#is it funny if i also imagined he got shoved into a locker or in a fight with silver Once

[rebe-draws]

Firstly I just want to say oh my goodness hello and thank you everyone for the art appreciation! I’m happy people like Scrap! Secondly HAHA HI AABRIA!! @quiddie Love your work. LOVE Suvi. Love these questions! Now uh how much time do you have ‘cause I have so many thoughts about this little bastard man of mine and his place in the world of Umora. I’m gonna answer your questions AND add some more info! Why not! I’ll try to keep it brief :) Q1: Is Scram the winged opossum a Faunalog? Scram is absolutely a faunalog / imchin (hope I got that right!) Scrap and Scram very much adopted each-other, the outcasts and pests gotta stick together. Dude keeps trying to smuggle his little friend into the Bloody Carnival and I imagine Mr. Losario has absolutely NONE of it.

Q2: Scrap’s Age? LISTEN I hadn’t totally decided on it - like, maybe mid 20’s max - HOWEVER imagining him in the same grade or year as Suvi? Losing my mind going feral I love it oh my god please-and-thankyew. Does that make the fact he gave himself (and yes his possum too) an S name even SPICIER? I hope it does because it was absolutely a move of spite against Wizards on his part. If that means it gets hairy between Suvi and him I am so signing up for that! *chanting* fight fight fight.  Q3: LEGALLY HE HAS TO TO TELL YOU IF HE’S A SPIRIT – I’m itching to draw this scene play out HAHAHAHA. Good lord he doesn’t even know what exactly he is! He’d totally play along with the idea he could be a spirit if it meant messing with someone like Suvi. Dude’s a cheeky bastard. Dude would also be panicking because what do you mean Steel’s daughter is in the Bloody Carnival!? And friends with that cool regular guy (Ersulon) who visits a lot!? “I’m just the guy who serves drinks and cleans up the vomit and blood– WHY IS SHE WALKING TOWARDS ME.” Suvi grilling him on his magic too? Actually shitting himself but laughing to pretend like he’s not. Hey look, if Suvi’s bringing those magic butterflies into the equation, he’ll commit to the bit to prove a point. And. Try not to eat the magic butterfly in the process– don’t worry about it, more on that later. For what it’s worth if Suvi’s goin’ at him full weird, full no-filter, THE weird kid from school is gonna give that energy right back! 

MORE WALL OF TEXT TIME - General Scrap Lore from my brain

He gave himself the moniker ‘Scrap’ as a petty move against the Wizards, yes haha. He would’ve been known before as Jack. The name Jack is a meta nod to Hedgemage lore Brennan introduced at the start of the campaign with some mages imbuing their magic into playing cards. ‘Jack’ in particular a direct reference to the poker card of course. 

Scrap was goddamn terrible at school. He was a kid from a nothing family but showed some real magic potential, managed to claw his way into the studies through the Demmings academic track (like page Yulia with Banners!) but absolutely flunked. It wasn’t failing classes that got him dropped though - he had something of an “incident” himself - think somethin’ like what happened with Suvi and Hannah with the Aerith. And think Wild Magic surge. TLDR: He … accidentally hit a fireball on self. Barely survived. Consequences ensued. Now that he’s out of school he’s gone real ‘bottom of the barrel’, rubbing elbows with some real shady hedgemages and the like, trying to make do with the Citadel’s “scraps” … hence his moniker! 

As a Wild Magic sorcerer I sort of imagined he is a kind of vessel for raw magic. And therefore always hungry for it. Very hungry (why he could want to eat the magic buttefly, among other things). And sensitive to it as well, I imagine he has a kind of ‘synaesthesia’ for magic. Think a bit like Detect Magic. Which is why he wears goggles a looot of the time. Shit’s too bright in the city. But hey man. You gotta stay fed. P.S I am losing my mind imagining what he’d be up to with the Citadel, particularly Haverward, on hard lock-down. Wuh-oh. ANYWAY I could literally talk about this dude and the story you and the crew are telling ALL day so I’m gonna cut it here for now! I’ll be posting more about him and his witch friend Anoushka in the future for sure !! Goddamn I love this game.

P.P.S Always open to more questions too if anyone has any! 

The hedgemage 'Scrap' (wild magic sorcerer) meets the Wizard, the Witch and the Wild One! This was just a fun thing I came up with for my World's Beyond Number OC HAHAHA. He's kickin' it in the Citadel and I always wonder what he'd be up to with the current goings-ons there. And I always wondered how he'd go meeting the crew! ENSUE tense Wizard VS Sorcerer moment LOL I love the gang so much! Had to do a bonus moment of the familiars meeting :) does anyone else have characters they've made up for this world? I'd so love to hear about them!

[l-v3]

Omg can you pls do this Duff x Reader imagine 🥹👉🏻👈🏻 (Angst and Fluff included pls)

Plot: Y/N is in high school, where a mean guy named Axl Rose is the one all the girls swoon over. But he’s also a cruel jock—arrogant and nasty. He hates Y/N and always mocks her. He has it out for Y/N ever since he saw a photo of Duff McKagan, in her locker. Duff is the second heartthrob of the school, but his personality is completely different from Axl's.

Axl and his fellow sidekicks mock Y/N, claiming she’d never have a chance with Duff because she’s, as Axl's calls her, an ugly, disgusting girl. He hits her, insults her, and spits on her and throws her at the locker and keeps insulting her. She cries, begs him to stop, but he doesn’t. Meanwhile, the surrounding students laugh at her. Just then, the hot guy Duff walks down the hallway, sees what’s happening, and loses it. He starts a fight with Axl and hits them, standing up for Y/N.

He sees Y/N laying on the floor crying and bleeding, picks her up bridal style, strokes her gently, and asks if she’s okay, wanting to know her name since he’s never seen her before. She also snuggles up to him and she likes his scent. Duff carries her to the school nurse’s office, where the nurse offers to take care of Y/N, but Duff intervenes, insisting that he will do it himself. He begins to care for her, showing immense affection, whispering sweet words in her ear. In the end, he asks if she would go on a date with him.

She enthusiastically says yes, and he kisses her. BUT their relationship almost gets destroyed by Axl, who tells Y/N that Duff only uses her as a pity toy. But Duff reassures her, telling her that's not true and they make out.

A/n.|| Hi!! Dang you already have the story down! I’m so sorry for it releasing now, it was supposed to be released days ago but I got caught up and everything. I hope this is okay, it’s a bit rushed and long, but I really tried my best. I hope you really like this one and don’t mind it at all.

Imagine: You have a huge crush on Duff who’s a heartthrob in this school, just like Axl but he’s cruel— A heartless Jock who bullies you for having a crush on Duff.

Warning: Hitting/abuse, blood, foul words, bullying, angst, and fluff

(2,152 words)

You’re worth fighting for.

Walking down the hallway, hearing a bunch of girls fangirling over this one guy, Axl.

Axl, mad red head, nasty, and cruel. As he was walking down the hallway, walking like he owned this school like he was the shit. He laughed as him and his friend was fooling around in the hallway.

Fuckin', Axl. The guy that every girl swoons for. Are they blind? He's an asshole! Stupid jocks.. Always cruel and mean. I shook my head ignoring the crowd as I made my way to my locker.

Opening my locker, a photo, right on the inside. Duff.. Duff McKagan. Oh he's so dreamy. His perfect blonde hair.. His perfect blue eyes, he was just perfect! But— Would I ever had a chance with him? I frowned as I knew he was the second hottest guy in this school meaning he is too hot to be with. Especially me I'm way out of his league.. Pulling away, my locker slammed.

Axl.

"Well, well.. Looky here. Ain't it the little Duff fangirl? Huh?" The ginger head sneered as he leaned on the locker, facing me as his little flock was right beside him, chuckling to themselves as they found this funny.

"..Leave me alone, Axl." I didn't want any drama, I didn't want to put up with his bullshit. "Leave you alone?" He asks blocking my path. "Why, should I?" His boys join in.

The hall looked to be empty and everyone was in their classrooms. Looking around, I quickly shoved past them and rushed to my class, easily getting away. I didn't look back but I knew that they were fuming, especially Axl. "You ain't getting away next time!" He yelled out, letting me go.

Walking by, passing by a classroom, a familiar blonde had caught my eyes making me slow down and peek through the little window they had.

Duff.

I stood there as he was socializing, being friendly, and just handsome as always. The way he had bobbed and nodded his head, listening and complimented their clothes.. Axl would never. They were the heartthrobs of this school but they are the most polar opposites of each other in personality. Sure, Axl is cute and mean but— Duff is way nicer and way hotter.

Standing here wasn't gonna keep me hidden and unseen when Duff's head popped up, looking at the window and our eyes met. I gasp and felt myself get flushed, quickly fleeing the scene.

Oh my god. He just seen me! I couldn't believe it. My heart paced, skipping beats. Oh no.. He probably thought I was a stalker.. I huffed, embarrassed.

I then made it to my classroom, late but didn't matter.

Hours going by, finally it was the last class. I walked throughout the hallway, heading to my locker as I had forgotten my book for my one class. On my way there, I almost bumped into someone- my steps stumbling back to avoid impact. I looked up and there was Axl.

Axl looking down at me, realizing who I was and immediately signaled his friends.

"Going somewhere?" He asked as has then leaned on the wall with his arm on the wall, supporting him up. My head bowed and went to walk around him but he slid and stopped me, pushing me back into the locker, bumping my head off of it. I winced.

"What? What do you want?" I put a hand to my head, looking up at him as his flock of friends crowded me, making sure I didn't escape. "What do I want?" He chuckled, almost sounding sarcasm. He looked at his buddies, "I don't know, what do I want?" He looked back at me. "I think you are pathetic. Full of pettiness and filth." He shook his head in disbelief. "You disgust me." He shifted his salvia in his mouth, preparing himself before he had spat at me. I felt gross, just feeling wet slimy spit sliding down my face, it wasn't even my spit. "Axl.. Please. I didn't do anything!" I say as I wiped away the spit and took a step forward to leave but Axl got angry. "Didn't do anything? Didn't do anything?" He grabbed me and pulled me forward.

Next thing I know I was being thrown against the locker and now I'm on the floor as my head felt heavy. "Axl!" I cry out. Him and his buddies just laughed, looking down at me. "What? Are you gonna cry?" Mocked one of his friends. Axl looked and tilted his head. "Oh, I think she is!"

"Who are you gonna cry to? Duff? Please. Like you have any chance with him." He rolled his eyes stepping back a bit. I felt a tear roll down as I didn't want to be here, why did it have to be me?

"So fucking stupid." He say, pointing at his own head mimicking me, showing mean gestures while his friend laughed at it. "Can't you do anything better for once instead of being a weirdo? A freak?" He asked as he kicked my calf. I leaned up against the locker with my head buried into my knees trying to protect myself.

I sobbed, hiding my face with my hands on the top of my head, protecting myself. "Please! Stop!" I begged as I felt small, unable to fight back.

"Hey!" A familiar voice yelled out and a sound of impact and shoes sliding making a squeaking noise can be heard. "Fuck— What the?" Now there was a lot of shuffling and skin hitting against another. I peeked up to see what was happening, what's with the sudden change?

It was Duff- He was punching— Getting in contact with Axl. They were fighting and Duff looked so intense and angry. Axl was using his strength, using tricks but Duff picked up on them and punched his side making his fall back as his friends were trying to help. "You guys should leave this poor girl alone!" Every time they got near, a punch or kick to the stomach happened and fell back. They grabbed Axl  whose face was all red and had blood running from his nose as his cheek was swollen already. "Yeah. Fuck off!" Yelled Duff.

Duff looking over, seeing me upon the floor, blood on my forehead that reached to my jaw. He walked over and crouched down to my level, gently placing a hand on my back. "Hey.. hey.." he noticed the flinch, talking in a hushed voice to comfort. "It's okay, are you okay? Look at me." He asks as he brought his hand to my chin, lightly lifting my chin up to look at him. My lips trembled as he saw, concern wavering over his face.

He then pushed his hand down and pulled me close and up, lifting me onto his arms, holding me close. My head buried into his chest, snuggling up to him and immediately his scent hit me, I quietly sniffed him more as I found it pleasing and comforting.

Duff then carried me, not sure where because my eyes were closed, safe. Safe in a guys arm.

At the nurses office, he carried me in and the nurse immediate was worried, coming over to us.

"My goodness! I can take her from here." She walked up, already reaching for my arm but Duff stepped back.

"No. I will do it. I wanna do it." The nurse looked at him with a small arched eyebrow at first but she reluctantly nodded her head and stepped back.

I was then carried into another room, my arms still around his neck.

I felt my the bottom of my butt touch cushion, set onto a bed, very comfy but— Didn't look comfy. He then left me for a moment to grab supplies.

While he did so, I quietly observed while my legs swings back and forth, thinking to myself on how did I manage to be taken care of by Duff? How he even noticed me— Or saved me? Now here he is, patting away the blood that was on my face.

"Shame on them for hurting a pretty girl." He murmured as he was in front of me, looking at my wound. I stared up at him, feeling how soft and gentle he was with my skin. It was like he genuinely cared, like I was some precious little thing, like I actually mattered. Whatever this kindness was? I love it, I want it. I can feel myself become greedy for this affection.

Duff pulled away and looked down at me, our eyes meeting. He smiled softly and brushed back a strand of my hair. I couldn’t help but return that same smile, feeling nothing but adored for some reason. He thinks I’m pretty.

After a while, him taking care of me, he was now sitting next to me his hands resting upon his thighs, gently rubbing his hands up and down. I looked up at him as he had licked his lips, he looked like he was nervous, like.. To say something.

“Y/n.. I know we only just met but— I really wanna know you more.. I don’t know why but— You seem like I need you.. And.. I wanted to know if it’s okay if we went out? On a date..?” He looked at me, watching how his eyes battered a bit and I couldn’t help but smile excitedly.

“Of course! Of course!” I spoke with excitement, in shock this was happening. I felt giddy and overjoyed, I get to go on a date with Duff? The guy I ever been dreaming of? He smiled and leaned in, our lips almost touching, he was hesitant at first, reading me, but I was silently telling him yes, go for it. And he did. Our lips met and I felt myself melt, it felt like— A puzzle piece meeting its match.

After that, after today, the next day I had gone on that date with Duff. We went to a nice little restaurant, nothing too classy, nothing too fancy, but meaningful. We got to know each other, learn about ourselves more. We actually had a lot in common that I wasn’t even aware of.

Sitting on a bench with Duff, he arm wrapped around my shoulders as we just looked at the ground. I frowned when I was thinking about Axl, that damn jock.

“..Are you sure.. That.. I am really worth it for us?” I turned and looked at him as we were on the bench. By my sudden words, Duff head turned, immediate confused. “What? What’s with this?” A arched eyebrow raised. I couldn’t help myself but feel a little bit of guilt. “Like.. What if you only took me on a date because you felt pity? What if I really don’t matter and if you do, I completely get that and—and—“ before I could say anything more, Duff only chuckled catching me off guard. I looked up at him to see what he was laughing at but he was looking at me, like I was stupid but found it amusing, like I was entertainment to him.

“Y/n, those are only foolish words! Why’d you think that?” He asked as he was leaning his side against the bench, looking at me, watching and waiting for me. “..Well..” I felt embarrassed and a bit foolish for thinking about it now. “Axl.. Axl told me this and I can’t help but think he may be true..?” My gaze shy away from him and he shook his head. His hand grabbing my chin, carefully pushing it back to him. “Listen. Axl is just a dumb jock. He doesn’t know anything! He’s full of lies and never the truth. But— I know what I want, what I know, and I want you. You aren’t my pity, I think you’re amazing. This whole date, oh I think I made the right choice of coming out, it’s fate, I knew I had to leave that classroom. Because if I hadn’t? I would think the world hates me and will forever give me bad luck. So I’m telling you, don’t think that, you’re my girl. My girl.” He says to me with full admiration and genuine words, I was speechless.

“Right?” His eyes switched between mine and I softly nodded my head. And like that, he leaned in, his lips meeting mine. This kiss— Felt special. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer as our lips danced amongst each other, feeling our lips taste one another.

Pulling away after our little make-out session, me and Duff were looking up at each other with this certain look, like it was full of love and affection. It looked like the world showed our future and I seen mine with his from just sitting here.

Duff.

Duff McKagan, I love you so.

[fandomsandfairytales]

I feel like I need to give Riser Way a shoutout for Father's Day because he's been the main dad character I've been reading about for the last several months and he's awesome.

I've only got a few minutes left before it's no longer Father's Day in my timezone (update: I'm 7 minutes too late now, lol, but whatever), so here's a selection of highlights of Riser being a fantastic dad!

For this post it's only Riser and Nikki snippets from Óhchikaape—with the exception of the final snippet, which is from the latest chapter of Montana Stars because I couldn't not include it—but I'll probably do a more comprehensive follow-up post at some point with highlights of Riser being a dad with all his kids (including more Nikki).

“You’re trying to get rid of me. You can’t wait ‘til I’m gone, can you. All this trouble I’ve caused, I’m not stupid, and money I’ve cost you too. No one does what you do just to be nice , and if they do it doesn’t last long before they get tired of it. You’re ready to be done. Ship my ass home and be done with me. Get on with your life. No one has ever cared enough to come looking, not since Daddy died. No one has cared enough to make me stop .” She whirls and slams her hand into the wall, and the broken thing in it, chipping the paint and gouging the drywall. He catches her wrist and pushes it away. "If that was how things were I wouldn't'a just torn this town apart for four days and put myself in the position of owing half the people in it a favor to find ya."

