#it is possible that he was after liz but i THINK he left before her and was pretty brief | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

fanficshiddles · 3 months ago

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Stranger Danger, One Shot

Thank you for the prompt: OFC is out late one night in the pouring rain, she accidentally bumps into Tom who offers her a lift home, however instead of Tom taking her back to her house, he kidnaps her and takes her back to his house, Tom is a dominant daddy and been looking for a new little for a while

WARNINGS: RAPE/NON-CON, KIDNAPPING, FORCED DADDY KINK

Liz was rushing home after being on a date, that didn’t go as well as she had hoped it would. Now it was bucketing down with rain and she was soaked through, not having an umbrella or even a jacket with her since it was nice when she headed out.

She was so engrossed in trying to get back as quickly as possible, she never noticed the tall man coming out of the pub on front of her heading to his car, that she knocked into him by accident.

‘I’m so sorry!’ She gasped out, looking up at the tall man through the rain.

‘Entirely my fault, darling.’ He said charmingly with a smile.

Liz titled her head for a moment when she locked eyes with him, surely this wasn’t…

‘I… I better go.’ She then went to continue moving, she really wasn’t rating getting drenched with the rain.

As she began moving, the man gripped her elbow to stop her.

‘Please, my car is just here. Can I give you a ride somewhere? You’re soaked through, you might catch a cold.’ He offered as he motioned to said car that was just by them.

‘Oh… Uh…’ She paused a moment, knowing she really shouldn’t go with a stranger. Though she had a feeling she knew who this guy was, she was just struggling to believe it was really him.

‘My name’s Tom. Tom Hiddleston. I know, stranger danger. At least let me find you an umbrella if you don’t want a ride.’ He offered kindly.

‘I… I thought I recognised you!’ Liz laughed a little.

Tom smiled widely and motioned to his car again. ‘I have heated seats, can get you partly dried before you even get home.’

Liz looked at the car then back at Tom and nodded. ‘Ok. Thank you!’

Tom quickly ushered her over to the car and unlocked it, he opened the passenger door and helped her in.

Liz took a moment to let it sink in that she was currently sat in Tom Hiddleston’s car, while he shut the door for her and walked around to the other side. Out of everyone she could have bumped into. Though she couldn’t deny, she was glad she was out of that damn rain, it was pelting hard against the windshield.

‘Crazy weather, huh? I was sunbathing earlier today, wouldn’t figure it the same day.’ Tom chuckled as he started up the car, setting the wipers to full speed.

‘Yeah, it’s a bit nuts. It was lovely when I headed out earlier, stupidly didn’t think to check the weather to see if I’d need a jacket.’ Liz sighed as she put on her seatbelt.

‘Hopefully this will help warm you up a bit.’

Tom flicked a switch to turn on the heated seats and it wasn’t long before she could feel the warmth against her back and bum. She couldn’t deny it was much better than walking home, even if she was technically in a stranger’s car… But with it being Tom Hiddleston, she figured she’d be safe enough. From what she’d seen in interviews with him, he seemed so lovely and sweet. Besides, she figured after a bad date, at least a kind, handsome, gentleman was driving her home.

‘Were you out anywhere nice? I’m surprised your boyfriend just left you alone on a night like this, it can be rough for a pretty woman to be out alone. Never mind in the rain.’ Tom said softly as he pulled out onto the road after getting her address.

‘Oh, I uh, don’t have a boyfriend. But I was on a date... A bad date. I was just desperate to get home, that’s why I wasn’t looking where I was going.’ She said embarrassedly.

‘Ah. Was it bad in a he was a big red flag sort of bad, or just awkwardly bad?’ Tom asked.

‘Bit of both.’ Liz said after pondering a moment.

‘Sorry to hear that, darling. On behalf of other men, I apologize.’

Liz giggled a little and smiled. ‘I know everyone’s not like that. I just got unlucky.’ She shrugged.

‘Well, I’d say I got luckybeing able to be in your presence, even if it’s for a short while.’ Tom said charmingly.

Liz blushed a little and turned to look out the window. That’s when she realised that Tom was going the wrong way, in a different direction to where she lived.

‘Uh, this is the wrong way. It’s on Lakeland Avenue I stay.’ She said apprehensively.

‘Don’t worry, this is a shortcut tonight. There’s football just finishing about now, so we’re avoiding the traffic by going this way.’ Tom reassured her and gave her a warm smile.

‘Ah right, thanks. I don’t drive so I guess I never really think about that sort of thing.’ She said sheepishly. ‘Driver knows best.’

Tom nodded in agreement. ‘What is it you do for work?’ He asked.

‘Currently I just do some ad-hoc admin work online. I’m doing an online course right now, so that takes up a lot of time, but being able to work online helps me juggle both easier. Plus, it’s flexible.’

‘Nice, sounds like you’ve got it all planned out… where are you from? Your accent tells me this isn’t your home town.’ He grinned at her.

‘You got me.’ She laughed. ‘I’m from up North, near Newcastle. My parents love the country life up there, but I wanted the excitement of London, for some reason.’

Liz relaxed more when she recognised the street they were now on, he was heading in the right direction.

‘That must have been a difficult move, very brave to come down to such a big city on your own.’ Tom hummed softly.

‘Tell me about it. I’ve only been here a month, but I left all my friends behind. That’s why I thought I’d try a dating app, to meet someone. Though maybe I should just be looking for a friend app or something, if such a thing exists.’

‘Perhaps.’ Tom chuckled.

When they pulled down Liz’s street, she felt a little relieved. She wasn’t sure why though, it was Tom Hiddleston after all. Though he was still technically a stranger to her.

Tom stopped the car outside her house and smiled at her. ‘We have arrived.’

‘I can’t thank you enough, really. Much better than walking home in this.’ She smiled back at him.

‘You’re very welcome. Hopefully we will bump into one another again.’ He said as he held his hand out.

She took his hand and blushed when he bent down to kiss the back of her hand.

‘Well, thank you again.’ She turned to open the door, well, tried to. It was locked. She turned back to look at Tom. ‘Doors locked.’ She said awkwardly, trying not to let the worry in her voice show.

Tom nodded once, then he got out of the car and shut the door behind him. She was confused, and began to panic internally when she saw in the rear-view mirror that he was going into the boot. He popped it open and it sounded like he was rummaging around for something.

Liz’s heartbeat quickened and her stomach was in knots. What was he doing? What was he looking for? Why didn’t he just unlock the door for her?

A few seconds later, the boot slammed shut, making her jump, and he made his way to the passenger door. He opened it and a wave of relief hit her, he had an umbrella in hand that he popped open and held up.

She internally smacked herself for getting worried, he was just being a perfect gentleman.

Liz got out of the car and Tom escorted her to her door, under the umbrella. She fumbled in her handbag to get her keys out and unlocked the door, then she looked up at Tom with a big smile. ‘Thanks again, you’ve been a true gent.’

Tom bowed his head slightly. ‘Of course, got to treat a princess right.’ He winked at her. ‘Take care of yourself, Liz.’

Liz felt her cheeks heat up again.

‘Hopefully I’ll see you around again.’ She blurted out before she could stop herself.

‘I’m sure you will.’ He grinned, a dark glint flashed across his eyes that she didn’t see as she turned to open the door.

As she took a step forward, that was the last thing she remembered as suddenly a damp cloth was pressed over her mouth and nose. Then everything went black when she passed out.

Liz’s head felt funny when she came to. Her eyes slowly fluttered open and it took her a moment to focus on her surroundings. It didn’t take much longer though for her to realise she was in a strange room, that definitely wasn’t her place.

Panic began to set in, she sat up and looked around, it was a bedroom. Though not one she knew, at all. Her chest felt tight and she began to breathe a little heavier.

She heard the door opposite the bed unlocking, then it swung open and in walked… Tom Hiddleston.

‘T… Tom… Where am I? What’s going on?’ She asked, her voice shaky as she still tried to catch her breath.

She hadn’t even realised that she was only wearing a very thin, see through nightgown. No underwear, either. Not until Tom smiled and his tongue shot out to lick at his lips as he looked at her body, then she noticed her attire and her panic only grew worse.

‘Shhh, you’re alright, princess. You’re safe here with Daddy, there’s no need to get into a panic.’ Tom said calmly, softly.

He walked towards her on the bed, though what he said only made her scared and even more confused.

Liz noticed on the dressing table there was some of her make-up and hair products. It was obvious because one of her make-up sets was quite expensive and large. Then she realised the nightgown she was wearing, was actually her own. And on the bedside table was the picture of her parents she had from home.

Tom sat down on the edge of the bed and reached out to stroke her shoulder, she flinched and moved away from him.

‘Nu uh. You don’t ever shy away like that from me.’ Tom said firmly as he reached out with his long arms and he managed to grab her wrist, his hand was so large that she didn’t even want to try pulling away as he tugged her over to him.

Though when she realised he was trying to pull her onto his lap, she put up a fight and tried struggling out of his grasp, but he was too strong and before she knew it, he had her sitting on his lap. She tried not to move as she could suddenly feel a very evident bulge underneath her…

‘Please… let me go.’ She whined as tears rolled down her cheeks.

‘Aww, don’t cry, little one. I know you want this just as much as I do. I think you bumped into me on purpose, a little princess in desperate need of someone to save and look after her. I just got lucky, since I’ve been wanting a little of my own to love and care for.’ He hummed softly and started stroking her hair after wiping her tears off her cheeks.

‘No… No, no, no. Just let me go. Please, I won’t tell anyone. You can’t keep me here.’ She cried.

‘Oh but I can, sweetheart. No one will be looking for you, you told me yourself you’re alone here. Well, you were. You’re not alone anymore, you never will be again. Now you’ve got me.’

Liz couldn’t believe this was happening, she felt like she was trapped in a nightmare, but wasn’t waking up from it. Though things were just beginning for her…

‘Now, first things first. We need to train your lovely little body to accept me. You’re going to make me very happy, and in return I’ll make sure you enjoy everything just as much as I do.’ His left hand slid up her thigh under her nightgown, she tried squirming away but he was bold with his movements and didn’t let her squirming deter him.

Tom grabbed both of her wrists and held them at her back in one hand, his other hand managed to get between her thighs and he started slowly touching her. She tried clamping her thighs closed, but his hand was already where it needed to be. Now and then he pinched her inner thigh, to make her open her legs more.

‘Now, now, come on. I’m making this easier for you, little princess. Need to get you nice and wet before you can take my cock. Don’t want it to hurt, do you?’ He whispered into her ear, his breath warm against her.

‘I don’t want this at all.’ She sobbed, but Tom ignored her.

He slowly rubbed her clit and through her folds, carefully working her up. And it worked, even if her brain didn’t want it to, her body had a mind of its own. Tom grinned widely and kissed her shoulder when he felt the start of her arousal, using it so he could circle her clit more.

‘See, you do want this. Daddy knows best, you just need to accept it and trust me.’ He purred.

Liz just cried quietly, she accepted she wasn’t going to get away or get him to stop. She shouldn’t have trusted him, shouldn’t have accepted his offer of a ride…

It didn’t take too long before Liz couldn’t hold back a small moan, the pleasure was coursing through her veins as he stroked her clit in just the right way, she couldn’t help herself.

‘That’s it, my good girl. You’ll come for me, then you’ll be ready.’ He coaxed softly and carefully inserted a long finger up into her, his thumb took over playing with her clit.

‘No, no…’ She whimpered in defeat, one more attempt at pulling free from him failed. Then he forced her into an orgasm as he curled his finger and found her g spot, rubbing firmly on it worked wonders and she came all over his hand.

‘Ohhh yes, that’s it.’ Tom moaned. ‘Now, you should be ready to take my cock.’

He briefly let her go and placed her down on the bed so he could unzip his trousers. Liz curled herself up, yet was all out of tears. She couldn’t believe the way her body betrayed her like that. When she looked over at him and saw the size of him, she panicked.

‘Nu uh, uh.’ Tom tsked at her as she tried to slide off the bed.

They had a small scuffle as she really tried to fight him off, but soon found herself with his tie around her wrists behind her back and she was positioned over him as he sat on the bed with his back against the headboard.

‘That’s it, ease down onto Daddy’s cock, princess.’ He purred and gripped her hips, positioning her cunt right over his cock.

Liz tried pulling her hands free but his tie was too tight and began digging into her skin the more she struggled. She let out a cry when she was pulled down onto him and the tip of his cock pressed into her.

‘Ohhh, that’s it. Look at your lovely little pussy, opening up for me.’ He growled.

Tom smoothed his hands up and down her sides, then he went back to her hips and pulled her down further on him. As the tip of his cock slipped further into her, she let out a gasp. Her body was tight and started squeezing down on him, needing to adjust to the intrusion.

‘Fuck… You feel so good, princess.’ Tom groaned and buried his fingers into her hips more.

He looked down and could see that she wasn’t even halfway down on his cock yet.

‘No… it’s too much. Please stop. No more.’ Liz begged between panting.

‘Shhh, it’s alright princess. You were made for me, I will fit. You just need to relax a little more, just a bit more to go.’ Tom cooed and began to rub her clit.

He pulled her down a little further, she felt so full and like taking anymore would be completely impossible.

Tom slid a hand round to her back and he started stroking her back, reassuring her. He leaned in and kissed her forehead. ‘Such a good girl for Daddy, taking his cock so deep. I’m so proud of you.’

Liz was completely confused, scared, aroused... Everything at once. She thought it was finally over, that he was in her as deep as he could go. Though when she looked down between them, she realised there was still a few more inches to go and she let out a whimper.

‘Just a little more to go, then you can relax and just keep Daddy’s cock warm. Then, tomorrow, you’ll be ready for me to fuck you so hard you won’t remember anything else.’

He thrust his hips upwards at the same time as he pulled her down, filling her up completely. She panted hard as her cunt clenched around him, adjusting to him. It helped some when Tom paid some more attention to her clit again, though she didn’t want to admit it.

‘There we go. See? Not so bad now, huh? Just settle nicely and keep me warm. I told you that Daddy would take care of you, I wouldn’t be so mean to just fuck you without letting your body adjust. I know it’s a little scary, but you’re my brave good girl and I’m so proud of you.’ He stopped rubbing her clit to reach up and smooth her hair back from her face.

Liz was defeated and all she could focus on was how full she felt, how his cock was pressing against every single bit of her inside. To her dismay, he felt so good now the deep pain of the stretch was easing...

‘You’re mine now, princess. And this is where you belong.’ Tom hummed and gripped her chin as he kissed her on the lips.

#tom hiddleston #prompt #one shot #tom hiddleston x ofc

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peterparkouryo · 1 year ago

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consuming devotion | ੈ♡˳

prompt: You can't help but love Peter, even if he doesn't reciprocate your feelings

warnings: heavy angst, heartbreak, sweet sweet unrequited love and one sided pining (obv)

word count: 1.5k

"I'm left wondering why the stars align, but your heart doesn't seem to find a place for mine."

a/n: it’s sorta unfinished but not rlly? also who’s excited for rebound four?? ;) (edited: it’s unfinished but there’s like a sort of part 2 that’s connected and i’m working on it)

ੈ♡˳

There's something so beautiful, yet so so painful about being in love. On one hand, you have these intense emotions that are so heartwarming, joyful, happiness and you're content with being around the person you love. On the other hand, your mind is a battleground of emotions. You're plagued by self-doubt, wondering if you're good enough, if you're worthy of their love. You question whether they truly care for you, or if you're just imaging things. You're torn between revealing your feelings, or risking heartbreak.

That's the thing, you have felt every emotion of being in love that there is. The truth is, it sucks.

The distance between you and Peter feels like an insurmountable chasm. Time seems to drag on, and you always, always ache for his presence.

You know there's a mutual understanding that he only sees you as a friend, he has said it on multiple occasions, and thankfully you weren't stupid enough to actually admit to being hopelessly in love with the boy.

You're not entirely sure if he is aware of your affection for him, and you surely doubt that he is, considering its, well, Peter.

What you do know, that you are positively sure of, is that you've probably loved Peter for the better half of your life. There were countless times that proved it too, such as the movie nights, the boy offering to help you with your dreadful homework, walking you home after school, and pretty much anything else that made a vulnerable warmth settle in your heart.

After that realization, you became hyper-aware of every little detail about Peter - his likes, his dislikes hobbies and interests. You hung onto every word he ever said, dissecting his actions for hidden meanings. You started craving his attention and validation, yet you feared the vulnerability the came to revealing your true feelings.

You always had a mix of emotions all at once, sadness, frustration, and sometimes even jealousy. You alway questioned yourself, wondering what could possibly be wrong with you, why you weren't enough for him. It's a battle between your heart and mind, trying to rationalize your while your heart keeps yearning for the unattainable.

Peter's heart was truly pure gold, always thinking of others before himself, helping out whenever he could, he was perfect. And no matter what he did, you still loved him.

Even if he continuously rejected your feelings.

You both knew he wasn't exactly doing it on purpose, he's told you countless times that he only strictly saw you as a friend and nothing more, but like the stubborn person you were, you ignored those words and lived in this pathetic delusion that you'd actually have a chance with him.

Finding yourself caught in a constant cycle of hope and despair, wavering between moments of elation whenever he showed you kindness or affection, and moments of heart-wrenching despair when he seemed distant or unresponsive, which wasn't an uncommon thing. You always, despite already knowing where the boy stood, tried to decipher he feelings, to find hidden signs that he might just feel the same way, but the uncertainty gnaws at your sanity.

"Party, my place, tonight." A voice interrupts your quiet studying, the girl plopping her lunch tray down on the rectangular table quite harshly, the action gaining your morbid attention.

"I don't know, last time I went to one of your parties, I had to clean up after you." You point out, paying close attention to the way Liz's smiles slowly turns into a frown.

"Well, this party is different, and it's not like I made you do that." She argues, shaking her head with an eye roll.

Liz has been your best friend since you both could ride a bike. She's been your better half for as long as you can remember, knowing everything about you and vice versa. The transition from middle schoolers into high school was tough to say the least, puberty doing its job for her, and you....not so much. So it was not a shocking factor that the girl quickly became popular.

Yet, despite her social status, she always stuck to you like glue, and you couldn't be more thankful for that.

You give her a unsure glance, before turning back to your textbook.

"Peter'll be there."

You swear you thought you were subtle when your head practically snaps up at your friend's sentence, but given the way she snorts at your action, you highly doubt it and you clear your throat before you hurriedly look down at your textbook again.

"Okay." You shrug, picking up your pencil to vigorously erase a problem that was probably right or wrong, but you didn't care, your only goal was trying to pretend to seem nonchalant.

Truth be told, you do try to move on from Peter, but the love you feel is stubborn and persistent. It's a constant ache gnawing at your soul, a wound refusing to heal.

Liz tilts her head at your nonchalant response, not buying into your tone.

"Okay?" She repeats.

"Okay." You confirm, placing the pencil on the table, out of your anxious grasp.

Liz was well in the know of your one-sided affection for Peter. Always encouraging you to talk to him, entertaining the very thought of you two ever being a couple. Oh, how respectful she was toward you when she knew at one point during your high school years Peter harboured feelings for her. You don't know exactly what made the boy stop liking her, but you were glad in the end.

"Well, alright." The girl says carefully, picking at her food.

"You don't have to come, but it'd be great if you did." She states with a sweet smile, and you don't find it in yourself to retort it and only nod.

Liz mumbles a quiet bye, standing up with her lunch tray in hand, most likely going to hang out with her other more sociable friends, letting you be left alone with your thoughts.

Unfortunately, those thoughts last for a good five seconds.

"Just the girl I was looking for." You recognize the voice almost immediately, straightening your position to look more presentable.

Peter was effortlessly gorgeous, it was unfair, truly. It was almost like he was purposely taunting you with the knowledge of knowing you can't have him because he doesn't want you to.

He sets his belongings in the empty seat next to him, unzipping his backpack, grabbing a small piece of paper with a pencil, zipping the bag back up before sliding over the gathered materials in your reach.

You look in-between him and the objects in confusion.

"I need you to write me a letter." Peter says, quickly noticing your bewilderment.

"For?"

"My birthday."

"Your birthday's not till August?"

"Well, not my birthday, MJ's." Peter corrects with a small chuckle.

You nod slowly, sliding the objects closer to you, avoiding Peter's intent gaze.

"Isn't her birthday in like, June?" You quiz, writing your 'to' and 'from' as Peter shrugs from across you.

"Yeah, but I'm planning a surprise party that'll at least take a month considering its Michelle, and I know how much you love writing letters." The boy explains and your eyes go wide as you look at him, raising an offended eyebrow.

Of course, it was certainly no secret that many of your love confessions were most of the time in the form of letters, those of which he rejected, continuously, and it was a heartbreaking experience every time. But having the boy use the very thing you couldn't help but show your expression with, against you, hurt worse than any rejection (you're lying, obviously).

"You're so funny, I almost laughed." You deadpan, slamming the pencil down on the table, startling Peter slightly as you push the pencil and paper back to him.

You quickly gather your things, turning to leave the lunch room, though it was nowhere near over, ignoring the calls of your name from Peter.

One-sided love is a tortuous experience. It's such a devastating thing knowing that your love is nowhere near as close to be reciprocated. Always filled with such despair. A constant battle between your heart and reality, between your dreams and the harsh truth.

After your "storm out", Peter was quick to text you with a million apologies, which to all of those you hesitantly ignored, and it was a no good feeling, probably the hardest thing you ever had to do.

It wasn't like he had never joked about your feelings towards him. You think its better that way, but sometimes he could go a little too far and you never understood why you allowed him to continue with the humour you never found yourself to laugh at. It was almost like a coping mechanism, coming to terms with the whole ordeal in a way that wouldn't be so heartbreaking.

Maybe the reason Peter only did joke about it was to help you get over him because he can only ever see you as a friend, and he wanted you to see it as well.

#peter parker imagine #peter parker x reader #peter parker x you #peter parker x y/n #peter parker angst

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horseshoegirl · 1 year ago

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Damn Those Dog Tags: Part 22 - JUMP

📜 Second last one till the finish! 😭But we get Jake and Sadie's reunion in this one, and some more smut between Jake and Liz! This is also what I'd classify as Sadie's song amongst the bunch.

❗️+18, strong language, godmother reader/original female character, an original child character, reunions, sexual themes (I mean smut, so get out of here if you ain't +18, I mean it!!! Also wrap it before you tap it! minors DNI.), and fluff.

