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tedisnotdead · 3 years ago

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The water flow stopped, and Andrew sighed, picking up the towel. He looked at himself in the mirror, his eyes scanning across the plain chest and stopping before his view reached his elbows.

"Andrew?" a voice called from the other side of the door, startling him. Andrew took a quick breath, closing his eyes before sighing, reminding himself of where he was. Renee's bathroom. Allison was downstairs, probably preparing baby Seth to stand in the crowd with her. "Nicky just left me your clothes. Do you want me to leave them in the spare room for you?"

"Yess." Andrew replied, looking down and pulling his boxers on. "I'll be out in a second." He reached for the armbands, pulling them on and tucking his thumb into the holes before walking out.

Betsy, Nicky and Erik were changing at home. They didn't need the preparation like the twins did, they wouldn't get picked. Jesse was safe too, wrapped up between his dads but next year he wouldn't. Next year he would be up there, and Andrew couldn't save him. Andrew had already felt the guilt of the six years he missed protecting his cousin and the four years he missed with his brother.

When they were united two years ago, it was a shock to everyone around them. Andrew had been in Betsy's care his entire life before then, with help from Renee for a few years during his more rebellious phase. When Renee started her fighting lessons twelve years ago, he was one of the firsts to sign up. Eight years after Andrew signed up, another Andrew signed up. Renee knew it wasn't him. And she mentioned it to Betsy, who connected the fourteen-year olds and since took them both in, alongside their cousin. A year later, Nicky introduced his boyfriend and his son to the family, and they were welcomed with open arms.

Betsy took two-week-old Andrew in from the day she saw him left on the side of the work field, wrapped in only a blanket. She took him home, where eight-year-old Renee was waiting. She hadn't been ditched like Andrew, she has been unfortunately orphaned by a factory malfunction and lost her mother at only six.

Renee and Andrew grew up alongside each other, but when she left for the games at age thirteen, they knew they would never be the same. Renee came back a victor, that's when she started her fighting lessons. Betsy advised against it but saw her development and let her work. When Andrew questioned her why she let her fight after she had won, Betsy reminded him Renee had won for a reason.

That's when he met Wymack. David Wymack, the winner of the forty-third Hunger Games. David Wymack, the man who relied on the pain of tattoos to give him a mental escape from the pain that the Games had caused him. The same David Wymack who took Jean Moreau out of Betsy's care less than a week after she took him in.

"Just because Jean was taken in by the Wymacks, it doesn't mean that you're not wanted." Betsy would always say. She would say the same thing every time she took one kid into her home and then they were taken in by a family a few days after. "You are just as valid. You are just as special. You just need to wait for your special time to shine."

Eight years passed and Aaron appeared. They united, Nicky was introduced, and Betsy took them all in. Betsy introduced them to Wymack, who introduced them to his kids and the Boyds. Befriending the entire of the Victors Village was a kick in the guts to Andrew. A reminder how he wasn't special, how he was basically nothing in comparison to some people.

Jean remembered him though. Jean made him feel special way. Not a romantic or sexual thing. Andrew knew those. Well, he knew sexual. He knew from all the hook-ups behind the factories, he knew from the nights he stayed at Roland's, a classmate in Renee's fighting class, and experimented with things. He knew from the start he was gay, but never said it out loud. He wasn't too confident when it came to romantic feelings however, but he had an idea.

Jean Moreau-Wymack was his first and only friend. Renee accepted this, seeing how they're bond was more sibling like than friends. Jean joined him on the tree searched. Andrew taught him to climb quick, how to spot the nests quickly, how to remove both wasp and birds safely. In return, Jean baked him sweet goods. The banana breads and cakes and muffins rolled through the door daily, Jean delivering them every morning with a small smile. Occasionally, Jean would bake with exotic flavors that David Wymack brought back from his annual visits to the Capitol.

With all the time Andrew had started spending Jean, Aaron began spending it with the other child in the Wymack household. Kevin Wymack-Day. David's biological child from a woman he didn't meet again after their one-night stand.

When Kayleigh, Kevin's mother, passed Kevin had been put in the custody of David. Jean, Kayleigh's other child, had been given to Betsy to be cared for. David hunted him down and took him in, not having the heart to separate the kids.

Aaron and Kevin clicked the second they met. Both being insufferable, obsessive assholes in Andrew's opinion (and Jean's, but that was one of the secrets between the two that were shared in the tops of trees over a muffin each). Aaron's obsession laying in the profession of David's wife, Abby Wymack. One of the best doctors in District 7. Since Aaron became closer with her, he became more obsessed over the profession and soon, if he survived the final reaping, would become her apprentice. Kevin's obsession laid in a Capitol sport, Exy. Whenever his father visited the Capitol for the games, he would bring back his son merchandise of his favorite teams. David had a friend in the Capitol who recorded every game so he could take them home and Kevin could watch them.

Andrew reached the spare room and froze before remembering where he was. Renee's house. Aaron was at the Wymacks', using their shower like Andrew was using Renee's. He knew the only reason was to see Kevin, and 'secretly' say goodbye and good luck in their own special way.

Their attraction to each other was not unknown, practically everyone knew. But it was obvious they were waiting until Aaron's last reaping, until today, to make anything exclusive. As long as they snuck out of the Victors Village before anyone began to head to the town center, no one would notice the luxurious treatment the twins were getting.

The clothes were spread out, waiting on the spare room bed. Nicky's old black, short sleeved button up shirt and a pair of Erik's old, tight fit, wash jeans. A pair of old boots that Betsy had managed to afford where on the floor, with a pair of Allison's bright pink socks laying neatly in the neck of the boot.

"You'll need to be ready in a few minutes Andrew." Renee's voice filtered through the door again. "The ceremony starts in an hour. People begin to move soon." Her footsteps echoed down the corridor as she left and Andrew looked at the clothes, sighing.

◒◓◒◓◒

Andrew stepped out, seeing Kevin and Aaron talking through a gap in the curtains. He sat back, waiting silently and watched them argue.

"They're horrible." Jean mumbled, sitting next to Andrew on the wall, leaving a large enough space for Capitol's largest man to sit between them. "Kevin kicked me out so I couldn't hear. I think they're talking about their latest hook-up." He took a bite from a muffin, leaving one on the wall beside Andrew. "It was at ours while we were climbing. I think they think we're fucking."

"How disappointed will they be when they find out we don't fuck; we talk shit about them and stuff our faces with shit." Andrew mumbled and Jean giggled, taking another bite. "Truth for a truth?" Jean nodded. "I'm nervous."

"That's well justified." Jean said. "Your name is at the highest chance it's ever been, and ever will be. But some people do sadly have their names in there more than you. So, the chance it being you is low. And the chance it's Aaron is even lower, since your name is still in there from the past years of tesserae. "Jean sighed. "I'm gay. I think." Jean mumbled before looking over.

"Want another round?" Andrew asked and Jean stopped before nodding. He took another bite of his muffin, looking forward again. "I'm gay too." Andrew said, picking his muffin up. "I've known for a few years."

"I have a crush on Jeremy." Jean said. Andrew turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "The baker's son. I used to talk to him a lot when I lived with Kayleigh. She would let me pick up her weekly orders from the bakery and I would pay them with grain and milk. I used to talk to Jeremy every Sunday, and that's why I like baking. Because I like Jeremy. "

Andrew looked back through the window, seeing them still talking. Aaron seemed more angry than usual during their 'conversations'. "You should offer to work there." Andrew suggested. "You could see him more."

Jean laughed, looking down before taking the final bite. "I could, but who would you hang out with then? You haven't got any other friends." "I have Jesse." Andrew said, taking a bite. "This is good. What flavor is it?"

"It's another new one from the Capitol called Palmetto. It's basically a super sweet blood orange." Jean said. "And Jesse doesn't count. He's got school you know."

"I'll teach him then." Andrew argued, his eyes following Jean as the older boy got up and started pacing. "I remember all my lessons. I could teach him with no struggle." Jean snorted, looking up. "Shouldn't you be getting ready?"

"Kicked out remember?" Jean mumbled, looking back at Andrew. Andrew shrugged, taking another bite from his muffin and Jean laughed. "I should. Aaron seems to be done in the shower, so if I go straight up Kev probably won't care." Andrew nodded, taking another bite quickly. "I need to, don't I?" Andrew nodded again. "I'll see you after. Good luck Andrew." Jean turned to walk back.

"Jean." Andrew said and he stopped, turning. "If I get picked, don't be nervous to say goodbye."

Jean knew that was Andrew asking him to come. But Andrew didn't like asking. Andrew didn't want to ask, say the word please. It wasn't how Andrew worked, and Jean knew that. He never questioned why, but he knew that. He never pressed any questions when it came to Andrew, because Andrew never did the same to him. He never questioned the scars on his cheek or the roughness of his hands or the burn marks that Jean turned up with.

"I will." Jean said, smiling gently. "I hope you enjoyed the muffin! If I do need to visit you, I'll bring one along. A parting gift." He laughed before walking inside.

Andrew watched the door for a few seconds after it closed before moving his glance to the gap in the curtains. Their argument went on for a few more minutes until Aaron looked out the window. Andrew raised an eyebrow and Aaron sighed, turning back to Kevin and saying something before leaving.

"Trouble in paradise?" Andrew muttered when Aaron reached his side.

"Shut up." Aaron muttered, already towards the village entrance.

He was dressed in a tight red shirt, it looked like Kevin's with the way it was too tight around his waist but loose around the arms, and a pair of trousers which were too torn to belong to a victor, and the style choice only pointed to Nicky. Too tight around the thighs with baggy bottoms. Just how Erik liked it.

"He just wanted to wish me good luck and I wanted to thank him, or tell him to thank his dad, for letting me use their shower."

"Wish you good luck with a massive smooch." Andrew said, walking after him.

"As if you and Jean weren't doing the same." Aaron muttered, scowling at him.

"Jean was actually just telling me about his crush. I got a name and everything. It was glorious." Andrew said. As Aaron went to ask, Andrew continued, "But I will not be saying anything about the mystery person. It was in our game, and I never tell secrets from our game."

"You're stupid shitty 'Truth for a truth' game?" Aaron asked and Andrew nodded. "I don't know why you two play that. It's not even a game, its talking. Like normal people do. You and Jean are weird."

"I think Jean is smarter than you when it comes to most things." Andrew mumbled, pushing the gate at the end of the pathway open. Nicky looked up through the window, smiling when he saw the twins. "If him being weird is the consequence of that, I don't think he minds.

"Fucking weirdo." Aaron muttered, pushing past. Nicky immediately fussed over him, asking where the shirt he left out was. Erik moved closer to Andrew, holding Jesse in his arms.

"I have missed you." Erik said.

"Jesse." Andrew called and the young boy looked over. "Want to hug?" Jesse nodded excitedly. Erik squatted down, letting Jesse run over. But just before he reached Andrew, he slowed down and then calmly wrapped his arms around Andrew's waist. "Oh Andrew, you look amazing." Nicky whispered. "I wish Betsy could see you before the ceremony, but she's already gone to get the other kids ready." He stood up, smiling. "You both look amazing. And we are going to get through this, and we are going to come home and be calm and happy."

His smile faltered for a second, but he plastered it back on before Aaron could notice. Erik and Andrew did, but both decided to stay quiet, knowing he was trying his hardest.

"Andrew, are you sure you don't want to move to a factory job with me and Aaron? You could watch the games."

"I'm fine being a clearer." Andrew mumbled. "I get good pay and I only have to talk to Jean. I see no flaws."

"But you can't watch the games." Nicky said.

"Erik doesn't like to watch the games. Neither do I." Andrew said, looking down at Jesse, who had buried his face in Andrew's side. "I am happy getting the updates from you over dinner."

Nicky went to say something, but Erik stepped forward and whispered into his ear. Nicky sighed, looking at him. Erik pecked his lips softly.

"We should get going, though," Andrew said, pushing Jesse back lightly and holding his hand out. Jesse smiled widely, taking his hand and holding tightly, as if his life depended on it.

The walk to the town center was mostly fully of Nicky's nervous rambling, with Erik and Aaron occasionally responding. But Andrew ignored them and chose to focus on the small tune Jesse was humming, squeezing his hand along to the beat.

When they reached the town center, Erik picked Jesse back up. Jesse waved to Andrew sadly before his dad carried him off, holding Nicky's hand. They passed the peacekeepers and stood in the crowd beside Jean and Kevin. Andrew took off down the silent path, leading them to the identification tables.

He could see over the peacekeepers' shoulders, David, Matt and Renee lined up along the back of the stage, with their escort, Kathy Ferdinand, standing in front of them. She was talking animatedly to them, with her big blonde hair and eyes practically painted with pink. The skin-tight pink leather dress clung to her to an uncomfortably revealing extent where Andrew had to look away.

"Next." The peacekeeper said and Andrew looked up, seeing Aaron's whole-body flinch. "Go through. Next."

Andrew stepped forward, holding his hand forward. The peacekeeper grabbed his wrist roughly, tugging it forward and pricking the end of his finger. They then pressed it to the paper, scanned it and let him through.

Andrew rushed through, pushing through all the crowds to find his brother. Aaron was waiting nervously, wringing his wrists. Andrew pushed through the crowd until he ended up besides his brother, waiting silently.

"What if we get picked?" Aaron whispered, looking at his brother. Andrew shrugged, keeping his eyes focused on the stage. "Andrew I'm serious." he said before his voice was drowned out by Kathy tapping the microphone.

"Welcome, welcome." she said, smiling at everyone.

The neon yellow contacts she wore made everyone unsettled, but she continued, her cat-like eyes scanning the crowd.

"Welcome to the fifty seventh Hunger Games. May the odds be ever in your favor." She smirked, looking across to the group of people who weren't being reaped, taunting them. "Now, the time has come for us to select one courageous young man and women for the honor of representing district seven in this year's Hunger Games." She stopped for a second, smiling. "As usual, ladies first."

She shuffled across the stage in her overly tight dress and waved her hand over the bowl. A hand skimmed Andrew's wrist and he looked down, seeing Aaron's beside his, the knuckles brushing the black cloth. Andrew slid his hand into his brothers as Kathy waddled back to the microphone.

"Marissa Goodman." Kathy read out, looking across the crowd. People were stepped aside two sections before the twins.

Sixteen years old, Andrew told himself. The girl stepped forward, dressed in a light green dress which skimmed her knees and her hair tied into a tight ponytail.

"Come on up dear, don't be afraid." Four peacekeepers surrounded her, leading her up to the stage. Marissa slowly walked up, and Kathy enthusiastically welcomed her. "And now the boys."

Aaron's grip tightened on his hand as she reached the glass bowl. Kathy smiled, waving her hand around the top before diving in and pulling out one white slip. She slowly shuffled back to the microphone and leant close, undoing the slip slowly. She smirked before reading, "Aaron Michael Minyard."

"I volunteer as tribute." Andrew looked down before he even had acknowledged the words come out of his mouth. He looked back up, seeing everyone staring at him. Aaron was looking at him with tearful eyes.

"Not Andrew." he whispered, but Andrew pushed past. "No. Andrew stop!" he shouted, following him through. Andrew took his place in between the peacekeepers but was dragged back violently. "I won't let you do this." Aaron shouted.

"I volunteer." Andrew repeated, making direct eye contact with Aaron. Aaron shook his head, his mouth opening and closing until the first tear rolled down his cheek and his grip on Andrew's arm loosened.

Aaron was pulled back quickly, and Andrew recognized the hand around his twin's shoulders immediately. Jean pulled Aaron back, avoiding Andrew's eye. Andrew turned around and followed the peacekeepers down the aisle. Renee was staring at him, shocked, from the back of the stage. Matt's eyes were filled with tears, while Wymack's jaw was clenched.

Andrew didn't remember as far back as to when he was four, but he knew Wymack's story.

Wymack had trained as hard as he could after losing a close friend to the games when he was twelve. When David turned eighteen, he volunteered himself before the name was even called out. His reasoning was to save one more helpless kid from being killed in his district. This caused him to become a fan favorite in the Capitol, and a respected citizen in the district. In every shop, I have had a discount. Everyone smiled at him in the streets. Everyone welcomed him into their homes and invited him round for dinner.

Every year, when the victors returned, all three of the victors visited the houses of the fallen tributes to mourn with them for one night. They supplied the family with the food for the night and left them all the leftovers. It was a tradition started by Wymack, but when Renee won the forty-fourth Hunger Games, she joined in. And when Matt won the fifty-first Hunger Games, he became the final part of the trio.

Andrew was snapped out of his thoughts when he reached the bottom of the stairs, looking up at the stage. He made eye contact with Renee, who smiled gently at him. He sighed before walking up.

"A volunteer!" Kathy cried, holding her hand out to showcase Andrew's arrival. "Now, what's your name young man?"

"Andrew Joseph Minyard." Andrew said, looking forward.

Jean was finally looking at him, his face contorted with fear. Nicky was beside him, crying into Erik's shoulder. Erik was staring at Andrew in fear while Jesse sobbed, bundled in Betsy's arms. Aaron was crying, while being held back by Kevin.

"Oh, and was that your brother I picked?" Kathy asked, smiling widely.

"Yes, my twin brother." Andrew answered, trying to keep his voice monotone.

"How lovely." Kathy said before turning to the crowd again. "Here we are. Our tributes from district seven!" She started clapping, but everyone stayed silent.

Jean brought three fingers up to his lips before raising them above his head. Slowly, everyone around him began to do the same, the gesture spreading among the crowd. A single tear rolled down Jean's scarred cheek and Andrew took a deep breath before bringing three fingers to his own lips then raising them above his head.

"Happy Hunger Games!" Kathy cried, "And may the odds be ever in your favor."

They turned away, Kathy leading them both to the door at the back. Andrew flinched away from her touch, overtaking Marissa and pushing himself into the corridor.

"Andrew." Renee said, walking up to him.

"Not." Andrew spat out through gritted teeth.

He would not let himself cry; he would not let himself cry.

"We can talk on the train. I want to say goodbye to them."

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kevindayslefthand · 4 years ago

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So the whole "it's easier if you remain heterosexual" OBVIOUSLY fucking comes from experience, probably something to do with Kevin's maybe relationship with Jean in the nest. My little baby deserves to let his bisexuality shine so here are some hcs about how he slowly becomes more comfortable and open with liking men as well as women:

Nicky watches a lot of LGBT movies, and Kevin starts to join him, very occasionally. Seeing two men kiss on TV makes him yearn and he has to look away sometimes, to remind himself it's not something he can have.

Slowly he stops looking away, and just let's himself feel

Jeremy and Jean go public with their relationship, and even though they do receive homophobic comments, most people are happy for them, and they seem happy. It makes Kevin think that perhaps while "remaining straight" might be easier, it's not necessarily better.

He and Jean talk in the phone, for the first time in months. Jean whispers to him softly in French about Jeremy. Kevin can hear the love and joy in his voice. Right before they hang up, Jean reminds him that he can do whatever he wants now. He's exys greatest legend, and not even the Moriyamas or Riko's ghost can hold him back.

He's at Eden's and there is this vv cute boy and Kevin is just immediately drawn to him. He has to get crazy drunk to do it but he goes over and flirts with him and the only thing he remembers before crashing that night is that he's not disgusted or disappointed in himself - he's happy, and almost proud.

A few months later he notices this really cute guy in his history class

His name is Adrian, he's got sandy brown hair and honey gold eyes and he's kind and clever, and very talkative

It takes a lot, but Kevin eventually does talk to Adrian and they become friends really quickly

Adrian doesn't know shit about exy but he's got the same passion for history that Kevin does, and he's funny and light hearted and he gives Kevin butterflies. He also works out, and starts waking up early so he can be in the gym at the same time as the exy team so he can see Kevin

They get closer, start going to parties together, see movies together, study together. Adrian comes to watch Kevin's games and Kevin brings Adrian as a date to all the exy events.

They get to know each others friends, and it's obvious to everyone that they're madly in love with each other, but Kevin still isn't out as bi

An he's scared. He's really scared. His whole life he was told that being bi would ruin his career and that his career is all he was good for and all he had to live for, and Riko made him ashamed of his sexuality

And he's not ready to deal with the homophobia because it would remind him too much of Riko's harsh words and brutal abuse

Adrian gets a dating app and goes on a date with this guy, it's nothing serious, just a first date, he's not too into it

When Kevin finds out, he gets really upset.

He knows he shouldn't, because Adrian can do whatever he want, and it's not like he's ever made a move, but he's frustrated and sad and a little bit jealous and he's not able to hide it very well

That night he has dinner with Wymack and tentatively brings up the subject

Wymack is of course really supportive, and asks if there is a man in his life

He tells Wymack about Adrian and Wymack manages to talk him into asking Adrian out, he reminds Kevin that his mother was ferocious and unafraid and she'd want him to go for it

Luckily for Kevin, Adrian's date didn't work out and they end up dating

I still firmly believe that Kandreil is endgame, Adrian and Kevin break up when Kevin goes pro because they just don't have time for each other, but they remain friends

Kevin officially comes out as bi a few years later

Kandreil is always kept pretty hush hush, because they value their privacy, but Kevin is out and proud and so much happier

#aftg #andrew minyard #tfc #neil josten #andreil #kevin and wymack #loving kevin day #kevin day #kandreil #exy legend #exyissexy #jean moreau #jeremy knox #palmetto state foxes #usc trojans #riko moriyama

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geraniumsandheliotropes · 4 years ago

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Fic Recs

Marvel

Grievance by PeaceHeather

For a fill in Round 17 of Norsekink:

"Someone starts to notice that Odin treats Loki in ways that are neglectfull and borderline abusive and starts to feel very uncomfortable about it.

It becomes worse when people at court start to take after Odin's treatment of Loki. But they still don't feel comfortable voicing they're doubts out loud.

And then the lip-sewing incident happens and they can no longer sit idly by while this happens. So this person just stand up and calls the rest of Asgard out on this bulshit, seriously the boy just cut of some hair, it's not like it wont ever grow back on it's own again.

Bonuses:

10+ The person is higly respected and influential in Asgard.

100+ The person is Tyr.

1000+ Whoever it is, is not part of the royal family."

But Tell It Slant by scioscribe

“He was our last chance,” Thor says. His voice aches. “Loki—”

“I assure you, brother, the sun will shine on us again.”

Thanos smiles. “You remain a liar.”

“Oh, until the end,” Loki says. “I learned from the best. May I have my moment with my brother now?”

Sweet As Sugar In My Mouth by kingkuebiko

Flirting:

a social and sexual behavior involving spoken or written communication, as well as body language, by one person to another, to suggest interest in a deeper relationship.

5 times Deadpool flirted with Spider-Man like he was a spider + 1 time he flirted with him like he was a person.

All For The Game

Staring at the Sun by TheirHighestMajesty

Jean was alone. Hours ago he had been dropped off at the airport by Fox’s nurse and boarded the plane to LA to join his new team, his new owners, the USC Trojans. He did not bother hoping they would be kind or a major improvement over the Ravens, he knew how this worked. Despite the assurances of Renee, Kevin and Abby he knew that a broken thing like him would have no place among the Trojans. He resigned himself to the fact that his treatment the Trojans would only be marginally better than the Ravens. After all, a team could not function and succeed without the harsh discipline of the Master and Riko, the Foxes’ win had to be a miracle and a fluke. He was certain that the Foxes were an exception to the rules, exy teams had to function like the Ravens they just had to. It went double for a team as good as the Trojans.

Follows Jeremy and Jean's life starting immediately after Jean lands in LA to join the Trojans.

Hades

God of Blood by NohaIjiachi

In the end, Hades decided to stop questioning as long as the boy was being fed and growing healthy… Even if he had very many questions, the most prominent of which being: What was his son?

But even that would go unanswered, he was sure, and the burning curiosity ended up falling in the background of his many responsibilities. In the end, it didn’t really matter, and Nyx had a point: redbloods died, they would continuously die, and blood would never come to lack for Zagreus to be nourished.

Eventually, even the vague unsettling sensation one could feel upon watching the baby happily consume liters of the thing would come to pass.

(Mort)ified by ver_ironica

Zagreus confesses his feelings for Thanatos to Mort, unaware that owners of Cthonic Companions can hear what's being said to them.

