#hoping to take VP on the regular from now on

[cherryrockpops]

++ The Big Gun ++

Oh, oh, oh, your love is like bad medicine Bad medicine is what I need Oh, oh, oh, shake it up, just like bad medicine There ain't no doctor that can cure my disease

Bonus shot of the original still + Nexus Mod Link vvvvv

[himbodruid]

A Devil and A Bard

Part 2

Raphael x F!Tav

Raphael x Haarlep x Tav

Named!Tav | Bard!Tav

You can read part 1 >here<

A/N: this chapter contains 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ and has p in v, along with double vp. Just some Raphael brain rot that may stray from canon. Im a devil knot truther

18+ ONLY, Minors absolutely DNI

Chapter 2: In which the bard gets…distracted

When Lore returned to their shared space in the Elfsong, Astarion was on her almost immediately. Thankfully, it appeared the rest of the companions hadnt returned yet.

“You smell like the hells, what did you get yourself caught up in?”

“None of your business,” Lore sighed. The comment was half hearted, as she could never find herself to stay irritated at the spawn. After a single shared night of awkward intimacy, the two had become fast friends. It helped that they had somewhat similar traumas, though Lore knew that what he suffered had been far far worse.

“Oh, come now, darling. Of all our companions, you know I will keep every sordid detail a secret.”

And he had kept the secret. While calling her a pretty little idiot.

Which is what she felt like now, sneaking into the House of Hope. Of all her fool-brained ideas, this one was probably her worst. It had taken only a small fortune to convince Helsik to allow her access to the portal, but she didn’t miss the skeptical eye Helsik gave when it came to light that Lore was to travel to the hells alone.

Upon entry, she had met with a rather…scattered patron who gave her clothing so that she might fit in with other debtors. Lore thought she heard her name to be Hope, but with the half-mad rambling she couldnt remember.

It didn’t take long for her to get thoroughly lost. Keeping track of where she was going was never her strong suit, and it was even worse within the gilded halls of Raphael’s house. Thankfully, it appeared the master of the house was still out on business. Lore had no doubt he could probably sense her presence here, in fact she was sure he kept meticulous track of every single debtor in these halls. He was kind of a control freak that way. But it didn’t seem like her presence would be an issue. Yet.

Lore stood in the center of the only room she recognized and huffed. Hands on her hips, she twisted this way and that, trying to come up with a plan. Where did devils even keep their contracts? The bedroom?

She recalled seeing a couple of rooms that had been shrouded in a mist-like magic that prevented entrance from everyone. Why he couldn’t just use a regular locked door, she didn’t know. But that was as good a place as any to start.

If she could remember where the blasted thing was.

A hot breeze traveled down a corridor, bringing the scent of the hells with it. She followed the direction it came from and found herself at a balcony overlooking Avernus. The sight would be breathtaking if she wasn’t on high alert, waiting for Raphael to appear at any moment and destroy her for breaking in.

Leaning out over the edge of the balcony, Lore thought she could see an adjacent balcony peeking over an outcropping of rock. Steeling herself, she hopped the railing and crept along the rock to the other side. There, a grin formed on her face. She found it! The bedroom lay in front of her. It almost felt too easy. She vaulted over the railing and walked into the room, puffed up and rather proud of herself. Only, she had forgotten to be cautious in her pride.

“A lost little mouse is running through the house.” Shit. “A thief in the night, greedy, and here to take. Why are you here, little thief?”

Lore froze at the first rumblings of his voice, but once his speech was done, she turned to Raphael. Her eyes widened when she beheld him, and she felt heat rush to her face. “Ra-“ her voice caught, and she cleared her throat. “Raphael?”

The half-nude cambion chuckled darkly from where he was sprawled lasciviously on silken sheets. “I am Haarlep, Raphael’s personal incubus. Glamoured to be an exact copy. You, however, have not answered me.”

Lore squinted skeptically, observing the fiend in front of her. His voice didn’t hold the same kind of gravel to it that Raphael’s did, and he did indeed appear to be a slightly younger version of Raphael. Still, the cambion was known for his tricks.

“Why do you care why I’m here if you say you are who you claim to be?”

Haarlep let out a delighted laugh. “I can see why he likes you! Tell me, little mouse, would you like to play a game? If you win, everything you desire shall be yours. But if you lose…let’s just say you will enjoy yourself much more.”

The fiend stood from the bed, sauntering over to where Lore stood with cat-like grace. A predator stalking his prey. He loomed over her, and she was dismayed to find that he had the same kind of magnetism that Raphael had. She neglected to answer his inquiry though, instead choosing to observe the incubus.

“If you are glamoured to be a copy of Raphael,” she started slowly. “Then why are you both younger and slightly taller?”

Haarlep’s brows shot upwards and then he broke into raucous laughter.

“Oh my dearest pet, you are absolutely a delight. I could tell you the reasons, but what fun would that be? Perhaps you should play my game and add the answer to your prize, should you win. After all, the way your gaze flickers across my face, I can tell you would love nothing more than to experience being kissed by the master.”

His teasing sent blood rushing to Lore’s face and she indignantly replied “For your information, I have already experienced kissing Raphael.”

“Well, well, well, colour me shocked!” came his chuckled reply. Lore furrowed her brow and crossed her arms.

“Are you trying to say I'm not enticing enough to have engaged in such activity with Raphael?”

Haarlep’s hand went to his chin and he looked her up and down with a deep hum of thought. “You are a beauty to behold, but the master tends to have very particular tastes. Take myself, for example, as his personal incubus.”

“I'm going to choose not to take offense to that,” Lore huffed.

Haarlep chuckled at her affected affront. “How about this, little mouse! A change to my game, as it were. If you can manage to seduce the master, then you will win whatever it is you seek. Even if you lose,” he growled those last words, moving closer to her and hovering his mouth just above hers. She tilted her head back in an automatic reaction, earning a predatory grin from him as he repeated the last words. “Even if you lose, you will win. After all, how could you possibly settle with kissing the master just. One. Time.”

With a frustrated sigh, Lore gave in to his flirtation and pressed her mouth against Haarlep’s. He immediately coaxed her mouth open and thrust his tongue against hers. Lore vaguely remembered something she read about incubus and succubus saliva having an aphrodisiac effect, but that brief flash was drowned out by the heightened sensations of his body pressing against hers.

He lifted her so that her legs wrapped around his hips, her arms going to wrap around his neck so that her hands could filter into his hair. While she clung to him, Haarlep carried her to the bed, dropping down atop her as soon as her back hit the silken sheets. A snap of fingers, a flash of heat, and she suddenly lay naked under him. Her body was so riddled with lust that she didn’t even have the common decency to be embarrassed at her state of lewd undress. He sat up on his knees, his eyes taking in every curve of her body sprawled before him.

“Such a delicious little treat. The master better get here before I devour you.”

“How will he even know I’m here if he’s away on business?” Lore hated how breathy her voice had become, but gods the visual of this false Raphael resting at the apex of her thighs just did things to her mind, though the bastard remained clothed in his harness. He trailed a clawed finger from her knee to inner thigh with a self assured grin.

“Everything I do to you while in this form, Raphael will be able to feel and hear. If you are lucky, he will be curious enough to see what little mouse has been caught in the trap. If not, you will have to surrender your body to me.”

“I will surrender my body, but not my mind,” she stated firmly.

“Excellent.”

With that, his harness flashed away in a simple snap of his fingers and he lowered himself onto her. The ridged length of his turgid cock rested heavily against her pelvis. Gods but he felt massive, Lore wondered if he would even be able to fit. The thought melted away as his tongue plunged into her mouth once more, and she moaned against him. Haarlep’s hands roamed her body, his claws scraping lightly against her flesh and sending shivers through her. One hand ventured lower, lower, until it reached between them and dipped into her folds.

“So wet for me already,” he chuckled against her mouth. “And we’ve only just begun.”

Fanged teeth nipped down her neck, across her collarbone, and finally found its way to one of her pert breasts. Haarlep took the pebbled peak of her nipple between his teeth and tugged. Lore hissed out a breath, arching her back so that more of the mounded flesh pressed into his mouth. In an embarrassing lapse of control, Lore found herself moaning Haarlep’s name while her hand clenched into his hair.

“Such a touch-starved little dove,” he growled, rolling his tongue around the one nipple and switching to the other. He was right, Lore was touch-starved. Besides the kiss with Raphael, the last time she’d had any kind of intimate contact was with Astarion at the tiefling party. The other companions found solace in each other’s bodies, but Lore couldn’t bring herself to let go like they had. Now she briefly wondered if it was because Raphael had gotten under her skin when the group had run into him at Last Light. She hadn’t missed the way Raphael’s eyes had traveled up and down her form then, and had wondered what had been going through his mind. The thoughts had haunted her, giving in to fantasy and lewd dreaming.

“Let him hear you through me, pet.” Lore had clenched her jaw to keep from making the mewling sounds that built up at the back of her throat from Haarlep’s administrations. “After all, the game is to lure him here, is it not?”

Haarlep’s hot tongue trailed down her stomach while his blazing eyes remained locked with Lore’s. Lower, still, he went. Until his teeth sunk into her inner thigh, just above her mound. She hissed out a moan, throwing her head back into the silken sheets and arching her back. Gods how her body thrummed for him. And then his tongue lathed at her core and her head snapped back up. She hated the sensation when it had come to other partners, but Haarlep’s practiced tongue spread heat through her. The fact that he looked like Raphael also probably helped. He lapped her up, working her until she wasn’t sure how much more she could take. And then he stopped, much to her dismay.

But then his teeth found her other thigh, and she cried out. Whether pain or pleasure, she didn’t know. The line seemed to blur when it came to a devil such as him playing with her.

“That’s it, mouse. I can feel that the master is curious, now. Cry out for him, and I am sure he will come.” The double entendre of Haarlep’s words sent another shudder through her and she let out a whimpering moan. Her hands clenched into the sheets beneath her, and Haarlep continued giving bites along the length of her body until he lay over her once more. The head of his cock rested against her folds, and as much as she tried to pull him into her, he remained just out of reach.

“Raphael, please,” she whimpered, her mind so gone to the sensations of him that she didn’t even realize she had called out the wrong name. His hips pushed forward, but his cock didn’t enter her. Instead the ridges dragged tauntingly upwards against her clit and mound.

“Yes, pet. Call for the master. Make him wish to see you hot and writhing, begging for more,” Haarlep growled into her ear, but then he pulled away.

Her protest died on her tongue as he flipped her over and positioned her so that she was on her elbows and knees with a view of the mist shrouded doorway. Haarlep mounted her from behind, his teeth grazing her shoulder blades and the back of her neck, her raven hair spilled to the other side. Lore’s legs were spread wider and then-

“F-fuck,” she cried out as he entered her fully in one single thrust. He was big, but somehow he was able to bury himself to the hilt. The burning stretch of him nearly sent her over the edge, but he remained infuriatingly still until the threat of her climax abated.

“Oh yes, little mouse. The master is definitely tuned in now,” he said, pulling back and thrusting hard into her with a grunt. She was no longer conscious of the sounds she made, so lost was she in the sensation of the ridges on the underside of his thick length. His hips worked her into a frenzy, always pausing when he felt her on the edge of spilling over. She was rapidly traveling towards overstimulation and the cries of pleasure poured from her unbidden.

She didn’t even realize they had an audience until Haarlep hauled her up, her back against his chest and his arms wrapped firmly around her to hold her in place while he shallowly pumped in and out of her.

Raphael stood near the door, watching them with an expression Lore couldn’t read. His arms were crossed and he leaned casually against the frame, but said nothing. Her heart thundered in her chest as she observed him observing them.

“Isn’t she just glorious, master? Beautiful, impaled on your cock,” Haarlep growled aginst her ear. Lore whimpered, feeling a climax building rapidly once more while Raphael just continued to watch on. Her hands frantically reached for Haarlep, trying with all her might to ride his cock into an orgasm, but he stilled. Again. The bastard.

“Nuh-uh-uh, little mouse. It’s only fair that we save that honour for the master is it not?”

Lore whimpered her complaint, her body strung tighter than a bow at the continuously denied pleasure. When she tried again, Haarlep punished her further by removing himself entirely.

“Poor little pet. If you want it so bad, perhaps you should beg the master for your release.”

Her eyes, half-lidded by desire and pleasure, found Raphael’s. His face remained impassive, but he pushed away from the doorframe and approached the bed at a languid pace. His eyes remained locked to hers, though she couldn't read his expression with how sex-addled her brain was.

“Raphael, please,” she whimpered, squirming against Haarlep’s hold.

“Tell the master what you want, little mouse.”

“Haarlep wont let me cum, Raphael,” she whined. “Please.”

Lore could see hunger ignite in Raphael’s eyes. In an effort to entice him further, Lore turned her head so that her mouth found Haarlep’s. The action had its desired effect, and suddenly Raphael burst into his cambion form in a flash of hellfire. He climbed onto the bed to wrench Lore’s face from Haarlep’s and devoured her mouth with his own in a fit of possession. He pressed forward until Lore was thoroughly sandwiched between the two fiends- Haarlep’s chest to her back as she laid on him, and Raphael’s chest to her own as he pressed atop her.

“You play a dangerous game, but oh, you sing so sweetly little bard,” rumbled Raphael as he tilted his head to nip at her neck. Haarlep’s teeth found her neck on the opposite side and she was lost to the pair. Her moan rang out into the room and she snaked her arms around Raphael’s shoulders. When she attempted to wrap her legs around his hips, she found that they were restrained by each fiend’s tail.

And then she felt…oh..oh gods. Lore threw her head back and cried out as both cocks nudged against her slit. First she had fully expected each to fill both holes, but instead they stretched her to the point that pain and pleasure became one and the same. She didn’t know how much further her cunt could stretch, but Raphael and Haarlep thrust into her in tandem- when Haarlep pulled out, Raphael pumped his hips forward.

“Fuck, Raphael,” she cried out, her breath being stolen from her as the pain quickly converted into pleasure. In just a few more thrusts from each fiend, she was thrown over the edge of the most violent climax she’d ever experienced. Her entire body shuddered and twitched of its own volition and black spots danced in her vision. Grunts and growls erupted from Raphael and Haarlep as her cunt milked both of them, though neither fiend released in response to hers.

In fact, Haarlep removed himself from her body, his mouth finding Raphael’s while she came down from the high. Raphael continued thrusting into her, though each stroke was short and shallow and drove her to overstimulation.

Haarlep’s hand found her chin and turned her head so that he could thrust his tongue into her mouth, and soon after turned her head so that Raphael could have his turn. Raphael’s hips pressed forward and the ridges of him dragged so deliciously against her inner walls. As he tilted his hips forward, plunging again to the hilt, something felt…off? Not in a bad way, but there appeared to be some kind of bulge at the base of his cock that hadn’t been there before. Or was she remembering Haarlep?

“You’re in for a real treat, pet,” Haarlep murmured into her ear by way of an answer to her unvoiced question. “The master doesn’t knot just anyone.”

Knot? Lore wasn’t familiar with cambion anatomy, but she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to know what a knot was. But gods, Raphael felt so good, pumping into her with slow and methodical thrusts. Her legs were released from the tail restraint, only for Haarlep to hook her knees over his arms and spread her wide for Raphael.

And then he thrust forward so violently deep that she arched her back and cried out. What she thought must be the mentioned knot locked him into her and Raphael’s thrusts became constrained, short and quick as allowed by the knot.

“You take my cock so well, little mouse,” Raphael growled to her. His hips pressed so hard, so close into hers that she didn't know where he ended and she began. His cock twitched, and then she felt hot ropes of cum released into her with a guttural growl from Raphael. He relaxed his hips for a brief moment, only for him to snap forward again with a grunt, releasing a second time in such a short span of time. The throbbing movement of his cock deep in her sent Lore over the edge again, and she clung to him while her body trembled and milked him for everything he had to give. Her climax sent another zipping through him and yet another round of heat was pumped into her.

“So fucking good, my little songbird,” Raphael all but whimpered as he nuzzled into her neck.

“You take the master’s cock so beautifully. Sing for him little mouse,” Haarlep praised. Lore whimpered in response, not sure how much pleasure one mortal could even take.

Raphael’s mouth found hers again and he thrust his tongue into her mouth in the same tempo that his hips pumped his cock into her. And then yet again, she could feel him throbbing inside her as more heat scorched into her.

“Gods, Raphael,” she whined. “I’m going to leak your cum for months.”

“Good,” he growled. “Mine. Haarlep, leave.”

Raphael’s growled command was met with no complaint, and soon it was just Lore crushed beneath Raphael with his cock buried so impossibly deep in her.

Raphael’s hips snapped forward again and his teeth sunk into her neck. He marked her, inside and out, so thoroughly claiming her. Another orgasm rocked through her and her limbs trembled with the effort of keeping them up and wrapped around Raphael. Her nails dug into his back with the effort, leaving scratches in the wake of her fingers being knocked from their grip with his thrusts. Her voice rang out into the empty air of the room, no longer restrained by timidness. Many times it was Raphael’s name being chanted in time to each pulsing thrust.

Twice more his cum painted her inner walls, and twice more her cunt milked him for every last drop.

After what seemed like ages, Raphael’s body was finally convinced that Lore was thoroughly bred and the knot subsided. Exhausted, he collapsed atop her, and Lore couldn’t muster a complaint while so completely sated. His weight on her and his warmth was nice, and this lulled her into sleep faster than she could think of the repercussions of their frenzied coupling.

[those70scomics]

Fictober Day 9: "don't listen to me, listen to them"

That '70s Show Fanfiction

Hyde paced W.B.'s office at Grooves's headquarters. Angie was present, as was Jackie. She'd taken time off from her busy-as-hell schedule for this meeting.

"It's a dumb idea," he said. "I shouldn't have even brought it up."

"It's not dumb, and I'm happy that you told us about it." W.B. grasped Hyde's arm, stopping him near W.B.'s desk. "You're turning twenty-nine in less than two months. You're engaged. You should want more."

