#if y'all saw the post i had up for like an hour you can immediately tell i read That Tumblr Post before actually like.

[citrinebumblebee-fr]

Whatever y'all do, do not let this go from "hey here's a critique on this short story, y'all may have accidentally fallen into some harmful tropes" to dogpiling staff, calling them racist, turning this from a critique into a mob clamoring for them to make it perfect immediately and reading into the existing version in bad faith.

I can see why the resolution of the short story would trip alarm bells and could use another draft, but the Tumblr Post Going Around digs way too deep in some places and I think we all gotta tone it down a little bit before this becomes a game of drama telephone that ends in a massive overreaction

(In games of internet telephone like this there's the compulsion to join in the discussion just so you can pre-emptively let people know what side you're on in case it ever does become an argument with distinct sides. Which it shouldn't. But it feels like it could give way to internet fisticuffs and staff accusations if we're not careful)

[ramp-it-up]

... As Hard as I Did

Photo credit

Summary: James Bucky Barnes is an avowed bachelor and one night stand artist. You came along and knocked him on his face. Now he knows he wants more than just one night with you, so much more. Do you feel the same?

Word count: 1.9K

Pairing: Art Dealer (mob boss) Bucky Barnes x Reader

A/N: This fic is connected to the Knock You Down AU, and comes immediately after KYD IV, but I feel it can be read as a stand alone. It is in answer to this ask. Seb Stan's latest pics and this press run is making me feral. I can write these two ALL DAY!!!! Y'all are gonna have to deal with this for a while, sorry not sorry.

Warnings: 18+ Only, Minors DNI. Read at your own risk. Bucky is in love. The angst! The fluff! The morning after! Bucky wakes you up the best way he knows how, thorough female receiving oral sex, edging, manual sex, teabagging, squirting, nipple play, begging, use of Daddy, bukakke, cum play, Bucky cooks for you, google translate Romanian, the "L" word, allusions to cock riding.

I no longer have a taglist. Please follow @rampitupandread and turn on notifications to learn when I post! 😘

I Do NOT Consent to my work being reposted, translated or presented on any other blog or site other than by myself.

-----

James Bucky Barnes had slipped and fallen in love.

Steve was so right.

It came out of the blue last Monday when he met with you about a painting, and here he was the very next Sunday morning, holding you in his arms. The ruse of him being a fully legitimate art dealer and not a crime boss had been quickly done away with by the media and your friends, and the fantasy of wooing you met the reality that you did not come to play.

You called Bucky on his bullshit and that made him fall even harder for you. He was honest about his plan to go legit and careful with your feelings, not immediately turning to physicality as he did with every other woman. There was something special about you that was worth the wait.

The five days had been an eternity for both of you, and Bucky had been like a teenager, unable to last very long. He was determined to set that right today, and also to tell you how he felt.

Bucky Barnes knew very little fear, but wondering if you returned his feelings was shaking him to the core.

He held to his original dream of making you smile at him forever, but those dreams had grown to thoughts of a life together, a home you could build together, and the thought of what kids together might look like.

Bucky smiled and held you closer as you snuggled deeper into his embrace and threw your leg over his hip. He caressed the soft skin of your thigh as he argued with himself. He was too old for this; he would be an old man when your kids were just going to college, but that didn’t stop him from making Steve go with him to Cartier yesterday after your event.

Steve grumbled, but he was still smitten with you from his conversation with you yesterday, so he didn’t protest the 5 carat purchase that Bucky made. His best friend just asked Bucky some pertinent questions like:

Had Bucky told you that he loved you?

Did you love him?

Did you even want to get married? To a criminal?

Did you want to have kids with Bucky?

Bucky just stared at Steve, creating the opportunity to goad him.

“But all that aside. If you don’t lock her down, I just might. I’ll close the deal swiftly.”

That left Bucky’s blood to boil while he prepared for dinner last night, but when he opened the door and saw you standing there, every negative vibe left his vicinity.

And now, you were here, warm and beautiful, and naked, in his grip. He was going to take full advantage of the few hours you might gift him today. He didn’t want to risk you running away after he told you his feelings.

He lifted your thigh and positioned himself most where he needed to be.

—--

You moaned in your sleep. You dreamed that Bucky was eating you out again, but you couldn’t quite feel his kisses and slurps to your folds, only whispers of sensation, like air. It was so frustrating, so you grabbed Buckys’ hair and scratched his scalp, trying to encourage him to be rougher.

He moaned and you smiled, calling his name.

“James, please….”

Your eyes fluttered open to the unfamiliarity of Bucky’s bedroom in the morning light. Your legs were spread wide and Bucky’s head was pillowed on your thigh, his hot breath teasing your pussy. 

“What are you doing?”

You looked down to see him staring at your most intimate parts and smiling.

“Mmmm. Good morning Frumoasă. I’m about to check an item off my long list of what I want to do to you��”

He pursed his lips and softly kiss your lower ones. You shivered and continued playing in his hair. You laughed, music to Bucky’s ears. He smiled up at you.

“Oh, so you have a list, do you?”

“Yes, an extensive one at that. I will show you later, but right now…”

Bucky moved to kneel and shoved his hands under your ass, serving you up to him as on a platter. His eyes moved from your fluttering cunt up your soft belly and your beautiful breasts to your face. He leaned forward to give you a sound smack on the lips.

“I was wondering if I was going to get a good morning kiss.”

That eyebrow arched and he moved down your body again.

“That’s all in my plan, Frumoasă. Just be patient. ”

You pulled Bucky’s hair as his long, thick tongue licked through you to your soul. You shuddered and Bucky smiled, then those lips took hold of your clit and sucked ruthlessly as he brought one hand up to push two fingers inside you, the squelch of your wetness so gloriously obscene. He stopped and just pumped those fingers inside you, listening.

“Hear how wet you are for me? It’s a dream come true.”

You reached with grabby hands for him to stimulate your clit as all he did was fuck you with his fingers and hold you open for him. You were on the edge of madness. And it seemed that was where Bucky wanted you.

“Jamie….”

“Atât de nerăbdătoare Frumoasă. savurați momentul.”

Somehow, you knew he was telling you to wait. 

“Please, please, please James. Eat your pussy please!”

Bucky’s eyes rolled back into his head. You begging was his weakness, what he wanted to hear from since day one. Then he realized what you’d said.

“... Did you say… that this pussy was mine?”

You smirked at him, feeling the brat.

“Maybe…”

Bucky frowned and slapped your clit, causing sparks of pain and pleasure to roll up your spine and wetness to gush out over his fingers.

“Ow! Yes! Yes! This pussy is yours, Daddy, please eat it.”

Bucky clenched his jaw and his cock, which was hard against his abdomen, jumped.

“Seems you know the magic words, Frumoasă.” 

Bucky rewarded you with his mouth clamped over your clit and his eyes locked on yours as you watched his tongue working in his jaw. He was eating you out like a professional. You arched into his face, clit hart and throbbing, ready to give him…

He pulled away as you gasp/screamed in outrage, then whimpered and pouted.

“Please Daddy!”

“Oh, you’re ruining me, I can tell. But tell me, Frumoasă, tell me…”

He regarded you now with a new possessiveness. Impossibly, it made you wetter.

“What else of yours is mine?”

You squirmed under his attention and he rewarded you with another finger in your cunt and all three curled against that electric spot within you.

“What about this ass?”

His pinky bullied into your tighter hole, and you arched as he leaned down to suck your clit like saltwater taffy.

“Oh shittttttt! Yes! Fuck yessss.”

Bucky was grinding his cock against the sheets now, possessed by the sight, taste, and feel of you in his hands. He could actually taste that you were close now, and he wanted it almost as much as you did, but he abandoned you again. He looked up at your body.

“What about those glorious tits?”

He reached up to pluck both of them of them ruthlessly over and over as he continued to finger fuck you. His breath was ragged and his face a mask of desire, but he still had a modicum of control.

“They are next on my list.”

“W-what do you mean?” 

You were thrilled and scared at the same time.

“Nu-ți face griji pentru ea frumos, doar ai răbdare.”

And his face was busy again between your legs, which were shaking around his ears. He held one down with one hand as he fucked you with the other.

“Shit, Daddy! I’m gonna….fuck! I’m gonna…”

Bucky nodded and looked up at you, then he told you to cum with his fingers and you shattered, gushing into his mouth and all over his bed.

Bucky leaned up and groaned as he played in your wetness, using that hand to begin to jack himself over your shuddering body.

“Can I come all over you, Frumoasă?”

“Yes, Daddy…”

Bucky groaned and then manhandled your nipples.

“Cum all over me, Jamie.”

Then he roared as you moved so that you could suck his balls.”

“Holy, shhhhhhitttttttt!”

You were circling your own clit as the first hot drops of his cum sprayed over your already heated body. You came one more time as he focused on your breasts and left a hot, sticky mess all over you.

Your eyes were closed as your shivered because Bucky’s hot mouth was sucking his spend off your nipples. He alternated between kisses, bites, and laps against your skin.

“James! Gotdamn! I–”

“I know, I know, Frumoasa. But I can’t get enough...suportă-mă, iubito…”

—---

Later that Sunday, around noon, you sat, twice showered, marked, edged, and fucked to within an edge of your life as you ate the brunch that Bucky made you. You were ensconced in one of his plain white tee shirts and some of his boxer briefs and socks, and he was looking at you hungrily.

You laughed.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Bucky smirked, happier than he’d been in a good while.

“Do you want more…?”

Despite the debauched things you’d spent the morning doing, you blushed and looked down at your plate. You felt like a slut. But in a good way. You loved sex with Bucky. It seemed like even his pleasure was focused on you. It was unlike any other relationship you’d ever had.

“I’m sorry. Do you regret it?”

Bucky stopped eating and tipped your head up by your chin with his fingers. He looked worried and you melted. You bit your lip and decided to go for it.

“No. Because I love you.”

Bucky’s fork clattered to his plate and his eyes grew wide while your bright smile faded. Then he frowned.

“Fuck.”

He looked mad.

“I- I knew I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s too soon. I’m sorry, just forget that I said that.”

“No! Shit…”

Bucky grabbed your head and kissed you, the strawberries and cream from the waffles flooding your senses as his tongue found yours. When he was done, he grinned at you.

“I was pissed for a second, but not at you. What you just said is all I’ve ever wanted. I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you that I love you, too and here you are, saying it first.”

You rolled your eyes, although your soul soared. You pulled away and took another bite of food.

“It’s not a competition, James.”

You said it through a full mouth.

“Hmmmm. Maybe not. But I do love you more.”

He took another, bigger bite of food and you shook your head at him.

“You are insufferable.”

Bucky grinned.

“Get used to it if you’re gonna be my girl.”

“Your girl? Oh?”

Bucky wiped his mouth, then picked you up and placed you on his lap.

“Y/N L/N. I love you. And I want to figure this thing out between us. I want you to be my girlfriend while I figure out how to be the best man for you. Then maybe… “

You stopped him with your finger on his lips.

“Listen. One step at a time, Jamie. I love you too, James Buchanan Barnes. You are the best man for me. My man. I’m along for the ride.”

Bucky kissed you, then stood up and threw you over his shoulder as he moved to his couch.

“Speaking of riding. There’s my list to attend to.”

You screamed and laughed as Bucky slapped your ass. 

——

Next part Here!

All feedback is golden, babies! Let me know how you feel. ✨

[fookingmuffins]

it's time to go

James potter x reader

Summary: Angst. You love James, but it's time to go.

Warning: cheating, screaming and James being a dick.

A/n: lmao I really ran after posting like 4 fics, but I'm doing a little better and even though I'm stressed with uni I've been dying to write something, so I hope y'all enjoy. (This actually took me so long to finish and i dont lobe the ending but i needs to move on, oops)

You sighed as you prepared to open the door to the house you shared with James. Once upon a time, you would've rushed in without a second thought. But lately the war had taken a toll on the two of you. Once happy moments were now filled with fear and dread, making you feel like you were drowning. And no matter how hard you tried to hold on to the love of your life, you could feel him shutting you out. James had always been an open book anyone who ever met him knew that, but lately he had built this wall meant to keep you away, only you. At first, you tried to understand and be patient considering everything you two were going through, but after countless fights of you begging for him to talk to you, you were tired. You squeezed your eyes shut once before pushing the door open and plastering a fake smile in your face, maybe today would be different.

"Jamie, I'm home, I brought your favorite from the bakery by my work!" you shouted into the house buy were greeted with only silence. After checking the house you realized you were alone which immediately sent you into a spiral of worry since James was supposed to be here an hour ago but deciding that maybe he had gotten caught up with something you tried to ignore your panic and start getting ready for your friend's Alice’s engagement party.

You heard the door open and close while you were finishing up with your hair, causing you to get up and genuinely smile when you saw James make his way to the bedroom that the two of you shared.

"I was wondering where you were, I got you some pastries they are in the counter." you tried, but he just gave you a tight-lipped smile with a wave before passing by you to your shared bedroom. You went after him and saw he was getting ready to jump in the shower. Figuring it was going to be another quiet afternoon, you sat at your vanity staring at yourself in the mirror holding back the tears threatening to spill and ruin your makeup and just prayed that at the wedding maybe you two could have fun like you used to. You didn't even realize how long you sat there until you heard James get out of the bathroom and start getting ready, and you decided to just get dressed too and sit by the window with a book while you waited for James to be ready.

"Are you okay?" You were broken out of your train of thought by James’s question.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be. " You answered, giving him a similar smile to the one he gave you when he arrived.

"I don't know, you just keep staring into space, and it's kinda creepy." he tried to joke, but what once would've made you smile and roll your eyes instead caused a knot to form at your throat again, and you felt tears prickling your eyes once again.

"Well what am I supposed to do is not like I can talk to you anymore James you always shut me out, and I don’t know what to do anymore to get you to bring down the walls that keep shutting me out! I don't even know what I did for you to shut me out!" You couldn't help but let out everything for the millionth time, hoping that maybe today would be the last time you two were having this conversation and that he would finally open up and let you two go back to normal.

However, you soon realized that it was only wishful thinking because James immediately lowered his head and mumbled "For fuck's sake y/n not this again"

"Yes, this again, James! Please talk to me! Stop shutting me out, please!" you were a sobbing mess by this point, begging him to let you in, not caring if you ruined your makeup.

But James just shook his head and walked out, "I'll wait for you in the car while you get cleaned up, we can't do this right now, or we’ll be late." just like that, he left you alone frozen with mascara running down your cheeks. You felt numb and just quickly tried to clean up but when you were done and staring at your reflection stare back at you with puffy red eyes you just felt pathetic.

On the way neither one of you talked James kept his eyes on the road while you looked out the window too lost in your thoughts to realize your usual music that would usually be playing while the two of you drove was not playing, James realized, and he felt like he was suffocating in the empty car ride.

The wedding was beautiful and despite your problems you couldn't help but imagine that one day it would maybe be you and James standing in an altar professing your love in front of all your friends and family. You turned to look at him as Alice and Ben were sharing their vows, only to catch him staring at Lily, and she was staring right back at him. You felt something break in you as confusion overtook you. Why is he looking at her?

Was she the reason that you were slowly getting kicked to the curb? Back in Hogwarts everyone knew that James was obsessed with Lily but when she finally gave him a chance things just didn't work out. Then you caught James's attention, and the rest is history.

You tried to focus on the happy couple in the altar as the ceremony came to an end, but you felt someone was stabbing you and twisting the knife.

By some miracle during the reception James asked you to dance which shocked you, but his eyes seemed so sincere and like they were almost begging that you couldn't help but to foolishly be filled with hope once again. As you took his hand, he genuinely smiled at you again the way he used to with that same boyish grin that made you fall for him 5 years ago.

The two of you danced in the center of the dance floor spinning and laughing around, you had not been this happy in so long. After a particularly long fit of giggles, James pulled you closer and looked into your eyes with a spark that the two of you hadn't shared in months. When you two were about to lock lips, someone cleared their throat besides you two and the two of you pulled slightly away.

"James could I have a word with you please?" Lily asked looking at James who immediately pulled away from you and went with her after telling you he'd be right back. Just like that you were brought back to reality the cloud 9 that you had been in for a little bit long gone, and again the sinking feeling invaded you, feeling like you were drowning. You needed a drink.

You went to the bar and after getting your drink you decided it wasn't enough, and you needed air. You walked out of the salon where everybody was and made your way to the garden, and that's when you heard it.

"James! You said you two were over, but it sure as hell doesn't look like it! I can't beli-"

"I know, I know, but I can explain Lily please! I-I-I came here with her because she was embarrassed to come alone, so I promised this would be our last outing together." You felt your heart stop, air getting caught in your throat.

"What? That doesn't-" Lily started as you felt the glass in your hands slip and shatter on the ground.

Both of them froze and looked at where you were standing, you could feel a knot forming in your throat but glared at the pair in front of you with tears forming in your eyes.

"Y/n I can explain!"

" I think both of us want an explanation, James, but she deserves it more. Y/n/n I'm so sorry I had no idea you two were still together." Lily went to walk away and James was about to chase after her when she heard you scoff and as you turned around.

"Say goodbye to Alice and Ben for me, would you? I have to go." you rushed out before basically sprinting to the nearest exit, hearing James chase after you, which wasn't hard considering he was taller than you and an athlete. He grabbed your arm when you two had made it to the parking lot and turned you around.

"So that's why I'm getting the cold shoulder." you blurted out before whatever he was able to utter whatever shit excuse he was going to tell you. You almost wanted to laugh, which made you feel like you were insane, but you thought about all the hours you had spent over the past couple of months looking in the mirror trying to see what was wrong with you, overanalyzing every tiny detail in your face. Laying in bed staring at the ceiling, replaying everything you had done that day that might have set James off.

"No no baby, I swear it's not what it looks like, Lily is just bitter we didn't work out, and she's trying to sabotage us! I've just been so stressed because of it, and I am so sorry I let it out on you."

"Bullshit James! You were literally just talking shit about me before i showed up and ruined your little act." You were seething by this point, and James flinched after your outburst. You had never been one to scream, and he knew that, but right now you honestly felt like nothing was the same and you weren't the same. "A-and you wanted to chase after her and you know what? maybe you should. Maybe you have a better shot at getting her back because we are over James Potter! I-I am so tired... I-" You were crying from all the different emotions you were feeling at that moment. Finally getting some enlightenment about why your relationship was dying gave you some relief of the crushing pain you were feeling being hunted by the "what if's" and "why's" you weren't the problem.

James tried to get close and wrap his arms around you. god he felt like an idiot for hurting you. He honestly doesn't know what he was thinking. He had hoped you never found out and had planned to break up with Lily soon enough, but he just needed to explore a little what it could've been like if he had stayed with her. Plus the thrill of it was something that James had loved for the time being, but he never wanted to hurt you. His heart broke at the sight of you, he couldn't imagine what you were feeling.

