#i understood this one more than the others (signs. knock at the cabin—that one especially good lord—no pun intended—and old)

[gayclubsoap]

okay i just finished unbreakable and tell me why i haven't understood a single m night shyamalan movie i've EVER seen. someone please tell me.

[something-tofightfor]

Christmas in July #1: Aurora

Pairing: Logan Delos x Reader (Ink AU)

Word Count: 2,727

Rating: M? There’s some talk of the original trip into the park with William from Ransom, but no detail. 

The first request for Christmas in July v3.0 goes out to you, @valkblue! I missed Logan - specifically this Logan, and you made it simple for me.  You can read this as a standalone and just sort of be aware of the past trauma mentioned, but if you want to get the full effect - and the full scope of these two and their relationship, start here with Ink.  This takes place well after the end of “Not Enough” (which I WILL finish I swear).  Thank you for requesting this, Angie! <3 

“Where are we going?” You were sitting next to him in the back of the car, but Logan wasn’t paying attention to you, instead typing something on his phone. “Logan, w-” “Do you trust me?” He darkened the screen and then turned his head to look at you,  eyes focused on your face. “I mean, I know you do, but… do you trust me with this?” You didn’t even have to think about it. You trusted Logan implicitly - words and actions, public and private, especially after the events of the aftermath of your trip into the park’s depths with William. 

“Of course.” You moved closer, laying your head against his shoulder. “You know I do, Logan, with everything. But we’re missing the Delos party, and … I didn’t know if …” You trailed off when you head him chuckle, the man’s arm winding around your shoulders. He didn’t speak until his palm was settled against the front of your body, placement deliberate. He always does that. Always over the tattoo. 

It was a way to ground himself, reminding him that even before you’d had a real reason to, you’d trusted him with your health and safety - with your future. “Then lemme take care of this, alright? I’m doing something nice for you, so stop asking questions and just let me.” Before you, Logan had spent the majority of his time and effort - and money - making himself happy, doing anything and everything in his power to keep from settling too deep into his memories. But now? It’s all about me. “I know how much you look forward to that party every year, Logan. It’s the beginning of your extended vacation, and -” “I’m starting a little early this year.” You heard him clearly but felt his lips moving over the top of your head as he spoke. “We both are.” What does that mean? But instead of asking, you focused on the window and what you could see through it. “It’s a surprise.” He finally spoke again, voice low as you spied a sign for LAX through the far window. “A good one, I hope.” “All of your surprises are good, Logan.” Tilting your head up slowly, you kissed the bottom of his bearded jaw, the hair soft against your lips. “I won’t ask anymore questions.” ---  

And you didn’t. You let him lead you onto one of the Delos jets, let the flight attendants explain the menu and drink options, let them bring you a blanket… and you even let Logan convince you to take Unisom an hour or two into the flight once he’d told you that you’d be in the air for a while. You woke feeling only slightly groggy, a fresh, cold glass of juice and a light breakfast on the table next to your reclined seat. Is it morning? It must be. 

By the time you finished eating, you felt better, and were happy to see Logan emerging from the bathroom. The man was dressed in different clothes than he’d been when you took off, the black shift he had on making his eyes look much darker than usual. Casual, but … but still Logan. “There’s clothes waiting for you in there, too.” He pointed. “What you’re wearing now is great for LA, but not … not for where we’re going. 

Rolling your eyes, you finally stood, taking the last swig of juice and walking into the bathroom, the promised clothes hanging on a small rack. Sweaters. So we’re going somewhere cold. Thumbing through them, you chose one in a dark green with a ribbed pattern, the material comfortingly soft as it slid over your undershirt and skin. Pairing it with dark jeans and boots, you washed your face and then returned to the cabin, sinking down into your chair in time to see Logan tossing back the remains of his own drink - orange juice. “I won’t ask big questions, Logan. But I have a couple of statements.” 

He was amused - you could tell by the lift of one brow, the slight smirk on his lips. “Go on.” 

“We’re going somewhere cold, based on what both of us are wearing right now.” He nodded. “And we���ve been flying for a long time, you wouldn’t have suggested sleeping pills otherwise.” He was holding back a grin, but you could see it in the way his eyes were glittering - and knew, without a doubt that Logan wanted to tell you where you were going. But he won’t. “So I’m guessing… Europe, somewhere?” He nodded. “How long are we staying?” 

“It depends.” He tilted his head to one side, narrowing his eyes briefly. “But at least ‘til Christmas.” Before he could say anything else, the flight attendants came back into the cabin, letting you know that the descent would be starting soon, and that they needed to secure things. So we’re here for at least a week and a half? It’s got to be … London? Somewhere in France? Spain, maybe? 

But you were wrong, and as soon as you stepped out onto the tarmac, both of you bundled up in coats and gloves, Logan’s hand pressed to your lower back as he rushed you to the waiting car, you knew it. There’s so much snow. It had nearly blinded you; the thick, white cover on the ground reflecting the muted rays of sunlight, but nothing had looked familiar to you. There were no tall buildings in the distance, no landmarks - nothing to tell you where Logan had whisked you off to. “It’s cold, Logan!” But you were laughing, teeth digging into the corner of your lower lip. “I hope I have the right -” “You do.” He was excited, arm going back around your shoulders to pull you to him. “I promise. The people that packed your bag knew where we were coming, so they packed the right shit.” You laughed at that, your excitement growing as you heard the trunk close, followed by a double knock on the side of the car. As it began to move, you bit back every question you had for Logan and focused instead on the fact that you had him all to yourself for weeks, something that hadn’t been true even as you’d recovered. “You excited?” “I am.” --- 

It was a short drive to your destination, but as soon as the car came to a stop, you were out of it, feet planted in the snow and one hand over your mouth. He didn’t. He… but of course he did. “Logan, you… are you serious?” 

He came to your side of the car and stopped next to you, following your line of sight to the front of the building and the sign above the door, the words Northern Lights Village telling you everything you needed to know about where you were. “I… is this OK?” Your heart pounding beneath the down jacket you wore, you turned toward Logan, eyes shining with tears. It’s more than OK. 

“Yes. Yes, Logan, this is … I’ve never even…” Europe, you’d imagined, because you could picture Logan among all of the people in cities like Paris or London - even Amsterdam or Milan. But this? This is … there’s no one here. “I can’t believe…” “C’mon. Let’s get checked in and to the cabin, an’ then we can talk.” Yeah, that… You let him lead you inside of the building, answering questions from the friendly concierge, and within fifteen minutes, the two of you - and your bags - were safely inside your small cabin, the space cozy. There was a fire lit, along with instructions about proper use of the fixture, a small refrigerator and kitchen area, but the most striking feature of the entire cabin were the large panes of glass in the bedroom, giving you a slightly snow-covered view of the other cabins, the trees and a portion of the property, which was bathed in a gentle twilight that the concierge had explained was about as bright as it would get that day. “This is beautiful, Logan.” He agreed with you, eyes moving over the small space, and then stepped forward, his hands moving slowly up and down your arms. “There’s a book of stuff on the desk. There are a bunch of activities we can do while we’re here. Town’s only a few minutes away, we can go sledding, or use snowmobiles, or -” “Can we just stay in for a little while, Logan?” You shrugged, smiling up at him. “You said we were going to be here for a while, so why not just… relax. You haven’t, really, not since …” “That’s one of the reasons we’re here.” He squeezed your bicep and then stepped away, sitting on the edge of the bed to remove his boots while you did the same, standing with one hand against the wall. “I know this is our first official Christmas together, and I wanted to … not be in LA.” You understood - despite the fact that it had died down slightly once the trial ended, you and Logan were still higher profile than he would have liked. “The holidays haven’t ever really been a big thing for me before, not since my mom died.” He looked up. “Come, sit.” 

You did, and Logan eased the two of you onto your backs and then urged you to roll toward him, on your side. “It’s cozy, Logan.” He agreed, meeting your eyes before he tilted his head to kiss you, the gesture not urgent or frenzied - just one full of affection. “There’s no tree - yet - but I’m workin’ on that, and like I said, there’s a town a few minutes away, so…” “I don’t need a tree, Logan.” You lifted your hand from his chest and spread your fingers against the side of his head, running them through his hair. “This cabin? The fireplace, the bed, the window? You?  It’s perfect.” You gestured upward, still smiling. “Like we’re in a snowglobe.” “I think that’s the point.” He sighed, the warmth in his eyes bleeding into his other features and relaxing him next to you. “You’re supposed to forget everything while you’re here, and I hope you can. Hope we can, at least as much as … possible.” Every day was easier, but you knew that you’d never be fully over your ordeal in the park or the aftermath. “There’s no paparazzi here. No news. No reason to worry.” 

“Just us.” He seemed surprised when you said it, but his head moved in agreement. “Then it’s perfect, Logan.” Even though you’d slept on the plane, you felt yourself growing tired again, the feeling of Logan’s arms around you just as comforting in the cabin’s small bed as they were in his large one, or in the Mesa beds, and you knew that unless you moved, you’d fall back asleep. But I don’t want to move, you realized as you closed your eyes, nestling your face between his chin and chest. I just want to stay here with him. 

--- 

It was late when you woke up, but you didn’t know how late - only that your stomach was rumbling and the sun had fully set, the sky beyond the snowy window dark. The lack of sunrise and sunset is going to be difficult to get used to. You realized that Logan was still sleeping, and so you spent a few minutes watching him, the flickering firelight softening his features more than usual. It’s because he’s relaxed. You used the tip of one finger to trace over his cheek and then down, following the line of his jaw. “What’re you doing?” 

His cheek went round beneath your hand and you groaned. “Caught me.” He laughed at that, rolling onto his back and groping for something behind him, but after only a few seconds he was back to facing you, gaze weighty, even in the darkness. “What?” 

“Is this really alright?” He gestured with one hand, frowning. “Nothing to do, nowhere to go, no one to spend the holiday with?” He sighed. “It’s freezing, and there’s a sauna, but it’s not like the Mesa, not like the parks, not what I’m sure you figured a Christmas with me would be like.” “Logan, honestly?” You slid your hand under the hem of his shirt, feeling the warm skin beneath it. “This is perfect. Now we won’t have to worry about the headlines and people asking what I’m doing for my first Christmas post W-” “Don’t say his name.” His tone was clipped, and you stopped immediately. “Not here. This is supposed to be time away from all that, and I don’t want you to think about him for a single second.” He paused and you watched as his eyes darted away and up and then came back to you. “He doesn’t get to have a place in our Christmas.” You’d never forget what had happened to you, nor would you ever forget the way Logan had done exactly what you’d known he would - finding you, getting to you in time, staying with you while you healed and well after, letting himself love you and admit it even though it went against everything in him. This trip is just more of that. More of him. “Close your eyes.” 

Confused, you did as he asked, your train of thought interrupted. You stated to whisper his name but were cut off by Logan’s lips pressed to yours, more insistent this time, one of his hands curled around the back of your head between it and the pillow. Oh, Logan. He wasn’t shy about telling you that he loves you; he’d done so countless times since the first time he admitted it out loud in the hospital wing of the Mesa, but Logan preferred to show you - in both lasting actions and physical displays, and you had no doubt in your mind that this was one of them. 

The trip, the holiday, all of the time spent together; it’s all so opposite of the Logan that everyone else aside from Juliet and Emily know, but you wouldn’t trade it for anything. “Keep your eyes closed til I tell you.” He murmured the words with one final, quick kiss to your lips and then you felt him pull away, settling back down next to you. Alright, but … why? There was a long pause, and then Logan said your name, his fingers tangling with yours between the two of you. “Open ‘em.” The first thing you saw was that the snow and ice were gone from the panes of glass that made up the window. The second was a bright green glow beyond them, flickering and swirling through the sky in bands of varied thickness. “It’s beautiful, Logan… I’ve never seen… never thought I …” You pushed yourself up onto your elbows, mouth dropping open. “How did you … it…” You were speechless and it was rare for you, but as you watched the color pulsing through the sky, your eyes caught deep purple and pink at some of the edges. It’s incredible. “You can see the stars through it, Logan, look…” “I’m looking.” His voice was lower than it had been, and as you tore your eyes away from the window to glance at him, you saw that his eyes were locked on you, a serious expression on his face. “Believe me, I’m -” “Not at me, Logan. Look at that.” You reached for his chin with one hand, turning his head upward. “You can’t replicate that with any machine or computer. You can’t create that, Logan.” He relaxed next to you, and the two of you stared up in silence for a few minutes, fingers still entwined. “And you sure as hell can’t see that in LA… or anywhere in the United States.” He laughed, tightening his hold on your hand, but Logan agreed with you, his voice still quiet in the darkness. “Thank you… for letting me do this for you. For Christmas.” He needed the getaway just as much as you did  - not just because he needed a break, but because he needed to know that the two of you could be together in an unfamiliar - and uncertain - environment. We can. We definitely can. “No, Logan. This isn’t just for me.” You turned your head, waiting until he was looking at you. “You did this for us.” 

---

Tag lists are open! Add yourself here - or, if you want to be removed, let me know that, too. 

General:

@the-blind-assassin-12 @obscurilicious @sweetybuzz25 @suchatinyinfinity @lexxierave @gollyderek @poindexted @ificouldhelpyouforget @elanor-of-imladris @thesandbeneathmytoes @luminex3 @geeksareunique @weallhaveadestiny @mfackenthal @thesumofmychoices @yannii04 @beautiful-thinking @drinix @agentlingerie @blah-blah-fuckit-shit  @dreams-with-thoughts @wangmangagavroche @traeumerinsworld @jigsawlover10 @malionnes @addictedtofictionalcharacters @marauderskeeper @lovemarvelousfics @pheedraws @fairywriter-oracle @aroyaldarknessblr @bisexual-space-slut  @fific7  @maralisa124 @commanderlola @eternitydarkling @beautifuldesastre  @not-a-basic-bitchhh @blackbirddaredevil23 @blackhatted @its-my-little-dumpster-fire @mariaenchanted @kahlanmars @boom-boombang @hxrgreeves @paracosmenthusiast @bport76

Logan Delos:

@nananananananananananabatman @damalseer @chibiyanai @life-is-a-melody @songtoyou @samfindsout @tartiflvtte @primadonnasdream @hxrgreeves @ben-bcrnes @thetallassgirl @twistturntumble

[thejilyship]

Taking the Lead

For @jilychallenge August 2021 Theme: Summer Prompt: "I saw you staring and so decided to try to put on my suncream ~sensually~ but omg the lid just popped off and the whole bottle came out stOP grinning oMG" @thejilyship v @sirenicc I did not think I was going to get this done! Also it's fem!jily. No one should be surprised at this point.

WC: 3.5k AO3

A leadership camp was the absolute last place that Jamie wanted to spend any part of her summer. She and Sirius had made plans to go white water rafting, concert hoping, castle hiking, dive bar hunting and he’d even promised to attend a total of four sperate ballets with her. She did not have time to spend a week in the middle of the Scottish hills singing camp songs with a bunch of people that she didn’t know.

She didn’t need a leadership camp. She was, as almost every single one of her teachers and professors had said, a natural born leader. Some of her teachers had said this with admiration coloring their tone, and others had said it in a ‘your daughter really needs to stop getting the entire class to break into song in the middle of third period’ kind of way, but either way, they had all been in agreement.

She took the bus to camp so she would be less inclined to run off in the middle of it, and she went to the main building to sign in, which she was informed would be hence forth called ‘command center.’ She refrained from rolling her eyes.

She accepted her key and went off to find her dorm with her yellow duffle bag resting on her hip. Since they were all adults, they weren’t making them sleep in groups of twenty or so, and were instead grouped into fours. Jamie’s cabin was number five, which was her lucky number, and so far the only good omen she had gotten from this place.

She knocked before she pushed the cabin door open. Two of her three bunkmates were already there, setting up their beds. A redhead with striking green eyes and a petite brunette with springy hair and a gorgeous smattering of freckles. Jamie smiled at the two of them and they smiled back.

“Hey! My name is Lily,” The redhead held out her hand, bold and assertive. Jamie didn’t think she was in much need of a leadership camp either. “This here is my best friend, Mary.”

“Lily and Mary, it’s nice to meet you both. I’m Jamie.” She pulled her duffle off her shoulder and claimed the open bottom bunk. “Are you best mates in the camp sense, or have you met before today?”

Mary laughed, “Best friends since we were eleven. I dragged Lily along to this camp because I’m incapable of leaving home without her.”

“And it sounded like fun!” Lily added, looking back at her curly haired friend. “Did you know that this camp has a ropes course?” She asked, turning back to Jamie.

“A rope course? And that sounds like fun to you?”

“Of course, it does!”

“Wait until we’re actually on the ropes course,” Mary chuckled, “Lily is afraid of heights.” She tilted her head toward Jamie and raised her brows.

“I’m not afraid of heights,” Lily argued. “I simply… do not… like them.”

“Right.” Mary laughed.

Rooming with best friends might not be the best case scenario, as they already had someone to pair off with for all the group activities they were bound to do over the next week. They had a fourth roommate yet, so Jamie would reserve her pessimistic judgment until then. In the meantime, Lily and Mary seemed like nice people who she could eat meals with if nothing else.

“There’s also a lake,” Lily apparently still found the need to explain why she thought this camp would be fun. “And the weather is supposed to be brilliant this week. Sunny and warm!”

“I’m here for the seminars and workshops, not for the lake.” Mary said.

“You can be here for both.” Lily shrugged. “And, as much as I love you, I’m here for the arts and crafts, camp food and fun activities.”

“Arts and crafts is an activity. And this is a camp for adults, do you really think-“

Lily cut Mary off with a scoff. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. “If you think I didn’t check before I agreed to come, then you have another thing coming, MacDonald.” She turned her phone out so it was facing Mary, and Jamie a bit. Jamie was able to see colorful pictures of string bracelets, painted pottery, and she couldn’t tell what else.

“Well then,” Mary shook her head. “I hope you get to live out your summer camp dreams.”

“Thank you.” Lily nodded, looking rather smug. It was a look that worked for Lily. Her cheeks took on a dusting of pink, her green eyes grew brighter, and she sat up taller. Jamie turned to her duffle to avoid being caught ogling.

There was a knock on the door and the three girls turned in unison.

“Hello, I’m Emma Vanity. I guess I’m your fourth.” She gave a sharp wave and then looked at the three taken beds before her eyes fell onto the unclaimed top bunk above Jamie.

“I’m Mary and this is Lily,” Mary pointed at Lily, who offered a bright smile.

“And I’m Jamie Potter.”

“Potter?” Emma’s brow shot up. “As in Potions by Potter? Are your parents Fleamont and Euphemia Potter?”

“It’s a fairly common last name,” Jamie shrugged. She wouldn’t have added her last name if she had thought someone would recognize it.

“Right,” Emma laughed and dropped her bag to the ground. “Well, either way, I’m sure that you are a greatperson to share a bunk with.” She knew who Jamie was, that was clear.

“Mary’s mother was a circus performer if that interests anyone.” Lily had pulled out a bag of jelly candies and tore one in half with her front teeth. Jamie smiled at her appreciatively.

“Does she still perform?”

“No, she retired when I started school.” Mary said. “But she does teach trapeze classes down at the local leisure center.”

“They’re great fun.” Lily nodded. “Should we go and find ourselves some lunch?”

“I hope you know that they aren’t going to serve bad camp food.” Mary pushed herself off Lily’s bed. “Are you two coming with us?”

Emma looked at Jamie, and since Jamie had no desire to be alone with Emma just then, she smiled at Lily and nodded. “Sure. I’m always ready to eat.”

“I’ll come too,” Emma nodded. “I’ve already memorized the layout of the camp, so you can all follow me.” And then she was walking back toward the door.

Lily, who had just proven herself to be very familiar with the camp, was looking at Emma’s retreating figure with raised brows, but she didn’t say anything and just hopped off her bed.

“Off we go then,” Mary bit her bottom lip and followed Lily. Jamie closed the door behind them.

The sun was out, and it was warm, which Jamie hadn’t fully appreciated before Lily had told her that they could expect this weather to last all week. And she hadn’t known there was a lake. That hadn’t been on her list of fun summer activities she wanted to do with Sirius, but she hadn’t been a beach in a while, and while she was sure the beach on this random camp lake wasn’t brilliant, it would be nice.

Especially if Lily was also there to talk it up.

oOo

Jamie gravitated toward Lily over the next couple of days. At first she thought it was because the other girl’s positive attitude was contagious, and while it was, that wasn’t the sole reason.

Jamie had developed a little bit of a crush.

Except not really, because Jamie had never once developed a ‘little’ crush in her life. It took exactly one day for her to realize that she was already deciding how the two of them would find time for each other after they left camp. Two days in and she had decided that their first pet would be a short haired cat named Mr. Tums, preferable all black.

Three days in and she was almost certain that she was in love.

Not in love in love, she understood that was ridiculous.

No, on day three, she was simply falling in love.

It would be a few more days until she was actually in love.

Lily had her shoulder length hair in twin braids today. Whisps of baby hairs framing her face and she kept reaching up to brush them away from her eyes, which only drew more attention to her eyes and her hair and all the other parts of her face that Jamie couldn’t stop staring at.

And at the moment, she was wearing a bloody bikini as she sat on the towel next to Jamie’s on the small beach the camp had to offer. A bikini.

Jamie was doing everything she could to ignore the bikini, but it was there, and showing off every soft curve and gentle swoop of Lily Evans’ body. Jamie was in a t-shirt and boardshorts, because she couldn’t possibly exist in the space next to Lily Evans wearing anything less than this and keep the ability to speak.

Not that her ability to speak was getting her far. Lily was doing most of the talking.

“What do you think?” Lily reached out and nudged Jamie on the shoulder, her bubblegum pink nails scraping lightly on the sleeve of Jamie’s t-shirt.

The quirk in Lily’s brow let Jamie know that she had missed something. Keeping her clothes on may have left her with the ability to speak, but Lily wearing that bikini had hindered her ability to listen. She’d been so focused on not staring at Lily that she hadn’t remembered to pay attention to what she was saying.

“What do I think about what again?” Jamie asked, not bothering to pretend that she had heard Lily. The knowing smile on Lily’s face should have made Jamie a bit self-conscious, but she liked how smug Lily looked knowing the effect she had on Jamie. She also wanted Lily to know that she liked her, especially since Lily had not acted as though knowing made her even the slightest bit uncomfortable.

“I was asking for your opinion one what we should do this evening. I want to watch the sunset over the lake, but I don’t think I can stay down here until then. I’ll fry. So should we go to the craft cabin and make some more bracelets,” She held up her rope bracelet covered wrist and shook it, “Or should we have an early dinner?”

“Don’t we have a class to go to before dinner?” Jamie asked, looking out at the water after briefly glancing in Lily’s direction.

“I didn’t sign up for anything. Did you?”

“Probably not.” Jamie shrugged. “Mary isn’t upset with you for ditching her?”

Lily snorted. “I’m hardly ditching her. Besides, she knew I wasn’t going to be signing up for anything that wasn’t required. I came for the crafts and the beach. And to share a bunk with her.” She was smiling at Jamie, she could feel it aimed at the side of her head.

“Alright, well then, I think we should stay down here for a while longer and then go and get some dinner. I didn’t really enjoy the bracelet making.”

“You’re just upset that I’m better at it than you.”

“No.” Jamie shook her head. “I can honestly say that I’m not upset because you’re better than me. I’m upset because I can not figure out how to do it at all. All five attempts turned into a tangled knot of colorful string and heartbreak.”

“You picked out great colors,” Lily had her lips pressed together when Jamie mustered up the fortitude needed to face her. She used all the strength she had to keep her gaze on Lily’s face and then let out a huff and laid back on her towel.

“Thanks a million.”

“Of course.” She reached out and patted the back of Jamie’s hand, her bubblegum pink nails drawing Jamie’s eye. “If we’re going to stay for a while more, I should put on more sunscreen.”

Jamie reached for the bag on her right and handed it to Lily and then shut her eyes. She couldn’t watch Lily put on sunscreen. She knew that she wouldn’t handle that well. Especially not when Lily seemed to be in a mind to tease the shit out of Jamie. Which Jamie knew she deserved after the entirely unsubtle way she had told Lily and Mary about her ex-girlfriend. She had blushed immediately after saying it and then muttered about needing a restroom.

Lily hadn’t brought up any exes at all, but she had followed Jamie on Instagram the first night, and it didn’t take a whole lot of work to figure out that Lily also represented a letter or two from the alphabet.

Jamie bit down on the tip of her tongue and wondered how long she would need to keep her eyes closed before it would be safe to open them.

She heard the cap of the sunscreen pop open and started counting, figuring three minutes to be ample time. She took the time to take a few deep breaths, have a few imaginary conversations with Sirius where he called her a dumbass, whacked her over the head and told her to make her move, and then tried to clear her head of any and all nonsense.

“Where do you head back to after this week?” Lily asked, and Jamie almost opened her eyes.

“Winchester. My brother and I are staying with our parents for the summer, and we have a lot of plans. This camp actually threw a bit of a wrench in our plans, but da wanted me to come here.”

“He didn’t want your brother to come?”

Jamie snorted. “Can you imagine? I mean, da did ask him if he wanted to, but Sirius is very… anti-group activities.”

“What plans were ruined?” Jamie turned her head and opened her eyes, figuring the sun screening was done with now.

It was not.

Lily was rubbing it into her shoulders, her hands moving slowly and her nails contrasting sharply with the pale tone of her skin.

Jamie’s mouth went dry and she tried to swallow.

Lily’s brow went up and Jamie cleared her throat. “Ballet.”

“What?”

“The ballet. I got Sirius to agree to go to a few different shows with me, which he never does, and I’m missing one of them to be here.”

The tip of Lily’s pink tongue peeked out from between her lips and Jamie bit down on her own tongue. What was it about this girl that had Jamie acting like a randy, seventeen-year-old, boy?

“The ballet? I didn’t picture you-“

“I’m actually a ballerina.”