Angie's facial expression showed that she'd been waiting for this day. "I dreamt of running a record store since I was a kid. Then of running all of Grooves someday, and now I'm the company's senior VP of operations. You're allowed to pursue your dreams, too."

"I've already got more than I ever freakin' dreamed." Hyde glanced back at Jackie, who'd remained silent so far. "It ain't fair to to risk it all."

"You don't think creating Grooves was a risk?" W.B. said. I was married to Angie's mother, who was pregnant with Angie. We needed the security of a regular paycheck, but her mom wanted me to be happy. And my risk eventually paid off more than anybody could've imagined."

Hyde gestured in defeat. "I can't imagine this workin'."

Jackie stepped toward him and touched his hand. "Neither can I."

"Exactly."

"But don't listen to me. Listen to them."

Hyde stared at her. "Who the hell are you, and what've you done with my chick."

"Steven." She jostled his hand. "I'm redesigning my whole spring collection. I can't imagine that working either, but I'm doing it anyway. This time next year on October ninth, 1990, you'll have put out your first record on your own label."

"A sub label of Grooves Records, of course," Angie said with a smirk.

Hyde bowed his head and hunched his shoulders. "That's nepotism."

"That's expanding the family business." W.B. patted Hyde's back. "I'm not taking an opportunity away from anyone else. You've earned this. The demos you've played me, you have the ear, son."

Hyde sat in the closest chair. His legs were shaking from what was being said, being offered.

"You've been apprenticing under Frankie Branch to learn audio engineering, music production, for how long?" W.B. continued. "Picked up the guitar expertly in three years of lessons and learned as much by listening to songs. Taught yourself bass guitar. Became Cam's favorite drum student, and that's saying a lot."

Angie gazed at the high ceiling and shook her head. "Edna and Bud gave you no chance to realize you have perfect pitch. You didn't understand what you were capable of. You've had to play catch-up in your mid-twenties."

Jackie stood in front of Hyde and rubbed his arms over his long sleeves. "Your childhood was stolen from you. You once told me all the doors were locked for you but one. Your family, your true family, has unlocked so many. You've walked through a lot. Don't shut this door and walk away."

Hyde covered his face in his hands. His emotions were getting to him, breaking through his defenses. As a kid, Formans' folks signed Forman up for jazz guitar lessons, which he abandoned. Only the acoustic guitar remained, and Hyde played that thing every second he could at the Formans' house.

He used Forman's beginners' workbook to learn tabs that were printed alongside sheet music. Hyde couldn't read music for shit, but tabs he got. Songs on the radio, on records, stuck in his skull like recordings. He figured out how to play the guitar parts himself and, back then, had no clue why could do that.

He understood now.

"Son, are you all right?" W.B. said.

Hyde raised his head and wiped his eyes. "Yeah. Just ... when ya don't believe something's possible for you for so damn long -- and then it happens? Kind of a mind fuck."

"So you'll start your label?" Jackie smiled at him with such hope, such support, he would've fallen in love with her if he hadn't already fallen twelve years ago.

"Yup."

Jackie cheered, and W.B. congratulated him in a proud, fatherly way Hyde was still growing used to.

"What are you going to call it?" Angie said.

Hyde grinned. "Burn-Out Records."

[fereldanwench]

(I feel the need to make a small disclaimer: I am going to be talking about my perceptions about the CP77 fandom culture, some of which might be critical in nature, but this is not a call-out post on an individual or community scale. This is just me sharing some personal reflections. I suspect I'm not totally alone in some of this, but as always, YMMV.

Also, pleasepleaseplease do not feel bad or guilty for reaching out to me or tagging me in stuff or whatever--It means a lot to me that folks wanna chat and connect, and normally I'm 100% down, but I just need to clear my head a bit.)

So I've been ruminating a lot over the past few weeks about my ability to maintain a certain level of activity when it comes to fandom stuff, and I've concluded that my fandom social battery is really, really low.

I'm having a hard time keeping up with DMs, I'm having a hard time keeping up with tag games, I'm having a hard time keeping up with asks, I'm having a hard time keeping up with all the awesome stuff y'all are making--I'm just burnt out socially. And normally I would just take a social media break, but I think this is coming from deeper personal issues that a week offline isn't going to fix.

I've never been in a fandom before where I felt like there was this expectation to keep up with just about every single person in the community. It might be a false expectation I'm putting on myself, but given that I've seen other people apologize for not being able to keep up with posts or apologize for not having the spoons to leave nice tags on reblogs, I don't think this is just a me problem.

The CP77 fandom is relatively small compared to many of my other fandoms, like Dragon Age or Mass Effect, which I think can make it feel like keeping up with a good chunk of the community is totally feasible. For instance, I knew I could never dream of seeing all the DA content on Tumblr, so I never even made the effort to, but I know I can probably get just about everyone who posts in the femvfriday hastag by a certain time. So I often felt like I should do that, especially if I posted in the tag that Friday, too.

But the CP77 fandom is also really active, I think in large part due to the accessibility of photomode and virtual photography. I hope it's clear that I'm not saying this to diminish the value of VP, and obviously, everyone's mileage may vary based on personal technique and other artistic experience, but from my perspective, it does in general seem to be a quicker medium than traditional art or fic. I love the creativity of this community, but I actually can't feasibly keep up with everything everyone is doing all the time.

I made sort of a similar post last fall about the self-imposed pressure of having to create new things on a regular basis. At the time, I was grappling with losing a lot of personal time and brain power after having COVID in September and then working overtime in October, and I wasn't able to make stuff at the rate I had previously. I knew it was ridiculous, I knew no one was like "omg wench didn't post today, shame on her," but there was still FOMO on my part. I also felt like I had lost something I had previously had (specifically the time and energy to create) on account of shitty circumstances, which compounded my frustration.

I've been trying to tell myself that feeling guilty for not having the energy to reply to DMs in a timely fashion or to reblog every femvfriday post is just as silly and self-imposed, and that I don't need to explain to anyone that I just don't have the energy to participate like that right now. I've always been a very strong advocate for people using Tumblr how they want, and while yes, doing things like reblogging posts is a great way to connect with other people and show appreciation to fellow creators and I do encourage people who want to be a part of a community to do these things, it should never feel like an obligation. (The commentary on this post absolutely nails it for me.)

But this guilt and anxiety are harder to shake. Even in my very early days in the CP77 fandom, I noticed that it seemed very transactional to me. And to a point that makes sense, and I think is at least somewhat the result of Tumblr's functionality: you are going to be more likely to notice people who notice you and by extension to support people who support you. I don't think it's inherently a bad thing, but I think it can become one if there's no deeper connection after a certain point, especially if people start to feel like there's an imbalance in the transaction.

The gossipy nature of this fandom can make that even worse--It can be pretty easy to notice a drop-off in activity from someone who might have previously been very supportive and then spiral from "it's just because they're busy, it's fine" to "they're not interacting with me anymore because they heard something bad about me and now they hate me." (I've been on both sides of that one.) There are also a lot of assumptions about cliques and friendships and who's interacting with whom because of fandom politics or whatever that add another layer of stress and confusion here.

So for the past few weeks, every time I go to reblog a post or reply to a comment or consider who to tag after doing a tag game, all of this is weighing on me. Even if it's stupid, even if it's self-imposed, this is what is on my mind.

And what that's been resulting in is largely just not wanting to interact at all. Sometimes it would even make me feel guilty about posting my own stuff if I hadn't interacted with anyone else's in a while, as if I need to support other people in order to earn the privilege to share my own work. And this is of course reflective of much deeper issues I have (read: eldest daughter syndrome) than just fandom nonsense--I'm not putting this one on fandom at all--But it's a thing I deal with.

At some point in the past six month or so, I really lost sight of what this blog is really for, and that's for me. I do generally like interacting with the fandom at large, and I like organizing things and sharing resources that I think can be helpful for folks (especially since I really struggled with how much knowledge was locked behind Discord servers), but my blog is not actually a space for the CP77 community. It is for me, first and foremost, and I need to make it for me again.

I don't know exactly what that's gonna look like. I still consider CP77 my main fandom, and I don't really have much inclination to create or engage in other fictional worlds right now so it might not really look that much different. And I'm hoping that by removing some of this stress, it'll actually recharge my social battery so I can be better at doing the fun stuff like chatting about OCs and shippy stuff with friends.

But my activity here will probably be a lot more erratic as I reclaim this as a happy space for myself.

So that's it. And as always, if you read all of my personal problems, thank you, lmao. I know I'm ridiculous, and it's not that serious, and blah blah blah but THIS IS HOW I WORK THROUGH SHIT OKAY thx

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 3/5

Book Blurb: From the New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six (under the pen name Olivie Blake) comes Twelfth Knight, a YA romantic comedy and coming-of-age story about taking up space in the world and learning what it means to let others in.

*This luxe hardcover edition will include endpaper art by Little Chmura, a foil case stamp, and designed printed edges.*

Viola Reyes is annoyed.

Her painstakingly crafted tabletop game campaign was shot down, her best friend is suggesting she try being more “likable,” and her school's star running back Jack Orsino is the most lackadaisical Student Body President she’s ever seen, which makes her job as VP that much harder. Vi’s favorite escape from the world is the MMORPG Twelfth Knight, but online spaces aren’t exactly kind to girls like her—girls who are extremely competent and have the swagger to prove it. So Vi creates a masculine alter ego, choosing to play as a knight named Cesario to create a safe haven for herself.

But when a football injury leads Jack Orsino to the world of Twelfth Knight, Vi is alarmed to discover their online alter egos—Cesario and Duke Orsino—are surprisingly well-matched.

As the long nights of game-play turn into discussions about life and love, Vi and Jack soon realize they’ve become more than just weapon-wielding characters in an online game. But Vi has been concealing her true identity from Jack, and Jack might just be falling for her offline…

Review: A Twelfth Night modern day retelling set in high school following a girl who is known for being the unlikable Vice President and the school's star running back/Student Body president who find themselves bonding over a online game... but under different identities. Viola Reyes is known as a "bitch", she isn't everyone's cup of tea and most people dislike her. She is the vice president for the student body and is tired of having to do all the work of the President who just doesnt seem to care at all. The only real comfort Viola has is the online game, Twelfth Knight, in which she can be herself albeit by taking up a guy character and being treated with respect and understanding... something she doesn't get in her regular life. Jack Orsino is the star running back for the football team and the Student Body President. He's charming, popular and likable... except he gets into an accident and gets a football injury which leads him to begin playing in the world of Twelfth Knight. Jack's life is turned upside down when he is injured as his girlfriend dumped him, his football team doesn't seem to need him, and now he's trying to figure out what he's going to do next if he doesn't have football. Jack begins to befriend another player in Twelfth Knight while also striking a deal with Vi, if she helps him get his ex-gf back by talking to her, he'll do his duties and take over the dance duties he was mean to but she was made to do. The more time they spend together the more they begin to fall for each other... yet Viola is hiding the fact that she has become Jack's friend on Twelfth Knight and she's afraid that if she reveals the truth he'll hate her. I was initially super excited for this, as a huge fan of the classic Shakespeare story and a lover of modern adaptations, this was giving me "She's the Man" vibes and I couldn't wait. I liked Viola and honestly her friendship with Olivia was the real shining aspect of the book for me. They were so sweet together and I really had hopes this could have been a sapphic romance but I also appreciate the female friendship. Jack on the other hand... he's alright. He just didn't feel like he had a lot of character and his relationship with Vi was meh at best for me. I wanted to like this book but it felt a bit too long and it felt I just didn't see the romance or chemistry between Vi and Jack. Overall, if you'd like to read a modern spin on Twelfth Night, I'd say give it a go anyways because it's a unique twist on the classic story.

*Thanks Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group | Tor Teen for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[ae-azile]

I really love how you write pets in Progression. VegasPete got their cats and Nam has Phoenix. Now Chay found love of his life, Koda:D. I really hope Kim will meet with his cat soon. I wonder about the pet dynamic now. Will Phoenix accept Koda or is he already jealous? What will Phoenix and Koda do once Kim's soulmate cat appears? I adore this fic and the way you incorporated pets into it. Arm should get Khun new fish too. Now KinnPorsche should get some pet as well. Maybe bunny (I can't get that photoshoot picture of Mile with white bunny out of my head for some reason). So Kinn would look really cute with bunny and Porsche would match its energy.

I'm so glad you like the pets! I know we only see them occasionally, but Vegas and Khun are canonically animal lovers to some extent, and Kim might be too, considering he has included cats in multiple music videos. It felt important to add them to the lives of the ensemble. 😃

I think it would be great if each character (or couple) got a pet before the story's end. I will say Kim's kitty is going to make her first official appearance in the next couple of chapters, and she does have kittens. So they will need to find homes - preferably with close friends or people living in the compound.

Khun does still have the fish Kinn promised him and purchased for him after Elizabeth and Sebastian died. While they don't fill the hole his two beloved carp left, he does still find solace feeding the fish and spending time with them. In fact, Khun, Arm, and Pol would take Nam on walks around the grounds to go feed them and sit by the pond. 🙂

Oooh, a bunny for Kinn could be fun! I never thought about that possibility for him. During chapter 27, I do mention him having a bird as a kid, one who belonged to his maternal grandmother he inherited and happened to die suddenly of old age the day Kinn was assaulted by Douglas. 😔 I thought of maybe him and Nam bonding over their love of birds and building a nice and secure enclosure to get a couple.

As for the current pets, I think the dynamics are as follows:

Phoenix - for the most part - is very loyal to Nam. He can be extremely playful due to his age, but is an old soul. He is younger than Koda, but feels like he is much wiser. He doesn't hate him, but he is still adjusting to not being the only furbaby and sometimes finds Koda to be a bit goofy and mindless. However, they are slowly bonding and Koda really wants to be his friend when he's not focused on his new dads. Koda is the type of dog who needs regular cuddles, interaction, and care. He wants to be friends with everyone. While Phoenix is friendly as well, there is a more noticeable hierarchy in his favorite people, with Nam being on the first tier, Kim and Chay being on the second tier, Porsche being on the third (although he is on thin ice after saying Koda is more fun than him), and Khun, Arm, Kinn, and Pol being on the fourth tiers. He is friendly acquaintances with the cousins now that he's made a couple of trips to see them, and will become closer with Arm's sisters and nieces once the move in.

Koda definitely ranks Chay as his highest friend, with Kim being a close second. Porsche and Nam rank next, and the other allies in and outside the compound are those he also loves dearly, but those are his top four. He also enjoys visiting several guards and is actually okay with Korn, but doesn't love the tension that seems to pop up whenever he enters a room.

I think Kim's cat and Phoenix might already know each other. They were in the same park. I don't think he is her child, but he might be a nephew. If she moves into the compound, they will become close. I think she will be iffy around the dog first, but will take Kim's, word for it when he tells her she can trust him and they will become good friends. 🩵

As for Pittsburgh & Valencia (VP's cats) - while full blooded siblings from the same litter - Valencia definitely manipulates Pittsburgh for her own amusement and gain sometimes. She loves him, but she also takes after one of her human fathers. Vegas is also the one she is more drawn towards. Pittsburgh is a loveable and playful boy who loves everyone, but is closer with Pete. He really enjoys when Phoenix, Koda, and Lucy (Fern's dog) visit, while Valencia hangs back more. Macau thinks Valencia is sort of a bitch and Pittsburgh is sort of a doofus, but loves them both equally lol.

Thank you for the ask!

[colorfulbard]

Chapter 2

Summary: It would’ve been a regular day had it not been for all those silly rumors. 

Pairing: Keigo Takami x Fem!Reader 

Genre: High School AU

Words: 1.4K

A/N: Wow, this part took longer than expected... Sorry about that. But, look, it’s got a cute header now! I’ll try my best to get back into writing about this wonderful boy. Also, (don’t know if they’ll see this), big thank you to the people who commented on chapter one! I appreciate every comment I get even if I can’t respond cause this isn’t my main account and I don’t wanna confuse people. One last quick note, if you can’t already tell by the header, this story is gonna take a slightly cliche shounen anime turn. But who cares? Cliche’s can be fun.

Chapter 1

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You stretched your hands over your head with a groan. The day had finally come to an end for most of the students, meanwhile, the student council stayed behind for a meeting. Fortunately, it ended fairly quickly which meant you were free to go home and rest.

Once Fuyumi had called the meeting to a close you got up and bid her goodbye. Today was less hectic than yesterday, but it wasn't without its disruptions. Word of your lucky catch spread around like wildfire causing every student within a few feet of you to gape and whisper when you walked by.

According to some of them, you had caught the ball and threw it back to the team without breaking a sweat. Obviously, it wasn't true, but you weren't going to waste your time denouncing every rumor that was bound to blow over in a day.

There was one that was true that was very seldom spread, however. Your hand had been hurting like hell all day. Unsurprising that everyone refused to repeat that one once they heard it. You surmised it was because it was lame or something like that. You rolled your eyes at the thought and walked out of the student council room.

Before you could even take another step forward, a hand wrapped itself around your wrist. Your immediate thought was that it was Rumi considering she usually meets you here after school. That was most definitely not the case when you turned to face whoever it was.

Your eyes widened at the sight to see the school's star player, Takami Keigo. Your brows furrowed and you tugged your wrist back. "Did you need something Takami?" You asked, raising a brow.

He flushed for a moment after noticing his forwardness and sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. "I was hoping I could talk to you for a moment," he responded.

Your brows furrowed and you tilted your head in confusion. You couldn't help but wonder what exactly it was he wanted considering he had never interacted with you before. Save for all those times you had to scold his friend, Touya. Then, it hit you almost like that baseball from yesterday.

"Don't tell me..." You started with a chuckle, "you want to talk to me about how I caught that baseball in my mouth like a dog?" You hoped he would catch onto the joke. However, you wouldn't be surprised if that was an actual rumor going around.

Keigo's eyes widened, but then quickly closed because of the laughter that escaped him. "Wait, you heard that one too?" He asked in between fits of laughter.

Your eyes widened just as his did, "is that one that's actually around?" You shouldn't even be fully surprised, but just how gullible were the people in this school?

