#i want to see their story next honestly i'm not ready to leave them behind

[zishuge]

Story of Kunning Palace (2023) | Ep. 38

[sturniqlo]

Something You Aren't- C.S

summary: Y/n wants something serious with Chris, but Chris only likes the thought of having someone next to him.

cw: angst, cursing, crying, toxic!chris (he gets slapped)

an: based on this ask (i changed a few things tho), very short, honestly it's a blurb :/

masterlist

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"Hey, where's Chris?" Y/n says, as she comes up the stairs from Chris' room. She had arrived about an hour ago, laying in Chris' bed as he gamed in his corner. However, while she was in the bathroom, Chris had left. "I actually don't know." Matt says from his spot on the couch. "Oh, well, I think I'm heading out. It's getting pretty late."

That encounter happened about a month ago. Things between Chris and Y/n only went downhill from there. Chris would leave to who knows where half of the time Y/n went to visit him. They were both messing around with each other for about five months at this point. The girl wanted something serious but, Chris didn't let that happen. He wanted to stay with his things were. So that he'd be able to do the things he was doing behind her back. At the end of the day, he had someone to go back to. He knew she wouldn't leave him, she was in to deep. Or so he thought.

When Chris would leave randomly, she was always embarrassed to walk up the stairs to retrieve her stuff and walk past his brothers. They always gave her a smile of pity. She hated it. But, she never left him. Until, she found out what he was doing.

"Hey, where are you? I thought you were coming over?" She says into her phone. In the background she can hear loud music and people talking. "I got caught up in the meeting." Chris says unbothered. "A meeting? You mean a party." She scoffs. "Do you not believe me?" He defends himself. "Just- nevermind. I'll see you another day." Y/n hangs up the phone and sighs in defeat. Trying to not let her tears fall. She angrily gets up off of her couch and goes straight to her kitchen. She had spent hours making them a dinner and baking treats only for Chris to go to a fucking party.

Grabbing what was supposed to be Chris' plate she goes to the trash and scrapes off the food into the garbage. "Asshole." She mutters. Going to her sink she places the glass plate down gently. She decides to eat dinner later. Y/n changes into some comfy clothes and heads to her bed to scroll for a while. Opening instagram, she sees one of her mutual friends she has with Chris posted something on their story.

It shows their friend and a couple of people taking shots. However, in the corner, she spots a bright light blue hoodie that belongs to Chris. She replays it and sees that he's coming out of a room with a blonde girl fixing her smudged lipstick and fixing her excuse of a skirt and Chris fixes his pants and runs a hand through his hair. It was posted an hour ago.

Y/n begins to sob. How could he? She knew he wasn't ready to commit, the reasons? She didn't know. But now she did. He wanted to be a 'single' man. He wanted to fuck other girls. She now knew that Chris never broke it off with her because he knew that she was too attached to him and wouldn't leave his side.

Suddenly her doorbell rings. Rubbing her tears she goes out and opens it only to reveal Chris in the same hoodie as the video. "Leave." She says, not letting him speak a word. "Hello to you too. Why you cryin'?" He lets himself in closing the door and gently grabs her chin to kiss her. As his lips touch hers she nearly gives in, nearly. "No, stop it! You don't get to kiss me!" She leans away and pushes his face away. "What wrong with you tonight? Thought you wanted to have a date night here." Chris argues. "You don't think I don't notice those hickies on your fucking neck? That lipstick on your mouth? The fact that you reek of cheap perfume? I know you're fucking other bitches behind my back."

Chris' face drops but, he tries to play it off. "What are you talking about?" He suddenly feels a sting on his left cheek. "Fuck you, Chris! We're done! I'm done following you around like a fucking puppy! I'm tired of the lies! If you didn't want to commit to me you should've let me go instead of having sex with god know how many other girls."

"You're being a fucking baby! Childish, even. We're not together, okay? We're fuck buddies." Y/n only grows angrier. "Really?" She pathetically laughs. "Seems like you have many fuck buddies then. I guess losing one won't hurt right? Because I'm done with you. Get out of my house." She tries to stay calm. "Don't be like that, Y/n. I'm sure you've fucked other guys too." Y/n moves behind him and opens her front door. "Leave." She makes eye contact with him and sees he grows furious. He walks out the door and grabs the door knob and slams the door behind him.

All Y/n can do is lock her door and slide her back down burying her head in her knees.

It had been two weeks since they both saw each other. Chris grew antsy at the fact that Y/n wasn't answering her calls or texts. He thought she would eventually break the silence and come running back but, he was wrong. Both Matt and Nick had noticed that Y/n hasn't been over their house in well over two weeks. They questioned Chris about it and all he told them was 'she'll come around.' During his alone time in his room, he missed her. Although he never admitted it out loud, he missed her so much.

Over the two weeks, he had realized that what he did to her was wrong. He betrayed her trust and he hates himself for it. She was someone he's never had in life ever. She's the most kind, loving, and caring person ever. And he took her for granted.

He grew impatient. Tonight, he grabbed his home keys, phone and wallet and walked to her home which was a fifteen minute walk. He had texted her but, like always she didn't answer. Walking to her house, he thought of all of the possibilities that could happen. She could forgive him and they can return to normal again, or she could slap him again and tell him to get out of her life and not want to do anything with him ever again.

Knocking on her door, he waits a few minutes before he hears the door unlocking. "Chris- what are you doing here." Y/n opens the door and sees him. Chris takes in her appearance, her hair is in a messy bun, and she's wearing her lounging clothes. Something she always wore around him. "You've been ignoring me." He says lowly. "Didn't I tell you we're done?" She scoffs, opening the door more so she can stand in the doorway. "Baby, you can't mean that. I'm sorry, ma." Chris says, going to take her hands in his but she moves them behind her back. His heart breaks.

"Chris, I- I can't do this right now. I don't care how sorry you are. I'm sorry you just noticed how you've been towards me. But, I want something serious. And you're not ready for that, maybe you don't even want that. I want someone who loves me for me. Someone who won't go behind my back and sleep with other people, knowing that I'm waiting for them back at their home. I really did like you, Chris. So much. So fucking much. But what you did to me is so unforgivable. Maybe you don't understand where I'm coming from. But, I just can't be with you, if you're going to be like this." Chris can only listen and feel his heart pounding against his rib cage. "Y/n." He whispers.

"I think you should go." She whispers, trying to blink her tears away. "Y/n, please. I- I love you." Her tears escape her eyes. "Chris, no. You don't. You love the idea that I was always there for you no matter what after you came back from who knows where. You love that I would always follow you around, no matter how long it had been since you've spoken a word to me. You love that we would always go back to normal after fighting. But, you don't love me. You don't. You only love the things that benefit you that come from me. And I don't want that." Chris feels a lump forming in his throat after hearing her words. "Just go, please." She pleads, not looking at him.

"Okay, okay, I'll go. I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry I can't be who you want me to be."

[alotofpockets]

Happy when you're around | Florence Pugh

Paring: Florence Pugh x Reader

Summary: You're helping your girlfriend film her newest Cooking with Flo video, and help her with a Q&A on Instagram live.

Masterlist | Marvel masterlist | Words: 707

Florence was dancing around the kitchen, between the chopping of vegetables and stirring in pots. She was in the process of filming a Cooking with Flo episode. You were behind the camera making sure to get all the right angles to give her fans the best experience.

You loved how at ease Florence was in front of the camera, she had to be with her job of course but this was different. She connected with her fans, talked to them, even when her episodes weren't live and she couldn't see their responses or have a two way conversation with them. She never failed to find a new topic to talk about. 

As a bonus Florence posted an extra story on her Instagram for her followers to send in questions, after she posted all the parts to the Cooking with Flo. She was nervous because she had never done this before, but she was excited when she saw all the questions come pouring in.

Florence wanted to answer the questions on an Instagram live. So, you suggested putting up a tripod to film her and to read the questions aloud from your phone, that way it was more like an interview. Flo thought it was a good idea, it eased her nerves a bit.

"Hi, everyone! I hope you enjoyed that little Cooking with Flo." She started. She knew how much they love the series, as they're always requesting more. "Thank you so much for all the questions you've sent in. My lovely girlfriend, behind the camera, will read as many of them out for me before we have to leave. I hope to answer as many as I can!" 

You looked at Florence to give you the sign to ask the first question. Once she did you read one out for her. "Let's start off with a food related question, what is your favorite dish to make?" - "Hm that's a good one, I love so many. Honestly, I think my favorite thing to do is to create a dish from the leftovers we have. I get to be more creative and challenge myself." 

You continue with the next question, "Are you working on any new projects at the moment?" Florence looks at you and smiles. "We just finished the press tour for A Good Person. If you haven't seen it yet, it's out in theaters now!" She plugs while making finger guns towards the camera. "But to answer your question, no not at the moment. I've had a busy couple of years work wise and while I'm very happy with that, I want some time with my girlfriend. So, I'm taking a couple of months off, and we're going to travel together. I've got some auditions planned before we go, so who knows after our trip I might have some new projects coming up."

You continue asking more questions, when you stumble upon one with your name. "Haha I like this one, I'd like to know your point of view on this. What is y/n like when she's filming your Cooking with Flo videos?" Florence moves her hands in a come here motion. "If you all don't mind, I'm gonna bring her in front of the camera for this one." 

Once you sit down next to her, she starts answering the question. "Y/n is amazingly supportive behind the camera, and in general. She's very detail oriented and knows exactly what I want to show and when I want to give you all a closer look at something. Besides that I also have the cheesy answer, which is that she's beautiful behind the camera, and she always looks at me with the most admiring smile." You blush at all her compliments. 

"That's because I'm always happy when you're around." You say while leaning into her more. She puts her arm around you. You see the screen filled with lovely messages from the audience and feel the smile on Florence's face. "We have to get going now, but I promise I'll answer more questions soon! Thank you for joining us and I hope you'll all have a wonderful day." With that you end the live and cuddle up to your girlfriend, before you have to get ready.

[nats-revival]

Love story au: you and Abby have a sort of forbidden secret romance 💛 takes place during medieval time.

𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙨 | 𝙖. 𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣

pairing: abby anderson x afab!reader

tags: (sorta modernized!) shakespearean english, no smut, abbys father is mentioned, reader lowkey living that rapunzel lifestyle but like not rlly. 😭🙏, abby has a bow and arrow, im still terrible at tagging, so i probably missed some stuff??

a/n: honestly, i rlly only chose this song for this fic bc i was watching berlin while writing this and lowk.. i figured that it was fitting! honestly this prompt was super fun to do!!! i absolutely loved doing this, and i promise i will finish out my requests soon. 😭🙏 there’s still two more i have to start. uploads might be slow next week since i have some tests at school but ill def still try to be active here. ^^

You weren’t supposed to see each other, it was forbidden. Ever since your families began to quarrel, they had kept you held up in your room for seemingly no reason at all. Your father often fought with Abby’s, and they’d go extreme lengths to show their superiority, whether it be trading and buying the most expensive things they could, draping their daughters and significant other in the finest silks, or flat out going toe-to-toe with each other. Of course, you had already been seeing her secretly beforehand, and she showed you things you weren’t ever gonna be allowed to see. Fighting tournaments, erotic literature, the finest alcoholic beverages her kingdom had to offer, and how it felt to rebel. You loved doing these things with her.

These days, you’d been confined to the stone walls of your room, cold floors, and whatever other luxuries your father decided to drape you in. You were only allowed outside for a few minutes, or whatever your father allowed. It happened to be 45 minutes today. During this time you and Abby meet up secretly. Today, you found yourself running through the thick forest behind your castle. You were out of breath and your mouth went dry, but there she was. Her long braid would’ve been noticeable from any distance. You catch your breath and you stand up straight. “Abby.” You say with a smile. She turns to you with a smile, holding her bow and arrow. “Wherefore doth thee at each moment come running to see me? What is the reason behind thy eag'rness to seeth me?” The curiosity in her tone was playful. “I couldn’t possibly miss out on seeing thee. I'm willing to wend to most wondrous lengths just to beest with thee, coequal if 't be true t means running a million miles. You know that I can't be outside f'r long these days, so I want to make it count.” You admit as your smile grows. Abby chuckles. “Nobodys ever did like me so much to running to me ev'ryday. Concluded, be it, follow me. I want to showeth thee something, and I think you’d plaited it.”

   Abby takes your hand and she leads you deeper into the forest. The flora of the forest was to die for this season. The beautiful greens, the flowers, the dew drops sliding off tree leaves, it was a sight that was just impossible to want to not see. But it was only something the two of you knew about. After some time, she stops by some trees. Attached to them were some targets. “I suppose thee haven’t forgotten that day we spent a few fortnights ago? Did thee say.. thee did want to see how valorous mine aim was, no?” Abby asked with a smile. You nod enthusiastically. “Oh, of course I’d want to see how well thee uses yond bow and arrow. You speak so highly of thy aim, I’m sure it’s better than any sirs in the entire kingdom.” Abby always found your enthusiasm cute. Her body felt warm and fuzzy, as stupid and cliche it sounds, but she always felt that way around you. She loved how alive you made her feel. She readies her bow and arrow, and you watch her. You observe her pulling the string back and being mindful of how much she does. She inhales and loses the arrow in the middle of her exhale. Dead center of the target! She turns to you with a smile as your face lights up equally as bright.

   She was amazing! God, you’ve seen men competing for the other princesses hands in marriage (thanks to Abby), but you wanted her to do this for you when your time came. “That wast most wondrous! Oh my gosh, thee should it again. I want to see you do it again!” You say as you give her a face of pleading. She lets out a small chuckle before she turns to another target. This time, she decides to be flashy. She readies an arrow yet again, closing her eyes before she lets it loose. She opens her eyes to find that it had just nearly hit beneath the target. She shrugs her shoulders with a small smile. “Well, art thee did impress, princess?” She asks as she goes to collect her arrows. You turn to her with a small smile. “Of course I’m impressed.  Thee nev'r faileth to impresseth me, Abigail.” “That’s the second timeth you’ve hath called me that. I still rememb'r the first liketh it’s yest'rday.” Abby’s cheeks were dusted in a pink blush as she remembered that day you’d asked her out. All loopy from your drinking, your drunken rambling had resulted in you asking her out. “I rememb'r that day fondly. It was the day I hath asked thee out.” You reply in a soft tone almost as if you were falling in love with her all over again. But you couldn’t help it. This woman was timeless, and she never failed to take your breath away no matter what she did. Whether it be simple housework, gardening, or using that bow and arrow. Every aspect of Abby was attractive. Once all her arrows had been collected, she walks back over to you. She grabs your hands, her thumb gently grazing your knuckles as she looks in your eyes. Your gaze meets hers. She smiles, you look away with a giggle. She turns you back to face her. “I loveth thee. For many nights, I’ve hadst these dreams. Those dreams beshrew mine own mind.  All of those were about thee. Well, us.  Running hence. Being joyous. Not having to encave our love.” Her voice was soft. Her tone was sincere.

   Her gaze softened. One hand comes to softly hold your face. You melt. You couldn’t stop the words from spilling out of your mouth now. “I want to be with thee. I’m not restful of hiding. I want to run in the lush gardens, waketh to a sleep chamber that isn’t bitter cold, and stay out with thee for howev'r long mine own heart desires.” You smile at her and she smiles back. Slowly, her eyes become half lidded and she moves closer to you. “Run away with me, princess.” She whispered before she softly pressed her lips to yours. She pulled away for a moment to see if you were okay with it, but when you pulled her right back in, it solidified that you were more than okay with this. Her arms wrap around your waist, and yours find solace around her neck. This moment felt surreal. Being surrounded by forest, her hands on your body, the humming sound of cicadas and whatever else was in the forest, and the sounds of her soft, quiet moans filled your ears and burned in your memory. While you’re kissing her, you remember its way past the time you should’ve returned. You pull away. “Goodness, it’s getting late. We shall meet. Here, before sundown. I expect to see thee waiting for me here.” You say sweetly but in a rushed manner. She crosses her arms, then closing her eyes as she gives you a confirming nod before she bids you farewell. “I’ll see you soon, princess.” She says as she watches you walk off, then turning to head towards her own castle. This was the start of living freely, not confined by the restraints of parents.

[lysarria]

Warnings: Fluff, Tiny hint of PTSD, Cussing, Lots of love ���️

Words: 3562

I enjoyed writing this and I hope that you all enjoy it as well. This story will be 2 parts. Possibly 3. There will be typos. Thank you for reading ☺️😘

A love that never fades

Part 1

Finally got the last box out of storage and into my house. Long distance moving and trying to get everything lined up is frustrating and very exhausting. I flopped my tired body onto the couch to rest my sore feet and back. I reached for my phone to check the notifications and I saw I had new text messages. Most were in my group chat with Cat and James (My friend and Sy's sister Catherine and her husband James who is good friend of Sy's from the Army). I replied in our group chat and went to my next set of new texts and they were from Lily (Sy's Mom).

Lily - Good morning sunshine and welcome home! We are thrilled that you are back here. We think of you as family and love you. You are always welcome at our house.

Let me know if you need any help! If you are feeling up for it later today we would love to have you over at the house for dinner and catching up. You're welcome over anytime but we will start cooking around 4:00. :)

While reading her messages I started to tear up a little bit and felt happiness in my heart. I moved away for a job opportunity little over 3 years ago. I gained a great deal of experience to further my job advancement but the feeling of being out of place and alone started to wear me down. I knew where I belonged so I put together a plan and made it happen. I replied back and let her know that I'd love to come over and that I would let her know once I was on my way.

