#i should prolly start a tag for this series huh

[scalpel-mom-mori]

Writertober Day 14: Alone

A lavish kingdom of despair, and its king

Or, Sigma, and Fyodor shows up to hit on him.

For the record, I did not ask Fyodor to show up and hit on Sigma. He just did.

Manga spoilers, no warnings

Sigma was well-acquainted with despair. He’s known nothing but the Sky Casino, and by extension, human despair. Casinos, for all their luxury, all their decadence tended to be sinkholes of despair. His office was little more than a throne room exalted by the crushing of the human spirit.

Gambling was like that. It was interesting, to leave someone like him in charge of this lavish hell. But then again, maybe it wasn’t.

He was the King of chance, a product of fair fortune, wasn’t he? To be found as he was, and given a place to exist. A place to care for.

Though, yes. This kingdom was bittersweet. Lovely and lavish, luxurious and elite, home, one that Sigma loved, but for all he served this beautiful place, he nurtured in equal part despair.

How many people had Sigma watched gamble their lives away? More than he knew. More than he could count.

Despair kept the books balanced and the casino aloft.

Was he, then, at fault- in part or in whole- for the lives wasted here? For the souls wasting away in these red-velvet halls?

There was only one sinner he knew to hold a candle to himself if this is the case. A sinner, a god. A god of sin? Perhaps the devil himself. At any rate, he appeared today, in the doorway to Sigma’s throne room. “Doing well, then? I knew you would.”

He wore, as he always did, his usual furs, despite the comparatively climate moderate in Japan. “Fine, thanks to you,” Sigma replied, putting aside his pen, waved him to the seat across the desk. “Tea?”

“If you would kindly.”

Dostoyevsky, as he always did, gave Sigma the distinct impression that the former knew something and wasn’t telling. And that he was very smug over the fact. Still, Sigma paged the wait staff. Dostoyevsky was only half a stranger, and only because he never played the tables.

Dostoyevsky gave Sigma a half smile through a veil of steam. “You’re so good to me.”

[hornsbeforehalos]

Whiskey, Sweetheart: Part 16

Pairing: Past Norman Reedus x OFC, Past JDM x OFC Warnings: RPF, Smut, Language, Breif Violence, Jealousy, Angst, Older man/Younger Woman.

Series Masterlist

Summary: After Jeffrey’s neglect pushed her away and into the arms of his best friend, Norman and Ky have to figure out if their new relationship can withstand not only the aftermath of the unspeakable crime they commited to keep her safe, but the backlash that comes from being co-workers with a very betrayed Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

A/n: This is the Sequel to Anytime, Sweetheart and The Conquests of Norman Reedus. You’ll probably be a bit confused if you haven’t read Conquests yet, though, or at least the Finale, but you could probably figure it out on your own if you don’t want to. But I don’t see why you wouldn’t want to, lol.

Everything tags:@aquivercactus@srj1990@dragongirl420@docharleythegeekqueen@jesbakescookies@make-things-beautiful2 @through-thesilver-lining@sorenmarie87 @daddy-kink-confirmed@redm81@heyitscam99@kazosa@blacklightguidesnic@fandomoniumflurry @his-paradox@keepcalmimthecupcake @ambeazyyy @starkeeper41

JDM TAGS: @jdmfanfiction @jeffreydeanneganstrash

Norman tags: @reedusteinrambles @jodiereedus22 @dollycrybaby

Whiskey, Sweetheart: @elinyaes @jml509@xagateophobiax@missghoul18@beffyblueeyes  @foreveror-never @zombeeemomeee @jackybehappy@journeyrose @alilarkin99

Norman stared at me silently for a long time, the revelation that he was going to be a father again by a woman who just shattered his heart a hard pill to swallow. 

“How long have you known?” He finally rasped, his voice thick and gravely.

“Right after we got out of jail,” I answered, diverting my eyes from him as his eyebrows raised at the notion that it’d been that long.

“For a month?” He asked, disbelief and frustration riddled in his tone, “You didn’t tell me?”

“I wanted to tell you, Norm, I did,” I started, meeting his eyes, “I just didn’t know how.”

“How about start off by saying, ‘Hey, babe, I’m pregnant!’?” Norman sneered, turning to sit on the step he’d been kneeling on and putting his head in his hands, resting his elbows on his thighs, “Can’t believe you’ve kept this from me.”