Vigor and Verve by ickzik

For the last twenty-five years, no one on the island of Ithaca has died. How Thanatos did not notice was beyond him but after a harsh reprimanding from Lord Hades, the God of Death is tasked to investigate the issue. Unfortunately, news of the vital island had spread to the war and cold stricken Grecian community, as more and more mortals attempt to find a full life in the city of Ithaca. After investigation, Thanatos discovers that the cause of his issue may be centered around the adopted son of the island's magistrate: a strange young man by the name of Zagreus.

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the-daily-multi-fandom-post · 4 years ago

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This time can you do a very romantic just Jeremy Gilbert request I’m really sorry if I keep bothering you or annoying you I really love how you write in the style I am how do you put it all together it’s amazing but if you’re tired of me I completely understand

Oh no it’s fine I gottcha! Here it is! 🖤

Warnings: smoking weed, talks of drugs, drinking? Idk what else.

Y/n smiled as she woke up to a drooling Jeremy. She was wrapped in the arms of her boyfriend who was going to sleep the day away. Y/n tried to get up without waking him, but the two were tangled up together.

She continues to carefully struggle, but she just didn’t have the heart to wake Jeremy up.

“I know your awake I can hear your heart beating faster.” She looked at Jeremy who seemed to be half awake and half asleep.

“I forget my girlfriends a vampire sometimes.” He said as he pulled her impossibly closer to her.

“Jeremy please let go. I have stuff I need to go do today.”

“What’s more important then staying in bed all day?” He asked as he stared into her Y/e/c eyes.

“Maybe helping my brothers before they get themselves killed. If I don’t get up and ready they’ll leave without me.”

“She’s right.” Damon said all of a sudden inside the room making the two jump.

“Damon, what the hell?!” Y/n yelled as she threw a pillow at her older brother.

“Y/n you need to get ready we leave in 5 minutes. So chop chop. Little Gilbert let my sister go before I snap your neck.” Y/n rolled her eyes at her brother as she vamp sped to him. Grabbing the coller of his black shirt and running him out of the room. Locking the door behind her as she shut the door.

“I mean it five minutes, no fonduing!” Damon called from the other side of the door. Y/n rolled her eyes at her brother as she walked back over to the bed. Getting back onto the bed she leaned over to Jeremy giving him a passionate kiss. He tries to takeover the kiss but she wouldn’t allow it. As soon as he tried to make the kiss deeper.

“I love you, but I gotta go.” She smiled kissing him one more time then getting up. Walking over to the closet of her room and grabbing clothes to get dressed.

She came back out of the closet wearing a gray v-neck t-shirt, blue jean shorts and black converse tennie shoes.

“How is it you can dress as casual as can be and still look so freaking beautiful?” Jeremy asked as he stood up from the bed walking over to her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. Giving her a tight hug, secretly trying to keep her home for the day.

“I know what your doing.” Y/n spoke as she felt Jeremy kiss the space between her neck and shoulder. “And what is that?” He hummed as he continues kissing up her neck.

“You are distracting me so I’ll have to stay home. It’s not gonna work, Jeremy.” She said as she pulled away from him with a smile. Walking over to her dressed she grabbed her hair brush. Brushing through her hair. Then after she was done twisting it into a braid.

Then walking over towards the bathroom to brush her teeth.

She could hear Jeremy groaning. Telling her she should stay with him for the day.

“It’s only 9:34 I should be Home by 12.” Jeremy looked at Y/n and tried to give her puppy dog eyes.

“Fine, but you are mine tonight. I have a special night tonight.” Y/n nodded at a serious Jeremy Gilbert.

“Alright tonight I’m all yours, I promise.” Jermey nodded as he gave her a kiss letting her go with a soft smile.

Y/n grabbed phone off charge and left the room. A minute later she left with her two brothers.

“Alright we have a couple hours to get the place decorated for Y/ns birthday so let’s get started!” Caroline exclaimed as she looked at her friends in front of her.

Stefan and Damon were distracting Y/n while Elena, Jeremy, Caroline, Bonnie, Matt and Tyler worked on everything for the party.

“Tyler, Matt you guys are on food and drink duty.”

“Elena, Jeremy you guys are with me working on decorating the boarding house.” Elena and Jeremy nodded.

“Bonnie you are to find a cake for y/n and help us decorate the house.” Everyone understand what they should be doing?” Caroline I asked her friends with a smile on her face. They all nodded and Caroline clapped her hands together. Making them jump at the loud clap. “Alright then let’s get started.”

Hours went by as Y/n sat in the back seat of Damon’s Camaro. She was told they were going to a meeting with Elijah at the Mikaelson mansion. But when they had been driving for a little more then what they should’ve been she was confused.

“Where are we going?” Y/n finally asked her two older brothers.

“We are doing something for your birthday. This year is the first year we three are together for your birthday. So I decided that we would do something we haven’t done for a very long time.” Y/n looked over at Stefan confused. But was about to ask questions when they pulled into a familiar dirt road.

“Are we where I think we are?” She asked as she looked at the Woods around them and then the rumble of what used to be their home.

“Welcome home y/n.” Damon said as he put the blue camaro in parked.

Stepping out y/n looked at the house and smiled.

“There’s so many memories here.” Y/n spoke softly as she looked at the property in front of her.

“We figured since its been so long since we’ve been together for your birthday we would go back down memory lane.” Damon said as he pulled at a foot ball from the trunk of the car.

“Are you for real?” Y/n asked as she looked at her two brothers.

“Umm. Yeah.” Damon said as he threw the ball to Y/n.

The whole time Y/n had a great time with her brothers. Playing football together playing tag and playing hide-in-seek.

“I don’t understand how you hide so good still. It’s been like 200 years and we still can’t ever find you.” Stefan told his younger sister as they got into the car.

“Well, I guess I’m just that good.” Y/n said with a smile laughing at her brother who seemed confused at how he couldn’t find his sister.

“Alright, lets get back to the house. We’re going to be late.” Damon said as he got into the car.

“Late for what?” Y/n asked as she looked at her older brother.

“Huh? Oh I was just saying how I didn’t want to be here so late. You know with spirits running around here.” Damon made you randomly. Y/n squinted her eyes at her brother and sighed. Mumbling a dragged out, “okay.”

The three got out of the car and walked up the side walk to the door. Opening the door Y/n heard a shush and then a snickering.

She walked further into the house and seen her friends and other people jump up, “happy birthday!!” They all exclaimed. Y/n looked at her friends with a smile on her face. Music started playing for background sound and y/n looked at her brothers behind her.

“You guys were distracting me so they could do all this.” Y/n said looking at her two brothers.

“You guys are the best.” Y/n said looking at her brothers and then her friends.

“Well, lets get this party started!” Caroline exclaimed pulling y/n to the crowd of people who were already dancing to the music. Y/n was dancing beside Caroline, Bonnie and Elena. The four girls having them time of their lives.

“Here you go!” Jeremy called over the music handing Y/n a red solo cup of beer from the keg.

“Thank you, baby!” Y/n called over the music. Hugging him and then placing a kiss on his cheek. She took a couple sips of the cool beer and started dancing with Jeremy.

After a while of dancing and drinking Y/n was pulled away with Jeremy to another room where she noticed a few stoned teenagers were smoking.

“Are you kidding me?” Y/n laughed at Matt who was smoking a blunt in his hand.

“What? You wanna hit?” Y/n giggled as she took the blunt.

Y/n laughed at something Matt said when Alaric walked in.

“Y/n I thought you were the good influence.” Alaric told y/n as she handed the blunt to Jeremy.

“Sometimes you just gotta let loose some.” Y/n laughed right before taking a swig of her beer.

“I’m all out I’ll be right back.” Y/n leaned over kissing Jeremy then left the room to get a drink. The three stayed quiet until Y/n left the room completely.

“Do you have the ring?” Jeremy asked Alaric who had been out all day getting the ring Jeremy had bought for Y/n.

Alaric nodded reaching into his pocket getting the promise ring Jeremy had asked Alaric to get.

“Here it is. It’s a really nice ring. I thought it was an engagement ring at first.” Matt nodded as he leaned over to get a clear look of the silver banned ring with a small blue stone in the middle.

“What kind of stone is that?” Matt asked pointing to the blue shining stone.

“lapis lazuli gemstone. It’s the same stone that’s in their daylight rings. I thought I would make the ring special by putting a daylight stone inside of it. I even got Bonnie to activate it.”

“Got Bonnie to activate what?” Y/n asked as she came back into the room. A solo cup in hand along with a jack daniels bottle in hand. Jeremy jumped quickly putting the ring into his pocket.

“Oh I had to get Bonnie to activate my phone. You know me, not that tech savvy.” Alaric came up quickly as he gave Y/n a smile. Matt and Jeremy nodded agreeing that’s what they were talking about.

“Okay, well I stole a bottle of whiskey so we don’t have to drink any of that cheap beer. No offense Matt.” Matt shrugged and smiled.

“Alright, well Matt and I are gonna go in here and see if we can find the others.” Matt looked at Alaric confused, but Alaric gave Matt a glare which made him nod. “Yeah, Caroline owes me a drink anyway.”

Y/n watched as Alaric and Matt left leaving the two in the room alone.

“What was that all about?” She asked looking at Jeremy confused.

“Who knows, I think they’re a little too drunk.”

Y/n nodded as she looked into Jeremys brown eyes smiling.

“Thank you for everything. I’ve never had a birthday party.” Y/n thanked him leaning on her tip toes to kiss him.

“You’ve lived for over 100 years and never had a birthday party before?” Jermey asked as he laced his fingers with hers.

She nodded looking him.

“Yeah, I’ve never had one. I mean I was told happy birthday by my brothers and mom, but never had a party.”

“Well I guess we need to have this party even more memorable.” Jeremy said as he grabbed the ring out of his pocket.

“Baby, we’ve been together for three years. I’ve never been more in love with anyone that I have for you. I got you a promise ring,” he started pulling out the ring and showing it to Y/n. Y/n smiled as she looked up at Jeremy.

“This ring is a promise to you from me. A promise to be there for you whenever you need it. A shoulder for you to lean on in the time of need. To love you and to hold you at night. This promise ring is a symbol of my love to you. To show you my love. It's a promise to be faithful and love someone. Will you accept my promise?” Y/n was in tears, she had never had someone tell her they were so in love with her. It made her heart burst with love. She nodded with a teary smile.

“Of course I will!” She smiled as she slipped the ring in her ring finger.

“Now in a couple years you’ll be trading that for an engagement ring.” Damon spoke up as he walked into the room following close behind him were the rest of the gang.

“You guys knew about this?” Y/n asked as Jeremy wrapped his arms around her waist.

“Uh, yeah. Kinda the reason why we made you stay out all day.” Elena laughed at Caroline who was being so blunt.

“Well, thank you! This is the beat birthday ever. I couldn’t think of a better birthday.” Y/n smiled as she leaned her head against Jeremys shoulder.

“I love y’all.” Y/n said looking at her friends. Caroline smiled as she clapped her hands together. “Group hug!” She said forcing everyone to hug.

Yup definitely one of the best birthdays ever.

#the vampire diaries #damon salvatore #stefan salvatore #the originals #jeremy gilbert #tvd #tyler lockwood #x reader #supernatural #elena gilbert #jeremy gilbert imagine #jeremy gilbert x reader

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beyondcanon · 4 years ago

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fanfic: a family wedding

here i am, out of a 5-year retirement, back on my bullshit. a new offering, from a new fandom. enjoy:

wynonna earp/wayhaught. Waverly and Nicole's wedding turns everyone into a bridezilla. Complete. Read on AO3.

Waverly rubs her temples. She wanted a quiet night in, to watch some RuPaul and hopefully later spend long moments sitting on Nicole's face.

The house has been full of people for the last three weeks, bustling with activity and constant bickering.

Nicole rubs Waverly's back and kisses just beneath her ear. It makes it a little better. "It's time for the contingency plan, baby."

Waverly sighs. "Why does everyone have to be..." She searches for the right words. "Like this?" She gestures around, defeated.

"I am the best cowboy!" Doc grunts, pushing past Mercedes. "I won't be made to wear a tux!"

"We're not all from the Old West, old man." Jeremy stands by Mercedes’s side, who gives her best I am always right smile. "We have to be color-coordinated!"

"You can go dressed as a magic elephant, for all I care." He sips his whiskey.

This is why she can't have nice things.

Nicole squeezes Waverly's shoulder. "You're a planner, aren't you?" She gives her that little adorable smile. "So let's plan our wedding. Make it amazing."

Wynonna arrives with cheap booze and Shorty's chicken wings. "Anyone want to try wedding samples?" She settles them on the table with a loud thud

No no no nononono—

"Enough!" Waverly stands up, stomps her foot on the ground, and claps her hands. "Everyone sit down!"

It shocks everyone enough and the house falls silent.

"Yes, baby girl?" Wynonna smiles pretty, like she's doesn't always have a fire burning under her ass.

“The madness stops now." Waverly walks to the cupboard and takes the bright pink folder she's been hiding for two whole days and nights. "It's my wedding." Her gaze softens when it meets Nicole, who winks at her.

"I'm going to lay some ground rules." She takes several papers and passes them around. "I have assigned you each a role in this mess."

Everyone starts reading, nodding, flipping through pages. They are taking it much better than Waverly imagined.

"You have our wishes and specific deadlines for each task." She looks at each of the lunatics in their eyes. "You'll stick to your role, and you won't make final decisions without me or Nicole present. Understood?"

They nod.

Nicole gets up from the couch to stand by Waverly's side, a comforting hand on the small of her back. "We have three months. Can we count on you?"

The entire house rumbles with cheer.

"A round of shots for everybody!" Wynonna shouts before rushing to grab the glasses.

It takes no time for everyone to be comparing assignments.

Nicole pulls Waverly aside and whispers in her ear. "That was so hot, baby."

"You liked it?" Waverly bites her lower lip, grabbing Nicole's shirt to pull her even closer. "I've saved the best for later."

Nicole smiles, that handsome devil, arms around Waverly, and leans for a wet, dirty kiss.

—

Nicole called it saving costs, but Waverly calls it porn:

A white tank top, dirty and clinging to her body, tight jeans, brown boots, drops of sweat on her glorious, exposed, lean, muscled back.

Power tools, gloves, woodwork? In the middle of her front lawn?

"I know." Wynonna shows up by Waverly's side, leaning against the door frame, and stares.

Doc, sexy if mustaches and Old West are your things, is cutting wood, black tank top, rough jeans, black boots, grunting in concentration.

"Oh yes," Waverly nods, half a glass of lemonade forgotten on her right hand. "I love a good DIY project."

Nicole is setting up the frame of the structure, drilling holes, and what else. She looks back and smiles, much like that first day on Shorty's.

Waverly gnaws her straw, short of breath.

Doc cleans his forehead. "I'm going to the store to get more supplies."

Waverly shows up, hair down and big, big smile. "Lemonade?" She offers the tray.

He takes a glass and Nicole settles down her tools with a content sigh, hair sticking to the back of her neck.

Waverly salivates as she extends her tray to her future wife.

One thing you can say about Doc is the man can read a room. He looks between the both of them before tipping his head as a thank you. "Be back later."

"Maybe you want to come inside and rest, after all your..." Waverly squeezes Nicole's arm," hard work?"

Nicole smiles, dimple and all, and takes a few steps closer. She smells like wood, grass, and vanilla. "There's a lot to do. We only have a few weeks."

Waverly looks up into Nicole's eyes. Grabbing her belt, she sneaks a few fingers between Nicole's jeans and her glorious warm skin. "Resting is so important when you work this hard, baby."

"You're not wrong."

Waverly, so coy and innocent, blinks and pulls them inside.

In appreciation, she waits for Nicole to finish her drink to only then go down on her on the kitchen table. 35 minutes later, she comes back for air and cleans her face with the back of her hand.

Now that's refreshing.

Mercedes, in a long white dress, looks every part like the socialite she is.

"This is unacceptable!" She shows her scary vampire teeth, and the poor catering people retreat two to seven steps. "Being vegan is not an excuse to serve us this rotten, tasteless..." Her mouth contorts, incapable of finishing the sentence.

Waverly opens her mouth to defend the catering, because what you'd expect from a small-town, backyard company — Mercedes lifts a commanding finger and grabs her phone.

Nicole, all parts, hero and sexy beast, places an arm on Waverly's shoulders, and whispers: "Let her do her thing, baby."

Every hair on Waverly's body stands. That's very convincing.

"Marco?" Mercedes smiles and tucks a strand of her behind her ear, vampire teeth concealed. "Yes, so long." She chuckles. "I know. Where's Ibiza when we need it?"

Looking at her own pristine, manicured nails, she sighs. "Listen, I need a favor. I'm organizing a wedding, and you know how food is essential to having a good time. But I can't seem to find good service in this town." She punishes the employees with a cold, cold glare.

"I was wondering if you could spare me Giovanni for a few days, so he can take charge." She smiles, nails running on the table. "I still remember that banquet in 2014, don't you?" She offers the wedding info and hangs up.

Waverly tilts her head.

She looks back to the catering employees and offers a plastic smile. "There you go. You will have a new boss."

Nicole clears her throat. "Excuse me?"

"My taste buds need something of a certain level, Nicole." Mercedes puts her phone on her Prada leather purse. "And you both deserve to know what good food is. Giovanni will take care of the menu, the supplies, and he will be here to avoid a succession of inevitable disasters."

Waverly leans forward. "Who's Giovanni, again?"

"A personal friend, an underwear model, and a rising star in Italy's high dining scene. Just opened his first franchise in New York, so. Right by our side. Lucky for us!"

New York City isn't exactly a short drive away, but Waverly isn't going to tell Mercedes that. Neither was Giovanni.

Thirteen dresses later, Waverly finds the one.

The store lights bathe her in the spotlight, with the seamstress fussing over the hem of the dress — flowing, pearl white, structured but still fluid when Waverly spins around.

She turns to Wynonna and makes a pose.

"Baby girl, you look..." Wynonna looks at her like she's everything, eyes already watery. "Perfect."

Waverly beams, cheeks flushed, heart racing. This is it.

She's going to marry the love of her life in this dress.

After everything. Despite everything. She's going to marry the love of her life.

She tries a delicate, golden necklace on. It shines under the gentle dressing room lights.

Even better. She touches it with the tips of her fingers. "I can't believe it."

Wynonna coughs, smirk back to her face. "Nicole’s panties are going to combust as soon as she sees you."

Waverly slaps her sister's arm. "Wynonna!"

She will, though. She totally will.

And Waverly is not going to be using any underwear, so.

Good luck to Nicole in dealing with that information.

The demon bar is closed, with only a few employees restocking on the back, under neon lights.

Rosita, cigar on one hand and whiskey neat on the other, raises her eyebrows and smiles as Waverly approaches with a pie.

"Peace offering?" She sets her drink on the table as a beautiful bartender drapes herself around her, a hand on her bare chest under her blazer.

Waverly focuses on Rosita's dark eyes. She will not stare at that gratuitous PDA nor the bartender sucking on Rosita's earlobe.

Rosita smirks and pulls the pie closer. "Smells good."

"There's more." Waverly takes a top-tier, aged whiskey bottle from her purse and places it on the table.

Rosita's eyes shine — she opens immediately and takes a sip. "That's the good stuff. Gonna save it for a special occasion." She leans back on her seat. "But my birthday is not in four months."

For a breath, Waverly hesitates. "My wedding is next weekend."

"I've got the invitation. Beautiful lettering."

The bartender leaves, looking at Waverly from head to toe and making her squirmish.

She clears her throat. "Can I trust there will be no supernatural shenanigans? For a whole weekend?"

Rosita looks at her, kinder than a moment ago, and finishes her drink. "I own you that, at least." She stretches her empty glass to the side and the bartender pops up with another, touch lingering before leaving.

The woman is living in her customized heaven.

She turns back to Waverly. "To be fair, Doc has already a. showed up with two shiny guns and b. chose a few demons for security. It's all settled."

Waverly's eyes widen. "He what?"

"You know he's a worrier, darling." Rosita takes a puff of her cigar. "Do you mind if I wear red? I've been meaning to ask you."

Waverly rolls her eyes. "Wear whatever you want. As long as you stay out of trouble."

Rosita pouts her pretty, full red lips. "Me? Trouble?" She purrs, full of mischief. "Never."

Jeremy shines when he has goals and deadlines.

He begins his Powerpoint presentation about the wedding, running decisions, costs, and purveyors.

"It's your wet dream, baby," Nicole laughs when he opens a detailed excel sheet.

"Oh, hush, you," Waverly nudges her to-be wife and shuts her up with a kiss. "Continue, Jeremy. You're perfect the way you are."

He’s dumping even more information when Waverly notices something. "Wait." She scoots closer to the computer screen. "My first rough budgets were at least two times what you're showing us."

"See, uh, the numbers," Jeremy stops, mumbles something, stops again.

Nicole raises an eyebrow. "Jeremy."

He gives them a sheepish smile. "Everyone wanted to chip in."

Nicole blinks, frozen. "What?"

"It was supposed to be a kind of a secret?" He gives them a weird chuckle. "But my graphs were so nice, and I thought Waverly would want to see them, and... now we're here."

"Everyone wanted to chip in," Waverly repeats, dumbstruck.

"Yeah, uh, Wynonna is paying for your dress, Doc and Nedley are taking over half of the booze budget, Mercedes said she had a special deal with some Giovanni man about the food, and I don't have much but there's enough for some of the flowers, and Contessa sent me a check, and then..."

"That's... very nice of you." Nicole pulls Jeremy for a hug. "All of you." Waverly follows them into a group hug.

Jeremy sinks into their embrace, relieved. "You should start this new chapter without debt."

Silly, silly people. Waverly sniffs. She's not crying.

Doc's scrubbing, sanding, and painting the fences. He smiles somewhere under his mustache when Waverly arrives. "Afternoon."

He's been fixing the property every day, and it shows.

"It's looking great, Doc." Waverly can't help but grin.

"Everything for our girls," he answers, never stopping his work. It's different, being taken care of.

Waverly looks at her own feet for a moment. That gets Doc to pause. "You didn't have to talk to Rosita."

"I know." He nods. "I'm sorry if I overstepped. I wanted to make sure everyone would be safe and focused on celebrating." A long pause. "We had enough suffering already."

"You didn't have to do that," Waverly says quietly. "Thank you."

Waverly enjoys a moment of peace on the couch, cuddling against Nicole as they each read a book.

Rachel walks in circles in the living room, white earphones over her ear, until she screams, "I GOT IT!"

Waverly enjoyed a moment of peace, that is. She closes her book, followed suit by Nicole. "Yes, Rachel?"

"Listen, a two-day ceremony is not easy, okay?" Rachel gesticulates. "There are so many moments, the music has fit the mood. So I made four different playlists."

Nicole pulls Waverly to her lap, equal parts gratuitous and welcome. Waverly rests her side against her fiancée, hand playing with gorgeous, silky red hair.

The closer they are to the wedding, the harder it becomes to stay away. She wants to be touching Nicole all the time, every time.

Rachel clears her throat. "You do make The Notebook look bleak."

They both smile, turning their attention to their unpaid DJ.

"Back to business!" Rachel sits by their side and shows her phone screen. "There are four playlists. I call them: Drunk in Love, Let's Get That Party Started, Soft Rock for Old People, and Live, Laugh, Love. Each lasts several hours."

Nicole nods, impressed. "I hope there's plenty of throwbacks."

"Yeah yeah," Rachel waves. "Plenty of the 90s and 2000s for old people do their old people dances." Her face turns very serious. "No Macarena. I have standards."

Waverly smiles.

They decide to get ready at Nicole's because they need a moment.

Waverly leaves the bathroom in a tight, golden dress that doesn't quite reach half her thighs.

Nicole, sitting on the edge of the bed, puts her phone aside. "Nedley says everything's going well and we should—" She looks at Waverly and stops dead in her tracks. "Oh. Baby."

"We should?" Waverly takes a few steps towards her high heels, putting her earring on.

"Baby." Is Nicole... breathless? Waverly turns to look at her future wife in slack pants and dress shirt still undone, sexy lace lingerie. A vision.

