#i had to stop the episode HE CARES SO MUCH ABOU T HER AND SHE'S LIKE HIS DAUGHTER WASSVNDFJBD.

[shinsoukover]

NOT FUNNY, CRIED

[groovycatcollector]

The Wonderfully Right, And The Horribly Wrong (Daryl Dixon Love story)

Summery: After losing her brother and his wife, one young woman is left on her own, caring for a new born and trying to survive. After being taken in to a community after years of mistrust, how will she adapt, and what effect will a certain archer have on her. Starts the last episode of season5

 Warnings: slowish-burn, angst, eventual fluff, violence, strong language. ptsd, Age gap

Pairings: Daryl Dixon x OFC

Chapter 4

I sat in between Sasha and Maggie on the couch bouncing the baby on my knee listening to Rick explain the horde situation, allowing myself to stare out the window at the trees, taking it all in. So, there is a big fat horde, that’s gonna make it’s way over in the next few weeks, if not days. Cool. Some had their eyes on Rick, most were fixated on the floor, either trying to process or in a state of shock. The room was getting more and more sombre, you could cut the tension  with a butter knife. Carter started challenging the decision after Carol said there was no other way (which they’re wasn’t, I haven’t dealt with many hordes but this seemed like the best option “We can try and make it safe, build up the weak spots”

Thankfully Rick shot that down quickly, he reminded me of a politician with Deannas support. As they started talking about the plan I looked away from the window, noticing Daryl’s eyes on me. I offered him a smile, feeling a shot of guilt in my stomach about earlier, he looked away pretty fast, but for some reason I began to examine his face. I snapped out of gaze once people started offering to go. Shit, I know I should go, I really should, my mama always said to always try leave a bit of goodness, and to help whenever you can. I looked down at baby biting my lip, but then Carl caught my attention and nodded. “I’ll watch him” he mouthed, I smiled, half relived, half terrified. Carl could handle himself, I could gather that much. I quickly put my hand up “I’ll go too”

Rick nodded, reassuring the crowd “Well keep this place safe, we’ll keep our family’s safe” I knew this was just empty reassurance, no one could know the outcome of this, but it calmed my nerves, even if only a little.

**

I rested the boy on my hip just has I got down the porch steps of the house “I’ll see ya later Nina. Hope you feel a bit better” Maggie offered, walking back with Glenn, who also gave me a half wave as he walked away. And I did feel better. If not more prepared about raising a kid then maybe a little less alone, then I caught a glimpse of Daryl up ahead. Jesus, I was so rude to him earlier, mustering all my courage I started to walk towards him, he had his crossbow slung on his back, holding it lazily with one arm. 

“Hey” I said from behind him, I kept walking up because he was still a few meters ahead. He didn’t turn, so either he was pissed or a bit deaf. I repeated myself to which made him jump a little before turning and rubbing his face“Shit you scared the fuck out of me” He grumbled. I just stared at him, frozen. Shit, why can’t I talk.

He looked me up and down. C’mon Nina talk dammit. “Uhh I” This is not happening to me. I looked down at my feet. For the love of the Archangel Gabriel this is ridicules. “I wanted to apologize for earlier” I stated, finally looking back up at him, straightening my shoulders. “I was really rude,and it was uncalled for” Daryl seemed taken aback, he looked at me hard, which made his forehead scrunch up and show off his lines that come from years of frowning.  “’s okay, don’ worry abou’ it” He began to turn and I left out a huff. “No it’s not, I wanna make it up to you” He glanced back and nodded, before walking off. Okay, not a complete disaster. He did leave half way through but, at least he said it was okay? Still I felt bad, maybe I could help him with his bike, or bring him back something from a run. After all he brought me chlothes for the kid. 

I started walking back to the house, humming to the baby as he began to fall asleep in my arms.

Maybe I have him figured out, I think he’s just quiet, and a tad awkward. I liked him anyways, he seemed more like a protector then a aggressor. I walked into the house to see Carol sitting in the kitchen. “Hey, I’ll be down to help with dinner in a sec, I’m just gonna put him down” I called out to her walking up the stairs. Did I just see little boy next to her, holding a cookie? I stopped and backtracked, peedking my head into the kitchen. Oh, I was right, “Hi there” I said to him, making eyecontact with Carol making a confused face but keeping my smile. “I thought I’d help Sam make a few cookies” She smiled, it was good, pretty believable, but I know a lie when I see one. I nodded, like I belived her and started walking back up the stairs. “Well I be down in a few”

I put the baby on my bed where he slept, putting pillows around him so he wouldn’t roll off the bed. I kept having nightmares that he was gone or eaten, so having him right next to me was faster  to check on him or so I could just a hand out to calm my nerves. I sat next to him and brushed my hand across his hair, my chest tightened with a mixture of fear and love for this tiny child. I know I should pick a name, I just can’t will myself to. I feel like if I name him he’ll be more real, and easier to loose. Maybe I could get him baptized, then he’ll really have a name, if not to me then to God.

We were raised Catholic, so the Baptism was really big for us, then he’ll have two names actually. I chuckled remembering my brother wondering how he was going to baptize the baby when it was born, joking he could try do it in Mountain Dew if worse comes to worse. Maybe I’ll ask Gabriel, as long as he’s dipped in water and a blessing said I don’t really care. I layed out a blanker and wrapped him in it tightley, if I knew anything I knew he liked to be snug. I looked at him one last time before walking downstairs to help Carol.

**

I handed the kid to Carl after thanking him, giving him a smile “I owe you one kid” I said to him, he looked at me before shuffling his feet “When you get back” he started, I looked confused before he spoke quietly “Could I ask for some advice ?” He cleard his throat “Some girl advice” I stared at him shocked, before bursted out laughing. Oh my god this kid is gonna be the death of me “Sorry sorry” I said catching my breath “Yeah of course little dude” he rolled his head back “Jesus Nina stop laughing” he should have known that would have just made me laugh more.

