#jake only fronts when he tries to save their life and also one time to get steven a date and that’s it

[obfuscateyummy]

18+ MDNI. Plot - smut - aftercare - plot. That's it. That's the story. I am not very good at warnings so I apologize. Lots of cursing. I need Michael Robinavitch to talk to me like this in the bedroom. Praise. Dirtyish talk. Face riding. P in V - female on top. P in V - male on top. Uh i think that's it? This is also the night the twins were conceived

It was the most agonizing 15 hours of your life. Nothing in your medical training prepares you for dealing with the aftermath of a mass shooting in an emergency room. Nothing prepares you for seeing the kid who’s like a son to your husband coming into the emergency room, holding his girlfriend’s chest, trying to apply pressure as she bled out. Your husband tried to save her. She was gone. Jake blamed him. He was a kid, he was grieving. Not to mention the 18-year-old kid who overdosed on fentanyl and the girl who drowned in the pool. It was a tough shift. You just wanted to go home, with your husband, and forget today ever happened.

You cleared your throat as you broke the silence between you two. “I’m glad my mom could keep Lucy tonight,” you said as you walked past Lucy’s daycare. “She’d be a nightmare if we were just getting her.”

Michael didn’t speak, he just nodded. The two of you walked in silence for what felt like forever. 

“Jesus, fuck!” Michael said, breaking the silence. “I can not wait to be home. I just want you, a shower, and our bed,” your husband said as he looked at you.

“I just want you,” you said looking up at him, smirking.

The two of you stopped in front of your house. “Oh, sweetheart, you can have me,” he said as he kissed you.

“Take me inside, first,” you said. 

“Just inside?” Michael said as he wiggled his eyebrows and headed up to your front door. He fidgeted with his keys until he got the right one in the knob. After he got the door unlocked, the two of you walked in, set our backpacks down, and kicked off your shoes. Then, he turned around to face you.

You wasted no time, as your hands went to wrap around his neck, and your lips crashed with his. Michael cupped your ass, as you hiked your legs around him. 

“Fuck, you’re so eager,” Michael said as he laid sloppy, wet kisses on your neck.

“I just want you to fuck me until I forget today happened.”

“Well, I want to fuck you until I forget today happened,” Michael said as he set you down when you reached the bedroom. He was quick to remove your scrub top as you unzipped his hoodie and shoved it off his shoulders. He took his arms out of the hoodie and worked on removing your bra, setting your tits free right in front of him. He cupped them with his hands. You went back to kissing him, tugging at his shirt. He pulled away just long enough to remove his shirt. His hands went to your hips, pulling down your scrub bottoms and panties. You stepped out of your bottoms, leaving you naked in front of him.

Michael let out a growl as he took all you in. “You look like a fucking goddess,” he said. “I need to taste you.”

“Let me ride your face,” you said.

Michael’s eyes went dark with lust “Yes, please,” he said in a growl, as he laid on your bed.

You straddled over his face. He kissed up your upper thigh. He bit your left inner thigh. “Mine,” he said as he bit. He noticed the wetness coating your pussy. “You’re fucking soaked.”

“Only for you,” you said as you giggled, sinking closer to his face. Michael licked your lower lips and his nose brushed against your clit, sending shockwaves through you. “Michael,” you moaned, trying to stay quiet.

Michael smirked against your core. “You don’t have to be quiet, sweetheart.” He placed one had on your hip, and the other against your core. He inserted one finger in your pussy as he continued to suck your clitours. He soon inserted a second finger. The way Michael’s beard felt against your thighs, along with the stimulation around your center was sending waves through your body.

“So fucking close,” you said as you looked down at Michael. You tugged at his hair a bit. Michael kept his mouth on your core, as the first orgasm of the night hit you while you screamed Michael’s name. 

Michael’s grip on your hips tightened as he continued sucking your core through your climax. “Jesus fucking Christ. You always taste so sweet, sweetheart,” he said against your center. His beard and breath sent vibrations through your body. Michael lifted you off his face, and set you on his stomach. He stared at you. His eyes were dark with lust. “You’re so fucking beautiful.” He reached up to cup your breasts. “How did I get so fucking lucky?”

Your cheeks turned red as you spoke, “I think I’m the lucky one. I love you, Michael.”

“I love you too, sweetheart,” Michael said as you bent down to kiss him. You began to move your body lower, feeling his cock straining against his cargo pants. 

“Let me ride you,” you said, kissing Michael’s neck. Just enough to not leave bruises. 

“Fuck, please,” Michael said as he reached between the two of you to undo his pants. His fingers brushed against your still wet pussy. You pulled yourself off just enough for him to push his pants and boxers off in one swift motion. His hard, thick, veiny cock springing free. You began to sink down on him, slowly, as you took all of him in you. You whined as you sank down.