Nicole's lips part open, chest rising and falling quickly. "You're a vision."

Waverly dismisses her with a wave and a smile, face turning hot. "I haven't even finished my makeup."

Nicole gets very close, very fast. "We're going to be late."

We still have half an hour, and we're almost ready—" Waverly frowns.

Nicole pushes her against the dresser, bodies in full contact, lips grazing Waverly's. "We're going to be late," she says, voice dropping an octave, hand on the back of Waverly's neck.

Waverly's breath catches on her throat.

Oh.

She places one hand on Nicole's chest, licking her lips. "Nicole..."

"You're the most gorgeous girl I've ever seen." She grabs the back of Waverly's thighs, and soon Waverly is sitting on the dresser, legs spread open. "I need to have a taste." She joins their lips in a slow, wet kiss. "I promise I won't ruin your makeup too much."

Heart pounding wild, Waverly lets out a shaky breath. "Take off your shirt. I wouldn't want it to get wrinkled."

Nicole obeys.

Waverly and Nicole walk into Shorty's, arms linked and sway on their hips. A pair of retired demon bartenders offer champagne, and they each take one.

The crew cleaned up the place nicely for the rehearsal dinner. There's a giant table in the middle of the room, candles all around, soft music playing on the speakers.

This is where it all began. This is where they would come together as a family before the big day.

They take their seats, Nicole's arm resting on the back of Waverly's chair. Her shirt is two buttons open too sexy.

Waverly stares like she hasn't spent the last hour kissing, biting, and licking those wonderful assets. Can anyone tell Waverly came two times in Nicole's car before arriving?

Wynonna looks at them with a very particular smile, eyebrows wobbling.

Yes, they can.

Nedley raises his glass. "Let the feast begin!"

The bartenders arrive in a choreography of endless drinks and trays of food.

It's lovely, and Waverly's heart could explode.

Belly full, head dizzy, Waverly looks at Nicole, who's talking to Wynonna like old pals.

She lays her head on Nicole's shoulder and her very nearly wife turns to kiss Waverly's head before returning to the conversation.

How did she manage to find someone like this? How does someone get that lucky?

Doc stands up, charming in his modern cowboy look. He clinks his glass. "It's time for a toast." Oh, man. Everyone falls silent, eyes darting between Doc and the couple.

"Waverly, you're sweet as a summer peach. You're the heart of this ragged group of outsiders." A lengthy round of claps. "Nicole, you have some gut. You're not afraid to stand up for creatures much stronger than you and fifteen times as dangerous. You could have a quiet life, and still, you chose us. You're out of your mind."

They laugh and toast together. "To insanity!"

Nedley clears his throat. All eyes go to him. "Nicole, I'm so proud of the woman you've become and the family you made for yourself." He says it slow, gentle, measuring his words. "Waverly, you found yourself a good one. Every bit good and sweet as you are. You both deserve all the happiness in the world. Marriage is a wild ride and life can be tough: good luck."

Waverly nods and toasts with him, holding back tears.

"I made, uh, a quick chat about—" Jeremy begins before Wynonna boos and throws a grape in his direction. "Tough crowd," he says, standing up and getting a laugh out of most people. "Seriously, though. As the wedding planner, social media manager, and chapel coordinator..." He pauses and looks around. "Which are three of the most important jobs," he raises a finger and ignores Doc's huffing by his side. "Thank you for letting me live vicariously through you both. You are the gay unicorns. Thank you for not dying, several times."

Another toast! Can Waverly even hold this much alcohol? She giggles.

Wynonna stands up: tight black dress, plenty of cleavage and gun strapped to her thigh and whiskey on her hand. "Nicole, thank you for making my baby sister happy." She locks eyes with Waverly, so soft and content. Waverly smiles and squeezes Nicole's arm. "We've been to hell and back. We learned to like each other, even though you're a goody-two-shoes who fucked my sister on every surface available on my house." The whole table laughs; Waverly hides her face on the crook of Nicole's neck. "Oh yes, Sheriff, I know. I wish I didn't. One more reason I need therapy." More laughs. She raises her glass. "Thank you for putting up with us."

The bartenders serve their shots. "To sound insulation!" Wynonna shouts.

Waverly downs her drink, feeling it burn on the back of her throat. Oh, Nicole will have to carry her home if they keep this up.

Downing two shots in close succession, Wynonna looks at Rachel and gestures with her head.

The girl gets up from her seat, orange juice on a champagne glass. "Marriage is totally a failed institution, but—" She fidgets with her dress. "If anyone can make it work, it's the two of you. It's gross, really." She gets a thunderous laugh from the others and gives a small smile. "To lesbian moms!"

Nicole raises her champagne glass.

Gunshots and people screaming.

Of course.

Wynonna, Doc, and Nicole jump immediately, retrieving their guns as they out the bar.

Waverly huffs, reflexes slow, and no gun anywhere near.

"Stop right there!" She can hear Nicole scream, already outside.

When she gets to the action, four demons are trying to rob a store. Great. Talk about trusting Rosita.

Nicole points Peacemaker at them. "If I were you, I'd listen to the Sheriff."

They growl, posture wobbly as if drunk or drugged on something. "Can't a demon have some fun in this town?"

A thunder falls, and a deep voice echoes. "What did I say?"

Waverly looks and approaching at a distance: Rosita, red overcoat, and hair flowing in the autumn wind. She's almost floating right above the ground, the definition of power.

"Not today, boys," she orders, with an easy command. "Not tomorrow. And not the day after that." She's already very close. "Is that too much to ask?"

She looks at the humans trapped inside and the doors open. "Get out." The young family scurries away, no questions asked.

She slaps the demons in quick succession. "It's like you can't take a fucking order." They try to fight, but Rosita is quicker, stronger, and doesn't take a single blow.

It's a beautiful one and a half minutes.

Wynonna breaks a smile, gun still pointed at the group. "You go, girlboss."

Rosita rolls her eyes, a high-heeled boot on a demon's throat, a hand on another's throat, as two lie on the floor, passed out. "I'm sorry about the disturbance. You may go back to your festivities."

Waverly feels a bit guilty. Maybe Rosita's not so bad.

"See you tomorrow." Rosita drags the demons back to wherever they came from.

Nicole shrugs and sets her gun back on its holster. "C'mon, baby. Night's still young."

Waverly takes her hand, tripping just a little on the walk back to Shorty’s.

By the end of the night, Nicole does carry her to bed, with a big glass of water and some aspirin. -

Read chapter Two.

#fight for wynonna #wynonna earp #waverly x nicole #waverly earp #nicole haught #wayhaught #fanfic: a family wedding #so.... hi?#is anyone still there?

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ao3feed-thefoxholecourt · 4 years ago

Text

but you fit me better than my favorite sweater

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/32Udl4x

by clelia_satre

He looked out the window and nearly had a stroke. Running through the bathroom, he jumped on Aaron’s bed like John Cena on the ring, getting a loud groan as an answer. «Rise and shine, baby» Andrew muttered, shaking his brother. He knew he had been awake till 4 am, chatting with his cheerleader girlfriend, and he knew it because he was watching yaoi anime on his computer. «The fuck you want?» asked his clone. If stares could kill, Andrew would be very very dead now. «Why is HE in our backyard, cutting our lawn?». Aaron knew who he was. Bee knew who he was. God itself did. He was Neil Abram Fucking Josten.

Andrew Minyard is peacefully living the summer before his Senior year when Neil Josten, the most popolar jock of Palmetto High School, is hired by his mom as a part-time gardener. Beetween books read on the front porch and 10 minutes breaks from the lawnmower, a good friendship is born between the two oblivious boys. But this thing between them was never meant to be just a friendship, and with the beginning of the school year many things are changing, growing and evolving. Title inspired by Blue Jeans by Lana Del Rey

Words: 8597, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: All For The Game - Nora Sakavic

Rating: Not Rated

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: M/M

Characters: Neil Josten, Andrew Minyard, Aaron Minyard, Katelyn (All For The Game), Kevin Day, Jean Moreau, Jeremy Knox, Matt Boyd, Danielle "Dan" Wilds, Thea Muldani, Marissa (All For The Game), Seth Gordon, Renee Walker (All For The Game), Allison Reynolds (All For The Game), Nicky Hemmick, Betsy Dobson, Abby Winfield, David Wymack, Stuart Hatford

Relationships: Neil Josten/Andrew Minyard, Kevin Day/Jeremy Knox/Jean Moreau, Kevin Day/Jeremy Knox, Kevin Day/Jean Moreau, Katelyn/Aaron Minyard, Aaron Minyard & Andrew Minyard, Kevin Day & Neil Josten, Matt Boyd/Danielle "Dan" Wilds, Matt Boyd & Neil Josten, Allison Reynolds/Renee Walker (All For The Game)

Additional Tags: Angst, Fluff, Fluff and Angst, Alternate Universe - High School, High School, Alternate Universe - No Exy (All For The Game), Jock!Neil, nerd!Neil, reader!Andrew, Andrew reads too many books in this one, they are both oblivious gays, No trauma, No Mafia, OOC, but like a lot ooc, sorry I wanted my boys to be happy and gay, Gardener!Neil, Gay Disaster Andrew Minyard, POV Andrew Minyard, lots of gossip and social media because they are teenagers

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/32Udl4x

#ao3feed #fanfic #all for the game #the foxhole court #tfc fanfic

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macbookpro-hard-drive · 5 years ago

Text

control [jeremy h. x squipped!reader] pt.4

i arise from my grave to post this

so uhhhh consider............... im a tired college student-

anyway uh

i swear this part is shorter than i intended but i guess i’ll die

warnings: squip. thts it. the squip. manipulation, abuse, everything that kinda comes with writing about the SQUIP. also horror movie mentions but nothing explicit (although a kill is mentioned from one of said horror movies)

Halloween day finally comes, and thankfully lands on a Saturday to give you maximum time to hang out with Michael and Jeremy (who, upon learning you’d be joining the two of them during a lucky moment between classes, had stared at you for a moment with furrowed brow before commenting he didn’t know that the two of you were friends again). Your nerves were getting the best of you as you flipped through your clothes, slipping into a comfortable pair of black jeans. The entire time, your SQUIP lingered around you, talking you through some game plan. You stripped off the large shirt you used for pajamas and slipped into a plain black t-shirt, before fishing your jean jacket from your bed.

Finally, you turned to your SQUIP’s form standing behind you. “Maybe I could, y’know... do this myself?” You suggested, before following it up with a quick, almost apologetic, “I don’t think I should be depending on you for every interaction... right?”

At first, it didn’t respond. It stared at you, lips pressed into a thin line as it gave you a once-over. After letting out a small hum of approval at your ensemble, it shook it’s head. “I’ve run the numbers and that will result in your failure, [y/n]. It’s best to stick with the original plan,” and then it paused for a moment, “I’m beginning to detect that you don’t trust me.”

“I do!” You responded quickly, before you nervously pushed past the intangible figure to look in your mirror. Combing your fingers through your hair, you let the question weigh in your mind before you finally looked back to your SQUIP. “Is... Is there any way to get rid of you?”

“No.” The response was sharp, quick to shoot down any and every idea you’d been formulating.

“Oh. So...” You trailed off, before crossing your room and fishing through your dresser to find a pair of socks, “I’m stuck with you, then.”

“Stuck implies you no longer want me here, [y/n].”

“It’s not that I don’t want you here...” You mused aloud, before snagging a pair of shoes and sitting on your bed. “It’s just... I don’t think I want you around when I’m, like, thirty.”

“Plenty of world leaders would kill to have a SQUIP, [y/n]. Consider yourself lucky.”

You merely shrugged at the sentiment before your phone chimed with a text from Michael, almost as if on cue to end this awkward moment between you and the voice in your head. Quickly, you finished getting ready and shoved your keys and phone into your pocket, and you raced out to Michael’s car. Jeremy was already in the passenger seat, forcing you to retire into the back - which, you immediately sprawled out and absolutely enjoyed the space as Michael took off, launching into a list of the contenders for the evening. Scream, Halloween, A Nightmare On Elm Street, specifically the remake of Friday The 13th (and, for a moment, you heard Jeremy exhale sharply at the title), Final Destination...

“And Terrifier-” Michael began, eyes cutting towards Jeremy for a split second.

Immediately, Jeremy smacked Michael’s arm. “Dude, I told you I’m not watching Terrifier-” He shifted, “fuck that clown.”

You looked between the two of them. “What’s Terrifier?”

Michael’s beaming at your question. “Jer. We have to. They don’t-”

“No!” He retorted, “fuck you, I’m sparing them, then-”

“C’mon, Jeremy,” Michael teased further, “it’s just one kill-”

“HE SAWS HER IN HALF, MICHAEL.” Jeremy’s voice went up an octave, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat, “that’s horrifying-”

You rose a brow in response. “What’s so bad about that-”

Jeremy turned to face you, “okay.” He shut his eyes for a moment, composing himself, before he opened them once more, “there’s this girl that gets kidnapped, right? She gets... suspended spread eagle, and cut down the middle.”

“Okay, but-”

“She’s upside down.” When you winced at the mental image, Jeremy looked back at Michael, “see? Any normal person would find that disgusting-”

“Alright,” Michael conceded, “no Terrifier. Got it.”

If there was one thing that became apparent extremely quickly, it was that the Friday The 13th remake was fucking awful. Without Michael’s constant quips (plenty having to do with Mr.Supernatural being in the movie), you weren’t sure how you survived - especially during a sex scene until the poetic line of “you have perfect nipple placement, baby” was spoken and immediately the three of you are choking on laughter - Michael more than happy to mock it. And thank fuck for that, because you’d been uncomfortable watching the scene up until that line - to say nothing of how awkwardly silent Jeremy had gone. The moment the movie was over, Michael began to queue up Netflix with the promise of watching something actually good. The opening moments of Scream had been enough to prove that.

From beside you, Michael lowered his voice, looking at you and Jeremy, “what’s your favorite scary movie?”

You playfully nudged him with your elbow, “fuck, dude, that wasn’t even a good impression-”

“I think it was great, actually,” Michael looked to Jeremy, “don’t you agree?”

Looking between the two of you, Jeremy debated for a moment before finally giving his answer, “I, uh, kinda have to side with [y/n]-”

“Unbelievable. Betrayal.” Michael leaned back into the couch, looking back to the movie, “I let you come into my house, eat my snacks-”

“-That I helped buy,” Jeremy cut in.

“That my dear friend Jeremiah helped buy,” Michael smirked a little, “and this is how I’m repaid.”

“C’mon, Mikey,” you nudged him once more, “Jeremy’s not gonna lie about your shitty impression.”

“He would if I was Christine.”

“That’s because Christine’s talented,” Jeremy looked away, “it wouldn’t have sucked if she did it.”

For a moment, you faltered. “Yeah,” you halfheartedly said, and pretended not to catch Michael’s concerned glance at your sudden change in behavior, “he’s got a point.”

The moment Michael went to say anything, your phone began to ding relentlessly. With the intention of turning it to silent, you pulled it from your jacket pocket only to freeze the moment you caught a glimpse of the screen. Tweet after tweet, text after text, all of it came in rapid-fire, whether they were directly to you or not. You pulled yourself off of the couch, ignoring Michael’s call after you as you head upstairs to open up your Twitter.

Rich set a fire. Jake’s house was burned down. Rich was in the hospital, and so was Jake.

A hand landed on your shoulder, and you almost jumped as you turned to face Michael. He stared at you for a moment, giving you a once-over before finally speaking, “you okay?”

You shrugged it off, stumbling as you took a step back, “yeah-”

Michael’s gaze goes soft as he picked up on the fear that was racing through your blood and shining on your face. “That’s bullshit, [y/n],” he said, “look, I won’t push you to talk, but-”

Swallowing your nerves, you forced yourself to stand tall and get your emotions under control. “Can you drive me home?”

He glanced back to the door, where Jeremy had been coming up the steps, “uh, yeah- just let me grab my phone-”

And then he left you alone with Jeremy as he retreated downstairs. Biting his bottom lip nervously, he tore his eyes away from you, before finally appearing to gather some courage to speak to you. “Is everything okay?”

You nodded quickly, “yeah, just...” You trailed off, looking down at the floor, “something came up.”

“What?”

Immediately, you panicked. Something about saying Rich Goranski is in the hospital and I’m worried felt too heavy to drop at the moment. So you just stayed silent as Michael came back upstairs with his phone.

The moment you were back in the sanctuary of your room, you found your phone once more. Flipping through tweets, you felt your stomach drop further. He burned the house down because he knew he was gay and couldn’t handle that, that he was dead, that he was high and drunk, that Jake had broken both of his legs while escaping the fire, and you saw a few tweets from some pissed people about how they’d been slightly burned while escaping the fire. But Rich received the worst of it.

“But-” You mused aloud, “how did he - why would he-”

“Rich lacked the proper coping mechanism. His SQUIP was most likely disabled due to the alcohol he consumed that night,” your SQUIP stepped into existence in front of you, and you lowered your phone as you looked up at it, “and with everything else he’s been dealing with...”

Your blood ran cold at the implication. “You don’t mean he-”

“Perhaps it was just an accident.”

You caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror, completely disheveled from your worries. “I should go see him.”

“He won’t be awake.” Your SQUIP crossed it’s arms as it looked down at you, “besides... he most likely won’t be having visitors yet.”

“I don’t care-”

“[y/n]. You need to rest first. You can visit Rich tomorrow...” You finally gave into what it was saying, sitting down on your bed for a moment, “besides.” You looked up, “you did well tonight. You deserve a break.”

“I... what?”

“I let you control the conversation. Instead of giving you the correct things to say, I decided to watch. You performed amiably. Congratulations.” Your SQUIP smiled at you, “you’re learning. Of course, we still have more work to do, but it’s progress.”

“Oh.” You stood, stripping off your jacket, “thank you, then.” You paused for a moment, “I don’t think I’m going to be able to sleep.”

“Don’t worry. You’ll be fine. Don’t forget,” it said, and you turned to look at it, “you have me.”

Over the next few days, you’d been relentlessly going to the hospital - borrowing your parents’ cars whenever you could. After several days of trying, you were finally able to get in to see Rich, and your heart sank in your chest when you finally saw him. He wasn’t awake, as your SQUIP had said, but he was alive and that was enough for you in that moment. He was broken and bruised, sure, but the fact his heart monitor provided a steady beat to break the silence in the room was almost like music. You stood at his bedside, looking down on him as he slept. You hugged your arms close to your body - what would have happened to you if you had gone to the party? Would you be here, alongside or instead of Rich? Would you have been able to stop him from... whatever he had been trying to do?

“Rich,” you finally say aloud, and your tears choke you, “fuck - Rich, I’m sorry-”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” your SQUIP’s touch grazed your shoulder, “this wasn’t your fault. There was nothing we could have done.”

“I should have been there, I could have stopped him-”

“It was for the best that you were with Michael and Jeremy, [y/n].”

For a moment, you’re quiet and afraid. But you finally asked the question that had begun to weigh down on you: “is this going to happen to me?”

“Of course not. Now... let’s get back to work,” your SQUIP said, “it’s important you don’t dwell on this for too long. Let’s visit Jake while we’re here.”

Going along with it’s idea, you’d easily found Jake’s room after a few minutes of searching. The TV had been on with some cooking show displayed, and you were more than glad to see Jake awake and as well as he could be for someone with two broken legs. When you cautiously walked in, he brightened up immediately - and for a moment, you had assumed it was because you weren’t a nurse coming to check on him.

“[y/n]!” He called out as you walked in, “how are you?”

Caught off guard by the question, you stammered for a moment, “I’m - uh, I’m fine,” you said, “how are you?”

“Great!” He said, “I mean - the whole broken legs thing is, y’know, not that great, but I’m glad to see you.”

“You... you are?”

“Yeah!” He said, “Rich always talks about you, y’know.” The moment you flushed, Jake chuckled, “he said you’re a lot cooler than you seem.”

“Oh.” You looked away for a moment, “that’s sweet of him-”

“Do you still do the art stuff?” He asked, and immediately you looked back at him.

“How did you know that I-”

He cut you off, “there was this project back in freshman year that you did with Michael Mell, and, uh, Jeremy-something. You did the art for it, right?”

Nodding, you slowly remembered the piece you’d been repressing due to how rushed it had been. “Right. Yeah, I still do art stuff,” you smiled at him, “do you know when you’re getting out?”

“Nah,” he sunk into the bed, “shouldn’t be long, though. We should hang out!”

“Oh. Uh. Don’t you hang out with Chloe and Brooke...?”

“Yeah,” he admitted, “but you came to visit me, so... we should still hang.”

You couldn’t help but smile at that. “Sure,” you said, fiddling with your hair, “that’d be great, Jake.”

Jake reached out for you, and immediately pulled you into an awkward hug. “Fuck, dude, Rich was right about you.”

“About me being cool, or...?”

“He said you’re really fuckin’ nice, since you helped him out with something.” He shrugged, “are you two... not friends?”

“I, uh - we are, sorta-”

“Good.” He said, “Rich is a good dude to his friends, y’know.”

“What about your house?” You asked.

Jake’s smile fell, “I mean... I think it was an accident. Since, y’know, Rich wouldn’t just burn my house down, right?”

You nodded. “Right.” Stepping back away from the bed, you smiled once more, “I hope you get out of here soon, Jake.”

On your way out of the hospital, you stood in the gift shop for far too long, occupied with your own thoughts. So Rich had been talking about you - and, whatever he said aside from you being nice, helpful, and cooler than you seem, it had been enough to make Jake Dillinger think the two of you were friends. You almost smiled at the idea, but the underlying feeling that Rich would wake up and immediately ditch you lingered within the pit of your stomach. Shaking your head, you dismissed the thought as you headed out to your car. You had things to do.

After all, you shouldn’t dwell.

Over a week later, there’s this uneasy feeling that’s stuck with you from the first moment you saw Rich in that hospital bed. Uncertainty? Fear? You weren’t sure - but it dwelled within the pit of your stomach, making you doubt every move no matter whether you or your SQUIP made it. You’d just gotten home from hanging out with Michael and Jeremy at the mall, your backpack swung from your shoulder to the foot of your bed, and you nearly collapse as you sit down. Slowly, you sank your head into your hands, warm against your face before you finally let go and fall back onto your bed. When you uncovered your face, your SQUIP had materialized before you.

It leaned over you. “Is there a problem? You should be happy since you spent time with Jeremy-”

“I am, I just-” You paused for a moment, “I just don’t feel like I’m.. me anymore.”

“You are you, [y/n].”

You nodded slowly in agreement, before propping yourself up on your elbows. “Right, but... I feel like you’re taking control of everything and I’m - I’m just... fake.”

It raised a brow at the mere idea. “You’re far from artificial.”

Chewing on the inside of your cheek, you couldn’t help but feel... off. “But you don’t let me control things-”

With a heavy sigh, your SQUIP shook it’s head before pacing around your room. “That’s because we’re still in phase B of our plan. Once we get to phase C, you’ll have more control-”

“And when will that be?”

It looked back at you, slowing to a stop. “Once we pin down Jeremy’s feelings for you, you can be more yourself.”

After a moment, you sank back against your bed, shutting your eyes for a moment. “I hope you’re right.”

“Of course I’m right. After all, relationships are like this...”

You opened your eyes again. “What?”

“Faking it until you get it? Revealing yourself when you have them? It’s very common, [y/n].”

When it said that, you couldn’t help but feel skeptical. But when you tried to remember your last relationship (or, rather, a weak attempt at one), it felt so distant that you were unsure of how it had went. Yet you nod along nonetheless. The feeling of of dread stayed with you.

And it continued to stay attached to you like a shadow over the next few days. Even when you found yourself sitting on Michael’s bed, a pillow hugged against your chest as he and Jeremy were ecstatically talking about one of Michael’s latest finds from the guy at Spencer’s. You’d zoned out for the time being, thoughts more preoccupied with what was to come. How much longer would it be until you had control over yourself again?

But your SQUIP’s voice jarred you from your thoughts. “We need to go.”