 “Okay” I breathed “Okay sorry” He had gone bright red, and dropped his head low, I felt bad, but it also gave me a bit of a kick “why didn’t you ask your dad?” I just about managed to get out. Carl rolled his guys “he wouldn’t get it, and I don’t think he’s flirted since ‘87” I nodded “Yeah okay, just didn’t expect a kid like you needing advice from an old crow like me” I giggled again, and put a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll talk when I get back from this practice run” His shoulders relaxed a little “Thanks, and please don't tell anyone about this” I turned and seeing how desperate he looked, I tapped my nose, signalling that I wouldn’t say anything. But my laughter was short-lived as I was brought to a standstill by Daryl Dixon sitting on his bike. He looked at me with such a intensity it made my stomach flip, before shaking his head and revving his engine. 

odd.

Part one Part two Part three Part five Part seven Part eight Part nine 

Part ten Part eleven

Authors note: Any feedback would be apricated, if ye feel the story is going to slow or want more of anything just let me know x

[lincolnbrendt]

self para || mad world

Day 1:

“It’s only the first day, Linc, it’s totally normal for her to stay out.” Daisy’s voice was always so well controlled that he didn’t know if she believed the words she was saying. She probably didn’t, he told himself. “You know she’s been through a lot. She just needs a break.”

Lincoln nodded silently as he watched the redheads fingers move nimbly through Mallory’s blonde hair, twirling them into two plaits. He must have zoned out when they’d cleaned the blood out of it. That made it easier for him to breathe every time he looked at her.

Daisy left, not trying to say anything further to Lincoln. A gesture he appreciated because he didn’t know if he remembered how to speak anymore. Lucy came out from behind the curtain as Adam’s mother’s voice was heard in the distance. His sister might have said something to him, but he couldn’t tell. The woman he’d come to know as Nicole held out a black coffee from the machine for Lincoln.

“You seem to need it,” she spoke in a gentle voice, smiling at Lucy who thanked her on Lincoln’s behalf. Lincoln wondered wryly how much the woman would smile if she knew she was in the same room as her future grandchild with absolutely no clue. “And Ms. Brendt, dear, I do hope you and your baby are doing well. I can’t imagine what you went through.”

If he’d had any energy, he would have nearly scoffed.

The woman and her husband disappeared to talk to their son and his jaw tightened as he heard Adam’s voice. It was a selfish thought of him to have, but he thought he might have swapped Mallory’s place with his in a heartbeat. After the idea passed his mind he began tugging at his own hair, hating himself for being so selfish but he couldn’t help it he couldn’t help it he didn’t mean to think that.

“Hey, Lincoln, hey come on stop, hey stop doing that.” It was Lucy’s voice that broke through the waves of guilt he felt, bringing him back to reality.

“No no no no I thought something bad I thought a bad thing.”

“What bad thing Lincoln? Lincoln what bad thing?”

And just like that, he snapped out of it, making himself take a deep breath.

“Never mind. I just… I d-do-d-don’t r-r-rem-member.” A lie, but one that was for the best. The concern on Lucy’s face became more prevalent than before, and Lincoln forced a smile. “I-I’m go-g-gonna go get s-some foo-f-food. I’ll be back soon.”

Day 3:

It had been far too long since Lincoln had shaved or showered or done anything to take care of himself. He couldn’t do anything but sit there, wasting away in the chair as he watched the line on Mallory’s heart monitor go up and down. Empty coffee cups sat on the desk behind him, broken poems scribbled on the side as he’d always done for Mallory before.

It was only day 3.

People were still telling him to hold onto hope. That this was nothing out of the ordinary.

He wondered if they understood that the only reason he survived the weeks without her before was by knowing she was a phone call away and knowing that once he was brave enough to face her and his mistake they would be fine.

He wondered if they understood that the labyrinth his mind had become over the years was unnavigable without the light she provided with her heartbeat.

He wondered if they understood that every day she stayed asleep, his sanity fled deeper and deeper into that labyrinth.

Day 5:

Sleep was no longer a concept Lincoln really remembered. He was downing a large coffee at least four times a day and even if he hadn’t been chugging so much espresso his mind wouldn’t have shut off long enough to allow him a rest more than the occasional hour long naps when he found himself bogged down by a vivid nightmare over and over again. Mallory, bloody and dead in his arms.

His knees were tucked up against his chest as he sat near her bed now. He was trying to read aloud from the book of his poetry he’d roughly constructed but the words and letters were floating around on the page as he tried.

In the distance - or perhaps right next to him he no longer cared enough to tell - he heard a nurse discussing his own health with someone who sounded like Logan. Then again it could have been Lucy or Daisy or anyone who wasn’t Mallory because Mallory couldn’t speak.

“We’re concerned that his lack of sleep combined with his autism and OCD could lead to… some sort of mental episode. What we can do is provide him with some sleeping medicine if you would authorize that, to just get him to rest. If he continues this way I… just don’t know.”

“It’s fine. I’ll sign off on it, but good luck selling him on it.”

Lincoln did not go down without a fight.

“Wake me up if she does,” he said weakly as his eyes fought off the darkness that encompassed him, only having been swayed after being told he could end up hurting himself or someone else if he kept on acting like this.

Day 6:

When he woke up he was in a stranger’s room, it was empty, dark and quiet. Looking down at his arm in the dimly lit room he saw wires and tubes connected to it and couldn’t contain the gag working its way up his throat.

“N-Nu-Nurse! Nurse!” He began yelling and not long after, a short man dressed in scrubs entered the room.

“Mr. Brendt, how are you fee-“

“Unho-Unhook m-me from th-this machi-m-machine,” Lincoln spoke impatiently.

“Oh I’ll have to make sure you’re well enough to-“

“If y-you don’t I w-will,” he threatened, holding his hand over the tubes which caused the nurse to come over quickly and begin unhooking him, bandaging the small patch where his incision was. With shaky legs, he stood up and left the room. He sighed in relief realizing he was just across the hall from Mallory, walking the short distance with legs that seemed to forget how to move.

Regardless, he found his seat left exactly where it had been when he left, and his coffee cups untouched in their stacks of five because five was a good number five made good things happen. Tapping his finger against his knee repeatedly he counted them out.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Day 9:

Lincoln was laying in a bed, prepped for surgery after having kissed all of his sisters on the top of the head and waving a goodbye before he walked into the prep room.

“You’ll have to lay down for at least two days. And then for about four weeks, maybe six, you’ll need to take all physical activity to a minimum, no lifting more than 10 to 15 pounds, we don’t suggest intercourse during the recovery time, all around you’ll have to be careful standing long periods of time and take care of yourself.”

“Okay.”

