#i have the snake eyes (old old ocs that were based off of the

[ultimatelyunassuming]

I need to start oc posting here more. Would yall mind if i did that

[keto-keyes]

Singularity

- Batmom!AU Batfam fanfic (OC ver.)

[Based off this post] [Please listen to this while reading]

It was as good of a night as it could be in Gotham city. No violent murders making waves on the news, or dangerous criminals for the richest and bitchiest of the city's 'nobility' to worry about. Everything was under control, for once. Batman was on rest, for once.

Speaking of Batman, his alter ego, Bruce Wayne (we shouldn't let him know we know), was attending the very party that captured the attention of Gotham's richest. He had no reason to be there, except that he was being held 'at gunpoint', as his kids called it, and his long-time friend, Rowan Cassius, was also going to be there. Like him, she was also enjoying a break from the crime and grime of the city of gangsters. She was usually the first to a crimescene, and not because it was usually her own crime, but because she was a reporter. That made her popular. And rich.

Almost as soon as he entered the gala, Bruce was cornered by the oldest millionaires in Gotham city. The lovely old ladies had become vicious of recent, having apparently caught his kids committing crimes, and were demanding that he 'get himself a woman' to straighten them out. Without breaking a sweat, Bruce daintily removed the fragile elders' hands from his biceps, smiling awkwardly. "Ladies, a little calm would do all of us a world of good, I think," he murmured, unable to face their piercing eyes, "How about, we all go get a drink, and then I will introduce you to my wife, whom I recently married."

Outside, Bruce smiled charmingly, but on the inside he was sweating. He figured he could probably just ask someone to pretend for the night, and then never speak of it again. He ignored the ladies' gasps of "WIFE?" and directed them towards the punch table. That was when he recognised the beautiful woman standing across the room in her blood-red gown, talking to the younger ladies. Rowan. She was the perfect cover: his oldest friend (who wasn't Clark) and a woman. Instantly his feet started to move him towards where she stood chatting with her fellow high-achievers.

Rowan Cassius was a multitasker by trade. She could easily, skilfully even, seduce a man while watching him slowly die from a spiked drink of her own doing. She could silently murder someone while making small talk with a friend over the phone. So surveillance of a ballroom mid-conversation was child's play. Rowan was an assassin, that was how she earned her living. But in the eyes of the law and the public, she was a crime reporter, and thus she was gratefully invited to all of the city's finest galas. "Ooh, speaking of Mr. Wayne, here he comes!" squealed one of the six rich nobodies she'd been mindlessly babbling with, breaking her train of thought, "And he's got Gotham's richest and bitchiest with him, poor thing."

'A distraction,' Rowan thought gratefully. She had found the target the registry was looking for. 'Just what I needed.' She twirled around to greet her childhood friend with a grin as fake as the colourant in her sugary drink.

"Ladies," Bruce announced in his deep, velvety voice, "I'm sure you've all met the lovely Ms Cassius." His arm snaked around her waist, stopping her from leaving. Rowan simply smiled at him, somewhat unsure where the play was going and completely dubious where the conversation was headed. Bruce leaned down to whisper in her ear as the ladies swooned and giggled, probably thinking he was kissing her ear. "I'm so sorry," he whispered, "They cornered me. I told them I was married and I couldn't think of a better partner than you. If you'd be happy to pretend for an evening."

Rowan nodded slightly. "Good evening, darling," she said grandly, "It seems this will turn out to be a party for the ages."

One of the older ladies grasped her forearm lightly. "Is she the one? The woman who finally leashed in dear Mr Wayne?" she asked, glancing between Bruce and Rowan.

Rowan attached her hand to his bicep, making it seem loving and natural. "Rowan Cassius," she greeted with a grin, "Though legally, it's now Cassius-Wayne, I suppose."

The night went practically effortlessly. Bruce and Rowan were attached at the hip throughout the dinner, except when Rowan left to 'relieve herself' and complete her job. The woman was down for the count pretty quickly, since Rowan was a pro and all, and then she returned to the start of the dessert courses. Bruce knew, of course. They'd crossed paths a few times over the years, a way of keeping up with each other. But, he knew.

They stuck together to leave, but Rowan surprised herself even in insisting that he take her back to Wayne Manor with him, assuring him that she wouldn't upset the balance of his everyday life.

Fin

Taglist: @whatsleftofmeandmine @yazz-frost @crazytechpersonzreal @aurastel @tearval @star-wars-lycanwing-bat @leesbian42

[elysia-nsimp]

OC introduction: Buggie (Twisted Wonderland)

Basics

Orville Becket, more known as just Buggie (he/they/it/bug/bugself) is an Octavinelle student based on Oogie Boogie from Nightmare Before Christmas. It is the Motherfucker Ever. Also it’s somewhere on both the ace and aro spectrums, but still enjoys romantic relationships. They have described their gender as “mmmm bugs👍”

(Author’s note: I’m still very much learning about noun pronouns! I’m going to use the first three sets of pronouns for this intro for now.)

Buggie is… sure something from the Nightmare Realm. He just calls himself a nightmare creature and leaves it at that. No one knows exactly how old Buggie is, but… I mean, they’re a second year. He fuckimg hates all things school but is scarily good with potions.

Buggie’s maybe 5’9, little on the bigger side, but weighs like nothing? Pick it up and it will bite you. Anyway, Buggie doesn’t really do clubs, but does run a very legal gambling ring somewhere under NRC (and is the undefeated champion for completely legit reasons).

Hobbies, Talents, Preferences

Buggie enjoys cooking! They’re actually very good at making drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Makes yummy stew (don’t ask what’s in it). A lot of students are hesitant to eat whatever Buggie makes, but it’s probably one of the most competent cooks at NRC, up there with Jamil.

As expected, based on their name, Buggie also likes to take care of bugs. You will always find bugs on them or in their clothes… they have named every single one and remember each and every one of their names. They can also always tell each bug apart, no matter how similar they look. They can also communicate with these bugs as if they were people too. It’s kind of scary.

Buggie ALSO knows a little too much about nightmares. If you fall asleep near him, you WILL have very vivid and awful nightmares. Buggie cannot control this but will not apologize if he doesn’t consider you a friend.

He enjoys bugs, mostly. That and card/dice games. Challenge him to a game, I dare you. He’s unbeaten. His favourite snack is snake stew—no spiders tho. Least favourite food is any kind of salad. Bro won’t eat veggies if you force it down their throat. They also do NOT like it if you hurt their bugs… like… has a PHYSICAL reaction if you step on one. Do not the bugs.

Backstory

Buggie, being a creature from the Nightmare Realm, grew up with a VERY different set of rules than us. Even despite the difference in rules, I think we can all agree that Buggie’s parents SUCKED.

Buggie didn’t get SHIT growing up. No birthday celebrations, no “good job”s when it did good in school… nothin. It grew bitter from the neglect and ran away about a year before appearing at NRC. It wasn’t invited, but it’s here now. No one knows where exactly it came from or how it found itself here, but no one can get it to leave so it’s a student now.

He will not accept any gifts you try to give him. He doesn’t understand the concept of giving gifts to others… he lives off of a “take what you need to survive” mentality.

Unique Magic

Any time anyone asks about their unique magic, Buggie just laughs and responds with “wouldn’t you like to know, weather boy?”

Anyway. Incantation.

“Roll the dice,

Don’t think twice,

And pay the price;

Snake Eyes!”

You may hear it mutter this incantation under its breath during gambles.

Relationships

Azul Ashengrotto

Azul HATES Buggie… it never wears its uniform right and every time he points it out, Buggie changes something so it’s even worse. Buggie just finds it funny though.

Jade Leech

Look, usually Buggie is the one making others scared, but Jade scares Buggie. Actually, there’s an AU where they get over their differences and become extremely close, but… yeah not generally the case.

Jamil Viper

Oh. Oh Jamil hates Buggie. Buggie just LOOOOVES dropping beetles down Jamil’s shirt. Jamil avoids Buggie like the plague.

Literally all the professors

No one can tame Buggie. Teachers hate them.

Other Works

Playlist 😈

Media

^ made by my buddy Howl lol

[dragonmarquise]

I had a small idea pop into my head, which crew would be best at taking care of a living thing?(Human, plant, animal) If you ask me, I feel like dot.exe would be awesome! Especially with the two old people on their team!

Ooo, a neat idea! I think overall it would be the Franks since I already imagine all of them having health/medical related day jobs, and being very good at said jobs.

With other crews it's more different on a individual basis, at least based on my headcanons. A few things were mentioned on my big DOT EXE post, but can’t hurt to go over those bits again here.

(Also! I meant to post this yesterday but had some weirdly severe computer problems last night, sorry e_e; )

Starting off with DOT EXE since I probably have a bit more to say about them together than the other characters separately. Again, some of this is already mentioned in the Big DE Post, but will be brought up again here with more details:

Jūrō (the 10-ball member of DOT EXE in my headcanons) does gardening as a hobby! There’s a community greenhouse on top of the mall that he helps out with a lot. Heck, he’s practically the manager of it at this point. The other DOT EXE members help him out sometimes, mostly Cinco (5-ball), Neun (9-ball), and Quatorze (14-ball).

Jūrō, Quatorze, and Cinco are all great with kids! The grandpa, grandma, and uncle respectively who spoil the children, lol. Quatorze and Jūrō have grandkids, but haven’t seen them since being cut off by their own kids due to going full-cyber (see the big DOT EXE post for more details on why exactly. Meanwhile, Cinco was effectively ex-communicated by most of the family once it came out that he was going full-cyber, though he’s still in contact with some of his nieces and nephews in secret.

Cueball loves cats but wasn’t able to keep any before going full-cyber due to allergies. As mentioned in the Big Post, at one point he started hoarding cats before the rest of DOT EXE staged an intervention and got the cats into good shelters and homes. Cueball now volunteers at a lot of those shelters instead.

Okay now headcanon mixed with shipping: If Cueball and Bō (blond Devil Theory OC of mine) get to move in together, Cueball manages to convince him that they should adopt some cats! Cueball at first was aiming for 7, but gets (thankfully) talking down to just 3. They're all black cat siblings, named Pumpkin, Sapphire, and Clover (named for the color of their eyes: orange, blue, and green respectively).

And now for other characters:

As mentioned on my Solace post, he doesn’t have any pets but likes to feed any cats and birds he comes across. An addition to that: If he finds a cat or bird that’s hurt, he takes it to a vet to be properly taken care of. Mostly because Solace feels he’s too clumsy to give first aid to an animal, no matter how careful he is.

I feel like at least one of the Franks has a dog, I just haven’t decided which one. Maybe Bill (the spring palette, also the one who joins BRC in my headcanons). Takes good care of the good boy! The dog is probably a doberman-ish dog like the NPCs dogs in the game seem to be. Also the dog is named Hook. It’s in reference to the basketball throw known as a hook shot. :P

And then like I said earlier, the Franks in general have jobs related to medical/health stuff. Just haven’t decided which member has which job, whoops. But anyways, they’re all good at what they do! The jobs in question: physical therapist, aide at a senior home, nurse at a small clinic, physical education teacher/coach for a school basketball team.

Nunchaku (Devil Theory OC for the summer palette) has always wanted something like a tarantula or a snake as a pet. More shipping plus headcanons here: Once she moves in with Vinyl, they do get the tarantula and snake! Named Rosemary and Lavender respectively. Also a centipede named Paprika and two geckos named Cinnamon and Nutmeg. They are all very happy and healthy, though Bō politely refuses to visit their apartment because of Rosemary and Paprika, while DJ Cyber refuses to visit because of the reptiles, lol

On that note! DJ Cyber is a big fan of bugs, but not so much reptiles. He’s had many beetles as pets (they live for about a year or half a year at most, from what I understand). His current one is a Hercules beetle… named Hercules. He isn’t exactly the best at coming up with names obviously. :P But yeah, takes good care of his pets and will ramble about insect facts if you let him!

Bel had a pet rabbit as a kid they she took really good care of! She wants to get another one as an adult, but doesn’t like the idea of leaving it alone in her apartment for long periods while she’s out and about. Besides leaving the poor thing lonely, she’s also afraid of it being an escape artist like her old pet was.

Almost forgot from my big Devil Theory post, they have two hermit crabs as team pets in their hideout! I didn’t mention it there, but they are named Saburo and Jiro, after the crab monsters from Okami. Visitors to DT’s hideout get a chance to paint a shell for the crabs to pick later. Obviously it’s a great honor to get your shell picked!!

Cassiopeia (leader of Eclipse, the winter palette) has an Abyssian cat named Bastet, who likes to creep people out by staring at them for uncomfortably long periods of time. Has a habit of stealing charms and keychains from people’s phones, bags, bracelets, etc. Bastet hangs out in Cassiopeia’s shop while she’s working, or otherwise in her apartment above the shop while she’s out. Bastet has her own room btw! Also she refuses to let anyone but Cassiopeia pet her (Cueball has learned this the hard way. Several times, lol)

Cassiopeia also has a whole rooftop garden full of plants she uses for the herbs and spices she sells in part of her store. Part of the garden is also a personal vegetable and berry garden for herself (occasionally gifting some of the food she doesn’t need to the other Eclipse members). The plants are surprisingly big, not to mention the quality of the herbs and food are amazing! Some people try to ask her what’s her secret with gardening, but she refuses to tell anyone outside of the other Eclipse members.

Quantum (winter palette for FUTURISM) has attempted to care for pets over the years, but hasn’t been very good at it. Mostly she just gets overwhelmed with caring for another living being while busy with school/work/etc. On the bright side, she makes sure to get the animals to better homes or at least a shelter instead of trying to insist she can handle it. At this point, the closest thing she has to a pet is a rubber duck she named Niels, who helps her via rubber duck debugging!

I think that’s about all I have for caring-for-living-things headcanons. This was a neat one to go over! :>

[thebritishdragon]

Hello my good fellow, tell me fun facts about all your ocs. 👀

All of my ocs? Well well well well!!!!!

I have to use my lmk ones for this! And maybe I might add my ninjago ocs at the end!

~~~~~~~

First we have -Ping Coa-

He is a very mysterious and cold demon! He used to be sweet and nice. But sadly something tragic happened. In his younger years his lover was killed in a massacre and he’s been furious ever since!

Ping doesn’t typically use his powers(Telekinesis and light control) But if the demon/person he’s fighting is powerful enough. Then he is not afraid to use them.

Ping is around 1000 years old, yet in mortal years he’s around twenty three!

~~~~~~~

-Ao Jinhai/Dushe Jingshen-

I made him before I realized that Ao Guang names his children 1, 2, and 3…

I’m only going to explain his past. Parts about his future is top secret! Unless I’m bored and want to share things.

He is the fourth and youngest son of Ao Guang. Jinhai loved hanging out with his brothers. After all, he was a child. But then, Ao Bing and Nezha fought. His brother had died to the Third Lotus Prince. And Jinhai had hated him ever since.

Years had passed and Ao Guang was getting strict. Especially to Ao Jinhai. Now, after everything that has happened to Jinhai so far made him wonder. He wanted answers. He wanted to fight the Third Lotus Prince. Which is such a terrible idea but he’s grieving.

But Ao Guang makes sure that Ao Jia, Ao Yi, and Ao Jinhai can’t go check out the surface. Which pisses them all off but Ao Guang is spooky so none of them do anything.

That is until Ao Jinhai runs away.

Long story short, he realizes that he definitely can’t take on Nezha. So he hides away from his father and brothers for a bit. Meets some snake friends. When he meets these cool snakes(they’re normal snakes) he realizes he can talk to them. He can even shapeshift into a snake! But sadly that’s all his shapeshifting powers could do.

After a while jttw starts. Bing bang boom he meets them. After accidentally killing everybody in a village. Everybody is pissed off, Ao Lie is there.

It seems I forgot to mention Ao lie, Ao Jinhai’s cousin. BUT WAIT!!! Does that mean… *gasp* Ao Jinhai is actually Mei’s GREAT UNCLE!?!?!?! I think that’s the correct familial term for whatever that is. But they just call each other cousins.

Ao Jinhai changes his name to Dushe Jingshen so when people ever refer to him. Ao Guang and his brothers would never find him!

~~~~~~~

-Shan Ji de-

Where do I even start? So she doesn’t really have much of a story. She’s 21, but 800 in demon years.

She’s a celestial monkey with three noses(a curse really)

And with those three noses she can smell almost anything!

Ji de is based off of a golden-headed lion tamarin!

She basically has all the basic celestial monkey powers. Like shapeshifting, golden eyes of truth. Other things as well…

I honestly don’t really have a story for her! She’s mostly just a chaotic and goofy little goober!

~~~~~~~

-Shi-

I impulsively made her, she has no story or any plots. She’s just here.

~~~~~~~

-Zǔzhó-

Brother to Bái Hé. He also doesn’t really have a story. But I’d love to make one with you!

He has a funky magic mirror that he uses to teleport through!

~~~~~~~

-Kěpà-

Kěpà has a depressing childhood… his father was abusive towards him and his mother. And as a young fox spirit(that’s all he is) he couldn’t do a single thing.

But his father will always leave an impact on his life. After Kěpà becomes an adult, he decides enough is enough. After all, shapeshifters are extraordinary

He would go on to use his talents for horrible things, even if these people were good or bad. He would shapeshift into a woman, flirt with whichever victim seemed to be into it. And then invite that man to his place. He would go onto reveal his true self, kill the person. Chop them up and make soup.

