#i'm sure i would have gotten over it in time for release if they'd let me know in a timely fashion

[vivwritesfics]

Hungry Like The Wolf

Chapter Five

She hadn't seen her best friend, Lando, in years. She didn't run into him the last time she was visiting her father and she doubted she'd see him this time. Things were different now. She wasn't aware of his furry little problem. Just like she wasn't aware of the vampires plaguing the town.

1.7K

Vampire!Oscar x Reader x Werewolf!Lando

Series Masterlist

If Oscar played chess, he would have been good at it. Every move he made was calculated, always two steps ahead of everybody else. 

She probably didn't realise their dinner date was on the full moon. How could she know it had any significance when she didn't even know what was happening in this town? 

The air was electric as he drove through the wolf side of town. He was really pushing his luck, driving through on a full moon. He was scheming and calculating, sure, but he was still a gentleman. He'd never had driven through on a full moon if he didn't have to pick her up. 

He could feel it, could see the way someone stared at him. Probably a piercing, yellow stare. If he didn't knock on her door, he was sure whoever it was would have been pouncing on him, pulling him into the woods for some stern 'words'. 

But then she answered the door, looking so pretty in her sweater and skirt combination. "Hey," she said as she turned around and pulled the door shut. 

"Ready to go?" Asked Oscar as he offered her his arm. 

She took it with a smile that was too kind for this town and walked with him over to the car. He pulled the car door open for her, looking around for a flash of yellow as she climbed in. 

In the garden of the house opposite her own, Oscar saw it. Yellow eyes. He smirked, knowing full well the wolf could see it all, and climbed into the car. 

As he drove, he let her talk. It wasn't anything important, what some would describe as mindless dribble, but Oscar still listened. Like I said, he was a gentleman. 

As soon as he was out of the wolf side of town, he relaxed. His shoulders dropped and he released a breath, his grip on the steering wheel easing. He could hear a howl behind him, and it only made him smirk. 

The restaurant Oscar had picked was run by Vampires. At first, things had been hard for Vampires in this town. Integrating into this society had seemed impossible. But, over time, they'd found a way. They'd gotten jobs, opened restaurants that catered to both human and Vampire, even if the humans didn't know it. 

Oscar was a gentleman. He opened the door to the restaurant for her and pulled out her seat. 

What can I really say about the dinner? Oscar was so lovely throughout the entire thing. He was funny in a way she hadn't expected (not that she hadn't expected him to be funny). 

(Oscar couldn't eat human food. The food they placed in front of him wasn't real food, was designed to melt in his mouth. No, his real meal was in the glass in front of him, disguised as wine.)

When the date was over, he drove her back to her house. Of course, Oscar paid for the meal. He gave the waiter a tip (after a hundred years alive, he knew how to impress a woman) and took her hand as he led her back to his car. 

But there was already someone at his car. Oscar ran his tongue over his teeth as they approached, keeping his hand on the small of her back.

"Logan."

Logan was Oscar's best friend and the first person to find out his date. If he was waiting at Oscar's car, then it was because of some kind of emergency.

The smile Logan wore was shy yet charming as he offered her his hand. "Hi," he said, his pointed teeth poking into his bottom lip. The Vampires had no reason to panic, though. Such a small view of his teeth were offered that nothing looked out of the ordinary to a Human that didn't suspect anything. "I'm Logan."

She gave him her name as she shook his hand.

"I'm really sorry about this, but I need to borrow Oscar," he said, his smile still polite.

She looked to Oscar and nodded her head. "That's more than fine," she said and stepped towards the car.

Immediately, Oscar pulled the keys from his pocket and unlocked the car. He pulled open the passenger side door for her and took her hand as he helped her into the car. "I'll back back in a minute," he said and shut the door, shutting her in the car.

He looked towards Logan and gestured for him to follow. Logan did just that. He followed Oscar away from the car, into a part of the car park with little light. But the two Vampires could still see clearly. They knew she was watching them, but let her watch. As long as she couldn't hear them.

"You've been pissing off the wolves," Logan said with the shake of his head, clearly amused.

Oscar shrugged his shoulders, but he couldn't hide the way the corner of his lips turned up. "Really?" He said through a dramatic gasp. "You don't say."

The scoff that left Logan's lips wasn't supposed to piss Oscar off. And it didn't, Oscar knew him too well for that. "Daniel came by after you picked her up for your date. He said that Lando is mad, and he's gonna be waiting for you in the woods around the back of her house," he said, nodding back towards the car.

Oscar couldn't help but laugh. "Really?" He asked, shoving his hands into his pockets. "He's seriously going to wait for me?" When Logan nodded, Oscar let out a quiet 'pathetic'.

"Do you want me to follow behind?" Logan offered, but Oscar shook his head.

"I got it."

He said his goodbyes to Logan and headed back to his car. She was giving him a smile, one that was encouraging and reassuring. Even if she didn't know what was going on.

"Sorry about that," Oscar said as he climbed into the car. He checked the time on his watch. "Is your dad gonna kill me for getting you home late?" He asked as he pulled out of the car park.

A melodic laugh left her lips. "You realise I'm an adult, right, Osc? I think I'm older than you."

Compared to him, she was just a baby. But he wasn't going to tell her that. He was going to let her believe that he wasn't a hundred years old.

He pulled up outside of her house. Oscar opened the door for her and took her hand to help her out of the car. He kept a hold of her hand as he walked her up to the front door. "I had a really nice time tonight, Oscar," she said as she looked up at him, making no move to open the door.

"We'll have to do this again sometime," he said. If his smile showed off his teeth, he didn't much care. But then there was a howl from the woods, and Oscar knew he had to leave. He let out a sigh and looked at their shoes. "I need to go," he said and squeezed her hand.

He stepped away from her, walked back towards his car. "Wait!" He heard her call, stopping him in his track.

There was mere seconds between Oscar turning around and her crashing into him, her lips against his own. Oscar's hands were immediately on her waist, holding her steady as he pressed his lips to her own. But, when she tried to part his lips, Oscar pulled away. Another night.

His forehead was against her own. "I'll be back, I promise."

"Tonight?" She asked, breathlessly.

Oscar drew in a sigh. He immediately knew what she was asking. And, as much as he wanted to, he couldn't. "Not tonight," he answered and immediately saw her face drop.

Oscar kissed her again, this time quickly. "I want to," he assured her, and she set out a breath against him. "I just... I'm scared of your dad."

She laughed against him and released him. "Next time," she said, and Oscar left a promise with a kiss.

He watched as she walked back to the house and let herself in. Even then, Oscar stayed. He climbed into his car and waited until he could see her walk into her bedroom before he drove off.

He didn't drive very far, just parked his car out of the view of her house and made his way back to the woods.

Lando was easy to find. All Oscar had to was follow the sounds of snarling. Of course Oscar was snarling. His emotions was amped up with the full moon overhead.

"Oscar!" Lando barked.

There he stood, curls falling in front of his forehead as he stared at Oscar, chest heaving. His fists were clenched at his sides, veins visible up his arms. Oscar had never seen him look so goddamn angry before. It was... hot.

"What're you doing with her?"

"Maybe I like her," Oscar answered as he leaned against a tree. He watched as Lando stalked towards him, only slightly looking down at him. "Is that really the end of the world?"

Lando's fists shook. "Are you gonna turn her?"

Oscar laughed, heading hitting the tree behind as he threw it back. "We've been on one date, Norris. Don't overreact."

"Damn it, Oscar!" Lando suddenly called, his hitting the tree beside Oscar's head.

Maybe it was the way Lando said it, Oscar couldn't really tell what compelled his next steps. But, suddenly his hands were around Lando's neck as he kissed him.

There was a good minute where Lando was still, eyes wide as he felt Oscar's lips against his own. Part of him couldn't quite believe it was happening, but he didn't go to move away. He'd never admit to enjoying it, but the fact that he didn't move away told Oscar all he needed to know.

When Oscar pulled away, there was only one thing on Lando's mind. His lips. They tasted like her. His brows were furrowed, eyes furious as he kissed him again, pressing his body against the tree.

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[dotster001]

Dark End

A/N: Another, For Tuna, custom content end is here! I've tagged everyone from the of tag list, and everyone who voted for this particular end. If you wanna add your vote for the next one, you can do so in the comments here.

CW: Kidnapping, Yandere, manipulation

Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Choose Another Ending

You groaned, and lifted your head, your neck aching from resting in that position for so long.

Wait.

How long was it?

The last thing you remembered, you were sipping tea with Jade, and he had said something about 'going home'. You made to stretch, and realized your hands were restrained behind your back. You shook yourself in your chair, hoping the chains were loose, but alas, nothing.

But the rattling was also how you realized you were not on the surface. 

The bubbles around you cleared, and you were met with two pairs of glowing, mismatched eyes. You couldn't help but roll your own as you released a released breath.

"Ha ha, very funny. You guys got me." You were used to the twins…. unconventional….pranks, at this point. You were pretty sure this one was to illustrate how easily you could be gently kidnapped. They'd been telling you to up your security system for months now.

"Heh heh," two voices echoed from the darkness.

"I get the point, I'll buff up security, and let you walk me to classes. Now are you going to untie me, or have I not learned my lesson yet?"

The glowing eyes turned to each other, before turning back to you. You shivered, your gut telling you you wouldn't like the expressions they were giving one another.

"Fu fu, while we appreciate you finally listening to us, that's not what we are here to discuss today," Jade said, his ever present smirk able to be heard in his tone.

The pair of eyes you knew to be Floyd's swum closer to you, bringing his eel form into view. No matter how many times you saw it, it took your breath away. So handsome, and yet so intimidating. But when you got over your initial awe, you noticed him holding a struggling, and gagged, Grim in his arms.

"What's happening here?" You laughed nervously.

"Hmm? Oh! Sealio," Floyd giggled, as though it wasn't obvious."See, he graciously volunteered to work for our family business!"

Jade swam up next to his brother, and gently scratched the top of Grim's head.

"So generous. But we need collateral, just in case something were to go wrong. Namely, you."

The twins looked at you expectantly, and you released another nervous laugh.

"Ha ha, very funny."

Floyd scowled, and Grim winced as his grip on him tightened.

"I don't know how we can be any clearer with you, Shrimpy. We. Want. You."

"Uh…"

You were starting to get the impression that you weren't the one being held for collateral here.

But with the look in their eyes, you should definitely play their game.

"Um, how long would I be collateral?" 

"I dunno, Grimmy what do you think?" Floyd jiggled Grim a little, and you heard some jumbled words from behind Grim's gag.

"Interesting point, Grim," Jade said thoughtfully. "It sounds like he wants to work with us…forever?"

The twins both looked at each other in, clearly mock, surprise.

"That's so cool of you, baby seal!" Floyd hugged him tightly in excitement. "But obviously, Y/N's gotta make some agreements first."

The twins looked at you, sinister grins mimicking one another in perfect synch.

"What kind of agreements?" 

"I'm so glad you asked!" Jade said, pulling out a golden contract that you assumed they had gotten off of Azul. He pulled out a pen, running the top lightly along your jaw.

"We're going to unlock one of your hands, and you'll sign this for us."

"What does it say?"

"Fu fu fu, we'll worry about that part. All you need to do is look into Grim's sad, pathetic eyes, and sign the contract. Think you can do that for me?" It felt like he was saying it to a toddler. But you guessed since you were the one who was so easily gently kidnapped, it was probably necessary for you to be talked down on.

"Okay," you said shakily.

"Wonderful!" Jade swam behind you, and you felt his fingers gently brush your dominant hand, before fumbling with the lock of that particular chain. He placed the pen in it, then firmly placed his hands on your shoulders. Just in case you were stupid enough to get any ideas.

You brought your hand forward, signed the contract, and then…

Huh.

How bout that?

What were you doing here?

Oh, there was Floyd!

And, you could tell from the distinctive cologne, Jade was behind you, massaging your shoulders, and softly kissing along your neck.

How sweet of him.

Sevens, you love them so much.

You just want to be with them forever, and ever, and ever, and ever, and ever, and ever.

And ever.

And ever.

And ever.

And ever.

The End

....

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[forestshadow-wolf]

"Okay, Pal, Okay. You're okay. Just breathe, okay? Just breathe. I'm gonna get you out of here, yeah?" Soap panted, hauling his soldier towards the scant shade of the single tree in the blazing sun. He needed a break. Just a moment to catch his breath. He was supposed to be leading a training experience in Australia with Ghost, but they'd been ambushed and had gotten seperated. He didn't know the motive behind the attack, only that he already had one confirmed death of one of his soldiers, one overheated soldier, and he was somewhere lost in the Australian outback with very little water, and one hydro packet. For all he knew Ghost could be in a worse situation, he just hoped he was okay.

"Here." He tore open the hydro packet and pressed it to Dunbury's lips, "drink it. All of it." They sucked tmat the viscus liquid greedily, squeezing every last drop they could from the packet.

They needed to get going, he had no idea if they were being followed, but it wasn't out of the relm of possibilities, and at the very least they had to get somewhere shaded or they would be cooked meat in this heat. He just needed another moment to gather his strength.

"..-ny? J-hn-y? Johnny, you copy?" His radio sputtered to life. Ghost. It was Ghost! He was alive!

"I'm here! I'm here, Ghost! Are you okay? Where are you?"

"I'm alive. Got one of the Dunburys with me, we found a rock outcropping, figure we'll hunker down 'til night. Where are you? Solid?"

"I got the other Dunbury. I think I see yer rock, but I dinnae think we'll make it. Dunbury's very near heat stroke, an' I'm no' farin' much better. We're at the nearest tree, you can't prolly see us. I cannae get him an' me to ya."

"Okay, hang tight. I'm comin' for ya. Just keep yourselves already, alright?"

"Copy that."

Soap glanced at Dunbury as the line went dead, they seemed to be doing even worse, not better. Their were fluttering closed, and soap made an effort to slap them awake. He needed to cool the off and fast. The quick releases went easily when ge pulled them and the vest fell away, then he was removing harnesses and straps before shirt and trousers were gone aswell. His knife went through one of the discarded sleeves like butter, and his canteen rattled dauntingly low when he picked it up, but nonetheless he took a swig, and used the rest to wet the torn fabric in his hand. It wasn't much, but he laid it around the soldier's neck anyway. It would have to last forever, just until Ghost found them.

The time passed in a blur of heat, and swear, and rousing slaps, but Ghost found them eventually. And thank god, too, because soap wasn't sure how much longer he could last.

"Okay, Johnny, I'm here. You solid? Can you stand?" And soap couldn't be happier to hear a bitt in his whole life.

"Aye, jus' help me up." He reached out a sweat-soaked hand and Ghost pulled him up, steadying him when his vision went black for a moment with the bloodrush. Then they were hauling Dunbury up, and Ghost was leading them back the way they came.

Stumbling, and more than a little cooked to death they made it. The shade cast by the rocks felt a million degrees cooler than the sun, and soap could have kissed it for att it was worth. Instead he collaped against cooler rock and panted.

Ghost's Dunbury worried over Soap's Dunbury, but they would be okay. At least now they weren't getting pre-baked in the laser beam anymore. He felt plastic press to his lips and pryed his eyes open in surprise. Ghost was kneeled at his side, pressing a torn open hydro packet to his lips, just as he had done to his Dunbury only hours earlier. He took it gratefully, and it felt like heaven on his tongue, on his throat.

Ghost's Dunbury was sweat-soaked but alive, and his own looked just a bit more alive, and was definitely more conscious.

At some point Ghost had managed to get through to base, and Laswell let them know that they had evac on the way, but it wouldn't arrive until at night. There was nothing else to do about that, but sleep. And soap did so happily. For a couple hours, at least. Ghost had been keeping watch while they rested, and soap; now more rested; was able to give him a break.

Ghost didn't go to sleep right away. He and soap just sat in silence for a while. Not speaking. Just. Existing. And later when Ghost bedded down, Soap took watch. Watching the sun get lower and lower in the sky until eventually stars began peeking through the sky.

The air had gotten considerably cooler, it had been more than a few hours, but he didn't wake Ghost, and the Dunburys still slept soundly, but Ghost was beginning to rouse.

"You should have woken me." Ghost's voice was rough, dry. Soap handed him the last of the water. Ghost took it, drank half, tried to give the rest to soap, but he suspected Ghost had already given up most of his water, and thus needed it more than him. That's just how Ghost was, soap learned. You wouldn't know if you didn't know him, but soap knew. He knew the way ghost acted so much like he didn't care, and yet he never hesitates to give something if someone needs it. He's always the first to offer, in the name of care with the mask of efficiency or practicality.

"Heli's should be almost here. Then we can get out of this hell hole, and hopefully never come back here again."

[footprintsinthesxnd]

Chapter 7: Lucky 25

Gale Cleven x Hope Armstrong (ofc)

Series Masterlist

This story is based on on the fictional portrayal of these men from the MOTA to series.

Summary: With Dye reaching his 25th mission tensions are high among the airmen, while wedding planning is in full swing for the Clevens. But not everything is destined to go as smoothly planned.

Collab: A Pair of Silver Wings by @major-mads

Thursday, September 16th: Thorpe Abbotts AAF Base, Norwich: 13:00

Hope's back ached as she bent over her old Singer sewing machine, the silk fabric sliding effortlessly as the needle punched thread through it. Silk was hard to come by with rationing, and there was no way, even with Hugh's help, that she could afford a new wedding dress. Luckily for her, Frank had a knack for making things disappear from the storeroom on base and later making them reappear in the girls' hut.

Ruth hummed Artie Shaw out of tune from behind her as the blonde cut out more fabric from the pattern, laying the pieces on cloth over the tissue paper cutouts. Tatty and Helen hand-sewed small pieces of lace together, just some odd cuts they'd gotten from the local fabric shop.

The girls had been working hard all afternoon, measuring, cutting, and sewing. The dress was coming along nicely, and with only three weeks to go until the big day, Hope was anxious to get it finished in time.

The Singer buzzed along nicely as three familiar heads poked around the Nissan hut door.

"Knock, knock," Hugh called out, stepping inside, his hands on his hips as he assessed the girl's work. Gale and John followed him closely.

"You guys can't be in here," Helen scolded.

"It's bad luck to see the dress before the wedding, Cleven," Tatty hissed, marching over to the men. "You better get going before..."

"My dear Tatty, don't be so defensive, I merely come to offer my services," Hugh bowed dramatically.

Hope sniggered, all too aware of Hugh's sewing skills, "I don't think your skills are required here, Hugh. You're not really one for a needle and thread."

Hugh scrunched his face up at her just like he'd done since they were children, and before he could throw out any more ridiculous ideas, Gale stepped forward.

"I don't want to cause trouble, I merely want to spend some time with my girl," Gale smiled charmingly at Tatty who moved aside.

"No wonder Hope can never say no to you, Major. That damn smile."

Gale made his way across the room just as Hope finished covering the dress with a cloth. "Hello darling," he leaned down, pressing his lips to hers, "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too," Hope stood up, pressing her lips against his again, smiling into his touch.

"Tatty, come on," John all but whined, pointing into the hut while Tatty stood firm on the doorstep. "It's me."

"And that is exactly why I'm not letting you in. You'd get your grubby mitts all over the dress."

"I wouldn't dare! Please," John clasped his hands together, looking rather sad and pathetic until Tatty sighed.

"Fine, but one step out of line, Major, and you're out."

John moved past Tatty towards Ruth who was still sitting on the floor, surrounded by a collection of differently shaped pieces of silk.

"Never knew you were such a seamstress," he grinned, pressing his lips to hers and enjoying the familiar blush that crept across her pale cheeks.

"Well, I'm a woman of many talents," Ruth retorted, grinning up at the Major.

"That you are."

"Hugh, put that fabric down now," Hope hissed, moving away from Gale's arms to scold her brother, smacking his arm until he released the precious fabric. "Do you have any idea how hard it was to get hold of this?"

"It's just some silk, I'm sure any white fabric would do," Hugh replied nonchalantly, pushing the reeling of cotton across Helen's desk and glancing awkwardly around the room as it fell to the floor.

Hope sighed, "Hugh, for once in your life, please just be serious and stop acting like a child. It's for my wedding day. Please don't mess this up for me." Hope loved her brother dearly, but sometimes it felt like she had to do all the work in their relationship.

Hugh nodded apologetically, "I will, I wouldn't dream of ruining your big day, Little Bird." Hope smiled at her childhood nickname, it had been a long time since he'd called her that. "But is there anything I can help with?"

"Yes, there is can," Helen grabbed ahold of Gale and John's sleeves, marching them towards Hugh, "You can take these two and keep them out of trouble until this evening."

"Oh, come on, we just got here," John groaned, glancing at Ruth in the hope of some sympathy, but she just waved at him. Gale glanced around Helen, blowing a kiss in Hope's direction before the three men descended from the hut.

"You ladies have fun now, we'll see you later," Hugh called out, slamming the door dramatically.

Helen turned back to the group, hurrying back to her spot beside Tatty, "I honestly don't know how you've put up with Hugh for so long."

"I didn't have much choice," Hope laughed, turning back to the sewing machine, "He's my brother after all."

A few moments passed until another knock sounded at the door, and Helen marched back over with a groan, slinging it open to reveal John leaning on the doorframe.

"What is it?"

He peered around the woman, his eyes falling on Ruth. "Can I get a kiss?"

"You just got one!" she giggled, rising to her feet and approaching the door. "You're so needy."

Helen moved out of the doorway, chuckling as Ruth rose on her tiptoes and quickly kissed John before pushing him out the door with a wink. "See you later, hotshot!"

As the door closed in his face, John couldn't help but shake his head at Ruth, his heart racing at the mere sight of her. Buck clapped his shoulder and turned him toward the nearby mess hall where Hugh was a few feet ahead of them. "You gonna tell her tonight?"

