#i'm seeing it tomorrow actually because all the good seats were gone but it still counts

[drascua]

Ushering in the new year with a ticket to Nosferatu

[svkahug]

once more to see you

[chapter three; ao3 link]

tags: slow burn, injury, forced proximity, quarry!reader, hurt/comfort

summary: On the run with the Empire on your heels, a bounty hunter seems to be your only option and your best bet to getting back home.

a/n: heard someone say tumblr has no fluff well i shall provide

---

Space is so… quiet . So empty. Sometimes there’s not another breathing creature for miles. Then you hit a planet. You’ve tallied all the planets you’ve been on recently as the Mandalorian goes on the search, relentless. Yavin, Geonosis, Lothal. Desolate and lifeless planets. But you never see them. The Mandalorian isn’t exactly a tour guide but he does talk to you more often as you strap yourself onto the co-pilot seat beside him. Him and the kid are gone for days at a time, no longer than a week. 

You eat, you sleep, you dream. You’ve snooped around every nook and cranny of the Razor Crest. It’s not as if he’s going to pop out of nowhere and chastise you. You can probably traverse this ship from memory alone. 

You find what you assume is his bed. But you don’t sleep in it. Not even on the days where he’s gone. It’s just as small and cramped as the ship and you simply can’t believe anyone even uses that thing. 

The worry that he might have perished out there crosses your mind. But you couldn’t let it get to you. He uses the ship's emergency comms to check in at night. Sometimes he doesn’t.  

You shuffle through the supplies, you use the fresher, you stare outside the windows of the cockpit then you sleep on the floor. Until on the nights that you don’t. You think it started when they left for Lothal. They were gone for four days and you barely slept a wink.

It was the nightmares, you think. Twisted and vile things that were a manifestation of your fears. 

You don’t like to think about it. When your ship crashed on Jakku. You lost people. Guardsmen that've been with you since childhood. People died violent deaths to protect you. 

The memories come in flashes, unwanted and painful. They chased you through that rocky and desolate planet. The Empire rained hell. You ought to be flattered seeing as how they would go through all this trouble for you. If not for the night terrors you had of being back in that rubble, of seeing people drop dead like flies, and smelling the stench of gasoline from their flamethrowers. 

You wake up, heaving and choking back sobs, the heat of the flame feeling too real and too close. On the good nights, you’re able to talk to the Mandalorian through the emergency comm on the console of the ship. 

You’re mulling around the cockpit, memorizing the console controls, wondering what each one does when a soft crackle gets your attention. You’re so used to the quiet that the soft sound causes you to perk up immediately. 

“Mando?”

“— Hello ?”

“Took you long enough.” 

“ How’s the ship?”

You look at the blinking communicator as if it’s done you some personal offense. “...I’m fine, thank you very much. Ship’s intact, at least. Old thing.”

“... And you?”

“Are you asking if I’m still intact? Because the answer is no. I’ve lost my mind. I think I can hear colors.”

“ Yeah, isolation will do that to you .”

“What about you? Any sign of her?”

“... No. I'm in a village. No one’s seen anyone matching her description. Fob’s no help either. ” 

“Oh.” It’s nearly been two weeks. Four planets and more parsecs than you can count. “A village?”

“ Yes. Almost a day’s trek from the ship, so I’ll be back there by tomorrow. ”

You hesitate. “Can you stay? Just for a bit?”

“ Have you been sleeping? ”

“Not really.” 

“...I can keep the line open for a bit. Try to rest. ”

—

Two weeks later.

Batuu was green. That was the first thing you noticed. As the ship geared closer to the surface you see that those are actually trees, densely packed together to form a jungle. 

The ramp lowers and you can’t help it, you stand on the mouth of the ship, admiring the life of the planet. They’re gigantic, with bark twice the usual size and vines hanging from their branches, unlike what you had back at home.

The Mandalorian falls into step beside you and you can already sense what he’s about to say so you beat him to it.

“I’m just going to look.” The crest is parked in a clearing in the middle of the forest, flattening the long grass. It smells like damp soil and you can hear birds cawing in the distance. Surprisingly, he doesn’t stop you as you slowly walk down the ramp, grateful for the fresh air. “It’s beautiful.”

“It’s ancient.” He counters, his boots crunching on the ground as he flanks you. “These trees have been here for a thousand years. They’re sacred.”

You turn to him. “Don’t you think I should—”

“ No .” He says firmly. 

“She’s trained. Been in military command for as long as I can remember. She can outsmart you and she can fight….She wouldn’t run if she saw me.”

“Believe me, I can handle it. If she’s even here. I’m not risking you for an intel that could be weeks old.” He says, wading through a field of long grass, the little kid hovering nearby. 

“You’re no use to me dead.”

You make a face, smiling sarcastically. “ Charmed .”

“You’re welcome.” He deadpans. “Now get back on the ship.” 

—

There’s a storm outside when the Mandalorian comes back two days later.  You’ve fallen asleep to the sound of the smattering of rain on the roof of the ship when there’s a loud clang outside and you shoot up almost immediately.  

Suddenly, the ramp creaks awake as it opens, letting the water in. The sound of the rain is deafening now and you’re barely up on your feet before the Mandalorian sprints inside the vessel, the child’s pram zooming shortly behind him. He makes his way up into the cockpit immediately, firing up the engine before you can even hear the ramp shut below. Another crash comes from outside, and what sounded like an animal growling and clawing on the ground. Panic rises inside you as you stumble into the cockpit. 

“ What is that —?”

“Strap in now . We’re leaving.”

You do as you're told. “Did you find her?”

“No.” The ship lifts off the ground, and there’s something clanging on the side of the ship now. 

“ Who is that? ” They found us, you think. They fucking found us. 

“Bandits.”

“Wh– Seriously ?“

You’re in hyperspace when you finally notice it. You couldn’t help the gasp that escapes you, “ Holyfuckingshit , Mando—”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” He says, voice a little more ragged than usual, as if he didn’t have a knife sticking out of his fucking back.

You shoot up from your seat. “Shit , what— what do we do ? Holy —fuck .” It all comes out in a tumble. He’s facing you now but you can still see the knife sticking out of him. It’s really fucking huge. Especially because it’s halfway stuck inside him.

“Wait, wait here.” You’re practically flying through the ship when you come back with the kit, ripping it open on the floor of the cockpit and rummaging through its contents. “Here, what do you need?”

“The cauterizer.” His voice sounds thinner, even through the modulator, and it only adds a layer of panic to your already worsening state. “Look for the cauterizer— That— Yeah that one. Good.” You hand it to him. “You’re doing good. Now, you’re going to take it out—”

“What? No way .” You step back.

“Listen–”

“I don’t know how to — ”

“Hey, hey, breathe .” He grasps both your hands in his. His gloves are damp, and you see the droplets of water on his armor, his chrome visor staring up at you. “Calm down. It’s going to be alright. As long as I don’t bleed out, it’s fine.” 

“You’re kidding me right? How is that fine ?”

“Trust me, I’ve had worse.”

Trust him? That’s literally something the two of you couldn’t get right for nearly a month now. Now he’s basically putting his life in your hands and asking you to— Fuck . “Fuck, fine. I—I’ll do it.”

“Okay, you’re going to take out the dagger. Then you’re going to cauterize the wound with this.” He flicks some sort of switch and it fucking zaps . He places it in your hands. “Are you ready? You’re going to have to be quick, alright?”

He makes quick work of his chestplate, the armor clanging on the ground just as you come back with the scissors, ripping violently through his undershirt. You don’t think, you just do it and to your horror and surprise, the blade comes out easier than you expected. He lets out a long and loud groan, doubling over and gripping the console just as the bloody weapon joins the rest of his armor on the ground. You place a hand on his back to steady him, his skin warm.

“Maker, I’m sorry.” You say sincerely, gripping the cauterizer in one hand and steadying him with the other. He barks out a shout just as the laser makes contact with his skin. “ Stars , I’m sorry. Sorry, sorry… I’msosorry .” Your apologies turn into a whisper under your breath like a mantra, staying laser focused on the task at hand as he makes pained, broken noises underneath you. His fisted hand comes down onto the edge of the console.

It’s done eventually. The process felt longer than it was and there’s a moment when all you can hear is his heavy breathing mingling with the peaceful hum of hyperspace. It’s a juxtaposition of sounds. You couldn’t possibly imagine the pain he’s in and all he’s got to show for it now is a fresh jagged scar on the back of his shoulder.

You want to sit, but before you can even move an inch, he beats you to it. Suddenly, he’s tipping forward, a little too much and you recognize the fact that he’s going limp. You move just in time to catch him, letting your entire body support his weight as his helmet digs into your stomach while you try to get him back up into the chair without hurting his freshly closed wound. You hear garbling coming from underneath the armor. 

“It’s okay,” you murmur, hands on his pauldrons to support him, smearing red all over the metal. “It—It’s okay, I have you.” Literally. You don’t see any other option on how to move an injured man twice your size without hurting him right now and you’re too tired to think of a solution. So, you let him rest like that; his head on your stomach. 

You take a deep breath, your dominant hand cramping and your limbs feeling like you just strapped weights on them. You’re also getting colder and colder as the water he brought in earlier mingles with your sweat. Your hands are bloody. He makes another pained sound, a gloved hand coming up to grip your hip. 

“You ok?” You whisper. 

“ Mhm .”

“...Th—That wasn’t them, right?”

“No, it wasn’t.” Relief washes over you and you hardly feel his thumb brush a circle on your hip. 

You stay like that for longer than a moment. At some point, he’s placed his elbow on his knees to relieve some of the weight on you, still keeping his hand on your waist to steady you as you whizz through hyperspace. 

You let out a sigh, trying to focus on anything but how uncomfortable you are. 

It dawns on you you’ve never been this close before and you’ve never touched him, let alone seen his skin. It’s the first time you see him underneath all that metal. 

Suddenly, to you, there’s a lot of him. Weeks of looking at him and seeing nothing but metal and now the large expanse of his back is exposed to the cool air where you cut through his shirt. He’s a little pale from the injury and you also think it’s something to do with not being exposed to the sun that much. Your fingers grip his bare shoulder as you push him up just enough to make sure he doesn’t slip. His skin is damp, and he vaguely smells of rain, and something earthy. He’s a man underneath that armor, you almost forgot.

You watch the steady rise and fall of his torso as his lungs expand, muscles contracting as he tries to take in more air, and you notice the moles on his back. Tiny and completely unnoticeable marks scattered on the expanse of skin unless you stare really hard. You wonder if he knows this. Without thinking, you drag a clean hand, from his pauldron, to the small spot on his back, tracing it. Then to the next, and next, careful of his bad shoulder. It seemed like something you should do naturally and with no hesitation. You’re completely out of it, then, gently running your fingers along his back in a trancelike state, like your action and him feeling anything were two completely separate things. You hear him release a breath underneath you but you don’t feel the shudder that runs up his spine. You don’t see him shut his eyes underneath the helmet, don’t notice him lean back into your touch. Mando tries not to feel the throbbing pain on his shoulder, instead he focuses on the feel of your hand against his skin. He wonders if you were doing it on purpose. Or if you were in shock.

“Are you okay?” comes his question. He sounds more full now. Like he’s back to his usual self.

“Yeah,” you breathe, hand stopping in the middle of his back like you just traced a map and finally settled on a location.

You feel a squeeze on your hip, his head resurfacing from where it rested on your stomach and you’re suddenly faced with the chrome visor of his helmet.

“I’m fine. The kid’s fine. It’s over.” He says, sensing your distress. You nod silently. You can see him, and your reflection on his helmet but you can’t really… see it. Everything feels so cloudy and far away. You don’t want to look at the blood staining your hands, on his back. 

After dropping out of hyperspace, you lock yourself in the fresher and don’t come out half an hour later.

—

You assumed he was passed out from where he sat on the floor of the hull, resting, when you got out of the fresher until he said something. “We’re going back to Nevarro.”

“What for?” you whisper, meticulously laying out a fresh set of blankets on the floor. You were trying not to think much about anything right now. The baby is asleep, the hull is dark and silent, save for your whispers.

“I’m meeting with my employer, and we need supplies.” He’s changed out of his damp clothes now, and didn’t bother with putting the beskar back on yet.

You frown, listening to his attempt to get up. “You’re going to work for him?”

“Yes. I’m not made of credits.” You could argue that, technically, he was. But you feel like that would have been borderline offensive. He finds himself expecting you to say something back, but you’re quiet. He at least expected you to fight him on this, like you usually do. 

“Hey.” Comes the modulated tone of his voice, sounding hesitant. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine.” You chuck your damp clothes in the corner, not meeting his eyes—or rather, the chrome visor now staring in your direction.

“I think you’re in shock.” He takes hold of your elbow as you make your way across the other end of the hull. “Talk to me.”

You stop in your tracks, feeling oddly vulnerable in your state. “...You just scared me.” You state plainly and just when the words leave your mouth that’s when you’re able to pinpoint what it is you’ve been feeling all alone. Fear. An image flashed through your mind—limp bodies on the ground, eyes wide open but so empty and lifeless. The memories rears its ugly head at you tonight, resurfacing faster than you can help it. 

“ Maker —” You breathe out a puff of air, pressing the palm of your hand to your eyes until you can see stars. “I—I don’t want to do that again. Please don’t—don’t make me do that again. I—I don’t know why I’m—I mean, shit, you were the one with th—the knife in your back.” 

