#it happens again when he says ‘tryin to get you here alive and in one piece’

[s0fter-sin]

god the way ghost's voice drops when he tells soap, "you'll need to improvise to survive"

before that, everything he says is steady but when he acknowledges that soap'll have to do something outside his skill set, something he intimately knows to be difficult, his voice wavers

and soap does the same thing

when he's calling out for ghost on the radio, he's tentative, testing the frequency, then he's desperate; "ghost, this is 7-1, do you copy?”

then when ghost answers, he smooths out his voice; he hides the pain, the fear

they both try to hide things from the other to reassure them that they're alright, that they'll both get out alive

[angstysebfan]

My Roommates Boyfriend - Chapter 4

Pairings: Bucky x Female Reader AU: Modern

Chapter Summary: Aftermath of the kiss. Bucky and the reader stop at another motel for the night. Chapter Warnings: Angst (duh), Cursing, Harrassment, Implied Gang Rape

Series Masterlist

--

You continue driving and make it to the border of Minnesota and North Dakota, when you finally stop at a motel. The rest of the drive has been complete and utter silence. After Bucky kissed you, you pulled away in surprise. You both stared at each other for a moment, before you reached out for him and brought his lips back to yours.

You allowed him to deepen the kiss and explore your mouth with his tongue. You felt your whole body come alive for the first time in so long. You didn’t want to let go, but the need to breath forced you both to separate. No words were said as Bucky took your hand and guided you back to the car. Then... nothing.

Now you're at another motel, and you honestly don’t know what to expect. Neither of you have said a thing since the kiss, and you don’t know what he's thinking. You walk into the office of the motel, where Bucky asks for two separate rooms. You're grateful to have some alone time to think. You walk up to your rooms and before you go in you look at Bucky as he unlocks his door.

“D-did you want to do dinner?” you ask quietly.

He looks at you, his expression unreadable, “No thanks. I need some time alone. I’ll see you in the morning at 5, okay?” he asks.

You nod and watch him go into his room without sparing you another glance. You go into your room, and lock the door behind you. You slide down the door to the floor and let out a sob. Your mind is all over the place, but the one thing that keeps coming up is that you kissed Bucky. You kissed the person who has been a complete dick to you for over a year. But even prior to that a lot of things came out into the open. It's just been an overly emotional day.

–

Once you showered, you looked at your phone to see what was around for food. You found a McDonalds that was within walking distance, so you throw on a hoodie, and shoes and walk out your door. You thought about stopping to ask Bucky again, but decided against it.

You walk down the block and head inside. While you're there, you see a group of young guys, possibly college age, sitting in a group. You order your food and while you are waiting, you hear the guys cat-calling you. You decide to ignore them, since you were in no mood to deal with stupidity tonight. You got your food and left. While walking back, you continue to hear the same voices calling out to you. You turn around and see that group of guys were following you. You tried to speed up, but they caught up to you quickly.

“What’re you doin' out here alone beautiful, huh?” One of the guys says.

You keep your head down, clutching your food. The rest of the group completely surrounds you, and you felt trapped. Your heart started pounding a mile a minute in fear of what might possibly happen. You look at the guy who spoke. He had blonde hair and green eyes, and would be considered good looking if he wasn’t stalking you.

“Please, leave me alone. I'm just tryin' to get back to the motel,” you mutter, while trying to push past the group, unfortunately they do not let you leave. 

“Why don’t you stay and hang out with us. We'll show you a good time,” the blonde said again, while his friends laughed.

You continue to try and force your way out of the group, but they just laugh at your feeble attempts. You start to panic that they will do something to you. 

“Look, my boyfriend is at the motel, and he'll be coming soon to look for me, if you don’t let me go,” you say, hoping that will scare them off.

The blonde just laughs tauntingly. “What kind of boyfriend lets his girl out alone?” he sneers at you, getting closer and grasping your arm, pulling you into him as his other hand starts to grope you.

“The kind that will fucking kill you if don't get your fucking hands off her!” you hear from a familiar voice.

You look up and there's Bucky, looking angrier then you have ever seen him. The relief you feel is indescribable. The blond stops groping but holds you close to him so you can't escape.

“It’s time for you all to move along, or do you actually have a death wish tonight?” Bucky says menacingly.

The blonde just laughs and squeezes you closer making you whimper.

“With the sounds she's making, I think she wants to stay. And besides, what makes you think you could take all of us on, asshole?” he asks.

Bucky looks from you to him, getting angrier by the second. Bucky stalks up to the circle, which parts to let him into the center of the group. All the guys are egging the blond on to kick Bucky's ass. The blond throws you to the floor and swings at Bucky. Bucky blocks the punch and sends a swift uppercut to the mans jaw, causing him to fly a few feet and hit the ground out cold. The other guys stand there in complete shock.

Bucky looks around at them all with fire in his eyes, "Any one else want to take a fucking swing? Any one else want to touch my girl?!" he asks angrily, and they all take a step back.

Bucky quickly picks you up bridal style and turns to head back to the motel. They stare at him as he walks past them with you in his arms. You wrap your arms around him and nuzzle your face into his neck, as tears flow down your face. Bucky says nothing as he walks.

He opens the door and walks in, closing it with his foot. He places you on the bed and kneels in front of you. He wipes the tears from your cheeks with his thumbs as he whispers, “You’re okay; I got you.”

You openly sob for a few minutes and Bucky sits on the bed and pulls you into his lap, allowing you to cry. After you start to calm down he places a soft kiss on your forehead. You look at him then look around and realize he brought you back to his room. 

You take a steadying breath, “I.. I think I’m okay,”

You give him a small smile as you stand up. Bucky gives one back as stands with you.

 “Are you sure?” he asks, fear evident in his eyes.

You nod, “Yeah…Thank you… for saving me.”

Bucky blushes as he smiles at you, it’s the first time he ever directed a real smile at you and it causes butterflies in your stomach. It’s the most beautiful thing you have ever seen.

“I uh, I should go back to my room,” you say.

“You sure you’re okay?” he asks, generally concerned.

You just nod and walk to the door. “Yea... um... goodnight” you say.

“Goodnight.”

Bucky POV

Bucky watches you leave, and once the door closes he let out the breath he was holding. He doesn’t know what to make of today. It was such a rollercoaster. After speaking with Nat last night, he promised he would be on his best behavior. He thought ignoring you would be the solution, and it was going well in the beginning. Until you had to ask about THAT night. He knows what he said was terrible, and that he really didn't mean it, but it brought up all the pain again and he just snapped. He didn't expect you to react like that. He hated seeing you have a panic attack, and hated even more that it was because of him.

While your side of the story seems plausible, he wasn't sure if he could actually believe it.  Ask Nat you said. Maybe he should. Then he thought about what you said. You had wanted him as much as he had wanted you, AND you said you still seem to like him. He doesn’t know why because he knows he's been horrible to you.

Bucky sighs and picks up his phone to text Nat:

Hey, we're practically in North Dakota. My plan is to be in Washington State by tomorrow, as long as we don’t make too many stops.

Yay! I can’t wait to see you both! How are things going with Y/N?

Bucky looks at his phone and decides he needs to know if you were telling the truth. He quickly types his response to Nat and waits.

–

Reader POV

You lay in bed staring at the ceiling thinking about what a clusterfuck the day turned into. First you were basically sitting on egg shells while he ignored your existence, then you just had to bring up the drama. The words that he said, even now make tears come to your eyes. Did he really think of you that way? 

But the way he took care of you, while you had your embarrassing panic attack. He held your hand to his chest and got you to match his breathing. Something tells you that what he said was true, that he did have some feelings for you, at least at some point. He must be a complete asshole if he was willing to help you out of your attach.

Even after you calmed down, he continued to just hold your hand, even brushing his thumb over your knuckles. Just the thought brought goosebumps to your skin. You always thought there was something wrong with you to like him when he's been mean to you, but you can't help it.

Then he kissed you! You can still feel his soft lips on yours, the taste of him in your mouth. God, you had dreamed of him kissing you, and now that you had it, you wanted more. But you couldn’t do that to Nat, plus you don’t know what he thinks of you now anyway. He could be acting like this because you freaked him out with your panic attack.

Then to top off the entire fucked up day, you almost get gang raped when you were just trying to get food. Again, Bucky took care of you and saved you. You owe him so much for that. Now you lay here and wish you had stayed in his room with him. You're too scared to close your eyes, that the nightmares of what could have happened to you will appear. 

Before you even know what you are doing, you find yourself leaving your room and standing in front of his door. You don’t see the light on from under the door and think maybe you should leave him alone. But you knock softly anyway, just to see. After a moment, the door opens to find Bucky in those black sweatpants, hanging low on his hips, no shirt, and his hair in a low bun. He looks surprised to see you.

“Hey… uh… sorry if I woke you, but…. I-I couldn’t sleep…. and–” you stutter through your sentence.

Before you could finish, Bucky takes your hand and pulls you into the room and closes the door.

– 

You wake up the next morning and find yourself snuggled tightly in Bucky’s arms, with your face nuzzled into his neck. Bucky is still sound asleep, which allows you time to look at him without him knowing. His face is so soft while he sleeps, with his lips parted just slightly. He's just so beautiful! God, you want to kiss him again.

What the hell is wrong with you? This man made your life hell, and now you act like some lovesick puppy! Plus he was dating Nat!

Bucky starts to stir and slowly opens his eyes and looks right into yours. He blushes when he sees how tight he is holding you. 

“Oh… uh sorry. I guess I like to cuddle when I sleep.” he said bashfully, letting you go.

You can’t shake the disappointed feeling of not having his warmth around you. You just smile, “It’s okay… I didn’t mind. Thank you for letting me sleep in here last night,” you say quietly.

Bucky looks from your eyes to your lips, then back. 

“No problem.” he says quickly before getting up out of bed.

You frown, but figure you might as well get up too. You look at the clock and see that it is 5 am. 

“We should get going if we are going to make it to the Washington state line by tonight,” Bucky says as he walks toward his bathroom.

You nod, “I’ll get dressed and meet you at the car in 15 minutes?” you ask as you head toward the door.

Bucky just nods before closing the door to the bathroom. You quickly leave the room and go into yours. You run to the bathroom to freshen up and then change into jeans, a t-shirt, and hoodie. After brushing your teeth and putting your hair up, you pack your things and head out to the car, where Bucky is waiting.

--

Chapter 3 / Chapter 5

What a chapter... lol. A lot to unpack. Feedback is appreciated.

Permanent Taglist: Permanent Taglist:  @rebekahdawkins @marajade1974 @missvelvetsstuff @phillygirl77 @pattiemac1 @winterslove1917 @vampire7595 @unkasworld @midnightramyeoncravings

Story Taglist: @unaxv @kandis-mom, @igotmajordaddyissues, @millercontracting, @thesoundresoundsecho, @kentokaze, @tornraltos

[the-kr8tor]

Hi, I've read your "Under the clock tower", and it was really so good it makes me almost bawl my eyes out. I did bawl my eyes out. I really liked that and it gives me an idea to request you :D. Can I request Hobie who recently lost reader find out that the prowler/villain variant of them is also dating their version of the reader, but reader is well and alive [probably partner in crime of v! Hobie] and questioning if his hero persona/work is the reason reader has to die? Thus, causing the "quitting from being the Spider-Man" canon event to happen. You can change as much as you need. Thx for reading my request~

Hi hun! Thank you so much! I'm glad you like under the clock tower, I hope you like this one too! Sorry if this took a while, I had to get into angst mode lmao

Pairing: Hobie Brown x gn! Reader/ Spider-Punk x gn! Reader

Word count: 1.7k

Tags: No specific physical description of the reader, TW injury, TW blood, TW death, ANGST.

ʕ⁠·⁠ᴥ⁠·⁠ʔ

Hobie's communicator rings out in the quiet night while on patrol, Lyla's familiar hologram lights up the dim surroundings "Heyyy Hobie, Miguel needs backup"

"I'm busy" Hobie flatly says, perched on top of a random skyscraper.

"Busy what? Being an emo? Gwen's with them, better hurry up" Lyla uses the Gwen card, knowing that will definitely get Hobie to move.

"Goddamnit" Hobie's annoyed that Lyla interrupted his thoughts of you, he seemed to have them more often. Memories of your time together rush past his mind: your first date together, the first time you kissed and when you breathed your last. He laments again, unable to think of fond memories instead of that terrible day.

He misses you so much, he can't concentrate on his work.

Hobie shakes his head, time to focus. Inhale, exhale. He clenches his hands, knuckles shaking, half moons left in his palms.

Hobie punches in the correct coordinates, the bright orange glow of the portal, is a stark contrast to his inner turmoil.

Entering inside, chaos greets him, spider people swing after two anomalies, leaving webs and purple streaks in the night sky. Debris falls, when one of the anomalies shoots something from his palms. Hobie decides to go after this one.

He has the element of surprise, flanking the villain, giving him a swift kick to the face; the force of it shatters his metallic mask, he falls on top of a roof with a thud.

Hobie drops gracefully near him. The eyes of his mask widen at the villain's exposed features. His own face stares at him, scowling in pain.

"You fuck" alternate Hobie cusses at him through gritted teeth, he coughs, crimson staining his lips.

"What the fuck" Hobie yells at the oncoming Miguel.

Miguel lands, his red cape retracting back to his suit, he stalks towards the lookalikes, striding like a predator towards his prey.

"He's the prowler of Earth-616, the Hobie of their universe"

"You're fucking kidding me" they simultaneously say.

Miguel tosses a device, locking alternative Hobie in its red glow.

"Why are there so many of you fucks?!" Alt Hobie grumbles, trying to sit back up.

Suddenly the other anomaly lands harshly on the roof, pounding the ground sending shockwaves, Miguel buries his claws on the ground, Hobie braces himself. Gwen and other spider people land, surrounding the two anomalies.

"Hobie!" You scream out, seeing him injured on the ground.

Hobie's heart crumbles, he never thought he'll hear that voice again, he tried and failed to recreate your voice in his head numerous times. But now you're here alive and well, running towards him.