"Don't even think about it! Don't ever touch me again don't ever look at me, I hate you so much Potter, I don't want to know anything about you from this day on James! We now mean nothing to me, we are strangers!" You glared at him in a way he had never seen you look at anyone, and felt his heart drop.

He tried to protest, feeling the tears leave his own eyes at the idea of losing you completely forever. But you just turned around and walked away.

[for-a-longlongtime]

Aquamarine

Pairing: Ezra (Prospect) x reader x Benny Miller

Rating: Explicit, 18+ only, MDNI. 🏳️‍🌈 Characters are bi as fuck. 💖💜💙 Summary: Ezra has enjoyed being pegged by you from day one. When Benny comes over, a lazy afternoon takes an interesting turn. Things are said, orders are being followed, two of you might be to blame for Benny's ruined jeans, and that lovely turquoise strap-on gets used. Also, Benny learns how to suck a dick - and it's not just his mouth that becomes acquainted with Ezra's tongue. Let the good times slut roll. (PWP, that's it really.) Warnings/tags: Established relationship (f/m) plus third (hello, younger!BennyMiller from Triple Frontier!AU), dirty talk, brief masturbation (f and m), fingering (f and m receiving), rimming, anal sex, oral on a strap on, pegging, dildo is referred to as "your cock/dick" repeatedly. Some spit use (no kink). Word count: 5652 words A/N: This is part of the Peg That Middle Aged Man campaign organized by the amazing @wannabe-urs. Please go check out all the other fantastic fics here! I completely missed my 01/18 deadline because things/my brain got in the way, but I finally completed after all. Special thanks to many of y'all, but in particular @sin-djarin, @magpiepills and the @alltheglitterandtheroar for their support in getting this done. Infinite gratitude to the always amazing @morallyinept, in particular for her Ezra Dialogue post and Writing For Ezra guide! Dividers by @saradika. This fic is unbeta-ed (in an attempt to squash my perfectionism) and inspired by @prolix-yuy's Din pegging fic, thank you LJ!

He’s gorgeous like this. Spread out on the bed with your fingers inside of him, those groans of pleasure getting even louder when you slide your mouth back onto his cock. It’s not just about how he looks, although yes - part of the reason you’re soaking wet is definitely that sweaty curly hair with the blond streak. With his head tilted back into the pillows he looks even more attractive than usual, his eyes closed but bliss written all over his face, even after you’ve edged him for almost an hour already. 

What gets to you the most is how unabashedly he surrenders himself. Body and mind greedy for pleasure, as if he’s been without nourishment for too long, deprived during all the time he’s spent on Bakhroma Green. He has no qualms to ask for what he wants, or what you want from him. That first night he fucked you better and longer than you had been in a long time, and still convinced you to call in sick the next day so he could do it all over again, making you scream his name until your voice was hoarse. So when you saw him looking at the harness in your toy drawer later that day, you were more than happy to return the favor.

You figured out pretty much immediately that this wasn’t new to him, so you rode him hard - having learned a thing or two about him in the previous twenty four hours - until he was a sticky whimpering mass, begging for you to keep going until he was beyond overstimulated. Afterwards he made you come twice on his tongue and fingers, and told you that while the strap was new for him, “the pleasure of being taken by a cock is not foreign to me, gem. No love too intimidating.” It was then that the thought of him being taken like this by a guy, or him fucking another man, had sprouted in your mind - something you kept filed away until the right moment came to revisit that. 

Like now.

A knock on the door pulls you out of your thoughts, and Ezra frowns as you let his cock slip from your mouth. “Gem, I must implore you to ignore that interruption,” he sounds breathless as he grabs your wrist before you can slide your fingers out of him. “As much as I enjoy you keeping me on the edge…” he pauses when you give him a challenging look and curl your fingers up against his prostate, making his hips buck hard. “... having a visitor take up your precious time is not something I’m willing to indulge in.”

“But I got you something.” You smirk when his eyes light up and lean into the kiss he’s offering. “I know you’ll like it.”

“Well… You’ve piqued my interest with such a delightful promise,” he muses before he takes over your mouth with a deep kiss. “Nevertheless, I’m sure the courier can leave this offering at the door. I’m not ready for your hands to leave my body just yet. I…” He groans when you slowly start to move your fingers inside him again, and lazily runs a hand over his chest, teasing his nipples until they’re both hardened by the attention. “Grant me another one of those delightful fingers, gem.”

The hitch in his breathing makes a shiver run through you, and as another knock sounds on the door, you wrap your left hand around Ezra’s cock. Slowly stroking him without any hurry, matching the pace of your other hand. He watches you with pleasure, whimpering quietly when you gently slide his foreskin down to reveal the head, then lean down to lick the precum off his dick and your fingers.

“Come on in, the door is open,” you call out into the direction of the door once you’ve licked up all of him, almost like an afterthought. The momentary surprise on Ezra’s face is easy to spot, but it shifts almost immediately to amusement tinged with a hint of mischief. Most noticeable, he makes no effort to cover himself up or discretely move away from your hands - if anything, he makes a point of spreading out more on your sheets. Luxuriating like a cat under a warm beam of sunlight. Or perhaps a panther in the green is a more apt description; no trepidation, just a single minded focus. It’s exactly what you were counting on.

You press a kiss to Ezra’s stomach as you hear the front door open, and his cock twitches in excitement at the startled gasp of the visitor. “Oh, fuck, I’m so sorry, I thought—”

“You thought right, no worries”. You grin as you lick away the last drop of precum that has welled up, then take in your guest. Benny. Just as pretty as when you met him the other day. Tall, blond, a slim but well-defined body that makes it clear he likes to work out. Younger than Ezra, but not too young - probably late twenties or early thirties. He’s a sight to behold in many ways, but that pouty bottom lip and his captivating eyes stand out in particular. You know Ezra is a sucker for that - you remember him telling you that it were your eyes that had drawn him in. Like aurelac. Believe me, gem. I should know, considering how much I’ve harvested it. 

“Glad you came. Close that door, would you?”

“What a pretty thing you’ve sourced for us.” Ezra’s voice is quiet so only you can hear him, yet his dick is anything but subtle; he’s positively throbbing under your fingers, but not addressing Benny yet, waiting for him to approach the bed. You see the hesitation on Benny’s face as he takes in the two of you, but there’s no room for hesitation in the way he licks his lips and shrugs his jacket off.

“Hi… I’m sorry if I’m interrupting.”

“Not at all, gentle man.” Ezra props himself up on an elbow, gesturing for Benny to come closer. He’s enjoying this, the panther in him all relaxed yet fully alert, letting his prey come to him willingly. “What is your name?”

“Benny. I met… we got to know each other, and she told me to come over.” He’s clearly trying to not be too blatant about staring at Ezra, but it’s fairly impossible to not look right at that stiff cock, surrounded by the thick curls of his pubes. It takes a moment, but then Benny seems to realize that you’re not just jerking off Ezra; you’re also still fingering his ass with easy, lazy movements. He clears his throat as he seems flustered, clearly not knowing where to look. 

“Benjamin. Hello, Benjamin - I’m Ezra. You must have met this gem at the drinking establishment,” Ezra suggests as he strokes your cheek, holding Benny’s gaze. “Surely you were as enthralled by her as I was. Tell me, did you try to make her yours?”

Benny laughs nervously, running a hand through his dark blond hair as he shrugs, seeming flustered. “Yeah, I-... I’m sorry, man. Didn’t know she was yours.”

It takes one to know that Ezra’s smile isn’t quite as friendly as it could be, with just a little too many teeth bared before he speaks. “That is not true, Benjamin. This gem belongs only to herself. I have the distinct pleasure of enjoying her whenever she deems me to be worthy of her time.” He pats the bed next to him as an invitation. “Your presence here would suggest she has plans for you, too. So this is… exciting.”

You nod at that as you slide your fingers out of Ezra, who does not seem too pleased about this. “I want to watch you fuck Benny,” you say casually, grabbing some sanitizer and a cloth to clean your hand. “He’s never been with a guy, but I don’t think that has to be a problem. Or is it, Benny? Sit down.”

He follows the command without hesitation, radiating golden retriever energy as he seems eager to please, and just a little bit overwhelmed. You reward him by brushing your fingers over his jawline, tracing the soft stubble and the more pronounced goatee under his plush lip. He looks slightly dazed, but you have no concerns about that. Setting boundaries was no problem for him, you had already figured that out yesterday - because else you wouldn’t have invited him over. “Can I kiss you?”, you ask, and he nods silently. 

“Use your words, Benjamin.” Ezra speaks up before you say it, and you can tell how the tone in his voice has changed since he last spoke. It’s sharper, hungrier, with a little bit of fangs in it. “I expect you to engage in candid discourse with us. Otherwise this is not happening, my friend.”

Something flickers in Benny’s eyes - a hint of resistance, or maybe he just rightfully feels intimidated. Ezra never is subtle about taking control of a situation, getting the upper hand either through words or more tangible weapons. But Benny doesn’t back down, lets his fingers brush down your arm, grazing your breast by no accident. “Yes, you can kiss me. Both of you can”, he then adds, sounding like a dare as his eyes are still on Ezra. “I’m fine with most things, and if not I’ll let you know.” 

“How fortunate for us.” Ezra smiles as he leans back against the headboard and lazily runs his hand over his dick, giving you an expectant look. You don’t waste any time, revising your earlier plans to initially only make out with Benny. While he can’t take his eyes off Ezra, you climb into his lap, steading yourself with a hand on his shoulder as he settles in. He looks up almost in surprise, as if suddenly being shaken out of a day dream, and he wraps his arms loosely around your waist as he faces you straight on now..

“I like how you’re drooling over Ezra,” you tease him, to which he immediately blushes. “No, don’t worry, I’m the same way. It’s hard not to,” you hush him as you settle in, wriggling around for a moment until you’re comfortable with the angle, your bare pussy pressed against his denim covered cock. You brush your lips over his as you slowly rock against him, feeling his hand slide to your hip, the other one firmly grabbing your ass to pull you closer. “Ez has a nice dick, you know. Thick, generously sized… ever been up close and personal with an uncut cock?”

Benny seems already breathless when he kisses you, his tongue just as eager as his hips are, grinding up against you. “No. Not with any cock, really. Fuck. He’s… hot.” He groans when you grind down harder against him, your slickness leaving a wet stain on his pants. “You’re both really hot,” he then adds, kissing you harder as he seems to gain more confidence now. Slipping his hand between you, he gathers your wetness so he can tease your clit with his fingertip, and you whimper in delight by how effective he is. You can tell he wants to explore more, would probably gladly slip one or two fingers inside of your heat, but that’s not going to happen yet - you have plans.

“I like your mouth,” you breathe as you break the kiss, resting your forearms on his shoulders as you lean back slightly, perfectly aware of how this pushes your tits up in a spectacular fashion for him. “You any good with it elsewhere, too?”

His lips are on your breasts before you even finish the line, hot tongue licking one nipple before he moves to the other, then sucks it into his mouth in a way that makes your clit throb. “Anywhere and everywhere” he assures you when he lets go of it with a wet smack. “You want me to eat you out?”

“Not now. Maybe later,” you sigh in pleasure, rocking a little harder against his fingers, enjoying how he’s taking his time to figure out what gets you going. Over his shoulder you see Ezra, a predatory glint in his eye when he realizes he’s got your attention. You bite your lip hard when the hand around his cock speeds up, and Ezra lets the other one lazily slip between his legs, teasing himself with deft fingers where yours were minutes earlier. 

You have to hold your breath for a moment to not lose it right there, and Ezra takes full advantage of it. His dark eyes hold you captive as he slips a thick finger into his hole, and you groan when you hear him breathe your name. He wants to get fucked by you, hard, and he’s not shy about it either. You’re throbbing in response to it - between his blatant need and Benny’s fingers between your legs, you feel yourself getting way too close way too fast. Especially when Benny’s mouth returns to your breasts, his teeth and tongue alternately teasing your nipples until they feel just as sensitive as your clit. 

You pull yourself off Benny’s lap just before the waves threaten to overtake you, legs slightly wobbly as you try  to compose yourself and calm your breathing. Benny is looking just as dazed as you’re feeling, and you’re pretty sure that the large wet spot on his jeans isn’t just caused by your arousal only. 

“Pretty Benny,” you say softly as you run your hand through his long locks, admiring the play of dark blond hair with some lighter strands. You’re pleased to see his head tip back as he swallows, anticipation on his face when you slowly twist some of his hair around your fingers. “Tell me something. You like being told what to do?”

Benny’s eyes become glassy at your words, and you feel a little jolt of triumph at his eagerness. Perfect. You give a gentle tug at his hair as a warning for his lack of direct response, and he whimpers. Squeezing his stiff cock through his pants as his gaze remains on you, he doesn’t seem aware of Ezra moving behind him. His eyes close when Ezra’s large hand envelops his throat loosely, cupping it with thick fingers that then move up to stroke his chin. 

“My gem is not in the habit of repeating herself, so I will do you that courtesy right now, Benjamin.” Ezra’s voice is gentle and warm, but you can hear the warning in his words. “She asked whether you like being told what to do.” His thumb slips into Benny’s mouth, its pad stroking Benny’s tongue for just a moment, then resting on his lip again. You feel slightly dizzy by how captivating it is. By no means is Benny a meek man, and he even has a couple of inches on Ezra in height. But there’s a willingness in him to follow orders, particularly when given by Ezra, that you find incredibly exciting.

“I do here, yes.” Benny’s voice is strained, and he finally opens his eyes again, looking at you. Both men having their glances fixed on you, both looking as hungry as you feel; one confident to the point of being almost predatory, the other momentarily overwhelmed by his own arousal. Ezra hums, reaching out to brush Benny’s lower lip with his thumb, his other arm snaking around Benny’s waist in an embrace. He dips his head down slightly so he can whisper in Benny’s ear, and you already know what he’s going to say.

“Suck it.”

Benny obeys immediately. The wet sound of his mouth around Ezra’s thumb gives you goosebumps, and you feel yourself throbbing once again. You had not yet planned on coming, preferring to take your time and enjoying the lazy exploration between the three of you. But you can’t help yourself any longer - you need your release now. 

You slide your hand between your legs and touch your clit, gasping at how swollen and sensitive it is from Benny touching you earlier, and the extensive attention Ezra had paid to your pussy even earlier. Before you can reach further and slip a finger or two inside, Benny’s hand reaches for yours, a pleading expression in his eyes. 

You nod benevolently, feeling his fingers gently enter you - only two, but thicker than yours are, and you moan as he strokes you, explores you. With ease he finds the right spot inside of you, rubbing and tapping it gently, and he smiles when you clench tight around him in response, your pulse suddenly skyrocketing. Without even blinking, he increases the pressure a bit while you stroke your clit, in tandem working towards your orgasm, and in no time at all you’re crying out and coming hard around his fingers.  

Only once you’ve eased down, Benny withdraws from you, a content look on his face. For a moment you think that he’s going to put his fingers to his mouth, but he surprises you - turning to look at Ezra and offers him his slick fingers. The glee on Ezra’s face couldn’t possibly be any more radiant, and he grins as he wraps his fingers around Benny’s wrist. “A most gracious offering, my friend - it appears we have a good partnership here,” he muses as he lifts Benny’s hand to his lips. 

“Fuck me, you’re killing me with that,” you whimper, hearing how hoarse your voice sounds. The sight of Ezra sucking Benny’s fingers into his mouth, cleaning them with his tongue before he lets go, is making you greedy. For more, for them, for someone’s dick being taken down someone else’s throat, and it’d better be soon. 

Ezra smirks, entirely too pleased with your reaction, then leans in to kiss Benny. Cupping his face in his hand, a gentle kiss on his lips first, but as Benny sighs in pleasure you see Ezra quickly get bolder. He shifts on the bed as he draws Benny closer to him, fingers stroking through the dark blond hair as he leans to kiss his jawline, then lets his lips wander back to Benny’s mouth again. 

“Your eyes are extraordinarily striking.” Ezra hums, almost as if talking to himself, his thumb brushing over Benny’s eyebrow. “Ocean blue, but.. viridescent. No. Aquamarine,” he corrects himself, and you smile to yourself - that’s exactly what you expected him to call it the moment you laid eyes on Benny. Leave it up to Ezra to try to capture colors through precious stones rather than using obvious terms. 

Benny laughs a little awkwardly, clearly unsure how to respond to that. “Ahh, thanks? Hey man, you don’t need to woo me.”

“I can assure you I am not even doing such a thing, Benjamin, nor do I believe that I will have to do so when pursuing you,” Ezra teases him playfully, reaching down to the unzipped jeans so he can cup Benny’s cock through the gray underwear. “If I may be so bold - you already appear to be a done deal, my friend. Wooing does not seem necessary anymore.”

Benny huffs as he shakes his head dismissively. “You’re very cocky.”

“You’re very pretty.” Ezra laughs loudly when Benny blushes again, and you reach out for Ezra’s hair as you give it a hard tug before he can say anything else.

“Smart ass. Be nice to our guest, hmm?”

“Of course.” Without missing a beat Ezra’s hand lightly grasps yours and brings it to his lips, pressing a kiss to it. “You may want to go have a drink of water, gem. Hydrate yourself. Perhaps bring your cock with you when you return?”

Benny looks confused for a second, but seems to drop it when Ezra grabs him for a proper kiss this time. There’s a moment of hesitation from Benny, but then his hand slides into Ezra’s neck and he pulls him closer. He takes over the kiss from Ezra, tongues greedily finding each other to share the taste of you and explore each other. Fuck, they’re beautiful. Ezra’s roughness, unpolished edges and a direct approach to ensnare you in his words, make you part of his game - versus Benny’s eagerness, being entirely too pretty, the light and captivating energy around him impossible to resist. They’re a good match in all their contrasts.

Benny pushes Ezra down into the pillows, practically climbing into his lap, and Ezra’s large hands immediately paw at him to remove his shirt. It’s tempting to stay and watch, but you remind yourself that some water is a more urgent need right now. You gulp down a cup from the chilled pitcher, then half of another one as you walk to the dresser across the room. The mirror above it gives you a perfect view of the guys making out, and you shamelessly admire them as you rummage through your toy drawer. First your leather harness, then you sort through the silicone dicks until you find the turquoise one that you like the best for Ezra.

Once you’ve put on the harness and slipped the dildo through through the O-ring, you walk back to the bed under the watchful eye of Ezra, who has Benny grinding into his lap as they’re still making out like teenagers. Eventually he breaks the kiss, sucking a quick hickey onto Benny’s throat as he watches you touch your silicone dick. 

“Kevva, gem. Look at your cock,” he says quietly, his eyes heavy-lidded with desire for you. He grabs Benny’s chin lightly and turns his head, making him look at you, and you see the surprised expression on Benny’s face as he takes in your appearance. The way the leather straps softly dig into your skin, the size of the dildo, and then you see the realization dawn on his face that none of this is a surprise to Ezra. 

