#i went outside to get the mail then i had some water and opened the balcony door and made coffee and moved around but i still feel weird

[binch-i-might-be]

you know when you're just trying to chill but your body feels tired and everything is just kinda removed and you're more watching yourself do shit than actively doing it. lads I literally just want to write. why can't I have a normal one for once!!!!

[itneverendshere]

LOVED YOU AT YOUR WORST - r.c series - EIGHT

pairings: ex!sweethearts; rafe x thornton!reader; rafe x sofia. chapter warnings: mentions of pregnancy; abortion.

MASTERLIST

Topper prided himself in keeping out of people’s business.

He hadn’t noticed anything was off with you on his own, he wouldn’t have; he didn’t do the whole “emotional radar” thing.

But Rafe had practically cornered him, demanding he figure out what was going on with you.

You were his cousin, after all. 

That didn’t stop the way his stomach twisted from thinking about lying to you, or how every part of him had always silently rooted for you and Rafe. He’d loved seeing you two together. You were a mess most days, for years, sure, but it was the kind of mess that made sense in a way, and Topper couldn’t help but admire it.

You were like fire and gasoline.

But that was before the break-up, before everything got fucked.

Now, you were just… distant. He never knew how to approach you without feeling like he was crossing a line, but the way you’d passed out on Rafe at the beach had him worrying in a way that was more personal than he wanted to admit.

He wasn’t a thinker, not really, he liked simple things: good waves, cold beer, and not getting roped into drama.

But there he was, standing outside your door with Korean fried chicken. He didn’t do feelings, and he didn’t do heavy conversations. Rafe owed him big for this. The conversation had been good, even when you started talking about Sarah and Ruthie. 

Topper was all in—laughing along, throwing in a dumb joke here and there, the usual. It felt nice, like when you were kids, sneaking your dad’s beers and pretending you weren’t gonna get caught.

But then he had to go and ruin it by asking if you were okay.

You went all stiff, then weirdly far away, laughing it off like he’d just asked you to explain calculus or something. You mumbled something about being fine and then bolted to the bathroom before he could even follow up with his usual Topper-brand wisdom.

He sat there, feeling uncomfortable, which wasn’t a thing he usually did. You were acting off, and it was messing with him more than he wanted to admit.

Finally, he decided he needed to move, so he got up to grab some water. Except, as he walked past the counter, his hip caught a pile of your mail, and an envelope went sliding to the floor.

“Crap,” he muttered, crouching to grab it. It was just some random envelope, but there was a phone number written on the front in messy blue ink.

Topper didn’t think about it—because thinking wasn’t really his strong suit—he just whipped out his phone and typed it in. Curiosity, man. It got him every time.

He hit call. He wasn’t trying to snoop or anything. It was just one of those things you do on autopilot, right? Call a number just to see who answers? Except this time, someone did answer.

The phone rang. Once. Twice. Then:

“Women’s Health Center, how can I help you?”

His brain short-circuited, full-on panic mode. He stared at the phone like it had grown a second screen, then frantically hit the hang-up button just as the bathroom door creaked open.

You were back.

Topper, sweating for no reason, slapped the envelope back on the counter like it was about to explode and turned to you with a smile that definitely didn’t match his pounding heart.

He got out of there as soon as possible, as he drove to meet Rafe, the whole thing was still playing on a loop in his head. That phone number, the voice on the other end of the line, the way you’d acted when he’d asked if you were okay—he couldn’t stop trying to force the pieces into place.

Something was going on, he wasn't sure what, and he wasn’t exactly the guy you went to for deep insights, but he felt something was up.

When he pulled into Tanyhill, he spotted Rafe leaning against his truck, scrolling through his phone with that permanent scowl he seemed to have these days. He barely had the car in park before Rafe was pushing off the truck and heading his way.

He climbed out, doing his best to act normal—which, for him, meant cracking the same goofy grin he always did. His mind was still spinning with a dozen half-formed thoughts about that phone call, that clinic, and how the the fuck he might fit into all of it. 

The only thing he knew for sure was that Rafe knowing could be catastrophic. Like, meteor-hits-earth catastrophic.

“You gotta chill,” Topper said, slamming his car door shut and giving Rafe a once-over. “Why do you look like you’re about to punch somebody?”

Rafe just glared, shoving his phone in his pocket. “What’d you find out?”

He blinked, thrown by how fast he cut to the point. “Nice to see you, too. Second, what makes you think I found out anything?”

“Don’t fuck with me, Top. Did you figure it out or not?”

“Yeah, I figured it out,” Topper shot back, crossing his arms. “But why the hell did you make me go through all this work if you already know what’s going on?”

Rafe shrugged, leaning back against the truck like this was all just some casual conversation. “Didn’t think you’d actually get it, to be honest.”

“Bro, I’m not that stupid. How did you get to the bottom of this shit? I’m still confused as fuck over here.”

Rafe’s mouth twitched like he was deciding whether to smirk or yell, hesettled on neither. “She passed out on me, remember?”

“So?” Topper shot back, frowning. “I’ve seen you pass out for, like, way less.”

“It wasn’t the same. It wasn’t a hangover or heat stroke, it was different. And she’s been weird lately, avoiding everyone.” Rafe leaned back against his truck, arms crossed, talking fast. “The hospital did blood work.”

Topper, who’d been zoning out halfway through his little doctor act, suddenly perked up.

“Wow,” he mused, dragging the word out. “Okay. So, how’d you take the news? I mean, shit, you look pretty calm for once. Didn’t think that was in your wheelhouse."

Rafe frowned, his sharp blue eyes narrowing, the crease between his brows deepening like it always did when he thought someone was wasting his time. 

"The fuck are you talking about?”

Topper shrugged like this was totally normal. “I just expected you to, like…freak out or somethin'. Throw a punch, maybe.”

“Throw a punch about what?” Rafe snapped.

“About—” Topper paused, squinting at Rafe like he was trying to solve a puzzle. “Wait. What are you supposed to do?”

Rafe’s hand twitched toward his jaw, fingers brushing over the stubble there, a telltale sign that he was gearing up to lose patience. He didn’t wait for Topper to answer before shaking his head, the movement quick and irritated. 

“Don’t do that, man,” he added, pointing a finger “I’ll help her figure it out. What else can I do?”

Topper tilted his head, genuinely impressed. “Damn. You really matured, huh? I mean, good for you.”

“Top, what the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Rafe demanded, his tone sharp now like he was finally catching on to the fact that they weren’t on the same page.

Topper blinked, “I’m just saying you’re handling it better than I thought. Especially since she’s not—uh, showing yet.”

“Not showing what?”

“…The bump?”

He immediately realized he’d said the wrong thing, or maybe the right thing, but in the wrong tone, with the wrong level of context, and—okay, maybe he should just stop talking. 

Abort mission, abort mission. Topper immediately wanted to crawl into a hole. Dude, shut up, shut up, shut up.

“What the fuck?” Rafe’s voice cracked; his eyes blazing as he stepped closer. “What bump?!”

His laugh fizzled out under Rafe’s glare, it was starting to feel less like “concerned ex-boyfriend” and more like “interrogating cop.” He felt a bead of sweat slide down the back of his neck. 

Cool. Stay cool.

“Wait,” Topper held his hands up, trying to physically stop the situation from spiraling. “What do you think is wrong with her?”

His brain was spinning in a way it wasn’t built for. He was a simple guy—he liked clear problems and easy fixes. But this? This was a category-five disaster, and he was stuck right in the middle of it.

Rafe let out a sharp breath through his nose, dragging a hand through his hair, the small strands sticking up in every direction.

“I think she’s got a fucking infection! Why the hell would I think she’s pregnant?”

Topper hesitated, glancing toward the house like maybe Sarah or Wheezie might miraculously appear to save him. No such luck.

“Well fucking shit,” Topper blurted, the words tumbling out in a rush. His heart was pounding, and he was pretty sure he’d just signed his death warrant. “I—I didn’t say she’s pregnant, okay? I found this number, and it was for a women’s health center, and—fuck, man, I’m dead. I’m so dead.”

Rafe grabbed him by the collar, yanking him close. “Start talking. Now.”

“I wasn’t snooping, okay? It just—happened. I wasn’t trying to get in her business, but—”

“But what?” Rafe barked. His other hand twitched at his side, curling into a fist before flexing out again, a warning of how close Topper was to eating pavement, but Rafe wasn’t the one he feared right now.

You were going to kill him.

He could already picture the look on your face when you found out—those cold, furious eyes, the way your voice would drop, he was officially dead meat. He gulped, his mouth dry as his brain scrambled for something—anything—that wouldn’t get him killed or disowned.

“You better explain what the fuck you mean by ‘happened,’” Rafe growled, his grip tightening, giving Topper’s collar a shake, just enough to make his point clear.

Topper was done, leaving nothing but pure panic and the faint, distant sound of his voice saying things he definitely shouldn’t. 

“I called the number!” Topper yelped. “I didn’t even mean to, it was—dude, she’s gonna kill me, and I mean that literally. She will.”

“Not if I kill you first,” Rafe shoved him back, his grip finally loosening, his face unreadable now, which was somehow worse than when he’d looked ready to punch him. “You’re telling me you think she’s pregnant? And you didn’t remember to tell me sooner?”

“I didn’t!” Topper said quickly, panic bubbling over. “It’s not like she’s gonna tell me this kind of stuff.”

“Did she say anything to you? Anything about seeing a doctor or being sick?”

Topper shook his head so fast it made him dizzy. “I asked if she was okay, but she just brushed it off and changed the subject.”

The silence that followed was thick and suffocating, both of them staring each other down.

“No, no way. She’s probably… I don’t fucking know, changing her pill or something.”

Topper raised an eyebrow. “Changing her pill?”

“Yeah,” Rafe said quickly, “Or—what else do they do there? Those check-up things. Maybe she’s getting one of those.���

“Uh-huh,” Topper replied, not convinced but also not dumb enough to call him out on it outright. “Sure. Just a… routine check-up?”

“Exactly,” Rafe agreed a little too loud, his tone almost defensive as he started circling again, his hands gesturing wildly. “They don’t just deal with… y'know. They do all kinds of shit. Tests, prescriptions, all that stuff. It doesn’t mean anything.”

Topper scratched the back of his neck, his expression caught between agreement and unease. “I mean, yeah, they do other stuff… but don’t you think—”

“I don’t think anything, there’s nothing to think about. She’s fine. She’s—she’s fine.” He stopped pacing, standing rigid with his hands on his hips, glaring at the ground like it had personally offended him.

“Okay,” Topper started, his tone cautious. “I get that you don’t want to jump to conclusions, but—”

“I’m not jumping to conclusions!” Rafe barked, spinning around “You’re the one making it into something it’s not! She’s not—she wouldn’t—she hasn’t told me anything,” He muttered finally, “And if she’s hiding this… from me…”

He’d never seen Rafe like this—angry, yeah, but there was something else there, either way, it wasn’t good. His glare burned into him, but for the first time, there was hesitation behind it. He wasn’t just mad—he was scared. Topper couldn’t decide if that made him feel better or worse. 

“Holy shit,” Rafe muttered, gripping the side of his truck for balance. His vision going fuzzy as his heart raced like he’d just sprinted a mile. “Holy shit, what if—what if she is?”

“Dude, breathe,” Topper said, stepping closer cautiously like Rafe was a live grenade. “You don’t even—”

“Even if—if—she was, how the hell would that even—” He cut himself off, his face twisting like he couldn’t decide whether to finish the thought or abandon it entirely.

Topper didn’t need him to finish, he understood exactly what Rafe was thinking. The timeline, the breakup, the way everything had gone down between you.

Rafe’s breath hitched as he let go of the truck and paced a few steps, his hands on his hips, muttering under his breath. “No. No way. It’s not—she’d tell me, right? She’d fucking tell me.”

Images started flashing through his mind in rapid succession, each one more ridiculous and unhinged than the last. You, standing in some clinic, staring at a test with a blank expression. You, trying to figure out how to tell Rafe.

You, holding a baby—Rafe’s baby—in your arms.

“This doesn’t make any sense. We were careful. She’s just stressed, girls go through shit. Hormones or whatever. Right?”

“You’re asking me? I barely passed bio. I’m not exactly a walking textbook on—” He stopped himself, seeing the look on Rafe’s face. “I don’t know what’s going on with her, okay? But if this is what I think it is, you gotta handle it right. Don’t screw it up more than it already is.”

“And if I don’t handle it right?”

Topper forced a shaky grin, even as his stomach twisted in knots.

“Then I guess I’ll see you in hell, man. Because she’s gonna kill us both.”

Rafe’s hands went to his hips, his thumb brushing the edge of his pocket as he stared past Topper, he was trying to work out an equation that wasn’t adding up.

“She hasn’t said a word to me,” Rafe muttered, “Not at the hospital, not since. And you think…” He trailed off, dragging a hand over his face. 

Topper shifted on his feet, resisting the urge to bolt to the other side of the world.

“I guess, but I swear, it wasn’t on purpose.”

Rafe shot him a look, his brows knitting together, and Topper felt like he was under a microscope. “You called a random number. How does that ‘just happen’?”

He huffed, throwing his hands up. “I was grabbing some water, and her mail fell, and there was this number—I didn’t think! I just… acted.” He groaned, his head falling back as he stared at the sky. “I didn’t mean to put two and two together, but what was I supposed to do? You’re the one who made me go digging in the first place!”

“You really think that’s what’s going on?” Rafe asked finally, his voice quieter.

“You said she’s acting weird, and then there was that number, and…” He trailed off, scratching the back of his neck. 

“Do you even understand what this means? If she’s—if there’s a—” He broke off, “I’d have to—Jesus Christ, what would I even do? I’m not—God.”

His hands gripped the edge of the truck bed so hard his knuckles turned white, the veins in his arms standing out as he glared at the ground like it had personally offended him.

“If she didn’t tell me—” His voice was low, quiet in a way that made Topper wince because he knew what came next.

“Maybe just... ask her?”

 “Ask her?” he repeated, his voice disbelieving.

“Yeah, you know,” Topper said, gesturing vaguely. “Talk to her? Maybe find out what’s going on instead of losing your shit over worst-case scenarios?”

Rafe shook his head, “No. If she wanted me to know, she’d tell me. She’s... she’s dealing with her own stuff. It’s not my place to push.”

 “Since when do you not push?”

“Since now,” Rafe snapped, though even he didn’t sound convinced.

“Rafe—”

“No, seriously,” Rafe interrupted, his voice rising now, the tight restraint unraveling with every word. “If she’s—if she’s going through this, if she’s pregnant, and she didn’t tell me?” He let out a bitter chuckle, “What the fuck does that say? About me.”

Topper opened his mouth, hesitated, then closed it again. This felt like a minefield, and if anyone was good at stepping on the wrong spot, it was him.

Rafe pushed off the truck, he couldn’t physically stay still. His eyes were burning as he raked a hand through his buzzed hair.

“I was—fuck. She thinks what? That I wouldn’t show up for this. She didn’t tell me because she doesn’t think I deserve to know.”

“That’s not true,” Topper said quickly, stepping closer, but Rafe’s empty laugh stopped him.

“Isn’t it?” Rafe’s voice was hollow now, all the fire drained out of him, turning his head slightly, just enough for Topper to see his throat working as he swallowed hard. “What the hell have I ever done to make her think I’d be there? That I’d—” He broke off. “Shit. I wouldn’t blame her. I can't even fucking blame her.”

“You still care about her, right?” Topper pressed, knowing he didn’t have to ask to know the answer.

Rafe’s head snapped up, “She’s the only thing I’ve ever cared about.”

He nodded slowly, “Then prove it.”

The envelope sat exactly where you’d left it, the faintest corner of folded. You froze for a second, your pulse quickening.

No. No way.

It was fine. Fine.

The number wasn’t even labeled—just digits scrawled hastily, you hadn’t touched it in days. Still, you couldn’t stop the tiny seed of panic attaching itself to your chest. There was absolutely no way Topper could’ve seen it, let alone put two and two together.

You exhaled slowly, placing it back on the counter.

He didn’t see it. He couldn’t have seen it.

Then why had he acted so… off? The pale face, the sudden excuse, the jittery energy—it was all so unlike him.

You shook your head, trying to push the thought away, a million things could’ve set him off. 

Maybe Ruthie had texted him something awful, or maybe he’d remembered he had to pick up his dry cleaning before the shop closed. Knowing Topper, it was probably something stupid and unrelated to you entirely.

Still, the nagging lingered as you cleaned up the counter and threw away the napkins. You glanced at the envelope one last time, then slid it into a drawer and shut it firmly. Whatever was going on with your cousin, it couldn’t have anything to do with that. It was impossible. And yet…

You sighed, rubbing your temples. 

“Pregnancy brain,” you muttered to yourself. “Making me paranoid over nothing.”

Of course that didn’t stop your heart from jumping every time the drawer creaked, or when you saw anything even remotely similar to that envelope’s color lying around the house for the entire night. Not that he’d ask, of course—Topper wasn’t the confrontational type, especially not with you. But he noticed things. And when he noticed, he worried.

The next morning you sank onto the couch, hugging a pillow to your chest. Topper was close, but he wasn’t like Sarah. She had been able to look you in the eye and say, You know I’m here, right? and mean it without any strings attached. Topper, though…

Your fingers itched toward your phone, even though it was stupid to call her so early over this. Still, you needed someone to remind you that you weren’t losing it, that Topper’s weirdness had nothing to do with anything serious.

Before you could talk yourself out of it, you found Sarah’s number, pressing the call button. She picked up on the second ring, “Hey, what’s wrong?”

You could picture her, sitting in her car or probably stretched out somewhere in Poguelandia with her feet propped up on a table, looking concerned.

“Nothing’s wrong. I just…” You trailed off, fiddling with the edge of a pillow. 

“Topper’s been acting strange. And I think I’m just overthinking it, but it’s making me crazy.”

She made a sound between a hum and a laugh. “So the Topper panic spiral. That’s what we’re dealing with?”

“Basically,” you muttered, trying to keep your tone light. “But this time… He was here last night, and I thought he saw this random piece of paper I had with, you know. A number on it.” You took a shaky breath, embarrassed for how paranoid you sounded. “But he couldn’t have, right? I mean, it was buried under five other things.”

“Okay,” Sarah said slowly, clearly choosing her words. “First, let’s just say that if he did see anything, which he probably didn’t, he wouldn’t assume the worst. He’s your cousin; he knows you don’t tell him everything, and he respects that. Right?”

“Yeah… I guess.” You chewed your lip, feeling a little stupid for even calling her.  “But what if he does put it together, Sarah? I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”

“He won’t,” she reassured, like she could see right through your anxiety. “And you don’t need to feel bad for wanting to keep this private. You’re allowed to handle it however you need to. You’re not doing anything wrong.”

You exhaled, the knot in your chest loosening a little. She always knew how to talk you down, "Okay,” you murmured, and a shaky laugh slipped out. “Maybe I'm being paranoid.”

“Pregnancy brain,” she teased, and you couldn’t help but smile.

You hung up feeling marginally better.

Sarah had a way of calming you down, but the uneasiness stayed with you, the way it always did when you couldn’t fully explain something.

But the relief was fleeting, by lunchtime, the nagging voice in your head was back. Topper wasn’t malicious, but he did have a habit of talking without thinking, and the last thing you needed was for this to get out before you were ready. Not only was this a huge scandal, but it was your business.

You busied yourself with small tasks—folding laundry, wiping down the counters, pretending that everything was fine. It wasn’t until almost noon that your phone rang. The hospital’s number flashed on the screen, and your stomach dropped.

“Hello?”

“Hi, is this Miss Thornton?” the voice on the other end asked politely, too polite for comfort.

“This is she."

“This is Linda from the hospital. I’m calling about your recent bloodwork. We had a bit of an issue with our system, and unfortunately, there was a delay in getting back to you. We also lost some patient information temporarily—”

“Wait, what?” you interrupted, not liking where this was going, “What do you mean you lost information?”

“Oh, nothing to worry about,” Linda said quickly, as if that would make you feel better. “We managed to recover most of it, but in the meantime, we had to rely on emergency contact information to reach out. Dr. Harris called yours last night.”

Your breath caught. “Called... my emergency contact?”

“Yes.”

“Sarah Cameron? She didn’t tell me someone called.”

“She’s not listed as your emergency contact in our system, Rafe Cameron is. It might be an older record?”

Fuck.

Your heart was in your throat. “What... what did he tell him?”

“He only left a generic message asking for you to follow up about your bloodwork. Nothing specific.”

“Nothing specific,” you repeated, more to yourself than to her. Relief and panic warred within you. If Rafe knew, he’d already be there, the night before, demanding answers. Right?

“We need you to come back in. It’s possible you may have an infection, and we need to run a few more tests.”

You didn’t even hear the rest of her explanation.

Your fingers felt numb as you mumbled something that vaguely resembled agreement and hung up.

Infection, that was what she’d said. That was all it was. Not… not anything else. If it were anything else, they wouldn’t have just called—they’d have told Rafe.

“Stop,” you muttered aloud, shaking your head. “Stop spiraling.”

But your brain wouldn’t listen.

“Generic message,” Linda had said, but did it sound generic? What did he think when he got it? Had he laughed it off, or was he running his stupid pristine bedroom, piecing together clues you hadn’t even realized you’d left?

You didn’t want to text Sarah again.

You could imagine her smirking, “I told you, he’s not going to magically grow psychic overnight.” Yeah, sure, but this was Rafe.

He didn’t need magic. You squeezed your eyes shut, trying to focus on Sarah’s voice in your head. “You’re not doing anything wrong.”

Except it didn’t feel like that. You hadn’t thought about Rafe as your emergency contact in months, hadn’t needed to. 

You sank into the couch, hugging your knees to your chest.

“This is so stupid,” you muttered, but your voice didn’t make it feel any less real. You weren’t even sure what you were spiraling over anymore. The envelope? The hospital? The baby?

“Okay,” you said out loud. “Okay, it’s fine. Everything’s fine.”

The sound of your voice didn’t even convince you. Your brain wouldn’t stop jumping from one thing to the next, spinning every scenario you didn’t want to think about. 

What if he did know? If that was enough to set him off, to make him call someone, pull some strings...Shit, what if he did show up, and you had to explain why you were dodging everyone and keeping things from him and—stop. 

Stop. 

You were doing it again. The spiraling. The pregnancy brain Sarah teased you about like it was some sort of cute quirk, but wasn’t cute.

You sat up straight, squeezing the couch pillow so hard you thought it might burst. Breathe. Just breathe, you’d made it this far without imploding.

You glanced toward the drawer again, the one with the envelope. You should’ve burned it, shredded it first. No, you had to keep it—just in case. But just in case of what? Just in case you needed more reasons to feel like a lunatic.

Oh my god. What if Topper saw the stupid number, and then Rafe got the hospital call, and then—bam—suddenly, they had the whole damn thing figured out?

You could feel it already—the panic. You liked to think they were both too stupid for their own good, but they were also observant. Rafe, that bastard always knew how to put things together faster than anyone. 

What if—what if it’s that simple for them? What if they both saw it, and then they were just sitting there, having some stupid-ass conversation, connecting dots you didn’t even realize were dots?

No. Stop. Stop thinking like that.

You were getting carried away, jumping to conclusions like some manic soap opera character. You weren’t that girl. Not really. But the thought of them talking—Topper with his concern and Rafe with his overbearing intensity.