#8k words

Part 21 | Masterlist | Part 23

"You missed a spot."

You eyed Jake standing in the doorway to Sadie's room, bare-chested, from your spot on the ladder with a paintbrush in hand.

"Did I now?" you quipped back, your eyes narrowing playfully as you tried to find this alleged missed spot on the wall. Jake sauntered closer, a teasing glint in his eyes.

"You did, right here," he pointed vaguely towards the wall. You followed his finger towards the piece of crown moulding you had touched up white, but nothing was amiss.

"You're trying to mess with me, aren't you?"

He shrugged, the corners of his lips turning up into a smirk. "Maybe. Or maybe I just wanted to see you stretch a bit more, get a better view."

Rolling your eyes, you dipped the paintbrush into the tray, contemplating whether to flick a bit of paint at him. "You're impossible," you said with mock exasperation.

"That's why you love me."

Shaking your head, you resumed your painting but couldn't help the smile that crept onto your face.

It had been a few days since Jake's return. With each day that had passed, Jake's back was slowly healing. You'd account it him being as fit as he was, but after the first few, he no longer limped around the house.

You had gone back to his apartment with him to gather some of his things. If it wasn't the urge to take care of him and have him as close as possible after what happened, it was the fact you finally got a glimpse of what his life was like when he was alone.

As he gathered his things, you sat in his stark grey kitchen, frowning at the lack of warmth. It was stereotypical of someone who had a military career. Besides a few picture frames and a framed Long Horns jersey, the place lacked signs of life, all sharp edges and bare surfaces.

You rushed him out of there the second you could. Jake deserved to have a life filled with life, memories and bright colours. One full of love.

You were putting the last finishing touches on the walls of her room, and Jake was assembling her new desk chair and bed frame out in the hall.

The two of you had stayed up last night to get her desk built, the thing probably missing one too many bolts and screws, considering how many you had left over. It was tucked neatly into the corner of her room, out of the way of any wet paint.

If all went to plan, her room would be ready in time for when you went to pick her up the day after tomorrow.

Jake circled around your ladder, coming closer and eyeing the paint tray on the top step.

"Don't even think about it," you warned, holding your brush out in some type of threat to get him to stop.

He grinned mischievously, dipping his finger into the tray and flicking a droplet of paint directly onto your arm. "Oops," he said, feigning innocence.

"Jake!" you exclaimed, feigning horror at the small speck of paint on your skin, missing the splatter on your overalls. Without warning, you retaliated, swinging your paintbrush toward him and slapping a generous amount of paint to his cheek.

You tried to stop your laugh.

His eyes widened in mock surprise, and he touched his cheek, smearing the paint a bit more. "Oh, you're asking for it now," he threatened playfully, eyeing you.

You let out a challenging laugh. "You started it, Hangman."

Trying to reach for more paint, Jake's arms were suddenly around you, lifting you off the ladder and settling you down to the ground. Your shouts of protests of 'watch your back' fell on his deaf ears as he spun you to face him, pressing his paint-battered cheek up against yours. You squealed, yelping out his name as he ran his hands up and down the length of your body, smearing the remains of white paint across the denim.

"This is counterproductive. We will never finish her room in time."

"Ah, the wall can wait." he grinned, leaning back to take in his handiwork. For a moment, the two of you just stood there, you wiping, trying to pick away at a dried spec of paint under his eye, and Jake, trying to separate a few strains of your hair from your face.

You smiled up at him, lifting up on the balls of your feet to press your lips to his. It was meant to be a quick kiss, one full of affection and giddiness. But Jake tightened his grip on your waist, tugging you closer and taking what was a movement for you to take a breath, to part your lips in a savage kiss.

His skin was warm under your wandering hands, his lips soft and aggressive against yours. Till Jake slid his hand up into the roots of your hair, firmly pulling your head back to expose your neck, his lips tracking the ridges of your trachea.

"Fuck, Jake," you gasped, nails biting into his skin. His hand groped the meaty part of your ass, spreading your cheek and heat pooled in the pit of your stomach.

"Fuck, I need you so goddamn bad," he gruffed out.

In the span of seconds, Jake had unclipped the two clasps holding the straps of your overalls together, pushing them over your shoulders and reaching for the hem of your shirt, pulling it over your head. You pulled him down by the back of his neck, kissing him hard and gasping for breath, scraping your nails down the ridges of his chest.

He spun you, guiding you a few steps to the corner of the room, bending you slightly over the newly built desk with a hand pressed between your shoulder blades.

"Jake, we can't. Not on Sadie's desk."

"Don't you think we should test it?" he panted out next to your ear, hand sliding down the front of your stomach under your bunched overalls and underwear to cup your cunt, fingers spreading your folds. "Make sure it's secure?"

You whimpered at his touch, your knees on the verge of giving out were it not for your grip on the desk. Jake groaned, curling a finger into your spot. "Ugh, you're so wet for me. Only for me."

Your knees wobbled as he thumbed your clit, and you fell forward, only for Jake to quickly slide his hand at your hip, possessively up your stomach to the center of your chest. With his arm bracketed around your body, you were pulled upright, trapped between him and the desk.

You could do nothing but tilt your head back against his shoulder, leaving your neck exposed, as Jake simultaneously squeezed your breast and pinched your nipple, working his hand into your spot. His mouth was just as bad, going for all the spots he had a chance to study in greater detail that he knew would make you crumble.

"Please, Liz, let me have you again," he groaned desperately into the side of your neck. Turning your head, you met his lips in a desperate kiss, his lips muffling your confirmation before he popped the button on your hip and shoved your overalls down.

You had gone so long without intimacy in your life that you found yourself surprised at how easily you gave in to Jake.

After that first time, the two of you had a long discussion about what the two of you were okay with. Jake ashamedly admitted it was a conversation the two of you should have had after the fair, before the night in his truck, maybe even before the two of you even started dating. But you had assured him he had done nothing so far that you weren't comfortable with, and he had pretty much asked for your consent each time.

And it became clear to you soon after that Jake clearly loved sex.

Reaching for the buckle, Jake's belt clinked as he quickly unworked the strap, the leather hitting the back of your thigh, making you whine. You could even feel the back of his hand as he unzipped his fly and shoved his jeans down, cock jutting out to rub against your folds.

His breath was haggard as he stepped out of them and knocked your leg to the side, grabbing his length only to rub the head teasing against your entrance. You mewled, curling around his arm against your chest.

"Stop teasing me, Jake," you panted, tilting your hips so that you might thrust yourself back to catch him mid-tease.

"Tell me to do it," he uttered throatily into your ear, having caught on to your attempt, rubbing the head against your clit. "Tell me how good I make you feel."

But you're not weak, and your resolve is strong. What does your smart mouth reply with, "I have nothing else to compare you to."

Dropping his forehead to your shoulder, he growls, positioning himself at your entrance. "It's only me. It will only ever be me, making you feel like this, giving you this pleasure, only me fucking you. Loving you. No one else."

You smirk, knowing you've caught him. "Prove it."

Jake slid home in one stroke, burying himself in you with a groan, hands grabbing both your hips.

There were only two other times Jake and you did this. Once after dinner one night during a movie on the couch, and the other in your kitchen while you made coffee. That's not to say other things didn't happen, but with each time you took him, the stretch became easier to handle.

"So tight, darlin'. Ugh, look at you gripping my cock."

Jake set a harsh pace, a steady claiming rhythm that has you falling to the desk, crying louder and louder each time he hits deep. He's rambling about how pretty you look from his angle, mixing in various swear words while pressing bruises the shape of his fingertips to your hips. He makes a strangled noise, one that has him doubling down and reaching for your shoulder.

"Tell me where, darlin. Where?!"

You wanted to feel it again.

"Inside. Please, Jake."

He fell against your back, pinning you to the surface as his hips clashed with yours with newfound vigour. "Yeah? You want me to fill you?"

You whimpered. You knew that tone.

He was going to make you beg for it.

"I said, do you want me to fill you?!" he demanded on a particularly hard thrust.

You were too far gone to care how you sounded now.

"Yes, Yes, Yes, please, Jake. Please, cum in me."

Cold shock surrounds you as Jake pulls his cock from your cunt, causing you to cry out against the surface of the desk at the sudden loss. Then suddenly, you're being pulled up, a duel grip on the bends of your elbows against his chest, stumbling as he guides you away from Sadie's desk.

On weak legs and in supportive arms, you tumble to the ground, letting Jake manhandle you until you are on your back and your legs are wrapped around his waist, him on his knees with his cock, red, angry, poised at your entrance.

Panting, you cock an eyebrow at him in question, but Jake, ruggedly pants out, "I need to see your face," before he presses back in with a rough whine.

"Fuck, Elizabeth. I'm never going to get enough of you."

"Jake," you cry out, gripping the old sheet you used to cover Sadie's bedroom floor above your head.

His eyes darken as he starts his pace again, quickly amounting to rapid punches that have you biting into your bicep. Your screams are muffled, sounding out each time he hits the back of your cervix. It scares you a little bit, this level of desperation, to be wanted on his level by someone. But you knew, above all else, you were the safest when you were with Jake, even now.

Suddenly, Jake's mouth is wrapped around the bend of your jaw, you taking it as a sign he wants you to give him your mouth. You do, curving your spine upward as he takes both of your wrists stretched above your head into the grip of a single hand. He pins you down, taking each desperate cry, every wanton moan, into his mouth as his hips meet yours again and again and again, working to build that release once more.

Then, somewhere in the back of your mind, you register yourself saying you're close, urging him not to stop, never to stop, to keep driving into you, for him to give you everything.

It makes him thrust harder. Makes him take his hand, not holding on to you, and hike your thigh higher on his waist. It makes him gasp into your open mouth, "Always such a good girl, always letting me know what she likes. What she wants. How she takes my cock... How she wants to feel me cum inside her. Oh, fuck, Liz, I'm going to cum."

You scream from his words alone.

Jake sets his teeth into your shoulder, pulling you tight as he finds his release with a needy growl. You whine into his shoulder, a cry following close behind as your muscles pull taunt, and your stomach burns as you clench around him. He slows his thrusts, letting you milk him for all he's worth, until he stills, sagging his entire weight into you and in no rush to leave your warmth.

You can feel rough, harsh pants against your chest that match your own as Jake draws his head down to rest between your breasts, finding a moment's peace as he regains his strength.

Sadie would definitely kill the two of you if she ever found out when she got older.

"Ugh, I'd quit Penny's too if I only had to experience that once in my life."

Jake snickered against your chest, rubbing the outside of your thigh gently. "I'm curious. Where did you hear that story anyway?"

You lifted your head off the ground, staring at him funny.

"Wait, what? It was the reason Penny hired me back? She was short-staffed because there was this pilot," you said, poking him in the shoulder trying to play along, "who was scaring them off after having one-night stands with them."

A faint chuckle slipped from Jake's lips. It was subtle, a mere puff of breath between your breasts. But then it grew, his shoulders starting to shake, and with each second that passed, his voice grew louder and louder.

"What?" you asked him, a smile on your face. Your question only made him laugh harder, making him growl into the side of your breast. "Jake! What's going on?"

You lightly slapped him on his shoulder, prompting him to hum, "I never slept with any of them."

You widened your eyes, shocked, pulling yourself up onto your elbows to look down at him kissing your breasts.

"You're lying."

Jake shook his head, never lifting it once. "I would never lie to you."

"But the sign in the girl's bathroom? That.. I was throwing that at you almost constantly. You never said anything."

"One was having trouble with her... ex, I guess that's what he was?" he started, mouthing the top of your breast. "He slashed her tires during her shift, and I gave her a lift home a couple of times. She said she didn't feel safe with him lurking about and was debating quitting anyway."

You raised your eyebrows, slowly lowering yourself back down to the floor.

"One was trying to get her girlfriend to come to her senses after a fight. She had been offered a publishing job requiring her to move." He gently slid his nose up the length of your clavicle, snuggling his face into your neck and holding you close. "I was just playing a role, pretending to flirt with her. Last I heard, they got married and bought a house together somewhere in Seattle."

Your mouth dropped open.

"The last one was just a troublemaker, running her mouth about sleeping with all the new recruits. She managed to get her nails into Rooster and then saw me as her next victim. I might have had a rep, but I wasn't going to cross Rooster like that. Even back then. She left shortly after."

"Penny didn't know about any of this?"

Jake shook his head. "All of it happened around the time Penny and Mav went on a vacation. The one with the girlfriend wasn't out to anyone yet, and the girl with the ex... well, I'd rather her ex focus on me than her. The tramp just fit the rep I had, so denying anything would have been a waste. I mean, I wasn't a saint, but I hadn't been looking for something like that for a while."

"Jake..."

"It's okay," he sighed affectionately, breath hot against your neck. "It got me to you in the end."

You racked your mind for any explanation or memory that would have counteracted what he just said. But Penny had been short on the details when she asked you to come back. And Jake might have come on a little strong, but you had acted on the assumption he was really trying to get you into his bed.

For all you could have known, it could have been just some harmless flirting, something you've always been awkward at. As you thought about it, he never fully confirmed the story, either. When he kissed you for the first time, and you brought it up, he had said the bartenders had quit for other reasons.

You had also let everyone else form your first impression of him. Because it was that day at Sadie's Soccer game, they told you Jake had a thing for Bartenders.

Well, one person did.

"Fucking hell, Rooster!" you tried to shoot up off Sadie's bedroom floor, angry and feeling like you had been duped. "Bradley Bradshit Fucking Bradshaw, oh, I'm going to fucking murder you!"

Jake pushed you back down to the floor, laughing at your reaction.

"You fucking meathead, you were the one sleeping with people, weren't you?! Your name was on that list, too!"

"It's done and over with, Liz," he snorted. "We just got him on the same page about us. We don't need to jeopardize it."

But you shook your head back and forth against the floor, and Jake couldn't figure out if you were angry or laughing at the idiotic nature that was the overgrown chicken.

"Liz?"

"I really am Elizabeth Bennet!" you whined out. Jake sputtered out a laugh, moving so he was resting completely on top of you, arms looped under your shoulders.

"I really am!" you cried out. "And Ridley's having the last laugh 'cause she freaking named me after her."

Jake stroked your hair back at the side of your temples. "I think that's the first time you've told me about her without being sad."

His words sobered you, making you swallow harshly. "She left me a letter. And called me out on some stuff. Rightly so. I think the worst part for me was not knowing what she was thinking. The most horrible thing I could have done to myself was not read her letter when I should have."

He pressed his forehead to yours, trying to bring you some level of comfort.

"I wish I could have met her."

The other letter you stashed up on top of the refrigerator stood out like a solid picture in your mind.

Maybe you still can.

"I wish you could have too."

Jake trailed his nose along yours, gently kissing your lips, his thumbs sliding across your cheekbones. It has you sliding your hands up the length of his chest, one finding a home on the back of his neck.

When he pulls back, his face has a tender look as he gazes down at you. It fills you with warmth, so much so that you blurt out, "Move in with us."

His smile drops. "What?"

"Move in with us," you replied softly.

Jake blinked, clearly caught off guard, and studied your face for a long moment. You felt vulnerable under his gaze, worried about how he'd respond.

"We've done so much of this backwards, Jake. I don't think any of us had any plans to follow the rules," you admitted, chuckling nervously.

He quirked his lips upward. "Rules? What rules?"

You find solace in his reply, your nerves settling in the pit of your stomach when you return his smile.

"I meant what I said in my letter. I'm in, Jake, whatever comes our way. If it's marriage, kids, or none of those things, I just want you in Sadie and our lives. I don't want to waste time not being with you when you could be swept away from us any time you're called out."

You glide your fingers through his hair, stroking the tuffs back just above his ear. "I want to make memories with you, wake up next to you. I want hikes with you and Sadie and Saturday nights with family, ending with us doing the dishes. I want the two of us to continue being the reason you come home so you never have to know a life that's not full of love."

You felt it before you saw it, a drop of water hitting your cheek, and you realized Jake was fighting to stop tears from pooling in his eyes.

"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice choked with emotion.

You nodded. "I might have taken the longest, most backward route to deal with my grief, and God knows I give Bradley one too many chances when I probably shouldn't," You paused, a smirk playing on your lips as you looked into Jake's eyes. "But I love you, and I've never been more sure of anything in my life than this."

Jake took a moment, a whirlwind of emotions playing across his face, till he finally settled on a broad smile. "Let's wait till we get the bug from Camp to decide that?"

You frowned at him, but Jake only shook his head.

"She needs to know what she's getting herself into, yes?" he growled, rolling you on top of him.

------

The morning you were going to pick up Sadie from Camp, Jake was up and out of bed before you. Before you had even opened your eyes, you had reached out for him, only to be met by an empty space.

You got up, reaching for your robe to cover your naked body, hoping Jake hadn't gone out for a run. He was chomping at the bit to get back into exercising, and you didn't blame him. The doctor on base hadn't cleared him yet, and you were doing everything possible to ensure he didn't break that rule and set himself back.

Even the sex had you worried.

You found him sitting at your kitchen table with Sadie's Polaroid in hand and a cup of coffee next to him, gentle swirls of steam catching the light from your window. He was hunched over in thought, absent-mindedly working his hand across his mouth, staring down at her image.

You approached him quietly, placing a gentle hand on his back before wrapping your arm around the front of his chest, resting your chin on his shoulder.

Jake reached up, squeezing your wrist.

"Is that her cockpit photo?"

You remember this one, the F-18 and museum trip, and you understood why Sadie had wanted to include it with the others from the day of the hike.

Jake nodded. "The very one."

He reached over into the small pile, spreading the images out before sliding one of you in front of him. You weren't surprised the risky one was missing, Jake probably having stashed it somewhere safe out of your reach after he found out you wanted to burn it.

He never let you hear the end of that one... and then some. Only Jake could turn your anxious thoughts into something sexual. Though, that was a story for another day.

"This one is yours."

You lifted your head from Jake's shoulder to step next to him and lift the photo off the table.

It wasn't the prettiest photo. Clearly, Sadie had been messing with her camera when she accidentally snapped it. But you looked happy, smiling at Jake out of the frame. It was probably the first time you had truly smiled at something, and you knew then and there that Sadie only included it because all three of you knew who made you smile like that.

Yet, when you turned to Jake, he couldn't take his eyes off hers.

"She's going to prove you wrong, Jake."

He didn't give you a reply, his face etched in worry.

You gently grabbed his arm, pulling it out of the way so you could slide yourself in between him and the table. You popped yourself down, sitting sideways across his lap, wrapping your arm around the back of his neck.

"Can I tell you something, and you promise not to judge me for it?"

Jake shot you a look that made you smile, placing your head between his collar and jaw.

"The night I opened her box, it was a week after you left, and I broke down," you felt Jake's arms tighten around your body. "I was so upset, I ripped these from my neck and threw them across the room."

You held Jake's tags out in front of you, thumbing the rubber casing around one of them.

"Sadie found me. I don't know if she was scared of the thunderstorm or heard me scream, but she got them and returned them to me."

"I didn't give them to you to cause you pain..."

You were quick to reassure him, placing a hand on his cheek and letting the tag fall back to your chest. "No, they didn't. They just... helped me see what I was doing to myself. And I missed you. So much."

Jake pressed a kiss to your forehead, stroking your bare leg.

"She wouldn't have given them back to me if she didn't want you in our lives, Jake," you continued. "All along, that's what she's been doing. Showing you she cares. Since you helped her with her math homework."

You cupped his face gently, ensuring he was focusing entirely on you. "She doesn't, Jake. She misses you. She cares for you. She loves you so much."

He chuckled softly, "I swear she knew half the answers after that first day but just wanted to spend time together."

"She's more astute than we give her credit for," You said with a grin, nuzzling closer to him.

"She's just.." he trailed off. "She's one hell of a kid."

You smiled softly. "She is," you agreed.

The two of you sat like that for a few more minutes, Jake holding you, letting his coffee cool. The two of you didn't say anything, nor you didn't need to. Both of you were simply content to be holding one another.

"Come on," you said, getting up and holding out your hand. He took it, bringing himself to a stand. "We should get ready before Nat arrives."

Jake wiggled his eyebrows, following you down the hall.

"You think we could manage a quickie?"

"Jacob Seresin, you are a horny beast!"

"Takes one to know one, Darlin'."

------

When you and Nat dropped Sadie off at camp the week prior, she promised she'd come with you to pick her up. However, when she arrived at your house an hour later, a stowaway was with her - which was ironic when you thought about it. Nearly a year ago, Jake had been in Rooster's shoes, standing apprehensively in front of your porch step.

You had never seen him look more out of his element than he did when you opened the door.

You had instantly shot her a look.

"It slipped out," Nat held her hands up in defence. You placed your hands on your hips, cocking your eyebrow. "Really? It slipped out?"

There was no malice behind your words. If Bradley wanted to come with you guys to pick up Sadie, you weren't going to stop him. You smiled at Bradley, nodding at him that it was okay that he was here. He relaxed, returning your smile.

Jake pressed a kiss to your temple before walking out to your porch and down the steps to join Bradley. Nat and you walked over to the railing, somewhat away from the two, watching them have their moment.

She knocked your hip once, leaning over towards you to ask, "So I guess it was a good week."

"Why wouldn't it be?" you asked her confused.

"Cause you're walking funny and have a hickey twice as large as the first one you got. You did a shit job at covering up," she laughed.

You blushed, blubbering out, "Nat.. that's not.. I mean... What the hell do you mean I did a shit job?!"

She only continued to laugh, knocking your hip once again. "I guess you don't mind the anagram on his helmet now."

You sputtered, your mouth opening and closing like a fish, and Nat only relished in the innocent look on your face, trying to stop herself from drawing attention to the two of you.

Jake and Bradley, however, didn't hear the two of you. Bradley was too caught up in his head, trying to figure out what to say to him, and Jake was trying to come up with the words to properly thank him for saving his life.

"Bradshaw."

Bradley looked him up and down, a smirk on his face. "You look good, Hangman. You know, despite the..." Bradley pointed to the healing bruise on the side of his face. It wasn't as nasty as before, but still an ugly yellow-brown shade.

"Yeah, well.." Jake remarked, taking his eyes off Bradley for a second before looking back. "For all I know, I have you to blame for that."

Bradley let out a small chuckle. "Yeah..."

A silence befell over the two, and Jake mulled over the right thing to say that would express his gratitude to Rooster, that he wouldn't take the wrong way.

"Thank you for bringing me back to her," his voice carrying sincerity unknown and rare to Bradley. "To them. For saving my life."