“Your mouth is all messed up,” you say as you reach out for Benny stroking the slight redness that Ezra’s stubble left on his pale skin, lips swollen from kissing and his skin slightly flushed from Ezra’s stubble. “Looks good on you.” 

“Would look even better on you, gem.” Ezra’s voice is low and gravely as he runs his fingers through Benny’s hair, brushing the strands back. “How about you suck her cock, Benjamin. Do you see how magnificent it looks on her? You can show her that you know how to use that pretty mouth in different ways,” Ezra whispers into his ear, urging Benny off the bed and in front of you, then adds, “Show us how you can take me in later.” 

The breath Benny sucks in at those words is clearly audible, making Ezra’s grin widen even more as he moves to stand behind you, running his hands over your soft curves as he keeps his hard dick pressed against your ass. For a moment you wonder if this might be pushing him a bit too much, but then Benny kneels at your feet, a sight to behold. All lean muscle and strong arms, dick hard in his underwear, and looking even more fucked out than earlier. 

Benny’s fingers brush over the leather straps of your harness as he examines it on you, pressing kisses to some spots where the leather is threatening to leave an imprint on your skin. “I like the leather,” he says, sounding almost surprised, and just like earlier you find yourself clenching again, especially when he fingers the base of your cock and the balls. For some reason his careful explorations thrill you more than expected, especially once he decides to go for it and lap the head of your cock. Careful licks at first as he seems bashful, fingers brushing over the ridges and fake veins on the phallic silicone. You let him explore, let him get used to the idea of him being on his knees and about to take you in - hell, let him get used to the idea of a dick in his mouth period, even if it is a fake one.

“It’s not gonna bite you, Benjamin.” Ezra has moved over to Benny and is now kneeling behind him, hand resting on Benny’s back as he nods at the dildo. “Will you allow me?”

You raise an eyebrow at Ezra. “Look at you, so polite and sweet to him. Why don’t I get that?”, you tease, and Ezra grins as he smacks your ass hard, making you yelp.

“Because you do not care for that, gem. Come here.” You watch as Ezra’s hand closes around the strap on, leaning in without a moment of hesitation.He’s done this so many times, but never in front of anyone else. Benny watches Ezra’s tongue lavish your cock with attention, and you can tell from the way Ezra’s fingers press into your hips that he’s getting too excited, his body desperately needing release from having been stimulated in so many ways this afternoon.

A quiet groan escapes from Benny’s lips as he watches Ezra’s head bobbing, up and down, and you see Benny’s hand close around himself, the head of his cock almost angrily red and leaking all over him. He fucks himself into his fist, then whines loudly when he sees Ezra take you in all the way - sliding down on your cock until his nose meets your skin and the leather straps. 

You laugh, almost breathlessly, as you slide your hand into Ezra’s sweaty hair and cup the back of his head, holding him in place as you watch his throat work on you. “You take it so well, Ezra. Fuck, yeah, there you go,” you gasp, starting to pull back when you feel him gag for a moment. “Easy there, easy-”

“I’m fine,” the words stutter from Ezra’s lips as he sits up, catching his breath before he turns to Benny, his eyes glimmering with mischief. “Oh, shit. That really got you going, huh?” He sounds hoarse as he nods at Benny touching himself, then leans over to him, pulling Benny into another sloppy kiss. His hand joins Benny’s, intending to help jerk him off - but you’re officially out of patience with Ezra’s chaotic energy crackling at frantic levels. He’s been too wired for too long now, and you know there’s only one way he’s going to be able to let that go.

“Get your ass on that bed,” you tell him as you smack his butt playfully, looking for the container of slick under the pillow. “Now, pretty boy. You too, other pretty boy,” you nod at Benny, “...go sit against the headboard.” 

They both follow your lead, but you can tell by the glint in Ezra’s eye that he’s not about to back down - you know it’ll just be a matter of minutes before he’s running his mouth again. “I don’t want to hear you. Got it?”, you warn him preemptively as you push him down in the sheets, onto his stomach, then give his ass another hard slap as you twist the lid off the small glass jar with slick. 

Ezra groans, letting out a deep sigh as he looks back at you. “Again. Other side too,” he says hoarsely, then sucks in a deep breath when you oblige - a smack against his other cheek, then two more on each of them as you hear him whimper in pleasure. 

“Thought I told you to be quiet”, you challenge him as you spread the slick all over your cock. “Ass up now. Are you–”

“I’m fine, yeah,” he interrupts you, so eager he’s nearly tripping over his words, and he whines as you spread his cheeks, running your slick fingers over his asshole. “Please, just…” He groans when you run your thumb over his rim, letting it slip into for a moment. “Shit, shit, yes. Come on, gem, I can-...”

His words trail off as you push into him, just the tip of your cock at first, making sure he’s taking you as well as usual. When he nods at you to keep going, you slide your hand under him and reach for his half hard cock, stroking him steadily as you push further into him. His breathing still stutters but he takes the strap easily, eagerly as always. When you look up for a moment you see Benny staring at the two of you in awe. 

Ezra notices it too, and you feel the laugh that’s rolling through his chest before you hear it. “I think Benjamin is rather intrigued by the idea of being taken by a cock, gem,” he suggests, sounding rather amused as he grinds back against you. You pick up the pace as you thrust into him, and it doesn’t take long for those broad shoulders to fully relax. His cock is leaking in your hand as you fuck him steadily, hitting him at just the right angle to make him groan, and you hear him lick his lips as he beckons Benny to scoot closer. “Benjamin… come over here, won’t you? I don’t bite. Unless you’d want me to, in which case… today is going to turn out even better than I thought it was.”

“Hey, Benny? I’m gonna need your help here,” you order the other man as you keep up your pace, resting one hand on Ezra’s hip and the other one on his back, as you stroke his warm skin that’s glistening with sweat. “Need you to shut him up, okay?”

“Fuck. Yes - please,” Ezra gasps, his voice breaking for a second, and you feel a shiver run through him. You’re not even sure which one of you three groans the loudest when he takes Benny’s cock in his mouth, but you can feel your thighs slick with our arousal by the view in front of you. Benny’s a goner almost right away, his hand on the back of Ezra’s bobbing head as he guides him down on his dick, hips pushing eagerly towards his release. 

When Ezra’s nose brushes against Benny’s neatly trimmed pubes, holding still for a moment, Benny’s hand drops away as he mumbles something incoherent. You hear Ezra’s half choked grin, see him pull back as he licks Benny’s tight ball sack which earns him another moan. “Tap out if it’s a no,” Ezra tells him before he spits on his digits, brushing his fingertips over Benny’s taint which gets him an even louder moan than before.

“Jesus, Ezra,” Benny mumbles as he closes his eyes, leaning his head back as he lets Ezra handle him. You’re not surprised when you see a flash of Ezra’s pink tongue sliding over the perineum, and you slow down your thrusts to not jostle him too much. When Benny’s hips suddenly buck up hard without a warning, you hear Ezra hum and the sound of more spit against skin.

“Just relax, Benjamin, I’ve got you. Let it go,” Ezra hushes him, rubbing Benny’s thigh soothingly as he keeps his mouth to him, a soft smack of his lips as he sucks on his finger. “ ‘s Gonna feel good, I promise, yeah?” Even though being behind Ezra doesn’t quite provide you with a clear view, you can see just enough of what’s going on - Ezra’s tongue tracing Benny’s rim, slick with saliva, hushing him some more to relax as he takes his time, and then Benny whimpering when Ezra’s finger gently pushes inside of him.

“Fuck. Ezra, fuuck, I can’t– please… please,” Benny begs him, and Ezra beams as his finger slides into the second knuckle. He hums as he mouths Benny’s balls before moving back to his cock, the back of his head blocking most of your view as he works on drawing more moans and pleas from Benny. It’s not long before Benny cries out Ezra’s name along with a string of curses, his body shaking hard until he goes pretty much boneless. 

Benny heaves a deep sigh as he practically melts into the bed, reaching out to brush something off Ezra’s face - some spilled come, you would assume. “Sorry,” he says, not sounding very regretful at all as a smirk plays over his face. “Got it all over, huh?”

“I’ll take you on your word that that was not deliberately aimed, Benjamin,” Ezra says with a shrug, brushing the back of his hand over his cheeks and forehead. “Make sure to keep that in mind next time when I bust a nut over your face, too, hmm?” he adds with a grin as he wipes his hand clean on a bedsheet, then wiggles his ass against as he looks at you over his shoulder. “That was some good team work from our partnership, gem.”

You nodded as you rub his ass gently, moving along with him as you slowly start to pick up the pace again. “Hey, at least it wasn’t me in the line of fire this time, you know?” 

He laughs at you, stretching his arms one by one, followed by his back as he hums contently under your touch - the caresses to his back, the kiss you press against his bicep. He still has the predatory look on his face from earlier, that panther stretching in the sun while examining his prey, looking extra smug this time. 

“Yeah, but you clean it up so pretty with your mouth,” he teases, the two of you both knowing that Ezra is always the first to grab you a wet towel when it’s needed. “As for now…” His eyes darken slightly as he grasps your hand, bringing it to his lips for a kiss before he brings it to his throat, folding your fingers gently around him.

“Better finish me good, gem. You know I’ll make it worth your while.”

My brain was fried when I put this up originally, so I'm tagging people only now to let y'all know this posted (and you may be interested): @marisferasiop @ghostofaboy @immarocketman @ezrasbirdie @whatsnewalycat @gasolinerainbowpuddles @idolatrybarbie @writefightandflightclub @mysterious-moonstruck-musings @maggiemayhemnj @linzels-blog @lady-bess @ramblers-lets-get-ramblin @undercoverpena @sp00kymulderr @i-own-loki @ladamedusoif @penvisions @bonezone44 @auteurdelabre @ohforficsake @swiftispunk @max--phillips @kiwisbell @beskarandblasters @rifflovesjoey @chronically-ghosted @iamskyereads

Love to all the sluts! <3 @redhotkitchen @sparklefarts38 @exquisiteserotonin @pink-whiskey-woman @youandmeand5bucks @legendary-pink-dot @secretelephanttattoo @arcanefox207

Taglist for those who requested it : @yorksgirl @nerdieforpedro @pimosworld @survivingandenduring @romanarose @rubyfruitjungle @criticalarchitecture @kt86 @gemmahale @rav3n-pascal22 @rhoorl @laurfilijames @musings-of-a-rose @perotovar

[justabigassnerd]

Night Scare

Pairing - Jake 'Hangman' Seresin x daughter!reader

Word count - 1,275

Warnings - inaccurate medical scenes (I tried), worried Jake, fluff

Summary - a night time asthma attack turns a normal evening into a worry fest for Jake

A/N - wow... about two weeks later I'm finally posting a fic. I am so sorry for delays I've been struggling with writers block, it's still not fully gone but my guilt is catching up to me so I'm literally forcing myself to write. this was an anon request and I hope I did it justice. as per y'all please send in requests, feedback and enjoy!!!

Living with asthma is something you had just learned to deal with growing up. Always had to make sure your inhaler was on hand and learned to know when you could be on the verge of an asthma attack.

One evening, while your dad and Bradley were downstairs watching a sports match, you remained in your room, relaxing and scrolling through your phone. As you sit on your bed, scrolling through your phone, you began to cough occasionally but you shook it off, assuming it was just the ending of the cold you had just recovered from. Then your chest began to feel tight, like it was slowly being squeezed. You instinctively grabbed the inhaler that sat on your bedside table and took a puff of the medicine, settling back against the pillows and waiting for the medicine to do its job. After half an hour, you realise the inhaler isn’t working so you take another puff of the medicine and fight back a coughing fit that suddenly attacks you, taking your breath away from you as you struggle to recover it. Not wanting to risk losing your footing in your panic to get downstairs and risk hurting yourself, you open your phone and find your dad’s number, opening your messages and typing out a text.

Jake raised an eyebrow when he felt his phone buzz and saw your name above the text. He debated calling up to you but something in his gut was screaming at him to open the text, so he did.

‘I think I’m having an asthma attack’

“Call 9-1-1.” Jake says, leaping to his feet and heading for the stairs, leaving Bradley confused in the living room.

“What?!” Bradley calls up to Jake just as he disappears up the stairs.

“Call 9-1-1, y/n is having an asthma attack and I’m not taking any risks.” Jake calls down to Bradley who immediately pulls his phone out of his pocket and dials 9-1-1 while Jake bursts into your room to find you sat bolt upright and struggling to breathe. He could tell you were trying to keep calm so you could control your breaths a little better, but he could see the panic in your eyes.

“I’m here, sweetheart. Take another puff of your inhaler for me, okay? Rooster’s calling the ambulance now they’ll get here as quick as they can.” Jake says, sitting next to you on the bed and taking the small inhaler from your hands and holding it to your mouth so you could take a puff, he kept a close eye on you, seeing how you were doing.

Before too long, you heard the front door opening and Bradley talking downstairs before you heard footsteps heading up the stairs and you see two paramedics enter the room, equipment in hand as they approached.

“We’re going to need you to step back, sir.” One of the paramedics says, making Jake press a kiss to the top of your head and whisper reassuringly before he gets up from the bed, allowing the paramedics to assess you. The paramedics ask Jake for your name and what medication you are on which he gives, grabbing the medical information card he had and handing it to the paramedic, so they knew everything they needed to in order to help you. The paramedics help you downstairs to where a stretcher was waiting after assessing and concluding that you need to go to the ER for some medicine and observation. Jake is given permission to ride in the ambulance with you and just as he goes to follow you, Bradley stops him.

“I’m going to head home and get out of your hair. Keep me updated and I’ll come by when I can.” Bradley says and Jake nods, clapping Bradley on the shoulder.

“Thanks for calling the ambulance. I’ll see you around.” Jake says as the two walk out of the house, closing the door behind them. Bradley nods in acknowledgement before crossing to his Bronco while Jake gets in the back of the ambulance with you as the paramedic did what he needed to do. You were given an oxygen tube and some medicine, and your attack was seeming to wane thanks to it.

When the ambulance pulled up outside the hospital, the paramedics eased the stretcher out and wheeled you into the ER and one of the paramedics and Jake eased you onto a bed while the other paramedic filled in the nurse on what had happened. When you’re settled on the bed, the paramedics head back out to their ambulance while the nurse comes to your bedside.

“Hi, y/n. I’ve been informed that you’ve received some treatment and oxygen on the way over here and you seem to be doing better but we just want to keep you in for a few hours just in case you have another attack, okay?” The nurse says cheerfully as she inputs some final things on the tablet in her hand. You nod at her words as does your dad and the nurse then excuses herself to continue her rounds.

“You feeling okay?” Jake asks softly as he watches you.

“Feeling a lot better than I was earlier.” You say with a smile, making Jake smile gently and finally let himself relax.

“It was a little scary though.” You admit, looking away from your dad who softens at your words, reaching out and taking your hand gently in his own.

“I bet it was sweetheart. I thought it was scary just from my perspective I can’t imagine what it was like for you.” Jake says, watching you carefully as you shift your gaze to look back at him briefly.

“The important thing is you’re okay now. We’ll stay here for as long as the nurses want us to and then we’ll head home, and you can get some sleep and you can rest as much as you want tomorrow as well. We’ll take it easy.” Jake says reassuringly, giving your hand a small squeeze as well.

After almost three hours of lying on the hospital bed with constant check-ups, the nurses allow you to go home for the rest of the night, confident that you won’t have any more attacks for the night. They urge Jake to book you a doctor’s appointment as soon as possible to check how everything is going with your lungs and then you are cleared to go. As you exit the hospital, Jake is checking on the status of the Uber he booked and before too long it pulls up and the two of you get in the back seats and begin the journey home. By the time you get home, you’re just about ready to collapse into your bed. You immediately head up to your room and get into your pyjamas, quickly burying yourself under your duvet and curling up. It didn’t take your dad long to knock on the door and enter with your permission. He crossed to your bed and bent over to kiss the top of your head.

“Sleep well, sweetheart. If you need me, I’m just next door.” He whispers as you nod, eyes slipping shut instantly and Jake lets out a soft chuckle, pulling the duvet over you a bit more and leaving the room, turning the light off as he goes.

Jake returns to his own room, getting in his bed and lying on his back, staring up at the ceiling. He had just been through a scare that may taunt him for a while, but he knew you were just next door sleeping peacefully and he’d look after you as best he can.

[marvelsdc22]

Depression Spikes

Intro: Well, lookie here, I actually got halfway through, I'm gonna try and post these once a week, this season is gonna have around 12 chapters, anyways, hope y'all enjoy~

Summary: When life and stress gets to you, you make a decision, whether it was a good decision or not is a different story.

You sat in your shared bedroom, staring at the wall in front of you, hoping… no, praying that the past few weeks were all just some nightmare and that you’d wake up tomorrow and everything would be fine, your best friend wouldn’t be locked away in a high security hospital, your dad wouldn’t of died in front of you, and you wouldn’t be holed up in your room, a new prosthetic on your arm and in pain, blocking everyone out including Lena who had been nothing but a doting girlfriend in your time of need, you just wanted this all to be some horrible dream, you wanted to wake up from it.

You felt bad that you weren’t speaking to Lena, doing your best to avoid her and everyone else that you possibly could, your depression had become even worse as time went on and you knew it would get worse the longer you pushed the people that loved you away but you couldn’t help but feel that maybe everyone would be better if you weren’t around, life would be easier if that was the case wouldn’t it?

After a few hours of staring, you heard the door open as Lena crept in, she had been trying everyday to get you to speak to her or at the very least acknowledge her presence “I brought you some lunch from the diner… It’s your favorite” she said, going and setting it down on the nightstand you were close to before setting her things down and kneeling down in front of you “I was thinking that we could go for a walk today, some fresh air would do you some good” she said, looking at you and wanting to reach out to you but she also didn’t want to scare you.

Seeing you like this broke a piece of her heart, she hated seeing you this way and she was running out of ways that she could try to break you from this trance that you had gotten yourself into “Come on, we can hit that ice cream shop that you love” she suggested, cautiously reaching out and resting it on your leg, feeling some relief when you finally met her gaze, the two of you locking gazes before you felt tears building in your eyes.

When Lena saw the tears, she immediately engulfed you in a hug, letting out a breath of relief when she felt you slowly wrap your arm around her and holding you tighter, whispering ‘I love you’ and ‘I got you’ in your ear as you finally let yourself sob, all of the feelings that you’d been holding in for the past few weeks finally coming out as you shook in Lena’s hold “I’m sorry” you croaked out in between sobs, wishing you could’ve been better.

