#i don't remember how we crossed paths but we did and she was so smart and so understanding

[mainfaggot]

the last time i felt emotionally fulfilled in a friendship was when i was 15, and before that when i was 13. im turning 21 next month

[proceduralpassion]

I Don't Wanna Be Unfair | Chapter 10

Pairing: Jax Teller x OC Series Masterlist

Summary/synopsis: Fresh off a broken engagement, McKenzie Gilbert has a one night stand with a random guy she never plans to see again. Soon after, their paths cross, which complicates several situations at hand.

Chapter warning(s): language, implied smut, BRANDON, discussion of cheating/manipulation

WC: 7.1k

McKenzie let out a content sigh as she rolled off of Jax and tucked into his side. She glanced up at him and was met with a playful smirk as the SAMCRO president cuddled even closer to her.

“You really enjoyed that.”

She rolled her eyes and gave him a light shove, “You knew what you were doing.”

As they wrestled their clothes off while stumbling into his bedroom earlier, Jax laid down with that lazy leer of his and had requested, “Sit on my face.” McKenzie didn’t hesitate to oblige and now in the aftermath, she rested in his arms spent and satisfied.

Jax moved from his back over to his stomach and sent her a flirty wink before fluttering his eyes in relaxation. Her eyes roamed over his back and they were drawn to the scarred tissue hidden clandestine within his tattoos. The layered edges of the hole told her it was a gunshot wound. She was too enthralled with their hookup to pay much attention during their first night together, but now it seemed blaringly obvious that the man had a sketchy past. Except for as long as she could remember, her entire life had consisted of morally gray men with hearts of gold. 

In a way, he was the most perfectly fitting guy in terms of potential relationships. Brandon was an MC outlaw, sure, but he had joined the life as a means of escape. Jax had been raised in the culture just like she had.

“So how did you get that?”

Jax glanced at her with a hint of confusion.

“The gunshot wound on your back?” It was genuine curiosity, but she realized that it might not be a comfortable topic for him, “You don’t have to talk about it.”

“Nah, it’s fine,” he said with that easy grin of his, “I was a fucking prospect.”

He laughed at himself, at the memories, before venturing into the story, “Red Woody wasn’t always Red Woody. At first, one of our brother’s wives, Luann, had started the company. It was called Cara Cara back then. The club helped her get the building for it and it definitely wasn’t easy. One time, we were so close to the point where JT, my dad, was going to go co-sign the papers the very next day. Then, the realtor calls and says someone put in a better bid and our deal was off. Turns out it was some loser trying to sell hunting gear. There aren’t even any fucking bears in Charming, much less deer,” Jax and McKenzie chuckled together at the commentary. “Me being the prospect and trying to impress my old man, I grab Ope and say ‘Bro, let’s go mess with him a little, convince him to take his shitty little hunting store outta town.’ We find out where he lives and no one’s home, so we snoop around. Found the sale papers from the realtor deal and decided, shit, if there’s no proof of sale, the deal might as well be off. We were gonna rip up the papers and challenge the realtor.”

McKenzie interrupts, “You know the realtor would’ve had copies of those exact papers, right?”

“Yes, I know that now, smart ass.” Jax pokes at her stomach and enjoys her ticklish grins.

“Anyway, we thought we were home alone. Turns out the fucker was just in his back shed with the doors closed. Sneaky as fuck because I didn’t even hear him come in. I just happened to see him pointing a gun at Ope out of the corner of my eye and I jumped in front of him because I knew he wouldn’t react in time. I don’t really remember much after that except for us getting the fuck out of dodge right after. Ope had to practically hold me up himself until we got to the bikes.”

“Damn,” McKenzie whistled in amazement. Humor danced in her eyes, though, as she continued, “If your dad’s anything like mine, then I know he was not amused.”

“Bro, as soon as he saw it was just a flesh wound, he slapped me so fucking hard, I landed against the pool table.”

McKenzie’s cackles filled the room and they only grew louder as Jax laid out the punishment chores he and Opie got assigned not longer after that ill-fated stunt. 

It was only after her laughter died out did she have the chance to remark, “I’m sorry, Jax, but that was really fucking stupid. You absolutely deserve the punishment you got.”

Jax grinned, “I know.” His sigh is filled with notions of bittersweet. It was a fun, chaotic memory that he and his best friend would always share, but it also was a reminder of how quickly things could go left. “The same way my dad was hard on me, I’m sure that’s why your pops was so hard on Brandon. The look of horror on my pop’s face when I burst in with blood pooling all on my side and back was the same look your dad had when he realized Sweets was shot.”

He pauses for a minute before considering. “Sorry, maybe it’s not the best idea to bring your ex up.”

“It’s fine. He’s not Voldemort,” she shrugs. “Besides, it’s not like he’s going anywhere. If my dad was right about one thing, it’s that I might as well get used to being around him.”

“I don’t know who Voldemort is, but yeah, I agree with your dad, too. I just didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“Well, one: we’re definitely going to have to fix that. And two: thanks. I’m good. Trust me.”

Jax nods, throwing his arm around her waist. “He’s an asshole but that doesn’t mean I want the guy to get killed doing something stupid, y’know?”

“I can definitely get that. Maybe even more than you do. Brandon’s always been an act first, think later type of person. I know he means well in the moment, but sometimes he has a habit of getting himself and others into trouble too.” 

“I feel like there’s a story in there somewhere.”

There is, but McKenzie’s just about reached her Brandon quota for the day. She also hates that Jax and SAMCRO are now caught up in mess caused by her ex-fiance. Even more than that, she hates that she can tell that this is all weighing on Jax.

“I’m sorry.” She strokes his cheek, their eyes locking. “You’re responsible for keeping your men safe and I know that has to be a lot of pressure and stress.”

She sees it every day. The toll it takes when you’re responsible for the lives of others. How it’s even more aggrandized when the people you’re protecting are also people that you deeply care for. She’s watched SAMCRO over the past several weeks, taking note of the close bonds weaved within them. It didn’t take her long to realize the parallels she sees with the Street Wolves. They’re more than just a club. They’re a brotherhood. A family.

Jax gazes at her, wearing a look that she can’t quite interpret. 

“What?”

“Nothing,” he shakes his head. “It’s just that, I guess you do know. Our lives aren’t quite so different…”

“Maybe not, but then again, being a family member of the club is still different than actually being a member.”

Jax tilts his head, “If you, Lisa, or Sairah are anything like the women affiliated with SAMCRO, you’re a part of the club in your own way.” He pushes himself up off the bed. “Thank you, though. Seriously.”

McKenzie smiles at him, the sheets bunched up over her. 

“You want something to drink?” He asks as he gets up.

“I’m good.” 

Jax nods before disappearing outside his bedroom door with McKenzie shuffling under the covers. She watches the door he just exited from, unable to characterize just how far her empathy goes for him. 

***

Brandon sat alone outside on the pathway next to the Garden’s parking lot, his eyes glued to Jax’s Dyna amongst the row of bikes near the front of the bar. It’s been two days since he learned about Jax’s past and he’s yet to come to a decision about just what to do about it. He knew he needed to be strategic with the information he’s learned about the SAMCRO president, using it to be its most effectual in getting his way.

The thing is that he’s not sure whether he wants to share what he’s learned of Teller’s past with the rest of the crew yet. Sure, it would be nice to expose the man’s dirty laundry and let his brothers know what kind of grimy man they were doing business with, but it was currently the only card he had to play at the moment. He wondered whether playing it close to the chest was the more clever move to make instead of losing his upper hand so quickly. 

He wasn’t sure yet what to do, but he knew he was going to do something. He can acknowledge that he fucked up, but one would be hard-pressed to convince him that Gil and Rev wouldn’t have chastised him so harshly had it not been for Jax and SAMCRO. And it was pure bullshit. It was one of the Street Wolves after all that got shot, so he didn’t even understand why Gil felt apologetic towards them. They were outlaws, too. They knew the risks. 

Jax wasn’t going to continue walking around like he ran the place. Brandon wouldn’t let him. 

He had every intention of putting the man in his place. Of making sure that he knew that this was still Street Wolves territory and that he wasn’t in charge. 

His goal, for the time being, would be scheming the right way to go about it. And, of course, maybe have some fun at Teller’s expense in the process.

***

Jax steps into the entertainment area of the Street Wolves’ club house, following the aromatic wafts of hashbrowns, grits, and pancakes. A few of the Wolves, along with Bobby and Juice, were already congregating in the room, watching Lisa and Ace unfold the aluminum sheets over the pans of brunch food. They circled the food like lions do their prey and Jax couldn’t blame them. He could already feel his mouth watering from the aroma alone.

“Mornin’,” he greets Rev who’s closest to the door, leaning against the wall with a book in hand. 

“Hey, man. You doing alright?” 

They dap each other up before Jax mimics his stance, leaning next to him. 

“Yep. You?”

“Good. Went to visit Sweets this morning. He was grouchy because I woke him up, but otherwise doing fine considering.”

“Good, that’s good.” Jax muses. His eyes veer back to the brunch spread when Lisa heads downstairs to get plates and utensils. Brandon is standing next to Ace chatting, but his gaze locks with the SAMCRO president instantly, morphing into a smug smirk. Jax’s eyebrows furrow in response, but Brandon is back to his conversation with Ace before he can dwell on it any further.

“Yeah,” Rev continues, “He’ll probably sit home and recuperate for the rest of the week, but that old dog’ll probably be back in no time.” 

Jax chuckles, “I’d expect nothing less. I think I heard him and Chibs making plans to take a ride out to Fresno.”

They both turn towards the door when Lisa returns with McKenzie and Sairah following closely behind. 

“Morning, guys,” Sairah greets.

“Fancy seeing you here,” Rev brings her in for a one-armed hug before pulling McKenzie in for one as well. 

“I don’t have to go into the office until later. Plus I can’t remember the last time I’ve had a hot meal for breakfast.” Sairah turns to Jax. “You don’t know life until you’ve tried my mom’s pecan pancakes.”  

“Well, then I can’t wait to truly start life,” Jax smirks. He avoids more than a few seconds of eye contact with McKenzie, not intent on Sairah clocking anything between them. 

The brief conversation that carries between them pauses once Gil makes his presence known. He addresses the whole room wishing everyone a good morning. 

“Let’s eat,” he enjoins.

The Street Wolves president led the line to grab food, taking loaded servings of all of his wife’s cooking while simultaneously addressing everybody.

“Rev and I went to go see Sweets this morning. He’s doing well, back to his crabby ass self. Cussed us out for being on his doorstep so early in the morning.” The group laughed, the Street Wolves being all too familiar with how much Sweets prioritized his sleep. “He’ll take it easy for the rest of the week, but I’m sure he'll be back in action not long after. Can’t keep an old dog down.”

He continues, “Otherwise, it’s business as usual. Lisa organized this brunch just to keep everyone’s spirits lifted.”

“And your stomachs full. Lord knows half of y’all can’t cook,” she throws in.

Laughter convenes among the group, a gloomy weight lifted off the room. Everyone sits, enjoying their food and making conversation with each other. Jax, McKenzie, Sairah, and Rev all sit towards the end of the long table, chattering amongst themselves.

“So, Jax, do you have a girlfriend?” 

Jax nearly chokes on his piece of bacon as he registers Sairah’s question. Rev snickers. McKenzie eyes the parsley on her grits with more attention than necessary.

“Uh, no…” he finally answers. 

McKenzie gives a sly grin before taking a sip of her orange juice. 

He continues, “I’m single.”

Sairah hums in response. “Nice to know. Now that you’re in Highwater more often, you’ve got a whole new dating pool to explore. Shoot, I’ve got co-workers who want to take a walk on the wild side who’d probably go a round with you.”

“Why do I feel like this is the beginning of a trap?”

“Oh, no such thing,” she says, sipping on her drink with an air of innocence, “Just know that if you’re ever looking for some potential connects, I’m your girl.”

Rev jumps in, “Don’t fall for it, man. I let her set me up on a date once. Never again.” 

“I warned you ahead of time that Cosette was a stage 5 clinger. Not my fault that you kept messing around with her after I told you she’d get attached.” 

Jax and McKenzie both laughed in amusement watching Sairah and Rev go at it. 

“It’s everyday with those two,” McKenzie remarks.

“Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

Laughter stops and all four pairs of eyes veer to the source of the new voice in their midst. Brandon approaches them, standing adjacent to where Jax and McKenzie sat. McKenzie leans closer into his sister’s space, a move not lost on Sairah or Jax. 

“First, I just wanted to apologize to you,” his words targeted at Jax. “I put SAMCRO in just as much danger as my fellow Street Wolves with the stunt I pulled. Despite my good intentions, I put everyone’s lives at risk and that wasn’t fair. I’m man enough to admit when I’m wrong. It’s not easy for a lot of men, but I don’t want to be that guy.”

Jax would feel appreciative of Brandon’s words if it wasn’t for the smug smirk that colored his face as he finished his spiel. Hearing the words alone, he might’ve paid it no mind, but there was an undertone of arrogance as if Jax was supposed to catch some underlying meaning in his words. 

Still, he stands up and shakes Brandon’s hand, feeling the eyes on him. “I appreciate that, man.”

“Yeah, I just wanted to get that out there. I mean, the last thing I’d want to be is on your bad side, y’know what I mean?” 

Jax’s eyebrows furrow, disquieted by the man’s forced smile. 

“Anyway…” Brandon turns to McKenzie. “You got a minute?”

“Not for you,” Sairah jumps in.

“I wasn’t talking to you,” Brandon snaps.

Rev cuts his eyes, “Watch it.” 

Immediately, McKenzie puts her arms up, not intent on another tension-filled encounter between her sister and ex. 

“It’s fine,” she says. Truth be told, she’d rather be anywhere than stuck in a conversation with him, but it’s nowhere near the first time she’s settled to do things she doesn’t want to do in order to keep the peace. 

She leads them out into the hallway and veers towards the end. She glances at the dorm room that her and Jax had had their shower tryst in and feels her cheeks warm at the memory. The idea of being blocked into any space with Brandon in her way sends unease through her, so she aims to lean against the wall that’s still not far from view of anyone eating in the rec room. 

Crossing her arms against her chest, she sighs, “What is it?”

“I wanted to ask if we could go and talk. Somewhere tonight? Or maybe tomorrow?”

McKenzie stares at him, searching for his angle.

“…why?” She finally asks.

He sighs, taking a step closer before halting at the sight of her tensing. He steps back, looking directly at her.

“I just have some things to get off my chest. I’ve had some time to think about things. Reflect.  Pauletta’s been helping me work through some things.”

McKenzie immediately scoffs. 

“I’m just trying to be a better man for her. And she thinks that us moving forward in our relationship would go a lot smoother if we air things out for good.”

She hums, “So you’re doing this for her?” 

“I’m doing this for myself. I have a lot of things I need to get off my chest. About our relationship. About everything that happened. I don’t want to go around carrying all this guilt. We both deserve to move on for good, and in order for that to happen, you need to know the full truth.”

McKenzie stood there, taking in his words. Trying to decipher whether it was genuine or just a bunch of bull. The guy before her sounds a lot more mature and introspective than the man she was in a relationship with for several years. It takes her back to the beginning of their dynamic, when she fell in love with him. The realization leaves a weight tugging in her stomach.

Brandon presses. “I’ll leave you alone after this, I promise.” 

Ultimately, she knew he wouldn’t give in until she gave him the answer she wanted, but it didn’t take long for her to truly consider for herself that she wanted to hear what he had to say. Her confidence was waning, but, on the off chance, that he had a genuine reason behind how he’s treated her, she wants to hear it. 

She finally agrees. “Fine. But we’ll do it somewhere public.”

His smarmy smirk returns. “What? You don’t trust me enough to meet in private?”

No source of humor shows on McKenzie’s face. His smile falls at the seriousness in her eyes. 

“Okay,” he finally says with a nod. “We can meet up at the coffee shop you like on Swan Street? Does tomorrow work for you?”

“Yeah.”

“Thanks.” He starts to head back to go eat. “I’ll see you then.”

She gives a slight nod before waiting a moment, allowing him to enter first before heading back to where she was sitting. Jax and Rev have just finished with their meals and are catching up with Gil on the opposite end of the room.

Immediately, Sairah pressed her, “What the hell did he want?”

McKenzie gives a light shrug, “He just wants to talk.’’

“About what?”

“I don’t know. I guess he’s looking for closure? He just said he wants us to have it out. Explain things. We’re gonna meet up at the cafe tomorrow.”

Hesitation covers her little sister’s face. Her voice lowers as she asks, “You’re not…you’re not thinking of getting back together with him, are you?” 

“Are you shitting me?” The stark disbelief on McKenzie’s face immediately answers her question. “Hell no! He’s on his ‘better man’ bullshit, apparently. I guess things with him and Pauletta are progressing mighty fine…”

“God, I hate a dumb bitch. Especially when she actually seems sweet.” 

McKenzie sighs, “Well, it’s whatever. He’s not my problem anymore, so hopefully this is the end.”

***

McKenzie sat at the table set near the window, her anxiety on a ten as she waited for her ex-fiance. He was already ten minutes late and she was beyond ready to get this over with. She’d give him five more minutes before she texted him to fuck off and stop wasting her time. 

“You need anything, sweetheart?” The young, kind waitress approaches her table, having just cleaned the adjacent one. 

“Oh, no thanks. I’m just waiting for someone.”

The woman nods with a smile while heading back to her cashier post towards the back of the coffee shop. The bell above the door jingles and McKenzie’s attention turns towards the figure walking in. Brandon. 

At first, he steps towards the register, but immediately veers towards McKenzie once he spots her. 

“Hey. Thanks for meeting me here,” he greets as he sits. “Sorry I was a little late.”

McKenzie waves her hand in dismissal, sitting up in her chair. “It’s fine.”

“I actually was gonna try and be here earlier but I’m still earning my way back in your dad and Rev’s good graces. They made me clean all the bikes and the last shit I need is them on my ass about a missed spot or something. Plus, Teller was there. Didn’t need him ratting me out to them.”

McKenzie furrows her eyebrows. “What’s your beef with Teller?”

“Nothing. He’s a dick and I don’t think he’s gonna be much of a problem for any longer.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Brandon glares at her, scoffing. “Guess I shouldn’t be surprised you’re kissing his ass like everybody else. You don’t know him as well as you think you do.”

McKenzie swallowed thickly at the comment. It was for her sake that Brandon wasn’t privy to just how well McKenzie knew Jax. Physically, at least.

Whatever was up Brandon’s ass was irrelevant and she didn’t want to venture further into a conversation about Jax, so she switches gears. 

“What did you want to talk about?”

Brandon takes the bait, veering back to the topic at hand. “I don’t really know where to start. I know I put you through a lot. With the cheating and everything… I’ll tell you anything you want to know. But I figured you deserve the full story, so I guess I’ll start from the beginning?”

When they had first broken up, she had wished for this honesty. It was what she was owed in her mind. Now, she’s not sure she even cares. 

Her nod is mechanical as she waits to listen to what she’s not so sure she wants to hear. 

“OK, so the first time I cheated on you, it was a mistake. Truly. I don’t even know if you remember that night but I remember that we had got into that big fight. You got mad because I was working behind the bar and thought I was flirting with one of the customers.”

“I remember.” She interjects.

Brandon nods. “It just spiraled from there. You kept saying that you felt like something was off, that we were distant.” 

“Well, I wasn’t crazy for thinking that,” she mutters.

Brandon hangs his head. “No, I guess you weren’t. I was just so pissed after that argument that I went for a ride. Landed in the town over. No one knew me. Knew that I was in a relationship. It just felt good. Familiar. To not have any responsibilities or someone who people are dependent on. It felt easy. And things with us were the opposite of that, so I chased the feeling. The cheating just… happened.”

McKenzie stared at him, watching him as he explained his inner thoughts at the time. She’d give anything to look away.

The words flow out of her mouth harshly. “It didn’t just happen. You made a deliberate choice. Wanting to escape your responsibilities, I can get that, but there’s a difference between taking some time away and putting your dick in another woman. Multiple, actually.”