I placed my phone on the ottoman and jumped up and started to dig around in boxes and putting together an outfit for this afternoon. Once that mission was completed I decided to turn on some music to rock out to and start working on unpacking boxes and figure out how I wanted to setup the house. Mötley Crüe - "Kickstart my heart" came on and that music adrenaline rush hit and I was rocking out all over the house cleaning out boxes while memories of Sy started to flood in and how he had taken me to see Mötley Crüe in concert a couple of times. He would always stand close to me, especially during the slow songs. He would stand behind me and wrap his arms tightly around me. Damn, I miss him. Does he miss me? Does he ever think of me ? For whatever reason we became distant after I moved. Honestly, the man is on my mind probably more than he should be, but maybe that's not such a bad thing. I sighed and shook my head and reset my focus back on the task.

I took a much needed long shower. The hot water felt so good on my sore body. Now it was time to finish getting ready and drive over to the Syverson's for dinner. I sent Lily a text to let her know I would be leaving soon and should arrive in 30 minutes. I am excited, nervous, happy and somewhat emotional on this drive. I haven't seen them in years and I have missed them so much. It is such a beautiful drive in the country to their house.

The leaves are starting to change colors for Fall. The feeling of actually being home is becoming stronger and stronger. The feeling of real happiness is sparking again. Moving back to Texas was the best decision and I'm excited for the future.

I entered their long driveway and came to a stop. I stepped out of the car and grabbed my phone to take a picture. They have Pecan trees and Oak trees along the sides of the driveway. The color of the leaves are so magical. A slight breeze blows the leaves around and the smell of crisp air flows. I've always loved their property. Out in the country. Away from the loud and busy city. Out here it's just nature and peace. I let out a content sigh and get back into the car and continue on. I parked my car and got out and looked around. Sy's truck is under the car port. He would always leave his truck at his parents during deployment. I could feel my heart speeding up just seeing his truck and all the memories I have with him. Our random adventures, driving around just because, going out to eat, sitting on the tailgate and watching sunsets. He loves that truck and seemed that he also loved having me sit next to him with his arm around me. I know that I loved it and I would put my head against his chest. I know he's currently deployed in Iraq but a big part of me wishes that this was a surprise and he was actually home because he's pulled that surprise on me before. I jumped as a dog started to bark at me and my eyes quickly located the incoming dog. "Hank!?" I quickly squatted down and greeted their Chocolate Labrador, Hank. I gave him lots of love and pets as he's trying to lick my face off and dancing in excitement. All these years and he remembers me! Then I hear laughing and look up to see Lily and Felix (Sy's Dad). I stood up and walked towards them and they met me half way. Lots of hugs given and received. They are two of the kindest people I've ever met. Chatting away in the driveway with Lily and there's good ole Hank at my side. Felix went back into the house but returned in seconds. I can hear keys jingling and slightly curious. Lily stepped away to check on dinner and Felix motions for me to follow him. We chat back and forth as we walk to Sy's truck and he hands me the keys that I heard. I looked at him and then to the truck. Felix smiles at me and says "Go ahead Sweetheart. I saw you checking out his truck when you got here." I unlocked the door and slowly slide onto the custom made leather bench seat. I looked down at the set of keys and Sy still had something on the keyring that I had made for him many years ago when I was learning different crafts. A small metal charm in the shape of Texas and I had engraved Sy and a little heart below his name. I put the key in the ignition and started up his truck. Ahhh that loud rumble. I can't help but smile like a big goof. His truck had such a distinct sound. Everything inside looks almost the same as a few years ago. I turned off the truck and slid out of and I handed Felix the keys and thanked him. He then looks at me and says "You know he loves you, right." Tears immediately start to form up as I look at him. Shocked and unsure what to do or say. Felix reaches out and hugs me tightly and as I'm crying I tell him that I love his son so much. He patted me on the back saying "I know you love him, sweetheart. You always have. You're very special to him and to us as well. You bring out a side of him that not many people get to see. You truly make him happy, dear."

Felix made sure I was okay and then stepped back into the house to help Lily with dinner. I walked around the yard with Hank by my side as I gather myself and my thoughts before I head inside. We walk up the steps and I open the door and I'm hit with the wonderful smell of Pot Roast. Lily and Felix always made the most delicious meals. I head into the kitchen and let them know dinner smells great! Lily smiles and winks at me. "We knew this was one of your favorites and we felt a good comfort meal would be perfect for this evening." Felix is making homemade mashed potatoes and rolls. I thanked them for doing so much for me and it wasn't needed. They just shake their heads at me and Felix said dinner will still be a bit and to make myself at home.

I walked around the house and viewed the framed pictures on the walls. Many pictures of friends and family. Army pictures. Baby pictures. A few of the pictures I remember and then some new ones. Pictures of Cat and James adorable daughter, Skyler. She is 2 years old. There's a picture of my Dad and Felix. They were both Majors in the Army. They had met on Base and quickly became good friends. That is how I ended up in this area during my highschool days. My parents had divorced and I picked to live with my Dad. He was transferred to Texas and of all the places we lived. This is where I felt the most at "home." A lot of that is from meeting the Syverson family and how fast they welcomed us in like we were family. Now I am in my late 30s and this is where I still feel the most at home and welcomed. I stepped down the hallway and there's one of my favorite pictures of me and Sy at a Fall festival. Both of us making goofy faces while lost in a corn maze. I can't believe that was almost 4 years ago. Another picture is me with the Syverson family on Christmas. Cat came up with the idea of doing an ugly Christmas sweater photo op and everyone actually agreed to it. That was a fun day. We did the photos after opening our gifts. So to add to the ugly sweaters we decided to stick bows on each other and do silly pictures. His family has such a great sense of humor and very laid back. All these memories makes my heart feel alive. I walked down the hall more and enter Sy's old bedroom. He always liked to stay at his parents house from time to time. Framed Army certificates, Medals, Awards and Army group pictures are hung on the walls. His stereo system and large music collection still sat in the same spot as I remembered. The top of his dresser had a couple of framed pictures. One of him with his parents before leaving for his first deployment. The second picture is of us at Cat and James wedding 4 years ago. Sy in his Army dress uniform....*swoons*. Another favorite picture of us. They had such a beautiful outdoors evening wedding. I grabbed the photo and sat on the bed and just stared at it. It's so obvious that we love each other. I have so many regrets and I'm sure Sy has regrets as well. I do hope that whenever he returns home that he will want to see me and we can talk. I miss that man so much. Half of my heart feels empty without him. Then I hear a knock on the door and Lily walks in. She sat down on the bed next to me and looked at the picture with me.

"He called us a couple of days ago. We told him that you were getting yourself settled in. I could hear a difference in his voice once I mentioned you. He sounded livelier. He asked if you were single! Oh my boy. That was his first question about you. I could hear him smile. If that makes sense. When I told him that you were single. He said he wished he could get on that plane now and come home. He probably has three more months on this deployment but maybe things will change and he can come home sooner. That would be wonderful, huh? Ya know....you should mail him a Care package. I remember when you would mail him packages and letters all the time. You helped him feel like he wasn't too far from home or alone. He knew he had people back home that cared and loved him. I think that would be quite the surprise for him on mail day! I will write down his address for you. He decided to date about a year and half ago while he was home in between deployments and that didn't last long. That girlfriend was absolutely the worst nightmare ever and really messed him up. He was really hard on himself after that. He wanted to jump in his truck and drive out to see you. He kept kicking himself for not asking you out. So many years he wanted to ask you out. He wanted to take it further with you but he always hesitated. We sat right here on this bed and had many discussions about the two of you. I believe in soul mates and I feel it in my heart that you two are meant to be. You both were teenagers when you met but even then. You both clicked like you had known each other for a lifetime and got along perfectly. It was hard for him to fully wrap around the idea he had met "the one" at such a young age. Then he went into the Army and was away so often. He wasn't sure if you wanted that life with him because you grew up in the Army life with your dad. At times he wondered if he deserved to have you in his life in that way. Each deployment changed him and I get it. I went through it with Felix. Just like you had seen a change in your Dad over the years. I told Sy that you are both strong people and can handle anything that is tossed at you. As he grew up and older he realized more and more that you were his world and didn't want to be without you and kicked himself for the past and letting all these years slip by. You two have such a special bond and no other woman has made him feel the way that you do or treated him so lovingly the way you do. I think things will fall right back into place as they were with you two and your future together will be bright and full of happiness and maybe even a wedding! Then we can officially make you a Syverson!"

Lily winked at me and I can feel that I'm blushing and my face hurts from smiling. Felix shouts from down the hall that dinner is ready!

Dinner was amazing and the best meal I've had in a long time. We sat at the table talking and catching up. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed the sun was setting. The sky was covered in orange, red and a hint of yellow. I quickly jumped up and asked if one of them would take my picture with Sy's truck so I could print him a copy and put it in his care package. We rushed outside to capture the gorgeous sunset before it was gone. The sun was shining brightly through the trees. Felix took a few pictures for me and then I asked for a group picture. Of course we included Hank! It was very entertaining trying to get the 4 of us in a picture but we finally got it. I can give Sy a copy of that picture as well. We go back inside and continue to chat and catch up. Lily yawns and I didn't realize how fast time had zipped by. It was almost 10:00 p.m. I thanked them again for a wonderful evening and everything they had done for me. They followed me out to my car. I gave Hank some pets and told him bye. I hugged Lily and Felix again and got into the car then Lily stops me from leaving and runs into the house and returns with a post-it note and smiles at me. It's Sy's Military address. It's too late to shop for items tonight. I know what my plans are for tomorrow after my morning jog. I'm excited to go shopping for Sy like I use to and buy some of his favorite things. The drive home went by fast as I had many thoughts going in my brain. Having someone and something special to look forward to. It really makes each day better and happier.

I got up early and went for my usual sunrise jog. Afterwards, I went the post office to get Priority mail shipping boxes and then off to the store to buy items to put into his care packages. It's been such a long time since I've felt like this. The excitement for him to receive my packages and how he'll react when he opens. If only I could see those reactions. From the way his parents talked to me then he should be over the moon. I purchased: coffee, creamer packets, beef jerky, trail mix, oatmeal cookies, granola bars and packs of crackers. Then I decided to get some candies that were cute and a little flirty. In my head I could see him shaking his head and grinning as he pulled the items out of the box. So off to the candy aisle! I tossed a variety of different types of Hershey's kisses...they probably won't survive the Iraq heat but I'm sure he'll still enjoy. Looking around I spot Hot Tamales candies.... I mean...he is pretty damn hot. Perfect find. Tossed a couple of boxes of those in the cart. The last great find... Gummy bears! Of course. I've called him Bear for almost 20 years. Then I went to the other side of the store and purchased some hygiene products that will I will put into a different care package box. Off to the register to purchase the items. I almost feel like squealing and dancing as I exit the store. Before going home I swing by the photo center and quickly print off some copies of the pictures we had taken the day before.

I placed all of the store bags on the living room floor and then I went to browse my crafting box for cardstock, stickers, markers and glue. It's been a while since I've mailed him a package but I had kept all of the supplies. I sat on the living room floor and started working on the packages. Trying to decide on what to write on the inside flaps of the boxes. Then it hit me...."Someone in Texas misses you beary much!". Cute, cheesy, corny? I'm going to go with my heart on this and just be me. After writing that on the flaps I placed a big cute bear sticker on one flap and then placed some little red hearts on each flap. I filled up the boxes with the items I had purchased. I wrote a short note to him on the inside of a card and wrote my phone number at the bottom. I'd love to hear his voice. I placed the photos in the card and sealed the envelope. I looked at both care packages and felt like they were ready to be taped up and to be mailed. I decided to add a little extra love and put some hearts on the outside of the boxes as well. I wish I could see the looks he receives whenever he picks up his packages.

Off to the Post office I go. I took a picture of me with the boxes and sent to Lily. Packages were accepted and later today they will officially be on the way to Iraq to a very special Captain. I get back into the car and Lily had replied:

Wow Honey!! You were on it this morning, huh?! You are such a wonderful person. Thank you for caring and loving our Son like you do. Thank you for loving us and we love you and glad you're a part of our family.

Each day I check the tracking numbers on his packages to see their progress. On day 10 the status on both of his packages change to Arrived to Military Post office. They made it ! Now the feeling of being nervous/anxious hits. I check the tracking again a few hours later and the status has changed. Green words that say "Package delivered to Recipient." I thought I was nervous and anxious earlier. Nope. What I feel now blows that away. I want to jump up and down, scream, cry, giggle, dance. Every emotion is hitting me. Will he call me or maybe just write to me. I can't concentrate on anything. All of my thoughts are on him and these packages I sent. Hours go by and nothing. It's almost 9:00 pm and my phone starts to vibrate and I freeze in spot. I grab my phone. Unknown number. I accepted the call and said Hello. I hear a lot of crackling. No voice. I say hello again. Still just crackling. Then I hear a deep breath...

"I miss you too, Sweet Pea."

..... To be continued 💚

Tags: @mayloma @identity2212 @happydistraction @blah80 @beck07990

[king-paimon]

Houseki no Kuni Chapter 105 Thoughts:

Hello everyone. I hope you have all been well, considering the hectic and honestly devastating month this has been for many people across the world. It's sad how awful real life can be. I'm so sorry to everyone who is affected directly and indirectly. Though words can only do so much, I sincerely hope things get better for you all.

Now then... regarding this chapter.

This was definitely a spectacle. So much happened and though we had an idea of where the chapter was going to go because of the last pages from the previous chapter, it still managed to catch me off guard. I don't think anyone saw a literal "deus ex machina" ship to appear, but at the same time... of course that would happen. Ms. Ichikawa loves pulling stunts like this. Whether it's good or not is up for debate. More on this later.

But the one thought that came to mind after reading this chapter was: "Finally." We are truly now in the final stretch of Phos's story, and I couldn't be more happier for them... BUT that feeling got muddied when I saw the bottom of the final page.

Another hiatus.

Sigh. I'll also touch on this in this post. But for now, I'll share my thoughts on this chapter with you. These posts always end up being longer than first intended so sorry in advance! As always, please feel free to share what you think on here too!

(Just so you know, I was extremely tired when I wrote this so it may be convoluted in some areas. I'll likely tidy it up later after I get some proper rest. Hope you enjoy it regardless!)

The Deus Ex Machina Ship: Why??

Was anyone else surprised that the object Brother Eyeball was carrying was a piece of Lunarian technology, that seems to only activate under the extreme heat of a sun that's about to consume the planet? I certainly didn't see it coming at all and I don't know how to feel about it at the moment.

Based on everything up until this point and Phos's comments here, it's evidently clear that Aechmea planted it there for this specific occasion. My question is why? Why did Aechmea bother in leaving this for Phos?

Perhaps Aechmea hoped Phos would take the new remnants of humanity and create a new society once again on a new planet, sort of like what Adamant did for the Lustrous. Maybe this was some twisted/backhanded way of thanking Phos and giving them another second chance of surviving? I don't know, but if it's the Lunarians' weird way of trying to save Phos, it's kind of pointless. Like Phos said, running to another planet would only be a temporary solution since everything was going to be consumed by the dying stars eventually. Even though the little rocks and Eyeball still take the ship in the end just to survive a little longer, I don't really see the point of it either.

(Edit: Made small change here and included the page that I forgot to add.)

The only reason I can come up with for this ship to being there is that Aechmea knew of another place in space that wouldn't be affected by the dying suns and he wanted Phos and their new remnants of humanity to go there. But I honestly I believe that theory fully, so I don't know.

What do you guys think? Is there a reason why the lotus flower ship was intentionally left behind, other than Ms. Haruko just wanting a reason for Phos to be along again? To me, the only thing that was clear was that this ship was left for Phos and whoever else was with them that would only activate when the planet was going to be destroyed.

But this leads me to my next questions and segment...

Burning the Bridge: Phos's Final Actions

Unlike the lotus ship, Phos's actions in this chapter did not come as a surprise to me. Phos had long accepted that they were ready to finally disappear. And before the ship, it looked like the other beings were fine with it as well.

It was only when the ship appeared that the others expressed their desire to exist just a little longer, which completely understandable and I don't fault them for feeling this way.

It's touching and sad how Phos made sure that all those beings, including the final pebble that was introduced in this chapter, made it onto the ship so they could escape while Phos choose to stay behind. More on that in the next segment.

But back to Phos and their final decision to stay behind. So, we know that the ship was intentionally left for Phos by Aechmea and the Lunarians. And though it was used in the end, Phos chose to stay. Now my question is... was Phos's final decision to stay on the planet still part of Aechmea's plan, or was it part of the Professor's plan?

I've hypothesized in an older post that I thought that while Aechmea was a frightfully powerful being who was able to predict Phos's actions and successfully manipulate them, he wasn't truly omnipresent nor omnipotent since he couldn't predict everything and there were individuals that were not totally under his control.

I want to believe that Phos's final actions fall into that category. Part of me really wants to believe that Phos not getting on the ship was a final middle finger from the Professor through Adamant to Aechmea and everything he stood for.