Lena slowly pulled back and cupped your face gently “Honey, you have nothing to be sorry for… These past few weeks have been insane, no one would know how to process what all you’ve been through, just know that I’m here for you and I’m not going anywhere” she assured, squeezing your arms before gently wiping the remaining tears off your face “Lets get some food in you and we’ll go on that walk I promised” she suggested, handing you the bag of food before stepping away to grab you a change of clothes.

xxxx

Later on that night as Lena was making dinner, you were on the phone with your mom, her ecstatic to hear your voice again, Lena called her every other day and would update her on how you were doing but nothing compared to actually hearing it from you “I’m sorry we haven’t been able to talk much… It’s been hard for me to adjust” you apologized, looking at the prosthetic that was hanging at your side, you still not fully used to it “I understand, dear… It’s rough not having your father around anymore, I keep thinking that he’ll come walking through the front door, acting like a goofball” your mother said, giving a sad smile as she looked at her now empty living room.

After talking with your mother for a bit, Lena called saying that dinner was ready, telling your mother you loved her and would talk to her tomorrow before you headed into the kitchen, not feeling overly hungry but you knew you had to eat something to regain the energy and weight you had lost during your trance period “Thanks Lena” you said, offering her a small smile as she handed you a plate “Of course, I hope you enjoy it” Lena smiled, turning to fill up her plate when she heard you set yours down before grabbing her wrist.

Once she looked at you, you shook your head and gave her wrist a small squeeze “No, I mean thank you for being here for me… I know I didn’t do anything to deserve it, I was pushing you away but you stayed with me anyways and I will never be able to tell you how much I appreciate what you have done for me” you said, biting your lip as you looked down at your feet, unable to hold her gaze anymore since you felt immense guilt for treating her the way you did.

You looked up when you felt her finger gently lift your gaze, gently running her thumb along your bottom lip, pulling it free from the confines of your teeth “You were hurting, yes I was hurting too but you were hurting more, I will always stick with you, we’ve been through so much for me to just give up on this when you’re in the worst pain imaginable, I love you and I will tell you that everyday until my last breath if I have to” she said softly, looking into your eyes that were now burning with tears once more, the two of you leaning in and sharing a soft kiss, this was a work in progress and both of you were determined to walk through this thing called life together.

Taglist:

@unexpected-character

[tactician]

as you probably know, the most recent pokemon games feature pretty significant pokedex cuts due to the sheer magnitude of pokemon that are now available to us. this means that some pokemon are simply not featured in certain mainline games, which adds a unique element to a lot of pokemon's ribbon master journeys. re: my experience with reides, working around unobtainable ribbons wasn't exactly a new experience - after all, there were no available shadow horseas/seadras/kingdras in pokemon colosseum or pokemon xd, so i knew that my kingdra wouldn't be able to get the national ribbon (granted to purified shadow pokemon) - but it still was something i had to consider and plot out carefully as i brought him up towards the more recent generations. for example, reides was unable to get the hisui ribbon (granted for taking a photo with your pokemon in the region's photo studio), as the horsea line was not featured in legends arceus... and, for a long time, i figured that he wouldn't be able to get any of the ribbons (and marks!) featured in scarlet and violet.

but then... the dlc happened. the glorious, glorious dlc.

the horsea line was re-introduced into the pokedex when indigo disk - the second batch of dlc for scarlet and violet - dropped. needless to say, i was EXTREMELY hype about this. in my previous post, i mentioned not being sure if reides would be able to join me in this current generation of pokemon. i wondered if i'd have to brave the long, long queues of pokemon shield in order to get the master rank ribbon on him and make him a true ribbon master... but fortune smiled down on me, and reides was miraculously granted access to generation 9 of the pokemon games.

before i get into reides' journey through paldea, kitakami and unova, here's a quick reminder you can find each part of reides' ribbon master journey here on my personal website, or here in my ribbon master tag on this tumblr! it spans from my childhood copy of emerald version to my... uh... adulthood (lmao) copy of scarlet version... so it's quite the sizeable read! to everyone who's stuck by me for this whole challenge and expressed support for my lovely kingdra: thank you so much! and for anyone new to the reides saga: welcome, and i hope you enjoy my posts about him!

with that handled... it's time to cover a brand new generation of ribbons and marks!

as a big pokemon fan, i tend to play new games and dlc the very moment that i can. in the current era of #gaming, that means obsessively checking for game updates on the night of dlc releases. as i mashed that + button on my pro controller to check for updates to my copy of scarlet, i felt especially nervous. thanks to people being mischievous and sneaking alleged leaks around on twitter, i knew that the horsea line was supposedly being introduced into the game... but i'm extremely skeptical by nature. (can you believe that some people go on the internet and lie?!?!) i didn't want to believe that reides' ribbon master journey would continue until i saw a little horsea (or seadra... or kingdra...) swimming around in a digital body of water myself. once my game finally updated, i sprinted over to blueberry academy as SOON as i could and began running around the terarium in search of a horsea. i found one swimming around in a lake almost immediately.

when i tell y'all... the scream i scrumpt... LMFAO. joking aside, it felt like i could finally breathe again. i was SO READY to plop reides into my file and get right to grabbing the ribbons and marks that were added for gen9. unfortunately, gamefreak had other plans for me, and pokemon home was under maintenance. after falling dramatically to my knees, i busied myself with getting the rest of my team for the dlc ready. this included grinding out the necessary bp to unlock wild starters in the terarium, then embarking on a shiny hunt for my fav starter pokemon of all time - totodile! after hours and hours of looking around, i managed to catch one successfully in a love ball and named him barge. along with the rest of my indigo disk team, barge would go on to be close friends with reides. anyway, after a lengthy maintenance, pokemon home was eventually ready to go. i leapt right in, retrieving reides and plopping him into my party. i'm a huge fan of the updated pokemon models in scarlet, so i was hype to see the one that they gave shiny kingdra. i was NOT disappointed in the slightest!

LOOK AT HOW GORGEOUS HE IS. the tiny scale details... the glossy shine... my god. as much as i liked the sleekness of the models in gen8, i like the more realistic ones that gen9 introduced a whole lot more. the devs did a phenomenal job; kingdra looks absolutely majestic. with my full indigo disk team now present in my copy of scarlet, i had to take a group shot and treat everyone to a sandwich!

reides met five new pals: bane the weezing, grunge the krookodile, bento the snorlax, axe the haxorus, and, of course, barge the feraligatr! i shiny hunted for all of them myself, as i really enjoyed doing the same for my kitakami team during my teal mask playthrough.

i wasn't quite ready to take on the indigo disk plotline, though. my first order of business was grabbing a ribbon for reides - namely, the paldea champion ribbon! i hopped on a plane and flew back to paldea, signing up for a spot in the academy ace tournament.

i really love the vibes of the academy ace tournament; everyone is so passionate about the battles, and the music is an absolute JAM. i was especially happy about reides' first experience as a competitor in it, too, because my fav character in the game just-so-happened to show up for it!

that's right: arven - the man, the myth, the legend - challenged me and reides to a battle.

shoutout to him holding his pokeball upside down. just one more reason as to why he's truly one of the best pokemon characters. (btw, as happy was i was to see arven, i always feel so bad to fight his mabosstiff. that's my FRIEND!!!!!!)

anyway, after sweeping his way through everyone in the academy ace tournament, reides was granted the paldea champion ribbon for his efforts.

after nabbing that ribbon, i decided that i should really get a move on with the indigo disk's actual plot, as i wanted to avoid spoilers and also REALLY wanted to know what happened next in the plot. i was pretty invested in the hooks that teal mask introduced and was especially worried about kieran. (just why did teal mask's plot force us to lie to that poor kid, btw?! just thinking about it gets me so annoyed. i'd go through an 'evil' arc too if i was in his shoes, i'll tell you that.) even though it's not really relevant to reides' ribbon master quest, i figured i'd share some photos of his storyline adventure, too.

(btw, i'm writing this post in feb 2024, which means that indigo disk has been Around for around 2 months and thus the spoiler embargo is pretty much lifted - but, still: be warned that there are some spoilers for indigo disk beyond this point!)

the battles in indigo disk ended up being pretty tough; i was glad that i put time aside to train up my team properly. we managed to take on the blueberry elite four and kieran and ultimately Prevailed - even if the battles were quite close, at times! i was kinda sad that there was no ribbon associated with beating all of them - it would've been nice to finally get some form of an unovan ribbon on my ribbon master - and i was also pretty shocked that the dlc didn't introduce a battle tower. regardless, even if reides didn't get a ribbon for his performance in the battles, it was still awesome to include him in them, and i had a whole lot of fun.

i also brought reides along for the Shenanigans following the blueberry academy plotline.

luckily for me, briar, carmine and kieran were chill with waiting in the underdepths of area zero while i took reides on a bit of a photoshoot. it was just so pretty down there!! how could i resist!!

anyway, silly little wanderings aside, it was really cool to have reides involved in the big showdown against terapagos. i was especially happy when kieran snapped out of his funk and i got to battle alongside him. his hydrapple even used dragon cheer, powering reides up during the battle. it made the whole experience feel all the more significant.

with everything all sorted out, i ended up being really happy with the indigo disk's overall plot. i definitely liked it a lot more than teal mask's narrative and was really pleased that we could become proper friends with kieran once more. (i still wish that we could've apologized for lying to him, though.)

now that i was safe from indigo disk spoilers and emboldened with love for pokemon as a whole, i decided to pick up my ribbon-collecting in earnest once more... though the next ribbon on my list was not actually a ribbon. it was a mark! introduced in gen8, marks are basically the same as ribbons. i think of them as little stickers on pokemon, haha. the first one that i set my sights on was the gourmand mark, which has a chance of being randomly given to your pokemon after eating a meal with them! these meals can be the store-bought ones or the ones that you make yourself via the picnic system.

frankly, i have no idea WHEN reides got this mark, as i went sort of crazy with buying lots of different meals. (i really like the food art in this game, okay!!) it definitely didn't take long for one of these meals to really strike his fancy, though. he got the gourmand mark very quickly and also got the title 'reides the gourmet' along with it!

i then decided that i'd try to get the other two marks on reides in one fell swoop. the first of these marks was the itemfinder mark, which your pokemon has a chance of getting when they pick up an item in the overworld. to get this mark, you have to make use of the let's go feature, which allows your pokemon to walk alongside you. the second of these marks was the partner mark, which... can be quite the ordeal. your pokemon basically has a 1/100 chance to get this mark with every 10k steps that you take. additionally, your pokemon also has to be friendly towards you in order for them to have a chance at getting this mark. since both of these marks rely on random chance, i knew that i could get really unlucky and end up going off on one hell of a grind for them... but i decided to just take it one step at a time. instead of focusing on getting the marks to trigger, i wanted to wander around and enjoy the sights around the various regions of the game. after all, i was lucky to even HAVE reides in this generation - and these marks gave me the perfect excuse to take lots of photos with him, too!

i was especially happy to take some photos of him with aske, my shiny gallade who joined me for my teal mask journey. as you guys know, reides the kingdra is named after a character that i play in a dnd campaign. similarly, aske is named after another character in that campaign; he's reides' boyfriend!

i also enjoyed roaming around *as* reides while using the new synchro machine, too! i'm not sure if items that you pick up count towards the itemfinder mark in this mode, but i'd like to think that they do.

thanks to my casual approach to getting these marks, i actually have no idea how long they took for me to get on reides. one day, i just happened to check and they were BOTH there, so i guess the 'grind' truly ended up being completely painless. in the following screenshot, i'm hovering over the partner mark, but you can see the itemfinder one at the end of the row above it, too.

with the marks now handled, i had one more ribbon to get on reides before he could become a true ribbon master. this ribbon was the one that i was the most nervous about by FAR. the master rank ribbon is granted to your pokemon once you emerge victorious in one (1) online battle against another player... but the catch here is that the battle has to be in the master rank. for me, it meant climbing from the beginner rank all the way up there.

naturally, i procrastinated with this ribbon a whole lot. i took reides along for the (amazing) epilogue when it dropped in january, taking more pictures with him and making more memories... all the while wondering just when i'd get around to tackling the Final Ribbon.

as it turns out, i didn't actually end up procrastinating on it all that long. my friend cody visited me a few days after the epilogue dropped, and my other friend blee stayed over at my house for his visit, too. both of them knew about reides the kingdra and we decided that we'd tackle operation: final ribbon acquisition together, with blee spearheading it as someone very well-versed in vgc. over the course of a few days, we managed to get up to master rank - running into a bunch of really interesting teams and occurences during the climb of legend. (special shoutout to a dedenne who kept trying to spam nuzzle on pokemon who were completely immune to it, but who successfully spread the glory of Cheek Pouch via entrainment onto us all.) i learnt a truly crazy amount of stuff about the competitive world of pokemon and really enjoyed all of the different rental teams that we tried out.

upon arriving in the master ball tier, we had to switch gears, though, as we couldn't use rental teams anymore and, instead, had to build one from scratch so that reides could be included in it. i ended up building this portland regional finals team as per blee's recommendation, though we swapped out raging bolt for reides, himself. since it was my own team and not a rental one, we gave nicknames to each team member.

my entei is one that i got in an event years and years ago (they're shiny and in a cherish ball), so i couldn't nickname them... but just know that they are 'flamberge' in spirit. o7 reides also got an electric tera type (and tera blast as part of his moveset) for fun, as his namesake is associated with storms.

it was a lot of fun making this team!!! the very specific ev-spreads that some of the pokemon required gave me a newfound appreciation for all of the feathers that i happened to pick up while wandering the terarium... not to mention all of the mochi that i collected while oustin' ogres in kitakami.

once the team was all built, it was time to get the final W in order to secure the ribbon at long last. we could all breathe a whole lot easier, as when you rank up to another ball tier, you can't "demote" to a lower one - so falling back into the ultra ball tier wasn't a concern. victory didn't evade us for long, either!

after a REALLY fun battle against someone named alex, operation: final ribbon was finally complete.

reides - along with the rest of the team who helped clutch out the victory - got the much-coveted master rank ribbon.

upon getting this ribbon, it finally happened.

reides the kingdra officially became a ribbon master.

a journey that began back in october 2023 finally came to a close. with his 91 total ribbons (since his two golden memory ribbons have 48 ribbons in total within them), reides now has each and every single ribbon that he can possibly attain from his origin game of emerald version to the current pokemon generation.

i'm sure that all of my posts speak for themselves in terms of the sheer amount of effort that i put into this challenge. there were many times that i thought i hit a "roadblock," be it in the form of a gruelling grind or worries over not being able to access something due to hardware restrictions. in the end, however, reides was able to rise above all of the challenges. i got sooo much help and support from friends over the course of this whole challenge, so i have to give a BIG shoutout to every single one of y'all! and, of course, i have to extend thanks to all of the people who posted about their ribbon mastery experiences online, as i definitely couldn't have guided reides to this point without them. i'm hoping that the posts that i made about reides' journey can serve as a guide of sorts to anyone who wants to pick up the challenge for their pokemon, too!

at any rate, reides is my very first ribbon master and i definitely plan on keeping his ribbon collection up-to-date in future generations of pokemon. i say it time and time again, but the ribbon master challenge is amazing because it gets you interacting with aspects of the pokemon games that you may have never even thought of trying out. you form a true emotional bond with your pokemon, and it's just... so very fantastic. you make so many memories!!! so while there might not be an update to the reides saga until those generations are out and about, i'm already excited to keep on hunting for ribbons and am hoping that the horsea line is included in every single game going forward! because, quite frankly... it's what reides deserves. >:)

before i Sign Off on this post, however, i wanted to share something i bought to celebrate reides; namely, a custom shiny kingdra diorama from nerdidecor on etsy.

ISN'T IT SO CUTE!!!!! i put it right on my desk next to my pc so that i can always have a little reminder of my amazing ribbon master with me. i'm hoping to get more shiny kingdra stuff in the future, too!

either way, thank you all so much again for keeping up with me and my beloved kingdra! i'm already looking forward to being able to write up another one of these posts in the future! until then, reides is definitely going to enjoy a nice vacation from ribbon hunting. rest assured that i will be taking the very best care of him!!! :D

[thebeckster]

Ben again with a second prompt for that reverse trope game: Forte/Frey and the soulmates fated to kill each other? (;w;)

HI BEN GUESS WHAT WAS SO PERFECTLY UP MY ALLEY FOR A COMPLETELY TRAGIC STORY INSTEAD OF MAKING THIS A SHORT PROMPT FILL LIKE I INTENDED IT BECAME A 7.3K WORD MONSTER!

As soon as I saw the prompt and the ship I just immediately went "Well, that's perfect for a Dark!Empress Frey AU!" And then I went into an ADHD fueled fugue state for 4 hours and came out with this!

I am not going to post the whole story here, even under a cut, I won't do that to y'all. So you can read the whole thing on AO3!

I'll put the juciest parts here. it will still be quite long under the cut, be warned.

CW: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Major Character Death, generally Mature content in the back half.

Forte only ever had her fortune told once. She had been a young girl, just about a year into her training – old enough to be concerned about the future, but young enough to believe in soothsayers. She went with a group of girlfriends, all giggling and nervous and excited to know what exactly fate had in store for them Would they find love? Glory? Power? One by one the girls stepped into the witch’s parlor, paid her the required coin, and asked their questions. Forte waited to go last. She didn’t know what she wanted to ask the seer. Before she made up her mind, the witch was calling her in. The parlor was dark, the air heavy with smokey incense. Candles flickered all around, they were the only source of light, aside from the faintly glowing milky crystal ball in the center of a small round table. The witch smiled kindly at her and held out her hand for Forte’s coin. “Take a seat, dear, and ask me what you would like to know.” Forte sat across from her at the table, trying to think of any question that was worth the seer’s time. Her mind was blank. “I… I suppose… I’m going to be a knight. I guess… what should my steed be? Horses are nice but…” What kind of question was that? It was so stupid! “A knight’s steed must match their nature. A bold knight can harness a mighty steed. A cunning knight knows to blend in as simple horse and rider. When were you born, my dear?” “No wait! Sorry, can I ask another. That was a stupid question.” Forte’s eyes had caught something when the witch set her cards aside. She’d set the deck upside down and the bottom card showed two figures holding hands, looking at each other. “Of course, dear.” The witch offered kindly, setting the star chart aside. Forte drew a breath. “I want to know if I’ll ever meet my soulmate.”

The witch’s smile widened. “Give me your hands.”

Forte held out her hands and the seer began carefully examining them, gently tracing her finger tip over the lines on Forte’s palm. “Your right hand is strong, the love line is long. When you fight for love, you will rarely lose. But your left hand,” she clicked her tongue softly in disappointment, “The hand with which you would hold your loves close… I’m afraid that love line has been cut short. This scar here, how long have you had it?”

“About a year.” It had been an accident in her early training, her hand had slipped while she was sharpening a blade.

The witch released Forte’s hands and placed the deck of cards in them. “Shuffle them however you please. When you are done, draw five cards.”