"If Dye gets back in one piece, I will," Johnny nodded, scratching his mustache.

"He will."

…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…………………….

One Week Earlier: September 10: Thorpe Abbotts AAF Base

The mess hall was unusually quiet as John and Gale sat eating their breakfast, having missed the morning rush by sleeping in an extra hour. They both laid awake the night before, their minds unable to shut off after the events of John's party. Since they'd arrived, Bucky was silent, only speaking to thank the kitchen staff for his coffee.

Buck stared at him skeptically, taking in his slightly pursed lips and distant gaze that focused on the plate of eggs, bacon, and toast in front of him. "I can hear the gears turning from here, John. What is it?"

A few beats passed until he spoke up, his eyes remaining on his food. "Ruth."

"Hmm," Gale nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. "What about her?"

"Everything...I can't get her off my mind, Buck. I don't know what's going on."

'I do,' the younger man thought.

John shook his head with a sigh, his brow creasing as his conflicted gaze lifted from the table. "I can't explain it."

Gale put down his coffee cup and smiled softly at his friend. "I can...you love her."

"I don't know, Buck."

"What don't you know?" he asked as his brows furrowed. Gale saw the deep thought behind the Major's eyes and realized the confident and boisterous John Egan was nowhere in sight. This Bucky was unsure of himself, facing emotions he'd never felt before. Buck's voice softened as he continued. "What do you know?"

John raised a questioning brow and Gale leaned his elbows onto the table. "How do you feel around her?"

"I don't-" Bucky frustratedly groaned, sitting back into his seat. "I don't know how to explain it."

"Just try."

Every moment he shared with Ruth replayed like a film in John's mind as he tried to find the words to describe the way he felt.

"When I think about her," he finally began, a fond smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "It just...It just does somethin' to me, Buck, and can't think straight."

Gale listened intently, nodding along as John continued, his voice growing softer.

"And after last night, how she did all that for me? I've never met anyone like her." His brow creased in thought as he struggled to find his next words. "She's...she's-"

"Everything," Buck finished, Hope's smiling face forming in his mind.

Gale's words hung in the air for a few moments as the Majors thought of their beloved nurses.

Bucky nodded slowly, his gaze drifting to the window where the morning sun filtered through the glass, lighting up the mess hall in a golden glow. He took a deep breath as he finally came to terms with what he was feeling.

John Egan was in love.

"Yeah," he murmured, his deep voice rumbling in his chest. "She's everything."

A knowing grin painted Gale's face as he repeated his earlier statement. "You love her."

"That how you feel about Hope?"

"Yeah, it is."

As Buck's words settled over them, John felt a weight lift off his shoulders. It was as if hearing the words out loud made them easier to grasp, and he couldn't deny it any longer...he was in love with Ruth Morgan.

But even as the realization settled in, Bucky couldn't shake the uncertainty that lingered in the back of his mind. This was a new territory for him, uncharted skies that both excited and terrified him. He'd always prided himself on his wild heart, but now he found himself willingly surrendering to feelings he'd managed to avoid for so long.

"You know," Gale began, breaking the silence that had fallen over them. "You should tell her. It's pretty clear she feels the same way."

"We said we'd take it slow."

Cleven pushed his plate aside and leaned further over the table. "So? When have you ever been one to follow the rules?"

Finally, John's serious expression faded and he shook his head with a chuckle, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "And when have you ever encouraged me to break them?"

"Today," he shrugged. "But only cause you need an extra shove."

"Should I get used to this new Buck?"

"Don't count on it," Gale smirked as he sat back in his chair, taking a sip of his coffee.

…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…………………….

1900 HRS

The lively sound of Glenn Miller filled the Officer's Club as the band brought the hall to life. Couples jitterbugged and lindy-hopped across the dance floor, and happy conversation filled the air, including loud cackles and laughter from a table in the bar section where Hope and Ruth sat with their Majors. They were reminiscing about their time in San Angelo, Texas with the girls' under their arms and Hugh to the right of his sister.

Buck took a sip of his ginger beer with a raised brow. "Isn't that where you picked up that damned jacket?"

"Sure is," John replied and sucked his teeth. "My pride and joy."

"So that's where you got it," Ruth giggled, shaking her head.

"Well," he shrugged, holding a hand up defensively. "It was being discontinued, so I had no choice."

Sitting up in his chair across from them, Hugh let out something between a chuckle and a scoff. "It was a choice, alright."

Hope's eyes met Ruth's at the comment, waiting for a snarky comeback from the Major, but the blonde just patted John's chest consolingly before he could respond. "It was being discontinued for a reason, John. Have you seen that thing?"

"Thank you. It always looks dirty," Gale interjected as he smirked over at John. "Seems Ruth is on my side for this one, Bucky."

A giggle escaped Ruth's lips and she sheepishly looked up at Johnny to see him already staring down at her, a playful frown on his lips a few inches away. "Say it isn't true, Ruthie."

"Sorry, hotshot," she laughed, her eyes unable to resist flicking to his mouth at their close proximity. "Buck's right, hon, but know you're still my favorite Major."

John's frown faded and his lips curled into a mischievous grin as her laughter filled the air, and to his surprise, she leaned up and kissed him softly. Ruth pulled away after a moment with bright pink cheeks. The taste of her drink lingered on Bucky's lips as his gaze locked with hers, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

John forced himself to look away and took a sip of his pint before turning to Hope and pointing at her across the table. "And whaddya think, Hope? About my jacket? It's nice, right?"

The woman met Ruth's lovesick eyes and chuckled, shaking her head slightly. "It's not the worst thing I've seen, but I prefer Gale's."

Gale smiled smugly, pressing his lips firmly to her forehead, "That's my girl. Always knew you had good taste."

"Well, of course I do, I picked you didn't I?" She grinned at him, leaning up to press her lips to his, smiling into the kiss.

"Well that's right. You sure a lady with a good eye," Gale mused, nuzzling his nose into her neck.

"Gale," she chuckled, feeling his breath tickling against her collarbone, while her fingers carded through his tousled, blond locks.

"Gaaaale," John teased, dramatically drawing out the name with his eyes closed. "What kind of name is Gale, anyway?"

Hope's eyes widened in amusement as Gale groaned beside her, having heard the joke a million times before. "Well, what kind of a name is Bucky?" she asked, tilting her head with a sarcastic grin. "Now Buck I can get because he's a dashing young man, but Bucky? I don't know..."

The group burst into laughter and John tried to send the woman a dirty look, but he couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from curling into a smirk and joining in with them. Before long, he itched for a dance and stood to his feet, pulling Ruth toward the dance floor.

"I think it's time for a dance, Ruthie."

"Alright, I'm coming!" she giggled, sending Hope a wave as she tried to keep up with Bucky's long strides in her tight skirt.

Hope chuckled, taking a small sip from her ginger beer, her eyes following the couple as they took to the floor and 'Danny boy' began to play.

She swayed slowly in her chair, Gale's arm around her as she enjoyed the music.

Hugh slammed his glass down loudly against the wooden table, causing a few startled faces to look over at him.

"Well I've already finished my first glass, anyone else want another drink?" A chorus of 'yes please' followed. Hugh stood up, dragging Hope along with him, "Come on, you can help me bring them over."

Hope went to complain but he raised an eyebrow which meant he wanted to talk. She followed him, placing a quick kiss to Gale's cheeks that left him glancing longingly after her.

Hope leant against the bar, placing her now empty glass down next to Hugh's.

"So your dress is all finished then?" Hugh asked, passing Hope a glass of whiskey that she eyed suspiciously, "Don't worry, it's the good stuff." Hugh motioned to the hit flask in the top of his jacket pocket.

"You're unbelievable," she sighed, taking a sip and wincing as the amber liquid burned her throat.

"Hey, I'm not a big drinker, I drink socially and so I want it to be something I actually like," he cocked his eyebrow at her, but Hope just shrugged.

He had a point.

Their father had always been a heavy drinker and so Hope and Hugh had vowed they wouldn't be like him. They both drank but neither had been more than a little giggly rather than black out drunk.

"I can't imagine getting to 25 missions," Hugh admitted, leaning casually against the bar as he took in the scene.

Hope glanced up at him, waiting for the punchline that never came. "Don't say that. Don't ever say that, Hugh. You're on 21 missions now. There's no reason you won't get those other 4, and then you'll be back to the States. You'll have the life of luxury selling war bonds with a girl on each arm."

Hugh smirked, chuckling as he took another sip of his whiskey, "We'll see. It's a miracle any of us make it to 25 missions. Hell, even you got hit. I don't know what I'd have done if..." Hugh gulped, turning back towards the bar, but Hope wasn't about to let him shut her out.

"But I didn't, alright. You can't get rid of me that easily, okay. We're Hope and Hugh remember, always."

Hugh nodded, throwing his arms around his younger sisters and pulling her close to his chest, "I don't know what I'd do without you, Little Bird."

"Well it's a good job you'll never have to find out."

Hugh pulled away, looking down with a small smirk, "You know there's a big empty stage up there waiting to be filled. How about you and me, in say half an hour?"

Hope couldn't resist, nodding excitedly, "You've got a deal."

"Alright!" Hugh shouted a little too loudly, ignoring all the eyes that fell upon him. "Let's give 'em something to remember."

The arm draping around Hope's shoulder made her jump until her fiancé smiled down at her. His blue eyes seemingly bluer than ever as he gazed at her, a soft smile on his lips.

"What are you two planning?" He raised an eyebrow, looking between the two siblings like a father questioning his unruly children.

"Us!"

"Plotting!"

"Never!" They spoke the last part in unison, shaking a horrified look that Gale could suggest such a thing.

He sighed, chuckling under his breath, "Alright Armstrong's keep your secrets, but could I borrow my fiancée for just a moment?"

Hugh sighed jokingly, relinquishing the hold her had on his sister's arm and pushing her lightly towards Gale who only pulled her closer, pressing his lips soothingly to her forehead. She smiled into the kiss, his arms wrapping around her made her feel like they were the only two people in the room.

Gale led her over to the door and she went out into the evening, the warm summers air greeting her pleasantly. His hands remained firmly on her hips so he could spin her around, grinning when she came to face him.

"I have something to tell you," he spoke seriously, but his was probably the most serious she'd ever seen Gale. Even when he'd asked her to marry him he'd seemed less serious.

Hope's face fell and she reached up to cup his cheek, rubbing her thumb gently over the rough stubble. "Whatever it is you can tell me. Everything will be okay."

Gale nodded, his hands coming to rest on her own cheeks, "I don't want you to be mad or upset but I wrote a letter to your parents."

Hope swallowed hard. The image of her parents receiving a letter from the fiancé they had never met and somehow seemed to despise nearly brought her to tears.

Gale's heart instantly shattered at the desperate look on his girl's face, chewing her lips anxiously.

"Hope, I asked for their blessing and they said yes. I explained how much you meant to me, how I'd do anything for you and that I want to marry you. I want to make it official and make an honest woman of you."

Hope chuckled at the honest woman part, she wasn't sure her parents would have approved of their recent night together, but what they don't know can't hurt them.

"I love you, Hope," he admitted, looking down at her like he was saying those words for the first time. His hands found their way around her back, running up and down her spine, making her shiver.

"Here," he removed his jacket, wrapping it around her shoulders. "It looks good on you."

Hope blushed, stepping forward to clutch his shirt, "What did I ever do to deserve you?"

"Well, maybe it's because you're the most amazing woman I've ever met, and I can't believe you're mine." He pulled Hope away, twirling her around before her back came to rest against his chest, swaying to the music that drifted through the open doors to the hall.

"I can't wait to become Mrs Cleven," Hope admitted, enjoying the feeling of Gale's hand curling tighter around her. He hummed softly, planting a soft kiss to her temple. Hope wondered how long they could get away with staying outside before someone missed them.

Her question was quickly answered when none other than John Egan's wild face appeared in the doorway, "Hey Lovebirds, hurry up you're missing the party!"

Gale groaned, burying his head into Hope's hair, "Five more minutes!"

Hope chuckled, catching hold of Gale's hand, "Come on Cleven, you owe me a dance."

For someone who didn't like dancing, Gale wasn't half bad. He easily led Hope around the floor, his right hand resting firmly on her hip and the left clasping her own.

His eyes never left hers and they swept around the floor as if they were the only ones in the room.

"I finished my wedding dress today," Hope spoke softly, just loud so Gale could hear her, a gentle smile on his lips.

"Oh really," he mused, spinning her around until she came back into his embrace. She nodded happily as Gale pressed his lips against her forehead. "I can't wait to see you in it," he kissed her again, "and out of it..."

Hope blushed, hiding her head against his chest. She was surprised by his forwardness, but then again they were going to be married in less than a month and then she would have him all to herself.

The song drew to a close but Gale's arms remained firmly around her.

"Gale?" Hope reached up, cupping his cheek, her thumb running along his sharp jawline. "What's wrong?"

Gale shook his head, "Nothing, nothing's wrong, Love." He tried to pull away but Hope pulled him back.

"Gale, please."

His cobalt eyes grew stormy as a melancholy smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, "I try to tell myself that every time you go up you'll come back, that you'll always come back to me..." Gale sighed, rubbing his hand over his chin.

"I can't lose you, Hope. I love you and..."

"Where is this coming from, Gale? Don't think like this, alright? I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere. In a few short weeks I'm going to walk down the aisle and become Mrs Cleven," she pulled him down to her, brushing her lips briefly against his. "Then we'll go on our little honeymoon to London where we can spend all day together... in bed.., making love..."

Gale cut her off, pressing his lips firmly to hers, "You'll be the death of me, Mrs Cleven."

"Oh no, you're not going anywhere, Major. Not a chance."

The couple laughed, kissing once more as they suddenly came to the realisation that another song had started playing and couples had already begun to dance around them.

Gale chuckled, linking his arm through Hope's and leading her back to the table where most of the others were still seated.

Harry was throwing peanuts across the table into Hugh's mouth, laughing hysterically as Hugh caught another one. John and Ruth amusedly watched them for a moment until Hope spoke up.

"I leave you two alone for all of five minutes and you wreak havoc," Hope tutted, patting Harry on the head like a small child. "If you choke on all those nuts Hugh, I swear to God..."

"Alright mother," Hugh laughed, throwing one of the nuts at his sister.

Hope and Gale took their seats beside Harry, settling easily beside each other, Gale's hand draping lazily around her shoulder.The six of them fell into easy conversation, and soon, the table became more crowded when Veal, Crank, Brady, Blakely, and a few other airmen joined the group. Laughter and wisps of cigarette smoke filled the air as the men and the two nurses unwound, enjoying the company of friends.

Gale's free hand moved to rest against Hope's thigh and she shuffled closer into his side, enjoying the chance to relax amongst their friends. This one was about a failed exercise where several forts experienced 'equipment malfunctions' and 'discrepancies' that forced them to land in or near the hometowns of family and girlfriends.

Crank grinned, shaking his head. "Yeah, the Hundredth almost got canned after that."

"And I got demoted for the first time," John chimed in as he thought about just how many times he'd changed commands over his time with the 100th.

Eyes widening in surprise, Ruth playfully smacked his chest. "For the first time? I thought you getting demoted back to Squadron CO only happened once?"

"It would've been three times if LeMay would have found him or Buck that day he came to base," Kidd added.

Nudging him with her shoulder, Hope smirked at him. "And what about you, Gale?"

Gale shrugged as he hid a smirk behind his glass of ginger beer. "I don't know why LeMay thought both of us were responsible for the 'raunchy discipline' on base."

"So you're sayin' it was just me?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying."

"I mean," Benny said, trying to hold in a laugh as he rubbed Meatball's head affectionately. "I don't think I've ever seen Buck tear up a bar with a narwhal tusk."

Laughter erupted like a sudden burst of fireworks around the table, echoing around the lively room and drowning out the music.

Narrowing his eyes at them, John pointed around the table.  "Technically, none of you dodos saw any of that!"

"We didn't have to. We saw the aftermath," Brady called out through his chuckles.

After a few moments, the laughter died down, and the large group broke into smaller conversations. Hugh nudged Hope's arm, distracting her enough for him to pull her away from Gale, who's hand was resting on her chair.

"Shall we do it then?"

She grinned back at him, nodding enthusiastically.

How could she say no to Hugh and his troublesome ways?

It had always been the two of them, even as kids she'd gone along with his plans.

She glanced back at Gale, noticing that he was still deep in conversation with Demarco, his eyes trained on the pilot in front of him as Hope disappeared into the crowd.

Hugh had been begging her to sing with him at a party ever since she'd got on stage and sang with John. 'It will be like old times,' he'd promised, recalling the many times they'd sung at friends' birthday parties or family gatherings while growing up.

They weaved through the many bodies that filled the hall, making it rather warm and clammy in a claustrophobic sense. Hugh stopped occasionally to greet someone he knew. Helen and Tatty were sitting at one of the tables they passed and Hope winked at them, encouraging their gossip as they watched in confusion as the siblings continued towards the stage.

Hugh hopped up with ease, turning to help Hope as she struggled with the tight pencil skirt of her dress uniform. She had to try and keep some modesty, and she managed to step up with as much grace as she could muster.

The two microphones stood center stage, which Hope began to wonder whether this was Hugh's doing. Had he really planned this all ahead of tonight?

Hugh stood at the back of the stage, sharing a few hushed words with the band, before passing over a few notes. The conductor nodded, turning to pass on the request to the rest of the band who were sitting there in utter horror, as the two siblings took their places.

Hope wondered if they thought they were about to relieve the night of her first party at Thorpe Abbotts where she'd sung with John. At least she knew that Hugh was a lot better singer, not that she'd ever hurt John's feelings by telling him that. Then again, knowing Hugh and his theatrics anything could happen.

This really could go one of two ways.

Hope's eyes scanned the crowd, noticing that Gale was still deep in conversation and oblivious to her disappearance, his hand still resting on the back of her now empty chair. She wondered if he'd notice soon and look around to check on her. She knew he didn't mean to ignore her, too engrossed in whatever DeMarco was telling him, but she also knew that when he realised he'd apologise profusely later, which made her smile even more.

The band thrummed to life, music springing out across the room in a less-than-subtle fashion that had all heads turning towards the siblings. Ruth was pointing at them as she whispered something in John's ear, while Gale did a double take, glancing back at the empty chair in confusion.

Hugh took his place in front of the microphone, encouraging Hope to do the same as he pressed his lips near the cool metal grille.

Hope felt the music flowing up through the stage and through her body. She often wondered that if she hadn't become a nurse then maybe she would have been a singer. Somehow performing for the troops in USO clubs just didn't have the same appeal as nursing.

"One of our planes was missing, two hours overdue.

Yes, one of our planes was missing with all its gallant crew

The radio sets were hummin', they wait for their word

Then a voice broke through that hummin'

And this is what they heard"

The song, rather aptly chosen by Hugh for Dye's 25th mission, began to flow easily. Hugh joined in, belting out

"Comin' in on a wing and a prayer"

The crowd began to join in, all turning to face Dye who's cheeks were growing redder by the minute as he stood beside Lil, trying to shield his face.

"What a show (What a show)

What a fight (What a fight)"

Hope was pleasantly surprised by their harmonisations, all things considered they hadn't properly sung together in years, and yet Hugh was keeping time with her like it was only yesterday.

The instrumental section began to play and Hugh took her arm, spinning her around in quick concession. The room blurred around her, bright colours flashing into one, and yet she could still make out Gale. He hadn't moved from his spot, bright, blue eyes never leaving hers, his lips pulling upwards into a warm smile.

Hugh's firm grip on her hips was the only thing preventing her from becoming airborne as he spun her again. She felt a little like a ragdoll, and only hoped that she looked as though she was keeping up with her brother.

The song came to life again and Hope was back on the microphone, tapping along without missing a beat. Hugh grinned widely at her. It was lovely to see Hugh so carefree, despite his wild antics he always had worry lines streaking his forehead but now his face was smooth, he looked ten years younger.

As the tempo slowed and the song came to an end Hugh wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her hard, "Thank you, Hope."

"For what?" She pulled back, watching his face worriedly for any sign that he was going to give away what was eating away at him.

Hugh shook his head, "For being here," he laughed, returning to his normal jolly personality. He grasped her hand, pulling her down from the stage. Hope hopped down the best she could, ignoring the small ripping noise her skirt made, that would be a problem for later. Hugh had a little skip in his step but Hope couldn't help the anxious feeling that grew inside her.

Hugh threw himself down into his chair, downing the last of his whiskey, while Hope took her seat beside Gale, his face still in awe and his lips turned upwards into the largest smile.

"Have I ever told you how amazing you are?" He mumbled softly, kissing her cheek, letting the rough stubble on his chin graze against Hope's cheek.

She squirmed, laughing lightly, "Oh only about every hour that I'm on base and in every letter."

"Good," he mused, kissing her cheek once more, "Because you're the most amazing woman I've ever met..." Gale was broken off by John's loud declaration.

"What the hell was that, Sparky?" John asked with a mischievous grin, his eyebrows raised at Hugh.

Scoffing as he settled into his chair, the lieutenant rolled his eyes. "I sounded a helluva lot better than you ever have..Isn't that right, Croz?"

Harry's expression dropped, his eyes widening nervously as he darted glances between Hugh and his Squadron CO, who sported a smirk and an eyebrow raised expectantly. "Uhhhhh..."

Ruth was in the middle of sipping her when the comment left Hugh's lips, and she choked on the liquid, her hand flying to cover her mouth as she coughed, trying to regain her composure. Immediately, John's hand on her chair moved to rub her back as he ducked to check on her, the rest of the table turning their attention to the pair. Before he could speak, she waved him off with a sheepish smile, finally managing to swallow.