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Abs-Absolutely.”

“I know there aren’t a lot of other options but I don’t want you to do this and regr-“

“Just take me back.”

“There’s a chance we may still lose h-“

“TAKE ME BACK!” Lincoln shouted. He was uninterested in hearing anyone talk about possibly losing Mallory.

“Okay…” The doctor still sounded hesitant, but the nurse who was pushing his bed had been there when Mallory’s kidneys began to fail. So had Lincoln. Within hours and a few tests that showed he was, remarkably, a match, the boy was in a hospital bed being rolled into surgery.

As he was pushed into the sterile, cold procedure room, he rolled his head to the side to see Mallory’s pretty blonde hair.

“Abou-out t-time I paid you back f-for saving me,” he whispered before they turned his head back upwards and placed a mask over his face.

“Okay dear, just count back from 10,” said a nice woman just behind his head.

He didn’t even make it to 8.

Day 11:

Lincoln could walk again, but instead he sat next to Mallory’s bed right where he always did. He thought he remembered Jean and Eddie thanking him over and over for what he did. He also thought it was silly for anyone to think he wouldn’t have given up both of his lungs and heart and liver and everything he had to give if it meant she would be brought back into the world.

He didn’t remember what being a person felt like anymore. He didn’t remember any sensations other than fear and panic and anger and exhaustion. He didn’t remember having any intentions other than to keep fighting while the love of his life did the same.

His sleep came in waves that day, brought on by the pain meds he still took every few hours. Between the periods of darkness when his mind finally escaped reality, Lincoln wrote poems upon poems upon poems. Desperate for the right words that might bring her back.

“Y-You just keep… k-ke-keep r-resting, L-Lov-Love. B-But pl-please come b-bac-back… I-I-I n-nee-need you…”

Sleep took him away again, unwanted but still appreciated, and in his dreams that night there was nothing. Emptiness, surrounded by nothing but pitch black. It was a welcome escape from the fear and sadness that had wracked his body every waking minute.

Day 12:

A man came in holding a bible.

Lincoln to the side, slightly numb to the whole experience but he was aware of what was happening. They were blessing Mallory, so if she did die, she would go to heaven. It caused his stomach to lurch, the idea that people were making preparations in the case of her death.

Lincoln had arrangements of his own, but he didn’t want to share those plans with anyone else.

“F-Father?” Lincoln has found himself following the man out of the room, limping slightly. “C-Can I as-ask you s-someth-something?”

The man turned around and faced Lincoln with a smile.

“Of course, how can I help you?”

“W-Well I-I um… so-s-so I’m n-not a v-ver-very re-r-relig-ligious p-perso-person, I don’t kn-know how it w-work-works ex-exactly but cou-c-could you t-tell G-Go-G-God s-someth-something for m-me?”

The man’s expression was patient as he nodded.

”What is it, Son?”

”I-I w-wan-wanted… I’ve w-wanted a f-fam-famil-mily my… who-whole l-life… b-but if…if-if Mal-M-Mallory c-c-co-comes-s b-back I will gi-g-give up my dr-drea-dream. He’ll n-nev-never h-hear me wi-w-wish for my own s-son or dau-d-daughter again. C-Coul-d y-you te-t-ell h-him that?”

The man’s face went from patient to devastated as Lincoln finished speaking.

”Oh, Dear boy, you poor thing…”

”I-I don’t want-t-t y-your pit-ty… Pl-Plea-ease j-just tell h-him?”

The man nodded, reaching out his hands to take Lincoln’s. Lincoln barely enjoyed physical contact from a stranger under normal circumstances and these circumstances were far from normal. So he flinched away, curling his hands into his chest. 

“I’ll tell him,” the man said, taking his own hands back. 

With a satisfied nod, Lincoln disappeared to return to Mallory’s bedside.

Day 14: 

Lincoln had to fight for the first time to keep Mallory on for just a couple more days. At that point, the only thing keeping her alive was the machine she was relying on for a heartbeat. 

 “P-Pl-Please-Please I-I’ll p-p-pa-pay f-fo-f-for-r it plea-p-p-p-pl-please ju-j-j-jus-j-just a c-cou-c-c-couple m-mo-m-more d-da-d-days!” 

His frantic voice swayed Mallory’s grandparents, agreeing to just a couple more days. Lincoln knew that in a couple more days if Mallory wasn’t awake he’d fight again and again until he had no fight left in him. Lincoln was stitching together the many loose pages on which he’d written countless poems during his time there. 

He figured that when she woke up she’d want to read them. It was a rare day for Lincoln, meaning it was one in which he was actually aware of the world beyond the four walls that boxed him into that room or beyond the line of vision between he and Mallory. 

Meaning when Mason Safaatauemana walked in with a pitiful look on his face, Lincoln had already lost patience for the boy who had found such disgusting delight in charming Mallory into a date ages ago. 

“Hey, man,” he started as he took a few steps towards Lincoln who, had he had even a drop less of self control in his body, may have growled at him. “I just wanted to swing by and say I was sorry, you know. For everything.” 

“L-Li-L-Like?” 

“Like... I wish I’d been able to do something to save her, or to stop it all, you know? I’m just-“ 

Rage bubbled in Lincoln’s head, boiling so loudly he was deaf to any other words Mason was saying. 

“A-Are you ki-k-Kidd-kidding?!” 

“What-“ 

“Are you KIDDING?!” Lincoln stood up now, putting a hand over his side with a groan. “You’re going to take this moment right here, this moment in which the love of my life is laying in bed because a deranged madman shot her and you’re going to turn it into a situation in which you could have been the hero of the cards had fallen right?!” 

“I’m sorry I-“ 

“You don’t get to be the hero in everyone’s story, Mason!! If anyone could have saved her it would have been ME!! There was nothing YOU of all people could do!” 

The sleepless nights that made days blend together like wet paint left him exhausted and had caught up to him, making this seem catastrophic. 

“I mean you, you just... you just run into people’s life and expect them to bend into whatever they need to be for you to fit with them. You never change to fit anyone! I changed to be your friend, to live with you, to get your stupid approval I change for EVERYONE I didn’t have to change for Mallory and you’re going to come in here saying you wish you’d been able to save her?!?” 

Lincoln shoved Mason’s shoulders, all of the anger he’d ever felt towards the redhead coming out as he continued shouting. 