“Love the feeling of me stretching you out?” He asked, with a cocky smirk.

“Yes,” you said as you moaned, “I love how you stretch me, baby.” You started to move up and down on his cock. He met each move with a thrust up into you. 

Michael took his hands and began fondling your tits as they bounced while you rode him. He took one nipple between two fingers, and pinched it just enough to send shivers through your body. 

“Michael,” his name rolled off your tongue like a whimper. 

“Hmmmm. Make that sound again,” Michael said as he did the same thing to the other nipple.

“Jesus Christ, Michael,” you practically screamed. 

Michael chuckled. “I love the noises you make for me.”

“Feels so good,” you said as you put both your hands on Michael’s chest to help you change the angle in which the two of you were fucking. 

“You feel so good baby, taking me so well. You’re such a good girl for me,” Michael said. Your pussy started to clench around his cock, causing Michael to let out a loud moan. “You like when I call you a good girl?” Michael said with a smug look on his face as he pulled your hair to bring your face down to him. He took his hand and placed it behind your neck, pulling you in for a kiss. He could feel you tightening around his cock, and started thrusting up into you harder.

You moaned his name and added a curse, “Yes. Michael, fuck.”

“You’re so close, I can feel it,” Michael said as he put his hand between the two of you and drew circles around your clit.

“Don’t stop. Please Michael,” you cried out.

Michael moved the hand behind your neck to your back. “I got you, y/n, cum for me baby.”

You whimpered and moaned as your second orgasm of the night shook through your body. Michael kept his rough pace and continued to fuck you through your orgasm. You started to collapse on his chest during the aftershock. He removed his hand from your center and placed it on your back as he flipped the two of you.

“Fuck,” you screamed, in the sudden shock in position.

“Oh sweetheart, that’s exactly what I plan on doing,” Michael said as he set a rough pace. Michael began to place wet, sloppy kisses everywhere on your body.

You let out a moan and threw your head back as he fucked you into the mattress. 

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” Michael said. He went back to placing the sloppy kisses over your upper body, “I love..watching you…come undone…underneath me….fuck you feel so good.”

“Fuck, yes, Michael,” you panted as you kept your head thrown back. Your pussy started to squeeze Michael’s cock in all the right places. You were both close to your climaxes.

“You take me so well, such a good girl for me,” Michael said as he grunted. His thrusts were completely erratic. 

You wrapped your legs around Michael’s hips. “Please, Michael,”

Michael’s hand found your clit for the third time that night, to bring you over the edge for a third time. His touch was all you need, as you came for a third time that night with a scream of his name. Michael followed you as he screamed your name. His hot, sticky cum shooting inside you, coating your insides. Michael stilled inside of you before he pulled off and rolled off of you. “Jesus fucking Christ, that was amazing," you said as you looked over at your husband.

Michael smirked as he spoke, “You’re the amazing one, baby.” He kissed you. “I love you, y/n.”

“I love you too, Michael.” you said.

“Let me go get a towel and clean you up. Then, we can get some sleep,” Michael said as he kissed your forehead. He stood to walk into the bathroom to get a towel. He got it a little wet and cleaned you up. He walked the towel back into the bathroom. “You need anything else, baby?” Michael asked.

You shook your head, “No, but I should probably pee,” you said as you got out of bed. You limped a little from being sore from the euphoria your body just experienced. When you returned to the bedroom, you grabbed one of Michael's t-shirts and slipped it on. You got back into bed and cuddled next to him, putting your head under his chin and your face into his chest. He began to run his hands through your hair. Tears you didn’t know you were holding in fell down your face.

“Hey, baby? You okay?” Michael asked. 

You nodded as you looked up. “Yeah, today was just-” you stopped and shook your head, “No, not tonight.”

Michael nodded. “Not tonight.” He kissed your forehead. “You know, you and Lucy are the best thing to ever happen to me, right?”

“You two are the best thing that’s ever happened to me, too,” you said as you began to fall asleep.

“We both have 4 days off next week, let’s get out of here. Just the three of us, whatcha say?” Michael asked.

“Sounds amazing,” you said, as your eyes fluttered shut.

Michael kissed your forehead one last time before you drifted off to sleep. He watched you until his own eyelids went heavy and he fell asleep.

[gallavichsreddie1128]

Bad Thoughts (Jack Abbott)

Description: Y/N was with Robby trying to save Leah but all goes to shit when she dies and blames herself for it.

Word Count:985

It may be the worst day ever at the hospital. Everyone was running around and going crazy trying to save lives after the shooting at pittfest. It was scary and overwhelming and a guarantee that they wouldn’t be able to save everyone. That was a guarantee with the job and they should be used to that but they aren’t.