Your fingers tapped a frantic rhythm against the pillow. The idea of him figuring it out? Oh, that made your skin crawl. Not because he’d be cruel—no, that wasn’t his style. He’d just be so… himself.

Overwhelming, determined to “fix” things for you, even when you didn’t ask for it. 

You groaned, dropping the pillow and standing abruptly, like the movement might kill the growing dread. No, you told yourself firmly.

You weren’t spiraling over things that hadn’t even happened yet.

But the voice in your head, the one that always sounded a little too much like Rafe, had other plans: What if it’s already too late?

You paced the living room, arms crossed tightly over your chest. This was ridiculous, you were ridiculous. Nothing had happened, nothing was going to happen. The number wasn’t even that suspicious, it could’ve been anything.

You groaned again, flopping onto the couch like the dramatic mess you were currently embodying. Rafe had probably gotten the hospital call, rolled his eyes without a second thought, too busy with his new precious life.

Your stomach churned, and you pressed your hands against it instinctively. It wasn’t showing yet—thank god—but you couldn’t help the way your mind spiraled back to it, to all the ways this could go wrong.

You grabbed your car keys without thinking, maybe it would clear your head. A drive—that’s what you needed. Get out of the house, and put some distance between you and the stupid envelope, the phone calls, all of it. You turned the knob, yanked the door open—

—and froze.

Rafe’s hand was raised mid-air, clearly about to knock. You didn’t even try to hide the way your breath hitched. 

Oh, no. No, no, no.

Standing there on the porch like he hadn’t just derailed your entire plan. As if it was still perfectly normal for him to show up unannounced, one hand shoved into his pocket and the other gripping his phone, his head tilted in a maddeningly familiar way.

His hand hovered uncertainly on the doorframe as you stepped back, your arms folding protectively over your chest. He didn’t push past you, didn’t move his weight forward—just stood there.

He glanced down at the spare key still in his hand, turning it over like he was considering whether he even had the right to use it. “They called me last night.”

Okay, he was just here because of the hospital, a coincidence, that’s all it was.

“And? You could’ve ignored it.”

His hand flexed at his side like he didn’t know what to do with it. “I thought something might be wrong.”

“It’s not.” Your voice was clipped, cold. “They called the wrong number. End of story.”

He didn’t rise to the bait.

“I thought—” He cut himself off, exhaling sharply. “I thought you were sick.”

“Like I said, it was a mix-up.”

His jaw ticked. That tiny muscle in his cheek twitched, the one that always flared when he was suspicious.

“Funny, they didn’t sound mixed up when they said your name,” he drawled, his tone probing. “Wanna try again?”

“Mind your fucking business,” Your voice was defensive, and you hated the crackle of guilt in your chest when he flinched. “I don’t need you to pretend to care. Why are you even here?” you snapped, taking a step back. The space between you felt vulnerable. “Don’t you have someone else to worry about?"

You felt cornered with every second he stood there.

“We need to talk.”

Maybe if you acted calm, like nothing was wrong, he’d stop looking at you like that. Vulnerability wasn’t something you were good at, he’d already taken too much. He always took too much.

“I don’t owe you shit. Not explanations, not answers, nothing. Leave.”

He didn’t. Of course, he didn’t.

Rafe didn’t know how to let shit go, not when it came to you, he didn’t back away.

“You’re right,” he said, surprising you. “You don’t, but I’m not leaving until we talk.”

The way he said, it wasn’t even a threat. It was worse than that. It was calm, resolute, like he’d already decided, and nothing you said or did could change it. 

That scared you more than anything.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” you hissed, “Whatever you think you know, you don’t.”

He arched an eyebrow, his eyes flicking to the edge of the couch where your phone still sat, “You sure about that?”

“God, you’re always like this. Always overstepping, always assuming—”

“I know."

All the noise in your head—your spiraling thoughts, your excuses, your endless denials—went silent, except for the way your heart thudded in your chest, so fast, it hurt. He hadn’t raised his voice, but those two words hit you like a kick to your chest.

No, he couldn’t—he didn’t, he was bluffing, he had to be. Air caught in your throat, and for a moment, you thought you might choke on it. He didn’t move, didn’t repeat himself. He couldn’t know.

Your tongue went dry. 

“What are you talking about?” You couldn’t breathe. It felt like someone was squeezing your chest. You shook your head again, more violently this time, stepping back, “You don’t know shit.”

“I think I do.” His voice was quiet, and that made it worse, it wasn’t cold or angry; it wasn’t even accusing. He didn’t sound like he wanted to be right, he just sounded tired.

You prayed to come up with something—anything—to deflect, to deny, to keep the truth buried where it belonged. 

“You’re delusional,” you took another step back, putting more space between you and the man who had always known you too well.

He just shook his head, “You don’t have to lie to me, you’re scared, you’re not even trying to hide it.”

It was the way he stared with those stupid blue eyes, he was peeling back your layers. He always did that, made you feel like he could see something in you that you weren’t ready to acknowledge.

“Oh, fuck off.” You threw your hands up. “You don’t know shit about what I’m feeling. You’ve got no right to—I’m not lying.”

It still hurt how much you missed him, hurt to even look at him.

“Don’t pull this cryptic bullshit with me, if you’ve got something to say, say it.”

“You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”

The thing you’d been running from, denying, hiding, you simply stared at him, trying to decide if there was any way to lie your way out of this.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” You tried to laugh, but it came out strangled, desperate. “T-That’s insane. You’ve lost your mind.”

Rafe wasn’t gloating or triumphant—he just looked… resigned, he’d pieced it together before he showed up.

“Don’t do that. Don’t lie to me, not about this.”

You wanted to scream, to shove him, to do anything that would make him stop looking at you like he cared. Like he knew you. Because if you stopped long enough to think about it, you knew it was over.

He’d already seen it.

“I mean it, Rafe.” Your hand tightened on the door, nails digging into the wood. “Get the fuck out of my house.”

God, this was so fucked. You wanted him gone, but wanted him here, needed him to leave you alone, but at the same time, you hated that he could just leave.

“Tell me I’m wrong.”

You thought about what he’d do if he knew—really knew. Not just the vague sense he had now, but the details. Would he try to stop you? 

Your lip quivered, and you hated yourself for it. “You’re wrong.”

You stared at him, at the way his shoulders hunched slightly, his usual confidence worn down. You hated him for being calm for once in his fucking life, for being here, for not letting this slide when it was none of his fucking business.

“Am I?”

Your hands clenched tighter, nails biting into your palms. “Why? Why do you even care? It’s not like you—”

“Because it’s mine.”

Your breath hitched again, and this time, you couldn’t hide it. You wanted to deny it, to throw something—hell, anything—back at him to make him shut the fuck up. But your throat felt like it had shut off entirely, and your mind had gone blank.

“I—” you stammered, shaking your head violently, “No. You don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re—”

“Hey, hey, just—just stop,” he said, his voice careful, as if he was trying not to spook you. “I’m not—Jesus, I’m not here to fight with you, okay? I’m not here to make this harder.”

Your chest heaved, a bitter laugh escaping before you could stop it. He was too late—late to care, late to help, late to fix anything. Five days, that’s all you had to get through.

Five days until you didn’t have to think about it anymore. 

This is the right choice, you told yourself for the hundredth time. You couldn’t bring a baby into this mess.

“You’re doing a hell of a job at that.”

“I just want to help. If you let me—”

“No,” you interrupted, grabbing the edge of the door. “I’m fixing it.”

“Fixing—?” Rafe’s brow furrowed, his confusion almost comical He started to step forward, but you stopped him with a resentful glare that made him stop. “What does that even mean?”

“It means you can take your fake concern and shove it up your ass.”

His brow furrowed. “It’s not fake—” His face twisted in confusion, mouth opening like he was about to argue, but you didn’t give him the chance, slamming the door in his face, so hard the frame rattled.

“Of course. Of course, it’s mine,” you muttered to yourself, mocking his stupid, self-righteous tone.

You leaned back against the door, sliding to the floor, arms crossed over your knees as your brain whirred like it was trying to kill you.

It wasn’t like you had a choice.

Technically, you did, but what were you supposed to do? Keep it and become a tragic sob story? The words almost felt like you’d ripped them out of someone else’s mouth, right or wrong didn’t even matter anymore. There wasn’t space in your life for this—for him, for a baby, for any of it.

A muffled knock sounded from the front door—tentative, like he was giving you a moment.

“Go away,” you yelled, your voice hoarse.

“Open the door.”

Your thoughts taunted you with memories and possibilities you didn’t want to entertain. The way Rafe had looked at you—like he knew—it was unbearable.

How had he put it together? Maybe you'd slip up in tiny ways, leaving a trail of breadcrumbs for him to follow. You hated yourself for being so careless, despised him even more for being so fucking relentless.

You wiped your cheeks roughly, not realizing you’d started crying until your sleeve came back damp.

“Please, just open the door. We can talk—just talk, okay?

“No,” you muttered to the empty room. “No, I’m not doing this.”

You squeezed your eyes shut, leaning your head back against the door and pressing your hands over your ears to block him out. 

“Don’t shut me out like this,” he begged. “I can’t—fuck, I can’t stand it when you do this. Just open the door. Five minutes, that’s all I’m asking.”

He had a key. If he wanted to, he could let himself in at any moment, but he didn’t, that wasn’t the Rafe you were used to.

Before, he'd have barged right in, shouted until your ears bled, and demanded answers. He would’ve tried to fix it or destroy it, maybe both. 

You hated that he still acted like he cared, that he was trying to be so fucking reasonable now, when just a few months ago, he would’ve lost it, broken through any barrier to get what he wanted.

This was worse, this Rafe was wearing you down.

Another hushed plea made it through the door, but all you could think was how thin the wood felt, how it barely drowned the sound of his voice. A new door might be better, something heavier, more solid, that could drown out everything—the desperation, the crack in his voice.

Tears prickled at the corners of your eyes, and you bit hard on the inside of your cheek to keep them from falling. 

“I know you’re scared,” he continued, “And I know you think I’ll screw this up—God knows I probably will. But please don’t keep me in the dark. Just tell me what’s going on.”

You pictured flipping through hardware store catalogs, weighing your options: oak? steel? soundproofing foam?

“Please,” Rafe whispered, and the rawness in his voice scraped against you like nails on a chalkboard. You tilted your head back against the door, willing yourself not to cry again. 

Steel doors don’t warp as easily as wood.

You swallowed hard, your body aching as you fought the sob threatening to escape. He didn’t deserve this—didn’t deserve to sound so wrecked over you. He'd done this to himself.

Your fingers twitched against the door handle, the temptation to open it curling around you, but instead, you thought about bolts.

Deadbolts, a second lock could work, something he couldn’t get through even if he had the key.

His voice wavered again, you thought he might start crying, too, yet all you did was glance at the base of the door. A better seal would muffle the noise more. Maybe weatherstripping? That could help.

You pressed your hands tighter over your ears, as though it would help. It didn’t. Nothing would—not until you replaced the lock, the door, the memory of him standing there and breaking himself open for you.

God, you really needed a new door—and a new heart.

One that didn’t twist at the sound of his voice, that didn’t flinch every time he called your name like it was a prayer. A heart that didn’t feel for him, you told yourself, over and over, like a mantra. If you could just stop the way your chest tightened at his pleas, stop the ache in your ribs when he said he couldn’t let this go.

You wanted steel walls, that could keep everything out—his voice, his touch, the memories of all the good parts of him that had kept you hanging on for so long. Because of this heart? It was useless, too soft, too easily swayed, still willing to believe him, even when you knew better.

“Please, just talk to me,” Rafe begged. You bit your lip hard enough to taste blood.

You couldn’t help but wonder if this calmness came from Sofia.

Perhaps she was the reason he’d changed, maybe she had somehow made him different, had softened the sharp edges of the guy you used to know. She was calm, collected—nothing like you. It hurt like a bitch, the thought that someone else could make him this patient. You wondered if she’d taught him how to handle his emotions, how to be this way—he’d learned some secret he never bothered to share with you.

You couldn't let yourself go there, couldn't let the bitterness of that thought settle in your mind for too long.

“Talk to me.”

No. Not this time.

TAGLIST: @maybankslover @october-baby25 @haruvalentine4321 @hopelesslydevoted2paige

@rafebb @rafesbby @whytheylosttheirminds

@zyafics @astarlights @bruher @nosebeers @carrerascameron

@serrendiipty @sunny1616 @yootvi @ditzyzombiesblog

@psychocitylights @maibelitaaura @kiiyomei

@stoned-writer @justafangirls-blog-deactivated2

@starkeygirlposts @enjoymyloves @ijustwanttoreadlols @icaqttt

[roosterforme]

The Two Proposals (Rooster x Reader)

Part of The What If Collection of blurbs for Roo and Baby Girl. My masterlist. Banner by @mak-32

Warnings: language

When you got home from work on Friday, you were exhausted. You just wanted to relax, but you noticed immediately that Bradley was acting strange. When you walked inside, untucking your uniform shirt as you went, you stopped in your tracks. He was trying to cook dinner.

"What are you doing?" you asked in shock.

He turned to look at you like a confused deer in headlights. "Making dinner?" He stated it as a question which was not a good sign since he shouldn't have been in the kitchen like this unsupervised. 

You walked toward him cautiously, and your eyes went wide. He had your recipe sheet out on the counter, and he'd managed to mangle up the chicken you left in the refrigerator to thaw. It was in a pan with the heat turned up way too high, and the sauce in the pot next to it looked like a very unnatural color. "Are you trying to cook Marry Me Rooster?" you asked, your heart beating a little harder as you became convinced you'd have to throw out your expensive cookware. 

"Maybe?"

"Roo, why don't you let me help you?" you coaxed, reaching for the wooden spoon he was holding, but he pulled it away from your reach.

"No. I can't do that," he said, shaking his head. "I'm trying to make you a nice surprise. It's really important. Now why don't you just relax until it's done?"

You made a distressed little sound and dropped your hand to your side. "Okay," you murmured, retreating to the bedroom. You got changed into his oversized shirt and some yoga pants, and just as soon as you started to remove your makeup, the smoke detector began screeching.

You nearly tripped over Tramp in the hallway as he howled along with the alarm. "What happened?" you asked your boyfriend as you started coughing on the smoke filling the air. "Bradley!"

The sauce was boiling over, the chicken was completely burnt, and Bradley was clutching his hand to his chest. "I'm fine," he groaned, glaring up at the smoke detector. "Just ruined the night is all."

You ran the pot of sauce outside to the back patio before coming back for the pan of chicken. You slammed the sliding glass door closed and whimpered as you pawed at the glass; your overpriced cookware was ruined. 

"Oww, fuck!"

You ducked back into the kitchen where Bradley was running his hand under cold water while the smoke detector screeched away. You couldn't decide which to take care of first, his burned hand or the obnoxious sound. You looked at him first and winced. 

"Roo. I have burn cream, okay? Go sit at the table and let your hand dry."

He frowned at you with such disappointment, you gave him a quick kiss before you grabbed a few pieces of loose mail and climbed up on the counter to wave them at the smoke detector until it stopped. Then you cracked open the kitchen window and ran to get the first aid kit from the bathroom. 

When you returned to the dining room, Bradley had his burned hand resting on the table, and he was laughing. 

"I guess it doesn't hurt too bad?" you asked as you gingerly sat on his lap to take a look at it. 

"It's okay," he replied, and you looked at him over your shoulder as you squeezed some of the cream onto his hand. 

"I love you, Bradley, but I think you should just stay away from the stove." You wrapped his hand up in some gauze and kissed his wrist before shifting on his lap a bit. 

"But Sweetheart, I just had this whole special night planned, and I wanted to make dinner for us since you always do it," he said, shaking his head and smiling at you. 

You shrugged. "It's just Friday. We can get takeout, or I can make something else."

When you went to stand, he pulled you closer. "It's not just Friday."

"It's not?"

He shook his head as his eyes studied your face. "Might as well just do it," he mumbled. "My dad fucked it up, too."

You kissed his cheek and laughed. "What are you talking about, Roo?"

"This," he replied, reaching into his pocket. When he opened his hand, you saw the most beautiful gold and diamond ring and gasped. It was Carole's old ring, the one she stopped wearing. While holding you tight, he slipped down onto the floor with you in his arms, and then he knelt on his right knee with you perched on his left. "I love you. And I think we should get married. You want to?"

You smiled and laughed softly, but his expression was completely serious. You'd known what your answer would be for months should this day arrive. You didn't need to think about it. "Yeah, I want to." The sentence was barely out of your mouth before Bradley was kissing your lips. 

You slipped down onto your knees facing him and let him slide the ring onto your finger before you wrapped your arms around his neck. "It'll be perfect," he promised. "You and me. Just like this. Forever."

"Roo," you gushed unable to stop smiling as he kissed you all over your face as he talked. 

"You know how long I've had my mom's ring for you?"

"How long?"

"Months, Baby Girl. She tried to give it to me before she even met you. She could tell after one phone call that I was serious."

You squealed and pushed him flat on his back, careful not to bump his bad hand as you straddled his waist and leaned down to kiss him. "Well I'm seriously in love a with you." He held you in place with his non bandaged hand on your butt as you nipped at his lips. "Wait. You said your dad fucked it up, too?"

"Oh yeah. Get my mom to tell you about the day he proposed when they come out to visit."

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

A few weeks later, you were sitting at your dining room table with Bradley's parents, sharing some wine and celebrating your engagement. This time you cooked the Marry Me Rooster with your new pans, and everything turned out great. 

Carole ended up dabbing at her eyes nearly every time she looked at you. "That ring is perfect on your finger," she whispered for the tenth time.

"Thanks for letting me wear it," you replied, still surprised she'd given it up to Bradley for you. "It's beautiful."

"It's yours," she said before she smiled at her husband. "Goose picked out too pretty of a ring for me to not pass it along."

"Thanks, Dad," Bradley said with a laugh. You and he had already discussed using the money he would have put toward a ring to try to start a family next year. 

You took a bite of your dinner and said, "Bradley made it sound like there was some sort of engagement mishap when you proposed?"

"Oh, sweet girl!" Carole said as she laughed. "Our entire time dating was one big mishap."

"Really?" you asked as Bradley squeezed your hand, and Goose hung his head.

"Did I ever tell you how we met?" Carole asked. When you shook your head, she said, "We met at a bar. In Virginia Beach. It was called Patty's Pier, and it was a bit of a naval hangout."

"This is so embarrassing," Goose muttered, but his wife ignored him and kept going while you tried to contain your smile. 

"I bought Goose a drink. I worked up the nerve to ask the bartender what kind of beer he was having, and I bought him one. He was so handsome, looked just like Bradley, and I was so proud of myself for making such a smooth move, you know?" You nodded, hanging onto every word as she asked, "You want to know what he said when I handed it to him?"

"What?" you asked. 

Goose sighed and said, "I asked her if she wanted me to let Maverick know she was interested in him."

Carole screeched with laughter. "He thought I had my sights set on Pete!"

"All the girls did," Goose said with a grin. "Except this one."

"Oh, I love this!" you gushed as Bradley kissed your temple. "What happened then?"

"I told him I bought it for him!" Carole said, pointing at Goose. "And he looked so stunned, he didn't say a word. He just stared at me. And then I thought he was trying to pawn me off on this Maverick person because he didn't want to talk to me."

"She walked away," Goose added with a smile at his wife. "It took me a full minute to realize she was interested in me. I had to run her down in the parking lot before she could get in her shitty little car and drive off."

"And it's a good thing you did," she told him with a wink. "We got engaged a couple weeks later with your ring there."

"This is even more embarrassing," Goose said as Carole rubbed her hands together. 

"I need to know more," you told them as Bradley kissed your ear and laughed. 

"Goose took me on a ten mile hike. Ten miles. In August. In Virginia. I thought he was trying to kill me," Carole said as she spun her new ring on her finger. "The humidity alone was enough to take me out, but it was also about ninety degrees. And then we get to this scenic overlook, and he gets down on one knee. He pours his heart out, but then there's no ring to be found."

"I left it in the glovebox," he groaned.

"Ten miles away! He was in hysterics, kept telling me he spent a small fortune on the thing and had no idea where he left it. He made me run... run back to his truck. And then when he found the ring, he threw it at me because the metal was hot, and he said, 'Well?'"

You gasped before you erupted into laughter along with your own husband-to-be. "You didn't!" 

"I did," Goose moaned. "I was so relieved the ring was there! But she told me yes and I did get back down on one knee."

Carole kissed his cheek and said, "We got married a few months later. In November. I told him I was pregnant with Bradley when we were on our honeymoon."

You leaned in closer to Bradley. "Wanna get married in November?"

His eyes lit up; you knew he didn't want to wait.

Carole's eyes lit up, too. "You should! It's the perfect month!" Then she gasped. "And if you're pregnant, there's nothing to worry about! Goose and I are very progressive!"

Bradley pulled you a little closer, trying his best to ignore his mom while you laughed. "November might be perfect."

[obsessivelyloved]

No no your fine! (Btw this is the same anon who asked the question), but um could you do something with Tord with this sentence? “stop looking at the door, please”

(Preferably with reader; but you can decide if you’d like to add that)

I haven't written anything this long in like two years

CW: Kidnapping

______________________________________________________

One moment you were walking home, the next, you were tied up in some guy's car, lying in the backseat. He looked giddy at the road as you screamed and begged through the gag in your mouth. He looked pained as he met your eyes in the rearview mirror. 

“Stop tugging against the rope. You’re going to hurt yourself,” he scolded. Like he was really concerned for his victim. “We’ll be home soon.” 

You trembled, unable to stop yourself from tugging frantically at your wrists. The longer this went on, the more you felt as if someone was continuously dumping you into ice water. From your hogtied position on the seats, all you could see was the blue sky steadily dulling. It was hard to tell how long you lay there before the car stopped. 

The man opened the car door, carrying a duffel bag on his shoulder. You couldn’t see any recognizable sights. 

“You poor thing” he crooned, pulling you closer to him. He inspected your wrists, clicking his tongue. He bends down and slings you over his other shoulder. 

Frantically, you darted your head around. Houses went on for all you could see. There were no road signs, and no people outside. No eyes to see you carried inside. The door closed and tears blurred your vision. He set you on a couch, humming. 

“No more tears, love. I’ll take a look at your wrists and get you out of these nasty ropes.” He wiped your face with his red sleeve, much gentler than you would have ever expected. 

Hope bloomed in your chest. Maybe you could punch him? Or just, something! You had to be able to do something. 

He left the room and returned with…. pink fuzzy handcuffs? It was so absurd you almost stopped crying. 

“I’m sorry,” he says gently. “It was the only thing I could find on such short notice. I’ve got another pair coming in the mail, you’ll enjoy that color much more.” 

He sets the handcuffs down next to you, reaching down into his black jeans. Out of his pocket, he pulls out a switchblade. He firmly grabs your wrists, pulling them as far as he could from your body. 

You sit as still as you can. With wide eyes, you watch as he cuts through the rope. You barely move your hands an inch out of the ropes before he swiftly closes the cuffs on your wrists.

Fuck. 

Fuck. 

He pats your cheek, smirking. “Doesn’t that feel better?” 

You don’t bother trying to answer. Drool dribbles out of the corners of your mouth, pooling around the gag. 

Your kidnapper stands up straight, rolling his shoulders. “As much as I’d love to get you used to the house, my roommates will be home soon. They’re a bit… much. I don’t want to overwhelm you even more, sweetheart.” 