“I mean seriously?! You ask her on a date just to try to fuck her and then you keep treating her and I like shit like we’re lesser than you because she didn’t want to fuck you and because I stutter and wasn’t one of your original friends!” Lincoln shoved him again and this time Mason held him back, keeping his hand on his shoulders to stop Lincoln from getting any closer. This only made Lincoln feel attacked and he swung, connecting his fist with Mason’s face. 

“Lincoln, Lincoln stop,” Mason pleaded, trying to keep him away while also trying to calm him down. “You don’t want to do this. You don’t want to start this right now.” 

“Stop telling me what I want to do! Nobody but me knows what I want to do!!!” 

By then Mason had gotten them out into the hallway, away from the medical equipment and away from Mallory. 

“I know what I want to do! You don’t and Lucy doesn’t and the nurses don’t! I don’t want to be here without Mallory don’t tell me what I want!” 

Another swing, another fist slamming into Mason’s face. The redhead clenched his jaw, clinging onto reality so he wouldn’t blackout. 

“Lincoln please, please I don’t want to blackout I could hurt you I could kill you!” 

At the thought of Mason killing him, Lincoln punched him again, harder than before and this time in the gut. 

“Then kill me! KILL ME!!!” Lincoln was screaming now, his voice shrill and drawing the attention of the other patients and some of the nurses. “Please, Mason if I’m your friend at all - if I’ve ever been your friend then kill me I don’t want to live without her I can’t I can’t I can’t I can’t be me without her I would rather DIE!” 

Another punch, this time in the side and Mason finally shoved him away, backwards and into the arms of Hunter, who sighed and lined a syringe up against Lincoln’s neck. 

“Somebody please just kill me I don’t want to live without her please Mason, please please just do it promise me you’ll do it!” Even as he was stuck in the neck with medicine meant to sedate him, it took a few moments to work its way through his large body. “Mason I thought you were my friend please I just wanted you to kill me!” His words were sobs as his legs grew weak and Hunter enlisted Mason’s help in carrying him back into Mallory’s room. 

Adam was long gone by then, and they lifted him into the bed right next to Mallory. 

“Please,” his voice was a whimper as his eyes fought to remain open. “Someone just kill me...” 

Day 15 - Evening: 

Lincoln’s sanity was slipping again. After the breakdown the night before, it seemed to fall between his fingers like sand in a widespread hand. Slipping quickly, falling back towards the ground with nothing but gravity to stop it. He was sat in his chair when a nurse he didn’t recognize entered the room. She must have been new. That was okay, he told himself, Daisy wouldn’t let anyone but the best near his girl. He knew that much was true. 

Still, as she acknowledged his presence with a nod and wave before going about refilling Mallory’s IV, Lincoln couldn’t do anything but rock back and forth in his still chair. His arms hugging his own chest like that could keep him together as he rocked. 

“C-C-C’m-C’mon M-Ma-M-Mal-Mal... y-y-you don’t ha-h-have m-much time-ti-time l-lef-l-left... You nee-n-need to c-come ba-b-back to me...” He murmured over and over again as he stared at Mallory. The nurse looked at him with sadness in her eyes. 

“You been waiting a while for her?,” she asked kindly. Lincoln didn’t respond. “Well you know, Darling, she can feel your stress. You can’t put too much pressure on her.” 

It was as if someone had pressed the pause button on Lincoln’s life as the nurse spoke. He stopped rocking, stopped muttering things below his breath, stopped existing (at least it felt as if he had). He sat there unmoving as the nurse finished up. She bid him a good night that fell on deaf ears, as he held himself together desperately with his long arms. 

As soon as he heard the door shut with a click, Lincoln began pounding his fist against his head, punching himself in the forehead repeatedly until the pain became a dull reminder of how much he had fucked up. By the time a bruise had started blossoming on Lincoln’s face, he was screaming. No words came out exactly, he was screaming in fury and anger and hatred, angry at himself, furious at himself, hating himself. 

His screams reached frantic levels, the top of his lungs as he now began using both fists against himself. 

“It’s my fault it’s my fault it’s my fault!!!” He screamed, even as he heard the door be thrown open and Harley stood there with sadness in her eyes. “IT’S MY FAULT TOO MUCH PRESSURE TOO MUCH PRESSURE IT’S MY FAULT SHES GOING TO DIE TOO MUCH PRESSURE!” 

Blood began trickling out of his forehead now and Harley frantically begged Declan to come pull him away and make him stop. 

“OH MY GOD I KILLED HER ITS MY FAULT TOO MUCH PRESSURE TOO MUCH PRESSURE ITS MY FAULT!!!!” 

He was screaming so loudly now that his voice cracked and Declan entered the room, wrapping his large arms around Lincoln’s and prying his hands away from his head. 

“IT’S MY FAULT MY FAULT MY FAULT!!!!!!!” He was sobbing through his shouts now as Declan pulled him out of the room and Lincoln spotted the nurse who had said that. “SHE SAID IT WAS MY FAULT SHE SAID THERES TOO MUCH PRESSURE I JUST WANTED HER TO KNOW I BELIEVED IN HER BUT ITS MY FAULT ITS MY FAULT SHE WON’T WAKE UP AND ITS ALL MY FAULT!” 

The nurse looked devastated as blood continued spilling down Lincoln’s face. She couldn’t have known such a reaction would come out of such a mild mannered man. 

“I’m sorry I-“ She started.

“MY FAULT MY FAULT MY FAULT!!!!!” 

Eventually, Declan had wrestled him far enough away and locked him into a position which only exhausted Lincoln’s body if he tried to continue fighting. Instead of thrashing around anymore he became limp in the much bigger man’s arms and sobbed. 

“I just wanted her to know I believed she would come back she’s running out of time it’s all my fault...” 

Harley tried comforting him, using any words she thought may help but nothing changed how hard he cried. Not until he cried himself out in Harley’s arms (who had taken over once he’d stopped throwing his arms around). 

“I-I-I-I c-ca-c-can-can’t b-be ar-a-arou-a-around her anym-m-more.” 

“No Lincoln that’s not-“ 

“It’s m-my-my f-fau-f-fault I have t-to s-sta-s-stay away.” 

Nobody said anything else, letting him sit there and cry himself dry until he eventually decided he’d sleep in the waiting room. “I ha-h-have to stay aw-a-away...” 