^ Óhchikaape, chapter 15 "I Don't Want to be Alone Again"

"Is there anything else ya want? A doll maybe?" She gives him a black look. “One of you maybe, to stick pins in.” Muttering. “…doll…” His shoulders shake and he turns away hastily to hide his grin; rather pointlessly, since it's quite audible in his voice. "We could check out the kiddie makeup section." “I’m going to trounce you right here in the parking lot.” "Princess bedding? I was supposed to have gotten you princess bedding already but I've been distracted..." “You get me princess bedding and I’ll go sleep in the cab of the truck with your coat.  You can sleep on the princess bedding, you have the princess hair.  Like… whatshername. Pasnuzel.” "How about a nice pink bracelet?" he suggests, fighting desperately and futilely to keep a straight face. She skips around an oil slick and back in close to his side and says, “What’s with you and the pink? We can pick out some pink stuff for you, you know. I won’t judge.”

^ Óhchikaape, chapter 17 "Until You Know I Love You"

“Everyone picks on kids like that, it’s just what you do!” "No it's not. And you will be apologizing to each and every one of them when we get back, you understand me?" Her eyes go wide and horrified. “I can’t do that!” "Oh yeah?" He doesn't sound impressed. "And why's that?" “Because it’ll be embarrassing!” "As embarrassing as it was to them when you made fun?" She moans a little, shoulders sagging. “Rissserrrrr….” "Would it be?" he says harshly. "As upsetting to you as it was to them, to be taunted for something beyond their control? To be taunted for wanting to be able to see clearly?" “I never meant it like that…” "Then how'd you mean it." “It was just… I don’t know, Riser, I just… thought it would be… funny.” She trails off miserably. "Were they laughing?" “…some other kids would. I mean… did.” Her shoulders are hunched. “I’ll say sorry when we get back, okay? Let’s just… stop talking about it.” "Not until I'm satisfied that you understand not only that what you did was wrong but also why." “I don’t know, because it wasn’t… nice?” Unbidden her mind darts to her little brother and she imagines in a flash bigger kids surrounding him while he cowers on the floor, his arms over his head. She imagines Silver hunched against a locker with his hands shoved in his pockets, cruel words flung at him and no towering uncles to come to his defense. “It wasn’t… it wasn’t nice.” She looks up at him a little weakly. “Riser, no one is nice where I come from.” "I believe ya. But it's not fighting back to pass the cruelty on. I’ll help ya keep the bigger kids off ya back, but there'll be no more picking on the smaller ones, you understand me?" “Yes.” "An' you'll be apologizing to the ones you've wronged." She sticks her face in her arm with a long groan. "And you'll mean it." Finally she lifts her head, red-faced and eyes pleading. “Okay. I will. Can we be done?” He eyes her calculatingly a moment longer. "Alright. Let's go pick you out some frames."

^ Óhchikaape, chapter 25 "Eye Guy and Cabbages"

Riser stands abruptly and catches hold of Nikki's ankles, dangling her a few inches above the floor and just sweeping it with her hair. "Look! I have a new broom!" “I’m a SWIFFER,” Nikki squawks, bending like a snake to see him better. "Do you cede, kiddo?" he asks, grinning down at her. Birdie lifts one hand, groans, and lets it flop dramatically back down. "My deepest and sincerest apologies, my lady. I shall be no more aid, callously broken by my own brother and left to die." “Never,” Nikki vows, and pretends to chomp his jean-leg in her teeth and shake it like a terrier. Riser shrugs and hoists her up higher and nudges one sneaker off with his shoulder to nibble at her toes. "Ooh, yum, snack." Her snarls turn to shrieks of protest. “I’ve been wearing these socks for three days straight Riser ack! Eek! Stopit!” Helpless laughter, feeble thrashing. "Do you give?" he asks thickly around a mouthful of toes. “That is so disgusting help! Ken! Help!” A shuffling sound from the hallway and Ken emerges to glare at them all balefully through sleepily squinted eyes. "ALL OF YOU, stuff a sock in it, or I'm slinging your sorry carcasses outside and locking you out." "I've already shtuffed a shock in it," Riser points out, and earns himself the full weight of Ken's glare. “Ken! Help! He’s eating my—eep—FEET!” "Shut. Up. All of you," Ken snarls, and stomps back to his room, slamming his door.

^ Óhchikaape, chapter 25 "Eye Guy and Cabbages"

"Yup." He nudges his chin gently against the side of her head. "But I'm not gonna whup you until you can handle it." She makes a sound that’s half groan and half exasperation. “How will you know when that is? When I’m thirty, maybe? Thirty sounds good.” He smirks a little and hitches her up. "Hopefully it won't still be necessary when you're thirty. No, it will wait until you know I love you, and will know it even when your ass is smarting." She’s silent all the way to the front of the store. She’s silent as he scans things through the self-check without putting her down. She’s silent as he pays and trundles her and the buggy out into the fading light and she’s silent when he finally sets her down beside the Eagle and hands her her helmet. She holds it between her hands, staring down at it, at the sharp snap-cuffs of the soft leather jacket, at her own hands. She turns the right one to see the raised pink line across the palm. Finally she says in a whisper, “You do?” He crouches to look up and meet her eyes. "I do." Her first step toward him is a fling; she draws up, remembering the stab-wound, and hugs him very gently around the neck. He wraps his arms about her and pats her back. "Y' my kid, understand? And I love you." She’s feeling suddenly sniffly and doesn’t quite know why. She says against his shoulder, “I… don’t think I understand all of it. But I understand… milkshakes. And coats. And shoes. And steak. And…” She has to stop and take a breath. “I understand… someone looking. I understand that.” He rocks her just a little. "I'll always be here for ya. I'll always be here for you. Okay?" She laughs a little in tearful disbelief. “I still don’t think I understand why. I’m… scrawny and smart-mouthed and I run away instead of saying… thank you.” "Doesn't mean you deserve it any less," he says reflectively. "Means you need it more."

^ Óhchikaape, chapter 17 "Until You Know I Love You"

"I'm your stepdad, it's my job to notice. An' put a stop to it." “I don’t… I don’t think I like that word as much.” "Which word?" “The… sounds like Cinderella or something.” "Stepdad?" She grinds her face against his shoulder. “Mm-hmm.” "Alright. Your Riser then. It's my job to notice, an' put a stop to it." “I don’t… it’s just the… step part I don’t like.” She hides her face in his neck. Riser blinks and blinks again and then a grin stretches his face wide. "Really?" “Really what.” "You mean it?" She lifts her head and looks at him squintily. “Mean what, Riser.” He takes a breath. "Do you... want to call me Dad?" “I’m not… I don’t… I want to call you that when I… when people ask. Because you are. Riser. Aren’t you? Now?” "Yes, baby, I am," he says quietly, and pulls her close again in a tight fierce hug.

^ Montana Stars, chapter 5 "Fencing"

I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. Happy Father's Day, Riser Way. Not words I ever thought I'd write, but he deserves it XD

@thegreenleavesofspring tagging you to make sure you see this <3

[trentcrimminallybeautiful]

i've said it before and i'll say it again: trent and nate's dynamic has got to be the funniest shit ever. their arc--like of how they know each other--is just genuinely fucking insane and it is so goddamn funny to me. first nate is just seemingly a random kitman and trent is a well-known, well-respected, definitely-a-huge-cunt-but-he-knows-what-he's-talking-about journalist. trent learns ted is taking cues from a kitman; he's incredulous but intrigued and doesn't dismiss this as insane, although he obviously notes that it's Fucking Weird, it's lumped in with his general opinion on ted's coaching style, which seems to be "fucking weird and no one else would do it but damn if it isn't interesting and possibly what we need".

presumably they have little to no contact for most of the first two seasons--trent probably at least has some idea of his prowess as a strategist, nate becomes a coach, they might even actually meet for press reasons at some point, no idea. also as a slightly nonlinear side note, unsure what nate would be thinking of trent from pre-canon to s2, but i would say a) it's possible that he does genuinely like/respect trent's work, as they're both pretty passionate about the sport and know their shit, b) he at least almost certainly thinks of trent as ruthless, hence why he goes to him to tear ted apart and hurt him as much as he can--although alternatively, it's possible that he just has noticed ted seems to like trent in particular and wants to hurt him that way, but i don't think that's the case. so i'd guess pre-canon he'd be intimidated by him but if he managed to hold a conversation with him (which he doesn't in canon, most likely) they'd actually get along pretty well, i think, especially talking about strategy and sports history. because s1 trent wasn't actually like, a cruel person, even if he'd done some less-than-kind writing, so i doubt when faced with someone like s1 nate he'd have been like, metaphorically shoving him in a locker. i think he mostly turns his snark on gaffers and players, usually perceived as assholes and possibly not entirely incorrectly, and also probably annoying coworkers. not so much nervous kitmen.

ANYWAY, nate never does see a softer side of him--and presumably isn't noticing how he talks to ted in the press conferences lkfhjfgh or only looking at the surface stuff--hence why he goes to him post s2. ANYWAY sorry i've gone on a tangent, i'll have to sum shit up at the end--anyway, so s2 finale happens. nate goes to trent with a huge, horrible scoop, and trent has to write it, but it makes him quit his job. so like, they know and probably at least mildly respect each other from afar, and then the s2 finale happens and that's gotta be awkward (especially as i'm not sure nate ever finds out that trent burned his source to ted? which i think trent did primarily because a) he respects and cares about ted and didn't want him to be blindsided by someone he trusts betraying him, b) it's ted, and he trusts him: he knows ted isn't going to do anything to nate or hurt him about this. debatable whether it was the right thing to do or not, but regardless, unsure how nate would react if he knew--it would really depend on when he finds out.) but anyway trent probably doesn't feel great about this--he genuinely likes ted and this basically makes him realize he kind of hates his job and doesn't like the person he is and that he wants something better, something that doesn't have him hurting genuinely kind people just because he's supposed to, so while obviously i can't imagine he's happy nate brought him this story--in fact, i imagine he hates it, for how it hurts ted if nothing else--in a way it also did give him the push he needed to change his life (and eventually led him to richmond in s3).

ANYWAY AGAIN, here comes the funny part which is then nate leaves richmond and trent joins richmond, loosens up, lets himself be the soft and nerdy little dork he always was, and then. then nate fucking comes back. and like. how the FUCK is that even going to go. like. they're just in the diamond dogs together now. nate just has to deal with the fact that Trent Crimm Is Here Now I Guess? We Like Him? He's Our Emotional Support Ex Journalist? and they're just like. yeah we're in a group of grown men who bark and howl like dogs and then talk about our feelings and we're just standing next to each other and this is fine. like. that is so fucking funny. i doubt there's any real animosity--i know fanon/fics often have trent being protective of ted and therefore venomous against nate but i just don't see that. it's not like he's thrilled at what nate did, but he knows he had his own part in it, and it's not his place to forgive or not forgive nate (that's ted's), and like. that hurt people hurt people, and nate was going through shit, and god knows trent's been there. so if nate is already in a place where he's sorry and he's worked shit out with ted, i can't imagine trent would be holding much of a grudge. (nate might think he does though, considering as far as he knows trent lost his job about it, but i can see him trying to apologize and then being gently rebuffed (about not needing to apologize to him i mean) and then... not sure how that conversation would go but i'd love to be a fly on the wall fghfgh) anyway grudge or not that doesn't mean it isn't FUCKING AWKWARD. like what a fucking trajectory. that is some funny shit.

like. okay, we go from 'kitman and scary journalist' to 'coach and scary journalist' to 'we both blew up ted lasso's life because you were having a crisis and that gave ME a crisis and i exploded my job about it' to 'coach of rival team and richmond's emotional support ex-journalist' to 'just two guys standing in the same room together. just two dudes part of the guys who howl and bark and talk about our feelings group. just two dudes with no history whatsoever. we're fine and everything is fine' ldgkjfhjfghfgh like this is FUCKING HYSTERICAL!!!!!

especially like. idk if word got around trent was writing a book while he was just hanging around richmond or if people would just spot him and go [squints] hang on is that. is that trent crimm? but i choose to believe nate didn't really know (we saw him see trent and ted talking once which--actually i'd love to know what he was thinking then, too) like he knew trent and ted were still talking but the idea of him coming back to richmond and everyone's just like yeah and trent's our mom now. what, why are you giving us that look. we've adopted him we're not giving him back. don't worry you're part of the family too. we're not giving you back either. hey did you know trent's a fucking dork? colin says he dances like a dad at a wedding and we've got plans to get everyone drunk so we can see too. why are you looking at us like that it's not weird he's our little guy now. nate is just like (chose trent specifically because he's supposed to be a huge cunt) but isn't he. you know. (jan maas: are you trying to say journo or cunt?) yeah. that. (colin: nah not really boyo. i mean, we've all been cunts before, right? (sounds of agreement)) (nate kinda goes yeah fair enough)

also again this is immediately made ten thousand times funnier if tedependent happens ngl.

[notwantedonthemoon]

Noyes family designs: part four

It's the one! The only!

Mr. Ham 'Missed-Potential' Noyes.

I think he’s funny.

Please feel free to ask me about this guy so I can seethe about the character we should have gotten out of him (though I do like him as is; I'm glad we got a Disney princess/manic pixie dream girl/scientist character all bundled up into one. He's also the most autistic-coded character I've read since the days of *checks notes* every single L. M. Montgomery book).

He had an absolutely stellar introduction in my English class. The teacher said that he’s probably ace and I���ll raise one better; he can be ace AND aro.

I need to start writing analyses on these things.

Character design notes:

• In the top right corner I had to draw Mrs Noyes (and a younger version of her) as a point of reference. Although Ham’s personality is a pretty even mix between both his parents, I think he looks a lot like his mom; throughout the story, he kind of acts like a lowercase Mrs Noyes.

• I never pictured him with glasses but a bunch of my classmates did and I slowly absorbed that idea into my brain. I imagine that he doesn’t actually need glasses (which irritates everyone endlessly- “what do you mean you don’t need glasses? You read thirty hours a day”), he just thinks they look neat.

• The braid is inspired by Claudia from the Dragon Prince. They’re very different characters who probably wouldn’t get along in any way but something about these two strikes me as similar.

• One thing that always baffles me about his design is why he just randomly grows his hair out some time in the middle of the book and how that is… never elaborated on. I will never get an in-universe explanation about this very minor detail but it will haunt me forever. (I think it’s so that Emma can practice hairstyles on him).

• I do think that in a movie or TV show having a character grow their hair out is a pretty nifty way to remind the audience about the passage of time- which was actually the inspiration for the scars in his design (along with his general tendency to wander around in woods and stick his nose into anything that interests him). In a TV show adaptation of Not Wanted on the Voyage (god I wish), I want this guy to be the designated calendar character. You can tell which episode you’re on just by looking at a picture of him.

• NO inspiration from the musical designs for Ham OR Lucy. Musical Lucy looks unfortunately like Edward Cullen and although the decision to have Musical Ham channel the energy of a Disney Channel nerd who gets shoved into lockers is one I can respect, it is not one I can agree with. They should have made him channel the energy of, like, Princess Aurora instead.

• If I’m remembering correctly, those two share some resemblances, like a love for nature and a concerning willingness to marry a tall dashing stranger they met in the woods after knowing said tall dashing stranger for, like, two hours…

• There WILL be a return of those ridiculously coloured sleeves for other characters. Lucy has a whole trousseau chest of fancy silks and fabric. There is no way the Lower Deck squad didn’t cut some of them up for clothing repair purposes.

• Those colours are entirely intentional. By the way. If you’re drawing and struggling with picking colours to use for clothing, just search up various pride flags. Works like a charm.

[starryhyuck]

limit. (m)

pairing: gryffindor!mark x reader

words: 3.4k+

summary: with gryffindor on a continuous losing streak, you have no choice but to push your quidditch player boyfriend to his breaking point.

genre: smut

warnings: public sex, overstimulation, squirting, oral sex, degradation, daddy kink, face slapping

“If you keep pushing him, he’ll snap.”

“That’s what I’m hoping for.”

You observe Mark across the Great Hall, fingers clenched tightly around his spoon. The other Gryffindor seated beside him are eyeing him warily, afraid the resident happy Head Boy was slowly losing his mind.

This, of course, is partly due to you.

You’ve refused to give Mark an orgasm until Gryffindor wins a Quidditch match, which has effectively been very hard since the team has been on a losing streak. You and Mark aren’t animals, per se, but the two of you fucked regularly and the fact that he hasn’t gotten the chance to touch you in weeks is taking a toll on him.

Lucas swings an arm around his shoulder and whispers something to him, but Mark’s eyes are locked in on you. You could almost feel the magic radiating off of his form. You smile deviously, arm reaching to wrap around Donghyuck’s, who gladly accepts your touch. Luckily, Donghyuck enjoys pushing Mark’s buttons almost as much as you do.

Donghyuck’s in the middle of feeding you a bite of his chicken when all of the glasses in the Great Hall shatter. A jumbled murmur of shrieks and gasps of surprise echo at the performance of wandless magic. Students whip their heads around, frantically trying to find the source of the fiasco. You already know who the culprit is, watching as Mark stomps out of the Great Hall, fists clenched tightly.

—

Donghyuck snickers beside you.

“You’re really asking for it. Wearing Slytherin gear and sitting with the snakes? He’s going to ruin you.”

You roll your eyes, brushing off his comment and adjusting the green tie wrapped around your neck. You briefly lock eyes with your irate boyfriend, who is currently on the Quidditch pitch, waiting for the match to begin. You smile and wave at him innocently, only to receive the nastiest look in return.

