#it so HAPPENS that your daughter signed a contract (NO!) even drew a little heart above the i :)

[thesorrowoflizards]

when youre a dramatic bitch like me it’s so much more fun to sing along to musicals bc you can also like. do more of an act while youre doing it. like if youre singing a Bad Guy McVillain Song then you get to like spit in anger or be all creepy/seductive. you can interrupt yourself to do the other parts and abruptly switch between voices. technically you can do this with normal music too but if there’s a musical there’s more of a coherent story and direction to go with this. yes i am ursula and it is so unfortunate your daughter signed a contract

[theveryworstthing]

So over on patreon Trevor asked for my take on the Addams Family and I grew up LOVING the Addams family movies so here we are. Instead of doing a straight up style interpretation, I decided to do a full on design challenge, using the characters as bases to make a black southern gothic Addams au. I actually drew the kids first, using the character bases of Wednesday and Pugsley to create some delightful kiddos I'm calling Sunday and Blanche. I of course then redesigned Gomez and Morticia into Carlisle and Mortesha.

The Addams have a very specific high aristocratic goth aesthetic (they've got a butler and nobody really works among other things) so in this re-imagining I wanted to go with vibes that run a little more middle class/upper middle class.  I thought it would be interesting to think about what would be considered weird and off-putting in an entirely different culture, and how being a big ol' goth is way less controversial than it used to be.

I tried to keep this short (HAHAHAHAHAHA) so I didn't spin off into an essay about villain coded families, black people in the horror genre, and normalcy as it pertains to social survival, but just...bits of that are in these designs and lore. Keep that in mind.

Also I made the kids twins because they've flip flopped in age so much in different media and also twins run in my family (i'm the daughter of one). And let's face it, I'm pulling a lot of their southern gothic traits from living as a southern goth so *shrug*.

10 thousand pounds of lore incoming loooooooooool.

The Parents

From the moment he saw her he knew that there was a 50/50 chance of him either never making it out of that swamp alive or marrying the figure that was creeping out from under the distant willow tree in a black cocktail dress. The third time she found him trussed up in one of her traps, he complimented her rope work and asked if she'd like to go out sometime after his head wound stopped bleeding.

Or while it was still bleeding.

If she was into that.

Some kids and a mysteriously burnt down Piggly Wiggly later, their love is still as strong and inescapable as a bear trap in a sink hole.

Carlisle Guillermo (now Addams through marriage but I wanted to give him two first names for a name since Gomez has two last names) makes a vaguely described living practicing ‘law’ around town. A loophole king, people come to him from miles around with contracts signed in blood, fights over chunks of hair buried in their rivals’ yard, dehydrated primate hands, memories that seemed like dreams until the evidence of their happenings became too real, and other regular Legal Items asking for counsel which he is all too happy to give. For a price. Sometimes that price is a homemade pie and sometimes it’s a million dollars, depends on who you are. Whatever you’re asked to pay it’s worth that price, and if you try to scam him out of work or he just plain doesn’t like you? Well. He knows how to twist a contract better than anything at the crossroads.

And he always gets his due.

He doesn’t just serve the local (living)humans though, there are many things that need proper legal representation in this day and age. You wouldn’t believe how many city councils try to build on sacred burial grounds even after he lets them know that his ghostly clients are totally gonna haunt the FUCK out of the ensuing shitty condos and curse their families for all eternity. At least 50% of his energy goes towards dealing with real estate bullshit.

Carl is an excitable and good natured(?) man who loves his family, cigars, dancing, and his many knife-based hobbies. People find him very charming once they get past the feeling that they’re talking to a sultry gator badly disguising itself as a human. I didn’t put a ton of deep thought into designing him, mostly I wanted to make a middle aged dude who looked like he would have been voted ‘most likely to smooch the literal devil’ in high school. Tbh he probably has, but no demonic ex’s can compare to his lovely wife~

Mortesha Addams(her name was already perfect so I just tweaked it)is a woman of many talents. A self proclaimed homemaker, she prides herself on a greenhouse full of Concerning Foliage, a beautiful wasp apiary, and a coop full of what are probably chickens that she keeps for what are probably eggs. She’s also an avid creator of the outsider art that can be seen around the estate. She has taken on the family business of selling her homemade goods in a little stall by the road just outside the swamp with her mom, and makes pretty good money doing so. A surprising amount of poison gets bought in quaint southern towns.

Speaking of poison, people who come out to the edge of the swamp to buy it are usually carrying a lot of secrets around, and Mortesha knows most of them. It’s not like she pries the truth out of people, it just so happens that many nervous hellos eventually turn into the tragic backstory power hour if she’s alone with a client for long enough. She supposes that’s just how people are. Despite the fact that the Addams are very active in the community (whether the community likes it or not) she especially, as a direct descendant of the first Addams matriarch, is seen as…Well not an outsider because the community feels A Certain Way about outsiders and despite it all the Addams are their people, but maybe something like an exception. They feel like whatever weirdness they’re hiding can’t be weirder than any given Addams, so they get a little loose with their words.

This is amusing to her, since Addams’ don’t naturally keep the kind dramatic secrets that their surface level prim and proper neighbors do. It’s much more fun to openly talk about those things.

Do they have a sadly decrepit yet terrifying grandma up in the attic? Yeah, like three. They got a tv, all the creepy porcelain dolls they could want, and they’re close to family. Where do you keep your gram-grams?

Any bodies buried on the property? Yeah some, but most are thrown to the gators.

Any creeping through the balmy summer night with ill intentions? Yeah dude, everyone loves a nice family stroll.

What about dangerous forbidden love? If an adult Addams isn’t incorporeal then they’re either queer or in a torrid romance with some person/thing mysteriously drawn to that awful swamp. Sometimes both at the same time. Most times actually.

Mortesha would know.

The current head of the Addams family is just as outgoing as her husband but a lot quieter and harder to read. She never really seems to get mad about much and always has a genteel smile for everyone whether they deserve it or not. A seven foot tall human shaped “Oh, bless your heart”. A perfectly composed Lady even when she’s, oh I dunno, burning down a Piggly Wiggly. You know. A regular southern mom. Chat her up at the hair salon for 50% off a jar of wasp honey with your next purchase of a mysterious but foreboding packet of herbs.

Designing her was pretty easy because I just drew a lankier Grace Jones and called it a day. I had some problems with her outfit simply because if we were going HARD southern gothic then she’d probably be wearing a white/cream dress with a fuller skirt but I thought keeping the silhouette and the black was more important. She’s supposed to be an anti southern gothic southern gothic character anyway. A woman who looks like she has a million secrets who is actually the most open person you could meet. For better or worse. The red hair came from a coloring error that I really ended up liking (my mom had red hair her whole childhood that only darkened up in high school so I can buy that an Addams can be naturally fire engine red) and the veil was to get more of that classic Morticia silhouette in there.

The Children

Sunday and Blanche are the twin children of Carlisle and Mortesha Addams. Some say the Addams clan got their cursed homestead when a wealthy local businessman made a deal with the devil and lost, leaving his grand mansion to his least favorite maid and cutting his losses once he realized that the swamp would do everything it could to drag the house into the water and take what was owed with its horrible curse. Others say that the family has just always squatted there and no one really cares because man, fuck that particular swamp. Have you been in there? Absolute horror show.

Anyway.

Blanche is the more outgoing sibling and quite the engineer/mad scientist in the making. He started going grey at 2 weeks old but considering he was also rocking some extra fingers, toes, and a tiny tail (he takes after his dad), his parents just put it on the 'not life threatening' pile and decided not to worry about it. He's the kind of smart that teachers find utterly infuriating, less a dog eagerly learning and obeying commands and more a hyena who keeps teaching itself how to pick locks. He has a few friends in his school's robotics club (which they honestly allowed him to make so the school could contain his... creations) but mostly hangs out with his sister exploring the swamp. They find all sorts of neat things in there! wedding rings, suspiciously lumpy garbage bags, cloaked cultists who can't read private property signs, it's an adventure every day!

Blanche is all about experimentation with his creations, his look, and his tether to this mortal coil. Is lipstick a cool thing to try? Let's find out. Can he get out of a strait jacket fast enough after being pushed into the depths of the swamp by his sister? let's find out. He's not dead yet and confused local doctors can attest to the fact that he's rarely attained more than a bad bruise so he's pretty set on continuing to kiss rattlesnakes on their cute little heads and have his sister practice her knife throwing at him until that fact changes.

Blanche is very much a country goth. Cowboy boots (customized by his mom), knife, and lighter are daily accessories. He likes to wear the crusty swamp jewelry they find (the rust adds a splash of color!) and despite appearances he does try to keep himself neat. He's just got  natural Grunge Colors and a tendency to wear clothes he likes until they fall apart. Pugsley always seemed the most modernly styled to me (which might just be because little boys clothes have been the same for a long time) so I wanted Blanche to be the most purposely fashionable Addams. Everyone else is goth by nature, but he's the only one truly familiar with goth as an alternative fashion.

I got really into designing Blanche because honestly, I find Pugsley to be the most boring member of the family. And he was hard to design! I had to mess with his vibe a lot to get him looking how I wanted. I know he's supposed to evoke an " 'evil' little boy next door who's parents never reign him in", but that's just goth Dennis The Menace.  I's 2020. We can at least go queer goth Calvin.

Sunday was much easier to design. Wednesday was my favorite as a child (of course) and I really wanted to keep the spirit of her look while adding things like billowy sleeves (it gets HOT down here), big poofy twists instead of braids, and a nice tie. She's a professional after all, been running the local pet cemetery since she was 6 and the previous groundskeeper met with an unfortunate accident after telling her that tarantulas don't have souls. Her specialty is creating beautiful naturalistic animal funerals similar to those that Maquenda (https://linktr.ee/artofmaquenda) makes, and she takes pride in creating miniature dioramas of her subjects after each burial which she uses as a kind of 3D catalog for future clients.

She really wants to try out her skills on humans one day. Well. Publicly try out her skills. Lotta random bodies float into the swamp. None of them have turned down her requests for diorama models so far. Most seem downright flattered. Plus, she usually figures out which graveyard/crime scene they floated over from and gets her parents to give them a lift back. She'll even help enact terrifying revenge from beyond the grave on whoever put them there if she's not, y'know, busy.

Besides arts, crafts, and pet based funerary arrangements, Sunday is an avid lover of archery (any ranged weapon really), books where little fantasy adventure animals die dramatic deaths, and history. She is That Kid who eagerly raises her hand when asked who Christopher Columbus was and ends up being sent out of class after 15 minutes for making 'a scene'. Her favorite party trick is just picking an item in the room and talking about how it relates to either some obscure historical figure with a buck wild life or a horrible disaster. At least one charity pancake breakfast ended with children in tears after her vivid description of the Great Molasses Flood of 1919.

Social-wise, while Wednesday is the girl that people ask to smile because they think she'd, "look so pretty", Sunday is rarely asked anything at all. People just kind of assume from her quiet nature (in between horrible history facts) that she's angry all the time and that she hates everyone. This is untrue. She hates some people but she's ambivalent to most everyone else and even downright friendly if you bother to talk to her like a person instead of a terrifying cryptid. Like, she IS a terrifying cryptid but she's also a little girl.  

That’s about it for now. One day I might do the other family members but for now I’m happy with the four I’ve redesigned. Making an au! Lurch in a family that doesn’t do butlers could be interesting. Over on patreon I put forth that he could just be Motesha’s mute little brother (similar bone structure) but Amy Crook had the nice idea of quote: “ a mysterious "cousin" that "helps around the house" whose origins are both long in the past and faintly unsettling. He's good for lifting heavy things, like that tank of propane you're about to throw into the burning Piggly Wiggly... “ which i now consider canon. Who's kid is he? How old is he? Not important. Anyone willing to commit arson with you is family.

Annnnyway.  This challenge was a lot of fun! I love indulging in AU’s.

[kim-ruzek]

she drew in her first breath out of what love meant

Summary: But when she stood, Kim felt a flood of water and her eyes widened, as she quickly realised what had happened. That the pain wasn’t just back pain, that the Braxton Hicks was actually contractions. Having get so caught up in the possibility that her baby will be a bit late, Kim just accepted that this was fake labour signs.

Kim and Adam's daughter makes a slightly unexpected appearance. Set in an au of s7, where Kim never miscarried rice grain.

Warnings: Childbirth.

Word Count: 1.4k

Read on AO3

Notes: Yesterday, I became an aunt again to the most beautiful niece in the world (seriously, everyone. She is adorable. No, I am not biased, I am just being objective and stating the truth). And so, I'm fully in my baby feels, and what better way to celebrate her appearance with a burzek fix-it fic.

So this is her welcome to the world fic. Her brothers got artwork, but she's getting a more mentally stable aunt so I think she wins. And in a way, I'm happy it isn't the crack fic I'm going to write 🌸🌸🌸

Enjoy!

Everyone said that it’s not often you get pregnant on birth control.

Everyone said it’s not often exes can be friends.

Everyone said it’s not often you can be comfortable co parenting and sharing a home with said ex.

Kim has been greeted with surprise and almost pandering tut tuts when she explained about her and Adam all through this pregnancy. She had almost came to expect it. Which is why, when the doctor said that it probably won’t do anything, and that only a few women actually ever have their water break naturally, and that women tend to have their first baby late, Kim really should’ve expected that she’d be one of the exceptions.

They had gone to the doctor early that morning. Kim is edging closer and closer to her due date, Alice being more and more active inside her. The doctor wasn’t too concerned with thinking that she’ll go into labour soon, repeating that first babies tend to take their time. Kim was fine with this. She’s uncomfortable, yes, big and feeling very much like she’s going to explode. But as the due date drew closer, she was becoming more and more emotional at the thought that her daughter wouldn’t be inside her, that she couldn’t protect her like that anymore.

On the way home, they stopped to grab—extra—breakfast, Kim being hungry again and Adam can always eat. Alice was making herself known, kicking and turning, Adam resting his hand on her belly whenever they were stopped in traffic, a smile on his face.

Kim was beginning to think that maybe people were right about one thing, that maybe they won’t be able to co parent. Not platonically, anyway. His smile twisted something in her and all she wanted to do was stroke her fingers across his jaw.

She settled for just entwining her hand with his.

The pregnancy, seeing their daughter grow inside her, preparing for her arrival, it has brought them closer. Especially when the hormones hit. There has been moments when the air between them is filled with that tension, the love between them palatable. But they’re not crossing that line.

In a very unlike them sort of way, they had the conversation about it. Both agreeing that they can see them doing this, having a relationship, being a couple raising their baby. But communication and keeping together has never been there strong point, Alice being why they’ve only just started to be successful in that way. And mixing up a baby in their problems, it’s not something they want to do. They were both messed up by their parents and the one thing they want is for Ally to be okay.

So they made an agreement to wait, to reassess when Alice is here, when they’ve got past those first months where even the strongest couples can fall apart in.

It doesn’t stop them absent-mindedly seeking each other out most of the time, always looping their hands around each other and cuddling on the couch and playing with each other’s hair. It doesn’t stop them, when Kim’s hormones turn to a hundred, from being intimate. And before Kim got so big, before sleeping is so uncomfortable for her she can barely stand having the cover on her, let alone another warm body lying beside her, it didn’t stop them from sleeping in the same bed.

They’re just friends, having a child, and are very much in love with each other.

It was after they grabbed the extra breakfast when Kim’s back starting to ache. At this point, she’s used to having aches, so she just tried to adjust herself in a more comfortable position.

Adam had noticed and when they got home he told her just to be comfy on the sofa, so that’s what she did.

The back pain was persistent, and Kim started getting her Braxton Hicks again. The first time she got them, Adam freaked out and called Sylvie—the blonde very patiently explaining it to him again. Now, Kim didn’t think to tell him, them being used to this, instead just ran her hand over her belly.

They had a few visitors stop by, to say hello to Kim now she can no longer go up the stairs to Intelligence. Jay and Hailey were first, then Trudy. They asked Trudy to be their daughter’s grandmother and she had already taken the role to heart. Mouch, too, being their baby’s honorary grandfather. He didn’t come to visit with Trudy, being on shift. Then, finally, Kevin came, Jordan accompanying him.

The Atwaters stayed longer than anyone else, but then they also had left—it once again just being Kim and Adam. And then it was just Kim, Adam getting the message that something they ordered for the baby was in the shop.

The pain in her back had tripled in intensity, and Kim found herself having to get up, needing to walk a little to see if that would help. She thought she’d walk to the bathroom, having to need to pee like she always does now.

But when she stood, Kim felt a flood of water and her eyes widened, as she quickly realised what had happened. That the pain wasn’t just back pain, that the Braxton Hicks was actually contractions. Having get so caught up in the possibility that her baby will be a bit late, Kim just accepted that this was fake labour signs.

Adam left, saying he’ll be back within the hour. Kim had been prepped that labour is long, and even though they had been told to hear to the hospital if her water broke, she waited for Adam to be back. She could’ve called him, but she didn’t want him to rush and get into an accident.

It’s only an hour, Kim had thought.

And forty minutes later, Kim kneeling on her bathroom floor, in intense pain, she regretted that thought. Because of course this would happen. That on top of everything, apparently Alice wanted to make a quicker appearance.

“Hey, darlin’! I’m back,” Adam calls to her and she could’ve cried in relief that he’s finally here; Kim had left her phone in the living room when the contractions hit, hard.

“Adam!” Kim calls back to him, not caring how urgent and distressed her voice sounded. Adam was instantly in the bathroom.

“Kim? Kim, are you okay?” He says as he gets there.

“I’m in labour,” She tells him, although as she looks at his face, she can tell he’s already gathered that. She must be a mess, on the floor, hot and sweaty, crying. But he doesn’t look like he’s even bothered, the shock fading fast and he’s leaping into action.

Adam kneels beside her, softly stroking back her hair, laying a kiss on her forehead. “It’s okay, darlin’. I’m here now.”

After her comforts her, indicating for her to take his hand as another contraction comes, Adam is fishing his phone out of his pocket, calling for an ambulance. Kim’s too far in to even bother wondering if he can drive her, that it’s better for Alice to come in their bathroom with towels all around them rather than in his car.

Although, both would prefer if she didn’t come before the ambulance.

It’s two minutes later Adam’s phone lights up with a text. We just got the call to your address!! Is Kim alright?

It reassured Kim—and Adam, really—that Sylvie is the paramedic who’s coming, them needing that familiar face at this scary, new time in their lives.

Kim’s labour was painful, intense, but short. Alice appears before the ambulance does, Adam and Kim staring in wonder and amazement at their new born daughter.

Adam made a joke that he’s glad he bothered Sylvie with so many questions, as he expertly wrapped up Ally, hugging Kim as she hugged their daughter. She’s still connected, and Kim still needs to deliver the placenta, and luckily it’s only two minutes later when Sylvie is here, and they greet the paramedic with a smile.

“Your goddaughter was a little impatient,” Adam says to her and Kim smiles at him, nosing into him slightly as she does it, love in her heart.

“Just like her father.” As if to prove that point, Adam leans down and gently kisses her, not caring what they agreed or that Sylvie is there. All that matters is them, is Alice, is the love they share; the love Alice is born into.

It isn't the perfect birth story. But nothing about their story was, imperfect relationship, imperfect conception, imperfect family. And that makes it all that more beautiful, that despite the imperfections, it is perfection without a doubt.

That Alice, and the love that surrounds her, love pure, whole and unselfish, is what defines that, redefines what it means to love, to live, their daughter the perfect amongst the imperfections.

[fusrodie]

ash & soot

Long before the Winters come into play, a monster stalks the Forbidden Forest that surrounds the Village. Karl Heisenberg is sent to investigate, and heads deeper into darkness to find his prey, a thorn on his side and someone just like him.

chapter 1 - grisly reunions

SFW, canon-typical violence, blood, mention of death. 2K words.

link to ao3 (or read down below)

Nothing ever happened in this boring old village. Every day he would wake up to the same dull sky, the biting cold on his skin, the smell of blood in the air. And the chanting, for fuck’s sake, the goddamn chanting. In the silence of night, you could hear them if you listened close enough. Even cooped up in his factory, trying to focus on bringing his latest creation to life, through the humming of engines and rattling of pistons, he could hear their voices pleading forgiveness and salvation.

It paints a perfect picture in his mind: a bunch of old farts holding hands in a circle, standing over a creepy-ass painted crest of an unborn baby, pouring their heart and soul into their prayer, accepting death and giving glory to their murderer. The prayer itself never made sense to him, not really, but he had to admit it was a damn good way of justifying their atrocities. Nobody batted an eyelash when someone was taken away, went poof overnight to never return. Something about the sacrifice having been made, fate had led them to the light at the end or some shit. It used to fascinate him back in the day, when he was just a child watching everything unfold hidden behind his mother’s skirt. But he was no longer a child, and after almost a century of bullshit, it was hard not to impale every single fucker who talked about devotion and destiny.

Not that anyone would care about it, of course - sister dearest routinely kidnapped girls from the village and no one seemed to notice the Castle was a death trap. Boxes and boxes of wine would make their way into the village and out into the world, the truth right there in the label, and no one seemed to put two and two together. Dimitrescu had offered him more than a few bottles as a courtesy, an attempt to bridge the gap between them - even he had limits, however, lines that he would not cross. The very thought of bringing a goblet of blood-infused wine to his lips made his stomach turn; he had never been one to experiment much with food. He drew the line on frozen pizza and energy drinks.

