#it got taken like . maybe 15 years ago or something like that

[stump-not-found]

About theseus’ guide: When Ford gets his first wanted poster, does Bill and the gang throw him a surprise party or what?

they absolutely do and he just sits in a chair head in hands the entire time . they stick a party hat on his head . tries to put a drink in his hand but it just falls over

[divinedelusional]

ethereal

nate archibald x female reader

word count: 2356

warnings: slight angst i guess, altough is mainly fluff, and happy ending! slight hurt/comfort? mentions of alcohol. body image, insecurities. slightly suggestive at the end, but no smut! also Serena is not a villian in this.

synopsis: you get insecure about your smaller breasts while picking out a dress to wear for the white party, but Nate is there to comfort you

a/n: requested by the lovely @luluartpop! i hope i met your expectations. it's a longer fic and i know i could do it in a headcanon form, but what can i say, i got carried away with summer in the hamptons fantasy, xoxo

Sun illuminated your skin, slightly damp after taking a swim in the giant pool at the Hamptons house. Nate went to play squash with Chuck, leaving you for an hour, so you decided to relax outside. You couldn't be happier at the moment. You and Nate started dating right after new years party, and now that summer was coming to an end, your relationship was going strong after nine months. You were so comfortable and so in love with each other and most importantly you trusted each other. Nate didn't question you for hours before you were going out with your friends and you never were mad at him when girls tried to flirt with him. He only had his eyes on you and every girl who thought she stood a chance with him, quickly found out that he is taken and is proud to be your boyfriend. Speaking of your boyfriend, you suddenly noticed that someone blocked the sun, snapping you out of your thoughts.

"You're blocking the sun, baby" you said not opening your eyes.

"Oh really? My bad" Nate answered smirking and sat next you on the lounger. "Babe, i wanna se your pretty eyes" he said rubbing your thigh.

"Don't you know that the prince needs to kiss the princess so she'll open her eyes?" you asked lazily.

Nate's hand moved from your thigh to cup your waist, he leaned in and you felt his sweet lips on yours. He was kissing you slowly, licked your lower lip and you let him in. You continued to kiss like this for a while.

"You taste like watermelon" Nate said smiling.

"That's my watermelon maragritas, you can have one too" you said and got up from the chair.

"Where you going?" Nate asked.

"I need to get dressed, Serena's going to be here in like 10 minutes" Nate looked at you confused. "You know, to try on some dresses? For the white party tomorrow." you smiled

"Ohh right yeah." Nate got up from his spot too. "So have fun then." he smiled and gave you quick kiss.

You were just about to disappear in the house, when Nate yelled after you.

"Y/N!"

"What?"

"You look fuckin hot"

"Oh, I know that" you gave him million dollar smile, but when you entered the house you giggled at his compliment, excited to pick an outfit for tomorrow's party that you'll look just as hot in as you looked in your bikini now.

"Come on you got a bunch of white dresses in your closet" Serena said while roaming through the racks.

"Nothing feels right you know" you answered staring at the floor.

Serena found a dress for herself 15 minutes ago. Actually she tried on just two dresses out of ten she brought to your house and was pleased with her choice. You on the other hand didn't like any outfit you saw yourself wearing in your head, when you thought about the party earlier.

"Hey, what's Nate gonna wear? Maybe that will give you some inspiration, you could match or something" Serena smiled.

"Oh he said he has like three options and when I tell him what's the vibe of my outfit he's gonna take the one that matches mine the most" you smiled softly.

"What do you think of this one?" Serena took a dress out of her stash of clothes.

It was a simple white tube dress, with a flowy skirt, material very light and similar to the dress Serena chose for herself. You quickly tried it on and looked at yourself in the mirror.

"Serena I look like a braidsmaid at a beach wedding"

"But maybe that's the vibe! You could have your hair down in a loose braid, or we can even put some flowers in your hair"

The idea would occurred to you, if only ten minutes ago Serena wouldn't say no to the dress you liked the best, which was short, satin dress, with thin straps and square neckline that was a perfect fit for your smaller breasts. Besides, that dress was special to you, because the first day of your Hamptons vacation, Nate surprised you with a picnic and you were wearing it. You thought it would be nice to wear it to end summer.

"Serena, you told me the picnic satin dress wasn't good enough, because white party is too formal event for such and now you wanna go with beach wedding vibe?" you asked, no malice in your tone, although you started to get annoyed.

"Oh gosh yeah I guess your right" your friend chuckled. "Uhmm but I don't know if you don't want to go in any of your dresses maybe I'll lend you this one? It's similar to mine, but the shoulders are down, and you like this type" Serena handed you the dress. She was right, you liked summer clothes with shoulder down and the dress was really pretty with slight sliver shine, while Serena's dress was milky white. You changed into the dress and Serena gasped.

"Y/N!" you look like a princess!" you twirled in her dress and you'd have to say she was right.

"You're gonna wear your hair up?" you asked her and she nodded. "Then that way I can wear them down, maybe put this pearl clip in the back of my head"

"Yess!! And we can totally match that way, oh my god I'm so excited!" Serena exclaimed. She stood next to you in the mirror and you truly looked amazing together. But there was one thing that suddenly got you upset. Broad straps of Serena's dress, the depp v line and material gathered in the middle of her chest made her cleavage and boobs look perfect. Meanwhile you realized that if you want to make your breasts to look as good in your dress, you'd need to wear a strapless push up bra, or tape your boobs the right way and you hated doing that. Last time you used boob tape was probably for the dress you wore at cotillion, almost a year ago. You sighed, tired with the fitting but masked your concerns with a smile.

"Can't wait to wear that dress then"

"Baby, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?" You and Nate were outside eating your dinner, he ordered you favorite ravioli and opened a bottle of white wine, yet you didn't take a sip this evening and barely ate two ravioli.

"You've been dragging that raviolo through your plate for over ten minutes baby, what is it? You're feeling sick or something?"

"No, no Nate I just... I don't know, I'm just not that hungry right now. In fact you know, I am gonna go take a shower, I'll eat later" you said getting up from the table.

"Okay, but Y/N, please if you need something just call me okay? I'll do the dishes and I'll go upstairs." Nate put your hand on yours before you got up from the table.

"Sure, don't worry baby" you said and went upstairs with your eyes already glossed, but thankfully Nate couldn't see it. You quickly got upstairs and laid on the bed, trying to figure out a way to escape thoughts that were bringing you down. After what felt like a second to you, you got up but you realized you've been laying like that for 15 minutes. You wanted to finally take a shower, but you noticed the dress you were supposed to wear tomorrow and suddenly tears filled your eyes. You let out a silent sob, your back turned to the door, so you didn't see Nate coming in.

"Y/N baby, what is it?" you felt your boyfriends hands on your arms. You looked at him, tears streaming down your cheeks, you sobbed again. The view was breaking his heart.

"Nate" you chocked out, when he took you in your arms. You clinged to him and he walked you towards the bed and sat you on his lap. He was stroking your hair, not saying anything, waiting for you to let it all out.

"Sweetheart?" he asked when your sobs stopped. You were tracing circles on his chest with your finger and you hid your head in the crook of his neck when you mumbled "It's Serena".

"What? What happened?" he asked confused.

"Well it's actually not Serena, well partly but... i mean it's about her and the dresses too."

"Something happened while you were trying on the dresses? Baby please tell me"

"But promise you won't laugh Nate, deep down I know that what im gonna say it's stupid, but please"

"How could I ever laugh at you in such situation? Don't worry baby, just tell me" You took a deep breath and you told him everything.

"I mean we were trying on this dress right, and I wanted to wear the one I had on our picnic you know which one" Nate nodded "And Serena said that the white party was too formal for this"

"What? Where on earth? I mean it's not like you can wear pjs but the dress would be amazing!"

"Yeah I know, but then I was like, maybe I can wear something new right, so she gave me her dress" you pointed at the chair that the dress was laying on. "You know we could match each other with this dresses but her... her" you sniffled.

"Her what?" You yet again hid your face from him. He felt your tears on his t shirt.

"Her boobs look better than mine and I don't wanna go. They,re so small and I don't want to keep disappointing you," you finally said it.

"Hey, babe, look at me please" you looked at him, already embarrassed with what you just said. Nate's hand went under your blouse and rested on your left breast, but he didn't take his eyes off of yours.

"Listen to me baby. I. Love them" he said and squeezed your breast lightly. You let a small gasp. "I also love you" he cupped your face in his hands, thumb wiping off your tears. You chuckled. "Seriously babe, I don't know why you suddenly felt that way about your perfect chest but listen I love it. I love you. You look amazing sweetie. Everyday. In your bikini when you spend hours in water and then the next couple hours tanning. In my t-shirts in the morning, or after shower when we're watching a movie. In your sports bra, when we're going for a run in the morning. Oh and this picnic dress Serena didn't like? You know how you looked that day? Ethereal baby. Seriously, that day, first day of summer I thought to myself how lucky I am, that a girl who's so beautiful both outside and inside, is mine. Three months went by and I still can't believe my luck, you know that?"

You looked at your boyfriend in awe, feeling like you could start to cry again any minute.

"Nate, honey I don't know what to say..."

"You don't need to" Nate said taking your hands in his. "Just don't let your thoughts do that to you. Don't doubt yourself, your beauty, and my love for you. And don't listen to Serena if she says something stupid" you let out a laugh at that one. "Why'd you cared about her anyway?"

"I don't know, i know she didn't want to upset me, I didn't even let her see how I felt"

"Then what was it?"

"She just you know, she looked wonderful in her dress. Perfect. And you know, your history I thought that..."

"Our history ended, y/n. A long time ago. Since you're in my life, there's no one who could compare to you. She may be perfect to everyone else, but you are my perfection." Nate looked at you again, as you smiled sincerely for the first time today, since the dress fitting.

"There she is" Nate said smiling. You hugged him once more, relaxing into his embrace.

"I don't know what I'd do without you, baby" you said.

"And what I'd be without you I don't know either" Nate chuckled and kissed your head. "Hey babe, but what about the dress?"

"Oh my god" you said, getting out of his grip and getting of the bed.

"Hey baby easy, didn't want to stress you"

"No Nate im fine" you called roaming through the racks "I just remembered I had something perfect" Nate got out of bed and followed you, curious what you found.

"Here! This is what I looked for!". you exclaimed. You were holding a hanger with a linen white dress, spaghetti straps meeting at where the nape of the neck would be, backless with high slit on the right side. So simple but so classy.

Nate looked at you with adoration, happy that your spirit was back, his girl happy with sparkling eyes, that was all he needed.

"I'll try it on tomorrow I'm too tired for this today" you said happy that you finally chose something.

"I'm sure it will fit perfectly, sweetheart" Nate came up to you wrapping his arms around your waist. "You were saying something about shower earlier?"

"Yeah, you wanna go?"

"Mhm, in a minute" he started kissing your neck.

"Why not now?"

"You know" he started taking your blouse off, his hands cupped your breasts. "I have to make sure your not gonna get insecure about 'em" he twisted your nipple gently. You moaned a little.

"Can you be doing that while we shower?"

"Yes ma'am" he kissed your neck and picked you up bride style.

Needless to say that the next day at the white party you and Nate stole the show. You looked amazing in your dress, you were also glad that you choose this one, cause it covered all of the hickeys Nate left on your breasts last night, you couldn't even believe that yesterday you were so insecure. You were glowing and Nate couldn't be happier. Summer was coming to an end, but he was sure that your relationship was just at the beginning of a long, love filled journey.

reblogs and comments appreciatated♡

[arjudy224]

Visiting an old friend

Ghosts from her past chased her away from Gotham. Now, that she's back at home some things are trying to bubble to the surface.

Prequel: Death of a family

The Intern: Day one

The Intern: The Laughing Fish

The Intern: Busy Work

The Intern: Outreach Gala

The Intern: Teachers Pet

The Intern: Visiting an old friend

The Intern: Chemical Valley

The Intern: Billionaire Boys Club

After the 36th topographic map of the day, my eyes begin to glaze over. Why do we still have physical maps from the 1800s? I swear if Gordan accidentally dropped a cigarette all of GCPD would burst into flames.

Interrupting my theory, a group of voices calls me over to Gordan's desk. The colorful group of characters causes me to raise an eyebrow. Whatever it is, it must be serious if the batfamily is involved.

"You knew that missing Wayne boy, didn't you?"

I nod at Gotham's gang of vigilantes. Nightwing winks at me. I flash him a smile.

"Which one? From what I've heard, Mr. Wayne adopts a new orphan every other day." I remark in a smug tone of voice. Nightwing lets out a light laugh.

"Jason."

The years of learning to cope with this grief disappear. All of a sudden, I am 15 again wondering if the boy I liked would talk to me at school. I should have known he would come up eventually. My smile drops.

"Briefly... We went to school together." I elaborate carefully weighing out the correct reply.

"How would you describe the word "brief," Ms. L/N?" Detective Montoya asks sliding a few photos in my direction.

The photo on top was the last Christmas before he went "missing".

We had spent the entire day working on a book report when Alfred announced that he was making x-mas cookies. Stumbling to our feet, Jay's older brother, Dick, waited impatiently with a bag of flower. The two brothers had bickered over their gingerbread house stability until I lightly threw a tuff of flower at Dick. Before I knew it, Jason held my arms to my sides while Dick emptied a bag of flower on my head. Alfred had captured the photo as I put Jason in a headlock. All three of us beamed at the camera. My hair smelled like flower for weeks afterword, but it was worth it.

The next photo was my birthday. Jason and I had taken a road trip to Metropolis to see my family. The camera caught the blush on my cheeks as he kissed my forehead. The candles were still lit.

The piles of photos make me dizzy. Fall break. Our first winter. Mixed in the photos are handwritten notes.

Got a surprise for you this evening. Wear something nice ;)

-J

Meet me at the top of Wayne Tower

-J

A wave of emotions floods my senses. I lost all of that in the move to Metropolis. Staring directly at the reclaimed memorabilia, I frown. Maybe it was stolen all along.

"Why do you ask Detective?" I ask analyzing the box.

"An anonymous source sent these a few days ago."

"Does this look familiar?" He questions dangling a rusted Robin pendant. A dried splotch of blood covered the typical silver exterior.

I stop breathing. That's not possible... It was in the casket. Taking the necklace in my hands, I gently pry the mechanisms open to reveal a familiar engraving: Next time you fly away, Don't forget about me at home. I love you, Robin.

"Where did you get that?" I whisper breathlessly.

The blood slowly drains from my face. The room starts moving. Years of pent of sorrow slam against the dam of my mind.

"Uhhh.. I told you it was..."

"No." I snap suddenly addressing the whole group, "Leave me out of this. Do not make me relive his death."

Turning on my heel, Nightwing stops me from leaving.

"I'm sorry Y/N. I know this must be painful for you, but...."

"But what?" I demand, "That is not my life anymore."

Batman finally speaks up.

"Because someone left these on your desk"

The room goes silent. What?

I frown.

"Who?"

"We don't know yet. We wanted you to be aware. The past always finds a way back to us."

Batman's compassionate gaze fuels my rage. I don't want his empathy.

Finding a crowbar was the easy part. It was tracking down the Clown Prince of Crime that proved to be the challenge. Nightwing was already ten steps ahead due to his bat training. By the time I had stumbled into his operation, it was far too late for either one of us to back out.

The Joker's pale skin contrasts the blood dripping from his forehead beautifully. With each slam of the crowbar, I imagine I'm avenging him. What does Batman always say? Justice. Well, this is justice. The blood splatter clouds my vision, but I can't shake the feeling that I'm feeding into whatever plan he has. The wheezing laughter after every bludgeon causes goosebumps to form across my skin.

"Nightwing, you want to be a part of this?" I call out extending the bloody crowbar.

There is no response. I pause. Where the hell is he?

After one last kick, I search the hallways for the chatty superhero.

Right. Left. Right. Left. The winding hallways are a maze.

"Y/N!" Nightwing chokes out when I walk in.

Sprinting to the man, I examine his restraints. These are precise. Whoever did this must have been incredibly skilled... There is a sharp crack against my skull. Shooting pain erupts from the spot. I black out before I can register what happened.

Batman had found both of us bound and beaten a few days later. The Joker left us alive as a joke. The brand on my forearm tingles from the memory. Joker always thought it was funny to leave me alive with the physical reminder branded on my skin that I had ... failed.

Is this some kind of sick joke?

Glancing at the clock, I relish the end of my shift.

"Keep me updated on any developments." I say, "I've got something I need to do."

"And what's that?" Nightwing calls out.

Grabbing my purse, I pause before replying.

"Visit an old friend."

The full moon illuminates my path, but I could find my way even in complete darkness. It used to be second nature. Follow the main road. Sneak past the main gate that we used to climb over. Avoid the cameras. No need for Bruce to get paranoid. The lonely gravestone stares blankly at me. After all these years, the tears still come.

“Hey Jay,” I say with a pained smile, “It’s been a while.”

The familiar suffocation knocks me off my feet. I sit cross-legged at the base of the grave. The years of weathering have chipped away at the integrity of the stone, yet it stands tall. Vines have grown around the other graves in the area. Something tells me that a certain Butler may be why his grave is intact. A cluster of fallen leaves blanket his plot of land.

“I hate to say it Jay, but you look like shit,” I murmur dusting a few fallen leaves away from the plot. "I leave you for two years and all of a sudden you let yourself go. What would Alfred think?”

Running my fingers through the thick patches of grass, I ramble about the last couple years.

"I owe you 20 bucks." I start, "Nygma is terrible at poker."

The Iceberg Lounge hosts a variety of sins, but Eddie Nygma lost most of his blackmail money during a particularly bad game. For such an intelligent man, one would think he would be able to tame his boasts for the sake of the game. He couldn't.

A shadowy figure snaps a twig behind me. Turning my head, a familiar butler greets me with a smile.

“Ms. L/N, Welcome home.”