As Michael pulled out a bottle of red soda, a slightly faded plastic label reading MOUNTAIN DEW RED crinkling as he did, you held back a frown at your SQUIP. “[y/n],” Michael said with a smile, holding it out, “you want one?”

“Hell yeah, dude-” You had began as you reached for it, barely getting it within your grasp before a shock rang through your hand, a small hiss of pain emitting from you as the bottle hit the floor. “Shit, sorry, Michael-”

But a flash of pain cut you off before you could try to explain anything away. Your voice was distant as you heard yourself speak, bullshitting some excuse as you lost control of your body - it moving on it’s own despite your desperate attempts to take back what was yours. You managed to take control back the moment you got outside, knees weak and the following shock was enough to send you crashing onto your knees.

“What the fuck?!” You snapped, speaking aloud as another shock ran through you. “FUCK-”

“I told you we need to leave.”

“I didn’t want to-”

“[y/n], we-”

“No!” You snapped once more, “no - this is still my life - I want to-” Your speech devolved as you struggled to word your thoughts, “it was just a soda!” Another shock ran through you. “What the fuck- come on - I just- it was just-”

And then it all made sense. The panic. The sudden change. How close had you been? How fucking close had you been? When you tried to get back up and turn yourself around, you found yourself fighting for control all over again as your body turned away from Michael’s house, every step forcing you farther and farther from salvation.

“[y/n]!” Michael’s voice rang clear out across his front lawn, and before you could try to do anything, he was running up to you - catching you by the wrist. “Hey - what the fuck, dude? Are you okay? What just happened-”

But he stopped, staring at you. You, completely terrified and shaking and fighting for control of your own fucking body. You were, to put it simply, a mess. Disheveled, hands twitchy, breathing labored as you forced yourself to stay planted where you were. You broke through, “get the Mountain Dew Red” slipping past your lips in a hiss before another shock of pain sparks through you, and you’re pulling yourself away from Michael once more.

A door slammed. Before you could go anywhere, Michael’s footsteps pound against the pavement as he tackled you to the ground. Your body fought against him. He managed to grab you by the wrists, pinning you down, his knees at your abdomen as you continued to thrash against your will against him.

“[y/n]-” Michael began, before his nails dug into your skin, “what the literal fuck is going on?”

Tears streamed down your cheeks as you fought for your voice. “I-” You managed to force past your lips, “I - I took this - pill,” your voice strained, and you kept fighting for control, “I thought Jeremy would like me but - but I fucked - I fucked up, Michael-” You were straight up about to breakdown, voice wavering with every forced syllable, “I’m so sorry, I just - I can’t-”

“[y/n].” It’s voice cut clearly through your mind, almost afraid for a second. “I promise - I’ll do better for you. We’ll scrap this plan and make a new one. You just have to let me try again. I promise-”

The door slammed once more, and Jeremy is rushing over, questioning everything along the way.

It turned nasty. “You’ll never be the same, [y/n],” it hissed, “think about it - if you keep me, you’ll be normal - you’ll never have to hurt again. If you get rid of me, you’ll never be accepted - you’ll be an outcast all over again, and Jeremy and Michael are guaranteed to hate you-”

The last things you remembered were the faintly fruity taste on your lips, a thousand questions flying around you, and an intense pain that seemed to completely split you in two as a scream tore it’s way out of you.

And then everything went black.

#mj's writing corner #bmc #be more chill reader insert #be more chill x reader #bmc reader insert #jeremy heere x reader #jeremy heere imagine #god i hope my quick proofreading was enough to catch anything tht wasnt finished-

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fairy-cat-mother · 6 years ago

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Tagging Game

Rules: answer 21 questions and then tag 21 people who you want to get to know better.

I was tagged by the lovely, awesome and handsome @starfaring-princelotor alsdkfjs;dlfkj I saw that you had The Darkest Hour in there and just. you K i l l e d me. DED. It makes me so heppi that you like my song enough for it to be up there with your favorites. So happy <3 TT^TT <3

Alright, here goes nothin’!

Nickname: Okay, so I’ve never really had a nickname. My little brother called me “Vava” when we were growing up bc he couldn’t say my name aldsfkjas;lfk. On tumblr and discord, people usually just call me Fairy. So, yeah? Das it. Otherwise, it’s just Maria.

Zodiac: Aquarius Sun, Cancer Moon, Aries Rising...I kinda like astrology a lil a lot :3

Height: 5’2’’ (most of my students are taller than me fml)

last movie I saw: Just watched Han Solo yesterday. It was p good.

last thing I googled: “Galaxy Lotor art” ...I just want my two fav things together...mah boi, and the stars.

favorite musician: Ohdamn, I can’t just pick one...if I haaaad to...hmm...ermmmfff...okay, I’m a SUCker for soundtrack music, so Joe Hisaishi or Two Steps From Hell.

Song stuck in my head: Fucking...Baby Shark. My students are relentless. They know it gets stuck in my head so easily. Those lil shits take advantage of it so mucH. It’s okay. I’ll get them back... >:3 with some weird “oldhead” music... SomeBODy once told me the WORLD is gonna roll me~ aaaaaaahaaa :P ….okay, but when it’s not Baby Shark, usually it’s Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me To The Moon bc that song comes on shuffle all the time in my car. But I’m not complaining ‘bout that one <3 also sometimes that one heckin’ awesome Dragonborn cover by Malukah too.

other blogs: None yet. Though, I have been thinking about starting one for posting my music stuff (I’m hopefully going to get a new mic soon and start recording more. So, maybe...)

Do I get asks: Sometimes, and I always love it when I do :3

following: 630. Welldamn. I don’t even remember half of these. I should go through and clean out.

amount of sleep: I wish I had a consistent at-least-7 hours per night...but it’s more like 4 here, 8 there, naps when I come home and inevitably fall asleep on the couch. I’m workin’ on it.

lucky number: 7

what I’m wearing: A Huggle Hoodie. Or as I like to call it, a blanket dress. The most comfy thing in the world. I’m swimmin’ in it and it’s great. I’m so warm. And cozy. :3

dream job: Musician. Author. Professor. Children’s Theatre Director. I want to inspire people to feel and think and grow and learn—to own their creativity in whatever it is they choose to do <3

dream trip: I love to explore, so anywhere really. But I definitely have a soft spot for trees and water. So anywhere with those things is great. Just like, hike all day and chill and listen to the babbling water, maybe take a swim if it’s safe. Yeahhhh :3 Also, Japan. I’ve wanted to go since I was like 9. And Ireland. I wanna sit in on some trad sessions with mah penny whistle a;lsdkjfa;lsdkfj

favorite food: Lettuce. I’m not even kidding. I fucking love lettuce. Like, I will eat that shit whole, plain, for a snack, whatever. Gimme the CRONCHy GREENSTUFF ;lakjs;lfkjasdf ...also I love ramen a whole lot. Like, real ramen. With the miso and soft boiled egg and chāshū mmmmMMMM~

play any instruments: Yeh! :3 Flute, violin, piano, ukulele, and penny/tin whistle. I dabble in others, like guitar and drums...and I’m always picking up new ones to learn i can’t staaahp. I’d really like to get a harp...but they’re just so damn expensive. One day, maybe.

languages: English, some French, some Japanese, and a liiiittle bit of Spanish.

favorite songs: Ohboiiii, too manyyyy. Better Together by Jack Johnson, A Fairy’s Love Song by Jean Luc Lenior, Far Horizons by Jeremy Soule, I Still Don’t Know Who I Am by Barnes Blvd., Fly Me To The Moon by Frank Sinatra, The Path of the Wind by Joe Hisaishi, Better Things by Headshine, Seven Years by Norah Jones, Such Great Heights by The Postal Service, Hotel Song by Regina Spektor, Ocean Kingdom & Rise Above & Enigmatic Soul & Undying Love all by Two Steps From Hell (omfg, i love these guyysss ;alksjfal;dsfkj), it’s space music timeAmong the Stars by Louis Viallet, The Edge of the Universe by Alex Doan, Theory of Rain & Age of the Universe by Elephant Music (I’ve actually really been into this playlist on YouTube lately...space musicccc asd;flaksjdf;ljf <3)...so many more, but i’mma stahp now, bc this is already long AF.

Random fact: Being in deep water sorta scares me. But I still like swimming. I’m just a lil scared and feel like something’s gon’ grab my toes and CRONCH a;lsdkfjalsdfj

describe yourself as aesthetic things: Lavender bushes, wild flowers, coffee shops and old books, green tea, fireflies in a field on a summer night, the moment before a thunderstorm rolls in, rain when the sun is shining, reading with a flashlight under the covers, the purples and blues in sunsets on the beach, flickering candlelight, a cottage in the woods on a rainy day, creating rainbows in the misty water from a hose, swinging on a swing set, writing a letter by the moonlight, rainbow fairy lights, oversized sweaters, car rides with the windows down, shooting stars, Saturn rings, galaxy prints.

I tag @legendofcarl (even though you’re already tagged, izza double-tag yo! >:3), @bookerror and @ghostarian !! <3

#seriously it's hard for me to pick favs yo #i like so many thingggs #and starfaring-princelotor you really do #kill me in the best way #Thank You #TT^TT 💜#personal #get to know me #it me

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fabianbutler · 3 years ago

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geekofmanyforms · 4 years ago

Text

New Beginning Chapter Fourteen

*******Giant chapter for ya'all. I hope you enjoy it. Please review and let me know what you think. Don't be shy:) This chapter has been edited by my Beta Casey.******

I stood outside Elena's room with a cup of coffee in my hands. I had just finished adjusting Emily Bennett's amulet, hiding it under my pink t-shirt when Jeremy exited his bedroom in a rush of mint. His face was firm and resolute as he noticed me.

"Listen, don't even say a word," he demanded.

I lifted my one free hand in the air and leaned against Elena's door. "Hey, I'm the Mystic Falls mime," I said playfully.

He raised his eyebrow and chuckled. "Really? That's what ya got?" he said.

I leaned my head against the door and sighed. "Give me another shot. Just let me get a hit of caffeine," I said, taking a sip of Elena's coffee.

He smiled and moved his hand in a circle as the go-ahead. I remained silent and just stared at him, my eyes innocent. When he finally realized I wasn't going to speak, he rolled his eyes as hard as he could.

"That was lame."

I smiled brightly and took another sip of Elena's coffee. At this rate, she wouldn't get any.

"What? I just wanted to demonstrate how un-naggy I was going to be. You know what your doing and me nipping at you isn't going to change your mind," I said, tilting my head and narrowing my eyes at him. "Just be safe," I said in my best mom voice.

He grinned at me and leaned his forehead against mine. "Thank you, Ellie," he said.

I pressed my head against his and sighed. "Of course, baby brother. Anytime."

He pulled away and rushed down the stairs two at a time. I shook my head and opened Elena's door, stepping inside. She was standing by the door, her back pressed against the wall.

"You hear that?" I asked,

She seized the coffee and took a large sip, making me wince.

"Yeah. I caught him in the bathroom. It didn't go that well for me," Elena said.

I sat down at her vanity and brushed imaginary lint from my black jeans to avoid looking her in the eye.

"He's just worried, Lena. We need to tell him the truth. He will find out eventually," I said heavily "especially with what I have to tell you,"

My heart hurt at the idea of the complete truth, but I knew it was time. Elena looked at me in shock and anger.

"We can't tell him about vampires, Elara. He could get himself killed," she said, throwing her hands in the air. "It's too dangerous,"

She walked to her closet and started to get dressed in a huff. I rose to my feet, staring at her in shock.

"Too dangerous, Really? So you don't think it's too dangerous for him to not know how to defend himself against them? Or that they are real at all? You want him defenseless then?"

"Do you not even care that what I have to tell him about myself will reveal everything supernatural anyway? I don't want him to hate me for lying, Elena," I walked away from her, slamming the door shut behind me. She could be completely ridiculous sometimes.

Well, the truth of the matter was, she couldn't stop me from telling Jer the truth all on my own. I ran downstairs and grabbed my bag from the table by the door. I hugged Jenna goodbye and headed outside. I would tell Jeremy tonight, no matter what. I took my keys from my pocket and opened my door just as Elena bounded down the steps. She huffed lightly and crossed her arms, covering her black jacket. Her silver necklace gleamed in the light of the sun.

"I'm sorry, El. You are right, but I just don't feel like now is the right time to tell Jeremy anything. Anything. I think you and I should talk," she said, her voice pinched.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "What do you mean by anything?" I asked, trying to not jump to conclusions.

"I mean, I don't think he needs to know about you either. It's just too much for him right now, Elara, and really there is no reason he needs to know your a witch...or whatever,"

My mouth dropped open, and I turned my head away from her. "You can't be serious. He has every reason to know, and you will be eating those words when I'm finished with you, Elena," I said,

I opened the car door with more force than necessary. I got in and started the car before turning and beckoning her to get in.

"Well, you wanted to talk, didn't you?" I said tightly.

My voice was sharp and tight to accompany the firm expression on my face. Elena moved quickly, sliding into the passenger seat swiftly. I slipped on my sunglasses and pulled out of the drive.

"Let's go to Stefan's, I need to check on Vicki anyways," Elena said.

I scoffed and shook my head. "Yeah, sure," I said.

We drove to the Salvatore's in silence, neither one of us ready to speak to the other. I wasn't sure what to say to her. I had never expected her to ask me to leave Jeremy out of my revelation, and quite frankly, the idea made me angry and sick. This was one of the most Petrova things she had ever done. She acted like it was for Jeremy's best interest, but it wasn't. It was all for her. She wanted him in the dark so he wouldn't object to the things she did. At least amid my anger, that's the way it felt to me.

I pulled into the drive of the Salvatore Boarding House and followed behind Elena to the front door. As I always have with Elena, I felt like second fiddle as she remained three steps in front of me. I silently stood back as she knocked on the door. A few seconds after her knuckles had hit the wood, Damon yanked open the door. He leaned against the edge of the doorframe and smirked. His black shirt stood out against his pale skin, and short sleeves showcased his muscular, toned arms. I couldn't help but smile at his expression.

"Always so cocky, Mr. Salvatore," I said playfully.

I shook my head and stepped inside, then looked back to find Elena still outside. She took a deep breath and looked right a Damon. Her body rigid, frozen like a deer freezes in front of a predator.

"Is Stefan here?" she asked.

Damon's eyes looked her up and down. "Yep," he said, one arm still on the door frame.

I elbowed him in the ribs and frowned. "Stop ogling my sister, creep,"

He looked at me and smiled. God, I loved his smile — I silently cursed him for making my stomach flutter and flip flop the way it always did around him.

Elena ignored me and continued on. "Where is he?"

Damon pulled his arm from the door and stood up straight. He smirked and rolled his eyes at her. "And good morning to you, Little Miss, I'm on a mission,"

Elena crossed her arms and tilted her head at him. "How can you be so arrogant and glib after everything you've done?" she asked, her eyes incredulous.

"Elena," I said in a sigh.

Damon leaned back against the door on one arm and looked at her as if she were an annoying fluffy kitten. "How can you be so brave and stupid to call a vampire arrogant and glib," he asked.

I looked between them and bit my tongue. Elena scoffed and rolled her eyes. "If you wanted me dead, I would be dead," she said.

He raised his brows and nodded. "Yes, you would," he said.

Elena leaned forward and smiled, causing me to lean back in turn. "But, I'm not."

Damon smirked. "Yet."

I sighed and turned around, walking away from their petty flirtations. I already knew were Stefan would be. I headed upstairs towards his room and found him on the stairs. I quietly walked towards him and smiled when he turned around. He gave me a weak half-smile in return, and I tried to keep the look of pity from my face.

"Should I start the conversation off with a 'Hey Slugger?' Or is that too much?" I asked.

He looked rough — well, as rough as Stefan ever looks. His dress shirt was wrinkled, and his hair more ruffled than usual. He was in mourning for his relationship. I pitied him, instead of reading Shakespeare and Austen, he had to help Vicki, a compulsive liar, and drug user.

"Yeah, I think I can do without the 'how are you holding up,' talk," he said, brushing his hand over the back of his hair.

I placed my hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "Ok, well, if you need a junk food and terrible movie night, call me. We've known each other for a very long time, Stef. I want to be there for you, regardless of who my sister is in this time," I said. I leaned in and gave him a hug, whispering in his ear. "You were my brother, Stefan. I may have never said it, but you were. I love you,"

He choked on a silent sob, and I held him close until a voice from the hallway below interrupted us.

"Stefan?" Elena said.

I stepped back and looked away as Stefan rubbed his tired eyes. He took my face in his hands and kissed my nose gently. "I love you too, Elandra. You will always be my sister," he said, his voice rough.

The sun coming through the window reflected off the glass and made his face shine. His loving smile was blinding. Something inside me clicked together, and I felt tears on my face. He used his thumbs to wipe them away, and I giggled. I always wanted to tell him what he meant to me as Elandra and doing so now allowed a piece of me to snap into place.

"Go on, Stef, she's waiting for you,"

I hugged him one last time and then slipped away as he leaned over the banister and talked to Elena. I walked down the adjacent hallway, sending a quick text to Tyler and Elena, and slipped past them as they discussed Vicki. Elena was too wrapped up right now for a discussion of my kind, and I just needed some normalcy. I stepped outside and leaned into the car. I inserted the keys into the ignition before taking my bag from the back seat.

"You really look good, El," Damon said from behind me.

I stepped out of the car and shook my head. "Sure, but not nearly as good as Katherine's doppelganger, huh," I said, arching an eyebrow.

Damon stepped closer and opened his mouth just as Tyler's loud truck started pulling into the driveway. He stopped behind my car and leaned out of his window, whistling loudly, he flipped his sunglasses onto his head. "Look at that!"

I stepped away from Damon and did a quick spin, my hands up in the air, bag dangling from one finger.

"Well, well, well, Miss Elara Gilbert. Need a lift?" he asked suggestively.

I laughed at his gall and tossed my bag over my shoulder, saluting Damon. "Later, Salvatore," I said.

I ran over to the passenger side of Tyler's truck and jumped in. Damon watched me from beside my car, his eyes hard. He stepped to my window and looked up at me, his black hair fluttering in the gentle breeze. "What are you doing with him, El," he asked.

I frowned at him and leaned out, my voice hard as steel as it challenged him.

"I'm going to school with my friend. You have fun with my sister," I pulled away from him and twirled my forefinger at Tyler. "Let's go."

He nodded and flipped his sunglasses onto his head. "As you wish, milady," he said.

We pulled out of the drive, and I lifted my leg, sitting it in the window. My firey hair blew around me, and I enjoyed the peace that came with being around Tyler. Yes, he was supernatural, but as of right now, he didn't know that. Right now, he was normal, and I craved that. He flipped on his radio and blasted some rock music as we sped through the streets of Mystic Falls. I bobbed my head in time to the beat and laughed at as Tyler used his invisible drumsticks. He slowed his car for me, handing me a coin as we passed over Wickery Bridge. I tossed the coin out the window and smiled into the sunlight, it was utterly ordinary. It was pure bliss. As we approached the school, he lowered the music, and we both started to sober up.

"So, I heard they are putting together a search party for Vic," he said, as he pulled into the parking lot.

I looked right ahead of me and pushed down the word vomit that wanted to erupt and tell him everything, including what he is, and carefully looked at him.

"Yeah, Jeremy is skipping today to join,"

Tyler's face scrunched up, and I quickly hopped out of the truck. I joined him on the other side and gave him a swift peck on the cheek.

"Thanks for the ride, Ty,"

He gave me a crooked smile as I waved goodbye and went in search of Caroline. It felt like I hadn't seen her in forever. I made my way inside, jumping away from fake spider webs and skeletons that lined every part of the hallway around me.

Really? Where did the school find the funding for decorations like this?

I slipped past a skeleton on a gurney and found Caroline and Bonnie. I jumped up and down, waving as I approached. Bonnie saw me and smiled brightly, Caroline, on the other hand, sniffed and turned away, typical spurned Caroline behavior. I slid in beside her and took a deep breath. I had decided I was sick of secrets amongst my friends.

"Listen, Caroline. I'm so sorry about not talking to you for the last few days. But It's because I've been keeping something from you, from everyone. And I'm tired of the secrets," I said.

That caught her attention quickly, and she spun around to face me, her blonde hair slapping me in the face. She placed her hands on her hips as I sniffled, trying not to sneeze.

"What secrets?" she huffed. "How could you keep secrets from me? I'm supposed to be your best friend!" she said, dangling the vervain bracelet I had given her in my face. "Did this seriously mean nothing to you?" she asked in a rush of irritated breath.

I leaned my head on Caroline's shoulder. I lifted my own wrist into the air showing her my identical(minus the vervain) bracelet. "Of course, it meant something to me, Care Bear. You are my best friend, and that is why I want to tell you everything,"

Bonnie watched me worriedly, and I gave her a knowing gaze. She frantically looked at me, and I shook my head, easing her worry. I had no intention of revealing her secrets.

"Caroline, I am planning on telling Jer and Lena tonight and would like you and Bonnie to come over too. My house at 9?" I asked.

She looked me over and must have decided she could wait because she nodded and looked at Bonnie next. "You coming over for the big reveal, Bon?" she asked, raising her hands and performing bunny ear quotations.

I rolled my eyes dramatically.

"Of course, I've gotta know this secret," Bonnie said.

I leaned my shoulder against the locker and nodded my chin at the black bag Caroline was carrying.

"What's in the bag?" I asked.

Bonnie took the bag from her hand and looked at me nervously. "It's my costume, for tonight,"

I clapped my hands together and leaned over the bag excitedly. Caroline took my arm and pulled me into a hug. "See, at least someone is excited for tonight. I knew you were my best friend for a reason," she said, wrapping her arms around my neck.

I looked at Bonnie as she pulled her costume from the bag, the brownish-gold, and black dress catching my attention. I stepped beside her and took the dress from her hands.

"Seriously?" she said, lifting the hat to my face.

I looked at the pointed monstrosity with glee, my eyes tearing up with laughter.

"You're a witch, Bonnie," I said, straight-faced.

Bonnie narrowed her green eyes at me and looked at Caroline, who had her back against the lockers. "Come on. Can someone other than Ellie and me be excited for Halloween?" Caroline turned her head towards Bonnie, her eyes were pouty. "I just wanna have fun, ya know, just some silly, fluffy, Damon-free fun," she said.

Bonnie fidgeted with the witches hat her mouth cast in a frown. I felt a warm weight on my chest and knew it was Emily trying to tell me something. I looked down at the dress in my hand and noticed the brownish-gold coloring matched the amulet perfectly. It would give me just the in I needed to pass it on to her, and Caroline would never remember having it, not since I clouded her mind.

"Hey, Bonnie, I have the perfect necklace for you to wear with this dress. I was actually going to donate it sometime today. It's just not something I wear very often, but it would look great on you," I said, pulling the necklace out from under my shirt.

Bonnie looked at me strangely as I unfasted the clasp and handed it over. She dangled it in front of her and eyed it speculatively; the amber color stood out beautifully against her skin. I could feel Emily calling out to her and wondered how she couldn't.

"Oh that's pretty Bonnie, El's right, it'll look perfect!" Caroline said, smiling at me. "Ok, you next Ellie bean. Your costume is in there too,"

Bonnie smiled evilly and handed the bag over to me, one eyebrow raised in triumph. I huffed dramatically and reached inside, pulling out a black garment bag. I looked a Caroline suspiciously and unzipped it quickly. I gasped when I saw a knee-length blood-red tutu dress, spiky red and black devil horns, and a bright red pitchfork. I started laughing brightly and looked at Caroline with glee.

"This is perfect, Care, absolutely perfect," I said.

Bonnie laughed beside me and touched the soft fabric of the dress, running her fingers across the sparkling bodice.

"It really is, Caroline. Our Elara is the perfect fiery little devil," she said, pulling me into a one-armed hug.

Caroline giggled, and they helped me put everything back into the bag and zip it up.

"Hey, have you seen, Elena? Do we know what she's wearing?" Caroline asked her face serious.

Bonnie shrugged and folded her costume over her arm. "I was with Grams all weekend. I haven't talked to her. Maybe she's with Stefan," she said. I avoided their eyes and followed Bonnie's shrug. I pulled Caroline away before she could mope.