It’s a wonder the village still had people in it, really; between Alcina’s obsession with maidens, the poor sods taken to Moreau for Cadou experiments and the failed vessels Miranda would discard like common garbage, he figured at this point there were more lycans than people around. More for him to experiment on, he figured, though digging up corpses in the dead of night had done a number on his back. Haulers could only do so much, and more often than not he would have to get his hands dirty. Not having a proper bed, sleeping on a bare metal cot and decades of living on borrowed time had nothing to do with it, of course.

The Castle drawbridge lowered as he approached, hammer thrown over his shoulder, one last peaceful drag of his cigar before he was thrown into yet another boring council meeting. The vineyard greeted him with the bleak vibrancy of a cemetery, scarecrows drained of color, barely recognizable but eerily preserved in chunks of ice. A waste of perfectly good specimens, really.

The halls were quiet for a change, no tormented screams and blood-curling wails, no giggling sisters running around in the hallways. It all smelled of death and old people, expensive perfume and a good dose of arrogance.

He flashed a charming smile at one of the Castle’s servants, laughing when the girl turned a bright shade of red and scrambled away from him. Heisenberg could hear the bickering as he pushed the doors open, Angie’s joints clicking incessantly as the doll moved about. Moreau’s breathing sounded as loud and disgusting as ever, yellow teeth and the smell of a polluted riverbed with a hint of fish. There they were, his beloved little family, waiting patiently for him, staring at him like he had fucked every single one of their mothers.

“You are late, Heisenberg.” Alcina began, as she always did, eyebrow raised in contempt. “As always. Mother,” she turned to Miranda, gesturing towards him with her hoity-toity, stupid cigarette.

“You are obnoxious, Dimitrescu.” He replied without sparing her a glance. “As always.”

He could practically hear her seething as she finally placed her humongous backside on her chair, having given up on chastising him when Miranda paid both of them no mind. Mother sat at the end of the golden-trimmed table, looking awkward in her great black gown and modly crow wings. Dimitrescu’s finest china was laid perfectly for their little afternoon tea party, cup handles that were too big to fit his fingers, minuscule spoons that were fit for Angie’s creepy hands. The servant that had scurried away at the sight of him had come back with a tray of hot tea, biscuits and blood - the house’s specialty. Miranda began speaking as the girl poured her drink, some small chitchat about the state of the village, the influx of foreigners and progress on her grand resuscitation project.

“Thank you darling, but I brought my own.” He started as the girl circled around the table to serve him, pointing down towards his belt buckle to the whiskey flask he always carried around. She couldn’t help but look down, and then up at his sly smile, the blush returning to her cheeks in full force. Dimitrescu’s reaction was swift, a well placed slap with the back of her hand square on the girl’s cheek. He felt sorry for her for a moment, but it was good training - if she wanted to survive the Castle, she would have to learn that it was better to be blind and deaf, and that she had much more provocation coming her way than his harmless flirting.

Heisenberg tuned out of the conversation as he poured his whiskey, pinching the teaspoon between his index and middle fingers, swirling it slowly, scraping the sides of the porcelain. Alcina’s displeasure at his use of her china for such vile beverages made it all the better. He slurped it loudly to add insult to injury, savoring the drink for a second, sloshing it around his mouth before swallowing, a satisfied “ah” escaping him when the liquor burned down his throat. If Alcina didn’t already look like a corpse, he felt like she would have turned purple. When he unceremoniously shoved an entire biscuit in his mouth, crumbs falling all over the tablecloth, he thought she would vomit.

“The latest vessel, unfortunately, has been a failure.” Miranda announced with sadness in her voice, which prompted all of his other siblings to sigh collectively in sympathy. What a bunch of morons. “However, we have made some progress. It seems my theories were correct - younger subjects are far more receptive to the Cadou.” Kidnap babies, got it. There was no limit to how low Miranda would get to fuel her quest for a daughter that had been dead for longer than she was alive. “I regret to say there are no suitable infants at the moment,” she stopped to sip at her tea. “We can only hope the harvest fares better in the coming months.” Had she seen them as nothing but guinea pigs back then, too? No doubt in his mind she did. The only reason she kept them around is because she might not be able to kill all of the monsters she created - better to keep them close than risking losing it all.

“There is but one more matter I would like to discuss, Mother Miranda,” Dimitrescu began, a lilt in her voice, the telltale sign that whatever would come out of her mouth next would be positively foul. “My girls have brought me troubling news.” Troubling, he repeated to himself, but she had a smile on her face as she said it. Miranda gestured at her to continue, which she gladly did, excitement rising with every new word. “It would seem a monster prowls near our blessed haven. There is talk among the villagers of bodies being found drained of blood, organs harvested, but without a single cut left behind.” She stood up to pace the room, one of her favorite displays of grandiose that made her look like the world’s biggest buffoon. It suited her. “At first I believed this to be a mere rumor, a lycan attacking the livestock, a corpse refusing to rest. But then,” she clapped her hands, the doors to the room promptly opening to give way to Crazy, Dumb and Ugly, giggling in their flowing black dresses, dragging a corpse along like it was a treasure they had found in the forest. Angie tagged along with their excitement, pushing Moreau away to get a better look at the stinking body thrown onto the hardwood.

There was no mistaking the lycan, all teeth, claws and complexion of the finest of silver poisonings. It smelled just as bad dead than it did alive; bruises and injuries and gums that stuck out of its mouth. How, pray tell, was this thing still in one piece? Heisenberg rose to take a closer look, pushed its stringy hair away from its face to reveal glassy eyes poking weirdly out of their sockets. He tested its consistency with a slight kick, stabbed it with the butter spreader, shoved a gloved hand in the cut to pull it apart and open. It looked fresh enough, but nothing but a foul vapor oozed out of the body. Crystal dust lined its insides, shards poking out of muscles. He pushes his arm deeper, feels around the chest cavity to find nothing.

“No cuts, no holes,” he begins as he pokes and prods. “No bites, either. Heart’s missing. This your handiwork, Alcina?” Heisenberg quips, suspicion seeping through his stoic facade. For a moment, he swears he can see the lycan’s flesh pulse, the smallest contraction of a muscle. This whole situation got weirder by the second.

“The technique is truly admirable, is it not?” She offers with a gleeful smile, picks up her cigarette and places a hand on her hip. Here we go again. “I simply must have it. Besides, we must know if it poses any threat to us.” She was right, this time. After decades of experimentation, none of them had ever managed to keep an infected subject whole after death.

His shoulders slumped as she spoke, head bowing to hide his discontentment behind the brim of his hat. He knew what this meant: being sent on a stupid adventure in the ass-end of the woods, because he was the only one out of this freak show with the brain and brawn to venture out into the world in broad daylight, without dying to the cold or stopping every five seconds to infect and pet wild animals. Some of these missions he did enjoy, like being sent to nearby towns for special supplies - or special victims. He was never gone long, nor would he stray far, but those escapades never failed to serve as a reminder that he had a reason to keep going, that maybe one day he would be free and the world would be his to explore.

The four of them eyed Miranda quietly, waiting for the verdict that was certain to come. Moreau cut the silence by volunteering to investigate, the pathetic pitter-pat of his feet filling the room when Mother smiled at him.

“I would not risk you in such a way, my son,” she patted his head without a hint of affection. “Not when we are so close to answers. You must continue your research - Heisenberg will look into this… Whatever it is. You are dismissed.” Her tone was nonchalant, her confidence rock solid. This was merely an obstacle, not real danger. At least, that is what she wanted them all to see; if one looked close enough, they would notice the slight furrow in her brow through the slits of the golden mask.

“As you wish, mother.” He tipped his hat before taking his leave, chewing on his unlit cigar, feet pressing hard against the gravel underneath.

Heisenberg never thought he would come to regret having a proper spine and a functional pair of legs.

[megs-mostly-past-random-fandoms]

Just Fine (Part 2 of Unexpected Reunion)

Here’s the requested 2nd part of “Unexpected Reunion”. *Familiar characters do NOT belong to me!*

Fandom: Peaky Blinders

Warnings: Angst. Mentions of pregnancy and childbirth(not graphic, but still). A couple swear words, if that bothers you. 

Pairings/Characters: Past!Michael Shelby/Gray x fem!reader, Michael Shelby/Gray x Gina Gray, The rest of the Shelby Clan

A few days after your confrontation with Michael, you sat in your flat crying your eyes out. You had refused to talk to anyone as every emotion you felt came pouring out in hot, angry tears. Polly and Finn often came to check on you, but you refused to open the door for them. You loved them, but you couldn’t face them. After about the fourth day, there was another knock on your door.

         "Go away, Pol,“ you called out in a scratchy voice. "Open the door, Y/N,” Arthur’s voice called out. You didn’t reply. He knocked again to no answer. The third time he knocked, another voice said, “Open the door or Arthur will break it down!” You recognized Tommy’s growl and sighed. You knew he was serious. You got up and threw the door open, meeting the faces of Arthur, Tommy, and Ada.

         "What?!“ you snapped. Tommy looked unimpressed and Ada had a look of pity on her face. "Don’t. Don’t do that. I don’t want your pity, Ada. I don’t want any of this. And I’m not sorry I told Michael to go to Hell.” Ada smiled at you before pushing passed her brothers and going to your wardrobe.

         You didn’t get the chance to ask what she was doing before Tommy said, “You’re going to stay with Ada for the duration of your pregnancy.” You arched a brow. “The hell I am. I’m not going anywhere he can just show up whenever he feels like.” Tommy’s eyes never left yours as you continued, “I am not Shelby property that you can do with as you wish, Thomas Shelby!”

         To his credit, Tommy didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t even show any signs that he was upset other than a slight tick of his jaw. “No, you’re not. But you are one of us. As is the child. You will be taken care of and protected. If you refuse to stay with Ada, then Polly is an alternative. Or you can take up residence with the Lees. We take care of our own, Y/N. Michael will not be allowed to come ‘round without your permission.”

         You looked between the three Shelbys. They were all waiting for your answer. You met Tommy’s gaze again. “Do you swear?” He nodded without hesitation. After a second, you found yourself agreeing. Ada went back to throwing your clothing in a trunk.

*time skip*

         Months passed quickly and before you knew it, you were eight months gone. You’d had no contact with Michael, but knew Ada had. You’d come home from the market one day to smell the mixture of cologne and cigarettes you knew could only be him. Other than that, there was no sign of him, just as Tommy promised.

         However, as the day you were due to deliver drew closer, you found yourself missing him. You knew it was probably the pregnancy messing with your head but you didn’t care. You needed to clear the air before the baby came. So, you picked up the phone and asked the operator to dial Michael’s number. Unfortunately for you, it wasn’t Michael who answered the phone.

         "I need to speak to Michael please,“ you said through gritted teeth when Gina answered the phone. You wanted so badly to tell her exactly what you thought of her, but you didn’t. As she was pregnant as well, you didn’t want to upset her. The baby was innocent after all.

         "He’s out. May I take a message?” You sighed heavily as you ran your hand over your stomach. “Fine. Please tell him Y/N called.” It was silent on the line for a minute, then there was some shuffling, as if she was shifting the phone. “Michael doesn’t want to speak to you, Y/N. He doesn’t care anything for you or that bastard in your belly.” With that, she hung up the phone.

         Anger coursed through your veins like never before. Never before had you truly despised another human being, but you loathed Gina Gray. The front door of Ada’s home burst open, pulling you from your thoughts. Polly frantically ran into the room.

         "What are you doing here, Pol?“ you asked. You were really trying not to take your anger out on her. "Are you alright?” You brows furrowed and you nodded. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I…” you trailed off, meeting her gaze, “Did you have another dream? A vision?” She nodded.

         "Well, don’t worry. I’m fine. Just a little upset.“ No sooner had you finished speaking did you feel a sharp and unexpected pain shoot through your stomach. "No,” you whispered. The pain didn’t lessen despite your refusal to believe what was happening. “Polly?” She gave you a smile as you let out a scream, bringing Ada running.

         "Ada, call Thomas and Arthur. Tell them to get Michael and bring him here. Drag him by the ear or tie him up if they have to.“ Ada nodded and moved for the phone. Polly wrapped an arm around you to help you up to your room. "Ada,” you called back to her. “Yes, love?”

         "Tell Michael to leave his fucking wife at home.“ Ada and Polly both chuckled a little. Polly lead you to your room while Ada placed the calls to her brothers. "I’m not ready, Pol. I’m scared,” you admitted softly. Polly gave your shoulders a squeeze. “You’re gonna be fine, love. Let’s bring your darling girl into the world.”

         "A girl?“ She beamed. "I saw her. A beautiful little girl.” You couldn’t help but smile. The door opened and Ada gave Polly a nod. “Doctor’s on his way. Tommy too. He sent Arthur and Finn for Michael.” You nodded and thanked her as another contraction hit you. You gripped Polly’s hand so tightly, you thought you might rip it off. She hardly seemed fazed though. “Good girl. Breathe.”

         You heard voices drifting your way, one you recognized as Tommy’s. The other was probably the doctor. “Take care of her,” Tommy’s accented voice said just outside the doorway, “I will make sure no one disturbs you.” The doctor’s gaze drifted to the bed and he smiled. “You have my word, Mr. Shelby. Ms. Y/L/N is in good hands.” Tommy stared the man down with that intimidating stare of his, the one you’d been on the receiving end of on more than one occasion. After a moment, Tommy left without a word.

         Time passed so slowly and yet so quickly at the same time while you worked endlessly to bring your little girl into the world. At one point, you heard screaming that was not your own, but Ada quickly left the room, slamming the door behind her, to make the ruckus stop. That left you squeezing the life out of Polly’s hand. You were hot and tired and miserable, but you knew you couldn’t give up. Finally, after what felt like hours, you heard the shrill cry of your newborn baby.

         "A girl.“ The doctor placed her on your chest and you felt like you might cry. "Thank you, Doctor. I’ll get them both cleaned up. And perhaps you would be kind enough to send Thomas up in a few minutes?” The doctor’s brow furrowed and his mouth opened as if he was about to ask if Tommy was the father, but thought better of it.

         "She’s beautiful, Pol,“ you whispered. Polly smiled again. "I knew she would be. Now let’s get you both cleaned up.” You nodded and attempted to shift, but your eyelids felt heavy. Polly laughed and helped you, being careful of the little girl.

         When she was done, she opened the door to let Tommy in. “Alright there, Y/N?” You told him your were fine, just tired. “Good. Michael’s here. Do you want to see him?” You frowned for the first time since you laid eyes on your daughter. “If you don’t, I’ll tell him so. If you do, I’ll make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid,” Tommy assured you. You contemplated for a moment. “He is her father, Tommy. He-He should see her,” you said softly.

         Michael appeared a couple minutes later, hand in one pocket and an unlit cigarette in the other. “Don’t even think about it, Michael,” you scolded harshly. Michael put the cigarette away as he drew nearer to you and his child. “Girl or boy?”

         "Girl. She looks like you…“ you said, trailing off. He came even closer so he could peer down at her. "She does. A little.” You stayed silent, fighting back tears. What could you say to the man who had broken your heart and rejected your child? What could you say to the one who got another woman he hardly knew pregnant and married her? You thought you were in love. You had been. Apparently Michael hadn’t. Before you could drown in your thoughts, Michael finally spoke again.

         "I’m sorry, Y/N. I didn’t mea-“ You cut him off with a hiss. "Don’t you dare say you didn’t mean it, Michael! You sleeping around wasn’t an accident! You screwed around, knocked her up, and married her, not caring two shits about me in the process. We were happy. We loved each other. At least I thought we did.”

         "We did! I did!“ You shook your head as the tears started to fall. "No you didn’t. If you had, you would have come home to me. You would have come home and married me, just like we talked about.” Michael said nothing and you huffed. Silence once again descended on the room for a few moments. You couldn’t bring yourself to meet Michael’s gaze, so you settled for the ceiling or your daughter’s face.

         "What can I do?“ You shook your head. "Nothing. We can’t change it now. Go home to your wife, Michael. I won’t keep you from seeing your daughter, but it will be under my terms. And that b-woman is not allowed anywhere near me or my daughter for the time being. I don’t trust her. Especially not after this afternoon.” Michael looked at you in utter confusion.

         "You don’t know?“ you asked before rolling your eyes. "Nevermind. Go talk to your wife. I need rest.” Michael surprisingly didn’t argue and left. More tears fell from your eyes. How had things gotten so messed up? Other people would have blamed the entire family. “The Shelby’s are bad news.” But you couldn’t. It wasn’t their fault. It was yours and it was Michael’s. Now you had to live with it. Still, as you looked down yet again, you smiled.

         All the messed up situations in the world were worth seeing that little girl’s face. Michael could rot with his wife for all you cared. You didn’t need him and your daughter certainly didn’t need to look up to him. The door opened again to reveal the rest of the Shelby clan. “Is everything alright?” You looked at them and smiled tiredly. “Everything is going to be fine…absolutely fine.”

(a/n: I hope you liked it! I’ve got a Sherlock fic and a Labyrinth fic in the works!)

Tagging: @gilraenpalantir​ @namelesslosers​

[abrakophile]

I was looking through a bunch of junk and found some letters from my dad when he was in the army. I’m afraid I'll accidently toss them, so maybe I’ll put them here?

OPs Name JUNE 02 03

I LOVE YOU

THIS IS MY NAME IN KURDISH

*my dad wrote his first and last name, and under it, in Kurdish*

ILL TRY AND FIND OUT HOW TO WRITE YOUR NAME AND MOMS TOO.

ITS STILL HOT. I WORK AND READ BOOKS TO PASS THE TIME AWAY.

HOW ARE YOU DOING? GOOD I HOPE. WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN? DO YOU EVER HANG OUT WITH YOUR FRIENDS? TELL THEM I SAID “WASSUP?” NAH, DONT TELL THEM. TELL ME WHAT YOUR THINKING. I’M TRYING TO SEND YOU SOME MORE OF MY DRAWINGS. WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DRAW YOU? DID YOU LIKE THE DRAWING I SENT YOU OF YOU NAME? ITS ALRIGHT IF YOU DIDNY. JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU DO WANT ME TO DRAW YOU.

(Flip Page)

THIS IS WEIRD! (The page does not have lines on the left side of it) i WONDER WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS PIECE OF PAPER. HaHa

I MISS YOU ALOT. PLEASE SOND ME SOME MORE OF YOUR DRAWINGS, YOU CAN DRAW ME ANYTHING YOU WANT TO.

ARE YOU BEING GOOD FOR YOUR MOM? ITS NICE IF YOU HELP HER OUT WHILE I’M AWAY.

HAVE YOU BEEN ANYPLACE NEW? HOW IS SCHOOL GOING FOR YOU? IS MOMMY GOING TO SCHOOL? I KNOW I WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL WHEN I GET BACK. HOPEFULLY I GET THE CHANCE TO LEARN EVERYTHING THAT THERE IS TO KNOW. THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

ALSO, ID LIKE TO DO SOME FISHING? HOW ABOUT YOU? I GUESS ILL END HERE. BE GOOD AND STAY IN SCHOOL. AND JUST SAY NO TO DRUGS.

THEYRE BAD.

I LIVE YOU OP

*hearts and x’s* DADDY

---

(I don’t know if all these pages are in order or if it’s missing any, but this was the letter in the same stack as the last but this one was for my mom. In some places his indents indicate passage of time.)

I HAVENT HAD ANY TIME TO WRITE SINCE WEVE BEEN ON THE ROAD, NOT TO MENTION THAT WE CAN’T SEND MAIL WHEN WE’RE MOVING ALL THE TIME.

WEVE BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR ABOUT FIVE OR SIX DAYS, I HAVENT REALLY BEEN COUNTING. I KNOW I TOLD YOU THAT WE’D BE IN KUWAIT FOR A WHILE, BUT THAT WAS SO YOU WOULDNT BE WORRIED. I’M GOING TO KEEP THIS LETTER THOUGH, TILL I GET HOME.

ABOUT TWO NIGHTS AGO, WE DROVE THROUGH BAGDHAD, SOMEBODY SAID THAT THERE WERE PILED BODIES, I DONT KNOW IF IT WAS TRUE.

AND I GUESS YESTERDAY, A COUPLE OF PEOPLE SAID THEY SAW A MISSILE OR SOEMTHING SHOT AT US. I WAS TRYING TO FIX A TRUCK SO I DIDNT SEE IT.

ITS NOT AS DUSTY HERE IN IRAQ. IT REMINDS ME OF THE CONVOYS IN KOREA.

MOST OF THE PEOPLE WILL WAVE “HI”. SOME OTHERS DONT.

I SAW A KID OPEN HIS HAND ONCE WHILE MOVING, AND IT SAID “BUSH” THAT WAS KIND OF COOL.

OH YEAH. HERES A STORY. WHILE OUT DOING A MISSION, ONE OF OUR “BRADLEY” TANKS FIRED ON AN ENEMY AMMO TRUCK AND CLIPPED A KID. THE ROUNDS BLEW ONE OF HIS LEGS OFF AND SOME OF THE OTHER, FROM THE KNEE DOWN. SO THE MEDICS PICKED HIM UP AND BROUGHT HIM TO OUR RECONCOLIDATING POINT FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT. I GUESS HE EVENTUALLY DIED FROM LOSS OF BLOOD THE NEXT NIGHT AND YESTERDAY THEY TOOK HIM OUT AND BURIED HIM.

