#i gave connor a lil baby

[sea-jello]

@thetheatergremlin your bmc toh au gave me massive brainworms so what else to do other than redraw screencaps without stopping for like 6 hours

side by side with the references if you want em

[aliaology]

COACH

summary: reader is a single mother who just signed her son up for hockey! who knew that number eighty-six of the new jersey devils would help coach alongside his teammates.

pairings: jack hughes x fem!reader

warnings: talks of teen pregnancy if that counts…? talks of sex and birth control. SO MUCH FLUFF BC I THINK JACK WOULD BE GREAT WITH LIL KIDS.

being pregnant at eighteen was not what you expected. no, it was actually nowhere near your list of “what will i do when im eighteen.” of course, you tried to figure out where you went wrong. thats when it hit you, you forgot to take your birth control that entire week, and your now ex-boyfriend was so sure you would still be fine because you took it a few days before.

how wrong he was. and he fled quickly too.

now you sat in the small bleachers of a local rink, helping your son get his skates tied. the five year old gave a goofy grin as he saw some of his friends from school or from the same apartment complex as you.

“you ready to go, baby?” you ask him with a smile, patting his leg as you helped him stand on the skates.

“uh huh!” he smiled widely.

“okay, lets go lovie, one of the coaches will be paired with you and helping you, okay?” you told him, bending down to his height. he gave a toothy grin.

“okay mama!” you smiled and held his hand as you brought him over to the opening of the rink. a few kids were in front of you two, getting paired with one of the older males.

you learned that it was the new jersey devils, their team came to help the little ones. you smiled at your son as you guys got to the opening. number eighty six awaited for your son.

jack lifted his gaze from his hands to you and your son. his breath hitched as he saw your face. you were pretty. really pretty.

he stuck his hand out, “hi im jack— jack hughes” he smiled.

you grabbed his hand, shaking it slightly. “its nice to meet you, im y/n.” you grin. you then look at your son, so does jack.

jack crouches down. “and whats your name little bud?” he asked.

“connor!” your son smiled.

“well connor, you ready to play some hockey?” jack grinned. your son nodded excitedly and grabbed onto jacks arm.

jack took your son out onto the ice as you sat down back on the bleachers. you crossed your legs and placed your head onto your hand as you watched your son excitedly practice with number 86.

jack hughes was attractive, you knew that for sure. but the way he was so gentle with your son, holy shit you felt like it was love at first sight. of course, it wasn’t, but this very attractive man was being amazing to your son. who would not want that?

you watched as he helped your son skate around. he helped connor hold his stick properly, helped him hit the puck. though— you couldn’t help but laugh when connor slipped and fell straight on his butt. jack seemed to also find it funny as he slapped a hand over his mouth while helping connor up.

you also watched as jack would sneak glances at you every so often. you had to say it made you feel flustered when you caught him.

after about two hours, the small practice came to and end. parents took photos with some of the devils, kids got their stuff put back in bags, but your son, he was attached to jack’s hip. he would not leave jack alone,

jack needed to take a picture with a fan? connor would wait patiently for him. jack had to go back to the players box for his stuff? connor was following. jack was walking towards you? well, connor was in his arms.

“little man here seems to like me, i think” jack spoke with a smile.

you let out a small laugh as the now tired kid had rested his head against jacks shoulder.

“i think so too, im sorry about him being all over you. he doesn’t get attached easily so this is somewhat new.” you spoke softly.

you grabbed the helmet from jacks grasp, putting it in your son’s hockey bag. “its no problem at all, really. hes a cutie, and one hell of a fast learner.” jack gushed.

you smiled, turning to your son who rubbed his eyes. “ready to go home, baby?” you asked, hands out so he could go to you.

“no! i want to stay with jack” he pouted, turning his head away.

you sighed softly. “im sorry jack.” you told.

“its okay, promise. here, ill hold him so you can take his gear off and then i can carry him to your car? does that sound okay?” jack asked.

you nod as you smile. “sounds perfect.”

jack sat down, holding connor. you gently took of his gear, even if it was a struggle that connor wouldn’t even move from jack’s shoulder. once you got it all in his bag, including his skates, you zipped it up and slung it over your shoulder.

you and jack walked in silence as connor had fallen asleep on jacks shoulder. once you got to your car, you put connor’s bag in the back as jack gently placed him in his car seat.

you turn to him. “thank you for this, it means a lot to me.” you told him.

“couldn’t resist. the kids a cutie and hes got spunk. not to mention his mom is really pretty too.” jack told, smiling at you.

his face then dropped. “i mean unless you have a boyfriend— i totally didn’t say that.” he stuttered.

you laughed lightly, “i dont, thank you” you muttered.

jack’s cheeks went pink. “i uh— can i get your number by any chance?” he asks.

“will you be here next practice?” you question. jack nods. “team will be here for all except when we have roadies.” jack explained.

you nod. “you can have it next practice.” you smile and go to your side of the car. “thank you again, jack.”

“no.. problem” he spoke slowly. he watched you drive away. he barely knew you but you had him wrapped around your pretty little finger.

hes so cutie

[steiger4044]

If Bela Dimitrescu were living in modern times as an NYPD Officer, and the family was there too, here is how I’d imagine it. Her little description narrating, with some fiction. Might make it into one, not sure yet.

Well…if anyone were to ask about my family life…sure gets interesting. Definitely fun times away from the baddies of NYC. Laughs, tears, but we all love each other…even mother towards her brother my uncle, sometimes at least they can get along. Let’s start it up with,

First up, my baby sis…Daniela. Ya she can be a bit of a head case at times 😏. But she’s the sweetest, funniest sis anyone can ask for. She’s a manager at a small book store on 27th street in downtown Manhattan. But she knows her books good, well definitely the romance section…lol. Of course every time I come in, she’s always telling me I should take a read of the Fifty Shades of Grey series 😟😣…ummm no, sorry sis. Especially after that one Christmas you gave that book for mom…ohh did she go a lil red that Christmas morning. Then there are her and her cats. She does love them but her new landlord is a real 🤬. He doesn’t want animals in the apartment Dani has, and I know he’ll work whatever tricks to make her leave. But I do know in my building a Hungarian couple are leaving and I got a landlord who’s a real cat lady too, and loves books. Guess I’ll put in a kind word for my sis…what do ya think?

Okay next up is my sis, Cassandra. Manhattan’s practical Connor McDavid. A tough cookie who loves flaunting off her muscles and other… features a lil too much for my taste to many a guys in and out of the building🙄🫢🤣 . But she is my sister either way 😉. She’s a trainer at the city’s oldest boxing training centre. Outside when we do butt heads and I have to come around on and off duty to break up a stupid mindless fight, she does help me toughen up physically and is a great coach on mentally and physically preparing like this pic. She did get me an exclusive membership, as well as a couple other officers from my Precinct in there. One did hook up for a dinner with her, who knows if my matchmaking turns into a courtship of my sis 😅🥰. Time will tell. But do love spending time with her. Not to mention, one of the trainers there I think likes me. He is quite cute, like a mix of Mark Wahlberg and Channing Tatum 😍😛.

Ahhh moving along, dearest Mother. Countess Alcina Dimitrescu. She’s done pretty good for herself. A huge owner of a very wealthy wine production company she inherited from my grandfather who started it all back in Romania, then immigrated to New York. It’s gone quite huge. Now she runs the business. Outside that, and her pretty hot temper, want to kill her brother my uncle, and a little snooty sometimes 🙄, she’s really the coolest mom, and loves all of us just as much. Gets quite scared for us versus the “big apple, so full of scandalous and disgusting cruel men.” But knows we are all doing what we love doing. I can’t tell you she almost stroked out, when I dawned the NYPD shield. But here we are at some of her fav restaurants near the real business end of NYC. The meal was great, pay a mortgage for some small chicken salad, when I could pay two bills and get a nice burger. Oh well. By the way don’t tell mom, but her dog Molly…ugh I hate that dog! 😡🤫😶

And here he issss…me and my uncle Heisenberg. You need it and he’ll fix it, doesn’t matter how long it takes, he’ll do it. How to describe to anyone who meets my dear uncle. Well….he’s loud, vulgar, and isn’t afraid to speak his mind. But he’s a genius when it comes to fixing anything..including cars, trucks, bikes, and a niece’s broken heart with his humour. Has really helped me with our time spent getting through some my toughest days whether me with things I saw or did at work or family issues. Mother does not get along the best with him, and doesn’t know much. On my grad night, after the ceremony, I snuck off to his mechanic shop and I celebrated with him and got drunk well underage so shhhh…def got me liking a cold Budweiser though these days after a hard day of work 😂🍻.

PS: that beauty of a Mustang he really fixed up, said he’d give it to one of us sisters in his will, said may try Dani…that happens I’ll make sure the city is alerted to the crazy red head on the roads in the red mustang…😅😂

Ahh my uncle Moreau….really is something he is. He’s been an Emergency Physician in NYC for years. I’ve seen many of my coworkers, suspects, and victims end up just so safe in his hands. He’s such a sweet heart too, despite it’s been years since he’s last spoke to his mother. A woman who was such a cruel bitch over the years. They had a break down many years ago. Don’t know too many details but he seems to be doing okay. And just such a sweet good heart. Here we are lunching and talking about many things, from med procedures to his team, the Yankees 🧢. Even gone to a couple games together. Loves all of his nieces the same, ya old big lug.

My aunt Donna, can be quite at times…unusual but she runs an incredible herbal medicine shop, that draws in a lot of people from the city. Times did get tough both during Covid and some asshole that burned her shop down a few months after. She had a major mental breakdown after that, and didn’t trust too many people. But her strength along with me, Cass and Dani’s help plus her daughter, Angie got her back on her feet. She loves her doll making business on the side and has made some insane projects happen especially donating to the sick kids hospital. And her garden is her other treasure room, we both find the time to share and help with. Plus an amazing view of the city.

And speaking of incredible. If this little one 🤭, ever suits up with the NYPD, I swear she could take the whole amount of crime out of this city. Angie is one one smart cookie. She loves Cass and Dani, but I’m the top fav auntie on the list 😁. Here we are, I’m babysitting dear Angie, while Aunt Donna makes it to her third date with another neighboring florist owner too GO AUNT DONNA GIRL 🤘. I’m the fav cause when I watch her I do…break some rules. Late night video games, and release the hidden stash of treats. And ya…I’m screaming during our playing of Resident Evil Remaster because….i….hate….spiders….and I would rather deal with some drunken junkie puking on my shoes in 99 degree heat in some smelly alley, than…spiders 😭😵…

Yes that’s about with me and my family. But I’m gonna level with you all. I love them all deeply, and I also miss….dad.

And I do this everyday, on or off duty.

Rain or shine. Night or day.

I stop at a small flower shop near where ground zero was. And I buy one rose. Then I make my way, and have my time…alone.

I lay a single rose, where the south tower went down that fateful day of 9/11.

Growing up, he was really just the most incredible person ever. Tough, inspirational, resilient, and just so warm with love.

He and mom were just so deeply good to one another, and me growing up. Even after he and mom married, and he became the chief accountant for mom’s business in the World Trade Centre. Those years it seemed so good, but things got rough and they eventually divorced just after mom had Cass.

I never stopped loving him though. My best memories was going to see mom accompanied by my nanny when she worked. But if she got too busy, then dad would spend time with me at the south tower.

We’d go up to the very top of it, where you could see everything. A lot of the time we went and there weren’t many, if any anyone at all. Just me and dad. You felt completely at the top of the world in the moment. And we’d often talk about life and its choices to make. Just such good words and laughs, ya know family time.

After the divorce, they weren’t all that close, but weren’t all that separated either.

I still remember our last meal though, lunched in the concourse, then back up, mom was with us too. We didn’t say a word, just all stood and stared out in the distance not knowing what tomorrow may bring. That was the last time we were together as a family with mom holding little Cassie looking out in that distance too.

Then the next day, September 11 happened.

The world and mine stopped that day.

I just shut down after we found out dad didn’t get out of the building. And when it collapsed the way it did, I sure felt that way too.

I couldn’t cry, eat, sleep, or anything for months. Until I completely broke out and down in uncle Heisie’s arms for hours after the one night Dani was born, my dad’s last gift and thank you of love to all of us.

In those months and years, mom was hit really hard too. One time before I went off to college, the day while I was still recuperating from my “lovely secret celebration out 🤫” Mother told me she wished she gave dad all the love they could have, and she wished she didn’t accuse him of having an affair with some corporate exec woman, which wasn’t true. But the damage was done. And how she wished she gave them another chance, but it was too late. Ohhh mom, dad will remember because deep down he knows as much as I do. You loved him so deeply. 🥺😢😭.

Since then, the family has helped so much with how close and the strength we give each other.

Mom and dad sure have gave me that over those years growing up into the person I am today, and in turn to want to I guess keep and help those show it too, than become so mindless and cruel. Hence why I became a cop.

I use their strength to push when I have my darkest days and wanna pull my hair out.

But all of them do help me, and I try even when I face people who wanna stab, shoot, spit, puke, piss and other fun stuff to me.

So here I am, Officer Bela Dimitrescu of the NYPD. For you dad, mom, Cass and Dani, uncle Heisenberg and Moreau, Aunt Donna and Angie. Love all of you.🥰😘❤️💕

Many thanks for the likes….ya a lot of it I made up, and still working if I’m gonna fanfic it. Lemme know. Thank you anyways for your support folks. Bless and love ❤️

[wait----------what]

Ooook so its kinda been. . . a while since I did this cause my save file got corrupted n I had to start all over (plus I had no idea how to use offline mode at the time n I was on a plane/in a car for like, gods like atleast 48 hours over those 10 days oof

ANYWAYS I'm back on my bull shit :D

- I actually listened to instructions for once in the openin get-to-know-the-controls bit n boris is right there!! like yeah he's there for like less than a second, but still! idc if its not, imma call tbay fucker buddy, I gotta hope that he's alive in atleast this cycle

- while back tracking i figured out the wee button puzzle and Oh My Fuck. THERE'S A DND REFERENCE!!! :D

the lil mini figs look so cute!

the character sheets? Oooooh they've got thay lil bit of foreshadowing spice with bendy inventory; the thick ink for alice bein a hint to malice is a nice touch; and boris has the bone henry gave him :)

Also the classes?? Bendy=fighter,Boris = wizard, Alice = cleric works pretty well given that one of bendy's moves is beast mode gods all of that wee board feels like a nod to chapter 5 in batim, mabey henry was the dm? who knows, all i know is I've now got more fanfic fodder to write

the fact that whoever rolled last got a nat 20 is amazing, shame about the guy bludgeoning his face in the background tho

- surprisingly the skittery mother fuckers are some how WORSE the second time like wtf??? I know what to do with them now can't ya just feckin die!?

- so apparent bertie is still kickin, or well his giant ass head is just sat in a random room i found when lookin for power ups

- the bit between audrey n betty (I think that was her name?) when you have to get the fish, sorry, Harold for the sleepin thingy is just so funny to me like, she's been caught in the act like a cat trnna eat the family gold fish

- I knew it was comin, I KNEW it was comin but somehow malice showin up scared me worse than when the ink demon would randomly announce itself

- the difference in the way malice treats audrey compared to henry is fuckin hilarious, like she's given an actually fun wee riddle, and look at how close she's gettin!

- ooh the pet names too - honey, baby gods im starting to see why people simped for her

- who tf let her near the tommy gun?? like really, henry couldn't keep his ax or lookin glass and we couldn't keep the pipe, but a fuckin machine gun is fine??

- ooof thay scene with aliceson n malice was so nice, like yea she's dead now but thay was such a sweet moment!

-hey we went from one angle with a Tommy gun to another, let's hope this ends just a teeny bit better

- YOU CAN PET TOM. I REPEAT, THOMAS FUCKIN CONNOR LETS YOU SCRATCH HIS FLUFFY EARS

- I never thought I would ever have anything to say about the leave me for dead duo but here we are I geuss

welp thats all from me for now cause it's, eesh past midnight n I've got a test in the mornin too yikes, that all for now folks

OK this is stupid late for me rn

but I was playin batdr earlier (first time getting further in that ch1) n was wanderin about seein all the cool details n shit. . .

was no one gonna tell me they all wear santa hats on christmas???

like its super fuckin hard to concentrate on the 'oooh spooky horror game' thing when the santa hat dosent fit on the ink demon properly so it has to wear it over one horn

I mean the hymn playin in the background in ch1 - either silent night or somethin like that- is super fuckin creepy I'll give it that, especially seein as I couldn't quite place where I'd heard it before (idk if it goes on any longer than that im just after meeting porter)

side note, Porter is such a sweet precious boy I've only known him for 2 min and I will die for him

[mimagines]

|| New Objective || Connor x Chloe Post Revolution

After the revolution is won, Connor and his girlfriend, Chloe, had discussed the possibility of adopting a human child. Chloe really wants to be a mother but Connor is a little nervous considering his nature. On a windy day in autumn, Connor finally meets his daughter.

No Warnings

Chloe x Connor

Word Count: 924

Connor had never waited for something this intensely through his entire existence. It felt like time was ticking by slowly, seconds feeling like minutes, minutes feeling like hours and hours feeling like days. The environment of Lieutenant Anderson’s house helped calm him, but not by much. 

He should’ve been happy; the revolution was won, he was free. Markus was out doing what needed to be done, ensuring not only that their kind wasn’t enslaved to humans, but that they had the same quality of life as them as well. This included marriage, but more importantly, adoption. 

Chloe had spoken about wanting to be a mother since before he could remember. When he’d snuck out to see her, going up to her window past the DPD’s hours just to see her smile, to hear her talk about her dreams. She’d talk about how she would see families on the TV while Elijah was watching it…and how she wondered if she could do that someday. 

Back then, he assumed he was investigating deviants, not falling in love.

Even when he deviated, becoming a father was not something he’d planned on doing. He’d never had a connection to parenthood, his only tie being that his partner had once been one. But seeing how Hank’ face shifted when he spoke about Cole, past the grief…he couldn’t help but wonder…

His thoughts were interrupted by Sumo barking softly, perching his paws up by the front door window to see a taxi stopping in front of the house. 

Connor immediately looked up, his body tensing and his stress levels increasing. 