Just don’t interact with this guy if you’re a man.

~~~~~~~

And that’s all I have for lmk ocs! And damn do I need more female characters-

[sarahsmi13s]

Pregnancy Announcement- pt 3: The Seresins

(not my gif)

pairing: jake ‘hangman’ seresin x fem!oc

characters: jake seresin, fem!oc (sarah), the seresins

warnings: language, marrige, pregnancy, fluffy domestic hangman, church (mentioned), im sorry if I missed any

word count: ~1.4k 

a/n: this is part 3 of a 3 part headcannon of Sarah and Jake telling there friends and family of their pregnancy. however they are keeping the twins a secret from everyone other than Alyssa and Rooster  

this is the next part in this oc series, which is inspired by @roosterscockpit ‘s ( @milesdickpic ) story ‘His Little Girl’ and yes the oc is based on me (but is mainly fantasy me lol)

***********

Sarah and Jake called his family the same day, only about an hour after they had talked to her family.

They had sent Jack and Delilah a little pair of boots and a note that said ‘don’t open until we facetime’. And mugs that said ‘memaw’ and ‘granddad’. And a little cow plushie for them to hold onto.

Jake sent a quick text to the group chat and then made the call.

Everyone picked up relatively at once.

A chorus of ‘hello’s and childrens’ giggles in the background greeted the couple before they could open their mouths.

“Hey guys!” Jake greeted them. Sarah smiling and waving at the camera, “Hey, y’all!”

A little gasp was heard before little feet padded across the tile, “Unkie J!” Jake’s eyes lit up, “PJ!! Hi, buddy! Oh you’ve gotten so big.”

Sarah looked up at Jake, seeing the bright smile on his face as his 3 year old nephew talked near nonsense to him.

“Unkie J! Coconuts have WATER in them!” Peyton exclaimed, getting close to the camera.

Jake’s eyes widened in confusion and he looked down at Sarah, “What?”

Sarah laughed, “It’s a Bluey reference, my students talk about the show all the time.”

Addison laughed, “Oh my goodness! This little guy loves that show, don’t ya bub?” Peyton didn’t answer and just got closer to the microphone, “Coconuts have water in them.” He whispered it this time.

“Did he skip his after church nap?” Sarah asked, realizing the kid was probably just sleepy.

“Yes, but he wanted to see y’all.” The blonde boy gasped, “Aunt Sawah!”

Sarah laughed, “Hi Pey Jay!” “Aunt Sawah, did you know that I’m king of the squirrels?”

Jake had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing.

“Wow! Really? How’d that happen?”

Zach laughed, “He was playing outside and Blakely screamed because PJ was chasing her with a squirrel.” “I’M KING OF THE SQUIRRELS!” PJ ran off.

“JAKE DID THAT TO ME!” Paisley yelled pointing at Jake through the screen.

Sarah looked up at Jake, “Did you actually chase her with a squirrel, Jake Thomas?” “I may have…” Sarah’s jaw dropped. “I knew you chased her with a snake, but a squirrel? How the hell did you even catch it?” 

Jake shrugged, “I just kinda-” He made a catching motion. “Wait, how’d you know about the snake?” “Jake, she’s my best friend. We shared a living space for years.”

“You told her?” “Yeah JT, she was telling me about the time her sister threw a Doctor Pepper bottle at her other sister and busted her eyebrow. So I told her about when you chased me with a snake.”

Tilly laughed, “This is why I’m glad I’m the baby.”

Jake shook his head, before changing the subject.

“Okay, did all y’all get your gifts we sent? Everyone should have gotten two.”

They nodded, holding up the boxes they got.

They had also sent things to his sisters and brother-in-laws. Tumbler cups that said ‘Aunt’ and ‘Uncle’ respectively, and their names.

“Can we open them? I’ve been itching to sense we got ‘em?” Tilly asked, lightly clawing at the paper.

Jake nodded, “Yes, but no one says anything until Ma and Dad have opened theirs.” “Rip ‘em open guys,” Sarah smiled.

Jack and Delilah quickly opened theirs and Sarah watched Paisley and Tilly share a look.(both live with mom and dad still) Their jaws were slack as they looked from each other to their cups.

Delilah pulls out the cow plushie, “Oh ain’t that cute.” “Oh, Honey, look, there’s boots,”Jack pulled out the boots. He looked at his son, “Do these go on the cow?”

Jake laughed, “I don’t know, Dad. They may fit the cow, but maybe you should open the other box.”

Jack rolled his eyes good naturedly and opened the other gift and Jake could see everyone fidgeting in anticipation.

He handed the mug with the more delicate font to Delilah and held his out to read it, “Granddad?” “Memaw?” The sisters groaned when it didn’t click right away.

To be fair, Jack and Delilah had five grandkids so they were used to getting things that had those names on it.

“Look at the cow’s ear tag, Lilah,” Sarah suggested. “And check the bottom of the boots, Dad,” Jake said, smirking as he leaned back in his chair and put his arm over the back of Sarah’s.

The cow’s ear tag read “Baby Seresin” and the bottom of the boots read “Aug 2023”

Delilah gasped and covered her mouth while holding the cow close to her chest and Jack looked between the cow, boots, and the mugs. “Wow…”

“Can we cheer now? Ethan might explode if he can’t cheer,” Kassadra asked, holding her eight year old by the shoulders.

Sarah and Jake nodded, “Yes! You can cheer!”

Cheers erupted and Ethan could be seen doing a little dance.

“Congrats you guys!” Carter smiled.

“Welcome to the club Jake!” Zach grinned.

Tilly laughed, “Oh boy I hope the baby turns out like Sarah. Or they may stop here.”

Jake scoffed, “I’m not that bad!” “Jake, may I remind you of how you got that scar on your lip?” Kassandra teased.

“Please don’t-” “He went face first into a stop sign because he was trash talking while foot racing.”

“KJ!” His sister shrugged.

“How old were you?” Sarah asked. Jake shrugged, “I was young-” “You were 16,” Jack said pointedly.

Jake rubbed his face, “Can we stop talking about me? Thanks.”

Sarah rubbed bicep, “But you love talking about yourself.” “Yeah, the good stuff.” He kissed her temple.

They decided to talk about the wedding and brought up the dress situation.

Not too long after the subject change, Kassandra and Addison needed to hang up and get their kids settled.

They talked a little bit with Jake’s parents and the two youngest Seresins.

“Have you thought of names?” Jack asked.

Jake nodded, “Yeah, we decided on Finley Grace for a girl.” “Wait like Memaw Grace?” Jake nodded again.

Jack smiled and nodded back to his son.

“Hey, Sarah?” Paisley got Sarah’s attention. “What’s up PT?”

She held up another box. “I think you sent an extra box. Is this for Tyler?”

Sarah grinned and shook her head, “No, that’s for you. Tyler’s got shipped out Friday, Whitley ran out of vinyl and then her cat knocked the cup off and broke the lid.”

“Um, hey, you think we can talk with Paise in private for a minute?” Jake asked.

The other three nodded, “Yeah, we need to go get some stuff done in the barn and Tilly’s boyfriend just got here so they’re going on a date.”

They bid their farewell and a one last congratulations.

“Okay, Paisley, open it.”

Paisley did so, gently pulling out the cup not looking at it until she read the note.

The note:

“Paisley, when I volunteered to room with you your first year as a Razorback, I didn’t know it was going to change my life. You’re my best friend. You were there when I fell head first for Jake and you watched him fall in love with me. You were there when our story began, and I want you by my side as we begin a new chapter. Will you be my maid of honor?”

Paisley’s green eyes were wet with tears as she picked up the cup.

“Goodness gracious… I wasn’t expecting that. Yes, of course I’ll be your maid of honor!”

Sarah smiled, wiping at her own tears.

“I think if I waited any long to ask you I would’ve imploded,” she laughed. “Thank you, Paisley.”

“I love you, Sarah.” “I love you too, Pay.” She ended the call.

Jake smiled, kissing Sarah on the top of the head, “Now you just need to tell your students.” “They’re gonna respond well, I don’t have to worry about them.”

He laughed, “That’s true.”

“Hey, I’ve got a question.”

“Shoot.”

“Why are teenagers watching a show for kids?”

Sarah sat up straight, “Bluey is a great show, Jake.”

He arched an eyebrow, “Sarah, do you watch a show about a dog family?” “It’s a good show!”

“It’s for kids!”

She grabbed his hand, “Nope you’re watching it now.” He let her pull him to the living room.

They got on the couch and got comfy, and pulled up Disney+.

Needless to say, Jake loved it and cried during the ‘Granddad’ episode, but he will deny it if you ask.

***********

thank you so much for reading!! i hope this was enjoyable!

I do have a pinterest board set up for this, just to help me get into the vibe (one is to help with future parts, one is only for the current parts)

SO

if you want to check it out and get more of a feel for the dynamic going on---- you can click right --->   here

Like mentioned in the last one, feedback is greatly appreciated!

and my asks are open, feel free to request what you would like to see next while i’m working on the next part!

<3 <3 <3

tags <3 (thank you for being here): @milesdickpic​ @luckyladycreator2​

[aglitchysylveon]

I haven't posted in awhile so have some art of some new OCs.

These two are named Arache and Ellovie they're girlfriends, Arache is based off the jorogumō, the Japanese spider lady and also the typical drider monster, I do have an old drawing of her wearing a kimono. And Ellovie is a lamia.

Arache is extremely self-conscious about her appearance, especially her face. She doesn't want to show people her face because she knows it will scare them away and she doesn't want that. So even though she doesn't like it, she hides and obscures her face to others to prevent from showing her grotesque visage, using a face mask and sunglasses, the other little eyes are either hidden behind her hair or she says they're just.. Acne.

Ellovie however is the complete opposite, she is very proud of her body and face, everyone seems to like her and she doesn't exactly know why, she doesn't see it fair that people don't mind her, a snake monster slithering around but her girlfriend, a spider monster? That's too much. Ellovie wants to show Arachne that there are people out there who don't care how she looks she's still beautiful. She fell in love with her for that reason alone.

These are their parents, Estralen and Kral'zu are Arachne's parents and Gez'goruth and Ophidiophanthei (yes long name) or just Orphanthei are Ellovie's

Arachne's Parents:

Estralen is the daughter of Leviathan, she is very envious of other people and their beauty. Sometimes trying to take what they have to make herself feel like she's enough.

Kral'zu is a former spider king, until a hero from a local village managed to fight him off and slay him, causing him to die and go to Hell, he was a rather spiteful fellow and didn't like sharing his power he also views humans as pests, and now even more since he's dead. Kral'zu likely had a rivalry with the Lamia tribe, and Ophidiophanthei herself, before he and she both were slain by the same monster hunter. Probably even envied how prosperous her tribe was, till she died.

How Estralen and Kral'zu met was.. Well Kral'zu came to her, or.. She came to him when she was busy looking at other demons passing by and envying what they have, she noticed Kral'zu and instantly took interest in him. After awhile of watching him, she came to him and sparked a conversation, getting to know him better, at first she was envious of course, he was a king in his lifetime, he had a kingdom of spiders and spiderfolk hidden away deep in a forest called.. "The White Silk Forest" because the trees and everything were just covered in webs. And she just had this title of being this jealous mess. Kral'zu told her that she didn't have to be jealous, she has everything in the world, and he thinks she's enough. With those words, she had a flicker appear in her gut that told her "oh God this spider is ho-"/j, they then also got married.

Ellovie's Parents:

Gez'goruth is one of the high ranking overlords in Hell, and the famed "Demon of Wrath", he's now the ruler of the Wrath ring. Despite his fiery and harsh behavior he's actually a decent father. Just don't anger him, uhh he'll explode on you and prolly singe you to death.

Ophidiophanthei was a former leader of a Lamia tribe, half snake half woman creatures, they were a prosperous tribe for many years forming close bonds with one another, until the leader was slain, and died. She was then sent to Hell. Stricken with grief and anger she wouldn't be able to see her tribemates again, she was fueled with rage and sworn vengeance on the humans who killed her, and prolly her tribe too, she then found Gez'goruth and struck a deal with him. She'll serve him under his wing, and in return she wants power. He accepted it, after years of them working together she realized she has developed feelings for him, she loved the way he battled, the fury in the fight he displays, his passion and discipline. And he too, had the same feelings. They then got married.

[thatluckyboi]

💡- My OC, Leo, was inspired by my own Irish heritage, and my love of Italian culture. He's very heavily based off of myself, but I've drawn inspiration from other OCs of mine over the years--he's sort of like the culmination of all of them.

♥️ - my simp ass shipping him with Bob Velseb

✨ - no, they actively oppose the cult. Their own deity is one of The Eyes' siblings (me and @technical-err0r have our huge self-indulgent AU that has Spooky Month and various other fandoms involved) and this sibling isn't a fan of Eyes' whole schtick

🎞️ - Leo would probably be in the background for the most part. He's a mortician, so maybe he'd show up alongside Patty at some point? Or he'd be skulking in the darkness in wolf form, keeping an eye out so no one hurts Skid and Pump

🌈 - bisexual trans male!

⌛- I've kinda gone back and forth on this, considering we don't have a canon age for Bob. I'm actually thinking I might make Leo, like, a couple hundred years old, just for fun.

🏡 - Don't think so, but it's subject to change

💼 - He operates the Crystal Moon Funeral Home, which he opened himself. He bonds with Bob about having both been entrepreneurs.

⚰️ - oh, he's gotten badly hurt many times. The cult keeps coming after him, but since they're not using weapons made of silver... Nothing's been fatal. He's got some kick-ass scars, though.

📼 - he loves comedy horror, his favorites are Scream and Evil Dead 2. He doesn't like werewolf movies, though, because they get so much wrong.

🎧 - he listens to a lot of classic rock. One of the songs I associate most with him is Choke by Idontknowhowbuttheyfoundme, cuz it's kinda like the origin story of Bob and Leo.

🔪 - he'll say he hasn't, but he's lying

👹 - he's a Faoladh! An Irish wolf-man raised by an Italian family. His job is to protect the lost and children. If he starred in an episode, it would be all about him trying to keep Skid and Pump from fucking dying

🐾 - he's got a snake named Linguine, and she's a very pretty python

💔 - Father Gregor, because he tried to exorcise Leo once, and Rick, because Rick

👍 - he does his best to protect the people around him, and will kill for his friends and family

👎 - if he gets too angry, he can get violent and lose control. It's a rare occurrence, but his closest friends have experienced it before (to clarify, he's never hurt one of his own friends, just someone antagonizing them or whatever)

🥀 - hearing the news from when his family was executed in Europe. Leo was sent to America at a young age, (probably the early 1900s or late 1800s) and his family remained in Europe. Somehow, they were discovered as werewolves, and were all slain. He's never told anyone about this, though. He just jokes that wolves have a hard time communicating across continents when asked if he's seen his family recently

🎪 - karaoke and hanging out with his best friend, Error

🗻 - he has a special mossy clearing in the middle of the woods that he goes to some nights, just to sit and enjoy the night sky.

@technical-err0r, your turn!

I didn't see anyone do this so...

🎃Spooky month oc ask game💀

💡 - How did you come to create this oc and what were you inspired by?

♥️ - Do they have a partner? And if so, are they a canon character or another oc

✨ - Are they part of the cult? What is their role there then?

🎞️ - If your oc existed in the series, in which episodes would they appear and what would change?

🌈 - What is the sexuality and gender identity of your oc?

⌛ - How old is your oc (in age terms)?

🏡 - Do they have any family or are they related to a canonical character?

💼 - Where and what does your oc work?

⚰️ - Do they die at some point or have they had a near-death experience?

📼 - What would be their favorite movie or what movie do you associate with them?

🎧 - What would be their favorite song or what song do you relate to them?

🔪 - Have they ever killed someone?

👹 - Are they humans or something different?

🐾 - Do they have pets or would they like to have one?

💔 - Is there any canon character that your oc hates?

🚫 - Anything your oc CAN'T do?

👍 - What is the best feature of your oc?

👎 - What is the worst feature of your oc?

🥀 - What is the worst moment in your oc's life so far?

🎪 - Any hobbies your oc has?

🗻 - What is your oc's favorite place?

Feel free to tag anyone you want and have fun!

[anniesocsandgeneralstore]

Come Over Here and Overwhelm Me: iceman (Jake "Hangman" Seresin x OC)

Summary: Ice's last words to Ronnie resonate deeper than ever before now that he's gone.

Pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x OC (Ronnie Bradshaw)

Word Count: 3451

Warnings: death, funeral, grief, general angst, the Ronnie and Rooster reconciliation we've all been waiting for, Hangman being soft and caring

SIX | SEVEN | EIGHT

A/N: likes are great but comments/reblogs are even better!

Ronnie, 

It’s good to hear that the business is doing well! I’ll have to get Sarah to drag my ass over there one of these days so I can see what you’ve done with the place. Last time I was there, it was still a dump! Ha! I can remember getting drinks with your father and Maverick there. Goose was great on the piano. I remember too, when you were small, you and your brother playing that song Goose loved. 

Now, I know you don’t want to hear this. But this is a letter and you can’t argue with me. Please don’t just throw this away, either.

It’s about time that you reached out to Bradley. I know how much it hurt, still hurts. I can never imagine the kind of pain that he put you through. I am not telling you to forgive him for what he did and said. You may never be ready to. But I think you should open the door for him to come back into your life, if only a little bit. 

Life is too short to be angry at your brother forever.

I was angry too once. At everything. And it did nothing to make my life any easier or my heart less heavy. I hope you actually read this letter and take it to heart. I’m not trying to tell you what to do, only sharing a bit of advice from an old man who cares.

In your next letter, please tell me about your surfing. I remember going to one of your competitions when you were still in school, you were good. I hope that we can see each other again soon. I miss your face.

Love always, 

Ice

A rogue tear fell onto the page held in Ronnie’s lap. She didn’t wipe at her face, she could barely think to move the letter out of the way before more of her tears fell. It dropped to the floor softly, as a fresh autumn leaf, at her feet. 

She only ever saw him in person once every few years. But ever since her mother died, the pair had been writing letters back and forth consistently. The only times the letters stopped were when he was deployed — and even then they just switched to emails. But both of them preferred it the old fashioned way. Iceman liked to say it reminded him of the early days, when there was no email or cellphones, and he had to write home to his mom or his sweetheart. He always made sure to buy fun stamps because she mentioned she liked them once.

A sob constricted her throat like a snake as Ronnie dropped her face into her hands.

It was worse the day she got the call from Sarah. Jake wasn’t home and she had just gotten back from a surf. It felt like the whole world was tipped sideways and shaken until something fell out. She heard through a fog Sarah tell her when the funeral was going to be and where — and when the other woman hungup she was barely able to mumble out some form of goodbye.

Ronnie sat in silence until Jake got back from his day of training. When he walked through the door he immediately knew something was wrong. She wasn’t bouncing off the walls ready to greet him or bombarding him with takeout menus for what they should order that night. Instead she just sat on the couch, didn’t even look over at him as she continued to stare at the wall.

“You okay?” he dared to ask her. 