ALSO WE PICKED UP ABOUT 25-30 P.O.W.s AND SENT THEM SOUTH.

IT GETS PRETTY COLD AT NIGHT. AND THE DAY’S ARE VERY HOT.

SINCE WE LEFT KUWAIT ITS BEEN ME AND MENDOZA IN THE FIVE TON WRECKER AND I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT ITS BEEN EXCITING. WE KEPT GETTING SEPERATED FROM THE CONVOY AND BREAKING DOWN. BUT I THINK THAT WERE BETTER NOW. HOPEFULLY.

IM STILL WAITING TO BE AMBUSHED TO MAKE ALL THIS SEEM REAL TO ME. A PART OF ME WANTS IT AND ANOTHER DOESNT.

AND IT SEEMS LIKE ONLY OUR UNIT HAS TO STAY IN UNIFORM, EVERYONE ELSE WEARS T-SHIRTS AND BANDENA’S AND RAGS ON THEIR HEAD

WERE STILL GOING NORTH. NOBODY KNOWS HOW LONG WE’LL STAY. ITS NOT THAT BAD HERE. MEANING, IT COULD BE WORSE. 

I USED A “SHIT-CHAIR”. ITS JUST A METAL CHAIR WITH A HOLE CUT IN THE MIDDLE AND THE SEAT FROM A TOILET BOLTED TO IT, GROSS.

HELICOPTERS CAN BE HEARD ALL DAY AND NIGHT. I GOT TO SEE THEM DROP BOMBS ALL DAY ABOUT 3 DAYS AGO, FROM A DISTANCE OF COURSE.

ILL BE DRIVING AGAIN, IN A MINUTE. PROBABLY RE-FUEL AND BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN. IM ENJOYING IT.

I HAVE 8 MAGAZINES FULL OF ROUNDS. NO GRENADES, BUT I LIKE IT LIKE THAT.

SOMETIMES IT SMELLS LIKE SHIT.

I GUESS ILL END IT HERE FOR NOW

I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU TWO TWICE IF NOT THRICE AS MUCH AS YOU MIGHT MISS ME TOO.

HELLO AGAIN. WERE SOMEWHERE NEAR TIKRI + MOSUL. YESTERDAY, ME + MENDOZA WENT LOOKING FOR MOMENTO’S. WE BROKE A LOCK TO A NEAR BY BUNKER AND FOUND 6 A.K.47s! BUT ON OUR WAY BACK TO TURN THEM IN, MAJOR TATU GOT THEM FROM US. I WAS SO PISSED. BUT I GOT A GAS MASK w/ FILTER, A FULL MAGAZINE CLIP FROM ONE OF THE A.K.s AND A BERET WITH IRAQ 1 RANK ON IT.

I MADE A STENCIL FOR THE TRUCK WERE RIDING IN. ITS CALLED THE “GAMBLER.” YESTERDAY MENDOZA DROVE, SO TODAY ILL BE DRIVING.

IM NOT POSITIVE, BUT, I THINK WERE GOING TO TURKEY. NIETO SAYS THAT HE OVERHEARD SOMEBODY FROM S1 (or SI, I’m not sure) SAYING WE MIGHT GET PAID EXTRA FOR GOING THROUGH BAGHDAD.

I THINK NIETO’S MAD AT ME. CANT EXPLAIN WHY. MAYBE ITS BECAUSE IM RIDING WITH MENDOZA AND HE DOESNT LIKE MENDOZA TOO MUCH. OH WELL, WHATEVER REASON, HOPE THINGS GET NORMAL AGAIN. HAVE TO GO,

*hearts and xs*

TODAY IS THE 25th OF APRIL, I RECEIVED FIVE OR SIX (OR SEVEN) LETTERS YESTERDAY. THE LATEST WAS DATED 07 OF APRIL. THAT TELLS ME THAT ITS GOING TO TAKE A WHILE TO COMMUNICATE.

WE HAVENT RECEIVED MAIL BECAUSE WEVE BEEN MOVING NEVER STAYING IN ONE PLACE MORE THAN A DAY, OR TWO, UNTIL NOW. WE’VE BEEN IN THIS SPOT GOING ON FOUR DAYS TOMORROW?!

GIVE ME A MINUTE...

FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS IVE BEEN HELPING MENDOZA PULL THE ENGINE OUT OF A 5 TON TRUCK AND SWITCH IT w/ ANOTHER ONE. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EASY BUT THE FLY WHEEL SEIZED UP INSIDE THE BELL HOUSING. ITS FINISHED NOW AND THE RUMOR IS WE’RE LEAVING  (OR MOVING) AGAIN TOMORROW.

ITS 10:33 THURSDAY MORNING. YOUR TIME IS 12:32 JUST TURNING THURSDAY.

I ALMOST CRYED WHEN I SAW ELIS PICTURE. I REALLY MISS BOTH OF YOU. LET ME BACK TO BEFORE I GOT DISTRACTED. I HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO SEND MAIL BECAUSE WE’VE BEEN MOVING. BUT I GUESS THAT WHATEVER THREAT THERE WAS (IF ANY), ISNT SO THREATFUL ANYMORE, WE CAN START RECEIVING AND SENDING MAIL. NO PHONE TO CALL FROM, AND NO INTERNET TO E-MAIL FROM.

THE WHOLE UNIT IS SCATTERED, SO EVEN IF I GET WHAT YOU NEED IT’LL TAKE FOREVER TO GET IT TO YOU. LET ME PULL THOSE LETTERS BACK OUT. OH WAIT. I DID LAUNDRY AND SOME UNDERWEAR THATS DRY, FELT HARD, OH WELL, WAIT A SECOND, K

I HAD TO FOLD SOME T-SHIRTS. ALL MY SOCKS ARE STILL DAMP. 

YOU CAN USE MY CONTRACT TO SHOW THAT I ENLISTED IN TEXAS AND HOWS THIS

*On a separate sheet my dad wrote a detailed note for my mom to give to someone to confirm that he did want to buy a house. He writes “I AM ALIVE AND WELL.” and “PLEASE ACCEPT THIS PAPER”, then he signed it with his scribble signature, and underneath it wrote his name in print and added “1st SQUADRON 10th CAVALRY HEADQUARTERS TROOP (I have no clue what this means)*

HOW’S THAT? HOPE I SPELLED EVERYTHING CORRECTLY. IM ALMOST READY WITH A DESIGN TO COVER THE OTHER TATTOOS ON MY LEFT FOREARM.

I JUST FINISHED LOOKING OVER ALL THOSE LETTERS YOU SENT FOR ME

IM BACK! I GOT SLEEPY SO I TRYED TO LAY DOWN FOR A LITTLE BIT. NO SLEEP. I DONT THINK. I DIDNT HAVE ENOUGH WATER TO WASH MY DCV’S AND A PAIR OF BDV’S. BESIDES FOR DRINKING WATER, BUT WE HAVE TO CONSERVE IT.

LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE RUMORS. TOMORROW WE’LL BE LEAVING FOR THE IRAN/IRAQ BORDER TO DO “PEACE KEEPING” FOR 3 TO 6 mths. OTHERS SAY THAT THE 4ID (i think is what this says) GENERAL WANTS TO KEEP US HERE TILL NOV., THATS WHEN 1 CAV WILL COME TO REPLACE US. WHILE OTHERS SAY WE MIGHT LEAVE BY JUNE. NOTHINGS FOR SURE.

SMALLER RUMORS FLOATING AROUND THE SITE ARE; RAMSEY AND SFC BACON ARE SLEEPING TOGETHER. SGT SIREK HAS PLANS TO TAKE NIETO AS HIS APPRENTICE AND PADIWAN LEARNER OF THE DARK SIDE. LITTLE BLACK ARNOLD IS MILITARY INTELLIGENCE FOR SPECIAL FORCES OPERATING UNDER COVER A SURVEILLENCE AS PART OF

*the rest of the page is blank*

IM BACK. TODAY IS THE 27th. I GOT BACK TO THE LITTLE CAMP AREA ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF AGO. I LEFT YESTERDAY MORNING TO, WELL, AS PART OF DE-CON (DE-CONTAMINATION) MISSION. HERES THE INFORMATION THAT I GATHERED.

A SITE HAD BEEN FOUND THAT WAS THOUGHT TO HAVE CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND 1-10 WAS APPOINTED TO GO TO THE SITE AND DE-CON THE CIVILIANS THAT WERE GOING TO OPEN THEM. AS IT TURNS OUT THE CIVILIANS HAVE BEEN DE-LAYED AND WOULD BE SET BACK 1 DAY.

THE NBC TEAM THAT I WAS WITH WERENT PREPARED TO STAY OVER NIGHT AND AS FORCASTED BY SSG MINOR WE MIGHT HAVE HAD TO STAY 3 TO 4 DAYS. EVERYBODY WAS PISSED.

LATELY ITS BEEN GETTING REALLY COLD AT NIGHT AND WE JUST HAPPENED TO BE NEAR A RUNNING RIVER. SO THE, ITS ABOUT 9 O’CLOCK AND IM BEAT, NO SLEEPING BAG OR ANYTHING TO COVER UP WITH AND I DECIDE TO TRY AND SLEEP. I GET AS COMFORTABLE AS POSSIBLE AND I GET ATTACKED BY MOSQUITOS. NOW IM PISSED SO I DECIDED TO JUST TO STAY UP ALL NIGHT. ABOUT 10PM ONE OF THE HEMTT (this might just say “hemi”, I don’t know) FUELERS SHOWS UP AND SGT TORRES SAYS HE HAS EVERYBODYS SLEEPING BAG! THE SITES ABOUT 45 MINS AWAY AND THEY LEFT SOMETIME MID AFTERNOON TO GET OUR SHIT, I HATE THESE PEOPLE.

RIGHT NOW ITS 9:01 PM AND ITS 11:02 AM YOUR TIME. I MISS YOU.

RIGHT NOW IM GOING TO ADDRESS AN ENVELOPE AND HAVE IT READY TO SEND TOMMOROW THE 28th. IM SORRY IF IT SEEMS THAT IM NOT WRITING VERY OFTEN. FOR A WHILE WE COULDN’T. AND NOW THAT IT SEEMS WE MIGHT BE HERE A LITTLE WHILE, THEYVE KEPT ME REALLY BUSY. LET ME ADDRESS THE ENVELOPES (he drew a star here)

ALL DONE. I THOUGHT ABOUT THE HOUSE A LOT TODAY AND YESTERDAY. IM SURE BY THE TIME THIS LETTER REACHES YOU, YOU’LL HAVE EITHER GOTTEN IT OR GAVE IT UP. IM O.K. WITH EITHER DECISION YOUVE MADE.

YOUVE KEPT THIS FAMILY TOGETHER, AND THAT MAKES ME PROUD. YOUR SMART, ATTRACTIVE AND FUNNY. AND YOU DONT TAKE ANY SHIT FROM ANYBODY. I LOVE YOU.

I HOPE THAT OUR DAUGHTER TURNS OUT TO BE LIKE YOU.

I GUESS ILL MAIL THIS TOMORROW, FIRST THING, SO

EVER YOURS

EVER MINE

*my dad signed it with his scribble, and wrote his name under it. under that are hearts and x’s with my mom’s name and then my name under hers.*

[coneygoil]

The Home We Built Together, part 35

Two young Vikings. An arranged marriage. Hiccup always wanted to win the girl of his dreams, but not like this. Now he and Astrid must learn to live together and maybe one day, learn to love…

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9| Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Interlude | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34

Astrid couldn’t recall a time when she felt more alive than she had riding on Stormfly’s back. The rush of the wind had pulled her hair and stung her eyes, but she welcomed it. She urged Stormfly on, testing the Nadder’s speed. Stormfly did not disappoint. She tucked her wings and streamed along the surface of the sea at speeds Astrid couldn’t have imagined she’d ever experience. She squeezed her knees tightly to Stormfly’s body, the Nadder showing no signs of her rider’s cling bothering her. Hiccup and Toothless maintained the same speed, soaring along beside them at a short distance. Astrid glanced over at their merged silhouette lined in the moonlight. Astrid wasn’t sure how far or for how long they’d flown. All she knew was that her heart thumped wildly when she thought about doing it again.

***

“I can start work on making saddles. We can take the gang up one at a time. Get them used to riding and the feel of how to work with their dragons. One of us could fly with them on the initial flight. I mean, every dragon is different, and it could be good for us too to know how to fly them—”

Hiccup chattered away as they trekked to the arena to feed the dragons. Him and Astrid had flown the better part of the night before, barely getting a few hours of sleep afterwards. The lack of sleep had been worth it. Astrid was still rubbing sleep from her eyes, but somehow, Hiccup was as energetic as ever.

Astrid laughed to herself. She readjusted the basket of food for the dragons that she insisted on carrying, despite Hiccup’s chivalrous protests.

Hiccup was about ready to burst. “We should tell the gang today!”

Astrid would have agreed if not for the all too familiar bellow that reached them before it reverberated off the cliff-face. It snapped their attention to where the great horn resided near the harbor.

“They’re back,” Astrid gasped, catching sight of the three ships in the distance.

The ship at the head of the small fleet was coming in rapidly, having lines of rows sailing it to shore. Crowned at the bow of the ship was a massive figurehead that they both knew well. Stoick the Vast nobly stood, his fur mantle swooshing in the misty sea air.

The ship docked and the gangplank lowered. The first body to lumber off the ship was none other than their mighty chief. His body held the weight of more than just his physicality. He carried a burden on his shoulders that could be seen even as far away as the cliffs. Gobber greeted his old friend with a hearty slap on the back. They exchanged bits of dialogue that was most likely questions concerning the campaign, which judging by the ships was a sore topic. Stoick suddenly paused at something Gobber said. They exchanged more dialogue before moving on and disappearing under the shadow of the cliff edge. Right before they were out of sight, Stoick’s somber mood had seemed to lift just a tad. Astrid wondered what Gobber had said to make that happen.

They were so caught up in viewing the ship’s arrival that Astrid didn’t come back to herself until she heard an audible swallow next to her. She glanced at Hiccup, but his eyes were still glued to the happenings below. Vikings ambled off the ship as the other ships began to dock along the harbor. One blonde Viking in particular caused Astrid’s heart to leap. A smile spread across her face.

She tugged Hiccup’s arm. “Come on! Let’s go! If we hurry, you can catch up with your dad and I can see my dad.”

Hiccup stayed rooted to the ground, the basket abandon beside him. “You go ahead and find your dad.”

Astrid’s brow furrowed. “Don’t you want to see your dad?”

Hiccup shrugged as if it was no big deal even though it was written all over his face that it was. “I do. I guess. Just not right now.” Astrid could see him visibly deflate. “The dragons need to be feed. You go ahead, Astrid. Go see your dad. I know you miss him.”

Astrid didn’t push. She knew how strained Hiccup and his father’s relationship was. She offered a small smile as she wrapped him in a supportive hug and gave him a quick squeeze. She smiled to herself when he sought a little comfort nuzzling into her neck.

With a promise to catch up with him later, Astrid dashed down the pathway to the docks. She weaved through the crowd of disembarking Vikings finding their land legs once more, carrying weapons and crates and bags of supplies. It appeared the fleet had engaged in some trade along the way, as well, with wares that were not found in their part of the Archipelago.

Excitement bubbled up in her gut as she spotted the one person she had trekked down there in search of. Halsten Hofferson was a man of medium stature. He was of rather slender build, but his shoulders were broad and strong. His head of golden locks favored his daughter’s and brushed his neck in a short braid. His beard was thinner and shorter than most. He didn’t quite fit the standard of Viking men on Berk, but he was a force to be reckoned with, just like his daughter.

Astrid called out to him and practically launched into her father’s arms. Halsten caught her up in his capable hold. Astrid’s boots left the wooden planks of the dock as she embraced her father. Halsten set her down after a significant greeting. He cocked his head at his daughter, a little bewildered but happy to see her.

“Astrid,” he chuckled out, surprised but delighted, “what was that for?”

Warmth crept in her cheeks, and she was embarrassed that they were most likely stained an obvious pink. “I’m glad you’re back.” She’d never been one to display such shows of affection publicly. If she hugged her dad – and she did, despite her outwardly stoic upbringing – it would be within the confines of their home where only Ingrid Hofferson witnessed the loving affection between father and daughter.

Halsten patted his daughter’s back, encouraging her to walk with him through the swarm of people and off the crowded dock. “How’s your mother?”

“She’s well. I don’t get to see her very often, but I know she stays busy.” Astrid recalled the times she’d spent with her mother since her father had shipped off on the campaign. Those times were too few and far in between. “I know she’s missed you.”

Halsten nodded his head, solemnly. “I’ve returned and she will not have to do without anymore.” Astrid could feel her father’s smile as he leaned toward her. “How’s my daughter?”

Astrid had so many things she wanted to say. So much had happened since the campaign had launched two months prior. Astrid felt a twinge in her chest. She couldn’t tell her father any of it. She had to keep her excitement to herself. She settled for something vague. “I’m fine.”

Halsten’s face fell just a bit. “Is the Chief’s son treating you well?”

She could clearly hear his concern. Halsten had not been the most thrilled person to have Hiccup Haddock as a son-in-law. Whereas Ingrid Hofferson carried a glimmer of hope that the hapless son of the Chief could change his course to a better direction, Halsten had strong reservations. Maybe because the Chief’s son was married to his only daughter. His hand had seemed to be stuck in a casing of rock when he had signed the married contract, reluctant but persuaded by his Chief to give his only daughter away.

A smile broke out on Astrid’s face. This was one area in her life she could share. “Hiccup is treating me good.” She ducked her head, trying to conceal her blush at the very thought of her husband and their discovered affection for one another. “We’ve really gotten close.” She paused for a short beat, reigning in her wayward thoughts so that she could face her father again. “I’m happy with him, dad. I really am.”

The village came into view as they rounded a corner of the path. Halsten watched her, searching for a proof of her claim. When he thoroughly examined her, he clapped a hand on her back. “Good to hear, Astrid. Maybe my mind can rest for the time being.” He tugged the end of her braid, teasingly.

Astrid shooed him away, laughing. “Will you stop!” A happy bubble of emotion rose in her chest. She didn’t realize how much she had missed her father until this moment. A question filtered through her head. The images of the burnt spots on the ships and the evidence of a dragon attack answered the question she was about to inquire of.

“How did the campaign go?”

Halsten’s features drew into a somber shape. “We were no closer to seeking the beasts out than before. We sailed around the initial fog that always plagues us, but it seemed to be wrapped around that place so tightly, we could never find a way passed it. Stoick knows the dragon’s nest must be in there. It is the perfect hiding place.”

Astrid knew all too well how perfect of a hiding place it was. The area around the nest wasn’t called Helheim’s Gate for no reason. It was a treacherous way of passage through the dense fog and jutting sea stacks. All on top of surprise dragon attacks.

“They found us. The dragons. We fought—” Halsten paused, seeming at a loss for a moment for the right words. As if he were checking his memory to be sure he was remembering correctly. “The dragons seemed strange. Like, they were trying to chase us away instead of obliterating us as it had been on the last two campaigns.”

Astrid hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath as her father recalled the experience. She knew in her gut that the dragons they’d encountered had to be the Nightmare’s rebellion. They were the only group of dragons there that would possibly do such a thing. She longed more than anything to tell her father why the band of dragons had chased them away instead of fighting them to the death. She longed to tell him that dragons were good. That they could live in peace with them. She wanted to share her secret, but no, this wasn’t the time or place. It wasn’t her secret to tell. Hiccup deserved to reveal the good news. It had been an unexpected fortune when the rest of the teens discovered their secret. But, Hiccup deserved to be the first to tell others besides their little group.

“We were fortunate to not lose a soul,” Halsten continued, drawing Astrid back.

“Yeah—” she replied, carefully, “you were.”

Astrid suddenly wanted to get back to Hiccup more than ever – as if an invisible string was yanking her in the direction she’d last seen him. She embraced her father once more, promising she’d stop by to visit within the next day or so.

She rushed off to the arena thinking she’d find Hiccup there, possibly still feeding the dragons or even gathered with the other teens. She jogged to a halt when she found the arena empty. The basket of food they’d brought for the dragons sat against a wall. She lifted the lid to find it empty. The dragons had been fed, but where had her husband ran off to?

Astrid made her rounds through the village to all the places she knew Hiccup could be. Many Vikings that had come fresh off the campaign greeted her. Their elation and relief to being home after such a long journey was evident on their faces. When she didn’t find Hiccup at all his usual haunts, she had a sneaking feeling exactly where he’d gone. She was just about to dash off in the direction of the forest when she heard her name.

“Astrid! There’s my daughter-in-law,” hailed Stoick, “but where is Hiccup?”

Astrid mustered a smile that she didn’t quite have the emotion to create at the moment. Her mind was solely on Hiccup. He wasn’t anywhere in the village. There was only one other place she knew he had to be. She didn’t know why she was so anxious over the idea that he’d disappeared again. If he was with Toothless then he was safe. She trusted the Night Fury with her life, but especially with Hiccup’s. But, just the thought that he’d disappear without telling her again made her stomach churn.