Alfred stands tall at my side. The last couple of years have deepened the already present lines on his face. However, his smile lines show proof of his last few years of joy.

“Hey Alfie, did you miss me?” I question climbing to my feet.

“Of course,” he responds,” I had nobody left to eat my cookies.”

I laugh at that before hugging the older gentleman. Dick could eat a platter of baked goods within seconds, but I appreciate the thought.

"Right," I begin, "Because you wouldn't be able to find anybody to eat your cookies...."

"None as entertaining as you Ms. L/N."

I beam up at the man. Always so charming.

"I'll take it as a compliment."

The older man wraps his jacket around himself tight. A frigid breeze shakes the trees.

“Why don’t you stop by for some tea? It’s chilly out here alone.”

I smile wistfully glancing back to the manor.

“I’d love to…. Another time. I’ve got a crazy load at work right now."

"Well Ms. L/N, you are always welcome. You know that."

I frown rolling a piece of grass in between my fingers.

"Besides," Alfred continues, "I get awfully lonely without my inside reporter of the Gotham social scene. "

Rolling my eyes, my smile reappears.

"You are such a gossip." I retort with a playful slap.

"Every day, I deal with costumed vigilantes who want to fight corruption in this city. I deserve to have a moment of petty gossip. Especially with one of my favorite girls."

__________________________________________________________

On a nearby roof, a shadow peers through the darkness. Maybe it was cruel of Jason to lead a trail back to his death. Nothing about the situation they were in seemed fair. But... Jason saw the way Dick looked at her when she first got back to Gotham. The word cruel doesn't explain how horrific it was to come back and find that everybody you loved replaced you. After years of working to make a name for himself, none of it mattered. Even in death, he didn't matter.

Tag list:

@nosyrobin, @jjsmeowthie,@soltik, luna-zendra-star,

[ladykailitha]

Icarus Part 1

Hello! I know there are a few minutes left of the poll, but there is nothing that could happen in the next 15 minutes that is going to change the outcome.

3 to 1 in favor of the main story first. The only reason I asked, was because that story has been finished a long time, but this one is just getting started. But the masses have spoken.

Original prompt here.

Summary: Eddie and the Corroded Coffin boys made it big right out of high school. So big that Metallica could open for them. Outselling the biggest bands and artists. They are huge. Then a small little indy metal band called The Fallen comes on the scene. They wear hoods and masks and go by aliases. Eddie (and most of the rest of the metal scene) are dismissive of them. More splash then talent.

Only fans don't thinks so. So when Dustin takes him to one of their concerts Eddie learns two things.

One that they are super talented.

And two, that he knows at least of one the members' of the band's real identity.

@mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @redfreckledwolf @emly03 @itsall-taken

****

Getting out of Hawkins had always been the dream. Being able to do it with three of the best people he had ever had the pleasure of knowing with their music? That was the cherry on top of the icing.

But Eddie never dreamed that Corroded would outsell one his favorite bands of all time. Never even crossed his mind to dream about.

But there it was in black and white. Corroded Coffin was the highest grossing band of the year. Metallica was seventh. Fuck they had outsold Taylor Swift for Christ’s sake.

Barely.

But it still counted damn it!

What was a surprise was the number nineteenth best selling band of the year. A band he’d never heard of before. The Fallen. It said the genre was metal in that little italic font.

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

Yeah, it was impossible to listen to every up and coming metal band. But if they had already hit this big with only their second album, surely Eddie would have heard them on the radio.

Only on their last tour Chrissy Cunningham, their beautiful and amazing manager had put an embargo on the radio because the riffs were finding their way into Eddie’s song writing. So he guessed it made sense that he hadn’t heard of them.

So he called the one person he knew who would have all the details on these guys.

“Dusty!” he greeted when the man picked up. Man. Shit, when did they all get so old?

“Eddie!” Dustin greeted back. “Finally back in town?”

Eddie grinned. “You know it. Dude, you know my tour schedule better than Chrissy does.”

“Maybe.”

He laughed. “Guess who hit the top of the most successful metal bands of the decade?”

“Oh my god!” Dustin screamed. “That’s so cool! Is the issue out on stands yet or did you get a sneaky peak for having made it to the top of their list?”

Eddie winced. “Sadly the later. But! I can bring it over to show you when I come to hang out.”

“That’s acceptable,” Dustin said. “Steve just got back in town, too. That label he works for sure does like dragging him all over the world.”

Eddie hummed. “Yeah? Where’d they send him this time?”

“Japan if you can believe it,” Dustin huffed. “He basically came home sometime around midnight and just crashed.”

Eddie didn’t know what Steve and Robin did for the studio, no one did. But the general consensus was that they were dogsbodies of some sort. Getting coffees for execs and stars, driving them places. Just stuff they didn’t want to hire out for, they made Robin and Steve do.

“I won’t be waking him up if I come over, will I?” Eddie asked, biting his lip. He had a crush on the other man. A large one. But fame and fortune kept getting in the way of something more.

“Nah,” Dustin assured him. “He woke up about an hour ago. He’s even showered and eaten. He’ll want to see you as much as I do.”

Eddie very much doubted that, but he was going to take it. “Great! This list is insane, man. I can’t wait for you to see it.”

“Come over for dinner,” Dustin suggested. “We’ll pour over the list over pizza and beer.”

Eddie rolled his eyes. “I can’t believe you’re old enough for beer now.”

“Yeah, yeah, old man,” Dustin said. Eddie could feel the eye roll from here.

****

Eddie was watching Steve in interest.

He was walking around like he was used to being in high heels or something, as he would catch himself on his toes and force his feet down on his heels.

He would jump at Dustin throwing open the door. He kept touching his face and rubbing at his throat.

Robin was constantly pushing tea into his hands to get them settle. When they weren’t cradling the tea mugs, they were all over the place. Not just his face. But his back and stomach, too. Rubbing his palms on the front of his jeans.

“Dude!” Dustin hissed. “What is wrong with you? Japan can’t have been that different from America.”

Steve winced from the sound. “Bud, you are seriously being too loud. I told you that I have a migraine.”

Eddie tilted his head. “Hey do you need me to go? Butthead here said you were fine.”

Steve looked up at Eddie and his expression softened. “I’m fine as long as you aren’t yelling like Dusty Buns, here.”

Eddie chuckled. “I hear that. So how was Japan? When me and the boys went a couple years ago it was so beautiful.”

Steve rubbed his forehead between his eyebrows. “I wish I could have seen more of it. It felt like we were running nonstop. At least we aren’t roadies. I don’t think I could do the work they do. They’re the true beating heart of the operation.”

Eddie nodded. “Our last tour we had twelve trucks of roadies and equipment. It was insane.”

Robin grabbed Steve’s cold tea mug and swapped it with a warm one. Steve murmured his thanks. “I’m still not sure if I’m on this time zone yet. And I worry that this fucking migraine may throw me off even further.”

“Is that why Robin is plying you with tea?” Eddie asked. “To keep you awake enough to go bed at the right time?”

Steve nodded, humming contently over the cup of tea. “Nothing caffeinated, not really. Peppermint for the most part, honey lemon, too. She thinks I might be coming down with travelers’ cough.”

Again Steve made an aborted movement toward his face.

“Stop doing that!” Dustin hissed again. “Why do you keep touching your face like that? Did the Tibetan monks curse you or something?”

Robin smacked the back of his head. “That’s China, doofus! And no, no one has been cursed. We had to wear face masks like the surgeons wear for a lot of the trip because there had been a flu outbreak.”

Eddie nodded. “Ooh, yeah. They recommended we wear them too in certain areas, it wouldn’t surprise me if I was that twitchy when we moved to the Australian leg of the tour.”

Dustin eyed Steve warily, like he wasn’t sure if he should believe him or not, but Eddie had backed him up, so Dustin decided to let it go.

For now.

“Where were you touring again?” Steve asked Eddie after taking a long sip from his mug. “South America, wasn’t it?”

“Right in one, big boy,” Eddie enthused. “It was our first time in some of those countries so it was super exciting meeting the people, learning the culture, eating the food. I swear by the end of the tour we had all gained at least ten pounds and that was with us sweating our asses off on stage almost every night.”

Steve winced. “I don’t know how you guys do it, the stage lights we had were merciless.”

“Years and years of practice, Stevie,” Eddie said, “years and years of practice.”

Dustin turned to Eddie. “All right I think I’ve been patient enough, I want to see the top twenty money makers of metal before I vibrate out of my skin.”

Steve laughed and smacked the back of his head. “You know who number one is, why do you care about the other nineteen?”

Eddie shook his head. “Not just metal bands, my weird little friend. But out of all the bands.”

He pulled out the magazine and Dustin snatched it out of his hands, careful not to rip it.

Dustin was furiously reading the list and it was clear that he was looking for someone specific.

“Eureka!” he cried. “I knew it! I knew they were outselling other new metal bands.”

Steve looked over his shoulder. “Yeah? Who’s that, bud?”

“The Fallen!” he cried. “They are so cool man. They have these on stage personas like Daft Punk and they kick ass on stage. I was so bummed when they didn’t come to Pasadena or anywhere near there when they were doing their US leg of their tour.”

Dustin was going to school at Caltech because as much as he wanted to go to MIT his mom was worried about him being by himself, so he moved out to California to move in with Steve.

He was on campus for housing most of the year, but he came home on the weekends and that put Claudia’s mind at rest.

Steve himself had moved out to California a couple of years before. Robin and him had gotten a job at record company and had to move out there to be closer to the headquarters.

Interestingly, or at least to Dustin, Steve’s friends all found jobs out here, too.

“I saw that one,” Eddie was saying. “But I’d never heard of them are they any good?”

Dustin scoffed. “Are they any good? Holy shit are they good.”

Steve rolled his eyes. “They’re a metal band, no offense to Eddie here, but there are only three metal bands on the whole list. Most of them are pop, rap, or country. How good can they be?”

Eddie scoffed and held his hands to his heart. “You wound me!” Then he flopped on the sofa, playing dead.

“That’s what does make them so good, Steve,” Dustin insisted. “Because there are only three metal bands on the list, it means they had to work their asses off twice as hard as the others.”

Eddie popped up. “Yeah, Stevie!” He stuck out his tongue and Steve laughed.

“You got any of the albums?” Steve asked, with a flippant wave of his hand. “If they’re so good, let’s hear them then.”

A shadow crossed over Robin’s face and she looked like she wanted to say something, but couldn’t.

****

Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25

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[redrose10]

I hope this is okay! This one was requested for Yoongi, Namjoon, or Hobi and I went with Yoongi.

#4 I should’ve told you a long time ago

#23 We have to be quiet

Warnings: Angst, swearing, Teen pregnancy

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

You felt like you’d just seen a ghost. The man standing in front of you being the same man that broke your heart fifteen years ago when he decided his career was more important than you or your relationship.

“Hi Y/N, sorry to just show up announced. I was back in the area and thought I’d stop by.”, he smiled a familiar heart stopping smile.

Against your better judgement you invited him in. Once the coffee was finished brewing you put two cups down on the table before taking a seat across from him.

“Okay Yoongi, how did you find me and what do you want?”, you spat.

He was a little taken back by your cold attitude, “I got your address from Mia. I just wanted to see you. Make sure you’re doing okay. It’s been a while.” You made a mental note to scold your best friend the next time you saw her.

“Well you can see I’m okay so finish your coffee and go. I’m sure you’ve got a hotel room full of women and booze waiting for you.”

“Seriously Y/N? That’s how you’re going to talk to me? Even after all these years.”, he questioned.

After breaking up with you and once his career took off Yoongi became somewhat of a hard partying womanizer. Always being photographed with a different woman every night or stumbling out of random clubs if he wasn’t thrown out. He’s been married three times, but claims only one was legit and the other two were just drunken mistakes. Sometimes you were glad he let you go. Maybe he did you a favor after all.

“I’m sorry Yoongi. It’s just late and I’ve worked all day. I wasn’t expecting company, especially not you.”, you said.

“I understand. I won’t stay long. I just wanted to check on you and finally apologize for everything.”

Before you could respond you heard the front door open and shut and soon after your teenage daughter appeared in the kitchen.

“How was work baby?”, you asked trying to calm your nerves and appear normal.

“Ugh well I’m covered in grease and pizza sauce, but I’m another day closer to affording a car.”, she replied grabbing a drink out of the refrigerator.

“That’s right Anna. You know the deal, I’ll match however much you come up with so the more you save the better of a car you can get.”

“Alright well then get ready because I want to have a similar one to the Porsche that is currently parked in the drive way.”, she chuckled before looking at Yoongi with wide eyes.

“Anna this is an old friend of mine. His name is Yoongi. And Yoongi this is my daughter Anna.”

Yoongi curiously looked her over before giving her a wave. Anna politely said goodbye before mumbling something about needed to scrub the pizza grease off and running upstairs.

“How old is she?”, Yoongi immediately questioned.

“She is about 15 years old.”, you cringed because you already knew what he was thinking.

“Mmhm I see. And her father is…?”

You nodded, “Her father is sitting at this kitchen table right now.”

He jumped back until he was flush against the wall, “What the fuck Y/N? What the fuck? All these years? All these years and you never once thought to tell me you gave birth to our daughter? To my daughter?!”

Just as fast you ran to him placing your hand over his mouth, “We have to be quiet. She doesn’t know about you or us. Let’s go upstairs and talk.”

He nodded as you took his hand leading him towards your bedroom where you could make sure the door was closed and locked.

Once inside you heard Yoongi laugh. “What is so funny?”, you questioned.

“Oh I don’t know. I guess because the last time you snuck me up to your room it ended with you getting pregnant and me not finding out about for fifteen years.”, he hissed.

Your blood started boiling, “Look, I should’ve told you a long time ago. I admit that. But you’re the one that broke up with me without even asking what I wanted.“

“Because I wanted to protect you. I knew I couldn’t give you the relationship you deserved with how much time and energy I had to put in my music. We weren’t even adults yet. I was young and dumb and didn’t know how to handle all the changes.”

“Maybe I would’ve been okay with that. Maybe I would’ve been okay with what little you could give me instead of nothing at all.”, you whispered hearing your voice become unsteady.

Yoongi still knowing you well knew that was a telltale sign that you were about to cry so he sat down on the bed and pulled you down next to him while while running soothing circles on your back.

“Did you know you were pregnant the day I broke up with you?”, his voice cracking at the end.

Too scared to speak you nodded your head.

“So why didn’t you tell me? I would’ve taken care of you, both of you.”

“That’s why I didn’t tell you. After you told me that you got an offer from a record label and were moving to the city to pursue your career I didn’t want to be the reason you gave that up. You were so close to achieving your dreams and a girlfriend and a baby would have only made it harder.”

He ran his hands over his face in frustration and maybe a little anger, “Fuck Y/N, I can’t believe you’ve been doing this along all these years. How could you hide this from me?”

“It wasn’t bad. My parents helped when they could. I have friends. We’ve been doing okay.”

“She’s beautiful.”, he said after a while causing you to giggle, “Of course she is. She looks like you in a wig.”

You continued, “She’s really smart and kind. She’s so thoughtful. She has a big interest in music. Just like her father. She’s a big fan too. She’s probably freaking out in her room right now. I don’t know how she kept it together downstairs. ”

He smiled at the thought.

The room fell into an awkward silence after that.

“Well I better get back to my hotel. It’s really late. Maybe I can come back and get to know her more. If that’s okay with both of you.”, he said standing up.

“Yoongi wait!”, you leaned forward to stop him, “Um what if you spent the night? You can have breakfast with us in the morning and we can talk about everything. The three of us.”

He nodded and crawled back into bed making sure to leave a comfortable space between the two of you but reaching for your hand to let you know it’ll all work out in the end.

[faghubby]

New Years Party

"I don't care, I am tired of everyone thinking I am a cheating bitch" Lynn told me. She had informed me she had invited Brent to our New Year Eve party. Brent was the guy she had been cuckolding me with for the past 15 months. It had started when I confessed that I wanted to see her get fucked by a well hung man for my birthday. After some discussion she made it happen. I watched as some guy she met online fucked her silly with a thick 8 inch cock. After that she was hooked. Although I didn't get to watch. Sometimes I got a video or Pic. But she was much more comfortable with me not there.

Then she met Brent. He was a nice guy. We had even taken him with us on our vacation to Mexico a few months ago. I got to watch Lynn take all 9 inches of his cock down her throat. They also let me watch as Brent fucked her up against a building as people walked by. It was all sex between them. After she would come to me to cuddle and be held. We had not had sex since the very first time she cucked me. Almost 2 years ago. I settled for a handjobs. On my birthday and anniversary. Occasionally another thrown in. Mostly she liked when I took care of it myself as she cuddled with me. Or jumped her leg as I licked her pussy. We had played with me eating my own cum. Lynn told me I could if I wanted to. But she didn't care either way. As for cream pies they always used a condom.

But even as discreet as we tried go be, people had seen Lynn out with Brent. My mother pulled me aside on Christmas to tell me Lynn was having an affair.

"Lynn please they won't understand" I pleaded.

"So I am the freak. You are the one who wanted me to find a lover" Lynn spat. I was rock hard at the thought of being exposed but at the same time terrified. Everyone we knew would be at the party. Maybe it would be okay, I could explain they where just good friends.

Lynn went to see Brent that very night. I masterbated to the thought of being exposed in front of everyone. Lynn came home with a wierd look on her face. I was already in bed reading.

"I did something" she smirked. She pulled up her skirt and her panties where soaked. "We didn't use a condom. She climbed on top of me she hovered herself right above my head.

"What do you think?" She asked I grabbed her and pulled her to me I sucked and licked her dirty panties. She lifted herself again and I tore her panties off. She dropped and let me clean Brent's from her. I was humping the air as I did. I couldn't get enough. Even after I had gotten all of Brent's spank out of her I didn't stop. Until she came three times.