But then again... this could have been an outcome Aechmea expected, too. It's honestly hard to say how much of everything that had happened was still going according to Aechmea's grand plan since it wasn't made clear if Aechmea knew of this memory of the professor that Adamant held onto.

Sorry for the ramble. I'll just say that unless I'm told otherwise, I'll believe that Phos's final actions was their final act of defiance towards Aechmea, in the name of the Professor.

I can only hope that Phos will finally be at piece once that bridge is burnt to the ground.

So, now that it seems like Phos's story is going to end, albeit in several months... there are still some elements in this story that have not yet been resolved. But after re-reading this chapter, I have a theory for one of them.

The Identity of The Last Passenger of the Lotus Ship (my silly theory)

This is a silly theory I came up with to try to explain one of the last mysteries of this story. It's been proven untrue, but I still want to keep it here because I still like it and had fun coming up with it!

One plot point that many others have brought up before, that I've admittedly forgotten over and over again, are the Ice Floes. These mysterious creatures played a unique role in the beginning but had quickly lost their relevancy in the story.

Now that the planet is about to be destroyed, it seems the Ice Floes will forever lose their significance in this story, though they hadn't been relevant in a long while. Well... I have a theory and it relates to the last member of Phos's little pebble family.

In this chapter, Ms. Ichikawa made it a point to have Phos collect this one last pebble and put on the ship. Though all of the pebble beings are unique to one another, this one is the most different from all of them. For one, it's significantly smaller than the other pebbles, almost the size of a grain of rice. And unlike the others, it hasn't spoken once, though Phos could sense its very faint presence, so it is sentient to a degree.

With all of this in mind, I couldn't help but wonder why Ms. Ichikawa included this in the story now? Why did she make pages dedicated to Phos collecting this pebble right when the planet is about to die? She had to have done it for a reason, but why? Why is this teeny pebble important?

Well, here's my theory: This teeny tiny pebble is what's left of the Ice Floes.

I came up with this theory based on a few things.

My first clue is the location where it was found. Judging from the details in these pages, this tiny pebble was in the middle of a dried up ocean.

The second is the type of rock I think it is. Ms. Ichikawa incorporated a lot of rock and mineral information in this story for her characters. I'm not sure if that's the case in this instance, but please allow me to indulge in my rock nerd side for a bit. I strongly believe it is a sedimentary rock. Sedimentary rocks are formed when bits of pre-existing rocks, inorganic material, and/or bits of once organic life forms accumulate and gradually get compacted and cemented together. This type of rock is found everywhere, but especially in the ocean.

The third and most supportive piece of evidence was Phos's comments on page 16.

Phos recognizes that this pebble is similar to the other rock life forms AND it's consciousness had been there since the beginning of the earth, meaning it's much older than nearly everything on this planet, including Phos and Eyeball. To me, this cemented my theory.

Of course, this is just me guessing. And I'll admit, when I went to look up the Ice Floes again, the HnK wiki states that Eyeball and the Ice Floes are connected, so I could very much be wrong. It was still fun to theorize haha

Please tell me what you think!

Edit: Well, it looks like that theory was incorrect. Oh well! I still had fun coming up with it. Thank you @laloyoungblood for letting me know.

The End Is Near and Yet So Far...

I've said it many times before and I'll say it again: I can't wait to see how this story ends. And if the story is going to end at 108 chapters, I'd be so happy, and the ending of this chapter had me excited for the final climax of the story...

Until I saw the excerpt at the bottom of the page.

Houseki no Kuni won't be returning until the spring of 2024... And we just barely came back from the other hiatus...

Now don't get me wrong, waiting through hiatuses is nothing new for me and I'm glad more mangaka are trying to prioritize their health and happiness than trying to rush their stories because of a deadline.

But these hiatuses are a bit annoying, I'm not going to lie. If there's one thing I know I won't miss with this series, it's the many, many hiatuses Ms. Ichikawa had done.

I know it'll be okay in the end. There are more important things going on in my life now, so I know I won't dwell on it for much longer. But at the same time, I just want this story to finally cross the finish line. We're so close to the end, and yet the goal post is moved again.

I just want to see this story end soon. And I hope it'll be worth it.

Okay! That's all for now. Thank you to everyone who reads and responds to my posts. I love all your responses. I don't know how many of you will stick around when I stop doing these posts, but I'm honestly really grateful to you.

Hope the rest of the month goes well for you all! Stay safe out there.

[perfectlovevn]

hi boss! absolutely loved Perfect Love and you did such an amazing job with the entire game's execution! i loved how you were able to so clearly portray eris as f-ked up and the main instigator for everything, pulling the strings behind the scenes instead of the usual "i didnt do anything wrong" or "im just trying to survive" type of MC (which isnt bad at all, but im so happy with the freshness and utter depravity eris brings) i love your art and the intentionally messy style that highlights the disorganisation and chaos in both eris' and milo's mind, the recurring motifs of eyes, red, blue, god i can go on and on. really your vn is so well crafted with how intentional every creative decision taken seems, im going crazy with the amount of love, time and effort you put into perfect love.

ive read every single name easter egg you put and the references to other yandere vns/media (jd <3) AND went on to give us more with adding little quips later in the game depending on the nickname eris gives milo. i was literally going crazy with how i couldnt decode the 2nd type of cipher you scattered throughout the code until 2 days later when i was ready to give up and ask you hahaha

from there, if it isnt too spoilerish, is there reason you used the nihilist cipher that removed the letter J instead of the usual Z ? and ! i loved the snippets with the friendship gang, tysm for leaving in your writing process and brainstorming products in the game files i had so much fun <3 im so sorry for the rant and thank you so much for the game! 1000% looking forward to your next one if youre working on something!

Hello! Thank you for your kind words!

Yeah, one of the main reasons I made Eris like that because because of how much I really wanted to see more evil MC in visual novels (or just yandere media in general). While there isn't anything wrong with having a yandere who is just there to survive, there is something very fun about being the one who causes the yandere to become worse than he initially was.

I'm glad that you found such meaning in the art style! Honestly the biggest reason I drew it like that was because I was trying to get it done for the 2023 yanjam and I didn't want to overwhelm myself so I just made mostly everything black and white. That and it's supposed to symbolize more of the darker aspects of the game. Did you know all my assets were drawn with one brush?

Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy the details because I really did try to put as much as I could in there. Since I think it would be fun for people to see the neat details people put in the game (I know I sure do when I play visual novels), I tried to make everything very catered to what was going on in the story. It did take some extra work, but I think it's good for the game and my general learning experience. I'm also glad you enjoyed the easter eggs I put in for names and nicknames. I was very sleep deprived when I did it and I kept adding them in because I don't have good attention span (or at least, that's part of the reason).

For the cyphers inside of the code, I put a hint at the very top relating to each of the code. Each of the four types is represented of the three Milos with the one in English being from Eris. The Nhilist cypher is specifically for Manipulation and the key is in the second line based off of the capitalized letters.

Yeah! I'm glad you liked it. I'm still in the middle of writing the other ones (I'm working on the one with Poison in it, which recounts what Eris did to get Poison to fight Violent in his route). I always like leaving my drafts in there because I always find it fun to see people's thought progress in code and games.

No, no, I love your rant on it! I think it's really fun seeing what other people like, dislike and thought about the game in general! My next game will be a lot more light hearted, but still have a yandere character in it.

[mercwiththem0uth]

Hey, your fics are honestly so well-written, I don't usually read "x reader" but I do frequently branch out to genres I'm not familiar with and I really like your writing style

I saw on your pinned post that you take requests and I have an odd one. Recently, I've become lowkey obsessed with the idea of Ross Gaines x Joseph Lisgoe and was wondering if you'd ever be willing to write a fic about them? I'll be honest, I have no idea how specific you like requests to be, but I'm giving you free reign to take it in any direction you see fit. If you're up for it, then thank you so much! If not, then fair enough and I wish you good luck for your future stories 😄

thank you for your kind words!! i want to give this a go for you (so sorry for the delay in responding), but to be 100% honest, i'm not entirely sure i'll give your vision much justice! i'm very used to writing 'x reader' and i have never actually written 2 character ships before...

because of this, i've decided to do a short drabble style so that i don't have to delve into too much specific detail for a story line, and risk messing up lmao. i really hope this is okay, let me know what you think and hopefully i might be able to branch out into more similar subjects in the future :)

p.s. my blog is starting to look like a ross fan account at this point... and I'm not mad about it lolll.

---

Opposites Attract - Joseph Lisgoe x Ross Gaines

[not proof read]

his slicked back hair, narrowed eyes, and angry demeanor did nothing to intimidate ross. "i'm telling you, you've got the wrong house. i don't owe anybody anything." ross' tone remained calm and collected, which only seemed to agitate lisgoe even further.

"oh, yeah?" he drew closer to ross, forcing himself further into the doorway. "then how come your address is the one printed on the fucking paper slip?" lisgoe shoved the paper that he was holding to force it against ross' chest, encouraging him to hold it himself and read it. ross lifted the paper and glanced at it nonchalantly, before looking back at the angered man with a shrug of his shoulders.

"i really don't know. i'm sorry that i can't help you" ross said politely, stepping slightly backwards to close the front door between the pair of them.

"don't you dare even think about shutting this fucking door on me." joseph moved his foot into the door frame to act as a door stop, causing it to be left half-open.

with an excessive exhale of air, ross re-opened the door and stared questionably at the man before him. "what do you actually want from me?"

"I've only told you about fifty times, i want the money you owe me! i'm not leaving here until i get it."

ironically, he did end up leaving empty-handed, having realised that ross was perhaps just as stubborn as himself. joseph lay in bed that night, thoughts racing about the strange encounter he'd had that day. ross. why was he so... different? he had been so relaxed the whole time that lisgoe was shouting in his face. joseph's terrible anger and extreme persistence is the only thing he had to use in his power against people. it was the only strength he ever needed. so why was ross so unphased? it infuriated him...

the next day, lisgoe wandered the streets with barry and glen, ready to tackle the next set of debt-avoiders. joseph stood still in his tracks as a familiar face walked towards him down the street. "well if it isn't mr. gaines! we were gonna be paying you another visit later today" joseph spat, sarcasm lacing heavily in his voice.

"i'm not entirely sure why. you'd be wasting your time, to be honest." there it was. that calm voice that joseph hated so much. ross was supposed to be scared of him, what was he doing wrong?

"oh, you know exactly why." he gritted his teeth. "your name is on that paper, you owe us money and that is that!"

"have you perhaps taken this up with your little minions?" ross gestured towards the two cowardly men stood behind lisgoe, who were not helping the situation at all. "clearly somebody has made a mistake here. i've never even heard of you in my life, mr. lisgoe, i certainly don't owe you any money." ross' tone was more sarcastic this time, especially on the emphasis of joseph's name, which only caused chills to travel over his skin.

before he could even respond, ross had walked past them and continued down the street, swinging his briefcase happily as he went. shock and bewilderment momentarily lingered on joseph's face as he watched the man leave, before his eyes landed on his two useless workers, quickly resorting to his usual stern expression.

"he seems pretty certain he doesn't owe anyth-" barry began, before being silenced by lisgoe's rough hand that grabbed onto the back of his neck and forced him to walk forward, continuing their journey in silence.

---

it was late evening and lisgoe lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to relax with a mind racing yet again over his impenetrable client. before long, he gave in and jumped up, pulling on his jacket and rushing out of the door.

ross sat alone, reading a book contently on his couch, before a buzz from the intercom interrupted his quiet evening.

"hello?" he answered, waiting to find out who was at the door. "it's lisgoe. let me in."

ross chuckled slightly, "why would i do that?"

"because i fucking said so." he was stern. not in a mood to be messed around with. and ross seemed to realise that.

the main door buzzed open and joseph raced to ross' apartment number, suddenly coming to a halt as he came eye to eye with ross who stood leaning smugly against the doorframe. "are we still not done here?" he said slyly, watching lisgoe's face as it washed over with anger.

"what is the matter with you, gaines? why aren't you intimidated by me?" his brows were furrowed and his fists were balled so tightly that his knuckles turned a pale white.

"why would i be intimidated by you?" he seemed genuinely confused. "i know that i don't owe you any money, so there's nothing to be afraid of." he smiled slightly, which made joseph's blood boil.

"you listen here," he inched up to ross, backing him into the door and staring deep into his eyes, his voice now so low and close to a whisper. "i spoke with my idiot coworkers, they did make a mistake and it turns out you're not in my debt. you should consider yourself extremely luck-"

"you came all the way here to tell me that?" ross interrupted, maintaining deep eye contact with the man who stood so close to him that he could feel his breath on his face.

"no!" lisgoe spat, grabbing ross' shoulders and pushing them into the door he was leaning against, frustration flowing through his veins. "i came here to make you aware of who you could've been dealing with. and who you just might be dealing with one day if you're not careful. i am one of the most powerful people in vasey, and i don't think you're taking this seriously enough."

ross breathed yet another sarcastic chuckle, still completely unphased by the insecure debt-collector. "why are you so annoyed that i'm not scared of you?"

lisgoe's grip on his shoulders loosened, dropping his hands to his sides. he took a step back and swallowed deeply, trying to process his question.

"i- i'm not." he stuttered, lying through his teeth. of course he was annoyed. he just couldn't understand why his usual scary behaviour didn't have the same affect on ross as it did with everyone else. he was intrigued, more than anything. ross was uninterested, which made him... irresistible, in a way. lisgoe wanted to make him interested.

"something wrong, lisgoe?" ross questioned, tilting his head and looking at the man with raised eyebrows.

"wipe that smug look off your face before i cut it off" he grumbled, revealing his small pocket-knife that he held in his blazer.

"okay. i just have one question for you," gaines began. "if you know i don't owe you money, and you're not annoyed at me, why are you stood here after-dark pointing a knife at me?"

"you just don't get it... do ya?" lisgoe sniggered, tucking the blade back into his pocket. "i thought you were supposed to be smart."

"well, no. i don't get it!" ross' voice raised slightly. "however i'd still say i'm smarter than you..." he mumbled.

"watch ya fuckin' mouth" joseph grimaced through gritted teeth. his eyes trailed over ross, flicking up and down before landing back on his face, making eye contact.

a heavy silence fell over the two of them, the atmosphere tense. ross swallowed hard as they stared at one another. "what...?" he almost stuttered, unable to read lisgoe's expression. the first time he ever let his guard down in front of lisgoe.

joseph approached him once again, closing the gap between them, breath hot on his face.

"you're so hard to read, gaines. like a closed book." he whispered, his words so quiet for only ross to hear. "...can you open yourself up to me?"

---

a/n: welllll there it is. wasn't really sure how to end it so it's kinda weak and rushed. like i say i'm inexperienced with character ships, but i enjoyed writing that (eventhough it was only short.)

there might be a part 2? if i can come up with any ideas or if you want to suggest anything for me!

[colderdrafts]

13: Home safe

The Great Assembly, gender neutral reader x monster (male naga). Sfw. Previous Next

Elise lives alone in a regular sized house in the outskirts of town. It's an older brick building with a matted roof, and connected to a large unkempt garden - many things grow here, but it's clear to see Elise doesn't bother much with controlling where it grows.

The interior is a different story, however. It reminds you of a cozy farmhouse a nuclear family would visit to 'get away from it all'. Lots of earth colors, old furniture and cupboards, and a large heap of plants in every room. From the entrance is a road to the kitchen and living room, and a bathroom behind the staircase. Upstairs is another hallway, leading into three separate smaller rooms; Elise's bedroom, a guest room and a home office.

"Sometimes my brother stays over for a few days, so I put up a space for him," Elise explains while you unload your things.

You've been given the guest room, where there's an actual bed, seeing as Amren is just as comfortable on his coils, so he'll take the office.

"Pardon the mattress is a bit stiff, the wierdo likes sleeping like it's on a rock," she chuckles.

"It'll be fine," you assure her. Though when you sit down you realize she wasn't exaggerating. How a mattress can just promptly refuse to give in to you putting weight on it is something you'll have to file under 'troll things' in your mind.

Elise leaves you to get some dinner started, and you settle in. You sit back down on the brick mattress, and breathe out slowly, trying to get all the tension and dull aching in your battered body to settle for a bit. Just a little moment of calm. You’re safe.

It doesn’t work very well.

You grimace, and pull out Irwin's phone. Poor thing has run out of power. Not that you would have much use for it now, though something about letting his phone die rings an illogical guilt deep in your core. You couldn't take care of him, and now you can't even take care of his phone?

There's a knock on the door, and you welcome the distraction, getting into a sitting position. It's Amren.

"Elise says dinners ready in about an hour," he announces as he enters, but then frowns. “..Is that Irwin’s phone?”

“Yep,” you reply.

“You did not hand it to the police?”

“Nope.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know.”

He suddenly looks very tired. “Tiny, you’re not considering trying to find Irwin on your own, are you?”

Are you?

You can’t stop worrying, and for good reason. He’s missing, and you didn’t even feel comfortable collaborating with the people who are supposed to find him. What options does he have, then? You look up at Amren. “I don’t know,” you repeat.

He flicks his tongue and sighs, looking like he's trying very hard to keep from reprimanding you. He enters fully and closes the door behind him, settling in front of you. “Did what the Officer said make you think to keep it?”