Brandon doesn’t even bother denying it. “I get it. At first, drinking was enough for escape. But shit, I drink even when I’m not looking for an escape, so there’s only so much that can help. I needed more. Someone else to distract me from our problems. And then… I mean the more I did it, the better it felt. And I should’ve told you, I know that, but cheating seemed easier and it would only make our issues multiply, had I been honest.”

It’s only with impulse control that she doesn’t slam her fist down on the table to get him to stop talking. 

She takes in a shaky breath before finally asking. “How many women did you bring back to our place?”

“...Do you really want to know?” Brandon fidgets in his seat, rubbing at his mouth first before scratching the back of his head.

McKenzie nods.

“Six.”

“Six times.” Her throat clenches as she repeats him. “And it was six different women?”

She feels her nose burning watching him nod. Her eyes shone with hurt and anger. “What the fuck is wrong with you? How could you have not told me any of this? I don’t get it. I don’t know why you did any of this. Why you asked me to move in with you. Why you asked me to marry you. You’ve been stringing me along for over a year!”

“I just told you why, McKenzie. Because it was easier. I mean, come on,” he sighs exasperatedly. “Did you really think we were gonna make it down the aisle? That we were gonna be together forever? There’s no way you can look me in the eye and tell me that.” 

“I thought things were hard but I think giving me a ring sent a pretty clear signal that you were willing to put in effort to make things work. Supposed to, anyway.” She snapped. “I mean, talk about fucking mixed signals. What kind of logic were you expecting me to have to think that you saying you wanted to marry me meant that you actually wanted to break up? You should’ve just grown a pair and told me the truth.”

Brandon’s eyes narrow in frustration. “You aren’t naive, McKenzie. You knew that I wasn’t happy. And don’t delude yourself into thinking you were happy either. Our relationship was crumbs. Shit, by the end, we were barely sleeping together.” 

“That didn’t fucking stop you from getting it somewhere,” she bit out before releasing a shaky, resigned breath. “I know that things were difficult, but I wasn’t ready to give up, Brandon. You giving me that ring made me think that you weren’t ready to give up, either. Made me think that you still loved me and that we’d get through the rough patch. But you didn’t mean any of that shit and I really, really wish you would’ve just been upfront with me.”

“It’s not like I can go back and change what happened. All I can do is apologize and hope that we can move forward. I fucked up, I know that. All I can do from here is be better and move on.”

“Yeah, with your new girl.”

Brandon scoffs. “So that’s what you’re pissed about? Because I’m with someone new?”

“I’m pissed because I wasted five years of my life fully committed to you, loving you, standing by you when you were off sleeping with God knows how many women. And then what, days after you break up with me, you not only have a new girl, but you’re parading her around me and my family like nothing happened? And now the kicker is that you’re sitting in front of me that you two have gotten so serious to the point where you’ve had this epiphany that now you should be a better man. She means that much to you. But me? Your former fiancee couldn’t have been given enough respect to sit down and have an honest conversation until after the damage is done? I loved you for years and not once did you have the decency to break things off the right way. I don’t mean shit to you, I see that now. I was just a placeholder until something better came along for you.”

Her response is bitter and yet it’s the lightest she’s ever felt now that she’s finally gotten it off her chest. The discomfort and agitation that Brandon displays while clenching his neck means little to her. She just did what she had never gotten to do since everything went to shit: said her piece. 

“McKenzie, I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I should’ve broken up with you way before this. There’s a million things I should’ve done. We were never going to work. And you’ve gotta know that. Our relationship wasn’t good for either of us.”

“All the more reason why you should’ve said something. My only fault here is for being stupid enough to believe you or any or your bullshit.”

“McKenzie-”

“No,” she cuts him off. “I don’t need to hear any of your justifications. You want to ‘move on’, then fine, but I’m not absolving you.”

“Kenz-”

“I wish I had never met you,” McKenzie blurts out, unable to stop in hiding her feelings. She ignores how his expression darkens. “I wish I never fell for you. I wish I never worked so hard to make sure that my dad and family approved of you. And I sure as hell wish I never said yes to you. Every bad thing in my life points back to you.”

Brandon’s voice sharpens even in his low tone. “You don’t mean that.”

“I do. With everything in me. And I don’t even know why you would care since my feelings never mattered to you. All you ever did was hurt me, and I let you. But not anymore.” Her voice gets louder as she continues, filled with more ire as she watches outrage contort his face. “I’m so sick and tired of you blaming me for things that aren’t my fault. I’m not letting you do that to me anymore, either.”

“Keep your voice down,” he hisses. 

“Don’t tell me what the fuck to do!” His words that were aimed at getting her to calm down only set her off. “You don’t get to control me.”

“That’s enough.”

“Or what?”

By now, their harsh exchange of words had captured more than a few eyes. 

She didn’t care. She was tired of making herself small for others. Especially him. As far as everyone was concerned, she hoped the unintentional witnesses of their outburst enjoyed the show. She got out practically everything she needed to say to him, so she breathed another heavy sigh before closing what was hopefully their final chapter.

“You’re the worst thing that’s ever happened to me,” she says, her voice lowered but still firm. “You ruined my life, and you’re probably gonna do the same to poor Pauletta but that’s none of my business. You can sit here and try to feel better about yourself, but you’re a pathetic excuse of a man. I don’t know if it’s because you were so miserable with me, or if it’s because you hate yourself and want to make others feel that way, too, but that’s none of my business either. Because I’m done. I don’t care to hear any of your explanations anymore. It doesn’t matter. None of that changes what you did to me. And I can walk around the Garden and pretend you don’t exist, but that doesn’t mean we’re good, because we’re not. Have a nice fucking life.”

McKenzie gets up and grabs her things. She walks past his seat to head for the exit when Brandon grabs her arm tightly. 

Absolute fury shines in his eyes. “You better watch your mouth, McKenzie.”

His intimidation should have brought forth fear, but she can’t help the chuckle that escapes her. 

“You can’t hide it for long, can you? Your anger. You come in here on your ‘better man’ bullshit and the second I piss you off, you resort back to old habits.”

His hold tightens, a now painful grasp. 

“Let me go,” she grits out. 

He holds tight, a nasty snarl on his lips that was unfortunately familiar. She contemplates snatching the chair out from under him with each nanosecond that passes.

“Excuse me,” an unfamiliar figure approaches. “Let her go. Right now.” 

She had no idea who the man was, but watches as he pushes against Brandon’s chest with just enough force to get him to let go. The second she was free, she immediately stepped back, holding her arm to her chest.

Brandon launches out of his seat. “Mind your gaddamn business.” 

The anonymous man still stood in front of McKenzie unflinchingly. 

“Pretty sure half the cafe heard your business, hermano. Sounds like you’ve done enough, so why don’t you take a walk?” The guy spoke roughly, pointing towards the door. McKenzie watches Brandon scoff, measuring up the man. He shakes his head, taking a few steps back before narrowing his eyes at her.

“You’re right about one thing. Being with you was the worst mistake of my life.”

He stormed out of the cafe, the door slamming forcefully after him. McKenzie ran her hand through her hair, letting out a huge breath.

After making sure Brandon is gone for good, the man looks back to McKenzie. She feels her eyes burn again as she realizes that people are only just now resuming their attention to their own tables after the whole fiasco. 

“Are you okay, ma’am?” The man asks softly.

“Yes.” McKenzie swallows, slowly nodding. “Yeah, I’m good, really. Thank you…”

“Ezekiel,” he introduced with a kind smile. 

“Thank you, Ezekiel.” 

She attempts to slide past him, desperate to get out of here, before he asks, “Did you need me to walk you to your car or anything?”

McKenzie shakes her head, “No thanks but I appreciate it. Have a good night.”

She left the coffee shop without another word, her head down until the night air hit her face. Once she settles into her car, her head lolls back on the headrest, her eyes closed. She wasn’t sure what to do now. She didn’t know whether to head home to her sister’s house, stop by her parent’s or drive around with no destination. The encounter she just had is taking up all the space in her mind and she needs it to leave. She finds herself dialing a number, hoping for a response as she listens to it ring.

“Hello?”

 She takes a beat before speaking, hoping emotion doesn’t crack in the tenor of her voice.

“Hey, uh, where are you right now?”

“Home. You okay?” Jax asks with mild concern.

“Yeah. Can I come over?”

He answers with zero hesitation, “Of course you can, darlin’.”

“Thanks. I’ll see you in a bit.”

She hangs up the phone, tossing it in the passenger seat before switching gears and heading to Charming. She blinks her eyes several times, unwilling to let tears mask her view of the streets. She meant it with every fiber of her being that she was tired of letting herself be controlled by Brandon. The feelings of loss still ring heavy in the demise of their relationship, but that doesn’t mean she had to let it consume her. The worst was over. Now, it was time to learn how to adjust, pick up the pieces, and continue on. She couldn’t do that with an overstimulated mind so she sought out the first place where she knew she’d be safe to just be. She loves her parents and she loves her sister, but she knows they’ll want answers if they glean how discombobulated she feels right about now. She’d have to talk, she’d have to explain. And then, she’d have to deal with whatever consequences rained Brandon’s way from her family.

With Jax, there were no expectations. 

She pulled up to his house another twenty minutes later and immediately walked up to his front door, not wasting any time. It didn’t take long for her to hear the door become unlocked and for her to be faced with just a handsome, although uncertain, face. 

“Hey…” he ventures, widening the door for her.

She practically leaped onto him, grabbing his face with both hands, and willing their lips to meet. It’s so heated that it has Jax staggering back a step before finding purchase against the open door. He kicks it closed with his foot, an arm around her waist as he carries her further into his living room. 

Their locked embrace only parts when oxygen becomes a requirement, their lips still close in proximity as they catch their breath. He pants, lost in the pout of her lips before focusing on her face as a whole. There’s something he can’t place about her demeanor. It’s laced with the desperation called for in such a steamy moment, but there’s something else slipping from under the heat. 

He doesn’t get a chance to question it before she slips down from his embrace, grabs his hand, and leads him towards his bedroom. He doesn’t resist and his eyes darken, watching her slip her shirt off, met with the sight of her braless. 

She reaches for him, her hands on him in an instant, ridding him of his own shirt before she grabbed at his belt. Her clasps his hands above hers, pausing for just a second.

“Hey…” he gathers her attention. “Before we do this…. Are you okay?”

Now that they’re looking eye to eye, he sees the emotion swimming in hers. 

“I’m fine,” she says.

She plasters on a smile. She’s successful in sliding his belt from between its loops before focusing on her own jeans. Once they’re discarded, she sits on his bed with him towering over her. He lifts her chin.

“Are you sure? Did something happen?” He reaches for her arms, wanting her to stand back up when he notices her subtle wince. His eyes veer over to her arm and he frowns at the sight of discoloration near her wrist. “What’s this?”

“Nothing,” she grabs her arm back from him. “It’s probably from work. Look, are we doing this or not?”

She’s too impatient to wait for an answer before placing a soft kiss on his abs. Her hand slips under his boxers, stroking him with a firmness that juxtaposes the delicateness of her lips on him. It took nothing for them to rid each other of the rest of their clothes, Jax admiring her curvy, regal figure in its most bare form. 

Their bodies moved at an unyielding pace as Jax covered her body with his. 

It was over much too quickly for McKenzie’s liking, despite the fact that he left her panting in satisfaction. He rolls off of her, landing on his back as he, too, catches his breath. 

Now that it’s over, McKenzie’s mind is back to racing and her ex-fiance’s words reappear to the forefront of her mind. Her arm is still tender, more so an annoying reminder that she can’t shake. It’s the gateway portal that flashes her back to the cafe. The harshness with which he spoke to her. The burning sense of worthlessness that it etched into her. The worst part is how he made her feel like she was to blame. Like he had no choice but to cheat and mistreat her and there was something she should’ve done to prevent it. It was all too overwhelming and nothing was alleviating her frazzled head.

Every ounce of concern rushed back to Jax as he looked over and took note of McKenzie’s glassy appearance as she stared up at the ceiling fan.

“Darlin’, what’s wrong? Did I hurt you?” He reaches for her, sitting up with worry. 

“No,” she reassures. “It’s okay, I’m fine.”

She attempts to shuffle away but Jax has his arms in a hold around her waist. 

“What is it, baby?”

The more that she hears the compassion that fills his voice, the more she wants to push away from him. Because she’s seconds from crumbling with every unsuccessful attempt at blocking her evening out from her mind. It’s a battle she’s losing with tears at the brim, begging to cascade down her cheeks. 

Jax, meanwhile, had no idea what was plaguing her so deeply, but he’d never seen her so hurt before. 

His voice becomes desperate. “You can talk to me. Whatever it is.”

She looks at him, believing the sincerity in his eyes. The mirrored look of distress that distorts his face. It breaks the dam open and her tears fall with reckless abandon. A sob escapes her lips as her hands cover her face. 

Jax shifts, pulling her closer into his chest, rubbing her back. Her heavy cries cause his stomach to sink, the reality of her angst coming back with much more force than the inklings of unease she displayed when she first got here. Her body shakes in rhythm with her weeps and he grips her even closer.

What happened is no longer his concern as much as comforting her. Giving her the safe space to let go of everything she’s been holding in. He’d make it right if she’d let him, but for now, he did what he could in the moment and that was to simply hold her.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he whispers into her ear. He’s not sure if she even registers the soft words he utters under his breath to her, but he continues anyway. Continues until her shaking ceases and she lies still in his arms.

Sleep.

The broken-hearted girl in front of him cried herself to sleep and it wrenched at him. 

He throws a hand into his hair, combing it back from his face. As he rolls onto his back, he takes her with him, clutching her to his side as he shifts into comfort. The lights are already off and darkness covers them as their breathing evens out.

She’s never stayed the night before but he wouldn’t let her leave even if she woke up and insisted. There was no way he was letting her be by herself this upset. Even if it was subconsciously, she sought him out for a reason. 

He just hoped that when the dawn rose in the morning, she’d still let him be there for her. 

A/N: Whewww can't believe it's been 2+ years since I've updated this fic. Thank you to all readers, both new and old. Lmk if you wanna be added to the taglist. Please, of course, leave reblogs and comments if you enjoyed. Love you bbs 🫶🏽

[runningfrom2am]

cold nights // part sixteen

summary: you showed him colours he knows he can't see with anyone else.

pairing: coriolanus snow x fem!reader

wc: 3.3k

masterlists / nav / requests

tags/warnings: tribute!reader and mentor!coriolanus, r is very sweet (too kind for this world. literally.), sunshine x grumpy trope kinda, he falls first, violence typical for the source material, r is very smart (as she should), district twelve!reader.

a/n: i am so excited for you guys to see everything I've got coming up for this series- ah!! also, should i post the masterlist for requiem soon?? i can't post the first part just yet, but i'm excited ab it so let me know if you guys want to see that to be able to get the vibes and stuff!

my asks are also open to talk about this series! (i do have emoji anons open now too!)

send me any and all of your thoughts! here!

series masterlist // playlist

"Hello there, Miss." Coryo grins at you, extending his arm to you to hold as you step out of your house and close the door behind you.

You pretend not to see, reaching down to retie your shoe which was already laced up perfectly. "Hi." You reply quietly, and his smile fades. You already seem in weaker spirits than you were this afternoon.

"Did you enjoy your nap?" He asks as you stand up straight again, making your way down the front path of your house to the street and he follows like a stray dog.

You turn when you reach the road, looking at him only briefly. "I did. Thank you." You mumble, unable to make extended eye contact without your heart beating out of your chest. It was hard to tell if you were awake or asleep when he was around.

"That's good." He nods, joining your side. He's there to walk you to The Hob, but he honestly was relying more on you to guide the way.

You don't say anything, walking with your arms crossed carefully, protectively across your midsection.

Coryo is worried, but he does know that you don't want to walk alone at night, so he tries to convince himself it's just that. Not him.

"You, uhm, you look nice." He tells you, taking notice of your change of clothes. It was refreshing to see you in something other than that short dress with the sewn-in shorts, though with the longer skirts you had worn today, it covered much more of your skin. Part of him missed the short dress that was now most definitely unwearable. It was your favourite, he remembered.

"Thank you." You say back, the hair on your arms pricking up from the chill that was starting to settle in. It wasn't a cold night, you didn't think, but colder than Twelve often saw in mid-August. Maybe it was just you. "You do, as well."

He laughs, and you look at him for the first time tonight. His blue eyes shine with the reflection of the sunset, and you're no longer cursing yourself for trusting him to walk you this afternoon. He wouldn't hurt you, and you knew that. Stupid dreams. Stupid nightmares. He saved you- he's the only reason you're alive today, you're certain.

"We're trying to blend in, Sejanus thought we were scaring people." He explains, laughter subsiding.

You smile at him. "I was going to say, that style doesn't feel like your own." You giggle. "But I like it."

"Why, thank you." He grins, tugging on the front of his white t-shirt as if he was adjusting a suit jacket.

Your dreams were just dreams. If he had that evil in him, could you live with it? That was what you had to figure out. Right now, though, with you, that darkness was nowhere to be seen. You were awake. You must be.

"How has Twelve been treating you so far?" You ask, suddenly self-conscious of his impression of your home as your feet crunch over the gravel path beneath you.

"Okay." Coryo shrugs, shoving his hands into his pockets. "It was hard to find someone to talk to us long enough to get a lead on where to find you."

"People tend to keep to themselves." You explain. "Also looking for me is an odd request."

"Why?"

Now it was your turn to shrug. "No one really wants to talk to me now, either." The stares you got were seemingly endless. People would stare, point, whisper, and it didn't particularly bother you, but you hated that maybe people were afraid. You feared that everyone thought the games turned you into something fragile, and they were scared of upsetting you with the wrong words or the alternative; you were a weapon ready to explode at any moment.

"That's because people are careless and cruel." Coryo replies, no hesitation behind his tone. "And they have no way of understanding... you."

"They're good people, honestly, I just-"

"I know that." He assures you, sensing your panic. "But it's not your place to prove to them who you are. Changed or not."

"Do you think I have changed?" You ask, genuinely curious despite the softness of your voice.

Coryo is quiet for a moment. "I would say no," He looks at you as you walk alongside him. "but you have, I think. There's more to you, now."

You chew on your lip, watching your steps as you pass under the streetlights.

He watches your reaction, nervous when you don't respond. "I don't mean that in a bad way." He clarifies. "To me, you're still you." He wants to tell you you're less naive, more experienced, that it will keep you safe, but he feels as though that wouldn't be the right thing to say. "But it's impossible to walk out of that arena the same person. We have that in common."

The flickering street lamps illuminate the blush on your cheeks for just a moment. "Thank you, Coryo. That means a great deal." 

"Of course." He hums, walking close enough now to just brush your arm with his own.

Your heart leaps in your chest, from fear or excitement you aren't sure- but you're grateful to be able to finally hear the music coming from The Hob as you approach the rundown building.

There's nowhere else you would want to be any less than The Hob during one of Lucy Gray's shows. You loved her, The Covey, the beautiful and fun music they made together, but since you'd been home, it had been impossible to enjoy yourself there.

You didn't even try until tonight.

Your fears came true. Almost as soon as you and Coriolanus walked in, scattered eyes were on you. You could feel it like pricks in your skin. It didn't help that you were with a stranger. People were dancing, drinking, laughing, but you couldn't help but feel like the laughs were directed at you. Certainly, some staring was.

Coryo looks down at you, seeing your hands still gripped onto your own arms, holding yourself together. He wasn't great with crowds, and seemingly neither were you. His urge was to retreat to the nearest wall, and so was yours. "Let's see if we can track down Sejanus." He offers, holding his arm out behind you while he looks around.

He doesn't want to touch you for fear of making things weird, but god, would it just be so easy to slip his arm around your waist and guide you more effectively. 

"There." He almost doesn't hear you over the music and the shouting surrounding you both, but he follows your finger as you point over to the bar, leaning down closer in case you speak again.

Sure enough, Sejanus is there chatting with some local guy. Coryo sighs. "I leave him for twenty minutes..." He chuckles, shaking his head. "I'll get him, are you okay to wait here?" He asks and you nod, giving him that smile of yours that he hasn't seen all night.

"Good. I'll be right back." He promises, stepping away and through the crowd to go get your friend.