Donghyuck laughs again at the exchange. “I’ve never seen Mark look like that. Are you sure you’re ready for the consequences?”

You grin as the game begins, the cheering sounds from the Slytherin stands almost drowning out your voice.

“He needs a little push. Gryffindor has lost three games in a row already.”

You prove Donghyuck right a hour into the game. Mark has been scoring goal after goal since the match started. Slytherin’s Keeper tries to block every single throw, but Mark is clearly on a mission, showing no mercy to the Slytherin house. He almost looks like he would Avada someone on the spot just to win.

Every time he scores, he makes a point to look straight at you before zooming off. You smirk to yourself, already feeling your panties dampen at the sight. One part of you is slightly afraid of what Mark will do to you once Gryffindor wins. The other part of you is unabashedly excited.

The Slytherins around you groan and complain as Mark continuously scores. Donghyuck is enjoying the show, knowing you’re truly in for it later after seeing the murderous look painted on Mark’s face.

The game ends after two hours, with the Gryffindor Seeker securing the Snitch and winning the match. The sea of red erupts in a roar of applause and cheers, while the Slytherins grumble and curse their luck. It was the first loss of the season for the Slytherins, and they could all thank your boyfriend for that.

Usually, when Mark wins a game, you would wait outside the locker rooms and congratulate him with a kiss. This time, you want to make him work for it a little more.

Donghyuck chuckles when he sees you turn the opposite direction of the locker rooms.

“You’re in for it now.”

—

You’re laughing at something Doyeon’s telling you when you feel the abrupt tug on your arm. You hiss at the contact, ready to hex whoever it is. Realization seeps within you when you see the look of fury on Mark’s face as he tugs you away from your friends.

“I’ll see you guys later!” You call out, already feeling the slick of your wetness coating your thighs.

“Okay! Great game, Mark!”

The Gryffindor boy doesn’t even thank them, pulling open the door to the empty Potions classroom and shoving you inside. You put on your innocent persona.

“That wasn’t very nice. I was having an interesting conversation with Doyeon, if you must know.”

“On the desk. Now.”

The anger laced in his tone has your body vibrating. You decide to push him even further, frowning and clutching your books tighter to your chest. You still have Donghyuck’s Slytherin scarf wrapped around you, which Mark is heavily glaring at.

“I don’t even get a please? Where are your manners, Mark?”

You gasp when he steps forward, fingers bunching around the locks of your hair and pulling. Hard.

“You think this is so funny, don’t you? Watching me fall apart, breaking all the glasses in the Great Hall and receiving detention for it? How about wanting to injure someone on the field just so we could win? Just so I can come back to you, fuck you so hard your tight cunt stretches out.” His fingers grip the fabric of your skirt and he growls. You swear you can feel your juices start running down the inside of your thigh with how wet you are. “And what about this? This stupid fucking little skirt. You think you could get away with that too?”

You placed a charm on your clothing early this morning, making your button-up shirt just a little tighter around your chest and your skirt a little shorter than normal. You smile and try to raise your chin as much as possible, struggling as Mark continues to pull your hair.

“Daddy likes it? I did it just for you. Just so Daddy could win today.”

Mark’s eyes are the darkest they have ever been, and you try not to glance down at his trousers, which are probably straining from his growing erection. You only play the Daddy card once or twice, mainly because once it’s out in the open, Mark fucks you until you can’t feel your legs. And most days, you would prefer not to limp from class to class.

Another gasp rips out of your throat when he discards your clothing with the flick of his wand. He casts a silencing charm on the room, and you know you’re done for.

He leaves you in your undergarments, and today, you have chosen to wear a nice lacy number in Slytherin green. The sight makes him hiss in frustration, and it isn’t long before he slams you down on a nearby desk. You whimper at the contact, but Mark hardly cares about your well-being at this point.

He snickers at the sight of your ruined underwear, snapping the garter you’re wearing against your skin as you yelp.

“Look at you. Greedy little slut. Who got you this wet?”

“D-Donghyuck,” you manage to say, gathering enough courage.

The answer earns you a slap across the face and you cry at the pain.

“Wrong answer. Try again.”

“Y-You, Daddy. Just y-you.”

He hums in contentment. You shudder when you feel a finger run up and down your slit. “I’m going to make the rules very clear today. You’ll do your best to obey them, or else I’ll use your body how I please without letting you cum. Understood?” At your timid nod, he continues. “I’m going to fuck your tight little cunt raw. I’m going to cum as much as I like, and make you cum as much as I like. If I hear any protests, I’ll add an extra orgasm to the list. I don’t care if you’ve reached your limit. I don’t care if you can’t handle any more. I’ll do whatever I like, and there will be no arguments about it.”

You chew on your bottom lip. Mark has never fucked you raw before — you both always use Muggle condoms or contraceptive charms.

“But, Mark-“

He slaps your clothed slit and you gasp loudly. “That’s another orgasm added to the list. Do you want another one? We’re already at five.”

Your eyes widen. You’ve never been able to take more than three orgasms from him without passing out. You immediately shake your head, sealing your lips tight.

“Good. Bend over.”

You scramble to follow his orders, shakily positioning yourself over the desk. Another flick of his wand and you’re completely naked. You whimper at the vulnerability, wondering if he also cast locking charms on the doors too. Anyone could walk in and see you bent over like this.

Mark usually likes to see your face when he fucks you so you’ve never really tried this position with him. Goosebumps rise on your skin when you feel his hands exploring your backside.

“Wish everyone could see you like this for me. Bent over during dinner while I fuck you into the table. They always tease me about you. Gryffindor Head Boy could never satisfy his partner. They think I’m such a goody-two-shoes.” You almost scream when a finger unexpectedly pushes into you. “I wonder what everyone would think now — having you bent over the Potions desk like this, eager to be fucked like a little whore. Waiting for my cock to split you apart, isn’t that right?”

“Y-Yes, Daddy,” you garble.

He adds another finger, the squelch of your wetness causing you to grow even warmer. He thrusts his fingers inside of you, skillfully digging them into the spot you love.

“Do you know how many times I’ve thought about your cunt? Ever since you made that ridiculous bet with me, I knew I was done for. I had to excuse myself so many times from class just to rub one out in the bathroom. Seeing you in this cute little skirt, so eager to earn House Points, so willing to please the professor. I imagined how tight your pussy would feel when I wrapped a hand around myself, how many of those sweet moans I could bring out of you.”

When he pushes a third finger in, you shriek as you cum without warning. You were probably moaning without any sense, writhing on top of the desk as Mark fingers you through your orgasm. He drank up every single one of your sounds, gazing down at you with a feral look in his eyes.

Even as your orgasm subsides, Mark doesn’t stop fucking you. You almost request for him to give you a break, but you know it’ll just earn you another orgasm.

He watches you, waiting for you to beg for him to stop. He smiles when you obey, continuing to thrash and whine as his digits pump into you.

“So pretty, perfect for me. You’re always so tight, it’s not fair to me, you know? I could fuck you every single day and you would still need to be stretched out regardless.” He leans over your frame, mouth beginning to press open mouthed kisses at your throat. The sensation has you jolting, his fingers grinding down to rub at your clit. “But you would like that, wouldn’t you? So hungry for my cock.”

This was true — you couldn’t seem to get enough of Mark on a daily basis. Even if you didn’t fuck every single day, you always had the urge to get on your knees for him and suck his cock. It calmed you in a way. Before exams, Mark would pull you into a nearby alcove and let you suck him off until your worries disappeared.

You could feel your high approaching again. “P-P-Please,” you stutter, gasping and pushing yourself further down his fingers. “Please, Daddy.”

At the sound of your begging, Mark sinks to his ground. He jerks your body until you’re halfway off the desk, pushing your thighs apart so he can see you fully. He takes a moment to marvel at how pretty you are before licking a stripe up your cunt. You groan, fingers tangling into his hair, which is still slightly damp from his after-game shower.

He hums against your folds, exploring them with his tongue. Mark could eat you out for days and remain unbothered by the outside world. There have been multiple times where you’ve woken up to his head in between your legs as he snuck into your dormitory room early in the morning to get a taste of you. There’s also been a few occasions when he would convince you to sneak out while he runs patrol in the hallways, just so he could prop you against a wall and eat you out until you cry.

Your eyes flutter closed as you revel in the feeling of Mark’s mouth on your cunt. He’s groaning with you, hands cupping your thighs and bringing you closer to him. His nose continuously nudges your clit as he licks you, slurping on the remnants of your orgasm.

It doesn’t register for a few seconds that he’s still talking to you.

“This is mine. My cunt for fucking. I’m the only one who’s allowed to see you like this, understand? The only one who gets to make you cum.”

He is, indeed. You topple headfirst into your second orgasm, juices spilling into Mark’s waiting mouth. He cleans you up as your body attempts to recover. You’re lucky he remembered to place a silencing charm, your voice almost giving out with the amount of screams you’ve emitted. He decides to spare you this time, rising from the ground and licking his lips.

“Tastes so good.” He smirks down at you, watching as your chest rises and falls from heavy panting. You feel like you’ve run a marathon, but he looks like he’s only just started. His fingers brush stray hairs away from your face. “Poor baby. All fucked out already? I haven’t even given you my cock yet.”

You blink deliriously in response and he laughs. His fingers dig into your hips once more as he adjusts you on your back again.

“How about you answer a question for me? If you answer correctly, I’ll give you my cock. If you fail, I’ll add another orgasm to the list.” You blink again in response, brain fuzzy. He grins. “Why don’t you tell me what a bad girl you’ve been these past few weeks?”

He slaps the inside of your thigh to jolt you out of your reverie. “I-I was a b-bad girl, Daddy.”

“Hm? And why’s that?”

“I ignored y-you,” you whisper as his hand cups your breast, tweaking your nipple between his fingers. “I cheered for S-Slytherin when I-I should have b-been c-c-cheering for Gryffindor.”

Your breath grows more shaky as Mark’s other hand inches towards your entrance again.

“And?”

“And I f-f-flirted with D-Donghyuck when I’m o-only s-s-supposed to have e-eyes for y-you, Daddy.”

“And?”

“And I charmed m-my clothes t-to tempt you.”

“Because?”

“Because I’m a whore.”

He smiles in contentment. “That’s right.”

Instead of pushing his fingers inside of you, you’re taken aback when the tip of his cock sinks into you. You moan loudly, not even noticing he had taken off his trousers.

“Fuck,” he curses, watching himself push into you. “Such a tight little cunt. Only for Daddy’s eyes, right?”

“Y-Yes, Daddy.”

His fingers find their way to your throat, curling and gripping your windpipe. You gasp and hear his sinister chuckle.

“There’s my little whore. Back in her place.”

He almost pushes you off the desk with the force of his thrusts. You have another small orgasm when Mark fully bottoms out, and he laughs when he realizes.

“Already? Looks like you’ve been just as desperate as me, baby.”

You’ve never taken more than three orgasms before. Since Hogwarts was a big school with many prying eyes, it was hard to get alone time with Mark like this. You often had to face the judgmental glares from the portraits whenever Mark fingered you behind one of the tapestries. Now that he has you all to himself, however, he intends to make the most out of it.

You’re pushing on the border of exhaustion, watching as your boyfriend continues to furiously push into you. He moves his hand from your throat to your cheek, slapping you once more to wake you up.

“Have to stay awake, baby. We still have two more to go.”

You mumble incoherently in response, past the point of comprehension. Once the tip of his cock rubs against your sweet spot, you cry out in pleasure. He grunts, angling himself so that he keeps hitting that spot inside of you. Over and over.

“M-Mark, I-“

“I know. Let me feel you, baby. Want to feel your cunt cum all over Daddy’s cock.”

You can’t begin to explain the tightening feeling in your stomach. You feel like you’re flying up to your peak at an unsteady rate. It almost feels like you need to use the bathroom, but before you can warn Mark, you fall apart.

You think you black out for a bit. You blink dazedly, body twitching and nervously moving on top of the desk. You get the strength to lift your head and check on Mark. His cock has slipped out of you, his gaze locked on your pussy.

“M-Mark?” You ask softly.

“Fuck, baby. You just squirted all over me.”

You gasp. You’ve never been able to squirt before and you eye the mess you’ve made all over Mark’s chest. He grunts, fingers pumping up and down his cock.

“Fuck fuck fuck. How can you be so perfect?”

And then he’s pushing back into you. You scream loudly, still trying to recover from such an intense orgasm. You realize that you’ve started crying, tears spilling down your cheeks.

“Perfect girl for me,” he hisses, hand returning to paw at your breast. “Cunt is so so sweet. Can never get enough of you. Just give me one more, baby. One more.”

You want to tell him you can’t, you’ve reached your limit and can’t push it any farther. You squeal when he pinches your clit.

“Daddy, please-“

“Daddy wants another, baby. One more for me.”

His thumb circles your clit while his cock pistons in and out of you. When he finds your sweet spot again, he doesn’t rest. He’s on a mission to get you to orgasm again, the same expression painted on his face from the Quidditch game just a hour ago. He’s determined to see you fall apart, filth spewing from his mouth.

“I wish I could take you like this every time. Push you up in the hallways, fuck you until you’re a sobbing mess for me. Having everyone watch while I make you squirt, showing them I can fuck you better than anyone else can. I bet they would all be jealous. They could never have you falling apart for them, begging for them to fill you up with their seed.”

It dawns on you that Mark still hasn’t cast a contraceptive charm of any kind. He seems to be on the same wavelength as you, digging his heels to the floor and thrusting harder at the thought of cumming inside you. The lewd sound of your wetness fills the room, along with his grunts and your whimpers from oversensitivity.

“I want to fuck you everywhere before we leave this place. Want you to ride me in the middle of the Quidditch pitch for everyone to see. Want all the Gryffindors to watch as their Head Boy plows into his girlfriend in the common room. Want you to bounce on my cock during every meal. Fuck, I want you so badly, baby.”

When you squirt this time, you’re coherent enough to watch it happen. Drops of your slick pour out of you, gushing onto Mark’s cock and the floor. The sound of his thighs slapping against yours only grows louder and wetter with your orgasm.

Mark hisses. “Want my cum, baby?”

“Yes, Daddy,” you echo back to him, barely staying awake.

He groans when he reaches his high, pushing deep inside of you to empty his load. He cums more than you expected, but you suppose he’s been holding it in for weeks. He finally finishes a minute later, collapsing on top of you. He subconsciously places kisses on your neck.

“Never act up like that again. I don’t think I have the stamina to do another round.”

You giggle, about to respond when the booming voice of your Potions professor echoes throughout the room.

“Mark Lee! What on earth do you children think you’re doing? Fifty points from Gryffindor!”

[gallusrostromegalus]

TPOFATGIF LORE: What Everyone Looks Like

It Occured to me that

1. I don't actually describe what anyone in the fic looks like because I was sort of assuming everyone had seen/read some of the source material

2. I have a lot of OCs. Who I didn't describe either.

Me Smort.

Anyway, coming out of a verys tressful fortnight (Herschel had pneumonia and had to be on antibiotics/house rest so I pretty much didn't sleep but he is fine now), and like in Drawing, it's important to do warm-up exercises, so:

Yugi Moto:

Near the front of the classroom sat Yugi Moto, who was as close as someone could become to being one of those brightly colored plush animals you win at the carnival while still being human. He was technically five feet tall but at least six inches of that was a red-tinted black and splash of blonde hair whose vertical nature had stumped over a dozen barbers so far. His shoes, untied, dangled a few inches from the floor because the high school desk was sized for someone who had spent their puberty getting tall instead of getting shoved into lockers. Two notebooks open on his desk- one with paltry notes on the Teapot Dome Scandal they were supposed to be studying, the other, much more detailed containing notes about crad draw probablility curves and drawings of wizards. If he was going to study for the test, he'd recall more about the lecture by lookng at the second. The teacher called on him, and he looked up at her with a politely guiless expression that could easily be mistaken for a Customer Service Smile (TM), but something about the sustained eye contact and faint tilt of his head put more observant people in mind of something vaugely... carnivorous.

More Peeps under the Cut:

Joey Wheeler

Imagine if, in the Air Bud movies, the school had insisted that if the dog wanted to be a student athlete, that he be a student as well as an athlete, and attend classes. Imagine a Golden Retriver, seated awkwardly in one of those wretched plastic desk-chair combos, staring at a board of chemical formulas and trying, trying so hard in the desperate and earnest way that all working dogs try, to understand even a bit of what was happening, and you will have something very close to what it was like to sit next to Joey Wheeler. Right down to the blonde hair that got in your jacket and total inability to sit in a chair like a Normal Human. He consistently had one gangly leg thrown over the desk or propped up on his backpack, the other folded in an origami-like position under him. He counteracts his lack of academic comprehension with a soical genius any confidence man would murder to have. His smile is genuine and charming and sweet enough that you'll explain the pH scale slowly and with appropriately small words for him. He has never forgotten a single birthday of anyone he's ever met and is close to exceding the limit of possible contacts in his phone, so should the man ever end up in real trouble he absolutely knows who to call and how to get them to come fix this.

Téa Gardner:

Ballerinas are frequently described as birds in popular culture- graceful swans, delicate hummingbirds, beautiful as doves, and for some reason, docile and submissive, which is weird because all of those birds can and will beat the tar out of things eight and ten times thier size for merely looking at them funny. Téa also, was a ballerina that greatly resemebled a bird, and that bird was a cassowary. She had the magnificent calves and quads of a valkyrie, the eye of the Tiger and the the compettitive instincts of a stallion. All this, dressed in the most pastels-and-pinks-jellyroll-glitterpen-Bows- ribbons-and-ruffles-sixteen-layers-of-Bracelets-and-bangles-unapologetic-teenage-girlhood possible. She'll kick you apart and write about it with a pink glitter pen in her diary.