From Robby to Jack they all had their moments that almost made them break. Almost tipped them over the edge one last time. Y/N was with Robby trying to save Leah’s life and watched as Robby realized that it wasn’t going to happen. Robby was strong and helped people at their lowest but it seemed at this moment he was at his lowest. Y/N felt awful herself, sick to her stomach as they pushed her body away.

It was also on her and not just on Robby even though he felt that way. They both looked at each other and knew that they lost, “I’m sorry.” She said, softly and he held back tears. “We tried and that’s all that mattered.” Lies, Robby felt like a failure but he didn’t think this was on Y/N at all. It was his step son’s girlfriend, it was his responsibility. She wanted to tell him that she felt like a failure and that she shouldn’t even have this job, pour her heart out to him but he had enough on his plate.

“I have to go tell Jake.” He told her and she almost offered to come with, telling Jake that she was just as responsible as Robby for this. But she just nodded and went to another patient. It didn’t matter how many lives she saved that night, she still felt like she killed others. She needed an escape, even if it was for a minute. The rooftop was the best place, looking over the building to the ground and just think. Y/N knew that this wasn’t okay but she knows that she’s not the only one that does it.

Everyone has their moments and panic attacks and thoughts that may not be the best. She closed her eyes and let the tears fall, taking a deep breath as she tried to calm herself. Was she not capable of being a doctor anymore? Was this her last straw? She opened her eyes and watched below, knowing that this sick feeling would go away and that things would be okay, but when?

She knew that there were still lives to be saved but she was up here instead, but what could she do? Break down in tears in front of everyone? Make her problems, everyones? If she was just gonna kill everyone that came through the door then they didn’t need her help. “So you do this too?” The voice startled her and she nearly fell. “Hey!” Jack ran and grabbed her before she could.

Her heart was racing so fast and her panic attack finally settled in. She bursts into tears as Jack holds her, “I’m a failure.” She cried and he looked down at her. “Come over here.”  He demanded so he could properly hold her. He realized that she wasn’t in the state to move without collapsing to the ground, so he picked her up and brought her to the other side of the railing. She collapsed in his arms in tears, “I killed her.” She sobbed into his shirt.

“Who?” He asked and she took a few deep breaths before replying, “Leah.” It seemed her and Robby were having the same problem. “Hunny, no you didn’t.” He told her and he sounded sincere, like he was there. “Yes I did.” He looked down at her and sighed, “Trust me I know how you feel but we can't save everyone.” That was the worst part. “You’re an amazing doctor, especially for your age, you’ve saved so many lives.” He told her, softly. She caught her breath and looked up at him.

There was always something between them, ever since she started working here 3 years ago. She looked broken and tired, it made his heart ache. “It doesn’t feel that way right now.” She whispers and he nods. “I know but you are, one of the best. You are so smart and beautiful.” He wipes the tears from her eyes and so cracks a little smile at his words. “This job sucks.” She says and he lets out a laugh, “Yeah it does.” He stares at her, taking in her features and the pain written on her face.

He hated that she was feeling that way and almost lost herself to it. “Can you promise me something?” He asked her and she nodded. “Never do that again. Don’t please for fucksakes don’t go over the railing again. I almost lost you.” He told her. Her eyes widened a bit, shocked that he admitted that to her. “And I’ve been on the other side of the railing as well and have almost jumped several times but my mind wonders to you and you keep me going.” He admitted and her jaw dropped a little.

“I love you.” This was a pretty crazy moment to admit that but it was perfect. She smiled at him, a genuine smile. “I love you too, Jack.” She whispers before their lips touch. He could taste her salty tears on her lips but she was done crying and having bad thoughts, thanks to him. She leaned up and pulled him closer causing him to smile in the kiss. “I really wish we could stay like this.” He said against her lips and it almost made her sad again. “Me too.” But they had lives to save and lives to lose but if they could stop it they could and Y/N forgot all the bad thoughts she had as they made their way inside the building again to do what they do best.  

[restlessmaknae]

red light, green light // park sunghoon

After summer break and your break-up, it seems that things finally go back to normal. At least, until the first after-match party when in an attempt to save you from your ex, Sunghoon blurts out that you're his girlfriend now, and so, your fake dating starts.

➳ Characters: college rugby player!Sunghoon x cheerleader!female reader/you

➳ Genre: fake dating au, college au, sports au, angst, fluff

➳ Words: 6.2k

➳ Warning: reader is very insecure in the beginning and healing from a toxic relationship; the toxic, manipulative ex is also in the story (named Jaehyeok but he has no connection to any real-life people or characters), mentions of cheating on ex's part, injuries

➳ A/N: This story had the most votes in my recent poll, so here it is. It's also a spin-off to my most popular story 'how to cross the line?' with Jake that takes place before this one, but this story can absolutely be read on its own. ❤️

➳ Check out the college series for Enhypen’s 02z line: ‘our beginning together’

After the summer break, you thought that everything bad - including your break-up with Jaehyeok - would be forgotten. As a cheerleader and a college rugby player who had gotten together over the spring term, and had broken up close to finals, you had been the talk of town until everyone had gone home for the break. There had been a pleasantly short amount of time between the break-up and summer break with no football matches afterwards, so no way to see him up-front when he had been the last person you had wanted to see.