"Sorry about that," she rasped, wiping at her eyes. "I'm alright...please continue."

Looking around the group, Ruth met Hope's concerned gaze and sent her a teary grin, her pale face splotchy as she caught her breath.

"Where was I?"

Bubbles chuckled under his breath before sending Hugh a smirk. "You were complimenting Bucky's singing abilities."

"Right! I-"

"Everyone look here!"

A flash of light momentarily blinded the group as Captain John Schwarz, the 100th's photographer, stepped forward with his camera in hand.

"Alright, everyone, let's get a good one!" he called out cheerfully, adjusting the settings on his camera.

The group quickly turned toward him, Hope beamed up at the photographer, enjoying the feeling of Gale pulling her closer into his chest. Hugh sat beside her, his hand resting against her shoulder and he gave it a light, reassuring squeeze.

With the click of the camera, the photographer took the picture, but before he could step back, John called out to him with a grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Hey, Schwarz. Mind getting a picture of just the two of us?"

He nodded enthusiastically, adjusting the camera to focus on the couple. Bucky flashed a charming smile as he reached over and gently tugged Ruth from her chair into his lap.

"Hey!" she protested playfully, her cheeks flushing pink as John wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her close.

Hope chuckled, watching her friends' antics when Gale mumbled, "Should we get a photo too? The photo I have of you is getting a little worn around the edges."

Hope nodded, placing a small kiss on his lips, "Well, you gotta stop looking at it."

"I try, you're just too damn beautiful." He kissed her again, this time a little harder, his right hand weaving into her hair, while his left cupped her cheek. For a moment Hope forgot where they were until Hugh elbowed her in the ribs.

"Hey, Clevens keep it in your pants there are children present," he pointed at Harry who was blushing furiously, trying to avoid eye contact with the couple.

Hope sniggered, leaning over the best she could with Gale's hands gripping her waist, "Sorry Croz."

The navigator gave a curt nod, turning back to see what Captain Schwarz was doing.

"That reminds me, did you get through all those condoms Frank gave you?" Hugh leant back on his chair, a cheeky grin on his face.

Hope leant over smacking her brother hard on the chest, causing her palm to sting. Before she could retort the comment Gale chinned in.

"Don't worry, Hugh, we put them to good use."

Hugh remained silent, looking between Gale and Hope with a deadpan expression. Hope's cheeks grew redder but Gale's lips turned up into a triumphant grin. He'd left Hugh speechless.

Gale laughed softly, peaked over at John and Ruth, who were in a tight embrace, lips sealed in a kiss.

"Alright, lovebirds. That's enough," Gale grinned, repeating Bucky's words from a few minutes before. A bright blush spread across Ruth's cheeks and Hope knew she'd tease her about it later.

The photographer moved around the table, snapping a photo of Demarco and Meatball, Hugh with poor Harry in a headlock, until he moved around to Hope and Gale.

Gale stood up, leading Hope slightly away from the table, wrapping his arms around her from behind and kissing her temple. Hope grinned widely at the photographer. She realised that the next time they'd have a photo like this would be their wedding day. The image of her silk dress hanging in the Red Cross hut only made her smile wider. She was excited for her wedding, but she was even more excited for four uninterrupted days with the man she loved in London. It would be the longest amount of time they'd spent together in concession and she couldn't wait.

Gale felt his heartbeat quicken as Hope leant against his chest. He couldn't believe his luck. The woman in his arms was going to become his wife in a few short weeks. He wasn't sure what he'd done to deserve such an incredible woman but he promised himself that he'd tell her how wonderful she was every day for as long as he was able to.

He smoothed her brown locks away from her neck, pressing a firm kiss to her cheek.

"I love you," he mumbled under his breath, enjoying the light pink dusting that grew over Hope's nose.

"I love you too."

Hugh appeared beside the Captain, mumbling something under his breath before moving over to the couple.

"Could I please borrow my sister, Cleven?"

Gale looked a little forlorn as he released Hope from his embrace, and stepped back towards the table.

Hugh pulled his sister into his side, a bright smile on his lips, his eyes shining as the photographer snapped the photo.

"I'll have to send it to Ma and Pa with my next letter, they'd love it," Hugh smiled thoughtfully.

"Yeah, I think they would," Hope added, realising that it had been a while since her last letter home. She decided to write one as soon as they were back to The Grove, and might even slip a picture of her and Gale in too.

Back at the table, Hope slipped into her seat beside Gale, his strong cologne filling her nostrils and she instantly felt at ease. His arm came around to drape over her shoulder as they resumed their previous positions. Ruth sent her a bright smile from her position on John's lap, and soon the group's conversation picked back up, laughter filling the air once more.  This continued for a little while longer, but when Dye made his way over with Lil under his arm, there was a shift in the air.

It was almost unnoticeable at first.

Ruth chuckled under her breath, watching John take a drag of his cigarette and point to Dye as he neared the table. "There's our very own Charlie Robertson!"

"Charlie? Who's Charlie?" Lil asked, trailing behind Glen and smiling at John as she passed him on his way back to Ruth.

"Not me," Hugh snickered, sipping his whiskey with a grimace, it wasn't as good as the VAT-69. In his footlocker sat an unopened bottle of VAT-69 he was saving for his own 25th mission.

No one else thought anything was wrong with the alcohol, but Hugh just had his particular taste and he stuck to that.

"1922. White Sox at Tigers. No runs, no hits, no errors," John answered, his hand gesturing in the air with each word before sinking into the chair beside Ruth. He kissed her on the cheek quickly, scooting his seat closer to her until their shoulders touched and she wrapped her arm around his bicep, whispering into his ear.

"He threw the last perfect game, right?"

"Sure did,"  he grinned, shooting her a wink. "Way to go, Slugger."

Benny nodded from beside Hope and Gale, not having heard the blonde. "Yeah, he's the last guy to throw a perfect game."

"Til' now!"

"You get to go home before Florida?" Jack asked, and Hope turned to Gale, nuzzling her head into the crook of his neck.

"You're nearly at your 25 missions," she mused, running her fingers absentmindedly up and down his thigh. Gale nodded slowly, pressing a small kiss against the top of her head, mumbling a yes.

He'd barely thought about his 25 missions if he was being honest. His main concern was to survive each mission and to get back to Hope in one piece. The thought of completing his 25 missions and being shipped back to the States to sell war bonds, and leaving Hope behind filled him with anxiety. He'd be leaving his wife in a war zone while he'd have a comfortable life back home.

Hope's thumb brushing across his cheek drew him back to reality.

"What's on your mind?" She asked, her eyes filled with concern and he instantly moved forward to kiss her, his lips pressing softly against her own. He could feel the tension in her shoulders dissipate and she relaxed into his arms. The warmth of his touch enveloped her and brought on a fuzzy feeling inside her.

"Nothing, Sugar," he mumbled, burying his head into her hair and healing deeply, enjoying the fragrance of her perfume.

She chuckled, reaching up to push his head away so she could face him, "Talk to me, Gale."

He sighed, leaning back in his chair and moving around so he sat directly in front of her, "I was just thinking about my 25th mission."

Hope could see the sadness filling his blue eyes, glistening slightly with unshed tears. "Gale..." she pressed her lips against his forehead, ignoring the fact that she left a red lipstick stain, cradling him close.

"You're gonna make it to your 25th, I know you will."

"But what about you?" He mumbled, clutching her hands in his lap.

"Well I'll be here, doing my job until the allies win and then I'll come back to the States to be with you."

Gale sighed, "But why should I be back home safe when the love of my life is still in danger? It's not fair, Hope. I want to be here with you. I've been thinking about staying on after my 25 missions, maybe get a promotion so I can stay here with you."

Hope shook her head, "No Gale, you get that chance to go home you take it, okay? You promise me you'll take it. My job will be a whole lot easier when I know you're safe." She bit her lip, chewing at the red lipstick as she waited for him to reply.

Gale was torn, he hated seeing Hope so torn up, the unshed tears in her dark eyes tugging at his heart strings. "All right," he replied, pressing his lips to hers once more. He wasn't sure whether he could keep his promise, but for now she let out a sigh of relief.

"We're all that's left, aren't we?"

Hope and Gale suddenly became all too aware of the conversation going on around them. Hope glanced around the table at the other airmen, all wearing the same downtrodden and exhausted expression. Harry Crosby, but his quivering lip nervously, as if he could cry at any moment. Hugh's eyes were downcast and he picked anxiously at the cuff of his uniform.

Hope's wandering eyes met Ruth's across the table, and she sent her a weary frown at the way the lively men quieted, each lost in their thoughts.

Blakely spoke first, breaking the silence that fell over the group "12 crews out of-"

"35 that flew in from Greenland," Crank finished.

With his lips in a tight line, Bucky nodded solemnly. "That's right."

Ruth reached out, her free hand finding John's atop his chair's armrest, squeezing it gently. He didn't meet her gaze, but she felt him deflate slightly beside her just before Gale began to speak.

"We're just happy for you, Dye."

"That's right. We are," John added, his voice deepening as he raised his glass. "Very happy for you. Very happy."

Glen held out his drink to the group. "And to all the fellas that aren't here tonight, who should've been."

The table broke out into quiet mumbles of agreement as they all lifted their glasses in a toast before tipping them back. Hope took a long swig from her ginger beer, as Gale took a sip from his own. Everyone's faces remained somber as they drank and a few seconds later Dye's voice filled the air.

"Gentlemen...and ladies, I'm gonna go check on the boys, make sure they aren't celebrating too hard without me."

As he walked away with Lil tugged against his side, John's eyes followed them and he pointed in their direction, muttering, "Charlie Robertson," under his breath.

The jovial atmosphere from before shattered as the group remained quiet despite the raging party around them.

Gale pulled Hope closer, his left hand clasped in her on her lap, his finger running over the engagement ring adoring her finger. It was a constant reminder of their hope for the future, of their lives together, of their love. It was all he needed to keep him going despite the horrific odds.

Hope reached over, squeezing Hugh's hand to which he sent her a small smile in return.

Hugh's heart had sunk as he realised how truly lucky he was to still be here, with his sister and his friends, when so many were not. Gale looked lovingly down at Hope and the pair shared a small kiss. Hugh couldn't have been happier for them, truly, but his heart ached for a love like theirs. His arms remained empty, and despite all the women he'd flirted with and kissed none had ever been love. The realisation that if he went down no one would mourn him other than his sister. He'd never know true love.

Hope could sense the tension in the room, each man lost in his own thoughts. Glancing around the table it became abundantly clear of all the men she had met on base when they had first come to Thorpe Abbott who were no longer here.

"I'm, uh, gonna get another drink. I'll be back," John announced quickly, rising from his chair and turning toward the bar. Ruth's worried eyes followed him before she glanced back at Hope.

Gale watched him go with a pang of concern and kissed Hope on the temple, promising his return before he got up and followed after his friend. The women shared a knowing look as they watched the men they loved disappear into the crowd. Seemingly following their Majors, the rest of the men got up and trailed after them a few minutes later, leaving Hope and Ruth alone at the table.

"I'm worried," Ruth muttered, chewing her bottom lip nervously. "What happens if John or Gale don't make it back one-"

Hope cut her off quickly and moved to sit beside her.  "Hey. They're going to be fine, Rue. Before long, we're gonna be celebrating their 25th mission, alright?"

"Alright," she whispered as her gaze fell to the table.

The dance floor cleared over the next few minutes, and just a few couples remained dancing. In the middle of the floor was Helen, wrapped up in the arms of an airman they'd never seen before. Wide grins grew on their faces as they watched her place a few kisses against the dark-headed stranger's jawline. Over his shoulder, Helen's eyes wandered to the two women sitting alone, and Ruth smiled, giving her a thumbs up as Hope winked at her.

Feeling someone's gaze on her, Hope scanned the room, meeting the familiar but concerned blues of Gale across the room from where he leaned against the bar beside John. They talked to yet another new airman the girls had never met, but even she could see the grimace on Bucky's face as he leaned closer to the man, gesturing his hands out.

She glanced over at Ruth who thankfully was too busy tidying up the mess the men left before returning her eyes to her fiancée. In the few seconds she'd looked away, the replacement airman disappeared, and the two Majors stood alone.

"Come on, Rue. Let's rejoin the party, shall we?" Hope asked, rising to her feet and offering Ruth her hand with a forced smile.

She knew something was up with John. She could tell by Buck's body language alone.

The blonde took her hand, allowing Hope to lead them towards the men. But just as they passed Helen and the dancing soldier, Colonel Harding and Major Bowman stepped through the doors and sauntered over the bar, a fat cigar hanging from Chick's lips.

"My boys!"

Not wanting to interrupt, the women stood on the outskirts of the group, moving to stand beside Tatty, even though both Buck and Johnny sent them a questioning look. Ruth scanned Bucky's face, but her smile fell when she immediately noticed the line between his brows and the muscle twitching in his jaw.

"Listen up! I just had a mood-killing conversation with Doc Stover. He thinks you sissies could be getting flack happy."

"No, not us, sir," the airmen chorused.

"I told him war is war. The longer you go at it, the more it screws a man up. And it's been that way since the first caveman son of a bitch picked up a club and went after the other. Did cavemen go for head-shrinking?"

As the men shook their heads, Ruth and Hope shared a wary glance.

Where was this going?

"No! Damn sure not! What counts is that you soldiers show up ready and able to fight! What you do between battles..." Harding trailed off with a chuckle, smirking as he took a drag of his cigar.

Hope watched as Buck remained stoic, no reaction on his face, but John looked over at Ruth, sending her a wink. "I like your style, sir!"

For the first time, Bucky's wink didn't make her heart skip a beat...it made it drop into her stomach. His grin was so clearly forced that her mind went haywire, and he was the only thing she could focus on. Sensing the blonde finally picked up on John's demeanor, Hope silently intertwined their hands, squeezing Ruth's reassuringly.

Red broke his silence, shaking his head slightly as he spoke. "Aerial combat like this hasn't been around since the caveman, sir."

"Of course not, Red. Every war has its novelties," Harding dismissed the Major, turning to look at the dance hall. A split second later, his demeanor changed, and his voice grew serious. "Who the hell decorated this fiesta?"

Everyone looked around the group before Jack hesitantly spoke. "I put together a committee, sir."

Craning their heads to see around the Colonel, the women confusedly searched the hall for what he possibly could be upset about, but had no such luck.

"That damned plane looks like it's in a nosedive."

The sound of chuckles filled the air as John grinned over at Ruth. "Fire 'em. Fire the committee...Ruth can decorate next time."

She did her best to smile back at him, but it was just as forced as the grin that hung on his lips.

"I won't bother next time," Kidd muttered.

Harding seemed to move on and faced the men again, waving them all closer. "Come on, get in. Come here. Got something to tell 'ya."

Hope and Ruth stepped forward, watching the Colonel over Tatty's shoulder, their eyes moving between their Majors and the CO.

"You know how we could end this whole thing tonight?" Chick asked, his face scrunched into a half-grimace as he leaned into the group. "We fill up one of our forts with as many 500-pounders as she can hold, we bomb the hell out of Hitler's hidey-hole."

The grin on Johnny's face fell, and his tilted his face to the floor with slightly pursed lips for a moment before returning his gaze to Harding. His forced smiles and strained banter only added to the underlying tension in the room. Ruth's fingers tightened around Hope's hand, seeking reassurance as Chick continued.

"I'm sure Red and Bubbles could locate that mustachioed little fucker."

Bubbles grinned proudly. "Yes, sir."

"Well, now who's flack happy?"

The second the words left John's mouth, Ruth's heart plummeted, and a knot formed in the pit of her stomach. She held her breath waiting for what would happen next.

What happened in the last ten minutes to change his attitude completely?

All the officer's went silent, shooting each other worried looks while Bucky and Harding stared at each other.

"Who?"

"You are," John nodded, his expression bearing no trace of any amusement.

Harding smirked, "You are."

"No, you are," Egan leaned forward, thwacking Harding's chest with his hand. "Sir."

The next few seconds seemed to stretch on for hours as the atmosphere became even more tense and the room seemed to hold its breath. Gale quickly glanced over at Hope, his eyes filled with concern, much like the rest of the officers. The blonde beside her didn't notice Buck, unable to tear her eyes away from John, who looked like he was teetering on the edge of an outburst.

The Major and the Colonel stared at each other until a smirk broke out on Chick's face and he chuckled, the rest of the group following suit when the tension eased.

"Mmm, Single fillies. Come on, boys. Let's get the lead out!" Harding smirked, taking a drag from his cigar and left the party with Red trailing behind him.

The officers dispersed out onto the dance floor, leaving John, Gale, Hope, Ruth, and Benny at the bar.

Gale turned to catch Hope's eye, his face saying 'hold on while I talk to him'. Hope nodded in agreement, catching Ruth's arm and leading her away from their men.

"What about John?" Ruth looked hastily over her shoulder for him, but Hope pulled her on.

"Gale's going to talk to him, it will be okay, Ruth. They've been through a lot, remember? It's bound to catch up with them all at some point and we just need to be here to help them if they fall." Hope led her back to the table, sitting her down and placing the glass of ginger beer in front of her.

Hope hated watching Ruth's worried eyes keep darting back towards the boys but she knew that her own eyes kept drifting back to Gale's. If this evening had taught her anything it was that life was more precious than they could ever realise and each moment should be cherished.

They needed a distraction from their anxieties, and Hope blurted the first story that came to mind.

"Hey Rue, do you remember that day when you were new to the Grove and you walked in on Frank naked?"

Ruth's cheeks immediately heated up as she buried her head, "How could I forget? I'd only known the man for three days."

Hope laughed too, "Well it could be worse. On my first day on base he nearly ran me over with a jeep. That was before he realised I was on his plane. He bought me a beer that same evening to apologies."

Ruth laughed, imagining a young Hope giving Frank hell for trying to run her down.

"We had a medical technician on our plane with us back then. Joseph was his name. He was a right pretty boy, thought he was the bee's knees but I soon told him otherwise."

Ruth chuckled, knowing that Hope probably gave the poor boy hell. It was strange thinking back to when they first came to the Grove, the airbase that had quickly become their home and safe haven.

"It seems like a lifetime ago that I met you, Hope.I thought you hated me at first."

"Oh, I didn't hate you...I just thought you weren't going to make it," Hope replied honestly, feeling slightly guilty about how she'd misjudged her best friend. "You soon proved me wrong though, Rue. You're a good nurse."

Hope looked up as Gale approached them, smiling brightly at her while John still stood near the bar looking quite somber. Ruth stood up, quickly excusing herself as she made her way over to the bar, resting her hand against John's arm as she spoke softly before they retreated outside.

"Is he gonna be okay?" Hope asked, worried for what Ruth would have to face next. She knew John would never hurt her purposefully but she also knew he had a short fuse and could say something that would break her heart.

"When have you ever known John not to be okay," Gale chuckled, "I got him a pass to London for a few days and he's gonna ask Ruth to go with him."

Gale leant a little closer to Hope, "Which means that we could have some alone time..."

"I like your thinking, Major," Hope grinned, walking her fingers up to his chin where she tilted his head down and brought their lips together. Gale's hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her close and beginning to sway to the music, while their lips remained together.

The beat from the band quickened as 'Blue Skies' came into full swing.

"Hey, it's John's song," Hope laughed, and Gale just groaned, hiding his head in the crook of her neck for a moment before replying.

"But you sing it so much better than he does."

Hope hummed in agreement, resting her head against Gale's chest, her eyes half closed as he led her with ease around the floor.

Gale's eyes shot up when he noticed Ruth hurrying through the dancing couples, heading straight for the bathroom at the end of the hall. Her blonde locks covered most of her face as she shielded herself from view, but Gale caught sight of her cheeks, red and blotchy which only ever happened when she cried.

Soon after she disappeared, John came into view. He hesitated where he stood in the middle of the club, lost and unsure of what to do next. Gale watched his best friend as he seemed to debate his options. Whatever had just gone down between the couple must have been serious.

Frustratingly running a hand over his mouth, John caught sight of Gale on the dance floor where he swayed slowly with Hope. Gale's brow furrowed in confusion as he glanced in the direction Ruth had gone over Hope's shoulder. With a nod of his head, he silently urged Johnny to go after her. It was the push that he needed to make a decision, and John quickly disappeared in the direction Ruth had vanished.

Gale felt his shoulders sag as the tension began to lift, whatever was going on with Ruth and John he was sure they'd work it out, he just didn't want to worry Hope about it on one of her rare evenings off.

A cold object on her leg caused Hope to jump, leaping forward into Gale's arms. He stumbled back, laughing heartily as Meatball sat beside them.

"Goddammit Meatball! I nearly had a heart attack," Hope scolded, reaching down to scratch the dog's head.

"You didn't mean it did you, Meatball," Gale scooped down, lifting the large husky into his arms, he snorted, turning his head to avoid the husky's large tongue lapping across his face.

"Fancy a dance Meatball?" Gale began to sway across the floor, the large dog sitting comfortably in his arms. Hope watched in awe as he spun slowly around the floor. He was oblivious to the strange glances he got from the other couples on the floor. Hope wondered if he'd dance with their children like that. She could see him now, clutching a small child in his arms as he swayed around the floor with them.

Gale's eyes met hers across the floor and he smiled cheerfully at her, as he made his way back over to her, placing Meatball back on the floor. She'd headed back to Demarco who was still at the bar and Gale took Hope into his arms.

"I love you, Gale Cleven," Hope declared. She'd been so nervous to tell him how she felt to begin with and now it was second nature to love him. How could anyone not love Gale? She was just so grateful that he loved her back.

"I love you too, Hope, always," he brushed a few loose strands of hair from her face, running his thumb over her cheek bone.

"When's your next mission?" Hope asked, playing with Gale's fingers as she asked the nerve wracking question.