Day 19: 

It was the end. No amount of fighting from Lincoln would change her grandparents minds anymore. Something about wanting to end the suffering she was going through and making sure she got into God’s Kingdom. It wasn’t an answer he was willing to accept but nothing was when it came to ending the life of the one person he had no intention on living without. They delivered the news as soon as he’d woken up that morning, wrapped in a bundle of blankets outside of Mallory’s room so his presence hold risk her recovery. 

All he remembered of his reaction was a scream so loud he no longer had a voice, only enough to croak out responses to people who spoke to him. He sat with his knees curled to his chest, tugging on his hair for hours as the world moved around him without him being present in it. People went in and out of Mallory’s room and Lincoln couldn’t do anything but watch their feet move past him.

Lily came up to him and sat beside him on the dirty ground. 

“Big brother, what’s wrong? Why is everyone crying?” 

Lincoln didn’t know if he was crying or not, his mind was desperate to shut down in order to protect itself. 

“Mallory’s going away, Lil,” Lincoln barely got out past the scratches in his throat. 

“Oh... Forever?” 

Lincoln nodded, letting out a sob into his fist as he did. Lily threw her arms around him.

“Hey, Mallory always said that when something sad happened, something good would come right after, right?” 

Another nod and another sob into his fist as he wrapped one arm around Lily. He didn’t want to give her up, he didn’t want to say goodbye to any of his sisters - in fact if anyone in the world would keep him there it would be them, but when he thought of a world without Mallory all he could see was himself wrapped up in a blanket on his mattress until he died of starvation or exposure or whatever it was people died from when they lay there unmoving for an endless amount of time, becoming nothing more than a vegetable, a burden on an already burdened family.

They sat there embracing until Eddie came over.

“Lincoln... If you... wanted to say goodbye.”

Goodbye.

The word washed over him like a tidal wave, pinning his body to the ground with some combination of horror and dread. Still, he stood up.

“H-He-Hey, go s-sit w-wi-with y-your si-s-sisters, L-Li-Lily, I’ll b-be out s-soo-s-soon.”

The young girl nodded, squeezing his waist before running off to sit with the other Brendt siblings. 

“Take as long as you need,” Eddie said, squeezing Lincoln’s hand. Lincoln nodded, going into the room and shutting it behind him. He took his spot in the chair that, at that point, had become molded to his shape. 

“I tried so hard, Baby,” he choked out through stutters and a hoarse voice, holding his hand tightly in his own. “I really tried so so so hard, I fought so hard to keep you here. I’m so sorry.” He was bawling almost immediately, barely able to get the words past his lips. “I just want you to be back here with me. I just want to hold you. I just want to kiss you and tell you how much I love you.”

His hands shook as he took the ring box out once more. “I know it’s probably selfish of me, to ask that you die with this on, but I don’t plan on being apart for long once you do, and I want you to have it in wherever there is after all of this.” 

He slid the ring on her finger and cried as he held it to his lips, pressing kisses against her cold skin, perfect even as she neared death. 

“Mallory I have so many things to thank you for and not enough time to say them all. Thank you for opening the door into my coffee shop that morning so long ago and walking into my life, thank you for changing the person I am, for making me a better - no the best version of myself. Thank you for holding my hand when it shakes and for finishing a game of mini golf with me when no one else ever has before. Thank you for sitting patiently with me as I try to spit out my order and for never being embarrassed by the person I am even though I’m embarrassed by the person I am. Thank you for being the one person in my life who knew how to fix all of the broken pieces of me, and thank you for not just knowing how to do it but for doing it. Thank you for loving a man who didn’t think of himself as worthy to be loved and thank you for kissing me even on the darkest days my mind had. Thank you for always seeing what was best for me and for doing it but mostly thank you for being the other part of me who I’ve been searching for for 22 years. For fitting every crooked edge and every shattered side I had. Thank you for completing me in a way I’ve never known.”

Tears were pouring down his cheeks as he pressed his lips against her forehead.

Once.

Twice.

A third, fourth and finally...

A fifth time.

“Please, Mallory, forgive me for what I am going to do when I leave this room. Find it in that beautiful soul to love me again even in death and to forgive me for being such a coward that I can’t live without you.” He was gripping her hand tightly now, sobbing into her hair. 

“Forgive me for not loving you for every moment I could have, and for taking for granted the love you gave me. I never will again. Forgive me for breaking your heart in a way I’ll never forgive myself for. Please, Mallory, when I see you again open your arms to me so that we can be together again.” 

As he squeezed her hand, he could swear she squeezed back but he knew that wasn’t possible - that such things only happened in dreams or movies or books. 

“This is not my goodbye, it isn’t,” he said adamantly. Tears fell onto Mallory’s porcelain face, dripping off of his cheeks. “I will see you again but in the meantime I love you I love you I love you.” He repeated the words over and over again, sobbing them out as he held her hand to his lips. 

He felt another squeeze, this time a bit more real. Maybe even a real one. 

“I love you I love you I love you,” he continued, his eyes trained on her face now, looking for any signs of movement. Her cheek twitched, as if she wanted to brush away one of the tears there on the skin. “Mallory?!” He reached out, wiping her face clear of his tears. Her lip moved now. He must be dreaming or dead already. There was no way this could be happening. “Mallory, Baby, Baby if you’re there I need you to do something baby, Mallory are you there?!” He watched as her eyelashes fluttered, as if they wanted to open. He let out a desperate sob, punched himself in the leg to see if he was awake. He was. “Mallory, Baby that’s it, that’s it please, Mal, please I just need to see your eyes.” 

He gripped her hand with nearly white knuckles, whispering please over and over to herself. Then, there they were. Her blue eyes blinking against the light of the room. Lincoln fell backwards, tripping over the chair and landing with a THUMP on his butt, he scrambled back up. 

“You did it, oh my god you did it you came back, Baby I knew you’d come back oh my god you’re so strong you’re so strong!” Lincoln was sobbing, kissing Mallory’s hand once more before rushing towards the hallway. Before he ran out, he took one last glance at Mallory. “I’ve missed your eyes,” he whispered before disappearing into the hall.

