#hope the formie

[toongirl007]

Hope is here to help! Bday gift for @felixj13

[catboyjorts]

Ah, man. I was looking forward to doing so much stuff this fall but now we're stuck at home until spring basically 😔

[gumifox]

really quick ms paint thing for my icon

[averagewriter-inthedark]

The Parent Trap 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 | Lt. Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw Imagine

Inspired by Disney’s ‘The Parent Trap’

Link to my TGM Masterlist

Characters & Pairings: Lt. Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw x novelist female!reader (romantic), Lila L/n and Caroline Bradshaw!OCs (daughters), Marilyn Brooks!OC (Bradley’s love interest), Ollie Tomas (platonic, Y/n’s bff), Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell (platonic) & Hannix (Phoenix x Hangman)

Content Warnings: fluff, light angst, profanity, pregnancy & childbirth, separated twins, second chance romance troupe, assault (reader punches a character) | female reader—afab!reader (she/her) | wc: 18k+ this is long folks.

Premise: It was quite literally love at first sight for aspiring aviator Bradley Bradshaw and writer Y/n L/n, but the relationship ended as fast as it started. It did result in the birth of their beautiful identical twin daughters, Lila and Caroline—but even they couldn’t keep them together. An agreement was made in the divorce, Caroline would grow up with Bradley, and Lila would be raised by Y/n so the former couple never had to see each other again. What neither anticipated, however, were the sisters coming face-to-face at summer camp the year they turned 14…..and forming the ultimate parent trap to reunite their parents for a second chance at love.

Note: I rewatched ‘The Parent Trap’ the other night and gosh I remembered how much I loved that movie as a kid. I immediately got to writing this because I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Just to be clear I do NOT support the idea of separating children especially twins & not tell them. This is of course for fictional purposes & I do not own Disney, The Parent Trap or the TGM characters. Hope you enjoyed! (Also I envisioned Dan Levy as Ollie when I wrote this & Margot Robbie as Marilyn😂

Thank you guys so so much for 1k!!!! I’m over the moon and cannot believe that I hit 1k just as I’m celebrating 1 year of coming back to this writing account and actually keeping up with works ! 🥹🥹 I love you all and appreciate all the kind words left on my stories 🤍🤍 you guys are the best!! — Bee 🐝

——————————————

“I know you’re upset, honey,” Y/n brushed Lila’s dirty blonde hair behind her ear, “But it’s for the best. Just think before you know it’ll be the holidays and then next summer I’ll fly you out there.” All she got in response was a sad nod, the fourteen-year-old turning to look out the window. Sunny California soon turned into cloudy New York as the plane traveled from coast to coast. The entire journey the novelist thought back to the past two weeks, which did nothing to heal her aching heart. Not only did she mourn leaving behind her second daughter, but she mourned what could’ve been with the man she thought she’d spend the rest of her life with almost fourteen years ago.

The one who made her believe in love at first sight.

In 2006, aspiring writer Y/n L/n was on the verge of college graduation, planning to move to New York City in hope of accomplishing her dream of becoming a New York Times bestselling author.

For as long as she could imagine writing stories was her escapism from the hardships of reality. A hopeless romantic, most of her work was romance—dabbling in fantasy or historical fiction from time to time but keeping a romance troupe involved. She first started writing fanfiction on the internet when it was just starting out, focusing on some of her favorite characters which resulted in her profile becoming popular with readers. It soon progressed to her attempting to write an actual novel.

The story she envisioned to write one day was keeping her up at night, so she finally sat her ass down the summer going into her senior year and started writing. In between classes and working at the campus library at UVA, where she was studying literature and psychology, Y/n was nose deep in her Apple iBook she literally got because of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. Pages upon pages, the words flew from her mind and onto the screen, forming dialogue and descriptions. She didn’t know what would come of the book, unsure if she would even send it to literary agents and publishers once completed, but for now it was purely for her entertainment.

After all, look at Stephenie Meyer. Home girl wrote a book based on a dream and it turned out to be one of the bestselling series of all time.

Graduation came in a blur. Her plan was to go to the ceremony, get her diploma, and then head back to her place to finish writing. She was only a few chapters from being done. The last thing she wrote was the big twist which could be the make or break for the main character to be with the love interest, all that was needed was the resolution.

What Y/n didn’t expect that night was going to a party, at the insistence of her friend, and meeting who she believed was the man of her dreams.

Bradley Bradshaw was everything a girl would fawn over. Handsome, funny, flirty, the life of a party, who had dreams and aspirations. While his friends clowned him for having the typical 80s porstache, they secretly envied how well he pulled it off. Which was obvious by the amount of women throwing themselves at him.

Y/n’s friend had her eyes on him that night….but little did they both know, he had eyes for Y/n.

The second she walked in he was drawn to her. “Who’s that?” He asked his buddy, Fabian, interrupting him from his flirting with a pretty redhead. Annoyed, Fabian looked in the direction of Bradley’s gaze, catching Y/n in his line of sights.

“You talkin’ about the girl in the white pantsuit? That’s I think Y/n if I remember—we had psych 101 together ages ago. She doubled majored with English and worked at the library….” he raised a brow at Bradley, who was already walking toward Y/n with a determined look on his face.

Her friend Tanya spotted him first, immediately smiling with hopeful eyes. Only it fell to a small frown when she realized he wasn’t looking at her, but Y/n.

“Hi,” the greeting has Y/n turn around, red solo cup in hand and becoming puzzled at the sight of a gorgeous man standing behind her.

“U-uh hello.”

Bradley extends a hand, “I’m Bradley.” Y/n shakes it, both flinching when a spark ignites at the contact.

“I’m Y/n. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, Y/n,” he beams, now aware she wasn’t alone. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I was wondering if you’d like to dance?”

“Oh um,” she glances at Tanya, seeing her saddened look and becomes apologetic. “I-I don’t know…”

“Just one,” he insists, “and then I promise to leave you alone afterwards.”

Y/n still appeared hesitant, not wanting to upset Tanya further, but the woman gives her a soft smile, “go on,” she takes the cup from Y/n, “I’ll be right here.”

“Are you sure?”

“Totally. In fact,” Tanya bites her lip when she connects eyes with a guy she had a class with the previous semester. One she thought was cute and wouldn’t mind getting to know. When he gives her a wave and gestures for her to come over, Tanya blushes, “I’ll be over there talking to Grayson. Take all the time you need.” She was already on the move before Y/n could say anything else, leaving her with Bradley.

“Sooo…” he holds out a hand, nodding his head to the makeshift dance floor in the middle of the house the party was at.

Heart racing, Y/n gives a small smile and takes his hand, letting him lead her to the floor. It was the first time a guy had asked her to dance at a party. Though she didn’t date or go out much in college, the times she did Y/n often got left alone because Tanya or one of their roommates/friends were hit on and she didn’t. Plus with school, work, and writing her book, a social life was pretty much nonexistent.

One dance became two, then three, and four. Before she knew it three a.m rolled by and she and Bradley had danced and talked the whole night, ending with the two sitting in the back of his Bronco with sonic Route 44s and milkshakes. Never had Y/n laughed as hard as she did that night, almost to the point of tears. There was warmth all through her veins, even after the two parted ways, only sharing a sweet kiss when he dropped her off at her apartment.

It was the closest thing she felt to love at first sight.

Maybe it truly was.

Things went by fast. Literally. So fast it was starting to make Y/n worried. Not only were the feelings getting stronger, but the terms of the relationship in general. Within a weeks they were living together, Bradley going as far as to propose to Y/n with the news of his commission into the U.S Navy.

“Marry me, Y/n,” he told her after the ceremony, the shiny Ensign ranks on the color of his uniform. “I know it sounds crazy, but I wanna share my life with you—every part of it. Till the day I die.”

Part of her was conflicted but the overwhelming love for Bradley had Y/n say yes. That weekend they were at the courthouse, exiting as Mr. & Mrs. Bradshaw.

But unfortunately the love story ended before it could really begin.

A few short weeks after the wedding, Y/n found out she was pregnant while Bradley was at flight school. It terrified her as much as it excited her. They were only twenty-two, with Bradley’s Naval career just starting out and Y/n trying to get her food in the door on hers. Having double majored in literature and psychology there were many career paths she could go into. Many would involve her having to get a Masters, but the couple were already paying off student loans from undergrad that she didn’t want to have to take out anymore financial aid.

Personally Y/n wanted to write books. She had yet to finish the one from college, with plenty more ideas safely tucked in her mind. The news of her pregnancy would have to put any potential job on hold.

Bradley was beyond excited when she told him, lifting her in his arms with glee, “I’m gonna be a dad!” His excitement was what really made Y/n look forward to bringing their baby into the world. She still had worries no doubt but having Bradley, who was now known to his fellow aviators as Rooster, made it easier.

But the couple were in for a much bigger surprise.

“TWINS?!” They both shrieked in the hospital room, eyes bulging the monitor showcasing two sacs in Y/n’s womb. Rooster nearly went into cardiac arrest, the woman bursting into tears which had him hold her tightly in his arms. Lips pressed to her head as he mumbled, “We got this baby. This is exciting! Just think, they’ll be best friends forever.”

“And it looks like,” the technician moved the wand across Y/n’s stomach a bit more to get a better angle. “You are gonna be blessed with two girls, Mr. and Mrs. Bradshaw.” That had Y/n cry even more, Rooster shedding his own at the excitement and love that filled him.

“Girls,” he breathed in awe, kissing all over his wife’s face making her cries turn into giggles. “We’re having little girls—I’m so happy, Y/n. I can’t thank you enough for giving me this gift.”

In April of 2007 Lila and Caroline Bradshaw arrived. Identical twins who literally could not be told apart unless they were dressed differently. So the couple bought matching necklaces with gold pendants on each with the letters ‘C’ and ‘L’ for each girl. That way they could always know who was who.

Named after his mother, Caroline was a daddy’s girl even as a newborn. The only time she ever really wanted Y/n was when she was hungry, other than that little Caroline wanted to be in Bradley’s arms. She’d fall asleep in them, whine if she were in someone else’s, and make grabby hands for him when he’d come home. Caroline’s personality resembled Rooster’s, literally the life of the party whenever people were over.

Lila on the other hand was her momma’s mini me. The name came from a character in Y/n’s book. Not the protagonist, but the best friend who Y/n enjoyed writing for more than the main character. It was a name she always loved, and the moment Y/n’s eyes landed on the baby girl the name was perfect for her. Opposite of her sister, Lila was quiet and reserved. She loved to be held by Y/n and would beg for her attention. Like Caroline was a daddy’s girl, Lila was momma’s angel.

Life seemed to be good. It was good.

But then when the twins turned six months, things started to sour. They were living in Virginia with Bradley assigned to the Golden Warriors and Y/n was at home taking care of the girls. She’d get a little bit of writing done within the week but had major writer's block. Almost twice a week she and Bradley were arguing over something whether it was money, work, or the girls. They’d go to bed with their backs facing each other, Bradley leaving in the morning with little to no goodbye and when he’d return home he’d be so exhausted the two would rarely talk like they used to.

It was apparent the honeymoon stage was over. Both realizing it just wasn’t working out and even with their daughters the relationship was becoming strained.

What really ended everything was the night of the officer’s ball. A disrespectful comment was made to Y/n about wanting to be a published romance author by one of Bradley’s superiors. And he didn’t stand up for her. In fact, the man had the audacity to laugh with the men.

Heartbroken and pissed off, Y/n threw her napkin onto the table and removed herself without permission to be excused. Everyone stared with wide eyes, Bradley’s superiors watching with disapproval and making snide comments to the licensed pilot. Now he was angry, feeling humiliated by the scene and raced after his wife with an apology to the guests.

When they got outside both were feeling the heat. Spitting off words that they knew were going to fuel the fire.

“What the fuck was that, Y/n?”

“What the fuck was that?” She repeated with malice, “How fucking dare you sit there and laugh while they insult me! I’m your fucking wife, Bradley—you’re supposed to stand up for me! Instead you humiliated me!”

The entire drive home they were silent. Rooster’s knuckles were practically white with how hard he was gripping them, Y/n breathing heavily to control the anger. Not even the radio was playing. Only silence filled the void of the impeding argument that was to continue when they got home.

The door of the Bronco slamming alerted the babysitter, the teenage daughter of their neighbors, who met them outside with a smile only to frown when Bradley stormed past her. “Is everything—,” she went to ask but Y/n stopped her.

“Everything’s fine.” It was far from fine but she didn’t need to know that. Y/n removed a small wad of cash from her clutch, handing it to the girl. “This is for you. Thanks for all your help, Molly.”

When Y/n got in she checked on her girls first and then met Bradley in the bedroom to get out of the god forsaken dress she started to feel claustrophobic in. It wasn’t even fifteen seconds later before the couple were at it again. They tried to keep quiet for the sake of their daughters asleep just down the hall but nothing could stop the shouts from escaping.

“What was I supposed to do?” Rooster throws his arms out, face red. “Tell him to shut the fuck up? I have to work with him, Y/n. I see him every goddamn day—you want me to make my life miserable? Cause he’ll make sure that happens.”

Y/n couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Are you fucking serious, Bradley? You’re so worried about having to do more pushups than people or get hazed than standing up for me? Your own wife?! Yeah, I wanted you to tell him to shut the fuck up—I would’ve done it if was my boss! Because you’re my husband and I wouldn’t let somebody insult you like he did me!”

He sarcastically laughs, bringing his hands up to rub his face, “You know, you’re acting like a fucking lunatic right now.”

The comment had Y/n still, eyes widening as the alarms went off in her head. She waited for him to take it back, but when he didn’t all she could do was make a pained sound, turning away from him before the tears could spill. Exiting their room, Y/n went to the closet where they stored luggage. When she returned she had her large suitcase and a baby bag.

“What are you doing?” She ignored him, starting to throw random clothes in the bag from her dresser. Rooster, came around the bed staring at her in disbelief. “Y/n, what the fuck are you doing?”

“What does it look like, Bradley,” she hissed, still not looking at him. “I’m fucking packing and getting the hell out this house. And I’m taking the girls with me.”

“The hell you are!” He shouts, going after her when she enters the bathroom. “You’re not taking my daughters. Especially when I don’t know where the hell you’re going.”

“I’ll figure it out,” she gathers her makeup, skincare, hair care and shower necessities. “Maybe I’ll finally go to New York like I planned before I met you.”

“And what are you gonna do there?” He challenged from the doorway. Y/n felt her hand tighten over the first item in her hand, which happened to be a hair dryer. She could feel the words on the tip of his tongue, praying to God he wouldn’t actually say what would really tear her heart in pieces.

“Don’t you fucking dare.” But Bradley was too far gone before he could stop himself.

“Finish that book? The one you’ve been writing for almost three years and have yet to finish? And then actually get it published?” He chuckled sarcastically, breaking her soul when he added, “Yeah, sure you are. How about you wake up and start thinking about reality—where you should work on getting an actual career that’s gonna support your daughters instead of living in a fairytale.”

The hairdryer left her hand with a literal battle cry, causing Bradley to jump out of the way with a curse, the object hitting the side of his arm. When it bounced on the ground before stopping just by the bed, the couple stared at each other as though they couldn’t believe what had happened. Both were breathing heavily, Y/n’s makeup smudged with tears rolling down her face.

“Fuck you,” she whispered, seeing the immediate regret in his eyes, though no words of the sort followed. Y/n brought a hand up, turning away from him when he said her name. “Fuck you, Bradley.” She heard him leave, the door closing behind him allowing her to succumb to her emotions. The rest of the time she packed her things Y/n fought back sobs. She wouldn’t let him see her like that. That he had hurt her beyond what she could’ve imagined.

The way he took her dream and basically slapped her in the face with it. He knew she was dealing with writer’s block and had trouble focusing on the ending with having to take care of their girls. And not to mention she gave up her pursuits to follow him.

No more.

Zipping up her suitcases, Y/n picked up the wedding photo of her and Bradley. There were not many photos of them printed out and none were hung on the walls just because they would have to move with his job, but the two photos they did have were of their little courthouse wedding and the day the twins were born.

Tears rolling down her cheek, Y/n removed the photo from the frame and tore it down the middle before doing the same with the one of them and the girls. The piece with Bradley looking down at her in the wedding and the one of him holding Lila were folded and placed in her purse, leaving the one of her in her wedding dress and the one holding Caroline. She secretly put them in the drawer of his nightstand, letting him decide what he plans to do with them once she’s gone.

She couldn’t believe what she was about to do, but it was for the best in order for them to not have to deal with a nasty custody dispute. Already she could feel a bit of her heart missing. The piece reserved for Caroline.

After quietly packing Lila’s things, Y/n rolled her suitcases down the hall and placed the baby bag on top. Rooster was in the kitchen drinking a beer, ignoring when she came into the living room to gather all the things she had there.

“I have an offer,” she approached when she was done, keeping her gaze on the ground. Y/n feared she wouldn’t be able to say it if she looked into his eyes.

“What,” his voice was monotone, evident he was tired and wanting to get whatever argument out of the way so they could move on.

“I can’t stay here,” she told him, noticing him stiffening in the corner of her eye. “I just can’t, Bradley. We both know this was a long time coming and tonight was just the nail in the coffin. We’re not a good fit—we both want different things. And I can’t even look at you without wanting to scream.” She took a deep breath to calm herself, “I never want to see you again after tonight…so I don’t wanna have to go through a custody battle with you.”

“And how do you suppose that’s going to work out?” She could hear the heartbreak in his tone, getting tight with each word like he would explode if she took both girls.

Y/n let out a tired sigh, squeezing her eyes shut, “we both know Caroline prefers you, and Lila prefers me.” She waited for him to say something, but when he didn’t she knew he silently agreed. The next words that left her set in stone the next decade in a half of her life, “So I’ll take Lila with me and you raise Caroline. That way they have one of us and we never have to see each other again.” Again Bradley doesn't respond so Y/n softly says, “I’ll call a lawyer in the morning. For now I’m sleeping in the girls room.”

‘Come after me,’ she silently thought, a part of her hoping he would and convince her she was wrong and they could work this out.

‘Go after her,’ his brain screamed at him, not wanting to let go of the woman of his dreams.

But he stayed where he stood.

Twelve hours later the couple sat in the office of a divorce lawyer with papers drawn up indicating Y/n would have custody of Lila, retaining her maiden name and legally changing the girl’s to L/n, and Bradley would have custody of Caroline. They removed their rings, Y/n wiping away a tear when she did, before the two returned to the home to gather Y/n’s things.

Once the car was packed Y/n cradled Caroline while Bradley held Lila, the two facing away from each other to not show the other their emotion.

“I love you so much, sweet girl,” she whispered against Caroline’s tiny head, careful to not let her tears drop on her. Kissing her crown, Y/n softly said, “Our paths will cross again one day. But until then, I hope you have the best life and be a good girl for your daddy. You’ll always be my Caroline, my sweet girl.”

A few yards away, Bradley was saying his own words of love to Lila. “Promise me you won't give your momma too much trouble, Lila darlin’. You two take care of each other,” he kisses her forehead, eyes glistening with unshed tears, “I’ll see you again one day. I love you darlin’. You’ll always have a piece of me.”

The former couple barely glanced at each other or spoke a word the entire time Bradley was securing Lila in her car seat and Y/n reluctantly handing Caroline over. Her heart skipped, clenching at the same time Bradley surprised her by giving a soft kiss to her forehead, muttering for her to have a safe trip. Y/n only nodded, moving to the driver's seat and backing out of the driveway before pulling onto the road. Y/n finally allowed the tears to fall when she exited the gate for the last time.

When she got to her parents house roughly five hours later Y/n wanted to just go to sleep but her mind wouldn’t let her.

No, in fact, it wanted her to write.