“That’s who I’m looking for,” Astrid played it off nonchalantly. “I’ll let Hiccup know you’re looking for him. Good to have you back, Chief!” She hurried away before Stoick could inquire any further.

She dashed off toward the forest. Her feet carried her without hardly a thought as to where she was going. She knew the path well.  She weaved through the boulders that made a natural barrier around the cove and came to a halt at the drop that led into the cove. She peered around and listened for any signs of life. Her shoulders slumped at the same time her heart dropped into her stomach.

He was gone. Again.

Tags: ��@martabm90​ @chiefhiccstrid @drchee5e

[ansgar-martinsson]

The Best Intentions - Part 27

It was too late.

He had neither meant for it to happen, nor expected it.

Not so soon after his return to Stockholm, not so soon after he came home. Not so soon after first hearing the name Joline Lindberg. Not so soon after the oozing, crusty-black scab from Faye’s rapier slash fell away from his wounded heart.

But it was too late. Too late and in that moment, he knew it. He knew it the moment he reached for her, the moment he drew her in, the moment his body meshed and melded with hers, the moment he took her with a gentle stroke, with a careful slide of his flesh into hers, with a lover’s embrace. He knew.

He knew it just the same way he knew how to breathe life into a Philip Glass sonata, how to create with a CAD program or a hammer. He knew it just the same way he understood his business, the way he could read his customers, the way he knew how to keep his employees happy and productive. He just knew.

But he’d not put words to it. Not yet. Not even in his mind, would he allow himself to admit to it. The ethereal ‘it’. That ‘it’ that meant his stomach would flutter and his heart would pound and his head would feel like a helium balloon in the very presence of her. That ‘it’ that would make his cock twitch with the very idea of her flesh. That ‘it’ that meant he would do anything, say anything, give anything just to keep her with him.

That ‘it’ that was now giving him the warmest, most tender delight in not just fucking, not just sex, but making love… truly and honestly making love to the woman in his arms, the woman in his bed, the woman in his life, the woman named Joline Lindberg.

Making love.

Love.

Love… Joline?

Could he? Did he?

And if that is what it was, would he give over to it? Would he give in to it, again? Better question: would she?

“Mmmm, come here,” he murmured, pulling gently on her opposite side. “I want to see your face. Come on top of me.”

“Are you sure?”

“Please,” his voice was breathy, reedy, nearly a child like beg. “I need to see you. I need to look… to look at you.”

And he shifted and she shifted, and he found himself staring up into her deep, fathomless eyes. Her weight was a comfort around his body, an anchor for his restless spirit, a balm for his battered mind. His hands, nearly of their own accord, for his full attention was on her face, grasped her around the waist and lifted her. “Inside,” he whispered. “Put me back inside.”

Her gaze not leaving his, she reached between her legs and wrapped her fingers around him. He knew she’d taken him in, not so much from the sensation of her warm, soft flesh, but more from the look of pure bliss that melted over her features as she lowered herself down upon him.

His own muscles went slack, his eyes fluttered closed and open again, and his mouth dropped open upon a deep, guttural moan. “Mmmmm,” he hummed. “Just like that. Yes. Yes. Oh. Exactly like that.”

She’d rolled her hips to seat him deeper, and in doing so, bent forward, her hands flat on the mattress, framing his head, her breasts perking down in tempting mounds just in the reach of his mouth, her hair cascading in a thick, dark mass over her face to tickle his beard below. She moved on him, slowly, slowly, oh so slowly….

And Ansgar moved with her, just as languid in his caresses, just as fluid in his pulses, just as fervent in his searching kisses, just as… loving… in his touch. A touch that was amorous and delicate, fluttering and caressing over her heated skin with quiet fingertips. He reached up, palming back the curtain of her hair, parting it away from her face, sculpting a bright, pinkish blue halo of seraphic sunrise and cherubic city light around her head. He held the day-glow back, exposing the window of her very soul, the wings of her emotions, and he watched her. Watched. Watched for those tell-tale signs of her mutual desire, his effects upon her, her knowledge of him. He watched and studied and learned and extolled and revered…

… and, like the pilgrim that he was beneath her altar, he worshiped her.

“Oh, Joline. Beautiful Joline,” he praised, lifting his hips from the bed, pressing himself further, further, even further into her. His fingers curled inward, tightening his grip on her head, his vision fixed firmly upon her, his eyes to hers, grasping onto her gaze with a near preternatural strength until… until….

Until he could hold the heat of it no longer. Until his eyes squeezed shut, until every muscle in his face, every tissue in his body contracted and constricted, pulsated and throbbed in a cascade failure of control, a paroxysm of pleasure. “My… ah… ah… ah… oh! Joline!”

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

Ansgar shoved the gear shift of his Tesla into park at the very moment the clock on the display shifted from 11:59 AM to 12:00 PM. With a knowing smirk, he lit from the car, nearly jogging around the front, up the drive and to the door of the small house.

He found the doorbell with little problem, smiling at the sight of the red and yellow Dala Horse painted upon its cover, the surname “Lindberg” printed in matching Old Germanic lettering along the bottom. A mash of his finger on the cracked and faded button and he was met with an old-fashioned, satisfying “bing bong” from somewhere within the home.

He pressed the button a second time, shorter, then, and stood back, considering his reflection in the plate glass of the outer door. He ran his hands over his clothes - roll-sleeved and breast-pocketed light pink linen shirt, navy blue walking shorts, brown woven belt and tan boat shoes - through his hair - which he left looser, more casual, that day - and across his beard - which he’d trimmed to sharp-lined precision that morning after he’d returned Joline, upon her request, to the Opera House.

Hands shoved deep in his shorts pockets, he rolled up and back on the balls of his feet, waiting. He checked his watch, wiping the immense crystal of it against his shirt, annoyed by the slight smudge upon it, a smudge put there when he’d cleaned up the breakfast dishes that morning.

“You told me you were a hopeless cook,” Joline had teased, leaning on her cupped hands over the edge of the breakfast bar. “What the hell do you call that?” She’d pointed to the oven, where Ansgar had fetched out a cooking tray with two white ramekins, bubbling and baked to perfection - hot scrambled eggs, fresh rosemary and basil, cheese, butter, and ham cooked into a dish omelette and ready to serve. “That looks amazing and smells absolutely delicious.”

“It’s true. I am a hopless cook,” Ansgar had replied, resting the cookie sheet onto the granite counter. “I had nothing to do with it. Rosie made these last night and left them for me in the fridge. Left me specific instructions, step by step, on a sheet of paper, mind you, of how to cook them this morning.”

“How sweet of her,” Joline had drolled. “Handholding you through making my breakfast and all that. Did she tell you how to turn that thing on, and that you shouldn’t touch the inside when it’s hot?”

Ansgar had chuckled. “I know how to work the oven, darling. It’s just all the bits leading up to it that are completely baffling.”

“How brave of you to open up and admit that to me,” Joline had joked.

“I can keep nothing from you,” he’d said, leaning into her. He brushed the warm side of the oven mitt down her nose, smiling. “You should know that by now.”

Ansgar chuckled at the memory of it as he waited on the concrete stoop for her. His flesh stirred inwardly at the thought of her sitting there in his kitchen, her legs spread over the edge of the white leather bar stool, in her pink knickers and flesh coloured brassiere, of her dark hair loose and mussed upon her shoulders, her make up all but smudged off and her lips rather bruised. He smiled at the memory of his own body, wrapped in nothing but a white towel, how he had to sit with his torso tight against the table as he ate, his erection threatening to drop the towel where he sat.

He checked his watch again, and again, he pressed the button.

After Ansgar dropped her at the theatre with a kiss, a tickle and a promise to fetch her again in a few hours for the picnic, Joline put in a few hours work before returning home to change and check in on her mother. Joline had her girls in the marketing department throw together a handful of mailers and fliers for the Martinsson Construction clientele, in case the opportunity presented itself. She fancied the cover story, and if it got her a few more subscribers, it was worth the effort.

“You’re still in your knickers. Are you nervous?” her mother asked when she caught Joline yanking yet another outfit from the depths of her closet.

“Mama, what are you doing? Pacing my hall again?” Despite Joline’s reservations about going to the event in a personal capacity, she still needed to look equal parts House Manager for the theatre and the potential girlfriend of the CEO. Mistress, lover, fuckbuddy, newest toy, all titles that society deemed inappropriate, but that they all practiced. Society always needed a title (even if she and Ansgar both disliked them), so she’d don the girlfriend moniker for the sake of appearances.

“Making sure the varnish is still on the door,” her mother quipped, pointing at the closet door that Joline had opened and closed at least four dozen times.

“Tell your jokes. I think I may go mad.”

Emelie crossed the threshold of her daughter’s room and eased herself into a seated position on the foot of the bed amongst at least half the contents of the closet. Her back played her up, and Joline couldn’t help but notice the favor and attention given to the act of sitting. It worried her more than she’d ever admit or confront her mother with.

Joline often said when anyone asked of her mother’s condition that there were good days and there were bad days. She rarely spoke of the mediocre or stable days, and never in great detail. Save Elias. Elias lived through some of the brutally painful days when their mother could barely stand for the aches in her back and legs. Elias listened to Joline’s tears of terror that their mother might not live till morning for the bouts of vomiting.

Joline couldn’t share that family business with anyone but Elias. She wasn’t embarrassed by the progression of her mother’s disease, and didn’t resent her decision to move back to Sweden to care for her either. She was glad to do it, proud to be there when her best friend needed her. She merely didn’t utter the words because it would make time infinitely smaller, her borrowed time with her mother even shorter. Make the truth of it a reality, even more than the rounds of meds and constant surveillance.

It was a form of denial that Joline lived to keep her going day to day, to continue working at the opera house, to even date. If she let herself think about it, consider the real possibility of her mother’s fate, she’d shrivel like a raisin in the sun or cease to exist herself. Life without her mother wasn’t a life at all.

“Why the neurotic emptying of your closet?”

Joline threw a floral print summer dress into the pile of ‘possibility but not really feeling it.’ She blew out an exasperated breath. “What the fuck do I know about corporate functions?”

Emelie smiled a closed mouth grin. “Do what I did when your father took me, fake it. Fake it till it hurts. Then do something entirely scandalous when you get a minute alone with your… date.”

“Mother!”

“Your partner? Date… whatever he is. You do nothing different than when you do your theatre hoity-toity gigs.”

“That’s business.”

“So is this,” Emilie pointed out sagely, “Just not your business.”

Joline flung her closet door open again, hoping an option would jump out at her and scream, ‘Pick me! Pick me!’ Instead everything hung lifelessly in her closet looking utterly drab and inappropriate. She sighed dejectedly. “I’ve turned into her… one of those girls that fusses about every detail.”

Emelie curled her arms around each other and rested them under breasts. “Jojo, you can be as girly as you need to be… no judgement here. I won’t spill.”

Joline sighed and glanced at the clock on her mobile that rested on the chest of drawers. Too little time…

“Daughter,” her mother intoned cautiously, “I hate to be that mother, but I’m going to be this one time.”

The younger Lindberg woman turned to her mother, drawn in by the concern she heard there. “Is he good to you?”

The question caught her off guard and unprepared for answering. The instant attraction between her and Ansgar and the subsequent time spent in each other’s company felt too new, almost unstable to tell anyone else about. Even her best friend. She needed to sort herself before she could explain to anyone else… at least until her mother confronted her. “By all appearances, we shouldn’t work, mama. I know that. He’s everything I thought I didn’t want. An executive. A celebrity by Stockholm standards. Arrogant, assertive arsehole.”

“I swoon at the thought, dearest.”

“And yet, there’s a generosity to him, a willingness to help, and he’s brilliant.” She shivered as her mind played back another intimate moment she shared with Sgar, when her body sank onto him and bliss of their gentle joining stalled her heart. “He’s good to me. At least he’s trying to be.”

Hardly the typical mother, Emelie stepped into that role with surprising ease when it came to her youngest. She’d read the gossip columns about Ansgar Martinsson, his estranged wife, and suspect incident regarding another former employee of Martinsson Construction. She wasn’t one to believe gossip, but the overwhelming amount of it surrounding the owner and CEO gave her pause.

The love bites she caught sight of on her daughter didn’t help endear him to her either.

*~*~*~*~*~

“Shit!” Joline cursed when she heard the bell ring at the front door. She tucked in her long-sleeved white blouse, leaving the tops buttons undone, into a cream and blue diamond linen skirt. She shoved her feet into pale blue heels and roughly combed her fingers through her loose hair to get it to behave.

“Your chariot is a tesla,” her mother muttered from the hallway where she hovered. “Well, fuck me…” she blew out on a whistle.

“Mama!”

“Don’t blame me! I didn’t think Teslas could run on the working class oxygen that we store out here.”

Joline grabbed her clutch, a pair of earrings, a ring to put on her finger and an extra lipstick before she breezed past her mother to the stairs. She left a peck on her cheek and instructions to take it easy. She sidestepped down the steps as the bell sounded once more. Breathlessly, she got to the door and glanced up the stairs to make sure her mother was out of sight. She opened the door a wedge and squeezed herself out the smallest gap she could, closing the door behind her.

“I kept you waiting, I’m sorry,” she tried to sound carefree, but she didn’t feel it. All six foot two of Ansgar stood tall and proud in front of her house, feet from her mother, and she thought she might faint. Dizzy with nerves, she kissed him quickly and began to lead him towards his car. “Time got away from me.”

“Slow down, darling,” he stated calmly, catching her arm and tugging her back to him. “We’re in no rush,” he purred, petting his hands over her hair. “You look… incredible.”

Joline felt him entwine his fingers with hers and urged her into his embrace. “Sgar, the neighbors will talk.”

“Then let’s give them something to discuss, at length.” He cupped her cheeks between his hands and brought her lips to his for a long engaged kiss. The passion in his kiss was enough to melt the iron of the little mail slots on all the doors of the neighborhood. “I’ve been anxious for that,” he murmured against her lips.

“You look good too,” she said dumbly, a delayed response, her senses melted at her feet on the path between her front door and the street.

Ansgar led her to the car, opened th e door for her and offered her a hand to guide her into soft, soft, silky smooth leather bucket seats. The new car smell assaulted her nose, and nearly knocked her out from sensory overload. Ansgar’s kiss, heady and sensual, his car, sinful and decadent, the leather, sexy and luxurious.  

He closed the door when she was safely inside and stepped around to the driver’s side, folding himself into the bucket seat. He took her hand again, once he’d pulled away from the kerb. Traffic moved freely as they inched along to the park entrance.

“So partner….” She began.

“Partner is it?”

“When your tongue isn’t in my mouth, kissing me stupid.”

He laughed, bringing her hand to his lips, his eyes on the road ahead.

“I reviewed all the designs from last season, and I think I found where the plans were changed and the bulbs were all switched around. The lighting designer from last season was asked not to come back… this was before I was brought on. Seems he left a parting gift,” she explained in as few words as possible. She knew the name well enough, as the short-tempered Welch man had left a lot of her crew sour. “But I might still have a sympathizer among my ranks. I may need to borrow your eyes next week, when we start load-in.”

[seouledbysisi]

Something New

Chapter sixteen

Ivy

The sun beamed on her face as she laid on the plaid blanket which laid on top of the bright green grass.

Even though the sun was bright the nice breeze balanced the weather out. This was a dream come true seeing as Korea’s weather in the summer time was nearly unbearable.

A short little boy ran over to Ivy and plopped on top of her.

“Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!” He yelled as he giggled.

Hearing another human being call her ‘mommy’ seemed almost foreign to her still, but the feeling her heart felt was undeniable. Nothing could ever replace the love she felt from her son Hendrix.

She wrapped her arms around the little boys body. “You’re my favorite guy.” She spoke as she kissed all over his chubby cheeks. He looked just like his father honestly. She hated to admit it but whenever they visited the states,which was very rare nowadays, all of Johnny’s family would remind her how much her child was his father’s clone.

Johnny squatted down beside the two. “I have a schedule in about an hour.” He smiled at the view. He couldn’t believe he was someone’s father. Everything happened so fast but he didn’t regret anything of it. Yes they were young but they couldn’t have been better parents even if they were older. They were truly raising a king.

Ivy took in a deep breath of the crisp air and held her hand out for him to help her up.

He took it quickly and pulled. He stared down at her hand. He raised an eyebrow. “Where is it?”

She had no idea what he was speaking of. “Where’s what?”

He groaned a bit. “Your ring, Ivy!” He played about a lot of things but that ring wasn’t one of them. It was already a hassle for them to have to hide that they were married with a kid. He at least wanted men to know she was a married woman when she was out without him.

She giggled a bit. “Oh, I must’ve forgot to put it back on when I got out of the shower this morning.”

He rolled his eyes. “Forgot? Wow!”

She couldn’t understand what his problem was. They had just had a great day at the park with their little one and now he was making a big fuss.

She sighed. “Johnny, what’s really bothering you?” She placed her hands on both of his cheeks.

Their son ran circles around them.

Johnny shook his head. “I guess I just feel like you deserve more. I hate that I can’t have a normal relationship with you and my son. Everywhere we go we have to wear masks because SM doesn’t want any of us dating period. When I refused to break up with you things changed for me.”

He had never told her any of this. “They wanted you to leave me?” She questioned.

He looked away for a moment. “But I would never do that to you. I love you with everything in me. I love Henny. Sometimes I feel like the ugly step child of the group.”

Ivy grabbed his hand and drew small circles on it. “Jaehyun didn’t leave Sasha either though, is he being treated unfairly?”

“No but there are reasons for that.” He spoke dryly.

Ivy raised an eyebrow. Now she was confused. It seemed like he was hinting at something but she couldn’t quite place it. “Spill the tea, Johnny!”

“His dad makes contributions to the company. Plus Jae actually signed the non-disclosure contract. I didn’t. I wouldn’t.”

Ivy had no idea that such a contract ever existed in the first place. “Does Sasha know?”

“She’s the one who told him to do it! It just feels wrong for me to allow SM to control my personal life. A life I had before I even signed with them.”

Ivy couldn’t put her finger on why Sasha would be okay with a non-disclosure contract. “What all did the contract say?”

Johnny shrugged. “I don’t know if me and Jae had the same one but I for sure wasn’t signing my life and rights away to Lee Sooman. I deserve to be happy outside of work too.”

Brianne

Brianne began moving her things back into her father’s house. She was done with all her classes and was simply waiting on the graduation ceremony to commence.

She had worked so hard for four years and no it wasn’t easy but she came out on top. Literally on top. She was the class valedictorian.

Her father helped her bring her things in. “So what’s next?”

“I’ve been applying for jobs in speech communication. Hopefully I’ll get a hit soon but I figured I’d just crash here until the money starts rolling in.” She shrugged.

He nodded. “That’s totally fine.”

“Honey!” A strange voice called out from a different room.

Brianne stared at her father, waiting for answers.

A beautiful tall lady walked into the living room where they were. “Oops I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

She genuinely looked apologetic.

“No, Tracy it’s fine. It’s about time that you two meet anyway.” Her father intervened.

Brianne was in absolute and utter shock. Her father’s love life was much better than hers. She had a boyfriend but he wasn’t as great as she probably deserved. To be honest she really didn’t put forth effort towards him either. He was more of a placeholder, you’d think. But what place was he holding? What was next for her? What would be better?

“Say something, Bri.” Her dad spoke cautiously.

She hadn’t even realized that she never responded. She was so lost in her thoughts that nothing else had mattered in that moment. “How rude of me. It’s really nice to meet you.” She told the lady and held out her hand.

After awhile she helped her father prepare dinner and they sat at the round table.

“So how long have y’all been seeing each other? It must be pretty new.” Bri asked with a small smile on her face.

Tracy chuckled. “If you call two years new then sure.”

Her father snapped his head towards Tracy. Had she spoken a little too much.

Brianne’s eyes started to tear up. “You’ve been hiding this from me for two freaking years?”

“Watch your tone Brianne Elizabeth Barnes!” Her fathers yelled. He understood how she felt but there was a much better way to have this conversation.

She pushed her chair aggressively away from the table and stood. “I’m sorry but two years? Where the heck have you been hiding her? She’s never been around for holidays!”

The lady shook her head quietly. She thought he had at least mentioned her to his daughter. She was sadly mistaken.

“How was I supposed to tell you? You’ve had this undying dream of your mom coming back and it’s not happening Brianne!” He yelled.

“That’s not fair, dad! Don’t you dare make this about mom!” She wiped the tears from her face.

He sighed. “Well it’s true! I wish you’d let that dream go, then maybe you could be happy.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” She eyed him.

He grabbed her hand and squeezed. “It means you’ve done all of these wonderful things like finishing school and being the top of your class but what good is that if you can’t share it with people that you love? You nearly cut everyone out, sweetie. First Taeil, which don’t get me wrong no one will ever be good enough for you but at least he was trying-“

“Dad, that was so long ago and irrelevant.”

He shook his head. “What about Ivy and Sasha? How long has it been since you talked to them?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know.” She whispered, almost ashamed that she had lost touch with her best friends. Shows how great of a friend she had been. When they decided to move to Korea she was pissed. She couldn’t believe that they had left her behind but in this moment she couldn’t blame them. They had something tying them to the country. They had love. They had family there now. She had given all that up the night of prom.

Regret sank into her spirit.

“It gets lonely being at the top.” Her dad spoke through the silence and walked out.

Sasha

“Ellie, your coloring is so good!” She clapped as she admired the art as they sat at the kitchen island.