The Mandalorian’s hand drifts down from your elbow to grip your hand in a gloved hand, his filtered voice surprisingly really soft. “I think you’re just tired…. It’s alright.”

A wet sob fights its way out of you. Stars, it’s pathetic. It’s so fucking embarrassing . 

You wipe away your tears angrily with your free hand, a lump forming in your throat as you try to stifle a sob. You just stand there, frustratingly wiping away your tears as they come, sobbing quietly into the palm of your hands. It’s all really caught up to you now. How much the past few weeks—hell, months —really fucked you up. He was right. You were tired. You wanted to go home. You wanted to grieve . 

You suspect he might just leave you there, tell you to at least get some rest before going back up the cockpit to maneuver the ship to Nevarro but he doesn’t. 

The hand that’s holding yours starts to tug you closer, hesitantly and you go willingly, still wiping tears until you’re close enough to wrap your arms around him and bury your face into his good shoulder, letting him soak up your fresh tears. He’s warm without the beskar, and you practically melt into him.

“You haven’t been sleeping?” You shook your head against the soft cloth of his black undershirt running down to cover his arms, now wrapping securely around you, albeit awkwardly like he really didn’t know what to do and was simply improvising. “...It’s okay.” He runs his hand across your back soothingly and you hum softly against his shoulder.

A part of you is surprised at the gentleness in which he handles you, something you only ever see him reserve for the kid, but you can’t bring yourself to pull away. While he never showed any ill intentions towards you, you could never really read him. This was a job. You were a job to him. And he never failed to treat you as such. The things he did, you always assumed, was to benefit him and the kid. Your protection was just a byproduct.  You had no qualms about it, but months on the run, weeks alone, and the uncertainty of it all was getting to you, you admit and you just needed… you needed someone that wasn’t hunting you down or trying to kill you. 

You stay like that until your sobs subside and you’re taking calming breaths against him, his hand lingering . It was nice. This was nice. You turn your face into the crook of his neck, where there’s a spot where a patch of skin is showing. You find yourself wondering what he looked like all of a sudden

Suddenly, a soft cry pierces the silence of the ship and you’re suddenly reminded about where you were.

Slowly, you part. “I’ll get him,” you say with a nod. 

That night, you fall into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.

[callmelola111]

maniac ♡ e.w. oneshot

✄ - - - -   inspo track   - - - -   maniac

synopsis: lies are spewed and truths are revealed when a precarious friend group joins together once more on the 1 year anniversary of their estranged friends disappearance.

      | 𓆣 | pairing & wc: ellie williams x reader. wc: 4.4k

      | ❀ | cw: 18+ themes (MDNI), modern au, reader is referred to with she/her pronouns but other than that all descriptors are gender neutral, heavy violence blood and gore, oc deaths, drug use, homophobia (use of the word "dyke" once. i'm a lesbian so don't y'all try to cancel me), heavy language, mentions of reader having anxiety and panic attacks, lots of tension and fighting, ⭑ SMUT ⭑ ... thigh riding (r on e), dom!ellie, sub!reader, fingering (r receiving), pet names (baby, angel, etc.)

a/n: hi lovelies!! long time no see... i know this is a little different from my usual stuff but i honestly really love how it turned out. i spent a good chunk of time planning this out and then even longer writing it so i really hope y'all love it! i want this to be a fresh and exciting read for everyone. if you do end up enjoying the fic, any kind of note is greatly appreciated! ur fave tumblr writers thrive off all y'alls support! anyways, love love love you guys!!! ♡~ lola

To everyone else, it was a summer like any other. But when it came to you and your friends there was something missing this time– someone missing. This absence felt extra heavy as tomorrow would be the 1 year anniversary of August’s disappearance, and the annual camping trip was right on time with it. It had been tradition for as long as you could remember, but its memory was now tainted and left something that used to be so sure, completely up in the air…

✄ - - - -   ♡   - - - - 

The five of you squeezed into the small 4 person booth at your favorite local diner; Tj’s Eats. In one seat sat Lottie and Reid. The girl’s loose, dark curls gathered at the boy's shoulders as she snuggled into him, still clearly in the honeymoon stage of their relationship. On the other side of the white marbled table sat Xavier and Ellie, with you perched on her lap, of course, as she insisted to everyone that it was “necessity” and “there really, really was no more room”. In all actuality, all it took was an extra chair to fit the five, but she was your girlfriend, and even after years of dating you still couldn’t get enough of each other. 

“Can someone just say what we’re all thinking, please! I can’t with this tension,” Lottie complained, finally snapping out of the cuddle fest with her red-headed boyfriend.

“What are we all thinking Lottie, huh? Since you know everything,” Xavier retaliated, guising his irritation with a poorly crafted remark. 

“Don’t be fucking mean,” she said, kicking him under the table.

“Yeah seriously chill out,” Reid echoed. 

“God, enough with this shit, you guys are driving me insane!” Ellie butted in. You, however, paid no mind to this type of bullshit, as fights like this had become a frequent occurrence in your group of friends ever since that godforsaken night. So you continued to down your chocolate shake and drown out the bickering with a light hum. That is, until you were rudely interrupted by Xavier’s insulting words.

“You’re being real fucking quiet over there, Y/n. Do you really have nothing to say? You can’t just tune us out forever. We’re your fucking friends.”

You felt your hands balled into tight fists, “Fine. You want me to say something? I’ll say something–my brother is still missing and if you’re even thinking of going on that stupid fucking trip this year, you can count me out.”

“Not going on that trip isn’t gonna magically bring him back. August is gone and we can’t stop living our lives because of it,” he retorted, going just a tad bit too far. This was the last straw and quickly sent you up and out of your warm place in Ellie’s lap. She grasped at your wrist trying to pull you back into this mess of a friend group, but to no avail. 

“Now look what you’ve fucking done!” Ellie yelled at your defense as you disappeared into the bathroom.

✄ - - - -   ♡   - - - - 

Now face-to-face with your tear-stained cheeks in the mirror, your head fell down between your shoulders, slowly letting the pent up emotions roll off your back. Ever since you lost August, life had become 10 times harder. As much as your younger self would’ve hated to admit it, he was your rock–your annoying brother–but still, your rock. This confession made you feel even worse though, because deep down, there was a part of you that blamed yourself for how things happened. Maybe if you would’ve stopped fighting, or told the truth to the police, or took it easier on the booze and coke that night, August would still be here. There was nothing you could do now though. This was your reality and you had to accept it. 

With that you reached into the pocket of Ellie’s varsity jacket that engulfed your figure, hoping to find a tissue to blot away your tears and smeared mascara. Instead, you were met with a small polaroid. You flipped it over to reveal a bewildering picture of Xavier and August from the last night he was seen. Their arms were swung around each other’s necks, both flashing toothy smiles at the camera and you could recall being the one to take this photo. The one thing you didn’t remember is the black sharpie captioning the bottom of the image. It read “don’t believe his lies”. Your head began to race with countless questions and zero answers. The biggest one being, what the fuck was Xavier lying about?

The wet bathroom countertop dug into the palms of your hands as you took a second to decide the best course of action, but all you could come up with was shutting the fuck up and pretending it never happened. You weren’t ready to relive last year all over again. Not yet–not ever. So you paraded back into the dining room, eyes still damp and hands still shaking. Ellie felt your energy immediately and knew it was time to go.

She glanced at you for confirmation and then turned to address the group, “I think it’s time for me and Y/N to head out. Sorry guys.” Xavier shot a look of discontent and Ellie mouthed something along the lines of “I’m sorry, I’ll talk to her I promise”, which seemed to slightly ease the tension he was previously carrying in his shoulders. She then slid out from the booth, slipped her left hand into the pocket of your denim shorts, and ushered you outside to her red convertible.

The drive back was silent but as Ellie’s hand gently stroked the flesh of your thighs and the other steered you knew there was no way she could have anything to do with that polaroid. But you had to find out who did. Just as you were nearing your house though, Ellie’s gentle touch quickly shifted to a handsier approach and it was clear she had other plans for the night. 

“Els?” is all you had to say before she quickly pulled over and jumped to the backseat, pulling you along with her. She positioned herself in the middle seat opening up her legs in a dominating stance resembling a manspread. You eagerly climbed atop her lap, placing soft kisses up her veiny neck and extending them to her defining jawline. This was just what you needed to release the tension that had racked up from tonight's events. The moon was hitting your face just right and Ellie felt so lucky to have you in that moment.

“You’re so goddamn beautiful” she murmured, slightly breathless from the overwhelming touch of your lips. You smiled against the crook of her neck and dove into the girl's mouth for a deep and passionate kiss. She returned the exchange with even more fire, graciously slipping her tongue into your entrance. With each second things got messier and your hips got looser, slowly grinding into Ellie’s denim clad thighs. She couldn’t help but chuckle just a little at your desperation, to which you buried your head back into her shoulder, encasing her in your arms for better traction. Ellie’s hands swiftly found the curves of your hips and rocked them back forth to aid you in your journey towards climax. That is until your anxiety got the best of you at the sound of rustling coming from outside the car.

“Ellie?”

“What does it not feel good?” she questioned.

“No, no– It’s just… I swear I just heard something coming from behind the car.”

“I mean… we are parked by the woods. It’s probably just some animal or the wind.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes babe, I’m sure.” she assured you with a firm squeeze to your thigh and you let your worries go. This time Ellie was on top, laying you down across the seats to hover over you alluringly. Your lips found hers once again as she slipped a hand down your shorts and past your panties to meet the slick that had been piling up the whole drive. You let out a strangled moan into Ellie’s mouth as her rough digits met the throbbing bud of nerves. She took that as a sign to speed up the pace and slip in a curved finger to hit that perfect spot. You jerked in pleasure, eyes closed, almost reaching your climax from just those few movements. Ellie felt as your walls tightened around her and knew you were close.

“Look at me baby. I wanna see your eye’s when you cum all over my fingers.” she cooed. You obeyed and parted your lids open to reveal a disturbing image followed by a frightened scream escaping your puffy lips. Ellie jumped back at the clearly non-orgasmic exclamation, letting out a string of concerned “what? What??”’s. All you could do is point your shaky hand towards the message written in the condensation of the back windshield. 

“I know about last summer…” Ellie read out, voice as shaky as your extremities. Both of your fight or flight responses were triggered; you choosing flight and her of course choosing fight. The door to the cherry red car flung open and Ellie climbed over and out of her seat to trail the perimeter. You cowered down, eye’s filled with tears as Ellie recklessly yelled out to whoever wrote the message.

“Hello? Anybody out there?”, she kicked at the rocks in frustration, “Seriously who the fuck are you? This isnt fucking funny!”

“Ellie, will you please just get back in the car? They’re gone!” you pleaded. She eventually returned from her fit and came to console you. You were a mess and you were scared. 

“Hey, hey, it’s probably some prank. Let’s just take a breath, babe. In and out. Nice and slow.” she coached and you followed.

“But- what if it’s not though… what if this isn’t the first time something like this has happened…”

“Wha-what do you mean?” she asked.

You pulled out the polaroid and handed it to Ellie, “I- I found this in your jacket.”

“Y/n I swear I didn't put that there. I have no idea where it came from. Please, please believe me.”

“I do, I do. But that means someone else put it there, and they probably wrote that message too.”

Her head fell into her hands as she let out a sigh, “Fuck. We’re so fucked.”

“So what do we do?” 

“We go on that camping trip and keep our mouths shut till we know more.” 

“Seriously? What is camping gonna help? I already said I’m not going!” you yelled.

“Like hell you are! You’re insane if you think staying in the same town with the psycho freak who's borderline blackmailing us is gonna solve shit! If we’re in the woods they can’t get to us.” Ellie argued, face turning red with insistence.

“Fuck. I guess you’re kinda right. I’ll go.”

“Thank you.”

“Will you sleep over tonight though? I’m scared Els. I don’t even wanna think about being alone after tonight.”

She gave you a kiss on the forehead, “Of course I’ll stay the night. We’re in this together, okay?”

“Okay.”

✄ - - - -   ♡   - - - - 

The next morning Reid came barreling over in his beat up white van. He haphazardly whipped into the driveway of your two story home that looked straight out of suburbia. Ellie stood at the top of the concrete hill holding your pink duffle and her navy blue one on the dip of her shoulder. Xavier swung open the sliding door and the both of you climbed in as you were practically slapped in the face with the smell of old bong water and way too many Little Trees air fresheners that somehow made the smell worse.

“Fuckk Reid, you’ve gotta get rid of this kidnapper van.” Ellie remarked, holding her nose and pretending to gag a couple times.

“Fuck off Ellie, you should be thanking me for driving you bums around.”

She just rolled her eyes, “Righttt… Right…” 

The van quickly took to the road again, heading straight for the forest where it all happened just 1 year ago.

“It’s too quiet in here. Can we please put on some music?” Lottie asked about 30 minutes into the drive. 

“Yeah sure. I have a few tapes in the console right there if you wanna put one in.” Reid gestured to the compartment on the passenger side and Lottie reached in, pulling out the first tape she could find. It was in a small plastic case with no writing or cover to indicate what it was, but it sparked an intrigue, so she popped it into the car's sound system anyways. To Lottie and everyone else’s surprise, music didn’t start playing. All that came through the speakers was a muffled recording of two voices arguing. 