Or so he thought, he follows your familiar form, shielding the other Hobie from him.

His mind goes back to that terrible day.

Hobie clutches his bloodied side, his knees give out from the numerous injuries. Your familiar sneakers run up to him, when did you get here? Why are you here?

You crouch in front of him, cradling his face, you're moving your lips, but he can't hear your voice through the ringing in his ears. You're covered in soot, eyes wild, trying to stop his bleeding.

Your touch leaves goosebumps on his skin, hands dripping in crimson. You say something again, but he still can't hear you. You give him a pained smile, pecking his forehead through his mask.

You look behind you, yelling out, but you stand up, bravely facing danger, you raise your arms on your sides, shielding him with your own body.

"No!"

He snaps back to reality when he feels a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"You okay?" Gwen whispers.

"Yeah" Hobie's eyes never leave you.

"Stay the fuck away!" Your words dripping in venom, he never heard you yell like that. His eyes water at the thought that you might've sounded like this on that fateful encounter.

Without thinking he takes off his mask, your eyes widen, stuttering with your words. You look back to your Hobie, checking to see if you've got the right guy, he shrugs nonchalantly.

"What–" you get webbed up by Miguel, your head hits the hard concrete, causing both Hobies to jump in your defense.

"Hey!" They both yell out.

You struggle in his hold.

"Enough! We'll stop, yeah?" Alt Hobie's hands try to grasp your wiggling form through the confines of the device, but it's futile, so he screams louder "You've got us already! Let. Them. Go" he punches the device, trying to reach out to you.

"Hobie, it hurts" you look at your Hobie through the bright red lights.

Hobie, without thinking, grabs your head in his hands, cradling it. "I've got you"

You look back at him, confused.

His mind betrays him again, bringing him back to that day.

"I've got you" He cradles your limp body, chest unmoving, he's too late, the light in your eyes is gone, he presses his temple on your forehead head, searching for any sign of life. "I've got you, I'm here"

"Why do you even care?" You look up at him, to you he's the enemy, he understands, but for a second there he thought you were his. "Who are you?"

"Hobie, move" Miguel stands before him, the device in his hand.

Hobie takes one last look at you, he reluctantly puts you down, so Miguel could throw the device at you, finally releasing you from his webs.

"Prepare the anomalies for transport" Miguel commands the waiting spider-people.

Gwen pats Hobie's shoulder, knowing his affection towards you.

—

Hobie walks towards where the anomalies are held, hoping to see a glimpse of you. You sit back to back to your Hobie, separated by the red light, trying to find comfort.

"Told you we shouldn't have entered that weird portal" you scold prowler Hobie.

"Yeah, yeah, remind me not to enter any weird portals from now on"

You laugh, wincing when you strain yourself.

Hobie stops in his tracks when he hears you laugh, he dreams of that same laugh gracing his senses again, now that he's heard it in the waking world, Hobie has no idea how to react to it.

"What is it with your weird fascination with me?" He finds you leaning against the device, staring directly at him, the other Hobie nursing his wounds, listening to the conversation.

Hobie walks towards you, keeping his eyes trained to your form, memorizing every detail of your face. You look the same, he reminds himself that you're not his y/n.

"Well?" You cross your arms on your chest.

"I had someone like you in my universe, sorry for staring" Hobie starts to walk away.

"Wait! What do you mean, had?"

"You even glare at me the same way" He softly says.

"Oh" you piece it all together, you know he's not your Hobie but your heart breaks for him. Hobie thanks you internally for not making him explain, you're good like that.

"Can you- do you want to talk about it?" You crouch down, sneaking a quick look behind your Hobie, he stares back at you, imagining if it happened to him, he has no idea how this version of him is coping, because he wouldn't be able to. "Can't believe you love me in every universe" you look back at the spider Hobie, trying to lighten the mood.

"In every life too, if it's possible" he whispers, with the whir of the device you didn't hear him say it. But your heart shatters with how defeated he looks.

"Shit, I'm sorry, I'm being insensitive, I'm sorry"

"Don't apologize it's not your fault" it's mine he wanted to add, but he didn't want to make you sad, even if it's a different version of you.

You read his face, he's like your own Hobie, holding in a lot of unsaid words. You hesitate for a bit "whatever happened, it's not your fault"

"You were dead, I saw you die, and yet you're standing right in front of me" He has no idea what words to express himself, the pain he's experiencing. "I love you, weird, right? it's bloody confusing" Hobie laughs at the joke life threw at him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't- I'm sorry" you breathe out. "I have no idea of the pain you have in your heart, I'm sorry I really am, but I'm not them,"

"How do you make it go away?" He asks, voice small, he imagines he's talking to you, his version.

"It doesn't completely go away, you learn to live with what's left of that pain" you hold out your palm at him, "but it helps knowing you're not alone" Hobie's mind flickers to the faces of his friends, he brings his hand on top of your palm, the warmth of the machine acts as a surrogate to your warmth, reminding him that at least a version of him still have you in their life. Even though you aren't in his.

"It'll always be you" he looks into your eyes, a slightly different shade than he's used to.

"They know that" you smile at him apologetically. Your Hobie watches the interaction, he feels for the spidey version of him.

—

The spider bot brings you both on the go home machine, you're helping your Hobie stand up, his arm over your shoulder, you tap his chest.

"You still with me?"

He chuckles softly "always"

You look at the other Hobie, staring at you with solemn eyes.

"I hope you find the peace you're looking for" you give him a genuine smile, the same one you used to give him back home.

Peace? How would he find that? Knowing that his job got you killed. Maybe just maybe he actually finds it, but not in this line of work.

What if you're still alive in your dimension because your Hobie isn't exactly a hero? Allowing him to focus more on protecting you, rather than strangers.

He watches as you and the other Hobie get sent back home.

He opens a portal back to his dimension, bones weary. Hobie steps inside, dropping him off in a random alley.

Breathing out, hands shaking, he remembers you, if it weren't for him being Spiderman, you would still be alive, existing in his universe.

"It's my fault" he tears off his suit from his body, leaving him in his shirt, Hobie angrily takes off his mask, he balls it all up, tossing it in the trash.

He wipes at a stray tear, "I'm sorry I couldn't save you"

Hobie walks away, feet heavy, trying to remember what you said to him before you left his world.

ʕ⁠·⁠ᴥ⁠·⁠ʔ

Thank you for reading! Please consider reblogging if you enjoyed it ❤️

[perspectivestarters]

Perspective's Sentence Starters; 1989 (Taylor's Version) by Taylor Swift (Part II)

WILDEST DREAMS

Let's get out of this town.

Heaven can't help me now.

Nothing lasts forever.

This is gonna take me down.

He's so tall and handsome as hell.

He's so bad, but he does it so well.

I can see the end as it begins.

Say you'll remember me.

Say you'll see me again.

Even if it's just in your wildest dreams.

No one has to know what wе do.

This is gettin' good now.

You'll see me in hindsight.

Burnin' it down.

Someday, when you leave me, I bet these memories follow you around.

HOW YOU GET THE GIRL

Are you insane?

It's been a long six months.

You were too afraid to tell her what you want.

That's how it works.

That's how you get the girl.

I want you for worse or for better.

I would wait forever and ever.

Broke your heart, I'll put it back together.

Remind her how it used to be.

Tеll her how you must have lost your mind.

You left her all alone and never told her why?

That's how you lost the girl.

You know that I don't want you to go.

THIS LOVE

I could go on and on.

And you were just gone.

I never dreamed of this.

This love is good.

This love is bad.

This love is alive back from the dead.

These hands had to let it go free.

This love came back to me.

Struggled through the night with someone new.

You showed up just in time.

I watched you leave.

When you're young, you just run.

You come back to what you need.

This love left a permanent mark.

This love is glowing in the dark.

I KNOW PLACES

It's a scene and we're out here in plain sight.

I can hear them whisper as we pass by.

It's a bad sign.

Somethin' happens when everybody finds out.

Love's a fragile little flame, it could burn out.

They are the hunters, we are the foxes.

I know places we won't be found.

They'll be chasing their tails tryin' to track us down.

I know places we can hide.

Lights flash and we'll run for the fences.

Let them say what they want, we won't hear it.

Loose lips sink ships all the damn time.

Just grab my hand and don't ever drop it.

They take their shots, but we're bulletproof.

You know, for me, it's always you.

I know, for you, it's always me.

CLEAN

The drought was the very worst.

The flowers that we'd grown together died of thirst

It was months and months of back and forth.

You're still all over me like a wine-stained dress I can't wear anymore.

Hung my head as I lost the war.

When I was drownin', that's when I could finally breathe.

I think I am finally clean.

I punchеd a hole in the roof.

Let the flood carry away all my pictures of you.

I screamed so loud, but no one heard a thing.

Just because you're clean, don't mean you don't miss it.

I won't give in.

Now that I'm clean, I'm never gonna risk it.

WONDERLAND

We fell down a rabbit hole.

Nothing's as it seems.

Didn't they tell us, "Don’t rush into things"?

Haven't you heard what becomes of curious minds?

Didn't it all seem new and excitin'?

I should have slept with one eye open at night.

We found Wonderland.

You and I got lost in it.

We pretended it could last forever.

Life was never worse, but never better.

There were strangers watchin'.

Whispers turned to talkin', and talking turned to screams.

Didn’t you calm my fears with a Cheshire cat smile?

It’s all fun and games 'til somebody loses their mind.

I reached for you, but you were gone.

I knew I had to go back home.

You searched the world for somethin' else to make you feel like what we had.

And in the end, in Wonderland, we both went mad.

YOU ARE IN LOVE

Time moved too fast.

No proof, not much, but you saw enough.

The light reflects the chain on your neck.

No proof, one touch, but you felt enough.

You can hear it in the silence.

You can feel it on the way home.

You can see it with the lights out.

You are in love.

He keeps his word.

For once, you lеt go of your fears and your ghosts.

You're my best friend.

He keeps a picture of you in his office downtown

You understand now why they lost their minds and fought the wars.

I've spent my whole life trying to put it into words.

NEW ROMANTICS

We're all so tired of everything.

We wait for trains that just aren't comin'.

We show off our different scarlet letters.

Trust me, mine is better.

We're so young, but we're on the road to ruin.

We play dumb, but we know exactly what we're doin'.

We cry tears of mascara in the bathroom.

I could build a castle out of all the bricks they threw at me.

Every day is like a battle.

Every night with us is like a dream.

We're the new romantics.

Heartbreak is the national anthem.

We are too busy dancin' to get knocked off our feet.

The best people in life are free.

The lights and noise are blinding.

It's all in the timing,

We need love, but all we want is danger.

We team up, then switch sides like a record changer.

The rumors are terrible and cruel but, honey, most of them are true.

Come along with me.

Please, take my hand.

Please, take me dancin'.

Please, leave me stranded.

It's so romantic.

[arpmemething2]

Loony Tunes Sentence Starters

Send one for my muse’s reaction.  Feel free to change pronouns as needed.

“It’s supply and demand! They supply the ghost, and I demand the money!”

“And remember, 'mud' spelled backwards is 'dum'.”

"Go ahead! I’d love to see the audience boo you off the stage!”

“Consider yourself as lucky because you are getting another chance from me to draw a gun.”

“Go on! Shoot me again! I enjoy it! I love the smell of burnt feathers and gunpowder and cordite!”

“Jumpin' without a parachute? Kinda dangerous, ain't it?”

“Don’t think it hasn’t been a little slice of heaven…’cause it hasn’t!”

“I do so enjoy observing the flora and fauna of that tiny planet.”

“I knew I shoulda taken that left turn at Albuquerque!”

“You know, sometimes me conscience bothers me… but not this time.”

“It just goes to show ya that a one-eyed jack rabbit can beat a king.”

“I didn’t say I would be nice. I said I would try. It was too hard.”

"He’s about as sharp as a bowling ball."

"What's up doc?"

“Oh dear, now I shall suppose I have to use force.”

“Help me, please. I’m too moist and tender to retire.”

“Okay Okay I'm shuttin' up. Why should I continue to keep yappin' when I'm told to shut up. I'm not the kind that don't know when to stop.”

“Ho! Ha-ha! Guard! Turn! Parry! Dodge! Spin! Ha! Thrust!”

“I wonder what the poor bunnies are doing this season?”

“Don’t take life too seriously. You’ll never get out alive!”

"What a perfect time for me to go on a diet."

“When I say whoa, I mean whoa!”

“Brace yourself for immediate disintegration.”

“I don't want to be grown up anymore.”

"You wasted a wish! I wish that burrito was stuck on your big dumb nose!"

“Carrots are devine… You get a dozen for a dime, It’s maaaa-gic!”

“The way I run this thing you'd think I knew something about it.”

"Sssshh... Be vewwy quiet.  I'm hunting wabbit!"

"Champagne nights, tropical music and a heavy bank account!"

"Thufferin' thuccotash!"

“I’m in my own little word. But it’s okay, they know me here.”

"You rack'n frack'n varmint!"

“Oh, drat these computers. They’re so naughty and so complex. I could pinch them.”

"Well, it's 5 o'clock somewhere."

“Do you happen to know what the penalty is for shooting a fricaseeing rabbit without a fricaseeing rabbit license?”

“Wait! I haven’t tried toadying, kowtowing and butt-kissing yet! I’m still begging here!”

"Cats don't lay eggs. There's something screwy here."

"Of course you realize, this means war."

"His muscles are as soggy as a used teabag."

“I know this defies the law of gravity, but I never studied law!”

"Looks like the boy genius is tryin' to show me up."

"It was a terrible storm, the boat wocked and worked up one wave and down the other."

"You're despicable."

"If you're gonna be two-faced sweetie, then atleast make one of them pretty!"

"F-f-first they told me to lose the stutter now they tell me Im not funny anymore. "

“Well, what did you expect in an opera? A happy ending?”

"That's all folks!"

"I don’t know the meaning of the word fear!"

"Beep beep!"

"I don't ask questions, I just have fun."