"OH my god I am never using a condom again" she gasped catching her breath. "You didn't tell me you loved cum so much" she laughed as my dick bobbed in the air still. She grabbed my dick and stroked me. It only took a few strokes and I exploded. She caught some and had me lick her hand.

"It's all stuck in your hair. Maybe you should shave it so next time you can eat it all" Lynn told me. Getting up to get ready for bed. I was still up when she returned.

"Paul would you eat Brent's sperm out of my ass as well?" She asked.

I had not even know she had let Brent have her ass. She had never let me.

"I guess if you" I said meekly.

"Really, Brent loves taking me anally. Just thought you say no" she laughed. "Guess have to buy some edible lube then" then turned out the light.

In the shower the next morning I shaved my pubic hair off. When I came out Lynn noticed.

"Is there any other things you like to try, and are afraid to tell me?" Lynn asked. She was being very understanding she truly wanted to know. I just shook my head no.

"Are you sure, would you like me to play with your ass?" She smirked. I turned and looked at her. "Would you like to suck Brent's big cock?" She asked. "Maybe wear some of my things, panties prehaps?" I just shook my head. But made me think. Lynn didn't push it just kissed me good morning and went to make breakfast.

We had alot of work to do to get set up for the party tonight. Andy, Lynns sister and her husband Tom came over to help. I knew Lynn had told Andy everything. So I wasn't surprised when I walked in to them whispering about me eating Brent's cum.

"Welcome to the club" Andy smiled. "Should reconsider some nice soft panties" she laughed. I looked around panicked wondering where Tom was. Andy saw my nervousness "Don't worry I don't keep secrets from Tom" she smirked as I went pale. Who else knew?

I spent the rest of the day wondering what Tom thought about me. As usual my Mom arrived early. She gave Lynn the cold shoulder. I was busy playing host when Brent arrived it was about 11. Lynn ran over and gave him a big long kiss. Making several people stop and take notice. Lynn then lead him around the room introducing him to everyone as her lover. My mother rushed over to me.

"Stop her, the tramp is airing all your dirty laundry" my mother told me. Before I could respond Lynn walked up to us.

"Mary, I like you to meet the man your son begs me to sleep with" she leaned in and whispered something in my mother's ear. My mother excepted Brent's hand.

"Lynn I owe you an apology" my mother told her.

"Nonsense, anyone would of thought the same thing" Lynn told her. They all ignored me.

"I wonder if I should of had him talk to someone as a child when I caught him trying on my things" my mother whispered. I blushed as Lynn's eyes lit up.

"More secrets?" She smiled and shuffled off with Brent.

"Come with me" my mother ushered me upstairs. "You should of told me you couldn't satisfy Lynn. Did you think I wouldn't understand that" my mother told me. "Well now everyone knows so no more misunderstandings"

"I am sorry mom, I just" I almost started to cry.

"Brent seems like a very capable handsome man. So no worry about me getting any grandchildren" she told me. And went back downstairs. I was stunned my mother not only was okay with this she wanted grandkids from Brent? Before I could get myself together and head back downstairs. Andy barged in.

"Where is Lynn's panty drawer?" She asked me. Surprised I just pointed to the closet. She grabbed my hand.

"Pick one out?" She told me.

"For what?" I asked

"To wear, silly." She told me.

"Andy I am not wearing panties" I told her. She shoved her hand down my pants.

"When was the last time she touched you?" I was rock hard as my sister in law held my dick. "It's not very big. And feels like my finger is fatter then it. Lynn didn't tell me you shaved" she laughed.

"Pick out a pair" she smiled. I picked out a pair of black satin ones I loved when Lynn wore them. Andy pulled my pants and underwear down. She watched as I changed into Lynn's panties. She then lifted her skirt. And pushed my head to her crotch.

"Do you like my panties?" She asked. I licked her panties.

"Stop that, I am your sister in law. And I have a very satisfying husband" she told me.

"Should I make you go back downstairs or wait here till midnight. I think wait here for Lynn wearing just her panties. I locked the door after Andy left and sat there listening to the party. Hearing the countdown. Then a knock on the door.

"Paul, it's Lynn" I unlocked the door. Lynn quickly closed it behind her. She kissed me.

"I missed you for the kiss" she told me stepping back to admire me in her panties.

"Paul, you can wear my things any time you like. Or we could get you your own that fit better." She assured me. "Now Brent is spending the night. So you can sleep in the spare room." She told me. "I think Fran and Jack are staying over a bit to much to drink" she rubbed me thru the panties. "I want you to not play with this. Until you see me again in the morning. I will wake you up full of Brent's cum." She told me.

"Now I know you licked Andy, so as punishment I want you to kneel right here" I knelt down and Brent walked in.

"Lick his big cock" Lynn told me. I panicked as Brent pulled his cock out. "Shh you don't have to suck it just give it a kiss" she told me. I leaned in and gave it a peck. Lynn looked at me disappointed so I leaned in again and licked it from the base to the head and kissed the tip. I stood up.

"Thank you for all the pleasure you bring my wife" I said to Brent then rushed to the spare bedroom just wearing the satin panties. Between the drinking and stress I fell asleep immediately. I woke to the sun shinning in the room as Lynn climbed on the small twin bed. And lowered herself to my eagerly waiting tounge.

"Everyone knows now baby, so no need to hide anything anymore" Lynn told me as she spun around I continued to orally please her she teased me thru the satin panties.

"Maybe you like to clean Brent's big cock next time too" she told me as I made a mess in the black satin panties.

[talkdutchtome]

Glitch - teaser

pairing . . . max verstappen x reader / mason mount x reader )

summary . . . when mason mount finds out that his assistant has been harbouring feelings for him for years, he makes it clear he doesn't feel the same way. but once he sees her become closer with formula 1 world champion max verstappen, he realises he may have underestimated his feelings towards the girl he has now pushed into the arms of another )

genre . . . angst )

song . . . glitch- taylor swift )

warning . . . tbd )

series masterlist . . . available here )

a/n . . . this is a little section of the first chapter as a little teaser for what's to come. hope you like it )

“Mason why did you and Y/N come in together, aren’t your places on opposite sides of the city?” Ben asked his best friend already knowing the answer to his question. Despite the fact that Y/N worked for Mason as his assistant, the pair were close, very close; so when they arrived to the party in the same car, Ben didn’t have to wonder too hard about the reason why. “Oh, she was at mine for a movie night last night and she was too tired to go home so she stayed.” Mason told his friend matter-of-factly, not seeing what the issue was or why his friend in front of him looked so annoyed. Even if you took away the widely inappropriateness of an employer having his employee stay at his house, there was the small issue of the fact that Y/N was madly in love with Mason and had been for years now. As much as she tried her best to keep it hidden, the only person in their circle that didn’t seem to know about it was Mason himself. Ben and Reece had a conversation a few days before, discussing whether they should tell Mason as from an outside perspective, even if it was unintentional, he did seem to be leading Y/N on; they both knew their friend extremely well, so they knew that he didn’t have the same feelings that she had for him and they knew that if Mason knew the full story there are aspects of his relationship with her that he might change.  

“Look mate,” Ben started, unsure of exactly what to say but knowing he needed to say something. “I think you should know that Y/N has feelings for you” Mason’s brows furrowed, completely taken aback by his friends' blunt honesty. “What? No are you sure?” he asked him, truly hoping that he was mistaken or playing some kind of prank. “I’m 100% sure, it’s obvious to be honest with you mate. You can see it in her eyes when she looks at you, she really truly loves you. Having her stay at your place and being that close to her, it’s going to make her think that someday you two could be more than friends, so if that’s not the case then you really need to reconsider doing things like that as it isn’t fair on her. Y/N’s a good girl, you know that she deserves to be happy.” Ben’s words make Mason’s head spin. Y/N was more to him than just his employee, she was one of his closest friends, but he really didn’t see her as anything but a friend. “Oh, fuck Ben what should I do?” Mason asked with his brain completely frazzled at this point, 15 minutes ago he was feeling great, he had just had a great day with one of his best friends and then then he came to a party to blow off some steam after a very stressful week, but now it seemed like everything had come crashing down. “I think you need to speak to her, make it clear that you value her friendship but you don’t see her as anything else, let her down gently.” he told Mason who simply nodded before starting to walk towards the girl in question who was at the bar talking to one of the other players girlfriends., the second Ben realized what he was trying to do he put a hand out to stop him from going over there, causing Mason to look back at him with a puzzled expression. “Maybe telling her right this minute isn’t the best idea though mate, considering you’re in public. Not to mention the fact we’ve all got that trip planned for the Spanish Grand Prix in a few days, maybe you should wait until after that. If things don’t go well that could make the whole trip so awkward.” Ben pleaded at his friend, but he could see on Mason’s face that his words were going in one ear and out the other. “Fine go, but be nice to her and you better not ruin the race for everyone” he relented, taking his arm off of his friend and letting him walk towards the unsuspecting girl.  

“Hey Y/N, can we talk?” Mason asked with no regard for the fact that she was already deep in conversation with somebody else. His bluntness combined with the pained look on his face made her recognize instantly that whatever he wanted to talk about wasn’t likely to be lighthearted. She hesitantly followed the man as he gestured for her to come along to a quieter part of the bar. Before she could ask what was going on, Mason had already asked her a question that made her stomach sink - “Do you have feelings for me?” She had absolutely no idea how to answer his question, of course she knew the answer; she had been pining after him for years at this point, but she just wasn’t ready for him to know that yet. “Will you please just answer my question?” he almost demanded, his harsh tone making her freeze. Looking up at her best friend with tear filled eyes she muttered the last thing he wanted to hear - “Yes”. Her voice was so faint that it didn’t come out as anything more than a whisper but to Mason it was the loudest thing he had ever heard. Y/N had imagined having this conversation with Mason so many times, imagined herself finally telling him that she loved him but in all her fantasies, in all her daydreams, he had never flinched like he had done just now. “Mason I -” she started but stopped in her tracks when she saw tears forming in her best friend’s eyes. “How could you do this Y/N, why would you ruin our friendship like this?” he asked her in genuine disbelief. Mason watched the girl stood in front of him stumble over her words, clearly not expecting to be asked that question, before putting her almost full glass down on the table and running out of the bar.  

[thesweetnessofspring]

Why do you hate epic? I've recently heard it and I don't like it also, especially when I googled his story. But why do you hate it?

First, no hate to the creator. Like, I heard he's a college kid doing a creative project and a lot of people like it which is great. And concept albums get tweaked. Maybe it's something he can salvage or rework in the future, but as it is, I just don't like Epic at all.

I'd listened to what was out about....six months ago maybe? And I wasn't particularly taken with it, but then back in like July I relistened to it and I just got so tired listening to it. I think a spin on that line from The Incredibles sums up that part of it well:

If all of the music is epic, none of it will be.

Even in big megamusicals like Les Mis, there's a variety of songs. You have the love songs, the reflective songs, the "party" songs, the exposition songs, and just a variety of tone and pace. In listening to what is now the most recent release, I got weary of listening to the same old video game music set to bad lyrics (we'll get to that). There's no variety, which makes the whole album flat. Halfway through I wanted to scream GIVE ME SOMETHING ELSE FOR THE LOVE OF ZEUS!!! I don't think the idea of video game music works for musicals. They're completely different mediums and the narrative structure of video games (at least as he's presented them) also leads to a static story. If I sit down and play a video game with different bosses, then it makes sense. I complete a level and then take a break/live my life until I come back and work on the next level. There doesn't feel to be any forward momentum in the story because it's just "boss" after "boss" with a highly intense video game music soundtrack. It's static, it's flat, it's tiring. I cannot imagine sitting through a stage show of this. I'd be leaving early after intermission.

It is painfully obvious this is a TikTok musical, because the music can be good in short spurts but as a 2.5 hour stage musical? I wouldn't be able to do it. I barely did it when I broke it up over a few car rides.

Also the lyrics are mostly just bad, particularly in the rhymes. Like I said, I've listened to it I guess 1.5 times as the first time I listened they didn't have as many songs out as there are now. So I can't quote any, but it wasn't just a couple times. There were whole songs where I was internally (as I was driving) rolling my eyes at the awkward, hokey rhymes.

And look, I haven't read The Odyssey since high school, so I'm not going to pretend to be a scholar. I have read Odysseus as a character in other retellings of Greek myths, though, and he's a much more dynamic and interesting character than the boring, predictable hero of Epic. I remember when first being exposed to The Odyssey, it was my first foray into more complicated dynamics of Greek mythology instead of the more digestable/cleaned-up versions I'd heard as a younger kid, and part of that was Odysseus. He made decisions I just couldn't understand at the time. A big thing for me as a 15-year-old kid was I was so mad at all of Odysseus's affairs. Now I know that in Greece that wasn't so much a big deal for men to sleep around and was expected. Yet (at least with Circe) he's noble and fighting her off and it gives the impression that Odysseus hasn't had any sex in like 12 years. I'm sorry, but WHAT??? Odysseus loves his wife and he's a slut. C'mon. Epic Odysseus is so predictable and boring I'm not drawn into the story at all for him, either. When I finally got to the more recent releases, I was thinking, "Oh, wow what a surprise. Before he didn't want to kill people and now he's fed up and will kill people so he can get home. Ohhhh noooooo what will ever happen in the next part of the musical?? Is it possible he will learn that vengeance is bad???" To be fair this part hasn't come out yet so maybe I'll be wrong but ugh, it's not looking good.

To balance things out, I do think the opening number is good and I like the one with the winds "keep your friends close/and your enemies closer" is an earworm, and because it changed up the usual "video game epic music" thing. And like, as a student project it is impressive. But it's not a student project anymore, it's a concept album. Idk if he's planning on staging it at some point, but if he does, it has a lot of work still to do.

Anyway vote Hadestown. ✌️

[14buddy22]

I'll Spend the Rest of My Life Making It Up To You Series

A/N: Part 9! Well - it's over, I hope you like the ending :)

Warnings: Have been the same throughout the story :)

Prev Part // Series Masterlist // Masterlist

After a long talk with Aaron when you got home from your in-laws house, you felt better. He kept telling you it wasn’t your fault and as long as you were okay with it, they could work something out where Bob and Carol would still be allowed to see Mason, just as long as Jake wasn’t around.

You didn’t realize how fast your court date would come. A lot of prep, a lot of crying, a lot of hugs from Aaron. A lot of comfort from Mason and Jack. 

Sleepless nights. Lots of them. 

You were up at 2am, sitting on the couch, watching a movie, not able to sleep. Court was the next morning at 9am. Luckily not a 7 or 8am start, so you could have time to be with the boys before you had to go relieve the traumatic events of your life. 

While sitting on the couch, you didn’t expect Aaron to come out of his room, wide awake. 

“Did I wake you up?”

“No. God, no. I just couldn’t sleep.”

You looked at him and chuckled. You moved the blanket off of you and said, “I couldn’t sleep either. Come sit, we can watch a movie together.”

You were falling in love with Aaron. You never really fell out of love with him to begin with. You had to on the outside, but deep within, you knew your heart always belonged with Aaron. Maybe he felt the same, maybe he didn’t. If he hadn’t left you, there wouldn’t be Haley, and there certainly wouldn’t be Jack. He loves him with everything he has. 

You were taken out of your thoughts as his body slid right next to yours, the blanket finding it’s way over both of you. He was your comfort person. You think he always was. Aaron and of course, Mason. They were your comfort people. And now, you’d be adding Jack into that mix of comfort people. 

At one point in your life, you did find comfort in Jake. But that was only a short amount of time 10 years ago. You found comfort in Jake when you were upset about your broken engagement with Aaron. Jake should have just been a rebound, a hookup at most, how’d you let it get this bad?

“Y/n, you know none of this is your fault. Right? Whatever happens in court, they’re gonna blame you, they’re gonna make you seem like you could’ve gotten out.”

“Could’ve gotten out? Jesus Christ, Aaron! He would have killed me! I think he still would if we weren’t gonna be in court surrounded by cops and the FBI. He almost beat me to death with my son in the house.”

You started crying. You were furious, upset. As you went to pull away from Aaron, he pulled you closer next to him, giving you a tight squeeze. 

“Hey, shh, shh. It’s okay. I’m not saying you could’ve left because I know what he did to you. I read the letters, y/n, trust me. I know. I believe you, hell, I saw what he did to you. I’m just telling you, I worked in court, I handled cases like this, I’ve been in the FBI for too long to know that victims of domestic abuse sometimes don’t always win in court and they end up dying 2 weeks later because their abuser kills them. I’m sure as hell not letting that happen. Whatever happens, we will adjust. If he gets off free, then we’ll play it by year.” 

“Try and get some sleep. Mason will be up in a bit for a bottle, you’ll need to get some sleep for court. Come on. Just close your eyes.”

You didn’t realize that sleeping with Aaron, even on his couch, would be a comfy place for you, some where you’d get your best sleep since the last time you slept with him. 

You awoke the next morning to the smell of breakfast and kids laughing. When you walked into the kitchen, you saw Aaron sitting with the kids at the table, he was feeding Mason and Jack was eating breakfast. 

“Good morning!”

Jack got up from his spot to hug you and you smiled at Aaron. 

“Eat, then get dressed. Jessica’s coming to pick up Jack in 15 minutes. I already showered this morning when I got up with Mason.”

“Did you take the baby monitor from me last night?”

“I did. I wanted you to sleep. Mason got up at 7, I was already up by then.”

Mason wasn’t his son and Aaron was being an amazing father to Mason than Jake ever was. You were lucky you met Aaron all those years ago. You didn’t think you’d be in this situation, you were sure you were going to marry Aaron, but life works in mysterious ways. 

After a morning with the boys, saying goodbye to Jack, getting Mason ready then getting yourself dressed, then making sure Aaron had some time to get dressed as well. It was weird to see him dressed for court, especially when it was your case that he was going to court for. 

He grabbed the diaper bag and he said, “Let’s go.” As you all got in Aaron’s car, you couldn’t help but have a silent car ride there. Just the sound of Mason’s soft snores, Aaron’s hand finding yours in your lap. 