You watch him go, but your attention is drawn when someone pushes past you rather abruptly which makes you jump. The girl looks at you like you're crazy, as you expected she would, so pulling yourself together again, you find an empty table by the side wall and go to sit down. This was too much for you already; you knew that before you even walked in the door, but you were just here to see your friends. Coryo would come back, Sejanus would be with him, and Lucy Gray would sing her songs while you laughed and talked like normal people do. As soon as they returned, it would be okay.

You keep your head down until you hear them bickering over the normal sounds of the bar.

"We're not here to make friends, Sejanus, we're here to-"

"No, no, I get that, but what's the harm?"

You smile at them, taking a shaky breath. "Welcome back."

"Y/N!" Sejanus grins, looking at Coryo briefly before taking the seat across from you. "Glad you could make it."

"Me too." You nod, avoiding looking at Coryo as he takes the spot standing next to you, considering there wasn't another seat.

"Here," He says, voice low in your ear as he holds a glass out to you. "Got you a drink."

"Oh, thank you." You mumble, blushing as you take it from his hand. You can't think of anything worse than being intoxicated and vulnerable in this environment, but the gesture was nice. You wouldn't deny him that.

He rests his arm on the back of your chair, leaning on it and you rest your arms on the table so you can place the glass down as you look at Sejanus. "Tell me more, what have you been up to?" You ask, desperate for some conversation to distract yourself.

"Well, we graduated." Sejanus answers, nodding toward the boy standing beside you.

"Oh, gosh, congratulations!" You smile, looking between the two of them. Coryo is stone-faced.

"I sent you an invitation." He says into the rim of his glass, looking down at you.

"Oh?" You ask, and Sejanus nods in confirmation.

"We were hoping you'd be able to make it. We were going to come get you." He explains, and Coryo lets the glass scrape against his teeth. It was his invitation that he sent, and he was the one who offered to come get you. Sejanus had nothing to do with it besides encouraging him to actually send the letter.

"I didn't- I didn't get it." You tell them honestly, brow furrowed. "I don't know if I could have... gone back, you know, but I would have at least sent a gift, or something. I am so sorry."

Coryo raises an eyebrow. "You didn't get it?" He asks, almost relieved by the idea.

"No, nothing."

"Oh. Well, nothing could be done then, I suppose." He shrugs it off. Maybe if you truly hadn't received the invite, you haven't received any of the letters he sent. Someone along the route to the address he used decided you weren't worth looking for, and that wasn't your fault. Lucy Gray had told him as much, but he trusted it more falling from your lips.

"Truly, though, I am so sorry I couldn't be there." You say, looking between the two of them with a newfound urgency. You didn't want them to resent you, especially if they thought they had been ignored. "I didn't know, honest."

"Don't worry about it." Sejanus assures you. "We didn't want to be there either."

"But I did, I would have loved to but it's just hard to get out of Twelve and I wouldn't have anywhere to stay and like I said I'm just not ready to go back but I really would have loved to be able to be there for you."

"Y/N, hey..." Coryo chuckles, leaning down again to be face-to-face with you. "We get it. We're not upset with you, I promise."

Promise. The two of you were always making promises to each other, apparently. It made you feel better and he knew that.

"O-okay..." You nod slowly, deciding now is as good a time as any to try your drink. You turn your face from him, having been just inches apart to take a sip. Beer was far from your favourite, but you were never much of a drinker anyway. You place the glass back down and smooth out your skirt over your lap, regaining your normal grin. "Well, Fortune is merry, and in this mood will give us anything."

"Very good point." Coriolanus agrees quickly, tapping his hand on the back of your chair. The smile that crosses your face when you look up at him, thinking he understood and cared to respond makes him want to collapse in on himself and sink into the floor. You deserved so much more than being elated when someone understood you, and he could give you everything if you would just trust him.

"Y/L/N, how dare you show your face here!" A voice calls you by your last name and you snap your head in their direction.

Coryo furrows his brow, watching warily as a boy about his age walks up to your table. He's ready to step in, maybe this is why you hadn't been coming- because people, boys had been harassing you. He should have seen that coming. You were beautiful, every time he looked at you it was hard to look away again- obviously, this kind of attention would be a common occurrence. He lifts his shoulders and puts down his drink, but he looks at you and you're smiling.

"Hi." You giggle, actually giggle- and it makes Coryo almost just as angry as if this random guy had just threatened you.

He leans his elbows against the table. "Been a long time since I seen you. How you been?" He asks, sipping his beer as he makes dead eye contact with you.

"Only a couple of days, River." You grin.

"Oh yeah, that's right..." He hums. "Been real interested in that book you let me borrow, you know."

"Have you?" You smile, leaning in with excitement, ready to discuss it.

Who was this guy? A friend? Something more? The way you were looking at him, the fact that you let him borrow one of your books made envy swirl in Coryo's stomach. He hated it. He clears his throat to remind you they were there before you got sucked into talking about whatever book you gave the boy.

"Oh." You look up at him. "River, this is-"

"Yeah, who are these clowns? Botherin' you?" He interrupts you, and Coryo is more peeved about that than the fact that he was just referred to as a clown.

"Not in the slightest." You hum. "These are my friends, Sejanus and Coryo. They came all the way from the Capitol just to visit me, isn't that sweet?"

"Ah..." The boy hums, standing back up and holding a hand out for Sejanus to shake before turning to Coryo as he keeps his grip on the back of your chair. "Nice to meet you both, then."

"It's Coriolanus." He corrects you as he shakes the boy's hand, squeezing it probably more than what is polite.

"Oh wow." River's eyes widen and he chuckles, looking down at you again. "You're not really the friendly type I guess. Y/N here can make friends with just about anyone, I suppose."

"River..." You frown, shaking your head at him. Coryo clenches his jaw.

"I'm sorry! Sorry, I'm not great with new people either. That's my bad." He laughs it off, patting Coryo's shoulder as he drops his hand. "Anyway, Y/N, I didn't expect to see you out and about. Holdin' up okay?"

"I'm well. Thank you." You nod, taking another sip of your drink. River was a good friend, maybe even a great one. He works with your father in the mines, he started as soon as he turned eighteen a few months before you. You've become closer since then.

"Glad to hear it." He nods at you, looking around the crowded room. He bottoms his drink, shaking it in your face. "Time for a refill so I'm gonna leave ya be, but shout if you need anything, alright sweetheart?"

"Thank you!" You call after him as he turns to walk off, winking at you.

"Sweetheart." Coryo mumbles into his glass with a slight shake of his head as he watches the boy walk away. You didn't hear him, and he wasn't sure he wanted you to.

"Who's that?" Sejanus asks. "He seems nice."

"We went to school together, now he works with my father," You explain. "but I've known him most of my life. He's very kind, just a little... outspoken. He'll always tell you what he's thinking." You chuckle, and Coryo bites his tongue.

You catch his expression of disapproval. "He didn't mean any harm, just trying to be welcoming. He was nervous, I could tell." Returning your gaze to Lucy Gray up on the stage, you smile and give her a quick wave. She smiles back, nodding at you.

"You never mentioned him." Coryo comments.

"Well, I..." You stop yourself, staring down at your lap. "I had a lot on my mind..."

"Do you know anyone else? Give us the tour." Sejanus suggests quickly, pointing around the room.

You smile, forcing yourself to ignore your worries about how Coryo is feeling. "Almost everyone, yes." You giggle, covering your mouth with your hand as you speak.

"Is that why you didn't want to come?" Coryo asks you and you look up at him again, smile faltering.

"I- It's not that I didn't want to." You answer, fidgeting now with the fabric in your lap. "I just... I don't know. It's hard to... I don't know. Everything feels so difficult these days..." You laugh nervously.

There's that word he was so afraid of. Hard. In reference to something as simple as going out and spending time with your peers- people you had clearly considered friends before the games. It seemed like another lifetime to you, he could see it in the way you so intensely watched yourself pick at your own fingernails. He wished while laying in his bed at night that you were happy here, that your life was normal, even if he couldn't be a part of it; but that was unrealistic and part of him knew that.

"It's okay." Coryo reminds you quickly. "You don't have to explain yourself to us." He smiles, trying to be reassuring. "If you want to leave we can go. Just say the word, Y/N/N."

You shake your head, looking back up at him with that same glowing smile that subtly begs him not to worry about you- but he has to. "It's completely okay." You assure him with a quick wave of your hand. "Okay, so..." You drum your fingers on the tabletop, looking around and attaching names to faces.

"That's Sienna, I went to school with her sister." You point over to a girl in a group of a few others. "And she's with Fern and Hazel, Hazel's the one with the light hair." The boy's eyes follow where you're pointing as you look over at another group. "Oh, and over with River, the taller boy next to him is Rowan." You explain. "His little brother is friends with mine. Then over there, by the stage is Billy Taupe- that's Lucy Gray's boyfriend. Kind of, they're on and off these days."

Coryo nods, trying to commit these names to memory. He didn't plan on speaking to any of them, but if you wanted to, which he doubted, he would try. 

"And that's-" Your voice cuts out so quick it's as if someone had slapped a hand over your mouth when another boy walked up to join the two standing by the bar. Quickly Coryo is looking down at you again as the blood drains steadily from your face. You cough, shaking your head. "Uh, I don't really know anyone else's names." You lie.

"You okay?" Sejanus asks you and you nod, quickly grabbing your glass and taking a few large gulps, the foul taste of beer forcing its way down your throat. 

"Yeah, just, I haven't seen these people in a while."

Coryo watches, jaw clenched tight as River converses with the blonde boy who just walked up to him and your other friend whose name he's already forgotten. River takes a swig from his drink, laughs as he puts the glass down on the bar, and then points over to the three of you. He was telling whoever the hell that was that you were there- and clearly you weren't keen on him.

"Let's go, yeah?" Coryo suggests quickly, abandoning his drink on the table to step in front of you. He extends his hand to help you up which you gratefully take. He could feel your hand trembling in his. 

He squeezes your hand gently, still shielding you from the group of boys. You didn't need to say a word. "Sejanus, I'm going to take Y/N home, are you okay here?"

"For sure." He nods, looking worried now at the very sudden shift in your energy and Coryo's clear protectiveness. "Do you want me to come?"

"No, no. It's okay." You smile, comforted by Coryo's presence behind you. "You stay and have fun."

"Alright, well, I'll see you soon?" He smiles and you nod, but Coryo is already guiding you away.

taglist: @soulessjourney , @that-veela-girl ,  @dreamyysouls, @rockstarbfs , @maysileeewrites , @baybieruth , @kitscutie ,  @fratboyharrysgf0201 , @totallynotkaibiased , @stelleduarte , @secretsicanthideanymore , @bejeweledreverie , @drewsandsebastianswife , @niicole-87 , @queenofshinigamis , @innercreationflower , @nallasstuff , @scorpiolystoned , @iovemoonyy , @thatmarvelchick19 , @wearemadeofstardust0 , @regulusblackcore , @puredreamagination , @fantasticchaosthing , @becauseseaotters , @secretsicanthideanymore

okay suddenly tumblr isn't letting me tag more people than this so i just made some cuts unfortunately :') i just left the max amount of people i could whose users i recognized and see in my notifs all the time :) if you're not on here and you should be i'm so sorry!

also this taglist is closed now!! if you’d like to get a notification when i update, turn on my post notifications!! i promise i won’t spam y'all :,)

[raayllum]

thought it was time for an update so:

show quotes

hey sad prince. let’s go get your cube.

rayla is kind and good. she’s fast, fearless, strong—

it means i trust her. unconditionally.

come get some rest.

i don’t care if you’re crying, i’m here with you.

i can’t lose you like this, you mean too much to me.

that was brave, rayla.

i waited too long. i hope you know—i know.

good thinking with aspiro.

you’ve got to stay with me!

but would it be okay, maybe, if i stay? and we just... don't talk?

rayla is selfless, strong, and caring.

i'm glad we can be here together, looking at the stars.

she’s not a fool.

so are you two, like—did-did i interrupt something? between you and—

i’m afraid of hurting him.

i left without him because i couldn't bear to put him in danger.

if you say so, mage.

so, two primal sources. now you're just getting greedy mister mage.

you are so…

i left him alone. i shouldn't have—rayla, don't.

it's a bridge between our two worlds. and now here we are, crossing it together.

callum, are you okay?

rayla, are you okay? rayla, it's okay.

i wasn’t sure if you guys needed two blankets or just one?

just remember me, okay?

i'm so glad you're here. we need to talk.

i'm so happy to see you again, callum.

rayla, if today is our last day… i want you to know—

strong relationships need honesty. the full truth.

but not everything has changed. i would do anything for you.

he’s smart and kind and brave and he’s… 

oh, i get it. kind of a secret forbidden romance situation?

i know that face. it’s the dumb idea face.

the moon ones are the prettiest. yeah, i think so too.

see, you know you’re amazing. you’re smart and fast and beautiful.

you look nice, callum.

we can help them. rayla, we can undo this spell.

but no more detours. or heartfelt speeches.

if you die out there, i swear i’ll kill you!

you still love her, don't you?

i want to show you everything!

when you care about someone it’s hard to hurt them, even when what you’re telling them is the truth.

but i think - i know i can trust you to help me carry this.

i thought you’d like them!

yup, i draw when i’m upset.

that's the dark magic you want. just... just let her go.

he’s noble, and true.

that’s what makes her a hero. that’s what makes her… rayla.

she's not 'the elf'. she's rayla.

just hold onto me.

you okay?

when you left, it hurt him bad. real bad. he was miserable.

you’ll get through this, you big dumb human.

amazing idea! i'll try it.

i do trust you.

i’ve been thinking about something someone once told me […] you did.

what is he doing to you? let him go!

say the word and i’ll go back into that tower with you.

rayla, i love you.

my friend. my best friend.

thank you.

then take another path, dummy.

thanks for humouring me, rayla.

hold on rayla!

no, not at all. but i enjoyed it. 

we should decide together.

together.

we had something so special.

listen to me! rayla doesn’t deserve this!

no, i meant what i said. you don't need to explain or justify anything to me. you can tell me when you're ready.

but then you spread your wings, and you saved me.

are you doing alright?

rayla, i... need you.

all that talk about how love makes you stronger, but the second you see that elf girl in danger, you completely lost yourself.

i’ll catch you!

because you’re with a girl?

rayla, you’re the most amazing person i’ve ever met.

it doesn’t matter what you did before. i just want you to be okay again. 

i'm so glad that you came back!

to love is simply to know this: the tides are true as the ocean is deep.

cause i love you, rayla. i really do.

i need you to kill me.

i need you to push me.

i believe in you.

we’re gonna be okay. 

when she came back, i was so happy, and so mad at the same time. i wish i could just forgive her.

maybe so. ask your next question. 

and then you called me a mage, and that felt right.

wait. you’ll want to see this.

cause i don't think i can do it without him.

well, i'm glad you liked it.

rayla, are you okay?

i love you, too, callum.

she's alive. and wherever she is, she loves you too.

you don't have to die.

novel quotes

and for some reason she found she wanted to share what she had seen with callum, even if she didn’t tell anyone else.

“No, this is not your fault,” Callum said. He couldn’t let Rayla carry that burden alone. 

he’d been so focused on his drawing the hadn’t even noticed her looming over him. this foggy-brained behaviour was not good. he had to be more aware of his surroundings. he shook his head as he looked back down at his drawing. oh no! he’d been drawing the elf! 

but callum lingered. “are you okay?”

It was a tall order, to stand up when nobody else would. But he owed it to his stepfather - and to Rayla.

rayla met callum’s gaze and held it for a long while, as if trying to decide what to say.

Callum was suddenly struck by an intense wave of gratitude. He’d never met anyone as brave as Rayla. How did he get so lucky as to be her friend?

callum watched rayla in the early morning light through half open eyes.

Callum stared after her. He wished she didn’t have to keep risking her life for them like this.

“you’re a talented artist.”

 Rayla was now one of the best friends Callum had ever had.

he felt a hot blush creep from the bottom of his neck to the top of his forehead. why did he keep embarrassing himself in front of her?

rayla wondered if callum could see in her eyes that yes, everything was wrong

“I’ll follow your lead,” Callum said to Rayla.

“look… rayla,” he said, feeling the still unfamiliar name on his lips.

he couldn’t let rayla carry that burden alone.

despite herself, rayla grinned.

It was one thing for him to do the thing (the jerkface dance) at home… but in front of their new friends? In front of Rayla?

Callum gulped. Rayla’s thin, strong arms wrapped around him meant everything. He smiled and hugged her back.

Could he really bring himself to go through with his plan? What if he didn’t succeed? What if he compromised his beliefs and it all ended up being for nothing? […] But her blade bounced off with a clang, sparks flying. She reeled back and tried again. Nothing happened. She was in trouble. 

additional material quotes

i couldn’t lose you.

a young, talented, dorky mage, but like, cute dorky.

but the second it seems like you’re in danger, i’m jumping in after you.

[my character] cannot help but look at her.

stay away from him!

how long have you two been a thing?

when i woke up, i saw that rayla had been watching over me the whole time. that made me happy. and something else made me happy too: i finally understood the sky arcanum.

that’s… poetic, callum. 

i trust you. and you’re right.

you’re doing great!

i thought you’d make a cute face — but it’s more of a uh, angry cute.

you know i’m always here for you, right?

that’s not cheesy at all, callum. magic is love!

so i know this was supposed to be a family call, is it okay if rayla joins?

i’m not going to risk both of us. 

come here, dummy.

i let you jump into the nexus alone and i knew right away i made the biggest mistake of my life. i could have lost you.

a mysterious elven assassin with two beautiful blades to match [her] two beautiful eyes.

i never want to lose you either. i love you, callum.

i felt stupid for risking my life — and zym’s — but rayla made me feel better, like she always does.

viren has taken away everyone i love — except you.

i love you, too.

but you're basically my best friend. i wouldn't let anything happen to you, no matter what it took.

TDP shorts quotes

"It was the night everything changed. The night we found Zym’s egg, right over there! And it was the night I met—”

And beyond the Border, a warm castle, and a mage—

But I can’t let you stop me, Callum. No matter how much I want to.

It still hurt. She was still gone, and Callum had no idea if she’d ever come back.

He was barely taller than Rayla herself, and couldn’t have been older than—what would he look like now, she wondered? Nearly two years older, a few inches taller—

You’re smiling in your sleep, Callum. You look so cute when you do that. I hope that maybe it’s because you’re dreaming of me.

Callum shook his head. He couldn’t think about her. Not now.

She shut the voice out. Rayla would not humor his haunting. Not today. Not now. 

Humans were frustrating. Humans were clever. Humans could do anything, they could be anything, they could take their own fates and change them—

It was impossible to say her name out loud. Rayla.

And in the crowd behind him, a flash of red. A scarf. For a moment Rayla was somewhere else, far away and safe and warm, following that red scarf instead of turning her back on it—

I have to. I love you too much not to.

I wish I could say that we will see each other again, but I don’t know if we will. I hope so.

She remembered the numbness in her own body, knowing he’d die a violent death at the base of the Storm Spire, and she would quickly follow—until a pair of wings closed around her, saving her, holding her—

I’m carrying it with me! Always. I love you. I love you so much.

"Who are you?" Rayla balked at her. It was an awful question. She wasn’t an assassin, she wasn’t an elf of the Silvergrove, she wasn’t anything at all, she was just—“Rayla.” That voice again. Rayla pushed away, trying to focus on Redfeather. “I’m—” “—selfless, strong, and caring—” He persisted, as he always did, and his voice took her far, far away. She could still see it: the stars of the desert gleaming above her and in his eyes. “—that’s what makes her a hero. That’s what makes her—” “Rayla,” she said, meeting Redfeather’s gaze. “My name is Rayla. And I’m going home.”

[theroseandthebeast]

Yuletide Recs, Batch Five

16 recs for The Queen's Gambit, Red Eye, Sable, Severance, Sherlock Holmes, Silo, Singin' in the Rain, Some Like It Hot, SurrealEstate, Tenet, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Watchmen, and Worlds Beyond Number

something beautiful, Beth Harmon/Jolene

Jolene remembers the first time she looked at Beth and thought her best friend was pretty. No, not pretty. Beautiful.