Ellie giggled. “This is me, you, mommy, Max and Jeffy!”

Sasha smiled. She loved the way Ellie always pronounced Jaehyun’s English name. Although he hated the name, because his dad picked it out, he allowed the kids and his mom to call him that nonetheless.

Sasha had been living with the Jung’s for about three years now. She started her college career in the states but eventually a year later Jaehyun had talked her into finally moving in with him, his mom and the kids.

He was rarely there because turns out he had auditioned for SM as well for the heck of it when she decided to stay behind in the states. He needed something to keep him busy.

He ran in straight for Sasha. He hadn’t seen her in person in a couple of days. He nearly knocked her out of the kitchen chair the way he tumbled onto her. He threw his arms around her and kissed all over her face.

“Missed me much?!” Sasha giggled.

“Mhm.” He nuzzled his face in her neck. “Two days is way too long.”

“Just two days, Jae.” She pushed him off of her after a bit because Ellie was staring at them.

Ellie smiled. “Are you my sister, Sasha?”

Sasha looked to Jaehyun hoping he could save this conversation. He simply shrugged.

“Well sort of, Ellie. Why do you ask?” Sasha asked as she rubbed her hair down.

“So are you Jeffy’s sister too?”

Sasha chuckled at her curiosity. “Not at all.”

Jaehyun eyed his baby sister. She was five now and very inquisitive. “I think that’s enough of that.” He ruffled the girl’s hair.

“How are you my sister and not his sister?” She continued asking questions.

Max groaned as he played his video game from the living room. “Just shut it, Ellie. She’s not his sister!” He was annoyed at this point.

Sasha’s eyes widened at the little boys tone. Sure he was eight now but it didn’t give him a right to talk to his little sister that way. “Max, that was rude buddy!”

“I just wanted to understand.” Ellie’s voice was filled with sorrow as she looked down at the paper she had drawn on.

Sasha rubbed her back. She didn’t know how explain to her what she and Jaehyun were to one another.

Jaehyun grabbed Sasha’s hand. “Ellie, one day I’m going to marry Sasha, if she’ll take me that is. That’s why she’s not my sister. I love her in ways that your little mind can’t possibly understand but one day you will.” He kissed his sisters forehead.

She giggled and ran to her room.

Jaehyun pulled Sasha onto his lap. “I meant what I said, you know?”

She shook her head. “If only that were possible.” Her face fell.

He grabbed her chin and turned her face towards him. “It is possible, baby. Why do you worry?”

“I worry because I advised you to sign that stupid contract. I wish I hadn’t have.”

“Well why would you tell me to do it if you really didn’t want that?” He never wanted to sign it but Sasha had insisted.

A tear fell on her cheek. “Because-“ she paused to get her thoughts together.

“Because why?” He was becoming frustrated. They were transparent with one another or at least he thought.

“Because I didn’t want this singing thing to be sabotaged for you.”

Jaehyun squeezed his eyes shut. “Baby, that contract wouldn’t have changed much. Besides I don’t care about any of this idol business if you’re not happy in the process.”

“I can’t be the reason for your career flopping. I couldn’t live with myself.”

He pulled her into his chest. “If you’re happy, I’m happy. I’m going to marry you no matter what that contract says. What SM doesn’t know won’t kill them, right?

“We can wait. The contract says you can’t marry for another four years, I’ll still be around.” Sasha smiled and kissed his lips softly.

He snaked his hand around the back of her neck to pull her closer and kissed her harder. “I’m not waiting four fucking years to make you Mrs. Jaehyun ‘Jeffrey’ Jung.” He nipped at her bottom lip.

The front door opened.

His mother emerged into the kitchen with a lot of mail in hand. She searched through it. One was addressed to both Jaehyun and Sasha.

“Here. Looks like it’s from Brianne.” She said with a smile and kissed them both on the head. She left them alone and went to find her other kids.

Jaehyun and Sasha both looked at one another.

“I haven’t heard from her in two years.” She spoke under her breath. Her heart broke a bit more.

He opened the mail, it was a graduation invitation.

You are cordially invited to the graduation commencement of Brianne Elizabeth Barnes.

Sasha continued reading those few lines repetitively. She couldn’t believe Brianne was offering an olive branch. Their friendship had been strained since after graduation because they were following different paths.

“Baby, you okay?” Jaehyun asked to snap her out of her trance.

She nodded quietly.

His mom walked back into the room. “I just received a court order.” She revealed.

Jaehyun’s heart drop. He knew without her even saying anything that it was dealing with Max.

“He wants him back.” Tears began to fall down her face rapidly.

-stay tuned

[littlestshelby]

Michaels girl.

Part 2 here.

(2,103) words.

Warnings: Rape themes, violence and death.

(Trigger warning.)

Fucking Tommy had done it again, started a mess that got everyone in danger but himself. He had managed to royally fuck up another deal, All he had to do was sign the contract with the Italians and the war would be fucking over. But that’s not what he did, Tommy being Tommy sat with Luca Changretta for all of 20 minutes before putting a bullet threw his head, along with the two cousins sat either side of him. Never thinking about the consequences until it was to late. But this time it was Tommy who would pay, the youngest Changretta brother was on his way and he knew where to hit Tommy Shelby where it hurt the most, some where that no one dared to go. He was going to take out the women and children of the Shelby family.. one by one. Starting with Michael Gray’s fiancé. Then Esme Shelby, picking off each of Johns children before starting on Linda and the baby. Before finally Polly gray and Charlie Shelby. Theo Changretta’s plan was going to topple not just the peaky blinders but the whole of Birmingham.

Tommy hadn’t told any of the family about the existence of Theo Changretta. Thinking the young 21 year old would know better than sticking his nose into family business. So it was a Saturday night in the late summer when Michael and (y/n) had been for a few drinks with the family in the garrison, Arthur announcing the news that Linda was pregnant. Causing everyone to drink late into the night. “I’m feeling tired michael” (y/n) whispered into his ear as she lent against his chest, she was sat in his lap as he smoked. Polly and Finn either side of them, Michaels hand dropped down to the small swell at the bottom of her stomach. “Want me to walk you home?” He asked thumbing over it gently, being discreet. They had both decided to announce the pregnancy when (y/n) was later along.

“I’m okay love, I’ll just go right home and get the bed warm for when you get home.” She grinned and his mouth quirked into a small smirk kissing her gently. “Okay (y/n) I won’t be long, I’ll just drink up and grab the keys from the office for the morning and I’ll be home.” Nodding her head (y/n) stood and kissed everyone’s cheeks saying goodnight. Hugging Linda and Arthur once again congratulating them before kissing Michael once more on her way out the door. Waving to Harry who was serving at the bar she slipped on her coat and headed out the door.

As soon as she stepped outside the cold air hit her, stinging her lungs as she breathed. Looking up she noticed the full moon and the bright clear stars shining brightly in the sky. With a smile on her lips she made her way slowly up watery lane towards her home. It was quiet out for a Saturday but it wasn’t anywhere near kicking out time so it wasn’t that unusual. (Y/n) nodded her head at Finn and Isaiah as they walked past her with two girls on their arms. This made (y/n) chuckle. She had just turned down the lane when someone touched her arm.

An elderly man, (y/n) stopped and smiled sweetly. “Everything okay?” She asked. Before she knew what was happening she was being dragged down the ally by the elderly man and a younger man. “Filthy Shelby.” The man spat in her face shoving her against the wall, Italian, he was Italian she recognised the accent. “You’ve got the wrong girl, ‘m no Shelby. ‘M just (y/full/n)” She was shaking looking at the two men but they clearly knew who she was. She was cursing herself for not just staying at the garrison a little while longer.

“Gonna have some fun with you before we gut ‘ya and leave you on Thomas Shelbys door step.” The younger man smirked pulling out a pen knife. (Y/n) had a small pistol on her hip in a holder under her dress Just she had no way of getting to it without him doing at least a little damage with the knife first. Her heart was beating a million miles an hour. “Please I just want to go home, I have nothing to do with the shelbys, if I did I wouldn’t be alone this late would I?” She begged looking at the men with wide eyes.

“Your fiancé Michael Shelby, he drew up the contracts my brother came to sign. We don’t know who pulled the trigger that killed our kin. But it was a dirty Shelby and now we’re her to take from them what they took from us.” The younger man stepped closer pressing the cold blade to (y/n)s cheek. The elder man chuckled “Family.”

It happened so quickly that (y/n) didn’t have chance to react before her face was slammed into the wall and she was pressed against it her dress bunches up in the small of her back. Theo used the knife to cut her underwear off while the elderly man held (y/n) still.

Beginning to sob as she felt the man touch her her body went numb. She felt sick but she knew once he was done she would have a chance to grab her gun. The scream she let out as he entered her was muffled by the dirty mans hand. It stunk of tobacco and filth. It went on for a few moments (y/n) just crying and trying to get away as he slammed into her sending her forcefully into the wall with each thrust.

Slowly she managed to slip her hand down her front, she knew Theo had a knife but she hadn’t seen the old man with a weapon. She used her free hand to grab the small pistol and looked down at her feet seeing Theo’s feet behind hers.

With a quick ‘please god’ she fired hitting him in the foot forcing him backward as soon as the grip on her loosened she span around and put a bullet between Theo’s eyes and another in he pleading old mans chest. Sobbing and covered in the men’s blood she dropped the gun stumbling backwards. Her face was scraped and bloody from being hit off the wall along with her arms and hands. Her cream dress and coat soaking with blood spatter.

She needed Michael and she needed him now. Limping out of the ally she looked up at the moon and cursed the stars. Just as she got to the doors of the garrison she heard the bell ring for last orders. She pushed open the door feeling numb now, everyone turned to look at her, they froze. Everyone knew who she was, Michaels girl. A Shelby.

Harry ran to the back room as soon as he caught sight of the poor girl. “Mr Gray! Mr Shelby, quickly it’s (y/n)” he shouted threw the hatch. “Everyone Out!” Harry called loudly.

The door to the back room opened the men running out Michael in front, each of them freezing as they saw her. “Michael.” She hiccuped her knees giving out, he caught her just in time. Sitting with her. The brothers stood around looking distraught. Polly came out Next and gasped pushing threw them to drop down Next to her son and soon to be daughter in law.

“What happened love? What fucking happened?!” Michael asked checking her over ripping at her clothes checking the blood wasn’t hers. Relaxing when he saw it wasn’t. “The Italians.” She cried into his chest clawing at his shirt to get closer to him. “Tommy” Michale growled ready to kill. “Theo Changretta, he’s after the Shelby women and children.” They All looked at each other before grabbing their guns.

(Y/n) shook her head. “I killed them. Both in the ally o-on watery lane.” The three brothers were out the door in a second off to clean up the mess. “Mum she’s pregnant the baby.” Michael panicked. Before (y/n) could hear Polly respond. She blacked out.

Michael carried his fiancé to the family home, Polly helped him get her changed, Michael had to leave a couple of times seeing the marks and bruised left on her body. He had to go and breath before he went and put a bullet in the head of every Italian on this side of Birmingham. Once she was cleaned up Michael lay her in their bed sitting next to her.

She didn’t wake until the next morning. “Michael?” She whispered wincing as she tried to move. Everything that had happened the night before came crashing back to her, her breathing picked up and she began to panic. Michael jumped awake at the sound of her voice and was holding her face whispering sweet nothings in seconds. “Okay sweetheart I’m here, we’re home look. You’re safe. I’m never going to let anyone hurt you, I’m so sorry.” She wrapped her arms around him and climbed down into his lap. He sat on the floor with his back against the wall holding her while they both cried.

“I will never leave your side again.” He whispered kissing the top of her head. He was soft with her, gentle touches soft movements, telling her whenever he was going to move his hands. Michael had never seen (y/n) this fragile, it broke him but he knew he had to be strong.

And that’s what he was. Never letting his anger boil over, never letting anyone even raise their voice in the house while she was there. He treated her like a china doll that would break any moment. And that’s just want (y/n) needed for a while. She needed Michael and he gave her all he had.

[smartgirlsaremean]

The Wedding Planner - Chapter 12

Fandom: OUAT

Pairing: Rumbelle, side of Swanfire

Rating: T

Summary: Wedding planner Alan Gold doesn't have much faith in romance, and little to none in marriage. A chance encounter with sweet librarian Belle French has him almost reconsidering his beliefs until he receives a nasty shock: she's the bride in the most important wedding of his career.

AO3

Chapter 12 - Belle's done the brave thing, and now it's Gold's turn. What will happen when these two crazy kids see each other again?

Gold stared up at the stone facade of the library, trying to muster the courage to enter. Once everyone in the shop had understood who Belle was, there had been no quelling their excitement. In vain had he pointed out that the flowers could simply be a gesture of goodwill.

“Camellias, Rumple,” Jefferson had said flatly.

Perhaps, he’d suggested, Belle had meant to order white camellias and the shop had been out. White camellias symbolize luck, and that would have made perfect sense...

“The daughter of a florist accidentally sent the wrong flowers?” Neal had interrupted, his eyebrows raised. “I wouldn’t make that mistake, and I’m just the son of a wedding planner.”

Alright, but they hadn’t parted on the best of terms. There was no reason to think…

“Camellias,” Neal had insisted.

Jefferson repeated the word, and then so did Emma, then Henry and Grace, until it seemed that the five of them were competing to see who could say it loudest. It was impossible to get a word in edgewise, and in the end Gold had given up and walked into the back room, ignoring the fact that Henry and Grace were improvising a song consisting entirely of the word “camellias” sung at different octaves, egged on by Jefferson.

Emma followed him, her eyes bright with sympathy, and he pretended not to notice her until she refused to move out of his path. “So that’s the big secret,” she said. “The movie girl was the bride.”

“Aye.”

“But she’s not a bride anymore.”

“No.”

Emma pursed her lips and tilted her head to one side, studying him. “So...what now?”

“Now I get back to work,” he said. “Or I would, if there wasn’t a bloody concert being held on my salesfloor.”

“So you don’t love her anymore. I guess she wasn’t that special after all...probably just looking for a good time, anyway.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Gold stared at his daughter-in-law, his jaw dropping open.

“I mean, she comes onto you while she’s engaged, she leads you on…maybe she hoped you’d give her a discount if...”

“Stop,” he growled. “You don’t know her. She wasn’t...it wasn’t...she made a mistake, but…”

“You think? She just happened to go to a movie with her wedding planner and then acted like she’d never met him before? Sounds kind of fishy.”

“She was unhappy and confused, and she made the right choice in the end,” Gold said coldly. “I’d think you’d be a little more understanding, dearie, especially as you’ve never met her. Belle would never knowingly hurt anyone - she may be impulsive, but she’s the gentlest soul on earth, and I won’t have you saying such things about her.”

Emma smiled softly. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. You do still love her.”

Gold blinked. “I…”

“I don’t know this woman at all, but people don’t usually send flowers to people they don’t like. You should go see her.”

He’d put up a bit more of a fight, but this morning Emma had called every hour to ask if he’d gone to the library yet, and he finally left the shop just to placate her.

Now here he was, trying to remember which was Belle’s day off - he knew Gaston had mentioned it at some point. Someone bumped into him from behind and muttered what might have been an apology, though he doubted it, and he shook his head and stepped forward. Emma was right - even if they meant nothing else, the flowers were a sign that she liked him, at least, and she would not be averse to seeing him. Pausing outside the great wooden doors, he took one last steadying breath and pushed one open.

“Watch the wet...oh. You again.”

Gold turned to see that Leroy the surly janitor was once again stationed by the door with a mop. He nodded once and the man’s eyes narrowed.

“You here to see Belle?”

“I am.”

“She’s reshelving in philosophy. Look,” he said when Gold turned toward the shelves, “you know she’s not getting married anymore, right?”

“Well, as my planning services were dispensed with, I had a suspicion,” Gold said dryly.

“Okay. Just making sure. Seemed like something you might wanna know.”

“Oh? And why’s that?”

Leroy rolled his eyes and resumed mopping, and Gold, after waiting a few minutes, walked away. He had not, after all, come here to converse with custodians.

When he rounded the corner into the philosophy section, he stopped short. Belle was leaning against the shelves near the end of the row, a cart piled high next to her and a heavy book open in her hands. She seemed lost to the world, her lips curved in a slight smile, and he caught his breath. She was every bit as beautiful as he remembered.

Cautiously he took a step forward and said, “‘We may sit in our library and yet be in all quarters of the earth.’”

Belle started and the book fell from her hands with an echoing thud. Her eyes flew to his and she drew in a quick breath. “Alan,” she whispered.

“Hello, Belle.”

“What are you...I mean...it’s good to see you.”

“You, too. How was your...ah...trip?”

She gave a faint smile. “My non-honeymoon, you mean? It was wonderful.”

He stepped forward. “Everything you’d dreamed?”

Her cheeks reddened and she bent to pick up the fallen book, placing it gently on top of the stack on her cart. “Well...not exactly. No one dreams of going on their honeymoon alone.” She nudged the book into place, making sure its spine was flush with the books underneath it. “But I got to see a lot of places I’ve only read about, and…” Her voice trailed off and she looked up to meet his eyes. “Gaston told me you quit.”

“Aye. That was always the plan. One last contract before resignation.”

“I’m sorry it was such a mess.”

He felt the corners of his mouth twitch. “Bit of an understatement, dearie.”

She fought a smile and her eyes sparkled a little. “Yeah, I guess it is.”

They were silent for a moment, and he felt some of his nervousness drain away. “I wanted to thank you.”

“Oh.” Belle blushed again and gave an awkward shrug. “It was nothing, I...I heard you were opening a shop and I know that took a lot of courage…”

“Not for the flowers,” he interrupted, “though they were lovely. I meant…” He stepped forward until he was standing directly in front of her, and she gazed up at him with wide eyes. “Belle, when I met you, I was...well, an enemy of love. I’d seen too many marriages crumble, too many vows broken. I thought I was better off alone. I thought I preferred solitude.” He smiled as her eyes grew even wider. “And then you barrelled into my life and...I’d never felt more alive than I did that night in the park. Meeting you as Gaston’s fiance was painful, and planning your wedding to another man was pure torture, but...”

Belle shook her head and took a step back, her face miserable. “I’m so sorry, I…”

“...but I don’t regret it,” he said firmly. “I realized I’d been placing all of the blame on love and marriage, rather than on the people making bad choices. I’d convinced myself that I couldn’t love, that I couldn’t be loved, not romantically, and you changed that.”

“But that night,” Belle said, her voice shaking, “you said…”

“I said what I had to say to make you leave,” he confessed. “What you were saying...it couldn’t be real. I was too afraid to believe it was real.”

“And I was your client,” Belle said. “And you were drunk. I was taking advantage. I’m so sorry, Alan. I’ve regretted that night more than you can imagine.”

A dagger to his heart could not have been more painful, and Gold took a step back. “Ah,” he said dumbly, feeling the blood drain from his face. “I…”

“No!” Belle exclaimed, her expression horrified. “Not...not what I said! That hasn’t...I mean, the timing of it - I knew I needed to leave Gaston, I’d known since that afternoon when we saw Cora and I thought you still had feelings for her and I was so jealous I could hardly see straight, and...but I should have waited. I should have gone home, broken it off with Gaston, given everyone some time to come to terms with it and then...but I’m impulsive.” She shrugged and looked down at the floor. “I don’t always think about the consequences of my actions, and all I could think about right then was how much I wanted you.”

Gold took a breath and stepped forward again and reached out to touch her cheek, turning her face so that she would meet his eyes. “I wanted you, too. From the moment you knocked the wind out of me and twisted my ankle.”

Belle huffed a laugh and put her hand over his, leaning into his touch. His heart racing, Gold bent down and brushed her lips with his. Belle gave a little start of surprise, but the next moment she slid her arms around his neck and pressed against him, returning his kiss with an intensity that rattled him. When they came up for air, Belle smiled sheepishly at his stunned look. “Sorry, I...I’ve been wanting to do that for a really long time.”

“You’re apologizing?” he said. “For that?”

“Well you looked a little shocked and I don’t want to put you off, and…”

He cut her off, this time leaving gentleness behind and pushing her back until she was pressed against the bookshelf. She shuddered when his fingers wound their way into her hair, and she deepened the kiss, inviting him to explore every inch of her mouth. When he pulled away, she looked as stunned as he’d felt, her eyes wide and dark.

They both jumped when someone cleared his throat. Leroy stood at the end of the row, his face twitching with the effort to keep his scowl in place. “Ellen’s looking for you,” he said. “You might wanna finish up here before she starts searching the stacks.”

Belle giggled weakly. “Thanks, Leroy.”

Leroy rolled his eyes and walked away and Belle leaned back against the stacks, smiling almost shyly. “How do you feel about hamburgers?” she asked.

“I’ve been known to enjoy one on occasion.”

“My friend’s grandmother runs a diner - their hamburgers are pretty great. Want to try one when I get off work? Around seven?”

“I’d like that.”

Belle smiled more brightly and pushed away from the shelf. “I really do have to get back to work, but I’ll see you later.”

“I look forward to it.”

Biting her lip, Belle glanced down the row and then swooped up and pressed a final quick kiss to his mouth. “Me too,” she whispered against his lips. It took every ounce of his self control to pull away, but he did. He looked back once as he walked away and saw that she had turned back to her cart of books, her smile wide and her hair a touch disheveled. Smiling to himself, he left the library and pulled out his phone.

