#hot girl summer but pregnancy edition!

[eveomo]

bounties and blessings - arthur morgan x f!reader

chapter 1 (SFW, will probably be edited in the future)

⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚ synopsis : after meeting a seemingly dangerous yet kind outlaw during a bounty, your world seems to get turned upside down after you can't seem to stop running into each other. could this be the beginning of something you've both been longing for?

⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚ warnings/tags : MINORS MAY INTERACT WITH SFW CHAPTERS (NSFW WILL BE TAGGED), depictions of violence, arguments, angst, eventual smut, unprotected piv sex, guns, gun violence, swearing, mutual pining, strangers to lovers, soft arthur, animal death, PTSD, mentions/depictions of abuse, attempted SA (very brief and for plot purposes only), NO PREGNANCY, NO BABIES, MC isnt a frail weak girl who constantly needs saving, often grammatically incorrect (probably)

⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚ contains : arthur morgan x f!reader, no use of y/n, reader changes the plot for the better

⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚ wc : 1.9k

posted to AO3 here

It was a blazing summer day, sweat collecting along the brim of your hat as you rode your palomino arabian into Valentine, slowly making your way to the sheriff's office. As you approach the front of the decrepit building, you swing your foot over the saddle and dismount, grabbing the reins to hitch your horse. 

You pulled your bandana up a touch higher and pulled your hat down to cover your eyes before entering the building. Approaching the board, you scan for any bounties that would truly be worth your while. Then, your eyes caught a poster. 

$75 for some idiot that decided to shoot a rancher's son and a lawman for one cow? Easy money. Was it the biggest bounty you’d ever done? Absolutely not, but it offered more money than anything else pinned to the board. You tore it down and folded it before shoving it into your pocket and nodding at the guard seated at the front of the office. Turning on your heel, you exited the building and mounted your horse. 

          “You ready for some fun girl?” Patting her golden coat, you clicked your tongue and tapped your heels to get her moving. As you rode, you reached back to grab your canteen, guzzling down at least half of it with your horse huffing underneath you. 

          “It’s hot ain’t it, Lenora?” You soothed, petting her mane as you kicked your heels once again to get her into a gallop, welcoming the breeze on your face as you rode. Turning off the path, you began to wind and turn throughout the forest, seeking the abandoned cabin the man you were after was hiding in. Your heart skipped a beat as you spotted it in the distance, excited to have some income once again after having to run from the law after a bar fight gone wrong in another town. Having finally arrived at your destination just north of the Dakota River, you dismount and leave Lenora in the brush, sighing as you pull your bandana over your face and retrieve the lasso attached to your black leather saddle. 

Taking effortlessly light steps, you approach the back end of the cabin before hearing two other voices just west of your location. You crouch behind a broken down wagon sitting in the field surrounding the home as you take a deep breath and tune into the words drifting towards you through the wind. 

          “John, if you’re messin’ with me after last time I’ll give you a real reason to run from camp.” One gruff voice huffs out, while another insists that he saw something duck behind a wagon. Your eyes narrow and you peek your head around the wheel, deciding the coast was clear before darting out and crouching down below a window next to the back entrance. Confident that you were going to secure this bounty before unwanted competition appeared, you darted up to peek into the window, seeing your target shine his gun. Quietly, you edge the door open before taking light steps towards the balding man. With an incredible speed, you grab your revolver from your holster and knock the man unconscious with the grip. 

Letting out a pleased hum, you put your gun back in its holster and grab the lasso from your side and begin to secure him tightly. Before you can truly process the creaking of floorboards, you whip out your gun and turn around, pulling back the safety and pointing the barrel at the intruder's head. Unsurprisingly, the sight of a barrel pointing in between your eyes greeted you. 

         “‘Scuse me Miss, I don’t mean to be a bother but I think you’ve got some’n that belongs to me and my friend out there.” The man speaks first, a deep gruff voice with a clear southern drawl. You sized him up quickly, he was tall and broad, a blue button up with a brown leather jacket, a clearly very old hat concealing his head of hair, and a black bandana covering the rest of his face. Obviously another bounty hunter or an outlaw. 

Scoffing, you reply, “Clearly, Mister, this dope here is comin’ back with me. I knocked him out, I tied him up.” you emphasized, pointing behind you. Taking a step closer, you point the end of your gun closer to his head. “I’ve killed men much bigger than you for much less than this.” You watch his eyes narrow as he sizes you up, making you shudder. Admittedly, you were nervous. Somehow you had forgotten that there were others nearby, focusing on being quiet and quick rather than paying attention to your surroundings, and in front of you was a very large, clearly much stronger than you, man. 

          “Look, darlin’. You hand ‘em over, and the three of us can split it. Whatddya say?” One of his eyes squints while the other remains the same, revealing his hidden smirk. 

          “If you think you’re gonna intimidate me into splitting a $15 bounty, you’ve got me mistaken, sir.” Before he can think to answer, his friend calls out. 

         “Arthur! What’s taking so damn long in there? Thought’chu said it’d be empty!” As he looks to the side, you take his momentary distraction as an opportunity to pull a throwing knife from your thigh and dart around him, wrapping your arm around his throat and pulling him to the ground, disarming him and knocking his hat off in the process. He grunted with surprise as you pressed the blade to his jugular and leaned down to whisper in his ear. 

          “Here’s what’s gonna happen, Arthur. Unless you want to bleed out right here, yer gonna get up, walk out, and tell yer little friend that my friend over here-“ you nod your head to the direction of the still unconscious man laying tied up on the floor “-wasn’t here and y’all need to search for some other bounty. Whaddya say?” You drawl, mocking him for his earlier offer. He chuckles lightly before removing his instinctive grip from your arms and raising his in front of him in defeat. 

          “Alright, girl. You got me, okay? We’ll be outta yer hair now.” He grunts as you remove your vice grip from his throat and sheath your knife back into its strap, allowing him to stand. He picked his hat back up and placed it on his head, and then retrieved his revolver from across the room. As he did so, you heaved the large, unconscious man over your shoulder with a grunt and gestured for the outlaw to leave first. 

         “Damn girl, you are one strong lady.” Arthur comments with a laugh, shaking his head as he walks out with his hands up in an attempt to make you trust him. You roll your eyes and watch as he takes a step to leave before stopping. You raise a brow and sigh frustratedly. This wasn’t your first time fighting over a bounty, but the result of this particular conflict left your hands clean and your mind confused. 

          “What are ya doin? Git!” Your free hand falls down to your side, hovering over your gun holster, shooting a heated look in the outlaws direction. 

He scoffed before answering, “Would you relax? Was gonna ask if you was all alone out here.” 

You laughed and shook your head.

“Why on earth would I tell you that?” You’re not stupid, you know he could’ve killed you if he had wanted to, but he didn't. It’s not that you aren’t strong, in fact you were very strong,  but when you had him on the ground it wasn't hard to tell how abnormally strong he was. It would’ve taken nothing to pull your arm away and either stab or shoot you, but he didn’t. Why?

          “I dunno, maybe you’re lonely out here. You’re clearly strong,” he chuckles when he says this, gesturing to the man on the floor behind you, “but it ain’t very safe for a lady out in these parts.” He shrugged, seemingly trying to figure out why he even asked in the first place. He didn’t seem the type to care all that much about the going ons in other people’s lives, in fact he seemed like he would otherwise be guarded and closed off. 

        “I ain’t no lady, sir. I’ve done a lot of very bad things to a lot of people. Good and bad.” You shook your head, and continued. “It ain’t very safe for anyone out in these parts. Everyone robbin’, killin’, shootin’, I ain’t the only one that has to look out for myself.” With a sigh, you place your gun back in your holster. ‘Is this guy leaving soon or what?’ you think to yourself. He seems to think about what you’re saying for a minute, pulling down his bandana to scratch at his stubble. And oh, oh god. He’s hot. So hot you swear the colour drained from your face and immediately came back as a bright red. Your breath hitches in your throat and you clear your throat.

         “Well, I s’pose that’s true. Bye now, ma’am.” He speaks, snapping you out of your brief trance. You watch as he leaves, nodding at you as the door shuts behind him. You wait about 2 minutes to see if ‘Arthur’ and his friend ‘John’ would re-enter the small cabin, guns drawn. However, they didn’t, and so you secure the unconscious man onto the back of your Arabian, and leave.

𐂂

Truthfully, Arthur didn’t want to hurt a woman, whether she was pointing a gun at him or not. He could tell that she was bluffing the moment he unholstered his gun and pointed it right back at her, too clear that she wouldn’t have shot him unless he tried to hurt her. This worried him, why isn’t her first instinct to kill an intruder, especially a male intruder? Besides this, the gang could use someone who was strong, capable, and actually stealthy. You would be perfect for late-night stagecoach robberies, silently slinking into barns while someone else distracted the homeowner. Even if this was true, he knew Mrs. Grimshaw would be quick to make you clean laundry and chop vegetables. 

“Arthur! Are you even listening to me?” John speaks, interrupting his thoughts. 

“No.” Arthur replies cheekily, looking at John under the brim of his hat. He wasn’t listening, how could he? He had just missed an incredible opportunity to bring someone useful to the camp, and he didn’t. 

“I was asking what happened with that bounty, asshole.” John scoffed, riding alongside Arthur on their way back to camp, $50 sitting in each of their pockets from a couple street robberies. 

Arthur sighed before speaking, “There was a girl, she got to him first.”

“And you just left? Let her take him?” Astounded, John shakes his head and picks up his pace. “What is happenin’ to you, Arthur Morgan? Lettin’ some girl take our bounty?” 

“What’d you want me to do John, shoot ‘er? Dutch told us to keep a low profile, not to go around killin’ young girls for a $75 bounty.” He scoffed, hearing voices appear in the distance and the rather unappetizing scent of Pearson's stew. Whatever John said next, he didn’t hear.   Arthur hitched his horse and strode over to the collection box, giving $30 and keeping $20 before retreating to his tent and bedroll for the night. He kicked off his boots and sat down, retrieving his journal from his messenger bag to write about his day. He pondered what to write about, but he already knew. 

He wanted to write about you. 

PLEEEEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS!!! i really struggle w accurately writing characters to how they are !!! if anything is corny/needs changes LET ME KNOW!! ok love u all hope u enjoyed!! chapter 2 should hopefully be out by next week<3

(also pls like + reblog ok thanks BAIIIII)

[thedroneranger]

The Drone Ranger's Be Kind Rewind ⏪ clancycucumber230 Edition!

A rec reblog series dedicated to the fics that we love so much, we've re-read them!

The next Rewind has landed: @clancycucumber230! Also, we have our first all Jake Seresin Rewind!

While we continue to churn out amazing new content, let's be kind and rewind to look at some of the OG content we love! And don't forget to reblog when you re-read! Continue to show your comfort fics and favorite creators some love. It helps keep the fresh content coming :)

Let's keep this going throughout the summer, so if you're interested in participating in the Be Kind Rewind, message me. The more, the merrier!

If you want to know when a new Rewind drops, join the tag list, and check out previous Rewinds!

fics below the cut (listed in alphabetical order by title)

Reader note: I’m an unapologetic Jake girl, although I’ve been dipping my toe in the water of Bob and Bradley recently. Jake’s character is so open, I love all the different ways he has been written by so many amazing authors. Not to mention Glen Powell is so god damn hot! Huge thank you to all writers in this fandom for your contributions!

can't unfeel that, @theharddeck FWB that have caught feelings. Really sweet and the breeding kink in this is off the charts hot.

Fruits of My Labor, @roosterbruiser I’m highlighting ‘Fruits of My Labor.’ It’s a heartbreakingly beautiful read. I would be remiss if I didn't mention The Fuck universe, though. This is a masterpiece with my favourite OC callsign Wisteria!

Hotshot, @topguncortez This first TGM smut I read. It’s rivals to lovers with electric banter and sexual tension. G has a masterlist that will rip your heart out and put it back together all at once. She’s also queen of the pregnancy trope.

Line of Sight, @top-hhun A three-parter ,featuring a reserved Jake protecting reader that flows into fake dating. It’s filled with sexual tension and possibility.

Operation Apollo, @sunlightmurdock This work isn’t complete yet but I have reread multiple times. Jake and Apollos’s growth from enemies to lovers to two people that just need each other is so natural. Throw in a shitty father, suspense and some smut smut smut and it’s a delicious read.

Slow Burn, @ereardon Jake gets Kate pregnant after a one night stand and it’s full of angst, love and dagger squad. Em is queen of the slow burn. Shes got a masterlist of my favourite tropes: pregnancy trope, Dad!Jake, Frat!Jake, Roomie!Jake, exes to lovers, plus Bob and Bradley series’ too. The OCs and settings she writes are also incredibly detailed. If I’m reading a book I can’t get into, this is where I go.

Teaching You Respect, @enchanting-eloquence Anything where Jake is taken down a peg by a strong woman is so SO good! This fic is cold shower amazing.

Terms of Endearment, @ohtobeleah TOE's Jake and Amilia are some of the best characters I’ve ever read. They have so much depth. Every time Leah answers a question about these two I have five more.

The Off-Season, @ereardon One of my most favourite series’. I’m so invested in these characters. They have the best banter and chemistry. Plus you can’t go wrong with the forbidden sibling trope!

Who Did This to You?, @justfandomwritings The first one shot I ever read. It’s got protective Jake with a new friend in need of help with her abusive ex.

I wish I could write, but I can’t, so here is a current read I’m absolutely loving:

Brother's Best Friend, @tongue-like-a-razor

Tag list and friends: @petcr3 @desert-fern @Sagittarius-Lovewitch @mygyn @sweetwhispersofchaos @horseshoegirl @the-annoying-fan @dingochef @moon42flight @thecitysgraveyard @ereardon @roosterforme @cherrycola27 @galaxy-of-stories @taytaylala12 @malindacath @violyn20 @awildewit @potato-girl99981 @shanimallina87 @blue-aconite @djs8891 @linkpk88 @furiousladyking @daggerspare-standingby @princess76179 @jstarr86 @hecate-steps-on-me @darkheartcherry @soulmates8 @roosters-girl @dempy @roosterisdaddy36 @hangmanscoming @s-u-t @mavrellover91 @chicomonks @averyhotchner 

A kind reminder, this is a 18+ blog. While not all stories in the recommendation list are 18+, please respect boundaries and do not interact unless you are 18 years of age or older.

[randomestfandoms-ocs]

New Gossip Girl OCs

just updated the masterlist too, but posting a bit of information here too

(gossip girl besties I'm also very here for crossovers 👀 @the-witching-ash @manyfandomocs @ginevrastilinski-ocs @cecexwrites )

Chanel Rhodes in Got A Secret (x Tripp Vanderbilt)

Lily Van Der Woodsen’s niece / Carol Rhodes' daughter, through complicated family drama & CeCe’s interference, she comes to live with them around the debutante hall

Clara Waldorf in Scars Of Love (x Tripp Vanderbilt)

Blair's twin sister, toxic to semi-healthy Tripp ship had an affair with Tripp (he thought she was 19, she was 16, he ends things as soon as he finds out) but reconnect when she’s out of high school and begin their affair again (possible side scandal pregnancy but idk that feels like too much drama/scandal); she 100% is at a bar underage, Tripp can tell she's underage but she lies and says she's 19 because he's hot and she gives 0 fucks, they have an affair for a while until he finds out that she's actually a friend of Nate's and in high school, he ends things, they start hooking up again probably when she's 18 Maintains an image of perfection but between the divorce, her own mental health issues, whatever the fuck is going on with Tripp, and substance abuse issues, she's cracking under the pressure of everyone watching her all the time

Emerson Archibald in Heartlines

Nate's younger sister, Jenny & Eric’s age, Eric’s go-to fake girlfriend/date to things and the only person who knows he’s gay

James & Vic Locke in Oh No!

Vic is broadway & music icon and her daughter, James, is an up and coming pop starlet/broadway girlie, both very famous James just got back to New York from a tour, opening for her mom, and is going to be at Constance while she works on her next album and auditions for Broadway shows

Sawyer Archibald in Hollow Lies

Nate's half sister, The Captain had an affair and passed her off as Nate’s twin Anne won't admit that her husband had an affair so instead she claims that this girl is her daughter/she had twins, with a side of claiming that they didn't announce both at once because the girl was very sick as a newborn and they didn't wan to make an announcement in case she didn't survive (... just ripping off Aurora Anderson's backstory here)

EDIT

for organizational purposes, also adding the new plot bunny asks!

Corrine Adler in Art Deco (x Serena Van Der Woodsen)

The definition of That Bitch. Influencer before influencer culture took off, rich, hot, never misses a party unless she’s busy jetsetting to another country. Everyone wants to kiss, kill, or be her She and Serena have known each other for years, they were party girl besties before Serena went to Connecticut. No one is happier than Corrine when Serena returns, but Serena has changed and Corrine has spent a year trying not to change, and their twin flames no longer quite fit

Odette Beck in Flashing Lights ( x Blair )

Heiress, known for always having the best outfits, you can always find her on page 6 and having her style analyzed on every fashion blog, wants to work in the fashion industry but isn’t sure what specifically she wants to do bit of a spoiled princess, artistic, preppy, usually seems very put together but is known to have a wild side was always superficially besties with Blair and Serena, but she and Blair developed a much closer friendship after Serena left

Rhys Astor in National Anthem (x Blair & Serena)

Richest boy in New York; good intentions but can be out of touch with the world, has a party boy streak for sure Wants to use his money for good but not always totally aware of his privilege; very absent family, raised by nannies Plays the right sports, is in the right clubs, says the right things, knows the right people, but it was all planned and chosen for him, 0 sense of self identity Dated Blair when they were younger, the summer before high school.  Blair said I love you, he couldn’t say it back (no one had ever said it to him before, he had a bit of a freakout), Blair dumped him.  He was all set to say it to her on the first day of high school and ask for another chance, but Blair showed up dating Nate Archibald, he never fully got over her, TBD when Serena becomes part of the dynamic

[cruelsmmr]

soon to be mama of two 

[svnflowervol666]

Ma Petite Chérie: Babymoon (Harry Styles x fem!Reader)

Read more from this little universe, Ma Petite Chérie, in my masterlist!

Summary: Harry and Y/N go on their babymoon.

Warnings: pregnancy, smut, fluff

Word Count: 6.4k

Author’s Note: Hello! I wrote this in order to cross off a few requests. I promised Harry and Y/N would have a baby of their own, plus I get asks all of the time to write pregnancy sex - specifically awkward, giggly pregnancy sex. I also got one about Harry getting a love boner, so here is my attempt at shoving all of that down your throat at once. Try not to choke :-)  I also just reallllllly love Harry, Y/N, and Tallulah, so I wanted to give them some more love. Also made this one pornstache!Harry, so, there’s that. And one last thing...I know the verb tense is way off in this but I could not be arsed to edit it so plz don’t drag me. I hope everyone enjoys! Take care and TPWK.

“Oh my god,” Y/N huffed as she collapsed on the plush sofa in the living room of the cottage.

“It feels so fucking good out here by the water.”

“Breeze is nice, innit?” Harry replied as he rummaged through the kitchen cabinets to check out how well the place he’d rented for the week was stocked.

“Beats going t’ France at the end of June. Think I’m kinda gettin’ tired of Paris t’ be honest.”

“That is quite possibly the snobbiest thing I’ve ever heard you say, Mr. Styles,” she said with a laugh as she began to flip through the tourist brochures that were left on the coffee table.

Not that they’d be partaking in any of it, no. Their plan was to hole up in the quaint, Scottish cottage that sat right on the coast of the North Sea for the whole week, not even planning on changing out of their pajamas.

It was their babymoon after all - a time of peace and tranquility before the arrival of their first child together.

Harry hummed and he made his way from the kitchen to where Y/N was seated on the couch. He stood behind her, knees knocking against the back of the sofa as he crouched down and wrapped his arms around her very large, very swollen belly.

“If I recall correctly, Mrs. Styles, I sat my injured arse in a stiff train seat to Edinburgh for five hours because someone was too scared to fly even though they were cleared to do so by three separate doctors.”

“’M not Mrs. Styles for another year and a half,” Y/N muttered under her breath, albeit not trying to keep Harry from hearing it in the slightest.

Harry snickered into her neck, then playfully nipped her earlobe with his teeth as he whispered.

“Not my fault yeh got knocked up and we had t’ push the wedding.”

“It is very much your fault, Harry,” Y/N swatted at his face, fingers first brushing his jawline that was covered in a rough stubble and then just barely tracing the full-blown mustache that sat like a caterpillar above his bright pink top lip.

Harry smirked down at her, nostrils flaring wide and lips disappearing inside of his mouth.