The final piece of the book that had been nagging her for years finally played in her head. Everything from the dialogue to the final scene.

While her parents spent time with Lila, both of whom voiced their unhappiness with her decision to leave behind Caroline, Y/n’s eyes were focused on the screen in front of her. The only time she took breaks was to have dinner, use the bathroom, have downtime with Lila before putting her to bed, and share a glass of wine with her mother. Other than that, Y/n was writing until the early hours of the morning—going as far as to make edits to earlier parts of the book and change things she felt were unnecessary.

By the time the clock hit 4 am, Y/n was in need of a melatonin and 8 hours of sleep. But she was done. Done with the book she had spent so much time trying to get done. It was as though leaving Bradley was the awakening she needed to get it finished.

How fucking sad when one thinks about it.

That mid-morning, after popping a melatonin and sleeping for a few hours before having to tend to Lila, Y/n’s parents were visibly shocked by the difference in her behavior from the previous day. Of course Y/n was still deeply saddened by everything and they could tell it was affecting her, but there was also a sense of hope in her eyes. When asked about it all Y/n responded was, “I finished the book.”

Between looking for small two bedroom apartments in New York and part-time jobs, Y/n edited her book. For about six months she lived with parents, celebrating Lila’s first birthday where Y/n cried herself to sleep at not being able to do the same to Caroline. But then again, she had no one to blame but herself.

The break of a lifetime came a week after Lila’s birthday when Y/n finally got a response from one of five literary agents she had sent her inquiry to. “Hello Ms. L/n, Thank you for sending your inquiry. I’ve read your submission and am intrigued about your book. Please send me a copy of your full manuscript either through my email or a printed version to the address I have listed below. I’m interested to see what you have written and hope you get back to me soon. Sincerely, Yolanda Richards.”

Over the moon, Y/n sent a printed copy to Yolanda the next day. Nerves filled her with what the agent would think and if she would have her as a client. After researching for weeks on literary agents, Yolanda Richards was one of the best in the romance genre, with multiple NYT bestsellers under her name plus success at getting movie deals for the books. If Y/n became one of her clients it would be a dream come true.

The email came the following Friday: “Y/n, I am very pleased with your work and thoroughly enjoyed your story. Everything about it was captivating from start to finish. I would love to have you as a partner by representing you in getting your book published and on the market. Please give me a call or email me so we can set up an in-person meeting as soon as possible. I hope you accept my offer and I look forward to possibly working with you. Sincerely, Yolanda Richards.”

Almost 13 years later……Summer of 2021

Caroline’s heart was racing. She’d never been so nervous in her entire life than when the plane approached the New York skyline, the first time her hazel eyes had ever witnessed it. Even when she and her father were living in Virginia he seemed to avoid the city like the plague. Always insisting they go somewhere else for a vacation whenever she begged.

Now here she was at JFK airport about to meet the woman she dreamed of knowing all her life.

The whole journey Caroline thought back to the eight weeks of summer camp she’d just experienced. It was like fate had decided to work its magic on the third day when she came face-to-face with a girl who looked exactly like her. Though it’s rumored everyone has at least seven doppelgängers in their lifetime scattered across the globe, something about Lila L/n was different than a typical look-a-like. They were too alike physically. Dirty blonde hair with hazel eyes and standing tall at 5’5, the two were a carbon copy of one another with the exception of Lila having longer hair and bangs. “Actual twins” their campmates would say, but were complete opposites in terms of personality.

For example, Caroline dressed like she was going to the beach no matter the weather and had a knack for old music whereas Lila had more sweaters than t-shirts in her suitcase. Then Lila had an expanded vocabulary like she always was reading a poem in a fancy New York accent yet Caroline could barely tell the difference between there, their, and they’re. Lastly, Caroline was laid back and the extroverted jokester of the camp compared to Lila’s reserved, introverted, goodie-two-shoes nature.

Their rivalry was bound from the start. The end of the first week had the two already pissing off the counselors with the pranks against each other and their friend groups. Halfway through the camp duration was when the counselors had enough and placed them in the isolation cabin to settle their differences.

It was in the isolation cabin where suspicions became realizations.

First it started when both admitted to having a peanut allergy and their favorite food was chicken Alfredo pasta. They both loved romantic comedies and playing piano, neither a fan of licorice or dill pickles.

Finally feeling a friendship starting, Caroline complimented Lila’s necklace, who said it was a gift to her on the day she was born and had her initial on the pendant. Voicing the same, Caroline showed her own necklace with the same pendant only with a ‘C’ on it instead of ‘L’. That’s when Lila asked what day Caroline was born, both confirming they had the same birthday of April 21st, 2007.

Heart pumping with an feeling she couldn’t explain, Caroline revealed she was raised by her dad, who was a Navy fighter pilot and they were currently living in San Diego. “It’s only ever been me and him. He said he and my mom split when I was six months old.”

“No way,” Lila sat up in her bed, feeling the same emotion as Caroline. “I was raised by my mom. We moved to New York when I was a year old and have been there ever since. She told me when I was ten she and my dad divorced when I was six months old and he was in the Navy.”

Pushing aside her bag of hot Cheetos, Caroline began asking a series of questions. “My dad never said much about my mom, but at least once a year would give me some details of what she was like when I begged him. He said one year she had dreams of becoming a writer. What does your mom do?”

Lila’s eyes widened, “She’s an author—she’s written over ten romance novels.”

“Did your mom ever tell you how she and your dad met?”

“They met in college—at a graduation party to be exact. He asked her to dance.”

By now Caroline was gripping her hair, “Did they go to sonic afterwards where they had milkshakes and—.”

“Route 44s,” Lila finished, covering her mouth slightly. The reaction had Caroline racing to her desk to rummage through the drawer. When she faced Lila again, she was holding something to her chest.

“When my parents divorced my mom left behind two ripped photographs. One is of her holding me as a baby, the other is of her wedding day with my dad. They make up halves to a photo—but I‘ve never seen the rest. My dad doesn’t even know I have them.”

Gasping, Lila goes to her own desk and takes out a folder. Flipping through pages she gathers the two images in her own hands before turning back to the teenager. “These are the only photos I have of my dad. Like you, one is of him holding me in the hospital, the other is him in his uniform from the day he married my mom. They were ripped down the middle from the original photo.”

As though they read each other’s mind, the two started walking toward each other, already tearing up at the possibility that what they suspected was true. “On the count of three,” Lila softly said, “we show each other. Okay?”

“Okay,” Caroline agreed with a nod. They started to count down.

“One,” Lila took a step forward.

“Two,” Caroline echoed, mirroring her movement.

“Three!” Gasps left both girls when they extended their arms, each holding a half of the photograph, and slowly put them together. One showed Y/n and Bradley on their wedding day, smiling at each other looking as though they were the happiest people on earth, the other of them holding their daughters. Caroline in Y/n’s arms, and Lila in Bradley’s.

“That’s my dad!” Caroline beamed, in disbelief at the sight before her. There her father was with the beautiful woman she dreamed of meeting. Her mother.

“That’s my mom,” Lila sniffed, the teen overcome with emotion. Once they gathered themself over the initial shock they both couldn’t help but shout, “We’re twin sisters!!” Embracing in a hug filled with glee and laughter.

The idea that came to their head moments later was crazy, but after talking and voicing how they want to meet the other’s parents, the decision was made. Caroline and Lila would switch places. And they were gonna get their parents back together.

Lila told Caroline how their mom was a hopeless romantic at heart despite not having a long term relationship since their dad. The same was for Bradley apparently, Caroline confessing he only had maybe three serious girlfriends but the relationships ended because they couldn’t handle the lifestyle he was in. Or the fact he was a single father.

For the next four weeks the twins learned all about the other’s life and what to expect. “Mom wrote her first book in college around the time she met dad, but she didn’t get it finished until after they divorced. Since then she’s written ten novels—including a trilogy about to be adapted into a movie series and is currently working on a sequel to her debut book that her supporters have been begging for her to write for years. Most of her inspiration comes from what she hopes to experience,” Lila pauses to make a face, “Now that I think about it actually, her second book almost resembles her love story with dad….it’s the only one without a happy ending.” That had the twins frown, feeling more determined with their mission of getting their parents back together.

“This is the Dagger Squad,” Caroline showed Lila the pictures on her phone when the counselors gave them back for the weekend. “My dad went on a special mission two years ago before the pandemic and became friends with the people he did it with. Phoenix,” she points to the pretty brunette pilot, “well Natasha, I’ve known her since I was a baby. She and her husband have been friends with dad since flight school. And this is Maverick,” she scrolls to the next picture of her with a middle aged man in a flight suit, “He’s basically like our surrogate grandpa since dad’s parents passed away a long time ago. They were estranged for some time but became friends again after the mission.”

Lila explained the layout of their mother’s Manhattan home where they along with Y/n’s parents lived. “We always sit down to eat in the dining room as a way to have family time since mom is usually in her office writing or in meetings,” Lila explained before naming off the people in the photographs she had laid out in front of Caroline. “This is Ollie, mom’s best friend and writes romantic thrillers—he was our roommate when we first moved to New York and is often at the house more than his own. Yolanda is her literary agent who is in charge of selling mom’s books when she’s completed them and most recently got a movie deal on mom’s best selling trilogy. I call our grandmother ‘Gran,’ and our grandfather, ‘grandpa’.”

Both girls were the subject of a slight makeover with Lila having to cut her hair shorter, and Caroline getting bangs. When that happened they really were identical twins with the campmates not knowing who was who. Caroline practiced mimicking Lila’s NY accent and taught her the words to ‘Great Balls of Fire.’

“This is ridiculous,” Caroline complained when she was unable to whistle like Lila. “Is this really necessary?”

“Every teenager in New York has had to hail a cab at some point. If Mom is on the phone then I have to be the one to catch the cab—and whistling is gonna get you one more than just waving like an idiot in the middle of the street.”

Last thing to do was exchange plane tickets. Lila to SAN and Caroline to JFK.

They hugged each other goodbye, wishing the other good luck and not to forget certain things. They mostly had everything written down so they were confident they could get everything memorized by heart before they landed at their respective destinations. Caroline felt odd having to wear a long sleeve in July, but the weather for New York was cloudy with cool temperatures so she felt safer wearing the outfit Lila had picked out. She wasn’t the only odd ball, Lila was having to get used to wearing the tank top and pink Hawaiian shirt with shorts—something she never thought she’d ever wear.

They even had to exchange phones considering Lila had the lilac iPhone 12 Pro Max and Caroline had her trusty red iPhone 7 Plus. “Hey it works fine,” she defended, “until I either crack it beyond repair or it just doesn’t turn on one day then I will keep this till the end of time. So be careful with it.”

Promising to text everyday and call at least twice a week, the girls went on their way. Caroline fidgeted in her first class seat, trying to go over her notes to pass the time since it would only be a few hours for her flight compared to Lila’s cross country trip. But when the New York skyline filled her vision, the teenager was in awe.

If she wasn’t so excited she would’ve vomited from the anxiety consuming her. With her backpack on her shoulders and duffle bag in her hands, Caroline did her best to navigate through JFK until she reached the baggage claim. There her stomach did flips at the sight of Ollie waving frantically at her.

“Lila bean! Over here!” Grinning wide, she raced over to the man and was lifted into his arms. “Finally you’re back! Ugh you have no idea how crazy it’s been without you,” he set her down, making movements with his hand, “I’ve had no one to discuss the latest season of Bachelor in Paradise with because your mom’s been so nose deep in her work the whole summer—I’ve been trying to get her thoughts on if my next book should be a sexy twist on the show where every contestant has a dirty secret and one of them is a literal serial killer but she won’t budge from that computer. It’s been the only thing to distract her from being sad with you not being there—and oh my goodness,” he suddenly gasped, making her flinch, “What did you do to your hair?”

“Oh u-uh,” she stuttered nervously, praying her accent was believable. “A girl from camp cut it. I wanted to try something new. Do you like it?”

“You look fabulous,” he complimented, letting his finger run across the ends of her hair. “It suits more than I thought—you’ve always preferred it long.”

“Well I thought with me entering high school next month I was due for a change.”

Ollie gave her a look once over with an approving nod, “I dig it. Now c’mon—let’s get your bag and head out before this place gets too chaotic for my liking. Plus your mom has been texting me every ten minutes wanting to know if you’ve landed and it’s becoming exhausting.”

Caroline had to hold back cheering in victory when she successfully whistled, catching the attention of a cab driver for the pair. The drive there she was bouncing her knee, taking in the city causing Ollie to look at her confused, “My goodness, eight weeks you’re gone and it’s like you’ve never seen the city before. I promise you it’s the same as you left it.”

The teenager couldn’t help but mentally laugh at the comment, ‘little do you know….’

Arriving in Manhattan Caroline turned giddy. Before Ollie could stop her she was out of the cab with her backpack and duffle, leaving him to get her luggage as she hauled up the stairs to the three story townhouse. The door was unlocked and so she took a deep breath before pushing it open only to gasp by the beautiful interior of the home with a spiral staircase leading to the higher levels.

Setting aside her things, Caroline began to explore the ground level in hopes to find her mother or grandparents. Movement in the corner of her eye caught her attention, the teen entering what appeared to be a study with various bookshelves and framed photographs on the walls. A man was standing up with his back toward her, appearing to look for something particular in his bookshelf.

Caroline’s heart skipped at the realization it was her grandfather. “Hi, grandpa,” she exhaled, causing the man to spin around. Immediately he was in delight.

“Lila! You’re back!” She met him in the middle as he came around the desk, the two embracing. “And you cut your hair, my gosh! You look so different—but great!”

Taking in his scent, the older man looked at her confused before she said, “Sorry, I just missed the smell of your peppermint aroma at camp.” He laughed lightly, rubbing her back with his hand.

“Oh honey we all missed you too.”

“What’s all the commotion?” A female voice entered the picture, Caroline grinning when her eyes met her grandmother’s. The older woman gasped before her own smile took over, “Oh Lila!”

“Gran!” She raced over to her, meeting her in a hug. “I missed you!” The two held each other for a moment, her gran voicing the same and complimenting her new look just as her grandfather did.

Then Caroline heard her. “Lila darling?”

Freezing against her gran, Caroline felt her heart race. Slowly removing herself she hesitantly went to the middle of the foyer. Just as she appeared in the photographs, Y/n was as beautiful as Caroline pictured her to be. Dressed in a cashmere sweater dress, she looked radiant as the light from the window hit her. Hazel eyes shining from unshed tears, Caroline whispered in awe, “Mom.”

“You’re back!”

Just like in a movie it all felt like slow motion as Caroline ran up the stairs while Y/n descended, meeting halfway in a tearful embrace. The hug lingered with Caroline never wanting to let go, a faint sob escaping from the back of her throat and the tears falling down her cheeks—no doubt ruining the mascara she wore. But the teen didn't care. Not when she was in the arms of her mother at last.

“I can’t believe it’s you,” she whimpered when they pulled away, Y/n moving to brush a finger off her cheeks.

“And I can’t believe it’s you,” the writer chuckled, letting her eyes run over her daughter she believed to be the one she raised. “Look at you, your hair is so short!”

“A girl cut it at camp for me—do you like it?”

“I love it!” Y/n assured with a smile, “You look amazing—I’m surprised that’s all. And..” Y/n tilted her head a bit, “are you wearing mascara?”

“Oh yeah,” Caroline sniffed, moving to swipe under her eyes. She forgot already that Lila wasn’t into makeup like her. “A friend I made at camp wanted to see how my eyelashes looked with it since they’re so long. I forgot I had it on.”

“Oh no worries, honey. I don’t mind you wearing it if that’s what you’d like.”

“N-no it’s okay. I don’t really think it’s my thing, m-mom,” Caroline felt another wave of emotion at saying the word ‘mom,’ making Y/n frown with concern.

“What’s wrong, my love?”

“Nothing,” Caroline’s voice cracked. “I’m just so happy. I missed you so much.” Y/n awed, pulling her daughter into another hug.

“Oh honey I missed you too. It almost feels like it’s been forever.”

Caroline squeezed her eyes shut as she nuzzled against Y/n’s shoulder, “you have no idea.”

Two weeks went by of the twins living their dream. Caroline explored New York City by accompanying Y/n to her meetings with Yolanda and watching Bachelor in Paradise to not have Ollie suspicious of her. Slight worry came with how her grandfather seemed to let his eyes linger on her whenever she said something unlike what Lila would say. Three thousand miles away Lila was having difficulty being so social with their father’s friend group—her introverted self needed to get away in order to recharge at times which had Phoenix and Hangman start to question her.

“Did the social butterfly in you burn out at camp, little chicken?” Jake teased one day, “I’ve never seen you this quiet in a single week.”

Lila put on her best face, hoping he wouldn’t see right through it, “You would not believe how exhausting it was dealing with so many people on a daily basis. There were times where I dreaded going to activities and preferred staying in my cabin. They were rambunctious I tell you.” Her choice of words had Natasha eye her, bidding a look to her husband, moving closer to whisper, “Did she just use the word rambunctious?”

It seemed like everyone but their parents were beginning to catch on. The first to figure out were Nat and Jake when Bradley confessed to his daughter, who he believed was Caroline, that he was planning on proposing to his current girlfriend Marilyn Brooks. Caroline had warned Lila that their father was seeing Marilyn, but believed it wouldn’t last till the end of summer. Upset and panicked on what to do, the teenager bursted outside of the Hard Deck and began ranting to herself, accent slipping out and unaware the couple were there the whole time.

“You got something to share with the class, Care Bear?” Nat approached, head tilted down at the teenager who’d gone pale. “Because you seem to be in distress.”

“Phee, Jake,” Lila placed a hand on her chest to calm her breathing, “You both gave me a fright.”

“We gave you a fright?” Jake repeated in confusion. Never had Caroline used expressions like that before, making them more confused.

“Y-you scared me. I-I didn’t know you two were out here.”

“Are you sure you’re alright, Caroline?” Natasha crossed her arms. “Because ever since you came home….you’ve been acting odd. Your appetite’s changed, you’re not as social, Charlie doesn’t want to come near you anymore” she listed off her fingers, Charlie referring to Nat and Jake’s dog who adores Caroline. “And you use these big words now.”

“And just now it sounded like you were straight from New York or something,” Jake added, “And not in the way when you impersonate it on Head’s Up, it was like it was natural for you.”

“Jake, Nat….” Lila thought rapidly to deflect. “I changed a lot over summer—my friend’s from there and helped me perfect it.”

“Alright,” Jake shrugged, “Man if I didn’t know any better I’d say you were—.” Nat slapped his arm, eyes wide with a knowing look causing him to shut up. Jake gave a tight smile to the teen, “Ignore me, I’m just being stupid.”

“Almost as if I were who?”

Natasha shook her head, “No one, Care Bear. Forget we said anything.” As the two went to go back inside, they were stunned by what the girl said next.

“Almost as if I were….Lila?”

Chills appeared on their arms, the couple slowly turning to face her again with eyes full of shock. Both were thinking the same thing: did Rooster finally tell her?

“Y-you know about Lila?” Nat whispered.

The confession rolled off her tongue, “I am Lila.”

Jake dropped his bottle of beer, the glass shattering against the wood while Nat’s hand flew to her mouth. Just as they were about to spit off the millions of questions in their head, Rooster appeared looking relieved to find the teen. “There you are, Care. Why’d you run off like that—I needed to talk to you.” Noticing the way his friends were looking as though they wanted to cry, Rooster then said, “Guys….why are you staring at her like that?”

Seeing Lila shake her head, begging them not to say anything, the two apologized and excused themselves. Later that night Lila asked to stay at their house after getting into an argument with her father about him getting engaged, where she then explained everything after a tearful reunion considering the couple hadn’t seen her since she was a baby.

