back.

Bucky: I dunno, doll. Maybe don’t ignore a guy for half a fucking year

Y/N: Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Bucky: I dunno my new roommate is pretty cute

He snapped a selfie with Sam, both of them pulling faces and sent it over to her.

Y/N: Fuck!!! How can I compete?

Bucky: idk 

Y/N: I think I can come up with a few ideas. But you’ll have to wait until Friday.

Bucky: Think I’ve waited long enough, doll

Bucky was glued to his phone for the rest of the week, texting her every opportunity he got. 

‘You got yourself a girlfriend, James?’ Carol at work teased. ‘I have never seen you look this happy before!’

He rolled his eyes at the blonde woman, ‘Are you jealous?’

She laughed, ‘I’m fuckin’ gay you dumbass.’

‘My best friend is coming home from Paris tonight,  she was over there for six months. And we had a deal that we wouldn’t talk to each other because...well...it’s a long story.’

Carol smiled at him, ‘So you fucked her over?’

He rubbed the back of his head, looking slightly ashamed.

‘Yes. I really, really did.’

Carol watched him carefully, seeing how his face fell at her words. 

‘Look, I’m sorry if I overstepped.’

He shook his head, ‘No, you really haven’t. You’re right, and the six months without her made me change my mind about how I treated her. I was a terrible friend and an even worse boyfriend. I miss her so much.’

Carol smiled brightly, ‘In all the time I’ve known you James, and I mean it’s been a whole month, I have never see you look so happy. So how abouts you take the rest of the day off. I won’t tell, Scout’s honour. And you can get ready to get your girl back.’

He literally jumped at her words, grabbing all his stuff as quickly as he could.

‘I could kiss you, Carol, ya know that!?’ 

‘That’s not how you’re gonna win your girl back!’ she teased hitting him over the head lightly.

Bucky was anxiously standing at arrivals, what if she didn’t come? Yes, he was being irrational. Completely irrational. But he was nervous. More nervous than he had ever been in his life. But all that worry washed away when she came around the corner. Her skin was darker than it had been when she left, her hair longer but her smile was the same. Her whole face lit up when she smiled, her eyes shone and her nose scrunched up. And when she saw him, standing there, shuffling from foot to foot, hands in his pockets, she beamed.

Her smile lit up the whole room. And she threw herself into his arms, her legs wrapping around his waist as he lifted her. Her two suitcases completely forgotten as she kissed him. Just like that they melted into one another again. It was so easy, they didn’t need to say the words that had been unspoken for six months. The kiss was enough. The whole world drifted away as they reunited, the other passengers and people milling around completely forgotten.

When they finally pulled away after what felt like hours and also just a few seconds, she was crying. Sobs wracked her chest as she clung to him.

‘I adore you, James Buchanan Barnes. I missed you terribly. Every single day, I wanted to call you, hear your voice. I wanted to know what you were doing, every day. Nat kept me up to date. Well as up to date as she could. But I needed to hear it from you,’ she whispered.

‘I love you with all my heart. These past six months have been the hardest in my whole life. I wanted you with me the whole time. But I know now that it was the right thing to do. It’s what we needed,’ she said, conviction in her voice.

He smiled, setting her down on the ground after she dried her tears. He took her suitcases from her as he walked out to the car.

‘Y/N, I spent the last six months desperately lonely. I was surrounded by people but they weren’t you. I always knew you were the most important part of my life but without you there it was like I wasn’t whole. I realise what we were doing was stupid. I will never care for anyone the way I care for you,’ he told her as they stood by his car.

‘I love you so much. And I know, I know no matter how many years we are together, I’ll never be able to tell you how much I adore you. And I can never make up for the stupidity of these last few months. And I can never apologise enough to you for how I treated you.’

She shook her head, ‘I was just as bad as you. We were...stupid. We still are stupid. I don’t think and I don’t expect our relationship to be perfect now. But I know we will do this properly this time. I won’t run away anymore. I promise, that I will do whatever work needs to be done to make this work. Because I know this is real life, it isn’t a fairy tale. And relationships are hard but it’s worth it. It’ll all be worth it. Because I love you more than anything in this world.’

He smiled at her as he pulled her in for another kiss. He couldn’t get enough of her, his hands were everywhere. Over the years, he had memorised the way she felt under his touch. And he had found solace in that over the past six months. But nothing was as good as the real thing. How she reacted to his touch, how she moaned into his mouth.

He had to force himself to pull away from her, because he wouldn’t be able to contain himself. He knew he couldn’t be trusted not to push her into the car in the public car park and fuck her. He hopped into the car and she followed suit, giggling like a school girl, telling him all about Paris and how amazing it was. How her boss had recommended her to fashion houses here in New York and how she had interviews lined up with them already. She was babbling so much, and Bucky was enticed. He loved her voice. He loved to see her so happy.