Forte shuffled a few times and drew her cards. She laid out a card with a woman on a throne, a card with a chariot, a card with a crumbling tower, a card with balanced scales, and a card with a man hanging upside down.

The witch spent a long moment studying the cards. The longer she studied, the more sorrowful she looked. Eventually she drew in a long breath and one by one pointed to the cards Forte had drawn. “The Empress, the Chariot, the Tower, Justice, and the Hanged Man. I am sorry, my dear, your future does not look to be a happy one.”

“What do you mean?” Forte asked. The cards didn’t look all that bad.

The witch closed her eyes, and when she spoke it was in a rougher voice, as if she was channeling some other spirit. “Your soulmate will come into your life most unexpectedly. She will be a force of nature, and a lover of it. Your time together will be short, but meaningful. Duty and ambition will drive you apart, set you upon different paths. Destruction will bring you together again, opposing forces upon a battlefield. She will be great and terrible, and you will be the mighty hand of justice. You reunion will bring death. Each falling to the hand of the other. So it is written. So it shall be.”

“Is this some kind of a joke?!” Forte jumped to her feet angrily. She expected some fluffy drivel about the right person coming into her life at a certain time, and a happily ever after to follow. Fortune tellers were just supposed to be good at telling people what they wanted to hear. Not go telling young girls of their death. “You’re just an old fraud, what do you know!”

The witch offered no counter. She merely watched Forte with a deeply piteous look.

Forte turned and stormed out of her parlor. The witch did not chase her.

Her friends were waiting by the door, ready to go, discussing their fortunes. They asked Forte about hers, but she wasn’t ready to answer, not until they were back in the street and free from the cloying stink of the fortune house, and those stupid cards were far behind her.

“Come on, Forte,” her friend asked, hooking her arm through hers to make her slow down a bit. “What did you ask her? What did she say?”

“Nothing,” Forte grumbled. “Nothing important. I asked her if I would ever meet my soulmate and she went on some crazy rant about how I’d end up killing her instead.” She kicked at a loose stone and sent it skittering off down the street.

“I wouldn’t worry about it. If you ask me, I think she was a fraud and just wanted to turn up the dramatics. You know what she told me? She said I’d marry some fat, bald, old baker and have eight of his kids.” She scoffed derisively. “As if!”

Her other friends joined in, weighing the validity of the seer’s prophecies. Half of them seemed to find hope, but the other half seemed to find their fortunes more than a little far-fetched. It didn’t take long at all for Forte to put the whole affair out of her mind entirely.

So when an amazing young woman, with the strongest powers Forte had ever seen, and an uncanny affinity for nature fell into her life, Forte didn’t think about a spread of cards from a decade past. All she thought about was the powerful connection the two of them shared, the way the air seemed charged with electricity whenever they spoke, the way her heart fluttered and her palms grew sweaty when Frey was around.

It didn’t take long for Forte to fall in love with Frey. She would stay up all night thinking about the future they could have together. The Earthmate Princess and the Dragon Knight – it could only ever be a fairytale romance. From the moment Frey entered her life, Forte couldn’t imagine a future without her in it. What they had together went beyond attraction and infatuation. She wouldn’t dare confess it yet, it was still too soon, but when she thought about Frey, Forte thought she understood what it meant to have a soulmate.

She didn’t work up the nerve to say anything before Ventuswill got sick. And Dragon Knight had to do her job and protect her charge. And Earthmate Princess had to play her role and go off and fix the problem.

In her waking and lucid moments, Ventuswill would tease Forte about how she loved Frey. Sometimes she would offer encouragement to the knight, telling her to tell Frey how she felt before it was too late. Once, she even fondly looked forward to seeing the two of them spend a happy lifetime together. They were meant for each other. Divine dragons know these things.

And Forte suddenly remembered a witch and a spread of cards and an ill-omened prophecy. And she wanted to ask Ventuswill if it could possibly be true. But the dragon had slipped back to sleep, and she was never lucid enough again to answer Forte’s questions about fate.

It couldn’t possibly come true. There could be no future where Forte ever saw Frey as an enemy. She loved her. The witch had been a fraud.

When this was over, the two of them would be together forever.

Except Frey ended up leaving Forte. She returned from battle victorious. She returned Empress. And Frey left Selphia, left Forte.

As suddenly and unexpectedly as she had come into her life, she left it.

The years passed. Forte dedicated herself to her knighthood. She never loved again, not in the same way she had loved Frey. She tried once or twice to fill the void, let other lovers heal her, but they were never quite right.

Eventually she stopped trying. She turned away potential interest and dismissed any who were bold enough to confess a desire to love her. She preferred it that way. She was a better knight without distractions pulling her from her duty.

Forte proved her place as a knight, time and time again. When she was challenged, she rose up to face it, and when she inevitably was victorious, she rose through the ranks. No longer a Dragon Knight, for there was no dragon these days in need of protection, she became a captain, a commander, a general. By the time she was the same age her father had been when he died, she had far surpassed his station.

In her time, Forte learned how to lead soldiers and command armies. Her troops quickly gained a reputation for their discipline, their efficiency, their prowess, their loyalty. General Forte’s command was built of people like her, people doubted every step of their journey, people who had to work twice as hard to get half as far as their peers. She knew promise and potential when she saw it. She loved a challenge, accepted the risks, bargained on the sure losers. And she was rarely disappointed. Forte was the best general among the best soldiers. When war broke, they would be the force to end it.

The war was brutal, and short.

Armies broke against each other. War machines slaughtered mindlessly.

But where the Empress thought that this war would be a show of her prowess, she was met with more resistance than she expected. Norad was no longer at the technological disadvantage as it had been in the last war. Their tacticians knew the enemy’s playbook well. Their generals were relentless.

Quickly the tide turned against the Empress. Steadily Norad pushed into the Empire, until the final battle was upon them.

The scattered remnants of the Empress’ armies had rallied around their beloved leader, and they were making a valiant final stand.

And the best of the King’s army was on the front line to meet her.

The Empire was beautiful. For everything the Empress had done, that had to be granted to her. She had inherited a land that had been nearly bled dry of all resources. Rivers ran poisoned, the skies choked with pollution, anything and everything was taken without thought. Her predecessor had so thoroughly ruined his own lands, even the famed most fertile valleys struggled to raise a crop. She had cured the lands; replanted forests, cleaned the rivers, cleared the skies.

Forte plucked a small yellow flower by her feet and twisted it thoughtfully between her fingers. Moondrops had been Frey’s favorite. She wondered if the Empress even had a favorite flower anymore. She tossed it aside.

It didn’t matter.

The Empress had long ago deviated far from anything or anyone Forte recognized. The young woman she’d fallen in love with decades ago was no more. Forte was hardly the same woman. Change came with the passage of time.

The girls of decades past no longer existed. The Frey that Forte had held onto since their parting, was not there. She had slipped away, piece by piece with every despicable act and crime against humanity she committed.

Forte watched carefully for signs of the Empress. It wouldn’t be long now. Soon she would have to come out and fight for herself. The signs would be subtle, a flash of gold, or destruction caused by something other than a war machine.

The hair on the back of her neck stood on end just moments before massive spiked of rock erupted in the middle of the battlefield, sending Norad soldiers flying. Hurricane force gusts sliced against lines of attackers. Solid walls of water slammed against machines. Tornadoes of fire burnt through the ranks.

Forte traced the attacks back to their source. The only Earthmate to be found in the Empire. The only Earthmate powerful enough to cause such death and destruction with little more than a wave of her hand. There! Riding her golden hunter wolf was the Empress.

Forte called for her own steed – a silver wolf she’d tamed after a long-lost love had encouraged and inspired her to do so – and leapt into the saddle. With a curt command, they were streaking across the battlefield. Her wolf was small and fast, perfect for moving unnoticed across the chaotic battlefield. Speed was of the essence. The longer it took her to get to the Empress, the more death she would deal upon the battlefield. If she was focused on a single target, her magic would not be turned against Forte’s soldiers, who had little defense against it.

The second before impact, before fangs pierced and claws tore, she leapt from the saddle, diving at the Empress, tackling her off the golden wolf’s back. They hit the ground together, separating on the roll. Both were quick to regain their feet.

The wolves clashed. Tearing, biting, snarling, grappling, rolling away down the hill. They had to be ignored.

Close enough for a proper look, Forte could size up her opponent. She wore minimal armor, a breastplate, sturdy leathers, some bracers on her arms. But she was dressed for ease of movement, as her magic required. She wasn’t even wearing a helmet, just a dark iron circlet on her brow.

Forte stared, her breath catching, her heart leaping into her throat. She hadn’t been this close to the Empress in decades. So much had changed. She was aged, as Forte was, there were lines and wrinkles and scars that had not been there before, her hair was faded with silver, styled in a practical manner for battle, her eyes were hard and cold and hateful, but they had not lost their sparkle. In that way, nothing had changed. She was still so beautiful.

Forte hated herself for thinking that.

Monsters, like the Empress had come to be, were not supposed to be beautiful.

The Empress tilted her head and smiled. “Finally, it’s you, Forte. I was beginning to think you’d never come to me. Pity it’s like this.” She readied her blade and shifted into a fighting stance. Quick as a flash, she threw a spell at her.

Forte was ready, dodging the fireball easily. “I’ll give you one chance to surrender.”

“Surrender? Not really my style.” She parried Forte’s sword. “What kind of empress would I be if I was not willing to make the same sacrifices as my own loyal subjects?”

Their swords met again. “You confuse fear and submission with loyalty.”

“Po-tay-to, po-tah-to,” the Empress shrugged, moving gracefully away and lifting a hand to whip at her opponent with a blade of air. Forte didn’t get a chance to dodge, but the air broke harmlessly over her armor. “Peace is peace; however it’s maintained.”

“I don’t think the thousands you slaughtered to make that peace would agree.”

A wicked grin and a cruel laugh. “Tell me the famous General Forte is not trying to take the moral high ground when it comes to slain enemies. How many have you killed over the years, my dear?”

“I do not revel in war. I find no glory in the loss of life.” They traded several blows, their swords ringing off each other. Every other attack or so, the Empress would throw another magic strike at Forte. “But your killing started long before the war.” She tripped up the Empress, sending her sprawling to the ground. “I didn’t want to believe it when I first heard the rumors. But when rumor proved true –” the Empress rolled away from her strike and regained her feet “—I knew you had changed into something I no longer recognized.”

“What have I done? I have brought peace and security to my Empire. You don’t understand. You couldn’t. You’ve never held the power I have.” Another flurry of magical attacks while Forte kept her distance.

It was risky, leaving herself open to attacks like this, but Forte knew that unless the Empress was drained of her magical reserves, she would be unbeatable. She remembered well her days of fighting alongside Frey, those moments when she drew beyond her magical limits and weakened herself terribly. She doubted the Empress was so inexperienced as to ignore her limits, and she knew time had only made her stronger magically. So Forte had to drain the reserves, make her spend and spend until there was nothing left, and the playing field was evened.

Forte saw an opening. She darted in, driving her sword into the Empress’ side. It cut deep; her blade came away red with blood. The Empress fell to her knee with a pained cry, clutching her wound. But when she met Forte’s eyes, she almost looked disappointed.

“Surely you haven’t forgotten everything about me, dear Forte.” Her fingers made the necessary signs, light flashed around them, she got to her feet as if nothing had happened. Only the blood on her shirt and the hole in the cloth showed there might have been an injury.

Forte was not daunted. A healing spell like that took a lot of energy. If she had to bleed the Empress dry with a thousand cuts, she would. This was what she had spent all her life training for. This fight was her destiny.

Forte got close enough to strike again, aiming for her neck. The Empress did a clever little twirl and transportation spell, appearing some yards away. “I will not be made a villain for using the tools I was given! The Empire gave me my position, gave me the authority to change laws, to be justice, to eliminate threats. Fate gave me the powers to bloom and wither, to create and destroy, to build and to burn.” She summoned another fireball and held it in her palm for a moment, examining it, almost enjoying the burn as it increased in size. “What do you think your king will do, if he wins this war and takes control of my empire? Surely you don’t’ expect my people to roll over like dogs? How many more deaths will your king order for peace?”

She threw the large fireball. Forte charged through it, ignoring how the flames licked at her exposed skin. She landed another hit against the Empress. With a frustrated snarl, the Empress leapt away, healing her injury as she ran.

“Well, you’re certainly still persistent and just as determined as you used to be,” the Empress laughed coolly, “Your courage seems to have grown. Pity you weren’t so bold back then as you are now.” She threw up a wall of rock just as Forte charged at her again. The knight collided with it with an unpleasant crunch.

The Empress made a series of lightning-quick slashes. Forte blocked and parried all of them, except the last one, which found a gap in her leg armor. The cut was shallow, but painful, and a new point of weakness for the Empress to exploit.

But Forte had noticed something. Her magic attacks were slowing down. Perhaps for dramatic effect while she taunted Forte, but instead of several attacks one after the other, she was only throwing one at her at a time. One fireball. One rock wall. She was using her sword for more than defense. Given how much magic she’d spent on the larger battlefield, and then again against Forte, she had to be reaching the end of her reserves. She was rationing now.

As if to prove her wrong, the Empress summoned two small blocks of stone right on either side of Forte’s injured leg. In the split second the knight was caught off balance from the injury, she slammed the blocks together around the leg.

Forte couldn’t help but scream as her armor buckled under the pressure. Joints and seams broke, jagged metal dug into her leg, and deep inside she felt something inside her break.

“Why are you really here, Forte? Why did you work so hard to orchestrate everything perfectly so that when it came down to it, it would be me and you alone? Guilt? Regret?”

Forte bowed her head, breathing slowly and deeply. She knew why she was here. She muttered it lowly.

“Come now, speak up. Don’t be shy.” She stepped close, close enough to get within inches of Forte’s face, so she could hear. Their eyes locked. There was… something like hope hiding in them. “Tell me.”

Forte’s hand wrapped around the handle of the dagger she had at her waist. She held the Empress’ gaze and she said slowly, and with much conviction. “I am here to end your tyranny.” She plunged the knife into the Empress’ gut and twisted it for good measure.

The Empress stepped back, pulling the knife out, closing up the wound. It healed completely. But Forte saw what she was looking for. That minute wince of pain, that heavy breath of exhaustion as the magic drained her strength.

The rocks around her leg crumbled to dust. Forte moved the instant she was free, bearing the excruciating pain in her injured leg, diving for her sword. She rearmed herself and got back to her unsteady feet just in time. She blocked one blow from the Empress. The second broke past her guard and cut deeply into her arm.

The Empress was no longer using the gracefully lethal techniques she’d used earlier. She was ready for this fight to be over. Now was the time for power. With a surprising show of strength, the Empress grabbed Forte and threw her to the ground.

She realized with a calm certainty that Frey would outmatch her. Her magical reserves may be exhausted, but physically she was faring far better than Forte. If this fight went on, Forte would be killed, and Frey would unleash her reign of terror upon the world.

The Empress knew this as well. She approached languidly like a cat playing with its food. She kicked Forte firmly in the chest to send her sprawling back, gasping for breath. Then she stepped onto Forte, grinding her boot into her injured leg, pinning her to the ground. Forte didn’t have the strength to throw her off, she couldn’t free herself. She stopped her struggling entirely when the Empress put the sharp point of her sword just under Forte’s chin.

Frey paused, looking at her with a mixture of pity and loathing. “I gave you the chance to follow me, do you remember? I asked you to come with me, and you refused.” She lifted her blade; the wet redness of Forte’s fresh blood caught the light. “Imagine what we could have been together. You would have been my right hand, my knight, my queen. Together we could have been unstoppable.”

Forte made a useless effort to throw her off. “Perhaps I should have. I could have stopped you when the darkness took you. I would have made it painless and saved countless lives.”

“Would you have even noticed? At that point, after so long together, would you have doubted me enough to raise a blade against me? I wouldn’t think so… but perhaps you have always hated me.” A look of regret crossed Frey’s face. “Do you know I loved you from the moment I met you? I never found the courage to tell you. But I always felt we were meant for each other. I’ve thought about you so much, my Forte.” She smiled, almost tenderly. “I was always so proud every time I heard you’d been promoted. I would have made you a general much faster than that fool of a king. I’d always hoped we would meet again.” Then that wicked, calculating look returned. “I waited until I was certain it would be you coming after me.”

Then the Empress surprised Forte. She moved her sword, and stepped off her, just for a moment. Just to reposition her feet, and lower down until she was straddling Forte’s hips. The Empress kept the General pinned with a heavy hand on her breastplate. She leaned over her and looked down. Her free hand cupped Forte’s face and tenderly wiped some of the blood and grime from her cheek and lips.

“You’re as beautiful now as you were the day we parted. I don’t want to kill you, Forte. And I know you don’t want to kill me. Join me, like you should have all those years ago. We may be much older now, but it’s not too late for us. With you next to me, all will finally be right. I know you still love me.”

Forte shook her head. Tears brimmed in her eyes, because for a brief moment, with the way the Empress looked at her, strands of hair fallen loose and framing her face, she looked like Frey again. “It isn’t you I was in love with. I was not meant to be with the Empress. It was always Frey who held my heart.”

The Empress’ face hardened. “Pity. You’ve made your choice then.” Her grip on Forte’s face tightened, squeezing her hard by the jaw. She leaned down and pressed a slow kiss to Forte’s lips. “I’m sorry my love,” she said as she got back to her feet. “Your death cannot be painless, but I will make it fast.” She raised her blade over her head and swung down swiftly with all her might.

Forte just got her own blade up in time to catch the blow. Steel screeched against steel until the blade caught against each other. Forte struggled to push the blade away, but she did not have the strength to fight for long, and the Empress had the advantage.

She leaned over Forte, putting her weight into the blade as well as her strength. Inch by hard fought inch, the point of her sword neared Forte’s chest. She took the time to angle the blade just so, to aim for the gap in the general’s armor.

Forte fought with every piece of her, until she realized, again with calm clarity, what she must do. Her mission was to end the Empress. Her survival was not necessary. So she dropped her blade, letting the Empress to fall the last several inches and plunge her sword into Forte. But that move would spell her doom. For Forte angled her own blade up and it slipped under the Empress’ breastplate and into her chest.

The Empress gasped, pulling away in shock, pulling her blade free only to drop it at her side. Her hands flew up to cup her chest, her fingers twitched instinctively to cast the magic to heal the wound, but there was nothing left inside her. Not even strength to sap and turn into magical energy. Her legs gave out. She struggled to breathe. Her hands vainly tried to stem the flow of blood.

Forte’s strike against the Empress had done much more damage than her strike against Forte. She was fading fast. She was dying.

“F-Forte?” Her voice sounded small, frightened. She reached for the knight with bloodied hands. They fell numbly against her armor, leaving red streaks on the steel.