Tristan Taylor:

If you were to draw a Triange of Modern Former-Boy Adventuers with Fred Jones (earnest hubris and weirdly comprehensive engineering knowledge), Geralt of Rivia (Muscles, love of horses) and Tintin (Inventive hair, willingess to Shoot A Bitch) on each of the points, Tristan Taylor would be at the exact center. In any other show he'd be the protagonist, with his classically handsome good looks and ability to give clear directions in an emergency, but instead he lives in a world dictated by the whims of What's Funny rather than any kind of predictable physics and thus it is his destiny to cling to reality with white knuckles and occasionally hit it with a tire iron until it stops trying to steal people's souls or whatever bullshit is happening this week.

Bakura

Bakura looks like firstly, someone who gets into strange bargains with the fair folk, secondly, that he absolutely did at some point, thirdly, that the rule of the exchange was that he could have whatever it was but he would forever be described by a single adjective, and finally, that he is a little shit bastard and grabbed the word "ambiguity" from the fairy and ran off with it, and whatever the bonus prize was, cackling into the night. Is he a world-weary teenager or a babyfaced young man? Is he a He at all? Showing up to school in the boys uniform was very much a concious choice on his part- nobody would have doubted a thing if he'd shown up in a skirt instead. Is he holding onto that cursed artifact because he can't let anyone else deal with it in good conscience, or has he become friends with the thing inside? Are those fangs? Do you really want to know for sure?

Seto Kaiba

Seto Kaiba is a Theater Kid that was taken from his native habitat and raised in captivity, like how sometimes people think that it's fine to keep a tiger like a housecat. This is terrible for all parties involved- the tiger never gets proper nutirtion or enrichment activities and grows up gangly and full of nerves until it eventually turns on it's keeper and the headlines run on about the totally preventable tragedy, like they had not been featuring the tiger in reality the week before. Seto is all limbs and a glare that belies both contempt and terror, and an ostentatious trenchcoat to provide him cover the cage never did. He's out of the cage now but still all ribs and knobby joints and snarls and stalks where he doesn't knw how to smile or stroll. He'll grow into it, And that's a Threat.

[majahu]

Scream: Ski Trip

I tried following the plot of scream (at least for the beginning) and there are spoilers, so I wouldn't recommend reading this if you haven't seen the movie. I also tried not to be super graphic writing this, but if you're sensitive to violence, mentions of murder, and mentions of sexual assault then I wouldn't read this story. I originally intended for it to be a Stu Macher x Reader x Billy Loomis story but it's kind of a slow burn and also

SPOILER ALERT

I didn't want the reader to forgive them for being literal murderers.

Also it takes a couple chapters for ghostface and (Y/N) to actually interact but I'm building it up so bare with me.

This is also posted on my wattpad (@ majaahu)

Prologue

Word count: 1,320

You woke with a start, sitting up in bed and gasping for breath. Beads of sweat dotted your forehead as your eyes darted around your bedroom, searching for some imagined threat that wasn’t there. You had been having the same nightmare over and over again for the past week: you were in a house you didn’t recognize, a room to be specific. You weren’t sure how you got there but you were panicked, searching the room for a way out. There were no windows, only a door who’s knob was shaking vigorously as if someone was trying to get in. Just before the door burst open and you saw who was on the other side, you always woke up. You mentioned this nightmare to your parents but they said it was probably just stress since semester finals were coming up.

Practically jogging up to the school, you spotted your friends, Sidney and Tatum on the sidewalk outside. “Hey guys!” You smiled cheerfully, walking up to them and shaking snowflakes out of your hair. They looked over at you, lacking the same enthusiasm. “What? Is there something on my face?”

“Oh god! You don’t know?” Tatum said, tucking a strand of short blonde hair behind her ear.

“Know what?”

“Casey Becker and Steve Forrest were killed last night.”

Sidney flinched as you stared at your friends in disbelief, the familiar feeling of dread creeping up in your stomach. “What?!”

“Yeah.” Tatum responded, “her parents found her hanging from a tree… insides on the outside.” You clapped a hand over your mouth, “I think I’m gonna be sick” you barely had the stomach for these things in the movies, much less in real life.

“Do they know who did it?” Sidney asked, also looking a little queasy.

“Fucking clueless.” Tatum said, “They’re interrogating the entire school.”

The three of you walked into the building, with a small sympathetic smile at them you split off and headed to your locker. Today was going to be a rough day.

Pulling your physics textbook from your locker, you heard a loud bang as a hand slammed into the locker next to you. “Fuck!” You gasped, whirling around to face a toothy grin and pair of baby blue eyes. “Not funny Stu!” You glared, shoving your textbook into your backpack. “Calm down nerd,” Stu said, tussling your hair “I’m just trying to lighten the mood. Everyone’s so depressed today.” “Can you blame them?” You looked up at him, whispering, “Casey and Steve were murdered!”

“Yeah, yeah… I better walk you to class the, you know, to protect you and all” he said, flexing his arm and winking at you. Walking down the hallway with Stu at your side, you headed towards your physics classroom. “You should try having some tact, you know. It couldn’t hurt.” Stu could be funny sometimes but you didn’t think he should be joking at a time like this when half the school was grieving. “Aw come on, (Y/N) don’t be mad at me, I was only messing with you.” He nudged your arm. “Yeah, whatever.” You said, splitting off from him and heading into class, not bothering to continue the conversation if he wasn’t going to take you seriously.

You spent the whole class thinking of Steve and Casey, you heard comments in the hall about how they had both been gutted and your stomach twisted. You couldn’t help but imagining the most gorey scenes featuring your two classmates. You were torn from your thoughts as you heard your teacher repeating you name. “Sorry, Mr. Bentley. I was distracted.” “It’s your turn,” he responded, nodding to the classroom door.

Your interview didn’t last long and you felt a little at ease with Tatum’s brother Dewey being there. They asked you if you knew Casey or Steve well and if you knew anyone who would want to hurt them, but that was it, no interrogation. You headed out to the courtyard, lunch in hand, though you weren’t sure if you’d be able to eat today with everything that was going on. You and your friends always ate in the courtyard, and despite the chill, you were glad for the fresh air. You sat down next to Billy and Sidney, Billy nodding at you. Tatum was rolling her eyes and calling Stu sexist. “Casey and Steve were completely hollowed out! Takes a man to do that.” “How do you gut someone?” Sidney said quietly as Billy draped an arm around her shoulder. Stu leaned in “you take a knife and slit from the groin to the sternum.” The group collectively rolled their eyes. “What?” Stu said defensively, putting his hands up, “she asked.”

“It’s called tact, you fuckrag.” Billy snarled at him. “That’s what I said…” you mumbled under your breath. Randy and Stu continued to make crass remarks while Billy yelled at them. “Hey, are you okay” Sidney said, reaching over Billy’s legs and poking you in the arm. “Yeah, just thinking about Casey and Steve… do they really think a student did it? I mean, who could do something like that, murder their own classmates like nothing? I feel sick just thinking about it.” You frowned as Sidney got up from her seat and moved to sit on the other side of you, giving you a small squeeze. You and Sidney had been best friends since childhood, and although this was maybe the worst moment of your life, you were happy to have her by your side. She always knew what to say to make you feel better.

Your attention snapped back to the conversation when Randy brought up Stu and Casey’s short lived relationship. “What are you saying? That I killed her or something?” “Stu was with me last night.” Tatum said, smiling at her beefy idiot boyfriend. Randy and Stu continued talking about the gross details of the murder, all while Stu and Tatum were engaged in some light PDA. You stepped away from the group, taking your stuff over to a neighboring bench and burning your head in your hands.

You felt a hand on your back as someone sat down next to you, “What’s the matter doll?” Billy said, offering you a small smile. “It just seems like nobody is taking this seriously, like people are excited or something!” You looked over at Randy and Stu, still cracking jokes. Stu said something about Liver and everyone rolled their eyes. You turned towards Billy, “I didn’t even know them but still… How’s Sidney holding up?” You couldn’t even imagine how your friend was feeling, worrying that this was bringing back some trauma for her. “She’s getting through it” Billy said, “and we’ll always be here for her right?” He said, guiding you back towards the group.

[selfawarejester]

Hey can u please do a teen wolf imagine set in season 2 where she is either Scott or stiles sister and she is sneaking around with isaac (they kinda had a thing before he got the bite and after isaac got more confident so he made a move)and isaac sneaks into her room at night and instead of Allison it’s is y/n that Matt was stalking and taking pictures of and obsessed with and he had pictures of her and isaac kissing and stuff and maybe he leaves the pictures in her locker and it freaks her out and you decide the rest. (Sorry it’s a bit dark)

Oh, I love me some Isaac!!! Forgive me if I get some details wrong, it’s been a while since I saw s2. And I’m gonna make you Scotty boi’s sister, because Melissa 🥰

You weren’t the dating type, much to the relief of your mother and your brother - and for some reason, Stiles, but you preferred to pretend that you didn’t know that. - which is why it was such a shock when you drag Isaac Lahey of all people to sit with them during lunch one day.

“I don’t think this is a good idea, Y/N-“ Isaac tires to say, shooting the boys a wary look, but you just shush him and shove him into a seat. You brightly grin at the shocked faces Scott and Stiles before confessing that you’d been dating Isaac for a while now.

Scott freezes for a full thirty seconds.

Stiles chokes on his hashbrowns, and almost dies in that same time period.

“Da- you’re dating him?” He splutters, pointing at a smirking Isaac. “You’re dating him? Oh my god, what the- Scott, say something.”

Stiles gives you a look that says ‘you’re gonna get it now’ which slowly slides off when Scott just keeps quiet, staring at you with wide eyes.

“Wha- Scott, say something.” He grits out, and you roll your eyes, tired of their dramatics.

“All right, enough! Seriously, people are staring.”

That gets Scott moving again, as he looks around to find that people are, indeed, staring. He’s still shocked because when did you start dating?? But now he’s asking questions like when did you two start dating? Why did you keep it a secret so long?

He always knew you kind of had a thing for him: all the flirty banter, and the lovelorn glances…

You and Isaac started up two months ago, you explain, but it’s been pretty low-key so that he can hide it from his dad. (You don’t outwardly say this, exchanging a specific look, but both you and Scott have been pretty sure something was going very wrong in the Lahey household — Scott had smelt blood and fear wafting off of Isaac way too often for it not to be.) So he kinda just?? Accepts it??

He’s concerned, duh, but you’re so happy and he doesn’t want to get in the way of that. But he sternly tells Isaac he’ll kick his ass if he hurts you. Isaac, to his credit, stifles his laughter and genuinely tells him that he’d rather die than hurt you; and that’s good enough for Scotty.

Of course, all of this changes when Isaac becomes a beta.

He does it for you. He wants to be able to protect you, to love you without fear of losing you or getting you in trouble. Derek’s assured him that your protection is a priority of the pack, because even in his slightly power-greedy Alpha state, Derek wouldn’t let what happened to him and Paige happen to his beta.

Stiles and Scott hover around you throughout the whole time Isaac is suspected of murdering his father. Sheriff Stilinski tried to kick them out during your questioning, but they squeezed onto the small couch in his office and just stared at him the whole time. You were shocked and scared and obviously didn’t know anything, so he sent you home pretty quick.

Melissa’s freaked out because 1) you lied to her?? 2) you’re dating now 3) and it’s a boy suspected of murder. So, yeah, maybe she’s questioning her parenting a bit, but she’s really trying to be supportive.

Scott corners Isaac at school (Stiles is there too, naturally) after the whole ice rink thing, without Erica or Derek, and he swears he’d never hurt you. Unfortunately, you walk in right at that moment.

You know when both of them are lying, so you force the truth of them, then and there. You get thrown off guard, of course — they thought you’d react like Stiles, or just like most of the people in those movies react: with a lot of surprise but general and immediate acceptance.

You do immediately do something: leave and avoid both of them for the next couple of days. Your mom’s curious as to why you’re so distant, and why Scott keeps begging you to talk to him, and why you’re avoiding him -- but ultimately, she lets sleeping dogs lie, because she hopes you’ll come to her with something really important.

You hang out with Lydia and Allison a lot more, Allison backing up for Scott by keeping you safe — she tries to defend him for you, but you make it clear you need a lot of time before you can think about that stuff. She also tries to turn you against Isaac, but you’re even more closed off to that.

Lydia is a fresh breath of air, because she is just as confused about this (even if it’s only possibilities and vague stuff) and she doesn’t wanna know more either. She keeps things light between you and Allison, and keeps your mind off of things. But it doesn’t work when Allison and the others drag you guys to your house for a weird “study session” that gets crashed by a giant lizard thing- god, this was your life now.

Isaac grabbed you, and locked you in a bathroom before the whole thing really started. You scream at him to stop, scream for Scott, and beat on his chest, but he just screws his eyes shut and forces you in there — he knows you’ll hate him afterwards, but he also knows you might run straight at the Kanima if it came for him or Scott.

You do hate him afterwards. A little part of you understands why he did it, and it’s unfortunately the same part that still loves him. But you’re still hugely pissed off, especially after Scott and Stiles tell you that he tried to kill Lydia. So the next day, when he tries to talk to you at school, you glare at him until he goes away.

In swoops Matt, all “charming” smiles and “funny” jokes. He sees his chance: months of watching you and Isaac be all cutesy had paid off. He knew what kind of humor you liked — unfortunately, all it did was remind you of your boyfriend and keep you guys at a distance.

God, he hated it. Bad enough that someone was keeping you from him, but that it was Lahey. The brother of the guy that drowned him, the son of the guy that screamed in his face about how it was his fault- no. He had to break you up.

So he consolidated all the pictures that he’d taken of you: candids of you at school, at home, at the coffee place you liked. He slips them into your locker, and watches you squirm and look around. It’s working. Then, it’s those pictures of you and Isaac, kissing at your secret spot, necking in your bedroom, smiling at each other — labels it “Remember the good times?”

You’re trying to talk about it to Scott, Allison and Stiles, but they’re busy with the Kanima. Lydia tries to help, but she’s so out of it and she has been for a while and you’re starting to get worried.

It gets to a point where you run to Isaac, tears in your eyes, and photographs in your hands. “Is this you?” You sob, and he just pulls you into his arms shushing you - “No! No, babe, I’d never do that!” - and promises to keep you safe. You stay glued to his side after that. Boyd is nice and calm, a contrast to Derek who creeps you out a little.

Through his first full moon, you stay with him and keep him grounded. Your voice keeps his father’s out of his head, keeps him in control.

You’re standing off in a corner, watching with a smirk as Erica - who you’ve gotten weirdly close to in the past few weeks - and Isaac double team Jackson (it’s actually… kinda hot? Especially because damn Isaac keeps looking at you); but your view gets obstructed by Matt. He’s trying to talk to you but you barely listen, keeping eye contact with Isaac over his shoulder. Then they leave with Jackson, and Matt makes a move on you. You flinch away so hard, you hit the counter and get the bartender’s attention.

You confront him about the pictures and he splutters for an excuse. The bartender kicks out Matt, seeing your distress, who’s now more desperate for your attention than ever.

Matt - or the Kanima- kidnaps you during Lydia’s party and keeps you in his basement. You’re scared out of your mind, begging for him to let you go, but he promises you that there won’t be anyone in your ways from now on. While everyone’s dealing with the fiasco at the police station, Isaac, Boyd and Erica come get you.

He’s trying not to cry when he sees your busted lip, the bruises around your wrists where you were tied down.

Boyd and Erica decided to leave, but Isaac didn’t want to leave you behind. So he goes to Scott and Deaton, and becomes a good guy, helps out with Jackson and everything!

He also starts living with you guys, which you’re very excited about ;) But Melissa is very careful about leaving you two alone. And Scott’s stupid senses screw you over in that he interrupts every time you get to more than kissing.

But you find ways. 😉😏😏

Hope you liked it! I think I changed a few things, and I tried to keep the canon timelines for everything, but yeah!

[thewistlingbadger]

Sleep tight, don't fight.

Summary: Morgan hasn't lived in Las Vegas for that long and he already was a popular kid and he already had a boyfriend. But he was also already getting into fights, and Spencer is getting tired of always having to clean up the aftermath.

CW: mentions of blood, Derek got beat up, Spencer cleans his wounds, hurt/comfort, highschool au, fluffy, super short, Spencer Reid cursing, Derek being a stubborn bitch who will do anything for his boyfriend.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/37558279

"Thank fuck" Spencer sighed while closing his door. His mom had an episode and at long last, he was finally able make it to his room. He ran his fingers through his wet hair, having just gotten out of the shower, and yawned. As he grabbed his pajama pants from the drawer, he heard a thud at the window.

He whipped around to see what the noise was. He pulled on his pants and scrambled towards the window.

"What the hell, Derek what are you doing here it is so late does your mom know you're here what's going on-" he yanked Derek inside causing both of them to crash onto the carpet floor. When they both got up, the answers to Spencer's questions looked him dead in the face.

He couldn't tell outside but in the light, it was very clear that Derek was covered in bruises and blood. Spencer let out an irritated sigh as he told the other boy to sit on his bed. Spencer came back with a first aid kit and a couple of ice packs.

The more wounds Spencer cleaned up, the more his anger began to burn. What made him fume even more was that while he was lecturing Derek's ears off, he wasn't even looking at him, let alone paying attention.