"You two okay?" Bradley asked, tilting his head towards you.

Jake glanced over to you and Nat, sharing a laugh over something, and Bradley caught the loving look as Jake settled his eyes on you. "Yeah, we are. More than okay."

Bradley looked away, the weight of everything he had done heavy in the air.

"I need to apologize to you, Jake."

Bradley's use of Jake's name, not this call sign, made him turn back, slightly shocked.

"I've given you, given the both of you a hard time. I... just wanted to protect them, you know? They've been through so much, and Sadie..." he stopped, struggling to find the words. Jake crossed his arms, staring pointedly at Rooster as he rambled.

"I was in Sadie's shoes at one point in my life. And I think from what I know about you now, you'd do anything not to have someone else go through what we've gone through to get here in our lives."

Jake nodded in agreement. "Can I ask you what made you change your mind?"

Bradley didn't look at him when a soft smile came over his face, and he remarked, "When I saved your life."

Jake barked out a laugh, shaking his head. Bradley joined him, soft chuckles escaping his chest.

"I never thought I'd be sitting by your bedside while waiting for an airlift, begging you not to die," he admitted, scratching the back of his head.

"Would have solved all your problems if I did, right?"

Bradley shook his head. "No, it wouldn't. I wasn't about to let Sadie or Liz experience the death of another person they loved.

"And?" Jake prompted, letting his voice drawl on.

"And I realized I was creating problems where there was none," he exclaimed, throwing his hands up. "And projecting some shit onto you two."

Bradley wasn't about to admit to Jake his entire back story. That he was going to therapy, too, but something told him even if Jake knew, he wouldn't hold it against him.

He was seeing you, after all.

"You have every right to be in their lives. I'm sorry I assumed differently. If you make Liz and Sadie happy, I'm not going to stay in the way of that."

Jake scrunched up his nose, acting like he was contemplating his apology, before holding out his hand. It was not too unfamiliar from when he offered it after saving his and Maverick's life two years ago.

"Clean slate?"

Bradley cocked his eyebrow. "Really? A clean slate?"

"Just like that."

Rooster glanced at Jake's outstretched hand for a moment before taking it, gripping it tight and shaking it once. He went to let go, but Jake only tugged, making Bradley take a clumsy step forward, his shoulder almost meeting Jake's chest. He leaned over as if to pat him on the back, but instead, he tilted his head to say something into Bradley's ear.

"Just don't use me as a scapegoat this time to cover up the fact you're getting some."

Jake slapped him on the back hard, then stepped back as Bradley sputtered out a cough.

"Come on, boys!" Nat called out, having seen the interaction.

They turned back as you finished her shout, yelling out affectionately, "We have a Bug to go catch!"

------

Nobody protested when you asked if the four of you could stop by the thrift shop on the way to pick Sadie up. You had mentioned it had something to do with her birthday present, and nobody seemed to argue. Jake had only smiled, and Bradley and Nat instantly agreed, all too eager to see the famous store you and Ridley had found.

When the four of you entered the shop, Rooster, as you expected, practically ran to the vinyl section, Nat close on his heels to make sure he didn't break anything in his excitement.

Jake followed you to the counter, where you had to wait in line to see Mr. Murray. You honestly stupidly thought he would have gone off on his own, not follow you to the line. He couldn't see what you were doing; as much as this was a surprise for Sadie, this was a surprise for him too.

You had to think of something to get him to go away, and you had to do it fast.

Jake's hand was resting low on your hip when you turned and pressed your hands flat to his chest. Pulling yourself up, you lifted one of your hands to trace the outline of his lips with your fingers before you kissed him, slow and purposely. Lowering yourself back down, Jake's eyes remained closed until his brain caught up with him, and he found himself staring down at your lips.

"Shoo," you cooed at him with a grin. Jake raised his eyebrows. "Shoo? You want me to shoo?"

You nodded, pecking his lips again quickly in a bid to get him to leave you alone.

"Why? It's just Sadie's birthday present."

You bit your lip. There was no real reason he couldn't be there with you, and you didn't have a reply that wouldn't have given away her gift.

Deciding to take one out of Sadie's book instead, you slowly slid your hands down his back, cupping his ass, and squeezing hard once, leaning up to whisper into his ear, "No questions asked?"

Jake's groan vibrated in your ear. "I know what you're doing. And I know I'm at fault for it."

"Is it working?" you teased, sneakily taking his ear lobe between your teeth and letting go just as quickly. To any on-looker, it appeared as if you were simply whispering something in his ear.

"Still doesn't change the fact you're trying to get rid of me."

You slowly slid your mouth down, nipping the skin of his neck in a quick motion that made him hiss. You pulled back to take in the tiny mark, slightly proud of yourself.

"You're defiling government property, darlin'."

"You're not on duty, are you? That makes you mine."

"Oh, you're going to pay for that later."

"Am I?" you said, making sure your lips were just over his, just barely, enough so he might feel your breath but not your touch.

You weren't sure who this person was that Jake had awoken, but every time you found yourself in a position to tease Jake about something, you felt like those social media videos Sadie liked to watch with you, the ones where someone faked an "achievement unlocked" status above their head. Jake had no idea the power he had suddenly shown you.

He went to kiss you, but you dodged his attempt, pressing a finger to his lips.

"Go make sure Rooster doesn't break something. I'm sure that 45' Jerry Lee Lewis record is still there. He already plays Great Balls of Fire enough."

Jake grimaced. "Yup, no, thank you."

You patted him on his chest. Jake winked at you, turning on his heel, not before catching you mid-spin with a light slap to the meaty part of your ass. You yipped, jumping from where you stood, a hand covering the sting. Jake was already walking away with a shit-eating grin on his face, calling out, "Rooster! Hands off the classics!"

Looking up, you came face to face with Mr.Murray, his eyebrows raised. Heat flooded your cheeks more than it already had, and you felt like a kid getting caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

"Glad to see that one's safe and sound."

You blushed. "That was.. ah.. That was me..."

Mr. Murray shook his head, reassuring you. "My wife and I were like that at one point. Could barely keep our hands off each other. Still do to some extent."

"Mr. Murray," you blushed, stepping forward.

Reaching into your bag, you pulled out the patches ripped from Jake's ruined flight suit, secretly sliding them across the counter. Jake had saved what he could and asked you to throw out the rest. Little did he know you had other plans.

"Do you think you could fix them up? Do the thing we talked about?"

Mr. Murray looked down at the patches in your hand, taking them and smiling.

"For Sadie? Anything."

-------------

You knew there would be more moments in your life where you would feel immense pride for Sadie, each one topping the last. But watching her row her boat down that river, similar to how you and Ridley had done it as kids, would be something you'd never forget.

Her wanting to go to camp came from one of the polaroids Ridley left behind. You weren't sure who had managed to catch it, and the years had not been kind to the image, but Sadie wanted to know all the memories associated with that photo as you were pulling them out, deciding to preserve them in a scrapbook. You weren't shy about telling her. It was easier, having since opened her box, for you to talk about Ridley without clamming up.

In the end, she asked if she could go to camp like you and her mom did—specifically one where she could row her own boat down a river like that one.

The sunlight glinted off the water, shimmering as you leaned forward, a pair of binoculars held up to your face. Jake's knee bounced anxiously next to you, his eyes darting back and forth between the group and the river bend as Nat and Bradley carried on a separate conversation, waiting for Sadie's boat to come into view.

As you arrived, you had told the group that Sadie was taking part in this race before they could see her. Nat already knew, having made a poster with "Go Sadie Bug!" written across it in big colourful letters and splattered with ladybugs. It sat between the two of you, ready the second she appeared.

It was but a few more seconds before the boats made it around the corner, and you spied her and her teammate rapidly gaining on third place.

"There!" You cried out, letting the binoculars fall to your lap as you pointed. "In the red!"

Jake scanned the water, his heart thumping in his chest as the crowd started to pick up that the kids were nearing the end. His world momentarily narrowed to a mere pinpoint as he searched for one particular kid. A flash of red stood out from the rest, and Jake homed in on her small frame, leaning into every paddle stroke, fierce and determined.

All the uncertainty, the worry about whether she still resented him, evaporated. At that moment, Jake was filled with pride, seeing her giving her all out there on the water.

You were already on your feet by the time Jake stood, watching as Sadie and her teammate paddled vigorously, tied neck to neck with the team currently in third. Bradley leaned forward from his spot on the bleacher, muttering with confidence over and over, "She's got this. She's got this."

Beside him, Nat was unrolling her poster, the rubber band snapping in her excitement and eagerness, as she stood, throwing the piece of Bristol board over her head, letting out a shout.

Jake couldn't help but shout out his encouragement, even if she couldn't hear him from this distance or amongst the shouts of other parents.

"Come on, Bug! Give them hell!"

The distance between the two canoes started to close, and with each powerful stroke, Sadie and her teammate pushed into third, leaving the other canoe in the wake of their water trail. And then, inch by inch, the two of them rapidly approached the other two canoes, currently tied neck and neck for first place.

Bradley's voice joined the others as he shot up and out of his seat. " That's it! Come on, Sadie! Come on!"

But you... you were suddenly overwhelmed, tears streaming down your face as your heart pounded away inside your chest because it wasn't Sadie you were seeing, but your sister, shouting back over her shoulder to encourage what appeared to be you, trying just as hard to see the two of you through to the finish line.

It was such a vivid memory, and you could almost hear her voice, her laughter, as she yelled for the two of you to keep paddling, as she now yelled for Sadie to keep paddling. You didn't shove it down as you might have done once before.

You embraced it.

You instinctively looked over to Jake, who was too focused on watching Sadie to see your eyes on him. His face was lit up with fierce pride and love, and seeing Jake's unwavering support, despite questioning if Sadie really cared for him or not, in your heart, you knew the two of you would always be safe with him.

Sadie was undeterred by the task in front of her. It was clear. The finish line was drawing close, and you couldn't help but reach out to grasp Jake and Nat's forearms.

Nat yelled, "She can do it! She's our bug!"

With a surge of energy, Sadie and her teammate closed the gap, drawing level with the leading canoe. Her face was lit up in sheer determination as she shouted out, using every ounce of energy she had left to push themselves forward, crossing the finish line a mere few seconds before the previous leaders.

You let out a cry, screaming for joy as Jake went for your waist, lifting you up towards the sky in celebration as he celebrated, letting out a shout. Nat was hugging Bradley as he let out a loud whistle in appreciation.

Even if he thought she hated him, Jake still lowered you to the ground and pulled you into his arms, giving you an overly excited kiss and exclaiming how proud he was of her.

After everything she had been through, after everything she had to face this past year, you were proud of her, too.

The four of you escaped the bleachers, making your way down to the docks where you were meant to pick her up. Jake held your hand, eyes nervously scanning the crowd of kids staring to find their parents.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and you squeezed his hand once, swinging it back and forth. "You okay?"

Jake opened his mouth, ready to answer you, before Nat suddenly jumped and squealed, "There she is!" pointing to Sadie on the boardwalk below.

The four of you watched as she made her way up the dock, a red ribbon in hand, as she laughed and celebrated with her friend. You smiled, letting go of Jake's hand to step forward and join Nat at the peek of the hill so she would find you easily.

Rooster stepped forward to get a better view, but he still stayed behind with Jake, who remained where he was, currently clenching and unclenching his fists.

He didn't know if he was ready for this.

Sadie was saying goodbye to her friend when she realized you and Nat would have been in the crowd with everyone else. She thought she had seen someone holding a poster with Lady Bugs on it, but she had only gotten a quick peek before she had to concentrate on the finish line.

She leaned up on the edges of her shoes, scanning the crowd with a hopeful gaze. She knew you'd be here. You promised you would, and you never broke a promise.

A big smile appeared across her face when she finally found you and Nat waving at her on top of the hill. She picked herself up into a run, giggling like anything and everything.

You dropped to your knees, prepared to catch her in one of her overly dramatic hugs that would have you failing to the ground if you weren't ready. But then she stopped dead in her tracks, a gasp escaping her lips. Her face started to red, blue eyes wide and watering, and her bottom lip was begging to tremble as she looked past you.

Concerned, you followed her gaze, realizing she had caught sight of Jake and Bradley standing behind you.

"Oh, Bug," Nat cooed next to you. But you knew, right away, who warranted that reaction.

Jake caught sight of her, a hopeful yet apprehensive look on his face. His heart thudded heavily in his chest, awaiting what he thought to be the ultimate reprimand and lowest point in his life. Because everything was waiting on this moment, despite his apology, despite working his way back to the two of you, if Sadie didn't want him here, if she didn't want him in her life, he would walk away.

It was the longstanding promise to put her first. Her feelings mattered above all else.

But the ribbon she had won slipped from her hand at her side, falling to the ground, forgotten. She stumbled backwards a few steps as her mind caught up with the sight. Sadie couldn't believe it. Because everyone she had ever cared about, one way or another, had been taken away from her beyond anyone's control.

Uncle Jake was here.

He came back.

He was alive.

He was home.

"Uncle Jake!" She cried out, finally propelling herself into a run, going straight past Nat, you, and forgoing Bradley entirely to beeline it to him. The tension released from Jake's shoulders as he dropped to his knees into the dirt, holding out his arms to take the crying girl into his arms.

Sadie couldn't help but throw herself at him, launching her tiny body and wrapping her arms and legs around him only to borrow her head into his neck.

Jake's vision blurred, tears starting to form as he dropped his chin to her shoulder. He cradled her close, letting out a shaky exhale, his grip matching Sadie's tight. The two of them were terrified either one might vanish if they let go. The weight of everything he'd faced, the danger, the near-death, it all paled in comparison to this moment of pure joy and absolute relief.

Sadie did want him in your lives after all.

You could faintly make out the words from him as he cooed over her sobs, "I'm here, Bug. I'm here."

You stood, walking over and kneeling down next to them. You placed a hand on Jake's back and rested the other on Sadie's. Jake lifted his head to look at you, and you were surprised to see his eyes watering. The sight of him holding Sadie, moved by her missing him, brought tears to your eyes.

"Why are you crying, Bug?" You soothed, trying to stop your own voice from breaking.

She pulled back from Jake's neck to look at you. Despite her blotched face and tears, a smile was etched across her face as she blubbered out, "He came home."

Her statement wasn't lost on you. Ridley never made it home to her that night. The family you guys had found was made up of people who flirted with death daily. For as long as they flew, there would always be the chance one of them would never make it home.

"Of course, I made it home, Bug," Jake said, pressing a soft kiss into her hair. "I had to make it home to both of my girls."

Sadie buried her face into the fabric of his shirt, weeping, and you watched as he fought with himself not to cry.

Then she started to giggle through her sniffles, happiness starting to replace her sadness. She curled her head to the side against his chest, gripping his shirt tight between her tiny fingers and taking a few deep breaths.

She didn't want to let him go.

"I love you, Uncle Jake."

You had to wipe your eyes, knowing exactly where that came from.

Jake slammed his eyes shut. "I love you too, Bug."

He was in it for the long run. There was no question about it.

Sadie sharply lifted her head, looking at you, then at Jake, back and forth several times, her mouth hanging loosely open.

"Wait..are you two back together now?"

You nodded. "Are you okay with that?"

It was redundant to ask, but you still needed to anyway.

You could see the gears grinding in her head, working up a quick-witted response only she could come up with. Then you noticed the second the idea popped into her head, fighting to prevent the corners of her mouth from turning upward.

She tried to relax her face, but she was failing miserably. Jake caught on when she tried to become stoic, and his cheeky grin widened with each second that passed. She had done this to him once before, and he wasn't about to be caught in her trap for a second time.

Then a grin stretched across her face, reminding you so much of Ridley.

"Finally. My job here is over."

Little matchmaker, indeed.

You gasped affectionately, playing along as if you didn't know she had been trying to get the two of you together. "Why, you little..."

You attacked her with your fingers, tickling her stomach. Jake tried to contain his laughter as she started to squirm in his arms, shouting out, "Save me, Uncle Jake! Save me!"

Jake tried to lean back to keep her out of your path, but despite his reassurance, his back hadn't returned to being almost 100 percent. It spasmed, causing him to lose his balance off his knees. Sadie screamed, reaching for the only thing she could, which happened to be you, tugging on the front of your shirt.

Your breath caught in your throat as you fell with them, Jake securely tightening his arm around Sadie's back as she fell onto his chest while reaching out for you. He took the brunt of your fall, you landing on the opposite side of his chest, and Jake groaned, tilting his head back against the ground to the sky, laughing.

Nat gathered Sadie's ribbon off the ground, coming to stand next to Bradley, who was watching the three of you with an affectionate smile.

"Damn it, Rooster," Nat teased, knocking his side with hers. "It looks like you've been replaced."

Bradley shook his head.

When Sadie first came to live with you, each of the Daggers had found something to share with her. Nat and her loved sports, and Bob listened to her gush about bugs. Maverick did anything and everything fun and semi-dangerous with her. Fanboy and Payback loved playing games with her, and Coyote was simply there when she needed him. For Bradley, it had been sharing their grief at losing a parent.

But Jake... It wasn't Jake offering Sadie anything. It was Sadie who held out her hand and took him under her tiny arm. Sadie, who offered him her love with no questions asked.

He was never at risk of being replaced, never at risk of losing her love or her playing favourites. Sadie simply cared for everyone and everything thing.

It's just who she was.

"You know what, Nat, I don't mind," He replied, fondly looking at Jake, Sadie and you, now sharing a hug.

"As much as he needs Liz, he needs Sadie too."

I'm crying. There's only one more left 😭💛

Tag List:

@blue-aconite @tinytotontheoversizedpony @djs8891 @caitsymichelle13 @startrekfangirl2233

@mayhemmanaged @ereardon @dempy @shanimallina87 @teacupsandtopgun @daggerspare-standingby

@phantomxoxo @formulapierre @eli2447 @fulla02 @blckgrl-sunflower @mizzzpink @ohgodnotagainn

@bubblegumbeautyqueen @sarahsmi13s @desert-fern @lynnestra44 @memoriesat30 @penwieldingdreamer @mxlanciia

@bradleybeachbabe @bobby-r2d2-floyd @lavenderbradshaw @roosters-girl @lovinglyeternal @kmc1989 @gigisimsonmars

@keyrani @craftytrashprincess @hisredheadedgoddess28 @abzidabzy @memeorydotcom @vicsnook @taestrwbrry

@its-the-pilot @dizzybee03 @cassiemitchell

Part 23 - Sleep Deprivation, the final part, coming soon 😭

Wickett

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101crows · 1 year ago

Text

Invaluable Asset

AN: this could be a series, but for now I'm going to write it to be a stand alone. Please let me know if you want to see more! This takes. place in season one, sometime after episode 16. Ressler might be a little OOC.

"You're trying to tell me you don't know a single person good enough to steal these cars?"

Reddington sighed deeply, "Of course I do. But they lack a certain talent for subtlety that's necessary for this task. I'm not some type of magician, I can't just pull criminals out of my hat for you."

Cooper turned sharply. "And how exactly do you expect us to find an actor turned car thief willing to go undercover for us?"

"I can't possibly imagine how that's my problem. Either you figure it out or Amíl will be gone in less than a week. And once he's gone, you'll never so much as hear of him again." He placed his hat back on his head and turned to leave, strolling to the elevator with the same easy confidence he always seemed to have.

"For now, I have other matters to attend to."

The elevator closed just as Red finished speaking.

"Well?" Cooper asked Liz, "How do you suggest we go about this?"

Surprisingly, however, it was Ressler that answered.

"I think I know someone."

You were just pulling the muffins out of the oven when the doorbell rang.

"One second!" You called, hoping they could hear you as you pulled out the second tray and placed it onto the waiting trivet. You removed your oven mitts and set them on the counter between the two trays, then made your way to the front door. Your eyes lit up as you spotted Donnie through the tall windows. Taking two long strides to reach the door, you flung it open, a wide grin dancing on your lips.

"Donnie! Hi, I feel like I haven't seen you in forever!"

It took everything in you not to pull him in for a hug, but you knew he didn't like spontaneous physical contact, so you abstained. Donnie coughed and shifted uncomfortably and you finally registered the two others standing next to him.

The brunette had an apologetic smile on her face, but the older man looked more amused than anything.

You scanned them briefly. Deciding they looked harmless enough, you stepped back to let them in. Besides, you trusted Donnie not to bring anyone dangerous to your door.

"Nice suit. It looks good on you. Come on in, we can talk while I make the drizzle for these muffins. I hope y'all like lemon,"

You turned and led them through the house and into the kitchen, humming at the thanks you received for the compliment. You also fought off a smile when you heard him mutter something about 'good taste' to the woman.

"So," you said, carefully adding powdered sugar to the bit of lemon juice you had left, "I'm assuming this visit is for business rather than pleasure?"

"Unfortunately. I have a favor to ask of you."

"Alright," you replied. Deciding the drizzle was at the consistency you wanted, you began to spoon it over the muffins. "I can tell this is serious, and the kitchen counter is no place to discuss serious business. Donnie, could you grab plates for everyone? We'll talk about this further in the living room. Please try to keep crumbs on your plates, I cleaned the couches yesterday."

You stared incredulously at your friend and his two companions, whose names you'd learned were Liz and David, though you suspected the man was lying.

"I'm sorry, let me get this straight. You spent three years trying to get me to stop stealing cars and remove myself from this life of crime, you helped me move to get away from that life and be closer to you, and now you're telling me you want me to go steal cars in your name?"

David smiled and leaned back in his chair, "Yes."

"No." Donnie glared so hard you thought he might punch David in the face before returning his gaze to you. "Of course I don't want you to go back to stealing cars. But we need someone to go undercover for us, and unfortunately I seem to know the only car thief good enough at acting to help."

"Ex car thief, Donnie. I don't do that shit anymore."

You sighed and buried your face in your hands, dragging them down until your eyes were uncovered. "But you're my friend, and I help my friends. What do you need me to do?"

David sat back up and turned to the woman, who hadn't so much as touched her muffin.

"You really ought to try the muffins. They're incredible. As for what you need to do, we'll need you to get the attention of a certain criminal, so you're going to need you to break into his car. Don't take it though, it needs to look like you did it just to prove you could. Once you've done that, you'll have to convince him to let you join his operation instead of murdering you. Can you do that?"

You weighed your options silently. On one hand, what they were asking of you was incredibly dangerous, and even though you knew it was necessary, the idea of purposely being caught set every part of you on edge.