“Shut the fuck up August you’re just jealous!”

“You’re gonna regret this Reid.”

“Are you threatening me right now?”

“You’re the one who-”

Before the tape could finish Reid ripped it out of the player, slamming it into the dashboard and destroying the possible evidence.

“How the fuck did you get this Lottie?! Where’d you find this, seriously?” he screamed as his frantic girlfriend tried to explain.

“It was just in the console I swear!”

“Don’t fucking lie to me! I’ve never seen that tape, let alone put it in my car!”

Tears welled in her eyes, “I’m not lying Reid!”

The bickering continued as you, Ellie, and Xavier sat in the back, jaws dropped in utter shock. You felt yourself shutting down at this new found information. Did Reid have something to do with August disappearing? What were they even fighting about? Suddenly breathing felt impossible and the world went silent as panic set it. You only snapped back to Earth when you heard the sound of Ellie screaming.

“FUCK REID LOOK OUT!” It was too late though and the thud of a full size deer flipping over the hood is what finally shut everyone up. 

“Oh my god…” you shuddered at the smear of thick crimson blood across the dirty windshield. It didn’t matter if it was an animal, Reid had just taken a life and you were basically an accomplice. Your heart broke and the pit of your stomach swirled with sickness thinking of the likely decapitated body splattered just behind the van. Ellie wrapped you in her arms, as if to shield you from the horror of not only the poor deer, but the realization that any one of your friends could be the reason your brother was missing. 

Xavier finally broke the jarring lull in speech, “I- I think we should take a pit stop.”

“Yeah…” Ellie agreed.

✄ - - - -   ♡   - - - -

A few miles down the road was a small gas station where Reid pulled over for everyone to recollect themselves. Lottie scrubbed mindlessly at the deer carnage with the murky gas station water and squeegee she found beside the gas pump. Xavier paced in the parking lot like he was off one but it was the pure anxiety and adrenaline that had him tweaking so much. Reid on the other hand was still stuck at the wheel, slouching in the driver's seat, and not making a single move since he put the van into park. Even his deep green eyes remained motionless, they seemed to be locked onto absolutely nothing, just staring into the void. Everyone was a fucking mess. The only people who seemed to be somewhat on this planet still were you and Ellie.

“I think I might gouge my eye’s out if I don’t eat some Swedish Fish and drink a Yerb as soon as possible.” you professed, walking inside the little convenience store with a ring of a bell.

“I think I need a fucking cigarette.” Ellie said in a joking tone, but candidly, these past few days had her seriously considering picking the old habit back up.

“I think everybody does. I’m tired of shit like this happening and then everyone shoving it under the rug cause we’re all still ashamed about last year. I mean, I know I am, but we have to talk about it eventually.”

“You’re right, but even if we did, what is there to say? We were all so fucked up the whole night’s just a blurry mess. Like, did you see Reid's face when that tape came on? It looked like he was hearing the conversation for the first time just like the rest of us.”

“This sucks Ellie” you groaned as you opened up the glass door to retrieve your drink. Ellie approached from behind, slithering her hands from your sides to your naval and giving you a squeeze. 

She planted a soft kiss to the top of your head, “This does suck, but I love you and we’re gonna be alright. You gonna be okay for the rest of the drive?” She flipped you around to face her and you gave an assuring nod in response. Ellie always knew just what to say to ease that panicky feeling that was constantly bubbling up in your chest. The girl then took your hand and led you to the counter where a gruff looking cashier checked you out. He slowly scanned each item at an agonizing pace; Hot fries, Swedish Fish, a Yerba Mate, Chex Mix, and a Fanta Orange. 

“Total is $13.78” he mumbled as Ellie swiped her card and you gathered up the snacks. The clerk's eyes seemed to get meaner and meaner each second you waited for your receipt– until he finally cracked. “You know you’re going to hell for what you did.” 

Ellie backed away, “Excuse me?” Had he overheard something? Did he know about August? Who the fuck was this guy?

“I don’t need any dykes shoving their sins all in my face in my own damn store!” he grunted. Oh, he’s just homophobic. Right. That was y’alls que to get back on the road and out of the middle of nowhere immediately.

✄ - - - -   ♡   - - - -

After an excruciatingly mute hour stuck in the “kidnapper van” you finally arrived at the forest where you’d be spending the night. The silence looked to have eased some of the tension though as conversation grew a little more lax around the campfire. 

“Yo Lottie do you have the bud? We should roll up.” Xavier suggested. You nodded fervently in agreement, a joint was exactly what you needed. Lottie seemed to have made up with Reid as she was hanging all over him not hearing a word Xavier said.

With a few calls of her name she finally looked up, “Huh?”

“The weed Lottie.” Ellie said.

“Yeah it’s in a little pouch in my tent if someone wants to grab it.” Xavier got up from his spot on a mossy log and ventured into the purple tent hitched by a tree. In just 30 seconds flat he came storming back out, face completely red and a beaded bracelet dangling from his right fist. 

“What the fuck is this Lottie!? How do you have this?” 

She pulled back from her steamy kiss with Reid to answer, “Oh my god what Xavier? You’re being sooo goddamn annoying today.”

“Could you maybe stop grinding on your boyfriend for 5 fucking seconds and look at what I found in your bag?!” he yelled back. After a closer look the small beads began to look eerily familiar. This wasn’t just any bracelet, this was August’s bracelet. The one he had on the last night he was seen, and all of the sudden Lottie’s loud mouth seemed to shut right up.

“I- I- Xavier believe me I didn’t put that there.”

His voice broke with pain and fury, “Oh really?? Then who did ‘Miss innocent’?”

“I don’t fucking know but it wasn’t me!”

“Fuck you!” he screamed, dashing off into the dark woods. Everyone tried to yell at him to come back but it was no use. He was too angry to listen to anyone but himself.

That being said, hypervigilant Reid stood up to follow, “I’m gonna go find him guys. He shouldn’t be out there alone. Not after…” His voice trailed off but everyone knew exactly what he was alluding to.

“I really didn’t put that there you know” Lottie said.

You and Ellie shared a glance, “We know.”

A puzzled look spread across her face, “what do you mean you know?”

“We think someone’s orchestrating all this,” Ellie said.

“Like blackmail?”

You nodded, “exactly like blackmail. It’s happened to me and Ellie too. Once with a lost polaroid photo and another time with a message written on her car.” You then pulled out the photo to show to Lottie.

She read it aloud, “Don’t believe his lies? Like… Xavier?” Ellie twiddled with her fingers, looking down at the dirt before saying what you and Lottie were both thinking.

“I mean, I don’t want to point fingers because this is a fucked up situation, but how have we all been framed except him?”

Lottie smoothed back the sweaty bangs stuck to her temples, “Fuckkkk. He probably had the bracelet from the start too, he seemed sooo damn eager to go dig through my shit.” 

“So, what do we do?” you asked.

Xavier suddenly appeared out of thin air, “What do we do about what?” Lottie practically jumped out of her spot.

“Fuck Xavier you scared me. Wait… Wh- where’s Reid?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, he left to look for you.”

“I never saw him.”

Lottie began to scream and call for her missing boyfriend and without a second thought went straight for the forest like an idiot.

“Lottie fuck come back!” Ellie yelled out. It wasn’t long before she was running right back to you though. A blood curdling scream dampening any sounds of nature and sending a parade of chills up everyone’s backs.

“IT’S REID Y/N! IT’S REID! HE- HE- HE’S DEAD!” Lottie collapsed into your arms dry heaving from the overwhelming amount of tears, pain, and betrayal. “IT WAS YOU! IT WAS FUCKING YOU XAVIER!” You and Ellie worked to hold her back as he denied every claim.

“Lottie you’re acting fucking crazy! I didn’t do shit!”

“Even if you didn’t, you're not helping! But to me, it looks like you have guilty written all over you!” Ellie spat back.

“Fuck you guys! This isn’t fucking funny! I didn’t do it! Please, is this some kind of-” His words were cut short along with his head by the swing of a large machete right through his neck, sending a spray of fresh blood into the air and across your face. It took a solid 15 seconds before any of you could even let out a scream, but when you did, it was pure terror.  

“RUN! JUST RUN!” you yelled. Ellie grabbed your wrist in one hand and Lottie’s in the other, sprinting away with little discretion. A hooded figure trailed close behind, dirt and rocks flying into the air upon each kick of their sneakers. Air caught in your lungs with no release, all you could do was put one foot in front of the other which was a struggle in itself.

Lottie got brave though and took one single look behind her following immediate regret. A rock caught her pink converse just right, throwing her across the dirty ground and setting her feet back from the rest. And as this hooded figure caught up, the moon casting its light through the trees and across his face, it all began to make sense.

Lottie struggled backwards through the dirt with a scream, “IT’S AUGUST! IT’S FUCKING AUGUST!” Ellie halted in an attempt to pull the fallen girl back up and running but she was frozen in disbelief, in horror, in complete and utter fear. There was no choice but to leave her there and as the both of you turned to run, all you needed to hear was her earth shattering shriek to know exactly what happened.

Tears streamed down your face, “Els, Ellie I- I can’t.”

“Yes you can. Just keep running baby please.” And you did for another couple feet until fate had other plans. A hunting trap violently swept you up into a tree, encasing you in a thick net. 

“ELLIE HELP!” you screamed. She pulled and pulled at the rope creating lacerations across her palms and fingers but to no avail. 

“Do you trust me Y/n?” 

Through tears and strings of snot you shook your head, “Yes Ellie, I trust you.” Your girlfriend then took off, leaving you dangling in the air with no protection. It was just you and August now. And with a single swipe of his weapon you tumbled to the ground, twisting your ankle at the fall.

He gave a sinister smile, “hello sister.” You scrambled in the opposite direction, hands grasping at the soil below but never getting far with your limp foot. 

“August please. You don’t have to do this. It’s me! It’s Y/n!”

“STOP IT! You’re not gonna change my mind about this. I’ve waited long enough!” Your heart beats from your chest. What the fuck were you going to do to survive this?

“We’re fucking family August! I’m your sister. You’re my little brother!”

“‘Family’, ‘little brother’,” he mocked, “you haven’t changed a bit.”

“Wha- what do you mean?”

“I’m not living in your shadow anymore Y/n. I’m done being the sidekick to you and all of your stupid friends!”

“They’re your friends too!”

He began inching closer and closer, “No they fucking aren’t! Friends don’t do what you guys did to me. Lying to the police, seriously? Acting like you had no idea what happened? I disappeared and none of you even gave a fuck till the cops started asking questions!”

“That’s not true August,” you broke down into tears once more, “I missed you every fucking day!”

“Clearly not enough.” He slowly lifted his arms, gripping the bloody machete with both hands. There was no escaping at this point. You just clenched your eye’s shut and braced for the end. 

“NOOO!” The sound of a gunshot rang through your ears and instead of the feeling of cold metal slicing through you, you were met with the warm embrace of your girlfriend. You broke.

“Ellie. Oh my god Ellie.”

“I’m right here baby. Never leaving. I promise.” She just held you and held you, rocking back and forth till your breaths got less shaky.

“H-How?”

“A cabin. I found an empty cabin with a shotgun hanging right on the wall.”

“God, I love you.” Ellie smoothed back your hair and gave you a kiss.

“I love you too, angel.” 

✄ - - - -   ♡   - - - -

After that night things were never the same. It was just you and Ellie now. But together you would heal. Somehow, despite all the pain and loss, there was a glimmer of hope. Deep down you both knew things would be okay. And they were.

✄ - - - -   masterlist   - - - -   ♡

taglist...

@endureher @gold-dustwomxn @alexpritch @4rt3m1ss @robinismywifee @sophlovesbooks @97cityy

(taglist is for all callmelola111 works, if you'd like to be removed just kindly lmk)

[booreadsbooks]

The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air #2); Holly Black, Review

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (one more than last time oooo)

"There is only now. There is only tomorrow and tonight and now and soon and never."

Thank you to my friend who convinced me to keep reading the series, and lent me the book so that I actually did. A slay for real.

The shortest possible review I could say is this: The Wicked King had a lot more of the things I liked from the first book (excellent world building, tense political intrigue and scheming spy antics, some pretty good humor) and a lot less of the things I didn't like (Taryn, general high-school bullying antics). Overall the stakes felt a lot higher, and I really loved the constant push-and-pull power struggles that Jude was facing on every side. Some of the characters I still hate (and what are you gonna do, they're teens) but I'm glad I got to see more of the spies. Cardan, shockingly, got to be much more tolerable in this book (and he was the source of a lot of the humor).

4 stars and not 5 cos... IDK. This needed something to push it to 5. Don't ask me what though, I don't know. Maybe a Taryn death.

Go below the cut for specific thoughts, as always:

There are spoilers here, by the way, massive ones so... you've been warned.

Jude corruption arc continues with this absolute banger of a scene: Taryn, the annoying sister who won't go away (she haunts me every moment) brings Jude her stuffed animals from home, and this happens:

"Once she's gone, I take my stuffed animals and seat them next to me on the rug. Once, they were a reminder that there was a time before Faerieland, when things were normal. Once, they were a comfort to me. I take a long last look, and then, one by one, I feed them to the fire. I'm no longer a child, and I don't need comfort."