Lily blinked her big green eyes and brought her shoulder up to her chin.

“I mean, I saw the pictures of you with your dance bag, but I guess I just…” Jamie hadn’t posted any recent pics of her in anything dance related, and so she smirked at the knowledge that Lily had been snooping.

“You didn’t picture me as a ballerina? What kind of dancer did you think I was?”

“Honestly? I thought you were a theater dancer.”

Jamie chuckled. “I mean, I have dabbled in the theater.”

“Dabbled? I think it’s you use of words like ‘dabbled’ that made me think theater actually.”

“Dabbled is a normal word.”

“Sure, and it made me think ‘theater kid.’” Lily turned back to the bottle of sunscreen and picked it up, squeezing some onto her hand before she angled one of her legs and started rubbing her hands together. The point of her toe, the angle of her head, it was all deliberate. Jamie knew that it was all deliberate, but she didn’t care. She watched on bated breath as Lily started working the sunscreen into her leg. She started at her upper thigh and worked her way down to the ankle, slowly, making sure to cover every inch of skin.

“How long have you been a ballerina?”

Jamie had to unclench her jaw to answer. “Since I was about five.”

“And when did you dabble in the theater?” Lily’s voice was even and normal, like she wasn’t currently putting on a show for Jamie. She should have kept her eyes shut. She should close her eyes right now, but she knew that she wasn’t going to.

“Um… I think the first musical I was in, I was eight? Mum was helping out with…” She trailed off as Lily angled her other leg and started on that thigh. “Mum was helping with costumes. It was just a small local production.”

“Of what?”

“Fiddler on the Roof.” Jamie hoped that she was answering Lily’s questions, but she really wasn’t paying attention to what either of them were saying. For the first time since she’d seen Lily in this stupid bikini, she was allowing herself to look at her. She was drinking it in.

Jamie was pretty sure that Lily said something else, and half of her brain heard it, though it took a while to get it all pieced together. “I’ve seen Fiddler on the Roof. Mary was a theater kid, so I’ve actually seen a lot of musicals.”

“Good.” Jamie nodded, even though she knew that wasn’t really a top notch response.

Lily picked up the bottle of sunscreen and popped the cap open again, and Jamie could feel the pop in the back of her teeth. She watched Lily tighten her hand around the bottle, squeezing more onto her open palm.

“I might need your help with my back-“

About two seconds before Jamie would have had a heart attack and passed away right there on the small camp beach in the middle of nowhere, the top of the bottle came off and, with Lily still squeezing the bottle, the sunscreen went everywhere. It splattered all over Lily’s lap, chest and towel. It got on Jamie too, a large glob landing on the lens of her glasses.

They both froze for a minute before Jamie looked up at Lily from her one clear lens. Lily’s cheeks were bright red and she was looking at the still dripping bottle as though it had purposefully ruined her plans to send Jamie to an early grave.

The building tension crumbled like a saltine cracker.

“That’s what you get,” Jamie said, reaching over and wiping a large glob off of Lily’s nose. Then she started laughing as Lily turned to look at her. Her cheeks stayed red, but she cracked a grin. “That was totally deserved!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Lily shook her head and dropped the offending bottle. She started smearing and wiping at all the excess sunscreen, wiping her hands on her towel to get it off. “I wasn’t doing anything.”

Jamie started laughing harder. “You’re a liar.”

Lily bit down on her bottom lip, still shaking her head. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“You most certainly do know what I mean, and now you’ve made a mess of yourself.”

“The cap broke! I don’t know why you’re telling me I deserve it.”

Jamie reached over and swiped at another glob at Lily’s shoulder. “Sure, Evans.” She whipped her hand so it landed somewhere in the grass and then got another glob from Lily’s hair. “So that’s just how you normally put on sunscreen?”

“Of course it is.”

“I can’t wait to see how your normally put on your pajamas tonight.”

Lily’s face went a shade or two darker and Jamie laughed again.

“You know what, if I was putting it on… a certain sort of way, it was only because you were looking at me-“

“I hadn’t been looking at you!” Jamie took her glasses off and carefully went about cleaning them. “I had very deliberately not been looking at you. You waited until I was looking at you.”

Lily was quiet until Jamie looked over at her, having to squint in order to see the look on her face. She put her glasses back on to confirm that she was looking smug. She was. “Okay, but then you couldn’t take your eyes off me.”

“Have you ever heard the phrase, in for a penny, in for a pound?”

Lily narrowed her brow in confusion. “I have.”

“I’ve only ever had fancied three people in my life, including yourself,” Lily sat up straighter and Jamie felt her cheeks heat but shook her head. Lily had already known that Jamie fancied her. “Yes, go and head a preen over it.”

“I am flattered,” Lily, still covered in globs of sunscreen, waved her hair back over her shoulder with one of her hands. Then she looked at Jamie expectantly.

Jamie sucked in a sharp breath through her nose and released it all at once. “Where do you live, Evans? And how far is it from Winchester?”

“And why do you ask?”

“Because I’ve a feeling that we’ll have some unfinished business come Friday.”

And then Lily laughed, and Jamie felt it all the way to the tips of her toes.

[poptod]

Pretty, Little Doll (Merriel Shelton x Reader)

Description: Merriel makes friends with the pretty little doll serving ice cream.

Notes: jus thinking about ice cream. implied female reader, but this.. is too much. theres just too much here. youve been warned. edit: wait no u havent. the warning is that theres suggestive themes and such WC: 2.3k

+

After working long hours in the broiling sun of the south, what felt best down his parched throat was a beer––a bar where many of his friends and coworkers drank at, and the waitresses wore low-cut dresses with short hems and long stockings. That sight went down wonderfully with several drinks, but what drew his attention today was a newly opened shop.

There was no sign, but the large, pristine windows gave a good view of the inside. Clean, white walls with several tables and chairs to the left, and a counter to order at on the right. Behind it stood you, dressed to the nines in ruffles and bows as you opened up the shop, displaying buckets of ice cream.

Merriel grinned. Lopsided and toothy, and he jogged inside, sweat and dirt still trailing down his skin and clothes. With his shirt slung over his bare shoulder, he met your eye and his cocky smile returned as his chin tilted high.

"Afternoon," he drawled as he approached the counter, barely grazing over the different flavors before returning to you.

"Good afternoon," you said in a much quieter voice, though you did mimic his smile, just more politely. "How may I help you?"

"You new here?" He asked, gesturing generally to the shop.

"Oh, yes," you said. "My grandmother always wanted an ice cream parlor, so.. I thought I could help her."

"That's awful sweet of ya," he said as he leant on the counter, tilting ever closer to you. "This ice cream sweet as you, boo?"

Your mouth fell open, eyes widening as you did a double take. For a moment you were at a loss for words, but you quickly attempted to stammer out a response, a blush burning your face.

"Well, um, we have, uh, strawberry, and um.. chocolate, vanilla, cherry, and uh, banana. And bourbon."

"Bourbon?" He said, a single brow kinked upwards.

"It's my grandma's favorite," you said with a sheepish chuckle.

"Damn, girl. Grandma knows how to have fun," he laughed.

"Would you like to try it?"

Only if I can lick it off you, he thought, his attention drifting to the soft skin of your neck. The thought of it melting down and pooling in your clavicle. While usually he didn't bother to censor himself for anyone, you seemed a little fainthearted. His chances with you would probably be ruined after one too-strange comment.

"Sure," was what he said instead. "Long as it's cold I don't care."

"I understand that. I moved here recently and it's certainly something to try and adapt to the heat," you rambled as you stuck a tiny plastic spoon in the bourbon ice cream, giving him the single bite. "Are you a local?"

"Been here long's I remember," he said, taking the spoon. "What time do ya get off today?"

"Oh, um," you fixed the ruffles on your collar, "I won't be finished till late. We're not all set up yet."

"If y' need some help, I'd be happy to offer my expertise. I do a hell of a lot a' nailin' things ta the wall."

You stared at him again, once more losing your words. He hadn't quite meant what he said, but the fluster he left you in had him grinning, humored by the connotation you'd incorrectly understood.

"That – that'd be very nice of you," you said, wringing your hands. "I don't want to bother you. You look.. busy."

He didn't miss how your eyes raked up his body, from his wrinkled, dusty pants up his bare waist and chest still gleaming with the sweat of morning work. His jaw could cut hearts and he knew that very well; accented it whenever he could as he cocked his chin upwards, watching carefully as your breath froze.

"I won't be busy tonight. How 'bout this." He walked up right to the counter, pressing his hips into the edge of it. "I come after I finish up ma' own job, and I'll give ya' a hand. Don't even gotta pay me."

"Really? But –"

"Don't worry 'bout it. 'S nothin' for a pretty doll like you."

"At least let me get you a cone? It's hot out today," you offered, reaching for the largest waffle cones you had.

The guys wouldn't really take well to him eating ice cream instead of drinking, but he figured they'd eat their words when they saw you.

"Won't say no to that."

As much as he wanted to boast about you, how pretty and sweet you were and how he so easily slid his way into your life, he didn't want his friends finding your shop and vandalizing it with their own dirty boots and flirtatious looks. Only he could do that.

In the evening he returned as promised, having walked from his house on the outskirts of town to your shop on the main street. The build, decorum, and location of the shop screamed rich family to him. No one in his state would be able to afford a business on main street, much less fully renovated and repainted. He could ask you, he decided, about your family, your grandmother, and of course you.

Inside, you were closing up the tubs of ice cream, hauling them out of the display case and into a back storage room. He knocked before he entered, earning a muffled 'come in!' from you.

Before either of you could speak, both the buckets in your arms began to slip, and he ran round to the other side of the counter to help. He took one from you to ease the load.

"Careful, cher," he said, grabbing another bucket in his other arm. "Don't wanna break yaself."

"Thank you," you said, mostly ignoring his comment. "My grandma is in the other room, so just, um.. be polite and proper."

Fat fuckin' chance, he thought in his head, but fortunately did not say aloud as he followed you.

The door swung open into a freezer room, where an old lady stood in the corner, covered head to toe in coats as she stirred.

"I keep telling you to let me do that," you sighed, setting down your container before rushing to her side.

"I can do it quite well myself. I'm not useless, you know," your grandmother said, staring you down with a glare. You hesitated, gauging her carefully, before you relented with another exasperated sigh.

"Fine, alright," you said quietly. "I'll go work on hanging up all the paintings and such."

"Thank you, dear."

You motioned to him as you passed by, pushing open the door and heading out of the freezer. He once again followed you, watching your ass with a grin you never saw.

"We need to hang up these," you said as you brought him to one of the circular tables, each of which carried a small pile of paintings, license plates, or tin posters.

"You got a ladder?" He asked, glancing to the high walls.

"Yes sir," you said, sorting through the different posters. He quirked a brow, intrigued by the possibility of that nickname.

"I neva did get ya name," he said as he leant on one of the tables.

"(Y/N). What's yours?"

"Pretty name for a pretty doll," he half sung, the same, one-sided smile stretched lazily across his face. "My name's Merriel."

"Also a pretty name," you said, picking the largest poster to start with. A pin-up girl in a sailor's suit. "Our ladder isn't all that steady. Will you hold it for me?"

He opened his mouth to offer himself up, but with one look to the ruffled skirt you wore, he shut himself up.

"'Course," was what he said instead.

Everything was a bit of a game––one you were unwittingly a part of, and one where you played your role rather well. A sweet, unassuming little thing, essentially a toy for him, accepting his help and letting him in. He hated to act the predator, but when it came to you he couldn't help it.

That was how he saw it. Hunting you down and taking you for his own at the end of a long chase. However, to any outsider, it appeared in a much simpler way; a young man doing anything for someone he'd developed a crush on. That was how it truly was, though the innocence of his crush was abruptly stripped away as he held the ladder, staring shamelessly up your skirt.

"Merriel?"

"Huh?" He said, broken out of his dreamy trance.

"I said could you hand me another nail," you said, pointing towards the package of nails with your hammer.

"Oh. You sure ya ain't gonna fall if I leave?" He asked with a grin. You chuckled, shaking your head.

"I'll be alright."

"If you say so, boo."

After a little while he supposed he ought to offer some more help than holding a rickety ladder, and took your place at the top with a hammer in his hand and nails in his mouth. As promised, his experience with nailing things to the wall (nails specifically, not women) made him much faster than you, and the entirety of the wall behind the counter was covered within fifty minutes.

"Thank you for your help, again," you said as you put away the hammer and nails.

"My pleasure," he said, the image of your thighs still fresh in his mind. "If y' ever need help.. I'm happy t' to be of service."

"Well, thank you. Come stop by again soon. On the house," you said as he left, peeking your head out the door and giggling.

"You know I'm stoppin' by again, get two things done in one trip. Some'in sweet for th' eyes and the tongue," he laughed, watching your face light up with a blush.

And it ain't just the ice cream, he thought.

Over the course of the coming summer, he left drinking for the evening, and instead visited your shop over his lunch break. You insisted on giving his cones for free considering he continued to help you out, but he usually found ways to sneak you the money anyway. You were not, as he assumed earlier, a very rich family.

His favorite activity, which he found rather early on, was to sit outside on burning hot days, his shirt draped over the back of his chair as he ate. Through the pristine glass, he spied you watching him often.

You couldn't help it either. Most of your life was spent in your family cabin, cutting you off from many teen and early adulthood experiences. People flirting with you was a lot to deal with, especially when it came from someone as pretty as him, the smooth dips and ripples of his lean muscles shining with sweat and dirt from his construction site.

His tongue. Ever since he made that comment on that first evening you met, you hadn't been able to get it out of your mind. How it rolled and drawled between his puffy lips drawn backwards with his teeth, in a very specific method you'd pinned down to 'the Tongue Thing'.

Your heated, embarrassed blush only worsened as ice cream dripped down his fingers from the heat, cleaned up by a sharp and precise tongue. You could hardly breathe watching him like that, but as he caught your eye you turned quickly away.

His bravado had clearly earned a huge boost from catching you mid-drool, prevalent in his step as he waltzed back into your store. You hardly met his eye, pretending to clean up the counter, but that didn't stop him. He walked right up to you, leaning down with his elbows on the stone, forcing you to stop and look at him, which you did with incredible reluctance.

"You been watchin' me, cher?" He asked, close enough to see his reflection in your wide eyes.

"No," you said quietly.

"A' think you're lyin'," he said, leaning in closer yet. "Betta' not do that. Could land you in some trouble."

You raised your brows.

"Are you threatening me?"

"Not with anythin' ya can't take," he said as he raked his eyes purposefully slow down your body. When you appeared to be at a loss for words, he said, "I'll ask ya again. Were you watching me?"

"... and if I don't answer?" You tested carefully.

"Well then, I think there's too much space between us," he said, grinning cockily as he jumped the counter, crowding you suddenly.

You drew in a sharp breath, backing up as he continued to step forwards till he pinned you to the wall with his hips.

"Tell the truth, baby." he drawled, carefully setting his hands on your hips and pulling you in. Something hard poked you.

"I – I wasn't staring, I –"

He half-grinded into you, pressing you tighter against the wall as his hands drew upwards, resting at your waist.

"Such a pretty thing," he mumbled beneath his breath, watching your stumbling reaction closely.

By pinning you with his hips, he had free roam to move his hands, one of which toyed with the hem of your skirt. It was wrong, certainly, and it was also illegal since you were in plain view of main street, but he lost control the minute his fingertips brushed the soft, supple skin of your thigh.

Your breathing hastened, hips yearning for something, though you didn't know what. When the rough skin of his fingers suddenly brushed inbetween your thighs your hands shot up to steady yourself on Merriel's shoulders. He laughed, running a finger through your lips, finding you already soaked and not wearing underwear. Instantly his laugh faded, devolving into a long, needy moan as his hips once more pushed up into you.

"Th – there's someone – someone coming," you said, eyes darting to the front door.

Immediately he was off you, stepping to the side as you straightened yourself out. You walked forward with shaky legs, which he most definitely noticed, and took the mother and son's orders as usual. When you finished you glanced to him, your heart stopping at the sight of him licking your slick from his fingers.

"I guess your ice cream is as sweet as you, boo," he murmured in your ear, giving you no chance to react before rushing back out to return to his construction job.

[waywardimpalawriter]

“Kissing me breaks the promise… remember?" with Javier and can I please have a happy ending, I know it's angst prompts but.... :D Thank you!

Crazy Love

Pairing: Javier Peña x Plus Size Female Reader

Characters: Javier Peña, Steve Murphy, mentions Connie Murphy

Setting: After season one episode 7 ‘You will cry tears of blood’, five months after the events in ‘Heels’,

Rating: M (Mature), E (Explicit), NSFW, 18+ only please

Warnings: mentions of gun violence, almost killing a child, self hatred, smut, unprotected sex, Angry Javier (yes he needs a warning), angst, slight fluff at the end,

Summary: One slip up, reacting too quickly he could’ve ended the life of one way too young to fight the wars of old men. Thoughts filled with darkness, what if’s and self degradation. Wanting to loose himself in the only way he knows. To find because of you he can brave the dawn and the coming war.

Word count: 5,985 (with lyrics)

Notes: Thank you so much for the request sweetie, @autumnleaves1991-blog I hope you enjoy. Prompt in bold. The song used is ‘Crazy Love’ written by Van Morrison and preformed by various artists. This also a sequel to “Heel’s part 1” written some months back.

Tag List:

Forever’s: @chickensarentcheap @jedi-mando

Knuckles white with the grip he’s got on the steer wheel, eyes darting between the thin packed streets and Murphy with the baby in his arms. “What about the kid? Any ideas where to take her?”

Missing the shrug, with his eyes back on the road, “For now I’ll take her with us.” Smirk twitching his dark blond mustache with the look Javier pins him with at a stop light. “Don’t worry Javi she ain’t gonna stay with you. Poor darlin can’t live on whiskey and cigarettes. Though the parade of women might slow with her at your apartment.”

“There’s no parade jackass,” trying to focus on the road ahead and off what almost occurred three hours ago.

Subtle tick to his jaw knowing something’s bothering his partner about what went down. More to the point of how it went to shit and letting two high ranking Sicario slip through their fingers. “Wanna spill what’s eaten at you?”

“No just take care of the kid don’t need you play shrink in my head,” pulling up to the embassy, Javier kills the engine turning fully to look at Steve. “Care to share your explanation to Noonan or will you wing it?”

Shrugging Steve glances down into her sleepy eyes trying to figure out just what he’ll say. More importantly what he’s going to tell Connie. “I’m not,” looking back over at Peña seeing a raised brow. “I’ll take her home to Connie, figure out this shit as we go.”

“I’m sure Y/N would babysit,” mentioning you name cut deeply as the last month he’s put distance between the two of you. Continuing the relationship based solely on your sexual needs instead of the feeling he keeps buried.

“Doubtful, she’s working on transferring out. Packing I’m sure takes her time up right now,” seeing the scowling confusion drawing his brows down. “You knew she asked for a transfer right?”

“When?” Curses fill his mind. Directed fully at himself for letting the situation spiral out of control to the point you’ve become that notch on his bed post. Telling himself he’s going to let you go but never finding the courage to actually cut the strings. “She never mentioned taking a transfer. ”

The nights spent together you never mentioned a transfer. But then words rarely left either of your lips that’s not in passionate pleas wanting more or demands for completion. Conversations the first to go in the crumbling relationship, embraces followed not long after and the final straw added a month and a half ago. No kisses on the mouth anyway a promise you made him invoke to separate the past pleasures from the present stalemate.

Revisiting those thoughts often, Javier understood why you made the decision. One he hated but respected. Wondering most nights why you still let him inside your soft plush body instead of putting up a wall between the two of you. Shoving him out of your life fully. But then the transfer you didn’t speak of talked louder than any uttered words could.

“Two weeks ago, something about returning back to the States. Damn shame Y/N’s a fucking amazing secretary even better person. Why’d you go fuck things up for us both?” Wanting to knock some sense into Javier but a part of Steve understood the other man’s reasons for pushing you away. “Just let her go man this job she’s not fit nor can put up with the stress. I know I pushed at first but whatever you did to shover her away it’s for the best.”

“She’s a lot stronger than you know,” said more to himself than Steve. Other mans words hitting deeper than Javier would say, his fingers tightening around the leather steering wheel. “You don’t know shit Murphy.”

“I know a month ago things changed between the two of you.” Switching the baby to his other arm cradling her close to his chest. “Whatever happened she become withdrawn, stopped smiling as much,” piercing him with a hard stare. “Reverting back to the woman I first met when coming Bogota.” Glancing out the windshield Steve drag a hand over his face exasperated sigh leaving his lips. “ piece of advice either fess up explain what’s eaten at you or let her go.”

Selfishness claws at his mind wanting to keep you from leaving. From getting away not only from Columbia it’s self but from him. The realistic half needing you safe a world removed from the war starting to build back up. This afternoon’s events flash through his mind of how he almost killed a kid. A fucking kid who tried to protect the Sicario scum he chased and cornered. Would’ve had him had the kid not pulled a gun on him. The decision not to pull the trigger an easy one this time. But what about the next? Making him no better than the men he chases if he decided to take the shot so easily. Affirming those thoughts to let you go for your greater good and health.

“Javi?” Snapping fingers to gain his attention. “Deep in thought or just swimming the shallow waters?”

Scowl taking up home over his features, “Don’t worry about it doesn’t concern you.”

“Fuck you say, she’s my friend to Javi.” Shaking his blond head wondering how much pushing it’ll take before Peña would break. “Besides I think Connie has a good chance at kicking your ass if you do anymore damaged. She’s wanted to get her hooks into you for a while now.”

Almost chuckling at those words though it’s mirthless and self deprecating. “She’s next in line,” tossing the words out while starting the Jeep. Silence reigns on the drive over to their apartment, pulling up to the curb and letting Steve out.

Who pauses in the open door, “Heading to Y/N’s? Or back to the Embassy?”

“Paperwork,” impatiently waiting for Steve to shut the door.

Eager for some peace and time to think. He sees you standing in the doorway arms crossed under your generous breasts. For once actually studying your features taking in the fact you look somber, dressed in well loved jeans and baggy T-shirt. No makeup, though Javi told you a thousand times how beautiful you look without all those cosmetics painted on your face. Heart kicking up at the way your staring at him. Barely seen with you so far away but he knows there’s a softness shining in your eyes. Emotions he’s never tried to decipher in other women till you. Thoughts now run into each other, fears chasing after wanting so much but feeling undeserving.

Soft chuckle echos around the Jeep’s cabin making Javi glance at Steve, “Time better served explaining than useless paperwork.” Looking over his shoulder to find you gone, “Before it’s to late and she’s gone.” Door slamming shut, Steve leans in through the open window with a meaningful expression on his handsome face. Patting the inside slight nod of his blond head before turning to go inside leaving Javier with to many thoughts.

Pulling away from the curb happening to glance back towards the apartments catching you standing at the window. Hand pressed to the glass unreadable look on your face one he’s sure shows signs of displeasure and anger. With a blink your silhouette disappears heart clenching at the thought he’s just imagined you standing there. Another curse flies from his lip, palm forcefully slamming down on the steering column doing nothing to temper the anger boiling inside his mind. Instead Javier guns the engine taking off at a high rate of speed receiving numerous honks in irritated warning.

*************************

Letting the curtain fall back in place wild thumping of your heart pulsing out a rhythm that aches with every pound. Partly hating yourself for getting involved with a man incapable of having any kind of relationship other than sexual. Asking yourself why you keep letting him back into your bed, into your heart knowing it’ll just break in the end. Only one answer comes to mind and you push it firmly back into the dark abyss. Focusing on what you needed to done. Having struggled for the last two months with the decision to finally put in for a transfer home, away from Columbia and Javier Peña. Never an easy choice especially when you’ve fallen in love with a man who would never love you back.

Heavy knocking makes you jump in spot leaning against the wall by the window. Hand coming to rest against the quickly beating organ threatening to thump right outta your chest. Taking a breath trying to calm down from the freight you take small steps to eat up the distance towards the door. Another round of pounding has a scowl appearing wondering who would beat your door down at this time of evening.

“Hold your horses I’m comin’ already,” raising you voice loud enough to at least pause the noise.

Grasping the doorknob right when, “Hermosa,” his voice pulls your hand back almost as if the knob burned you with that very endearment. “Open up you can’t hide I know your there.”

“Go away Javier I’m not in the mood,” arms crossed glaring at the door. Pivoting on bare feet to track towards the kitchen going back to sorting through what your keeping and leaving behind. Freezing in place the unmistakeable sound of a key sliding into lock. Cursing the fact you never asked for the spare back and giving him one in the first place. Try as you might to make your feet move instead there rooted in spot when the door opens. “I didn't invite you in Javi turn your ass around and leave.”

Breath escaping quickly, eyes narrowing after searching the apartment he’s spent the last months in. Catching sight of half filled boxes, newspaper scattered over the coffee table, before landing on your furious features. Hands gripping wide hips, soft chin jutted out in annoyance while eyes spit anger burying the true feelings deep. “It’s true?”

“Why do you care?” Countering his words biting the inside of your cheek to keep tears from sliding coldly down your cooling skin. “Leave Javier,” exasperated and tired just wanting to move on, putting the relationship in the past.

Not two steps away his warm gun callused hand incloses around your wrist tugging and turning your plush body around to face him. “Not till you answer me.”

“We don’t talk about feelings remember Peña, your rules,” yanking your wrist free glare firmly in place.

Flinching at the harsh tone eyes scorching him with there intensity, his own somber and filled with regret. Deserving of those very words no matter how much they hurt. He moves forward for you to take one back reaching to grasp both shoulders. Taking another step out of his reach slow two step pattern finds your back pressed against the bar counter. Reminiscent of the first time you made love all those months ago. Except this time you’d stand strong push him away and not fall prey to those warm russet eyes filled with so many indescribable emotions.