Nausea rolls through you. Your face felt hot and sticky, a fresh wave of hot tears starting again 

The man’s face softens. He reaches out, cupping your face. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but you’re going to be fine. Let’s get you to my room and you can get cozy and start settling in.” 

He gathers you into his arms and over his shoulder again. This time, all you’re interested in is the blurry floor. Down a hall you go and into a bedroom. Laid down on the bed, you stare down at your wrists. From what you could see beneath the cuffs, they were an angry shade of red, rope marks snaking around your wrists. Tugging made it worse, pain shooting up your arms. 

The man moved around his room, singing under his breath. You couldn’t make out the words or what language it was. 

“Up we go now, dearest,” he says as he gently sits you up against his pillows. He has a different gag in his hands. 

As soon as he takes out the one you have, you rush out, “I won’t scream!” Your voice is hoarse and your throat is dry. He paused, eyebrows furrowed and you added shakily, “Please. I-I promise I won’t scream.” 

He sets it on his nightstand beside the bed. 

“A single shout from you and it goes right back into your pretty mouth. Understand?” 

You violently shake your head. “Y-Yes. I, I understand.” 

He smiles at you, sitting down next to you. “Good. It’d be such a shame if your first night home was… unpleasant.” 

You tense, turning your head away from him. Your heart races as you look around his room. Against his wall was a bookshelf, with both books and robotic parts. A TV was raised flat against his wall. On his dresser was….. Pictures of you. 

Your hands grow clammy as your mind struggles to process what you are seeing. Pictures of you. Are on. His dresser. 

What the fuck. What the fuck. 

His eyes follow your line of sight and he cheeses at you. 

“They’re my favorite ones,” He chuckles. “It took me a while to get them. You’re hardly ever outside your house without work clothes.” 

You sitting in a nook, curled up against a wall reading a book with a mug of coffee steaming on the table in front of you. You planting flowers. You excitedly looking at something, clearly beyond a camera. 

You in a cafe. In front of your house. At the mall. You don’t recall a single memory of the man beside you. Of ever seeing him in these places, much less someone pointing a camera at you.

“How long have you been…” your voice comes out in a hoarse whisper. “How long have you been watching me?” 

The man leans in to press a kiss to your cheek. “Too long,” he mumbles against your skin. He kisses you again, not minding the tears. 

“Tord!!” 

You jerk your head to the bedroom door. Hope rises against your better judgment but you have the sense not to scream. 

The bedroom door opens to reveal a brown-haired man in a green hoodie. “Tord, we found the- Oh, hello!” He smiles at you, eyes warm and face nonchalant. Like this was normal. “You’re here much earlier than expected.” 

You say nothing, staring wide-eyed. 

He turns to the man -Tord you’re assuming- and scolds him. 

“You were supposed to wait until we had dinner ready!” 

Tord sheepishly shrugs. “They were walking home! It was perfect timing!” 

The brown-haired man rolls his eyes and sighs. “I’m truly sorry,” he tells you. “But I suppose it’s good to let you get settled in first. I’ll be back with a hot drink.” 

He closes the door and like clockwork, you burst into sobs. You try to stifle them as best you can. It would be best not to test how loud it would take for you to be gagged again. 

You stare at the door as Tord pulls you close. “Oh honey,” he murmurs. “It’s going to be alright.” 

Tord grabs his remote on his nightstand and turns the TV on. You don’t need to look to know you’re hearing your favorite show. All you can do is helplessly stare at the door and strain your ears to hear how many other people are in the house. 

“Tom, move your damn vodka out of the fridge! You don’t need the whole pack cold at once!” 

One. 

“Oh so you can have all your soda cold but I can’t have my smirnoff in there?”

Two. 

“Not all of it’s mine! Some of it’s for Tord’s partner.” 

“Oh! They’re here?! I want to see them!” 

Three. 

“Wait until dinner. I’m sure the commie’s got his pants down by now.”

“Oh that’s just gross! Don’t talk like that Tom, it’s very rude. They in fact both had their pants on and clothing intact when I popped in.”

You don’t hear more than three voices bicker and move around. But still, it’s…. a lot. Four people total are keeping you in this house for god knows what reason. You refuse to think about the clothes comment. You wouldn’t you wouldn’t you wouldn’t or you were going to puke. 

“Stop looking at the door, please.” 

You nearly jump out of your damn skin hearing Tord’s voice. It snaps you out of your thoughts. You sniffle, taking deep breaths. You turn your attention to the tv and desperately try not to think about what fucked up situation you’re in.

[2willowlane]

mmph. i fell hard for the town doctor already; and i'm in need of some hugs with him </3

gender neutral reader, sfw, romantic/platonic

running the clinic in pelican town wasn't as easy as many think it is. sure, less people does equal to some not-so busy working hours. sorting through medical files, organizing documents, making sure all of the information is up to date... harvey is glad that he has maru taking care of some of the shifts. however, all those restless nights where he had to scramble around for his coffee mug—as the only light source came from his monitor, as he filled in the monotonous "yes/no" questions that would fill up the screen...

it made harvey feel so, so very exhausted already; by just the mere thought of it.

harvey adored his position, as he did slave away hours of his life at medical school for a reason. there was something that connected him with medicine. even if there's something more personal with him and aviation, he could find comfort in knowing that what he did with his life was right. there was something that did urge at him, though, that his dreams of being a pilot felt as if they were just selfish. selfish, in a way, that he only wantes to fulfill what was right for him—not for the countless others that are in need.

though, with time, did come with patience and understanding. he knew that not all dreams can come true; but he wasn't deterred by it. as long as he kept on getting those model planes in the mail, and still listen in on the air traffic every now and then—he was able to enjoy those simple, little delights. at first, the title of "doctor" felt like a burden to harvey, a pang of emotion hitting him whenever he'd be referred as that. it was something a person had to experience; as it was hard for harvey to even begin to place what that feeling meant to him.

wiping his mouth off with the cuff of his olive overcoat, harvey finished drinking his evening coffee in his upstairs apartment. it was around 12pm; the time where he'd enjoy to go outside, trying to not let the stale air of the clinic get to him all too much. even if he just stood outside on that bunch of grass for hours and hours, it always served as a great space to just appreciate what he has here. great friends and job, in an equally great place here in the valley. those moments where the doctor could just relax inside, not having to worry about anything (just yet) was what he lived for. all that hard work then satisfyingly pays off—for the better, really.

as he got up to run some water in the sink, to clean his mug, he heard a gentle knock at the door. he knew who it was exactly. with a gentle grin to himself, harvey went to go place down the cup on the countertop, as he made his way towards the door. opening the door, you knew you probably had just made his day, as he immediately asked how you were doing; oh-so happy to have seen you. with such emotion, you reciprocated harvey's affections, with a heartwarming hug of your own.

"what's gotten you so excited?" you felt his voice reverberate against your chest, your head comfortably next to his; your hands behind his tall, strong back. "not that i mind, however."

harvey allows his friends to come to his apartment; as he not only appreciates the company. it makes him feel also appreciated, that someone would want to spend at least just a moment of their time upstairs. there were times where he hates having such a big space to himself; he knows that it's not the biggest flat, but, he couldn't imagine living in anything greater. it just reminds him of how lonely he could get at times. with his job requiring him to move to this place and that... harvey enjoys knowing that there are still people out there who understand. he doesn't want to be the "busy friend" all of the time; he works because he cares, and he works very hard to at least get a day off—a day off to where he can at least spend his time doing what he enjoys most. namely, being with you.

as you laughed, a bit embarrassed by how you hugged him, you withdrew—still holding onto him. he chuckled by your mumbled apology, and reassured you that everything was okay.

"it's okay! well, glad that you've been well."

[chronicbeans]

Wally Darling with a Restoration Project Reader (part 8)

Yippee- No nightmares! New friends!

TW: Disappearances, Mentions of Nightmares, Mentions of Vomiting, Mentions of Possible Hallucinations, Minor Scopophobia/Eye Imagery

🗞️ You wake up the next morning, happy to find that you didn't have any nightmares. However, your cellphone is blowing up. Looking at it, you find a few texts in the group chat. Amy is complaining about having horrible nightmares, Finn is informing everyone that Daniel has been "vomiting his guts out". Daniel's only text has been "God help me, why can't I drink water? I'm going to the ER, see y'all when I get out." which was sent at 3 in the morning.

🗞️ You meet up with Finn and Amy at the playground. You have one of the letters with cursive handwriting on it, alongside the "Painting in the Dark" tape hidden in your coat pocket. Finn and Amy have their own respective letters. Amy is the first to speak "I hope Daniel will get better. I called him last night, after I had the nightmare... He kept mentioning that his windows had eyes. I think something is seriously wrong." You all nod in agreement. You ask Amy "Do you want to talk about your nightmare?" "No..."

🗞️ Everyone is silent, again, before you tell them that you are going to go around and ask people about the letter. With that, you leave. Walking along the streets, you ask everyone you bump into about the letter and handwriting. A few seem to have a reaction, but don't give you an answer. Most, however, just shake their heads.

🗞️ One person, though, grins happily. She's a woman with a beautiful yellowish gold tie, as well as a very professional style of dress. "Oh! That looks like the handwriting of one of the two Dorelaine brothers! They went missing a long time ago... However, some of their family lives here, still. Right up there, in that large manor, on the hill." She points to the hill, and sure enough, there is a large manor on top of it. She continues "I know them, so I can get you in. They will be happy to see you have something like that."

🗞️ You grin, quickly texting your group that you have gotten a hit, before following the woman. You make it to the large gates, where the woman quickly talks to the security about what you have. Shockingly enough, that was all you needed to get in. The lady stands outside to make a quick call, telling you to just go up to the front doors and knock.

🗞️You do so, knocking on the large, dark oak doors. Suns and Moons are carved into the wood, with hourglasses scattered here and there across the pattern. A young man opens the door, his eyes large and full of hope. "Do you have the letter? Can I see it?"

🗞️ You quickly explain "I have the envelope. I didn't bring the letter, because it was just concept art for the show Welcome Home. I could go grab it if you want-" He cuts you off "No! No! Just show me the envelope, then." You pass it to him, watching as he stares at it with fascination.

🗞️"The handwriting is just like my great-uncle, William. He was very involved in Welcome Home. His brother, Ronald, my other great-uncle, created the show. They both went missing... First, Ronald. Years later, William went missing. We've asked the police numerous times to reopen their cases, but they say it's a cold one. I am so happy you found this! Maybe you could help us. One second!"

🗞️ Before you can speak, telling him that you are not interested in helping, he turns around and shouts "MAMA! IT'S TRUE! COME LOOK AT THIS!"

🗞️ There is a shuffling as an old lady comes into view. She is using a walker to help her move, her feet shuffling against the floor quickly, as if in a hurry to see what you have found. She adjusts her spectacles, looking at the envelope. "My word! That IS uncle William's handwriting!" She then looks at you "The lady said your friend had this mailed to him... Please, come in! I'll answer any question you have, just... Promise you'll help us figure out what happened to my uncles..."

🗞️ As much as you want to say no... your heart breaks for the old lady. She sounds so hopeful, like she has been disappointed time and time again, and you are her last hope. You nod, saying "All I ask is that you let me ask about the show they worked on. We are trying to revive interest in it." She nods, her feeble voice saying "Of course... That would be a cherry on top of finding them. That show was their passion. They'll live on through that show..."

🗞️ You follow the two inside, amazed by how large the place is. Everything looks so expensive. A lot of gold, blue, and silver. You are led to a large table, a little statue of Home in the center. The old lady introduces herself "I am Lindsey Dorelaine. This is my son, Edward Dorelaine." Edward grins, waving. You wave back, an awkward smile on your face.

🗞️"So... I want to know anything you can tell me about Welcome Home. I can see that you have some memorabilia of it." You gesture to the little statue. Edward nods "Okay. Well, Ronald came up with the idea alongside his friend, Caesar Jones. Caesar came up with Wally. After a party celebrating how Welcome Home got a broadcasting deal with one of the same channels as one of the shows Jim Henson was on, Ronald went missing. Then, William took over, made a few changes, and... That's all I know. What about you, Mama? You know a lot, since you were alive when William was around."

🗞️ Lindsey is silent for a moment, before speaking very softly. "I saw the studio, once. There were Suns and Moons painted on the walls. William's office was filled with clocks. He even had his own two fire hatchets. One had a Sun and the other a Moon on it. I even got to meet ol' Caesar. At that point, his hands couldn't move as well as before, so another person puppeteered while he voiced good ol' Wally Darling. The Playfellow Workshop is still standing, you know? Locked up and rotting, but still standing. Eddie, why don't you show our guest William's room? We've kept it locked up to preserve it."

🗞️ Your eyes widen as Edward stands. He nods, then holds his hand out for you "Come on. I'm sure we'll find more about Welcome Home in there. It will even give you some more info about William, so you can start your search for him, too." You take his hand, letting him lead you further into the manor. In the very back, on the third floor, there is a faded yellow door. Edward takes out a key, unlocking it, then pushing it open.

🗞️ With a loud creak of the rusted hinges, the dark room is revealed to you. Baby blue walls, clocks everywhere, a large bed... there are countless bookshelves and drawers, alongside an old writing desk. Edward flicks on the light, which flickers slightly before glowing gently. Pictures of Wally Darling hang on the walls, their eyes staring blankly ahead. Most of the Wally pictures are framed, with things such as "He's the Most" or "Puppet of the Month" written in gold letters underneath the picture. There are a couple pictures of Barnaby, too, but most of them have had their eyes scratched out for some unknown reason, and are simply hung up with thumbtacks.

🗞️ The last thing Edward says before leaving is "Take a look around. Take what you think could be useful for your investigation, both for Welcome Home and my great-uncles. Just let us know what you take before you leave. You can call your friends to help, if you like."

[ladyantiheroine]

Heroine Fantasy

Summary: Hughie gets a package in the mail and asks Annie for a favor. Read on AO3.

Pairing: Hughie Campbell x Annie January

Warnings: Explicit sexual content.

Word Count: 3.6k words

Tags: Femdom, pegging, roleplay, hair-pulling, breaking the bed, domestic bliss, fluff and smut, cute.

This is a bad idea. 

It wasn’t the first time those words entered Hughie’s head, and they were usually a good sign he was about to make a mistake. He stared down at the freshly delivered package on his bed. He made the order impulsively, and tried not to think about it until an Amazon delivery driver brought it to his door.

Now it was here, and despite his reservations he had a pair of scissors in his hand and was cutting open the tape. He sliced over the tag with the address to him and Annie’s new apartment and tossed the scissors aside. The package didn’t have anything dangerous in it, if he wasn't mistaken. But he stared at it like it may have a bomb inside.

After a moment, Hughie split open the folds of the box. His hands pushed past dozens of white packing peanuts until his fingertips brushed a strap of black leather. Gulping, he curled his fingers around it and pulled it out.

The silver buckles of the harness gleamed in the sunlight streaking between the window blinds. Hughie had the seller tailor it to Annie’s exact measurements, based on her Starlight suit. He even had her star logo painted on the front. And of course, securely attached to the front was a long, plastic dildo.

Hughie traced the length of the phallus with his finger. It was harder than it looked, and his asshole clenched just looking at it.

And even worse? Just touching it made him hard.

Hughie blushed and quickly dropped the whole harness back into the packing peanuts. He ran his hands through his hair and paced around the room.

“I’m such an asshole,” he mumbled to himself.

He knew what he wanted to ask Annie would be an asshole thing to ask. He’d seen how Vought treated Supes. Turning them into commodities, characters, unrecognizable if you knew them in person. They turned Annie into a sex object in a skimpy new costume, told her to be someone she didn’t want to be.

So to ask her, I want you to fuck me as Starlight . To ask her to play yet another character for him, because…

Because for countless nights he dreamed of her pressing a gold boot to his crotch and he’d wake up with cum-soaked sheets. Because every time he was alone and put his hand to his cock he always whimpered “Starlight” instead of “Annie.” Because on their first date when he said he liked that she could kick his ass, he really meant it.

But it was a selfish thing to want. Not something he should ask from the woman he’d already almost lost. She wasn’t just Starlight. She was Annie January, and he wasn’t going to make her play pretend just for some weird fantasy of his.

It was a hot day in July. Even with the AC running, Hughie was sweating through his shirt. He needed a shower to wash off and clear his head.

He went into the bathroom across the hall from the bedroom. Stripped down, turned on the water, and started soaking. But just as he was rinsing out his shampoo and scrubbing under the armpits, he heard the front door to the apartment open.

“Babe, I’m home,” Annie called from the door. Hughie froze and heard the clatter of Annie’s keys on the counter. “Off duty a little early today.”

Hughie heard Annie footsteps making their way down the hallway towards the bedroom. His stomach bolted when he remembered: The package. It was still open on their bed.

“Are in the shower?” Annie’s voice was right outside the door.

Hughie quickly shut off the faucet and yanked a towel off the rack.

“Ugh, yeah,” he said. He frantically scrubbed himself off. It was at that moment he realized his bathrobe was still in the drying machine and he had nothing to change into. Fuck . “Annie, ugh, can you wait for a sec?”

“Wait for what?”

Her voice was coming from the bedroom now. Hughie haphazardly tied a towel around his waist and scurried, dripping wet, out of the bathroom and across the hall. He stumbled through the bedroom door. Annie had her back to him, looking down at the box on the bed.

Hughie’s heart ricocheted. 

“Annie, no!” he cried.

He shoved past her and grabbed the box off the bed, tossing it to the opposite corner of the room. Annie stared at him, mouth agape.

“What the hell, Hughie?” she said. She looked him up and down, at his wet body still fuzzy with soap. “What’s up with you?”

Hughie stood for a moment, mouth open and not sure what to say.

“Nothing,” he said. “Nothing’s wrong.”

“Then what’s in the box?” Annie gestured across the room. “Did you order something?”

“I…” Fuck, he was fucked. “Listen, can you just…wait in the living room for a few minutes? I can explain in a bit.”

“What’s so special you need a few minutes?” Annie raised an eyebrow. “Hughie, what are you hiding?”

“I’m not hiding! I just…”

“Hughie, I thought we weren’t keeping secrets anymore.”

“We’re not, I just…”

“Hughie.”

Fuck, the way her tone sharpened did nothing to help the boner tenting his towel. Annie noticed, and looked between his thighs and his face.

“Did you like…order porn magazines or something?”

“ No ,” Hughie said defensively. “No, I absolutely did not.”

Annie crossed her arms.

“Then why the boner?” she asked. Then, a teasing smirk that only made his situation worse. “Heat from the shower or just happy to see me?”

Hughie gulped.

“Both?” he squeaked.

Annie chuckled, then her smirk dipped.

“Seriously, Hughie,” she said. “Just show me what’s in the box.”

Hughie froze for a moment, then breathed a sigh of resignation. He turned and sauntered to the corner of the room. Several packing peanuts had fluttered from the box when he threw it, leaving a snowy trail on the carpet. He reached inside, sucked in a breath, then pulled out the harness. He turned to face Annie, unable to look her in the eye.

Annie's eyes widened when she took in the thing.

“Oh,” she said. “Okay, so…not porn magazines, but…could not guess that.”

Hughie bit down hard on his lip.

“It came in today,” he said. “While you were gone. I…wasn’t even considering keeping it.”

“I mean, Hughie, this is unexpected, but…why did you want to hide it so bad?”

“I…I don’t want to piss you off.”

“Why would this piss me off?” Then, Annie squinted and looked closer. “Is that my…Starlight emblem painted on the front?”

Hughie’s bit his lip white and his cheeks turned red.

“Yes,” he said. He tossed the harness on the bed and looked at her. “I bought it because I’ve been thinking that…I wanted to ask you…”

“Ask me what?”

Hughie squeezed his eyes shut and braced himself. He said his next words as fast as he could.”

“IwantedtoaskyoutobeStarlightnexttimewehavesex.”

He winced and waited for her response. He opened one eye to a peep. Annie was staring at him with an indecipherable expression.

“What?” she said.

Hughie sighed.

“Look,” he said. “I know that the whole sexy Starlight persona Vought made you do was a dumb character. I know that’s not you, and know that you’ve had to be this weird version of Starlight for a long time. But…” He bit his lip. “I really like the idea of…doing it with all sides of you, right? Annie and Starlight? Making love with both?”

Fuck, he sounded stupid. He shook his head.

“I just don’t want you to think I’m one of those assholes who treats Starlight like some fetish. You’re not a sex object, you’re not what Vought tried to make you. But I also think about all the guys you’ve taken down and that night you saved me from A-Train and I just…you’re so cool and amazing and hot and I just—”

“ Hughie .”

Her tone stopped his words in their tracks. Annie took a few steps closer to Hughie, and he suddenly felt like he was shrinking.

“Yes, Vought tried to make me into someone else,” she said as she moved closer. “I already knew who Starlight was. I decided that long ago. When they tried to take that decision away from me, it sucked.”

She stood right in front of him, inches from his face. 

“But I can decide for myself what Starlight does and doesn’t do,” she said. “And that includes what she likes to do to her boyfriend.”

Hughie was frozen but shaking.

“It’s really sweet you care like that,” she said. “But if you wanted to see the suit, you could have just asked. You don’t need to get the floor wet.” She glanced over his shoulder. “And all those peanuts on the floor.”

She turned her eyes back to his.

“How about this,” she said. “I forgot to get groceries on my way home. If you have dinner ready for us by the time I get home…maybe we can play around a little.”

There was that teasing smirk again. Hughie’s heart hitched and his legs trembled. A shaky smile crept onto his face.

“Ugh…yeah,” he said. “Yeah, totally, I can do that.”

Annie grinned and kissed him on the cheek.

“Dry off and clean up the floor while you’re at it,” she said.

She turned on her heels and disappeared out the door.

~

Hughie finished washing down, dried himself off, cleaned up the water and packing peanuts, and cooked dinner in record time. His entire body was vibrating and he couldn’t move fast enough.

He changed into the nicest thing he had, which admittedly was still just clean jeans and a button-up shirt. He cooked spaghetti and meatballs, with the special tomato sauce recipe he knew she liked. And he had it all ready on the table with a bottle of red wine by the time he heard the front door open.

“I smell pasta,” she called.

Annie sauntered into the kitchen, groceries bags crinkling on her arms. Hughie already had a chair pulled up for her.

“Let me help you with those,” he said. He walked over and took the groceries, grunting once they were in his arms. “Wow, these are heavy. Did you buy two bowling balls?”

“Only a gallon of milk and some cans of soup,” Annie said.

She took a seat at the table and watched him heave the bags onto the counter. Hughie was a stark contrast to the macho types she was used to in the Supe world. But he was kinder, more genuine than all of them were. Not to mention cuter. And funnier.

And he wants you up his ass, her mind whispered.

Hughie bent over to load the cans of soup into a bottom cabinet. Annie’s eyes lingered on the shape of his ass in his jeans.

“Okay, pantry stocked,” Hughie said, standing up. “Let’s eat.”

~

For the next hour, the two chatted about nothing through two plates of pasta and one bottle of red wine. Annie took her time, savoring every bite and sip. Hughie, despite himself, ate with a quick pace. He finished his plate before Annie could finish off her meatballs.

“My uniform has been collecting dust in the closet for a while,” she said.

“Which one?” Hughie asked through a mouthful of wine.

As soon as the words left his mouth, Hughie gagged on his drink and started coughing. He pressed a napkin to his mouth, face red while Annie giggled.