“How’s your rib?” Y/N asked suddenly.

“Good. Why?” Harry’s brows quickly furrowed together in confusion as to why she was asking about his injury.

“Might have to ride that later if you’ve got the lungs for it,” she tapped her index and middle fingers along her philtrum, right where Harry’s mustache sat on his own face.

Her blunt lewdness had Harry’s cock immediately growing stiff in his pants. It had been a while. His injury coupled with her being in the last trimester of her pregnancy had left them both feeling unsatisfied for the past several weeks. Maybe this babymoon would prove to be relaxing not only because Harry and Y/N get to spend a week without a rambunctious almost six-year-old screaming at all hours of the day, but for other reasons too.

“Think I’d actually drop dead from happiness if yeh sat on m’ face right now, lovie. But, before yeh get too comfortable with that idea, we need t’ head into town. Kitchen’s only got the necessities, and I doubt yeh want t’ eat homemade bread for a week.”

“I’m sure you’d love to eat homemade bread for a week,” Y/N jested, poking fun at Harry’s latest obsession with the carb-filled food.

“Remind me again why I put up with you?” Harry toyed as he extended his arms out towards Y/N to use as leverage to help her hoist herself up from the couch.

When she regains her balance, she lifts herself up just slightly to press a quick kiss to Harry’s lips that he happily accepts. Y/N hums and jokingly checks the imaginary watch that sits on her wrist.

“How much time do you have? That list is pretty long.”

//

The trip to one of the only supermarkets in the small part of Edinburgh that they were staying in had proved to be rather tiring, because Harry opted to use store-bought pasta instead of making his own - something he never does. Maybe it was his healing rib causing him to be short-winded, but he simply could not bring himself to hand-make the pasta they chose to have for dinner that night. He bitched about it all night, about how it wasn’t as chewy as it should be and how it would have tasted much better if he would have just made it himself, but it still didn’t deter him from helping himself to a second serving.

He claimed it was because while he did use pre-cooked pasta, he didn’t use sauce from a jar and made his own from fresh tomatoes and that was the appeal. Y/N just thinks Harry likes to complain and listen to himself talk.

After dinner, just as the sun was setting and Harry and Y/N were waiting for their pasta to digest before they dove into the box of fresh pastries from a bakery they found along the way, they decided to take a walk around the property. The renovated, stone cottage that was overgrown with vines and leaves sat along a short cliffside that overlooked the North Sea. It was a short walk down the cliff that brought them to the beach, where mist from the ocean whisped around their legs and ankles like a thin veil of smoke. While it was the middle of summer, Scotland’s persistent rain showers and their proximity to the water never made it too hot to bear.

“Lulah would love it out here. We’ll have to bring her when the baby’s older.”

“She realIy would,” Harry agreed as he wrapped his sweater further around his chest.

“Know yeh didn’t give birth t’ her, but I swear you two are just alike sometimes. Absolutely hates bein’ hot and gettin’ sweaty just like you.”

Y/N smiled softly and knowingly at Harry before reaching into the pocket of the patchwork sweater of Harry’s that she’d stolen for their stroll on the beach for her phone.

“I’m gonna call her.”

She picked up on the third ring, Y/N’s phone screen then illuminated with a live image of a gap-toothed Tallulah. Well, it’s Mitch’s phone, but she’d been waiting for this promised FaceTime call all day so of course she’s quick to answer.

“Mummy!”

Both Y/N’s and Harry’s heart swelled in their chest when they heard Tallulah speak. It had been several months since she’d decided to start referring to Y/N as her mother, but neither of them had grown used to it just yet. Y/N felt a sense of achievement in “earning” the title of being Tallulah’s mum after all of the years she’d spent with her, and Harry felt a sense of resolution. His family was a real family now, and not just a patchwork of awkward relationships and trust issues. Y/N was Tallulah’s mum and she was now seven months pregnant with their own child and they’d be married by the end of next year. He was actually there to see his child grow this time, they weren’t a secret kept from him out of spite. He’d be there for all of it, even the gross and bloody and goopy bits. And he’d never felt more complete.

“Hi, baby,” Y/N beamed from ear to ear.

“What are you doing?”

“We’re walking on the beach,” Y/N answered.

“Want to see it?”

The five-year-old (five and three-quarters if you asked Tallulah herself) nodded quickly, and Y/N then flipped the camera around to show her the view of the water. Y/N pointed out their cottage from where they stood in the sand, turning the camera to Harry briefly as he held up a peace sign so Tallulah could see that her dad was also on the beach with her. She told her all about the train ride there and how Harry almost slipped and broke his face when was carrying his and Y/N’s luggage into the cottage.

Harry listened to his two little loves talk back and forth with the biggest smile on his face as he absent-mindedly scoured the beach for rocks he could skip along the water. He noticed whenever Tallulah said something that Y/N thought was funny, she had to cup her bump with her hand and forearm to keep it from shaking her entire body. She told him she hated laughing now, because it made her look like Santa Claus, but Harry thought she couldn’t look more beautiful.

“That’s so pretty! Can we all go when the baby is here?” Tallulah asked, puckering into a pout as she begged.

“I think that’s a great idea, Lulah. We were just talking about that, weren’t we, Harry?”

Harry perked up from where he had been washing a sandy shell off in the ocean and suddenly appeared in view of the camera and took the phone from Y/N. 

“Hmm?” he asked as he studied Tallulah’s appearance.

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Mitch to watch his baby girl while he went away for a week with his other baby girl, it was that him and Sarah voluntarily asked to babysit Tallulah and that’s what made him so apprehensive to accept their offer. There wasn’t anything out of the ordinary about a sleepover at Uncle Mitch and Aunt Sarah’s every now and then, but to want to watch his daughter for an entire week certainly was. Harry felt like Mitch was plotting against him and that he’d come back to Tallulah with bright blue hair and bangs or she’d be sporting the world’s worst potty mouth when she came home, but so far that didn’t seem to be the case. 

She was wearing Harry’s “Dream Boat” shirt that she’d claimed as her own a few years back when Y/N had taught her to wear her father’s clothes when she missed him because the smell would remind her of him (he had to steal it back and sleep in it a few times every now and then to keep his scent on it), and her long, brown hair was damp and neatly braided into two plaits and hanging off her shoulders. That had to have been Sarah’s doing, because Harry knew Mitch could barely put his own hair into a ponytail without creating several lumps and redoing it eighteen times before it looked presentable - meaning he certainly wouldn’t have been able to make a five-year-old sit still long enough to braid her hair perfectly. 

She looked fine, though. Happy, healthy, certainly didn’t have blue hair or bangs and hadn’t said a single naughty thing since she’d been on the phone with Y/N.

“Lulah wants us to come back here after the baby’s born and take her with us,” Y/N beamed.

“I think we can work that out. Sounds quite lovely, actually,” Harry concurred.

“Yeh bein’ good for Mitch and Sarah?”

“Mhmm,” Tallulah nodded.

“We had pizza for dinner.”

“That sounds yummy,” Harry enthused, trying to let his daughter know he had his full attention.

“It was bery good,” she sighed.

There was a long pause before Tallulah blurted out suddenly in the most serious tone, “When are you gonna shave the rest of your mustache? Mitchy was making fun of you today.”

Harry was caught between a gasp and a laugh, which resulted in him choking on his own spit. Y/N turned on her heels in the sand to look at him with wide eyes. 

“You okay?” Y/N mouthed quietly to Harry, completely oblivious to everything that had happened in the last thirty seconds.

Harry nodded, wiping the involuntary tears from his eyes as he coughed himself back to life and regained his composure.

“What exactly did Uncle Mitch say about my mustache?” he prodded.

Tallulah shrugged, subconsciously wiggling her loose bottom tooth with her tongue.

“Don’t ‘member. Just that you look weird with it.”

“Well that’s not a very nice thing t’ say, is it?”

“Mummy said you look weird, too,” Tallulah spouted without hesitation.

Her comment left Y/N’s mouth agape, covering her smile with her palm as Harry’s raised eyebrows feigned offense in her direction.

“She did?” Harry asked sarcastically, narrowing his eyes at her.

“Yeah,” Tallulah sighed as if it was exhausting having to tell your own father that his facial hair looks off-putting.

“I think you should shave it, too. It’s scratchy when you kiss me goodnight.”

All Harry could offer in return was stunned laughter while Y/N hid her face in Harry’s peck. Her bump pressed lightly into his and even though he was pretending to be mad at her, he wouldn’t dare think about pushing her off of him - not while she was this warm and cozy against his chest. 

“Well, if mummy really hates it I suppose I’ll get rid of it. But,” Harry pauses and pulls Y/N out from where she had burrowed her face into his sweater.

“I think I might know a trick that’ll convince her t’ let me keep i-”

“Enough!” Y/N exclaimed, clamping both of her hands around Harry’s mouth.

Harry chuckled against her palm and poked his tongue through his lips to lick her fingers, which sent her hands flying back down to her leggings so she could wipe them dry.

“I swear to god, Harry. You’re five years old,” she joked with a disgusted expression on her face, to which Tallulah had something to say to that. 

“No, I’m five years old!”

The two adults laughed in unison.

“Alright, Lulah. We’re gonna go inside now. ‘S gettin’ kinda cold out,” Harry said.

“We’ll call you tomorrow before bed. Alright, lovebug?” Y/N added.

“Okay,” Tallulah huffed.

“We love you, Lulah,” Harry spoke softly into the microphone.

“Love you, too...Daddy wait!”

“What is it?” he asked.

“Give the baby kisses for me. And no bikes!”

Harry wanted to laugh, but he also wanted to cry, so he settled on a closed-mouthed smile that was enough to convince Tallulah that he was unbothered by what she said.

“Kisses for the baby and no bikes. Got it,” he nodded.

“Okay, I’m gonna go eat some sweets with Sarah!” the child yelled, suddenly energetic like she had temporarily forgotten that her and Sarah had baked cookies twenty minutes before Y/N called.

“Alright, but it’s almost bed time so not too m-!” was all Harry could answer to before his daughter ended the call and presumably raced to where ever Sarah was in their house. 

“‘S like she doesn’t even miss us,” Harry mumbled as he placed Y/N’s phone in his back pocket and began walking back up to the cottage with his arm wrapped around Y/N’s shoulder. 

Y/N hummed, basking in the warmth that radiated from Harry’s chest as he held her.

“They’re just buttering her up. She’ll be crying to leave by the time we get back.”

“Just don’t really know why they were so keen on keepin’ her t’ be honest.”

Harry positioned himself one step behind her as they walked up the stone steps together, keeping one hand on the small of her back. Y/N peered over her shoulder at him, her tight lips curling up into a smirk as if to say she knew something he didn’t.

“What?” Harry asked.

Y/N shrugged, “Promised I wouldn’t tell.”

Harry clearly didn’t like that answer, because he moved his hand that was supporting her waist and quickly pinched her bum.

“Tell me,” he demanded, eyebrows scrunched together and lips pursed together in what could be considered a childish pout that mimicked Tallulah’s.

Y/N sucked her lips into her mouth, contemplating whether or not she should spill the beans on the news Sarah had shared with her a few weeks prior.

“They’re gonna start trying for a baby soon,” she whispered as if were a long-kept secret told in a room full of nosey people despite the two of them being alone on the otherwise desolate beach.

Harry’s ears perked up, a wide smile adorning his face from ear to ear.

“No fucking way,” he mumbled, and suddenly all of Mitch’s incessant hammering of baby questions he’d sent Harry’s way in the past few months suddenly making a lot of sense.

Harry thought he was trying to be a good friend and stay engaged in Y/N’s pregnancy, but now he understands the real reason behind his behavior.

Y/N nodded deviously as they make their way into the living room of the cottage.

“They’ve been asking everyone they know with kids to let them come over just to see if they can handle it. I mean, if you ask me, I think they’ll do great. Nothing wrong with trying it before buying it, I guess,” she said with a shrug.

“God, he’s gonna be such a good dad,” Harry was practically beaming for his closest friend.

“I know,” Y/N agreed, walking over to Harry to hold both sides of his head in her hands as if he was a disobedient puppy being disciplined.

Her bump prevented her from getting too close to Harry’s chest, the roundest part of her belly nudging Harry’s tummy.

“They’re both very excited. Which is why, when he finally decides to tell you, you have to act surprised. Act like he told you you just won the lottery or something. Alright?”

Harry sarcastically changed his facial expression to mock bewilderment. His eyebrows rose well off into his forehead and his jaw nearly dropped to the floor as he gasped.

“How’s that? Think he’ll buy it?”

Y/N jokingly jabbed him in the shoulder.

“Smartass. I’m going to take a shower. I’m sticky and I smell like the ocean.”

“Guess I gotta keep workin’ on it, then.”

When he’s done cleaning up what was left of their dinner, he heads to the master bedroom with the intention of washing up in the shower after Y/N. He’s messing around with the A/C unit on the window to make sure it’s not set to a temperature that will smother them in their sleep and unpacking their luggage into the wooden dresser, where an antique turntable rests.

Stacked long the side of the record player, there was a handful of old vinyl, most of which Harry either recognized or new very well. He was actually shocked to find a Shuggie Otis album in the collection, to which he quickly slipped the record out of the worn sleeve and set the needle to the edge and waited for the soft sound to fill the room while he worked. 

“That thing works?” Y/N’s voice broke up the old 70s tune as she exited the bathroom with her hair tied up with one of Harry’s scrunchies that she stole out of his toiletry bag, wrapped in only a towel that barely fit around her form.

“I know,” Harry agreed, “Needs a new needle but other than that ‘s in pretty good shape.”

“Leave it to you to find a rental with 70s records in the bedroom,” there was a lighthearted tone in her voice as Y/N poked fun at him.

She padded over to her luggage in the corner of the room for a change of clothes, only to realize Harry had unpacked it all for them. As she’s rummaging through the drawers trying to figure out where Harry had put what, she lets her towel drop to the floor freely.

Harry doesn’t know how must time has passed, but he knows he’s staring. He’s staring at the water droplets that drip from the stray hairs on the nape of her neck and run down her bare back. He’s staring at the swell of her stomach where their baby lies, at the faded, almost-shiny stretch marks on the sides and the newer, darker ones on the underside that had only recently broken through. He’s staring at the bracelet on her wrist, the one that’s braided pink and blue with three beads on it - one ‘H’, one ‘T’ and one heart. Tallulah made it for her at school one day and told her the heart was for the baby and also because she loved her. It was hanging on by its last few threads, threatening to snap as each day passed, but she refused to take it off.

All he does know is that he loves her so much that he thinks none of this is real and that he’ll wake up one day and be in his early twenties again with no direction in life and the insidious feeling that he’ll die alone without ever finding his “person.” It’s when Y/N called out to him and snapped him out of his thoughts that he’s realized his underwear are suddenly feeling incredibly tight.

“Har,” Y/N beckoned him away from whatever had been occupying his brain.

“Hmm?” 

He resituated himself on the bed and crossed his legs in an attempt to hide himself from her.

“I said the hot water in there’s kinda shit, so you’ll probably want to wait a little bit before you get in.”

“‘S alright,” Harry dismisses, “Come ‘ere.”

He draws her towards him with an outstretched hand, navigating her around the bedpost and over to the side where he had been sitting. With the gentlest of touches, he runs his fingers over her bare legs. The coolness of his rings don’t make well with her skin that was still extremely warm from her shower, causing hundreds of tiny goosebumps to erupt around her thighs. Harry raises her shirt, one of his that she stole when her own clothes became too uncomfortable, but even now she’s nearly stretching this one to its limit, and rests it on top of her bump.

She doesn’t question him, doesn’t chastise him. She lets him love on her, lets him press kisses to her skin just above her belly button (making sure to give an extra one from Tallulah per her request) and rest his cheek against her stomach while his other hand feels around on the other side in hopes to feel the baby move or kick or do something to let him know that they’re there. Lucky for Harry, baby knows when their dad is around and is quick to make themselves known, so he takes a second to savor these last few moment he’ll have with his newest bub before they’re earth-side in a little less than two months.

Y/N lets him be because she knows how important this is to Harry. She knows that he never got these moments with Tallulah and that it’s one of the things that plagued him during those nights where he feels lonely despite her being asleep right next to him. He never got to feel her kick in her mum’s tummy and he didn’t get to see her grow from the size of a pea to the size of a melon before she was welcomed by her parents and the rest of her family that had been waiting anxiously for her arrival. 

No, Tallulah was dropped on his doorstep like a wet kitten in the middle of the night. Shivering and crying and just needing someone to hold her and tell her that it was going to be alright because her mother had decided she’d be better off elsewhere. Of course, she was too small to remember, but Harry could never forget it.

So, it’s the least she can do. To let Harry love on her. Love on them.

Her eyes catch his once or twice and she can see the gears in his head turning. There’s something on his mind and he’s hesitant to tell her what it is. Y/N lifts his head by tilting his chin up, her index finger brushing over the healed scar on the underside of his jaw from a few months prior.

“What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?” she whispered.

Harry shakes his head, a grin on his lips.

“‘M just really, really happy right now. Happy tha’ I’m here w’ you.”

Y/N smiles back at him genuinely before pulling away from his grasp and gesturing to his lap.

“And I’m happy that I’m here with you. Seems like your little friend is really happy, too.”

A soft groan emits from Harry chest, having realized he’d uncrossed his legs at some point and his very prominent bulge had come into Y/N’s view.

“Sorry, lovie. Didn’t mean t’ make it like tha-”

“I’m just messing with you. You know,” she ponders, “I was half-way kidding when I asked about your lungs earlier. But... This will be the last time we’re kid-free for a while,” she taunted.

“Are yeh asking?” Harry jests and points his thumb towards the bathroom door, “‘Cos I was actually plannin’ on just having a wank in the shower.”

“Oh, okay,” Y/N shrugs and moves his hands off of her waist as she pretends to walk towards the living room.

Before she can take two steps, Harry’s standing up and pulling her back into him for a kiss. It’s full of heat and passion and almost knocks Y/N off of her feet. He cradles her head in his large hands and moves to whisper in her ear.

“Really gonna let me fuck yeh?”

A quiet chuckle escapes her lips, to which she replies, “What else did you think we were gonna do all week?”

He’s unable to bite back his own laugh, and it’s the sweetest sound to ever grace Y/N’s ears.

“Then get on the bed and take yeh clothes off.”

They work quickly, as they’ve conditioned themselves to do over the years of squeezing in any time they can together before they’re interrupted. Y/N lies back on her elbows as she waits for Harry to undo his pants and her breath catches in her throat when his boxers hit the floor. 

His cock is hard, not fully, but the sight of the first few beads of glistening precum causes a shiver to run down her spine. She’s blown him a handful of times since he’s been in recovery, but she’s been far too pregnant and he’s been far too injured lately to engage in any kind of actual fun. It’s safe to say that they’re both more than ready. 

Harry scratches at his scalp, unsure of how to word his questions as he looks her body up and down.

“How do you...erm...how do you wanna-?”

“My stomach, please,” Y/N says with a laugh.

She quickly reaches for one of the pillows behind her and gets on all fours, wedging the object underneath her bump to keep some of the weight off of her back. Slowly, she arches her spine down towards the mattress, and the glimpse Harry catches of her pussy through the light of the setting sun is enough to send another jolt straight to his cock.

Harry wastes no time joining her on the bed, caressing her hips and moving back to massage the plump skin of her ass. He leans down on top of her, flips her hair over to one side, and begins sucking on the sensitive skin between her neck and jaw.

“Gonna let me taste yeh first, right?” he mumbles into her skin.

Y/N hums in response, attempting to rock backwards in order to feel Harry’s cock rub against her backside. She hears Harry laugh, presumably because he’s caught on to her neediness, so it only pushes him further to be the tease he’s notorious for being.

He sponges wet kisses down her back, getting a rise out of every audible breath that leaves Y/N’s throat.

“Relax, baby,” Harry says when he feels her growing tenser as his kisses travel closer to where she needs him the most.

“Gonna get yeh there. Just gotta be patient.”

Harry presses one last kiss on the final notch of her spine before using one of his hands to spread her legs open just a little bit further. When he parts the globes of her ass, his mouth waters. Her pussy is shimmering with her arousal, perfect and on display just for him. 

He tests the waters by running the tip of his tongue from her clit up to her center and he hears a sigh of relief leave Y/N’s lungs at the contact. Next, he’s massaging her folds, exploring her and refamiliarizing himself with the way she tasted. Harry feels her relax into the mattress with each lap of his tongue against her, silently begging him for more. His tentativeness allows him to read her body language and he draws back momentarily to spread her lips apart with his middle and index finger.