You sighed when he nodded. "Honestly I wish everyone would put the same amount of effort into their school work as they do these rumors," you said with a shake of your head. Not that the reputation here was terrible, but you could only imagine the improvement if students were more productive in other areas.

When his laughter finally ceased Keigo spoke, "I just wanted to compliment on that amazing catch yesterday." He stuffed his hands in his pockets after a sudden wave of nerves attacked him. Your aura was just short of oddly intimidating, rightly so considering you were the vice president of the student council.

You snapped your fingers and smirked. "Ah, I almost forget you were the reason my hand is so sore," you teased while waving your hand as if to relieve the pain.

Keigo's eyes widened as his cheeks began to turn red. He began to apologize profusely. "I-I'm... so sorry about that," he stumbled over his words, "I guess I was distracted at that time." He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

You chuckled and gave him an easy-going smile. "Don't worry about it, I was only teasing." You winked and playfully nudged his shoulder.

Keigo was almost taken aback by the sudden shift in your attitude. From what he heard and on occasion saw, you could be pretty uptight. Then again, the only time he ever caught glimpses of you was when Dabi was caught breaking the rules. He smiled at this different side of you.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. It seemed like your job on the council was never-ending even after school because a member ran out of the room to call you back in. It looked like an emergency considering the meeting was supposedly over.

You sighed and waved him goodbye. "The work of a VP is never over it seems," you remarked, "I'll see you around, Takami." With that said, you quickly left him.

Keigo was now alone in the hallway, but not for long. He let out a startled cry at the feeling of someone wrapping an arm around his shoulders. He frowned and was about to tell whoever it was to screw off until he noticed it was Rumi. He sighed, "geez, you scared me," he said, unwrapping her arm.

Rumi laughed and crossed her arms. "Consider it karma for hurting Y/N yesterday," she said darkly while jabbing an elbow into his side.

Keigo squirmed and batted her arm away. "Ow! Hey, come on! I said I was sorry," he reasoned, "what more do you want?" He rolled his eyes at his friend's antics. She had been like this all day, finding random moments to torture him. He had apologized at the end of the game yesterday, but, of course, that wasn't enough to satiate Rumi's blood lust.

Rumi scoffed and rolled her eyes, "well, don't pout like that-"

"I'm not pouting," interjected Keigo with an obvious pout.

"-you're making it seem like you apologized out of obligation." She began walking down the hall, not even bothering to wait for Keigo, with the intention of walking home.

Keigo caught up to her side and laid a hand on his chest. "As if I would ever do such a thing," he said with a dramatic sigh. "I am heartbroken you would ever think that of your most noble best friend." He leaned against her side and pretended to faint.

"Okay, okay! Get off!" Rumi squirmed and shoved him away with a chuckle, "I forgot how stupid you were sometimes."

"And you're not me best friend," she added, "Y/N is."

Keigo gasped with a hand to his forehead. "Can I not also be considered your best friend?" He asked, "I mean, come on, we've known each other for years." The two had met way back in their first year of middle school.

Rumi rolled her eyes again, "don't worry about me, you have Dabi."

Keigo had met him at the start of high school. He had gotten him out of trouble with some teachers and the two were inseparable ever since. He shrugged. "True, but I like having more than one best friend, "he responded, "unlike some people." It was his turn to nudge her.

Rumi swatted his hand away. "Whatever you have your opinions and I have mine," she said snidely while walking faster than him with her head held high.

"Oh, come on! That's a little unfair, don't you think!" He spread his wings to hover and catch up to her.

"Life's unfair bird brain!"

"Rude!"

~

Unnoticed by you two earlier, a group of three had been watching you and Keigo from around the corner. Their grip on the wall had tightened with the way you two talked so casually. They scoffed to themselves at the way you teased him. Clearly, the Vice president was unfamiliar with the way things worked when it came to Keigo.

As they continued to watch you work from the outside of the council room, they couldn't help but narrow their eyes. Call it cliche, but what exactly did he see in you? He had never acknowledged you before.

"So what if she caught some stupid baseball?" One of them said, crossing their arms.

"I know right?" Another agreed, "I can do that. Easy!"

The two would've continued on with their banter had another not spoken up. "Alright, that's enough." With a snap of a finger, the light banter had quickly ceased. The one that had snapped her fingers, the leader, continued to stare as you helped another council member with some papers.

After a few tense moments of silence, the two at her side spoke, "what do you want to do?" They asked in unison.

She smirked and crossed her arms, "don't worry, I have a plan."

~

Taglist: @iloveitblackbhna​

[thunderbucket]

Here we go...

"Those who don't learn from history are destined to repeat it." Right? That's the saying? I've seen versions of that tossed around a lot (two words) on social media over the last year or so. Usually accommodated by some photo of a screaming eagle ridden by a president wrapped in a flag with lasers shooting out of their eyes...or something like that. 

Anyway, that was SO 2020. Now we have vaccinations and mask mandates because of a legitimate world public health risk(Keyword: "world"). I've also seen those same people post lately about segregation, freedoms being taken away, and not being treated equally. They're also planning protests and demonstrations so they can be heard. So. Much. Irony. 

Staying the course, the same thing happened when the Supreme Court issued a historic 1905 ruling that legitimized the government’s authority to “reasonably” infringe upon personal freedoms during a public health crisis by issuing a fine to those who refused vaccination. 116 years ago. We've learned a lot in that time, and science has evolved through technology, and technology is producing technology at a faster rate every day. Sometimes it's easier just to ignore everything and go yell at a cloud. But surprisingly, just because you stopped evolving your thinking and way of life, that didn't make the issues you have with living in the present go away.

Anyway, let's do that. Let's move forward and learn from history and evolve. This morning I chose an excerpt found at the Library of Congress. Apparently, it's a good library. I wanted to learn about presidents. But I couldn't decide on who. If you ask anyone, "Who is the greatest President in the history of the United States?" - my guess would be that George Washington would make the Top 4. After all, he is on the literal Mount Rushmore of presidents. Figured that's a good place to start.

He was considered a military genius. So much, that The Continental Congress commissioned George Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army on June 19, 1775. Washington was selected over other candidates such as John Hancock because of his previous military experience and the hope that a leader from Virginia could help unite the colonies.

In came the British and a new virus called Variola (smallpox). Smallpox is still around, but usually in 3rd world countries. Don't worry though, much like the British, you've had your vaccine (you got it to go to school) and have an immunity built up to fight it. You see, historically, according to the CDC the vaccine has been effective in preventing smallpox infection in 95% of those vaccinated. In addition, the vaccine was proven to prevent OR SUBSTANTIALLY LESSEN infection when given within a few days after a person was exposed to the variola virus. That gave them an enormous advantage against the vulnerable colonists in this revolution. But George had a plan to level the playing field...

"...Weighing the risks, on February 5th of 1777, Washington finally committed to the unpopular policy of mass inoculation by writing to inform Congress of his plan. Throughout February, Washington, with no precedent for the operation he was about to undertake, covertly communicated to his commanding officers orders to oversee mass inoculations of their troops in the model of Morristown and Philadelphia (Dr. Shippen's Hospital). At least eleven hospitals had been constructed by the year's end.

Variola raged throughout the war, devastating the Native American population and slaves who had chosen to fight for the British in exchange for freedom. Yet the isolated infections that sprung up among Continental regulars during the southern campaign failed to incapacitate a single regiment. With few surgeons, fewer medical supplies, and no experience, Washington conducted the first mass inoculation of an army at the height of a war that immeasurably transformed the international system. Defeating the British was impressive, but simultaneously taking on Variola was a risky stroke of genius."

Legend.

Of course, we all know the rest of the story. In 1789 he took the oath that made him the first president. 

Once elected to office, no one knew what to call him though. VP Adams then proposed calling Washington, “His Highness, the President of the United States, and Protector of the Rights of the Same.” He should have been shot out of a cannon. Thankfully, George said, "How about just Mr. President?"

For more fun facts that don't require deworming, visit https://www.loc.gov/.../GW&smallpoxinoculation.html...

[noladyme]

The Crown Princess of Charming - part 2

Welcome to Charming - its name says it all. Cat needed a fresh start; and though she hadn’t planned on that being in the arms of the crown prince of this little town’s bikerclub - that was what happened. This Charming CA would either be the death of her - or a whole new life.

Rated M

Tag-list

@wolf-lover-bookdragon

@wonderlandfandomkingdom

2

The following Monday, I got up early; excited for my new job – and admittedly still reeling from the night I’d had at the clubhouse with Jax. He’d texted me before I even got back to motel; and when I looked at my phone in my room, I blushed. - thanks for coming tonight. Miss you already – J I’d answered immediately. - I’m sure there are crow-eaters enough at the clubhouse to hold you over ;-) 5 minutes later my phone vibrated. - None of them taste like pancakes. Or have your pretty eyes. I was grinning like an idiot. - Goodnight, Jackson :-) - Night, babe ;-)

I’d spent the Sunday relaxing and watching bad tv; once in a while answering a text from Jax. They were mostly just thinking of you, messages; a few of them with raunchy subtext – but they kept the fire in my belly burning.

This morning I put on my favorite knee-length summer dress. Even though it was October; California was still hot; and the dress was cool enough to make the heat bearable; but still conservative enough for work. I decided to leave the top button undone. Now shame in flaunting the ladies, I smiled to myself. My necklace on, and a light makeup – and I was off.

My “new” chevy ran like a dream, and I arrived to my first workday in style – if you consider classic cars and dog-smell, style. My new coworkers were all friendly; and there was a bouquet of pink roses on my desk when I walked into my class-room. There was no card attached.

Last period was 6’th grade English. During roll-call, I noticed Opie’s daughter – Ellie – at the back of the room. I sent her a knowing smile; and her lip twitched in response. She seemed shy. After 45 minutes of analyzing The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; class was dismissed. Ellie walked up to me, once all the other kids had left the room.

“Miss Rose?”, she said quietly. “What’s up, Ellie?”, I smiled. “Lyla wants to know if you can come over for coffee tomorrow”, the girl said. “Tell her I’d love to. At your house?”. Ellie nodded. “Lyla’s kind of my stepmom”, she muttered. “She’s nice”, I smiled. Ellie smiled. “Yeah, I think so”. I packed up my things to finish for the day. “So, after school tomorrow?”, I asked. Ellie nodded. “I’ll give you a ride home then”, I said. “You can show me the way”. The girl grinned at me.

As I left my classroom, I was met by by the principal. “Mr. Thoms!”, I said. “Please, Catherine, call me Ray”, the man smiled. “Ray”, I grinned. “I just stopped by to see how your first day went”, the man said. “It’s been great. The kids are amazing; and you’ve all been so welcoming. Thanks for the flowers on my desk!”. Ray looked in to my classroom. “They’re lovely, but I don’t think we got you any flowers”, he smiled awkwardly. “Oh… must have been some of the kids”, I said. “Must have”, the principal answered. “Well; once again, welcome. I think you’ll be a good addition to the staff. I know there was an issue with your records, though…”. I flushed red. “Yes. I… there was a misunderstanding at my old school”, I said. “I promise you won’t have any problems with me, sir”. Ray nodded, and clenched his jaw. “I’m sure we won’t… nevertheless; I’m afraid you’ll have to do regular drug-testing”, he said. “I’m sorry, Catherine, but it’s out of my hands”. I nodded. “I understand. I’ll do whatever’s necessary”, I said. “But I must admit I’m confused. I thought those accusations were erased from my records”. Ray shrugged. “I received an addition to them l this morning. I was told they’d been forgotten in the transfer”. I frowned.

Ray shook my hand; and smiled. “Don’t worry. We all have our pasts to deal with. It’s the teacher you are now that matters”. He walked to his office; and left me behind – deeply confused; and extremely frustrated.

---

The next day I had coffee with Lyla at Opie’s house. He had left on some club business, the night before.

“Is it hard to just sit here, and not know when he’ll be home?”, I asked, sipping at the perfect cup of caffeine she’d made. “This is good!”, I added. “Thanks. I used to work at a coffee-shop before I went into the business”. She didn’t mention what that business was. She continued. “It is hard, but I know his brothers have his back”. I frowned. “Why do they need to have each other’s backs? Lyla sighed. “What they do… it’s not always legal”. I nodded solemnly. “What about TM?”. She shook her head. “Being a mechanic doesn’t exactly pay well”, she smiled. “They do have the studio going for them”. “What studio?” “Cara Cara”, she said quietly. “Porn. It’s where I work”. I almost choked on my coffee. “I knew I recognized you”, I smiled. She seemed uncomfortable for a second. “I love your work”, I added. Lyla chuckled. “I didn’t think you’d be a fan of porn”, she grinned. “I have the internet”, I laughed. “But I’ll stay away from your movies from now on. It’d be weird, seeing as you’re Ellies stepmom”.

We laughed for a while. “You heard from Jax since the party?”, she asked. I nodded. “We talk… He texted me this morning. Just a hello”. She smirked. “He likes you”. “He doesn’t know me”, I muttered. “He knows enough, I think”, she replied. “I haven’t seen him like this before. He’s usually a one-night kind of guy”. I bit my lip nervously. “We didn’t…”, I muttered. She put her hand on top of mine. “Still… he’s different around you”, she said. “Softer”. “I’d hope not”, I smirked. Lyla widened her eyes at me and chuckled. “Slut!”, she giggled. I shrugged.

Finishing our coffee, and saying goodbye to the kids – lending Ellie my copy of Coraline – I left Opie’s house, and walked over to my car. I could have sworn that I locked it, but it was open when I got there. “Weird”, I muttered to myself; but it was old, and I figured something was wrong with the locks. I’d have TM take a look at it.

---

Once at the garage, I was met by Gemma, who was carrying Abel on her hip. “Hey, sweetheart”, she smiled. “Chevy treating you ok?”. I smiled and nodded. “Yeah, but I think something’s wrong with the locks. I locked it, but it was open when I got back”. Gemma frowned. “That sounds weird… let the guys take a look at it”, she said. “Coffee?”. “I just got here from coffee with Lyla”, I said. “Still amped on caffeine”. Gemma chuckled. “Well, this little guy kept me up all night”, she said, and bounced Abel on her arm. “So I’m having a cup. Follow me”.

Gemma told one of the guys in the garage to look at my locks, and we walked into her office. “Could you take him?”, she said; and lifted Abel of her hip; handing him to me. “Uhm… yeah”, I said; taking the baby in my arms. “Hey little man!”, I smiled at the beautiful boy.

Gemma nearly downed a full mug off coffee in one go. “Wow; he did keep you up”, I laughed. “He’s like his dad – always at it at all hours of the day”, Gemma grinned. I frowned, and sat down on the little couch; still holding Abel in my arms. “Doesn’t he live with Jackson?”, I asked. Gemma nodded. “I take him when the guys need to do some work”, she said. “Jax’ll be back in a little while. Probably having had less sleep than me”.

Abel began fussing; and I shushed him, kissing his forehead. “You better get used to that, if you’re sticking around”, Gemma said earnestly. “I… don’t know what… it’s new”. Gemma nodded; and looked at me softly bouncing Abel on my arm; holding him against my shoulder. “You’re good with him”, she said. “Who?”, I smirked. “Both of them”, she said. “Keep it up”.

We talked about this and that for a while – Gemma letting me in on the story with Jax’s father, and how he’d passed away from a motorcycle accident. She seemed sad about the loss; but made it clear she was happy with Clay. “He’s as stubborn as an ass; but I’m even more so”, she smiled proudly. “He started the club with JT – Jackson’s father”. “And now Jax is the VP”, I said; feeling Abel fall asleep in my arms. “Yeah”, she smiled. “I guess that’s how it goes”. I nodded.

A bearded mechanic stepped in to the office. “Gem’; I can’t find anything wrong with the lock. Are you sure you locked it, miss?”, he said to me. I frowned. “Must have turned the key the wrong way…”, I said. Gemma narrowed her eyes at me. “It’s been a long couple of days, huh?”, she said. “Day’s. Weeks. Months…”, I chuckled, and handed back Abel to her. He was fully asleep. “I’m gonna take off. What do I owe you?”. “Not a thing”, Gemma smiled. “See you later, Cat”. I nodded. “See you”.

I drove back to my motel room, and made myself a light dinner; exhaustion taking over me in spite of the coffee Lyla had made. I went to sleep early; hearing motorcycles driving down the street outside.

---

I woke up to my phone ringing. “Hello?”, I rasped. “Hey, Cat”. I could practically hear Jax’s smile through the phone. “Hi”, I answered. “What’s up? What time is it?”. “7 am. I’m outside. Buy you breakfast?”. I stumbled out of bed. “You’re outside?”. He chuckled. “Yeah. Come on. The guy at the reception is giving me the stink eye”. “I’ll be there in 5”, I said. “See you”. He hung up.

I threw on what was cleanest – jeans, tank top and a cardigan – and grabbed my workbag. I decided mascara and eyeliner would have to do today. Jax was just going to have to deal with the dark circles under my eyes. I brushed my teeth, and was out the door.

Jax was leaning against his bike; when I got outside. His eyes lit up when he saw me. “Hey, darlin’!”, he grinned. He put one hand on my waist, and another on my cheek; pulling me in for a light kiss. “You smell nice”. “I call it eau de just got out of bed”, I chuckled. “Hot”, Jax jeered. I made a pfft sound; and took the helmet he handed me.

He drove us to a diner near my school. We got in a booth; Jackson deciding to sit next to me, instead of on the other side of the table. The way he sat was almost protective. He put his arm behind me; and shielded me from the window. “Is something wrong?”, I asked. He frowned. “Nah, it’s nothing”, he said. “Just wanted you close”. He kissed my cheek.

We ordered coffee and waffles; with enough chocolate syrup to feed a small country­ – Jax’s exact words to the waitress.

“How’ve you been since last time I saw you?”, he asked. “Good. Work’s busy”, I said; trying to look sincere. “Why don’t I believe you?”. He narrowed his eyes at me. I sighed deeply. “They’re making me do mandatory drug testing because of my records”. He frowned. “I thought you got that erased”, he said. “Me too”, I muttered. “It’s fine, though. Ray’s been good about it. I’ll do tests every fortnight for 6 months, then once a month for the rest of the year”.