“Both, actually,” she said. She twirled her fork in her noodles. “And one of them is dusting soon.”

Hughie wiped his mouth and cleared his throat. Once they were both done eating, he stood up and reached for Annie’s plate.

“I’ll get the dishes,” he said.

Hughie hauled the two sauce-stained plates and half-empty wine glasses to the sink. He grabbed a sponge and a bottle of Dawn and started scrubbing everything down. The clink of the dishes was loud enough that he didn’t hear Annie slip out the kitchen.

Soap, scrub, dry, back in the cupboard. Hughie dried off his hands with a paper towel. At that moment, the alarm system went off. It startled him so badly that he nearly dropped the wine glass in his hand.

What the hell was it? A fire alarm? The stove had been off for an hour, where the hell could a fire be? That’s when Hughie noticed that Annie wasn’t at the table.

“Annie?” he called.

“I’m afraid she isn’t home.”

Hughie turned to the kitchen door. Annie—no, Starlight —was standing in the doorway, dressed in her white skirt and golden boots. Hughie froze where he stood, eyes wide and lips parted.

“You..” he shuttered. “You…you…”

Then, in the blink of an eye, Annie flashed across the room. She grabbed Hughie by the front of his shirt and hoisted him into the air. Hughie grabbed Annie’s wrist, his legs trembling in the air.

“Annie,” he grunted.

“She isn’t here,” she said. “So you slipped inside to steal from her.”

There was a glint in Starlight’s eyes, and it clicked to Hughie.

Roleplay, he thought. I gotcha.

“Oh, you’ve caught me, Starlight,” Hughie said in what was no doubt an Oscar-winning acting voice. “Don’t mind me. I just wanted to steal some…alfredo sauce.”

Starlight threw Hughie face-down on the kitchen table, sending a thrilling ache through his body. He moaned while Annie’s strong hands pinned his wrists behind his back.

“You shouldn’t be here,” she whispered in his ear. “I’ll have to take care of you until the police show up.”

Despite the pain spreading through his body, Hughie grew a shaky smile and a shakier giggle escaped his mouth. 

“I’m so sorry…” he said. “Is there…anything I can do…to convince you to let me go…?”

And then, almost instinctively, Hughie perked up his butt a little. It bumped against Starlight’s waist, and that’s when she felt a surge inside her. She always found Hughie’s bumbling dorkiness adorable. But seeming him so helpless under her power, it was a whole new feeling that made the body surge.

She smiled by his ear.

“Maybe if you don’t resist arrest,” she said. “Or what I’m about to do to you.”

Starlight lifted Hughie back up into the air and a second later, he was pressed face-down into the mattress in their bedroom. Hughie was trembling all over, from fear or excitement he couldn’t decipher. 

“Please…Starlight,”  Hughie said. “Please have mercy on me.”

Please fuck me up.

Starlight briefly let go of Hughie, but he didn’t dare move. He heard her moving behind him, heard a metallic clicking sound and the squeak of a bottle.

“I don’t know if a guy like you deserves mercy,” she said. “Breaking into a house, talking back to me?” She was suddenly right behind him. “I’m not sure if I should go easy on you.”

Hughie dared to glance over his shoulder. Starlight pinched the trim of her skirt, and lifted it up to reveal the silicone cock peeping right underneath, the tip shiny from the bottle of lube in the drawer. Immediately, his heart lurched and all the blood streamed down between his legs. His erection was starting to hurt.

“I didn’t say you could look at me,” Starlight growled.

She snatched a fist into Hughie’s curly head and pushed his face down into the duvet. Hughie made a startled sound, then squealed when Starlight grabbed the waist of his jeans and pulled them down. A cold breeze brushed his bare ass and a shiver ran up his spine as she grazed his flesh with her knuckles.

“Don’t you dare move,” she ordered him in a low voice. She let go of his hair and readied herself at his entrance.”I want the cops to hear you before they even bust down the door.”

With that, Starlight grabbed Hughie’s hips and pushed herself inside him. For a brief moment, Annie almost slipped out of character, worried she was moving too quickly that she may hurt him, but after a loud yelp Huighie let out a long, shivering sigh of pleasure.

“That’s…” he sighed. “That’s uh…that’s that…that’s…”

There was a tentative but visible smile on his face. Starlight took that as a good sign and slowly ground her hips forward.

“Does it hurt?” she asked.

“No…” Hughie said. “I don’t know…keep going…”

Starlight smiled and narrowed her eyes. She reached up and snatched his hair again, pulling it back. Hughie moaned, his back arching as she pounded deeper into him. Fuck, this felt better than he antispicated. Annie’s manicured nails in his hair, her cock pulsing up his ass and sending shockwaves of pleasure.

The best part? He wasn’t strong enough to fight her off.

“Fuck…” he moaned. “Fuck, that feels so good…”

“I didn’t say you could talk.”

Starlight shoved his face down into the mattress. The thrill of power and the harness’s pressure against her clit was making her body surge. She started pounding harder, thrusting her hips at an even but ravenous pace, while Hughie moaned his pleasure into the mattress.

The rhythm was intoxicating, and the sounds Hughie made Starlight’s heart pulse. Her nails sunk into his hips and her cock slid deeper into his hole while the bedsprings sang beneath them.

Meanwhile, Hughie’s cock was leaking fast between his legs, leaving a stain on the carpet.

“Mhm-hm-mming,” he mumbled into the duvet.

Starlight snatched his hair again and pulled his back into an arch.

“What’s that?” she asked.

“I’m-I’m close…” he croaked.

So was Starlight. Under her bouncing shirt, a heat was crawling up her body. She could have gotten off on Hughie’s helplessness alone, his sighs and moans and trembling body under her super weight.

“Open wide for me, baby,” Starlight said.

The headboard beat against the wall and Starlight wondered for a single moment if the whole thing would break apart. But then she remembered she could lift a car, she could easily snap a bed in half. The challenge sent a grin across her lips.

“Fuck me, Starlight,” Hughie moaned. “Fuck, please fuck me .”

It hit them both at once. Like a strike of lightning, the two exploded together on the mattress. Starlight’s eyes glowed gold and the light fixture above them flickered and sparked. Hughie went limp as a doll, helpless and elated under Starlight’s immense power.

Starlight kept going even after they were both drained, and it was on the final thrust that they both heard a snap. Wooden boards cracked and the mattress dropped to the floor, taking both of them down with them.

Hughie yelped and Starlight collapsed on top of his back. The mattress broke their fall, the structure of the bed splintered around them.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” Annie said. 

She pressed two hands to the mattress and lifted herself up. Neither of them seemed hurt, at least, not on the outside. 

Hughie was sweating, trembling below her. He felt simultaneously like he could run a mile and melt into a puddle.

Slowly, gently, Starlight pulled out of him. Hughie was left curled on the duvet, shivering and dripping with sweat, face redder than his girlfriend had ever seen. Starlight dropped the harness from her waist and tossed it across the floor with her foot. Then she returned to the bed and looked down at Hughie.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

Hughie looked at his girlfriend. He seemed as open and vulnerable as a newborn baby, and Annie worried maybe this wasn’t what he expected. But then Hughie reached over to take her hand in his.

“I loved it,” he said, a small smile peeping at the corners of his mouth. “Can you hold me?”

Annie’s heart curled in her chest and she immediately crawled into the bed beside him. She pulled the duvet over both of them and held Hughie’s head close to her chest. He buried his face into her shiny gold emblem and she petted her fingers through his hair.

“That was…” Hughie said. His brain was still warm and soupy, and he searched it for words. “I really liked that… I really, really liked that.”

Annie held him close and kissed the top of his head.

“I did too,” she said. 

A small smile quirked on her lips. Maybe Vought has a point that Starlight could be sexy. The problem was their version of sexy Starlight was a piece of meat on a plate, a thing to be devoured. Annie liked sexy Starlight much better when she was the one doing the fucking, putting her super strength to use.

“Sorry about the bed,” she said, glancing around at the broken structure around them.

“It was old,” Hughie mumbled. “Had it since I was a kid.” He looked up at her. “Maybe we can go shopping tomorrow…look for a…metal model. Or steel.”

Annie chuckled and threaded her fingers through his hair. The two of them were quiet for a few minutes. The AC kicked on and a pleasant cool breeze brushed over their overheated bodies.

“Do you want to do it again?” Annie asked him.

Hughie’s eyes were closed and he was breathing gently. She must have fucked his soul out or something, because the poor boy was out.

“Maybe later,” he said. He circled his arms around her waist. “I just want to…sleep with you…for a bit.”

Annie chuckled. She pulled Hughie close just as a small drizzle of rain was beginning to patter outside. Before night had time to fall, Hughie was dazed asleep in the arms of his heroine.

[stardewremixed]

First Kiss with Harvey

@nectar33n requested Harvey first so here goes. I’m not sure if you wanted canon or non-canon or if you wanted a female or male or nonbinary Farmer. I’m going with canon/female Farmer. I wrote a freakin’ novel so spoilers... haha! Once I started, I couldn’t stop. Hope you don’t mind. 

It was the morning of the surprise. Harvey set his alarm for 5am. He knew the Farmer was an early riser, but he wasn’t sure how early. The night before he tossed and turned in bed. He was nervous. Not because of the height of the hot air balloon ride, but because he hoped beyond hope that today would be the day. Today he would confess his true feelings to the Farmer, the woman who stole his whole heart. 

As a doctor, Harvey knew he could not survive without his heart. Logically. If she rejected him, he wasn’t sure how he would survive, except that he wanted her to be happy. And then it would be awkward at two thousand feet above ground if she said no. 

Argh! Harvey had been paranoid about missing his alarm, and so he woke up at a half past four. It was much too early, but he slipped his glasses onto the bridge of his nose. Laying his head back against the pillow, he tried a self-soothing technique that had worked for years. Deep breath in. Hold. One. Two. Three. Four. Exhale. 

After ten more deep breaths, his heart rate slowed. Still, when he tucked his arm behind his head, he saw only five minutes had passed. The time mocked him, the little red digital light aggravating his brain. Grunting once more, he resolved to get up, and mustered strength to swing his legs over the bed, one at a time. 

It was too late to take it back. His invitation. He scribbled a note on a piece of memo paper from his doctor’s pad, asking the Farmer to join him right before dawn for a surprise. If he went back now, he would look like an idiot. He already felt stupid staking out her place to make sure she was in for the night before he timidly slipped the note in the mailbox. 

Perhaps he should have thought it through more and used pretty stationary. Like the kind she always slipped in with her homemade jar of pickles. His heart always skipped a little beat when he saw a fresh jar waiting for him outside the Clinic in the morning. A sign she was thinking of him. 

Or when she dropped by on blustery afternoons to bring him coffee, always when he was fading the most. The little hearts she drew on the cup sleeve brightened his days and mindset. Somehow she just knew he needed a pick-me-up. It was a sixth sense. As a man of science, he didn’t always trust the mystical, what others described as “gut feelings.” And yet, Farmer made him want to believe in a deeper connection to the soul, and to a Higher Power. 

Farmer always checked the mail first thing. He liked that about her. She had her routines. He had his own. Predictable, and yet open to surprises. She shared with him once. With that same little head-tilt and charming smile that could sweep a man off his feet. Or in Harvey’s case stumble over his own two feet. He winced as he tripped into the bathroom and flicked on the light, wishing he had the sense to slid his toes into slippers before padding around in the dead of night. 

Reaching for the shower handles, he turned the water to scalding hot. The heat would relax him. He liked it to feel like a sauna. His apartment above the office was modest, small, just big enough for him. No space for a bathtub, but he didn’t mind. He was usually in a hurry. Harvey yanked his black tee shirt over his head. The mirror was already fogging. He stared into the glass after wiping away some of the steam. His eyes looked tired. His hair was wild. And he could have sworn he saw a wrinkle near his forehead. 

Perhaps he was selfish to ask her to be his girlfriend. She deserved someone younger. Someone who could keep up with her endless energy. Someone who wasn’t so preoccupied and could help out more around the farm. He wasn’t a “spring chicken.” He hoped the age gap wouldn’t bother her, and he assured himself that it never had before. She even confessed once that she was attracted to older men after one too many pale ales at the Saloon. 

Removing his pajama bottoms and boxers, Harvey stepped into the shower before he changed his mind. He was older, but he was no slouch. He worked out once a week with the ladies - good cardio at Caroline’s studio. And he took walks once a day all over the village, sometimes twice a day if he was facing a particularly challenging medical problem. Sometimes Farmer joined him, and he grew to like her company. No, he ruffled shampoo through his hair, he grew to love her company. 

Even with doctor-patient confidentiality in a tiny town where everyone knew everyone, Harvey could still vaguely discuss different issues he faced. She listened intently, engaged in the conversation, offering an encouraging head nod or smile as needed. He could tell she liked to listen to him talk, even when he felt like he was rambling. Her eyes shone. 

Harvey puffed his chest out a little with pride as he soaped up, thinking about his mother’s insistence that he take vocal lessons as a teen. Learning Latin for mass (which helped in medical school) and singing tenor (for the ladies) paid off. His patients often said he possessed a soothing voice and kind bedside manner. Or one very special lady. He smiled to himself as he stepped from the shower and wrapped himself in a towel. 

A half hour later, dressed, everything packed into a picnic basket, Harvey padded over to his kitchen to brew a pot of coffee. Even the particular brand of beans reminded him of Farmer. She grew a coffee plant just for him in her greenhouse so he could have his favorites year-round, and roasted the beans with the help of Gus at the Saloon. Her thoughtfulness knew no bounds. 

A steady rap at the door downstairs startled him. Harvey glanced at the clock. Almost 5:45 a.m. He had checked the paper so he knew the sun would rise at ten after six. Was she early? He plucked his cell phone from his shirt pocket, but it did not reveal a text message. Harvey slid into his familiar brown loafers and walked downstairs. 

“Evelyn?” 

His eyes widened with surprise to see his elderly neighbor standing on his doorstep. She was bundled up warm in her typical red coat and the pair of black leather gloves her husband George had purchased to help her poor circulation. Her smile told him he had nothing to worry about, but he couldn’t help himself. 

“Is everything okay with George?” he asked, stepping aside so she could step into the clinic. 

George was one of his most temperamental patients, and frequently didn’t listen to his advice. It had taken almost two years for George to trust Harvey as a doctor. And even then, he grumbled about asking for help. 

“Yes, yes,” Evelyn said. “He’s still sleeping like a log. The machine you suggested though does cut back on his snoring. I barely hear it anymore.” 

She removed her gloves. Harvey nodded. 

“I’m glad it was useful for him. How can I help you?” 

“I saw your light. And I was up anyhow.” 

She reached into her bag, revealing wrapped hot bread. Freshly baked. Evelyn told him she often rolled doughs when she had trouble sleeping. 

“I thought,” her blue eyes twinkled. “You and the Farm Girl would appreciate this.” 

“How?” he ran a hand through his hair. “...did you?” 

She smirked. “I’m not psychic, Doc. I just know you. And you were running all over town this past week making special preparations for a ‘special’ date with a ‘special’ someone.” 

Harvey’s face relaxed into a smile. “Oh I was that obvious?” He chuckled ruefully. “I guess, I was.”

“Relax, Doc, she’s going to say yes,” Evelyn said, reaching up to tap his shoulder. “After all, you’re quite the catch.”

At her words, Harvey felt his cheeks grow hot. Evelyn meant well. She truly was a “Granny” to the entire town. He managed a meek “thank you” and waved, watching to make sure she made it back to her home across the square. When he saw her residence light turn on, Harvey returned inside the clinic. Reaching for his coat, he buttoned up, grabbed his basket of goodies, and tucked Evelyn’s bread inside before stepping back out. 

A quick twenty minute jaunt up the hill, Harvey reached the railroad crossing in no time. His heart felt light, even if his stomach felt full of knots. Evelyn wished him well, but could she really know the Farmer would say yes? As he was twisting the toe of his shoe in the dusty ground, wondering if he would “chicken” out, Harvey heard a gentle, familiar voice calling to him. 

Instantly, he felt his shoulders relax. He turned to wave at her, then wondered if he was grinning like an idiot. If he was, she didn’t seem to mind. She walked toward him briskly, smiling brightly herself. Today she wore a soft green blouse and jean skirt, matching jacket, and her famous knee-high brown boots. As she drew close, he could even tell she had applied makeup - a little mascara, eyeshadow, and eyeliner. Perhaps even a light lip gloss. His heart skipped two beats. She always looked good, no matter what she was wearing, but he could tell she made an effort for him. 

“How’s my favorite doctor?” she asked, reaching his side. 

“Good, and you’re right on time,” he cleared his throat, hoping she couldn’t sense his nervousness. 

“Oh for what? What is this surprise?” she inquired, eagerly, rubbing her hands together. 

Without thinking, he reached over and took her hands in his own to warm them. He grimaced, almost immediately regretting it. His palms were sweaty. She would know he was anxious. 

And yet, she looked up at him, surprise registering in her eyes, but her expression was welcoming. “Oh thank you. I should’ve worn gloves.” 

“You can wear mine,” he offered, starting to remove them one at a time. 

“No,” she grinned, shaking her head. “This is better.” Her fingers interlocked with his, and she squeezed gently. 

He straightened and cleared his throat again, knowing with almost certainty that pink had breached his cheeks. “Look here it comes,” he pointed to the sky. 

His anxiety levels skyrocketed as he realized this was the moment as the hot air balloon descended into the open field. However, her excited grip around his fingers and the look of pure joy on her face made him so happy. Harvey wanted her to be happy. 

“Are you surprised?” 

“Oh my! Yes!” she exclaimed, temporarily releasing his hand to clap her own. “But aren’t you afraid of heights, Harvey?” 

YES! He wanted to scream, but he couldn’t. It wouldn’t exactly be manly. And he would never live it down. His heart pounded wildly. The way she said his name, with kindness and concern, helped him catch his breath. Harvey somehow managed to express himself, sharing about how he wanted this to be special for her as she had never ridden in a hot air balloon before. And he had seen the ad and knew he just had to surprise her. She was always doing things for him, going out of her way, and he wanted to repay her consistent kindness. 

Marcello, their guide, gave detailed instructions about where to stand, how to operate the balloon, what to do in case of emergencies. Harvey had stayed up nearly all night three nights in a row last week researching rental companies with the highest safety ratings. He muttered this, and to his dismay, the Farmer heard, but she just smiled and told him how much she appreciated his thoroughness. 

Harvey offered her a hand as they stepped into the basket. He thought his heart would leap out of his chest. Her grip was reassuring. She didn’t let go until he was securely in the basket and by her side. She flexed her fingers and he realized perhaps he had been gripping too hard. 

“Oh sorry,” he mumbled. 

“No, it’s okay,” she said. “I am happy to be here with you, and I know you’re nervous. To be honest...” she tilted her head to the side. “I am too.” 

“Really?” he hated how his voice squeaked. He cleared his throat and repeated. “Oh really!” 

“Yes, but I’m excited too, like...” she grabbed his hand again and laid it against her chest around her left breast. 

He flushed, realizing this was the closest he had ever been to them. 

“Butterflies!” 

They both said in unison, and then laughed awkwardly. He dropped his hand quickly, feeling it improper to linger, even though her heartbeat felt nice. 

“You ready?” she asked. 

He gulped and nodded. “Yeah, I’m determined not to let my fears hold me back. I want to experience this with you.” 

“Me too,” she nodded. 

As they lifted off the ground, his jaw dropped open and his eyes widened. This was really happening. They had left the safety of earth behind for the unknown expanse of the sky. He couldn’t take it back now. He coughed and rubbed his jaw a bit, hoping she thought he was trembling because of the cold and not fear. 

“I’ll... uh... try... not to get scared,” he mumbled, running a hand through his hair, and flushed hard, realizing he said the words aloud.

“Wow... you can see so far into the Valley already!” she exclaimed. 

He had squeezed his eyes shut during take-off and ascent. Nervously, he released his hands from the sides of his head. In the distance, the sky faded from black to blue to a soft purply-pink. 

“I thought I’d be scared too,” she shared. “But then I saw this view and relaxed.” 

Harvey wished that was all it took for him to calm down. He held the sides of his head, feeling like his heart might burst through his temples.  Then he remembered that he forgot the basket of breakfast... 1700 feet below. Could he be any more absent-minded? His fears... (or was it her hand?) had distracted him. He swallowed, thinking about her hand.

As if on cue, she looked up at him.

 “Here,” she reached for his hand once more and squeezed. “I promise I won’t let go.”

He could kiss her. He wanted to. So badly. But he wanted his pulse to slow down first so he wouldn't trip into her mouth. She always knew just what to do or say to make him feel at ease. A kiss wouldn’t be appropriate yet. We’re not even dating really. I need to tell her how I feel if I can bring myself to look at her. 

“Harvey?” she said, her voice sounding worried.

He squeezed his eyes open and looked down, but the terror flooded right back in. Before he could stop himself, he closed the few feet between them and dropped into her arms for a hug. A hug was okay. Right? This is okay? I’m okay. I’m okay. I’m okay. He repeated to himself.  

“You’re more than okay,” she whispered. 

He almost wondered if he actually heard her right. Did he actually say “I’m okay, okay, okay” aloud? “Wha? What? We’re up so high,” he gulped. 

He felt so dumb. A man of a his age unable to handle heights, clinging to the woman he wanted to be his girlfriend like he was a baby. She’s gonna think I’m such a wimp. He felt dismayed. He could handle blood, guts, puke, sweat, and all sorts of bodily fluids, but heights? Why did I think this was a good idea? 

“Harvey?” she lifted her arms to hug him in return. 

Whether intentional or not, she was stroking the back of his coat. 

“I wanted to impress you with this, but look at me!” he exclaimed burying his head in shame on her shoulder. “I’m a trembling coward.” 

“Harvey?” she repeated his name with such tenderness. “You’re not a coward.” 

“I’m not?” he pulled his head back, shock registering in his eyes as he connected with her gaze. 

He saw nothing but admiration there. 

“You’re definitely not. Harvey, I’ve seen you rescue injured people from rock slides and descend into unstable mines to pull out lost hikers. That’s not cowardly. That’s really brave.”

“What? I... uh...” he stammered.

“And you dove into the sea to rescue those little kids who got swept away by the waves during a sudden summer storm. You didn’t stop to think about your own safety. You just took the plunge.” 

“I... I... guess I did. You helped too. And you frequent the mines way more often than I do. You have more than enough bravery for the both of us.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, Doctor Harvey. You do a lot of things that most people wouldn’t because you care about your patients and about the safety of the lives of those around you. It’s a really admirable quality about you,” she encouraged sweetly. 

“You do such nice things for everyone too, like helping bring supplies to the Shadow People camps deep in the underground. That’s really brave. It’s part of why I like you so much,” he continued, and bit his lip, trying desperately to stay focused on the sky in front of him rather than the slowly disappearing ground below. “I’m just not sure...” 

“And today you planned this romantic surprise for me even though you are clearly terrified of heights.”

“Romantic?” he squeaked.

She furrowed her brow. “Oh am I misinterpreting?” 

Harvey squeezed her hand. “No,” he managed, his voice barely above a whisper. “Don’t let go.” 

She leaned into his shoulder, not only returning the hand squeeze, but wrapping her other arm around his from the side. Her hair smelled like jasmine. They stood side by side, and little by little, he felt his pulse slowing. He began to enjoy the peacefulness, the quiet of the air, the coolness of the breeze against his cheeks, the comfort of her presence. 