“That must be your girl, Connor.” Hank echoed from the kitchen. 

The androids eyes narrowed as he stood up from the couch, seeing a blonde figure walk up to the door carrying something in her left hand.

The door opened, the first thing Connor noticed was Chloe’s smile. She was glowing.  

“Special delivery for the Andersons!” She exclaimed softly yet excitedly, as try not to wake the small human in the carrier. She closed the door behind her and moved over to the couch, setting the carrier down and sitting beside it. 

Connor looked almost too shocked to move.

Was he scared of what was in that carrier? 

Hank noticed this, getting up and standing by them to mostly make sure Connor was alright. 

“Well? Are you gonna say hi or just stare at it?” He joked.

That appeared to snap Connor out of his staring fit. He couldn’t help it; overanalyzing a situation is what he was programmed to do, and it was official. That was definitely a human baby. Female, 48 hours old. Healthy, thankfully…

He knelt down in front of the couch, right by Chloe's legs to look the child over. It was sleeping, and as careful as he was being, a part of him feared waking her up. 

“Hello, little one,” He spoke softly, under a whisper. Chloe smiled; seeing Connor this vulnerable was a rare sight. He was always on edge, especially after the revolution had been won, always fearful that Cyberlife was somehow watching them.

He slipped his finger into her little hand and the baby started to coo and whine, causing him to look up at Chloe for confirmation that what he was doing was correct. She just nodded and ruffled his hair a little. He was doing well considering how nervous he was. 

Glancing back to the baby, he forced his voice to work again. “I’m Connor…” he introduced. Chloe laughed a little, knowing his discombobulation was probably getting in the way of his speech processors. 

“Dad. You’re Dad.” She corrected him. 

Connor nodded, as if that’s what he meant all along. 

“Right. I’m dad.”

Neither of them were focusing on him, but Hank had this proud little smile on his lips. That changed when Connor looked up at him, eyebrows furrowed just slightly. 

“You’re sure you’re alright with us using his room…?” he asked to confirm. 

Hank shrugged then stuffed his hands in his jacket pockets. “Nobody’s usin’ it now…and I think he’d want me to.” He said, in reference to his late son. It was a lot for him to finally let go of that room, being frozen in time for years…

Connor looked back at the baby, who had opened her eyes at this point. 

“Hi…”

The little girl whined a little and Connor leaned back, taking his hand back as well. “Please don’t cry-..” he uttered, begging the baby.

Chloe smiled again, a laugh escaping. “She’s gonna cry, Connor, that’s just what babies do.”

Connor looked concerned.

“Did I hurt her?”

“No, Connor, you didn’t hurt her. I promise. She’s just confused because her world used to be very small..”

That was a big fear when Connor and Chloe were discussing adoption. Connor kept bringing it up, time after time; he was designed to kill. To hunt. He wasn’t like other androids who knew how to care for children, that simply wasn’t in his code, he said. He was terrified that he would accidentally crush such a precious creature without meaning to. Chloe reassured him that he wouldn’t hurt her, and that even though he wasn’t made for it, fathering would come easy to him. Besides…falling in love wasn’t in his program either, but that didn’t stop him before. 

The hunter nodded, holding the baby's tiny hand again. She seemed to relax again and a sense of calm washed over him. He wouldn’t hurt her. He would never hurt her.

[[ NEW OBJECTIVE: PROTECT JANNY ]]

[phoenixblack89]

Secret Crushes II : Trees and Tongues

So here it is the sequel to Secret Crushes. I got struck by inspiration earlier and just had to get it down straight away!

Warnings! - public sex, annoying siblings, strong language and delicious smut.

PART 1 Part 3

My wonderful lovelies - @autocon23 @fandomsaremykryponite @writingdeadangel @lilythemadqueen @boondoctorwho @darylsgirl @browneyes528

Letting out a yawn, you stretched and raised your arms over your head, smiling slightly as you recalled the events of the previous night.

You had sex with Murphy goddamn MacManus!

You still could barely believe it. He'd been so sweet and understanding when you had cried on his shoulder then there were his kisses that set a fire rushing through you you had never experienced before. And his hands! And his tongue against your skin! 

Oh my god!

You shook your head as you pushed your way out of bed to have a quick shower before dressing for school. You bit your lip as you climbed into the shower, wondering if he'd talk to you at school or if he'd even acknowledge you in the slightest.

But then again, Sara was fucking his brother, the bitch, so maybe he would.

You still had a smile on your face as you skipped down the stairs and grabbed some breakfast, scowling slightly at the mess left over from the party. Your sister was so gonna get in trouble when your parents came home today. Sara grumbled as she joined you in the kitchen and started the coffee maker.

"Lil sis."

"Yea?" You answered, rolling your eyes behind her back.

"What's this?"

"Huh?"

Your eyes widened slightly as she tossed a belt onto the table. The buckle clanged loudly and Sara crossed her arms, smirking.

"If you can't tell what a belt is Sara, you might wanna go back to nursery school." You laughed, worrying inside if she was trying to somehow get you back for the interruption last night. Hell, it could be one of your dad's for all you knew. "It's dad's belt Sara. What's the issue?"

"If it's dad's belt then how did it 1. Get into the woods. And 2. Why’s it engraved with the initials MM?" She smirked, crossing her arms across her chest smugly.

"Fuck." You sigh quietly, leaning closer and sure enough there on the plain silver buckle were the letters MM.

Shit you thought He must not of remembered when you'd tossed it carelessly to the side in the rush to get dressed when his twin was about to come across you.

"Someone must of had fun last night in the woods. Why you asking me?" You asked, shrugging your shoulders.

"I know you came out of those woods with Murphy and Connor last night. Y/N... Please say you didn't sleep with that arsehole!"

"How fuckin dare you lecture me on who I can and can't sleep with!? And if he's an arsehole, what's that make Connor huh? You didn't seem to mind him filling ya hole!" You snapped, fists balling tightly.

"That's different and you know it!"

You scoff and grab your bag, storming out the back door and up the drive. Sara followed slightly behind you calling your name but you ignored her.

"Good morning lass!"

You paused at the gate and looked up into the blue eyes of Connor, who was smiling widely. You gave a slight twitch of your lips in reply and pulled the gate open as Murphy raised his hand in greeting from behind his brother. Your sister gave a girly giggle as she caught up with you and wrap her hands behind Connor's neck, pulling him into a long kiss. You glanced at Murphy, his eyes burning into yours. You felt yourself heating up and bit your lip.

"Oh Murphy! You left this last night. Found it out by the creek in the woods behind the barn." Sara laughed, tossing the belt towards the darker twin as she pulled away from Connor. Connor gave a snort as Murphy caught the belt and frowned. "Didn't take you for the love 'em and leave' em type. Must of been in quite the hurry to forget your belt."

"Erm..." Murphy stuttered, his cheeks bright red. You paled and glared at your sister as she pulled Connor down the lane towards the town. Murphy quickly stuffed the belt into his bag and waited for you to start walking.

You trailed behind your sister and Connor, keeping your eyes downwards as the pair began shamelessly flirting and kissing and generally being all lovey dovey. You felt your anger rising towards your sister as well as a flare of jealousy. Murphy bit his lip and glanced at the older siblings in front of him before making up his mind.

You gave a slight squeak as he grabbed your hand and pulled you to the side of the road, smirking at Connor as he looked back over his shoulder; who gave a chuckle and a returning smirk, and pulled you into the woods edging along the side.

You gave a sharp gasp as he pushed you up against a tree after a few minutes of wandering deeper into the woods. His hands found your hips as he leaned his head against yours.

"Murphy... We'll be late for school..." You sighed breathlessly as your chest heaved in excitement. His eyes glowed with desire as he closed the distance between you to smash his lips against yours. You gulped and kissed him back just as frantically, your hands gripping onto his biceps tightly.

You gasped as his lips lay a burning path along your jaw and found the hickey from last night and began licking and biting at it once more, darkening it from a pale purple to an almost black hue against your skin. You moaned as his fingers dipped under your skirt and ran along your thighs.

"Murphy!"

"Yea beautiful?" He replied, the fingers of his other hand toying with the buttons of your blouse and slowly opening them for his wandering mouth. "Ye taste like heaven..."

"We... We... Oh god...." You shivered as his tongue began working a nipple through the soft fabric of your bra, grazing his teeth over the sensitive bud. Your hips thrust against his hand involuntarily in want.

You felt him smirk against your chest as he lowered himself to his knees. You glanced down at him and he smirked before flipping your skirt up over his head and tugged your panties down to your ankles.

"Murphy... What are you doing?!" You gasp in shock, feeling his breath ghost over your core heavily.

"Told ye last night. Was gonna eat ye when I next saw ye."

"Holy SHIT!" You shriek as his tongue brushed lightly over your clit, hands flying to grab his head as he begins to lightly flick his tongue. You groaned and panted heavily, his hand gripped your hip tightly as you try to squirm away from the overwhelming sensations.

Murphy gave a gentle chuckle deep in his throat and cupped your sex gently, feeling how slick you were becoming from his tongue alone before slowly pushing a single finger into your core. His lips wrapped tightly around your clit and began sucking and tugging on it as his finger thrust in and out slowly. You gave a quiet moan, teeth digging into your lip as pleasure began to coil in your stomach. You felt Murphy smirk around your clit as he thrust another finger into you and curled them in a beckoning motion.

Your eyes rolled back as the pleasant feeling doubled inside you and your hands grabbed tighter onto his shaggy, dark hair. Your breaths came out in pants as he worked you with his mouth and tongue, head flung back against the bark of the tree behind you.

Murphy hummed deeply as your thighs began to quiver around his head and he raised one of them to his shoulder and wrapped it around his neck. The new angle allowing him to plunge his fingers into you deeper, hitting that spot that made you see stars.

You gave a loud groan as your nails scraped against Murphy's scalp and your hips began thrusting against his face.

"Oh God! M- M- Murphy! Please..." You gasped, sweat trickling down your neck, you were so very close.

"Cum fer me, auriolus... That's it." He whispered, his hot breath blowing over your sensitive spot before he resumed his attention to your swollen clit. A few strong licks and sucks had you melting against him as wave after wave of orgasmic bliss rushed over you. Your chest heaved as your heart raced, your breaths heavy and body feeling totally relaxed and tingly.

Murphy gave a soft sweet kiss to your clit as he pulled away. You glanced down and gave him a lazy smile, his chin glistening with your slick. He smirked as he pulled your leg from his shoulder and stood slowly. His eyes dark with lust and gave you a deep kiss. You could taste yourself on his lips and tongue.

A strange tangy taste. Not unpleasant but not something you could see yourself loving.

You both panted as you pulled away.

"Murphy... Please, I..."

"Y/N!? MURPHY?! WHERE YOU TWO GO!?" Your sister yelled, sounding distinctly enraged.

Murphy knelt quickly and pulled your panties back up and brushed down your skirt as you buttoned your blouse up. Your sister and Connor's footsteps growing closer to you. Murphy wiped his chin and fluffed his hair lightly before pulling you into a hug and kissing your neck sweetly.

"Seriously man! This is the second time I found ye in the woods together!" Connor sighed, stopping behind you. Your eyes met his and you did not quite understand the look in them. Something dark and almost angry as he glanced up and down your figure, taking in your mussed, stuck up hair and flushed face, the slightly awkward grip you had on his brother's bicep, the reddened skin along your neck where Murphy has been sucking and nipping at your skin moments ago. You averted your gaze as your cheeks blushed a deep red, chewing on your lip nervously.

"Fuck’s sake Con! Can't I have a few minutes to do summit fer a friend?"

"Friends don't fuck each other Murphy MacManus! You keep your hands off my baby sister!" Sara interrupted, grabbing you and pulling you away from the darker twin and out of the woods. "I TOLD you to stay away from him. He's not a good guy Y/N."

"Fuck off Sara. Don't try the big sister routine with me when you're fucking his twin." You snap back, storming away towards the school in the distance, her and the twins voices calling after you as you ran.

Trust your sister to ruin your mood. 

Today was going to be one of those days.

[cali-holland]

Teenage Love Story, Part Five- S.M.

Pairing: Shawn Mendes X Reader

Prompt: Shawn writes his own version of "Lover” for you, a.k.a an extension of part four mainly from Shawn’s point of view.

Word Count: 2500

Previous Parts: Teaser   One   Two   Three   Four

Warnings: lil bit of sexual jokes if you squint

Based on: Lover (Remix) by Taylor Swift ft. Shawn Mendes

A/N: Here’s the fifth part no one expected six months later...

~~~

August 2019

Shawn couldn’t help himself as he paced nervously in his hotel room. He had just finished his show in Boston, and he should be filled with exhilarating adrenaline; instead, he was overcome by nerves. 

He found himself in a catch 22 of sorts- Taylor had just released a new song, Lover, and he knew that you wrote a good amount of that track, but he missed you and he knew the song would only make the pain in his heart grow. He couldn’t decide if he wanted to listen to it, if he could even bring himself to listen to it. It was supposed to be your song, your love ballad to him; and he knew it must be good if Taylor released it as a single. Who was he kidding- he thought every song you wrote was good.

“It’s just a song.” Shawn whispered to himself as he played with the phone in his hands, “I’ve listened to all of Y/N’s songs. This isn’t any different.” He kept talking to himself, shaking his head as he tried to reach a decision. “That’s it. I’m going to do it.”

Sighing, he laid down on the bed and opened up Spotify. Of course, it was advertised at the top of his phone: “Taylor Swift’s new single, Lover, out now”. He began the song and listened intently.

“We could leave the Christmas lights up ‘til January,

This our place, we make the rules,

And there’s a dazzling haze, a mysterious way about you, dear,

Have I known you twenty seconds or twenty years?” Shawn let out a heartbroken laugh, remembering back to that day that he first read through your journal. He knew it was private, but he just desperately wanted to know. That was the day he gave you that promise ring and promised to always be yours. 

As the song continued on, Shawn felt his eyes begin to sting with tears. Defeated, he stared up at the ceiling, longing to hold you again.

“And I’m highly suspicious that everyone who sees you wants you,

I’ve loved your three summers now, honey, but I want ‘em all,” He didn’t need to even think about whether it was you or Taylor who wrote that line; he knew it was you. He saw that in your journal as well, and he had told himself he wanted all of your summers too; yet, here he was, spending his first summer without you in years.

As the song ended, Shawn put it on repeat and just stayed there, crying alone in his hotel room. If anyone were to walk in, he doubted that he could even bring himself to be embarrassed of his current; his head was filled with thoughts of you. He just wanted you and only you.

He wiped away his tears and looked at his phone clearly for the first time since he first heard the song. Spotify had credited you as a co-writer of the song. Shawn smiled fondly, glad that you finally took credit for your song-writing talent. He found himself reading over your past text messages to each other from all those months ago. You were so in love back then. He wanted to reach out, to tell you he loved the song, to say that he was proud of you, to apologize for hurting you.

But he couldn’t. He thought maybe you had moved on, maybe you had found someone better than him. He knew that you deserve the best and he highly doubted that he was the best for you.

Abandoning his hopeless scroll through the text messages, he began to go through his photos. He didn’t think it would make him feel any better, but that bittersweet feeling of reminiscing was all he could get at that moment. Photos of your time together was the closest he could get to you.

He had an album titled “Lover” that he had started while you were still together. While the pictures and videos were all out of order, he still admired it. You found it cheesy but embarrassing as he had some pretty questionable photos of you saved in there. You’d never admit it to him, but you adored it.

The very first picture was the first one of the two of you. It was of you two backstage of the 1989 tour; you were sat in Shawn’s lap and he had his hands over yours as he showed you how to play one of his songs on guitar. Taylor had taken that picture, and she was so proud of her matchmaking work. At that point, you and Shawn had been dating for a little under a month. He loved that photo so much that it was still framed on the wall in his house.

One of his favorite photos was of the two of you dressed as Jack and Rose from The Titanic for Halloween, when Shawn managed to come visit you for the holiday while you were away at college. You had both agreed to do a couple’s costume, and the idea of using The Titanic came from a movie marathon the night before. You watched everything from that to Dirty Dancing to Mamma Mia. Shawn felt himself starting to blush thinking back to that night- you two definitely focused more on each other than the actual movies. 

Next, he found a video from your three year anniversary when he surprised you with a candle lit dinner. As if that wasn’t romantic enough, the two of you danced around in the kitchen all night. Shawn had taken a short video of you singing “Let’s Get It On” to him, “C’mon baby, let your love come out, if you believe in love, let’s get it on”. He dropped his video at the end because you pulled him in for a heated kiss, and in that moment he couldn’t care less about his phone. 

His favorite picture of the two of you came up next. It was a simple photograph of Shawn kissing outside of your college townhouse. Sitting on the top step of the stoop, you were looking down at Shawn, who was sitting between your legs. He remembered it was definitely an awkward angle for a kiss, as his head was practically upside down, but that was one of the moments in which wanting to kiss you outweighed all other discomforts. Connor had taken that picture of the two of you, and Shawn kept it as his phone lock screen until you broke up. 

Following a string of goofy selfies taken between you two, Shawn found a video of you. You had secretly recorded it on his phone before he left for tour, knowing that he’d find it under his special photo album.

“Hey, honey,” You smiled into the camera, “If you’ve found this video, that means you’re going through old pictures of us and you’re missing me. I’m missing you too. I don’t know where you’ll be when you see this, but have a great time on tour. I’m sorry I couldn’t join you, just don’t go getting yourself any groupies,” You teased, “I’m counting down the days until I get to see you again. I love you, Shawn.” You blew a kiss into the camera before the video ended.

He let out a shaky breath and set his phone aside. Sniffling, he went and grabbed his guitar, deciding he should probably take some time to work out his feelings, rather than just wallowing in his self-pity.

No matter what melody he attempted to play, he just came back to the chords of “Lover”. Shawn ran a hand through his hair and began to play the song to himself.

“We could light a bunch of candles,

And dance around the kitchen, baby,

Pictures of when we were young would hang on the wall,

We would sit on the stoop,

I’ll sing love songs to you when we’re eighty,

See, I finally got you now, honey, I won’t let you fall,” He paused, realizing the lyrics weren’t the words you had written. Quickly grabbing his notebook, Shawn wrote down the lyrics, wanting to hold onto them in case some opportunity presented itself to use them later on. He continued playing, using your lyrics for inspiration,

“Look in my eyes, they will tell you the truth,

The girl in my story has always been you

I’d go down with the Titanic, it’s true, for you, lover,”

Shawn added the new lyrics into his journal, his fingers tracing the words. He set aside the guitar and journal, knowing it was probably well past time for him to go to sleep. With an early flight tomorrow morning and the alarm clock informing him that it was now 1 AM, he decided it would be a good idea to get some rest. Lying down in bed, Shawn drifted off to sleep with thoughts of you.