“Do-D-Doctors-s-s! Nur-N-Nu-Nurses! G-Go-G-God-d-d!!! Whoe-Wh-Whoever will li-l-liste-l-listen!!!” A crowd of people, most of them his friends and a few others were nurses and a doctor who’d run to see the commotion. “Sh-She’s ali-a-alive.” 

With those words, so much relief flooded through his body that he fell limp to the floor as cheers erupted around him and the doctor, along with the nurses, ran past him into Mallory’s room. He slipped into unconsciousness with the first genuine smile he’d had in 19 days.

[oh-beyond]

Cry wolf AU - Epilogue

EXO as animals series: Sehun

The magic effect you had on your parents, loved the attention, crying wolf your most entertaining hobby, you were the brattiest brat, what happens when you find a brattier brat than you that happens to be a werewolf?

Sehun x Reader

Wolf AU/fantasy/romance/hits of smut

Masterlist

EXO hybrid series

< Part 3

"Jongdae hyung? What happened?"

"I'll explain later, Sunmi noona is in the car... puking like there's no tomorrow"

"Hyung go get her" confirmed Sehun making sure with his arms that you were well covered.

When Jongdae went out to get his mate, Sehun rushed you back to his room suggesting you change into something more decent.

"Minseok oppa's clothes were good tho how abou-"

"No!" He said closing the door behind him. You found a hoodie that finally wasn't making you look like a distressed sausage and it was long enough to just wear a pair of his boxers underneath, you opened the door and followed Sehun’s voice as he talked to his brother from outside a closed door, you cleared your throat Sehun not approving of your outfit of choice judging on how he looked at your bare legs.

“You missed the lower part”

“Sehun, stop! What is wrong with you, your brother’s girlfriend is sick move away”

You knocked lightly on the door Jongdae opening the door in panic.

“Hyung this is ____, you know my mate”

“Oh, we are so sorry for disturbing you guys, Sunmi noona is not doing very well”

“Can I see her?” you were surprised at the sudden affection you felt towards this stranger.

“Sure, I mean you are family now, I really am so sorry guys to ruin this day for you”

“Don’t worry about it we have a lifetime” you said with a smile, looking at both wolves, Jongdae felt relived that you thought this way, it was Sehun who was not all amused.

And you met Sunmi, and puking she was, Jongdae was holding onto her head and patting her back, as she was finished bringing up what it looked a full week’s worth of food.

“What horrible circumstances to meet my new sister, I’m sorry” said Sunmi after washing her face Jongdae looking extra worried.

“Don’t worry about it unni, do you need help with anything?”

“No I feel better now, I know Sehun-ah must be hating me right now”

“Nah he’ll be OK, will teach him the art of patience” you said opening the door meeting Sehun’s angry face leaning on the wall arms crossed over his chest eyebrows well knitted into a steady line.

“How is noona?” 

“She looks tired maybe a stomach bug, but why are you so worried?”

“Well I just received a lovely call from my annoying brothers Chanyeol and Baekhyun, they are all coming tomorrow morning, and that means we can’t really...”

“I thought you wanted them to come back”

“Are you kidding me right now? Isn’t not hurting you too?” he said pulling you close you did feel something poking at you belly, you looked down and it was almost frightening.

“Guys I’m sorry again I feel like shit for ruining everything” said Jongdae interrupting the moment.

“No oppa don’t worry, Sehun has self-control don’t you baby?”

“Well damn does that exist with these horny wolves? Jongdae here needed to be tied up to be controlled”

“Sunmi noona~~~ ah wae~~~?”

All this talk was making Sehun extra frustrated, he was going crazy and your scent was everything he could smell.

Sumni and Jongdae had dinner, she seemed to be feeling better, you really wanted to get to know them more, but Sehun forced you to say that you were sleepy and really dragged you to his room.

“That is so rude” 

“Not as rude as we haven’t even kissed yet”

“We have the rest of our lives right?”

“Yeah but it’s mating season and you are here and I can’t freaking handle it anymore, you should be feeling the same”

“I’m perfectly fine tho, don’t know what you are talking about”

“Let’s go to your cabin”

“Sehun you selfish brat, Sunmi unni, what if she gets-”

“Hyung is with her”

“OMG you are so whiny, fine” you said huffing strangely you were genuinely feeling a connection with your new sister in law, but at the same time you had to recognise that you wanted to be alone with Sehun also.

Sehun got a few few things and shoved them into his backpack, you said your goodbyes and just when you were about to leave you were welcomed by 2 noisy guys at the door.

“Sehun-ah! Your mate?” said the tallest one.

“What are you doing here? Weren’t you supposed to arrive tomorrow morning?”

“I lied”

“Well I don’t care” added Sehun pulling you at his chest “we need to go, we are busy”

“Ah no no no, let us meet our new dongsaeng” exclaimed Baekhyun pulling you free from Sehun.

“Baekhyun-ah! Leave her alone” you heard Junmyeon bringing his bags accompanied by the most sophisticated looking girl ever while you wore these rags, you felt so small in comparison.

Sehun sensed how uncomfortable you felt “you heard hyung leave my girl alone, we are going”

“Why so fast Sehun-ah, let us meet your jewel” said this girl as she got close.

“Haerim noona please... I really need to get going...”

“Sehun-ah didn’t mark her yet” you heard those dumb looking guys say to each other.

Sehun huffed in discontent but had no other choice but to follow you and Haerim that was bringing you back to the house.

Hours passed, Sehun was scratching his arms and neck nervously, in the other hand you had the chance to meet yet another sister in law, the meeting was pleasant for everyone except for Sehun who seemed to have developed a straight line as an eyebrow, he was mad, and Baekhyun and Chanyeol were enjoying themselves telling the you stories about how Sehun stalked you when you were in school and how hard was to stop him not to go talk to you.

“Well yeah because she was being spoiled, that is why I wanted to talk to her nothing else”

“Look who is talking Sehun, you are the most spoiled one” cooed Baekhyun.

“Guys enough” said Junmyeon firmly.

“No hyung is fine, just let them meet their mates I will be the bitch, they’ll regret what they are doing now” said Sehun with his typical satisfied tone as a smirk spread on his face.

“Anyhow what do I owe this sudden visit to? Wasn’t I supposed to be alone for the weekend?”

“You don’t want us here Sehun?” 