Scoffing at him as my anger flared up again, “Oh, I’m sorry, babe, kinda hard to be enthusiastic when you’re constantly reminding me of how much you don’t want kids.”

He gritted his teeth and bit his cheek as he attempted to keep from snapping back at me, his voice coming out from behind his clenched jaw, “You should have told me, Kylin.”

“Whatever, Norm,” I sniffled as I wiped my nose on my shirt sleeve, “This is the exact reaction I expected, anyway.”

“I’m  not mad that you’re pregnant, Kylin,” Norman grunted, lifting his head up to turn his face to the side to look at me out of the corner of his eye, “I’m pissed that you waited ‘till now to tell me.”

He shifted again so he was leaning against the railing of the stairs, one foot propped up on the step he was sitting on and the other one on the one below it. He brought his gaze to mine for a moment before looking at the wall, shaking his head in frustration, “I’m pissed because you didn’t talk to me about what happened, you just blasted me on Instagram and slept with your ex. You didn’t even trust me enough to be like, ‘What the fuck?’ You just believed everything he said, just like you used to. I’m pissed because I trusted you,” His voice broke as tears resurfaced and ran down his cheek, his eyes darkening as he met my stare again, “And now I have to spend the rest of my life tied to someone I hate.”

His words burned into me long after Jensen had found us and pulled me into his room after telling Norman he needed to leave. Jeffrey had been dealt with, how I didn’t care as long as I wasn’t going to have to see him anytime soon. I lay in Jensen’s bed for the rest of the night and the next day, him, Misha, and Rob alternating checking in on me between events they had scheduled. The news that I was pregnant had made it’s way around the group, but it was a somber celebration with the way things had ended up happening. 

“What am I gonna do, Robbie?” I asked as he wrapped his arms securely around me and pulled me into his chest, “How am I gonna do this by myself?”

“You know you’re not alone, Kay,” He argued, tightening his grip on me, “Everyone is going to be doting on them so much, you’re probably gonna have to beat people away from the poor kid.”

A smile formed on my face at the thought of Jared, Jensen and Misha playing the awesome uncles, spoiling the poor kid before sending him home to me, “You’re prolly right about that.”

“What if I’m a complete fuck up at the whole mother thing and screw the kid up entirely?” I asked after a bout of silence, my mind working in overdrive, “What if it hates me or something?”

“Oh, honey, of course they’re gonna hate you,” Rob chuckled, “All kids hate their parents at some point.” 

“Did Calvin and Audrey hate you?” I asked curiously, looking up at him from  my place on his chest.

“Ohhhhh yeah,” He sighed, his brow furrowing with disappointment “Hell, they’re grown and still hate me.”

“Huh?” I grunted as I sat up on my elbow to see his face better, “How come?”

“Just shit with Mollie. She’s officially filing for divorce this time apparently and their both pissed because they say it’s my fault.”

“What? Since when?!” I gasped, scrambling to sit up to look at him, my hands prssing against him chest, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Shrugging, Rob twisted his lip and looked away, “You were busy all the time with Norman, and we rarely hung out anymore. I didn’t want to bother you with it.”

“I’m so sorry, babe,” I cooed, rubbing my palms down his arms to hold his hands, “I know how much she means to you.”

“She’s my wife, I mean, but we want different things. She’s busy with her law firm and I’m never home with how much I tour. She wasn’t okay with us being friends and I-”

“Wait, what? She wasn’t cool with us being friends?” I interrupted, my brows crinkling, “Since when?”

“Since every time we split up I wound up in your bed, princess,” He smirked as he squeezed my hands, “She was jealous.”

“Of me?” I scoffed, recoiling my head in disbelief, “What the fuck? I was never trying to take you from her.”

“I know that, Ky, but I wasn’t going to lie to her about anything that happened between us. I tried explaining to her that we were just best friends who happens to sleep with each other occasionally, but she insisted that it was more.”

“You know I love you, Robbie,” I said seriously, “But I never meant to be the reason for ya’ll to divorce.”

“You’re not the only reason for it, Kay,” He assured, smirking again as he sat up against the head board more and pulled me closer to him, his blue eyes bright with affection, “And I love you too. Forever, Sweetheart.”

I knew I probably shouldn’t, that it was definitely a bad idea, but it’s not like I’d been making good choices recently anyway, so I leaned over and kissed him. It was gentle and chaste, and he kissed me back instantly, our lips molding together until the sound of a key-card beeping outside made me pull away quickly. 