On the other hand though, Donnie would never ask you to do something like this unless he was truly desperate, and you trusted him not to let you get hurt. Still, he couldn't prevent every danger and doing this would be taking a huge risk.

"Which criminal?"

Liz finally added her two cents into the mix.

"I'm terribly sorry, but that's classified. Unless we have positive confirmation you'll be helping us, he'll have to remain unnamed."

A sharp, angry smile made its way onto your face.

"I'm sorry, you're not just asking me to put my life on the line, you're also asking me to risk everything I've worked so hard to build. Even if I do this, and by some miracle this man doesn't murder me, soon everyone will know who I am and what I did, and if my old employers get a hold of that information, I will be hunted, tortured, and killed. So you can either tell me who's car I'll be stealing and take the risk that I might say no, or you can get the hell out of my house right now and know for certain that you squandered your best chance of catching this man. Do I make myself clear?"

Liz opened her mouth to respond, but David cut her off before she could say anything else.

"Vicente Amíl."

"Jesus fucking Christ," you muttered.

"I'll do it. But just so we're clear, you owe me. Big time."

You locked eyes with Donnie, who sagged with visible relief.

"Thank you, (Y/n). You have no idea what this means to me."

You shook your head, standing. "I'm the stupidest person in the entire world. I can't believe I'm doing this for you. Also," you added, turning back to Liz, "It's incredibly rude not to eat food someone serves you in their home. If you didn't like lemons, you should've said so before I served you."

You turned your attention back to the boys. "You, on the other hand, should take a few muffins to go. Thank you for being so polite. You're welcome back anytime. Donnie, always good to see you, even if you are requesting impossible things from me. Please see Liz out."

Donald raised an eyebrow at that. "Just Liz?"

You glanced back at him and smiled. "And yourself, please. Do come back later though, I'm dying to catch up. David and I are going to get him his muffins."

Though polite, your tone left no room for argument and you could faintly hear Donnie and Liz arguing as they walked to the door. Once the door finally closed, you turned your attention back to the man in the center of your house.

"Wonderful. Now that they're gone, may I have your real name please? I do tire of calling you by your alias."

You watched as he chuckled and rose from his chair, strolling towards the hall leading back to the kitchen. "Raymond Reddington, at your service. It's a pleasure to meet someone so very talented."

"Please," you replied smoothly, "The pleasure is all mine. I meant what I said, by the way. Feel free to drop by whenever. I'm usually off Friday through Sunday and there's a good chance I'll be baking something else. Helps relax me, and my coworkers enjoy whatever I make as well."

He smiled as you handed him a Tupperware container with four muffins safely nestled inside. Placing his hat back upon his head, he made his way to the door, and you took notice of the glint in his eye right before he left.

"I'm sure I'll be seeing you quite soon, (Y/n)."

You leaned against the wall and watched him saunter to the car waiting for him. A different car than Donnie and Liz took, by the looks of it. The corners of your lips twitched up as you watched him go.

"Raymond Reddington, huh? What an interesting man."

P.S. The muffins mentioned are real muffins. Feel free to let me know if you want the recipe.

#the blacklist x reader #the blacklist #raymond reddington x reader #raymond reddington #raymond “red” reddington #reddington x reader #x reader #special thanks to @writingbyshiloh for inspiring me to finish this fic #comments and reblogs are always appreciated <3 #i love him your honor #the ending feels a little rushed but it's already much longer than what I usually write

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not-a-space-alien · 11 months ago

Text

K&J x MMSS 4: Valen & Jim Part 9

Part nine of the fourth crossover with @whumpsday!

Sorry I've been slow getting these out--I've been suffering some writer's block due to some personal stuff I've got going on IRL. I'll admit that I'll probably be putting a liiiitle less effort into polishing the crossover fics from hereon out, but we got a lot of enthusiasm for them so I'm going to keep them coming even if they're a bit messy! There's still a lot of fun stuff in there imo :)

Also this ch is pretty long just because I couldn't find a good place for a chapter break!

K&J masterlist

MMSS masterlist

K&J x MMSS crossover masterlist

To be added to the taglist, contact @whumpsday

Warnings: Capture, dehumanization, nonconsentual bondage/restraint, gag/muzzle, mentions of rape and torture

In this chapter: Valen's fear of getting hatecrimed creeps towards plausibility, but even moving doesn't save Valen from an unexpected nightmare. Luckily this time, he has people looking for him.

***

It's unheard of for anyone to escape vampire territory after years of captivity, and a pretty big shock that another vampire helped him do it. Though it doesn't garner quite the response an inspirational solo escape story might, it's still an incredible tale of something really unusual and an unlikely alliance between humans and vampires, and the media eats it up. Jim does do several interviews about it, wearing the turtlenecks that have recently become his regular wear.

He's purposely vague about Valen, knowing that he doesn't want to be in the limelight. He doesn't even mention him by name. He doesn't mention Kane or any other vampire by name either, worried about Kane being able to find him somehow if he got access to human media. He's given a writer permission to write a book about his experience. She's not pushy like a lot of other journalists, and is intent on getting it right.

Life goes on. Jim helps Valen collect mushrooms. He goes vegetarian. Liz is back to patrolling. Liz makes Jim try therapy, but his preferred method of dealing with it is thinking about it as little as possible, so he drops it fairly early on. Talking with the writer is already pushing it.

Reporters will sometimes come to their house. Valen is thrown into anxious spirals every time, terrified there’s going to be an incident. But the visits die down over the first half a year. Jim doesn't reveal that Valen is living with him, but it's figured out anyway. People who know Liz and see her change from constant anger and depression to actually having some life back in her are grateful to Valen. But many people who don't know Jim and Liz are more hostile: this is an area where a lot of people have been affected by vampire attacks, to boot. They're getting left angry notes.

Valen goes out with Jim during the day, since Jim is still nervous about leaving the house at night. Valen is also nervous about leaving the house, so he doesn’t go to human stores or anything. He either asks Jim to get him things, or goes back to vampire territory and just nervously looks over his shoulder for anyone from the Kithrara estate.

He goes out to get mushrooms, though. He keeps working on his project. He avoids the media, unless someone contacts him directly and is really polite. If humans approach him, he's very polite and doesn't dodge them, but he does excuse himself before too long. He's not antisocial, but he is shy. He likes spending time with Laken, Liz, and Jim, and will socialize with people they deem safe.

One day, Jim and Valen are getting ready to go gather mushrooms while Liz is fast asleep. It's getting hotter out now in the summer. Jim tosses Valen the keys to his car, since Valen is already ready to go. "Hey, can you start the AC running so we don't cook in there while I finish getting dressed? If you're cool with that."

"Sure thing, Jim, dear." He secures his mask to his face, doublechecking that he's completely covered, and heads out, approaching the car in the driveway to unlock it and turn it on.

A man and woman are chatting idly while walking their dog on the other side of the street. When Valen comes out, the man hands the leash to the woman and encourages her to go home, crossing the street and approaching while she leaves.

"Hey!" he calls, looking pissed-off. "It's bad enough there's a vampire in our neighborhood being supervised, now you're out in broad daylight on your own?!"

Valen stops in his tracks and starts to back away. "I apologize, sir, I'm not doing anything nefarious. My-my associate is coming out shortly."

"Yeah, yeah, you saved the Lieberman kid. Well guess what, he's not the only one who lives here! You're scaring my wife, my kids won't play outside anymore!" He pushes Valen.

Valen stumbles back, scrambling back towards the house. "I-I assure you I pose no threat to your family, sir, I've done n-nothing to pose a threat to them."

"You're a fucking vampire! You being here is a threat! Thought the hunters were supposed to protect us!"

Jim comes downstairs shortly, pushing the door open. "Hey, what's going on?"

"Keep that thing on a leash." The man spits and walks off.

"F-fuck off!" Jim shouts, but it loses its impact since the man is already leaving and Jim's voice always wavers when saying anything defiant. He runs to Valen, hugging him. "Are you okay?"

Valen's face is downcast, eyes on the ground. "Um...Yes, I'm not, I wasn't in any physical danger..." He sounds extremely disheartened. "That man said his wife and children are afraid of me. I-I wanted to say he should let me speak to them, so they could see there's no danger, but I doubt that would have been very well received."

"That's not the kind of okay I mean." Jim sighs. "I've been kinda... thinking. That maybe we should move or something. Somewhere more secluded, where you wouldn't have to worry about shit like that. Not too far away from Liz obviously, but y'know. How would you feel about that?"

Valen rubs his arm. "That's probably for the best...but it feels bad they won't even give me a chance. Is there really nothing I can do to win them over?"

"Prolly some people, but not all. Some people are always gonna have their heads in the sand." Jim wonders if his parents would've approved of him and Valen. He's pretty sure they would- Valen brought him back, after all, and they were wonderful loving people, but he can't know for sure. They hated vampires. He doesn't even know for sure if they'd approve of him being gay. He never got a chance to ask.

"You don't need that asshole's approval. I was thinking we could wait 'til the book comes out, Mindy said it'll only be a few more months. And then we could use money from that to find a place. Or we could use some of the stuff you took from Priscus, if you wanted to do it sooner, but that's your call."

Valen still seems downcast. He wants to try and show everyone who he really is, but there is no way to do it without putting himself at risk and making everyone even more uncomfortable.

They end up buying the house and moving sooner rather than later, when Jim finds Valen crying over the latest hatemail he's received one too many times. When he starts being too afraid to leave the house even at night, that's how he knows it's time to go.

Moving is easy with Valen's superior strength and Liz's truck. The house isn't huge, but it's nice and cozy, and it has a basement with no windows. Valen doesn't expect Jim to want to be down there at all, but it's nice to know it's an option if Valen ever wants to rest somewhere where there's no chance the sun can get him.

***

Their life there is cozy, until one day Valen doesn't come home.

Jim freaks out fast. Valen doesn't ever just not come home. And when Jim didn't come home, it was the worst thing that ever happened to him- even though it led to meeting Valen, one of the best.

He calls Liz first, of course. She has connections with other hunters, and the first thing he wants to rule out is that Valen's been killed. The worst-case scenario, and unfortunately, what he thinks is the most likely one. He can't stop crying. He wants to go to Liz, but he doesn't. He has to be home if Valen comes back.

Liz calls around, asking if anyone in various branches have seen a vampire matching Valen's description in the last day. The last two days. The last three days. She ends up on the phone with the director of a branch a day-trip away, who finally confirms that Valen has been seen. And he's alive. He's been captured, and he's being... experimented on for weapons testing.

Liz informs the director who Valen is, and politely asks to please let them pick Valen up today.

"I'm sympathetic to your story, but are you quite sure this merits release?" the director asks her. "Live capture of vampires is quite a difficult feat."

Liz's heart pounds. There's no way she's leaving Valen there, but it would be a lot easier if he'd hand him over. "He's never hurt a human in his life. The opposite, he's actively saved a human from capture. He's accompanied me or my partner on hunts on a few occasions, when one of us was out of commission. He's working on synthesizing artificial blood vampires can live off of out of mushrooms. Hell, he's an innocent person. Those should all... merit release, right?" She's trying really hard not to blow up on him.

The director puts her on hold. Then, a few minutes later, he asks if he can call her back, because he needs to discuss it with some other people in the branch.

"Yeah, of course. I'll- I'll be here. Please call back."

Liz calls Jim immediately- she doesn't stay on the line long, giving a quick summary and a location, wanting to keep the line open for when the director calls. Jim is on his way the second Liz gives him the info, gathering two blood packs and a spare change of full-coverage clothes and a mask in case Valen's own have been compromised. He needs to get there right now. He needs to save Valen.

He doesn't know whether he'll get there to people willing to give Valen back, or hostile hunters refusing to. He can't stop crying, hasn't been able to stop crying for days, but now it's making driving harder. Despite it, he goes as fast as he can.

The director calls back a while later--an annoyingly, stupidly long time later--and he says that he's talked to some people from Liz's branch of the hunter's guild. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence that Valen is not dangerous--but there are also testimonies from neighbors who lived in concern for their safety for quite a long time, and the director says that he has an obligation to protect the innocent people whose safety he has been entrusted with and can find no strong basis on which to support the release of this vampire. He does say that Liz is free to appeal, which would start the process of gathering a committee to draft a resolution outlining under what circumstances a vampire can be released, since this is such a rare issue and there is no precedent for how to handle it.

Liz wants to pull her hair out. "Valen doesn't- he hasn't been neighbors with those people for years. He moved away when the concerns were initially raised. He keeps away from humans. But, yeah," Her voice breaks. This is the second time someone she loves has been kidnapped. "I wanna start an appeal. Can you at least just... not hurt him? He hasn't done anything. Please."

The director puts her on hold again. Then when he comes back: "I've phoned the hunter's base where he is and told them not to start any new experiments. Thank you for your patience through this irregular situation."

"Thank you." She doesn't want to thank the bastard who approved Valen's torture, but being cordial to this man is now the most important thing. "Um, one more thing. My brother, he and Valen are, obviously close. He's kind of already on his way. Can you at least let him see Valen?"

The director hems and haws. "I suppose that should be all right, as long as it's supervised."

"Thank you. Please keep me updated."

Jim arrives a few hours later. The things he brought are stuffed in his backpack, and he knocks hard and fast on the door until someone opens it. His eyes are red and puffy. When someone opens it, he cries, "Please don't hurt Valen! Please, he didn't do anything, please let him go!" before the other person can get a word in.

The person who answers is a gruff-looking woman with spiked hair. She opens the door, is yelled at for a few seconds, and then looks bewildered. "Wha- Who are you?"

"My name's Jim Lieberman. Please. He didn't do anything, please let him go." Jim begs. "I swear to god, Valen is the kindest, most harmless person on earth, human or vampire. Please."

She huffs. "Ah, shit. Okay. All right." She opens the door and lets Jim in. "Lex!" she calls into the building. Her leg is in a boot, and she drags it across the floor into the next room, where another woman with bandages over her nose is sitting on a couch. "Lex, I knew something was up with that fucking vampire. Listen to what this guy is saying."

"I'm Jim Lieberman, Valen, the, the vampire you- kidnapped-" He's on the verge of tears, again. "He saved me. And he's never hurt anyone, ever. Please, you can't just- this is supposed to be what hunters are against. Kidnapping random innocent people. Please, where is he?"

Lex's face falls. "Oh my god. Okay." She stands up and comes over. "I'm sorry, Jim, we--We thought something was strange, so we brought him back alive, but then Nick wormed his way into the situation. Has anyone talked to the director about this?"

"Fuck the director," Ari says. "I'm making an executive decision of fuck the director." She walks to the basement door with an unsteady gait and turns the knob, opening the door. "He's downstairs." Through the now-open door, Jim can hear Valen sobbing miserably and wordlessly calling out hysterically.

Jim runs down the stairs and straight to the horrible fucking cage with the love of his life inside. "Valen!" he sobs, tears spilling over again. "It's, it's gonna be okay, I'm here, I've gotcha."

Valen's tear-stained face breaks into an expression of relief at seeing Jim, and he sticks his hands through the bars as far as they'll go before the chains stop him. He is topless, wearing a muzzle, and already covered in burn marks.

There's a man at a desk catty-corner to the cage with the hysterical vampire inside of it. He looks up, irritated, as Jim enters. "And what do you think you're doing?"

Jim takes Valen's hands in his, holding them tight. "I'm taking him home. You- you need to let him go. Please." He takes a shuddering breath and repeats his story that worked on the hunters upstairs. "My name is Jim Lieberman. This is Valen, the vampire who saved me from spending my life as a bloodbag." He's so much more than that. "He's never hurt anyone. You're torturing an innocent person. Please fucking let him out of this thing."

"This creature is capable of killing me with a word. I think it will be staying right where it is."

Valen lets out a pitiful whine and tugs on Jim's hand.

There's a clomping sound on the stairs, and Ari appears coming down. "You're so full of shit, Nick. You're not even the one who got your ass beat bringing that thing here. We didn't take him here for you to play with, we wanted answers, and you're done dodging the issue."

Nick looks stormy.

Jim keeps holding Valen's hands. "He's not a thing or an it! Stop treating him like he's not a person! Of, of course he fought back, Valen wouldn't hurt a fly even if someone was screaming in his face, you were kidnapping him! Wouldn't you fight back? If you were him?" He looks up at the spiky-haired woman tearily. "Please help. Please let me take him home. Please, I love him."

Ari sighs and rubs her temples. "All right, I've spent the last two days sitting upstairs trying to decide how I feel about this situation, and this raving lunatic showing up here rabid about this vampire being innocent is enough to push me off the fence. Nick, give him the keys."

"I beg your pardon," Nick says, eyes narrowed.

"Give him the keys, let him take the vampire home."

"You have no authority to tell me to do that," Nick says hotly.

"Oh! You're right. Sorry." She unholsters her revolver and points it at him. "How about now?"

Nick narrows his eyes. "You wouldn't dare."

Lex makes a "cut it out" motion across her neck to Nick, but Ari has already pulled the trigger and put a slug in the floor inches away from Nick's foot with a huge BANG, causing him to jump.

Jim screams and flinches hard when the gun goes off, eyes wide. He's not as terrified as Valen, but he's still terrified.

"The keys," Ari says brusquely.

Jaw set with hatred, Nick comes over and hands a keyring to Jim. He takes the keys from Nick and shakily unlocks the cage, reaching in and pulling Valen out.

"I've got you. I've got you. It's okay, we're gonna go home." He goes to take the muzzle off.

"Do me a favor and take that off after you get outta here," Ari says. "I'm sure this guy is safe for you, but he's none too pleased with us." She reholsters her gun and moves between Jim and Nick, staring Nick down.

Lex comes over and helps Jim lift Valen out of the coffin. "I'm sorry," she says tearfully. "This was a huge mistake, I shouldn't have let this happen."

Valen shakily stands between them on wobbly legs, tears streaming down his face

"I at least need to take the cuffs off so he can get dressed, it's still light out." Jim protests, holding Valen close. "What- what did you do with his clothes? I brought an extra change, but..." But you're fucking monsters. Even Kane didn't strip me.

Jim sniffles. "Valen's the gentlest soul on the face of the planet." He doesn't know if even Valen might be pushed to his limit by this and fight, but he wouldn't blame him if he did.

"Absolutely not," Nick says. "Throw a blanket over him or something. That's a safety hazard."

"Shut up, Nick," Ari snarls. "The keys for the cuffs are on that keyring too. Unlock him if you want." She pointedly does not answer the question of where his clothes went.

"I'm sorry," Lex says. "I didn't realize how messed up this was. Here, let me help you get them off."

Jim takes the hint that they've destroyed his clothes. Even Valen's cute plague doctor mask. He similarly avoids responding with anything meaningful to Lex's apology- it's not okay. None of this is okay. A teary "Yeah." is all he says to her.

He takes the cuffs off with Lex, swings his backpack around, and takes out the change of clothes he brought. "Here, lemme help you get dressed. You're gonna be alright. Goin' home." Jim maneuvers Valen into the clothes until every inch of him is covered, putting the mask on over the muzzle. "Brought some blood packs, too. You can take that thing off and drink in the car. Won't even be- won't even be light for long."

Valen allows himself to be manhandled in Jim's hands, safely bundled up back up, covered, armored, eyes glazed over and distant, barely responding.

"I really don't know what the director will have to say about this," Nick says maliciously.

A growl rips from Valen's throat, and he suddenly comes to life, ripping the mask off, hands fumbling with the straps of the muzzle.

"Shit," Ari says, and Lex backs away nervously.

Valen repels all the hands on him and rips the muzzle off with an animalistic snarl. Then he does something Jim has never seen him do before: he uses persuasion.

"Tell them what you did to me last night," he barks at Nick, eyes aflame, face crunched with his fangs bared.

Nick's gaze goes soft and distant, hypnotized. "I raped you."

"See what the director has to say about that," Valen snarls, and he grabs Jim's wrist and drags him up the stairs.

Jim cries out in anguish at the confession, horrified. He wants to go right back down there and sock the guy, but getting Valen as far away from here as possible as fast as possible is more important. "You f-fucking piece of shit! I'll kill you!" he screams back downstairs Valen drags him out, sobbing.

He hands Valen the backpack. "I'm sorry, I'm s-so sorry it took me this long to find you. Fuck, I can't imagine- why would they do this?" It's not a real question. It feels like the universe is determined to have as much horrible bullshit as possible happen to him and the people he cares about. I don't know how Liz can believe in a loving god in this world.

Ari, it sounds like, is way ahead of Jim, because she also shouts "You fucking what?" And as they rush out and away from the scene, the sound of fists meeting face sounds out loud and clear from downstairs, accompanied by more enraged shouting.

Valen's enraged mask falls as soon as he's upstairs, and he lets go of Jim's hand, sagging against the wall and bursting into tears. He slides down to his knees, strapping his mask back on with fumbling hands.

Footsteps from behind them as the sound of Nick getting the shit beat out of him downstairs continues. Lex comes up, also in tears. "I didn't know he did that," she cries. "I'm so, so sorry. I had no idea he would do that."

Jim goes to stand protectively in front of Valen. Now that he has the damn muzzle off, they're safe. He doesn't need to hold back. "No, when you kidnapped him to torture him, you had no idea you were handing him directly over to a rapist! That makes it all fucking okay!" Jim yells at her. "What's wrong with you?!"

Lex shrinks back. "I didn't --it's compli--I'm sorry," she finally settles on. "I didn't--I thought he was, like, like--come on, you know what vampires are capable of, you know most of them are monsters!"

"Get- get away from us." Jim sobs. "You've done enough. Valen's not the monster here. You're the ones torturing people in an- in an evil lab."

Lex looks like she wants to defend herself, but before she can do so, Valen snaps,"Go back downstairs."

Lex's eyes go distant and she impassively turns and goes down the stairs.

Valen clings to Jim's knees. "Can we please go home now, Jim? Please?"

Jim's glad Valen can just use persuasion to make their exit smooth, even if the distant look he remembers from Kane's party still gives him the creeps. "Yeah, we're going home. Goin' home right now."

Jim helps Valen up and to the car, opening the passenger side door and ushering him in. "There's blood in the backpack, if you can get it under the mask. Here, actually." Jim takes off his flannel and hands that to Valen, too. "You can make a little tent if you don't wanna wait for sunset. We're going home. I'm taking you home. Not gonna let anyone hurt you ever again."

He gets in the driver's seat and pulls onto the road.