The cool air against her core stuns Y/N, but is quickly drowned out with a moan when she feels Harry’s warm saliva drip from her ass down to her clit. His mouth is back on her before she can recover from the sensation, lapping her up and flicking at her clit with his tongue and driving her mad. He’s got his nose buried inside of her as he devours her in the way that he’s really been yearning to for months (he doesn’t count the late night or early morning quickies because he claims he never gets to spend as much time taking care of her as he really wants to). The scruff from his mustache is staunch against her soft folds, but Harry’s tongue is quick to soothe the burn and she loves it.

He smirks against her as she lets out a particularly loud moan when his facial hair brushes against her clit. What was that about shaving my mustache? he thinks to himself but does not dare say aloud.

When he senses that she needs even more, his fingers move from spreading her apart to pressing against her opening. Gathering her wetness on his digits, he slowly pumps them in and out of her. Y/N’s mewls and whimpers are like music to his ears and only spurs him on further. He ruts his hips against the comforter, anything to relieve the throbbing between his legs that is a result of how pliable she’s become for him. She’s soaking the rings on his fingers in the most picture-perfect way and Harry truly genuinely can’t get enough of it; and neither can she. Which is why he’s confused when one of her hands swings around her backside to stop Harry from working her open.

“Har-” she pants.

He withdrawals all contact immediately and peaks his head around to look at her face.

“Yeh good?” he asks as she’s stands up on her knees and turns around to face him.

“‘M great. Wanna be on top now,” she says, her lips plump and swollen from biting down on them so harshly that she nearly drew blood.

“You sure? Yeh don’t want me t’ finish yeh first?”

His eyes dart from her lust-blown eyes to her round belly.

“Mhm. Now lay your pretty ass down before I change my mind.”

She doesn’t have to tell him twice and he’s rolling over on his back, working his way to prop himself up against the headboard. His cock is red and leaking against his stomach, excruciatingly waiting to be buried inside of his girl. He wonders why she’s staring at him with an annoyed expression on her face, but then she speaks up.

“Do you see how pregnant I am? Gonna have to lay all the way down, shit head.”

He does as he’s told and he’s honestly scared that he’ll cum in five seconds if she doesn’t get on with it. 

“I swear to god, if you laugh at me,” she grunts as she straddles his waist, “I’ll cut it off.”

“‘M not gonna lau-”

It’s his turn to moan aloud when she grips onto his cock, running it across her folds to collect as much wetness as she can before she allows him to stretch her out. He’s focusing so much on not losing it right then and there that he doesn’t realize she’s stopped and is waiting for the go-ahead. Through his dark, thick lashes, he nods; as if she would have to ask.

Harry reaches for her hands as she lowers herself onto him, the two of them squeezing a bit too harshly when she reaches the last few inches. The burn consumes Y/N from the inside and out, but it’s never felt so right to either of them. 

She’s not moving just yet, but her cunt is pulsing around him and it feels almost as good as the real thing. They’re staring at each other, both with looks that relay more than words.

“Love you,” Harry’s face softens as he looks up at her.

“Love you, too,” Y/N smiles as she leans down as far as she can in search of a kiss.

He meets her in the middle and their lips find one another and mash together in harmony. The rocking of their hips reminds both of them what they’re actually doing, and causes both of them to gasp at the way Y/N pumped Harry half-way in and out of her. 

When she’s settled back down on the base of his cock, she begins slowly rutting herself back and forth. It takes her just a little bit longer than usual to work up a steady rhythm, but when she’s got it, boy does she got it and it feels so fucking good. The tip of Harry’s cock is pressing against the deepest parts of her and before she knows it, there’s a warm coil winding up in her tummy that bounds itself tighter and tighter inside of her.

She needs to go faster and she needs to go faster now, so she braces her hands on Harry’s chest as she continues to fuck herself on Harry’s cock. Harry lets out a sound that she can’t tell apart between a groan of pleasure and one of pain. His hands dart quickly from where they’d been gripping at her thighs to grip at her wrists.

“Can’t do tha’, lovie. Not the ribs.”

“Shit,” she laughs, subconsciously clenching down on his shaft in the process.

“Sorry.”

“‘S okay,” Harry reassures her as he repositions her hands on his shoulders so she can still have something to grab on to.

“Keep going.” 

Her bump is now cradled against Harry’s stomach and it allows her to find relief in the way that her clit is brushing against the trimmed nest of hair that lies around the base of his thick, throbbing cock. He’s twitching inside of her so much that she can feel it alongside her thrusts as they continue. They both won’t last much longer and they know it. 

“‘M getting close.”

“I know,” Harry pants beneath her.

She switches positions, now with her fingers digging so hard into the meat of Harry’s thighs that her knuckles are changing color. She’s able to lift her hips up and down a bit more from this angle, and it allows Harry’s cock to nudge against her sweet spot.

“Feels so good, H,” she whimpers so quietly that almost Harry couldn’t even hear it.

“‘S that it? Right there?” he mocks as he works at meeting her thrusts with his own.

The best he gets from Y/N is a nod as she focuses the best she can on getting herself there. She’s coating him with her juices with each pump and with one glance down at where they’re joined together nearly shoots Harry over the edge.

“Yeh gonna cum f’ me?” Harry asks as his thumb reaches under her to begin rubbing circles on her clit.

“Gonna give me a good one?”

His movements coupled with his words catalyze the tightness within her, threatening to snap at any moment. She’s definitely sweaty and tired of being on top, but she’s so close now that she wills away the pain in her lower back and thighs.

“Come on, bunny. Give it to me.”

He works with that he can and makes sure he’s slamming into her as deep as he can, speeding up the pace he’s making with her clit in the process. 

She cums with a strangled, “Fuck,” and a shrill cry of his name, and that’s all he needs to meet his end as well. The world is black and quiet for the two of them for just a brief moment, and then they’re both seeing all of the stars in the galaxy.

Her walls are coated with the warm ropes of his seed and spills out of her as she milks him, coaxing all she can out of both hers and Harry’s orgasms. Y/N can feel the last few twitches of Harry’s cock inside of her and her movements slow to a stop. 

His cum is splashed along her inner thighs and around Harry’s shaft, and they’re both struggling to catch their breath. Y/N feels sorry for him for a brief second when she sees him clutching onto the left side of his ribs, but then she remembers the situation that put him there in the first place and great incredible fuck she just gave him and so she decides not to dwell on it too much. 

Serves him right.

She collapses on the bed beside him, the two of them staring idly at the ceiling. It’s nearly dark now, the sun having set long ago and only their silhouettes are visible in the moonlight. Harry reaches over to pet her cheek and press a kiss into her hair as their breathing slowly but surely evens out and they come to.

They’re both too tired and fucked out to have a lucid conversation, so they’ll save that for tomorrow. No. Right now was for cuddles and falling asleep to the sounds of each other’s soft breaths and the peace of mind knowing that they can do this every single night for the rest of their lives if they wanted to because they’re getting married and they have a family together and they’re so in love with each other that nothing else matters.

When Y/N finally manages to muster up the energy to lift herself from the mattress and waddle to the bathroom, Harry breaks the silence.

“Hey,” his voice is calm and collected and there’s a smirk on his face.

“Hmm?” she answers as she cranes her neck and braces herself on the door frame of the master bathroom.

Her other hand is caressing her bump, a tick that she’d picked up over the months whenever she wasn’t doing anything important.

“Sit on m’ face in the morning?”

There’s that laugh again. The one that Harry loves and swears came straight from the angels above.

“With pleasure,” she winks as the door closes behind her.

[spencers-renaissance]

a bough of fruit falls from the sun

Summary: Penelope is eight and a half months pregnant, she is exhausted, and she is hot. It turns out that this is not a good combination.

Tags: fainting, exhaustion, h/c, team as family, pregnancy, whump, hurt!penelope, worried!emily, fluff & angst, est. rel., married couple

Pairing: Penelope Garcia x Emily Prentiss

Word Count: 3.5k

Masterlist // Read on AO3 // Bad Things Happen Bingo

This fills the "Exhaustion/Fainting" square from my BTHB card. Title = a line from The Light Wraps You by Pablo Neruda.

It’s hot, even for DC in July, and Penelope is just about done with life. Her feet are painful and swollen — not that she can see them anymore — she’s sweating constantly, and she feels sick to her stomach. Naively, she’d hoped that the nausea would disappear with the first trimester, but it sure does like to make an odd appearance here and there still.

Why did she and Emily think it was a good idea to get pregnant in October? No-one wants to be in the third trimester in the height of the summer.

“You alright, baby?” Emily says gently as she walks onto the balcony, taking a seat next to Penelope as she puts down a glass of cool water right in front of her.

Penelope glares murderously at her, trying to ignore how effortlessly beautiful her wife looks right now. She can feel her blonde hair sticking to her forehead, her cheeks flushed red, the exhaustion she’s feeling etched into every line and contour of her face, and she knows it’s not pretty.

“No.”

Emily gives her a sympathetic look, shuffling her chair closer so she can place a gentle palm on her lower back, and her other one on her swollen belly. “I’m sorry, Pen,” she murmurs, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Only two weeks to go until we finally meet our baby girl.”

Penelope groans, leaning down to rest her head on Emily’s shoulder. “Two weeks. That’s such a long time.”

Emily laughs affectionately, kissing her hair. Apparently, even Penelope’s sweaty scalp isn’t enough to put Emily off her. “I know, but it’ll be worth it in the end, won’t it?”

Penelope sighs, feeling a positive emotion for the first time that morning. “Yeah, it will. I can’t wait to meet her.” She rubs her belly affectionately, cradling her bump as if she can already hold her baby in her arms.

“Me neither. And you’re doing so well, baby,” Emily says, pressing another kiss to her head. “I’m so proud of you. I know it’s not been an easy pregnancy, but you’ve got us there in the end.”

She turns to look her wife in the eyes and smiles at the soft and loving look she finds there, leaning in to kiss her properly. “I’m sorry I’ve been so grumpy. I’ve loved being pregnant, really, it’s just so hot. I don’t want to have to wait another second to finally meet our little one.”

“Maybe we’ll be granted a miracle and you’ll give birth a week early,” Emily says hopefully, trying to offer as much consolation as she can being the one very much Not Pregnant.

“Oh god,” Penelope moans. “Please.”

Emily laughs, looking at her fondly, and they sit in silence for a couple of minutes, enjoying the small breeze they’re blessed with as they observe the view from their balcony.

“Are you sure you’re up for the barbecue this afternoon?” she asks gently, taking Penelope’s hand in hers. “We don’t have to go if you’re not feeling up to it.”

“No, I want to,” Penelope says determinedly. “I’ve missed everyone so much since I left for maternity leave, I don’t want to miss this as well.”

Emily caresses the back of her hand with her thumb as she scrutinises her for a moment before relenting. “Okay, baby. If you’re sure.”

Penelope musters up the brightest smile she can in her current situation and leans in to kiss Emily once. “I am.”

She spends the morning in the nursery, frantically trying to get things ready for the baby. It’s how she spends most of her time now really, unpacking and repacking the go-bags (Hospital Edition); unfolding and refolding every piece of clothing they’ve bought; rearranging the cupboards; taking inventory of every single supply they’ve bought. The internet says she’s nesting, but she just calls it being prepared. Emily calls it adorable.

She’s roasting hot by the time she needs to start getting ready for the BAU barbecue, and even after a nice, cool shower, she’s still sweating buckets, uncomfortable in every sense of the word.

“Em?” she calls, hearing the slight whine to her voice. She’s eight and a half months pregnant, give her a break.

Emily walks into the bedroom, her hair still wet from the quick shower she’d taken after her, and Penelope swallows at the sight of her. Fuck, her wife is hot. Damn pregnancy hormones. And damn the barbecue that she can’t do anything about them.

“Uh, can you do my makeup for me?” she asks eventually, once she can pry her eyes away from Emily’s chest and actually look her in the eyes.

Her wife smirks knowingly as she saunters over to Penelope’s seat at the dressing table. “Sure, baby,” she says, voice frustratingly seductive as she pulls up the other chair to sit opposite her.

Penelope levels her with a look. “Stop it.”

“Stop what?”

She rolls her eyes, pushing Emily’s arm playfully. “You know what. Now do my makeup before I do something we’ll both regret.”

“Hm, I’d actually kinda like to see what that would be…”

“Now, Emily!”

She snorts, lining up Penelope’s makeup products before getting to work. Not before she mutters a very pointed, “brat” under her breath, though.

By some miracle, they make it to the barbecue on time, Penelope beyond pleased with the bright and colourful yellow eyeshadow Emily had given her, matching her yellow sundress perfectly. Emily had chosen denim shorts and a flowy top, her greying, curly hair pinned back off her face to try and somehow make the afternoon in the sun bearable.

A cheer goes up as they let themselves into Derek and Spencer’s back garden, a huge and intricate lawn Derek had spent ages designing for them. Everyone’s crowded under the American Elm on the south side of the garden, the furniture moved to allow them to sit in the shade, with the exception of Hotch, who’s clearly taken charge of barbecuing duty.

“Penny!” Spencer shouts eagerly as he races across the lawn to wrap her in a warm, gentle hug before pulling back to pay attention to her bump. “I’ve missed you both so much!”

“Aw, Spence, we’ve missed you, too,” she coos, pinching his cheeks gently. “How are you doing?”

“I’m great! Derek and I went home to Chicago last weekend so we can be around as much as possible when baby Prentiss-Garcia is born.”

Penelope tears up a little at that, and she’s not even sure she can blame the pregnancy. She’s always been a softie when it comes to her best friends being the sweetest people on the entire planet.

“Have I ever told you that I love you?” she asks tearily, cupping his face.

“Every day,” he nods.

“Come on you two,” Emily says, rolling her eyes. “There’s a whole other group of people who might also want to see Penelope.”

“Fine,” Spencer groans teasingly. “Maybe I’ll allow them to share her.”

Penelope giggles as she takes his hand and allows herself to be led across the garden, trying not to waddle too obviously.

“How are you doing, Penelope?” Hotch asks kindly as he steps away from the barbecue briefly to hug her in that fatherly way of his that always makes her feel safe.

She scrambles for an answer that is true but also not an entire mood-ruiner, and after sending a mildly panicked look to Emily, her wife thankfully intercepts.

“I think she’s ready for this to be over so she can finally meet the little one,” she chuckles, kissing her temple softly. “Aren’t you, baby?”

Penelope nods. “Definitely.”

Hotch nods sympathetically. “Well, it’s only two weeks until I lose another of my best agents,” he jokes. “But I think we’re all almost as excited as you are for the newest addition to the family.”

“Aw, Hotch, you softie,” Emily teases him, pushing his shoulder playfully as Penelope tears up again, and throws herself into another hug with him.

“I also can’t wait until this damn bump isn’t getting in the way of all my hugging,” she laughs wetly.

Hotch smiles again. “Go on,” he says, nudging them towards the others, “go and say hi to everyone else. Spencer and I can’t hog you forever.”

Spencer grins. “We could try.”

Derek, JJ, and Rossi are all sitting around the table with their sunglasses on, looking painfully cool and unbothered despite the sweltering afternoon heat, and Penelope almost rolls her eyes. She doesn’t have long to be irritated, though, because as soon as she approaches the table, they’re all leaping up to say hello.

“Hey, baby girl,” Derek says warmly, wrapping her in a signature Derek Morgan hug. She lingers as long as possible, soaking up the comfort she always finds in his arms along with the reassuring scent of his cologne.

“Hey yourself,” she says when they finally separate. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too, mama.”

They both share an amused look at the thought that that nickname will be so much truer in just a couple of weeks, but they don’t have long to dwell on it because JJ doesn’t waste any more time before intercepting them and giving Penelope her own hug. “Oh, Pen, things aren’t the same without you.”

“How do you think we felt when you were on maternity leave?” she retaliates, smiling widely at her friend. “And by the way, can we please arrange a bitch session about pregnancy? I’m so over it.”

“Uh, yeah,” JJ says, like it’s obvious. “As soon as possible, please.”

“Whenever you’re free, Jayje, I don’t have a single thing on my calendar.”

JJ laughs, and Penelope turns to Rossi who’s been patiently waiting his turn to the side, and immediately falls into a hug with him as well. Thank God the BAU is always receptive to her touchy-feely ways, because she doesn't know what she’d do without all these hugs.

“Hey, kiddo,” he says, voice sweet and fond as he looks down at her. “You doing okay?”

“I’m hot and tired and I need to sit down, but otherwise… let’s say yes,” she laughs, letting Rossi pull a seat out for her and sinking into it gratefully, the others quickly following suit.

“So catch me up with all the BAU gossip!” she says insistently. “Emily won’t tell me anything because she thinks it’s ‘bad for me’ or whatever.” She rolls her eyes playfully.

“No,” Emily protests, “I don’t tell you because you don’t need to be thinking about work while you’re on maternity leave.”

“It’s gossip, not work!” Penelope bickers, laughing slightly as her bad mood from this morning lifts once she’s in the company of all her favourite people.

The others look nervously between the two of them, unsure of whether to obey Penelope’s demand or not.

She just raises an eyebrow. “Who are you more scared of?”

That settles it. “Two of the agents on the B team were caught making out in the bathroom,” JJ offers. “Apparently they got suspended.”

“Really?”

“This team isn’t much better,” Rossi argues, rolling his eyes. “You guys keep pairing off like rabbits. It’ll be me and Hotch next.”

“Hard pass,” Hotch calls out from his station at the barbecue, making them all laugh.

“At least we keep it professional!” Spencer protests.

Penelope and Emily glance at each other with a half-amused, half-guilty look. Emily winces. “Well, at least we don’t get caught.”

“I’m not even surprised,” Derek chuckles, but the others cry out in outrage.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that,” Hotch says with an eyebrow raised as he carries plates of grilled meat (along with Penelope’s veggie options) over to the table.

Emily pats his shoulder. “Thanks, big guy.”

“This looks amazing, Hotch,” Spencer says, plating up his burger. “Thanks for cooking this.”

“No problem,” he assures everyone, taking his own seat at the table. “I need to lean into my dad stereotype.”

They tuck into their food straight away, devouring their meals as they exchange the familiar kind of banter that always makes Penelope feel right at home. Derek and Spencer have provided the drinks and salad, and Penelope and Emily brought cupcakes they’d baked the evening before, and even though they’re a little melted, they still pair perfectly with the alcohol Rossi breaks out as soon as the main meal is over.

They’ve only been enjoying the afternoon sun for around an hour before Penelope’s bladder can’t wait any longer, and she’s forced to excuse herself.

“Pregnancy bladder calls,” she says, as she stands up, pushing her chair back behind her.

She doesn’t hear anything anybody might say in response, though, because she promptly passes out, hitting the grass before she even knows what’s happening.

Emily almost throws up when she watches Penelope drop to the ground. She’s out of her seat immediately, just as everyone else is, kneeling down by her wife.

“Penny? Baby?” she pleads, ignoring the tears in her voice, horror building in her stomach as she watches Penelope’s eyes remain closed, her body unmoving. “Oh God, someone call an ambulance!”

“Hey, Em, it’s okay,” Spencer says, rushing to comfort her as he crouches down next to her. “Hotch already has.”

“Okay, the internet says to roll her onto her left side and lift her leg to her stomach,” Derek says frantically, and they rush to comply.

“Oh, baby,” Emily cries when she sees that Penelope’s glasses are broken.

“Did she hit her head?” Hotch asks, pulling the phone away from his ear.

“Yes, but not hard,” Derek confirms, sounding almost as choked up as Emily feels.

Emily continues stroking her hair and whispering sweet comforts into her wife’s ear while the others sink into chairs, bereft but to wait for the ambulance to arrive.

“Right, ETA is 3 minutes,” Hotch sighs as he walks back over to the group, and everyone’s eyebrows knit in anxiety as they all collectively try and process what the next 3 minutes will look like without medical help.

JJ comes running back across the lawn, and it’s the first time Emily realises she wasn’t here the whole time. “I got as many cold compresses as I could. I think she overheated. Fainting is really common in pregnancy and overheating is one of the leading causes of it. Let’s try and get her temperature down.”

Thankful for something to do, everyone jumps into action, taking the wet towels and ice packs and pressing them gently to Penelope’s skin.

Emily isn’t sure what happens in those three minutes, lost in trying to comfort her wife and pleading for her to wake up, but eventually the EMTs rush into the back garden, led by Rossi who had gone out onto the street to lead them in.

They all step back to let them work, but Emily stays as close as possible.

“How far along is she?” one of them asks, quickly taking her vitals as they prepare to take her to hospital.