~~~

November 2019

Making his way through the busy airport, Shawn was the happiest he had been in a long while. A large smile grew on his face as he saw you waiting for him by the baggage claim. He ran up to you and engulfed you in a large hug. Holding you tightly, he spun you around as you laughed.

“God, I’ve missed you so much.” Shawn said, setting you down and keeping his arms around your waist.

“I’ve missed you too.” You barely managed to get your words out before he kissed you passionately. You let out a small moan and pulled away from the kiss for a moment, “Shawn, paparazzi.”

“I think I’m completely justified in kissing my girlfriend.” He stated, letting go of your hips to hold your hand.

“You are, but I’d rather not give the paparazzi exactly what they want.” You teased.

“Don’t act like you didn’t enjoy it.” Shawn joked with a wink, pressing a quick kiss to your cheek. Soon enough, the bags began to surface from the plane, and Shawn grabbed his luggage, ready to leave the airport. You held tightly onto Shawn’s hand as you left the airport, escorted by Shawn’s small security team through the swarm of paparazzi. 

Once back in the safety of your townhouse, you and Shawn found yourselves cuddling on your bed as Shawn was exhausted from his day of traveling. With your head resting on his chest, you listened to the sound of his heartbeat; his hands trailed up and down your back soothingly. The serene moment was disrupted by Shawn’s phone ringing.

“Needed already?” You teased as he shuffled slightly underneath you to answer his phone.

“They never let me rest.” Shawn joked, answering the call. You shifted to rest your head on his bicep so it’d be easier for him to speak. “Hello?”

“Hey, Shawn,” Your ears perked up from hearing your sister’s voice on the other line. Shawn looked down at you as you raised your eyebrows questioningly at him.

“Taylor, what’s up?” He asked, trying to inconspicuously turn down the volume. You felt his heartbeat speed up and you knew he was trying to hide something about the phone call from you. You couldn’t make out what your sister told him, but he replied back with a few ‘yeah's' and ‘that’d be incredible’. He hung up the phone and peered over at you, as you watched him expectantly.

“So, what did Taylor want?” You questioned.

“We may or may not have made a collaboration.” Shawn replied.

“Really?” You asked.

“Yep.” He nodded, his fingers finding yours. He was nervous about something, which only made you more curious. You were about to press further, when his stomach let out a large growl.

“Have you not eaten at all today or something?”

“I think I had a bagel mid-flight.” Shawn said. You sat up and pulled him up with you.

“You need to eat, come on.” You stated, now distracted by making sure your boyfriend was fed. As you got him together some leftovers for lunch, he began to play music. You let out a laugh as Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” began to play.

“Remember when I surprised you for our three year?” Shawn asked, his hands on your hips as he swayed softly to the music. He began to press light kisses to your neck.

“Remember how you almost burned your hand with a candle?” You teased.

“Hm, I must’ve blocked that out.” He laughed, giving you a kiss on your lips before going back to focusing on your neck.

“Shawn, why are you being so touchy, right now?” You couldn’t stop yourself from letting out a giggle as his stubble tickled your sensitive neck.

“I just really love you.” He replied.

“I love you too, Shawn.” You lightly pushed him away as the microwave finished. You handed him his plate of food, telling him to eat. He ate the food so quickly, you would have thought that he hadn’t eaten in a week.

“So, what’s this collaboration with Taylor all about? I hope you know that you’re an awful liar.” You said.

“Well, I wanted to surprise you.” Shawn answered, “But I have a feeling you won’t let this drop.” “You know me so well.” You smiled.

“Come here,” Shawn led you to your living room and you sat on the couch while he grabbed one of your guitars. He went into ‘performance mode’, as you liked to call it. He teased, “I’d like to dedicate this next song to my lover.”

You laughed and clapped along in encouragement. You softly smiled as he began to play the beginning of “Lover”. He sang the first verse, and you grew a little confused; he was simply singing your song. As much as you loved it, it felt like a cover. That was until he got to the second verse. You felt overwhelmed with emotions as he adjusted the lyrics to fit with his own memories of your relationship. By the end of the song, you had tears in your eyes, feeling nothing but love for your boyfriend.

“Did you like it?” Shawn asked, putting down the guitar.

“I love it.” You smiled, pulling him in for a kiss. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too. I’m so glad you like it. I was nervous because you already made the song so perfect. I wanted to write you my own love letter through it. You deserve the best, so that’s all I could hope for.” You cut him off with another kiss, effectively stopping his worried rambling.

“That’s the most thoughtful, beautiful thing anyone has ever done for me. And Shawn, you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me too.” It was then that Shawn true happiness, in the arms of you, his lover.

[brashierc]

Baby Brash

July 13th, his 20th birthday. That night was the reason why you were here today. If that night wouldn’t have happened you wouldn’t have peed on a stick this morning, it wouldn’t have been positive and you wouldn’t be sitting on the bed at your OBGYN’s clinic awaiting for her results. 

You’ve been best friends with Connor since you both were 7. That was 13 years of friendship. 13 years of listening to him go on about photography, 13 years of supporting him and his dreams no one else really supported when he first got started in high school. 

It was also 13 years of being asked how long you two had been in a relationship. 

Girls and boys can be best friends without falling in love. Or well, that’s what you always said to everyone when they asked. You’d been in love with Connor since you were 17, but you knew he’d never feel the same, so you kept that feeling pushed way back into your brain.

Connor was there for you through every boyfriend, just like you were for his girlfriends. The heartbreak and the first time discussions after the fact. 

“Alright,” The Doctor walks in after tapping on the wooden door with her knuckle twice. “So your positive was correct, you are pregnant.” 

You sighed, shoulders sinking. “Really?” 

“Yep, really really pregnant.” She smiles, handing you a few brochures. “Let’s go over your options.” 

You look up with wide eyes, horror running through your veins and emotions. 

“Let’s not, thanks Doc, but I’m already attached to this kid, and if you knew the Dad you would be too.” 

She smiles, nodding but telling you to take the brochures just in case. 

She refers you to one of her colleagues who’s an Obstetrician with her practice and can take you through your pregnancy and birth. 

You take the information she gave you and leave with a small smile and a polite wave goodbye to her front office receptionist. Once you’re back in your car you let the new totally settle in. 

You were having a baby, with Connor, at age 19 and 20. Super cool. 

On Connor’s birthday everything went a little crazy. Shawn threw a rager, wanting to celebrate his newest addition to his team, and his friend who was turning the big 2 0. He flew you out to where they were so you could be there to celebrate and surprise Connor.

Everyone went a little crazy, everyone. 

Brian was so blacked out that he took Alessia back to his room with him, forgot that he invited her in, and called Shawn from the bathroom freaking out that she’d followed him home. (Even though we were all in the same hotel) 

Shawn was the only one that didn’t go hard. Knowing he had shows and other obligations like filming music videos and meeting up with Chance the Rapper. He supervised, and not well, but had a blast watching everyone be stupid and make fools of themselves. 

Connor was a clingy needy drunk, so throughout the night he just became more and more glued to your side. He hadn’t seen you in months, and missed you so much. It all started when he wanted to dance to the slow songs with you, hands on your hips, holding you close. You fell into his embrace, missing being held in such a way, and feeling so safe with Connor. He planted a few kisses to your neck, and one just behind your ear learning very quickly that that was your weak spot. 

After you let out a shaky moan of his name, tucking your fingers into his hair, you were a goner. You both quickly found your way back to his room, falling on the bed nakedly exploring the other between the sheets. 

By morning? You both swore to never speak of it again, pretend like nothing happened, and move on. Everything was normal, it literally was like nothing happened. He still picked on you, you still gave him shit in front of the guys, but you both were still there for the other in ways no one else could be. 

You clicked on his contact; ‘Bri’s lil bitch C David Brash” 

Brian really changed Connor’s name in your phone to the best thing you’d ever seen, you wouldn’t dare change it. 

“Whattup?” He answered on the third ring, and suddenly, you’re emotional. 

“Hey,” You choke out, looking around trying to distract your brain.

“What’s wrong?” His side of the phone shuffles, and becomes marginally quieter.

“Nothing,” You whisper, “What are you doing?”

“I’m talking to you, tell me what’s wrong?” 

“It’s nothing Con.” 

“You’re upset though, I can hear it.” 

“When do you come home again?” 

“I come home next week, I have to meet my counselor and then register for classes. I get into town on Monday, and I leave Friday.” 

You nod, knowing full well he can’t see you. “Can we meet on Monday?”

You need to tell him, and you won’t keep this a secret from him longer than you have too.

“Um yeah, I fly in at like 8, wanna meet for coffee and breakfast or something?” 

“Yeah perfect.” 

“Okay…..? Ready to tell me what’s wrong yet?” He asks.

You sigh, “I should let you go, you’re probably busy.” 

“No, hey,” He protests. “I wanna talk, I miss you.” 

You smile, insides running warm when you hear his voice say those words. “I miss you too Baby Brash.” 

You can hear him sigh and you can practically see him rolling his eyes. “So you watched the newest video?” 

“Of course I did, got your post notifications on.” 

“No you don’t.”

“No you’re right, I don’t, I have Shawn’s on.” 

At this he laughs, like a snort and everything and it makes you feel good, to be able to get him to laugh like that again, to hear that laugh. 

“Brashier, we gotta go!” Brian yells at him in the background.

“You’re literally standing behind me, why you gotta yell?” 

“Because I felt like pissing you off.” Brian snickers. “Who you on the phone with? Gots a girlyfriend?” Something must happen on Connor’s side of the phone because suddenly all you can hear is boys yelling. 

“Connor that’s the fourth girl you’ve been on the phone with today!” 

“There is no hot sex going on over here!”

“PASS THE WEED MAN!” 

“Shut the fuck up!” Connor’s voice is back, “Jesus it’s just Y/n, could you…?” 

“But we wanna say hi!” Shawn and Brian whine. 

You giggle and blush a little at the attention. 

Connor shuffles the phone, and then you can barely hear him, he’s really muffled but you make it out. “She’s upset about something, so could you fucking leave for a minute. I was getting her to talk and then you fuckers walked in.” A few seconds later and he’s back crystal clear. “Okay they left, you still there Honey?” 

“You didn’t need to kick them out.” 

“But I wanna talk to you.” 

“They just wanted to say hi.” 

“But you’re my best friend.” He whines, “They’d steal all your attention.” 

“You need to go, I’ll see you next week okay?” 

“Okay, love you kid.” He says softly.

“Love you too Brash.” 

**

He walks in, looking all nerdy cute, face down into his phone. 

iMessage from Bri’s lil bitch C David Brash: Im here where u is

“If you ever looked up from your phone you’d know I’m here too Bitch.” You say from your table, laughing when he jumps and looks over at you. 

“You scared the shit out of me.” He laughs, smiling really wide when you stand and give him a big hug. “Fuck I missed you Kid.” He sighs into your neck, letting your scent relax his stressed out mind.

“Missed you too.” 

 He takes the seat across from you, thanking you for the coffee you already had ordered and sat in front of his seat on the table. He takes a sip as you take a deep breath and shut your eyes to give yourself that last push of encouragement. 

“Connor?” 

“Yeah?” 

“I’m pregnant.” You blurt. 

It’s then that you realize your eyes are still closed, opening them one at a time to see his reaction. It’s comical almost, the sight of him, jaw dropped, eyes bugging, body frozen. 

You give it a moment, a second to really settle into his brain, you needed to do the same when you found out. Hell, you’re still doing that. 

He clears his throat, shakes his head a bit, but his eyes continue to flare out at you. 

“Excuse me?” He croaks. 

“I’m pregnant,” You nod, watching him nod with you. “And it’s yours.” 

He hums, and continues to stare at you. You take a sip of your decaf coffee, wincing at the weird taste. 

“Fuck man, I don’t know if I can handle 9 months of decaf, that shit is gross as hell.” 

This seems to snap Connor out of whatever daze he was in. 

“You’re being real right now?” He looks around, “Is Brian here filming me? Is this a prank or something? You got me, you got my reaction, turn it off now.” 

You sigh, worried he would think something like that. You just sit there, staring at him.

“You’re being real?!?” He says with persistence in his voice, leaning closer to you. 

“That night we swore to never speak of again? Well, we’ll be talking for at least the next 18 years.” You shrug.

He’s still in shock, just staring at you with a glazed over glance. You just nod and smile a little at him, trying to coax him through his shock.

“I-” He gapes, “Um, we...I...condom!” 

You giggle, shaking your head at him while rolling your eyes. “Really? That’s what you’re gonna do? Blurt ‘condom’ out like it’ll fix everything?” 

“But I used one!” He’s becoming defensive. Snapping at you in ways he’s done in the past when he’s stressed to the brim and can’t control his emotions. You can count the amount of times snapped at you on one hand. 

“They’re only 98% effective, if that, Connor. Or maybe it broke or something. It happened, and I’m pregnant.” 

“No! We can’t, a baby?” 

You take a deep breath, trying to tell yourself that he’s just in shock and that he’s gonna be happy about this, someday. He doesn’t mean the way he’s reacting right now. 

“How are you calm right now?” He asks in shrill. 

“I don’t know Connor, life happens. It’s not perfect but we’ll figure it out.” You shrug, raising your voice a little to match his level.

“Fucking shit,” He tugs at his hair, face grimancing as he groans. 

You sigh, grabbing your purse, collecting your phone and coffee and stand to leave. His head whips up when you stand, and he watches as you straighten out your shorts before starting to walk away.

“No, don’t go.” He pleads.

“Talk to me when this settles Connor. I can’t be here to watch you freak out. My hormones are all sorts of fucked up right now and I’m trying to stay positive about this whole thing but your reaction isn’t helping.” 

He gets up and follows you out of the coffee shop, racing to meet you at your car before you can leave. 

“Wait, talk to me, please.” He blocks your door so you can’t close it. 

You look up, tears in your eyes that tear his heart apart. “We really did turn into Ross and Rachel huh? Just like everyone said throughout high school. Except we won’t end up together, we’ll always be the Ross and Rachel before they got together.” 

He shakes his head, “I’m your lobster.”

**

Connor sits on your couch three days later. This was the first chance he’d been able to actually come over, any other conversations have been over the phone or text message since your meeting at the coffee shop. 

It’s kind of awkward, the both of you sitting in silence as you try to not bring up the elephant in the room. 

“I’m sorry,” You clear your throat, wincing as you lean forward and start this conversation. “I’m sorry that I up and left you on Monday. That wasn’t cool. I dropped a big ass bomb on you, something we would have never expected in a million years, and then just got up and left you alone. My hormones are whacked out right now but that’s not an excuse. So I’m sorry for being a shitty friend and making you go through that shock alone.” 

“Hey,” He shakes his head, turning towards you on the couch, scooting closer. “Don’t be sorry. I was kind of being a jackass. I shouldn’t have flipped out like that.” 

You sigh, smiling up at him. “I missed you, a lot.” 

His hand falls on top of yours, fingers intertwining. “I missed you so much, you have no idea.” He sighs, letting his eyes rake over you for a moment, imagining what you’ll look like with a baby bump. “How the hell am I supposed to leave for tour?” 

“Just go, I’m not due until May. You’ll be back in December, that’s plenty of time.” 

“You’re pregnant, I want to be here for appointments, picking out and setting up the crib, cravings, all of it!” 

You smile, reaching over and caressing his cheek. “Then talk to Shawn, sit down with Cez, explain it to Brian because he’ll lose his shit if you leave him without a solid reason behind it. We’ll figure it out, and make do.” You shrug.

He nods, leaning into your hand a little. “You always make everything better.” 

“That’s because I know you Connor David,” You tap his cheek twice, “I know how to handle you.” 

He grins, rolling his eyes before flopping back into the corner of your couch he’s claimed as his. “Have you told your mom yet?” He asks, throwing your fluffy white and black throw blanket over his lap. 

“No,” You sigh, kicking your feet up and relax across from him on your sectional. He smirks as you take a breath, reaching over and grabbing your feet to give you a foot massage. “What are you doing?” 

“Gotta get used to pampering you, might as well get a head start.” He murmurs. “Are you scared to tell your mom?”  

“I mean not really. It’s not the ideal situation I was hoping for when I thought about having kids. But like, I can’t complain. I’m honored to have your kid Con, I think I got lucky when it comes to the baby daddy part of this.” 

He tilts his head, looking over at you with a blush on his cheeks. 

“I guess you could say I got pretty lucky with the baby mama part.” He mutters, watching you from under his lashes, grinning when you roll your eyes and throw your head back to hide the apparent blush forming across your cheeks.

**

Your guest bedroom that once used to be your small library and office area has now been bombarded with camera gear, a full sized bed covered in basic grey sheets and a black comforter.

Connor spoke with Shawn and Cez the first chance he had when he got back to tour. He explained the situation, as awkward and unexpected it is, and expressed his need to be home more for you and his unborn child.

Both were very understanding to him and his needs, granting him a week off a month ensuring that he’d still be able to get enough footage but also time at home. It also gave Shawn and the crew a moment of peace and not having to worry about cameras so much, not that Connor is like the crazy paps. 

But now that Connor will be home once a month it made sense that he move into your spare room instead of having to stay with his parents or pay for a place he really wouldn’t see all that often. It was the perfect set up, to be there and help you when you need it. 

You two were still adjusting to living together, or with another human (of the different sex). 

You walked into the apartment from class, stopping short when the first thing you saw in your kitchen was Connor, in only his black Calvins.

“Bro,” You shield your eyes setting your backpack on your bar stool, “Can you wear pants?” 

Connor looks over at the sound of your voice, a slice of cheese between his fingers, munching on a bite. He looks down, and then back up to you holding a hand over your eyes. 

“I’m in boxers, I’m not naked.” 