Everything went by in slow motion. Walking into the court house, meeting with your attorney, seeing Aaron’s team there. Some of them going to testify. Walking into the courtroom, seeing Jake.

It felt good knowing today was the day you were going to be getting out of this relationship for good. At least you were hoping you would. You saw Jake sitting with his lawyer. He saw you walke in with Mason and Aaron and your lawyer. Part of you felt bad that Jake couldn’t hold his son, but he had a chance to turn his life around with you. He could have gotten better, you think part of him could. Wait, what were you thinking?. You keep going back to him, you shouldn’t. He hurt you. 

Aaron took Mason out of the carrier and you said, “He’s got extra diapers in there, he really likes his strawberry and banana puffs.”

“Y/n/n, I know. You’ve been living with me for a month. I got this. Just worry about the trial. We’re right behind you.” 

You gave him a soft smile and whispered a thank you. You kissed Mason and then you took a seat at the table. 

Court doesn’t appear like it does in TV shows or movies. There are much more boring moments, you see everything. The judge introducing himself, him talking to the members of the jury about what their roles are, the attorneys introducing themselves, who they are defending, the whole nine yards. 

You watched people go up one by one testifying for you. Then you went up to the stand, and that’s where the madness begins. Putting the victim on the stand, no, not victim, survivor. 

Brian said, “On the stand is Ms. Y/n Y/l/n,”

“Please. Call me Y/n.”

“Y/n, is it true you wrote a series of letters to your past lover, Aaron Hotchner, when you were engaged and married to Jake?”

“Yes, but those were letters I never sent. It was my escape from reality.”

“I’d like to take look at this letter.”

They started reading the letters from when you first met Jake, to when you got engaged to your wedding night. You watched how the jury was reacting. There was one woman who was silently crying. You saw her wipe her cheek. She wasn’t crying enough for everyone to notice, but it was enough to know that what you went through did hurt outsiders looking in. 

Brian handed you a letter and said, “Y/n, why don’t you read this one.”

You held the letter and began reading, 

“Aaron, Well, I don’t know how to say it so I’m just going to say it. I’m pregnant. Yep. I just found out while in my bathroom. I hadn’t felt good these past couple of days, so I decided to take a pregnancy test. You know I’ve always wanted children, but I never wanted children with Jake. I wanted to have children with you. I don’t even know if Jake wants children. Abortion is an option, but I don’t want to get one. I’ve always wanted children and to be a mom and this might be my only chance. The thing is, when this baby was conceived, it wasn’t even conceived out of love. Jake was mad at me. He basically fucked his fustrations out on me. I just have to lay there like I’m some type of sex doll, and I hate it. If I were to tell him no, he’d hit me. So I have to live with this. I’m sorry I hadn’t seen you in a while, it was for the best. Well, for you. Maybe not for me. I’m hoping that when I tell Jake, he’ll be so happy. Maybe he’ll turn around, no longer hit me or abuse me. I hope you and Jack are doing well.”

Aaron was sat with Mason on the benches behind the table where you were supposed to be seated. Derek and Dave both on his sides. His friend had stood up while you were on the stand and said, “Your honor, right now, we’d like to show the court and members of the jury direct evidence of the final piece of physical abuse that Ms. Y/L/N sustained from Jake.”

You looked at Aaron, eyes looking back at yours. He didn’t know what was going on. He thought you gave him every piece of evidence you had against Jake. He looked at you, what hurt you the most was that you never showed this to Aaron. You weren’t about to cry because of the trauma you endured with Jake, but you were getting ready to cry because you saw that Aaron’s heart was gonna break.

Your attorney said, “People of the court, members of the court, people of the jury, I do want to give you a warning that what you see in this video is a heinous act. There will be blood, yelling, etc.”

Dave whispered to Aaron, “Why don’t you go outside and take Mason for a walk.”

“No. No. I’m not leaving her alone. It’s fine. I can control myself. I’m a profiler, Dave. I’m a Unit Chief. I can control my emotions.”

Aaron was cut off by the sound of your voice coming from the video. 

The video had shown you downstairs coming to greet Jake. You had secretly propped your phone up on the counter, hoping to catch him in the act of one of the most disgusting things a man could do to a woman. You wanted to catch him, that way it wouldn’t be hear-say. You know since you’ve seen shows about it, but you also know because your father-in-law was a successful attorney. 

Watching the video up at the stand, you couldn’t help but flinch when the first hit happened. It all comes flooding back to you at once. You had gone to see Aaron. Came back home and Jake flipped. 

When you looked over at Aaron, you saw the tears rolling down his face. How he held Mason tighter, shielding Mason into his chest so Mason couldn’t see. You’ve never seen Aaron this heartbroken before. You hated that you couldn’t hold him in your arms and tell him you’re okay. 

You’d lie to Aaron and tell him that it didn’t hurt, even when it was one of the most painful things you went through. This was one video of abuse, but you had been abused for 10 years prior to this one video clip.

Aaron whispered to Dave, “I could kill him right now. Dave, this is the night I picked her up. She called me after this. Had I known he would’ve done this.”

“Relax, Aaron. Relax.”

Dave put his hand on Aaron’s back, telling him to calm down, don’t make a scene with a baby in his hands.

Looking at Aaron’s face, you saw the anger, the hurt, the guilt, sadness. You saw every emotion he was going through. You didn’t miss the way he wiped his tears away and you certainly didn’t miss the way that your son had saw him upset and leaned into him, and patted his stomach. 

Mason was amazing, he always knew how to calm people down, even if he was just a baby. He was a great profiler, maybe deep down, the universe needed Mason to be like Aaron and you. Maybe Mason was the the baby you and Aaron were meant to have all those years ago. 

You decided to shake the thought. You couldn’t think about them right now. You had a case to win. You wanted justice to be served. You wanted to show everyone who is in an abusive relationship that it’s okay to get out. 

Aaron watched as the video ended, you quickly grabbing the phone, catching a glimpse of your face and the blood running down. He made eye contact with you, whispering an “I’m sorry.”

Brian said, “That’s all, your honor.”

Jake’s lawyer stood up and said, “We have no questions, your honor.”

The judge told you that you could step down and you walked back to sit down at your seat. The judge dismissed the jury and you walked over to hug Aaron. 

Rossi said, “We got sandwiches in a break room. Come on, let’s go have lunch.”

“I’m going to go change Mason and freshen up in the bathroom, okay?”

You took Mason from Aaron and walked into the bathroom, you changed his diaper and fixed your make up. Walking out, you saw Jake. 

“Y/n, please. Let them drop the charges. I’m gonna change. I’ve started going to therapy. I want to raise our son. Look how big he’s gotten.”

“No Jake, you had 10 years to change, and you didn’t. It only got worse.”

Aaron said, “Rossi, the last time he hit her.”

“Um. Aaron, I think we got bigger problems right now.”

Rossi nodded his head towards where you were and Aaron started walking towards you, Jake, and Mason. Rossi following right behind him. 

“You’re not supposed to talk to her.”

“Aaron Hotchner. What a man. This is the guy who left you?”

“Jake, just drop it. Go with your lawyer, I’m going with mine.”

Jake stepped closer and said, “Is she as good in bed as when you first had her? I worked her open for you, turned her into a whore.”

“Don’t speak about her like that.”

“You know, you won. You got her back, you get my son, you won.”

“Good, because you never deserved her. You never deserved her love, affection, for her to be the mother of your child. You never deserved for her to even look at you. She trusted you and you hurt her. You’re a monster and I’m glad your son isn’t going to be around you.”

Jake took a step back and you walked over to Aaron. You started to pull Aaron towards Rossi and Aaron stopped. 

“You know, I didn’t deserve to win either, I broke her heart and me breaking her heart led her to you. And you put her through so much hell, Jake. But this wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for me. But I’m damn sure gonna spend the rest of my life making it up to her and fixing what you broke. So you know what, I’m glad I won. I’m gonna protect her and Mason from monsters like you.”

Aaron put his hand on your back and you guys walked into the break room. Aaron’s team was playing with Mason and you just sat with him on the couch. Taking everything in. How did Aaron say he didn’t deserve you? Why the hell would Jake even approach Aaron. 

There was a knock on the door, Brian came in and said, “The jury has made a decision.”

“That’s good, right Aar?”

“That’s quick for a jury. Hopefully it is good.”

As everyone got seated back in the courthouse, they went through the usual spiel that you watch on TV shows. The first juror stands and responds back to the judge. Here it is, the verdict. 

“We find the defendant, guilty, on all counts your honor.”

You began to cry. You had won. This battle was over. You’ve won custody of Mason, Jake was going to jail, he would never touch another girl like what he put you through again.

You hugged Brian and then hugged Aaron and Mason. Aaron kissed your cheek and you took Mason. You told Brian you wanted to see Jake before they took him away. 

You walked over to Jake’s table with Mason and Jake said, “I’m sorry for what I did to you Y/n, you didn’t deserve any of it. I know you’re going to be a great mom to Mason. You already are. And Aaron, I can see why you were still in love with him when we first met in that bar 11 years ago. He loves you, don’t let him go. You deserve him after what I did to you. I’m sorry. Can I-can I kiss my son goodbye?”

You looked over at Aaron and he was watching you. You told Jake to sit down and you walked next to him and placed Mason in his arms. Aaron got closer to where you were standing and Rossi pulled him back. Rossi said, “She’s got this Aaron. Let her do this. Let her get some closure.”

“Goodbye Mason, Be good. You’re very lucky to have an amazing mom. Very lucky to have a good dad from here on out.”

Jake kissed Mason on his head and you took Mason back. “Goodbye Jake.”

You walked away. Closing that chapter of your life, opening the next with Aaron. As you went home that evening, Aaron inviting the team over for dinner, letting the kids all hang out, you were cuddled into Aaron. 

Penelope said, “So, now that this is all over, does this mean you two are getting back together again?”

Aaron said, “We’re not in a rush, whatever happens, happens.”

After everyone had gone home, Jack gone to sleepover with Henry at JJ’s house, Mason put to bed, you sat in front of Aaron’s fire place with him. The soft glow of the fire going with the lights you had hung up.

“I’m proud of you, for ending the cycle of abuse. I’m sorry I broke your heart all those years ago, I was scared. I was scared of marrying my best friend, having children with her, and growing old with her. I knew all your deepest darkest secrets. I knew your biggest insecurities and I treated you like shit. You didn’t deserve that, y/n. I am so, so sorry.”

“Did you really mean what you said to Jake? That you didn’t deserve to win?”

“Yeah, because I didn’t. Jake nor I didn’t deserve you.”

“No, you deserve me because I deserve you. I don’t know any other man in this world that would drop everything he had going on in his life to help an ex-fiance. You let me move into an apartment with my 6 month old son at the time.”

“I told you I was going to spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I meant it.”

You leaned into Aaron for a kiss. His hand cupping your face. It was a soft, beautiful kiss. It wasn’t long before you and him found yourself stripping your clothes and mkaing love right in front of the fire place. The last time you had made love instead of had sex had been two weeks before your engagement had ended. It was your anniversary with Aaron. There was something meaningful with Aaron, and you had it even after all these years. 

*3 months later*

Things were great. You had a successful teaching job, Mason was thriving, Jack was a great son, and Aaron was amazing. Your little family was great. Aaron wasn’t officially your husband but you were all living together. You and Aaron bought a beautiful house, Derek helped renovate it to make it your dream home. 

You were celebrating Mason’s birthday. He was a year old. It was scary to think that just a year ago, you were in an abusive relationship, giving birth to a baby, alone. Now, you were surrounded by Aaron and Jack and amazing friends and family. What you never thought about was how Mason’s birthday was the day that you wanted to marry Aaron all those years ago. 

You never thought about it until Aaron brought it up to you last month. Mason took very well to Aaron, started calling him dada. It brought tears to Aaron’s eyes, he never knew that Mason and you could fill the void in his heart when Haley passed and when he left you. Jack was amazing and he loved Jack so much, but there was something about adding another child, one that wasn’t biologically his, into the mix. 

Aaron said, “If you’ll clean up, I’ll go get him cleaned up and into his PJs?”

“Sounds good, Aar.”

You watched him walk away and upstairs with Mason. Jack helped you clean up. He was such a great helper with Mason. He was an amazing big brother. You were hoping you could make him a big brother to more siblings, but that would come later down the road, only if Aaron wanted more.

Rossi said, “There’s my baby boy! Look how cute he looks.”

Rossi read his shirt and Mason said, “Mama!”

You turned around and Aaron was walking behind Mason. You knelt to the floor to hug Mason and Mason pointed to his shirt. 

“Will you marry, Daddy?”

You looked up at Aaron and watched as he knelt down to the ground. You held Mason by you and then Jack came to yourside. You were with Aaron and he held out an engagement ring. 

“We’ve been through a lot Y/n, in 20 years, more than anyone else has been through. I’m asking you to marry me, but I’m in no rush to have the big white wedding. I want you to be Mrs. Hotchner. I wanted you to be that 20 years ago, but I was a coward because you were a powerful woman, knowing what you want. I should have stuck with you. You went through hell and back and hell and back just to get where we are today. Let me make it up to you for the rest of my life. I love you, Jack loves you, so, will you marry me?”

“Absolutely I will.”

Aaron slipped the ring on your finger and you put your hands on his face. Pulling him into a kiss. Jack hugged you and Mason hugged him. Your little family was complete. You were so proud of getting out of your relationship with Jake. You and Mason deserved a happy life with Jack and Aaron. You were so proud that this was the outcome you had. 

If there’s ever a doubt in your mind that you deserve better, you do, and you go find it. 

“When it comes to abuse, you believe there’s no way out. There is always help. There is always a way out.” – Donna Mulvey

Tags: @8crazy-freak8 @angelmather1 @rousethemouse @lex13cm @mrs-ssa-hotch @comfortzonequeen

[sundasystems]

5. Saying Yes

I don't really know why I said yes to Glen when he'd asked me on a date. I don't really know why he asked. I was obviously a tourist and not a particularly striking one. Maybe he liked the transience; knowing that I'd be leaving with no attachments. Maybe I was just feeling good after a couple leads in the investigation.

On the way home, I'd tried to use the code I'd found in the car's radio and I'd gotten a surprising message.

I tried twice and got the same error each time, so I switched to normal radio for the drive back into town. I checked into my motel room and opened my laptop for the first time since falling asleep on the plane.

I had a new email.

Thank you for your recent visit to Sunda Systems Eden Springs Campus! Please consider filling out our visitor satisfaction survey!

I hadn't remembered giving them my email address. But the more I thought about it, my memory was a bit muddy. I had filled out a sign-up sheet for the tour. Had email been on there?

I clicked the link underneath and was taken to a short form.

1. How was your visit to SSESC? 🟢 Excellent 🔘 Good 🔘 Fair 🔘 Disappointing

2. Did you see everything you wanted to see? 🟢 Yes 🔘 No

3. Was your tour guide friendly and welcoming? 🟢 Yes 🔘 No

I laughed a bit at that one.

4. What demonstration will you remember most? 🔘 Laser Show 🟢 Sapphire 🔘 Audio Bath 🔘 Sound & Screen

I didn't recognize that last one. It must have been what the group did while I was sneaking around.

5. How long did the sapphire hold your attention? 🔘 It didn't 🔘 A moment 🔘 A while 🟢 Unsure

6. Can you picture it now? 🟢 Yes 🔘 No

7. Do you want to see it again? 🟢 Yes 🔘 No

I must have spaced out around here. When I came to, there was just a screen thanking me for my "Submission". Something about that word tickled something in the back of my mind, and I smiled. I took a little time off of research to... relax myself.

But when I dove back in, I knew what my first step would be. I opened up Re:Mx's library of codes and searched Error Code 174G-00F2.

This station is not available in vehicles without self-driving capabilities.

What?

That made absolutely no sense. Determined to get to the bottom of this, I opened up Re:Mx on my laptop and entered the code. Immediately, my headphones began to play music. It didn't seem overly distracting. I didn't see any reason why a car wouldn't be allowed to play it. In fact it was nice.

Relaxing, almost.

I decided to leave it one while I did some other research.

I searched "Sunda Systems Mirrorball" and got no results. However, the company directory listed Office LOR 4-19 as belonging to a Christian Powell. A search for him revealed a journal article from nearly 15 years ago titled "The Effects of Diffracted Light on Neural Pathways". Sunda appears to have hired him barely a week after that publication. Since then, he's published nothing.

I groaned. I could feel myself getting sleepy just thinking about reading a scholarly article. I'd done it many times before for my work but I never enjoyed it. They were all dull and boring. I was yawning already.

Still. On the third page there was some text I found interesting, highlighted here:

Something sinister was going on here. I was surer of it with each uncovered piece of information. I yawned again and closed my document. I needed a nap before my hot date tonight. I'd make sure I squeezed him for all he could give me. Emily was counting on me.

I unplugged my headphones and let the relaxing music play over the speaker as I drifted off.

[tiny-wooden-robot-fics]

Magnolia - Chapter Eleven

Rating: Explicit Media: Jujutsu Kaisen Pairing(s): Geto Suguru x Original Female Character, Geto Suguru x Gojo Satoru, Geto Suguru x Gojo Satoru x Original Female Character Additional Tags: Vampire AU, Dark Themes, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Suicide Attempt, Depression, Loneliness, Polyamory, Slow Burn, Eventual Smut

A/N: More tags will be added as chapters are updated. Please be mindful of the tags and warnings at the beginning of each chapter, as they will tell you what you need to know about the content within.

Minors, DNI.

Summary:

“How am I supposed to present the idea of immortal life to a woman who tried to kill herself a year ago?”

“Maybe don’t lay it out like an option on a menu - that probably wouldn’t go over well. But if she loves you, that means she loves being with you and probably doesn’t want to go anytime soon anyway.” Satoru reaches out, smoothing Suguru’s hair back from his face. “Just keep giving her reasons to want to live, like you have been doing,” he concludes simply.