He took my hand. “I’m sorry, darlin’”, he said quietly, and kissed my knuckles. I smiled. “I’ll be ok”.

Our food arrived not long after; and Jax chowed down as if he hadn’t eaten in days. “Hungry, huh?”, I grinned. “Hell yeah. I haven’t had proper meal since the buffet at my moms party”. I pulled a face. “Aw, man. I missed a buffet…”. “It was good”, he teased. “I get it though. I was coming on a bit strong”. I blushed. “I didn’t mind”, I muttered. He squeezed my thigh. “Good. I’ll keep it up then”. His words sent delightful shivers through my body.

We chatted about our last couple of days; with Jax making an impression of Abels face when he’d tried to feed him mushed peas the night before. “I’m telling you; the kid looked at me like I was trying to poison him!”. I laughed. “At least he’s not pushing peas up his nose, yet”, I grinned. “What?”, Jax laughed. “I had a 6’thgrader do that at lunch on my first day at the school”, I said. “His friends dared him. He got it so far up there, I had to have him do a handstand; as I tried to get it out”. “You’re a hero, babe”, Jax grinned.

We enjoyed the last of our coffee; as Jax put my hand to his lips again. “I know this is still really early; but there’s something here – right?”, he said; looking at me earnestly. I bit my lip. “I think so”, I said. He slid his index finger under my chin, to raise it – and kissed me softly. “I want to give it a shot. I know you’re new in town, but… I dunno”. “What?”, I asked. “This is going to sound like a bad movie; but I think you were meant to come here. I was meant to meet you”. He kissed me again; and stroked my cheek. “I’m not going to pressure you in to anything; I know you’ve had enough of that in your life”.

I sighed, and turned my face to kiss his palm. “When you’re around I feel safe and happy”, I said. “And I really like spending time with you… and your kid”. He smirked. “Yeah, Gemma told me you stopped by TM. Got the little dude to fall asleep within minutes”. “I hope I don’t have the same effect on his dad”, I smirked. “I’m sure you’d be able to keep me up all night”, Jax chuckled. I bit my lip, and blushed.

The waitress came over with our check, and we got on Jax’s bike, so he could drive me to work. We said goodbye with a long kiss – making some kids walking by drop their jaws. “Bye, Cat”, Jax whispered in my ear. He didn’t drive off until I was inside.

---

At the end of the school day, Jax had promised to pick me up again. I was waiting in my classroom as promised; when Opie showed up – filling out the doorframe. “Hey, Cat”, he said. “Jax was held up, so I promised to give you a lift home”. I hid my disappointment, and smiled at him. “Thanks, Opie”. “No worries”, he said. “I’m picking up Ellie too”.

We walked down the hall. “How’s she doing?”, Opie asked quietly. “Ellie?” asked. He nodded. “I haven’t known her any longer than a couple of days”. Opie sighed. “Can you say anything?”.

I bit my lip. “She’s ok, I think. She’s really trying to improve her schoolwork; at least in my class”. “Well, she likes you”, he smiled. “Told me to read that Caroline book to her”. “Coraline, yeah”, I smiled. “It’s a good one”. “Could you find us another one?”, the tall man asked. “We almost finished it already. I know she’s too old for bedtime stories…”. “I’ll look at my collection”, I smiled. “And you’re never too old for bedtime stories”.

Opie stopped me just before the main doors of the building. “I’m worried about her. Kenny too”, he muttered. “They lost their mom. They have every right to be acting out or feeling sad… so do you”, I said. He sent me a crooked smile. “I guess so”. I put my hand on his shoulder. “Look, Opie…”, I began. “From what I’ve been told about your kids… Ellie is a perfectly strong and healthy pre-teen. She’s got a lot to work through; but she’s doing it. It’s not going to be ok tomorrow… but maybe the day after. You know what I’m saying?”. He nodded at me, and smiled again. “Thanks, teach’”. Opie squeezed my hand. “You’re a good one”.

---

Opies house was on the way to my motel; so he dropped of his kids with Lyla, before driving me home. He walked me to my door; a move I thought was kind – if a bit overprotective. “Promised Jax”, he smiled shyly. I nodded.

My door was unlocked. My breath hitched a bit, before I stepped inside. On the nightstand stood a vase with a dozen pink roses. I breathed heavily; and grabbed the card attached. - A dozen roses for my Kitty Rose. J.

“Jax ain’t never been much of a poet”, Opie chuckled. “It’s not Jax”, I muttered. “Will you get rid of them for me?”. Opie frowned. “Sure…”, he said. “Is something wrong?”. I shook my head. “No. It’s nothing. Really”. I tried to smile. “I’m just allergic”.

Opie narrowed his eyes, and took the vase. “See you around”, he said. “Put on the security chain, ok?”. I nodded. “Bye”.

As soon as I had put on the chain, I called the motel reception. The woman on duty told me she’d accepted the flowers from a delivery-guy; and that she’d put them in my room herself. She was sure she’d locked the door; and apologized profusely. I thanked her, and hung up. He’s not here, I repeated to myself. He’s not here…

About 15 minutes later, my phone rang. I picked it up hesitantly. “Yes?” “Babe, are you ok?”. Jax’s voice was worried. I exhaled deeply. “Yeah. I’m fine”. Jax wasn’t satisfied with my answer. “Ope said you were out of it”. I didn’t answer. “Cat? Talk to me”. “Flowers”, I said. “H-he sent me flowers”. I could hear him grind his teeth in rage. “Stay there. I’m coming to get you”. “Jax, no”, I said. “I’m fine. He’s not here”. “Cat, I’m not gonna…”. “Stay where you are, Jackson”, I insisted. “Opie said you were in the middle of something. I’ll see you around, ok?”. His voice shifted. “Are you mad at me?”, he asked. “No, Jax… I’m just… It’s been a long day. I need to get some rest”. “Yeah”, he muttered. “Sorry I wasn’t there”. “It’s ok, babe”. I tried to show my smile in my voice. “I know you would have been, if you could”. He sighed. “Yeah, I would”, he said. “Jax, I need to take a nap”. My head was spinning from exhaustion. “Ok. I’ll call tomorrow”. “I’d like that”, I muttered. “Bye”. “Bye…”.

---

I got a good morning text shortly after I woke. I was relieved, as I’d been worried, I’d pushed Jax away after our conversation.

- Good morning, beautiful. The kid just puked on my sneakers; and I thought of you. - That’s flattering. Good morning to you! - It was green. I think it’s the peas. Your tits looked amazing in that tank top yesterday. - Try potatoes instead. Thanks. So did yours. - My tits? Yeah, I try. - Have a good day, Jackson ;-) - I will if I get to see you at some point.

I was hoping he’d have time to see me that day – with all his business dealings.

My wish was fulfilled that same afternoon. Ellie was giving me back Coraline; and I lent her Pippi Longstocking. “I know it’s about a 9-yearold; but it’s really good. Give it a chance”. Ellie smiled and thanked me.

“Hey!”, someone said from the door. Jax was smiling brightly at us. “Your dad is outside, Els’”. The girl whispered bye, and walked by Jackson, earning a kiss at the top of her head from her dad’s friend. “See you later, sweetheart”, Jax smiled at the girl.

The lanky biker walked in to my classroom. “Wow”, he said. “It even smells the same”. I chuckled. “Your old classroom?”, I asked. “Yeah”, he smiled. “It hasn’t changed much”.

He walked up to a table in the back; wiping the surface. “Ha!”, he called out in glee. “Even the same desk”. I walked up next to him, and looked at what he was smiling about. Someone – probably Jackson himself – had carved the words Jax SOA into the surface. “Badass”, he chuckled.

I laughed. “So nothing’s changed, huh?”, I smiled. He put his hand on my cheek. “Well, the teacher didn’t look this cute”, he smirked; and leaned in – pecking softly at my lips. Heat went straight to my core; and I shook myself – clearing my throat. “I need to finish up”, I smiled, biting my lips. “Yeah…”, Jax muttered, and slid his other hand around my waist; kissing me again. “I think I remember there being a broom closet down the hall…”. I chuckled. “I’m not getting fired the first week of work!”, I said. He exhaled. “Ok”. He kissed my cheek, and stepped away.

I packed up the rest of my things, and we left the room. Walking down the hall I sent a friendly hello to a coworker. She looked from Jax to me, and smiled knowingly. “You’re pretty famous around here”, I said. “Yeah… I set the bleachers on fire once”, he said, almost proudly. “I’ve set a few fires myself”, I smiled. He looked at me in wonder. “You?”, he chuckled. I looked at him with mock menace. “There are things you don’t know…”. He slid his arm around my shoulder. “I’m sure there are, darlin’”.

Once outside, Jax walked me to my car. I saw Ellie getting into a truck with Opie; and waved at them. Ellie smiled, and waved back, and Opie looked at his daughter with pure love. “He seems nice”, I said. Jax nodded solemnly. “He’s my best friend since we were in diapers. I trust him with my life”. His eyes were earnest and warm.

“Why did you decide to drop by?”, I asked. “I missed your face”, he smiled. “And, I gotta leave town for a few days”. I bit my lip. “Where are you going?”. He shook his head. “Best you don’t know”, he said. “Not everything I do is… auto-parts”. I nodded. “I kind of figured that out on my own”, I muttered. He looked at me nervously. “Is that a problem?”, he asked. I shrugged; not knowing what to say. “You’re not the only one with a past… but I doubt mine is as dark as yours”.

I bit my lip; and he stroked my cheek. “If you want to pull out of this; I get it”. I shook my head. “We just started this”, I said. “Can we just figure it out as we go?”. “Sure”, Jax smiled; and leant in to kiss me again.

Our lips were like made to meet. He nibbled at my top lip, as I suckled at his lower one. He groaned against my mouth. “Shit, Cat”, he breathed. “You’re making it hard to walk away from you”. I smiled; and pecked at his lips once more, before pushing against his chest; forcing him to step back. He squeezed my hip for a second before letting go. “All right”, he said. “I’ll call you, ok?”. I nodded. “When will you be back?”. “Sunday, hopefully”, he said. “See you then?”. “Sure”, I smiled. “Take care”. He raised his chin at me, and grinned. “Always”.

Jax got on his bike, and drove off.

---

The next day dragged along. Jax called me in the evening, but sounded very far away, and like he had his mind on other things. “Sorry babe. Things are… busy”. “I get it. Just be careful, and call me tomorrow”. I heard a loud pop; like firework. “I will. Bye”. He hung up.

Saturday; I went to lunch with Lyla. It was good to have a new friend; Lyla was funny and intelligent - and she had the best advice on getting the tastiest caffeine kicks. I didn’t hear from Jackson all day.

He neither called or texted Sunday morning or afternoon either. I was getting nervous that he’d changed his mind; and even more nervous that something had happened to him. Finally – at around 5 pm – my cell rang. I didn’t recognize the number. “Hello?”, I said. “Hey, darlin’”, Jax’s voice sounded. “Hey…”, I answered with relief. “Sorry I didn’t call before. It’s been a day…”. He sounded tired. “Are you ok?”, I muttered. “Yeah, just happy to hear your voice”, he answered. “I’ll be back in town at around 8 pm. Is that too late for a drink?”. “What, at the clubhouse?”, I asked. “Yeah”, he said. “I need to drop off some stuff there”. “I’ll be there”. I heard him sigh in relief. It made me smile. “Good… I missed you”, he said. “I’ll see you there”, I smiled. “See you, Cat”. He hung up.

At 8.15 I arrived at TM. I’d walked; hoping for a ride home from my knight on his mechanical steed. Jax was smoking a cigarette on the picnic table where we’d shared our first kiss. He looked tired.

When he saw me, he stood up, and walked over to embrace me. His arms enveloped me; as if he was drawing energy from me. He smelled my hair. “I missed you, dollface”, he muttered; and lifted my chin to kiss me. I pecked his lips softly; putting my hands on his firm, flannel-covered chest. “You’re never gonna settle on a nickname for me, huh?”, I smiled. “How can I, when you’re all the things I call you?”, he smirked; and met lips again. “Let’s get you a drink”.

We walked in to the clubhouse; which was a lot less crowded than the last time I’d been there. In the light of the room, I saw that Jax had a bruise on his cheekbone. “What happened?”, I asked. He shook his head. “Business deal that could have gone better”.

I saw that both Happy and Juice’s faces were bruised; and Chibs was stitching up a wound on Tig’s shoulder. “Jax…”, I said. He took my hand. “Don’t worry about it”, he smiled. “We’re fine”. I sighed. “Is this normal?”. “Lately, more so”, Jackson muttered. “Can we just have that drink now? I want to think about something else”. I nodded.

We had a beer together; Jax’s hand resting on my knee as we sat by the bar. He let his thumb stroke my leg, sending small warm signals to my core. I bit my lip. “Do you need a ride home?”, Jax asked. I noticed the clock nearing 10. “Don’t you have to get home to Abel?”, I said. “Mom’s got him until tomorrow”, he smiled. “Then, yeah. Thanks”, I smiled.

---

We drove back to the motel.

Jax walked me to my door, holding my hand all the way. “You gonna be ok?”, he asked softly. “Yeah…”, I said; running my thumb across his jawline. “Do… you want to stay?”. He raised his brows at me. “You know I do, darlin’”, he said. “But, like I said a couple of days ago… I don’t want to push you into doing anything you’ll regret”. I sighed. “I… had a couple of days to think”.

He exhaled deeply and gave me a crooked smile. “If I go in to that room with you, we both know what’s going to happen”. “Would it make you think less of me?”, I asked. “Not at all”, he said honestly. “But you have to be sure, because if I… I don’t think I’ll be able to stop myself”, he chuckled.

“Then come in. And don’t stop”. I grabbed a hold of his cut; and pulled him in for a kiss. He groaned against me. “Shit, babe… what are you doing to me?”, he muttered against my lips. “Nothing good, I hope”, I smirked.

I opened the door, and stepped inside, waiting for him to follow. He bit his lip, and his blue eyes searched mine for a second – before he stepped inside, closing and locking the door behind him.

“Why?”, he asked. “Because whatever I don’t know about you, can’t outweigh what I’ve seen so far. You’re a good guy, and I think…”.

He interrupted my sentence by kissing me; and pulling me flush against his body. “Let me know if you change your mind at any point”. I nodded. “Don’t worry”, I smiled. “Just keep kissing me”. He smiled brightly, and put a hand behind my head; pulling my lips to his again. Our tongues met; and the soft touch of his, sent shivers down my spine. What else can you do with that tongue?

Continuously kissing me; he backed me towards the edge of the bed. I felt it against the back of my knees; and almost fell backwards; Jacksons hand on my back the only thing keeping me standing. He shrugged off his cut; leaving him in his blue flannel and a t-shirt. I ran my hands up his torso; relishing in the sensation of his firmness – and then pushed his shirt down his shoulders, helping him take that off as well.

Jackson grabbed the hem of my top; and pulled it up. I raised my arms in the air, so he could pull it off me. He looked down at my chest. “Yeah… that’s just about the most perfect thing I’ve seen all week”, he smirked. “Just about?”, I teased. “You’re still wearing a bra”, he said. He ran his hands down my sides; stopping at the tattoo on my left rib. “You’re inked”, he smiled. “I’ve got a few”, I answered. “I’ll have to go exploring”, he said; pulling up my hand to his face, kissing the tiny one on the inside of my wrist.

I tugged at his t-shirt; and he pulled it off quickly, leaving his torso bare. Abel was written in intricate lettering on his chest. I stroked my fingers across it, and smiled warmly. He caught my smile with his lips; stroking my arms. “Here’s another”, he said, finding the ink on the back on my arm. “That all?”. “Yeah”, I said. “No, wait. There’s one on my foot”. He pushed me down to sit on the bed; leaving me face to face with the growing bulge on the front of his jeans. “Which foot?”. “Right one”, I smiled.

He crouched down in front of me, and pulled of my right ankle-boot and sock. “Cute”, he said, sliding his index finger over the tiny lettering on my foot. It tickled, and I giggled. “Sorry”, he laughed. “It’s fine”, I said; and pulled his head towards me to kiss me again.

He tugged at my lower lip, and I brushed my fingers down his back. Moving his lips to my neck; I could lean forward and see the large tattoo there. He nibbled gently at my skin; and a rush of blood went to my core; making me moan a little. “Did I find your spot?”, he breathed. “Mhmm…”, I said, biting my lip “I’ll keep that in mind”, he chuckled.

He stood up again; and I hooked my fingers into his waistband. His breath caught, and I felt the fabric twitch from his growing erection. He undid his belt-buckle for me; and I unbuttoned his jeans; tugging at them. He pulled them off; and was now standing in front of me in a pair of white boxers – pitching an impressive tent. I bit my lips in glee; and wrapped my hand around his clothed member. Jackson gasped. “Shit, babe. I’ll let you play with it all you want, but I want you naked first”.

He pushed me to lie down; leaning over me – supporting himself on his elbows – to put his lips to mine. He put a hand on my breast; and kissed and nibbled at the lace on my bra. “Can I take this off?”, he asked; his eyes searching mine. I supported myself on my elbows, and his hands slid behind me – unhooking the unwanted garment. He pulled it off me, and stared at my breasts in wonder. “Wow…”, he said. “That is… something”, he muttered. He pushed my breasts together; and wrapped his lips around my nipple, tugging at it softly. I gasped at the sensation. Sparks flew straight from my nipple to my core, and I mewled in response.

Jax began kissing down my stomach, ending up at the waistband of my jeans. “I guess asking is kind of redundant at this point, huh?”, he smirked up at me; and I grinned at him. He unbuttoned my jeans; and tugged at them; as I lifted my hips, to help him maneuver them off me. Quickly discarding my other boot and sock; he pulled of my pants completely; throwing them behind him. I was now laying before him in nothing but my panties.