“No one wants to see your dick though,” You shake your head, grinning as you say, “Been there, done that.” 

He chuckles, leaning closer to you and peeling your hands away from your eyes so you can see his smug smile. “You weren’t complaining then.” 

Your jaw drops and you blush as he raises an eyebrow at you. “Well,” You stutter, “I mean,” He smiles, getting the best reaction out of you. “Shut up, go put clothes on!” You smack his arm shooing him to his room. 

**

You both were getting really good and creative with ways to hiding your pregnancy. The only people who knew were the team, and family. Not even friends from your high school knew.

The issue with hiding this was the fact that Connor was gaining a lot of attention from Shawn’s fans. You didn’t blame them, no matter what brought them to become a fan of his, it at least brought more attention to his work and was getting him that much more popular. This just meant that you had to take hiding your pregnancy to a whole new level.

For a while you were able to just wear some big sweatshirts to cover the smallest bump you had. When sweatshirts weren’t able to work so much you then resorted to really flowy shirts and a big purse you could always swing in front of your belly. 

There was even one time that Connor and the whole crew were in town. They had invited you to lunch since no one had seen you since Connor told everyone. But at the end of lunch the manager came to tell the group that the paparazzi had followed Shawn and his own lunch date. 

You were panicked while everyone just rolled their eyes and grumbled about how someone had probably called them so pictures of Shawn and his date could be taken. You looked to Connor and gulped as he laughed with Brian about a meme he was showing him. 

“Y/n, you okay?” Shawn asked from across the table.

He was always so kind, and it boggled your mind how he could always see everyone, even when there were thousands in front of him, he could see everyone and notice every mood change.

Connor looked over after Shawn’s question and noticed your worried expression.

“Um, I’m,” You looked down at your shirt that very clearly showed off your small baby bump. “We haven’t told-”

“Oh shit,” Connor mumbled now noticing what you were referring too. “Fuck they’re gonna get pictures of us.” He looked to Shawn.

“I totally forgot,” Shawn rubs his forehead. “I’m so sorry you guys.” 

“Do you have anything to like hide behind?” Brian asked.

“No, I didn’t bring a jacket because it’s so nice out.” You shake your head. 

“Actually,” Connor cringes, looking at Josiah. “Do you still have your pocket reflector?” 

Josiah nods, handing it to Connor. 

“We’ll head out first, and then you guys go with Brian and maybe they’ll won’t pay you much attention. We’ll take a walk down the block or something.” Shawn stands, giving you an apologetic smile before walking out with his date.

You look to Connor and Brian as Connor is unfolding the reflector that creates a decent sized circle. You just laugh out loud when he offers it to you. 

“What?” He asks.

“What the fuck am I supposed to do with this?” You laugh taking it from him. “It definitely doesn’t look like I’m hiding anything.” You’re sarcastic tone makes the boys chuckle. 

“Here,” Brian hands Connor an old disposable camera. “Pretend like you’re taking my picture as we walk to the car so it looks like she’s actually using it.” 

You just laugh harder and so do the boys at this elaborate plan to cover your pregnant belly. 

** 

At 5 months your little one is now starting to move. You’re really uncomfortable at the moment, in the stages of dealing with pregnancy and the symptoms. 

Tonight is no different, if anything, it’s worse. Baby Brash (literally) has the hiccups and it’s causing your belly to move every 30 seconds or so. So sleeping at the moment isn’t a reality. Finding a comfortable spot to fall asleep isn’t a reality either.

iMessage from Papa 👶: Stop moving, I can hear your bed springs, lord help our child when you get laid.

You rolled your eyes at Connor’s message. He changed his name in your phone when he finally saw what you had him under. He even changed your name in his phone to ‘Mama 👶’ with the baby emoji. 

iMessage to Papa👶 : Tell your child to stop moving so much then

You watched as he read the message, but frowned a little when he didn’t start responding. You jumped when your bedroom door creaked open, revealing Connor in a worn white t shirt and plaid pajama pants. 

“Hey you,” He crawls into your bed, shuffling under your covers with you. “Hey Kid,” He smiles, leaning down to plant a small kiss to your belly. “Stop moving in there so Mama can go to sleep. She’s keeping me up because you’re keeping her up.”

You roll your eyes again, glaring at him. “Really?”

“You told me to tell the kid.” He shrugs. 

His hands have found their way to your belly, rubbing soothing circles in hopes of calming his baby down and lulling you to sleep. 

You sigh and let your eyes flutter close.

“What hurts tonight?” He whispers.

“My hips and back.” 

“Roll to your side for me.” 

You do as told, and moan a little when he starts massaging at your tender hips. Your lower back is so tired and your hips are sore. 

He keeps rubbing and tracing designs on your skin until your breathing evens out. He rolls away a little to go back to his room before your rolling towards him, and resting your head on his chest.

“Don’t go.” You whine.

**

His whole life flashed before his eyes when he got the call. His whole life. 

That’s the only words running through his mind. 

His whole life.

“What did she say?” Brian as he drove to the airport. 

“She said that she was being transported to the hospital and because she’s pregnant they wanted to take her in for more testing just to double check that everything was okay.” 

“And what happened again?” 

“She was driving home from work, her light went green and she proceeded through the intersection when some dipshit in a fucking truck ran the red and hit the back of her car, sounds like it’s totaled but luckily he just hit her trunk, so she wasn’t hurt to much.” 

“She’s okay though right?” Brian asked again.

“As far as I know, but I’ll keep you updated. Just tell everyone else for me okay?” 

“Of course man. Just go take care of her and that Baby.” 

Connor takes a shaky breath as he looks out the window. 

“Connor,” Brian said, surprising him by using his full name. “You need to breathe.” 

“My whole life was in that car Brian, my whole life was sitting in the driver's seat of that car, and-” 

“You need to breathe Connor.” 

“I’m trying!” He snaps at Brian, “But I’m freaking out! My girl and our baby were in an accident today and I’m not there with them! So please forgive me if I’m a little scared and panicked.” 

“I know you are, you just gotta stay calm. Positive thoughts lead to positive outcomes.” 

“You really need to stop doing that weird fucking yoga thing with Shawn. It’s changing you man.” Connor jokes, trying to lighten his own mood. 

**

By the time Connor’s landed you’re already home and resting. He bursts into the apartment like a bat out of hell, slamming the door and flipping the lock before throwing his bag to the ground and racing to your room.

“Jesus, be a little louder why don’t you.” You comment when he falls into your room.

“Are you okay? What did the doctor say? Is our Bean okay?” He throws himself onto your bed, hands instantly searching for your ever growing bump.

“We’re okay.” You whisper, threading your fingers through his hair to calm him down. “I told you we were fine and that you didn’t need to come home.”

“Right,” He scoffs. “Like I was just gonna stay miles away from you after you’ve been in an accident.” 

“But we’re okay! You’re parents, my parents, our siblings, everyone was there with me. Really we’re okay.” 

“Okay, okay.” He nods, laying down with his head beside your big belly, rubbing and tapping at it, smiling when he feels a few kicks. “My Bean is kicking?” He looks up at you.

“Yeah, has been for a week or so.” 

“Why didn’t you say so?” 

“Well,” You frown, looking away. “To be honest I planned on pretending that the first time Bean kicked when you were home next was the first time so you didn’t feel like you were missing out on anything.” 

Connor smiles at you, shaking his head and leaning up to plant a kiss to your cheek. “Thank you for planning to lie to me.” 

You giggle, before shifting to sit up more. You reach for the papers on your bedside table and hand them to Connor.

“What’s this?” He asks, looking down. His face falls, frown dropping his lips eyes looking up at you. “What is this? Why are you handing me this?”

“I think we need to talk about it.” You shrug.

“Not right now.” 

“Connor this is serious, it’s not just us anymore. We’re having a kid, we need to have a Will drawn up.” 

“I understand that, but I don’t wanna talk about it right now.” 

“Connor, in the event that something happens to one of us, we need to know what the other wants.” 

“Stop, stop, stop talkin’ like that!” 

“Connor,” 

“Please,” He tugs at his hair, “Please not right now. I understand we need to know, I get that and we’ll have it drawn up but I don’t want to talk about it right now. All my nightmares came true today.” He looks at you with sad eyes. “I haven’t told you this, but lately I’ve been having a few nightmares that something happens to you and our Bean, and I’m not there to help you or protect you.” He shakes his head, eyes squeezed shut. “And that happened to me today. You both were in an accident, and I wasn’t here.” 

“Connor,” You say again.

“I get it!” He snaps. “But I don’t like the thought of losing you okay? I’m fucking in love with you, and I don’t really have you, but I thought I lost you when I got that call. So can we stop talking like this for the day? Please? Please can you give my heart a moment?” 

You stare up at him with wide eyes, your heart rate picking up at his words. 

“You’re what?” You whisper, caressing his cheek.

“Huh?” 

“You’re in love with me?” 

His eyes go wide in panic now that he’s realized what he’s said.

“Are you being serious?”

“Yeah?” He nods.

“Why haven’t you said anything!” You slap his arm.

“I don’t know, you never-”

“I’ve been in love with you since Junior year!” You keep slapping his arm.

“Stop hitting me!” He grabs your hands, interlocking your fingers.

“You never said anything!” “Neither did you!” He responds.

**

Things were different now, you still hadn’t really said officially what you two were now, but it was this weird in between stage of best friend and boyfriend.

He would kiss you sometimes, and always hold your hand, he’d even let a few pet names slip, but when asked by others he still referred to you as his best friend. 

It confused you to no end, because now that something changed he’s moved into your room, claiming that he would just sneak in every night anyway, and now you had room for a nursery. 

“Babe?” He called from the nursery, seated criss cross on the ground, staring up at the ceiling while waiting for your response. “BABE?” 

“What?” You call back, walking down the hall to the laundry room.

“Can you bring me a water?” 

“Really? You can’t get it yourself?” 

“I’m building the crib!” 

“I’m doing your laundry!” You yell back, leaning against the dryer, rolling your eyes at his request.

“Please?” He asks softly. When you don’t respond he resorts to baby talk he knows you can’t resist. “Pweety Pwease? I’ll give you kisses.” 

You groan, waddling down the hall to the kitchen, grabbing him a cucumber mint flow from the fridge, and grabbing yourself a watermelon lime one. You make your way to the nursery, throwing him the water before taking a seat in the new rocking chair Shawn bought you guys.

“How you doing there Pretty Mama?” He smiles looking over at you. 

“I’m tired, and big.” You whine, looking down at your very pregnant belly.

“I think you look really pretty.” He blushes, looking back at the crib.

“You owe me kisses.” You pout.

“Do I?” He looks at you, “What if I was crossing my fingers?” 

You gasp, furrowing your brows and crossing your arms across your chest. “That’s so mean. You’re pregnant best friend just waddled her way to the kitchen and back to bring you your precious water and you won’t give her kisses like you promised?” 

He’s up on his knees crawling towards you. “Girlfriend.” He hums setting his hands on your thighs so he can lean closer.

“What?” 

“You mean my pregnant girlfriend.” He corrects you.

“Do I?” You asked softly, biting your lip as you stare into those blue eyes.

“I sure hope so.” He whispers.

“Is that what I am? Your girlfriend?” 

He pulls back a little, brows furrowing in confusion. “What do you mean? I thought-”

“Yeah me too but then you told the guy at the baby shop that I was your best friend.” 

He sighs, hanging his head. “It’s so natural, or I don’t know, programmed in my head to introduce you that way. But I thought we turned into something more when we confessed.” 

“Me too, but when you did that it through me off.” 

“Babe,” He smiles, rubbing his hands up your legs, “We live together, we sleep in the same bed, we kiss, we love, we laugh, we fight, we’re pregnant.” He let’s his right hand wander to your belly. “I consider you my girlfriend. I hope you consider me your boyfriend.” 

“I do.” 

“So then why are you pouting?”

“Because I really want kisses.” 

“Oh my goodness.” He laughs, leaning forward to cover your lips with his own. He kisses you deeply, pecking your lips three more times before pulling away. “Better?”

“For now.” 

“Okay.” He laughs, shaking his head before going back to building the crib.

**

“Boyfriend?” You yell from the bedroom when you hear the door open.

“It’s Boyfriend and his friends!” Connor yells back. “Girlfriend?” 

“Yes?”

“Where are you?” 

You quickly finish tying the bow to his gift before making your way to the living room where Shawn and Brian are seated on the couch.

“Hey!” Shawn jumps up, giving you a hug before looking down to your belly. “Can I touch your belly?” 

You laugh a little, “Yeah go ahead, thank you for asking.” 

“Of course, it would be a little rude to just go ahead.” He says touching your belly. 

“Can you tell that to the rest of the world?” 

“Hey Bean!” Shawn says to your belly. “Uncle Shawn got you the coolest thing ever!” He says before running to the couch to show you a small guitar case. 

“Shawn you didn’t.”

“I couldn’t help myself, I was looking for a new one and saw this little thing.” He pops the case open. “I’ll teach Bean how to play and everything!” 

“There you are!” Connor smiles when he enters holding three beers and your favorite flow flavor. He walks up to you, planting a wet smooch to your lips before handing the boys their drinks. 

“I have something for you.” You grin, holding up the little gift wrapped box.

“Oh yeah?” He takes it from you. 

He unties the bow, rips the paper, and opens the box to reveal a small blue Polaroid camera.

“This is so cute,” He says holding it in his hand.

Shawn gasps and Brian stands up in excitement.

“Where’d you get this honey?” 

“It doesn’t matter,” You wave him off, bouncing on your toes in excitement. “What color is it?” 

“Blue?” He asks, looking up at you, and then over to the excited boys next to him that are punching the other in the arm.

“And blue is for what?” You pull it out of him.

“Blue is for….” He stares at you, “Blue is for boy.” His eyes light up. “Blue is for boy?” 

“Blue is for boy!” You squeal.

“Oh my god! Blue is for boy!” He wraps you up in his arms, kissing your neck. “It’s a boy, we’re having a boy!” 

“ITS A BOY!” Shawn and Brian cheer.

**

You groan in pain as you feel another contraction hit. You’ve been in labor for three hours now and your little boy does not want to come see the world.

Connor tries not to wince or complain about his hand he’s sure you’ve severely bruised. He breathes with you through the pain, running a soothing hand over your head and taking your matted hair back away from your forehead.

“There you go Baby.” He whispers, “You’re doing so good.”

“I love you Connor David,” You smile at him, “But I want to fucking kick you in the balls right now.” 

He winces at the thought and shakes his head. “I’m sorry Baby,” He looks away. “I wish I could take your pain away, I wish it were me.” 

“Me too.” You relax when the contraction stops.

“Still holding your hand?” The nurse smiles when she walks in to check on you. “You’re better than most Dad’s, they usually wimp out by now from the pain.” 

“He never lets go, no matter what.” You smile up at Connor.

“You’re my lobster Baby,” He leans down to kiss your lips.

**

//

written by: @shawnm521 

[allthingsdadtom]

hi hello concept: tom reading bed time stories to his kiddos. like all the kids sitting in one of their beds together listening and tom's got a book in one hand and the baby finishing up its bottle in the other arm and he's doing voices and it's just soft and cuddly

hi emma and i have been crying over this concept for so long thank u

tom was sitting up against lily’s bed with the four year old laying down on her stomach, looking over tom’s shoulder. two year old connor was laying on tom’s lap while 8 month old alexa finished up her bottle in tom’s arms. 

“goodnight stars, goodnight air, goodnight noises everywhere,” tom read. “who can find the stars on this page?” 

“there they are daddy.” lily pointed to the group of stars, making tom smile. 

“yeah lils, there they are. good job sweetheart.” he told her. 

“dada! stars.” connor pointed to the same spot his sister did, making tom smile even more. 

“yeah buddy! those are the stars! good job!” he told him, giving him a kiss on his forehead. 

he continued reading and asking where certain things were, grinning when lily pointed them out, usually followed by connor. 

by the end of the book, all three kids were asleep. tom adjusted alexa in his arms before picking connor up gently and putting him in his bed, put alexa in her crib, and finally adjusting and tucking lily in. 

he gave each of them a gentle kiss on the forehead, mumbling ‘sweet dreams, my little love. daddy loves you so much’ before going to try and get some much needed sleep himself before one of them woke him up. 

[tavecincertum]

Last Night I Accepted Death W Open Arms

Pairing: RK1K | Markus X Connor (Detroit: Become Human.)

Rating: PG-14

Genre: Angst, Psychological, Hurt/Comfort, Whumpfic

Heavy Trigger Warning. Attempted Suicide. Detailed Depression. Heavy angst.

Length: Short/Drabble (1408 words.)

Markus misses a ‘final’ text from Connor. Hopefully when he gets there, it’s not too late.

You ever get so desperate to write you’re willing to go wherever your brain takes you? Me too. This is the product of that. I started listening to a station for IamJakeHill and stumbled upon the song ‘Last Night I Accepted Death W Open Arms’ by Lil Revive & Darko. So I went with it. Whatever my lil tortured soul wanted to make.

I’m sorry for doing this to us friends. Hold my hand if ya wanna.

-

Fear. It was all that clenched Markus’ chest when he finally turned his phone on outside the theatre, barely able to see the screen from the flashing marquee lights. 

17 missed calls. 4 new voice mails. 32 unread messages. 

The longer he scrolled through the texts, the more he felt shimmering tears collect across the surface of mismatched eyes. Adrenaline was the next closest feeling and his lungs seized in a tight clench. He couldn’t run to his car fast enough and all safety was ignored when the engine was cranked up and the tires screeched against pavement from his departure. 

Neon lights became a blur and even as traffic lights turned red, quick swerves took him neatly through the hesitating vehicles. Turns were taken recklessly and the back of the old cruiser struggled to keep traction on freshly wet asphalt. No matter how many times he dialed his lover back, the line went straight to voice-mail and that factor only added more pressure to the race to cross the city as quickly as he possibly could. 

‘Always know it wasn’t your fault.’

‘I just can’t take it anymore, please forgive me Markus.’ 

Connor sat limply in a bathtub full of cold water; lukewarm, bare shoulders pressed against icy tile in slump and hands idly clenching the sides of the porcelain tightly enough to turn his knuckles white. His arms trembled from the stressed tension and body shook in response to the stagnant bath-water chilling his core. 