“Stupid rule I never should’ve put in our relationship,” three feet of space between the two of you. Both chests heaving breaths eyes locked and searching. His eyes close drawing in your familiar scent letting it wash all the days stress clean for a single moment in time. Ear’s picking up the quick beating of your heart wishing as his eyes open a smile would bloom over those kissably soft lips.

“But you did and there’s no taking it back now,” firm stance starting to crumble under the weight of emotions filtering through his dark eyes.

Half way to reaching out his hands drop back to fist at his sides, “I’m sorry hermosa I didn’t mean…” unsure how to fix what’s broken. Never good at speaking his feelings even when the need presents its self.

I can hear her heart beat for a thousand miles

And the heavens open every time she smiles

And when I come to her that's where I belong

Yet I'm running to her like a river's song

“What’d want from me Javier?” Pleading tone arms crossed to close your body off. Putting up a defense against the one man who’s managed to crumble every wall surround your heart. To starve off the bubbling emotions threatening to spill over and consume you.

Closing the small gap, callused hands cup both cheeks, fingers spread from apples to jawlines. Brushing his thumbs under your eyes his own pleading and soft ‘the puppy’ look you nicknamed it two weeks into the relationship. “To kiss you.”

Swallowing harshly, “Kissing me breaks the promise… remember?" Willing your body not to react, not to turn and place kisses to his palm. Nuzzling the warmth drawing peace from his comforting touch. “We made rules you know how I feel about kissing Javi.”

Almost two months ago things started to fall apart. Always asking yourself why you still let him into your bed and body. Part of you knowing the space carved Javier hole in your heart will never close. Not even denying the both of you those intimate kisses could change the fact he’s wormed his way through defenses long held too fall in love with your DEA agent.

“I know mi amor,” sliding one hand down from your face to wrap his arm around your thick waist. Pulling you flush into his embrace and against his body. Turning the both of you so it’s his back pressed into the counter. Savoring the softness wishing you’d hold him. Run your fingers through his hair and chase away the stress currently resurfacing with your tense posture. “I don’t want you to leave.” No truer words spoken ones that cut his very soul with the implications of what could happen if he didn’t take Steve’s advice.

Agony rips a new hole in your heart at his words, at the endearment dripping from those sinful lips. “You don’t mean that.” Eyes close to keep from staring into russet browns. Trying not to give in and foolishly hope he means what he speaks.

“I do hermosa,” eyes popping open at the barest brush of his chapped lips against yours, widen orbs find his shut, brow furrowed. “I don’t want to loose you.”

“Javier,” breathlessly whispering his name. The intensity of Javi’s declaration scares you not wanting to believe for a second his words ring true. Not when so many broken promises lay at your feet. Yet, if there’s one thing you know about Javier Peña he’s honest, never lying to you about what he wanted. Holding back sure, not letting you in those tightly held defenses of his own fuck yes, but lie to you never. Those thoughts make others chase after. Ones that scare you into thinking you’ve made a huge mistake by asking for the transfer. Could you leave his man who holds your heart? Walk away from a relationship that’s possibly just hitting a rough patch? So engrossed in those thoughts you don’t realize he’s tipping your chin up to angle your head in the prefect position to slot his mouth over yours.

Javier’s restraint having snapped with his name slipping from your bitten lips, wanting to meld the two of you together in the only way he knows how. Showing you with his body what his words couldn’t express. Javier captures your mouth in a bruising kiss filled with demands. Teeth biting at your lips, dragging plump bottom in to abuse with nibbles and soothing over with his tongue. Harsh gasp blown from your mouth giving him access to the warm cavern. Drinking from your well, tasting your flavor on his tongue always returning for more. Tangling together as his arm tightens around your soft waist.

Garnering a moan of need from deep within your chest. Attacking his mouth with your own, fingers coming into play by carding through those thick mahogany strands tugging harshly. Receiving a growl in return that vibrates down to your very core clit throbbing in response to his rough actions.

Mouths parting to gather air, “I need you hermosa please,” desperation coloring his tone foreheads resting together. The hand still cupping your cheek slides around to gently cup the back of your head. “I need…” swallowing hard, fighting to keep from taking you hard and fast right there. Burying the fear and pain, the anger and worry into your soft gentle body. Letting you sooth the demons threatening to consume his soul. But he couldn’t, promising to never show that side of himself to you.

Those thoughts in mind Javier moves in to kiss you only to chase your mouth till you place fingers over his searching lips. Seeing a spark of need in he eyes that’s closed away before fully blooming. Leading you to remember a conversation the two of you had at the on set of your relationship. Knowing what he needed and how, you step back watching his features fall with his arms to the side.

Only to have confusion replace the crestfallen expression as you tug the t-shirt up and off your body. Standing in just your panties and jeans, “I told you a long time ago Javier I’m not made of glass this body…” hands gliding up from your waist to soft tummy and generous breasts. “Won’t break if your rough with me.” Heat sparking in eyes that will him to listen, give in and take you. “If I’m staying and we work this out you’ll have to let me in.”

Each word hits him hard square in the heart, “I don’t want to hurt you cariño.”

“You already have Javier,” head dropping you go to tug your shirt back on. Only to have it ripped from your hand and tossed somewhere unseen. That soft gasp making his heart beat triple time. Strong arms wrap around your body to bring you back into his warmth. “Fix what you broke.”

There’s no gentleness to the possessive kiss Javier captures your mouth with. Large warm hands grip your plush ass to press into your tummy the thick ridge of his jeans covered erection. Low growl slipping passed parted gasping lips that angle for the right spot to draw those whimpers and moans he can never get enough of. Separating long enough to have you rip his tan button up open, little plastic disks pinging off the wall and tiled floor. Scoring your short nails over his soft tummy, toying with the button of his jeans.

“Fuck,” hissing through kiss swollen lips that attack your neck with bitting teeth. Wanting to mark each inch of you in reminder to himself of who you derive your pleasure from. “Do that again,” demanding cadence gets a soft smirk to spread over your bitten lips.

Keeping your eyes lock, breath existing quickly because of the passionate kiss. Short nails rake up his chest and leave little red lines behind. Detouring to pinch his pebbled tight nipples receiving another low growl against the skin of your collarbone. Where his mouth sucks a purpling mark laving his tongue over the bruising skin. Enjoying the shutter he feels race down your spine.

Pushing the shirt from his shoulders Javier raises his head to stare into your desire darken eyes. “Fuck me Javier till I can’t walk tomorrow.”

Simple words ignite a passion and deep seated need inside his body to claim and wreak you. Clothing becomes nothing more than obstacles in the way of having naked skin against his own. The two of your fumbling with buttons and zippers. His parting on a sigh of relief as you push the fabric to pool around his ankles. Nimble fingers brushing through course little hairs. Leading your hand to wrap around his shaft. Thick girth barely covered by your hand that you pump along heated velvet skin.

Smirking at the groaning string of Spanish curses falling from his lips. Only replaced by the pout, when he brushes your hand away. Mouth still just inches from yours brushing taking another sip from your lips. Drowning in the taste of your mouth, the feel of your plump lips against his. Devouring the pout and only breaking to whisper, “Later princesa.” Toeing off boots and soak covered feet pressing out of jeans, naked as on his born day for your eyes to devour.

Becoming insnared with his beauty far too long for Javier’s liking. Lips licked slowly watching the bob of his jutting cock. Mouth watering in want of a taste. Quick breaths expanded his soft covered muscular chest your hands itch to dust over. His handsomeness distracting you to the point a squeal issues from the back of your throat when he pulls you by the belt loops towards the couch. Skilled fingers making quick work of getting your jeans undone warm palms sliding the fabric down your body.

Javier drops back into the couch bringing you between his spread knees and placing kisses to your tummy. Nuzzling the underside of your breasts. Looking up to ensnare your vision with his own desire filled gaze. Strong arms holding you in place while eyes close, nose rubbing into your soft scantly skin resting his head on your tummy. Hands coming up to card through his hair gently this time tugging the locks and wrapping his shoulders with your arms. Emotions clogging your throat burning with the need to release the tears of mixed feelings.

Moaning head tossing back when his warm tongue peeking out to teasing the taut nipples his hands tug your panties down. Becoming impatient and ripping the thin cotton from your body. Making you gasp and look down into those desire blacken eyes you choose happily to drown in. “You’ll…” swallowing your words on a moan as those thick skilled fingers draw through your folds. Tapping your clit several times and retreating to slide inside your clinching walls.

She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love

She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love

She's got a fine sense of humor when I'm feeling low down

And when I come to her when the sun goes down

Take away my trouble, take away my grief

Take away my heartache, in the night like a thief

“I’ll buy you more cariño and go with you to help pick out certain ones,” giving you a cheeky wink. Groaning with the feel of slick coating his fingers, smirk in place when your hands brace on his shoulders to keep from tipping over into his arms. Pulling his fingers out to suck them clean making sure your watching his every move. The resounding whimper he draws out brings the same smug grin too tug at his lips. Gripping the back of your thick thighs to spread your stance and slot his own knees between.

Pulling you down against him knees on either side of his thighs. Hiss issued at the contact of your dripping folds coating his shaft trapped between your bodies. Rolling hips to tease your own hands gripping the back of the couch to brace yourself while raising up. Deep moan breaks from your chest when Javier draws the fat cock head through your folds. Circling your clit as your hips match the movements. Waiting till he’s notched himself at your entrance before slamming down against him.

Head tossing back at the stretch and burn of him splitting you open gasps of delight echo and play with the groans from Javier. Who grips your hips, holding you against him for a time face buried in your chest. Hot mouth searching out blindly latching onto your right nipple to bite down just hard enough to make your quivering channel squeeze him tightly.

“Fuck,” single word mumbled against your skin. When you start to move setting a quick pace that’s hard and demanding. Head dropping back between your gripping hands. String of curses and praise leave his lips. “Just like that hermosa, so fucking wet for me,” grunting into your mouth that came to fuss to his. Sharing breaths while you move against his body.

Taking possession of his pleasure with a kiss that’s deep and hungry. Devouring the sounds he makes with each quick roll of your hips. Pressing your generous breasts against the hard plains of his chest, nipples brushing his skin as his own hands grip your thick soft waist. Leaving behind bruises with how tightly he holds you. One hand gliding over sweat slicked skin to cup a full ass cheek giving a squeeze before landing a hard slap.

Movements falter with the stinging pleasure coursing through your veins, “Javi.” Kiss breaking breathlessly to catch his eyes. Seeing the indecision clearly written, you nod leaning to brushing your lips over his ear, “Again please.”

Mouth buries against the spot where shoulder and neck meet, planting his feet firmly to thrust into your welcoming cunt quicker. Letting a moment pass till he lands another smack to the other ass cheek. Soothing the pain with his warm palm, “Like that princesa?” Drawing his nose over the sweaty expanse of his throat tossed back on a gasp. Bearing your neck to his hungry gaze and mouth.

Taking advantage to bite and suck, thick mustache abrading your skin in the most delicious of ways. Sending tingles to dance across your skin making your clit throb with each hard pound of his cock deep inside your quivering walls. Wrapping your arms around his shoulders for leverage as your knees sink into the couch and you bounce on Javier’s cock. Thick thighs shaking as orgasm builds quicker than you thought possible.

“Yes,” whimpering out in answer. Both hands cup your ass helping you move against him. Sweat slicked shoulders make for a tough grip movements becoming choppy and sloppy. Low whine bubbles from the back of your throat needing more but unsure how to say.

Javier picks up on the destress, pulling out making the whine lengthen. “Lay back on the couch for me hermosa,” seeing the confusion in your gaze. Javi tugs you to sit in the corner of the couch, pulling till your almost flat and he crawls between those thick thighs he wants wrapped around his waist.

Sliding back inside of you on a groan, “Still so tight for me princesa I could stay buried in your pretty pussy forever never growing tired of having your surround me.”

“Javi,” heat flares across your body at his words, face buried in your palms. Only to have them pulled and placed on his chest. Shocked yet pleased with his sentiments, the way he growls out the words setting off tingles dancing down your spine.

Gasping when he pulls out resting just the tip before surging back angling to hit that little spot only he’s managed to discover inside you. Right leg draped over his hip left dangling off the couch as your hands scrap and grope at his shoulders. Strong arms press on either side of you holding himself up while rocking his hips into yours. Setting a fast and hard pace that has you gasping, moans of incoherent words tumble from your mouth that hangs open trying to gather breath.

Watching with hooded eyes, drinking in the way you look, the passion morphing your features never wanting to let you go. To always see you in the throws of pleasure he delivers to your body. Praying to whoever will listen that you’ll stay. Those thoughts creating a fire inside his body that moves quicker.

Wanting to show you his feelings by repeatedly burying his cock deep inside your throbbing cunt. Loving your soft thick body with his mouth latching onto a breast. Nipping skin and taunt nipples, curling his tongue before biting down and switching to the twin. Feeling your nails score his back and shoulders only driving on his own pleasure.

Needing you to cum first though, Javier slides one hand between your slick bodies to caress your clit with tight circles of pressure. Smirking into your flesh when you gasp and squirm under him. His name breathlessly spoken to the heavens your back arching off the couch. “That’s my girl cum for me amor soak my cock.”

“Javier,” fingers card through his hair pulling his mouth back to yours. Tender and sweet nothing like the previous kisses as you pour your heart out to the man pounding you into the couch. Foreheads rest together, moans dripping from your lips brushing against his trying to hold back to draw out the pleasure. Afraid of the final moment he finds completion and walks out of your life maybe for good this time. “I love you,” unable to stop those three words from tumbling out. Orgasm slamming through your body with the hard thrusts of Javier’s hips. Crying out his name, arching against him breath stuck along with tears in your throat.

Swearing he heard things, Javier’s pace stuttered but his heart pounds quicker. Hips having a mind of their own as his body rushes to completion. Cumming harder than he’s ever in his life, filling your clinching walls with hot stick seed. Strength evaporated from his arms collapsing into your embrace. Burying his face in your neck, hot moist breath fanning out over your skin. Small after shocks roll through both your bodies garnering whimpers and moans from both of you.

Time, unsure of how much passes while you card fingers through his sweat slicked hair. Enjoying this moment, basking in the after glow of your love making while praying it’s not the end.

“Don’t leave,” words whispered into your skin so low there barely caught. Wondering if you’ve heard things your fingers pause watching on stuttering breath as Javier raises his head to stare into your eyes. Wondering if you meant what you said or just caught up in the pleasurable sex and let it out. It’s on the tip of his tongue to ask when you beat him to the punch.

“I… I…” words lost in the jumble of your mind unsure what to say. Fearful your passionate declaration went unheard or worse ignored.

Cupping your cheek surprised to find tears tracking down your cheek, “Don’t leave me Y/N please.”

Searching his bright russet eyes confused till you see what he’s really saying. Realization blooming across your mind your own hand coming up to embrace his cheek. Thumb swiping over the apple, “I’ll speak to Noonan.” Bringing his mouth down to yours for a soft sweet kiss.

“Do you really love me?” Foreheads resting together breath held, his eyes closed tightly fearing the answer.

Shocked he’s asking. Remembering the times you tried to get him to talk about his feelings becoming shut down pushing the conversation away or distracting you with kisses and sex. With the lengthening silence Javier dares to open his eyes catching the soft expression in yours that cracks his frozen heart.

“I wouldn’t say those words if I didn’t mean them Javi you know that,” continuing to brush your fingers over his stubbled jaw. Up into his soft sweaty hair to gently scratch his scalp knowing how much he enjoys when you do. Rewarded with a low purr from the back of his throat. “What happened today baby?”

Fear keeps him quiet for a moment till, “I almost killed a kid.” Lowering his stare to map your skin with his eyes adding the marks he left behind to his memory. Fear returning now that you’ve heard how much of a monster he’s turning into.

“Did you shoot?” There’s no accusations or incrimination, voice softly seeking a way to help sooth the demons you saw when he first arrived.

Carefully pulling from your warm depths and embrace to sit on the edge of the couch face buried in his hands. Missing the whimper at loosing his touch. You grab for the blanket draped over the back to cover yourself in self consciousness. Moving carefully to sit up and lean against his shoulder. Fingers carding through his hair slowly while placing the other around his waist. Waiting till he’s ready to start speaking not wanting to push.

She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love

She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love

Yes I need her in the daytime

Yes I need her in the night

Yes I want to throw my arms around her

Kiss her hug her kiss her hug her tight

Welcoming warmth enveloping his body that cleaves into you. Baritone rough with emotions, “No I couldn’t pull the tigger, didn’t want to shoot some kid who’s stupidly following the orders of a man who doesn’t care about him.”

“Listen to me Javi you’re not Escobar you’ll never have that narcissistic attitude.” Turning his face to look at you, brushing the stubble with your fingertips. “Yes you’ve done some questionable things for good reasons to take down this asshole who would gladly see all of Columbia burn just to get and keep what he wants.” Leaning in to brush your nose against his, “I couldn’t love a man who killed people for kicks Javier. That’s not what you do. You save people, protect them as best you can.”

Unworthiness filtering through his thoughts never expecting to find someone who loved him faults and all. Intertwining his fingers with the hand previously on his cheek bring the back to his lips to place a kiss. “I don’t deserve you hermosa,” swallowing harshly letting your hand go to stand. Unconcerned with his nakedness Javier stretches popping his back then looking down at you.

Worry etched in those beloved eyes that stare unblinkingly at the spot he just vacated. “Leaving now?” Biting off the words tears clouding your vision mistaking his declaration as rejection pulling the blanket tighter around your plush body.

Forefinger and thumb pinching the end of your soft chin raising your gaze to meet his, “Why would I leave when everything I want and love rests with you.”

“Javier?” Voice wobbling with unshed tears.

Pulling the blanket from your body taking in the curves and dips, the softness he’s itching to get his hands back on. But right now Javier brings the nearest hand to his lips, brushing the knuckles with his mouth mustache tickling your skin. Keeping your eyes locked as he tugs you up into his arms. “I’m serious Y/N I don’t deserve you but without you I’m a shell of a man,” bringing his free hand up to cup your cheek deep russet eyes burning with love staring into yours.

“What are you saying?” Fear coating the words, afraid it’s all a dream and you’ll wake without Javier beside you.

Drawing your mouth closer, strong arm wrapping around your thick waist, “I’m saying I love you Y/N and if you’ll have me I’m yours till you kick me out for driving you crazy.”

“You already do that Javi,” watery giggles escaping your lips that brush his twice. Reaching up to card fingers through the soft strands at the back of his head tugging just a little harder than normal. “Say it again.”

Grunting at the tugs sliding a hand down to cup a generous bare ass cheek to give a squeeze. “Drive you crazy.”

Just barely holding in the squeak, “No,” eyes rolling at his cheek. “You know what I mean Javier Peña.”

“I do,” slotting his mouth against yours stealing the breath from your lungs as he kisses you with a passion never felt before. Barely breaking to mumble those three simple words into your lips, “I love you.” Getting lost in your kiss while silently vowing to never let you go or break your heart.

And when I'm returning from so far away

She gives me some sweet lovin' brighten up my day

Yes it makes me righteous, yes it makes me feel whole

Yes it makes me mellow down in to my soul

[jj-lynn21]

Castlerock: All Hallows Eve Ch 1

Ch 1: Creation

Ch 2: Accident , ch 3 chaos

continuation of characters from A Castlerock New Year’s Eve party

Warnings: angst, smut 2 female characters, jealousy, creepiness

tags: @loomiz​ @dragsraksllib​ @super-pink-a-palouza​ @goblincxnt​ @grandpa-sweaters​ @waywardtigersandwich​

Genevieve carefully peeled the cellophane wrap off the oblong chunk of clay. Small sculpting tools were laid out on the desk that were made for creative projects like this. Something powerful drew her to the clay in the store. Gen didn’t exactly know what she would do with it at the time but, now her fingers had purpose as she took a tool in hand to slowly sculpted away at the clay.

It still didn’t look like any form when Nadine knocked and peeked inside. “I made us lunch if you can tear yourself away from your latest creative endeavor. “

“Be there in a moment.” Genevieve shaved the clay on both sides looking at it carefully.

“You know starving artists don’t actually have to starve.” Nadine reminded her. “You just sold that picture of the cabin in the woods no one can seem to find for $500.00. Take a break.”

Genevieve pounded the clay down in frustration. “I might as well eat if I can’t get this right.” She walked out to the kitchen with Nadine.  

Nadine rubbed her back. “Get what right?”

“I have no fucking idea.” Gen cursed. “I just have something rattling in my brain that won’t take form. But it will hit like a hammer when it does.”

“I hope it doesn’t hurt when it hits you.” Nadine giggled teasing her lovingly.  “You probably just need to eat. I put hummus and crackers out to go with our turkey pita wraps.”

“Thank you, Sweetheart.” Genevieve gave her a tiny little peck on the corner of her perfectly rose thin lips. “I would probably starve without you.”

They had been dating for almost ten months. Nadine came out to her best friend hoping Gen would understand how she was feeling. Genevieve understood more than she ever picked up on.  Gen admitted to her that exact day she is bisexual. Since Nadine’s idiot parents kicked Her out, she moved in with her best friend.

To the surprise of both, the friendship easily blossomed to what most would consider a great loving relationship. Nadine doted on Gen. She brought her small gifts on her way home from work. She did most of the cooking and cleaning.  

Genevieve’s art was her work, so she worked from home.  She would sometimes disappear for hours into her creative endeavors. Nadine made sure she at least had a snack and drinks as Gen painted, drew or sculped whatever was on her mind.  

Gen really did grow to love Nadine. She suspected not as much as Nadine loved her. She was still thinking about Red, her King, or Henry Deavers as most people still called him in the whisperings of town ghost stories. It was especially prevalent around this time of year. All Hollows Eve was bigger than Halloween the night before. Only the children enjoyed Halloween. Adults had their parties All Hollows Eve into All Saints Day. Those adults brave even to throw parties that is.

Both Henry Deavers the town knew of, had disappeared. Most figured the lawyer went to New York or some other big city that better suited his talents once his Mother died. The other was a complete mystery. Genevieve knew a little more than they did. She knew She would find him again. When Gen found him, it would be in Castlerock.  

Maybe out of jealousy, when Genevieve woke after having yet another dream of her King, Nadine told her bluntly, “He was probably taken by something in the Mist or something in the woods in general on New Year's Eve. There was never any sign of him after. Something gobbled him up for sure. Shit like that always happens here. You just have to forget about people that disappear, so you don’t lose your sanity.”

This started thier first big fight. “You have no idea how I feel to say such a thing.” Gen cried. “Even if that all could be true you have no right to spit it in my face. I’ll find him. I’ll always find him. I just don’t know when or where. I love you but you will never be him.”

“I wouldn’t fucking want to be him. Worm food.” Nadine mumbled as she got out of their shared bed. But when she heard her love sob so pitifully her heart broke. “I’m sorry baby. I’ll bring you some tea. Go splash some water on that pretty little face of yours.”

Gen stood to hug her from behind laying against her back. “I’m sorry this comes between us.”

“I’ll deal.” Nadine sighed deeply. “Go on. I’ll be back with some tea and fruit if you would like.”

“I would.” Genevieve kissed her gently. “Thank you.”

Nadine was off work, so she spent the day, afternoon into the evening soothing Gen’s worries. Trying to proof she could love her better than anyone she ever dreamed. Nadine knew just where to touch Gen to have her craving more. Genevieve’s back arched as Nadine’s intimate touch made her moan. Nadine’s kisses falling over her body made her tingle with rising pleasure. Nadine easily made her forget anything she was thinking at the beginning of the day.  

When Nadine tipped Genevieve over the edge it was a blessing she relished. As soon as Gen caught her breath, she enjoyed every bit of returning the favor. Nadine writhed under her skillful humming against her clit before her tongue skills made her completely come undone.  

Nadine held Gen as she always did after. “You know All Hallows Eve is in a few days.”

“I think everyone in Castlerock knows that sweetheart.” Nadine laughed. “Half of this town is ready to lock down until All Saints Day is over. The other half hope for the best time of their lives that they think could be their last.”

“Well, if it could be our last, we might as well try to throw a party in the Marsten House.” Gen grin playing with Nadine’s hair. “There is no way the crew will be working through the holidays.”

“That’s a crazy idea.” Nadine cackled. “I love it.”  

The next day Nadine had to work. Genevieve had a meeting at Abrah’s Art & More. They were interested in some paintings of The Kid she created at the beginning of the year. She was glad to take them all to possible be sold. Gen had them hidden behind some shelves in her art room so that if Nadine came in to clean up or poke around when she was out, she would not find them. It just seemed better that way.

Sliding the shelves out from the wall, Genevieve found them safely hidden from sight. Pulling them out cautiously took some time. Once they were out, she lined them up against the wall under the window that looked out on a meadow of decaying wildflowers. It would not be long until they would crumble completely from the overnight frost and fall winds that swept through Castlerock.

After she pushed the shelves back into place, Gen looked at her creations. Something about them was haunting, mesmerizing. Her breath hitched as she let out a faint longing moan. Then it was like she was possessed, the way she worked the clay first with just her hands and then the tiny tools. Genevieve didn’t hear her phone ringing. She didn’t hear the alarm she set to remind her she had to leave for her meeting.

Genevieve marveled at him, her creation of him in clay. “Yes, I missed you to.” She murmured.

[yurtletheturtlehenderson]

S.T. REWRITE - S2:E7; Chapter Seven, The Lost Sister - [Pt. 6 - FINAL PART]

A Will Byers x Reader Series

In their search for answers, psychic visions draw Eleven and Y/n to a band of violent outcasts and an angry girl with a shadowy past.

||3rd Person POV||

No one spoke to her on the ride home after Kali's lecture, especially Kali. Jane immediately dismissed herself to her room when they returned and there she sat in a dreadful silence. Her mind was racing. Thoughts of the cabin, thoughts of the lab, thoughts of tonight. Thoughts of what she believed living here with them would be like. And what it really was.

But what kept coming back to her was Y/n's voice. Their last conversation before she left.

"Just, hear me out, please! You didn't hear the things she was just planning. The things she just said to her friends out there, you don't understand-"

"No, Y/n. You don't understand me."

