#it's still day 1 in 3/4 of the US so we're fine

[ricky-mortis]

Hatchetfield @femslashfortnight Day 1: Make It Sapphic AU

[twilightofthesandwiches]

The interesting thing is…. from the glimpses of SOUL-less Kris we saw in Chapter 1 + 2, it was notable how…. strangely they seemed to move. We saw them walking with a sort of zombie-like gait that maybe implied they weren’t in full control of their body still, or maybe just that they were in immense pain.

It led to a lot of people speculating that Kris does need a SOUL to some level. Maybe the SOUL is Kris’ but we’re a foreign entity that has taken it over, or that Kris’ original actual SOUL has been removed and replaced with us. If Kris needed the SOUL to live, that would explain their slow, deliberate movements and also why they keep putting us back inside despite clearly hating being under our control.

So now, with Chapter 4 giving us a much better glimpse of SOUL-less Kris doing stuff… it’s notable that they seem… fully capable of moving ‘normally’. Angrily, but normally.

Even when they do the whole Creepy Zombie Walk thing they are notably faster than they seemed to be in Chapters 1 + 2

They can do things that require fine motor skills, focus and swiftness like playing the piano, handling glasses, and beating the shit out of us with a hockey stick and it's all animated as smoothly as most other Deltarune Animations. Not really implying effort or stiffness the way that original Creepy Zombie Walk animation did.

And while Susie only gets a brief moment to interact with SOUL-less Kris in the Normal Route

Noelle has prolonged interactions with them in the Weird Route (both on-screen in Chapter 4 and off-screen in-between Chapters 2 and 3) and... while she does note that they sounded 'weak and shaky' and obviously their behavior seems weird on account of the whole 'traumatized by the Unkillable Evil Time-Demon only they can see" thing

... There's nothing to really indicate that there's anything outright unnatural or 'zombie-like' about the way Kris moves and interacts with her while SOUL-less. Since this is the Weird Route, Noelle even note this is the most natural and Kris-like they've acted in the last few days.... until we take over again.

And now we know they can go without the SOUL for a fairly prolonged period of time. The Ominous Phone Voice of Probably Carol does tells them they need the SOUL, it seems unclear why.

So… what that means for SOUL-less Kris’ behavior before? It’s possible that even if Kris can operate without a SOUL, it still hurts like hell. So right after tearing out the SOUL they are in Maximum Pain and it's hard to ignore, causing them to move in a struggling and slow manner. But the more they go without it, they kinda get used to it and the pain fades into the background - allowing them to do stuff more-or-less normally.

(Basically Kris has Chronic Pain but the only Painkiller that works for them is Demonic Possession)

…Or, knowing Kris, maybe this… was all an act. They were only behaving like This because they knew we were watching. It is pretty notable that they walk around normally in the Holidays' Kitchen while we're eavesdropping on them and only swap to the Creepy Walk Animation once they notice us....

Maybe this is an act, either to make us underestimate the things Kris could do SOUL-less… or because they’re a little teen Edgelord so they just enjoy playing up the whole Soulless Zombie thing when they have a chance.

[fruitfulsommed]

✦ sending a quiz to all the boys i've loved before

SYNOPSIS: sending out a quiz to all the crushes you've had in the past (yes, like that youtube trend :p) this is basically just their answers

pairings — gojo satoru x reader, geto suguru x reader, choso kamo x reader, nanami kento x reader, toji fushiguro x reader, sukuna ryomen x reader [SEPERATE]

WARNINGS: nothing, this is fluff. reader is a little extroverted

NOTES: some of these crushes take place in high-school but all characters are adults <3 i came up with this idea after watching the debsmikle vid, heavily inspired by it. (ily deb 😛)

mha ver.

★ — 𝕲𝖔𝖏𝖔 𝕾𝖆𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖚

nicknames: giggles

backstory: timeline (high-school 1st year)

his nickname is giggles because he's one of the funniest people you've ever met. whenever you were around him you found yourself giggling.

what is your name?

gojo satoru 😎

did you know that i liked you..?

☐ yes 🙄

✅ no 😳

☐ kinda 🧍‍♂️

☐ it was obvious 💀

☐ other

*space to type here...*

if you knew that i liked you, how were you able to tell (details plz)

you always bullied me so i never knew. but i shoulda known no one can resist my charm 🥱

did you ever like me?

☐ yes

☐ no

✅ kinda 🤭

☐ rather not say.. mind your business.

☐ other

rate my physical attractiveness

✅ GIMME DAT DEBUSSY ‼️‼️😛😛🥵

☐ you're sexy

☐ cute

☐ not my type but you're cool 🤝

☐ other

rate my personality

trash *throws tomato*🍅 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 {✅9} 10 - the coolest evaa 😎

first impressions of me? 🦦

i don't remember when we first met but i thought you were cool

distinct memory with me?

hanging out in 1st year during that leadership thingy and i was just there for some reason and we chilled all day at the school and literally laughed the entire day cuz we're probably the two funniest people that school has seen in an a LONG time. and you freestyled while i was making you laugh from the side. great day.

something you don't like about me/something that annoys you about me?

you were mean somtimes.. 🥺

how awkward was this?

✅ not awkward at all 🤨

☐ i don't care🥱

☐ not my favourite

☐ don't ever make me do this again or i'll break you

any last words..?

i'm still hot incase you were wondering. 🤭

★ — 𝕲𝖊𝖙𝖔 𝕾𝖚𝖌𝖚𝖗𝖚

nicknames: senor guapo

backstory: timeline (college 1st year)

his name is senor guapo because... it's obvious i mean come on. you've never spoken to this man but he's so fine.. the crush was inevitable. you chickened out whenever you were in a group convo with him.

what is your name?

suguru

did you know that i liked you..?

☐ yes 🙄

✅ no 😳

☐ kinda 🧍‍♂️

☐ it was obvious 💀

☐ other

*space to type here...*

if you knew that i liked you, how were you able to tell (details plz)

n/a

did you ever like me?

☐ yes

☐ no

✅ kinda 🤭

☐ rather not say.. mind your business.

☐ other

rate my physical attractiveness

☐ GIMME DAT DEBUSSY ‼️‼️😛😛🥵

✅ you're sexy

☐ cute

☐ not my type but you're cool 🤝

☐ other

rate my personality

trash *throws tomato*🍅 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 {✅9} 10 - the coolest evaa 😎

first impressions of me? 🦦

telling my friend you're difffferent

distinct memory with me?

when you lost my ring at the lake 🤡

something you don't like about me/something that annoys you about me?

nothing tbh you're cool.

how awkward was this?

☐ not awkward at all 🤨

✅ i don't care🥱

☐ not my favourite

☐ don't ever make me do this again or i'll break you

any last words..?

i miss you

★ — 𝕮𝖍𝖔𝖘𝖔 𝕶𝖆𝖒𝖔

nicknames: sour patch kid

backstory: timeline (high-school 2nd to 3rd year)

he was on the track team with you and you two used to laugh at everything together. you looked forward to track practice just to see him

what is your name?

choso

did you know that i liked you..?

☐ yes 🙄

☐ no 😳

✅ kinda 🧍‍♂️

☐ it was obvious 💀

☐ other

*space to type here...*

if you knew that i liked you, how were you able to tell (details plz)

you called me and said u had a dream about me.. Plus when we talk it's always good energy, we have a lot of banter. and always that will they, wont they thing going lol

did you ever like me?

✅ yes

☐ no

☐ kinda 🤭

☐ rather not say.. mind your business.

☐ other

rate my physical attractiveness

✅ GIMME DAT DEBUSSY ‼️‼️😛😛🥵

☐ you're sexy

☐ cute

☐ not my type but you're cool 🤝

☐ other

rate my personality

trash *throws tomato*🍅 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 {✅10} - the coolest evaa 😎

first impressions of me? 🦦

funny girl with energy, sarcasm and an adorable smile. and we like the same music what could go wrong.

distinct memory with me?

the ft call we had after you got the birthday gift i sent u. You got all the secret messages and we had a great convo. good times.

something you don't like about me/something that annoys you about me?

we never got to go on that trip

how awkward was this?

☐ not awkward at all 🤨

✅ i don't care🥱

☐ not my favourite

☐ don't ever make me do this again or i'll break you

any last words..?

how were my answers??

★ — 𝕹𝖆𝖓𝖆𝖒𝖎 𝕶𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖔

nicknames: smarty pants

backstory: timeline (high-school 3rd year)

his name is smarty pants because he used to "tutor " you in math's back in high-school (he wasn't your official tutor but he would help you out whenever you had a hard time.) and he was a cutie i mean come on.

what is your name?

nanami kento.

did you know that i liked you..?

☐ yes 🙄

☐ no 😳

✅ kinda 🧍‍♂️

☐ it was obvious 💀

☐ other

*space to type here...*

if you knew that i liked you, how were you able to tell (details plz)

you always played with my hair, so there was a slight possibility.

did you ever like me?

✅ yes

☐ no

☐ kinda 🤭

☐ rather not say.. mind your business.

☐ other

rate my physical attractiveness

☐ GIMME DAT DEBUSSY ‼️‼️😛😛🥵

✅ you're sexy

☐ cute

☐ not my type but you're cool 🤝

☐ other

rate my personality

trash *throws tomato*🍅 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 {✅8} 9 10 - the coolest evaa 😎

first impressions of me? 🦦

i thought you were funny and pretty. always had cute hairstyles.

distinct memory with me?

sitting together in math, i thoroughly enjoyed watching you struggle in that subject. and helping you study during spare periods.

something you don't like about me/something that annoys you about me?

calling me mr. grumpy was not as funny as you thought it was.

how awkward was this?

☐ not awkward at all 🤨

☐ i don't care🥱

✅ not my favourite

☐ don't ever make me do this again or i'll break you

any last words..?

glad you're still as annoying as always.

★ — 𝕿𝖔𝖏𝖎 𝕱𝖚𝖘𝖍𝖎𝖌𝖚𝖗𝖔

nicknames: dustin broke

backstory: timeline (old work crush)

you took up this old job because you wanted some independency and you wanted some money to buy stupid stuff anyway you remember getting to know him and quickly learning how down bad this man was. like he NEEDED the job you were just there for fun.. he was still hot though!

what is your name?

toji fushiguro

did you know that i liked you..?

☐ yes 🙄

✅ no 😳

☐ kinda 🧍‍♂️

☐ it was obvious 💀

☐ other

*space to type here...*

if you knew that i liked you, how were you able to tell (details plz)

didn't know

did you ever like me?

☐ yes

☐ no

☐ kinda 🤭

✅ rather not say.. mind your business.

☐ other

rate my physical attractiveness

☐ GIMME DAT DEBUSSY ‼️‼️😛😛🥵

☐ you're sexy

✅ cute

☐ not my type but you're cool 🤝

☐ other

rate my personality

trash *throws tomato*🍅 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 {✅8} 9 10 - the coolest evaa 😎

first impressions of me? 🦦

spoiled brat

distinct memory with me?

you trying to get me into anime

something you don't like about me/something that annoys you about me?

nothing really

how awkward was this?

☐ not awkward at all 🤨

✅ i don't care🥱

☐ not my favourite

☐ don't ever make me do this again or i'll break you

any last words..?

does your new job pay good??

★ — 𝕾𝖚𝖐𝖚𝖓𝖆 𝕽𝖞𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖓

nicknames: love bug

backstory: timeline (college end year)

this man was a complete curve ball. he's such a random crush, you never would've had a crush on him if it wasn't for that one time. you were at a college party and he leaned down to hug you but when he was hugging you he picked you up since you're a lot shorter than him. you remember wrapping your legs around his waist for some reason and he carried you for a while before placing you down on the stairs and leaving.. this happened again at a different party too.

what is your name?

sukuna ryomen

did you know that i liked you..?

☐ yes 🙄

☐ no 😳

☐ kinda 🧍‍♂️

✅ it was obvious 💀

☐ other

*space to type here...*

if you knew that i liked you, how were you able to tell (details plz)

i'm not stupid

did you ever like me?

☐ yes

☐ no

☐ kinda 🤭

✅ rather not say.. mind your business.

☐ other

rate my physical attractiveness

☐ GIMME DAT DEBUSSY ‼️‼️😛😛🥵

✅ you're sexy

☐ cute

☐ not my type but you're cool 🤝

☐ other

rate my personality

trash *throws tomato*🍅 - 1 2 {✅3} 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 - the coolest evaa 😎

first impressions of me? 🦦

you were cute with the right amount of rudeness at the same

distinct memory with me?

the disruption that used to sit next to me in class.

something you don't like about me/something that annoys you about me?

your friend, be sure to let them know.

how awkward was this?

☐ not awkward at all 🤨

☐ i don't care🥱

☐ not my favourite

✅ don't ever make me do this again or i'll break you

any last words..?

never send me one of these again.

[lucydixon]

Paging Mr. Procrastination

Eddie Munson Masterlist 𐴱 Main Masterlist 𐴱 Taglist 𐴱 Reading List 𐴱 Pinned Post 𐴱 Moodboard side-Blog

A/N: This is part Eighteen of my Welcome to Hellfire Series. I stg y'all were just gonna study in this one. Idk what happened 😭 Previous Parts: 1 𐴱 2 𐴱 3 𐴱 4 𐴱 5 𐴱 6 𐴱 7 𐴱 8 𐴱 9 𐴱 10 𐴱 11 𐴱 12 𐴱 13 𐴱 14 𐴱 15 𐴱 16 𐴱 17 Series Masterlist

Summary: Determined to help Eddie graduate, you make him study. Unsurprisingly, he is not being very helpful when it comes to concentrating, so you strike a deal. Warning: NSFW, Unprotected P in V, Hand stuff, Oral, Praise kink, Overstimulation

"What do you have to get on O'Donnell's final to pass?" You asked absently during lunch, breaking little pieces off your muffin while flipping through your notes.

The rest of Hellfire was crowded around the table, chatting amongst themselves and throwing french fries.

"At least a C" Eddie mumbled into his hand, huffing softly.

He'd managed to go all day without thinking about it and here you were reminding him.

"And it's just her final?" You looked up at him with a raised brow, not having missed the huff "All your other classes are fine?"

He shrugged, avoiding your gaze.

"Eds." You nudged him with your knee under the table "For real."

"Yeah, it's just the final." he sighed, gnawing on his bottom lip.

You didn't have to press to understand that he genuinely wasn't sure if he could do it.

"We'll study." You nodded, trying not to make a big deal out of it. "I'll make flash cards."

"You don't have to do that." He played with the cap of his pen.

There was a whole lot more than his diploma riding on that retched final.

It had been gnawing on him. Whispered by that voice at the back of his head every time he gave himself too much time to think.

What would happen if he bombed the final?

Would you still want him?

What if you didn't want a loser boyfriend who had to repeat his senior year for the fourth time?

You deserved better than someone too dumb to pass.

"Whoa." You frowned, having watched the abrupt shift "What's wrong?"

He just shrugged.

"Eddie," you reached for his chin to make him look at you, brows furrowed in concern "Hey, talk to me."

"What if I don't pass?" he sounded so small.

It made your chest ache.

"You will." You sounded so confident. Like it was a sure thing.

"I might not." He was really struggling not to pull away. He felt pathetic. "What if I'm just dumb?"

"What?" Your eyes widened "You're not dumb. Why would you say that?"

"This is my third time taking this class." He sighed, shrinking away from you, but you wouldn't let him.

"Eddie Munson, shut up and listen to me." You cradled his face before he could get too far and kept him right in front of you. "You are not dumb."

He opened his mouth to argue, but you cut him off before he could get a word out.

"You're constantly doing math while you're playing D&D, Yes or no?"

"Yeah, but-"

"You make those crazy elaborate character sheets and write what is essentially an essay for each one to describe the lore, Yes or no?"

This time he just nodded.

"You read all the time, write even more and you're good at math." You stared into his soul "You're not dumb, you just don't give a fuck about social studies, so you're not trying."

"You're smart Eddie. When you try, you really are." You cracked a little lopsided smile "Now, I'm gonna need you to stop talking about my boyfriend like that, I love him dearly and might have to fight you if you keep calling him dumb."

He couldn't help but laugh, leaning into your touch with a sheepish look.

"You really think I'm gonna pass?" Eddie asked softly.

"I do." You were confident enough for the both of you, so sure that he had to believe you. "We're gonna study every day this week and we'll both pass and in a couple weeks, neither of us ever have to set foot in this fuck ass school ever again."