He stared at the cellphone between his knees in the water, bubbles still breaking the surface every now and again as the liquid compromised the air in the device. It had long stopped lighting up the screen and showing him the list of messages he’d sent as testament of his suicidal thoughts. 

There was no way he could back out now that he’d been so dramatic. There was no way he wanted to. 

His eyes ached in response to the blinding white shower-wall he’d been locked onto for what felt like an hour now. He wasn’t blinking often enough and the sting went ignored; traded for a fog over his vision. Acid washed the lining of his stomach and left the burning taste in the back of his throat in the tight seizes that clenched his abdomen. 

Brown eyes shifted to the bathroom door and if not for the fatigue in his entire being, he had half a mind to lock the doorknob. Instead, he only made the decision he needed to act quickly before someone came to stop him and he lost the opportunity. 

Wet fingers scraped the floor near the side of the tub and when they met cold steel, they coiled around the gun without hesitation and pulled it into the space with him. A sort of admiration took a moment from his flighty mind, watching the incandescent lighting catch the shiny edges of the lethal weapon. The only distraction was the welling of tears behind his eyes that spilled down his cheeks without consent or effort. 

The overwhelming sadness that clenched his heart and chest and brain; it made everything in his body hurt. Everything in his form was tired, down to his very spirit. It felt heavy, too heavy to carry anymore. 

His mind took him many places as he stared down his final destination, flashes of all reasoning assaulting his brain and desperately trying to find something, anything to entertain him. Every face, every memory, pain was wrapped around the borders and packed into the edges. Hurt contorted his face in a deep grimace and he hadn’t noticed the slowly piquing emotion as he used his numb-feeling hands to cock the pistol and ready a bullet. 

A high pitched, zoning screech rattled his ears and deafened him as anxiety flooded his veins. Pure panic from his own intentions pricked his skin with sudden tingles and he couldn’t contain the heaves of breath that took everything he had to control. 

His body rocked in the water and one hand pulled tightly on walnut curls, yanking them roughly in attempt to collect the spasming sobs that choked him out. When had he started crying again? He hadn’t even realized it. 

A final burst of resolve and his teeth grit tightly, the barrel pressing to his head and the sound of the bathroom door slamming open being drowned out by the click of metal getting locked against metal. 

It jammed.

“Connor!”

Water splashed all over the bathroom floor in a wave, a loud collision being made as Markus none-too-gently pinned his lover against the tile and left the pistol to sink into the remaining bath. Hands frantically held wrists to the wall and Connor was left staring at the semi-soaked male, looking back at him with tears vividly streaming down his reddened cheeks. 

“Why did you come?” The only question the brunette could manage in emotionless words, sight barely able to focus on the image that was his visibly distraught lover. 

At first the inquiry speared him but after a moment, he peeled the male off the tile and instead, pulled him to his chest so tightly he could feel his muscles trembling from the hold. “Because my baby was trying to leave me.” 

All bets were off the second Connor felt the secure wrap of Markus’ arms around him and the heat the others body seemed to pour out in offering to his chilled exterior. He couldn’t manage a sound other than hiccupping sobs that were muffled into Markus’ neck and they only furthered when a hand started to pet the back of his head in soft sweeps. 

“I love you, I love you so fucking much.” Frantic kisses were placed on his exposed skin, from his temple to his cheek and forehead; wherever Markus could reach from his hold. “Please, please, please... Don’t leave me baby, don’t leave me, please.” 

The way Markus’ voice cracked and finally broke at the end of his plea, snapped Connor’s heart along with it, his dead-feeling arms doing everything they could to latch onto the male at last. 

“I’m sorry, Markus, I’m sorry.” The brunette male murmured and was immediately hushed with a closer cradle of his head. 

“It’s not your fault, you can’t help it, none of it’s your fault.” Markus soothed, doing his damnedest to reign in his own emotions with quieted, shuddering sniffles. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner.” 

When silence finally thinned between them and both bodies started to shiver, Connor was scooped out of the tub in a sturdy hold and tediously dried off with a fluffy towel. His form sat on the bathroom counter when his lover tended to himself and as soon as he was back in arms reach, he was quick to accept the hold that transported him with ease. 

Plush bedding surrounded his being soon enough and the surprising part was another body joining him, pulling the blankets back and burying deep into their warmth. Markus’ seeking hold didn’t stop there and he wasn’t satisfied until Connor was tucked under his arm and had a leg wrapped around his hip in clinging comfort. A warm hand grazed across the thigh that curved close to his side and the opposite found itself lost in sweet brown-sugar curls. 

“Are you sure you can stay...?” A gentle, worried question. 

“I’m sure. There’s no way in hell I’d leave you to sleep alone tonight.” Markus gave a pull forward and met Connor’s forehead in a lingering kiss, letting him tuck back to his neck shortly after. “I’m right here and I’m going to be right here.” 

The only response he received from the brunette was a tight grip on his form, a squeeze bringing him closer, if that was possible. Rhythmic touch ran itself up and down Connor’s back and whether he wanted to or not, his body was urgently demanding sleep against all of his wishes. 

Markus started to feel small increases in Connor’s weight and merely kept himself busy as tension started to leave his beloveds body at last. Soft breath puffed against the side of his neck and for the first little bit, he counted them in gratitude. It was hard not to be grateful when he’d already imagined a hundred visions of the gruesome scene he had been about to walk into. 

In that moment and from there on, he thanked whomever was listening for the best possible outcome of the night. Having Connor in his arms alive.

The time goes by, I close my eyes

I drown my mind, don't want this life

Can you take the pain away? I'm so sick of everything

I don't want another day.

[waitimcomingtoo]

In Case You Don’t Live Forever - Chapter Sixteen

Pairing: Peter Parker x Venom!reader and a lil something else for the kids ;)

Warnings: Endgame spoilers, mentions of suicide

Authors Note: This story is far from over. Feedback is always appreciated ♥️ thank you for reading

Masterlist

“Braid chain!” You clapped your hands. A few amused laughs escaped from Carol’s and Nat’s lips as they sat down in front of you. This was a regular routine for you whenever all the girls were together. You positioned yourself in the back and took Nat’s hair in your hands. Her red hair was down her back now and only the very tips were blonde. It had been three more years. Five years total since the snap.

Your life had gone on, no matter how much it felt like it hadn’t. Or how much you wished it hadn’t. You threw yourself into your work and covered stories on men like Flint Marko, Dr. Curt Connors, Norman Osborn, and Max Dillon. All ordinary men who become a threat over night. Without Venom, you weren’t much use to stopping villains. But your suit and your webs offered enough protection to distract villains until the police came. You steered clear of your old neighborhood. You couldn’t bear to be around it. Aunt May had vanished in the snap, along with all of Peters friends. You cleared out May and Peters apartment and put the stuff in a storage locker.

You kept most of Peters clothes in your bedroom. His wardrobe had become your wardrobe. Your style had completely shifted from comfortable and casual, to sweaters, hoodies, and baggy t-shirts, all belonging to Peter. Nat noticed your change in appearance but said nothing. She knew it was your way of grieving him. You didn’t wear everything, though. Some things only he could pull off and you were okay with that. You kept his favorite sweaters in a box and would smell them occasionally just to get a whiff of his cologne. The scent had faded over the years but boys drown themselves in axe and Peter was no exception. You could still smell his sweet scent and it brought tears to your eyes every time.

You ran your fingers through Nat’s hair as she skillfully braided Carols. Everyone, Steve, Rhodey, Carol, Nebula, Rocket, Thor and Bruce were over. Your meetings were usually digital but you had decided to meet in person for the five year reunion. Everyone looked different up close. Bruce was the most changed. He had mixed his DNA with the Hulks and became one entity. You sat down with him and talked seeing as you had similar powers. You both turned into something that was bigger and stronger. The Hulk was different from Venom though. The Hulk didn’t really talk to Bruce and he didn’t chose when he came out. Seeing Bruce as the Hulk made you miss Venom terribly. Sure, you were without her way longer than you were with her, but she was your best friend. She knew you inside and out, literally. You would still talk to her, you just had to get used to the fact that there would be no answer.

Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Nebula watching you braid each other’s hair. You couldn’t read her expression from where you were but you knew it couldn’t be good.

“I’ll be right back.” You whispered to Nat. She hummed in response and focused again on Carols hair.

“What are you doing over here? Come join the Braid Train.” You took Nebula’s hand and led her over to where Nat and Carol were seated. Nebula looked embarrassed.

“I don’t have any hair.” She said only to you. You could tell she was ashamed. You gave her an assuring smile.

“So? You don’t need hair to ride the Braid Train. All are welcome. I’ll let you in on a little secret. If you sit in the back, it doesn’t matter if you don’t have hair. You can braid mine.” You told her. Nebula beamed at you. She didn’t smile often, and when she did she looked uncomfortable with it , but you always appreciated it. You sat back down and took your hair out of your ponytail. You always sat in the back and were used to no one braiding your hair. Nebula was the perfect addition. She gingerly placed her hands in your hair and began to weave it together.

“You know, I was bald too once.” You said to Nebula as you resumed braiding Nat’s hair.

“Really?” Nebulas monotone voice sounded excited.

“Yep. My sister and I had shaved heads.” You replied.

“My father didn’t let me have hair lest I fall victim to vanity. He wanted me to be a weapon.” Nebula said. You reached back and squeezed her knee. Or, you tried to. It was metal and cold, but she understood the gesture.

“I don’t think you’re a weapon.” You shrugged.

“Then what am I?” Nebula asked.

“Anything you want to be. That’s one of the perks of girl power. You can be anything you want to be.” You informed her. Nebula was easy to talk to because she didn’t expect anything from you. She just wanted to talk.

Steve suddenly burst into the room with something you hadn’t seen in years in his eyes,

Hope.

“We found something.” Steve smiled, unable to contain his excitement.

“I found something. And ask them if they know Ant-Man.” An unfamiliar voice called from the other room.

“Is that Scott?” Nat asked.

“Who’s Scott?” Carol asked. You didn’t know either.

“Scott Lang. Ant-Man. He disappeared 5 years ago.” Steve rushed out. You all stood up and went to Steve.

“You mean someone returned from being dusted?” You whispered in shock. The hope was contagious and infecting you as well.

“Well, no. He wasn’t dusted. He was in the Quantum Realm. He’ll explain it. Come on.” Steve pushed the you and girls into the room with Scott. Little did you know, you life was never going to be the same.

Scott was on board

Nat was on board.

Nebula was on board.

Steve, Rhodey, Bruce, and Rocket were on board.

All that was missing was Tony.

“I know Tony. He isn’t going to say yes.” Steve sighed as you, him, and Scott sat in a car in front of Tony’s cabin.

“He will once we tell him our plan.” Scott responded. Scott reminded you of a teenager. You knew he had missed the last five years, but it felt like he’d missed more. His child like demeanor was refreshing.

“And what if he doesn’t? What if this is our last chance and it fails?” You asked sadly. Scott looked panicked, like he wasn’t used to people looking to him for answers.

“We won’t know if we don’t ask.” Scott said. Steve looked at you and sighed, looking for your approval. You nodded and opened the car door.

“Pretty!” A little girl ran up to you as you walked up Tony’s porch steps. She made grabby hands at you and you instinctively picked her up and laughed a little. She brushed hair out of her face and did the same to you.

“Hi.” You said to her. You hadn’t interacted with a child since elementary school. You didn’t really know what to say. The little girl became shy suddenly and buried her face in your neck.

Tony followed shortly after her and smiled at the sight of her in your arms.

“Looks like Morgan likes you.” Tony commented. You looked fondly at the little girl upon learning her name.

“Hello Morgan. I’m Y/n.” You told her. Morgan smiled at you and toyed with the necklace you were wearing. It was a simple chain with Peters class ring hanging from it. You adjusted her on your hips looked at Tony.

“Is she yours?” Steve asked Tony. He smiled proudly.

“Yep. 100% baby Stark.” Tony said.

“Wanna see my dolls?” Morgan asked you. You smiled at her.

“I’d love too. Steve, Scott, you okay without me?” You asked Steve and Scott. They nodded and you left with Morgan.

After playing house with Morgan for half an hour, she told you that she missed her dad.

“Then let’s go see him.” You smiled at her. After not being able to protect Peter and Venom from the snap, you felt an overwhelming desire to protect Morgan and make her happy. You picked her up and walked back towards Steve, Tony, and Scott just in time to hear Tony speaking.

“I wish you guys had come here for anything else. I really do. But I can’t help you.” You overheard Tony telling Scott and Steve. You looked down in disappointment, not wanting Morgan to see you cry. You felt Tony’s eyes on you as he began to formulate another excuse.

“Please.” You interrupted. Everyone’s eyes fell on you. As much as you tried to fight it, your eyes were swimming with tears. Tony opened his mouth and looked at you sympathetically, but no words came out.

“Please. Please, Mr. Stark, this could work. We could see him again. Please.” You begged. Scott and Steve looked from you to Tony. Tony looked between you and Morgan.

“Y/n…” Tony began.

“Don’t. Don’t say my name like you’re about to tell me no.” You pleaded with him. You set Morgan down and took a step closer to Tony.

“It won’t work. Your Time Warp-“ Tony began.

“Time Heist.” Scott corrected.

“Yeah whatever, Doc. It’s not gonna happen. It’s not plausible. I wish I could help you. But I can’t.” Tony concluded. You knew it was no use trying to argue with him. Steve knew it too but Scott was still hopeful.

“He’d do it for you.” You raised your voice a little. It was shaking but you didn’t want to sound weak.

“Y/n…” Steve tried to stop you.

“No.” You yelled at him. “He would do it for you. If you were gone, you know he’d go to the ends of the earth to bring you back. Doesn’t he deserve the same?”

“Are we still talking about Back to the Future?” Scott cut in.

“You know I miss him as much as you do. But you cannot mess with the flow of time.” Tony pleaded with you but you weren’t having it.

“Not with that attitude you can’t!” You shouted. Scott snickered.

“Alright! That’s enough. Y/n, get in the car. We’ll see you later Tony.” Steve broke up your fight. Steve guided you with his hand on your back back to the car. You got in the backseat and folded your arms like a child.

Hey, what happened back there?” Steve asked cautiously after driving in silence for a while.

“He was being unreasonable.” You huffed. You felt like you just had a fight with a parent.

“Who was that boy you were talking about?” Scott asked you. You turned to face the window.

“Your mom.” You grumbled. Scott knew he set himself up for that one.

“Did you know Spider-Man?” Steve asked you while looking at you in the rear view mirror. Your face contorted with a mixture of anger, sadness, and embarrassment. It had been years since anyone said his name around you.

“Don’t wanna talk about it.” You muttered as you began to play with the window, something Venom used to do. It was times like these when you missed her the most.

“I have a feeling she knew Spider-Man.” Scott said. You glared at him before staring back out the window.

A few days later, Tony rolled up to the Avengers tower with a change of heart and a time machine. When you asked him why he changed his mind, he smiled at you and said “he’d do it for me.”

A plan was made to retrieve the stones from the past. After some trial runs, trouble shooting, and practice trips, you were ready to go.

You walked down the corridor with the rest of the Avengers in your matching suits. You weren’t gonna lie, you felt pretty badass all clad in red and white. You pushed a final bobby pin into Nat’s hair as she squeezed your hand.

“See you in a minute.” She smiled.

Buttons were pushed and you were off on your journey.

The plan was set. You, Thor, and Rocket were going to Asgard to get the Reality Stone. Upon your arrival, Thor had a mental break down that you and Rocket had to bring him back from. While Rockets approach was to slap him and tell him to snap out of it, you had a much calmer approach. You took Thors face between your hands and forced him to look at you.

“Hey big guy. I know you’ve been through a lot and it’s really taken a toll on you, but we need you to be strong. Your depression does not make you less worthy. You can still do this. I believe in you. And Rocket believes in you. Right Rocket?” You asked.

“Whatever Jackass.” Rocket waved his hand dismissively.

“Thank you, Lady Y/n. You’re right. I am still handsome.” Thor said confidently.

“Who said you were handsome? You look like melted ice cream.” Rocket sneered. Thor ignored him and held out his arm. A huge hammer came flying through the air and landed in his hand.

“Yes!” Thor bellowed. “I’m still worthy!”

Rocket and Thor went to find Jane as you went to complete your part of the mission.

“Who goes there?” Came a voice. You followed the sound and found Loki lying on a couch, tossing something in the air and catching it. You put on your best innocent face as you entered the room.

“I’m so sorry, but my friends and I are here for the festival and I just had to sneak away to find you.” You gushed. Loki took long strides towards you as he took in your appearance.

“My brother isn’t here.” Loki informed you, his voice thick with annoyance.

“I’m not here for your brother.” You said coyly as you took another step towards him.

“You’re here for me?” He cleared his throat to mask the disbelief in his voice. You nodded sweetly.

“Of course. Won’t you show me a magic trick?” You batted your eyes flirtatiously. A slight smirk appeared on Loki’s face.

“A magic trick?” He asked. Mischief swirled behind his eyes.

“Well you are the God of Mischief, aren’t you?” You teased. A full, open mouthed smirk dressed his face now. He held up your hand and held your wrist tightly between his fingers. He brushed his fingers on his other hand over your palm and a diamond appeared. You looked at the beautiful diamond, weightless in your hand, and gasped. He had made it appear out of thin air.

“Oh, Loki. Must you think so little of me? I’m a woman of substance. Diamonds don’t impress me.” You have him an over dramatic sigh, but he completely fell for it. He felt a twinge of competition brewing in his chest, like he had to win your favor. You faked a yawn and his eyes gleamed with determination.

“You don’t like that? Well how about this?” Loki challenged and waved his fingers over your palm again. This time, a flower appeared. It didn’t look like any earthly flower. It was ten times more beautiful and smelled better than anything you had ever smelled before. The flowers colors were green and black with accents of gold, just like Loki’s outfit. You stared at the flower in amazement before looking up shyly at him. If you weren’t mistaken, the God of Mischief had a blush on his cheeks as he watched your face carefully for approval. Loki picked up the flower and tucked it behind your ear. He began to lean in slightly but you were interrupted byThor and Rocket knocking over a vase. You noticed they had the stone and were ready to go. Luckily, you saw them before Loki did.