Sunk Cost Fallacy, Lisa Reisert/Jackson Rippner

The Keefe job gets cancelled. What's a guy to do?

No Straight Roads, Gen, Sable + Original Characters

Five paths taken, six masks cast. Or: On a particularly windswept morning, a young girl comes a-knocking on Sable's door.

O, Lazarus!, Helena Eagan + Helly R.

Losing oxygen slowly as she hangs in the elevator up from the severed floor, Helly’s fractured mind confronts itself.

Double Tongued, Irving Bailiff/Burt Goodman + Burt Goodman/Burt Goodman's Husband + Irving Bailiff & Irving B.

Irving's falling asleep – he almost misses Burt leaving forever. Can his outie make it up to him by reuniting them, one last time? Or, MDR decide to test the Overtime Contigency Protocol on Irving before the Waffle Party, and the code detectors are only equipped to handle certain types of ink.

Indispensable, Gen, Sherlock Holmes + John Watson + Mrs. Hudson

Holmes' gift attempts have fallen through, so he offers a letter instead

her dust was very pretty, Gen, Original Female Character(s)Juliette Nichols

Dore was six when she told Missus Park that she wanted to be her shadow. “You want to work in recycling?” “I don’t want to shadow garbage,” Dore said, nose wrinkling at the thought. “Your art. Art that stays.” Missus Park repeated the words silently, then her mouth dropped open in understanding. “You mean tattoos.”

Working Honeymoon, Cosmo Brown/Don Lockwood/Kathy Selden

If you weren’t getting married, you didn’t get to go on the honeymoon. Wasn't that how it was supposed to go?

That Wondrous Thing, Cosmo Brown/Don Lockwood/Kathy Selden

2 + 2 + 2 = 3. This math works. Really it does.

Girl Talk, Gen, Jerry "Daphne" & Sugar Kane Kowalczyk + Jerry "Daphne" & Joe "Josephine" + Jerry "Daphne"/Osgood Fielding III + Joe "Josephine"/Sugar Kane Kowalczyk

Sugar wants to know if she should be saying "Jerry" or "Daphne" and, since Joe and Osgood don't seem to agree and can't be relied on to tell her which is right, she goes to get it right from the horse's mouth. The horse needs to think about this for a bit.

did we get there yet (somehow), Luke Roman/Susan Ireland

It shouldn’t be a surprise, is the thing. Luke’s always been attracted to smart, competent women. It just hadn’t occurred to him to look at Susan that way until now.

Coffee Meeting: 11 o'clock, Gen, Susan Ireland & Zooey L'Enfant

Susan has a mysterious coffee meeting on her schedule.

pull up if i pull up, Neil/The Protagonist

A safe house in the sea of time. (You’re trying to remember if Neil was smiling the last time your eyes met.)

and in the daylight, you're crossing all your wires, John Connor/Cameron Phillips + John Connor & Derek Reese & Kyle Reese + John Connor & Sarah Connor + John Connor & the Specter of His Future Self

No one’s ever died for him, here.

Across Vistas, Dan Dreiberg/Laurie Juspeczyk/Rorschach

Laurie and the boys take a roadtrip across the country to see her mom.

Charted, Gen, Ame & Suvirin "Suvi" Kedberiket & Eursulon Toma + Grandma Wren

All stories started somewhere, even if that somewhere is far from here.

[heathfall]

HalfClan, Moons 7-12

Interesting things happening this moon(s)!

Moon 7: Frogpaw is now Frogears in honor of their spirit. They're still strange, but thanks to Nectarfoot, she's now also smart!

Speaking of Nectarfoot, she retires alongside Frogears' warriorhood. Being able to see Frogears through to warriorhood has done her good, and now she's calmed down and ready to settle down for her retirement.

(We'll see Frogears shortly. Don't worry.)

Also, Cricketstar catches yellowcough and loses a life. The dialogue said "several" lives but she was only down to eight, so.

Moon 8: Not much happens. Roachheart continues to be a bit of a prickly guy, complaining about people behind their back. Nectarfoot seems to be settling well into the elder's den, bickering with Alderfur.

Patrol time! We sent out Frogears, Marigoldfrost, Roachheart, and Cricketstar. They found a mysterious rabbit, shaking and moving rather un-rabbit like. After careful consideration, they hunted it and ate it as normal. Things seemed to be okay, but the thought lingers in all of their minds.

Moon 9: Cricketstar encouraged a fight between Clanmates, causing Frogears to gain a scar, and Alderfur was maimed by Cricketstar for questioning her leadership.

(Our brave new warrior, and literal old lady. I can't tell where Alderfur's scar is, but it's there. I guess the struggle of trying to keep a new Clan together is getting to Cricketstar?)

Her text says she's feeling sore. I bet she is, considering she's beating up her Clan.

Moon 10: Cricketstar's reign of terror continues. She injures Marigoldfrost (the other new warrior) and then retires Roachheart, who on the bright side is now wearing a very pretty lavender flower, given to him by Frogears.

Mousedapple tries, unsuccessfully, to convince Frogears to run away from the Clan together. He's the deputy, by the way.

(Marigoldfrost)

Cricketstar catches yellowcough again, and this time loses three more lives (down to five). I wonder if StarClan is trying to get rid of her? She keeps feeling a sense of dread.

(Roachheart is now living a great life in the elder's den. We now have three elders and five warriors, counting the deputy).

Patrol time! Brackentail takes Jasperstream, Turtlerun, and Mousedapple out on an herb collecting mission. They have a great time talking to a StarClan cat who comes down to join them.

Moon 11: Roachheart goes for a wander and is returned to the Clan.

Frogears and Cricketstar cross paths again. Frogears lies to Cricketstar, and finds the way Cricketstar acts increasingly uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Marigoldfrost imagines what having kits with Frogears would look like! How nice.

Moon 12: Not much happens this moon either. Jasperstream, Mousedapple, Frogears, and Marigoldfrost all go on a patrol, and hear an odd rustling from the border. Thankfully, it happens to be a mouse, and Frogears returns to camp with a big mouse hanging from her jaws.

Scene (Moon 10):

"What is the meaning of this treachery?" Frogears heard a yowl from the clearing. They crept out silently, spotting Marigoldfrost bristling at Cricketstar.

"I said, I will not lead a patrol into QuietClan territory," Marigoldfrost said, quietly. "They're far bigger than us. Things have been peaceful so far, but they won't stay that way if we try and invade our neighbors."

"I am your leader," Cricketstar said in a dangerous voice. She was far too thin for how early into leaf-bare it was, the yellowcough she had caught still ravaging her body. "You listen to me."

"I will not do it," Marigoldfrost replied. "Mousedapple will-"

"Mousedapple is not the leader. You will do wise to remember that, and remember your place."

"I will not." Cricketstar leapt at Marigoldfrost, screaming. Frogears could only watch as her leader bowled over her friend, flattening her against the cold ground. Despite her illness, she was strong, and had several years more practice than Marigoldfrost did. Marigoldfrost tried to shove her leader off, but to no avail.

"Cricketstar!" a voice that sounded like that of a lion roared. In a flash, a grey cat came sprinting into the clearing, breaking the two apart. Brackentail. "What in StarClan's name are you doing?"

"Punishing a traitor," snarled Cricketstar.

"Giving everyone yellowcough, more like. Go back to your den. You'll be a far kinder leader when you're well rested." Marigoldfrost still laid on the ground, and Frogears feared for a moment Cricketstar had killed her. At a nudge from Brackentail, though, she uneasily stood, blood dripping from her face.

"I'm sorry, dear," Brackentail said. "I'll get you cleaned up in just a moment." Brackentail left for her den. Frogears found that she could move at last, and crept over to Marigoldfrost. Her wounds looked deep, but Frogears had confidence in Brackentail.

"Why did she do that, Frogears?" Marigoldfrost asked softly, fear sparking in the eye that wasn't swelling closed. "Did I deserve that?"

"No. No," Frogears said. "No more than I did, or Alderfur did. There's something wrong with Cricketstar, Jasperstream is sure of it. If only Mousedapple could-"

"Mousedapple can't do anything," said Marigoldfrost bitterly, hunching back over. "I heard him talking about running away with you. What good is a deputy that runs away when things get hard?"

"I-" said Frogears. "I don't know." She shuffled closer to Marigoldfrost. "But I won't go with him. I'll stay here with you, no matter how hard it gets."

[shawnjacksonsbs]

Swifty? Or Swiftie?

Or

WWTSD? Hmm . . . 2-24-24

"Just because you understand the path you're on doesn't mean you won't feel the pain of it." - Patricia J. Hutchings

Since the entry I posted last week . . .

I saw the Bob Marley movie, One Love.

I felt the pain of my friends losing one of theirs, literally after he fell off.

Had an old friend find his way back to a good fellowship group (fingers crossed).

Had the transmission go bad in my work truck, while simultaneously having the means, and love to get it repaired.

Another member of my grandparents' generation passed. That number is super limited, and dwindling.

I watched Miss Americana, which made me like her even more. She's climbing the ranks of people I aspire to be like, love, respect, and why. (And she might be a superhero soon too, I mean, c'mon, could the universe be anymore obvious?).

I knew I was about love and peace, even gratitude, but am I Swiftie?

I mean, so far . . .it looks good.

~ full stop

Catching back up. I wrote that above the other day.

As an added bonus, I have granddaughters who adore her- Taylor Swift, I mean.

Her and her music, and who she is as a person, she obviously doesn't need my approval, but she has it.

Haters always gonna hate, but she is playing, and winning, I might add, and the only thing I'm seeing that we don't see eye to eye on is probably her religious affiliation.

But so, guess what she's in good company there, because she has that in common with a lot of my other inspirations(?), aspirations(?).

Calling them heroes seems mockingly pushing it, but maybe role models. Then again what's a hero to you? A champion? Maybe.

Looks like my grands have once again shown how truly smart they are, and if they continue to follow her, and people like her, and her ideals, I believe it'll take them far.

I'm even a fan of a few of her songs, and her ability to pull them into existence.

~another stop

Look, I have struggle in my life still, just like most everyone else, but. . .

But, I'm still at peace, even grateful for most of the struggle.

And my deathbed regrets list stays small.

Wishing a similar perspective for everyone else, is still the life I'm striving for.

Life is wonderful, and life is short, and a lot of people will never understand too many of its . . .relevancies(?). They wash over and dilute what they think they need for them to get through.

It's the hardest pill to swallow.

The young though, they are our hope.

And, and I love that she finally came around to using her platform to encourage others to see life, similarly.

A little outta left field with this entry?

Maybe?

Idk.

Idc.

Just keep sharing your love and your laughter with the world around you, and I'll do the same.

And remember that being kind is one of the greatest things you can ever be.

The combination of my granddaughters liking her,, and them Chiefs (lol), and if I'm being honest (the haters hating), all made me a fan of Taylor Swift.

Swiftie? Well, only time will tell.

I did read a short story about her during last week's Pawpaw’s Storytime, for those of you that follow. If you get a chance, go check it out. Lol

May be a special bonus tomorrow as well. 😉

Until next week;

"No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind." - Taylor Swift

[bugsy-maria]

Tenth Doctor x Daughter! Reader

Summary: the doctor leaves his daughter in 16th century England. In his eyes, he was doing it out of love but to her, he did it because he wanted to replace her. and one day they cross paths in a somewhat pleasant way.

I walked along the crowded streets of Madrid Spain. I had already been here 3 other times but I still liked it. I looked at all of the vendors along the busy marketplace downtown. I felt a weird feeling so I continued to wake wherever felt right in hopes of an adventure. my Dad and I always used to go on them till he dropped me off in 1537 England. he told me to go outside and look around but once I got out, he left.

still, nonetheless, I love going on adventures. I continue walking till I get into an alleyway behind a bakery. I see something blue at the end of the alleyway. I quickly walk to it, I knew what it was but I needed to be 1000% sure as right now I'm only 999.9% sure. my jaw dropped once I stood in front of it. I reach out my hand, I touch the wood, and hear the all too familiar hum of the tardis.

"Oh, I missed you too." I smiled at her. tears of joy pricked the corners of my eyes. I reach for the handle and push open the door. just to see a new layout. it seemed as though the theme was blue, with the console having a blue light in it. I run-up to the center excitingly, my hand grazes across the control which causes a moan of the beautiful machine to be released.

"How about an adventure huh?" I asked her. I ran around the controls hitting buttons and pulling things. the tardis starts to shake, but it's not the shaking that I remember, but instead, it's a violent shake that completely throws me to the ground. I quickly stand up and land her as fast as I could. i loud wheezing sound comes from her making me worried.

"What did you think you were" the man stopped talking once he saw me. and I instantly knew who he was.

"Dad?" I looked at him in shock.

"What did you say?" a blonde girl from behind him said.

"Oh," I said realizing that he only got rid of me so he could have other people document him.

"Oh? what do you mean- oh." he realized when I was thinking. he looked between blondie and I. "No! it's not that."

"It sure looks like it."

"Looks like what?"

"Well it's not that I promise." he completely ignored blondie.

"You made a lot of promises you couldn't keep."

"But he keeps a lot of them!"

"Look blondie, you don't know him like I do." I looked her in the eyes, "Why did you have to pick such a naive one?" I groaned at him.

"She followed me and stuck around!"

"You said I could stay!"

"Yes, but you did the following part first."

"So we agree you replaced me. well, that's great." I sarcastically spoke.

"Oh I know what you are." blondie said with an all-knowing tone that I just knew was wrong.

"Oh? and what is that?"

"Rose."

"No, let her talk. I want to hear her say the wrong thing." I smiled, a smart tone in my voice. she walked up in front of me, staring me in the eyes.

"You used to travel together, and then you," she poked my chest, "fell in love with him, and when he dropped you off at your one-room flat where you live alone you felt so sad and out of place. and know you find him again, but he has someone new. face it you weren't good enough." I kept my face serious which I found to be insanely hard as all I wanted to do was burst out laughing. "Now, am I wrong?"

"Yes." I burst out laughing, bending over to catch my breath. "Oh, you couldn't be more wrong! well, you could but it would be really hard to be. I'm his daughter, he left me in 16th century England for about 500 earth years. I am not jealous especially not of you, in fact, I'm mad at him because he replaced me with such a slag!" I shouted the last part.

"(Y/N)!"

"No! you don't get to tell me what to do anymore! You left me! you wanted nothing to do with me! you lost your privilege of being my father 9 generations ago." I turn back to the controls putting in the coordinates for the earth.

"Stop it. you're acting like a child." he shoved me behind his arm, pushing me back from the controls.

"A child? you left me and you expect me to be okay with what you did?"

"The Daleks wanted to kidnap you and turn you into one of them, they wanted to kill you." his hands clenched the rail that ran along with the control panel. "I had to leave you, I was putting you at too much of a risk."

"If you told me that I would have-"

"You would have said that it was all going to be okay and that there was no reason to worry. then you would have gone to the Daleks and make a deal that if they take you then they have to stay away from me."

"Yeah." I chuckle lightly.

"I could never replace you." I felt him hug me.

"Wouldn't be that hard, you already did it seems." my eyes grow teary from the hug.

"No one could ever make me love one as much as I do you."

"you're not leaving me now."

"Of course not. never again."

[takenyoomies]

Takeomi's "Day Off"

Title - Takeomi's "Day Off"

Rated - T

Summary - When Senju said it was his "day off", this was not what Akashi Takeomi had in mind.

Tags - Food, Movies, Wakasa Lock-picking, Swearing, Benkei Slander, Mildly OOC

Characters - Takeomi, Wakasa, Benkei, Senju, Draken(mentioned), Shinichiro(mentioned), Terano South(mentioned)

TWs - mentions of character death

Word Count - 2977

Read on AO3

The evening forecast calls for-

“Rain.”

Thunderstorms until the late evening, and it will then clear up around nine o’clock. Back to you for the local news to talk about how you can protect yourself from-

Click.

Takeomi sighed as he took another drag off of his cigarette, neatly ashing it in a black ceramic ashtray he’d found long ago in the belongings of none other than Shinichiro Sano. With his gaze affixed to the ever infinite tile ceiling, one thing crossed his mind. What was he going to do on his day away from the rest of the members of Brahman?

It wasn’t often that the scar-faced man had a rare “day off,” as Senju called them. He chuckled at the idea as he hadn’t been employed since he lost his ambitions, though all things considered, helping manage the gang members did feel like a full-time job. There was the somewhat apathetic Wakasa, who seemingly followed Senju to the ends of the earth. However, enjoyed the occasional prank. Benkei was pretty hot-headed in their quarrels. However, outside of them, he seemed to enjoy the more minor things...only to also become hot-headed about those too. Takeomi rubbed the bridge of his nose as he remembered the time they went fishing only for Benkei to pick a fight with his fishing pole for not catching him any fish. There also was Senju, his sister, who was calm for the most part until she wasn’t, and it became a game of World War between the five of them as they tried to figure out who stole the last manju from the plate in the middle of the table. And lastly, there was of course the new member of the gang, Draken, who hid mainly in the shadows and made a relatively decent hot curry.

The scar-faced man stood from the well-loved recliner, stretching his back as he made his way to the kitchen to grab a beer, “Wonder what they’re up to today…” He murmured as he opened the fridge, plucking a silver can from its place on the shelf. He turned his body to walk back towards the living room only to hear the doorbell ring. He froze in place, blinking. No one other than four people knew he lived here, and all four of those people knew it was his day off.

The bell rang again.

He pursed his lips, thinking that perhaps they would go away.

“He has to be home, and he never goes anywhere.” A deep voice stated, almost in annoyance.

“True...I don’t see the point in him going anywhere, to be honest, and it’s raining.” A tired voice replied, almost sounding bored with the situation.

Takeomi huffed, “Oh, so they think I’m a hermit?” He thought to himself, crossing his arms with a smirk.

“Well...we could always use...that.” The last voice said, the doorbell ringing one more time.

“Oh! I like that idea.” The deep voice spoke excitedly.

Takeomi blinked, wondering what that meant, only to hear the telltale sound of scratching at his door. He hurriedly rushed over, unlocking the door as he quickly realized what that was.

“How many times have I told you, if I’m not answering the door, don’t get Waka to pick the lock!” He yelled in exasperation as he whipped open the door. Benkei collapsed into the genkan while Senju and Wakasa remained kneeling outside, both looking up at the semi-tired-looking man holding a beer, a cigarette between his lips.

“Oh. Hi Takeomi.” Wakasa finally spoke with a wave, his bored face showing how unaffected he was by the man in front of him.

Benkei groaned as he rose from his position on the floor, “If you would’ve answered the door, maybe we wouldn’t have had to use Waka.” He rubbed his head, “And would it kill you to open the door slower?”

“You act as though I’m some item for you to use when you get locked out…” The two-toned-haired man retorted, standing from his crouched position, patting his pants as he put away the lock-picking kit back into his bag.

The buff man clicked his tongue, “As if that’s the biggest fucking issue here.”

Takeomi sighed, looking at the group in front of him, “What are you three even doing here?” He questioned, noticing the plastic bags, “It’s my day off.”

“Well…” Senju started, standing from her position on the ground as well, “We were going to meet up at the park, but it’s raining.”

“Yeah, I wonder who did that.” Benkei huffed sarcastically, crossing his arms.

“You can’t blame me for the rain every time.” Takeomi pointed out, taking a drag off of his cigarette.

“I can, and I fucking will.”

“Regardless of if Takeomi made it rain,” Senju cut in, looking over at the several plastic bags on the concrete behind them, “Your apartment was the closest.”

Takeomi exhaled, the smoke wrapping around him like the safety he needed in that moment as he paused to think. Yes, he could refuse them entry. Unfortunately, though, that would likely just cause them to force their way in like usual. He sighed in defeat, “Alright, get in.”

Senju smiled, “Yay!” The smallest cheered, rushing into the apartment past Takeomi and Benkei.

“Wait, shit, she’s gonna get the chair!” Bekei roared in sudden realization, attempting to blow past the other man as well, only to be stopped by an arm.