"You've got a way with words, sweetheart." he chuckled, pressing his lips to your palm.

And so began the cramming for Eddie's final.

It just so happened that you also had to take it, so it made things a little easier when it came to convincing Eddie to take the help and actually focus. You just had to keep reminding him that you needed to study too and he'd begrudgingly get back to it.

It was near impossible to keep him focused and he'd managed on three separate occasions in the following two days, to distract you with a hand creeping up your thigh or his lips on your neck.

On day three, you made sure to sit on the other side of the room while reading him the questions.

Somehow, you'd still ended up in his lap. You weren't even sure how.

Eventually, you had to bring in the big guns and drag him to the library, where the two of you would have to behave unless you wanted to be arrested for public indecency.

He'd grumbled the whole way there after school and had huffed cutely when you insisted on keeping the table between the two of you.

"Eds, focus." You groaned when you caught him drawing on the back of his hand for the third time.

"Can't we take a break?" He gave you the puppy dog eyes and you were quick to look away before he got you with them. "We've been studying so hard."

"Baby, you're not even paying attention!"

"It's boring!"

A few people shushed you and shot annoyed looks over at your table.

"Sorry." you grimaced while Eddie scowled at them.

"Okay," You sighed, far quieter "I'm willing to negotiate."

"I'm listening." He leaned forward in his seat, resting his chin on his hands, propped up by his elbows.

"If you can sit there and pay attention until you get twenty questions right, you can do anything you want to me when we get home." You gave him a heated look, cracking the tiniest smirk when you saw the way he was gripping the edge of the table.

"You woulda let me do that anyway." Eddie challenged despite all the ideas popping into his head "This feels like a scam."

"Think about it." You leaned in, speaking lowly "I'm giving you Carte Blanche to do anything. You want me on top? Upside down?"

You watched his jaw flex and his eyes darken.

"Or maybe on my knees?"

"You want me in lingerie, giving you a lap dance?"

Eddie couldn't stop the soft whine that escaped his lips at the though. He was very quickly losing steam.

"Maybe you could use those little cuffs of yours," You were getting yourself a little worked up at the thought of it "have your way with me while I'm shackled to the headboard?"

You could tell that you almost had him.

"C'mon, Eddie, don't you want to be my Dungeon Daddy tonight?" You batted your lashes at him.

He made a choking noise, cheeks burning under your stare.

He could do 20 questions.

"Okay." He blurted out after another half-second of deliberation. "Yeah, I'll do it."

"Perfect!" You sat up straight and flipped through the flashcards like you hadn't just given him a raging hard-on in the middle of the library.

"You're Evil." He groaned, adjusting himself discreetly under the table "Little temptress."

"I don't know what you mean." You looked at him innocently, "I'm just studying."

"Don't worry, Sweetheart" He leaned back in his seat, smirking smugly "I'll remind you when we're done here. You're not gonna be able to speak by the time I'm done with you."

Your breath hitched and your thighs squeezed together.

It took Eddie less than half-an-hour to get through the questions.

You'd never seen him so focused.

You barely had time to pack up your books before he was dragging you out the door by the hand, eager to get you home and collect his reward.

He had you up against the side of the van in an instant, kissing you so hard that you could barely breathe.

"Oh, you're in for it now." He growled into your mouth, swallowing the moan that spilled from your lips.

Before the kissing could go any further, you were being tossed into the passenger seat and buckled in by Eddie and his wandering hands.

You shuddered when the door shut, already soaking through your panties.

Ten minutes.

You just had to make it ten minutes to see what Eddie had in store for you.

He didn't say a word, or even look at you while he was driving.

He couldn't. Not if he wanted to get you both back to the house in one piece.

You practically ran to the front door as soon as the van rolled to a stop, tripping over one another while you jammed your key in the lock.

Eddie's hands were all over you as you spilled into the entryway, groping you over your clothes, rough and desperate like he'd die if he couldn't buy himself inside you immediately.

But then he stopped, slamming the door shut and backing you up against it, cradling your face in his hands, gentler than you'd expected.

"I need you to listen to me." He muttered lowly, pupils blown with pure lust "Can you do that?"

You nodded, staring up at him.

Eddie let go of your face and grabbed your hand, holding it between your two heaving chests, palm facing the ceiling.

"You're gonna give me three taps if you need to stop." He tapped his forefinger against your palm three times, then twice "Two if it's a little too much or you need to slow down."

"One if you're okay."

You shuddered as all the possibilities of what he had in store for you flashed through your mind.

"Do you understand?"

You nodded.

"Repeat it back to me." He let go of your hand and held out his for you.

"One if I'm okay," Your voice came out breathy "Two if I need you to slow down, and three to stop."

"Good Girl." His lips twitched into a devious smirk when you whined, needy and desperate for his touch already.

"As much as I'd like to drag this out, I've got to fuck you before we really get started or I'm gonna die." Eddie muttered, unbuttoning your jeans hastily.

You shuddered at the prospect of the fucking not being the main event.

Before you could dwell on it, you were being led to the couch.

You went to sit on it, but before you could, Eddie yanked your jeans halfway down your legs and bent you over the arm of the couch all in one movement.

Two fingers slid into your heat suddenly and you let out a mewl, burying your face in the couch cushions.

"Soaked for me, Sweetheart." He groaned, undoing his belt with his free hand while working up a rhythm with his fingers. "Were you this wet in the library, sweet girl?"

You nodded into the couch, pushing back to meet every thrust of his fingers into your throbbing cunt.

"You poor thing." He cooed, pulling his pants down just enough to free his painfully hard cock, pumping it with his hand a couple times with a soft hiss "Just can't wait to get fucked, can you?"

you whined, ready to start begging, when Eddie slammed into you all at once, knocking the breath out of you.

He slapped his hand down on the couch, next to your head with his palm facing up and you tapped it once.

The hand found its way to your hip and he used it as leverage to fuck you hard and fast while you gasped and moaned into the couch.

"That's it." He grunted "So fucking tight- can feel you squeezing me- Oh-"

It was the first time that he wasn't playing with your clit or trying to make you cum at all really. He was just using you to get himself off quickly. Relieve the overwhelming pressure building inside of him before he turned his focus to you.

"I'm gonna wreck this pretty little pussy tonight." he panted, already close to finishing "Gonna spend hours playing with- Fuck"

His thrusts got sloppy as he pumped you full of cum, allowing him a few more before resting his forehead on your back while he caught his breath.

"Undressed and in bed." He told you, pulling out slowly and smirking when you whimpered at the loss of contact.

"Now." He gave you a sharp smack on the ass to emphasize the word.

Eddie chuckled at the startled, but beyond turned on look on your face.

You weren't sure where he got the confidence to be ordering you around like that, but couldn't deny how hot it was.

So, you complied eagerly and shuffled down the hall, peeling your clothes off as you went.

Eddie was also naked by the time he made it into the bedroom, only moments behind you and already at half mast just thinking about all the things he could do to you.

He was holding his belt in his hand and gazing down at you hungrily.

"How do you want me?" you were kneeling on the mattress, looking up at him through your lashes with a sweet smile.

It took everything in him not to fall to his knees.

"Every way I can possibly have you." He breathed, crawling into bed with you.

You gasped when he gently pushed you onto your back and told you to hold your hands over your head, fashioning the belt into a makeshift restraint to fasten your arms to the headboard

"There we go." Eddie sat back on his heels and admire the way your body was spread out for him

"So fucking beautiful." he caressed your cheek with the back of his hand before trailing it down neck, stopping at your collarbones.

"You're not gonna be able to tap my hand, so I'm gonna need you to say your numbers out loud for me." He looked down at you seriously "Can you do that for me, Sweetheart?"

You nodded, bottom lip trapped between your teeth and thighs clamped together in an effort to sooth the aching need between them.

"What are we at right now?"

"One." You held his stare and spoke clearly.

"Good girl."

God, he loved the way your entire body twitched every time he called you that.

"You're gonna keep being good for me, aren't you, Sweet Girl?"

You nodded, arching into his touch when he resumed his path down your chest, gazing down at you lovingly.

"Prettiest tits I've ever seen," Eddie hummed, kneading the skin gently, thumbs grazing your nipples lightly enough to make you shudder. "You're so fucking beautiful, Sweetheart."

"Can't believe I bagged the prettiest girl in Hawkins."

Your cheeks warmed, but the feeling of his lips grazing the skin just above your bellybutton was so distracting that once he started, you couldn't focus on anything else.

You were writhing under him, desperate for some kind of friction.

"Eddie" You whined.

"What is it, Sweetheart?" He cooed, smirking to himself "do you need something?"

"Please?" You pouted softly.

"Please what?" He wasn't touching you at all now.

"Touch me?" You tried.

"You want me to touch you?"

You nodded enthusiastically and he had to take pity on you.

"Here?" He ran a finger down your slit and you let out a sound that made his dick twitch.

"Yes" You hissed, hips bucking up to meet is hand.

"So needy." He teased, settling in between your legs to admire the mess of your slick and his cum still leaking out of you.

He dove in like a man starved, pinning your hips to the bed while he devoured you, lapping up the mess in between your thighs, cleaning you up and soaking the bottom half of his face in the process.

You were already shaking, chanting his name like you were teetering the edge.

"You already gonna cum for me?" He grinned, relishing in the sound you made when his tongue stopped working you over.

You nodded furiously, desperate and pathetic under him and he was only just getting started.

Eddie resumed his task, doubling down when you started whimpering, and groaned right into your pussy when you came hard, clamping down around nothing.

He didn't stop.

His tongue kept going, prolonging your orgasm, then even longer still once it was over.

You were a little sensitive, but more than willing to let him give you another if this was how he wanted to use his reward.

It could certainly be worse that cumming on your boyfriends skilled tongue over and over again.

A thick finger eased its way inside you and your back arched off the bed.

You moaned loudly, trying to shift your hips to feel him deeper, but he still had you pinned.

"Oh, god! Eddie" You panted, crying out when he added a second finger to the mix, still tonguing your clit like a mad man.

You came again, just as hard, and again, Eddie kept going.

"Give me another one." he smirked up at your wide eyes, nudging your clit with his nose while he tongue fucked you into oblivion.

Eddie checked in with you after the fourth orgasm tearing it's way through your body and you told him you were a a one.

You were sensitive and overstimulated, but it was so fucking hot that you couldn't imagine the night ending already.

"More." You gasped, throwing your head back when you felt his thumb brush over your poor clit.

After a couple more, it started to hurt, but you kept going, completely fucked out and cock dumb as you whispered once again that you wanted to keep going.

You just wanted to let him wreck you.

And fuck, did he ever.

You were a babbling mess by the time you started trying to squirm away from his relentless fingers and tongue.

He'd lost count of how many times you'd cum on his tongue ages ago, but he was very surprised by how much you could/were willing to take.

You had tears streaming down your cheeks when he decided to call it.

His tongue and fingers were cramping up and he couldn't even imagine how your poor, abused clit felt.

He was pretty sure you'd passed the point of even understanding what he was asking when he checked in.

You were with it enough to give a number, but he didn't want to actually hurt you, regardless of whether or not you'd let him.

Eddie undid the belt, cringing at the red marks on your wrists they'd left.

The handcuffs would've cut you up and you'd be bleeding if he'd opted to use them instead.

"You alright sweetheart?" He swept you into his lap and pulled you into his chest. "Did so good for me, sweet girl."

You nodded tiredly, nuzzling further into his chest.

"Why don't we get you cleaned up?" He rubbed your back "Don't fall asleep yet, we've got to get some food in you first."

"Let's start with a bath." Eddie cracked a smile when you hummed in agreement, scooping you up to set you down on the bathroom counter with a glass of water.

He ran the water for you while you slowly floated back down to earth from your high.

Once he'd helped you get into the warm water, He went to leave and your brows furrowed.

"Where are you going?" You whined.

"To make you something to eat." Eddie kissed the top of your head

"Later." You muttered, tugging him gently towards the tub "get in."

"You want me to get in there with you?" He raised a brow.

"Yep."

Despite being pretty sure that it was about to be uncomfortable as all hell, Eddie sighed dramatically and nudged you forward so he could slip into the tub behind you.

You made a soft happy little sound when you leaned back into his chest and he couldn't help but feel his heart swell.

He wrapped his arms around you and held you close.

It was a bit of a tight squeeze, but he couldn't deny how nice it felt.

"Usually I'm the clingy one one after sex." Eddie teased, kissing the back of your shoulder "Are you sure you're alright, Sweetheart? That was kind of a lot"

"Yeah, I'm okay." you melted into him "it was a lot, but I liked it. If I didn't I would've told you."

"You're sure?"

"Yes, my love." You pressed your lips to his bicep "I'm sure."

"Next time you have to get thirty questions right."

Eddie chuckled, excited to study for the first time in his life.

Part 19

Dividers and Banners by me on my side-blog @dividers-are-us

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[servantofthefates]

5 Signs Your Dreams are About to Come True

1. Your life is falling apart.

No one talks about this part of manifestation. It’s not all rainbows and butterflies. The bigger the manifestation, the bigger the Tower moment. Friendships break. People leave. Jobs end. This is the Universe removing everything that isn’t solid in your life. It’s making way for something strong and stable.

2. Success eludes you.

You work extra hard. You follow all the rules. And yet you never get that promotion. Or that dream relationship. Or whatever it is you think you want. Because it’s not actually what your soul desires. It’s just what society led you to believe you want. This is the Universe asking you to let go of dreams that were never truly yours.

3. And yet you feel calm.

You stop being envious of people. Yes, you still worry about life here and there, but in your heart of hearts, you feel a certain kind of peace. Like some faith that everything is going to work out fine. And you start to feel small — in a good way. You start seeing that this is just your silly little life, and you can live it however the hell you want.

4. Imperfect opportunities arrive.

If you want a job that’s 3-days-from-home, you’ll get an offer that’s 1-day-from-home. If you want an intense connection, say with a Scorpio, it’s a lighthearted Libra who will ask you out. You will receive opportunities that are just short of what you want. This is the Universe testing you and checking if you know your worth.

5. You have surrendered.

You used to watch a lot of tarot readings, read astrology predictions, perform manifestation techniques, and even cast spells every new & full moon. But while you still believe in the power of it all, you’ve now said in your own words, “Universe, you know my wish. Show me the best path to it. Take the wheel, and wake me up when we're there.”

Your dreams coming true is like a house being renovated. You can’t just repaint it and throw in some new pillows on the sofa. No, that house will need to be destroyed. Walls torn down. Carpets ripped out. Lights yanked from the walls.

And when everything broken, old & ugly has been removed... only then do the new wallpapers get installed. Only then does the shiny furniture get assembled. Only then do the pretty paintings get hung. Only then does it become your dream home.

It truly is darkest before dawn. So embrace the dark like you were born in it.

[spookysanta]

Chapter 8: Morning Glory & Missed Messages

Ongoing tags: [Modern Romance] [Slow Burn] to [Fireworks [Black!Reader] [Younger!Reader] [Reader is That Girl] [Obsessed Michael™] [So Much Eye Contact] [Vacation Fling] turns into [Something Real]

Potential TW/CW: [Swearing] [Light Sexual Tension] to [Eventual Smut]

Read Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. Part 4. Part 5. Part 6. Part 7.

yeaaaaah get into it! three-day work week this week + a shit ton of ideas + lots of drafts = a lot of shit coming your way! we're gonna keep on trucking with more of the checklist fics - "payback (with interest)." is next. v excited with the nastiness that'll ensue in that fic. make sure you got fresh draws on. or no draws. whatever you'd prefer.

You woke up slow. Still tangled in him. Still quite sore. But in that sweet, stretched-out way. Still drunk on the way he held you even after everything, like his arms were your address now.

His chest rose and fell against your cheek, his fingers tracing lazy shapes along the curve of your spine. There wasn’t any rush, no tension. Just the kind of morning that felt earned.

“You awake?” he murmured, breaking the morning’s quiet.

“Barely.”

“Wanna sleep more?”

You shook your head. “Don’t wanna miss this.”

He smiled, kissing your shoulder. “What’s this?”

“Us…The morning…You…Not letting me go yet.”

He hummed gently as a reply. The two of you laid there for a while – mumbles about everything that followed after today.

Upcoming flights, work schedules, and most importantly, what came next. “I want to see you soon,” he said with a knowing sigh. “Like next-week soon.”

“I want that too.”