“I swear to Christ I can’t leave you two alone together,” Rich snarked with a shake of his head as he strolled in, Rob and I obviously caught by our pink cheeks and averting eyes, “Somethin’ else, girl.”

“Shut your face-hole, Richie,” I sneered back, rolling my eyes, “Don’t be jealous.”

“Of Rob? Please, honey-child, if I wanted you, you’d be mine,” He winked as he sat on the edge of the bed, “But unfortunately, my wife would probably kill you and me both.”

“Oh yeah, me, you, murdered,” I giggled, sprawling out to rest my chin on Rob’s stomach as I looked up at Rich, “How’s things down there?”

“Swimmingly, but I need to steal Rob so we can close this fucker down. You feel like coming down or you staying here?”

“I’m staying here,” I sighed, rolling off of Rob and sitting back up as he moved to get off the bed and straighten himself up, “Don’t feel like fuckin’ with anybody else today.”

“It’ll get better, sweetheart, you know it.” Rich assured, rubbing his hands up my biceps before bringing me into a hug, “You and little gummybear in there are gonna be just fine.”

“I sure as shit hope so.”

It was odd being back in Los Angeles. It’d been 3 weeks since Norman left and I had decided that I needed a break from traveling so much, but I never really felt right to be constantly at home all the time. 

It wasn’t that I was alone, either, because I certainly wasn’t. During the week, when Robbie wasn’t busy with shows or preparing for conventions, he was constantly checking in with me, making sure I didn’t need anything and even going as far as to going with me to one of my doctor’s appointments.

Gen, Danni, and Vickie made it a point to be up my ass as well, the two Texas girls insisting I Face-time with them at least once a day, where as Vicky would randomly pop in bright and early in the morning and make me go to some herbal shop with her and the kids, or do something ridiculous like goat yoga or something of the sort. While it was nice to have the distractions, my heart ached over Norman still, and I didn’t see it going away anytime soon. He’d shipped all my things that I’d left in New York and Georgia to me, and the only form of communication we had had was when I’d sent him a picture of the sonogram from the latest doctor visit, receiving a simple heart emoji back. I knew there was nothing to be said about us, and him saying he hated me still echoed through my head on a daily basis. I just hoped by the time the baby got here we’d at least be able to maintain some form of decency with each other.

I was approaching my sixteenth week, and had started to show just a slight bump. Everybody had thought it was absolutely adorable, and my mother had insisted on talking to it when I Facetimed her to tell them the news. At first they both insisted that I get on the next flight back to Dallas, but I eventually had them convinced I would be okay on my own.

I was too grown to be running to Mommy and Daddy to fix my fuck ups, anyway. 

The pulsing vibrations of my phone jarred me from a dreamless sleep, my body jerking into consciousness before scrambling to find the offending device. Groaning as I did so, I squinted my eyes open while blowing the fallen hair from my face. The contact from the law firm I had’s number displayed across the screen, and I quickly hit the accept button.

“Hello?” I greeted, trying to keep my voice from rasping with sleep.

“Ms. Ackles? This is Barbara, Mr. Walsh’s assistant?” The girl chirped in on the other side, “Sorry to have woken you?”

“No problem,” I croaked out, rollingonto my back and sitting up against the headboard, “What can I help you with?”

“Mr. Walsh wanted met to call and inform you that after speaking with Mr. Morgan and Mr. Reedus and presenting the information, The judge, with Mrs. Marcelli’s input and testimony, has decided to drop all charges and allegations towards all parties involved.” 

My mind whirled while it processed what the girl said, my eyes tearing up as I bolted forward in the bed, “Oh, shit, really? Thank you so much! Tell Mr. Walsh he’s amazing, thank you so so so much, really, like...Thank you.”

I ended the conversation shortly after, quickly distracted by jumping for joy as I heard Vicki unlock the door with her key. She gave me a confused look as I leapt at her, my arms winding around her body and lifting her up with me as I jumped.

“You win the lottery or something?” She inquired with a snort, holding me out at arms length by the biceps, “What’s up?”

“The law firm just called, Vic, I’m good, we’re good!” I squealed, jumping up and down again. 

This time she joined me, wrapping her arms around me tightly with a huge smile on her face, “That’s fucking awesome, Kay, thank God.”

A sudden tension in my belly caused me to stop suddenly, my hand instantly covering the bump, my smile returned as I felt the movement again, this time, against my hand.