“I think I can enjoy it now,” he said after a few minutes of silence as he tried to think of what to say next. 

To tell her how he felt. He wasn’t a poet like Elliott or a songwriter like Sebastian and Sam. He didn’t have the adorable chickens she loved like Shane did, but he did enjoy a good fried egg every once in a while. And he definitely didn’t have the physique of the semi-pro athlete like Alex. He wasn’t the most eligible bachelor in Pelican Town. That alone nearly prevented him from planning this surprise for the Farmer today. He needed to stop comparing himself to others. He conquered this fear. He took the step into the basket and managed this far. Maybe he could manage the next step too. 

“Oh... this is incredible,” he laughed nervously. “I think I can even see Mayor Lewis standing in town square.” 

“Where?” she asked, leaning forward a little. 

Without thinking, Harvey yanked her back to his side. He wrapped an arm around her, and snuggled her against his chest protectively. He couldn’t see her face because he was blushing hard. Why did I do that? He opened his mouth to speak when she suddenly shushed him. He frowned, only momentarily, but then saw what captured her attention. A flock of geese flying in a V flapped in unison by their balloon. It was a majestic sight against the backdrop of the rising sun. Oh! He found the courage to speak from his heart. 

“Uh... Farm Girl?” 

“Yes, Doc?” 

He gulped. “Uh... we’ve known each other for quite a while now and uh...” 

It’s now or never, man. Times almost up! 

“I...” he could feel the sweat pouring down the sides of his face, even if it was cold at altitude. 

She gave him the sweetest smile he had ever seen. Her eyes were full of admiration, encouragement, and dare he hope? Love? She leaned forward, removing any semblance of space between them, placing her hands against his chest. He felt a lump in his throat where the words were stuck. 

“I... love... you too,” she whispered, finishing the words for him. 

With two hands firmly placed on her upper arms, he leaned down, closed his eyes, and kissed her for the first time. Her lips were sweet, slightly chapped from sun and wind, but she tasted like... strawberries. His favorite fruit. He wondered if that was intentional. His senses grew hazy as he heard her sigh “finally” and he nearly lost all control. Her hands found their way behind his back and she pressed her torso against his, and his own hands slid further down her arms and around her delicate waist. He could hardly believe this was happening. 

“I’ve... loved you... for so long,” he managed between kisses. “I... never dreamed...” 

“Neither did I,” she said sweetly, reaching up for his neck, pulling him back to her lips eagerly. “I’ve wanted to kiss you... for so long.” 

“I...” he couldn’t think clearly. 

She was showing him new heights. His kisses deepened. He nearly forgot where they were as he continued with fervor. She seemed to enthusiastically return his desire, matching his speed and intensity with her own. Her legs brushed against his, and he felt weak. It had been so long since he felt this way, if ever. His knees threatened to buckle under the fog of passion, but he pulled back first, as the gentleman in him realized he needed to do something first.

“Will you... be... my girlfriend?” Harvey wanted to make it official. 

“Yes, will you be my boyfriend?” she asked, her eyelashes fluttering happily. 

Harvey never expected to feel so touched by hearing those words. “Yes.” 

He sealed his answer with a kiss. “Yes,” he repeated. 

“I love you, Harvey,” she sighed dreamily and leaned her head against his chest once more. “I am so happy right now.”

Harvey felt tears prick the corners of his eyes. He couldn’t bring himself to swat them away, as the heights still unnerved him and he didn’t want to let go of her. He didn’t want to let go of her ever. He calmed himself with a deep breath or two before replying. After a tender kiss to the top of her head, he said, “Me too.” 

❤️

[invisibleraven]

showing up outside your enemy's door AND “I didn’t know where else to go”?

ship of choice

pretty pretty please?! 🥺🙏

Carrie was having a bad day.

She had slept through her alarm, her hair refused to cooperate, she had spilled her coffee all over herself, and now in the middle of a rainstorm, her car was giving her trouble.

"Come On!" she shouted, slamming her hand on the dashboard which hurt more than helped. The car continued to slug along, but she could tell that she was not making it home to Malibu.

She would call Triple A but her cell had died around lunch time (a wilted salad and tepid water that she scarfed down between meetings) and she didn't have her charger.

"What the fuck am I going to do?" she asked, the sky providing a roar of thunder in response.

She looked around and saw she was in Los Feliz-a stone's throw away from the Molina house. She and Julie had been at each other's throats for years now, but they had friends once. And even if they could never go back to there, she knew Mr. Molina wouldn't leave her out in the rain.

She grabbed her coat and bag, and the keys, quickly making a run for it. Pounding on the door and shivering as a streak of lightning lit up the sky.

It was Julie who opened the door, a look of shock and then falling to a stony expression. "Carrie. You look like a drowned rat."

"My car broke down. I didn't know where else to go," Carrie replied.

Julie sighed, her expression softening just a twinge before opening the door wider and usher her inside. "Stay here, I'll get you a towel and a change of clothes."

"Thanks," Carrie said, shivering as she dripped on the mat by the front door.

Julie was back soon, giving her a towel and some clothes that must have been her own. They would be a little big on Carrie, but beggars shouldn't be choosers. "Go to the powder room and change, I'll toss your stuff in the dryer."

"Why are you doing this?" Carrie asked as she clutched the towel tighter.

"I mean you can always go back in the storm," Julie snarked, then sighed. "Look, we don't like each other, but I'm still a good person who helps those in need, no matter who they are. Maybe you can learn from this and do it yourself some time."

With that, Julie turned and left, leaving Carrie to change. It was bliss to get out of her soaked clothes, and ward off the chill with a towel off and warm dry clothes. Julie had even thrown in a scrunchie so Carrie could fix her hair, and a pair of fuzzy socks.

Carrie left the bathroom, but she knew where the dryer was-the laundry room had been a great hiding spot in their youth. She tossed her stuff in there, not caring about the drying instructions, only that her stuff got dry.

Julie was waiting in the kitchen, scribbling away at her notebook, two steaming mugs sitting there. "Coffee-oat milk and stevia."

"You remembered how I take it after all this time?" Carrie asked, sipping the delicious nectar.

"We were friends for a long time Carrie, and we went to the same school for even longer. I remember a lot about you."

Carrie stayed quiet at that, watching Julie write what was presumably a song, occasionally sipping her own coffee that was a milk and sugar monstrosity-it seemed that Carrie remembered more about Julie than she thought.

"Can I borrow a charger for my phone so I can call my dad?" Carrie asked.

"We still have a house phone, feel free to use that."

"Why?"

"Because there's voice mails on it from my mom," Julie said, glaring at her. "That way we can still hear her voice. Something you forgot long before she died I presume."

Carrie bristled at that. "I loved her like a mom you know. She was the closest thing I had to one either way. It hurt so bad that she passed and I didn't get to say goodbye."

"Well that's on you now isn't it?" Julie replied, the rage evident in her voice. "You chose to stop being my friend in order to be a popular mean girl. You chose not to come to the funeral or even give any of us your sympathies. And when I tried to reach out, or come back to myself, you were unnecessarily cruel. So you can live with that guilt, that ache. And fuck off trying to claim anything more."

With that, Julie stormed off, leaving her songbook there, and Carrie feeling even worse. Because she knew that Julie was right, was right in holding onto her anger this long too. She had no one to blame but herself.

And despite everything, Julie still gave her help, still let her in. Gave her the clothes practically off her back and didn't blink. Julie was a better person than Carrie could ever aspire to be.

She finally picked up the phone and called her dad who promise to send a car to get her and a tow for her car within the next few minutes. Leaving Carrie nothing to do but wait.

She glanced over at the songbook, and even though she knew she shouldn't, she glanced over the lyrics. Julie had always been a talented musician and lyricist, but since forming her band back in junior year, she had been phenomenal.

The song was an angry song, full of feelings of betrayal and regrets with a heavy bass section, pounding drums and a section saved 'For Luke'. Carie didn't know if it would be a bridge or a guitar solo, but whatever it was would only amplify Julie's song.

She finished her coffee, and laid the empty mug in the sink, not touching the half full mug Julie had been drinking from. Her clothes were was dry as they were going to get from their brief tumble in the dryer, but there was no way Carrie was leaving them here or going home in Julie's clothes-she was beholden to her enough.

She changed, and then took the bundle of borrowed things up the stairs. She knew Julie would be sulking in her room-and rightly so. She knocked on the door, and assumed the grunt she got in reply was permission enough.

"Here's your clothes back," Carrie said, laying them on the top of the old trunk she knew was full of Rose's show clothes. "Thank you for the loan, and the rescue."

"I'd say any time, but let's try not to make it a habit," Julie snarked, a whisper of a smile gracing the corner of her mouth.

"Heaven forbid the need to owe each other one," Carrie replied.

There was a horn outside, so Carrie knew that was her ride. She gave Julie a nod, and turned to leave, but then paused. "Your song is really good, by the way. I hope I get to hear it one day."

Julie looked surprised, but settled her face into muted gratitude. "The Orpheum, two weeks time, 9PM. I'll tell the bouncer to let you in."

"I'll be there," Carrie promised, and then went to the door, grabbing her stuff before going out.

Miraculously, the rain had petered out into a gentle drizzle, and Carrie managed to get to the car with minimal soakage. She plugged her phone into the built in charge cord, sighing as it came back to life.

And made sure to put the next Julie and the Phantoms show on her calendar for two weeks from now.

[the-fiction-witch]

Red and Blue

Media The Queens Gambit

Character Benny Watts

Couple Benny X Reader

Rating DARK

Warnings - drugs / drug abuse / mentions of SA / adult themes / medical emergencies

I yawned as I slipped my shoes on and ran a hand through my hair trying to keep my head on straight after only one coffee. I pulled open my door with force as it had gotten stuck again and began to slowly trudge up the muggy stairs, as soon as I got to street level I noticed a car parked behind mine loaded with items I hadn't seen the car before but I didn't think too much about it and just got my mail. Once I got all my mail I headed back down but I noticed the door on the first level was open, I know that apartment's been empty for months so out of curiosity I peeked inside. 

The apartment was much like my own a pretty bare-bones place, slightly nicer than mine given it was not as far down and damp, some boxes littered the place mostly with clothes spilling out, and I saw a girl.

Ooohh... Hello, 

She stood sorting things and unpacking into the apartment, she had this insane pair of platform heels on, tights, some little blue shorts, a white... I think I can call that a top, it's a small top or it's a large bra not confident which I would class it as, with a sheer black top over it, she hadY/H/C hair hung loose and sweet Y/E/C eyes, she was small, really small actually, but that body... holy hell I'd do anything to get my hands on a body like that. 

She spots me looking through her door and jumps a little, 

"Can I help you?" she asked, 

"Uhhh Hello,"

"Hello? Who are you?"

"Ohh uhh Benny Watts, I live downstairs." 

"Oohh." she nodded, "Hi," she offered her hand, "Y/n,"

"Nice to meet you," I smiled giving her hand a shake, "You uhh you just moved in?"

"Yeah today," She nodded, "How long have you been here?"

"A good few years now, it's a nice place I hope you like it. But just be careful when it rains you find the place gets very damp after."

"Thanks," she chuckled, "Luckily I won't be here all that much I'll most be at work, So you won't get any trouble out of me,"

"Yeah I'm away a lot so you likely won't get a lot of trouble out of me either," I laughed, "What do you do if you don't mind me asking?"

"Ohh I work nights," She said, "Uhhh down at glitter bomb," 

"Hu... cool" I nodded,

I could have sworn I'd heard of that place before, it rang a bell but I don't think I've ever really paid much attention,

"Anyway, I uhh... I'm just downstairs if you need anything so, I'll let you get back to unpacking," 

"Thanks, see you around Benny,"

"Yeah see you around Y/n," 

I headed down to my apartment and threw my mail on the side before sitting down at my table and letting out a sigh, 

"Hu... Hot neighbour, Cool," I nodded, before I glanced down at myself, "Oooh yeah... I went up in my kimono and jeans... Cool." 

I Forced myself out of bed trying to get back on a regular sleep schedule after being so jet-lagged from Paris, I headed across the apartment and made myself a coffee. I leaned against the counter as I sipped the sweet coffee and I perked up a little as I heard a noise upstairs, I heard the stiff door to Y/n's apartment opening and the clobber of heels on the floor above me, Hu... I hadn't heard her all night, and actually last I heard her was just before I went to bed I heard her heading out, Well she did say she worked nights which would explain why I don't see her much. But after a while, I heard footsteps coming down and a knock on my door, 

I perked up set my coffee down and headed to the door opening it with a shove,

"Ohh Hi Y/n," I smiled at her as she stood outside my apartment with a large black coat,

"Hey, I hate to be a bother..."

"no no, it's okay what's up?" 

"I just finished a double shift, and my hot water is broken. I just need to clean up I'll be like ten minutes do you mind if I use your shower?" 

"Ohh yeah sure no problem come right in," I told her letting her in and shutting the door behind her,

"Thanks I've called the landlord like six times about the water. I normally shower at work but it was so busy,"

"Yeah, the landlord is a cunt. Don't worry about it. Showers just there,"

"Thanks," she said, 

"You know, you'll never get anything out of the landlord, If you want I can pop up one afternoon when you're at work and have a tinker with your water heater see what I can do?"  

"Thanks but it's okay I'll call a guy next week when I get paid," she said as she slipped off her jacket and revealed her little white dress covered in glitter and shimmer, and her little boots which she then began unlacing, 

"If you're sure, but he'll wanna come while you're there, and you work nights? so do you really want some guy banging around your water heater while you're trying to get some rest before work?" 

"It's fine I sleep like death," she said kicking off her boots,

"Alright, I uhh I'll go sit in my bedroom-"

"It's fine. I don't care."

"You sure?" I chuckled,

"I really do not care," she laughed slipping off her dress and revealing her naked body covered in glitter and body shimmer, my eyes went wide as I tried to take in every single inch of her, as she pulled her hair out of pigtails, 

"Uhhhhhhh... right... okay..." I gulped, as I looked her over. 

She climbed into the shower and turned it on pulling the curtain across as she began to wash, I did my best to not look but FUCK she was hot. God damn, I would sell my fucking car for that ass! I did notice how small she was, I could see her ribs, and she looked weak but beautiful. I felt very strange about it. I wanted to touch her, to throw her on my bed and make love to her, but I also wanted to take her to a doctor and get her a pizza. I mean... If she walked in with a pizza and said we could eat it and then have sex... I'd probably marry her. I'd marry any girl who did that. I sat at my table and did my best to bury myself in my chess board and my coffee trying my best not to stare even if I REALLY wanted to. 

"So uhh how was work?" I asked trying to break the tension,"

"Fine, I worked a double shift so my feet are killing me,"

"Maybe you need some new shoes? maybe get yourself something a little lower?"

"I have to wear six inches or higher," 

"Ahh... for work?"

"Yeah,"

"Ohh... What uhh what do you do exactly?"

"I work at glitter bomb,"

"Yeah, uhh that a clothing store? A resturant?"

"It's a club," she said turning off the shower,

"A club? Ohh you a waitress then?"

She opened the curtain revealing her clean naked body dripping with water, "A dancer." she said, "Could you grab me a towel?"

"oh... Uhhh yeah..." I nodded getting up from my seat fetching her a black towel and handing it over, "Soo uhh you dance? At glitter bomb... in six-inch heels... all night?"

"Yeah," she nodded drying herself off, 

"... This uhhh this club, you uhh you mind I come to see you perform sometime?"

"Awww, no not at all Benny," She nodded, "I'm working again tonight if you want,"

"you are?! You just did a double shift,"

"Yeah I'll be fine," she shrugs getting herself a small dress from her bag which she changed into once she dried off, "Thanks for letting me borrow your shower, Benny,"

"Don't worry about it Y/n, if you want as your heating is down too you can sleep down here?"

"You don't mind?"

"No, no not at all, you can sleep in my living room," I told her,

"Thanks that would be really nice," 

I nodded and fetched the airbed from my bedroom and got it set up on the living room floor for her, "Here you go, and if you need another blanket let me know,"

"I will do," she nodded, "Thank you, Benny," she smiled giving my cheek a kiss which made me blush a little but I stopped short as she sat on the air bed and put two bottles on the table one red bottle and one blue, both filled with little pills, 

"...What are those?" I asked, 

"My pills."

"Pills?"

"Yeah, I take them every day."

"For what?" 

"Well, I take them from the red bottle for energy, they keep me awake, help me dance, make sure I can... function,"

"And the blue bottle?" 

"They help me sleep, calm me down, basically counteract the red ones."

"Uhh... okay... What are they?"

"Just medication." She shrugs, "Why?"

"Just curious," I told her,

she nodded and opened the blue bottle, she took two of the little pills from the bottle and forced them down without even a drink. Once she swallowed them and put the lid back on the bottle, she sighed and laid herself down on the airbed. "Goodnight Benny,"

"Night Y/n," I nodded,

I got back to my board and got on with some work for a while she tossed and turned until I looked up again and noticed she was dead asleep, she lay in the bed the blanket hardly over her as she breaths shallowly and her body still, as if she had fallen into a dead sleep, I picked myself up and walked over she didn't stir or even notice. I pulled the covers up her and again nothing as if I had never even noticed, I put my hand on her neck and for a few seconds her heart seemed strange but not enough to call an ambulance over, so I sat in my chair and kept an eye on her for a good few hours. I couldn't take it any and I grabbed the little blue bottle but the label had no information, no ingredients, no name, she didn't get these from a doctor that much was obvious. So I set the pills back and sat keeping an eye on her. 

I parked up my car and climbed out with a sigh, As I did I saw Y/n all but bouncing down the street in her little plaid skirt and a tie-up shirt, herY/H/C hair in a ponytail, barefoot, and clearly... on fucking mars.

"Uhhh Hi Y/n,"

"Benjamin!" She giggled running over and jumping on me,

"Whoa! Hello... how uhh how are you doing?"

"Tree-men-dous..." she giggled, "tree... men... Benny..."

"Yes?"

"Are you a tree man?"

"A... A tree man?"

"Yes... so tall," She said patting my head, "And so fluffy," She giggled stroking my upper lip,

"Okay... are you alright Y/n?"

"I was meant to work today,"

"why aren't you at work?"

"Work... be clothed...."

"clo- closed? why is work closed?" 

"Mices..."

"Mice? Ra- Rats! Your work is closed today for rats!"

"Big mices..."

"Okay, so why are you in the street?"

"I already took my work pills..."

"...Ahh... okay..." I nodded, "Come on Y/n, I'll get you to bed." I told her putting my arm around her and taking her down to her apartment, I took her inside and laid her in her bed, "You get some rest I'll make you some coffee." I told her before really looking around her apartment, she had no food, no coffee or tea, everything was clean and tidy but her shower which was covered in glitter, her bed was half broken and the sheets hadn't been changed in months, the bed stained without its sheet, she had clearly lost her bladder while in it more then once, she had stacks of her tips and pay on the coffee table, the place was so strange but it was obvious why, she takes her pill goes to work high as a space station and works in this state of altered reality ecstasy, then comes home takes her pills and falls as low as a mine shaft lays in her bed and sleeps until it all starts over. She doesn't cook. she doesn't clean. she doesn't entertain or have friends over. She works herself stupid, comes home and lays herself on her bed too out of it to even make it to the bathroom. I changed her bed for her and made the apartment as clean as I could getting her some groceries and such. All with her bouncing around like a child, before I sat her down and tried to help.

"Y/n?"

"Ummmmmm?"

"Are you okay?"

"Spectacular..."

"Because of your pills?"

"Mhm," she nodded lying around her sofa happily,

"Where do you get these pills, Y/n?"

"Dylan."

"Dylan? Your manager?"

"Dylan says I dance best with my pills,"

"...Y/n how long are your shifts?"

"I work from four to nine," she giggled,

"Four to nine? That's sixteen hours? How are you even able- You're able to dance and work sixteen-hour shifts becuase of these aren't you? If you don't take them you can't stay on your feet?"

"No... I will fall down..."

"Yeah from fucking exhaustion, how many days a week do you work?"

"...All,"

"All? Do you work sixteen-hour days, seven days a week? Y/n that's illegal! let alone unethical! Are all the girls on these?"

"We like to share..."

"Okay..." I sighed, "What about the blue pills? they put you to sleep?"

"Coutnerating"

"Co- Counteracting? So they bring you back down. Can... can you even sleep without them?"

"Nope. Only blue sleeps."

"Y/n... do you... like taking these? They make you manic, make you work your ass off, you don't eat, hardly even able to sleep, you don't have a life outside of this... do you like it?"

".... No... but it's work," 

"Do you want to stop?"

"... I don't know,"

"Would you want me to try and help you to stop?"

"I... I don't know-"

"Well, what do you want Y/n, anything in the world what do you want?" 

"... peace." she said, "for a while,"

"What does peace look like?"

"the sunset... birds in the sky... ocean as it kisses the sand... the warm gentle wind..."

I smiled a moment and took her hand, "I travel a lot, you know that have you travelled much?" I chuckled, 

"I've never left New York..."

"Well... I know that the best most beautiful beach I have ever seen in the world is this little place in Hawaii called Hanauma Bay, there is this beach and it is beautiful the sea is clear, the sky stretches for miles with hardly a cloud, the sand is that sweet golden colour that feels like your walking over pillows," I explained, 

"It sounds like heaven," 

"It's close. You know... I could take you someday? just you and me. Would you like that?" I asked and she nodded, "Okay, How about we make a little deal? You can stop taking these, and I'll help you, and once you feel like you don't need them anymore, I'll take you there. I promise." 

"You mean it?"

"I mean it. I swear it."

"Okay," she nodded, 

I woke to a loud banging on my door I got up and rubbed my eyes slipping my kimono on and forcing open the door where I saw Y/n in her nightie shivering and crying,

"Whoa whoa! Are you okay!"

"I... I can't remember how to sleep..." she shivered,

"It's okay, come on" I let her in and hugged her,

"I need my-"

"No, no I know it's scary. But you promised you'd keep your blue pills down here with me just for this weekend." 

"Please... please Benny I can't sleep,"

"How about just for an hour, you come lay in my bed. if you still can't sleep... you can have one pill. if not you just get some rest and I'll carry you back to your bed okay?

"...okay"

"good girl, come on," I cooed taking her to bed with me, I tucked her in, gave her the best pillow and laid down with her I stroked her hair softly and let her cuddle me as much as she wanted, "You still up from work?"

"Mhm,"

"How many did Dylan make you take tonight?"

"Four..."

"Okay..." I sighed, "Did he come back with you tonight?"

She nodded,

"Okay..." I sighed trying not to groan at the thought, Dylan did this a lot he'd come home with her when she was too off it to say no, 

"You don't mind me staying?"

"Not at all," I cooed, "You're safe here with me. I promise," 

"Benny?"

"yes, Y/n?"

"Could I kiss you?"

"... you don't have to do that-"

"I want to,"

"only if you're sure it's what you want."

"I'm sure,"

"Okay," I nodded 

I didn't move I let her come to me, and she moved close giving my lips a soft kiss, I kissed her back softly and gently, but she tried for more but I moved back,

"No."

"But-"

"Y/n No."

"...don't you want to?"

"I want to..." I gasped, "But not when you're like this." I whispered, "When you feel yourself again, then we will. But not until."