With the autumn term coming, it seemed to be true, and you couldn’t have been happier. The summer months weren’t enough to pick yourself up after the break-up, but they were enough to try to pick yourself up. He had humiliated you in front of his team members, and even though they didn’t look at you any differently, you could feel the lingering gazes on you two when Jaehyeok decided to sit beside you at the first after-match party of the season.

“Oooh, are you guys getting back together?” One of the boys cooed, laughing into his hands as if he had discovered the rumour of the century.

“We’re just being friendly to each other, you know,” Jaehyeok replied with a mellifluous smile, one that you had naively fallen for last semester. Now, you could see how well-practised this was, just like so many of his lines and his whole good boy behaviour. He was perfect only on the surface, he was rotten on the inside.

You could feel the overly curious eyes on you, hungry for an answer, for some drama like hawks circling around their prey. Too bad how fitting it was for those around you to be playing for the Hybe Hawks, they were predators when it came to your love life, and it had been the same when you had been together.

You forced a smile onto your face, nodding without saying a word and looking for a way out when Jay inquired if anyone wanted more meat, and you had never been more relieved in your life. If there were guys in the rugby team who were far from the rest, it would be Jake, Jay and Sunghoon. Those three were the ones who didn’t want to mingle with the others’ drama, and for that reason, you hadn’t really interacted with them before this semester because if you had hung out with other players from the team before, they had always been Jaehyeok’s friends. Now, however, they were the only ones who didn’t want to pick you apart since the break-up.

You tried to keep it in, you tried to conceal your feelings, while the conversation moved on, but when Jaehyeok put a piece of meat onto your plate without you asking him to, the weight on your shoulders doubled. It felt like you were trying to hold up too much, and all that weight could collapse onto you any minute, so to avoid that, you haphazardly excused yourself, saying that you didn’t feel well after drinking.

You threw your bag over your shoulder and exited the BBQ restaurant, the gazes of the athletes and cheerleaders searing into your back. You held onto the strip of your bag even tighter, trying to ground yourself to something real, something that you could control. You were so naive, really. How could you even assume that they could move on from your break-up and not bring it up anymore? How could you even assume that Jaehyeok would change, and bear the consequences of his actions when he had been the one saying those nasty things about you? You had been so stupid, so naive, so…

“Y/N!”

Jaehyeok’s all too familiar voice calling your name made your knees weak for a moment before you snapped yourself back to reality, reminding yourself that it was who he was, it was how he lured people in. You couldn’t believe in his sweet words anymore.

So you picked up your pace and walked even faster, but the red lights at the pedestrian crossing forced you to stop, to look at him when he halted beside you, and to listen to his mellifluous words.

“Hey! What was that about before? I just want us to be cool with each other after you called it quits.”

That was the problem with Jaehyeok. When you looked at these - this scene, his words, the cool expression on his face - from an outsider’s point of view, everything seemed ideal, almost perfect. Yet, when you were the one inside of it, you knew how that illusion of perfection casted its shadow onto you; how you felt suffocated under it, desperately trying to hold onto it because just as he had said it about you to his friends, you had been nothing without him. If you had not gotten together with him during the first semester, no one would have taken note of your existence. Even if you had been in the cheerleading team, the girls had started talking to you only after Jaehyeok had done the same.

And this… this is what Jaehyeok had done disgustingly well: to raise you up, to make you feel special, so you wouldn’t leave his side. Too bad you had caught him telling the other guys the same once and catching him kissing some girl at an after-match party another time. You hadn’t supposed to be there at the party, that’s true, since the group work meeting you would have gone to had been cancelled last minute, but to see him shove his tongue down another girl’s throat while murmuring to her that he would break up with you soon, so she shouldn’t worry had made you frozen on the spot. You wouldn’t have it in you to confront him on the spot, so you had left the party almost as soon as you had gotten there, tears pricking your ears, and the only person who had asked you if you had been alright was Sunghoon when you had managed to bump into him while exiting the scene.

The flashbacks poured onto you one after another, and you could feel your hands shaking by your sides while you were momentarily reliving them.

“You would have broken up with me anyway, we both know that,” you pointed out rather indignantly, desperately glancing side-ways to see how much more time you needed to wait for the lights to turn green.