"Hungry!"

“Just when I’m getting used to the voices in my head, one of them starts stuttering.”

"Say your prayers!"

“Me? Normal? How dare you insult me like that?”

"You know, it is possible to be too attractive."

"I am positive, I am mental and I know I have attitude.”

“I’m not like other people, I can’t stand pain, it hurts me.”

"I tawt I taw a puddy tat!"

“Well, what do you know … there’s the little Wiener Schnitzel now.”

“If you’re happy and you know it, you're probably annoying someone who isn’t.”

"This is gonna cause more confusion than a mouse in a burlesque show!"

"Who's responsible for this unwarranted attack on my person?"

“I'll be scared later. Right now I'm too mad.”

“If an interesting monster can’t have an interesting hairdo I don’t know what this world is coming to.”

“You say the Loch Ness Monster is living in your jacuzzi? Well, call Roto-Rooter!”

“I hate it when people are at you house and ask, ‘hey do you have a bathroom?’ No not at all...”

[jannwrites]

movie ask meme : JACOB'S LADDER (1990) directed by BRUCE JOEL RUBIN.

a selection of lines from the 1990 film jacob's ladder. modified slightly for rp purposes.

don't leave me.

yeah, you and everyone else.

fuck off! mind your own business!

i didn't want to wake you.

it is tomorrow. four a.m. how come you're so late?

why can't you remember their names?

they're biblical. they were prophets.

i don't let anybody call me that.

you're a real heathen, you know that, [name]?

you sold your soul, remember? that's what you told me.

is that the one who died?

sorry. it just took me by surprise. i didn't expect to see him this morning. god, what i wouldn't ...

he was the cutest little guy. like an angel, you know. he had this smile ...

i don't like things that make you cry.

it's amazing, huh [name]? your whole life, right in front of you.

they're gonna get me. they'll tear me to pieces.

i never hurt anybody when i was alive.

i don't understand you philosophers.

she said you were a son of a bitch and she regrets the day she set eyes on you.

i think she still loves you.

my brain is too small an organ to comprehend this chaos.

you know, you look like an angel, [name], an overgrown cherub. anyone ever tell you that?

this city is filled with creatures. everywhere.

they're like demons, [name].

it's the pressure, honey. that's all it is.

those guys tried to kill me tonight. they were aiming right at me.

says here the world's comin' to an end. the battle of heaven and hell they call it.

listen to me. i'm going out of my fucking mind here.

let me look at your hand.

according to this, you're already dead.

you are out of your mind, man. out of your fuckin' mind.

[name], you little devil. you never told me you could dance like that.

i wanna leave. get me out of here.

go to hell! go to hell, goddamn you!

if you go crazy on me you're goin' crazy by yourself. you understand?

there were all these demons and i was on fire.

i thought you said it was a nightmare?

i'm not going anywhere. i'm right here, [name].

come on, go back to sleep. you can still get a couple of hours.

you must have friends in high places, that's all i can say.

it's not worth it. you'll never win.

how many times can you die, huh?

god i hate this area. makes me nervous.

i'm not sure where i can talk anymore.

something's wrong, [name]. i don't know what it is but i can't talk to anybody about it.

you always used to listen, you know?

they've been followin' me. they're comin' outta the walls.

sometimes i think i'm just gonna jump outta my skin.

i don't know who they are, or what they are. but they're gonna get me and i'm scared, [name].

it's like i was coming apart at the seams.

they keep telling me i'm already dead, that they're gonna tear me apart, piece by piece, and throw me into the fire.

it's like they're crawling out of my brain.

he saw these creatures coming out of the woodwork. they were tryin' to get him, he said.

it's not worth goin' over again and again. whatever happened, happened. it's over.

i'm gettin' a headache just listenin' to you.

so tell me. am i still an angel?

this is your home. you're dead.

i'm not dead. i am not dead.

this is not a dream! this is my life.

i was in hell. i've been there. it's horrible. i don't want to die, [name].

you're a regular basket case, you know that?

you know what eckart said? the only thing that burns in hell is the part of you that won't let go of your life; your memories, your attachments. they burn 'em all away.

they're not punishing you. they're freeing your soul.

i'm not here. you haven't seen me.

the truth can kill, my friend.

hey, i'm not the problem. you've got bigger problems than me.

don't fight it. it's your own mind. it's your own fears.

it's hard to believe that the world could be so hellish on day and like heaven the next.

i love you when you're angry.

hello, [name]. i knew you'd come here in the end.

your capacity for self-delusion is remarkable.

you're a real dreamer, you know that? only it's time to wake up.

if you're frightened of dying you'll see devils tearing you apart. if you've made your peace then they're angels freeing you from the world.

[storiesofstratos]

Chapter 3: Dinner with the Rowes

Daniel has dinner with... most of his family

“I’ll catch you guys tomorrow!” I called out to Nico and Jack, waving to them as I took off. Once they were out of sight, I started to slow down, letting out a heavy sigh. I pulled my phone out of my pocket, watching the screen brighten as I put in my passcode. One missed call from mom. Probably letting me know she’ll be home late again. A text message from Elise, asking me to pick up more snacks for the house. She was like a furnace with how she burned through all those damn snacks.

Elise hated when it was just the two of us eating, and to be honest, I couldn't stand it either. Maybe if Cyrus and Emma were available...

I flipped over to my contacts and dialed my brother's number. If I was right, then they should be closing up right about now.

“Hello?” The deeper voice of my older brother came over the line after a few rings. He never let it ring for too long, which was a good thing for me. “What’s up Daniel?”

“Hey, uh, mom’s gonna be late getting home tonight, and I’m in charge of making dinner,” I knew he had his own place, so I wasn’t going to be too upset if he declined my offer. “I was just wondering if maybe you wanted to come over and eat with us, that’s all.”

A moment of muffled speaking from the other end of the line, something I couldn’t quite make out. He was probably asking Emma if she would come too. I knew she would say yes, she never missed an opportunity to be with us.

“Yeah, that sounds good,” Cyrus came back on the line after a minute. “We just closed up shop for the day, we’ll grab Freya from the sitter and then be over, how’s that sound? I'll help cook, I know you can't be trusted around that stove.”

“I am not that bad, fuck you,” God, why did I even bother? "Y'know what, don't even bother coming, I don't want you there anymore."

“Well now I have to come over, just to piss you off,” I could hear Emma scold him over the phone, which got me laughing, "Hey, don't you start laughing, I know where you live you little shit,"

"Alright, I'll see you in a couple hours," We said our goodbyes, and I got on my skateboard and headed on my way home.

Within the next two hours, I was home and the living room was full of voices. Mostly Emma and Elise, but Freya attempted to join in the conversation as well. She was very insightful, and provided a lot of wisdom to the conversation. I assumed, at least, given how passionate she was in her babbling. Well, even if Freya’s speech did sound like smashing keys on a keyboard, Emma seemed to understand her perfectly.

“She said what? How dare she?” Emma spoke to the baby, a smile on her face as Freya babbled something in response. The girls in the living room erupted in laughter, so entertained by the way Freya just babbled away, like they were actually carrying a full on conversation.

I can’t help but think about how Maria would have loved to be here.

“Daniel,” Cyrus brought me back to reality for a moment. “Can you grate up that block of cheese over there on the counter for me? We’re gonna need it soon.”

“Oh, yeah, of course,” Trying to distract myself from my thoughts, I quickly move over to the counter and start doing as I was asked. “Thanks again for coming over. You know Elise hates it when the dinner table is practically empty.”

“I can't say I blame her,” He looked over at me as he spoke, "I mean... if it gets too quiet, your mind starts to wander, right? Maybe to stuff you don't... necessarily wanna think about?

“Yeah, I guess so...”

There was silence between us then. It was like he was reading my mind. I felt his hand rest on my shoulder before he spoke again.

“Look... I know we've talked about this a lot lately, but, it's going on a year now. I know you're still sneaking out at night. She's gone, Daniel," He tried to give me a sympathetic look, "What happened to Maria isn't your fault, kid-"

“She’s alive. I know she is."

“And you've been saying that for a year. Look, I get it," Here he went, trying to lecture me, again. I didn't need this, "You think you could have done something... you blame yourself. You were with her when she got taken. But... it's not your fault! Playing hero isn't going to change that, Daniel, it's just-"

“I'm not-” I slammed the grater down on the counter, small cracks forming on the countertop. Shit. Deep breaths Daniel.. One. Two..

I exhale.

“Can we just not talk about this? Please.”

“..You’re right,” Cyrus probably had more to say, but he conceded for now, removing his hand from my shoulder. “I’m sorry. I went too far there.”

“Is everything alright in here boys?” Emma’s warm voice came from behind as she walked into the kitchen, holding Freya in her arms. The toddler immediately held out her arms to Cyrus, starting to whine. “She wanted her daddy. Why don’t you take her and I’ll take over cooking, yeah?” She offered their child to Cyrus and he didn’t argue, just taking her in his arms and carrying her off to the other room.

“Daniel,” Emma spoke my name as she put her arms around me, offering me a consoling hug. “Are you doing okay? How’s school?” She probably overheard me and Cyrus talking, but she was trying to distract me from the subject. She was always trying to make me feel better. “I heard you and your friends had a big project due today. You think you did okay?”

“Yeah. I think it went great. Nico’s always been really good at speaking. She’s gotta be charismatic to sell us on her crazy tinkering projects, right?” 

“She’s a smart girl. Then Jack, he’s good with research, that’s what you said, right? He must have made it really easy for you to put that project together.” She moved back over to the stove to finish what Cyrus had started.

“Oh yeah. I don’t mean to brag, but I made everything look really good. Besides, Jack didn’t cover everything we needed, so I had to improvise. I found a couple old books at the library that had what we were looking for, so I got kinda lucky.”

“That’s good! I’m glad things are going well for you. Oh, dinner’s almost ready. Would you mind calling them in here?”

Dinner wasn’t incredibly eventful. It was the same idle small talk. How was school? How was the restaurant doing? We talked about our days, but I wasn’t exactly involved in the conversation. I just stared at the clock for most of the time. It was only a matter of time before I could go back to my room, and I was counting down the minutes.

Cyrus and Emma took Freya home after dinner, leaving me and Elise sitting on the couch alone, some cryptid video playing on the television.

“Do you think bigfoot really exists?” She asked me without looking away from the screen.

“Uh..” I shrugged. It wouldn’t be the weirdest thing to find out about. “I mean, I don’t see why it can’t. There’s a lot about this world that we don’t know, y’know? It probably exists.”

“I thought so too,” She nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer. Weird kid.

Mom came home just in time before Elise headed off to bed. I didn’t listen to what they said, but once Elise headed up to her room, I approached.

“Hey mom, we left some leftovers from dinner in the fridge. Blueberry pancakes, your favorite.”

“Oh, thank you so much,” Her smile was warm as she hugged me, holding me tightly as if she were trying to make all of my worries go away. She may have worked long hours, but she always cared about us. She never made us feel neglected. “Are you heading to bed as well? I don’t want you staying up too late playing video games again.”

“I won’t, I promise. But I am gonna turn in early tonight.” Saying goodnight to my mother, I headed back upstairs, only to check the time. It was dark out now. I opened the dresser and pulled out my hoodie, slipping it on and flipping the hood up, putting the black face mask over my mouth to mask myself further.

I wasn’t crazy. I knew I wasn’t, and I was going to show them all they were wrong. “Sorry mom..” I spoke softly as I opened my window. Slowly, I climbed out of it, dropping down to the ground below before taking off toward the city.

[joemerl]

Writer's Month 2024, Day 20: "Train"

Original fiction, specifically "the Superhero WIP" Word count: 359 Summary: Weird ways to get around the superhero capital of the U.S.A.

"A monorail! Cool," Sammy said as he stepped into the train. "Haven't been on one of these since I went to DisneyWorld as a kid."

Nicolae scowled as he dropped down into a seat. (He had never been to DisneyWorld.) "It's public transportation. Nothing to get excited about."

"Aw, c'mon," he said, taking the seat next to him as the train started to move. "Well, sir, there's nothing on Earth like a genuine, bona fide, electrified, six-car monorail! What I say?!"

He pointed at Nicolae, who continued to scowl.

"What are you talking about?"

"He's trying to set up the Monorail Song from The Simpsons," said a voice from the ceiling. "Never heard that one before. I mean..." There was a sound like someone clicking his tongue. "Not as often as you might think."

Sammy craned his head back, blinking hard.

"Is the driver listening to us?"

Nicolae gave him a strange look. "There is no driver. MonroeRail drives itself."

"I prefer himself," the speakers said testily.

Nicolae waved his hand dismissively, while the only other passenger in the train—a homeless guy, from the look of him—sat up and said, "Would you keep it down? I'm tryin' to sleep over here!"

"Put a sock in it, Hobart! Don't mind him," MonroeRail added. "He just rides around all day long, trying to scare away costumers."

Hobart grunted and closed his eyes again.

Sammy continued to look mystified, and Nicolae said, "You didn't know New Thebes has a sapient monorail? It's like, one of our biggest tourist attractions."

"I just know about the superhero stuff. Is it haunted?" he asked, lowering his voice. "Magic? Or like, some mad scientist's invention?"

Nicolae scoffed. "There was some inter-dimensional, reality-warping...thing. Years and years ago. Caused all sorts of weird stuff, but even when the heroes fixed everything else, the monorail was still alive."

He was a bit embarrassed that he didn't remember the details, and made a mental note to look them up later. But things like that happened all the time in New Thebes, and when you lived there your whole life, you didn't really think about them that often.

[rollinggirlrunahika]

Rolling Down From Here: [x] 

@valorxdrive​​

♕ - “Well... My world was coming to an end.” 

There truly was no better means to describe it. One day the passion of an oncoming adventure fueled them to get that raft set, emotions and growth were spiraling to unknowns and on top of it all, the answer to it all felt like it was the horizon itself. To think the very next day after that determined sunset would lead to the chaos of a primordial, dark and all-consuming power grew too large and somehow tuck between a mysterious door. 