“Eight and a half months,” Derek answers when it’s clear Emily doesn’t have the capacity to.

“And how long has she been out?”

Hotch glances at his watch quickly. “Five minutes.”

As if on cue, Penelope stirs slightly, blinking up at the EMTs.

“What—” she murmurs.

“Penny, it’s okay,” Emily says anxiously, managing to break out of her panicked stupor as soon as she sees her wife regain consciousness. “You just passed out, baby. Let the EMTs do their work, okay?”

“Penelope? We’re going to take you to the hospital to make sure everything’s okay. Does anything hurt?”

“My side,” she manages to murmur tiredly. “Is my baby okay? Did I hurt my baby?”

“We’ll check in the ambulance,” the EMT reassures her, “but your baby should be absolutely fine.”

“Is the baby’s father here?” the other EMT asks.

“I’m her wife,” Emily steps forward, thankful they’re allowing her closer now. At least she can hold Penelope’s hand. It makes this marginally less terrifying.

The EMTs load her carefully onto a stretcher before carrying her through the garden to the front of the house and into the ambulance, Emily hurrying beside them, feeling sick to her stomach.

“Call us, Emily!” JJ calls, and she can hear the others chiming in too, but she can’t even turn around to acknowledge them, can’t look away from Penelope’s face for a second.

Thankfully, Emily’s allowed to stay with Penelope while she’s examined by one of the ER doctors, and she doesn’t let go of her hand for a second. She’s dazed and tired and anxious, and Emily forces herself to put her own concerns aside and focus on taking care of her wife right now.

“And there’s baby’s heartbeat,” the doctor says as a loud, pulsing noise fills the room, everyone sighing in relief that everything’s okay with Penelope’s pregnancy. Even the technician looks relieved.

“Oh, thank God,” Penelope sighs tearily, looking up at Emily with relief and happiness in her glassy eyes. They’ve heard their little one’s heartbeat before, but it’s still the most joyous sound in the world to Emily, and she closes her eyes as she relaxes into the feeling of Penelope’s hand in hers and the knowledge that their baby girl is going to be just fine.

“Okay, everything looks exactly as it should,” the doctor smiles. “When’s your next obstetrician appointment?”

“Wednesday,” Emily confirms. “Hopefully, it’ll be the last before she’s born.”

“Great. I’ve put this episode of syncope on your notes so your regular OB should see it, but make sure to discuss it with them so they can continue to monitor you closely and adapt your birth plan if that’s necessary.”

Emily and Penelope both nod, squeezing their hands together even tighter at the mention of the birth plan. It’s so close now. It feels real, and tangible, and so incredibly exciting.

“Now, Mrs Garcia,” the doctor continues, “how did you land when you fell?”

Penelope looks to Emily. “She fell on her left side. I think her shoulder took the brunt of it, but she did knock her head, too.”

The doctor hums with irritating neutrality as she checks Penelope for any sign of a concussion, thankfully coming up negative, before examining her shoulder. “I think you’ve only bruised it, but it could also be slightly sprained,” she concludes after her careful analysis. “If you experience any worsening pain over the next few days then you should visit your family medicine doctor, or go to urgent care. Unfortunately, it’s unsafe to take NSAIDs at this stage in your pregnancy, but acetaminophens are perfectly fine at recommended doses.”

“It doesn’t hurt too badly,” Penelope says mildly, although Emily can tell that she’s in more pain than she’s letting on. “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

The doctor smiles knowingly. “Well, you can also apply ice and see if that helps the pain if you want to avoid medication altogether. But you should definitely rest it.”

“Why do you think she fainted earlier?” Emily blurts out, unable to continue avoiding the entire reason they’re here.

“Syncope is a common side effect of pregnancy,” the doctor explains easily. “Many women faint while they’re pregnant, and although it is slightly rarer at this stage, it’s still not anything to worry about. It’s an incredibly hot day, and if Mrs Garcia has been overdoing it in any way then it’s likely that exhaustion and overheating led to a temporary loss of consciousness.”

“She’s definitely been overdoing it,” Emily says, raising an eyebrow at Penelope.

“What, no I haven’t!”

Emily chuckles. “You spent the entire morning rearranging the baby’s sock drawer, Pen.”

The doctor smiles at them, clearly amused. “Well, I’m prescribing bed rest and remaining in an air-conditioned space at all times,” she says, moving to help Penelope out of the examination chair. “Ice the shoulder if it gets sore, and feel free to take Tylenol, but if it gets any worse then head to urgent care. Other than that, you’re free to go, Mrs Garcia. I wish you the best of luck in the rest of your pregnancy.”

They both thank her before heading down the corridor, Penelope leaning heavily on Emily’s arm as they waddle slowly down the corridor to where Hotch had texted her he would be waiting.

“Come on, baby,” Emily murmurs into Penelope’s temple before kissing her gently. “Let’s get you home. You have a bed to get into.”

It’s a testament to how much today scared her that Penelope doesn’t even complain. If it’s what’s best for their child then she’ll do it without question, even if Emily knows the idea bores her beyond measure.

“Hey,” she points out as they step out onto the hot concrete of the parking lot, quickly spying Hotch’s waiting car, “the doctor said bedrest. She didn’t say you couldn’t spend all day coding those websites you’ve been thinking about making. Or writing safety algorithms into the Smart Monitor we bought.”

Penelope turns to her, eyes lit up with an excitement Emily hasn’t seen there all day, too busy being hot and pregnant. “I love you, you know that?”

Emily smiles and kisses her softly, before helping her into the backseat of Hotch’s air-conditioned SUV. “I do. But I love you more.”

She closes the car door before Penelope can protest, grinning wickedly through the tinted window and waggling her eyebrows. Even though she can’t see her wife anymore, she knows she’ll be equal parts mildly annoyed she couldn’t argue back, and greatly amused at Emily’s antics, and she wouldn’t have her any other way.

taglist: @makaylajadewrites @iamrenstark @hotchseyebrows @temily @enbyspencer @criminalmindsvibez @suburban--gothic @reidology @spencerspecifics @hotchedyke @marsjareau @oliverbrnch @physics-magic @anxious-enby @kuolonsyoja @reidreids (add yourself to my taglist via this form!!)

[salty-fang]

Twisted Fate Sugar Edition

Part three (sorry for the long wait) thanks for being patient @loveswifi

Marinette had had a weird day. She had kept being pulled in the direction of people who could’ve been mistaken for male versions of herself. Jason, Tim and Dick.

She had met Jason first. She had taken a quick detour from her hour-long trip to the fabric store. It had been a week after her outing with Gina, Alfred and Bruce Wayne but a week before the whole Lila debacle. She hadn’t expected Lila to even be in Gotham so Marinette didn’t feel the need to worry. She should have.

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

Jason had loads of knowledge on malicious stalking. Growing up as a vigilante taught him some things. So, he was truly stunned when he saw two shady people watched that pregnant woman with wolfish glares that he actually felt the need to follow them. He dragged her out of there line of sight, which without an explanation was pretty stupid. She’d kicked him in the balls causing him to hiss.

“Let go of me.”

“I’m trying to help you. A woman and a man have been watching you for a fucking long time. I just wanted to make sure you knew them. By the way, I’m Jason Todd.”

“Marinette.”

“One of them literally has sausages for hair. I think I’m going to have nightmares for a while.”

“Ugh, you should meet Lila Rossi.”

“Agreste's new wife?”

“Yup. Her eyes are so cold and dead. And she wears so much orange. It’s so painful when you actually look at her that I’d rather stick pins in my eyes.”

“Yo, this chick is the same. You sure we aren’t talking about the same person?” she snuck a quick look around the corner, laughing at the confusion on both Lila and Kim’s faces. She’d laughed too loud as Lila’s head whipped in her direction.

“That’s definitely her. Still as annoying as ever.” Kim had whispered something in Lila's ear just as she rounded the corner. They had started sprinting towards her and were going to catch her if she didn’t move her ass.

‘I can’t run far in heels. I’m going to have to catch a bus. The doctor did tell me to take it easy. Can’t affect those triplets with too much movement.’

She had only made it outside the door when she felt herself be hoisted onto sturdy shoulders.

“Let go of me! Oh it’s you Jay. Give a girl some warning will ya!” she said sighing in exasperation.

“Sorry but you really thought I was going to watch them hurt my little sis.”

“Hey! I’m not little. And put me down. “

“That’s what your focused on? And I won’t put you down. You may think you don’t need help but you’re wrong. So let your good big bro do his job.

“Good my ass,” she muttered, ducking under a signpost. “More like arrogant goofball.” Kim and Lila had either disappeared or they just blended in with the crowd very well. They’d probably lost them. Thank God for that.

“Jay, you can put me down now.”

“Huh, are they gone?”

“Yup.” She said popping the ‘p'. “Thank you Jay. For everything.”

“No worries, pixie pop. You’re my sis. I’d kill a bitch for you.” Marinette had fallen in line with Jason. But with his long strides and her pregnancy she was always steps behind him. Sure he’d fall back to match her pace but Lila had waited until the perfect moment to capitalise. She’d tried to scream for help but she had lost the ability to. They dragged her round the corner to one of her favourite cafés. Her head ached where Lila had pulled tightly on her braid (think Lady Noire) as she felt several strands of her hair fall out. Had no one found her being dragged around slightly disturbing?

She supposed no one cared about business that didn’t affect them in Gotham. Wow. Great, just great. She’d submitted herself fully when another blue-eyed black-haired man had come to her rescue. Seriously, was everyone in Gotham like Jay Jay or had he just been a manifestation of her sleep deprivation. He’d seemed so real, so human but it wouldn’t be the first time her mind would make something so absurd up. It was probably her loneliness acting up again. There was no way any sane person would stay around her for so long.

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

Surprisingly it had been Tim who saved her, though she hadn’t known that. Unsurprisingly, Jay and him had two distinctly different personalities. He lived off coffee, looked twice his age with those bags but had such wit about him that he could manipulate the situation without the other party realising. He had been surrounded by so many coffee cups that she had thought he had been in his final year preparing for exams or perhaps working night shifts every day of the week. But nooooo, he was the co-CEO of a business. Starting at the age of 17. Marinette had felt some of the burden dropped on her and she wasn’t even in his position. No wonder he looked like he needed a pick me up. It was just as well that she’d come equipped with her special coffee. She’d make more for Gina later, he needed it more. Plus, Gigi wouldn’t be back in hours.

“I know you said it was alright to sit with you uhh...”

“Tim.”

“Right, Tim. I don’t want to bother you anymore but that coffee looks like it doesn’t do shit for you. I made some for my grandma but she won’t be back for ages so maybe... you would like it?” Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Of course he won’t want some he probably thinks you’re a weirdo who poisoned his drink. Maybe you can take it back from him? “ on second thought-"

“Sure. Why not?” Ok Tim needs sleep. My God, I could have spiked his drink and he accepted it. He’s so vulnerable like this.

“If I give you my drink it will probably take a minute to kick in but... but you have to promise me that you’ll drink my power down later. If you don’t I’ll find you and I’ll get you to sleep one way or another. Don’t test me.” He gulped, eyes wide as he frantically nodded. “Good. Now would you like some pastries to go with your Marinette’s Super Special?” Her shift in character made him freeze. He couldn’t find his voice quick enough and instead opted for a simple thumbs up. She dug two flasks out of her bag, placing one in front of him and sniffed her own. Then, she brought two plates out, setting out croissants so buttery they made him drool, raspberry macaroons and a dozen mini chocolate chip muffins.

“You look like you needed a sugar rush so I guessed what you might like. Sorry if they’re not your favourites. Now chop chop eat up child!” Tim took a tentative sip of his drink feeling it slip down his throat. It had been just how he liked it yet slightly stronger. And then he felt the kick. It had been so small that his brain glossed over it but it’d been there. He was starting to feel more human again. And it had shown. His face had become less pallid and gaunt, his eyes held a fire that had been previously extinguished and his movements became less robotic, almost lighter. Before Marinette could utter ‘I told you so' everything had vanished. Tim was never usually a messy eater but he definitely was right now. Chocolate was smeared all over his chin , flakes from the croissant had littered around his suit and coffee had spilt on his white polo shirt.

“Beanie,” he muttered, a wild look in his egyptian blue eyes. “Please tell me you’re real. Or I at least died and went to heaven. You’re too sweet not to be in my life. I don’t know how I lived without you before. Please, I need you as my dealer. Your coffee is the only one I’ll ever drink again. Please.”

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

It wasn’t every day you saw Tim Drake beg on his knees and whine. But when you did, you would probably laugh your ass off. Whoever that poor girl was had just attracted the attention of invasive photographers. Unlucky, but at least they would get a show out of it.

“If I give you my coffee you’re not going to sleep. You’re going to be a living zombie and I can’t live with that. I’d rather not have anyone connecting me with your death from excessive tiredness.” Tim knew he had to play dirty if he was going to win. Thankfully, Steph had taught him how to master the art of puppy dog eyes which he aimed at Marinette. He then wrapped his arms around her leg, consequently being dragged along the unsanitary sidewalk to where both their belongings were.

“Please please please please PLEASE.” He noticed Marinette’s will become fragile. He wobbled his bottom lip, sniffling softly. “I’ll stop begging if you say yes. Please beanie.”

“Fine.” She huffed whilst he fist pumped the air. “But we do things on my terms alright?”

“Yes ma’am!”

“Jeez. You’ve given me a headache.” She stated aiming a half-hearted glare at a sheepish Tim. “That’s an achievement, dude, not even Chloé could do that and her tantrums were super bratty.”

He had gone to apologise when shrill ringing rang in the air.

“Sorry,” he mouthed. “ I have to take this.”

“Jason what do you want? You just interrupted my deal with my dealer.”

“ I didn’t know you had it in you. But now isn’t the time. I need you to check security where you are. Pixie pop's gone missing.”

“Pixie pop?”

“I’ll explain later but right now she’s in danger. See you in 5 replacement.” With nothing left to say the line went dead and he decided to run some checks on Jason’s location whilst idly chatting with Marinette. She had asked for his unique insight on her latest design.

“What shade would you use on this? I’m only asking because of your peculiar style.”

“Definitely lavender but towards the bottom fade into a dark purple. And peculiar?”

“Who wears a suit on a hot summers day?” she asked eyebrow raised.

“Me. Batman. Business owners. Cosplayers. Bruce Wayne. The list could go on but I don’t have all day.” He said throwing an exaggerated wink at her.

“None of those people you mentioned are normal except maybe cosplayers so it doesn’t count. Better luck next time. I’m going to go pee.” Tim had opened his mouth to respond when he spotted Jason. He looked terrible. His hair was matted against his forehead with sweat, his eyes were bloodshot.

“I came as soon as I could. What did you find replacement? Spit it out. I don’t have all fucking day.”

“First, I want you to meet me dealer and then we can talk about what happened to ‘pixie' and who they even are.”

“Tim, as much as I’d love to meet your drug buddy, it’ll have to wait. She’s more important. I’m worried that the people who took her are going to seriously harm her.”

“Fine but you’re missing out on meeting the sweetest girl ever.”

“I’ll pass.” Jason snarled before turning back to the pixelated security feed. “That was where I last saw her. That’s weird. It’s like she disappeared from all footage. Do you have any other leads?”

“Jay-Jay?” Marinette barrelled into him locking him in a hug. “How do you know tater-tot?”

“Hey!”

“Sorry little lady but I’m looking for someone. Holy shit, is that you pixie pop?”

“Yup and who you calling little lady? I’m fun sized and could totally whoop your ass if I wasn’t pregnant. Just remember that Jason.” The way she had said his name sent shivers up his spine. She had delivered her sentence as a fact, not a threat.

“That’s why you’re my favourite, pixie pop.” Jason said, tearing up.

“Replacement, how did you even save Marinette?”

“They probably took a look at his half dead state and got scared off.” After an hour of re-introduction, they finally left. Jason drove her back on his motorcycle and dumped Tim’s limp body (from drinking Marinette’s calming chai tea) on his back.

With many hours to kill before Gina would be back from her night shift, she got changed into her gym clothes- a pink shirt with short sleeves and grey shorts- and headed to her local sports centre. Surprisingly, it was Dick who saved her this time

Marinette had been doing light exercise to keep in shape every day since she arrived in Gotham. She had a daily routine of squats, sit ups and weights, moving at her own pace. She had only attended the gym once before this and everyone had been friendly or had just gone about their days. Today was the first day anyone had actually approached her

“Hey sunshine, is it alright if I call you sunshine?” She nodded. “There’s a creepy guy watching you. He hasn’t actually done any workouts but he’s pointing his phone at you for a hell of a long time.”

“Thank you for telling me...”

“Richard but you can call me Dick.” She snickered. “If you want to that is.” Dick walked away to take a quick call from his brother when...

WARNING: YOU MIGHT NOT BE COMFORTABLE READING THIS PART. TW: sexual harassment. I'll put a brief summary at the bottom if you would rather skip

When she felt a firm hand squeeze her ass. She felt it trail down her shorts before she could even look at their face. She leapt away from his grasp, her breathing heavy as she looked around for any support. Unfortunately, the gym was empty, giving the predator an easy advantage.

“Hey baby did anyone tell you you’re damn sexy when you smile? Cuz you definitely are.” he aimed a snide smile at her. His yellow teeth glinted and his heady scent made her sick. “Princess, come back to mine tonight. We could have so much fun together and I’ll make you scream until you forget your own name. So, how about it?” He had approached he, pushing her boundaries, forcing her to back up against the wall.

‘No. Not ever. But especially not today.’

Marinette paled quickly. Gina wouldn’t be home for hours and he would most likely follow her home anyways. With no one to bear witness to this, he could do as he pleased. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. He could seriously hurt her or worse... and there would be nothing she could do about it. She’d just fade into the background, just another statistic. No one would believe her because ‘she shouldn’t have dressed like that’ and ‘she definitely wanted it’. So, she would fight and if he won well so be it. At least she had done all she could.

“Has anyone told you it’s rude to hit on people’s girlfriends?” Dick said forcing himself between them. He knew she could handle it but something about that guy made him uneasy. Marinette had exuded confidence but she still trembled and he could see how tense her muscles had been.

“He’s your boyfriend? You could do so much better than him. Just tell him your coming home with me. Or better yet, I’ll pay you to do it in front of me.” Marinette could see the repulsion on Dick’s face, as she gagged. “Yes, that would be way better. I’ll seriously pay you. Got a couple hundred bucks if you want it.” He stated palming himself through his jeans.

“No thanks. Maybe after she’s given birth?”

“She’s pregnant? What a slut. I bet she poked holes in your condom so you wouldn’t be able to leave her. Anyways, got to get back home to the wife and kids. Hit me up when she’s good again.” Marinette flung her arms around Dick as soon as she was sure he was gone.

Tw over

“Thank you so much. He wouldn't have stopped if you hadn’t come Dick.”

“No problem, sunshine.”

“It’s Marinette.” She mumbled, scuffing her shoes against the gym floor.

“What?”

“The name's Marinette. I would have loved to meet you under different circumstances. Oh well. Nice to meet you anyways.”

“You too Mari. Are you driving back home?”

“I actually walked her. I’ll probably just call a taxi or walk back.”

“No way sunshine. That guy is a huge sleaze ball. I don’t doubt that he’ll try something funny. If no one’s coming to pick you up I’ll walk you back home. Ok?”

“Ok.”

Dick had been completely right. The dude had been waiting outside, most likely waiting for Mari to leave but when he saw them leave together, he raced to his car. Dick had memorized his license plate and got a brief description of the car but he would probably dump it somewhere. Still, no harm in trying. He watched constantly to see if he was following them and took some turns to shake him off. In the end, they had arrived and Dick hadn’t left until he saw her actually enter her apartment. He had to tell everyone about Marinette.

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

Marinette’s battery had been drained, both physically and socially after that week. Lila had pissed her off and she felt really bad for that guy she spewed on. Not like she would see him again. She’d spent all week working on the dress Tim helped her with to wear to her visit to the Wayne’s tomorrow. It had been her fastest completed project ever, though she had neglected eating and sleeping. Marinette had to agree with Tim. The fade into dark purple had been a nice addition and made it really stand out. Even Penny had thought so when she saw it on their chat about commissions. A hungover Jagged threw a ‘rock’n’roll’ over her shoulder and Marinette had felt a pang in her heart at the tenderness they treated each other with. Maybe, one day she could have that special bond with someone too. But she needed to focus on helping herself heal first. She could see the apologetic look written over Penny’s face to which she giggled at before declaring that she needed some rest.

Gina had forced her to rest before they visited the Wayne’s. Apparently today had been Thursday not Wednesday? The days had just blended into one. She had been intrigued to meet the rest of the family but she felt so weak.