He looked me over, and narrowed his eyes. “You said there was no more ink”. His fingers stroked the small tattoo on my thigh. “Woops”, I smirked. “Forgot”. He tsk’d at me. “How am I going to be able to trust you’re not hiding anything else?”, he said; and squeezed the skin around my tattoo; making me jolt from the sweet pain. “There really isn’t”, I laughed. He hooked his fingers into my panties; tugging at them. “Need to be sure…”, he muttered; and pulled my underwear off me; leaving me finally naked. He raised his brows, and smiled crookedly. “That’s… better than a tattoo”. I giggled in response.

Jackson slid his hands up my thighs; letting his fingers rest on my hips – his thumbs stroking my soft curls. He exhaled deeply. “This right here… I could get used to this”, he smiled; and kissed the soft skin just above my pubic hair. His warm breath against my private parts, made me jolt again. He lowered his lips to my folds; and placed a soft kiss on my bud. “Shit”, I mewled. I heard him chuckle; and his tongue flicked against the bundle of nerves – before he gently slid his finger between my labia; stroking up and down. His tongue replaced his finger; taking the same path. I put my hand on his head, grabbing at his hair. “Don’t worry; I’m not going anywhere”, he smiled against me; before continuing his slow assault on my folds.

His finger began tracing the outline of my entrance. I was gasping and moaning. My walls were already throbbing from want. His finger made its way inside me; soon joined by another. Jax flattened his tongue; and licked upwards; before his lips closed around my nub; suckling at it. “Jax…”, I gasped. “Mhmm…?”, he mumbled; not taking his lips away from their target. “Just… more… don’t stop”.

My legs were twitching; and he used his free arm to hold down my hips. I looked down at him; and his eyes were smiling devilishly at me. He suckled a bit harder; and his fingers crooked – pushing at my front wall. “Please…”, I breathed. “Mmm…”, he responded.

The fingers inside me pushed harder and faster; though still carefully. He was trying to figure out what made me tick. His tongue massaged my labia, and he flicked it over my clit, drawing a loud moan from me. My walls clenched around his fingers; and I came undone. I cried out, as I orgasmed against his face. Jax lapped up my juices, and slowed down his movements again, letting me ride out my pleasure.

He looked up at me. “How was that?”, he smiled. “Holy shit”, I gasped, and laughed. My body was trembling; and he climbed up next to me; gently pulling his fingers out of me in the process. He wiped his face and beard of my juices; and kissed me gently. I wrapped my leg around his hip; and ran my hand down his torso; palming his penis. My arms and legs we’re still shaking slightly; and I massaged his bulge. “Do you want…”, I began. “Some other time, babe”, he smiled. “Gives me something to look forward to. Right now; I want to get inside you”. He stood up and pulled down his boxers; making me gawk at the perfect specimen in front of me. “I’m ok with that…”, I smiled, and bit my lip.

I moved back on the bed; so my feet were no longer on the floor. Jackson crawled over me; his hardness poking at my thighs. He stroked my cheek; and I pulled his face down to kiss him; running my tongue across his lower lip. “Careful. This might end sooner than I’d want it to”, he groaned. I chuckled; and took a hold of his penis; guiding it towards my warmth.

Making his tip slick with my juices; I pushed him against my entrance. He slid into me slowly – letting me adjust to his size. “Shit, you’re tight”, he breathed. “Maybe you’re just big”, I moaned. “Keep talking, baby. I’m liking the words coming out your mouth”, he chuckled; pushed into me fully – bottoming out.

We moaned in unison. Jax began moving; grabbing my thigh, to put my leg around his hip. His thrusts were controlled – gentle. My hands on his back; I could feel his muscles working under his skin, as he pulled his body back and forth on top of me. I pulled him towards me; wanting to feel his weight. His chest touching my nipples made me moan.

Jax moved his hand from my thigh to my ass-cheek; digging his fingers into it. “Let me know if I’m too rough”, he panted. “More”, I breathed, and he smiled in response; bottoming out again. “Oh… God!”, I mewled. “It’s just me, babe”, Jackson chuckled. “I’m liking this look on you”. He kissed me deeply; and I ran my nails down his back; feeling his hardness fill me up perfectly.

Jax pulled out of me; leaving me aching for more. “Turn around”, he whispered. I rolled over; and he ran his hand down my back; before squeezing both my cheeks. “Perfect”, he said; and kissed the dimples at the small of my back – before guiding me to get on my knees; chest still on the mattress.

Jax pushed in to me again; hitting that perfect spot his fingers had found before. I cried out in pleasure. “Good or bad?”, he asked. “So good”, I panted. He chuckled behind me; and began thrusting again; putting more force into his movements. “Baby”, he gasped. “You…”. He couldn’t finish the sentence; but continued thrusting.

I was grabbing on to the pillow, and lifting my head – making my back arch for him. “Goddamn”, he moaned. He grasped my butt-cheek again, before giving it a light slap. “More”, I mewled. He laughed, and spanked me harder.

I tightened the muscles in my core; drawing a gasp and a hiss from Jax. “Do it again”, he moaned. I repeated the move. “Shit, babe”, he gasped; and pushed hard into me.

His hand moved from my ass to my front; finding my clit, and stroking it to the rhythm of his thrusts. Soon I didn’t need to clench my muscles on purpose; as he was drawing me nearer to my undoing. I cried out as I came for a second time; clenching hard around Jax’s cock – which made him thrust in to me with relentless want. He was moving towards his own high.

“Shit, Cat. You’re gonna make me…”. He cried out; and came inside me.

I was still clenching around him as he gently pulled himself out, and laid down next to me; sweaty, and with a grin on his face. “Wow”, he panted; and pulled me towards him; kissing my forehead. My body was trembling from the pleasure I’d just felt. “Yeah”, I breathed; trying to control my breath.

Looking down his naked body, his eyes went wide. “Crap. I didn’t ask…”. “The pill”, I said. “And I’m clean”. I smiled. “Me too”, he smirked.

He kissed my lips, and wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. I tried to pull away. “I want to get cleaned up”, I muttered, smiling crookedly. “Let me get it”, he said, and stepped out of the bed, walking naked into the bathroom. “Gotta piss anyway”. “Prince Charming”, I chuckled. He laughed at me, over his shoulder; and closed the door to the bathroom behind him.

I laid on the bed; still panting – when my phone rang in my jeans pocket on the floor. I crawled across the bed to get it. There was no caller id. “Hello?”, I said. “Hi, kitty”, a voice I recognized breathed. My whole body froze. “You can’t call me. My number is unregistered”, I said with bated breath. “Yes, it was hard to track down you down”, the voice said. “But, you know – my job gives me a few perks”. “I don’t want to talk to you…”, I said. “Catherine, listen… I know we’ve had our differences. But let’s move beyond that, ok? Did you get the flowers I sent your school? I sent some to the motel as well, just in case. Congrats on the new job!...”.

I hung up. I heard Jax flush the toilet, and wash his hands. He stepped back into the room with a wet washcloth for me. Seeing my expression, his eyes went dark. “What’s wrong?”, he demanded. I looked at the phone in my hand. “He…”, I began. I started breathing heavily. Jax took the phone from me, looking up the call list. His lips drew back in a snarl. “Was it him?”. I nodded, on the verge of tears.

Jacksons expression softened when he looked at me. He climbed onto the bed; and wrapped his arms around me – holding me impossibly close. “Hey, hey… it’s gonna be ok. He can’t get you here”. “H-he sent flowers to my job”, I stammered. “He knows where I am”. Jax kissed the top of my head. “No more running, baby”, he said. “You’re with me now. You’re safe”.

He gently cleaned me off; and tucked me in. “Will you stay here?”, I said. He smiled warmly. “I’m not going anywhere”, he said quietly; and got under the covers with me – wrapping his body around mine.

After a few minutes of heavy breathing; and Jax running his fingers through my hair – my body relaxed. “You should take a personal day tomorrow”, he said; his baby blues looking deeply into my eyes. “I can’t”, I said. “I just started… I have to go on like everything is normal. It’s the only way I’ll…”. I shook my head; unable to finish my sentence. Jackson sighed; and chewed his lip. “I’ll drive you to work tomorrow”, he said. “I need to stop by my house first; see the kid”. “I don’t have to be at work until 10”, I said. “Good”, he smiled. “Gives me a little more time with you”.

He kissed me softly, and stroked my jaw. I ran a finger over the bruise on his cheekbone. “I like you, Jackson”, I whispered. “I like you too”, he smiled; and put his forehead to mine. “Get some sleep, doll. I’ll be here in the morning”.

I slept better than I had in a long time, that night.

---

[filipinoworldview]

United Opposition

Observing the bevy of candidates presenting themselves as the opposition against the incumbent’s declared intention to perpetuate his failed, cruel, corrupt, tyrannous leadership by proxy, I recall a speech made by my late father, General Carlos P. Romulo to the 29th Regular Session of the UN General Assembly which he titled “A Crisis of Helplessness.” Here is an excerpt worthy of its relevance to our country’s current national dilemma:

“.. in the midst of difficulties we have learned the lesson that today more than ever we must shed parochialism, discard selfishness, and dismiss the narrower demands of sheer self-interest. Never before has this thought emerged with greater clarity and force: if our society is to survive, we must accept collective responsibility for its well-being. Interdependence has ceased to be a mere pious wish. Inevitable, indeed inescapable, it is the very basis for the continuation of the society of man in the twentieth century.”

I do not question the motivation and the self-belief of each candidate that they can win. But here’s the immutable fact from the 2016 election: split between Mar Roxas’ 23.45% and Grace Poe’s 21.39%, Duterte squeaked through with only a 39% share of total votes cast. Duterte has been able to maintain his core supporters despite evidence to the contrary that he has done something meaningful for them, thanks in part to his troll armies. Crucially, he has now amassed massive resources that he can deploy to influence the elections. I hope our declared candidates, who truly believe that this dark chapter in our country’s history must end, be courageous and selfless enough to compromise their personal ambitions and unite to support a common candidate for the greater good of the Filipino people. VP Leni Robredo did, in fact, make a supreme effort to build such a consensus and even offered to take herself out of the equation. Sadly, her appeal fell on deaf ears. I hope and pray that each candidate goes through a discernment and unites to support a candidate who embodies all the qualities of honest, competent and compassionate leadership to lead us back to inclusive prosperity and to common decency that will restore our pride in being Filipinos on the global stage. Bobby Romulo Email me at the link above

This text is also available in Hiligaynon

[petri808]

This fic was created for the BKDK Unbirthday Party (Twitter) for prompt #G-0181: (Coffeeshop AU where Izuku accidentally sends katsuki (guest) to hospital after messing up the order submitted by Celestial)

Bakudeku one-shot. Coffee house AU

Ugh! Why’d the coffeehouse have to be so busy today of all days? It was as if the customers knew he’d stayed up late the night before and only managed three hours of sleep. Top it off with co-worker Denki calling out, and that left Izuku Midoriya alone with just one other employee who manned the food offerings.

Izuku wipes the sweat off his brow as he finishes one latte and side-eyes the clock in one swoop. Just one more hour to go until the next shift comes in. ‘Yosh! You can do this Izu! Then die at home curled in bed till the morning.’

He faces the next customer in line, screwing on the bright smile he was known for. “What can I get for you sir?”

Ruby eyes glare back at him. “Large mocha with a double shot of espresso.”

“One mocha double!” Izuku rings up the man’s total and quickly whips up the drink. His body was running on muscle memory at this point having made these drinks so many times before. A mocha was simple enough, chocolate, steamed milk, espresso, done. “Here you go sir.”

“Faster then, usual nerd.” The man grabs his drink and walks away to a nearby table.

‘Never fails,’ Izuku remarks as he moves onto the next customer. The blonde man loved making snide remarks, but he’s never said anything about it because he was also a regular. According to the other coffeehouse employees, blondie only came in when Izuku was working. ‘Probably likes picking on guys like me?’ And today was no different. He sat at a table reading a newspaper with his coffee, staying for thirty minutes or so. Then he repeats the processes the next day.

“Here you go ma’am, one cappuccino.”

Just as Izuku is handing off another drink, a sudden commotion stirs up in the dining area. He looks up to see blondie clutching his throat and surrounding customers panicking. “He can’t breathe!” Someone shouts. More words are thrown. Allergy, nuts, emergency! The baristas eyes blow wide open. Izuku screams at his coworker Uraraka to call for an ambulance and rushes over to the fallen man.

“H-Hold on mister!” Izuku does his best to calm the situation despite the white noise gathering in his eardrums. “Help is coming!”

“H-Haz—el... hazel—nut...” blondie gasps out. “Allerg...all—gic...”

Oh, fuck! Did he mix hazelnut instead of chocolate into the coffee?! “Oh my god,” the panic sets in. “Oh my god, I-I didn’t mean to! Please hold on sir!” If his stupid mistake kills this man, he’ll never forgive himself.

“F-Fucking nerd...”

Tears exploded from Izuku’s eyes, but all he could do was apologize over and over again as the man gasped and struggled to breathe. The blondes lips were taking on a bluish-purple color, hives breaking out along his skin, and his eyes rolling back.

“N-No, no stay awake sir! Stay awake!” He continues to shake the man by the shoulders as sirens resonate outside. Everything was a blur, just him and the customer with hushed conversations of concern all around them. “Please don’t die mister!”

Once the medics rush into the room, Izuku steps back to give them space. He knew procedures during an emergency was to clear the restaurant of customers and secure the cash register, but he couldn’t think straight. All he could do was watch helplessly as they load the man onto a gurney and whisk him away. Luckily, Uraraka had already taken control, phoned the manager, and set about following protocols.

After everything is secure, she tells him to go. “I’ll wait for the manager, so you go check on the customer and keep us informed.”

Like a mindless zombie, he manages a nod, clocks out, and sheds his apron.

“Hey, try not to be too hard on yourself. It was an honest mistake.”

“That might have killed a man.” More moisture pools in Izuku’s eyes. “I like him too... why’d it have to be him?”

Uraraka’s eyes soften. “Izu, just get going, okay?”

“O-Okay.”

The cab ride over to the hospital felt like a death march to meet his fate. All the life was sucked away, the scenery a kaleidoscope of muted colors as his mind raced through each moment of that afternoon. It was all his fault. Staying up late, being tired, rushing, rushing, rushing to keep up with the demands of a barista. Multi-tasking was supposed to be his forte, his pride in always getting the orders right and made quickly. But this time he’d screwed up in the worst way possible.

At the emergency room, the intake person waves him off to the side to wait. The doctors were still working to stabilize blondie, so all he could do was sit there and hope the man came out of the allergic shock. It was a nerve wracking wait that Izuku spent fighting against every horrible outcome. Can you go to jail for something like this? If the man dies, is that manslaughter?! Oh, who was he kidding. He deserved to be punished. Minimally his boss should fire him for being reckless. ‘Please don’t die...’

“Sir, you can go in now. He’s in room 14.” Technically, since he wasn’t family or even a friend, the hospital shouldn’t have let him visit. But because they had no other contacts for the man, and Izuku was clearly upset and shaken over the incident, they must have taken pity on him. Blondie was alive and unconscious. The medications were flushing his body of the toxins and countering the allergic reaction, but he would probably have to stay in the hospital overnight for observations.

When Izuku enters the small room, he sees the man tucked tightly under a blanket. His eyes are closed and IV lines trail to a machine that’s monitoring vital signs. The tears pool again at the horrible sight. Beeps from the machine echo in the silent room as constant reminders of the gravity of the situation.

“Mister...” he sits beside the man’s bed and takes a limp hand in his own. “I’m so sorry.” His head hangs down, “please wake up.”

A whole year had gone by since the first-time blondie had started frequenting the coffeehouse. The man always tipped and always made some kind of comment. Rarely any nice ones, but he’d grown used to it and over time, Izuku wasn’t sure when it’d started, but there came a point in time that he waited and looked forward to each visit.

It wasn’t uncommon to have cute customers come in that the baristas ogled over. Dating customers wasn’t forbidden, just frowned upon because they didn’t want drama to arise. So, Izuku kept his growing crush under wraps. Not that he felt he’d had a chance anyway. Mister blondie looked like a power player. Tall, trim, fit nicely in a tailored suit, while he was just a small, geeky guy with messy green hair and a face full of freckles. He didn’t even know if the man was gay. Oh, his co-workers thought he was. They were convinced his routine coffee trips were too conveniently made during Izuku’s shift alone.

All the tears and turmoil took its toll on the exhausted barista. The four hours of sleep catching up with Izuku before he even knows it. Hours pass by as fitful dreams torture him. Flashbacks of the coffeehouse, of happy times with his co-workers. There he is Izu, your knight in shining business suit! He turns around only to find a red-eyed dragon glaring down at him. A loud roar, screams echoing around them. Panic, fear sweeping through as customers and employees scramble away. The dragon roars, loud, reverberating chills to his core. Izuku’s scream catches in his throat as the beast picks him up with a clawed hand. It’s punishment time nerd!

“But I didn’t mean it!” Izuku whimpers, “please forgive me! I’d never want to hurt you!”

“Oi, if you’re gonna be noisy go away nerd.”

Awaken by the voice and a squeeze of his hand, the groggy barista raises his head off the bed. “M-mister?” The dream fades away to be replaced by a hospital room and redeyes narrowed at him. “Mister you’re back!” Moisture fills Izuku’s eyes. “I’m so glad you’re back!”

“Yeah, yeah, didn’t know you were trying to get rid of me so badly.”

“What?! I-I didn’t— it was an accident mister, I swear!”

“Stop calling me mister. I got a name nerd, use it.”

“M-Mister Bakugou. Please forgive me. I didn’t mean for this to happen to you. I-It’s all my fault but you’re one of our best customers and we wouldn’t want to lose you. I’ll resign if it makes you feel better, just please do not punish the cafe.”

“Tch, if you leave, I won’t go back cause you’re the only reason I go there.”

“Huh? But why?”