All that ran within Sora’s mind was an estranged mix of fear and desperation. Survival. Not just for himself, but for everyone he loved, somehow the grated sparks of courage were bred and it led to him advancing to the jaws of death. Recalling that very day allows that odd feeling in his gut to gradually bubble for. His lips thinned as the page of memories were effortlessly flicked through. “In the middle of all that, one of my best friends, Riku, he was in the middle of being consumed by that very power. ..To be honest? I was just tryin’ to reach him while it felt like the darkness was eating me alive..”​

“Then it’d be exactly within that moment that I saw it.”

Light.

A wonderfully iridescent force that managed to be burn away the void, causing it to shriek, howl and inevitably push away in violent tremors. Somehow all emotion outside of willpower melted in the collision of these two powers. There was a weightlessness to it all, as if the body didn’t exist, only the components of a steadfast heart that gripped onto every feeling managed before making the plunge to that light, to form a hand plunge it ruthlessly into that very energy. ..Somehow, something in him knew that the strength didn’t except a weak-willed heart.

“In the middle of it all, I found it.. Kinda feels just as much of a dream as the other stuff before, buuuut sis, that’s the day when my journey really kicked off. A scared brat transforming into the dependable hero that’cha see today.” He admits with a boastful press of his knuckles onto his own chest.

"Still don’t know what it all means either.” Then again was that truly surprising? “That day it started... I feel like there’s something really important about it that I’m missing, kinda hard to figure why with the big showdown seemingly over..”

Ah.. So.. It was kinda like what happened with her. A part of her couldn’t help but ache at the thought of the Islands disappearing the way it did. Even if she hasn’t been back there in years, even if she wasn’t there to begin with to see it’s demise at the hands of Darkness, her birthplace being taken away just like that was still a depressing thought.

“I see...” Was all she could think of to say. “I-- I’m sorry.. that you had to witness all that... Must’ve been hard...” Runa really tried to express her condolences to her twin over the event, even if it had already been said and done years ago. They were lucky really: That the worlds that had fallen then were able to come back, Destiny Islands included.

“It’s kinda ironic, y’know..?”

“My.. My world was ending too. So many things were happening, one thing after another...” Her eyes glanced off to the side as she recalled the events of beginning of her own journey. Now that she thought about it... how her own Keyblade appeared for her was also oddly similar. Not exact, obviously, but still.

“My Keyblade appeared when... I could’ve died.” She stated, almost too flatly than she intended. Guess that’s what happens when death itself was an almost constant presence in her life, either directly or indirectly. “I didn’t know why then, why my body moved so quickly on its own. But, there was this kid...” 

A complete stranger of course, especially in a place as populated as Shibuya. “Heartless were starting to surround him, and they tried to take him. But-- I got in the way.”

It was so clear to her. She remembered the voice ringing in her head when the magical blade appeared in her hand for the first time. And how she was able to get that kid back to his parents. Although.. Shibuya still fell, she hoped that in the end the family was still together.

Shaking her head, pushing the thoughts away, the younger twin brought a hand up to rest behind her neck. She huffed out a giggle.

“A scared brat?” She repeated, raising a brow. “When we were kids, I never thought that about you, though looking back I probably should’ve.” Runa couldn’t help but let a small smirk dance onto her face. “You’re more of hero than me anyway..”

“... Does it get any easier..?”

[s0fter-sin]

god the way ghost’s voice drops when he tells soap, “you’ll need to improvise to survive”

before that, everything he says is steady but when he acknowledges that soap’ll have to do something outside his skill set, something he intimately knows to be difficult, his voice wavers. he does the same when he says, “welcome to guerrilla warfare”; it’s sombre and serious in a way he doesn’t act for the rest of the mission. if you read into it enough, he almost sounds apologetic; like he knows exactly what soap’s about to go through and wishes he didn’t have to

he keeps soap going; poking at him and making jokes, giving him tips and asking about his progress. he never lets him stop and take a second to think bc he knows the moment he does is the moment it'll all hit him; the betrayal, the pain, the fear, the deaths, all of it will drown him and if that happens, soap won't make it

he needs him to be a soldier through and through and he knows this is one of the worst kinds of battlefields you could end up on

and the only times he slips is when he acknowledges that fact

it happens again when he says, "tryin' to get you here alive and in one piece". his jovial dark humour facade drops for just a moment when he has to face the potential reality of losing soap. then he tries to pick it back up again with, "one of us has to survive to tell the tale"; completely discounting himself as a survivor to try and rally soap and make him think it’s all down to him

and soap does the same thing

when he's calling out for ghost on the radio, he's tentative, testing the frequency, then when he doesn’t get a response, he grows desperate; "ghost, this is 7-1, do you copy?"

then when ghost answers, he smooths out his voice; he hides the pain, the fear, and no matter what response you give to ghost asking if he’s injured, soap brushes it off (“i’m good”, “what’s the difference?”, “i’m not a medic”). soap decides it’s in ghost’s best interest to hide the extent of his injuries

he doesn’t know where ghost is, if he’s secure, if he has any weapons; he doesn’t even know if he’s in las almas until he says, “there’s a church, i’m headed to it”. for all he knows, he could’ve run in the complete opposite direction. if ghost knows he’s hurt, then his attention would be split between his own survival and soap’s

and soap, who lets himself be poked and prodded towards the church, needs to hide his own doubts. maybe he needs ghost to believe he'll make it so he himself can believe it ("what are my odds?" "don't make me bet against you", "think i'll live that long?" "probably not")

he all but begs ghost to tell him he'll get through it and if he knows just how bad off he is, maybe he'll change his mind. maybe he'll think he won't make it to the church

maybe he'll leave him alone for good

"you injured?"

"i’m good"

"let's find out how good you are"

[seriesxwriting]

Thunderstorms

Pairing- Rafe x you <3

Summery- Your scared of storms and it just so happens a hurricane has just hit. Rafe gets really worried and risks it all just to get to you.

Warnings- kissing and swearing, mentions of storms and a car crash?

Notes- sorry this one is kindaa short, also my requests are opennn <3. I also need to stop doing Rafe paring I’m obsessed 🤣x

—❤︎—

“Hey baby” he answered as I joined the face time call, he was clearly inside his room though the connection was a bit fuzzy.

His hair messy and wet from the rain outside and a great big grin on his face when he saw me. I sat in a ball shape in my covers in my double bed and smiled the best I could. “You alright?” I blinked not wanted to be on call at a time like this. Rafe noticed there was something up straight away. “I’m fine, are you?” He crawled closer to the screen worriedly, clinging to the phone.

“Yeah of- course I’m fine” “your lying to me” Rafe half nodded still showing worried emotions towards me. Thunder pounded the earth outside my house and I jumped letting a tiny sound of fear escape my mouth. “Babe? It’s just thunder” my boyfriend whispered softly he didn’t make fun of me just offered a comforting smile. He was so cute. “Yeah I know… just jumpy tonight” my eyes had filled up but I hoped Rafe wouldn’t notice. No one apart from my parents knew about my fear of storms. Living on the outer banks, we didn’t usually get that many the weather was nice.

Only my family knew of the incident. I didn’t have any other fears, hights? Loved them. Spiders? There not half bad. Thunder on the other hand. Again the lightning struck with a boom! my heart bounced against my chest as my body jolted and my eyes squeezed shut leaking a tear. “Babe, are you crying? Y/n”. I shook my head smiling at him best I could “no- no I’m not” “you don’t like thunder? Why didn’t you tell me” Rafe asked with a sigh not really being able to comfort me over the phone.

It was a stupid fear to be honest and I didn’t tell people because I was embarrassed. “Because it’s not important” I shrugged drying my eyes feeling my self going red. “Y/n you can tell me anything you know id never judge you baby girl” “I know Rafe” I slumped my shoulders. I wished he was here right now but it was way to dangerous, our houses were quite close but still a ten or fifteen minute walk. Another bolt smashed the ground sending chills up my back, I laid down hiding in my covers bringing the screen close so Rafe would be closer.

“Alright i can’t see you like this knowing I can do something” Rafe got off his bed with a pout disappearing. I heard a rummage in his wardrobe “Rafe you can’t do anything babe, I’m fine I promise” “don’t make promises that ain’t true” he told me coming back onto screen wearing a thick black jacket and sat tying his shoes. “Rafe no your not going out in the storm I’m serious” “it’s not gotten that bad yet, we’re still at the start plus I’m not gonna have you sitting there alone, babe your parents aren’t even there your house is so big” Rafe shook his head vigorously.

I knew there was no changing his mind when it came to me and my safety but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t try. “Come on Rafe I’m not playing it’s a shit show out there way to dangerous I’ll be alright just stay on call with me” my eyes leaked with worry. “We’re in phase one of the storm it’s not too bad, I know you will feel safer If someone is with you” he argued back gently still tying his shoes up.

“How about i- come to you?” I hesitated, I knew I’d be scared but I’d do anything to keep him safe. Even face my biggest fear “We’re in a Hurricane y/n, your not leaving the house” he was done and stood up holding the camera close to his face. “Sit tight I’ll be there in a minute baby girl, I love you” Rafe kissed the camera but before I could say it back ended the call. He knew I loved him but if something happened to him out there …and I didn’t say it back it would eat me alive. I timed him to make sure nothing was wrong, trying to occupy my mind from worrying about the storm and my idiot, really cute boyfriend. I went downstairs to try and eat something.

I hadn’t eaten since id heard the storm was coming, it have been a hours but now I’d managed to consume two sips of tea. I looked at my watch, 16 minutes. It took 15 max so where was he? My stomach felt sick it twisted with emotions and I watched my wall clock tick to twenty minute. With a sudden boost of confidence and adrenaline I grabbed a coat from the cupboard and threw it on pushing my fears down at bay. I hesitated for a few seconds holding the golden door handle but Rafe was more important. I pulled the handle down hard and the wind straight away flew the door open revealing Rafe on my door steps.

I stood there blinking for a second socking it all up, his hand was stretched out like he was just about to knock. “Rafe” I gasped throwing my arms around his neck landing my head under his chin safely. “Hey baby” he kissed the top of my head. I didn’t care the hurricane was literally destroying my hallway right now, something smashed behind us and that’s when I jumped back in to reality. Rafe pulled me inside removing his coat after slamming the door then mine with out saying a word. He sighed turning around meeting me with eye contact.

“Where were you going” he winced, trying to be serious but his voice broke with sadness. I folded my arms onto my hips “where do you think Rafe? It took you twenty two minutes for you to get here I was worried- you shouldn’t have come you could have been hurt”. Rafe gently held my hands shaking his head, beautiful eyes staring at the floor. “But I’m not hurt I’m fine right”. Lights in my house flickered and I held on to rafes tighter. “You could have been” I said eventually “y/n I’m fine, now let me make sure your fine”.

I led him in to the kitchen not letting go of his hand and Rafe carried my tea upstairs for me. We landed in my room and he took a towel from my draw rubbing his hair violently to dry it, I laughed when he took off the towel. His brown hair was going in every direction but he still looked cute as fuck. “So what brought on this fear babe?” He smiled at me warmly. I wrapped my self in my arms under the quilt, he noticed my mood change straight away. “You dont have to” “no it’s fine I think it’s good to tell someone finally” I weakly smile and reached for one of my pillows.

“Few years ago before I moved here, we’re where driving home late from a party and there was mild storm but- I had school in the morning so I convinced my parents to take me back home in the storm”. Rafe stopped what he was doing realising this was gonna be quite bad. He crawled onto my bed replacing the pillow In my hand with his. “A bolt of lightning hit the floor in front of us… my dad was spooked- the car swerved off the road going downhill through a forest” I explained quietly.

“Shards of glass went everywhere stabbing me and my seatbelt pulled me so I whacked my head pretty hard on the chair in front- we hit a tree and the passenger seat broke sliding backwards and slamming in to me …crushing me”. Rafe gripped my hand tighter watching me struggle to keep the tears in “I couldn’t get my mum or the seat off me.. both my parents where knocked out cold but I laid there in the pain for Literally hours I couldn’t move, reach a phone or- anything while the storm was still happening just outside”.

Finally tears escaped my eyes running like a tap down my face. Rafe pulled me on to his lap teary eyed too. “I wish I could have helped you get through that” he sighed kissing my forehead and holding me close. Lights flickered and the wind moaned outside my window tapping on the fames like I was in a horror movie “it’s fine, my dad woke up he freed me and called an ambulance we were all fine- but it was my fault Rafe” I timidly smiled in between his arms.

“I’m sorry that happened to you but it is not your fault you wasn’t to know, y/n you know I’d never judged you on your fears or anything” Rafe let me know while playing softly with my hair. I felt warm inside and content that I’d shared my story. I felt like with Rafe by my side I could get through anything. Even this. “Wanna watch a movie get your mind off it all?” He dried his own eyes and then mine. I shook my head at the boy leaning in to kiss him. Rafe gently kissed me back, it wasn’t like usual where he dominated the kiss roughly.

It was like he saw me as a frail, fragile person he didn’t want to hurt and had to protect. “Rafe I’m okay I promise” I looked at him knowingly but he just offered a simple smile flying his hands to my face “baby I didn’t come here to make out with you though I love doing that, I came here to make sure you felt safe- so what do you wanna do”. That showed how much he cared, I was falling so hard for this man, yea I already love him and we’d said it- me first but it grew every second I was around him.

“Nothing I just wanna go sleep with you”. So we laid down in my bed, my head on his chest, My body wrapped in his arms, my hair slowly being brushed by his hands and my hand being rubbed by his thumb. “Thank you for being here I do feel much better and safer here with you” brining his hand up to my mouth I kissed it.

“I love you y/n” “I love you so fucking much rafe”

—❤︎—

[mysteryshoptls]

SR Idia Shroud Lab Coat Personal Story: Part 2

"It's all about aesthetics."

(Part 1) Part 2

[Interior Hallway]

Grim: Ugggh, I lost rock-paper-scissors again… Next time I'll definitely throw out scissors, yanno.