“No I don’t, you seem all calm and cool you all smell like sex it’s driving me insane, even you 2 that seems harder for you to get the attention of any girl, you finally got lucky don’t rub it on my face, now if you’ll excuse me I’m taking my mate bec-”

“Sunmi noona! Are you alright?” exclaimed Jongdae as his mate seemed to be having yet another vomiting episode on the way.

“She’s probably just pregnant, now I’m really leaving”

“Sehun how did you know?” said Sunmi.

“Know what? You are pregnant? Noona you are pregnant?” cried Jongdae.

“Holy shit no the drama, sorry hyung to ruin it for you, well done, I guess it took a lot of practise, practise I really want to get to, get up we are leaving”

You were completely shellshocked ,really was this all he wanted? 

“I don’t want to” you spatted.

“What!? Get up I said!”

“Sehun-ah! We agreed not t- Sehun! Sehun calm down!”

And you felt his canines again on your leg, he had shifted to his wolf shape and you were being dragged, you screamed and pleaded, your hand slapped the wolf just then he noticed you were crying he retracted, Junmyeon and Chanyeol holding onto him he shifted back, Baekhyun bringing the couch throw over him.

“You are an idiot! I want to go home”

“No I am sorry, I didn’t mean-”

“You bit me for the second time you freak, take me home Junmyeon oppa!”

“Listen I think it’s our fault, we actually plotted this against Sehun, we wanted to teach him a lesson because he knows no patience, I apologise please reconsider” said Junmyeon calmly.

“You what? So is this your brilliant idea? To make my mate hate me? Who of you met their mates in mating season and had her in the same place without being able...? Would you be able to survive this? Hyung this is too upsetting, like you’ve gone too far this time”

“Sehun I’m sorry you are absolutely right”

“I don’t care I still want to go home” you spatted

Sunmi and Haerim helped you get up as they looked at their mates.

“You know I have a better idea, I really think they all went overboard here, how about we teach everyone a lesson?” suggested Haerim looking at you loudly enough that everyone present could hear.

“I think that it’s a brilliant suggestion Haerim-ah” added Sunmi “what do you have in mind?”

“Well Sunmi unni how about us girls enjoy a free of annoying bugs and spend it together watching movies in my room” said Haerim looking firmly at Junmyeon noticing how his pout formed.

“I am totally up for that because I really don’t feel too well and I could get some time off from my Jongdae, don’t you like that idea Jongdae-yah?”

The guys protested as the idea of having their mates far in mating season was hard to sink in.

You followed the girls Junmyeon and Jongdae trying to make their mates change their mind but in vain, it culminated when you saw Haerim throw Junmyeon’s pillow on his face, while you watched Sunmi getting hers from Jongdae’s room.

Junmyeon’s room seemed to be the largest in the house, they had a big couch that you could use to sleep in later on, you liked this plan.

Haerim, cleaned your leg and placed a plaster on the holes Sehun did to your leg “it’s not deep, not as deep as how he’ll go when he marks you”

“I don’t want him to do that”

“You think you don’t want, it’ll come a time when you ask him to, trust me, I know, it seems too dark right now, but believe me he loves you, I feel it, he’s changed so much, I’ve only been here for a few hours but I saw the change, also don’t be too upset about his behaviour, you have no clue how much it must hurt him to have you close while the guys were bitching him, some wolves lose their minds”

“Yeah Haerim is right girl” said Sumni as she opened the door to go get some snacks.

You saw Sehun sitting on the floor arms rested on his knees looking at the floor, when the door opened he lifted his head trying to see anything of you, you kind of felt sad, he just wanted to be close to you, as the door was closing he panicked getting up quickly stoping the door from closing completely.

“Can I come in?” he said almost whispering.

“No Sehun-ah, you heard us, this is no joke”

“Noona… please”

Haerim closed the door in his face, your throat felt dry, you really wanted to be with him, but maybe this was for the best.

The night was pleasant you watched a movie full of romance, Sunmi ended up crying, you blamed it on her rollercoaster of hormones being pregnant, Haerim on the other hand was the calmest she didn't mention Junmyeon all night, but you… you were aching.

“Why are you so nervous ___?” asked Haerim.

“I don’t know it’s maybe…”

“I think it’s enough torture for both of you, how about you pretend to go to the bathroom and…”

“There’s a bathroom here” you said.

“Yes but it’s occupied” said Haerim winking.

“Alright… thanks unni”

“Go girl, good luck and again welcome to the family”

You opened the door of the room and went to the downstairs bathroom, the house was too quiet, there was no one there, but suddenly you heard howls it came from the front door, you opened the door and were welcomed by 5 wolves, you instantly recognised Sehun, the other 4 wolves entered the house leaving you alone with Sehun, you knew he was going to shift so you covered your face after that you felt some sweaty arms around you and a chest heaving heavily pressed against your face, you uncovered your face slowly and looked up meeting that sweet smile of his.

“I missed you”

“It’s been 2 hours Sehun”

“I am sorry… for earlier”

“Yeah, OK, now let me go to bed the girls don’t know I’m here with you”

“Can you please just hear me out? Let’s go to your cabin”

“I’m not sur-“

Your eyes closed automatically, he tasted good so good that you forgot the ability to punch his chest, you melted, your limbs didn’t respond to your commands, as your hands found their way to his sweaty neck your fingers pulling his damp hair, Sehun angled his head to deepen the kiss, you felt his prominent canines on your lower lip, you elected the low groans coming from his throat, you felt how he trembled under your touch he was weak, but his tongue said otherwise, it was dominant the minute he gained access to your mouth, oxygen, you needed to breath.

“Sehun!” you said breaking the kiss panting looking at his eyes full of lust and desire, he couldn’t wait for you to say what you wanted to say and you felt him bringing you close wrapping his incredibly strong long arms around your body, his nose at your neck you felt his teeth against your skin, then his tongue then his lips peppering kisses all while you herd his inhales that sounded like a melody making you drowsy “Sehun” you repeated.

“Just in case you say no, please just let me enjoy this much”

“Let’s go”

“To your cabin?”

“I don’t think I can wait that log, your room”

Sehun howled in satisfaction, he pulled the his shorts that had prepared to wear upon his arrival all while you still closed your eyes tightly.