Neal answered on the first ring. “How’d it go?”

“Not bad.”

“Not…” There was a sound like a smack, and Gold smirked. “Cut the crap, Pops. What’d she say?”

“She asked me what I thought of hamburgers.”

There was a long pause on the other end of the line, and then, “Is that code for something?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

There was another pause. “This is payback, isn’t it? For the flower thing.”

“Flower thing?”

“Come on, we’re dying here. What happened?”

“We?”

“Hey, Rumple.” Jefferson sounded a bit as if he were standing in a cave. “Didn’t Neal mention he put you on speakerphone?”

“I’m hanging up.”

“Fine.” Gold could practically hear Neal grinding his teeth through the phone. “But when you get here tonight, watch out. We’ll get it out of you somehow.”

“Oh, can’t make it, I’m afraid.”

“You can’t? Because you have a date?” Neal’s voice had risen nearly an octave, and Gold chuckled.

“Goodbye, Neal.”

“Papa!”

Gold rung off and stood motionless on the sidewalk for a moment, thinking, and then headed for Dove and his car. He had a date to prepare for.

[avadakaravadra]

Puppy Love || Adriana & Jax

date: 26 December 2017 @ approx. 2:30 pm location: The Karavadra Estate, New Rome

Adriana is on the receiving end of Jax’s gift giving attempts, and the pair make a set of new friends.

To be honest, Jax wasn’t sure of the last time he’d been as nervous as he was now. He was almost entirely certain that Adriana would like her present from him, though it had probably been a bit of a strange request when he’d instructed her to meet him for the last portion of her gift. Then again, she too had asked him on an excursion as a gift. Perhaps it was simply another way they were continuously similar, though he abhorred the idea of ever admitting that he and she might have anything in common. Nevertheless, he had led Adriana to the lake’s edge before continuing onwards to the Karavadra Estate. He’d needed a decent sized room for his plan, and his family mansion had a plethora of them. Now, as he stood in front of the double doors of the room he’d planned to give her gift in, he looked to her once more. “You ready?” he asked, nerves still dancing in his stomach. Scuffles of activity seemed to be coming from the room behind him, though it was hard to make out exactly what was happening.

Adriana knew well that sometimes experiences were better gifts than material items. She had chosen such a route with Jax, and now he was taking it with her. The first part of his gift had been brilliantly chosen— she had elected to wear the proper lunar necklace to speak her approval for her —so theoretically his remaining gift would be similarly pleasant, but she didn’t want to build up expectations, just in case. She had come to the First Cohort as instructed and subsequently followed his lead all the way to his family estate. The secret gift had already been intriguing, yet when they stood outside of the double doors to a random room and heard mysterious scuffling inside, her curiosity skyrocketed. There were butterflies in her stomach then. Were there other people involved in this? Was he going to put her on the spot in some way? Despite her anxious thought, her excitement was unfazed. “As I’ll ever be,” she breathed, glancing from Jax to the doors.

Jax had been entirely pleased to see Adriana wearing one of the necklaces he had gotten her, and idly he reached out to touch the chain of it, trailing his fingers down the metal while letting the backs of his them brush lightly against her neck. “I hope you’re wearing this because you like it, and and not just because you’d like to spare my feelings...Though I can’t possibly think of what might have come over you if you were wearing it for the latter reason.” It wasn’t exactly a secret that’d they were always rather blunt with each other, not particularly interested in going light on each other’s feelings. Though of course, they never truly sought to do any lasting harm. Just then he had the urge to kiss her, an urge that was happening more and more frequently at an alarming rate. But here in the hall of his home, where quite literally anyone could see them— it only seemed like asking for trouble. So instead he simply sent another smile her way before opening the double doors behind him. “I hope this isn’t too obvious. I’d hate to come off as thoughtless.” As soon as his words were spoken, the sounds from inside became clear— and the cutest ball of fluff came running towards them at breakneck speed, all too excited to see what it was that lie behind the doors that Jax and Adriana had been standing outside of. Though it wasn’t just one puppy within the enormous room. The place had been turned into a puppy wonderland, filled with toys and treats and countless dogs. “I might have rented out all the dogs from the shelter and brought them here. Obviously you’re free to adopt any of them you might want. That's kind of the point.” He was talking faster than usual, entirely nervous for what her reaction might be. “I figured you’d want to choose for yourself rather than me choosing. And don’t worry about feeling guilty about not adopting them all. I made a rather sizeable donation to the shelter in your name so— even if they don’t get adopted today, they’ll definitely find a good home.” He watched her face closely, trying to gauge her reaction.

The trail of his fingers left a subtle tingling sensation behind on Adri’s skin. The result drew her eyes to his hand, then to his face once more. A smirk crossed her lips. “Well, that implies that you have feelings to be spared.” She was teasing, of course, but it was likewise her way of confirming his former assumption— she truly was fond of his gift. There were still a few persisting nerves when he worried about his greater gift being too obvious, but no sooner had Adriana’s brows furrowed in question than her eyes had grow wide at the sights and sounds the opened doors revealed to them. She was unresponsive, mouth slightly agape, until the fluffball that came barreling through the doors reached her feet. It broke her free of a trance. She reached down and scooped him up securely, then turned on Jax in lingering astonishment. “You rented the entire shelter? How…” The logistics it would have required to get all of the dogs and equipment here must have been a nightmare, and considering Jax had spent the previous day among family, and Jefferson had more than likely been present, he must set this up far more recently. It was a tremendous effort, but he’d taken it on for her.

Adriana grabbed him by the wrist and dragged him into the room, making sure to shut the doors behind them. The instant they were safe from prying eyes, she threw her free arm around his neck and leaned up on her toes to catch his lips in a kiss. It was the thrilled sort of fierce that ended early because she couldn’t help breaking out into a smile in the midst of it. And the squirming pup in her second arm didn’t help. “It was a little obvious,” she grinned at him, though her expression shifted quickly from a tease to sincerity, “but only a madman would call this thoughtless.” After stealing the tiniest second kiss, Adriana set the dog she’d retrieved back on the ground and eagerly pulled Jax into the throng along with her. The whole metaphor about being as excited as a kid on Christmas morning was a literal here as it was figurative. She sat them both down near the center of the activity, intending to let the dogs approach her at their own will rather than seeking them out as most would. “If I’m adopting one, so are you,” stated matter-of-factly. As one of the mutts approached to inspect them, Adriana offered her hand to assure her neutrality. “Surely you didn’t think you could get away with bringing them all the way here and not keeping one as a result?”

Indeed, it had taken Jax quite a good amount of effort to get this ready. Being out of New Rome the day before he’d planned to do it hadn’t helped, and the rather protective owner of the shelter had taken more charming than he’d had to make for getting Leo and appointment with the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. After all, she hadn’t wanted her dogs to be maltreated. It had taken everything from signing a contract to giving her a tour of the Estate, as well as a highly detailed outline of all the amenities he would have available for the dogs to convince her to let Jax have his way. But as soon as he saw Adriana’s reaction, he knew it to be worth it. As she pulled him into a couple of kisses, his heart began to race, and he only barely had time to return them with how fast it had all happened. Her words as well as the smile that had lit her face was more than enough to garner his own grin. Yes, all the effort had most certainly been worth it.

Feeling the slightest bit clingy, though he would never admit such a thing, Jax opted to sit behind Adriana and rest his chest against her back, his long legs on either side of her and his arms wrapping around her with his head looking over her shoulder. He’d never really gotten the chance to express physical affection before, and though he still detested the thought of referring to it as affection, being close to Adriana was...nice. But his right eyebrow shot upwards at her mention of him taking a dog home. “Excuse me? Last time I checked this was your Christmas present.” One of the puppies that had been idly walking towards Adriana stopped in its tracks for a moment, opting to change its route at the last second to bump into Jax’s hip.  “Great, I think this one heard you.”

Even if it wasn’t necessarily cold inside the Karavadra mansion, Adriana was glad for the warmth that Jax’s closeness provided. She sat cross-legged on the ground, fitting snugly in the gap between his legs. Being held like this was a new experience for her, and she quickly found that she very much liked it. “Yes, which is exactly why I get to choose what to do with it, and I’ve decided that you have to take part.” The daughter of Mars flashed him a wily grin over her shoulder before a newcomer wandered into their conversation. She was a cute little thing, white with black patches-- the very sort of spotted puppy that most kids would go mad over; however, it seemed that she was rather interested in Jax. Adriana watched her paw at his leg and smirked. “I think she’s just curious about you. It’s not likely the pups get much alone time with adults. Usually they have to put up with grabby children who come in to browse.” She watched the creature a few moments longer, raising a brow at Jax when she sat herself down facing his side, evidently waiting for him to acknowledge her. Patience. That wasn’t a quality often found in young dogs, Adriana stored the note away in her mind. “Well? Don’t be rude. She’s curious about you. It’s not like she’s going to bite your hand off.”

Jax rolled his eyes at Adriana as she glanced back at him, though it was possible some of the effect was lost as his lips turned upwards to mirror her grin. It was the strangest phenomena, more and more often Jax seemed to be responding to her smiles with one of his own, and he wasn’t entirely sure how he felt of it. “I should have never gotten you a present in the first place. I should have known you’d go all tyrannical on me.” Normally, Jax would be replying with their usual sass, but he couldn’t deny that he had a surprisingly soft spot for animals. Perhaps it was because animals were much less annoying and idiotic than humans. Either way, Jax glanced downwards at the young pup who was trying to gain his attention. She was rather adorable. “She’s a puppy, not a hellhound. Of course she’s not going to bite my hand off.” Though, it was debatable of whether or not a hellhound would actually bite his hand off as well. Such was a benefit of being the grandson of the mother of hellhounds. Nevertheless, Jax picked up the fluffy mongrel, and began to pet her steadily. “But enough about this little girl, how are you doing on your end?” After all, Adriana was meant to be the one finding a puppy.

“Please, if you think this is tyrannical, you’ve seen nothing yet,” a brief, devilish grin sparked upon her features but disappeared just as quickly. The lightness in her heart for the time being was too strong to grasp dark thoughts, even playful ones, for long. “Even hellhounds have their puppies,” she shrugged. “Doesn’t make them any less of a hellhound, technically.” She was thrilled to see that Jax had actually picked up the little lady at his side. Her wagging tail was an obvious sign of approval. On Adriana’s end, picking a pup should have been easy. Young dogs wandered over to her, though scattered, as if pulled by some invisible magnet, like they could sense the canine bonds in her godly blood as well as in her familial legacy. But while they all received a bit of attention, none of them were really jumping out to her. She pegged a few as good dogs for training-- future military, rescue, and service dogs --just not companions. Then, a dark streak of fur stalking along the far edge of the room caught her eye. He looked to be avoiding the rest of the company, taking advantage of their distraction to get at the treats and toys they had left behind. Adri liked that. She rose from her seat by Jax without a word, padding over to the lad, who seemed ready to bolt. But as she knelt down and held out a hand to him, as she had with the female in Jax’s arms, he paused and lingered where he stood, gradually leaning forward to sniff at the appendage. She didn’t push it or attempt to speak to him besides the simple words of “It’s alright.” Eventually, he ducked his head beneath her hand and pushed up into it, expecting a scratch on the head, which Adri gave him gladly. “I’m not entirely sure,” she spoke backwards at Jax, “but I think this guy’s growing on me.”

Jax wasn’t entirely sure if she’d missed the point of his hellhound comment, or if he’d missed her’s. “Yeah, but I’m assuming normal puppies are rather less likely to bite my hand off than a monstrous one.” Though he was somewhat disappointed by the loss of Adriana against him, it did give him the opportunity to bring the little puppy that had come to him closer to his chest, where he cuddled it for a moment. But once he saw a certain dog to have caught Adriana’s eye, he set the young pup down, drawing somewhat closer to the pair— though making sure to keep his distance. But at his heels was the little dog that had seemed to take a shining to him, though he couldn’t possibly imagine why. It wasn’t long before she began to whine, obviously wanting to be held once more, and as another puppy approached Jax, the first puppy gave a territorial bark in the newcomer’s direction, as if she’d already laid her claim to the man. Raising an amused eyebrow, Jax scooped up the same puppy once more. Looking towards the dog Adriana was speaking of, Jax couldn’t help but point out the obvious. “Of course you choose the one that looks like it’s straight out of Lupa’s pack.” The puppy did have a rather wolf-like appearance.

“What? And just because it’s small and fluffy it’s less likely to hurt you?” Although the chatter on said subject had grown finite, Adriana sought to make her final point. “Not that I suspect most of them would do such a thing, but looks can be deceiving.” The solitary canine that had seized Adriana’s attention had not only done so by his sly behavior. His cleverness was a clear mark of intelligence -- an intelligence that, it appeared, had not aided him in making allies. “So? I don’t see why there’s anything wrong with that.” An imperfection in that inky coat was what had truly drawn the daughter of Mars over to him. Her left hand took over scratching him behind the ear whilst her other drifted down to gently part an uneven patch of fur on the right side of the base of his neck. She referenced the spot to Jax with a glance, drawing his eyes to the scar of a scratch that was hidden there. It had been well tended to by the shelter owners, but nonetheless, it was evidence that not all of these small canines were as darling as they let on. “It’s not a bite, but I’d say it’s evidence enough that size and youth don’t necessarily represent temperament, even in puppies.” Sitting down once more, Adriana offered the pup a chance to lie across her lap, which he did, forelimbs folding over her left leg. Her right hand switched to stroking along his head and back, providing both comfort and companionship. “He’s a bit larger than the others. Sharper. But alone. Easy to take advantage of.” A happy-sad expression overcame her features. “He needs allies.”

Jax knew Adriana would get to her point about the biting and the dogs eventually no matter how trying it might be for Jax as she took her time getting there. A shrug tugged at his shoulders and he said, “I never said anything was wrong with it. Someone’s sensitive, aren’t we?” he teased. “You don’t have to take everything I say as a critique. Though that in itself...was somewhat of a critique,” he said with a bemused smile. “But not everything has to be.” It was a rather foreign peace offering, as he knew their usual relationship had always been a lot of banter and the like, but he hoped Adriana knew that it was okay to simply talk and exist like normal people every once in a while. Otherwise, he wasn’t sure how long their ‘arrangement’ might last if they were constantly at each other’s throats...though sometimes it was quite enjoyable to be at each other’s throats in places such as his bed and her desk.

A sigh shook Jax as Adriana finally made her point of size and age not being a factor of someone’s temperament. “Obviously I know that. Such a thing was made obvious when you were winning numerous arm wrestling matches and screaming about it at age five. I just meant- obviously something with a monstrous heritage would most likely be more inclined to be violent than something without. Though before you try and make an argument against that, obviously I know some exceptions might exist.” Jax considered the ball of fluff he was still holding before saying gently to the young pup, “You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?” Jax wandered closer to the two of them, wanting to be close to Adriana but not wanting to ruin whatever moment she might be having with her pup. Vaguely he registered the trace of sadness in her smile, and it tugged at his own emotions as the realization that there probably wasn’t much he wouldn’t do to keep Adriana from looking sad set in. “Well I think he found one,” he said with a small smile towards Adriana. “If you’re ready and willing,” he said playfully. A if to prove his point that not everything had to be a critique, he tried for something a little different than their usual words. ���He’d be lucky to have you.”

To be honest, the banter was a bit ridiculous and convoluted, yet it kept rolling on seemingly without end. Why? Adriana had a thought that she wasn’t too fond of admitting. She and Jax had been arguing with one another as if they needed the conflict to breathe up until their relationship evolved into what it was now— which she had no idea how to classify. Suddenly, the banter was far less frequent. They were— dare she say it —enjoying one another’s company. And while it was still there, the atmosphere between them was practically foreign to her. Perhaps she was trying to compensate for the differences and keep that argumentative component alive, even if it didn’t give her the satisfaction it used to. Everything just had to slow down in order for her to catch up. Adriana was adaptable on the battlefield, but personal relations demanded cautiousness. It was simply how she’d been raised and she couldn’t escape it. Not on her own, anyway.

No matter the attempted upkeep of banter, Jax broke through it once again. Her heart softened at the sight of him speaking so gently with the young dog in his arms. It was a sight she’d never have imagined seeing, yet here they were. “Ooh, yeah,” she managed to smirk back in his direction. “Your arm wrestling record was pretty sad, wasn’t it?” When the puppy in Adri’s lap moved to switch his position, he drew back her attention and another scratch behind the ears. She continued to smooth a hand along his back, offering him comfort. Soon, he found his way into her arms and Adriana pressed a gentle kiss to his head while holding him to her chest. “Yeah…” she smiled at Jax’s words— surprisingly sincere ones. “And you’d be lucky to have her.” A quick glance at the furball in Jax’s possession accompanied a small chuckle. “They’d both be better off having the two of us to deal with, I suppose.”

Jax’s fondness for animals wasn’t something he tried to hide, though it wasn’t a trait he paraded about either. It was simply a part of who he was. No more. No less. And it was exhibiting itself as Jax dangled a playful finger above the little one in his arms, a half-smile of amusement present on his lips. It’d been put there by the little puppy’s reaction to his teasing as she pawed at the wiggling finger, and gave a playful snap towards it. “Ohhh, someone’s decided to get a bit feisty, haven’t we?” Was he talking about the puppy or Adriana? Perhaps both. “You wish,” was all he said at first in response to Adriana’s quip about arm-wrestling. “You’ve probably just blocked my amazing success from your memory, unable to bear the shame of it.” With a sigh, Jax knew he was done in for. If he was being honest, he’d known he would be taking the puppy in his arms home the moment she’d followed him. Still, he’d tried to at least pretend he had some form of resistance to cute animals. “Well I guess it’s settled then. Looks like we’re once again proud parents.”

Jax and Adri shared a fondness for animals. It was one of the few things they had actually agreed upon as children. Despite her awareness of that fact, however, watching Jax dangle his finger above a puppy he was holding in his arms was like discovering it for the first time. His interaction with the pup was… adorable, and putting that word in context with Jax may as well have made him a stranger. Adriana had to blink off that thought in record speed when his teasing tone resurrected-- thank the gods. This was the Jax she knew best. “Mm, no. I think you’ve got that the other way around. Are you sure you didn’t rent out an entire dog shelter just to get me gullible enough to believe such a thing?” She had been prepared to smirk at him, but once again the pup in her arms was a paramount distraction. When he nuzzled against Adriana’s chest, the daughter of Mars tightened her hold on him. He yawned and she placed another small kiss on the top of his head. Jax received a mirror of that kiss on his cheek a few seconds later. “Thank you,” she spoke quietly beside his ear before stepping back. “This is the most outrageous thing anyone has ever done for me. Unfortunately for you, I don’t know how you’re ever going to top it.” Taking a small step closer to him, she leaned in just enough reach out a hand and scratch under the muzzle of the little one in his arms. “So what do you think you’re going to call her?”

The expression that came over Jax every time he was preparing to tease Adriana came over his features, a certain sort of glint appearing in his eye. “I wouldn’t have to rent out an entire shelter to get you gullible enough. You’re already there.” Perhaps he’d been a bit different around Adriana as of late, but they weren’t the same two people they’d been a couple of months ago. Or perhaps they were, but they’d simply discovered that together, they could be something entirely different than they’d been. Either way, they were changing by the day. It had yet occured just yet what that change may be, and he wasn’t too concerned with analyzing the shifts in their relationship, simply taking the changes as they came. Thus far he hadn’t stumbled across one development that wasn’t to his liking. In fact, he was quite fond of the new discoveries. One such discovery was the fact that the heart in his chest seemed to thump a little quicker as Adriana planted a kiss on his cheek, and her words and closeness brought a small smile to his lips. If he’d made Adriana happy today, that was all he’d wanted to do. Though he wondered slightly at when making Adriana happy had become a priority of his. “‘I’m glad.” Holding his new pup in a single arm, he slipped his now free one to Adriana’s chin to tilt her lips towards his, and moved in to plant a kiss on her lips before speaking against them suggestively. “But we all know better than to doubt my abilities to top things.” He looked down at the pup squirming between them, his hand falling from her chin to her hip. Jax would be lying if he said he hadn’t already been mulling names over in his head, and he’d chosen one that seemed to fit the young girl. “I was thinking Sabine.” A crater on the moon near the Statio Tranquillitatis who had somewhat of a twin crater. Who knew, perhap one day he’d gain another pup and have a matching set of names. “What about you and your new boy?”

“Debatable,” Adriana smirked at the tease Jax imposed upon her, yet not defying it as vigorously as she used to. There were far more relevant topics at hand. That her kiss, however small, brought a smile to the man’s face triggered a blossoming warmth in her chest, a sense of satisfaction that she was still getting used to. Usually the heat in her chest upon a victory was more intense, coupled with the adrenaline of having won some more traditional battle. This, however, was almost a cosy sort of sensation, one that coaxed a similar smile to her own lips. Jax could be annoyingly infectious in that way. It was an expression that persisted through his kiss, only to shift its form to a hinted mischief at his innuendo -- that she was as well have put in his mouth, intentionally, the moment she brought the concept of ‘topping’ into their conversation. “Fair enough.” Adriana withdrew from their close contact with a feather-light drag of her teeth over his bottom lip and subsequently directed her eyes to his pup. “Sabine,” she nodded. “A lunar name. It suits her.” After a final ruffle between the little lady’s ears, the dark ball of fluff in her arms received her gaze. For a moment, she paused to contemplate what name he might be given. She hadn’t been actively thinking about it until now, but Jax’s name for his new adoptee proved to be a valuable inspiration. “Polaris.” The axis mundi of the cosmos; a guiding light; a stellar constant. And it was a rather appropriate name too. Despite the dog’s pitch black coat, there was one stark white spot on his chest. Surely that would prove representative enough of a star. Polaris was returned to the floor a few seconds after his name was declared, as was Sabine, who Adriana took directly from Jax’s arm to release. Once they were free to roam among the rest of the canines in the room, the daughter of Mars returned Jax’s hand to her hip by her own touch and stepped forward to stand practically flush with his body. This time it was his chin that was tilted, only down rather than up, so that she could properly deliver a tease to his lips. “Now, what was that you said about knowing better?”