Forte found the strength to sit up, to gather the Empress into her arms, to rest her head in her lap. The wound in her chest was fatal too, but not as immediately so. She might have an extra minute.

The Empress trembled as her body began to fail. A wry smile pulled at her mouth. “We might not have gotten a life together, but at least we’ll die together, my love.” Her eyes drifted to the grass they lay in, where, against all odds, Moondrops grew, untrampled by the battle, unmarred by war.

Her eyes slid closed. Her breaths were becoming more ragged, shallower. With great effort, she opened her eyes one last time. “I’m sorry for… In another life I would’ve…”

And then she was gone.

Forte let her tears run freely. She bent down and planted kisses on Frey’s forehead, her cheeks, her lips. “I’m sorry too, my love.” Her vision was dimming. She lost the strength to sit up. Air had no effect on her lungs. She was dying. With her last shreds of strength, she made her clumsy hands find Frey’s and she held them. With her last breath she whispered an apology.

[in-a-nook-with-a-notebook]

Claimed | Anything For You

Masterlist

Franchise: Percy Jackson

Pairing: Luke Castellan x Nick Oliver (original character, pronouns are he/him/his)

Word Count: 1.3k

Warnings: swearing, injured Luke

Series Summary: Nick Oliver was on track to figure out his life after high school. One day in a bookstore, and suddenly, post-high school plans were the farthest thing from his mind. One day in a bookstore, he met Luke Castellan.

Chapter Summary: Nick is late and so is Luke. Unfortunately, Luke has a slightly more valid reason to be late.

A/N: Part two finally going up! I've got a few parts worth written but I feel like I shouldn't spam-upload everything I wanna have y'all out for blood for a new chapter <3

Nick is late.

Noon in three days at the bookstore; they had both agreed. Now, it’s 12:30 and Nick is scrambling to get a cab to Brooklyn Heights.

When Nick arrives at the store, he pays the driver and steps out. Luke is nowhere to be found. He does a quick walk around to see if Luke had just gone inside to wait, but there’s no sign of the blond. Nick returns to the bench outside and takes a seat with a sigh. Maybe Luke’s the one who’s actually late. Nick tries not to entertain the thought that he may have left.

————————

After about 45 minutes, another cab pulls up in front of him. Nick hopes it’s Luke, but it isn’t. The boy who steps out of the vehicle, however, seems to recognize him. He has blond hair and violet eyes, which Nick absentmindedly thinks is pretty cool.

“Are you Nick Oliver?” He asks.

Nick frowns. “Who’s asking?” The boy raises an eyebrow. “Yes, I’m Nick.”

“Thank the gods,” the boy says, clearly relieved. “Luke was so incoherent, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to find you.”

“You know Luke?” Nick asks immediately. “Where is he? He said he’d be here over an hour ago. Is something wrong?”

“Slow down, man,” he says in a reassuring tone. “Did Luke mention a camp when you last saw each other?”

“Uh, yeah. Yeah, he did.” Nick does 75% of the Macarena trying to find the card that Luke had given him. He finds it in his back pocket, holding it out to the purple-eyed boy. “This place, right? In Long Island?”

“Yes, exactly.”

“Um, also, I apologize if this comes off as rude, but who exactly are you?”

“Gods, I’m sorry. I’m Pollux, I’m a friend of Luke’s from camp.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“I have an offer for you,” Pollux says. “Luke didn’t want you to worry about him too much. So, either I give you the light-hearted, sugar-coated version of why Luke can’t make it and schedule another time for you two to meet up, or I can tell you the whole truth and you can make a decision from there.”

“I want the truth this time,” Nick says. He takes a step towards Pollux. “Luke offered me the truth the last time we talked and I wasn’t ready. I think I’m ready now.”

“Well, Luke is injured pretty bad. He’s in the camp infirmary.”

“I want to see him,” Nick says without missing a beat.

“Man, it’s not that simple.”

“I. Want. To see. Luke.”

Pollux grimaces. “I guess we’ll make it work. C’mon.”

Nick climbs into the back of the cab with the boy, and they drive towards Long Island.

————————

Pollux has the driver drop them off at the bottom of a seemingly random hill, but doesn’t question it when Pollux hands him a roll of cash. “Over the hill,” Pollux tells Nick.

“What are we waiting for, then?”

“Nick, wait!”

Pollux has to chase after Nick as he makes a beeline for the top of the hill. Nick tunes out Pollux’s shouts when he finds a tree with a living, breathing dragon curled around it. For some reason, the creature doesn’t scare him at all. In fact, it hardly fazes him. He sprints right past and down the other side of the hill.

“Pollux, where’s the infirmary?” Nick yells up the hill as the blond starts to catch up.

“How did you get past Peleus?” Pollux exclaims.

“The infirmary!” Nick repeats loudly.

“The big blue house past the strawberry fields.”

Nick keeps running while Pollux stays back to catch his breath. On the porch of the house, Nick encounters an older nam in a leopard-print Hawaiian shirt.

“Who are you?” The man asks.

“I’m Nick. Where’s Luke?”

The man shrugs. “Inside, I suppose.” There’s a scream of pain from somewhere in the house and Nick rushes in.

“Luke?” He calls out. “Luke!”

Nick almost misses the door for the infirmary. He sees Luke squirming on a bed across the room and he ducks in. “Luke, holy shit.”

“Nick? You came?”

Before Nick can reach Luke’s side, someone shoves him against a wall and holds a knife to his throat.

“Who are you?” The boy demands.

“I’m Nick, I’m a friend of Luke’s.” Nick maneuvers his way out of the boy’s grasp, kneeling down at Luke’s side. “Are you okay?”

“Oh, never better,” Luke says in a strained voice. “Sorry I couldn’t make it.”

“Don’t apologize, dumbass, you’re injured.”

The boy who attacked Nick isn’t done with him quite yet. “How did you get through the barrier?” He inquires.

“Barrier?” Nick says with a confused frown. “What barrier?”

“You’re telling me Peleus just let you pass?”

“Chris, chill,” Luke says.

“Peleus… what, the dragon on the hill? He hardly looked at me.”

“Chris, you can interrogate him later,” Luke says protectively, holding Nick’s arm. Nick’s face grows hot.

“I’ll interrogate him now,” Christ retorts. “Who the hell are you? How do you know Luke and how did you-”

“I’m getting a little tired of your questions, Chris,” Nick says angrily, glaring at him.

“Nicky,” Luke murmurs. Nick’s face heats him again and he look back at the blond. Luke’s eyes widen in surprise when Nick meets his gaze. “Hm. That’s new.”

“What?”

“Your eyes.” Luke reaches his hand to the side table and grabs a hand mirror. He holds it up in front of Nick’s face. “Purple.”

Nick blinks a few times in an attempt to comprehend what he’s seeing. His irises are glowing purple, the same way his cane and umbrella glow. The purple flickers before fading back to his usual ivy green.

“Huh.”

“I’ve never seen anyone’s eyes do that,” Luke mutters, resting the mirror in his lap.

“Well, that’s fucking reassuring.”

Luke manages a laugh, but winces and reaches for a wound at his side.

“Can you guys leave for a minute?” Luke asks Chris and the others in the room.

“But-” Chris starts.

“But nothing. I need to talk to Nick.”

Reluctantly, the small group leaves. Chris casts one last dirty look at Nick before disappearing from view with the others.

“What do you need to talk about?” Nick says gently. Luke shrugs.

“Anything at all. I kind of just wanted them to leave. Maybe today, you and I could hang out like we were going to earlier?”

“I’d love that, but you’re hurt.

“Nah, I’ll heal fast. Some nectar and ambrosia and I’ll be all set. Sound good?”

Nick smiles a little. “Sounds perfect.”

Luke hesitantly reaches for Nick’s hand and holds it, looking up for confirmation that it was okay. Nick’s smile widens and he holds Luke’s hand tighter. Luke’s stiff body relaxes while Nick absentmindedly runs his thumb over Luke’s knuckles periodically.

————————

Once Luke is feeling better, the two boys wander around camp while Luke explains to Nick everything that’s going on. The Demigod Talk.

At dinner, Nick sits with Luke at Luke’s cabin’s table. Hermes cabin, apparently. Luke is a son of Hermes, which makes his vendetta against the deity make simultaneously more and less sense to Nick.

After dinner, Luke and Nick go for a walk through the camp.

“How are you processing everything?” Luke asks.

“Well, in one day, I met a dragon, found out my eyes can glow purple when I’m angry, discovered that I’m literally half-god, and took an archery lesson from a centaur,” Nick replies. “I’m just fine, Luke.”

“Yeah, no, I get that.” Luke pauses. “You’ve got me, though. You always will.”

Nick reaches for Luke’s hand in the dim light of the sunset.

“I really hope you’re not another Hermes kid,” Luke states. “This kind of thing would kinda be super weird if that was the case.” He holds up their intertwined hands.

“Shit, that’s true.” Nick crosses his fingers on his free hand. “Here’s hoping.”

Just then, Luke glances up and his jaw drops. “Holy shit,” he whispers.

“What?”

Nick looks up, but whatever Luke had seen has disappeared.

“You just got claimed, Nicky,” he says slowly.

“By who?”

Luke swallows hard and meets Nick’s eyes. “Hades. God of the Underworld.”

A/N: Went back and found the original document for this and found out I truly did start this over a year ago, around March 25th 2022. Oddly enough, my sister's birthday. Thank you for reading! I hope to be back with part three soon! Feedback is encouraged and appreciated! Have a lovely day!

[dazedstevie]

Unlikely Pair - Chapter I | Eddie Munson x Sinclair!Reader

Who: Sinclair!Reader (AFAB), Eddie Munson, brief Lucas and Erica Sinclair

What: Reader is a college freshman who is struggling to find her place in the world. When she runs into Eddie Munson again she sees the opportunity for friendship.

Word Count: 2,253

Triggers: Cursing (I can't write without it because I can't talk without it, whoops), marijuana use, first time poster nerves and (probably) bad writing

Author's Notes: Hiya, Stevie here! This is my very first time ever posting a fic and I'm nervousss. I'm hoping to turn this into a series so please let me know what y'all think! Do not steal, repost, take credit, or any other lame shit. Please DO enjoy!

Chapter II

For about the millionth time that night you looked down at the wristwatch you had received as a graduation present the previous summer. If you were late to get your siblings home before their curfew again you would never hear the end of it from your mom and you knew your dad would follow through with his threat of taking your keys. You stomped on the gas as you sped into Hawkins High's parking lot and drove right up to the front doors where your brother, sister, and another person sat on the curb waiting.

You lowered the volume on the radio and yelled out the open window, "Get in! We have ten minutes to get home before Mom and Dad accuse me of forgetting you losers."

"But you did forget us." Lucas grumbled as he slid into the passenger seat.

"Were you off somewhere with Daniel?" Erica mocked as she got into the backseat. "I'm surprised you have any lips left, you two were probably sucking each other's faces for hours."

You ignored her and turned to the older guy who had gotten to his feet at the same time as your siblings. You recognized him immediately as Eddie Munson, the guy in town most people avoided like the plague.

"Thanks." You called to him. "Had some errands to run." You heard Erica scoff and shot her a threatening look in the rearview mirror. "Need a ride? I have get them home now, but I can give you a lift once I've dropped them off." You looked down at your watch again.

"I've gotta ride." The long-haired man nodded toward the only other vehicle in the parking lot, an old van parked way out from the building. "Just wanted to make sure they got picked up."

You nodded your thanks again, stepped on the gas, and peeled out of the parking lot. You didn't speak again until you had pulled into your driveway with three minutes to spare; you turned to face your brother and sister with a stern face.

"There was a traffic jam."

"Yeah, yeah. We won by the way, if anyone cares." Lucas grumbled and got out of the car.

"The hell's his problem?"

"No one went to his game. Mom and Dad had that dinner thing, I had Hellfire, and you had... what? What was so important that you couldn't go, again?" Erica asked with a smug smirk.

As the two of you got out of the car another thought hit you and you wrapped an arm firmly around your sister's shoulders and pulled her close. "You guys hang out with Eddie Munson?"

"Yeah, he's dungeon master for Hellfire. He offered us a ride since we all thought you'd stood us up, but Lucas said you'd kick our asses if you ended up coming and we weren't there." She looked up into your face and saw a bit of curiosity as you tried to recall any memories of him from high school. "You'd like him, he only produces about three thoughts every hour - you have a lot in common." She wriggled her way out of your grip before you could register what she had said and darted into the house.

That following Friday you were dragged by your parents to Lucas's basketball game because he had complained for days about not having anyone there to support him the last time. Erica had one of her Hellfire meetings and had disappeared almost as soon as the three of you had entered the high school. When the game was finally over you left the gym to wait outside for the rest of your family because you needed the fresh air. You didn't do well in crowds but didn't like to draw attention to it, either. As you rounded the corner you saw another door fly open and a group of laughing boys flooded the hall, one who you immediately recognized.

"Dustin!"

He looked shocked that you had addressed him by name. Among Lucas's friends you weren't necessarily known as the nicest older sister.

"Hey, Erica's in there, it's her week to help Eddie clean." Dustin explained and nervously played with the straps of his backpack.

"Mm." You examined his Hellfire Club t-shirt with a raised brow. "You guys aren't turning my sister into a devil worshipper, are you?"

Dustin shook his head fiercely. "No! Why does everyone think that?"

You pointed to the picture on his shirt, but when he looked down you flicked his nose; he stumbled back a few steps and you laughed. Just then, three more people emerged from the dark room: Mike Wheeler, Erica, and Eddie.

"You two have a ride?" You pointed between Dustin and Mike.

Mike nodded. "Nancy's waiting for us outside." He nudged Dustin and they took off for the doors.

You turned your attention to Erica. "Please go congratulate Lucas, he's still in the gym celebrating." You made yourself look stern as your sister started to protest; she sighed and angrily stomped away.

Eddie chuckled beside you.

"Any tips on how to get her to listen to you?"

You watched him from the corner of your eye. "I taught her everything she knows about being defiant, she has a few ounces of respect for her teacher... but she also knows that I'm not above physical force if and when needed." You added. "We've had our fair share of tussles."

"I didn't know you were related to Lucas and Erica. They're pretty cool kids."

Erica had turned the corner and walked out of sight, so you faced Eddie head on and held out your hand as you introduced yourself.

"I know." He chuckled and shook your hand. "We had some classes together last year. Eddie Munson."

You examined him a bit closer but it wasn't until your eyes landed on the leather jacket and denim vest in his hands that you remembered why he felt so familiar to you.

"You sold to me once!" You exclaimed, then looked around to make sure you were still the only ones in the hallway. "Behind the school, at that picnic table."

His smile grew even wider. "I knew you'd remember!"

You smiled back and pointed toward the doors. "I was on my way out."

"Yeah, right." Eddie pulled on his jacket and vest. "But uh, just wanted you to know... you don't have to worry about Lucas and Erica, I, uh... I wouldn't do anything..."

The sound of a large crowd echoed through the halls - the stampede was coming in your direction. You looked up to see the basketball fans who had finally wrapped up their celebration in the gym; you stepped closer to Eddie and mumbled in his ear.

"Yeah, I know, I just like to give people a hard time. But if you do wanna be a bad influence, at least for a few minutes, could I buy a joint off of you? My guy got his ass arrested."

"Rick?"

"How'd you know?"

"You're always in the know when you're in the business." He nodded. "Yeah, I think I could do that."

You smiled. "I'm gonna tell my parents that I found a ride with someone, meet you at your van?"

Eddie nodded again and smiled. He looked up as the crowd drew nearer then made a beeline for the doors. Your family reached you before you could even peel your eyes away from his retreating figure.

"Congrats." You smiled and poked your brother in the chest.

"Thanks." He beamed.

"What're you doing out here?" Your dad asked.

"Waiting for you. Hey, Nancy Wheeler is outside picking up her brother, I think I'm gonna catch a ride with her if that's okay? We haven't hung out in a while."

Erica's eyes narrowed and wandered to the doors Eddie had just walked through. "You haven't hung out with Nancy Wheeler in years." She reminded you.

You gave her a tight-lipped smile. "No time like the present." You retorted.

Your mom sighed when she sensed one of your squabbles on the horizon. "Fine, but make it home in one piece, please. We'll leave the back door unlocked." She gave you a one armed hug, grabbed your dad's hand, and led him and Lucas out of the building.

Erica, however, stayed put.

"Where're you going?"

"To hang out with Nancy, why don't you buzz off?"

"Mhm. Looked like you and Eddie were having a good conversation."

You laughed. "Wow, maybe you are smarter than you look."

She rolled her eyes and purposefully bumped into you as she left.

You waited until you saw your dad's car leave the parking lot before you went outside. You started in the direction of Eddie's van with your head down, mostly to keep people from noticing you, but also to keep the cold night air from freezing your nose as you practically jogged. You jumped into the passenger seat and closed the door quickly behind you. It was quiet as Eddie stared at you, an unrolled joint in his hands.

"Was I not supposed to get in?" You asked, confused.

"No, I mean, yeah! Yeah, of course. It's cold." He turned his attention back to rolling.

"There's an empty house a street down from my place that's for sale - we could smoke in the backyard. There's a porch swing." You suggested. "I've been using it ever since the old owners put it up for sale and hightailed it out of Hawkins."

"We?" Eddie looked up again.

Your face fell. "Unless you don't want you?"

His cheeks went red. "I just... I'd figured you would want to, I don't know, enjoy it by yourself?"

"What's the fun in that?" You asked and rested your head against the seat. You watched the slow procession of cars as they emptied the parking lot. "I think I'm gonna lose my mind if I don't talk to someone my own age instead of my siblings or parents for a change. Ever since the semester started and all my friends went back to their fancy schools I've been stuck here slowly being bored to death."

It was silent in the van until Eddie handed you the perfectly rolled joint with a kind smile. "If you were looking for a friend all you had to do was ask, sweetheart. Which way to this empty house?"

Eddie's driving was even wilder than yours, so you were happy to find yourself on the porch swing, your legs tucked underneath you and an old moth bitten blanket that Eddie had found in the back of his van pulled around your shoulders. He had offered to save you from freezing to death by just smoking in the van, but you had declined - you liked being outside, especially at night while everyone else was asleep. It was peaceful and gave you some time to think.

You watched as Eddie lit the joint, his puffy lips wrapped around the end and his face still with concentration. He took a long drag then passed it to you and you did the same.

"Why didn't we talk in school?" You asked after a coughing fit.

"You were cooler than me." He stated matter-of-factly.

You shook your head. You had not been unpopular in high school, but you had always considered yourself more of a floater. You could get along with the band members just as well as you could with people like Steve Harrington. Your lack of a true "clique" was partially why you had never felt like you belonged anywhere.

"That's not true."

"Well, there's also the fact that you have this way of looking through people instead of at them." He took the joint from your fingers and you jumped when his hand bumped into yours. "Sorry." He apologized quickly.