“You fly home tomorrow?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll come to you Sunday. That cool?”

You smiled. “That fast?”

He kissed your shoulder again, chuckling at your surprise, but also knowing you couldn’t say no to him. “Duh. I’ll have waited long enough already.”

The rest of the morning morphed into the two of you getting dressed, beginning with a shared shower – steam filling the bathroom in a warm haze, hands smoothing over soapy skin, slow kisses, wet fingers, and his voice in your ear like warm velvet.

“You feel so good,” he murmured, holding your face in his hands. “I swear I could wash you every day.”

You giggled, fingers wrapped around his waist, the steam not being the only heat against your cheeks. “You’re so dramatic.”

He couldn't help but chuckle, “You’re laughin’ but I was dead serious.”

He turned the water off, helping you out of the shower before wrapping you both in towels that could only be described as clouds against your skin. You stood side-by-side as you brushed your teeth, bumping his hip with yours when he tried to kiss your cheek with toothpaste foaming around his mouth.

The two of you climbed back into bed and he called downstairs to order room service – pancakes, bacon, fruit, eggs, tea, coffee, extra hash browns “just in case”. But the moment the room’s phone hit the receiver, your phone started buzzing.

You snorted as you scrolled through your notifications, fingers typing fast before anyone freaked out (even more than they already were, apparently).

You had barely hit send when the screen lit up again: 

tatiannaaaaaaaa rennaye wants to FaceTime you.

You groaned.

Michael looked over, brows furrowing in concern. “Everything okay?”

“My friends think I’m either kidnapped or dead.”

“Tell them I’m ordering eggs.”

You answered, instinctively rolling your eyes, but choosing to put a smile in your voice. “Hi.”

“Girl,” Tati snapped. “We almost sent a wellness check.”

“I’m fine. I slept in.”

“You slept with your whole soul,” she said. “Send proof of life.”

You flipped the camera, pointing it at Michael, who was shirtless and sitting cross-legged on the bed with his phone in one hand, his other hand brushing the small of your back.

Tati blinked. “Okay, I’ll allow it,” she responded in satisfaction. “You can stay a little longer.”

“Thanks, Mom.” you replied with a laugh, saying your goodbyes as a knock rapped against the suite’s door.

You both ate breakfast in bed, sharing bites, fruit from his fork, and soft silence broken only by tiny laughs and syrupy moans over the pancakes.

And after breakfast, he helped you gather your things while he gathered his own. He tied his your hoodie drawstring nice and tight, in the way that he’s come to know you loved. 

He pressed a kiss to your temple, holding your hand all the way down to the lobby for checkout.

—

The ride back to your hotel was quiet. Not sad. Just full. It was like both of you were already counting down to when you’d see each other again.

As he’d been doing, he walked you to your suite; and before you opened the door, he turned to you. “I can take y’all to the airport, if you want. Help y’all save a bit of money on Uber.” he mumbled.

You sighed, appreciating the gesture but not wanting to have to go to the airport at all. “Yeah… I think that’d be nice.”

He nodded, leaning in and kissing your cheek, arms wrapping around your waist and pulling you into him. “Sounds good.”

“Don’t let us oversleep.”

“Yes ma’am. I’ll be outside at eight.”

“Got it.”

Then, gently, like he couldn’t help it, he peppered kissed against your forehead. “Bye, baby.”

When you unlocked the suite’s door and shut it behind you, four women stared you down like you’d walked in wearing a wedding dress.

“You made it!” Nas cheered, secretly eyeing the hickey that bloomed against the collar of the hoodie you were wearing.

“Unkidnapped,” Lex added.

“You smell like sin,” Kris noted. “…and pancakes.”

You dropped your bag. “I need to lay down.”

“No,” Tati said. “Your ass needs to pack. We’re leaving in the morning.”

You groaned. “I just came back.”

“Girl,” Nas said, “you left.”

And once again, like clockwork, the suite was full of laughter, of voices, of rustling bags, of rolling suitcases and shared mirrors and the sound of the last day beginning.

The sun dipped low around seven. Golden light poured in through the windows as the suite buzzed with motion — curling irons back on the counters, open suitcases half-packed, outfit pieces flying across the couch like nobody was actually ready to go.

“We said casual,” Nas reminded as Tati tugged on a strapless jumpsuit and posed in the mirror like she was going to a red carpet.

“This is casual,” Tati replied. “For me.”

“I’m wearing jeans and a t-shirt,” you said from the bathroom, one brow arched.

“That’s because you’re glowing,” Kris cut in, smirking from the edge of the bed. “You could show up in a paper bag and still outshine all of us.”

You rolled your eyes but didn’t argue, because she was right. You were glowing. You still had a little bit of that warmth in your thighs, that softness in your chest.

—

The rooftop club was quiet this time of night. Not empty, just relaxed – groups scattered in corners, music playing low from someone’s phone speaker. You found a spot by the balcony, a perfect view of the city below, the skyline glittering in the distance.

And of course, drinks were ordered. Fries were set in the middle of the table. Phone cameras were flashing from every angle.

“Okay, everyone hold still,” Lex said, angling her camera in her selfie stick that she forgot she’d packed. “Golden hour is giving.”

Tati leaned in. Kris lifted her glass. Nas kissed Lex’s cheek. You smiled without trying.

Click.

Click.

Click.

And for a moment, it all felt suspended, like this could stretch out forever if you let it. No one brought up flights or suitcases or the fact that you’d be going to bed in a different city this time tomorrow.

Everyone just… existed. In the shimmer. In the sound. In the love.

—

Back in the suite, the noise of the night quieted as you crossed the threshold. People trudged to different parts of the suite – almost testing to see if time would move slower if they did. 

Lex was packing, softly humming. Nas was editing the night’s photos. Tati and Kris were debating whether or not to order room service dessert.

You slipped into your bedroom, your phone in hand, thumb hovering over the contact.

You didn’t even have to press anything before your phone lit up.

michael b. jordan (no seriously) is calling you…

You answered fast, like you’d been waiting. “Hey.”

His voice came through low and warm. “Hi, pretty girl.”

You exhaled.

“How was the night?” he asked.

“Perfect.” you sighed in contentment, slipping your clothes off to change into pajamas consisting of a shirt that you may or may not have borrowed from his duffel bag. You sat on the bed, leaning back against the headboard.

“You eat?”

“Mhm.”

“What’d you have?”

“We shared a plate of fries and a bottle of wine and took, like, thirty pictures in front of string lights.”

He chuckled. “That sounds like heaven.”

“It kinda was.”

There was a pause after that. You weren’t sure why your throat felt tight, but it made you afraid to speak.

And of course, he noticed. “You okay?”

You blinked hard, feeling your eyes well up, wiping your cheeks as tears started to fall. “Yeah.”

“You sure?”

You nodded, then realized he couldn’t see you. “I just…”

He heard the sadness in your voice clear as day. He didn’t miss a beat. “FaceTime me. Let me look at you.”

As much as you wanted to fight him on it, you knew it would be an uphill battle. So you caved, pulling the phone from your cheek and pressing the “FaceTime” button. It connected immediately. And you’d finally seen yourself, eyes shimmering and puffy with fresh tears, cheeks damp.

And then you saw him. His eyebrows were furrowed, as if he wanted to pull you through the phone to grab you. You could see the heartbreak splayed across his face.

“I don’t wanna go,” you whispered, voice broken. The honesty cracked open like glass – soft but deep. The tears flowed freely then, wet and hot against your cheeks in a way that made your heart ache in sadness and slight embarrassment.

“I know,” he said. “I don’t want you to either.”

You were quiet except for the occasional sniffle as he let the silence breathe.

“I’ve been thinking about tomorrow,” he added. “About seeing you off. About how fast this week flew.”

You swallowed thickly.

“And I keep wondering to myself… how in the hell did you get under my skin this quick?”

You let out a deep, shaky breath, rubbing the wetness on your cheeks away with your palm.

“Because I see you,” he continued. “I see the way you try to make space for everybody else before you make it for yourself. I see how scared you are to ask for something real. And I see how hard you fight to believe that someone could choose you first.”

More tears welled in your eyes.

“You deserve to be chosen, babygirl,” he said. “Every. Single. Time.”

You didn’t speak. Or rather, couldn’t. 

He softened his voice even more. “I’m gonna miss you like hell. But I’m not going anywhere. You know that, right?”

You nodded simply. “Yes. I know,” you whispered.

“And I’ll call when you land…”

You nodded again.

“...I’ll come to you next. And after that, we’ll figure out what’s next.”

You breathed in, letting out another sigh, finally getting yourself together. “I want there to be a next.”

“There will be. You’re not getting rid of me that easy.”

You laughed, the smile he was searching for finally appearing.

“You gonna be OK?”

“Yeah. I am.”

“Good. Call me if you need me.” He said your name like a kiss. “Goodnight, baby.”

“Goodnight.”

The call ended. You wiped your eyes before stepping back out into the suite’s common area. To the girls, to the laughter, to the final night that still had a little magic left in it.

You stayed up a little longer after everything cleared out.

But it wasn’t because you weren’t tired – you absolutely were – but because the moment felt suspended. Like the room knew it would all end in the morning and wanted to stretch out every breath of it.

Lex had laid on the floor of the common area, having pulled her suitcase out from her room and leaving it half-opened in the middle of the room.

Nas had started braiding her hair while sitting on the couch, playing reruns of Jersey Shore.

Tati and Kris were finishing off the rest of the wine in the kitchenette, flipping through their camera rolls, arguing over whose angles were strongest.

You just sat on the kitchenette’s counter, Michael’s shirt hugging your frame, blanket laid across your lap, already feeling the ache rise up again.

“You okay, hun?” Tati asked, noticing the change in your face.

You nodded. “I just… don’t want this to be over.”

—

You fell asleep later than you meant to, but not too late. You’d made sure to set your alarm. Already laid out your clothes and packed everything except your toothbrush.

When the morning came, it arrived gently – grey skies, soft light, and the kind of stillness that made you breathe a little deeper.

Everyone moved like clockwork. No chaos this time, just quiet groans and zippers. Matching sweats and puffed-up neck pillows, final checks, last wipes of lip balm, sighs into coffee cups.

You looked at the clock just as your phone buzzed.

After gathering luggage downstairs, you met him in the hotel’s courtyard. He was standing by the car, back door open, trunk popped. Black sweats and a Bulls snapback on his head. His eyes were low, like he himself was overwhelmed with emotion but wouldn’t let it show. 

But he was still fine, and still one of the safest things you’d seen all week.

He looked up and smiled sadly as you stepped through the lobby doors, girls behind you with rolling suitcases and sunglasses, moving like a slow parade. “There y’all go.”

Tati gave him a once-over. “You’re lucky we didn’t oversleep.”

“Would’ve waited,” he said easily with a shrug. “Would’ve brought croissants.”

Nas rolled her eyes. “Charmer.”

“I mean it.” He loaded every bag into his truck, checked every headcount, and opened every door. By the time you climbed into the passenger seat next to him – seatbelt clicked, bag under your knees – you felt the air shift again.

Like it always did when it was just the two of you.

The ride to the airport was full of that last-day energy: a little slap-happy, a little sentimental, and a lot of shared glances across the car.

Lex played a playlist softly through her phone.

Kris whispered a prayer over everyone’s flights.

Tati was texting the girls' group chat from within the car, sending blurry pictures of Michael from behind his headrest with a string of flame emojis and the caption: “our driver is fine as hell.”

You leaned into the window and laughed.

He caught your reflection.

And at the terminal, the car idled in the drop-off lane. Of course, Michael got out first and unloaded the luggage, saying his goodbyes and giving short hugs to the girls.

Then it was your turn. You’d gotten out of the car last, stepping out slow, having needed an extra second to collect yourself. Your heart was in your throat as you walked to him and grabbed your luggage from his hold. “I don’t wanna say goodbye,” you said quietly, feeling the heat in your face rise again for what seemed like the hundredth time in 24 hours.

“You’re not.” He reached for you, palm cradling your jaw, thumb brushing beneath your eye. “You’re gonna go. You’re gonna land. You’re gonna text me.”

You nodded.

“And I’m gonna call – and text – and whatever else you need, as many times as we need to. And then, I’m gonna book a flight to come see you.”

“That doesn’t sound casual to me.” You joked with a short chuckle. 

“Because it ain’t – and if I gotta remind you every day, I will.” 

You kissed him first without any hesitation. Soft. Full. Like every second between now and next time had to be soaked in this moment.

When you pulled back, he didn’t let go. “I’m yours,” he said. “You hear me?”

Your voice cracked. “Yeah.”

He leaned in. “All yours, baby.”

You kissed him again before you turned to go, the girls already waiting at the airport’s entrance. There was so much ahead of you – the now what’s, the what if’s.

But right now, your heart was set right there in his hands.

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[caffeinewitchcraft]

The Hero and Hope 4/5

Okaaaay, so there's 5 parts instead of 4! I realized that the last part was over 6k words, so we're splitting it into two! The last part will still be posted next Friday, so this will keep us on track!

Summary: The picnic has an uninvited guest that you're uniquely suited to greet.

-------

(part 1) (part 2) (part 3)

“Didn’t think I’d see anyone able to catch Marie,” the Lord says, brows raised. His golden eyes track Isla across the garden and he whistles when she jumps to tag his former knight. “That was not within the capabilities of a Villager.”

Ivan scans the crowd around them. Most of the townsfolk are too far away to eavesdrop and the ones close enough to potentially hear are engaged in their own conversations. “Careful, Brennan. If the Director hears you speculate…”

“Yes, the Director,” Lord Brennan sighs. He brings his teacup to his lips, but doesn’t drink. He contemplates Director Sarah where she crouches with a glass of water near Annie. “You know this is the first time we’ve met?”

It’d been a fight to get Sarah to agree to today at all. Ivan chooses his words carefully. “Your predecessor did not have the sort of…kind interest you do.”

The former Lord’s interest Sarah shared with them was a lot more horrifying. There’s a reason that Isla at only fifteen years old is the eldest at the orphanage.

“That’s one way to put it,” Lord Brennan agrees. He settles back into his seat and sighs in satisfaction. He watches the children gradually grow tired of their game and drift towards the dessert table. He grins when the townsfolk naturally make room for them, a few of them even fetching treats from the center of the table for the littler ones. “See my people together? It was very good of me to lure you and Marie to my territory.”

“You gave us a castle,” Ivan says. They weren’t so much lured as bludgeoned with generosity. Some days it feels like they blinked and ended up standing amongst fine silk and filigree.

“It’s a manor as far as paperwork goes,” Lord Brennan says.

“It has buttresses.”

“A very fortified manor.” Lord Brennan finally sips his tea and sighs again. “This tea is from our fields, isn’t it?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“It’s delicious.” The full canopies of the trees enveloping the estate rustle in the wind. The sun shines warmly overhead. Lord Brennan takes another drink. Delicious. “The land’s come a long way since we ousted my father, hasn’t it? Plentiful harvests, an established trade route, a new school. If it weren’t for the demons, my work would be done.”

“I would prefer you had no work then,” Ivan says dryly.

“Me too.” Lord Brennan sets his tea aside and rubs his eyes. “Any updates?”

“None,” Ivan admits, frustration leaking through his words. His face is still amiable and the disconnect between his tone and his visage is jarring. “We investigated the wolf tracks in the woods and only found carnage. No signs of the demons themselves.”

“So they are demons?”

“Regular wolves wouldn’t be able to evade a squadron of your knights, my lord.”

“Neither would demon wolves,” Lord Brennan says. He rubs his chin, brow furrowing. “I don’t like what that implies. Any sign of larger foes?”

Ivan doesn’t want to discuss this here. Marie’s eyes are on him, sensing his rising distress. He smiles and waves to her. “Besides the horned rabbit migration?”

“Is it a migration?”

“Isla saw five within the first four weeks of summer,” Ivan says.

The Lord’s attention falls on the teenager. She’s patiently letting one of the other children – Hera? The one who’d curtsied to him like a little noble – weave flowers into her braid. He tries to imagine her fighting a horned rabbit and his lips thin. “I’ll call for reinforcements from the capital.”

“Marie and I can—”

Lord Brennan waves Ivan off. “No, no, I’ve asked too much of you already. Aren’t the two of you too busy in your retirement already? I thought you’d be settled with a child by now.”

“It’s not good to rush these things,” Ivan says as he has the last three times Lord Brennan has asked. This time it’s Ivan who sighs. “It took Marie and I a good few months to win Director Sarah over after our misstep.”