“Caroline is in New York with our mom,” the confession had the two nearly faint. “We switched places at camp, which I cannot believe fate actually brought us together that way—and we’re hoping to get our parents back together because I know my mom still loves him despite all these years they’ve been separated. But now he’s engaged to that wretched woman who I know is gonna ruin his life. I-I have to call her and get them here now!”

Phoenix gently calmed the girl down, “Lila, it’s almost midnight over there. Call her tomorrow and then we’ll figure something out together.”

The call to Caroline is what got her found out by their grandfather. She was sitting at a picnic table just down the road after jumping from her seat at the dinner table. Unbeknownst to Caroline, her grandfather had followed her.

“I thought you said they would be broken up by the time I got back!” Lila shouted on the other end of the phone.

“Well that was the hope,” Caroline voiced back, “Usually he’s with them for a few months to a year—but Marilyn’s just…ugh I can’t even explain so it surprises me she’s lasted this long.”

“Well now she’s looking to become our stepmom! You have to get mom here to San Diego so we can stop them!”

“No way I’ve barely had time with her, Lila,” Caroline argued. For five minutes the twins go back and forth before ultimately hanging up. When Caroline rose from the bench she bumped into the gentleman behind her, “Oh I’m sorry, sir.” The man turned around, the familiar face staring back causing her stomach to drop. “Oh boy.”

“Oh boy,” he repeated, tsking. “How about we take a walk while the fresh air is nice?” Coming clean, Caroline told her grandfather everything from the day she arrived at camp to the day she left as Lila. Thankfully he wasn’t angry, in fact the man was overjoyed at the news.

Now it was time to come clean to the rest of the family.

The next morning Caroline was pacing in front of Y/n’s office before knocking on the door and waited for her to respond. “Come in.” Looking over the edge of her computer, the woman smiled at her daughter. “Hey darlin’, I’m almost done with this paragraph. What do you say about us going to that gyro place you like for lunch?”

“Mom,” Caroline fidgeted with her fingers. “I need to talk to you.” When Y/n continued to type, she said with an edge in her voice, “Right now. Please.”

Taken aback by the tone, Y/n saved the document and closed out before standing from her chair. “What is it, Lila?”

“That’s what I need to talk to you about,” seeing her confusion, Caroline’s eyes glistened. “Lila.”

“Yessss? That’s the name I gave you the day you were born.”

“N-no!” Caroline finally snapped. “That’s not the one you gave me, mom.” That had Y/n puzzled, looking at her daughter with wide eyes. Lip quivering, the teen finally came clean, unable to hold it any longer. “I’m not Lila.”

At first Y/n didn’t seem to react, until a soft gasp left her as the look of absolute shock took over her expression. Her eyes filled with water, hands beginning to shake, “You’re…You’re Caroline?”

“Yes,” she nodded, a tear rolling down her cheek. “You and dad sent Lila and I to the same camp. We met there and….well I just really wanted to meet you a-and Lila really wanted to meet dad and please don’t be angry with us, I—.” The teenager was cut off by the sob Y/n let out as she took her in her arms.

“Oh my sweet girl,” Y/n cried, letting 13 years of pent up regret, sadness, and shame finally release. “Oh Caroline.” The teen’s arms wrapped around her waist, nuzzling her face into her chest as her own tears spilled. Finally it felt like a weight had been lifted off both their shoulders. Mother and daughter reunited. “I can’t believe It’s actually you—my sweet girl.”

A tearful reunion even had Ollie emotional, the author being consoled by Y/n’s father in the doorway along with her mother. “I-I’ve never been so happy in my life. O-oh my gosh this is the best day ever!” As he cried, Y/n’s father gave her a heartfelt look before gently closing the door to allow them some privacy.

“No offense, mom—well actually slight offense,” Caroline said after explaining the situation of why the twins switched places—keeping out the fact they were planning to reunite the adults in hopes of the two getting back together. “But this whole thing was not it. I mean, c’mon, were you ever gonna tell us?”

Y/n looked deeply ashamed, wiping away at her face constantly, “I know it was wrong of us. Believe me I’ve regretted it every second since the day I left. Keeping you two apart was the worst thing we did and I hope you girls can forgive us. I let my personal issues with your father get in the way—a-and I should've never left you behind. You have every right to be angry,” Y/n paused to grab a tissue. “I honestly hoped to tell you two one day—possibly when you two were sixteen, but then I just didn’t know how to approach that after keeping it hidden so long.”

Caroline took it all in, asking the next question. “So what now?”

Y/n sighed, “Well legally you’re supposed to be with your father, and Lila with me. So we’ve gotta get you back to him. Then we go from there,” she placed her hands on Caroline’s shoulder before pressing a soft kiss to her head, “But I promise you no more secrets. And I’m not letting you go again, honey. We’ll get everything under control.”

Packing for California had Y/n a damn mess. She didn’t know what to wear and went through several options before settling on a fashionable white dress that would do well with the California heat. The sight of her was quite entertaining for Ollie, but was doing his best to offer moral support because she was really starting to lose it.

“What the hell am I supposed to say when I see him?” Y/n waved her free hand. She had sunglasses on her face and curlers in her hair with a glass of wine in one hand as she threw random stuff into a suitcase. “It’s been nearly thirteen years, Ollie. And our last day married was anything but a good parting! I-I mean I know nothing about him except from what Caroline has told me.” A warm feeling flared in her chest. “She says he’s still got that damn 80s stache—gosh what that did to me when I was with him. Only he could make a girl weak in the knees sporting something most men look horrid in.”

“Sounds like he could still make you weak in the knees, babe,” the comment resulted in a glare. “Look, you’re thinking too much alright? Just take a breather and think about the girls. This is for them at the end of the day.”

“I know,” Y/n rubbed her face, downing the last bit of wine in her glass. “Ollie, darling, I can’t go about this on my own. Will you—.”

“Accompany you to sunny California to keep you sane as you embark on this journey of reuniting with your former sexy pilot lover?” At her nod he winks and pulls out his phone showcasing his boarding pass. “Already got it booked, babe. Maybe I’ll find my own Romeo on this trip. Lord knows I have a thing for surfers and skaters—but there's a difference between New York skaters and California ones. I should know…I’ve dated both.”

When asked if she had talked with her father, Caroline subtly lied, “Oh yeah I just got off with him. Says they have our rooms reserved at the Hilton Resort in Palm Springs. He’s excited to see you.”

“He is?” Y/n raises a brow, not finding it believable, and trying to contain the flutter in her stomach. “Well, we should be on the way then. Sweetie, could you check us into our flights while I help Ollie pack the Uber?”

The man trailed after Caroline with a cheeky look, whispering under his breath so only she could hear, “liar, liar, pants on fire.” Caroline spun around to see her mom was turned the other way, bringing a finger to her lips with a wink, “shuuuush!”

When Lila brought the idea up for her and Rooster to go to Palm Springs for the weekend, the plan did not include bringing Marilyn and her parents. Thankfully Phoenix, Hangman, and Charlie tagged along too. The couple was in on the plan and only ones to know besides Lila that Y/n was just a few short hours away from arriving. They timed it so when she and Caroline landed at the airport, they’d already be checked in and waiting at the resort.

“Be warned,” the text from Caroline appeared on the phone. “Mom is DRUNK. She had two cocktails on the plane and had us stop at a liquor store to get some mini airplane bottles.”

“Oh no,” Lila moaned, causing Nat and Jake to look at her in question while Rooster was busy meeting Marilyn’s parents for the first time. She showed them the text, both reacting the same, “This is gonna be interesting.”

Charlie started to whimper, picking up a familiar scent and pulling Lila across the lobby with the couple chasing after them. Meanwhile in the elevator, Y/n remembered she left her purse on the counter. “Crap, I forgot my bag,” she giggled, stopping the closing door and moving as fast as her heels and disoriented state could take her. While she was busy gathering her lost item, Lila came around the corner with Charlie, the dog barking at the sight of Caroline in the elevator.

“Charlie!” She squealed, the animal bolting from Lila’s grasp and into the elevator before it could close. The twins connected eyes just as the door shut, Lila mentally cursing though she couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement in her.

“Oh shit,” Jake mumbled with wide eyes, pulling Natasha to the side right when Y/n approached.

“Mom!”

“Oh, you didn’t have to wait for me, sweet girl, I can find the room by myself,” Lila literally had to step away from her Y/n, who had yet to realize it was Lila giving the twins decided on wearing similar outfits. She reeked of alcohol. Caroline wasn’t kidding when she warned her their mother was drunk off her ass. Besides the smell and her slight slurring words, Y/n was having trouble keeping her eyes open, “You go on up, okay? I’m gonna check out the bar real quick—have a glass of water while I’m at it.” As Y/n went to walk away she turned around with a tilt of her head, “I like that jacket by the way—were you wearing that on the plane?”

“Mom, watch out!” Lila shouted as Nat gasped with her when Y/n nearly collided with the bellboy.

“Oh goodness,” was all the author had to say, giving an embarrassed glance to her daughter before turning the corner away from their sights. Jake couldn't help but laugh, Nat holding back her own as she and Lila stared at each other in disbelief.

“The one time she should be sober and she’s completely wasted!” Lila exclaimed with a laugh at the end. “I’ve only ever seen her have one glass of wine at dinner—now she’s looking to run the bar dry.”

Phoenix shook her head with a smile, “Yeah well let her have her fun before all hell breaks loose.” Guiding Lila to the elevator, they all head to the floor where their rooms were.

Meanwhile Rooster and Marilyn had the same idea.

Attached to his arm, the woman was on a rant about what she thought was best for the lavish wedding she desired. Rooster just smiled and nodded, allowing the blonde to have creative control since he had no idea what to say. His first wedding was at a courthouse, nothing extravagant.

“Alone at last,” She hummed in relief, lips going to his neck as she giggled while his arms went around her waist. Bradley mirrored her expression, only it soon went to one of absolute shock when his gaze landed on the woman he never thought he’d see again.

Y/n was in front of him, looking like an angel in white as she stopped short in front of the elevator when they locked eyes. A hesitant smile appeared on her lips, hand coming up to wave as Bradley started to lean away from Marilyn as the doors shut, wondering if his mind was playing tricks on him.

But no, his ex-wife was really there.

“Bradley?” Y/n heard the blonde’s voice just as the doors closed, the last thing she saw could best be described was her ex-husband looking at her like she was an actual ghost. Like he didn’t expect her to be there at all.

That put the pieces together.

“Caroline Bradshaw!” Y/n strutted down the hallway, halting when the doors of both rooms opened and the girls appeared before her. With the two sporting similar looks and the same haircut it was difficult to tell who was who. A headache was forming in Y/n’s head from the alcohol, the woman moaning, “Please don’t do this—I-I’m already seeing double.” The teen on her left smiled.

“It’s me, Mom. Lila.”

“Oh darlin’!” the author exclaimed, moving to hug her daughter and place a kiss on her head. “You look wonderful. My goodness this is the happiest day of my life,” she opened her arm to bring Caroline into the hug. “Both of my girls!” Then Y/n remembered what brought her to the floor, “Not to ruin the happy moment, but I’d really appreciate it if you explained why you blindsided me.”

All of a sudden Nat and Jake appeared from the suite Lila was in. “Hi,” Nat glanced down the hall before smiling at the author. “Sorry to break this up, but might I suggest we move this discussion inside.” Coming over to the doorway of Caroline’s room, the two extended an arm to the trio. The girls entered first, and as Y/n followed behind Nat added, “Hi, you probably don’t remember us--.”

“Natasha! Jake!” Both were given a friendly kiss to the cheek, Y/n pleased to see them again after so many years. They looked at each other with a smirk when she entered the suite, “I knew I always liked her.”

Once inside Y/n threw her bag onto the armchair, “Spill it!” She pointed to her daughters sitting on the ottoman, beginning to pace in front of the couch. “Though I’m not sure which one of you told me your father knew I was arriving today, I can assure you that the man I just saw in the lobby had no clue his ex-wife would be in the same state—let alone the same hotel.”

The twins looked at each other, Lila frowning, “You saw dad?”

“Yes I did,” the woman signed, dropping onto the couch. “And gosh if I didn’t know any better he lost his spray tan because of how pale he went at the sight of me. Like I was Casper the not-so-friendly ghost.” Wincing, the author requested a cold compress for her head, Lila jumping up to get one for her. “I’ve wondered for so many years what it would be like to see your father again, but him wrapped around another woman’s arms while I stood there waving like an idiot was not what I had in mind.”

At that moment Ollie struts in with sunglasses on his face and shirt opened to reveal his chest, whistling before stopping short at the sight of his ashen best friend. “You look horrendous.”

“Thanks, Ollie,” she muttered sarcastically.”

“Why the lone face, babe?” He bids a glance to the couple entering the picture, mentally thinking how hot they looked together after Y/n introduces them all.

“I’m currently investigating why my daughters felt the need to leave out the fact their father had no idea I was coming today.”

“Oh,” his eyes went wide, slowly starting to back away along with Nat and Jake, both wearing the same expression as him. “Well in that case imma just head to the pool.”

“We’ll join you—that sounds like a great idea,” Nat says in a rush, the three turning to run but were stopped short by Y/n’s, “Hold on a second!” They slowly turn back around, biting their lips.

“Are you all keeping something from me?” Y/n looks between the three before her attention is directed to Lila’s soft voice.

“Mom, dad’s engaged…...” The news has Y/n slowly fall back to the couch, her shoulders dropping while her heart clenches. She doesn’t know why she’s so disappointed.

Actually she does know why. It’s the reason she can’t bring herself to love another person no matter how much she opens up to them.

“And she’s horrible, mom. The wicked witch of the west!”

“I met her before camp and she was so rude to me when he wasn’t paying attention,” Caroline voiced. “I thought he’d have ended things already but for some God awful reason he’s still with her.”

“We can’t let him go through with it, mom,” Lila adds with determination, “He’ll regret it for the rest of his life. And well…the only way he won’t is if he sees you again.”

Y/n can’t help but make a sound of disbelief. “Wait a moment,” she nervously laughs, sitting up straighter, “are you trying to set me up with your father?”

“Yes,” they echo together.

“That’s exactly what we’re doing,” Caroline says followed by Lila shouting, “You two are perfect for each other!”

“Girls—stop right there!” Y/n exclaims when the three adults try to sneak out. “Did you all know about this?”

“Whaaaaat?” Ollie scoffs, trying to play it off but Y/n knows him better than that. Jake and Nat were also denying it but the author’s knowing look made all three come clean.

“Okay I had some knowledge.”

“We sorta had an idea—call it a hunch.”

“It was just so sweet and sounded like a good idea—.”

Y/n falls backward onto the cushions with a dramatic sigh, “Lord have mercy.” She found herself in the hotel bar twenty minutes later with an ice water and some concoction she requested for her hangover. To her side she noticed a pretty blonde lady take a seat and order a gin martini. “Here’s to….” She inspected the drink with a frown before saluting the blonde, “here’s to you. Hopefully your life is not as complicated as mine.”

The lady gave a tight smile, “Thank you.”

God the drink smelled horrible, tasting exactly like something no one would drink unless it was the only source of hydration. Groaning, Y/n downed the contents in three gulps just wanting to get it over with, covering her mouth with a hand when it felt like it would come back up. “Excuse me,” she mumbled when an unpleasant sound escaped, resulting in the blonde giving a look of distaste. “I would not wish this upon my worst enemy.”

“Here’s you bill, Ms. L/n,” the bartender placed the receipt on the table for her signature.

“Thank you,” she quickly scribbled her name and passed it back along with a few bills for a tip, the blonde getting a good glance at it causing her eyes to go wide.

“You’re Y/n L/n?”

Taken aback, the author nodded shyly. “Yes.” She received a squeal from the woman.

“Oh my gosh! I was just reading your latest novel on the drive here!” She moved to the seat right next to Y/n. “And my agent told me about auditions coming up for the adaptation of your ‘Bridesmaids Chronicles’ series. Ah it’s fate!” Extending a hand, the blonde introduces herself, “I’m Marilyn Brooks.”

Over by the poolside Rooster approaches another woman resembling his ex-wife, muttering an apology when he sees it’s not her and bumps into almost every person he passes, “Sorry.”

“There you are, Bradley!” Marilyn’s father comes up to him while her mother takes his arm.

“Bradley, this resort is just beautiful. Don’t you think it’s perfect for the wedding?”

“I do,” he adjusts his collar, voice turning soft when his eyes cut across the pool to the woman descending the stairs. A smile appeared on his face, “Absolutely.”

It was her.

Anything Marilyn’s mother said went in one ear and out the other, the navy pilot excusing himself with an apology as he began to make his way around the pool. “Excuse me—sorry,” he dodged a man carrying towels before doing the same to another guest. “S-sorry,” his eyes stayed on Y/n, who was walking and taking in the scenery.

Not paying attention, Rooster stumbled over a cooler, which happened to be Jake’s. The two were seated on the beach chairs with Lila and Charlie, Ollie just off to the side looking flabbergasted as he took in his best friend’s ex. Nat looked at him in concern behind her sunglasses, “Bradshaw, you okay?”

“Yeah,” he turns to her briefly, causing him to collide with a pool boy,

“Sir!”

“Dad, watch out!” Lila’s shout had Y/n turn, gasping when she witnessed her ex-husband fall straight into the pool. Nat, Lila, and Ollie all gasped with her while Jake just took his phone out to video the whole thing. Y/n had to turn away when Rooster began swimming to the side she was on, ignoring all the looks he was receiving by his little spectacle.

The poor pilot was completely drenched head to toe. Y/n fidgeted as he approached, both smiling at each other nervously.

“Hey, Y/n/n.”

“Hello, Roo.”

Wiping at the water dripping from his eyebrow, Rooster moved closer causing a warm feeling to erupt in Y/n’s chest. Gosh he had changed—of course it had been 13 years, but Lord did he have to get even more attractive? And that damn mustache had her weak in the knees but thankfully she remained composed. “It’s good to see you.”

Getting straight to it, Bradley gave her a look once over, “It’s good to see you too….but is there something I’m missing here? You don’t seem too shocked to see me as I am to see you.” Squeezing the water from his shirt, “I mean it’s been thirteen years and—.”

“Dad,” a soft voice interrupts him, Rooster stunned when he sees who believes is Caroline standing beside Y/n. “I can explain why she’s here.”

“Caroline,” he says with caution, briefly glancing at the woman to see her reaction, “you know who this is?”

“I do.” She allows her natural accent to flow, “And actually, dad, I’m not Caroline….”

Coming on Y/n’s other side, Caroline grins at her father. “Hey, pops.”

The best word to describe Bradley’s face was astonishment and pure happiness. “Both of them?” He looks at the girl he came to the resort with, eyes shining a bit with the emotion filling him, “Lila?” Then he looks at her twin, “Caroline?”

“I’m not sure if it’s fate or you both just picked the most random summer camp to send your daughters too….but we met there and it wasn’t too hard to piece it together. You know besides looking identical there was the same birthday detail and the fact we were raised by one parent.”

“They switched places on us, Bradley,” Y/n put her arm around Caroline, beaming down at her.

Rooster looked at her stunned, but smiling nonetheless. “W-what? You mean I had Lila this whole time?”

“Well I wanted to know what you were like, and Caroline wanted to know mom—are you angry?”

He answered her with a big hug, “Oh darlin’ of course not,” he kissed the side of her head, not wanting to let her go. “I’m so happy—I can’t believe it’s you!” Pulling away he ran a hand over her cheek, in complete awe of her. “It’s been so long—you were so small the last time I saw you.”

“Well I’m all grown up now….and quite without a father,” she pulls away from him to stand next to Caroline.

“And I’m about to head into high school, where I’ll be one of the few to not relate to other girls arguing with their mother on the daily,” Y/n shakes her head with a chuckle at Caroline’s words.