35 more seconds…

“Well, yeah, but that doesn’t mean you should act all weird when we’re beside each other. Just because you’ve prioritised school over dates with me doesn’t make me a bad guy,” he justified all too innocently, and there it was again: turning the tables around, making you feel small, blaming you for what happened. Blaming you for not having enough time for him, so he had to kiss other girls.

20 more seconds…

“It’s not like I don’t see you talking more with Jay, Jake and Sunghoon since we broke up,” Jaehyeok spitted as if he couldn’t just let it be, and you balled your hands into fists, your nails digging into your skin.

15 more seconds….

Yeah, the only ones who were willing to speak to you after the break-up, god forbid you didn’t tell them off, you thought to yourself.

“I’ve been talking to them since we broke up, not before. There’s a difference between what you did and how I've been talking to guys ever since.”

“And besides, she’s her own person, she can do what she wants,” a voice from behind meddled with the tension hanging over you and Jaehyeok, and as he stepped beside you, so he would come between you and your ex, it felt a bit like he was shielding you. Both figuratively and literally.

You would have recognised that slender build of his, the fringe in his eyes and the depth of his voice anywhere, and even though it was Park Sunghoon out of all people, you didn’t mind that he was the one who showed up. You had no idea whether it had anything to do with the fact that he had seen you exit that ominous after-match party with teary eyes, but even if it was pity, you could take it given the circumstances.

“What do you know, man?”

“I know everything,” Sunghoon stated sternly, keeping eye-contact with Jaehyeok who furrowed his eyebrows in question. Even though you clearly doubted that he knew everything, he announced it so confidently that you would have believed him all the same, and you could feel the same coming from Jaehyeok, too. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t bother her anymore. She’s my girlfriend now.”

The way Sunghoon declared it so matter-of-factly rendered you speechless, and you just stood there, frozen, and even though people started crossing the street, you totally forgot about the lights turning green. It felt as if the whole world stopped all at once, and yet, a sort of warmth peeked through the rain clouds, as if a ray of hope found its way through all the dirt.

Given that you didn’t argue with Sunghoon’s statement because you were too shocked yet numb to do so, Jaehyeok believed it. Though he clearly looked like he didn’t want to believe it.

“Sure. Congrats on getting her. It’s not like I would ever want her back,” Jaehyeok exclaimed a little too frustrated as his last words before turning around and heading back to the restaurant.

You watched him go with a mix of rage and relief, then, your eyes searched Sunghoon’s who was already looking at you. He was nibbling on his lower lip, awfully nervous for someone who had just bluffed about being your boyfriend, and the calm facade of his broke when he spoke up:

“I’m so sorry about this. I didn’t know what else to say to make him go away,” he mumbled, coy and guilty, but you could only care about the kindness lacing his words, and the genuine care in his eyes. You didn’t know him well enough to draw conclusions, but based on your previous encounters with him, you would say that it took him some courage to walk up to you two like that and to save you from the situation with a lie.

So you felt even more grateful for his interruption, and you didn't even want him to think otherwise.

“No, really, it’s… it’s fine. Thanks for that,” you blurted out, equally as uncertain what to say. Sunghoon’s eyes slipped from your face to your hands, and that’s when you realised that your hands were still shaking.

“Did he…” He breathed out, shaky and worried, before pointing at your hands. “Did he do anything to you?”

You could feel how difficult it was for him to say the words, and the weight his question carried was heavy, his question loaded. It made his earlier act less surprising for he could even assume that Jaehyeok would dare to do something like that.

“No, he didn’t do anything like that. It was just… his words as always…”

“Those matter, too,” Sunghoon whispered, somewhat to himself, before looking around. You didn’t know what he was thinking or what he was trying to do, but the lights were red for the third time you were here, so you couldn’t go on your way either way.

When Sunghoon turned back to you, he examined your expression before averting his eyes to your hands again. He could see that your hands were less shaky but you still fumbled with them to ease your nerves, and maybe that’s what prompted him to announce:

“I will go back to the dorms with you. I don’t want you to be alone after this.”

You were so shocked by his gentleness that you couldn’t form proper words, so you just nodded and crossed the street beside him when the lights turned green.

It’s safe to say that you didn’t think about the consequences of your actions - or should you say Sunghoon’s actions? - because by the next day, everyone had gotten to know that you were Sunghoon’s girlfriend (which, in fact, you weren’t) thanks to Jaehyeok gossiping. The cheerleading group chat exploded with questions and next day’s rugby practice was all about the so-called news, so you had to have an emergency meeting with Sunghoon at the end of the day.

You were in the corridor leading to the business department’s simulation labs, and since those were for societies and extra-curricular workshops, you knew that it would be rare to bump into anyone around here. So it was just the two of you, sitting on a hallway bench, the air somewhat more troubled than the day before.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think it would come to this,” Sunghoon broke the silence almost immediately, his voice deep and worn. He couldn’t look you in the eye, instead, he was playing with his fingers and staring far ahead.