"You need to be more careful Derek! How many times do I have to tell you the same shit? How many times are you gonna come to me all bloody and broken? I keep telling you that one of these days you're not gonna come out of it so okay. One day this shit's gonna send you to the hospital- or worse, you hear? And then what's gonna happen to me? I- i can't loose you Derek." Spencer said defeatedly.

At the detection of sadness, Derek looked at Spencer. "I'm sorry." His voice hoarse. He grabbed Spencer's hands and rubbed them lovingly. "I'm sorry" he repeated desperately. Spencer sat on Derek's lap and wrapped his legs around his boyfriend's waist, giving him a big hug. He made sure to be careful, to avoid bruises.

"I know you're strong Derek. I know you have abs I know you're on almost every sports team at the school. You don't need to do this every damn time." He sucked in a breath as his voice broke. "You have a brain damn it. You get straight A's. Why do you act so stupid?" Spencer heard his boyfriend laugh into his neck. "It's not funny Morgan-" "I know", He simply said.

Because he did know. He knew that his sisters were asleep right now and his mom was at work. He knew that Spencer was able to yell as loud he wanted to at Derek because his mom was a hot mess, to say the least. He knew that he was popular in school even though he was the new kid and Spencer, who had lived there all his life, was getting shoved into lockers every damn day. And he hated it. He hated how in his heart, he felt like Spencer was his other half and yet there were treated oppositely at school. It didn't matter how many times Derek came in to save Spencer's day, Spencer was still treated like shit and Derek was treated like a god damn hero.

"Was defending your honor." He sniffled into his pretty boy's neck. He didn't even realize that tears were rolling down his cheeks. He held on to him tighter. Spencer sighed again. "My 'honor' is not worth you getting hurt okay?" He grabbed the other boy's chin so he can see his face. "You don't see me picking a fight with every bully in school do you?" Derek chuckled at the thought of Spencer fighting and rested his forehead on Spencer's. He looked like a pipe cleaner with eyes, he could barely stand straight without loosing his balance. Could you imagine what he would look like swinging at someone?

But the silly image didn't stop his tears from shamelessly departing his eyes. Spencer kissed Derek's forehead then caressed the sides of his face. "You wear your heart on your sleeve baby and that's what makes you different from everyone else. But it also makes you an easy target. It makes it easier for them to push your buttons and get hurt." He wiped his boyfriend's tears away.

"It's you and me against the world." He hummed against Derek's ear. "Just you and me."

He said it as though it was meant only for the both of them. Their little secret. Derek smiled in content, leaning into the hand that was cupping his face.

"Yeah and anyone who tries to fuck with you, I'll knock their teeth out." He grumbled. Spencer scoffed and rolled his eyes.

The two had become very comfortable in their cuddly positions and it was still very late at night. "You gonna stay the night or are you going back home, because if you're staying you need to call your mom to let her know you're here." He said quietly into his boyfriend's hoodie.

"Mm-hmm" was all Derek could manage as he got out the bed to call his mom.

By: Mic

[stardew-berries]

Stardew Valley Headcanons Involving High School School

- Maru, Penny, Haley, Abigail, Sam, Alex and Sebastian all went to the same high school at the same time

- Pam drove the seven (7) above everyday to and from school because there’s no school in Pelican Town

- Maru, Penny, Sam, Sebastian and Abigail all were in a friend group. Haley and Alex were friends but not in the same friend group (Alex was with other jocks and Haley was with some other popular girls)

- Alex may have bullied Sebastian in high school a little, but once they left high school Alex realized he was an asshole and apologized. Sebby tried his hardest to not be petty, and they’re slightly closer now but they don’t fully click

- In my head, Shane and Harvey went to high school together in Zuzu City. This is for no other reason then finding it funny to have a nerd Harvey shoved in a locker by a jock Shane to only have them be friends years later and both relate through their struggles with mental illness

- Elliott was a goth in high school and was in the drama club do not even try to tell me otherwise

- Leah was chill in high school!! She was in the art club and did well in her classes and lots of people liked her!

- Actually Elliott and Leah going to school together sounds amazing I imagine they met because Leah was working on set designs to help the drama club. Elliott complimented her art and they just kinda became best friends. When Elliott moved to the valley the two (2) freaked out and got so excited because “oh my god!! I haven’t seen you in forever but I still adore you!!!”

- I don’t even know what Emily did really?? I feel like she went to school with Shane and Harvey and was like popular but also weird. But no one questioned her because she was 1) loveable and 2) incredibly powerful I guarantee Shane feared her but her and Harvey were probably friends

[daydream-disposal]

Wormhole

Steve is laying on his bed wearing his pyjamas, his eyes droopy and his mind hazy with tiredness but still, he insists on texting his friends. A normal tuesday, it appears.

Until suddenly, a big blue ring light starts to shine out of nowhere in the middle of his room. Steve sits on the bed, eyes wide. Suddenly a person gets out from inside the light. A boy about his height, his big honey eyes hiding behind his dark hair that was covering almost all of his freckled face. He was wearing black pants, a white button up and a coat. He looked drenched but still, he looked very handsome.

Is Steve too sleep deprived? Is he dreaming? Is he imagining this? He doesn't know.

"Oh thank god, it's you" the boy holds Steve's shoulders and kisses his cheek quickly, dropping a little device on the bed beside him.

"Um. Hello? W-who are you?" Steve freezes, trying to understand what just happened. He's not imagining it then, since the kiss felt very real. He would've blushed if the situation wasn't really scary.

"What? It's me. I guess I might look a little different, I've been traveling around for a while. Ugh my clothes are gross. I'm just gonna change real quick, okay?" the guy rambles walking to Steve's closet and opening the door. He searches for something, getting all his clothes out of the way. Steve frowns. What the fuck is this dude doing?

"Did you move my stuff again?"

"I literally don't know what you're talking about." Steve slowly gets up and walks towards the door.

"C'mon Steve, stop messing around, they were right here" he half laughs and keeps searching. A shiver goes down Steve's spine. He knows his name. Is he a spy? An alien? Is he here to harm him? Steve grabs his bat carefully and places it on his neck.

"I'd appreciate if you stopped messing with my stuff and left. I don't know who you are and why you're here! Just leave me alone!" he says with a rough voice.

Eli turns to face Steve, ready to laugh and ask 'what is this, a prank?' but his smile drops as soon as he sees Steve with the bat and a serious expression.

"Steve, calm down! It's me, your best friend, Eli Pepperjack. Do you seriously not recognize me?"

"Wrong! My best friend is Jim Lake and everybody knows that. I've never seen you before in my life!"

Steve and Jim being best friends??? Something is definitely Not Right. Eli looks around in disbelief. Now that he notices, Steve looks... younger. The room looks different too. It's the same style, but the colors are all wrong. He peeks outside the window and the street is slightly different too. Oh my god.

Did he just travelled to a parallel universe? One that Steve doesn't know him? He knew the wormhole could do that, but only on command! How did it malfunctioned so badly??

Steve adjusts his hands on the bat, getting Eli out of his thoughts.

"Wait! Wait! I can explain! I can prove that I know you!"

Steve considers, still not moving from the position he's in. The boy seems scared but somehow his eyes are shining, inviting. Steve sighs.

"Ok. Go on." he raises an eyebrow, curiously.

"Your favorite color is blue. You favorite food is pancakes. You can't have spicy food. You had a crush on Claire Nunes"

"Those are really basic and you could easily be lying. Or spying on me! And everybody had a crush on Claire!" Steve shouts, losing his patience.

"Okay, look." Eli reaches for his back pocket, taking out his wallet and handing Steve a picture of them hugging and smiling, doing the Creepslayerz hand gesture to the camera.

"You like nerdy movies like Gun Robot and Earth Invaders in secret because you don't want people to know. You don't know basic math but that's alright because you're a really great actor and you're very good at sports. Sometimes you let your insecurities get to you and that's why you act like you're superior to everyone else. But you're actually a really nice person. You care a lot about people, so much that you saved my life a thousand times before. You're funny and brave and I love you for that" Eli blurted out without even thinking.

"Wow, okay, that's scary. How is all of this possible?" He puts the bat down and stares at the picture, not believing what he's seeing.

"It's possible because I was traveling through that thing" Eli points to the wormhole device on the bed. Steve reaches it and throws it his way.

"Thanks. It's a wormhole, it's extraterrestrial technology. I've been living in another planet but I try to visit as much as I can. It malfunctioned this time. I'm guessing I ended up in a parallel universe" Eli says matter of factly, clicking the device on his hand. A blue hologram appears in front of them. Steve doesn't recognize the language on it.

"Hold up, are you telling me I'm dating an alien?"

"I literally just told you I'm from another universe and you decided to focus on that?"

"Well yeah" he shrugged.

Eli sighed, smiling.

"No, I'm human. I'm Earth's ambassador on the planet Arkiridion-5."

"Ok but are we dating...?" Steve blushes at him.

"Yes. We are."

"Oh sweet! Point for the Palchuk!" He punched the air. Eli laughs through his nose, shaking his head but still focused on the device.

"Can I ask you some questions?"

"Yeah, go on"

"How did it happen... How did we even... do it?" Steven didn't know how to ask this, but as if he was reading his mind, the brown haired boy answered quickly.

"Well, when we started getting close people just assumed. But our families are okay with it, if that's what you're asking"

"Cool. Alright." Steve knew he was bi for a long time now. He was just afraid of telling his family and friends. What if they got disappointed? What if they couldn't love him? What if he was left behind?

"How will I know if they're like this here too?" Steve asked in a quiet voice after a few seconds of silence and just the bleeping of the device.

"I'm pretty sure they love you in every universe. I know I do." Eli sinceraly stated, not even looking up. Steve had a hard time believing someone cared about him and loved him enough to say something so soft like that. He looked at the picture on his hands again. They were sharing a smile so genuine, their eyes meeting in such a sweet way, like they meant the whole world to each other.

"And how did we meet?" he leaned on the closet, crossing his arms. Eli just kept clicking away.

"At school. We didn't like each other at first, but we figured it out" he exhaled. "Took a while, but we did."

"Why? What happened?"

Eli thought about the years his Steve used to be mean at him and shove him into lockers. It was sad, but he knew there was good in him. Maybe this Steve could do it differently.

"Just... be nice."

"I am nice!" Eli stopped what he was doing, raising an eyebrow on Steve's direction. "Alright, I'll be nicer."

"Good. What year is it?"

"2018"

"Woah, okay, I'm so far off." he clicked a few more times, the big blue ring light popping up in the middle of the room again.

"Wait, you're leaving already?"

"Yeah. My Steve is waiting for me at home."

"But I still have so many questions!"

"Don't worry, it's gonna be alright. Nice to meet you. I hope I see you soon." And with that, he disappeared with the light, leaving Steve alone in his room. He looks down to his hands, still holding the picture strongly. He smiles.

"I hope so too."

Steve didn't remember his name. He tried to think back but at the time he was panicking at the thought of "CUTE BOY IN MY ROOM!" and focusing too hard on the fact that said boy was from another universe. So of course his ADHD brain would forget his name.

But this didn't keep Steve from looking. He was never this excited to go to school before. He started paying more attention to his surroundings, hoping he would spot the mysterious boy somewhere.

Instead, he spotted a fight. "Just be nice" he thought. The older boys being mean to the smaller ones does seem like a good moment to be nice. Also, it was just not fair.

"Hey, why don't you pick someone your size?" Steve approached the bully, tapping him on the shoulder with his eyebrows pinched.

"Ugh. Why do you always have to ruin the party, Palchuk? You had potential but you insist on being on the wrong side" he tries to push Steve, asking for a fight. Steve scoffs and holds the boy's wrist.

"Just let them go. You know you can't win against me." The bully grunts and shakes his wrist from Steve's hold. He nods to his friends and they leave, muttering amongst themselves.

Steve turns to help the other boys out of the ground, offering a hand. The first boy refuses, getting up fast and running away. And that's when finally, Steve sees him. He looks smaller than the boy in his room, his hair is shorter and he was wearing nerdy glasses. But it was definitely him. He would recognize that smile and those eyes anywhere.

"Thanks. Steve, right?" the boy said, holding his hand and getting up. Steve was at a loss of words. He nodded, smiling.

"That was very nice of you. I'm Eli, by the way." he shook his hand. He was real and he was right here, holding hands with him. Ok, this is happening!

"Nice to meet you. That was no problem really, if you ever have any trouble with them again just tell me" Steve blunted out nervously, scratching his neck. Eli smiled, picking up his books and leaving.

"Again, Steve?" the teacher asked, raising an eyebrow. "I'm starting to think you're not even trying. Go to detention!"

Steve sighs, walking with his head down in shame. But this time, when he enters the classroom he sees someone that make his eyes light up.

"Eli! Hi!" Steve sits on the table behind him, excited.

"Oh, hey Steve"

"What are you in here for?" he asks confused.

"I was breaking in. And you?" Eli says as if it's a normal occurrence.

"Woah what???"

"I was trying to study at the lab during recess."

"I didn't know that wasn't allowed"

"Well... I kinda was using their equipment to try and communicate with aliens... Which isn't allowed..." Eli says a little embarrassed.

"Oh" Steve laughs, finding the story very endearing. "So you like space, huh?"

"I do. Imagine if I got to do it. It would've been so cool!" he exclaims, and Steve has to hold back the urge to tell him about the parallel universe.

"It really would. Don't lose hope though" he winks at his direction.

Eli smiles and keeps working on his assignment.

"Y'know, I didn't expect you to be here. You're very... um... nerdy?" Steve admits after some minutes of silence.

"Oh so we're doing stereotypes? Alright, jock. Why are you here? Got into a fight?"

"What? No. I'm a nice person! I just didn't do my homework. Again."

"Because you didn't want to or...?" Eli asked confused, tilting his head. Steve had a genius idea. He felt like those cartoons when a little lamp lights up.

"I'm having a lot of trouble, actually. Are you any good with math?"

"Of course. Why?"

"What do you say you help me with homework and I help you by staying on look out when you're in the lab?"

Eli considered, as he heard the bell ring. He gathers his books and hands Steve a piece of paper before leaving.

"Sure. Text me later so we can talk about it"

"Sounds good" Steve smiled. If this went anything like he wanted to, he better start cleaning some space in his closet.

[omg-im-such-a-masochist]

🎁🔥GUESS WHO?🔥🎁

Prompt: Y/N’s first day back to work from her vacation is also coincidentally her birthday, as the day goes by, one mysterious box is placed on her work table. The content of it is a devious surprise and Y/N needs to find out who is the mysterious person who dared to give her such a kinky birthday present.

Word count: Long-ish

Pairing: Roman Reigns x Reader

Warnings: +18, smut, bondage(handcuffs), use of a vibrator, fingering, rough sex, mentions of voyeurism, oral sex (female receiving), dirty talk, cursing.

My Roman lovers: @ziasaph, @reigns-5sos, @mindofasagittaruis

Notes: What a better way to start 2021, then with a Roman kinky fic?! I wish you all a Happy New Year loves, may 2021 be kinder to us all. Y’all know the drill loves,sorry for misspellings,english isn’t my first language (bla bla bla),check out my other stories if you’d like to(it would make your girl here very happy 😊) and if you’re comfortable with it,please let me know what you think? Some feedback is always welcomed and appreciated ❤️You can check out my other stories typing ‘masochist writes’ on the search bar on my page and my newest story as a fixed post.Okay,now let’s get to the fun part,shall we? Hope you’ll enjoy 😉

“Happy birthday, to you..” I turn around to the sound of a person singing, just to see Sasha Banks holding a chocolate cupcake and a present bag on her hands.

“Hi Sasha.” I smiled

“Happy birthday babe!” Sasha ran up to me, placing the cupcake on my working table and hugging me tightly.

“Thanks Sasha”

This was my first day back from my vacation, and coincidentally it was also my birthday, so I was excited to see some of the good friends I’ve made while working for the WWE as a chiropractor.

“Here this is for you!” Sasha handed me a present bag.

“Oh Sasha, you really didn’t have to-“

“Shush! I love you, so of course I would pamper you on your birthday” Sasha said as I opened the bag to find a pair of Louboutin’s I had my eyes on for quite sometime, but couldn’t afford it.

“Sasha, are you insane? I can’t accept these! It’s way too expensive!” I gasped

“I am perfectly sane, you will accept these and I don’t care if you think they’re too expensive! I love you, you’re one of my best friends in this company and a human being with a heart made of gold. So if there is someone who deserves these is you” She happily said

“Sasha, I don’t even know how to thank you enough” I whispered with tears on my eyes

“Just say you will be my friend forever babe” She winked

“I don’t need presents to be your friend love”

“That’s why I gave it to you. I don’t care how much they cost, I just want to make my best friend happy on her birthday”

I hugged her and whispered ‘thank you’ on her ear

“So, who else has came here today?” She asked

“Oh! Bayley, Charlotte, Xavier, Kofi, Cesaro, Big E, Alexa, Naomi, Jey, Becky, Seth, Finn, Renee and Dean” I said, listing my close friends

“I was the last one then? Damn it!”

“It’s ok, I know you were busy today love”

“So...no Roman?” She whispered

“No, no Roman” I answered slightly disappointed.

Sasha along with Bayley and Renee were the only 3 people who knew about my stupid crush on Roman Reigns. It’s so stupid of me to think that a man like him would ever look at someone like me.

If he would ever look at someone on this company, it wouldn’t be the thick girl who worked as a chiropractor and yes one of the beautiful toned Divas of this company.

But still I couldn’t help but daydream about having him on top of me.