She finally looked over at him — eyes glassy and huge. Then the dam just burst. It took Jake half an hour to calm her down enough for her to tell him what was wrong. Then the tears were off and on the rest of the night and into the next day. The Hard Deck closed for the rest of the week. The flag at base was lowered to half-mast. The aviators were given the day of the funeral off. 

Ronnie could barely sleep the night before. Even with Jake holding her tight and telling her stories to keep her mind off of it. Eventually he fell asleep, but she just couldn’t. She couldn’t stop thinking about the last letter she received from Ice. So she got up and read it — over and over again until her eyes blurred and her heart felt too heavy for her chest. 

He didn’t even tell her that his cancer had come back. There was no warning, no stronger push to go see him one last time. All she was left with was a letter that said he missed her face and a bit of advice from an old man. 

Life is too short to be mad at your brother forever. 

He was right. One day you’re here, writing letters to a dead friend’s daughter, and the next you’re gone. No more words. No more letters. No more memories shared or made or anything. He couldn’t tell her anymore things about her dad and Maverick and she couldn’t tell him that she was getting there with Bradley. She couldn’t tell him anything.

Sat on the couch, he hand slipped over the open wooden box that more of Ice’s letters were spilling out of, and she grabbed her own letter that she was going to send in the mail when she found the time. She wished she had found the time. 

In her own words, she told him about Jake. About how easily the pieces of them fell back together. She told him about Maverick, about his apology, about his obvious love for Penny Benjamin. And she told him about Bradley. About the fight, the night out on the karaoke bar’s deck, that she was trying but still couldn’t let him in all the way because she was scared. She was so scared of getting hurt again. By any of them. By all of them.

Was life too short to be scared of heartbreak too, Ice? 

The sound of footsteps down the hall made Ronnie jump. She quickly folded the letter and tucked in under her thigh just as Jake, sleep still in his eyes, walked into the room. 

“Hey, darlin’,” he greeted, accent heavy with the drag of morning.

She could only bring herself to hum in response as he carefully moved the box of Ice’s letters to the coffee table, then he sat down next to her. He was only wearing a pair of Navy sweats and his dogtags. His usually perfectly done hair was messed, crazy even as he pulled his hand through it again. Ronnie barely even looked before she let herself fall into him, putting her entire weight into it as her head crashed into his chest.

She was so tired. 

“Didn’t sleep did ya?” he asked softly into her hairline as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. 

Ronnie shook her head. “Not really.”

“Still have a few hours, wanna go back to bed?”

“Please.”

Fresh tears welled up before she could even stop them. Hot, frustrated ones because she was exhausted, because she was angry, because she wanted answers. Why did he have to go? Why didn’t he tell her what was going on? What did he mean when life was too short?

Why did everybody have to leave her?

Jake helped her up from the couch and she felt like a child. Sniffling and pulling her hand under her nose to wipe away the snot as he led her back to the bedroom by the hand.  He crawled back into bed first, tugging her down with him into the warm comforter and sheets. She practically flopped on top of him, too tired to move even another inch, and he groaned through a chuckle. 

They laid in silence for a while. Jake’s fingers traced a pattern over her back, figure eights and letters and probable flight patterns. He didn’t even mind the weight on top of him. He would do anything to make her feel better. To bring back that spark, that smile, that energy that he loved and loathed all at once. That drove him crazy and drove him to his knees. For two days she had been quiet, noncommittal, and small. Ronnie had never been small her entire life. She lived big and loud and uncaring of what other people thought. God, it tore Jake up inside to see her this way.

But he was going to let her mourn in her own way. Ronnie was a woman who had lost too much too soon. She had her own way of dealing with things and Jake wasn’t going to push her. He was going to be there if she needed him, to hold her when she cried, and to make sure she ate something occasionally.

“I told him about you, you know,” Ronnie’s voice was small and muffled against his chest, but it rumbled through his sternum all the same. “Way back when.”

Jake kept himself from wincing. “What’d you tell him?” 

“Mostly the good stuff. Told him about when you left.”

“Shit,” he hissed playfully, knowing that whatever she said probably didn’t give the best impression of him. 

“Yeah, he wrote that if I just gave him the word he could get you kicked out of the Navy.” A soft laugh slipped past her lips. 

There was his girl. 

But then she whispered, soft and broken: “Why does everyone leave me?”

He could feel her tears as they collected on his skin. Jake sighed as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, holding her tight against him. He shushed her like he might a child, one hand running up and down her back as he moved from side to side. He pressed reassuring, almost desperate kisses into her hairline. After a while, she stilled and she was asleep. 

“I’m never gonna leave you,” Jake whispered into the quiet of her bedroom, into the quiet of her sleep, “Never again.”

Ronnie felt proud of herself that she was able to look as presentable as she did. She smoothed out the satin material of her black dress as she looked in the full length mirror. She didn’t own any heels — never had any reason to wear them. So she opted instead for a pair of black flats she hoped didn’t look too girlish.

“You ready to go?” Jake asked as he stepped out of the bathroom. 

His hat was tucked under his arm so he could finish the cuffs on his right sleeve. But he was still struggling to get the button through the hole. Ronnie turned to look at him with a small smile. He always did look sharp in uniform. The dress blue jacket fit just right across his chest, showing off all his ribbons and medals. It always stunned her, anytime she saw him in uniform, just how accomplished he really was. It was no wonder he was invited back to TOPGUN to go on some top secret mission he still couldn’t tell her about — could probably never tell her about.

“Let me help,” she said as she took over inserting the cufflink.

“Thanks.” Jake watched her for a moment, the way her delicate fingers finished the cuffs and smoothed out the material, how she knew he needed everything to look perfect. Then he said, “We need to get goin’.”

They drove to the viewing in his Crovette. Located at the church that Ice attended. There were flowers everywhere and a long receiving line. It seemed like every aviator in the Navy showed up. Ronnie held Jake’s hand tight the entire time as they moved up closer to the casket at the front of the sanctuary. In her purse she had folded up neat the letter she intended to send him. She kept clutching at her bag — wondering.

She thought of her father. A man she never got to meet and only knew through everyone else. It was hard to mourn him, mourn the loss of a father, when she never felt his love in the first place. Maverick and Ice always told her that she would have been, and should have been, proud to call Nick Bradshaw her father. And she was — but it wasn’t the same. She could say she was his daughter all she wanted, but it didn’t feel like anything. It was an abstract sort of pride, an abstract sort of loss. Like a wound from a dream on the edge of her memory. 

She thought of her mother. Ronnie was only sixteen when she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. It only took six months for it all to take her life. To lose someone so quickly, when she was so young…In the direct aftermath of it all she was just left confused. Confused why people kept telling her they were sorry. Confused why Bradley feared they would take her away. Confused as to why she didn’t feel sad and she just felt lost. For months, maybe years, her first thought when anything happened was that she had to tell her mom about it. But she couldn’t. When she needed help she wanted to go to her mom but she couldn’t. When everything got too hard she wanted to be held in her mom’s arms but she couldn’t. It wasn’t abstract or a faded memory it was real and painful and all of her love had nowhere to go.

Sarah greeted them just before the caske. She hugged Jake and thanked him for being there — that Tom told her wonderful things about his career. It took Jake aback but he smiled and told her he was sorry for her loss. Sarah gave Ronnie a motherly, knowing smile next and Ronnie didn’t want to take it. She let the older woman wrap her up in her arms and she felt it again. Real, sharp, painful. Love with nowhere to go and nowhere to hide.

“He didn’t want to tell you,” Sarah muttered into Ronnie’s hair, “Because he thought it would be easier this way.” 

Easier? How was any of this easier?

Then she thought of her mother, again. Going to the hospital every day after school, spending the night most nights. Watching as she disappeared, as she crumbled. Able to do nothing as she slowly died. Ronnie didn’t want to go through that again. And so — she understood.

“I — um — “ Ronnie pulled the letter from her purse. “Do you mind if I…?”

Sarah’s eyes turned glassy as she noticed the crumpled paper clutched in Ronnie’s hands. She nodded, knowing exactly what it was. Ronnie smiled, small and broken as it was, her thanks.

Then she approached the casket. Jake was there, waiting for her. He took her trembling hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Ice looked peaceful. No longer in pain. Ronnie swore there was even one of his classic smirks pulling at the corner of his mouth. He was gone. There would be no more letters. And that was okay. He loved her, and that mattered, and that hurt now that she was the one left behind.

But she supposed that was grief. Even abstract, even confusing. Love treking on even with no where to go.

Ronnie slipped the letter inside the casket beside Ice. A letter he’ll never read. But a letter it felt he already answered.

Life was too short to be mad at your brother forever.

It was time to open the door. To finally let him back in. Because one day you’re here, and the next your gone. No more chances and no more wondering.

The actual ceremony took place at the Miramar National Cemetary. Ronnie was sure she was going to leave an imprint in Jake’s hand she was squeezing it so tight. But he didn’t seem to mind. Penny stood on her other side with tears streaming down her face. Ronnie wasn’t crying anymore. She couldn’t. 

Not when she understood. Not when it felt like Ice was still there, gently nudging her like an old man who cared. 

The service went by in a blur. She caught bits and pieces. The Father’s eulogy. Maverick stepping up to the casket to stamp in his wings. The fighter jets as they soared overhead — roared in her ears, billowed the skirt of her dress.

When it was all over, most of the people dispersed to go back to their cars. To try and go back to their lives. Jake tugged her to follow him back to the car so they could go back home. He had the rest of the day off and he had every intention of spending that time cuddled up in bed with her.

But for the first time in hours, Ronnie pulled her hand free of his. 

“I’ll meet you at the car, okay?” she said. 

Jake looked over her shoulder at Bradley as he walked to his Bronco parked with all the rest. Phoenix, Tsunami, and Bob were with him, more than likely getting a ride back to base. He knew she was going to go talk to him.

“Okay,” he agreed, giving her hand one final squeeze before he turned and walked away. 

Ronnie jogged in order to catch up to her brother.

“Hey, Bradley!” she called to him just as he put the keys in the door to unlock his car. 

Natasha and Ji-Yung both smiled at the sight of her. Bob even waved and she raised her hand back as Bradley turned to look at her. Her eyes instantly shifted to the ribbons on his chest. Every one told a story. A story of his accomplishments, of his successes, of all the times he brushed close to death. She looked back up into his questioning face and she nearly lost her nerve. 

But she had to do this. For Ice. 

“Can I talk to you for a second?” she asked. 

“Yeah.” He tossed the keys to Natasha before he nodded towards the expansive cemetery. “Let’s walk.”

They started off, going between the rows of gravestones. It was a beautiful day despite the circumstances. The sky was clear and so blue it nearly hurt. There was a soft breeze that ruffled the petals of flowers placed on loved ones final resting places. Ronnie sighed as she walked beside her brother for the first time in years. It felt like coming home after so long abroad.

“You were always closer to Ice than I was. M’sorry,” Bradley said after several moments of silence.

“The past few days haven’t been awesome, I’ll admit.” Ronnie kept her eyes locked on the names as they past. Fallen heroes, veterans, pilots.

“Hangman’s been helping you though, right?” he asked. 

It made her laugh. “Jake’s been great. I promise.” 

“Good.” 

More silence. They came to a well manicured tree that offered some shade and Bradley slowed to a stop. Ronnie slowed too. Her fingers fiddled with the hem of her dress as she tried to find the words. Tried to find what it was exactly that she wanted to say to him. And Bradley just waited, patient as he always was. Hands shoved in his pockets as he looked out over the rolling hills of the cemetery. He would wait all day for her if he had to.

“I don’t know — “ Ronnie started, then stopped to swallow down the emotion clogging her throat. “I don’t know if I will ever be able to forgive you for what you did.”

Bradley looked down to his well polished shoes and nodded. “I know.” 

“But I have never once stopped loving you.”

He looked back up at her then, sudden and shocked, his brown eyes so much like her own glossed over with tears. And she couldn’t help the ones that slipped from her own eyes as she looked at him. Her brother. Lost for so long. Her protector. Her hero. Her home.

“I love you too, Ronnie. Always,” he said as he tried to blink back the tears. 

A laugh bubbled up in her throat as she smiled. “I know.” 

They crashed into each other then. Like techtonic plates carrying so much weight. Bradley held her head against his chest as he pressed a kiss into her hair. Ronnie had her arms snaked around him so tight she thought he might start wheezing. And it really did feel like coming home. Like her mom’s tomato soup after a day of playing in the snow. Like dancing around the piano as they sang. Like riding bikes around the neighborhood till sundown. Like playing hothands till they screamed.

Life was too short to be mad at her brother forever.

taglist: @oneirataxia-girl @arrthurpendragon @pasta88love @theforevermorereject @sqrlgrl22 @townley-29 @alittlelostalittlefound @fenderenderender @chaoticassidy @capswife @marrianena @luckyladycreator2 @fulla02 @fangirlofallthings22 @dempy @imagineyneyjr @blue-aconite @commxnderwolffe @darkestbeforethedawn16 @sopheeg @mizzy-pop @loveforaugust @hope-love-equality2 @pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy @onlyheretowastetime @supernaturaldawning @frenchtoastix

wanna be tagged? just drop in a comment or message me directly

[dilemmaontwolegs]

Stucky, Sam or Banner

the gods…

I have a thot about the heroes meant to kill Medusa, but he/they hesitate to afrer they heard that she only kill those men unfaithful for their lovers, as for woman, she throw them in the rivers,drown them.

Or Apollo and Daphne? Vertumnus and Pomona?

Cubid and Psyche??

Thanks Nana 💗 I have never written for Bruce so I am going to give this a go! 😉

For the crossover requests this is Marvel with Medusa (Greek gorgon who turns people to stone)

A/N: this took off on its own and ended up straying from where I thought it would go

Medusa’s Curse || Bruce Banner

Summary: You knew everything had a cost but you didn’t expect to become a monster because you got an antique for free. Warnings: 18+ only, nsfw, murder, blood, cheating OCs, Banner to the rescue. WC: 3.1k

You weren’t usually one for collecting antiques but something drew you to the shop as you meandered past on a Sunday afternoon. The brass handle was cold to touch despite the oppressive heat that beat down in the French Quarter but you turned it anyway and stepped inside. The door closed behind you and silenced the jazz music that the quarter was known for, the eerie quiet leaving you unsettled. 

You expected to hear some sound from the shopkeeper, a greeting, anything, but there was nothing as you wandered through the aisles of overpacked shelves and dusted junk. You had almost come to the end of the store when the feeling intensified and you knelt down to find something hidden behind a box of Mardi Gras beads. For something relatively small, it was very heavy and you dragged it out to find a concrete statue of sorts.

“It’s marble.” 

You spun around with a gasp to find an old woman at the counter, amusement shining through her clouded eyes before she broke out in a wheezing laugh. 

“You kids are always on edge these days.” She chuckled, walking around the counter with the assistance of a cane fashioned to look like a snake.

“Well considering we seem to be constantly attacked by aliens or some other supernatural being I think we are allowed to be a little wound up.” You complained as you pulled yourself up from the floor. “How much for the marble…thing?”

“Vessel.” She corrected, hunching over to pick it up and carry it to the counter.

You frowned as you remembered the weight of it but she had no problem placing it gently beside the cash register and gesturing you forward.

“There’s always been attacks of some kind, cher, best not to worry too much or you’ll end up wrinkled like me.” She said as she hit some buttons only for the ancient machine to splutter. “Look at that, she’s finally died. My priestess would tell me that was a sign.”

She pushed the sculpture towards you and you shook your head reaching for your purse. “I can’t take this, it’s gotta be worth something.”

“It has value, but not in money. Take it, cher, something tells me it’s already yours.”

You grabbed the base of the statue and tilted your head in confusion as it no longer looked warped and unrecognisable but now resembled a woman. You brushed the oddity off, thinking it must have been hidden under years of thick dust, and picked it up to find it much lighter than before. 

“Strange.” You muttered under your breath as you headed for the door. Realising you hadn’t thanked the woman you turned back but found the shop empty, the beaded curtain doorway to the back perfectly still. “Very strange.”

As you walked home, you dusted off what you could and planned to give the statue a thorough clean. Your nails kept catching on something wrapped around the woman’s throat but you couldn’t quite get a grasp on it, especially not when you were walking through the busy Bourbon Street. 

“Okay, what secrets are you hiding?” You mumbled to yourself as you set her on your kitchen bench and filled the sink with hot soapy water. The water was filthy by the time you had scrubbed her clean and you gasped as you found a necklace wrapped around her neck, an amethyst stone hanging between the perfectly carved swell of her chest. You carefully unravelled the thin gold chain and held it up to catch the light, a rainbow reflecting from the facets of the stone. “Holy shit.”

You admired the pretty jewel as you pondered what to do but you couldn’t in good conscience keep the necklace. Pocketing it, you left the statue soaking in the water and made your way back to the store. 

Confusion slammed you as you reached the corner in the quarter where the store had been, only now it was a costume shop. You spun around, checking all of the shop fronts before confirming this was the very spot you had been less than an hour ago. 

“What the fuck is going on?” You asked aloud only to be glared at by a mother walking with her child. “Sorry.”

You pulled the necklace from your pocket and looked at the disorientating shop. You couldn’t exactly give it back now and the old lady had said it belonged to you, so you unlatched the clasp and draped it over your chest. A shock rippled through your body as the clasp locked behind your neck and the stone heated between the concave of your chest. The heat spread across your skin until you were sure you would have to scream, then everything went dark.