‘Oh well,’ she thought. ‘Nothing a little tea can’t fix.’

Since she had found out she was pregnant, all her normal guilty pleasures had been off limits. No double espresso as bitter as her soul and no alcohol. She had to adapt to the restrictions because of her doctor. So, she whipped up a tea as strong as her go to coffee with way less caffeine. It had still her the kick she needed but it wasn’t as good as she would have liked. Still, she’d take what she could get. It still aggravated her when she would reach for a glass of white wine or coffee beans forgetting about the warnings. It aggravated her when she would call out to Tikki to transform forgetting she was no longer by her side. She would toy with her empty earlobes before letting her tears fall freely. Tikki had been the most loyal-kwami or human- and she still got taken. She wouldn’t pretend it hadn’t hurt but she had moved on. Some days she would remember she wasn’t with her and cry but on some she’d pretend everything was normal. Today was one of those days where she wore herself out from crying. Gina had caught her but even she knew Marinette needed space, assuming she was still upset about Adrien.

After a good half an hour of crying, she went to freshen up refusing to look like a puffer fish when she met everyone. Dabbling at her eyes, she applied light mascara and used concealer under her bags so she wouldn’t look as dead as Tim. She slipped into the dress, wearing it with pride. It had fit like a glove exemplifying her curves and showing her protruding baby bump. That had been the only downside as she wanted it to be a surprise. Though, nothing slipped past Alfred’s keen eyes. She’d been puzzled as to how she could style her hair before she settled on voluminous curls. It had required Gina’s help and a hell of a lot of hairspray but it had been worth it. She set her flower crown upon her head (delivered to her by Adrien) and placed one on Gina's. She’d been quite surprised when Gina told her she would have to go by herself but it wouldn’t be too bad. Alfred and Bruce were kind so she could just chat with them if the others were rude.

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

Damian was annoyed. Gina was late. Very late. And he’d been waiting for hours for her to arrive. A soft rap on the door sent him flying out of his seat as he scrambled to unlock the door. He’d expected Gina but on their doorstep was that angel from before.

“You,” he whispered. “Why are you here?” He didn’t like feeling confused so he schooled his features to be cold and cynical. Footsteps behind him caused him to instinctively slam the door shut.

“Sorry angel.” Not that she could hear him. Jason had stood behind him, watching him with curiosity.

“Demon spawn. Who was at the door?” Shit. He couldn’t exactly say how he knew her or his reputation would be tarnished. Everyone in his family knew Todd was the biggest gossiper and he would definitely spread the news. Like hell would he tell Todd. He’d take that secret to his grave.

"It was bArBarA. I mean Gordon. Yeah it was Gordon.” His voice may have cracked several times but it was a convincing lie, right?

“One, you almost never call people by their first names.” Jason said, eyes narrowing slightly. “Two your voice sounded awful. And you don’t stray from perfection. So, what’s your deal?

“Puberty?” He shrugged trying to conceal his panic.

“I’ll take your bullshit for now but you forgot Barbara’s already here. Let’s try this again. Who was at the door?”

“It was that harlot that Grayson suggested I try to court.

“Oh, that bitch. She’s all yours. Just keep her away from me. And Damian when dinner is over, I’ll find you and I’ll kill you. Make no mistake.” And with that, he threw a quick salute over his shoulder and strolled away. Damian had let out a sigh of relief, turning to walk away before he remembered who was still outside.

“Todd tell everyone I went to the bathroom.” He yelled shutting the front door before he could hear his reply. He descended down the stairs only to find her missing. He had begun mapping out all the locations of the manor when his eyes fell upon her. He felt the air forcibly be removed from his lungs and he remained unmoving. Awestruck. His heart squeezed as he watched her sniff his magnolias that he tended to. The way her dress pooled around her and the small but present baby bump had made him flush.

‘She truly was an angel.’ His eyes glanced at the flower crown entangled in her inky locks as the moonlit sky enhanced her celestial look. ‘She’s also much more than that though.’

“Take a picture. It’ll last longer.” She saw his mortified face. “You know getting a door slammed in your face isn’t the greatest first impression a family could give.”

“I’m sorry. But what are you doing here?”

“Expecting a warm welcome, not being left out in the cold, really anything but this. And I don’t even know you so...”

"You do."

"Excuse me?"

"You puked on me. I didn’t think you were going to ever see me again so you surprised me. I didn’t want to explain to anyone how we were acquainted.”

"I’m so sorry. It’s these stupid hormones. And that stupid Lila. Everything is just stupid."

"Lila Rossi? She is pretty stupid.” And then something changed. His face was softer and he hadn’t looked like he would bite her head off. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“I’m waiting for my grandma but maybe tomorrow. I’m meeting a stuck-up client so I’m gonna need to vent. I’ll tell you the details later?”

“Fine with me.” She hobbled away. She had been patiently waiting by the doorstep, her soft rap probably inaudible due to all the chaos. He whipped out his spare key, unlocking the door. He hadn’t expected that soft click to prompt the attention of his whole family.

"Marinette-"

“Beanie?”

“Pixie pop?”

“Sunshine?”

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH DAMIAN?” they screamed, rushing forwards to envelop her in hugs.

“I let her in. You guys didn’t even hear her knocking. Wait, how do you all know Angel?”

His eyes nervously flitted to hers at the slip of his private nickname. He saw the flush on her cheeks as her mouth formed a small ‘o'. She couldn’t even look him in the eyes as the others taunted him for his cute pet name. He felt Dick ruffle his hair, which took a while to style, and Jason poke his sides. He felt Tim snicker and Barbara pinch his cheek. And he felt Marinette link their hands together in solidarity, enduring the teasing with him. They had been so embarrassed that they completely missed the arrival of Gina and the scheming look on Alfred’s face who dished her the gossip. They missed the dark but silent chuckle that left both Gina and Alfred as they decided to meddle in their kids failing love lives.

“What’d I miss, my little chicks? Because Mama’s home.”

NOTES (optional)

In the part labelled with tw here is what happens:

Creepy old 50 year old man hits on Marinette and feels her up. He asks her to come home with him but Dick helps her out and stops him. He tells them he would pay to watch them go at it and calls Marinette names. He eventually 'leaves' to his wife and kids.

Tags:

@sassakitty @lunathealphafemale @krispydefendorpolice @blackmagicforever @nach0ava @wannajointhecrabcult @thornalchemist23 @moonlightstar64 @iloveitwhen @little-angel1031 @screwthisshit111 @rebecarojas07 @animegirlweeb @mystery-5-5 @moonystars14 @gingerdaile @spyofthenightcourt @mialuvscats @notmycupoftea26 @thequeenofpotatoeunicornss @kuroko26 @miracleofadisaster @novicevoice @iloontjeboontje @abrx2002

[marmolady]

Livita: Part One

Remember this fic? I went to do a few edits on my old fic, ‘Livita’, and the whole thing ended up stretching to double the length of the original! It’s now been split into thirds, chronicling Taylor and Estela’s journey to motherhood. 

Book/Series: Endless Summer

Main Pairings: Estela x MC/Taylor (f)

Summary: Post-ending. Freed from Vaanu, Taylor has been building a life with her soulmate… but their family remains not quite complete. Read PART TWO.

Warnings: Coarse language.

Word Count: 4262

Reviews and reblogs are hugely appreciated!

Tagging: @sceptilemasterr​ @saivilo​ @greengroove​ @edgydepressedchoicesthot

La Huerta, June 2021

 Estela and Taylor had found their home. La Huerta had been their shelter, as it had been for Diego, and for Aleister and Grace, in a time when the wider world had been in turmoil. Some years ago, during the twelve Catalysts’ year of isolation at the end of the world, a small village had been built in the shadow of the great tree of Elyys’tel, and it was here that remained home for the small group. On La Huerta, Taylor and Estela had found their place in this world, together-- and it was there that they planned for their family’s next steps.

Taylor had invited Diego and Varyyn to join herself and Estela in the hot pools at the base of La Huerta’s snow-covered mountainous region. There were few places she knew more tranquil, more calming. She’d need that. What she and Estela were proposing was… monumental. There would be no resting until they bit the bullet and put it out there so… they would just have to take that leap.

That they’d grow their family together had always been a given, at least once it became certain that Taylor could remain with her loved ones on earth. They’d found their peace, and each had their home was in the arms of the other. The next step was the baby. Estela would carry the child; passing on a little piece of the mother who’d been so cruelly taken from her. Of course, it meant that the other grandparent would carry on through the bloodline as well… but having wrestled with it, Estela concluded that honouring Olivia Montoya was more important to her than eliminating Rourke. It was deemed the safer option; whatever Taylor was, she was not entirely human, and her reproductive capabilities and genetic contribution would be rather more of a gamble. If it came to it, they could try that path-- certainly Taylor liked the idea of being related to another person by blood-- but the simple truth was that Estela’s urge for that physical bond was far stronger.

Diego, they hoped, would be the donor-- and someday a doting tio. In Taylor’s eyes, he was ‘her side of the family’, a part of her being that she loved beyond measure. The thought of creating a person out of Diego and Estela, was just about the most beautiful thing Taylor could imagine. In every way, her family. She’d tried to remain detached and unemotional about the idea; there was no assuming that Diego would feel comfortable in being the donor in the first place-- family was a complicated thing for him, at she respected the hell out of that. But god, it was hard not to let her hopes rise.

The outing had been intended to be relaxed, but even as she soaked in the hot springs, Taylor couldn’t help but seek reassurance to soothe her near-constant attacks of nerves-- just a glance and Estela would give her a look, stoic and sure, and it was enough to get her through another few minutes of what was supposed to be easy; just hanging out with her best friend. Diego, of course, quickly became concerned. No fool, he could see something bubbling beneath the surface, clear as day.

“All right. Spill. Something’s driving you crazy right now.”

Taylor flushed-- though she was red enough from the steaming water that it made little difference to her complexion. “I’m fine. We just… want to talk to you about something. I figured if we just sat you down, all serious, you’d jump straight to ‘dear god, who’s died?’”

“Or… ‘dear god, is Estela an alien too?’”

Both girls laughed.

“I’m sure people have wondered that,” Estela said dryly.

Taylor took Diego’s hands, which helped to steady her own from shaking. Jesus, she just loved him so much. If this wasn’t what he wanted… of course, she’d respect that, but she was certain a little part of her heart would break.

“Tay, you’re sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine.” She took a deep, shuddering breath. Get right into it, or you’ll just make yourself more nervous. “Well, you know that Estela and I have been thinking about having a baby together; we’ve been talking about it a lot, and we’re ready. We’re ready to grow our family… make it a little bigger. And… I really, really hoped… I…we wondered if you might like to be the donor for our baby.”

For a few moments, Diego was stunned into silence; his eyes widened as he swallowed what he’d just been told.

“You… want me to…?”

“You should both talk about it,” Estela said. “We know it’s pretty huge. I dunno… maybe you’d be like the baby’s extra special tio. Whatever you wanted the relationship to be.”

Diego hadn’t heard a whole lot of what he’d just been told. He was already falling weeping into Taylor’s arms. There was no question; no question at all. His mind flashed with an imagined future, of something closer to parenthood than he’d dare let his heart long for.

Taylor held him, blinking back tears-- a pointless endeavour. “I love you so much. It’s hard to imagine doing this without you being a big part of it. Whatever you choose, you’re gonna be our baby’s tio. But it would mean the world to me if….”

“This is the greatest honour,” Varyyn said softly, his own eyes misty.

Estela offered him a warm smile. “It means a lot to us both. Obviously, you’ll need to talk this all through-- we’re not expecting an answer right away. This is… a lot.”

“What sort of, uh, time-frame are we looking at?” Diego asked as he sat back next to Varyyn, who wiped away his tears.

“Soon,” Estela said resolutely. She glanced to Taylor, feeling the emotion just radiating off her. This meant the world to Taylor, as Diego did. “We’re both ready for this, it’s just-- if you want to do this-- how soon you’re comfortable. We know this might not happen quickly, so the sooner we can get things started…”

“...The sooner you can get through the rollercoaster of ‘trying’?”

“Yes.”

For a little while, Diego was quiet… stunned, he needed a few moments for his thoughts to catch up with his emotions. Having children was something he and Varyyn had discussed at great length, and the conclusion they’d always begrudgingly come to was that for the foreseeable future, their lives simply couldn’t accommodate that-- not in a way that would be fair to a child. Diego knew that he belonged on La Huerta, but that wasn’t the whole of his life; where his two worlds collided was a mess. There was still that lingering dream, but he knew better than to hang too tight to it. But… in Taylor in Estela’s child, he could have something beautiful; different but beautiful. Wasn’t that just the way his story was meant to be by now?

“Do you have, like, a plan worked out? I guess it’s pretty tough to travel for procedures right now….”

Taylor grinned. “Don’t I always have a plan?”

“Ha. You know I’d never doubt you.”

“Yeah, we want to stay on La Huerta if we can. Otherwise, we’d be able to get permits to go in and out of San Trobida. There’d be quarantine to deal with-- with the way things are in the States, they’re especially cautious about Americans-- but it wouldn’t be an insurmountable hurdle.”

“Have you worked out who you want to actually carry the baby?”

“Estela’s going to be the birth mother,” Taylor said, giving her wife a small smile and reaching to squeeze her fingers. It had been a tough one. She knew there was part of Estela that felt guilt over the decision they’d reached, but it was a decision they had come to together and Taylor would not let there be any doubt where she stood on the matter. “We talked about it a lot. A lot. Figuring out which oven we want to put the bun in was a huge decision, and there was so much to consider. You know how amazing it would be for me to have a blood tie with someone. I’ve longed for that. And I’ve mostly worked through it; I mean, I’m made up of my family-- of you especially. It’s who I am; it might not be about DNA, but it doesn’t mean it’s not as powerful. It’s… part of the reason why I wanted to ask you. In every way that matters to me, you represent my family.”

Again, Diego found himself choked up.

“And for Estela, it was a little different.”

Estela flushed a little, and averted Diego’s eye contact. This was so intensely personal. “If I could pass on a small piece of my mother… I don’t have anything more precious to give my baby. She would have wanted to give my baby everything. This will have to be enough.” She gathered herself, looking back to offer Diego an awkward smile as he gave her a knowing nod. “I was uneasy about what else I would be passing on, but it’s a connection to Aleister and Grace, and maybe cousins someday.”

“We did consider partner IVF,” Taylor said. “That’s where we take the embryo from one mother and implant it in the uterus of the other, but it felt like… a lot. I don’t have a big attachment to the idea of pregnancy-- definitely not as much as ‘Stel does-- and it sounded like a whole lot of intervention. Nothing about my life has been straight-forward, you know? So I got really invested in the idea of doing this as naturally as possible. Just us, at home, building our family together. I know it’s asking a lot as a same-sex couple, but I’d much rather this didn’t have to become something clinical-- not unless it turns out we can’t get pregnant a simpler way.”

Diego swallowed past the hard lump in his throat. He would represent Taylor’s family. He would be a father figure, an honour bestowed by someone who actually saw him and loved him for it all. And he was going to love his best friend’s baby with every fibre of his being.

Concerned, Taylor rushed to reassure. “Just-- take your time, okay? I know this is huge--”

“No,” Varyyn said firmly, and he gave Diego a subtle nod. He knew his husband; he knew that look on his face, that sweet certainty. He’d seen that smile after he’d asked of Diego a very important question one Niala’rei several years ago.

Diego took Taylor’s hand in one of his, and Estela’s in the other… and breathed deep. “Of course-- of course, I’ll do it. More than anything in the world, I want to do this for you.”

The air filled with joyous squeals and the splash of water as the group erupted into embraces and a few more tears. Sandwiched between the two people she loved more than anything else in all the world, Taylor knew that together, they could make this happen.

  __________________________

 August 2022

 Taylor’s heart sank as she looked at the result. Negative. Again.

Estela sighed and looked away. Again, no baby. Even knowing she could have done nothing more, it felt as though she’d let Taylor down when it really mattered. She’d promised her a family. And for herself…. Everything she’d ever wanted… her deepest desire… it was so close, only for them to be repeatedly smacked down by some invisible barrier.

“We’ll try again,” said Taylor quietly, trying to and failing to sound like someone who hadn’t just been crushed. “This is gonna happen for us, okay?”

Despairing, Estela threw her head back, fighting, fighting against the tears that so wanted to come. For several long minutes she wrestled with herself, with the torrent of emotion, before turning back to her wife. Her voice shook when she spoke. “Maybe… maybe we should try with you… it’s not as if I’m not made up of a load of shit that we shouldn’t really want to pass on to an innocent child. I’ve been selfish.”

“First of all; no. Not only are you not remotely a selfish person, you are freaking perfect… to me, you are perfect. Nothing you could give our baby could be anything but that. I love you. And I know how much you want this. I want it to be you. I want us to keep trying.”

Walking away, Estela could feel guilt clawing at her stomach. Of course she wanted to be the one to carry the baby, but if things kept up like this, there wouldn’t be a baby to carry. She sighed again, heavier, and curled up on the couch, knees against her chest. “Taylor, it’s been over a year…”

“We could see another doctor? But I trust what they said; everything’s working fine, it’s just not necessarily gonna happen overnight. I honestly think we’ve just been unlucky so far. And… and maybe it’s taken us a while to get our turkey-baster technique down.” Taylor sat down beside her wife and began massaging her back, feeling tension in every muscle. So much stress. “I know we wanted to do this at home, but we could consider intra-uterine, or even IVF. How about we give it one more month, and then start seriously looking at other options?”

For a long while, Estela said nothing, staring into space as she tried to process the aching disappointment. When she zoned back into reality, Taylor was still there, kneading her back. Another month… that was reasonable.

Taylor eased down the back of Estela’s shirt and pressed kisses between her shoulders. “I know how much you’re hurting right now… I’m feeling it too. Someday soon, we’ll hardly remember this; we’ll be too busy wading through diapers and trying to get a wink of sleep. But for now, I think it’s a comfort food under a blanket situation. We’ll just snuggle up in a love cocoon until whenever it is that we’re ready to put on brave faces.”

They cuddled beneath a blanket on the couch, grateful to have nothing pressing to do nor any people to see.  So much thought, so many long nights of discussion had gotten them to the point of trying, but all the rationale, the planning… all of it mattered little if it just didn’t happen for them. In the end, how it happened wasn’t important; they just needed their family.

The disappointment was not getting any easier, month after month, even as it became expected. They now knew better than to get their hopes up too high. Once again, Taylor would go back to Diego to ask for his help… another round of ‘I’m sorry’s and hugs of consolation, while Estela would back into herself, becoming quiet and reclusive until the pain of the blow dulled. The days, then weeks, would pass, and the couple’s optimism would return as it always did. Together they’d literally undone an apocalypse; so long as they had one another’s hands to hold, they’d soldier through anything.

Estela let herself be held, the touch of her lover offering the only comfort strong enough to keep her from going under. It had been so long now. Doubts, once trifling, became magnified until they were near suffocating. She had gazed upon her reflection in their full-length mirror, taking the time to contemplate while Taylor’s voice floated up from downstairs as she’d filled Diego in with another crushing update. What Estela had seen there was not a nurturer, but a fighter. Her physique, though not perfectly toned as it had once been, was still not exactly cuddly. And the scars… god, there were so many. Wounds from knives, a sword… a freaking dinosaur… her body was just a painting of violence. And that was just the damage that could be seen; far more, far deeper were the scars to her heart and soul. What harm could someone like that do to an innocent baby? Perhaps nature was simply preventing a great cruelty….

“Hey?” Taylor whispered. A quiet grunt was all the reply she received, but Estela looked up, meeting her eyes. “Everything that you are is what’s going to make you a wonderful mom. One of the things… one of the things I’ve been most excited for is just, like… our baby’s gonna say something, do something, and I’ll be like ‘whoa, that’s an Estela thing’. There’s no one else I could even imagine doing this with.”

With a small sob, Estela held Taylor tighter.

“It’s the pain talking, okay? This isn’t anything rational. And I honestly believe this is who you’re meant to be. The first time you held Reggie, I was on the verge of crying because of how right it just was. You held him like you’d never let him fall. Everything you’ve been through has only made you love even harder. And it’s gonna happen; I swear it’s gonna happen… you are going to be such a good mom.”

Estela gently caressed Taylor’s lips with her own, tasting the salt of tears. For her, she’d be strong; it was what she’d always done. It was impossible to be broken for long whilst held in Taylor’s heart and embrace. She could cut through the doubts, just enough to take another step forward.

“Next time…” she said softly.