“Maybe he doesn’t know it’s your birthday?” Sasha tried to make it less uncomfortable

“Really Sasha? He’s friends with Dean! Everybody knows Dean is an open mouth, loud as fuck and can’t keep it to himself not even if his life depended on it...Roman just chose to ignore it, and it’s fine. We’re not close or anything so, I wasn’t expecting him to show up at my office door and fuck me on top of this table” I lied while chuckling weirdly

“Let’s be honest babe, everybody secretly wants Roman Reigns to fuck them on top of a table!” We both laughed at her statement before she continued “It’s his loss anyways babe”

“Yeah I guess so...”

I was making my way back to my office, from the women’s locker room, when a big black box with a golden ribbon called my attention on top of my desk.

“What the hell?” I said as I approached the box carefully. All of my closest friends had already wished me a happy birthday and gave me their presents so this was, to say the least, weird and unexpected.

I saw a blood red card on top of it, so I opened to find the handwritten saying

‘I hope these will make your birthday night unforgettable. Can you guess who’ve bought these for you? ;)’

Ok, that’s pretty fucking weird! I thought

From the corner of my eye I saw Sasha passing by and loudly whispered

“Sasha! Come here”

She entered my office “What’s up girl? Are you ok? You look scared”

I closed my office door and locked, and made my way back to the table by her side.

“Ok, I’m feeling a little paranoid. I just came back to my office to find this box and this card. Here” I handed the card to her and she red silently.

“Did you look what’s inside of it?” Sasha said

“Nope. And to be honest I don’t know if I can..what if it’s like a prank or something?”

“Well, there’s only one way to find out Y/N”

She opened the box, inside of it there was a fancy red paper, I took it out of the way to reveal what was underneath it and I tell you I almost passed out.

Inside the box there was a lavender and purple (my favorite colors) vibrator, it was actually pretty cute...two pairs of handcuffs, lube, nipples clamps and a whip.

“Oh my gosh” Sasha gasped as she took the clamps on one hand and the whip on the other. “Someone wants to get kinky with you girl!” She examined the items carefully

“What in the actual fuck?” I whispered shocked “Give me that!” I took the items out of her hand, shoved back into the box and quickly closed with the black lid.

“Jesus, I can get fired if someone sees that in my office! Who the hell would do that?”

“Someone who wants to get some! And wants it rough” She chuckled

“Sasha it’s not funny! I could not have a job tomorrow morning if someone from the company found these”

“Who do you think did this?” She asked seriously

“How am I supposed to know? I have no fucking clue!”

“Maybe someone who’s name starts with an R...” She smirked

“R?... What ar-... Oh hell no! Nu uh, that’s impossible!” She couldn’t be implying that Roman was behind this, was he? No! Of course not, that’s a dumb thing to think of...but a part of me wished it was him, even though I know it wasn’t.

“Why impossible? You’re a gorgeous woman Y/N! You two would make a beautiful couple, plus, I‘ve seen his handwriting before and I’m pretty sure it’s quite similar to this one” She said as she inspected the card closely.

“Obviously someone wants to make fun out of me, so I’ll just pretend this never happened” I took the card out of her hand and shoved inside the box.

“Or someone has an eye on you for a while and decided to finally make a move”

“Sasha, please don’t tell this to anyone”

“Your secret is safe with me babe. Just promise that when your secret admirer finally show up, you’ll tell me if you guys made a good use of his presents” She laughed

“You’re the worst!” I laughed along

I made my way back to my hotel room later that evening with my hands so full of packages I could barely walk. I opened the door and carefully placed the bags, along with the black box, on the floor.

I went to the bed and sat down on the edge, while I stared at the box.

*Could Sasha be right? Could it be Roman who did this?* Was the only thought that crossed my mind

I decided to forget all about it and take a shower to wash off the day.

As I was rinsing my hair I heard some noise coming from the bedroom

*What the hell was that?*

I blamed on my super active mind and turned the shower off.

I got changed into some clean oversized t- shirt, and went full on commando. I was brushing my damp hair, when I decided to lay out the contents of the black box on the bed.

I roamed my eyes on each item slowly, until they stopped on the lavender and purple happiness. I turned the vibrator on and felt slightly tempted to use it.

*Oh fuck it! Happy birthday to me I guess”

I got rid of the t-shirt and lay down on the bed naked.

I closed my eyes, letting my mind imagine my wet dream, in form of a man... his face, his body, his cock and how I wish I could feel it inside of me, stretching me as I teased my clit with the vibrator.

I moaned Roman���s name and heard someone clear their throat on the foot of the bed. My eyes shot open and my heart nearly stopped beating when I saw who was in front of me. The vision was so unexpected that I even forgot I was naked.

“I see you liked my gift then” He smirked

“Wh- What are you doing here? How did you get inside of my room?” I whispered

“Does it matter?” His eyes had an evil glimpse to it

“Roman... I- I can explain” I begin to stutter

He placed his index finger on his lips in a shh motion and I stopped talking. He hungrily stared at every inch of my naked body, making me feel quite self conscious of the imperfections of it. I grabbed the blanket to cover my nakedness, he notice what I was about to do and yanked the blankets off the bed

“I’ve been waiting for years to see you like this, so don’t you dare cover yourself from me now”

He took off his shirt and pants leaving only his boxers on, from where I was laying I could see the outline of his hard cock and the wet spot of pre cum near of it’s head. He crawled on top of me slowly, like a predator, with dangerous eyes that were glued to my own.

“At first I was only gonna watch you... I wanted to see you pleasure yourself with my gifts, but when I saw your body fully naked on this bed moaning my name” He grunted “I couldn’t control myself, I couldn’t see this” He took the vibrator off my hand and placed on the bed by our side “Having all the fun with you, enjoying every part of your beautiful body, stretching your sweet pussy while my own cock only got to watch, he wants to have his own fun with you baby girl. He wants to make you feel real good” He leaned closer to my face, his lips brushing mine as he asked “Do you want that Y/N? Do you want my cock to make you feel good? Do you want it to stretch you out baby? Do you want it to fuck you hard and rough? Or do you prefer it slow and sweet? Do you want me to fuck you from behind?...Or maybe I should eat you out first huh? Eat that sweet pussy until you’re begging me to stop, I can’t wait to feel you come on my mouth...around my cock,milking it really nice” He growled “Tell me Y/N, what do you want?”

“I want it all, I want everything” I panted as he dry humped me

“Will you let me do whatever I want with you baby girl? What I’ve always wanted to do?”

“Yes”

He smiled satisfied, leaning to kissed me roughly and sloppily as he grabbed both of my wrists into one of his big hands pining it over my head.

“If anything I do bothers you or you feel like your not feeling it or don’t like it, you let me know ok?”

I nodded

“I need words baby girl”

“Yes, I understand”

“Good” He smiled and I felt something cold close around my wrists. I looked up to see the handcuffs around my wrists being closed on the headboard of the bed. Roman sat up and looked down do my naked body at his disposal.

“Fuck, you’re such a gorgeous sight” He said as he palmed his hard cock through his boxers. “I can’t wait to bury my cock deep inside you” He panted

“Roman, please do something” I whispered

His hands roamed the sides of my body until he stopped at my breasts as his hands squeezed them hard while pinching my nipples.

“These were made just for me. Do you see how they perfectly fit my hands? I can only imagine how even more beautiful your breasts will look with my cock sliding in between them” His eyes were glued on my breasts.

I tugged at my handcuffed hands, begging “Roman, please, I need- something”

“Let’s take a look on this pussy...are you wet for me Y/N?”

“Soaked”

He raised his eyebrows “Really? Let‘s see” Two of his fingers slides through my folds “Fuck baby girl, you are soaked. Jesus, we won’t even need lube” His fingers traced lazy circles around my clit, making me moan in pleasure. One callused finger slipped inside of me.

“Oh baby girl, you’re so tight, fuck I will barely be able to move. I can’t wait to feel your sweet little pussy stretch around my cock”

He took his finger out and cleaned with his tongue, humming in pleasure to the taste of my juices.

“You taste amazing, Y/N. Fuck I need more” He slide down my body placing his head between my thighs. His tongue gave a long lick from my entrance to my clit sucking it. Making his way back to my entrance again dipping his tongue inside of me, beginning to fuck me with his tongue.

“Oh my god, Roman, please fuck me! I need you inside of me please” I whined

“As you wish baby” He smirked

He slides his cock through my folds to lube it up, then places the head of his cock at my entrance

“Are you sure about this baby girl? ‘Cause once I start I won’t be able to stop myself”

“Roman, just fuck me already would you?” I said impatiently

He chuckled lightly saying “Easy tiger, we’ll take this slow, I don’t want to hurt you” Roman leaned down to peck my lips and returned to his previous position.

He started to slowly slide inside of me, inch by inch, painfully slow. He’s the biggest man I’ve ever been with, so I knew that we needed to take it slow, but fuck he feels so good I just wish he would roughly thrust into me, so I wiggle my hips to take more of him.

“Fuck Y/N, slow down! You’re too tight and I’m not exactly small, if you keep rushing things you’re gonna end up hurting yourself and I don’t want that”

“I know is just that your cock feels so fucking good, I just want you to fuck me Ro”

“Trust me baby, there’s nothing that I want more then fuck you senseless, but I want you to enjoy it as well ok?” He kissed my nose then my lips

When all of him was finally inside of me we both moaned loudly, I’ve never felt so full before and it was both a dream and a nightmare

“Motherfucker! Jesus fuck Y/N, you’re so fuckin- Oh my god.. I gotta focus ‘cuz I feel like at the slightest move I’ll cum” He pressed his forehead to mine as his thumb slowly traced circles on my clit.

“Roman” I gasped “Please don’t tease me like that, fuck it feels so fucking good” I cried as I felt my walls tighten around him

“Oh fuck!” Roman growled loudly “Don’t do that baby girl, don’t squeeze my cock like that, you’re gonna make m-“

“Move,please” I circled my hips

“Fuck it” He said as he forcefully grabbed my hips and begin to quickly thrust me.

“Oh Roman...harder, I need harder”

“Harder?” He chuckled “Like this?” He pounded into me mercilessly

“Yes! Just like that, oh please, don’t stop” “Fuck Y/N you’re going to get me addicted to you baby girl” He kissed my lips vigorously

“I say we should push you a little further..” Roman took the vibrator from the bed and placed on my clit.

“Ooohhh”

“Fuck, you look so beautiful baby girl, a whimpering mess underneath me”

“Ro- Roman I’m gonna cum”

“Cum baby, I wanna feel you cum around my cock”

And I did. My orgasm was so hard that my juices made a mess on Roman’s thighs and the bedsheets.

“Y/N, fuck baby...so fucking gorgeous, my messy girl” He chuckled “Where do you want me to cum baby?”

“Inside” I panted while I felt another mini orgasm come through me

“Fuck, I’m officially addicted to you baby girl. You’re my wet dream come true...gorgeous face, delicious body, perfect pussy..so tight for me. And on top of it all, you want my cum inside of you?! You are beyond perfect Y/N”

He thrusts into me 3 more times before finally cum, filling me up with his seed.

As we tried to recover our breaths, Roman uncuffed my wrists and placed a sweet kiss into each one.

“You ok baby girl?”

“Mhmm” I hummed

“Did I hurt you? Was I too rough?”

“No, of course not. You were perfect!”

“Good baby” He smiled

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure thing baby”

“Why? Why me?”

“Why not you?” He asked sincerely while he brushed my hair with his fingers

“I don’t know, I can’t picture someone like you with someone like me.. I mean, there are so many beautiful women in the company that fit you better...I’ve never thought you could find me attractive”

“Are you serious? Have you looked yourself in the mirror? You’re gorgeous, so perfect Y/N. Yes, there are beautiful women in the company but they’re nothing compared to you baby. You stand out, exactly because you’re different from all of them. You’re unique”

“Still...I don’t know..”

“Oh so you don’t believe me? Maybe I’ll have to show you then”

I could feel his cock beginning to harden on my thigh

“Show me? How?”

“Well baby girl, good thing there are more items of the box for us to try it huh?”

“Us?”

“Yeah, you don’t really think that I’m gonna let you go right? Now that I’ve tasted you, you’ve got me hooked baby. We’ve got the whole night for me to change your mind about us together. And I bet you that I will” He smirked as he leaned down to kiss my neck...

What a great way to celebrate my birthday 🎁

[whatifxwereyou]

The Oncoming Storm First Interlude: Electricity in the Springs

Kung Lao x Reader

Look, I don't even think these fit into the actual timeline of the story? But it was fun to write. An imagine that still fits in this Oncoming Storm universe! Will post Liu Kang here in a second. AND ALSO I could not make them kiss before they kiss in the actual story, so again, I'm only kind of sorry for the torture! Lol.

Part 1 of The Oncoming Storm Second Interlude: Steam (Liu Kang x Reader)

The training session had been rough that afternoon. You felt you’d more than earned a trip to the springs after how exhausting it had been. Besides, your inky arcana kept leaving you soaked. The only time you truly felt clean after a fight like that was when you got to bask in the springs. You understood why Liu was constantly covered in soot now. It was easier to function as a mess than to go out of your way to the springs. Worse than that, the springs were a time suck. You’d come down there and fall asleep or get carried away listening to stories told to you by the monks that frequented them.

That day was no different. You made your way to the springs, towel wrapped around you securely, and you joined a group of female monks who had invited you to sit with them. You listened to them speak about their day animatedly and then sat in comfortable silence while they continued to talk amongst themselves. You tended to check out when you were no longer included but had caught them talking about you several times.

Their gossip was never a bad thing, but they did enjoy teasing you for the company you preferred to keep. The fiery Liu Kang and handful that was Kung Lao. The monks jostled you awake and then bowed respectfully and said they had to take their leave. You were fine with that. There wouldn’t be anyone else in the springs but you and you would bask in the warmth of its waters and the emptiness of its walls.

Closing your eyes, you relaxed in the water and resigned that you would likely fall asleep for the afternoon. It almost always happened every time you came down there. Why did you resist the siren call of the relaxing water? You had no idea. Honestly, you weren’t sure why you resisted a great many things those days. Perhaps it was out of habit, perhaps out of guilt. Who knew? The human psyche was complicated and you had no aspirations of figuring it out.

Footsteps were followed by a familiar energy but before you’d sat up and opened your eyes, Kung Lao had leapt into the water and a great wave of bubbling warm water soaked over you in a wave. You fell over with a laugh. Upon correcting yourself, you were met with a face full of water. Kung Lao was splashing you, a grin on his face.

“What’s wrong with you?” You laughed, wiping your hand over your face. He splashed you again as if to make a point, though what the hell that point was you had no idea. You splashed him back as he made to speak and he coughed, spitting out water. You chuckled and swam a little away from him in case he retaliated.

Narrowing his eyes at you, he considered his options. “Oh, now you’re in trouble.”

“What? You started it!” You swam further away, making your way into the next pool but Kung Lao pushed into the water and the wave that it resulted in knocked you back into the water. You yelped and barely caught your breath before being submerged. He offered a hand to pull you back up and you smacked his arm then splashed him in the face. You coughed up water and then splashed him a second time for good measure.

“I didn’t mean to drown you!” Despite his insistence he was still laughing, so much so that his face had turned red.

“It’s not that funny, Lao.”

“It’s pretty funny, Y/N.” He purposely called you by your full name almost constantly. You’d thought it started as him teasing you when they were kids but now it was kind of sweet. He was the only one who did it. Even Liu Kang called you by the shortened form of your name. Kung Lao settled next to you but you scooted a cautious foot away from him. He laughed and purposely closed the gap between you again. “Hey!” He objected when you pushed him away again.

“I don’t trust you for a single second.” You accused and he seemed to think your words over before nodding.

“That’s fair.”

“You came in here very… chaotic. You do know that people come here to relax, right?” You gestured toward the water.

“What people? It’s just you. Figured you could use some action.” Kung Lao rested comfortably, arms outstretched on either side of him, taking up an impressive amount of space for one man. That was when you realized that Kung Lao was completely naked and your expression must have changed so severely to alarm that he’d noticed. “What? It says clothing optional on the door. The towels get all heavy and saggy.”

“You are a mess of a human being.”

“Oh? And you like me, so what does that say about you?” He laughed, pointing an accusatory finger toward you.

“I’m deeply flawed, obviously.”

“You’re defensive, is what you are. Always have been.” He clicked his tongue in disapproval then closed his eyes as he leaned his head back. He’d gone from hyper and attacking you with water to relaxing as though he’d been there all afternoon.

“Remember when I was that comfortable?”

“You need to learn to relax, Y/N.”

“I was relaxing, Kung Lao!” You splashed at him and he wiped his face free of water.

“Come on. Relax with me!”

“You are such an antagonist.”

“Sue me for having a little fun.” He stuck his tongue out at you then closed his eyes and relaxed again. You settled a bit away from him, sinking further into the water and avoiding looking at him. When he didn’t tease you further, you finally relaxed and closed your eyes. You heard the movement in the water but didn’t think much of it. When you opened your eyes, Kung Lao was crouched in the water before you, watching you.

“…you okay?” You asked curiously. He nodded and took your hands, pulling you further into the water with him. You leaned your head back with a whine and he laughed as he kept pulling. You allowed him to do so and he took you further into the pool until they were treading water. “You just can’t let me relax. That’s it. I’ve figured it out.”

“Tell me that this isn’t relaxing.”

“…it is.” You averted your gaze but agreed.

“What’s with the look?” He urged you to spin in the water with him and you laughed.