"I don't know yet," Gale admitted, "Although 'Our Baby' is already so whenever the light goes on we'll be off."

Hope nodded sadly, regretting asking the question that she always feared the answer to. She knew that there was always a risk and yet somehow a mission before their wedding just seemed so ominous.

"Hey," Gale tugged on her hand, "Come with me."

She followed him obediently through the kitchen and out of the side door into the cool night air once more. Gale's hand remained firmly on her waist as he led her over to a bench situated on the grass.

Hope hopped up onto the bench while Gale sat on the seat below, his hand running up and down her bare thigh soothingly, until it brushed against her scar. Hope jumped with a gasp, shoving Gale's hand away.

"Hope? Are you alright, Sugar?" Gale's blue eyes swam with concern as he reached out again to his fiancée, this time his hand came to rest on her thigh covered by her dress. "Does it still hurt?"

Hope shook her head, tears slipping from the corners of her eyes as she tried to contain the emotions that threatened to bubble over.

"Then what's wrong, Sweetheart? You know you can talk to me about anything? We're in this together," Gale pleaded, moving so he could sit directly in front of her, both his hands now resting on her thighs.

Hope exhaled slowly, letting out the breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding, a breath that she'd been holding ever since the accident. "I haven't been sleeping well," she began slowly, her hands coming down to clutch Gale's. "Every time I close my eyes I relive the accident again and again. I just can't seem to move past it and..."

The desperate sob escaped her lips and Gale immediately jumped into action, climbing onto the bench beside her and clutching her close as she began to bawl into his dress uniform. Her body felt so small and frail in his arms and as her shoulders shook violently, Gale thought each one might break her.

"I just can't take it anymore."

That was the final straw, he enveloped her now, his whole body surrounding her, holding her close, comforting her. His own silent tears began to slip down his cheeks as the woman he loved broke before his eyes, and there was nothing he could do to help her. Gale moved his arm to rub small circles up and down her back, soothing patterns that eventually helped her breathing to calm.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, wiping her hand across her cheeks, trying to avoid smudging her makeup that she'd so lovingly applied that afternoon.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Sugar. Nothing at all, alright? I've got you now and I'm never gonna let anything bad happen to you, I swear," Gale placed his index finger under her chin, tilting her head towards him so he could press a gentle kiss against her lips. Their mouths molded together easily and Hope soon found herself slipping her tongue into Gale's mouth, fighting against his own tongue for dominance, while his hands roamed over her curves.

They both pulled away, a little breathless but with wide smiles on their faces.

Gale chuckled softly, running his hand through her dark curls in an attempt to tidy them up from where his hand had wound around them.

"We should've heading back inside... before they missed us," he spoke between kisses, his breath fanning over her cheeks.

Hope nodded sadly, crawling down off the bench. For a few moments she'd been distracted enough not to think about how awful everything else was, and Gale could tell.

"How about you spend the night with me?" He suggested, throwing his arm around her shoulder and waiting patiently for her answer.

"You know we can't, Colonel Harding found out last time," she giggled remembering how Hugh had informed her that the whole of the officer's hut knew what they'd been up to at John's party.

"No, not in the officer's hut, but I have a fine plane you have yet to meet and if we pad her out I reckon she could give us a good night's sleep."

Hope's heart swelled as she looked up at Gale in the moonlight, "You'd do that for me? You'd sleep in a Fort just to be with me?"

"I would sleep anywhere as long as I have you by my side," he assured her, grasping her left hand and thumbing over the engagement ring. "When I gave you this ring I promised you that."

Biting her lip and tears trickling down her cheeks, she nodded hastily, leaning up to kiss him once more. "What did I ever do to deserve you, Gale?"

"You landed on the right airbase, that's what. My life has been so much better since the day you flew into it."

With happy tears slipping down both cheeks, they made their way back inside where the party was still in full swing, taking their original seats.

Hugh was standing with Demarco and Harry at the bar when they walked in, giving her a worried look but Hope just shook her head with a smile, before taking residence in Gale's lap. His hand rested firmly against her scared thigh.

"You know, if we have children I'm gonna tell them their mum's a war hero, and she's got the scar to prove it."

Hope smiled sweetly at his antics, the fact that he was thinking about kids too made her heart swell even more as her love for him grew.

"Well, I think it's their dad who will be the war hero, he'll have completed his 25 missions and all."

The couple laughed lightly, swaying along to the beat as the band played 'Bless 'Em All'. Something about what Gale had said earlier replayed over in Hope's mind, 'We're in this together', and they indeed were. Maybe things weren't as bad as Hope thought they were, and with Gale by her side how bad could things really be?

…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….………………….

September 20th 1943, The Grove, Berkshire 05:00

Hope let out a long sigh as the C47's wheels left the runway in one swoop, rising above the airstrip ,and leaving the base far below them as they climbed into the clouds. Frank talked quietly to Bill in the cockpit, and both girls couldn't help but smile at their pilot's antics. He was a good pilot, but as a mentor, he was a hard task-master, and Bill was being put through his paces. Ruth pulled John's latest letter from her pocket, rereading his words with a small smile.

"So how is the hotshot then?" Hope asked with a grin, amused by Ruth's embarrassed expression, her pale cheeks blushing deeply.

"How do you know I call him that?" Ruth asked curiously, but Hope just shook her head with a chuckle.

"Ruth, you've read his letters out loud enough times when I'm around that I've basically read them myself." The blonde nodded slowly, half listening to Hope and the other half of her too engrossed in John's words. After a few moments, she looked up from the letter.

"I wrote to my parents about John the other day," Ruth called out over the engine's whine, a fond smile on her lips.

"Oh yeah?"

The blonde nodded. "Yeah."

"What did you tell them?" Hope asked with a raised brow.

Ruth's innocent smile turned into a mischievous smirk as she chuckled to herself. "Well, my Mama always reads the letters, so I wrote the basics for her to tell my Dad and Jamie, but gave her all the details."

"John's right," she laughed. "You are a sneaky woman."

Hope had her latest letter from Gale tucked safely into her top pocket, 'It's close to my heart, just like you,' she always told him. His words always brought her a deep sense of comfort that she'd never felt before. Somehow it felt that he was giving her one of his warm, loving embraces as her eyes trailed over his words.

The new addition of, 'you are the love of my life' made her heart beat rapidly in her chest every time she thought about it. She could picture him now, tucked away at his desk in the corner while John and Hugh chatted loudly, probably interrupting his train of thought with, 'Buck, does this sound right?' as John wrote his own reply to Ruth's letter. It amused her that he now signed his letter from 'your Gale'.

Unable to resist, she pulled the letter free from her pocket, unfolding the page lovingly and smiling as the picture that came with it. Their two smiling faces looked back at her, Gale's face lit up with a bright smile while he held her lovingly in his arms. The second picture in her pocket was of her and Hugh, both smiling cheekily like they had in so many pictures as children.

She thumbed the edge of the letter, reading over the last words Gale had sent to her. She'd posted her reply just that morning, having dashed to the post room with Ruth before hurrying back to 'The Angel'.

September 17th 1943

To my dearest Hope,

I know I'm getting sentimental and that this is my third letter in the same week but I can't help myself. I just want to be close to you again. You're my everything Hope. Everyday that we're apart I know will make our reunion even sweeter.

I don't know how other couples cope being separated for years due to this wretched war. I can barely be away from you for a week without thinking of hijacking a Fort to come and see you. Without your smile the days feel darker but just knowing that you're out there somewhere waiting for me fills me with Hope.

The thought of our wedding coming round so soon keeps me going each day, knowing that in just a few short weeks you'll become Mrs Cleven and that's all I could ever want from this life, to have you with me always. Four days away from everything will be a pleasant relief from all the missions, just to be away from war with you. I bought your wedding gift the other day, it's not much but I just wanted to give you something on the day.

John and I picked up the rings from the jewellery shop in Norwich yesterday and I'm pleased to say that mine fits like a glove. I can't wait to wear it always. You mean everything to me Hope.

I know this week has been tough on you but know that I am always with you, no matter what, and I'll always be here when you need me.

I hope that you will be able to visit Thorpe Abbotts again soon. I know John would also appreciate a visit from Ruth, and even Hugh enjoys your company, despite him being adamant that he doesn't.

I love you always.

Your Gale

Hope smiled fondly at the thought of their wedding rings, tucked away in a box in Gale's bedside draw, probably alongside all of her letters.

The plane rocked from side to side as they gained altitude, and the large metal bird flew 'through the gate' as Frank liked to call it as she moved to full throttle, soaring up into the clouds.

"Stop being a clot," Frank hissed to Bill, flicking a few switches in the cockpit with a long sigh, "You know what you're doing kid but try using your head sometimes okay?"

"Yes Sir," Bill nodded shyly, turning his attention back to the plane's control panel. The girls smiled at each other, listening to the two men bickering in the cockpit.

"Where do you think the boys are right now?" Ruth asked, looking up nervously at Hope. She always worried when she thought of where their men could be. The thought of them in harm's way made her sick to the stomach.

Were they flying right now? Were they in danger?

Hope slouched in her seat as the plane leveled out, "I don't know, Rue. I'd like to think that they're at Thorpe Abbotts. Hugh's probably getting into some sort of trouble or terrorising poor Harry Crosby. John is probably having some coffee with his whiskey about now at breakfast." This caused Ruth to laugh lightly at the thought of John's usual morning routine.

"What about Gale?"

Hope took a little longer to reply this time. "I think Gale would... well I don't know. He's probably either eating breakfast with John, walking Meatball, or he's with his baby."

"His baby?" Ruth spluttered, cocking her head andlooking at her friend for the answer.

"His Fort, 'Our Baby'," Hope laughed, watching as Ruth nodded, understanding the men's attachment to their Forts. She guessed they all felt the same way about their own plane, although Ruth thought if she never had to fly again it would be a blessing.

The pair soon fell into silence, both organising their mussette bags for the hundredth time, as if they hadn't checked all their supplies pre-flight. Hope moved up to the cockpit to check in with the pilots, while Ruth moved along the racks of supplies, laying out fresh blankets on each cot, humming an Artie Shaw song to herself as she went.

"How's it going up here, boys?" Hope leant over Frank's shoulder, watching as the cloudy sky unfolded before them.

"Can't complain," Frank replied plainly. "I think Billy Boy here is getting the hang of things at last."

The young pilot grinned at the compliment, and Hope couldn't help the sense of pride that filled her chest. They'd had several copilots training with Frank, but Bill was definitely the girl's favourite.

Looking back out the window, Hope pointed towards the dark clouds erupting ahead of them.

"Hey Frank, what's that up ahead? That's not what I think it is...right?"

"That, my dear Hope, is flak fire," he said regretfully. "Looks like we're heading to the movies. I suggest you girls grab a seat...Ruth may want a blindfold for this next part."

Hope swallowed, nodding quickly before rushing back to her seat. Bill talked quickly to Frank, but remained calm, it wasn't anything they hadn't been through before.

Ruth's fearful eyes widened as Hope explained what Frank had told her, before swiftly strapping herself into her seat. Her mind raced at all the terrible outcomes that could occur.

What happens if they go down?

What would happen if they just blew up over Germany? Boom!

She tried to put on a brave face but she knew Hope would see right through it, she always did.

The plane swerved as flak erupted around them, swooping and diving as the black clouds and wuffs from the Ack-Acks flew wildly around them. Hope and Ruth were thrown around in their seats as the plane swerved, flack bursts shaking the bird. They were very grateful that they always secured all their supplies and stretchers down pre-flight.

Hope's fingers dug into the metal seat and her eyes closed, as her stomach flipped in circles with each turn. She'd not had any issues with her motion sickness since her training, but the urge to vomit up her breakfast only grew as the bile rose in the back of her throat.

Ruth opposite from her was as white as a sheet, her already pale face now the colour of a corpse with her lips set in a thin worried line. Her teeth clenched tightly together and her eyes shut tightly, as flack pierced through the plane's fuselage above her head.

"Shit!" she shreiked, covering her head with her hands.

"You okay, Rue?" Hope shouted over the noise of the war around them. A glossy-eyed and panting Ruth only nodded quickly in response.

Bullets ripped through the riveted sheets with a series of metallic pings, piercing through easily and sending metal flying into the cabin like confetti.

With the chaos surrounding them, Ruth barely noticed when a piece of shrapnel flew past her face, just grazing her temple. Flak continued to blast in the air surrounding the skytrain, the noise was deafening to everyone inside.

How could anyone think strategically in these conditions?

"OH FUCK!" Frank's voice shouted from the cockpit as he leaned over to Bill, "Stay with me, kid." Bill's lifeless body lay wide-eyed staring straight ahead, his young face frozen, expressionless. "DAMMIT!"

"What's wrong, Frank?" Hope called out as she unbuckled herself and stumbled from her seat, edging her way towards him.

Ruth's eyes widened. "Hope! What are you doing?!"

She simply sent her a worried glance, seeing the blood trickling down Ruth's cheek before disappearing from view, and the blonde stared at her in disbelief.

When another burst sent burning hot metal through the plane's fuselage around her, Ruth's eyes clenched shut, her head bowing as she mumbled a prayer for them, her hand instinctively reaching up for her usual comfort... her necklace....her lucky necklace that now hung around the neck of John Egan.

"Our Father, who art in heaven..."

In the cockpit, Frank didn't turn to face Hope when he spoke, his eyes trained on the incoming fire from the Messerschmitts that flew in all directions around them.

"We have been fucked by the fickle finger of fate and today is not our day. We're down to one engine and she isn't sounding too healthy. We're littered with holes and," he paused, his throat constricting as he motioned to the young boy who lay dead beside him. "And the Krauts...they got Billy."

The plane juddered and smoke poured from the remaining engine with a horrendous screech as Frank took a steadying breath. The next words to leave his lips sent a shiver down Hope's spine.

They were the ones every airman, flight nurse, and pilot prayed they'd never have to hear...

"There goes the last engine. We're going down!"

Tags: @georgieluz @docroesmorphine @major-mads @violetdaze25 @bcofl0ve @precious-little-scoundrel @blurredcolour @artlover8992 @b00ks1ut @xxluckystrike @hockeyboysarehot @groovin2beats @kmc1989 @ginabaker1666 @hesbuckcompton-baby @forsythiagalt

[peiskos-and-apricity]

Fated to Fall ~ Sindri x Reader [PT7]

TW: Cannon typical violence

A/n: I think I'm gonna start a tag list for this book because chapters are so inconsistent (sorry about that). So if you want to be tagged for this story just let me know! [Or you can bookmark it on Ao3 here]

|Chapter Selection|

|Previous|

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"Sindri!" Atreus yelled in greeting, his smile wide on his face. You were too distracted to turn to the boy as you watched Kratos' eyes try to melt you where you stand.

"I'd return your surprise but I did know you'd be here!" Sindri returned the greeting with a tone more cheerful than a few moments ago. And, once the two had gotten closer, he continued.

"I've got something for you!" Those words seemed to peak Kratos' interest. At least enough for him to slowly turn his eyes away from you and to the dwarf.

"What is it dwarf?" He asked, his voice monotone in a way that you knew meant he was irritated. Looking back towards Sindri you see his hands fidgeting and nervous in his movements, especially as he began to walk away from the table and what you knew he was gifting them with.

"You know I'm glad I came back here at least once before Ragnarok" he spoke, turned away from all of you as he did. As if talking to no one.

"Oh, if these cobblestones could talk" he reminisced as he looked around longingly. It was clear he really did miss this place.

"Then they'd have mouths...filthy disgusting mouths" he glances turned much more stiff, almost like he was imagining what it would be like and being quietly horrified with the thought. Then suddenly he turned back over, pointing towards Atreus.

"Do you mind if I fiddle with your bow?" He asked and without hesitation the boy handed it over.

It was then that Kratos turned to you before motioning you away. You knew better than to fight the simple request, as bad as you wished not to speak with him, so you followed him.

"You should not be here" he started the conversation off on the worst note possible, though you knew him as a man of very little subtly.

"Given the way the entire city cowers away it seems neither should the two of you" you answered with the same energy as him. With a sudden movement he was looming over you again, this time his anger not so hidden as it was before.

"This childishness needs to end. This is reckless" he spoke in a poor attempt at a whisper through gritted teeth. You felt every inch of your body boil at him having put himself so close to you, his figure mere inches away. So much so that your glare turned snarl like with the sudden wave of rage that overtook you. You were sure, had you not gotten your cloak, that your eyes would be gleaming at him.

"I am aware you think so little of me that you believe I'm so unable to control myself. So I have taken precautions" you display the metal rings that you had placed in your satchel and gesture down at the white bear skin you had placed on your body lined in a magic hidden from plain view.

"I will have you know, though, that even without these my leave would have been anything but reckless, given that you left me behind with no clue as to what was happening. So my apologies for being so childish as to want to know the reason I was nearly killed the other night and why we must so suddenly search for a dead god" you spoke through your own set of gritted teeth and anger. You two remained standing for a long paused moment in utter silence as you stared at one another, as if waiting to see who folded first.

"Hrm..." he finally answered. Despite your growing anger his seemed to simmer and, thankfully, he took a step back from you.

"Uh, if I may cut in here a moment-" Mimir tried to interject.

"No" the both of you answered in unison. After that it seemed Kratos had finished whatever business he had with you as he went to return to Sindri and Atreus. You followed not so far behind.

"Skjálfa!" Atreus released an arrow into a nearby wagon, the medal there compressing the same way the gate did. The boy's smile widened at the sight.

"Cool-"

"Atreus, this way" Kratos called and the boy was about to follow, though not without a curious look at you.

"Are you coming?" He asked to which you gave a nod. To your surprise he looked quite excited.

"Awesome! Come on, I'll catch you up on the way" he waved you forward. You went to follow, though upon looking where the two intended on going you grew a little weary.

"It's a bit dark in there" you commented mostly to yourself. Right before you could take another step you heard Sindri speak up again.

"Oh! That reminds me! Hold on just a moment" Sindri stopped the two of you as he went digging around in his bag. He pulled out a few random things before he seemed to find what he was looking for.

"Since you all are currently lacking a light source, sorry, I went ahead and made these for you! I only made two, though. I didn't expect that you would need one. But I'll get right to it! It'll be done by the time you all make it back" he outstretched the glowing lights which you and Atreus gratefully took from him.

"I'll make due until then. Thank you" Sindri nodded and turned back to do whatever else he had come here to do.

"Atreus!" Kratos called again. You and the boy glanced at one another before quickly catching up.

-

Once the three were gone Sindri went about cleaning up shop, knowing that they most likely wouldn't return here for a long while. Frankly he didn't want to stay long either, not after what Odin had done to the place he once called home.

It only took a moment later he was off again, back through the Yggdrasil and to the home he now knew. However, whatever comfort he had been looking for evaporated the moment he opened the doors. He was hit with disgust, his eyes catching each tiny stain and out of place chair. He wrinkled his nose at the sight before quickly setting off to tidy the place up.

He zoned out while he was cleaning, for the most part. His mind was mostly on what his new project might be and how he would be able to keep up with the mess all the others seemed so keen on making. And soon enough the inside looked spotless and he was off to clean up the mess outside. That being the branch peices that had been shattered all over the ground earlier. So he swept and swept and swept. As he did, his mind wandered from projects and future messes and instead became caught on the stranger he had only recently met. He had to admit it stung a little, not knowing this person who seemed so caught in the lives of those he cared for. He knew it probably shouldn't, yet it did all the same.

He hardly had time to ruminate on the topic when he heard a set of feet he knew all too well, a glance behind showing his brother arriving back home.

"Brok!" He called, the blue dwarf turning his head almost immediately at the sound.

"The fuck you want!" He called back. Sindri took his opportunity to swipe away the last of the splintered branches before quickly making his way to his brothers side.

"I thought you should know the bow string worked! It was actually more effective than I had originally anticipated!" Sindri began his boasting, the project something he had largely worked on by himself. He got an eye roll in response.

"Well whoopty fuckin' do. Least I know yer done blowin' up all my shit" Sindri immediately regretted having said anything.

"It was one time! At least I don't nearly burn the house down every time I make something to eat!" He rebutted but Brok seemed hardly effected.

"If ya don't like my methods then you can cook yer own damn food!" Brok took a turn into the workshop to which Sindri didn't follow. Instead he stood annoyed on the other side of the workbench. Something Brok didn't seem to notice or care about either as he went to work on whatever he had planned.

For a while longer there was silence between the two. That was until Sindri found himself thinking about the stranger again. He found that his curiosity only grew the more he allowed himself to think about it.

"How long have you known them?" Sindri asked out of the blue. Brok's face twisted a moment, his eyes glancing towards his brother before back down to his work.

"Who're ya talkin' about?" he asked, striking his hammer once more.

"Y/n- you know who I'm talking about! You two seemed close" he asked again, this time Brok considered his words.

"What's got ya so curious?" Sindri took a moment to ponder exactly that. Surely it was just because of your shared company. But perhaps too it could be his intrigue in your work and his astonishment at your lack of care for it. Or even just the simple fact that he was curious for curiosity's sake.

Maybe it was that you just seemed so strangely familiar. Like the itch of a memory he couldn't quite grab hold of. A stranger he's somehow met before.

"Nothing in particular. I just find it strange that I didn't know about them until now" Sindri settles on the obvious answer but his tone was sharper than he had meant it. He wasn't sure if Brok noticed.

"I's told ya about 'em before. Just not in no detail" Brok explained which only brought more questions to Sindri.

"Why not?" Was the one he decided it best to ask first.

"'Cause it weren't nothin' your nose needed stickin' in" he answered flatly.

"Well it seems to be plenty of my business now" Sindri countered and Brok huffed.

"Ain't nothin' important to tell you" Sindri was growing unsatisfied with his answers.