God she's so young. I just love that this whole scene illustrates exactly how young she is. Like, she's playing big scary adult, she feels like she is but... a scary adult would not feel the need to "prove" her maturity like that. The Wicked King is basically Jude constantly trying to prove that she's as tough as everyone around her, falling apart, and not actually recovering and resting until she's absolutely forced to do so. And I love that arc for her, and can't wait to see her do more murder once she realizes the MASSIVE HINT in Cardan's banishment (until the crown allows you to return... girl. Be so fucking for real. You literally called yourself the queen... I was so mad like how can she be so smart and so stupid at the same time).

As for Cardan, I'll be honest, taking a break between book 1 and 2 was probably for the best, because it made Cardan much more likeable when I could only distantly remember how evil he is. He's still dumb, and a cruel prince king, but he's also much funnier when I'm not thinking about high school bullies. Favorite Cardan moment:

"So what?" I ask. "Our choice is to endure her games, no matter how deadly, or engage in a war we cannot win?" "Cardan shakes his head and drinks another cup of tea. "We show her that I am no feckless High King." "And how do we do that?" I ask. "With great difficulty," he says, "Since I fear she is right."

Also, Cardan has a hate/murder kink. Not copying down all the reasons I know, this, but if you read the book it is very obvious.

Anyway, one other thing I wanted to mention was that I really enjoyed the part where Jude was captured by the undersea. Not that I liked to see her suffer like that, but also kinda... I did. BECAUSE it was cool to go back to her roots as "spy" Jude, instead of Seneschel Jude. And her tricking them and being sneaky was fun. Also, because I feel that we were always going to lead to a weakened state Jude, she was burning herself out way too fast. This was the opportunity we needed to actually achieve Recovery Jude!! Who will come back to Fairieland as soon as she stops being dense better and more badass than ever.

And Madoc... Madoc when I catch you! When I catch you Madoc...

EDIT: “Kiss and Tell” by I Don’t Know How But They Found Me is unapologetically Jude and Cardan coded, sorry I don’t make the rules

[kame-writes]

Drabble- Sin!Lucifer's attitude towards the Hotel

The night before Charlie is due to make her TV appearance on 666 News, she stops by to have a word with her father about it.

Needless to say, the King of hell isn't too impressed with the idea of his daughter trying to turn Sinners into Winners.

One thing he can get on board with though, is challenging heaven and it's authority.

“Charlie, dear, don't you think this has gone far enough?” Lucifer sighed, leaning on his cane as he eyed up his deluded daughter, and what little she'd done to this hotel to ‘improve’ it. 

She still hadn't fully come into her power, which only made her attempts even more sad to witness. “I let you play hotel, tried to let you realise on your own that all of this is foolish but-”

“-It's not some silly game, dad! I truly believe that sinners can change.” She cut him off, insistent and angry. He was surprised her horns weren't showing yet. “They can be better. Cleanse themselves of their sins and make it out! Isn't that worth a shot? To save their souls?”

“I gave them freewill, Charlie. I gave them every chance to do the right thing, and they chose to sin and earn a place in my domain instead. The fact that they aren't barging down the door at a chance of redemption only proves my point.” He pointed out, taking a seat on the arm of the sofa.

“We do have a patron.” Charlie pointed out defensively, crossing her arms and giving a very half hearted glare. “And I'm sure once I do the interview tomorrow, on the news, more people will show up. We just… haven't reached the right people yet.”

“I can't believe you're actually going through with the interview.” Lucifer pinched between his eyes, annoyed, but holding himself back from saying something ugly. Charlie was young, and naive. He needed to be a good parent and let her make her own mistakes. But it was so hard to not shut her down right now and save her, and him, the embarrassment of announcing her naivety to the public.

“Everyone will see this place as a joke.” He tried to explain to her. “Why would a sinner even want to go to heaven? With all those rules and strict conditions? We've made Hell such a comfortable place for them. I provide them everything they could ever want and more. Sinners love to sin, it's literally in their name.”

“Mom thought-”

“-You're mother was soft!” He snapped, harsher than he meant to, but his ex wife was a sore spot that he didn't like thinking about. “Lilith was human. She understood better than either of us how Sinners think. But in the end, all she cared about was being Queen. If she gave a shit about any soul in Hell… If she gave a shit about us, then where is she now?” His hand clenched tightly on his cane, his eyes flicking away from Charlie, briefly landing on the family portrait, before landing safely on a stain in the ratty old carpet. 

Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down and be reasonable about all this. Despite her foolishness, he did love his daughter, and wanted her to explore her dreams. He wouldnt make her feel like he'd been made to feel by the other seraphim

“You were born here Charlie. You don't know any difference. You believe the lie they sell to humans. That it's worth its weight in gold, and what people should strive to be worthy of.” His voice softened slightly, looking back up at her, rising up from his seat to place a hand on her shoulder. “I'm sorry, princess. I love that you care so much, really I do. It's sweet that you think you want what's best for our people.”

It really was endearing how much she cared. If she had more confidence and drive, or was willing to put some actual power and ruthlessness behind her empathy, she could be a force to be reckoned with someday. “But remember, I was from Heaven. And it's... It's not the perfect paradise that you've been led to think. We lose so many sinners because of their massacre. Why would you want to send our people into the arms of the same monsters who kill hundreds every year?” 

“That's different!” Charlie snapped, but the way she hugged herself showed it was more because she was upset than angry. “Exterminations happen because of overpopulation. Not all Angels are like that… You weren't. Plus, if they go to heaven, there won't be as much of an issue down here...”

“I was the exception, sweetie, not the rule. But, maybe you're right. Maybe they've ‘changed’ and will suddenly open the pearly gates, to allow in people who've committed murder and sexual deviancy.” Lucifer couldn't help the little laugh at the absurdity. “The fact remains. That our people don't want to change.”

“I've got to try, dad! I'll do whatever it takes to save our people from being slaughtered like animals. Just because they've made mistakes, it doesn't mean they deserve to suffer. To be killed like they don't matter!”

“I know honey, believe me, I know. I hate the exterminations as much as you do. But Heaven. They're not the forgiving kind.” Lucifer sighed, knowing that first hand more than anyone. “I won't try to stop you from doing this. I just want you to know that I'll be here for you, whatever happens tomorrow. I'll be here for you.” He bites his tongue from saying ‘When you fail’. “If you want to reach out to me.”

“Thanks dad.” Charlie sighed, sounding resigned, seeming to deflate a bit. Maybe she knew exactly what he'd left unsaid. “I'll keep that in mind.” 

“Hey. We might not always agree. But you know I love you, right, Char Char?” He asked, reaching up to cup her cheek, his thumb tracing the rosey cheek circles she’d inherited from him. 

Charlie gave a gentle smile, but it didn't bring the sparkle to her eyes that he loved to see so much. “I know Dad. I love you too. I just wish you could see the dream I have for our people.”

“I can see it perfectly clear. Once upon a time it was my dream too.” He huffed, pulling back his hand, to hold hers instead, looking up at her with a much more genuine smile. “I lost that dream a long time ago. Now I improve sinners' lives in a very different way. But, despite what it seems, I want you to prove me wrong. I want you to be strong enough to do what I couldn't do.”

“Really?” Charlie didn't sound sure. Not completely convinced that her dad wanted her to even try.

“Really.” He assured her, giving her a wide toothy grin, his eyes gaining a familiar hint of mischief. “You're my daughter. After all, It's been awhile since a morningstar challenged heaven directly.” He let go of her hand, and took another look at the rundown hotel around them. ���This ‘hotel’ is your project, and I may not be on board with it, or your methods. But when it comes to heaven and the exterminations, I will be more than happy to help in every way that I can. I'll protect you and your right to dream, with every ounce of angelic power in my possession.”

Charlie stared at Lucifer with slightly wide eyes, being able to hear the genuine pride in his voice. Her father might be the embodiment of pride, but she wasn't often the inspiration for that pride. Her expression broke into a wide grin, before she lunged forwards to pull the shorter man into a tight hug. “Thanks dad. You have no idea how much that means to me.”

“I have an idea kiddo.” Lucifer wrapped his arms tightly around her, raising up on his tiptoes to be able to hug her more comfortably. “No matter what happens tomorrow. I need you to promise me that you will keep on fighting.”

“I promise dad. I'm going to make you proud” 

“You already do Charlie.”

[nobody-special6859430]

A light in the darkness - part 2

Part 1

Summary:

[Alex Keller x OC] After his injury, Alex has to go into hiding because he has disobeyed CIA orders and is therefore considered a deserter. With Price's help, he ends up in Oxford and meets an old friend, Rachel, in his former university town. Will she be able to help him deal with his traumas, find his way back to life and will he be able to leave his military life behind in the end? A classic hurt/comfort story with fluffy moments and dark thoughts.

The next day, Rachel was not only terribly tired when she sat in the office, but also anything but focussed. Of course, her friend and colleague Sarah noticed.

‘You look terrible. Did you sleep badly?’

‘Yes. Thank you,’ she said dryly.

Sarah giggled. ‘Oh come on, I'm just worried. Is there a reason?’

Rachel sighed and knew her friend wouldn't let up. She knew her too well for that. ‘I met someone yesterday that I never thought I'd see again … an old friend.’

‘An old friend, huh?’ she asked, raising an eyebrow. ‘But then that's a good thing, isn't it?’

Rachel shrugged and let her face sink into her hands. To be honest, she wasn't so sure about that, as confused and emotional as she felt. Before Sarah could dig further, she replied ‘He was my flatmate in London when I was at university. That's all, before you ask … I was in a relationship at the time’

‘And if you hadn't been?’

‘Nothing would have happened … he wasn't one of those guys who wanted to pick up 18 year olds. Seemed too mature for that. We were just good friends,’ Rachel said, but she blushed…and cursed herself for it.

Sarah didn't miss it, of course. ‘But you had a crush on him? What does he look like?’

She sighed. ‘I don't have a picture…and that's not the point. He changed and gone through a lot and … I just want to help him, but he's distant…. like he put up walls to keep other people away and suppress his feelings … but maybe he's just like that with me.’

‘He wanted to see you again, right?’

‘Yes, he got in touch … but … he's a completely different person,’ she said a little sadly.

Sarah looked at her friend with a worried expression. ‘But he still means something to you, I can tell right away’

‘Yes … I just don't know how to close that gap that time has created.’

Sarah thought about it for a moment. ‘Maybe it's good if you talk to him about the good old days. Positive memories… I think that would be a way for you to get closer again.’

‘That's actually a good idea … if he wants to see me again, I'll try.’

It was quiet in the office for a while before Rachel's mobile phone vibrated and Sarah looked up from her work. Rachel opened the message from Alex: ‘Hey princess. Thanks for coming in yesterday. How's your day?’

She smiled involuntarily and Sarah gave her a knowing look. ‘What's he writing?’

‘Asks how my day is’

She wrote back, ‘Hey. Pretty good so far, just a bit tired … took a bit to get to sleep after all that…And you?’

His message arrived within a few minutes: ‘I'll be fine. I'm sorry about that, I didn't mean to keep you awake. But I felt the same way … I wanted to ask if you had any plans for tomorrow night?’ She stared at her mobile phone for a moment before answering. The two of them arranged to meet in the bar below his flat, as he understandably wanted to leave it for a change.

As Rachel got ready the next evening - nothing too elaborate, she curled her dark brown hair and wore natural make-up - her eyes fell on the photos above the desk. In many of them, she was with her friends - including Alex. Rachel never wanted to hang them down, they were a reminder of better times before she had started her monotonous working life. Her outfit oft he evening was typical for her, all black, but elegant.

When she excitedly arrived at the bar, he was already sitting at one of the small, cozy tables at the back. Rachel took a seat opposite him and slipped out of her coat. ‘Hey,’ she smiled a little nervous.

Alex smiled back. ‘Hey princess. You look good.’

‘Thanks, you too.’ She glanced briefly at the window. ‘Promise me no CIA team will rush in and drag you away?’

Alex smiled mirthlessly. ‘They won't bother looking for me here in England. As long as I'm not travelling to the US, I'm safe.’ He saw a bit relief in her expression and watched with amusement as she ordered a caipirinha. Alex grinned. ‘Still the same drink.’

‘Yes … oh God, that brings back memories,’ she smiled, clinking glasses with him and keeping Sarah's tip in mind.

‘You mean the nights you got so drunk I had to carry you home?’ Alex jumped on the subject.

Rachel laughed. ‚I don't remember that.’

‘Yeah, I'll believe you’ Alex grinned. It was good to see him in a better mood. They laughed together. ‘Oh, or how you put that creep in his place one time we were partying.’ Alex shook his head in amusement. ‘Yeah … I guess my protective instinct kicked in’ he said, a little ashamed. ‘But I was young, drunk, and he didn't wanted to understand’ The image of him angrily holding the guy up in the air by the collar when he wouldn't leave Rachel alone had burnt itself into her retina. She grinned at him and saw the shadow of his youthful recklessness flash in his eyes again for the first time.

‘Or the kebab at five in the morning after the club, when it was already light again in summer.’ He closed his eyes. ‘Oh yes, the best kebab ever.’

They reminisced about those carefree times for a while before they somehow ended up talking about her ex-boyfriend.

‘You definitely had your worst hangovers after the fights with Raphael,’ he said. ‘I felt sorry for you then.’