"I've heard that before. My dad says that I have a 'zombie stare', I always thought he was just being dramatic or one of those guys who's always telling women to smile." You chuckled. "Can I tell you something? I think you're pretty cool, like how you don't give a fuck what people think. I care what people think and it's probably the dumbest thing someone could do."

He looked down and if the two of you weren't surrounded by darkness with just moonlight and the faintly burning joint to add hints of light you would have seen that his entire face had turned scarlet.

"What's college like?" He quickly changed the subject.

"Junior college." You corrected him with a sigh. "And I feel like I'm just as lost as I was in high school. I have no idea what I'm doing."

"What's your major?"

"Business."

"Ah, the default." He joked and you shot him a grin.

"Yeah."

He started to slowly push his feet against the ground so that the swing moved. He couldn't sit still to save his life, meanwhile you could have sat there in that one spot for hours without getting the urge to fidget. You watched as the wind from the swing pushed his hair back and forth over his shoulders and how his big brown eyes examined the large backyard you had trespassed into.

"Hey, Eddie?"

"Mhm?"

"I do need a friend. This is me asking nicely."

"Yeah, okay." He almost blinded you with his smile. "Okay. What're you doing tomorrow?"

You let out a breath you hadn't realized you were holding. "Whatever you're doing."

For the first time in a long time, you were excited for what the next day would bring.

[captainsteveamericarogers]

Why are you so quiet? Everyone has gone insane and making up new facts every five minutes, you're usually the first one to lose your patience and lay it down. You're obviously on Chris' side yet you're letting people talk shit about him. You need to say something!!

I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted. You talk as if I'm some matriarch of the fandom when in fact I'm just a mediocre fanfic writer who is exhausted with this whole debacle and it's barely been two weeks. Nobody listens to me!

Today I saw a magnificent example of both Chinese whispers and alternative facts in this fandom. The person who alleged that CE was at her work for medical imaging, who I suspect was also the author of the now-deleted Reddit post, only tweeted that she had found out he was at her work. I appreciate that many people deleted the screenshots of the tweet as it was a gross invasion of his privacy and a HIPAA violation that, if true, would have very serious consequences for both the tweeter and her employer, and that a lot of people didn't see it. But suddenly people were talking about an actual x-ray or MRI image that had been posted and deleted. There was never an image. That didn't stop a few people from saying they knew someone who had seen it, which adds credence to the rumour despite being a lie due to there never being an image.

A lie can run around the world before the truth has got its boots on - The Truth by Terry Pratchett

We are seeing this in action every single day since the People article. I've seen people make the most outlandish claims. Suddenly, everyone has a friend who knows his flight details or what he ate for dinner. It's utterly demented. It's beyond crazy.

Let's go through all of the utter horse shit I can recall from the past fortnight. Shall we have more bullet points?

It's all PR

They have a contract for two years (how could anyone possibly know this?)

Chris obviously cannot stand Alba anywhere near him

The girl in the park who was forced to delete her Twitter was in on it and planted there to record

Chris has been personally seeking out Tumblrinas to block on Twitter

Narrative PR wrote the deranged fan letters to make the fandom "look crazy" (lol) and garner sympathy for Chris

Literally anyone who sticks up for Chris or Alba is, in fact, Chris or Alba or their moms

Alba wore a halter to WDW to show off her tattoo and be recognised (Really? Who on earth is going to recognise her?)

She only flew into FL to record the video and then left immediately (y'all really don't like them spending time together, huh?)

They are reading every single post every single gossip blog writes and using the comments to make their fake PR relationship more convincing

There's more but this is so exhausting. If you take one thing from this post, let it be this. Take EVERYTHING with a pinch of salt, no matter who posts it and how sure they seem. Sometimes people are right and sometimes they are wrong. This fandom has a nasty habit of voicing their opinions as facts, then others take that and run with it, like today with the medical imaging business.

The fact is, nobody cares whether or not you believe it. But you are devoting hours of your life, every single day, dissecting everything and going around and around in circles and it is not healthy. It is not healthy at all. Take some time off or at least talk about something else.

Someone asked what I personally think is happening with Chris and Alba, so I'll leave you with my thoughts. It's serious. They are in love. I think they'll probably get married sooner rather than later. The laser focused comment was an FYI, telling the fandom that he's going to be taking his foot off the gas and concentrating on his private life for the foreseeable future. Take it with a pinch of salt. 🤷🏽‍♀️

[msmercury84]

A Night at the NCO Club

*For Bobweek2023, Day 3, Story from song lyrics. The title of my story came from the second song performed in this chapter by my OC, Leigh Spencer, "I Double Dare You."

*Author's note: For those who haven't seen the first chapter of my story, Leigh is 19 years old. She's shapely and trim, 5'4", with shoulder length curly brown hair and green eyes. Bill Guarnere, while filming the documentary, "A Company of Heroes," said that Sobel, "Didn't know his ass from a hole in the ground. Bill said in the book he wrote with Babe Heffron, that when he saw Frannie, his future wife, for the first time, he knew that he would marry her someday.

When the former neighbor of Wild Bill was carrying a heavy case of sound equipment into his home while her husband carried a video camera to do an interview on YouTube, Guarnere raised his voice, asking the neighbor's husband,

"What the hell is wrong with you? She shouldn't be carrying that heavy stuff! A woman is like a delicate flower. You respect and protect her." The husband immediately apologized.Guarnere often used the word "scallywag" instead of scalawag.

The song I posted with this story actually came from the 1940s.*

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

After a hectic five days of office work, the weekend began. Leigh and Melissa were looking forward to hearing a small swing ensemble that was performing at the camp's NCO Club. It was also Leigh's birthday and Melissa wanted to buy a drink or two and help her best friend celebrate.

Since this was a special event, the club had relaxed its officers only policy. Adams and Spencer had made a trip into town to find some nice, but relatively inexpensive clothes to wear to the club

Leigh selected a short sleeved red sweater that was form fitting but not too tight. She also selected a charcoal gray skirt that was slightly flared for dancing and a pair of charcoal gray open toe high heeled sling back pumps.

Adams bought a blue dress with a sweetheart neckline, which displayed just a hint of cleavage and blue low heeled pumps. She was hoping to attract the attention of Easy Company paratrooper in training Denver "Bull" Randleman. Melissa didn't feel the need for high heels since she was 5'10" and she disliked towering over a man.

Leigh finished applying her favorite lipstick, Victory Red. She was hoping that Bill Guarnere would be at the club. Spencer enjoyed spending time with Guarnere, but she politely declined a Friday night date with him. She was haunted by something Grayson told her the year before that hurt her deeply.

It was easier to keep the hurtful words at bay when she wasn't interested in dating. Leigh wondered if Bill would be interested in dating her if he knew about her past. She felt that she could trust Guarnere.

He treated her with respect from the moment they met. Spencer was determined to banish the negative thoughts and have a good time at the NCO club. She picked up the purse she was issued with her WAAC uniform. It clashed with her shoes, but it would have to do.

Leigh and Melissa left the women's barracks and made the short walk to the club. Both women entered the club and got a table close to the small dance floor. They were both disappointed. Neither Easy Company man they sought was present. They hoped that Bull and Bill would show up later.

Melissa decided on a glass of beer while Leigh chose the popular Cuba Libre, also known as a rum and Coke. They sipped their drinks while they listened to the swing band playing the latest hits. About an hour into the first set, the band leader took a moment to apologize to the audience. The vocalist who was supposed to perform with them had to cancel due to laryngitis.

"If any lady in the audience could sing a few tunes, it would help us out tremendously," the band leader remarked. Melissa asked the band leader, "Do y'all play any country music? I can sing quite a few of those songs" The disappointed band leader had to refuse Melissa's request to perform. Adams spoke up again, "My friend is a good singer. I am always tellin' her that she is good enough to be on the radio."

"Would you care to try a number or two?" the now hopeful band leader asked Leigh. She decided to give it a try as she asked, "What would you like me to sing? " After conferring with the musicians, the band leader asked Leigh if she knew "Blues In the Night." "I know it, but I can't guarantee that I will sound as good as Dinah Shore." She asked the band leader if he knew her favorite song, "I Double Dare You." The band leader said that the song was one that the band knew.

The drummer got up from his drum kit and placed the tall microphone on a small space by the piano.Leigh began the first song. By the time she was midway through, conversations in the club had ceased and the audience was enthralled, enjoying her singing.

Spencer received loud applause, which surprised her. She thought, "It's nice, but I really didn't do a very good job with that number." The band played the intro to "I Double Dare You." As they continued the long instrumental, Leigh saw Bill Guarnere entering the club.

She smiled when she saw that he was by himself. He found a seat at an empty table not far from where Melissa was sitting. Leigh decided to flirt a little and she looked directly at Guarnere and began singing,

"I double dare you to sit over here. I double dare you to lend me your ear. Take off your high hat and let's get friendly. Don't be a scared cat. Hey, what do you care? Can't you take a dare? I double dare you to kiss me and then, I double dare you to kiss me again. And if that look in your eyes means what I'm thinking of I double dare you to fall in love with me. I double dare you."

The band played another lengthy instrumental. Leigh was grinning. She saw Guarnere wink at her. Somehow, he managed to make this outwardly innocent gesture feel sexy. Bill couldn't take his eyes off of her. Spencer began singing,

"I double dare you to kiss me and then, I double dare you to kiss me again. And if that look in your eyes means what I'm thinking of, I double dare you to fall in love with me. I double dare you." She received loud applause from the audience .

Leigh thanked the audience and the band leader. She was planning on heading to her seat at the table, but she saw that Melissa had disappeared. Before she could look for her friend, Spencer felt a hand on her shoulder. She was pleasantly surprised when she turned around and saw Bill. He spoke first, " Could we go someplace to talk? It's kinda noisy in here." Guarnere noticed that Leigh had been looking at the empty table where Melissa had been sitting. "Your friend is talkin' to my buddy, Bull. Ain't nothin' to worry about, he's a nice fella. As I was sayin', could we go someplace to talk?"

Leigh had to stand close to Bill to make herself heard over the noise. She got on her tip toes, trying to get close to his ear. Guarnere realized that even with her wearing high heels, he would have to bend down due to Spencer being short. "Yes, I know the perfect place. I have the keys to the building where I work and I have my office key, too. Now, how do we get through this crowd?"

Bill took her hand, "Just hold on to me, I can get us through." Spencer enjoyed having her hand held by Bill. Their fingers intertwined as Guarnere slowly navigated through the crowd. He told the people blocking his way, "Comin' through." If the crowd didn't move fast enough he changed tactics saying,

"Let the lady through, c'mon! " A particularly inebriated group of men tried Bill's patience as they moved about an inch and then started talking. Guarnere was trying extremely hard not to lose his temper in front of Leigh. He tapped one of the drunk men on the shoulder with his free hand, telling him, "Hey, buddy, tell your pals that (he pronounced the word as 'dat') they're givin' away free bottles o' beer at the bar. " The young man's eyes lit up with excitement as he quickly told his friends the good news. The group disbanded and made a sprint to the bar.

Bill chuckled to himself as he watched the group disappear into the crowd. He held the door open for Leigh and he exited the club behind her. Once they were outside, Spencer asked,

"What did you tell that guy to get him to move the entire herd out of the way?" "I gave that scallywag a friendly tip about the bar givin' away free bottles o' beer." He held her hand while they strolled down the walkway. Leigh laughed,

"I like the way you think. We have to be very careful getting into the office. I think using the back door would be safer. We would have our asses in big trouble if the MPs saw us." Guarnere smirked at her choice of words and and assured her, " Don't worry about that, Doll. I can be your lookout while you get the door open. " Leigh felt completely at ease with Bill. "My partner in crime." "You know it, Doll. I don't break inta offices wit' just any broad." Spencer laughed at this remark from Bill, "I have keys, so it isn't technically a break in. What kind of broad do you usually chose for breaking and entering?" Guarnere couldn't help but laugh at her remark.He thought,

"She's really somethin' an' spunky, too. I like that." Bill answered, "I'm takin' the fifth amendment on that," "Smart choice." She stopped and pointed to a large white building. "We have arrived. All we need to do is get to the back entrance." Bill let her lead him around to the back of the building. This area wasn't illuminated by a great deal of light. "I need to get into my purse so I can get the key. I didn't want you to think that..." she looked at their hands. "It's OK, Doll. I know what you mean. " He let go of her hand, "I think I'll have a smoke." Guarnere offered her a cigarette and she politely refused. A few minutes later, they were inside the office.

"Bill, " she asked, " would you please use your lighter? It would be easier to find my office if I could see. We need to go down the hall and take a left turn at the next corridor." Bill removed the cigarette from his mouth to answer her. He exhaled the smoke, "Sure thing. Just a second."

He took Spencer's hand,

"I don't want ya runnin' inta anythin' in the dark. Leigh, do ya know where I can find an ashtray?" "Bill, I'm sorry, but all of the small ashtrays are in the other offices. My keys are only for the front and back doors, plus my office." Guarnere noticed a tall metal ashtray filled with sand that was close to Spencer.

He stubbed out the cigarette, turning down the next corridor and stopping at the locked office door. Leigh was ready to open the door, having placed the office key in her hand while they were still outdoors. Guarnere held the lighter close enough for her to see the lock and insert the key. He pushed the door open for Leigh, allowing her to enter the small room first. "Bill, would you please come over this way so I can see to get into my desk? There's a flashlight in the top drawer. We could have a little more light that way." Guarnere walked ahead of Leigh, lighting the way to her desk,

She thanked him, opened the drawer and took out the flashlight. Turning it on, she went past Bill to stand in front of her desk.

"There's only one chair. Would you rather just sit on top of the desk with me?" Guarnere flipped the lighter case closed and sat on the desk. Spencer sat beside him. She looked for a good place to put the flashlight to give them the best light and decided to put it on top of the filing cabinet across from her.Bill looked around the small room,

"Is it always this crowded in here? They don't hardly give ya room to walk." "No. This is thanks to that numb nuts Sobel. Sorry, there goes my irrepressible mouth again." Guarnere burst out laughing, "Oh, Christ! That's a good one, Doll. Do ya work for that bastard?" He was chuckling, repeating in a softer voice,

"Numb nuts Sobel. That's fuckin' perfect." Bill immediately apologized to her, "There goes my big mouth, so that makes us even." Leigh giggled, " No, and I sincerely thank God that I don't work for him. I normally do some work for Colonel Sink. My friend Melissa's grandma died two weeks ago and I got assigned to her duties while she was on leave. Sobel made such a fuss to have the extra filing cabinets brought in, but he's not in a hurry to get them out of here." Bill frowned and replied with derision,

"Don't surprise me one bit. I'm tellin' ya, that son of a bitch don't know his ass from a hole in the ground." "I got that impression about five minutes into my first day of working for him. Speaking of the black swan, if you mention what I called him, please don't tell your buddies that I was the one who came up with his new name. He could make my life a living hell." "Don't worry, I won't get ya into any trouble wit' Sobel." Bill decided to address the issue at hand,

"I might as well get to the point. You've been givin' me mixed signals. Sometimes ya act interested, but ya turned me down for a date Did I do or say somethin' wrong?" Leigh sighed, "You aren't the problem. It's me." Bill frowned and looked puzzled, "Are ya tryin' to not hurt my feelins? This sounds like a way to let me down easy." Spencer quickly answered, "No, it's nothing like that, Bill ." Guarnere felt relieved at the possibility of still having a chance with Leigh. "The reason why I've been hesitant about you comes from something that happened last year. It's why I went into the WAACs, I knew they would provide a safe place for me to live and work."

She began telling Bill about Grayson. As he listened, Guarnere felt anger building inside him as Leigh told him about the other woman and the events that led to her breaking the engagement and leaving O'Brian. "When I tried to leave his apartment, Gray locked the door." She then told about how O'Brian became angry, slamming her against the door and then grabbing her left arm. "I had a bruise on my back and big bruise on my arm that remained on me for a few weeks. Don't get me wrong, I don't condone violence, but I was infuriated and my back hurt. I reacted to the pain and slapped his face hard enough to leave my hand print."

She told Bill about Grayson punching her, giving her a black eye and knocking her to the floor. Guarnere slammed his hand down on the desk, his voice was loud, "That son of a bitch! If I knew where he was, I'd beat the livin' hell outta him, I swear to God! My pop told all us boys that you don't NEVER hit a woman. He told us that if we blew our top, go take a walk or somethin'. Pop always says, 'A woman is a delicate flower. You show her respect an' protect her. A man who hits a woman ain't a man at all.'" He put his hands on Spencer's shoulders, gently turning her toward him so she could look into his eyes. Guarnere took both of her hands in his, telling her, "You done nothin' wrong, Baby, and you didn't deserve what he done to you. You understand me? " Leigh was momentarily silenced by Bill's gentle touch and his words.

"Yes." Guarnere felt that there was more to her story and that it was equally upsetting as what she had told him. "That ain't all, is it ? How did you get out o'there?" Spencer told Bill about how she pretended to give Grayson another chance and the ruse of wanting to fix her makeup in order to get closer to the bedroom and the window. Guarnere commented, "You got a good head on your shoulders, Leigh." Then, she told of locking the door behind her, kicking out the screen and how O'Brian fired a gun, almost hitting her. Spencer told of her mad dash, practically barefoot in the pouring rain and jumping into the police car stopped at a red light

Since he was holding Leigh's hands,Bill kicked the desk with the heel of his boot, enraged when he heard about O'Brian firing the gun. He shouted, "Son of a bitch! I could kill that bastard for what he done to you!" Guarnere imagined Leigh terrified and running for her life. This made him want to ensure that no one would ever hurt her again.

"Sorry 'bout that. I'll keep it down, we don't need no MPs after us." Spencer decided to go for broke and tell Bill everything, "I'm not judging you in the least, but I think there are two types of girls you date. The first types are very experienced girls who aren't shy about wanting to have sex. The second types are good girls, the ones you would take home to meet your folks. I don't fit into either category."

Guarnere was amazed at the accuracy of her assessment. He chuckled softly, "You're right. You must be a mind reader." Bill had a puzzled look on his face as he listened to Leigh saying that she didn't fit in either category. He added,

"Baby, you are a good girl. What makes you think you ain't good?" Spencer looked down as she replied, "I planned to wait until I was married to...but Grayson said it was OK because we were engaged. It only happened once and it was over pretty fast. I don't understand what all the fuss is about." Bill held back the urge to laugh at her remark, not wanting to hurt her feelings, but he smirked,

"It's because he didn't do it right." "Gray never touched me after that. I guess he got what he wanted and moved on to the next woman or women. When I asked him why he wasn't interested in me anymore," Spencer's voice was breaking, "he...he said that I was damaged goods that no one would want.That's why I broke that date with you.