“Well really no need for that you’ll be seeing, tasting and feeling this pretty soon, this guys over here wants to be your best friend”

Your face heated up at the thought, imagining this, this was it, the moment…

“Sehun aaaaaaaaaah, aaaaaaaaaah”

“Don’t move, you are making it harder”

“No get away from me, get off”

“You won’t feel it”

“Liar, unni said it hurts, I also don’t get why she said I’ll ask for it”

“Just-“

He bit you, he fully sank his canines on your neck, your muscles relaxed and your punching on his chest ceased, he raised himself satisfied, you were officially his and no one elses, it felt as if a drug was just injected in your veins, you could see Sehun caressing your face and that dumb gorgeous smile all while his eyes were buried in little half moons, your arms felt too heavy to lift them and slap him, was this a trick to get you in his bed, he basically could do anything he wanted right now, not that you minded in the contrary, but you wanted to be able to correspond him, was he into this kind of kink? Damn you Sehun…

You woke up sore, no not sore, more like hungover, you could hear Sehun’s… deep breaths, he wasn’t in bed with you, what the hell was he doing and where? You got up and followed the sounds, thankfully he wasn’t masturbating because that was the first thought that came into your mind, he was equality hot doing pushups, impressive was all you could think of that back as little sparkly sweat droplets formed, and that sinful sound he was making...

“Hey babe, you got up, I’m sorry, was I loud?”

“I thought you were… never mind, I guess all this energy due to a quiet night, what as disappointment Sebrat”

“What are you talking about, it was the best night ever”

“Yeah your ego all pumped up? You own me now with this bruise you muster to make really visible?”

“Pretty much yeah” he said smiling crossing his arms behind his head.

“Brat! How dare you?”

“How dare I what?”

“You are an asshole, Sebrat, what a nice plan you had for me, just mark her so his brothers see you are all that, then nothing”

“There’s plenty of time for that, why so eager?”

“I thought you were the eager one now you picture me like being the slut here”

“Shut up they’ll hear you”

“You don’t shut me up, no one ever does”

“Well spoiled little girl not in my house I will”

“I’m leaving, I guess my mom will love seeing what you did to her spoiled little girl”

Sehun didn’t think about that really he panicked, he followed you after you slammed the door behind you.

“Whoa! Nice job Sehun, it suits you dongsaeng” cooed Baekhyun.

“Sealed the deal Sehun-ah?” asked goofy Chanyeol.

“What deal? The only deal he sealed is that he’s a brat”

Baekhyun and Chanyeol cheered that statement loudly aggravating Sehun.

You knocked the door on Haerim’s and you were greeted by the all mighty sleepy bare chested Junmyeon, at least someone got lucky.

“Sorry I didn't know you guys… I though Sunmi unni would be with Haerim unni”

“Yeah, but in the end… Sehun!” exclaimed Junmyeon “congrats guys, oh that is one ugly mark, Sehun why did you…?”

“Just asking, is this normal the minute I’m in his room I’m pushed to the bed he’s on top of me making this masterpiece” you said pulling the collar of the t-shirt down exposing the full purple view.

Junmyeon gasped and covered his mouth looking at Sehun “and then?” he asked almost whispering.

“Then nothing, I am just as virgin as I was yesterday”

Junmyeon looked away at your bluntness also trying to contain that burst in laughter that was threatening to make an appearance, but in the silence of the situation the high pitch laugh of Jongdae was clearly appreciated even behind his closed door.

A few weeks passed, your relationship with your family improved, you cut your relationship with your friends and made new good ones, your siblings were being nice to you and vice versa, your life changed 180º and you had to admit it was because of Sehun, your chest actually stung every single day that passed that you didn’t see him, that brat selfish amazing mate you had that missed like crazy, arrogant and stubborn enough not to call you all this time, he lied he didn’t love you, or he did?

You found yourself driving to his house, there were many people at the porch, all his brothers you assumed, they looked at you as you parked the car his gazes confusing.

“Finally! What kind of mate are you?” said a tan boy just as gorgeous as Sehun if not more.

“Yah Jongin-ah, she doesn’t know” said Junmeyon patting your back “how are you?”

“What is he talking about?” you asked puzzled.

“Sehun is sick” he smiled.

“Sick? He never called or said anything how would I know? And why do you seem happy about it?”

“He’s… he’s lovesick”

“That brat lovesick? I don’t believe you, he could tried, he didn’t”

“He’s actually physically sick, not coping”

You stepped inside welcomed by Haerim and Sunmi, they introduced you to Dahyun who was the mate of the famous Minseok.

“And this is ___, the one and only who managed to put Sehun’s nose in the ground stepping on it claiming victory”

The girls clapped as Haerim explained the outrageous scenario of your cruelty, you smiled but deep down inside you felt bad, they pulled you to sit down but you just couldn’t delay it any longer, you sprinted to his room and heard the water of the shower running, the door was locked you turned around to find this new face Junmyeon called Jongin, he held a dark gaze and a wide smirk.

“Will you treat him well?”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me! He’s one of my closest brothers, will yo-“

“Yes!”

When he heard you he pulled a paper clip out of his pocket twisting it to fit the bathroom keyhole making a click “he’s all yours” he said with a wide grin closing the door of the bedroom behind him you locked it and stripped completely without even thinking what you were doing, you opened the door to the en-suite bathroom and thanked the deep steam Sehun created as he took the waterfall on his face, when you saw him your stomach churned in excitement, you opened the door of the shower hearing how he gasped in surprise and before he turned around to recognise who was the intruder you back-hugged him hearing finally a sigh in relief.

“Spoiled little girl”

“You arrogant stubborn brat”

���I love you”

“Liar, you didn’t call”

“I was very sick”

“I’m sorry Sehun” you placed your nose and mouth on his back kissing him “I changed so much thanks to you, but I can’t seem to change for you”

Sehun turned around hugging you so tight that you felt his heartbeats on your chest, nothing was as nice as this feeling, you went on your tiptoes and brought him close “you know I never told you but you are disgustingly perfect and so good looking that you’d look good in a museum, why are you this perfect?”

“Wasn’t I deformed?”

“Of course you are, I was just trying to sweet talk my mate”

You then felt his lips on yours moving tenderly, lovingly, it felt too good, too exciting…

“I love you Sebrat”

“Don’t change for me, I love you just the way you are, I love you spoiled little girl”

______________________________

A/N: Thanks for reading, feedback always welcomed ^_^