“I changed my mind, you're not a nerd, you’re an idiot. Nerds are smart and you are completely clueless.” Bakugou groans and closes his eyes. “Or I’m the idiot for liking you. Either way, it was just an allergic reaction so don’t worry too m...” he feels the hand slip from his and quickly opens his eyes expecting to see the man leaving. “Midoriya?” But instead he sees one leg still on the chair and the rest of Izuku’s body collapsed on the ground. “Yup, I’m the idiot.”

Bakugou gets off his bed and despite being a little tired from the treatment, manages to pull the smaller male off the floor, rolling him onto the bed. He then slides back on and pulls him close, so he doesn’t fall off. These hospital beds weren’t built for two people, but he made it work. ‘This little mouse fits perfectly in my arms.’

He didn’t like admitting it, but that’s what attracted him to Izuku in the first place. Seeing Izuku’s bubbly personality at the coffeehouse. Always bright and cheerful despite his grumpy comments. The fact the man was hard working was a plus. And yes, because he was small and adorable.

As the heir and VP to a family corporation, Bakugou had to be tough and serious, but what he saw in Izuku was a chance for the opposite at least in his personal life. Frankly, the man reminded him of his father. His mom was clearly the one in control, but because his father was her balance who kept the woman grounded. Bakugou wanted that too. So far, his search had turned up nothing until the day he walked into the Plus Ultra Coffee & Tea.

“Am dreaming? Like...” Izuku mumbles. “Yes,” he curls his body in to hide his blushing face. “You, too.”

‘Does this guy always mumble in his sleep?’ Bakugou shakes Izuku gently. “Time to wake up mouse. We can’t stay in the emergency room forever.”

Izuku pops up. Emergency room?! His eyes flare wide. “W-Why?! Oh no, did I fall asleep?!” He looks around. ‘Why am I in the bed?!’ “Mister Bakugou! S-Sorry!” He scrambles off, “I’m so sorry!”

“Don’t be, I put you there nerd. Now come on,” Bakugou holds out a hand, “I’ll take you home.”

[funigami-games]

A dream come true! The Prince's Heart is getting a Voice Over

When we started The Prince's Heart, we never thought we'd find so many wonderful persons willing to collaborate on our project.  Here we are now, a month later, with an entire crew of professional and aspiring Voice Actors willing to help us realize our Visual Novel!

Special thanks to our amazing Casting Director, Jacob Wilson, who directed the whole Voice Over process.

Let's meet the entire cast (in order of appearance in the game)!

Nick Chang as Edward (Protagonist)

I was born in Manhattan, but raised in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, where I currently reside. I also proudly identify as a 2nd generation Asian American (half Hong Kong via my mother, half Taiwanese via my father) and a member of the LGBTQIA+ community (gay and demisexual). Since childhood, I have had a distinct love of music and performance. Having played violin from 4th to 12th grade and sung for even longer, I used music as a primary means to express myself growing up. As I progressed from high school to college, I discovered online voice acting, but it was not until my time in graduate school that I formally decided to become an actor. My interest initially stemmed from a desire to help out in localization projects, but over the time I have spent voice acting, I have come to not only develop a great appreciation of the craft of acting, but also further deepen my love of music and rekindle my love of performance. With my singing experience as a basis to my unique perspectives, I hope to bring sensitivity, curiosity, and innovation to every project I work on!

Jacob Wilson as Adam

I’m a voice actor, Casting and voice director based in Dallas Texas. I’ve been working in this field for almost four years Now. It’s a journey that has taken me literally around the world and I’m so thankful for all I’m able to do and have accomplished. Being a part of amazing projects like this one are what fuel me to pursue my passions. I realized I was bisexual when I was 18. It’s a group in the LGBT+ community that continues to get flak from seemingly all over. But my faith in it and myself has always been unshaken. Outside of VO I am a drag artist in the making under the name “Twilight Stunning”, who I’m going to show more properly in the coming months! I’m so thankful I’m in the position I am, and I can’t wait to see what we have in store for y’all!

Bradley Gareth as Michael (Main Character)

Bradley was raised in Western Pennsylvania, learning piano from age 5 and taking up local community theater at age 10. He pursued the performing arts throughout high school, consistently participating in high school musicals and chorus festivals during his tenure there. At the end of high school, he also took multiple classes in musical composition and began doing online voiceover work.

During his time in college, Bradley participated in numerous professional and amateur voiceover productions both online and at the University of Pittsburgh's student radio station, WPTS Radio. While at WPTS, Bradley also began writing advertisements and online content for websites.

Now out of school, Bradley continues to lend his voice to multiple productions, dabble in musical composition, and provide content writing for WrightlySo.com.

Jared Prize as David (Main Character)

Singing provides me with some of the greatest joy in life. Outside of that, I love voice acting, hiking, and hanging with friends. My day job involves working with computers, so I like to find a bit of an escape into the creative-realm during my free time. My sexuality has always been a struggle, but I find comfort in not putting a label on it (at least for now). Mostly, I am very excited to be a part of an ambition team of lovely people. Working within a project like this brings excitement during the process, and even more-so while waiting for the final piece! I hope you enjoy what's to come xo

Marisa Duran as Lady Marie

Hey there, I’m Marisa Duran. I’m an actress working and living in Dallas, Texas.

I caught the "theatre bug" at a young age. My parents will tell you that it started when I was two years-old, dancing around to the Barney theme song. I agree wholeheartedly.

I grew up in a suburb on the east side of Dallas and was fortunate to have the opportunity to explore a city known for its rich culture and artistic influence. My passion for theatre was fueled by the many musicals that toured through town and I quickly decided that I wanted to spend the rest of my life as a professional actor.

In 2016 I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas with my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, emphasis in Acting. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with multiple professional theatre companies in the DFW area. I’ve also expanded my career into the worlds of film and voiceover, landing roles in short films, webseries, and commercials, and lending my voice to over a dozen anime titles at FUNimation.

Art has the power to heal, to change, and to empower. As an artist, I believe that my purpose on this earth is to tell stories, and through these stories I hope to make a positive impact and leave people better than I found them. I consider it an honor to be able to use my talents in such a profound way.

Whenever I’m not rehearsing or recording, you can usually find me at my day-time marketing job, playing video-games, or drinking coffee at a local coffeeshop.

Kiba Walker as Zachariah

Born Arthur Lee Walker III in Tacoma, Washington, Kiba Walker is an American actor, musician, director, writer, and performer based out of Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.

Kiba trained under the likes of various industry professionals such as Shane Sparks, Donyelle Jones, Tony Oliver, Betty "Waters" Kennedy, Chuck Huber, Sonny Strait, Chris Rager, Justine Reyes, Lorette Spicer, Bill Quinby, Angie Irons, Dan Lorge, Holly Clark Lorge, Spencer Christian, and many others. With 16 years of collective industry knowledge, Kiba has performed with the likes of Alice Underground, The Stereo Killers, Frankly Fictitious, CRVSH, Grant Davis, Ashley Ann Farley, Steve "Warky" Nunez, BASH!, Ryland Lynch, Ross Lynch, Will Jay, and more.

Voice over came to Kiba in his later years, around the age of 18, when he found his love doing an ask blog for Tumblr. From there, he took the craft seriously and networked profusely with various actors and companies in the voice over realm. His first roles were as Boku Temagawa in "Love Games" and Mike Connelly in "Zoolaplex".

Since 2014, he's been cast in various other projects including MY HERO ACADEMIA, HORIMIYA, GENSHIN IMPACT, FRUITS BASKET, ONE PIECE, SAINT SEIYA (2019 Sentai Dub), BLACK CLOVER, BOFURI! I DON'T WANNA GET HURT SO I'LL MAX OUT MY DEFENSE, CAUTIOUS HERO: THE HERO IS OVERPOWERED BUT OVERLY CAUTIOUS, CASE FILE NO.221 KABUKICHO, CAMP BUDDY, FULL SERVICE, TO TRUST AN INCUBUS, TO LOVE RU, O MAIDENS IN YOUR SAVAGE SEASON, EARTHLOCK, POPUP DUNGEON, SOMETHING IN THE DARK, RADIANT, and many more!

He's also directed such titles as FULL SERVICE, IDUEL: BATTLE  FOR STARDOM, ISHIDA & ASAKURA, THE TITAN'S BRIDE, and CAMP BUDDY.

As a musician now, Kiba currently has one album out, titled "XO", that released in May 2016. He runs a music channel called "KibaKovers", adapting anime and video game openings into English for a broader audience, as well as regular Top 40 covers. He is also one of the champions of the hit Fort Worth Drag Competition, The 3, as Salem Moon!

Mike Young as Sir Tiphis

Hello, I’m Mike Young. A dynamic, versatile and different British VP voice actor with gravitas, who can turn on various shades of Bristol, and run the spectrum of silky smooth, to warm and friendly.

Under the brilliant tutelage of Tanya Rich, my road to a professional voice acting career begin in 2018, having produced a wide variety of stories and audiobooks.

I lend my talent to a range of different projects:

Hard sell and soft sell commercial and corporate scripts

IVR for telephone systems and mobile apps

Instructional e-learning courses

Promotional adverts and trailers

Public service announcements

Character narration for video games, film, audio dramas and books

…and more!

I love it all, I do it all! And if you like what you hear, contact me! I’ll be sure to make your project gurt lush.

[jazzforthecaptain]

Yesterday was the last day at work. Made it through the exit interview, sent out the goodbye emails, got the emails and phone numbers of folks I want to keep up with. Handed off my key fob, loaded my light-up unicorn into the car.

Everything's been handed off, wrapped up, and shut down. I spent the weeks before I handed in my resignation writing SOPs for every duty I could think of, to help my team and any future person settling into the job. They have resumes for some good people to fill the position. It feels done at the same time it doesn't feel completely real and I keep forgetting that I'm done.

So now that I'm done, here's the abbreviated version.

I'm leaving partly because of the way they handled COVID, but mostly because of the toxic asshole they hired to replace my previous, retired director. In just over six months, he systematically destroyed my creative team and made a job I loved into an anxiety-ridden misery. Endlessly negative, about anything and everything. Behaves as if he's the only competent person in the room, no matter how little skill he has in the subject. I have had my job explained to me almost daily since he arrived in a part time capacity to work alongside our outgoing director in September. Questions about how we do our jobs are framed as insults. Bullshitting answers to questions that wasted my time as I made a project based on incorrect information. Throwing his creative team under the bus when he made a mistake, until his behavior started taking a toll on my preexisting working relationships with managers and employees at my workplace whom I've known for years. We didn't work enough unpaid OT. We weren't working far enough ahead. Nothing was done right, nothing was enough. For someone who 'didn't like to micromanage his designers,' he micromanaged tf out of almost every project. Disrespect, diminishing our competence, disbelieving us when we offered feedback - and feedback of any kind would prompt a long diatribe about how he was right. Body comments about our male coworkers. Weird personal criticism. Like I can't make this up - I got criticized for having a higher temperature when we had to record our temps after reopening. On top of that, LOUD political diatribes with people from other departments that frequently centered my age group as The Problem With the Country Today. My values and my age meant he called me evil, stupid, malicious, out of touch and incompetent by associstion. I'd hear him ramp up and put my headphones on so I didn't have to hear it after it became clear it was going to happen on a regular basis.

I WARNED top brass back in October that things were getting rough in my department, and wasn't believed.

Well, they believe me now.

He's solely responsible for 3 members of the creative team quitting, including myself. Coming back to work after shutdown brought back all the bullshit I'd escaped for 2 1/2 months and made it clear this job wouldn't be sustainable for me. And I can, without hyperbole, lay ALL of that at his feet. Coming back reminded me that if I stayed, even if this asshole fucked back off to wherever he came from in a year, I'd be subjected to whatever new asshole they hired based on his claims of improving the bottom line, and his job description is so vastly outside my experience that I didn't have a hope of getting above him in the chain of command without a complete retrain. Even if the management at my new job turns out to be frustrating, at least it's something I chose.

I didn't pull any punches about him in the exit interview with the VP of internal operations, and I talked to our GM yesterday about him too. I've been in this job long enough to have credit banked with leadership, and damned if I'm going to let the dude who signs this asshole's checks get a filtered HR version of what happened. There are still people I care about there, and I might as well blow that banked credit trying to make things better. He heard me. He also made it clear that other team members from other departments have voiced issues, they're going to deal with it, he's sorry they didn't see it in time for me and he's glad I've found a better opportunity.

I took some vicious, petty satisfaction in unfriending the toxic director's ass on social media accounts IMMEDIATELY after I walked out. I maintained my professionalism everywhere else because I know that it's important not to burn your bridges in case you end up interviewing with former coworkers or managers at some other job. But man, if I found out he worked at another job I wouldn't want it anyway. He made a wreckage of a team I loved, and he's so incapable of taking a shred of personal responsibility that he'll make a wreckage of any other place he works.

[sidmillervp]

Introducing Sid Miller !

T H E   B A S I C S

NAME :  Siddharth Miller

NICKNAME :  Sid

AGE :  38 Years Old

BIRTHDATE :  November 30th, 1981

OCCUPATION :  Owner of Scorpion Studios & Street Fighter

OREIENTATION :  Heterosexual

MOTHER :  Ingrid Miller 

FATHER :  Owen Miller

SIBLINGS :  Two Sisters 

PARTNER :  None 

CHILDREN :  A daughter (21)

HEIGHT :  6′2″

EYE COLOR : Dark Brown

HAIR COLOR :  Darkest Brown

RECOGNIZABLE FEATURES :  Stubble or a slight beard at all times, 

TATTOOS :  TBA

B A C K G R O U N D

TW : PROSTITUTION, DRUG ADDICTION, CHILD NEGLECT

Born in San Bernardino, a string of misfortunes followed Siddharth in his early years of life. His mother was a prostitute and druggie, ‘owned’ by a a pimp whom she was paying off her drug debt to though really only falling deeper into the hole as he encouraged and facilitated her addiction more. Sid was born a few weeks early and not exactly the healthiest considering his mother took a fix over a proper meal for herself and her growing baby more often than not throughout the pregnancy. The years as an infant he has no memories of he can’t speak for but his earliest childhood memory was waking to find his mother hurt and fast asleep, not waking up no matter how loudly he wailed. Sid had been just four years old when his mother was beaten to death by some faceless john.

The other women his mother ‘worked’ with tried looking after him rather than leaving him on the streets. This was only because the pimp they worked for had other plans for him. By the time Sid was maybe six or seven he’d already more grown up than most kids have to be, he already had to worry about how he was going to eat any given day, how he was going to avoid a beating, and just how to survive another day. It made him smart and quick on his feet. One of his regular gigs was pick pocketing, and passing on information about the happenings of the area his ‘boss’ had him at. That day when he’d met his would be father, was the first time he’d gotten caught while trying to slip a sizable bundle of cash from a harley side saddle. When faced with the hulking man, the VP of the Devil’s Disciples, cut and all, Sid stood his ground. He showed no fear, and even attempted to stab the man in the femur to make his escape.

Owen Miller was impressed by his show of force, and bravado. He asked if he was living in the streets, and after some resistance he admitted that was close enough to the truth. He hung around them through the duration of their stay in the area. Come time to return home, Owen asked him if he wanted to come with, with the promise of a less shittier life in Charming. With nothing to lose and harbouring growing respect for him and the other bikers with the way they carried themselves it was an easy answer. And that is how Sid landed up in Charming all those years ago. Owen with no kids of his own at the time though newly married, officially adopted him a year later. Sid can’t imagine his life going any better, he’s never once regretted his decision to go with him.

Having pretty much worshipped his father from day one, the club was always Sid’s biggest aspiration, so much so that he chose to give up other opportunities for it. Always a brawler, Sid took up wrestling in high school and did really well in it, so much so that his coach began giving him MMA lessons on the side, in hopes to prepare him for the pros. His senior year he was already eighteen as he’d been held back a year when he was younger since he’d missed kindergarten and first grade. That year along with wrestling championships, and beginning to prospect for the club, his coach was having him get a feel for the minor leagues. Managing all three of those with some semblance of a social life he was run ragged. He’d be done with wrestling once he graduated highschool, but he knew things would only get more intense if he stayed the course for fighting pros, he might even have to leave Charming for extended periods of time. The choice wasn’t hard. He chose the club, his family, and his town over a shot at the pros.

His dedication and loyalty to the Devil’s has taken precedent over nearly everything else in his life, he likes to say he’s married to his cut when asked why he never took the plunge. Outside commitments were never really his strong suit, the one time things did get a little serious he ended up breaking things off when she nearly got in the line of fire, he chose to run from the possibility of ever carrying such a guilt on his conscious and made sure to keep things simple from then on. The shorter the romp the better. He has his flaws but doesn’t have a bad heart and has never tried to intentionally hurt someone, or make false promises he knows he has no intention of keeping. 

A bit of a crazy bastard, Sid is pretty reckless with his own safety at times, always the first to put himself on the line of fire, out of love but also the thrill he gets out of the chaos. He wouldn’t think twice before taking a bullet for any of the guys in the club or anyone in town for that matter, he has plenty of love for the small town and it’s people. His overall laidback demeanor makes him pretty accessible, and people never hesitate to come to him if they ever have a problem big or small. In his late twenties he took over ownership of the Tattoo parlor in town, though no one should ever trust him with a needle in hand. He has little to no artistic talent and gladly leaves the day to day run of the shop on his crew. The investment just made sense to him at the time and he learned quickly he has a knack for the business management side of things. At one point he got so into his role that he even took a certification course at the community college for it.

Now and again you’ll still see him in a ring, far from the pros but still a force to be reckoned with. Overall he’s pretty chill guy, with a wicked sense of humor, maybe a little too comfortable with violence and throwing himself into any fight without a thought for his own wellness. Though still a decent man with morals, and deep love for his family and community.

W A N T E D   C O N N E C T I O N S

Close Friends - People outside the club he’s tight with.

Sponsored Prospect - Could be someone whose currently prospecting or has already been patched in as a member. He would see this person as almost a protégé! 

First Love - The relationship I briefly mentioned in the bio, the first person things were getting a little serious with until she almost got hurt cause of some club business. He ended things right away citing it could never work out and she’d be better off, and that was that. It’s probably been at least 6-10 years since that relationship ended.