Already Jax was wanting to return to Adriana for yet another kiss from the moment she parted from him, her toying teeth all too tempting to deny. For the most part, he’d thought Sabine a fitting name as the two black spots over the pup’s eyes were all too reminiscent of the moon’s twin craters when placed against the field of white that was the rest of her face. Then he was humming an approval of Adriana’s name choice, not so secretly pleased with her, quite literally, stellar choice. It was no secret he had a fondness for celestial names. As the woman took both his new puppy and withdrew from his touch, the smallest of what could only be called a pout formed on his features. How was it fair that his two favorite things in the room had been taken from him? Thankfully, he wasn’t left without one of them for long as Adriana came back to him in a way that was all too welcome. Instantly his hands were pulling her impossibly closer, his lips already beginning to pepper kisses down the side of her neck as an amused chuckle fell from him. “It sounds like a demonstration is in order.” Not bothering to separate them, he began to pull her towards the door of the room. He could think of a few empty and close rooms that would be all to easy to fall into with Adriana, making good use of the seldom utilized bed.

[lubdubsworld]

Losing to You ~ Taekook ~Mpreg

Chapter 5

Eunha stirred her coffee, glancing occasionally at Jung Kook, who was flipping through his phone. She felt the striking pang of affection and attraction tug on her insides again. She loved this man, quite more than she loved herself. She had first met Jung Kook as a rebellious, snobby teenager and over the years , Jung Kook had proven to her that just because he had started out on the wrong foot, he couldn't change. And it seemed unfair, now, knowing that she was going to be tossed aside after enduring all the worst times of his life. Who had been there for Jung Kook when his brother had died? Who had been there for him when he'd struggled with his alcohol addiction?

Not Kim Taehyung for sure.

But looking at him now, she knew that he was going to slip out of her hands, unless she did something about it. Jung Kook no longer needed her, not the way she needed him.

"Are you really going to marry him?" She said softly. Jung Kook hesitated.

"It's only for a year." He said , his eyes wavering just a little , but enough to make her toes curl in fear.

"And then you'll divorce him?" She said thoughtfully, fumbling with the zipper of her bag. She's not sure how to broach this, but she hoped that he wouldn't refuse.

Jung Kook frowned a bit.

"We talked about this..."

"Yes, but now, I see the way you look at him."

He rolled his eyes at that.

"I'm supposed to be his husband and he's pregnant. I can't go around yelling at him all day without cause."

"I think there's a way to get around this..."

"Get around?"

"Sign the divorce papers. Now."

Jung Kook froze.

"What?"

"The divorce papers." She fumbled with her bag before pulling the file out. " i had them drawn up. They're dated exactly a year from your wedding Day. Have Taehyung sign it, and I'll accept whatever you two do. You can be his husband, consummate the marriage, hell give him another baby if you want. But at the end of the year, you come back to me. "

Jung Kook laughed.

"Are you insane? I can't sign divorce papers before the damn wedding!!"

"Why, are you hoping to extend the marriage? Hoping perhaps that the pretty little carrier is going to change his mind and decide to stay with you? Don't make the same mistake your brother did, Kookie. Carriers are pretty and manipulative. It's in their fucking genes alright? Just because Taehyung looks innocent, doesn't mean he is. He's neither innocent nor stupid, I mean, look at him... He's literally a poor, unknown bastard and somehow he's managed to snag the richest , most eligible bachelor in the entire country..."

Jung Kook stared at her, the words seeping into his heart like bullets.

"Don't be like your brother." She said again and Jung Kook sighed , before carefully grabbing the file and drawing it close.

"Eunha, this seems a bit..."

"Sign it. If you care even a bit about me, sign it right now. Here, in front of me. I don't care when you ask Taehyung to sign it . i want  you  to sign it now. "

And Jung Kook being the idiot that he was, picked up the pen and did just that. It's just a gesture, he told himself firmly. It wasn't like he was a complete fool. He wouldn't go and ask Taehyung to sign it for heaven's sake. That was just.. wrong on so many levels. This should calm Eunha at least. And for now, he wanted eunha to be happy. He hoped that this would help quell her unjustified insecurities.

But were they really unjustified? Could Jung Kook really tell, with a hundred percent conviction , that he wouldn't change his mind about divorcing Taehyung after spending a year with the beautiful, gentle man??

He swallowed.

He remembered his brother.

He wouldn't make the same mistake.

He wouldn't.

He couldn't.

~~~~~~~~

"Are you sure you don't want to stay the night, here? Will Jung kook really be angry if you go back late?" Hoseok whined, grabbing Taehyung's wrist and tugging like a child. Taehyung laughed and gently pulled away, buttoning up the fleece white coat and pulling up the faux fur lined hoodie. He wrinkled his nose as the white fluffiness momentarily obscured his vision. The twins had wanted him to read them both to sleep and after a full day of playing with the two boisterous little boys, Taehyung was beyond exhausted.

"It's already really late, hyung. Besides, the rehearsal dinner is tonight and Mrs. Jeon wanted me to meet her stylists at ten tomorrow morning." Taehyung rubbed a clenched fist over his belly. Even his daughter was already asleep, no doubt tired by the active day spent with her four uncles. He laughed internally at that. It was hard to imagine his kid brothers as uncles.

"At least wait till Yoongi comes back with the car... He'll drop you off."

"It's really late hyung. Besides, I've taken the subway tonnes of times. Don't worry about it. Kiss Taemin and Taejoon for me." He waved swiftly, watching Hoseok wave and look out through the gate till he turned the corner of the street. He smiled a bit, thinking about the kids. They were so happy with Yoongi and Hoseok and Taehyung once again remembered the conversation he had just had with Hoseok.

" Taehyung-ah... Yoongi and I have been thinking.... Could you possibly consider letting us adopt the twins? You're going to marry Jung Kook. You're going to have a baby with him. Won't it be better for the twins if they had a stable family of their own as well? "

Taehyung bit his lips as he tried not to cry.

. He knew that Hoseok loved and adored kids. He wanted one so badly but even though he was a carrier himself, he wasn't fertile. It had been heartbreaking watching people call them ' greedy' just for wanting to have a baby of their own. Taehyung sighed. He loved Hoseok even more, because the older man did not resent Taehyung for his pregnancy .

Taemin and Taejoon deserved loving parents and he couldn't think of anyone better than his best friends.

It was the other part that really hit him hard. The concept of Jung Kook and him having a stable family. Earlier in the day, Taehyung had spoken with Eunha , telling her firmly that Jung Kook wasn't the father. Jung Kook hadn't asked him to do it, but Taehyung wasn't evil. He knew how much Jung Kook loved Eunha. He had seen him looking at her with a fondness that was deep and honest. Jung Kook was with Eunha now, and honestly Taehyung was okay with it. She was right for him. Good for him in ways that Taehyung would never be.

He could get over it. And over time, these little pangs of pain would fade.

He was so lost in his thoughts, he didn't even notice the Black Mercedes that drew up to his side. By the time he came to his senses, it was too late. Strong hands grabbed his wrist, yanking so fiercely that he lost his footing, crashing painfully into the side of the car, the impact jarring his entire body and strangling a cry of pain out of him.

"Look who we have here... it's Jeon Jung Kook's new bitch..." The unfamiliar man drawled and Taehyung yanked his hand away stumbling back, both hands curving around his stomach as he stared up, terrified. The man got out of the car and stalked over to him , looking maniacal. The man looked rich, respectable. Hell, he actually looked young and handsome.

"You're a pretty little thing aren't you? Your manwhore of a husband thinks he can screw me over , just because he's got daddy's extra cash lying around..?" He sneered and slapped Taehyung right across the face, so hard that his ears rang. A small crowd had gathered around them but , horribly, not one of them was doing anything to help him.

"I've got a good look at your face now, doll. Tell your husband I'm going to skin him alive if he doesn't fucking back off." He reached out and gripped Taehyung's jaw so hard that Taehyung could feel his bones grinding together.

But the pain was gone before it had started and a second later, the man and the car were gone too. Taehyung stood still, heart pounding as he tried to get his breathing in control.

Heart pounding, he dragged himself to the pay booth about fifty feet away.

The minute and  a half that it took for jung Kook to pick up were  the longest of his life.

"Jung Kook..." He choked out.

"Tae? Are you okay..?"

"I...I need you to come get me."

~~~~~~~~~~

Taehyung sat perfectly still, hands trembling as he watched Jung Kook with terrified eyes. Jung Kook hadn't moved even an inch, eyes fixed scarily on the floor as he flexed his wrists, fingers clenching and unclenching , while his parents fussed over Taehyung.

"It was probably one of the agents we laid off after the De Burgh contract. A lot of them are really upset with Jung Kook right now." Mr. Jeon was saying, speaking into the phone, while Mrs. Jeon pressed a small ice pack against the rapidly blooming bruise on Taehyung's face.

"Why did you go out without security , baby? Don't you know it isn't safe?" Mrs. Jeon was saying, her eyes brimming with tears .

But Taehyung couldn't focus on anything but the murderous fury that was written all over Jung Kook's features.

"Jung Kook, it's okay... I'm fine." He stuttered out but Jung Kook showed no reaction. Instead he stood up slowly and grabbed his phone, punching in a few numbers. He fired off some quick instructions and the waited for a second, shutting his eyes as he listened to something the person on the other end was saying.

"where do they hang out?" Jung Kook sounded very serious and Taehyung bit his lips, his stomach churning with disquiet. He didn't like the way Jung Kook looked. The warmth was gone, replaced by something very cold and cruel. Something that scared him in it's intensity. it reminded him of the man who had manhandled in the car, so many weeks ago. He didn't want to see this side of jung Kook.

"Taehyung..." Jung Kook said suddenly, startling him. " Do you remember the guy's face?"

Taehyung swallowed before nodding.

Mr Jeon made a noise of impatience.

"Jung Kook, no! Don't do anything rash... "

"If I let this slide, tomorrow he's going to do more than just bruise him, Dad. I need to find that bastard and teach him what happens when you touch something that belongs to me."

Taehyung trembled in the cold, drowning in one of jung kook's jackets as he sat inside the car. The heating was turned up but his blood was ice in his veins. He watched, his mouth dry and scratchy , as Jung Kook fumbled with the glove compartment and pulled out a shiny black pistol.

"Jung Kook, don't ..." He whispered. " I'm so scared, Jung Kook. "

He might as well have been talking Spanish.

Jung Kook ignored him, reaching out and lightly squeezing his knee.

"Don't worry about anything, Tae. I'm going to get this sorted. Black Mercedes you said right? And the guy had russet brown hair.?? Hang on..."

They sat in silence for a few minutes as cars flooded the parking lot of the expensive lounge. Taehyung felt each passing minute like a ticking time-bomb, his breath shallow and pulse pounding.

"Is that him?" Jung kook said and Taehyung froze, eyes landing on the black Mercedes and the familiar brown coated figure that got down. He gripped Jung Kook's arm instinctively and apparaently, that was all the confirmation he needed.

"I'll be right back." He said softly and then he was climbing out of the car, slamming the door shut behind him. He came around and opened the door, holding a hand out.

"Come on."

"What?" Taehyung squeaked, stunned. " Where?"

"To pay our friend a visit."

The inside of the loungue made Taehyung want to puke, the empty booths and the flashing lights giving him a headache. jung Kook led him to a corner booth and then out through a side door. A few more turns down the corridor, Taehyung hanging off jung kook's arm in ill concealed terror and they reached a huge ball room , opening into smaller rooms. Jung Kook kept a firm grip on his arm before slowly taking him to the farthest room and knocking on the closed.

"Come in." A familiar voice said and Taehyung shut his eyes in panic.

Jung Kook shouldered the door open and stalked in, taking care to keep Taehyung hiddedn. 

The man froze, when he noticed Jung Kook standing right behind Taehyung. Taehyung felt his legs begin to tremble.

Jung Kook steeped to the side casually and Taehyung found himself face to face with the man. 

"Touch him." Jung Kook said , very very softly.

The man swallowed visibly.

"Jeon Jung Kook...."

Jung Kook kicked the door shut, locking all three of them in the room and Taehyung shut his eyes in horror. Oh God.. what had he gotten himself into?

"You heard me, Yugyeom. Touch him. Your filthy little paws were itching to touch my husband when i wasn't there. if you're even half a man, I dare you to lay one fucking finger on him..." Jung Kook whispered.

Yugyeom swore, lunging for Taehyung and Taehyung screamed, fear paralyzing him, but the blow never came. When Taehyung opened his eyes, he felt faint.

Yugyeom was on the floor, writhing in pain, while Jung kook had both his arms bet behind his back, knee digging into the base of the man's spine, while one hand gripped the back of his head by his hair.

"You filthy son of a bitch.. You dare to breathe the same air as him? " Jung Kook snarled and Taehyung whimpered when Jung kook gripped his hair harder, smashing his head against the concrete floor till Yugyeom howled in pain.

"You're so dead." Jung Kook muttered, before reaching for his gun and Taehyung stumbled back, clutching the curve of his stomach in genuine terror. If Jung Kook actually pulled the trigger....

But he didn't. Instead he bought the pistol down on his clenched fingers, creaking a few of them at least. Taehyung stared as Jung Kook slowly stood up.

"Tell your friends too. Just because Jeon Jung Kook spends 18 hours in a fucking board room doesn't mean he can't  pound you guys into  fucking pulp, if he wants to. Especially if you come anywhere near his family."

Family.

He just called me his family.

Taehyung swallowed as Jung Kook slowly stood up, reaching out to hold Taehyung's palm in his, opening the door and leading him back to the car. Taehyung could feel his heart beating so fast, threatening to fly right out of his rib cage.

"I'm sorry, I had to drag you into this.." Jung Kook was saying, but Taehyung was thinking about something else.

"Did you mean it?" He said nervously.

"What?" Jung Kook frowned.

"when you said.. when you said I was your family?"

Jung Kook gripped the steering wheel for a second before turning to him with a very serious look on his handsome face.

"Of course I meant it. No matter what happens between us, you'll always be my husband. My family." He said, sincerely and Taehyung bit his lips. He felt a thought tugging on his conscience and he knew that if he did this, he was opening himself to a whole new world of hurt. But Jung Kook was here, next to him. He was holding his hand and he had just beat up a guy for touching Taehyung. Jung Kook had just called him his husband.

His family.

How could Taehyung not reciprocate?

"Would you... Would you like to meet ... someone important to me?" He managed weakly.

Jung Kook frowned.

"Important?" He said , confused. " Who is it?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jung Kook stared at the man on the narrow cot of the hospice, dressed in a white shirt and loose drawstring pants, coloring innocently into a book. The man was old, possibly as old as Mr. Jeon and Taehyung sat holding his hand while the man laughed and mumbled stories about the little stick figures that he was drawing into the sketchbook.

"This is Ah Reum... She's the milkman's daughter." the man said and Taehyung laughed and said something else.

After a few more minutes of meaningless chatter, Taehyung looked up at him.

"Father..." He said softly, gripping the man's wrist and Jung Kook's heart took a dive. " This is the man I'm going to marry.  His name is Jung Kook." Taehyung whispered. Jung Kook felt tears sting as he slowly came around to kneel in front of the man, who was frowning in confusion.

"TaeTae... does he love you?" Mr. Kim asked, frowning like a child and Taehyung stiffened next to him.

"I love him very much..." Jung Kook said without thinking, watching the way the man's face lit up at that.

"Tae Tae's a good boy. Don't make him cry, Jung Kook-ah...Will you always keep him happy?? " Mr. Kim said softly, reaching out and lightly touching his face. Jung Kook nodded..

"I don't know if I can make him happy, Mr. Kim. But i swear, I'll never be the reason your son sheds tears..." He whispered, knowing as he said it, that he really meant it. Taehyung looked lost as he hugged his father and the man hugged him back briefly. But then he began coloring again. After a while he looked up at Taehyung.

"Who are you son?" He said casually and Jung Kook felt his heart clench again. Taehyung smiled.

"I'm your son, papa. Don't you remember?"

"My son, Tae Tae... he's a good boy... I heard he's getting married. If you see my son , will you tell him to come take me back home? I miss him and his momma..." Mr . Kim said sadly and Jung Kook watched the tears well up and spill over Taehyung's eyes. He could feel his heart shattering at the sight.

When they came out , Taehyung stood very still for a while.

"My father was injured in the accident. A head injury. He doesn't remember the twins or the accident. I didn't have any money to get him any expensive treatment. So the government pays for him here at the hospice.  " He said with a small smile. " The doctors say he's dying anyway. A few more months at the most." His voice shook.

"Do the twins know he's..."

"No. it's just going to be meaningless pain for them. They would only be heart broken. Yoongi and Hoseok don't know either. No one knows. "

Jung Kook stared at him.

"Taehyung.. why did you bring me here..." He began, anguished beyond bearing and Taehyung reached out and hugged him tight, fingers gripping the back of his coat while tears soaked the fabric of his shirt.

"Because we're family. " He whispered.

Jung Kook, held him closer, staring out into the wall.

His heart felt like it had been shattered to pieces but it also felt like a part of it had left him for good.

Author’s Note : So much angst. 

[musingsofamidwife]

Samuel the unborn angel

Samuel Josiah Melo’s Story

On the evening of August 23rd, I’d noticed that my daughter Natalie (who was one and a half at the time) had been kissing my belly over and over again. It was a bit unsettling, so I decided to take a pregnancy test. A faint line came up and I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t even feel pregnant! I paraded the test around my house asking people if they saw what I saw; and the answer was yes. We all figured the logical thing to do was wait a few more days before getting excited to see if I’d get a solid positive test.

The next day after I had picked my uninformed Mother in law up at the airport when we were getting settled in at home, she turned to me and explained how God told her I was pregnant with a boy. I was in shock. Two days later I got my solid positive pregnancy test, and a call from my (uninformed) grandmother in law. She told me I was pregnant, with a boy. I was delighted. I thought about how important my child must be for God himself to have informed three people before me. The following couple weeks were pure bliss accompanied by heavy anxiety. I was pregnant. It was an easy pregnancy, not many symptoms except for exhaustion, cravings and a pregnancy shaped bloated belly. I wanted hot chocolate ALL. THE. TIME. American cheese sandwiches. Reese’s peanut butter cups. Muncho’s chips. I had this hollow feeling though, like something wasn’t right. I dreamed of sharing the great news with the world in hopes that it would make it feel more real. I purchased a “big sister” shirt for my daughter and set a date (in my second trimester) to announce my pregnancy. I just didn’t want to jinx it.

On August 27th I started having intense back pains and went to the emergency room. The doctor confirmed my pregnancy, and a uti. He told me that my hcg (pregnancy hormone) levels were low and convinced me to go back in two days to see if they would rise the way that they should in a healthy pregnancy. August 29th. My husband and I went back except this time I had moderate cramping. The doctor gave me an ultrasound and took more blood. The ultrasound confirmed I was about 5 weeks pregnant. Blood test confirmed my hcg doubled the way it was supposed to. The doctor told us to come back in 2 days, just to make sure one last time. September 02. Blood levels doubled beautifully. They diagnosed me as “threatened miscarriage” which was scary but I had faith that God had big plans for my baby.

Every night I slept in between my daughter and my husband, his hand holding my bloated belly. I thanked God and prayed every night for him to keep my children safe and growing. I made an amazon wish list for all the things we’d need for the baby. I budgeted and made a financial schedule for when we should buy the expensive things. I started telling my daughter about her sibling on the way and how he might change things.

Hurricane Irma, the biggest hurricane to form in the Atlantic hit, our town as a category 3 on September 10th and took our electricity with it. I was so worried. So sure something would happen yet so hopeful that it wouldn’t. Everything was stressful. On September 14th, after four days without electricity, I went to a local Lowe’s with my brother because they had a phone charging station. We spent an hour and a half on our feet and walking around the store waiting for our phones to charge. When we got home I felt off, something was wrong but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I figured it was the heat- I took a cold shower and tried to relax in comfortable clothing.

After dinner I had argument with my daughter and ran away while she was mid tantrum to use the restroom. When I wiped there was blood. Pink blood. That didn’t look right, maybe it was my imagination. I wiped again. This time it was red. I ran outside and called my husband. Off to the ER we went. The ride there was full of emotions. I asked God over and over, “please don’t take my sunshine away”. I held my belly, hoping that there was still a baby in there. By the time we got into a bed at the ER I had already gone to use the toilet again. The blood was even more red, heavy and this time with clots. I feared the worst. The doctor came in and ordered an ultrasound, repeat blood work. The ultrasound was excruciating. I couldn’t hold still because I was sobbing so much. The internal wand hurt me like a boxer punching me in the cervix over and over. I left a pool of blood on the table, which my husband saw. I’ll never forget that face. The doctor came in and told us that my levels had gone up but not by much. The baby had a heartbeat and was moving. I’d probably miscarry, she said. She told me to stay on bedrest until I could see my OBGYN. I barely slept that night.