“Asking about Destinies, was it?”

“Implying we’d value any child less for not being a knight like us,” Ivan corrects.

“There seem to be a lot of unusual Destinies in the orphanage,” Lord Brennan says. He’s not an Identifier but he’s got a good eye. Though no one can know for sure until a child either develops their mark or comes into their power at fifteen, he’s seen more than a few signs of a Scholar, a Guardian, and a Teacher. Once again he finds his gaze being drawn back to Isla. She’s got a child under each arm and is running from Marie again, the game having resumed after their snack break. “That one is a Guard, at least. Nobody else would have physical abilities like that.”

Ivan ignores the Lord’s comment. “It’s been worthwhile getting to know them all.” His smile turns a little more genuine. “They’re all good kids.”

“Surely you and Marie have an inkling of who’ll be a good fit?” When Ivan doesn’t reply, the Lord clicks his tongue. “You can’t choose all of them.”

Ivan’s voice is a study in nonchalance. “Can’t we?”

Lord Brennan opens his mouth only for no words to come out. At length, he has to laugh. His knights do like to keep busy. “You’d need a castle.”

“You did give us one, my lord.”

“I suppose I did.”

The two men lapse into a pleasant silence. It is good to see the townsfolk this cheerful. This town is the furthest from Lord Brennan’s own castle and he rarely has a chance to visit. The first time he had had been very different. The people still bore the wounds of winter in gouged cheeks and brittle smiles. Now he sees the glow of health everywhere he looks.

He contemplates the Director once again. She’d been the only one back then to not seem pleased to see him ride in on his white horse. Even now he can feel the chill of her scrutiny as she stood defensively between him and the orphanage. None of that chill is present today. Her smile is as sweet as his tea while she tends to a scrape the little Scholar sustained in this round of tag. “Ms. Sarah is very pretty, isn’t she?”

“I know we can’t adopt them all,” Ivan blurts out. He doesn’t seem to have heard Lord Brennan. His gaze is turned towards his own inner conflict which is why he also doesn’t notice the blush dusting the Lord’s cheeks. “It wouldn’t be fair to them. Marie and I decided to adopt a child who would benefit from what little we can offer. Military arts and luck.”

“I don’t think you’re being fair,” Lord Brennan says with raised brows. “You and Marie offer a lot more than a Knight’s experience. Haven’t you shown that already in your actions?” He’s not aware of everything his former knights have done, but he’s heard plenty from the children today. He didn’t think Marie had the patience to teach anyone how to read.

Ivan’s hands fist. “It’s not enough, it’s not—the little boy. Josiah. He’s so smart. I don’t even know where to start with him and even Marie says that he’ll soon outpace her—”

“Well,” Lord Brennan says, “Neither of you are Teachers, true, but there is a school for that--”

“And Annie wants to know why bread rises and why the sun sets and how many seconds are in a day—”

“All kids are curious—”

“Hera staged a whole theater production for my birthday and all we could do was clap—”

Is he missing something? “Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?”

“We don’t know any actors or directors to introduce her to!” Ivan cries out. He quickly lowers his voice, but can’t hide the stress around his eyes. “What could we give to a child like her? Like any of them?  Marie and I are out of our depth. It would be so much simpler if one was a Knight!”

The Lord tentatively offers, “If Isla’s a Guard--?”

Ivan gives a cry of distress that he barely capture in the palm of his hand. “Isla! That girl feels like my daughter already, but…she’s been through so much. She doesn’t need a father who teaches her how to fight or a mother who teaches her how to withstand a siege! She deserves to never have to fight again. What could we offer her? What could we possibly give to her she hasn’t already learned on her own?”

A light goes on in the Lord’s head. He takes in the festivities with new eyes. The town’s Baker, Blacksmith, Teacher… His friends have invited every possible parent they could in hopes of providing for the children in ways they felt incapable of doing themselves. As noble as that was…“Ivan, being a parent goes beyond the skills you can give a child. It’s more than fostering talent or an offering an apprenticeship. It’s—”

A horse’s scream drowns out the Lord’s next words.

Ivan is in front of Lord Brennan with his sword drawn before the horses and their blood-splattered riders even round the side of the castle.

-----.

 You throw Annie and Josiah behind you the moment you hear the sound of hooves galloping towards the manor.

“Isla, what—” Josiah starts to ask and then cuts himself off as the innkeepers and their entourage burst into the party.

You smell blood before your eyes register the terrible red staining their fine clothing.

“ORCS!” Mr. Innkeeper screams over the frightened snorts of his horse. He stumbles down from his mount and staggers towards the Lord. “They overtook our carriage—please, my wife, she’s hurt—”

Mrs. Inkeeper is holding her side and seemingly barely holding onto the saddle horn. “Our guards won’t be enough to hold them off—”

“Inside,” Sarah hisses into your ear. She points after Hera who’s already shepherding the younger kids into the building. “Now.”

“—an army—”

“—fast—”

“—waiting for us—”

You move faster than you’ve allowed yourself since you arrived. This is no time to take care in hiding your abilities; there are roars coming from the forest unlike anything you’ve ever heard before. Your senses seem to dial up with your heartrate and you can hear the clash of steel against rock and flesh. You scoop Annie into your arms and leap after Josiah and Sarah.

Mr. Dallen’s face is pale as he ushers you all into the manor. He holds the door open for the townsfolk. The hall fills with the sounds of panic and sobs as fear washes through you like a tidal wave. There have never been orcs south of the mountains, there have never been demons bigger than a horned rabbit in the last twenty years, even when the Winter froze the river—

Mr. Dallen waves down Marie as she sprints to the large doorway. You think that he’s going to pull her inside to safety, but instead he thrusts her bow into her outstretched hands.

“Do not open these doors,” she commands. Behind her the knights are assembling into a formation, their Lord at the center. Ivan stands before them all, barking orders to ready their spears as the trees in front of them begin to sway. Marie pulls a dagger from under her skirts and slices the bottom half of her dress clean off. She kicks it away from her feet as she talks. “Take everyone to the basement—”

“Ma’am, the escape tunnel still isn’t cleared of debris—”

Marie swears so violently that half the townsfolk gasp. She grabs Mr. Dallen by the shoulder, her eyes flicking back and forth between him and her husband. “Then we will draw them away. The moment you think you can, run to the wagon. Get the children to—” She bites her lip. You can see the devastating truth flash through her mind. There isn’t anywhere to go. “Damnit. Bar the door and arm everyone you can.”

Mr. Dallen’s lips are bloodless as he nods. “My lady.”

Marie turns to everyone. Her voice is unlike anything you’ve heard come from her lips; it’s harsh and barking. A commander giving orders much like Ivan is doing outside. “Listen, everyone. We are in danger. Our best estimate is that 25 orcs are marching on the manor. There is no guarantee of survival. The moment this door is breached, it will mean the knights have failed. You must be prepared to fight. Do you understand?”

Twenty-five? Your hands ball into fists and your breath catches in your throat. You’ve heard of entire villages being wiped out by three.

“Then we’ll fight with the knights,” the Baker says. He pushes away from the center of the group and marches to the wall. He pulls down the crossed axes, keeps one, tosses the other to the Blacksmith. She catches it easily. “You’ll need everyone who can hold a weapon.”

Marie never voices her protest. You can see the strain of holding it back in her tense shoulders and her poignant silence. At long last, she nods. “You’re right. Stay behind the knights. They know how to handle the frontline better than you.”

There’s a flurry after that. The townsfolk divide in half. Those unable to fight slide back as those who can start scavenging for weapons. Mr. Dallen grimly pulls two long daggers from under his coat while pointing your neighbors to decorative swords, to ornamental spears, to the heavy coatrack just inside the parlor.

Grimly, you stride past Sarah, ignoring her hiss and darting hands. You can leave the weapons to the villagers, there’s a large knife on the dessert table you can use—

Marie slams a hand against your chest. You stagger back at the weight of the blow, breath knocked from your lungs. You’re more stunned than hurt as you gape at her.

“Children stay here,” Marie says. Her eyes narrow. “No exceptions.”

“But I’m—”

“We don’t have time to argue!” She pushes you further back, clearing the doorway for the armed villagers to run outside towards the knights. “You’re strong Isla, but this isn’t your fight. Stay here. Guard the door.”

The winter wind howls in your mind. You splutter. “But I—”

Marie spins away from you. “Director Sarah.”

Sarah’s arms slide around your shoulders. “Yes, lady.”

 The closing of the door feels like a blow in itself. You stare sightlessly at the unyielding wood as your emotions rage. How could she? You’re strong, you can do more, you can help, you’re the one who kept everyone from starving—

“We need to barricade the windows,” Director Sarah is saying to the townsfolk. Half of them gaze at her uncomprehendingly. Her hands slide from your shoulders slowly, as if testing that you aren’t going to leap outside. When you don’t move, she lets go entirely. “Isla, move the furniture. Hera and Josiah, find something to tie it down with.”

You move on autopilot. There are other hands alongside yours as you push the sofa and armchairs in front of the windows, the townsfolk coming together to defend the manor. Hera darts between you all and pulls the curtains closed, reclaiming the curtain ties to use as rope. She’s got a grim determination in her eyes that looks uncomfortably familiar.

Your attention is on the noise outside. The orcs are slow, but loud. The roars change to squeals and bellows of challenge. Branches break and there’s a terrifying, splintering crash as a tree falls. Metal rings as the knights raise their shields. You can see it all in your mind’s eye, the knights in a defensive line across the length of the garden, the Lord securely in their center. Ivan is shouting about this being what they’ve trained for, that there are more of them than there are orcs, that this city won’t fall—

And the Lord is speaking too, quickly and quietly to Marie. The escape tunnel? Damnit, I should have sent more men—

It will be fine, Marie says. Her bow sings as she holds it ready and you know the way her muscles flex and her eyes narrow from experience. We won’t let a single one of those monsters past us. We won’t--

The knights bellow alongside the orcs. Your heart leaps and your focus is jarred. You’re standing in front of the door again, your hands balled at your sides. Everyone can hear the battle now and the townsfolk scream when the orcs’ battle cries shake the manor.

“Quiet!” Is that your voice? It is. Your eyes slide to the frightened faces behind you. “You’ll distract the knights.”

Sarah steps up alongside you. “And let the orcs know exactly where we are.”

The villagers quiet into aborted whimpers and muffled sobs.

The battle rages, louder and louder. Are orcs big? They sound big. When you close your eyes you can hear the way their feet pummel the earth. Do they have weapons? Metal clashes. A knight screams that their hides are too thick. The Lord shouts back to aim for their eyes. A table splinters, a bow sings, there’s a liquid gasp—

BOOM!

You slam your hands against the door, muscles straining as another blow lands against it. The wood convulses under your hands and the lock creaks. The villagers scream.

“No,” someone whispers. “No, they found us.”

You’re eight and the snow spirits are howling for blood. Your shoulders ache with the effort to hold the door against the wind. The cold is biting at your fingertips and there is an old hope dying in your chest--

Small hands slam against the door next to yours. Hera is snarling and swearing, Josiah is crying. Sarah is telling the kids not to worry, Isla and Hera and Josiah won’t let them in –

They’re here. You’re not alone.

“GET AWAY FROM THERE!”

The orc’s bellow isn’t nearly as loud as Ivan’s roar.

The blow you’re bracing for never comes. Ivan goads the orc to follow him, to leave the manor alone, to eat the man readily available to him—

It does not sound like the knights are winning now.

“My Lord!” Marie’s voice is strained.

“Do not fall back, they’ll corner us—”

“Who is that? Who is—”

The crack under the door lights with a sickly purple. The smell of ozone seeps into the manor. For a moment there is a silence so complete you think you’ve been struck. What was that? Magic? You’ve never seen magic before--

Screams rocket across the field. The Blacksmith’s screams. The Baker’s screams. Marie’s rage-filled howls.

“DEMON KING!”

Your Destiny burns.

---.

(part 1) (part 2) (part 3)

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

Thanks for reading! If you'd like read the last part of Isla a week early, please consider supporting me on Patreon(X)!

[olivianyx]

'OF COURSE' METHOD ♡

I think I found a new method based on those trending tiktok trend that goes like 'we're besties, of course we make fun of the same person for the 700th time and never get bored' or 'I'm the oldest child, of course I'm responsible for my siblings' mistakes' and blah blah blah. I made this as a method 😭 (don't judge me, it's just for fun)

This method mostly helps for rampaging or vaunting. You can use this as robotic affirming too.

THE METHOD ♡

Step 1: know clearly what you desire. Cus sometimes you prob be confused what you want, so know what you really desire.

Step 2: have a mental idea of it or a visual of it. If you can visualise, that's fine. If not, go on Pinterest to find it.

Step 3: Ask yourself, if you have what you already desire, what will you feel or do with it. If it's a material, how would you wear or keep it. If it's love or peace or something that's not materialistic, how would you feel everytime. Ask yourself and write it down or type it in your notes app.

Step 4: the actual method! suppose you wanna be an IT girl/boy, so you go affirming in front of the mirror or to yourself! If you have a friend who's manifesting just like you, try this trend in terms of manifestation with your bestie 😭 you need to affirm or rampage like ----->

'I'm an IT girl, of course I'm the most prettiest of them all'

'I'm an IT boy, of course I'm the most handsome of them all'

'I'm an IT girl/boy, of course I'm rich asf'

'I'm an IT girl/boy, of course I'm sexy'

you can use anything that implies the fulfillment of your desire aka which you already have. So you can affirm that you're rich, pretty, handsome, successful, happily married or you have your desired job or you were accepted into your desired university or anything you desire.

MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS METHOD ♡

Flashback to 2019

I manifested meeting my old friend with this method. The last time we had met was back in 2019, and she moved to Germany in 2020. We still had contact through Instagram. But still we we're besties since we were like 7 😭 as I had no friends back in quarantine, I only had a few online friends and her (her name's Dina btw)

Time skip to now

So I saw this tiktok trend was everywhere, so I wondered why can't use this as a method. So I went affirming in front of the mirror (actually you don't have affirm in front of the mirror if not comfortable) 'we're besties, of course we're together since 13 years and we'll still be always' and 'we're besties, of course we can't wait to meet each other everyday'. Guess what? In the next days, she texted me that she's moving back to Sydney 😭😭😭 I was fucking sunghooned 😭😭

I was like gurl what? How? When? Why? Where? She told me that she wanted to medicals along with me since arts is not interesting 😭 she was accepted into our uni a month ago and did not tell me 😭 now she's gonna join my junior batch and study with me! I was sooo happy y'all 🥹🥹🥹

Believe in yourselves, there's already movement. Just like in my case there's always movement even before you notice. So don't give up! Keep persisting in your assumptions! Love y'all bye 🫶

(I'm sorry it was short, since uni's being a bitch 😭 comment if you have any doubts, I'll gladly answer them 🫶)

- olivia 🤍

[mysteryshoptls]

Floyd Leech Shared Lines

Tutorial: Whatcha doin' today～? Maybe I'll tag along.

Level Up 1: How's that? Am I doin' good?

Level Up 2 / Buddy Level Up: Hey, c'mon, let's do some more～

Level Up 3: Ain't this fun, Shrimpy-chan?

Level Max: I feel like I can do anything today. Maybe I'll show off what I can really do. Ahah!

Vignette Level Up: I never get bored whenever I'm with you, Shrimpy-chan, 'cause we're always doin' something fun. Let's keep on having fun, 'kay?

Spell Level Up: Ehhh, I'm not feelin up to showing off my magic right now. Can't I do it later?

Friendship Level Up: Hey, make a chair just for me. One that’s round, but also sharp; that makes a statement, but is also subtle.

Friendship Level Max: I feel like I’m one of your regulars here, huh. It’s kinda rare for me to be able to hang in one place for so long without gettin’ bored. Keep it up, I’m counting on ya.

Uncapped: What limits? I just wanna see how far I can go.

Groovification: Ahah, this feels great～ I kinda wanna do somethin' fun!

Lesson Select 1: I think I'll tag along with you today for class. Which one you choosin'?

Lesson Select 2: Try guessin' what class I wanna take today. Jade'd get it one go, y'know.

Lesson Select 3: [yaaaaawn] ...I'm not really feelin' it, so pick a class I can sleep in～

Lesson Start: Let's get started～

Lesson Finish: I focused up, yay me!

Battle Start: You wanna get squeezed by me?