"Thank you, Jim. Th-thank you." Valen takes the flannel and curls up on the floor on the passenger's side, jamming himself underneath the glovebox and using the flannel as a blanket to cover himself. "I'm, I'm very grateful you thought to bring food, but I don't think I can eat anything right now."

"Yeah." Jim wipes his eyes as he drives, but more tears keep coming. "I thought, thought you were dead. That you might be dead. Liz's been calling all the hunter branches looking for you. I left as soon as we knew where you were. It's over now. He's not gonna get away with what he did t'you. I'm so sorry, Vale. W-what do you wanna do first, when we get home?" He hopes thinking about nice things like sleep in our own bed or take a bath might help him feel better. Grounded. Knowing he got out.

Valen sobs. "C-call Liz, I suppose. I was just walking, Jim, th-they didn't even give me a chance to talk, I know that's smartest for them so I didn't just use persuasion, but, but they didn't even give me a chance, Jim."

"They're awful." Jim agrees. "They're fucking awful. You're a damn teddy bear. You've never been a threat to anyone. I can't believe they just- they just took you."

He never wanted Valen to feel this way. What it feels like to get taken. And on top of that, the burns, and if that wasn't bad enough, the rape. As if Valen wasn't traumatized enough already, he can't be safe from it in vampire or human territory.

"We're gonna go home, and I'll treat your injuries, and you'll get all cleaned up and into some nice soft pajamas, and you'll be safe and sound." he promises.

Valen trembles on the floor of the car. He's never felt this threatened by humans before. Hunters, a little. The bad neighbors, the potential for an angry mob to form--yes. But he's never been so thoroughly terrorized by humans that any human feels like a threat. He's...a little scared of Jim, somehow, inconceivably. This must have been how Jim felt when Valen had saved him from Kane.

When they get home, Valen wordlessly goes down into the sunless basement, curling up underneath the stairs, still crying.

Jim calls Liz and lets her know what happened, and she immediately goes to come over. Jim puts the untouched blood packs back in the fridge, grabs a big fluffy blanket, and goes to the basement he seldom enters.

"Knock knock." he says softly. "Liz is coming over. She's gonna stay over a bit, make sure you're nice and protected." Since they weren't exactly supposed to take Valen. "Can I come down?"

Valen lets out a strangulated sob. "Can--can you just give me a few minutes? Can you maybe come back in twenty minutes? Can you--can you lock the door and come back later?"

Jim is fucking heartbroken by how scared and miserable Valen sounds. "Course, whatever you want. Blanket incoming." He tosses the blanket over the side of the stairs. "I'll knock in twenty minutes, and if you don't want me down then either, it's okay. Lemme know if you need anything." His lip wobbles. He wishes he could take all the pain away, but he can't. "I love you." he says before he goes.

Valen just sits there, thinking about Jim, replaying in his mind the few days when they first met. Valen saving Jim, comforting him. The fact that the door is locked makes him feel secure--no one can get him.

He gradually starts to come down, and then he starts to want Jim. He slowly gets to his feet and drags himself up the stairs the next time Jim knocks and opens the door.

He walks straight into Jim's arms, plonking his face in Jim's shoulder, sniffling. "Thank you, Jim," he says, voice muffled. "I love you too."

Jim holds Valen close, rubbing his back. "You will always be safe here." he promises. "I can't make the world less fucked up, but I can promise you'll always be safe in this house." Valen's made him feel safe for years. He's determined to do the same. "Liz'll be over in like, ten minutes. You want me to get some cream for your burns? Or you wanna just leave it to heal?"

Valen sniffles. "Yes, please. I would like it if you rubbed the burn cream on me. I would like to see Liz. Thank you." He accompanies Jim to the bathroom.

Jim goes to take Valen's clothes off so he can see the injuries, but hesitates. "Can I see?"

Valen whimpers. How had he not thought this far ahead? This is Jim. Jim is safe. Jim has never been anything but safe. But...it's going to take a while for this to wear off. "I-I changed my mind, I don't want the cream that bad, I want to keep my clothes on. Please don't take them off, I want to keep them on."

"Then they're staying on." Jim agrees. "Do you wanna put it on yourself?" But there are burns on his back, they'd be difficult to reach. "Or- if, if it makes you feel safer, you could hypnotize me and have me do it." It's Valen. He trusts Valen enough for that. "Or we can just forget about it and go wrap you up in a burrito on the couch."

Valen shakes his head. The thought of using persuasion on Jim for anything but the most dire circumstances repulses him. "Let's just leave them. I would. Would like to be a burrito."

"Then a burrito you'll be." Jim leads Valen back to the living room and bundles him up all nice and cozy, sitting right by his side.

Liz arrives shortly, bursting through the door and rushing over. "Valen!" she wails, hugging him. "I'm so glad you're okay!" She thought it was going to be another someone she loves is taken away forever situation.

Valen hugs her back. "I'm so glad you were able to f-find me, Liz, thank you so much." He hiccups between words. "I-I don't know what I would have done w-without you."

Without us you never would have been in human territory in the first place. "Well, you got us. You got us for as long as we live. I'm your own personal bodyguard for the next few days, 'til we're sure everything's settled down. I don't think anyone's gonna come after you, but if anyone does, the great thing about silver bullets is they work even better on humans."

Valen clings to Liz and Jim both a lot over the next few days. They get word that Nick has been fired, apparently at the pushing of the two women who had met them at the compound, who reported to the director what they'd found out when Valen had used persuasion on Nick. Those two hunters also try to contact Valen--they eventually get word to Jim that they want to talk to Valen to apologize, but Valen says he doesn't want to talk to them, and tells Jim not to give them their number.

Valen still doesn't eat for a few days, and only breaks his fast when Jim and Liz finally force him to sit down and eat something. It's a long, long time before Valen works up the courage to go outside again, and the only time he does it by himself is at night, when he has to make his weekly trip back to vampire territory to buy blood. He continues to work on his project--at one point, the formula is far enough along that he can cut down on his trips to load up on blood to once a month.

The work is slowed down by Valen's newfound fear of leaving the house that Jim had promised is safe. But it is safe, safe and secure and still more than he ever thought he could have.

***

@barebarb

@cc1010foxy

@emcscared-whumps

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@hurtpluscomfort

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@melancholy-in-the-morning

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@whump-addict

@why-not-ask-me-a-better-question

#whump #K+J #angst #whumpblr #hurt/comfort

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pines4thetwin · 3 months ago

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Aaaahhhhh as someone who has had soul eater brainrot since childhood and is not recently getting into stancest- i need ur recent post injected straight into my bloodstream!!! Ugh if i may ramble a bit in ur inbox- the last bit being twin weapons and the betrayal that ford never transformed for him is so Tasty but also the angst of possible drifter stan era transforming for strangers for ~unsavory~ jobs meisters would rather not use their actual weapon for to make quick cash and stan hating every moment someone else's hands use him. But he's a charmer! A conman! He can resonate lightly with just about anyone but its always shallow and it never feels right for him always matching someone else's wavelength AND Then finding ford with Another weapon?? that he made a death scythe?? Ooohhh the angst

feel free to ramble in my inbox whenever

ahhh dont make me sobbbb. this one gets just a bit angsty

just gonna take this and say: liz and patty but if liz was alone (cause i think she definitely relied on patty as her rock and her light and stan would be a bit more like her imo) and didnt have patty to switch of with between wielding each other.

the ides of him selling himself as a weapon for hire basically to help with shitty and unsavory jobs??? *sobs on the floor* like yeah hes used to bending to the will of others so matching someone elses wavelength, even if its just enough to get the job done??? But he can do it even if he hates every second of it. i just know that left a mark on his soul!!!

i feel like even after he goes back to being partnered with Ford that theres always that moment after transforming, where his soul would recoil from the feeling of anothers just from those years of being a drifter. like he'd have to remind himself whose hands he's in because he used to let himself pass through so many (im sorryyyy) and itd take awhile for him to even get comfortable speaking to ford in his weapon form because with anyone else he would always just stay silent ahhhhhhh

also i think they'd have trouble with resonating. Ford would try to have them on the wavelenth that they had before but stan has changed so much since then (they both have) and that with the interference of blood (infected from fidds) i just think itd be a tough thing for them to settle back into.

i also think itd be cool to imagine them overcome with insanity (like that one scene with maka and crona fighting.)

i think maybe when they first gained the ability to transform fully that maybe stan and ford would switch off but at some point (with stans need to be useful and his devotion to ford) things change and stans always the one transforming. that isnt to say ford isnt devoted to stan also but thats a whole other conversation.

stan definitely lays up at night thinking about the fact that ford made someone other then him into a death scyth and once they reconcile he definitely throws that around when they argue (playfully >.<)

ooh imagine the first time stan feels ford matching his wavelength and letting stan lead instead of stan having to adjust himself to match ford like usual. i just know that would be one of the best feelings for him.

am i going off topic? i just have so many thoughts about this au!!!!

thanks for the askkk

(i meant to post this yesterday idk how i forgot)

#stancest #pines4the(t)win #giving them a soul eater au cause they deserve it

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knickynoo · 11 months ago

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Back to the Future: The Animated Series, s02ep12 "St. Louis Blues"

Previous episodes linked here.

In this episode:

Almost at the end of the series, folks. We don't have much Real Doc content left, so let's treasure our time with him while we can.

We find our friend Doc at the Hill Valley baseball field, where the Hill Valley Dreamers are playing against the Riverburg Big Dudes. According to Doc, the teams aren't very good, and most of the seats remain empty during the games. However, this hasn't stopped Doc from somehow managing to end up in the worst seat possible.

He does occasionally poke his head around the beam to talk to us, but he just. Goes back to sitting behind it. There is NO ONE else around, and he can literally sit in any seat he wants, but he's resigned himself to being unable to see the game.

I love Doc so much. Where else am I going to find a man who's like this?

As he enjoys an iced tea and a hot dog, Doc shares that the food and drink were both introduced at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904, which he went to with his family. We go into the cartoon then.

Marty and Jennifer are on a date to play mini-golf, but it isn't going well. If you've been keeping up with these posts, you probably know that Marty and Jen don't exactly have a great relationship. Jennifer is angry at Marty like 80% of the time on account of Marty being an immature doofus who likes to tease Jennifer and lie to her. As they play golf, a series of mishaps (due to Marty's clumsiness) causes Jen to be sprayed with water and then covered in green goo from the fake volcano.

Marty thinks this is very funny. Jennifer does not.

After laughing at Jen for a little, a girl in a convertible pulls up to chat with them. Her name is Liz, and she's apparently a rich, snobby girl who goes to Marty's college.

Liz asks Marty if he wants to be her date to a party at the country club or, "play kiddie golf with the witch." And even though Marty has plans with Jennifer (you know, his girlfriend) for later that night, he decides he'd rather go to the country club!! With this mean girl Liz!!!

Jennifer stomps away angrily, to which Marty does not even react. He just laughs and goes, "Well, looks like I'm free."

Jail for Marty.

He goes right to a barbershop to get a haircut in preparation for his country club date, but even the cheapest haircut is $92.50. Marty leaves and figures maybe he can borrow money from Doc.

Doc, Clara, Jules, and Verne are all at an amusement park. After paying $275 just for admission and then being charged $10 each for a drink, Doc and Clara propose they take the time machine to visit an old-fashioned amusement park where the prices are much more reasonable. Jules and Verne aren't interested, though; they want to stay and ride the present day thrill rides. Clara and Doc decide to take the trip themselves and tell the boys they'll be back in two hours.

Meanwhile, after arriving at the Brown home and finding it deserted, Marty comes upon one of Doc's inventions in the garage—the "Hair Cut O Matic." Ah, the perfect solution to Marty's problem!

Except, as is the case with most of Doc's inventions, it malfunctions pretty much right away. Marty barely has five seconds to admire his fresh new cut before his hair starts morphing before his very eyes.

Listen. Marty deserves this, okay?

Also, I don't think I've really mentioned this in past posts, but some episodes have quick segments called "Back to the Facts" which is when Cartoon Doc reads off a fun fact that relates to the episode. I assume these were played at the start or end of the commercial breaks? Anyway, this episode has an interesting one where Doc notes when the first roller coaster opened (1804) and mentions that they probably didn't go as fast as the "roller coasters of today—which can travel up to 66 mph."

I did some research because my initial thought was, "That can't be right. Roller coasters in 1992 could only go up to 66 mph??" But it appears that fact was right, as I looked up a list of coasters from that year and couldn't find any that went above around 60 mph. Which is crazy because that seems so...slow? Roller coasters today can reach much higher speeds, with the fastest coaster in the world ("Formula Rossa" in the United Arab Emirates) going almost 150 mph.

I personally have ridden the fastest coaster in North America, "Kingda Ka," which hits 128 mph. This beast:

Yes, the drop is every bit as wild as it looks. No experience like it. I think I've been on it two or three times? It gets shut down a lot because if there's significant enough wind, it sways and becomes too unsafe to ride, lol.

Must refocus. Marty goes to the amusement park to try to find Doc and ends up having to cough up $100 for the entrance fee anyway. So...Marty had the money. He just didn't want to use it for his haircut.

He has a stunning, beautiful braid at this point, btw.

Marty's hair briefly returns to normal, and he buys himself a hat to hide it as he continues to wander around the park looking for Clara and Doc. He's eventually spotted by Jules and Verne, and this is where I got sidetracked AGAIN because I could not for the life of me figure out what Verne was saying after he sees Marty. It sounded like, "Hey, lookie! Michael came back from The West!" I went back and listened two more times, and it sounded the same. I assumed it was an obscure reference to something, but I couldn't figure out what. Then I went and turned on the subtitles and saw the line is, "Fievel came back from The West!" which still didn't help me at all.

So, I did some searching and found it's a reference to An American Tail: Fieval Goes West, which is the sequel to An American Tail, a movie that's apparently about a Jewish mouse named Fievel Mousekewitz? I guess this is something the kids of 1992 would have known?

Marty, Jules, and Verne travel to the World's Fair in 1904 and set up the Time Train as a fair exhibit: The Train of the Future. A Tannen relative, P.T. Tannen, sees it and is intrigued. He's looking to set up an exhibit of his own that will bring in a lot of money, and for a moment, it looks like he might take the train. However, it turns out that he wants MARTY for his exhibit. A boy with magically changing hairstyles is just the thing he's looking for.

After kidnapping Marty and locking him in a cage, P.T. starts attracting quite the crowd to view such a freak of nature. Doc and Clara even wander in and are horrified to see who it is. The audience screams in terror as Marty's hair continues to change.

Doc and Clara attempt to create a diversion and rescue Marty, and there's a moment where another one of those weird mistakes with the animation happens. As you may remember, there have been instances of character's eyes and skin tones changing color randomly during scenes, as well as objects disappearing from the frame. This show is full of errors, but this one is a first. After being caught by P.T. Tannen, Doc's eyes inexplicably glow for several seconds.

I would love to know what was happening behind the scenes of this show because it's so sloppy a lot of the time.

After successfully escaping with Marty, everyone returns home. Marty dresses in a spiffy suit, gets his hair fixed, and takes the DeLorean over to Liz's house. There has not been one sighting of Marty's truck over the course of this whole show, so I assume he doesn't have one in the cartoon universe. He's always borrowing the DeLorean. Also, not a single mention of parents or siblings.

Marty's whole experience with his hair has taught him a very valuable lesson: it's not nice to make fun of other people. He tells Liz that he never should have teased Jen at the mini golf place and says he can't go to the country club with her. This doesn't bother Liz one bit since she found a "better" date to take her: someone who is rich and popular. Marty goes to Jen's house with flowers, pizza, and some movie rentals and apologizes to her. She forgives him, gives him a kiss, and we go back to Real Doc, who catches a baseball in his ice cream cone. He still attempts to eat it.

This is a fun episode. I like when I get to go and do a few minutes of research and learn about things like roller coaster speeds and animated mouse movies. But I can't believe so many episodes are built on the premise of Marty being a meanie and having to go through something awful to learn his lesson. Cartoon Marty is so wildly different from Movie Marty, and it makes me sad to think about the potential the show could have had. Bob Gale should approve a reboot of the cartoon but make it GOOD this time. He should hire the Tumblr BTTF fandom to work on it.

Join me next time as we head into the final episode of the series. 😭

#back to the future #bttf #bttf: the animated series

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connectionterminated13 · 8 months ago

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Agony AU again :)

So do all the Afton kids meet the same fates as they do in ‘canon’? Does Mike still get scooped? Liz still Babied? I know you mentioned Evan still got bit and that Mike absorbed some of him and Fredbear the other. Does Evan ever reform? What effects to Mike & Liz ‘deaths’ have on them with them being agony beings?

(Again, sorry if that’s a lot of questions in one go and if you haven’t really thought about it)

It does But not being flesh and blood humans they are slightly different.

Like Elizabeth still gets babied but Similar to Evan she starts inhabiting baby and refuses to come out. Unlike Evan who after you know getting his head bitten and part of himself absorbed was too weak to separate himself from Fredbear. Elizabeth just Likes being circus baby better partly because she's a little girl who thinks circus baby is really cool but also partly because well usually agony creatures inhabit something. It's kind of like turtles if you took away a turtle shell sure maybe it could possibly survive but it would hurt a lot and it would be left without protection. Circus baby to Elizabeth was like a turtle who it's whole life hadn't had a shell finding one that was like the softest in coziest shell in the world. So she chooses to stay in there and her resentment and want to escape sister location is less wanting to be human again and more not wanting her and her family (the funtime) to be trapped in a torture basement!

And then when Mikey comes along in sister location happens Elizabeth isn't trying to take Michael skin but make him realize that it's just like better her away. She cares about Michael and hates to see him letting himself suffer by like pretty much starving himself and walking around a turtle with no shell. She wants him to join her family and to let go of The identity was forced on to him like the one that was forced onto her by William. The only reason the scoop happens is because Elizabeth figures out that Michael won't realize willingly so she thinks that if she takes out a chunk of him with the scooper that he'll be more willing to understand. He isn't he just gets really mad because she ripped out a chunk of him. Elizabeth is understanding and tells him that if he ever needs her that she'll be around Utah.

After that Mike kind of just lays on the ground for a while before like getting up and trying to stumble out of sister location. After that it becomes 10 times harder to keep a human form at all. Whenever Mikey tries to look human it's always plastic and fake Because he refuses to regain the trunk of himself that he lost, by feeding more. He doesn't have the same energy to produce a convincing human disguise like he used to. It's a lot harder for him to go out in public because 9 times out of 10 people will clock him as something not human and freak out...

Yeah about Evan he doesn't Reform because just like Mike he doesn't have enough Agony he like properly get himself out of the Bear. William tries to give more to Evan but he refuses now knowing what he is and what that strange black liquid is.

Both the scooping and the babying Doesn't affect the metal like most bodily harm. Agony creatures can only be killed through being burned alive.

No it's fine I'm just sorry this is so long

#fnaf #Agony children au

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frazzledsoul · 9 months ago

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So the Rory/Logan/Jess timeline in S6 is a little...insane. I may have concluded that S6 lost all sense of time and logic when plotting out this story (if they actually bothered to do that, which they may not have).

Jess comes to visit Rory in Hartford on the Nov 5 episode (6.8). We know it takes place more or less in real time because he mentions that her birthday was a few weeks beforehand. He more or less causes Logan and Rory's breakup by getting Rory to realize that her current lifestyle is making her unhappy and she needs to refocus on her goals and ditch the aimless partying. I believe Rory moves out of her grandparents house right away and goes to stay with Lane.

The next episode is 06.09 (Nov. 15). Rory badgers her way into a job at the Stamford Eagle Gazette, reunites with her mother, and starts making plans to go back to Yale. People rag on Jess for not knowing the "real Rory", but his methods are pretty effective.

6.10 airs on November 22. It's Thanksgiving, so we are more or less in real time. Thanksgiving happens at the Dragonfly: Liz cooks. Jess does not attend. Logan's sister Honor calls Rory to tell her she's sorry about her breakup with Logan. They haven't spoken since Logan left her alone at the bar right after having dinner with Jess, so Logan decided to cut the cord by sending the word through Honor. As we find out later, he then starts sleeping his way through Honor's friends.

6.11 aired on January 10. Rory is back at Yale, so we're still in real time. I wonder if she saw Jess over the holidays. She moves in with Paris and Doyle.

6.12 airs on January 17. Logan decides he wants Rory back, but she rebuffs him. He goes to Lorelai and begs for her help, and Lorelai writes Rory a boyfriend recommendation letter. I think Rory is still undecided by the end of the episode.

6.13 is the infamous (and IMO, overrated) fighting episode. It aired on January 31. Rory doesn't reconcile with Logan until this episode, when he comes to her rescue at the paper.

6.14 is February 7. Paris is kicked out of her position as editor of the Yale Daily News and Rory is voted in. Paris kicks Rory out of the apartment and she moves in with Logan.

6.15 airs on February 14. It's the dreaded Valentine's Day episode. Logan (because he is insane, apparently) invites Luke and Lorelai to Martha's Vineyard for a couples weekend. As you will see, we are in real time here. Rory and Logan mysteriously have a weekend and domestic routine after being back together for two weeks and living together for one. What? How is that possible? He's also taught Rory to cook. I rather like this detail, but there is no way this was accomplished within a week. Did they take advantage of a time loop to accomplish this? So strange.

Oh, and they weren't living like this when Rory was at her grandparents during the summer and fall, because they spent all their time partying, Rory didn't have time, and the grandparents would have noticed if she was out of town with Logan every single weekend. Domestic Martha's Vineyard Logan is obviously someone who is trying harder and not partying so much, which is not who he was before the breakup.

Luke points out that he doesn't want to spend all weekend with Logan because "we don't know where we stand with this guy" and points out that Rory and Logan's relationship status changes every week. Luke was a giant douchebag this episode, but one can't blame him for being right.

6.16 aired on February 28. Rory finds out that Logan slept with Honor's entire bridesmaid party while they were separated, is upset that he "cheated" so soon after they stopped talking to each other, and moves out of his apartment and back in with Paris.

So basically they were back together a little less than a month.

I don't feel Rory is terribly sympathetic here. First of all, she had her tongue down both Tristan and Jess's throats within a day of her first two breakups with Dean, so she really is in no position to talk about moving on too fast. Second of all, the fact that they didn't clarify when exactly they broke up is on both of them because neither of them picked up the phone and asked the other one what was going on. No, Logan shouldn't have broken up with her through his sister, and yes, he should have told her what happened, and he certainly should have given her a heads up before she hung out with his sister's friends, but he technically did not cheat. At least not in the way Rory has done in the past or will a few weeks later with Jess. I don't feel she has the moral authority to proclaim herself as the aggreived one here.