Suguru is quiet, contemplating his words. As usual, Satoru can see very clearly something he’s been obscuring by overthinking it.

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Chapter Warnings: None A/N: Thought I would squeeze in an update in between out of town trips. Thanks for reading!

Chapter Eleven: My Love Is As a Fever

“You seem upset.” Satoru makes the observation nonchalantly, one leg crossed over the other as he watches Suguru rifle through one of his bags.

“I’m not upset,” Suguru murmurs, pulling on the pair of boxer briefs he’s taken out of the bag. “But we were kind of in the middle of an important conversation there. And I don’t…” He trails off and shakes his head. “I suspect she won’t want to continue it now.”

“Because I’m here?”

“Maybe.”

“I don’t get it,” Satoru shrugs. “She knows I’m fine with the two of you sleeping together, right?”

“She knows,” Suguru affirms. “The thing is,” he continues, joining Satoru on the sofa, “it’s a little more complicated than just sleeping together.”

Satoru looks back at him, his blue eyes bright with amused understanding. “Oh ho ho,” he chuckles. “You like her.” He leans forward, looking closer. “Oh,” he says when he catches sight of the expression on the other man’s face. “That’s a little more than like, Suguru. Does she know?”

“No. We’d just gotten to the part where she admitted how she feels.”

Satoru puts his palms together, bowing his head contritely. “Men-go*... you know I didn’t mean to step on your moment, right?”

Suguru can’t help but to laugh. “I know. You could have called, though.” He offers Satoru a wry smile before leaning over to bestow a kiss on his lips. “Okaeri.”

“Mmm.” Pleased, Satoru wiggles his nose. “So what are you gonna do?”

“What do you mean, what am I going to do?” Suguru asks witheringly. “This involves you too, Mr. ‘I’m not fond of humans.’”

“Yeah, but this isn’t like Nanako and Mimiko,” Satoru rebuts. “This isn’t some child you feel responsible for raising. You may have rescued this woman, but she’s very much a woman. I’ve seen her---”

“Satoru,” he interjects warningly. 

“---assets,” Satoru finishes, despite the warning. “All jokes aside,” he goes on, his voice solemn and quiet, “it’s obvious that she’s different. That she means something different to you than Nanako and Mimiko did. Even so… you know that I’ll support whatever you want to do, just like I did with the girls.”

“Oh, and look how far doing what I wanted got Nanako and Mimiko,” Suguru mutters bitterly.

“That won’t happen here,” Satoru sighs. He pauses. “Especially not if you turn her.”

“How am I supposed to present the idea of immortal life to a woman who tried to kill herself a year ago?”

“Maybe don’t lay it out like an option on a menu - that probably wouldn’t go over well. But if she loves you, that means she loves being with you and probably doesn’t want to go anytime soon anyway.” Satoru reaches out, smoothing Suguru’s hair back from his face. “Just keep giving her reasons to want to live, like you have been doing,” he concludes simply. 

Suguru is quiet, contemplating his words. As usual, Satoru can see very clearly something he’s been obscuring by overthinking it.

“I know you’ve never loved it that I’m gone so often and I stay away so long,” Satoru goes on. “And I wish I could say it’s something I’ll get out of my system at some point. But I can’t. You’ve never asked me to stay in one place forever, and I’ve never asked you to come along with me when I move around. I love you, and if you love her and want her to stay, it would make me happy to know there’s someone home with you when I’m not. And who knows?” He adds, poking his tongue out playfully. “If I stick around long enough, I might end up falling for her too.”

Suguru opens his mouth to respond, but the sound of soft footfalls on the stairs stops him. Both men turn just in time to see Lia descend the last of the stairs. She’s freshly showered, dressed in her pajamas. 

“I’m sorry I tied up your shower,” she offers.

“Ah, you just broke one of Suguru’s cardinal rules,” Satoru asserts with a grin. “Apologizing for something you shouldn’t.”

“Oh, right,” Lia exclaims softly, fiddling with the ties on her pajama bottoms. “Old habits, I guess.”

“It’s okay. He tells me I don’t apologize enough for the things I should apologize for. Maybe you and I can balance each other out.”

It makes her giggle a little, and Satoru seems pleased.

“Are you hungry?” Suguru asks, rising from the sofa. 

“A little,” she admits. “But I don’t mind cooking - you’re probably wanting a shower too, aren’t you?”

“She’s got a point, Suguru. You smell like sex.”

One set of eyes looks away from him; the other glares daggers at him. “Don’t worry, don’t worry,” he says hastily, putting his hands up in mock surrender, “I’ll take good care of her while you’re showering, and I promise not to touch any of the food.”

Puzzled, Lia looks between the two men.

“Satoru is a horrible cook,” Suguru explains. “If you let him so much as chop a vegetable, he will find a way to ruin it.” 

“Duly noted,” Lia nods. Both men are surprised to see that she’s actually smiling. “You can leave it to me.”

“See?” Satoru wiggles his eyebrows. “Go get cleaned up - we’ll be fine.” 

--

My love is a fever, longing still For that which longer nurseth the disease;  Feeding on that which doth preserve the sill, The uncertain sickly appetite to please. My reason, the physician to my love, Angry that his prescriptions are not kept, Hath left me, and I desperate now approve Desire is death, which physic did except. Past cure I am, now reason is past care, And frantic-mad with evermore unrest; My thoughts and my discourse as madmen’s are,  At random from the truth vainly express’d;  For I have sworn thee fair and thought thee bright,  Who art as black as hell, as dark as night. -William Shakespeare, Sonnet 147

--

Her hands are shaking. 

It isn’t that she’s afraid of him. While it is true that she doesn’t know him well at all, she knows that Suguru would never have left her alone with him if he felt Satoru would harm her. 

But the situation is bizarre. For so long, it has felt like she and Suguru have been living in their own little world, way out here on the edge of the woods where life is quiet and she is learning to look forward to every tomorrow. Hearing that Satoru is unbothered by the prospect of Suguru sharing his bed with someone else is one thing; witnessing his nonchalance firsthand is an entirely different thing.

She isn’t quite sure how to behave.

And then there is the matter of her unintentionally confessing her feelings to Suguru, and the unfinished conversation surrounding those feelings. It’s all an unresolved knot of anxiety in the pit of her stomach, making her tense and nervous. 

“Do you like wine?” Satoru calls from the living room. It startles her, makes her jump, and she nearly burns herself. 

“Y-yes,” she calls back. 

There is no further inquiry for a few minutes, and she returns her attention to the food she’s making. When Satoru comes back into the kitchen, he is carrying two bottles of wine. “Cab or Merlot?”

“Umm… it doesn’t matter,” she answers. “I like them both.”

“Merlot it is,” he announces. He sets both bottles down and begins rummaging in a drawer. “Where the fuck is the corkscrew?”

“Oh,” she says, reducing the burner heat and joining him on the other side of the kitchen. “He moved all that stuff to this drawer,” she says, motioning to it. “All the corkscrews and can openers and stuff.” 

“Ooooh, you’re handy to have around.” Once he’s got the wine open, he pours a glass for her and a glass for himself. He settles himself at the kitchen island to watch her cook in much the same way that she often settles there to watch Suguru. 

It surprises her that it doesn’t make her feel uncomfortable. 

“Suguru teases me because I can’t cook,” he says after a few minutes of watching her. “Especially since I do like to.”

“Do you?”

“Yeah, I do.” He reaches over, filching one of the tomatoes she’s set out for the salad. “I’m kinda envious that you’re both good at it.”

“I hated cooking before I came here,” she confesses.

“Oh?” He raises one pale eyebrow. “Why?”

“Because eating was just something I had to do,” she explains honestly. “I didn’t enjoy it, so I didn’t enjoy cooking. I ate all the same things all the time… and I didn’t really care about learning how to make new food or try different things.” She pauses. “A couple of months after I got here, Suguru suggested that we try a new recipe every week for a month. 

“That… was fun,” she smiles, remembering. “It sort of built my appreciation for the love and care that goes into a meal when you prepare it for someone you care about. And it made cooking more fun.”

“Hmm, that does sound really nice,” he admits. “So what you’re saying is you really care for Suguru.”

She freezes, her fingers hovering over the salad bowl. It doesn’t escape his notice that her hand is shaking. 

“I suppose it was a bit unfair to spring that on you,” he muses thoughtfully. “I didn’t mean for it to sound like I was antagonizing you.”

She surprises herself with the words she says next. “Would you have a problem with it if I did? Care for him, I mean,” she clarifies.

Her words seem to surprise him, too. “Eh?” He looks at her with those unnervingly clear eyes of his. “I didn’t know you a year ago, but it seems to me like where you were then and where you are now are as different from each other as night and day.”

Lia shakes her head. “What do you mean?”

“You tried to kill yourself,” Satoru points out bluntly. “A little less than twelve months ago, you were bleeding out of your wrists in the middle of the woods, preparing to die. I don’t know what your life was like back then, but I venture to say that you’re no longer in that same headspace.

“You just told me how much you enjoy cooking now, and eating. You seem to like living here - to enjoy life with Suguru. He tells me sometimes how your eyes light up when you talk about things you enjoy. The list is long, and you should see the way his face softens up when he talks about it. You seem to be happy, and that makes him happy. If loving him is a side effect of all of that,” he goes on reasonably, “why would I have a problem with it?”

His blunt, discerning words have left her utterly speechless. She’s still frozen, rooted to the spot in front of the kitchen island with her shaky hands hovering over the salad bowl when Suguru comes in a few seconds later. “That smells good,” he says. He looks between them, sensing he’s missed something. “Am I… interrupting?”

“Not at all,” Satoru smiles blithely. “I was just about to set the table.”

*Men-go - Gojo says this in JJK 0. It’s the word gomen (which means “I’m sorry” in Japanese) said with the syllables reversed. It’s his way of turning the word a little slangy, and the equivalent of saying something like “my bad” in English.

Chapter Navigation 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Chapter Twelve: Haunted (Coming Soon)

Tag list: @therealestpussyeater

(If you'd like to be tagged in this or any of my other work, please DM me to let me know.)

[ghostwrittenmadness]

prologue- the major//minor archives

"Hello, my name is Eliza." The blinking red light of the camera taunted her as she shifted from foot to foot. "Maybe I should have come up with a script for this, but the rest of it wont be scripted, so why should the intro?" Silence from the camera. Oh man this was going to be hard. From beside the tripod, James gave her an encouraging thumbs up. Clara seemed unamused.

"Anyway, my name is Eliza Jones, and welcome to my mini series! I'm going to call it Major and Minor! Its goal is to document The Condensing and its impacts. While it happened three years ago, and we have made many great strides to normalcy- there is still much to be done." She looked at her friends again. This time Clara was nodding along. "I was not directly impacted but The Condensing, but many of my close friends were. It's something that changed their lives forever, and it's disheartening to watch society loose steam about an issue so prevalent." Across the room, Robin opened the door quietly, two passengers in tow, and took a spot next to James. Perfect timing, everyone was here. "I know I'm using a lot of big words and talking about such a serious topic, but my goal of Major and Minor is to casually spread awareness through silly little vlogs with my friends! We attend Westdale College, which happens to be located in the most integrated city in the country. And yet, as you follow our lives, I hope you'll notice how much more we need to do. Ready to meet my friends?" She motioned for Robin and James to take her place in frame, before stepping behind the camera and taking it off the tripod. The Condensing, as it had been dubbed, was a vaguely described government plan to help with over population, lack of resources, and a nationwide housing crisis. According to them at least. It was hard to remember the specifics of what happened, partly because there was none. It was chaotic and fast. People were chosen at random to 'participate' in The Condensing, which was apparently a literal term. Participation wasn't optional, and nobody really knew what was going on until 25% of the population over the age of 15 was reduced to around three inches tall and moved into tiny cities across the country. The two groups were very separate at first, but in the three years since, places have put in work to connect the two groups. Eliza felt fortunate enough to have been raised in Westdale, the leading city to do so. "Everyone, meet James Nelson!" She said, zooming in on his face. He had light brown hair that fell slightly over his blue eyes. With his free hand, James waved, before Eliza lowered the camera to his other hand. "And Clara Grace." The three inch redhead was crosslegged in James' palm. She gave a half hearted salute. "Up next we've got Robin Gray," She panned out to the girl next to James, with cherry red hair and dark lipstick on. "Finally, thing one and two: Kai Bennett and Cooper Bell." The two were pressed close on Robin's shoulder. They were perfect contrasts of one another. Kai's short black hair against Cooper's wild blond strands. Kai's sweater was blue and Cooper's was bright orange. Kai waved at the camera and Cooper covered his face. "No flash photography." "Jesus," Clara groaned. Eliza set down the tripod and joined her friends in frame. "This will be fun! I've always wondered what it would be like to be a vlogger! Anyway, that's all for now, maybe I'll add more, maybe I'll post this intro on its own, but we'll see you next time!" Some of her friends had taken more convincing than others. Clara was hesitant, claiming to not have much of a life to document. Robin, a film major, was quickly on board. Kai and Cooper were split, but whatever one did the other did too, and Kai came out victorious. James humored the group, as always. Everyone had some sort of camera, even if it was on their phone, and the plan was to record their day to days individually for Eliza to compile. Maybe they'd throw in some themed videos too, but she didn't think that far yet. Clicking off the camera, she turned to her friends. "Lunch?" "Thought you'd never ask." "Let's go." "Finally." She shook her head with a grin.

wc: 745

[foundtherightwords]

As the Sun Will Rise - Epilogue

Pairing: Grunauer (Overlord) x OFC, Beauty & the Beast retelling

Summary: After losing most of his unit in a disastrous D-Day mission, Derwin Grunauer returns to his hometown near Miami, body riddled with scars and heart heavy with guilt, only to find his neighbors shunning him due to his German name. He retreats into his family mansion and remains there, unwilling to rejoin the living, until the day Alba Reyes turns up at his door with a basket full of warm bread. As the daughter of a Cuban immigrant, Alba knows something of being an outsider, and when she offers to work for Derwin as his housekeeper, it is not only to pay off her father's debt to the Grunauers, but also because she feels some connection to the reclusive young man. When that connection develops into something more, they must overcome both the town's prejudice and their own doubts to find happiness.

Chapter warnings: none

Chapter word count: 1.5k

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 - Chapter 12 - Chapter 13 - Chapter 14 - Chapter 15 - Chapter 16 - Chapter 17 - Chapter 18 - Chapter 19 - Chapter 20

Epilogue

1968

"Dad, can we go now?" Mattie whined from her perch on the sofa's armrest. They were in the living room. Mattie had been playing on the rug with their dog Sultan, but she soon got tired of it and went to bother her father instead.

"We're waiting for Mom," Derwin said.

"But she's been on the phone for hours," Mattie said, drawing out the last syllable with all the impatience and frustration of a ten-year-old. "Grandpa and Aunt Bea and Uncle Frank are gonna think we've gotten into some horrible accident." She jumped down from the chair. "Maybe she's forgotten. Let me go get her."

Derwin looked up from his book and regarded his daughter. She had, like all three of their children, inherited their mother's dark hair and his brown eyes, though there was a trace of green in Mattie's eyes that reminded him of Alba's. "Mathilda," he said sternly. "Don't disturb your mom. You know how important this is to her."

Mattie slumped back in her chair. "OK," she said reluctantly, but with sincerity. They all knew how important this project was to Alba. Her whole life's work had led up to this.

Twenty years ago, when he asked her to marry him, Derwin had told Alba that he didn't want her to have to choose between having a career and having a family, and he had kept his word. After getting married in late 1948, they had both enrolled in the University of Miami, she to study biology and he to finish his degree in literature. It had taken them a long time, between studying, working, and raising three children, but eventually they'd graduated and found jobs in their respective fields.

Alba's job as a wetland specialist had taken her all over the country. And while she tried to save every piece of wetland from the salt marshes of the West Coast to the freshwater bogs of the East, from the largest swamps of the South to the smallest mudflats of the North, Derwin had been happy to stay home with the children. He knew it raised some eyebrows, but he had learned, a long time ago, not to care what people thought of him. Alba had taught him that. Besides, staying home had allowed him to focus on his teaching at the University and his poetry, as the four collections of poems he'd published—the one he wrote for Alba, published while he was still in school, and three more after that—could attest.

Anyone who doubted how they managed to raise a family with two working parents only had to look at their children, all well-behaved and ambitious in their own way. Raf, their eldest, a senior in high school, had gotten an internship at Cape Canaveral for the summer. Will had taken after his namesake, Grandfather Wilhelm, and was already eyeing the zoology program at the University. It was true that Mattie, as the youngest, was spoiled rotten by her father as well as her older brothers, but as she was the one who showed a penchant for poetry and literature, Derwin thought some indulgence on his part was allowed.

It was true that they also got a lot of help from Alba's family and friends. Beatriz and Frank had two girls of their own, and together with Claudia and Marty, they had always been eager to lend a hand whenever Alba and Derwin needed. Mauricio had kept his promise. Once he'd agreed to modernize the bakery, it had quickly turned a profit, allowing him to pay off the debt within a year, and by the time Beatriz and Frank were married, Mauricio had been able to purchase the building from Derwin. Throughout the years, the neighborhood had changed, people and shops moved away, but La Perla del la Sur remained a staple of Cypress Grove. Even though Beatriz and Frank had realized Mauricio's dream of opening a bigger branch in South Beach, the old man still lived there and ran the original bakery.

In fact, it was Beatriz and Frank who suggested that they hosted a dinner to celebrate Derwin and Alba's 20th wedding anniversary at the old bakery, because Alba had been so wrapped up in her latest project to think much about anything. After twenty years, the thing she feared the most had finally happened—an airport was being built right next door to them, just a few miles north of the Everglades. For months, Alba and her colleagues had heard about the plan for a supersonic jetport near the area and had tried to fight it in vain. When construction began, Alba had broken down in Derwin's arms and cried as he'd never seen her cry before. It had torn his heart apart, not being able to do or say anything to help her. But Alba, resilient as ever, had rallied again.