Battle Won: Why didja think you could win?

Trouble 1: Ahn? Why’re you stopping me? You wanna be my opponent instead?

Trouble 2: Ahaha, that’s so much fun～! That got me so pumped up!

GIFT CALENDAR 2023: “How will you be spending the day?” Yesterday I saw someone wearing these boots lined with fur, and it looked kinda fascinating, so I thought I’d try to find some in town. I wonder if it’s hard to walk in? If I find a good pair, I think I’ll buy 'em and try 'em out.

Birthday Login Message 1: You remembered Jade’s and my birthday. I thought about squeezing you if you had forgotten but… too bad. So, Shrimpy-chan, what are you going to do for us? Of course, you’ve come up with something amazing, right?

Birthday Login Message 2: Shrimpy-chan, thanks for celebrating with meー Look, I got a bunch of other presents too. Ah? It’s not like I forcibly took it from them or anything. There’s a trick to receiving presents. I guess I can teach you how to do it as a special treat. If you say, “Today’s my birthday～ …Don’t you have something to give me?” then eeeverybody’ll give you something, so try it out sometime.

Birthday Login Message 3: Ah, hey, it’s Shrimpy-chan. So you’re gonna give me whatever I want as a present? Then, tell me a fun story you know from up here on the surface. …What, you weren’t expecting me to ask for somethin’ intangible? I mean, this is waaay better than getting somethin’ I don’t need. But I ain’t gonna let it slide if you tell me a boring story. Mmkay, you can go ahead and start now～

Birthday Login Message 4: Hey, Shrimpy-chan. Jump a little for me. [jumps] Hm? I don’t hear nothin’. Today’s my birthday, and you don’t have a present for me? Don’t worry, it’s fine. You just gotta go out and buy something now, then. Soooo, what should I ask you to get, hmmm?

Birthday Login Message 5: Eh, you brought me a birthday gift? Shrimpy-chan, you’re the best! Wish others’d take a page outta your book～ Those guys in the Basketball Club are the worst. I was just checkin’ with them, making sure they didn’t forget my birthday, and you know what Sea Snake-kun said? He said that there’s no way he’d forget a day that’d end up being more trouble than it’s worth for him if he did. That sent Crab-chan into a fit of laughs, too. Oh yeahhh, come to think of it, I still haven’t gotten my gifts from 'em yet. Think I’ll start if off by heading off to Crab-chan’s place first.

Requested by Anonymous.

[incorrectbatfam]

It's movie night but they can't use the home cinema, what do they do?

[week 1]

Bruce: Thanks for letting us use your place for movie night while we fix that leak at home.

Dick: No problem. Besides, I have plenty of snacks and the director's cut of Dumbo.

Everyone: *gathers around*

Dick: *puts on the movie*

~ 10 minutes in ~

*beep* *beep* *beep* *beep*

Tim: My crime alert's going off.

Harper: Mine too.

Duke: Must be big.

Bruce: Suit up and rendezvous in three.

Dick: *sighs and pauses the movie*

Dick: Can't get one night in this damn city.

———————

[week 2]

Tim: Steph, why are we at a karaoke lounge?

Steph: I know the owner's cousin's hairdresser's dog walker's sister's girlfriend and I convinced them to let us use the party room. Don't worry, it's just like a TV screen.

Steph: *puts on Pitch Perfect*

Steph: Ooh, I love this part.

Steph: *grabs a mic and starts singing*

Everyone:

Damian: *stuffs napkins in his ears*

———————

[week 3]

Jason: Since we decided on Pride and Prejudice, I thought I could play it at my safehouse.

Dick: Sweet, thanks!

Jason: *unlocks the door*

Dick: *tries to step in*

Jason: *stops him*

Jason: I said I could play it. I never said you could come in. I don't want your you-ness all over my new stuff.

Bruce: Jason, be reasonable.

Harper: Yeah, you got this junk off the side of the road.

Jason: My junk, my rules.

Tim: Then what are we supposed to do?

Jason: Fire escape's around the back. You'll get a decent glance.

~ 20 minutes later ~

Dick: *leans his head in to hear better*

Jason: My air, my rules.

Jason: *closes the window*

———————

[week 4]

Bruce: Cass, it's your turn. Got the movie?

Cass: *nods and plays Rambo on her computer*

Barbara: Uh, why isn't there any sound?

Cass: Volume button broke. Just read lips.

Jason: Kinda hard to do that with the brightness at zero. Did that stop working too?

Duke: Looks fine to me.

Jason: Shut up, Flashlight.

———————

[week 5]

Tim: I brought my entire Star Wars collection.

Bruce, dodging a space laser: Not the time.

Tim: Okay.

Bruce: *punches an alien robot*

Tim: How about now?

———————

[week 6]

Barbara: Sorry I got a cold, but at least we can still have movie night on Zoom. I torrented a copy of The Matrix.

Barbara: *shares her screen*

*movie plays*

Barbara: *leaves herself unmuted*

Barbara: *starts crinkling Sun Chips*

———————

[week 7]

Everyone: *crowd around Damian's phone watching My Neighbor Totoro*

Bette: Why is your phone so small?

Damian: I have tiny hands.

———————

[week 8]

Harper: Because we're watching Cars this week, I thought I could put together an all-immersive experience.

Bruce: BY LOCKING US IN A RUNAWAY SEMI-TRUCK?!?

———————

[week 9]

Duke: I called this company and since we're heroes, they're letting us use their electronic billboard for this week's movie at a huge discount. Kill Bill should be coming on right about...

*movie starts playing*

Jason: Not bad, Narrows.

*billboard switches to an ad*

———————

[week 10]

Carrie: Since Steamboat Willie is now public domain, I thought we could do something different tonight.

Carrie: *pulls out a flipbook*

———————

[week 11]

Everyone: *watching Love, Simon in a dark living room*

*lights flick on*

Apollo and Midnighter: *standing there in date night outfits*

Steph: Um, Cullen, who are these guys?

Cullen: *laughs nervously*

Cullen: Everyone, meet Apollo and Midnighter. They're kinda-sorta my gay uncles and we're kinda-sorta in their apartment and I kinda-sorta didn't expect them to come back early.

Midnighter: Remind me why we gave you a spare key?

———————

[week 12]

Kate: *sets up a projector and plays Glass Onion*

Bruce: Kate, this is a crime scene.

Kate: The fun part's already done, let Gordon do cleanup this time.

———————

[week 13]

Alfred: Back in my day, we did not rely on scrupulous use of technology. Which is why I propose watching a classic Sherlock Holmes tale on a classic instrument.

Alfred: *pulls out a zoetrope*

Steph: Anyone know what that is?

Dick: Not a clue.

———————

[week 14]

Luke: Nothing like a good ol' drive-in movie. Great idea, Helena.

Helena: I know, and the Godfather is perfect for this.

*Batmobile crashes through the screen*

Steph: Sorry we're late.

Duke: I'm still figuring out the PRINDL.

———————

[week 15]

*TV playing the Aristocats*

Bruce, trying to flirt: I like what you've done with the curtains.

Selina: Thanks, but it was Snowball's after-dinner surprise.

*TV blinks off*

Tim: Hey, what gives?

Selina: *takes a chewed-up cord out of a cat's mouth*

Selina, sighing: This is why I married rich.

———————

[week 16]

Luke: May I present the ultimate Snakes On A Plane drone show!

*phone rings*

Luke: Hello? ... Yes, this is he. ... Mhm. ... Yep. ... Okay.

Luke: Never mind, the FAA says I can't.

———————

[week 17]

Everyone: *watching Legally Blonde at Bette's place*

*dogs barking*

*sirens*

*loud music*

*car honk*

*neighbors shouting*

Bette: Sorry, we have thin walls.

Bruce, shrugging: Eh, still not as bad as HOA.

———————

[week 18]

Damian: Where is movie night this time, Father?

Barbara: My money's on another crime scene.

Bruce: Actually, I rented out the theater just for us and they're playing a special edition of The Mark of Zorro. Everyone got their snacks?

Duke: Popcorn, check.

Cass: Licorice, check.

Steph: M&Ms are obviously the right answer by the way.

Dick: I got a slushee.

Jason: I got the slushee machine.

Bruce: Alright then, take your seats. The movie's about to begin.

*movie plays*

*Rogues break in, make a mess, and leave*

Bruce:

Bruce:

Bruce: I miss my parents.

[bucktommysource]

The bucktommy hiatus event begins on Sunday June 1st - exactly one week away! You can check out our intro post here for a reminder of the list of prompts.

We'll post a reminder the day before, and each week we will make post reminders to mark the start of a new prompt. Remember to tag your content with #bucktommysource and/or #bucktommyhiatusevent if you want us to see it!

We also now have a brand new faq that can be fully seen under the read more! We can't wait to see everybody's creations!

FAQ

What is the bucktommy hiatus event?

The bucktommy hiatus event is an event hosted by bucktommysource that begins on June 1st and runs for 8 weeks to inspire fans of this ship to create new fanworks during the hiatus! We're running two sets of prompts - one more specific, and one more vague - but a prompt can be picked from either list for any type of fanwork. You can pick strictly from one prompt list for the 8 weeks, mix and match across them, combine prompts from both lists (e.g. combining the week 2 prompts of 'quote(s)' and 'baking' to form a fanwork) - anything you can think of! Participation isn't strict; if you're only inspired by 1 or 2 of the weeks, feel free to just make content for those weeks. The main purpose of the event is to have fun - it shouldn't be stressful or taxing. And just because these prompts run across two months doesn't mean you can't make content after that! If you see this in August, September, October - hell, any time! - feel free to use the prompts as inspiration. The full list of prompts can be found in our introductary post here!

What can I make for this event?

You can make anything your heart desires! Fanart, fanfiction, gifsets, graphics, edits, fanvideos, icons, headers, memes, meta - to name but a few!

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[ddejavvu]

Animagus reader and Sirius playing in their animal forms and Sirius accidentally being a little too rough since his form is obviously a lot bigger? He’s super apologetic and while the damage isn’t a big deal at all, reader is like “… I guess this means you owe me a lot of sweater cuddles and to carry me in your bag..” to milk it LOL

part 1 / part 2 / part 3 / part 4 / part 5 / part 6 / part 7 / part 8

--

Sirius curses the fact that he'd chosen to bound over the grounds with you instead of staying hidden in the shadows of the forest. It means that when his massive form crashes down on top of you after you nip at his front paw, that neither of you can immediately transform to assess the damage. You're in full view of the castle and the accompanying grounds, and he has to fight every urge in his body not to give himself away and shift back at your pained yelp.

He panics, cycles through fight and flight and decides neither will do, then ever-so-gently takes the scruff of your neck between his teeth. He's painstakingly careful, whining apologetically in his throat as he secures you in his maw and bolts for the forest. You haven't made any further outcries, not even when his grip on you had shifted your position, and Sirius takes it to mean that he hasn't maimed you too badly. He still doesn't feel good about it, though, and his paws beat roughly over the earthen forest as he searches for a place to hide.

When he's carried you well within the sprawling confines of the forest he lowers his head to the ground, setting you gently on the mossy dirt.

When you don't immediately transform back, your eyes scanning the trees for potential onlookers, he nudges you with his wet snout, snuffling softly against your fur. It's safe.

You let your transformation seize you, limbs cracking though there's no accompanying pain, and fur retracting and morphing into soft, smooth skin. You wind up splayed over the forest floor and quickly right yourself so that your back is against the tree, and Sirius completes his own transformation only seconds later.

His eyes are round and shining with worry, and you marvel at how he's able to pull such perfect puppy dog eyes even after shedding his canine form. He scans you for visible injuries, lips trembling slightly as he asks, "Darling, are you okay?"

"My wrist hurts," You observe, voice pinched in pain as you raise it. There's a slight ache there, nothing that a day of use won't shake away, but Sirius takes it between his fingers like it's shattered glass that he's afraid might cut him.

"I'm sorry!" He gushes, inspecting the skin there like it might just give up and split in two, "Darling, I'm sorry, I didn't- I didn't mean to hurt you. Are you- is it okay? Do we need to go to the hospital wing?"

You flex it in his grip, once, twice, and already the slight pain eases. You shake your head, but he perceives it as an answer for the wrong question, and his eyes light further with a flaming worry.

"No, I'm- it's okay, Sirius." You assure him, brows still furrowed together at the middle, "I don't need the hospital."

"Are you sure?" He verifies, a nervous glimmer still sullying his handsome features. You nod, twisting your wrist in his grip to take hold of one of his hands, squeezing it reassuringly.

"Yeah, I'm sure," You nod, shifting your legs to plant your heels against the ground, "Help me up?"

He scrambles to fulfil your request, hauling you to your feet and right into his arms. He holds you against his chest, touch excruciatingly gentle against your skin.

"You're sure you're okay?" He asks, and for a third time, you nod.

"Yes, Sirius," You laugh, planting your face into the seam of his button-up, "Yes, I'm okay. It only hurt for a second. I just twisted it or something. It's fine, I'm fine, we're fine."

"Okay." He smooths a hand up your back, nodding along to your repetitive reassurances, "Okay. I'm sorry."

"It's alright," You hum, wishing you were back in your feline form as you press your face into his chest. It's more soothing then, and you can hear the beat of his heart much clearer when you're a cat.

"You gotta make it up to me, though." You muse expectantly, and his arms stiffen around you, "Three whole days of carrying me in your bag without complaining."

"Three?" He asks incredulously, "One! Two, if you're lucky. Three is for hospital wing patients."

"Ah, my wrist," You feign injury, slumping against his chest as he fills the forest with the sound of his deep laughter, "Sirius, hospital wing, stat!"

[nightlyrequiem]

Pen Pal IV

Valeria breaks out of prison and holds you to your word that friends have each other's backs.

AO3 Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 w.c- 2,557

Tags/Warnings- Inmate!Valeria, Friendship, Implied Developing Feelings, Open Ending, Prison, Post-Modern Warfare II, Fluff, Murder, Prison Escape, Slice of Life

There's a shift in the atmosphere. A change in the air pressure. You've been edgy since you came home early from work a few days ago, and Valeria noticed immediately. It makes her boil with curiosity and suspicion. You were approached by a man a few days ago as well. Did he approach you again? She's left stewing over the possibility of you throwing her under the bus. Any moment now the door could be kicked open by a squad of soldiers.

This stress isn't good for the soul. To ease her mind, she decides she'll talk to you. She waits on the couch patiently until she hears the quiet sound of your bedroom door opening. She tracks your movements as you enter the kitchen and grab a glass from the cupboards. Silently, she gets off the couch and stalks in after you. She looms in the entryway behind you. Watching.

You don't even realize she's there until you turn around and jump.

"Valeria!" You cough, some of the water you drank spills out your lips and you quickly wipe your mouth. 

"What's wrong with you?" She asks bluntly. Her annoyance deepens when you furrow your brows at her. Like you couldn't possibly know what she's referring to.

"Nothing's wrong with me." You reply. You set down your glass and lean against the sink. Valeria steps forward.

You sound offended, but not guilty. It makes her feel a little more comfortable. 

"You've been different these last couple of days." She states, narrowing her gaze at you thoughtfully. The dark circles under your eyes have grown darker, she notices.

"Oh." You reply. "No, I'm fine. I've just been stressed about this... whole thing." You gesture at the space between you and her vaguely.

"Why?" She frowns. She thought everything was fine. You had been happy enough to be in her company. Is her novelty wearing off? Displeasure washes over her. Do you not like her anymore? "I told you I have everything under control. Do you not trust me now?" Instinctively, she steps closer again. Crowding you.

You try to inch to the side but she's not having that. She angrily slams down her hands on either side of you, trapping you right there and startling you. You don't get to act weird then run off when she tries talking to you like an adult. Your inability to communicate with her angers her, but deep down, she's also a little hurt by the idea that you don't trust her, and that angers her too.

"I know!" You say loudly. You look at her so unhappily that it makes her feel weird. "But if we're caught, my life will be over."

"What life? You work at a grocery store and rarely leave the house." She snaps back, frustrated. Her disappointment is making her mean.

She actually feels a little bad at the wounded look in your eyes. You struggle for a reply but come up with nothing. Regretfully, Valeria steps back. You grab your glass and brush past her without another word, retreating back to the safety of your room. Valeria feels something unfamiliar. It makes her skin crawl. She's not wrong though. You don't have much of a life. So why does she feel bad for saying as much?