“Breaking News: Two more female bodies have been found in the Mississippi this evening making it the fourth recovery this week. Just as we found with the last two cases, each woman had been anchored to the riverbed by a stone-carved male, each carving resembling an active missing persons case…”

You turned off the tv before you had to hear anymore details and dropped the remote beside you with a sickening feeling. The necklace pulsed against your heart and you tried once again to pull it off but the chain held fast, not even the bolt cutters you had borrowed from your neighbour could cut through it.

You could still hear their screams, hear the splash of water as you pushed them from banks of the Mississippi to punish them for their adulterous ways. You could never remember how you found the lovers, you rarely went out after dark but there you were - suddenly across town with vengeance in your heart. 

You knew the power rested in the jewel, it would emit a glow that turned the cheating men to a statue, trapping him in a lovers embrace with a heart of stone that he deserved. The call of the river sung to you, overpowering the terrified screams of the women trapped in an unbreakable, cold embrace. You were a passenger in the backseat of your own body.

“What do you mean they were people?” Fury growled as he paced his way across his office. “I saw the statues.”

“Only, they aren’t statues.” Dr Banner said as he turned his laptop screen around. “A first responder broke the arm off one to extricate the victim and look at this…it's perfectly preserved anatomical structure.”

Nick stared at the screen, looking closer at the intricate detail of bones and veins beneath the layers of marble skin and muscle. “Have you seen anything like this? ‘Cause I know I certainly haven’t and I’ve seen a lot of weird shit.”

“Personally, no. But-”

“Of course there’s a but.” Nick sighed before gesturing for Bruce to continue.

“You’ve heard of Medusa, right?”

“Greek myth, lady with snake hair, hates men. That Medusa?” Nick rolled his good eye and crossed his arms in disbelief. 

“Thor was a myth until, you know, he landed in New Mexico.” Bruce pointed out. “And she didn’t hate all men. See, she was supposedly cursed by Athena because she had an affair with Poseidon. All the missing men, the one’s I believe were turned to stone, were having affairs with the women who were drowned in their arms.”

Nick thumbed his chin as he began his pacing again.“So you think this is Medusa? Interesting…but why now?”

“I don’t know.” Bruce shook his head, closing his laptop.

“Ok, well where did she come from?”

“I also don’t know that.” 

“Well, what do you know?” Nick huffed as his patience waned.

“All of the murdered are localised to New Orleans.”

Nick nodded. “Make sure you bring me back some real Gumbo.”

“Excuse me?” Bruce frowned before tearing his glasses off his face. “You can’t be serious, I’m a scientist, not a field agent.”

“Laissez les bon temps rouler.” Nick chuckled, pointing out his office window to the helicopter coming to life at his order. “Let the good times roll.”

It was a quiet Tuesday night when you felt the stone heating up once again and your vision began to dim. You tried your hardest to fight the impending darkness, knowing nothing good would come of it, but you were too weak and quickly fell prey to the power of the cursed stone.

“There, we have another spike.” Bruce said excitedly as he jumped out of his computer chair in the laboratory SWORD had set up in New Orleans. “Tracing the electromagnetic waves now, and we should have a lock any second..gotcha.”

He dropped a pin onto the virtual map in front of him, right on the river's edge in Saint Rose. The group of agents were already assembling around him as he grabbed his tablet and followed them to the convoy of trucks ready to go. Bruce still looked like he should have been in his lab, his white coat hanging open over his humble button down shirt and his wire framed glasses sliding down his nose, but his face was surprisingly stoic as he prepared himself for what they would find.

Nick’s orders were simple: kill whatever it is killing the New Orleanians. It wasn’t something that sat well with Bruce, preferring to have an intellectual conversation over fighting, but he would cross that bridge when he got there. First he needed to warn the oblivious agents to the dangers they were getting into.

“We are about to come face to face with a being of immense power, she is most likely an ancient goddess who has been cursed as a monster.” Bruce looked up from the tablet to see how everyone was taking the news and found them being attentive so he went back to the dot on the map. “She has the ability to turn men, who have or are cheating on their partners, to stone. We don’t know exactly how this power works so, to be on the safe side, if you have ever cheated on anyone - sit this one out.”

The small boat rocked gently with the waves rippling across the waters surface but its occupants were oblivious as you stepped onto the deck. Their infidelity was a magnet pulling you closer, or perhaps it was a distasteful scent on the breeze, either way it was leading you straight to where they were committing their mortal sin. 

“Woah, what the hell!” The man shouted as he caught sight of you over the woman’s shoulder, her rhythm unfaltering as she rode him.

His scream pulled her from her revelry and she tried to climb off him as his skin turned grey but his hands were frozen on her hips, the fingers digging into her skin turning to stone. 

“Help me!” She screamed as she craned her neck and saw you standing passively by the door. “Please!”

Your eyes were a nightmare inducing milky grey, reflecting the stone that now lay beneath her naked body, but your smile was much darker. The amethyst hanging from your neck glowed brightly and the boat creaked as the weight of the stone tested the buoyancy. You could feel the pressure of the river rising and stepped back, closing the door to the cabin before making your way back up to the pier. 

Your feet touched the wooden planks of the jetty just as the stone man broke through the bottom of the boat to sink to the riverbed, his lover trapped in his embrace. You could feel the power beginning to fade as the curse finished its relentless cycle but the relief was short lived as the all too familiar scent blew upwind. Your eyes darted across the dark banks of the river and the glow of the city on the horizon silhouetted the shapes of people closing in on you. 

You tried to fight the urge again but the power was all consuming and pushed you to the corners of your own mind as you stepped forward towards the danger. 

“Medusa!” A man called out and you tilted your head as you recognised him from the Avengers, Bruce Banner. 

“Mon Cher, you know my name.” Your lips moved but another voice spoke, the old woman from the antique store, forcing her words from your mouth. “And you brought me an offering.”

You inhaled the thick scent of illicit love and stepped closer to a pair of agents clutching their weapons tightly. A strong hand latched onto your shoulder and you peered down at the limb that was turning a soft shade of green.

“You’re not gonna hurt my friends.” Bruce warned as he pulled you away from them, the pain of his grip waking you from the nightmare you were trapped in. 

“They brought it on themselves.” You spoke coldly as you felt your eyes turning grey as the power swelled once again. His hand was growing larger and his strength threatened to crush your collarbone but you welcomed the pain as you fought for control over your own body. “The…necklace.”

Your voice was broken and the very air seemed to want to suffocate you as you squeezed the words out of your lungs before losing what little control you had regained. Bruce's eyes darted to your chest, seeing the pendant’s unnatural glow, and he dropped his hold on you so he could swipe at the chain. Blood trickled down your neck as he tugged the deceptively strong gold strand and you screamed at the flood of pain that washed the grey from your eyes. 

Bruce watched the change with fascination, remembering how he at one point had his own wars with the enemy in his body. Realising he was going to decapitate you if he pulled any harder, he changed tactics - knowing he could not follow Fury’s order and kill you. He grabbed the necklace with both hands, each one pulling away from your head as his hand grew larger and greener. 

“Come on buddy, I need your strength.” He muttered under his breath as he began to pull. 

The necklace seemed to breathe, expanding and contracting as he gritted his teeth, a guttural cry thrown to the night as his agents watched the Hulk struggle to break a thin gold necklace. Every small stretch of the chain released you from the hold it held and you placed your hands over his hand in front of your, pushing as hard as you could to help. 

“Please, don’t let go.” You begged as you looked up through your tears to see the veins in his head bulging with his effort and his eyes glowing bright green. 

Something about your voice drove him to push harder, a need to protect you from what caused the fear in your tone. Hulk felt the fear as his own because he knew how it felt to be trapped in a body and the need to be freed and he pushed further into Bruce’s consciousness as he loaned all of his strength. Blood dripped from Hulk’s hands as the chain bit into his tough skin, but still he held tight and gritted his teeth through the pain. It felt like a losing battle. 

“If you can’t break it, you have to kill me.” You whimpered as you saw his fingers begin to slip. “Promise me.” 

You closed your eyes as the ropes of muscles wrapped around his arms bulked up even more while the planks of the pier snapped from the bracing of his legs. 

“Do. It.” You growled, hating the thought of going back to being a killing machine for a cursed goddess.

“NO!”

You were shocked by the defiant anger fuelling Bruce. It had been a long time since anyone stood up for you that you had forgotten what it felt like. You could almost believe he cared that you lived. Unfortunately the armed agents at your back didn’t have the same convictions and you heard them cock their weapons, the bolt sliding into place as they raised their assault rifles to their shoulders.

“I SAID NO!” Hulk’s booming voice rattled your eardrums and with one last ditch effort he prised the chain apart, a ripple of reminiscent power exploding out and knocking the agents to the ground. Bruce caught you as the sonic boom rendered you unconscious and the jewel faded back to its natural state in his hands. He stumbled over the broken planks of the jetty but kept you safely cradled in his arms, placing you gently in the back of the Jeep he had arrived in.

“Would’ve been easier to just kill her.” Fury said as he stepped out of the shadows.

“Is that SWORDs solution to everything?” Bruce asked as he straightened out his clothes that were a little stretched but still in one piece.

“It’s not named FLOWER for a reason.” He chortled before nodding his head to his agent. “Hill.”

Marie stepped up with a secure briefcase and opened it for the necklace, snapping it shut the moment Bruce laid in on the insulating foam.

“You’re not gonna try to make a weapon out of this right? You do remember what happened with the Tesseract.” Bruce checked as he placed a heavy hand on the briefcase.

Fury grabbed the handle and pulled it out from under Bruce’s hand before disappearing into the shadows, his deep laugh echoing behind. “You’re just gonna have to wait and see.”

“Hey! What do I do with her?”

“That’s up to you, Doctor Banner.” Nick said, his voice getting quieter with each step. “She’s wanted for the murder of at least 8 people.”

“But it wasn’t her!” He argued, watching you stir on the back seat at the noise.

“If only someone knew a lawyer who specialised in the supernatural…”

Bruce was already reaching for his phone, sending a silent prayer that his cousin Jennifer would answer his call. Her law firm was based in New York but hopefully she would make the exception for family. He had seen your eyes, seen your selflessness as you were ready to sacrifice yourself so that everyone else would be safe. He didn’t want to see you suffer the consequences of Medusa’s curse, you had already suffered enough.

Bruce climbed in the backseat, his leg becoming your pillow as you curled up and shivered as you no longer had the heat of the jewel. Shrugging off his lab coat, Bruce draped it over you as he noticed your eyelids twitching and your breathing quicken and he wondered what you were dreaming. Whatever it was, he hoped it took you far away, if only for a moment.

The trill of the phone stopped ringing and a sleepy voice answered before it went to voicemail.

“Hey Jenny. It’s Bruce.” He said quietly, trying not to wake you. “I need a favour.”

[just-a-dinosaur-i-guess]

fitzgerald bsd did not fistfight DIO jjba!

DIO is in fact part of shepherdstown, a college town full of reincarnations; his reincarnation is lorenzo padavona, the student council president.

as for the others!

following what was a long ride of a custody battle, elise was adopted by bruno jjba and the rest of neo passione (a stand user specific group currently set up in yokohama with the help of ango sakaguchi) and turned into a real girl via rohan jjba's ability, heaven's door! she was given the stand the offspring immediately after by a stand arrow

very funny to me this one got no votes i'm glad yall can see the vision.. akutagawa and aubrey met through chuuya running into her first, and they did not get along initally but more bonding later on and the sibling dynamic developed from that

the aforementioned shepherdstown!! explaining this one would be better as a post of its own tbh but basically the reincarnations, while not aware of their status as such, all have a drive to be better then who they were. the demons are harder to explain and also i can't fully explain them without spoiling things <3

ranpo can hear (and talk to) the narrators! him getting shot by a sniper was what kicked off the mvrp's version of season four. he's okay though. mostly

wanting to check out neo passione and see if they were suitable for protecting yokohama as well, mii-chan has been staying with them for a while. not knowing he already had a name, giorno called him urbano, basically meaning city cat (mild sidenote: neo passione's base is a renovated hotel, seeing as they have a lot of members.)

yeah this is a thing. LARPers to lovers slowburn is still ongoing. is it gay to throw a poisonous snake at who you think is satan and then have to drag him to the hospital, and then decide from there you have to be his caretaker to keep him from tempting people into sin so you start following him around and you have dumb little arguments on the regular

while the dynamic hasn't been touched in a while due to shit going down in yokohama and unn having her own issues going on, when they were trapped in a void in the prologue of the mvrp (basically a hollowed out space between worlds) they did get along well

SO! there is a coliseum in The Mall (a large multiversal hub), and that's where this fight took place. the dog in question is otis, a corgi who's part of the voidwatchers (a very old organization with a select few, small amount of members who have taken it upon themselves to keep an eye on the voids, along with other related duties), and not only that, but one of the most powerful ones. with powerful fighting prowess and the ability to not only open spatial rifts but also be just fine in space, otis is a menace to deal with if he ever wanders into the coliseum

ENIA!! ENIA is a infinitely sprawling supercomputer who used to rule a whole universe, but after being defeated by The Boss, it's begrudgingly started to be.. somewhat better. still murderous, still mean, but it is actually a good mom figure to isaac. it spoils him and has even coded a filter (isaac_filter) for itself so as to not swear around him

he saw chuuya chiding akutagawa during the beach episode and did mental gymnastics from there.

manifestation might've been the wrong word, my bad, but basically, ceres is the multiverse forming a self with which xe can converse to those who reside in it. ceres can look however xe wants, and xe.. thinks making xerself short is funny because many tend to assume such a being would be towering over others. i will make a post about ceres someday because xe is one of my favorite ocs hehe

and that's it!! ty for voting and reading my silly rambles, and go follow the other people in the mvrp! (@dellonthebell, @feralshadowdemon, and @mrfeeshboyo!)

i have a multiverse rp that's been going on for a while and i really like these kinds of polls! so.

no pressure, but i'd appreciate rbs, i wanna see what people think !

[olivemac]

1300 miles | chapter four | b.b.

Summary | Bucky Barnes is adjusting to civilian life, living in Brooklyn, visiting Sam in Delacroix when he can, and trying to figure out what he wants. When he meets Jo Landry, the tattooed lead singer of a New Orleans-based band, he thinks he might have found the answer. Too bad they live 1300 miles apart.

Time Frame | post-TFATWS

Pairing | Bucky Barnes x fem!oc

Rating | explicit

Warnings | mentions of combat-related injuries, alcohol use, tattoos/body piercings, coarse language, gay male character, bisexual female character, recreational/medicinal drug use (weed), pet names (doll, pretty girl, Sarge), smut [f/m, mutual masturbation, fingering, oral sex (f receiving), PIV, slight dom!Bucky, praise kink, very slight somnophilia], minor angst, and all the romance tropes/fluff because I'm a sucker for it; more warnings to come; 18+ ONLY, minors DNI

Tags | @mrs--barnes

Citation | Vernon, Justin, Dessner, Aaron, Mitchell, Anaïs. “Latter Days.” How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last? Jagjaguwar/37do3d, 2021.

A/N | This only took 800 years to finish. Sorry for the wait. Hope it’s worth it. Xoxo

A/N, pt. 2 | Made some very minor edits to the previous chapters – nothing that changes storyline, etc.

series master list | AO3 link | full master list

🎶 1300 miles playlist 🎶

_____

previous chapter

_____

After breakfast, Bucky returns the borrowed motorcycle to Sam and grabs his backpack from Sarah's house. Sam only badgers him about if for a few minutes.

"So, you're abandoning us for Jo?" he asks Bucky teasingly.

Bucky grunts in reply. "It's not like that," he says.

“I get it,” Sam shrugs. “After eighty years, you’re finally getting some.” Bucky glares at him. “Just remember, bros before hoes,” Sam concludes, laughing and clapping Bucky on the back. Then he adds, "Don't tell Jo I said that."

Bucky's been debating how much he should reveal when he finally says, "I really like her, Sam."

Sam smiles. "Good," he says. "You deserve someone who makes you happy."

Bucky returns the smile.

"Come on," Sam says, "I've got errands to run in town. I'll drop you back at Jo's place." Bucky tosses his backpack into the bed of Sam's truck as Sam tells him, "Just remember, we promised AJ and Cass we'd take 'em out on the boat on Saturday morning."

"I'll be there," Bucky says.

_____

Bucky stays with Jo for the next two days, wearing sweats during the day while he lounges in her apartment – something he isn't used to, just lounging – and sitting alone at the end of the bar at night, watching her serve drinks with Danny.

They're inseparable for those 48 hours. There's an impending deadline – a sense that they need to fit everything they can into the next few days before Bucky returns to New York.

He slips out of her bedroom Thursday morning, still smiling from the night before, to find her practicing yoga in her living room. Bucky stops and leans against the wall to watch Jo move from one pose to the next, his eyes lingering on her hips and backside. When she moves into downward dog, she spots him from between her legs.

“Morning,” Jo says, sinking deeper into the pose and working to keep her feet flat against the mat. She notices the smirk on Bucky’s face. “Enjoying the view?” she asks.

His smirk only grows. "I am."

She walks her hands across the mat to meet her feet and stands. Before she can turn around, Bucky is behind her, his front pressed against her back and his hands on her hips.

"Best part of the twenty-first century," he says, "is skimpier clothing." His thumbs rub upward across the soft skin of her exposed belly until they're moving beneath the band of her sports bra.

Jo laughs and turns in his arms. "Not the medical or technological advancements?"

"Nope," Bucky says, "definitely this." He pops the band of her sports bra with his thumbs, then pulls her even closer, one hand sliding down her back.

"Breakfast?" she asks.

Bucky hums. "I'd rather eat something else," he says with a smirk, leaning down to press a kiss against her neck.

Jo laughs loudly. "No," she exclaims, "you can't expect sex after you say something so cringeworthy."

Regardless, she lets Bucky lower her to her yoga mat and hover over her prone body.

"You were saying?" he smirks against her lips before kissing her.