“Holy fucking shit, Vic, the baby kicked,” I squealed as I looked up to her wide eyes, snatchign her hand and replacing it for mine, “Holy shit. Come on, lil’ baby, kick for Aunt Vicki.”

Vicki moved her other hand across the small swell and pressed in slightly, cooing as she did. The fluttering feeling returned, and she gasp as she felt a strong kick against her palm, “Oh, hi there, baby!”

“Oh my god, Vic, I gotta tell-” I started, but clamped my mouth shut before I finished the sentence. A rush of anxiety flipped its way into my stomach as I silently walked into my bedroom and found my phone, picking it up and unlocking the screen before looking at Vic as she leaned against the door frame. 

“This is so shitty, Vicki,” I sighed, slumping down onto my mattress as I spun my phone in circles to distract myself, “Why does this have to be so shitty?”

“I told you a long time ago this was going to get mess, Kylin,” Vicki snorted, adjusting her glasses before crossing her arms and stepping into the room, she sat down on the edge of the bed beside me and nudged me with her arm, “You’re the one that went and made it worse.”

“Thanks for reminding me, best friend,” I snorted back, nudging her as well, “Issue is, I don’t know how to make it better.”

Vicki shrugged, patting my leg and sighing, “I dunno, girl. Send Norman a text, I guess. Just come on, we have stuff to do.”

Vicki’s ‘stuff to do’ consisted of her dragging me through some all-natural, hippie granola crunch bar store that apparently had a great deal on biodegradable diapers. I groaned loudly as she loaded up a cart full of things I apparently wasn’t going to be able to live without as we shuffled through the isles, rolling my eyes at some of the things she was getting. 

“You’re fuckin’ ridiculous, Victoria, you know that?” I teased as my phone began to vibrate in my pocket. I pulled it out and stopped in the middle of the isle, my eyes widening instantly. 

“Who is it?” Vicki asked, her brows furrowing in concern. I flipped the phone around in her direction to show her Norman’s face flashing across the screen. Her eyebrows shot up and she motioned for me to answer it, pointing that she was going to walk a bit further ahead.

I pressed the accept button as I began slowly walking forward again, leaning into the buggy that I’d been pushing, “H-Hello?”

“Hey,” He said quietly, as if he was just as nervous, “I got your text.”

“Mmhmm,” I hummed back, looking around as I approached the section with baby clothes, “That’s good.”

“Everything’s going good so far?” He inquired sheepishly, seeming to not really know what to say, “No issues or anythin’?”

“Not that they’ve told me about,” I said absently, reaching out with my free hand to touch a shirt that was made from some organic material I couldn’t pronouce, “I find out the gender next month.”

“Hmm,” He responded quietly, and I could picture him nodding his head before he suddenly said, “Hope it’s a boy.”

A loud snort left my nose and mouth as I shook my head, throwing the tiny hemp outfit into the buggie, “I do too, actually. Lookin’ at little boy clothes right now.”

Norman let his own chuckle trail through the phone line, and I had to stop myself from saying something stupid. Humming again, I pushed the tears that were threatening to pick to the surface (stupid fucking hormones) and investigated another outfit on a rack.

“You wouldn’t...wanna go to the doctor with me to find out for sure, would you?” I asked softly, surprising myself as another flood of nerves ran through my bloodstream, “I mean, I totally get it if not, I just-”

“I dunno if I’m ready for that, Ky,” He sighed, the awkwardness creeping through thickly, “Maybe after a while.”

“Okay, yeah...” I replied easily, putting another outfit in the basket, “Yeah, sure.”

“Look, I gotta go, I just wanted to...call and check in.” Norman offered, sympathy in his voice, “Let me know if you need anything, okay?”

“Kay, thanks Norm, I-” I stuttered, catching myself and closing my mouth quickly before sighing again, “I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Bye, Whiskey.”

[hornsbeforehalos]

Whiskey, Sweetheart: Part 1

Pairing: Norman Reedus x OFC, Past JDM x OFC Warnings: RPF, Language, Breif Violence, Jealousy, Angsty.

Series Masterlist

Summary: After Jeffrey’s neglect pushed her away and into the arms of his best friend, Norman and Ky have to figure out if their new relationship can withstand not only the aftermath of the unspeakable crime they commited to keep her safe, but the backlash that comes from being co-workers with a very betrayed Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

A/n: This is the Sequel to Anytime, Sweetheart and The Conquests of Norman Reedus. You dont have to read all of Conquests to understand, but at least the finale:  this

TAGS: ( I tagged everyone from A-S, please let me know if you want to be untagged for this series.)