"Okay..." she nodded cuddling up to me and soon enough she began to drift away, "Thank you, Benny,"

"You're welcome Y/n," 

I headed through the city, I promised Y/n I'd pick her up and take her for breakfast, I found Glitter bomb and headed inside. I didn't need to pay the cover as the door guy knew me fairly well now, I headed inside the dark and smoky room, the floor covered in glitter. Men who had been here all night looming like dogs at the bottom of stages, The girls covered head to toe in body shimmer, with chunkier glitter across their breasts as was the gimmick here. I headed to the corner stage popular as always, with the silver pole in the centre. 

Y/n danced there, I admit she looked beautiful as always, Her hair pinned up in a bun with shimmer and iridescent glitter glued in, her pale skin coated with silver body shimmer giving her almost a robotic look as her skin shined and shimmered. Her breasts were covered in iridescent glitter glued to her breasts like pasties, and a pair of white glittery panties all that concealed her, in eight-inch iridescent platform heels, she danced and took her tips quickly. I went over and waved at her, and she smiled and continued her dance part of me was struggling to see if she really saw me, she was out of it as she often was at work, she always took her red pills before work to 'help her have the energy to dance' even if they often meant she was off planet. But her boss Dylan insisted on it, half the time I thought he hated me, and just wanted to undermine me, as I'd get her to slow down for a few days and then he'd take her in for a double shift and pump her full of god knows what. 

Once she finished her dance she went backstage so I went to the stage door luckily he let me in too, so I headed back and found her at her vanity, 

"Benny!" she giggled,

"Hi Y/n," I smiled kissing her head, "Are you ready my little dancer, for a waffle?"

"waffles!" she giggled, 

"come on get changed and we'll get going,"

"Can we have French toast too?"

"If your quick yes."

"whoa- whoa- what's all this then?" Dylan laughed as he came back, "Where are you off to in such a hurry?"

"We're going for waffles!" Y/n giggled,

"Aww honey you have a shift remember," he told her,

"Uhh no she doesn't." I snapped,

"Yeah, she does. she just got here."

"she's been here since four yesterday I know. I brought her."

"no, no she just got here. sit on down and do your make-up so you can get out on time,"

"But... but Benny you said it was time for waffles?" she asked,

"It is time for waffles, I'm taking you for breakfast just as I promised." I told her, "He's trying to make you work a double without telling you. Or paying you."

"Dylan!" she complained,

"How about you back the hell off Benny,"

"How about you leave her the fuck alone." 

"she's my employee,"

"she's my girlfriend."

"Fine. She can go." he sighed, "but you're not having waffles. you need to stay skinny."

"She can have one waffle." 

"No, she can't."

"Yes. she can."

"She puts on a single pound she hasn't got a job here."

"Fine." I glared, "She doesn't need your job. come on Y/n," I told her, 

I sighed as I cradled Y/n in my arms she had gotten the jitters again so I held her tightly to stop her from hurting herself as she shook and trembled, I could feel her crying into my shirt so I kissed her head and did my best to make her feel safe, warm and comfortable. But she was struggling so badly with violent mood swings since she stopped taking the pills completely, I was proud of her, but also very scared for her. She was getting somewhat better, she was going full days without her pills, and she was gaining weight again, but she was having these horrible episodes of panic and violent swings,

"shhh shhh shh... it's okay... it okay Y/n,"

"Benny I'm scared...."

"I know It's okay, I'm going to keep you safe,"

"I love you..."

"I love you too," I told her giving her a sweet kiss, 

I sighed as I sat reading my book when Y/n kissed me and got up heading towards the bedroom. 

"where are you going?"

"To bed," she said sheepishly,

"Alright, have a nice sleep sweetheart,"

"I will," she smiled, and as she headed into the bedroom I heard the clatter of the pill bottle,

"Y/n."

"Yes, Benny?"

"You said you were going to try and sleep without them tonight?"

"Can I just try one more night?"

"you promised," 

"Please!"

"No. You promised not tonight."

"Benny!"

"Y/n No, you are doing so good please just one more night if you can't handle it tomorrow you can have one."

"That's not fair Benny!"

"It's very fair,"

"No! I need them!"

"You don't need them," I told her, "You've slept so well this last week, without your pills,"

"Benny please! I need them,"

"No. You are not having them tonight." 

"Yes, I am!"

"No your not!"

"Benny Let me have my pill!"

"no! You don't need them you not having them!"

"What if I go. then you can't stop me!"

"-what..."

"You can't stop me if I leave!"

"Y/n-"

"I'm going! and you can't stop me!"

"Y/n no..." I began, "You can't just leave,"

"I am going!" she demanded packing a bag,

"No, no Okay! Okay, you can have one pill."

"No!"

"What!"

"No. I am going. Then I can do whatever I want." she said putting her pill bottles in her bag and heading to the door,

"Y/n please," I began chasing after her, "Please just come back you can take them I promise!"

She huffed and rushed up to her own apartment even though she hadn't been in it in months, 

"Y/n!" I yelled but she slammed the door, "Y/n! please..." 

I hadn't seen Y/n in weeks, I was so worried about her, I had tried to call her, tried to see her, even tried going to her old job but I never got to see her. I headed down the street tempted to get myself some pizza for dinner, I cut through an alley and I saw a box and someone shivering inside,  I glanced at them and felt bad, but I froze up as I saw herY/H/C hair. 

"N-Y/n!" I moved to see her,

"B- benny..." she shivered, as she sat protected with a box and blanket around her, 

"Ohh my god- What happened?"

"I- I-"

"It's okay, it's okay. Come on I'll take you home with me,"

"No, I have a shift,"

"A shift? Oh my- You went back to working at glitter bomb!"

She nodded, "Dylan gave me my job back..."

"so you're still taking the pills?"

she nodded, 

"You're still dancing?"

"I am,"

"I thought you wanted something better than this?"

"This is what I'm worth."

"No, you're are worth far far more than this Y/n, You're smart and beautiful, and you deserve so much more than this," I told her, "Come on you can come back and sleep in my bed, I'll run you a hot bath, we can get as much pizza and waffles as you want, just come back. And I swear to you I will keep you safe, give you a life better than this, and we can take that trip? like we always promised?"

"I have a shift... I'm sorry Benny," she said gathering her stuff and heading down the street towards the club, but I was not letting her walk away again, I followed her, all the way to Glitterbomb. 

The bouncer refused to let me in like he used to so I had to pay double cover for him to let me in. 

I tried to go backstage but they wouldn't let me, so I had to wait I sat by her usual stage and I could see Dylan talking to her backstage belittling her, I wanted to run back there and deck him. He forced her to take more red pills and forced her out as the music began. I tried to talk to her, tried to reason with her but she wasn't even in this universe. She must have been taking them while on the street, I can imagine why I imagine it's the only way she'd even sleep out there and now after he shoved her full of even more she was a new level of out of it. I'd never seen her so bad, I tried to reason with her but she didn't even know it was me. 

I couldn't leave her, not like this. 

suddenly as she did a spin she fell to the floor, her body began to contort and tremble worse than I had ever seen,

"Y/n!" I bolted to her side, Dylan came over but I pushed him away, "She needs an ambulance! someone call an ambulance now!" I demanded as I felt her heart jumping and bucking before she suddenly stopped. "No... no no no no..." I muttered I quickly did my best to restart her heart I know I was hurting her but I couldn't stop I felt her heart start again and I cried I was so happy she was okay, moments after the ambulance arrived and whisked her away. I got the name of the hospital from them and bolted home getting in my car and driving to the hospital.

I sat in the waiting room for hours watching people come and go, but no news. I was close to giving up but I just wanted to see she was alive. A nurse came over and I perked up having been sleeping on my jacket.

"Benny watts?"

"Yes!"

"You came in looking for Y/n correct?"

"Yes. yes, that's right is she okay!"

"she's just woken up now."

"...Ohh thank god,"

"she has said you can see her if you'd like?"

I nodded and followed the nurse through to a small room where Y/n sat, they cleaned her up but she looked terrible, barely alive, cables and tubes coming from her, she was so small I could see every bone, her hair thin and falling, 

"Y/n... ohhh sweetheart, what have you done to yourself," I muttered crying as I sat beside her and took her hand, 

"Benny..."

"It's me. It's me I'm right here."

"I'm sorry-"

"You have nothing to be sorry about. you hear me."

"Benny... I don't want a life like this..."

"I promise you if it's what you want. I will throw those pills down the toilet and I will be here and hold your hand every step until you are better. I will give you a proper life, no more dancing, no more pills, no more Dylan, no more street corners, Just you and me. I will keep you safe, and I'll do everything we always promised becuase I love you. But you have to promise to try. to promise to work with me. if you want this life with me I will stop at nothing to give you it,"

"I do..."

"That's my girl," I cooed kissing her forehead, "I won't leave your side, not for a moment my love." I cooed kissing her hand, 

"I love you, Benny..."

"I love you too" I cooed, kissing her lips,

"You'll really help after everything-"

"Of course I will,"

"Will you still take me to that beach you promised?"

"I promise I will, as soon as you're better."

I yawned a little as I was pretty tired, watching the view. The sweet sunset across the sky, the infinite stretching sea, the soft sand below me, my hat on my head to keep out the sun as my elbows kept me up to watch the waves and sky, the heat warm and cosy, everything so happy and content.

I felt Y/n sit down with me and I looked at her with a wide smile, seeing her with her toes in the sand, her little blue bikini, her body nice and smooth so much so I felt a desire to tickle her tummy, herY/H/C hair up in a bun, her sunglasses still on her face. 

"Hi," she giggled,

"Hi," I smiled kissing her, "What have you got there?"

"waffles with strawberries and ice cream," 

"Ooohh May I?"

She smiled and offered me a fork full,

"Ummm that's good," I smiled, "a lot of strawberry syrup though sweetheart," 

"I like it,"

"I'm glad you like it," I smiled pulling her so she could rest on my shoulder, "Worth it?"

"All worth it," she smiled kissing my cheek,

[awaitingfall]

11.18.24

139.2

Was expecting it to be a little higher, thankfully it’s not. E and I went on a walk yesterday and it helped me reach my 10,000 step goal. Also felt good getting some fresh air and it was a nice peaceful walk 😌

I’m going to walk on the elliptical again tonight to try and keep my steps up during the work week. E and I are excited about the house because we’ll have a nice safe neighborhood to finally be able to take morning and evening walks together. I never felt comfortable walking around the apartment complex cuz there’s so many obnoxious people. Just doesn’t feel safe or enjoyable.

Good news for today, though, I got to walk around the campus to do the outside mail run because the girl that normally does it is out again today so I got to do it instead. I’m only at about 3.2k steps so far today. Usually I rush the mail run cuz I’m so used to fast walking when I have tasks to get done - I feel like I’m being timed. But today I took my time and walked slowly and enjoyed the peacefulness and nice weather outside. Towards the end of the walk, I sat down by the river with the mail cart and just chilled. It felt nice and my body feels a little more relaxed than it did this morning. I think I’m so used to rushing in the morning to get ready, that I don’t give myself a second to just breathe and start the day off calm.

I just need to chill out more.

I was actually getting a little worried that my boss would be walking around campus and see me just sitting there enjoying a few minutes of quietness while on company time and I started overthinking about what I would say if he got upset - and I thought about how I would’ve just said that I really prioritize myself above anything and I’m just taking a breather cuz I’m not feeling 100% today and could use the fresh air and sunlight. And immediately after I thought that I felt relief throughout my whole body because it’s true and I deserve to take a break outside since I’m stuck in an artificially lit basement office all day. And if he doesn’t understand that then that’s too bad and I can find somewhere else to work where they value their employee’s physical and mental health.

- - -

My apartment complex just sent us the documents to sign for move-out and we decided our last day there will be 12/31. So we will literally be starting the new year with our new house 🥹 I’m so excited! We’re closing on the 26th this month and that weekend we’ll be working on painting the walls, then the following weekend we’ll be working on sanding and staining the floors. During that time we just need to schedule the radon guys, the gutter guys, and the water softener guys to come in and install everything. We’ve already started packing stuff up at the apartment and will hopefully be fully moved in by the 2nd-3rd week of December.

We’re going to have to be very careful with our cat when we’re moving though, cuz we were talking with our apartment neighbor yesterday and had our door wide open and our cat didn’t seem interested. I picked her up and showed her to the neighbor and she was a little curious but she stayed inside. Then as soon as E turned his back she BOLTED out the door. Thankfully he caught her stinky little butt as she was trying to slither away to catch some birds that had flown by 😤 that’s the last thing we need to happen right now.

[joelsreligion]

Don't Tell (part 1)┊ dbf!Joel x Reader

(a/n) K this is part 1 of the series :D. This chapter's shorter than what I intend the rest of them to be but I just wanted to set the scene and introduce the characters n what not. The other chapters WILL have smut (how exciting ik) but for rn it's kinda just an intro so bear w me. The next part will be out VERY SOON! K bye. Enjoy!

(Summary) (3.3k) You come back home from college and reunite with your dad, Joel, and Sarah

(Warnings) very minor talk of oral f receiving

It was the middle of June and you had been back home for about a week. You’d just finished your third year of college and was back home for the summer to spend time with your dad. You’ve been far away since you left. Not super far like across the country or anything, but far enough that it became too heavy to drive down from your school to your dads house so often; so you guys settled on weekly video calls and daily phone calls. You missed him though. You guys were super close and he called you every chance he got. He updated you on everything; his hobbies, his friends, the pasta he cooked occasionally, the lake house, and the recent promotion he just got granted. 

You laid back slouched on your couch with your bare feet on the ottoman in front of you; popsicle in one hand and phone in the other. The monotone sound of some commercials filled the room and the window was opened to try and filter out some of the hot air with the cool breeze from outside. It smelled nice. There was a warm, cozy, sitting-outside-by-the-lake tone to the wind that reminded you of past summers you spent fishing with your dad. The sun wasn’t too far away from starting to set and you heard a loud slam of the front door.

“Hey kid c’mere!” your dad yelled from the kitchen

You kicked the ottoman away, set your phone off, and pushed the swinging door open with your free hand. 

“Grab a bag from the car yeah?”

“You went grocery shopping? I thought you said were gonna go to the mail office or something.” 

You put on some sandals by the door and waited for him to set the bags on the counter so he could follow you back out to the driveway. 

“I did. Jus’ figured we could make some burgers ’night n watch the game later. You didn’ have plans did you?” He grabbed two bags from the car and put one in your hand. He walked over to the passenger side, grabbed his phone, and locked the car as he followed you back in the house. 

You didn’t have many friends in your area. All the time you spent here you were hanging out with your dad. All the time you spent at school was spent in study rooms. It’s not that you weren’t social, you were! Sometimes too social. But your dedication to school got the best of you and you often sacrificed your social life for your academic one. 

“Nope” you smiled. This was the first time you guys were getting the chance to do something together. Since you told him your plans to stay home for the summer, he cashed in on all his favors and sick days at work to spend time with you. You were everything to him and he was more than happy to take time off for you. 

You set the bag of vegetables next to the sink and continued working on your ice cream.

“Alright, cool. Hey do me a favor yeah? You wanna water the lawn while I prep the stuff in the backyard?” He subtly tilted his head towards the front of the house and gave you a pleading smile. 

“Dad it’s barely a lawn. It's all yellow. The grass’s dead”

“Which is why it needs to be watered” he counters 

You tilt your head down and look at him with a ‘seriously?’ type of expression. He pretends to read the receipt in his hand to avoid the eye contact.

“We’re inna drought” you try justifying.

“Watering the front lawn once isn’t going to change that fact, kid.”

He put the receipt down on the counter and looked at you with a soft expression.

“Please”

Your mouth morphed into a smile. You were so happy to be home. 

“Fine, just cause you asked nicely.”

You walked out to the side of the house and started to unravel the hose from the faucet. The sun began to set so it wasn’t super hot out, but still warm enough for your shorts and tshirt to feel a little heavy on your body. You turned the faucet on and walked over to what was left of your lawn and began to water it. You kinda got lost in the movements, it was slightly relaxing just to watch the water fall on the patches of grass and tune out your surroundings. As you moved onto the surviving blades of grass next to the sidewalk, you saw a dog run towards you. You were so out of it you didn’t even realize it was Mrs.Moores’ until he jumped up at you and landed with his front paws on your thighs. 

“Hey Moose. What’s up.” You crouched down on the floor and started to rub his belly when he rolled over. Sarah ran towards you with a smile and started to apologize right away.

“Sorry, sorry. He loves you, he can’t help it.”

You laughed and stood up to give her a hug.

“No it’s fine, the feelings are mutual. What’re you doing with Mrs.Moores’ dog?” 

“She’s out of town till Saturday and asked me if I would take him out and just walk him. My dad got home yesterday and wanted to give your dad something so he just came with me around the block” She explained

“Your dads back? Where’d he go?”

“He was down in Houston for a week n a half. He had a job out there he needed to get started and just handed it over to some of his employees.”

Joel and your dad had been best friends since before you were born. They met in middle school and went to the same schools ever since, it was kind of like if their lives merged into one at the age of 13. They had birthdays a week apart, and had kids a couple years apart so they could “grow up together like they did.” Your dad and Joel honesty saw themselves more like family. They hung out so often that you felt like they had more of a social life than you did. You truly didn’t mind though. You loved hanging out with Sarah and you felt lucky to have her as your unbiological (but what felt biological) sister. And you loved seeing your dad with his friend, he laughed more often and it seemed to relieve some of the stress he always carried. 

From the corner of your eye you noticed a familiar, tall and dark featured man walking towards you two. One hand had a level ruler in it and the other hand was swinging at his side. His smile lit up his face and he extended his arms as he got closer to give you a hug.

“Heeyy, look whos home!”

He looked different. His hair was browner and his eyes were darker than you remember. His shoulders framed his torso in a way that made him look threatening and his height didn’t help that thought. He closed his arms around you and your arms reached around his back to try and return the hug. Your breath caught a little in your throat when you felt how muscular his back was. 

“Hey, how are you?” you asked smiling

Joel let go of you and took his place next to Sarah. You couldn’t look away from him. His eyes were so captivating and comfortable and you felt a little flutter in your stomach that you barely noticed. 

“I’m great. Jus’ got home yesterday n wan’ed to return this to your dad,” he held up the ruler “..is he in there?”

“Yeah, he’s in the backyard. He’s making burgers if you guys want any.”

“Oh sick yeah, I’d love one” Sarah mused from Joels side. 

“Yeah go inside, he should be back there. I’ll finish up out here and join you guys inna bit.”  

“Sounds good,” Joel said.

You finished watering the grass, or what was left of it, and wrapped the hose back in its place. Your mind was occupied with thoughts of Joel. Nothing specific, just.. him. His nose, his laugh lines around his eyes, the way his hair fluttered in the cool Texas wind, and his build completely stealing your entire focus. You noticed things about him you never noticed before and he made you feel something he never made you feel before. There was a knot in your stomach and you felt a light blush threaten on your cheeks. 

What the hell’s happening. 

There’s no way you’re.. attracted to Joel?

Noo no, nope. Not Joel, the man that drove you to school in the mornings. The man that hosted your birthday parties in his backyard when your dad had to work. Or the man that gave you your first driving lesson. He’d read you bedtime stories when you slept over his house when you were a child and Sarah couldn’t sleep. Your dads best friend, Joel. No, absolutely not, you can’t. 

In the moment in which you entered your home, washed your hands in your kitchen sink, and as your heart started to race, you made a decision. You cannot have these thoughts for him. It’s so foreign. He was like a surrogate parental figure to you. It would completely mess up your life and everyone elses. It would ruin your dad and you’d lose Sarah, these things you knew for sure. You can’t have feelings for someone that you wouldn’t have the slightest chance of being with, and if that man is someone your dad trusts with his life, then all the more reason to stay away. 

But.

But what if? What are the chances he might’ve had similar thoughts? What if you don’t lose Sarah and what if your dad doesn’t find the fault in that pairing?  

No chance, the rational side of your brain cut in. Anyone with the smallest amount of common sense would be able to see how messed up that is. What if he doesn’t feel the same way? Will he tell your dad if something happens? Can he even see you as someone else besides his daughters best friend? 

No fuck that. You think. I’m not a kid, this is ok. But it isn’t. Every bone in your body is telling you this isn’t ok and you’re trying your hardest to convince yourself that it’s justifiable. 

No, ok. There are no thoughts, there are no feelings, nothing happened. Literally nothing happened. Maybe I was just surprised to see him. I haven’t seen him in 5 years, it could be that. It could be the fact that I haven’t seen him or even thought about him at all…. But god he looked so good. 

Thoughts of his toned arms engulfing your body and his natural musky scent when he hugged you filled your mind. Your skin suddenly had goosebumps and you felt a shiver on your lower spine. You dried off your hands and made your way to the backyard. As you got closer, you could see Joels side profile through the window. He was leaning on the counter behind your dad as he grilled burgers and Sarah played with Moose on the grass. 

You didn’t realize it, but you’d stopped walking. You took in Joels frame and paid attention to every detail to try and paint this moment in your memory forever. The way his brown hair looked golden under the setting sun, his nose bringing your attention to his face and the movement of his lips making you aware of the sudden heat between your legs. You looked at how round and muscular his arms looked under his dark green shirt and you were mesmerized by the way he had his arms crossed below his chest. His legs were also crossed and you noticed your chest start to rise a little faster than you’d like. You felt the same warmth creep up your cheeks and spread down your whole body. You squeezed the back of your couch for some extra stability and tried to slow your breathing. 

You couldn’t look away from him though. It felt like at any moment he might disappear and you wanted to try and remember every detail about him for your own sake. Just then, he felt you staring and looked in the house. 

It was quick.

3 seconds.

 That’s it. 

He looked you in your eyes, quickly glanced his eyes up and down your shape, and then averted his attention back to the conversation with your dad. 

Oh god.

You had to go outside now. Right now. You didn’t want him to think there was any reason you were standing there like a weirdo just staring at him. You found some composure and opened the sliding door out to the backyard. The slightly warm air hit your skin and it suddenly felt too cold to be wearing shorts. Your hair blew back from the sudden exposure and you blinked quickly to try and help your eyes recuperate from the breeze. 

You walked over to your dad and tried your hardest to avoid Joels’ stare on you. You turned your back to Joel and leaned over the grill next to your dad and pretended to be interested in the grilling.

“Are they almost ready?” You asked. You were nervous all of a sudden. Your voice fought back a slight quiver and your hands threatened to tremble. 

“Yeah they’re almos’ done kid. Joel was just about to help me grab some plates, you wanna help?”

“Oh, uhm…” you could feel Joel look at you. The blush on your cheeks and the slight rise of your chest were the only things you noticed. Not really, is what you wanted to say. “..maybe next time. I wanted to talk with Sarah for a bit n catch up.”

Please say ok. Please say ok. Please say ok.

“Alright, I’ll letchu know when they’re done” Your dad said while flipping a burger.

You smiled and pushed away from the grill. You turned around and noticed that it hadn’t just been your imagination, Joel was staring at you. His eyes met yours almost immediately and you were reminded of the heat between your legs. You tried to ignore it though. You didn’t wanna think about it too much. You gave Joel a little smile and tried to act as if nothing had happened. You smiled, he didn’t, he just stared at you. His eyebrows slightly furrowed and the two lines between them made an appearance. His eyes were so soft and delicate but also piercing and endless. You forced yourself to look away from him and set your eyes on Sarah sitting by the pool with Moose. 

You made your way over to her and tried to look as normal as possible. You talked for maybe a couple minutes and then you heard..