6.16 airs on April 4. I'm not sure if this episode happens a week later or if it's an actual month. It's mentioned that Zach has been working his way up to asking Mama Kim for Lane's hand in marriage and he proposed the previous episode, so it very well could have been a month. Anyway, Logan talks his way into Rory reconciling with him and she moves back in.

6.18 (airing on April 11) is the episode where Rory goes to Truncheon and breaks Jess's heart into a million tiny pieces (again). This time she apologizes to him and admits that he deserves better than to be treated as her sidepiece. She returns to her Logan drama, while Jess is consoled by the many, many willing men and women of Philadelphia. Your slut destiny awaits, Jess. Enjoy.

As we all know, Rory dedicates herself to Logan when he gets injured, and he moves to London at the end of the season (which takes place on May 9) despite Rory accusing Mitchum of trying to interfere in their sacred love and begging him to let Logan stay (Rory, you've broken up and gotten back together twice in six months and have only actually been together about half of that time. Also, you were making out with your ex three weeks ago. Calm down). This relationship does not seem particularly stable. However, we get new writers the next season, so it calms down and both of them actually mature a little before having all of that growth reversed in AYITL while Jess stays awesome. Oh, well.

The thing is, imagine if Jess had made a move sometime in the two months when Rory was officially broken up with Logan (the first time) or if they got together over Christmas or if he had made a move after the second break-up while she was living with Paris. I'm not sure if Rory was mentally stable enough for Jess or if this version of her could handle a long-distance relationship, but that's not the point here. It could have gone so much smoother for both of them, and Jess wouldn't have to be roped against his will into another cheating scenario.

But, alas. Not to be.

#timeline shenanigans #literati speculation #gilmore girls

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lizisshortforlizard · 1 year ago

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Living Dangerously - Chapter 32

Jurassic Park’s animal handlers: none of them ever mentioned by name in Michael Crichton’s original novel. Who were they? What were their lives like on Isla Nublar? Did any of them survive the disaster?

A year in the life of those responsible for the care of the dinosaurs. Many people would kill to have their jobs.

But would they die for it?

Jurassic Park novel/Jurassic Park film (1993)

Viewpoint: 3rd person female oc

Warnings: some swears, this chapter is definitely M, 18+ due to one particualar line of dialogue. Minors dni.

Tagging: @heresthefanfiction @ocappreciation @wordspin-shares @howlingmadlady @arrthurpendragon @themaradwrites @starryeyes2000 @kmc1989 (please lmk if you would like informed of my sporadic updates)

Read on Ao3

Chapter 31 | Chapter 33

"Heroes" - David Bowie

“For Christ’s sake, girl!” Kathy practically ripped what remained of Lizzy’s dress off, yanked the shower door open and all but threw her inside. “You’re a darn icicle!”

The water was as baltic as the run-off from a glacier, heat yet to kick in and Lizzy’s teeth were still chattering violently.

“And don’t come out until you’re wrinkly!” Kathy snapped and left her to it, running a towel over her own head, as steam started to fill the room.

Lizzy scrubbed and scrubbed. She just couldn’t get rid of the smell of death. She imagined she still felt the raptor saliva clinging to her body, each faint hint of the stench making her want to gag. Lizzy kept trying to purge in vain until her skin was raw and angry, but the water continued to run dark red with a mixture of blood and dirt.

She gave up and simply stood under the water for a long time, as her limbs slowly defrosted. But her insides stayed cold and numb, and she started to cry, her sobs covered by the echo of the jets hitting tile.

***

Tom found Kathy by herself, sitting alone in the tiny kitchen in the staff lodge and staring at the wall.

“Everyone else has gone to bed, Kit.” He opened the fridge, half-heartedly scanning the contents before letting it fall shut again and leaning against it. “How’re you holding up?”

“I could be better.” Kathy told him. “That was pretty gruesome. I’ve never actually seen the aftermath before.”

Tom whistled. “Pretty rough one for your first time.”

”He’ll be back before we know it.”

Tom opened and shut his mouth in astonishment. Jeez, either her sense of humour was dark as night, or she had no clue.

”Uh…I don’t think he will be.”

“Huh?” Goddamn. She was serious.

“I mean, miracles are possible.” He slid into the chair beside her. “But I don’t know if we’re getting one this time.”

Kathy put her head in her hands, he didn’t notice she had broken until her shoulders started shaking silently.

“Hey, now.” He tried to put an arm around her but stopped when she leaned away from his touch. He hovered his hand above her and settled on an awkward back pat instead. “You’ve…er, you’ve got this.”

“Ughh…no, I don’t…” Kathy sniffed loudly. “I can’t wait it out until August-“

”You gotta-“ Tom’s heart dropped.

“But why? I could just go home to Minnesota now. I’d be flat broke-“

”We need you, and stuff. To lead. Lead the team.” He hurriedly tried to change her mind.

”Not much of a team to lead anymore.” She shrugged. “My jobs open, I guess you could fight Lizzy for it.”

”No, I need you-“ Tom realised he’d made a mistake. “-aw, Hell.”

“You…need me?” She blinked up at him. “Since when?”

”I, uh-“ He couldn’t meet her gaze. “Shit.”

“Talk.” Now she was looking at him all accusing, like, and Tom wished he was the one currently being zipped into a bodybag.

“Okay, here goes.” He sighed. “I kinda…couldn’t stop thinking about you over Christmas.”

“Huh?” This had to be a joke. Some ploy to get inside her head.

“It was the goddamn scarf you made. Something clicked…-“ He faltered. “That, and when Liz talked you into singing in front of everyone at the Christmas party.”

Kathy blushed and hid her face. After Lizzy had slaughtered a rendition of 9 to 5 which was very blatantly directed at Richardson, Kathy had followed her lead, with some convincing, and belted I Wanna Dance With Somebody at the top of her lungs.

”I’ve never heard anyone sing as pretty as you, lady.” Tom was still in awe, weeks later. “You could sing the anthem at the Superbowl.” “Oh, that’s very…kind of you.” She responded warily.

Kathy had her own series of might-have-beens. She likely could have made a career in the arts, but she’d always loved cats more than performing. And anyway, she had crippling stage fright. No exaggeration, she’d have to drink more than Muldoon to stand in front of the microphone on a regular basis.

“You’re the kind one. You’re far too good for this place.” He gave her a sideways glance. ”Even if you do cheer for the Vikings.”

”There’s always next year.” Kathy muttered angrily. Minnesota had been knocked out in the first round of playoffs, much to her chagrin. “‘94 is gonna be the one.”

”Cowboys will win on Sunday.” Tom said confidently.

”We’ll see.” Kathy raised an eyebrow. “Looks like I’ll be cheering for Buffalo, in that case.”

He chuckled. “Could be worse, you could be into baseball.” His comment reminded them both of Regis, in his Trenton Thunder cap.

Let’s roll.

Their smiles faded and they sat in solemn silence for several minutes.

“Tom, this has kind of come out of nowhere.” Kathy admitted, trying to process what was happening. He wasn’t bad looking, quite the opposite in fact, in a rough-around-the-edges way, if you liked that sort of thing.

But it was always his manners she’d found off-putting. And she genuinely had no idea he felt that way about her when everything he’d ever done indicated he positively loathed her entire existence.

She tugged on one of her braids, studying his expression carefully. “Why’d you tell me now? I’d made my peace with us never communicating outside of work.”

”I know, I know.” Tom looked guilty. “I wasn’t going to bring it up, but with Rico-“

Every word that came into his head was too permanent, too final for Kathy’s state of mind, so he changed tack mid-sentence.

”If something happened to me, I’d like to think I’d have no regrets.” He shrugged. “So there ya go.”

He nudged her shoulder with his, and this time, she didn’t recoil.

”I like you, lady.”

That should do it.

They usually just fell into his arms. And then his bed. It was easy. But Kathy didn’t move a muscle. Or even say anything. She was just smiling at him politely like she wasn’t quite sure what to do.

“So, uh, how about it?” He prompted her. “You seeing anyone?”

“No.”

He grinned. “Awesome.”

”Sure, I’m single.” She and her high-school sweetheart had called it quits the previous winter. “But the no was my answer to your first question.”

“Grea- wait, what do you mean, no?”

Tom couldn’t remember a girl ever telling him no before.

”There’s been some undertones.” Kathy started off demurely, then exploded at him. “Hang on, screw that. You’ve been an absolute dweeb-“

Tom’s eyes widened at the verbal attack.

“-no, a complete and utter dick to me! You expect me just to drop everything and do what you want?! Now that you’re being civil?!”

“Okay, you can stop, I get it-“

“Talk about regrets?” There was no stopping it now, the emotion was just pouring out of Kathy. She was formidable. And she didn’t even raise her voice, not once. Her softness was all the more jarring. “You’ve made me feel like crap! You’ve embarrassed me, undermined my authority in front of pretty much everyone. Don’t you regret that?”

”I do, actually. I’ve realised why I was giving you such a hard time.”

”Well, please enlighten me.”

”It’s pretty complicated.”

”I’m pretty smart.” She said sharply. “I’m sure I can keep up.”

“Wow, we’re really getting into it tonight, huh?” He lamented even going into the kitchen at all.

“I’m waiting.”

“Jeez, you’re feisty when you feel like it-” Tom huffed. Where to begin?

“Okay, if it means so little to you, then I guess I’m leaving-“

“Wait, fine!” He groaned, rubbing his eyes in exhaustion. “…Richardson got to me early on, took me under his wing. I thought he was the mentor I’d always been looking for. That him and me were simpatico. The same.”

”You aren’t the only one.” Kathy could see why he’d targeted the southerner. Playing into a certain stereotype, Tom was the obvious choice.

“Well, he made promises he didn’t keep. Told me every chance he got that you, Liz, Muldoon, none of you were the right fit for the place.” Tom confessed. “That he had someone else in mind before Muldoon put Liz forward for her job. Someone better.”

“That’s why he doesn’t like her?” Kathy didn’t know why she sounded so shocked. Everything Tom had told her thus far had made perfect sense. “Because Elizabeth wasn’t his first choice?”

”She wasn’t his choice at all. He despises her. Richardson likes his women submissive. Seen and not heard.” Tom continued. “He thought he could easily make her leave, but she’s thriving here. Rattled some cages. Trust me, it’s only because Liz and Muldoon are so goddamn stubborn that this place hasn’t turned into a boys club.”

“Oh, screw that.”

“Be glad of those two. If they weren’t here, you and Isaac, maybe Julian too, would have been outta town within the first month.” Tom nodded meaningfully. “He’d have made it impossible for you to stay.”

He paused, chewing the inside of his cheek thoughtfully. He would have likely been part of that ousting process. But things were different now. A certain ethologist had fought for and won his respect. Rattled his cage, indeed.

“Jeez…I’m so glad I was put on Carnivores.” Kathy murmured.

“Me too. I was originally supposed to report back to Richardson with anything…untoward.” Tom shook his head. “He was absolutely convinced Liz was sleeping with someone higher up.”

”What, he thought she’d do the same for him?” Kathy snorted, only half-joking.

”Evidently. He ain’t got it as bad for her as he does for María, I’ve heard him say some damn awful things. Like, make you lose your lunch, sick.”

Kathy shook her head, she didn’t want to think about that. “What happened?”

“I realised that Richardson was wrong about plenty. Especially Liz.” Tom thought back to that fateful day Muldoon locked them both in the cupboard to work things out. “Everything he told me about her was a lie. That she was a spoiled, dumb, little wh-…uh…”

“Say it.” Kathy insisted. “You need to.”

“He called her a whore.” Tom looked thoroughly ashamed. “I believed him.”

“Past tense?” She pointed out. “So you definitely aren’t his right-hand-man anymore?”

“Eh, I’ve pissed him off one too many times, I reckon. Liz has done nothing wrong, God forbid she’s actually good at her job, and he didn’t like it when I told him so.” Tom smirked. “She’s alright. Though I do miss really winding her up.”

“You still do that.” Kathy pointed out.

“Yeah. Even if anything…happened-“ Tom cleared his throat. “I’d probably stay quiet about it now.”

“Well, aren’t you a saint.” She remarked.

“Muldoon’s a good man. He’s fair. Which means a lot around here.” He looked downtrodden. “But I’m still not sure he does anything other than tolerate me.”

”No, he likes you.” Kathy told him, her voice rising in pitch. He snorted at her obvious lie. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

“Well, he doesn’t hate you!” She exclaimed. “That’s an achievement.”

”He told you?” His expression brightened.

”Something like that.” Kathy nodded. “He tells me most things, verbally or otherwise, I can usually figure him out.”

“You’re lucky.” Tom sounded genuinely envious. “I can’t read the guy at all. I just-…nah…”

”Go on.”

“Promise not to make fun?”

“Cross my heart.”

”I don’t care what Richardson thinks of me anymore.” Tom hesitated. “I kind of care, a lot, about what Muldoon thinks.”

Dare he even think it, let alone utter the words, he wanted the guy to be proud of him. Something he’d never, ever, get. Pathetic. Goddamn, what a loser.

”I think you’re doing okay.” Kathy told him quietly. He’d made wrong choices, sure, but Tom could still turn it all around. “Recently you’ve been almost bearable.”

“I’ll take that.”

“So, what’s next for Richardson’s white supremacy vision?” Kathy leaned back and stared at the ceiling, blinking hard. She’d thought of Rico again, and the tears were threatening to make another appearance.

“Well, it’s not good. Travis says he never goes out in the park with them. His own team is getting pissed off with him. They want what we have. They want a Muldoon.”

”Mutiny?”

”Maybe.” Tom agreed. “It’s not gonna be pretty.”

“I might not be here to see it.” Kathy sighed. “Shame.”

“You’re dead set on heading back to the States, huh?”

“I’m going to my new job at the Smithsonian.” She said fiercely. “Nothing’s gonna change that. It’s really important to me. The interview was terrifying.”

”I get it.” He glanced at her sideways. “I still got a couple months with you, right?” “With me?” She raised an eyebrow. “Why, you planning on doing better?”

“Well, yeah.” Self-improvement was a relatively new concept. “Even if nothing…-I’d like to think we could hang out more. Just us, maybe. I could be your acc-…accom-…accomp-…the fella who plays guitar.”

”Can you even play guitar?” “Well, not yet. But I’d learn how if you would sing for me.”

“Very good.” Kathy smiled, in spite of herself. “Here’s what I want-“

”You want it, you got it.”

“Listen up. Prove you’re on my side.” She deliberately tapped the countertop between each word. “It’s that simple. Just don’t be a dick anymore, Tom.”

“Can I still be a little bit of a dick? Only not to you.”

”As long as you’re not a huge dick.”

“I’ll be your dick.” He thought he’d blown it, wincing. “Wait, no-“

Fortunately, she laughed. “There are far too many length descriptors in this conversation for my liking.”

“Sorry.” ”’S’okay. By all means, be a useful dick when appropriate to do so. Be our dick.” Kathy finally got up to leave, even if she couldn’t sleep, she still needed to crash out on her bed. “And boy, you better start learning guitar.”

***

Lizzy gave a final look to her dress, crumpled like a dead bird in the sink, no longer red, no longer a one-piece, balled it up and threw it in the trash.

If Regis was really that pressed about it, he could take it out of her salary. She didn’t care. She would be happy to never see that man again.

Call off your dog.

Bastard. She whispered at her own reflection in the mirror. Makeup washed away, she still didn’t recognise herself. The haunted look in her eyes, and gritty blood trapped under her fingernails kept pulling her back to the moment she had rolled Rico‘s body over and seen what resembled a dissection diagram laid out on the muddy ground at her feet.

But she had finally pulled herself back into enough recognisable pieces to face the world. She reminded herself it wasn’t over yet. She was acting like Rico was already dead. Everyone else was too.

He may as well be.

She wondered if the helicopter had made it to Bahía Anasco. If they had found a doctor. If he had still been alive at that point. So many what-if’s and no answers.

Lizzy padded up to the kitchen in her bare feet and the clothes she usually slept in, hair still in damp ringlets after towel-drying.

She heard Kathy and Tom’s voices, talking low and hushed. It sounded like an important conversation. Suspiciously resembling a heart-to-heart.

Lizzy was about to push her way in to join them, but changed her mind.

She would be kidding herself, and them, by third-wheeling. She didn’t want to think anymore. She didn’t want to chat.

She knew exactly what she wanted. And who she wanted it from. Lizzy about-turned and marched back down the corridor, arriving outside a door that wasn’t hers, but one she knew well.

Screw the goddamn rules.

Knock knock. And because she was in a spectacularly bad mood, still seething at Regis, she kicked the door for good measure.

He didn’t answer fast enough for her liking.

She wondered if Muldoon also wasn’t in the mood for talking. That was alright, because talking wasn’t what she had in mind. Knock knock kick again.

Chances were, he already knew it was her, and for whatever reason, was keeping her waiting. Lizzy jogged from foot to foot impatiently, he needed to hurry up, before anyone saw what she was up to.

There would be questions. The park warden regarded her suspiciously as he finally opened his door.

“Well, you look a damn sight better.”

”I don’t feel any better.” She answered bluntly.

“Likewise.”

Lizzy sidled closer, hoping he’d take the hint. She waited expectantly for him to let her in, but he just stood, unmoving in the doorway.

“Why are you here, Armstrong?”

“I don’t want to be alone.”

“What’s wrong with Baker’s company?”

“She and Tom are having a moment.”

“Really?” He looked genuinely interested. “Strange.”

“I know, right?” Lizzy shook her head, ready to elaborate, then realised she was being misdirected. ”That’s not the point!”

“Then get to it.” His expression didn’t change. “Quickly.”

“I don’t want Kathy. I want you.”

She wanted to feel safe. With Kathy, she was the protector, always the protector, always looking out for everybody, with her siblings, co-workers, even bloody Simon. She wanted to be protected, for a change. Just for one day.

Muldoon looked exasperated. “We’ve already been through this, we can’t-“

“Please.”

“This isn’t a good time.”

“Look, here. I have had quite possibly the worst day of my adult life, and-…why? What are you doing?” Her gaze flicked past him to the table. “Oh, you better not be-“

He defensively moved to block her view. “So what if I am? Rough night and all that.”

“You are!” She cried in dismay. “Seriously? Are you trying to kick me when I’m down?”

“Then leave, if you don’t want to see it. Go back to your own room, and stay there.”

She became apoplectic with him. How dare he? They were all struggling, and he’d chosen to suffer alone, again. Turning to drink, instead of company. Instead of the rest of the team. Instead of her.

But this time, she wasn’t running away. Not without a fight.

“Absolutely not.”

Lizzy ducked under his arm in a flash and headed straight for the table.

She knew she had to get through to him somehow, and she had a feeling it wouldn’t be pretty.

Lizzy snatched the bottle off the table and looked him dead in the eyes as she started necking down the contents.

“For Christ’s sake, Armstrong-“

“It’s not nice, is it?” Lizzy stopped for breath, head already swimming, throat on fire, dodged him and continued downing gulps of whiskey as she tried to evade, keeping the table between them. “Watching me do this to myself?”

No, it wasn’t nice. It was bloody awful.

Lizzy nearly tripped, swallowed the wrong way and started a coughing fit. Christ, it burned. But she recovered quickly, from years of practice as a teenager in the darkest alleys of Glasgow.

“Serves you right.”

“God ‘sake, this is awful stuff.” She peered at the label on the bottle, struggling without her glasses. “Eighteen-year? I don’t bloody think so! You really drink this?”

“Not tonight, apparently.”

“Then I may as well just pour the rest of it away?” She stepped backwards and hovered the bottle tauntingly through the open window, threatening to upend it. “Remove temptation.”

“Alright, that’s enough, Lizzy.”

“First name?” She smirked, but set the bottle back down on solid ground. “Oh, I am in trouble.”

It felt all wrong. She hadn’t dared confront anyone about a possible alcohol problem since she’d ended up with a broken arm in her teens. Her shoulder was aching that very moment, from the cold and rain, and she rolled it unconsciously, a nervous habit, stretching it out with an audible creak.

Muldoon watched her do it, the way her mouth tightened involuntarily from the pain she was used to dealing with every single day. Not all of it physical.

He couldn’t do this to her. She was trying to help him. Trying to fix something, since she had failed to fix Esteves, in the jungle.

Her eyes were a little out of focus as she glared at him. He waved a hand slowly back and forth, and as her gaze followed, it was definitely lagging.

“Are you wrecked? Already?” He sank down on the bed, looking incredibly weary. “I thought your sort knew how to handle your drink.”

“You would assume so.” Lizzy hiccuped. “Funnily enough, I can’t stand whisky anymore. How’s that for ironic?”

“You’re a ridiculous woman.” Then partly to himself. “Who in their right mind would-“

”If I drink it all, there’s none for you.” She was beginning to sway back and forth with a thousand-yard stare. “Actually, mate, I don’t feel very good.”

Lizzy barely drank anymore, for personal and obvious reasons. When she did, she could hardly keep up with Kathy, and she didn’t even want to.

“Ridiculous.” He repeated. “Go, get into bed, now.”

Lizzy only blinked at him, stunned.

“To sleep, you lunatic. You’re half-cut.”

She raised a finger and whispered very deliberately. “That may be true.”

Even in her bleary state, she’d spotted a loophole.

He’d made no mention of Lizzy getting in her own bed. And he wasn’t sending her away that easily.

She started undressing, right in front of him. She’d made up her mind she was staying the night. Hell nor high water was getting her out of that room. He was not drinking on her watch. This was a stakeout.

“What are you-“

“Maybe you should try the thirty-four-year-old instead.” Lizzy interrupted loudly as she slid her shorts down over her hips, kicking them off across the room. “Just saying.”

“The thirty-four-year-old is really testing my patience.”

“But will make you feel so much better.” She sidled over, standing in front of him with bare legs. “No hangover.”

“Just a permanent headache.” He replied cynically.

“Tastes better, too.” Her eyebrow twitched suggestively, and the mood changed in an instant.

His gaze was now dragging over her body in an entirely different way. “Does she, now?”

She murmured affirmation as she bent forward and took both his hands in hers, placing them around her middle. Lizzy lifted the hem of her baggy t-shirt, getting ready to pull it over her head.