I prayed so hard. I believed that God would keep our baby safe. my OB welcomed me with sympathetic hugs on September 15th, two days after I started bleeding. She paced the exam room, back and fourth from the table (which had my ER records on them), to standing beside my husband. She explained that I had a big hemorrhage between the placenta and my uterus. It was pulling my baby out. She said that my child had only grown for only 6 days since our first ultrasound. My hcg hadn’t gone up much since our blood draw on August 29th. She said it was a freak occurrence and that we could start trying having another baby right after if we wanted. My heart was shattered, ripped into pieces. The nurse came in and drew blood. She told me to pray, said miracles happen all the time. I did just that. I prayed. I pleaded with God. I also stayed on strict bedrest.

I woke up on September 16th in pain. My husband had gone off to work. I felt something wasn’t right but I ignored it. I passed my daughter to my mother and got back into bed. Almost immediately I started feeling like I was in labor. I couldn’t move. I had intense back pain. I couldn’t eat. I was having contractions. My mother took me to the ER. They got me in fast and ordered an Ultrasound and blood work. The ultrasound technician kept asking questions like, “did they see it last time?” And “how far along are you supposed to be?”. I looked on the screen. I couldn’t see the little bean that was there just 2 days ago. I had hope that my untrained eyes were just failing me. Back in my room the nurse came with narcotics to help ease my pain. Not a good sign. Thirty minutes later, my husband arrived by my bedside along with my doctor.

Hearing the doctor explain that I’d had a complete miscarriage was an indescribable outer body experience. 90% of the pregnancy was gone. My hcg dropped from 1400 to 100. I was no longer pregnant. He gave his condolences. I shook his hand and thanked him for treating me well. It wasn’t until my husband hugged me from behind. It wasn’t until my mother said sorry. It wasn’t until my face was buried in her chest during her goodbye hug. I cried the loudest cry I have ever cried. I screamed. I felt like they had taken my heart away from me. After a while My mother told me I’d be okay, and left me with my husband. I can’t remember the ride home. I don’t remember anything that happened immediately afterwards, and I think that somehow it’s a good thing.

So, here I am. A mother of a healthy toddler. Mother to an Angel whom I have named Samuel. My sunshine. My storm. I don’t know why he had to leave me so soon, but I know that there has to be a good reason. I will love him and cherish his memory for as long as I live. I will never forget the Joy that he brought me for those few short weeks. I will always remember the part of my heart he took with him. I will never get it back. Samuel Josiah, I will hold you in what’s left of my heart until I can hold you in my arms. I promise to keep your memory alive.

[r95irth]

Those Todomomo/Satoru/@akeemi-life's twins are so cute, akeemi also created a daugther (can't remeber her name right now) if you're in writing mood you should write about the day that she born. Poor Hino and Rei, they don't have a single clue of what is going on and just know that their mother is in pain, the little cinnamon rolls

Yep i’m still in writing mood (even more now that my styletbroke) and @akeemi-art also drew an adorable daughter ! But i don’t recall herhaving a name yet. Anyway i asked her how many years there is between her andthe twins, it’s about 3 years difference. Satoru would then be out of UA andone of the reaosn i’m not writing Satoru’s years at UA is because i don’t havethe plot (and especially the end, Satoru and Mahô’s situation is quite unclearin my head) yet…SO everything i will write now is not set in stone, okay ?^^ Plus it’s Akeemi’s daughter and if there is anything she doesn’t like, iwill change it.

Still this is such an adorable ask, i couldn’t resist to writeit ! 

So here is the very hypothetical scene…

 This time Shouto was determined to do things right thistime. He prepared Momo’s bag himself, days before the due’s date, and swore tathe would be ready to go, even in the middle of the night. He even dowloaded anap that could call a cab, since Momo really didn’t want him to drive. Bakugoustill talked about the way he saved theirfucking life by driving Momo to the hospital three years ago, there was noway they asked him again !

Beside, it was summer and Satoru was home, back from hiscollege, so he could count on him to stay with his little brother if they hadto rush to the hospital in the middle of the night. Momo couldn’t help butchuckle everytime Shouto was preparing the big-day.

Everything was goint to be all right, everything wasplanned.

Of course, life doesn’t work that way.

First, when it happened, Shouto was on a mission with Tenya,Ochako and Izuku. He received the text message right into the middle of thefight.

Satoru – 11 AM 22 July - Momo is in labor, i called the caband we’re on our way to the hospital with the twins. Can you meet us there ??

He supposed that turning back and run back home wasn’t the mostheroic attitude ever.

-Where are you going ?! Yelled Tenya as he kicked onevillain in the guts.

-The baby! He said.

His three friends gasped as they punched down anothervillain who thought he could use the opportunity.

-You’ll take too long to go to the train station, Ochako !Claimed Izuku.

-I’m on it ! Answered Uravity as she slapped Shouto andhis back.

And before he knew it Izuku had threw him above threebuildings. This was probably not the best idea neither.

***

Momo tried her very best not to panic. Satoru was already amess, the twins were crying because they were too small to understand that thepain their mother was feeling was not a dangerous-kind-of-pain, and Shouto…

Well Shouto was here when they arrived at the hospital, buthe had probably a broken arm. A broken arm he assured was not broken and couldwait till the baby was there to be seen by a doctor.

The said doctor who was in charge of the family for so long(he took care of Satoru when he was 9 and delivered the twins…) gave Momo atired glance. All she could do was sent him back a tired smile. Then she turnedto her husband and took his not-broken hand :

-I’m glad you made it here.

She was, this time the contractions came way faster than theprevious time and she had been worried he would not make it here in time. Thethought of giving birth without him by his side, holding her hand and repeatevery instruction the doctor said with a calm voice, it was terrifying. Lasttime he had been worried about him not being able to do anything to help her,but he did. Him being here helped.

Now the other problem…

-Satoru, we’ll go to the deliver room, you can keep an eyeon Rei and Hino ?

-Ye-yes.

Rei hiccuped, big tears rolling on his cheeks. Satoru wasalready carrying him in his arms, craddling him a bit to ease his worry. Hinowas a little better, os soi t seemed, but when they tried to move away, hetried to restrain them here by hugging Shouto’s legs.

-Don’t leave…He whispered with a broken voice.

Shouto hugged him, and hold him so he could see his mother.Momo patted his head :

-Don’t worry Hino, i’m going to be fine, she said. But youcan’t follow me where i’m going now, it’s not a place for little children.Please be a sweet heart and listen to your big bor while we’re away.

Rei asked :

-You come back ?

-Yes, they will come back very soon, promised Satoru to hislittle brother.

-When ? hiccped Hino.

-Very soon, explained Shouto. –We’re just going to get yourlittle sister, then we’ll be right back.

-She lost ? Asked Hino.

Satoru let out a laugh, and took Hino back, so Momo couldgo.

-No, no she’s okay. Remember what Papa explained to you, howbabies are made ?

Momo grunted as she disappeared in the room, and for amoment Shouto was certain it was not because of the contraction pain.

***

Three hours was a long time to wait, especially for littlekid of Hino and Rei’s age. They were barely three and time was still a hardconcept to grasp. Fortunately Satoru was very good at handling kids. He made surethey were far enough sot hey couldn’t hear Momo’s screams (he remembered alltoo well ho it terrified him the first time) then organized a drawing contesthe let them win. When they were tired and worried about their mother and father’swhereabout, he told them a story. He was thankful they were there in a way,getting them occupied kept him away from worrying too.  Especially when one made one of the weirdestcomment like « this is the longest poop ever ».

Thankfully, Shouto came look for them soon enough, and helead them to a tiny room. Momo was already there, looking equally happy andtired. The little baby girl was a little bigger than the twin were, and Momowas already breastfeeding her. She had the cutest chubby cheeks ever.

-It’s a glutton, remarked Satoru with a smile, as he helpedHino to get at the right heigh to see theirlittle sister. Shouto did the samewith Rei.

-She smol, commented Rei.

-You were way smaller you know, explained Shouto.

-Lie ! Claimed Hino.

They poked the baby feet and she made a noise as she coweredup in her mother arms. The twins laughed.

-I like her, decided Hino.

-We keep it ! Approved Rei.

Satoru laughed again, and couldn’t help but say :

-Yep i like her too, can we keep her and give those two back ?

Rei and Hino made the funniest chocked face ever. But Momomade a sign so they all gathered near her, she put the baby in Shouto’s armsand stared at the marvelled expression it drew on his face. She would never gettired of this. But right now, she did feel exhausted, so she closed her eyesand let herself fall into sleep as she heard her family’s ahppy chatting. Thatwas the best lullaby she ever heard.

[valkirsif]

Follow you CH 4/???

For my sweety @youaremyfavouritepizzaplace big hug honey

Painter Steve Rogers x Bailarina Natasha Romanov

Word: 2900

Warnig: Fluff, Angst

STEVE

 Steve finished the work he was carrying out and began preparations for departure, made all the necessary documents and left the keys to his apartment in Sara

"Hey don't destroy my house while I'm away" laughed, hugging her, "I'll come as many times as I can, not to mention that once I finish school I'll come back here, this is my house"

"Quiet Brooklin boy no exaggerated parties, nothing piled up ... I will treat her well" laughed the woman in turn, "You only think about studying and your dancer .. have you already thought about how to tell her everything?"

“I tried the other night but by phone it seems so wrong, I'll tell you about it tonight or tomorrow" he replied tense, would have reached Natasha in the evening and was thinking about how to face the speech in the best way without risking losing it, finished packing up that they would leave for San Diego with the movers, with if he would bring only a bag for a few days and his suit for the theater, looked at his house one last time, already missed it, greeted Sara and went up on the taxy.

Checked in at the airport and waited for flight,

"I'm going to leave," said cheerfully on the phone, "Of course I'll arrive for dinner, I miss you so much I can't wait to be with you", Natasha was as impatient as he was to be together, "Where did we meet?" the address of the woman's hotel on the agenda and moved to the gate, they had just called her flight, "See you soon, I love you" said greeting her and turning off the phone as soon as he sat down, the journey was quiet and in less than two hours landed, went to the baggage claim he was about to take his suitcase when a pinkish red flash caught his attention, had just time to turn around and Natasha threw herself into his arms smiling and beautiful.

 NATASHA

 The first had gone very well, the public had been enthralled by Natasha and the rest of the company, their agent had extended the evenings for 4 more shows to give everyone the chance to see him, the woman was excited and happy for that opportunity every night. of admirers of all ages waited for her and her colleagues outside the theater with flowers and gifts, Natasha loved the warmth of the audience, every night before going to bed she and Steve felt, the night before seemed to her that the man was anxious but did not ask him the reason he probably had a lot of work and sometimes felt guilty about those calls late at night but they would see each other in a few hours and was happy to spend some time with him, got up early to organize the perfect evening, had two days off and  wanted to spend them alone with him, the boutique had given her the new dress in the morning, just below the knee, bright green in perfect 50s style, sure that Steve would go priced, the restaurant reservation was confirmed and the car booked, before leaving to go to the airport had secured all the privacy wanted by changing hotel, greeted Serlina and left.

Called the man on his way downtown

"My love, have you already left home?" asked cheerfully, "Will you make it for 7? I booked in an intimate place" said "I'm in the Four Seasons in the center I'll wait for you there" greeted him, hearing the announcement of his flight, the car left her in front of the hotel the woman went up, put the new dress in the closet and arranged the things before going out, would have made a surprise to Steve waiting for him at the terminal, arrived at the airport and looked around, the billboard marked the flight as landed and turned around the terminal looking for him, when found joy took over and ran to threw her arms around his neck.

                                                       §§§§§§§

 They stood looking at each other for a few minutes smiling, nobody noticed them in the terminal, other couples were greeting each other,

"Tasha you are beautiful, let yourself be watched" said the man taking her face in his hands and getting lost in his eyes, "I missed you so much princess" hugged her to his chest and kissed,

"Steve I missed you too" she replied, melting into his arms, "Let's go to the hotel so you leave your suitcase and go to dinner, I want to take you to my favorite restaurant" said, moving away from him and taking his hand, the man retrieved luggage and followed her to the taxy stand.

20 minutes later they went down in front of the hotel, went up to the room Steve put the suitcase beside the bed and took the woman in his arms, untying her dress,

"What time did you book?" He asked, slipping off the dress that slid to the floor.

"There is time" replied Natasha kissing him, "We have all the time in the world my love", both were burning, not seen for a week and the passion took over, they made love getting lost in each other as if the time did not exist, they lay in bed, flirting like boys, Steve kept touching the woman's face and staring at her, she was beautifully disheveled with bright eyes, her body soft and naked leaning on him

"I have to talk to you about something" he began hesitantly, "I wanted to wait but I don't want to ruin these days", the woman leaned on her elbow and stared at his serious face,

"I listen to you Steve" replied with heart in her throat,

"When you left I received a call from San Diego," he began, "I was actually hoping they would call me, the Art Academy accepted me," waited a moment for her to understand what he was saying, "Before it became official between us that phone call would have filled me with joy, now I don't know .. " concluded sighing, Natasha looked at him for a second and smiled,

"I also have to talk to you about something," she said, intertwining his fingers, "On the morning of the departure I learned that my company got a contract for a six-month tour around the country and at the end of the season six months in Europe..” she concluded, the two remained silent for a few minutes

"Steve ... have you decided to go to San Diego?" Asked the woman,

"Yes, it has always been my dream to study at SDAI although I admit that for a second I was about to give up, our story has just been born and it will be really difficult if we are so far away ..."

"I don't know what you think but I don't want to give up on you, I say try and see how things are going, certain occasions happen once in a lifetime as well as certain loves," she said seriously,

"I believe it too, we can handle everything," Steve said, both of them were trying to convince themselves that it would be easy knowing that the truth was another,

"Love shower and dinner?" The woman asked, "I booked for 7am" laughed as she stood up and reached out to invite him to follow her. Steve laughed and joined her in the bathroom, took a slow shower and prepared to leave,

"Princess this dress looks great on you," whispered, pulling up her zipper, "I almost regret going out you are so beautiful that I would like to keep you just for me," the woman turned and smiled and kissed him,

"You're not too bad, but I confess that I prefer you with a work uniform, the stained suit you had when you pulled me back made me warm every time I went into your house," she laughed as adjusted his tie, the woman replied to the room phone ringing,

"The car is waiting for us," said, taking his hand, left cell phone in the room, picked up purse and left.

The restaurant was in the outskirts the woman had discovered it a few nights earlier after the show, it was not a luxury and pretentious place but if she had fallen in love he had immediately reminded her of the Parrot where he met Steve, a waitress on skates welcomed them,

"Miss Natasha, well come, your table is ready, follow me," he led them smiling to a colored screen and left the menu and returned to his position to accompany other customers to their table.

"Tasha is beautiful," Steve said putting some coins in the juke box on the table, "I expect to see Sara appear with dinner," he laughed,

"I knew you would have liked it, I think I chose it because it reminds me of our meeting," she replied, blushing, the man took her hand, thinking back to that evening, they ordered food and while they waited Steve invited her to dance, they laughed heartily on the track, was fascinated by the movements of the woman, drew her to him if for a slow Natasha clung to him happily, they returned to the table when they saw the waitress with the drinking tray, toasted and they shared a plate of chips, a little girl approached shyly the couple looked at her,

"I liked the show so much yesterday," said the little girl who seemed to be 10 years old or so, "I ... I ... sign the shoes, please?" she asked, blushing, pulling a pair of worn-out yellow dance shoes out of his backpack ,

"Thanks baby" Natasha smiled, "Are you a dancer too? I like the yellow” she took the felt-tip pen that the little girl was holding out to her and the shoes,

"What's your name?" asked looking at her

"Beatrice" replied happily, Natasha autographed the side with her delicate writing and returned everything to her little fan who turned happily towards her mother,

"Thank you," said the woman, "we have come to dinner here in the last few days hoping to see her, Bea is a great admirer of her"

"It was a pleasure," said Natasha, smiling at Bea, "She goes on studying small," mother and daughter returned to their table Steve laughed seeing the joy of the little girl who continued to admire her shoes, "Sorry to interrupt, ignore a certain type of admirers is easy but I cannot fail when it comes to a colleague" the woman laughed

"Mmm do you often bother them?" He asked curiously, trying to mask a bit of jealousy

"Only out of the theater, jealous?"

"I'm afraid so," he laughed, "Hard not to be, you're so beautiful tonight, but you're always so beautiful in a jumpsuit and overalls," he said caressing her face, the woman closed her eyes and leaned against his palm

"Oh Steve, I feel complete and perfect when I'm with you," she said softly, the waitress arriving with dinner

"Wow they look great" said Steve admiring the tray of hamburgers and chips they had in front of him, "High class 50s" laughed pouring mustard on the potatoes, the couple had a good dinner the man was always amazed to see her eating, it was so thin that he wondered where he put the food, the sandwiches were delicious and, not at all satiated, they ordered two more,

"Would you like a dessert?" Asked the maid as she cleared it,

"For me, no thanks, I'm satisfied," Natasha said

"Even I pass, I take a coffee thanks", the evening was warm and pleasant they took a walk and stopped in front of a bowling alley,

"Would you like to do a couple of jumps princess?" Steve asked, dragging her into the room, the woman followed him, laughing,

"Why not it's a bit that I don't play ... you will give me an advantage for cavalry, right?" she laughed as tied her hair, the man took the shoes for both and they headed for the assigned track, Natasha changed the ball a couple of times, they were all too heavy for her and she resigned herself to using that for children Steve didn't miss the chance to make fun of her,

"I thought the dancers were much stronger," he laughed, kissing her,

"And we are but not in our arms, the important thing is that the dancer has strong arms, but I can break the nuts with the calves" she replied making him a tongue, the man took her in his arms and kissed her laughing, the game ended with the victory of the woman for a few points, Natasha suspected that Steve had made her win and found the tender thing, to thank him for his kindness took a couple of slices of cake and chocolate with cream, finished the cake and called the car for back to the hotel.

Natasha clung to the man as soon as got in the car and fell asleep Steve took off his jacket and covered it thinking about the wonderful day that they had just passed the future of their story was uncertain but at that moment he really understood to love her and he would do anything to stay with her, they reached the hotel and went up to their room,

"Sorry if I fell asleep in the car," the woman said, taking off her shoes, "The evening was a wonderful perfect ending after a heavy week, I counted the days since we heard," she smiled, untangling her tail, Steve approached caressing her hair,

"Princess did not need to go out, we could have stayed here to relax in bed," he replied, kissing her, "I would not have objected to having your body on you all night,"

the woman laughed dragging him towards the bed,

"Nice program, we can start now, though," she mewed, lying on top of him and blinking,

"But you were not tired princess?" He provoked her by stroking her back, they looked lost in each other's eyes before kissing, they spent most of the night making love fell asleep almost at dawn, Steve was the first to wake up and was enchanted by watching Natasha still asleep, her matted hair lit by the sun looked like a halo, he wanted to portray her again, not being able to do so he turned slowly so as not to wake her and took his cell phone to take a picture of her, the woman moved, feeling a click,

"Good morning, love," she said, still semi asleep, "Did you start taking pictures of me while I sleep?" asked with a smile,

"Sorry you were so beautiful with the reflection of the sun that I wanted to take you one to always carry with me," the man replied, showing her the shot, Natasha moved towards him to kiss,

"Is beautiful, you have an exceptional eye for these things," said leaning against his chest, "Will you make a picture of it?"

"I think so, it will be like having you with me while I study ..." he replied "I honestly would be almost tempted to give up the SDAI .." said sincerely, the woman sat up staring at him,

"You're not serious, Steve," she said, altered, "It's your dream you can't give up for ... for me ... I won't let you," the man looked at her in amazement and didn't expect a similar reaction.

"Tasha .. I don't want to give it up," said calmly, "I say I thought about it, you realize that if all goes well we'll see each other once a month ... maybe less .." took her face in his hands, ". .your job is going to take you around the world and I'm afraid .. "

"Afraid of what?" She asked, giving her a smile,

"Well, afraid of losing you, afraid you could find something else ..." he confessed, feeling like a complete idiot, Natasha burst into laughter,

"Steve nothing and no one could take me away from you, just the dance .. and maybe not even that .. I could give up if you asked me", she said discovering her card, no one had ever made her falter on her life choices like he,

"Princess I would never ask you for such a thing, it would be like you asking me to stop painting" he squeezed her, "It was all sudden, too much and all together, you were my painter's dream for a very long time, you appeared like a dream and I'm in love with you and while I was dealing with my feelings, he called me the SDAI .. " he said seriously," ..I think it's the same for you "

"I had promised myself not to let a man make me falter, my last boyfriend could not withstand the rhythms dictated by my work and did everything to make me change then you came from nothing, with that stupid idea of ​​the portrait and there I fell in love with you with all the shoes and now the tour .. " she concluded again tightly to him, they were laced lost in their thoughts trying to figure out how to make things work.