"Who knows Gastin Grant could actually predict the future, right?" she'd said, smiling through her tears. "He must be patting himself on the back right now."

"He won't," Derwin had told her. "You won't let him win. You didn't let him win before, and you won't now. I know you can do it."

She had given him a grateful smile and gotten to work, putting together a campaign to halt construction. Now Alba was waiting for news from the Department of Interior to see if their efforts had paid off or not.

The door to the study opened. Mattie and Derwin both looked up, and Derwin saw his own feelings reflected on his daughter's face, which was brightening as if by magic as Alba stepped into the living room. Sultan, who had inherited his love for Alba from his grandfather Otto, also ran over to greet her.

"Mom!" Mattie exclaimed, launching herself into Alba's arms. Although Mattie was too big now, Alba still picked her up like she was a baby. "You're making us late," Mattie said reproachfully.

"I'm sorry, cariña," Alba said. She staggered a little under Mattie's weight and laughed. "I'm ready now."

"Great! I'll go get Raf and Will." Mattie wriggled down and ran off, taking Sultan with her.

Derwin took Alba's laugh to be a good sign. She still looked worn and tired, with dark circles under her eyes, but she seemed more hopeful than she had in weeks. "Well?" he asked.

"We got the go-ahead to form a committee," she said. "Headed by Dr. Leopold. To research potential impacts of the jetport on the environment."

Derwin squeezed her hand with a triumphant smile. "See? I told you, you can do it."

"I'm not banking on that just yet. They may disregard our report altogether. And this should have been done long before construction even began. It may already be too late..."

"No, don't talk like that." Derwin took Alba's hand, drew her down on his lap, and ran his lips over her hair. "We can't all afford to go live in the woods like Henry David Thoreau, remember? You want to be practical. And this is a practical step."

Alba put her head on his shoulder. "You're right," she said, smiling tiredly. "You always are." She sat up. "I think we should get going, before Papi put out a search warrant."

"Hang on a minute." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a thin box. Alba had given him his present earlier that day, a tiepin set with an emerald that reminded him of her eyes, so now it was his turn. "Happy anniversary, Herzchen."

With an excited smile, she opened the box to reveal a delicate gold necklace with a pendant shaped like a frangipani flower. "Oh, cariño," she breathed out. "It's gorgeous."

She lifted her hair so he could put the necklace on for her. He happily obliged, letting his hand linger on her neck for a moment, before leaning down to kiss her shoulder and the nape of her neck. Twenty years and three kids, and for all the gray hairs and the wrinkles, and to him, she was still as beautiful as the day they met.

Alba fingered the pendant for a moment and twisted around to kiss him back. "Where are the kids?" she asked, when they finally broke apart.

"Getting our present, no doubt."

"They got us a present?"

"It's supposed to be a secret. They don't know I knew. So remember to act surprised, OK?" He grinned conspiratorially, and she grinned back.

"What is it?"

"A weekend trip to the Everglades, all expenses paid."

Alba looked dismayed. "But I'm going there next week with the committee anyway!"

"I know, but this is to relax, not to work. And who knows, if you see it from a tourist's point of view, maybe you'll find new ways to protect it too. Promise you'll act surprised?"

A teasing smile crept over Alba's lips. "If you promise to be careful on the boat this time."

"Hey, it wasn't my fault! You were putting your hands on me—"

"I seem to remember that you had your hands on me as well. Like this—"

"Shh. The kids are coming."

"Oh, they won't hear anything..."

And laughing, they left the room together, hand in hand.

THE END

The construction of the Everglades Jetport began in 1968, and after the environmental report was submitted, the project was abandoned in 1970. You can read more about it here. I came across it when I was doing research for this fic, and while I already wove it into with Grant's scheme, I thought it would be fun to feature the real-life case as well and use it as an excuse to show how Alba and Derwin's life turned out.

And yes, Sultan is the name of the little footstool/dog in "Beauty and the Beast".

Thank you for following along with this story. I never thought a character with 2 minutes of screen time and a handful of lines would result in what is my longest fic to date, and I hope you've had as much fun reading it as I had writing it!

Taglist: @kitkat80, @hahahafucku

[cmncisspnandmore]

Silent Moments

Silent Moments

Spencer x Reader

Warnings: Kidnapping, torture, blood, gore, past character death. Mention of dead mom. Suicide. 

Request:

Hello, I was wondering if I could make a request? Maybe it’s a Spencer x Reader and the reader is blind/deaf/mute (you pick which one) and the UnSub gets a hold of them and gets angry as they don’t understand why reader can’t answer their questions?

Authors note: This is not cannon, and doesn't follow the cannon timeline. Hotch isn't gone, and Morgan never left (Solely because i am stalling hardcore on finishing criminal minds and haven't really gotten too far into the seasons without Hotch and Morgan being gone.)

~~~~~

Most people believe that selective mute people are faking it. That we are purposely trying to avoid talking to others. That's not the case, at one point we were normal people. Having conversations, making jokes. Living life without taking our words for advantage. Then something happens, this horrid ugly anxiety rears its head, trapping the words inside. For you, it happened when you were 15, and you found your mother in the bathtub, dead as a doornail. The only indication that anything was wrong was the note taped to the bathroom mirror apologizing for the mess. From that day on, it was like your words were stuck in a box, locked in the bottom of your chest. 

You managed to finish highschool at home, through online classes, and copious amounts of anti anxiety meds. But for some reason those pesky words never came back. Every once in a while you would find a sound, but never anything intelligible. You got into college, studying criminal psychology. Communicating through writing on papers, and some signed english. Everyone was always trying to get you to talk, often getting frustrated when you didn't. It wasn't that you didn't want to talk, it was that you couldn't. If they thought they were frustrated, they should try living in your head. It had been almost 6 years since you said anything. You missed your own voice, therapy felt useless at this point. Medications were the only thing keeping you from going insane during the day. 

Then you met Dr. Spencer Reid in your serial killer lecture. He didn't try to get you to talk, he didn't treat you like you were dumb or that it was fake. He saw you for you. He took time to meet with you and answer the questions you had about his lectures. He would carve out hours of his own time when he was home to just get to know you. He would talk to you about anything and everything when the two of you worked through the entire lesson of the day. 

Spencer never once took your mutism as a burden. Eventually the semester came to an end, You was no longer his student, he no longer your professor. So when you stopped into his office almost a year ago, staring at him across his desk. Spencer just smiled, and asked if everything was alright, if i had needed anything. He was stunned when you managed to whisper that you wanted to have coffee with him, your body shaking with anxiety. It had taken you hours of practice and countless days of sending yourself into a sheer panic, to manage to get out those simple words that so many others wouldn't think twice about. 

So when you finally looked up at Spencer, and seeing tears openly falling from his eyes, you were shocked. It was in that moment that you knew, your words would be safe with him. After a moment Spencer had walked around his desk, tear stained cheeks and all. To hug you tight as you broke down from the mental and emotional exhaustion those words had caused.

From that day on, you two  became inseparable. Over the years you’ve been together,  you have managed to open up the box that your words were kept in around him. You could have actual conversations at times. It was still hard and draining, but you could manage, a few words here and there when out  in public around his team. 

When you had first met them they were nothing but understanding. They never pushed you and often times, would just text you throughout the day when they were on cases to make sure you’re doing okay. They had become your family. They cared for you in ways your own family couldn't after your mothers death. 

When someone knocked on the apartment door, you opened it without hesitation, seeing a man in a suit standing there. His hair slicked back, a gun in a holster by his hip. He looked like he could work with Spencer and the team so you didn't think much of it when you saw him through the peephole moments before.

“Are you Y/N?” He asked, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a FBI badge flashing it at you. You nodded, worry clouding your mind as the man nodded. 

“Im here to bring you to the hospital, something has happened to Spencer Reid. I was told to collect you immediately.” He reaches his hand out taking you by arm, you nod silently as your apartment door slams shut as he guides you down the hall. 

Your mind is foggy as he helps you into a black SUV and starts to drive. After a few moments you begin to realize youre going the opposite way of the hospital. Your mind is screaming at you that something is wrong, but your words are locked up tight. The crippling anxiety starts to seep into your every muscle. 

“You stupid bitch, you're gonna pay for what your precious boyfriend did to my brother.” the man driving pulls the gun out of the holster and presses it against your side as he drives. 

“At least you're not a screamer.” He smiles as tears flood your vision, and he presses the gun harder against your side. 

~~~~

Spencers POV

Walking through the bullpen Spencers gut is telling him something isn't right. You normally would have picked up the phone when he called even if you weren't able to say anything. But his last 4 calls have gone unanswered. His facetimes as well. The door to Hotchner's office is open, and Spencer walks through the doorway, urgency in his steps.

“Reid?”  Hotch sets the stack of papers down on his desk, his brow furrowing.

“Something is wrong, i don't know what but Y/N isn't picking up.” Spencers rushes out, pacing in front of his desk.

“Care to explain?” 

“She always picks up, or at least sends me a text saying that she cant talk right now. Not in the selective mute sense, but as in shes doing something and unable to pick up the phone you know. But i called her like 5 times and facetimed her with the stupid phone she made me get, and nothing. Its been radio silence on the other end. Im really starting to worry.” Spencer raked a hand through his unruly hair. 

With a nod Hotch stood from his desk, “okay, we’ll figure it out.”

As hotch picked up his phone to dial the rest of the team, Penelope ran into the office, her face horror struck. “I-I just got live video feed…. Someone hacked into my network. Oh god, its bad. So bad… I don't know how they got in. Im gonna have to fix that.” Garcia gushed, her eyes wide.

“Garcia whats wrong? Whats on the live feed?” Hotch urged, placing a hand on her arm trying to bring her back to the whole reason she came into the room. Garcia's eyes flickered to Hotch before she scurried over to his computer her manicured nails tapping furiously on the keys.

“It’s being bounced between a whole bunch of servers so im having a hard time tracing it, but its better if you just see.” She replies as she turns the monitor to face Spencer and Hotchner.

On the screen through a grainy camera feed sat you, tied to a chair, ropes on your wrists and ankles. Your head was down, your hair obscuring part of your face, but spencer would recognize you anywhere. No matter how bad the camera quality was. He spent hours memorizing every part of your face, and body. He knew your mannerisms better than his own. He didn't even need his eidetic memory to know it was you. Your face jerks up suddenly, the videos lack of sound made spencer wonder what you heard on the other end.  Your left eye was swollen shut, and your lip was split and bleeding. Your hair was stained red around your temple. You were shaking your head, and suddenly sound crackled through the speakers on Hotchner's computer. 

“Are you going talk to me? Tell me why they think my brother murdered those women?!” A male voice seethed, his masked form appearing in front of you as he stepped out from behind the camera. There was nothing to identify him by, he was wearing all black, a ski mask, his voice was distorted. Spencers mind was racing through all the cases they worked, but there were so many unknown factors. How long ago had the case been worked? How many women? Where was the case? How many siblings were there? Just one pair of brothers? 

There were hundreds of people who could be holding you captive. They worked so many cases a year, without more context it was hard to narrow it down. But whoever this person was they believed that their brother didn't commit the crimes he was convicted of and he was gonna use you to get to the team.

“S-she cant answer him, he doesn't realize she cant tell him anything.” Garcia whispered as the man yelled at you once again. Causing you to flinch as he struck out with his hand, sticking across your cheek.

“TELL ME!” He screamed, the speakers on the computer distorting with the volume of his voice. 

Once again, the demand went unanswered. “Fine, if you're not gonna tell me, then maybe i’ll give them some incentive to look a little deeper at the case, my brother was executed for a crime he didn't commit. Wanna know why? Because im the one who killed those women. I want his name cleared. You have 12 hours, before i gut her like  fish. Tick Tock Dr. your time is running out.”

The screen went black as video cut out, a flashing timer appearing where your picture once was, counting down the time the team had left. 

Spencers heart dropped, and everything felt cold. How were they going to sift through hundreds of cases before time ran out.

~~~~

Your POV

Your head hurt, you could taste blood, and you’re pretty sure you won't be able to see out of you eye for a month. The man who took you was pacing back and forth behind the camera on the tripod he had set up. He was muttering to himself, talking about how there was no way they would be able to save you.

“You know, your life would be a lot easier if you just talked to me. Told me why, But no you choose to keep your mouth shut. And you know what? You’re gonna die because of it. I hope you trying to protect your precious boyfriend is worth your life.” He smiled, grabbing you by your hair, yanking your head backwards. You could see the camera lens, but you knew that it was off, the red light that was on when he was talking to who you assumed was the team was off.

A small whimper left you as he brushed a gloved hand down your cheek. You wanted nothing more than to scream and tell him that you knew nothing. That spencer and the others didn't tell you that sort of information, they didn't want to risk upsetting you. He didn't seem to care or grasp the concept that you couldnt talk to him. 

“Now im gonna go and drop off a little hint for them, make the game more exciting you sit here like a good girl okay?” He patted your cheek before walking away to the computer he was using to live stream to the team. He turned the monitor towards you, starting the stream again. 

“I’ll be watching you, so don't try anything while im gone.” 

The door slammed shut after a moment. Your head was still aching as you blinked at the screen. You didn't know what was going to happen, and the hopeless feeling got worse as you watched the timer tick down.

~~~~~ Spencers POV 

 The whole team was gathered around the round table. Morgan was sifting through piles of work, handing the cases that contained male unsub to spencer who was reading them just as fast as they were handed to him. Garcia had set up her computers on the round table, trying to desperately back trace the connection of the live feed. 

“Garcia you getting anywhere” JJ asks after a few moments, watching the techs fingers get faster over the keys.

“Actually yes, I was able to back hack him and get into the stream but i still cant get where its coming from.” She muttered as she glanced up at Spencer.

“Wait, you’re in the computer hes streaming from?” Spencers hand hovered over the page he was reading a moment before. 

“Yes why?” Garcias full attention was now on the genius.

“Can you get a message to Y/N, she might be able to give us a hint on where she is.” Spencer rounded the table, his stomach clenching at the sight of you. You were staring directly at the camera. Your eyes vacant, much like when your xanax kicked in after particularly bad panic attack. 

“I think so but he wouldn't leave this up of he wasn't watching it as well.” Garcias fingers were moving over the keys again. Overtaking the computer remotely.

“Thats fine, just tell her that we can see her, and that were looking for her.” Spencer glanced down at the screen again.

“Okay. i’ll try.” Garcia muttered under her breath, as she brought up a text screen  on the computer. Quickly typing out a message, and waiting for you to notice it. The whole team was now watching the camera. Waiting to see if you would respond, after a moment your eyes scanned the text. With wide eyes you looked directly at the camera, more tears flooded down your cheek. 

A knock on the door caught everyone's attention, a delivery boy stood in the doorway a visitors pass stuck to his jacket. “Um i was told to deliver this to a Spencer reid…” in his outstretched was a blue box with a white ribbon. 

“Who gave this to you?” Spencer asks, pulling the box from the boys arms, ripping open the ribbon and tearing back the flaps of the box. Inside lay 2 identical pins, each a snake with red eyes, and black stripes. 

“Um just some guy, i didn't really see him, he was in a dark suv, you know government looking vehicles. It didn't have any plates or anything, all he said was make sure this got to spencer reid in the BAU.” The boy looked between them all. 

“Thank you,” Hotch said as he took the boy by the arm, “Agent Morgan, is gonna ask you a few questions.”

With a nod at Spencer, Morgan followed Hotch out of the room. “What significance is a pin?” Emily wondered out loud. 

“Ive never seen anything like this before.” JJ murmured, peering over spencers shoulder. 

“Its gotta mean something. It was intended for me, so it must be for me to figure out.” Spencer glanced down into the box again. What kind of message was the Unsub trying to send. 

“Um shes trying to tell us something!!” Garcia's voice broke the silence that settled over the room as spencer wracked his brain for what the pins could mean.

“I -I cant tell what shes trying to sign, im not very good at it. We usually communicate on paper.” Garcia moved aside, as spencer moved around the table.

Your fingers were moving rapidly, fingerspelling something out, but without your full range of motion, it was hard to tell what letters you were spelling out. “Can you isolate her hand movements?” Spencer wondered.

“Yeah, yeah give me a second.”  Garcia’s fingers worked overtime to isolate your hand movements. 

“S-c-a-r e-y-e b-l-i-n-d… Scar, eye, blind. He has a scar through one eye, hes blind in one eye!” Spencer announces. The whole team pausing for a moment to think back on the cases. 

“Wait wait, you said that there was 2 identical pins in the box? What if hes telling us hes an identical twin.” Emily wonders, walking back over to the pile of cases spencer had been going through.

“The Ashby case! Twin brothers, one has a scar, yes! The Ashby twins, in knoxville tennessee. Jordan was thought to have murdered 3 women on his parents farm. He had an identical twin brother Joesph, but we ruled Joesph out because we didn't think he would be able to commit the crimes with having surgery on his eye after a car accident left him blind in his left eye.” Spencer remembers, the hospital records showed that Joseph had declined his home visit nurses around when Jordan was murdering the women.

“What if Joseph had his brother pose as him, all he had to do was have him put gauze over his eye and refuse the let the home nurses check it. No one would figure it out that it was actually Jordan. Jordan must’ve just been an accomplice, he never actually murdered those women. He still would’ve gone to jail, but he wouldn’t have face the death penality. “ Emily opens up the file, laying it out on the table, the crime scene pictures laid out. Spencers eyes race over the pictures, until something in the top corner of one of the pictures of the living room catches his eye. In a glass hutch is a set of identical snake pins.  Just like the ones in the box. 

“The pins! They were in the house.” Spencer exclaims, pointing to the hutch, so everyone can see it. 