"But why not just tell me anyway?" Brok  was growing visibly frustrated.

"S'this some sorta interrogation?" He was openly indignant by this point but Sindri most definitely wasn't backing down. So, before Sindri could try to push him again and further delay his work, he answered.

"I mets 'em when they's was half dead fightin' off some Draugr at the start'a Fimbulwinter. Didn't know they's was involved with the other two until a whiles after. Now if yer done sniffin' my ass like a dung beetle on date night, I would like to get back to work!" Brok's frustration became more visible the more he spoke until he was eventually fully turned to Sindri, his annoyance more than obvious.

"Well if you would have just answered my questions I wouldn't have to ask so many!" Sindri defended against the clear wishes of his brother, causing him to turn back to his work in a huff.

"If ya don't get yerself somethin' better ta do I swear ta whatever god'll listen that I'll jump over this table and lick ya-"

"Leaving!" Sindri didn't hesitate to immediately vacate the area, knowing damn well that Brok's threat was anything but empty. Yet now he felt his curiosity nearly burn him, Brok's words having only left him with more to question. But he tried to brush it off as best he could.

He had work to do after all.

-

The journey was longer than you had originally thought, but finally, after having met Durlin and walking yourselves through precarious machines, old maze like mine shafts and fighting frankly less creatures than you would have thought while looking for a maybe not so dead god, the four of you had made it to a final set of large wooden doors. Well, technically not so much the final door as it was the last one you all would be looking through, considering you could all spend weeks in here if you really wanted to search the place.

It looked pretty sealed, more than any other the four of you had gone through anyway. But it wasn't anything difficult for you all to figure out. A few shots from Atreus' new bow string took out the metal on the sides well enough and a good pull from Kratos' blades should-

"Hvat er at gerast!?" A voice yelled behind, your head immediately whipping to the sound and in so meeting the eyes of strangers. And oh boy, they didn't seem to friendly.

"We've got company!" You yelled, making sure the other two managed to pull themselves away from the task at hand. Thankfully, whether due to your words or the strangers yelling, they did.

Your movements were natural, planned. Kratos was quick to take his pick of the group and Atreus happily went to help, given that the two always did work so much better together. So you were left with the other. You didn't feel any need to complain though. As far as you were concerned you got the easy work. They had to deal with the bigger guy and you were pretty sure there were others heading their way.

"Alright, let's get this over with" you taunted your enemy, though you were pretty sure they couldn't understand you. Either way they didn't hesitate to charge.

The battle was as controlled as chaos got, as battles like this usually were. Every blow could have left you mauled, but such was the life you all lived. And, if you were being honest, they weren't really much of a challenge. A minor inconvenience at most.

Bodies dropped and it seemed that you all would get through this quickly. It lessened your hope that there was anything in the locked room if these were the people guarding it. Either way their numbers dwindled and soon only two remained. Given that you currently had your axe handle thoroughly wrapped around the throat of one of them, that would soon be only one.

You had thought to go through the effort of breaking his neck before a quick glance showed Atreus in front of you, his arrow waiting for a mark.

"Atreus! Over here!" You called. A second later the stranger fell limp, an arrow embedded in his skull.

"Behind you!" Atreus yelled as you dropped the body in your arms. You dodged at the last moment, the strangers weapon hitting nothing but dirt and rock. He hardly had a chance to look up before Kratos' axe met the back of his head. And so he dropped limp atop the other, the bodies piling up.

Then, finally, it seemed that it was over.

"Clearly they don't want us in there. This has to be it" Atreus proclaimed with all the confidence and hope that you couldn't have imagined clinging to by his age.

"Back to it then" Mimir encouraged, though you couldn't help but feel a little bad for the soon to be dashed hopes of the boy.

"I don't know. I feel like if Odin was going to hide away a war god, it would be with far more than a few Einherjar..." you tried to caution them. This all felt far too easy.

"Agreed" Kratos spoke, but his blades dug into the wood anyway and soon he was pulling the door from its hinges.

You had to give credit where was was due, if there was one thing Kratos did well, it was tear things apart. So it wasn't a surprise when he did so easily. The door collapsed in a way similar to a tree; its movement slow at first before quickly colliding with the ground.

Dust covered your vision, your hands trying to swipe the cloud away and coughing as it still made it to your lungs. But soon it settled, bits of light traveling through the remnants of it searching for a source other than the thin clouds to reflect off of. Your eyes squinted through the strange haze when finally you saw someone. Before a moment more could pass as the three of you approached, you heard Atreus call out.

"Tyr!" The name sent your stomach to your throat as you realized that you did in fact now stand at the feet of a once dead god. You couldn't find words. You hardly believed what you were seeing. By every sane metric it shouldn't be, yet here you stood, steps away from who you had long known as legend told in stories of great acts of kindness and mercy. A betrayer of Aesir, a god of war who fought for his mission towards peace.

"What trickery is this, Odin? What game do you play with me now?" His head hardly moved and didn't dare raise to meet the eyes of any of you. He only sat, unmoving, uncaring.

"We're not with Odin. We're the good guys!" Atreus, ever the optimist, tried to convince Tyr that this wasn't some sort of trick. An attempt you knew was in vain just from a glance at the fallen god. It was then you noticed he was far from what he once was. A broken man with the fading visage of a legend among many.

You placed a hand on Atreus' shoulder to hold him back. The boy glanced up at you as you shook your head slightly, warning him to keep his distance.

Kratos wasted no time in getting behind Tyr and grabbing the rope that clung to his neck. With a pull the rope grew taught and a swift swing his blades cut threw it easily.

Far too easily.

"This...Is the god of war?" Kratos asked the question, though by his tone you knew he was far from impressed. You gave him a sharp look. That was surely no way to address someone who had spent hundreds of years hidden away at the mercy of God's as cruel as the Aesir.

"Those blades..." Tyr spoke, his eyes transfixed on the red glow that had cut him free. But then the eyes fell again, acceptance covering him.

"I know you..." his tone was full of subtle disdain.

"God-killer" his disdain no longer subtle. His eyes finally met Kratos

"Have you come for me now?" He asks, his resentment clear. His words weren't empty; he knew of the ghost.

"Only to free you-" your father tried reaching a hand.

"Stay away!" Tyr quickly coward from him as he moved himself away, his tone a beg for mercy in its own. Atreus tried to step in but your hand held him back once more. His look to you was full of confusion that you cooled with a patient stare.

"Brother, let me try" Mimir spoke up and Kratos didn't hesitate to give the man a chance.

"Tyr- Tyr! Look...You know me, don't you?" Mimir's voice was jovial, friendly even. Like he was meeting with an old pal under far less dire circumstances.

"You...You killed Mimir!" Well that certainly wasn't the reaction you had hoped for.

"No, no! No, no no no!" Mimir frantically tried to convince.

"Yeah we- we brought him right back!" Atreus, in his own set of frantics now, tried to calm the situation in the worst way possible. You pulled the boy away from Tyr as you saw things quickly going south.

"You...stay away from me, you monsters!" Tyr cried out, whatever previous confidence he held staring down the god-killer now utterly evaporated as he stumbles his way to his feet, bumping the door frame on his way out.

"Stop!" Atreus pulled from your grip and began to run after him, taking only a glance back to the three of you as he went to catch up.

"We need him!" He justified before booking it after him.

"Wait!" Kratos called as he took a spot beside you. The both of you barely set to a run before more of the Einherjar came down from above and out of crevices. You hardly had the time to see one attempt a push and pull match with Kratos when you have two on you. You struggle against them a moment, shifting your weight around until one falls to your heel, a quick stomp knocking them out before you were able to throw the other to the ground beside them, your axe splitting their skull just in time for you to look up and see Kratos shoved through some unstable wood and out of sight completely. And worse yet, he left three more up here for you to deal with.

Great. Looks like you've got to figure this out on your own.

|Next Chapter|

[hiccupscloud-26]

Hicvember Day 18: 2+ Cases

Hey guys! This was actually my favorite one I've written so far. This was actually the story that prompted that post reminding myself that I'm an adult, lol.

Just Indyko and Calliope as usual

Hicvember prompts: 2 cases at a time/induced/cuddles/fantasies (got a lot done with this one, lol)

CW:

Fast hiccups

Induced hiccups

Burping/belching

Burping in face

Horniness

Arousal mention

Make out section

Mention of a gun

Flirty teasing

Implied sexy times not written

Without further ado, enjoy

Indy and Calliope were just relaxing and watching a movie when Calliope had brought up one of her fantasies that she'd wanted to try. Indyko was curious as always, experimenting with Calliope always ended up being really fun and entertaining.

She had told them that she'd always dreamed of witnessing 2 cases of hiccups at one time, or having the hiccups alongside someone else. Indyko had smiled and nodded and told her that they could plan out a day for them to have them together.

Today was finally the day. Calliope had gotten herself her go-to inducer: a bottle of soda. Indy didn't know what would induce their hiccups, but they did know spicy foods did it. They honestly didn't want to deal with the heat.

“Maybe we should wait until I have the hiccups first,” Indy brought up their concerns, “I'm not sure I want to experience those heat hiccups, if I'm being honest…”

Calliope nodded, “that's valid, hun. I don't want you in any pain. Then it'd be no fun. Do you wanna try my method?”

“If you show me how to do it,” Indyko blushed slightly. “Maybe it will work for me too.”

“Let's hope so,” Calliope giggled quietly and placed a kiss on their still blushing cheek. “We're so goofy, people usually want to get rid of hiccups, and instead we're actively trying to get them. Weird, huh?”

“Eh, who wants to be like everybody else? Normal is boring, you gotta live life the way you want to,” Indy shrugged. “If that makes it weird, then we'll be weirdos together.”

“Indy…” Calliope looked at them in complete awe before going over and placing a kiss on their lips.

Indyko squeaked, gasping in shock and swallowing a bubble of air as they kissed her back. The two of them continued to kiss each other, getting a little distracted by each other. Indyko grabbed Calliope's stomach, playing around with it as they deepened the kiss, noting their breathing quickening. They were on their way to a full blown make out session until Calliope felt an instantly recognizable and hard thump in Indyko's chest. Her eyes widened as she quickly felt another, this one forcing their lips apart with a loud *HMPK!* caving their throat inward.

Indy placed a hand on their chest as they tried to catch their breath, though it was extremely hard with their hiccups jolting them every few seconds, give or take.

“I-*HICK!*‐I thi-*NK!* that d-*HUP!*-did it,” Indyko looked at Calliope, smiling slyly, “your *HOLP!* tur—urn~”

As much as Calliope had wanted to just witness this extremely rare fast case of hiccups that they'd been blessed with, she nodded, picking up her soda and getting to work. She didn't leave her spot on Indy's lap, feeling every jolt, every jump, she was excited, her head flooded, yet floating at the same time.

Indy was preoccupied, playing with Calliope's tummy as they rode through these rapid fire hiccups. They'd never had a case like these before. They were almost too much for them to bear.

Almost.

Calliope drank her soda, watching Indyko play around with her tummy. It sloshed and gurgled with the liquid being poured down. She released and burped loudly. Right in Indyko's face. Calliope covered her mouth, “oh my gosh, excuse me, I'm so sor-*hick'it!GRRRREULLP!* excuse me.”

Indyko hiccupped through a quiet groan, “fuck *HUCK!* that was so-*HOLK!* hot.”

Calliope's eyes widened like saucers, then smirked, deciding to play along with them, “oh ye-*hiyuck*-yeah? You like it when I *hup-GRRRRUUULLLUPP!*-aah burp in your face?”

“Callieee-*HICK!*-eee*HEEK!*-oof,” Indyko's head was thrown back twice by the force of those hiccups.

Calliope giggled, “sorry, just a little teasing. How are you holding up?”

She frowned slightly at the lack of hiccups. She started drinking more soda until the bottle was empty.

“I'm *HU-UP!* doing alright *H'GUP!*, though I may n-*HNK!*-need to, um…” they blushed profusely and looked down, trying to avoid looking at it.

“Oh shit,” Calliope knew what they were getting at, “ok…you wanna- *huck!*...*HUCK!HUCKAH!GUP!* Fi-*ic'KULP!*‐nal-*hngkuh*‐ly, whew the-*heek!*-these are *huck!* f-*hu'uk!*-fas–st, fu-*huck!*”

Indyko whimpered, holding onto Calliope's stomach, thanking whoever invented crop tops. They held on tight, but not rough, as the hiccups bounced her stomach fat, making it jiggle stunningly.

“Gosh, Ca-*HIUP!*-lliope, you are *HUCK!* stunning,” Indyko whined, their hips twitching slightly. They pulled Callie closer to them so that she was now straddling them, “please *HULP!* Callie.”

Calliope froze before burping in their face again, eliciting a beautiful sound from them she hadn't heard…ever. “Oh excu-*holpkuh!*-excuse *HULK!GIUP!* me, je-*HEEK!*-jeez.”

Indyko winced, “Callie ple-*HEEK!HIK!HUCK!*” At their increased excitement, their hiccups quickened. “It hu-*HERK!*-urts.”

Calliope frowned slightly, “your h-*ic'KULP!*‐hiccups?”

Indyko shook their head and blushed even more as they steadily played with Callie's stomach, their own chest jolting alongside their hips. Their jeans were getting tighter and tighter. Calliope slowly processed, but when she did, she smirked slyly, “is tha-*HACK!HUCK!*-that a gu-*GILP!grrrup!*-gun in your po-*hu'uck!*-pocket *HI'UH-RRRP!* or are you *hngkuh!hip!GUP!* excited to see-*heeeek!grrruuullp!HULP!*-mm, me?”

Indyko glared at Calliope unamused, “you're *HUPAH!* cruel.”

“Okay, o-*hup!*‐kay, clothes o-*hmpf!*‐ff, get re-*hip!*-ready for a wild *HIYUCK!*-oof, ride.”

~~one sex scene later~~

The two partners were now laying on the couch, both naked, cuddling up with each other, out of breath, but not out of hiccups apparently. Indyko was on the couch, Calliope on top of them. They had somehow gotten their hiccups to sync up with each other.

“How was *hyuck!* that?” Calliope giggled at the *HULP!* that Indyko copied.

“Incredible,” Indy beamed and continued cradling Calliope's tummy Like it was the most precious and fragile thing in the world. “Thank-*HNGK!* you.”

“Mmhm-*hmkmk!*-mm *HUWICKUP!*-nnngh *ic’KAUP!* shit,” Calliope groaned.

“You okay? *hip!* Not slowing down, huh? *hingk!*” Indyko gently rubbed her tummy, noting their hiccups were now out of sync.

Callie's seemed to be speeding up again while their own were slowing down.

Calliope shook her head, “not at *huuuuck!* all, *KUP!*...aren't organism-*hmpk!CUP!*-ms supposed to sto–p hiccups?”

Indyko tried not to laugh, “you mean or-*huck*-orgasms?”

“You knew what I meant *HOUP!*-oof,” Calliope shrugged, laying her head on Indyko's chest, listening in on their last few hiccups.

“Yeah, or so I've *hk* heard…well, I guess it *ic* kinda worked for me,” Indyko shrugged and placed a tender kiss on her forehead.

“Y'know, that was *huuckiiip* my first time?” Calliope noted and Indyko almost jumped up.

“No way, what? Wait, why am I surprised, it was my first time too…” Indyko couldn't help but chuckle at themselves and Calliope joined in too.

They held each other as they laughed, enjoying their moment before they eventually calmed down, wiping tears from their eyes. “You know I really do love you, Calliope, don't you?” Indy looked at her with all the seriousness they could manage.

“I know, Indy, and I love you too,” Calliope reached a hand up to cup their face, “I love you so much and…I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Indyko's face instantly lit up in the brightest red imaginable. “...” They couldn't even conjure words to throw a sentence together.

Was that a proposal? That sure sounded like a lighthearted proposal. Or maybe they were just thinking too deeply into it.

“Hehe, did I break you?” Calliope chuckled and nuzzled closer to them.

“A-a little bit, yeah,” Indy admitted sheepishly.

“Aww, what did I break you with? Just curious,” Calliope smiled endearingly up at her beloved.

“Oh…uhhh, just…when you said you looked forward to spending the rest of your life with me…” Indyko blushed impossibly redder. “Implying that…you wanna marry me?”

Calliope blinked as she realized and nodded, “yeah…I really don't envision me with anyone else, and…I wanted to give you a whole extravagant, surprise engagement, but I kind of ran my mouth a bit too much, huh?”

Indyko blubbered out total nonsense, just at a loss for words before they calmed down. “I don't need anything big or extravagant…”

“Oh…but it's what you deserve,” Calliope reached down and grabbed Indyko's left hand.

“Maybe, but I prefer small and quaint,” Indy squeezed her hand gently.

“Huh…then, would you say yes if…I were to ask now?” Calliope could feel her heart thumping heavily in her chest.

“There's only one way to find out…”

Calliope slowly sat up and looked at Indy incredulously, but one look at their face was all she needed to make her decision. “Indy, will you be my life partner and marry me?”

Indy couldn't hold back their tears as they covered their face. They were prepared for her to ask the question, but still lost their composure. They nodded their head, “yes…yes, of course I'll marry you.”

Calliope beamed and softly chuckled, hugging them close, also tearing up slightly, “I'll get you a ring, the best, most beautiful ring, you'll see.”

“I can't wait, love,” Indy blubbered out and hugged their girlf-no, their fiance back.

Fin~

[therottenkingsreckoning]

We're back with another one! Went through several agonizing rewrites here, stressing probably more than necessary that things all flow well and feels hit like they're supposed to. But finally, the whole extra long beast of a chapter is finished.

I'll put some stuff down below this like I did earlier- except this time, it's a link to the B Dylan Hollis recipe video I had in mind when Frank is talking about cake (a recipe I'd still love to try out myself) and the drawings of Apple the houpa I made ages ago.

Anyway, enough rambling. Fanfic ahoy!

Little Flame, chapter 7

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was one thing for Eddie to be nervous. After all, his mate and child were on the line if anything happened. But it was another thing entirely when the other neighbors starting treating Frank the same way.

"Oop, watch your head there!" Howdy called out, passing by them with armfuls of boxes. Frank had been helping out around the bodega lately, a way of repaying the stolen test which had over time morphed into a biweekly half-job. It was also a chance for the two to hang out, since they otherwise wouldn't have done.

"I'm just saying, you should give it a chance," Frank said, continuing where he'd left off in both sweeping and conversation. "Beans add a nice richness you don't get from the regular stuff."

"But in a cake? Really? Apple, move outta the way." Howdy nudged the houpa with his foot, earning little more than a mrrp? in response. "If ya ask me, it sounds like the cravings might be getting to your head right now."

Frank huffed. "This was before I'd gotten pregnant, so I highly doubt that would've had an affect on my taste."

"Heh, if ya say so," Howdy replied, beginning to unpack the first box of the stack he'd set down beside him.

Frank would've responded further, they already knew what to say. Unfortunately though, the now awake cat-horse that was Howdy's pet had deemed his broom a suitable plaything, clamping the bristles between his hooves & teeth with considerable force.

"Nggh ...God, it's no use trying to get anything done around this animal!" he scoffed, ceding the tool to its new rightful owner. "Why do you even still keep him here?"

"Hey now, you heard what Ember said, he can't be released into the wild. And I've caught you snuggling this big dork several times, so don't try to claim you don't like him too." A lower hand grabbed the scientist's arm as they were reaching for a box, the taller shaking his head firmly. "Uh uh, no heavy lifting for you Mr. Mom."

Frank let out a noise of frustration as he realized what Howdy was saying. "Oh come on, not you too! It's like I suddenly can't do anything anymore!"

"Sorry fella, I just couldn't live with myself if you got hurt. Not to mention Eddie would probably have my head for it." The caterpillar shrugged his shoulders in succession. "Matter of fact, I can probably take care of the rest here if you wanna get going. It's been great, but I'm sure you've got stuff you wanna do."

Frank took the offer, begrudgingly. Howdy was wrong, he didn't really have anything better to do with his time. But they'd certainly not be made to sit uselessly inside the shop! No, he'd go see what Julie was up to.

Outside was nice, the weather warm and a little windy. the sounds of birds and bugs made gentle music on Frank's ears, and he felt their spirits lifted as he walked along the path. No sense in letting it get to me now, they thought. He's wrong, but I'll let him be wrong. I've got a day to enjoy.

They passed by Barbie's house, the dog herself just stepping out when she noticed him and raised a paw in friendly greeting. "Hey there Frank, you heading to Julie's house?"

"Indeed I am," Frank answered simply.

"I'll go with ya then!" she said cheerfully, not waiting for an answer as she strode up beside the grey. "Got a book I was gonna return to her anyway."

Frank let out a heavy, dramatic sigh and kept walking. "Alright, but if you get too annoying I'll go somewhere else."

In truth it was mostly just for show, and he suspected she knew that too. They'd gotten along well in recent months, her frequent visits to Julie's house meaning the two had had plenty of time to get to know each other better. And Frank was grateful for a distraction in any case, as she rambled cheerfully about everything and nothing.

"...he's got paints set aside for that, mixed the batches up himself" she chuckled, wiggling her fingers for emphasis. "Doesn't want me dippin' my big ol' mitts into the good stuff."

Frank nodded. "Suppose that does make sense. There's much less oil paint, and it really isn't meant f-"

"SHH!"

Words and walking stopped short as one of those same big hands swept out to catch him. "There's something up ahead," the dog growled, all cheerfulness gone as her ears perked and eyes narrowed to scan the treeline. Frank looked around himself, feeling a growing fear creep into the pit of their stomach until-

A squirrel darted from between the lower branches of a tree, running swiftly past them to the other side of the road. "Phew, thought it was somethin' big," Barbie said, releasing the iron grip she'd had on the smaller's shoulders.