“It’s okay, really,” you tried to reassure him as best as you could. “I’ve been through this before. It gets better after a week,” you shrugged nonchalantly, forcing yourself to avoid having flashbacks of the time you and Jaehyeok had gotten together.

Sunghoon let out a shaky breath hearing that, and you could feel that he was about to say something, but when he turned towards you with his body, he didn’t say anything. Expectant, you looked at him, locking eyes with him, and for a moment, you had a feeling that you might burst into tears. He looked at you so worried, so gentle, as if he was ready to start a revolution for you, it opened a hidden locker in your heart that had never experienced such kindness coming from a boy.

“Are you really okay?” He inquired quietly, barely audible, and it didn’t slip your attention that he glanced down at your hands resting in your lap before looking into your eyes again.

“I’m as fine as I can be. If I’m not fine, it’s not because of this situation, but because of Jaehyeok, so really, don’t beat yourself up about it.”

“Do you want to keep this up? Our… fake relationship?” He hesitated a bit before continuing, and you found it adorable how his ears turned red when he babbled the word ‘relationship’ out loud.

“If you don’t mind,” you answered, giving him the chance to back out because you didn’t want him to tie himself to you over an attempt to save you from your douchebag ex.

Sunghoon’s eyes widened, almost comically, as if it hurt him to hear such a suggestion. Then, he held up his hands in front of his chest, waving them in heavy opposition.

“No, no, I don’t.”

“Okay, I just wanted to make sure,” you let out a little chuckle seeing his objection, and the boy still blinked at you, albeit a bit shyly now.

So you went on to discuss that you would keep up this fake relationship, but nothing was forced. If either of you wanted to put an end to it, the other one would agree immediately. There were no forced dates or social media posts or appearances, just whatever you were comfortable with. You exchanged contacts, so you would be able to keep in touch without having to wait for the other after practices or matches. Speaking of which, you told Sunghoon that you would quit the cheerleading team, and even though he was worried that it was because of him and this whole fake dating thing, you were quick to reassure him that it had nothing to do with it. You merely didn’t enjoy it anymore, and it’s not like you had any supportive friends there.

Hearing that, the boy seemed quite disheartened as if he had any say in how the girls in the team acted. Instead, when you brought up the fact that you could still join any dance-related club because it was early into the semester, and they were still recruiting members, he mentioned that Jake’s girlfriend was a member of a dance club.

“Oh really? Which one?”

“Well, that… I don’t know which one,” he admitted, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly. You let out a giggle seeing his reaction; the way his face changed from enthusiastic to confused so quickly. People might have said that he had a stern face, but you would object. He might have seemed nonchalant and icy to some, but when someone got into a conversation with him, all of these different sides of him surfaced, and you realised that you liked discovering the Sunghoon that not everyone had the chance to know.

“It’s okay, you can let me know once you get to know about it,” you pointed out with a smile as you reminded him that you now had each other’s contact. His shoulders easened and he let his lips curl upwards seeing your smile.

You talked a bit more before you suggested going back to the dorms. Sunghoon offered to walk back with you since he was also heading that way, and you didn’t want to tell him that it didn’t even cross your mind that you would go separately after last time.

You were right, the heightened attention that you got because Jaehyeok had told the others that you were dating Sunghoon died down after a week or so. You quit the cheerleading team in the meantime, so you were out of their group chat too, and that probably added to the sudden lack of questions. You had some glances from people who knew who you were, but otherwise, things went back to normal. To be precise, almost normal.

Though you had no idea what to consider fake-dating Park Sunghoon to be. It was definitely not your usual way of doing things, but Jaehyeok backed off ever since Sunghoon’s lie, and it’s not like the boy forced anything onto you. In fact, he was the most considerate soul ever. He indeed asked Jake which dance club his girlfriend went to, and you joined the same after the boys introduced you two to each other. It was nice to get to know someone who was close to the boys, and who definitely didn’t make you feel small after getting to know about your deal with Sunghoon. Ajung knew about it because Sunghoon’s friends were the only ones who knew, but she wasn’t weirded out by it.

You got to know about how they had known each other with Jake, how they had gotten together, and she also shared how it felt to date one of the rugby players. She had a different experience to yours because she wasn’t a cheerleader, but she still got stares and hateful messages. At the end of the day, what mattered to her was that Jake loved her, and she had never questioned his loyalty.

“I guess it’s because I could never imagine him meeting other girls behind my back that I don’t take those messages to heart,” Ajung admitted once, and it dawned on you that you had felt insecure in your relationship with Jaehyeok because you had been afraid he had been meeting other girls. You had been right, but still; just the fact that you could have imagined him cheating on you should have been a major red flag.