Taylor nodded and returned the kiss. God, I love you…

“…Next time….”

  __________________________

September 2022

 Pausing her frenzied scribbling of notes, Taylor pushed her glasses back up the bridge of her nose. From her position cross-legged on the couch in their La Huerta home, she heard the creak of the front door.

“You’re home late,” she said, still poring over her notes. “Reggie holding you hostage again?”

Estela draped her arms over Taylor’s shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “Yeah, something like that.”

Taylor couldn’t help but laugh. “I think a part of you is kinda flattered that you can’t give the kid to someone else without him dissolving into banshee screams…”

“He knows his tia.” Pausing for a moment, Estela waged a silent debate in her head before making up her mind for sure. “Taylor, I want to take the test…”

Taylor looked up. Spending so much time with their nephew had only heightened Estela’s want for a baby. The both of them adored Reginald; most days they saw him, cuddled him, loved him, effortlessly coming into their roles as aunts. But the presence of Aleister and Grace’s bright-eyed baby boy served to highlight exactly what they were missing. “I know. But if you wait a couple more days, it’ll be more accurate. This whole thing is tough enough without worrying about false negatives.”

Estela sat down opposite Taylor, reaching out for her hands. “I’ve just got a feeling, you know? I feel different.” She took her wife’s hand, and tucked it into her bra. “That’s swollen, right?”

“Possibly? But it’s early, sweetheart. I don’t want you getting carried away with something that might not exist.” Of course, it was easy to see signs when it was wanted so much. Between hanging around Reggie all day, and an upcoming journey back to San Trobida in a few days, the yearning was running wild. It was only natural that Estela wanted to greet her tio with the news that she was expecting, but Taylor feared another disappointment. She stroked Estela’s breast, while her other hand lovingly cupped her face. “You know that even if you are pregnant, it probably won’t show up yet?”

“I know that. I’ll do it again in a few days… I just don’t think I can rest without trying.”

“Okay… but don’t get your hopes up. Do you want me with you?”

Estela shook her head. “It’s all right. Like you said, it’s probably too early to work. I’m just trying to settle the voice in my head.” As she moved to leave, Taylor hugged her tight.

“Love you…”

“Love you.”

Taylor looked back to her notes. Their return to San Trobida would be momentous for her; starting up a much-needed youth counselling service in the area surrounding Estela’s home. It was what she’d studied for, and it was with nervous excitement that she jotted down ideas and sketched out plans. With the grants and scholarships that the Aleister and Estela’s inherited company had to offer, there was the feeling that they might be able to make a real difference in giving the children of the civil war hope for the future. The central inspiration to their work was, of course, Estela’s mother. Each award given out to a student was gifted in her name; it provided a small comfort that Dr. Olivia Montoya’s legacy was one of a promise for a better tomorrow. Taylor found herself distracted. They had fulfillment in one another, in the work they were doing… but the picture remained incomplete. The quiet having lingered for too long, Taylor got to her feet, putting her notes aside.

“Estela? Is everything all right?”

No response. Becoming worried, Taylor started towards the bathroom, expecting that she’d need to break out the emergency cheering-up ice cream, as had been a monthly occurrence since they’d started trying for a baby. She knew she’d been right. It had been foolish to cause such distress when another test would need to be taken a few days later anyway.

She tentatively pushed the door. “’Stel? I’m here…”

Estela was sat trembling on the tiled floor, her eyes wide and wet with tears, seemingly unable to look away from the test stick she held in her hand. Several others lay at her feet.

“…Taylor… I’m…” In her daze, she couldn’t even get the words out.

Tears sprung to Taylor’s eyes and her hand to her mouth. Surely… surely it couldn’t be what she thought it was? But then, that smile… that smile… it said it all.

“Wh-what are you… what are you saying?”

“We’re… we’re having a baby…”

Without knowing how she got there, Taylor was on the floor, Estela’s arms around her as they cried, and laughed, and kissed.

We’re having a baby.

[melaninmarvelficrecs]

Chris Evans Fic Recs

Angst 😭

Fluff 🥰

Smut 😈

Series 📚

Original character 👸🏽

Au meme 🎀

Social media edit 📱

Moodboard 💝

Never Say That Again by @smilexcaptainx

🥰Long Hard Week by @thegetawaywriter

Making Out by @tropicalcap

Adorable by @your-highnessmarvel

🥰Beardless by @thegetawaywriter

Saturday Cuddles by @cevansgirl

😈Daddy Chris by @nsfwsebbie

😈Bearded Chris by @honeychicanawrites

😈Payback by @plussizeappreciationfics

🥰Chris Sweater by @soft-angel-tears

😈🥰Beard of Grays by @et-lesailes

🎀Announcing He’s Having a Baby Girl by @celebsaumeme

🥰😭I Think I’ll Never Be Good Enough About by @hotcelebimagines

Pregnant With Chris First Child by @getbywithalittlehel96

Threesome with Henry by @honeychicanawrites

Crowded by @my-emotional-self

😈Press Tour Distractions by @my-emotional-self

😈Losing a Superbowl Bet by @canyoumoveurseatup-no

😈Windows by @avenging-fandoms

Dating Chris Evans By @writing-imagines’

😈Daddy Dom by @canyoumoveurseatup-no

🥰Wash Day by @lady-olive-oil

😈A Small Accident by @plussizeappreciation

Books and Baths by @herondaleholly31

😈Masturbate by @canyoumoveurseatup-no

The Perfect Man by @petey-verse

🥰😭😈Really Chris by @my-emotional-self

😈Welcome Home by @my-emotional-self

😭😈Give It Back  by @my-emotional-self

😈Quiet on the Set by @i-dont-do-rpfs

😈Baby Girl by @bby-buckyfics

😈Daddy Evans by @writingsblock

😈Our Little Secret by @canyoumoveurseatup-no

This isn’t America’s Ass. It’s My Ass by @avenging-fandoms

Short by @honeychicanawrites

🥰My Parents are Coming by @giftofdreams

😈Don’t Tease Me by @whisky-cokenfanfic

Noted by @pastelastronomy24

Birthday Surprise by @captainscanadian

Our Future by @mrsoutoftime

📱Special Announcement by @wocreadersociaimagines

😈Make Me a Daddy 2 by @just-another-fangirl-94

🥰😭Book Smart by @angel-cap

Happy Little Family by @crue-sixx

Family Man by @trashinaglass

Drunk Home Word’s Unspoken Forever by @blackwomanwriter

Any Means Necessary by @cavillunraveled

Spiders by @angel-cap

😈🥰Captain America vs Superman 2 I Love You Two by @royallyprincesslilly

Anniversary by @theycallmebecca

The Treehouse by @theycallmebecca

Oh Hell No by @theycallmebecca

Hot and Cold by @theycallmebecca

Fred by @theycallmebecca

🥰Hot Summer Days by @frencchfries

Mama’s Boy by @hlkwrites

🥰Thirst Tweets by @et-lesailes

The Post Office by @hlkwrites

📚Daddy Hair Care 1 2 3 4.1 4.2 5 by @chrisevansbabymama

🥰A Bigger Heart by @cevansgirl

😈Wetter is Better by @wintersoldier1989

I Want A Pet by @justkending

🥰Attention Seeking by @chrisevansbabymama

📚👸🏽😈😭Rumor Has It 2 3 4 5 6 by @royallyprincesslilly

🥰I Can Get Caught Up by @mangos4u

😈Untitled by @hisxblackxqueen

😈Just Relax by @hisxblackxqueen

Meeting Chris at a Marvel Event by @plussizeappreciationfics

😈🥰Just the Tip by @royallyprincesslilly

Caught in A Moment by @halsteadbarnes

👸🏽My First, My Always by @lady-olive-oil

Christmas Spirit by @thinkxlovexloud

Four Legged Protector by @stallingdemons

Jealous by @thinkxlovexloud

😈🥰Knock-Knock,Knock,Knock Knock by @royallyprincesslilly

Meet the Parents:Christmas Edition by @royallyprincesslilly

God I Can't Pay Attention to Anything but You by @bloggingfromherbed

Paternal Instincts by @dc41896

Tease by @blackwomanwriter

Morning by @chrisevansbabymama

What Happens Now by @whiskey-cokenfanfic

😈Strip Mario Kart by @my-emotional-self

😈🥰His Princess by @my-emotional-self

😈On the Phone  by @fanfictionmulti-verse

Interview by @fanfictionmulti-verse

📱Eloped by @mcusocialimagines

Birthday Surprise by @thinkxlovexloud

Too Tired by @captainchrisfics

Scratch by @thinkxlovexloud

😭🥰Dirty Little Secret by @blackmissfrizzle

😈Riding Chris' Face by @thotgomery

The Warmth of Summer by @lunarevans

😈Masturbate by @heavenbarnes

📱Catfished by @mcusocialimagines

Headshot by @thinkxlovexloud

Enemies to Lovers by @writingsofaninvisiblegirl

😈So High by @hail-meezus

In A White Dress by @theycallmebecca

Chris Vs. His Mini Me  by @theycallmebecca

Confessions of a Fangirl by @theycallmebecca

Gifts and Surprises by @theycallmebecca

😈A Helping Hand by @theycallmebecca

By the Fire by @theycallmebecca

Chris Celebrity Crush by @justimagine

Dip the Tip by @sfdce

B.S.C. A Winter Getaway by @sfdce

🎀A Little Crush by @aucelebrity

🎀Newborn by @aucelebrity

🎀Announcing Your Pregnancy by @aucelebrity

🎀Talking About Your Meeting by @aucelebrity

🎀Has A Crush On You by @aucelebrity

🎀Being Romantic with You by @aucelebrity

I Can’t Get Married by @ sgtevanstan

Diamonds by @giftofdreams

Flirting by @brooklnboy

Fan Girl Moment by @plussizeappreciationfics

😈Guiding His Submissive Babygirl by @honeychicana

🥰Daughter by @stripper-patrick

🎀Oscars by @aucelebrity

📱Secret by @mcusocialimagines

Better Safe than Sorry  2by @thefluff-ficdemon

Mammoth by @whisky-cokenfanfic

🎀Happy with You by @celebrity-meme

Gender Reveal Party by @plussizeappreciationfics

Cute Baby Talk by @plussizeappreciationfics

Sexy Enough by @plussizeappreciationfics

Facade by @plussizeappreciationfics

Famous by @plussizeappreciationfics

🥰Daughter to Be by @thegetawaywriter

Valentines Day by @thegetawaywriter

🥰😈Welcome Back Daddy by @mangos4u

🎀Gap Year by @ celebrityyimaginees

🎀Moustache by @ celebrityyimaginees

Jokes by @ celebrityyimaginees

We Need to Talk by @wxntersoldiers

Morning by @chrisevansbabymama

😈🥰Pushing Buttons by @my-emotional-self

😈Would You Rather by @chriseevansfanfic

😈Sounds Like a Plan by @kirstie-evans

😈Still Got It  by @captainsteveevans

📚Remember When? 2 3 4 5 by @captainsteveevans

🥰The Adjective Game by @deep-in-my-thoughts13

Knives Out Thighs Out by @blackmissfrizzle

🥰😭Make It Up by @stripper-patrick

🥰😭😈Casual by @royallyprincesslily

😈Deeper by @honeychicana

😈Away From You by @stripper-patrick

😈Playground by @nsfwsebbie

😭😈Unprofessional 2 3 by @royallyprincesslilly

😈I Got a Story to Tell by @stripper-patrick

Red Carpet Jitters by @deanssweetcherrypie

[jasons-exposedspine]

Prompt list

hey guys so my best friend and i made a long ass prompt list. the rules are that you can only pick a limit of five prompts and send them to me with a ship and OC of mine. like for example Reagan and Negan or Clem and Cas or Destiel or Willow and sam or Laylahni and Dean. i only write for supernatural and the walking dead. so get as creative as you want but i know no one will read this post so if you are reading this please send in a request i am really fucking desperate.

1: Hand holding

2: Hair playing

3: Lap sitting

4: “Friends”

5: Tickling

6: Dancing

7: Cuddling

8: Hugging

9: Character death 

10: Resurrection

11: Date

12: Valentines Day

13: Admitting their feelings

14: Piggy back ride

15: Swimming

16: Teleporting to a different place

17: Carrying the other

18: Sad

19: Comforting them

20: Making out

21: Pulling down by tie, bandana, etc and kissing them

22: Being protective

23: Dying for the other; sacrifice

24: Getting drunk

25: Snuggling

26: Wrapping their arms around the other from behind

27: Cheek kissing

28: Forehead kissing

29: First experience in the love department

30: Yelling at them for not being more careful

31: Showering/bathing together

32: Picnic

33: Cooking

34: Licking food off the other

35: Going on a hunt/run together.

36: Tracing their face

37: Wearing the other’s clothes

38: Braiding their hair

39: Teaching them about feelings

40: Teaching them other things (wink wink)

41: Argument

42: Comforting them after an anxiety/panic attack

43: making them happy when they are down

44: Calming them/sleeping with them after a nightmare

45: Putting their head on the other’s shoulder

46: Treating an injury/kissing their boo boos better

47: Food fight

48: Forehead touching

49: Nose touching

50: Guess who

51: Chin resting on top of head

52: Sleeping on the others’ chest

53: Intense eye contact

54: Being caught staring

55: Playing with their hands

56: Telling them what’s wrong

57: They have to leave to keep them safe

58: Break up

59: Getting back together

60: Pregnancy

61: Miscarriage

62: Normal Birth

63: Marriage

64: Fixing their clothes/hair

65: Driving together in a car

66: In the backseat (wink wink)

67: Snuggling In the backseat

68: Resting their hand on the other’s thigh

69: Sex

70: Watching movies together

71: Cinema

72: Height Difference

73: Annoying each other

74: Stargazing

75. Waking up to them

76. Shelter from the rain

77: ice cream

78: being rescued/saved

79: listening to music together

80: texting

81: falling asleep on the other

82: accidentally kiss

83: being badass together

84: lOsT iN tHe wOoDs!!

85: camping

86: spooning

87: huddling for warmth

88: first kiss

89: first meet

90: one looking schmexy and the other being attracted

91: lip biting

92: wearing the other’s accessories; glasses, jacket, tie, hat, etc.

93: annoying them at work/while they are trying to work

94: making stupid videos together

95: keeping their relationship a secret from other people

96: nearly revealing their relationship in front of other people

97: coming out (if it’s gay)

98: playing with a pet (if they have one). (if they don’t, some other animal)

99: They are forced to be enemies even though they love each other. This could be in a war or sided scenario. Usually a forbidden love. They could also be together in secret. Take Romeo and Juliet for example.

100: corona edition - quarantining together

101: luxurious holiday

102: stuck somewhere together, whether that be locked in a room or lost somewhere, etc.

103: beach

104: watching the other sleep/sneak up on them sleeping

105: backstory

106: childhood friends

107: au

108: crossover

109: SIMPing over them

110: love triangle

111: third wheel

112: having a dream about the other person

113: unbuttoning the other person’s shirt/taking the other person’s clothes off

114: hotel

115: board games/video games

116: chucking paint at each other

117: cheating

118: being annoying and stopping the other person from walking by sitting on their feet and holding onto their legs

119: secret admirer/love letters

120: making hearts with their hands

121: taking selfies

122: singing/playing a song for them

123: Falling asleep on them on a bus, train, plane, etc.

124: Growing old together

125: Widowed

126: Arranged marriage

127: Forbidden love

128: Sitting over the other’s dead body

129: being walked in on doing you know what

130: family’s reaction to the relationship

131: Living together

132: Having a family

133: Senpai/notice me senpai!

134: crush

135: showing off for their crush

136: rejection

137: first date (awkward)

138: first date (normal)

139: painting on each other (for a date night)

140: flirting

141: cringey pickup line

142: Pinning them against a wall

143: sneaking in bed with them when they’re asleep

144: laughing really hard together

145: Under the other’s wings

146: underwater kissing

147: accidentally fall on each other

148: only one bed

149: kissing their neck

150: being awkward around their crush

151: Rich couple

152: Playing in the rain

153: Summer

154: Autumn

155: Winter

156: Spring

157: Walk in the park

158: walking them home

159: Other people/characters also shipping them

160: The cute neighbour

161: putting their hand under the other person’s shirt

162: telling them a story/bedtime story. (If they have a child, that makes it even better!)

163: needy

164: clingy

165: intimate

166: touchy/fondling

167: putting their leg on the other person’s leg when sleeping

168: accidentally falling off the edge of the bed/accidentally pushing the other person off the edge of the bed

167: blanket hogging

168: freezing when they see their crush

169: running away/fleeing when they see their crush

170: surprising/scaring them

171: snow

172: watching fireworks

173: comforting them during a storm

174: divorce

175: homosexual (gay, lesbian, etc.)

176: heterosexual (straight)

177: poly (3+ people)

178: one of them getting an award or something and the other cheering them on and embarrassing them

179: somehow ending up with someone who is way out of their league

180: travelling together

181: weekend of romance

182: act like they hate them but they actually like them, switch between emotions frequently (tsundere)

183: will kill or harm others for their senpai (yandere)

184: ignoring the other person

185: one not messaging the other back

186: pash

187: enemies to lovers

188: friends to lovers

189: watching the other undress

190: soulmates

191: phone call

192: prom/dance

193: highschool

194: riding on bikes (usually as kids)

195: proposal

196: teasing the other

197: watching the sunset/sunrise

198: morning jog/walk

199: waking up but they’re not there

200: waking up to the other one making breakfast

201: sneaking into their house in the middle of the night

202: partners in crime

203: ex lovers

204: crushing on friend’s sibling

205: letting them stay the night

206: accidentally in love

207: coffee shop au

208: when their parents aren’t home...

209: sitting next to them with their arm around the their waist

210: telling secrets

211: fireplace

212: sitting on the floor

213: study buddies

214: flying

215: sitting on the porch

216: see the other naked for the first time

217: double date

218: their crush is upper class but they are lower class or vice versa. eg. rich vs poor, popular vs unpopular, higher social status vs lower social status.

219: One is mature and the other is childish

220: 2 brain cells/both idiots

221: lipstick stains

222: helping the other up

223: Deep conversation

224: meet at a bar/club/pub

225: asking them out

226: being teased by their friend(s) about their crush

227: telling their friend(s) about their crush

228: mistletoe

229: virgin/losing virginity

230: screaming into their chest

231: hand brushing against the other’s

232: soulmates walking past each other in public not yet knowing the other person but still getting some sort of gut feeling.

233: asking if they’re ok

234: handsome stranger

235: a description of the character’s features

236: their scent lingering

237: arriving at their doorstep

238: sleeping on the couch

239: hot night

240: cold night

241: sweaty

242: missing the other person

243: seeing them depart/saying their goodbyes (usually if they’re leaving for a trip for a while)

244: seeing them again for the first time (usually after they arrive back after a trip after not seeing them for a while)

245: looking back after departing

246: not even knowing their name/don’t remember them properly (usually falling in love with a stranger)

247: I kissed a girl (gay)

248: I kissed a boy (gay)

249: the person they like isn’t gay

250: husband energy

251: mum and dad energy

252: wife energy

253: liking a bad boy

254: liking a more mature boy

255: diving off cliffs/waterfalls

256: Comforting the other one when they’re scared

257: hushing them to sleep

258: singing them a lullaby

259: adopting

260: surrogate

261: painting their nails, pamper treatment, etc.

262: posing for photos

263: eating spaghetti together (Lady and the Tramp style)

264: being protective when someone starts SIMPing over their lover

265: holding them tight

266: swears they saw their ex in public but it wasn’t them...

267: sleepover

268: flirtatious bartender

269: helping them

270: stumbling over their words

271: walking in on them showering

272: looking them up and down/checking them out

273: being competitive/friendly rivals dynamic

274: meeting them through social media first

275: tinder/online dating

276: daydreaming about the other person

277: one of them is sick/in hospital

278: doing something embarrassing in front of their crush

279: horseback riding

280: hammock

281: boat

282: taking them to and showing them a place that is special to them

283: dirty jokes

284: making them laugh

285: getting into a fight with each other

286: protecting the other in a fight/from getting into a fight

287: masquerade ball

288: love spell/something or someone casting love spells on people aka Cupid

289: he/she loves me, he/she loves me not...

290: whispering in their ear

291: sitting on top of the car in a field

292: if a character wears some sort of mask/something that covers their mouth/face make the other character pull down/lift it up to kiss them

293: give each other pet names (baby, babe, honey, etc) (be as creative as you want)

294: biting the other’s lip when kissing

295: buying the other flowers/a gift

296: road trip

297: friendzoning

298: Gender Bend

299: saying “I love you” for the first time

300: toxic relationship (physical abuse, mental abuse, cheating constantly, don't love them anymore) be as creative as you want.