“Pick up the bags and then go fight over the chair. Don’t make Waka carry everything.” Takeomi warned, only to receive a glare in return.

“You do it if you’re so concerned.” He snapped, sliding under the arm that was blocking his path inside and rushing inside, “Hey Senju, you got it last time!”

Takeomi shook his head, “Never changes.” He looked over at the plastic bags that Wakasa was beginning to gather up, “It’s always us, huh?”

“Been that way since…” Wakasa trailed off before shrugging a bit, the lollipop in his mouth shifting, “Take these, and I’ll carry the rest.”

The older man knew what he meant by that sentence and was somewhat thankful he didn’t finish it. Sometimes he wondered if that ghost would ever stop haunting the three of them. He shook the thought as he grabbed onto the two plastic bags, peering into them and noticing the sheer amount of food.

“Just...how much did all of you buy?” He questioned, the cigarette on his lips nearly dropping in astonishment.

A hum of amusement came from Wakasa’s throat, “Senju kept putting things in the basket, and Benkei...Well, you know him.”

“And you?” Takeomi questioned, only to see the two-toned-haired man pull out a bag of lollipops. The scar-faced man's lips tilted into a smile, “How predictable.”

“Please,” Wakasa began as they walked inside, Takeomi could already hear the sounds of an argument, “My simple tastes are far superior to Benkei’s ridiculous tastes in cola-flavored garbage.”

Takeomi snorted, “I didn’t know you had a candy complex.”

Wakasa rolled his eyes, “Is that even real?”

“Beats me.” Takeomi chuckled as they made their way into the living room to see a smug-looking Senju placed in the comfortable recliner and an angry Benkei gesturing.

Benkei groaned, “Like I said, you got it last time so, get up!”

Senju smiled sweetly as she settled herself into the recliner, “No, I’m comfortable.”

You could see a vein pop on the buff man’s forehead, “Oh my god, you’re so!” He attempted to piece together before growling once more.

Senju snickered, “Use your words Benkei.”

“Senju, don’t be mean to the wildlife.” Wakasa sighed, placing the bags on the coffee table.

“I am not an animal!” Benkei yelled in offense.

“Hm. Debatable.” Wakasa shrugged as he sat down on one of the pillows.

Takeomi shook his head, placing the other plastic bags onto the table, opening his beer, taking a sip, and wrinkling his nose. Warm. However, this seemed to get the attention of Benkei.

“Hey, Takeomi, if you’re having a beer, share one with the rest of us.” The bearded man complained, strolling over to him.

“Bring your own.” He breathed, waving his spare hand at him, sitting down at the table beside Wakasa, “You just were at the store.”

“If I remember correctly, you said you were going to bum one off of Takeomi.” Wakasa’s bored voice cut in, exposing the other’s plans as he opened a bag of hard candy.

“I-I did not.” Benkei huffed, crossing his arms and looking to the side.

“I clearly recall you stating, Waka, I’m gonna get a beer from Takeomi, so I don’t have to buy a six-pack! I’m so smart, haha or something of that effect.” Wakasa mimicked the burly man set before himself, popping the lollipop out of his mouth and pointing at him with it.

Takeomi hummed, “Is that right?”

“No way, I would never say that!” Benkei denied, holding his hands up in refusal.

“Senju can confirm it, probably.” Wakasa sighed, popping the sweet back in his mouth.

“Ain’t no way she heard sh-”

“I was in the other aisle. Even I heard you say it, Benkei.” Senju confirmed.

“Okay, maybe I did say that,” Benkei muttered, looking to the side, “But come on, beer is expensive!”

“And bumming it off of me makes that okay?” Takeomi asked incredulously, shaking his head.

“Yes.” Benkei grinned, only to receive a look of disapproval from the man.

Takeomi sighed, “I’d say you’re unbelievable, though this is far too in character for you.”

Benkei snorted in amusement, “The fuck is that supposed to mean?”

Eyebrow twitching, the scar-faced man sighed once more, "If you could stop swearing in front of my sister, that'd be wonderful."

Benkei huffed, "I don't think she minds it."

"Well I-"

Senju waved an arm, interrupting the conversation, “Hey, can you pass me the sour gummy worms?” She asked, as if to ignore the on-going conversation about herself.

Wakasa sighed and looked over to Takeomi, “You’re closer.”

Takeomi stared daggers at Benkei, who shrugged with a lopsided grin. He turned towards Wakasa, “Fine, fine.” Takeomi groaned, putting his cigarette out into the ashtray, “Which bag are they in?”

Wakasa shrugged, opening a can of juice, “Probably the one with the candy.”

Takeomi pulled one of the bags forward, fishing around for the bag of sour candy. “Is this the right bag?” He questioned as he fumbled through the several different types of snacks.

“Probably.” Wakasa’s bored eyes peering over at the man, “Actually, they might be in the other other candy bag.”

Takeomi stopped his search to look up at the two-toned-haired man, “You mean to tell me you have two entire bags of candy?”

The accused party sighed, “Listen, blame Senju for that one.”

“Nuh-uh Waka, you pitched in to at least half the damage!” The light-haired girl chimed in, crossing her arms with a knowing look.

Benkei snorted as he sat down at the table, “And by half, that’d be one bag each.”

“Thank you. I can do basic math,” Wakasa replied, rolling his eyes and pulling the other bag forward. His fingers instantly pulling out the bag of sour gummy worms, much to Takeomi’s surprise.

“How did you…” Takeomi started, only to have the bag of gummy worms flung into his chest, “...Nevermind.” He breathed, standing from his place at the table and walking over to the snowy-haired girl, “Here.”

Senju grinned, “Thanks.” She spoke happily as she grabbed the package of sweets out of his hands, biting open the top with her teeth.

Takeomi sighed attempting to grab the package back from her, “Hey, you’re gonna ruin your teeth like that.”

Wrinkling her nose, Senju looked up at Takeomi, “You’re not the boss of me.” She spoke sarcastically with a slight smile, shoving a gummy worm into her awaiting mouth.

The dark-haired man raised a brow, “...And I’m assuming you forgot that sour food is sour, again.”

Senju’s face had contorted, her nose wrinkling as her lips puckered, “Shut up…” She whimpered, shoving another gummy worm into her mouth.

"You're how old?" Takeomi questioned with an amused smile, as Senju pouted.

"Worst brother ever." She huffed.

Benkei tilted his head over only to burst into laughter, “Happens every time, man.”

“You do the same when you eat spicy food.” Wakasa mentioned as he took a sip from his drink, “Remember the time we ate Draken’s hot curry? You were crying like a baby.”

Takeomi snorted as he remembered the scene, Draken had said he would make them curry since they were eating out too much, and Benkei had been the most excited about it. But, of course, this only seemed to fire up the braid-haired man more when it came to making the curry, so when it came down to them eating, he had even given Benkei an extra serving.

“Do you remember when he took the first bite?” Takeomi pondered as he walked back over to the table, Benkei groaning and placing his head on the table in embarrassment.

“Man, quit it, do you have to?” Benkei pleaded, peeking an eye up towards the man.

“Do you mean the it burns part or take me to the hospital one?” Wakasa questioned with slight amusement.

The buff man grumbled, “I’m going home. This is bullshit.”

“So you can bark, but you can’t take a bite?” Takeomi teased, grabbing his beer and taking another swig, once again scrunching his nose, “This is disgusting.”

“Then why are you still drinking it…?” Wakasa sighed in exasperation.

“Because wasting beer is a cardinal sin.” Takeomi clarified.

Benkei sat up quickly, pointing at both Takeomi and Wakasa, “You know what else a cardinal sin is? Dunking on your homies.”

The two-toned-haired man blinked, before shaking his head and clasping his hands together, and looking directly into Benkei’s eyes, “So is having an IQ of below 70, but we’re still accepting of you, Benkei.” He spoke carefully before downing the rest of his drink, “Alright, are we watching a movie?”

Benkei sat at the table, mouth agape, unsure of what to say or do, all while Takeomi and Senju snickered uncontrollably in the background.

“Sure, we can do that.” Takeomi finally spoke through his laughs, lighting a cigarette, “Though we’re not watching Jurassic Park again and making Terano South references.”

“Aw, come on!” Senju pouted.

“We could always watch Pulp Fiction?” Wakasa offered with a half-hearted shrug.

Takeomi raised a knowing brow, “You just want to say the does he look like a bitch part again, Waka.”

He sighed, “Guilty.”

“What about-” Benkei began.

“No.” Takeomi interrupted.

The burly man huffed and crossed his arms, “But I didn’t even say shit!”

“We are not watching Austin Powers.” The man with the cigarette proclaimed, shaking his head.

“...Fine.”

“What about Goodfellas?” Senju pointed out, swinging her legs from the recliner, “That’s always a favorite.”

Benkei groaned, “We’ve watched that like 20 times, though.”

Takeomi hummed, “What’s 21, though…”

“Waka can probably quote all the lines in that one, too, then.” Benkei thought out loud.

“Did you hear him last time?” Senju asked while tilting her head to the side, “He even did the voices.”

“He wasn’t here last time we watched, remember?” Takeomi pointed out, taking a hit off of his cigarette and exhaling.

“Oh, right!” Senju realized.

“Wait, you mean to tell me I missed Waka doin’ Goodfellas impressions?!” Benkei asked, looking around at the group, “Why did no one tell me!”

“You miss a lot of things when you screw around doing other things.” Wakasa pointed out as he stood, “Goodfellas it is.” He walked over to the bookcase and grabbed a VHS case for the movie.

“The real question is...did we rewind it when we watched it last time,” Senju commented as Wakasa walked over to the television set and shoved it into the VHS player.

“I don’t see why we wouldn’t ha-” It was not rewound, “Goddamn it.” Takeomi huffed.

“Short intermission, I guess.” Wakasa breathed as he hit the rewind button, walking back to the table and plopping down.

The smoking man chuckled, “You know, I didn’t expect to spend my day off like this?”

“Oh?” Wakasa asked, raising a brow.

Benkei snorted, “What, did you expect to sleep all day and drink beer?”

Takeomi rolled his eyes, “No, though that sounds peaceful compared to the mess all of you seem to bring.” He huffed, inhaling the last of the cigarette and putting it out into the ashtray. The VCR clicked, signifying the tape was done rewinding. “I got it,” Takeomi stated as he stood from his seat at the table, walking towards the TV set.

“I guess it is your day off…” Senju hummed, her legs once again moving back and forth as she spoke, “But, we missed you.”

Benkei’s eye’s widened, “Shhh!! You weren’t supposed to tell him!” As he attempted to silence the small leader.

The scar-faced man’s hand stopped as it reached forward. He blinked. They missed him. He felt his heart swell in his chest as a smile spread its way onto his face.

“Hey, Takeomi...” Wakasa questioned boredly after a moment, “Tell me they didn’t take you out with just that?”

“I’m fine.” He responded, pressing play on the VCR and turning to walk towards the light switch. While the smile on his face had disappeared, the warm and fuzzy feelings had not as he switched off the lights. Making his way back to the table, he received an all-knowing look from Wakasa as he sat down.

As the previews for the movie were nearing their end, Takeomi leaned forwards towards Wakasa, attempting not to alert the other two members of the room.

“So, even you missed me?” He questioned quietly as the beginning scene started, the two-toned-haired man not entirely paying attention.

“Yeah, yeah…” the two-toned-haired man dismissed, the piece of candy in his mouth shifting against his teeth.

“Hm.” Takeomi hummed, leaning back on his elbows and looking up at the tiled ceiling once more. He could vaguely hear the storm outside over the sound of Wakasa quoting the movie, Benkei’s obnoxious wheezes of laughter, and Senju’s tiny kicks against his favorite recliner that he always gave up to one of them instead to sit on the floor himself. A gentle smile once again made its way back onto his face.

Maybe it should rain more often.

[abysscronica]

Hi hi~ hope you’re doing well!!

I just wanted to piggyback on the execution ask a little bit. If the marines successfully executed her, would Kid get revenge or just focus on becoming PK in your opinion? Assuming Killer wouldn’t reign him in.

Also, randomly thought of this just now, if she died during the fishman attack, how do you think this would affect Kid’s psyche? I know this is getting kinda deep into like analyzing his character, but I’d really love to hear more of your opinions and analysis of how Kid’s mind works. Either in your story or in canon. Or, how do you think Kid would move past Killer dying?

Anyways, thank you and have a great weekend~ ^ㅅ^

Hey, sorry it took so long to get to this ask! I'll divide it in parts because it's actually three different scenarios.

Marines executing birdie

If birdie were to be executed by the Marines, Kid would go absolutely feral. He will want revenge for sure, and Killer won't sway him from it, because he'll be secretly seething as well, even if he's much better at hiding it.

What Killer can do though is convincing Kid to be smart about it (after an initial homicidal sprint). Attacking the headquarters would just lead them to their death. Focusing on finding the ancient weapons instead? Becoming the new Emperor and absolutely annihilating any marine warship that crosses their path? Enforcing the efforts of pirates already destabilising the status quo (like Blackbeard)? That sounds much more efficient.

This way, focusing on becoming the PK indirectly serves the revenge as well.

One thing for sure, and the whole crew with him, would become much more brutal, bitter and violent in his path to greatness.

Birdie dying during the Fishmen attack

That would be also quite terrible for Kid's psiche. You know, when a person dies we often tend to remember them better than they ever were. Mostly the good things remains. We idealise them. As time passes by, this phenomenon can increase its grasp in our mind, even if we eventually learn how to deal with the pain or we find a place to put it.

Given the particular moment of the Fishmen attack, when Kid and birdie were at their best, I think this would happen to Kid. They had admitted their feelings to themselves and to each other, they weren't thinking about the future or their situation and just enjoying the moment together.

If the loss came at a time like this, Kid would basically think he lost the love of his life, even if it might be a subconscious feeling. Even after the initial devastating pain and rage, his heart would harden and he won't let anyone new close to him again. Any woman that came along would be compared to an idealised image of birdie and kept at distance or treated harshly as a tool.

He would still follow his dreams and continue his travels, he would still trust his crew with his life, but I don't think there would be any more romance for him. And, even after decades, when the pain doesn't mar him on a daily basis anymore, the dream of that little feisty woman he once "loved" would still visit him at night, from time to time.

Moving past Killer's death

This is very tricky. Kid and Killer grew up together, set sail together, fought together all along. I wonder if Kid even really knows himself without Killer at this point.

Unfortunately we didn't get their backstory (yet?), which would be great to answer this.

Did they make a deal with each other before starting their adventure? Like, if one of them dies, the other won't let that stop him?

I feel like they should at least have had a conversation at some point. Probably initiated by Killer. He's so ready to sacrifice himself for Kid that it would be weird if he didn't ask his captain to move on from his potential death. And if he did, I feel like Kid would do his best to honour that promise.

But he wouldn't be the same Kid. The loss of Killer would be much more devastating for him compared to birdie's, although he'd be more prepared for it.

It would take ages to find a new balance without his partner. I see two possible scenarios: either Kid acknowledges he needs to slow down and find a new way to live and be a pirate, or he throws himself blindly ahead regardless of the consequences.

And if he does manage to realize his dream and become the new PK, I can see him become the new Kaido: from this point on, it's either death or chaos.

[mrs-cavill-wife]

Forbidden Witch (1/?)

Pairing: Charles Brandon x Female Reader (Cassandra of Boudicca)

Warning: Fantasy. Language. Forbidden Love. Tell me if I miss something.

Author's Note: Here I go again writing inspired on a dream I had. I can say, besides "The Tudors", there's a little of "The Witcher" too because there's familiar monsters and characters. Most of the name of places on this fanfic is all my creation but some I searched on Google or asked help from my friends. Hope you guys enjoy it, reblog if you do and I'm all ears to feedback! My tag List this time is for my last followers, THANK YOU SO MUCH! Part 2 coming soon!!

Tag List: @lexyvaldez26 @thereisa8ella @natura1phenomenon @mrsavery @number1chonie @themanfromu @littlefreya @legendarywizarddetective @lovingbearherringhairdo @zealoushound @deangal-101 @everydaymultifandom @summersong69 @jgtfvhsg @tellingyouastory @sillyrabbit81 @nuggsmum @pussyverson @oh-for-fic-sake @foodieforthoughts @fanficlover91 @r-t-doll @its--fandom--darling @poledancingdinos @hlkwrites @rmtndew

Riding under the moonlight, this is definitely one of the things that brings me peace. I love to run aimlessly with my horse, Atlas.

Was having a little party in the village, my village, the place where I was born. Boudicca. In fact, I spent more time at Aretuza, a school for witches, sorceress. I was "discovered" when I was about eight years old. My parents were simple traders, workers, but the income was never enough for the three of us.

I remember the day when I was playing with the pigs, few of which had not yet been sold and that woman appeared. Skinny, with a beautiful gray dress, perfectly neat hair, looked like a queen at the time. Tissaia. I saw her watch me for a long moment, before the question that would change my life.

"How much do you want for the girl?"

Yes. She wanted to buy me. I was in shock for the moment. She and my parents argued for a long time and I just wondered what would a rich woman want with a muddy little girl? A new servant, perhaps? No, she must surely have millions.

Today I know, Tissaia is tricky, smart, knows the words to use. Like a snake observing the prey, taking notes of the moves, the weakness and the best moment to the first attack. She had been watching me and my family. I had called her attention when she was passing through Boudicca, she saw a lot of potential in me, despite my young age, I would be her apprentice.

And so it was done. She made a deal with my parents. She would pay them a kind of penance, a new house, enough to live in safe and happy, but they would have to forget me. I could hate them but I know they didn't have much of a choice. I knew that they loved me and did it to save me, they had in mind that I would have a good life and become something bigger than any opportunity I would have there.

And technically, that's what happened. Aretuza was difficult, the other students were much older than me, more sure of themselves, some came from noble families. I was scared but over time I became determined. I became one of the best and youngest witches in Aretuza, Tissaia said that my power was pure chaos and more. I could destroy an entire kingdom if I wanted to. So good, Tissaia said that I could become a dean just like her, or maybe something like an assistant, she would love to have me by her side but it was never my will and unfortunately for her, I went down my own path when she had nothing more to teach me anymore. It was the first time that I saw a small hint of sadness in her strong image on the day I left.

She is the one who gave me the Atlas. She said it was an albino horse, rare, just like me. I hugged her. Tissaia of Vries is a tough woman, obviously she didn't return my action, but she watched me as I rode away. Until my image disappears from her field of vision.

It was a long journey but I returned to Boudicca. A few years had passed and unfortunately, when I arrived, the city lived in poverty and my parents.. had died of an illness. I blamed myself for a few days. I could have helped them but I couldn't have known they were succumbing.

I remember visiting our old house, or what was left of it. I felt something so strong inside me, I think it was the first time that I lost control, when I realized, my hands were red, bleeding from my nose and fire was mirrored. After that, with the help of the surrounding residents, I built a new home.

And since then, I decided to stay. I help people. With their illnesses, attacks by monsters, thieves, disappearances and every kind of problem you can imagine. I even once helped a poor gentleman who was "unable to fulfill his duty as a husband" with his young wife.

There is a bit of everything here and I venture to say, since I stayed things improved a lot, I was known, at least here. "The famous Cassandra of Boudicca, our savior".

My thoughts of my story went away, a noise in the water caught my attention. It was night, everything was dark, except for the moonlight. I left Atlas eating grass and went looking for the sound. I passed through a bush and saw. A little blonde boy. Swimming. All by himself. What a dumb idea.

I was determined to leave but something in the water caught my eye. A pair of eyes? Oh no. At least, six pair of eyes. Getting closer and closer to the little boy. FUCKING NEKKERS.

"BOY, GET OUT OF HERE"

My scream was enough to make the Boy look at me and stop. Of course, an opportunity for those monsters to attack, and so they did. FAT FUCKING SHIT.

I ran towards the boy, held out my hand and he grabbed it. I pulled him out of the lake and behind me, casting a spell towards the group of Nekkers. It was enough to push them away, but not enough to make them give up.

Now, I was the first option. They tried to attack me but they are nothing to me. I lures them out of the lake, with the boy behind me, and as soon as they are all on dry land, I cast a fire spell, turning them into a "beautiful" barbecue in a few seconds.