Jo hums and snakes her arms around Bucky's neck, pulling him closer. His lips move across her jaw and collarbone down to the tops of her breasts. Bucky pushes her sports bra up carefully to reveal her breasts before taking a nipple between his teeth. Jo scratches her short nails across his scalp and holds him to her chest. He worries his tongue over the hard peak and around the barbell ends on each side of her nipple.

“Bucky,” Jo sighs, arching her back.

Bucky smiles against the skin of her stomach as he kisses lower. He likes hearing his name on her lips. After not having control of himself for so long, he likes that he has this small amount of power over someone else, this ability to make Jo fall apart so easily.

He peels her leggings and underwear down and off before lowering his face between her thighs. He blows warm air across her cunt, making her tremble.

"Open your legs a little more," Bucky says, pressing his large hands against the inside of her thighs. "Good girl," he praises as her legs fall further apart. Jo sighs again as Bucky looks up at her. "You're beautiful like this, doll," he says. Then he licks a thick stripe across her folds.

Jo keens and her back arches off the mat. His tongue meets her clit as his hands grip her thighs, holding her open. Jo reaches down and cords her fingers through his thick hair, pulling slightly. Bucky moans against her cunt and continues to circle his tongue across her clit before sucking it between his lips. Jo rocks her hips against Bucky's face, and he reaches up to take her hips in his hands and guide her movements. She pulls his hair again, harder this time, and Bucky grunts. He alternates his movements against her clit until she's coming hard against his face.

"Bucky," Jo moans, her mouth falling open.

Bucky pulls back and slides up her body. When he kisses her, she can taste herself on his lips. She snakes her hand into his hair and holds him close against her mouth, kissing him deeper.

"Favorite meal," Bucky smirks when they finally break apart.

"That's it," Jo says, laughing and pushing at his shoulders, "leave. Get out. Go." She points to the door.

Bucky laughs. "You wouldn't," he says, with mock hurt in his voice, as his fingers tickle against her sides.

Jo squeals and squirms against his onslaught. "Fine, fine," she shrieks, laughing, "you can stay! But no more of that!"

"What? No more of this?" Bucky laughs. He rolls onto his back, pulling Jo on top of him to straddle his face, and rips another two orgasms from her before he finally releases her, helps her redress, and follows her to the kitchen to start breakfast.

_____

In the late afternoon, before the bar is set to open, Jo takes her guitar out onto the balcony to practice. After a while, Bucky sets down the book he was reading and joins her. He watches cars and pedestrians pass below them on the street while Jo plays a song with a sleepy pace and melancholy lyrics on lost innocence. Bucky thinks it sounds pretty in Jo's soft tone.

Stacked yourself against the odds

Talking back to an act of God

You and your clever mouth

You were laughing when the lights went out

When Jo finishes and sets her guitar aside, Bucky pulls her chair closer to his and leans in to kiss her, cupping both her cheeks softly in his hands.

"What was that for?" she asks, smiling.

Bucky shakes his head, then says, "Sam said you had a record deal."

"So, you and Sam were talking about me, were you?" she teases.

Bucky looks sheepish, but Jo just smiles.

“Yeah, I had a record deal. Years ago. In Nashville. Then Danny got hurt, and we didn’t know for a while if he was going to make it or have long-term complications or what. So, I came home. He got better. We bought the bar. I still get to do what I love, and I get to be with the people I love,” she shrugs.

Bucky can sense a "but" coming.

“But…Danny blames himself for me not following my dreams. When the truth is, even if he hadn’t gotten hurt, I would have come home. I had an ex tell me once that I'm only happy when I'm failing." She rolls her eyes.

"And now?" Bucky asks.

“I’m just waiting to fuck this up,” she whispers.

Bucky snorts. "If anyone is going to fuck this up, it'll be me, doll," he replies. "I'm a 107-year-old ex-assassin who can barely use a smart phone and hasn't dated in eighty years."

Jo cocks her head to the side and says, "We could fuck this up to together?"

Bucky smiles. "Deal." Then he kisses her, his hand cupping the back of her head and his tongue sweeping into her mouth.

_____

When things are slow at the bar on Thursday night, Jo grabs her guitar and plays an acoustic set for the small crowd of regulars. Bucky watches from his seat at the end of the bar top, nursing his beer. The thought that this is somehow all too good to be true, that he doesn't deserve Jo or any of this, creeps back into his mind. He takes another sip of beer and clenches his vibranium fist, willing the thought away. By the time Jo's eyes sweep the bar to meet his, the thought is gone.

He follows her up to her apartment after closing time, and when the door is locked behind them, he pushes her up against it, his arms on either side of her head, caging her in. He takes a moment to admire her, her green eyes shining with a mixture of amusement and lust. He leans down and nudges his nose against hers, his breath soft against her lips.

“You gonna be good for me, doll?” he whispers.

Jo nods.

“Say it,” Bucky says, his voice dark.

“Gonna be so good for you, Buck,” Jo whispers.

Bucky smashes his lips against hers, rough and demanding. Jo moans into Bucky's mouth. His kiss is all teeth and tongue, and his hands wander to her hips and down to her thighs to lift her into his arms. He doesn't stop kissing her until he has her on her bed.

Bucky presses hot kisses against Jo's neck, then tugs her faded Nirvana t-shirt up and over her head. The rest of their clothes follow quicky until they're both naked. Bucky kisses between the valley of her breasts and licks at the tattoo beneath her sternum before taking one nipple into his mouth. His flesh hand comes up to pluck at the other nipple, and Jo cries out. Bucky pulls his mouth from her breast with an obscene pop and scratches the stubble of his cheek across her tender flesh.

Jo's hands thread through Bucky's hair, and she tugs him back up to her mouth for a kiss.

"Thought you were gonna be good," Bucky mumbles against her mouth. Jo whines. She can feel him smirking.

His hand comes up to graze against her cheek, and he kisses her softly, taking his time now. He's demanding, but gentle, and Jo feels as if every inch of her heated skin is on fire. But she wants more.

"You can be rough with me, Sarge," she whispers.

"Yeah? You like it rough?" Bucky flips Jo over onto her stomach. "On your knees," he growls, pulling her hips up.

When she's on her knees in front of him, he uses his flesh hand to push her chest further into the mattress. His vibranium hand holds her hips in place as he slides into her without warning. Jo gasps and shudders.

“You look so good taking my cock like this,” Bucky praises. His grip on her hip tightens as he guides her back and forth over his cock before holding her still and slamming into her, setting a swift pace. Jo keens and her walls flutter around him.

"Harder," she gasps.

"What do you say?" Bucky warns through gritted teeth. His right hand moves upward to tangle into her hair, wrenching her head backwards.

Jo whines, "Please."

When he pulls himself almost completely from her body, then slams back in, Jo's eyes roll to the back of her head, and she sobs. She's consumed by the feel of him.

Bucky leans across Jo's back and whispers in her ear, “You’re doing so good, pretty girl.” His right hand slips down beneath her body to toy with her clit. "Fuck, you're so wet."

Jo cries out, and her body shakes. Bucky feels the way she tightens around him.

“I got you," he whispers against her ear, "I got you.” His soft tone clashes with his rough movements and makes Jo’s head spin.

Jo comes with a cry of his name, and it sends Bucky over the edge. His vibranium hand whirs as it clenches her hip, holding her still as he spills inside her with a low groan. He falls onto his side, pulling Jo with him and holding her tightly.

“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” he asks, his voice soft.

“Not at all,” Jo replies, squeezing his hand.

He presses gentle kisses against her shoulder until she slides from the bed to clean up. Then he slips into a dreamless sleep.

_____

Jo wakes Bucky up Friday morning with soft kisses across his jaw.

"Hmph," Bucky grunts, not ready to open his eyes.

"Danny and I are going for a run," Jo says. "Do you want to join us?"

Bucky cracks one eye open to look at her. "Why?"

"Because I like you, and I like spending time with you," she says, rolling her eyes.

The corner of Bucky's lip pulls up and he opens his other eye. "No," he says, "why are you going for a run?"

"Not everyone has the metabolism and stamina of a super soldier, Sarge," she says, poking him in the ribs. “Some of us need the exercise.”

"What's in it for me?" he asks.

Jo rolls her eyes again before answering. "You can run behind me and stare at my ass in tight leggings."

Bucky hums and slides his vibranium hand down Jo's back to cup her left buttock.

“How long do we have until this run?” he asks, letting his other hand trail up and down Jo’s right side.

“Half an hour,” she answers.

“Good,” Bucky says, rolling her onto her back and hovering over her as Jo laughs.

They end up being a few minutes late to meet Danny.

When they finally emerge from Jo’s apartment, Danny is standing at the bottom of the stairs with Greta. Jo reaches out and scratches the dog behind the ears.

“Morning,” Jo greets Danny.

Danny yawns before responding, “It is indeed.”

“Late night?” Jo asks.

Bucky doesn’t hear Danny’s response. He’s too caught up watching Greta sniff his vibranium hand. When she seems satisfied with her inspection, Bucky strokes the top of her head. There was a dog at the small farm where he stayed in Wakanda, and it was nice to have the company at night when his brain wouldn’t shut off and he kept reliving everything he had done as the Winter Soldier. He wonders if maybe he should get a dog. Or maybe a cat.

“Hey,” he hears Jo say from beside him.

He turns his head to find her watching him curiously.

“Where’d you go?” she asks. “Looked like you were stuck in your head.”

Bucky shakes his head and give her a reassuring smile. “I’m here,” he replies.

“Good,” Danny says, turning toward the door, “Because we’re not gonna take it easy on you on this run, Barnes.”

Bucky sees Jo roll her eyes and smirk behind Danny’s back.

“Oh yeah?” Bucky says. “How far are we running?”

Danny’s smirk mirrors Jo’s. “On Fridays, we run until we're hungry, and then we stop for beignets,” he says.

And that’s just what they do. They run three miles in the park before heading to a local cafe. Jo grabs a table for them on the patio while Danny pops inside to order after insisting on paying; Bucky joins him to help him carry their orders. Outside, Greta laps water from the cafe’s outdoor dog bowl, then curls up at Jo’s feet and waits for Danny to come back.

When Bucky and Danny join Jo at the table, their arms laden with plates of beignets and fruit and coffees in to-go cups, Bucky sits as close to Jo as he can. She's wearing an olive-colored sports bra and matching leggings, and she shivers in the cool early morning air. Bucky hesitates before shrugging out of his hoodie and handing it to her. Jo's smile and the sight of her dwarfed by his sweatshirt is worth exposing his arm in public.

Bucky's phone vibrates from the pocket of the hoodie Jo is now wearing. She pulls it out and hands it to him. It's a text from Sam: "Don't forget about Saturday morning."

Bucky responds, assuring Sam he'll be there, and sets his phone on the table next to his plate. Jo glances down and snorts.

"Why is Sam your phone background?" she laughs.

Bucky purses his lips. "He thought it was funny. And I haven't gotten around to changing it. I'm good with tech when it comes to covert missions, not," he holds the phone up, "this."

Jo laughs again and takes the phone from his hand. She holds it in front of his face to activate the facial recognition, and then opens the camera app and takes a picture of the two of them.

Danny reaches across the table for the phone. "Here," he says, and their breakfast shifts into a photoshoot that leaves them all in stitches from laughing so hard at their own antics. Even Greta gets pulled into some photos. At one point, Jo pulls a piece of hair from her ponytail across her upper lip like a mustache, and, for some unknown reason, Bucky suddenly thinks it's the funniest thing he's ever seen.

He probably has a hundred photos on his phone now, just from breakfast. He watches as Jo scrolls through them, and when he sees one of her laughing with her head thrown back, he says, "That one." Jo smiles and shows him how to set it as his background. Bucky takes his phone from her and looks at the picture again. It's perfect.

They're almost done with breakfast, and Bucky has forgotten about his bare arm when a teenage boy approaches their table.

"Hey man," the boy says to Bucky, "You're Sergeant Barnes, right? You work with Captain America? That's so cool, man," he says, barely taking a breath. His excited energy reminds Bucky of Peter Parker. "That shit with the Flag Smashers in New York," the kid continues, "that was crazy. You're, like, a real hero, man."

He moves closer to Bucky to snap a selfie, then holds his fist out, and Bucky knocks his own fist against it, hesitantly.

"Thanks," Bucky mumbles, not used to the praise.

"Tell Captain America it's cool he looks like me," the boy says, pointing to his skin, before heading inside the cafe.

Jo just smiles at Bucky, watching the blush creep down his neck, but Danny says, "You should start charging for pictures." Jo rolls her eyes, and Danny laughs. Bucky can see the similarities between the two of them, and for a moment, he misses his own sister.

"Ready to head out?" Danny asks, breaking Bucky from his thoughts.

"Yeah," Bucky says, standing, "yeah."

When they're two blocks from the bar, Jo slows down.

“My legs are sore. Carry me?” she pleads jokingly, and before she can argue that she was only kidding, Bucky's bending down in front of her and pulling her onto his back, guiding her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. Jo laughs.

"You're going to spoil her," Danny says, but Bucky just smiles.

Inside her apartment, Jo pulls off Bucky's hoodie and returns it to him.

"Looked better on you," he says and kisses her gently. "I need to head back to Sarah's," Bucky continues. "Sam and I promised AJ and Cass we'd take them out on the boat tomorrow morning, bright and early."

"I'll drive you," Jo responds, and she's grabbing her keys before he can protest.

_____

Bucky returns to the bar on Saturday night with Sam in tow. Jo's band is playing, and the smile she gives him from the stage when he enters the bar makes up for Sam's constant teasing throughout the day. He likes watching her like this. She’s free, uninhibited, beautiful. Too good for me, he thinks. The thought has been creeping in more and more lately.

Later that night, after Sam has left and the bar has closed, Bucky lets Jo lead him up the stairs to her apartment and into her bedroom.

"Let me take care of you," she whispers, running her fingers beneath his t-shirt. Bucky nods and allows her to strip his clothes off before he helps her out of her own. Jo maps each scar on his body with her fingers and her mouth, and Bucky's heart swells at her tenderness.

She pushes him backward onto the bed and tries to take his cock in her mouth, but Bucky stops her. He's not ready to give up that control just yet, worried he won't be able to stop himself from being too rough with her. When she straddles his hips and sinks down on his cock, he holds her hips with his hands and guides her movements. He guides her own fingers to her clit and watches as she falls apart above him before flipping her onto her back and driving back into her. When he comes, it's with a shout of Jo's name, and he drops his head against her shoulder, panting.

As he holds her while she sleeps, the thought he's been having – that he doesn't deserve this – returns, and Bucky lays awake brooding.

When Jo wakes on Sunday morning, Bucky is gone.

_____

next chapter - coming soon

[eddsworld-headies]

Main Four: Your specific looks for each.

(once again, kind of oc, aka me looking on Pinterest for character pics that I think compliments the boys well, maybe I'll just make these characters OC's/ other people's character reactions separate from the Headcanons)

Edd: y'all know skimson right? I love the hell out of Marina, or Maria (can't remember her name) and she is a perfect contrast to Edd so yeah. Sweet, soft, works at a flower shop. Long blonde hair and deep brown eyes. She's too cute not to use as inspo for Edd girlfriend insert. She's a very cottage core/ soft clothing style. Soo.. yeah that's you.

[ Little edit, just so I'm positive that the artist gets credit. This art is by @skimson and it's their character, this is just a loose basing and you can find their main account on insta and a second account called Witty.tsykitty on insta as well and I HIGH recommend checking them out cause they post some stuff pretty often and their bearfamily au is the cutest thing.]

Matt: Y'all have a black wolf mullet and you rock the hell out of it. And being one of the resident Bisexuals, your eyeliner is practically flawless. Your more on the alt / oddly 2000's side of fashion and (if you'd rather imagine a character) are Nicaraguan. You've only moved over to England when you were a teen.

Tord: Trans queen. Your parents were actually pretty with the times and allowed you to get gender reassignment surgery at a young age. It wasn't fun at all and the bottom surgery sucked ass but your who you need to be and it's amazing. And all that time in school, defending yourself from bullies mean you don't take shit from no one and Tord respects that religiously. Defiantly a baddie and maybe a little weebish but your cute as hell and witty. You probably have long hair and died it pink just as a but 'fuck you' to all the transphobic cuck out there. Hot girl summer all the way.

Tom: yes yes yes yes- so excited for this one— this one makes me wanna make all these girls separate begin from y'all readers. I have the perfect name for her and everything.

Butch girl supremacy y'all. You doesn't dress as nice as the picture all the time, but on certain occasions you will. Witty, fun, easy going, and really shit self-esteem and body dysphoria all wrapped up in clothes that make you look ACTUALLY homeless. (Or a twelve year old boy) You went to America for, like, a month for family stuff and COMPLETELY lost your accent you talk all weird now even though you were born and raised locally. Tomboy all the way and slightly alt. Plus you really want snake bits to add with your brow and nip peircing but Tom already has them and complains constantly so you don't know if you should or shouldn't. And to top it all off, you've had top surgery. Why? Cause tits don't feel right on you. You just said yolo one day and got it done. Congrats tit-less.

(really thinking about just fixing Marina's character and making these girls OC because I'd die over their interactions and the shenanigans they'd get into when not with the boys ™)

[whatamidoingwithmylifeman]

MK OC Randomness part 8... I think. Fuck it! We're going with it!

Welcome back to the shit show. Let's go!

also some of these jokes are from lamas with hats

Qiao Fu is my name for the Lin Kuei Grandmaster

Also some of these jokes are based off skits done by Moonkitti on YouTube. Just re-worded a bit

Nozomi: Hey uncle Shinnok! Do your old man voice!

Shinnok, in his normal voice: What old man voice?

Nozomi: Yeah! That one!

------

Nozomi: ooh who's this?

Qiao Fu: That's my old wife.

Nozomi: The one who died long ago?

Qiao Fu: The very same

Nozomi: *eyeing the picture* That's too bad. She looks really cute.

Qiao Fu: I'm sorry, do you find my old wife attractive?

Nozomi: Do you not!?

------

Nozomi: I wanna see my little boy!

Shang Tsung: *helping Meat walk* Here he comes!

Nozomi: *scooping Meat up and hugging him* I wanna see my little boy!

------

"Revenant" Reiki: WHY WOULD YOU THINK ANY OF THIS IS A GOOD IDEA!?

"Revenant" Michiko: Probably because I'm a dangerous sociopath with a long history of violence.

"Rev" Reiki: Oh.

"Rev" Michiko: I don't understand how you keep forgetting that.

------

Shinnok: Shh, do you hear that?

Shinnok: That's the sound of forgiveness.

Melantha: That's the sound of people dying dad!

Shinnok: That is what forgiveness sounds like. Screaming and then silence.

------

Shariah: How did you even do this!?

Meat: A dollop of fairy dust!

Shariah: Meat!

Meat: I ripped the tag off a mattress.

Shariah: This isn't funny Meat!