You're honestly surprised at the very patient tone he's using right now. You'd expected he'd at least tell you how dumb the decision was, quip at you or something. Right now he just focuses on you and patiently waits for you to speak - it's almost like he's done this before.

Oh, right. He's a security guard. He's using his training to deal with this conversation on legality matters.

You elaborate as best as you can what you felt when talking to the Officer, going over again how something in the conversation didn’t add up. He heard it himself, but it seems he wants the full version. Amren listens intently, but he’s difficult to read.

“You realize this might make it harder for them to do their jobs and find him?” he asks.

“I do. I still don’t trust them.”

To your surprise, he just nods. “You mistrust is not entirely unfounded. What happened is.. odd. I don't necessarily agree with the decision, but until we know for sure, perhaps you should hold on to it."

"I know it's dumb, but I can't just hand it over not knowing what I'm giving to who," you frown. "It feels like taking one of Irwin's chances away."

He studies you for a beat. "Let me know if you change your mind."

He uncoils himself again, and goes for the door. He looks back over at you with his hand on the doorknob, nodding at the phone in your hands. "Don't leave that thing in plain sight all the time, Tiny. It'll just make it worse."

With that, he silently leaves and closes the door behind him.

"Thanks for the pep-talk," you mutter under your breath.

An hour to spare gives you time to shower and get some clean clothes on. Amren helps you re-wrap fresh bandages at the dinner table while Elise sets it.

"Thank the stars," Elise comments. "It was bad enough to have one snake stinking up the place, we didn't need two."

"Two?" you ask. "What are you talking about?"

Elise looks at you for a beat then her eyes widen. "Right! Sorry. Yeah, you reeked of Amren a bit ago. It's gone now, thankfully. You must have huddled pretty close to the fire for that level'o stank, tho."

You try not to get too offended at the prospect that you've apparently been stinking up the place, chasing away any slight embarrassment as you know exactly how that might have happened.

Amren scoffs and butts in before you can say anything.

"May I remind you I did not come here at my own volition? You dragged me here. It's your own fault it smells like me in here now." He carefully secures the bandage with claspers on your arm, sideeying her. "And you're not the best smelling individual yourself, Elise."

Elise stares at him for a beat before she splutters and laughs. "No need to get on the offensive big guy, just an observation!" she holds up her palms in a placating gesture, but her face shows only amusement. "Horse crackers, what are you so on the fence about?"

"What do you mean I 'Reek'?" you ask, halting Amren's retort.

He glares warningly at Elise, and then turns his attention to you. "I must have rubbed off on you while we were out and about," he replies. "It happens."

"Especially when it's put there on purpose," Elise trails off, nodding sagely.

Amren finishes securing the last of your bandage, ignoring her. He gently rotates your arm to check his work before he releases you, satisfied. "Done."

"Thanks," you say, expertly moving on to change the topic. "Is it a general thing with smelling each other all the time for you guys? In that case, pardon the forest don't really offer much in terms of bathing."

"Ah, no no, don't you worry, regular hum stink ain’t so bad, kinda tame honestly," Elise says, and hesitates before continuing, "all those perfumes you insist on wearing however, they're terrible. All of them. No offense."

She starts setting plates on the table. You get up to help her, but she shoots you a stern look that roots you back to your seat wordlessly.

Amren nods in agreement. "I cannot figure you out with them. It's like they're cloaking you from my senses, I can't tell what's going on with you when you wear them," he flicks his tongue as if to underline the fact.

"Perfume? Really? You prefer we go around stinking of sweat?"

"Yes," Amren says flatly, "though the neutral soaps you use are an adequate alternative. A bit off putting at first, but a few hours later you're back at a tolerable level."

You snort. You're not unfamiliar with the whole social stigma on how to smell nice with a wide variety of opinions, however with stronger sense you suppose it makes sense to dislike the stronger smells of perfume.

"Do all mons feel like that, and you've just been too polite to tell us?" you ask, somewhat amused.

"Nah, not all of us. For example, some fae love that stuff. The more you can smell like a bottle of concentrated flower-incense the better," Elise chuckles, setting a big steaming pot on the table, while Amren moves some plates out of the way, "I remember shortly after the Assembly, mons with stronger senses shared that annoying 'Hum Perfum''-thing. It was both funny and stupid. Perfume was obviously important to a lotta hums, so the meme quickly died down and we learned to deal."

Elise begins pouring a gracious amount of a hearty looking vegetable stew up on two plates, and sets them to herself and you. Your mouth waters at the sight of food that hasn't come out of a can. She then fishes out a separate smaller pot and dumps the contents on a plate for Amren. It's a healthy serving of some kind of deboned cooked meat, though it smells delicious.

"You didn't have to bother removing the bones, I can digest them just fine," Amren says.

"That's his way of saying 'thank you'," Elise winks at you, "my pleasure, Mr. Grumpy."

She grins, effectively bringing Amren's neutral expression back into a scowl.

Dinner is delicious, and you have a pleasant time chatting mostly with Elise. The flow of conversations comes pretty easy in her company, and though you're still tired, it's nice to have a distraction. Elise was right in affirming you needing company after this, your isolated apartment would just have let you sit and mull over your thoughts, worried. The down-to-earth atmosphere, the rustic vibes and your two current co-habitors provides you a sense of safety you would never have gotten at home.

Elise hurriedly sends you off to bed afterwards, though, refusing your argument that you should at least help with the dishes. You foolishly look to Amren for support, and he flat out tells you you look terrible and should sleep.

So here you are in the dark, trying to settle in on the stiff mattress, yet not being able to sleep. Fleeting images of the past nights events still intrude in your mind, bone crunching, snapping teeth, red eyes chasing you through the dark - you shudder under the covers. It's like your body doesn't want to rest, that it shouldn't. What if something happens while you're under?

You hear movement outside, and it seems Elise and Amren have finished downstairs. You get a tidbit of their conversation as they approach the foot of the stairs;

"-not sure how they just forgave me that easily. I feel so guilty," comes Elise's voice.

"Elise, even you should know that that doesn't make any sense. Why are you wasting energy on something you can't fix?" Amren says.

Elise growls in annoyance. "Because of exactly that, you insensitive slab of rocks. I can't fix it, and it's tearing me apart."

There's silence for a bit.

"..I see," Amren mutters.

Elise huffs. "Anyway. It's nice to finally see you break out of your shell a little bit," she says, changing the topic. "You're a lot different here than at the company."

"I'm at work at the company. Of course it's different," he replies. "And I wouldn't say it's as much me 'breaking out' as the hum trying to shatter me with a hammer."

Elise snickers. "Well, it worked, didn't it?" he doesn't reply, so she continues. "Genuinely apologizing? Getting defensive on their behalf? It's been barely a week and you're already a changed person."

He grumbles unintelligibly under his breath so you can't make it out, but whatever it was makes Elise stifle a spluttering laugh, mindful not to 'wake' you.

Elise says goodnight, Amren growls something, and you hear two doors opening and closing in the hallway. You lie silently in the dark with a sort of odd feeling.

About two days pass at Elise's house like this. There's not much to do out here, but the calmness of the area helps you clear your mind of the past days' troubles and focusing on healing. Mrs. Hansen has, true to her word, sent out a widespread notice for all workers that the company will remained closed until further notice while the investigation is undergoing. There are still no news of Irwin's whereabouts, and the constant gnawing worry in your stomach never really goes away.

You have come to loathe sitting still inside the house, so you distract yourself by spending most of your time in Elise's garden, wandering the paths through years of overgrowth. Despite the haphazard distribution of branches and leaves, it's rather peaceful. Your arm still aches from time to time, but it's healing nicely and the pain is at tolerable levels.

Elise spends most of her time tending to smaller projects around the house, and Amren occupies himself either wandering around the area or reading coiled up in a corner of the veranda. You've noticed despite what he sets out to do, he is somewhat always within earshot of you, like he’s scared a harpy will swing by a pluck you off the ground.

Your evenings are spent with board games and idle conversation, and the small reprieve is welcome in your current situation - but you can't truly feel at ease when you're still worried for your friend. It feels almost shameful to just hide away in an idyllic house while he's somewhere out there in danger.

Once again your nights are restless, the images of horrifying memories wont leave you alone. They’re clawing into your mind as if just daring you to try and forget them. Irwin's drunken promise rings through your head, clear as day; "I would do. Anything for you".

You wake up more than one time in a cold sweat, breathing hard to still your rampaging thoughts, murmuring of guilt, fear and worst of all, anticipation. The lack of answers and the lack of news on the situation keeps in a constant loop of anxiety - worry for Irwin, and for yourself.

You can't stay hidden here forever. But what happens when you finally go back to your own apartment?

"They're looking for someone just like you" Mira's honey sweet voice echoes in your mind, both a promise and a threat. It makes you shiver.

Who is? And why? Are they the same people who took Irwin?

Sighing, you haul yourself out of bed yet again. Maybe getting some water would help calm you down.

On the way out you pass by Irwin's phone laying on the desk and hesitate for a moment. You've been avoiding approaching it for a while now, not really ready to face what's happened - but Irwin is trapped somewhere on the other side of your hesitation, and you once again reprimand yourself for allowing him to wait. Maybe fiddling with it isn't the best idea in your current state of being, but if there's any inkling of answers or closure..

You grab it and start rummaging around your backpack for a charger - but when you fail to find it feeling around, you give in to tired impatience and simply dump the contents on the floor. Rested you can deal with the outcome.

You still don't spot your charger, but you do spot something else in the dark.

A small green leaf is sticking out from under your spare pair of shorts that is now unceremoniously lying on the floor. Your first thought is it's perhaps a leafy hitchhiker you somehow managed to pick up from the forest, and go to pick it off of your clothes - though its stem is golden, it has four petite leaves and it is completely intact despite its haphazard journey as a stowaway in your backpack.

You're holding one of the two golden clovers.

[willows-adventures-in-words]

And I forgot I wanted to post this before the weekend. This scene has one of the rare moments when I try to add humor to my stories. It's one of the things I think I'm worst at, but I think this attempt actually went well?

Anyway, this scene continues off from this one.

'the abilities story' word count: 1,583

~-~-~

Eli woke to silence. Though it didn't take long before he realized things were wrong. Different from when he managed to get some sleep. Some very dim light from the hallway came through the much more opened door. That had him a little concerned. Though what really had his anxiety rising was when he looked over to Layne, only to find him gone. Then his fear spiked as footsteps sounded in the hall. What should he do? Where can he hide? And where was Layne? He didn't have time. Whoever it was was going to be there any second. Eli looked up as the man entered the room. “Hey. Did I wake you up?”

So many things went through Eli's head at he stared up at Layne. And out of all the things he could have said, Eli blurted out, “Where were you?”

The edge to his voice told Layne that he'd messed up somewhere. “The gang left. I just went to look around a little.”

Eli let out a breath. “When you weren't here I thought something happened to you.”

Layne stepped over and sat back down next to him. “Sorry. Next time I won't go anywhere. Sound good?”

Next time... Hopefully there won't be one. Hopefully this will be fixed soon and they could put all this behind them. “Yeah. Sounds good.”

There was a pause before Layne spoke again. “So, I found a bathroom. Highly don't recommend. Unless you're desperate. Which unfortunately I was.” There was a hint of amusement in Eli's reaction. Good. Mood successfully lightened. They sat in silence for a minute. “You ready to get out of here?”

“More than ready.” They both got up and started out of the room. Despite the warning of 'unless you're desperate', Eli figured he should head to the bathroom. He could manage waiting but who's to say for how long or when another one would be available. “Where was the bathroom?”

“It's the first door in the hall.” First door... That must have been where he'd heard the people going to last night. Eli stepped inside and paused for a moment, taking in the mess, before he pushed the door mostly closed. Not only was it a mess but it smelled bad. He'd better make it quick.

When Eli left the bathroom, Layne looked back at him from the entrance of the hallway. With a grin he asked, “Wasn't joking was I?”

“Not a bit.”

They started towards the front of the store when Layne stopped in front of the escalator. “Hey, you mind if we check upstairs for a minute?” Honestly, Eli just wanted to leave and find the others. He didn't know why Layne wasn't just as ready to leave given what had happened yesterday. “Just a couple minutes. I'm curious about yesterday.” Upon his mentioning that, Eli's curiosity was piqued a little. But he wasn't curious enough to go up and investigate. Though he reluctantly gave in and they started up the steps.

Eli was on edge. He was half expecting to either see someone on the second floor, or to walk into a chaotic, disastrous scene. But it was neither of those. It looked the same as when they were there the previous day with the others. His nerves calmed as he glanced around. Stepping closer to the big windows he looked outside hoping to see their friends. He didn't see anyone at all. Did, they leave? They wouldn't. Would they? He shook his head. No, he probably just couldn't see where they were from here. “Eli.” He turned around. There was something in the tone of his friends voice that ripped his attention away from the window. “I think- I think I found what happened.” Layne was standing near one of the pillars. Eli's nerves spiked and he could feel his heart-rate increase as he walked over. He didn't know what he'd see, but based on Layne's reaction, it wasn't going to be good.

The pillar had deep cracks trailing out and up from the points of impact. There were two. And the higher one had blood spots at its center. Someone hit their head there... A chill ran down his back. He couldn't imagine the force it would take to cause this. “... I think we should just get out of here.”

“Yeah...” As they were heading towards the escalator, they passed by the counter where registers used to sit. It was luck that he'd seen it. Sitting on the floor, against one of the two counters, was a gallon sized container of something. Layne paused. The container was just under three quarters full. He grabbed it without much thought. If they didn't want it they could just leave it behind. But anything to drink is better than nothing. Right?

Layne followed Eli as he b-lined it to the door. He had to unlock it before they could get out. Once outside Eli pointed out a bus stop. It was one that had a shelter. It was a bit of a distance from the mall but easily visible. Also inconspicuous enough that people wouldn't assume that they had just come from the building. They glanced about as they hurried towards the bus shelter; the liquid in the container sloshing a bit. Eli looked over and saw the gallon container. “Where did you find that?”

“It was upstairs. I saw it on the way out.”

Eli was tempted to ask what it was. But figured he'd wait until they were safely away from the mall. When they got to the bus stop and there wasn't anyone around, Eli let out a sigh of relief. They were safe. Except one small problem. They were alone. He turned around to see Layne sit down on the bench, setting the gallon down next to him. Eli stepped over and sat down, one leg bent on the bench so he was facing Layne. The container sat between them. “So, is it just water?”

Layne shrugged. “Want to find out?” he asked copying his sitting position so he could face him. He lifted a fist out in front of him. “Loser tries it.”

“And if it's not water?” With a grin, Layne repeated his challenge. Eli gave a slight shrug and lifted his own fist.

They threw their fists down three times. Again. Once, twice, and on the third time they both changed their hands position. “Shoot.” Layne hesitated for just a second before he reached forward and twisted off the cap of the bottle. Lifting it, he paused. “Well, it doesn't really smell like anything.”

“So it's water?”

Layne lifted his eyes and met Eli's. Then brought the bottle to his lips and took a drink. As he set it down he said, “Yep. Just water.”

“I'm almost disappointed.”

“What were you hoping for?”

“Literally anything else.”

“Oof. What if it was a pee bottle?”

Eli raised a brow. “You're the one who made the rules and lost.” He reached out for the bottle. “It would have been on you.” Then lifted it for a drink.

“I guess I should be glad it wasn't then.”

Setting the bottle down, Eli picked up the cap and closed it. “Would have been funny seeing you spit it out though.”

Layne let out a laugh. “I would have spit it at you.”

“Lucky me then,” Eli stated with a smile. It almost felt like a normal situation. But when their exchange ended and silence started to settle, the normality of it vanished. Eli looked down the road they were next to. What should they do? And where were-

“Where do you think they are?”

Eli looked back over to him. He didn't have to ask who he meant. He'd been thinking it too. Except he had no idea where they were. They didn't have a way to find out either. “I'm sure they're close by.” Layne glanced at him. “Let's, just wait for them here for a bit.”

“Yeah. Okay.” He's known Eli long enough to notice his uncertainty. But he found it hard to believe that they would just leave them behind. Unless something happened. And if they did leave, they wouldn't have an easy way to find each other. Their only choice was to wait.

And so they waited. As time past the air between them become somber. Layne had mostly watched in the direction of the mall. Eli had been watching the road. He saw a few people walking. But there was no sign of their friends. They didn't know how long they waited. But eventually it was long enough.

Layne sat slouched with his forearms resting on his legs. Finally, as he sat upright, he spoke. “Why don't we head back to the studio.” He got to his feet and stretched. Then when he turned to Eli he continued. “We're going to feel pretty dumb when we get back to find out they've been waiting for us there the whole time.”

Eli chuckled, then got to his feet. “Yeah we would.” He picked up the bottle and said, “Let's see how dumb we feel.” Him and Layne started walking back in the direction they had all come from the previous evening.

[issie-https]

I loved reading your fanfics, could i ask you to do a story about Ménage à trois between Izzy Stradlin and Julian Casablancas from The Strokes, I'm crazy about these 2 mens!! and you can use my name if you want!!

Ménage à trois

Izzy Stradlin X Reader X Julian Casablancas

A/n: honestly, I kinda like this one🤷‍♀️ thank you for requesting! I’ve got some Nikki Sixx requests on the way😁

Word count: 1223

Warnings: smuttt(unprotected), blowjob, dirty talk, teasing, spanking, dacryphilia

Ménage à trois meaning:

an arrangement in which three people share a sexual relationship, typically a domestic situation involving a couple and the lover of one of them.