After school, I avoided every Vampire I knew. I wanted to go to the Halloween party with Caroline and have regular everyday fun. I stepped into the house and heard people in the kitchen. When I made my way inside, I saw Elena watching Jeremy on the phone, a worried expression on her face. She saw me watching her and came over to me.

"Where have you been, Elara?" she asked her eyes running over my face. I shook my head and looked at her incredulously.

"School, Elena. I figured you had things covered. There was no need for every Gilbert to be absent," I said, walking away.

I could sense her eyes on my back, but I didn't care. I needed an average day, sue me. I took water from the fridge and looked at both my siblings. My average day was about to end.

"Jer, Lena. I need you both home at 9 tonight. I have Caroline and Bonnie coming too,"

Jeremy looked at me in confusion, his cup stopped halfway to his mouth. His expression morphed into concern in an instant, and he put his mug on the table beside him, stepping next to me.

"What's going on, El?" he roughly asked.

Elena shook her head, her eyes wide. I ignored her — my mind was already made. I looked at Jeremy earnestly and took a deep breath.

"I have a secret Jer, a big one. I've been keeping it from you all for years, and I can't take it anymore. I have to tell you, and I want to do it all at once,"

He brushed the hair from my face, his jaw set in determination. "I'll be here, Elara," he said.

I exhaled and smiled at him. "Thank you," I turned to Elena and saluted her with my water. "Now, I say we hang out tonight, like family. We could go to the, uh, Halloween thing at school,"

Jeremy took a drink and shrugged lightly. "Cool. Sounds fun," he said, none too convincingly, turning toward the living room.

Elena moved towards him, and he stopped trying to leave as she spoke.

"Look, Jeremy, I know your upset about Vicki. I heard she called Matt. But you can't be with her. She needs to get better,"

I remained off to the side, sipping my water aimlessly as I watched her continue to push him away. When the argument got further heated, I decided to leave them to it and went upstairs to change into my costume. I finished sliding on my black leather boots and checked my horns to make sure they were entirely in place before I decided I was good to go.

"You look good,"

Rebekah sat on top of my bedspread, twirling a blonde curl around her index finger. I gave her a mischievous cackle and a thumbs up before grabbing my car keys and heading downstairs. I excitedly hopped into my car and drove to the school.

The party was in full swing by the time I arrived. Everyone was decked out in either full gore or slutty costumes, with a few managing to straddle in between the two. I never quite understood the appeal of dressing as something like a sexy Freddy Krueger. Still, a few attendees managed to make that costume work.

I carefully slid out of my car, afraid to rip my fragile dress. I was pleasantly surprised when I turned more than a few heads with Caroline's costume choice.

"Whoa, look at you!"

I turned around to find Tyler, bare-chested and donning a red cape. My head fell back as I laughed. Raising my hands out beside me, I gave him a quick spin. Tyler clapped, whistling in appreciation. With a slight blush, I motioned to his minimalistic version of a costume.

"Check you out. Someone has been working out. Nice," I said, waving my hands over my chest.

He grinned, flexing his arms, and offered me a cup with something smokey and green. I took it gratefully and drank the odd tasting beverage with a bright smile. It tasted of apples, cinnamon, and something tangy and possibly acholic.

"You really do look great, El," he said over the music.

I followed him towards the school and smiled.

"Thank you. It's all Carolines doing," I said with a small sway to my hips.

He watched me with a small grin, and I bowed, tossing my hair over one shoulder. Looking over at the entrance of the school, I saw nurse Elena and Jeremy heading inside.

"Hey, I see Elena. Thanks for the drink, Ty," I said.

I waved goodbye, then slowly walked over to the entrance and waved at Caroline and Bonnie on the way, running my hand down the dress and winking, they both gave me a thumbs up. Inside I passed by walls covered in sliced up sheets and spider webs. The music blared at top volume, and everyone seemed to be having a blast. Ahead I could see Matt and Elena talking, both in last year's costumes. A cute Doctor and his nurse. They really did make such an adorable couple, but she was happier with Stefan. Before I had made it halfway there, Elena's breathing had changed, and her body profoundly bowed in stress. I rushed forward, grabbing her wrist.

"Elena, what's wrong?" I asked

She turned to me, her eyes panicked. "Vicki is here...with Jeremy," she gasped.

I dropped her hand and spun around, looking everywhere for them. Oh god, how could Stefan let her out of his sight? I had trusted him. My breathing became erratic, and my heartfelt like it was going to pound its way out of my chest.

"We've gotta find him," I said urgently

"Guys, what's the matter?" Matt asked.

I looked at him and took his face in my hands. "Go home," I said, backing away into the crowd with Elena.

I pushed through the warm bodies, Elena's hand in mine, and tried to remember to breathe. He would be ok.

"She's dressed as a Vampire," Elena said.

I stopped in my tracks and scoffed, raising my hands to my face.

Of course, she is.

Shaking it off, I pushed us into a less crowded part of the room, lifting the large white sheet. Elena shook her head, removing the stethoscope from her costume. Just as I was about to text Stefan, he came bursting into the room with Vicki in a skimpy purple vampire costume.

"Thank God," Elena said.

Stefan pulled Vicki closer to us and looked us both over swiftly. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"I lost track of Jeremy. I was worried," Elena said, stepping closer to him and watching Vicki from the corner of her eye.

Matt walked into the room next, and I closed my eyes. My senses were on overload, and the shit was about to hit the fan. I stood close to Matt and kept my eyes on everyone in the room.

"Hey, Matty. Everything is fine. Just some Jeremy drama," I said, taking his arm.

He pushed me off him and stepped into Stefan's face. Vicki, clearly noticing the sudden change in the air, swiftly took advantage of it, pushing Stefan away and stepping behind her clearly confused and frightened brother.

"I told you to quit bothering me," she spat, looking at him in anger.

The warm room took a sudden sharp turn to cold as Vicki glared at Stefan in anger. Stefan's posture stiffened, and he took a step beside Elena, looking over at Vicki in shocked understanding. Elena raised her hand.

"No, Vicki, don't do this," she said.

I stepped closer to Matt and tried to keep him calm, but he pushed me off again.

"Matt, he won't leave me alone," Vicki said tearily.

She played the victim well, having had years of practice. Matt got in Stefan's face. "You need to back off, man," Matt said, his eyes a mixture of anger and worry.

I moved in front of him and pushed him away from Stefan. "Matty, it's ok, it's ok," I said quickly.

He looked down at me in disappointment, disturbed by the fact that I was siding with Stefan. He shook his head. "No, it's not ok," he said.

Elena glanced over Matts's shoulder and pushed past me. "Elara, she's gone," Elena frantically said, heading in the direction she had went.

Stefan tried to follow her, but Matt grabbed him and held him back. Stefan twisted himself around and pushed Matt against the wall.

"I'm trying to help her," he growled.

Stefan's face was just inches away from Matt's as I took his shoulder and pulled him back, standing between the two men.

"He's right, Matt, he is only trying to help," I insisted.

Stefan took my hand and led me in the direction Elena and Vicki had fled. We rushed through the school, the bright, flashing lights were disorienting, and I blinked rapidly, clearing the spots from my vision. I pushed through the crowd ahead of Stefan, somehow losing him somewhere amongst the large groups of people. My breathing became heavy, and my pulse quickened, the walls closing in around me. I slowed my walking and took a few deep breaths to focus, and pushed through. A few feet away, I saw a door that led outside and ran forward, pushing it open. As soon as I stepped foot outside, the cool air slapped me in the face and I strained to focus. I made my way toward the back of the school and caught sight of Elena. I watched in horror as she dug through a pile of rubbish, grabbing a piece of plywood. She lifted it in the air and ran towards Vicki, who I only just noticed was holding Jeremy by the throat a few feet away.

"Vicki, Nooo!" she screamed.

Vicki dropped Jeremy to the ground, her teeth bared, face covered in dark black veins, and started to run towards Elena. Elena swung the wood, using as she would a baseball bat, but Vicki was quicker, she picked Elena up by her throat, and tossed her. Elena soared through the air, feet kicking against nothing. She landed hard on the pile of rubbish and wood, her head lolling to the side.

"Elena!" I screamed.

I charged towards Vicki, my hands already glowing. I flung them forward, my magic knocking her back a few feet. She landed on her knees, an angry growl rising from her throat. I skidded to a halt next to Elena, falling down beside her, my hands hovering above her bleeding side, just as Stefan showed up. Vicki stood to her feet and speed toward him. They collided with one another, and Stefan reared back, hitting Vicki into the front of a nearby school bus. The bus groaned as Vicki slid down the side, her face scrunched up in anger and pain. Stefan stood in front of her, his hands bunched up at his sides in preparation for another attack. Jeremy slowly walked from around the other side of the bus, his face shocked and tear-stained.

"Vicki?" he asked.

Placing her hands on the pavement, Vicki heaved herself up from the ground. Her dark eyes narrowed in on Stefan. Stepping closer to Vicki Stefan tried to take her arm, but she quickly pushed him off and disappeared, leaving nothing behind but a burst of wind. Breathing heavily, we all frantically looked around. I quickly helped Elena to her feet and herded her toward Jeremy. She was beaten up and bloody, and when she moved, she winced in pain. Stefan looked at me in fear. He knew as well as I did that Vicki wasn't gone.

"Get them inside," he commanded.

I pushed them ahead of me towards the door and kept my eyes on our surroundings.

"Let's go, come on, Jeremy," Elena said, pulling him with her.

Elena made it inside just as Vicki grabbed me by my hair, yanking me to the ground. I screamed in pain as my head collided with the concrete. My vision blurred as I tried to lift myself up, holding my weight using my elbows, but I was too dizzy and slipped, my head hitting the pavement again. I winced, darkness surrounding my vision. I watched helplessly as Vicki grabbed Elena and Jeremy next. Roughly tossing Jeremy behind her, she took Elena by the neck, digging her fangs in with zero remorse. Elena screamed, her voice raw with fear. I shakily stood, my head pulsing with pain, and lifted my hand, flinging Vicki from Elena with everything I had. She went flying backward, her hair whipping around her. My legs shook as I watched Stefan pick up a jagged piece of plywood and vamp speed toward where he knew Vicki would land. Lifting the wood, he caught her; piercing her heart. Vicki stood motionless, her hand shaking near the bloody end of the wood that protruded through her chest. She looked at us, her face full of pain and fear. Her skin began to turn grey, and blood-red tears fell from her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Vicki," I said shakily.

I watched as she collapsed in a heap on the ground in front of us. Jeremy wailed for her from where he had watched the whole thing. I slowly wobbled over to Elena and pulled her hair out of the quickly drying wound on her neck. She flinched as her hair reopened the bite, and her eyes began to water.

"Are you ok, Lena? Did I hurt you?" I asked.

Elena looked at me in surprise for a moment before shaking it off.

"No, you saved me. Thank you, El," she said, looking at Jeremy, who stood, staring at Vicki's gray corpse.

"Get him out of here, Stefan," she said quietly.

Stefan wrapped his arm around Jeremy's shoulder and led him away. He pulled his cell from his pocket and dialed a number. Elena lowered herself down next to Vicki's body, holding her stomach. Her whole body shook, releasing the pent-up adrenaline. She gasped for air, sobs trying to escape her. I ran my hand down her hair and attempted to offer her comfort. Other than our parent's death, this was the first violent experience she had ever witnessed. I bent down beside her and held her while she cried for Vicki, for Matt, for Jeremy, and for her lost innocence. We heard a sound coming from the other side of the bus and tensed. Elena's crying slowed when Damon came around the corner.

"You should go. I got this," Damon said, almost apologetically.

I shook my head and helped Elena stand.

"You did this," Elena spat, her tone laced with venom and expression full of hate. "This is your fault,"

I felt so bad for her. She was so young and saw the world with pretty rose-colored glasses.

"Elena, let's go. You need to be healed," I insisted.

She pushed me away and looked at me with the same disgusted expression. "How can you be so calm?" she asked.

I closed my eyes and exhaled. "This is so very far from the worst thing I have ever seen, Elena. I am angry, and I feel sorry for her and the ones who loved her, but that's all I can muster," I said truthfully.

Damon looked at me with something akin to interest and shrugged.

"You confuse me for someone with remorse," he said, looking down at Vicki with expressionless eyes.

Elena took a deep breath and shoved Damon as hard as she could, grunting with the effort. She lifted her hand to slap him, and Damon caught it, grasping it roughly, his eyes never leaving her face. Elena breathed deep in discomfort.

"Damon, you are hurting her. You've made your point," I said.

"None of this matters to me, none of it," he said, looking at us both.

I nodded and looked into his hard eyes. "As I said. You've made your point...to us both," I said, voice strained.

He dropped her wrist roughly, and Elena held it against her chest, trying to keep her tears at bay.

"People die around you. How could it not matter? It matters, and you know it," she said, raising her hand back and connecting with the side of his face.

I covered my mouth and jumped in front of her quickly. Damon turned his head and looked at me. I breathed deeply, my hair blowing out in front of me with every breath. I could feel the blood pooling on the back of my head from where Vicki had tossed me to the ground, but I didn't care. Elena was trying to get herself killed tonight, long before even I was due to die. Damon jerked forward a bit, and I could feel Elena move behind me. Damon smirked.

"Mmm," He looked at me again and nodded quickly. "She needs to leave. Your wounds are bleeding, and she needs to leave," he said, tilting his head with a sneer.

I could feel Elena back up slowly behind me, but I continued to face forward, my eyes on Damon.

"Come on, Elara," she begged.

I turned to face her, my eyes scanning her critically. A large wound was present on her shoulder, neck, and side. She needed to see Stefan.

"Find Stefan, ok? I will see you at home,"

Elena looked at me in fear.

"I'll be ok, Elena," I said. "I'll see you at home."

Nodding, she backed away slowly. I watched her until I could no longer see her white costume in the darkness. I turned around and looked at Damon warily.

"What the hell was that?" I asked him, placing my hand on the back of my head with a deep groan.

With a mild sigh of annoyance, he bit into his wrist and held it out for me to take. I rolled my eyes and drank from him until I couldn't feel the ache in my head.

"Better?" he asked.

I bent down next to Vicki and looked her over. With a flick of my wrist, she was covered in a white tarp from the dumpster next to us.

"Handy," he sarcastically said.

"What was that about, Damon? The whole 'none of this matters' junk," I asked, waving my hand in the air.

He bent down and pulled the tarp-covered Vicki over his shoulder. "I needed her to know that she may have my brother wrapped around her finger, but not me. I came here for one reason — Katherine. You need to remember that too. I'm not the same as I was before,"

I placed a hand on my hip and smiled. "I know who you are and no amount of hurtful words, sneers, or this," I motioned to Vicki. "Will make me forget. It will only hurt me," leaned in and touched his face for a mere second before pulling away. "Thanks for healing me,"

I waved goodbye and left the same way Elena had. Before I headed home, I decided to quickly check in with Bonnie and Caroline, telling them I would need to change our visit to the next day. Finally, I got into my car and slowly drove home, afraid of what I was going to find. Something was telling me it wasn't going to be good, and I always trusted my instincts. When I arrived home, Elena and Stefan were on the porch. I got out of my car and carefully walked to the steps.

"How's Jeremy?" I asked.

Stefan turned away from me, his eyes filled with pain and doubt. Elena approached me swiftly.

"Listen, Elara, it had to be this way. I couldn't watch him go through this again," she said.

I looked up at her for second unsure of what she meant, until Damon stepped outside.

"It's done," he said.

I looked at him and then back at Elena. "You didn't. Tell me you didn't," I said, pushing her away from me.

I didn't want to touch her.

"He's just a kid, Elara. He needs to be normal and happy," she said.

I backed further away and scoffed loudly at her, completely blown away by how she was justifying her actions. The fact was: she had Damon compel away Jeremy's memories. She could say it was for his sake all she wanted, but I was sure he would see it the same way I did. It was all for her so that she could feel better. I was positive he would prefer the truth and any the pain that might come with it, over lies and lost memories.

"He won't forgive you for this, Elena. I won't forgive you for this. Any of you," I said, looking at each of them.

Stefan tried to approach me, and I pushed him back with my magic.

Damon stood next to Elena, his eyes empty. How fitting. I smiled at him and shrugged. "I guess you were right," I said.

I snapped my fingers, and a small travel bag appeared in my hand with a change of clothes and my school supplies.

"I'll be at Caroline's. Don't worry, I'll call Jenna,"

I stepped off the porch and ignored Elena's heavy crying. "Please, Ellie."

I turned around and looked her dead in the eyes, no emotion on my face. "You have no right to call me that! As of right now, I want nothing to do with you, Elena," I tossed my bag in the car and turned back to her with a hateful sneer on my face. "Oh, and by the way, I wanted to tell you and Jeremy I'm dying, but it seems you've taken that option from me now. Goodbye, Elena," I sneered, slipping into my car.

I looked straight ahead and pulled away, leaving her behind to be coddled by the Salvatores.

#damon salvatore #caroline forbes #klaus fanfiction #klaus mikaelson #reincarnation #damon x oc #klaus mikaelson x oc #oc tag #OC #elena gilbert #Stefan Salvatore #The Orginals

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writeitinred · 7 years ago

Text

Heaven in Hiding

Chapters: 1/2 Word Count: 11,576 Rating: M Pairing: Andrew Minyard/Neil Josten Summary: ‘For once in your life, choose happiness.’Neil doesn't know how to let himself be happy. He's been under his father's control for too long to know that any amount of happiness he feels will be crushed moments later. That is until Andrew arrives.

Read it on AO3: Heaven in Hiding

Neil wishes he had a normal life, but it’s anything but normal.

His father is the head of a mafia called “The Ravens” located in Durham, North Carolina. It’s a big enough group for his father to own his business and their home right next door without it looking suspicious. It’s not like it’s a secret that his dad is a mafia boss though. Anyone who buys or ships drugs in their part of town knows how ruthless Nathan can be if he doesn’t receive his money.

And Neil had been born just to take over the family business. Unfortunately, he’d rather be anything else than the leader of a bunch of unruly men.

The money, drugs, and weapons don’t appeal to him. He told his mother this once and his cheek stung for the next week. His father threatened to smash his head in if he ever heard those words again.

So here he sits in the dining room, surrounded by a bunch of men who have the same murderous streak as his father. The food in front of him doesn’t look appealing but he forces it down anyway.

The dining room is huge, almost like every other room in this home, but it’s also the most normal looking. His mother wanted to decorate the place with the thought that if at least one room in the house looked normal then it would help the atmosphere. Neil doesn’t have to the heart to tell her that having white walls, oak floors, and a sleek kitchen table doesn’t make the home feel less like a death trap.

Not with the weapons poking out of his father’s suit pockets.

“Neil.” The tone of his father’s voice makes his spine straighten. He doesn’t dare look at his father, not when he hears the venom practically slipping off his name. “Your fighting instructor tells me that you’ve not improved. Care to tell me why?”

“I’m not that great a fighter,” Neil admits, his voice low and submissive. “I’m better with weapons.”

“And what if you don’t have any weapons? How are you going to defend yourself then? After twenty-one years you’d think you’d be able to knock your instructor on his ass.”

He has. Multiple times. It won’t do good to tell his father that though. He won’t believe a single word that comes out of his mouth.

“I’ll do better next time.” His voice shakes as he does his best to play the son that wants to please his father. “I promise.”

“I don’t want your promises,” his father snarls. “I want you to actually learn something for once. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir.”

Nathan begins to say something else when the door opens to reveal Riko—his father’s favorite henchman. He looks as if he’s stepped out of a fashion magazine with a fresh suit and black hair slicked back just right.

“Riko,” his father drawls, ignoring Neil in favor of talking to someone more interesting. “What can we do for you?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt dinner, sir. I just thought you should know that there’s a new group in town.”

Nathan perks up at that. A new enemy? Or could this be a new ally?

“Have you gathered any information on them?”

Riko nods. “They call themselves “The Foxes” and they’ve already caused quite the scene in our part of town. Just last night they broke into the jeweler’s and stole some of your diamonds.”

His father’s body goes still, his icy blues flashing with cold rage.

An enemy then. Wonderful.

“That’s not all. They left a note—a warning.” Riko pulls out a piece of paper, carrying it over to his father. Nathan reads it silently but from the way his jaw clenches Neil knows it can’t be good.

“So these “foxes” are already trying to mess with the big dogs.” Nathan’s voice drops to a deadly calm. Neil knows that tone and has always joked that it sounds like the calm before the storm—before everything goes to shit.

“It would appear so, sir.”

“I want him dead. Now.”

Neil bites his lip. The slight pain reminds him that it’s better to keep his mouth shut and let his father do what he wants rather than speak his own mind.

“I want you to find out who this person is. I want details on his gang. I want to know weaknesses and what they ship. Do you understand?”

Riko bows. “Yes, sir.”

“And take Neil down to the club. It’s time for his shift.”

Riko’s eyes slide over to him, a subtle smile playing on his lips. “Yes, sir. Neil, are you ready?”

“Of course.”

He nods to both his mother and father before leaving the table and the room completely. He can feel his body relaxing the moment the doors close behind them, letting his guard slip around Riko. It’s hard to remember that the man behind him now has been bred to be a killer. When he’s cold and emotionless, Neil doesn’t recognize the person he calls a friend. He doesn’t like to be around Riko when the man gets that way, but when Riko smiles Neil remembers why they became friends in the first place.

They were introduced to each other when they were just babies and ever since they’ve been inseparable.

Riko is someone he can confide in—someone he can trust with everything.

“What’s your role tonight?” Riko asks as they pass through the halls. “The seducer or the lonely bartender?”

“Which do you have enough one dollar bills for?” Neil teases. “All the dancers have shown up for work tonight so I’ll unfortunately be the lonely bartender. How many drinks are you having?”

Riko lays an arm across Neil’s shoulders just as the club’s heavy beats reach their ears.

“I can’t drink tonight—” Neil gasps at that. “—I know. It’s a tragedy. I must find out about this mysterious Andrew before your father skins me alive.”

“Now that would be a tragedy. Who will be my bodyguard tonight since my father can’t leave me alone for one moment?”

“Jeremy and Jean.”

“Oh God,” Neil groans. “So I have to watch them make googly eyes at each other all night while you get to have all the fun?”

“You’re supposed to be serving drinks,” Riko reminds him as they enter the club, “not watching your bodyguards.”

“It’s so awkward though.” Neil walks into the staff room, slipping off his shirt in favor of the club’s white button up they require. They even have a little black bow tie that Riko swears makes him look hot. “Are they ever going to tell each other how they feel? Or have they already and we just don’t know about it?”

“Considering the impressive hickey I saw on Jean’s neck yesterday during training, I’m assuming it’s the latter.”

“No way! I bet there are scratch marks on Jeremy’s back.”

Riko laughs and helps Neil with the rest of his attire. “I’m sure they’ll tell us in their own time, but until then you have drinks to serve and I have an enemy to find.”

“Be careful and don’t do anything stupid,” Neil warns.

He always says this to the man. No matter the mission, big or small, he knows that Riko can get a bit egotistical and underestimate the opponent. He needs the other male to come back to him if he even has a single chance of surviving his father.

“It’s probably some stupid kid who needs—”

“Riko.”

“All right, all right,” Riko sighs. “I’ll be careful, but you need to be careful too.”

“I will.” Neil pushes Riko towards the door. “Now go. Before my father gets pissed you’re not working.”

He slips behind the bar, grabbing a rag from one of the shelves before getting to work. Oddly enough, this place makes him feel safe. It’s filled with the sketchiest people at times, but it’s a place to let go for a while. He doesn’t have to be Nathan’s son while he’s here. He can just be Neil.

The heavy beats of the music are like a melody to him. It’s soothing, especially when he steps on the stage. The DJ always knows what song to choose for each dancer whether it be slow or quick. Right now they’re playing something measured and heavy, something Neil can shake his hips to while he’s busy cleaning glasses.

“I pay you to make drinks, not dance,” his boss’ voice is a deep rumble next to his ear, making him jump.

“You don’t pay me at all, Conner,” Neil scoffs, throwing his towel at the man. His ‘boss’ is a handsome enough man. He’s taller than Neil, eyes that shine like emeralds, and black wavy hair. It has customers swooning and it helps with the tips.