Seeing their dead bodies, I took a deep breath and looked at the boy, crossing my arms. He signed, it seemed like something part of his everyday because he knew what my first question would be and answered me.

"I know it is late and dangerous. I ran away. I was to swim a little and knew that my father would not let me. But don't worry, the royal guard must already be behind me, it's not the first time."

Dear lord, what's up with those kids those days?

"Do you know your way back home?"

He nodded and I huffed. I grabbed his hand walking on my way back to Atlas.

"Where are we going?"

I put him on my horse's back, climbing immediately afterwards and starting to ride.

"Back home, little troublemaker"

It wasn't a long journey, but that boy talked a lot. I learned that his name was Eric, son and heir to the kingdom of Aluma, his father was Alexander, and his mother, Queen Madeline. I also learned that he loves to escape. Poor parents.

[herstarburststories]

You Have A Home

Pairing: Sam Winchester x Reader

Summary: After a call from Y/N, Sam comes back town to help -- and brings Dean with him.

Requests: N°1 heyhey, could you do a Sam x reader where they went to college togehter and later meet again and they realise their feelings for eachother...xx + N°2: can you do a college sam headcanon with medicine student reader

A/N: This was fun! The monster here is mentioned in season 6, when the boys ask Bobby for advice on how to kill it. This is my first Samgirl long imagine, with Dean being the flirty he is. I wrote this almost one year ago, so it's more crude and I'm nervous to be posting it! And my piece for @cajunquandary 's 600 challenge, my prompt was monster of the week. Dividers by @talesmaniac89!

Dean's eyes remained on the road when the bitter statement left his body, tangled with a wry chuckle, “I can't believe you are still in touch with those people.”

“Those people?” Sam arched elbows, slightly skeptical by his brother's tone, “They were my friends, Dean.”

“Sammy, all our friends? Dead. They all die. Or worse.” He glanced at him for a moment, pursing his lips together. It might not be an easy assignment, but was part of the job. Sammy had tried to run away plenty times and always came back, when would he understand? “We don't get to have friends. You should've learned that.”

“They are not our friends, they are my friends. Also, they don't know about the hunting life, they aren't in harm.” Sammy hissed once the other locked his green eyes on the road again. Dean sighed, moving one hand away and up from the steering wheel in a rendition gesture.

“Whatever you say, man. I'm just warning you, this doesn't usually end up good for them.”

Sam scoffed, Dean could get on his nerves sometimes, “We saved many people that got to have a good life.”

“Yeah, but those people didn't know us before that. I told you when you left Stanford--”

“I didn't keep contact, okay!? I just... I just still have a phone that they have the number of. No social media, no calls on birthdays.” Nervously gesticulating, he added, “I know how to keep them safe, Dean.”

“So, old friend?” The eldest Winchester asked after the few minutes of silence that followed Sam's outburst, “Female old friend?”

“Yes. (Y/N) (Y/L/N).” Dean smirked, and Sam to rolled his eyes at his behavior, “Keep it in your pants.”

He'd let out a malicious laughter before turning on the radio, the first guitar sounds of AC/DC playing in the background.

“I think you'll be the one not keeping it, Sammy.”

“Hello?” The woman in nothing but a towel who had opened the door greeted them with a question, her brown eyes glaring at the two men with clear confusion.

Dean had no shame to check her out, innerly celebrating that she was still wet from her shower. Perhaps visiting Sam's friends wasn't that big mistake. “Hey, you.”

She grimaced at Dean for two seconds before turning her attention to Sam again, sudden recognition written on her face.

“Sam? Sam Winchester?” He nodded, smiling that light-hearted boyish grin at her. Not caring about her dressings, she just threw herself at Sammy, hugging him tightly. “I missed you!” She pulled away only to hit his shoulder. Her short stature didn't match Sam's, but he'd still make a grimace at her attempt of slap. “Why didn't you call? God, your hair grew a lot. Listen, I have some scissors.”

“Tried that, didn't work.” Dean interrupted their reencounter, trying to get in the conversation. An usual lopsided grin on his face, “Dean Winchester, Sam's brother.”

“Layla, Sam's friend.” She gave him a friendly smile in return, opening space for them to pass through the door before closing it, “Come in, I need to change in clothes.”

“I wouldn't even dream of that. Seriously.”

Layla would just wiggle one of her brows at Dean's comments, not impressed by it, “Ele é sempre assim? (Is he always like this?)”

Thankfully, Sam still remembered a bit of his friend's native language. He just chuckled, managing to apologize for Dean's typical Dean behavior, “Unfortunately. Sinto muito. (I'm sorry)”

“(Y/N) is in the kitchen. I'll be right back.” Her accent was thicking stronger duo the comfortability around Sam. Excusing herself, the caramel skinned girl leaded upstairs.

“What did she say?” Dean asked, side glancing at the path Layla had just gone on, not even sure of which language she'd just spoken, much less what was said. Sammy didn't bother replying, satisfied to grin at his obvxion brother. “Dude, come on!”

“Sam!” A well-known voice filled the room as the image of (Y/N) appeared in front of them, dressing your loyal cook's avental. You didn't think twice before jumping on Sam. “I missed you, giant!”

He, like always, caught you with a light-hearted laughter, “I missed you too, cupcake.” You two spent a few moments like this, enjoying each other's warm and long lost touch, until Dean cleared his throat. You finally went back to the ground, embarrassed by having a stranger to see that level of intimacy between you and Sam, “This is Dean, my--”

“Handsome brother. Hello, cupcake.” Dean was so going to tease Sam for the rest of his life for it.

“You really live up for Sam's description.” You giggled, heading towards the kitchen “Come in, I'm baking.”

“So, you and Layla still live together?”

“Most of the time, yes. You know how she is, comes and goes. Never wanted to stay in a place for too long and got a job that supported that.” The boys followed you, Dean examining the kitchen and trying to discover what you were cooking through the smell, while Sam couldn't take his eyes on you, “Apparently, just like you.”

Even though your back was facing them as you checked the food, the bite didn't pass unnoticed, “I had to leave, (Y/N)”

“I understand that, Sam. But you never called or texted. It was like I--” You quickly corrected yourself, “We never existed for you.”

“It's not like that.” Sam sighed, how could he justify? He knew you wouldn't buy a simple excuse. You were smart, and knew him too well to swallow a 'I went on a trip with my brother and just decided that college wasn't my deal' and leave it for that.

“I'm here!” Layla declared, arriving into the room with an excited smile, it was good to have the gang back together. Although, the tangible tension almost made her go back to the shower, “Am I interrupting something?”

“A sitcom DR.” Dean answered with sarcasm, spreading his figure on the chair when you turned around with an apple pie in your hands “What about we talk about the ca-- Is this pie?”

“We heard a scream followed by a loud roar and (Y/N) stayed near the camping part because there was still a signal and I went looking for who it was. When I got there, the thing ran away. Jorge's body... No human did that. His chest was cracked open irregularly, as if it was done by an animal and his heart looked weird. Like it was squeezed and drawn on up somehow?”

“We got a Samia.” Dean stated, relaxing on his spot. Some sault, rosemary and fire would do the job just fine, “Let me guess, it left a clawn near the body or inside it?”

Layla nodded, “Right in the chest or what lasted of it.”

“Are you okay? Finding the body in that state.” A comprehensive manner englobed Sam's question, whom noticed the normality with his friend described finding a shattered body.

“Just some guts.” She shrugged, a grimace was all the reaction they'd get. Crying wouldn't help, neither being terrorized as they expected her too. “I've seen Grey's Anatomy enough not to care about it.”

“Well, I'm literally a medicine student and I am still not okay with that. Especially after you made me go and check the body.” You argued, glaring at your best friend who'd only roll her eyes in response.

“I needed a professional to say if he was dead or not!”

“You need a therapist.”

Dean got up, looking straight at Layla. Time to play the hero in shining armor, “Don't worry with that, we will take care of it.”

Frowning, you were the one to respond, “Do you work for the police now or?”

“Are implying that we investigate it by ourselves?” Your best friend added.

Dean couldn't believe his brother. How the fuck did he let them get inside without saying they didn't know about the hunting business? It was a luck shot that they didn't think much when he said Samia.

“Nope. Not you two. We will do it.” The blonde one said, pointing at them with a smirk.

“I agree, we will do it.” Layla replied, matching his taunt smile.

“Sam, I'm not letting you and your brother do it by yourself. Jorge was my professor, I knew him. Besides, we found the body.” You got on your feet and crossed your arms, waiting for a response. Sam always had a sort of hero complex, ready to help no matter what, but there was no way you'd be letting him go into danger with his brother. Getting in your dormitory to kill a cockroach back then or facing an idiot during a bar fight to protect one of your friends was something, but this? They were talking about looking for an assassin. What if something happened to him? You were the one who called. All on you. The thought of Sam getting hurt for any reason was unbearable, but because of you? You weren't willing to do that.

“You would be in danger, (Y/N). You both.” He tried to explain, internally hoping you'd accept his reasoning and let it go. Sam didn't want you to become one of the friends who knew about this life, you deserve more. He already lost one woman he loved in this city, he couldn't lose another.

You huffed in frustration, “Just like you will!” 

“It's different.” As he was terrified of, you insisted. Arms crossed still and eyes locked with his, determined to get something from him. Sam was smart enough to know that you would keep it going. Perhaps he could give you a short explanation, “Me and my brother, we are used to this. We hunt things like that.”

Layla tilted her head to the side. The way Sam talked remembered her of animal hunting, although she highly doubted that was the case, “Little more explanation?'”

“Monsters are real. Vampires, werewolves, spirits. The list goes on. Call us crazy. Roll the credits.” Sarcasm saltered every word of Dean's as he gestured up and down with a cocky smile. Everyone glared at him, a special furious look from his brother, “What? I thought they knew what we did and that's why she called.”

“Sam?” Your voice was fragile when you said his name, a demonstration that you would believe him through the fear of the truth, but that he had to say it.

Sam laid his hazel eyes on you. God, how he wished he didn't have to confirm anything, to break your vision of world so abruptly, “Dean is right. Supernatural things are real. I know it sounds--”

“Unbelievable? Problematic? Scary?”

“Yeah, all of them.” Sam offered you a humorless smile, then holding your hand the way he used to when you were nervous about an exam, “But I wouldn't lie to you, cupcake.”

The silence was broken by Layla opening a bottle of Whiskey, pouring them for the three people in the room besides herself. You rolled your eyes at your best friend, while Sam wore a tiny smile and Dean was astonished.

Noticing the eyes glued, the latina just shrugged “What? If you are gonna tell me that Dracula is real and you are a sort of Buffy's apprentice, then we will need some alcohol.”

“Why did you call?” Sammy asked, his brows knotted together, mouth slight open as he waited for your response. “You didn't know what I did. And he wasn't my professor at Stanford. Then why did you call, (Y/N)?”

You could make up a hundred excuses. Lie and say he was the one friend besides Layla that you had somehow a way to get to. Appeal to the excuse of 'I felt something weird about the death and you said I should call if I ever had a problem of any kind'. But for as much as you felt horrible for using a death as a pretext for calling him, that was partially the truth. You already had put yourself into a mess of monsters and a drained heart, it couldn't be scarier than being honest to Sam and to yourself.

At least, you hoped so. But your heart was rushing like when you saw Jorge's body. Jesus, when did love become so morbid?

You took a deep breath, oxygen barely achieving your lungs, and then started to talk.

“I wanted to call you the minute that you left, Sam. I almost did a million times.” You answered, looking down at the bottle of a sort of plant that he was putting in a dark green bag. “I thought about what you could be doing, what was so important that you couldn't send me a message. But you just didn't want to call, I guess.”

“I wanted to call, of course I did.” You scoffed at his statement, looking up to match his eyes, “(Y/N), I'm serious.”

“You didn't even come to Jess' funeral, Sam. Layla said that maybe you needed to leave to clear your mind, that was too much to deal with. But I was so worried, and sad and confused and I wanted to talk to you because you would understand, you always did. About anything. And I wanted to give you some sort of comfort, but--” You lifted your hands and shrugged your shoulder, a broken chuckle leaving your body. “But you weren't here.”

“You stopped leaving messages after two weeks. Calling was gone when it made a moth.” You sniffed. Sam's lips curved into a pure, cautelous grin. God, he was always so sweet. “The emails took two months.”

“You were never good with dates. I gave you a calendar in your freshman week.” Your teeth met your lower lip. He didn't answer, only nodding at your affirmation, omitting the fact that he still had the calendar between latin books and pieces of newspapers, “Yet, you remember all of it.”

Sam leaned forward, holding your hand with all the delicacy you would expect from a sculptor. It had been too long since he hugged you, and his touch made all your skin tickle with warmth. “I missed you too, (Y/N). I thought about you all those years.”

“So, Cupcake?”

"Let's focus on the case, Dean."

“Then you can go back and eat your cupcake?” He remarked with a grin. His brother just huffed, pointing the flashlight through the trees, “So, Layla…”

Sam rolled his eyes, like he usually did when Dean started being too Dean for his liking, “Dean. The case.”

Before he could make another teaseful comment, a roar invaded their audition. The hunters gave each other a quick glance before heading towards the direction of the noise.

Shaking the salt and rosemary mixture in his hands, Dean smirked, “That's it. Time to shine, cupcake.”

“I have to admit. Being patched up by a doctor is better than by Dean.”

A surprised, half relieved laughter came out your body as you finished another stitch on Sam's arm. That boy was unbelievable; openly talking and making jokes about his brother, who was also being patched up by your best friend in company of a bottle of whiskey, while he spoke about Layla's name being a rock song. You were working on a large wound on his shoulder-- which you were sure that was full of dirt from the forest.

Medicine student, but I'll take that complement.” You winked at him, gaining a soft grin from Sammy, “I was expecting more blo-- Why are you smiling? I'm touching a recent wound. It doesn't look dangerous, but I'm sure it is supposed to hurt. A lot.”

Sam's answer came out easily, the bare, vulnerable truth: “I'm happy you are here.”

You looked at him, his hair longer than before, but the soft simper remained on his face. You bit your lip to hold a giggle; her heart dared to hope. What he expected when he said things like this? A quiet contentment spread through his expression while he watched your reaction.

“You should have come home sooner.” 

His mouth formed a line, “I don't have a home, (Y/N). It's just Dean, me and the road now.”

“No, Sam.” Shaking your head lightly, you intertwined your fingers with his. His life was dangerous, you couldn't afford the luxury of waiting even more to share what you had finally admitted to yourself in the moment he walked through the door. It didn't seem like the easiest, simpler situation. But the only hard thing you couldn’t go through was to be away from Sam Winchester. He lingered on you for years, you were done letting him run away. It was time to hold his hand and walk together. “You should've come home sooner. To me.”

Comment & reblog. Feedback is magic! Check my masterlist ♡ Tags in reblog!

[kylosgenesis]

Teardrops on Fire

Synopsis:

Steve Rogers is the last Alpha of the an almost extinct Lycan pack. With only less than 100 members left. Steve must produce an heir to ensure the species survival and reduce the chance of attacks from others. Omegas are rare, and betas have a hard time producing children. Steves reality is finally setting in as his obligation of producing an heir faces a major set back.

Reader is the last suitable omega to mate with Steve, due to the fear of her daughters fate in the pack, her mother kept her hidden from the pack after her own exile. Only her mother, and Bucky's family know of her existence. Bucky is Steve's right hand man, and the packs best warrior! He and the reader developed a friendship and bond over the years, but age forced them to become distant.

What happens when she presents and her first heat cycle comes? Her body is in excruciating pain and a strong fever quickly overcomes her body. Facing the fear of her daughters possible death, her mom calls on the only person who can save her at this point, Alpha Steve! Bucky and the alphas friendship will be tested. The reader will be faced with her love for Bucky or her duty to the pack.

Chapter warnings : descriptions of death, abuse, blood, and mentions of miscarriage.

Chapter 2: Honey I tried

“When did it start?” Bucky was holding on to the edge of his kitchen table.He felt nauseated with the thought of her, sick and yearning, He couldn't even picture what she had grown up to look like, A part of him was scared of his own emotions.

“It hasn’t yet!”

“ At least not as of this morning.” her mother was breaking apart! Bucky could tell she was very scared and exhausted! He knew that her daughter's well being must've weighed heavily on her, he could see the physical manifestation of her pain. In just a few hours her nails had been bit to the core, and her tears streaks had left vivid and raw tracks around her cheeks.

“Buck! I know this is a lot to ask, but you have to tell Steve! Were worried she wouldn't make it otherwise. This will be her first heat”

He’d almost forgotten his mothers presence in the room, cause he turned around and met her eyes, tears streaming down her face. She'd grown fond of her friend's daughter over the years. After her own kids had left to form their own lives, she could still go to her and relive some memories of her little ones' younger days.

“I know! I'm still wrapping my head around it, but I know what I have to do” agitation surrounded his voice. He didn't know when his heart started to feel like it wanted to jump out of his chest or when he gripped the glass of water that was left on the table so hard it shattered, but it was evident that he wasn't going to be getting any rest that day.

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

Bucky parked his pickup in front of Steve's house. It was the largest house in the village, it wasn't Steve's choice, but he'd inherited it from his father, and his father had inherited it from his father before him. Being the house farthest away from the city limits, but right in the middle of the village meant Steve was protected, but could also be easily accessed.

Looking back at his passenger seat he saw Winnifred with her mom cradled upon her shoulder, comforting her best friend through the probably the second hardest day of her life.

“You should stay here Ma, I'll go get Steve” I know he’ll be happy to see you, but I still don't know how he'll react to her'' He opened his tool box on the bed of his truck and pulled out a large fleece blanket. Neatly folded he handed it over to his mother.

“Just keep her company till I come back”

The lights in Steve's house were on, but Buck could hear the sound of wood being shopped and Steve's grunts coming from the back of the property. As he reached his best friend's view, he took a deep breath. It was all gonna be different now, for all of them.

Steve had a large pair of headphones in, and was clearly a few songs deep into his playlist because when Bucky came around the corner; Steve almost lost a hold of the axe he was holding! Lookin at Buck he lowered his bulky headphones and stabbed the axe to the soft moody ground next to the small uncut piece of wood he was about to turn into lumber.

Steve's hair was not as long as Bucky's, and he had taken a liking to a neatly kept beard.

He grew it out as a joke at first! Clint dared him to grow it for a month, and after a month he'd grown fond of the style.So for the past year now, Steve looked less like a young soldier, and more like those lumberjacks from the cheesy romance novel covers his sister Rebecca loved to read.

“Hey Buck, didn't expect you around so late” Steve combed his hair back with his fingers. A nervous habit Bucky had noticed since childhood, especially when he had a lot on his mind.

“Couldn't sleep?”

Bucky was concerned for his friend, momentarily forgetting the reason for his sudden visit.

“ Banner called! Wanda was there earlier today, she wasn't feeling well. Turns out she was pregnant, and didn't know it!

“Steves that's awesome, when is she due ? we need to celebra…” as he looked into his best friend's eyes he saw the pain behind his look.

“She was miscarrying at the same time she found out she was pregnant, Buck. That's the third pup we've lost this year.I don't know how we're gonna get through this, It's getting harder and harder to keep everyone safe, and pretend we're not gonna be extinct in 50 years”

“Steve…” Steve's gaze was filled with a mixture of tears and rage. He took everyone's pain personally. And hearing about Wanda had awoken an unease within his soul. He couldn't fight the problem! How could a man used to protecting and fighting, deal with a problem that didn't require a fight?

“There’s an omega! She presented this morning!

“Who is she?”

“Remember Katerina? She … uhh … after she was exiled from the pack, she had a daughter!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 20 years ago

“We can't just let him die! We have to take him outside the walls! Someone out there can help him”

Joseph was the second in command to Benjamin Rogers. Two of the strongest alphas the entire western district had ever known. Both feared together, but explosive apart.

Benjamin had fathered a son 7 years earlier, a frail boy. He was often sickly and his future wasn’t promised! He wasn't meant to live much longer, the boy had once again woken up sick. A high fever overcoming his small body.