“I’m tired. You’re so needy right now.” He wasn’t usually like this. Well, he did have a fondness for pestering you but usually it was less pulling you around and more teasing.

“No reason.” He lied, right to your face! You saw it in his eyes. “Are you really bothered by me?”

“No.” You shrugged. “It is fun to give you a hard time though.” He laughed and splashed you lightly again. “So help me, Kung Lao…”

Much to your surprise, he wrapped his arms around you and pulled you close in a hug. You stiffened up at first, expecting to be dunked but his arms instead were comforting. He didn’t seem willing to let you go so you relented. Sometimes fighting with him was impossible anyway. And who were you to argue with him? His arms were strong, surrounding you, and offered you a deep security and indescribable warmth that was far beyond that of the springs.

“I’m really glad that you’re here, Y/N.” His voice was different then. The usual lilt of teasing was gone and it was deep and serene, a rare seriousness beyond his usual playfulness. There was a special place in your heart for Kung Lao. A hole that only he could fill, a hole you hadn’t realized was there until you’d been reunited with him.

“Me too, Kung Lao.” You watched the corner of his lip curl into a smile, fixated entirely on his lips. His hands brushed slowly over your back and then he rested his chin in your hair, offering the top of your head a kiss. You placed your hands against his chest and basked in the comfort he brought you. You leaned back up with every intention of telling him you were going to fall asleep and drown if you stayed there but found him watching you. The look in his eyes was so serious that you weren’t sure how to process it.

You pushed some of his messy hair away from his face. He took your hand and rested it on his strong jaw. That was your Kung Lao. All grown up and one hell of a man. Your fingers crept over his jaw and down his neck, eyes following your fingers. He tilted your chin back up, closer to him. His lips brushed just barely against yours and he hesitated, as if unsure that you would reciprocate. You would have, but that moment of hesitation was enough for you to wonder if either of you were ready for that.

You smiled and placed your other hand on his other cheek. Then with a yell, you leaned back and shoved him underwater, jumping up to do so. Then you swam backwards and away from him. When he popped back up and shook out his short, wild hair with a spray, he stared at you in disbelief. Then his smile returned, as if he understood why you’d done what you had done. You shared a knowing look.

“I’m going to get you back, Y/N. Just you wait for next time.” He swam to the other side of the springs and climbed atop the stone. You sunk into the water and turned away because there he was, naked, and making his way to the locker room. You stole a look when you were sure he wasn’t watching you. He had the cutest little butt, good god.

You sunk further into the water with a sigh. Placing your fingers to your lips, you swore you could feel the residual touch of just that gentle brush of his lips. It filled you with confused butterflies. There was no relaxing after that, so you made your way out of the springs.

[tomfreakinghollandneedsaoscar]

Ice Cream Princess

Pairing: JJ Maybank x Reader

Summary: There isn't a day that JJ doesn't come to visit you at work. On the day he doesn't, you decide to visit him at work instead.

Word Count: 1,876

Note: A Stranger Things and Outer banks crossover imagine that no one asked for. Please give me feedback on anything but the title, I'm judging it and laughing at myself because of it. I hope you love it!

An ice-cream parlor opens up across the street of The Wreck. The owner quickly judges all of the teenagers that come in looking for a part-time summer job. Luckily for you, your older cousin Robin sweet talks her way - agrees to watch his daughter- to get Hopper to hire you on the spot.

Your favorite co-worker is Steve. Both of you share stories and talk about anything and everything. You're weren't too surprised to find he hang outs with "lil punks".

He has a childish side that comes out when it's you two in the shop. If a touron gives you a weird feeling and tries to flirt with you, Steve takes over like a protective older brother. You started calling him mom when he bossed you around the first time.

Last night there was a party held by the Pogues at the Boneyard. When Robin's girlfriend texts you saying that she woke up with a hangover, you agree with her that it would be best if you cover her shrift.

When you get to the shop on your bike, you park it next to Steve car and cringe when the annoying front door bell rings as you enter. "I'm surprised to see your face this morning."

"Good or bad surprised, mom?" He rolls his eyes as you walk past him and pat his shoulder.

He yells, "the worst!" As you make your way to the small back room and put your backpack in your locker.

You grab the lanyard Pope gave to you and trace the lil doodles Kiara drew on your nametag.

Clocking in, you wave at Hopper through his open office window. He learns further in his chair, arms across his chest.

"You work too much."

"You don't pay me enough."

Humming to the radio that's connected to the speakers that hang from the ceiling, you look over Steve shoulder to see which Playlist he's playing.

You mutter, "I hate that thing" when the bell rings.

JJ is leading everyone, arms flaring around as he jumps on top of the counter. He bends one knee underneath his other leg to sit more comfortably sideways and grins at you.

"You're ass is going to break that and you'll have to pay for it."

"Are you telling me I have a fat ass?" He puts a hand over his heart and fakes cries. "That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me, Princess."

You shove him off, chuckling when he almost doesn't save his fall and trip over his own two feet.

"So dramatic like always and Y/N is still my name." You point down at your nametag. "Y/N. Not Princess."

"What do you guys want today?" Steve asks.

JJ glares at him but smirks when you pick up a scoop. He leans over the counter and says, "I'll like a lick of that."

You tell Pope thank you for slapping JJ in the back of the head, making his gray and red snapback fall off.

He runs his fingers through his hair and you barely catch it when throws it towards you.

"You would look better in it than that." He reaches over to tap on your uniform hat wear.

You blush at the hidden complaint and slap his hand away.

"Stop flirting." John B says as he hands over JJ his ice cream.

Kiara slightly pushes him towards the table, they always sit at.

Steve smirks as he leans against the counter. "Princess?"

In the corner of your eye, you see JJ giving himself whiplash. You know Steve is on a mission to find a nickname for you, especially something that you hate as much as he hates 'mom'.

But JJ doesn't. "It's a long story."

"I'll love to hear it someti-"

JJ claps his hands together as the chair slides across the floor as he stands up. "Once upon a time, little miss Y/N dressed up as a princess one Halloween. There was a picture of proof that her mother gladly showed me. Ever since, I've called her Princess and one day she'll call me her Prince. The end."

Sarah 'awwws' and says, "That's actually really adorable."

"Thank you, I know." JJ says proudly and you both smile at each other.

─────

During your next shift, it's only John B and JJ.

"Well hello there boys."

JJ takes off his sunglasses off slowly and puts his arm on the counter. "Princess."

You try not to pay attention to how good his arms look with his gray tank top.

You're the one who breaks eye contact. You don't miss the little fist pump he does but you miss how his shoulders drop when you look at him after seeing how panic John B looks.

Oh, right.

"We need to get the biggest bowl of Sarah's favorite ice cream. Her monthly came to visit and John B, the sweetheart idiot he is, doesn't remember her flavor."

You make 'o' shape with your mouth. "Got it. It's the end of the world for him. Well lucky for you, I know it."

John B screams out, "I owe you one" as he grabs the cup container from you and runs out to the Van.

JJ puts money in the tip jar. "From future Sarah."

After you watch him put his sunglasses back on and the door bell rings when the door closes, Robin pinches your leg.

"Are you going to start helping me again with this or am I going to have to restock everything myself?"

Blushing, you say, "I'm not Steve."

She stops laughing after a few seconds to say, "I bet you that JJ knows his Princess favorite ice cream flavor."

"Shut up."

─────

Pope, Kiara, and JJ all give you a pointed look when they stop by the shop before seeing a movie. The movie you agreed to go to one minute but then the next you said "wait sorry, I have to work." and hanged up on JJ.

"I'm about to drag you and your cute stubborn ass out of here for once and all, Princess."

Kiara has a hand on her hip, when she says, "You need to take a break."

You close your eyes and throw your head back, annoyed that she's right. "You guys know how much I need this job and the money."

A look of understanding crosses JJ's face but he straightens himself and says in a stern voice, "You are also supposed to have fun with your friends once a while."

"I know that!" He doesn't flinch at you raising your voice.

Thinking he's used to it, your heart and face fall.

"I- I'm sorry. How about we all hangout tomorrow at the Chateau and relax? Or we can do anything you guys want to do. Let John B and Sarah know and-"

JJ strides behind the counter and pulls you in a hug. No one words are needed when you shove your face against his chest and catch your breathing.

Pope puts a hand on his shoulder. "Come on, JJ. We're going to be late."

"You know what? I'm actually in the mood for ice cream not theater popcorn. Go on without me."

Kiara tells you both goodbye and Pope mouths "whipped" and does the wrapped around a finger hand's motion as she pulls him away.

You look up at JJ. "You didn't have to do that."

"Do what?" His cocky grin becomes bigger when you roll your eyes before helping a costumer. He leaves the counter to sit at the table, hands on the bottom of his chin as he does silly faces from behind the stranger's shoulder.

─────

Steve looks up when he hears the bell ring and watches as JJ loses his step.

Before he can walk away, Steve says, "She will be back shortly. I sent her to the bank real quick for more change."

JJ lets the door close behind him. He takes a big breath in as he turns around. "You trust her that much, huh?"

"Don't you?"

JJ lets out a dark laugh. "It's different. You get payed to see her, I do it because I want to."

That's Steve's breaking point. "Okay, I don't understand why or how you started hating me the first time you met me but I think I can get a wild guess why. A attractive, couple of years older comes into her life. You're jealous over nothing, dude. I see her as annoying little sister. And yeah, I get payed to do this shitty job but when she's working too, she makes it fun."

"Are you done?" JJ is looking at anything but him.

"One more thing, don't waste anymore time."

Steve looks at the clock on the wall and figures you'll be back any minute.

"I have to get to work." JJ looks over his shoulder.

He opens his mouth but changes his mind, and closes it and walks out.

On the other side of the sidewalk, he doesn't stop when you call out his name.

──────

"Funny seeing you're here."

JJ slams his tray down on the table next to yours. "I work here."

He stops wiping it down and gets the sudden urge to squirt you with the cleaning product bottle when he hears you tapping your feet against the chair across on of your table.

When he looks around and notices there aren't a lot of people in the dinner room he sits down and huffs and puffs. "Why are you here?"

"What? You can come visit me at work but I can't?"

When you both notice another bus boy, you let JJ grab the nearest glass pitcher and pull you some water.

"Now you can't walk away and ignore me, like how you did a couple of hours ago."

"I'm sure Steve told you all about it." The biter in his voice makes you lean over the table to grab his hand.

He jumps but doesn't pull away.

"He told me that you came in the shop, you looked like a little lost puppy when you made eye contact with him instead of me. You guys actually had somewhat of a conversation, which, I'm surprised actually happened."

JJ smiles a little as you start spinning one of his rings. "Steve didn't tell me what it was about...at first."

JJ can't sit still.

He stands up and as he talks, he walks in pace. "He, he uh- shit. Fuck, okay. He got in my head. I couldn't talk to you cause I didn't want to say something that would ruin our friendship. I didn't even know how I would say it-to be honest, still don't but you're smart, I think you know where am I going with this-"

He stops talking, mid-sentence when you laugh. "JJ, just say it or I'll crush your ego by saying it first."

"I love you." He says it over and over again in the middle of the kisses after you say it back.

He stops when someone yells his name and tells him to get back to work.

You give him a quick peak and have to put your hands on top of his to move them off of your hips.

"I'll see you later, JJ. We can go watch a movie?"

"Sounds like a date, Princess."

[justmypartner]

Make it Work: Chapter 5

Summary: When offered a permanent position with the FBI, Hailey agrees to take it under one condition: Jay comes too. As their personal lives and work lives begin to change, the two partners find it increasingly difficult to navigate their complex relationship and manage their feelings for one another. 

Writer’s Note: I want to first apologize for taking so long to update this fic. I took a break to finish up school related things, and then when I came back to writing I was feeling very uninspired with this chapter. Nevertheless, I pushed through and what I thought was going to be a bland filler chapter ended up being a really fun chapter to write. Starting today, I am back to posting chapters weekly! Please enjoy & I want to thank everyone who has read/supported this fic. As LaRoyce always says: From the heart ❤️ 

TW:// mentions of PTSD

Tagging: @angelsjedi , @brookerz122493 , @cpdfan2014 , @the–carousel , @maya-asturias , @itsdesiree86​ , @tvshowsaremyhappyplace 

Read on AO3 or below

It had been two weeks since their first day at the FBI, and Jay and Hailey had finally found a comfortable rhythm. For Jay, it took a while to get used to solely being a field agent. Part of him missed digging for intel themselves. He missed the long nights in the wire room and the early mornings organizing the case board, but the fieldwork mostly made up for that part of the job he missed. He loved being out on the streets, and in his eyes, nothing could beat the satisfaction of finally putting the offenders in cuffs.

The team was still rolling as a quartet, with Hailey still partnered with Walker and Jay with Daisy. For the most part, they were all out in the field together, but some instances required the pairs to break apart. He and Daisy’s partnership was working, but they didn’t function in the same natural way he and Hailey always did. He missed riding with her, but he was making do with the current arrangement until their training period was up. Overall, he was fond of Daisy. She was competent, cool under pressure, and she had his back when it counted, so he grew to trust her a great deal. Walker was another story. He was good at his job, there was no doubt about that, but he had a way of running his mouth that made Jay want to keep his distance. Things had been icy since they were at each other’s throats on the first day when Jay’s concern for Hailey got the best of him. They were able to patch things up, but Jay knew they weren’t going to be best friends anytime soon. He also didn’t like the way Walker interacted with Hailey. Other than what Jay identified as obvious flirting, he had a way of coddling her that, from Jay’s eyes, demeaned her and her abilities. He wasn’t sure if she didn’t notice it or if she was choosing to ignore it for the sake of avoiding conflict, but she never called him out for it. At least not when Jay was around. So, he never questioned it. He trusted her. Since it didn’t visibly bother her, he tried to not let it bother him either.

“Excited to have your favorite partner back?” Jay asked as he and Hailey climbed onto the elevator. It was officially their first day of partnering together as agents, and he couldn’t have been happier.

“Wait, Vanessa joined the FBI?” she joked, feigning a look of surprise.

“You think you’re funny, don’t you?”

“Nope. I know I’m funny,” she smirked back.

“How is she by the way?” Jay asked, inquiring about her former roommate and best friend. Not long after Hailey went to New York the first time, Vanessa was picked out of Intelligence by Major Crimes to do a long-term undercover sting. She didn’t get to say a proper goodbye to Hailey, something they were both sad about, but they remained in touch through an occasional text.

“She can’t communicate much, but when she does she seems good. You know her, she’s a natural-born UC. Quick on her feet,” she said briefly. Jay nodded, noticing a slight drop in her mood as she spoke about her. He knew the connection those two had. Hailey looked out for her, almost to a fault as it was her attempt at protecting Vanessa and her childhood friend that got her sent to New York in the first place. He knew it killed her to not get to say a proper goodbye, and he could see it in her face in that moment. He decided to change the subject to get it off her mind.

“So, are you going to miss partnering with Walker at all?” Jay asked, slightly nervous to hear her answer.

“Mm, not really. I mean he’s a great agent and all, but he’s just too much in his own head. We connected pretty well with small talk and all that, but I felt like I had to keep a constant eye on him in the field. We just didn’t work well together. Not like you and me anyway,” she admitted, flashing him a brief smile. It was contagious and he turned his head to the side to conceal the one erupting across his face.

It relieved him to know that she didn’t feed into whatever connection Walker was trying to build between them. It made him even more relieved to know that they were back together as partners, something he was counting down to since their first day on the job.  

Things jumped off the second they stepped into the bullpen. Drake briefed the team on the case the minute they walked in the room. A rogue member of an anti-military activist group in the city exposed the group’s plans to target a veteran’s convention at the Javits Center in Midtown. Being that their intel came from an insider, the group was oblivious to the bureau’s knowledge of their plans. Drake tasked Jay, Hailey, Walker, and Daisy with attending the convention, posing as veterans as they worked to smoke out the guys before they could carry out their plans. As Drake, a former Naval Officer briefed the case, Jay picked up on some tension and anger in his voice. He recognized it easily because he felt it himself. He pretended he didn’t notice when Hailey’s eyes began to survey his face, what he guessed was her way of trying to read his reaction to the case. He tried his best to remain stone faced, but he knew she could tell something was up just by looking at him. 

If they had caught the case a few years prior, he would have gone to a much darker place, acting on rage rather than ration. However, through his therapy sessions over the years, he had learned to manage the emotions that only things related to the service could elicit. Once Drake was finished briefing everyone, he assigned the teams their positions and sent them on their way. As Jay turned away to head to the locker room to change, Drake called out to him.

“Jay, hang back a second?” He asked him. Jay sent Hailey a small wave, signaling her to go on without him. He followed Drake to his office, shoving his hands in his pockets after he closed the office door behind him.

“Something wrong, sir?” Jay asked, confusion in his voice.

“Jay, I know you’ve got a background in the military. I don’t have to imagine what’s going through your head right now, because it’s going through mine as well. But we need to play this one by the book, so I just need to know if I need to keep a leash on you today,” Drake spoke shortly.

“I’m straight, sir. You don’t have to worry about me, I’ll keep in check,” Jay assured him, nodding his head with his words. His boss bobbed his head slowly as if he were debating whether or not to accept his assurance.

“Let me know if that changes,” he replied quietly, sending the agent a trusting nod.

“Will do,” Jay returned before turning to leave the office.

He quickly changed and made his way to the elevators to head down to the garage. His mind flickered back to his time in country. The faces of the six friends he lost before he came home and his best friend Mouse who was there currently flooded his head with memories. He tried his best to shake them off as the elevator descended towards the garage. The case was stirring up something in him, but he was determined to center his focus on the job and not let it take over. The doors opened and he stepped out, tracking his footsteps with his eyes as he walked. When he looked up, Hailey was slumped against the car. When she saw him, she bounced herself off of it with her foot and walked in his direction.