She sighed. ‘Yeah … we argued so often … I guess it was only to be expected that things would fall apart …’

Alex looked at her now with a more serious, rather curious expression. ‘Do you have someone now?’ he asked, trying to make it sound casual. She shook her head, a little surprised by the question. ‘No … I've had so many bad experiences in the last few years … I've been single for a while.’

He leant back and looked at her thoughtfully. ‘Bad experiences? You've never had good taste in men,’ he smirked and she smiled weakly. ‘Yeah … I guess I can't deny that… My health problems were too much for most of them. They blamed me when the relationship wasn't going well, accused me of cheating when I cancelled dates because I was too exhausted …’ Alex frowned. ‘You should definitely stop dating douchebags.’ he said sympathetically, his jaw tensing imperceptibly, and he seemed to be thinking about something.

‘Is there someone… in your life?’ asked Rachel cautiously. He seemed to think for a moment before shaking his head hesitantly. ‘No … this life … or rather the life I've led … there's been no room for feelings,’ he said soberly. ‘And now … it's no longer an issue anyway,’ he added resignedly.

Alex took a sip of his whisky and leant back on the table. She caught his gaze and looked at him questioningly, his hands on the table not far from hers. He just shook his head. ‘I wouldn't put anyone through that…not in the state I'm in.’

Rachel looked down, ‘Don't say that,’ she whispered.

Her gaze travelled over his tattooed arms to the back of his hand, where a large burn scar stretched across his knuckles. Before she could think about it, her fingers began to gently stroke the scar. Alex watched her, but didn't stop her. His eyes were fixed on her hand, his gaze unreadable. The atmosphere changed, the tension palpable.

‘Where is it from?’ she asked quietly.

‘Grenade. Afghanistan.’ he replied just as quietly.

Rachel felt the lump in her throat and he seemed to notice it too. Her heart raced as Alex began to stroke her knuckles with his rough thumb. His touch was hesitant, almost cautious, as if he was afraid of destroying something fragile. She was surprised by his tenderness. He looked at their hands and seemed to realise the contrast between them again. ‘Your skin is so soft,’ he whispered, his voice barely audible, before he suddenly withdrew his rough hand.

Rachel looked at him again, and her racing heart sank a little as he avoided her gaze. Alex sighed and ran a hand over his face ‘Sorry. I shouldn't have done that.’

‘Why?’ she asked, confused.

‘Look at me,’ he said, his voice low but full of bitterness. He could feel how much he longed for closeness, how much he had missed her and the direction this would take if he let it. He also knew that it wouldn't be fair to her. That he couldn't allow it. She was too innocent for someone like him. A failure, a cripple, a murderer and a deserter. At least he was firmly convinced of that. ‘I'm a wreck. I've done things you can't even imagine…I feel so out of place here, in this normality…it's like another life I don't fit into. Not after everything I've seen and done…and I don't want to drag you down with me. I wouldn't forgive myself for that.’

His words hit her like a blow, he could see that and it hurt. Rachel stared at him, hurt ‘Alex … don't do this. Don't just push me away like that,’ she said in a trembling voice.

But he just shook his head, his gaze fixed on the edge of the table as if he couldn't meet her eyes. ‘You don't know what you're getting yourself into. I'm just protecting you, little one.’

‘Damn it, Alex,’ she burst out, ’I'm not the naive little girl I was back then … I've survived enough shit in my life, I've had enough experiences. I may not have shot anyone, but I'm not here to pity you or judge you … I'm here because I know how shitty life can be…especially when it comes to health issues.’

Alex looked up at her, surprised by the intensity of her words, his eyes full of pain and brokenness. It was as if he was searching for something in her gaze - perhaps forgiveness, perhaps understanding. But then he pulled himself together, retreated back into the walls he had built around himself. ‘I don't need any help,’ he finally said. His voice sounded hard, but it trembled slightly. ‘I've come this far on my own … I've got it all together.’

‘Did you?’ she asked, her gaze fixed on him.

He returned the look reluctantly and they both knew it wasn't true. That he wasn't getting things right at the moment. But his pride, self-loathing and protective instinct kept him from admitting it. ‘I'm doing fine. There's no need to burden you with it. You're exaggerating,’ he said coolly, in a tone he knew hurt her, but he couldn't let that happen, couldn't see her broken by his misery.

Rachel snorted in annoyance and packed up her things. His look turned guilty and he seemed to regret his outburst. Even though that was exactly what he'd intended, it felt so wrong.

‘Rachel … wait,’ he said quietly. She ignored him and put on her jacket.

‘Please…’ he begged. He didn't want them to go apart like this.

She paused.

‘Please, don't go. Not like that … I didn't mean it like that … it's just … I'm bad at this. Letting people get to me. It's easier alone…it's been easier the last few years.’

She saw his pained expression, remembering that he had worked alone on many missions, and she was beginning to understand why. Her own expression softened. ‘Just write me when you're ready. No matter how long it takes. I see you need time…but you need to talk to someone about this, Alex. If not with me, then get professional help. I can see how it's eating you up.’

Alex exhaled shakily ‘Yeah…I need to get this mess in my head sorted first.’ he looked at her, his inner turmoil now obvious. ‘I don't want to promise you anything I can't keep,’ he whispered.

‘You don't have to. Just take care of yourself, Alex. And try.’ she said more gently, before Rachel put the money on the table and left.

She felt his gaze follow her and just managed to hold back the tears until she got to her flat before letting them run free. She didn't even know exactly why, although there were plenty of reasons. Because of her confusion. Because she missed him… or rather the person he had been. Because she was devastated that no smile reached his eyes. And because she felt so damn helpless.

Continue with Part 3

[187days]

Day Five

It's the first day of school!!!!!

It was a really good one, too.

I had a feeling it would be because I was excited last night- like, can't sleep because Santa is coming excited- and I hadn't felt that way since before Covid. I never stopped loving teaching, but it's been really hard these past couple years. It still is, in some ways (like the teacher shortage), but a lot of the pandemic trauma has faded. And I know I'm not the only one who feels that way. A lot of my colleagues said it, too, and so did The Principal. There's a real upbeat vibe.

This is what my schedule looks like:

Prep, 80 minutes

Advisory/Flex, 10 students, 45 minutes

Global Studies, 19 students, 54 minutes

Global Studies, 17 students, 54 minutes

Global Studies, 16 students, 54 minutes

Lunch, 25 minutes

APGOV, 18 students, 80 minutes

Because it was the first day, we swapped Advisory and Block One so it functioned as a homeroom. My advisees are sophomores now- it's the same students I had last year, plus one who moved here from out of state- so we didn't have a ton of stuff to go over. I gave them the basic back-to-school paperwork, their schedules, and their chromebooks. Then we played a little trivia game (questions about the school) for the remainder of the time. The teams ended up tying, so everyone got a little prize, which was fun.

After that, I had time to do seating charts for my Global Studies sections, make photocopies for the students who were added to my APGOV roster, chat with The Principal, exchange "good luck" emails with Mrs. T, and take a walk through the halls.

Then it was rapid-fire Global Studies time! I always start by asking my students to introduce themselves and tell me something they're interested in so that I can have a quick conversation. Like, if they say they like music, I'll ask who their favorite band or singer is, or if they mention playing a sport I'll ask what position they play. Then I say "nice to meet you," and sometimes they say it back. It's a positive way to begin.

After introductions, I had them look around the room and find the useful stuff- trash can, spare pencils, art supplies- and went over the course guide. Once I outlined my expectations for them, I had them write me a note or an email (that I responded to after classes ended this afternoon) to tell me about their expectations for me as their teacher. And we wrapped up class with a little brainstorm about aspects of culture to get them ready for the first unit.

In APGOV, we chatted about why they chose to take the course, the benefits and challenges of an AP course, what my goals in teaching this specific course are, and so on. Then I had them take Pew's Political Typology Quiz and email me their results- tells me what my class looks like, ideologically- and I shared mine, as well. We discussed the various things that shaped our views (for them: the pandemic, inflation, social media, parents and peers, NHPR, rapid changes in this part of the state, the 2016 and 2020 elections...). It's a good way to start, and longtime readers will know it's one I use year after year.

We had enough time afterwards to start talking about history, and about the things that shaped our founders' views. They did a great job recalling what they learned in APUSH and American Studies, so that was cool. That's good prep for next class when we'll dive into the Declaration of Independence.

After the bell, I got a bunch of stuff set for tomorrow, answered emails, and went down to see how Ms. B's first day had gone (I saw Mr. X throughout the day since he's right across the hall). We chatted for a bit, I gave her some advice on a lesson she's planning in the future, and then I headed home. Actually, I headed to the grocery store because teaching is hungry work, but you get the idea.

That's my twentieth first day with students, all done!

[harryssyndrome]

The Enemy: 3 | The Downfall

Pairing: Harry Styles x OC

Word count: 1.5k

SERIES MASTER-POST | MASTER-LIST

Home - July 27th, 1944 - 2:17 PM - Syracuse, Italy.

It's been five days since the girls had found Harry, three days since he has been conscious, he is having a speedy recovery but still he was weak. He was mostly in bed rest as he was not allowed to exhaust his body. He still needed support in moving from bedroom to living area or outside in the deck. Outside when the waves met the shore and seagulls sang, in a sarcastic way Harry played them background music - playing guitar.

It was Kate's mother guitar that she had in her room. She wasn't a expert but she was somewhat fine. He has a beautiful voice and played impressively Kate would think as she leaned against the wall and hear him getting lost into this lyrical world.

The sea view felt different from his presence, in a good way but instead of truly enjoying the moment in carefreeness, Kate's mind was running wild into the forest of downfall; he has to safely get back to his home, his family and not get noticed anywhere by anyone, but there's a chance someone might see him and get suspicious. What would happen if someone finds out about him after he's gone? When it's just the girl to face the consequences.

They won't get second chances and could spend rest of their lives in prison or worse, get killed. Her mind was getting crazier as every second went by, until she was pulled out of it by Harry's voice. " 'ey, you okay?" Kate just smiled and nodded.

"You wanna try?" Harry asked, holding up the guitar.

"Uh. n-no. I don't wanna be laugh of the day. I'm not good at it and been outta practice anyway so... umm.. you continue." She nervously looked at the ground.

"'ere let me help you." Harry patted his hand on the seat next to him, "you help me huh?" Kate tease while sitting down, "that's the only thing I can help you with, not compared to what you've done for me."

"I did what I was right. Don't mention it." She shrugged off.

Harry hand over the guitar to Kate and moved behind her. With back facing him, his arms stretched over to hold her palm and slowly glide her fingers back and forth onto the strings. It was definitely an electric touch if you'd ask Kate. It was what she felt for the first time in her lifetime. Right now they were lost in the moment.

Rave’s POV:

My brother has agreed to help us after detailed explanation of the whole situation. He assured me that he would be arranging some sort of transportation and intelligence just in case words get in about him. I was getting caught in my own thoughts when Mila reach out to me. "Rave what are you doin' 'ere?" She must have come to see his father, Commander Antonio Conti, and seen me leaving the building. "Nothing special. Just meeting my brother, had to talk about something.

"Aw, it must be something because you know, you two siblings what could be so important for you to come here, to meet him in person and not over a telephone?"

"I can come and talk to him about anything. That's none of your concern Mila. Stop bothering me and get the fuck outta here." Rave states, now increasing the pace.

"Fine! Sorry. Now I will mind my own business, I need your notes for practical, you said in front of Dr. Betty you will let me have em so that I can copy. You're going home right? I'll join you." Mila declare, making Rave tense from inside but she doesn't let it reflect on her face.

"I'll hand it over to you tomorrow in the class, okay? See you." Rave tries to end the conversation and go home. Mila can't see Harry in this condition, she can't let her come along.

"Oh no, I'll tag along with ya, there's only three days left for preparation it'll take time for me to write all the pages." Mila tries to stay persistent.

"I'll come to your house to give you tomorrow! Now let me go." Rave says irritated.

"What's the problem with right now? Is there something you're actually hiding?"

"There's nothing to hide, I'm tired s'all!" Rave counters. She thinks if she tries to make further excuses Mila could be more suspicious but it could turn out more worse if she notices Harry. But what if she tells Mila, maybe her father could help them. Rave decides not to tell Mila as she can't be trusted.

"Fine, you come with me but stay outside my house, neither I want you to come in nor Kate would like it."

"Remember the time we were good friends, good old days hm?"

"I don't know what I saw in you to be my friend. You have betrayed me, many time... now shut your mouth and keep walking." Rave spat while Mila lets a small "ugh" out of her mouth and keeps walking in silence.

We kept on walking for 27 minutes until we reached the house. As we approached the entrance door, I halted and turned around to face Mila and said "Stay here, I'll get it." And she returned her bitchy smile with a "okay", I unlocked the door and closed it, throwing my purse on sofa and rushing inside to find the notes as quickly as possible.

I located them inside my study desk's second drawer, when I heard some shouting outside, from the deck?

Third Person POV:

Harry and Kate were singing for god knows how long. Kate inquires if he was feeling thirsty like she was, Harry says yes and she got up from her seat to head back inside the home to get the water bottle. She returned back with bottle, Harry sitting with his back facing her, and she notices a red spot on his back, meaning his stitches might have gone lose somehow to allow the blood out of the wound. She walks over him, "here" Harry turned his head to see her, he smiles and take the bottle from her hand, opening and taking a big gulp of water.