On the other hand, you couldn’t imagine the same about Sunghoon. Even if you were technically not together, the boy made sure time and time again that he was fine with it and wasn’t meeting other girls. So when he went to the after-match parties without you because you didn’t feel like going anymore, you weren’t afraid that he was kissing other girls. Which was a surprising realisation to come to, because one would think that you lost all hope in trusting guys after Jaehyeok. Maybe it would have been true had it been for someone else, but you trusted Sunghoon. Even more so because he was always on your side, even if it meant getting into a fight with Jaehyeok after his rugby practice.

You were studying in the library after classes, and you knew that Sunghoon was supposed to finish around this time, so you shot him a message, only to be left on read for half an hour. Hence, you packed up your stuff and went back to the dorms, not wanting to force anything onto the boy.

However, almost as soon as you arrived at the dorms, you got a message from Jake, saying that you should probably talk to Sunghoon because he had a rough day. He was out with Ajung, but Sunghoon would probably be in their dorm room, so you could talk to him in private.

You didn’t need to be told twice; you walked up to the boys’ dorm room (knowing all too well where they lived in the halls since walking back to the dorms together became a habit of yours), and knocked on their door. You didn’t get an answer, so you messaged the boy again. You started getting worried when Sunghoon suddenly showed up in the corridor, already changed back into his usual jeans, a tee and a cardigan thrown over it. When he caught sight of you in front of their door, his eyes widened and his lips visibly parted.

On the other hand, you had the same reaction, but not because of his presence, it was because of the bruise around his lips and on his jaw. It didn’t look like he had hurt himself during practice as you had been familiar with those kinds of injuries due to Jaehyeok. It looked like he had been in a fight.

“Oh my gosh, Sunghoon! Are you okay?” You immediately went up to him, checking on his bruises from closer, yet not touching him because you didn’t want to be invasive. So you looked up at him, waiting for him to reply, but instead of words, he closed the distance between you two and hugged you.

You were so bewildered that you just stood there, blinking rapidly, and you could neither say anything, nor do anything. Your heart, on the other hand, was beating so erratically, you were afraid that it would jump out of your ribcage.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?” You asked, totally confused, while you hugged the boy back. As you laced your arms around his waist, you could feel the boy tense a bit, probably unprepared for you hugging him back, but he eased into your touch a few seconds later.

“For what you had to deal with beside Jaehyeok,” he explained gently, quietly like a confession, murmuring the words into your hair. You were so used to words that cut like a knife that his words - that were like a soothing cream on a bruised heart - felt like a remedy, the boy tending to your broken heart with only a few syllables, a few breaths of words.

You hugged him back tighter, stronger, a silent response to his sentence, and soaked up this warmth, this comforting feeling for a few seconds before you took a step back and pulled yourself out of the hug. You looked up at him, heart churning at the sight but even more so when your hunch was proven right.

“Was it his doing?” You asked as you pointed at his face, and the boy didn’t need to be asked twice. He nodded, but there was no remorse in his tone when he spoke up.

“I was the one who punched him first. I couldn’t just stand what he was saying about you. He is so-”

“I know,” you cut him off, knowing all too well that whatever he was going to say was something you already knew. Instead, you asked if he had treated his bruises already (though it didn’t seem like it), and when he confirmed that he hadn’t, yet he had bought some antiseptic and plasters from the pharmacy, you offered to help him tend to his wound.

He seemed startled for a few seconds, but didn’t object. He let you inside their dorm room instead, and pushed a few things off his study desk, so he could put down his bag and get the pharmacy’s plastic bag out of it. He fumbled a bit with the bag before he reached it out to you, and just stood there as if he didn’t know what to do himself until you told him that it would probably be better if you both sat down because you know, he was quite tall…

“Oh yeah, right… sorry,” he scratched the back of his neck sheepishly before taking a seat on his bed and pushing a few things onto the edge of his bed, so you could sit beside him comfortably.

You only realised how close you were when you leaned forward to put the antiseptic on the corner of his lip, and you came face-to-face with the moles dotting his face like little black stars on the galaxy of his skin. The shade of his eyes also seemed darker from up close, like the sky when it didn’t yet turn to its darkest, deepest colour, and the way he batted his eyelashes was just as elegant as the boy himself. He seemed so dream-like as he was blinking at your swiftly moving fingers, you were afraid that if you stopped, he would vanish. You wished that you could prolong these moments longer and longer…

Yet, you were finished in no time, and after you put a plaster on the bruise of his jaw, you put everything back into the plastic bag while trying to pacify the crazy beating of your heart. You appreciated that the boy let you do this for him after he had stood up for you even without you being there, and even though he didn’t regret it, you still felt bad for him. He shouldn’t have felt like this was his battle to win, but he was protective over you, more than he should have been given your fake relationship.