@negan-morningstar @savedpeople @you-a-southpaw-doll @smcc212 @gabrielislovegabrielislife @galaxycastiel @winchester-reload @impala-dreamer

[wondersbeyondcompare]

Some stuff

About Kodi and Majid’s parents that I was thinking about while making lunch the other day!  Really, this is just a poor attempt on expanding on the bois in general, but oh well! Thought it would be easier to put these thoughts in a separate post instead of adding to their profiles since this wasn’t directly relevant to them  (・・;)ゞ I guess?? dshgfjhdsf Honestly, I think this is more for me just so I can get some stuff straightened out. I’m pretty bad w/ consistency after all...

Majid’s Parents

EDIT (06/13/2021): Drew up some new headshots for Majid and Kodi’s parents! Hopefully they look a bit better than before!

Past me writing Majid’s bio: Yeah, keep the part about his parents vague;;; Idek what to do about that

Me on Monday rolling up some embutido for lunch: Hey, y’know what-

- Mother: Lara (won’t reveal her last name; when asked for it by Majid’s father, she jokingly suggested she take his last name instead) - Father: Kadir Ansari - Compared to Kodi’s parents, these 2 have much more info behind them b/c I have to explain both of their disappearances, so (・_・;) get comfy - Kadir---> Simple businessman in the Land of the Hot Sands; Made and sold jewelry for a living; Had a fairly small shop dedicated to his craft - Lara---> Runaway criminal from a land up north (if you ask me to clarify which country it is, I will cry;;; what does the Twst world even look like in the 1st place??)

 Didn’t kill anyone, but rather a string of robberies and prison escapes up her sleeve; had a large family that she had to provide for, unfortunately this landed her in a lot of trouble

- Lara snuck into Kadir’s place late at night by climbing in through his window

She was immediately asked to leave

Kadir eventually relented since she had nowhere to go/he already had a long day at work and didn’t want to argue

- Once Lara explained her situation to Kadir in the morning, she was asked to leave again.

After breakfast ofc

Use the shower if you want to, but don’t use up all the hot water

And he would give her some money and other basic necessities to use on the way, but (￣ヘ￣) that was it 

She really needed to go, tho; Kadir didn’t want to charged w/ harboring a criminal

- Lara begged to stay w/ Kadir, telling him in tears that she would do anything for him so long as he gave her a place to stay for the time being

Well... it wouldn’t hurt to have some extra help in his shop... and it would be heartless to kick a crying woman back on the streets, especially in broad daylight...

Fine. She can stay. But only for a little while, okay?

- When it comes to personality, Kadir is often seen as a serious man. He can become surprisingly raucous and joking w/ his friends and frequent customers, but otherwise, he was all business.

Has a fairly straightforward way of speaking; like Majid, he might come off as a little rude sometimes

His resting face makes him seem unapproachable at first, but he’s a pretty reliable guy

- Compared to Kadir, Lara has a more easygoing demeanor; fairly sly as well

Develops a habit of teasing Kadir once she warms up to him, either through her words or by constantly sticking close to him (this is probably where Majid got some of his clinginess from ngl); she wanted to see what exactly was behind that ever so serious facade

Kadir tries to brush her off most of the time, saying it’s not appropriate, especially in front of the customers; slowly becomes fond of it as time goes on

Tends to beat around the bush when she speaks; she won’t lie, but she won’t give you all the truth either

Oh! Yeah, and she’s pretty good at sleight of hand tricks too! :D These tricks seem to be a little more than just mere illusions at times, tho...

- Both of them are unbelievably stubborn (ah, yes, this trait comes from both sides of the family)

- They tend to butt heads a lot at the beginning; enemies to lovers 30k

- Speaking of tropes, these 2 probably become involved in a fake marriage thing so Kadir’s reputation doesn’t suffer when people see him bringing a strange woman into his house every night after work (*exchanging rings* “This doesn’t mean anything, okay? I just can’t have any more rumors.” “>:3c Okay, Habibi~” “... And don’t ever call me that in public, or I’ll pretend to not know you.”)

- It’s also a bit difficult for Lara to work at the shop at first

Kadir can be really picky when it comes to quality, and he certainly won’t lighten up on any of his wokers, regardless if they’re newbies or not

That and Lara can be heavy handed at times; knocking over display cases as she gestures to them and accidentally breaking parts of jewelry

I would love to say that she eventually gets the hand of everything, but :/ she really doesn’t; she’s entertaining to watch, though lol

- Once Kadir and Lara actually start falling for each other, they try to flirt in subtle ways, trying to get a reaction out of the other; or, at least, they think it’s subtle; oh gosh, their poor, poor coworkers ( ; ω ; )

- Lara might have had to wear some form of head covering/head scarf while working or out in public in general; her blonde hair and pale complexion makes her stick out like a sore thumb in a crowd, and she can’t risk getting recognized and taken back to jail again

- Majid... was an accident.

His parents were excited for his arrival nevertheless; Kadir would’ve bought a bunch of stuff beforehand like the worried father he was; Lara is happily spoiled w/ the amount of food she gets to eat during pregnancy (girl loves her food)

Once Majid was born, you bet he was coddled over; was often called Lara’s “little treasure”; Kadir was tempted to make Majid kind of like a mascot for his business, but decided that wasn’t professional (he really wanted to tho;;; thinks about it everytime he sees his son’s cute pudgy face)

- Lara was eventually caught and arrested; sent back to her home country for trial a few years after Majid had been born

Kadir leaves Majid w/ a trusted friend of his in order to attend Lara’s trial

He... doesn’t come back

The friend couldn’t afford to take care of Majid on his own, so he drops him off at an orphanage, promising to come back for the child once he had enough money to support them both

This man in particular works hard to set up his own appraisal/curio shop in the future and ohoho >:3c things are really coming together now

- Majid spent some time in the orphanage before escaping; he didn’t like how strictly everything was run

escaped enough times that the staff members soon gave up on him and let him roam free

surprisingly, no one (w/ a few exceptions) remembers baby Majid nor his parents; the Ansari jewelry shop was closed down and set up for lease the day Kadir disappeared; what happened in Lara’s trial was essentially a mystery, but perhaps the consequences of it could explain these odd events...

Kodi’s Parents

A bit shorter b/c these 2 literally had one (1) summer to themselves before creating the child, so there’s no slow burn here

- Mother: Colette Sepiama (Maiden name: Roussel; took father’s last name in remembrance of him)

- Father: Dimitri Sepiama 

- Co+Di= Codi (but, like, with a “K”)

- 1st meeting was a bit odd

- Colette was having a beach vacation, chilling as she collected seashells along the shore

And then some naked guy approached her, asking for help while sobbing his heart out

Didn’t want to find out what kind of “help” he needed, so she tried to power walk away, but he ended up tripping while following after her

Stared at the sad scene of a butt naked man crying into the wet sand for a couple of moments before wrapping him into a towel and paying a visit to the nearest souvenir store

He eventually calmed down enough to explain himself once he got the Hawaiian touristy shirt and khakis on (oh, gosh, now I’m getting Crowley flashbacks  (;;;*_*) make it stop-)

- Dimitri was part of a little “experiment” a friend of his was conducting, testing out various potions on him at any opportunity

Yea, they were a pretty messed up friend; at the very least, they made sure none of their potions would kill him outright

One of the potions gave him human legs (since he was a cuttlefish merman beforehand)

The trouble was: How does he turn back?

- They were the kind of couple who shares one braincell, spending the entire summer working together trying to figure out a solution to his predicament

Also, Colette lowkey thought Dimitri was lying about the whole cuttlefish merman thing, but since she thought he was kinda cute, she agreed to help him out

- I mentioned this before in Kodi’s profile, but I guess I’ll mention it again; Kodi’s pre-contract self was basically a male version of his mom

Basically, she was the type to always keep her emotions in check (well, it’s not as if she had a choice; she was awful at trying to show her emotions)

The type of person whose angry face and happy face were exactly the same

But she was kind enough and didn’t discriminate, even if the person she was dealing w/ claimed to be a mermaid from the deep sea

- In contrast to Colette, Dimitri is more like Kodi’s post-contract self

He cries;;; a lot

He’s just in a new and frightening situation, okay??  (╥﹏╥) And his human body was significantly shorter than his merman body, so everything is gigantic to the now smol boi; he often follows behind Colette because, even tho she’s taller than him, he finds her reassuring

Colette finds his personality cute; she likes being relied upon

- ahsghj I can imagine these 2 going on library dates, flipping through books and maybe falling asleep at some point as the setting sun casts an amber glow over them through the dusty windows, and it’s honestly the cutest thing

- Also, neither of them have magical abilities, but Colette’s grandmother did; it basically skipped a generation

This is why Kodi’s magic is weaker than others’, but he works hard to improve himself

- At the end of the summer, Dimitri is turned back

Turns out the potion only lasts for a certain amount of time :/ wow

They probably had some sort of tearful parting at the beach, w/ this time Colette breaking into tears instead of Dimitri

- Couple weeks after the vacation :D Colette finds out she’s pregnant

Realizes her relatives probably wouldn’t believe her if she told them the truth, so she fabricated a story about a simple meeting w/ a cute guy on vacation she hooked up with

I mean, she wasn’t technically lying about that

Bonus! Berenice’s Parents

A perfectly normal, perfectly boring family

- Cassidy is on the left and Argos is on the right!

- Since Berenice was based off the spirits in the whirlpool as well as the river Styx itself/herself, I searched up the parents of the goddess aaanndd

- Kind of?? Based them off Tethys and Oceanus??? Tho they are both of fairy descent; Cassidy is half and so is Argos, so maybe (´･_･`) that would work out? In terms of making a child of their own??? I didn’t want to go against the set fairy lore in stuff like Pixie Hollow, so-

- I always covered the tops of Berenice’s ears to avoid raising any suspicion of her true background, but, yea, they are slightly pointed as well. Much smaller than her parents, maybe abnormally so, but they are there (side note: if you saw me accidentally draw berenice w/ human ears (*⁰▿⁰*) no you didnt)

- They lived with Berenice in an area just outside of the Valley of Thorns called the Land of Lotuses, so there was a large fairy population here too.

- As such, Berenice never thought to question if the life she was living was considered “normal” in the eyes of outsiders. So you’ll often hear her describe her past life as boring and ordinary, both to make a person lose interest and just b/c she truly thought she lived such a life.

- I described Berenice as being an only child, but I never go into detail on what happened with her family after she died 🧐 Did she perhaps unknowingly gain another sibling? Or two? Or three???

- lol wait I just remembered I described them as getting up there in age. Maybe in human standards they were, but they were still considered like??? Middle aged??? When it came to fairies???

- They had no prominent influence in the Valley of Thorns nor in the Land of Lotuses, but they were both considered a respectable people involved in an overseas trade business when living in their old coastal town.

- Both settled down in the Land of Lotuses to raise Berenice and also to hide away from a scandal that ended up bankrupting their company but shshhhh

[boricuamermaid]

marisa & rj’s rom recs / winter edition

a few months ago marisa @liambaeyne and i started a little, two-person book club of sorts. we started reading the same books--the majority, if not all, featuring women of color as the main characters--and talking about them via literally any outlet we could find (texts, tumblr posts, messages). we went back and forth giving each other recommendations and opening each other up to new sub-genres within the romance genre. basically, this little book club has been one of the best things about this year and we wanted to share that happiness with y’all.

content warning: most of these books are pretty steamy and contain explicit sex scenes.

legend

C - contemporary romance

H - historical romance

YA - young adult

Italics - Rj’s favorites

Bold - Marisa’s favorites

Both - both of our favorites

Books Marisa & I Have/Are Reading

Insert Groom Here by K.M. Jackson - C; a scandal triggers a Bachelorette-esque reality tv show

To Me I Wed by K.M. Jackson - C; event planner and restaurant owner try to keep things light as she makes plans to marry herself, but things keep getting more and more intense

The Betting Vow by K.M. Jackson - C; a model-turned-actress wants to be taken seriously, a tv producer just wants the model-turned-actress

Love On My Mind by Tracey Livesay - C; ceo of a tech company, pr executive, and a lie on a mountaintop

Along Came Love by Tracey Livesay - C; pregnancy, jail, and what happens when someone has a family for the first time

Love Will Always Remember by Tracey Livesay - C; two brothers, amnesia, and more secrets than they know what to do with

Take the Lead by Alexis Daria - C; an alaskan survivalist and a city girl get paired up for a dance competition

Acting On Impulse by Mia Sosa - C; personal trainer trying to forget her high profile ex and an actor trying to avoid detection in aruba

Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins - H; Set during the Reconstruction Era. Eddy Carmichael sets off on an adventure to start her own restaurant in California, but the adventure is temporarily derailed in the middle of the Nevada desert when her life is saved by Rhine Fontaine, a successful man living his life passing for White. As a connection builds between them, the racial divide implied by the different colors of their skin and the life Rhine’s built for himself become threatened...and both must decide if the reward is worth the risk.

Breathless by Beverly Jenkins - H; RJ has gotten me into historical romances now and Beverly Jenkins knows where it’s at. Breathless follows the eldest niece of Eddy and Rhine from Forbidden, Portia Carmichael, a determined bookkeeper who is avoiding suitors like her life depends on it because her entrepreneur dreams leave her with no plans to marry. But suddenly, her life becomes reacquainted with an old friend of Rhine’s, former bartender/medical-student-turned-cowboy, Kenton Randolph, and well...the best laid plans...

Talk Sweetly to Me by Courtney Milan - H; shy mathematician meets scandal waiting to happen

Rj’s Read and Rec

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole - H; Civil War, spies, and forbidden love

Agnes Moor’s Wild Knight by Alyssa Cole - H; 1490s, tournament where the prize is a kiss

Daughters of a Nation: A Black Suffragette Historical Romance Anthology by Lena Hart, Piper Huguley, Kianna Alexander, and Alyssa Cole - H; four very different stories set between 1861 and 1917; long-lost loves, strikes, carpenters, and cabarets

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before series by Jenny Han - YA; a sixteen-year-old writes love letters that she never expected anyone to send

The Weight of Feathers by Anne-Marie McLemore - YA; rival families, mermaids, birds in the queen of ya magical realism’s first book with the most beautiful prose i’ve ever read

Rj’s TBR

Dance With Me by Alexis Daria - C; book two in the Dance Off series

Hamilton’s Battalion by Rose Lerner, Courtney Milan, and Alyssa Cole - H

A Summer for Scandal by Lydia San Andres - H

When the Moon Was Ours by Anne-Marie McLemore - YA

Rj’s Preorders

A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole - C; “...the tale of a city Cinderella and her Prince Charming in disguise.” #sold

A Hope Divided by Alyssa Cole - H; book two in her Loyal League series

Books 4, 5, 6, and 8 of The Worth Saga by Courtney Milan - H; even though they’re not up for preorder yet but because I know myself: they’re regency romances with woc leads and i love Courtney’s books (obv)

Tempest by Beverly Jenkins - H; the third book in Rhine’s series

Pretending He’s Mine by Mia Sosa - C; the second book in Mia’s Love on Cue series. I just saw Marisa said there’s “faked masturbation for reconnaissance” + the fake dating and i, too, am sold.

Marisa’s Read and Rec

Hate to Want You by Alisha Rai - C; Childhood lovers Nicholas Chandler and Livvy Kane, who carry on a once-a-year affair until the one year they don’t, are reunited when she unexpectedly returns to town. Throw in unresolved feelings, business affairs, and a colorful history that’s driven two families apart and you’ve got the beginning of an intriguing three-book series (the ‘Forbidden Hearts’ series). What I found myself most mesmerized with was the history between the Kane and Chandler families and there are still so many questions I have that I can’t wait to have answered in the two following novels.

Wrong to Need You by Alisha Rai - C; In the second book in Alisha Rai’s ‘Forbidden Hearts’ series, Jackson Kane, Livvy’s twin brother, returns to town after spending years running from the shadows of his past. It’s a quick trip, just to look in on Livvy—or so he tells himself, in denial of another reason worth returning: Sadia Ahmed, his childhood best friend, whose emails to him have gone unanswered for years. Sadia, who he’s been in love with since they were teenagers...who is also his brother Paul’s widow. Sadia, a single mother now, struggles to keep the café that’s been in the Kane family for decades afloat, and when Jackson returns unexpectedly and offers to help after the departure of her cook, Sadia is reluctant to agree. But with her hands full juggling two jobs and her son, Kareem, she needs the help, and despite the hurt and anger she feels, she needs Jackson more than she’s ready to admit. The second novel in this series is my favorite thus far—we dive deeper into the secrets bottled up between the Chandlers and the Kanes, and passion builds through the recount of history and reconnection between two friends who probably always should’ve been more. The history between the Kanes and the Chandlers remains as intriguing as ever even after this second novel, and I can’t wait for the final book in the series!

Vivid by Beverly Jenkins - H; Nate Grayson’s life is thrown off-course when the new doctor coming to set up practice in his little Michigan town, Dr. V. Lancaster, whom he assumes to be a man, turns out to be Dr. Viveca Lancaster—a woman. This book was so! good! Start to finish, a solid read with really great characters. Viveca—Vivid, to her family—had me rooting for her from the very start. Spirited and challenging and unwilling to bend to the ignorance of men who think only men should be doctors (Nate Grayson included), Vivid keeps Nate and the folks of Grayson Grove on their toes as she works to prove herself as a doctor...and comes to share more with Nate Grayson that either of them anticipates.

Jewel by Beverly Jenkins - H; We return to Grayson Grove, this time the focus on Eli Grayson, Nate’s cousin. Eli, a man of the news, finds himself with the great opportunity to get his newspaper up and running again, only there’s a small caveat—the man offering him the chance only sinks his faith into men who are married. Eli, unmarried and a known lothario (“The Colored Casanova of Cass County,” he’s been called) with a past he’s not necessarily proud of, thinks quick on his feet and asks a favor of Jewel Crowley—to pose as his wife! Add a fake marriage (or is it fake?) and throw in some mystery and murder as an old and unwanted face blows back into town, and you’ve got a novel I couldn’t help but breeze through.

Marisa’s TBR

Between a Rock and a Hot Mess by Phyllis Bourne - C

Dance With Me by Alexis Daria - C; the second in the Dance Off series. RJ and I both read the first book in this series and LOVED it, so I immediately preordered the second after finishing the first (and if I recall, she messaged me saying she basically did the same thing).

Marisa’s Preorders

Hurts to Love You by Alisha Rai - C; the third book in the Forbidden Hearts series

Pretending He’s Mine by Mia Sosa - C; the second book in Mia’s Love on Cue series. I read the preview as well as the book description and there’s fake dating and faked masturbation for reconnaissance involved, and I was sold.

Tempest by Beverly Jenkins - H; the third book in Rhine’s series

[idthellyeah-blog]

How I Lost My Virginity

(Originally written in 2009. This was definitely in my phase of oversharing and wildly exaggerating about my sex life, which most young comics go through for their first few years. I did a few edits, but this is the tale, of how I first had sex with another human. I definitely read this and some of my other weird open letters on stage at a show where Tim Kasher from rock and roll band Cursive agreed to play the mandolin with me. Pretty sure he regretted that choice but the evidence may or may not still live on Youtube. Enjoy!)

   The Summer of 1996…the Olympics were taking place in Atlanta, Georgia….the Nintendo 64 was released in Japan…Princess Diana and Prince Charles signed their divorce papers…and the Spice Girls were tearing up the charts…but this is not the story of boring sports no one cares about in a state full of backwards redneck Christians, awesome video game systems that would control my life (fuck yes Ocarina of Time), ugly people with bad teeth falling out of love, or the greatest song writers of our generation….this is the story of a young future entertainer and raconteur finally making love to a woman.  This story is about me, as all stories should be…and how my grandiose sexually misadventurous lifestyle began.  This is Issue # 0 of my sex life, or how I lost my virginity. When I was 15, I was not the charismatic force of nature you see before you now…no.  I was a skinny young man with bad skin, a gigantic head, and hot pink hair.  I was a punk rocker in a small Nebraskan town where having stupid hair and listening to Green Day was super cool.  I thought I was rebellious and avant garde…unfortunately for me the majority of 15 year old small town Nebraskan girls thought I was a homosexual weirdo.  They were half right…  This, however, made losing my virginity a truly daunting and frustrating task.