“Okay so now we know who has her, but how do we find her?” Emily looks over at Garcia who is waiting with fingers poised over her computer keys.

“Garcia check and see if Joseph has used a card anywhere in our area within the last week, i want to know when and where he got here.” JJ says, going to stand behind the tech, watching as her finger fly over the keys. 

The timer appears over the small window Garcia has open, the count down now saying they have less than an hour to find you. Static crackles through the speakers and Josephs voices pours in. 

“Oh no, you didn't play by the rules. I said not to do anything, i saw you though, telling them things through the camera. Now since you broke my rules, im giving you one hour to find her, before i make this dumb mute scream.” 

~~~

Your POV

Blood rushing in your ears makes everything sound muffled, as your captor pulls a hunting knife out of his pocket. “You know, I said I’d give them an hour to find you, but I think we can have some fun beforehand, right?” His grimy hand slides across your cheek down your lip. 

“I’m gonna have so much fun.” He smiles, trailing the knife up your chest, cutting the fabric of your shirt. He trails the knife down the top drawing a thin line of blood as he increases the pressure, cutting into the skin by your collarbones. 

Hot pain sears through you, and bile rises in your throat as he gets closer. Your head is pounding, as he continues dragging the blade across your skin. Almost like he’s painting a sick and twisted picture with his knife. Tears have soaked the front of your shirt, stinging the wounds that decorated your chest. 

“C’mon it’s no fun if you don’t scream!” He seethes, just as he raises his knife and slams it into your thigh, right down to the plastic handle. It takes everything in you not to scream. To resist, to not give him the satisfaction of knowing how much it hurt. It’s hard to breathe as the pain lingers, gripping you with icy hands. He rips the blade out of your leg, and blood starts to pour out of the wound. Soaking through your jeans and dripping onto the floor. You vision goes fuzzy around the edges after a few moments, only to be brought right back as he proceeds to do it again. Higher up this time, closer to your femoral artery. A cold sweat breaks out over your body, the room tilts slightly, and your head falls forward, black spots dancing across your vision. 

Out of the corner of your eye you catch a small movement, a glimpse of dark blue against the nearly black shadows of the warehouse. After a moment you see it again, as your captor picks up the knife again, holding it in his hands, staring at you for a moment before moving towards you again. 

“FBI DROP YOUR WEAPON!” Morgan’s loud voice echoes across the building. He emerges from behind a pallet, followed by the rest of the team, sans JJ who appears seemingly out of nowhere, with her gun aimed at his head. 

“It’s over Joseph,” Spencer’s voice causes your head to groggily turn towards him. A small whine-like sound escapes, startling Joseph and he drops the knife. As it hits the ground JJ reaches forward grabbing his arms and dragging him to the ground Morgan rushing over to help restrain him.

“Spencer…. Help me.” Your chest heaves as you watch him slide to his knees in front of you. His long fingers press against your jeans staunching the flow of blood from the wounds. 

“I got you, you’re gonna be okay. You’re gonna be fine.” He tells you, resting his forehead against yours as tears flow freely down his cheeks. You can faintly hear Emily calling for an ambulance, as the world fades away.

~~~

2 months later

“Y/n! Oh look at you! Those shoes are ADORABLE!!!” Garcia's cheery voice startles you slightly as Spencer reaches down helping you out of the car. You were attending a party at Rossi’s, the first one after you were released from the hospital after the incident. 

Glancing down you take in the low heeled strappy shoes you were wearing. They were the only somewhat fancy shoes you could walk in, you were still going to physical therapy 3 times a week to strengthen your leg. Joseph’s knife had done some serious damage to the nerves and muscles. The emerald green dress you were wearing fell to just below your knees, hiding the compression brace on your thigh. 

“Thank you,” You smiled, and Garcia stopped, tears springing to her eyes. 

“You know the shoes are great, but hearing your voice just made my entire week. I thought you were never going to talk to us again.” She cried, grabbing you and pulling you close. You had spent almost a full month non verbal, not even talking to Spencer. But after spending a few weeks in a psychiatric care facility you had made amazing progress. You still had your bad moments, but you had been practicing with Spencer all the time, talking to him, working on not letting the overwhelming panic take over. 

“You’re doing amazing sweetheart,” Spencer wrapped his arms around your waist after Penelope let go. You both made your way into Rossi’s house, it was decked out in string lights and soft white and gold decor. 

After a few minutes of saying hello, and people getting over the fact that you were walking, and talking again. You leaned over towards Morgan, raising your champagne flute to your mouth, “what are we celebrating?” 

Morgan glanced down at you, a playful smile on his face. “You’ll see,” he said with a suspicious twinkle in his brown eyes. The music changed to a soft slow song and Spencer appeared next to you, his hand on your elbow. 

“Care to dance?” He smiled.

With a nod you allowed him to take your champagne flute, and set it on the bar top. Pulling you onto the dance floor in the middle of Rossi’s, Spencer rested his hands on your hips, swaying softly. The song came to an end, and the next one started.

JJ came over, “Can we take a picture?” She asked, holding up a camera. You leaned into her side and smiled wide. 

“Great thanks!” She gushed, taking a few steps back towards Will. You turned around and were momentarily confused. Spencer was just behind you. Then a small movement in your peripheral made you look down. You hands immediately covering your face, Spencer was down on one knee. A beautiful 3 carat round diamond ring with two smaller marquise cut diamonds on the side sat in a red velvet box. 

“Y/n, we have been through hell and back, especially this past year: but there is no one I would’ve wanted to go through it with other than you. You have shown me a new perspective on life. You taught me to appreciate the little things, and not take things f

or granted. I know I’m not the one who usually struggles to put things into words. But I don’t think any words could ever describe how much I love you. So would you do me the honor, and marry me?” Spencer’s eyes were glassy with tears as he looked up at you. 

“Yes, a million times yes.” You nodded, a smile breaking out over Spencer face as he stood sliding the ring onto your finger and kissing you deeply. 

Maybe talking wasn’t always such a bad thing. 

[bibbityboppitybillyharvgrove]

Rambles - E.Munson

Summary - Eddie hosts a holiday party, Wayne not expecting 15 people to show up at their trailer. Although the trailer was filled with his friends, he spent most of the party outside with one of his closest friends, Y/N, sharing a joint. 

Word Count - 737

Warnings - Female reader, Use of drugs(weed), use of Y/N

Author's Note - Welcome to day five! I'm still keeping up so hopefully I will be able to keep up for the next 20 days! We shall see!

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Feedback is welcomed and encouraged!

Enjoy!

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A year ago, Eddie would have thought he was crazy for spending the holidays with Steve Harrington and Y/N Y/L/N, but this year, it seemed perfectly normal. Wayne had allowed him to host a party in their trailer for his friends. The deal was just Eddie’s friends and nobody else. However, Wayne had vastly underestimated how many friends Eddie actually had. The trailer was packed with people, everyone from Hellfire, including Lucas, was there, Max, El, Nancy, Jonathan, Argyle, Robin, Steve, Y/N and Will. There were 16 people packed into the trailer like a bunch of sardines, when Wayne showed up, he was quite surprised with the amount of friends his nephew had accumulated over the last year.

Most of the older teens had taken over Eddie’s bedroom, the younger ones taking over the living room. Y/N and Eddie were sitting outside on the steps leading up to the front door, sharing a joint as they sat in a comfortable silence. She was the one to break it after a short while. “Wayne seemed surprised with how many people showed up,” She pointed out.

“He thought I was only inviting the Hellfire guys but I don’t think he realized how many people I’m actually friends with,” He replied, “It’s weird to think about really. I mean I had maybe 3 friends last year but this year there are 15 people at my trailer because they chose to be friends with me.”

“Who wouldn’t want to be friends with you? You are one of the best people I’ve had the joy of meeting. You’re like one of my favorite people ever, everyday with you is something new. Nothing is ever the same and I love that because it makes hanging out with you so much more fun because I never know what you’re gonna do,” She rambled, Eddie’s cheeks turning a bright pink color.

“You ramble when you smoke,” Eddie pointed out, “It’s cute.”

“Shut up.” She bumped her shoulder into his with a smile on her face. The two of them shared a laugh before talking about random things that popped into their minds. They sat out there for a few hours just talking and laughing, only going inside as the younger kids started to leave. The number of people in the house dwindling, Steve, Nancy and Robin all left, it was just Gareth, Jeff and Doug hanging out on the couch with Wayne. 

Y/N was getting giggly because she had smoked a little too much. “She’s gonna crash here tonight, if that’s okay Uncle Wayne,” Eddie mentioned. Wayne gave him a noncommittal grunt. He took her hand and led her to his room, Gareth whistling at the pair and Jeff clapping which resulted in a middle finger from both of them. 

This hadn’t been the first time she had stayed over with Eddie, she had stayed over so often that Wayne was just used to her staying. It’s not like Eddie brought girls over, the only girl that was ever at the trailer consistently was Y/N. As they got to his room, he handed her a pair of his boxers and a long sleeve shirt to wear for the night, taking out a pair of long flannel pajama pants. The two of them getting changed with their backs turned to each other before climbing into his bed and getting under the covers. 

They laid beside each other, on their sides just looking at one another. She started to giggle again which made Eddie start chuckling. “What is so funny?” He asked between his laughter. 

“I don’t know,” She giggled with glee. The two of them laughed for nearly 30 minutes before being able to calm down enough to talk. “You’re so handsome,” She said suddenly.

“You’re so beautiful,” He responded with a smile. She pressed her forehead to his as they looked into each other’s eyes. “Your eyes are so red.” 

“So are yours.” 

Both of them fell asleep not long after, their tiredness sneaking up on them. Wayne had checked on them before he had gone to bed, finding the two of them face to face and holding onto one another tightly. He had gently shut the door with a smile on his face, happy for his nephew even though the pair weren’t together just yet. He knew it wouldn’t be very long until the two got together.

[not-a-space-alien]

K&J x MMSS 4: Valen & Jim Part 4B

So, this is the first chapter of an alternate timeline that we wrote to the fourth crossover. This diverges from the story at the original chapter 4 (I'll call it chapter "4A" and this is the "B" timeline.)

The first three chapters go the same way, and then in chapter 4, for the "B" timeline, Jim's dropoff with his sister goes without incident, meaning Valen doesn't get burned and therefore does not come back into human territory with Jim. They go their separate ways and don't meet again until years later.

Since Valen does not have the protection from Jim and Liz in this timeline, he ends up getting captured by vampires hunters when he comes back years later--the same ones that took Kane in K+J. Those hunters then get the details from Jim's book mixed up--since obviously Valen would be mentioned in it--and think of Valen as "That vampire from Jim Liberman's book," assuming he's the one who held Jim hostage without really checking the details. They then offer Valen to Jim, who showed up expecting Kane like in K+J canon. So this version would be more of a "caretaker-turned-whumpee" and "whumpee-turned-caretaker" story.

We lovingly refer to this as "the horrors version." What happens to Valen in this AU is much, much worse than what happens to him in canon MMSS.

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Warnings: Blood, aftermath of torture. The usual. Just some real sicko shit.

***

The rest of the meeting at the border is tense, but ultimately goes off without a hitch.  Valen is ultimately happy to be rid of the car and simply runs back home.  They exchanged phone numbers, and Valen calls to leave a message to say he got home safely.

They talk a little bit over the phone over the next week or two, but Valen decides to leave Jim to his human life, and goes back to focusing on his research.  Down the road, he realizes he needs to spend some time on human territory to make it feasible, but by then he hasn't talked to Jim in years and doesn't want to bother him.  That's when the unthinkable happens.

***

They'd told Valen that his victim, Jim Liberman, was coming to pick him up, for revenge.  That he'd get his just deserts.

Valen can't remember who Jim is.  He'd racked his brain, trying to think of all the people he'd ever wronged, and had come up empty.  He's no stranger to tears at this point, but he cried like he'd never cried before that day, salty tears streaming down his cheeks in the same track they'd run a thousand times before, over the bare silver muzzle that had been fused with his melted skin for years at this point.  They hadn't even given him a chance, they'd just assumed the worst about him and used that as evidence that he deserved the worst torture imaginable for years, and now he was going to be given to someone who was going to treat him even worse, and he couldn't even remember who or why.

Then the hunter drags him outside and throws him at the feet of the human who was to be his new jailer.  And he does recognize him.  They met once for a few days, 15 years ago, and Valen's hazy, pain-addled brain can't quite remember what their interaction had been.  Valen found him outside, he remembers, and he'd taken him home.  That was bad, right?  Had he kidnapped Jim?  Maybe that's what they'd been talking about.

That doesn't sound like something Valen would do, though.  Well, maybe it was something he would do now, he has no way of knowing what kind of person he is now.  He does remember he used to be very kind and compassionate, though, and it seems like he wouldn't have hurt a stray human.  But the hunters have been telling him over and over that he's a monster, a leech, a wretched animal that deserves all the pain it's getting, so maybe he did hurt Jim, maybe he does deserve to be strung up in the sun forever with his air cut off.

But still.  Even if he deserves it, it's too horrible to think about.  He trembles on the ground, looking at Jim’s knees with pleading eyes.  Please just kill me.  Please just end this travesty of existence.

All of Jim's nerves and expectations go out the door the second he lays eyes on the vampire the hunter pushed in front of him.

Not Kane. Valen.

Jim looks at him in shock that quickly morphs into horror. He opens his mouth to object, to say you had the wrong guy and even if you had the right guy this would be unthinkable, but the words die in his throat. They're already handing Valen over to him, and only because they think he deserves revenge. He won't say anything that could even potentially jeopardize that. These hunters probably would not approve of him freeing Valen. God, they used the padded cuffs he brought for Kane, but that's a silver muzzle.

"I'll be g-going now." he says shakily to the hunter instead.

"Just give me a call if it's too much trouble and you want to return it." says Chase.

"That won't be necessary." Jim says curtly, trying to hold back tears. He and the hunter exchange goodbyes, and Jim drops to his knees, eye-level with Valen.

"Oh my god. Oh my god, Valen, holy shit, what did they do to you?" he whispers in horror.

"What did they do to you?"  Just what I deserve, right?  That's what they'd been saying this whole time, so he'd started to believe it.  The alternative was something unthinkable.

Jim reaches to unlock the muzzle- he can try to talk to Valen about the whole please don't use persuasion on me thing later, but it's apparent that Valen won't be able to speak for a bit anyway. "I'm gonna take this off, is that okay?" he asks.

Jim is taking the muzzle off?  That can't be right.  The muzzle stays on was the very first rule the hunters had laid down, because he was dangerous and could use his mouth to hurt in a number of ways, and this burning sensation locked around the lower half of his face had become the only constant in his new life, and the idea that it would go away had never occurred to him as a possibility.  It was part of him now, just as his skin was melted to the silver.

And why is Jim asking Is that okay? like his opinion on anything makes any difference?  What is he doing, talking to Valen like he's a person?  Valen doesn't answer, sitting there with eyes downcast.  Some humans didn't like it when he made eye contact, they said he was trying to use persuasion on them, and that earned him the ultimate punishment: the sun.  He avoided eye contact like the plague.  Even just looking up at Jim earlier had been risky.

"Alright. I'm goin' for it. Sorry that there's no way to do it without it hurting, but that thing on your face can't be comfortable. Sooner I get it off, sooner you can heal, right?" Jim gives his bony shoulder a gentle squeeze. "S'gonna be okay. You're out. I- I'm gonna help you, like you helped me." His tears do fall, then.

He unlocks the muzzle and begins pulling it off. It's melted into Valen's face and almost impossible to remove. His skin tears like wet paper. Jim punctuates his efforts with a sorry every few seconds until it's off, leaving Valen's face a gory mess, lips completely gone and teeth on full display. Jim retches involuntarily at the sight. "I'm so fucking sorry, Valen. Least it's off."

Valen dissociates from the pain, just thinking of Jim’s words.  It's going to be okay?  I'm gonna help you?  None of this sounds right, it clashes with what the hunters had been telling him for years.  Like you helped me.  Maybe Valen had helped this human?  But then why had the hunters punished him?  Helping a stray human does sound more like something Valen would have done, though, in the past, when he'd been a person and not a rabid animal.

Oh, that's right.  That's the answer to what kind of person he is now, as he'd wondered earlier.  He's not a person at all, he's a mindless animal, the kind that would, here still on the hunter's doorstep, immediately bite the metaphorical hand that feeds, in an attempt to turn it into the literal hand that feeds.

Valen's mouth hadn't been free in years, and all he can think of is his primal instincts urging him to take the chance to feed while he can.  They hadn't needed to train the instinct out of him, because he'd had no opportunity to use it.  And Jim is so very full of delicious, aromatic blood, and so soft and vulnerable, and so very, very right there next to his mouth, and Valen is so very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very hungry.

As soon as Jim says least it's off, the gory mess he'd just exposed around Valen's jaw comes to life and snaps shut over Jim's wrist.

Jim freezes, eyes wide and mouth shut tight. He cranes his neck to the side, just like he's supposed to, even though it's covered in fabric and Valen feeds from his wrist. He hasn't forgotten how to behave.

He trembles horribly as Valen feeds, crying much harder, though the only sounds that escape him are quiet sobs.

Until he starts to feel lightheaded. More lightheaded than Kane ever made him, even when Kane overfed.

"Valen, p-please." he whispers through his tears.

Nobody hears him. Valen's stomach is a blackhole that can never be filled, his heart a void that screams to be filled with violence.

Valen, p-please... Valen is gone, there's only this animal that won't stop drinking until he's forced to. He'll kill Jim, but he doesn't care, he can't.

He bites again, getting a bigger mouthful, tearing more skin, sweet, wet blood gushing into his mouth, down the front of his nearly-naked body

Jim knows it's bad bad bad, he'll be punished for sure, but he has to get away or he'll die. He pushes Valen off of him- it's easier than he'd thought it would be. His already-hurting wrist erupts even further into pain, and Jim cries out softly, cowering away from him.