“What was-“ Loki began to turn his head towards the sound but you quickly put a hand behind his head and pulled him into a kiss. You felt his eyes flutter shut and you opened yours. You could see Rocket and Thor pretending to gag out of the corner of your eye. With one hand, you motioned for them to move. They quickly scattered and you pulled away. Loki was fully blushing now but doing his best to conceal it. He seemed completely bewildered, making you wonder if he’d ever kissed anyone before. You certainly hadn’t kissed anyone since the day Peter left to visit MOMA with his school. That felt like a million years ago. You touched your fingertips to your lips and felt a pang of guilt. You hadn’t even looked at another since Peter vanished. He was the love of your life, you were sure it of. And you already had your great love story with him, though be it short. You waited for him for five years now. Surely he wouldn’t mind you kissing one other man, especially if it was apart of a plan to bring everyone back. Loki appeared to be just as lost in his thoughts as you were. You had slightly messed up his long black hair but he didn’t seem to notice.

“Thanks for the flower. And for everything else. Bye!” You stammered and made your escape. Loki was too taken aback to chase after you. You met up with Rocket and Thor and went home.

When you arrived back at the tower, everyone rejoiced when they learned they had succeeded in retrieving the stones. You felt that familiar glimmer of hope again. There was finally a chance of seeing Peters pretty brown eyes once more. You had a rule of never letting yourself get too hopeful. Never letting yourself think you’ll see him again. You knew you weren’t strong enough to handle losing Peter twice. You ran to Nebula in excitement and tried to give her a hug, but she acted like she didn’t even know you. You brushed it off as her being shy.

You looked around the room with glee until your eyes fell on Clint. He was stolid and not speaking. He looked like he’d just seen a ghost.

“Clint?” Steve asked. He seemed to notice Clint’s indifference same time you did.

“Where’s Nat?” Bruce spoke up. You felt your spine tingle and your eyes quickly darted around the room for your red haired friend. You felt fear rise in your throat when you couldn’t find her. Your eyes were drawn back to Clint as he fell to his knees. The Avengers rushed to him with their questions. You didn’t want to hear what he had to say. You left the room immediately and threw up in the bathroom.

You all sat outside by the lake and contemplated what to do next. You hadn’t spoken in hours, unlike everyone else. They were discussing Nat’s death and how to move forward. You jumped slightly when you heard a splash far off in the lake. You noticed a bench was now missing but you were too numb to comment. You tried to go to Nebula for comfort but she was acting strange. She didn’t seem to care at all for Nat’s death.

The decision was eventually made. You weren’t going to let Nat’s sacrifice go to waste. She gave her life for the stone and you were going to make damn sure she did it for a good reason. All the stones were in place. The gauntlet had been crafted, this time in true Iron Man colors. All there was left to do was decide was was going to snap.

“It should be me.” Thor immediately volunteered. You knew Thor was desperate for a win after feeling like he failed in stopping Thanos. He was instantly met with disagreement from the group. You hadn’t said anything in eight hours at that point. You didn’t feel that need. What could you possibly say? Your best friend died inside you. Your boyfriend died scared and on a foreign planet when he was just 18. You made a new best friend and she was ripped from your fingers without a goodbye. You had no words. None.

Bruce was the next to offer himself up, then Tony.

“No.” You spoke up. Your voice was horse after not speaking for hours. You had also been crying and that didn’t help. Everyone looked at you, most had forgotten you were even there.

“Not now, Area 51. The adults are talking.” Tony dismissed and went on about why he should weld the gauntlet but you stood up angrily.

“No. It can’t be you. He needs you. It has to be me.” You said firmly. You were hellbent on doing it and at this point, no one could stop you. Tony looked at you and practically laughed in your face.

“You think he needs me more than he needs you? Y/n, the boy worships you. You know he told me he takes the long way to school just so he can call you and talk to you for longer? And that he absolutely hates chicken and rice but he says it’s his favorite food because you love to make it. He deifies you. He venerates you. He’d do absolutely anything for you. You really think he’d ever forgive me for bringing him back into a world that you’re not in?” Tony reasoned with you. You walked closer to Tony, blocking out every other thought and person in the room.

“And what if this doesn’t work, Mr. Stark? What if you snap and it kills you and no one comes back? Am I a genius who can fix the problem and make a new gauntlet or are you?” You shot back. You were on fire now and didn’t wait for an answer. “Look around the room. I am the most useless one here. Without Venom, I’m just human. And if Thanos comes back for round two, who’s gonna stop him? Some girl or Iron Man?”

Tony didn’t answer. No one did. The answer was clear.

“It has to be me. We all know that the snap will most likely kill whoever does it. And we all know that I’m the least valuable asset to this team. As morbid as it is, it’s okay if I die, if it means you can fix the gauntlet and try again. Everybody in this room knows I’m expendable. I mean, you made me the freaking shiny object to distract Loki with on the Time Heist, right?” You looked around the room as the Avengers looked down in shame. There was no denying you were right.

“Why are you thinking so little of yourself?” Tony demanded. He wasn’t angry anymore, only saddened by your words.

“Because I’m useless. And I won’t be if you let me snap. You can’t help us defeat Thanos if you’re dead, Mr. Stark. I can’t help you defeat Thanos whether I’m dead or alive. I’m the one we can risk losing. It has to be me.” You repeated. You started towards the gauntlet and tried to slip your hand inside. Before you could get it in, Tony grabbed your hand in his and looked at you desperately.

“Please, Y/n. He would never come back if he knew this was the price. He would never risk losing you. Let me do it.” Tony begged you. You shook your head sadly.

“And let you die? Mr. Stark, you have a wife and a daughter.” You reminded him.

“My dad wasn’t there growing up and I turned out to be a billionaire. Morgan and Pepper will survive without me. All my money will be left to them. I wasn’t cracked up to be that great of a father anyway. All I can really do is spoil Morgan and give her my empire.” Tony answered you. Your heart broke at him thinking he wasn’t a good dad.

“Bullshit. You’re a great father. You didn’t know me and you went out of your way to take care of me and protect me. You gave me my suit. That is a quality of a great man and that is what makes you a great father. Not the ability to spoil your kids. Morgan needs you. She needs her dad. And other people need you too. There isn’t a person in this room who hasn’t benefitted from knowing you. This is your family, Mr. Stark. You can’t leave behind your family. There are too many people who care about you.” You raised your voice again. You were never going to back down.

“There are people who care about you too.” Tony tried to protest.

“No there aren’t.” You laughed bitterly. “Who do I have? Everyone I loved became everyone I lost. So if I don’t come back, it’s fine.” Your voice cracked as salty tears streamed down your face. “It’s not like I have anything to come back to. Ask yourself this and answer honestly. Who would he rather lose, me or you?”

“Me. He’d rather lose me.” Tony answered weakly. Even he didn’t believe it. You made a face.

“His father figure? You’ve got it all wrong, Mr. Stark. I’ve known him for five years. He only knew me for 6 months. He’ll meet another girl. He won’t meet another Tony Stark. He can move on from me. He can’t move on from you.” You said. You felt sick to your stomach at the thought of Peter with another girl, doing the things you used to. You only hoped he’d remember you.

“He won’t move on. I know him. He will never move on.” Tony stated, his grip still firm on your hand.

“Well neither could I! I have been a shell of a person for the past five years. I couldn’t even kill myself because I was so terrified of him not being there when I got to heaven. At least while I’m alive, I can see him in my dreams. But I can’t keep living everyday when the only thing keeping me going is the thought that he might visit me while I’m sleeping. I can’t do that anymore. I can’t do anything anymore. I can’t eat, sleep, work, function, even breath without him! But I can do this. Please, Tony, let me do this. Let me bring him back.” You pleaded, almost on your knees at that point.

You had never called Tony by his first name before. Tony realized it too and finally, finally, nodded his head. He let go of your hand and backed away.

“This is suicide!” Thor protested. He tried to run to you but Tony held him back.

“Let her do it. Everybody, get back.” Tony said in defeat. He suited up and placed a shield in front of him. Everyone backed away from you and grabbed something to protect them. You looked to Nebula for support, but she was nowhere to be found. You knew there was no one there to hold your hand this time. No Peter. No Venom. No Nebula. No Nat. Just you.

You raised the gauntlet and slowly slid your hand into it. It opened to fit your arm before molding around you perfectly. You felt the surge of the Infinity Stones rush through your body. You were wearing your suit, but it did nothing to ease the pain. You cried out in pain and Thor once again stepped forward to stop you, but he was held back by Rhodey. You fully slid your hand in and raised it up. Tears poured down your face from the pain, and from knowing there was no way you were going to survive to see Peter again. You gave Tony one last look, but his face was covered by his Iron suit. You gave him a gentle smile, as if too apologize for yelling at him. He nodded his head once. You only wished you could see his face one last time, but he needed protected. You turned your attention back to your hand and put your fingers into position.

With tears rushing down your face, and with great agony in your entire body, you snapped your fingers.

Tag List 🏷

@monimiin @truthdaze @honeyccoated @constellationswithapurpose @condy-wants-a-cookie @zipp0flare @vxidnik @maddie-laufeyson @bubblegumholland @the-blindwatcher @pmvelez97 @ziggyspurplehaze @grippleback-galaxy @fangeekkk @twilight-loveer @assemblemotherfuckers @bolivianchickennugget @founding-fuck-bois @neonpandicorn @charismas-world

[princebugs]

stolen dance. (reed900)

small note before this begins--- this oneshot is based off of some art made by @jude-shotto !!! pls go follow them theyre amazing

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

"Fucking--- shit," Squinted eyes gaze into his dust-ridden reflection before him, his phalanges evidently not nimble enough for this simple task he had to complete; tying a tie. Perhaps he was skilled in this in another life of his, but ever since he was a young kid, he was never able to finish any sort of tie. Whether it be a regular ass tie, or a bowtie--- tying that shit? Not Gavin's thing; he would just force his father to tie it, when his dad was still in the house, that is.

Cue another long-winded groan, and he gives up. The tie had gotten all sorts of messed up during the actual wedding, due to him having to lift it up to wipe away the tears dripping down his cheeks. Weddings were emotional, alright? Tina could barely get through her vows to North, and Gavin felt too many emotions at once--- anger at her for leaving Gavin so easily (not in the romantic way, he didn't like her like that), sadness for seeing her go away into her new life, and happiness for seeing his best friend finally finding someone that cared about her so dearly.

Nonetheless, it left a bitter taste in his mouth. Jealousy.

When the fuck was it gonna be Gavin's turn, huh?!

He threw the abandoned, wrinkled tie behind him, not really caring to see where it landed, and he points to himself in the mirror. "You, Gavin Reed, are a fuckin' delight to be around. You will find someone eventually. And, your ass looks GREAT in these pants, so don't go in there and look all depressed. You're gonna walk into that stupid dance-floor, immediately sit the fuck down at the bar, drink champagne, and hope for the best--- because Gavin Reed isn't a desperate man!"

A proud grin stretches across his visage, confidence washing over all of his insecurities as he turns around to leave the bathroom--- of course, taking a quick look at his ass along the way.

You're damn right it looks good.

He straightens out his suit jacket on the way out, before noticing that someone was in the bathroom stall directly behind where he did his little pep talk. Freezing in his tracks, the air is silent in the room for several moments.

"...I'll give you twenty bucks after this if you don't tell everyone about me talking about my ass."

"Deal."

Done and done with that, he walks out of the bathroom.

A brief exhalation, and still meandering with a new surge of confidence, his hues breeze over the area, searching for a very specific lady of the hour--- he wasn't letting her go on that honeymoon without stealing a dance from her, duh. That's just how they rolled, ever since highschool prom.

His train of thought is broken by someone speaking to him, and he inclines his cranium to the side to catch a glance of who wished to partake in a conversation with him--- oh. Connor, and Hank.

Connor was wearing suspenders along with his bowtie (stupid phckin' neat android who could tie a tie--), and his jacket was placed on a chair just a few feet away from them. His hair was done as it usually was; slicked back except for a few baby hairs. His smile was as bright as ever. "Gavin! We were wondering when you would come out of there. I queried to Hank that you might have had a bad lunch, and were possibly disposing of i--"

"Connor, stop that shit," Hank interrupts before Gavin gets the chance to, and Gavin almost laughs at his appearance. Listen, it's not everyday that you see Hank Motherfuckin' Anderson dressed up nicely, and Gavin actually has to cover his mouth to stifle his laughter. He didn't catch sight of him beforehand, so he was just seeing this--- this monkey suit of his.

He couldn't deny that it did look good on the Lieutenant, but nonetheless, it was fuckin' hilarious. "So, Hank, did you borrow that suit from your grandpa, because it looks just a lil' dusty riiiight--"

"Don't even touch me, Reed. Don't even think about it," Hank's coarse voice states, causing Gavin to retract his palm from almost wiping off the other male's shoulder. Gavin snickers anyways.

"Sorry, sorry. I'll bug you about that shit later, after the wedding," He actually has a tone of genuine joy, his childish smirk turning into a bright grin.

Connor beams at that. "Wow, Detective! You actually... don't look pissed off for once. I'm quite impressed."

His cerulean irises roll in slight irritation, but he keeps smiling. "Listen, today's a good day for me, alright? My best friend got married, for fuck's sake--- speaking of Tina, where is the secondary bride? I need to get my dance from her real quick before I dash outta this place. It smells like my nana in here."

"Don't tell North that," Markus joins in on the conversation, looking as pristine as ever with his tuxedo (suit jacket abandoned), and his sapphire-and-emerald optics practically sparkling in the light. Gavin almost blushes. Almost.

There may have been a possibility that Gavin used to have a minor, MINOR, crush on Markus. Who could blame him? Look at the guy--- he was too pretty. If Gavin was the president during the revolution, he would've let the androids live free just because he would have gotten entranced in everything that is... Markus.

He gave up on that MINOR crush soon enough, and now they were just mutual friends.

"Oh, shit--- she isn't around here, is she? North'll kill me if she heard that," Gavin glances around himself, emitting a sigh of relief. North was the one who planned the majority of the wedding occasion, and if she heard any complaint about it, she wouldn't hesitate to snap a certain-coffee-infused-relatively-short-detective's neck. Phew. "Coast is clear, y'all."

"Tina and North are actually sitting down right over there," Markus turned around to point over towards the newly-wedded couple before continuing, "be careful what you say, of course. North could still commit a murder tonight." Markus chuckles, but Gavin gulps.

"Alright, see ya, losers," The human begins his sauntering over towards Tina, ignoring any possible looks that were given his way (he was hoping it was merely because he put just a little extra sway in his step to catch people's attention), and then tapping Tina's shoulder once he made it there.

"North? Mind if I snatch away your wife for a dance?" Gavin bit down on the inside of his right cheek, extremely nervous about merely asking her that. He had met North beforehand, of course--- he was just very afraid of her. She didn't generally like humans, besides her partner, and he didn't generally like androids; it was a match made in HELL.

Surprisingly, North smiled softly, gesturing for Tina to go ahead and stand up. "Go ahead, I'm sure she needs as much time with her best friend as she can get."

"Sweet. C'mon, Tina," Finally taking off his jacket and placing it around an empty chair near his current area, as well as pushing up his sleeves, he then holds a palm out for her to take, and Tina laughs.

"Dude, are you taking me for a waltz, or something? Don't be so fancy," Tina, that beautiful bitch, giggled before giving her wife a kiss on the cheek, then taking Gavin's hand. "This doesn't make me any less gay, you know that, right?"

Gavin stuck his tongue out in disgust, a little 'bleugh' sound emitting from him, "Gross, man. Plus, you're totally not my type," he says as he leads her to the dancefloor. People are already dancing there, but once they see the grey-black vest of Gavin, and the sleek black dress of Tina, they move out of the way. Perks of being the best man and one of the brides, eh?

"Yeah," Tina began, peeking behind Gavin's shoulder as they swayed around to the rhythm, their hips shaking at a leisurely pace, "in fact, didn't your type just walk right through that door?"

His eyebrows furrow momentarily, his head turning to look behind him, and---

Yowza.

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keep reading on ao3!!!

[shibinus]

Grape, turnip, lime, cherry

GRAPE - most innocent muse?

Oh jeez I just have so many cute lil innocent muses to be quite honest. I think it would have to be between Connor Rosen ( fc; Jack Mulhern ) who was my baby blind perceptive witch that had a heart of gold but I didn’t get to write him very long... or Adam Davidson ( fc; Miles Heizer ) or Kit “Trig” Balker ( fc; Colin Ford) who are both sweet, shy, awkward apoc babies who are just trying to do their best.

TURNIP - most damaged muse?

Aren’t they all damaged in some way?  Gosh I’m not so great at this pick one muse thing but a couple of my more damaged muses are Noah Blackwell ( fc; Milo Ventimiglia ) my old as dirt original vampire who has definitely been through a lot - from being cursed with vampirism to losing his wife and kids to being on a blood lust rampage for 300 some years and then spending centuries piecing everything back together again... and Forest ( fc; Theo James ) who sold his soul to the fey to save his father only to have him pass away before he could win his games and wish for a cure. Then, without much else to wish for, he gave up his human life to join the fey, further breaking ties with the family he had left and joining the world that had essentially ruined his life. 

LIME - a fc you’re a sucker for?

HONESTLY I’m not sure I’m a sucker for any particular face claim? I can say I do have a thing for Chyler Leigh (she’s just so adorkable and I love her) and I’ve played Garrett Hedlund quite a bit, but generally I’m fond of pretty much all the face claims I’ve ever used.

CHERRY - favourite pair of fcs to put together?

I don’t know that I can answer this one - I don’t put characters together for the face claims. I don’t really have any fc pairs that I like for the face claims or anything like that, I just have character pairings that I love. Ya know?

[thinkolicity]

Arrow 8x03

Eeeeeeeee omg. That ending thoo. I enjoyed this episode way more than last week’s, and not only because BS with her confuzzled bs were not in it - thank u lord for sparing me.

Bonus points to me for remembering Italy entered Daylight Savings Time this past weekend so Arrow aired 1 hour ealier than usual. Screaming at 3 am is more acceptable than 4 am.

Anyway, let’s quickly not-recap! I’ve been taking notes on my phone.