Jane shakes her head in disgust, unable to believe the words changed between them. Why had that happened? How did things go so wrong so quickly? There was still anger and resentment towards Y/n, but it was faded and dying out. More than anything, she missed her.

She found her feet were carrying her to the ends of the bed where the remainder of her things lay forgotten. The remnants of what felt like a life long forgotten. Peeking from the half-opened zipper of her bag was the flannel shirt she had worn just hours ago. Her legs folded beneath her as she knelt before her belongings, her fingers running over the fabric. With a heavy heart, she plucked it from the bag to bring it close only to find her brows in a hard crease.

Jane's eyes had fallen to the outside zipper where the sleeve had caught, and what surprised her is she didn't remember opening it. Setting the shirt aside, she inspected the pocket to find nothing but the photo of Kali she had used to get here. And that's when her heart stopped.

The Missing Experiment files. They were gone, missing. And so was the remainder of her money, though this was not what bothered Jane.

Now Y/n knew. Now Y/n knew that she had withheld the files. Jane deflated with a heavy sigh, feeling a crushing weight on her conscious. She knew she would come to regret it and low and behold. Of course, she had meant to share them with her, why else would she have brought them? But after seeing Y/n, she was overwhelmed with relief and she was swept up in their reunion and then their plans of getting to Becky's.

But the last night on the bus.

《•••》

"Like I said before, Mike hasn't been himself since you left. And now Will is acting up, in fact, he's... completely different. He's sick, he's really sick and he's angrier than usual. The party is falling apart, and I've felt more alone these past few weeks than I have in a really long time. And on top of it all," Her voice lowers, and her eyes scan the area before leaning in. "I'm still finding stuff I didn't know I could do. I've been having trouble, controlling my powers."

El's eyes widen, and subconsciously her hand finds the pocket of her bag. The files! She needed to see them. But a terrible thought struck her.

If she gave her friend the files, what would stop her from wanting to leave? Go back home? She'd be alone again, her only hope the girl from the rainbow room but who knows what she was like? El noted the animated look in her friend's eye, the way she lit up and she felt a heavy feeling clench her heart.

"The point is, you showing up has been just what I needed. And yes, it's really scary, but thanks to you I found out how I got here, where I came from. That's really good! I have you to thank for that."

Against her better judgment, her mind and body screaming at her, to tell the truth, and show her the files, El only smiles weakly. Her lips sew shut and her hand returns to her lap.

《•••》

Jane feels her legs grow damp, and she realizes she is crying. Silent tears streak her cheeks and she sniffles, hanging her head.

What Y/n must think.

Y/n had been nothing but kind to her, ever since that night Mike took her in. And looking back on the previous night, she only had her best interests at heart even if she did upset Jane.

But friends don't lie, she reminds herself.

And jane of all people knew how it felt to have been lied to.

But what could she do now? Y/n was gone, and even though she now had someone who understood the life of the lab, she felt awfully alone.

A knock on the door ripped her from her thoughts. She jumped slightly but she turned her head, mentally brushing it off. She found Kali in the doorway. She gestured with her eyes to the bed across from Jane.

"May I sit?"

Jane merely shrugged, and Kali stepped forward and took a seat across from her on a swivel chair. She took a deep lingering breath before speaking.

"I was once just like you, you know that? But that's why I'm hard on you, because I see in you my past mistakes."

The disgust returned to Jane's face, and she nearly shook off her words. "They were kids."

"Does that excuse that man's sins? Were we not also children?"

Jane only looks away with no reply.

"Do you remember what I told you last night? That when your friend, Y/n had escaped everything changed?"

This drew Jane's eye, but her glower remained. Kali was treading on thin ice.

"When she escaped, they spent years looking for her. Do you know why? Because she was rumored to be the most powerful of us all." Kali croaked, tears forming in her eyes as they drifted to the other side of the room.

"Signs of her power showed months before she was born, and they became obsessed. The idea of her became an impossible standard that we were forced to meet. They searched for her for years, I remember hearing whispers of her when I arrived. And then you came along, and I had a friend."

"But when they gave up hope, that is when everything changed. Jane, why do you think we were beaten? Imprisoned? They were so desperate to recreate what they had lost that they were willing to do anything to get it back."

Hot tears stung Jane's eyes and she shook her head, refusing to believe the harsh truth.

"No," she croaked.

"Yes, Jane. Yes, listen to me. That is why men like Ray treated us the way that we were treated. Not only were you their guinea pig, but you were also her replacement. All those years, spent in the room, all those years beaten and starved, they were pushing you. Testing you, and forcing you to be someone you are not."

Tears of her own slipped from Kali's eyes, she now held Jane's hands firmly in her own grasping her tightly. But Jane continued to cry, shaking her head as she was forced to relive the memories. She no longer felt like Jane, she felt like Eleven again and she hated it. She despised it. Kali finally stopped, the pad of thumb swiping across the back of Jane's hand in an act of comfort but it only made Jane feel worse. It reminded her of Y/n, and once again she was torn. She missed her friend terribly but the truth sickened her.

Kali continued, her voice more gentle.

"I remember the day that I came to the rainbow room and you were gone. Shortly after I was taken away and I shared with, I was relocated several times. I never saw you again. And that's when things got worse... So when my gifts were strong enough I used them to escape. And I ran. I ran away as far as I could."

She gulped, swallow the lump forming in her throat at the memory.

"And it was there, far away. That I found a place to hide. A family. A home. Just like you and your policeman. But they couldn't help me. So, eventually, I lost them, too."

Jane looked down at her feet, she was overwhelmed with the memories of her first night outside the lab. At Mike's. And Y/n took her in when the boys did not understand. But it is quickly soiled by the memory of the cabin. Her feeling trapped and isolated once more.

"So, I decided to play the part. To stop hiding. To use my gifts against those who hurt us. You're now faced with the same choice, Jane. Go back into hiding and hope they don't find you. Fight, and face them again."

"Face who?"

Kali hesitates but speaks firmly. A silent decision made up in her mind.

"The man who calls himself our father."

Jane shook her head, speaking through clenched teeth. "Papa is dead."

"That man tonight disagreed."

Jane felt her blood run ice cold, her stomach dropped through the floor and her she swore her heart stopped beating at the all too familiar voice behind her. Her head whipped over her shoulder and in the doorway stood a figure she never thought she'd see again. The man who abused her all her life, the very reason she felt so broken. The virus that destroyed anything he got his hands on. But she was smart enough to know.

"You're not real." She says, rising from the floor and slowly stepping forward.

He simply grins and tilts his head. His tell of disappointment.

"All this time? And you haven't looked for me? Why? Because you thought I was dead?"

Jane steps forward, wanting to be braver than she appeared. Though no matter the facts before her, even if he was nothing more than what Kali was telling her was real, she did not feel like Jane. She was Eleven. No more than a number. She hated the feeling, and she was furious and betrayed her sister would do such a thing. But all she could think of was the fear. The pain. Him.

"Or because you were afraid of what you might find?"

Bravely, she swallowed her fear. She shook her head, shrugging him off in anger.

"Go away." She ordered.

He steps forward, his tall figure towering over her like a shadow. A shadow she can never seem to escape.

"You have to confront your pain. You have a wound, Eleven,"

Eleven backs away, ashamed of her fear but she attempts to hold her ground as he pokes and prods once more.

"a terrible wound."

He continues to advance, and she continues to cower just as the man named Ray did. Her composure breaks and tears begin to flow once more. Eleven chokes back a whimper.

"And it's festering."

Her feet hit the bag and she collapses to the ground, gazing up at him through her blurred vision.

"Do you remember what that means? Festering?" His eyes never leaving hers, never blinking, he lowers himself in front of her. "It means a rot. And it will grow. Spread."

"Get out of my head." She whispers.

"And eventually, it will kill you."

She feels herself snap, the lights flicker around them and she screams with all her might.

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"

She collapses into tears, cradling the flannel close to her for any scrap of comfort. Sobs wracked her body and when her head lifts, she finds Kali looking up at her with a smile.

"This is not a prison, Jane. You're always free to return to your policeman. Or stay, and avenge your mother. Let us heal our wounds, together."

No more words are spoken, and Kali rises leaving the room and a dismayed sister.

⊹ ⊹ ⊹

Unknowingly, a squad of police cars and SWAT team snake the streets of Chicago, growing ever closer to the hideout minute by minute. Mick sits in her usual perch, her attention focused solely on the lookout at her usual window while Funshine slams his cards against the steel table with a deep rumbling laugh.

"Full house." He cheers.

Axel swipes his arm across the table with fury.

"Screw this. I'm out." He rises from the table, beer in hand as he marches away.

Dottie chortles and calls after him.

"Out of money, you mean. You are broke!"

She collects the discarded money as Funshine cackles. The two divide the money and Dottie looks over her shoulder.

"You want in, Mick?"

She scoffs, taking a puff from her cigarette.

"Nope."

"Aw, come on! Just one hand." She whines.

"You're the worst."

"How I am the worst?"

"Because, one hand leads to hands, and two hands lead to three. And before you know it I'm as broke as Axel."

"Are in or out?"

"Out."

Lost in the argument, Mick fails to notice the swarm of guards circling the place. They break off and take several paths and their presence remains unknown.

⊹ ⊹ ⊹

Jane sits on her side of the bed, her mind and heart still calming from her previous encounter. The flannel still clothes tightly in her hands, she holds it up before bringing it close to her heart. Her mind takes her back once again to the first night outside the lab. The good moments, the ones she thought of so often.

《•••》

Mike smiles softly at her, a wonderous gaze in his eyes. No one had ever looked at her like that before. With appreciation. And awe.

"Maybe we can call you 'El.' Short for Eleven?"

•••

The bullies flee in her path, and the boy who once asked too much of her after their first meeting, the boy who quickly became her friend called after them. A mix of fury and pride as he declared his loyalty after they hurt them.

"YOU'D BETTER RUN! SHE'S OUR FRIEND, AND SHE'S CRAZY!"

•••

Mike leans over her, an untamed smile on his lips as he once again stares at her in awe. Even when she had confessed her darkest secret, the secret she feared would ruin their friendship.

"No, El. You're not the monster. You saved me, you understand? You saved me."

•••

She was used to people speaking of her harshly when she was in the room, not taking into consideration her feelings. But the girl was full of surprises. She dismissed the behavior, and for the first time in her life she was told - she was shown - that she didn't deserve it. And she even offered her comfort.

"If you ever need anything or someone to talk to, even after we get everything sorted out, well, I'm here." Y/n smiled at her, and a warmth spread through her chest.

•••

"Co-compromise?" She asks, her face scrunched up in confusion.

"It's something that's kind of in-between. Like halfway happy."

Hopper reaches out a hand and ruffles her curls bringing a large smile to her face. The warmth returns.

•••

His odd movement the first day in the cabin. The music played and an odd look crossed Hopper's face, and much to her embarrassment, he began to bounce around.

"Once we fix it up, it's gonna be nice. Real nice. This is your new home."

[END OF FLASHBACKS]

She opens her eyes, finding herself in the void yet again. When she sees who is with her she realizes who her mind was searching for.

Hopper.

He is strained and scared, he paces the floor next to a strange panel that reminds her of the lab. This worries her. His palms dig into his eyes and he grunts, silently processing. He begins to pace once more, his hand on his hips and Jane approaches him slowly. He looks to the console, grief, and despair overwhelm as he leans his weight on the ridge.

"That's where I was. It's a damn graveyard."

"I need to get through! I need to get through."

Mike, it was Mike. He was approaching the distance and desperation and fear rang in his voice. She watches as an invisible force pushes him back. But his desperate calls do not concede.

"I need to warn them! It's a trap! I need to get through. It's a trap. I need to tell them it's a trap!" He shrieks, his voice cracking.

"Mike!"

She wasted no time in running for him. He does not see her but he continues to jump AMD fight over against an invisible force as he calls out to someone.

"IT'S A TRAP. IT'S A TRAP!"

Her arms extend to catch him, but he fades at her touch. She turns frantic, looking around the room but in her heart, she knows she lost the connection.

"Mike! Mike! Mike, where are you? Mike! Mike! Mike!"

She spins in circles, though all sense often direction is lost. Hopper has disappeared as well and she is now all alone. It's eerily quiet apart from the sound of her drumming heart. Though she quickly realizes this is not the case.

THUMP

THUMP

THUMP

Jane is ripped from the void and she finds herself back in the bedroom. The sounds of the steel door being thrown open echo throughout the warehouse and she flies to the window. Troops swarm the lower flower and she gasps silently when she feels a hand upon her shoulder.

"Let's go." Kali whispers lowered tongue floor.

Jane complies, immediately followed her lead and she sinks to the ground. Her hand clasped tightly in Kali's they dart across the landing and up the stairs to the others, unfortunately, giving themselves away. Klai hears their orders and knows they are after them.

"The hell's going on?" Axel asks.

"They found us!"

"Jesus Christ!"

Axel whips out his gun, but Kali reaches for it.

"No, no, no!" She orders, gesturing for everyone to freeze.

She silences them, ordering them to pack in and freeze, they all comply without question.

The guards round the corner, and begin sweeping the area. They all tense, but they watch holding their breath as the guards begin to scan the area. They do see them. Kali is hiding them. They watch, frozen as statues their hearts pumping as the officers snake right by them. Jane and Axel have to silently step out of their path but the illusion remains and no one moves a muscle. All the officers see in an abandoned room.

When they pass, Kali gives the okay and they run noiselessly for the exit. They have to take the back entrance, and Kali manages to keep the illusion up as they flee. It finally gives when they escape the building through the side but they are quickly spotted.

"We gotta go, now!"

"HEY! HEY!"

"Jane, come on!" Mick senses her lagging and grabs her hand pulling her through.

Axelnis last to approach the van but he turns and begins firing over his shoulder.

"Come on, hurry!"

Jane is pulled to safety behind the van, and the others dive for cover. They each manage to squeeze behind the van, sharp pings echo out in the night as the bullets hit the side.

Axel manages to get a few shots in from the corner, and Funshine uses himself to shield Dottie and Jane as glass rains down.

"Do something, Kal! Do something!"

But she is already at work. Her mind reaches out to find each of the officers and it begins to paint a picture. Enormous beams of steel erupt from the ground and rise to the stars, higher than any skyscraper, completing separating them from the men. Convincing them of that at least. The shots cease as they stare on shock and awe, iron and steel walls rising up from nothing and they are unable to do anything but stare.

Funshine opens the van door, ensuring everyone makes it okay and they do. Kali is the last to enter, her illusion to still holding. She turns to find Jane lingering by the door, but she cannot enter.

"Jane, get in."

Something is stopping her.

"It's a damn graveyard."

"Mike!"

"IT'S A TRAP! IT'S A TRAP!"

She shakes her head no.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but I have to go back." She says, bringing tears to Kali's eyes.

"My friends... My friends are in danger."

"This isn't time for a talk. We have to go right now!" Axel orders, cutting in.

And like that the illusion was broken, the wall disappears. But Kali does not care, refusing to give up one person who understood her.

"Your mother sent you here for a reason, remember? We belong together. There's nothing for you back there. They cannot save you, Jane."

She merely shakes her head. This was not who she was.

"No,"

《•••》

El marches forward, her eyes fixed on the bullies ahead of her, where they tortured her friends. Nearly killed Mike, if she hadn't returned.

《•••》

"But I can save them."

She turns and flees down the ally, wiping away the tears that fall as her sister's call is drowned out in the returning fire.

"Jane? Jane. Jane! JANE!"

The illusion breaks and the van pulls out, the door sliding shut. The world around to her fades and the voices and presence of her friends are drowned out in her grief.

With trembling hand, Kali swipes away the drop of blood streaming from her nose and turns away. She looks out the window before anyone can see her cry. Her world breaks in two, and once again the piece of her that made her whole, is lost to her once again. Her lost sister. All she sees is the passing lights as the van weaves through the streets and her tearstained reflection in the rain spotted window, just as Jane does.

Jane now found herself on a bus once more, her head hung glumly against the glass as she dwells. A soft and friendly voice calls out to her from across the aisle, and she turns.

"You all right, sweetie?"

She finds an older woman in the seat, she wears a friendly smile as reaches a hand out to adjoining seat.

"You were looking a little forlorn there. You mind if I join you?"

She doesn't say anything but silently gestures to the open seat next to her. The woman rises and joins with a soft hum.

"You are awfully young to be traveling alone, aren't you?" She asks worriedly.

She merely looks away, knowing better not to answer questions.

The lady hums a laugh and shakes her head.

"Well, you are quite the chatterbox."

The woman continues to attempt idle chatter, hoping to gift comfort to the troubled girl.

"So where you headed?" She quirks a brow, speaks soothingly. "To your parents, I hope."

Finally, she meets her eyes.

"To my friends."

She looks ahead of her, for once in a very long while she feels a swell of hope and that familiar feeling of warmth in her chest. The warmth she has longed for all her life, and only now does she realize she had it. With her policeman. With her friends. The one place she could truly be herself, not Eleven. Not even Jane, but El.

"I'm going home."

The warmth spreads through her chest, it's set ablaze in her and it spreads throughout herself. It stretches to her fingertips, to the tips of her toes and it even sparks a warm smile that curls her lips.

And El had never been more eager to return.

||Reader's POV||

It took hours but I finally reach Mirkwood. And although my eyes have adjusted well to the night, my eyes squint to find my bike. I curse my past self for hiding it so well when my heart bursts in my chest as my foot hooks and I fall to the ground. Groaning, I turn over, untangling my foot from what I assume is root when I realize it's my bike.

I forgot I had buried in under leaves and it must have been buried further in the wind. With a grimace, I look to my hands, mud and hook cling to my palms and I quickly dust them off before rising to my feet and lifting the poor slightly rusted thing.

It gives a terrible creak but I shift the handles and it loosens up. I swipe the seat with my sleeve, discarding the excess dirt from the leather but when my eyes return to the road I realize I do not see it.

Shit.

I wandered too far and once again I curse myself for my bike's hiding spot. Shaking my head, a great sigh escaping me my eyes sweep the area. I see a dip in the hill farther along the path that eagerly I inspect. I'm met with an eerily familiar scene, and only then do I get a sense of where I am on Mirkwood. The train tracks, we passed by here last year during our search for the gate. But something is different, it's an odd sight that I do not expect to see.

My head turns, I squint down the long stretch of tracks going either way and I notice that every seven feet or so, is a pile of meat? At the very least, I know I'm heading farther southwest. I mount my bike in the ditch beside the tracks and curiously I follow knowing eventually it will lead me out of the forest and I can ride from there.

I feel great relief in my feet when I sit, but I still have to push through the terrain as I ride. Though it does not worry me, my speed picks up considerably and I am already traveling at a much greater speed. Before long, I find myself out of the woods and into a further clearing. I stop, shifting my weight to one leg as I keep myself still as I study my surroundings.

There's a great deal of fog, but eventually, I find a revealing factor about my surroundings. The hill descends and there are several dark masses along the hill poking put from the white clouds but I finally recognize where I stand. The junkyard.

I'm about to head off when I notice two figured perched on top of a familiar-looking bus. I have to squint, but sure enough, my eyes siren when I recognize a full head of bright red hair and the bandana clad mini afro.

Max and Lucas! What the hell are they doing here? And more importantly, what was that distant growl?

Before I can piece together what is going on, I realize my bike is edging down the hill. It has gained momentum by the time I regain control, but luckily I am able to turn to take cover behind an old car. Thinking fast, I jerk my handlebars to the side and lean my weight on my right and just as I had hoped my bike skids to slow on its side. Out of sight. I'm thankful I have learned from last year when I was cornered by the vans but I know I am not out of the clear yet.

My landing definitely wasn't silent, but at least I was able to muffle the sounds. I realize it doesn't matter seeing as a bunch of fog was swept away during my crash. I freeze, my ears perked for any sign of movement and I feel my blood run cold and I flinch when Lucas's fearful cries echo across the yard.

"Three o'clock! Three o'clock!"

My first thought is he saw me, but the thought quickly disappears when I hear another growl nearby.

Against my better judgment, but anxious to know if I'm anywhere near the threat, I slip out from under my bike and cautiously peek from behind the tire.

I gape as I see several dog-like figures stalking towards the very same bus we hid in, and equally as shocking I spot a figure climb out of the bus who I recognized as... Steve Harrington? He was swinging a spiked bat and he began whistling for, what again, I assumed was a beastly rabid dog. Thought deep down, some part of me knows that is not what these things are.

Without a thought, I returned to my hiding position, my breathing sporadic but I have no choice but to stay still. I freeze as I hear footsteps approach though somehow they don't sound human. They come in fours and I assume it's the dogs that are approaching.

I steady my breathing, praying that it doesn't hear me though that's even if it doesn't smell me first. But the last thing I expect comes into view.

That's impossible. It can't be.

I could swear up and down that before me was a Demogorgan.

It's on all fours and I do not know how it hasn't seen me yet. As if my luck hasn't pushed itself yet, it freezes at the sound of Steve's voice.

"Come on, buddy. Human tastes better than cat, I promise."

Wait, what?

The demogorgan turns and begins stalking back towards Steve and my eyes closed as a silent sigh rolls off my chest. Nevertheless, I know I have to help. Testing my luck once more, I peer around the corner to find several of these beast surrounding him, and that's when I hear Lucas's frightened cries.

"Steve, watch out!"

"A little busy here!" Steve snaps.

"Three o'clock! Three o'clock!"

I watch in shock as Steve drives across one of the roofs of the cars, just narrowly avoiding getting hit. He turns, and for a moment I think I might have been spotted and I panic. I try and understand why in the hell I'm hiding when I should be helping them. The answers all too clear when I find myself spiraling.

What if I can't handle it? I'm not fully prepared to take on a bunch of demogorgans yet, and what if I choke and endanger myself and others by trying to help.

No. I shake my head, scolding myself for wasting time. I was certainly not dealing with this now, and I'm already in. I have to help.

It's mostly the frightened screams that rip me from my daze and I realize that the voice on hearing is my Dustin's!

"Steve! Abort! Abort!"

"Steve run!"

"Steve hurry!"

Getting into position, I ready myself to attack. I have the advantage, that I know for sure when I see them target the bus. Steve has made it inside, but they are still fighting to get in.

That's when my heard stops.

I spot one that seems to be peering down into the roof hatch and a shrill scream echoes out from the bus and pierces the air.

Fuck, here goes nothing.

I jump to my feet before I can allow myself the time to talk myself out of it, and I sprinted for the bus. A surprisingly vigorous cry erupts from my throat and my arms are thrown up into the air. Once again, I embrace the anger and I find it is quicker to summon. The scream is enough to grab the beast's attention, buying me time and I explode. The familiar hot burst of energy explodes from my palm and the beast is sent flying, it's screech is horribly familiar but there is no time dwell.

I pant heavily as I watch it disappear out of view and I look around. Several creatures are advancing on me and quickly, I scale a nearby car gaining ground. They come for me, but I'm too quick. Everything moves in a blur, pun unintended I suppose as I deflect their attacks. They are blown back with my burst of energy and I gape as I witness my own abilities. My knees give out and I tumble on the grass, and they begin to circle.

"Y/n?"

But I definitely hear shouts come from the bus as I fight but I barely register them as the demogorgons begin to surround me.

"Stay back!" I shriek, hitting them with another blast. "Stay the hell back!"

"What the hell is going on?"

I don't last as long as I hope, and using all using strength I attempt to stay awake when I hear and a loud thump behind me and I glance back to see the bus moving with heavy footsteps.

Not allowing another second of my attention wasted, I look back to the creatures to find them staring off in the distance. I tense, ready to strike at any moment when suddenly they begin to circle me, staring me down. I meet their eyeless gaze and I turn with them assuring my back is never exposed. But much to my surprise, they dart after the bus.

I panic, my arms reaching out to hit them with another blast as I follow but I come to stop when I see them each simultaneously part around the bus. Moments pass and not a single strikes, they merely flee the junkyard and disappear into the night.

I frown after them despite the relief and I allow my legs to give out. My ones hit the dirt and I wince, mostly from my empty lungs and there I sit, fighting the dizzy spell I'm suddenly under until I hear several footsteps approach.

"Y/n! Oh, my God, what the shit!" Dustin cries.

I look up and spot him running towards me and I jump back when he slides onto the grass, and nearly knocking me over.

A million things cross my mind, and for a moment I do not know what to say. All I can do is pant for breath, and with a weak chuckle, I grin halfheartedly.

"You're... welcome."

+++

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[dylinski]

Watch Me Bleed (2/?)

Warnings: Angst, LOTS OF LANGUAGE, fluff, alcohol, drunk, slow burn

Relationships: Mitch Rapp/Reader

Word Count: 2379

Author: @dylan-obrien-fanblog

A/N: This one is kind of boring, sorry. The next one is fucking worth it though, I promise. ;)

Chapter 2

Both you and Stan sat there, passing the bottle of bourbon back and forth, waiting for Irene to arrive. About forty-five minutes had gone by when you both hear the door to the cabin slam open. Being slightly drunk, neither you nor Stan seemed too concerned. Irene came into the room, eyes scowling Stan. He looked to the woman and spread his arms out wide, “The ‘Queen B’ has arrived.” He shouts jubilantly. Irene is obviously pissed.

“Are you drunk, Stan?” She screeched at the man.

“Uh oh. Someone’s in trouble.” You sang, but your comment was not welcomed as they both shot you a look. “I’m just gonna go…” You trailed off as you pointed towards the door and started to get up.

Irene stepped towards you and pushed you back into your seat. “You. Stay.” Shit. She’s using one word sentences which was a very bad sign. You looked down to your feet as your eyes widened and you pulled your lips in. You were pretty much the toddler who got caught in this scenario. While Stan and Irene were going at it with each other, you paid no attention to their words, putting all your strength into keeping your mouth shut. You weren’t a good drunk. No filters. “Y/N!” You were caught off guard as Irene shouted your name to get your attention. You struggled to concentrate, stuck in your own little world, but you managed.