Finally he pulled into his parking space at their apartment. 

‘Sam has moved into your room,’ he said. ‘But he’s out for the night. So...’

She smiled softly, her eyes not meeting his. 

‘I guess I’ll have to go apartment hunting huh?’ she said as Bucky took her suitcases out of the car.

‘Absolutely fuckin’ not!’ he told her.

She laughed softly, ‘James Barnes, is that your way of asking me to move in with ya?’

He chuckled as they made their way into the apartment, he pressed the elevator button to their floor.

‘Amn’t I always asking you to do things the wrong way around?’ he teased.

‘Always!’

She giggled, shaking her head watching him carefully as the elevator brought them to the floor.

‘Nat and Sharon moved in with Peggy and Steve,’ he told her as he opened the door to the apartment. 

She looked around, not much had changed. She hadn’t expected it to, she had only been gone for six months. But there were certain things that were different, the couch had been moved. There were pizza boxes, everywhere - how Bucky and Sam were in shape when they ate like pigs never failed to shock her. 

‘I’m sure you’re exhausted, doll,’ he said, as he brought her into the bedroom. ‘Jetlag and all that. You can nap? And we can order food in a little bit, if you’d like?’

She smiled as she sat on his bed, her eyes taking in everything. She missed him so fucking much, she couldn’t believe it. Her heart ached at the smell of him, the way her name rolled off his tongue and how he knew exactly how to make her smile. She patted the bed beside her.

‘Cuddle me Buck?’ she asked.

He smiled as he kicked his shoes off and pulled her in for a bear hug as they fell back onto the bed. She fit perfectly in his arms, like they were made for each other. And she truly believed they were made for one another. No matter how stupid she sounded saying it, he was her soulmate. And he knew it too. He knew that they had almost ruined everything with their own egos and stupidity.

His lips met hers in the softest of touches, eyes fluttering close and slowly, the kiss deepens, tongues pressing against one another. She sunk into him, her arms wrapping around his shoulders, he rolled her onto her back, so he was hovering over her. He never broke the kiss, he never wanted to stop kissing her. He had six months to make up for. Six months without her lips.

Slowly, he pulled away from her lips, kissing over her jawline, down her neck, licking and nipping over the sensitive skin - knowing exactly how to get those soft moans from her plump lips. 

‘I love you, Bucky,’ she whispered.

He smiled at her words, pulling her oversized jumper over her head. 

‘I love you so much, Y/N,’ he told her as he continued to kiss over her skin. 

And just like that everything fell into place, they spent the next 24 hours in bed. Finally, Sam burst into the room and marched her out of the apartment, across the hall to the waiting surprise party. Okay, it wasn’t really a party, it was just Sam, Bucky, Steve, Peggy, Nat and Sharon. But she was thankful for it, they drank, played Cards Against Humanity, she showed pictures of her time in Paris. Bucky held his breath when Sharon asked were their any Parisian men that caught her fancy.

She shook her head, ‘Naw. Not my type.’

She smiled at Bucky as he squeezed her hand as they spent the rest of the night laughing and teasing one another. She sighed as she leaned against Bucky’s chest. This was it, this was perfection. She loved her time in Paris, she loved the opportunities she got. But she knew here, in Bucky’s arms surrounded by her best friends, was where she was meant to be and there was no hope in hell that she would be leaving them again.

TAG LIST OPEN

@nephalem67, @mia-at-work, @crybbysarahjane, @rainbowkisses31, @mcuimxgine, @rhiisnotawitch, @marvhellove, @myrabbitholetoneverland, @metalarmlover, @vogueworthy-barnes, @aurajitsu,@savemesteeb​,  @drunkinthemiddleoftheday​, @valeriae2903​​​,  @marsnothere​,    @kayleeflower ,  @sophiatomlinson23 , @randomstoriesofabunny ,@evolutionofkatep , @jessxxoxx , @anelaokalanii, @slender--spirit  , @the-craziestone, @writing-for-a-chance @lilypalmer1987 @justmesadgirl , @funkenniffler, @useless-creature-213, @sebatianstanisbae, @sexyvixen7, @hadesgirl1015, @amillionfandoms-onlyoneme, @wisestydia-15,@australianhorrorstory, @learisa,  @moonraeblack​, @stressedasalways @encounterthepast @tomshollandz @jediturtlelover​ @cutegyrl927​ @tuliptx​, @whooolemilk​  @ka-x-in​  @nikolett3​, @jbarnes87​  @merlinlover​  @lovely-geek​  @lizfawn​  @piensa-bonito​ @swtmckngbrd @songsaboutcupcakes @shirukitsune​ @anamcg317  @rileyloves5​  @unadulteredscreams​