@elinyaes   @jml509  @jesbakescookies @daddy-kink-confirmed @aquivercactus   @xagateophobiax @sorenmarie87 @missghoul18 @jdmfanfiction @jeffreydeanneganstrash @through-thesilver-lining @beffyblueeyes @docharleythegeekqueen @make-things-beautiful2 @srj1990  @dragongirl420  @reedusteinrambles  @youandyourstupidrope @addiction-survivor25 @fireheartart @redm81  foreveror-never @zombeeemomeee @blacklightguidesnic @jackybehappy @jodiereedus22

‘Fuck, Fuck fuck fuck’ I thought to myself as the memories of the night before flooded through my body, the image of Norman tangled between my legs and him calling out my name making my eyes widen and burn as I stared at Jeffrey in front of me, my fingers grasping onto the sheet wrapped around my body with one hand while gripping the door handle for dear life to keep from passing out. His eyes widened themselves as he took in my state of dress, the sheet falling slightly in my surprise. 

“You fuckin’ kidding me?” He instantly roared, pushing past me into the room to yank the covers off Norman, who was instantly shocked awake. “What the fuck?” Norman barked, jumping up out of the bed and holding his hands up in defence, “Look, Jeff, I-” “You what, Bubba? Please fucking tell me what I’m lookin’ at right now.” Jeff growled, glare shifting back and forth between Norman and I. “It’s-” He started, but I cut him off, “We fucked.” I stated bluntly, letting the sheet drop from my body as I worked my way around the room collecting my clothes, “I wasn’t gonna tell you, but since you so rudely woke me up this morning, I really don’t give a fuck.” Jeffrey spun on his heels to point an accusing finger at Norman as I began getting dressed, “You fucked my fuckin’ woman, Norm?” Norman raised his hands back up in surrender, stuttering something that sounded like, “I-I-I…” “I should have fuckin’ known,” Jeffrey seethed, shaking his head before turning his fiery stare back to me, chuckling out a breathy laugh,“After Rob, after Corey…” I cocked an eyebrow at him as I finished pulling my dress down down around my torso, “What’s that supposed to mean, Jeffrey?” “Do I need to spell it out for you, little girl? I should have known you two would pull some shit like this.” “The fuck that’s supposed to mean?” Norman growled, puffing his chest out dominantly as he took a step forward. Jeffrey snorted, scrubbing his jawline with his finger tips in amusement, “I shoulda known never to consider you a fuckin friend, Norman. I’ve been fucked over by friends before but this?” He shook his head again, waving a finger back and forth between the two of us again, “This is a new fuckin’ low, bro.” “Aye, man, fuck you. You’re the one that ditched her ass on her fuckin’ birthday, and every fuckin’ time before. You’re the one that pushed her away.” “The fuck you just say to me, boy?” Jeffrey growled, pressing his own bowed out chest against Norman’s intimidatingly. “I’m not a fucking boy, number one.” Norman squinted, “and number two, yeah, I fucked Ky. Hell fucking yeah I did,” His eyes roamed up and down Jeff’s face and neck before meeting his eyes again, “And I’m gonna do it again, too. Cuz you not knowin’ how to treat a fuckin’ woman ain’t my problem. Don’t play the victim when you know for a damn fact you put her through Hell.” My mouth dropped open as Jeffrey’s fist flew and cracked Norman against his cheekbone as the other man grabbed the front of his shirt. They wresteled each other to the floor of the hotel room and I instantly ran over to try to pull Jeffrey off of Norman. “Gonna need another fuckin’ eye socket when I’m done, bitch,” Jeffrey roared as his fist contacted Norman’s face again, a gurgle of pain erupting from the man as he landed his own blow against Jeff’s jaw. “Fuck you, Morgan.” he gritted and punched again. “Jeff, fucking stop!” I screeched, tugging on the collar of his jacket, trying to pull him off, “Fucking quit!” Jeffrey’s elbow rose back and came incontact with my chest, pushing me back as he stood on his feet and grabbed my upper arm, “Get the fuck off me,” Before I could even think my own fist was colliding with Jeffrey’s nose, blood immediately pouring out as he shoved me away from him and against the wall. I hit the drywall with a thud, my head connecting and causing me to see stars momentarily. I slipped down onto the floor, Jeff looming over me menacingly. “You stupid fucking bitch,” He spat, chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath, “What did I do to deserve this, huh? “Well, I don’t know, Jeff, let’s fuckin’ see,” I started, rage giving me the strength to stand on my feet again, “In the month that it’s been since I fucking killed a man, I haven’t seen you for shit, you haven’t even asked me how the fuck I’ve been the entire time I’ve been in Vancouver, and then, then, after all that bullshit, you miss my fucking birthday? No!” “You’re the one that wanted to be big billy bad ass with that guy! I told you I was gonna take care of it!” He gritted back, “When, Jeff? When he fuckin’ killed me?"I growled, tilting my head in anger and squinting at him, "And let’s not fuckin’ forget Tanya, now, shall we?” He snatched me up by the front of my t-shirt and pulled me to his chest, “Don’t even fuckin’ start." 