“That’s me.” You slurred your words and Irene noticed.

“You’re drunk too!? God damn it!” You shrugged your shoulders at your friend. “What the fuck happened with Rapp today?” You shrugged again, shaking your head. Your lids started feeling heavy. You’re pretty sure you looked just as drunk as you felt at this point.

“I dunno. I got there few minutes for Stan. Tell me.” The alcohol was definitely making it into your system now. Even you barely understood what you said. You expressed the confusion and Irene mirrored it.

“Great. A drunk who can’t hold her liquor and a drunk with self-control issues.” She threw her hands up and looked to the heavens as if she were asking for answers. “Stan, go lay down on the couch and sleep it off. Y/N, sleep it off in your office. I’ll come back in the morning. And the two of you better have your shit together.” With that, the angry lady stormed out. Stan had no intention of sleeping it off yet, and grabbed a second bottle. He wasn’t as nearly hammered as you were. You guess when you drink like an alcoholic every day for twenty years, you build up some tolerance. He offered you some, but you held up a hand and waved him off. You bid him goodnight and followed Irene’s instructions to sleep it off in your office.

You stubble down the steps, almost falling twice, but made your way to the office in one piece. Not even thinking to close the door behind you, you flopped onto the examination table. You had one leg hanging off the edge and your arm slung across your face. Letting out a sigh, you started to relax some. That didn’t last long. You slid off the table in a jerky motion, but catching yourself with your arms on the edge, when you were startled by a knock. You’re pretty sure a few obscenities escaped as you fell. “Jesus Christ. You scared me shitless.” You looked up to see a tall, muscular man leaning on the door frame. He was chuckling at your current state, but thanks to the liquid courage, you didn't care and smiled back. “Oh hey. It’s you.” You noticed he had a homemade sling on his right arm. It looked like it was from an old tshirt. “Aaaaawww. You listened to me.” You couldn’t help but beam at him, eyes full of appreciation. He laughed, a sound you could get used to, and started towards you. He squatted down next to you and helped you up with his left side. He smelled of lavender and woods. As he raised you, you slipped and fell into him as he caught you. Leaning against him, you looked up to his whisky eyes that were usually dark and full of pain. Your face relaxed as you examined his features, taking in his beauty. He raised you up, and you assisted, pushing off his chest and balancing on your feet. “So, um. What can I do you? FOR YOU. I meant do FOR you.” He scoffed and blushed, but it was nothing compared to the fire burning in your cheeks.

“My arm was aching. I was wondering if I could get something for the pain.” He held his arm as he spoke, as if he were protecting it.

“I have the stuffs for you.” You turned to go to the medicine cabinet and tripped on your feet. Mitch leaned in to grab you, but thankfully you caught yourself on the table in front of you. “I miiiiiiiight be a little drunk.” You said as you looked at him. He smiled a tight smile with raised eyebrows that spoke ‘I know’ as he nodded his head in agreement. “I probably shouldn’t medicine right now.” You sat down in the chair at your desk. He walked over next to you and rested his ass against the desk.

“I noticed.” You just kept smiling at him, happy that he was happy. Although he never spoke a word to you before today, you felt like you knew him better than any of the other recruits. He rested his hand on your shoulder and a calmness washed over you, almost sobering you up. You cocked your head at him in curiosity.

“Why do your eyes hurt?” You asked innocently. You realized you were still slightly intoxicated and had zero filters. “Shit.” Covering your mouth you gasped, just as surprised at your question as he was. Despite your lack of proper English, he understood what you meant and his eyes shifted back to a dark chestnut. Just like that, his smile melted away and his posture stiffened. He looked straight ahead into the empty, looking like he was worlds away. You placed your hand on his thigh and he shook his head, returning to you. “I’m sorry. That was a stupid question.”

“It’s okay. And it wasn’t. It was a good question, I’m just not ready to answer it.” You nodded, acknowledging his vulnerability in that moment, but that was all he could handle. He stood up, rustled the hair on top of your head and shot you a quick grin as he turned and left. When he was out of earshot, you groaned in embarrassment and let your head fall onto your arms on the desk. You rested your head there as you thought about the man and what could have hurt him so badly. It’s not like you were being nosy or intrusive. You genuinely wanted to know so that you could understand him and maybe even try to help him feel better. What can you say? You’re a doctor and all you want to do is fix people. Fix him.

------

You woke up around 6:30AM and felt like your head was going to explode. The migraine echoed in your skull, making the room pulsate. You got up and opened the medicine cabinet. Shit . The memories of last night played back in your mind. Starting with the drinking with Stan, then getting reamed by Irene, coming down here to crash, then Mitch and the shitshow that was. You pulled some painkillers from the cabinet and found your spare outfit in the closet. After changing, you washed your face and brushed your hair, attempting to look like you weren’t hungover. You decided to explore the grounds for the first time and fine Mitch to give him the meds.

You left the warm and cozy cabin, greeted by a brisk and cold world. The sun was still just above the horizon, giving off a low light. You went down to the barn where everyone would be having breakfast. You found a table had been erected in the center of the large open area where the men were chatting and chowing down. Mitch was on one end of the table, surrounded by the recruits who couldn’t stop talking about his victory over Victor. The latter was sitting and sulking alone on the opposite end of the table. Mitch saw you and stood up, ignoring the others and walked over to you, standing in the doorway. You noticed he wasn’t wearing the sling anymore, which made sense if you think about it. He didn’t want to show weakness or injury in front of the others, especially Victor. He may take it as an opportunity to get his revenge. You were thankful for the year you spent in the psychology department, it came in handy when assessing these guys. Most of them were pretty fucked up.

“What’s up?” He kept his voice low, as to not draw attention from the others. They were too engrossed in their own conversations to care though.

“Oh. Um. I brought you some painkillers. For your arm.” You held of the bottle, offering it to him as you mentally scolded yourself. No shit, Sherlock. Of course he knows they’re for his arm. He raised his eyebrow, but gave you a brief smile and nodded as he accepted the bottle.

“Thanks.” He shoved it in his pocket and headed back to the table before you could say anything else. Feeling insecure now, you turned and hurried back to the house. You couldn’t help but let a groan escape when you saw the large black SUV sitting outside. You sulked up the stairs to the main door and took in a deep breath before you entered. The moment the door cracked, screams and shouts escaped. If you weren’t awake before, you sure as fuck are now.

Irene was the first to notice you entered the room, “Nice of you to join us.” She said mockingly. “Have a seat.” Even though both of them were standing, the room was still spinning, so you listened and sat at the table as mom and dad continued to fight. After arguing about being drunk last night, they finally settled and sat down to discuss the whole reason for Irene’s visit. “Stan tells me that you got there before him, so you saw more of what happened.”

“Not very much. I was only there a minute or two before him. Rapp had Victor in some choke-hold position thing with his legs. His nose was already broken. That’s when Stan showed up.” You had little knowledge of combat or any type of military training, so that was the best you could describe it.

Irene immediately turned to Stan, “You didn’t tell me he broke his nose.” Stan threw his arms up and shrugged his shoulders, immune to her shots.

“Victor probably fractured Mitch’s arm and sprained his shoulder.” You added. Irene gave you a look that read, ‘Why are you talking’ . You bowed your head and allowed the adults to continue. They were arguing over if Mitch should stay or not. Irene wanted him there, claiming he was the best recruit they had seen in years. Stan wanted him gone, telling her he was a shitshow and he wasn’t here to babysit. His biggest argument was that they only had a few rules, one of them being that you don’t beat up other recruits.

“Well Victor isn’t a recruit, Stan.”

“Rapp doesn't know that.” Stan stood firm in his opinions and fought tooth and nail until Irene pulled out the bigs guns after she had finally had enough and not gained any ground with him.

“Well Stan, your opinion doesn’t matter in all of this honestly.”

“And why’s that?”

“This comes from above me. The director wants Rapp here. He agrees that Rapp is the best we’ve seen for a long time and we need him for this to work.” A look of shock fell over your face as she mentioned the director and Stan mirrored your expression. Director Stansfield was basically in charge of the entirety of the CIA. He was one of the people who created Orion, the others being Stan and Irene’s father before he died. For liability reasons, Stansfield put Irene in charge of Orion, but every once in a while he would poke his head out and check up on the program. You only knew this much because you had been a part of the program for the last five years and been friends with Irene for just as many. She had to vent to someone, and why not the doctor.

The reason she found and recruited you was for your intelligence. You graduated high school at 15 and had your PhD by the time you were 21. That’s when they snatched you up. Getting that kind of degree in such a short amount of time was impossible, but somehow you did it, and it caught the eye of the government. When it came to life skills and people, you were a bumbling idiot. Medicine is what you knew and what you loved. You were always thankful to Irene because you had terrible bedside manner and they didn’t care about that here.

Stan concede the argument with nothing more than a nod, and Irene was lucky she got that much. She stood up, saying a couple more things to Stan before she said her goodbyes and left. Stan was in no mood for company, so you left too and returned to the sanctuary of your office. You realized you smelled just as bad as you felt and wanted to take a shower, but didn't feel like driving back to your cabin. You remembered there was a building by the barn that had lockers and showers. All the recruits were training, so it would be empty this early. You raided the supplies in the house and found a generic body wash, shampoo and a towel. Grabbed your second spare outfit, making a mental note to replace both since they were the only ones, and headed down to the barn to wash away the last 16 hours.

Previous ← Main → Next

[imaginexmeintheuniverse]

All I Want

Pairing: Sirius Black x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 3, 937

A/N: this song just screamed padfoot to me~

All I want is nothing more

To hear you knocking at my door

‘Cause if I could see your face once more

I could die a happy man, I’m sure

You were happy for Sirius— that much wasn’t a lie.

You knew— or at least hoped, that his family would go easier on him since she was also a pureblood, despite them constantly treating him terribly for being a Gryffindor and a “blood traitor"— a term that was completely barbaric in your opinion. But then again your opinion doesn’t matter to people like that being a "mudblood Gryffindor” yourself. Thankfully, you’d never had the displeasure of meeting them— Sirius made bloody well sure of that.

He was a pariah amongst his very own family, but maybe they’d be more lenient now that he was one half of a pureblood-power-couple that came from prominent families. She was a Slytherin— and essentially every pureblood family’s dream, which probably would have bothered you more if it weren’t for how happy she seemed to be making your best friend.

When you said your last goodbye

I died a little bit inside

I lay in tears in bed all night

Alone without you by my side

You were also sad— your best friend had significantly less time for you. But you couldn’t tell him that; it would be selfish of you— especially since the rest of the marauders were more vocal about how they felt. You were the only one who supported him fully.

The others pointed out how he was blind because of his affections towards her; like he had been, for lack of a better word, bewitched. There were a few instances where you had caught them fighting, but those were moments you weren’t meant to see. There were also some moments where you’d be comforting or talking him down after one of those said fights.

Overall, you hadn’t really made up your mind about the girl, not allowing yourself to focus on anything but his happiness, otherwise it might be too painful.

So you brought out the best of me

A part of me I’d never seen

You took my soul and wiped it clean

Our love was made for movie screens

You were happy for him— that much was true. You were sad, that was also true, but he was happy, so you were too.

He seemed happy with her so you considered all those bad times as exceptions instead of the rule, but you were the only one, other than Sirius, in denial of the pattern.

The way he talked about her was as though she had hung the moon and all the stars in the night sky just for him. He spoke as if she discovered the wonderful part of his soul no one else had ever found, but that’s where you felt taken for granted because it’s something you always knew was there like your own secret garden.

Maybe it just took someone with more confidence and assertiveness to make him realize. She must have succeeded where you had failed.

Just when you thought you had gotten used to the new social dynamic, your best friend started changing.

They were the power couple around Hogwarts; gorgeous pure bloods from prominent families, and Sirius started shifting into the mould.

The way his features would light up every time he saw you became almost exclusively for her, the time he spent with the group felt like it was cut in half, and then slowly became less and less as time went on. During classes, the hands that would normally be preparing some sort of prank had grown still in favour of holding hers, and he no longer caught your gazes nor did you share any secret smirks from across the room.

Bit by bit, you felt like you were losing the most important person in your life.

The Sirius you knew was being wiped clean and reconstructed to fit the role in movie where he was the depiction of a picture perfect relationship.

That is until she broke his heart.

But if you loved me, why’d you leave me

When his whole world came crashing down, no matter how neglected the marauders felt of late, they were there for him and so were you.

“She left me,” he concluded simply. Over the entire recounting of the break up he hadn’t looked at any of you for more than a few seconds at a time, instead focusing on his fidgeting fingers and untouched meal that lay in front of him on the Gryffindor table. This was no doubt a valiant effort intended to keep the inevitable break down at bay. “I just don’t understand; if s-she loved me like she said she did, why did she leave?”

You looked around, making brief eye contact with each of the boys who had waited silently for Sirius to finish speaking, not wanting to interrupt him in his clearly fragile state. You didn’t know what to say, and Remus seemed to still be processing the details. That’s when your eyes connected with James’ and you knew that being the quick-on-his-feet talker that he was, he would know what to say best right now.

But before he could open his mouth, Sirius stood from the table and excused himself, “I’m not really hungry, I think I’ll turn in for the night. I’ll see you all tomorrow, yeah?”

He stood unsteadily from his seat, offering a last sad smile before walking out of the great hall with his shoulders slouched and his head low.

Take my body, take my body

“What are the lot of you doing?!” You snapped, surprising the now wide-eyed boys with your sudden outburst. “Go after him!” You slammed both hands down on the table as you stood. “Go talk t-to him- j-just please, do something—”

“Y/N,” James interjected, having noted that your voice was cracking and your eyes had welled up, tears threatening to spill over any second. He stood from his seat and made his way around to your side of the table, proceeding to lead you away with a soft grip on your elbow.

“James, I can’t see him like this- doesn’t it frustrate you too?”

“Of course I do- we all do, but—” he stopped himself, offering you an empathetic smile as he pondered whether or not this was the right time.

“But what?”

“We aren’t the ones Padfoot wants to see right now…” He looked at you expectantly, gauging to see if you understood what he was hinting at.

“I know he wants her but I don’t think that's—”

“Y/N, listen to me!” James grabbed both your shoulders as an attempt to shake some sense into you. “By we, I meant me and the boys; you need to be the one to go after him.” He looked you up and down, hoping you’d show some sign of understanding, but your face drew up a blank.

“W-Wait- I-I- I don’t understand- why would he want to see me? I don’t even have access to your roo—”

“Merlin, you can be so bloody thick sometimes,” he chuckled, running a hand through his hair. “It was always you. She was never the one for him because it’s always been you.”

“I don’t know James,” you avert your eyes to the floor, unsure about what he’s saying. “You’re his best friend- you should probably go talk to him.”

“You’re not listening to me, you need to go after him. I may be his oldest friend, but you’re even thicker than I thought if you can’t tell that he’s been in love with you since the day you stumbled into our cabin on the Hogwarts Express.”

You weighed out your options and processed what James was telling you— which is honestly a lot, but not too foreign as he’s described precisely how you've felt towards Sirius over all these years. And with the grin his mouth formed, you’re assumed he must have known how you felt. “A-All right, but he’s probably already locked himself in your room— how am I going to get up there?”

“Oh, Y/N,” James tisked, shaking his head in mock-disappointment. “You should know better than anyone that Paddy hasn’t really gone to sulk in his room…”

With that, it’s as though someone shined a Lumos-illuminated wand above your head because you knew exactly where he would be.

All I want is, all I need is

As you pushed your way through halls of students, your rushing adrenaline could do all but keep your mind from running faster than your feet.

You had referred to him as your best friend for the last six years, but James was right: he’s so much more than that. You had an instant crush upon meeting the boy with the adorably messy hair, and he soon became the object of your affection after he had defended you against a group of snobby purebloods cursing you out. He was the first one to truly make you feel like you belonged at Hogwarts, and he was the one who made it home. Between him including you in the Marauders’ mischief, and you helping him perfect charms, you hadn’t even realized how hard you had fallen for him until it was too late.

If what James said was true, then that’s all you needed.

Of course, you weren’t going to drop all this on him right away; the poor chap just got his heart shattered. But eventually he would heal, and you’d stand by him like you always have, and maybe when the time was finally right for the two of you, it would happen. You’ve already waited this long, so you could wait a little longer, and he was definitely worth the wait.

You stopped yourself before entering the top floor of the astronomy tower, watching in the slumped figure sitting by the massive armillary sphere. His back was to you as he sat with his head hung low and his legs dangling over the edge of the floor surrounding the sphere. You were so quiet that you were certain he didn’t know you were there, otherwise he probably would have greeted you with some sarcastic-self-deprecating remark to mask his hurt.

Once you had caught your breath as quietly as you could, you padded over to him and saw the slightest flinch at the creak of a floorboard. But when he turned and saw it was you, his shoulders relaxed.

Carefully minding your distance, you took a seat next to him and then he did what you hadn’t expected the reputed bad boy of Gryffindor to do: he all but threw himself into your open arms without a word and pulled you impossibly close like you were his lifeline.

Which you might as well have been.

To find somebody, I’ll find somebody

He cried silently onto your shoulder, his tears eventually soaking through your robe, but you didn’t care one bit. Wordless seconds flew by as you tried to comfort him the best you could by holding him as tight as he held you.

After some time, he sobered up and pulled back, swiping furiously at his red puffy skin to erase any visible traces of his break down. Your body felt cold as soon as he parted from you, and you feared he’d start isolating himself like he had attempted just moments earlier.

He was much too hard on himself; didn’t allow himself to be vulnerable, but around you things had always been different, and you hoped he wouldn’t shut you out now.

“She said she loved me,” he broke the silence, but turned away from you in hopes that you wouldn’t catch the fresh tears streaming down his cheeks anew.

“Hey,” you said so softly he barely heard it over the choked sob he was trying to hold back. He still wasn’t looking at you, instead trying to conceal his sniffle by covering his face. “Sirius Orion Black, look at me,” you demanded, taking his face sternly in both your hands and turning his head, but your voice remained soft as soft as your gaze. What you were met with broke your heart. The fearless boy who had grown into a strong young wizard was falling apart right in front of you.

“I-If she loved me, why’d she leave me?” He repeated the same words he had earlier, back in the great hall, and you couldn’t bring yourself to imagine how many times he must have repeated them to himself. You couldn’t bear thinking about how he must be blaming himself for her leaving— like he was the problem. He already had enough of that for more than a lifetime.

“Sirius,” you locked his eyes with yours, making sure he understood what you were saying. “She never loved you.”

To find somebody, I’ll find somebody

At first, you worried that you expressed yourself terribly, with the way his features shifted; eyebrows knit together and hard a gaze, stormy orbs piecing through you. “W-Wait, I-I didn’t mean that- wh-what I meant was that if she truly loved you, then—”

The end of your sentence was effectively cut short by Sirius crashing his lips into yours. If his arms hadn’t been immediately wound around your waist, he probably would have knocked you off the edge with the sheer force.

For him, that one sentence was all it took to make all the cloudy chaos in his head clear as day. He knew exactly what you meant by it as soon as the words left those lips of yours that felt even softer than they looked. Those were the same lips that had greeted him with a smile every day, whispered secrets into his ear, and were victim to your teeth in the most adorable way when you were concentrated. Those were the lips which he had only touched in his dreams, and now he had finally captured them with his own.

He knew what you meant because it’s everything you’ve been saying since he had the pleasure of meeting the gaze produced by those bright Y/E/C hues. You’re the one who had always made him feel loved when his own family rejected him. Your arms were his home when he felt he had none, and you had been there supporting him no matter how ridiculous he had become or how much he neglected you. The other girl sounded like a broken record in comparison to you. You had told him he was deserving of love and compassion a million times, in a million different ways. He never needed to find someone his family would approve of, or go looking for someone to tell him pretty lies because you had been there all along speaking the most beautiful truth, even if it was still hard for him to accept. And he felt like a right twat.

The way you responded to his actions was with as much vigour as he had initiated. Your arms curled around his neck, securing themselves there as your lips synched up to his. Lacing your fingers through his dark locks, you subconsciously tugged a little as you deepened the kiss and he moaned lightly against your mouth. It was more of a release moan, rather than out of lust. The kiss itself was messy, and tasted like salty tears, but was innocent.

It was an exchange between two people who had been in love for years; where one would apologize for being an ignorant fool all these years, and other would reassure forgiveness and let them know that from now on, everything will be okay.

Or at least you’d try your very best.

Like you, oh, oh, oh

The next morning had been great. You had spent most of the previous night in the tower with Sirius, and he had escorted you back to the girl’s dormitories, helping you sneak in way past curfew— but not before he had pulled you close for another long kiss. Due to your late-night adventure, you were tired from the lack of sleep, but giddy from the new developments.

You didn’t expect him to get over his breakup right away, nor did you expect him to jump into a relationship with you so quickly. You wanted to take it slow to make sure the pacing is natural— which you have already sort of failed at, but you were excited for the start of something new.

He met you in the common room before breakfast, knuckles brushing as you walked side by side to the Gryffindor table. Breakfast was spent sharing not-so-secret glances that the boys would chuckle at now and then, and he had opted eating with his inferior hand in favour of keeping his other hand on your knee— all small actions that were enough to turn you into a puddle of goo.

First, you had advanced potions with him where you were stationed next to each other and continued your subtle flirting— or as subtle as you could to avoid getting in trouble with Professor Slughorn. You’d been trying your very best to keep it low-key not only for his healing process, but also because you couldn’t shake the feeling that you were being watched.

When the class came to an end, your suspicions were proved correct.

He had pulled you into a corner where you were mostly out of sight and kissed you like it was the last time he’d ever see you again, even though he would see you after your free period in astronomy— ironically enough. You didn’t have more than a few seconds after he left you to melt against the wall before a small crowd of green-clad girls surrounded you.

You wish you could say you didn’t feel any fear, but that would be a flat out lie. You looked up to see her, and she looked colder than the last time you’d seen her.

“A little owl told me the pair of you had been getting real cozy in the astronomy tower last night,” she remarked, tilting her head to the side as she sized you up as though this was the first time she was paying you any attention despite dating your best friend for nearly a year.

“I-I’m so—”

“The Gryffin-whore acts fast doesn’t she?” A girl snorted from behind, her comment eliciting a round of snickers.

Rolling her eyes, she dismissed her posse with a wave of her hand and turned her focus back to you. “Didn’t waste any time, did you?”

“I-I’m sorry,” you finally managed to muster out. That’s another reason why you hadn’t intended on things moving so fast, but they just did. She may have had a reputation for being a cold-hearted witch amongst your friends, but refused to believe that the breakup left her completely unscathed. “I-I didn’t mean for things to move so fast I—”

“Don’t bother,” she said, crossing her robed arms over her chest. You had always envied how calm, cool, and collected she always seemed to be, and she was quite intimidating— not only because of her family name, but also because of how she carried herself; with unapologetic pride and confidence. “I saw it coming.” Her gaze pierced through you like a dagger, but you could also see slight cracks in her hard exterior. “I left him. What he does is no longer any of my concern.”

The same girl as before piped up, like she had been waiting for an opening. Her voice laced with venom, she all but hissed, “You’re just a temporary consolation prize, Gryffindor mudblood—”

“Enough,” she interrupts her friend, shooting her an austere look, before turning back to you. “If Sirius wants to replace me by a cheaper make, that’s his choice to make.”

And with that, she left silently with her group, the same way she came. She acknowledged a long time ago that perhaps you were the one for Sirius instead of her, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t allowed to go through her own grieving process. She too, had feelings, after all.

Like you, like you

You would have been lying if you said your little encounter earlier didn’t have any effect on you. Her words weren’t the ones that bothered you; you empathized with her. You were embarrassed to admit, even to yourself, that it was her snarky friend’s immature quips that got to you. She took the one thing you had spent years convincing yourself didn’t make you any less a witch than anyone else, and paired it with an adjective that had you paranoid for the rest of the day: temporary.

The feelings you had felt so confident about the night before, and were reassured to be reciprocated, were now marred with self-doubt and insecurity. The words replayed themselves in your head all day as you felt yourself become more inhibited with each iteration. Your mind became clouded with a grey that overshadowed your heart, and it definitely did not get past Sirius.

“Hey,” he greeted you with a smile, taking a seat next to you on the couch. He noticed right away that something was up.

He pressed a quick kiss to your cheek, but you didn’t even look at him, staying focused on the same line you’d been reading over and over again

“Hey, Y/N, what’s going on?” With a gentle finger, Sirius pushed on your chin so he could catch your eyes and he instantly saw that there definitely was something on your mind.

“I-It’s nothing—” You couldn’t even convince yourself as you shrugged it off.

“It’s not nothing.”

Taking both your hands, he closed up your book and set it on the side table before leading you to a private corner of the common room. It didn’t take much coaxing for him to crack you open and have you spill everything that happened.

“How can a mudblood like me ever compare?”

He was used to reassuring you, always making sure you knew that he meant what he was saying, but now, he was past reassurance. He sucked in a painful breath and ran a hand through his hair out of frustration. “I loved you before she was even a thought that crossed my mind.”

“W-What if what they said is true, though?” You could see his blood start to boil. Self-consciously rubbing your hands over the goosebumps on your arms, you tried your best not to let your voice break. “What if I’m just a temporary—”

“You’re nothing like her!” He snapped, and you flinched at the sudden change of tone. You know he does so out of love; he needed you to know how he feels and not doubt it. He took a breath to calm himself and leaned forward to give you a kiss— trying his best to transmit every emotion through it before pulling back. Hus voice was softer now as he spoke, “And you’re definitely not a rebound or temporary replacement, or whatever those nasty girls are saying.”

Placing a hand on either side of your face, he held your face and locked those bright, fiery eyes of his on yours. “You are you, and I love you. And for me—” he cut himself off, not being able to contain himself any longer. He pulled you into another searing kiss through which he tried to convey every spark you’ve ever lit in his heart over the last six years.