Grim: Ace and [Yuu] are both so cold-hearted, makin' me go on a snack run at this time of night!

Grim: If I don't hurry back, I bet they'll continue watching the movie without me.

Grim: The evil genius scientist died but was still doing terrifying experiments, even as a ghost… What's he gonna do next!?

Grim: He already possessed another human and used his own body as a test subject. Crazy.

Grim: And that dirty lab coat after he finished that experiment… Traumatizing!

Grim: The vengeful spirit of a mad scientist is just too much, yanno.

Grim: Ahh～ I'm scared, but I gotta know what happens next! I gotta hurry and buy the juice from the vending ma…

[step… step…]

Grim: Hm? Footsteps? …This late at night?

Grim: …

Grim: I-I'm not scared, or nothin'. It's totally gotta be the ghosts tryin' to scare me like usual.

Grim: Eh? Wait… Those guys wouldn't make footsteps…

[idia zooms by]

Grim: Funya!!!

Grim: W-W-Wait, that white shadow just now… Was that a lab coat? No, there's no way!

Grim: Hey, who's that out there trying to scare me? Don't mess around, come out!

???: …ome her…

Grim: Eh?

???: …Come… Come over here…

Grim: Wh-Wha-Wha…

Idia: Come here… I'm not scary…

Grim: GYAAAAA!!

Grim: IT'S THE EVIL SPIRIT OF THE MAD SCIENTIST!!!

Grim: …Urk.

Idia: …Oh, G-Grim-shi. Man, so it wasn't a cat.

Idia: I thought I was going to be able to enjoy some supreme cuddle-time… Too bad.

Idia: But speaking of which, G-Grim-shi… You're really unusually quiet today…

Grim: …

Idia: Grim-shi? …Heeeey.

Grim: …

Idia: H-he's… He's unconscious.

Idia: Oh, wait, is this maybe my fault?

???: Heeey, Grim～! Where are you?

Idia: Geh! It's a p-person… Grim-shi is one thing, but I'm not at all prepped to talk to a p-p-person…

Idia: Urk, there's no way I'd be able to think of any small talk, and plus, I'm dressed like this… Wh-Wh-What should I do…

Idia: …Forget it! All I wanted to do was pet a cat, I didn't do nothing wrong! Time to escape!

Ace: Geez, he can't even go on a snack run without causing a problem. It shouldn't take this long, man, I'm so thirsty.

Ace: I even went and rented the super popular horror movie and we had to pause it just when it was getting good.

Ace: [Yuu], did you find Grim?

1. Ah, look! 2. Somethings on the ground there.

Ace: Eh? …Hey, Grim! Yo, what are you doing collapsed in the middle of the hallway like this?

Grim: The mad scientist's evil spirit… He reached out to me… Uuuuu.

Ace: …He's passed out. Was he having a nightmare or something?

Ace: Or maybe…

1. We should go exorcise him right away. 2. Gulp…

[Cafeteria]

[rabble, rabble…]

Heartslabyul Student A: Hey, did you hear the story of the Laboratory of No Return…?

Heartslabyul Student A: Apparently, an evil spirit wearing a white lab coat with a bluish flame aura roams the hallways at midnight.

Ortho: Hm? Bluish flames?

Heartslabyul Student B: Yeah, I heard about that. They say that the mad scientist's evil spirit roams the school looking for subjects to experiment on.

Heartslabyul Student B: If he catches you, you're done, you'll never come home alive… I wonder if it's real.

Heartslabyul Student A: Who knows. I also heard that it's blue flame aura flickers mournfully as it reaches for you, saying "Come… Come here…"

Heartslabyul Student B: Scaaaaary!

Heartslabyul Student A: The Headmaster was panicking too, saying "If the rest of the world finds out that there is a vengeful spirit here on campus, our reputation will be tarnished!"

Heartslabyul Student A: Even the ghosts were trembling in fear, saying "There's no way we'd be able to beat an evil spirit that scary～"

Ortho: A white lab coat, at midnight… Now that I think about it, Nii-san was acting a bit strange the other day. Could it be…?

[Ignihyde Dorm – Idia's Room]

Ortho: Hey, Nii-san? That rumor of an evil spirit… That's really you, isn't it?

Idia: …N-no way. You got no proof of…

Ortho: Heart rate: elevated. Muscle tension: increased. The subject's vital signs are all abnormal.

Ortho: …You can't lie to me.

Idia: Urr… Urgh. Yeah, that's right, I ran into Grim-shi on the way home from the vending machine, and…

Idia: I thought he was a cat, so when I smiled nicely at him, he screamed and fainted right away. Don't you think that's rude?

Ortho: I told you not to go wander outside in your lab coat, right?

Idia: No, wait, that was just an unfortunate event…

Ortho: No more excuses. You can't be trusted anymore, so outside of class, I will hold onto your lab coat!

Idia: Wait, you're going to take away my greatest creation!? Have you no compassion?!

Ortho: If people find out that it's you, you're going to be in trouble, Nii-san. The professors will definitely get mad at you!

Idia: Yeah… Goodbye forever, my comfy and carefree life…

(Part 1) Part 2

[naturallytom]

Mending a Broken Heart (Tom Holland x reader, alternative part)

a/n: me? writing? unheard of. jk im tryin to get back into the groove!! this is an alternate version to Mending a Broken Heart, so some parts are the same and some I’ve edited or added some things! hope u enjoy!! 

warnings: language, angst, mentions of cheating

please reblog/leave feedback!!

picture not mine!

You had noticed it for months. Tom has been pulling away, spending more time out with the boys than at home with you. His kisses became forced and the words ‘love you’ slowly stopped falling from his lips. 

Most days he would leave for work before you woke up and on the rare occasion you were up when he left, he would mumble a ‘goodbye’ before walking out the door. Sometimes, if you were lucky, he would press a gentle kiss to your forehead. Most times, though, he would just leave. 

You did your best to keep the love alive, you were still madly in love with him. The wedding band that sat tightly on your ring finger mocked you. A symbol of what was love has turned into one sided love. Hell, you weren’t sure if Tom wore his wedding ring anymore. 

A quick glance to his left hand would reveal that he didn’t. 

You spent your nights wondering if it was something you did. Were you too clingy when he left to film? Was he just tired of you after four years of marriage? Did he find someone else?

No. You shook your head to yourself one night as you laid in the bed by yourself, the space usually occupied by Tom cold. If he found someone else and if he cheated, that’s on him. Not on you. 

Still, the thought plagued your mind. Did he meet someone else? Was she prettier than you? Is that where he was when he said he was out with the boys? Was she able to give him something you couldn’t give him?

The door opening and shutting alerted you that Tom was home. You sighed, knowing it’d be another night of sleeping on opposite sides of the bed. 

The door to the bedroom opened and in came Tom, Tessa jumping up to greet him. 

“Hey girl, hey love, how are you, hm?” He whispered, petting Tessa as his eyes flickering over to you, who was visibly awake. “Thought you’d be asleep by now. ‘S late.” 

“Couldn’t sleep.” You replied simply. “Hey so I was thinking, we haven’t had a date night in a while, maybe you wanted to go out to see the Halloween decorations around town and get dinner tomorrow night?” 

“Can’t,” He shook his head as he got ready for bed. “Harrison wants to watch the game. Told him I’d go.” 

“Didn’t you just see Harrison tonight?” 

“Yeah, and?” 

“Nothing.” You sighed, obviously upset. “Nothing, Tom. Goodnight.” 

“Night.” He responded, turning out the light and climbing into bed, falling asleep with his back toward you. 

-

The next day, you were surprised to see Tom already awake and waiting in the kitchen, sipping on a cup of tea when you got downstairs. 

“Good morning.” You smiled softly. 

“We need to talk.” He told you. You felt your heart drop and your palms get sweaty, but you wiped them on your pajama pants in an effort to seem totally calm and not panicked. 

“A-About what?” You asked, your voice coming out shaky. 

“I think,” Tom started. “I think we should get divorced.” 

It was then, at 8:30 am that your world came crashing down. 

“W-What?” You whimpered out, your voice weaker than before. “Why?”

“I’m not happy with you anymore.” He said simply. Your eyes flickered to his left hand, noticing the absence of the golden wedding band, making your heart ache. 

“We can try couples’ therapy. We can go on dates like we used to, Tom, please! We can fight for this, Tom. Fight for us.” You cried, your heart shattering into a million tiny pieces, each one puncturing your lungs as you struggled to keep your breath under control. 

“No,” He shook his head. “My mind is made up. I’m sorry, y/n. Um, I found a lawyer at a firm, they have a lot of other lawyers there you can contact. I’ll just, uh, leave their card here.” 

“So that’s it? Three years of dating and four years of marriage down the drain?” You sobbed, holding your knees to your chest as you sat on the kitchen floor. 

“I’m sorry, y/n. Truly, I am.”

He placed the small business card on the counter, grabbing the bags you didn’t even notice, mumbling an ‘I’ll be staying with Haz,’ before walking out the front door, like he did every other day. This time, though, you had the sinking feeling he was leaving for good. 

-

It was only three weeks that your lawyer came over to meet with you, joined by Tom and his lawyer. You kept your eyes focused on the table as you signed the paperwork, wanting to get this done as soon as possible. 

As soon as everyone left, you shut the door, slid down the back of it, and cried. 

-

Nearly two months after the worst day of your life and it was time for a self care night. The ring that once sat on your left hand was buried away in your jewelry box somewhere and you were finally starting to feel free and somewhat happy again after crying yourself to sleep and wondering where it all went wrong for months. 

After the divorce you buried yourself in work, using it as a distraction from going home to an empty house. You also moved out of the house you once called home. Not only was it too painful to go home to an empty house, but it was too painful to go home to a house that held so many happy and loving memories. You took the necessities along with some things you wanted with you and set yourself up in a hotel room for the time being. You treated it as a vacation. Except only a few people knew where you were. Your family knew, along with your friends, including Harrison, on the condition he didn’t tell Tom where you were. You started making time for yourself in your little hotel room and you became happier. 

Tonight, after a long day of work, you ordered your favorite Chinese food, played your favorite songs, and ran yourself a bath with a vanilla scented bath bomb. You were enjoying a glass of wine, the hot water of the bath soothing you when the music playing from your phone was interrupted by a call coming in. 

To your surprise, it was Tom. You contemplated answering it, but instead, let it go to voicemail. However, you were curious as to why he called, though you were also 99% positive it was a pocket dial. So you played the voicemail, the familiar voice ringing throughout the bathroom. 

“Hey y/n, um, I hope you’re doing well. I just called because I wanted to tell you something. I um, I miss you. A lot. And I know I don’t get to feel that way but I do and I just wanted to tell you that and I guess ask if there was any possibility of meeting to talk? Uh, call me back if...if you want. I don’t blame you if you hate me. Bye. Love y-” 

You turned off the voicemail before the phrase could be finished. Millions of thoughts filled your mind, ranging from happy ones to ones that made your heart ache and tears fill your eyes. 

You decided to ignore it, pretend it never happened, and enjoy your self care night. 

-

When Tom pulled up to his former house with flowers in his car and a pit of nerves in his stomach, he expected to see your car in the driveway and at least one light to be on. He was greeted with an empty driveway and a dark house, which confused him. It was the weekend, so you weren’t work. Maybe you had to run an errand? 

But after 20 minutes, he gave up hope that you were home and tried to call you, which to no surprise, you didn’t pick up again. He instead called Harrison in an effort to try and find out if he knew where you were. 

“What do you want?” Harrison answered, half concentrating on what Tom was about to say and half concentrating on the game in front of him. 

“Do, uh, do you know where y/n is?” Tom asked, taking Harrison by surprise. 

“y/n?” Harrison paused the game, suddenly not able to concentrate on it. “Why d’you want to know where y/n is?”

“I just want to talk to her.” He mumbled. 

“If I knew that’s where you were going I wouldn’t have let you go.” Harrison sighed. “Listen she made me swear that I wouldn’t tell you-” 

“Please Harrison? You’ve seen how much of a mess I’ve been. I just want to see if I have a shot.” Tom begged, making his friend cave. 

“Fine but if she moves again I won’t be telling you shit.”  

-

The next day you were enjoying a cup of tea and reading your book, getting some relaxation in before your week began when a knock on the door interrupted you. Confusion filled your body, you weren’t expecting anyone to pop by. 

Looking out the peephole, you froze at the sight that greeted you. Tom was standing outside your door, a bouquet of your favorite flowers in his hands. 

“Hi.” He breathed out, his nose and the tips of his ears red from the harsh winter air. 

“How the hell did you find me?” You asked, keeping your eyes focused on the ground. 

“Harrison. I begged him to tell me.” He answered. 

“I’m gonna kill him.” You muttered. “What do you want?”

“Can..Can I come in?” He asked. 

You wanted to say no, that he could say what he wanted to say outside or just not let him speak at all. But you wanted to be courteous to the other people on your floor and part of you was curious as to what he was going to say. So you wordlessly opened the door slightly, letting him in and closing the door behind him. 

“Now what do you want?”

“Did you get my voicemail?” He responded, hope filling his eyes when you nodded. “Um, I brought these for you. I was hoping we could talk.” 

“I don’t want your flowers. Why should I talk to you? We’re divorced, just like you wanted.” Tom winced at the words. “Nothing to change.” 

“Actually, we’re not.” He corrected. “I called the office the other day. Um, it’s not official yet.” 

“Well then they should make it official. Maybe I can call them and make it happen as my very last Christmas present to you. Just what you wanted.” You snapped. 

“No, this isn’t what I want, can I speak, please?” He pleaded, his eyes resembling those of a puppy. 

“You’re speaking already.” You answered, gesturing for him to continue nonetheless. 

“I- How have you been? I stopped by the house-”

“Tom I’m not gonna listen to your small talk. Say what you have to say and leave.” You told him. His heart broke but he couldn’t blame you. 

“Um, so I thought I wasn’t happy with you but um, as time went on, I realized how much I miss having you in my life.” He began, visibly nervous. “I was just looking through our pictures and how happy you looked and I just, I guess I realized I wanted to be the one to make you that happy again.”