“Hey, I’m not complaining. You bring in more tips than I do, so keep on swinging those hips.” Conner winks at him as he hands over Neil’s towel. “You already have a line of customers.”

True to his word, people are already lining up with money in their hands. He spots Jeremy and Jean slowly moving towards the bar, keeping a close eye on the people surrounding it.

“Then I guess I better get started.”

–

Neil is absolutely exhausted. Too many people in a short amount of time, but it’s worth it. He made a ton in tips at least. That’s a bonus for him while he’s down here. Conner doesn’t pay him, but he does let him keep the tips he gets.

It’s not much, and he knows he doesn’t need it, but it makes him feel some sort of freedom.

“I need some whiskey. No ice.”

Neil reaches for the whiskey without looking at the stranger. “Rough day?” he asks.

“That’s an understatement.”

Neil can hear the exhaustion in his voice and pours a little extra whiskey in the glass. He turns to hand the stranger his alcohol, his body going still at the beautiful man before him.

“You’ve been busy tonight.” He takes a small drink, keeping his eyes trained on Neil. “Haven’t I seen you up on the stage before?”

Blunt. Neil likes him already.

“I fill in when one of the dancers are sick or can’t make it. Otherwise I’m a bartender.”

“A great one at that.”

Neil gives him a shy smile, wiping an imaginary spot on the table. “I’d say adequate at best.”

“Modest. I like it. What’s your name?”

“Neil. Yours?”

“Andrew.”

The music has changed into something low and soft as Neil continues to clean the table. Andrew sips his drink, eyes following his every move.

“You know a picture lasts longer,” Neil says.

Andrew winks at him as he taps his head. “I have picture perfect memory. Never forget a face. Especially a pretty one.”

Neil laughs and shakes his head. “Are you always such a flirt?”

“Depends.” A hint of a smile graces his lips. He takes another sip of his drink and Neil has to try his best not to stare. “I do have to go though. Will I see you on the stage the next time I come?”

“Depends,” Neil teases. “How much are you willing to give me?”

“How much do you want?”

“Neil,” his boss calls, giving him a pointed glance. “We close in ten minutes.”

“Give me your hand,” Neil says quickly.

Neil grabs a marker from under the counter, taking Andrew’s hand when he holds it out. His stomach may or may not clench when he feels how rough Andrew’s palm is against his skin. His father may keep him protected from the outside world, but he’s not dead. He knows an attractive person when he sees one.

“Do you give your number out to all your customers?”

“This way, we can negotiate how much you’ll give me when I’m up on stage.”

This time Andrew does smile, a small one that barely shows a hint of teeth but a smile nonetheless. He watches the male dig into his pocket and pull out a crisp 100 dollar bill.

“Consider this a down payment for next time.”

“Wait—”

But Andrew is already up and walking away. He stares after him, dumbfounded and a little turned on if he’s being honest with himself.

“Who the hell was that?” Conner asks, bumping into him with his hip. “You better keep this a secret from your parents. You know how they feel about you flirting.”

He rolls his eyes, shoving his towel at Conner while he walks towards the back room. “Relax, they won’t find out. A bit of harmless flirting won’t do anything.”

Jean and Jeremy are already there waiting for him. They both cross their arms at his words, a frown etching into their faces.

“Tell that to your father who beat you senseless the last time he caught you flirting,” Jean reminds him. “Should we ban him from the club?”

“Guys,” Neils huffs, shrugging off his uniform to slip on his favorite T-shirt and sweats. “Stop it. I appreciate the look out, but I need something in my life other than guns and violence.”

“If it’s a man you want then we have plenty to choose from and I’m sure your father would love it if you were to choose Riko,” says Jeremy.

Neil wrinkles his nose at the suggestion. “Riko is a very good friend and while he’s indeed good looking, that’s it. That’s all I’m going to say.” He turns towards Conner. “I bid you goodnight. Jeremy and Jean, will you escort me to my room please?”

“Not like we have another choice.”

“Correct.”

He tilts his head towards Conner as a goodbye before heading out. He squares his shoulders and holds his head up high, shifting back into his role of a mafia lord’s son. It’s not like people don’t know he works at the club, half the people here have guarded him there. They just know he has a role to play when he’s back in his home.

He nods in greeting to every man walking through the halls, receiving one in return. A sign of acknowledgment and respect.

“Neil,” Jeremy whispers when they reach his room. “I really think you should be careful. If this gets out to the wrong person and your parents find out about it—”

“Are you going to tell them?” Neil cuts in.

“No, of course not. I know how much the club means to you, but I just think you should be careful. We won’t always be the ones to guard you and not everyone is as nice.”

“He’s just looking out for you, Neil,” Jean says, his voice soft in case anybody can overhear.

“I know, and I appreciate that. I’ll be careful, Jeremy. I promise.”

“But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to know details if it does go any further.” Jeremy knocks Neil’s shoulder. “Goodnight, Neil.”

“Goodnight you two.”

Neil slips into his room, feeling his phone buzz as he does. He doesn’t bother to hide his smile when he sees Andrew’s name pop up across his screen.

Andrew: I suppose I should start by asking if you made it home safely.

Neil: You suppose?

Andrew: Isn’t that what nice guys are supposed to do?

Neil: I didn’t peg you as the ‘nice’ type.

Andrew: Ouch. That hurts.

Neil: Good night, Andrew.

Andrew: Weren’t we supposed to talk about a certain negotiation?

Neil: Tomorrow night. I’m assuming you’ll be back.

Andrew: Cheeky little thing. Goodnight, Neil.

His cheeks hurt from how much he’s smiling, but then the reality of the situation hits him and his smile breaks. Jeremy and Jean are right. He shouldn’t be doing this. It’s too risky. But as Neil reads over the messages again, he can’t help but feel like it could be worth it.

Maybe.

It’s not like it’s going to be a long-term thing. They’ll have a quick fling and be on their way soon enough. It’s better that way. No one gets attached and no feelings will have the chance to grow.

He deletes the messages and crawls into bed, hoping that tomorrow he’ll have more time to talk to Andrew.

–

“So I hear from Jeremy that someone met a mystery man last night,” Riko teases during their morning training. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell your parents. They still won’t let you flirt with anyone though?”

Neil shrugs as he focuses on putting one foot in front of the other. His father wants him doing some kind of workout in the morning. It doesn’t matter what it is just as long as he keeps getting stronger, Nathan is fine with it. He has Riko to keep him company at least.

In the afternoons he has weapon training with whatever he would like. It’s his favorite time of the day besides the club. Then in the evening he has combat training. The cycle never ends.

“You’d think that after twenty-one years they’d let me live a little, but they still think that any kind of flirting will distract me in some way.”

“You’re their only heir. I can see why they would be protective.”

“I don’t think beating the shit out of your own son for having an interest in someone is ‘protective.’ But I guess we have different definitions.”

“Look.” Riko shrugs. “Your secret is safe with me. I’m sure it’ll be safe with Jeremy and Jean too, but if you want to have relationship, or whatever you want to call it, go for it. No one is stopping you but yourself.”

He stays silent, doing his best not to let the words sink in. He focuses on running, on the way his heart beats in a steady rhythm with every slam of his foot against the pavement. He’s good at this. He’s good at running. Not getting in touch with his feelings.

He’s not like Riko who can shut his emotions on and off at the drop of a hat. His will consume him if he lets it and to avoid that he runs. Figuratively and literally.

“I know what you’re thinking, Neil.” Riko grabs his elbow to bring him to a halt. “Don’t run. Prove to your parents that you can have someone and still be able to focus on what’s good for us. Just don’t run.

“You saw what happened the last time I had interest in someone,” Neil counters. “You were the one to patch me up after they were done with me, and you want me to go through that again? I’d figure you would be telling me to give it up.”

“I want you happy—don’t you even give me that look—and if that means hiding it from your parents then that’s what you need to do. For once in your life, choose happiness.”

Riko squeezes his shoulder, giving him a small smile before running off.

“For once in your life, choose happiness,” Neil mocks.

He wishes it were that easy.

–

Neil decides to ignore Riko’s words. It’s better that way. If he focuses on the future, his training, and he waits for the day both of his parents bite the dust he’ll be okay.

So from now on, he won’t flirt—he’ll just focus on what’s in front of him, which is endless amounts of customers all wanting some kind of beverage. He puts on a smile and makes the drinks to the best of his ability.

He doesn’t let his thoughts lead back to Andrew. Of where he is, why he isn’t here yet, and what could be keeping him so long.

‘For once in your life, choose happiness.’

The words echo in his head and a part of him wishes he never had that conversation with Riko because now it’s all he can think about. He could barely concentrate during weapon training and he got his ass handed to him by his trainer.

“Stupid fucking Riko,” Neil mutters as he stabs the ice with the handle of the scooper. “Always getting in my damn head.” He shoots a glare at the man in question, watching him trying not to ogle the dancers. Pervert.

“I thought I’d see you up on the stage.”

Neil looks up, a comment already on the tip of his tongue but the words die when he sees Andrew—with a different hair color.

“I thought I’d see you with blond hair, but here we are.”

“Fair enough.”

“What can I get for you?” Neil tries not to sound too miffed but his words come out a tad rough.

“The same as yesterday.”

He can feel Andrew’s gaze on him as he moves. He doesn’t dislike the way it makes him feel per se, but it’s not a good thing that’s for sure.

“So,” Neil begins as he places the drink in front of Andrew. “What made you decide to change your color to brown?”

Andrew shrugs. “It was time for a change. Don’t you like it?”

“Hm, I think I prefer you as a blond.”

There’s that hint of a smile again. The one that makes his heart automatically race and his palms sweaty.

“Duly noted.”

They fall into easy conversation while Neil serves other customers. Riko pretends that he isn’t keeping a close eye on him, but from the way he keeps inching closer, he’s not doing the best.

The minutes slowly burn into hours until Conner is telling him to start cleaning up, a smile tugging at his lips as he slides his gaze over Andrew.

“I guess it’s time for me to go.”

Neil doesn’t expect the tang of disappoint that comes with those words and he’s opening him mouth before he can think of what he’s doing.

“You don’t have to. If you want to we can go on a walk after I clean up.”

The world stops for just a moment. His heartbeat slows, coming to a steady rhythm that beats in time with the music still playing in the background. It feels like it’s only the two of them in the room as he waits for Andrew’s answer.

He can hear his brain saying ‘shit, shit, shi—’

“I don’t see why that would be a bad thing.”

Neil lets out a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding. “Great! Just let me—”

“Nah I got this,” Conner interrupts. “Go and get dressed.”

Neil doesn't need to be told twice.

"I'll be right back," is all he says before walking into the backroom. It doesn't take Riko long to burst into the room, his face a mixture of smug and panic.

"Are you serious right now?" he questions, leaning a shoulder against the lockers. "I mean I'm happy you're going for it, but what if your father finds out? You know he's a night owl."

"Weren't you the one who told me to choose happiness?" Neil unbuttons his shirt, slipping it off his shoulders to replace it with a regular red t-shirt.

"You know I can't protect you if he finds out. Please be careful."

Neil closes his locker. "I will but I have to go. I've kept him waiting long enough."

"Have fun," Riko teases as Neil slips out the door. Conner is out of sight when he walks through the bar, no doubt trying to give the two of them privacy.

"I hope you didn't have anywhere special to be."

Andrew shrugs as he stands. "I just have some paperwork to deal with, but it can wait. You look different without your bow tie."

"I mean I can go back and grab it if it'd make you feel better." Neil smiles.

"Don't be a smart ass."

The walk out of the bar, the cool summer’s night breeze sliding across his cheeks as the door opens.

It's such a beautiful night. The stars blink one by one while the moon shines across the streets, lighting up even the darkest parts of the roads and alleys. Soft, melodious music can be heard from a few blocks down, making the night come alive.

He can't help being drawn by the beautiful sounds, letting his feet take over.

"Do you like music?" Andrew asks.

"I do," Neil hums. "I don't get to listen to it often outside of work since I'm busy, but I've always had a soft spot for music. What about you?"

"I love it. This is first time in a while I've been able to hear music live though."

"So maybe tonight we should just enjoy the music and each other’s company?"

There's that shadow of a smile again. A quick second where Andrew’s face lights up before it falls again. It’s a smile that sets Neil’s nerves alight and puts his stomach in knots.

Is this what it’s like to have feelings for someone? He’s felt attraction towards people but that’s straight foreword—this is something completely different. It’s not what Neil is used to.

The whole town is lit up, the street littered with people out either for food or a good time. Booths and vendors are lined next to each other while the band playing is located in the middle of the street. That’s where most of the crowd is gathered, laughing and clapping to the beat of the music.

“I feel like I’m overdressed,” Andrew states and Neil bites his lip to keep from laughing. He definitely stands out with his suit and tie. Most of the people here are wearing jeans, t-shirts, or dresses. “But, then again, I didn’t expect to be coming to a festival tonight.”

And then Neil is watching Andrew unbutton his jacket, shrugging it off before undoing his tie. Neil thinks he’s completely and royally fucked.

Especially when he undoes a couple of buttons to reveal smooth, pale skin.

He can feel heat settling in the pit of his stomach. This is what he’s used to—pure desire. He knows this, it’s familiar. He can work with desire.

“Take a picture, Neil. It lasts longer.”

“Funny.” Neil coughs, hoping Andrew doesn’t hear how raspy his voice got. “Why’d you do that?”

“Take off my jacket? So I can dance with you.”

Neil thinks his heart just skipped a beat. “W-why would you do that?”

Andrew looks at him like he grew a second head, which could very well be because this moment seems like a dream.

“We don’t have to dance if you’d rather just listen.”

“No, no!” Neil blurts. “We can dance. I’m sure one of the booths will hold on to your jacket and tie for you.”

His brain screams at him that this isn’t a good idea, that once Neil feels Andrew’s hands on him, it’ll be over. He’s going to want what he can’t have.

But he doesn’t say anything as Andrew walks back to him, just lets the man lead him into the crowd. On the outside he’s sure he looks fine but on the inside? Oh God, he’s such a mess. His heart is hammering against his ribs, his stomach is so twisted with obnoxious bugs that it makes him want to puke.

The band playing begins to switch to a new song just as they arrive in the middle of the crowd. The beginning notes are upbeat and catchy and Neil can’t help but be swept away as the lead singer starts. He doesn’t wait for Andrew, he just starts moving his body in time with the beat, letting himself relax.

When he does look at Andrew, he isn’t moving but the look in his eyes makes Neil slide a little closer. He doesn’t have to say anything for the man to grip his hips, to bring him close. It’s been ages since he’s danced with anyone. He should be feeling awkward, should try and distance himself before he travels further down this dangerous path.

But Andrew just makes it seem so easy and Neil has no clue as to why. He met the male yesterday and if it were anyone else, he would have sent them on their way—yet there’s something about Andrew that draws Neil in, that makes him press his body closer.

Maybe it’s the danger that draws Neil in. At any moment they could be caught by his father’s men and that’s the reason he’s clinging to whatever this is. That would be the easiest explanation. But a part of him knows that it’s because he can relax with Andrew around. He doesn’t have to pretend to be someone he’s not.

All he has to do is focus on the beat of the music and the way Andrew’s body feels against his. He’s aware that some of the people in the crowd are staring at them but he doesn’t care. He’s having fun.

“Do you need a pole mixed in or does this count me dancing for you?” Neil smirks.

“I guess this will do for now.”

“Don’t be a smart ass,” Neil mocks, letting out a squeak when Andrew moves to dip him when the songs end. “What the fuck?”

“That’s for mocking me.”

And then Neil is upright again, the world spinning just a bit as he tries to figure out what happened. How can someone go from being so stoic and silent one moment to joking the next?

He doesn’t get time to think about it when the next song starts, just as upbeat as the last one, and Andrew holds out a hand.

Neil doesn’t hesitate to take it even as he jokes, “Are you sure you want to dance again? You could barely keep up during the first.”

Andrew doesn’t say anything, but from the gleam in his eye Neil knows he’s accepted the challenge in his words.

–

Neil slips back into his room a little before midnight, making sure to sneak past all the guards that were still on duty. Ever since the new mob came into town, his father has been on high alert. Guards are stationed everywhere so sneaking in and out of the building is a little difficult, but Neil makes it work.

“Did you have fun?”

Neil startles at the voice, his heart beginning to race thinking that his father will be waiting for him. Instead he sees Riko lying on his bed with a stupid grin on his face.

“Get out.”

“Aw,” Riko coos as he swings his legs over the side of his bed. “Don’t be like that. I just want to know if you had fun.”

“If you must know,” Neil quips, moving over to his dresser, “yes, I did have a good time. We danced and enjoyed the music, but that’s it.”

“Oh, I thought you did more than that by the way your whole face is glowing.”

“It is not!” Neil exclaims, shutting his dresser to turn towards Riko. “I’ve only known him a couple days. Besides, nothing will come out of it.”

“That’s a lie, but if that’s what you have to tell yourself to sleep better at night, you do what you need to.”

Neil points to the door, but he can’t stop the corners of his mouth from twitching. “You’re unbearable. Leave.”

“Oh, I’ll leave but you can’t get rid of me that easily.” Riko stands and walks to the door, pausing just as his fingers wrap around the knob. “Don’t let him go, Neil. Not if he makes you this happy.”

“I’ll try,” Neil says. “But you know with this line of work, I can’t make any promises.”

“Well as long as you’re trying,” Riko winks. “I’ll see you later this morning for training and I would like all the details please.”

Riko leaves before Neil can throw anything at him, letting out a huff. He should thank Riko since he’s the one who got in his head enough to do something about it. It’s the best he’s felt in a while, and happiness doesn’t feel too bad.

His phone buzzes in his pocket and he knows without looking at that it’s Andrew.

Andrew: I’m not the greatest of dancers, but I had fun. I’ll be the best dancer next time.

Neil: Next time?

Andrew: Will there be a next time or did my horrible dancing turn you off?

Neil: Almost, but I think I can give you another shot. Not this week though or the next, but I’m sure I can squeeze you in at some point.

Andrew: You’re a busy man. Goodnight, Neil.

Neil: Goodnight, Andrew. I’ll talk to you later.

And Neil does—he talks to Andrew every day after that. Sometimes Neil calls Andrew and sometimes it’s the other way around, either way he’s talking to the man. He keeps his phone on silent when he’s around his parents or he’s training so he’s not distracted, but he makes up for it at night when Andrew comes to visit him.

A part of him is scared to admit that this is the happiest he’s ever been. There have been...people in the past that he’s talked to in secret, but Neil always cut things off when his parents started to become suspicious.

Andrew is different.

And that feeling is frightening.

His father’s men still haven’t found whoever the new mob is which is creating a lot of stress for the house. Having Andrew to talk to and see helps. It helps when his father is so enraged that his voice echoes off the walls and it certainly helps when his father takes his frustrations out on him.

Maybe that’s why he keeps running towards Andrew. He’s a safe haven for when things get hard. He’s a solid presence when shit hits the fan in his family and he’s never had that. He’s had Riko but he can’t rely on the man to protect him—not like he can’t protect himself—but it’s nice to have someone to back him up.

“What happened to your jaw?” Andrew asks as Neil prepares his drink.

“The good old door. I’m pretty clumsy.”

It’s the oldest excuse in the book and by the look on Andrew’s face, he knows it too. His eye is still throbbing from when his father decided to take his frustrations out on him only three hours before. Riko really needs to hurry up and find this mob.

“You weren’t so clumsy a week ago,” Andrew observes.

“Yes, well sometimes I trip and a door gets in my way,” Neil snaps. He slams Andrew’s drink on the table, picking up another shot glass and slamming it down as well. He needs a shot of whiskey after the day he’s had.

The burn of the alcohol as it slides down his throat is satisfying, but it's not enough to get rid of the growing frustration of being a mob boss’ son.

He doesn't think there will ever be enough alcohol for that.

"Rough day?" Andrew asks as he takes a slow sip if his own drink.

"Understatement of the year," Neil sighs. "Sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you."

Andrew shrugs it off. "I put my nose in where it didn't belong. Your irritation is understandable. Can I ask you one question though?"

Neil tenses but says, "Shoot."

"Are you free tonight?"

Not the question he was expecting, but he's not going to complain. Especially as he feels himself slowly start to relax.

"What do you have in mind?"

"Dinner and a milkshake at the diner up the street?"

Neil's stomach growls at the mention of food. He trained all afternoon to avoid his father. He's starving.

"I'm in."

And maybe he should tell Conner that he’s leaving and maybe he should flag Riko down and tell him that he’s heading out, but after the shit week he’s had, a night out is exactly what he needs. He throws his towel on the bar, glancing behind him once to make sure both Riko and Conner aren’t paying attention before slipping out of the bar.

“Are you sure you don’t want to tell your boss where you’re going?”

Neil shakes his head. “He’ll understand. Now, I believe you said something about food? I’m starving.”

“Right this way.”

They don’t talk while they walk along the street, but it’s definitely not uncomfortable. The night air is cool against his warm skin and Neil can’t help but close his eyes for a moment and just breathe. The moments where he feels so at peace are rare and when they do come up, Neil takes full advantage.

“How bad does your jaw hurt?” Andrew asks. Neil takes a minute to decide if this is Andrew’s way of prying or being genuinely concerned.

“It’s not so bad. I’ll live.”

The diner Andrew plans to take him to is only a couple blocks away but Neil can already smell the delicious burgers. It’s a small restaurant but it has a cozy feel that makes people fall in love with it. He would sneak off with Riko when they were younger just to get away from the extensive training and bullshit.

They stopped coming the moment they were caught by another guard sneaking back into the building. They begged and begged the dude not to tell but in the end they both got their asses beat. It’s been years since he’s been back. It doesn’t look like much has changed though.

“That’s good. It might be a slight inconvenience if you died,” Andrew says, pulling open the door to the diner and stepping to the side to let Neil through.

“Ever the gentlemen,” Neil deadpans. They’re greeted by an overly cheerful woman wearing a 90’s inspired frilly pink outfit. He can see the outfits haven’t changed one bit.

“Hi there! Welcome to The Diner!” Her blonde curls bounce as she talks. Neil wishes he could be that genuinely happy all the time. It’s almost refreshing to see someone so positive in a world that’s so shitty. “Would you like a table or a booth?”

“A booth will be fine, thanks,” Neil answers.

“Right this way then!”

She places them in the back where there aren’t as many people surrounding it, giving them enough privacy to carry conversation.

“Can I start you guys off with anything to drink?”

“Yes,” Andrew cuts in before Neil can even open his mouth. “Two strawberry milkshakes and a two burgers with fries.”

“Coming right up!” she chirps, tucking in her notepad before leaving to help another table.

“How’d you know strawberry is my favorite?”

“I didn’t.” Andrew leans back in his seat and for the first time, Neil can see how exhausted the man truly looks. There are dark smudges underneath his eyes that are stark against his pale skin. He opens up his mouth to ask— “But I do now.”

Neil closes his mouth. Now is not the time to be talking about sleep habits. Now is the time to enjoy Andrew’s company and some good food.

“There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me. Only that I work at a bar and I dance on occasion,” Neil says.

"You're right." Andrew leans forward on his elbows, a smile forming on that charming face. "I don't know anything about you, but I would like to change that."

Neil freezes. He shouldn’t have said anything. He can't tell Andrew who his father is, not yet. Andrew is the only person who has shown Neil that he doesn't have to pretend to be someone he's not, but there are some secrets that need to stay hidden until he's ready to talk.

Maybe he should leave. That might be the better option. He can pay for the bill before he goes, but he's never been a great liar around people he cares for. If Andrew asks a question even remotely pertaining to the mafia or his background, he will crack.

"We'll save that for another time though." Neil has to hold back a sigh of relief. "Tonight is all about food and getting rid of stress."

He realizes then that this night out isn't only for his sake, but for Andrew's. He can see when their food arrives that the man's shoulders visibly relax before he takes a slow slip of his milkshake.

Neil does the same and the night quickly melts into tiny jokes and laughs as they enjoy their food. He forgets about his father and his temper, forgets that he's a mob boss’ son and that he probably has a furious Riko looking for him at this very moment.