Benjamin had changed after his wife's death, he blamed the boy for Sarah’s death. A man that was once kind, and dedicated to his family, now lived like a wandering dark shadow inflicting cruelty against anyone that disagreed and crossed his path. His pack was strong! But there was no harmony, only fear.

Sarah had been a beautiful alpha as well as Benjamin. She had a hard time carrying Steve to term, at 7 months she fell bedridden and two weeks later, she had a seizure that compromised her pregnancy. Benjamin himself had to cut the boy out of his dying wife. That choice, as his wife laid there lifeless , covered in blood, and cut open like an animal awoke a demon in Benjamin. He saw death in his son's eyes, that is why he could never love him. He could never care!

Katerina took care of his young baby like her own, she had struggled to have a baby of her own so when Joseph came home holding a still bloody wailing baby, she fell madly in love with the small bundle in his arms.

The boy was small, but smart! He picked up words as young as a few months, and as a toddler he was incredibly gifted. Steve excelled in art, and even knees bit of music. Katerina loved to sit down and play piano! A young Steve would lean into her side and follow suit to her fingers on the side of the pano with his small hands. Joseph and Katerina watched him grow up, and took care of him.

Steve got sick often, but nothing too serious!

One day as she prepared breakfast she had a feeling of dread on the pit of her stomach, she ran upstairs to check on Steve and found him comatose on the bed!she wailed as she held her adopted infant son to her chest. Joseph came running to her after hearing her screams. He picked up the boy from her hands and loaded him into the car, with Katerina at his side he headed to Benjamin's house.

That was the first time Benjamin had seen his son since his wife died, his son himself nearly dead!

"Please Ben! He needs help! There's another pack two hours away, they have a doctor that can help him. She can heal him for good, please open up the walls so we can go to her! They both pleaded with Ben for hours, but to no avail!

The man was already covered in anger and reeking of alcohol, “Don't you dare challenge your alpha Joe! If I find out you defied me and left this territory you will never be allowed back”

Katerina couldn't let her boy die! With that warning in heart, she and her husband plotted to get little Stevie outside the pack territory, and to that doctor.

Behind Ben’s back, and knowing the consequences in his heart Joe called the Alpha from the neighboring pack, the other alpha had the resources ready for them to arrive in the morning. His doctor, a witch, was ready to give little Steve the life he deserved.

In the early morning of the night they sped their way through the woods. Once they reached the border a car awaited Rina, a beta from the fury pack was ready to take them to their pack.

Ben had closed the pack off to treaties when his wife died, he believed the world was dangerous and the pack was better off without interruptions, he couldn't even save his wife! His pack did not deserve to be mercied, they didn't deserve to live if she couldn't. So Ben slowly watched his pack become secluded and lost.

In the morning Ben, even drunker than the night before, had shown up at Joe's doorstep demanding to see the boy. Fully convinced he'd be dead by now, when Joe failed to produce an explanation as to why his wife was gone and so was Steve.

Ben lost it!

He called a pack meeting on which he publicly executed Joe, whether it was a display of power or just pure psychopathic joy. Joe’s death left the town broken, when Katerina came back with a healed Steve, she found herself widowed and exiled.

As a last sick jab into Joe’s heart even after his death, Ben took Steve!

As the years went by Steve forgot his early years, he forgot Joe and Katerina!

Steve remembered stories of his betrayal, her exile! How their actions forever changed a pack. He grew up kind, giving, and strong! Even if Steve didn't experience or know much love from his father, he was full of it!

And thanks to that witch both Katerina’s little growing heartbeat and Steve were stronger than ever!

Tags:

@austynparksandpizza @exposition-belongs-somewhere

[pretoriafics]

Russian Roulette - Pt. 7

I think this one is the most cutest until now.

In this series, you will find: Alternative Universe, Soulmate plot, Angst, Fluff. In this chapter, you will find: You were actually right about Derek's location, which makes things a lot weirder for you. However, you can forget about it a little by spending time with him. Word count: 1.806 Pairings: Reader x Platonic! Scott and Stiles; Reader x Derek Original characters of this chapter: None. Warnings: English is not my main language <3 Yeah, it was based on Russian Roulette by Rihanna Russian Roulette series: Chapter Six | Chapter Eight RUSSIAN ROULETTE MASTERLIST TEEN WOLF MASTERLIST

Following your senses, you were driving to the old Hale house. Your hands were shaking in nervousness and fear, and your eyes were wet with tears that trace a path in your face. You are completely terrified, and the scenes of the meeting with Peter and Stiles - to confirm if Derek is really trapped in the old Hale house - were running through your mind.

"Yeah," Stiles said, directing his gaze from the laptop to you, scared "(Y/N)'s hunch is right."

"Of course it is right..." Peter said, looking at you.

You were shivering of fear. You didn't have an idea of what is happening to you, and that was really scary. It could be anything!

Stiles approaches you, so scared as you.

"How did you know?"

"I-I didn't know, Stiles. I just had that dream, and..."

"Do you felt something in the full moon?"

"No! No, I'm completely human, I'm pretty sure about it."

"So what's happening?"

"I don't know!"

Peter walked far from both of you, and he looks to Stiles.

"Stay here, Stilinski. And you" Peter points his finger to you, throwing you the keys of his car "I'll be waiting for you there. I could tell you where the house is, but I know you'll be able to find it yourself."

And there you are: Driving Peter's car. He was right, after all. You saw the house far away, and you park the car. You saw Scott running from Allison's arrows, while the woman of your dream - Kate - was looking proudly for her. You could help Scott, but you need him to maintain they distracted. Knowing Scott would listen to you, you said:

"Scott, keep them busy. I'll take care of Derek."

You wipe away the tears from your face and breathe in, trying to feel something. Following your instincts, you find an old gate and opens it, getting into a dimly lit corridor. You recognize that door: It was the door from your dream.

Trying to avoid the memories of your dream, you open the door. A man with a baseball bat turns himself in your direction, clearly not expecting to see you there. Derek was trapped by his wrists. The trapped werewolf and the room were just like as they had been in your dream.

The man narrowed his eyes for you.

"You are not with the Argents."

"No, I'm not."

The man hits you with the baseball bat, but you dodge his attack when you duck. You hit his nose with your elbow, and he staggered backward with his hand on his bleeding nose.

"Argh! You broke my nose!"

"Sorry!"

In a complete rage, he moves his bat again, trying to hit you. With your both hands you hold the bat and kick his knee, making him fell with one of his knees on the floor. You pull his bat to you, letting the man unarmed. Then, you hit the man with the bat on his head, and he fell on the floor, unconscious. You grope the hunter's body until you find the key that would set Derek free. When you found it, you ran to him.

"I was not expecting you here," He said to you while you were unlocking the chains that held him "but good job."

"Scott said you are with Peter now. I thought he had killed your sister."

Derek deviates his eyes from yours and walks in the door's direction.

"He was just out of control."

"Hey" You hold his wrist, and he looks at you, impatient "Look, I know we don't know each other so long, but I know Peter is everything that remained of your family. But you need to be careful, Derek. Are you sure Peter didn't kill your sister for his own benefit?"

His thoughtful green eyes ran through the room. Then, you could feel the rage in his eyes.

"She was an Alpha."

You left his wrist and cross your arms.

"This is a good reason, don't you think?"

Derek let out a long sigh.

"Thank you. I owe you one."

You gave him a soft smile.

"That's my line, Hale."

You and Derek finally arrive at the facade of the old Hale house. You saw Allison's dad unconscious on the floor, and a few roars inside of the old house. Derek did not hesitate to enter the house, and you ran in Chris Argent's direction. You put yourself on your knees close to him, putting your hand on his face.

"Wake up, please, please, don't be dead."

You approach your ear on his chest and, yeah, you can hear his heart beating.

"Thank god!"

You hold his jacket and drag him to a safe place. Suddenly, you saw Scott being thrown out of the house and falling on the floor. Then, Peter walks out of the house, and you pull your gun from inside your jacket, pointing to him.

"Why are you pointing this thing to me? I thought we were family now."

Peter approaches you and holds your wrist with such strength, that you let your gun fell in pain. Afterward, he holds your neck and throws you through the air. Everything got black after this.

This time, you are not in your bedroom.

You open your eyes and find yourself lying on a bed. It was still night outside - you saw through the large windows that let in the soft light of the moon. You sat on the bed and look around.

You had never been that place, and that was not a dream.

You stand up from the bed and walk through the room, trying to find out where you are. Then, you find a spiral ladder. You want to find out what this place is, so you go downstairs and start to listen to a familiar voice.

"Yeah, she's okay. She just woke up, don't worry. I'll call you tomorrow. Bye."

Derek was in front of a desk, back to you. When he finished the call, he turns and looks at you.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. You okay?"

He gave you a soft smile, and you remembered the day you met each other in the car accident. You return the smile, feeling your face burning while wondering if he remembered that day too.

"Yeah, I'm okay."

Oh, that smile... You felt your heart fail a beat for a second. Well, he was pretty handsome, and you couldn't understand why Stiles complains about him so much. You could feel kindness on Derek, after all. He took care of Scott and Stiles too, the same you do.

"Well, look at you, saving me for the second time."

You cross his arms looking at him. He shook his head in denial, without wipe his smile away from his face.

"You were not in danger. Actually, I think you can handle yourself."

"Oh, really? Thank God, I don't wanna be a princess in danger."

"You're not. You're pretty brave."

Oh Gosh, you can't stop of feel your cheeks burning.

"Thank you." You said, looking down at your feet. You didn't remember any guy having this effect on you. Actually, it is hard to find a man who doesn't make you feel bored. Trying to control your own feelings, you look at him. "What happened to Peter?"

"He's dead. I had killed him." Derek said, sitting on the couch. "You don't have to worry about him."

You look at him with regret. After all, you know he is completely by himself.

"Oh..." You sat on the couch, close to him. "I'm sorry."

His face was serious this time.

"It's okay. I did what I have to."

"I know. I think I can understand you partly. I know you're alone and completely by yourself, and I am too. I don't have anyone here, and I'm far away from home. It's lonely sometimes. But, look: You did the right thing."

"I'm used to loneliness."

"I think you don't have to. Actually, I think you shouldn't. No one should be used to loneliness, you know?"

You and Derek had more things in common than both of you thought. The independence, courage, loyalty, loneliness... But you had a thing he didn't have: You were full of light and had a strong will to live. Derek, on other hand, was just surviving day by day. He doesn't know what it's like to have a light life, and you could show it to him.

"I think it's a fair way to think, but not so smart." He said, crossing his arms and raising the walls around him, who would avoid you to come too close of his heart.

"Why you think that?"

"I think it could get you weak."

"But thinking that way isn't living. It's just survival."

"When you are like me, it's all you think about."

Your heart ached a little bit. Well, in fact, survival definitely was a thing he needs to worry about. There were a lot of hunters out there wanting his head. But, then, you got an idea.

"Well, I think you can get the best of two worlds: Living and still survive."

He arched his eyebrows, with a soft smile on his lips.

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah, and I'll show you."

You stood up from the couch and goes to the laptop on the table. You put on Spotify a song: Garota de Ipanema, from Tom Jobim.

"You know, Derek," You said, approaching him and taking his wrist, pulling him so he stood up "I know how to dance a, uh.. how do you say it? Balloon dancing?"

Derek stood up, letting escape a weak chuckle, finding your English mistake really funny.

"I think you want to say 'Ballroom dancing'"

Oh. You felt your cheeks burning again. You absolutely hate when you say something wrong. Derek, otherwise, found it cute.

"God, those words are exactly the same!"

"No, it's not."

"Balloon? Ballroom?" You tried to say, failing to recognize the difference between both of them. "Okay, I'll call it 'Balloon dancing'. God, Derek! I'll need to teach English to a native speaker?" You said, laughing and a little bit embarrassed.

He let out a low chuckle, following you to the middle of the living room.

"What kind of 'Balloon dancing' will you teach me?"

"I'd learned to dance the samba before learning ballet, So... Let's go, I'll teach you samba."

That night, the loft was filled with loud laughs and music. Both of you had danced all night long, letting all of your worries hidden in the most deeper parts of your minds. The truth was simple: No one of you really wanted that night was over. It was not just because both of you were having fun. It was because both of you felt alive.

Derek just can't wait to feel it one more time.

[tilltheendwilliwrite]

Star-Crossed: Bound by Blood

Chapter One

Master List

Pairing: Mando/Din Djarin x OFC Baast’Mal

Warnings: I'm making this up as a go, Canon divergent from the series during chapter 13, mild violence

A/N: I make this stuff up as I go along, if I screw something Star Wars-y up, apologies in advance, I didn't do it on purpose, but I'm new to this Fandom. I will be cross posting this story between AO3 and Tumblr except the smutty bits. Those chapters will only be available to registered users on AO3. (I'm trying something new for people who want to read here on Tumblr, but to also avoid the smut for minors controversy. We'll see how it goes.)

*I do not have a tag list* Please follow the story on AO3 if you want email updates, or follow @tilltheendwilliwrite-library where I post the new/latest chapters of all my stories.

***

In the sweltering heat of the jungle, Din Djarin crouched to better scan for tracks in the rotting foliage at the base of the tall trees. Pools of light made it difficult to adjust correctly for the shadowy depths; add in the thermal activity of the plants and animals in this stinking sewer of a planet, and he was having a hard time tracking his quarry. 

When he'd accepted the puck, he hadn't known what he was getting into as her chain code was surprisingly sparse. The only additional information he had was her name - Taa Marel - her last known location and face. 

And what a face. Even on a holo, she was stunning, not that the Mandalorian would let that sway him one way or the other. 

He'd tracked the stolen ship from Bogano, where she'd initially been hiding out to this skug hole of a world that was made to torment men in beskar, causing them to swelter in their helmet.

The kid, however, loved the place. 

Constantly cooing, riding in his pouch, he touched everything he could get his chubby green fingers on. Leaves, flowers, bugs; those, of course, went straight in his mouth. By this point, Mando accepted the womp rat could and would eat just about anything.

Upon arrival, they'd found the ship nose down, destroyed, and abandoned, but the crash landing had created just enough space for Mando to set the Razor Crest down. Then the hunt began.

After three hours of slogging through the heat, he was ready to kill her. After four, he decided death was too good for someone who made him sweat this hard. After five, he was determined to make her suffer. But they were closing in. He could feel it like an ache in his bones.

Tracks led forward, but something didn't sit right with that. They were too obvious. After hours of following such a well-covered trail, this was an insult to his skills. Footprints led straight down a game trail like a beacon meant to lure him astray.

It wasn't right, too easy by far, and the skin on his nape crawled.

He looked up, straight into the eyes of the woman he was hunting. Even through the distorted colour of heat vision, he could see they were a vibrant green.

He moved on instinct, whipcord shooting out, wrapping around her shoulders, and dragging her out of the tree.

She screamed the battle cry of a hunting cat, an inhuman sound before she twisted mid-air and landed lightly, crouched but on her feet. 

"Taa Marel, I can bring you in warm, or I can bring you in cold," he warned her, hand hovering over his blaster.

"That is not my name. And I choose option three."

Her voice kicked him in the groin and made his dick twitch. Stunned, he could only watch as her hands came up and nails like talons shredded his whipcord. 

Someone had left a few things out of her chain code.

"Put the child down."

Mando blinked. "Why would I do that?" 

What did she want with his foundling? Had she heard about him? Would she attempt to take him? 

"I intend to kick your ass, Mandalorian, but I do not hurt children. Put him down."

Surprised, Mando reached for the strap across his chest instead of his blaster. "You're not going to run?"

She lifted a proud chin. "You will continue to hunt me. I would rather die than return to that hell hole, but I will not go easy. I will fight."

She was beginning to impress him with more than just her face. 

Din lifted the strap over his head, his eyes fixed on the target, studying her outside of the holo he'd memorized. 

She stood with her chin raised, body slightly turned in a stance that bespoke proper training. If one could call it that, her green tunic had no sleeves, crossed over her breasts, tied just beneath them, and ended a few inches thereafter, baring the wealth of sun-darkened skin over tightly packed muscles. Pants hugged slim hips, billowed at her thighs, and tied tight to her calves thanks to the soft, short boots that went to her knee. 

Sweat gave her a sheen that made her glow, her vibrant eyes shadowed behind thick, long lashes. Her face was a treasure trove of sculpted brows, sharp nose, and high cheekbones over lips that looked like ripe fruit, begging for teeth. 

A mass of hair, the colour of sand, fell in heavy waves to her hips. It began to darken toward the tips until it was as black as the deepest corner of space.

As he moved the kid, she untied a thin cord from her wrist and slowly began to bind her hair in a low tail.

He'd never met a woman like her, a bounty like her, ever. This one - fugitive or not - had honour in her.

The kid cooed and waved. Her lips twitched into a smile as she winked and waved back.

"Fear not, Mandalorian. Should I kill you today, I will raise your foundling as my own."

Din's blood ran cold. "You won't get the chance."

He hung the child's satchel on a low tree knot and drew the beskar spear from his back in the same motion. Though he'd won the spear from magistrate Morgan Elsbeth on Corvus and helped the Jedi Ahsoka Tano defeat her forces, the Jedi held no answers when it came to the kid. Though, Din wondered if that had more to do with him than the little green monster. She'd told him to seek another Jedi, someone with more training than she, but had given him no direction in which to search.

"He is rather cute," she smirked. "But his kind age so slowly. You will be long dead before he is grown."

Mando paused. "You know of his kind?"

She arched a brow. "You do not?"

He lowered the spear and held up his off-hand. "I am tasked with returning him to his people."

Her posture never changed, but her eyes filled with sorrow. "He has no more people. The last of his kind, or what was thought to be the last, died some years ago. Master Yoda was his name."

"I'm to help him find the Jedi," Mando murmured.

Her eyes lost their sadness. "I cannot help you."

"Will not."

"They are one and the same," she whispered. 

Lightning fast, she rushed him. Mando barely blocked the first swipe of her claws before the second clanged off his pauldron. He used the spear's shaft to knock her back, even as she kicked him in the ribs, bypassing the beskar.

"Do you know the life you condemn me to, Mandalorian, if you return me to that horrible place?" she asked, crouched once again, a few feet away.

"You're a bounty. I don't make deals," he stated, watching his quarry while keeping his body between her and the kid. His ribs smarted, but he'd had worse.

"No. You just work for the people who Purged your planet!" she spat, leaping and clawing. 

She was fast, damn fast. Barely able to keep up, it was all Mando could do not to lose ground until he saw an opening and swept the butt of the spear at her leg.

She jumped back, breath coming hard.

"I didn't ask who the bounty was for." Greef Karga offered him the chance for a big payday, and right now, they could use it.

"You work for the Empire," she sneered. "Returning me to torture and experimentation. Do you think I was always like this!?" She stood and held out her arms, flexing fingers tipped in dark claws. She bared her teeth, revealing wicked-looking canines, then lifted a portion of hair to reveal a sharply pointed ear.

Again he paused, a thing unheard of, to ask, "What are you?" Her chain code said human, but she was certainly not that.

Her proud chin lifted in defiance. "Do you know what a Zentari is, Mandalorian?"

Din inhaled sharply. "That's not possible. They were wiped out."

"All but one. I am Baast'mal, last of the Zentari. The Empire took me as a child and used my gift to ruin me. They bound my blood to the Corellian Sand Panther and Manka Cat. They have so thoroughly defiled my biorhythms that if the constellations were kind enough to cross my path with that of my mate, I do not know if I could bond with him." Pain flickered across her features. "I am sullied, broken. I am a monster," she whispered before shaking herself free of the melancholia and raising that proud chin once more. "So kill me if you can, Mandalorian, for I will not go willingly."

The beskar spear fell from his fingers as Din dropped to a knee and bowed his head. "I am a Child of the Watch. I must offer aid, Zentari. This is the Way."

"The Way?" She took a step back. "The Mandalorians no longer follow the Old Ways. They no longer conceal their face from all but their riduur and ad. The creed is long dead."

He shook his head. "My Tribe is one of zealots. We hold to the old ways of Mandalore. I only recently learned of this as I was raised with them in hiding. The Purge took much, but the ways of the Zentari are remembered in the covert."