SPOILERS

Ah Nanda Parbat..land of glorious memories and pains.

Queen siblings fight yas. My baby Theaaa I missed her, she’s so pretty.

Confirmed - again, in case we forgot - Mia was named after Moira and not after Thea’s alias in Corto Maltese back in Season 3.

Theroy are still...not Theroy. I’m sad.

Nah stahp it Oliver, you’re not gonna die. I say so. Common sense says so.

Mia says “frack” like her mamaaa! I’m sure it’s not the 1st time we heard it, but I was surprised anyway.

Mia’s also not taking “no” for an answer tonight.

But Lyla bb u are investigating ARGUS corruption, you cannot trust anyone but John and still you are lying to him about your involvement with Mar Novu!!! Beaucoup problemo, Calvin Lyla!

Talia al Ghul, hola. You owe Oliver and he’s come to collect.

“I see you survived prison” why yes, Talia he did.

Tell us Talia, is The Monitor a faux? A fraud? To the catacombs we go. 

Meanwhile in the future William keeps being the comic relief I need; he’s so goofy I love him #mustprotect

“You are afraid of losing your brother” Zoe gets it.

So Dyla are on a mission in Kasnia. They have to rescue Sandra Hawke and lil Connor. They pretty.

In Nanda Parbat Talia delights us with some local lore.

Thea speaks arabic.

“Why can’t everything just be easy” oh Thea my precious, same.

Overprotective Big Bro Oliver™ is back..and with good reasons, my poor son.

Ugh Talia ffs. Don’t you just love that Oliver wants to do his stuff in peace but he always unwillingly gets involved in other people’s businesses.

So basically Talia has to stop some woman named Athena, I think, from taking Ra’s al Ghul (I think) sword buried deep in the catacombs. We can’t have our rival restore the LoA!!

“Since when have I ever cared about virtue?” Lmao Miaaaa.

“You are the only family I have left” Miaaaaa 😭 And BONUS: “Oh and if you tell anyone about this conversation, I’m going to kill you myself” yes we love these Queen Siblings Feels.

More old school QSFs with Oliver and Thea having a heart to heart on the side of a mountain.

“To survive death you must embrace it” Seeee?? This is why you’re not gonna die Oliver. You are embracing your, apparent, fate but you’re gonna come out on top. 

Little Connor is so cute :3

This episode is turning into a Relic Hunter episode. Indiana Jones would be pround..wait wat.

So Art Nouveau Mar Novu is not trying to prevent the crisis, au contraire *pretends to be shocked*

Thea defeated Talia in combat so she’s technically the new leader of the LoA..but nope! Goodbye League of Assassins welcome League of Heores with both Thea & Talia as leaders yass, gurl power. I want Nyssa too, thooo.

“Whatever happens, promise me you’re going to remember the good times” OH LYLA. Child. Famous words.

“See you later... and please don’t die” Thea gets it. Thea & Oliver’s goodbye was the saddest thing ever.

“No Hōzen this time?” “Felicity gave it to William”. 😭😭😭

“You just don’t know when to quit” oh JJ..I love my SmoaknHawke but listen...Enemies to Lovers is my trope. And now I want it.

Zoeeeeeeeeeeee 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 oooh Mia’s gonna blame herself now 😭😭😭

An Oscar for Kat pls.

Omfg yaaassssss! That ending! Who screamed?? I screamed!! Somehow FTA is in Star City 2019 and I live. Family reunion 😭😭😭😭 Kinda.

Man this episode was noice. Very noice. I mean I liked it, it kept me awake so 🤷

ETA: I managed to not notice KC directed the episode. It’s tainted nowwww lmao, I’m joking. Bravo.

[fereality-indy]

The Kids Are All Right Ch3 Revelations

“Ok, so you’re saying this show is a sequel to one from when your parents were kids that may or may not be an alternate reality.” Melody asked after she brought some drinks and chips into the Shack’s TV room hoping to help calm down Debbie.

 “Yeah, Mrs. Ramirez. Mewni was apparently one of the dimensions that Great Grunkle Ford passed through while he was gone. And Mom and Dad know stuff about this show that some of the most obsessive fans don’t even know about.” Debbie said as she her friends watched Nova and Connor at their respective houses, both fretting over a school dance. Connor was being told by Jack that He should just ask Nova to go and Nova was being teased by her brother Sol that she should ask Connor to go before Missy does. “There’s even a Jason and Linda Conifer that shows up once in awhile. Though they only have one child, a boy named Tyrone. And he looks nothing like Ran.”

Mentioning the son of a possible alternate version of her parents reminded Debbie that her parents were out looking for her brother. They’ve been gone now for, she looked at her phone, ok only fifteen minutes but it felt like forever. They’ll call if they find him right.

 “Of course they will honey,” Melody said as she saw that Debbie didn’t realize she had said that last one out loud. Too much like her father there.

 Outside

 “What do you mean sir?” Meaghan asked from Antonio’s arms as she saw Ran’s mother tighten her grip on the weapon she had readied.

 Ran jumped in between his parents and Meaghan. "Whoa, Mom. Dad. Calm down, what’s going on with you two?”

 “She may be dangerous Ran, come to us.” Wendy said motioning her son to come to her side.

 “Sorry mom, but she needs help and I promised to help her. I told her we would help her.” Ran said staying put.

 “Step away Ran, she’s not what she seems.” Dipper said as he tried to aim his taser for a better shot at the girl.

 “Not gonna happen, dad.” Ran said as he kept himself between the taser and Meaghan. “She needs help and I promised her that I would do just that. So what if she is different, so’s Harry and MB. But that doesn’t matter. She trusts me to help her, so now I need you two to trust me.”

 At the mention of trust, Dipper flashed back to his own childhood and how he learned despite initially being told to ‘trust no one’ that he had to trust family and friends. He tried to instill that in his own kids and he would be a hypocrite if he didn’t trust in his son now.

 He lowered his taser and motioned for Wendy to stand down. “Alright Ran, we’ll trust your judgement for now.”

 “Thank you dad, you won’t regret it.” Ran said as he ran over and hugged his dad after he had put away the taser.

 “Well I still have a question about that whole marriage deal,” Wendy added as she joined in on the hug.

 “Oh, it is simple. Where I come from there are many stories of our people being tricked into marriages by your kind.” Meaghan replied from where Antonio was still holding her.

 "Dood, that’s messed up. Forced marriages are illegal.” Antonio said as he started heading towards the Shack now that things had de-escalated. “Where exactly do you come from that you are hearing this type of information?”

 “That’s barbaric.” Wendy agreed as the rest of the group joined up with them.

 “Well I personally haven’t heard of any stories happening in my lifetime, but there are many legends of it happening in the past.” Meaghan answered in a way. “But as I said, Ran would hear nothing of it.”

 “Of course he wouldn’t, the lil Dood is a great guy. And besides that, he’s too young to get married anyways.” Antonio said as they finally cleared the woods and made it to the grass pasture. “If you want I can let you down to walk or I can still carry you up to the Shack, it’s up to you. It sucks that whoever stole your clothes took your shoes also.”

 “Well I have no problems walking barefoot in grass,” Said to the gentle giant who was carrying her.

 As soon as he let her down Ran was at her side. “I’m pretty sure Uncle Soos has some sandals or something in the Shack that you can have. I’ll pay for them if need be.”    

 “When has my dad ever charged you guys for anything.” Antonio said with a playful slug to Ran’s shoulder.  

 “I know, but I didn’t want to assume anything.” Ran replied as he rubbed his shoulder, not noticing the look of concern from Meaghan. But it wasn’t missed by his mother.

 “Yeah, cause when you assume something, you make an…” Antonio replied before Wendy stopped him.

 “Stop right there. It’s bad enough that Stan taught you kids that, you don’t need to repeat it. No matter how good of advice it is.” She said shaking her head as they made it to the  grounds just outside the Shack.

 Dipper had been quiet and observing things during the entire walk back to the Shack. And now the test to see if his son was right to trust the ‘girl’, the barrier around the Shack will prove if she has any harmful intentions. As they passed through the perimeter of the barrier, he released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. The ‘girl’ seems to be fine for now.

Meanwhile Across Town

 “Thanks for watching our little Genie for us, Stacey.” Pacifica Northwest-Pines said as her daughter ran up and hugged her.

 “Oh, it was no problem, Mrs. NP.  She was an angel as always.” Stacey said as she made it to the mother and daughter.

 “That sounds like my girl,” Mabel Northwest-Pines said as she came out of the kitchen with a bag of popcorn.

 Leaving Pacifica’s embrace, Genie made a bee line for her other mother. Mabel held out her arms only for Genie to snag the bag of popcorn instead.

 “Yep, that’s my baby girl.” Mabel said as Genie popped some popcorn in her mouth before finally hugging for her.

 “So Stacey, do you have any plans for the evening?” Pacifica asked as she joined her family. She then leaned over and gave her wife a kiss.

 “Well mom and I are supposed to be having dinner with the other half of the Pines family, you know their bi-weekly get together, where me and the kids watch a movie while they go ‘play cards’ afterwards.” Stacey replied with air quotes, a habit she had picked up from her ‘Uncle Soos’.

 “What’s with the air quotes?” Mabel asked genuinely perplexed.

 Stacey gave a questioning look towards Genie before a nod from Pacifica got her to answer, “Well every one has heard the rumors. How when they’re out together the three of them are inseparable. I mean, I get asked how my Dad is and they’re not talking about the one I’m named after.”

“Well he and Wen-Wen did practically help raise you.” Mabel said with a smile, remembering the first time she saw Dipper holding baby Stacey.

 “I know. And I’m not saying I would be against it, if it is true.” Stacey said as she began to pick at a piece of lint she seemed to suddenly find interesting. “I guess I just wish they wouldn’t try to hide it.“

 “Well you guys are already family either way. I mean, you’re there for all the big holidays and the family vacations.” Mabel added as she knelt down and hugged her daughter, stealing her bag of popcorn back in the process. Then she continued as she looked between Stacey and her wife, “Besides, if there was something going on there Dip would tell me about it. Wouldn’t he?”

 Pacifica shrugged as she thought about all that had been said here.

 Back At The Mystery Shack

 Ran was coming down from his dad’s work room in the attic. The whole family keeps a couple of spare outfits in the rooms closet and after assuring his sister that he was alright and apologizing for the fairy mouse incident he had went up to grab a new Hawaiian shirt. As he reached the bottom of the stairs Aunt Melody and his mom were coming out of the break room wit the newly dressed Meaghan. Uncle Soos and Aunt Melody had insisted that she could grab whatever clothes she wanted, she had on one of the question mark shirts, a pair of shorts that Uncle Soos on hand for one of the displays, and a pair of sandals. She was carrying his folded up shirt close to her chest.

 “Sorry we didn’t have any thing else for you to wear dearie.” Melody said as they were coming closer to Ran. She seems to have slipped into a protective momma bear mode as she added, “To think that someone would steal your cloths like that. Is there anything else we could do for you? Call your parents maybe? Are they staying at motel?”

 “Oh, no. My parents are at home. And there’s no need to bother them.” Meaghan said with a start as she shook her head. She quickly broke away from the older ladies and made a beeline for Ran.

 Holding out his shirt she said, “Thank you again for helping me.”

 “Oh it was no problem.” Ran said as he rubbed the back of his neck. Looking at the proffered shirt he added, “Why don’t you keep it for now.”

 “You mean it?”, Meaghan replied as her face brightened and she hugged the shirt tight to her chest.

 “Yeah, can’t have you judging Gravity Falls based only on someone stealing your clothes.” He replied with a smile. He then began to blush as he realized everyone was watching the two of them.  

 “Oh, there’s no worry about that. I already know there are good people here.” Meaghan said as she started putting Ran’s old shirt back on with a smile. Once she had it on she took one of his hands as she added, “I’m actually in town to find two of them, maybe you can help me.”

 Ran was about to respond when Debbie appeared at his side as if by magic. With her hands on her hips she looked at Meaghan and asked,  “So you met my little brother while out in the woods while completely naked, what are you some kind of nymph or maybe a rusalka?“

 “Debbie!” Melody called

 "Sis!” Ran said as he elbowed his rude sister.

 “Well she may need to work on her delivery, but I have to admit I’ve been wondering the same thing.” Dipper said as he entered the room. After ha look from his wife he added, “But we can worry about that later, you said something about my son helping you to find a couple of people in town, Why don’t you give us the names and we can all help you?”

 Meaghan looked around at the people gathered in the room. She really didn’t like so many people knowing what she is doing, but if Ran and his family trusted them. With a sigh she started, “Well I have been sent to speak to Lady Gwendolyn and S...”

 “Stoneworker!?” all four Pines kids called out at once.

 “Well no.” Meaghan continued with a shake of her head, “Not Stoneworker. I’m looking for Lady Gwendolyn and Sir Mason of Gravity Falls.”

 “Isn’t that you two doods?” Soos asked while looking at a slightly shocked Wendy and Dipper.

 “Well yeah, it’s been a few years since we used those titles.” Wendy said as she finished processing that her son’s new friend was looking for her and her husband to begin with.

 “Oh My Gosh, a mason is another term for a stoneworker. How did I not see this before now. Our parents are Lady Gwendolyn and the Stoneworker.” Debbie said as she seemed to completely forget about her worries from just moments ago.

 “Told you they were in love.” Ed said to his brother with a playful shove.

 “And I never really denied it.” Ricky replied as he grabbed Ed in a headlock.

 Meaghan walked up to Wendy and Dipper then dropped down onto one knee. “As an emissary of King Mermando, I offer my life up in service. Please accept me as a squire.”

[phoenixblack89]

Fera Ingris

Chapter 1 - Dealing with Dixons

It's finally here people! Eekkk! It'll be up on A03 later when I turned my laptop on. Been teasing this for soooo long.

My wonderful tag list:

@lilythemadqueen @boondoctorwho @darylsgirl @autocon23 @browneyes528 @fandomsaremykryponite @writingdeadangel

"Yer take care of yourself lass, don't worry about us."

Phoenix sighed at the man on the other end of the phone, twisting the silver rosary he had given her for her birthday many years ago. The world had changed dramatically for them all since that day. Their history bloody and violent and God sent. 

"Are ye listening lass?" 

"Of course, I'm listening! It's you who isn't! I'm on the way to Atlanta now!  As in I'm already in Georgia! I can't let you three rot in there when we've got things to do!" 

"Lass, we can take care of ourselves. Connor wants to know if ye got our package?" He asked, she stifled a laugh at the noise of the pair fighting over the phone she could hear. 

"Yea I got it. Haven't opened it yet though" she replied, the bike's engine growing colder under her. "What's in it? You guys shouldn't be sending anything. You're lucky Duffy and Dolly got it t' me before I left Boston."

"I know lass but ye need t' keep those safe fer us." She smiled hearing her other friend's voice, clearly having won the battle for the phone. "Look things are getting bad here. You're safe now but things are gettin' weird, we'd never forgive ourselves if anything happened to ye. I love ye too much" 

"I love ya too, you idiot! I'm gonna get you all out. We have a mission! I've got a bag full of your stuff right here on my bike, your clothes, coats, guns." 

"Aye. What?! No? Yea. Let me say goodbye a' least?" Phoenix knitted her eyebrows, hearing the man talking to someone else. A prison guard maybe. "Lass we have t' go. I'll call ye back when things settle aye?" 

"Yea. Just tell me where you are at least?" 

"Sorry lass I got to -" 

The line suddenly died on her and she frowned, shaking the phone and seeing no signal. She ran her hand through her short dark red hair and started the bike up, speeding quickly towards Atlanta and her boys. 

                                                      **********

The sun shined through the thin, flimsy material of the tent, shining directly down into the sleeping pairs eyes. The short, spiky, dyed haired young woman groaned and threw her arm over her face. She sat slowly and yawned. She'd had that dream for weeks, wondering what had happened to her friends. 

Had the prison been overrun by the monsters that lurked in every corner? Were they dead? Or worse... Had they become one of those things? 

She'd slept after her watch shift, which surprised the girl as she had been having a bad bout of insomnia for the last two weeks. Ever since... 

No, she thought don't think about it. 

She glanced at the young boy laid next to her and smiled. When Carl asked if he could sleep in her tent with her the night before she had been hesitant (mainly because Lori rarely let him out her sight) but Lori had said it was okay and she was not going to fight against the long-haired beauty. 

Lori had also said it would be good for her, get her to trust others again. And honestly the boy reminded her so much of her old friend with his boundless energy and smiles. 

A gentle tap to the roof of her tent set her senses on guard. She grabbed her long calf length boots and her Bowie knife and slowly pulled the zipper up. A sigh released from her throat as she squinted up at the crossbow welding man in front of her. 

"We goin' hunting or what?" He snarled at her, obviously still mad at the woman from their disagreement yesterday. It wasn't her fault. He had spooked her... 

Merle approached the dark red haired girl sat by the quarry lake silently. Something was up with her and he was determined to find out what. The sight in front of him worried him slightly, she was nervous and kept flicking her head around. Had she been bit? He was thankful the darkness of the twilight hid him somewhat as he watched. She hissed as she pulled the bloody bandage off her left hand, flexing it and hissing through her teeth. The soft sound of something hitting the surface of the water, made his heart thump. It wasn't raining so why did it sound like it was? 

He came right behind her and watched as she rubbed at the wound, it oozed blood and yellowish white pus as she gritted her teeth. Infection was setting in. Daryl called out his name from camp and the girl spun and noticed him there. 

"Ya shouldn't be down 'ere by herself girlie." He whispered, kneeling and gently taking her hand, examining the injury intently. "Now wha' we gonna do abou' yer hand? Yer can't take what I offered yer."

"Burn it again. Only thing we can do. Not like we can wander to nearest pharmacy, throw my hand on the counter and say fix it, is it?" She hissed as he prodded a sensitive spot, Merle chuckled slightly and helped her to her feet. 

"Nah but China is headed t' the city tomorrow. I'ma go too. I know my meds and I'll get yer what yer need t' be right as rain again, Lil sis." He said with a smirk as they climbed back up the slope to the camp. Daryl and Shane spun round at their footsteps and Merle smirked. Officer ass-hat was on one about something. 

"Phoenix! Where have you been?! We told you to stay in camp until you could fight!" Shane whisper-yelled in her face. 