He just focuses on Andrew and the way he likes to dip his fries in the milkshake instead of using some ketchup. And when Neil admits he's never tried it, Andrew insists on it. It’s actually pretty good.

He focuses on the fact that Andrew waits until he's done chewing before carrying on conversation. They could be in the middle of talking and Andrew won't start again until every last bit is swallowed. It's kind of sweet.

And Neil focuses on the way that Andrew is just Andrew.

"Did you get enough to eat?"

"I've probably eaten more tonight than what I normally eat in a day," Neil admits. "I get busy and forget to eat."

"That's no good. You should be making sure you have enough to eat during the day," Andrew lectures. "Keep up your strength."

"I'll remember that."

They both slide out of the booth and Andrew makes a line for the door.

"Don't we have to pay?" Neil looks back at the crowd but no one seems to be looking at then suspiciously.

"I already took care of it." He shrugs. "I know the owner."

Neil eyes him warily but decides not to push. The night is still young and he doesn't want to ruin it by saying anything stupid.

"Thanks for taking me out tonight. It's exactly what I needed."

"Good. Take care of yourself. No more running into...doors."

The want to tell Andrew everything is strong. There's no reason why he should be keeping secrets, but he can't bring himself to speak. He needs to wait until there's a right time.

Which will be never.

Instead he chooses to walk along Andrew's side, keeping his mouth shut. He can hear more music playing softly down the street, but it sounds like someone who has just placed themselves there for the time being.

Neil still pauses to listen. A few extra minutes with Andrew can’t hurt.

“Care for another dance?” Andrew asks, holding out a hand. “I still need to redeem myself from last time.”

“I don’t think there’s enough time for a dance.”

He takes Andrew’s hand anyways, letting the man pull him close. The hand placed on the middle of his back is like a steady weight against the sea of uncertainty surrounding him. He lets Andrew lead the dance as he focuses on pushing away any unwanted thoughts.

The night is beautiful. He’s dancing and smiling in the middle of a back alley with a handsome man—life is good right now.He doesn’t think it can get any better than this.

“Can I kiss you?”

Neil blinks at the words, his mind going still. What?

Andrew gently pushes Neil up against the brick wall, the soft music of the street barely audible against the raging beat of his heart. The hand holding his only drops to slide against the side of his neck, the one on his back staying as steady as before.

“Can I kiss you?” Andrew breathes. “Yes or no?”

A choice. Andrew is giving him a choice—something he hasn’t had in a long time. He doesn’t push, doesn’t ask why Neil hesitates, he just waits.

Neil should say no. He should say that this is a bad idea and tell Andrew that never seeing him again will save them both trouble in the long run, but when he looks up at the man before him he can’t.

He doesn’t want to say no. There may not be enough time in this moment for another dance, for an exchange of words, but this, this is something he can make time for. He doesn’t know when he’ll get another opportunity.

“Yes.”

The first brush of Andrew’s lips against his is a spark, the beginning of a kindling fire. He can feel it spreading as their lips slide against each other, shoving his hands in Andrew’s hair as he presses himself closer.

His body shakes at the first slide of Andrew’s tongue, his mouth opening at the silent question. It’s too much and yet not enough. He wants to be closer; wants to feel Andrew’s hands on his skin. The kiss isn’t gentle. It rides a desperate edge that has them both scrambling. With Andrew he can taste the freedom with every swipe of his tongue. He can taste a life away from his parents, away from all of these harsh responsibilities.

He can taste the promise of a normal life and that breaks him. It breaks him because that’s all he’s ever wanted. He thought he’d have to leave on his own and then a random person shows up in his life and suddenly everything has changed.

“Thank you,” Neil whispers against Andrew’s lips once they pull apart.

“For what?” The genuine confusion written on the man’s face makes Neil smile, true and radiant.

“Thank you for tonight. For the date and the kiss.”

“Come on, let’s get you home.” Andrew holds out a hand for him to take and Neil doesn’t hesitate. They walk back in comfortable silence, letting the busy street life fill the void until they reach the back alley to the bar.

“I had a good time.” Neil squeezes Andrew’s hand before he slides it out the grip.

“I did as well. Are you working tomorrow?”

“Same shift every night, except this time I really will give you a show.”

“I’m looking forward to it.” The smile that Andrew gives makes Neil weak. It’s all he can do to turn from the man on shaking knees, making his way back inside. The club is still going strong when he walks in, the beat of the music matching the beating of his heart.

“Where the fuck have you been?” Neil barely registers the sound of Riko’s voice until his fingers dig into his shoulder. The pain is enough to snap him back into reality. “Where the fuck have you been, Neil? Your father has been the tearing up the place up looking for you.” There’s a panicked edge to Riko’s voice, a bruise forming around his right eye.

“I took your advice and went out on another date. What’s wrong?”

Riko starts to drag him along as he answers, “We figured out who the Foxes are and while you were out playing make believe, your father has been screaming non-stop for your return. We’re lucky someone hasn’t been murdered yet.”

Neil doesn’t want to admit that Riko’s words sting.

“Who are they?” Neil swallows.

Riko doesn’t reply to him, just continues to drag him along until they’re in front of his father’s door. “Your father is livid right now,” Riko hisses. “Just do as he says and you’ll be fine.”

Neil straightens himself out as Riko opens the door. His father is sitting behind his desk, hands pressed together in front of his face as his eyes flash. His guards are lined up behind him, most of them with bruises starting to pepper their faces. His mother is standing near the back corner, clenching her fingers together tightly.

“Son,” his father’s voice is low and vicious. “Do you care to explain where you have been all night?”

“Conner needed me to make an alcohol trip. I know I should have taken a guard with me, but it was only a couple blocks away, but I can promise you that I was at the club all night.”

Silence. That’s all that follows his words as eyes as cold as his own search Neil’s face. Nathaniel is looking for any tells but he schools his features into stone.

“Riko.”

“Yes, sir.” Riko steps forward, sliding a couple pictures over to his father. He moves too quickly for Neil to get a glimpse at the people assembled in the photos. “It has taken us a while to figure out who the leader is since he has been in and out and keeps a low profile.”

“Names.”

“We’ll start from the bottom up, sir. Right now, we don’t know individual talents but we do know that Allison Reynolds, Aaron Minyard, Nicky Hemmick, Matt Boyd, and Dan Wilds are the Caporegimes. They all hold some kind of captain status. Renee Walker is the Consigliere. She reports to the boss when anything happens. Kevin Day is the underboss. Last but not least is Andrew Minyard. He’s the head of this group. He’s the one you’re looking for.”

Neil freezes, his stomach dropping at the mention of that name.

“Can I see the photo?” Neil asks.

Riko hesitates, looking at Nathan for approval. A nod and a flash of curiosity were his only signs of approval.

“I’m sorry,” Riko whispers and those words plus the picture slid in front of him hit him like a punch to the gut.

Neil’s breath is ripped away from him and he’s suddenly left feeling vulnerable. The man in the picture looks exactly like the man he met only a week ago. A part of him wants to deny it—wants to yell that this can’t be. The man he just spent time with looks nothing like this. He doesn’t have blonde hair, but the eyes give it away. Those beautiful hazel eyes stare right at him and he knows he can’t deny it.

The man in this picture is definitely the man he just kissed not even an hour ago.

He’s going to be sick.

“Thank you,” his voice comes out hard as he speaks around the lump forming in his throat. “If you don’t mind, father, I’m going to go to bed early tonight. I’m not feeling too well.”

His father stares at him, the corners of his mouth flicking up slightly. Neil doesn’t care if he’s figured it out. His world has been flipped upside down and he needs the time to tilt it upright again.

“You are dismissed, but don’t think we are done talking about this. Your behavior is inexcusable and there will be consequences.”

Neil bows his head before he turns and walks out of the room. His head is spinning, his stomach is in knots. He can’t believe he fell for the head of another mob. He can’t believe he’d been so stupid.

He cups his hand over his mouth as he quickens his pace. Neil barely makes it to his bathroom before he vomits, dropping to his knees as his stomach clenches. He can still feel Andrew’s lips against his, his tongue—

A fresh wave of nausea rolls through him at that thought.

“Neil—”

“Fuck off, Riko,” Neil gasps just as his stomach lurches once again. His chest heaves as he gasps for air. “You knew, didn’t you?” He flips himself against the wall, wishing that the room would just stop spinning. “You knew who Andrew was and you didn’t tell me.”

Riko kneels next to him and if Neil could move he’d deck his friend right in the face.

“When did you figure it out?”

“I had an inkling when Jeremy described him to me, but it all clicked after I saw him take you tonight.”

“And you didn’t think it would be good to tell me? Take me aside before I left so I could save myself some embarrassment?” Neil snaps. “Did you think it was funny to see Andrew dragging me along while you decided to continue your investigation?”

“No,” Riko hisses. “I should have told you from the moment I figured it out, but you were gone before I could say anything to you. Going after you would just look suspicious.” He runs his hand up and down Neil’s back as if his touch is the only thing that can soothe Neil in this moment. It does the opposite. “It’s just...you looked so happy. Never in my life have I seen you smile the way you did when Andrew texted you or showed up at the bar. I didn’t want to take that away from you.”

“You did.” Riko flinches at his words and Neil feels some satisfaction at that. “If you would have told me sooner I would have been fine.”

“That’s a lie.” Neil seethes at the matter-of-fact tone Riko uses. “You’ve fallen for him, haven’t you?”

Neil hates the way his cheeks burn—the way his heart starts to race. He stays silent, but the silence is enough of an answer for Riko.

“You know what you have to do, right? If your father finds out he will either lock you away or murder you.”

“He already knows.” Neil struggles to stand, using Riko’s shoulder as a booster. He’s exhausted and all he wants is the buzzing thoughts to stop. “He smiled at me and he let me go early. He never does that unless he’s figured something out. He’s going to want to talk to me tomorrow, but I can guarantee you that I’m as good as dead.”

“Look, maybe if you have a plan ready for your father before you go in, he might just let you go with a quick beating.”

Neil turns on the faucet to rinse the acidic taste out of his mouth. When he’s done and he looks at himself in the mirror, sees his icy blues that are identical to his father’s. He has hated that fact for years and somehow it only took Andrew to make him slowly start to love that part of himself.

“I just don’t know how I couldn’t see it,” Neil whispers, more to himself than to Riko. “How didn’t I see through his charm, his god damn handsome face and how he just slipped past my defenses so easily?”

“Because you fell for him. Look, I know this is awful but you’re going to have to get over him. I don’t want to see you get hurt because of this. I can’t protect you.”

“Like you did so well the last time.” Neil pushes himself away from the sink, walking into his bedroom to get himself ready for bed. “I’m exhausted, Riko. Please leave.”

“Neil—”

“Leave.”

He turns his back on Riko and he knows the man is grappling for something to say. They’ve been furious with each other before, but they’ve never turned their back on each other. They’ve always talked it out until they could slap each other’s shoulders and call it a good day.

“Neil, I’m sorry.”

“It’s bad enough that Andrew lied to me,” Neil says as he yanks open his drawers. “But you’ve always told me everything. It would have been easier if you would have just ripped the Band-Aid off instead of letting me fall. Now leave.”

Neil doesn’t turn until he hears his door close.

He can feel his exhaustion tug at his body, but he won’t be able to fall asleep. There’s too many thoughts running through his head, all of them sounding like a swarm of angry wasps.

Most of them are saying how much of an idiot he is, that he should go find Riko and talk things out.

But there’s one thought that says he should talk to Andrew too—warn him that his cover has been blown. That’s a thought he immediately erases. Andrew dug his own grave by showing up here, he can lie in it.

Neil will tell his father everything tomorrow, he’ll receive a beating, and then he can move on with his life. They’ll murder Andrew and the rest of his mob and he won’t have to worry about anything. His life will be as normal as normal can be around here.

His phone vibrates in his pocket and without thinking he picks it up. His hearts begins to race as Andrew’s name flashes on the screen with a message notification underneath. He swallows, the sound loud against the stark quiet of his room.

He should smash his phone to pieces. It’s what his mind is telling him at least. His fingers tighten around the phone, his arm shaking with the strain.

He should do it. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t.

But he can’t.

The feel of that fire still lingers under his skin—the taste of freedom there as well. He can still feel the pressure of Andrew’s lips, can still remember how his touch made him tremble.

That had been real at least.

Andrew: I assume you made it back to your room in once piece since I haven’t heard anything back.. I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a good night.

Neil’s eyes flutter close as he slowly breathes out. He does his best to squash the blooming joy that starts to rise through him at the words.

This had never been something he could have.

He opens his contact list, pressing the call button for the one person who will be able to help him out in this situation.

“Neil?”

“Hey, Riley. Are all of your girls working tomorrow? Better yet, can I use a private room?”

“Got a special guest?”

Neil grimaces at the purr in her voice. “You could say that.”

“Anything for you, Neil. I’ll make sure to block off one for you.”

“You’re the best, Ri.”

“Don’t you forget it.”

He places his phone down on his dresser, lingering for a few seconds before he turns to lie down on his bed.

When he does fall asleep it’s definitely not peaceful.

–

Neil stands in front of his father, hands tucked behind his back while he waits for the man to do something.

This waiting game Nathaniel likes to play is the worst. He just stands there, silent, while Neil waits to see what he’ll do it.

He betrayed his father and kept his short-lived relationship a secret. There could be a million different punishments running through that head.

“Do you remember the last time you had a fling?” His father’s voice is quiet, but Neil still has the urge to flinch.

“Yes, sir.”

His father takes a step toward him.

“Did you not learn your lesson from last time?”

Another step.

“I thought I had, sir.”

A sharp, disbelieving laugh slips from his father’s lips, “You thought you had? Give me one reason right now why I shouldn’t ring your neck?”

Nathan wraps a scarred hand around his throat, giving it a harsh squeeze. Neil doesn’t react—won’t give his father the satisfaction.

“I have a plan to get Andrew to you. I can’t tell you the details of it, but for once in your life I need you to trust me,” Neil manages to say.

His father presses his throat harder, enough to make Neil’s brain start to panic.

“Trust you?” he hisses, bringing his face close to Neil’s. “You deliberately went behind my back to date the enemy and you expect me to trust you? You’re pressing your luck.”

“Andrew doesn’t know that we know who he is.” That makes Nathan pause, releasing some of the pressure on his neck and giving Neil time to breathe before his father changes his mind. “I already invited him to the bar tonight. Let me figure it out.”

The seconds feel like hours as his father thinks, those icy blues staring him down in the process. Neil doesn’t dare move or speak as the clock ticks.

“Fine,” Nathan answers, pushing Neil back. “You better bring me Andrew tonight or I won’t hesitate to kill you. Understand?”

“Yes, sir.”

He doesn’t spend a minute more in his father’s dreadful presence.

“You’re not dead. That’s a good sign,” Riko says to him in the hallway.

Neil ignores Riko, choosing instead to walk into his room. He doesn’t have time to talk. He has to figure out the rest of his almost non-existent plan, choose an outfit tonight, and try not to throw up at the thought that everything is riding on this one-shot tonight.

If he doesn’t catch Andrew tonight, his life will be over. His mother might try to stop Nathaniel from murdering him, but he’s a dead man if he can’t make this plan work.

“How long are you going to be mad at me?” Riko pouts as he nudges his way into Neil’s room. “I said I was sorry.”

Neil whirls around, pointing a finger at the man to stop him in his tracks. “You really think saying ‘I’m sorry’ in this situation is going to make everything better? It’s not.”

“Would helping you out with your plan make it a little better?” Riko holds his palms out, giving Neil his best puppy eyes. “I like having you around and your father murdering you would put a damper on my day.”

“Why should I?” Neil tugs his drawer open. He’s got to have a good outfit somewhere in this array of clothing.

“Because you don’t have a solid enough plan for tonight.”

Good point.

“Fine, but sit on the bed and don’t go anywhere else. Also, help me pick an outfit for tonight.”

And that’s how Neil distracts himself enough to not vomit. The plan is easy enough to follow. There will be a guard posted towards the back room and one at the back entrance. If Andrew tries to escape, there will be enough people to catch him. All Neil has to do is dance and invite Andrew back to his room. If he can do that then he can keep his life and move on with it.

But now their time is up and the nerves are starting to settle back in. He doesn’t know if he can do this. There’s a part of him that wants to yell that he’s over Andrew, that he didn’t have enough time to really fall for him. Then there’s the other part of him that’s calling him a liar.

Which he is. Neil fell for Andrew in such a short time that now he feels like he’s floundering.

“You look incredible, Neil,” Riko says with a grin.

He pushes his thoughts to the side. He can’t think like that now. Andrew is no longer someone he can have and that’s the way it’ll stay.

He smooths his hands down his black skinny jeans, checking over his black army boots to making sure everything looks put together. He’s only wearing an old rock bank tee that’s cut off at the arms, but Riko is right—he does look incredible.

“Do you think everything will go smoothly tonight?”

“Nothing ever goes smoothly,” Riko answers honestly. “But I think you’ll do your absolute best tonight. He won’t know what hit him after you’re done.”

Neil nods but he doesn’t quite believe those last few words.

“And Neil? Please be careful. There’s not much I can protect you from, and I know I can be a terrible friend but just be careful. I want you alive.”

He should stay mad at Riko. The man made him look like a complete fool last night, but they’ve been through so much that he can’t.

“I will. Escort me down there?”

“It would be my honor.” Riko holds out his elbow which Neil gladly takes. He needs something to grab on to before his nerve take over.

Each step seems like a gunshot to his ears, making his head spin and his ears ring. He’s done countless missions, ones that were tougher than this, so why is he starting to lose his composure?

He’s Neil Josten. He can do this in his sleep.

The doors open and the beat of the music floods his senses. He takes a deep breath.

He can do this.

Neil lets Riko guide him to the back room where he knows that Andrew will be waiting. He texted Andrew after the call with Riley, telling him where to go and where to sit to enjoy the show.

He can do this.

Riko stops in front of the door, turning to face Neil fully. “Are you ready?”

“You’re here. Of course I’m ready.”

He takes one last deep breath, closing his eyes to get himself lost in the music for only a couple seconds. Just enough to get his head in the right place.

He enters the room, watching Andrew below hooded lashes. He’s told Riley the exact song he wants played and he wastes no time in moving his hips to the beat. There’s a pole in the center of the room that he can use, but the sooner he gets this over with the sooner he can get on with everything in his life.

Besides, Andrew had wanted a show, and it’s the least he can do for him tonight. It’ll be like his going away present.

“You waste no time,” Andrew muses, crossing one leg over the other. “What’s your hurry?”

“No hurry. Just giving you a show.”

He bends himself over, gripping the sides of the chair as he drops down only to arch his back when he rolls his stomach. Neil holds Andrew’s stare through the whole thing, his stomach clenching with that wonderful warmth when those hazel eyes turn molten.

He’d been a fool to think he could get over Andrew quickly. He can still remember everything about the kiss—how it made him feel. He wants to feel that again.

He lets go of the chair to grip Andrew’s thighs, leaning forward until their lips are barely touching. His grip tightens as he fights with himself to stick with the plan.

“Why did you have to come into my life?” Neil whimpers. He doesn’t care if he sounds pathetic. The time for caring passed long ago.

Andrew grips the back of his neck, pressing just enough for Neil to keep still. He stares down at those hazel eyes, trying his best to show no fear even as his breathing staggers.

“I think you know why,” Andrew drawls, not an ounce of emotion crosses his face. It’s a complete 180 from the man he’s seen these past weeks. “I know who you are, Neil. I know everything about you, but it’s not like you’re hard to read.”

“Fuck you,” Neil hisses.

“Is that how you talk to your potential savior?”

“What are you talking about?” Neil can’t breathe. Too many emotions threaten to choke him. Anger, rage, sadness—all threaten to consume him.

“There are two ways this can go, Neil. You can either come with me and be a part of my group, or I can throw you back to the wolves where you can spend your time being a punching bag for your father while acting as our spy.”

“My father will come after you if I go with you. Even if I come willingly.” And Neil wants to. So much that his chest aches with the thought of some kind of freedom.

“You have my word that you will have protection at all times.”

“That won’t be enough.”

“No, but it’ll be just enough for you.”

Neil wants to scream at this man. Wants to yell out ‘fuck you’ and punch him until he’s a bloody mess on the floor, but this man is offering him freedom. He’s offering him a chance to be himself and that’s all he could ever ask for.

“Tick-tock, Neil. What’s your decision?”

The grip on his neck loosens and Neil slides to his knees, letting his mask crack just enough to show Andrew all of the emotions running through him. His emotions are a tsunami that threaten to sweep him away if he’s not careful.

“Can I ask you a question?” his voice is soft, barely audible against the silence of the room.

“Of course.”

“Did it mean anything to you? Did the texts, the dates, the kiss mean anything to you?” He sounds like such a love sick puppy, but he needs to know.

“Yes.”

The quick answer catches Neil off guard. It creates a million questions in his mind that demand to be answered, but the cold touch of Andrew’s finger under his chin silences them immediately.

“Nothing about the time I’ve spent with you has been fake. I wouldn’t have wasted my time if it were.”

“Then—”

“I’ll answer your questions later. Will you or won’t you join me?”

“I’ll join you.” Andrew almost looks relieved at his answer. “But how are we going to get out of here? My father has this place surrounded.”

“My team has been working on that. We’ll have a safe passage if we leave now.”

Andrew holds out a hand and Neil hesitates. He looks behind him, at the door that Riko is guarding, and wonders what the man will think—what he’ll do when he learns Neil has gone missing.

‘For once in your life, choose happiness.’

The words pop up in his head, loud and clear as he grips Andrew’s hand. For once in his life he’s going to choose his own happiness over the future of his father’s mob. He’s trading in his shackled life for a better one and that’s all that matters at this moment.

“There’s a door in the back that leads to the alley. Will your mob be waiting for us?”

“Yes.” Another sure and quick answer.

“Then let’s go.”

End Part 1

#all for the game #andriel #tfc #sadiewritesthings #fanfic #andrew minyard #neil josten #riko moriyama

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onceuponahedafics · 7 years ago

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Title: 365 Ways Author: OnceUponAHeda Pairing: Waverly/Nicole Rating: T Disclaimer: All copyrighted material in this story belongs to their respectful owners.

Summary: Au! Newly engaged Waverly Earp meets Nicole Haught and sparks fly instantly between the two. Now with Waverly's wedding exactly one year away it gives Nicole 365 days to proof to Waverly that she is making a mistake by marrying Champ. WayHaught

A/N- Hey guys, so I have been working on this story for about a year but I never found an OTP that worked for me in this story and then I discovered the wonder that is WayHaught. All of the important people will be making an appearance and also a lot of OC characters. So hope you guys enjoy!

Chapter 1 - Just Another Day

Black boots are resting carelessly on top the wooden desk when a white square box lands next to them.

"Happy birthday Earp." Xavier smiles down at his partner as she grabs the box pulling out a doughnut.

"Powdered sugar hells yes." Taking a bit she lets out a loud moan. "Damn that's good. Thanks Dolls."

"Anything for my partner." He says ruffling her hair making Wynonna punch him in the side. He just chuckles before taking a seat at his desk across from her. "How are you going to celebrate turning the big two seven?" He mockingly says making Wynonna flip him off with her powdered sugar covered finger.

"Your older them me dimwit. But to answer your question - alcohol and lots of it."

"So just another Tuesday then." He smirks at her.

"Pretty much." She shrugs. "Wave has been bugging me about going to that hot shot club Purgatory but that place is harder to get into then a nun's panties."

"Purgatory yeah I know it, pretty cool place." He starts flipping through the files on his desk but stops to look back up at her. "Hey, if I could get us in would you want to go?"

"And how exactly are you going to get us in, flash the bouncer?"

"No, I know the owner I helped him out a while back and he owes me."

"Okay then, I'll let the gang know the party has been relocated." She watches as he looks down at his phone before smiling and shaking his head. "What up?"

"My sister recently moved back and she is getting reacquainted with the wonderful Atlanta traffic."

Wynonna sits up abruptly dropping her feet to the ground.

"Hold up, you're telling me this allusive sister of yours is here in Atlanta and you haven't introduced us yet?"