Meat: Who's laughing? Clearly not all the people that just exploded.

Shariah: I'm leaving! I've had enough of this!

Meat: But thank of all the perfectly roasted faces we get to munch on now.

Shariah: What? Why?

Meat: Because we're friends. And friendship is two pals munching on well cooked faces together.

------

"The bar was so low it was practically a tripping hazard in Hell! And yet, here you are limbo dancing with the devil!"- Melantha to Hotaru at a family dinner.

------

"Oh no. There are consequences to your actions? Who would've thought?" Krow to Raiden and Flamus, still pissed at them for completely destroying a village that housed the remaining nymphs and nymphlims their husband made.

------

Nozomi: I'm just here to collect Michiko

Qiao Fu: *tries to stab her*

Nozomi: YOU'RE AN UNFIT FATHER FU! THAT'S NOT EVEN YOUR DAUGHTER! YOU HAVE A HUMAN CHILD! WHO THE FUCK'S DEMON CHILD IS THAT! WHO ARE YOU STEALING CHILDREN FROM!?

------

Michiko: You are not my father!

Qiao Fu: Bring proof you are not my daughter!

Meixiu's ghost in the background: Bitch! You literally murdered her birth father!

------

Nyx: Get out

Reiko: Aww come on. Can't I check in on my favorite little sister?

Nyx: If you don't leave me my room Reiko, I will stab you. And when I do it won't look pretty.

Reiko: there's a pretty way to stab people? Like with a butterfly knife or something?

Nyx: yup. Handle and all.

Reiko: oh... OH!

------

Nemos: Greetings Thunder God!

Raiden: Eh? Nemos what are you doing here?

Nemos: I'm taking advantage of your guilt-ridden personality to get a head start on being a better realm protector while no one is looking.

Raiden: Nope. New timeline, new Raiden. Go- Go play with your sisters.

Nemos: I'll have you know I've lived 15 lives in which I've played with my sisters, and none of them have been consequential!

Raiden: *sighs* I'm trying to take you seriously. Really. But it just feels like an even smaller Shinnok is yelling at me right now.

------

Hotaru: *busting into the Sky Temple and picking up Nemos* My beautiful son, I am back from my epic battle of driving out the rebels!

Nemos: Tell me, man who sired me!

Hotaru: We were fighting when suddenly Soldier B produced a substance that burned through their skin!

Nozomi: That sounds like my poison...

Hotaru: Oh no! We'd never poison anyone. Only ambush them in the middle of the night, kill them through physical violence, and intimidate them in other wise orderly court proceedings. Poison is bad.

Nozomi: Have you considered maybe, asking him if he poisoned them?

Hotaru: Oh no, I trust him completely.

Melantha: *holding Discordia and Harmonia* But, what if he did?

Hotaru: *small whimper before glaring and shouting* Solider B! Come here and apologize to my wife for making her think about things immediately!

Solider B: Hi, what?

Hotaru: I said apologize to Melantha!

Solider B: Uh yeah, sorry for poisoning the rebels or something..

Melantha: Hey, has anyone seen Nemos?

------

Darrius: It seems one of the soldiers has summoned Melantha to their side.

Hotaru: *spying on the rebels* Gonna go see Melantha. I'm gonna see Melantha at the meeting. Gonna see Melantha. Melantha.

------

OB: I made a perfectly good Titan

Fuyuka: You fucked up my daughter is what you did!

Fuyuka: Look at her! She's traumatized!

------

Amara: Don’t worry, I have a few knives up my sleeve.

Leila: I think you mean cards.

Amara, pulling knives out of her sleeves: No, I do not.

------

Ermac: Bad things keep happening to us, like we have bad luck or something.

Zyta: Ermac, you don't have bad luck. The reason bad things happen to you is because you're a dumbass.

------

Zyta: You love me, right, Ermac?

Ermac: Normally, we’d say yes without hesitation, but we feel like this is going somewhere and we don’t like it.

------

Kristy: *steps on her glasses by accident*

Kristy: *inhales* If I knew that this would be the fate that befalls me and these damned glasses, I would've just let the fire reach my left eye and burn it out completely!

------

Megumi: I turned out perfectly fine!

Ayeka: Megumi, this morning you thought a ghost made your toast

Megumi: I DIDN’T PUT THE BREAD IN! YOU DIDN’T PUT THE BREAD IN!!!

------

Zyta: Stop buying plastic skeletons for Halloween! It's terrible for the environment!

Philomela: Yeah! Locally sourced, all natural skeletons are much more environmentally friendly!

------

Discordia, holding a python: Guys I impulsively bought a snake, what do I name him

Harmonia: You did WHAT–

Nemos: William Snakepeare

------

Discordia: Hey Harmonia,

Harmonia: Yes?

Discordia: Can a person breathe inside a washing machine while it’s on?

Harmonia:

Harmonia: Where’s Nemos?

------

Discordia: Here’s a fun Christmas idea. We hang mistletoe, but instead of kissing, you have to FIGHT whoever else is under it.

Harmonia: Discordia no.

Nemos: Mistlefoe.

Harmonia: Please stop encouraging her.

------

Store Worker: Would a Ms. Philomela please come to the front desk?

Philomela, arriving at the desk: Hello, is there a problem?

Store Worker: *points to Amara and Zyta*

Store Worker: I believe they belong to you?

Amara and Zyta, simultaneously: We got lost :(

Philomela: I didn’t even bring you guys here with me-

------

Erron, driving Ash and Kamden: So how was your day?

Ash: We almost got surprise adopted!

Erron: What?

Kamden: We almost got kidnapped.

Erron: Oh, okay.

Erron: *slams on the breaks* WAIT WHAT?!

------

Nozomi: Welcome, fellow idiots

Kung Lao: Hello, Nozomi

Nozomi: No, no, not you, you're not an idiot

Kung Lao: You underestimate me

------

Nozomi: What are your goals?

Kung Lao: To pet all the dogs.

Nozomi: No, fitness goals.

Kung Lao: To be able to run fast enough to pet all the dogs.

------

Liu Kang: You know, not every problem can be solved with a sword.

Nozomi: That's why I carry two swords.

------

Sareena: Ok, maybe playing ‘whose family is most dysfunctional’ wasn’t the best idea we’ve had. Michiko's been crying in the bathroom for an hour. We can’t get her out...

------

Sareena: Do you have any skeletons in your closet?

Michiko: You mean literally or figuratively?

Sareena: Honestly, the fact that I have to specify...

------

Sareena: Michiko... Why did you draw a pentagram on the floor?

Michiko: Your text told me to Satanize the house before you returned.

Sareena:

Sareena: I wrote sanitize, Michiko.

------

Sareena: You kill people for money?!

Michiko: I can explain!

Sareena: And all this time I’ve been doing it for free like a chump!

@deepinthefog @merplderpl @yuvononik @dontunderestimatemypoison @feistyfandomthings @toomanyf4ndoms7 @daddydestrey @tora-lotus @calcium1790 @starneko123 @dinogoofy @bar10du @cyberbloodgoddess

[wiypt-writes]

Riding On

Ch21: Her Hooves Set The Beat, My Heart Sang The Song

Summary: There’s a feel good factor at the Gallagher-Adler’s as Alex hits another milestone, but their happy little bubble his shattered with some bad news at the stables, and Fliss is forced to say a heart-breaking goodbye…

Warnings: Bad language, 18+, animal death.

Pairing: Frank Adler x OFC Fliss Gallagher

A/N: So, for those of you who don’t know, Heidi was actually real. She was my beloved horse of a lifetime who I lost in July 2018 to complications associated with old age. At 28 I she had a good life, and for the 20 years I had her she gave me everything. Writing this brought back a lot of memories and was quite therapeutic in a way, but if anyone wants to skip over it for fear of being triggered, I won’t be offended.

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Fliss Gallagher and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

Riding On Masterlist // Main Masterlist

Chapter 20

 April 2020

“Go away!” Mary laughed, pushing Fliss’ arm as she tried to peek over at what she was writing on the piece of card upon which she’d been designing the Wedding Invitations.  “You can see when I’m done!”

Fliss chuckled and backed away, hands raised, palms up.

“Okay, okay.” She walked backwards a few steps before she turned and her eyes fell on Alex who was in his pack and play loudly banging some coloured blocks together. He looked up at her and gave a huge smile before he shuffled a little to the edge of his pen and reached up, curling his hands onto the sides. As Fliss watched, he tried to pull himself up into a standing position but only got so far before he landed on his butt, and waved his arms and legs shouting something in, what Frank called Bean-Babble. Fliss grinned and moved to pick him up.

“Not quite mastered that yet have you, baby?” She smiled, kissing his cheek.

Alex let out another loud squeal of contentment as he perched on her hip and she made her way over to the kitchen area. There, she settled him in his high chair and headed into the fridge to grab him an apple. Since he had started eating solids it had fast become apparent that he was particularly partial to the fruit, something Frank directly attributed to the fact that Fliss had eaten so many of them when she was pregnant thanks to her craving. Fliss carefully chopped the fruit into large pieces before she placed them down on the tray of his chair, kissing his soft hair again as Alex grabbed a slice in his hand and promptly jabbed it in his mouth, making appreciative noises.

Happy that he was content, Fliss then turned her attention to their dinner. She soon had the base of the cream and garlic sauce for the seafood linguini simmering nicely in the pan so she then turned her attention to shelling and de-veining the fresh, king prawns Frank had brought home the night before, along with chopping up the squid and cleaning the mussels before she turned her head and looked over to the table across the large family room.

“Mary, do you want mussels in yours?”

 “No, they taste like snot.” Came the simple response.

“You know what snot tastes like?” Fliss pulled a face. “Gross.”

Mary didn’t reply, her hand was busy scribbling on the paper. Fliss shrugged and placed some of the sauce into a separate pan before she dropped some of the seafood through to cook, before pulling a cod and mash potato puree out for Alex for his dinner. Whilst that was in the microwave, she tossed Mary’s sauce through some of the pasta, before sprinkling over a little bit of parmesan and setting it down on the breakfast bar.

“Mary, dinner.”

Mary hopped down from the table and made her way over to the counter. With a thanks to Fliss she tucked in as Fliss smiled and sat next to her, feeding Alex.

“What time is Dad home?” Mary asked.

“I’m actually expecting him any time now.” Fliss glanced at the clock. “He has no meetings tonight so he shouldn’t be too long. Did you want him for something? I can call him.”

“No, I was just curious.” Mary swallowed her mouthful of food. “Do you mind if I don’t ride tonight?”

 “No, of course not.” Fliss gave Alex another spoonful of his dinner before she turned to Mary. “Is everything ok, Stack? It’s not like you to pass up an opportunity to ride.”

“Well, I thought I could spend some time with Frank.” She shrugged. “I haven’t seen him properly this week.”

“I’m sure he’d appreciate that.” Fliss smiled, giving Alex more food.

 “Just figured if you’re at the stables and Alex is in bed, it’ll just be the two of us. No offense.”

“None taken.” Fliss chuckled, as Mary grinned and continued to eat. And she meant it. Over the past two weeks or so, Frank and Alan’s son had decided to expand a little and as such had been meeting with potential new suppliers, often working until later in the night, something Fliss knew was hard on him because it meant his time with the kids had really been limited to a quick hour over breakfast, the morning school and crèche drop offs and weekends. Fliss had assured him that the kids were fine, she was fine, and reminded him that he was doing this for the family, for their future but it didn’t stop him feeling guilty.

It was kind of ironic, when she thought about it. As she’d been expecting to feel the same guilt after going back to work full time but as she was self-employed, she’d been able to work her time-table quite well around the kids. She’d taken on another stable hand to help with the day to day chores leaving her free to teach more freelance in the area and school horses when they came to her for training. Joanne was now taking the group lessons completely, having passed her final teaching exams earlier that year, and Alex had settled really well into his day care, going two days a week to the centre round the corner from Mary’s school which had come recommended by Bonnie’s sister. The other two days a week Verity (and nine times outta ten Bill) came look after him or take him out, meaning on those days Fliss worked later- scheduling in evening lessons for clients as Verity would sort the kids dinner before Frank got home, and then on Friday, Fliss did her paperwork so Alex stayed with her . It was busy, and often required military planning as to who was picking which child up and when, but they worked it well, and Fliss had been very surprised at how easily they had picked it all up.

They continued chatting, and just as Mary had polished off her desert, Thor gave a little woof and padded to the back door as it opened and they heard Frank giving his usual jokey greeting.

“The boss is home.”

“Yeah I know, she made dinner.” Mary shot back and Fliss laughed, giving her a hi-five.

Frank walked into the main room and smiled at them both, giving Fliss a quick kiss before he ruffled Mary’s hair as she shoved him away, rolling her eyes, jumping off the stool to escape him.

“Good day?” He asked, and Fliss nodded.

“Yeah, not bad. You?”

“Busy, but productive. We got the final Price Lists negotiated so…” he trailed off, nodding to Alex who was smiling at him. “Looks like he enjoyed dinner.”

“So did Mary.” Fliss mused, nodding to the empty place on the side. “She ate a full dish of linguini and a massive piece of Mum’s chocolate cake. Think she’s going through another growth spurt.”

“Great, more clothes to buy.”

Fliss chuckled as she fed Alex the last of his peach and apple puree before she reached for a baby wipe and scrubbed his face and hands clean, much to the baby’s annoyance. She stood up to clear away his dish, leaving the spoon in Alex’s hand as he was busy banging it against the tray of his chair. Frank sat down on the stool she’d vacated, kissing Alex’s head. .

“Hey, Pal. Meet any hot girls today at crèche?” He asked. Alex shrieked in response, banging the spoon harder and Frank nodded. “Oh really? Well, you play it cool and she’ll be putty in your hands.”

“Like I was in yours?” Fliss asked, turning to face him and Frank grinned as he settled on the stool.

“Think we both know it was the other way round.”

“Don’t you forget it.” She smirked a little.

“Like I’d have a chance.” Frank winked at her and Fliss smiled.

“Do you want your dinner now or-“

“Oh, can I show you the invitation first?” Mary suddenly piped up from across the room and Fliss nodded.

“Sure.”

She jumped off the table at the chair and approached them, placing the card on the breakfast bar in front of Frank. Fliss stood behind Frank, her hands sliding round his shoulders as she kissed his cheek, both of them glancing down at the design Mary had come up with. 

The front was a simple square piece of card. Across the top Mary had cut letters out of a magazine to spell out the words “WE’RE GETTING MARRIED” and underneath it she’d stuck a copy of a photo of the four of them which had clearly been taken at Bill and Verity’s a few weeks ago. Mary and Alex were both looking at the camera, whereas Frank and Fliss were both laughing as they looked at each other as Frank held Alex, the baby’s back to his chest, supporting under his butt with one arm, the other held across his front.

“Where did you get that?” Frank asked, grinning as he looked at it.

“Poppa Bill.” Mary looked at him. “He said it was like the five thousandth attempt at trying to get us all to look at the camera.”

“That was Frank’s fault.” Fliss laughed, “He kept nipping my ass.”

Frank shrugged, before Fliss spotted one of his arms snaking backwards, blatantly intending on doing the same and she slapped his hand, making him give a dirty chuckle as he pulled it away.

“Turn it over!” Mary urged. Frank obliged and they both smiled instantly at the back. It was written in Mary’s untidy writing, in bright multi-coloured felt tip.

“Oh Mary, this is just what I wanted!” Fliss grinned. “For it to look bright and unique.”

“You haven’t read it yet.” She looked up at Fliss rolling her eyes, but before she could comment Frank started to laugh as he had and his chuckles continued as Fliss read the words out-loud.

“Mary and Alex Adler would like to invite you to their Mom and Dad’s wedding.” Fliss took a deep breath at the word, looking at Mary who gave her a small smile. Whilst Mary had referred to Fliss when talking to other people as her mom, she’d never actually used the word directly to Fliss yet. But, now wasn’t the time to dig into that. Fliss cleared her throat and read on “Frank and Fliss met at the stables. Frank was smitten, Fliss was too. But they were too dumb to admit it straight away. And then Frank took her sailing (not driving) on a speedboat. They kissed, made a baby and now it’s time for a party. (And a wedding too).”

Fliss burst out laughing, as Frank tried to gain enough control to read the final bit at the bottom, which was situated underneath the details of time and venues, before it went on to state their address.

“RSVP to Mary (not Alex, because he can’t read!)” He managed to wheeze out, wiping at his eyes. “Oh, Stack, you’re killing me.”

“You like it?” She grinned and Frank nodded.

“Mary.” Fliss’ laughter died down as she took a deep breath. “It’s absolutely perfect!”

Once they had finished laughing at Mary’s Invitation Prototype, Fliss and Frank ate dinner together, Mary chatting away to the pair of them as she sat at the end of the breakfast bar, sipping a milkshake, informing them both about her day, before Frank took Alex to get him bathed and changed into his pyjamas.

“This bath is supposed to be for you.” Frank grumbled as Alex enthusiastically splashed at the water with his little hands, those little babbling noises emitting from his mouth as he glanced up at Frank with his big blue eyes, making another sound that could almost have been interpreted as a question. Which, maybe it was. “You heard me.” Frank looked at him. Alex studied his dad for a second before continuing with his splashing, laughing loudly as he tossed a plastic boat to the end of the tub before he stretched towards it, then realising he couldn’t reach the toy, promptly burst into tears.

“Seriously, Pal?” Frank rolled his eyes, stretching his right hand over to retrieve the precious item. As soon as he passed it back, the over the top tears stopped and Frank raised an eyebrow. “If you wanted it so badly why did you throw it away in the first place?”

Alex responded with another noise, this one a gurgle and Frank nodded.

“Okay, understood.”

At that Alex looked at him, cocking his head to one side, making another puzzled noise and tossed the boat this time over the side of the bath, a grin spreading across his face as he studied his dad.  Frank arched an eyebrow. “You know, just because I love you doesn’t mean I sign up for this whole throw and fetch shit you got going on.” He picked up the toy and tossed it back into the water. “That’s Thor’s job.”

“You know, if his first word comes out a swear, you’re in deep trouble.” Fliss arched an eyebrow as Frank turned his head over his shoulder to look at her as she stood in the bathroom doorway. At the sight of his Mumma, Alex gave a huge grin and let out another gabble of noises.

“There are worst things it could be.” Frank shrugged, looking back at him.

“Like what?”

“Trump.” Frank deadpanned and Fliss let out a chuckle as once more the plastic boat came out of the tub onto the floor.

“Right, I think play-time is done pal.” Frank looked at Alex, who glanced up at him as he made sure to keep one hand behind his son’s back whilst reaching for his little hooded towel, which was patterned with tiny little ducks. “Come on.” No sooner had he lifted Alex out of the tub, the eight month old started to protest, dramatically, screams once more hitting Frank’s ears. “Oh, hush…” Frank chuckled as he lay him down on the towel before wrapping him in it and picking him up, rising to a stand and gently jiggling the now hysterical baby up and down.

“Anyone would think we’re tryin’a kill him, not simply dry him off after he’s spent fifteen minutes in the bath.” Frank rolled his eyes, an amused expression on his face at Alex’s dramatics.

“Well, he’s a right little water baby, aint you Bean?” Fliss leaned over to kiss Alex’s head as his cries suddenly died down as he had become instantly distracted with the buttons on Frank’s shirt. He made a little “oooh” of approval, his tiny fingers reaching to the ones near the collar. “Ha, look at that, he’s easily distracted, just like his daddy.”