She hesitated, eyes wary. "I have faced Mandalorians before. They knew not the Way."

Din stripped his gloves from his hands and held them out, palms up as if catching water. He raised them above his head and brought them down over his helmet, appearing to another as if he washed with air. "Zentari of the Bright Star, may the constellations bless this warrior with a treasure greater than beskar that they would be mine. Cyar'ika. Ka'rta. Riduur."

She inhaled sharply. He watched her fight tears, lip trembling before she closed the distance between them and knelt. She dipped her fingers into his cupped palms as if they held water, brought them to her brow and stroked them down over her eyes and out along her cheeks. 

Her hands shook as she lifted them toward his helmet and laid her palms lightly on the sides of the beskar. 

His hands gently grasped her wrists, her skin warm and soft beneath his fingers. She wouldn't remove it, that he was sure of, but it was an instinct he couldn't deny when someone touched his helmet.

Her voice was whisper soft when she spoke. "Mandalorian, Holder of the Creed, blessed of the constellations. May you raise warriors strong in the Way and find your riduur. Your cyar'ika. Your ka'rta." 

"This is the Way," he murmured, shaken by the encounter.

"This is the Way," she agreed as she drew him forward until his helmet lightly kissed her brow.

The shudder that raced through her raced through him with equal intensity. The Zentari race was a myth, a legend, a beautiful dream. They were so lost to time Din felt like his heart would burst with joy. 

"Have you ever removed your helmet, Mando?" she asked softly.

The shortened form of address made his heart skip. "Not before any living thing." The Droid on Nevarro didn't count, and no matter what Bo'Katan said, the creed was his way. He would never show his face to any besides his wife or children. 

Let Koska scoff as she liked at his traditions. She had not found a Zentari. She likely wouldn't know what to do with the Zentari if she did.

Din rocked back on his toes and pushed to his feet, surprised when she followed him with equal grace. "Zentari, we should return to my ship. The Alor will want to meet you. The covert will rejoice."

"Baast."

He froze as her hands landed lightly on his beskar covered chest. "What?"

"To you, I am Baast." She stared into his visor as if able to see his eyes. 

"Baast," he murmured, wishing he could speak her name without the modulator.

"Yes, Din Djarin," she smiled. 

He still held her wrists, and his hands became her shackles. "How do you know that name?" he demanded.

Long lashes swept her cheeks, a coy smile curling her lips. "Grogu told me."

His grip tightened more. "Who is Grogu?" 

She tilted her head to look past him at the kid cooing at them. "He is Grogu."

"You can understand him?" Din asked, his shock registering even through the modulator. 

"Not in words, but he speaks to those who can listen. Images. Impressions. The Force is strong in him," she smiled at Grogu. "He loves you."

"He's okay." Mando was grateful for the helmet that hid his foolish grin.

"You fool no one," Baast chuckled. She gently twisted her wrists, reminding him of her bondage. 

He let her go and stepped back to pick up the spear. 

"You are a man blessed of beskar," she murmured. "You must be a great hunter."

"Something like that," he murmured. It still shamed him how he'd acquired his armour, but if he hadn't turned in the kid - Grogu - he wouldn't have been as well-equipped to get him back and keep him safe as they ran from the Empire.

Baast headed for Grogu, her smile growing as she lifted down his carrier and situated the baby against her chest. Grogu giggled and babbled something Mando didn't understand.

"Oh, I see," Baast chuckled, casting a side-eye his direction.

"What?" Mando muttered.

"Clan of the Mudhorn. A clan of two." She flicked her claws over his sigil. "I wondered. Grogu explained."

Mando glared at the kid- Grogu. "Don't tell her all my secrets."

Grogu cooed. Baast cuddled him and smiled slyly. By that look, he was pretty sure it was too late for his secrets.

He turned to go, heading back the way he'd come. It would take hours to return to the Razor Crest, and it was already getting dark. 

***

They didn't make it back to the ship before nightfall, but he found a hollow tree in which to spend the dark hours. Creeper vines had choked the life out of the behemoth, leaving them in a cage of vines and dry, dead bark with a wealth of firewood to choose from. 

The fire burned brightly, drafting well, casting shadows across Baast's face and keeping the larger predators at bay. She slept curled around Grogu, lips gently parted. The air had finally cooled at sundown, but now he could see the shivers and goosebumps developing on her flesh. 

Slowly, he leaned forward to remove the cape from his back. Then, just as quietly, he rose, rounded the fire, and draped it over her and Grogu. She stirred but didn't wake, and Din returned to his watch on the far side of the fire.

A Zentari. He could scarce believe it.

She was a myth made flesh—a beautiful dream. Once, when Mandalore still followed the old ways, Zentarus was where many warriors sought their mates, their most cherished riduur. 

A Zentari was always fast and strong and incredibly rare. They grew quickly but aged slowly, their years stretching out into eternity, some said. Fine in face and form, when they met their match, they bonded, taking on traits of the other and giving a few as well. 

A Mandalorian could live a very long time with a Zentari mate. 

But most Mandalorians came home empty-handed as a bond with a Zentari could not be forced, but those who the stars smiled upon, those most blessed with a cherished mate, bonded in ways that grew legends. It was said their children were the most incredible of warriors.

Baast'mal was everything he imagined when told stories of Zentari as a child new to the Tribe. It didn't hurt that she was the most mesh'la female he'd ever seen. Fast. Strong. Deadly. He wondered at what the Empire had done to her, how they could force the blood bonds on Sand Panthers and Manka cats, and just what other mutations they'd caused.

He also wondered at her Force sensitivity. What she felt or even what she could do had not been discussed, but Mando knew there was more to her than he had yet discovered. 

But it was the ache in him, the growing need to once again touch her skin that concerned him. 

It was primal. Feral. It clawed at him. It had him itching to be closer - much closer - to her. He wanted to show her his face and hope she found him as pleasing as he did her. 

Din had nothing to go by in comparison. He'd seen his reflection before, of course, but he had no way of knowing if a woman would think him handsome. He'd had encounters before, ones in which everyone walked away satisfied, some paid for, others freely offered, but the helmet and the beskar never came off.

With her, he wanted to be bare, stripped off all trappings. Din wanted to feel his naked skin against hers. He wanted to taste it.

"You are a very loud thinker," she mumbled, bright eyes glowing softly beyond the fire. 

Mortification filled him. "I'm sorry, I-"

"I do not know your thoughts, Mando," she clarified, "just feel a gentle buzzing from the beskar. It restricts what I pick up from you."

Relief almost had him sagging. Baast closed her eyes, but he was loath to let the conversation end. 

"How old are you?" She looked young, maybe twenty-five.

Her brow twitched, amusement in her smile. "It is rude to ask."

"I wondered how long the Empire had you," he explained. 

Shadows darkened her eyes. "Forty years."

"But they've only been around for thirty," he frowned.

She gave a hollow laugh and sat up. "They have been around much, much longer. I remember the day they came for us. They slaughtered all who fought, men and women. Every child they could catch was rounded up and taken away." She looked away, down at dark claws. "I was the only Zentari to survive the experiments."

"I'm sorry." He was. "I know what it's like to lose everything."

She tilted her head. "You were a foundling."

It wasn't a question, and Din didn't answer her.

"They began experimenting with my blood almost immediately. I was ten when they bound traits of the Manka to me. I was fifteen when they brought in the Panther."

"How? Why?"

Her eyes burned into his. "Because they could." She flexed her fingers. "Because they are depraved. Because they are monsters, who turn others into abominations."

"You're not."

She looked at him in surprise.

Din shifted until he stood and made his way around to her side, where he offered his hand. Baast took it and joined him in the shadows as he led her a few steps away from Grogu. He stripped his gloves from his hands, the need to touch her no longer under his control.

Slowly, he reached up to caress her cheek. He pushed her hair back, revealing the pointed tip of her ear. Her eyes gleamed from behind heavy lids when he stroked his fingers down her tricep and finally cupped her elbow.

He closed his opposite hand around her nape; his thumb pressed to her spiking pulse. "You are no monster."

"My blood is sullied."

"Perhaps. But you remain unbroken," he murmured. "You lived. You escaped. Mesh'la, you are a beacon of shining hope to my Tribe. If there is one Zentari, perhaps there are others."

She closed her eyes. "There is not."

"How do you know?"

A tear trickled down her cheek. "I felt the last die three years ago. It was what gave me the strength to escape."

"Mishuk gotal'u meshuroke, pako kyore," he murmured, rubbing his thumb on her pulse.

"Pressure makes gems; ease makes decay?" A small smile twitched her lips. "Am I a gem, Mando?"

"No." 

She arched an amused brow.

"You are something more precious than any gem," he murmured.

Colour dusted her cheeks. "A Mandalorian who has a way with words? I truly have seen it all," she teased.

He sighed and made sure it echoed through the modulator. "Get some rest." He attempted to move away, but she grabbed him by the belt.

"Stay."

"Baast?"

"Stay." She took his hand, led him closer to Grogu, encouraged him to sit against a fallen chunk of tree, and then curled up beside him, tucking herself under his arm.

"The beskar is too hard," he worried.

"No harder than a prison cell, and you are much warmer. I have not known the comfort of another since I was seven," she admitted.

He sighed again but gave in, curling his arm around her.

"Thank you for your cape."

"Hm."

Her chuckle was more of a low purr. When it rippled through him, Din swore he felt something inside him purr back.

Next Chapter

[nakedmossy]

Depth Over Distance - Part Eleven  [Rudy x Reader]

[A/N: Welcome back. Short chapter to get me back into it. Sorry I was away so long, I needed to find myself again. Took longer than expected but that’s life. Its not always sunshine and roses, sometimes its cloudy skies and roots that trip you up. As long as you have the courage to carry on and the hope that tomorrow will be better, then you’re already doing more than you did yesterday. Be calm, be kind, be safe...Mossy x]  

You woke up slowly, without opening your eyes, and listened to the rhythmic sound of Rudy’s breathing beside you. You were laying somewhere soft - the couch maybe - and the air was warm and smelled of burning cedar and cologne. You felt your chest tighten and the urgent need to inhale, to circulate oxygen to your limbs, to stretch. You started with your toes, feet, then your legs, and inhaled deeply into a yawn as you moved your arms out from under a blanket.

“Hey” You heard Rudy’s voice, low and gravelly, itching with concern. You felt his hand float around your hair, softly brushing the top of your head. The corner of your mouth twitched as you started to open your eyes, the soft glow of the fire casting shadows around the room, Rudy’s wild hair and broad shoulders silhouetted in front of you.

“Hey, Y/N, slow down” A firm hand pressed into your shoulder as you tried to sit forward. Gently coaxing you back, he brought a glass of water to your lips and helped you sip until you had cleared the dry lump in your throat. Licking your lips, you felt the words form in your mouth.

“I’m still mad at you”

Rudy laughed, deep and sharp, his head dropping between his shoulder blades, before his gaze found yours. You saw candles reflected in his eyes which were wet with tears, his brow furrowed and his mouth tight. The afternoon sun shone through the window and you could hear the light patter of rain on the roof.

“You gotta stop scaring me like that” He said quietly, his hand still brushing your hair lightly away from your face.

“You gotta start telling the truth” You rebutted without missing a beat. “The whole truth” you added when his face eluded to a forthcoming retort.

He pursed his lips and nodded in resignation once before leaning forward and standing up, walking past you into the kitchen.

You moved your head around slowly, stretching your neck and wincing whenever your forehead pulled at the cut. The fire was crackling gently and the embers danced around and up into the chimney, sparking and caressing the darkness. You relaxed into the couch again, thinking back to the conversation you had had with Rudy before you collapsed. The fog set in again, the dark nagging in the pit of your stomach. You heard his words repeating in your head like a broken record; its not mine, its not mine, its not mine. Your stomach turned; you were going to be sick.

You stood as quickly as you could, tossing the blanket to the side, and scrambled towards the bathroom clutching your stomach. You barely made it to the doorway before you began to retch into the sink. Rudy called your name once from the kitchen before you heard him outside the bathroom. You kicked the door shut and held it closed with your leg, gripping either side of the sink with sweaty palms.

“Go away” you called between gasps, spitting saliva into the sink. You grabbed the jug of water from below the sink once you were sure the wave had passed and rinsed the basin out. It took a few moments before you could look at yourself in the mirror and wipe your mouth clean, you were so tired.

A gentle knock at the door reminded you Rudy was outside. You swallowed once more before taking a deep breath and turning the handle, pulling the door slowly open. Rudy took a step back and let you walk out, waiting patiently for you to gather yourself.

“I’m fine. Sorry” You said quietly, unmoving. He swallowed once and looked at the bathroom, then back to you.

“I think we need to go back to the hospital.” He was more telling than asking.

“I’m fine. Its just....its been a lot.” You motioned around you at the last 72 hours in general. “I just need...some time to recover.”

“Y/N...” He started, but you put your hands up in protest.

“Rudy. Listen to me for once, I’m not dying. I’ve had a concussion before. I know what to expect.”

He pursed his lips and set his jaw, looking over your head and taking a breath before looking back at you.

“You feeling up for a walk then? I think we could both use the air.”

You nodded slowly and let your breath out before motioning towards the bedroom where your clothes still laid in a pile on the floor. Slipping your wool socks on and pulling a sweater gingerly over your head, you felt yourself let out a small laugh at how bizarre this whole week had been since Rudy showed up. You didn’t know if your life would ever be the same. In some ways you hoped it wouldn’t be, but you needed some sense of normality back.

When you stepped out onto the porch to slip your boots on you noticed that there was a fresh stack of firewood piled in the box under the window, and the axe was stuck into the flesh of the chopping block. You inhaled deeply, revelling at the smell of the wet earth and the steam rising from the mossy ground below you and the fresh cut cedar. Behind you Rudy clicked the door closed and zipped up his vest, his muscular arms covered by a tight base layer.

“Creek?” He asked quietly, you nodded and followed him down the stairs towards the trail that lined the creek bed and wound towards a break in the forest.

You both remained silent for a few moments before the moisture in the air lifted something from your chest and tickled your throat. You coughed once, your eyes pinching shut from the throbbing pain in your head at the onset of pressure. Rudys hand found yours and squeezed it tightly.

“So” You said after clearing your throat. “Are you gonna tell me the whole story now or do I have to wait another 3 days and get in another accident?”

You smiled as you said it, coyly, but Rudy struggled to do anything but cringe.

“What story, exactly?”

“At the party, your welcome home party, when we were standing in the parking lot by the fence. I asked you to tell me about Anna, and you said very distinctly ‘she’s just my manager, that’s it’. And I told you we would talk about it another time, and that you were a terrible liar.”

Rudy scoffed in recognition and smiled quietly, looking at the tree cover. “I remember”

“Well, now is that time.”

His strong shoulders stiffened a little and he walked with more vigour than he had before. You struggled to keep pace with him, catching your toe on roots and debris every few steps and swinging your arms to quicken yourself.

“I wasn’t happy. I’ll premise all of this by saying that.” He started, his voice tight. “I was working, I had a steady income, I was doing exactly what I set out to do....but” he shook his head lightly, his hair swaying in your peripherals. “...it didn’t matter because no matter how much I worked or how hard I partied or how much money I made, I had a void I couldn’t fill.”

You looked over at him and noticed that his pace was quickening again, now you were half jogging to stay beside him.

“I was lonely and nobody noticed, or cared.” He paused, his face flushed. “Anna did.”

You stayed quiet, observing his face, trying to keep your breathing from becoming panting, but you were starting to get dizzy.

“She was a temporary distraction. A way to pass the time. It sounds awful, but...shit, sorry” He put his arm out to slow you and calmed down from the aggressive speed he was ambling down the path. “Sorry.”

You shook your head and caught your breath, holding on to his arm as a wave of dizziness passed. When you nodded and started walking again he matched your pace, slightly behind you.

“Anyways, yeah. I knew it wasn’t serious, I was in it for the wrong reasons. We kept everything quiet, just went on a few dates and made them look like meetings....it was fun for 5 minutes. When I started to notice she was taking it seriously I backed off. Or tried to. It was messy and she started to threaten me, said she would tell everyone that I took advantage of her and that it was non-consensual, which of course was total bullshit but she was smart and she knew how to talk to people and she wouldn’t have had any problem ruining my career, my life. So I left.”

You took stock of what he had said and waited a few moments before speaking. The creek was loud beside you now, the water smooth over twigs and rocks, bubbling in the back-eddy’s, crashing over the shoreline. You heard a bird overhead and listened to the sound of thunder off in the distance. The sky was grey but the storm would pass around you, you knew these skies well.

“Rudy I am so, so sorry.” Your voice cracked as you spoke, turning to fully face him. “This is....”

“...a mess” He finished for you, nodding and looking around, his arms crossed and his muscles causing the fabric to stretch. You wanted to hug him, hit her, and burn the whole damn city of LA to the ground for the shit storm he found himself in.

“What did she say to your dad?”

“She lied, naturally. Tried to tell them that the kid was mine and that she would take me to court if I didn’t pay child support.” His face was reddening and his jawline flexed. You felt dizzy again, but focussed on deep breathing. “She’s trying to refuse a paternity test.”

Your gut twisted and you reached out to touch Rudy's arm, but he flinched and turned away. Confused, you withdrew your arm and waited.

"Sorry." He muttered, pinching his eyes shut and rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Im sorry. Come here"

He pulled you into a hug and rested his chin on top of your head.

"I just don't feel good about any of this. I dragged you into my shit and look what happened."

"Don't do that" you started, trying to pull away. The scent of Rudy mixed with the smell of the trees and wet earth was heady and intoxicating. He squeezed you tighter.

"Its the truth. I thought I could run away from this and I can't. It followed me here, to you. And i'm sorry for that."

"Im not." You said finally, pushing back far enough so you could see his face. “I’m not at all. I’m happy you came home.” The word ‘home’ sat heavily between you, littering the air with connotation. “You shouldn’t have to go through this alone.”

He frowned, unwillingly to accept your offer of companionship, still stuck in the deeply rooted feeling he had hurt you.

“Look at me” You said sternly, your voice sharp. He looked briefly, then looked away, so you lifted your hand to his face and forced his gaze back to you. “You’re not going through this alone. I notice, I care, and...I mean assuming you’re not going to get in your truck and leave me here to become bear bait....Im not letting you go through this by yourself. I will...I don’t know...politely ask her to pound sand and eat a dick if you need me to....or-”

“HA” He barked a laugh suddenly before grabbing your hand from his cheek and bringing it to his chest. “You’re ridiculous. But thank you.” He said genuinely. “Seriously.”

You stood in a contented silence for a few moments before he spoke again.

“Lets head back. I want to have a fire tonight.” He smiled, grabbing your hand.

“I saw.” You cooed before squeezing his hand back, falling in beside him.

The air was cooling and the sun was low, setting below the tree line. The air felt cleaner, clearer, easier to breathe. You walked in silence, both of you equally enjoying the peace that you found in the old growth forest. The soft packed earth below your feet like a wet sponge, the trees strongly shading you from the moisture packed clouds above. Something settled in you, set in your chest, calmed you. You felt happy.

_____________________________________

Tag List: @sunshinemadds​ @bluebirdsbluebells​​, @lovelymaybankk​, @poguestyleskye​, @alexa-playafricabytoto​, @ilikealotofpeople-younotsomuch​, @k-k0129​, @kimyeon-tae​, @ellystone​, @faded-blue​, @thebeautifulbookworm, @heypearce, @jjsthumbring, @poguesrforlife, @timotaychalabae​, @infinityspacesuniverse, @judayyyw, @nelebynele​, @p0gues4l​, @annedub, @justagirlpostingwhatsheloves​, @rudyypankow​, @thegeekyblondegirlwholovesstars​, @cocoopalace, @toribentleyva, @lennoxcobain, @runway-to-my-aid. @otrbnks, @jjtheangel, @thehomeiknow @lenaandcalliope, @rudths, @hopelesswritingxd, @timotaychalabae, @outerbanksbro, @otrbnks, @eclecticpuppyhollywoodhumanoid, @obx-saltlife, @perfektionsmakel @fanofmany @jeyramarie @sarapixieelliott08@lemur46