"I didn't know that you wanted to meet her." He says confused.

"Hell yes I want to meet her!" She slams her hand down on the desk making her pencil holder fall over. "You're always talking about Nicky is so awesome, Nicky is so cool, Nicky this Nicky that blah blah blah. So yes I want to meet her and see if she lives up to all the hype."

"Fine, whatever." He rubs his hands over his face exasperated. "How about I bring her along tonight?"

"Okay." Happy about her victory she leans back in her chair grabbing another doughnut.

"Great, can we get to work now?" He throws a folder at her.

"If we must." She flips open the folder, looking at the latest idiot who thought it was a good idea to skip bail. "These scumbags are not going to catch themselves."

-x-x-

After pulling on her blazer and adjusting the sleeves she starts running her fingers through her red hair trying to tame the wild curls.

"What's got you all freaked out?" Her brother asks leaning against the doorframe.

"I'm not."

"I haven't seen you fiddle with your hair this much since you woke up with that nasty piece of gum in it."

She drops her arms looking herself over once more in the full length mirror.

"I just want them to like me."

"Who, Xavier's friends?" He asks and Nicole nods. "Why would you care what they think?"

"They are his best friends I just need them to like me."

"And you think if they don't like you he will choose them over you?" He pushes off the doorframe and walks closer to her.

"Well, yes."

"Nicky-"

"Keogan I'm serious." She spins around to face him. "I have been MIA since graduation, they have been here with him while I was on the other side of the world. I don't want to lose my big brother because I was an idiot."

Keogan wraps her up his strong arms and she rests her head on his chest. He knows Xavier and Nicole have always had a special bond growing up. Pulling back so he can look her in her tear-filled eyes.

"Okay first off Xavier loves you and there is no way you can lose him even if you tried. He would fight the world for you. Sure, you haven't been around but he understands that you needed to get away and do your own thing to become this amazing person that you are. He is so proud of you Nicky, we all are. And secondly these new friends of his are going to adore you plus your sexy..." He wiggles his eyebrows at her making her laugh. "...and you do remember who the hell you are right? They would be idiots not to like you."

"Thank you." She lays her head back down on his chest. "I missed you Keo."

"I missed you to little sis." He drops a kiss on her head before stepping back. "Now you need to get out of here so we can start our guys night without you looking over our shoulders the whole time."

"Are you sure you are going to be okay alone?"

"Yes!" He turns her around starting to move her towards the door. "Besides Zadin is here, so you know there is at least responsible person here even if he is just 14. Now go have fun!"

-x-x-

Wynonna drops down on the stool next to Xavier and Doc taking shot from Xavier's hand and throwing it back.

"Hey thatâ€¦ was mine." He just sighs and signals the bartender to bring him another.

The club is packed full and the music pumping. Everyone is having fun celebrating Wynonna's birthday.

Waverly comes skipping over dropping down in her sister's lap with the others following her to the bar.

"Having fun baby girl?"

"Yes! Dolls your amazeballs for getting us in here." She pinches his cheek and he swats her hand away.

"Yeah, who knew old Dolls here had actual useful connections?" Eliza says taking a seat next to the man.

"I'll remember that next time you come to me with that big old puppy dog eyes needing a favour."

"So, where is this sister of yours?" Doc asks sipping on his drink.

"Yes, I want to meet her." Jeremy says way to excited, clearly the alcohol already starting to affect him.

"She actually just texted me she's outside, ah there she is." He points over to the door with the glass in his hand.

Everyone whips their head around to catch the first glimpse of the big man's sister.

"Holy shit." Wynonna whispers.

Waverly can hear the clank her jaw makes when it hits the floor. This is nothing like the shy nerdy girl Dolls described to them. This woman screamed confidence and drop dead gorgeous.

Wearing grey Vans, tight black jeans, a white tanktop under a black blazer with the faux leather sleeves pushed up to her elbows to reveal her strong tattooed arms and her short red hair framing her face perfectly. Waverly shivers as she watches the woman walk closer to them smiling her dimpled smile at her brother making her brown eyes sparkle in the flashing neon lights.

"Nicky." Xavier walks closer her pulling her into a big hug and lifting her off of the floor.

"Wow, easy there tiger." Placing her back on the ground her moves her over to his friends.

"Everyone this is my sister Nicole Haught, and these are my friends Eliza, Jeremy, Wynonna, Waverly, Rosita and John but we just call him Doc."

Nicole smiles politely at everyone, her eyes lingering a little longer on Waverly, making the young Earp blush.

"Its nice to meet you all. Oh and happy birthday Wynonna."

"I have to admit it with the way Dolls talks about you I expected a lot more Doogie Howser and a lot less tattoos." Wynonna says waving at the redhead's appearance.

Nicole laughs.

"Yeah I was kind of a nerd in school, but a lot changed after graduation."

"I'll drink to that!" Wynonna downs another shot. "Now that everyone is here let's get this party started." She makes her way back out onto the dance floor dragging everyone with her to the dance floor.

Xavier just shrugs throwing his arm around his sister's shoulders before joining the others on the dance floor.

-x-x-

Everyone is having a great time dancing, drinking and grindingâ€¦ a lot of grinding going on. Waverly makes her way through the moving bodies until she finally reaching the bar. She flags down the bartender getting her a bottle of water, the alcohol has been flowing all night, by the birthday girl's insistence, Waverly thankfully wasn't drunk yet but had just a nice buzz going. After drinking half of the bottle she feels a presence next to her, turning her head she finds Nicole leaning against the bar next to her.

"Waverly Earp, sister of the birthday girl."

"That's me."

"Your sister is..." Nicole trails off.

"Crazy?" Waverly provides.

"Interesting." Nicole instead says making them both laugh.

"Yeah she is something all right. I always think someone needs to give Dolls a prize for not murdering her."

"He's a saint alright, hey can I ask you why do call Xavier Dolls?" Nicole has been burning to ask the question all night.

Waverly giggles.

"Oh that one is all Wynonna. They just started to worked together when Wynonna found out about Xavier's action figure collection and so Dolls was born."

"What I wouldn't give to have known that nickname when we were growing up." Nicole says wishfully taking a sip of her drink.

"You guys fight a lot?"

"All the time. I was adopted by our parents when I was 12 so being a hormonal teenage girl with 3 brothers made for some wild fights, but trust me I could stand my own between all that testosterone." She says proudly grinning at Waverly.

"You have 3 brothers?"

"Yes, Xavier is the oldest. Then there is Keogan, he is 2 years older than me and his is musician, his band is actually pretty good. Zadin id the baby he is 14 and a real little computer nerd." Nicole says fondly, Waverly can clearly see the love she has for her brothers shining in her eyes. "How about you, is it just you and Wynonna?"

"Uh, no we have an older sister Willa but we haven't seen her in some time." Waverly looks at the water bottle in her hand not making eye contact.

"Oh," Is all Nicole can say, somehow she has stumbled upon a taboo subject.

"So, Dolls says you're a chef?" Waverly says after a moment.

"Yes." Nicole quickly jumps at the change of subject. "Yes, I am a chef."

"Is that why you moved back to Atlanta?" Nicole nods.

"I had a great opportunity come up and I couldn't say no."

"That's great. Does this mean I will get to taste your culinary genius anytime soon?"

"That depends."

"Depends on what?"

Nicole leans closer like she is about reveal a big secret.

"Depends if you'll be staying for dessert."

Nicole can see the instant her words registers in the young Earp's mind by the bright pink colour that covers her cheeks. Nicole internally smirks but decides to take mercy on the girl.

"What about you, you a bounty hunter like your sister and Xavier?"

"Oh no, to much ruff housing for me. I'm a student, history major."

"Wow, so I take it you're the brains in the family then?" Waverly giggles and Nicole swoons at the sound.

Before they know it they have moved to a table in the far corner of the club where both of them are laughing as they talk, getting to learn more about each other and just enjoying the other woman's company.

"My boyfriend Champ travels a lot. His dad owns this big international company and with Champ in line to succeed him he is constantly sending him on business trips all over the world."

"That must suck him being away so often."

Waverly just shrugs playing whit her water bottle.

"Excuse me." They both look over to see a tall blonde woman standing next to there table. "I don't mean to interrupt but I just wanted to know if you maybe want to dance?" She asks holding her hand out to Nicole.

Nicole looks to Waverly and she quickly waves it off telling her she should go dance.

"Sure, I would love to." She takes the blonde's hand letting herself be let away. Glancing over her shoulder she sees Waverly watching her with a frown before giving her a small smile when she locks onto brown eyes.

-x-x-

By the end of the night Dolls is helping Eliza into the back of the taxi, Jeremy is already passed out against the other side's window with Rosita snuggled up against him. When Eliza is finally safely inside Doc walks up to them.

"I'll get these two home if you can take care if those two?" He motions to where Wynonna is clinging onto Waverly to stay up right.

"Thanks Doc." He pats him on the back before making his way over to them.

"How did you guys get here?" Nicole asks.

"I'll just call us another taxi." Xavier says already pulling out his phone.

"Don't do that, my car is just down the street I'll just take everyone home."

"But-" Waverly wants to protest but Nicole quickly sooths her worries.

"Its okay, I didn't drink anything only sodas."

"Okay." Waverly agrees.

They follow Nicole down the street to where her car is parked, Dolls practically having to carry Wynonna.

"Holy cheese balls that's your car?!" Wynonna freaks out. "No wonder you got all those girls grinding all up on you."

"That's not..." She looks at Waverly who just raises an eyebrow at her. "There's no girls."

"So I take it being chef pays well?" Waverly asks buckling into the passenger seat, Dolls having taken the back with Wynonna.

"I do okay."

Dolls open the back window thinking maybe some fresh air will help sober up the older Earp a little.

"Yoh ginger ninja put some music on." Wynonna all but yells in Nicole's ear as she dives in between the redhead and her sister making the two in front of the car jump as Wynonna starts to fiddle with the music controls.

Flipping from one song to the next until she comes across Nickelback's Must Be Nice.

"I love this song!" Wynonna squeals as she tries to turn up the volume but Dolls pulls her back to the back of the car.

"Of course you do." An amused Nicole turns the volume up for the over excited birthday girl.

Wynonna starts to sing along really loud and off tune with her over exaggerated hand gestures and impromptu air guitars making the others in the car laugh.

"Oh no you don't." Dolls quickly grabs her around the waist as she sticks her head out of the window singing at the top of her lungs.

Nicole looked at Waverly who is smiling at her, she looks up making eye contact with Xavier in the mirror before looking back at Waverly a large smile breaking out on her face. When the chorus starts again she and Waverly joins Wynonna in her crazy singing. Xavier just rolls his eyes at the girls, maybe he should have traded with Doc.

Pulling up to the apartment building Waverly navigated her to Nicole turns off the engine.

"Okay Earp time to get you into bed." Xavier tries to manoeuvre the semi conscious woman.

"Damn Dolls, at least buy a girl dinner first." She slurs.

"You'd be so lucky Earp." They hear him say as he finally gets her out of the car. They watch Wynonna fight against Dolls helping her stay up right until he finally had enough and just throws her over his shoulder carrying her towards the building.

"Thank you for the ride Nicole."

"You are very welcome." Waverly smiles that adorable smile at Nicole making swoon at the sight.

"It was really nice to meet you. Hopefully I will get to see you again soon."

"Yeah, me too." She takes a hold of the door handle. "Good night Nicole."

"Good night Waverly Earp." With that Waverly exits the car, turning around to wave at the chef before going into the building.

Inside the apartment she makes sure Wynonna is okay on the couch where Dolls placed her. She pulls a blanket over her sister and moves a bucket next to her head, and a bottle of water and pain killers on the table next to her.

She finally makes her way into her bedroom kicking off her shoes freeing her aching feet. After going to the bathroom and changing into her sleepwear she climbs into bed. A strong arm wraps around her waist and rough lips kiss her shoulder.

"Have fun with your friends?" Champ's sleepy voice asks.

"Yes, it was awesome. We got to meet Dolls sister." Waverly smiles at the memory of the redhead.

"Great." He mumbles already half asleep.

Yes tonight was great, Waverly thinks to herself before she drifts off.

-x-x-

Nicole opens the door to her apartment with Xavier close behind her. When she steps inside she can't help but smile at the sight in front of her. Angelo and Zuko are sprawled out on the couch fast asleep, Amos is on the floor leaning against the couch sleeping with the game controller still his hand. Zadin being the only one still awake sitting in front of the large TV engrossed in the game he is playing. Keogan is passed out in the love seat with a sleeping Luca snuggled up to his chest.

"Keogan." Nicole whispers kneeling down next to her brother.

"Hey sis." He says his blinking open.

"Looks like you guys had fun." She looks around at the mess they created of her apartment.

"Yes, some serious male bonding."

"I'm sure. But it's time for this little male to go to bed." She says lifting the sleeping 11 month old out of Keogan's arms. "Thanks again for watching him."

"No problem, I love spending time with my little nephew." He gets up from the chair looking at the rest of his band members all in different stages of awake. "Okay you hobos time to head out."

"You guys can stay at my place if you want?" Dolls offers standing at the door with Zadin next to him ready to go.

They all quickly agree and head across the hall to Xavier's apartment.

"Xavier." Nicole calls before he can close the door, when his head pops back in she continues. "Thanks for tonight, I needed that."

He just winks at her, before closing the door with one last goodnight.

Looking around at the now quiet apartment, she starts to make her way down the hall. Walking into the room guided by the soft light of the nightlight she carefully manoeuvres the sleeping boy onto the changing table to quickly change his diaper before she places him in his crib. She pulls his little blanket over his body and places his stuffed giraffe, that is almost bigger than him, next to him where he can easily find it. She watches as his tiny belly moves with every breath and his eyelashes flutter. Moving little strands of brown hair out of the way she bends down placing a kiss on his forehead.

"Sleep tight little man." She whispers.

Turning on the baby monitor she leaves the room. Knowing that she still riding the adrenaline from her night out and sleep was not going to be possible right now she instead heads to the kitchen. The fancy top of the line kitchen equipment shining brightly when she flips on the light. She starts pulling out ingredients she will need to create her midnight snack.

-x-x-

The next morning Waverly finds Wynonna sprawled out the couch still recovering from the previous night. Waverly nudges her feet off the couch so she can sit down.

"How are we feeling this fine sunshine morning?"

"Ugh, like death threw up on me." Wynonna mumbles throwing her arm over her eyes to shield out the bright light.

"I'm glad you at least enjoyed your party."

"Hey, sorry about ditching you."

"It was your party you weren't suppose to be worrying about me. Besides I wasn't alone all night I ended up talking to Nicole."

"Dolls sister?" Wynonna drops her arms so she can look at her sister.

"Yeah, turns out she is pretty great."

"You just spent the night drinking with a woman you just met?"

"No, we didn't even drink we just talked and got to know each other." Waverly says sipping from her cup of overly sweet coffee.

"Hold on, what?" Wynonna asks sitting up, still looking completely confuse. Waverly takes her sister by her shoulder looking her in the eye.

"While you drunk yourself stupid I made a friend." She explains.

"So, this Nicole is interesting enough to keep you talking into the morning hours?" Wynonna asks taking the water bottle and pain killers from the table.

"She is not what I expected." Waverly says with a shrug hiding her smile behind her cup.

-x-x-

At noon Nicole makes her way over to the apartment across the hall. She is balancing Luca on her hip and a death grip on the takeout bag in her free hand. After knocking she hears a thump before Xavier opens the door drenched in sweat as he was clearly busy working out. He whips his hands and face on the towel before motioning for his sister to come in, as she walks past him he takes the little boy from her arms. Luca sequels as Xavier blow a raspberry on his tummy.

"Luca my main man, did you have fun with uncle Keogan and Zadin last night?" He asks walking further into the apartment.

"I brought food." Nicole places the brown paper bag on the kitchen counter.

Xavier walks into the living room placing Luca down next to his toy box that has found permanent residency in the living room. He instantly starts pulling toys out to play with, well mostly chew on.

"What did you get?" He asks as he opens the bag.

"Greasy cheese burger and fries."

"Ah, you spoil me." He says taking out a couple of fries and popping them in his mouth.

Nicole grabs an apple before hopping onto the counter opposite her brother.

"You not hungry?"

"Unlike you my dear brother I rather not flood my system with grease." She emphasises her point by taking a bite out of the apple, Xavier just sticks out his tongue at her showing her his half chewed up bite of burger. "Nice, now I see where my son learned that."

"I'm his uncle I'm suppose to teach him valuable life skills right Luca?"

The boy just lets out a string of garbled noises in conformation making the two adults laugh.

"So, looks like you and Waverly Earp hit it off last night." He says waving a fry in the air, Nicole just looks down at her half eaten apple trying to hide her blush.

"Yeah she is pretty great."

"Great enough to get you to let loose a little."

"You say that like I never do anything fun."

"Oh your bucket of fun when your with little man over there. But ever since you got pregnant it's like you're afraid to do anything remotely fun."

"I have responsibilities now Xavier I can't just go out partying every night I need to think of Luca first."

"I know that and you're an amazing mom, but I think you need to have some time where you are not mommy Nicole or chef Nicole but just Nicole."

"It's just hard you know." She says in a small voice not being able to stop from looking over where her son is happily playing.

Xavier walks over to the chef wanting to pull her into a hug but she stops him before he can get to close.

"No way, your all sweaty and gross."

Xavier just laughs before walking back to his meal.

"What did you and Waverly get up to last night?"

"Nothing much, we just talke... a lot. I can't explain it, I just never felt such a strong connection with someone before. It was like we have known each other for years and not just a few hours. I could spend hours talking to her and never get bored. She is just so smart and funny and-"

"In a relationship." Xavier cuts in.

"I know." Nicole looks down at her apple suddenly not hungry anymore.

"But you wish she wasn't." Nicole slowly lifts her eyes to look at her brother and nods. "Hey I get it, Waverly is really great and she is hot, really hot."

"Your point?" She asks throwing the apple in the trash.

"I can see why you would be drawn to her, but she can't offer you anything more than friendship."

"I'm not an idiot Xavier I know that." She says starting to get annoyed.

"I just don't want to watch you fall for the girl you can't have and have your heart broken." He says sincerely.

"Like you said she is hot so of course I'm attracted to her but it doesn't mean I will ever act on it. Maybe your right, I just need to get out more."

"You need to get laid."

"Hey!" She punches him on his arm. "Kid in the room."

"It's not like he knows what I'm talking about."

"Still, his mind is like a little sponge I rather him not hear things he shouldn't be repeating."

Xavier snort.

"Oh can you just imagine mom's face if she hears her precious little angel say that." Nicole joins in laughing as well. "But it still doesn't mean it's not true."

"Yeah yeah."

-x-x

It's Friday night and Waverly is in her best dress. Champ had decided they were going to go out with their families tonight to some fancy restaurant that just opened up recently called Polo. Wynonna almost jumped through the roof when she found out where they were going, apparently the head chef is some big shot who have worked in all of the best restaurants across the world and Wynonna being the self proclaimed food guru was basically vibrating in excitement about being able to eat there.

Gus and Curtis were already waiting at the restaurant with Champ's parents when they arrived.

"You ready babe?" Champ asks taking of his seatbelt, Wynonna being the first out of the car.

Waverly just gives him a fake smile and nods.

"Good evening and welcome to Polo." The hostess greats them.

"We have reservations under Hardy."

"Ah yes the rest of your party have already arrived, if you would follow me I will show you to your table."

The follow the woman in her expensive black dress, Waverly is still a little taken back by the beautiful place but then she sees her uncle Curtis waving at them and instantly feels more relaxed at his warm smile. Champ is immediately pulled into a business conversation with his father while the Earp girls get settled.

"How cool is this place?" Wynonna asks sitting down next to Gus as she looks around like a kid in a candy store. Gus looks at Waverly with a raised eyebrow.

"She has been like this the whole way over here, apparently the head chef is like her spirit animal or something." Waverly explains.

"Hello everyone I'm Katherine and I will be your server tonight."

Dale, Champ's father, orders a bottle of wine for the table and Katherine quickly runs off to get it.

"This menu looks amazing, Champ I hope you are ready to swipe that credit card until the plastic burns." Wynonna says as her eyes dart across the menu items.

"I'm not going to believe I'm saying this but I agree with Wynonna everything looks delicious." Gus says.

"Yes, we have been here before and I have to say their food is rather exquisite." Mary Hardy comments as her husband and son are still talking amongst themselves.

Katherine comes back with the wine poring everyone a glass.

"Is everyone ready to order?"

Everyone places their order and Katherine leaves again.

Dale nods at Champ and he clears his throat getting everyone's attention.

"Um, now that everyone is here there is something I would like to say." He turns in his chair to face his girlfriend. "Waverly, these last two years with you have been awesome and I think it's time we take this relationship to the next level." Kneeling down next to her chair he pulls out a little blue box. "Waverly Earp, will you marry me?"

Waverly stares wide eyed at the big diamond ring, looking up at everyone at the table seeing their faces in a range of different emotions. Looking back down at Champ's goofy smile she swallows before answering.

"Yes."

The people at the table cheer as he slips the ring onto her finger, getting up he pulls her into a heated kiss. Sitting back down Dale pats him on the back in congratulations. Waverly is still looking in shock down at the ring on her finger when she is suddenly pulled into frenzy of hugs.

Katherine congratulates them as well when she comes over with their starters. The rest of the meal consists mostly out of wedding talk, while Waverly is still processing what just happened. By the time dessert is ordered Gus and Mary have already pulled out a notebook to start making wedding arrangement, those two working together that should get interesting Waverly thinks to herself.

"Gotta pee." Wynonna suddenly says before running off.

As desert is being served the head chef comes out to great some of the guests, making her way around the room until she gets to their table.

"I hear congratulations are in order." Waverly's head snaps up at the familiar voice.

"Chef Haught the meal was fantastic as expected." Dale says shaking the woman's hand.

"Thank you sir but please call me-"

"Nicole." The chef's eyes snaps up to her and Waverly can see the surprise in her eyes.

"Waverly." She breaths out making the young Earp smile even bigger. Waverly feels Champ place his arm on the back of her chair and clearly Nicole sees it as well, she shakes her head clearing her thoughts. "You're the couple who got engaged?"

Waverly holds up her left hand with an unsure smile.

"Congratulations." She almost forces out. "Please enjoy a bottle of champagne on us."

"That's very kind of you." Curtis says, and Nicole just gives him a polite smile.

"Body art, what are you doing here?" Nicole spins around to see a confused Wynonna, her eyes look lock on the redhead's black chef jacket. "Holy Gordon Ramsey you're the head chef here."

"That I am."

"I'm totally going to kick Dolls ass tomorrow for keeping this from me."

"Wait you guys know each other?" Gus asks pointing between the three girls.

"Nicole is Dolls little sister." Waverly explains and Gus nods.

"I hope you have a pleasant evening, but I must get back to the kitchen." With one last smile Nicole is gone.

"Can you believe Dolls didn't tell us she is the head chef here?" Wynonna asks sitting back down and taking a bite of her dessert. "Oh wow, that woman is a food wizard if I was him I'd be the size of a house."

Waverly just nods still looking in the direction the chef just fled. When Champ kisses her cheek she snaps back and smiles at him before rejoining the table conversation.

On their way out of the restaurant Waverly stops when she hears someone calling her name. Turning around she sees Nicole walking up to her.

"Hey." The chef says when she stops in front of her with a smile.

"The food was absolutely amazing."

"Great I'm glad you enjoyed it." She pulls a small silver box from behind her back. "I just wanted to give you this."

Waverly takes it carefully like it might break at any second.

"What is it?"

"Just a little 'congratulations on getting engaged' gift." Nicole says like its no big deal.

"Thanks." Nicole gives her a smile before pointing over her shoulder

"I better get back."

"Okay, thanks for this." She motions to the box.

"You're very welcome Waverly Earp." With that she rushes off back to the kitchen.

Waverly cradles the box against her as she walks out to where Champ is waiting for her.

#wynonna earp #wayhaught #wayverly earp #nicole haught #fanfiction #fanfic #wayhaught fanfic #fic #romance #humor #chapter 1 #365 ways #onceuponaheda

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