Frank wriggled out of her grasp and frowned. "You're really getting this worked up over squirrels?" He scoffed, arms folded.

Sheepishly, she shrugged. "Can't really help it, sorry. I guess it's some kinda instinct that tells me I need to keep ya safe. Especially right now, with uhh...things bein' the way that they are."

"You mean my pregnancy."

"...yeah."

Frank grumbled, pinching the bridge of their nose. "I don't need you protecting me Barbara, I can handle all this on my own."

Barbie opened her mouth to protest further, but a glare from the other shut her down quickly. "Yeah, fine I won't bug ya about it," she sighed. Then grinning, added, "Don't suppose you mind bugs though."

Frank groaned out loud. My God, this was the worst one yet! Barbie gladly took the victory as a sign to press further, the two subconciously falling into familiar rhythms of grump and jokester until they were suddenly right outside a familiar pink dwelling.

Unsurprisingly, Julie was the middle of planning a game when they arrived, marking hopscotch squares out with chalk. "Frank!! and Barbie too!" She squealed excitedly upon seeing her friends, jumping to her feet and giving both of them a warm hug. Still on the ground, Sally laughed softly and waved a hello. "Already done with your work at the bodega dear?"

"Yes, well, he allowed me to leave early," Frank said with a roll of his eyes, sitting down beside her on the dirt. "We had a bit of a disagreement over my current capabilities."

"Oh, I'm sure he's simply worried for you darling," Sally reassured, "We all are."

Frank sighed. The condescension was beginning to get annoying, but he didn't want to ruin things with an argument when they'd just arrived. For your friends, for Julie, he thought, mentally gritting his teeth as he silently picked up another of the hula hoops the star was inexplicably wrapping in colorful tape.

Next to them, Julie was explaining the rules of her new game. "So if it lands on heads, you gotta run around the neighborhood before they catch you."

"Ough, might wanna lay off the runnin' right now," said Barbie. " 'S at least two of us who can't do much of that."

Frank turned to look at her. It was quite clear she was referring to themselves, yet he rationalized- not an unfair proclamation. It's true, I can't really run too far now without getting winded. No need to get worked up...

Julie seemed to consider it, a worrying look of worry starting to creep over the monster's features. "Oh that is true, we gotta be careful with Frank right now! Don't wanna hurt the baby."

Frank's heart sank. Oh no. Not her. They could handle the others, could pretend their opinions didn't matter to him. But Julie... "You don't need to..." he started.

"Better take out the ball-throwing too in that case!" Sally interrupted. "Maybe even these hula hoops, they could hit someone's stomach pretty hard if you spin them fast."

"That's..."

"Perfect thinking!" Julie proclaimed, already pulling her her notes to make amendments. "No running, no throwing..."

"Julie please," Frank begged, increasingly upset.

It fell on deaf ears. The three were talking as though he wasn't even there, oblivious to the building whine of stress & overstimulated rage happening inches away.

"Take out-"

"Better change-"

"Really for the best that we-"

"STOP IT!!!" Frank screamed, jumping up to his feet and throwing the hoop somewhere off into the distance. Their breath was ragged, his eyes burned so badly with tears that they didn't dare open them. "Why don't you trust me to do anything right now???? Why are you treating me this way?!?"

Dead silence filled the air, even the sounds of nature seemingly stunned by his outburst. All that was there was the rustling wind and his heavy breathing, through gritted teeth and shaking hands. Julie gently touched their arm, but he smacked it away, not wanting touch or care right now. "And you especially Julie! I thought you of all people would understand."

"Frank I'm-"

"Shut up," he huffed, already marching away. "Just shut up."

Frank felt so sick, and tired, and angry. Why was everyone like this right now? Just because he was pregnant, he was suddenly unable to throw a ball, or lift a box, or do anything he could've done five months ago? "It's like all they care about is you," he snarled, poking at their belly, "I'm just a vessel."

A sudden splash, and wetness seeped into his sock. As though this awful, awful day couldn't get any worse, he'd stepped into a puddle. But maybe it was the anger twisting their mind around- it felt good now. A puddle's full of awful germs they wouldn't want me touching. Shame if I...

SPLASH! his other foot stomped down hard into the mud, sending water flying up onto his trousers. SPLASH SPLASH! they danced and kicked around in it, somehow reveling right now in how awful it felt, how forbidden.

"I'm doing things! I might hurt myself!" He sang out loud to no one, grabbing a nearby tree branch and pulling. "Won't somebody stop me?!" It snapped, and he tumbled back into the dirt, giggling manically as they stood up and swung it back into the trunk like a sword. Then again, and again as the rage turned to violence and then into tears. Frank sank into the dirt, breathing hard as he sobbed.

"Are you ok?"

Frank opened his eyes to a familiar blue swirl above them, its owner giving them a look of confusion. "Go away," the taller sniffled angrily. Last thing he needed was people caring.

"Ok," Wally answered simply with a shrug, already turning around to start walking away. In that moment, with just how completely messed up this whole day had been, it was this simple lack of concern that struck Frank's heart all of a sudden. "Come back," he sniffled, sitting up. And Wally did.

"You're not worried about me?"

Wally raised a non-existent eyebrow. "Well yeah, if you're crying in the dirt and hitting things I'll be concerned."

"But you don't think I'm...less capable? Just because of my being pregnant?"

Things seemed to click for the demon then, sitting down next to Frank. "Who told you that? No- I mean I've never been pregnant, but as far as I know that doesn't mean you can't do things."

"Exactly! But everyone acts like I suddenly can't, or I shouldn't in case...something happens, I guess. I don't know." Frank gripped on to the broken branch, picking away at its bark as they spoke. "First Eddie being too scared of letting me climb, then at Howdy's when he wouldn't let me lift the boxes, those I could sort of understand. But then Barbie, then Sally and even Julie..." he trailed off.

Wally seemed to think. "You want me to tell them to knock it off?" he offered. "If they won't listen to you, maybe they'll listen to me instead."

"Tch," Frank hissed. "That's the whole problem though. They won't listen to me! It's...it's like I don't even matter, my feelings don't matter, and all that's important is-"

"Frank..."

Frank and Wally both looked over to see their friends standing in the road. Julie, Sally, Barbie, and Eddie still breathing slightly hard from running towards the sound of his partner's yelling.

"Hello friends," Wally spoke, his usually cheerful greeting tinged right now with the slightest anger. "Frank was telling me about how you haven't been treating them very well."

"I'm sorry," Julie sobbed, quite visibly shocked & heartbroken. "I had no idea it would upset you that much."

"You would've if you'd listened!" Frank retorted. "I was trying to tell you, and you kept talking over me."

"We...we were only trying to help..." Sally piped up nervously, then winced at the glare shot her way. "Right, you're right though. It is... your baby, we shouldn't overstep your bounds like that."

Eddie slowly approached Frank, gently helping them back to his feet. "I guess...we're all just real excited for that right now," he said. "We wanna make sure that things go right."

"That doesn't mean-" Wally started, but Frank cut him off with a gentle wave. "It's ok, I can handle it." And now that things were fully out in the open, now that his blood had settled down from its boiling point, he could.

They sighed. "I know you mean well, but... it hurts. I'm still me! I can still do things! I promise I'm not as fragile as you think, even right now. I just...I need you all to trust me, and if something truly feels like it's a risk, I'll let you know, ok?"

Julie hugged him gently, checking first he was comfortable with touch right now. "I'm a terrible friend," she said. "I'm sorry."

"You're not, I promise." Frank squeezed her tight. All anger gone, he felt so tired in her arms, and glad to have those arms back to hold. "We're all new to this thing, and you're trying your best. Just...don't do it again, ok?"

They all nodded, still shuffling awkwardly. "Hey," the grey offered with a weak smile. "How about this? You let me pick all the rules for the next game."

"Ok!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[p5x-theories]

While I assume you will not start a new account after the global relase, will you still check out any gameplay to see how the official translation works and if you missed anything?

Definitely not a new account, no! I'll probably have a dedicated tag for any news about the English release (like I do for the Japanese release), and I may make a post if it comes to my attention that any of my info posts were lacking something significant, that I then become more aware of due to the Japanese or English versions.

But, I'll be honest, a lot of my info posts are put together because there's no official English version yet, so a lot of this information is difficult to come by! It's also a little frustrating to me when wikis have incorrect names for characters, or lack information that's easily accessible in the game. They've gotten better about this over time, especially since the start of the open beta, but my info posts were essentially made because no one else was posting this information anywhere in English, and I really wanted it to be more accesible for especially English-speaking fans.

For that reason, I probably won't change summary posts that I've already written once the English release reaches those points! At that point, my old summary posts aren't really necessary anymore- any English-speaking fan should be able to find gameplay and streams of it, in English, online. I'll still make new summary posts for new content that hasn't reached the English release yet, of course! But the core concept behind those posts was to help bridge the gap for people who couldn't easily find and translate the information, and that gap won't exist once the English release has those parts of the story available in English.

I will update character posts with things like English VAs, and any new important information like that, including names for characters that I haven't been able to confirm! The whole point of confirming names is to make sure they'd match up with the official English name when an English release was announced, so, as this blog is primarily meant for English-speaking fans (though I genuinely really appreciate the Japanese and Chinese fans I've gotten to talk to as well!), any posts here will be taking the English release's word as law for character names.

I don't plan on playing the English release myself (as much as I'd love to), however, as I simply don't have the time to keep up with playing two versions of the game simultaneously, not to mention the storage space on my computer is already a bit strained since I keep both the mainland China files (to datamine) and Hong Kong/Taiwan/Macau files (to actually play) on my computer, and a third version of the game would be too much. I also, to be honest, hate combing through others' gameplay videos to verify things, so I likely won't be watching much English gameplay either, outside of necessity. But I will keep up with news and announcements, and share whatever I can here! And I have some friends who are interested in playing the game when it comes to the US, so I hopefully can at least get reports from them on anything I should know. ... If not from you guys? I know I tend to get asks when exciting new things are revealed even now, so I'm sure if anything crazy we didn't know about already comes up in the English release, someone will let me know, hehe.

Oh, that does make me realize, though, I should probably start using a new spoiler tag for story content once the English version releases! I want this blog to be friendly to people that are new to the English release but don't want spoilers from the mainland release, too. I might use "eng version spoilers"? Not sure exactly, but that's something I'll think about. My main spoilers tag will still be used for any datamined story spoilers, of course!

Sorry, that was maybe a longer answer than you expected, haha. Basically, in summary, this blog will still operate as it has been, and I'll start sharing Japanese and English release news as well (with separate tags)! Past story summaries will not be altered at all, but character posts and stuff like that will be updated as necessary. I won't be playing the English release myself, but I will keep an eye on it, and I hope anyone who does play it can help keep me updated, too!

[weirdthoughtsandideas]

Christmas writing calendar 2023!

@countessofravenclaw Once again created a writing advent calendar this year, and I thought once again it would be very fun to join in! So, I'll be releasing a little oneshot hopefully every day. Just like last year, I'm gonna do every other day Violetta and every other day SL (with maybe a few exceptions, if I get to it).

Last year I started with Soy Luna, so it's only right to start with Violetta this time.

The prompt is Story.

Aka: Two grandmas tell their grandchildren all about their first christmas together. However, they seem to disagree how the story actually went.

Read on ao3 or under the cut.

It was a christmas dinner, and the family was gathered. The four grandchildren sat eagerly on their chairs, kicking their feet in excitement. Their mother came out with the food, before sitting down herself. Then came their grandmas, carrying the drinks.

"Oh, let me help you, mama," their daughter said.

"No, I can handle it! I'm still strong, hija."

Ludmila and Naty never could have predicted how life would have turned out. Once upon a time, they weren't even sure they'd be together. Now here they were - blessed with a beautiful daughter, who eventually had kids of her own. Now their daughter, while her partner was working, decided to get her four children in the car and let them spend a weekend at their abuelas' house. It was almost christmas, and since their daughter had planned celebrating with her partner's family this year, she figured she'd at least want a little weekend with her own, too.

"Abuelas," the second oldest said, "How was christmas when you were young?"

"It depends on how young," Naty replied. "When I was really young, I lived in Spain. There it could snow at christmas, because it was winter."

"Why isn't it winter here?" the second youngest asked.

"We're living in the southern hemisphere," Ludmila explained. "Over here it's summer."

"I was really confused about that when I moved here," Naty admitted, causing everyone to giggle. "Anyway, when we were young, we were living through a technology change. When we were very little, phones still were stuck to the walls, and we watched movies on giant blocks called VHSes!"

"I recall at the first christmas I remembered, one of my gifts was a VHS," Ludmila said nostalgically. "It was a movie about space."

"But then we we grew older, phones started to be in our pockets instead, and we watched movies on little discs called dvds."

"I wanna hear the story about your first christmas together!" the oldest grandchild exclaimed.

"Oh, of course!" Ludmila said. "Let's see... it was 2026, and your mother was just born."

"No!" Naty exclaimed. "It was the christmas of 2020... we've just officially gotten together and there was a pandemic in the world."

"Did you die?" the second oldest grandchild asked.

"Yes," Ludmila laughed. She watched the horror in her grandchildren's eyes, and realized none of them had learned what sarcasm was yet. "Oh, I'm just joking!"

The only one laughing was the youngest grandchild, who was just 10 months old and sat with food covered all over their face. Maybe they just laughed because they heard their grandma laughing, but no one knew for sure.

"Anyway... we were sitting all alone, just the two of us..." Naty said. "We could not see any family, because of the pandemic restrictions..."

"Ok. Have fun! Merry christmas! Love you!" Naty got off the phone with her sister.

"What did Lena want?" Ludmila asked.

"She just wanted to catch up before she performed that christmas gig," Naty explained.

"Hold up!" Ludmila exclaimed. "That didn't happen in 2020, that happened in 2018!"

"When did you get together?" their oldest grandchild asked.

"It's very complicated, dear," Naty said. "We knew each other for many years before we fell in love."

"Not me, I fell in love with you immediately," Ludmila admitted.

"Oh, I guess it was the same for me... but nonetheless, it took some time for us to admit it. We had been dating for maybe 2 years by this point, but this was the first time we celebrated christmas. And you are right, it was in 2018. I guess I just mix it up because it was also just the two of us in 2020."

"You know, it's gonna be fun celebrating christmas with you," Naty admitted. "Even if I miss my family."

"Of course. But I'm also your family," Ludmila remarked, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"No, I kissed you on the mouth!" Ludmila argued. 

"Maybe you did," Naty chuckled. "My memory is a bit fuzzy."

"Excuse me, I recall every kiss we have shared. That was a makeout session! That was the night we conceived Stella!"

"Stella was not born for another 8 years."

"What's 'conceive'?" the second youngest asked.

"Ask your mother," the grandmas replied in unison.

"How you managed to raise me so well is a mystery to this day..." Stella mumbled to herself, although she couldn't help but let out a snicker. ”Conceiving is the day a baby gets put in the belly. But your abuelas are just joking, because I was actually conveived in a hospital.”

”Why?” one of her children asked.

”Because when you have two mommies they need help from a doctor to get a baby in their belly.”

”Why?”

”We’ll take that another day.”

”I better call my mom,” Ludmila sighed. ”I don’t want to, but if I don’t, I’ll think about it so much.”

”Get it overwith,” Naty encouraged, ”I’m here.” 

Ludmila felt her heart beat fast as she pressed her mother's name on her phone. She put it towards her ear as she shivered.

"No, you put it on speaker," Naty said, "You were way too nervous to talk to her when only you heard."

Ludmila put it on speaker. Soon, she could hear someone reply.

"Hello? Ludmila?"

"Hi, mom..." Ludmila felt her voice shake. "How are you?"

"I'm doing okay... it's kind of quiet here in the facility. But I have some friends that I'm spending time with."

"That's great. I sent you a christmas gift."

"Did you? I haven't gotten it."

Naty squeezed her hand on Ludmila's shoulder.

"There's a new person in the facility. She lost her eyesight after setting fire to her own house! Ha ha! We get along very well, she and I."

"Good to hear, mom... listen, I wanna wish you a merry christmas."

"Oh. Merry christmas! Wait, how are you celebrating?"

Ludmila felt anxiety rise. She had not told her mother about Naty. 

"Uh... with... Naty..."

"Naty? Why?"

"Well, because we..."

"She didn't tell her that night," Naty explained.

"Yes, I did!" Ludmila yelled.

"No, you didn't. You told her in person, the christmas after, when we celebrated with Violetta and Priscila wondered why I was there."

"I do remember that, but I also remember telling her that night."

"Hmm... wait, maybe..."

"Mom, me and Naty are dating."

There was a silence on the other end of the phone. Ludmila felt her heart sink more and more.

Finally, her mother's voice came back on.

"Sorry, I couldn't hear what you said! A nurse came in and told me I can only talk for another minute. What did you say about you and Naty?"

"Uh-"

"Wait, I don't have time now. It doesn't matter, merry christmas, darling! I need to go, now!"

Ludmila sighed. "Merry christmas." There, the phone call ended.

Naty embraced her, and kissed her on the cheek. They were silent for a while. 

"I'm hungry," Ludmila suddenly declared. "But we have nothing home."

"Do you know what we can do?" Naty asked mischievously. 

"What?"

"We can order takeout!"

"On christmas?"

"Yes! Let's order some pizza, what do you want?"

"We didn't order pizza!" Ludmila objected, "We ordered chicken! From that chicken place with the name I've forgotten now because they went out of business in 2030!"

As they sat and ate their pizza and/or chicken from the chicken place Ludmila forgot the name of because they went out of business in 2030, they smiled at each other.

"I like this, even if it's not traditional christmas food," Naty said.

"I can't cook anyway," Ludmila shrugged.

"What presents did you get?" the oldest grandchild asked.

"If I recall, it was a necklace..." Ludmila said.

"No! That christmas, I gave you a mindfulness coloring book of space!" Naty said.

"Now when did I get a necklace?"

"You didn't get one, I was the one who got a necklace!"

"Are you sure? Because I am pretty sure I gave you a book about how to make your own flannel shirts."

"Was that you? I thought it was Fran who gave me that one!"

"I think I remember which gifts were from me, honey."

"Thanks so much!" Naty said, holding her necklace/book about making flannel shirts.

"You're welcome," Ludmila said. "And thanks for your gift! It was so nice." She flipped through her mindfulness coloring book.

Naty blew an air kiss.

"Then what happened?" their second oldest grandchild asked.

Naty shrugged. "Not much else. It was kind of uneventful for the rest of the evening."

"So you mean nothing fun and exciting happened?"

"No. It was just us in our little apartment... it was very cozy and we were happy, but not much happened."

Their grandchildren sighed (except for the youngest, who was busy staring into thin air).

"I thought it would be a more exciting story," the oldest said, disappointed.

"You want it to be more exciting?" Ludmila asked. "Alright, abuela's gonna make it more exciting!"

Suddenly, as they cuddled together on the couch, the window blew open! It was a big wind!

"Why is it so windy? It's supposed to be a warm summer night!"  Naty exclaimed.

"We better close the window!" Ludmila exclaimed.

They stood up and walked towards the window, trying to close it. But there was a problem: the wind was so strong that it almost blew them away!

Stuff came flying towards their window that were caught in the wind: A chair, someone's cat and a whole tree.

"Oh no!" Naty shouted, "We need to hurry to close the window before any of that hits us!"

"Take my hand," Ludmila said. They held onto each other as tightly as they could, as they took strong steps towards the window.

"Almost there!"

"Come on!"

With grunts, they reached the window. Both of them put their hands on it and pushed it all they could. 

Right as the flying chair was gonna get to them, they closed the window and the chair simply bounced off it. No harm done.

"We did it!" they cheered, as they hugged.

"I think we should celebrate by baking a cake!" Naty said. "And eat it in bed!"

"Did you eat the cake in bed, then?" their second youngest granchild asked.

"Yes, we did," Ludmila said. "And that's the end of the story."

"But did all that with the wind actually happen?" the second youngest asked.

"No, you idiot!" the oldest replied, "They just wanted to make the story more exciting, so they made it up!"

"It can be true if you want it to be," Ludmila said with a smile. "It's always fun to spice up your stories a bit. Right, love?"

"Sure," Naty replied, giggling. The two shared a kiss.

To think, how many christmases they had celebrated together since that first one. They wondered how the upcoming ones would be.

Only the future could tell...

[sparatus]

NG+!! 31, 48, 57 yes they have significance :)

ohhhh you fucker

on the other hand. FINALLY somebody picks sabaton songs. time for some fucking palavenian history bitch

spotify wrapped NG+

31. everyone's favorite russian cover artist who both got invited up on stage to sing his russian cover with the actual band AND released his own original album this year, good for him

steel commanders is originally a sabaton song about the history of tanks, this is radio tapok's cover of it in russian (and his music video for it is kinda hilarious ngl). it fucks. i actually prefer his cover over the original, the og also fucks but something about the russian lyrics is so fucking good. anyway:

"Any sign of them?"

Lieutenant Acanian glanced over her shoulder. The captain was always agitated about something, and the apparent stillness in the foothills was making it worse than usual. Her superiors all said that if the Cipritinians reached the mountains proper, Thiaya was lost - the valley fortress that was their capital would be slowly starved out, and then it would be over. Acanian personally thought they were stressing themselves out. The front had halted at the foothills, impassable by the Cipritinians' mounts and vehicles developed for the flatlands further north. Her people had made it even harder for them, digging trenches and leaving behind mines and treacherous traps as they fell back to the safety of their tunnels. They'd be fine.

She shrugged and looked down at her binoculars, picking a shred of leaf out of a seam it had gotten caught in. "Nothing, ma'am. Same as yesterday, and last week. I'm wondering if they've given up. I would, if I was them."