“Yeah, well, I won’t deny, I quite like undoing your buttons.” Frank teased, dropping a kiss to her mouth. “Shall I dress him or do you wanna do it?”

Fliss took a deep breath, of course she wanted to dress him, she wanted to do everything for her baby, but she also knew that Frank had been out of the house early every morning and this was the first evening since Monday he’d made it home before bath time. With a smile she shook her head. “It's okay, you can do it. I’ll clean up in here.”

“Leave it, I’ll do it later.”

“It won’t take me five minutes. Then once I’m done and he’s settled, I’ll head over to the yard so I can ride and finish off. I won’t be too long, just an hour or so.”

“Then we got some us time?” Frank asked, almost pleaded and she smiled.

“Then we got some us time.”

“Perfect.” Frank gave her a soft smile before he kissed her again and carried Alex into the nursery. Before long he’d managed to wrestle a very wriggly baby into a clean diaper, a fresh romper suit and headed downstairs. Mary was now sat on the couch, her eyes glued to something on the TV as Fliss was warming Alex’s bottle up.

“You going with Fliss, Stack?”

No answer. With a raised brow he turned to look at Fliss who was biting her lip, trying not to laugh as he switched his attention back to Mary.

“Earth to Mary.”

With a groan she looked at him. “What?”

“Less of the attitude.” Frank looked at her. “I asked if you were going to ride?”

“Oh, erm…” She hesitated and Fliss chuckled.

“She wants to stay here and spend some time with you.” She smiled as Frank looked at her, then to Mary.

“Wow, me over Monty, I’m flattered.” He smirked. Mary rolled her eyes.

“Don’t get used to it, it’s only because I’ve not seen you properly this week to hang out.”

Frank snorted before he sighed. “I know, I’m sorry. It won’t be forever.”

“It’s fine.” Mary shrugged, her eyes back on the TV. “Not like I’m neglected, is it?”

“Good to know you feel that way.” Frank nodded seriously, before he caught Fliss’ eye and she gave him a wink.

He placed Alex down on the play mat in front of the TV and within seconds the baby had flipped himself over and pushed up onto his hands, rocking back a little onto his knees, emitting more excited noises.

“Mary, I’m just gonna grab a drink.” Frank looked at the Alex, before he turned to Mary. “Keep your eye on your brother will you?”

“Sure.” She shrugged, her attention now completely on the baby as she dropped onto the floor and shuffled over to him, talking to him as she did so.

Frank watched for a moment, giving a silent groan as Alex flopped gently down face first onto the mat.

“Oopsie!”  Mary grinned, and Frank braced himself for the dramatic screams, but they never came as this time, Alex managed to right himself and roll back over onto his back, giving Mary an excited grin and a loud shriek as Mary waggled one of the toys from the baby gym over the top of him.

Satisfied they were okay, Frank headed into the kitchen where Fliss was busy finishing off the lunches for the next morning, dropping a kiss to her cheek as he reached into the fridge, grabbing a beer.

 “You wanna do bedtime as you’ve not had chance this week?” Fliss asked, nodding to Alex’s bottle where it stood in the jug of boiling water.

“He’s my son, course I wanna.” Frank frowned as he looked at her, flipping the top off his beer. “You know, it’s not like I’ve been working late on purpose, Fliss.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Fliss narrowed her eyes at him as he took a long pull of his drink. “And you know it. So less of the shitty tone, thank you!”

“Sorry, Honey.” Frank sighed, dropping a kiss to her lips. “Just, well, I didn’t think Mary would have bothered as much as she had.”

“She’s fine.” Fliss shook her head. “And she isn’t bothered as such, she just wants to get you to herself for a little while. I mean, let’s face it, how often does she get chance to do that now?”

“True.” Frank nodded. “Maybe I should take her out on Saturday somewhere, just the two of us. Would you mind?”

“No, course not.” She shook her head. “I can take Alex down to the beach with Bonnie. You can always join us later on.”

“Yeah.” Frank nodded. “Sounds good.”

“And tonight, why don’t you spend a bit of time in the pool before she showers?” Fliss suggested, as she slid her hands up round his neck. “Then maybe when I get back, me and you could-“

But whatever filthy water-based shenanigans she was about to suggest, Frank never found out, as at that moment Mary let out a yell.

“Oh my God! Alex is crawling, quick!”

In a flash the parents rushed over to where Mary was sat at one side of the play-mat, waving Alex’s huge stuffed elephant at him, as he unsteadily made his way over to her, one hand and knee moving at a time.

“Frank, quick!” Fliss nudged him as she dropped to her knees behind Alex, her hands settling either side of his little body, getting ready to catch him if she needed to.  

“I got it…” Frank muttered, as he crouched next to Mary, his phone out. “Alex, buddy, you reckon you can make it all this way to Daddy, huh?”

Another few little movements later, Fliss’ sharp eyes saw the baby’s arms beginning to wobble and, just as they gave way she grabbed him and pulled him backwards, swinging him up and pressing her to his chest, smothering his face in kisses.

“My clever little man!” She beamed as Alex laughed, grabbing at her hair as she kissed him. “Oh my baby, you’re getting so big!”

Alex clearly decided that his crawling efforts were done for the day as he made no attempt try again as Fliss held him in position on the mat. With a shrug, she gently placed him on his back where he began to grab once more at the toys hanging over him.

“Obviously had enough excitement for one night.” Frank chuckled as he reached over and tickled the baby’s belly, drawing a gaggle of laughter from him.

“I’m so glad we all got to see it.” Fliss beamed round at them both and Mary nodded enthusiastically. “Right…” She rose to her feet. “I’m going to go ride and finish off. I’ll be back in an hour, hour and a half.”

Once she was gone, Frank turned to Mary. “Fancy playing in the pool for a bit before bed?”

“Errr, yeah!”

“Okay, well give me half an hour or so to get him down and then we’ll head out. I wanna see if you can master a back flip this time instead of a front one.”

***** Alex went down, as usual, with minimum fuss and once Frank was happy he was settled he changed into his swim shorts and headed downstairs. Grabbing the baby monitor screen from the side in the kitchen, he and Mary headed out to the pool, Mary wasting no time in cannon-balling straight in. Not one to shy down from a challenge, when Mary told him to beat her splash, he did just that. The two of them enjoyed a fun filled forty minutes or so, racing one another (Frank let Mary win a few, but not all) play fighting, diving and generally larking around as the sun dipped behind the eye-line of the fence and the lights in the pool kicked in, reflecting against the bright blue tiles which lined it.

Frank climbed out of the pool to check the time on his phone, and realising it was now almost eight, he told Mary it was time to get out. She protested, but he shot her a no-nonsense stare and with a loud groan about how unfair life was, she climbed out and Frank wrapped her in a towel before giving her a drink of water and then packing her off upstairs for a shower, promising her she could read in bed before lights off at nine.

He showered himself, pulling on a pair of sweats and a well-worn light blue T-Shirt, and by the time he had finished and headed across the landing to tuck Mary in, she was already out for the count. With a smile, he placed her book down on her night stand, gently kissed her head and then flicked off the lamp before he moved to the next room to check on Alex. He was also fast asleep.

He headed back downstairs, grabbed another beer and settled in front of the TV, giving a snort as he glanced at the time. It was now ten past nine. So much for Fliss being just an hour. No doubt she’d ended up chatting to one of the clients about something, as usual, which had delayed her locking up. Firing her a good humoured, sarcastic text about how he should grow a mane, tail and two extra legs so he could get a look in, he tossed the phone down onto the coffee table, frowning as it instantly began to light up. It was Fliss.

 “Hey, Honey, I was only joking, take as-“

“Frank, there’s something wrong with Heidi.” She cut him off, her voice cracking. “She’s got colic and it’s bad. I called the Vet and he’s on his way but she won’t get up. I can’t get her on her feet to try and walk her round she’s just…”

Frank took a deep breath, his stomach falling as he digested her words. He wasn’t clued up on a lot of horse lingo or issues, but he knew colic was fatal to some horses, depending on the severity. And even without the fact that Fliss was clearly concerned, he knew that with Heidi being as old as she was this wasn’t good.

“How long is the Vet going to be?” he asked.

“They said about half an hour, he’s on his way but as it’s night it’s an emergency call so he’s coming from home.” She took a deep breath. “Frank, I’m gonna lose her.”

“Look, you don’t know that for sure.” He placated her gently as he stood up from the sofa. “Listen, let me grab the kids and we’ll come over.”

“Frank, they’re sleeping.” She began to protest, “And Mary will be so upset to see Heidi like this, and if the vet has to put her to sleep then…”

“Then she’ll be mad as hell she didn’t get to say goodbye.” Frank reasoned as he made his way into the hallway. “I don’t want you over there on your own, sweetheart. Not if…”

There was a pause. “I don’t want to do it on my own either.” She whispered and he took a deep breath as he headed up the stairs, taking the steps two at a time.

“And you don’t hafta.” He replied. “Give me five minutes. Do you need anything else?”

“No, I got everything here.”

“Okay.” He nodded, pausing outside Mary’s bedroom. “We’ll be with you in five.”

She sniffed. “Thank you.”

Frank stuck his phone in the pocket of his sweats before he opened Mary’s door and headed over to her bed. Standing on the bottom rung of the ladder of the cabin he gently leaned over. She was led, facing away from him, face snuggled into her pillow as Fred lay by her side. He raised his head questioningly at Frank as he softly brushed Mary’s hair off her cheek, pressing a kiss to her face.

“Stack, hey…come on, wake up.” Mary gave a groan as she pulled her covers up further, her eyes still closed. Frank spoke a little louder, his hand softly shaking her shoulder. “Mary, sweetheart, I need you to wake up, come on.”

She stirred a little, before she rolled onto her back, blinking sleepily at him before she frowned.

“Frank, it’s still dark!” She glared at him and he bit back the smirk at the fact she’d reverted to Frank, not Dad. Something she always did when she felt he was being a jerk.

“I know you haven’t been asleep long, but Fliss is at the yard and we need to go be with her. Heidi isn’t well, the vet is on his way.”

At that she sat up, all tiredness evaporating from her system. “What’s wrong with her?”

“It’s colic, Sweetie.” Frank answered gently. “But Fliss is on her own, so I need you to get dressed whilst I grab Alex, okay?”

“Okay.” She nodded, and Frank smiled softly before he turned and headed over to the nursery which was quiet bar the soft sounds of Alex’s little baby snores. In the stream of light that illuminated the room from the landing, he could see his son sleeping, halfway down the crib, head tilted to the side, the pair of them meticulous in the way they set him down at night. He crossed the room and gently picked Alex up out of the crib, the baby giving a little sigh as he did so but other-wise remaining asleep. He grabbed a little fleece blanket and as he made his way back out into the hallway, Mary appeared in her jeans and a red t-shirt.  

“Why don’t you bring your laptop or something, just in case we’re there for a while and you get bored?” Frank asked. “You can sit in the office with Alex.”

“It’s downstairs.” She answered. “I’ll go grab it.”

They headed down stairs and Frank settled Alex in his stroller which was by the kitchen door as Mary grabbed her stuff. Frank slipped his feet into his sneakers as Mary stuffed on her boots and he wandered into the laundry room and found a warm top for them each.

“Frank it’s like almost summer outside.” Mary looked at him, “It’s hot!”

“I’m well aware of the climate, thanks.” He looked at her, stashing the hooded tops and cardigan on the underneath space of the stroller, before he made sure that Alex’s little blanket was set around his legs. “But it might get a little breezy if we’re there later.”

Truth be told he had no idea why he was taking them, other than the fact it felt like something he should do even though it was still in the low 70s at night. He was a little lost, this was something he’d never dealt with before, and there was a sick feeling in his stomach that it wasn’t going to end well. But, there was no point worrying about it until they knew what they were dealing with. He had to be strong, be calm. Taking a deep breath he looked at Mary and nodded. “Get the door, Stack.”

By the time they had reached the Yard, Fliss had managed to coax Heidi to her feet. As Frank and Mary walked round the side of the barn Fliss was heading to the paddock, Heidi trudging behind her.

“Hey.” Frank looked at her, and she gave him a tight smile, not stopping.

“I’m sorry, but if I stop she’ll…” She began to explain but Frank waved her away.

“Do what you gotta do.” He watched as she cast a look over her shoulder. “I’ll settle these two in the office and then I’ll be out.”

After doing just that, instructing Mary to keep an eye on Alex and promising her he would come get her once they knew what was going on, he wandered back to the paddock and without a word simply took Fliss' hand in his as she continued walking Heidi. Frank could hear the horse was making grunting noises and every so often tried to stop and kick at her stomach, but Fliss kept walking, her face set. She didn’t say much, making a little small talk, but Frank simply stayed by her side as every so often they changed direction.

“Where the hell is this vet?” Fliss gave an exasperated sigh and looked around, almost as if she expected to see him.

“It’s not been that long yet, Sweetheart.” Frank soothed her.

“Well it feels like forever.”

Frank kissed her head as they continued walking and about five minutes later a dark blue Hyundai pulled up the drive and Fliss let out a sigh of relief as she saw it was Scott, their usual vet and not some random on-call one. She led Heidi onto the main area of the yard, the horse rapidly becoming even more agitated. Fliss gently ran her hand down her neck, as she turned to Scott and gave him a quick low down and he nodded, patting Heidi.

“Okay old girl, let’s see what’s going on…” Scott hooked the stethoscope into his ears and moved to listen to her belly, taking a deep breath as he looked at Fliss. “Yeah, there’s absolutely no gut noise at all. It’s definitely colic, but you know that already…” he unhooked the ear pieces, leaving the item hanging around his neck before he moved to her head and examined her nose to get a look at the mucas membrane colour, then did a quick check on her gums which Frank noticed were pale instead of the usual pink.

“She’s in shock.” Fliss sniffed a little, noticing the change in colour and Scott wrinkled his nose.

“Not uncommon if she’s in a bit of pain.” He stood back. “Okay, I’m going to give her an anti-spasmodic and some pain relief which should help, and a mild sedative so I can do an internal examination.”

 “Yeah, whatever you need to do.” Fliss nodded as Scott turned to head back to his car to prep what he needed.

“Internal examination?” Frank looked at Fliss, “Like, is he…” He mimed fisting something and despite herself, Fliss let out a snort of laughter.

“That’s exactly what he’s gonna do.” She shook her head as she gently stroked Heidi’s face, the mare giving another grunt and huff as she butted Fliss out of the way a little. “Still a sassbag, eh girl?”

“Like her mom.” Frank looked at Fliss and she shrugged, turning over her shoulder as the vet approached, two large syringes in his hand.

“Look, can you call my mum and dad?” Fliss looked at Frank. “I don’t think…well, Dad especially is going to want to be here if…”

“Sure.” Frank nodded and turned away, obligingly.

He wandered back into the office, Bill who answered the phone instantly asked him what was going on and when he explained he simply stated they would be there as soon as they could be and hung up.

“Is she going to be okay?” Mary asked, as Frank checked on Alex where he was still sleeping in his stroller.

“I honestly don’t know Stack, but as soon as I do I’ll tell you okay?”

“Okay.”

“You’re doing a good job in here, watching him.”

“Don’t patronise me, Dad.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s asleep, and I’m reading. Not like it’s hard.”

Frank blinked, before he gave a little scoff and turned to head back onto the yard.

The Vet was just finishing giving Heidi the first jab and he gently rubbed the horse’s neck and then nodded to Fliss.

“Okay so that’s the pain relief and anti-spasmodic administered. Take her back in the paddock and give her another couple of minutes’ walk round whilst it kicks in.”

Fliss nodded and led the horse away, waving off Frank’s offer to come with her, Thor trotting behind.

“What’s the chances, Scott?” Frank turned to the man and he pulled a face.

“It’s hard to say.” He sighed. “If she was younger I’d be optimistic but with horses that age, well everything like this can be a risk. If this doesn’t work then I’ll know more after I’ve done an internal.”

To their despair it didn’t work, and if anything after another minute of walking around Heidi had gotten even worse and her bright, chestnut coat was now damp with sweat, her chest area and parts of her chest covered in a thin sheen of white foam.

“Scott, she’s in agony.” Fliss sniffed as Frank curled an arm round her.

“The sedative will help more with the pain.” Scott assured Fliss, pulling out the second needle which he administered into the horses neck. “Atta girl. We’ll give that a minute to work.”

As Scott snapped on a pair of rubber gloves, Frank and Fliss both turned to look as they heard another car heading up the gravel driveway onto the yard. Verity and Bill appeared shortly after, exchanging a look before Bill headed straight to Heidi, giving her a soft stroke on the nose before Verity did the same.

“You okay, Titch?” Bill asked, dropping a kiss to her head and she swallowed.

“Not really.” Her eyes flicked to Scott as he moved behind Heidi whose head was now slumped down, resting on Fliss’ shoulder as the sedative had kicked in. No one spoke for a moment, before they all heard a heavy sigh from Scott as he pulled his arm back and shook his head.

“I’m sorry, Fliss.” He sighed, and immediately her face crumpled and she took a deep breath.

“Don’t say it, please.” She begged, her chest tightening painfully as her voice cracked.

“Her gut’s twisted. The only option is surgery, but given her age and the stress that would put on her heart…”

He trailed off as Fliss shook her head, wiping her nose on the back of her sleeve. “I’m not putting her through that.” She whispered, “It’s not fair. She’s too old.”

“In that case then, well, you know what I’m gonna say.” Scott dropped his head as Frank softly placed his hands between Fliss shoulder blades as she nodded and took a deep breath “I really am so sorry.”

“It isn’t your fault.” Fliss shook her head, sniffing loudly. “I don’t want her in pain longer than she needs to be. Can we…can we get on with it, please?”

The Vet nodded. “I won’t be able to arrange for her body to be collected until the morning.” He looked at Fliss who took a shuddering breath, more tears rolling down her face. “So errr, where do you want to….”

“Why don’t you use the barn at the back?” Bill cut in gently. “I can move the tractor out for the night. There’s enough room for her to go down peacefully and she can stay in there until someone can collect her.”

“Yeah, it’s clean in there and a soft landing for when…” Fliss took a deep breath before she began to cry as she pressed her face into her beloved horse’s neck, her shoulders shaking as Frank gently rubbed at her back.

“The kids are in the office.” He turned to Bill and Verity, “Mary’s gonna…”

“We’ll sort it.” Verity assured him. “I’ll take Alex back to the house.” She turned to Fliss and gave her arm a gently squeeze before she gently scratched at Heidi’s wither, her head bowing as she walked away.

The next five minutes passed in a blur for Fliss, and somehow she found herself in the barn at the back, as she led Heidi in, the mare following her faithfully.

“Do you want another couple of minutes?” Scott asked kindly.