Main masterlist

༺✩༻

I woke up to my boyfriend, Izzy, slightly snoring. I decided to surprise him and Julian with a breakfast in bed. I don't do stuff like this often but they do a lot for me so, why not?

I make them a stack of pancakes each and a mug of coffee. I took Julian's first. "Julian, honey," I said softly, waking him up. "Hey," he rasped, sleep still in his voice. "I made you breakfast," I said proudly. "Aww, you're so cute," he laughed, tucking some hair behind my ear. "Eat up because we have some errands to run today," I said, putting the coffee on his nightstand and handing him the pancakes. "Do I have to come?" He groaned. "Yes, I'm dragging Izzy along as well so shut up," I laughed. "Fine. Love you," he said with a mouth full of food. "Love you too," I smiled, leaving his room and going to give Izzy his breakfast.

"Izz, wake up," I whispered, rubbing his arm. "You okay?" He asked, his voice deep from sleep. "Yeah, I made you breakfast," I smiled as he sat up. "Aww, you didn't have to, angel," he smiled, looking up at me. "We have some errands to run today, I've told Julian," I smiled. "Do we have to?" He mumbled. "Yes," I said, "I'm going to eat my breakfast. Come down when you're ready,".

I ate my food and went back upstairs for a shower. "Y/n?" I heard Julian call from the hallway. "I'm in the shower," I called back. He came in and closed the door behind himself. "I need you," he moaned. I looked down to see a bulge visible in his pants. "Aww, honey. Come here then," I cooed.

After an eventful... shower, I picked out my favourite leather skirt, a pair of tights and a white blouse, accompanied with my Mary Janes. "Thoughts?" I asked, giving Izzy and Julian a spin. "Gorgeous," Izzy said, exhaling some cigarette smoke. "Beautiful," Julian added, making me smile.

In all honesty, todays errands were getting some new clothes and also some new lingerie. I couldn't tell them that though because they'd just tell me to order it online or that they'll buy it for me but I like to make a day of it, y'know? Pamper myself for once.

We arrived at the mall and we went to Chanel first. "Seriously?" Izzy grumbled the second we entered the store. "Shut it," I glared at him. Next, we went to a random clothing store to get me a couple of skirts and dresses. Lastly, Victoria's Secret.

"Y/n. No," Izzy warned when I turned to the store. "Why? Don't you want to see me in some new lingerie?" I whispered in his ear. "Can't you just order it online?" Julian grumbled. "No, I wanna see what I look like before I buy it," I explained, grabbing their hands and dragging through the shop. "What about this one?" I perked. I got no reply so I looked around and saw both of them sat outside on their phones. "Little fuckers," I said under my breath.

I chose some pieces and went to the fitting rooms to try them on. I took some photos and sent them to Julian and Izzy, smirking at my pettiness.

Izzy: Get here now.

Me: No, I'm trying some lingerie on.

Izzy: You have five minutes.

I changed back into my clothes, went to the tills and bought all five pieces.

I went out to the guys to see them both scowling. "You okay?" I smirked. "Car. Now," Julian ordered. I smiled and turned on my heel towards the car park.

We arrived back home and I ran out of the car, inside and into the bathroom and locked the door. "Y/n Y/l/n. Open the door now," Izzy shouted to me through the door. "I'm changing. You and Julian can wait in the bedroom," I replied. "You're a bitch," he groaned under his breath.

I put on a white set and put my blouse back on but leaving the buttons undone.

I walked into the bedroom, seeing both of them sat on the bed, waiting for me. "Thoughts?" I asked for the second time that day. "You look like a whore," Izzy replied, scanning me with his eyes. I walked over to Julian and straddled him, looking into his eyes. "What do you think?" I asked him. "Same as Izzy," he replied blankly. I put on a fake pout, causing Julian to slap my ass. "I thought you liked it when I looked slutty?" I said, grinding myself on Julian's thigh. "Get up, now," Izzy ordered. I got off Julians lap and stood in front of them.

"Down on all fours, your gonna suck him off," Izzy said, standing up off the bed. I did as I was told, unbuckling Julians belt and helping him remove his pants, his hard dick sprung out, making my mouth water at the thought of him fucking my throat. I sunk my mouth down on his length, moaning when he finally hit the back of my throat. I felt Izzy behind me, rubbing his hands across my ass before giving me a hard slap, making me moan on Julian's dick. Izzy reached under me and unbuttoned my blouse and pulled it away from my body, leaving me in my lingerie. "Look how pretty you are," Izzy praised. He started rubbing his fingers on my clit, making me jolt a little from the sudden contact. Julian laced his fingers through my hair, tugging lightly. "You feel so good," he moaned as he pushed my head further down on his dick.

All of a sudden, Izzy removed his fingers from my clit, making me whimper at the loss of contact. I heard Izzy remove his leather pants and throw them somewhere in the room. He teased my entrance with his cock, holding my hip with his other hand. He slapped my ass before pushing his cock all the way into me, making me scream-moan as I felt him fill me up. Julian fucked my mouth, making my eyes fill with tears. "You're so fucking pretty when you cry," he said breathlessly. "Look at you, taking our dicks so well like a slut," Izzy groaned, quickening his pace. Sounds of skin slapping skin echoed through the room, adding to my arousal.

" 'm so close," I whimpered when Julian let me breathe. "Hold it," Julian said, slapping my cheek. The stinging sensation made me smile internally, liking the rough way they were treating me. Julian went back to fucking my throat as I felt them both twitch inside me. "Cum, princess," Izzy moaned as his thrusts became more sloppy. I came on his dick, moaning on Julian's. I felt them both cum in me, filling me up from both ends. "Good girl," Julian praised, rubbing my cheek. I swallowed his cum and Izzy pulled out of me. I felt our cum leak down my thighs. "I'll get a towel. You okay, angel?" Izzy said, standing up and walking to our shared bathroom. I nodded and mumbled a 'mhm'. He wiped my thighs then picked me up and put me in the middle of the bed. Both of them lay down beside me as we drifted off to sleep.

[the-art-in-arthesia-is-loud]

Final Farewell

sorry for this guys ik i'm Not Done with the story summary yet but i'm just gonna drop this thing that is basically an out of context spoiler. i uh apologize in advance 😔

———

In the darkness, the girl who was once filled with fear and self-hatred tries her best to see. Obviously, she struggled a little, but then a light came from behind her.

Pamolia turned around, and was greeted by the sight of the one person who has always been there for her through thick and thin, surrounded by blue butterflies as they all gather around him to give some light to him.

"Pupa!" She called out, running towards the man, who in turn whipped around to see the girl. "Ah, Pamolia, hello." He greeted calmly. Something about the overall vibes he gives off at the moment feels...different to the girl.

That made her fear for what will come next.

"Wha...What are we doing here?" She asked anxiously, glancing around the dark void, before glancing back at Pupa, who's lips curved into a small smile. He lets out a light-hearted chuckle, before giving the girl his answer.

"Why, because it's time for me to say my final goodbyes, silly!" He replied. The way he sounds so happy about this makes Pamolia even more scared. "W-what? What do you mean, 'your final goodbyes'?!" She asked urgently, feeling her breath hitch.

"Remember when I told you that I'm gonna accompany you until you're ready to live life independently?" Pupa asked back, raising an eyebrow at Pamolia, who stopped panicking for a little bit. "...Yes...? What does that have to do with—Oh."

The realization hit her as hard as a large rock would.

Her heart dropped in an instant.

The truth is clear to her now.

Pupa is going to leave her forever.

"H-huh...? N-no...no no no no no. No! I- I'm not going to let you leave me like this!" She shouted at him. Pupa sighed in frustration, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Wow, you're so stubborn even after all of this time. C'mon now, Pamolia. You're better than this." He told the girl.

The fact that he really is trying to shove the truth further down her throat made Pamolia sick to the stomach. "No! Shut up, shut up, shut up! I don't want you to leave yet! I can't...!" At this point, her eyes are starting to water. The sight of the panicking girl made Pupa feel a bit bad, but she had to accept the truth somehow!

Otherwise, she could never be able to live her life to the fullest.

"Pamolia- Pamolia, look! I...I know this is all so sudden, and I'm sorry for not telling you this sooner, but please. I want you to just move on and forget about me after all of this." He told Pamolia. That statement didn't made her feel any better. In fact, it made her feel worse.

"Forget you? FORGET YOU?! PUPA! YOU KNOW ME BETTER THAN THIS!"

"I know! But c'mon! If you don't move on from me then you'll never survive life, you idiot!"

"B-but—"

"NO BUTS!"

After that, deafening silence.

All that can be heard is Pupa's panting.

"....Sorry." He then said, trying his best to calm himself down. "Just- Please, Pamolia. Please. I've always cherished our time together, I really do! Honestly, at first, I thought you were a really annoying little girl who couldn't stand up for herself and is just so meek and helpless."

"But...I guess over time, I managed to bond with you more, and because of that, my opinions on you changed a lot. You're...more than a helpless person to me now. You...you've grown to become someone who's independent and brave. You have more courage in you than I ever will, actually."

"You don't know this, but at this rate, I see you as a little sister to me, and I...didn't exactly wanna leave you anytime soon. But rules are rules, and if I break them, both of us would be dead as hell. So, I'd like it if only one of us is dead, and that one of us is me."

"Pupa, I—"

"I don't need anymore words from you anymore, Pamolia. I just wanted to say...thank you. For everything, really. You're an amazing person, Pamolia, so don't let those people's words get to your head, okay?"

Pamolia looked down, her eyes watering even more as she stared down at her shaking feet. That is, until she could feel warm hands on her shoulders. She looks up, and sees her guardian figure—no, her brother, smiling at her with equally tearful eyes.

Pupa inhales, before heaving out a sigh, blinking his eyes several times to get rid of the tears that were threatening to spill. "Alright. Enough is enough. Maybe to make this final farewell more...joyful, why not I offer you for one last dance?" He asked, offering a hand for Pamolia to hold.

Pamolia looked at his hand for a moment, before smiling widely, putting her hand onto it. "Sure, I guess." She replied, nodding. A chuckle came from the other person in the void.

And so, the two dance with silence, enjoying each other's company throughout the entirety of it. These are their last moments together, after all, so might as well make the most of it.

Step, step, step, step, twirl, step, step, step, step, twirl, and repeat.

But then, Pupa slowly separates himself from Pamolia. That gesture did made the girl confused in a sense, but nonetheless, she let it slide either way. Though, after awhile, she realized something is wrong. She stopped dancing, and then looked around for any signs of the man.

Sadly, her suspicions were right.

Pupa is gone now.

Forever.

Pamolia sighed sadly, then sits down on the ground, reminiscing on her time with Pupa thus far.

A lot of ups and downs for sure, but still, he was an enjoyable person to be around with.

So having him gone while she gets to live on feels unfair to her.

So, she knew what she had to do.

"Butterflies, restore memories of the past, so that he can make new ones!"

[fumikomiyasaki]

[ GUARDED ] - Shu/Leroy

❝  i’m staying.  end of discussion.  you gotta learn to let people take care of you.  ❞ -Hoshi/ Flynn -this Honestly sounds like something Hoshi would say

I’ll probably send another one later

Staying the night

Leroy sighed as he went out with Carol, Lyla and Shu from their usual tours... as he walked another direction however he noticed Shu was still following behind him.

"Don't you need to get back to your dorm?"

"After the last times you got in danger when I left your side. No thank you. I either accompany you back to your dorm or you stay with mine, Upaparupa... Um I mean Lee."

Leroy sighed and looked to him.

"You can trust me at least a little bit but... I wouldn't mind taking this as an opportunity.. aight I come with you to your dorm for now. But I will prove to you I won't get in danger alone again. "

They both walked to Shus dorm and ad they arrived at his room Leroy sighed... looking at his phone before turning it off.

Shu looked at him with eyes that showed concern.

"Would it calm you if I told you the whole story of what actually happened?"

"A little bit."

"I confronted my father... told him if he isn't there for me he could at least lend some money to help my mother with medicine. Even if he is a filthy Yakuza, it's the least he can do. I know he would refuse so I stole something from him. Hence they hunted me... I thought my invisibility could avoid them but they hit me wrong with a bullet."

He pointed to the bandages as he pulled of his shirt.

"I got a message from my old man... one last to nor get involved with him... after that I blocked his number... and since then... none of his men followed me. Sure that doesn't mean I am fully safe... but it's to assume they leave me be for now."

"You still hate him right?"

He slammed a fist on his bed.

"Of course I do.... if I could I would support Kayne to take him out myself but... I know that wouldn't help my mother.... Keaton can't provide for her alone as my brother."

Shu sat down next to him and took his hand.

"As you said it... you are as well very important to me... I can't see you hurt like this... so for now... I wanna accompany you when you are out. Till I know there is nothing ro fear."

"Shu..."

The chameleon boy leaned back with him, laying in his arms and hugging him showing a rare moment of vulnerability... its usually not typical for him to share such things but... he bottled up too much... another kiss of Shu on his forehead calmed him a little.

"Thanks for listening um... its dumb like we finally told another how we feel yet it doesn't feel yet like we are together untill now."

"Take all the time you need, my arms are open."

He gave him a small kiss before hiding his face a little in his embrace... Leroy getting red untill his hair tips... but at least he felt more safe.

"Your leg is twisted... and you still want to perform."

"They say the show must go on, right?"

As Flynn discussed with Nanoya about the show Hoshi overheard what they said and on instinct picked up Flynn without a warning and carried him to his room.

"Iolite, why are you interrupting me? "

"I heard about your leg... I'm staying. End of the discussion. You gotta learn how to lef people take care of you. "

Flynn saw Hoshi point at a broken gem... one Flynn kept from his overblot.

"I guess you are right... sorry to worry you Iolite... "

Flynn felt Hoshi stroke his cheek a little and sit down next to him. Looking at the birds leg and treating it as he could while Flynn leaned back.

"It's good to have at least you looking out for me. Let's hope it's enough to get me ready for the show."

"If not someone else can take your role. I will not let you out untill the pain Is gone."

Flynn in an attempt to flirt grabbed his chin and placed a kiss on him.

"With you I am sure it will be fast."

[leynaeithnea]

(Okay, I am kinda curious now so if you want you can totally send me the list of youtubers but I honestly don't know if I'm going to enjoy the format of watching people react so I'll give it a try and let you know how it goes :)) )

( Also I do not know much about what is to come , I know about the story in the Odyssey and how it ends but I don't know much about what's coming in Epic so if you want to spoil it a little for me in private I'll all ears )

23 SCYLLA OUR GIRL

You're so right every female voice goes so hard but Scylla is just something else her voice is so powerful jajsjsjsjsjjs

Aaaah the way Odysseus sings kaksksksjsj

OH MY GOD Scylla's lines having double meaning and both Ody and Eury hide a reason for shame AND THE CREW DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT SCYLLA IT ALL FLEW RIGHT OVER MY HEAD I LOVE YOU SO MUCH FOR EXPLAINING IT TO ME THE SONG IS EVEN COOLER NOW

( Yeah I'm assuming that's what Scylla means by saying that they are the same but now I'm not sure of anything I just *have* to look up her mythology too )

OH MY GOD NOT ANTICLEA SEEING THE SHIPS AND KILLING HERSELF AAAAAH EURY FOR FUCKS SAKE

( oh god leaving them feeling betrayed broke the bonds that you made being also foreshadowing for mutiny I'm not okay I need to sit on the floor for a while until the world stops spinning AAAH)

Everytime there's a callback to full speed ahead my heart breaks a little bc it takes us back to the beginning where things where a little rough but SO MUCH BETTER , the whole song is about struggling to get home and get food but it's so hopeful and catchy and nice bc the worst is done , they won the war they are heading home everything is going to be fine now , right? Right?!?

NOT EURY HOLDING ONE OF THE TORCHES ( but also yeah, my man Ody is defeated and ready to do what it takes but he'd still rather have Scylla do the dirty work bc yes, he can't trust Eury anymore but this is his brother! Obviously he doesn't want to kill him himself)

"Hello ( creepy pretty haunting)" YES A THOUSAND TIMES YES JSJDJSJS

Love the silent moments followed by screams like in the underworld after anticlea and here they are just SUPERIOR AKSKNSNSB

OMG YES give up your honor and faith , live out your life as a wraith IS Odysseus completely losing himself but also 100% EURY LOSING FAITH IN ODY AND TURNING ON HIM oh god the foreshadowing is delicious!!!