"I see you leaking your blood" she jokingly said.

"What?" He chuckled.

"Let me get my first aid kit, your stitches seems to be lose, your T-shirt is stained with blood."

She went inside again to grab her kitbag and came back. She asked Harry to remove his T-shirt so that she could start. She was stitching when she heard a sound of clapping behind her. Mila? What was she doin' here? Kate stood there like a deer caught in headlight.

"So this is what Rave was hiding huh? Why she didn't wanted me to come. You're giving a refuge to an enemy! What did you think? You could hide this filth and no one would ever notice? You guys won't live this down! This man will be tortured and bled till death!"

Rave ran out of the house and stood in utter shock behind Mila.

"Mila, we didn't do anything wrong okay? We found him washed up by the shore, in a near dead condition. We had to save him, we're doctors it's our responsibility moreover I had to do it on humanitarian grounds. It was all my idea. I couldn't leave him there to just bleed and die! He's the not the enemy why do anyone wanna think that way huh? In this world we're all a big family. No one wants war or bloodshed. You should be helping us to get him back home safely and fight like this. For once don't be the selfish bitch you are!" Kate tries to convince her. Tears streaming down her face just with thought of Harry being hurt in these worse scenarios.

While Harry stared at Kate with glistening eyes, heart filled with nothing but love for girl he knew for 5 days. Who has risked her live for him and is still fighting for him.

"Oh Katie! You're gonna pay for everything! I'm gonna tell my father! You will kill all three of you and wipe out your families wherever they may be and then we'll be calling it even." She growled, turning in her heels and walk away while Kate grabbed a surgical pen cutter and ran after her. Kate stood in front of Mila, pointing it at her. "Back off Mila, you won't be leaving here." Mila looked stalled and raised her hands up. "What you're gonna keep me hostage? you can't keep me here forever. Your downfall has began... My dad will find me and then what's gonna happen to y'all?" She devilishly laughs.

"We'll manage" the girls said in unison.

A/N: Yay! We're almost halfway through this story! What's gonna happen now that downfall has began? Of course will start going south but what else? Tell me in comments!

Likes and reblog are appreciated!💗 Dm or comment to be added on the tag list.

[bayisdying]

Second Chance at Love| Prologue

Delilah Shadley isn't sure she still believes in soulmates and true love. She has her daughter Baylie and that's all she needs anymore. Until one day she meets William Steele and it's like the universe is telling her that maybe just maybe she's getting a second chance.

A/N: this is the first part of just a handful of chapters about Delilah and William aka the poor couple who raised our favorite hot mess, Lucky.

Tagging my babes: @dragon-kazansky @mrsjaderogers @gracespicybradshaw @callmemana @askmarinaandothers @starlit-epiphany @ladylanera

-----

"I'll have my findings on your desk before end of day tomorrow." Delilah slammed the phone down and ran a hand through her hair. She'd gone to law school, just the same as these jackasses but they still bossed her around as if her law degree meant nothing.

She looked at the clock on the wall, the babysitter still had Baylie for two hours. Her sweet girl who just turned three a few months prior. The picture on her desk was from the birthday party, the mermaid theme was evident. That was all Baylie talked about these days, how she was actually a mermaid. Delilah smiled, being a single mom was not in her life plans but she'd never dream of trading her daughter for the world even though they'd definitely hit the three-nager years and the sass was very strong.

She turned off her computer and started to pack up, there was that new bar the opened up in town. She'd stop and have a quick drink before picking Baylie up she decided. She'd earned it this week, the cases she was assisting on were not their normal workload. Plus, she would be supporting a local business and she decided that was her good deed for the day.

When she parked, she noticed that there was only three other cars in the small parking lot. It was still early on a Thursday she supposed but she walked in anyways. The bar was nice inside, Delilah was impressed, ever since she'd moved here for college this building had been abandoned. Her roommates used to sneak in because it was supposedly haunted by jilted lovers. Delilah never joined them, mainly because the thought of being stuck together for entirety with someone who did her wrong sounded like hell.

The bar was empty, but a small group of men were playing pool at one of the many tables. She took a seat at the bar and pulled her book out of her briefcase, if she had to wait to be served she'd at least find out if the couple in her book would ever admit their feelings for one another.

That's when the door to the back opened and a man came out carrying boxes of booze. She looked up briefly and had to take a double check. He was attractive, of that she was quite sure. Even the little of his face she could see from above the boxes.

"What can I get the prettiest woman I've ever seen in this bar?" The man asked and she couldn't help but smile he was definitely attractive now that the boxes were out of the way.

"I'll take a Coors Light, bottle please and my name is Delilah. But prettiest woman ever is a nice nickname."

"Delilah, it's nice to meet you." He said opening the bottle and setting it in front of her. "I'm William."

[hellhound5925]

Cyare Verd *Beloved Warrior*

Chapter Fourteen

A week has gone by since I came to Coruscant and things are going really well. The squad accepts me as one of their own. I'm still waiting for the Jedi Counsel and the Chancelor to decide if they should offer me a place in the GAR where I can fight along side the 501st. However, Anakin assured me he would personally talk to them which hopefully works because they are being deployed tomorrow. All I got was something about a separatist controlled planet in the mid rim.

——————

I sat in the mess hall at the table alone staring at my tray. They’ll be leaving tomorrow morning and I’m stuck here. I should be out there helping them fight. I understand the hesitation to put a Mandalorian out in the field with GAR troops but COME ON…I’m only trying to help… I’m not even feeling hungry anymore honestly. I made sure I had gotten there before the squad because I really was not feeling like myself and it wasn’t fair to them. I can’t help but feel like I should be there to protect them…something in my epan (stomach) tells me I need to be there…or is it because Rex will be gone and I’ll be here? It’s not just about him… or is it?

I’m so deep in thought, playing with my food I didn’t hear someone approaching. “Everything alright over here?” He asks. Instinctively place my hand where my blaster is strapped to my beskar before looking over my shoulder. Cody raises his hands as if to surrender and calmly says “Udesii vod, Ni ceta (Easy sister, sorry). May I?”. I nod at the empty seat next to me. “You don’t look alright” he states. “I don’t want to sound like ik’aad (baby, child under 3), but I was actually hoping I would deploy with the 501st…I’m worried about them” I spill, not really meaning to. Cody laughs causing me to give him a look. “Ni ceta (sorry), but that’s funny coming from you. Not that long ago you were bragging about how well they were doing in the training you were doing with them. Not only that if I remember correctly you even told me they trained you in their strategies and you were impressed” he explains. I roll my eyes and roll my neck knowing he’s right “I know I just-“ he cuts me off “care about Rex”. I’m totally speechless because he’s caught me. Cody has been a great friend outside the 501st and he’s listen to be vent - good and bad - about them a few times. I can feel the heat creeping up my face - I never wanted to call it what it was but I knew he was right. Cody smiles and I swear if he holds that smile any longer it’ll stick “Oya! I knew it! Fox owes me”. “Pare sol! (Wait one- like wait a minute), You knew what?” I asked now panicking. “Maker, I never thought I’d see the day where the great Raven Skirata loses her ramikadyc (commando state of mind- confident, determined)” Cody laughs even more getting attention of the troopers at tables around us. “Dirycir gar jorad! (lower your voice)” I whisper yell at him.

He stops and becomes serious putting a hand on my armored shoulder “Haa’taylir (technically means see but we are going with look), Rex - and his men, are well trained. You’ve seen it yourself, what we go through on Kamino. Not to mention, you trained them well yourself by the sounds of it. They’ll be fine, they’re mando’ade (sons of Mandalore)”. His reassurance is not really working, I look down at my tray. He switches tactics, “I heard General Kenobi talking with General Skywalker about getting you an official position in the GAR. Trust in the Force something will work out”. I look over at Cody and giggle “Thanks Master Cody” I joke. He rolls his eyes and removes his hand. “Not for nothing….I think you’re a good match for Rex’ika (little [brother] Rex)” he starts to get up from the table. “Vor’e (thanks) Cody……Tell Fox ‘Nar’sheb’ for me will you?” I ask over my shoulder. Cody turns around and winks “There’s the Raven I know”. I shake my head and turn my attention to my food, appetite slowly coming back.

I take care of my tray and head towards my quarters. Rex just happens to be leaving his when I turn the corner to our hall. He smiles at me as he approaches “That was a good session this morning, the men have come a long way”. I fake a smile “yeah they really have”. His smile falters and he gives me a knowing look, “what is it?”. I can’t even meet his eyes - I’m feeling guilty for not being more supportive….I’m being selfish - “Ni ceta (sorry) I should be more supportive, I’m just worried about you guys that’s all….” Straightening up with the confidence - in typical Rex fashion - and says “The 501st has been trained to be the best and you have helped us to be better then the best”. His emphasis on the word ‘you’ has me feeling some kind of way. The emotion is not one I can even find the words for, my whole being is flooded - heart pounding in my ears, heat rising from my chest - as I search for some kind of answer. “I— uh—“ Maker I must look stupid. Rex gives me the million credit half smile. “— I don’t think I had much to do with it, you’re extraordinary men” I finally say, Osik….Di’kut- I mentally curse myself. Rex starts to speak but I cut him off, “I don’t want to keep you, I’m sure you’ve got a lot to do before deployment” I smile at him. “yeah…uh…right….Ret’ (see you)” he replies. I head back to my room now feeling all flustered.

I opt to change into my workout gear and head to the gym here at the barracks. What better way to clear my head. I enter, put in my ear buds, and get to work. After about an hour of being there my comm link on my watch goes off. Confused - I look seeing it’s a message from Anakin ‘Meet me at the temple ASAP’. I wonder what that’s all about? I decide going sweaty wasn’t worth it, so I sent him a message back saying I’d be about 45 minutes. Racing back to my quarters I almost - literally - run into Fives, Hardcase, Echo, and Jesse. “Oya! Where you off to in such a hurry?” Fives asks. “Gotta meet Anakin, We’ll catch up later” I holler continuing past them down the hall. I shower quickly, throw cloths on and head out to the street to grab a taxi.

Making to the temple in 45 minutes was tough but I made it. The guards stop me at the entrance “no visitors unless accompanied by a Jedi”. “It’s alright she’s with me” I hear Ahsoka behind them, they let me through. She comes bounding over and throws her arms around me. “Good to see you too” I laugh. Glancing in the direction she came from I notice Anakin, Obi-wan, and a little green old man. I walk over with Ahsoka in tow and respectfully bow “Generals” I say - only because I’m not sure who this other Jedi is. “Raven Skirata, you must be. Master Yoda, I am” he introduces himself. “What can I do for you?” I ask, still wondering why I’m here. Master Yoda looks to Anakin and Obi-wan, “Brought to my attention it has, that a position with the 501st, you want. Useful, the counsel has decided. Short on Jedi, are we”. Placing my right fist over my heart bowing my head, “I’m honored to serve with the brave men of the 501st”. “Go you must, with them tomorrow, you shall depart. Commander Raven to the 501st, are you now”. My eyes widen, “What about Anakin and Ahsoka? I don’t want to remove them”. “Anakin and Ahsoka will be leading a new batch of 501st. You’ll be taking over Captain Rex’s squad - Torrent squad.” Obi-wan chimes in. Anakin, gar mesh’la jetiise (you beautiful Jedi). I glance at Anakin who puffs out his chest and smiles at me cockily, like he can read my thought. “I am greatful to the Counsel. I won’t let you down, neither will the men” I say bowing my head. “Know this, we do” says Master Yoda before turning around and heading down the hall.

I can’t even wipe the smile off my face. “I thought you’d be happy to hear that…Commander…” Anakin says all smug. “This will be great fit, Commander Cody had many good things to say as well” Obi-wan says. “Take good care of Rex ole boy will ya?” Ahsoka asks. I salute them - considering they are now my superiors for real - “Sir, yes, sir”. “We should tell the squad. I’ll comm Rex, have them gather in one of the training rooms” Anakin says stepping off to the side. “Congratulations my dear, I must be off” nods Obi-wan. I reciprocate. “You’re the same rank as me now….Commander Raven” Ahsoka giggles. “It would seem so” I smile.

Masterlist

[pbandjesse]

I had a really excellent day off. I was chill. I was productive. I did so much lounging. It was great.

I slept okay last night. I had some wild dreams again. I actually read the other day that melatonin can cause wild and intense dreams. So maybe that's why I am the way I am.

I woke up enough to say goodbye to James. And slept until 930.

When I woke up I knew I was going to wash my hair. But I wasn't in a rush. I had nowhere to be and no where to go. So I stayed in bed until 10 watching stuff on my phone. And then got up for my day time shower.

I washed my hair really good. And I let my hair mostly air dry. I put on some very comfy clothes. It was the perfect temperature in here and I was never uncomfortable. It was great.

I had the rest of my egg salad for breakfast. And shared a little with Sweetp. It was a nice morning.

I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to do. Not much. My hair was still wet. So I would just lay on the couch with my hair fanned out behind me and played on my phone for a while. Eventually my hair was a little more cry. I did hit it with the hair dryer just a bit at my roots. And then got into making my wishlist of supplies for camp. Which would take a while. Mostly because my laptop struggles. But I got through all my projects and made great choices in my opinion. I'm excited for this summer.