“You haven’t made me happy in months, Tom.” 

“I know.” His heart clenched. “I know and I’m so sorry, y/n. I really am.” 

“Was there someone else? Did you cheat on me?” You asked. 

“No, no absolutely not, y/n.” He answered before adding; “I went on a date with someone after we split up but it didn’t work out. I realized she wasn’t what I want.” 

“Of course she wasn’t.” You scoffed. 

“I want you, y/n. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy again.” He told you, tears filling your eyes. “Is there..is there any possibility you could love me again?” 

“Again?” You seethed. “Tom I never fell out of love with you! I never stopped loving you! That was all you! You stopped loving me and you wanted this stupid fucking divorce!”

“I..I don’t think I ever stopped loving you either.” He whispered, tears falling down his rosy cheeks. “Please, y/n, if there’s even the tiniest chance..” 

“Of what, Tom? Of going right back to being married? Of you making me happy? I don’t know, Tom! I don’t know anything except that I hate you right now.” You sobbed, crying into your knees while Tom let out quiet sobs of his own, his heart clenching at the lack of wedding band on your left hand and the lack of love in your voice, but especially your eyes. Your eyes, which once held so much love and adoration for him were now full of anger and resentment. 

“Of..anything, y/n. Please, I just want a second chance to show you how much you mean to me, to make you happy again. I will do anything to save us, anything you want. And...and if it’s not working or you just really hate me, I wouldn’t blame you. Not at all.” He begged, his eyes puffy and red. 

“I tried to save us, Tom. Don’t you remember? I begged and pleaded with you to do couples therapy to go on dates when you were breaking my heart into a million tiny pieces. I begged you to try and fight for us, for our marriage, but you just walked out the god damn door!” You spit through gritted teeth. 

“I fucked up, I know. I fucked up so badly.” He cried, wiping his tears away. 

“And if leaving me wasn’t enough, you took Tessa too! I was left completely alone in that big fucking house that was haunted by you. I couldn’t stand it.” You sobbed. 

“I’m..I’m sorry, y/n. So so fucking sorry. What do you want me to do?” 

“I want...I want you to hurt. I want you to hurt the way you hurt me. I want you to know how this fucking feels.” You said, your voice getting louder with each word that fell from your lips.

Tom could only cry. This was ripping him apart, he couldn’t even imagine what the whole thing felt like to you. 

“I’m gonna need time to think, Tom.” You finally mumbled, Tom nodding in response. 

“I’ll give you all the time you need. I promise you-” 

“Don’t. Don’t promise me anything.” You spoke, your voice low. “You won’t be able to keep it. You promised you’d love me forever four years ago and look what happened.” 

“y/n pl-”

“You don’t get to do this. You-you don’t get to just waltz right back in here and ask for a second chance to fight for us when I didn’t even get a first chance. How do I know this won’t end like it did before?” 

“y/n, I swear to you, if this isn’t working out, you can leave me. I...I just want a chance to prove myself to you.” He begged. 

“God, Tom. You don’t get it! I’m not going through this again. Do you realize how much you broke me the first time? Fuck, you had a chance, Tom. And you threw it away.” You muttered quietly. 

“I regret that every day. Every god damn day.” He told you honestly.

“I don’t know, Tom.” You sighed. 

“Talk to me?” He tried, knowing you were hiding something deeper than an ‘I don’t know.’

“Don’t know what else there is to say.” You mumbled. “I don’t trust you, I-I can’t trust you. I hate you.” 

“Why’d you get a hotel room?” Tom sniffled, changing the subject. 

“I told you. I hated being in that house. Hated being surrounded by the happy pictures and memories of us.” You told him honestly. “I want to start over.” 

“What?”

“I want to start over. I can’t go back to being emotionally married to you even if we’ll still be married legally. I’m talking starting from scratch, as if we were meeting for the first time, the whole deal.” You told him. 

“That sounds perfect, y/n. Thank y-”

“Get out, Tom. Please. I just want to be alone and not with you right now. I’m still not happy with you.” 

“Okay.” He breathed out, hope filling him once again. “You won’t regret this, I promise.” 

“What did I just say about promises?” You asked tearily. 

“I know, I know. I’m determined to keep this promise, though.” He told you. 

“Fine. Whatever. Just please leave for now.” You whimpered, watching as he walked out the door, just like he did when he broke your heart. 

You decided you needed another self care night. Another bath was run, another vanilla scented bath bomb was used, more wine was consumed. 

Tom texted you right as you got out of the bath. 

Tom: hey y/n, it’s tom, just incase you don’t have my number saved anymore. I just wanted to say thank you for the second chance. I really am grateful. I hope you have a relaxing night, you deserve it. 

You rolled your eyes and tossed your phone gently on your bed, though you could feel your heart rate pick up and butterflies fill your stomach. 

-

Tom began texting you sweet little things each morning, whether it was to let you know that he’s been thinking of you or to tell you that he hopes you have a great day. At first you ignored them, but then you began responding in short answers of one or two words until the two of you were texting every day, like when you met for the first time seven years ago. 

-

Over a month after you started texting again, Tom took you on a first date. Pulling up to your hotel, Tom felt the nerves fill his body as he walked up to your door and knocked, another bouquet of your favorite flowers in his hand. 

He felt all the air leave his lungs as you opened the door. You looked absolute stunning. You were wearing a navy blue dress that reached down to just above your knees, one Tom bought you one year. 

“Wow, hi.” He breathed. “You look stunning.” 

“Thank you.” You smiled, accepting the flowers he handed you. “I’ll be right back.” 

Tom took you to your favorite restaurant that night, one that the two of you frequented when you (formerly) went on dates. 

When he took you back to your hotel, he walked you up to the door, where he nervously asked if he could kiss you. 

You said yes, and that was all Tom needed to press a soft kiss to your lips. The kiss was magical, both of you felt the sparks between the two of you. 

“God I missed doing that.” Tom mumbled as he pulled away to breathe. 

“Then do it again.” 

-

A couple months after that, Tom moved back in with you. You had gone back to the house every now and then, to slowly acclimate yourself to being back in the once happy house, only fully moving back when Tom moved back as well. The pictures of the two of you were dusted off, making your heart race instead of hurt at the sight of the happy memories. 

-

Finally, after a year, Tom proposed to you (again). You hesitated a little bit, still scared it would end in heartbreak again, which broke Tom’s heart, but said you yes in the end. 

The two of you renewed your vows, putting on the golden bands that were once again a symbol of the love the two of you shared. 

You had a small party back at your house after the ceremony, your families joining to celebrate. You found Tom alone in the kitchen, grabbing a beer for him and Harry. 

“Hey.” You greeted, fiddling with your fingers as tears of happiness filled your eyes. 

“Hey, what’s wrong, my love?” Tom asked, concerned as soon he saw the tears filling your eyes. 

“Nothing, nothing. I, um,” You started, wiping your tears away and wrapping your arms around Tom’s neck. “I’m really glad we made it back to this.” 

“Me too, lovey. I love you so much.” He whispered, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead.

“Hey, Tommy?” 

“Yeah?” 

“You kept your promise.” You smiled softly, making Tom’s heart ache at the memory of you not being able to trust him. 

“I told you I would.” 

Your moment was interrupted by Harrison, who entered the kitchen, smiling at his two best friends happily in love once again. 

“Aren’t you so glad I told him where you were staying?” He joked, making you roll your eyes. 

“Shut up, Harrison.” You smiled. As your eyes flickered between Tom and Harrison, though, you knew you wouldn’t have been in this position if Harrison didn’t spill the beans to Tom. 

“Hey Haz?” You called, as Harrison went to leave the kitchen in fake offense. He turned at the sound of his name, knowing what was coming. 

“Thank you.” Tom nodded in agreement, his arm slipping around your waist. 

Harrison just smiled even bigger, all three of you knowing everything would be okay from now on.

[ashintheairlikesnow]

Prompt: Vampire Chris drunk on blood?

CW: Drunkenness, drug addiction, blood drinking, vampirism, creepy abusive comfort, WWI-period-appropriate xenophobia and brief vague possible homophobia reference, dehumanization, war whump

"Now, that'll get you blotto faster'n French liquor," Kirk says, sinking back against the muddy trench wall, careless for the dirt caking itself into the hair at the nape of his neck.

His helmet lay beside him upside down on the ground, and his brown hair was free to explode in its wealth of curls, a kind of halo around his head. He had one arm out, sleeve rolled back. His hands were caked in mud and smeared with drying dirt - above the line of his sleeve, though, the skin was paper-white, almost clammy.

It was this white skin that the vampire's fangs were buried in.

"Shit, Holden, y'gotta have 'im bite you, too." Kirk's grin widens. The shells had gone silent but every man flinches, now and then, hearing a phantom sound or feeling a rumble beneath their feet.

At least it's finally stopped goddamn raining.

The venom rolls through Kirk's veins, soothing his jangled nerves. He can barely feel the trembling in his hands and it feels like his mind, when it's in him. He's a farm kid from western Nebraska, the second son and not needed so much as the first to bring the crops in. So here he is, learning to love the feeling of teeth in his skin.

Maybe when he gets shipped back home he'll stick to the cities. They say the vampires have their dens there, where they can hide. You can buy venom enough to quiet your mind for a day or two, the city boys tell him.

They're in it as deep as he is, now.

Feels like half the American army is itching for venom these days.

"No thank you. I'm not gonna get sent home and start chasing fangs like the rest of you." Holden squints, looking up into the dark sky, the rolling clouds that seem far too close to the ground. "It'll rain again soon."

"When isn't it going to rain again soon? Oh, right, when it's already bloody raining." That's a Brit, they just call him Tommy. No one knows his real name.

He claims to hate them all, but since half his unit was blasted apart two days ago, he's hung with the 'Yanks' close enough. Kirk thinks he's fond of them, even if he won't admit it. Or just scared to be alone. He can understand that. He's terrified of the thought himself. "Shove the little vamp over to me, Kirk, I want some."

The vampire pulls his fangs free, licking over the wounds he's made until they close. He's a skinny little thing, pale as paper with bright red hair they stuff under his helmet when he's running medic checks in No Man's Land, trying to make him less obvious. Sure, he can't die from gas, but he can be blown to bits by a whizz-bang fast as any living soldier can.

"Please," The vampire says, turning big green eyes up to Kirk. "I, I, I'm tired, please, can I sleep?"

He's got heavy dark circles under his eyes. It's kind of cute.

"No," Kirk answers, curt, shoving the vampire away by his head, watching him fall into the mud. His uniform is marked with it, now, a dab of dirt over the 'V' sewn next to his medic's cross. There's a satisfaction, in Kirk, just in seeing the little thing laid low.

He won't die in this war, and Kirk probably will, but before that happens he can at least hurt something he can see. You can't see old Fritz when you fire on him from a distance - but you can see a vampire flinch in the dirt. It's not much.

It's something.

"Must be daytime," Holden speaks up, still staring up at the clouds. "You can't tell, weather like this, but if the fangs're tryin' to sleep, must be day."

"He sleeps when we're done with him, and not a moment before." Kirk's voice is a murmur, eyes half-closed. He's drifting in it, the way the venom dulls and deadens the eternal ache in his back and legs. The Germans could come roaring over the bags right this second and Kirk wouldn't give a damn at all. Let them kill him, at least he can go with venom in his veins, not as a basket case carried off the field. "Not a second before. Go on, bloodsucker. Get over to Tommy and help him get some shut-eye, huh?"

"I've been drinking all night, pulled some rations off someone," Tommy groans, rubbing his fingers at his temples. "It's done no good at all." It's a funny little gesture, so oddly normal and casual. Reminds Kirk of home.

His throat tries to close, homesickness bowling him over. The wish to return to his mother's worn smile, sit down to dinner and have her ask him about his day, when his problems revolved around the harvest and the hard backs of the pews in church-

He takes a breath, forcing it back, and gives the vampire a vicious kick in the ribs, listening to his high-pitched cry and how he curls around himself with a smile of his own.

Oh, he'll die, probably. The others from his town already have. But he can remind himself he's still alive, for now. One way or another. He can cause pain he can't feel himself, for once.

"I said get over to Tommy and smooth out his sharp bits, bloodfuck."

"Yes, um, y-yes, Kirk," The vampire says, pulling himself onto his hands and knees. His fingers are smashed into the mud deep enough to nearly disappear. If they could only get a few days of sunlight to dry out all this dirt, it wouldn't be such hell.

As it is, his socks've been damp for weeks, his boots feel like they're caging his feet in a swamp. He's worried about trenchfoot and trying not to think about it. He stole these boots off a dead German when his own started to fall apart, anyway.

He could've probably gotten new ones, but... it had felt good, taking something from Fritz after Fritz took so much from him.

Kirk tries not to remember that the German soldiers he fights have never caused him a single moment's harm on purpose. They're only fighting for the same reasons he is - because someone higher up who doesn't give a damn about them said to.

Kirk had been all gung-ho for the war until he'd been sent over here to fight it. All those articles in the newspapers, all the speeches given by men standing in town squares... it had all made it seem so patriotic.

They never tell you, Kirk thinks bitterly, that you'll be sent into a slaughterhouse. They don't tell you you'll spend your day breaking a vampire's fingers one by one just to watch them heal back into place and listen to his little cries.

Just to pass the time.

"Trade me your flask while the fangs takes care of you," Kirk says, and Tommy hands it over easy enough.

He watches Tommy grab the vampire by one arm and yank him over, vicious and violent, making the vampire boy cry out again. The sound is starting to grate on Kirk's nerves. It makes him sound too human. He hates being reminded that every vampire used to be a person.

He drinks whatever's in the Brit's flask, and it burns down his throat just the way he needs it to. Wipes out his worries, relaxes shoulders that seem always to be tensed up nearly to his chin.

His mama's a teetotaler, back in Nebraska. He'd been one, too, until the first bombardment. Now he drinks anything he could get his hands on, and the officers mostly looked the other way.