“Care, you’ve been in New York this whole time?” At her nod he opens his arms, “C’mere kiddo.” After their hug Y/n politely requests a moment with Bradley, the teenagers giving sly looks as they walk away.

“No problem…take your time.”

The two take a seat on one of the beach chairs, Y/n asking for a first aid kit when she notices a cut to his forehead. As she tends to him, Rooster goes, “Jesus, both of them together? Wow, I can’t believe it—this is unreal,” he then raises a brow, “How long have you known?”

“Since yesterday morning,” she explained softly, gently wiping away the blood before dabbing it with rubbing alcohol. She apologizes when he winces. “My father figured it out the other night. Honestly I’m ashamed I didn’t suspect anything—I just thought Lila had come out of her shell after camp when she was thrilled to come to my meetings where there’d be new people. And before you ask, Caroline told me you knew I was coming. Obviously, we were both deceived.”

“Talk about karma,” Rooster chuckles, not shy of calling them out on what they did wrong. “We kinda deserve it.”

“I do,” she corrects with a tight smile. “It was my idea after all.”

“Yeah,” he leaned closer, connecting their eyes, “but I didn’t stop it from happening, Y/n/n.” Seeing her hand falter at the name, Rooster tilts his head, “What is it?”

“N-nothing,” she nervously laughs, turning away to grab a bandaid. “Uh—I-I haven’t heard that name in awhile.”

“Do you not like it anymore?”

“No, no! I do like it. My dad still calls me it from time to time,” she says, putting the bandaid on his forehead. “I guess it just feels different.”

“I get it,” he nods, offering a small smile. When she wasn’t looking he unconsciously let his eyes take her in for the first time. “You look good, Y/n/n.” That was a lie, she looked incredible. Like an actual angel before him with her white dress and soft curls.

Before she could respond Marilyn appeared, causing the two to jump back when they realized how close they were. Rooster went a little red while Y/n scratched the back of her neck.

“Finally there you are! I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” The blonde said in relief, smile dropping slightly when she sees her fiancé with the renowned author, “Oh good you two met. Brad, this is the author of the series I was telling you about—the one I’m auditioning for….umm am I missing something?”

Glancing between the two, Y/n felt her heart sink at the realization the lady she met in the bar was the same woman she saw Bradley with in the elevator. His fiancé….who was in for the shock of her life when it was revealed not only were they married, but his daughter was a twin.

“Hey, Mare, great to see you again. I’m the Caroline you met at the beginning of summer. This is my twin, Lila. I was pretending to be her while she was pretending to be me,” she points to her sister before extending a hand to Y/n, voice full of pride. “And this is our mother, Y/n L/n.”

Everyone should have expected disaster to happen at some point in the weekend. The ex-wife, who Bradley may have had feelings for still, and the fiancé—who was keeping a secret of her own.

One that the girls discovered when they snatched her phone.

That night after the stunning reunion, the girls schemed their way into recreating the night their parents met. With the help of Jake, Nat, and Ollie, the group got Sonic milkshakes, Route 44s, and some food for the pair who they ordered to follow them to where they parked Rooster’s Bronco overlooking the beach.

“Clever girls,” Y/n chuckled, popping a tater tot in her mouth. “You see what they’re doing, right?”

“I do,” he laughed with her, “not a bad job if I must say. Though, we’re missing all the discarded baseball gear and beer cans.”

For about an hour the two talked in between bites of food. When the topic of their breakup came up, both tried to hide their regret as to not let the other see how it still affected them.

“It was your hairdryer,” Bradley said when Y/n asked if she had hurt him when she threw the object at him, unsure of what it was since the moment was a blur to her now. “Clipped me in the arm.”

Y/n looked away in embarrassment, though she did remind him of why she threw it, which then had the pilot frown in shame.

“But look at you now. New York Times Bestselling author, just like you wanted. It’s amazing, Y/n. I’m really happy for you.”

“Thank you,” she gave a small smile. “It’s still surreal. And as much as I hate to admit it, it feels like it wouldn’t have happened had I stayed—even though I regret it.”

“You do?” he turned in his seat, tone unreadable though his eyes showed a different story. She didn’t look at him when she replied.

“I always had some regret. But because my dream came true I thought it was meant to happen. Leaving was the only way I could get it done. Then after discovering it was Caroline with me it all hit me full blast….I hurt her more than anything—and Lila. I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself. Now it feels like everything that happened after that day wasn’t worth it because I lost a piece of myself.” Y/n sighs, looking up at the stars, “I was just so angry with you and by what that officer said. It felt like no one believed in me and in turn why should I believe in myself. So I did the only thing I could think of….and I packed.”

Turning to face Rooster, a solemn gaze took over, “And you…didn’t come after me.”

Rooster didn’t know what to say other than, “I thought you didn’t want me too.” He was astonished by her confession, thinking how everything could’ve been different had he listened to his brain screaming at him.

“Oh well,” she sipped her drink, “It doesn’t matter now. The past is the past. Let’s just put on a happy face for the girls and I’ll be out of your hair again.”

The rest of the night Rooster couldn’t think straight. While Y/n made the arrangements for what they should do about the twins, he just nodded and agreed. All he could think about was how he let her go and regretted it everyday since. Even when they arrived back at the hotel to their separate rooms he went to bed with the image of Y/n as the last thing he saw before sleep overtook him.

Y/n was checking out of the hotel when Rooster approached the counter. “So I’ll book Caroline’s flights for December and April.”

“And I’ll do the same for Lila in the summer,” she nodded, placing her bill from the concierge in her bag. When the girls arrived moments later, both parents were speechless by their matching outfits. “Girls, what is this?”

“Well, mom, we sorta came to an agreement. And we don’t feel like parting ways just yet.”

“Excuse me?” Y/n tilted her head at the teen who spoke. She thought it was Lila, but then again the woman wasn’t sure. They were hiding their necklaces to not give away who was who. “Lila, we don’t have time for this. Our plane leaves in four hours and I have a meeting with my publishers tomorrow.”

“Cancel them,” the other told her, making Y/n’s mouth part while Rooster’s eyes went wide.

“Caroline.”

“Yes,” they both answered.

Now the adults were becoming frustrated. “Girls, this is not funny. You’re gonna make your mother miss her flight—now stop this charade and tell us who is who.”

“Mannnn that’s pretty sad, huh,” the twin on the left voiced, “Can’t even tell your own daughters apart.” She received stern looks from her parents.

Going up to them Rooster leans down, putting his hands on his hips as he tries to tell them apart. Pointing a finger at the twin on the right, he smirks, “this is Caroline. I know that smirk anywhere.”

“Are you sure, dad?” the other twin says, plastering an identical smug expression. “You wouldn’t want to send the wrong twin to New York now?”

“Here’s what we want,” the one directly in front of Rooster states, “We want to go to Penny’s end of summer bash at the Hard Deck tomorrow night—you know, the one that happens every year. We go as a family, and once we do then we will say who’s Lila and who’s Caroline.”

Both parents look at each other flabbergasted. Then Y/n threatens, “Or I take one of you with me back to New York, regardless of who you are and that’s the end of it. Sounds good?” Nothing came of it, however, when Y/n pouted as she sat in the passenger seat of the rental car Ollie was driving until they made it to San Diego. Phoning Yolanda, her meeting was rescheduled and her flight was booked for Monday morning. They got lodging at an airbnb and settled for the night with both girls staying with Y/n on the promise they will stay with Bradley after the party.

Marilyn was not happy with the news of them staying an extra day. Having to deal with one daughter was one thing, but both twins had her head spinning. There was already high tensions with the teenagers, now throwing the ex-wife into the mix made things difficult for Marilyn when she was battling for Bradley’s attention. Not to mention all of Rooster’s friends didn’t like her.

Nerves raked the author when they arrived at the Hard Deck. It was her first time at the establishment and the only people she knew coming in were Nat and Jake. Ollie tagged along thankfully but then he was distracted by the adorableness that was Lt. Robert Floyd. Both girls dragged Y/n to all of Rooster’s friends, introducing the author with pride that made her chest warm.

“Oh hey guys,” Caroline giggled when the squad’s eyes bulged out at the sight of the three. “It’s me Caroline—the actual Caroline. That over there,” she points to her twin wearing a similar outfit only it was a Rolling Stones t-shirt and not The Beatles, “is my twin Lila, who y’all have been hanging out with the last two weeks. And this is our mom, Y/n L/n. Can’t believe dad fumbled such a bag.”

“Caroline,” Y/n scolded with a shake of the head, smiling when each of the guys introduced themself. “It’s nice to meet you all, the girls have told me all about you.”

“Wish we could say the same, ma’am,” Fanboy laughs, “We only know you from when Rooster gets drunk off his ass. Loose lips you know.” Y/n felt flustered by the comment, realizing Rooster still thought of her even after everything that happened.

Penny treated the author with a warm welcome, as did Maverick who both were surprised to see each other. “Oh my gosh, you’re Pete! You guys…you two rekindled?”

“We did,” he blushes, “took some time but it worked out. I’ve heard all about you, Y/n,” he gives an awkward shake of the shoulders, “He…told me everything about a year ago when it was the girls’ birthday.”

Everything seemed to be going well until the twins overheard Marilyn speaking ill of their mother. “She’s being a snake and you know it, Bradley! Ever since she got here there’s been an ulterior motive—and I bet you those kids are in on it,” she pointed a finger with a hiss.

“You’re being ridiculous, Marilyn,” Rooster’s tone takes another edge. “She hasn’t even spoken to me the entire night except to greet us when we arrived.”

“She doesn’t have to talk! It’s all in the looks and smiles! She’s a fucking romance author—of course she knows what to do to get someone’s attention. That’s how sad and desperate she is.”

By now Caroline had enough, bringing everyone’s attention to the scene when she yells, “You don’t know what you’re talking about!” In her peripheral vision she sees Y/n, Nat, and Penny stand from their seats, moving closer to where they were.

Rooster gives a warning look, “honey, this doesn’t concern you.”

“The hell it does!” She ignores his disapproving eyes. “How dare she talk about mom like that?! You’re gonna let her speak about her that way—about the woman who gave birth to us?”

Lila steps up, glaring at the blonde, “Instead of worrying about mom, she should be worrying about who’s blowing up her phone wanting to know when to meet at the motel tonight.” They watch as all the color drains from Marilyn’s face. Rooster turns to his fiancé, confused and demanding an answer.

“What is she talking about?”

“I-I—she’s. Bradley, there’s nothing—.”

Caroline cuts her off, “Who’s Colonel Mustard?” Again Marilyn goes pale, though there’s anger in her eyes. “What a code name, Mare. I guess I better refer to his actual name, you know. Does the name Admiral Patrick Cross ring a bell?” She mocks, “oh yeah, he’s dad’s married boss at Top Gun and she’s been sending naked pictures to him all weekend.”

Gasps sounded all around, Ollie, Nat and Penny slapping a hand to their mouth where the squad and Mav all went, “oh shit!” Y/n looked at her daughters stunned before glancing at Bradley to see his reaction. The man was in disbelief, staring at Marilyn with unreadable eyes.

The blonde saw red. “You little bitch!” Before she could stop herself her hand came up and slapped the teen across the face, leaving a nice print in its wake along with a scratch from when her fake nail dragged against the skin.

Now Y/n saw red. Literally Kill Bill alarms blaring.

Marilyn screamed when her jaw snapped to the side full force from the impact of Y/n’s fist. The author had pulled her by the hair to turn her around, nearly ripping out her extensions. Blood coated Marilyn’s mouth, and a tooth even fell out by how hard Y/n had punched her. Before another blow could be landed the woman was pulled back, fighting against the hold from Ollie and Nat, “Touch my daughter again and see what fucking happens bitch—I’ll cut your fucking eye out!” While she was being dragged to the back patio to prevent from committing a crime, Marilyn ran out the front door with Rooster chasing after her.

Tears in their eyes the twins raced to their mom. When they got outside they saw her shaking the first that was no doubt throbbing. Ollie was trying to talk her down, all while complimenting how badass she was. “Oh honey,” she saw Caroline, moving to hold her. Telling Penny to bring out two ice packs, the woman brushed her uninjured hand against the teen’s cheek. It flared her anger more, wishing she could go beat the shit out of that cunt. “My sweet girl, are you okay?

“I’m fine, mom,” Caroline whimpered, sniffing when Y/n wiped the tear that fell. Her face stung and there would likely be a mark but she didn’t care. All she could feel was warmth and happiness by how her mom stood up for her. Looking at her first, the teen frowned at the discoloration. “Are you okay?”

Penny came out with the ice packs, handing one to Y/n and Caroline. “I’m fine—at least right now because my adrenaline is pumping. Give me a few more minutes and I could be in debilitating pain but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.” Glancing over the deck, Y/n’s face fell slightly. “Where’s your father?”

“He went after the witch,” Lila said with distaste. Caroline mirrored her expression, both twins disappointed with Rooster. The reaction had Y/n take a deep breath, controlling the anger rising which nearly snapped when the man slid open the doors of the patio and walked toward them.

“Not now, Bradley.”

“Y/n, listen to me—.”

“You went after her, dad,” Caroline sniffed, glaring up at him. “What the hell?”

“Not in the way you think, honey,” he leaned down to cup her face, careful of the mark. It was taking everything in him to remain composed. Just moments before when he was ending things with his now ex-fiancé, Rooster had to remember she was a woman and not to lose it even though she had just laid her hands on his daughter. Had she been a man….well there would be an ambulance called. “I only went after her to tell her to get her crap out of the house and expect charges for assault to be on her doorstep.”

Now that had them speechless. “Really?”

“Yeah, kiddo. And I’m so sorry,” he kissed her forehead, moving to hug her and opening his arm for Lila to join. “Thank you both for what you did. I owe you two for saving me.” He feels them laugh against his chest, the pilot lifting his gaze to settle on Y/n. She has a smile on her face, blushing when they look eyes. At her wince he notices her hand was now black and blue. “You should get that looked at.”

“Oh It’s fine—,” she tried to deflect but he wouldn’t have it.

“That looks broken, Y/n,” he gently moves the girls to the side so he can inspect it. The woman makes a pained sound when his fingers try to turn it. “Yeah, we’re going to urgent care right now.”

“Bradley—.”

“No excuses. Girls, let’s go.” He almost wanted to laugh at the pout on Y/n’s face, hauling her to the Bronco before speeding off to the nearest urgent care. The entire way she tried saying she was fine, but the pained expression every time she moved her hand in the slightest gave away that she was in fact not fine. The girls couldn't help but giggle at the way the adults were bickering. Like they were still married.

With a diagnosed fracture and cast on her wrist, Y/n felt butterflies in her stomach when they returned to the beach house for the girls to get their things. They would spend the final night at Rooster’s before Y/n and Ollie would pick Lila up in the morning in time for their flight. While the girls were upstairs, Y/n and Bradley sat on the deck, neither not knowing what to say.

“What time do you take off?”

“A quarter till nine,” she replied, keeping her eyes on the waves in front of her. She felt him come to her side, so close she smelled his cologne that if she closed her eyes, it would put her back in 2006. “It’s a straight shot thankfully—no layovers.”

“That’s good,” he muttered, head spinning with a million things he wanted to say but couldn’t form the words. Part of him just wanted to confess he still loved her. That he never stopped. That they should try to kick things back off. But then he thought about how their lives went. Here he was a Top Gun instructor in San Diego, and she was a bestselling author in New York.

Rooster thought of her stories. He read every single one on the market the day they dropped, feeling the heartbreak in him every time he flipped through the pages of her second novel that he knew was loosely based on their story. He remembered crying at the end when he finished it the first time. It was the only one without a happy ending.

All the books were hidden in his closet, but at least once a year Rooster would pick up one and read the beautiful words Y/n wrote. He was so proud of her, but didn’t know how to say it.

“Roo—.”

“Y/n/n—.” Both chuckled nervously when they tried speaking at the same time.

“You go,” she insisted. Wiping a sweating hand on his pants, Rooster took a deep breath.

“I’m sorry,” he exhaled. “For what I said to you that night. And for not standing up for you like I should have,” his face was full of regret. “I was more worried about my job than you—a-and it was wrong of me to do so. I made you feel like your talent wasn’t worthy, that you’d never make it as an author and I’m so fucking sorry for saying that. You are an amazing writer and you deserve everything that has come from it. Your books are incredible, Y/n. Every one of them.”

Y/n feels her throat tighten, voice going small, “Y-you—you’ve read them?”

“Every single one,” he confesses, making her whimper slightly by the emotion erupting in her chest. “On their release day. And I read them in one sitting.”

Y/n’s heart was soaring. Never did she think he’d read her books, let alone buy them the day they came out. His confession was making it harder for her to let him go again. “Roo…” she whispers, eyes glistening as he moves closer to her.

They stared at each other for a moment. No words came out but in their looks was everything they needed to know. The love they thought had left years ago resurfaced in just a few days.

Right as it looked like Rooster was about to lean down, the sound of a car filled their ears, causing Y/n to drop her head. “That would be Ollie.” Rooster nods, disappointment filling him as he slowly backs away to enter the house, but not before giving her one last look to see her wiping her eyes. Y/n gives the twins a kiss on the head before waving goodbye when they leave. Now that he was home, Ollie wanted to know everything he missed—jaw dropping when Y/n admitted they nearly kissed.

“Why didn’t you!?’

“Because, Ollie!” She says dramatically, “four hours ago the man was engaged and may I remind you, we’ve been broken up for over a decade. Why the hell would I let him kiss me when there is no chance something would come out of it.”

“You don’t know that, Y/n,” Ollie comes around the kitchen island, wine glass in hand. “Look, you may not have seen it but my eyes know what I saw this whole weekend. And it was a man who wants to sweep you off your feet and take you to the nearest chapel.”

“Ollie—.”

“Did you not see his reaction when you clocked that bitch? My God it looked like he was about to pop a semi.” Y/n put her free hand to her face, trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. The whole moment at the bar was a blur to her from the moment she saw that wrench put her hand on Caroline. It was all a haze until she was outside dealing with a throbbing hand. Barely did Y/n look at Rooster, she was focused on her daughter.

“Noooo, I did not see his reaction, Ollie. I was too busy dealing with the fact I was about to commit bloody murder.”

“Well I can assure, babe, that your sexy pilot of an ex was wanting to throw you over his shoulder and take you to bed. After of course making sure sweet Caroline was okay.” Setting down his wine glass, he gives her a stern look, “Tell me the truth, do you still love him?”

“It’s complicated—.”

“It’s a yes or no, Y/n.”

“What exactly do you want me to say,” she threw her hand out, “that yes I’m still hopelessly hung over him and wish I could go back and time to stop myself from leaving? That seeing him this weekend made me feel like a twenty-two year old girl again? That I have envisioned everyday since Caroline told me about the switch, that maybe we could pick things off where we left?” They were all rhetoric questions, Ollie allowing her to rant as tears threatened her eyes. “Of course I do—to all of the above. But this isn't one of my books, Ollie, this is real life—a-and his life is here while mine is in New York. I don’t want to leave that and how should I expect him to leave all of what he has built here for me?” Sniffing, Y/n looks away with a hand to her chin, whispering, “It’s why I left in the first place.”

The rest of the night the two packed the rental car so it was ready for the morning and watched cheesy rom-coms since neither could really sleep. They got maybe four hours on the couch, but soon their alarm woke them up to start the day. Y/n called Lila to make sure she was awake and ready before showering herself, putting on a simple outfit for the flight.

It was a heartfelt goodbye when they arrived at Roosters home. Caroline held onto Y/n for almost five minutes, the woman promising to call her everyday so she could hear how the teens' day. They spoke of excitement for the holidays with Y/n promising to take her and Lila skating around the big tree and to celebrate New Year’s in Time Square. Not too far from them Lila was held by Rooster, the teen lightly crying when they pulled away.