"What are you gonna do, Jeffrey?” I snorted, looking up at him unafraid, “Hit me?” “Get your fuckin’ hands off of her,” Norman roared, shoving Jeff from the side and ripping him away from me. They fell to the floor again and grappled, exchanging fists once more before the door was finally busted in and 3 Dallas police officers barged through. 

Naturally, because Dallas is what Dallas is, all three of us were handcuffed and thrown in the back of police cars and carted off to Lew Sterrit, the officers explaining “our celebrity” status required them to take us some place more “secure” Whatever. It took aproximately 4 hours for Josh, Jensen, and Jared to show up, and in the mean time I could still hear Norman and Jeff through the thin walls of the interregation rooms they were holding us in. “Jesus fucking Christ, you two, shut the fuck up!” I shouted loudly enough for them to hear me. “Fuck you!” I heard Jeffrey roar back. “Don’t fuckin’ talk to her like that, fucker!” “Fuck you too!” “I swear to fucking god I’m going to kill both of them,” I mumbled lowly to myself, irritation at the situation spilling over. When my brothers did finally get around to bailing us out, the looks on their faces told me all I needed to know about how they were feeling. “What the fuck happened, Ky?” Jared asked, confusion and irritation flitting across his face. “Yeah, explain to everyone why they had to bail us out.” Jeffrey spat as we exited the building. “Because you’re a fucking psycho.” I hissed, head snapping towards Jeff as we made our way to the cars. He barked out a laugh and moved his hand to cover his mouth, cocking an amused eyebrow, “You fuckin’ serious right now?” Norman instantly gave Jeff a shove against the car, Jared and Jensen moving instantly to pull him off, “Dude, we’re in the fuckin’ jail parking lot.” Jared reminded him. “Don’t fuckin’ talk to her like that. That’s why you lost her right there,” Norman gritted out, huffing and puffing his chest out as the boys held him back from Jeff, who was equally seething, “You act like she don’t have emotions, which she does if you took three seconds to look her in the face instead of eye-balling her fucking tits!" 

Jeffrey growled at the man but didn’t advance, shaking his head as he opened Jared’s car door and got in the passengers side. "Josh’s got to get home, so you two are riding with me,” Jensen glared, fingers directed towards me and Norman “Yessirr” I snorted, giving him an exaggerated salute as I crawled into the back seat of his convertible. 