"Bite," Tommy orders. Kirk raises his eyebrows when Tommy doesn't roll up his sleeve but pushes the vampire's face instead towards his neck, turning his head to the side to bare it.

His eyes meet Kirk's, and he smiles, bitterly. "Works faster this way," He explains. Kirk just watches as the vampire's fangs glint in the eternal dim twilight, hesitating before they bury themselves in Tommy's skin.

The little monster's back arches, pressing them chest-to-chest. A low rumble comes from somewhere deep inside, the animal sound the vampire makes during a good feed. He doesn't do it much with the regular unit any longer, they mocked him for it and one day he stopped.

The vampire's throat works as he drinks, and Tommy's arm slides around the monster's thin shoulders, forcing him closer. He's nearly kissing his forehead, this way.

It's an embrace, and altogether more intimate of one than Kirk thought he'd ever see from the cold, standoffish Brit. He feels a blush creeping up his neck and his cheeks as Tommy lets his head fall back, groaning softly in a kind of contentment as the venom hits. The sound isn't quite like a groan at all, it's more like-

"Fucking hell, Tommy, are you an invert?"

"Invert suggests I give a damn what bites me," Tommy replies, without opening his eyes. His slurred speech deepens, goes slow. His hand curves around the vampire's shoulder, holding him tightly. "I'm after oblivion, lads. I don't care what parts the fangs have that give it to me."

"Fang-chaser," Holden says, good-naturedly. Clearly not bothered the way Kirk is. Maybe that's just his farmboy past talking, that he's even unsettled at all. Maybe Tommy's got a point - who cares what's between a vampire's legs if you're only interested in the damn thing's mouth in the first place? "Fucking fang-chaser, that's what you are. End up in a den getting your hips bit like Oscar Wilde."

"Who's Oscar Wilde?"

Holden laughs. "You should try reading a book or three sometime, Kirk."

"Sure, sure, whenever I get the damn time in-between running over this blasted nothing. In any case, Tommy's definitely a fang-chaser."

"Guilty as charged... just like you two." Tommy's hand slides up into the vampire's hair, gripping tight and gently pulling backwards. The vampire's fangs slide free, and it laps at the wounds, rapidly. Tommy groans again. Kirk finds himself unable to look away at the bob of Tommy's throat. How good does it feel, in the neck? He's never thought to try it. He thinks about it now. "Turn me in to face discipline for unnatural relations with the fangs and I'll do the same to you."

"Yeah, yeah, we got it. Fucking Limey bastard." There's no real animosity in Kirk's voice. He's too distracted, drunkenly considering the vampire boy's mouth. Wondering if he knows how to kiss. "You shared your liquor, I shared our bloodsucker, we're both of us in it to our necks."

"Not me," Holden says, innocent and pure as the driven snow. As if he weren't the one to give Kirk the idea to use the venom in the first place.

Kirk throws a clot of mud at him, which he dodges, laughing. They're all laughing, soon enough, except for the fangs.

The vampire lays there, his head pressed to Tommy's chest and forcibly held in place by his arm. His eyes are slightly wide, unfocused, and Kirk leans forward.

"What's this, then? What'd you do to the fangs, Tommy?"

"Hm? Nothing. Oh, I'm pissed as can be, do they feel the liquor in your blood?"

"I'm guessing they sure do. You drunk, fangs?"

The vampire's eyes drift over to Kirk, move too far to one side, come back again. He swallows, thickly. "I... I think I, I, I am," He says, and tries to push back against Tommy's chest, to free himself.

The Brit's arm crushes him back into place, his other hand moving up to run through the vampire boy's dirt red hair, petting him like one of the ambulance dogs. Kirk and Holden laugh at the vampire's weakness. "Stay right where you are," Tommy murmurs. "Or I'll run you through with my bayonet and let you squirm all day."

"Christ," Kirk says, blinking. "That's a bit rough, isn't it?"

"He's not alive, what does it matter?" Tommy lets out a bitter little laugh. "Might as well get a preview of our own ends, shouldn't we?"

"You two, maybe." Holden crawls into the dugout, the little bed-space, a kind of cave dug in underneath the upper layers of the trench. He lays down on his back, closing his eyes, hands behind his head. "I'm going to go back home and never think of you lot ever again."

"I pray every night to make it home," Kirk says, nodding along. "Not sure anyone's listening, but I got to try, don't I?"

"What happens to the fangs, anyway?" The Brit looks up, rocking a little back and forth. As if the bloodsucker were a baby needing soothing. The vampire boy has relaxed against him, the liquor-laced blood he drank lulling him into a complacent bonelessness. Kirk watches the vampire boy's fingers start to tap over the Brit's chest, a strange movement he's seen the boy do before in his few relaxed moments between the scream of the shells. He hums, low in his throat, tuneless.

"Huh?" Kirk blinks. "What d'you mean, what happens to him?"

"After the war's done. What are they gonna do with the bloodsuckers? Can't exactly pin a bloody ribbon for valor on them and send them on their way, now can they?"

"Nope. I don't know what happens. Maybe they'll just stake them all and have done with them."

The vampire shudders, giving a little whimper. Tommy leans down, lips moving against the vampire's hair. "Ssssshhhh. Not to worry, little fangs. War's not over just yet, now is it?"

"N-... no. Not, not, not, not yet." The vampire's eyes close, pink-tinged tears creating pale tracks in his dirty face. He's a sad drunk, then, Kirk figures.

Aren't they all, these days.

"Maybe you'll outlive us all, and make fools of us for keeping you." Tommy speaks with a patronizing affection, as mocking as it is tender, petting through the creature's hair still. It's... unsettling to watch. Kirk had figured the Brits and French probably killed all their vamps, since they were all disturbed by the sight of the vampire medics when the doughboys first arrived in Europe.

This, though... this makes it seem like Tommy's known a vampire or two himself, in his life. And he's sure as fuck not unfamiliar to what venom is good for outside of giving relief from agony to the injured.

Kirk frowns, thoughtful.

He's turned into a thoughtful drunk, too, thanks to this goddamn war. Sad and thoughtful. What a fucking waste.

"Sleep," Tommy says, almost gently, to the drunk little vampire. "I've got you. Sleep, little one."

The vampire's eyes slip closed. He doesn't breathe - there's no sense of his chest rising and falling. Kirk has to look away before the sense of wrongness, watching Tommy cuddle a corpse, makes him sick.

He takes a long, long draught from the flask, and relishes the burn that reminds him he's human, and alive.

His own eyes slip shut, and he prays for an hour or two of sleep before the next screaming shell bursts overhead.

-

@mylifeisonthebookshelf @insaneinthepaingame @keeper-of-all-the-random-things @burtlederp @finder-of-rings @astrobly @newandfiguringitout @pretty-face-breaker @endless-whump @gonna-feel-that-tomorrow @doveotions @boxboysandotherwhump @oops-its-whump @cubeswhump @whump-tr0pes @downriver914 @whumptywhumpdump @whumpiary @orchidscript @nonsensical-whump @outofangband @what-a-whump

[motivatedtocry]

May I ask for a follow up post where MC admits Mammon is actually their favourite but maybe in private vs in front of all the bro’s. I’d love to see their reactions but I feel like Mammon’s private reaction would be so sweet & genuine

of course!

i'm still working on the other brothers and their reactions in private with mc, but this can be an alternative story to the mini series

i hope this is what you were hoping for!♡

Sharing is Caring | Mammon is MC's favorite (Alternative story)

warning! none, all fluff :)

✃- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

You came back from the kitchen with some of your favorite pudding. With the spoon in your mouth, tasting the flavor, you curiously looked into your room, looking for Mammon. You found yourself feeling down after not finding him anywhere. You practically ran away from him earlier, he even seemed to keep wanting to talk to you.

You thought it was funny at first, but worry washed your body entirely. What if he went back to not being honest with you about his feelings? It was already a miracle that you two got to the point where Mammon wasn't trying to avoid his feelings. Well, more like lying about them. He was a bad liar, and that helped you decipher what he actually means to say, but how nice it felt to have him opening his heart to you.

What if he felt bad?

You sigh, shaking your head. Checking on him is better than getting it all mixed up in your head. For that reason, you left the rest of your pudding in your room before turning around to start your way to Mammon's room. The house was currently quiet, so you assumed that the brothers were either in their room or out and about.

The walk wasn't long, the closer you got, the more nervous you got. You placed your hand over your chest in attempt to tranquil your rapid heartbeat. You didn't want to admit it, but you did have one demon to pick. You also did deeply care about all of the brothers, but Mammon was special. He cared about you even if he tried to deny it. He even told you how much he didn't want any of his brothers to have you.

He already made his way to your heart, and with that it felt like he went right through it. In a good way, of course.

You knocked on his door a couple of times, loudly enough for Mammon to hear. After a few seconds, from the other side of it, an almost inaudible 'It's open!' had your hand twisting the doorknob to open it. Mammon was lazily sitting on his couch. He looked more like he was lying on it rather than sitting. His legs were spread wide open, and his upper body was relying more on the seat than the back of it. It seemed like he was just casually scrolling on his phone since he was holding it, but looked away from it once he noticed you walk into the room.

"Of course it was you. My brothers barely care to knock when they barge into my room." He says, taking little time to sit properly and put his phone down next to him. "What? Have you finally come to admit that you're mad in love with The Great Mammon?" A joking tone ringed with his words. A smug painted across his face, but you knew that's not how he really felt.

He actually was trying to hide how disappointed he was at your earlier response.

Before you could answer, he spoke once again. "You're unbelievable, ya know that? You're missing a great opportunity here!"

You walked towards him and gently sat next to him; just like he did earlier while you both were in his room. "Oh, yeah?"

"Yes!" He responds.

"I think you are the one admitting you're madly in love with me." You tease.

The pink color you loved to see in his face took over his cheeks. "T-That's not the point!" He shakes his head. "Why did ya come here anyway?"

"To talk my favorite demon. One that I'd pick out of everyone." You give him a cheeky smile. You can't lie, his confused expression was priceless, but the excitement that began to sparkle in his eyes had you feeling all types of ways.

"Huh?!" His eyes widened, and the pink color in his cheeks extended to his ears. You felt your own getting warmer, so he wasn't the only one blushing. You chuckled, trying to keep composure.

"You heard me."

"Time out!" He fixed himself in his seat one more time, changing to a position where he could look at you more directly. "Ya said that you'd pick all of us! Ya better not be playin' with me."

"I'm not."

"MC, ya change your mind quicker than I spend all of my money. I can't keep up! Ya have to be lyin' to me."

"Mammon," you start saying as you hold his hands. He looked like a puppy asking for a treat and if it wasn't because you had something important to say, you'd already be melting. "I couldn't bring myself to say your name out there. Not when all of your brothers were looking at me like they were going to eat me alive! I also... felt bad for only picking one."

"That's exactly why ya should've said my name! Who cares if they feel bad? They should feel bad." He says, and shortly after, sighs. "Ya humans really are somethin'. Especially you!"

You giggle.

"Ya know?" He continues. "I've really been tryin' to tell ya how I feel these days. I can't stand how sad your face looks when I'm not honest about how I feel about you." He voice becomes softer the more he speaks, and his embarrassment also seemed to be going away. "But ya already know how I feel! Why do I got to keep tellin' ya?"

There was a short pause after he talked, and all you could do is look at him dearly. He slowly, but suddenly, approches you and grabs you by your waist, making you sit on his lap. You surely were surprised but you let it happen. He wraps his arms around you tenderly into a hug, closing his eyes as his face touches your torso.

"There were days were I wanted to hold ya just like this. Knowin' that I can do it now makes me really happy." He murmurs. Your heart jumps excitedly in your chest after you hear him, but even more after you notice the smile he had as he held you.

"I'm all yours now." You say.

He looks at you almost indignant. "Ya were already mine! It was just a matter of time ya came running to my arms." He said, making you laugh. "There's no one better to treat ya right other than The Great Mammon."

"You better treat me right!"

"Oh, just ya wait, MC." He held you once more, sofly pushing you until he had you lying down under him. He kissed your cheek, his breathing tickling you and making let out an almost quiet chuckle. "I'll treat ya just right."

[daryl-dixon-daydreams]

Words: 3,324 Daryl Dixon x Reader Reader pronouns: she/her Era: Alexandria Warnings: Language, typical TWD stuff A/N: This is Part 6 of a series! Find the previous parts on the Masterlist! Summary: Daryl worries about Y/N after the traumatic incident outside the wall.

Your name: submit What is this?

Daryl didn’t see you that whole day after he had talked with Rick, or the next morning so he decided to pay you a visit and make sure you were okay. He wiped his hands on the rag he always kept in his back pocket and put away the tools he had been using to work on his bike. Just as he was getting ready to leave, Aaron stepped out into the garage and Daryl greeted him with a nod.

“Done for the day?”

Daryl shrugged. “For now at least.” He thoughtfully chewed his bottom lip for a moment. “Hey, uhh, ya seen Y/N since that night we got back?”

Aaron’s face fell a bit but he nodded. “I stopped by her place yesterday.”

Daryl leaned back against the table, crossing his arms over his chest. “How’d she seem?”

Aaron shrugged and sighed heavily. “She seemed… okay. I don’t think she’s been sleeping,” he said a little hesitantly. He shook his head, frowning. “The bruising on her neck… it’s bad. Thank God you were there.”

Daryl’s stomach flipped at the thought. “Ya… Well, the whole thing was bad. Those people? Seemed like—” he hesitated to say what was on his mind, to confide in Aaron, but he also felt like it was eating him alive. Maybe if he spoke it, he would feel less consumed by it. “It seemed like they knew her.”

Aaron’s brow drew down low over his eyes. “Hmm. What do you mean?”

“I heard ‘em say she was comin’ ‘back where she belongs.’ And more than that—if they had wanted to kill her, she’d be dead. They both had guns and knives on ‘em. But they didn’t. They were tryin’ ta take her.”