“I’ll see you soon, okay?” He tells her, brushing a thumb over her cheek. “Maybe sooner than you think, Lila darlin’.” She doesn’t think much of the comment, only nodding up at him before embracing Caroline when approaches. Together the girls walk to the car with the adults watching as Ollie gives a hug to Caroline.

“You take care of yourself, Y/n/n,” Rooster places a hand on her shoulder, “and hope you two have a safe flight.”

“Thank you,” she tells him, offering a tight smile. “And I will.” He surprises the author when his lips gently press against her forehead, squeezing her hand after it had fallen from her shoulder to hold it. They share one last look, Y/n nodding to him before walking up to the car. She and Caroline share one more embrace, Y/n kissing the teen’s head with Caroline shutting the door of the car behind her. Waving through the window, Y/n blows her a kiss as Ollie presses on the gas. Soon Rooster and Caroline grow smaller in the rear view mirror, the distance growing by the second until finally they disappear when they turn the corner onto the freeway.

On the plane Lila barely talks. She’s either nose deep in the book she bought at one of the airport shops, headphones in, or looking out the window with absolute silence. Y/n tries to have a conversation, but eventually gives up knowing her daughter needed some time. The only response she received when assuring Lila the holidays were around the corner was a sad nod. Within hours the sunny skies of California turn into gloomy clouds of New York. Rainfall greeted them as they stepped out of the airport, finding their Uber quickly to beat the afternoon rush. It took maybe an hour for them to get home from JFK, Y/n frowning when she saw Lila wipe a tear away.

Ollie was dropped off at his home first, waving to them with the promise of seeing them later for dinner. Dropping their stuff in the foyer, they call out to Y/n’s parents. “Mom? Dad?” “Gran? Grandpa?”

“I’ll check the study,” Y/n moves to the room her dad spent most of his day in. A smile appeared when she entered to see the morning’s newspaper in his hands.

Or so she thought was her dad’s hands.

Leaning against the door, Y/n spoke with a soft voice, “Hey, stranger, we’re back?”

The paper dropped to the desk, revealing a beaming Caroline in a flight suit sitting in the chair. Y/n’s jaw dropped, hand going to her chest. Caroline gave a cheeky look, “Hey, mom, did you know an F-18 can get you here in a quarter of the time compared to a commercial jet?”

All she could do was nod back slowly, feeling her heart pound against her chest. “Y-yes, I-I’ve heard. What—.” Upon her gasp when she saw Caroline, Lila raced into the study, matching the expression of her mother.

“Care! What are you doing here?”

The twin rose from the chair, “Hope you don’t mind us crashing in. But, it took us less than a minute after you guys left for us to realize we didn’t want to lose you both again.”

Y/n almost stumbled as she took a step into the study, “W-we?”

Caroline’s gaze drifted to the other entrance of the room, where Rooster appeared in his own flight suit, eyes locked on Y/n, “We.” He heard her make a sound, the hand on her chest going to her mouth. “My biggest regret was letting you walk away that day, Y/n. I’m not gonna make that mistake again. And I promise to never make you feel like you aren’t worthy of something—because you are worthy of everything you set your mind to. And I’m gonna make sure you know that everyday.”

Y/n started to feel the emotion bile in her throat, shaking her head slightly to stay strong. “A-and I suppose you just expect me to fall into your arms like I did all those years ago,” she saw a smile form on the corner of his lips, the man slowly moving closer to her with a knowing look. “And cry hysterically saying we can figure this whole thing out and have a long-distance relationship with our girls being raised here and there,” he continues to move closer, making Y/n’s heart pump faster. “—and we just pick up where we left off…with the promise of growing old together and…”

By now Rooster was directly in front of her, gaze full of love and adoration. She forgot what she was about to say, getting lost in his eyes, “oh come on, Roo. Is this supposed to be a happily ever after?”

“Yes,” he cupped her face in his hands, thumbs caressing her cheeks that were warm and damp. “To all of it, Y/n/n. You write happily ever afters for a living, now it’s time for you to have your own.” He smirks adding, “Except you don’t have to cry hysterically, baby.”

That nickname combined with the offer had the tears rolling down her cheeks, Y/n nodding weakly against his palms, “Oh yes I do.” The last word was met with his mouth pressed against hers, fireworks erupting all over her body. Letting her eyes flutter shut, Y/n’s hands moved to the back of his neck to deepen the kiss, feeling Rooster smile causing her to do the same.

Behind them their daughters were holding back their squeals, Lila falling dramatically onto the sofa while Caroline leaned against the bookshelf, “I can’t believe we actually did it!” They eventually moved out of the study to allow the pair some privacy, all the while they never broke the kiss until needing air but kept their mouths close.

“Wait a moment,” she ran her hands along his flight suit, “Did you steal an F-18 so you could get here before me to come confess your love—and had our daughter in the backseat?”

He gives a shrug, grinning wide, “Maybe.”

“Isn’t that illegal?” She looks at him like he grew two heads. “And how does Caroline—.”

“Well actually Mav helped me out,” his arms went around her waist, pulling her against him. “We got special permission—so don’t worry I won’t be arrested anytime soon. As for Care, Fanboy and Bob have been teaching her a thing or two about being a backseater. I think she’s getting the hang of it.”

“Oh my lord,” Y/n closes her eyes before laughing at the whole situation. Rooster laughs with her, nuzzling his head into her neck. “You are an impossible man, Bradley Bradshaw.”

“Only for you, Y/n L/n.

Six months later……

Y/n wiped the sweat from her forehead, pressing the enter button with a huff of victory. The glasses were removed from her face, leaning against the back of her chair to give her body the much needed stretch. When her arms extended out to relax the tense muscle, the diamond ring on her finger sparkled against the light. The sight made her smile, eyes going back to the words on the screen.

A knock on the door sounded seconds later, “Come in.” Gently opening, Rooster appeared with a mug of steaming coffee, his own wedding band reflecting as he shut the door. “Hey you.”

“Hey yourself,” he winks, coming to put the mug on her coaster before leaning down to kiss her lips. “Lila called, the two are staying after school for a club meeting.” Y/n thanks him for the coffee, nodding at his words with a knowing look.

“I take it pizza is the move then tonight?”

Rooster chuckles, “Unless you want me to whip up some pasta, but I gotta warn you it’s not gonna be anywhere near what you get in town. Although not to toot my own horn, my spaghetti is pretty damn good. At least that’s what Caroline tells me.”

“Oh goodness, well I can eat anything at this point,” she sighs dramatically, “Or maybe we can tell them to meet us at Milo’s. I think a celebration is in order.” Rooster tilts his head confused, but then smiles at the word doc on the screen.

“You finished?”

“Yes,” she beams. “Well I finished the draft. I plan to edit it myself first before sending it off….but it’s done.”

“That’s amazing, baby,” he kisses her cheek, gesturing for her to get up so he could sit and have her in his lap. “I’m so proud of you. You got that done in a record time. Didn’t you just start that—not even a month ago?” Y/n nods shyly.

“I had a lot of inspiration. The words just flew out honestly—Yolanda is gonna have a field day.”

Rooster gets a glimpse of the last paragraph causing a smile to appear on his lips. Respecting her writer's privacy he didn’t ask much about the novel when she started writing it, only when she discussed it on her own terms. He could see the excitement in her eyes, warmth in his veins by how happy she was and couldn’t wait to read it when she finished. “May I ask what inspired this book, Y/n/n? Although, I do have a funny feeling.” Y/n didn’t have to answer, her bashful smile was enough to tell him everything. “Have you thought of a title yet?”

Glancing to her screen, Y/n read over the final paragraph stopping at the words in bold THE END. Her readers were gonna freak out when it would be announced she’s coming out with a sequel to her second released book, the one responsible for her receiving fan mail with them begging for her to continue the story. To give the characters their happy ending.

She just needed her happy ending first.

The story was being written in real time.

“I was bouncing between a couple, but I think I have it,” she faces her husband, grinning as the name slips off her tongue. It was what Lila and Caroline had coined when Y/n came to them about the book.

“I think I’m gonna call it….The Parent Trap.”

……………….

TGM Tag List: @avaleineandafryingpan, @caitsymichelle13, @poppyalice2001, @cutelittlepotatofry, @luckyladycreator2, @americaarse, @elenavampire21, @back-tooo-black

[bigshymen]

SAM SULEK X FEM READER WHO DOES PILATES

summary : sam, your boyfriend, is always out filming workout videos for his viewers and you begin to miss him. naturally, you drag him to a pilates class with you.

fit reader , oneshot , established relationship , suggestive topics , no smut

As a bodybuilding influencer, your boyfriend, Sam, was on top of it and as a result always going to events and busy filming things from his meals to his car rides and of course, getting his pump on at the gym. And as much as you’d like to get on top of him, that doesn’t last very long. While you’re proud of his success, you missed your oversized-care bear dearly.

This gave you the idea to surprise him by dragging him to a pilates class - something you’d been doing for years that you knew he’d never tried. It didn’t bother you that he had no interest in it, but what did was his underestimation of pilates. That was going to change today.

“Hurry up Sam! Don’t make us late.” You whinned, practically hauling him out the door as he grumbled unenthusiastically about not wanting to pay more for essentially “bending and stretching.”

The sight of someone as tiny as you pulling a giant like him inside the studio, and succeeding, was a comical display for the women already present in class, earning a few whispers. His massive frame towered over the pilates enthusiasts who were petite in comparison.

Sam reluctantly followed you hand-in-hand and as you two settled onto your respective mats, you couldn’t help but giggle at the sight of him slightly looking out of place admist the sea of colorful Alo bottoms and tank tops.

“Good evening everyone!” The instructor chirped before introducing herself to any newcomers as Alexis. She began to lead the class through a series of movements, explaining each one with precision in a soothing voice. You glanced over at Sam, who was already struggling to keep up with the intricate poses.

Despite his strength and overwhelming size, the graceful movements of pilates proved to be quite challenging for him. You tried to stifle your laughter as he wobbled during the balance exercises and grunted loudly through the core strengthening sequences, earning side looks from the women on neighboring mats.

But Sam was determined to prove you wrong, pushing himself to keep pace with the rest of the class. Sweat dripped down his brow as he tried to retain focus on Alexis’s instructions, his muscles trembling with exertion.

As the class progressed you couldn’t help but feel pride watching Sam be bested. He may have been a powerhouse in the gym, but pilates was a whole different ballgame - one that required flexibility and control rather than sheer brute strength.

Though you had to admit, you enjoyed seeing him like this a lot more then you probably should. Sam in motion is… distracting. You stopped pretending to pose and your eyes linger to his curly locks, wet with sweat and cradling his pink face. It’s a rare occurrence when you see his hair without the cap obscuring it. Simplified, his face can best be described as masculine. But not the overbearing hypermasculinity bodybuilders often seem to have.

Sam’s profile is delightfully male. Despite his skin being almost completely littered with acne scars and wearing a seemingly permanent flushed-color, there’s no denying he’s handsome, facial wise. The shorts he wore were always obscenely short and suddenly you’re hyper aware of the ladies around the two of you. You hoped they weren’t having any ideas, unless they fancied one inchers.

After what seemed like eternity of stretching and contorting, at least for Sam, the class came to a close. He flopped onto his mat with a dramatic sigh, the sound startling you and a few of the women but he seemed too tired to be embarrassed.

“That was tough,” He finally admitted after he gave up on sitting upright, panting deeply as his muscles throughly protest. The sheepish grin spreading across his face betrayed his body language.

You felt a smile forming on your own lips. Leaning over to give him a kiss on his scarlet cheek, you linger for a moment. It’s accompanied with a gentle pat against his solid chest. “You did great, hun. I’m happy you joined me.”

One of the young women peering discreetly from the left side of the room cringed.

[ijustliketoreadstuff]

Gabriel does not like whats changing

The more we kept getting references to feathers and rings being close to Adrien and those in his family, who knew of the peacock miraculous, the more it became obvious that he was a sentimonster brought to life with the help of the peacock miraculous.

(Moments from "Miraculer" and "Gorizilla" subtly showing two rings and feathers being constantly close to the Agreste family and Nathalie)

And per the power of the peacock miraculous, Adrien's amok was attached to something, specifically two rings, the very ones his parents wore, a terrifying thing to learn because it meant that anyone who was in possession of Gabriel and Emelie's rings, could gain full control of Adrien and make him say and do whatever it is they wanted, which is what Gabriel has been doing a lot, each time worse than the last as he becomes more and more willing to ruin the happiness his son has built on his own.

(In "Adoration, Gabriel attempted to stop a moment that would've solidified Adrien and Marinette's relationship even further, by using one of the rings in his possession to take control of Adrien and stop him from kissing Marinette, forcing him to tell Marinette to leave. )

We don't know for how long Gabriel has been controlling Adrien throughout his life, but it doesn't seem like it was always this way, at least not when Adrien upheld his title as the "perfect son" to the Agreste family, but when he did, he would almost always start his command with the same words, "Adrien, I am your father...". Gabriel had his little moments in the past where he showed just how much he cherished his son, how worried he was over Adrien's safety if he was ever too close to danger, but the longer he let his obsession over defeating the heroes consume him, the more he lost sight of his moral boundaries, seeing no wrong in controlling Adrien through the ring during times he believed Adrien was showing defiance or was just plain not being the seemingly perfect well mannered son who took his parents word. 

("Megaleech" was one of many times when Gabriel had been shown clearly reaching for his ring to take control of Adrien. )

(In "Protection," Gabriel aimed to end the relationship between Marinette and Adrien, at first by trying to convince Adrien he shouldn't settle for dating Marinette, believing his own son deserved to be with someone who was considered to be as perfect as he was, like Kagami. When Adrien rejected Gabriel's advice to break up with Marinette, Gabriel used the ring to command Adrien to stop seeing Marinette, an order that was later removed, thanks to Nathalie, who was in possession of Emelie's ring.)

Unlike in previous seasons, Gabriel is shown to be more willing to use his ring to take control of Adrien during the most important moments of his life, because unlike before, too many things were changing.

Gabriel has always had this picture perfect image in his mind over what his family will be like once Emelie was brought back, and it for one would be exactly as he remembered and expected it to be. But now, everything Gabriel was hoping for his family and their future, is all gradually crashing down, and while he for one wants to believe it is the fault of Ladybug for preventing him from obtaining the miraculous that will restore his family, he also wants to believe it is the "bad influence" of Marinette, and others whom he views as imperfect, that's corrupting Adrien and ruining the perfect future that was made for him, but its not. Things are changing, because the people who are the closest to him are changing. Adrien is changing.

The fact of the matter is, the Agreste family could never go back to the way Gabriel remembered. Emelie had been gone for more than a year now, and while he still clings to the past, Adrien has tried the best he can to move on with his life, by learning to live it.

Adrien has made efforts to learn to live his life by gaining new experiences, meeting new people, building new friendships, forming his own independence by developing his own views and opinions, and has made his share of mistakes while simultaneously learning from them.

Adrien will always keep his mother's memory in his heart just like Gabriel said he should back in "Felix", but now that Gabriel is watching Adrien step farther and farther away from the son he remembers spent his days in the mansion, close to him and Emelie, it upsets him.

Gabriel has said before in "Passion" that everything he is doing is for Adrien's happiness, but his idea of what Adrien's happiness should be, does not align with what is making Adrien happy now. Adrien was most certainly not meant to find happiness without his mother in his life, he wasn't supposed to question his fathers judgment over what was truly right and wrong, and he was definitely not meant to find true love in a baker girl like Marinette. Gabriel has talked to Adrien about everything in his life that is falling a stray from the path that he believed was best for him, or rather, set for him, but for the majority of those times, Adrien chose to politely disagree with his father and stood up for what he wanted in life.

Adrien didn't want to start a relationship with Kagami again out of his fathers insistence, because they both realized on their own that they were not meant to be. Adrien didn't want to cast Marinette aside because having her in his life gave him that sense of love and happiness he never thought he could have. Marinette wasn't Gabriel's idea of perfect, but Adrien knew she was perfect for him. Gabriel and Adrien's relationship has always been a distant one, and although it was obvious to everyone else that their relationship was strained, Gabriel remained blind to the unhappiness Adrien was constantly facing over his lack of understanding and attention.

In season 5, after Gabriel realized he was dying from the power of Cat Noir's cataclysm, for a few brief moments, he became the understanding father Adrien always hoped for, and even though he never intended it, it was his willingness to allow Adrien the freedom to experience time away from the mansion, with friends, that gave him the chance to properly spend time with Marinette and start a relationship with her.

Gabriel had an agreement with Tomoe to wed Adrien to Kagami, and he made a promise to Emelie that he would bring her back and restore their family, restore their happiness, but that can’t happen if Adrien is making decisions that go against it all. Rather than accept that his son was living his own life, away from the one he wants to think is best for Adrien, he instead found it easier to use the ring that Adrien was bound to, and order him to do as his father told him.

Gabriel has had the advantage of taking control of Adrien at any given point in time, but the one time Gabriel realized he couldn't, was back in "Risk," when Felix took Adrien's place without him knowing. Felix, disguised as Adrien, talked back for Adrien about not wanting to go on the modeling trip, a trip that would last months. Gabriel had angrily disapproved of Adrien's(Felix) defiance and did not hesitate to reach for the ring that would allow him to put a stop to it, but for the first time in likely his entire life, Gabriel had to face Adrien without that sense of control over him conveniently within reach, and it must have been terrifying, because what he saw in Adrien's(Felix) eyes, was something he never thought he would have to actually experience facing alone, but is now forced to face regardless of possessing a means to control him, and that something, was Adrien's free will.

[lil-whitney]

Hello. If Request are open, could you write about Owen Knight x black Reader, I have severe emotional dryness, please. 🐌

𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗬 - 𝖡𝗅𝗈𝗇𝖽𝖾 𝖬𝖺𝗇 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖺 𝖻𝗅𝗈𝗇𝖽𝖾 𝗆𝗈𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍

𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚(𝗦) - 𝖮𝗈𝖼!𝖮𝗐𝖾𝗇, 𝖡𝗅𝖺𝖼𝗄!𝖿𝖾𝗆!𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋, 𝖲𝗅𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍𝖸𝖺𝗇!𝖮𝗐𝖾𝗇, 𝖫𝗈𝗍𝗌 𝗈𝖿 𝖡𝖺𝖽 𝗀𝗋𝖺𝗆𝗆𝖺𝗋 & 𝖬𝗂𝗌𝗌𝗉𝖾𝗅𝗅𝗂𝗇𝗀

𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗦 - 𝖲𝗈𝗋𝗋𝗒, 𝖲𝗈𝗋𝗋𝗒 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗍𝖺𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖿𝗈𝗋𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗋𝖾𝗊𝗎𝖾𝗌𝗍. 𝖶𝗈𝗋𝗄 𝗁𝖺𝗌 𝖻𝖾𝖾𝗇 𝗄𝖾𝖾𝗉𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗆𝖾 𝖻𝗎𝗌𝗒, 𝖨 𝗍𝗁𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁𝗍 𝗂 𝗁𝖺𝖽 𝗍𝗂𝗆𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗋𝖾𝗊𝗎𝖾𝗌𝗍𝗌 :((

He could feel the warmth of the sun peeking through his curtain, the light shining on his uncovered side of his face. The sound of the busy city overcoming the silence of his room. He debated whether he wanted to get out of bed or stay and continue to bask in the warm moment with his girlfrie—

Wait a minute.

He tried putting his arm around your figure but he was met with nothing to grasp on. His hand patting around the other side of the bed in hopes to find his pretty girl. Though nothing came in contact with his arm, making the blonde finally open his eyes. The sight of no girlfriend made him look around the room.