“Kylin, you know what people are gonna say about this,” Jensen scolded after I spilled the beans and told him wht happened on our way to my parents’ house. “So? People already say shit about us. Jeff’s the one that fucked that shit up, not me.” I assured, crossing my arms over my chest with a huff. “You’re not exactly a ray of sunshine, either, princess,” Jensen retorted, earning him a snort from Norman. “Look, Jeff and I are done, Norm and I like each other..or whatever this is,” I explained, shifting in the backseat to lean between the driver and passenger sides, “I’m not gonna feel bad for shit, and Norman shouldn’t either.” “Norman should probably feel a little bad,” Jensen contested, waving his hand back and forth in that “prolly about half way” motion. “And I fuckin’ do, okay? You think I wanted to fall for my best friends girl?” Norman shook his head, running his index and thumb over his chin as he gazed out the building whizzing by as Jensen drove. The dark purple bruise on his cheekbone flowering against his flushed face, “I feel like a fuckin’ asshole, man. I’m supposed to be Jeff’s friend, your friend.” He turned his head back to motion to me, “And that moment in the airport when you hung up that phone and then told me you were really through, allI could think about was how I might have a chance.” The car was silent for a moment as I sat back in my seat, sighing slightly at the idea that Norman felt like he was betraying his friend. I suddenly felt like I pushed him into this, and tears welled up and threatened to spill over as my lip quivered. “I"m sorry, Norm. It was a mistake.” “No, it wasn’t, babe. It’s a shitty situation, yes, but I do care about you, and I’m not going to do what he did.” Jensen nodded his head in approval as he cleared his throat, “Look, sis, this is soemthing that the two of you are gonna have to work through. Shit’s about to rain down on all three of ya'lls heads and I’m guessing I'mma get dirty in the process. Keep shit as low key as possible for now, would be my advice, but you know that shit don’t usually work that way.” The rest of the ride back was quiet, everyone lost in their own thoughts until we pulled into the driveway. Jensen put the car in park and turned to Norman, speaking in a low, stern voice, “Why don’t you go on inside for a minute, I need to have a word with my sister.” Norman nodded his head, glancing at me for a second with a small smile before exiting the vehicle and walking towards the entrance of the house. “What, bubs, spit it out,” I urged, rolling my eyes and crossing my arms again. “Look, I’m not going to lecture you or fight with you like last time, but this shit is bad, Ky. I mean, come one, Norman? That’s worse than if you'da run off with Corey.” “Jesus,” I huffed, shaking my head in annoyance, “It just….happened, okay? I’ve loved Norm for a long time, but I didn’t think of it as anything because of Jeff. Thought it was a friendship thing since he’d been there with me through so much shit. Then I was drunk and thinking and realized that the reason why I loved him was because he’d been there for me through all of it. He’s the one that stayed up with me when Jeffrey was with that bitch, He’s the one that made sure I was taken care of constantly and never needing anything. He’s the one that eventually showed me the fucking truth. He’s given me so many fucking opportunities to be independent, Jensen,” the tears were back now, and I sniffed the snot that was trying to run down my nose and wiped my eyes, “and not to mention Vegas….Jesus, he helped me fuckin’ kill a man.” “I know, sis…” Jensen whispered, nodding, “He’s the only one that’s checked up on me since then. Jeffrey avoided me, Corey’s still ignoring me…"I snorted again, wiping more tears, "Norman’s the one who actually made it a point to come to my fucking birthday party. Jeffrey just covered up his neglect with a fucking Camero and a text message.” “It’s a pretty sweet car, though.” Jensen reasoned, “Fuck yeah it is, and I’m keeping it too.”

“Everything okay?” Norman asked as I walked out into the backyard where he was sitting with my mom, smoking a cigarette. I plopped myself down beside him and stole one out of his pack, sighing deeply on exhale once it was lit.

“Yeah, I’m just tired. I don’t know what to think of this birthday.” I chuckled, small smile crossing my face as he switched hands holding his smoke to tangle his free fingers with mine. “Ya’ll are just adorable.” My mom cooed, smug smirk on her face like she’d just got done watching The Notebook or something. “You know, it is still technically your birthday,” Norman snorted, taking another drag as he squeezed my fingers, “Let’s go out tonight, we can go to that little bar we went to last time we were in Deep Ellum.” “Ooo that sounds like a lovely idea, dear.” My mom agreed. ”You’ve gotta  black eye, I look like shit. I’m good.” “It is your birthday, babe. Plus, I’ll wear my shades and no one will even know.” Norman insisted, pushing his sunglasses onto his nose to show that it covered the bruising on his face. I rolled my eyes.

“Go have fun, Kylin.” My mother urged.

“Fiiiine, okay. Something low-key though. I’ve had enough excitement for the day.”

We wound up at a little metal bar in Deep Ellum called July Alley, and sat in a back booth snuggled closley together after after pizza at the resturant next door. “I swear, I’m just gonna start callin’ you Whiskey, Sweetheart,” Norman chuckled as I was delivered my 5th shot of crown by the waitress giving him googly eyes that he wasn’t paying attention to. “I’m pretty sure it already makes up for about a third of my blood supply,” I snorted before knocking the shot back and humming at the delicious burn of the amber liquid, “It’s the only thing my stomach can stand to drink.” Norman barked out a laugh and shook his head, his fringe falling into his eyes under his Snapback, “Mine too, probably after hanging out with you so much.” “What can I say, I’m a bad influence,” I giggled sweetly. “Yeah, you are.” He agreed, throwing an arm behind my shoulders and reeling me into his side to kiss the crown of my head, “Happy birthday, princess.” “Thank you,” I smiled up at him, my fingers moving a piece of hair out of his face gently before running down the scruff decorating his cheek and jaw, “Thanks for everything.” “Ain’t a problem, girl,” He assured, his pretty chrystaline eyes dancing around my face, “I ain’t goin’ no where.” I smiled back at him and continued to play with his beard, running my thumb over his cheekbone as his free hand found its own way into my hair. The next thing I knew he was pulling my face towards his, touching our lips together in the first kiss since the night before. It was warm, inviting, and safe-feeling, something I’d been looking for for a long time. He tasted like cigarettes and Jack Daniels, with a little bit of garlic left over from the pizza. I smirked into his mouth as his tongue danced with mine, reveling in the low moan vibrating his chest as he tightened his fingers into my curls to pull me closer. HIs hand around my shoulders squeezed gently before he pulled away from me slowly, our lips finally breaking apart as our eyes opened and we stared at each other adoringly. 