The shadow on Aaron’s face deepened and he rubbed a hand thoughtfully over his chin and mouth. “Well, I don’t think I need to tell you that the intentions of some men out there in this world are even more emboldened now,” he said with disgust.

“Yeah… But ain’t the first time neither. That night I stitched up that gash in her arm she said the same thing. She said ‘if they had wanted to kill me, I’d be dead.’”

Aaron gulped and shook his head. “I don’t know what—I just—I don’t know,” he said vaguely. “She hasn’t told me much about before.”

Daryl turned back to the table and fiddled with some of the parts. “Seems like she’s got a target painted on her. Maybe she shouldn’t be out,” he thought aloud.

Aaron shook his head. “Yeah, well that will never happen. Trying to keep her inside Alexandria is like trying to hold water in your hands. We’d probably have to lock her up.” He sighed heavily again and rested his hands on his hips. “Whatever is out there, whatever her past is… she knows the risks of going out. There isn’t going to be any convincing her to stay inside.”

Daryl nodded and chewed the side of his thumbnail. “Ya…”

Aaron let out a wry laugh. “I mean, can you imagine if someone told you that you needed to stay inside?”

One corner of Daryl’s mouth twitched upwards. “Ya. I know. Ain’t happenin’.” Daryl sighed. “Well, I guess the only thing for it is to try to convince her not to go alone.”

Aaron smiled at the archer. “Sounds reasonable. Know anyone for the job?” he joked. Daryl shot him a look and Aaron laughed and held his hands up. “See you later, Daryl.”

Daryl hummed an acknowledgement, set down the part he’d been anxiously fiddling with, and headed out of the garage in the direction of your house.

He felt a bit nervous as he climbed the stairs on your front porch, noticing how clammy his palms suddenly felt, and when first he knocked there was a long silence. He wondered if you were going to answer the door at all and a distinct worry seized him—that you really weren’t okay. But, finally, he could hear some soft footsteps approaching the other side of the door and then it opened a crack.

You peeked out hesitantly but as soon as you saw it was Daryl you opened the door wide. “Daryl. Hi.”

He cleared his throat a little awkwardly. “Hey.”

Aaron was right. You looked exhausted. There were dark circles under your eyes and your shoulders were somewhat slumped.

You continued to peer at him, waiting for some explanation for why he was standing there at your door.

“I, uhh—I hadn’t seen ya since we got back. Just wanted to see if ya needed anything. Ya know, and see how you’re healin’ up.”

“Oh. That’s—you want to come in?” you offered stepping back to make way for his broad-shouldered frame.

“Thanks,” Daryl murmured as he crossed the threshold. You shut the door behind him and he followed you up the hall and into the kitchen. He could see a pillow and blanket laid out on the couch in the living room. It looked like you’d been camping out there. He gave you a questioning glance. “So, how ya feelin’?” Daryl’s eyes found the dark bruising around your neck.

“I’m fine. Thanks,” you said a little quietly.

He considered you thoughtfully for a moment, chewing the inside of his cheek. “Ya sure?”

You sighed heavily and pressed a hand to your forehead. “Yeah. I just—haven’t slept really,” you admitted.

Daryl nodded, looking again at the makeshift bed in your living room. “Ya camping out down here?”

You followed him as he trailed over to peer at the blankets spilling off the couch and onto the floor. “Uhh… sort of. I thought maybe a change of scenery would help.” And you had the thought that if you were on the ground floor, you’d hear someone trying to break into your house…

“Did it?” he asked, his blue eyes finding yours.

“Not really.”

The archer’s brow drew down, veiling his eyes in shadow, and he let out a hum of acknowledgement. “Ya know if having other people around would help, ya could—” he cleared his throat again, his heart racing, “ya could come stay over at our place. We’ve got a full house. Ya know, if—if it’d feel safer. Ya could take my bed. It’s in the basement away from everybody.” He watched your eyelashes flutter as you looked up at him in surprise.

“Oh. I can’t—that—that’s okay,” you said, averting your eyes back down toward your feet.

Daryl’s heart was pounding as he offered up his second idea, nervously rubbing a hand over the back of his neck. “Well, I—I could stay over here. Just to, ya know, keep an eye on things. If it’d help.” Your eyes lifted back up to his face again and there was that vulnerability in your eyes again that always surprised him. He watched as your lips parted slightly as you prepared to speak.

“I can’t—I can’t ask you to do that,” you said softly, quickly averting your eyes from the sudden softness in his and fiddling with the hem of your sleeve.

“Ya ain’t askin’. I offered,” he said. “If ya think it’d help ya get some sleep. You’re healin’ up. Ya need it.”

You glanced up at him again, now your expression was somewhat guarded as you took him in. You gulped at the nervous lump in your throat. “They aren’t gonna miss you over there?” you asked hesitantly.

“Nah,” he said.

You watched him for a long moment, considering his offer, but at length you nodded, remembering how well you had slept with him nearby even outside of Alexandria’s walls. Since you’d gotten back the nightmares had returned and gotten worse, likely a result of your latest encounter. “Okay. If—if you don’t mind.”

Daryl’s heart fluttered at the grateful look you gave him, your eyes fixed on him and only him. He nodded. “I dun mind.” He nudged his nose up at you twice in a nod. “I’ll come by later.” You watched as he stalked into the kitchen and went over to the refrigerator.

“What are you doing?” You watched him pull it open and look inside before glancing back over his shoulder at you.

He closed the door pointedly. “Just what I thought. Ain’t got no damn food in here either. Ya been eatin’?”

You gulped and shrugged vaguely.

“Ya, uh huh. I’ll bring somethin’ later. Ya need to eat,” he rumbled. He started to stride quickly to the front door and you trailed a little behind him. He stopped on the threshold and looked back at you. There was that softness in his eyes again that always made your heart jump. “I’ll be back later, alright?”

You avoided his eyes, feeling suddenly silly and ashamed of what you were asking him to do, that you needed someone else when you tried so hard not to need anyone or anything. His deep voice, rough with gravel called your eyes back to his.

“Hey. It ain’t no big deal. Alright?” he said, trying to reassure you, reading the shame on your face as clearly as if the word had been tattooed on your forehead.

You nodded a little, giving in to his reassurance. “Okay.”

“’Kay,” he agreed. You watched him cross the porch and go down your stairs, headed back home. That’s what he had. A home. It hit you that all you really had was an empty house and your heart ached. It was the price you paid for trying to keep almost everyone at arm’s length. You sighed heavily and shut the door.

Several hours later, there was another knock on the front door. You got up from your spot on the couch, still carrying your book and went to the door. Daryl was standing there with his crossbow slung over his shoulder and a small container in his hands. Night had fallen outside and the porchlights illuminated the strong angles of his jaw. You felt a flush in your cheeks and hoped he couldn’t see it.

You stepped back and gestured for him to come in.

“Brought ya some stew. Venison. We’ve still got a bunch of it,” he said, heading immediately for the kitchen and starting to open cabinets, looking for a pot to dump it in so he could heat it up. “And you’re eatin’ some of this now.” He paused and looked up at you over the counter. “When is the last time ya ate?”

“Uhh…”

He scoffed and rolled his eyes at you. “Too damn long, then.” He resumed his searching and eventually succeeded. He set it on the stove to heat up. You sank down onto one of the kitchen stools at the island, watching him as he stirred the hearty meal. Daryl turned around and took in your expression from across the kitchen, slinging his crossbow off his shoulder and letting it hang at his side.

“Whatcha readin’?” he asked.

Your eyes shot up at the sound of his voice. “Oh, uhh… it’s just this classic novel. The Brothers Karamazov.”

Daryl’s eyes narrowed as he looked at you. “The what?”

You actually smiled at him, your whole face lighting up. Daryl felt his heart flutter and he was relieved to see that some of the weight that seemed to be on you was lifted, even if just for a moment. “Yeah, it’s a mouthful,” you said. “I’ve got this thing for the great Russian writers so…”

“Russian, huh? What’s so special about ‘em?”

“They just—I don’t know. They write these beautiful, insane, touching, tragic stories. I just—” you shrugged. “The writing is incredible, even in translation.” You paused thoughtfully and Daryl felt a warmth in his chest as you looked down at the novel in your hand and smoothed your hand over the cover, staring at it like it was something precious. “And I suppose now, since the world changed, the tragedy in the stories is even more relatable,” you said softly.

Daryl felt a pang in his heart at your words. Your eyes flitted back up to meet his and he felt a spark of electricity jump up his spine.

Daryl rubbed a hand across the back of his neck and hoisted his crossbow up onto the counter, using it as an excuse to break eye contact with you as he felt suddenly terrified of the magnetic pull he was feeling.

“What’d you tell everybody?” you asked quietly.

Daryl didn’t look up from the bolt he was examining closely. “Didn’t tell ‘em nothin’.”

“Won’t they worry about where you are?”

He shrugged. “Nah. S’fine.” He quickly turned back to the stew on the stove which now had curls of steam rising from the surface of it. He pulled open some more cabinets until he found a bowl and quickly poured stew from the pan into it before setting it in front of you. He opened drawers until he found a spoon, which he slid over to you with a metallic clinking against the granite of the countertop. You were giving him a queer look. “What?”

You shook your head, one corner of your mouth twitching up. “Nothing.”

“Mmm,” he hummed, his eyes narrowed. “Eat,” he drawled.

The corners of your eyes crinkled in a smile. “You’re awfully bossy today,” you joked, picking up the spoon. You stared down into the stew, not feeling the least bit hungry despite not eating anything all day.

He let out a scoff and leaned on his forearms on the counter, his curtain of brown hair falling forward around his face. “I’m bossy when someone needs bossin’,” he quipped.

You took a bite of the stew, holding the spoon a bit awkwardly with the brace on your wrist, and chewed it slowly. Daryl watched you carefully. The smile on your face had disappeared again and he couldn’t stop his eyes from drifting to the bruises on your neck. He felt a renewed flush of hot anger every time. He sighed and straightened up, picking up his crossbow and slinging it over his shoulder in a well-practiced habit.

“How’re your ribs feelin’?” he drawled.

You dipped your spoon back into the bowl of stew and shrugged. “Fine. Really, I’m fine.”

Daryl nodded, but you could tell he was a little skeptical. He moved around the counter and into the living room, sinking into a chair and kicking his feet up to rest on the coffee table. You dutifully sat and ate your stew until it was gone before going to join him with your book. You pushed the blankets on the couch out of the way and allowed yourself to watch the nimble workings of his strong fingers as he fiddled with his bow and the narrowing of his blue eyes in concentration. Your heart increased its pace. Finally, you broke the silence again. “Thanks for doing this,” you said. You hadn’t meant for it to come out in a whisper but it had, the tightness in your throat from shame and nerves strangling your voice a little.

The workings of Daryl’s fingers ceased for a moment and he looked like he was frozen, turned to stone. “I dun mind,” he finally said. His blue eyes lifted and met yours and briefly he thought he saw some glistening light there, but in a moment he had blinked and it was gone. You were simply pulling the blanket over your lap and running your fingers along the spine of your book. Daryl pulled out a sharpening stone and went about carefully sharpening some of his bolts. You settled back against the couch and opened your book, curled up beneath the blanket. It was strange how usual, how comfortable this felt. Each passing moment of silence, each murmur to one another, each question and response all felt so easy, and that was something Daryl kept turning over and over in his mind. He wasn’t used to that. He wasn’t used to feeling so at home around another person and it was becoming a habit with you. The thought made him bounce his knee nervously.

Daryl wasn’t sure when, but at some point as he sat across from you sharpening his bolts you had drifted off to sleep. Your book was still open but had dropped down onto your chest, your left hand resting on it. Your breathing was slow and deep and Daryl felt a wave of warmth and gladness wash over him that you were actually asleep. And he wondered at the fact that not only were your comfortable enough with him around to fall asleep, but he was what enabled you to when you otherwise couldn’t. Did you think of him as safety? God, he hoped so… He was puzzling over this, smoothing his thumb across his lower lip as he took in your soft expression and the way your hair was falling around your face.

He felt his heart speed up as his eyes traced the gentle pout of your mouth and the slope of your nose in profile. He rubbed a hand at the warm and achy feeling in his chest that was becoming common, annoyed at how his mind was running away on him...

The archer stood and silently crossed the room to you. He grasped one corner of your open book and slipped it gently from your hands, setting it on the coffee table. He pulled the blanket up over you before retreating back to his chair and his bow.

You awoke as the sun was coming up, lighting the living room slowly, drenching everything in warm light. You blinked a few times, getting your bearings, and then gingerly pulled yourself up into a sitting position. Your eyes landed on the archer, asleep in his chair with his head cocked to one side, his bow leaning up against the armrest next to him. He must have heard you stirring because he was awake the next instant, taking in a deep breath and straightening. His eyes meeting yours. “Hey.” The gravel in his voice was thick, heavy with sleep still.

“Hey,” you replied. Daryl was relieved to see how much brighter your eyes looked. The dark circles beneath them were also diminished.

“I didn’t—I slept,” you said with gentle surprise.

He nodded. “Ya. Ya were exhausted. Ya fell asleep early. Ya needed it,” he said, grabbing his crossbow and pulling it onto his lap, his heart rushing at the sight of your somewhat tousled hair and the rosy glow in your cheeks.

“Thank you,” you said softly.

He nodded and stood, throwing his bow over his shoulder again. “S’nothin’. Glad ya got some sleep.”

You pulled yourself up, subconsciously wrapping an arm around your ribs as they panged with the movement. Daryl was already heading through the kitchen and toward the front door. He stopped and his blue eyes fixed on your face. “Ya know, I get ‘em too sometimes,” he said quietly.

You heart raced. Had he guessed why you weren’t sleeping so easily? “What?”

“Nightmares,” he said. “About the people we’ve lost. About losing more.”

You gulped at the tightness in your throat and nodded. “Yeah…”

“I’ll see ya later, Y/N,” he drawled. He pointed at you sharply. “Eat some more of that damn stew.”

You smiled at him, the corners of your eyes crinkling. “You got it.”