“Lizzy-“ He warned. This was going too far.

“Have you had enough of me?” She asked in a low voice.

Never. But he didn’t want her like this. Not at his best, for lack of a better phrase. He’d already made it a fair way through the bottle before she’d rudely interrupted.

He told her as much, but it didn’t seem to put her off at all.

Lizzy smiled coyly. “Who says you have to do anything?“ She was looking at him from under her eyelashes as she elaborated. “I like being in charge too, y’know?”

She had very nice legs, strong legs. It was difficult to push away the thought of those on either side of his, straddling him, if she took the lead, as she was implying.

She felt good, as he was running his fingers up and down her thighs. Watching her shiver and arch her back slightly, battling whether to reach up and squeeze that lovely rear of hers before thinking better of it and letting his hands drop down, away from her body. Lizzy’s smile faded and she folded her arms over her chest.

“I know, Lizzy. But you’ve been drinking.”

“So have you.” She quite rightly pointed out.

“Makes it double the mistake then, I’m afraid-“ he held her gaze, “-fucking you.”

The sound of Lizzy’s sharp intake of breath filled the whole room. She’d never heard him say that word before, it was always damn this, bloody that. And it honestly shocked her. The switch was flipped between them, and she wasn’t sure what to do with herself.

He did that on purpose.

“Very chivalrous.” She stammered awkwardly, recovering her ability to speak after a flustered moment and sat down beside him, spell broken. “You must hate always being right.”

“Now more than ever.”

She stretched and flopped back on his bed. God, she was exhausted. The chill from the wind and rain had cut down to her bones. Though the taste was lingering on her tongue in a way she wasn’t a fan of, the burning scotch was starting to warm her up pleasantly from the inside, her lids were so heavy. She felt herself sinking downwards, gradually relaxing muscles that she didn’t even know she’d been tensing.

Felt like home. Not Glasgow, not New York, but exactly the way her bunk smelled in her favourite place in the world at the end of a long, hot day. Of the outdoors, and sun-warmed leather.

Going to rest my eyes, just for a second. Got to stay awake-

He was talking to her again, but she was too tired to process what he was saying.

“Uh-huh, yeah…I’m still here…” She mumbled.

Then oblivion.

“Armstrong?” No answer. “…Lizzy?”

When he looked around she was fast asleep with her mouth open, sprawled out and limbs pointing in all directions.

He didn’t have the heart to wake her.

“Suppose you are staying, then.”

***

By Christ, she snored.

Rhinoceroses were quieter. The damn tyrannosaur was quieter.

But it was oddly reassuring, instead of the usual dead silence, alone with too many of his own thoughts. Like heavy rain on tent canvas, or cicadas.

If it were a biblical plague of cicadas Muldoon thought to himself.

She hadn’t stirred when he’d picked up her legs to move her underneath the covers. If anything, she’d snored even louder in protest.

He’d swithered for a long while about actually getting into bed with her. It almost felt wrong it was that easy, after months of thinking about this exact situation, and she wasn’t even awake.

It was her idea in the first place. Where else could he go, sleep in his damn Jeep?

He couldn’t do that to her, just leave her to wake up alone. She needed him, come looking for him for a reason, though slightly misguided.

But this is not a reward. She won’t stay next time. She’ll leave and not come back.

Muldoon vowed to do his best to make sure there wouldn’t be a next time. This was his last chance.

Armstrong’s ridiculous, half-baked, hastily-constructed plan had paid off.

Ridiculous, indeed. She was the most ridiculous woman he’d ever met.

And brave. Damn brave, to face him in this state. With that thought, Muldoon felt incredibly guilty. She shouldn’t have had to do all that in an attempt to get through to him.

He couldn’t stop thinking about what he would have done if it had been Armstrong attacked, instead of Esteves. If she were the one lying cold and motionless, headed to the mainland for the last time.

But she was alive, only sleeping, and she was right there.

He watched her chest rise and fall for a few minutes, just to reassure himself she was unharmed. Her ribcage wasn’t caved in, her skin wasn’t leaching colour from exsanguination.

She was warm and soft and kept on fidgeting endlessly, limbs pointing in every direction, shuffling closer to him in her sleep, until he was pressed against the wall and couldn’t possibly move any further away from her.

When she flung a hand out restlessly, reaching for something he couldn’t see, Muldoon gave up and put an arm around her middle, letting her in.

Can’t say I didn’t try. She sighed softly, resumed snoring at quite frankly worrying decibels and stopped twitching every half a second.

The whiskey glass, still in its place on the table caught his eye, glinting in the moonlight.

For the first time in a very long while, he didn’t want it.

No, this would do instead.

***

Thanks for reading!

#jurassic park oc #living dangerously #welcome to jurassic park #oc: dr lizzy armstrong #jurassic park female oc #jurassic park #jurassic park fanfiction #my writing #robert muldoon #robert muldoon x female oc #my fanfiction #jurassic park fic #robert muldoon x ofc

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lesbianmaxevans · 2 years ago

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Max & Liz from Roswell, New Mexico (2019-2022) || Nick & George from Nancy Drew (2019-2023) [part I] happy birthday @helloyona

[Image Description: Nine stacked gifs, each one divided vertically in half. On the left is a scene from Roswell, New Mexico. On the right is a scene from Nancy Drew. Each gif also has capitalized, blocky text overlaying the images in the center.

THE GUARDED, CLOSED OFF ONE: Liz says, “I don’t trust people. I’ve been burned too many times. I use facts and evidence to build a cage around my heart. I can’t help it, I can’t change it. And, honestly, I don’t think I would want to. It’s my armor.” // George says, “ I have a mother who is a neglectful alcoholic, and I’ve had to raise three little sisters on my own. It was really hard, but I adapted, and life hasn’t made me nice. It’s made me vicious.“

THE PROTECTIVE, RUNS INTO DANGER ONE: Max runs into a building as Liz calls after him // Nick quickly runs into a lake after a friend (offscreen) while George watches, visibly scared

TOP-TIER LOVE CONFESSIONS: Max stands in front of Liz and says, “But you’re not perfect. I see your faults. And I love you. Easily. You believe in the good in me when I can’t see it. So, is it so crazy that I believe in you too? Without evidence. I just… know.” // Nick gently tucks a strand of George’s hair behind her ear. She stares at him in shock as he says, "I love you. You take care of everything and everyone, and I know you don’t need anyone to take care of you, but you need to know you’re loved. Okay, you asked me before what changed from yesterday to today, what do I stand to lose, and… It’s us.”

LIFE-ALTERING FIRST KISS: (this is pretty self explanatory)

DEATH & RESURRECTION: 1 - Liz cries over Max’s lifeless body. 2 - Rosa uses her new ability to restart his heart. // 1 - Nick stares helpless at George after she’s been impaled. 2 - George gasps for air after Nancy uses a magical shroud.

AMNESIA PLOT: Liz looks relieved as she hugs Max, when she pulls away Max says, “I’m - I’m so sorry. Have we met?” // George rushes to Nick, saying, "Nick, you’re okay!” He recoils from her and responds, “Uh, who are you? Wait, you know me?”

FATAL ILLNESS POST RESURRECTION: Max, clearly not in a healthy state is talking with Isobel. M: "The heart is what’s the matter.” I: “No. You’re better. Valenti did a transplant. It’s better.” M: “Yeah. And my body’s rejecting it.” // George is talking to her grandmother’s spirit, and she tells George, “Your life line is beginning to merge with Odette’s. Your original line had a rocky start, but ended up happy and long. Odette’s life line is violent and brief. If you do not find a way to sever your connection, your life line will be greatly shortened.”

SABOTAGING NEWLY-FOUND STABILITY: After Max learns of her experiments, Liz says, “I’ve discovered something that could be the key to curing people who have no hope otherwise. I can’t walk away!” Max angrily responds, “So you’re gonna turn my family’s stem cells into the hottest commodity?” // George says, "[Dating other people is an] option that I never got to explore when I had an expiration date. I want us to be together for the right reasons, not because we just settled for each other.” Nick, in disbelief, responds, “Oh, you -- you settled for me?”

DOUBLE PROPOSALS: 1 - Max seems very emotional as he says, “What I want to say is that meeting you and being with you elevated my life. When you moved in, you did something I didn’t think was possible. You taught me that I can grow so much more.” 2 - On another occasion, Liz smiles as she holds a ring box behind her back. // 1 - George stands in front of Nick and says, “No more delayed gratification. No more waiting... Ned Nickerson… Will you marry me?” 2 - Nick kneels as he holds a ring box and says, “My answer’s yes. It’s yes. It always has been, with my… with my whole heart... No matter what tries to get in our way, I am never saying goodbye to you. In this life or the next.”]

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queensofthewolves · 8 months ago

Text

Later that night while Klaus and Rebekah were at Marcel's gala putting their plan into motion. Hayley and I walk out into the backyard of the Mikaelson's manor to look around. They have a beautiful pool out back that I would love to take a swim in if I wasn't pregnant and worried about catching a cold. Klaus would probably have my head. There are beautiful roses growing in the gardens and big beautiful trees all around. This is a place that I would love to bring my daughter or son back here to play or to just enjoy the sun shine.

It is just absolutely breathtaking out here. They must compel people to keep it in good condition.

"It's a nice night out tonight." Hayley says.

"I agree. It's just so peaceful. We better enjoy it while we can, because as soon as Rebekah and Klaus's plan set in motion, it's going to be hectic."

"Amen sister, amen."

As we continue to look around, I have a feeling we were being watched and it didn't help that I heard a crunching sound either. "Did you hear that?" I ask Hayley who nodded. Putting her body in front of mine for protection as we slowly make our way to the place where the sound came from. As we headed into the direction of where the sound coming from, I felt a pull like someone or something was pulling me in that general direction.

Stopping at the garden wall we look into the wooden area to see to our surprise three werewolves looking at us. "Werewolves, Hayley." I said to her in shocked and surprise. Seeing the same express on her face we turned our attention back to the wolves. They were beautiful. They all look like siblings. They had the same golden ring around their pupils. We thought all the wolves were gone and now we have hope of finding some family left after all.

"They must be siblings. That one there is a girl with a grayish white and black fur. She's beautiful. I'm almost jealous of her looks."

Hayley laughs at me as we turned our attention to the two male werewolves. Both Hayley and I felt drawled to them. One of the male wolves that capture my attention was the one with dark brown, white, blond, grayish fur mixed together. He's beautiful. The more I look at him, I feel a connection. He growls a little at me and I felt my wolf inside me response.

My wolf like this wolf and I couldn't denial the attraction I felt toward this wolf or the pull I felt toward him earlier when I first heard the noise. It was like his eyes were piercing into my very soul, kind of like Elijah's eyes were. Shaking that though out of my mind.

Looking over at Hayley I could tell she felt the same way about her wolf. His fur is grayish white with some blond and black mixed in.

"Hayley you're drooling." I said to my sister, nudging her side with my elbow.

"Stop it, Liz. He's hot okay. My wolf inside is practically clawing at me to get out and meet him." She growl at me.

"There both hot, Hays." I said to my sister agreeing. My wolf was also practically clawing to get out to, but because I'm pregnant I can't turn.

"You already have a hot boyfriend coming back to you, this one is mind." I could have swore that I heard two growls coming from the girl and boy wolf.

"As you wish, dear sister. As long as he treats you right, that's all I care about, but if he hurts you, then I will rip him to shreds."

"Thanks dear sister, it's nice to know you have my back. The same goes for Elijah if he hurts you, I'll rip him to shreds too. " Looking over at the two wolf who growl before starting growling again. " I think someone is jealous or they just don't like vampires." "Werewolves and vampires generally don't get along. Our bite could killed a vampire." Eliza nodded at Hayley's words. That was another reason she couldn't be with Elijah. She didn't want to accidentally kill him. Plus his family has issues with werewolves. She didn't know what he could possibly see in her. She was a beast, a monster, a killer.

#hayliza #hayley marshall #eliza marshall #the originals #my edits

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thebreakfastgenie · 2 years ago

Note

Since you have more than a concept… ☔

☔ Is there a fic concept you have that you'd like to just explain and share because you're not sure you'll ever write it? If so, what is it?

I have so damn many. You know what. Fuck it. It's been this long, even if I'm still planning to write Jed Bartlet's funeral, which I am, I can explain it here.

It's exactly what it says on the tin. It's set in March 2011, although I was very tempted to move it to election day 2010 because I want Josh Lyman to suffer as much as possible. I chose 2011 because I wanted it to be early in the second Santos term; I wanted the death to feel a bit premature. Because I'm a bad person.

It follows the week of Jed Bartlet's death, from his death on Tuesday to his funeral on Sunday, and everyone being back at work on Monday. I did some research at one point to make this work with lying in state but I forget what I figured out.

The fic opens with Josh answered the phone in the middle of the night. He tells Donna "it's the First Lady," and she thinks it's for her because he clarifies that it's Abbey. Abbey tells him that Jed died, and that he's the first person she called after the girls. He died suddenly and unexpectedly; he wasn't sleeping, so he'd gone into his study, and Abbey went to check on him. He said "Abbey, something's wrong" and went into respiratory arrest. Abbey called for help and tried her medical skills, but he didn't make it. Abbey keeps repeating "we were supposed to have more time." After talking to Josh, she hangs up to call CJ, and Josh and Donna decide they can't go back to sleep. Josh prepares to tell Santos first thing in the morning.

The rest of Tuesday is various conversations informing everyone else. Wednesday through Friday get various people to New Hampshire. CJ is the first one, she goes right away and leaves the baby with Danny, who will join her in a couple days. Josh has a conversation with Zoey, because he hasn't seen her cry. Zoey tells him she cried for two day straight but then she saw her mom, sisters, and Charlie (who she's married to) crying and pulled it together.

All the canon couples, including Will and Kate, are still together, although they have a complicated semi-long-distance arrangement because he's in Congress in Oregon. Sam is married to his offscreen fiancée, who does not appear. She can't go to the funeral because of work, but it's implied their marriage may be in trouble.

Josh has a bit of a breakdown about his fears of dying young the night before the funeral, and the conversation turns to whether he and Donna want kids.

Just about every character ever shows up for the funeral, including both Hoynes and Russell. Mallory brings the napkin and has a nice moment with Abbey.

After the funeral, the main characters all have a wake at a local bar. They peel off for various reasons (Charlie wants to get back to the family, for example) until it's the original group left and when Donna goes to hail a cab, it's just Josh, Toby, CJ, and Sam. They all get very, very drunk.

Liz is considering finally divorcing Doug.

Toby goes to Andi's house after leaving New Hampshire, and ends up crashing on her couch. They take the kids to school together in the morning, and Andi asks Toby to get coffee. It hints at a future for them, unconventional but together, if Toby slows down and stops asking her to marry him.

Will and Kate get engaged while drunk, and Monday morning decide to think about it, but mutually agree to get serious about their relationship.

Donna orders breakfast for her and Josh, and shows him the birth control pill she didn't take.

I'm not sure I ever worked out CJ and Sam's final scenes. It ends with everyone getting on with their lives and certain things having progressed. The summary is "everyone comes together to bury a great man."

#of course if I write this now 2023 me will give Vinick a bigger role #lol

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olsenmyolsen · 2 years ago

Text

The Chicken Pt. 2

Part 34 of On The Inside With Elizabeth Olsen

Word Count: ~6.3K

masterlist

I'd like to send a big thank you to Theblackdalialived for their help on improving this chapter!

TW: Hospitals and everything to do with them :) Mentions of broken bones and bleeding. Panic attack.

I think the ending of this chapter is one of the cuter things I've written 💛

Liz POV

"Sorry to keep you all waiting. Hi, I'm Dr. Connor Cameron..."

I watch a blue-eyed, tall blonde with a curly bob make her way into the center of the room. She glances her eyes around the room quickly at each person until she lands on me. At first, I think she knows who I am, but that thought stops only after she takes note of the ring on my third finger.

I'm not Elizabeth Olsen.

I'm Robbie Arnett's "wife."

That's wrong.

I briefly look away when Dr. Cameron looks up at me. Instead, I look to Y/N, the person I'm actually with.

"So you seem like a bunch that just wants to hear it straight up, so why don't we just get right into it." Dr. Cameron looked down at her clipboard and flipped through some pages before they started going down a list. "...has suffered a concussion, broken left arm, two fractured fingers, bruising, whiplash, of course, tendon repair on the right leg, 13 stitches, four above his left eye perpendicular to the temple with four more on his chin and the last five on his torso. Finally, he has cuts all over him due to the glass from the accident." The Doctor lifts her head slightly before she lets out a little "Oh." "I'm sorry... Mr. Arnett also appears to have a major blow to the skull, leading to some head trauma."

Couldn't lead with that?

Dr. Cameron lets the papers fall back into place on her clipboard, which only begins the silence in the room.

With my eyes down, I can practically feel the heat from the twins staring at me. Max and her brother are probably doing the same to Y/N.

Dr. Connor Cameron gently and politely clears her throat in a "hey, I'm still here" kinda way, making me and Y/N look up at her. "Any questions?" All eyes on me.

That caring part of me wants to open my mouth and ask just about every question under the sun. How is he doing now? Is he in a coma? Can we see him? How did the accident happen?

But...

But..

There's that other part of me. That other half of me that's just itching at my insides with the question, why. Why are we here? Why did this happen? Why did he leave? Why.. why should I car-

"Where is he?"

I glance to my left at Y/N, who appears to be the only one to have spoken up so far. Doc looks from me to my girlfriend with a smile. "He's resting in his room in the hospital's west wing. And when I say resting, I mean we had to put him under for surgery, and now it's a waiting game until he wakes up."

A little hmm escapes from Y/N.

"What- what happens when he wakes up?" I stumble over my own words. The lady in the coat gives her head a slight tilt to my question. "What do you mean?" I clear my throat. "I mean, you said he had head trauma. So is he in a coma, or is everything okay?" I point to my head in quite possibly the worst way to convey what I'm trying to explain; thankfully, everyone in the room, including the doctor, knows what I'm talking about. "Yes." She nods. "I did say he has head trauma, and no, he's not in a coma, but frankly, we don't know how okay he will be until he wakes up. He was unresponsive when the paramedics brought him in. So aside from tests and blood work, we're running right now. We truly don't know what state Mr. Arnett will be in when he wakes."

Her string of words brings little comfort to me, but at least he's alive. I still nod to her words as I look at my Y/N.

Shouldn't she be my priority right now?

I made a promise for a reason.

"What happened?" Y/N speak up to the doctor. I look over at my girlfriend, and I see her clenching her hands on her knees once again, so without another thought, I bring my left hand down and intertwine it with her right. She softens at my touch and shoots me a thankful smile before she focuses back on Dr. Cameron.

There's only been a handful of times I wish I had the Scarlet Witches' powers. One time was so I could be gone all of the fucking squirrels in my garden. Another was this time at Whole Foods because of this- *sigh* never mind.

The point is.

I wish I had them now for Y/N. I can see the pain in her body language. The way she clenches her hands. The way she flicks her eyes across from the tile by my foot to the one by hers. I know, I know she is trying to break through her past trauma about her father, Davey, right now to be here for Robbie, but I want her to know that I'm here for her in more ways than one.

Because let's be honest.

The second that phone was in my hand, and the news hit my ears, it hurt. It did.

But the longer I sit here, the clearer it becomes that walking into that coffee shop months ago was the best choice I made in a long time. It brought me something new. It brought me hell. It brought me the warmth of a new shade of color to my life. It brought me Y/N—someone who, at this moment, doesn't realize what they bring to the world.

My world too.

So the longer we sit here, the clearer it becomes that this. Robbie. And that wanting to drop everything for them can't fully exist.

And looking at Y/N... I look at the puffed-up skin under her eyes. I graze over her slightly red cheeks and onto her beautifully sculpted nose. Just below that, her pink lips thin out to almost a razor's edge just at the corners.

And what I see is that.. that maybe she doesn't have to carry the weight that she is putting onto her shoulders. Robbie isn't Davey.

"Mrs. Arnett?"

I only tune back into the conversation when Y/N turns to me. However, before I question it, I've made a final decision in my head. Something that I've known for a while.

Yes.

Y/N is my priority now.

Obviously.

Whatever it takes. Nothing is getting in the way of that.

"I'm sorry?" I say, turning to meet the curious blue eyes of Robbie's doctor. She glances between Y/N and myself with a quiet chuckle before repeating what the room has already heard. "I was just saying that we don't know the specifics of the accident but that an off-duty police officer was by when it happened. According to one of our paramedics, he called it in. He's actually here now. Don't worry. As far as I've been made aware, he's not some crazed fan. It seems like it was a right place, right time kinda deal."

"So... is there anything else?" I ask. The doc shakes her head. "Not unless any of you have any questions?" Y/N looks at me, causing me to shake my head. I genuinely don't have any questions. At least none for my girlfriend. Looking into her eyes, it appears to be the same answer.

So with a quick pan around the room, no one has anything else to ask.

"Okay. Good." Dr. Connor Cameron relaxes her body just a tad with a smile. "If the wife and sister of Mr. Arnett would so kindly follow me, I can lead you to his room." The way she said wife and sister and between her glances tells me she knows the real deal of what's going on between Y/N and me. "I'm sorry to the rest of you, but visitors aside from family aren't permitted at the moment, but come sunrise, you should all be free to check in on him." Dr. Cameron makes eye contact with everyone else to let them down easy with the news.

However, when Y/N and I don't immediately rise from our seats like she was probably expecting, Doctor Cameron makes an executive decision. "Tell you what, why don't you two.." She says, looking at my girlfriend and I. "..gather yourselves and everything else you need to do before I come in about five minutes. Okay?" I watch Y/N nod her head. "And if you feel like heading to the west wing without me, it's room 237." With that, the blonde with the lab coat leaves the room.

Y/N POV

Looking to my right, I see her already looking at me with a glint of something I can't decipher until she squeezes my hand and says to me, "Can we talk?" Before I can shake my head or nod because what the fuck does that question mean? Max speaks up.

Bless her.

"So I guess we'll see you guys tomorrow? Or..?" Max looks at me. I mean, she, along with the twins, flew out here to support me and to see family, and now I'm sitting in a hospital room for the first time in years for someone who's not even my family. I don't want to be alone. I mean, I know I have Liz, but now she wants to talk?? Talk?? What do we have to talk about? Didn't we do that after the show??