"Easy there officer. Girl just needed a second by 'erself... Gets a bit loud round here." Merle defended her, placing himself between the well musculared man and the girl who seemed to shrink into herself. "She's fine. I was a watchin' her." 

"I bet you were Dixon." Lori said under her breath. Phoenix glanced at the woman with eyes narrowed. The majority of the camp thought the Dixons were rude, brash and shouldn't be there. Only Phoenix, Glenn, Andrea and Shane knew of the incident that had cemented the brothers in the camp's good graces, well in their good graces. 

Phoenix sat down at the small fire infront of her tent and sighed, her ears picking up on raised voices coming from the Dixon tent. It sounded like Daryl was majorly pissed about something and Merle was defending himself.

Isn't any of your business she thought ignore them.

She gazed deep into the fire, the heat warming her frozen limbs nicely. She hated the cold, not that it was cold but she felt like she was sat on a box of ice in just her underwear. She had experienced working in much colder situations, hell the Irish rain was colder than this. The sweat on her brow made her eyes ache and she closed them, leaning her head back.

"Ahh!" She shrieked, jumping up and thrusting her knife backwards towards whatever had grabbed her shoulder. A deep grunt sounded and her hand was twisted, causing her to release her grip of the blade's handle. 

"Ain't no need t' try t' gut me girl." Daryl growled, his gruff voice instantly calming the nervous woman. She sighed and held her hand out, Daryl raised his chin and regarded whether to return her knife or not for a moment. He relented at her raised eyebrow and dropped it into her left hand. She hissed in pain and clutched at her wrist. Quicker than she could pull away, he'd wrapped his hand around her wrist yanking her closer and pulling the bandage off her injury. He could see how raised and angry it look, grimacing slightly as it oozed at his poking. Tears of pain welled in her eyes as she grit her teeth, he grumbled under his breath and glanced over his shoulder at his older brother. Merle nodded and raised the half empty bottle of whiskey in a salute. "This why Merle is leavin' right?"

"Yea, told him he didn't have to." She whispered as he released her arm, her skin tingled at the lose of contact. Daryl ran his hand over his neck and bit his lip. 

"Ye need meds. Ain't happy a' him, riskin' his neck fer someone like ya." He groaned under his breath. Her mood soured and she shoved him away. He stumbled for a second and threw her a glare. "What the hell is ya problem girl?"

"Someone like me Dixon? Huh? What exactly do you mean by that?!" She folded her arms across her chest. Daryl's eyes flickered downwards for a second to how her arms pushed her breasts higher and more together. 

God she's gorgeous when she's mad he thought, his cock twitching in his jeans. He ducked his head and scoffed.

"Ya know what I mean, can't even hunt without hurtin' yaself." 

"Go away Dixon." She turned on her heel and stormed off up the bank, and climbing up the RV ladder to take watch. Daryl sighed and slopped off back to his brother, who was laughing, finding the whole scene hilarious.

                                                    **********

Phoenix nodded up at the hunter and pulled on her boots and grabbed her bow. She followed Daryl over to his tent where his brother was preparing to go into the city. Merle gave her a once over as she approached, his eyes narrowed at the bow across her back and the stains on the bandage around her left hand.

"Mornin' Firebug." He drawled as the pair stopped. She nodded and heaved her backpack tighter to her shoulder beside her quiver of arrows. "Y'all gonna be alright t' hunt wit' tha' hand?" He questioned, giving his brother a glance. Daryl gave Merle a hooded lidded look and nodded his head up. "Don't wanna waste my time if ya gonna drop down dead on poor Darlena 'ere."

The girl smirked and shoved the older man's shoulder playfully before flipping him off, striding towards the treeline.

"You watch 'er baby brother. She's one of us now."

"Hmm" Daryl said, glancing at the girl as she waited just under the cover of the trees for him. Merle gave a low chuckle and Daryl glared at him. "Stop."

"Come on baby brother, don't be like that." Merle stood and patted him on the shoulder. "Ya been pining after 'er for weeks now. Just give her some of the ol' Dixon charm. If ya even have any!" He barked out a laugh as his brother scoffed and walked away, joining the girl and disappearing into the woods.

                                                    **********

A low whistle drew her attention and she glanced in the direction of it. Daryl raised his hand and pointed off towards the copse of trees in front of him. Keeping her body low to the ground and her steps feather light she approached him. Her eyes darting out at the small herd of deer in front of them, they'd finally found them after two days in the woods. She raised her hand and pointed to the smaller of the two bucks. Daryl nodded and gestured he was going to try and get around them so if they darted he could take a shot. She nodded and crouched lower, using the shrubs to hide her. Daryl wandered away silently as she waited for his signal. 

A loud shriek pierced the air and the deer scattered. Daryl swore and took off after the smaller buck, Phoenix following him at a distance. 

                                                    **********

They stopped by a small creak, Phoenix dipping her hand into it and running it over the back of her neck. She felt like she was on fire, yet icy cold at the same time. The infection in her hand had well and truly set in, she needed to be careful or she'd drop and not get back up.

"We go a littl' further then stop fer the night." Daryl mummered beside her, wiping his soaked red rag over the back of his neck and down his face. She nodded, eyes staring off into the stream. He watched her carefully, the way her hair at the back of her neck was slightly curly, the way her ears twitched as if she was a rabbit or a deer hearing a predator. He found her beautiful and mysterious. A riddle he wanted to solve. He couldn't help his attraction to her physique either, the woman was beautiful. Not perhaps every man's wet dream but he found her incredibly sexy. 

He admired how she wore gothic, all black, metal studded and chained clothes despite the heat, her short dyed dark red hair, the regrowth hinting at sandy blond, spiked with sweat these days that cried out to be tugged as she was kissed, the slight thicker set of her thighs, buttocks and stomach, he much preferred a girl with a bit of weight than the skinny, almost starved look some of the women up at camp had; the ink he could spy under her clothes was calling out for him to discover exactly how many tattoos she had and why she'd chosen them. He had seen a glimpse of the tattoos on her by accident when he'd stumbled upon her at the lake having a quick swim and also when he'd found her in the woods. She kept herself well covered normally, she said she got sunburn easily. He could spy an interesting shaped scar across her collar bone when she wore lower cut shirts, not that she did very much now. 

Not since he'd saved her in the woods a week or so ago. 

He loved how well they worked as hunters together. She knew enough to track decently and was surprisingly quiet on her feet, despite the heavy metal covered, thick platform soled boots she chose to wear. They're only issue seemed to be that they butted heads constantly when not hunting, both taking verbal swipes at each other whenever they tried to have a conversation, sometimes she'd slap him on the arm; Merle finding it hilarious and entertaining to join in. Damn Merle, was his fault she got hurt in the first place. If he hadn't egged her on about her lack of hunting abilities, she wouldn't have been out in the woods by herself in the first place. 

He sighed quietly as she raised to her feet and moved away, eyes scanning the forest floor for the deer's tracks, finding them and leading the way.

                                                    **********

Daryl grunted as he lowered himself down beside the girl, who was turning a stick through the weak fire in front of her. The night was silent except for the light wind. He silently settled down against the log and took out of one of the squirrel for the pair to eat. Daryl made quick work of gutting and skinning the small rodent and shoved it on a stick to slowly roast over the flames. The girl's eyes drifting upwards towards the stars. She looked so peaceful that he didn't want to disturb her. 

"We gotta head back in the morning if we don't find the deer." She nodded and pulled her arms around her own shoulders, shivering slightly. "Come 'ere." He said, holding his arms open for her to settle beside him. Daryl usually hated touching others and being touched was a rarity for him but he'd made the exception for her while they hunted. It was simply for survival he told himself. If she got too cold she'd get sick and then the group wouldn't have a hunter when he and Merle left. And he'd feel that guilt all his life, the kids needed fresh meat so he was doing something for the group. Nothing to do with his stupid little crush. Nope, he was doing it for the group. She shuffled closer and wrapped an arm around his waist. Her head found his chest and she sighed, feeling the heat from Daryl seep into her cold bones. Daryl frowned, she felt hot yet she was shivering like crazy. 

That damn hand. 

He pulled her closer and ran his hand cautiously up and down her arm. She flinched at first then relaxed into his embrace. 

"Ya alright?" 

"Yea. Just cold." She whispered, her warm breath causing goose bumps across Daryl's chest. She blinked slowly, feeling sleep call her. The smell of Daryl's warm body lulling her, she had missed falling asleep in a man's arms. It was familiar and comforting. She felt safe, warm and protected despite the dead walking. 

                                                    **********

The sharp whistle drew her attention to the left. She nocked her arrow and let it fly, hitting the deer in the hind leg causing it to run. The two hunters had caught up to the deer earlier and were driving it towards camp. Daryl was in the rear urging it forward, while she made it turn in the right direction when it veered too far to the left. 

She spotted the steep banks that marked the outer edges of the quarry and smiled. 

Almost home.

Taking another shot to steer the deer towards the lower bank she smiled. The group would eat well tonight. She stumbled and shot at the hind leg again. The deer in one last desperate burst of energy slipped out of her sight but it was very close to camp. Wouldn't take long for them to catch up.

                                                          **********

Phoenix paused and braced her arms on her knees, Daryl whistled in question, asking if she was alright as he walked by her. She held up a hand in reply. He grumbled and walked away. She could hear yells and the sounds of stomping as she neared the rocks that hid camp. 

Daryl was knelt on the ground and looking over the deer. 

"Think we could cut around the chewed up part?" He said looking up at Dale and the others. Phoenix's eyes narrowed as she spotted a new face amongst the men. The group of men didn't seem to notice her as she joined Daryl at his side, subconsciously seeking his protection from the stranger. Fear made her heart pound loudly in her ears as Daryl stood. 

"I wouldn't risk that" Shane said quietly, Daryl sighed dejectedly frustrated he hadn't been able to feed the group more. 

"That's a damn shame. We got us some squirrels... About a dozen or so. That'll have to do."

"Oh my god!" Amy gasped as the head of the walker suddenly began to gnash its teeth. 

"Come on people! What the hell?!" Daryl exclaims as he releases a bolt through its undead head. "It's gotta be the brain! Don't y'all know nothin'?!" 

Phoenix smirked, shouldering her bow as she followed Daryl back into camp. She gave a glance over her shoulder at the group behind her, noticing the exchange of looks between them. 

"MERLE! MERLE! Get ya ugly ass out here! Got us some squirrel! Let's stew 'em up!" Daryl calls out, Phoenix swivelling her head to see where the elder Dixon was.

"Daryl, just slow up a bit. I need to talk to you." Shane called, his hands on his hips as the group avoids Daryl and Phoenix's eyes. 

"About what?" Daryl queries, pausing his march around the camp. Phoenix, instinctively, taking Daryl's back with a bad feeling in her gut. 

"DD... Hear him out." She whispers as Daryl narrows his eyes in suspicion. Daryl glances at her briefly before turning back to Shane. 

"About Merle... There was a... There was a problem in Atlanta." The former officer sighs, his hand reaching out as if to pacify the man. Phoenix grits her teeth and reaches for the gun hidden behind her shirt slowly, sensing this was not going to end well. 

"He dead? "

"We're not sure..."

OH shitttt Phoenix thought, slipping the brace of squirrels and her bow off her shoulder. 

"He either is or he ain't!" Daryl stated, his voice raising in anger as his face grew more dark. 

"No easy way to say this so I'll just say it." The newcomer said quietly, stepping into the discussion. 

"Who are you?!" Daryl asked, confused slightly as to what this stranger had to do with his brother's disappearance. 

"Rick Grimes." 

"Rick Grimes?!" Daryl spat aggressively, his face a mask to the hurt and anger underneath. "You got summit ya want t' tell me?" 

"Your brother was a danger to us all, so I... I handcuffed him on a roof, hooked him to a piece of metal... He's still there." 

"What the fuck!?" Phoenix snarled as her eyes narrowed at the newcomer. Her stance widening, readying herself for a fight. Daryl began pacing, his eyes meeting hers, she gave a barely there nod in agreement with him. 

"Hold on... Let me process this. You're sayin' you handcuffed my brother to a roof and you left him there!?" Daryl growled as he paced, the woman edging towards Shane, out of Daryl's path to Rick. 

"Yeah." 

Daryl growls loudly as he throws his rope of squirrels at Rick, who dodges them easily. 

"Hey! Watch the knife!" T-Dog yells as Daryl pulls his knife. Shane dodges Phoenix and gets behind Daryl, quickly putting him into a chokehold. Phoenix steps up behind Shane, her own knife slipping into her grip, her gun giving a low click as she removed the safety and pointed it at the curls of Shane's hair. 

"Okay... Okay..." Shane whispers, lowering Daryl and himself to the ground. 

"You'd best let me go!" Daryl gasped, struggling to free himself. 

"Do as he says!" Phoenix snarls, her Beretta a mere breath away from Shane's skull. 

"Chokehold's illegal!" Daryl grunts, thrashing his legs. Phoenix lowers her gun to Shane's shoulder, ready to pull the trigger if needed. 

"You can file a complaint!" Shane laughs weakly. "Come on man. We'll keep this up all day."

"Like shite we will. I'll shoot ya first mate!" The red head growled as Rick kneels in front of Daryl and Shane, his head tilting to the side. 

"I'd like to have a calm discussion on this topic. Do you think we can manage that? Do you think we can manage that?" 

Daryl grunts, ceasing to struggle, slapping his hand out to the side of him; silently signalling to the woman to stand down as Shane hums in question. 

"Mmm...Yeah." Daryl replies. 

Shane releases him quickly and steps away as the younger man raises himself to his feet. Shane's eyebrows raised as Phoenix pulls herself to her full height, him and Rick giving her a worried glance. She smirks and makes a show of putting her knife and gun back into their places. Rick turns to Daryl and rubs the back of his neck slowly. 

"What I did was not on a whim. Your brother does not work or play well with others."

"It’s not Rick's fault!" T-Dog interrupted, the large man stepping closer. "I had the key... I dropped it!"

Phoenix scoffed, glaring at the man. 

"Ya couldn't pick it up?!" Daryl questioned, his anger disappearing and being replaced by worry and anxiety. 

"Well, I dropped it in a drain."

"If that’s supposed to make me feel better, it don't." Daryl snapped as he shook his head, pacing in a small circle. Phoenix joining him at his side and glaring daggers at T-Dog. 

"Maybe this will... Look, I chained the door to the roof... So geeks couldn't get at him... With a big ass chain and padlock. Its got to count for something!"

"Hell with all y'all! Just tell me where he is... So that I can go get him." Daryl choked out, his voice cracking with tears as Phoenix gently placed a hand on his shoulder. 

"So we can go get him." She declared, daring anyone to argue with her. Daryl gave her a tiny up nod at her and squeezed her hand on his shoulder lightly. 

"He'll show you. Isn't that right?" Lori spoke up from the door of the RV, she looked to Rick quietly awaiting his reply. 

"I'm going back." He stated quietly. Lori sighed and walked into the RV. 

                                                   *********

Phoenix pulled on her long studded leather jacket and secured her axe into the specialised holster on her back. Daryl stood beside her silently, chewing his lip. The Brit have a slight wobble as she got lighter headed and Daryl's mind came to only one solution to a major issue between the pair.  

"Hey." 

"Hey DD. You ready to go get Merle?" She asked, bending to tie her boot laces.  "Yea... Ya not comin' though."  

"What!? You can't be serious DD! You need me with you so those picks don't leave you there as well!" She snapped back as he turned to walk away. 

"Daryl!" 

"Nah. Ya hurt. Too many geeks in the city fer ya axe. Stay here. Keep safe." He argued back, she growled in her throat and pushed by him. His hand wrapped around her arm in a bruising grip.  

"Dixon..."  

"Listen... Stay here. I don't... Just... Fuck." He hissed. "Merle will be pissed. Real pissed." 

"He'll of been baked in the sun ya mean! He is gonna be stir fried from the heat! He's gonna need someone to calm him down. He ain't gonna hurt me DD... He wouldn't hurt me." She sighed, her head beginning to throb. "I have to Daryl. I owe him one!"  

"Nah ya don't!" 

"Yes I fucking do!"  

"No. Ya stayin' here!" 

 "I'm going!" She yelled, hands on her hips.  

"No!" 

"Yes!" 

"NO! And that's final!"  

The pair continued to argue for several more minutes until Shane interrupted them, the pair literally chest to chest and needing to be pulled apart before fists began to fly. Phoenix huffed and stormed away into the woods as the man agreed with Daryl. Daryl glared after the fiery woman before stomping off to the truck, missing her turning back towards the camp and leaning against a tree with her arm crossed against her chest.    

Phoenix glanced at the truck Daryl stood in. She wanted to wish them luck but knew Daryl was still angry with her. He looked in her direction and nodded his head, a small smile gracing the corner of his mouth. She sighed and walked towards him, he knelt down at the open shutter and tilted his head towards her.  "Keep safe in the city DD." She whispered, gazing upwards into the man's sky blue eyes. He nodded and chewed his thumb. "Bring Merle back. Wouldn't be the same round here without that dickhead." 

"Yea. Be quieter fer sure." He chuckled, smiling fondly at the girl. Phoenix reached up and pulled at Daryl, forcing him to brace himself against the ledge as she hugged him with one arm against her chest. Daryl slowly relaxed enough to enjoy her closeness and leaned his head on top of hers. ��

"Please come back." She whispered into his ear as he pulled back slightly, his eyes flitting around camp to make sure no one was witnessing the exchange.  He nodded lightly into her neck, his arm coming to loosely hold her waist. He breathed in her soothing subtle scent and closed his eyes to help him memorise thee moment, just in case. He cleared his throat and pulled away, feeling a certain part of his anatomy starting to stir. She smiled weakly at him with teary eyes and walked away.  

"Hey!"  

Phoenix turned slightly, the breeze making her hair wave over her face softly. Thee sun shining behind her making her hair look like flames licking across the crown of her head. The bruises and cuts across her face hidden in the shadows of her face and hair.  So beautiful Daryl thought, smiling slightly. His mind locking the sight into his memory as he stood and waved to her.  

"Stay safe!" He called to her, she nodded and waved back. Her cheeks tinting pink at his loud show of concern as she smiled softly.   

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