She'd like to go to your room to talk out this problem. Fix it before it festers and backfires on her. But she has to meet with Diego to discuss her plans regarding Los Vaqueros and seizing back control over Las Almas. She pats her back pocket to make she her pay-as-you-go phone is still there and stuffs her feet into her shoes. She snatches a hat and pulls it low over her face then opens the door, stepping back out into the world.

Valeria was used to walking down the street unashamedly. Her head held high and her stride purposeful. Like the very sun had risen that day just for her. Now she's reduced to a slow, unassuming gait and lowered eyes to hide her identity. Nobody prior to her arrest knew she was El Sin Nombre, but they instinctively avoided her. Now they shoulder check her and tell her to watch where she's going. Her teeth grind. Oh, how she's fallen.

The longer she walks the more she misses having a car. Ten minutes in and she's already drenched with sweat and limping under the heavy weight of the sun's heat. She silently prays for a breeze but whatever or whoever is in charge of answering isn't listening today.

Thirty minutes later Valeria is waiting just a few feet off of a local hiking trail. She's hot, sweating, and lightheaded. Her usually short temper has burned away to nothing, and she is pissed that Diego isn't here yet. He's only late by five minutes but that's five minutes longer that she has to stand here in the heat when she could be back in your home. With the sweet relief of the AC. With you.

Another pang of something flashes through her at the thought of you. There and gone. It's a frustrating, weak feeling. It's like regret's cousin. Not at all as pleasant as the feeling of mutual friendship. Or the other thing that's slowly growing the longer she spends with you. Twigs and fallen leaves crunch and Valeria's heart lurches. Her body jerks with the intent to dart into the thick foliage but she keeps herself rooted. It's probably Deigo and she can't have him thinking she's a coward.

The broad man pushes his way through a tall bush. sunlight dappling through the leaves above shine and glint off his smooth head.

"You're late." Valeria barks. She crosses her arms over her chest. He knows how she feels about punctuality.

"Yes. I know. Sorry." He tells her. "They made it past the border. It should be here by nightfall." Finally, some better news.

In order to resume dominance over her town, Valeria will need to declare war. And since all her weapons had been confiscated after her arrest, she was in need of new ones. Finding a down-low arms-dealer is annoying. And negotiating a deal and actually getting firearms and handhelds is even more annoying. With those things done and over with, she allows her body to finally relax.

"Good." She says ungraciously. "Round up everyone left and split them into two groups." Memories of her days in the Special Forces rise up once more. Such a terrible experience still influencing how she does things in present day. You can never escape the past. "You lead one, I'll lead the other. I don't want any Vaqueros left when we're done."

"Yes, jefe." Deigo replies obediently. 

"Good." she narrows her gaze. "Get that organized. Next time we meet we'll discuss where we'll be targeting and when."

Diego nods. When it's clear she has nothing else to say to him, he turns and starts walking back towards the main path.

"Oh, and Diego?" She calls out. He stops and turns his head, looking at her. "I don't want anyone going after Alejandro." She says. Just saying his name fills her with unbridled resentment. "He's mine."

The great, unkillable Alejandro will die by her hand. All those years of sitting in his shadow, of dealing with his arrogance, the satisfaction of watching him realize she has gotten the better of him will never be enough. But it will do. With him and his little Vaqueros gone, glory will be fully restored. Las Almas will be hers. She's let them run around unchecked for too long.

You're still in your bedroom when Valeria gets back. She's a little relieved. When she takes off the hat her black hair is matted and damp. Loose strands stick to her quickly cooling, sweat slick face. Only a few more weeks of this. She silently says to herself. It's been her mantra since she was imprisoned. Just a little while until she escapes. Just a little while until she can stop sneaking around. Just a little while until she can go home. It's the only thing that's keeping her from acting rashly.

She still needs to talk to you. You're obviously still offended over what she said. But she won't talk to you in her disheveled state. She heads into the bathroom after grabbing a fresh towel and peels off her clothes. The cold shock of the shower spray is refreshing and washes off the lingering heat fatigue.

She keeps her shower quick. Hopping out after five minutes and throwing on the spare change of clothes she got from under the sink. She quickly untangles the knots in her hair with her fingers and leaves it wet. It can air dry on its own.

She steps out of the bathroom and hesitates in front of your closed bedroom door. She listens for any movement inside and hears the quiet murmuring of a video, presumably playing from your laptop. She raises her fist and knocks firmly. The video stops and a second later your muffled voice calls to come in.

She enters and looks around. She's seen your room once. When she crawled in through your window weeks ago. But it's different in the light of day. Your bedsheets are ruffled, and you have a few articles of clothing lying around.  You're sitting on your bed looking at her. She doesn't like your detached, polite expression.

"Yes?" You speak.

"You were upset by what I said." She says, getting straight to the point. There's no need to dance around the subject.

"... Well, it was rude, so yes, I'm upset." You reply. Your brows tick down. Valeria resists the urge to defend herself. What she said was true. But she knows doubling down won't fix anything. It would make it worse.

"It was rude." She agrees. "And I shouldn't have said that. I was just frustrated." She thinks that should suffice as an apology.

"It's fine." You say. But you don't look fine. Valeria stifles an annoyed sigh.

"I came in here to talk to you, to work this out, but it's not going to work if you just pretend it's fine when you're really building up resentment." 

You look at her and raise your hand to pick at your lips, brows furrowed in thought.

"Okay." You say finally. "I don't have friends or go anywhere. And that's something that upsets me. So when you - someone I consider a friend, someone that I've opened my home to - throws my struggles in my face like that, it really hurts." 

"I didn't mean to hurt you." Valeria responds. Frowning at you.

"What did you mean then? Because I don't see how you could've said that without hurting me." You say flatly.

She did mean to hurt you. But she doesn't see the big deal. She's hard to get along with, she's short tempered. She will hurt the people around her just as the sun will rise every morning.

"Okay."

You stare at her. "Okay... well, are you going to do that again?"

"Probably."

"Well don't." You say sternly. She's a little surprised by your firmness. And a little pleased that you seem to be developing a backbone of sorts.

Valeria nods. Assuming you'll leave it at that. But you look at her expectantly and she doesn't know what you want.

"Say it, say you'll be more considerate of my feelings." 

Your demand annoys her. But she needs you at the moment. And if she's being honest, even after she takes back Las Almas, she'd like to keep you around. 

"Okay," She sighs. "I'll be more considerate."

"Thank you." You relax. Valeria knows you're still feeling troubled though.

"I'll be gone soon, everything is getting sorted. I can promise you with full confidence that you'll be fine." She reassures you.

She had assumed that the news would cheer you up but to her confusion, you seem to deflate a little.

"Good. I'll be glad to have you out of my hair." You say, smiling teasingly at her. But under your lighthearted amusement, is cold disappointment. She doesn't understand what you want. You complain about one thing but when she finds a solution it's not good enough for you. 

Later that night you went back out to get the remainder of the groceries. Valeria waited your return impatiently. Apart from when you and Valeria watch things together on your laptop, there's not really much to do. Your choice of literature doesn't suit her tastes or satisfy the itch for entertainment. She really wishes you had a TV.  

She's so bored that she's taken some lined paper and a pen and has resorted to doodling. This must be what pets feel like when their owners are away at work. Her day of reckoning can't get here any faster. But she cannot rush this, or she'll lose everything.

It's an hour and a half later when the locks turn and you step inside, carrying four bags. Like last time, there's a nervous expression plastered all over your face. She hopes you never get into gambling because you wear your feelings on your sleave.

"What happened?" She asks, sitting up from the couch. You walk into the kitchen and start putting away the groceries. 

"That man was back." You reply. "He tried talking to me again. I think he's suspicious of me."

"You don't need to worry about the police, I already told you." She says, coming to stand beside you.

"He's not police. He's military." You shake your head. You push the bread into the cupboard and throw the brown bags into the garbage.

"You don't need to worry about the military either." She tells you. You give a bewildered look. 

"That's like telling me not to be afraid of death. Cops are one thing, but the military are an entirely different ballpark." 

Something had been eating away at the back of her mind. This man is persistent, enough to bother you  whenever he sees you it seems.

"Did he say his name?" She asks.

"Yeah, Alejandro. Why?" 

Alejandro.

She stiffens and scowls. He can't ever leave her alone or have one thing that's just hers. He always has to insert himself into her business. She wouldn't be surprised if he found out the two of your friends, just for him to try and befriend you as well. He'd probably try to one up her and date you. Pure hatred shoots through her at the thought. You step back.

"Valeria?" Your voice breaks her out of her thoughts.

"Yes?" She responds, forcing her tone to be level.

"Do you know him?" You ask.

"Something like that. We served together." She replies bitterly, not bothering to hide her displeasure. 

She can see the curiosity burning on your face. You want to know why she feels so vitriolic about him. But Valeria doesn't see that as something you need to know. She's still not completely comfortable with revealing certain parts of herself. Still, she feels a sudden urge to soothe you. She places a hand on your upper arm and squeezes gently.

"I have a lot more power than you think, I can keep you safe." She says quietly. You feel stiff under her touch, and you don't meet her eye. Slowly, her hand falls. She doesn't like the way her chest tightens.

[very-merry-birthday]

Make Love, Not War Part 6

Part 1  Part 2   Part 3   Part 4 Part 5

Summary: It's been 6 months since Sam found out about you and Dean, what's happened since then?