FWBs - Casual, friendly, and most importantly mutually satisfying. Only rule to keep things going is not to catch feels.

Past Flings - Some scorned lovers maybe? Or amicable, and anything in between it can be as dramatic or chill as you want!

Literally anything, just hmu and we can work something out!

@charmingintro​

[theamberwriter]

Levi’s Secret [Mod!Levi Ackerman||Fem!Reader]

Pairing: Levi Ackerman x Fem!Reader [Mod!AU]

Word Count: 2012

Warning: Cursing, pregnancy

A/N: I posted this a while ago on Quotev, DeviantArt, and Wattpad (I think). I updated it for you all!

Levi Ackerman, co-vice president for one of the most powerful companies in the world, Titan Industries, has a secret. Nothing dangerous - well, maybe it will be if anyone finds out, but it'll only be dangerous to their health. He plans on keeping it that way as long as he can. The shitheads he works with don't need to know about his personal life.

But what is that secret?

If one were to go into the upper left-hand drawer, supposing they got the key, and found the insert in the bottom of it. One could find a mysterious paper object lying flat in the bottom of it.

But what is this object?

Well the other VP Hanji Zoe is determined to find out. She's continuously caught the short man looking at – something – in the drawer. But even the security cameras can't reveal what it is. She only knows where the mysterious object is located. News spread quietly around the office when Hanji blabbed, and some people began to take bets; a porn magazine, nudes of his wife and just regular ole important papers were among the guesses.

Almost everyone wants to know what is in that drawer.

Even the president, Erwin Smith, who is an old friend of the co-VP, is curious about Levi's mysterious drawer.

Hanji knows better, though, than to ask the stoic short man about his secret. She knows he’d blow her off, or threaten her, or move the thing – whatever it is. Hanji also knows better than to ask his wife, [Name], who will only give her a mysterious smile and tap the side of her nose to tease her.

No amount of begging will force [Name] to give out any of her husband’s secrets. And not in fear of Levi getting angry, but because she loves to mock the nosey woman. [Name] knows a side of Levi nobody does, knows things that no one else knows – and that drives Hanji crazy, she wants to know everything. Mostly just so she can pester and tease her short friend about it.

Currently, it is a Friday morning – about 10:54 AM. In the main HQ of Titan Industries, in front of a large set of double doors up on the 34th floor, can be found a certain brunette Hanji Zoe and a young office worker from the floor below. Eren Jeager is the long-time friend Levi’s younger cousin, Mikasa, who also worked in the office.

         “Hanji,” says Eren, looking nervously about him. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

         “Of course, it is,” reassures the woman as she slowly opens the door. “Shorty’s in a meeting, and shouldn’t be back for a while. Besides, I know exactly where to look. I’ve seen him do it a million times on the cameras. – look, just signal me if something goes amiss, alright?”

         Eren sighs, his shoulders slumping. “Right.”

         The woman creeps into the room, after ruffling Eren’s hair, and slowly makes her way over to the pristine desk. She is going to try not to mess it up – it’s so tempting! But she is also trying not to get caught, so she resists the urge.

         Ever so gently, Hanji removes the pen she always sees Levi use from its place in the mug on his desk. It’s one [Name] gave him Hanji notices (even after having seen it a million times, she never took note of what was on it), it’s pictures of their wedding and honeymoon a few years before. But, to Hanji’s dismay, there is no picture of the man smiling or being anything but his usual self! [Name] must have made this specifically for his desk.

         With a sigh, Hanji shakes her head and kneels to retrieve the key from under the desk. If one didn’t look closely, they would miss the small key held in brackets screwed to the top of the desk. The brunette carefully slides the gold key out, glancing it over once, before shoving it in the lock and turning it. She flinches as it makes a soft click sound.

Sliding out the drawer, Hanji then looks for the spot where the tip of the pen would fit. It’s hard to spot, even with the sunlight streaming in the wall of windows behind her. But she does find it. She grins to herself as she lifts up the insert. Standing, Hanji puts her hands under the panel and feels for the edge of the object. When she finds it, she fishes it out and drops the insert.

Placing the pen on the desk, the woman looks at what’s in her hand. At first, it appears to be a white folder but as she flips it over, she finds it’s something else. Hanji’s eyes widen, a squeal escaping her throat. So it was none of the dirty things the office workers conjured up.

She completely ignores the loud, ‘Hello, Mr. Ackerman!’ that Eren just about yells from outside the door. Nor does she hear the growl from the short man as he snaps at the boy to ‘quit fucking shouting’ and ‘get the hell away from his door if he’s just going to stand there like a dumbass.’ Hanji also completely ignores the short man as she runs out of the office to tell Eren of her discovery, even though she tosses him a ‘hey, shorty.’

“Eren, you will never believe –” starts Hanji, but then stops as she realizes that the short man is seething behind her.

         “Oi! Shitty Glasses!” grits Levi, his fists clenched as he glares her down. “Who in the hell gave you permission to go in my office when I’m not there?! And how the fuck did you get that – give it to me!”

         But Hanji simply turns and runs, ditching her heels and knee-highs as she does so that she doesn’t trip or slip. Levi immediately takes off after her, but not before glaring at young Eren and snapping at him to get back to work; Eren shakily does as he’s told.

         Hanji, meanwhile, sprints down the stairs and runs to one of the desk lined floors. Waving the thing in the air, she yells, “I’ve got it!”

         When people look up, all they see is her running with Mr. Ackerman hot on her heels. She only stops when Erwin enters the floor, having seen the commotion on the cameras. Levi stops as well, and then he and Hanji begin to sprint and jump in circles around the president. But this stops as Erwin takes the thing from Hanji, who’s now behind him, while Levi glares down his friend from in front.

         “Erwin. Give. Me. That!” spits Levi, but Erwin sighs and shakes his head as he holds the object high above his head – knowing that his tiny friend can’t reach that without assaulting him.

         “Sorry, Levi,” mutters the blonde. “Everybody’s just curious.”

         “It’s none of their damn business! – and why do those shitheads know that I keep that in my – four eyes, what the fuck?!” Levi’s glare shifted over the broad shoulders of his boss, to where Hanji’s eyes were just popping over them.

         “Well I couldn’t keep to myself that you had a secret, now could I?! – and anybody who said it was porn or nudes has lost their bet, I hope you know!” calls Hanji, at this Levi whips around the glare down everybody in the room. Especially those forking over money, or claiming they had to go to the bank.

         “S-So, what is it?” stutters poor little Armin Arlert from his desk nearest the trio.

         “It’s none –” starts Levi, but he is cut off by Erwin.

         “You might as well tell us, or else Hanji will,” states the blonde. From behind him, Hanji agreed and began to bounce excitedly.

The raven-haired man glares but then sighs in defeat. “Fucking fine! Give it.”

Erwin carefully lowers the object into his friend’s expectant hand. Turning, Levi faces the floor with the white side showing. But then, he turns it around and looks grumpily away.

Slowly, people gather to get a better look – it’s a thin paper picture frame.

DADDY’S LITTLE BABY is hand done in pale orange block letters across the top of the paper frame. Around the outside is decorated in swirls and dots, it even has a mint green bow tied in two holes punched in the corner. In the frame, lies a black and white ultrasound picture.

“Levi’s gonna be a daddy!” shouts Hanji, running around to throw her arms around the man. Levi growls at her but says nothing.

Erwin puts a hand on Levi’s shoulder, smiling lightly down at him. “Congratulations, Levi.”

“Yeah, thanks,” is all he mutters.

Hanji chuckles, “you could be a bit happier!”

“How the fuck can I?! You damn bunch of shit minded assholes weren’t supposed to fucking know! You shouldn’t even know I’m fucking married, but somebody had to go running her damn big shitty mouth!” Levi spits, glaring around the group gathered.

Hanji and Erwin roll their eyes, Hanji ruffling Levi’s hair. “How could I not?! It was exciting! Also, how were you going to explain the fact that [Name]’s in here all the time?! She probably would have told us herself!”

“What would I have told you?” [Name]’s voice cuts through the chatter. People move to the side as the woman pushes her way through with a box in hand. She smiles sweetly lightly as she sees Levi seemingly presenting the picture frame she made him three months ago for his birthday. “Aww, Levi, you’re showing off our babies!”

The plural catches Levi’s attention, any thought of a blush disappearing. Levi raises an eyebrow slightly. “Babies?”

[Name] giggles, nodding and holds out the box to him. Slowly, he takes it while handing her the frame. He eyes her warily as he opens the box. Inside is a new ribbon and an ultrasound picture clearly showing two circles – twins?! Levi about drops the box at this, but only [Name] notices.

“Twins?!” yells Hanji, causing the man to flinch away from the loud sound.

“Yes, Hanji,” [Name] chuckles loudly. “Levi and I are having twins. Can I have a small hole punch someone?”

More chatter flutters through the room, and then Armin shuffles up with a punch. He mutters a ‘congratulations’ to which the woman smiles. Punching through two more holes in the frame, [Name] hands the punch back and walks up to Levi. He just stares intently at her.

[Name] ties the new ribbon through the holes, and then slips in the new ultrasound. Also paper clipping on a matching ‘S’ that was hidden beneath it onto the end of ‘baby.’ The misspelling makes Levi cringe, but he knew it was his wife’s attempt to be funny.

“How long have you known? When the hell did you get that done?!” utters Levi, watching [Name]’s face intently.

[Name] kisses his cheek with a smile. “I went about two weeks ago, when you were out of town.”

“And you’re just now telling me?! We have to go get more shit for the nursery!” hisses Levi, causing Hanji to laugh loudly.

“Don’t worry shorty! We’ll throw you a baby shower!” she says, as though it’s simple. Levi goes to glare, but [Name] cuts in.

“I’d appreciate that Hanji,” she says, “Levi wasn’t going to let me invite any friends.”

“Forget just friends! We’ll have the whole damn building doing in on it! All 35 floors!” announces the insane brunette, bouncing up and down again.

Before Levi could stop her, Hanji began to ramble on and on about all that could be done. As well as going around and assigning things to each employee, who was still in shock that their grumpy boss was going to be a father.

And, though he despises the brunette sticking her nose in his business, Levi knew it made [Name] happy to have everyone finally know.

Suddenly, Levi doesn’t mind sharing his secret.

[kenzieam]

Druid - The Final Chapter

Rating: M (smut, language, violence, mature themes, potential major character death)

Genre: Drama/Angst

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Thank you, my lovelies, for your kind words and support XOXO

******************************************************************************

Okay... so it has been over a year since I updated this story....

Bad, Bad, Bad Me....

I’m sorry, my lovelies, I hope you’ll accept this offering, the final chapter of James and Levi and the Druids MC.

Since it’s been so long, catch up with the Masterlist

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JAMES

When I return to our room, Sable and Nat are there. Sable sits cross-legged at Levi’s back, while Nat sits in front of her, holding Levi’s hand. Levi’s asleep and I’m met by two pairs of tear-filled eyes.

“You make him pay?” Nat asked, her voice breaking.

I nod, not willing to elaborate. Although that fuck deserved every single second of agony I gave him, I’m not the kind of twisted bastard that gets off on doing shit like that on the regular. He hurt mine and he paid, I delivered punishment tenfold back to him and now it’s done. I will kill to protect my family and die to save them. The dichotomy is not lost on me and I know the average person would look at me and condemn me as the worst of men, one that justifies murder in defense of family; kills someone’s child to save another’s. But I’m not ashamed of it. This is a hard life, and from a young age, I’ve been part of it. It’s a part of me and if the people I love are made safer by me getting my hands dirty, so be it.

I would never, for anything on this earth and beyond, hurt Levi or cause her pain. She is more important to me than anything else in my black heart.

And right now, I want nothing more than to lay beside her and let her presence bring me peace.

I stride past the bed and into the bathroom, pausing long enough to grab fresh sweats and a shirt from the dresser, shutting the door behind me. I reek of smoke and something much more organic and I scrub myself half-raw under the scalding spray.

When I leave the bathroom, Sable and Nat are still there, but they stand up quickly, hurrying to give us privacy. Both women startle me by walking up to me and pressing quick, chaste kisses to my cheek.

“Thank you.” Sable murmurs and Nat nods wordlessly in agreement, then they turn and leave silently, pulling the door closed behind them. I follow, locking it and turn back to Levi. She’s still asleep, but her face is tensed, her brow furrowed. I’m about to text Stitch to bring more painkillers when she shifts slightly and whimpers.

“James?” Her hand jerks slightly, questing, looking for me and I clamor quickly under the covers behind her, carefully pull her close to my chest.

“I’m here, baby.”

Her body goes liquid again, all tension disappearing, and she gives a soft, contented sigh.

“I love you.” I manage to choke as I bury my face in her hair, my heart breaking wide open with emotion; filled past bursting with devotion and love for this woman.

LEVI

Pain wakes me, throbbing in my shoulder, my leg, my wrists. A whimper escapes before I’ve even opened my eyes and I feel the warmth behind me shift suddenly.

“Levi?” James leans over me carefully, his beautiful eyes wide with concern. “Where does it hurt?”

I’m tempted to say everywhere, but James looks so distraught I decide not to torment him. “My wrists, my shoulder.”

A flicker of darkness passes through his gaze; fleeting, banked rage but it’s quickly gone, replaced by worry. “I’ll text Stitch.” He rolls away and my body mourns the loss of his familiar heat and security, then he’s back, tapping at the screen with one hand, the other snaking cautiously around me again. The phone buzzes back almost immediately.

“He’s on his way, he was about to wake us up anyway; he says you’re due for another shot.”

I consider refusing, asking for something milder, over-the-counter, but the throb has morphed into an outright stabbing and I decide to stop being a hero.

A knock at the door, and James gets up, gifting me with a view of his perfect ass and back, clad in low-hung grey sweats and a white tee as he walks to the door and opens it.

Stitch steps past, zeroing in on me and moving to the side of the bed. I hear James pass, and the bathroom door shut, then Stitch is asking me all kinds of questions; Rate my pain, stabbing or aching? Any heat or tightness to indicate infection? He seems satisfied by my answers and is drawing up a syringe when James reappears.

“You hungry, doll?”

I nod and Stitch agrees. “Yeah, something light though, Prez.”

James nods and kisses my forehead, glancing at Stitch, who nods in answer to his silent question. As James leaves, the medic glances down at me. “Okay, I know Prez can be a mother-hen, is your pain worse than you’re letting on?”

I can’t stop a chuckle. He’s right; big, bad Cannon knows how to cluck. “No, it’s what I said.”

Stitch nods. “That shot will help, I know you don’t want to be completely drugged out.” He jerks his chin to the bathroom. “You need to go? I’ll wait out here then check your bandages.”

His hands are gloved when I return, and I sit back on the bed quietly while Stitch becomes all business, carefully inspecting my shoulder before moving to my wrists.

“Stitch?” I ask quietly, not sure I want to know. “How was he? While I was gone?”

Stitch glances at me quickly before dropping his attention back to my wrists. “Honestly? Broken. Never seen him like that before. He was completely focused on finding you, to the detriment of his own health. He wouldn’t sleep or eat, just paced and worried. I considered ambushing and sedating him before he outright collapsed from exhaustion, but I knew he’d literally kill me when he woke back up. If we hadn’t found you...” he trails off. “It was hard to watch. I don’t want to think about what he would have done if-” He shakes his head, returning to his work. I’m stunned silent, limp and compliant as Stitch continues with my wrists; the pain numbed by whatever he shot me up with. His words continue to circle in my brain, blocking out all other thoughts; Broken, It was hard to watch.

James returns with a tray, eyes travelling over me anxiously for a beat before relaxing, as if he’s afraid to let me out of sight, convinced I’ll disappear or something and while that level of concern is heartwarming, I don’t want him to stress himself out like that.

Stitch glances at the food he brought and nods approval as he stands. “I’ll come back in a few hours to give you more pain relief. Try to sleep and if you can’t, at least take it easy.”

James shuts the door behind him then returns to the bed. He sits beside me and sets the tray gently on my lap. “Do you need my help?” He asks. “Do you want me to give you some time alone?”

I recognize the effort behind those questions. He doesn’t want to leave me alone, and he doesn’t want to sit by and watch me struggle if my wrists hurt too much. What’s more important to me right now? Stubborn independence, or letting James soothe himself by taking care of me? “No, stay please.”

I don’t miss his exhale of relief and I lay back, trying to hide my winces as I settle on the pillow. James sets the tray aside and pulls the blankets up for me, fussing like a mother hen and I find the sight of the biggest, baddest, hottest biker in the compound, maybe the entire country, fretting with my blankets and pillow absolutely adorable. Then he’s sitting beside me and stirring the oatmeal he brought, holding out a spoonful for me. I let him feed me and he visibly relaxes as the time passes, and I find myself relaxing too, settling back into the blankets and letting a feeling of peace wash over me. I’m not sure how much is the drugs and how much is James TLC, but I’ll take it. And when my eyes are getting heavy, I hear James set the tray aside and feel the bed rise then dip again as he stands and removes his shirt, then crawls back onto the bed, snuggling up beside me, tucking me carefully against his chest.

His scent surrounds me and drawing me the rest of way down and, just as I fall asleep, I hear him say, “I love you, baby.”

JAMES

I can’t bring myself to leave Levi today, but I text furiously while she sleeps against me. The edge has been taken off my anxiety and anger, for now, with Levi letting me care for her and fuss, feed her and hold her close while she sleeps. I don’t know if she realizes how much I needed it, how much my raw nerves were soothed by caring for her but, as she sleeps, I feel my rage returning.

Fucking Tracer. Fucking Preacher. They’re both going down. Preacher for bringing Henday down on my woman, and Tracer for not having a better handle on his men. Trace’s VP, Shadow, the man who will take over, better not have a problem with that, or I’ll take the whole club down too.

Nobody fucks with what’s mine and I came close enough to losing Levi forever that I think I’m permanently affected. I will always and forever be reactionary regarding her safety. There will be a new fucking line to toe around her and any visiting chapters or clubs had better have their heads on straight, or I’ll tear them apart.