"We are the same you and ... / AND the OdY JOINS IN ON THE "I" BECAUSE This song HAS NEVER REALLY BEEN ABOUT EURY ITS ALL BEEN ABOUT HIM AND His WILLINGINGness NOW TO SACRIfice hiS OWN MEN TO GET IT HOME ALIVE" YOU'RE JUST SO GOOD AT THIS OH MY GOD AKSKKSSKSMNSNSNS *shaking the bars of my enclosure* MOREEEE

( but no rush obviously , write the next one wherever you feel like it bestie <3 )

FINIALLY OKAY Oh boy, here we go

24. Mutiny

First hectic notes I wonder if thats also the Danger Motif???? (i wish i knew)

"Tell me you did not know that would happen

say you didnt know how that would end

look me in eyes and tell me captain

that you did just sacrifice six men" Eurylochus knows thats EXACTLY what happened. Odysseus knew, he was willing to do it, Odysseus can't muster to look him in the eyes. He just sacrificed six of his men, Eurylochus represents the crew, he just tried to kill Eurylochus and it failed. DESPITE THIS:

"Use your wits to try and say im crazy and mad

that this is all some trick the gods have sent,

tell me you did not miss home so painfully bad

that you gave up the lives of six of our friends"

"when we faught the cyclops you were quick to hatch a plan and when we fouhgt with circe it was you who left behind no man but when we saw this monster we didnt take a stand we just ran"

HE IS BEGGING Odysseus to lie to him. To gaslight him into doubting that maybe just maybe it wasnt Odysseus fault. That it was the gods, or his own soldier brain connecting the dots wrong because this is Odysseus, King of Ithica who went to war despite not wanting to, who made sure none of their six hundred men died during the war, who was trained by a goddess (athena), who faces monster (polyphemus, scylla) and gods (poseidon, zeus?) and tricks witches (circe) and dares to casually communicate with the gods (aelus, hermes) He is a walking myth and legend and he went back for his crew. He faught them and used his wits and skills to bring them out of dangers and peril and the biggest lost they had were Eurylochus fault because he opened the windbag. how could this man change so much that suddenly he is willing to sacrifice them? he talks to gods why did he not try to find a way out, a trick to pass by Scylla without sacrificing six of his men?

"Say something" defend yourself for fucks sake

"I CANT" because eveything he just layed out infront for EVERYONE remaining on the ship to hear is true, and Ody cant deny that he has become the monster rawr rawr rawr

"then you have forced my hand" *draws a biggus giagantus sword* (tbh not my favorite design choice because it takes a bit of the realism from it, like yes, there are huge swords, but not those twice the size of his body and also not back in greece----but alas Jorge likes is anime and video game references) but also "You turned on the crew, my purpose is to speak for the crew, under your current command we can not trust you, you turned against us, so i have to turn against you"

"Eurylochus lower your weapon" (i dont want to fight you, why cant you accept that this is what i have to do to get (us) home?)

"no can do" still confused is thats grammar

"you miss your wife so bad youd trade the lives of your own crew" yeah, he had a whole solo song about this, didnt you notice? thats the whole reason for this whole story, youre in eury

"dont make me fight you brother" we both know im the better fighter, you will loose, i dont want to bloody my own hands with your blood, scylla should have done so

"you know youd have done the same" youre married to my sister, you better be doing the same (it was an arranged marriage, so probably not) and yeah he might have done the same in a different universe

"if you want all the power you must carry all the blame" that line hits hard"

and then the chanting of the crew, first Eurylochus because they stand behind him, then Odysseus, because it become obvious that he will win the fight

"there is no price he wont pay" they realize that Odysseus is not only going to defeat Eury, he will also kill him

"i am not letting you get in my way" he just confirmed it

*stabbing noises, Ody gasps*

Perimedes (voiced bc the same singer as the one for Antinous btw)

stabbed Ody from behind

Odysseus is shocked clutching his side and falling to his knees as Perimedes withdraws his sword

"my brothers, why?" (so theyre his brothers now? ody rly,did you think your actions would have no consequences?)

"how are we supposed to trust you know?"

this is the first time we hear a voice of the crew that isnt Eury or Polites sing a line alone, but the rest of the crew joins in right after

"now your time has come your lucks run out, now the time has come to shut you down you relied on with and then we died on it, woah" THE CALL BACK TO LUCK RuNS OUT OUCH OUCH OUCH OUCH OUCH OUCh

Eury punches Ody unconscious

"Argh my head" Ody, you got stabbed right through, hows your head worse than your abdomen??? fine fine, yes thats the only way to tell the audience that the bump was him getting knocked out

"where are we" unfornulately again in some gods realm, youre not very lucky buddy

THE MUSIC; THE MUSCIAL CALLBACK TO HORSE AND THE INFANT AND SURVIVE THE INEVITABLENeSS OF THE SITUATION THE DespeRATION TO SURVIVE

"some island, the first one we found" how long as ody unconscious i wonder...mmhhh

"its bursing wiht cows just roaming around begging us to eat, so much meat and hunger is so heavy" he sounds in trance in that one ngl, i wonder how much time passed between the sirens and this island that they have come to the brink of starvation again

"this statue the god of the sun, down know where its from" OKAY this one is realllyyy interesting because in the myth its helios cattle, but they just call him sun god here AND they dont know who's it is, i wonder if in later songs it turns out those were Apollos cattle in this version??? or do they dont know which sun gods because Helios is kind of a forgotten god at this point because apollo is replacing him?? mhhhhh excited to learn about it! hopefulyl ijseigj also Ody is tied to this statue, LOVe that detail

"but heres where we found all these cows to hint, right in front and hunger is so heavy (hunger is so heavy)" Eury is telling Ody the situation the plan, they commited mutiny, but they took care of his wounds, they brought him to the island, they keep him updated....mh.....also they must be REALLY hungry

"please dont tell me youre about to do what I think youll do"

AND THe CALLBACK TO LUCK RUNS OUT AGAIN, ODYS VOICE IS SO SOFT AND BROKeN

"ody" ODY??? ODY???????

"we're never gonna get to make it home, you know its true" at this point hes being suicidal, better to get killed by a god than starvation? maybe

"You dont know thats true" HE gets desperate he tries to fight against the restrains despite his wounds

"this is the home of the sun god" DONT Do anything stupid youll get us killed, this is the home of a god, how many times to we have to get punched by the gods, we cant fight against them

"Im starving my friend" ...ouch

"but if you kill his cattle who knows what he'll send, this is the home of the sun god" ....he'll kill us all, you know that, dont do it.

"im tired my friend" very suicidal im afraid

"but we're so close to home, this can't be where it ends" we were already almost home, despite everything we are back, almost home, we're so close

AND THEN AND THEN THIS MF DROPS THE MOST BEATIFUL VOCALS AND MY FAVORITE PART OF This SOnG ODY SINGING IN FALCETTO AGAIN iD DIE FOR THIS voicE IStG THE WHOLE SECTION OF ODYS LINES

"how much longer must i suffer now?" therapy saga when?

"please dont do this" HIS VOICE SO ANGELIC; ITS SO BROKEN; I LOVE HIM

"how much longer must i push through doubt?" you couldve just trusted ody int he first place then you WOULDNT BE HERE NOW

"I need to get homee" HE needs to get home, yes, the rest also deserces to get home but if he has to ody will sacrifice all of them because he needs to get home and see his son and wife because theyre in danger and hes been away for about 12 years or so

"how much longer must i go about" (might be stepping lcoser ot the cattle)

"eurylochus" (grows more desperate to stop him)

"my life like this, when people die like this? woah" like this? like how? mhh idk

"how much longer must we suffer now?" AND NOW THE CReW JOINS HIM BECAUSE TheYRE ALSO TIRED AND EXHAUSTED AND DOnE

"Reconsider" HEARTBREAKING SO BEAUTIFUL

"How much longer must we push throuhg doubt" such great ensemble voices

"We can get home" suddenly its "we" again? ok....but also the break before he sings home??? i feel like he would use that moment to try to break through the bonds agian, maybe he tried before that but has to take a breath because his wounds hurt him...mhhhh......anyway

"How much longer must we go about"

"eurylochus" trying to reason with eurylochus because he is the "captain" right now

"our loves like this when people die like this woah?" maybe "like this" like trusting you, like being at the mercy of the gods and lost on the sea

Eurylochus draws a knife and steps infront of a cattle

"Im just a man" NOT THE JUST A MAN CALLBACK OUCH

"Eurylochus, NO" no more singing, pure desperation, Ody finially manges to loosen his bonds

the chants beginn, a choir, its not the crew. a god is approaching, theres shocked silence

"you"ve doomed us, you've doomed us all Eurylochus", his first action as a captain and he gets everyone else killed, good job Eurylochus you failed, Ody is shocked because Eury just signed their death sentence, HIS death sentence but HE NEEDS to get back to his family, he gets up, clutching his stomach

"Captain?" ......i have a lot to stay but rly Eury? really? pushing all responsibility back to Ody RIGHT when you mess up? aw man thats not nice, but hey the crew trusts ody again...haha...

"we need to get away from this island now, grab an oar with all the strength your arms allow, these cows were immortal they were the sun gods friends, and now that we've pissed them off who do you think he'll send?" good question, who will show up i wonder? also Ody saying "we" pissed them off, he's part of the crew he does take responsibility for them...

the most desperate full speed ahead reprise we've seen so far, painful to listen to because its no use, theres no way they can outrow a god, ody realizes that too, when the storm rises up further and then the sky opens with thunder and lighting

"We're too late"

[todayisawthewhxlewxrld]

Looking in the mirror, you see smudged mascara from all your sobbing, and you feel empty. So very empty, you can barely breathe or even believe your human. The pit in your stomach wouldn't leave, and you knew why.

“Can you take the picture?” Being friends with yuji's friends was a delightful experience even if sometimes, they were unknowingly rude. You swallow the lump in your throat and nod watching them pose excitedly as you take the picture.

I break the ice, so they don't see my size.

Throwing the scale across the room, you scream in pure rage. You've done everything just to get like them and maybe you'll actually feel apart of the group, but this stupid body of yours just wouldn't.. work. Instead it stumbled and fell down, making you pick it up and rewire it like a robot you felt like one at this point.

And I have to be nice, or I'll be the next punchline.

You joke around with them trying to entertain so they don't just leave you behind like you have been so many times before. You feel like your suffocating, walking on eggshells around them so they'll always have positive memories of you, even if they tease you about your size or the way you look you just smile and say “well not everyone can be perfect, and don't you have split ends?” You're clearly teasing and they know as they chuckle and move on.

I'm just the best friend in Hollywood movies, who only exists to continue the story.

They love each other, but not you. You know this; god they all look at each other with such happiness in their eyes that you know they love each other. All three of them, and your just.. There. Standing there smiling, occasionally adding in something but your just there. An add-on as you help them figure out a way to even figure out their feelings. And once they do you know they'll leave.

The girl gets the guy while I'm standing off screen, so I'll wait for my cue to be comedic relief.

Yuji had come to you again tonight; not just to see you, you weren't that foolish to think he just wanted to see you. He wanted you to fix what happened, the group had gotten into an argument that had gotten out of hand. Megumi and Norabara won't even talk to each other no matter how much Yuji begs them to make up. So he had no choice but to send you in.

You almost want to laugh at how absurd it is. How much they just use you to fix their issues, to help with awkward silence, to drop them off somewhere, and many more. You almost want to sob, but you know yuji is here and he'll start worrying. You know he means well and he probably actually cares, but it doesn't matter. You've gotten used to your role, and you'll play your part.

Can't be to loud, can't be to busy. If I don't answer now are they still gonna need me?

You keep your schedule free. Just in case they want to hang out, and when they get loud you get quiet. They never seem to notice though. You keep telling yourself it's okay but relying on them like this is honestly driving you insane and you don't know what to do. You want to be yourself around them without knowing they'd tease, maybe even insult and leave. You can't help but think that maybe it'd be better if they just left you alone. Although you don't let the thought linger as it's your turn for Uno.

Can't be to loud, can't be to pretty. Do they keep me around, so their flaws just seem silly?

Trying not to fall down in hysterical laughter at how odd this situation is you keep a straight face full of concern as you held Nobara in your arms. She was crying a very rare sight and you were honestly ready to air out someones house when she said that she just felt gross. She didn't like herself; so of course you comfort her tell her she's absolutely gorgeous and should know that. You hold her shoulders so she's looking at you and tell her that if she needs to ever hear she's beautiful you'd call her that everyday.

Although, there's a inkling in the back of your mind. An inkling of jealousy, jealous that she has someone like you to talk to, jealous that she's that pretty and she still think she isn't, jealous that.. She's prettier than you. The jealousy almost grows before you immediately put it down focusing on making her feel better.

I say I'm okay, cause they wouldn't care anyway. And I could try to explain but my efforts in vain.

Pure panic radiated through your body as you tried to get away from everything. The people, the music, and especially them. They weren't supposed to be here. They weren't invited and they knew it but they showed up anyway and absolutely humiliated you. Insulting you in front of your friends as they thought they were jokes but you knew. You knew that they were insulting you, so you went lower; so low that even the devil wouldn't have said what you said.

You laughed when they thought you were in the wrong, as the person who so rudely came along just to try and ruin your day.. Cried? You couldn't believe it. Honestly, you wanted to genuinely start laughing at them. As if they haven't been taunting you for years about how you looked, but you stick up for yourself once and they cry? You almost started crying from trying to hold back cackles.

The trio kept trying to get you to speak up about what bothered you so much because apparently to them your their best friend. You thought they just thought of you as an acquaintance. So you tried to open to them, you tried to but they didn't seem present, as if they were only listening to respond and not actually listening to what you were saying. So you dropped it and said you needed time alone.

They can't relate to how I've drawn out in sharpie, where I'll take the scissors; if that's what it took for me to look in the mirror.

They kept asking questions trying to understand, but they've never struggled with this as much as you did. They don't know how it feels and they probably never will. It's not like you want them to feel what you feel, you'd never wish this on them. It's just you know they'd never understand; how you constantly change outfits cause one part of you just didn't look right, how you didn't usually go outside without them because what if someone sees you and immediately starts throwing up?

I've done every diet to make me look thinner so why do I still feel so god damn inferior?

You just want to be as amazing as them. That's all you've ever wanted is to be on their level, constantly behind them watching them wait for you daily made you feel like a burden. They always were always just better than you.

It's funny when I think a guy likes me.

Holding back another giggle trying not to give in because just in case it's another false alarm, another lie, you don't want to get attached. And you were right, you tried so hard not to look disappointed when he asked if Norbara was single. When not even a minute ago he was flirting with you, making you happy, acting as if he genuinely wanted you. I guess it's only funny if your the joke being played on. Because he walked away back to his friends pointing and laughing at you; and you decide to ruin his chances.

And it's funny when I'm the one who says, “Let's go eat.”

Barely able to focus your sight on anything, your vision swirled as everything around you looked blurry and you realized that, you haven't eaten yet. Your body being angry at you for not feeding it something. Nervously looking around, you find the trio and tell them that your going to get something to eat.

“I thought you already ate?” confusion ran through Yujis features. And you almost couldn't take it. But you were used to this, so you could obviously take it. “Yeah I did, but it was like a grape..” mumbling underneath your breath the answer your suddenly feeling anxiety raise in you. As yuji looks down at you curiously, it feels like he's picking you apart with his stare so you quickly excuse yourself to leave.

It's funny when I'm asked to go out on Halloween, dresses and thigh highs while I hide my body.

“Yo, you coming to the Halloween party gojo is holding?” Yuji threw an arm over your shoulder as you two walked in the park. You didn't know why he insisted on just doing mundane things with him but if it made him happy.

“I don't think so, no.” staring at the pathway ahead of you and being surrounded by only forest green scenery; it's a beautiful absolutely gorgeous peaceful walk. Until he starts talking.

“Whaaatt? Why not?” you can tell without even having to look up at him that he's pouting. So you sigh and glance up at him, and low and behold he's pouting.

“Eh, outings just aren't my thing.” you shrugged; you weren't fully lying. Just saying half of the truth, so technically you arent lying at all.

“It won't be as fun without you though!” Yuji whined into you ear, and honestly you felt like a parent sometimes. Only sometimes though.

“Yu, what would I even wear as a costume?” You sound exasperated. Another reason you didn't wanna go because you didn't have a costume. But Yuji always figures out to get what he wants.

“you can be a witch! I'll buy everything you just have to show up!” Yuji beams down at you and you think.. Maybe it'll be fun, maybe it'll be different you'll never know unless you go. So you went.

It's been about an hour since you got here and you've lost sight of Yuji, Megumi, and Norbara. Nursing alcohol you know your not gonna drink, you wave at some acquaintances and push yourself further into the corner as if your trying to hide away. Another 30 minutes later you just decide to leave early; you'll just make an excuse to yuji later.

Life of the fat funny friend.

You've looked like this all your life and you've come to just accept it. Theres no fixing this, it's just how you look. So you'd take the comments, the insults, the teasing, the looks, and the glares. You take them all; and you just accept it as their opinion of you. If they weren't close friends to you, you stopped listening to what sort of half assed insult they could try and throw at you.

Life of the fat funny friend.

~☔&💫

once again i truly do not understand why u don’t have a writing blog bc ur so good at it

[waynes-multiverse]

Ooh I was very ready for this chapter! And considering your tags/note, I knew it was going to be some awkward-filled fun indeed. 😏😂

To me, it was such a filler chapter, but a necessary one. I did think the little flashback made it even more interesting. But some Cassie and Jenny shenanigans had to be in there as well 😂🫶

And yes, I know how you are with coffee. I'm the same thanks to my Italian roots 😏 (The coffee addiction makes a permanent appearance in this series 👀)

This whole "get to know you but really grill you for info" conversation was hilarious and appropriately awkward, especially when Beau came into the picture. I love Cassie and Jenny double teaming him for the details on what happened between him and the reader, and really enjoyed how he was so long-suffering and blushing about it all, and yet still wanted their advice without actually giving them what they wanted. 😂

So happy you loved this part! I certainly had fun with it. I could write these two teasing Beau all day 😂 (There's another one in the next chapter as well, but wait until Denise comes into the picture lol)

I admire him for being persistent in trying to hash things out properly with the reader, though I understand why she's trying to fend him off. It sounds like he hurt her pretty bad, possibly without meaning to.