I lift my eyes up to Max, who is busy looking at the twins. Ash nods in agreement with Max and then peers her eyes to Liz. While Mary-Kate lifts herself from her phone and looks at me. "Y/N?.."

I want to open my mouth, but my body is fighting my mind right now. I can't speak.

"Yeah, we should go," Ash says, rising from her chair before shooting me a sad smile that turns into a face of concern.

Can't I just have a typical fucking day? Speak Y/N.

"Y/N?"

Liz?!?

SPEAK NOW!

"You're leaving!?"

Liz POV

Y/N practically jumps out of her seat. I knew it was coming, but she wasn't feeling my touches or listening to my words.

She glances at me and then at my standing sisters. All of us see them. Her watery eyes. Shining in the bright white light of this drafty room. MK slightly tilts her head to the side before shaking it. "Y/N..."

"Why?"

Mary-Kate looks to me for help and as a way of saying, "What is going on?"

"Why?" This time Ash asks my crying girlfriend. She's crying, and she doesn't even realize it. Y/N nods her head and darts her eyes quickly to each one of us. I do as well and see that everyone but James is standing.

I try to speak to Y/N again, but I can see her actively ignoring my words this time. Okay. Ouch. So instead, MK goes to speak, but before a word comes out, what I was trying to prevent happens Y/N bolts out of the room. Over the course of our on-again-off-again relationship, we've both seen us go through these attacks before.

I go to chase after Y/N but get stopped but two things.

One. The stares from my sisters.

Two. Max.

As quickly as I make it to the door, she does as well. "Max-" "You both have a lot going on at the moment. Let me. We'll come back when she's ready."

"What?!" I snap to my older former actresses of sisters as Max slips out of the room, leaving behind a look everywhere but the Olsens brother in James, along with Aubrey, a strong woman who is up at my side for support.

"I don't understand.. what happened?" I drop my mouth in shock at their stupidity right now. "She's having a fucking panic attack. Why are you acting like this isn't something we've all dealt with?!"

"I didn't know Y/N did."

I roll my eyes at what my favorite sister says. "Clearly, you don't know a lot, Ash." "Hey!" Mary-Kate snaps at me. "What's your problem?!" I sigh and ask, "My problem? Why are you leaving?" MK stops herself from rolling her eyes. "Because it's Robbie!"

"You don't think I know that!"

This is no longer a conversation.

Silence hangs in the air between my sisters and I. Mary-Kate grabs Ash by the arm and takes a step toward me. "Look-" "I know who is in that room, okay? But right now, I don't care who it is because Y/N needs us, me, to be there for her." Aubrey places her arm around my shoulders in an excellent way of comfort. "So if you're going to leave for any fucking reason, then go ahead and do it, but if you see MY girlfriend on the way out, give her your support and some words of comfort." I eyed my sisters with a tired look from this talk of ours. "Okay?"

Nothing but a turn away from MK and a tiny nod from Ash.

I want to move my feet to go out into the hall, but I get stopped. Ash is the first to move toward me and the first to wrap me up in a hug. I'm shocked, but I welcome it by returning the hug. "I'm sorry." The words sound choked, coming out. "Me too." I feel another set of arms squeeze their way around Ashley and me. "You really, really love her." Says Mary-Kate. "Are you serious?" I teasingly ask without lifting my head, making the question sound muffled. The twins laugh. "No."

A beat.

"It's just you never publicly snapped at us for someone else before." This time I lift my head to meet MK's sea-colored eyes. "I'm glad you have her." I see a shimmer run its course through her eyes. "Me too."

"Now, if only they can stay that way." Aubrey chirps up once again, earning a chorus of nose-filled laughs, even one from James, who I forgot was here. The twins unfurl themselves from me, allowing me to turn and slap Aubrey on the arm, hoping to leave a mark. "Shut up. We've been on more dates the past couple of weeks than you have in months." Aubrey laughs before I turn back to the twins, who are again looking ready to leave. I go to speak on it, but Ashley beats me to the punch. "We'll give her our love on the way out. Text us if you need anything. We'll be at moms. We love you, Lizard." "Love you, sis." Aubrey hugs the twins' goodbye while James shakes their hands and quickly comments on how much he enjoyed their performances in New York Minute. "Bye!" We all call out to each other before the door closes, leaving myself, Aubrey and James behind.

Once we find ourselves seated in the plastic chairs from hell again I-

"She did put on one hell of a show," James says, looking at me. "Like I knew she could play an instrument, but- wow!" I can tell James is doing his best to try and keep the room light and to focus on the good things from tonight. Aubrey catches onto this. "She did, didn't she?!" Aubrey nudges my arm, causing my lips to crack into a smile. "She was amazing." "She IS amazing." I correct the former NBC star. "Simp." "Whore." I fire back instantly, earning a gasp from said whore followed by some laughter that quiets down soon enough.

"How are you, though, really?" I turn to Aubrey and then to James, who seems just as curious to know my answer. So I will give an honest answer. "I think I've surprised myself, but how im actually fine?" I tilt my head. "I think.. I.. hmm.. I just want us to be us." I nod to my own words. "No bullshit. No outside world peeking in. No more missed dates or calls between us because we weren't together. After this. I just want to be with Y/N. I want us to have what I caught a glimpse of those very first few days with her in New York. And again after our beach date here." I laugh, looking at the promise ring on my left hand. "Where I gave her this."

"It'll come soon enough," James says to me. "Y/N isn't the most stubborn person I've met, but when she falls, she falls hard, and then she'll fight. She has that look with you. I saw it tonight. I mean the whole show, while yes being for her. It was also for you." James lets me breathe in the words. "At least that's what she told me." He quickly adds with a kind smile. Whether Y/N did say that or not, I wouldn't know.

"Ew."

I turn to see Aubrey making a gagging noise and face. Bitch. "Yeah. Yeah. You'll get all your fluffy cute shit soon enough. You can be gross on a beach somewhere or in your fucking garden." Then her eyes go wide. "Or you can be fucking in your garden!!"

"Oh, God," James mumbles as he turns away. "Oh God is right!" Aubrey wiggles her eyebrows at me with a smirk. "Y/N, do me on the blueberries!" Aubrey begins to mock my voice with a higher breathy one. Almost pornographic. "Oh wait, a snail, let me kill it. Oh yes, yes!"

Thankfully the torture ends when the door swings back open.

Y/N POV

Everyone needs a friend like Max.

She knew what I needed and gave it to me.

Space. A moment to breathe.

Followed by another moment to help me breathe when my body wouldn't let me. That's how we spent the last, I don't know, five, ten, thirty minutes? Hour? I don't know. I'm pretty sure I saw Dr. Cameron walk by at one point, but I didn't bother to lift my head to double-check. But then Max started talking.

It was for me and to me.

"Remember freshman year at Syracuse?" With my arms on my knees and my head against the hospital's white walls, I roll it to my right to Max. "Don't." "Don't what?" I close my tired eyes. "Max, I just had a panic attack. This isn't like that time at Bailey McCanns house party."

"I didn't say it was. What I am saying is that you got paranoid while high and locked yourself in her bedroom closet and wouldn't come out unless-"

"Unless you talked to me through that piece of shit door and convinced me that everything was fine. And that, yes, I did try to attempt my best Australian accent in front of Paula Ashborn. And no, I did not do well. Yes, I remember." Embarrassingly. Max smiles. "Not what I was getting at again." I shoot one eye open and look at my redheaded friend. "What I'm saying is that you talked to me. You let it out." I sigh and let my shoulders slump as I listen to Max. Eyes and ears open.

"You told me that your first job was working at your local frozen yogurt shop because two years earlier, you swore you saw the prettiest person walk into that store. You opened up to me about your struggles with being states away from home, even though that's what you wanted. You told me how much you hated Mr. Borno and his fucking class." Max laughs, thinking about my rant about his stupid white-haired face causing me to laugh.

"So Y/N. My lovely best friend. For hopefully the last time." I roll my eyes and give her a shove. "What are you thinking?" Max asks me. I open my mouth before closing it to find the right words. "I'm just tired. I- I just want a normal week with Liz. I want Robbie to wake up. I want it all to be fine. I want us to be us. After knowing Robbie is okay." I swallow and let my course throat feel the pain. "That's what I'm thinking." It's crazy how different your life can be given a few years.

Max nods to me. "I didn't mean to run out of the room. I couldn't bare to sit there anymore." "Hey, that's alright. I'm sure everyone understands."

"We do!"

Max and I snap our heads to our right and see the twins enter our space. "Sorry, we just caught the last bit. Y/N..." Mary-Kate pauses. "We're sorry." Ash nods and speaks up this time. "We didn't mean to add any more stress or uneasy feelings onto your plate."

"It's okay." "We also wanted to stop by before we leave and give you our love and support. If we can leave now?" The four of us laugh as Max and I stand up to the twins. "Don't forget that you performed the hell outta that stage tonight." She whispers into my ear before breaking the hug allowing for Mary-Kate to easily slip right in."You can't let this hug last more than three seconds, or Witchy will have problems. Again." I hear Max snort very loudly to my right at this most likely true statement.

The hug ends precisely three seconds later.

"If you or Lizzie need anything, please let us know. Talk to us. Talk to her. We love you."

"I love you guys too." I awkwardly mumble to the twins, which seems to satisfy them based on their smiles. "Call us soon. Bye, Max!" "Bye, Maxine!" The twins bid the two of us farewell before disappearing down a hallway. I let out a long exhale before balancing out my breathing.

"Hey!" As soon as I step into the waiting room again, I feel Liz's arms wrap themselves around me. Both of our heads resting on our shoulders. "I'm okay," I answer to her whispered worry.

I take a look over her face once out of the hug. "You're beautiful." I could tell my worried girlfriend wasn't ready for that to come out of my mouth due to how quickly she blushed and her eyes darting to the new people in the room. "Is that why she's now married to Robbie?" A joking voice forces me to turn around. It's Marlana with Graham in tow. I was wondering when they'd show up. "Hey, how long have you guys been here?" I greet both of them with a hug. "About ten minutes or so. I don't know how it happened, but we got sent to another hospital instead of here. Anyways the doctor came in not too long ago. Like the professional, she was, she wouldn't tell us what was going on without you present other than to tell Lizzie that Robbie is now awake." I nod my head along to the new information. He's awake. "Anyways, his wife over here filled us in on what's going on once the Doc left."

"Please stop saying his wife," I beg of Marlana. She playfully rolls her eyes. "Just let us know how he is when you get done."

"I can text you if you want to go home. I know it's late, and we had a long day." I try to pitch that idea to the people in the room who didn't ride with me. The only one that bites is James.

After a goodbye, Max walks him out while Liz and I head toward Robbie's room.

Liz POV

"Y/N.." I squeeze her hand as we near the room. "Can you look at me?" She turns her head to me before I stop us in the middle of the hallway. "I love you. You're gorgeous and smart and so caring." Y/N's cheeks go red. "But.." She tenses in my hands before I pull my own out from hers. I slip off the ring I gave to her and put it back onto her hand. I didn't mean to put it happened to go on the left.

What can I say!? Her face can be very distracting!

"Don't forget to put yourself first when you walk in that room. Okay?" She lifts her head to me. I see now that she wasn't expecting that. "Thank you." She leans into me and places her soft lips on mine. "For it all." She bites her lip and opens her mouth again. "When this is done." She removes her hands from mine to gesture to the hallway. "I want us to be us. No more running or missed chances. Just you and I."

I smile, hearing her say the words I want to say.

"I couldn't agree more, Y/N Y/L/N." I quickly pull her hips to meet mine and plant a rougher kiss than the last one onto her lips.

Needing to breathe forces us apart. Well, that and we began to hear loud footsteps approaching us. "Arnett family?" Y/N and I look at a familiar-looking white male in brown boots, jeans, and a blue button-down. It isn't until I see the badge on his belt that I understand who he is supposed to be.

"Officer North," he says as he greets us.

I look over his face as he begins to talk to us about what he saw from the accident. It wasn't Robbie's fault. He had a green light but was T-Boned in the middle of an intersection. However, according to his eyes, he felt like Robbie was going well above the speed limit. He also says he did the best he could to limit the injuries Robbie sustained.

"I just wanted to stay behind and have you all hear this from me personally. I'm sorry this has happened to the two of you." He offers us a kind smile. Y/N and I both thank him for all he's done. "Now, I won't keep you waiting." The familiar-looking man steps around us and begins walking down the hall until he turns out of sight around a corner.

"Was it just me, or did he look like Castle from Castle?" My eyes go wide as that's who Officer North looked like! "Yes! I was wondering why he looked so familiar!" Y/N and share smiles and a look as it seems like she's avoiding the room a bit more than she just was.

"Hey." I pull her arm and have her look at me. "He's your friend. The accident wasn't anyone's fault but the person that hit him. Robbie's fine. Now go see him." I gently push her toward the room. "I'll be in the waiting room with the others. Okay?" Y/N nods to me and says it for the first time since she mumbled it in her sleep.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Y/N POV

Liz's steps retreat until I don't hear them anymore. I'm now standing in front of the door. Should I knock? No?

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Is it rude if I don't knock?

Ring. Ring.

I mean, It's a hospital room, not his teenage bedroom.

"Huh?" I look down and finally hear and feel the vibrations from my phone.

Caller ID: Mother.

Fuck. I never called her after the show like I said I would. I promised Nick that I'd called once a week and especially tonight.

"Mrs. Arnett?!"

I jump at the voice coming next to me as my phone slips out of my hands and collides with the floor. Putting an end to its ringing. "Oh Gosh, I'm terribly sorry!" Officer North bends down and picks up my now cracked phone. It turns on, thankfully. "I didn't mean to startle you. I thought you heard me." I look over the Castle lookalike and take my phone from him with a kind smile. "No. Sorry, I didn't. But it's alright."

Wait? What did he call me?!?

"What did you say- I- uh, before-" "Mrs. Arnett?" I slowly nod. "How- why?" I give a confused look back to him. He opens and closes his mouth before pointing to my ring finger.

Why is there a ring on that finger!!?

Omg, Liz! I'm mentally slapping her and myself for not catching this earlier.

"Once again, sorry about what's happened to your husband." Ew. Ew. No. "Thanks. Again." I smile. "Is there something you needed or..?" Officer North makes an "oh right" face. "Now, I didn't want to mention this to anyone except you...

"Okay..."

"When I pulled Mr. Arnett-" "Robbie. And I'm Y/N. Please." "Right. When I pulled Robbie from his car, based on the smell from him and the evidence of glass around, it was clear to me that he had been drinking."

Step 1 - Shock

I'm sorry?

"Now-" "Wait." "I haven't made the report yet and-" "Officer!" He stops talking and sees my face in denial.

Step 2 - Denial

"Robbie doesn't drink. He doesn't do that. I mean, he used to, but that stopped months ago." "Are you sure?" "Yes, I'm sure!" Lie. I'm not at all. "Are you sure?" I bite back like it's a fourth-grade schoolyard comeback.

"100%." The sad smile this man is wearing deepens. "The toxicology reports will back me up too. I'm sorry. I thought you should hear it from me before-" Before everyone finds out. "Yeah.." and "thanks." 'Are all I say.

I close my eyes and sigh and sigh before it's just me in the hall.

Step 3 - Anger

"Get up!" I yell and let the door swing back close behind me as I pinch his blanket-covered toes. "Ow! What the fuck, Y/N?!"

I look up to see his eyes looking back at me. Yeah, they're in pain. Only he knows what kind. I look over his face and then his body. Stitches and gauze. Casts for his broken parts. Visible cuts that were small enough to leave alone.

And I almost feel bad. Almost.

One final look that ends with the monitors beeping his life with ups and downs, I turn to him with a pointed finger and say, "How long, and don't you bullshit me, Arnett!"

"What?" "How long!" "What are you talking about?" "Don't play Robbie come on."

His face has only changed to clench his jaw and become stone-like in his defense, whereas I'm staying true. Showing my emotions. He scoffs. "What do you care."

I turn away, running my hand through my hair. "You can't be serious right now. I'm your friend-" He scoffs again.

"Stop that!" I turn back to him with my arms raised. "Stop doing that. I care about you. I'm your friend, so what the fuck is happening right now, Robbie." Robbie shakes his head. "Get out."

"Dude-" "Get out!" "No! How long!" "Y/N-" "Robbie!" He turns his head away from me.

Stalemate.

I glance to his monitor, which shows a spike from our fighting, and then look at his one moveable hand. Squeezing and releasing the blanket.

"You want the truth?"

"Of course."

He turns his head to me and looks me right in the eyes. "I started a week after you came here." What.. "I was never tired or just having an off day. I was hungover and aching to have another drink the second you were gone. Because that's what we were doing was doing to me."

I swallow the lump in my throat and take his venom. "Okay, Robbie... Fuck you. You don't get to just say these things as if I've been awful to you. I've been your friend—someone there for you. And you've been mine! What the fuck are you talking about?"

"I didn't ask for a fucking friend Y/N!"

"Then what the hell have the last few months been?"

"I did it as a favor for you because you were nice, and I knew it wasn't your fault Lizzie left me." "What?? So then what. What happened!?" "I couldn't do it."

"So you're fucking blaming me?"

"Yes."

I can't fucking believe him. I can't wrap my mind around this. I shut my eyes and rub the sides of my head. "So now what?" I sigh. "This is it?? You're such a fucking selfish asshole right now that our friendship is just done. Hmm? It wasn't real?" I look at Wal-Mart Jesus. "It's not like I didn't try.." He speaks. "Try?" I question. "Try what? To be my friend?" He shakes his head no. "To move on. I did, or at least I thought I did. Until as of late."

He turns to me and grunts in pain as he rises against his pillows.

"She'll leave you too."

I have to laugh at this. "No, no, she won't, Robbie. But God, if she ever does, it won't be because I stopped loving her. Because, unlike you, I would never stop." Tears are brimming in my eyes, but I do everything to stand my ground and stop them from falling. "I hope you do better in the future. Goodbye and fuck you."

I'm out the door before he can even get another word out.

"That was three months ago, and I still haven't heard from him..."

"Do you want to?" I bite my lip in thought. "This is only the fourth time you've brought Robbie up since you've started seeing me." I lean back against the sofa and stare into my laptop, huffing. "I didn't realize you were keeping count?" She laughs. "I don't keep this notebook for pleasure, Y/N."

Now I laugh at my therapist of two months, Sofia. "Umm, no, I don't think I do? I don't know.." Sofia jots something down before looking at her watch.

"Well, I hate to do this, but it looks like it's that time. But before we go, I'd like for you to think of five positives excluding Liz, Max, and, if you have any with him, Robbie." She smiles at me, and I nod, returning one. "Okay. Thank you for today."

"Of course, Y/N. See you next week, and let me know if you need another session before then, alright?"

"Will do. Thank you." Sofia nods. "Enjoy your time in Texas." The Zoom call ends shortly after. I close my laptop and set it on the counter in the kitchen as I go to pull out a salad I made this morning prior to arriving on set—my new iPhone chimes as I start digging in. I smile and send a text back, and two seconds later, the trailer door swings open.

"Hiii!!" Liz's body collides with mine. "I promise I wasn't listening in. I was just outside for the last fifteen minutes and guessed when you'd be done. So thankfully, I was right." I set my salad down and wrap my love into a tight hug! "Babe, I texted you!" She pulls out her phone and laughs.

"You said: "Sofia gave me homework come save me or I'll die!"

"It's true! You saved me!" I cheer, leaning down to kiss her lovely lips. Tasting her wiped-off lipstick from today's shoot. "Is that the salad you made this morning I taste?" I fake confusion. "I have no idea what you're talking about." She giggles and falls into me.

Liz POV

"It's my pick for a movie, right?" Y/N yells out from the kitchen to where I am in the trailer's bedroom. I try my hardest not to stay in these, but filming this show for HBO has been running an early toll, so it's easier sometimes. Plus, Y/N doesn't mind hanging out in it when she doesn't want to see me act.. Well.. Like a murderer.

"I believe so!" I yell back as she steps into the room with a bowl of popcorn. "Good! Close your eyes." I immediately shut them as a handful of popcorn gets placed in my mouth. "Hold on. Keep them closed." I hear the TV clicking and the sound of Netflix loading up. "Okay, annnnddd open!"

Mama Mia starts playing on screen, much to my girlfriend's delight seeing me squeal in happiness! "You said you had never seen it before, and since you've been humming ABBA for the last two weeks, I figured tonight was the perfect opportunity."

"I love it!" I pull her waist closer to me and plant a kiss on her temple. "And you."

"I love you too, Liz. Now shhh, get ready to have your life changed for the better."

"What?" I cock my head to my right as I see Y/N casted in the blue glow from the TV in the room. She laughs to herself. "Sorry, I just thought of a stupid joke."

"Well, you know the rules." I grab the remote from her lap and pause the movie on Meryl Streeps beautiful face. "Enlighten me."

Y/N picks at the comforter. "Why are chickens so good at drumming?" She quietly mumbled her way through the "joke," but I heard it. I smile brightly in the dark of our room. "Why?" She looks up to me and sends me a cheesy smile. "Because they have drumsticks."

I throw my head back and laugh like a little kid, as if it's the first time I heard it. It's not, but it's said from someone who I love and who loves me.

Twitter

Lizzie Olsen Daily @DailyLizzieOlsen

October 28th, 2021

Lizzie Olsen has been spotted taking a break from filming her latest show Love & Death, in Austin, Texas, today with her musician girlfriend and rumored assistant(?) Y/N Y/L/N.

According to a fan who waited on them at a local restaurant, they said the two were the kindest and funniest customers they have ever had. When asked for a photo, they very apologetically said no.

All of this to say she's out of her cave!!

Sokvian Fortune Teller @user8 Omg, she's out!! Date night!??

Ellie ❤️ @Hole4TaylorSloane Ahhhhh I saw them at the restaurant!!!

Wanda's gf @OlsenMyOlsen @Hole4TaylorSloane What did they get?? I KNOW it's weird but I gotta know

Ellie ❤️ @Hole4TaylorSloane @OlsenMyOlsen From what I could see Lizzie got a salad but Y/N got tacos that Lizzie kept stealing bites from 🥺🥺🥺

Kenzie Greene @happywandaplease Y/N and Lizzie are having a date night while i'm alone with my cat i'm gonna kms

Dalia @scrunchnoselizzie I need Y/N to start having mother outside of her cave more pleeasseee

A/N Who's ready for Y/N and Lizzie's future?!

Part 35

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