He pulled back, but only slightly so that you still felt his lips brush yours as he whispered, “It’s always been you.”

[evalulu]

An idea I had in my head with my favorite French duo and team!

Twitch and Rook calmly got off the helicopter, their mission being a simple clearing out of a White Mask cell.  Rook was an extremely reliable shot, and Twitch was easily able to find targets and call them out.  The villa they were clearing out was much larger than most other locations, meaning more places for terrorists to hide.  The intricate pathways down to the villa with high reaching stone walls made it easy to get close and keep herself covered, scouting with her drone with Rook stayed close by to cover her.  

The drone was able to easily scout out a good entry point, where they could hold as enemies came closer.  They moved wordlessly, breaching in and clearing each area methodically.  With Twitch’s keen eye and Rook’s precise shots, the mission was made incredibly smooth.  Not a single hitch showed as they operated, moving slowly and carefully.  Twitch's drone always scouted ahead of them, meaning there were no surprises.  

She felt somewhat guilty for the bombers exploding when they engaged with them, destroying parts of the floor and beautifully decorated walls.  The collateral hardly tended to be their issue directly, but that didn't mean she liked to cause unnecessary destruction.  

“There's still a bomber somewhere, be careful.”

Rook nodded, taking the lead as they started to hear heavy breathing.  It was close by, but they couldn’t tell from where.  

“Cover me, I’m going to search for him.”  

Rook nodded as Twitch’s drone started moving again, heading down the stairs to scout the area out.  He heard the metallic sound before he saw it, knowing immediately what it was.  

“Flash!”

He didn’t hesitate to put himself between Twitch and the flashbang, shielding her from the initial blast.  His ears still rung, looking around for any potential threats.  The blue light briefly showed in the nearest doorway before it suddenly turned red.  He didn’t have time to speak before the bomber exploded, breaking the floorboards and sending them crashing to the basement below.  He groaned when he hit the ground, forcing himself to his feet.  Even with the ringing of his ears from the flashbang and explosion, he heard movement that wasn’t his own.  

Shots sped around him, dwindling as he took down each source.  A bullet tore through the back of his leg, making him cry out in pain and quickly turn to shoot the White Mask responsible.  Where was Emma?  It wasn’t at all like her to not have her teammate’s backs.  His eyes widened when he noticed her on the ground, unmoving.  

No, God no!

He ignored the pain in his desperation, adrenaline making his heart racing.  Twitch didn’t tend to wear the helmets the other members of GIGN did, especially not now with the discreet mask she opted to wear and her hair tied up.  The mask allowed him to see the cut across her forehead, skin quickly becoming discolored.  He gently turned her over to her back, checking her pulse.  Just unconscious.  He looked up at the hole in the floor, only able to assume her forehead collided with the stone below them.  Concussion, or worse.  

He gently picked her up, ignoring the agonizing pain in his leg.  They couldn't stay in the open.  It was far too risky, and Rook couldn't defend Twitch from all angles.  The corner wall as at least better, he could watch the hallway and listen for threats coming up behind them.  The adrenaline was starting to wear off and the pain started to set in, making his body ache and his leg hurt.  This was a bad situation for them both, but even with the pain he couldn’t relax.  He could still respond to the things around them, and he wasn’t going to lose Twitch today.  

He was quick to call for backup, leaning back against the wall with Twitch leaning on him, nestled in the corner.  The enormous kegs of beer at least helped hide them, but there was still the trail of blood.  Help needs to come quickly.  

Montagne was one of the first to volunteer to go, wasting no time in preparing.  Everyone in Rainbow was part of his team, but the other members of the GIGN were especially close to him.  When he heard that Twitch and Rook were in need of backup, he felt the terrible coiling of fear around his neck.  They were both incredibly capable operators, and them needing backup was a bad sign.  There was no denying to himself that they were like family to him.  

He wasn’t alone in the sentiment, with how determined both Doc and Lion were to come along despite their issues with each other.  They had the remarkable ability to put differences aside until after crises or situations, and this time was no different.  Ash and Thermite were coming along too, providing their breaching expertise if the situation warranted it alongside their leadership.  

The helicopter ride was quiet, tension filling the air between them.  Normally, Lion despised sitting in silence with Doc.  There was always a judging glare focused on him, trying to force him to relive and rethink his choices in Africa.  His morals weren’t flawed.  Yet, the narrowed stare he typically received tried to make him feel like they were.  This time was different.  He didn’t feel the same glare on him, and looking up confirmed it.  Doc was meticulously checking his supplies and medical equipment, again and again and again.  Unnecessarily so, but Lion understood.  Doc couldn’t stand the thought of anything going wrong with the tools he might need to save their lives.  

Montagne was perfectly still, looking over his shield.  Lion didn’t know all of the stories behind each dent and scratch, but he was sure Montagne remembered them well.  A career dedicated to the protection of others, and Lion could only imagine the kind of thoughts racing through the older man’s head.  

Lion’s attention was drawn away by the metallic tapping, turning to see Thermite knocking on the door of the cabin.  

“We’re about to land, don’t want you guys too busy thinking to notice.”

Montagne turned the shield around to face the exterior outwards, nodding once. 

“Merci, mon ami.”

“Montagne, take point.  Thermite and Doc will be behind you.  Lion and I will be handling your flank, I’ll give a signal on when to activate a drone scan.  Understood?”  

Ash didn’t hesitate to cut in, eager to get the mission underway.  

“Crystal clear, ‘Liza.  Let’s go.”  

Thermite slid the helicopter door open, letting Montagne and Doc get out first.  Lion and Ash were not far behind, staying in a lower walkway while the other three went up to the second storey of the Villa.  The outer walkways let them stay above Ash and Lion, covering the hills they couldn’t see.

“We’re gonna be moving up here, get ready to roll in.”  

Thermite patted Montagne’s shoulder, signalling that this was the time to breach into the building.  The shield easily burst through the wooden barricades at the same time that Ash and Lion breached into the ground floor.  The Villa was colossal, with several floors and many different rooms to check.  The first rooms they moved through were decorated beautifully, but the pristine state was a clear sign that they weren’t close to their target.  

“Lion, start a scan.”

He nodded at Ash’s command.  

“Drone starting a scan.”  

The countdown ticked, signalling the time until the deep rumbling would show any trying to sneak around.  He couldn’t help praying that he saw familiar silhouettes, marked by a bun of hair or bulky padding.  Please be okay.  

Rook felt the rumbling that only belonged to one drone he had ever known.  Lion being here meant that Rainbow was here, too.  It had to mean that.  Lion was not a person who went against protocol and orders.  He forced himself to stand, well aware of the deep gashes in his leg.  He had stopped the bleeding as much as he could, but the makeshift bandages still became more stained with red as he waited.  

By the time he got to his feet, the scan was over.  He had no way of knowing if Lion saw him or not.  The movement he heard wasn’t from friendlies, he knew, hearing the voices he didn’t recognize.  If they caught him unprepared, both he and Twitch would be as good as dead.  He didn’t have the time or space to be afraid, and simply had to wait.  

The distant blast caught his attention.  Very few things were that loud, and he had heard Ash’s breaching rounds enough to recognize them.  Her presence was a small relief with her tendency to move quickly, but the last thing he wanted was to be surprised and mistake her for a hostile target.  Every sound had him on alert; he couldn’t wait too long to confirm a hostile without causing more risks.  

He took a quick glance to Twitch behind him, laying with her back against one keg and facing the other.  She was still unconscious, but nothing else seemed to be seriously wrong.  Her chest was rising and falling steadily.  Footsteps made him snap to attention, focusing on the doorway with his rifle raised.  He could hear quiet gunfire- a suppressor?  Yet his focus couldn’t waver.  Movement in the doorway should’ve made him react without hesitation, yet he didn’t pull the trigger.   The shield was far too familiar.  

Words failed him, letting his rifle lower with a sigh of relief.  He watched Lion and Doc rush by towards him.  When Doc starts checking him over, he shakes his head.  

“Check Emma first.  Please.”  

He leaned against the keg, giving Doc as much space as he could manage to examine Twitch.  Lion was quick to Rook’s side, helping him step out of the cramped space.  

“We have extract waiting, and we’ll be back to base in no time.  Feelin’ okay there, man?”

Rook nodded to Thermite.  

“Yeah, I’m okay.  I’ll be okay.”

Lion looked around, ensuring they weren’t being watched.  He adjusted his grip on Rook, lifting the younger operator over his shoulders despite the quiet whine of protest.

“Let’s move, before more hostiles close in on us.”  

Montagne nodded, extending his shield to cover Lion and Doc as they carried the younger operators carefully.  Ash and Thermite gladly led the way, making sure to take out any threats that tried to cross their path.  It didn’t take them long to reach the helicopter and fly out, most threats dealt with by the time they arrived.  Lion set Rook down carefully on the bench, giving Doc the chance to fully inspect it.  

“How is- How’s Emma?”

Rook was still concerned for her safety, looking up to the seat across from him where Montagne held her in his arms.  Doc spoke up and took Rook’s attention.

“Emmanuelle will be alright.  I promise.”

Rook nodded, knowing that Doc wouldn’t lie to him.  The gentle touch against his leg made him flinch.  

“I know it hurts, Julien.  These injuries are deep, and you shouldn’t be walking on them.”

“Gustave, I had to, I-”

“Calm yourself, mon ami.  I know.  I am not blaming you.”

Rook fell quiet, letting his head rest back against the cabin.  He let his eyes close, largely dozing off under Doc’s care with the assurance that everything would be okay.

[ur-mom-kayn]

Loyalty Chapter 8: The Good Bye

Zed Pov

In the last few weeks, Zed took a detailed look at the league system. It was really what Shen had described. He did not like the idea that he had to confine himself to 4 attacks. The actual damage is scaled by the league. He would be weaker in principle than in real life. That pissed him off a bit, but what applies for him was also the same for Shen and his friends. The system tries to create fair conditions for all. Should be right with him. He would still take them all down. In that sense, his summoner had something on it.

Zed had not only focused on the league but also increased his private hours with Kayn. The boy's words hurt him a lot, but in the end, he was right. His desire to kill Shen was greater than giving up money and staying with his disciples. It was not right for him to let Kayn down. That's why he also tried to devote every free minute to him. He gave so much for him that the topic 'league' did not stand between them. They made good use of their time, so Kayn was able to develop his own strong 'Umbral Trespass' technique. He jumped into the body of another and injured him from the inside out. Zed used to pretend to be a training partner, but only on the condition that he let the part hurting him. There were other victims for that.

Over time, Kayn was 15 years old and a bit bigger. He certainly trusted him to be able to lead the Order, but he did not want to untangle that burden all by himself. He also lacked the certain maturity and the leadership qualities. A few of his other men would be far more suitable for this job. But how was he supposed to let Kayn know he was not mature enough? His arrogance exceeded a new level each time. Criticism just bounced off him like a sign. Insight was a foreign word for him. That could still be cheerful.

At dinner, Zed finally decided to tell his men about joining the league. That would be the final blow in Kayn's face. He hated himself for hurting the boy, but he knew it was best for everyone involved. As usual, everyone sat in their seats and waited for Zed's release. But this time he would give a speech before. When everyone had something under their nose, Zed stood up and asked for attention. "I'm sorry, but the food has to wait. I want to announce something important to you. Maybe one or the other has already seen something of the league of legends on his missions. This is a place where the best fighters from all over Runeterra compete against each other in teams. After many considerations, I have decided to join as a representative of the Order of Shadow. My accession will bring us a lot of prestige and, above all, a lot of money. Unfortunately, the catch of the whole thing will be that I will not be there for a long time. During my absence, therefore, I will leave the leadership over the order of my elite. I trust you. Please take care of my students." Especially on Kayn., The latter he kept better for himself, but his men understood him even without words.

Most of his students sought eye contact with Kayn, but he just dodged. At least Zed's decision surprised him. He had apparently been mentally prepared for it already. At least that's how he looked. His face showed no signs of emotion. After Zed's speech could finally be eaten. Of course, there was only one topic at the table - the league and the future of the Order. "Ehm Master, how should we actually divide your tasks among us?" Satoshi asked in the round. Zed immediately pulled his mask down behind the cabin to answer his question. He preferred to speak with an echoing voice.

"You can make that out among you. I do not care who does what. As long as you can agree with you. Lead the Order as if it makes no difference if I'm there or not." "Okay, and what will Kayn play for a role? Is not he something like your right hand?" Did the boy really have to kick his ass so much? Kayn had not even spoken the whole evening. It was strange when the jester of the table did not speak a word. He really did not want to transfer it. "Kayn will do what he thinks is right. Cooperate with him and involve him in important decisions. He can best represent my opinion. Yet issues related to finance are better left to the elders of you." Hopefully, Kayn did not feel overly aggrieved, but his math and accountability skills were not up to scratch.

"Good, I understand, Master. And you Kayn? You are so quiet all evening. Do not you have anything to say?" Immediately you heard the clink of a falling spoon. Kayn looked a little tense. His body was almost convulsive. "I ... I've already added my mustard to this topic some time ago. Master Zed knows my opinion and I have nothing left to add ... Master? May I leave the table prematurely for once?" Though he tried to stay cool, Zed recognized the storm that was raging in his eyes. Without thinking much about it, he allowed him to leave the table. Still, Kayn's passive-aggressive stance hurt him. His men were also completely silent after Kayn left the dining room.

When dinner was over, Zed first went to Kayn's room. He was very worried about him. Maybe the future responsibility might be too big for him. Or maybe he just mourned for his master. No matter what it was, it had to be quickly removed from the world. Zed certainly did not intend to leave him in this mode. He could not shake the feeling that something was still left unsaid between them. And that very thought drove him crazy.

Arrived in front of his room, he carefully knocked on the massive wood. "Kayn, may I come in?" "Yes Master," he answered as always. Being allowed to enter the question was relatively unnecessary with them. Nevertheless, they always asked each other for safety's sake. Zed pushed the door aside and entered. Behind him, he closed the door again. In the room, he found Kayn cuddled in his bed. Involuntarily, he just stared at the wall, as if he had been lying there for minutes and thinking. Zed felt miserable because he knew he was responsible. If only Shen had not told him about the league.

Carefully he moved to the bed and lay down on the other side. Then he took off the annoying mask and put it on the bedside table. Kayn still did not move. How should he do that? "Hey Kayn, are you alright? Forget it. Stupid question. Is there anything I can do for you so that parting will not be so hard for you?" "Yes. Do not go.", He answered immediately. Zed already expected an answer in the direction. "Okay, and now seriously. You know very well that you can not change my mind. Say ... Are you mad at me or something? "

Finally, Kayn turned around and looked into Zed's face. His eyes were relatively expressionless and meaningless. Where was the lively child, please? "Okay. So you're mad at me. I've understood." "No. You did not understand anything. I can not be mad at you Master. Not even angry or disappointed. It is your life. You can do whatever you want. I was selfish that I wanted to have you all to myself. And I did not even waste a second on that if you want the same thing. Apparently not, but it's okay with me. Nobody wants to be tied to a child at the age of 25. I can do it. I can grow up on my own. Please do not worry about me."

"And how I make myself some. You are and will remain my son. Of course, I want to take care of you. Please do not think anything wrong about me. However, I have to say that your words sounded very mature. I think you are already grown up. What I do not understand is why you sound so emotionless? Even to your comrades. Why?" Kayn shrugged his shoulders and then approached his master. Before answering, he put his head down on Zed's chest. "It's so easier for me. If I turn off my feelings, then I can not grieve for you. I'm sorry. I try to behave again." Zed believed that such an impulsive person as Kayn would never be able to switch off his feelings. But then he had been wrong about the boy again. He understood his motivations. He also preferred to switch off his feelings in such situations. But it felt wrong this time. Kayn could not just be forgotten.

"Are you trying to avoid pain?" Zed asked after a slightly longer conversation break. Kayn clenched his fingers in Zed's shirt. Slowly his mask seemed to crumble. "I ... eh ... Master, I can not do that. I do not want pain. I'm so happy by your side. What do I do when you are no longer there? Who will scold me if I go to bed late, or forget to brush my teeth? Who will make me learn for the 'school'? Where is my motivation? You can not control me from such a great distance and commands from another mouth, I'm interested in a shit. What should I do?" Zed was the least concerned about such things. It was absurd things for which a father was responsible. Kayn was not worried about his training, just annoying stuff.

"Are you serious?! Please do not be ridiculous. I expect you to be disciplined around the clock. It does not matter if I watch you or not. If you're crapping on such things, make sure that you are at least plagued by a guilty conscience. Remember, I would be disappointed with you if you do not behave yourself. That's all I can do for you. Just keep my strictly eyes in mind." Kayn smiled a little. Finally a sign of emotion. "What's so funny?" "'Strictly.", The boy mocked the term. "You've never really got me hooked." "Because you're normally a very obedient boy. Wait, until you do shit. Then your ass will go down on you " "It will never come to that" Kayn answered as arrogantly as ever. He should not be too sure. Everybody makes mistakes and it was only a matter of time until the perfect Kayn finally builds shit. Of course, Zed wished that it never came to that, but he knew that day would come.

...

The next morning came too fast. Zed spent his last evening with Kayn. He somehow owed him that. Nevertheless, the farewell was not easy. Minutes passed in which Kayn just held his master around his waist and buried his face in his chest. In the long run, it was a bit uncomfortable for the older one, because his whole order was gathered around him. But pushing him away was not possible either. Everyone knew that they had a special relationship with each other, but how far they went was supposed to be hidden. "Kayn ... do you want to let go?" "One more minute please, Master." Zed sighed but let it go.

As promised, Kayn let go after another minute. "Thanks, master. Please take care of yourself and please make us proud. Everyone in this world should be frightened by the name 'Order of Shadow'." "I'll see to that, boy. And you make sure that we live up to our reputation." "Yes, Master! ", All his students answered in unison. Now it was really time to say goodbye. Zed waved to everyone again until he finally turned around and finally disappeared.

...

After a much too long boat trip and a ride through the Ironspike Trail, Zed finally arrived at the Institute of War. A huge castle waited for him. From the outside, everything was decorated magnificently and decorated to the smallest detail. At the entrance, employees were already waiting for his arrival. "Master Zed, may I take you to your quarters?" A man in a long robe asked him. He had not much left but to follow the man. The 'quarters' were divided into their regions. For outcasts and others, there was an extra department. Zed, on the other hand, was a door-to-door neighbor with Shen and co. He counted as a complete Ionian and he was glad about that, only he would have liked to have more distance to Shen.

Each room has a name on the door. Passing by, Zed recognized his brother's room. From there he always counted. To his disappointment, his room was only 2 doors away. Between Shen and Zed lived only knowing the hamster. Arriving at his room, he got his key from the employee. Zed did not hesitate any longer and opened the door. He showed a large spacious room with a large bathroom. But otherwise, nothing spectacular was available. Actually, he would have expected something more. Before Zed could complain, the man behind him spoke up. "Since we do not know your taste, we have for the time being only the most necessary furnished. At your bedside table, you will find a catalog of furniture and decorative items. Just let us know and we will set up your room to your liking."Zed liked that earlier. His room was far too bright. Black curtains were more appropriate than white ones. The birds could have come to that, too. As if the Master of Shadow would like the light.

"What about the kitchen and the rest?" "Of course we have a communal kitchen where everyone can cook their favorite dishes or they can be cooked to order. In addition, we have various lounges with various activities. Occasionally parties are thrown so the champions get to know each other better ... " "Enough. I understood. Can I be alone now?" "Of course. Please be in the gap in 3 hours so that our team can detect your attacks. In addition, in 5 hours, a photo session and ... " "Can you just not write down the shit for me? I do not feel like memorizing everything." "Yeah ... " The man quickly reached for a pen and paper and wrote down his appointments for Zed. Then he quickly searched the distance and left Zed alone.

He threw himself in his small single bed and leafed through the catalog. Here, new furniture had to be produced as quickly as possible. Shit if he had to build everything himself, this bald cave definitely needed a new coat of paint. As he went through the catalog and tagged his favorites, there was a knock at his door. "What's up?" He practically yelled at the door. "May I come in, brother?" It's just not the idiot. Zed was already in a bad mood about the move anyway. Shen did not promote his mood. "Do something you can not do." Shen opened the door and entered the room. Zed did not care about his guest. He did not care about him in principle.

As if nothing had happened between them, Shen simply threw himself on his back at the end of the bed. "Shall we let the masquerade be, Zed?" Without replying, Zed took off his mask. He really did not need to hide from Kayn and Shen. One took him as he was and the other was responsible for his appearance. Shen did not get away with it either. His face was decorated with slight scars. Nevertheless, the suggestion came from him and he also took off his mask. It was a very strange situation. You do not usually lie down in the bed of the man who murdered your father, but Shen seemed to be in great control. He had to. The contract clearly stated that you can not kill champions outside the divide. He hopes he did not give him any reason to break this rule.

"What are you doing here Shen? And why?" "I was a little surprised to find you here. Did not think that you want to settle for the many rules here. Most of all, I thought you wanted to take care of your 'son." The boy was only here to put him on the bag. Kayn was a very critical topic that he was reluctant to talk about. Even if he could talk about him for hours. "Kayn is mature enough. He does not need me anymore." " Although I have to admit that he is incredibly strong. Be honest, he can use the forbidden technique, right?" "No technique is forbidden brother. But yes. You're right. He is incredibly strong. He will one day become a great assassin."

Shen straightened to a seated position and smiled at Zed. "You have changed Zed. Apart from that, you are very out of balance. Your compassion for others has risen sharply." "Oh shut up Shen. I am exactly the same cold bastard as before. Kayn is an exception. He deserves my attention. You have no idea what's in it. I will not make the same mistake as Kusho. I will recognize and promote his talent. If necessary, I will also give him some paternal love. I prefer falling out of my role as being tipped off the back. "

"Maybe you are right, brother. And I believe that Kayn is dangerous. Just tell me, what makes him so special? You must have had a reason to teach him the forbidden technique." "Sure, I even had several. The boy is incredibly well in control. I could definitely trust him with the training. But that was not what fascinated me from the beginning. Kayn is able to lead any weapon at the highest level. He controls every fighting position and depending on the situation, he can adapt accordingly very quickly. "

"Hm ... I should not underestimate him when he's old enough to fight me. Anyway, I'm leaving now. Was nice with you. If you need someone to chat, or if you have general questions, I'm only two doors away from you." "Tch. Certainly.", He spat mockingly at him in farewell. Zed had no interest in improving his relationship with Shen. He was here to kill him every day over and over again. Nice chats were rather counterproductive.

[overlordofthelollipopguild]

Finding Home - Chapter 2

So I know I should be working on BSMH but the next chapter is so freaking frustrating. The scenes are necessary but I’m just like not inspired by them. So I’m working on this today. Tomorrow is another day to work on another fic....or BSMH, whichever the muse wants.

This fic is also on fanfic for those that want to review or follow it in case y’all miss these posts. 

But yeah, let me know what y’all think about this one. 

Link to Chapter 1: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12482617/1/Finding-Home

Link to Chapter 2: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12482617/2/Finding-Home

Chapter 2: Running

Despite seeing animal traps and navigating the steep terrain for a few hours now, there was no sign of life that they could discern other than the twittering of unseen birds.

"This isn't working." Regina huffed. She was most certainly not wearing the proper attire for a trek through the woods. Her heels kept digging into the soft ground and her blazer was making her sweat. "We shouldn't be scouting and taking our time. We need to find Henry now."

Snow sighed, having heard one variation or another of the same statement since they entered the forest. "Regina, please don't start with this." Again.

Regina glared at her. "You know, I could just leave you here to fend for yourself. I could use my magic and get Henry and then take him home."

"Then why don't you?" Snow snapped, exasperated. "Emma and Hook aren't here to stop you. It's just little old me, and frankly, I've done fine on my own before, I can do it again."

"Fine." Regina said.

"Whatever Regina." Snow shook her head. The princess walked away, despite Hook's earlier warning as they left the ship to not traverse the island alone and to always stick together.

Regina put her hand on her hips and huffed again.

If Snow could take care of herself, then there was no reason for her to stay. She could use her magic, find Henry, get back to the ship, and leave this dreadful place.

Still, it was growing dark, and Hook had warned them not to be alone, and especially at night when the Lost Ones would be about.

"Dammit." Regina cursed. She followed Snow, slightly running to catch up.

This was going to be a long journey.

Hook had been wary of starting a fire and alerting anything lurking in the jungle of their presence, but it was dark and cold, and he wasn't keen to let Emma or himself freeze to death.

Neverland wasn't exactly a forgiving landscape, and it's weather often reflected that.

They were in a small clearing, covered by plenty of foliage. Hopefully that would be enough cover to hide the light from their fire.

Emma was warming herself by the fire when Hook broke through the clearing.

He had gone off in search of food, and from the looks of it, he was successful. He had an armful of red, baseball sized fruit. Sitting by the fire, he handed Emma a few of the fruits.

"These are safe to eat." He told her. "A bit on the sweet side, but good."

Emma eyed the fruit, but she trusted Hook's judgement.

He wouldn't give her anything that would kill her.

She bit into the fruit and bit back the moan that threatened to burst out. After having not eaten much today, the fruit was more than amazing. It was a bit sweet, just as Hook warned, but it was also succulent and had a tang to it that reminded her of oranges.

Hook chuckled. He'd obviously been gaging her reaction.

"Shut up." She smirked at him. She finished two of the fruits rather quickly and she was surprised to find that they were quite filling.

Hook passed her his water pouch. She took a few sips.

It was an amicable silence, and it surprised her when she realized just how comfortable she was with him. It felt like they were two friends camping rather than reluctant allies braving a deadly island in search for her son.

But who was the reluctant one? A voice in her head taunted her.

"You know, we could always talk to pass the time." Hook told her, breaking the silence. There was a sly quirk to his lips.

Feeling a bit defensive, not wanting to reveal herself, Emma scoffed. "Yeah, I'm sure talking is all you want from me." She meant it as a joke, but his face dropped instantly.