Nazatus growled. "If they didn't turn back at the edge of the desert, they won't let some hills get in their way. Scouts reported activity this morning. Keep your eyes open, Lieutenant."

Acanian fought a sigh. "Yes, ma'am." She turned to put her binoculars back to her eyes, only to freeze at the flicker of motion between hills. "Uh." She pushed her eyes against the lenses. Fuck. "Ma'am, you, uh. You might want to see this."

She could hear Nazatus's blood pressure breaking the gauges. "What?" There was a quiet fumbling as her captain grabbed her own binoculars, then silence as she oriented herself. "What are... Oh, fuck, what the fuck are those!?"

Across the foothills, trundling slowly but surely towards them, were a handful of big, blocky things on... not wheels. Treads? Treads, like the equipment the mines in more hazardous terrain used. They moved like treads, slow and jerky. A massive barrel like an artillery cannon sat on top, with a big wheel beside it. Acanian didn't even spare a thought to try to answer her captain, too focused on watching the things awkwardly, unevenly lumber towards them. That was apparently fine, because Nazatus answered herself. "There's barbed wire and a pitfall not far from there, that should stop them,," she muttered. "Come on, come on..."

The boxes kept coming, and Acanian held her breath. If she squinted, she could just see the glint of the sunlight off the wire they'd planted. A little more, a little more...

The first box's treads touched the wire. It rolled over like the finger-length barbs weren't there at all.

Acanian's heart dropped into her gizzard as Nazatus almost inhaled her own tongue behind her. "Artillery at the ready!" the captain bellowed, somewhere distant and far away from Acanian's ability to process what she was seeing. "The Cipritinians are here!"

The Invasion of Thiaya: After conquering the sandy deserts - and valuable oases - of Shaal, the Cipritinian forces turned their attention to the resource-dense southern mountains of Thiaya. Both Thiaya's mountain mines and their command of the southeast coast were tantalizing assets for bolstering mostly-landlocked Cipritine's navy, and thus folding them into the now well-established Empire's stable was deemed a necessity for the planned assault of island nations Vescia and Tiirtias. This campaign is most notable for the invention and introduction of the first armored tanks on the battlefield. While slow and awkward, and nowhere near as sophisticated as the models that would eventually be seen at the Battle of the Barrens, these early editions were designed for and excelled at ignoring the traps and obstacles the Thiayan forces set up all across their western border.

48. oh look it's the second-ever amon amarth song i got attached to. i dig the berserker album more now but this one still fucks good

this is not sabaton but you get tiirti history anyway. For Fun :) you know the sabaton song that inspired the actual event this precludes but we all love a hot pre-battle speech

The light of twin full moons settled on Vexian's plates as she slowly paced before her men, reins in one hand and trademark fierce scowl etched on her face. If one squinted, they might have been able to see the signs of the intruding Cipritinian army across the tundra, squatting in the snow outside Acalin like a tumor. The siege had held out longer than she'd expected it to, and she was grateful, but the thaw was on the wind. If the fishers and hunters weren't able to get out as the stores ran empty, surrender would be all too tempting. She closed her eyes and inhaled slowly. Gods, forgive me for what I must do.

She exhaled, then lifted her head and turned Starry Sky to face the troops. He practically glowed in the moonlight, the specks of white that covered his pelt in the summer now almost entirely disappeared into the snowy field of his winter coat. The sharpened metal tips she'd affixed to his antlers glinted menacingly. He snorted and stamped a foot, and his eagerness to go gave her the boost she needed. Deep breath.

"Tiirtias!" she bellowed, raising her halberd high. It was more a ceremonial thing, these days, but the wicked blade would prove its worth this dawn. "The sun will soon return to our land, and with it, we will reclaim our dominance! At my signal, we will ride to Acalin, where our brothers and sisters who stayed behind to protect the city await us. The Cipritinian invaders will rue the day they set foot on our shores!"

An answering roar went up around the crowd, and the dazduus they sat astride responded. Mounts and riders were one, after all. The turians cheered, the bull dazduus tossed their antlers, the cows stamped their hooves. Vexian's nasal plates flared with the exhilaration of the crowd, but she waited for them to settle again before she continued. "Give them no mercy, and no quarter," she commanded. "They are unwelcome in our city, on our island, in our seas! Fall upon them like zoäni on an abandoned calf, and let the shores run blue with Cipritinian blood! They have brought war to our island, and if war is what they're after, war is what they'll get!"

Vexian's Charge: The Siege of Acalin lasted far longer than the Cipritinian generals intended it to. The Tiirtis were well used to staying within the city for months at a time, so an invading force on top of the deadly weather barely registered as a threat. Still, as the spring thaw and depleting stores loomed, desperate measures were deemed necessary, and General Vexian gathered her forces for a last-ditch effort. Surrounding the harbor city on all sides by land, Vexian commanded her men to attack the frozen, starving, exhausted Cipritinians on dazduus-back. Any Cipritinians who attempted to retreat to the city were killed by sharpshooters on the walls, and any who fled to the bay were torn apart by the winter-lean omini and zaayestret stalking the docks. There were no survivors on the Cipritinian side. Native Tiirtis claim to this day the shores outside the city are stained blue with the blood of the slaughtered invaders.

57. god i love this one so much actually

i actually do have a specific part of history this inspired and i'm pretty sure i can find it in dms if i try

"Hello? Hello!? This is Sergeant Marsius Bromnion with Third Company, does anybody copy!? The Cipritinians are closing in on the pass and we've lost a lot of men, we need reinforcements!" Bromnion smacked his radio, but all he got was more static. "Repeat, Cipritinians are closing in--"

"Sarge." Laedonis wasn't looking at him, just staring off into space with hollow eyes. He held his gun like a long-lost lover he didn't want to be separated from again. "Sarge, I don't think anybody's coming. We're too far out of range. If nobody responds..."

The unspoken end of the sentence hung in the air. None of the rest of the squad dared speak, even as Bromnion spun back and forth to look at each of them. There wasn't a single eye that met his. Gunfire still echoed back to them from the valley beyond their lookout post, but it was getting smaller, coming fewer and farther between.

Gaevuczh was running out of men.

He swallowed and took a deep breath. "Tanmius." His scout stiffened. "How long do we have?"

She hesitated, then looked out her window, pulling up her binoculars. "Uh... I'd say about... five hours until they reach the mouth of the pass, Sergeant."

He nodded, closing his eyes. "You all have your grenades left, yeah?"

Silence for a moment. "Uh... Well, yes, Sergeant," Laedonis hedged, "but... why?"

He opened his eyes again, taking a deep breath. "We were told to hold this border," he said firmly, pulling a grenade from his own pack. "And that's what we're damn well going to do."

The Battle of Thuspetzhiav Pass: Knowing time was running out before Cipritine turned their attention northwards, King Tullruns of Gaevuczh stationed troops all along the border with fallen neighbor Otoris to await the inevitable. Unfortunately, as the invading forces approached the mountains, this proved to be not enough. However, one squad chose to not go down without a fight. Led by Sergeant Marsius Bromnian, they detonated explosives throughout Thuspetzhiav Pass, the only easy way to enter the nation on foot, collapsing entire sections of the mountains and rendering the pass practically nonexistent. The Cipritinians were forced to detour up and over the mountains, leading to both significant losses to the cold and terrain and the Gaevig gaining more time to prepare.

[slut4sway]

Anywherebound / Chapter VI: shot of holy water

You grow so fond of things meant to be free

What if letting go is what's killing me?

I've never felt this beat down before

Soon as I'm back up I'm coming back for more

And I hope you find whatever it is you need

Leave it behind, the wreckage of you and me

And I pray you go back to Oklahoma

So I can head back home and be the

Man that's never known ya

•

tw : mentioned drug abuse, mentioned alcoholism. mentioned self harm

🛻•••••••••••••••••••🏞️

trevor’s journal entry : i love you but you can go to hell. you probably like it better there anyway. with all those guys who thought they could have me, and all the hell you've put me through; the core of the earth would finally lay them down. it's pretty sure to say i'm tired of you.

6/4/23

2:12pm

They had good times yeah, but where will they go when the weed is all smoked? Where will they go if the pills run out? Where will they go when there's no more room on their skin for the blade and the ladders of scars? Where will they go when the liquor is all empty? Where will they be when the water rushes through? Where will they be when the white lines and little lies get ahold of them? Where would they go if they didn't pack up and leave?

If they chose to stay, maybe they'd be numb for a couple more days; but in the end, it always comes crashing down and they know they both can cause a pretty ugly wreck. For fuck's sake, Trevor is tired and dripping wet while he's doubled over on his hands and knees trying to breathe. He broke every part of him to hold Jamie through the shakes, but it's hard to keep afloat with his best friend... boyfriend..? It's hard to keep his head above the water when Jamie won't even swim. He's taking in all his share of water at godspeed. How could he even get to shore with Jamie if he won't drop him in the murky water and leave?

His heart was heavy on games and bullshit, especially the ones Jamie played; but he only has one and it's been shattered into a trillion pieces already. Why would he continue to throw it around? He finally brought up the strength to go, and now that his head is clearing up it's made it easier to realize. The haze no longer protected him from the truth. It wasn't a safe little corner he could sidestep into and avoid his problems anymore. For once in his life, Trevor was exposed. Now he's on the hunt for himself, just to chase his running soul down and catch it, to keep it right where it belongs.

No more blaming himself. Jamie was to blame. Jamie fucking Drysdale. It was partially him who dragged himself down with Jamie, and there was no denying that. He could have cut and run with the wind the second he had a doubt, but he didn't. Why? The reason is still something else he's on the hunt for.

He's loved drowning in Jamie for his entire life, but now he couldn't breathe. All the coke-talk was false and deceiving, and convinced him enough to stay through everything. Most definitely, it's a long and hateful road. Finally, he's gotten the feeling he needs to get his ass up and get home back to his warm bed to melt the frost Jamie froze over him.

Isn't this what Trevor wanted? To get better? To break the cycle? Sometimes he should be careful what he should wish for, cause now he's staring death right in the face.

Where would this take him? It's unclear. Would he be six feet under with his obituary reading about how he was such a bright soul and didn't ever deserve to feel the need to cut his life so short?

Whatever they did, it was still the same. It didn't matter how they did it; because they just hurt themselves. Drink, slice, burn, cut, stab, slash, rip, snort, smoke, inject, or even fuck until they can't feel anything; it's the same. Exact. Thing. Self-harm. The internalized abuse they felt from one another was just released with endorphins every time they did these things, and guess it just gave them a feeling of release. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Everything was just an ocean. The cloudy depths of the Pacific, to be exact. No Hawaiian vacation sun, no California breeze, no west-coast summer; just clouds of acid rain which stung them every day when they finally found peace. It's hard to trust something ever gets better, since when it does it always is just a false sense of security that is deceiving and leads a person to become vulnerable for the Devil to come up and ruin them one more time.

Only a shot of holy water could fix that.

Instead of a shot of whiskey.

Jamie... he's.. well, Jamie. He wants so much, but mostly the boys he can't have. Boys full of longing and unrepaired hearts, boys who want him but he can't be good enough for them. In more ways than one, he's both types. From a different perspective, Trevor is the one who he wants but will never be good enough for him.

Jamie wants one boy, though. That's the one he would never get back.

And then there he was. The love of his life standing in front of him, bags packed and keys in hand.

It was he who suggested Trevor leave, so now why does he wanna take it all back?

''Don't you wish you could go back.. sometimes?'' Jamie sighed, his voice dripping like honey and his words held the weight and gravity to drag them both down to the floor and wind up a crying heap. Maybe, or maybe not.

''Mhm. A lot.'' Trying to remember what they were, Trevor just wishes he could go back home. Home used to be Jamie. But now home was just a house out east. Home was now a place away from home. Home was now a place where he could escape the stinging feeling of being in his presence, needing to leave to numb the pain again.

Every day was just another meaningless chore, and every night is just another nightingale song being belted out into the breeze. Just trying to remember where their bed wasn't pins and needles, and they were leaning on a tailgate and looking up at the stars. The sky is falling, and so the stars are coming down with it. Hopefully coming down from another high later was a way to silence the Devil weeping out to him, and maybe that high would come from a shot of holy water mixed with bitter liquor. He was a good guy, in the light of 8 years ago. Here, he's trying to remember who he was. And other times he was just trying to remember his name.

''I don't want you.. to leave. Please don't. I take it back, I take it all back!'' Jamie's eyes grew glassy with tears, and the hurt in his voice felt like death by a thousand cuts to Trevor.

''...I know, and- I don't want to either.''

''But what you said that one night was right, and it's the truth I don't wanna hear. Sure is the truth, though.'' Trevor held a straight face, even though he was burning out inside; ready to snuff and collapse like ash falling from a stick of incense.

Oh, how he could wish he could be breathing in sage and the calming herbs right now.

''Nobody could love you more than me. R-remember that for me?'' The boy's dark, messy tips of his hair grew damp from his tears. as Trevor stood in front of him in the doorway, burdened with the weight of his belongings and the weight of the moment.

''Yeah, James. I know. Don't need to remind me.'' The older boy's solemn tone killed Jamie even more but sedated him enough from the thought of Trevor knowing to be able to keep himself standing.

It takes a lot to know what someone's heart really needs, and even more to realize that love isn't what it's cut out to be. They'd been fighting for each other and each other for so long, so it would really suck to let it all go. Yet it's better to let it lie than hurt each other. It's getting hard now, so why won't they just stay and try to fix it? Besides, they could just say their ''I love you's'' until the leaving leaves.

If the leaving doesn't leave, they'll just make more promises they can't keep.

As always.

''God, I wish I could just like.. make it make sense to you that all this shit goin' on in my head- it makes it so hard I can't speak!'' His tears barely subsided as he said this, while Trevor just listened and sighed; seemingly unfazed.

''I know you try to be better, but it's hard to stay when we're yelling, ya know? And even now I just gotta walk away-''

''Leave knowing I'll love you more than you could ever know'' Jamie interrupted, crying as he collapsed into Trevor for what felt like the last time.

Trevor could act indifferent, cause he doesn't want to leave; though he needs to. Jamie even suggested it, so why is he crying? The truth is that truth hurts.

Truth be told, Trevor's fucking tired of it all. Tired of leaving and coming back, tired of the cycle, tired of the mental illness, tired of all the hurt, and most of all tired of himself. He could go anywhere in the world but he'd never escape the one always with him. At the end of the day, he's the goddamn devil in both of their lives. Leaving is the only way to exorcise him from his and Jamie's life since Jamie makes it hard to love himself because Jamie is hard to love.

''I'll always be yours, Jim.''

And that was the last of them. The wreckage was left behind him, as he gave him a final kiss and walked out of his life with no hesitation. For once in his life, the roles were reversed and he wasn't the one being hurt by leaving. Not showing it, at least.

That final, longing kiss. It sealed his words. Jamie was still on his hands and knees sobbing so hard he couldn't breathe, and Trevor was starting up his 22' fastback and loading up all his stuff.

Jamie's truck would look oh so lonely without Trevor's car.

The sun was still shining down, and boiling the inside of the car, but Jamie felt like the whole world had just gone pitch black and silent.

He was well on his way of watching the roads melt into the mountains like he and Jamie always loved.

•

He was lying on the floor, but he couldn't scream. Technically, he could; but his lungs were so compressed and overworked by his crying it wouldn't be loud enough for anyone to hear and come to his rescue. Besides, Trevor already resigned from his job of being Jamie's lifeline.

Turning into all the things that someone's running from is a different kind of pain, and being left for it is just like another shot to the heart while they're down. Trevor could have talked more shit than any boy badmouthing Jamie ever would about how they're fucked up for leaving him at his worse, but now he was driving in silence away from him.

Couldn't Trevor take it slow as he left him? It already felt like ripping off a bandaid with a prolonged stinging sensation after, be that as it may even hanging onto every last molecule he had of Trevor would hurt less. He already missed the way the floor creaked when he quietly shuffled from their bed to the roof. Now that feeling was filled by missing him already and seeing steady red he could not ever dull.

One thing he's quickly learned the hard way is that Trevor is a hellspawn who burned him until he couldn't feel the pain anymore and that nothing could kill him slower than letting that sweet son of a bitch go. Holy water is all he needs to exorcise him, so he can get back up and act like he's never known him.

All he needs is a shot of holy water.

[martieshub]

Wally couldn't help the laugh that escaped him. He knew Di would go all squealy and that having a bond with his girlfriend was what she'd cherish the most. It reminded him of the way Di got close to his own sisters before they even became official family. ❛I'd never live it down if I was the one who told her. ❜ He softly nudged her shoulder and smiled. ❛She'll be happy to see you. ❜ Dolly would be ecstatic over seeing her reading companion.

The question made him release a sigh. Truth be told he didn't want to leave. He did miss his own bed and not having to get up at the crack of dawn to get to work but leaving her it just put into front view how much they'd be long distance when he was on break and he didn't need to be flying down to Virginia as often. ❛Tomorrow at five but I don't want to leave you. ❜ He admitted softly, truly thinking about how hard it was gonna be. ❛Do you wanna come with me? ❜ Frankly, that was a long shot and he knew that. Her work was here in New York. She couldn't just up and leave just on a whim or if he asked. But selfishly he wanted her to come. They'd hadn't spent quite as much time at his own home as they did at hers or at his NY apartment. It would be different but not for the worst. Easter didn't count since they were at his brother in laws house. Come to think of it she hadn't ever seen his home. He knew Dolly would be happy being back home where she knew her treasure chest of toys were and her entire collection was at her disposal. ❛I have an office where you can do your work if that helps any. ❜ The ocean was the best view especially the sunrise and sunsets but he also prepared himself for the inevitable no.

A playful eyeroll followed that statement and a jovial laugh. ❛I knew you were gonna say that. Also you were stalking me. I was minding my own business. ❜ untrue he knew that but it was sometimes unintentional that they kept meeting in places that seemed like they were both stalking the other. All he knew of her at that point was that she had the best PI business in town. ❛Your file didn't show you liked hanging out at go go berry juice places. ❜ Wally teased knowing that even if her file had said that he'd still be curious enough to go see what it was that intrigued her to go into those spots.

He shrugged his shoulders, that was funny now but not so much back then. ❛I am glad we can laugh about it now but to be fair being compared to Mckinney was not the best look. But I'm glad I'm in his good graces now. Though, I don't know dating his best sister friend, I may have gotten a first class ticket to getting my ass kicked. ❜ The same way he made his own brother in law jump through hoops to make sure he was serious about his sister. His knuckles rubbed over hers and shook his head. ❛Hey, none of that. You don't need to apologize. I'm afraid that was flirting. By the middle I was being a little more obvious but it didn't really have much of an effect on you. I could have pulled your hair though. But I don't think that would have made a difference. To be honest I didn't think you'd ever see it as flirting.❜

An amused laugh vibrated through him as he felt the kiss to his dimples. ❛You get a free pass to do that any time you want now. ❜ He smiled as his face turned to look at her. Almost like his eyes were romancing hers. He was still in disbelief that she had let him in. How he got here he had no clue but a part of him thought them being friends first helped. He managed to get her to trust him as an ally, then as a friend and now as a lover. It was clear in the way she looked and the way she let herself be touched without reacting like a flame had just burned her. She had gotten into his heart and had made a cozy little home for herself in there.

❛Great then this time it's a date. She's gonna love you. Just be yourself and I can safely say she'd look at you like one of her favorites. It's fair to be nervous but don't let that get into your head. She's easier than Di was. Just the only downside is that she doesn't speak English. I mean, she knows how to speak it but doesn't like to. She prefers French. ❜ He chuckled and thought about places that could be illegal. ❛How illegal are we talking? ❜

Looking down at her gazing at their intertwined hands he couldn't help but smile. A genuinely enamored smile. ❛The only thing I want to do is spend time with you. I was convinced at food but I do suppose you're an extra perk. ❜ The smile never fading from his face as his hand covered hers and brought her in to give her nose a kiss before nuzzling it. ❛I tend to really like your ideas. ❜ he whispered it against her lips before he pressed them together and pulled away. ❛What's on tv. What have I missed? You totally watched the new Wheel without me? ❜

❝ You’re really going to make me tell her aren’t you! ❞ A giggle escaped her and a small sigh came at the thought of Dolly who she also hadn’t seen as well on this self imposed. She also didn’t want to ruin this and tell him that Diana already had an inkling of what was going on, well more of an inkling at this point. Nor would she divulge the conversation they had and the reason that led to it. That would be a conversation for another day. Telling Diana about this would be easier than telling Charlie, she’d take that right now and take the easiest fifty dollars she made.

❝ When do you leave? ❞ The thought of him leaving had never elicited such an emotion within her until now. There were moments where he would be gone and felt herself wanting his presence around. But now it felt like already missing him without him being gone. She didn’t like it but kept it to herself, as much as she knew it would be hard for her to not have him around, she also knew him. He would take it harder and if she voiced how much she wished he didn’t go, it would make it that much harder for him to do so. His family was already on his mind at all times when he had to go into perilous situations, she wasn’t going to add to that load. The last thing she wanted was this thing blooming between them to become vines and thorns that made things harder for him not easier. ❝ Charm? ❞ A hint of fake surprise and teasing in her voice. ❝ I really don’t understand romance then. Didn’t know that stalking is considered charming these days. ❞

At the thought of Orion’s birthday weekend, she took a deep breath in with a small hiss. The look on Charlie’s face when she ran downstairs came to mind. It would have been disastrous had she not been home. ❝ In his defense, you did barage in and call me your wife. So, of course he was a bit standoffish. ��� Lifting her left hand, tips of her thumb and pointer finger just centimeters apart as she said that last part. ❝ He also knows about Mckinnley so he didn’t want to take a chance after last time.I do feel bad about that though. I should have mentioned at least once that you were an adult that was around a little sooner than later. ❞ Sighing she let her hand fall into her lap. ❝ I am sorry about that.❞ At the thought of Wally flirting with her for a year, her eyebrows quirked up. ❝ You were flirting with me that whole time? I thought you were just trying to get under my skin and free labor on those cases of yours. ❞

❝ Oh no, I’m not admitting anything. ❞ A shake of her head as she giggled. ❝ But, I will say longer than I’ve wanted to do this. ❞ She leaned over and placed a small kiss on one of his dimples. They were made to be kissed, she had thought once when she saw them. And now in this moment felt brave enough to do so.