“I’m so happy I can do that now.” He breathed, heart beat still steadily thumping against my own, “Don’t have to just think about it anymore.” “Me too,” I grinned back, face reddening suddenly under his soul-baring eyes. I nuzzled myself into his neck as he pulled out his phone, opening the selfie-camera and holding it back to get us both in the shot. I shook my head but smiled for the camera, followed by another with us both making goofy faces. He had shoved his sunglasses on to cover his black eye, and he played with the filters on his phone, giving it a spooky kind of vibe before opening instagram and to post it. “Watch your caption.” I chuckled. “Pffft, what do you think I am, stupid?” He snorted back, cocking an eyebrow at me as he typed out the caption. “Happy birthday to one of my best friends.” “Awh, I’m one of your best friends, Reedus?” I teased, nudging him with my shoulder. “Shut up,” he blushed, shaking his fringe infront of his eyes to try and hide, “You know you are.” “Still nice to hear it, though.” I grinned at him, resting my head on his shoulder. He kissed the crown of my head flippantly before tucking his phoen back in his pocket after checking his notifications, letting out a sigh at some of the comments, “So, how’re we gonna play this?” “What do you mean?” He held his mouth in a flat line and barely squinted his eyes sarcastically as he held up his phone, the picture of us already getting mulitple comments; “Where’s Jeffrey?” “I bet they’re fucking” “Since when are they so close?” “Jesus Christ,” I barked as he turned his phone back around and continued to scroll through. “Yeah…” “Um, Well, I don’t know.” Norman bobbed his head up and down in thought for amoment, drumming this thumbs along the edge of the table in front of him, “Probably should keep things a little quiet until shit settles between you and Jeff.” I sighed, nodding in agreement, “You’re probably correct.”

“So when you goin’ back to ‘Couver?” Norman asked quietly as we sat on my parents’ couch. Everyone else was asleep and the house was quiet and dark save the dim light pooling in from the kitchen. “Tomorrow,” I sighed, rubbing my temples with annoyance, “I’ve got to get Misha prepared to go home for the holiday plus make sure he’s everywhere he needs to be afterwards.” “Tense.” “He’s annoying.” “Seems like it.” I snorted at him and shook my head, bringing my glass of amber gold to my lips and sipping deeply. “Then you comin’ back here for Thanksgiving?” He questioned, taking a sip of his own glass.

“Yeah, Thanksgiving with my family. What are you doing?” “Gonna be in New York with Ming. His mom’s got some crazy thing to do in France or something.” “Fun” “Probably not. He’s getting to the age where he’s too cool to hang out with his ol’ man.” “I’m too cool to hang out with you too but here I am.” “Asshole.” “Generally, yeah."I retorted, stiffling a yawn with the backside of my hand. "Tired?” Norman asked with an amused smirk. “Fuckin’ exhausted.” I answered, placing my glass on the coffee table and stretching my arms over my head. “Come 'ere,” Norman whispered, stretching out across the couch and patting his thighs as he turned on his side and pressed himself against hte back cushions. I grabbed the throw blanket from the arm chair, wrapping the fuzzy fibers around me before spreading it out over Norman and joining him, my back pressed agains this chest as he wrapped his wide shoulders and arms around me. My head fell comfortably on his bicep underneath me and he nuzzled his nose into my hair, kissing me right behind my ear. “Mmm, this is nice.” I purred as I closed my eyes and steadied my breathing, enjoying the sensation of his arms tangled around me. “Mhmmm,” he cooed back, tightening his grip as we drifted off to sleep.