Valen hasn't been strong in years. It's easy to push him off, his fangs tearing the skin as they're pulled out. He swallows what's in his mouth desperately, licking the remaining blood off his shaking, chained hands.

He bit, he attacked, he fed, the ultimate thing he wasn't allowed to do. The hunters are all still nearby, they'll surely hear Jim's pained sounds, and then he'll be punished beyond belief. But he needs the blood, he needs it, he can't think of anything else.

Jim holds his bleeding wrist to himself, sobbing.

"I'm sorry, I'm s-sorry, sir." he blubbers. "Please don't hurt me, I'm sorry. Please, I just, I don't wanna die."

Chase comes back out, hearing the commotion. "The fuck! It bit you?!"

Valen cowers when Chase comes back on the scene, his very presence instantly reducing Valen to a submissive, trembling mess. He whines like a dog, the only method of communication that had been available to him for years, and presses himself into the floor. Please don't put it back on, please please please.

Jim snaps out of it with the hunter's call. He's on a rescue mission now, he remembers. He needs to get Valen out of here safe, no matter now terrified he is of him.

"N-no." he lies, unable to stop crying. "This is the vampire's blood. Just, just tryin' to switch muzzle."

"Fuck, I told you it wasn't a good idea. You should've asked. Here, let me put the muzzle back on, it's better with it on." Chase starts to approach, going straight for the discarded silver muzzle on the ground.

Jim kicks the gore-covered monstrosity away. "No, just, use the one I've got." He doesn't want to muzzle Valen at all, especially given how painful Valen's face looks, but there's no way he can drive home with Valen unmuzzled after this. "It's in the car."

"Right, switching. Sure, your call." As Chase goes to grab the padded muzzle from the car, Jim mouths I'm sorry to Valen.

Chase fastens the muzzle onto Valen, too tight. "You good to go? Need anything else?" He assumes Jim's crying is due to seeing his captor again, emotions high.

"I'm good."

"You sure?"

"Yes." Jim insists. "I can handle this."

"Alright. Drive safe." Chase heads back inside.

Valen remains a terrified, quivering puddle on the floor, hardly able to believe he'd escaped Chase's check-in without being strapped to the board and set outside in anticipation of the sunrise. He'd swallowed blood, he'd fed, and it's better than he's felt in years despite the raw mess of his face and the new muzzle squeezing him. It doesn't burn, and his stomach has something in it, and any relief from the pain in any amount is welcome at this point.

He rolls over so he's facedown on the ground. He's muzzled again, the way he should be, and that's enough for his brain to remember he's supposed to be submissive and obedient and nonthreatening. He stares straight at the ground, no chance of eye contact

Jim shuffles back over to Valen and reaches out a shaking, bleeding hand to gently rest on his forehead. This way, if Valen lunges again, he can easily push back. Heart clenching with terror, he puts his uninjured hand under Valen's muzzled mouth.

"Please spit." he whispers. "I can't ask the hunter for first aid without letting him know you bit me. I need the bleeding to stop. Please."

Valen looks at what Jim's doing through a haze of pain and confusion. Spit. He knows that one. He has to be obedient.

As best as he can through the bit blocking his mouth, he lets bloody saliva dribble out of his mouth, stringing down into Jim's hand

"Thank you." Jim retracts both hands and rubs the saliva over his wound, thankfully stopping the bleeding pretty quick.

He takes a moment to breathe, trying to calm himself down. "Well, least I don't have to psyche myself up to feed you. Jumpin' right in the deep end." he says nervously. "Do you remember, when you found me? I was dying, and you gave me water. You saved my life. I'll never forget it. I'll make sure you get home safe, too."

Valen doesn't look at him. He can't. But Jim's words are washing over him in waves. Valen had saved his life. Yes, that sounds right. He'll make sure he gets home safe, too. That doesn't. Valen is a dangerous creature, and he'd just attacked Jim, and he was going to be disciplined and tortured.  It'd already sunk in a long time ago that he was going to be imprisoned and in pain for the rest of his life, and there was no way he could let himself believe Jim's words, to open the can of worms to start hoping again, because that was always how he got hurt emotionally. Bitter tears spring into his eyes.

As shaken as he is by the bite, Jim remembers what it was like to be so thirsty he'd do anything for water. He gets it, and he can see how terrified and desperate Valen is.

"It's okay. Let's get you in the car, alright?" Jim takes Valen's arm and helps him into the back seat, figuring he might want to lie down.

He's too nervous to take the muzzle off: if Valen bites while he's driving, it'd be very bad for both of them. He does take off both sets of cuffs, though. "Hope that's a little more comfortable. It's gonna be a few hours until we get back to my place, figure you could crash there while you heal up and head home whenever you're ready. I'll take that thing off when we get home, okay?" He gestures to the muzzle. "Don't wanna get in an accident."

Valen watches Jim help him into the car, and take his manacles off, and promise him gentleness, all with wide, uncomprehending eyes. Head home? Head home???? The possibility is too absurd to comprehend. Is Jim being cruel, messing with him? No, that doesn’t make sense. If Valen really had saved Jim's life, maybe this is real?

He lies down in the back of the car, with his wrists free, limply allowing himself to be carted around. He should apologize for biting Jim as soon as he can. Maybe that will earn him less pain.

He stews in that thought for part of the ride before being once again overwhelmed by his animalistic fear, and he starts pawing at the muzzle, trying to get it off, but there's a lock on it. He whines, tears streaming down his face.

Jim hears miserable whining from behind him. "Hold on, lemme pull over and see what's up.”

He does, pulling onto the shoulder and opening the back door. "I know it sucks right now. I'm so sorry. I'd ask what's wrong, but there's a lot. What can I help you with right now?" He's hoping Valen can charade it to him. He doesn't have anything to write with, and Valen won't be able to talk until he heals, muzzle or not.

Valen claws at the muzzle on his face, worming around in the backseat, just wallowing in his desperation

"Hey, hey hey hey." Jim hesitantly reaches out and takes Valen's hands in his. "If I take that thing off you, are you gonna bite me again? I'll take it off if you think you can hold off."

Valen tries to steady himself. Jim is helping him, Jim is trying to help him. Right?

He bit Jim, and it was nowhere near enough blood to sate his hunger, but if he wants the muzzle off, he has to not bite. He can do that, right? He nods slowly

"Awesome. Thank you, I know it's gotta be hard. But you did take enough to make me woozy, so I hope it's enough, 'cause I can't give you more tonight. I only got so much blood. I'll find a way to get you more soon, though, okay?" He can ask people. Liz or Laken, maybe.

Jim unlocks the muzzle, lifting it off Valen's face. "Didn't realize that asshole put it on this tight. I'm sorry, that had to hurt, 'specially with your face. Is there anything else?"

It's off and it'll stay off if he behaves. He can do that, he can behave.  He rolls over and curls up into a ball. He wishes he had something to cover himself, in case the sun comes up. Still hiding his face, he mimes a motion like pulling a blanket over himself

"Yeah, fuck, sorry." Jim should've been thinking about the fact that Valen would want some clothes for the ride home. He came expecting to have to come face to face with his abuser, only to be met with this entire situation, and his brain's on the fritz. He takes his flannel off and hands it to Valen. "Will this work for now? We'll be home in like, two hours, and then I can get you some real clothes."  It’s well before sunrise, but Valen would have no way of knowing what time it is.

Still crying, Valen takes the flannel and wraps it around himself, barely managing to get his arms into the sleeves, like he doesn't remember how to put on a shirt.

Thank you. It's the most covered he's been in years, and if he gets thrown into the sun, less of him will be burned. He wants to say thank you. But no, that's talking, that's bad, he might use persuasion, he has to show he's obedient. Eyes still downcast, he nods, hoping Jim can see his appreciation non-verbally.

"Alright. Let me know if you need anything else. When we get home, I'll get you a pen and paper so you can write. You can take a bath, get into some pajamas, and I've got a bed set up in the basement for you." Jim gets back in the driver's seat and keeps going.

All of that sounds too good for him.  He doesn't deserve a bath, and pajamas, and a bed. He knows that now, the hunters taught him, the hunters taught him he needs to be happy with a concrete floor and a hose and whatever pain they were giving him, because it could always, always be worse, somehow.

Valen tries to show he's grateful, but he's just so scared. He can't get his hopes up that this foggy promise of comfort from somewhere above him is real and not something he's imagining. He has a very good imagination.

He stays curled up in a ball, shaking. It's the first time in forever nothing is actively hurting him, and he has something in his stomach, and he feels okay, but all this change is making the entirety of his ordeal hit him all at once, and he can't seem to stop crying and being scared even though Jim is being kind to him. He tries to stay quiet so as not to seem ungrateful, but the tears and sobs occasionally come out in waves all the way home.

Jim's heart breaks for Valen. He has no idea what kind of unimaginable horrors he's been through, but he knows what it's like to be helpless and scared. He's just glad he can do something about it.

When they arrive home, Jim opens the back door and peers in at Valen again. He's nervous, very nervous, to be so close to Valen after the bite. But for the past decade, Valen's been almost like a deity of safety in his mind, the savior who took him from the brink of death and delivered him home. If Valen isn't safe, no one is.

"We're here, bud. C'mon, let's get you inside." he encourages, holding out a hand for Valen to take.

Valen wants to bite again. He really, really wants to. All he'd wanted to do for the past five years was bite the people who were causing him pain, and he is in pain and helpless and scared, and it's like wading through thick fog to grasp what's actually going on and what he needs to do.

Don't bite, the muzzle will stay off if you don't bite. Don't bite.

He gingerly reaches out and takes Jim's hand.

Jim takes him inside, leaving all the restraints in the car. He doesn't plan on using them. "Alright, what do you wanna do first? Bath, sleep, or write? Uh, just hold up one two or three fingers. And I'll get you some clothes."

Valen feels so overwhelmed by the way Jim is talking to him. He has to make decisions? He's too tired to think, drained and exhausted by his hunger and fear. He holds up two fingers. That was for sleep, right? Maybe he wants to just be left alone for a while

"Yeah, I bet you're exhausted. Lemme grab something for you to wear, just hang tight for a second, yeah?" Jim leaves briefly, returning with a set of soft checkered pajamas and a familiar outfit: the clothes Valen gave to Jim 10 years ago.

"I can finally return 'em." Jim says with a smile, handing everything to Valen.

Valen takes the clothes with shaking hands. He recognizes them. He finally remembers taking Jim home and caring for him when he was in need. Just as Jim is doing for him now. He buries his face in the outfit and drops to his knees, crying. He wants to say thank you. But he shouldn't try to talk, that's bad, and he should be good for Jim, who's helping him.

Jim goes down with him, rubbing his back, careful to avoid the half-healed burns. "You're gonna be alright. I've got you. I won't let anything bad happen to you. How about I show you downstairs, you get some rest, and tomorrow you can get cleaned up, get some more blood in you, and if your mouth's not healed enough to talk yet- which, yeah, I dunno how long that'll take- you can write anything you wanna say. Sound good?"

Valen tries to compose himself, sniffling. He's scared, but all he can really do is hang in there and trust that what Jim is saying is true, and that everything will be okay. Downstairs and rest sound nice.

When Jim shows him downstairs, the basement reminds him uncomfortably of his cell at the hunter's compound, although he quickly decides he'd prefer it to the upstairs anyway just because it has no windows and therefore no risk of the sun.

There's a bed, and a blanket, and a pillow. Jim intends those to be for him, right? He'd said he'd set up a bed for him. Right? But it seems so outrageously luxurious, so much more than he deserves or is used to, that he can't bring himself to accept it. He must be misunderstanding somehow, or thinking wishfully. Such things are not for him anymore, and he can't risk seeming entitled and presumptuous. He can hear the hunters' voices: You think you get a bed, leech? That's cute.

No, he can't risk it. He needs to show he'll be happy with whatever Jim gives him. Especially after he'd bitten Jim. There's no way that behavior should be rewarded like this.

He really, really wants the blanket, so maybe if he shows he knows his place, Jim will be kind and give it to him anyway, even though it's too good for him.

Valen staggers to the corner of the room and slides down onto the ground, lying on the cement floor with the clothes Jim had given him under his head as a substitute for a pillow. He hopes that misusing the clothes that way won't seem too entitled. The voices come back. Oh, you think you deserve a pillow, leech? That's cute. Since you don't know how to use them, might as well take them back.

"Oh, hey, what's wrong? Is something wrong with the air mattress? I know it's not, like, the best thing ever, but I only got... you can use my bed if you want. It's upstairs, but I can close the curtains and you should be peachy." Jim offers. "You can sleep wherever you want. Take your pick."

Oh no, no, this is too hard, it's too hard to try and figure out if it's really safe to accept the air mattress. He wants it so badly, which is the exact reason why he knows he can't have it. That is something they trained into him.  He curls his bony knees up to his chest and cries, unsure of what to do

Okay, Valen is scared. He's just scared. "It's okay. Nothing's gonna hurt here." Jim says softly. "How about you put on your pajamas and get into bed? Can you do that? I'll turn around while you get changed, just like, make any noise to let me know when you're done or if you need help.”

He turns around, hoping this will encourage Valen.

Valen wishes Jim would stop phrasing things so ambiguously, and start just saying what he wants Valen to do.  He is used to commands, not ambiguous suggestions.  How about you put on your pajamas and get into bed could mean anything.  He thinks it means Jim wants him to do that, but he really wishes Jim would just order him to use the bed so he can do it without being afraid that he's doing something he'll be punished for.

But he'd said Nothing's gonna hurt here.  That doesn't seem right.  How will Jim punish him, then, if he won't be using pain to do it?  Unless Jim doesn't think he needs punished?  Maybe he doesn't, if Valen saved him, like it seems like he did forever ago, in another life.  But the hunters had seemed so sure he'd deserved it, so maybe they knew something Jim didn't.

Oh no, if that was the case then maybe there was some danger that Jim could find out what it was that made him deserve pain, and then stop being nice to him and helping him.  His brain runs off in this anxious train of thought, before he tries to ground himself by the fact that Jim has turned around and clearly wants him to get changed.  Just get changed, you can do it, stop using your wild imagination and just get changed.

He drops the mangled, bloodstained tatters that comprise the clothes he'd been wearing when he'd been captured to the ground, then pulls on the pajamas.  They're soft and warm and cozy, and so, so wonderful and that makes him so nervous because surely this can't be for him, this has to be a mistake, right?

Say thank you, say thank you or he might take them back.  He tries to remember how to talk.  You have to vibrate your throat, like a growl, and move your lips, except he doesn't have those right now.  He tries anyway, and it comes out as a strangulated gurgle.  He puts his hands over his mouth.  No, talking is bad, isn't it?  He doesn't know, he'd never been given the opportunity with the hunters.

Jim turns around at the sound to see Valen dressed. "Awesome. You can go to bed now, get some rest. And don't touch the door, okay? It's got silver on it. I was, uh, expecting someone else, not you. The hunters said I was picking up Kane, so y'know, precautions. I'll leave it open, so don't worry about it. You need anything else before I head up?"

Go to bed.  Go to bed, go to bed means go to the bed and lie down in it and close your eyes and go to sleep. Right?  He wants to so badly.  But he is so, so anxious.  He wants Jim to reaffirm that he means for Valen to sleep on the air mattress.  It feels like it's not going to be safe to accept the bed and the blanket and the pillow unless Jim tells him he has to.

He can't look Jim in the eye and give him a questioning facial expression.  He can't ask Are you sure?  Valen is completely oblivious as Jim tells him about the door--he has no intention of going near the door, or trying to escape, escape is impossible and useless to even hope for--he's laser-focused on the bed.  He steps towards it and kneels again, slowly extending one hand out to touch the blanket, whimpering as though he expects Jim to hit him.  Keeping his eyes low, he looks at Jim and pauses with his hand on the blanket, to give Jim an opportunity to either tell him to keep going, or to shoo him away and confirm his doubts.

"Yeah, that's it. Shit, at least Kane let me sleep in a damn bed. Go for it. You're all good." Jim gives him a thumbs-up. "Or, uh, if there's some other problem, I could get something for you to write with after all?"

Valen nods at the suggestion, and holds his hand out, trying not to cry.  Why did this feel so hard?

"Alright, one second." Jim heads upstairs, coming back a moment later with a pen, paper, and a cutting board he grabbed just for a hard surface to put the paper on. He sits on the air mattress, handing Valen the materials and patting the space next to him. "What do you wanna say? It's alright, you're safe now."

Valen doesn't get up onto the bed next to Jim.  He stays kneeling on the floor and takes the materials from Jim.  His hand is shaky, and he fumbles with the pencil, crying as his hands struggle to write, something he hasn't done in years.  Eventually he manages to get out a message in messy font:  I don't deserve a bed.

Jim sighs sadly. "Yeah you do, man. You deserve a bed. Promise. Look, I don't know all of what those fuckers did to you, I can't say I know how you feel. But I do know what it's like to have to learn how to be a person again after being told over and over again I'm not one. You're a person. You deserve nice things, and you deserve to be safe, and you deserve a bed. Okay?"

Finally, finally that's enough to make him feel like he can take the bed without being anxious about it.  It sounds like it's safe for the blanket and pillows too.  Tears still rolling down his cheeks, he crawls into the bed underneath the blanket, balling up and tucking himself away.

"There you go. Feel free to come up and get me if you need anything, alright? Up the stairs, down the hall, first door on the left. Hope you sleep good." Jim pats him on the shoulder before getting up, turning the lights off, and heading upstairs. As promised, the door remains open.

The feeling of softness around him still feels wrong wrong wrong, after so long  on hard floors, but he weeps with joy at the luxury.  He falls asleep truly comfortable for the first time in years.  Maybe, just maybe everything is going to be okay.  He doesn't try and get out of bed, especially not to leave the room; he isn't convinced he could make it up the stairs anyway. But he doesn't even want to. He doesn't want to escape from the luxury of having a blanket.

***

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