In my headcanon, he's definitely persistent once his mind is set. He also seems like a guy who always needs to find a balance with people and make things right, especially with the ones he cares about. It would bother him not to make amends with reader/his partner's wife, no matter which way they'd go from there.

LOL I love Emily so much. 😂 I was wondering when you were going to bring her into this! Love the brief father-daughter moment there.

Beau will be a sobbing mess at her graduation and probably plans to move close to wherever she ends up going to college lol

Jesus Christ, I cannot. Especially with Beau reminding her what she knows full well -- that the reader and Beau didn't have their thing until after they were divorced already. (But I'm also not surprised Beau was starting to catch feelings before the end of his and Carla's marriage.)

Yup, just like the show, Carla came in hot lmao 😂 But she did come around, knowing what she knows. Like reader pointed out: definitely a knee-jerk reaction. And honestly, granted. Reader was still sorta friends with her, judging from the flashback. Super awkward and weird to date your friend's ex-husband, especially if you've been wary of them when you were still married 👀

And oh boy, do we get into Beau's exact feelings about the reader throughout this. There's a fucking lot on that subject 🙈😅

The little hints you dropped in the flashback near the end already gave me the feeling that him and Carla weren't really in love anymore -- maybe just in that stage of "we've been together so long, might as well stay together."

Yes 💯 It's kinda my headcanon. They did give me those vibes from the few interactions on the show. They cared deeply about each other and the family they've built with Emily, but weren't lovey-dovey soulmate idiots like reader and Randy... 😂

I can see the threads of where you might be going with this in how she and Beau trauma bonded after Randy's death.

Ooop, yes. Definitely lots of story there 👀 I loved weaving these threads throughout this story and leaving the flashbacks as little puzzle pieces behind 🤓🧩

A few more puzzle pieces will be revealed in the next chapter! 💙

Polaris – Chapter 2

Series Summary: When Beau Arlen moved to Montana, he left behind a past he wasn’t proud of. But when a series of murders requires the FBI’s help, Sheriff Arlen‘s ghosts come back to haunt him one by one. With a wrong turn waiting at every crossroads, it’s hard to make the right choices and find his way back home – back to you.

Pairing: Beau Arlen x FBI Agent!Reader

Warnings: 18+, flashbacks to past relationships, awkwardness, mentions of cheating

Word Count: 6.1k

A/N: Jenny and Cassie should come with their own warning 😂 Probably the lightest chapter of this series. Just some getting-to-know fun (& tons of awkwardness on all sides). Enjoy the peace while it lasts 😉

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Chapter 2: No Signs, No Compasses

Motel coffee sucked. It was a well-known, globally accepted fact.

You had tasted enough of those in your career to know it wasn’t even worth a try at this point. Thus, finding a good source of caffeine became sort of an adventurous challenge on every work trip. Back in Houston, you had your spot and the server knew your order by heart. Here, in Helena, you were new and still had to navigate your way around.

In search of a decent cup, you passed a sign on the highway and entered the Blue Fox Diner. It was a bit on the outskirts of town, but, frankly, you had no idea where the border truly ended. Everything was damn far apart from one another, the only houses which adjoined were the ones on Main Street USA. That was it.

The diner was bright and comfy, giving you an immediate welcoming feeling of home-cooked food and a good roast. Your first sip of black, delicious liquid confirmed it – this was your spot.

“Special Agent Y/L/N?”

Your head snapped up from your cup of joe to a female voice, recognizing the blonde deputy from the Sheriff’s Department yesterday.

“Deputy Jenny Hoyt, right?” You gave her and her friend a smile as the two women sat across from each other in a booth by the big window. You could tell by their curious and mischievous looks that your spectacular entrance wasn’t lost on them.

Great…

“Uh, yeah. You wanna sit with us? Heard you’re staying for that serial killer case,” Jenny said and offered you a seat next to her.

“Sure.” You accepted her invitation without hesitance, knowing you had to get over the awkwardness at some point. After all, you had to work together, and you wanted to get it out of the way rather sooner than later. How did you so gloriously fuck this up in the first place? You usually were professionalism personified – someone J. Edgar Hoover would’ve been proud of.

Right. Beau. There was your answer.

“Cassie Dewell,” the other woman introduced herself and shook your hand as you slid into the leather seat next to Jenny. “I’m a private investigator in town. Special Agent Y/L/N, was it?”

“Oh, yeah, I’ve passed by your agency. Nice to meet you,” you said, smiling. “And Y/N is fine.”

“So, how do you like Helena so far?” Cassie asked curiously, although you caught the underlying question between the polite smiles. ‘How do you like our sheriff so far?’

However, you weren’t going to make this easy for them. “Well, uhm, not seen much aside from my motel, the Sheriff’s Department, and this diner. Coffee’s great, though.”

“Leave it to Donno to brew a decent pot,” Jenny muttered with a bitter huff and rolled her eyes.

You threw her an inquisitive look, partially amused. “You don’t seem to be a fan.”

“Oh, it’s about the owner, Tonya. Jenny doesn’t like her,” Cassie explained.

“Then, why exactly are you here?” You were happy the conversation steered clear of you. For now. You knew this bliss and peace wouldn’t last forever. They were just warming you up for the Spanish Inquisition.

“To keep an eye on her. She used to work for a cartel,” Jenny replied.

“Before she went legit and became a real estate agent,” Cassie added.

“Legit my ass,” the blonde huffed. “Pretty sure she stole those fifteen million…”

“She did help us with Gigi,” Cassie countered, which didn’t seem to convince the blonde too much. “And that whole Avery situation.”

“Well, you know, you could always tip off a rivaling cartel. Might get rid of your problem,” you suggested jokingly. “I have a few contacts.”

Jenny’s lips curved into a delighted grin. “I like that idea.”

Cassie snorted, laughing. “Yeah, nice.”

“So… you and Beau are… dating?” Jenny questioned quite forward.

And there it was. The one you’d been waiting for. You sighed internally.

“Jenny!” Cassie chided and threw her friend a look over her directness as the blonde mouthed back an innocent “What?”

Your cheeks blushed slightly, but you were all about being direct as well. You cleared your throat, tapping your nails on the table. “It’s fine. After my more than embarrassing entrance, I deserve the third degree.”

“Good answer.” Jenny smiled encouragingly, making you feel a little more at ease. They weren’t aiming to claw your eyes out; they were just curious about you. If the roles were reversed, you’d be as well.

“And it wasn’t that embarrassing,” Cassie placated your nerves. “Trust us, me and Jenny had our fair share of drama. You’re good.”

“Well, I’m glad, I guess…” You let out a relieved chuckle, hoping you wouldn’t stay the small town gossip for long. “And, uh, to answer your question: No, we’re not dating. He’s a nice guy, but it’s nothing like that. We just go way back, and I guess old habits die hard.”

And boy, was that true. Beau and you had once been inseparable. It still felt weird to think about that now you weren’t and hadn’t been for a while. Your heart still ached and longed all the same. That stupid, useless feeling of missing him. He was cut out of your soul, but the phantom pain remained.

Jenny nodded and shared a look with Cassie. “Honest. I like it.”

“Me too.” Cassie’s mouth formed a smile of agreement and reassurance. “So, how long have you guys known each other?”

That was when the cop portion of your chat started. You hadn’t expected anything less, but you were determined to keep it professional and, most of all, shallow. Chitchat and oversharing were more Beau’s territory, but it certainly wasn’t yours.

“About ten years.”

Jenny nodded pensively, thinking about her next question. “You worked a cartel case together, right?”

“Oh, a few cases over the years, actually. I’m stationed at the FBI field office in Houston. Used to work Narcotics before switching to Major Crimes,” you said.

“Hence the serial killer here,” Jenny filled in.

“Can’t believe we’ve got another one,” Cassie remarked with a huff, shaking her head into her coffee cup.

“Oh yeah, right! Heard about the Bleeding Hearts Killer at that campsite.”

You remembered a newspaper article about it. Occasionally, you did still check up on your ex like every sane person would. You even followed him on Social Media, although all he ever posted about was fucking trout fishing. But that same news article had also informed you about Beau leaving his early retirement in the rearview mirror, being referenced as the acting sheriff on the case. It almost seemed like a weird coincidence that one of your active cases would lead you right to him not long after. Cosmic jokes and such.

“Yeah, Sunny and Buck Barnes,” Cassie provided.

“Cassie is actually dating their son,” Jenny told you, smirking at her friend.

“Yeah, we’re not that official yet,” Cassie deflected but noticeably blushed. “You guys need any help with your serial killer?”

Jenny looked at you, knowing you were the one who called the shots now.

Nodding, you twitched your shoulders. “Sure. The more the merrier. More female eyes might even help, considering we’re probably dealing with a woman.”

Jenny cocked a brow. “A female serial killer?”

“It’s rare, but our profiler sure thinks so. As do I,” you confirmed.

“Oh, this just got interesting.” Cassie grinned, intrigued. “We sure never had that one before.”

“No, we did not,” Jenny reiterated, chuckling.

“What didn’t we have?”

Beau’s gravelly voice startled you from behind, but you tried not to let it show. Of course, you’d run into him. It was a small town, after all, and this diner was probably the only place to get good coffee. Avoiding him was not only improbable, but it was an impossibility.

Beau was a good man. But the truth was that he was more than the Southern-charming, bad-dad-jokes, never-shutting-up sheriff everyone had grown to love in Montana. There was another side to him. A side that defied authority, broke rules, and caused trouble. A side you knew better than anyone.

“Female serial killer,” Jenny supplied with a grin.

“Really? A woman?” Baffled, the green-eyed sheriff lifted a brow and looked at you.

“Why, you think a woman can’t do it?” Cassie challenged him with a teasing grin. You knew there was a reason why you immediately took a liking to her.

You watched Beau purse his lips as he struggled for an answer. You had a feeling he had to do that a lot with these two. It almost seemed unfair.

“No, women can do murder just fine. Especially you three,” Beau retorted and then circled the booth with his finger, sipping his coffee. “The three of you bonding is my nightmare.”

“Oh, c‘ mon.” Jenny snorted in amusement.

“Yeah, we’re harmless,” Cassie added.

“Right… Who are you tryna fool here, huh?” Beau chuckled and scratched his beard. “Mind if I sit down?”

“Sure, hop in,” Cassie said and offered up the seat next to her.

“Yeah, I was about to head out anyway. Have to call my supervisor with an update,” you excused quickly and stood up before Beau even sat down. “By the way, I have eight boxes of files in my trunk. It’s gonna be a fun afternoon for us.”

“Well, I’m looking forward to it,” Beau said, trying to remain professional, even though you could tell he was bothered by your abrupt exit.

You, however, weren’t ready to face him yet and spend a whole afternoon with him. You needed more time… and space. Which was hard, considering you two had to work a case together.

Hard but not impossible.

“Oh, uh, Beau, that’s not necessary. Cassie offered to help, so we have enough hands on deck for now,” you said innocently and tried to hide your astute smile as best as possible. “I don’t wanna keep you from your sheriff duties. I saw the giant pile of files on your desk. But I’ll let you know when we need you.”

Admittedly, that was a little mean. You knew how much that man hated paperwork.

Defeatedly, Beau pursed his lips and overplayed his loss with a sour smile. “Yup, alright… thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” You grinned and didn’t care he knew exactly what you were doing.

“Hey, Y/N, you know, uh… it’s kind of a tradition to buy a round of tequila when you first arrive in town,” Cassie noted with a smug smile.

You matched it, amused, although you could smell an ambush from a mile away. “Oh, yeah? Well, that’s a tradition I can get behind. Where and when?”

“Tonight? Bar called Boot Heel around eight o’clock?”

“I’ll be there,” you accepted the invitation. “But just a heads-up, pouring tequila into me isn’t going to make me open up more.”

“Really isn’t,” Beau confirmed wryly.

“Dammit,” Cassie sighed in feigned disappointment but grinned nevertheless.

Jenny coolly shrugged it off. “Was worth a shot.”

Beau watched you leave with dread in his heart. As soon as the glass door fell closed behind you, he let out a longing sigh.

“Alright, what did you do?” Jenny’s voice ripped him from his thoughts. The blonde crossed her arms over her chest and arched a brow.

He had almost forgotten they were here, too.

“Yeah, she’s been barely here twenty-four hours. That’s fast, even for you,” Cassie chimed in with a teasing smile.

“Okay, I didn’t do anything, alright?” Beau defended with a creased brow and a bark in his voice, but his curiosity soon got the best of him. He leaned in closer, resting his elbows on the table. “Why? Did she say somethin’?”

“Yeah, he stepped in it,” Cassie commented dryly and looked straight at Jenny, taking his question as a confirmation of their theory.

“Yup.”

Beau rolled his green eyes, his patience already thin after the sleepless night he had. “Alright, did she say something to you guys or not?”

Cassie sighed. “No, she was very… courteous.”

Jenny nodded in agreement and shrugged one shoulder. “Yeah, she kept it professional. Said you were nice.”

Beau felt a surge of relief. “Well, that’s good, right?” he asked but watched both women shake their heads with pursed lips. “It’s not-… it’s not good?”

“Nope.”

“Nuh-uh,” Jenny retorted, “You don’t wanna be called nice. Not in that way, at least.”

“I don’t?” Beau cocked his eyebrow at the two, feeling rather confused at this point. “So, what’s the verdict?”

“Depends on what you did there, cowboy,” Cassie taunted him with a grin, which was mirrored by Jenny.

“Oh, I’m not telling you guys,” Beau huffed, shaking his head. Contrary to popular belief, he knew when to keep his mouth shut.

“You’re not talking for once?” Teasingly, Cassie popped an eyebrow at him.

“Must be bad then,” Jenny finished the thought. “Did you-, you know… cheat with her on Carla?”

Perplexed and slightly offended, Beau furrowed his brow. “What? No! Nothing like that. Carla and I were already separated. As in papers served and signed… I’m a very loyal-commitment kinda guy, alright?”

Beau didn’t want to admit his answer might have been a slight overcompensation on his part. While it’s true that he never cheated and would’ve never even considered it, he wasn’t without faults, either. There had been certain feelings towards you fermenting in his stomach, slowly but surely festering in his heart before he even knew what was happening and could put an end to it.

“That sounds like she was your rebound,” Jenny pointed out.

“Yeah, and casual,” Cassie threw in.

“No, it was nothing casual, alright? And she wasn’t my rebound,” Beau replied with an exhaustive breath. Jesus, did you get the third degree as well? At this rate, he should consider himself lucky if you were still in town by tomorrow. His head was spinning. “I mean, if she was my rebound, I was hers, too.”

Dammit, he said too much. He knew the two women would take that piece of information and run with it over the mountains of Montana, probably even making it over the border to goddamn Canada.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jenny questioned as expected. “Is she married? I saw the ring on her finger.”

“Yeah, looked like a wedding band,” Cassie mused.

“Okay, Sherlock and Watson, enough, alright? She’s not married,” Beau replied, but only to save both your reputations. “It’s a sentimental thing. There’s a lot of history there.”

“What kinda history?” Jenny’s knitted brow practically stared at him.

Beau grew tired of their interrogation and dragged a palm over his face, leaning back in his seat. “It’s complicated.”

The two women then shared an inquiring look that held an entire conversation, knowing their interview had run its course. Beau wouldn’t answer any more of their questions.

“Want our advice?” Cassie offered.

Beau hesitated for a moment, puckering his lips in thought. He was desperate, and they could smell it like coyotes. “Alright, lay it on me. What d’you got?”

“Nothing.” Cassie twitched her shoulders and met his annoyed glare with a pleased smile.

“Yeah, see, you actually have to tell us first what happened before we can help you,” Jenny elaborated.

“Alright, I’m done,” Beau said frustratedly, tapping his knuckles on the table once as he rose from his seat.

“Oh, Beau, c’mon, we’re just messing with you.” Cassie chuckled softly and looked at him apologetically. “Fine, you want our advice? Apologize.”

“For whatever you’ve done,” Jenny added.

Pensively, Beau nodded and clicked his tongue. “What if I’ve done that already?”

“Do it again,” Jenny advised simply. “Until she hears you.”

“Yeah, get down on your knees, you know,” Cassie deadpanned. But as Beau suspiciously eyed her at the particular word choice, she burst into laughter.

“Nice.“ Jenny joined in, tears stinging the corners of her eyes as the two clinked their coffee mugs together for a toast to their cleverness.

Beau chuckled out of sheer uncomfortableness, his cheeks flushing embarrassingly red. “Oh, you two are hilarious… I’m heading to work,” he grumbled. “You know, you might wanna join me if you wanna keep your job, Hoyt.”

With a sigh that resembled a yawn, you stretched your shoulders and spine as you got up from the uncomfortable wooden chair in the Sheriff’s Department. You checked your watch and noticed it was already past 2pm.

“Alright… you guys want something for lunch? I’m buying.”