Warnings: Some (very little compared to all other parts!) smut

A/N: Penultimate part! This isn't quite the smutty Dean fest the other parts have been, but it's setting up for a hopefully satisfying final part- 'Y/N' deserves a real ending after so many years.

~~~~

-6 months ago-

"What. The. Fuck." Sam looked over at his brother, halfway through buckling his belt as he left the bathroom. You heard Sam's voice from the other side of the door, sudden fear creeping in.

"I- it's not-"

"It's not what it looks like? It looks like you're redressing yourself after having a shower with Y/N. If it's not that tell me what it is-"

"It's not-"

"So tell me what it is!"

"Fine." Dean let out a heavy sigh, caught with nowhere to run. "I- we- we just showered together."

"Ah right you showered together, that explains everything- what the fuck are you talking about Dean."

"We fucked okay! We fucked- We're fucking- I don't know!"

"What the-" Sam stumbled over his words. "What-? When-? More than once?"

Silence from the hallway suggested a nod from Dean.

"You can't be f- you're at each other's throats every day! You don't even like each other!"

"It's just sex, we don't have to like each other!" A sickly feeling washed over you from his words.

"You're not- together?"

"No! God no!" His defenses were up, "God I knew you wouldn't understand! There doesn't have to be feelings or anything it's just urges okay!"

-5 months ago-

Sam's eyes bored into the trail of hickeys leading down your neck and below your shirt collar as you sat across from him at the table. You shifted uncomfortably in your seat and continued to stare at your laptop.

"That Dean?" He murmured, indicating at your neck.

"I think that's private." you replied, breaking away from the laptop to lock eyes with him. He knew you were sleeping together, sure, but you and Dean were still trying to keep it to yourselves as much as possible.

You thought back to the night before, your nails embedded into his back, soft moans escaping your lips as he pushed into you, his mouth on your neck. I'm going to make sure everyone knows who you belong to, he'd said as he nipped at your skin again, clearly the heat of the moment overwhelming his thoughts of keeping covert.

You and Sam stared at each other for a moment, weighing up the next words. Sam cared for you more than anyone, and he knew you had feelings for Dean. He'd barely spoken to you about last months discovery, simply stating he knew about you and Dean and he didn't want to get more involved than he already was, but looking at him now you felt a lecture coming on.

"You and him that's-"

"I thought we weren't going to talk about this." You sighed with a soft smile, you'd been waiting for him to break with broaching you for more information.

"We're not!" He held his hands up in mock guilt and chuckled, "it's just- do you really know what you're doing here?"

"Yes, Sam" you relaxed into your seat, "it's fine, it's fun!"

"But just sex- have you even spoken to him about it becoming something more?"

"You know that's not him." You stated flatly. Yes the idea has crossed your mind- but actually doing it never had.

-4 months ago-

You pushed yourself against his mouth, your orgasm rolling through you as his tongue flicked over your sensitive clit, your hand combed through his sweat ridden hair.

You let your body go slack and he rolled off you. Both of you lay panting on the back seat of the impala, your naked bodies sticking to the leather seats. Your hot breath and the sound of the crickets outside filled the air as you watched his chest rising and falling. He turned back to you as he sat up, a smile on his face, and lifted your leg to start giving your calf lazy kisses.

"We should stop this." You whispered, resisting your own words.

"We've got ages until Sam expects us back, relax baby, let me make you feel good." He kissed your skin again lightly. You didn't make any move to stop him.

"Not just now I mean- we should stop doing this- whatever this is."

He let out an absentminded hum of agreement, clearly his mind was on other things. You pulled your leg away, shuffling to sit up. "I'm serious Dean, Is this just sex or is it turning into something more than that, we've got to work out what we're doing here."

He looked at you with puppy-dog-eyes, "We're having a real good time right now, I'm gonna make you cum again, and then we're going to drive back and tell Sam to stop making things complicated by trying to talk to us both about feelings."

"This isn't Sam speaking, he's barely even talked to me about this has he talked to you?"

"No I- I just mean why are we having to go over this, we know what this is-"

"Do we?" You snapped slightly now, pulling your underwear back up and putting your shirt on. "Because the other night you had ample opportunity to go home with a hot girl and you didn't talk to anyone all night- that seems like you're beginning to attach some strings to this-"

"I just-"

"We're sleeping in the same bed after sex! We're waking up together in the morning, you're making me coffee for fucks sake!"

"You're being serious-" he started, taken aback and pulling on his boxers. "- I, I don't know-"

You stared at him, waiting for his response.

"I guess it's more complicated than I-" he swallowed hard and brushed a loose strand of hair from your face. "Is this just sex to you?"

The question hung in the air, your eyes locked with his, unable to find a response. His expression darkened. "Did you want something more?"

Your breath hitched in your throat, heart pounding in your ears. You were stronger than any hunter Dean knew, nothing got to you, but this- "-no."

His jaw tightened and he retracted his hand from your face. He pushed open his side door and changed quickly in silence, and you followed his actions, confused about his state. Surely that's what he wanted. Surely that was the right answer for him.

You barely swung into the passenger seat as he sped off, tight fists at the wheel, eyes straight.

"Dean I-" you began, reaching out to his shoulder. He shrugged you off.

"Good! That's good!" He broke a smile. "No that's what we said and I'm glad you get that! I was beginning to think you were seeing us as something more and clearly I was wrong-"

"I think-"

"Sex. Just sex. Easy- we can do just sex. You can go around, fuck whoever you want and I can fuck who I want- excellent!" He sped up further, his driving barely on his mind.

"Dean, it's just-"

"It's perfect Y/N. I'm being serious. You just come to me when you want a good fingering and I'll come to you when I need to get my cock pumped and we'll both be happy-"

"Stop Dean-" you were getting angry now too, confused by his reaction, his words, you couldn't put two and two together. "We can't do this anymore- any of it."

His eyes broke from the road, finally resting on you. "I- right I didn't realize that's- if that's what you want."

-3 months ago-

"You prick!" You screamed, hurling your book at him. Dean dodged it, his teeth gritted.

"Don't talk to me like I'm a fucking idiot Y/N. Don't lie to me-"

Sam sat with his head in his hands, unable to listen to another moment between you. He could barely understand what the argument was about- let alone take sides.

"I didn't lie it's not my fault you don't listen when I'm talking to you! You're unbelievable!"

From what he'd gathered you'd gone on a hunt by yourself, almost got yourself killed- or at least Dean thought so- and now you were getting a grilling from him for it.

"You've got some fucked up complex about working with others!" Dean gritted, his face inches from your own.

That's when you saw it. His eyes darted down to your lips for just a moment, before returning to your gaze. The fake arguments you'd previously had were getting him, and now, even in the moment of real anger, he could feel his cock swelling. He thought about your mouth, your gorgeous mouth, wrapped around him.

"Fine then- you're on your own!" He turned from the room, storming down the hallway to his bedroom.

-2 months ago-

You padded softly back into the entrance of the bunker, cautious of the time as the early morning rays had just begun to hit your face. Pulling your heels off at the door all you could think about was a shower to clear your sticky skin. The smell of last night's alcohol was nauseating in your hungover state, and you couldn't wait to sink into your bed, clean.

"It's late-" Dean looked up from over his laptop. Fuck- he hadn't stayed up doing research in months, why did it have to be today? "-or early, I suppose. So you were out all night?"

"Yeah- I guess I-" you looked down at your tight dress, feeling more exposed than you'd ever been before to Dean, including him seeing you naked. You felt guilty even- you didn't think he'd gone home with anyone since your argument in the car- and yet you were, clearly on a walk of shame. You were desperate to get over him, and if that meant finding some stupid guy to go home with, then so be it.

"And the lucky guy? He any good?" He stood up, walking towards you.

"I'm not sure we should do this Dean- talk about this kind of thing-"

"Really? Because I thought we weren't anything. I can't even ask you questions anymore?" He towered above you, looking down at your scantily clad body, making no illusions about his gaze.

You gritted your teeth.

-1 month ago-

The man from tonight's dive-bar wiped himself down, tossing you the washcloth as you stood up.

"I need a piss" he said with a long stretch, pulling on his boxers and giving you a questioning look.

"Down the hall to the left." You replied.

He slipped out of the room, taking the bunker in as he walked it's halls, finding the bathroom with ease. He used a nearby towel to wipe the last of his cum off his leg and peed, letting out a long sigh.

He stepped out, met with Deans figure across the hallway.

"Sorry I-" Dean caught himself, looking him up and down. "You're not Y/N..."

"Shit dude thanks- I'd completely forgotten her name! I owe you one." He gave Dean a friendly knock to the arm and began to set back towards the bedroom.

"Are you two- what the fuck-"

"She's pretty hot right?" The guy smiled a full grin, "You should see her getting fucked, now that's something else".

Dean gritted his teeth, "Where do you get off talking about her like that?"

"What's it to you man? You're not her husband or something are you?"

"No I-" Dean spluttered

"Then leave it dude- jeez." he rolled his eyes, heading back towards your bedroom.

He stepped back in the room, drawing you in as you stretched out on your bed, blissfully unaware of their hallway conversation.

"Ready for another round?" He smiled, and you nodded. "Good- I want you screaming loud enough for everyone in this place to hear-"

-Now-

You pushed another shirt deep into your backpack, trying to get as much in as you could.

"I can't believe you're doing this." Sam sighed, watching your work.

"I can't live here anymore, Sam, I'm sorry-" you said pulling the zip closed, "You u know it's not working-"

"This is crazy, Dean can't-"

"Dean can't do anything but shout at me, when he's not ignoring me that is- he's the unbelievable one and it's him you should be talking to- not me."

Sam looked over at him, Dean watching silently from the corner of your room. "Tell her this is madness!"

"If she wants to go-"

You shot him a glare.

Something had changed between the two of you. Ever since your argument months back, things had been weird, but these last few weeks had been crazy. You knew you were both becoming worse because of it, and had to get out before it hurt you both too much.

Your voice softened as you looked back at Sam, "it's okay, I promise, I'm okay. I've got some leads down South, enough money for a few nights in a motel while I find something I can get paid for- I'll call you when I get down there."

You opened your arms up for a hug, Sam pulling you in tight. It took everything in you to let go- of course you didn't want to leave. You wanted to be here- with them- with Dean. You looked over at him, a final small smile. He blinked, heavy, walking out of your bedroom without another word.

[mama2bears]

Starting Over Again - Chapter 4

Pairings: Tyler Owens/Female Reader

Warning: Injury, Tornado, a few swear words, near death of character

A/N: The words to the songs used in this story is “River and Highway” by Pam Tillis and “Starting Over” by Chris Stapleton. I don't own any of the lyrics or songs.

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3

Chapter 4

The sound of a door closing startles you awake.

“Morning!” Tyler smiles at you, holding a bag of something that smelled amazing.

“What is that I smell?” you ask, sitting up.

Tyler sits next to you on the bed as he pulls out the to go boxes, “We have a good 'ol Oklahoma breakfast here! Chicken Fried Steak with scrambled eggs and biscuits and gravy .There's donuts, cookies, sticky buns, and chips in the truck along with plenty of water for snacks.”

He gives you your box and hurries over to the dresser in the room, “I also got us coffee and orange juice. Cream or sugar for the coffee?” he asked.

“Oh...um...both.” you answer looking over the food, “Do you always eat this big for breakfast?”

“Only on days that we are planning to be out chasing most of the day. Might not be enough time to stop for lunch, so we fill up with a big breakfast and bring plenty of snacks.”

“Thank you. This all smells amazing.” you start to eat as the room grows silent.

“I am sorry about last night.” you broke the silence, you're eyes meeting Tyler's.

“What are you sorry about?” he asked.

“I am sorry I woke you up. Sorry I cried all over you.” you gave a small smile, “Sorry I unloaded my ugly past on you.”

“Don't be sorry.” he smiled softly, “I didn't mind.” he paused as he thought about his next words. Should he tell her the truth, that he believed he was falling in love with her, that he wanted to get to know her better, that he wanted more nights of her falling asleep safely in his arms? Or, should he play it safe, not knowing how she feels, wanting to give her time to move at her own pace, what felt comfortable for her..finally, he gave a small smile, “What are friends for, right?”

“Right,” you smile at him. You're both relieved and a bit saddened.. At least you knew how he felt about you now. You were friends, and that's how it should be, at least for now. You only met him yesterday. Sure, he was easy on the eyes and you felt at home wrapped in his arms...but he was a friend. You were still married to an abusive husband that may or may not be tracking you down right now. You honestly couldn't pin point exactly how you felt about Tyler. Your heart was screaming you loved him, but your mind was saying take it slow, you don't even know him. This was how you got into trouble with Lee. You were lonely and looking for love and fell for the wrong guy. You did not want to make THAT mistake again.

“Anyway, I think I got the room situation straightened out.” he stated after a moment of silence. “They gave us the wrong room yesterday. There is a couple here on vacation and they only needed one bed. They accidentally got our double room and we got the king one. We're going to pack our stuff up this morning and by the time we come back tonight they will have the rooms switched for us,” he paused, “That is if you are still okay sharing a room...”

“Yeah, that's fine,” you give him a smile.

“Great, I'll start loading up the truck and we can hit the road.”

“What's the plan for today?” You try not to notice how tight his black shirt was fitted over his chest, try not think about how he looked dripping wet or how warm and safe he felt as he held you close to him.

“You and me are going to ride together. I've got a laptop with weather radar set up in the truck. Help us track the storms, take video and photos. Boone and Lily are going to be in the other truck filming as well. Dexter and Dani will bring up the rear in the RV. Dexter is going to be helping track the storms with the systems in the RV.”

“Sounds exciting.” you nodded, eager to get started on your first day being a storm chaser.

“What's the biggest tornado you ever been in?” he asked.

“Not many big tornadoes in Tennessee.” you said, “Probably would have been an F3 that hit downtown Nashville. My mom and I were there on a weekend trip to see the Grand Ol Opry when it came though. There was an F5 during that weekend as well, but it was farther away from where we were staying. It was known as the Forgotten F5 because of the lack of news coverage. Everyone covered the tornado that hit downtown Nashville because it was so unusual for a large tornado to strike a downtown area, actually, it was the first F3 tornado to hit a downtown area in twenty years.”

“Were you scared?” he asked softly.

“Terrified! I was only a kid and I was already scared of storms...that only enhanced my fear. We had to run and take shelter in a building. Windows were breaking, glass littered the downtown streets, the sky was so dark it was like night.”

“Yet, here you are...a storm chaser chasing tornadoes...riding your fears!” he grinned.

“Riding your fears...what exactly does that mean?”

“It means you don't just face your fears, you jump in and conquer them. You can't just run and hide from it. You learn from your fears. In the case of tornadoes, we face them head on to try to learn about them, and prevent more people from getting hurt.”

“Makes sense.” you nodded, “are you scared of the storms?”

He was silent for a moment before answering, “Yes...and no. I am not scared of anything happening to me. I know the risks and I take them. I make it fun. I am scared for my team though, for those I care about...” he looks you in the eye, “I am scared for all the people in the path of the storm. We can't always stop a tornado, we can't always predict when and where it's going to hit. Sometimes, we miss it. Sometimes we are too late. That is what I fear.”

You nodded as you finished your breakfast, “That's why I wanted to get into weather. I was terrified of storms as a child, but as I got older I learned to love them. I loved the beauty and power of storms, but I hated the devastation they caused. I wanted to help find a way to warn people and to help people.”

“Well, you're in the right place then.” He grinned, “ready to ride your fears?”

“Defiantly.” you give him a smile back, feeling confident about the day and your decision to come to Oklahoma.

* * * * *

Lee sat staring at his computer, “I will find you, Y/N. I swear, you can't hide from me forever.”

He typed in your name again and was about to give up, not finding any results until...

“Who's the new mystery girl with the Wranglers?”

Lee clicked the link and found varies videos and photos from fans for a group called The Tornado Wranglers, who currently appeared to be in Oklahoma.

There, he found a picture of a woman standing next to a red Dodge Ram with a bunch of equipment attached to it. To Lee it looked like one of them tornado trucks.

“Who's the new mystery girl with the Wranglers?” the poster asked.

“She just showed up yesterday, I saw her and Tyler at a restaurant. They haven't introduced her yet. Maybe she's a girlfriend?” another poster stated.

Lee zoomed in on the photo and grinned, “So...Oklahoma.” he muttered, “not far enough. Not far enough at all.” he clicked on the link that lead him to the Tornado Wranglers YouTube channel.

After a few videos, he figured out that the team was currently in El Reno Oklahoma and the photos from the fans proved it was differently his Y/N hanging out with them.

* * * * *

“Any leads yet?” Tyler asked you as the team drove though a lonely country road. So far, the day had not seen much action.

“Here, just west of here.” you point on the radar, “it looks to be getting high and that hook is forming.”

Tyler glances at the radar and nods in agreement, “Dexter, what about that cell just to the west?”

“I am watching that one, Ty. Looks promising. What does Y/N think?” he called back.

Tyler flashed you a grin, “Ah, she agrees! That's where we're heading!”

You smiled to yourself as you looked out the window at the building storm. You were happy to have made a good decision, a step in the right direction, proving that you did know a little something about storms.

“THERE!”you shout, We got a funnel!” You pull out your camera and start filming the development of the twister.

“Hang on...we're going in!” Tyler grinned, jerking the truck to the right and though an open field.

You let out a scream of surprise and grab for the dash, “What the hell do you mean we're GOING IN!”

“Ride your fears baby, ride your fears!” Tyler yelled out, parking a mere feet from the now fully developed tornado, “Look at her! She's beauty!” he screamed over the roaring winds, but he was looking more at you then the tornado as he mashed the button, anchoring the truck to the ground. “Hang on!” he yelled.

You hold the video camera with one hand, keeping a death grip on the dashboard with the other. You couldn't believe what was happening. The tornado was going to go right over you.

“Tyler, is this SAFE?” you yell.

“Sure it is! This looks to be a EF2, maybe EF3. Depends on the damage it does. This truck is good up to EF4.”

And then the truck was surrounded by a whirling black cloud, debris bouncing off the metal with big thuds, pops, and bangs. The roaring of the wind and the shaking of the truck felt and sounded like a freight train running right over you.”

And just like that, as quickly as it started...it was over.

You looked at Tyler with a huge grin, “Oh my GOD! That was a freaking tornado! We were INSIDE of a TORNADO!” you shouted.

“Nothing like it, now is there?” he flashed you a grin.

“Thank you...” you smile at him.

“For what?” he asked, “putting you in the path of a tornado?”

“For giving me a chance...for giving me this experience..for being there.” You shrugged. You didn't know how to put into words everything you were feeling. This man gave you a job without even knowing if you were telling the truth. He was willing to give up his hotel room so you could be comfortable. He held you in his arms last night when you woke up screaming from a nightmare. He has done everything he could since you met him to make sure you were safe and taken care of. Then, he gives you the experience of a lifetime by driving directly into a tornado.

“Anytime, Darling.” Tyler smiled at you, “This tornado seemed to be a little short lived, but lets drive though town and make sure everyone is okay. If the radar still looks quiet we could grabs some dinner.”

“Sounds good.” you agreed.

“We're taking a ride though town, make sure everyone is okay. If all is good and radar is quiet we'll grab something to eat.” Tyler called over the radio as the trio of vehicles made a turn into town.

As you rode though the town, gazing out the window, you were thankful that it appeared that the only damage was to some trees and power lines, maybe some roof shingles and windows. Everyone looked to be okay.

“What you see on radar?” he asked you.

“Not much of anything. All the storms seemed to have died out for the day.”

“Let's call it a day, guys.” Tyler radioed, then looked at you, “Can I take you somewhere?” he asked.

“Sure.” you shrugged.

“I am going to take Y/N for a little tour and lunch. How about we meet up back at the hotel later tonight and we'll make our plan for tomorrow?”

“Sounds good Ty.” Lily confirmed.