There was a peace she had not felt before settling in this moment as she listened to him. There were times when she had thought Charlie stupid for changing so drastically after meeting the woman who would be his wife. Her friend. The mother to his son that no one knew existed. Now, it made sense. There were things you only realized you needed to do for yourself because someone else showed you it. Someone held the mirror up and made you look at who you were and asked if you were happy with that. She understood now and as much as she knew Wally wanted to be there for the conversation she’d have with her friend, she needed to tell him on her own time. And perhap face to face to apologize for all the shit she had put him through on his road to who he was now.

His mom. She remembered what he told her about his mother when he bailed her out all those months ago. The matriachy of his family was a woman she respected without ever having met and dare she say, made her nervous. Reaching out she cupped his cheek, leaning forward she pressed her forehead against his. ❝ It sounds amazing. I am a bit nervous at the thought of meeting your mom, but excited. If you want me to come, I will come. ❞ Nuzzling the tip of her nose against his before pulling back. ❝ Well, I don’t know about everywhere. I’m pretty sure there are places where that could be illegeal. ❞

❝ You know, ❞ Her hazel eyes looked at their hands intertwined. ❝ I was just going to order take out and watch tv, you could stay here, if you wanted. I mean, if you didn’t have something else you needed to do or.❞ Trailing off, a small shrug of her shoulders, not really knowing how to finish that sentence. ❝ If you want to. Just an idea. ❞ Now that things were open she wanted nothing more than to make up for the time they had spent apart and the time she had spent not realizing what was right in front of her.

[destiny-islanders]

Okay, so. I’m going to try and collect my thoughts and talk about what happened and what I think we as consumers should do about it. If I come across as emotional and disorganized, it’s because I am. To say I’m upset about this is an understatement.

Here’s what happened:

GameStop announced on December 14th that they would be the sole seller of the Kingdom Hearts III PS4 Pro in the US and Canada

Pre-orders opened and were sold out within hours

Over the course of the next month, some people here and there who ordered online posted about their pre-orders being unexpectedly cancelled. I think these cancellations were more prevalent about 1-2 weeks after the system was up for pre-order. There was a lull in which I stopped seeing people post about it, so I’d assumed that everyone who hadn’t been contacted yet would receive the orders they placed.

Fast-forward to yesterday, four days before the (legitimate) release of the game in the US and everywhere else outside of Japan. E-mails were sent out to countless people who’ve had the PS4 Pro pre-ordered for over a month saying first that there was an issue with their payments on file, and then in an additional e-mail that there was a “system error” that disrupted their orders.

GameStop’s way of apologizing to customers was to offer a $25 online-only “gift coupon.” IT IS NOT A $25 gift card. YOU MUST SPEND AT LEAST $25 ONLINE in order for the coupon to be applied.

E-mailing customer support, calling customer support, and calling in-store yielded three different answers

E-mail: We oversold and Sony refuses to make more PS4 Pros.

Call: We are contacting the manufacturer to make more and will add you to a list to be contacted when/if anything more can be done. Try calling stores to see if they have any availability.

In-store: All orders were to be made online and stores had nothing to do with the process.

TL;DR GameStop allowed too many people to make pre-orders and then cancelled hundreds if not thousands of orders four days before launch.

So, what happens next? I have to be honest, guys. With GameStop and pre-order culture being what they are, I’m not sure anything will be done to fix this particular problem. GameStop is a company-- a cold, hard business. They don’t care about you as a person. They don’t care that you’ve been waiting for Kingdom Hearts 3 for years. They don’t care that you may have taken measures like saving up or even trading in an old system in order to make your order of the PS4 Pro happen. All they care about is your money, and that is why the $25 “gift coupon” they sent requires you to spend money in their online store.

Unless a miracle happens, GameStop, Sony, and Square are not going to make this right. All we can do is use our power as consumers. It’s time to put our money where are mouths are and show GameStop that they can’t keep doing this to their customers. 

FIRST AND FOREMOST: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLEASE DON’T BE MEAN TO THE ASSOCIATES, STORE MANAGERS, AND CUSTOMER SERVICE REPS WHO HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS MESS. 

That said, even if it feels pointless, make noise about this. Call Customer Support. E-mail them. Contact them about it on social media. Encourage your friends to do the same. RESPECTFULLY.  

DURING THESE INTERACTIONS, LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU HAVE NO INTENTION OF GIVING THEM YOUR BUSINESS IN THE FUTURE.

AND THEN FOLLOW THROUGH WITH IT. I don’t care how cool a GameStop exclusive looks. Stick to your guns. Do not let a company with a reputation for misleading and disappointing customers with pre-order screw-ups get away with what they did to you. Buying anything from GameStop after this would be like letting someone punch you in the face, leaving for a while, then coming back to their house to let them punch you in the face again. Like I said. GameStop doesn’t care about your inspirational KH story. They care about your money and whether or not you’ll give it to them. SO DON’T.

I know a lot of other people who were affected by this clusterfuck (including my best friend who is just devastated, and it breaks my heart). All we can do is try to wield the power of the consumer to try and get companies to adopt better business practices. It’s a long shot, but we, the gamers, DID manage to get EA of all companies to revamp their lootbox system in SWB2. We CAN make change if we are a determined and unified front.

To everyone out there who’s going through the same thing I am right now: try your best not to let GameStop ruin your KH3 experience. You will soon be playing KH3, and shitty business practices will not take that fact from you. Have fun, and let your love of the series push away the encroaching corporate darkness.

[irene-with-a-gaze]

Hello how are you? can i ask you for an imagine or headcanons please with Aizawa (and Hawks if you don't mind) where his girlfriend Y/N who is a pro hero (top 10 and with a strong quirk) got in the way during the fight with Stain and the students of UA and was found injured

A/N: You got it! Some details might be different/omitted from what obviously happened in the manga/anime but all in the name of fanfiction! Also, Y/n's quirk is inspired by Spiderman as I binge-watched it last night, enjoy!

❣ You would never let these kids fight by themselves, so you position yourself in from them. ❣ You would never admit that of course, but you had gotten cocky, a trait Aizawa often warned you of despite being notoriously known for your strong quirk. ❣ You reacted quickly to each attack, eager to protect these kids as they shouldn't have even been caught in such a fight, but weren't too careful with one of your webs that was now caught by Stain, which sent you plummeting to the ground several times ❣ By the time he was done, the concrete was practically nonexistent ❣ By the end of the fight, you were severely struggling to breathe. ❣ Aizawa wasn't informed of this until the next morning on the phone. He was infuriated, enraged, disturbed. Terrified, most of all. He knew you were alive, but how badly have you gotten injured? How was he so careless to dismiss the fact that you hadn't replied to his messages the night before? ❣ But when he'd opened the door to your room in the hospital, all anger melted away. He just about fainted with the number of wires attached and the white wraps all around your body. ❣ Tripping over every single gift that was left on the floor (you sure got a lot of fans, and somehow they all knew of your injury before him, something he cursed himself over in his mind repeatedly) he finally made it to your bed just as you opened your eyes. ❣ With a painful sigh, you uttered softly, "I'm sorry…" ❣ And that was all it took for his face to collapse into uncharacteristic sorrow and for you to pull him into an embrace, as much as you were allowed to by the number of bandages, for a long, long while.

❣ Hawks knew something was very, very wrong. ❣ Not just because his longtime girlfriend of three years still hadn't shown up to their planned date, but also because a heavy feeling pressed uncomfortably against his chest. ❣ And when a few hours passed and you hadn't answered the phone or his messages, he leaped out of the restaurant (frightening half its guests) and into the darkly lit sky. ❣ Your apartment, his apartment, called your parents, nothing. By now he felt an immense amount of panic swelling within his chest. ❣ That is until he got an alert of the fight, and boy was it gruesome. ❣ Just as he arrived on the scene, his eyes spotted you, your body mangled on the floor, gashes on your skin, and blood on the destroyed concrete beneath you. ❣ Safe to say he was an emotional mess, shaking your shoulders, calling out your name, tear drops falling onto your exposed skin. ❣ The siren of the ambulance snapped him out of his state, slapping some sense into him. ❣ He waited outside the emergency room for hours, eyes glued to the tiled floors beneath until a nurse coaxed him to drink some coffee. ❣ When they'd released you to a room you could rest in, he was quick to situate himself on a chair right next to your bed until you had woken up. ❣ And when you finally opened your eyes, his anguished sobs draw your attention right to him, curling your pinky around his to assure him that you're alright.

[newtonsheffield]

What happens when it looks like Anthony may have gotten hurt during an international game like the World Cup? Kate’s in the player’s box and not down on the pitch like they are both used to during City matches.

Oh boy.

I think this would take a lot of... adjustment for them.

Imagine Kate reviewing the regimen the England team doctor had Anthony on and just being like Hmph refusing to say anything against another doctor and Anthony's there at practice like

"But... that's different than what my wife tells me to do."

The whole team mouthing along with the rest of the sentence, "My wife's a doctor."

and imagine the team doctor trying to keep his cool like "Well, saint Kate Sharma isn't the doctor here. And I know for a fact, she was canonised for putting up with you, Bridgerton, now get back on the pitch."

"You're coming right?!"

Anthony had sounded a little panicked honestly, his head against her chest, as he'd laid against her, his fingers fiddling with her engagement ring. He'd sounded a little stressed honestly when he'd told her he'd been picked for the team, and she had no idea why, but now it was getting clearer.

"Like, you can come with me?" He sounded so much younger than he was, more than a year into their relationship and still so unsure of her support, not used to asking for it.

Kate leaned down, kissing his forehead, his little content hum echoing through her chest. "Where else would I be?"

His eyes looked so soft, a cheeky grin on his face as he guffawed, "And because you're not the doctor, you can wear a jersey, and it's gonna be mine!" He looked like a delighted little boy, his hair falling in his eyes as he looked up at her, and she just couldn't resist.

Kate sighed, "I was actually thinking of asking Mary for my Dad's old Beckham one. He's just still such a babe."

Anthony sat up quickly, doing an excellent impression of a startled goose. "Beckham. David Beckham?! Kate! What?! I'm hotter than David Beckham!"

"Than David Beckham? Oh baby, it's hard you judge ourselves clearly." Kate hummed, enjoying herself maybe a little too much.

But she came the day they were released in stores with the world cup jersey on, Bridgerton stretched across her back, and Anthony's proud grin was worth it.

____________________

"It'll be hard for you." Mary had hummed before she'd flown out to meet Anthony in Qatar, as they'd sat around the table, dinner just finished.

Kate had paused, "... Going to Qatar?"

Mary had chuckled, rolling her eyes a little. "Not being the doctor, not being in charge of his care, depending on someone else for it."

Kate's stomach had lurched uncomfortably for a moment before she'd shaken her head, "Trust me, it'll be nice to have Anthony be someone else's problem for a while."

And she'd meant it. She almost had, until she'd arrived, Anthony's arms wrapping tightly around her waist as he spun her around in the airport.

"I missed you." Anthony hummed it, into the side of her neck, his nose pressed against her.

"I missed you too." He'd come straight from practice, she knew he had, his socks pushed down his shins, sneakers thrown on haphazardly, he smelt like Mud and sweat and-

"Why isn't your knee strapped?" Her voice was sharp, her eyes flicking over him.

Anthony shifted awkwardly his eyes not meeting hers, "Um, Jack doesn't- doesn't think I need it strapped all the time."

Kate's face twitched her heart hammering in her chest, "And did you tell him what I told you about-?"

Anthony nodded, "I did, I told him, and he said he um- doesn't... really see things that way."

Kate frowned, worry rushing over her, churning her stomach, not really sure what to say, panic settling in a little.

"Hey, hey." Anthony caught her attention, tilting her chin up to meet his eyes. "I'm fine okay? I'm fine. And when I get back home every night I'll let you do whatever therapy you want for me."

Kate forced herself to nod, anxiety still gnawing at her. "Yeah, right, you're right. Jack's a doctor, he's a good doctor, you're fine. You're okay."

But she wasn't so sure.

__________________

It was harder than she thought, to sit in the players box with the other wives, and girlfriends and husbands, her fingernails drumming on her knee.

"This must be hard for you." Arthur Haselby hummed a little boredly, as Anthony rolled out of a tackle, shaking his leg a little.

"He's fine. I'm fine. We're fine, this is what real WAGs do right?" Kate said a little briskly.

"Allegedly." Arthur sighed, "How are you enjoying it?"

"It's boring as fuck actually." She could feel her teeth gnawing into her lip, her stomach churning as Anthony waved off the medic who'd motioned to approach.

"He's been driving all the boys mad apparently." Arthur caught her attention, "My Wife's a doctor and she says- and all that."

Something flickered in her chest, warm and soft and loving for the man on the pitch currently gesturing wildly to Dorset, calling her his wife when she wouldn't be for months yet.

"Well, I'm glad he's finally listening to me. Took him long enough, but he's a good boy now."

Arthur hummed again, "The two of you are very..." He waved his hand vaguely, "Sweet together, I suppose. He calls you his wife all the time I notice, and I thought you'd only been engaged a few months."

Anthony was running down the pitch now, dribbling the ball, bouncing it up and off his knee to avoid a steal while the crowd cheered.

"We're getting married in June." Kate nodded, "He um- he doesn't really want to wait, and I don't either I suppose."

It was funny, she'd told and told her family she was never getting married, never having children, she was busy, she had a career, even though she'd privately ached for it. For someone to love her. And now she'd found him she didn't want to wait.

Couldn't wait to be his forever, couldn't wait to see him, standing under a Mandap in the clothes he refused to show her, flowers everywhere.

"I'll show you my saari!" She'd said needling at him, "I'll even tell you what colour it is. It's-"

"No!" He'd said, looking like a sad puppy as he covered her mouth with his hand, "Don't spoil the surprise."

She could see him now, striding down the pitch chasing after the ball.

"Hmm a lot of us thought Bridgerton would never- Oh Fuck!"

Kate's heart stopped, or it felt like it had, except she couldn't hear anything, pound the pounding if her pulse in her ears, couldn't see anything but Anthony laying on the pitch, still.

He'd dove into a tackle to steal the ball, the Argentinian had jumped over him to avoid it and kicked Anthony in the side of the head, hard.

She couldn't breathe, her stomach was churning. She could see herself on the screen, split with Anthony, her hand covering her mouth, engagement ring in pride of place, her face colourless as she stared in horror back at the field, medics making their way onto the pitch and she turned and sprinted from the box.

She felt sick the entire way down the stairs, the commentators voice echoing through the stadium, curious eyes burning onto her as she pushed roughly past them

That's Bridgerton's fiancée we can see on the screen there, Kate Sharma, and for those of you who don't know, she's the Manchester City team doctor-

It sounded like it was underwater, muffled and garbled and unclear, her feet stumbling over themselves nearly unbalancing on the last few steps, right into the security guard, who looked shrewdly at her badge before waving her inside.

She could hear the murmuring of the crowd at the end of the tunnel, could see the stretcher being pulled down the tunnel, sprinting towards them, her heart in her throat just as the pulled him into the changing room.

"Anthony?!"

The doctor, Jack Evans, sighed as she approached. He'd known her since before she'd finished her specialty, a friend of her supervisor.

"Kate, you really shouldn't be here."

"I just- is he okay?"

"I haven't finished my exam yet but he's-"

Anthony made a groggy groan on the table, shifting awkwardly and Kate darted forward, around Jack rushing to his side.

Anthony's eyelids were fluttering open, his brow furrowing in confusion, a bruise forming over his temple.

"Wasgoingon?"

relief flooded her just a little as his eyes settled on her and he stopped wriggling against the people trying to look him over. Her hand was wobbling, as she reached out, threading it gently through his hair.

"Are you okay?" Her voice was wobbling as well, barely holding back her tears.

his eyes narrowed a little, "I dunno."

He sounded so confused, panic rising in her chest again.

"Can you tell me your name?" Jack's voice was brisk behind them, humming as he jotted numbers down on his clipboard.

"I'm-I'm Anthony." He said, his eyes still stuck on Kate.

"Do you know what day it is?"

"It's... Friday I think."

Good, Good. Kate's panic was abating with every second.

" where are you Anthony?"

"World cup? Qatar? we were playing... Argentina."

Tears were stinging at Kate's eyes, relief flooding her.

"You're Pretty." He smiled up at her reaching out for a strand of her hair tugging softly, letting the curl bounce back with a chuckle.

"Can you tell me who the pretty girl is Anthony?"

A dopey smile broke over Anthony's face, leaning further into the touch of her hand against him, his voice soft and happy and warm. "That's my wife. That's my Katie. We have a dog together."

She felt the corners of her smile tick upwards, as she nodded, tears running down her face.

"I didn't realise you'd gotten married. Congrats."

Kate shook her head, "We aren't yet, he always just says he's getting used to it."

"I like how it sounds." Anthony sounded sleepy, his eyes fluttering closed again, and then they shot open. "She's a doctor you know. She's my doctor."

and the tone of Jack's voice said Arthur hadn't been exaggerating at all as he said. "Yes, so you've told me, Anthony."

[hisreunion]

"Hey, hey... No more apologies, alright?" Cloud huffed against her shoulder before laying a lingering kiss there. He adjusted his grip but not so tight as to prevent her hand from slipping away, if she wanted to break the contact in favor of touching elsewhere. They'd held hands many times before they ever even kissed; it always spoke of their feelings loudly and clearly when words fell flat. He'd never heard Aerith sound so... uncertain. Frightened, even. She was sunshine personified, the positive and chipper member of the group who rarely let anything get her down. But tonight she'd been very upset with him and their overall situation and so far, he had little success with putting her worries to rest.

She was always the one who was wise beyond her years, providing insight and listening to others with rapt attention. But now... now it was like a role reversal had transpired without him having realized it up until this moment. He was the one looking for that silver lining while she was seeking reassurance and comfort. Cloud, too, felt like it was easier to talk without them looking at each other. "If you are then... you should take care of yourself," he told her gently but not unkindly. She couldn't push herself too hard, like she had at the temple. This, however, was unbeknownst to him due to their group being separated at the time. After hearing what she had to say, Cloud would surprisingly defend her actions.

"You did what you felt was right by going to the altar. I couldn't be trusted to go with you, not with how strong Sephiroth's influence became. I really wished you'd been able to trust me but I made it in time and... and that's all that matters." The mere thought of how close he had gotten to losing Aerith was enough to choke him up so he wasn't ready to discuss that just yet. Him bleeding all over the altar after facing off against Sephiroth that last time then having to be taken away in a hurry to the plane by Vincent had been a shock to everyone's system, surely. His wounds were healed now though—reduced to healthy, pink scar tissue. They served as a permanent reminder of that fateful day.

"Aerith—" Cloud was coming to her defence again. "You didn't," he assured with a firmness in his voice that left no room for her to refute. "You didn't trick me or trap me. That was a mutual choice we made so don't blame yourself." They were equal parts responsible for the outcome. He didn't breathe for several seconds after what she said next and when he finally released that breath, Cloud let it out in the form of a sigh that was filled with shame and regret. He closed his eyes and his limbs were heavier all of a sudden. He thought by leaving he would protect her and the others from his increasingly detached and violent behavior under Sephiroth's influence but wound up losing himself in the process.

He only made it so far before it happened. And it was all too painfully familiar for Tifa to see him in such a state once again. Without Aerith and his friends, what did Cloud really have? "I'm sorry I hurt you like that," was all he could say. How could he have hurt her so deeply?

Aerith is hyper aware the second he steps into their room. Within a few minutes the bed is sinking as he slips in, curling himself around her. Aerith doesn’t resist, she finds too much comfort in his arms to pull herself away. His fingers lace between hers, and she gives him a gentle squeeze. The tension in her shoulders eases, and as she exhales a soft “I love you too” is breathed. Aerith didn’t need to second guess that, even if they were at odds. The silence fills between them again, and she flexes her hand in his. “I’m sorry” Again, feeling as if the first apology wasn’t enough. 

Nibbling at her bottom lip, Aerith felt her anxiety beginning to pool in her stomach. “Cloud” She’d never felt so anxious in her life. “If…If I was pregnant then what?” She has to ask it out loud, as if hearing will somehow give her the answer. “I have all these what-ifs in my head and I don’t…know?” It was so much easier without looking at him, to see whatever emotion he felt flicker in his eyes. “What if you hadn’t saved me?” Sometimes it haunted her, other days she felt like she had her destiny stolen from her. “And then I feel guilty. Reckless. Stupid” That was one that stuck, how selfish she had been in this. “And when I look at you I feel like I’ve…tricked you, or trapped you. I should of been more responsible? And then everything just kept happening, and then you left and I felt alone again” A tremble to her voice, and she turns her face more into the pillow. “You ripped my heart out” And she still didn’t know how to make that hurt better, to not worry that she’d wake up and he’d be gone. 

He hadn't just left her though. He had abandoned everyone. Her throat tightened, and Aerith forced herself to breathe just so Cloud would fuss over her again. Even though in her current state he had every reason too. How would she tell him that at least some of these 'what-ifs' weren't just fiction, that they were a very real thing.