Now that you know the whole story, I understand if you aren't interested. You have a heart of gold and you deserve a good woman." Leigh felt her eyes filling with tears that she couldn't control. Guarnere saw the tears flowing down her face in the dim light. The dejected look on Spencer's face caused Bill to say, in a very soft and tender voice, "Oh, Sweetheart," He wrapped his arms around Leigh, pulling her close to him. Bill stroked her back, soothing her. Guarnere held Spencer with one hand while he got a handkerchief from a pocket in his dress uniform and gently wiped the tears from her face.

Bill asked if she needed to use the handkerchief. Leigh thanked him and turned away from Guarnere to blow her nose. She put the used handkerchief behind her on the desk. Spencer's voice was breaking as she told Bill, "I'll get this washed and returned to you. Damn it! This is embarrassing. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ruin your evening."

"Don't worry about it, I can get it back later. You didn't ruin nothin'. Baby, you are a good woman. You're a sweet angel." He wrapped his arms around Leigh again and resumed stroking her back as Spencer returned his embrace, feeling comfort in snuggling close to Bill.

Holding Leigh felt so right to him. Guarnere thought,

"I wish I could hold this little doll all night." He placed a tender kiss on the top of her head. Guarnere tilted Spencer's head up with one finger under her chin, looking into her eyes as he told her, "You ain't damaged, Leigh. Any man who thinks that is a goddamned fool. You're a smart, beautiful woman. You're funny an' you sure as hell don't take no guff from anybody."

Bill paused to gently brush back a strand of her hair that was hanging over her right eye, He continued, "On top o' that, ya sing like an angel. Baby, you're somethin' else, really special.

Don't never forget that. You're more to me than just a night or two wit' some broad I picked up at the NCO club or the joints in town. That's why I wanted to find out how ya felt about me." Leigh was hoping she didn't misunderstand what Bill just said.

"In other words, you want me to be your girl? " Guarnere couldn't say what he was thinking, "If I tell her, she'll think I'm nuts, but I know that I'm gonna marry her someday. Pop felt that way about Ma from the very beginnin'." Instead, he replied, "Yes, Baby. I want ya to be my girl. How 'bout it?" Spencer smiled, "Yes. By the way, you're the first man I've been interested in since last year." Bill put his hands on either side of Leigh's face and gave her a sweet, gentle kiss.

"Sweetheart, you just made me a happy man. I'm honored to be the first man ya got interested in after that livin' nightmare." He kissed Spencer again, gently at first. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Guarnere deepened the kiss and Leigh ran her fingers through his hair.

When Bill parted her lips with his tongue, she sighed into his mouth, allowing his tongue to enter her mouth. He began tracing his fingers down her back. Leigh froze in place when she heard the front door of the building open. Reluctantly breaking the kiss, she remarked,

"Damn it! I forgot about the MP doing a security check. He has lousy timing!" She got off of the desk, quickly ensuring that the office door was locked, grabbed her purse and turned off the flashlight. Bill grabbed the flashlight and followed her behind her desk.

The footsteps in the hall grew louder until the MP stopped in front of the door to Spencer's office. Once the officer realized the door was locked, he checked the back door and found it was also locked. The MP walked to the front door and exited the building, locking the door behind him.

Bill and Leigh got up from behind the desk. Spencer placed the flashlight in the desk drawer and made sure the drawer was closed. Guarnere wrapped his arms around Leigh, kissing her. "As much as I wanna go back to what were doin' before the MP showed up, we need to get the hell outta here before he comes back." Leigh agreed and they exited the office. She locked the office door.

Guarnere used his lighter to help them navigate to the back door. Once it was unlocked, he opened the door for Leigh to exit first. She paused to lock the back door. They strolled hand in hand to the walkway. "Let me walk ya back to the barracks, Sweetheart. You should't walk back by yourself."

Bill paused for a moment to get the pack of cigarettes out of his pocket, taking one cigarette and his lighter. He put the cigarette in his mouth and lit it. Then, he put the lighter back in his pocket. Leigh told him, "I wouldn't want it any other way." Bill put his arm around her shoulders as they walked to the women's quarters. They took the long route to the barracks. When they arrived at the building, Guarnere got rid of the cigarette, dropping the remains of it on the gravel path, stepping on it to ensure it was out.

He pulled Spencer close to him, wrapping his arms around her as he gave her a passionate kiss. Leigh moaned softly as Guarnere's tongue entered her mouth. They exchanged slow, sensual kisses. Leigh caressed Bill's back. He broke the kiss, whispering to Spencer,

"Is this gettin' my baby worked up?" He nibbled on her ear, and kissed her neck. Bill delighted in hearing Leigh moaning softly. "Oh, yes! I love the way you kiss. Something tells me you're very good at other things, too." Bill replied, playfully raising his eyebrows, "That so?" "I don't know that for a fact, but I'd like to find out sometime." Guarnere chuckled, kissing the top of her head. He gave Spencer a tender kiss, "Any time you're ready, you just tell me, OK? If ya need more time, I can wait until you're ready. Ain't no reason for me to chase after other broads when I have an angel like you. I ain't just sayin' that, either. " "I promise to let you know when I'm ready. Bill, you're so considerate. I'm lucky to have a nice guy like you." Guarnere gave Spencer a tender kiss,

"You made me a happy man tonight, Baby. I'd better call it a night. I'll see ya sometime later today, that is if ya don't already have plans."

"Sounds like I will plan to see a handsome sergeant who just happens to be my guy." Guarnere gave her another passionate kiss, " Goodnight, Baby. See ya later today. Leigh told Bill goodnight and she went into the building . Guarnere headed back to the Easy Company barracks.

#hbowardaily #Bobweek2023 #Day 3

@hbowardaily

[atdutiesend]

{ For all you FFXIV muses }

Your character has been put in front of a computer, on the character creation screen for FFXIV, and told that they'll have to create a digital avatar to find some kind of very important information. What do? Since I'm doing this for my own amusement, I'm providing my own answer and y'all can steal the format [repost, don't reblog. I'll steal your kneecaps].

Do they make themself? A friend? A character of theirs, or from media they like?

Dove makes a character from their favorite play, a purple-haired elezen girl with a horrible attitude.

Do they give their character a serious name, a funny one, or just click the randomize button until they find something they like?

They use the character's name - Shiori Takatsuki.

Patron god? Nameday?

Bold of you to assume they cared. Nah, Menphina and the character's birthday.

What's their starting class [and city!]?

"What do you MEAN I can't start as a rogue? OR a Dark Knight? This is bullshite!" - They picked Marauder because they wanted to start in Limsa.

How long does it take for them to realize it's their story/the warrior of light's story? How mad/offended are they? Alternately, how fascinated are they?

They had their suspicions the moment they saw the starting cities. They knew as soon as they got sent to Summerford, tbh. So offended. Mad.

How are they as a player? Do they get comms, or get yelled at?

They've got twitch reflexes, and the game meshes nicely with their adhd, but it took them a while to learn tells and they find mechanics with their face a lot. But they're a confident tank, so that counts for something. Sometimes.

Do they do time wasters/mini games, like in the gold saucer? What about side-quests, do they try to clear the map?

Very squirrely. They pick up blue quests immediately, but they'll sit on the bar for a while before Dove remembers "oh yeah I should turn that in/do that". The Gold Saucer might have stolen a few hours of their life.

How's their glam game? Are they mad about baby gear, do they just not care?

So mad. Dove is vain as fuck; they nyoomed through the story to unlock glams ASAP because they hate looking like a clown dressed them.

Let's say the important information is in post-ARR. How long do they keep playing after they find the information?

Depends on how time-sensitive finding the information was. They were very curious to see how else the 'game' butchered their tale. They might have punched the computer when a certain Best Boy died, though.

Tagging: @grumpyascianteddybear, @soulseeresque, @stealerofheartsss, @cxsmictxy, @ichoric, @swerte, @santo-sussurratore, @seatedsacrifice and YOU. Steal it!

[viky2318]

Hey! Sorry if I forgot to post TWO DAYS AGO (i try to post more or less every three days) but I got a little messy.

Anyway HERE'S MY CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR Y'ALL

Underground, Waterfall

Undyne was suddenly awaken by a knock on the door of her house. She confusedly got up and checked the hour. MIDNIGHT?!? Who the hell goes around knocking at the people's door at midnight?? Maybe it was an emergency? The fish huffed and went at the door (still in pajamas). When she opened, she saw a tall skeleton looking at her. He was almost as tall as her, and had a huge smile. "Good evening miss! Can I join the royal guard?" He asked joyfully. She just... Slammed the door shut. "Not gonna deal with this crap now" she thought while going back to sleep. The next day Undyne almost forgot about the thing. And I say "almost" because she immediately remembered the fact when she saw the skeleton still standing in front of the door. "What the heck..." She mumbled while opening the door. The fish had to blink a few times to make sure she wasn't daydreaming. "You remained here, standing in front of my door... The whole night?" she half asked half stated. "of course! after you closed the door, I noticed that, well, it was kind of late. so I waited here until you woke up!" the skeleton explained. Undyne thought of it for a few seconds. the guy seemed kind of determined... "what's your name, kid?" she asked. the skeleton answered eagerly: "my name's Papyrus!". Undyne thought for another second, just to make sure she wasn't doing anything stupid, then decided: "a'ight Papyrus, give me a minute then you'll show me what you know". Papyrus seemed exited. Undyne wondered if the guy even knew what a royal guard was. she put on a shirt and a pair of jeans (she was STILL in pajamas), then got out. "so, you know what a Royal guard is supposed to do?" she asked. "obviously!" the skeleton started. "a royal guard has the duty to protect people, and help them! they also have to capture humans for the king, in order to open the barrier!". Undyne grinned. the kid was at least informed. "very well Papyrus. But are you able to protect the people?". Papyrus's smile seemed getting even bigger. "of course ma'am! i do am indeed a very good fighter. maybe not the best one, but i do what I can, of course!". "heh, the guy have confidence but knows his limits" she thought. "well, then show me what you've got. your goal now will be protecting the dummy! if i just touch it, you lose. okay?". Papyrus seemed like he was waiting for this moment. "Yes miss!" he exclaimed. "oh, and call me Undyne. 'miss' makes me sound old" she added. the skeleton summoned a bone, and held it in his hand like a sword. she grinned even wider. "very well. let's start then". Undyne summoned some spears and threw them at Papyrus. he easily doged them making sure to keep the dummy away from them. she got more spears and preparred a ground attack. the flying ones didn't even got near the skeleton or the dummy. the ones from the ground got Papyrus a little off guard, but immediately took the dummy and jumped away. they kept like this for a good half hour, Undyne attacking and Papyrus jumping around with the dummy. then Undyne decided to use her yellow spears. Papyrus avoided them at the beginning, but almost got hit when they bounced back. the dummy's head flied away. the skeleton appeared a litte concerned for a second, then sighed and smiled away the worries. Undyne was more than happy. the guy appeared to be extremely skilled. "man! i didn't had such a fight with a newbie in a very long time! who was your teacher?" she asked. the skeleton shrugged. "i learned by myself" he shortly answered. "oh really? that's just surprising! come, let's keep this conversation inside. I'm really curious now!". they got in the house and Undyne made some tea.

She discovered a few things about the guy. he recently moved to Snowdin Town with the brother (that appears to be a very lazy guy). they first lived at New Home, but here he didn't got really into the details. he heard of the Royal guard by the canine unit at Snowdin, and immediately wanted to be useful. he trained alone in the forest, and when he felt ready he searched for the head of the royal guard, to ask if he could join. after a good hour of chatting, undyne said: "ok Papyrus, listen. now i have a lot of stuff to do, and even if you're really a talented fighter you need to improve, so what if you come back tomorrow? we can train together, and i can get to know you better". Papyrus got really exited. "o-of course! it would be wonderful!". he thanked her for her time and for the tea and went away. the guy appeared a little childish, but for the rest he seemed really fond of his decision. The next day he came back, this time at a decent hour. they trained together, and then went inside chatting.after a week or so, Undyne noticed that Papyrus seemed... too innocent? he seemed so kind and sweet, she started fearing that making him join the royal guard could be a bad thing for him. he didn't seemed ready to face a death, or to kill someone himself. so one day, she came out with what seemed to be a good idea.

"cooking?" Papyrus asked unsure. "yes, of course! a royal guard has to know haw to cook. what if you find yourself isolated from every abitated area for many days? you have to be able to prepare a meal for yourself!". Undyne explained. Papyrus thought about it a moment then nodded. "Yes, I think you're right. Of course, the great Papyrus can do also this!" "Yeah, that's the spirit!" Undyne exclaimed. Papyrus was a smart and energetic guy, so convincing him of doing something strange was hard of you didn't had a good motivation. Luckily, he didn't had any idea of how to cook, becouse Undyne surely wasn't a great cooker. She tried to make it appear really connected to fighting, and they had a lot of fun, but... Yeah whatever they did... it wasn't edible. They were supposed to make a simple pasta, but the house almost got burnt down. Papyrus didn't seemed really happy. She said that cooking was really hard, and that with time he would have learned every secret of this complicated art. He smiled and helped cleaning, then got back home.

Yeah, maybe it wasn't really her best idea.

HOPE YOU LIKED IT I THINK IT SUCKS BUT WHATEVER

[writtengalaxies]

hey hey! im down for a little chat <3

-

i only found this blog like, 2 days ago but i can already feel myself getting the urge to go back and reread everything here. content of the highest quality over here <3 /gen

all the fics on AO3 would be really nice as well imo! although i cant say that i use the site that frequently, it could be a good way for others to find your works! at least thats how i see it

i think its due to how much i simp for this man, but i really love love LOVE the memory files. the trope is fairly common (from what ive seen) but the way you write it? chefs kiss. i am patiently but eagerly waiting for the next part mwah <3

the cup god chronicles were also a really fun read. i dont fully really see content (READ: fics) for him regularly so i was immediately intrigued and when i tell you, i was HOOKED. big fan, i love this doofus <3

-

now imma ask you something. who's your fave ego? my guess is engineer lol

also, whats your pronouns? i havent seen them listed anywhere ^^"

if you dont mind me asking, how long have you been writing? just in general. it seems like a basic Q but the answers are fascinating.

-

and as a last little tid bit of me im willing to share for the night, i read most of your works in around 2 hours. what that says about me is irrelevant,, goodnight, i hope this isnt too big of a text wall to answer <3

WAAAH thank you!! Also all of that in two hours?! Oh gosh! (And you're all good! I like big text walls!)

That was more or less my thought with posting them on Ao3! I know a lot of writers do cross-post them, so I figured "hey, why not". I...might end up doing that today, since I managed to pull a muscle in my back real bad in the night and I'm laid up in bed. gfhj

Ooooh, Lost Memory Files does tend to be a fan favorite. XD I'm really happy people like it! It...actually spun out of a similar idea but with Engineer and a Captain who can't remember wormholes and looping...heh. The next part, based on my loose notes, is likely going to continue the hurt.

Cup God Chronicles was really my first attempts at writing Night, the smug bastardass. The reader being a sarcastic little shit is in part I'm a sarcastic little shit, and in part based off of @ghostf1ux. I did notice there aren't a ton of fics for him that aren't...uh. Spicy. I have a couple more fics planned for it!

Favorite ego is 100% Engineer. "The smartest dumbass" was how I saw him described at one point and I'm like "yes. THIS ONE." There's something about like...realizing that even through all the hurt on both sides of that, he still fully trusts the captain? Despite everything. Never knowing the full extent of everything the captain goes through, despite his own misconceptions...

And well, hope is very important to me. So ISWM being very centered around never giving up hope kind of hit real hard, you know?

I DIDN'T REALIZE I DIDN'T PUT PRONOUNS ANYWHERE. ghjk WHOOPS. Honestly, almost anything! (My one exception is it/it's, and that's just because it doesn't feel like me. Big love to everyone who does though! Y'all rock it!)

I'm a genderfluid menace so they're always changing anyway!

How long I've been writing...the first thing I really clearly remember writing was either HP or Yu-Gi-Oh! fanfic waaaaaaaaay back in the day. I must have been about 10 or 11? So...20+ years at this point.

If I had to think about creative writing and doing it more consistently, that's closer to about...16 years? (I had to think about when I graduated high school and I felt like I aged SIGNIFICANTLY in an instant.)

One of my English teachers really drove a lot of confidence in my writing! Shout out to Mr. Craig, who liked some of my original stuff I had written for his class so much, he still has it and checks in from time to time on what I'm up to.

He's a big reason as to why I have an 111k original fiction novel and a novella I self-published for a while. He also did a front-flip off a stage with a lightsaber for a student-written play.

[milomaxxy]

Seeing all the posts from people calling Palestinians people scammers bctheyre trying to raise money to evacuate their country has my blood fucking boiling.

Last year, in May, my family ended up in a homeless shelter after a year and some change of bouncing around staying with friends and family and trying to get into a home again. It was fucking terrible. We made a gofundme back then to try to raise something to help out, and spread it over Facebook groups mostly. That gfm was up for the entire time we were in that shelter- about six months- and we barely raised $400. It was devastating seeing there be maybe 20 donators, and spending hours begging online, while some whiny able white person complains about not being able to get a $200 Starbucks SpECiAl cup and got funded IMMEDIATELY. I saw post after post of people donating to people who wanted to "treat themselves", who wanted to go out to the bar with their friends and couldn't afford to, people who wanted to order pizza. Meanwhile every other post was someone begging for money to pay their rent, their car insurance/payment, their bills, fucking MEDICINE, and yet maybe 1 out of every 10 got fully funded. The majority of them couldn't even get $100, while the post beneath written by a snotty college kid who's complaining about how she hasn't gotten her nails done "properly in a little while" got OVER FUNDED (yes, this is a REAL EXAMPLE). It was actually fucking insulting for people to act like people like me, or others needing help, we're just scamming for money while they literally threw cash away at people "treating" themselves.

All this is to say that it is absolutely disgusting to see people say "ew they're just trying to sCaM yOuU" or "I can't really help sorry" only to turn around and hand $50 to someone who's bummed out they couldn't get sushi for dinner 🙄 (yes, another real example). It makes me slowly lose hope, especially in white people and doubly so in able-bodied people, bc it gets so much worse if someone mentioned being disabled. "You could just get a job" and various insults about being lazy, weak, bums are constantly thrown towards disabled people trying to raise funds. I got called a "worthless pussy" bc I gave medical documents as to why I couldn't work (one group wanted evidence for any donations posts).

With how fucking trashy, racist, ableist, and downright fucking terrible people are to anyone asking for money, what the actual fuck makes you think people are scamming you?? I can fucking guarantee you that they are NOT getting enough money to make it worth being treated like an actual fucking parasite by people who've never had to worry about where they're going to live or how they're gonna get their next meal. Y'all can't even fucking boycott McDonald's or Starbucks and yet you wanna fucking play pretend like you care where your money goes