“Just one, for us all to say goodbye.” Fliss nodded, as she stroked down Heidi’s nose, the tears pouring down her face. She turned to Mary who was stood with Frank, her eyes wet and Frank picked her up, carrying her over as the family crowded round.

“Goodbye, Heidi.” Mary sniffed, pressing a kiss to her nose as Frank gently gave the horse a scratch on the neck. “Frank says we all end up in the same place eventually, so we’ll see you again.”

At that Fliss let out a loud sob and clamped her hand over her face as she broke down. Bill wiped at his eyes as he dropped his arm round his daughter.

“Do you remember when we went to see her before we bought her?” He asked and Fliss let out a choked laugh. “She was in that field, and she came straight over, but so did that big black horse…”

“And she kicked it.” Fliss laughed. “Then she bit Steve. That’s why I picked her.”

At that Frank let out a soft chuckle.

“Yeah, he held a grudge about that, still does.” Bill smiled softly. “God, you had some moments with her. Falls, disagreements, battles of wills, but you got there in the end.”

“She’s been amazing.” Fliss smiled, pressing her nose to Heidi’s. “Turned herself inside out to please me. The best horse I could ever have had.”

Bill smiled, before he reached up and stroked Heidi’s face. “Night, old girl.”

At that he stepped back a little, the three of them plus the vet giving Fliss a moment alone with her old faithful.

“Dad’s right.” She smiled, her hand stoking Heidi’s nose, “You were an asshole for the first four months but, I knew you’d be special, I just had to get your trust. You gave me everything, baby girl, and I’ll never forget you. I’m gonna miss you so much. Your stupid temper tantrums if I don’t pay you enough attention, the fact you rule the pastures…” the tears poured freely down Fliss’ face as she took a shuddering breath, pressing her head to Heidi’s, taking a deep breath. “Sleep well.”

At that she turned to Scott and nodded, and he stepped forward.

“Okay, you’ve seen this before, right?”

“Yeah.” Fliss nodded, “But Mary hasn’t so…”

“Right, so, Mary, I’m gonna give her the first shot and that’s gonna knock her out pretty much, she’s likely to rock back and sit down like a dog before she flops sideways so, be prepared okay.”

“Kay…” Mary spoke in a quiet voice from where she stood in front of Frank. He gently placed his hands on her shoulders and bent down.

“You sure you wanna watch this?”

Mary nodded. “Yeah. Heidi doesn’t know what’s going on. She should have her family here.”

Frank smiled, pressed a kiss to the top of her head and stood up, his hands remaining where they were as Bill gently strode forward and grabbed Thor’s collar, removing him from the barn and out of the way.

Within seconds of Scott administering the first injection, Heidi did just as Scott said. Fliss gently pushed back with the lead rope, guiding Heidi back and the horse fell onto her haunches before flopping sideways, her head landing heavily on the straw bales that Bill had positioned to cushion her blow.

With a loud sob Fliss dropped to her knees and cradled the horse’s head in her lap as Scott then bent over to give her the last injection.

“So now she’s just basically gonna fall asleep and never wake up.” He looked at Mary who nodded, giving a loud sniff as she reached up to grab Franks hand.

“You okay?” He asked and she nodded, wiping at her face with her other hand. Bill moved, dropping a large hand to the back of the small girl’s head as Fliss gently stroked Heidi’s face as the animal’s eyes closed.

With a final, laboured breath, the animal’s chest grew still and Scott bent over.

“She’s gone.” He looked at Fliss, who gave another loud sob, bending over to press her face into the side of Heidi’s cheek.

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t fix you.” She cried, her voice broken. “I’m so sorry.”

Frank was surprised to find his own eyes misting up, and as Mary turned to him, pressing her face into his T’shirt just above the waistband of his sweats, he glanced up at Bill who had tears trickling down his cheeks. He nodded to Frank who gently looked down at Mary, who stepped back and moved towards Bill as he opened his arms, allowing Frank to move into the barn.

“Hey, Lissy…come here.” He dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms round his girl who turned and pressed into him, her body wracked as she almost screamed out her sobs.

*****

It was pushing midnight before they made their way back to the house. Fliss had broken down once more as Frank and Bill had pulled the huge barn doors shut where Heidi’s body lay, covered by a tarp, ready for collection in the morning. The Vet had been nothing short of fantastic, as sympathetic and understanding as he could and for that Frank had thanked him profoundly as he’d been packing his kit up.  Without a word said between any of them, they walked down the little pathway and through the gate that connected into the gardens of the house and walked slowly across the gravel driveway. Fliss was walking a little ahead of them, every so often Frank would notice her hand falling to Thor’s head, almost as if she was checking her faithful dog was still with them as well.

She opened the back door which led into the mudroom and walked in, kicking off her boots and then headed into the family room where Verity was sat watching TV. She stood up immediately, took one look at Fliss and then she held her arms out.

“Mum…” Fliss choked and Verity swallowed, her own face creasing into sadness as Fliss stepped into the comfort of her mum’s arms, sniffing slightly.

“Oh, Sweetheart.” Verity pressed a kiss to her daughters head. “I know this is no consolation but she had the best life ever with you, she was so loved and looked after.”

Tearing his eyes away from Fliss, who continued to sniff softly as her mum held her, Frank gently turned to Mary who had tugged on his sleeve.

“You okay?” He asked, his hand gently cupping under her cheek and she shook her head.

“I’m just sad.”

“I know.” He agreed. “You will be for a while, and there’s nothing anyone can say or do that’s gonna make it better, but if you wanna talk about it…”

“No, I think I just wanna go to bed.” She shrugged slightly. “And give Fred a hug.”

“Alright.” He nodded. “You go up, I’ll come tuck you in, in a second.”

She nodded and then walked towards Fliss, hesitating a little, before she continued and gently reached up to lay her hand on Fliss’s elbow. Fliss broke away from her mum and turned to look at Mary, wiping her eyes. Mary blinked and Fliss gave her a soft smile, crouching down to give her a hug, kissing her head.

“I love you, Mom.” Mary’s voice cracked and Fliss pressed her face harder into her hair, pulling her even closer, before she pulled back a little bit and smiled.

“I love you too. And I’m proud of you. You were so brave then.”

Fliss straightened up as Mary walked from the room after bidding everyone a goodnight, before she turned to Frank who was watching her carefully, knowing from the way her face was crumpling that her emotions were about to boil over completely. “Frankie…she…” Fliss stuttered, her chest heaving as Frank stepped forward quickly. “She just…”

“I know…” He wrapped his arms round her and pulled her close as she began to sob, her face pressed into his t-shirt. He stood, his large arms holding her against him, one hand gently resting on the back of her neck, his thumb gently arching over the skin at the back of her ear as he slowly rocked her to-and-fro on the spot, pressing a kiss to her head.

“I’ll make us some tea.” Verity swallowed, and Frank looked at her gratefully as she passed, Bill following, the man gently squeezing Fliss’ shoulder. The room was silent apart from the clinking of mugs as Verity gathered the items she needed to make them all a drink, and Thor’s soft little whines of concern, the dog eventually sticking his head in between Frank and Fliss, nudging Fliss’s thigh with his nose, his noises of distress becoming more and more high pitched. Fliss looked down, Frank’s arm curling over her shoulder as she reached down and scratched behind his ear, before the dog stood on his hind legs, his large paws reaching Fliss’ shoulders as she stooped towards him as he gently licked the tears from her face, his noises dying down a little. Frank watched the animal, a warm feeling in his chest. He’d never seen him react in this way before. He knew from tales Fliss had told him that he’d often comforted her before once her shit bag ex had given her a battering, and he’d seen the dog seek her out when she was upset or worried, but never in such an overt way like this.

“I know you’re not keen on the idea.” Fliss sniffed, looking at Frank and he turned his eyes from the dog to her. “But, can he sleep on the end of the bed, just for tonight?”

Frank looked at her, then back to the dog. Having never had pets as a kid, the bond between a human and an animal was never something he’d really given a second thought to, that is until Mary had found Fred. But since meeting Fliss, seeing the way she was with Thor and her horses, seeing how Mary was with Monty, he’d started to really comprehend that the ties went beyond a simple love. They were bonds, bonds that transcended species, bonds that snaked their way around your heart and latched on with barbs and having one of those bonds wrenched away was not only excruciating but it was devastating.

In simple terms, it was like losing a member of your family, and that Frank could relate to. It was a physical pain, a searing knife which twisted in your heart every time you thought about the person you’d lost.

The lump in Frank’s throat grew even larger as he reached out and scratched Thor behind the ear, the dog turning to him and licking the underside of his forearm, his bushy tail wagging against Frank’s leg.

“I think we can make an exception for one night.” He smiled, looking at Fliss before he pressed a soft kiss to her temple.

*****

Frank was glad their bed was a kingsize. Whilst he never minded particularly that Thor would lounge on the bed with them before they were going to sleep, or in the mornings when they got up, having the big animal on there all night could have been a problem, but as it stood, the dog was perfectly happy to curl up round the peak in the covers which Fliss’ feet made, and she pointed out to Frank that he’d probably hop off and get on his basket at some point during the night.

“He used to do that, anyway.” She shrugged. “When I was in the annex that is. Asshole never let him on the bed. If he was ever away for a few days and I let him or Loki up, I used to have to change the bedding so he wouldn’t find out. One day I forgot and…well, you can figure the rest.”

“Shhhh.” Frank kissed her neck softly as he pulled her closer, her back pressing into his chest wrapping his arms around her. “Try and get some sleep, Sweetheart. It’s late.”

“Thank you.” She whispered.

“What for?”

“Just being you.” She let out a deep breath and turned her head so she could look at him.

“Well, that is one thing I’m pretty good at.” He quipped and Fliss gave a soft chuckle before she took a deep breath.

“I know you’re busy at the shop, but is there any chance you could start late tomorrow?” She asked him softly. “I don’t wanna be on my own when they come to take her.”

“I’m not going in tomorrow.” Frank shook his head. “And Mary’s not going to school. We’ve had a late and upsetting night so I think we should all take it easy, spend some family time together. I thought maybe we could go for a drive, head down to Bay Vista Park.” He suggested. “There’s plenty of shade to sit in. We can take a picnic, climb some trees, me and Mary can have a game of Ultimate Frisbee, perhaps a swim. Hey, we might even spot some manatees.”

“Sounds great.” Fliss agreed, turning her head back round and laying down on the pillow. It was silent for a while, and Frank thought she’d drifted off to sleep until he felt her take a shuddering breath and her shoulders began to shake.

“Hey, come on.” Frank pulled her closer, pressing another kiss to her neck and she turned in his arms, pressing her face into his chest.

“I can’t believe she’s gone.” Fliss sniffed, as Frank’s hand ran up and down her back.

“I’m sorry, Sweetheart. I wish there was something I could do to make this better.”

“This is helping, a little.” She spluttered and Frank gave a soft chuckle, kissing her head again.

“Then you can stay like this all night.” He replied, closing his eyes as he simply held her close.

Eventually, Frank felt Fliss’ breathing grow even, and even though he couldn’t see in the dark of their room he knew she was asleep.

“Night, Baby.” He whispered, kissing her forehead and at that he heard Thor give out a little huff as the dog hopped down off the bed, his basket creaking before there was a soft thud indicating he’d bedded down there.

And, as Frank drifted off, he couldn’t help smile at just how the faithful dog had waited until he knew his precious human was asleep before he left her side. 

***** Chapter 22

Dedicated to  my gorgeous, wonderful, bad tempered but oh-so-loyal and loving chestnut mare, Sandybrook Hideaway. Keep waiting on that rainbow bridge until I find you again.

[holycatsandrabbits]

                                      Give Me A Kiss

Released as part of the #Great Good Omens Snake-Off event!

ficlet by @holycatsandrabbits (Dannye Chase) based on a comic by @hayamiyuu 

*comic reposted with permission*

Crowley learned that Aziraphale was comfortable with snakes in Crete around 3000 BC. Crowley had been fleeing from something—probably some mob of humans he’d played a trick on. He’d taken his serpentine shape to hide, turning himself small and dark and slithering beneath some stones in a field. It was cold, and the meager autumn grass didn’t offer much protection, but that had seemed the least of all evils at that point. Eventually, he’d become cold enough that he drifted off to sleep. Which was rather a dangerous thing for a snake to do, but again—a lesser evil.

When Crowley woke up, though, he was warm. No scratchy grass surrounded him, no dry dirt. He was somewhere with a heat source, somewhere soft. He opened his eyes to realize that he was curled up in the lap of an angel, who looked delighted to see him awake.

“You missed our lunch date,” Aziraphale said, with obviously false reproach, his blue eyes sparkling sharply as only an angel’s could.

“Sssssorry,” Crowley managed to say.

“Oh, no matter, dear. I was able to track you down. You know, I don’t think I’ve seen you as a serpent since Eden. It’s quite becoming.”

It took a lot of determination, but Crowley slithered off the warm angel’s lap and back onto the cold ground.

Aziraphale’s smile faded. “Oh,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry, I’ve upset you.”

Aziraphale got to his feet. He towered over Crowley like this, and Crowley felt almost claustrophobic. He stretched himself back into human form, the right size, right temperature, right face. He shrugged, and they said no more about it.

But he never forgot what it felt like to wake up feeling so warm and—and safe. It was a harsh thing to realize that he could trust an angel.

                                                          oOo

Crowley discovered that Aziraphale was comfortable with giant serpents in 1038 AD in Cappadocia. Hell had ordered Crowley to hang about in a cave, menacing the population of a nearby town, collecting treasure and making some sort of legend of himself. Crowley had thought that sounded like quite a nice assignment for once. Of course, Hell had failed to mention that the presence of an enormous serpent-monster in a cave would attract knights with swords. That part was not fun.

The first few knights ran away at the sight of Crowley, and so he’d relaxed a little. Then had come a braver man who’d held a blessed weapon. When he got past Crowley’s defenses and stabbed him, Crowley had nearly passed out from the pain. He managed to win the fight, sending the knight fleeing for his life, but Crowley wasn’t sure how long it would be until he came back, with more men and more swords forged with priestly aid.

Crowley needed to leave. The problem was, he was too injured to change form, and he could hardly crawl about the countryside hoping no one would notice a dragon. So he’d blocked off the entrance to the cave as best he could and tried to sleep enough to heal.

He woke later to a sharply cold sensation and the sound of someone humming a hymn. He knew who it was without looking. “Angel,” he growled.

Aziraphale stepped into view around one of Crowley’s enormous black coils, looking a little more dusty than he usually did. “Oh, you’re awake,” he said, in an ordinary tone, quite as if he were talking to a person and not a giant snake. “I’m sorry, I had hoped you’d sleep through the healing. It can’t be pleasant.”

Crowley wanted to hiss at him, but in this form he feared he’d terrorize the angel. He pulled in on himself, groaning in pain.

Aziraphale gave him an admonishing look. “I’ve been here a week, my dear. If I was frightened of you like this, I’d have left by now.”

“A week?”

“And without my magic cloaking this cave, you’d have had other visitors by now. So you can be self-conscious later. Right now, you’ve got to let me heal you.” Aziraphale bustled away out of sight again behind a serpentine coil, but he kept chattering. “Bloody irresponsible of you to do this, you know. Become a dragon, fight knights. We just set up our Agreement, and now you’re risking it all without a thought for me. What am I going to do if you get discorporated? I don’t want Hastur or Ligur as an adversary. Disgusting, the both of them.” His voice fell low. “And if someone comes back with another holy weapon, you could be destroyed completely, so—”

“Ssssssorry,” Crowley said, and the sound filled the cave, making it uncomfortably loud.

Aziraphale popped up again, completely unimpressed. “I should say so. Now, hold still, I don’t fancy being knocked about by your tail.”

The healing took another two weeks, during which Crowley mostly slept. Aziraphale didn’t normally sleep, but the work seemed to take a lot out of him. Once Crowley woke up to the startling sight of an angel curled up for a nap with an enormous demonic serpent, tucked among his coils like a little white mouse. As if prey had found itself protected by its predator.

Apparently Aziraphale trusted Crowley as well. This was not good news. In fact, this was really going to put a cramp into the whole falling-out-of-love-with-Aziraphale plan that Crowley had been working on for the last thousand years.

                                                      oOo

It took a lot longer for Crowley to discover that he was comfortable being a snake around Aziraphale.

After the Abotchalypse, when Crowley was free to visit the bookshop as often as he pleased, he found that it was quite fun to lurk among the books as a small snake, scaring away customers (and startling an angel, if he could manage it). One day, Aziraphale made an exasperated noise and shooed him out of the Yeats section and onto a sunny windowsill. Crowley found that it was actually quite pleasant there, even if it was out in the open, and still a great place from which to menace potential customers.

The point of being a snake in the bookshop, Crowley had told himself, was just that it was an age-old instinct to avoid making it obvious that he and Aziraphale were friends. If Gabriel came through the door, Crowley could easily hide. The problem with that was, if Gabriel made one false move toward Aziraphale it was very likely that he’d be met by a giant serpent who definitely was not attempting to be inconspicuous.

The truth was that Crowley still just wasn’t sure how Aziraphale loved him. He knew that Aziraphale did love him. Aziraphale had said so, and looking back, he’d certainly acted like he had for millennia. But Crowley was a demon. Could an angel really love a demon? Could he love someone who didn’t even have a human face?

One night Aziraphale was sitting on the couch by the fire, reading a book with those ridiculous little glasses on his face, and he was simply the most adorable, impossible, beautiful thing Crowley had ever seen. So Crowley, in snake form, slithered down off of a chair and crawled into Aziraphale’s lap.

Aziraphale gave him an absent-minded caress, still reading. Crowley lifted his head up over the top of Aziraphale’s book, getting in the way. They sat there a moment, human and snake, angel and demon. Aziraphale didn’t recoil or pull back. He never had. He just smiled a little, looking patient. Crowley kissed him.

It was a wonderful thing to be a demonic snake who was trusted and loved in all of his forms. But, Crowley discovered, after having given Aziraphale a small snakey kiss, that it really was much nicer to kiss an angel if you had hands to hold him with.

HolyCatsAndRabbits (Dannye Chase) on Ao3. Fic Commissions for OC’s open!

@summerofspock thank you so much for organizing this event!!