There was a deep sadness in his eyes. "I am more than a flirt you know."

With his words, Emma felt her heart ache with guilt. She hadn't meant to hurt him; she just didn't want to be vulnerable again. "I'm sorry, Hook. I just…look, this whole situation is just too surreal for me. I grew up believing that you were fiction, and here I am having dinner with you in freaking Neverland of all places."

Hook shrugged. "I suppose it is from your perspective."

Emma wondered about his own perspective. He had tried to hide it, but Emma could tell that this island set him on edge. Her gut instinct told her that it was more than just the dangers the island presented. "What about you? What's it like being back here after all this time?"

Hook paused, his blue eyes focusing on the flames before him. "It's not a place I ever wanted to return to."

"Then why did you?" Emma asked.

He met her eyes and she could see the vulnerability and uncertainty in them.

"I felt that I owed Baelfire." He finally said. "And, you."

"Why would you owe either of us?" Her words were quiet, and her eyes couldn't break away from his.

"I knew Bae when he was a lad." Hook confessed. "I broke his trust and betrayed him. I couldn't just leave his son to die too."

"And me?"

At those words, he broke eye contact. "You know, my name isn't actually Hook."

It was an obvious change of subject, and Emma felt disappointed that she wouldn't get her answers. "I know. It's Killian Jones."

He was surprised that she even remembered that. "Aye. You can call me Killian, if you'd like."

She wondered why he would prefer that, and she was tempted to ask. Instead she said his name. "Killian." It rolled easily off of her tongue, and Emma found that she liked calling him that over Hook. It made him feel more like a real person instead of the story that she knew as a kid. "Killian." She repeated.

Killian's lips curved into a soft smile. "Nice name, innit?"

"It is." Emma said honestly.

That surprised him again.

Emma chuckled; she liked keeping him on his toes. "All right Killian, you wanted to talk, what about?"

"Anything really." Killian shrugged. "What do you want to talk about?"

Emma had a feeling that they needed to stay away from the more personal topics that would open wounds that neither of them were ready for, but then she realized that she really didn't know much about him other than the fact that he understood her, that he lost Milah and his hand, and that until today, he was on a quest for vengeance. She was curious about his past, and she still wanted to know why he thought he owed her, but she didn't feel like heavy talk tonight. it would lead to a conversation Emma was sure that neither of them were quite ready for, and Emma really didn't want to shred apart the tentative friendship that he seemed so keen on having with her.

"Tell me about an adventure you had." Emma suggested. "Maybe how you became a pirate?"

His eyes lit up at the question.

Emma was relieved that this wasn't a touchy subject for him.

Killian leaned back against a tree. "Well, becoming a pirate was quite an endeavor. I was about…fifteen I think. Aye, that's about right. I had been working in a port as a fisherman. I had been on my own…" He paused his eyes taking on a haunted quality, before he shook his head. "Anyway, the docks were rather uneventful until the day a pirate ship docked. I was warned by my fellow fishermen to stay away from pirates, but I couldn't help my curiosity. I watched the crew. Their captain was dressed in all black, and even his face remained covered by a black mask. I thought that that was odd. Who wears a bloody mask?"

Something about the pirate Killian described seemed familiar to Emma. A masked pirate in all black attire? Where had she heard that before?

"When the captain and the crew left their ship for a night on shore in the taverns, I snuck aboard the ship." Killian continued. "I wondered what their lives were like. If they really pillaged and plundered and had treasure. I had always loved the sea, and I wanted to spend my days on it, just without the constant smell of fish clinging to my skin."

He certainly never smelled of fish as far as Emma could tell.

No, he smelled of the sea he lived on and the leather he wore and some kind of exotic scent that he must've picked up on during his travels.

Emma hated that she was glad he didn't smell like fish. She hated the smell of fish, but she shouldn't be glad that the pirate smelled so enticingly good.

"I was young, I wanted adventure." Killian said. "Who doesn't at that age? I went below deck to do some exploring. I thought I'd have hours until the crew returned. Alas, I wasn't alone and I was knocked out from behind."

Emma bit the inside of her cheek to keep from gasping out of concern. Obviously things had turned out all right, since Killian was alive and well in front of her, but he was so good at telling a story that she was enraptured.

"I woke up later with a throbbing head and the masked captain at my bedside, well his bedside. I was apparently brought to his own cabin. He didn't look pleased." Killian chuckled at the memory. "He asked what I was doing aboard his ship and I made a smart remark about hitting defenseless children. The captain countered with the fact that defenseless children make the best guise for master thieves. I conceded his point. I was a thief by technicality. But he didn't know that. And in all honesty, when I first boarded the ship I had no intention of stealing."

"And after you boarded?" Emma asked amused. She couldn't help it, she wanted to know more.

Killian gave her a sly look. "Well, I was an orphan not a saint." His amused expression died quickly though upon realizing that he had revealed a personal truth that earlier he'd so keenly avoided. And just like that the atmosphere changed into an awkward, vulnerable silence. He wasn't sure whether or not to continue on with the story.

It was then that Emma understood him a little better. His words on the beanstalk weren't just a reference to his time in Neverland. He knew what it was like to be alone, unloved, and unwanted. Not only that, but his words confirmed to Emma that her abandoning him on the beanstalk had indeed affected him more than he let on, and that's what pushed him to go back to Cora's side.

It was odd to see him looking so vulnerable.

Emma leaned closer to him and smiled. "So tell me, what did this fearsome pirate captain do to our dear St. Killian when he denied his thievery?"

Killian gave her a grateful look, before continuing on. "Well, I never said I denied thievery. I simply agreed with the captain's assessment that the guise of innocence was merely the best tool for deception."

Emma laughed a little at that; she tried to ignore the fact that his expression looked as though she had given him an early Christmas present.

"The captain," Killian continued, "gave me a choice, walk the plank or become the knave. A servant boy. Well, I valued my life even back then. So I chose the lesser of two evils. Besides, becoming a knave meant that I was going to be living on the ship. A life at sea, like I wanted." He looked wistful, before continuing. "The captain didn't make my life easy, and he didn't let the crew allow me any slack. For five years the captain made me clean up after them and cook for them. But he was also kinder than most thought. He taught me how to sail, taught me everything about ships, about how to be a captain. He taught me sword fighting. And oh, was he a master with a blade. Formidable really. He allowed me to read his books as well, allowed me to accompany him when we docked. It was a great life, and cleaning and cooking as I learned early on, was my way of contributing to the crew. As I got older, I was allowed more formal duties as a shipmate, and I was less a servant. When I reached twenty, the captain asked me to talk with him, privately. We sat in his cabin, a bottle of rum between us, and he asked me if I would like to know the story of how he became a pirate, of why he wore his mask. Of course, I wanted to know. I had been asking him such for years and he simply said, "Someday Killian, I may tell you, but not this day." Now, I was finally going to get answers. So he told me, his story, of how he had once been on a quest for revenge."

Emma felt another tinge of familiarity. A quest for revenge? Just who was this pirate that Killian spoke of with regard?

"My captain had been journeying with two men." Killian said. "A clever man and a giant. The clever man devised a plan to kidnap a princess, or well a princess to be, and my captain and the giant were to help him. They were successful, but a man, a pirate in all black attire with a mask, was following them. I asked my captain if he'd stolen the man's costume or something. The captain laughed and told me to let him finish the story, and then I would know."

Realization hit Emma like lightning. She knew what story this was. The Princess Bride had been her favorite movie growing up, and a favorite book when she had gotten ahold of it as an adult. She wondered if the captain that Killian spoke of was indeed Inigo Montoya.

"So my captain told me of how he was tasked with disposing of the masked man." Killian told her. "They had a fierce duel, in which both learned that they were both quite the swordsmen, and my captain lost. However, the masked man spared his life."

"Wait, hold on a minute." Emma interrupted. She couldn't contain herself any longer. She had to know the truth now, even though she tried to remain skeptical. Her inner little girl was practically stealing with delight anyway "Your captain, was he the Dread Pirate Roberts? And was his real name Inigo Montoya?"

Killian's brows shot up in surprise. "How did you know that?"

Emma's inner little girl squared even louder. The Princess Bride had been real! Her favorite fairytale did exist! "In my world, it's a story. The Princess Bride. Westley and Buttercup fell in love, he left and supposedly died, years later she was set to marry an evil prince, the Dread Pirate Roberts foiled her kidnapping and revealed that he was Westley, then the evil prince tried to have him killed, but Westley, Inigo, and Fezzik saved Buttercup, and Westley and Buttercup lived happily ever after."

"That's essentially the story that Inigo told me, yes." Killian was amused at Emma's obvious excitement.

Emma blushed with embarrassment. "It was my favorite story." She admitted, trying to brush it off.

Killian filed that information away for future reference. "Aye. My captain told me that story and how he was not the first Dread Pirate Roberts, and he hoped that he wouldn't be the last. Inigo told me that he thought his time to retire was soon upon him. He wanted to pass the mantle to me."

Emma's jaw dropped. "No way! You were given the chance to be the Dread Pirate Roberts?"

"I was." Killian nodded, trying not to grin at her disbelief. "And I was truly grateful for the offer, but I couldn't take it. I told him, I loved being a part of his crew and being a pirate, but I wanted to make my own legend, by my own name. I wanted something that was mine, and mine alone."

A fierce wave of empathy took ahold of her. How often had she wished for the same in her life? A home that was just hers. A family that was just hers. Things that were just hers. Her baby blanket was a coveted treasure for that reason, and it was why, after all these years and having enough money to buy a newer used car, that she hadn't sold the bug. After prison, it was the first home that she had, despite the fact that it held painful memories for her. Despite the fact that she had wished that she had never seen the bug in the first place.

It wasn't until she met Henry in Boston that she was grateful for stealing the bug.

Still, wanting things that were just hers and no one else's wasn't something she'd ever gotten over. It was a need that no orphan could ever quell. Even now, with her son and her parents, and a whole town full of people depending on her, Emma still felt like the orphan left on the side of the road.

"So I left the crew with Inigo's blessings." Killian was wrapping up his story now. "I got me own ship and me own crew. And as it stands," Killian's tone and expression grew dark, "I did become a legend, I became Captain Hook, the villain."

It was a heavy note to end on and the silence that grew between them reflected that.

After a long while, Killian spoke again. "Why was this story your favorite? Westley and Buttercup's story, I mean."

Emma shrugged. "A lost princess and a dashing pirate battling overwhelming odds in a strange land. It was the perfect fairytale."

"Aye," Killian's look turned serious. "A lost princess and a dashing pirate battling overwhelming odds in a strange land. Truly something that only happens in fairytales."

The implication wasn't lost on Emma, who felt her walls begin slamming themselves back into place. This was very dangerous territory. This was Captain Hook, a ruthless, cunning, charming, and intelligent pirate. A man who had thirsted for revenge for centuries and had only looked out for himself. Normally, Emma could handle that facade of his, but she couldn't handle the man behind the mask. She couldn't handle Killian Jones, the orphan and the man. The one that so easily connected to Emma and her past. The man that could read her like an open book. He was too real.

Emma scooted away from him.

Killian tried to hide the hurt in his eyes, turning his focus on the fire.

She was running. It's what she did best. Besides, they were here for Henry. He was her priority. There was no room for a relationship right now. If she even wanted a relationship with Killian. "We should get some sleep."

He nodded. "I'll take first watch."

Emma didn't argue. She sorted out the pallet that they had made earlier and draped her jacket over her as a blanket. Sleep was slow to claim her as her thoughts kept going back to the man not even three feet away from her, but eventually, she drifted off, dreams of the sea and a certain pirate dancing around in her head.

So far, the journey up Crocodile Creek, through the mountain, resulted in nothing.

It was day two of their search, and Rumple and Charming were returning to the boat after having stopped to search the land. They had been trekking through the southeastern part of the mountain, but there was no sign of life except for a few crocodiles and birds.

Thanks to Rumple's magic, their boat was protected from attack, and Rumple's powers had kept the crocodiles off of them. For now.

There were two on the shore near the boat, and David swore that they were giving him and Rumple the stink eye.

David sighed as they got back in the boat.

There was still no sign of Henry, and David was worried. He didn't like to think of his grandson being alone with those people for too long. They needed to find a trail, or something. Once they did, they could track them.

They hadn't encountered any Lost Ones yet either.

David wondered if Pan and the Lost Ones even knew if they had company yet, or not. David hoped that they were unaware of his family and allies presence on the island. It would give them a measure of surprise that could be needed whenever they found Henry.

It was time to continue on and keep up the search.

"So," David began as the boat moved along the surface of the water. "How do you think the others are fairing?" It hadn't been easy to make conversation amongst themselves. Outside of figuring out their search plan, Rumple and David didn't have much to say. They hadn't exactly been friendly before. The only thing they had in common was a grandson that they shared. Still, they were working together for now, and it wouldn't hurt to try and be polite to each other.

"I expect about the same." Rumple surprised David by answering without sarcasm.

"Do you think Henry's safe?" David asked. "I know he's not safe, but do you think they've hurt him?"

"I can't say." Rumple said. "When I met Pan, he was cocky and arrogant, but there was evil in his eyes. That much I can tell you."

"What could he even want with Henry?"

"That is a very good question." Rumple said. "Why indeed? The boy's never shown signs of magic, has he?"

David shook his head. "No. Emma's the only one in the family with magic."

Rumple hummed noncommittally.

As usual silence fell between them.

David looked ahead of them, and saw that there was water splashing along the bank. "What do you think that is?"

"I don't know." Rumple's eyes narrowed at the sight.

Red hair flashed above the water before a woman became visible. She seemed to be struggling with something, and David couldn't tell if she was drowning or not.

Then she was pulled under and a scaly tail splashed through the water.

A mermaid was drowning the woman.

"We have to help her." David insisted. "Can you make this boat go faster?"

"Personally, I'd rather not risk my life for a stranger." Rumple said. "Let the mermaid have her."

David gave the Dark One a fierce glare before jumping out of the boat. He swan towards the struggle, and managed to grab ahold of the redhead. He pulled her away, but the dark haired mermaid saw him and lunged. She grabbed at his ankle and pulled and David found himself underwater.

Rumple rolled his eyes. It was tempting to let the fool drown, but Rumple really didn't want to get the blame for the prince's death once his family found out. Using his magic, Rumple blasted the mermaid away from David and the stranger.

The wounded mermaid fled.

David found his way to the surface, helped by the redheaded woman.

"Heroes and their savior complexes." Rumple muttered. He used magic to push the boat to where David was floating. He helped David back into the boat.

David turned to help the redhead, but she made no move to take his hand. "It's okay," David reassured. "We're not going to hurt you."

Rumple noticed exactly what David missed. "I'd be more worried about her hurting us."

The girl's eyes widened. "You!" She exclaimed. She launched herself at Rumple, but David grabbed her around the middle. A very scaly middle.

David looked down to see that this woman was definitely not just a woman.

"You're a mermaid?" David asked. "Then why was the other one trying to hurt you?"

"Let me go." She told David. She glared at Rumple, "You bastard. I could kill you."

"Whoa, hold on." David held her tighter. "What did you do to her?" He asked Rumple.

Rumple shrugged.

The redheaded mermaid struggled harder, but David was a siren and a dragon slayer. He could handle a mermaid, even as the boat rocked unsteadily.

"Hey, calm down." He finally told her.

The mermaid glared at him, "Would you calm down when your face to face with the man who ruined your life?"

"Considering he has messed with my life for years, then yes." David remained calm, hoping to calm her too. After all, it was true. Rumple had created the curse and he had mentored both Cora and Regina, and he made sure that the curse would work and that a savior would be born to break the curse, all in order to find his son.

"Well then, aren't you a saint." The mermaid growled.

Rumple snickered.

The mermaid wasn't far from the truth.

"Listen, please," David implored. "My grandson, Henry, he's lost on this island. I need Rumplestiltskin's help to find him. I know this is hard, but I am begging you, whatever was in your past in regards to him, please let it go. My grandson's life may depend on it."

The mermaid calmed considerably and David let her go. "Your grandson?" She asked. "Looks about ten, red striped scarf, blue coat. Accompanied by a bitch and a dimwit?"

"You've seen them?" David asked. Finally, they had a lead.

"Maybe." She said. She wasn't being coy. Her expression was dead serious.

"Something you want in return, dearie?" Rumple asked. He knew desperation when he saw it. He was in the business of desperate souls after all.

David glanced at him, before looking back at the mermaid. "If you help us, I'll make sure that whatever it is you want, you'll get it."

"I wouldn't be so keen to make deals, if I were you dearie." Rumple warned.

"That's funny coming from you." David said dryly. He turned to the mermaid, "What do you want?"

"I want to go home." The mermaid said.

"Isn't this your home?" David asked.

"No." The mermaid disagreed. "You asked why that mermaid was trying to hurt me? It's because I'm not a Neverland mermaid. I'm from the Enchanted Forest."

"How did you end up here?" David asked.

"How does anyone lose their happy ending?" The mermaid asked. "The Evil Queen's curse. I was human and living happily with my true love, and then the curse struck and I found myself here, amongst mermaid kind once more."

David didn't know what to say to that, and he definitely didn't know whether telling this mermaid that the Evil Queen was in Neverland was a good idea.

"You help me get home." The mermaid began, "You help me reunite with my Eric, and I will help you find your grandson."

David sighed. "I don't know if I can get you back to the Enchanted Forest. We were all cursed to a land without magic, and we were stuck there. But your Eric, maybe he's there too, maybe he was cursed with us."

"Do you think so?" The mermaid asked.

"Honestly, I don't know." David told her. "But it's a step closer to home than staying in this place."

The mermaid considered him. If it was one step closer to Eric… "I'll help you." She told them. "Swear to me that when you leave I can come with you, and I will help you."

"I swear it." David stated.

Rumple sighed. "Wonderful. Just what we needed, a fish tailing us."

The mermaid and David glared.

"Not helping." David sighed.

Rumple ignored him.

"I'm David by the way." David introduced himself.

"Ariel." The mermaid smiled. "My name is Ariel."

Emma and Killian hardly spoke all day except when they agreed to stop for a rest or food.

Emma hated how awkward things felt between them. It had been easy to talk last night, but then she got scared and ran.

Now Killian was…not avoiding her exactly, but he wasn't trying to start conversations, seeming content to just let silence fall between them.

For once, Emma regretted running away, but she was scared. She wasn't ready to fall in love again. Though since Neal's return to her life, she often wondered if what she and Neal had was really love. She had been a naive teenager who had never known love and he was way too old at the time. He manipulated her, and she should've known better than to get involved with him.

On some level, maybe it had been love, but a desperate kind of puppy love. Emma didn't know if it was ever a deep love. She'd been too young to know for sure.

All that she did know for sure was that she loved Henry, and that he was the only good thing that came from her relationship from Neal. She'd gotten nothing else out of it but the bug, trust issues, and a broken heart. A heart she feared ever giving to anyone again.

Which brought her thoughts back to Killian, and her shutting him out.

Emma sighed.

"Careful, love." Killian said. "You need to remain alert in Neverland."

"I'm alert." Emma lied.

Killian turned back to her, an eyebrow arched at her. "I can practically hear the cogs in your head turning. What are you thinking about, Swan?"

Emma rolled her eyes. "Nothing. I'll be alert, I promise." She made to move past him but he stopped her.

He met her eyes. "Henry will be all right."

His words surprised her, and she immediately felt guilty for thinking about her love life instead of worrying about Henry. What kind of mother was she? A horrible one, apparently. Was he all right? What if Greg and Tamara had hurt him? How could she be so selfish to focus on Killian when Henry was possibly hurt or worse?

Henry was her priority. Nothing else mattered.

It was time to close off her heart.

She lifted her chin and met Killian's eyes with a hard stare. "I know. We'll get him back."

He watched the resolve in her eyes, but even worse, he saw those walls. She was shutting him out. Killian sighed, wishing that Emma could trust him, but he understood why she wouldn't. He was just a pirate after all. He didn't matter to her. He didn't matter to anyone. Killian turned around and continued to forge through the jungle.

Emma tried to ignore the hurt that she saw in his eyes; even more, she tried to ignore the feeling of self-hatred at the fact that she had hurt him.

She had to focus on Henry.

Regina and Snow sat by their fire in silence. Snow had found a couple of rabbits and proceeded to kill them, skin them, and cook them.

While Regina was disgusted that the princess had these skills, the rabbits were food and she was starving, and well, she hated to admit it, but she was impressed with Snow's skills.

"Where'd you learn to hunt?" Regina asked. It came out a bit ruder than intended.

Mary Margaret glanced at her, curious as to why Regina would want to make conversation, but she answered anyway. "When I was a fugitive, I lived in the woods mostly. I had to learn how to survive, so I did."

Silence fell between them again.

Snow had so much to say, but she wasn't sure where to begin.

Regina picked at her rabbit.

"Why didn't you just kill me?" Snow asked, before she could stop herself.

"What?" Regina was startled by the question.

Well, since she asked it now, and couldn't take it back, Snow pressed on. "Why didn't you just kill me? You blamed me for Cora murdering Daniel. Instead of just killing me, you played nice. You cozied up to me and my father. You killed him, and then you usurped me. You made me run and you made my life hell. You murdered hundreds in your quest for revenge. Then you cursed us all. It was all senseless wasn't it? If you had just killed me, you would've gotten revenge, and so many people would still be alive."

Regina rolled her eyes. "You ruined my life. I wanted to ruin yours. Killing you would've been too easy."

Snow stared at Regina for a long while, trying to process what Regina was saying. She closed her eyes, willing herself to keep her anger in check. "I am not going to keep apologizing for a mistake that I made when I was a child. I was a little girl, and all I wanted was to have a mother again. I thought that you would be my mother, and I needed that. I let my mother die and the guilt nearly killed me, but then you came along and I hoped that you would be the person I could redeem myself with." Snow sighed. Those were words she had been holding on to for so long. Now they were tumbling out, and she didn't want to stop it. "I still feel so guilty for what happened to Daniel. And I do feel guilty for Cora. But I am not sorry for what I did to her. She killed my mother, she tried to trick me into using the candle to save my mother, but I couldn't. I couldn't save my own mother because I knew that she wouldn't want me to sacrifice someone else's life for her life. I knew that if she had found out, she would have never forgiven me."

Regina was taken aback. She knew what Cora had done to Eva, but she never knew that it was Snow White who could've saved them all the heartbreak. Thinking that, Regina's anger flared, and she wanted to snap at Snow, but the other woman didn't notice and continued with her confession.

"Cora just did so many horrible things." Snow said. "She killed my mother and Daniel, she manipulated the both of us, she killed so many other innocent people, she tried to hurt my family, and I just couldn't take it anymore. After warring with you for so long, you wore me down and when Cora returned I didn't have the spirit to fight her. Then, she tried to become the Dark One and I could not let that happen. Not just for my family's sake, but for all of the innocent people who would suffer her wrath. So I did what I did, and I have to live with that for the rest of my life." Tears covered her flushed cheeks, and she had to choke back a sob in order to continue talking. "And...and I know that I am a terrible person for it, but all I wanted was for my family, for everyone, to be safe. Is that so terrible? I wanted Emma and Henry to be safe from her. It was selfish, but I've had my family torn apart again and again. I was not going to let it happen again. Now it has, now Henry's life is on the line, so for his sake, can we please just let the past go and stop fighting, please?"

Snow's confession had Regina at a loss for words. She hadn't realized that Snow had carried all of that with her all these years. Regina felt a pang of regret in her heart that surprised her. She had been holding on to her anger for so long, it was all that she ended up having in the end, it had totally consumed her. But now…no. No, Snow ruined her life. Regina scoffed. "You think that after all of these years, that I would fall for that sob story?" Regina watched the hurt in Snow's eyes, but ignored it. "I don't care that you are sorry or guilty. You ruined my life, and that is something that I can never forgive. Please, you should've been stronger, you should've saved your mother when you could have. It would've saved everyone all of this heartbreak."

Snow couldn't believe what Regina was saying, but really, she should've known better.

Regina turned away and went to her sleeping pallet. She turned her back on Snow White, facing the darkness of the woods around them.

Taking deep, shaky breaths, Snow moved over to her own pallet and cried silently until she fell asleep.

Henry was exhausted. He'd been running from Greg and Tamara all day, hiding when he could, but he hadn't had much a chance to get sleep or food.

He needed help to keep eluding them.

It was too dark to keep traveling, but Henry needed to find a place that was safe to hide and sleep in. Henry's eyes drooped.

He was so tired. He shook himself when he realized that he was dozing off. Looking around, he noticed a thick brush. There weren't any thorns that he could see, and he could probably squeeze under the branches.

It was noisy as he bellied crawled backwards into the brush. It took quite some minutes to get settled and hidden.

He could barely see through the branches, so it was unlikely he'd be found, even if the sun was out. Using his scarf as a pillow, Henry was drifting off when he heard voices.

"I swear I heard something over here." Greg's voice reached Henry's ears.

The boy's eyes went wide, and he desperately tried to keep his breathing quiet.

"There's nothing here." Tamara snapped.

"Which way do you think we should go?" Greg asked.

"Do I look like I have a compass?" Tamara said.

"Whatever. Let's go this way." It seemed that both of them had had enough of each other.

An ominous wind blew.

A chill trickled along Henry's spine.

The wind picked up.

Henry could still hear Greg and Tamara walking close by.

Something was about to happen.

"What the hell?" Tamara shouted.

Greg screamed and Henry heard a thump.

Gun shots rang out, probably from Tamara's gun, and then she screamed too. Henry heard another thump, and something else clattering to the ground.

It became eerily quiet.

Something was still there though.

Henry could feel it.

He didn't move, he kept his breathing quiet, and he waited.

Please, please, Henry thought, please, let my family find me. Let my moms find me. Please, I just want to go home.

[petra-gampre]

An Awaited Reunion.

((Continued from here!))