   Back in those days I did not have the experience, the knowledge of women’s fragile psyches, the self loathing, and the manipulative state of mind needed to sleep with women who hated me as a person…all I had was the passion, the belief in myself that I no longer have, and a raging 15 year old boner.  Since I discovered masturbating two summers prior by watching scrambled pay-per-view pornography, I knew that I had finally found, as every red blooded male had done before me, my calling in life.  Irresponsible sexual intercourse. Up until that Summer I had a very tenuous grasp of sex and foreplay.  All of the fake pillow humping “self-discovery” was driving me insane.  In 7th grade I was convinced that the blow jobs my girlfriend was giving me in her parents’ creepy basement while watching Forrest Gump were making my penis bigger.  In 6th grade I had to jump out of a girl’s window when her terrifying step father came home while we were engaging in what gentlemen refer to as “fingering”…the resulting phone call between our parents was truly hilarious.  All of this led up to one of the most glorious years of my life…8th Grade.  Middle School girls liked young men who dressed and acted differently…I would later learn much to my increasing teenage depression and angst that High School girls did not ...at all, they were terrible….but 8th Grade was my personal Renaissance. 

  Earlier in the year I dated my dream girl, who was far too pretty and popular to be messing around with a dick like me.  She had rejected me until my band, The Neutered Chickens (yes I was in a band called The Neutered Chickens, it was PUNK) played the school dance…and the second we were done playing the worst music ever created, she asked me out and we proceeded to do the kind of 8th Grade Dance “dancing” that dry hump fans across the globe would have been jealous of.  She dumped me about a month later because I was obsessed with grabbing her boobs.  Nevertheless, I was doing well and “dating” lots of girls…but had yet figured out how to get them to “go all the way”.  I tried rubbing my penis on their jeans…no dice.  I tried saying “Hey, we should do it”…no go.  I even tried using peer pressure, every teenage girl’s downfall…no way.  I was beginning to think it would never happen, until I discovered….girls that went to private school. Private school….the breeding grounds of the biggest dickheads I’ve ever met in my life…and the biggest babesI’d ever have the pleasure of dealing with.  Catholic God bless it.  I’d finally found my salvation.  Her name isn’t important…what was important was that this girl liked me…and she had already “done it”.  This was considered a John Stockton lay up in the teenage sexual NBA. I was in.  We made a solid profession of going to third base in my best friend’s basement/band practice space when we decided it was time to bang it out, teenage style.  My parents were not divorced and actively cared about me and my life…so my house was out of the question.  Fortunately for us, her parents had split up and were in the process of giving her the kind of mental issues that would benefit horny dudes for years to come…so her house it was.  Tries 1 through 5 resulted in what I like to call “Pre-Emptive Strikes”…I think we all know what that means.  Back in those days it nary took a pretty smile and a dry hand job to get this dude off.  These days it takes an extremely elaborate series of visual, audio, and hardcore fucking to get me remotely close to an orgasm….ask anyone, its awful.  So there we were…two frustrated teenagers who just wanted to have terrible protected sex.  That is, until the night we were in a public park drunk off of Two Dog’s lemonade flavored beer.  I had found my Excalibur, my life compass…alcohol.   

  Alcohol would not only make existence bearable throughout my life…but it would make sex easier and more enjoyable.  I was in love….with the alcohol. So here it was…the first time I would finally have sex….laying on top of a girl in some trees in a public park.  Me, wearing a sweet Screeching Weasel shirt…her, wearing whatever because I don't remember those type of details.  I clumsily put the boner killing condom on and it happened…………….the most intense minute of my life.  I had finally done it.  I was so proud of myself and overjoyed.  I wanted to climb a mountain and shout to the world…I wanted to sing at the top of my lungs…I wanted to slap a basketball out of a smaller child’s hands and call him a dork.  She had the same look on her face that I would see on every single woman I would ever sleep with.  Slightly amused disappointment.  We dated for a while until I moved onto other things.  I'm assuming that she grew up and became an adult. She more than likely settled down and had kids….I’m not sure, we are not Facebook friends.  So that’s the story, dear reader/listener.  The beginning of what would become the epic, if not interesting, waste of time that is my sex life.  I still maintain a record of being responsible for zero pregnancy scares and for having zero STD’s (editor's note: you totally got Chlamydia like four years after writing this)…and I will take that to my grave. Love,  Ian Douglas Terry

[atruththatyoudeny]

Monthly Reads | August 2017

OMG! August was such a good month - I’ve read lots of amazing fics! Please make sure to also check out the fics under the cut! ❤ THANK YOU TO ALL WRITERS FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND FOR SHARING YOUR STORIES! ❤ Top 5 6 + 11 more under the cut:

Pray for some sweet simplicity

by delsicle | a/b/o | enemies to lovers | 237k Louis is the only omega to ever make it in the cut-throat world of competitive motorcycle racing—that is, he would be if anyone actually knew about his identity. Now, his sights are set towards competing in—and winning—the European Grand Prix, the biggest and most difficult race of the entire year, so he can disappear underground for good. He’s close enough, too, until an alpha sports journalist is assigned to follow Louis’s every move as he prepares for the event of his career. Or, an AU where motorcycle racing is the biggest sport in a heavily divided world, Louis is trying to take control of his own destiny, and Harry is in for more than he bargained for.

[*edited*]

Chasing Empty Spaces

by domesticharry | historical AU | 1930s | 79k The year is 1934 and Harry Styles was to inherent the largest tobacco firm in the south. His parents have picked out the “perfect” girl for him to marry and he has the privilege of receiving the highest education possible. The problem was, Harry hadn’t realized he didn’t actually want any part of that future until he met a mechanic named, Louis Tomlinson.

We’ll Be Seamless

by dinosaursmate for HL Fic Fest (2017) | Tumblr AU | pining | exhibitionism | voyeurism | 52k Green reblogged an old photo of himself. It was from back in October, a Halloween special. A pulse shot all the way through Louis because this photo was his absolute favourite, and it had taken the rest of the year for him to wean himself off of it. Green was on his knees, arms stretched out in front of him with his fingertips digging into the surface of his bed. He was wearing a pair of cat ears on his head, his curls falling forward. His back was arched, and in the foreground of the picture, Green’s bum was high in the air, a long, black cat tail sitting neatly between his cheeks. — Louis spends all his spare time scrolling arty nude blogs on Tumblr but amongst them all, Green is his favourite.

Given a Chance

by Fabby | Future Fic | canon compliant | slow burn | coming back together | anxiety attacks| 173k Five years after One Direction took their last tour, the last thing Louis Tomlinson ever expected to happen while on a tea run at the local Piggly Wiggly was to run into his ex-boyfriend and ex-bandmate Harry Styles. The odds of them ever running into each other again had to be super slim, right? Wrong. What happens when you mix ex-boyfriends with a large serving of Small Town America? Will Louis and Harry be able to set aside their differences, or will Louis be able to stay breezy as fuck in the wake of Harry’s arrival? (or, the one where Louis and Harry run into each other five years after One Direction ends and learn how to love each other again. Featuring: Reggie as the overweight labrador, Niall as Louis’ last grip on reality, and Nowheresville, North Carolina as the setting for Louis’ worst nightmare to come true.)

No sooner loved (series)

by benzos 1| As the winter to foul weather Trans character | mpreg | abortion | hurt/comfort | 45k AU. An unplanned pregnancy throws a spanner into Harry and Louis’ relationship. It wasn’t supposed to go like this. 2| You and you are sure together Trans character | eating disorder | hurt/comfort | 48k AU. The first day of fall term, Louis hits one of his residents in the face with a door. Later that day, said resident seeks refuge after a fight with his roommate. It becomes a thing. And then it becomes something else. 3| Baby, i’m speeding, and red lights are run pwp | 7k Louis really would’ve liked to just order the damn thing off the internet, but Harry insists that anything going inside your body ought to be thoroughly researched, which, apparently, mandates going to a sex shop. Knowing how ludicrously uncomfortable Louis is with the whole thing, Harry devises the ingenious solution of bringing Eleanor along and having her pose as Harry’s girlfriend who’s interested in trying out pegging, with Louis tagging along as a supportive best mate. It’s not Harry’s worst plan to date, but it’s somewhere in that range.

Under me, you

by hazzafrazza | friends to lovers | superheroes | 12 k You Won’t Believe Who Was Spotted Leaving Harry Styles’ Primrose Hill Pad! If Harry was being completely honest, it probably wasn’t the best idea to be a world-renowned popstar and an infamous vigilante. (Especially when all the comic books said never reveal your secret identity to keep your loved ones safe – which was all well and good, until Louis.) Or: Harry wants a lot of things – fame, glory, Louis – but that last one is particularly hard to get when everyone thinks you’re dating your secret superhero alter-ego and suddenly you’ve become your own worst cockblock.

Such Good Luck

by casuallyhl for HL Mpreg Fic Exchange | Historical AU | 1910s | mpreg | secret relationship | class difference | 66k Louis smiles at Harry’s words, leaning into his touch. “Tell me again.” Smiling, Harry takes Louis into his arms. Pressing gentle kisses to his face, Harry murmurs, “In six months’ time, I will have my twenty-fifth birthday. On that day, my portion of the inheritance will become legally mine. And I plan that very day to announce to my family that I have found love.” Harry chuckles as he runs his lips lightly along Louis’ cheekbone. “That, in fact, I found love when I was twenty-one years old, and that I have loved and been loved every day since.” Or, an Edwardian AU where Harry is a young aristocratic lord and Louis is a working class dairy farmer. Secrets are a necessary part of their relationship, but Louis has one that could topple their whole world.

What A Life I’d Have Missed

by harioandlouigi for HL Mpreg Fic Exchange | mpreg | established relationship | 27k It all started with a prank, tears, and guilt. Louis has been pranking Harry since the day they met. Now, seven years later, Harry has finally come up with the perfect plan to prank his husband back. He has a borrowed positive pregnancy test in front of him, he’s perfected his facial expression, and he’s dead sure Louis will fall for it. He doesn’t exactly get the panicked reaction he expected, though. As a matter of fact, nothing ever seems to turn out the way he expects it to, but that’s for the best, really. Or, the one where an insensitive joke soon becomes a very real, happy pregnancy.

Small Doses (Loving You It’s Explosive)

by Anonymous for HL Summer Exchange 2017 | personal trainer Harry | boxing | dom/sub undertones | 38k Louis Tomlinson finds himself at Vitality Fitness to try and turn his life around after having left his cheating boyfriend of four years. The gym’s owner, Liam, quickly becomes a good friend, but his right hand man is rude and dismissive from the get-go. Louis and Harry continue to clash all while Harry is trying to move his way up the ranks in Manchester’s amateur boxing circuit, but they can’t seem to stay away from each other.

Sound Like a Song

by allwaswell16 for HL Fic Fest (2017) | 14k In high school, Louis Tomlinson lit up Harry’s world like nobody else, even if Harry did most of his pining from the safety of his tightly knit circle of friends. Ten years later, Harry is ready to make some changes. He’s tired of having so many regrets and not taking charge of his life, and he still hasn’t forgotten how brightly Louis shines. He’s about to get a long awaited second chance. Or the one where Harry helps out at a farmer’s market and gives Louis free vegetables.

Take Me Back to Where We Started

by amory | exes to lovers | famous/non-famous | 27k Harry and Louis haven’t spoken since they broke up four years ago. As boarding school sweethearts they once spent every waking moment together, but now they can hardly stand to be in the same room. When their five year class reunion comes around, both boys decide against their better judgement to return and (hopefully) have a good time. The only problem is, they’re both still hopelessly in love. Starring Harry as the petty ex, Louis as the new James Bond, Niall as a boy genius and fake boyfriend extraordinaire, and Liam and Zayn as two friends just trying to make it out of this weekend alive.

Tightrope

by Anonymous for HL Mpreg Fic Exchange | mpreg | exes | friends to lovers | 33k Louis knows he and Harry are going to be together for the rest of their lives and one day they were going to get married and have three point five children, a dog, and two cats. But life hasn’t matched up perfectly yet and that time is not now. So they are both happy to be best friends and casually date other people until life decides they really should get their shit together. aka Louis gets pregnant from “one last time” sex and he and Harry somehow think they’ll be able co-parent without it being weird for anyone (most especially their new boyfriends).

Souls; Plural, Parallel

by Anonymous for HL Mpreg Fic Exchange | mpreg | soulmates | 19k Soulmates are rare, the sort of rare that means everyone has a story about a friend’s sister’s coworker or a brother’s roommate’s cousin. But the fact of the matter is that most people never meet theirs. It’s unfortunate then, that Louis finds out the hard way that he met his soulmate in a club, and the guy never texted him back.

Friend Request

by Anonymous for HL Summer Exchange 2017 | 11k This was written for Kassio as a pinch hit for the HL Summer Exchange, from the prompt: “ Louis is bored on Facebook and in the “People you may know” suggestions, he sees the name Harry Styles. The profile picture doesn’t show the person. He thinks it’s an old family friend who he misses – maybe a middle-aged or elderly former neighbor or babysitter who he was fond of as a child - and sends a friend request. Turns out it’s not old man Harry from their old neighborhood, it’s hot young Harry (who he’s never met before) who accepts his friend request…”

If the Surface Begs You Home

by Anonymous for HL Mpreg Fic Exchange | mpreg | mermaid!Harry | 17k Harry is a mermaid from the underwater kingdom of Mercadia who is a little too fascinated by life above the surface. He’s kicked out of his home after he winds up pregnant, and has to figure out how to make his way in the world. Louis is the darling of the small neighbouring seaside village who came home after university to take over their local library, and can’t seem to stay away from the mysterious pregnant mermaid his friends introduce him to.

Out of the blue corner

by fallingaway | boxing | slow burn 85k Louis is a boxer banned because of doping. Harry is a journalist following the story. * * * “It seemed like a normal morning, but he had a feeling it was the quiet before the storm. And by storm, he meant getting involved in Louis Tomlinson’s life.”

[recentnews18-blog]

New Post has been published on https://shovelnews.com/11-new-films-coming-to-netflix-in-august-that-are-brilliantly-weird-iconic/

11 New Films Coming To Netflix In August That Are Brilliantly Weird & Iconic

With this insane heatwave still blazing, there is a lot to be said for staying in the cooler and more shady safety of your own home. It’s gotten so hot that literally nobody would judge you for staying inside in your pants watching telly (and nor should they ever judge you for that). But maybe you have already rinsed your Netflix account? Well, if you have, good news is that there are lots of new films coming to Netflix this August Thank goodness, I hear y’all squeal.

I’m pleased to report that Netflix has its usual blend of classics, oldies, newbies, guilty pleasures, and ones you could watch a thousand times over on the menu. This means that I for one will be one happy (if incredibly sweaty) bunny this August. Who’s with me?

Oh. Did someone say stick your phone on do not disturb and get some very much needed you time? Yep, it was me. Do it immediately because the latest selection of cinematic delights is going to make sure that this August is going to be pretty awesome for nights in. So all you need now is some extra cold drinks, a fan, a TV/laptop/tablet, and some peace and quiet to get down with the movies.

Here are my top picks of the new films coming to Netflix in August. Enjoy.

1‘Pride And Prejudice’

Movieclips Classic Trailers on YouTube

This film version of arguably Jane Austen’s best known novel was a mega hit when it came out in 2005. Keira Knightley plays an uber independent, intelligent, and sassy Elizabeth Bennet. Lots of lovely costumes and beautiful scenery takes you away to a time when it wasn’t how many insta likes you had that mattered. Instead, it was a time when women were expected to mind their Ps and Qs, but our Lizzie just did what the eff she wanted. What she wanted is of course was a certain Mr Darcy who is super conveniently rich, so all’s well that ends well.

This story just never gets old and this version is so great and makes you feel all sappy and gross but you know you love it.

2‘Bridget Jones’s Baby’

Universal Pictures on YouTube

The third instalment in the Bridget Jones series sees cute as pie, lovable twit, and huge pants wearing Jones going onto the next phase of her life; motherhood. Gulp.

With a love life as torrid as can be and a seemingly endless supply of ridiculously handsome suitors at her disposal, our Bridge isn’t doing too badly now is she? However, when two romantic dalliances occur within close proximity of each other and a pregnancy test proves positive, the race is on to find out who her baby daddy is. The race is also on to see if her and her very own Darcy (hello Pride And Prejudice) end up happily ever after.

3‘Meet The Blacks’

Movieclips Trailers on YouTube

Meet The Blacks is a parody comedy about a dystopian America, where an annual 12 hours of complete lawlessness takes place.

It is the story of the blacks, an African American family who have fled a life of crime in Chicago to a largely white neighbourhood in Beverly Hills. Unfortunately they move just in time for the annual purge and their house is invaded by several masked assailants.

Lots of hilarity ensues in this dark comedy, that hits the guilty pleasure quota 100 percent.

4‘Ouija’

Movieclips Trailers on YouTube

Feel like scaring the bejesus out of yourself this summer? Well you’re in luck.

Ouija tells the story of a young gal who finds a ouija board in her house and does the right thing and chooses to play with it with her mates on Halloween. Nice one, mate. Eye roll.

It’s super jumpy and will have you covering your eyes but also, like any good horror film, leave you wondering why these people are so flipping dumb.

5‘Last Vegas’

Movieclips Trailers on YouTube

Four legends of the silver screen come together for this film about four older men having a bit of a youth renaissance. Starring Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Robert De Niro, and Kevin Kline, the lads plan an outrageous stag do for Douglas’ character Billy ahead of his marriage to a woman half his age.

The film features them as young guys too, with genius edits to them as children throughout the film which is super charming.

Think The Hangover meets Grumpy Old Men and you got it.

6‘Selfie From Hell’

New Trailer Buzz on YouTube

Another creepy AF film, this movie sounds super silly and guess what, maybe the concept is, but this movie knows that and does a great job of being silly but pillow-grabbingly terrifying too.

The idea is a bit sort of like The Ring in that it is relating to a craze which people are warned not to do, but do anyway because people in horror films are so dumb I can’t even.

This film is based on a two minute Youtube video that went viral and will literally leave you with chills.

I’ve said too much already.

7‘Bad Moms’

STX Entertainment on YouTube

Bad Moms is basically the antidote to all those laugh out loud funny films about guys having a wild time. This movie sees mums getting to go and be wild as well.

This film shows the ridiculous pressures a lot of mums are under to be perfect and make sure everything their children do and digest is exactly right. When three mums crack, the craic ensues.

Lots of shots being imbibed and really fun parties that you kind of wish you were at, as well as a perfect self-righteous mum played by Christina Applegate means this is one for us gals.

8‘The Secret Life Of Pets’

Illumination on YouTube

Who doesn’t love computer animated films? And who doesn’t love pets? Bingo; this film ticks both boxes. One to watch with your pets because let’s be honest, they are the best movie dates.

The Secret Life Of Pets is one of those heart-warming, funny films that will actually leave you wondering what your pets are up to while you’re out and about.

Starring an insane number of mega stars including Lake Bell, Ellie Kemper, Steve Coogan, and SNL alums Dana Carvey and Jenny Slate, this one will have you rolling on the floor laughing but also looking suspiciously at your pets for days.

9‘Public Schooled’

TRAILER CITY on YouTube

Made in Canada, this movie is the story of a home schooled teenage boy who sees what actual high school is like after visiting one for an exam. He spies a girl who he really fancies and in that moment, chooses to flunk his exam so he can get into her school and get the girl.

Judy Greer gets well deserved pride of place in this film about an over protective mother struggling to let go of her son but also encouraging him to rebel, with her guidance and support.

It is super funny, heart-warming, and will have you laughing and saying “aww” in equal measure.

10‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’

Movieclips Classic Trailers on YouTube

Movie classic and one you could watch over and over, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is about the adventures of a flying car brought back to life by the wonderfully eccentric widowed inventor Caractacus Potts after his children Jemima and Jeremy beg him to.

Starring Dick Van Dyke, this family fave is up there with Mary Poppins in terms of classic status. Special note for the still incredibly creepy bad guy, The Child Snatcher, who still makes my skin crawl.

11‘The Party’

Madman Films on YouTube

It’s not often you see a modern film made entirely in black and white but this cinematic treat is everything you want from a British comedy.

It tells the story of a politician, promoted within his party who reveals an enormous secret to close friends who have gathered to celebrate his nod.

Hilarity ensues in this black comedy with each character revealing shocking truths and the party turning into an hilarious disaster.

A must see for fans of dark British humour, starring an array of acting legends including the very dishy Cillian Murphy and British legend Timothy Spall.

With options like this, I can’t wait for July to end so I can get down to ingesting some brilliant films. Thanks Netflix. We love you.

Source: https://www.bustle.com/p/11-new-films-coming-to-netflix-in-august-that-are-brilliantly-weird-iconic-9891556