I think I can say the same of my own men, I saw how they were when Levi was missing, I saw how they rallied when we had a lead, how dark and dangerous their faces were as they prepared to hunt Henday when I carried Lev from that shithole she hid in after escaping him.  

My entire club has her back, my entire club will rain down hell on anyone who hurts her.

Call up Trace. Tell him I want a meeting. I text Steve.

He knows immediately. Preacher too?

Fuck yes.

On it.

I wait for his text and gaze down at Levi. She’s so fucking beautiful and I’m the luckiest fucker in the world to call her mine. She shifts as I graze my knuckle down her cheek, but she sighs and settles right back down when I murmur soothingly to her. She rolls slightly, reaching to hold me closer and as I catch the flash of the thick, white bandages around her wrists, I feel a fresh wave of fury. My woman will have scars and while that doesn’t mean a fucking thing to me, I worry it will hurt her, that she’ll think she’s less beautiful because of them. I will kiss her scars daily, acknowledge and worship each one; I will, to my dying breath, tell her how fucking beautiful she is, how much I love her.

Tomorrow. 7 pm

Fucker’s got terms now? He’s going to tell me when we’re meeting? I don’t think so, but I’ll let him have this, if only to give him a false sense of security. Let him think I’m all easygoing and calm, just happy to have my woman back, when in reality, I’m thirsting for their blood.

Preacher coming too? I type, keeping one hand resting on Levi’s hip.

Yeah, all the officers. I told them you want to thank them for helping out.

Make sure we’re ready.

How many graves?

Just two but be prepared to dig more if necessary.

I’m sure Shadow is a reasonable man.

He better be. I want a statement. NOBODY fucks with my woman.

Understood.

I spend the rest of the day with my beautiful girl and I push the world away from us, let her be safe and warm and surrounded by my love and protection, but it’s as much for me as it is for her. I’ve never been so scared as I was when Lev was missing and its going to take me a while to come back from that. Its not PTSD or anything, but I definitely feel raw and tender, on edge and restless. I find myself waking up a few times from nightmares as I doze next to Lev, startling awake with a pounding heart, sure I’d just missed saving her, that Henday had done what he’d promised and my girl was gone, taking my heart with her. Each time I nestle closer to her, hold her tighter, draw a shuddering breath as I bury my face just a little deeper into her hair and tell myself she’s safe again.

Stitch checks up on us, gives Lev more pain relief and food is brought up. Thor and Steve duck in, bringing their women with them but for the most part my club leaves us alone and I’m grateful. Tomorrow I won’t be able to spend as much time with Lev as I want, I’ll be preparing with my men for that night so I’m getting all I can today.

Levi sleeps most of the day and I nap beside her, working through my phone when I need to. She has a few bad dreams but seems to wake from them quickly enough when I murmur to her, brush back her hair from her forehead and call her name softly.

Thor checks on us around suppertime, asking in a low voice if we want anything, but Lev woke from a nightmare a few minutes ago, trembling full-body against me and just settled back down into sleep and I’m loathed to wake her so I shake my head.

Thor nods in understanding, his gaze softening as he looks down at Levi and I see the truth in his eyes. He would burn the world to keep her safe too, just like me. “Text me,” he murmurs. “When you want something brought up.”

I nod and can’t even wait until Thor leaves before dropping my head and snuggling close again, breathing out the last of my tension.

LEVI

James is on edge today, but he won’t tell me what’s happening. The clubhouse seems busy, keyed up but I don’t have the energy yet to leave the bed, which seems to alleviate some of James’ nerves. He’s in and out today, coming back to me for tender moments but always dragging himself away again with a clenched jaw. He doesn’t want to leave me, that’s obvious, but whatever is going on is too important for him to stay away.

Stitch has appeared with some fancy new bandages, ones tailored for deep burns and other severe skin injuries and wraps my wrists with gentle movements, completely at odds with the heavy leather cut on his back.

“These bandages don’t come cheap.” He tells me conversationally. “Cannon told me to get the best and didn’t even blink when I told him the price. These are used in the major burn and trauma centers.”

“But I’ll still scar, right?”

Stitch stops his wrapping and gazes up at me, unsettling clarity and understanding in his dark eyes. “You will always be beautiful, Levi. Inside and out, and Cannon will always love you. You are his world.”

My face goes red and I suddenly feel like I’m going to cry. Stitch takes pity on me.

“Besides, bikers always have scars; it’s like a prerequisite.” I snort with laughter.

He sits with me a while longer, asking mild questions, talking about small things and I get the sense he’s probing gently, looking for injuries that are more than skin-deep. He smiles when I try to stifle a yawn and pats my knee lightly as he stands, gathering his supplies and tucking them into his medical bag.

“Get some sleep, Lev. Best thing for you right now.”

JAMES

Tracer and Preacher don’t arrive alone, not that I expected them to. With effort I left Levi a little earlier, and even though she’s asleep with more pain relief drugs, I asked Nat and Sable to watch over her. They understand something’s up too, but they’re experienced enough to not ask questions, and I know that if Lev does wake up during our ‘party’, they’ll keep her upstairs and away from the ugliness.

I watch as most of the officers of the down-state charter saunter in, they’re ready to party, voices loud and coarse laughter even louder. As per my instructions to my brothers earlier, we’re going to let them settle for a few minutes, get relaxed but not drunk before lowering the boom.

I approach Tracer and clasp his hand, embrace him with one arm, thank him again for helping with Levi. Setting my trap, weaving my web. I make the rounds, thanking and shaking the hands of all the down-state officers then sit at the head table. I would have preferred to dispose of the trash somewhere other than our clubhouse, but I can’t afford to arouse any suspicion.

A few minutes pass, and I cut my eyes to my VP and SIA, telling them with a glance that the time has come. Subtly they prepare, and the signal goes out to all my brothers.

I stand and step to the center of the room. I hold my arms wide, a beer in my left, my right ready to grab my .45 and turn in a circle.

“Brothers!” A chorus of cheers erupts, and I almost feel bad for what’s about to come, almost. I’m bringing down the house tonight, literally. “I brought you all here tonight to thank you, to show my gratitude for your help when my old lady was taken. She’s back home safe and I owe it all to you here.”

I gesture to Steve and Thor, motion them closer, bait for the trap then wave to Tracer and Preacher to join us. They do, jostling each other and laughing, slapping shoulders like this is a good old time and they’re all going to get shit-faced, loaded and laid.

The shock on their faces when I point the gun at them is comical.

No one packs in my clubhouse, a hard and fast rule, so none of the down-states have a weapon, but all my brothers do tonight and they’re ready. I see the moment Trace and Preacher realize this and it does my heart good.

“What the fuck, Cannon?” Tracer growls, holding up his hands placatingly. “This your idea of gratitude now?”

“Nobody fucks with me or my family, Trace. I thought you understood that.” I direct the statement to Tracer, but my glare is locked on Preacher. My finger itches to pull the trigger and wipe that dumbass look off his face.

“McCoy Jackson.” I state flatly. “That’s you Preacher, isn’t it?”

Tracer jolts slightly, then glances over at his Enforcer.

“Grew up with the Henday twins,” I continue. “You were friends with them, even after they split and Deimos stayed with the Knights, kept in contact.”

“What the fuck is he talking about, Preacher?” Tracer demands.

“Anything to say, Preach?” I growl.

The mask falls, and the cool, genial man I thought I knew disappears. The monster that takes his place sends a bolt of shock through me, then cold hatred and realization takes its place; this bastard knew exactly what he was doing, he knew exactly what he was going to unleash by calling Deimos. He wanted it; he wanted Levi destroyed, he wanted me destroyed and that seals his fate, making what I’m about to do that much easier. He spits contemptuously on the floor.

“Bitch deserved it.”

Tracer makes a strangled sound. “You said you wouldn’t call him,” he hisses. He turns to me, moist panic on his face. “I told him not to, it’s not my fault!” Suddenly he reminds me of a weasel, a rat bastard of a man struggling to cover his exposed ass and throwing everyone he can under the proverbial bus. Maybe Tracer didn’t understand the gravity of the situation, maybe he underestimated the level of depravity Deimos and Preacher were capable of, but he knew something would be unleashed when he turned a blind eye to his Enforcer, and he did it anyway.

Preacher fixes his president with a cynical eye. “You knew I did. Don’t bother lying, you pussy.” He turns back to me. “I ain’t gonna apologize. That cunt-“

I don’t need to hear anymore.

I pull the trigger and his body hits the floor with a heavy thud. I watch dispassionately as the corpse twitches and kicks, groaning its last breath in a wheezing, strangled gurgle then turn my sights on Tracer.

“Cannon, c’mon brother-“ His face is slick with sweat, eyes beady and I wonder how I never noticed before how much he looks like a slimy prick. He tries to take a step back, hands up in surrender, but Steve and Thor move to block him, ready to shove him back towards me.

“I’m not your brother, you lying piece of shit.” I pull the trigger a second time, aiming right between his rat eyes.

The body is still jerking and gurgling when I turn to Shadow.

I see the gears turning in the VP’s eyes, see him weighing his options.

“Did you know too?” I ask, my voice dangerously low and even.

Shadow doesn’t speak, but his head jerks slowly from one side to the other. There’s sober truth in his eyes, the look of a man who knows he’s on the razor’s edge of life or death, and all that’s left to him is the mercy of the gatekeeper.

“Are we done here? Or do you all want to die tonight?” My words hang heavy in the silent clubhouse.

“It’s done.” Shadow replies, his tone neutral. “It’s buried.” He looks towards the other members of his club, the club he now leads as their president cools on my floor. “You hear? It’s done!”

I push my gun back into my waistband and hold out my hand; if Shadow accepts it, he is bound to his word, by his honor and the sanctity of his club’s honor.

He steps forward and takes my hand.

And it’s over.

Later, I return to Levi’s side. The downstate charter cleared out after our handshake, not that I’m surprised. I have Shadow’s word and, if he breaks it, there will be war. But I saw acceptance in his eyes tonight. It would be hard to explain to an outsider, but club code and honor run deep and the men and women who live this life understand and accept that. Their brothers broke that code and that comes with a price to pay.

Tonight, it was paid.

Tonight, it was laid to rest.

Levi’s asleep when I enter the room. Sable sits on the bed near her while Nat is stretched out beside her, head propped on her elbow. Both heads swivel in my direction. The stereo on the bureau plays loud enough to soften what happened downstairs.

“Is it done?” Sable asks quietly.

I nod and they stand, stretching their limbs and smiling fondly down at Levi. I wait as they shuffle past, resting a hand on each one’s shoulder and murmuring a low ‘thank you’. Sable smiles while Nat leans up on her tiptoes to peck my cheek and then they’re gone, the door shutting with a low click.

I want to climb into bed with her right now, want to wrap my arms around her and bury my face in her hair, let her take me down with her into peaceful sleep, but I turn and enter the bathroom instead. I need to wash off, scrub away the taint and darkness of the last few hours. Levi’s too pure and good to be contaminated with that ugliness.

The shower is near scalding as I stand under the spray, my face upturned into the water, letting it sting my skin and wash away my sins. The heat purifies me and when my longing for Levi grows too strong, I turn off the shower and step out.

I pause for a beat at the doorway, lean against it and study her. Long auburn hair splays across the pillow, her creamy skin stands out against the charcoal grey pillowcase and my heart aches to touch her again. I pull on boxer-briefs and crawl under the covers, snuggling close and feeling my body instantly relax, my soul taking a deep sigh of relief.

Levi sighs, breaths something that might be my name.

“I’m here, baby.” I press a kiss to her shoulder and bury my face in her neck, letting her peacefulness take me down.

*********************************************************************

ONE YEAR LATER

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

As the guests cheer and yell, the new couple lean into each other, their lips connecting, eyes closing in ecstasy. The kiss deepens, tongues sweep against each other and the crowd’s cheers grow rowdier and louder. A metal rendition of ‘The Wedding March’ starts and the couple reluctantly pull apart, eyes still locked. He pulls her in for one more passionate kiss then they part in earnest, still clasping hands and gazing at each other as the stride down the aisle, both sides screaming with joy and celebration. The day is gorgeous, the weather perfect and beyond the clubhouse the reception is already laid out for the epic party to come.

His eyes shining, James reaches out for Levi and she takes his hand, smiling up at him as they turn and follow the new couple. James’ cut gleams on his shoulders and Levi’s Property of Cannon vest lends a tough edge to her soft, flowing dress.

Ahead of them, Thor and Sable march, the perfect golden couple, now finally joined forever.

“Three more weeks,” Levi leans over, murmurs in James’ ear. “Then it’s our turn.”

“I can’t wait.” James’ whispers, nuzzling into her ear, smiling when Levi giggles at the tickle.

“Thank you, though.” Levi adds. “For waiting.”

“Anything for you.” James replies earnestly, gazing deep into her eyes for a beat. He subtly switches direction, pulling Levi gently with him towards the gathering wedding party and the photographer trying to wave the bride and groom towards her.

“Best man!” The photographer calls to James’, waving him closer. “Maid of honor!”

Working together, Sable, Nat, Levi and the photographer manage to corral the rowdy group together long enough for some beautiful pictures, then the temptation of the party is too much and Thor picks up his bride with a flourish, roaring as he jogs towards the wooden tables set out and ready, Sable’s excited shriek musical and light. Rock music is blaring, the drinks are flowing, and nobody is slowing down until probably tomorrow.

“You coming?” Steve asks, glancing back at James. Nat pulls on his arm with a grin, eager to join the party.

“Go ahead.” Levi replies, “we’ll be right there.” Steve grins and finally lets Nat lead him away.

James turns to Levi, raising a brow. The clear sky above them makes Levi’s hair gleam and he can just imagine what she will look like, standing with him at the head of the aisle in three weeks’ time.

It’s been a long year. Levi wanted to wait, wanted the dust to settle, her scars to fade and her business take root before diving into a wedding and James was willing to do anything to keep her happy.

There had been no further fallout from the Henday incident. James, Steve, Thor and Shadow had met with the leader of The White Knights, a tall man with dead eyes named Azrael. He’d listened silently and nodded once in agreement; an old scar across his throat hinting at why his voice rasped like a corpse’s.

“Deimos knew the risks, he accepted them and paid for his foolishness.” He met the eyes of each man before him, and James felt a distinct chill at the emptiness he saw there. “It is done.”

“James?” Levi’s gentle voice breaks into his thoughts.

“Yeah, baby?” James looks down, smiling at his beloved. He reaches up and tucks a lock of hair behind Levi’s ear, trailing his fingertip along her jawline before dropping his head to kiss her. He pulls away reluctantly, wishing he could stand here and do nothing but kiss Levi all night.

“I have to tell you something.” There’s a flicker of apprehension in her voice and James’ brows draw together. “I can’t keep it to myself any longer, I know the timing sucks-“

What could she have to say to him that makes her anxious for his reaction?

“What, baby? Tell me.” James murmurs, taking her hands and raising them to his face, pressing a tender kiss to each subtly scarred wrist before cradling her face in his big hands, gentle despite their size. “What’s wrong?”

Levi sniffles, shakes her head as she blinks away tears. “Not wrong. I’m just…” she breaks off, leaning into James’ hands. She takes a deep breath and smiles up at him, eyes glistening. “I’m pregnant. You’re going to be a father.”

James inhales sharply, eyes wide and lips parted. His eyes roam hers. “Really?” He asks breathlessly, his face contorts with emotion and his voice trembles. “Really, baby? You are? I’m-?” His voice cracks.

Tears stream down Levi’s face. “Yes.”

He stares at Levi for a heartbeat, tears welling in his eyes before he throws his head back and roars with elation. Crushing her to his chest, James kisses her desperately, laughing through his tears, feeling like his chest will simply burst with elation.

When he’d first seen Levi, a nervous little girl enduring her first day in third grade at a new school, his heart had issued a decree the rest of him hadn’t quite understood yet but honored all the same. Mine. From that moment on, his heart had beat for her alone, he’d watched for her, gazed longingly at her as she’d gone about her life, unaware of his helpless attraction. He’d been too scared, too ashamed of his station to make a move, too goddamn terrified of the chance she would laugh in his face when he finally did screw up the sack to speak to her, never knowing she’d struggled with the same insecurities, that she watched for him just as desperately as he did her, that her palms went equally slick with sweat, her heart beat the same frantic tattoo when they passed in the hallways, when they shared a class.

He’d thought he’d lost her, lost her to the big city and higher education before he’d ever worked up the nerve to tell her how he’d always felt and the next decade had been strangely empty, despite his fevered efforts to fill it, with anything really, the club, parties, club girls, even Daria; but it had always come back to Levi and when she’d walked into Panhead Joe’s ten years after leaving their small town it was like no time had passed, and James’ heart had stuttered to frantic life again, helplessly drawn to her flame.

The next months, the next year had been the darkest in his life, a swirling vortex of anguish and misery he’d not been sure, hell he knew he wouldn’t have survived if not for Steve and Nat, even Thor and the desperate clinging hope that Levi would come back to him, that he’d not lost her for good this time.

But he would do it all again, endure all the want and heartache, if it meant he got to be here, right here, listening to his reason for living tell him there would soon be more joy in his life, more reasons to get up every morning and face the world.

Tears of sheer euphoria wet his cheeks and he didn’t care who saw, he didn’t care who was staring at them know, alerted by his roar of elation; right now, his world consisted of only one thing, one person and he kissed her with everything he had, every hope and dream for their future, every cell in his body that had, since that day so long ago, existed solely for her.

“I love you.” He gasped, burying his face against hers, breathing in her scent, feeling her skin shiver under his lips. “Forever.”

Levi sighed contentedly, the sheer power of James’ emotions enough to bring her to tears too. How had she gotten so lucky? She would spend the rest of her life wondering that, even while she cherished every second, every touch and lingering glance. James was hers and she was his and while the road to each other had been rocky, nearly impassable at times, they’d found their way back to each other every time.

“I love you too,” she whispered, feeling James hand drift down to caress her belly, the place where their child grew.

“Forever.”