I did some more vacuuming and I made more jello. But the big project for the afternoon was my market table.

I want to redesign it around the idea of food and picnic. So I am using our suitcase picnic table. Which also has the benefit of having built in seats which can be used for different levels. I want to have different things this year. Including stickers and pins. I figured out what size pin could go in my candy machine. And then spent the next hour sculpting little clay bears (4 kinds for variety) and baking them. The plan is to make a mold and cast them in resin. Tomorrow me and James are going to go pick some mold making materials up tomorrow. I think they are going to be so cute when they are done. Much like my gummy bear pin that the kids always want to take from me. But a little weirder and closer to my stuffed friends.

Once that was done I laid down again on the couch. Cut up a mango for a snack. And just enjoyed hanging out.

Eventually I would go do some organizing of my stuffed friends. Figuring out which ones need repair and putting them to the side. I am almost all out of fluffy bears. So I will have to make more of those soon. I also decided to try to make some loom knit pieces but the machine I have is just. Not working properly. I want to get a better one. Maybe that is what I'll use with the birthday money my parents gave me. I think that would be a really good use for it.

I would chill in bed working on my smaller hand loom for the next hour or so. James would get home in that time. I was really happy to see them. We decided on pizza and salad for dinner. So about an hour after they got home they headed out again. To get gas and pick up dinner. And while they were gone I got out plates and things.

We had dinner in the living room. And then I decided to do some more tablet drawing.

I designed a few more stickers. I want some funny ones. And so I did a shopping bag. And a farmer and a cup of hot chocolate where the bears are marshmallows. And then Jess suggested a farmer. And I thought a gamer neck beard would be funny. And I just drew and drew for a few hours and was having the best time. I want to make a bunch of these. I am really pleased with my ideas and like I usually say I don't draw because I don't have good 2D ideas but these have been a blast so far.

My dad called and we chatted for a while. We talked about how the new fleshtoned leg he got upset him. And I don't blame him. It's to uncanny. I have heard something very similar with people with missing eyes. And that having stranger prosthetics actually makes them feel better. He also asked if I could help with fixing his pants to be easier over the leg. So I will try to solve this problem!

Me and James cuddled on the couch for a while. Until my allergies went a little crazy. And I had to leave the couch and take something and wash my face. I am still pretty uncomfortable right now but it's getting better.

We are in bed now. And I am pretty tired. I feel happy though.

Me and James are going to camp tomorrow to do filming and I hope it is a good day. I hope you all have a good sleep and take care of each other. Goodnight everyone!!

[fanichus]

FANfic 8

*Dear I have to admit that you brought the nicest lady that I have evere talk to* Alicia told Demian while I get closer to his side

*I know she really is a good company* he took my hand and kiss it

*Sorry for what I'm going to say but why do you come with him* there was no venom in the comment but he seemed worried, I was just adjusting my seat *do you know what he does?* Demian only saw him as boring, as if this would always happen

*Seriously Mark, every time I go out with someone you tell them the same thing... well the few times I've done it* Mark and I laughed knowing that the last thing was obviously a lie.

*Do you see that, even she doesn't believe that* Alicia look at me *I bet the two of you already are something* now Demian and I were laughing also I was kinda flushing

I answered *I already told you, this is the first time we've gone out, we haven't known each other for long* I raised my glass and took a sip of the wine... it tasted delicious, I didn't feel the alcohol at all, I'm starting to like it

Alicia and Mark look in shock * What... really but you look... very close, well you know that the last thing is a lie, then you must know something about him or not?* I shake my head *that's wear*

*I mean I have seen him going out of the club with other girls* I lie...but sometimes he tells me some interesting stories about girls he dates, without much detail because he thinks I'm still his little angel.

*Yeah, anyway you can go now our business is done* Demian start to look kinda done whit them

Alicia was the first to talk *Actually I want to stay I'm really enjoying your companies* Mark was the next *Then we should stay and have fun*

Demian was mad he doesn't like to be ignore *I think you two should...*

*Stay* I also enjoy chatting whit her so why not *please let them stay* I huge his arm and look at his face pleading, his face start to look more soft

He take my chin, pulling me near smiling and whispering *You are going to own me something for this Angel* this is something bad when kids I own him something and he makes me do his homework... but maybe now it's different

*O...ok* we stay again like that... when does he get those scars, also the nose looks different but his eyes...

*Or we can go so the two of you can just be adorable* Alicia was watching so entertain while Mark said that

*No it's ok if you stay* Demian was rolling his eyes, he really doesn't like that

*Is alright we know when you want us out* Mark gets un an help Alicia to get out of her chair *Don't worry anyway we have to leave tomorrow I have more business to do* Alicia wasn't so happy with that but Mark whispered something in her ear and I'm pretty sure there were sparks in her eyes, I guess they're going to have a good time. They said goodbye, leaving us alone at the table

*Then can I take off the wig, my head is heavy* Demian was still watching the door, he made a signal to Roulette and Colt and they left through that door. Okay I guess now we are just the two of us

*So... Is it possible to know what you and Mark talked about?* He turned to see me and I had already taken off my wig but because of the net I looked bald, he started laughing so I took off the net and my hair came out looking a little tangled but I ran my fingers through it and it was a little tidy. Demian stopped laughing and smile at me

*No*

*Why not? Come on, I'm your confidant... Or like you said, I'm your support* I leaned against him dramatically as he started to laugh.

*If I told you I would have to kill you* he slowly turned to look at me smiling devilishly *We were talking about...*

I grabbed my napkin and covered his mouth with it *Don't you dare, I still have things to do*

He just rolled his eyes and removed the napkin * What it's missing? You already have everything *

*My soulmate* I said it like it was the most logical thing in the world. Demian was looking at me a little confused

*I thought you were already engaged?* I moved a little away from him, took the glass and started sipping from it, Demian also took his glass and drank from it..

*I was... but the guy... made me... believe that his lover was his... cousin* I saw how he spit out all the drink making me laugh.

*What do you say that idiot did? Why didn't you tell me* I just smiled

*I don't see why I have to tell you what's going on in my love life, those are my problems Devil, not yours* I had more of my glass

*You know I hate it when people I love get hurt... I promise that I would do anything for you* and as if that were something forbidden we both tensed up and stayed silent.

Does he really mean it... or... not of course it's as a friends it's obvious why it would be something else.

*Devil thank you, you know that I will also try to do anything for you but it is still my problem not yours*

*Can I know one more thing?* I nodded *Is that the reason you came back?* I guess telling the truth won't hurt but I felt like my throat was dry from the memories

*It has been almost a year since Nana passed away* Demian seemed sad when remembering that news *and it was very difficult... she left everything to me...b...but I just wanted her to be by my side for a moment longer* I stuttered a little from the pain of the memory but take a deep breath and continue *I was going to give up everything to be able to return to the old house but my ex made me stay by promising a life together and that he would help me in these difficult times of course, the only thing he really wanted was money and fame something that I didn't exactly have, so when I discovered his infidelity, I... packed my suitcases in the middle of the night and left on the first plane that brought me here. In fact he's still look... now that I remember she left something for you* I managed to hold back my tears, and I began to remember that looking for something in the attic I found a box with his name written in my grandmother's handwriting. *Let's return to the house and I'll give it to you*

*Angel, are you sure you're okay?* I smiled and nodded, excited to see what she had left for him.*We haven't eaten, aren't you hungry?*

I was about to refuse when my stomach growled with hunger. Demian laughed and suggested dinner so we could both return home and see the surprise.

So we had dinner, talking about various topics, we also flirted a little more playfully than anything and finally we were in the car on the way to my house, but then three phones rang. Demian and Roulette answered while Colt kept driving and it seemed as if it were bad news

*Colt let's return to the facility immediately* Wait where are they going to take me?

*Devil shouldn't I be returning home? * Demian surrounded my waist with his arm and pressed me against him.

*Don't worry, Angel, I'll leave you at the facility in my office, there you'll be safe, so as soon as the matter is over, I'll take you home personally.*

*Okay but promise me you'll be fine, I don't want anything bad to happen to you*

Demian smiled *Angel, I promise I will be fine and I will return to your side* He kissed my forehead and I leaned against him. I don't know when, but I fell asleep feeling warm, cozy, and not knowing what ended up happening that night.

Well this is how my mini story of Demian x reader ends. I had fun doing it and I had a lot of ideas to create a good story but I think it's better to leave it to @battlemaiden13 She knows the character much better than I do and I know she writes better so thanks for reading.

[angelicizedeve]

𝖔𝖓𝖊 𝖘𝖎𝖒𝖕𝖑𝖊 𝖙𝖔𝖚𝖈𝖍.

synopsis: your tutor may or may not have a little crush on you ...

☆ diluc tutor au

diluc ragnvindr was a very composed young man.

his uniform was always ironed and worn neatly, his soft red locks were always tied back in a ponytail, and he was a perfect student, with a’s in all of his classes, of which you were in many. while you’d never had an actual conversation with him, it wasn’t hard to remember who he was based on his appearance. 

when you found out that you were flunking math, your parents freaked out. they told you to go look for a tutor, and so you begrudgingly did. there weren’t that many in the tutoring program your school held to begin with, let alone ones that weren’t already booked up. “i don’t know what to do!” you complained to your friends as you sat in the cafeteria. “everyone’s either unreasonably expensive, or they don’t have a space for me.”

“maybe you should just ask someone who’s good at math.” one of your friends said with a shrug. “everyone’s desperate to make money any time, i’m sure they’ll agree.” 

“but it’s calculus, everybody in my class is struggling as is.” you reasoned, aggressively zipping up your bag.

“what about that red-haired guy? isn’t he good at, like, everything?”

your eyes wandered over to diluc, who was seated at the same table he usually is. “yeah, he is. i'm too nervous to talk to him though. it’ll be so awkward.” your friend raised an eyebrow at you. “would you rather have one awkward conversation, or fail a class?” you groaned and hesitantly agreed to talk to him during calculus.

“tutor you?” diluc repeated. you nodded with a hopeful and polite smile. “uh, i suppose so. i can do it after school today if you’d like.” he offered. “yes, thank you so much!” you quickly said graciously. you left calculus with a pep in your step, a complete change from usual.

“so, do you understand it now?” diluc asked, pointing at the question you both had just gone over. you nodded vigorously. “thank you so much diluc, you don’t know how much this helped me.” you said, gathering your books and papers. “you’re a really great teacher! i’ll see you tomorrow!~” you hurriedly exited the library, tired after the hours spent studying. if you hadn’t left so quickly, you’d be able to notice the pink hue that painted your tutor’s face because of your quick compliment. 

oh diluc, poor, poor diluc. if you weren’t so stressed about finals coming up, you’d surely notice the way that he blushes every time your arms brush, or whenever he has to lean over your shoulder to look at your paper. nearly every other girl would be able to pick up on these subtle innuendos, which all pointed to him having a crush on you. in fact, you never would’ve noticed his behavior if your friends hadn’t pointed it out one day. but you refused to believe that this attractive man could have a crush on you. still…that didn’t stop you from daydreaming about the idea. 

[gracie-gloom]

When Worlds Collide pt.2

Story where a new Overwatch agent (you) and Junker Queen are on a new mission together and are forced into close quarters.

Junker Queen x fem reader

Part 1:

You woke to the sound of your alarm at 8am, quietly and slowly getting up from the bed, you leave the room careful not to wake Odessa.

You stepped into the shower while hundreds of thoughts took over your mind, what the heck was she saying yes to last night? Maybe she was sleep talking but.. no, no way she would fall asleep that quick. It wasn't until you headed back to the room to see the Queen still sleeping, had you realized that you'd actually slept very soundly next to her, and though she was feared by many, the way she acted with you seemed completely opposite of things you've heard.

She looked peaceful laying with her arms behind her head, and you could see just how toned her arms were. You quickly focused yourself again, grabbing some paperwork and heading over to the common area to get some research done. At around noon Odessa finally came around, though your work wasn't done yet, you looked up to give her a smile.

"You're quite the early bird aren't ya?" Odessa asked teasingly.

"I just want to be prepared for tomorrow, I'm not exactly going to be the one doing the heavy lifting, so I have to make sure all my data is up to date so everything goes smoothly" you responded shyly. Continuing with your work, the Queen had taken a seat across from you and was catching up on the news, glancing past you to the TV.

So many seats but she chooses to sit there? Maybe she's just trying to be friendly, you thought to yourself. You sneaked a glance at Odessa's face, taking in her features and realizing how beautiful she really was, as well as how much she really suited all that muscle.

"Hey-"

You quickly looked away when she began speaking, not wanting her to catch you staring.

"you did all your training here right? Why don't you show me around a little, I hardly ever get time away from Junker town!" Show you around? You weren't sure if Odessa was referring to the training areas or around the city you two were stationed in. Because if it was around the city, well.. she's not trying to ask me on a date is she?

"Maybe sometime after the mission" you said with a smile.

"That's a promise then alright?" Odessa responded with a wink, then left the table to get a look around elsewhere.

Thank god she left so she didn't see me blushing.. gosh what was that? You didn't need more distractions right now, but maybe, just maybe, you thought Junker Queen could be an exception.

Junker Queen POV:

Without all the usual chaos it felt nice to wake up a bit later knowing you wouldn't be dealing with Junkers trying to break the law or what not.