“Babe?”

He called out, though his only response was a honk from one of the random cars outside his home. The funny timing made Owen tilt his head. What time did you wake up? He glanced back at where his clock stood, the bold numbers of 11:02 was shown to him. Did you go somewhere? Owen had to really think about that. Yesterday you said you had nothing on your schedule, maybe last minute emergency? But you would’ve texted him and by how his phone screen looks. You didn’t send any messages.

Now the blonde slowly started to panic, Did those annoying hummingbirds come get you? Or maybe Shelly decided to come get you for one of her random shopping trips.

Owen let out a gasp, what if you finally got tired of him??? It would have been a perfect moment to sneak away while he was in dreamland. You probably took your bike and made a dash to your house—

‘Creaaak’

The sound of his door opening snap the blonde out of his ridiculous overwhelming thoughts. His panicked heart calming down when he saw you tiptoeing back inside the room. Quietly shutting the door and finally turning around. Only to jump in fright by Owen hawk eyes staring into your soul from his side of the bed.

“You’re awake!”

You surprised expression turned into a bright smile that almost sent Owen into a cardiac arrest. Though he could worry about that later, first he needed to know where you sneaked off too.

“Where did you go?”

He already started questioning you as if he was some housewife who caught her husband coming home at 4 in the morning, unfortunately for him. You were ready for his questions, even the stupid ones.

“Went to get water.”

“What time?”

“10:50.”

“Why didn’t you wake me up?”

“Because I was gonna come back and cuddle you.”

“ what if I wanted water too?”

“Already got you a cup.”

You presented him a cup of water in your hands, a smug smile forming on your face by his annoyed expression. He usually had the upper hand but you weren’t gonna let him win today.

“Can I come back to bed now, officer?”

You teased, Loving how his pouty face kept getting more pouty. Without any words, Owen open the blanket for you to come crawl in. An invite that made you smile, without any hesitation you put the cup down on the stand and jumped into Owen’s arms. Letting out soft giggles when he wrapped his arms around you and snuggled his face into your shoulder. The warmth his body emitted felt heavenly against your freezing skin. You couldn’t help but cuddle even more closer to him, Wanting more of his warmth against you. Of course he noticed you getting closer and had to say something.

“Gosh, you’re so obsessed with me.”

A scoff left your mouth at his bold words but you continue snuggling the annoying blonde.

“Super obsessed…”

Owen heard you mutter, a small smile forming on his lips. You always had a way with words that made him feel like butterflies were inside his chest. Especially when it was just you and him together like this. You — all relaxed and comfortable in his arms with no worry of school and work to occupy your mind while he basked in your attention and love with no Shelly or anyone else to interfere. Just the two of you in each other’s arms while shut away from the noisy world. Owen couldn’t ask for anything better than this.

[tonberry-yoda]

HI HELLO I WANNA MAKE A REQUEST!

i’m not dead (for the most part) and i still wanna support my mutualste despite not being active anymore so without further ado…you don’t think you could supply me with la squadra headcanons could you? preferably formi, mel and ris x a cat lover s/o? you choose one if you wanna, but i appreciate you taking the time to read this request! tysmmm💕💕 (i will totally be returning to ask you for final fantasy hcs but for right now take this! also don’t feel pressured to do it either i love your writing so much ksksjsksk)

Formaggio, Melone, and Risotto with an s/o who loves cats!

notes - HELLO MY DEAR! I am more than happy to do a request for you!!! I'm really glad that you're still here to support it means the world! You are so kind <3333 Like omg this request had me smiling so hard because you are just so nice like AHHHHH <33333 But fr tho I am super happy to do this for such a kind person! Thanks for taking the time to send me a request! I hope you have an amazing day/night and stay super hydrated!

Formaggio

he's a cuddly guy deep down and we all know it

I think he would love that you love cats

but if it get out of control, he will straight up tell you LMFAOOOO

honestly, whenever he goes to your place, your cats give him an excuse to rest lol

they are very cuddly with him and he loves it

like he loves cuddles and having a cat with all that makes him so so happy <3

LIKE OMFG IF THE TWO OF YOU ARE CUDDLING AND A KITTY JUST SQUEEZES RIGHT IN WOULD BE SO CUTE AHHHHH

Melone

he loves cats

they are his chaos creatures

but he will definitely complain if you are giving a cat more attention than him

it pisses him off LMFAOOOOOO

but other than that, he loves cats

and loves that you love cats

he'll spoil your cat lol

expect a lot of trips to the petstore and stuff to get your cat silly things

Risotto

he is a huge cat lover

LIKE HUGE ON CATS

he loves them so much omg

like would do anything for a little kitty

so much so that he will steal your cats from you and give your cats more attention than he gives you

he loves cuddling you and your cats as well

his favorite thing to do I think is brush your cats

like makin them all pretty and stuff

he really makes sure that you're feeding them well too

he loves cats just as much as you <33333

~~~~~

jjba masterlist (2) (3) | pinned post

2023 @tonberry-yoda – do not repost or claim ANY of my work as your own! likes, reblogs, and comments are not only welcome, but appreciated <3

taglist: @kawaistrawberry21

~~~~~

[wolfies-toys]

i thinkyour blog has inspired me to make a blog formy own plushies , ive thought abt sharing mine and their histories and names and stuff but didnt think itd be interesting, but i love your blog and think its a really fun thing !!!!!!!!

That's really lovely to hear! I was very inspired by @thylacines-toybox to make this blog originally! So it's lovely to know that you've also been inspired to make a blog for your own toy collection! It's brought me a lot of joy sharing things here i hope it does the same for you too!

[disco-elysium-via-polls]

🎵 Whirling-in-Rags, 8PM

4. "I fucking rocked that shit."

GARTE, THE CAFETERIA MANAGER - "It was all right." He doesn't sound like he thinks you *rocked* it. "Subdued. I might start letting people up there again... Now, what can I do for you?"

4. "Garte, I found a new bird for the Whirling." (Give him the ruffed grouse.)

Item lost: Ruffled Grouse Taxidermy

GARTE, THE CAFETERIA MANAGER - "What is this thing?" The man takes the stuffed bird.

"It's no biggie. I just thought it would look nice on the wall. I'm that kind of cop."

"I wanted to apologize for breaking the great skua -- by bringing you this ruffed grouse."

GARTE, THE CAFETERIA MANAGER - "Okay..." He inspects the bird, somewhat suspiciously -- then mellows. "Okay. Well. This is actually a nice bird. A competent piece of taxidermy."

"I can fix it to the plaque and have a... new bird in the establishment I guess?" He hesitates. "So, I don't know... thank you? I'm gonna go with *thank you*."

Task complete: Take stuffed bird to Garte

+10 XP

EMPATHY [Easy: Success] - People just don't know how to accept gifts, especially taxidermy. He likes it. He likes the bird. It solves his broken bird problem.

KIM KITSURAGI - "I feel good about our work here today." The lieutenant nods. "It's all about the little things -- like bringing people random stuffed animals."

RHETORIC [Medium: Success] - It's.... not actually about that. But he liked it.

+1 Reputation

4. "Good bye." [Leave.]

MORELL, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST - "It's great to see you again, officer!" He grins, bowing awkwardly. "My wife can't wait to thank you. Go on, talk to her."

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "Oh sweetie," she says, beaming. "I don't even know how to thank you for finding my husband and helping him out. I hope we haven't been too much trouble for you..."

"Just doing my job, ma'am."

"It was a truly epic long distance trek."

"It was just on my way while I was working the case."

"I'm basically also a cryptozoologist now."

KIM KITSURAGI - "I knew it..." you hear Kim say quietly to himself.

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Easy: Success] - I'm not surprised it's already getting out of hand.

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "Well, in that case sweetie, let me give you a small token of my gratitude." She hands you a ribbon-tie held together by a silver bird skull. "It's a tie, Mesque in origin. The pin is an antique... quite special to the cryptozoological community."

Item gained: Eight-Eyed Terratorn Tie

INTERFACING [Easy: Success] - The little silvery knob holding the tie together feels warm in your hand. It's in the shape of an avian skull. With *eight* eyes.

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Medium: Success] - You could ask her about this, when you get the time -- it's probably a cryptid. But the phasmid, of course, is more important...

"You never told me you'd *seen* the phasmid!"

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "Oh... you don't want to hear about some old woman's ramblings..."

MORELL, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST - "'Ramblings'? Nonsense! Your description of the phasmid is the most precise I've ever heard!"

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "But darling, I didn't even get the *size* of it right."

MORELL, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST - "You were a *child*, my dear. Really, it's extraordinary what you were able to describe. Now go on, tell our friend about it. He's proven his interest in the field."

SUGGESTION [Medium: Success] - That is a way, *way* bigger compliment than it sounds like.

KIM KITSURAGI - Reflexively, the lieutenant readies his familiar notebook.

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "Well, it was summer," she starts. "I was building a racing track out of sand on the beach near a tall stand of reeds. Quite a tall one, many times my height, I remember. When all of a sudden..."

"Wait. Where was this and how old were you?"

"What happened?"

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "Ah, I'm getting ahead of myself. I was five and a half. In Betancourt, in the suburbs. My grandmother had a summer home there."

EMPATHY [Medium: Success] - She'd just started forming memories. Real memories, not the billowy haze of infanthood.

"What happened?"

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "The strangest moment of my life: I looked up and one of the reeds *moved*. Not like a plant, but like a living thing -- it stood up and looked at me. Its body unfolded like some antique toy... I've never seen anything like it."

HALF LIGHT [Medium: Success] - She had no fear. Just surprise.

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "I didn't know this can happen, so I reached my arm and touched the thing. It felt just like a stalk of reed, but it moved. Swaying, towering above me..." She looks at you. "After a while -- 20 seconds? a minute, maybe? -- it left. Went into the reeds."

"Did you follow it?"

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "I tried, but I was only a child. There was mud and high water, I couldn't see it anymore. I was just standing there, knee deep in mud, looking around me..."

INLAND EMPIRE [Easy: Success] - Where did you go? Don't go...

"Then what?"

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "I ran back home to my grandmother and asked her if *reeds* could *walk* and told her they were looking at me." She chuckles. "Of course, she just laughed at me, but I knew what I'd seen..."

"For years it was a story I told at parties, when I wanted to impress *boys*, that sort of thing." She brushes her hair back. "Of course, most people just took it as a strange, amusing anecdote. So did I, honestly. But then I met Morell..."

MORELL, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST - "We were on a date, can you imagine? She tells me a story and it's the most detailed report of the Insulindian phasmid I've ever heard. The sounds -- she told me it hissed..."

SUGGESTION [Easy: Success] - So that's how they met. This is *beyond* significant for them.

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "It did, yes -- like reeds in a gust of wind."

MORELL, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST - "...the way it moved, the colour, how some of its limbs were white like marble..." He breathes excitedly. "It matched *perfectly* with what I know from other accounts! It was amazing."

"If it weren't for Lena, I might've given up hope years ago. It's no exaggeration to say that she restored my faith in my profession." He looks at her with admiration, forgetting a wide smile on his face.

"You were on a date?"

"Its limbs are white?"

"How big was it?"

"Maybe you imagined it, Lena?"

"Kim, what do you think of this?"

"Thank you for sharing this with me." (Conclude.)

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "Our first, yes." The old woman looks at her husband tenderly...

DRAMA [Medium: Success] - The glance is tender, yes, but tempered by something else, a thought she can't express even to him... Interesting.

2. "Its limbs are white?"

MORELL, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST - "Not all of them." He answers for her. "There is some white colouration reported, along with beige, where the camouflage ends."

3. "How big was it?"

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "It's hard to say how big things are when you're quite *small* yourself. To me, it seemed to be taller than I was then... but that's probably not the case."

4. "Maybe you imagined it, Lena?"

MORELL, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST - "How could she? Who imagines this? She didn't *know* about the phasmid. This is the main thing here, what makes it a confirmed sighting -- she had no previous knowledge of the insect."

LOGIC [Medium: Success] - So she couldn't have made it up. Or imagined it.

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "That's true, yes. I'm almost certain neither my mother nor my grandmother knew of it. It was only when I started telling my story as a teenager that boys would tell me: Lena..." She lowers her voice, imitating a boy.

"'You tryna' tell us you saw the Insulindian phasmid out there in those reeds? Get outta here!'" She smiles. "They'd just give me a cider and ruffle my hair and tell me to stop dreaming -- but I saw it."

5. "Kim, what do you think of this?"

KIM KITSURAGI - "I thought it was a wonderful story, ma'am." He closes his notes and gives her a simple smile.

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Easy: Success] - But I don't believe it. A child, left unattended, on a warm day. Children make up stories and then end up believing them.

6. "Thank you for sharing this with me." (Conclude.)

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "You're welcome, sweetie. I do appreciate the chance to relive it, whenever I get one. It was just..." she sighs. "Such an impossibly sunshiny day. So warm."

EMPATHY [Easy: Success] - And she could get up and walk -- right into the reeds on her own. Into the mud. Anywhere.

3. "I'd really like to hear about more cryptids."

KIM KITSURAGI - "You know... to hell with it, let's have more cryptids."

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "Of course, officers." She smiles politely. "Is there a particular cryptid you two are interested in learning about?"

"Is this bird a cryptid?" (Point to the tie she gave you.)

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "No." Her eyes narrow mysteriously. "It's *the* cryptid."

"Wow. *The* cryptid?"

"Okay. What *is* this bird?"

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "Oh yes." The small silvery skull shines between your fingers, its beak sharp.

"Okay. What *is* this bird?"

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "The eight-eyed teratorn, the largest flying avian ever discovered -- with a wingspan of 11.5 metres. It was thought to have gone extinct 3,500 years ago, some even doubted the *fossils* were real. A mutation, they said. Until..."

MORELL, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST - "Mutation..." the man scoffs. "All of evolution is a mutation."

"Until?"

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "Until it was *sighted* by renowned Gottwaldian explorer and naturalist Uwe Plattenkalk in '21."

ENCYCLOPEDIA [Medium: Success] - This *renown* seems a bit dubious -- your own catalogue comes up completely empty, but -- of course -- you are not all knowing.

Level up!

"I need to hear about this sighting."

"Okay. Not now, let's back up a notch."

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "It happened on a botanical expedition into the vast and unexplored Uamrao canyon in southeast Iilmaraa. Dr. Plattenkalk got separated from his group during a sandstorm..."

"Okay -- and Uamrao is..."

"What happened?"

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "The world's largest canyon system, sweetie. It's a barren waste east of the Erg desert -- an ancient riverbed, completely dried up."

"What happened?"

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "Alone in the blasted desert heat the doctor wandered eastward, where man hasn't stepped foot in over a thousand years -- since the fall of Perikarnassis."

"He was lost, without any navigation equipment and desperately low on water. After a day or two he noticed a bird high in the noon sky. A great black bird, it seemed gargantuan."

"Every now and then, the bird would dive down to feed on an animal carcass somewhere on the horizon. But by the time Uwe got there, the teratorn had taken off already -- and the carcass was picked clean. This happened many times."

HALF LIGHT [Medium: Success] - Eat the bird, Uwe. It's the only way to survive.

"He was following it?"

"It followed him?"

"I understand. He started hunting it."

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "Yes. A bird that big has a lot of blood in it and he was dying of thirst. For many days Dr. Plattenkalk followed the teratorn. Until they reached a great canyon wall, where the bird finally landed to rest."

"The professor climbed up there, with a rock in his hand. He found the bird sleeping with its head tucked under its wing. A great black pile of feathers on the perch. So he approached, slowly squeezing the rock in his fist..."

"Then the teratorn suddenly looked at him. He could see it had *eight eyes* -- four on either side of its skull, like a spider -- and the man couldn't move. He was paralysed, frozen into place with the rock in his hand. Whatever he did, he could not get closer to the bird."

"Why?"

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "The bird was controlling his mind. It *kept* him from approaching. He could step back, but every time he stepped forward -- paralysis. Uwe spent three days trying, until the bird flew away."

"Hold on, how did he survive to tell the story?"

"An eight-eyed mind-controlling bird. Fuck yes."

"An eight-eyed mind-controlling bird? C'mon..."

"An eight-eyed mind-controlling bird? No way."

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "The eight-eyed teratorn was indifferent to him, as long as he didn't get closer than two steps. It even let him feed on some carcasses up there -- and the two unfertilized eggs it left behind."

"An eight-eyed mind-controlling bird. Fuck yes."

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "Absolutely, sweetie," she smiles, glad you agree. "Cryptozoologists have been tracing it ever since, but Uamrao is vast, mysterious, and holds many secrets."

MORELL, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST - "Modern radar telemetry shows great promise -- we *will* confirm this one. By the end of the decade, latest."

KIM KITSURAGI - "This one -- I liked," the lieutenant puts down his notes. "Not only does it have eight eyes, *and* is a living fossil, *and* the largest bird ever to live. It also does mind control."

RHETORIC [Medium: Success] - He's sincere. He likes the audacity of it.

"So that was the last anyone saw of it?"

"Okay. So it's never been seen again."

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "Sadly, yes. But there are numerous reports of eight-eyed bird skulls from Iilmaraa. And then there's the striking resemblance to the Perikarnassian Imperial Eagle -- an ancient heraldic symbol -- that is hard to pass off as coincidence. The imperial eagle, too, had eight eyes."

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Medium: Success] - Not *really*. It's just stylization. The way they drew eyes -- it's not a zoological drawing.

MORELL, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST - "Very, *very* hard."

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "This one's very famous, everyone knows it. People will be looking at that tie on you and thinking: that man is into cryptids." She winks. "So -- what else do you want to know?"

+5 XP

4. "That's all for now, ma'am." [Leave.]

EIGHT-EYED TERATORN TIE

+1 Inland Empire: Octuple vision +1 Voliton: Cryptid's protection

A slender bolo tie held together by an antique clasp in the shape of a bird skull. The skull features eight cavities for eyes. It's disturbing, but you can't look away.

MORELL, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST - "Ha ha, nothing like the gratitude of a good woman. Now, then, what can I do for you?" He gives you a gruff pat on the shoulder.

EMPATHY [Trivial: Success] - He tries to play it cool -- remain professorial -- but inside, this man is itching for some news on those *traps*.

"So I checked all the traps."

MORELL, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST - "Good, okay..." He breaks his calm. "*And?*"

"And one of them was *empty*."

"Nothing. Nothing. Maybe I didn't check them after all..."

MORELL, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST - "*Completely* empty?" The cryptozoologist's eyes grow wide.

"Yes, there was nothing in the trap. No locusts, no phasmid."

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "No locusts... but no phasmid either..."

MORELL, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST - "That's not *ideal*, but..." He rubs his chin.

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - The old woman's face lights up. "It just means the Insulindian phasmid is even more clever than we thought!"

KIM KITSURAGI - "Of course," the detective whispers to himself. "More clever..."

SUGGESTION [Easy: Success] - You're dealing with a subject near and dear to their hearts. It might behove you to tread *lightly*.

MORELL, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST - "Yes! The *phantasmodea* picked off the locusts and escaped. This is good news! Though we'll have to reconsider the design of the traps, make them *more* secure..."

GARY, THE CRYPTOFASCIST - His companion sighs. "Another trip to the reeds..."

Wait, Gary is here?

"Yes. That's *exactly* what it is. What a deft hunter, this phasmid!"

"I don't know. I'm not persuaded."

"Are you sure you've exhausted all the alternative explanations?"

MORELL, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST - The cryptozoologist's face flushes with indignation. "Of course we have!"

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "Wait, Morell..." the old woman raises a hand. "He may have a point. We have an obligation to rule out other hypotheses..."