“Sarah we gotta get goin’” Joel yelled from the grill. You turned at the sound of his voice and Sarah made a disappointed noise from the floor.

“What? We just got here, the burgers aren’t done yet.” She scratched Mooses’ stomach and you stared at Joel with a slightly confused look, but he didn’t look at you. Your dad was plating the burgers and you wondered if he even noticed what Joel had said.

“Yeah I know, I forgot we had to do somethin’. We’ll come over another day, come on, lets go.” 

He looked uneasy. Not extremely so, but you noticed it. His fists balled in his jean pockets and he looked like he really wanted to leave. Sarah got up from the ground, dusted herself off, and turned to face you.

“Sorry we didn’t get to hangout much today. You can come over tomorrow though if you want and we’ll watch a movie or something.”

“Yeah no problem, I’ll see if I’m free.” You offered a light smile and gave her a hug. You followed behind Sarah as she walked over to her dad and you watched Moose rub up on Joels’ leg. Your dad took a break from the food and walked over to Joel.

“Think about it n let me know alright?” Your dad said, patting Joels shoulder

“Yeah sounds like a nice idea. I’ll letchu know.”

“Let him know what?” Sarah questioned

“Her dad..” Joel nodded towards you “..invited us to the lakehouse next weekend.” He looked at you. Joel looked at you and you looked back at him. He watched you fight off the squirm you tried suppressing and you swore you saw the slightest look of contempt pull at his face. You looked into his eyes for another second but immediately looked away. It was too much, looking at him like this. Your head filled with dirty thoughts of him going down on you and using his fingers to make you beg.  

Shit. 

“It’d be a lot o’ fun man, I haven’t been up there since last summer n it’ll be good for the girls to hangout more y’know?” Your dad said “We could go fishin’, light the fire n what not.”

Your dad was always a little more sentimental than Joel. Joel was hard to read. If you didn’t know him the way you did, you would’ve thought he was a stone-headed smartass who rarely cared about anything. But you did know him. You knew that even though he barely expressed it, he was just as sentimental as your dad and that he loved being around you guys whenever he got the chance. 

“Yeah sounds good. We’ll get together soon and plan it out.” Joel said. 

“I’m so excited ohmygod.” Sarah said with a huge smile. She picked Moose up from the floor and started to rock him back and forth. 

You didn’t say anything. You couldn’t say anything. You felt a little excited, sure, but you didn’t know if it was the best idea to be in a house together with Joel for a couple days given your newfound infatuation. Joel looked at you when he noticed how silent you were and saw you fidgeting with your fingers. 

“You guys should get goin’. Don’t wanna make you late to whatever it is you have to do.” Your dad started to walk out your guests and you stayed back near the grill. They got to the sliding door and Sarah looked back at you. You both smiled and waved and then they walked out of sight. 

When they were gone, your dad finished up the burgers just in time for the game to start. You both walked inside with your food, sat on the couch, and watched the Rangers play the White Sox. You usually liked watching the games with your dad, but you couldn’t focus this time. You were barely hungry and your mind kept wandering off to Joel. 

You thought about how hot you felt under his stare, how his rough calloused fingers might feel guiding your hips to his use, how his mouth might know exactly how to play with your pussy just right to make you so wet and bring you over the edge. 

The warmth between your legs grew into a pulsating mess and you shifted in your seat and squeezed your thighs to try and alleviate the ache. Your dads eyes didn’t leave the tv and you excused yourself to go to the bathroom. You didn’t want to touch yourself. It felt too strange, rubbing yourself to a man you've known your whole life. It felt wrong and outlandish. 

At least I know it’s wrong, you told yourself.

You washed your hands and sat on the hood of the toilet seat for a couple minutes with your head in your hands. 

I’m ok. I’m… I feel ok. I’m fine. You thought

You walked back out to the living room in time to catch the second half of the 4th inning. You took your place next to your dad and tried your hardest to focus on the game. By the 9th inning, you were dozing off to sleep and your dads shoulder supported your head. You fell asleep to the sound of the announcer calling out strikes and the cool breeze rushing over your legs. 

[m1ckeyb3rry]

okay !! i’ll tell you a plot for a yuji story i (sadly) don’t think i’ll ever get around to posting and came up with 2 years ago. when it comes to my fics, i’m only ever rlly motivated for canonverse and this one takes place during ww2 times. it’s also loosely based on a movie i watched years ago :)

(this is also long i typed a lot more than i thought i would ahhh prepare for the errors too 😣)

okay so the name i came up for it at the time was amor necat (love kills). so basically, like i said, it takes during ww2 times at a boarding school in the middle of nowhere. the few students at the school are selected by the headmaster, a certain woman with stitches across her head ;) kenny’s made plenty of connections, so ordinary people see the school as prestigious and if you’re invited, you’re extremely lucky

when yn enters the school she learns that everyone is given a number. when a previous student leaves, whoever is the new student will take the number. yn is assigned #1 when she arrives to the (only) class. the one who tells her about the # system and everything else she needed to know was yuji (#5)

here are the students when yn enrolls: megumi (#4), yuji (#5), riko (#6), yuta (#7), nobara (#8), junpei (#10), inumaki (#11), maki (#12), mai (#13), miwa (#14), kokichi (#15)

theres a bunch of introductory stuff ofc to the school system. most important thing to note is that at the end of every month, the best student is chosen to be sent to an even better school

riko and megumi caught yns eye from the start. riko is the bigger eye-catcher though because she always seemed so afraid, and whenever headmaster kenny visited she was sweating profusely and refused to make eye contact. megumi catches her attention because he’s so reluctant to accept some of the rules set in place (early curfew, weekly shots, daily medicine to keep students health amazing)

a week after yn is at the school, there is the monthly “moving up” announcement. junpei is the one to go. the next month, riko was announced to be the student being sent off to a better school, and at the news she freaks out and throws up. yn and yuji offer to take her to the nurse, and when they leave kenny walks in

another week passes and things go as normal. while they had gym class outside, yn went inside to go to the bathroom. she saw a trail of water and followed it to find a soaking wet riko dressed in a hospital gown. riko gives yn a note before she tells yn she had to leave. yn reads the note, which basically says that the school was not what it seemed and she needed to leave asap. yn promised to come back the next morning and when she did, riko was not there

the first person yn shows the note to is yuji, who’s reluctant to believe it. megumi, listening in, grabbed the note and read it. he asks yn if it was only riko she saw. after some back and forth questioning, megumi tells yn that tsumiki (former #9) was also chosen and sent away to a better school. but since students can get mail and megumi received none, he’s afraid something happened to her and the school is behind it

time passes and eventually the three come up with a plan to go to the headmaster’s office and find any strange documents. megumi is basically watching out as yuji n yn go into the office. they find files of previous students, and all of their files say “sent to the basement” besides three, gojo (former #1), geto (former #2) and shoko (former #3)

before they can open a drawer with a red sticker, the door opens and in walks kenny and mahito. yn and yuji hid under the desk as they discuss at the coffee table across the office. yn and yuji overhear kenny talking about preparing sorcerers for ww2 since it’s a huge advantage on their end. mahito talks about how smart she is for disguising a human experimentation lab as a boarding school, and being able to find sorcerers who only need to awake their dormant potential. there was a knock on the door, so they leave and a fee moments later megumi walks in and tells them they have to leave immediately

they group in an empty room and talk about what they heard and found out. yuji mentions the basement everyone was sent to, including tsumiki. megumi brings up the door all the people “moving up” would go into. they were told it was the garage, but it didn’t make sense since the road in the front of the school didn’t go towards the side nor the back

during their talk they hear commotion in the hall and look out to see mai and kokichi being dragged somewhere by men in uniform. this prompts them to decide to go to the door megumi was talking about, which they thought (and were right about) was the basement

a few days pass when yn and yuji go together to the basement since the headmaster was meant to be out. they see multiple operating tables and other medical equipment in the main space. but as they went into the back section of the basement, they’re horrified to see three bodies (gojo, geto n shoko) frozen in separate tanks. while they were alive they also realized something was wrong and got caught investigating in the basement

yn stumbles back and yuji helps her up when he realized the tank she stood in front of held a frozen tsumiki they both looked around the entire area to find the previous students frozen (except riko who died during operation)

yn and yuji are found and knocked out by kenny. they wake up tied up to operating tables by themselves. yn and yuji tip their tables over so they could knock over a cart and cut themselves out of the rope. a nurse comes in and tries to stop them, but yuji holds him bsck while yn runs

yn and yuji wrre knocked out so they didn’t realize it had been a day. megumi, who roped in yuta, maki, and inumaki, lights the school on fire because he assumed yn and yuji got killed (and also fuck the school anyway).

yn makes her way through the school in the fire as she searches for megumi. maki got burnt by a fallen beam but megumi saved her. yuta also found yuji, and they searched for yn. when they found yn, she and yuji hugged, but kenny shot yuji three times in the back (yuta was busy with a soldier)

yuji and yn fight kenny (mostly yuji doing the fighting). yuji holds kenny back from attacking yn and tells her to run. she refused until yuta dragged her away. outside, yn, yuta, megumi and maki watched the school explode. i imagine the final scene to be yuji in tears as he finds relief in the fact that yn escaped before he dies in the explosion

haha anyways this took like 30 mins to type out tell me what you think skdjsk below is also a lidt of who dies/survives !!

survivors:

-yn

-yuta

-megumi

-maki

died after yn arrives:

-junpei (basement)

-riko (operation)

-noba (basement)

-mai (basement)

-kokichi (basement)

-miwa (fire w/ toge)

-toge (fire w/ miwa)

-yuji (explosion)

died prior to yn arriving, in the basement:

-nanami (#4)

-gojo

-geto

-shoko

-kirara (#8)

-hakari (#7)

-yu (#5)

-kamo (#6)

-todo (#9)

-tsumiki

-nishimiya (#11)

ANGEL THIS IS SO COOLL WDYM??? i feel like it’s such a unique au while also sticking to the essence of cursed energy and the themes of jjk w how sorcerers are used to fulfill other people’s goals. it also kind of reminds me of the random america arc gege threw in there at one point?? LMAO seriously though i love this (arsonist megumi my goat i love that for him) you are so creative!!

also i totally get you w the au vs canon stories…i’ll get fired up about an au for a bit and write a ton but then inevitably i just get bored of having to come up with what happens next 😭 vs with canon i know roughly what’s going to happen and what i need to work on is whether i want to change it or stick with it or whatever 😓

[purifycantyouhelpme]

Injury • A Lars Ulrich x Reader story

A03Link&lt;3

Summary: You scraped your knee and Lars is going to treat your injury. Justice For All era

Word count: 612

This is all in (Y/N)'s P.O.V

At 12:00 PM, it was 66 degrees outside. A lot of people were wearing jackets and pants while I was wearing a jacket and shorts. Maybe if I wore pants, I wouldn’t be in pain right now.

I was limping on the sidewalk. I walked to Lars’ door because I couldn’t limp anymore and it was the door closet nearby. I knocked on Lar’s door. He opened the door. He was wearing a white tank top and some black shorts. He was chewing gum. Lars is a good friend of mine. He may be dumb and annoying but he’s really nice and caring. "What happened?" Lars asked me. He was concerned. “I scraped my knee.” I told him. He looked at my scraped knee and he touched it a little. “Ow, that hurts.” I whined. He stopped touching it. “J-Just sit down on the couch.” He said. He held my hand and helped me walk to the living room couch. It was pretty hot in here. The lights were on, the TV was turned off and there was a lot of unread mail, sitting on the coffee table. I layed down on the couch instead of sitting on the couch. He closed the door and locked the door behind me. “Let me fix up your injury.” Lars said. “Wait right there.” Lars ran to the bathroom to get the stuff to fix my scraped knee.

A few moments later…

Lars was sitting on the couch and the stuff he had to fix my knee was on the coffee table. It was so quiet in here. I put my leg that has the wound on it on Lar’s leg. It hurts whenever I move it. The stuff that Lars got to fix my knee was hand soap, a small cup of water, a clean washcloth, neosporin, and a few bandages. He gently washed the wound with soap and water for a total of five minutes. It kept hurting when he kept scrubbing the wound with the washcloth but I had to hold it in by breathing in and out slowly. Everything is going to be just fine. He finally stopped scrubbing the wound. What a relief. “Alright, tell me how you scraped your knee.” Lars asked me. I immediately covered up my face in embarrassment. “Well, this is kinda embarrassing." I said to myself. He was blowing in my wound so that it could dry. “Uhh… I…" I was struggling to speak. "I was jogging and I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going. I tripped over something on the sidewalk and that’s how I scraped my knee.” I explained to him. I looked at him and he looked pissed off. "You should have watched where you were going." He said. "I know, Lars." I said in an angry tone, I rolled my eyes at him. I was watching him getting the neosporin off of the coffee table. “You really know how to fix a wound, Lars. I’m impressed.” I said happily. He put some neosporin on my wound and rubbed it gently with the washcloth he used earlier. “My father taught me just in case there’s no way to go to the doctor, something like that.” Lars said. He put two to three bandages on my wound. He looked at me and said, “It will heal later on.”

“Thank you, Lars.” I smiled at him. “Just sit here and rest for a bit, okay. I don’t want your injury to get worse.” He said as he got off the couch. “Alright.” I closed my eyes and I went to sleep.

[ironychan]

Scary Monsters

Okay, @dysphoria-sweatshirt @sweatersexual @30spiders​ @angrylittlesliceofpizza​

Part 1/? - Rocco’s Closet

Part 2/? - School for Monsters

Knowing that the bus was going 'back to school', Luca had pictured something like the school he and Giulia attended in Genova. It was housed on several floors of an ornate old building, on a street that also housed shops and apartments. Humans seemed to like living all piled on top of each other in small spaces, so that everything and everyone they might need was within easy reach. For somebody accustomed to the broad, shallow bottom of the Ligurian Sea, it had taken some getting used to.

This place was not like that. The building, identified by a sign as Flatwoods Middle School, was only a single storey tall, with flat roofs and very few windows. There was a broad open field behind it, where a group of monster children were playing something similar to football. In front of the building was a big car park with rows of young trees and a small fountain on the broad path to the front door.

The fountain was a welcome sight, because by now Luca and Alberto were starting to dry off again. They pushed their way through the kids leaving the bus and ran ahead to jump in the water, rolling around and splashing to get good and soaked.

Unfortunately, there'd been a girl sitting on the fountain rim reading a book. She had eight spidery legs but a humanoid torso and hair in pigtails, and she was wearing a black cardigan with a lace collar and a ribbon choker with an Egyptian ankh. She shrieked as they splashed her, and scrambled to her many feet.

“Sorry, Miss!” said Luca.

She stared at them, uncomprehending.

“We're sea monsters,” Luca added.

“Not good if we get too dry,” Alberto agreed.

The girl examined her wet book and brushed some water off a page, then scuttled away.

“Will you need to keep doing that all afternoon?” asked Jeanne, as she and Marie ushered the kids towards the buildings.

“Yes, Miss Lavigne,” said Luca.

“We'll see if we can't make it easier for you,” Marie decided. Jeanne nodded.

Alberto climbed out of the fountain and put his hands on his hips as he considered the building in front of them. “It doesn't look much like your school,” he observed. Luca had sent him some photographs in the mail.

Luca nodded. “I don't think it's gonna be much like it inside, either.”

Alberto stood there a moment longer then clapped Luca on the back. “It'll be a breeze,” he said, though there was uncertainty in his voice. “Just...”

“... just stay wet?” Luca guessed.

“Right.” Alberto nodded and followed the monster children indoors, head and tail held high. Luca hurried after him.

Flatwoods Middle School had looked quiet from outside, but inside it was absolutely swarming. Monster kids of every possible shape and size were taking things out of lockers or putting them in, talking in groups, or engaged in any of a dozen other activities. Three girls, dressed in uniforms tailored for their varying number of limbs and heads, were poring over a piece of paper and giggling helplessly. Two slug-like beasts, one in a baseball cap, were bouncing a small ball back and forth with their heads, until a red, crocodile-like adult came and confiscated it. A polka-dot creature was fiddling with colourful cube toy as the group went by, and one of the returning kids waved to it.

“Darse por vencido, Miguel!”

The being called Miguel waved back, then returned its attention to its cube.

Alberto decided to try this phrase out. He poked the armoured back of a spiky yellow creature that was holding a large orange ball. “Hey, darse por vencido!” he said with a cheerful grin.

“Uh... sure,” the spiky kid said uncertainly.

An alarm suddenly rang. Luca nearly jumped out of his skin. He grabbed Alberto's arm, but nobody else seemed to consider this an emergency. The students shut their lockers and quickened their steps – or their flapping, hopping, or slithering – but they didn't flee the building. Instead, they ended their conversations with their friends and dispersed into various rooms. Luca kept a tight grip on Alberto as they followed their lifelines, Miss Lavigne and the crab boy named Harry, through a particular door.

Inside was a classroom that looked fairly normal at first, but then Luca began to notice the weird details. One wall had a map hanging on it, but it wasn't a map of anywhere Luca recognized. In another place was a poster labelled The Night Sky, but there were no familiar constellations. Above the blackboard was a row of portraits of monsters in old-fashioned clothing.

The desk, however, were entirely familiar, and the students settled down at them much as students did anywhere. Marie-Jeanne ushered Alberto and Luca to two empty seats at the back, where there was a sink on the wall.

“There we go,” said Marie. “There's water right there, if you need to wet down again.”

“Just try not to disrupt the class too much,” Jeanne added.

“Yes, Miss Lavigne,” said Luca politely.

“We'll be as quiet as mice,” Alberto promised.

Both of Marie-Jeanne's heads nodded, and she went to the desk at the front to begin the lesson. “Well,” said Marie,” since on a regular day this would be our period for history, let's talk about what we learned at the factory today in light of that. Who can tell me something about the history of the energy industry?”

A scattering of hands, tentacles, wings, and at least one foot went up.

“Yes, Heather.” Marie pointed to a girl.

The child in question rather looked like a heather plant, with spiky fur in green and pink. “Scream power was rationed in some places until just five years ago, as a result of the Great Door Crash!” she announced.

“That's correct,” said Marie pleasantly. “We grew up in a small town with rationed scream, actually.”

Jeanne, meanwhile, chose one of the boys. “Arthur! What can you tell us?”

Arthur was a glossy green slug-like creature with skinny arms and a pair of curling, ram-like horns. “Today was the first Code Black in monster history!” he said excitedly.

This was met by an awkward silence.

“I think that's a little premature,” said Marie primly.

“It's possible,” Jeanne admitted.

“But not likely,” said Marie.

“Everybody in the parking lot was talking about it,” said Arthur.

“That doesn't mean it's anything more than a rumour,” Marie told him, while Jeanne nodded. “If anything actually happened, I'm sure there'll be an official announcement.”

“Or maybe there won't be,” said a girl who looked like nothing so much as a dish of blue jelly, with eyes and a pink bow on top. “Maybe they'd hide the truth in order to avoid a mass panic. You all know humans are deadly poisonous.”

Luca looked at Alberto and found him looking back, not sure what to make of any of this.

“You mean venomous,” said a striped, gecko-like boy, who was wearing glasses. “If it bites you and you die, it's venomous. If you bite it and you die, it's poisonous.”

“What if I bite it and it dies?” asked Arthur.

“Then you're venomous,” said the boy in the glasses, rolling his eyes. “Duh.”

“Humans aren't venomous or poisonous,” another kid announced. “It's just that their mouths are so filthy that after one bites you die of infection.”

The jelly waved a dismissive hand. “Either way, why would they tell us and risk society collapsing when they could just quietly kill anyone who got contaminated and cover it up? There might have been dozens of incursions and we would never know.”

Luca was still damp, but he got up and sidled over to the sink to splash himself again. Alberto did likewise. A few kids looked back over their shoulders at them, but nobody seemed terribly interested.

“Okay, kids,” said Jeanne, raising her hands. “Why don't we just...”

“We should ask Harry,” Arthur volunteered. “His family owns the place.”

Alberto and Luca were forgotten entirely as all eyes – averaging more than two per individual – turned towards the grey crab-like boy.

“I don't know any more than you do,” Harry told them. “If there was an incident, Dad might say something about it at supper tonight.” He glanced at Luca and Alberto as they returned to their seats, but his eyes didn't linger on them. “If he does, I'll tell you about it tomorrow.”

“Yes, but will you tell the truth?” asked the jelly. “You have a vested interest.”

“I'll tell you whatever I find out, Michelle,” Harry huffed. “On my honour.”

“What is honour worth when it comes from the establishment?” asked Michelle.

“Enough!” barked Jeanne, and to Luca's astonishment she breathed a bit of fire. Even Marie seemed shocked by this, and the class recognized it as a sign that their teacher was losing her patiences. They quickly sat up straight and looked attentive.

Marie gently took over again. “Why don't we go back to what Heather said about the Great Door Crash?” she suggested. “Who wants to tell me about that?”

There was less enthusiasm now. For a moment nothing happened, and then with a sigh, one grey hand went up.

“Yes, Harry?” Marie asked, while Jeanne held her mouth shut and exhaled smoke through her nostrils.

Harry looked around smugly. “Between 1939 and 1945 over a hundred thousand closet doors lost their access to the human world. But my grandfather Henry Waternoose the First developed a more efficient way to store and distribute every decibel of scream power that remained, and founded Monsters Incorporated to rebuild the door bank so that now there's more scream than ever.”

“Thank you, yes,” said Marie.

Jeanne sighed, letting out a final cloud of grey smoke that gathered in the air above her. “Yes, very good, Harry, although it would have been nice if somebody else could have answered that. Socorro, do you have a question?” she pointed to a lizardlike creature with spines down its back and big red eyes, which had raised a webbed hand.

“Why did the doors fail?” Socorro asked.

“Nobody knows,” Marie told her. “It's still a bit of a...”

It felt like lightning passed down Luca's spine as he realized he knew the answer, and before he had properly thought about what he was going to do, the habit of school took over and his hand shot up. “They had a war!” he said.

Everybody stared at him.

“Who?” asked Jeanne.

“The humans,” said Luca. Belatedly, he realized he probably shouldn't have said anything, but he'd already started now. There was no going back. “That's, uh... that's what my uncle says. They had a big war that went on for years, and thousands of buildings were destroyed, so their closets would be destroyed, too.” He was starting to put this together. The monsters used closet doors to get to the human world and... make kids scream? Because they used it as power for something? That sounded weird, but Luca didn't actually know where humans go their electricity from, although it had something to do with lightning, so who was he to say?

“Well, that's certainly an interesting theory,” said Marie delicately.

Luca sank in his seat a little, as everybody gave him funny looks. That had happened before, when he'd tried to answer a question in school and had ended up saying something humans thought was weird. Everybody was staring, wondering what was wrong with him, and he wished he could disappear.

Despite that embarrassment, by the time the class was over Luca was pretty sure he had this figured out. In order to get back to Portorosso, all he and Alberto had to do was go back to the factory and find the door that led to Rocco's closet. It would be easy.

The bell rang, and the kids scooped up their books and filed out of the classroom. Luca and Alberto stopped to wet themselves down in the sink one last time, and missed some minor drama in the process. Somebody shrieked, and they turned around to see the blob named Michelle pointing an angry gelatinous finger at the gecko boy.

“Miss Lavigne!” she wailed, “Lewis stepped in me!”