“See you tonight.” Dani agreed.

“Hey, don't do anything I wouldn't do!” Boone yelled into the radio, making you blush a little.

“Idiot.” Tyler laughed.

“There's a sandwich shop on up the road here, do you mind if we take it to go?”

“No, not at all.”

Tyler pulled into the parking lot and hurried around the truck, opening the door for you before you had the chance. He started to reach for your hand as you walked towards the little shop, but decided against it. You hadn't lend him to believe you wanted anything more then friends, but he was determined to be there if and when you changed your mind. He stepped a bit ahead of you instead and opened the door to the shop.

“What will it be?” he asked as you two looked over the menu above the counter.

“All American sub with mayo.” you answer

Tyler placed the order for the two sandwiches, drinks and chips and you two walk back to the truck.

“So, where are you taking me?” You asked when he opened the truck door for you again.

“To a little slice of heaven on Earth.” he grinned, giving you a wink, “It's only a few miles up the road.”

Within minutes, Tyler turned next to a sign that read 'Lake El Reno Park'

“There's a creek that runs into this lake, called Fourmile Creek” he told you.

“Let me guess...it's four miles long.” you grin.

“Yep!” Tyler smiled, “It feeds into the lake and there's a bridge that goes over the river...” he paused, “It's just a nice place for a picnic I thought.”

“Sounds beautiful.” you smile as he parks and collects the food bag and a blanket. You open the door and get out this time before he gets around to open it for you.

“Hey...that's my job,” he pretended to pout.

“I am a big girl and I know how to open my own doors.” you stated.

“But I like to open them for you.”

“Alright, next time.” you agree.

Tyler spreads the blanket down and you set out the sandwiches, chips and drinks and take a seat next to him.

“Oh...one more thing I forgot.” he grabbed his keys and sprinted back to the truck. A moment later he returned with a guitar.

“You sing?” she asked.

“I try.” he laughed. “There's a old country song that this place reminds me of.” he said, strumming a few cords. “Um, here, let me just sing a few verses for you.” he starts playing the music and softly sings

And he rolls, he's a highway. Where he goes, time will tell. Heaven knows, she can't go with him. And he rolls, all by himself. All by himself.

But every now and then, He offers her a shoulder. And every now and then She overflows. And every now and then A bridge crosses over. It's a moment, every lover knows.

And she rolls She's a river Where she goes Time will tell.

Tyler trailed off seeing a tear roll down your cheek.

“Hey, what's wrong?” he asked, setting the guitar to the side, “I am sorry, I didn't mean to upset you.”

“No...no you didn't. It's a beautiful song, one I have loved for a long time.” you whisper then smile at him. “I never figured you for the romantic type.”

He shrugs it off picking up his sandwich, “Aw, it's just that I can kinda relate to the song is all.”

“Is there a special someone in your life? Or was there?” you ask, almost afraid of the answer.

He locks his eyes on yours, “There hasn't been. I dated...a lot...but there hasn't been that special someone..” he wanted to say, 'until now.' but he decided to hold it in, for now.

You both finish your lunch and make small talk about the chase of that day and team. Tyler cleans up the trash and sits back down next to you.

“It's so peaceful and quiet out here.” he said softly, watching the sun go lower on the horizon.

“Yeah, it is.” you agree, “I miss this. Before Lee, I used to love hiking though the mountains, or taking a quiet boat ride on the lake. Some days I would go into the woods, climb up in a tree and just read a book.”

“I'd like to do that sometime.” Tyler turned and locked his eyes on yours, “with you. Maybe you can take me to Tennessee and show me the mountains you loved, or we can spend the day cruising a lake. Maybe I could take you up to the Ozark Mountains around my home town.”

“I'd like that.” you smiled.

“One more song before we head back?” he asked picking up the old guitar. “There's another one that seems to be running though my head. Sometimes...I can say what I want in a song better then I can words.”

“Really? I am the same way. The song speaks to what I am feeling and can't say.”

Tyler strums a few cords and smiles softly at you, “You are the only person I have met that understands that. OK, so here it goes.."

And it don't matter to me Wherever we are is where I wanna be And honey, for once in our life Let's take our chances and roll the dice I can be your lucky penny You can be my four-leaf clover Starting over

This might not be an easy time There's rivers to cross and hills to climb Some days we might fall apart And some nights might feel cold and dark

But nobody wins, afraid of losing And the hard roads are the ones worth choosing Someday we'll look back and smile And know it was worth every mile

He lays the guitar down and reaches for your hand, “Y/N. I am sorry about this morning.”

You frown, “What about this morning?”

“I referred to us as friends.” he sighed, “We are friends, always will be. I'd like to be something more with you though. That's what I am trying to say in these songs because Lord knows I am not good with words and I am not good at showing my feelings. I know we only met yesterday, but I believe in love at first sight. I knew I was going to love you the moment you stepped off that bus. There was a connection there and I can't explain it. We'll take this as slow as you want, I am not going anywhere.” his eyes glistened with tears, “I hate that you've been hurt in the past. I wish I was there to save you then, but I am here now. I swear I will never do anything intentionally to hurt you. I'd like for us to date, hang out, whatever you want to call it. I want to be with you as much as you will have me. I want us to be a team, to be friends, and to be more...when you are ready.”

“I want that too.” you whisper, “I never felt this way about anyone. Not even Lee. I was lonely and scared and looking for love and I thought I was in love with him...but now that I've met you...I can't explain what this feeling is. It's so much more then I have ever felt before for anyone. I feel safe with you. I feel comfortable with you. You feel like home, and when I say that, I mean the home I grew up in. A home that was my safe place. A home where I was loved and felt like I belonged. I haven't known a home in a very long time, but I believe I have found it with you.”

Tyler leaned in slowly and paused, waiting for your permission. Waiting to see if you would lean in or pull away. His eyes gazed into yours and you felt butterflies in your stomach as you leaned forward and brushed your lips against his. He wrapped his arms around you and deepened the kiss.

A clap of thunder made you jump as lighting streaked across the sky.

“Well, I knew there sparks between us, but that was amazing.” Tyler grinned, standing up and helping you up. “Let's get to the truck before the skies open up.”

Tyler holds the blanket and guitar with one hand and your hand with the other as you both run for the truck.

“Where's the keys?” he asked checking his pocket where they were suppose to be.

You look around the ground and inside the truck and spot the keys and cell phone on the backseat.

“Tyler...those keys?” you grin.

“Oh no. no. no. no.” he pulls on the doors but they were locked.

“Okay,” he sighed, “You got your phone? We'll call someone out here to unlock the truck. I must have left them there on the seat when I got the guitar.”

“My phone is in the truck. I didn't think there was a reason to bring it just for a picnic. I am sorry.” you muttered as the rain began to pour down.

“It's okay.” he wrapped you in a hug, but looked at the sky with concern.

The air pressure was changing and you picked up on it too. Wind swirled around you and suddenly from inside the truck you heard the alerts go off on your phones.

Tyler quickly scanned the area for a safe place to go. “There!” he pointed to a ditch next to the river, “Go!”

He runs behind you pushing you towards the ditch as debris fly around. “Down!” he yelled over the roaring winds as he pushes you into the ditch, throwing his body over yours and pushing you as close to the ground as he could. He covered your head with one arm and kept the other arm wrapped around you. “Just hang on, it's going to be okay!” he promised.

You hear trees snapping in half, feel the pounding of the rain, you feel the wind trying to suck you up...and suddenly, Tyler screams out in pain and you feel his body get shoved against yours.

“TYLER!” You scream grabbing his arm that was still tightly holding you. “TYLER! YOU OK?”

“I am okay.” he promised as he gasped for air, “I think it was a tree that fell on top of us. You okay?” he asked. He felt what he assumed to be sharp broken off branches cutting deep into his leg, the weight of the tree pinned against his back.

“Yeah, I am okay.” you told him as the winds finally calmed down. The rain continued to beat down in sheets. Tyler was laying against you gasping for air.

“Tyler?” you were worried when he didn't move. Were you trapped? How badly was he injured?

Tyler laid there, feeling the blood running down his leg. He knew he couldn't get himself out, but he was damn sure going to do whatever he could to get you out.

“I am stuck here pretty good.” He finally answered, not wanting to concern you, “I am going to try to left up a little. I want you to get out from under me and go get help.”

“Tyler, no...I can't leave you.”

“Y/N...I don't know if there's more twisters out here or not. This rain pouring down could lead to flooding. The river is literally right next to us. I will be okay, we just need some help lifting this.”His body collapsed against yours as he worked to catch his breath again and you knew there was something more serious wrong.

“OK.” you agree, knowing that you weren't going to leave him, but also not wanting to waste his energy arguing about it.

“Ready?” he gasped, fighting against the pain. He had to remain conscious, at least until he knew you were free.

“Ready.” you answered.

Tyler screamed in pain as he pushed up against the tree and collapsed back against you. “Too heavy.” he gasped his body seemed to go limp.

“Tyler...stay with me.” you pleaded, trying to wiggle enough room to at least turn around and look at him and see how badly he was injured.

“I'm here.” he muttered, “just...need...to rest.”

You both lay in silence for a moment, the unrelenting rain washing over you. The rain was so intense that at first you didn't notice the water filling the ditch. It wasn't much, but you could tell it was raising.

“Tyler...water. We got to get out of here.”

Panic raced though his body. Water was filling the ditch, it was flooding...and he had you pinned face down. He was trying to protect you...now he was your death trap. He had to move, even if it killed him. He had to ignore the pain and move so you could be free.

“Y/N..listen to me.” he gasped. “I am going to move this thing.” he paused catching his breath.”You don't worry about me. You fight, you get out of here. You will drown if you stay pinned under me, and that in itself will kill me. I will NOT be a cause of pain for you. You get out of here and get help. Please Y/N...I need to know you will be alright.”

“Okay, I will.” you promise though the tears, “Tyler...I love you. I love you like I have never loved before.”

He laid his face against yours and kissed your cheek softly, “I love you too baby girl. Hang on, we will get through this. We will get through this and I will show you the love you deserve.” he choked back his own tears, trying to hide the pain in his voice. He didn't think he was going to get out of this one, but he dame sure was going to try.

Tyler took a deep breath, “Okay, on the count of three. I lift and you get out of here..one...two..THREE!” he lifted with all his might, ignoring the pain raging though his body.

If anything good was coming from the rising water, it was making the ground softer. You pulled and felt yourself sliding free. “I am out!” You yelled, scrambling to your feet as quickly as possible.

Tyler collapsed back to the ground, now having to raise his head to keep it above water as he gasped for air. “Go...go get help.” he pleaded as his eyes drifted close and he slumped face first into the ever rising water.

“NO! TYLER!” You hold his head above water, “please, you gotta stay with me. Help me...I need you to help me.”

He moaned hearing your voice calling to him. You needed him. He had to fight to stay awake. “I am here.” he muttered.

“I am going to try to move this tree and free you. Stay with me..hold your head up for me so I can try to free you.”

“Hmm hmm.” he muttered.

“TYLER!” you screamed.

He jolted awake.”I am here. I am here.”

“We gotta hurry, the water is rushing in now, but it might help me to move this off of you.” you looked at the mangled tree that was pinning his waist to the ground.

Tyler nodded, holding his head as far up as he could. You push against the tree, going with the flow of the water. Tyler screams out in pain but you keep pushing, you can't stop. If you stop, he drowns.

Slowly the tree shifts, and Tyler is able to roll over on his back and start to pull himself out, but suddenly the tree rolls back, crashing into his chest and completely pinning him under the rushing water.

“Oh God no! TYLER!” You scream, trying to lift his head up, but the water is just too deep and the tree was pined against his chest.

He was glad for one thing, the water was washing the tears in his eyes away. This was it..this was how he was going to die. He was going to drown. He always figured it would be a tornado that took him out, but he never thought about a flood. His heart broke for you. All the pain that your husband had put you though, he thought maybe he could be a chance at happiness for you...now, he would just be the cause of more pain. His lungs screamed for air and his final thought was at least he protected you from the tornado. He could only pray that you would find safety from this flood...he wished he could be there with you, holding you in his arms and comforting you. He wished he could still protect you...and then nothing but blackness.

“NO!!!!” you scream, feeling him go limp in your arms. You struggle to hold on to him, struggle to free him. Suddenly the tree shifted in the current and and you pulled with everything that was within. You felt him come free and you struggle to pull him out of the water and away from the ditch.

“Tyler...” you cried, feeling for a pulse and not finding none...”You can't leave me...” you yell, placing your palms over his heart and doing 30 compressions. You pinched his nose closed, tilting his head back and covered his lips with yours, blowing in two breaths before going back to compressions ....one...two..three you counted until reaching 30 again.

You check again for a pulse. There was none.

Giving him two more breaths you continue the compressions with tears streaming down your face, mixing with the pounding rain.

Suddenly Tyler gasped and started coughing. Quickly you turn him over to his side and hold him as he coughs up water.

“Tyler..” you cry, rubbing your hand along his arm...he continues coughing and gasping, spitting up more water and then lets his body collapse back against you. “Ty...” you hold him close to you, running your hand though his hair.

“You okay?” he asked, opening his green eyes to gaze up at you.

“You DIE on me, and you asking if I AM okay?” you laugh though the tears.

“Well...” Tyler was gasping for air still, pain etched into his face, “are you?”

“I'll be okay when you're okay.” you tell him, checking him over for injures. You spot the blood soaking though his jeans from a large gash in his leg. “I gotta go to the truck and get that blanket. You need something to slow the bleeding on your leg.” you tell him, but he doesn't answer.

“No...Ty.” fear grips you as you quickly check for a pulse, breathing with relief when you find one. Quickly you run to the truck and back to Tyler, wrapping the blanket around his leg as tightly as you could, keeping your hand pressed against it. “Hang in there,” you whisper, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest.

“You all okay?” You hear someone yell. It was a police officer out checking the streets after the storm.

“NO! We need help! We need an ambulance. He has a bad cut on his leg.” you yell, not willing to leave Tyler's side.

“Ambulance is on it's way ma'am.” the officer told her.

“Sir, one more thing...could you tell the Tornado Wranglers at El Reno Inn that Tyler Owens is hurt and heading to the hospital? That's our storm chaser team. They will be looking for us. The names are Lily, Dani, Dexter, and Boone.”

The officer wrote down the names, “Will do.” he nodded.

* * * * *

Chapter 5

******

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[fuctacles]

The first one of many

for @stevieweek Day 4: Special Outfit + first dress + fantasy and for @steddiemicrofic "one" G | 1111 | no cw | ren-faire, pre-relationship, transfem Stevie, smitten Eddie | Ao3 Stevie Week: Day 1 | Day 2 (art) | Day 3 (art) | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7

"Do you like this one?"

Eddie appears by her side so abruptly, she jumps out of her skin. He smiles apologetically.

"Sorry," he says, but doesn't let himself be distracted. He reaches out to touch the sleeve of the dress Stevie's been eyeing.

It's yellow and white, with a floral pattern and a square neckline. The sleeves are slightly puffy, and the corset can be laced on the front for adjustment. It's one of the flashier ones at the stall, but Eddie wouldn't expect anything less from the girl standing next to him.

He's still surprised she agreed to come with them, to for a few days taste and touch the world her friends love so much. She told him earlier, that she liked everyone's costumes, but it's the first time anything has captured her attention like this.

"Do you want to try it on?" he asks.

"No, that's okay." She shakes her head immediately, but he won't be having it.

"Come on, we're here to have fun, all of us. And if trying on dresses is fun for you, then let's do it!" he encourages her, putting his infectious enthusiasm into the words.

She's still hesitant, but he can tell the garment in front of them is like a siren's call.

"I don't know..."

Dustin bumps into them while eyeing some of the leatherwork displayed nearby, and Eddie holds his breath, hoping it's one of these times his lack of filter is helpful. The boy looks at his friends and the garment they're facing.

"You guys buying a dress?"

"No," says Stevie.

"Maybe," says Eddie.

Dustin studies the dress with his judgmental eyes, gaze darting from it to Stevie and back again.

"You should at least try it. It's your color," he says, before walking away.

Eddie turns to his friend triumphantly.

"Well?" he grins. He can see in her eyes that she wants to but is having a hard time admitting it.

"I guess?" she says eventually. "I mean, it's just for fun, right?"

"Of course!" Eddie quickly flags down the seller, before she can change her mind. "Excuse me, good sir! Is there somewhere we can try it on?"

Which ends up with them ushered to the back of the stall, with instructions on how to operate all of the dress's clasps and lacings.

"I'll wait here. Tell me if you need any help," Eddie says before pushing his friend behind the partition, dress in her hand.

He can hear the rustle of fabric behind the heavy curtain, Stevie's clothes dropping heavily to the grass beneath while he's doing his best not to think about her undressing. She's cursing and huffing while pulling on the new dress and it helps to quell his nasty thoughts a bit. And then everything goes silent.

"Stevie?" He frowns. "You alright there?"

"Yeah," she answers, but it's so tiny he can barely hear it.

"Can I come in?"

"Uh-huh."

He pushes the edge of the green fabric aside and slips inside the little alcove. In the tight space, Stevie is staring in a full-body mirror, hands smoothing down her hips, pulling her hair forward, pushing up her breasts.

Eddie finds himself enchanted by her, not for the first time.

"You look beautiful," he says.

"You think so?"

"Yeah. Though, your corset lacing needs some practice." She huffs at that. "Can I?"

The way she turns to face him, full of trust, makes his heart melt and slide down his ribs.

Delicately and trying not to touch her chest, like a true gentleman, he unlaces the corset to tighten it at the waist. Her gasp makes him bite his lip painfully.

"Sorry."

"No, it's fine. You can go a bit tighter."

They work together until her waist and hips make a beautiful curve, and her tiny breasts are pushed up in a flattering way. She seems to be especially fixated on them, on the bit of skin peeking out from the low neckline.

Eddie can share that sentiment.

"Thank you," she whispers once she's facing the mirror again, fingers tracing the newfound shape of her body.

"There's nothing to thank me for, you're just naturally beautiful." Eddie smiles, reaching out to tug her hair forward again, so it falls against the bare skin of her collarbones. The sight makes his mouth go dry so he decides to move his thoughts elsewhere. "I think it's the first time I've seen you in a dress."

Stevie hums.

"That's because I don't have one."

"Huh?"

"I've tried on Nancy's or my mother's, but I don't have one of my own," she clarifies with a shrug.

"That's unthinkable," Eddie declares. "We're getting it." The thought that her first dress could be a nerdy, ren-faire one, makes his stomach flip.

"It's too expensive." She shakes her head, but he can see she's sad about it. "I can get a dress at the mall for a third of this price."

Eddie nods along.

"Yes, you could get a cheap, boring rat mall dress," he agrees. "Or you could buy one of a kind, handmade with passion and care, worthy of a princess."

Watching her cheeks flush is worth the risk of exposing his feelings.

"Where would I even wear it?" she keeps digging her heels in the ground. And, while she has a point...

"Here, for starters. And any other ren-faire I'll take you to just so I can show off how pretty you are."

With the way she looks up at him, she might already know.

He just hopes he has enough money. He pulls out his wallet and Stevie frowns.

"You're not getting it for me."

"Oh, I am." He hopes he is, at least. In a rush of bravery, he smiles to add, "Consider it my first courting gift," and leaves before she can protest.

When he's counting his money and wonders who he can beg for a loan, Dustin approaches him with a wad of cash.

"I saw the price earlier and figured you guys could need it." He smiles with that self-satisfied smirk of his, but for once, Eddie doesn't mind.

He hands the money to the merchant and runs back to Stevie.

"Hey, does it count as a courting gift if the twerps pitched in?" he asks through the partition and is promptly pulled inside.

"Are you serious about the courting?" Stevie asks, with her face so close to Eddie's, he has trouble processing her words.

"Deadly," he whispers, hoping they're on the same page.

"Is there, like, a nerdy ritual I have to follow for it?" she asks.

"Uh, a kiss would be nice," he says. Pleads.

She smiles and leans in.