MORELL, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST - "You're right, dear." His face relaxes. "It's a fair point. But what other explanation could there be?" He turns to you.

"Pardon me. This is... a big deal for us. You've helped us *twice* now -- and brought great news too. My gratitude, *and* the gratitude of the Société Cryptozoologique de Revachol, is yours."

Task complete: Inspect the traps

+10 XP

INLAND EMPIRE [Trivial: Success] - Heartfelt gratitude -- but does it feel like closure? What *really* happened?

KIM KITSURAGI - "Thank you, it's an honour," he says with a straight face, then turns to you. "We should probably return to our *main* investigation here. This has been refreshing, but..."

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Medium: Success] - ...helping cryptozoologists isn't really a priority for our organization, is it? The lieutenant looks out the window, impatiently.

6. "Did *you* know Gary was hiding the armour?"

MORELL, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST - "Hell no, I had no idea. And I'm still cross with him to be honest. It's not like him. He's got his quirks, but dishonesty -- or disloyalty -- are not one of them."

GARY, THE CRYPTOFASCIST - "Thanks," the man mutters in the distance. He doesn't dare say more.

EMPATHY [Easy: Success] - He's still glad his friend stood up for him.

[Interfacing - Medium 11] Develop an alternative theory about the missing locusts.

+1 Something up with the trap. +2 Cuno's a hooligan. +1 Considered alternatives.

INTERFACING [Medium: Success] - Consider the way the empty trap was disturbed, as though *shaken*. Most likely the hands of a young person -- hands small enough to fit inside the trap too.

LOGIC [Easy: Success] - You should ask the redheaded boy. Cuno.

"I think a little hooligan called Cuno may have stolen the locusts."

MORELL, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST - "A little 'hooligan'? But what would a *child* want with bugs?"

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - A shadow of worry passes over the woman's face. "Oh, my dear Morell. You've been an old man for too long. Kids love to torment insects, almost as much as they love to torment old folks..."

"I'll talk to the little gremlin and see if anything comes up."

KIM KITSURAGI - "Delinquents -- my favourite." It doesn't sound like it's really his favourite.

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "Oh, you've been such a dear to us. Please, let us know whatever you turn up. I have a feeling we're getting *so* close!"

New task: The Missing Insects Case

GARY, THE CRYPTOFASCIST - "Well, I see you've got all the help you need." The man turns to his companions. "I'll see you tonight at my place -- let's play 'Suzerainty' -- but no more field trips for me."

LOGIC [Easy: Success] - After this is your last chance to talk to Gary.

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "Really, Gary?" The woman's voice is a little shaky suddenly. "We're *getting* somewhere here. I'd love to play 'Suzerainty', but..."

GARY, THE CRYPTOFASCIST - "Lena, I'm sorry, but you're not *getting* anywhere, it was some kids. I know the little mutants around here -- leave anything out in the open and they'll steal it. Even if it's bugs." He looks at his tea.

"Morell, it's been fun, really. But I need a bath and I have deliveries to handle. When this tea is done, I gotta run."

MORELL, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST - "No-no. No need to apologize, Gary. You've been more than helpful. We'll have to take a rain check on that game of 'Suzerainty' today though -- we're gonna follow this through."

COMPOSURE [Medium: Success] - He keeps the language unemotional but it's in there -- disappointment.

AUTHORITY [Medium: Success] - The first man to break formation is always a blow to leadership. This is bigger than he lets on.

5. "I'll get going." [Leave.]

Gary doesn't actually *have* anything new to say to us, so let's move on.

ELIZABETH - "I've got nothing to say to you. Why are you wasting your time?" She crosses her arms.

"Are you the Hardie girl?"

ELIZABETH - "I am not," she says dryly.

GLEN - "You *could* be, Liz. You could be anything. You could even be a model."

ELIZABETH - "*Even* a mod..." Her face stiffens. "Glen, I went to *law school*. I am an attorney."

ELECTROCHEMISTRY [Easy: Success] - He's right, with a face like that she could be on the cover of La Débutante International.

[sfarxuri]

Here's Combat Data Oscuri! CD Sfarx's loyal henchmen, she appears when Oscuri gets scanned by the Centralis Scanner during a reunion with Sfarx Neo while hes fighting CD Sfarx, during this battle Oscuri discovers she's able to hurt Sfarx's copy with projectiles such as her shuriken! Not liking the odds of them having the upper hand he quickly throws the scanner in front of Oscuri's face it sends out a bunch of bright lights to lure her in/paralyze her for a few seconds (think of like a moth attracted to light) while being scanned CD Oscuri takes the opportunity to lunge at Oscuri to separate her from Sfarx in a 1 vs 1 fight. Oscuri is actually able to handle herself on her own for awhile, only being disoriented by the fact that her copy can hurt her with her own venom so its like getting a taste of her own medicine. Her copy gains the advantage when she makes her phantoms transformed into her dead parents both biological & adoptive ones; (Toxi, Bane, Syrup, & Rem) getting into Oscuri's head when she makes them go after her! Shocked to see them again she struggles to fight them off not wanting to hurt them having a hard time trying to shake off these illusions especially since CD Oscuri uses them to lash out at their demises being her counterpart's fault. (not true for her biological ones but very true for her adoptive ones, none of these deaths were intended of course) Not being able to focus Oscuri is forced to flee with Sfarx, CD Oscuri then lets CD Sfarx in on why that has such a strong effect of her counter part to get in with the taunting for their next encounter, while they do this Oscuri & Sfarx have a heart to heart moment as well.

During the events of CD Saga, CD Oscuri scouts for locations to plan an attack with her boss, at first he was hoping to make an army of CDs when Oscuri gets tricked by him letting a bunch of clarity scanners roam free but since they all have free will that doesn't really go anywhere so instead CD Oscuri gains his trust & affection through following his every command & even allowing herself to be his weapon/meat shield in battle. Any stray Combat Data they run into that refuses to follow CD Sfarx's lead is destroyed (which happens to alot of them, there really isn't any of them that like him lol) She can also shape shift as the original Oscuri so she has a ton of fun ruining her reputation by destroying settlements around Luna with CD Sfarx. With formies & GPA alike being fearful of their counterparts they treat their onslaughts like a competitive game trying to "out score the other". The residents of Luna have a hard time trusting the real Oscuri & Sfarx when they investigate whats happening to all these towns/cities being annihilated, its a big wild goose chase before their CDs show themselves for a couple of fights through out CD Saga. Once Oscuri can make peace with her copy using mimics of her dead loved ones she really makes her copy regret using a cheap tactic to fight. Its what forces CD Oscuri to be forced to run when they all fight in the abandoned Seek Facility with a bunch of bio flowers in the fields. While she loves killing shes just like her boss, taking her time with victims its more fun to mess with them then go for the kill.

[corntort]

i really really love the idea that the absence of humanity is not explained AT ALL in stej. like normally this premise intrigues me (or on rare occasions, i actually avoid pondering it with certain medias) but never have i actually felt a little. Hopeful at that prospect?

in the stej artbook it mentions the humanity had colonized every single planet but for some reason opting out of settling on the moon. that means with enough time theyd be able to bounce from solar system to solar system with ease after more technological advancement.

obviously they couldve been wiped out, but in my mind the stej universe just. Doesnt work that way. its all about preservence even though SUPER cheesy. maybe they ledt because they thought a cosmic event was going to happen, and used up all their energy to flee only to find out, possibly WAY LATER, that nothing happened. maybe mirroring the formies, as thats a HEAVILY reoccuring theme. everyone is a remix of someone else, story unfolding in wildly different ways, them reacting in wildly different ways, but key elements being similar. so why should humanity as a whole divert from this??

i also like to think in a poetic way that humanity left without any threat forcing them out. they saw greater horizons, and decided to move as a whole elsewhere, leaving their planet to recover. and on that note, another civilization finding a new home through this and making it their own. its a really nice thought! and them both settling on the earth and the moon and terraforming it to meet their requirements for what they call it a home, its really really cool.

not to mention the huge ass machinery you see digging into the lunar surface is always so fucking awesome to see in the levels. artificial forests and skyscrapers so profoundly huge they build entire cities into their sides like THAYS FUCKING AWESOME

[sunshinebarbarian]

Chapter 4 - It Begins

All Chapters <3

Sol patted herself down, checking for any injuries. With surprise, she found that her bag was still at her back, with all her items in it – a keychain, an alchemical ingredient pouch (mom always stressed how important it was to keep these things separate from the food), some healing stuff (again, mother’s orders) and lastly, camping supplies. She only had enough left for one day, as she had been planning on staying at an Inn once she arrived to the city. Hardly a concern now, since she didn’t even know if she would actually make it past the current day. Her greataxe was still at her back too, and she sighed in relief. At least now she would be able to split that stupid octopus in half should she find it again.

Unsteadily making her way to the hole on the side of the ship, Sol was hit with the unmistakable sulphuric winds of the Hells. She gasped for air, and felt her head spin. Any shock she felt was short lived, however, as survival demanded that she recover quickly – the ship was under attack. Normally she wouldn’t object to attacking such a ship, but unfortunately, she was, at the moment, inside it, and her fate very much depended on the integrity of the ship.

Sol stepped away from the hole in the ship wall, as that would obviously not be an option for escape (not if she wanted to live anyway), and looked around the room. She saw the pods that she and that strange looking woman had been kept in, and saw that there were many more. The woman was nowhere to be found. Sol looked around the pods, around the room, to check if there was anyone else awake, or if there were any items that could be of use. Once she was satisfied that she had explored every inch of that room, (she found some gold and a shiny gem, she hoped to live long enough to buy herself a barrel of beer with it) she headed towards what she assumed was a door. It was fleshy and round, and seemed to be her best bet for an exit, even if she couldn’t find a switch or lever to open it. Before she could make it to the door, she stopped at the center of the room. There was a strange glow coming from that pool that the worm had come from. Her curiosity got the best of her, and she decided to investigate it. She couldn’t discern anything interesting about it. She wished her sister were here. She would have answers. She always did. Sol’s mind wandered, and her arm, seemingly of it’s own accord, reached out into the pool.

Big mistake.

She accidentally grazed the thin, membrane-like walls of the pool. The vat exploded, throwing Sol backwards. The liquid burned on her skin, but it was a different feeling from a fire burn – those she could shake off easily. It was an alchemical burn. Sol got up and shook her head, hearing her mom’s voice in her head “Just because you can touch it, doesn’t mean you should touch it”. A phrase she had heard countless times.

Sol looked around. She saw a strange device next to the door. In her mind, it looked like some twisted version of a tree. The “trunk” was the same material as the rest of the shop, but the “leaves” were actually tentacles. The tentacles were glowing blue, but it was a different glow than the vat. It seemed.. Harmless, benevolent even. Sol approached it. She reached out her hand to touch what seemed to be the controls for it, a dark circle right in the middle of the “trunk”. She squinted her eyes and turned her face away as she touched it.

The relief was immediate. “Odd. I feel.. Better” – Sol said to herself. Her wounds were closed, as if they were never there, the burns on her skin had disappeared. She sighed, and hoped she would find more of these should she get injured again, which knowing her luck, was bound to happen.

Walking again towards the exit, this time giving the remainder of the vat a wide berth, Sol reached the pink round door. She tried not to think about how everything around her looked so disturbingly fleshy. She reached the door, and it retreated onto the sides, forming a circular doorway. She stepped through cautiously, unsure of what would be on the other side. To her left she saw the bloody body of a goblin, on top of a table – he seemed to have been dead for a while. She started hearing whispers, which gradually got louder – a high pitched voice asking for help, to be freed. She realised the voice was coming from inside her head. She tried to ignore it, and look around the room, but the voice was insistent, repeating it’s cry over and over. It drew Sol to a platform on the side of the room. She stepped on it, and saw similar controls to the restoration device. She touched them, and the platform rose.

As she was lifted by the platform, she saw... Well she wasn’t sure what she saw. There was an elf strapped to a chair, but he seemed dead, so surely the voice wasn’t coming from him. Sol walked behind him. Jars and jars of brains. “Ew”. The voice spoke again, and Sol turned around and identified the source – the man’s exposed brain. “The fuck?”. Sol approached it, unsure if her mind was playing tricks on her.

“Yes! You’ve come to save us from this place, from this place you’ll free us!” – the brain quivered in expectation – “Please, before they return. They return!”

“You sound afraid. Why?” – despite hearing the words from the brain inside her head, Sol preferred to speak hers out loud.

“The enemy. So many enemies”

Suspicion arose within Sol. “Who am I talking to – a man or a brain?”

“A newborn. Born new from this husk!”

Sol realised she had been speaking to an intellect devourer, a minion of the mind flayers who had abducted her. Disgust filled her head. She didn’t know if the creature felt that, but it sure did feel what she did next – she reached her hands into the man’s skull and, with a twist and pull motion, destroyed the mind flayer, it’s dying scream echoing in her mind.

Shaking the brain matter and goo off her hands (and wiping the rest on the shirt of the dead elf – it’s not like he had somewhere to be) Sol looked around for anything valuable. She then returned to the moving platform, and had it return to its initial position. Going back to the dead goblin, she noticed a strange slate. A closer look had goblin cultural information projected into Sols brain. She nearly fell backwards. Usually she had to read to get information. Further into the room, a table with more slates. Sol was most interested in the one that contained the schematics of the ship. “Weird that they’d have that lying around. You’d think they’d know their own ship”. She said out loud. Still, she was thankful for the information. She also found a tablet with an overwhelming amount of information about human, elven, and dwarvish history – her sister would have absolutely loved that. She slipped it in her pocket.

Satisfied that she had looted everything she could (you never know what you might find, or need later on), Sol made her way to the only exit she could find – a gaping hole in the hull of the ship, almost certainly made by the attackers. She could see the arid landscape of the Hells through the hole, and she could feel and smell the warm, toxic fumes of the Hells’ atmosphere coming through. As she stepped out of the room, onto a small bridge that was almost entirely stripped of the outer wall, she felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up.

[astroyongie]

Formis 9 August Reading 2023

note: please take it lightly 

Saerom

Love: She isn’t entirely in a relationship but she is starting to built something with someone. Saerom has spent a lot of time talking with this person and they still flirt a lot through text and phonically. She is quite all giddy about this person and definitely wants to turn it into something serious

Career: Everything seem to be doing okay for her, she is very determinate to work hard for her career and for her own good. She is also not worried about what the future holds for her

Self: Her energy is very bright, very joyful (quite nice to be around), she is being spontaneous about things and doing all sort of activities that she wants and that brings her joy

Hayoung

Love: I believe that Hayoung has been cheating on her partner and haven’t been honest with them nor about what she does with other people. For some reason she doesn’t want to lose the person she is in a relationship with, which is the reason why she cheats and doesn’t want to tell them

Career: Everything is okay, she has been working on herself and on her appearance to reach a more ‘idol like image”. She is very positive about her career and her future at the moment

Self: She is rather stable on her self and on her life, nothing worries her, her health is all okay and she isn’t suffering form anything that is disturbing her peace

Jiwon

Love: She is single but Jiwon spends a lot of time with her friends and partying whenever she can. Her social life is very important to her and she is trying her best to open her social skills and agenda in order to secure her idol place in the industry

Career: I believe that she suffers quite a lot inside the company but she hides it very well. Jiwon tries her best not to complain and do what she is told but there’s a lot of things that happened to her inside that industry that scare her

Self: at the moment she is rather on a calm energy, doing a lot of self introspection about herself, on what she wants for her life and what she wants to become

Jisun

Love: She is in a relationship and for now everything seem to be going well. She is quite an helpless romantic since she believes that her person will be hers forever and the person she ends up her life with (or at least that’s what she hopes)

Career: not the best energy around here either, I believe that Jisun is very dependent on her sponsors to everything and she hasn’t the freedom to do what she wants without their consent. Her idol life is also everything she has, without it she feels like she is no one

Self: other than that, she is rather happy with her life. She is having fun and luck, she feels that the money she has is enough for her expenses and she is just happy overall

Seoyeon

Love: she too, is in a relationship at the moment. Seoyeon however is the one that takes care of her partner financially, she pays for their rent, for their things and she believes that she is being nice and taking care of the person she likes. I wonder if she is being gaslighted or if the person is truly honest

Career: she doubts herself a lot, she believes that she doesn’t have the most perfect image for an idol and she wished to be pretty like most visuals of other groups. She also doesn’t have her place inside the group it seems

Self: she is very calm, and pretty smart if I may say. Seoyeon self is currently in a soft mood, I don’t have much info on it

Chaeyoung

Love: She left her partner a few time ago, because their schedule and hers weren’t the same and they spent too much time apart which annoyed her a lot. So she ended up breaking up with them and moving on with her life

Career: I don’t understand very well what’s happening in her career at the moment, it seems like there’s a lot involved concerning shamans and managers and sponsors and it’s honestly way too weird to interpret it

Self: she has been focusing herself on meeting other people, spending time with new people and just making new friendships. She is on a social mode

Nagyung

Love: she is definitely seeing someone but they aren’t on an official relationship yet. Nagyung is full of seduction, like she flirts a lot with this person, she puts a lot on her seduction tactics to get them close to her. She is delivering her feminine energy in all ways and really playing a “libra” energy on that person

Career: everything seem to be doing alright, she is very well supported by her company and her sponsors and she has the strength needed to survive in the company. It also feels like despite being young she holds a strong authority among her teammates

Self: she is definitely in love with her person and right now everything on herself and her energy is just screaming love.

Jiheon

Love: she is single and all by herself and in no mood to find someone or to share her love side. At the moment she is mostly focused on herself and on her career and her heart is kinda close

Career: I believe that Jihoon wants to leave the company and go somewhere else, probably someone has contacted her for some projects because she doesn’t want anything dealign with the group

Self: she has a high self esteem and she trusts herself a lot when it comes to being an idol. She knows what she has to do in order to get what she wants.

[twentythousandvolts]

hmm i wonfer if i will get anything formy birthday. i wonder if i will recieve a little object of some kind.that would be awesome i love little objecfs i should go bother my mom to subtly ask if i will be getting a little object of somw kind today But i will not get my hopes up too much due to The reasons

[maddieautobot273]

Silk & Cologne (28)

A Miguel O'Hara x OC series - link to AO3 (X)

Chapter 28 - Invasion - previous chapter (X)

Pairing: Miguel O'Hara x Female OC

Words: 4.1K+ words

Warnings: PG13 for intense fighting and mentions of scars and abuse

Summary: The Spider-Society searches for Isabella

A/N: Special thank you to my friends @noahspector & @rizahawkeye1380 for helping me with plotting, dialogue choice and just in general helping me stay the course, I LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH!!!!

/////////

“One order of hot and fresh empanadas for Mr. Miguel O’Hara!”

I announced my arrival as I stepped back into his lab, seeing the platform raised up. I swung my way up there just as Miguel was turning towards the sound of my voice. He seemed genuinely surprised to see me back so quickly. 

It was the next day now, and there still hadn’t been any sign of Isabella. Miguel had been working around the clock, monitoring for any activity. After dropping off his order of empanadas, I stuck around to chat and help out with any minor tasks to lessen the load on his plate. This morning, I popped in to say hi, asking if he wanted another order of empanadas and he said yes.

“You’re quick,” He smirked a little. 

“Well, I figured you were hungry, so why keep you waiting?” I shrugged my shoulders. “You’ll need fuel if you want to keep doing what you’re doing,”

After a quick breakfast with Hobie and the others, I picked up a package of empanadas for Miguel, just as I promised. Hannah did say the way to get to a man’s heart was through his stomach, so? Would it hurt to try?

“Come on, and eat up,” I smiled as I reached into the bag and pulled out one of the boxes, setting it on a table. “Lyla ratted you out and said you didn’t each breakfast,”

“Lyla!” Miguel growled at the AI as her little holographic body stuck her tongue out at him.