“Everything okay?” She asked, a look of concern plastered across her face.

“Yeah. Drake just wanted to make sure my head was on straight today… with my military background and all,” he said, his eyes darting around the garage to avoid hers.

“Mm,” she hummed. “Let me know if I can take anything off your plate. You know I’ve got your back,” she told him warmly, peering into his eyes with a look of sincerity.

“I know. I appreciate it,” he told her, forcing a smile.

“Anyway, check out our rig,” she said sarcastically, gesturing to the bureau-issued black SUV behind her. “It’s very unique and way better than your old truck,” she mocked, smiling as she tried to lighten the mood.

Against his best efforts, a smile crept away from his mouth as her weak attempt at cheering him up succeeded. Her head tilted as her eyes looked over at him with a glimmer he had only noticed a few other times before.

“C’mon. Let’s take this baby for a spin,” she finally told him, tossing him the keys as she made her way to the passenger side of the car.

Jay’s nerves picked up when they arrived at the convention center. Since they were going in undercover, they had changed into street clothes to blend in. He had chosen one of his old Ranger shirts and jeans, and Hailey opted for a plain white t-shirt and jeans. When they got out of the car, she reached into the backseat, grabbing a ball cap and securing it on her head before closing the door. The word “Navy” was written across it in yellow letters. She didn’t wear hats often, but Jay admired when she did. They suited her, however seeing her rep the Navy stung him a bit.

“You just had to choose Navy didn’t you,” he mocked at her with a scoff, knowing she could have chosen any branch to represent as they attempted to blend into the crowd.  

“What?” she feigned ignorance as Jay gave her a look of annoyance. “Drake loaned it to me,” she told him, turning her head up and brushing past him towards the entrance of the building.

“Mm. You know you always could have just borrowed something of mine,” he called after her, taking quick strides to catch up.

“Yeah, but then I wouldn’t have been able to see that look on your face,” she teased, her attention remaining straight ahead as she smirked slyly. He shook his head with a childish frown as he followed her to the entrance of the building.

Immediately upon walking through the doors, they caught sight of Daisy and Walker waiting for them under a welcome sign. They checked in and grabbed their name tags, before walking over to the two agents to convene before they set out into the center to try and track down the activists. Based on the intel provided by the whistleblower, they learned that the plan was to send in five members, each armed with undetectable weapons to disperse into the convention center and target high-ranking officials from each branch of the military. There was a panel later in the afternoon in which these individuals would all be on stage, the perfect opportunity to carry out the attack. Intel also revealed the individuals would be wearing red shoelaces so that they could spot each other in the crowd, a tidbit the four of them were happy to use to their advantage.

“Four of us, five of them. We need to split up. Hailey and I can take the first and second floor, you guys take the third and fourth. We each get a floor and call for backup the second we find any of these guys. If you spot one, take them down quietly, we can’t risk them alerting the others,” Jay commanded, taking point on the operation. They all nodded before breaking off and heading towards their separate floors.

“I’ll take the second floor,” Hailey told him, moving past him to climb the stairs.

“Wait,” he called after her, grasping her wrist lightly to stop her.

She looked down at his hand on her wrist, her eyes lingering for a moment before swallowing hard and bringing them back up to meet his. He quickly released his hand, bringing it to his pocket before he spoke.

“I- Just be careful, yeah?” He said simply, avoiding what he originally intended to say. Despite what he previously told both her and Drake, the case and being in a room full of veterans was affecting him more than he would have liked to let on. He almost told her this, hoping she’d have something to say that would help calm the jumbled mess going on in his brain. Yet, he realized she would just worry more and insist on staying together as they sought out the targets, and they needed to split up for time’s sake. So, before the words could leave his mouth, he asked for reassurance of the only other thing on his mind. Her safety.

Her brow furrowed at his words almost like she knew that wasn’t what he wanted to say, but she just nodded simply in affirmation. She brought a fist to bump his chest lightly before turning back and once again heading toward the stairs. He took a deep breath and recited the prayer of St. Christopher his mother made him and Will memorize when they were younger. These were grounding techniques he learned during his time in therapy. When he first started therapy, he thought the techniques were bogus, but he came to learn they really helped him cope when things began to trigger him.  

He took one final breath before making his way through the crowd of people, glancing down at the floor every few seconds to survey the shoes of those around him, trying to spot any glimpse of red he could.

Half an hour had passed, and it had been radio silence over the coms. He knew the operation would be difficult, but he thought for sure by that point they would have found at least one of the offenders. Just as he began brainstorming different strategies in his head, he caught a glimmer of red on the floor, doing a double-take and stopping in his tracks to confirm his mind wasn’t playing tricks on him. The red shoelaces were there, plain as day, and the man wearing them was by himself, surveying the crowd nervously.

“I’ve got one of the targets. First floor near the east corner by a couple of food vendors. I’m moving in now, meet at the rendezvous,” he said into the coms before walking towards the coffee stand to his right. He grabbed a coffee, filling the cup with cream to cool it down before walking towards the target. A few steps away from the man, he faked a trip, sending the contents in the cup all over him.

“Woah, I’m so sorry, man,” Jay called out, reaching for napkins to try and help the man dry his drenched shirt.

“What the hell is your problem?” The guy questioned, a look of fury on his face.

“That is totally my bad. I’m such a klutz. I didn’t see that bump on the floor,” Jay told the man, handing him napkins as he attempted to pat his shirt dry. “Hey, you need to get that under some water. The men’s room is right around that corner and I think there were hand dryers in there,” he said, pointing around a corner. The man angrily turned, making his way in the direction Jay had just pointed to.

“Eyes up, he’s coming your way,” he said into his mic.

They grabbed the man up, locking him in a backroom the convention center had provided to them for detainment. The hope was that they could get him to give up the location of the other men, but his silence proved he wasn’t giving anything up.

“Why don’t you two keep questioning him, Daisy and I will go back out there and sniff the rest of these guys out,” Walker told the two partners. Jay clenched his jaw tightly as he eyed the target on the other side of the room. He hadn’t had the chance to question him yet, but he already knew whatever he had to say was going to just piss him off.  

“You okay for that?” Hailey asked, turning to face him. Her eyes were cut up at him under the brim of her hat, and there was an earnest look on her face as she awaited his response.

“What do you mean by that?” Walker questioned before Jay could answer. He and Daisy weren’t aware of his history, certainly not in the way Hailey was. The last thing he wanted to do in that moment was dish out the details of his PTSD.

“Nothing,” he told the man bluntly before turning back to Hailey. “I’m fine, really,” he told her. As convincing as he tried to be, her eyes loitered on his face as she tried to measure the truth behind his words.

“You guys go ahead, we’ve got him,” she finally told the other two agents before they hesitantly turned on their heels to head back into the convention center. The second they were gone she stepped closer to him so she could speak to him without the man hearing.

“Look, I’m trusting you here, but the second you start to cross a line, I’m pulling you. This isn’t Intelligence. We can’t take the same risks here that we could under Voight. Understood?” She told him in a low voice. He bobbed his head up and down in agreement before making his way over to the man.

When they first detained the guy, they snapped a picture and sent it back to the analysts at headquarters to get an ID. Jay scanned the man’s file on his phone before slowly making his way over to him. He took a chair and sat it across from the man, turning it so he could sit with his arms crossed over the back of it.

“Mark Jones. You are quite the model citizen. Numerous charges for assault and battery, disturbing the peace, unlawful assembly, multiple violations of restraining orders, the list really goes on. But I don’t care about all of that. I care about why you’re at a veteran’s convention considering how public you’ve been about your hatred for the military,” Jay said, his eyes staring daggers into the man’s face.

“I ain’t talking to you. You’re just another pawn in the game. Too stupid and brainwashed to realize you guys are just a bunch of empty-headed murderers, blindly following whatever our so-called government tells you to,” the man spat back.

Murderers. The word made faces appear in Jay’s head. Faces of those he had killed both in Afghanistan and in Chicago. Faces he had spent years tormented by. He took several deep breaths, trying to ground himself. To keep from losing control. He looked over at Hailey who stood beside him, her arms crossed as she glared at the man across from them. Her attention turned to him and the expression on her face remained the same while the look in her eyes adjusted, sending him a soft message of support. This reassured him and he took one last deep breath before turning his attention back to the man.

“Where are the others?” Jay questioned, dragging out each word through clenched teeth. The man only gave him a snarl and an evil smile. He knew he was rattling Jay, and that only got him even more riled up.

“Ranger, huh?” He asked, avoiding Jay’s question completely and reading the letters across his shirt. “Y’all are the worst ones of them all. What’s your body count?” The man questioned, shifting his eyes from Jay to Hailey. “Baby blues here probably wouldn’t even be able to look you in the eyes if she knew how many, am I right?” The man laughed. Jay let out an annoyed laugh, staring into the space behind the man silently. His tongue trailed the back of his bottom teeth, the rage burning inside him and churning with every word that left the man’s mouth. Suddenly, he stood from his chair, kicking it towards the man aggressively before grabbing him by the collar. Almost immediately, he felt Hailey tugging at his arm to pull him off.

“You’re done, back up or get out,” she told him assertively. He continued scowling at the man, not moving from his position. She pushed against his chest, dropping her tone. “Jay, I’m serious. I’ve got this, stand back,” she told him in a whisper. Her voice snapped him out of the state he was in, and he threw his hands up, backing up and making his way to the wall on the other side of the room.

Jay’s ears rang as he blankly watched Hailey question the man. The room felt like it was spinning and whatever words were being exchanged between the two weren’t registering inside his head. All he could hear was a ringing in his ears, and what sounded like his heart beating out of his chest as his breath and heart rate increased out of control. He closed his eyes and took a breath. In for seven, out for eight. He quietly whispered the prayer of St. Christopher once again.

Grant me, O Lord, a steady hand and watchful eye, that no one shall be hurt as I pass by. You gave life, I pray no act of mine may take away or mar that gift of Thine. Shelter those, dear Lord, who bear my company from the evils of fire and all calamity.

When he opened his eyes, he was startled to see Hailey slowly and cautiously making her way toward him. Her brow was raised at him, and she turned around to look at their detainee before grabbing at Jay’s forearm and dragging him around the corner gently, out of the man’s sight.

“Are you good?” She questioned, a fearful look on her face and deep concern in her voice.

“Yeah,” he told her unconvincingly. But the rapid beating of his heart and the fog in his brain said otherwise. Almost like he had lost control of his body, he blurted out the word “no” as he shook his head. “I just, I-“ there was desperation in his voice, and the words fell out between irregular breaths. He noticed Hailey’s eyes begin to gloss over and she removed her hat, placing it on a chair beside them before closing the space between them. She then reached down to grab his hand, raising it to place it over her heart, keeping it there with her hand pressed tightly over his. This froze him, causing him to lose his breath completely as he brought his eyes down to meet hers. Any other time the touch would’ve had his heart racing, but somehow in that moment, it was what was calming him down.

“Jay, just control your breathing. Feel my heart beating, feel my hand against yours. You’re in America. You’re in New York. We’re both right here together, and you’re okay,” she whispered, taking deep breaths. She counted out her inhales and exhales, urging him to match her pattern of breathing. After a few moments like that, his breathing became normal again and they separated, taking a step back after releasing from each other’s touch.

“I’m sorry,” he told her, feeling embarrassed and vulnerable for letting her see that side of him.

“No, do not be sorry. You have nothing to apologize for.”

He nodded. “How’d you know what to do?” He questioned, picking up on the ease in which she was able to help him overcome the episode.

“After watching you deal with your PTSD alone early in our partnership, I decided to learn how I could help you in those situations in case I ever needed to. I actually asked the department shrink back in Chicago if she could give me any tips. She gave me those grounding techniques, the focusing on your senses, controlling your breathing…” her voice trailed off. He was looking at her deeply, feeling overwhelmed by the amount of care and concern she had for him. When she noticed the way he was looking at her, she looked away bashfully, reaching for her hat and securing it back on her head before clearing her throat.

“Anyway, are you okay?” She questioned. He nodded.

“Thank you.”

She took a deep breath before reaching to speak into the coms.

“Bennett, Burrows, Jones wouldn’t give me any leads on where the others are, but we need to find them fast. I was able to find out that at least two of them are carrying deadly aerosols. They’re after more than just the officials, they want to target as many of these veterans as possible,” she told them.

After calling in two other agents to watch the detainee, Jay and Hailey made their way back into the convention center. Against protest, she insisted they clear the place together. He knew it slowed down the operation, but it comforted him to know she was by his side in case he began to slip into a dark place again. About an hour passed, and they had no luck. The panel that would gather most of the convention attendees and all of the high-ranking officials was soon approaching, and Jay had a new idea to get the guys, but it was risky. They reconvened in the detainment room upon his request. Each of the agents eyed him, waiting for him to speak.

“I think we need to let the panel happen. We know this is what these guys are targeting. It’ll be easier to spot them this way, and we can get them all at once,” Jay proposed, looking between each of them for their reaction.

“It’s too risky, we’d be putting everyone in the room at risk,” Walker said, strongly opposing the suggestion.

“I don’t know, he has a good point. Having them all in one place, we don’t risk one of them slipping through the cracks,” Daisy voiced in support.

“Or it makes everything ten times worse, and they all get lost in the crowd,” Walker argued back. Hailey was quiet throughout the interaction, and they all looked to her to get her opinion.

“I think it’s risky, but I also think it’s the only play we have left,” Hailey said.

“Yeah, well you shouldn’t get a say, you would clearly side with him no matter what,” Walker said bluntly.

“Excuse me?” Hailey bit back. Before the conflict could go any further, Daisy butted in.

“You’re outnumbered here, Burrows, and we’re out of time. We’re doing Halstead’s plan,” she said straightly, turning to head back into the center. There was a distinct tension in the room, but they all shook it off to focus on the task at hand.

It was decided, they wait until the panel began and sniff the guys out. They called in another unit of covert tact guys to cover the perimeter of the crowd. Every minute that passed had them all on edge, and none of them had spotted the guys. Eventually, Daisy got the idea to pull the fire alarm. The ones who looked panicked, desperate to get to the exits would weed out the targets who would be desperate to stay inside. With a stroke of luck, the plan worked. Some of the tact guys were able to spot and take down two of the offenders, Jay and Daisy got another, while Walker and Hailey were left wrestling another to the ground. In the process, the man had dropped an aerosol canister. Hailey’s heart stopped as she watched it roll across the floor, but she breathed a sigh of relief when they got to it with the lid still sealed. The day ended much better than they could have all imagined.

Back at the office, they worked on paperwork late into the night. Jay was still distracted, still dealing with the effects of the day. Hailey helped him with the paperwork so they could get out of there more quickly, something he was grateful for. Logging off their computers and closing up files, Walker rose from his chair.

“I’m really sorry about earlier, I say we all go out to drinks. Clear up the air. I’m buying the first round,” he said, addressing every single one of them as he pulled on his coat.

“You know I would, but I’ve got a baby to get home to. After today, all I need are some tiny person cuddles,” Daisy said with a tired smirk.

“I’m in,” Hailey said, looking over at Jay as they awaited his response.

“I appreciate the apology, but today really had me beat, I’d rather just go home and sleep it all off,” Jay said as he rose from his chair.  Hailey’s gaze remained fixed on him a moment, almost like she was asking if he was okay without saying a word at all. He nodded his head, slowly blinking his eyes at her and she sent him a false smile in response.

“You and me then, kid,” Walker said, eyeing Hailey with a less than wholesome look. Jay tensed up at the thought of the two of them, alone in a bar, winding down in the way he and Hailey were so used to doing. But after everything that had happened, he wasn’t feeling social, and the last thing he wanted was to be out for drinks with the two of them as Walker ogled Hailey the entire night. They left the desks to head out, and he slowly pulled on his coat and grabbed his phone and keys.

“Jay, wait up,” Drake called after him as he passed his office.

“Yes sir?” Jay questioned.

“Nice work today, I know it couldn’t have been easy. At least it wouldn’t have been for me,” he told him, sending a look of sincerity.

“It wasn’t easy, but Upton had my back.”

“Yeah, she’s a good one isn’t she?” Drake said. Jay looked behind him towards the elevators where she and Walker were waiting together. Walker said something to make her laugh, causing Jay’s face to drop immediately. He forced a smile before turning back to Drake.

“Yeah she’s a good piece of gear,” he told him, a phrase only a fellow military man would understand. Drake flashed him a smile in return, and Jay hung his head low.

“Goodnight, Halstead,” Drake told him.

“Goodnight, sir,” he returned before heading out.

He was still trying to decompress after the heaviness of the day, but he couldn’t get the idea of Walker and Hailey out of his head. He’d wished she would’ve said no, wished she wouldn’t be on her way to spend who knows how long with him at a bar. He also wished she would show up at his door, despite him saying he wanted to be alone, bearing booze and comfortable silence that always brought him peace after cases like that day’s. Yet, that night he knew she wouldn’t. So, he went home and immediately went to bed. Part of him was scared to sleep, bracing himself for whatever nightmares were to come as a result of the day’s triggers. He kept a light on that night, knowing if he woke up in the middle of the night from a bad dream it would remind him that he wasn’t in the middle of the desert, fighting for his life and trying to protect those around him. He recited the prayer of St. Christopher for the third time that day, but this time before he could get out all of the words, he was overcome with exhaustion and gave in to sleep.