“You stopped right in front of me!” Lewis protested. He shook a wad of goo off his foot. It dropped to the floor and rolled across it to join back up with the rest of Michelle.

“You'd have seen me if you were looking where you were going, instead of reading a book!” Michelle informed him.

The two continued to argue as they headed into the hall, leaving only four people in the classroom – or perhaps five, depending on whether one counted Marie-Jeanne as one or two. There was the teacher, the boys, and Harry Waternoose.

“Follow me,” Harry told them.

Luca no longer had misgivings about this. If Harry's father owned the factory, then they had to stick to him like barnacles. They would just have to be very careful not to let him see them dry.

“Sir,” Luca said, as Harry led them up the hall, “we need to go back to your father's factory.”

Harry scuttled up to a locker and opened it. “What for?” he asked.

“We, um... let something there,” said Luca.

“I can tell Dad to have people look for it.” Harry stashed some books and picked up a bag, then shut the door again.

“You can't,” said Alberto. “It's hidden. We have to get it ourselves.”

Harry looked suspicious, but for the moment he did not ask any questions. Instead, he made his way through the teeming hallways to the entrance. Alberto and Luca were still good and damp, but seeing this crush of people and knowing now what would happen if they transformed made them jumpy. When they passed a drinking fountain, Alberto took advantage of it to splash his face, then put his thumb on the nozzle to spray Luca, too.

Unfortunately, not all the water went where he intended. Luca heard a startled cry and spun around to see that some of it had hit the spider-like girl in the ankh necklace. She glared at them.

“Sorry!” said Luca.

She wiped water off her face, then scowled and scurried away.

In front of the building, students were running around or sitting on the grass and talking, or getting onto one of a line of yellow buses that were now parked waiting on the street. Luca wasn't looking forward to riding in one of those again, so he was relieved when Harry didn't go in that direction. Instead, their new friend led them to the parking lot, where there was a car waiting.

At least, Luca was pretty sure it was a car. It was car-shaped, and yet very different from the little cars he was familiar with from Portorosso and Genova. It was black, low to the ground, and very, very long, longer than Massimo's fishing boat. The windows were dark so they couldn't see inside, but then one slid soundlessly open to reveal the driver, who appeared to be a blue octopus with a handlebar moustache.

“Hi, Armstrong,” said Harry. “This is Luca and Alberto. They're coming over.”

“Of course, Master Harry,” said the octopus.

They climbed in. Luca had ridden in cars before, and had found them cramped and uncomfortable. This one, however, was spacious with big soft seats that were almost more like sofas. They sat down, and Harry opened a little door under the seat and pulled bottles of cold water out of a tiny refrigerator for them.

“Thank you,” said Luca politely.

Alberto opened his bottle and poured the contents over his head. “So was that different from your school?” he asked.

“Kind of,” Luca said. “My school is smaller, and we learn about different things, but we do sit at desks and do math problems, and there are maps and things like that.”

“That's it? All day?”

“Mostly. We stop for lunch, and once a week if the weather's good we go back at night to use the big telescope.”

“And that's fun?” Everything Alberto knew about school was from Luca's letters, and Luca loved school. They read stories, learned history, did experiments, and looked at the stars – every day brought something new! But now Alberto was looking at Luca like he was crazy.

“Yeah, it's amazing!” Luca said with great enthusiasm. “Didn't you learn a lot today? We learned about the Great Door Crash.” He started counting things off on his fingers. “We learned that scream power works by vibrating the air molecules, so everything here runs on sound! And we learned that before they learned to get power by scaring kids, monsters would make machines run by roaring into them!”

“Why would we ever need to know any of that?” Alberto asked. “Nobody back home does things that way.”

“It's fun just to know it,” Luca insisted. “Don't you like knowing that plants are green because the green chemical helps them absorb sunlight, or that the evening star is a whole planet and has phases like the moon even though you need a telescope to see them?”

Alberto blinked at him, and Luca got a sinking feeling. If Alberto thought school was boring, did that mean he didn't like Luca's letters?

“You don't go to school?” Harry asked with a frown.

“Nope!” Alberto sat back with his hands behind his head. “That's Luca's thing.”

Now it was the monster boy's turn to look puzzled. “What do you do all day?”

“I work for my Dad,” Alberto replied. “My new Dad. My old Dad left, but I got a new one.”

That just confused Harry further. “How did you just get a new dad?”

“I moved in with him, and after a while he let me call him that.”

Harry gave them a sideways look with all five eyes. “Where are you guys from?” he wanted to know.

Saying the human world was clearly out of the question. Would Harry know where Portorosso or Genova or even the Ligurian Sea were? The map in the classroom hadn't shown anywhere familiar. Monsters clearly know how to get to the human world, though, so what if somebody tracked them down?

“Milano,” said Alberto.

“Yeah, Milano,” Luca agreed. He looked at Alberto, and Alberto shrugged. Apparently it was just the first place he'd thought of.

The very long black car drove them through the city and out into a neighbourhood with lots of trees and fences. A wrought-iron gate swung open by itself, and they headed up the drive to a house even bigger than Flatwoods Middle School. It was three storeys tall, surrounded by geometric gardens and carefully trimmed trees. It resembled a countryside villa, the sort of places Luca and Alberto had only seen pictures of. Harry cheerfully thanked Armstrong the chauffeur and scuttled up to the door. His guests followed, and before they reached the step, the butler was already there to answer it.

There seemed to be all kinds of monsters in this world and Luca was trying to act like that was normal – nobody seemed shocked by their appearances, so it would be rude to be surprised by anybody else. Even so, he couldn't stop a frightened squeak at what he saw next.

He had heard the word 'cadaverous' used to describe somebody who was very thin or pale, but the creature in the black suit that held the door for them literally looked like a dead body. It was huge and hunch-backed, with blue-grey skin, white hair, and blank white eyes. Making things even worse was that it was otherwise the most human-looking creature they'd met since Louise had dragged them through Rocco's closet door. If Luca had seen this come out of a closet, he'd have screamed enough to keep a whole city lit for a week.

“Hi, Schrecklich,” said Harry.

The butler nodded slowly, once, without speaking.

“This is Luca and Alberto,” Harry added.

Alberto stood up as straight as he could and grinned awkwardly, trying to look brave. Luca kept partially behind him, and waved.

“We're going in the pool,” Harry added.

Schrecklich nodded again, and turned his head to watch them go by. The boys walked fast and kept their eyes in front, not wanting to look directly at this terrifying creature. The door opened onto a big tiled hallway with intricate carpets on the floor and two flights of stairs leading up to the second level. The ceiling was as high as the third story, with balconies looking down and a stained glass dome at the top. From the centre of the dome hung a glittering crystal chandelier.

“I'm gonna go get my trunks,” Harry told them, as they stood staring at the room. “You can head out back. Schrecklich will show you the way.” He headed up the left flight of stairs.

The boys swallowed and turned to the butler, still not wanting to meet his empty, staring eyes. Schrecklich grunted, and gestured for them to follow him.

The rest of the house was as palatial as the foyer. They passed through half a dozen rooms stuffed with stylish furniture, with thick carpets on the floor and artwork on the walls. In one, a creature dressed as a maid was vacuuming. She had eyes on stalks, one of which turned to watch them go by, but when she saw they were with Schrecklich the butler, it rejoined its mate in keeping track of the cleaning.

Alberto tried very hard to look as if he were too cool to be impressed by this, keeping his lids half-shut and his head facing forward, but Luca could see him glancing around out of the corners of his eyes. Luca himself couldn't help but staring in amazement, and very nearly fell behind once or twice. Each time, as soon as he realized the others were getting ahead of him, he would run to catch up, because this house looked like a place somebody could get lost in and never find their way out. Sea monsters had an innate sense of direction that always told them which way was home, but that didn't help much in an actual maze.

At last the butler slid a glass door open, and they stepped out onto a multi-level wooden patio surrounded by flowers and palm trees. In one spot was an elaborate cushioned swing, in another a hammock, and on the lowest level was a firepit surrounded by comfy-looking ottomans. The centrepiece was a kidney-shaped swimming pool with a diving board, surrounded by beach chairs and sun umbrellas.

“Cool!” Alberto declared, and dived right in, clothes and all.

Luca paused before following him. “Thank you, Sir,” he said to the terrifying butler.

Schrecklich grunted again, and turned and went back inside.

Entering the pool brought on an immediate sense of relief. As long as Luca and Alberto were actually in the water, they wouldn't have to worry about being seen drying out. For the moment, at least, they were safe.

“Can you believe how rich these people are?” Alberto asked, kicking water at Luca with one flippered foot. “I bet they've got a whole fleet of Vespas!”

“Harry did say his dad owns the factory,” Luca said. If the screams were the only source of power, and the factory provided all the screams, that made sense. Luca wondered again about electricity. Where did it come from? Were the humans who provided it rich like this, or did it work totally differently? “I hope he can get us in without getting caught.” They hadn't seen much of it but the factory looked pretty big. Were they going to be able to find Rocco's door again?

“He'll do anything we want,” Alberto said confidently. “We promised to show him two humans, remember?”

“You promised,” said Luca, still not sure about that plan.

“We'll be home in no time,” said Alberto, floating on his back. “Until then, we get to hang out in this palazzo!”

Luca had other things on his mind. “I wonder what people back home are thinking. I mean. Signora Marsigliese would have heard us all shouting and she must have come in and we were just gone.” He hadn't thought of that yet... now that he did, it made him want to panic. “Mom and Dad are gonna be freaking out. And Massimo...”

Alberto must not have thought of this either. He stood up with his feet on the bottom. “You think so? Yeah...” he looked uncharacteristically thoughtful. “Yeah, he'll be looking for me.” Luca had told him how Massimo had gone to search for Alberto when he'd run off after their argument, and Alberto had told him what had happened after the boat caught fire.

The glass door slid open again, and Luca and Alberto looked up to see Harry scuttling out onto the patio. He hadn't worn any trousers earlier, but now he had blue swim trunks made to accommodate his many legs. Around his waist was a colourful, tyre-shaped inflatable thing, like a malformed beach ball. When he hopped into the water, it kept him buoyant, and he paddled over to them.

“So when do I get to see these humans?” Harry asked.

Luca looked at his friend. This had been Alberto's idea.

“Tomorrow,” said Albert. “Once you get us back into the factor.

Harry nodded and smiled, showing off teeth even sharper than the sea monsters'. “I figured,” he said. “That's what you hid there, isn't it? The humans? Right?”

Something in Luca's chest tightened. This had already been a bad idea and now he felt like it was getting worse. What was Harry going to think if he figured it out? Or worse, what if he didn't believe they could show him a human, and just threw them out? Luca had never been very good at lying. It was too hard to remember what he'd lied about and make sure it all made sense together, and his mother was too good at finding those holes.

“Um, yes,” Alberto decided. “Yes, they are, and we'll show you tomorrow.”

“I knew it!” Harry said triumphantly. “Why did you bring humans into our world? You must know they're dangerous.” The words were reproachful, but the tone was intrigued.

“They're not, though,” said Luca, desperate to tell the truth about something. “All those things people were saying in class, that they're venomous or will shock you or make you sick, none of that is true.”

“It isn't? How do you know?” Harry asked.

“Because we hang out with humans all the time,” said Alberto. “Some of our best friends are human. My Dad is human. My new Dad. My old dad was a sea monster.”

“I go to school with humans,” Luca agreed.

“And that's... normal?” Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing.

“Um.” Now Luca hesitated. “Not exactly.”

“It's not really common,” Alberto said. “We're from just about the only place where humans and sea monsters get along.”

“In Milano,” said Harry.

“Yes, Milano,” Luca agreed.

“Will you take me there?” Harry asked.

“Well...” Faltering for the first time, Alberto looked at Luca for help.

Luca shook his head. “I don't think so.” It was a bad idea for many reasons, but he picked the one he thought Harry was most likely to agree with. “I don't know if we'd be able to get you back. The lady who found us, Louise, she said they would have to review the door we came in by. So they might get rid of it. It's not worth the risk.”

Harry, however, was not worried at all. “I know where they keep the doors for review. It'll be easy to find it. We'll just wedge it open. They can't deactivate an open door. There are safety protocols.”

Luca tried again. “The humans will be scared of you. You're not like the monsters they know.”

“Giulia's cool,” Alberto offered. “We'll just tell her Harry's a friend of ours, and she'll be fine.”

“Yeah, but it's not Giulia's house,” Luca pointed out. “It's Signora Marsigliese's house, and it's Rocco's room.”

“We'll figure it out,” Alberto said.

Maybe Alberto was just stringing Harry along. They did very much need for this boy to keep being nice to them. Once they got back to the factory, they could find a way to ditch him. Luca would feel bad about that, but taking Harry to Portorosso would be such a disaster, it actually made him feel a little sick.

[dragonmuse]

I'm inspired by the recent talk of Sweeney and I need some fluff in my life featuring Lucius/Izzy (just accidentally read an anti-Izzy fic! booo! ☹️), soooooo could we get a scene when Izzy and Luc get home from the Olympics and see Sweeney for the first time after being away?

( I am so sorry cause this started cute and then got very serious because I kept meaning to finally have Izzy and Lucius talk post-Hymn and I guess I was ready! So this isn't actually fluff, but I think it's still some pro-Izzy content?)

The first place Izzy went was Read’s door which Lucius probably could’ve predicted if he’d thought about it for  more than a second. He set down his bags outside their door and slumped against the door frame. 

Lucius was starting to think that he hated travel. Sure he’d had a few nice vacations over the years, but between a hotel that he never thought about and this recent emotional gauntlet, he never wanted to leave home again. 

“Hi!” Read opened the door with a bright smile. “You’re home!” 

“We are,” Izzy agreed. “You good?” 

“Yep, and so’s your place. I just went in this morning. All the mail is in your basket and I turned the a/c on, so you should be good to go.” 

“Thanks,” Izzy gave her a short nod. Then sighed as Read hugged him. “It was a week.” 

“I know, but an exciting one,” she winked at Lucius over Izzy’s shoulder as the man hugged her back. Lucius suppressed a tired laugh.  “He did good.” 

“He did,” Izzy drew away. “I’ll be back in the office in two days. Should be enough time for you two to clean up after yourselves.” 

“Place is totally fine,” Read shrugged. “You could come back tomorrow morning.” 

“Maybe I will.” 

“Maybe you should,” she met the challenge. 

The stare off was also kind of funny, but if Lucius didn’t shower soon, he was going to itch off his top layer of skin and he'd left his keys inside Izzy's apartment. They didn't both need them.

“You’ll be too jet lagged,” he put in. “Come on, goblin, I’m dying for hot water.” 

“Yeah, yeah,” Izzy shook his head. “Two days.” 

“Okay, boss,” Read laughed and shut the door in his face. 

Pete would be nearly home already too and Lucius could picture him already preparing stories for Frenchie and John. Lucius would join him tomorrow. He’d considered breaking the routine they’d set up to go home with him today, but if he was honest, he needed the break. Every conversation they had now felt tender and a little fraught, neither of them fully healed from the burn just yet. 

From deep inside the apartment, there was a tiny sound as they walked in. It started off tiny anyway. Sweeney streaked into the living room, spotted Izzy and then raced to butt his head against the man’s shins with desperate cries. 

“I think someone missed you,” Lucius said wryly. 

“It was just a week,” Izzy said, but it sounded far more hollow than when he’d said it to Read.  

Izzy squatted down and Sweeney put his paws onto Izzy’s knees, rubbing his face against his goatee. 

“Hey, hey now,” Izzy said softly and Lucius’ already bruised heart melted a little further. “Don’t be ridiculous, you’re okay. Read took good care of you.” 

“Mew,” Sweeney rebutted.  

Izzy picked the cat off the floor with a sigh. “Why don’t you go shower, pup?” 

“Yeah, I will.” Lucius reached out to offer Sweeney his fingers and the cat licked his fingertips.  “Oh wow, never done that before.” 

“He’s getting soft in his old age,” Izzy said as if he wasn’t rubbing Sweeny’s intact ear between his fingers gentle as anything. 

Lucius watched them for a bit longer, swayed away from his immediate needs by the quiet moment. But he did really need a shower. With a sigh, he left behind his suitcase and made for the bathroom. The relief of being in the familiar bathroom with the very assertive water pressure that Izzy preferred was tremendous. Lucius stood beneath the stream for a long time, letting the heat melt the knots between his shoulders. 

When he got out, he could smell something cooking. With just a towel around his waist, he went to investigate. Izzy was standing at the stove while Sweeney lingered at his feet, watching it with the same intentness. 

“We have food?” Lucius asked, bemused. 

“Froze some things before we left. Hate coming home to an empty fridge,” Izzy shrugged. “It’s just some chicken parm.” 

“You’re amazing and I love you, if I haven’t told you lately,” Lucius enthused, suddenly starving. 

“It’ll take a half hour at least,” Izzy smiled fractionally without taking his eyes off the oven. He looked sleepy and rumpled.  

“Time enough for a shave,” Lucius nodded. 

“And to put your clothes in the hamper.” 

“We just got back!” 

Izzy lifted his heavy gaze from the oven to Lucius’ face and lifted some unimpressed eyebrows. Lucius sighed. 

“Yeah, fine.” 

Of course, Izzy had already unpacked his things, including his bathroom stuff which he’d somehow put away without Lucius hearing him enter or exit. Lucius added his clothes to the hamper, having to jam down a little considering how much he’d gone through. Touching each item brought back unhappy jolts of memory. 

Let Izzy wash it all away if that’s what he wanted. Lucius threw crumpled receipts and tissues into the wastebasket as he turned out pockets.  Tomorrow, Lucius would do the same for Pete, taking back over his little domestic chores. Trying for normal.

They sat at the island to eat. Or Lucius sat and Izzy stood on the other side as he generally preferred and conversation was jettisoned in favor of eating a meal that finally tasted like something after so many in a row on an airplane or in the airport.  

Izzy’s eyes were heavy-lidded and despite the early hour, they both gave in to the call of jetlag, falling into bed by mutual agreement. Lucius' sleep was mercifully deep and untroubled by dreams. He slept through Izzy getting up and going for his run, waking to the sound of the shower. 

He rolled out of bed and made them both oatmeal. They made it through breakfast without talking too, but then there was nothing left for it.  Without discussion they both headed for the couch and Izzy sat down beside him instead of on the floor. 

It wasn’t that they hadn’t talked about it. It had been unavoidable, but Izzy had kept the focus on Pete as much as possible or trying to distract Lucius. It was good to be supported like that. Believed and trusted that strongly. Izzy didn’t doubt that Lucius had kept it a secret for good reason, and hadn't implied he owed more of him than Lucius had been willing to give. It was more than Lucius deserved, but he had taken it with both hands. 

“Ask me,” Lucius said now. “Whatever you want to know.” 

Izzy nodded slightly, looking straight past Lucius, staring into space as far as he could tell. 

“I’m not sure what I want to know,” Izzy said slowly. 

“No? You’ve had time to think about it.” 

“Yeah, but...dunno,” Izzy shrugged. “I don’t really care, I guess.” 

“Iz. What?”  How did this man never fail to surprise him? To wrong foot him? 

“I care that it upsets you. But it doesn’t change you. Doesn’t change what we have together. So your father is a piece of shit? Yeah, mine too. Yours is in prison? Mine should be and we both fucking know it. He just kept his shit closer to home where it’s harder to see.” 

“Yeah, but I knew...well. I guess I didn’t know your father was alive right away,” Lucius recalled. “You were pretty cagey about that.” 

“Mm. Preferred not to think about,” Izzy nodded. “Bet you did too.” 

“Preferred is not the word,” Lucius groaned. “But okay. So...I’m starting to get a better picture here. You can relate?” 

“And that’s just not how we work, is it? You and Pete have that kind of...” Izzy paused, fishing for the right words, “you love each other like that. Showing each other everything and leaving nothing back, right?” 

“I guess,” Lucius considered. “Yeah. Secrets aren’t really our thing.” 

“And we're different. Though I think if I’d ever asked you point blank where the fuck your father was, you might’ve told me.” 

“I don’t know that. I’m not going to lie and say I would’ve for sure.” 

“Okay. But if Pete had? If he pushed you at all?”

Lucius sighed, then nodded, “Yeah. Yeah probably.” 

“We’ve always had things we didn’t say. Places we didn’t go,” Izzy said without any noticeable upset at the idea. “And most of those belonged to me. I figured we didn’t go there because you didn’t really want to know. But now I think...kept us even, huh? Even if I didn’t know that's what was happening.” 

“A little,” his voice came out small. “You’re really not angry? I kept waiting for it to bubble over. Sometimes your anger has a hang time.” 

Izzy shook his head. “Really not, pup. I- this might hurt your feelings, I don’t know.” 

“Say it anyway.” 

“He scares you. You’re scared. How can I be pissed when you hid something out of fear? I did everything because I was afraid for so long. I get it.” 

“I’m not-” he started to snap, then closed his mouth in a hurry. Scared? He was scared of a lot of things. Blood, heights, dogs that barked too loud. 

But maybe there was something below that. He could push past heights to pain the mural. He could keep his cool around blood if someone he loved was hurting. 

There was a different kind of fear. The kind that got him at the hotel, that deep dark phantom of death. That’s where his father’s memory lived, Lucius thought. In the pits. 

“I’m not afraid of what he’ll do,” Lucius reached out, took Izzy’s hand and was painfully grateful when Izzy  laced their fingers together. “I’m afraid of how much of myself I’ll see in him.”

“You will,” Izzy said and it was so stark it was almost painful. “Some. But just the parts that were worth taking. Eddy always had that right. See the few good bits, fish ‘em out and steal them for yourself.” 

“But...it’s dark. Those parts.”

Izzy nodded. “Seems like something you should like..talk to a therapist about or something.” 

“...oh you asshole,” Lucius started laughing and only laughed harder when Izzy looked very pleased with himself. “How fucking long have you been waiting to say that?” 

“Mm, fifteen years give or take.” 

“Long wait for a gag. What’ll you do now?” 

“Dunno. But it’ll probably be with you, so it’ll be good.” 

That cut his laugh dead and Lucius just launched himself into Izzy’s lap. “I hate how good you’ve gotten at all that. Such a smooth talker these days.” 

“Got a funny way of showing hate,” Izzy shifted a little, balanced Lucius comfortably on his thighs. 

“I’ll show you more of it before I have to go.” 

Lucius leaned down to kiss him. Maybe he’d be a little dark for a half hour or so, the casual kindly cruelty of their intimacy overtaking him. If he had grabbed bits of his father for himself at least they were of use here, taking care of Izzy exactly the way he wanted  while Lucius scratched at a deep painful itch. 

Afterwards, the imprint of his fingers still lingering around Izzy’s neck, he asked, 

“Would you have fallen in love with me if I couldn’t do this?” 

“You wouldn’t be you, so the question is stupid to begin with.” 

“But when we met I didn’t know I could do this.” 

“You put your hand on my chest and told me what to do within a half hour of meeting me, even though you had every reason to be afraid of me,” Izzy reminded him. “You didn’t have to know. I knew.” 

“I love you,” Lucius kissed the marks on his neck. 

“Love you too, pup.” 

On his way out the door, Lucius stopped to pet Sweeney, pressing kisses on his head. “You keep an eye on him for me, would you?” 

Lighter, ready, Lucius went back out into the city. His husband was waiting for him and Lucius felt ready to begin their life again, maybe a little unsteadily for a bit, but the path ahead still stretched out before him like a fresh promise.