”I envy your sister,

I truly hate to share,

But share you I must,

Now go look in my chair.” 

Then another crack of magic was heard….

Again, the very second Petra’s skin came in contact with the paper, another crack sounded, this one emanating from the living room. Upon her entry, she would be greeted with the warm sight of a lit candle sitting atop the small table serving as their dining table, one that certainly hadn’t been there when she’d entered. Beside it, in the chair Veth often sat in to write out the music in his head or the ideas for future projects was yet another note, this one face down. Drawn on the back was a crude drawing of two stick figures holding hands, one donning flowing robes of pale blue and the other dressed in simple clothes and holding what appeared to be a firecracker.

Petra blinked stupidly a few times as she read this one over and over, and then shook her head as if to clear the cob-webs. “Oh, Veth,” she breathed with a slight bit of sadness. She had never wanted to upset him or make him envious, but Susan had needed her. She knew Veth truly understood, but it didn’t lessen the blow any. She lifted her gaze upward toward where his chair would be. Her breathing picked up and she quite literally sprinted toward it, stopping dead the moment the lit candle came into her view. She whirled around again, looking about. Who the hell….? By now, Petra was catching on and with those slow movements, she made her way toward the next parchment… lips sucking inward into her mouth as she stifled a laugh at the drawing. Then she burst out laughing, unable to hold it back any further, and beamed with a radiant smile. Admiring his art work for a moment, she then quickly unfolded it, reading the next note.

I missed you so much, 

Your absence haunts me, 

No longer can I wait, 

Now count down from three.

And guess what... Petra blinked again. And again. "Count down from... Okay?" She looked around, whirling around a few times then.... shrugged. "Three....." She paused, brow lofting and a smile beginning to form on her lips. "Two..... one..."

As if she had spoken a magical incantation, the world around her began to melt away. At first, it was merely blurred, like she was inside of a bubble looking out to the distorted world beyond. Then that distortion thickened, and a hum began, low and melodic, which grew to a roar of magic and illusion. Soon, their home was entirely warped, and regardless of which direction she looked, she could only see a faint blue glow and nothing beyond it. Then, with a blinding flash of light and the feeling of a hook in her navel, she was forcibly removed from their home and relocated... somewhere. 

The blue glow slowly receded, bringing the world back into focus in its absence. Petra found herself in the midst of a sea of green. Before her lie a river of grass that cut through the peaks of two hills, and as far off in the distance as she could possibly see, that river continued, taking an upward turn and climbing the mountainside before her. To her left and to her right was much of the same, an overwhelming presence of vibrantly green plant life, with the grey surface of stone outcroppings surrounding it. It was a beautiful sight, breathtaking, especially considering the unexpected nature of her arrival. But upon immediate inspection, the reasoning for her presence in this location in particular was yet to be determined.

However, should she turn around, she would be greeted with the sight of Veth dressed in nice, black dress pants and a button-down shirt of white linen. No grease stains defaced the surface of his clothing, no oil marred his hands. His clothes were immaculate, his hair slicked back, and his hands firmly clutching a bouquet of flowers of pastel coloring. Beside him sat a table for two, which looked horribly out of place amidst nature as far as the eye could see. In the quickly declining daylight, the candle resting on the table’s surface shone brighter and brighter with every passing moment, and served to highlight the flowers resting in Veth’s hands. 

As if he had been expecting her, and she was just on time, Veth stood calm and still, his eyes glued to her and a smile etched into his face. With his stillness, he had a statuesque air about him, but that facade broke the moment his feet began their movement, taking calculated steps toward her.

The moment she’d gotten to one and the cabin began to blur, Petra felt that tell-tale sign of teleportation and she almost thought to shriek in surprise, instead clapping her hands firmly over her mouth and letting it happen. With all that had transpired, she was startled at first, wondering if she’d fallen into a trap, but something told her otherwise. She felt it deep within her that something was planned, and it was a good something. 

When her feet touched along the green, rolling grass, both arms came out to catch her balance from the unexpected teleport and she wobbled a moment, standing there still and unmoving. Barefeet curled into the grass, a hum of bliss escaping her at the feeling. But something else caught her attention… 

The feeling of Veth nearby. Immediately she whirled and her eyes locked to his, a slow, brilliant grin making its way along her features. It was as if she’d not seen him in forever despite it only being two days. Her gaze flicked over the entirety of his body. Top to bottom and looking quite… pleased with what she said. Perhaps even more than pleased. He was so handsome. Her eyes eventually landed on the flowers and then his face, locking there. As he took calculated steps toward her, she squealed in a jovial attitude and sprinted forward, arms outstretched. 

When she got close enough, Petra would all but toss her smaller form at him, hoping he’d catch her and not knock to the ground and dirty his lovely attire.

Those slow and calculated steps that brought Veth closer to Petra ceased as she sprinted at him. Bracing himself for impact, he still nearly toppled to the ground as she barreled into him with such uncontained excitement. It took everything in him to not fall to the ground, but he managed, and with arms outstretched he welcomed her into his arms, doing his best to keep the flowers out of the crossfire. With her form firmly in his grasp, he felt at home, even in the middle of a foreign land surrounded by nothing but open sky and grassland, he was home. 

With a deep inhale of her scent, he pulled away to regard her, awe in his eyes and thoughts all but silenced. For several seconds he did nothing but look at her, but drink in the sight of her before him and lose his every conscious thought in the depth of her eyes. Eventually, however, he found himself again, and with a stupid grin of forgetfulness, he thrust the flowers outward in an offer to her. The flowers seemed entirely unimportant now. While in her absence they had seemed like a good idea, he realized now that she needed little more than his presence, and he hers. But why ruin a perfectly good gift? 

Never before had two days felt like such an eternity, but with Petra’s intermittent absence mixed with the ideas brewing in Veth’s mind, those two days were excruciating. He had half a mind to somehow, some way ask her to come home early, but he was patient, and he made sure once, twice, three times that everything was in place and all of the enchantments utilized in his surprise went off without a hitch. 

Now, finally, those preparations were worth it.

@musingsofamute and @susan-gampre for mentions.

[twdmusicboxmystery]

TD Details: They’re Everywhere!

Good morning! (It’s Friday! Yea!!!) This is one of those posts with lots of little tidbits people have sent me that aren’t big enough to warrant a theory all their own, but still definitely worth mentioning! Hope some of these give you the TD tingles (they did for me). ;D

@anthonycuc_ (IG) sent some info about the TWD Monopoly Game. In the game (and also the comic books) the hospital is called Harrison Memorial Hospital. That’s obviously different from the show. Even so, the name “Harrison” has a very interesting meaning. Urban Dictionary comes up with this as a character definition:

“A fighting Messiah whose capabilities and ultra-human strength exceed those of any being, human or non-human in nature.” (Think walker.) “Harrison’s true identity and age is unknown though he takes on the form of a teenage male with blond hair. He spends the majority of his time…winning at everything. After voluntarily offering himself for medical research, it is discovered that…he is capable of regenerating after attaining wounds.” (There’s more; I just included the relevant bits.)

We can’t know if this was what they were going for, especially as the name was changed for show. But that’s probably because they wanted to use the same hospital filmed behind Rick in 2x01 to connect things in the show. The point is, the description of “Harrison” sounds like it could have been a template for Beth’s arc. And, I would argue in some cases, Daryl’s. (The super-human powers and always winning bits.) Very interesting. Thanks @anthonycuc_

@nahel.mzg (IG) told me that in French, Jadis means “a long time ago.” So another interesting take on Jadis’s name that might be pointing us back to events in the show that happened long ago.

@julspad (IG) pointed out that in 7x10, Jadis staged a walker fight between the Winslow walker and Rick. It was reminiscent of the one at Woodbury: humans vs. walkers in an enclosed arena, plenty of bystanders, etc. And that’s interesting because it would mean ties to the Governor, Andrea, and Merle.

@missa_alyssa (IG) pointed out the strong resemblance between Dr. Edwards and the Dr. Carson Negan killed. Obviously they’re both doctors, both kinda bald with similar head shapes, coloring, hair, etc. And there are the lollipops, which I picked up on, but the physical similarities didn’t occur to me. Interesting!

@paolo_pedini (IG) sent me this pic from @twdtruefacts. Actually a very profound insight. I like it!

@twdeaddicted (IG) pointed out that in 4x12 Daryl says, “You don’t get it. Everyone we know is dead!” Beth said, “I get it now,” just before being shot. 

@twdeaddicted thinks she probably meant she understood what Daryl meant about the horrors of the real world after being exposed to Dawn’s personality. Very interesting! I’d never connected those two lines before. I also wonder if it fulfilled what Daryl said about everyone he knows being dead. Obviously, whether Beth returns or not, that’s not true. But you could argue that Beth was the only one who really KNEW Daryl. Therefore, when she was gone, everyone he “knew” was dead.

@danielverdooren (IG) pointed out that when Abe was introduced, a walker’s head is brutally smashed and we also see Abe smash several walker heads in, in S4. Shows that whether or not the actors knew, Gimple probably knew clear back in S4 that Abraham would die by Negan’s hand.

When Sam knocks on Carol’s door in 5x14, he uses the same 7-note rhythm that Negan uses here. (X) All I can say about that is that they’ve been pointing us toward S7 ever since Coda aired. Something epic must be going to happen this season. ;D

@the-ashes points out that when Beth continues Zack’s guessing game in Still about what Daryl did before the apocalypse, she guesses motorcycle mechanic, right? That was a foreshadow of him becoming a motorcycle mechanic at Alexandria. Once again, Beth’s dialogue foreshadowing HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE FULFILLED!!!

Also from @the-ashes, some reminders of Clear: 1. Eugene turned. This is really interesting given Eugene’s arc this season. Does it mean he’ll turn into a walker? Or that he’ll betray TF in some way? This is why I wondered if he might die at the end of this season. I’m much less convinced of that now, but this literal writing on the wall must mean something. 2. “Sick after blood cover” I never knew this but (Comic Book Spoiler) in the CBs, Dwight dips an arrow in walker blood and uses it to make Rick sick. This could be a reference to that. Something to keep an eye out for simply because Dwight has become such an important character this season. On Morgan’s walls, right near these two phrases, is the one: 3) “It doesn’t matter how many days, how much time,” which of course we want to apply to Beth’s return. ;D. Also near this is the now-infamous 4) “No kias on bef,” and right above that, the word 5) “memory.” Hmm…  (More on Morgan’s walls: X, X, X)

Several people including @wdway​ and @doeroseq​ and @katkhaos sent me information about Christian symbolism around pretzels. This includes the fact that the twist of a pretzel represents arms being crossed in prayer. The three holes represent the Holy Trinity (plus rule of 3s for Beth). Pretzels were often eaten for Lent, from Ash Wednesday until Easter. They may have also been the basis for Easter Egg hunts as some cultures hid pretzels around the yard once upon a time.

Which leads to the inevitable discussion about Easter. Easter isn’t until about two weeks after the TWD finale airs this year. But obviously the most fitting date for Beth’s return would be Easter, as that’s the quintessential resurrection date for Christ. So the closest episode for that would be the finale. And let’s not forget that last Easter, Michael Cudlitz tweeted that one way or the other, someone would be coming back from the dead at Easter time. Just saying.

Also, from @wdway​: During Rick’s death fake out in 7x12, an ER sign sits right behind Michonne. We saw something similar via the Morse Code board in 7x04 when Michonne got her gun out of the fireplace. I’m not going to go into why that’s super-interesting to me, but a friend of mine has recently come up with an awesome find/theory that might tie into this. Keep on eye on Michonne! 

(And yes I get that the “ER” is part of th eword “SUPER” on the carnival ride, but tptb purposely left out the “R” as if to emphasize the “ER.”)

@bluesandbeth sent me this pic. 

Yet another 8 around Richonne (on the side of the Ferris wheel seat) in this episode. We talked about what they could mean. As far as I’m concerned, they could only mean one of 2 things. Either they point toward S8 (most likely) or they’re pointing us back toward Beth, who had lots of 8s around her in 5a, which pointed toward Coda. Either way, we keep seeing 8s around Beth symbolism. There’s all the parallels this past episode between Bethyl and Richonne. We also saw it around Heath right before he got Beth’s final line and then disappeared without a trace. Just like Beth.

@bluesandbeth also pointed out this symbol, which we’ve seen more than once. The military officers (walkers) are wearing the flags on their uniforms backwards. That’s a real thing and shows that the soldier is going into battle. 

The idea is that the soldier is moving forward (into battle) and the flag would be flying behind him. So this is a sign of a coming battle. Not saying it’s a TD thing. We know the All Out War story line is on its way (in S8, which would correspond with all the 8s) which means it’s more likely this would correspond to all of TF. The fact that Richonne are in these scenes shows they’ll probably lead the war (which we all probably figured anyway). But I feel compelled to point out that the green army tents and equipment first appeared in 4x01 (along with the Bethyl hug) and were conspicuously present in Coda, and around Heath right before he disappeared. To me, that suggests that Beth will be a part of the All Out War story line.

Oh, there’s also a flag draped over the railing in the cabin picture in 5x09. Look:

That’s really interesting to me. We’ve all been waiting 2+ years to see the scenes Emily filmed at that little cabin. Perhaps this shows that we won’t see them until the war story line? Also, when the flag is upside down like that, it general represents that someone (i.e. the country) is in trouble or doomed. In this episode, Tyreese is doomed, so it works well here.

Oh, you know all the suspicious Grady-actor tweets we’ve seen lately? You know what, let’s review them:

1. Jarod Thompson had to go to the hospital (in real life) and for some random and unexplained reason, included a Grady picture. (X, X)

2. Teri Wyble (who played Shepherd) recently did an interview saying that she thought the people at Grady are alive and well, albeit low on supplies. (X) Why say that if the story line is over?

3. And it seems every few months we get a new suspicious tweet from Erik Jensen (Dr. Edwards). So here’s a new one to add to the collection: The wonderful @booklverlife (IG) actually tweeted Erik Jensen on Feb 13, just a few weeks ago, and got a reply. Check it out:

Again, why do this if the story line is over? I’ve never believed they’re just trolling TD. Why do that? There’s no benefit to them. Even if one of them just decided to be a jerk, all of them? Really? There are too many of them now. No idea what the France reference is about. Might just be misdirection, or maybe something we don’t understand yet. But he certainly didn’t reply that they weren’t coming back or say, “Sorry. Wish I was.” Nope. As always, ambiguous and mysterious.

Finally, these are just some extra things I’ve been thinking about:

Remember in this last episode when Michonne randomly started shooting milk jugs from the milk jug carnival game? I knew that had to mean something. I just didn’t know what. 

So I looked it up:

 "Milk is a powerful symbol within most cultural traditions. It is the fluid of eternal life, fertility, abundance; it is the food of the gods, the first human diet, it flows freely in the “promised land of Canaan” Milk symbolizes the MOTHER, it is deeply connected with life itself.“ (Source) It can also be a symbol of fertility or conflict. (Source)

All of these things go well with Michonne and the show right now. I feel like there was an Adam and Eve/Alone In Our Own World theme around Richonne in this episode. The fertility thing is especially interesting given the whole honeymoon theme. Milk is a symbol we see in the bible. The promised land is often said to be flowing with milk and honey. So not necessarily a TD thing, but interesting.

Okay, finally, in our FB group, we’ve been talking a lot these past few weeks about the fact that episode 8x01 will be episode 100 for the show. It’s been conjectured that, given the 100 theme we’ve seen since S4, episode 100 COULD be the one where Beth comes back.

I think that’s possible, but it will suck if they make us wait all summer again. Honestly, though, I still think it’s more likely that we’ll see her in 7x16 as the cliffhanger (as many have predicted).

Two reasons I think that:

1) It will give everyone something to talk about over the summer. As with who Negan’s victim was, everyone would talk and conjecture all summer about how Beth lived, what she’d been through, etc. Now, we’ve seen them go both ways on this. The S4 and S6 finales were major cliffhangers that made everyone talk all summer. Then again, the S5 finale was kinda boring and non-cliffhangery, so it’s possible that they’ll do that too.

2) Let’s look at how the 100 theme was used in S4. In episode 4x04, Daryl stares at that green jasper like his soul is tied to it *coughs Beth* and in the background, Michonne, Ty, and Bob talk about how they’re going to use Highway 100 to get back to the prison. 

So I’m thinking 100 is the route back to TF.

So it makes sense to me that we’d see Beth in 7x16 and then 8x01 (episode 100) could be the one that has all the flashbacks of her story line we’ve been waiting for and shows what she went through to make it back to TF.

Thoughts?

Thanx SOOO much to everyone who contributed! My followers are bonafide geniuses! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💖💖💖

[sexysemefish]

(If you are still accepting prompts) Percy persuades Nico to go with him to his college classes for a day. Nico, who hasn't gone to school is years, is serious about getting to know what college is like but Percy (Who is bored with his classes but couldn't skip) actually brought him along so that he would have someone to talk to/kiss/cuddle.

Sorry for the wait! I’ve been a little busy. I took the main point and it ended up a little long. There’s more under the cut. I don’t think it shows a keep reading on mobile since it’s an ask, but here it is.

If Percy was being completely honest with himself, he shouldhave paid more attention to Nico.

He invited Nico to one of his classes. It was reachingtowards the end of the semester which meant review and presentations in all ofhis classes. He barely hung on, spending excessive time in the library and facetiming Annabeth because if anyone knew mathematics and literary stuff, it washer. It also meant having less time talking to Nico but there was alwayssomething nice when Nico waited for him at one of the park benches on campus,tossing bread to the squirrels.

So with his classes winding down and wanting to spend moretime with his boyfriend (who he didn’t see as often as he would like) heinvited Nico into the class with him. Nico was hesitant, actually hesitantwhich led to a small fight about Nico being nervous about sneaking into a class(“Youspied on Kronos!” “That was different!”“Itwas worse!”). But Nico won out after he personally asked his professor ifa friend could sit in during the session.

It was his psychology 101 class, a General Ed class he had put offuntil his fifth semester in college. Not wise, but it was interesting stuff.Lectures he could deal with, especially when the lectures held most of theknowledge then the overly priced textbooks. It was a large auditorium, studentsfilling up seats but it was mostly empty. Kid’s never made it to the end of the term,mysteriously killed off while some kids he had never seen before popped up atthe end, thinking it would save their sorry grades.

His first clue should have been the way Nico had taken in everythingwith wide eyes.

They sat in the back, not too far back where Percy couldn’tsee the front board (which was still hard because dyslexia was hard to workpast with how fast the professor skipped through the slides). Nico restedbeside him, watching Percy bring out his notebook with messy scrawled notes.His eyebrows furrowed, attempting to put the messy words together. Percysmiled, raising a finger to press it against the furrow, smirking when Nicoscowled at him, batting the hand away.

He pressed his shoulder up against Nico, content to spendthe time annoying him and probably sneak in a few kisses if he could. Nico wasn’ttoo hot on PDA and Percy didn’t push him too much on it. He couldusually tell when Nico was truly upset with it or was reaching his limit ofusual handling-Percy’s-shit. So far they hadn’teven touched the tip of the iceberg. So he tossed one arm around Nico, held himclose and scribbled notes whenever he could.

His second clue should have been how much attention Nico wasgiving his professor.

“Neeks, we should do a movie night.” He mumbledhalfheartedly, scribbling on the paper while Nico made a vague noise of agreeing.

It was hard sitting still for long, even for Percy, heusually bounced his knee or played with Riptide but with Nico here he startedtugging at the holes in Nico’s jeans. He wasn’t even aware ofit till Nico slapped his hand away. “Cut it out, I just bought these.”

“Rip off, if you ask me, it’s got more hole than fabric.”

“You aren’t wearing them, so shut up.”Nico hissed it in a light whisper. They were both cautious not to disturbothers actually trying to gain something from the lecture.

Percy did, but then his mind wandered and started playingwith the chain on Nico’s hip. It crashed into the metal ofthe seat, sending a loud pang through the class. Percy released Nico in favor ofknowing if he looked at Nico he would be in more trouble.

“Sorry! Dropped something.” He gave a charming smile to theprofessor who had stopped the lecture to look at them.

“Percy, cut it out.” Nico said with more venom this time.

“I’m bored.” He said instead, deciding honesty wasthe best route to take with Nico when he was getting upset.

“Gee, I dunno, maybe you could pay attention to the lecture?”

“But it’s review. I know this. Probably.”Percy was trying to make a point, looking at Nico’s dark eyes, enjoying the slight shineof brown in them from the lighting.

“I wanna listen.” Nico says in determination, somethingon his face Percy should have understood if he had been just a bit more attentive.

They lasted four more minutes before Percy accidentallylaunched his pencil into the back of one of his classmates head, three rowsdown. Nico smacked his thigh, glaring, but he cracked, muttering “Niceshot, cut it out.”

Thankfully class let out early, the professor claiming tobeing tired from grading papers and not wanting to get home too late. Percy washappy but Nico looked disappointed. That had been his final clue.

Nico was in a foul mood, crossing his arms once they existedand Percy adjusted his bag onto his shoulder. Percy led them to the side,hidden under the stairs and the doors to another hallway in the building theyhad exited.

“You told me we were going to sit in the class.”

“We did.”

“You just wanted to mess around? Really? I thought youactually-!” He broke off, flushing and something started sinking in Percy’sstomach because that was a hurt blush. Working through emotions was difficultfor them. Nico could be a little shit, harboring small things inside and tryingto bottle up emotions. When he was pissed people ducked for cover. But knowinghe was the cause of whatever had hurt Nico made him feel bad already.

He reached a hand to grab Nico’s hand, a sign to urge him to continue.They were working through their emotions (because gods know Percy was sproutinghis issues left and right as well. It was a healing process taken steps at atime for the both of them) and had learned certain ticks and gestures thatcould encourage the other to make steps.

“I thought you actually wanted to show me how college classesworked.”

Percy was confused, hurt for Nico, but still confused. “Context.”He whispered, feeling the disdain flush out of Nico.

“Ugh, I hate this stupid rule.” He looked down again and seemed to findhis resolve. “Percy, I was ten when I stopped going to school, that’slike, barely over multiplying and division, right? I couldn’tsolve three digit multiplication problems when I was fourteen!”

He made a swiping gesture with his hand, finally on a roll. “I’mDyslexic too, and that didn’t make it any easier, I just. I thoughtit would have been really cool to see a college class, I never would haveimagined being accepted into one or anything.”

Percy felt his stomach sink, leaning back and shutting hiseyes because shit. He knocked theirforeheads together, feeling Nico gently press back to him. “Ifeel like such a jerk, gods, I’m sorry Nico.”

“You are a jerk.”

Percy sighed, staring into Nico’s eyes, seeingthe way they suddenly seemed shy. Now he felt bad for ruining Nico’sfirst experience in a college course. If he had paid attention than it couldhave been avoided. He had never been too good on picking up some stuff, notbecause he was stupid but because his mind was constantly whirling around. Andit sucked that he had made Nico feel bad because he hadn’t paid attentionor thought about suddenly sticking a kid from the past into a classroom.

It was small things people wouldn’t usually think about but this was Nico,the little brat that made his stomach swoop to his knees whenever he laughed orgave a wide breathtaking smile. He was trying for Nico, the both of them tryingfor each other but every time they made progress something messed up. Heguessed this was how relationships functioned (Annabeth had small habits thatgrated on his nerves and he knew she was probably tired of constantly tellinghim No and something blowing up).

Percy stared for a long time before pulling back andblinking. “I have an idea.”

“Oh gods, no.”

“No, shut up, come on.”

He showed up in front of cabin thirteen a fewweekends later with a sealed package and a wide grin. Nico looked grumpy, it was earlyin the morning (Percy had to catch the bus from his mom’s place becausePaul was using the car today) and if Percy didn’t act fast he was going to lose him.

“Morning Sunshine.” Welp, he couldn’t resist makinga jibe.

Nico rubbed at his eyes, “I’m locking you out if you don’tget to the point.”

“Present.” Nico’s eyes lit up because he always lovedpresents.

Percy led him back into the cabin, closing the door andblinking in the darkness (He once made the prince of darkness joke and Nicolooked so mortified Percy almost bashed his head open from falling off the bedand hitting the nightstand). Nico’s bed was an absolute mess, clothesscattered around the bed while the other beds were neat and clean (he couldn’tfault Nico for the messy lifestyle because people were too scared to do cabininspections if they weren’t Piper and that meant he never had toclean).

He sat down cross legged in front of Nico after kicking offhis shoes. Nico took his time opening the envelope, stopping to look at himbefore crawling closer. He looked like he wanted to sit in his lap but decidedit wasn’t worth the effort.

He pulled out the papers, frowning and squinting. “Percy,I can’t read this.”

Percy reached forward and flipped the paper over where hehad requested it to be written in Ancient Greece (not an easy feat but Paul wasthe absolute best).

Nico stilled, dumping the rest of the items out and juststaring dumbfounded. “You got these from Travis.”

“Cost me a literal month of dinner duty.”

“Are you serious?” Nico looked shocked, finally turning tohim with a look.

Percy leaned over and grabbed both of his hands. He kissedone, giving a smile. “Yeah, if you want to. Sorry it took meso long. Turns out fake ID’s take forever to get done toperfection. Travis is such a perfectionist.”

“That is so illegal.” Nico laughed, something of pure gleePercy committed to memory. “It’s great.”

“Paul helped me set it up with the community college. It’lltake a few years but you’ll be able to transfer if you want tomajor in something.”

Nico stared at him, leaning forward to catch his lips. “Ican’tbelieve you did this.”

“It mattered to you.” Percy murmured. “I wanted to makeit happen.”

Inside was the acceptance letter for Nico di Angelo at anearby community college, only a bus or two away from Percy’s.Along with the ID’s and other formal document’s Nico had an identity, the ability tomerge with the present and pursue education if he wanted to.

“I think I love you.” Nico said, unabashed.

“You think? I’mhurt.”

Nico kissed him again and something about it made him thinkthis was how he wanted to spend the rest of his life.