Technically, the government was buying, but you would take any chance you could get to make yourself a little more popular with your colleagues. Jenny, Cassie, and Deputy Poppernak (who told you to call him Mo and started looking you in the eyes again after you brought him a sandwich and a coffee this morning) then gave you their lunch orders, and most importantly, where to get it. What you didn’t expect, though, was Beau appearing behind you out of nowhere after he had locked himself (pun intended) in his office all day and had given you your requested space.

That courtesy apparently was over.

“I’ll come with you,” Beau announced. And although his facial expression resembled a friendly, soft Golden Retriever, you detected the stern bite in his voice. He wasn’t going to be cast aside again.

Stubborn as you were, you still had to try.

“Oh, you don’t hav–,” you tried to interject, but he swiftly waved you off.

“Nonsense. You can’t carry all that alone. I’ll help. Part of the sheriff duties,” he said in his most neighborly tone and grinned triumphantly at you, beaming with Southern chivalry.

You huffed a sigh. Great…

Ignoring Beau Arlen was like trying to avoid air – it was impossible unless you planned on suffocating. Not even a fast pace could get him out of breath enough to stop pestering you. His voice trickled like slow poison into your mind. One of these days, it would infect your heart and destroy your defenses.

“Y/N, hey, can you slow down a little? I didn’t bring my marathon shoes to work, alright? Don’t make me write you a ticket for speeding!” Beau huffed behind you in a half-joking tone, chuckling at his own wit. “C’mon, I just wanna talk. Lord knows you already had your fun today.”

With a heavy sigh, you stopped in your tracks and turned to face him on the sidewalk, Beau almost crashing into you. He clearly hadn’t expected you to actually listen to him.

With a fierce glare in your eyes, you crossed your arms over your chest. “Look, I’ve got nothing left to say to you, okay? Can we just keep this civil?”

Beau pursed his lips but quickly recovered, offering you a charmingly desperate smile. “Well, lucky for you, you would just have to listen.”

You rolled your eyes and started marching ahead again, feeling Beau hot on your trail.

“Y/N, c’mon!”

“Dad?”

At that, both you and Beau spun around, recognizing the voice in an instant as Emily walked out of a shop.

Beau’s face immediately lit up. He gave her a tight hug, kissing her temple. “Hey, kid.”

“Aunt Y/N?” Emily’s face tilted in surprise, brow knitting as she noticed you and left her father’s arms. She greeted you with a bright sunshine smile.

“Hey, Em,” you said and happily mirrored her smile. You had always loved that girl since she was little. Something she wasn’t anymore. It had been a while since you’d last seen her. “Wow, look at you. You’re all grown. You look like you’re about ready to head off to college.”

“Don’t remind me,” Beau mumbled with a sigh next to you.

“Yes, please don’t make him cry,” Emily begged you, chuckling, but her look was still pleadingly serious. It made you laugh. You remembered how protective Beau was of her. It was endearingly sweet, which made it a little harder to be furious with him. “What are you doing in Montana? Are you visiting Dad?”

“Oh, uh, I’m here for a case, actually,” you replied, swallowing, and shot Beau a quick glance to check how much you were allowed to share.

“What kinda case?” Her brow furrowed as she looked at her dad with concern. It broke your heart a little to know that, whenever you were involved, Emily thought her father was in danger.

“Em,” Beau warned her softly.

You had figured he still refrained from talking about work with his family, not wanting them to worry unnecessarily. After what his daughter had been through this summer, you couldn’t really blame him.

“Right, sorry,” she said meekly and bit the inside of her lip.

“Beau?”

Every molecule in your body shuddered at the sound of that voice. God, you so didn’t want to do this right now. The last time you’d seen Carla, it didn’t end well. If you could, you’d teleport yourself somewhere else – preferably Hawaii.

Beam me up, Scotty!

Beau flashed you a glance over his shoulder that said pretty much the same thing – shit. With a thick swallow, he angled his face toward his ex-wife and forced an awkward smile to his lips.

“Hey,” he rasped, his throat drier than the Death Valley.

“Y/N?” As soon as Carla spied you, her brow arched and her features turned sinister. The unhappy surprise of finding you here was written all over her face. And if it hadn’t been, her words soon made her feelings for you abundantly clear. “What are you doing here? Wrecking more homes? At least you’re wearing clothes this time that don’t belong to my ex-husband.”

Yup. You hadn’t expected a warm welcome, but that even exceeded your expectations. You gaped at her, a bit speechless. Even Beau seemed temporarily at a loss for words and was taken aback. Only Emily looked the most upset and voiced it, too.

“Mom! Really?!”

Carla then looked apologetically at her daughter, aware of her inappropriate comment, her mouth falling open in shame. You knew it was a knee-jerk reaction.

“And that’s my cue to leave,” you retorted. As you spun around, you glanced up at Beau and touched his shoulder comfortingly, letting him know you were still here, even when you were mad as hell at him. “Call me when you’re finished here. Or if you need an alibi…” you muttered into his ear in passing.

“I’m coming with you,” Emily announced with a scowl over her shoulder at her mother. She hopped next to you and looped her arm through yours, following you inside the restaurant.

As soon as you and his daughter were out of sight, Beau glowered at his ex-wife and shook his head. “Really, Carla? Was that necessary? You know nothing ever happened when we were married.”

“I know, I know,” Carla agreed and sighed, clasping her temples. “I’m sorry. I really am… It just came out. I guess it’s just old wounds, you know? I was surprised to see her here.”

“Yeah, I get that.” Beau bobbed his head in understanding, smacking his lips. He hated everything about this and knew he could only blame himself for it. “I mean, c’mon, you two used to be friends once, right? What happened? You’d think after what you went through with Avery, you’d have a little more compassion for what she’s gone through.”

Carla pursed her lips and bit the insides of her cheeks, surely stifling a fiery comment. “You wanna know what happened between us? You did, Beau,” she snapped, but before he could open his mouth to respond, she heaved a sigh and shot him a remorseful look. “But you’re right. I’ll apologize to her later.”

“Thank you,” he said graciously as his shoulders deflated and passed the tension.

“What’s she doing here? Everything okay?” Carla asked, lines of worry etching her brow. It told Beau that she still cared about him, even if it was just a smidge.

“Uh, yeah. Just work. Serial killer,” he replied. Since their eventful summer, Beau tried to be more open and honest, keeping a clear line of communication with his ex. It was a step forward. “Three victims so far.”

“Serial killer? Again?” Carla raised her brow and scoffed. “I guess it’s good I’m bringing Emily back to Houston, then.”

“You still wanna do that?”

A part of him hoped they’d stay because he wanted to stay here. Montana had given him a fresh start. One that was much needed. Houston, on the other hand, was haunted and full of ghosts he didn’t want to face. He had been running from them for a while now, although they were slowly catching up to him.

But he also needed his family, his daughter. He wanted to be a constant in her life, not just a variable.

“Honestly, I don’t know,” Carla sighed and looked a bit torn and helpless, which was rare for her. But Avery’s secrecy and death had done quite a number on her, and Beau supposed she was still working through a lot. “What d’you think?”

Beau thought it was ironic she was suddenly asking for his input, considering she didn’t ask for his advice the first time she took their daughter and moved several states away. But he knew better than to say that out loud, especially since he was partially at fault.

Rubbing his beard, your earlier words reverberated in his head. His daughter wasn’t a little kid anymore and would fly the nest soon, as much as he didn’t want to admit it.

“Maybe we should ask Em what she wants. I mean, she’s almost seventeen. If your work isn’t a factor, then maybe we should let her decide.”

Carla nodded pensively as if she was actually considering it. “Yeah, okay,” she agreed and let out a sentimental sigh. “She’s growing up.”

Beau’s smile carried a drop of sadness. “Yeah, she is.”

Surprisingly, his talk with his ex-wife went better than expected. He just wished things would be as easy with you. All he wanted was just a chance to make it right. He couldn’t screw up another relationship.

“Beau… For the record, I want you to be happy, okay? No matter how, where, or with… who,” Carla told him and gifted him a cordial smile that showed her sincerity.

He appreciated her words. There’d been bad blood between them. Divorce made people bitter, he supposed. But old wounds had to heal eventually, too.

As you stepped outside the restaurant with Emily, you flashed an insecure glance at Carla. You averted your gaze to Beau, holding up a big brown paper bag. “You ready? Got the food.”

Beau checked quickly with his ex-wife, who nodded, letting him know that they were done here.

Carla then turned to you and cleared her throat, and you were sure it took a lot for her to even look at you. “Y/N, I’m sorry about earlier.”

You nodded, accepting her apology. You’d never done anything wrong, but the situation was complicated. It was hard on all of you.

“It’s fine. We’re good,” you assured her and gave her a half smile. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry, too. I heard about your husband.”

“Thank you,” she replied courtly and motioned for Emily to follow her. “C’mon, honey. Let’s go.”

“Bye, Dad.” Emily waved at her father.

Beau quietly watched his family saunter down the street before he glanced at you and offered you a clumsy smile. “Well, this went better than expected, right?”

You didn’t share his humor, however, and threw him a dark glare. You spun on your heel and trudged back to the Sheriff’s Department. “I have to get back to work.”

Beau exhaled heavily. This wasn’t how he had imagined his outing with you, wishing for a sign or at least a damn compass to show him the way.

March 2014

“Maybe it was the courier?” Beau suggested as he caught the pigskin before throwing it back to his partner across the desk. Passing the ball had become a ritual, helping them work through their case theories one by one.

“Nah, I don’t think so.” Randy shook his head when it was his turn. “What about the maid? She certainly had motive.”

A few more exchanges and tosses back and forth happened before you waltzed into the police station. Randy missed his catch, the football almost flying through the Captain’s window, but you gracefully caught it just in time and placed it securely down on the desk.

“Nice catch,” Beau complimented you, impressed.

“Hi, honey,” your husband greeted you and found your lips, kissing you deeply. You giggled and locked your arms around his neck as he pressed you into the edge of his desk.

“Geez, really? Get a room you two,” Beau huffed jokingly, making both of you laugh enough to stop your make-out session but not enough to detangle yourselves from each other.

“We’re newlyweds. We’re supposed to make you sick and scratch your eyes out,” Randy quipped with a grin.

Smiling warmly, Beau shook his head at the two of you. “You got married eight months ago. When’s that honeymoon phase ending, huh?”

“Never,” both of you replied in unison and started kissing again, causing Beau’s eyes to roll back.

“God help me…” He sighed dramatically.

His sigh of exhaustion was soon joined by a second one. “Ugh, again?” Carla asked as she stepped into the station and tilted her head at you and your husband.

“Yeah,” Beau confirmed, amused, and kissed his wife’s cheek. “How did that court case go?”

Carla exhaled a breath of fatigued annoyance. “Y/N’s buying drinks tonight. Thanks to her Oscar-worthy performance on the stand,” she replied as you grinned winningly at her. The two of you had a deal – whoever won a court case was inviting the other for consolation drinks. “You know, I’ve never seen someone so convincingly fake-cry during cross.”

“You’re welcome.” You smirked slyly. “My high school drama teacher taught me that. I think he would’ve been proud of me today. Those were real tears, you know?”

“Oh, the jury certainly thought so.” Carla laughed bitterly.

“So you lost?” Beau glanced at his wife. “I’m sorry, darlin’.”

Carla arched an eyebrow and knowingly crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you, Beau?”

“Nah, not really.” He laughed and said, “You did defend a tweaker who killed three people over a little bag of meth, so…”

“Well, I know better than to argue with two cops and a federal agent over the rights of American citizens,” Carla fired back.

Beau snorted in amusement. “Wow, okay. Y/N really pissed you off, huh?”

“Again, you’re welcome.” You beamed with self-satisfaction.

“Oh, you both are pissing me off,” Carla retorted jokingly and then looked at you, smiling. “I gotta get back to the office. I’ll see you at the bar.” She then turned to her husband, pointing a finger at him. “And I’ll see you at home.”

Beau leaned in to kiss his wife goodbye, but Carla already rushed out of the station before he got a chance. He heaved a small sigh, his eyes drifting to Randy and you as you giggled like two lovesick teenagers.

“I gotta get back to work, too,” you said as you withdrew from your husband’s lips. But then you noticed an opened case folder on Randy’s desk. Curiously, you tiptoed up and spied over his shoulder to get a better look at it. “Unless you two got something fun here…”

“Ay, hands off! That ain’t your jurisdiction,” Beau warned you playfully and stopped short of batting your hand away.

“C’mon, we’re stuck. She might be able to help,” Randy interjected with an innocent shrug and a puppy dog look.

Beau heaved an exasperated sigh and then smiled challengingly at you. “Alright, what d’you think, Special Agent Y/L/N?”

Grabbing the file, you leafed through it for a moment and then mused, “Hmm, couldn’t have been the maid. Her schedule doesn’t match time of death. But maybe it was the courier? There’s a theft ring hitting several states. They use bike couriers.”

Beau’s smile widened to a triumphant grin as he pointed a finger at his partner. “Ha! That’s what I said.”

“Alright.” Your husband groaned defeatedly. “Let’s check it out.”

“Oh, now you suddenly want to, huh? After the wife said it? That hurts, man,” Beau teased.

Randy shrugged smugly. “Yeah, well, she’s a lot smarter than you.”

Beau pursed his lips and nodded, hiding his smirk of amusement. “Yeah, I guess that’s true.”

“Well, you guys have fun with this,” you said and kissed your husband’s lips one last time. “I have to get back to work. The tweaker Carla defended gave up his supplier in Brownsville. The DEA wants me to come down to Matamoros with them tomorrow. They think the guy is Gulf Cartel.”

Randy furrowed his brow, and you could see the concern shimmering in his eyes. “How long will you be gone?”

“Two weeks maybe?” You shrugged, not knowing exactly how long assignments sometimes could last. Worst case, you could even be undercover for a couple of months, and your husband knew that.

“So, we’re gonna have fun tonight?” Randy smirked and wiggled his eyebrows, resting his palms on your hips as he pulled you closer.

You grinned smugly. “You bet we are, baby. Bring the handcuffs home.”

“Guys, c’mon, I’m standing right here,” Beau complained and threw his arms up, making both of you laugh and blush.

“Alright, be careful,” Randy reminded you with a peck on your lips.

You nodded and then turned to Beau. “You’re gonna protect my boy here while I’m gone, Arlen? Have his back?”

“Yes, ma’am. With my life. Promise,” Beau said and smiled at you reassuringly, putting you at ease before you walked out of the station.

Randy let out a worried sigh as he watched you leave. He looked up when Beau patted his shoulder in comfort.

“She’ll be fine. She’s a tough one,” Beau said in an attempt to calm his partner’s nerves.

“Yeah, she is,” Randy agreed quietly before his teasing nature returned. He grinned up at him and quipped, “You couldn’t handle her.”

“Sure, I could! Have you met Carla?” Beau retorted as both of them fell back into a brotherly banter. “Trust me, once your sickening honeymoon phase wears off, you’re gonna be right where I am.”

“What, happily unhappy?” Randy sassed and cocked an eyebrow.

“Exactly,” Beau replied wryly, clicking his tongue.

“Nah, man, that’s not me and Y/N,” Randy stated with a surefire grin.

“Alright, lover boy, let’s put our courier in the hot seat. C’mon,” Beau grunted with a roll of his eyes and brushed off his feelings on the subject, although he began to doubt his own statement. He was admittedly a bit jealous of his partner’s relationship.

Maybe some couples were just happier than him and Carla.

Beau tossed the old football into the air and caught it again. With a thoughtful sigh, he placed it on his desk and sunk back into his chair, his palm still resting on the ball.

“You were right, man. Who would’ve thought…” The sheriff clicked his tongue. A knock on the door ripped him from his trance, his green eyes darting to the visitor.

Jenny carefully peeked her head inside and checked on him, “You okay there?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” he assured her. He didn’t bother to form a smile, though.

She pursed her lips, clearly not believing him, but nodded her acceptance. “You wanna join us at the bar? Might give you a chance to talk?”

“Uh, yeah, but you girls go ahead. Still have a few things to finish up here,” Beau said.

“Alright.” Jenny gave him a small smile, but she didn’t leave yet, her hand resting on the doorknob. “You know, when I first saw you with Carla, I thought I had it right. But this-… this is an entirely new look.”

Beau grimaced. “Shut up.”

Jenny laughed lightly. “If you love her, you should tell her.” Beau only shot her a deadpan glare, to which the blonde raised her hands in capitulation. “Alright, just sayin’…” With that, she closed the door behind her again.

Beau’s eyes then landed back on the football on his desk, smacking his lips in thought. Sometimes the guilt was eating him alive, burning him from the inside out like acid.

“You’d be okay with this, right? I know you’d want her to be happy,” he verbalized his thoughts out loud, hoping it would give him some clarity. He wasn’t sure, however, if he was just saying it to alleviate his own guilty conscience and justify his actions.

“I think I could really make her happy, you know? At least, I’d try,” Beau said. Two fingers rubbed his mouth as he spun on his chair and glanced out the window to the dark sky and the stars above. “C’mon, man, I just need one small sign…”

Chapter 3: Pour The Whiskey – MAY 15

More glimpses into the past and maybe some much needed talking coming next week! Let me know all your thoughts in the comments, loves 🤍

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