Crap, it's already noon? Maybe I slept a little too good.. glancing around to see (y/n) had already gone downstairs, you headed down to grab something to eat, curious to see where (y/n) was, finding her sat at an empty table alone. Debating whether or not to sit down with her.

Well we're gonna be working together, and it isn't like there's anyone around, who says I can't show my soft side just cause I'm Queen?

Taking a seat across from (y/n), observing the TV before striking up some more small conversation. Thinking (y/n) would make for a great tour guide, but in all honestly the Queen didn't care much for what the city had to offer. It was a rich area, nothing like she had seen before, and nothing she wanted to be a part of either. But she had to get (y/n's) attention somehow.

"That's a promise then alright?" after giving a wink and cheeky smile, Odessa left. Feeling giddy inside and a little shocked at how bold she had been.

Tomorrow would come sooner than later, and the Queen wanted to put on her best show for you.

Honestly I was writing this for myself since I have so many ideas I can't keep track of, so thankyou for the notes on part one, Junker Queen simps unite :') I personally like longer stories so sorry in advanced if that isn't quite your style and you'd prefer something shorter :D but yeah (: there will be more when I get to it

Part 3

[haoreo]

✿ 𝐬𝐢𝐦 𝐣𝐚𝐞𝐲𝐮𝐧 | 𝐥𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥

content: jake x fem!reader, fluff!!, ft. wonyoung from ive <3

word count: 700+

disclaimer: i'm new to writing fanfics (especially oneshots) so please go easy on me. i mean no harm to any of the members, this is purely fictional. would love to hear your thoughts! :>

✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

they said that your years in high school would be the best years of your life. meeting new people, trying out new hobbies, and making memories, both good and bad, all around campus.

you were one of the few people in your school that thought high school was pretty okay. you were president of the camera club, maintained good grades, and had a great group of friends. your high school life was smooth-sailing, you could say, not until you’ve crossed paths with him.

sim jaeyun. or jake sim, whatever.

jake, the team captain of your school’s soccer team.

jake, the class clown yet somehow still the teacher’s favorite.

jake, the one who’s crush changes almost every other week.

the jake sim, whose next target seems to be you.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

“you know what, ___, why don’t you just give him a chance?” wonyoung asked out of nowhere during lunch.

“what and get added to his long list of failed commitments? no thanks,” you replied while angrily poking at your food.

wonyoung shrugged at you, “i don’t know, his looks aren’t bad, and he’s popular, funny, " she listed with her fingers, "plus he’s been at it for three months, which is probably the longest he’s gone for a girl.”

you had to admit, wonyoung was right. he has been trying to get your attention for almost three months now. buying you your favorite snacks, offering to bring your things, and sometimes even waiting for you at the school gates when you finish late at the camera club. (you thought that it was sweet, of course, but you would never admit it)

“well it can't mean anything, right? he’s done the same to-“

you were interrupted by a hand placing a carton of chocolate milk in front of you. your favorite.

“hey, sweetheart.” you rolled your eyes at the nickname. but wonyoung just giggled at your frustration.

jake took a seat next to you with his face only inches away from yours, “are you going to my big game tomorrow morning?”

“it's not like i have a choice, do i?” you begrudgingly reply.

being president of the camera club, you were usually assigned the bigger school events, and that includes all of the soccer team’s games. if your pride wasn’t so high, you would admit to actually enjoying jake’s games. cheering on for your school can feel exhilarating and you’re able to do something you’re great at, photography. the candid shots of the crowd and the players had a different charm to them, and it also didn’t help how jake looked great in every single photo you take of him. in fact, it kind of made him your favorite subject. which is something you'd never say out loud.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

it was the big day, and the game was about to start. your schoolmates occupied the bleachers on one side, adorned with face paint of your school colors and holding different banners and posters of all of the players. you were double-checking your camera and all your extra memory cards and batteries when wonyoung nudged your side.

you looked up to see jake jogging to where you and wonyoung were seated.

“hey, sweetheart! let's make a deal,” he grinned at you, “if we win this game, i get to take you on a date.”

your cheeks warmed at his offer, partly out of embarrassment because he said this out loud, but also because maybe his consistent efforts were finally getting to you.

“and what about if you lose, hm?” you managed to reply with the little confidence you had left.

“well lucky for you, princess, you don’t have to worry about that. i’ll make sure we win,” he said with a wink, “is it a deal?”

“deal.”

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

your whole school roared in excitement when your school’s team officially won the game. and honestly, you were excited too.

students started to file out of the venue but you stayed behind to pack up your things while also viewing some of the shots you took today, zooming into the ones that featured jake.

speaking of, jake walked up to you after bidding goodbye to his teammates, his sports bag thrown over his shoulder.

this time, you were the first to speak up, “you did well out there, jake.” he blushed at your compliment. he got compliments all the time, but it felt different when it came from you.

"i'm sure you took great photos of me as well?" he raised his eyebrows, teasing you. you simply laughed at him, poking fun at how he had to ruin the moment.

“um, but about that date, how’s next friday?” he asked, suddenly getting serious.

“sure, pick me up at 7, hm?” you moved closer to him, “oh and by the way.”

setting aside your pride for a few seconds, you placed your hand on his chest and planted a kiss on his cheek. “congratulations,” you said quietly with a smile.

jake smiled back, knowing he made the right choice to continue choose you, every single day.

✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

aaaa hope you liked it huhu this was my first oneshot so pretty skerd here

[wiypt-writes]

Thnks Fr Th Mmrs

A Frank Adler One Shot.

Summary: It’s Frank’s wedding night… but you’re not quite ready to let him go just yet.

Warnings: Bad Language words. Smut (NSFW, 18+) allusions to cheating…

Pairings:  Frank Adler x Reader

A/N: Just a little smutty one shot featuring everyone’s favourite Dirty Boat Daddy. Written for @onlyjamesbarnes 1.5k Follower Challenge. Prompt in bold. Congrats babe!!

Lyrics from Fall Out Boy- Thnks Fr Th Mmrs

Frank Adler Master list // Main Masterlist

❤️💔♥️💔♥️💔♥️💔♥️💔♥️💔♥️💔

I'm gonna make you bend and break,

Say a prayer, but let the good times roll

In case God doesn't show…

Frank had always been powerless to resist you. He was a moth to your flame, but like always, you play with fire and you get burnt.

But now, you were the one burning, burning hotter than the sun.

With a groan, you ground your hips down as you leaned back, rolling and rocking down onto him. That face, sharp chiselled jawline covered by a slightly nearer than usual scruff looked back at you, his perfect profile silhouetted against the moonlight which drifted through the curtains of the hotel room.

How could something that wrong feel so fucking right?

And I want these words to make things right, But it's the wrongs that make the words come to life.

"Who does he think he is?"

If that's the worst you've got, better put your fingers back to the keys

He shouldn’t have let you in, but you knew he would as soon as he fired you the message with his room number. Your signature knock had sounded across the plush suite he was spending his last night as a ‘single’ man in, and like a sacrificial lamb welcoming its slaughter, he’d opened the door.

“You shouldn’t be here.”

“I wanted to see you.” You blinked up at him. He was still in his slacks and dress shirt, from the rehearsal you’d sat through, tie discarded, collar open. He cut a stark contrast to the boat greased and oil stained, salty air cured man you were used to.

He held the door open for you, stepping back and allowing you in. Without a word you walked over to the grand windows the space provided, offering a look at the shoreline outside and below. The view was breathtaking at night, the moonlight shining off the waves as they lapped at the shore, mere metres away from where tomorrow he would take his vows.

Through the reflection of the window behind you, you could see him just as his hands gripped at your waist. You turned on the ball of your foot, manicured fingers running up his chest from his strong pecs to his collarbones and over his shoulders to around his neck, your lips quickly on his. Your tongue slipped inside, tasting a hint of scotch, a half drunk glass of which sat on the small coffee table to the right. Frank moaned against your mouth while your fingers slipped through the neatly trimmed hair of his neck.

You pushed against him slightly with your body, the back of his legs hitting the chair besides the coffee table and he took a seat, breaking your kiss.

“This shouldn’t-“

“Shhh.” You shook your head. “Just give me tonight, please.”

He stared at you with lust blown eyes, different to the playful glint he normally possessed when he used to look at you, as you thought for a second about your next move, bottom lip already swollen from his kiss between your teeth.

You knew he was a goner.

"Y/N," he managed to croak out as you straddled his lap, seating yourself over his now hard cock, the rough fabric of his dark dress pants constraining him, giving you just enough teasing friction agasint your sensitive inner thighs. His large hands slid up your thighs and under your light coloured, flowy dress as you moved your lips over his again, giving him access to your ass, finger tips grazing the barely there material of your panties.

You ground down against him, your hips rolling in a circular motion as he growled into your mouth, squeezing your cheeks with his hands. You kicked off your sandals, making a thud as they hit the plush carpet. A sound that matched that of your heart. A heart that squeezed in your chest, as if someone had wound and elastic band around its middle knowing that tomorrow you’d watch him takes his vows.

And everything would change.

Frank broke away from your lips, to lick and nip at your jaw and down your neck, tongue rolling against your sternum. His face drilled between your breasts, inhaling your scent.

Your fingers found the buttons of his shirt and plucked them open skillfully, French manicured nails raking across his chest, causing him to shudder and groan. You reached for the buckle of his belt, undoing it with little trouble, lifting your hips slightly, showing a strength in your thighs as you lifted away from him, to undo his flies. You adjusted yourself, pushing up on your knees just a little to allow the room you needed to dip your hand just under his boxers waistline, gently gripping at his dick.

“No, not here.” He growled, teeth nipping at the shell of your ear. “I want you in the bed.”

The bed. Where he would spend his first night as a married man.

It was so wrong.

Yet you happily obliged.

It was a well practiced tango the pair of you had danced over the years, and now here you were, him keening underneath you with a desperation you’d come to know well.

You could feel his cock pulsing against your walls and it gave you the chills. You held the power and control as he struggled to keep his.

With a quick movement, Frank sat up, pulling you flush against his chest, the angle hitting you just at that pleasurable spot he always managed to hit within you. His head dropped, lips and teeth gently teasing your nipple, large hands splayed agains your spine as he lavished you with affection.

You started grinding down harder, looking for that clitoral stimulation you wanted and as you found it, he moaned deeply into your ear.

“I’m close, but I don’t wanna… not yet.” His words were a plea, a plea that he wasn’t ready to end, and you knew he didn’t simply mean tonight.

But it had to. There was no way around it.

One night and one more time, thanks for the memories, even though they weren't so great

"He tastes like you only sweeter"

"Just...let...go," you purred against him.

"Oh fahk," he ground out as his feet planted firmly into the mattress and his hips thrust upward. It didn't take much, a few strong and hard drives and you were crying out his name, your head thrown back in ecstasy as you came around around him.

"Jesus, fahkk, I'm gonna fahking.... Oh fahk," he swore vehemently, his old Boston drawl thick as he drove hard into you for a final time, exploding his load deep into you, spraying your walls with ribbons of white cream.

The pair of you collapsed onto the bed, utterly spent. Frank kept you held to his chest as you both drew ragged, heaving breaths. After a moment, Frank pressed a kiss to the crown of your head, no words needed.

And you blinked back a solitary tear.

*****

I'm looking forward to the future, but my eyesight is going bad.

And this crystal ball, it’s always cloudy except for when you look into the past

One night stand

Frank had fallen asleep with you in his arms, not quite ready to let you go. But you were long gone by the time he woke the next morning, the only evidence you’d been in his room was a scribbled note on the pad on the night stand.

“Here’s to the first day of the rest of your life.”

He’d folded the note up and slipped it into his breast pocket, not quite sure why. Maybe it would keep you close to him in those moments he needed to feel you, who knows.

Who knows why any of this had started in the first place.

He watched Mary walk down the aisle first, her bouquet in her hand had been dropped as she had leapt into his arms for a hug, laughing as she told him how excited she was. He’d kissed her cheek and placed her down and she stood by his side, watching as his bride and her father started towards him.

It was then Frank’s eyes had found yours as you watched him, and he swallowed, his chest contracting.

He could still feel your eyes on him and he couldn’t get the image of you bouncing on top of his cock out of his head. He blinked as someone said his name, and he looked at the officiant, clearing his throat.

“Sorry, little nervous.” He apologised, flashing a cheeky grin before he took a deep breath.

A couple of I-Dos later, he was told to kiss his wife. So he did.

And all he could taste was you.

Man and wife walked hand in hand down the aisle to applause, and at the end they stopped and the new Mrs Adler peered up at Frank, a soft smile on her face.

“You happy?”

“Of course.” He smiled back.

“Good, because choosing me to spend your life with, well, I actually think it’s the second best choice you’ve ever made in your life.”

Frank blinked as he heard the click of the photographer's camera. “Oh? The second? What was the first?”

“Letting me into your room last night.” You grinned, your hand sliding up his tux, the diamond studded band catching the sun, glinting in the bright light.

Frank grinned at you, before he arched his eyebrow. “Time will tell if it really was bad luck to see my wife the night before.”

“Didn’t feel like bad luck to me,” you smirked, you hand gently tangling in the hair at the nape of his neck as he dropped his head to kiss you, the cheers and applause once more chiming in your ears.

One night and one more time, thanks for the memories