“Hey, you don’t take care of yourself? I tattle, those are the rules,” She sneered.

“So I sweat talked the chef and asked to make two fresh batches for you,” I smiled as I brought out the second box and opened it up.

Miguel stepped closer towards the table, his mouth watering at the sight. “All of this is for me?”

I hummed in approval, nodding as I crossed my arms over my chest. 

Miguel couldn’t help but chuckle softly as he reached down and grabbed an empanada, taking a bite out of it. His eyes fluttered closed, his expression was everything I could hope for. He felt like a kid in a candy store. 

“Thank you, Lisa, I’ll eat these while I work,” Miguel spoke before gulping down his bite. “Isabella could be anywhere. I have to stay vigilant,”

Eating while he works? Not sitting down to take a breather? Oh no, I’m not letting that slide. I coughed into my fist, gaining Miguel’s attention as he was turning back towards his computer station.

“You know what I like most about you, Miguel?” I asked him with a sweet expression as I stepped closer towards him.

I didn’t miss the faint blush on his cheeks as I neared, but he managed a calm smile as he raised his brow curiously in my direction. “What’s that, Lisa?”

“I do honestly find your snark and sass quite charming,” I admitted, looking up at him as I was mere inches away from him. “Not to mention your work and passion,”

“Oh, just stroke my ego, why don’t you?” Miguel teased softly. “What else?”

“I also like it–,” My hands gently placed themselves on his chest and I could feel his heartbeat racing under his suit and skin. It was beating just as fast as mine as I pushed him back down into his chair. “-When you actually sit down to eat something and take care a break once in a while?”

“Duh! I’ve been trying to explain that to him for years!” Lyla rolled her eyes as her holographic hand flicked Miguel’s forehead before vanishing as he swatted her away. 

I couldn’t help but laugh at the gesture. Lyla really did care for him, and while on the outside it appeared that Miguel despised the constant dotting, he knew he’d be lost without her. 

Miguel sighed in defeat, although he couldn’t stop a smile from forming on his lips as he took another bite of his empanada. “Alright, you’ve convinced me. I promise I’ll take better care of myself,”

“Good, cause if you don’t, I won't hesitate to nag you constantly until you do,” I shot him an accusing glare, although there was a hint of playfulness as my eyes twinkled. 

Miguel laughed as he saw the twinkle in my eyes, shaking his head. “I already have Lyla nagging me about my eating habits, I don’t want that from you either,” His own expression became playful. “In fact, I’ll go as far to say I’ll never eat another empanada again if you’re threatening me with constant nagging,”

“Oh, really?” I raised a brow at Miguel as I reached out and slowly began to pull back his box of empanadas. “A shame really, I guess I’ll have to take these back then. Say bye-bye, now–!”

Miguel’s eyes widened at the site, although he enjoyed this playful banter, he had to admit this tactic of mine was working. I could see it in the look on his face. He really did love those empanadas. 

He raised his hands in a defensive manner, “Okay, okay, I’ll eat more, I promise!”

I smiled, giving him a twink as I slid the container back to him. “I thought so, tough guy,”

We both shared a laugh as we continued to eat our empanadas in peace. It made me feel like this was the first time since our fight where we could have a normal moment as. . . friends. It felt good. Really good. 

The moment was short lived however when Miguel’s computer monitors suddenly started to flash. Warning symbols quickly filled the screens. I dropped my empanada as I looked around the platform. “What’s going on?”

“Miguel! Isabella has been spotted!” Lyla flared as she zipped around, summoning multiple holoscreens. 

Miguel and I both stand up suddenly from our seats, the food long forgotten. Miguel was quicker as he used a web sling to launch himself back to his desk, cycling through the footage. “Where is she?”

“She’s in Spider-Noir’s dimension, Earth-90214,” Lyla reported as I neared Miguel’s side.

I looked at the holoscreens, watching the security footage. It was raining in the black and white aesthetic universe and jumping through a portal, I caught sight of the bat demon herself. But something was different. 

“Um, does she look different to you?” I asked nervously.

“From what I can recall, yes,” He nodded before looking over at me. “You would be more familiar with her than I would,”

“Well, She wasn’t always that tall and looked so menacing,” I shuddered as I saw her shaper talons and pointy teeth. 

But what I saw next shook me to my core. Her body seemed to fizzle and stretch, as she formed a duplicate version of herself! Then another, and then another.

“She’s cloning herself?” I gawked.

Miguel reacted quickly as he opened a communication link to Spider-Man Noir. “Peter, you got big trouble coming your way,”

“The screw loose bat demon dame you reported earlier?” His smooth voice came through the speaker. “Yeah, I see her. All of her in fact,”

“Do not engage her by yourself, I’m sending in as many Spider’s as I can to assist,” Miguel ordered as he simultaneously sent out an alert to all available teams that were out on patrol. 

“Roger, I’ll evacuate as many civilians from the area as I can,” Peter nodded before cutting the feed. 

“Lyla, broadcast me on all channels,” Miguel ordered.

“Got it!” Lyla saluted as she established the connection, a holoscreen of Miguel’s gizmo projecting on his face. 

“Any available units, we have a code red. Multiple villain anomalies spotted in Earth-90214. Spider-Man Noir needs all the help he can get. Any available units are to report there immediately and assist in civilian evacuation or engage the anomalies,” 

Miguel sent out the message as overhead us, a bright red light flashed every other second, along with a loud buzzing sound. He pressed a series of buttons on his Gizmo and within moments a portal opened up before us. 

“I need to move quickly or else she gets away, but–” Miguel almost seemed to hesitate before continuing. “You don’t have to come on this one. I won’t risk her trying to hurt you again after what happened back in Petra’s world,”

Something stirred within me as my fingers curled into a fist. “I want to go, Miguel. She hurt you too. I’m not letting her get away with it,”

Miguel stared intently into my eyes before slowly nodding his head. “Okay, let’s go,”

We both slipped on our respective masks before running through the portal. We arrived at the other side, immediately getting drenched with the pouring rain as thunder roared our ears and lightning strikes lit up the sky. There were dozens of Isabella clones running around, but there were also dozens of Spider people keeping them at bay and away from civilians. 

“How do you want to do this? She could be anywhere,” I looked over towards Miguel as the portal closed. 

He looked over to me, his eyes widening as he suddenly yanked me to the side and out of the way of a clone zipping passed us. He launched a laser web from his wrist, catching the clone’s ankle and pulled as hard as he could. The clone came crashing down and blew into dust upon impact. 

“Well, now we have a way to tell the difference between them,” He huffed, before looking at me once over. “Are you okay with splitting up to cover more ground?”

I nodded firmly. “I’ll call you if I find her,”

“Be careful,” He spoke softly before web slinging down the street. 

I watched him leave before a series of cries caught my ear. I ran a head, vaulting upwards as I climbed up to the roof of a large building, finding a cluster of Isabella clones terrorizing a group of civilians. Not on my watch.

I reached down, pressing play on my music player. The beats and sounds caught their attention as they all turned towards me, offering them a narrowed glance as I brandished one of my smoke bombs. 

“Why don’t you brats find some other toys to play with?” I sneered with a grin. “I’ve got one right here!”

I tossed it into the air, the grenade exploding into the pink glitter cloud of smoke. The bats shrieked at the site, trying to use their hands and wings to shield them as they gagged. Now they were distracted. 

“My turn at bat,” I quipped before springing forward. “I’ll sing this in one language you’ll understand!”

“Now gotta step on it, what else can I do?

I'm young and fearless, man

Middle finger up, F-U pay me

90's baby, I pump up the jam~” 

While they were dazed by the smoke cloud, I came in swinging, punching and kicking my way through the herd towards the civilians. I cleared them a path to safety as they took off running. As my smoke cloud cleared, the remaining few bats didn’t take kindly to me taking away their playthings as they all rushed to swarm me.

“Step on it, step on it, oppa-ya lambo

Today yours and mine, our youth's a gamble~” 

I swerved and twirled out of the way of their incoming strikes. When they circled back around, they were each met with a spin kick to the face, as for the last one I did a special backflip kick, knocking them back. I then fired a web at their chest before pulling myself forward and body checking them to the roof.

“Don't dare to stop me, if anyone gets in my way

I'ma go, brrrr, Rambo!” 

When the dust settled from their disintegrated body, I caught my breath, taking one last look around. The roof was clear. I ran over to the roof as I looked around at the battlefield below. One by one, Spider’s were taking down each of the clones. Soon it would be easier to find the real Isabella, but where was she?

My Spider-Sense suddenly kicked in as I looked around frantically for the source of the danger, and that’s when I saw it. At a nearby park that was covered in mud and gunk, trees chopped down and playground equipment trashed. A clone was stalking towards Gwen at a frightening speed.

“Gwen, look out!” I yelled as I swung for her.

At the same time, Isabella was getting ready to strike, raising her sharp talons in order to slice her to ribbons. I reached out and grabbed Gwen as I swung by and felt a horrible sting at my side. I had still managed to swing Gwen to safety, but not before I lost the grip on my web sling and the two of us tumbled to the ground. 

Isabella growled, the real one snarling at the fact her kill was stolen. She was about to stomp over towards us when a series of webs ensnared her as Peter B. yanked her back, vaulting himself towards her as the two got caught up in their own brawl. “I got this, you two get out of here!”

I clutched my side, feeling a sharp pain as I tried to sit up. I glanced down as I slowly lifted my hand from my side and saw blood stained on my palm. I hissed as the cool breeze brushed along my wound and immediately brought my hand down to cover it up. 

“Lisa, are you okay?” Gwen asked with a worried look. 

“I’m fine, just get the rest of the civilians out of here, I’ll get Isabella to focus on me,” I groaned, slowly pushing myself up with my other hand. “Find Noir!”

Gwen seemed to hesitate, but after noticing Miguel swoop in and take out another one of Isabella’s clones and immediately rushing towards us, Gwen nodded before swinging away. Miguel’s heavy footsteps caught my ear as I turned to look at him, and I could see the wave of concern wash over him as the eyelets of his mask flared at the sight of my injury. 

“What happened?” He immediately asked as he knelt at my side.

“Isabella tried to gut Gwen, but I got her out of the way,” My voice strained from the pain as I tried to sit up. 

“Just barely it seems,” Miguel mumbled as he noticed the spots of blood seeping through my fingers. “Let me quickly take a look,”

My eyes widened as I tried to reach for his wrist to stop him, but his movements were quick and precise, not to mention the pain was unbearable, “Miguel, wait–!”

He gently moved my hand away, finding the spot where Isabella’s claws tore through my suit and saw the blood. He carefully brushed it away to find the source of the wound and that’s when he stopped, frozen. His eyelets went wide. 

Miguel saw the scars. Multiple small marks scattered across my stomach and side. My scars.

“Lisa?” He called my name softly. 

I shut my eyes, suddenly ashamed of how I looked at this moment. This was not how I wanted to show him, to tell him. I could see the question dangling from his lips, but Miguel was almost too afraid to say it out loud. 

“Lisa, what happened?” Miguel asked softly instead, although there was a hint of desperation in his voice. 

“Miguel, I—” Words were failing me as I stuttered, and it wasn’t helping that the pain at my side stung like absolute hell. “This wasn’t how I wanted to—” 

“Who did this to you?” He asked with a terrifying sense of calm. 

I hissed from the pain as I tried to press my palm back into the wound, but Miguel held my wrist firmly and instead pressed his whole hand into it. His pupils momentarily flared from the sound of my cry as we locked our gaze with one another. 

“Not yet–” I choked. 

Miguel almost recoils, as if realizing a mistake he had made. The moment of clarity washed over him, offering me a quick sympathetic look. This was not how I wanted to tell him, and he came to understand that. 

“We’ll talk about it when you’re ready,” He responded, “Now, try to hold still,”

I watch, almost stunned as Miguel's hand suddenly fizzles as the glove of his suit strips from his skin. The holographic nanites of his suit sparkling as he stretches it out and carefully slaps it on my side. I muffle a pained cry as Miguel steadies me, waiting it out.

Miguel slowly helps me up, one hand at my side and the other along my back. “We’ll get it looked at back at the infirmary,”

“No, Miguel, Isabella is right there!” I gasped, grabbing his arm, “Don’t send me back!”

“Well, well, well,” Isabella’s voice sent a shiver down my spine as she descended from the air, touching down on the ground as she sneered at the two of us. “Look who we have here,”

“Where’s Peter?!” I demanded. 

“I took him for a ride and shook him off me. My little lovelies will keep him occupied while we have our fun,” She smiled. 

“Isabella, you’ve gone too far this time,” Miguel growled. “Causing trouble in your home dimension is one thing, but potentially dooming the date of an entirely different one is another!”

Isabella rolled her eyes at the remark. “Ugh, Lord Osborne mentioned that you might say something as lavish as that,”

“Harry?” He pressed. 

“Yes, for you see he granted me a new gift, in exchange for your heads,” she snickered darkly, licking her lips. 

Miguel snarled in frustration as he got into a battle ready stance, “Lisa, stay behind me and let me handle this,”

“No,” I spoke firmly as I managed to stand up completely. “I’m not letting you fight her alone,”

“I’m not going to let her hurt you again,” He snapped back. 

“Oh how adorable,” Isabella cooed. “You bicker like an old married couple. It will make killing you both all the more pleasurable,” 

“That’s it!” Miguel charged forward, leaping up into the air to grab her. 

My eyes widened as Isabella’s tail suddenly enlarged, extending as it slithered up and snatched Miguel. It wrapped itself around his waist and then tossed him like a rag doll across the park and into some concrete rubble, the cement breaking apart around him.

“That’s not the only gift Lord Osborne has bestowed upon me,” Isabella grinned. 

“Miguel!” I screamed out for him. A growl was brewing in my throat as I turned and faced her when I suddenly felt an ear drumming screech reach my ear. “GAAAAAHHH!”

Isabella had opened her mouth, sending out a sonic screech from her throat. 

"Now tell me, tell all what you continue to deny to yourself!" Isabella screeches as the sonic pulses rattle my eardrums. "Be a good girl and I'll make the pain stop,"

The pain is unbearable. I thought my brain was going to explode as I yelled, screamed as my hands desperately tried to block out the sound. My knees were starting to buckle, my body warm with sweat as I tried to fight it.

"Say it! Tell me everything!" Isabella demanded. 

"No!" I screamed. 

"Say it!" She ordered.

"NO!" I shouted back. 

"SAY IT!!"

As all of this is happening, Miguel manages to pull himself free from the rubble Isabella tossed him in, shoving a piece of concrete off his back. The eyelets of his mask go wide as he starts running towards them, “Lisa!”

I let out a heartbreaking cry as I fell to my knees. "IT WAS HIM! HE DID THIS TO ME! HE GAVE ME THE SCARS!"

Miguel stopped in his tracks, his heart stopping. Who? Who’s he?

Isabella pulls back, her sonic screeching coming to a halt as she relishes in watching me pant heavily, sweat dripping down my face as I collapse to my side, my body trembling. "Jin. . . Step-father. . . it was an accident, but he---"

The bat demon laughs at the sight, a wicked smile on her face as her talons sharpen, taking a haunting step closer towards my frame. I couldn’t move. My body was exhausted, tired, and shook to the bone with fear. I was so overwhelmed with my emotions that Isabella left me defenseless. I was literally at her mercy. 

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH"

The roar snapped me out of my miserable trance as I glanced over to see Miguel barreling towards us. The talons of his claws were sharp, the talons of his side arms expanded, and his mask was gone as his eyes were blood red and full of rage. Isabella turned, her wicked smile ceased to falter. 

“Don’t you dare touch her!”

"MIGUEL DON'T-!" I try to warn him.

But I was too late. 

Blinded by his rage, Isabella launches another sonic screech directly at Miguel. He tries to resist, slowly putting one foot in front of the other as his knees buckle. 

"You're not going anywhere, Lord O'Hara, not until you give me what I want. Tell me your secret. Tell me your deepest desire!" Isabella laughs manically.

"Stop it, you're hurting him!" I let out a weak scream, trying to reach out a hand towards him. "Miguel!!"

"A-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!"

Miguel fell to his knees, but he kept going. With everything that was being thrown his way, he still kept moving. Even when he collapsed completely, he continued to crawl and pull himself forward. He really tries to push through it but the more he fights, the more his body starts to fail him. 

“No, no, se puede enterar así,” He strains, his throat dry from the screams. - She can’t find out like this 

In that moment I realized he was crawling towards not Isabella, but to me. 

“This isn’t. . . What I planned. . .” Miguel choked. 

I’m begging, pleading for him to stop. But with the high frequency of Isabella’s sonic blasts affecting Miguel’s sensitive hearing, I didn’t know if he could tell that I was telling him or Isabella to stop. Either way, it didn’t seem to matter to him.

I just wanted him to not be in pain anymore. 

"Just let it out, O'Hara and the pain goes away!" Isabella smiles with devilish intent.

"MIGUEL!" I screamed out, trying to reach for him. "PLEASE, STOP THIS!"

He tries to. He wants to. But try as he might, he can't fight this anymore. He can't fight himself anymore. Heaving heavily, he manages to pull himself to his knees and screams– "I LIKE YOU, LISA!" 

Isabella lets up on the sonic beam as Miguel catches his breath, his ears ringing as the muscles of his body pulses from the dull aching pain that coursed through him. He lifted his head, his gaze meeting mine as the red iris faded away to his chocolate brown orbs. 

"I have feelings for you, too,"

The world seemed to stop and fade away around Lisa. Her eyes go wide, her vision blurring from the tears that are threatening to give out. "Miguel," Her voice was but a weak whimper.

Isabella’s laughter echoed around us as she stood between us. “Oh, this is delightful!” 

Her tail slithered to my side, wrapping itself around my frame as it hoisted me into the air. The combined pain of my wound and the sonic screech coursed through my body as I hissed and whined at the pain. Isabella brought me closer towards her, her claws extending as she angled them to my neck.

“How about an exchange, Spider-Man?” She smiled. “Your head, for hers,”

Miguel’s breathing was heavy as he looked up, his pupils wide as he slowly pulled himself up to his knees. “Please– Don’t,” He pleaded softly. He retracted his claws, hands in the air. 

“Speak up, you peasant,” Isabella ordered with a roll of her eyes. “I can’t hear you when you whimper,”

“Don’t–” Miguel’s cast down to the ground before he looked up, his red iris’s flaring as he managed a half smile. “Let the door hit you on the way out,”

“What?” Isabella’s demeanor quickly changed when she noticed his sudden change in attitude. 

Then there was the sound of a car horn. She turned and took the brunt force of a 1930’s convertible to the face. The front of the car dented and cracked as she shrieked from the impact. Her tail loosened as my body fell free from her grasp, as Miguel sprang forward and caught me in his arms. 

As Isabella crashed to the ground, Miguel glanced over, a very relieved sigh escaping his lips. “Cutting it a little close there,”

“Sorry I’m late to the party,” A smooth bravado voice spoke up as the figure’s black trench coat blew in the wind.

He landed on the ground, taking a second to snuff out his cigarette and adjust his fedora before Spider-Man Noir stepped up to the plate, cracking his knuckles before putting his fists up. 

“Now that I’ve finally made it to the ballroom, let’s dance,” 

//////////

Leave a like or comment if you want to be added to the tag list

Tagged: @0eye0​​​, @sadgurlstar , @uhnanix​​​ , @r1dd1kulus​​​, @the-lululemon​​​,    @kirablommuwu​​​ @kenacole​​​ @kuinnoa​​​,   @devotedlyatomicdeer​​​  @hltendo , @r0sib3lleeditx​​​​ @noahspector​​​​    @senicrile    @ahoeformyself