“Thank you,” you blurted out as such thoughts circled your mind. “From that after-match party when you asked me if I was okay after seeing Jaehyeok kiss another girl up until today, I feel like you’ve been taking care of me so well, I’m really grateful,” you confessed as you turned towards him again, searching for his eyes.

The boy’s delicate features immediately softened, and you could see it on his face, in his eyes, in the way he held himself that he would have done it again and again if it meant that he could take care of you.

“You deserve it. You really do,” he stated, not leaving room for objection, and that was when it hit you. That emotional overflow that had been building inside of you ever since you had been talking with Sunghoon, and time and time again, he proved to you that you were cared for, and that there were people looking out for you despite what Jaehyeok had been telling you, and that you were your own person, not a nobody.

“Thank you,” you choked out, trying to hold it in, but when tears started prickling your eyes, you knew that it was time to let it all out. So you did, without being ashamed, without feeling weak. This was you, a side of you that you now dared to show the world.

And Sunghoon was there to help you through it all by lending a shoulder to cry on and strong arms to hold you safe and sound, wrapping you up in warmth and comfort.

Something changed that day, and you could feel the shift in your relationship.

It’s not that you two were cold towards each other before, you were merely more tentative. You appreciated it, the fact that Sunghoon kept his distance, and he was as polite about every little touch, every little action as one could be, but after that night, you started opening up slowly, letting each other in more and more.

It was gradual, of course. With your history with Jaehyeok and Sunghoon’s generally reserved personality, it wasn’t an obvious change from one day to another, but you enjoyed it nevertheless. You enjoyed the walks back to the dorms, the times you spent messaging each other on and off campus, the times when you hang out with him and his friends after matches (instead of hanging out with the cheerleaders and Jaehyeok’s friends), the lunches you grabbed together between classes, and how throughout it all, you got to know that Sunghoon was actually far from quiet when he was around those he was comfortable with.

He was pretty talkative when a topic was brought up that interested him or when he needed to defend his opinion. He was also pretty funny, making funny faces when reacting to certain campus drama and being his extra self when walking into a place where you were waiting for him. He was also very, very caring, but it went without saying by that point; lending you his jacket when autumn arrived with violent winds and unexpected weather conditions from one day to another, buying a drink for you when he knew that you would be staying at the library to study, holding the door for you and offering to bring your books when you were working on an assignment and had to rent a bunch of books for a week, and looking out for your reactions whenever Jaehyeok was brought up in a conversation or the boy was close by.

Actually, with him by your side, it was easier to put your ex in the past; because Sunghoon showed you such a different way of being together with a boy. You were still fake dating, but the way nothing was forced for the sake of social media or the questions of his nosy team members showed you that he would be just as considerate about your feelings and your comfort as if you had been actually dating.

Maybe that’s why it wasn’t that difficult to say yes to a weekend trip to the winter sea with his friends - Jake, Ajung and Jay. It was just the five of you, renting a small apartment for two days and one night in December; two of the boys sharing a room and one of them sleeping on the couch in the living room (it goes without saying that they decided with rock-paper-scissors that it would be Sunghoon on the couch) while you were sharing a room with Ajung.

During the day, you went to the beach to take a long walk alongside the coast, the boys teasing you while splashing water around, taking pictures and having lunch nearby in a cosy little café. You went to a cliff too, Sunghoon reaching his hand out to help you move from one rock to another while walking towards it, and Jake did the same towards Ajung, so Jay was sulking that he was visibly left out. To which, both of the boys joked to offer their help, but Jay just shushed them. They were having too much fun teasing him.

At night, you went to the grocery store and bought ingredients for dinner which you prepared together. To be precise, you weren’t sure Sunghoon was much help as he was singing songs he put on the speakers into a ladle, and Jake was too busy taking pictures of Ajung with a knife (saving it for himself as possible future meme material as he said), but Jay was doing everything so professionally, it seemed like he didn’t need help either way. You tried nevertheless, cutting up the veggies and bringing him stuff from the fridge while he was by the oven, naturally finding something to talk about in the meantime.

“You know, Sunghoon seems happier since you started talking,” he brought it up suddenly while he was stirring the stew. You both glanced in the direction of the boy who was too busy finding a good song to play next, his tongue sticking out in concentration.

“Oh really?” You quirked an eyebrow, feeling a bit shy, because it meant that you had a positive impact on the boy.

“Yeah,” the boy nodded without thinking twice about it. “I’ve never seen him date a girl, but even if you are fake-dating, I think that’s what he would act like,” he added seriously, and there was no hint of mischief in his eyes, hence, you believed him. At least, you wanted to believe him.

However, you had no idea what to say to that, so you just nodded, and as your eyes glanced in the boy’s direction yet again, your heart did a little somersault. Truth to be told, it didn’t really feel like fake-dating at this point because you and Sunghoon actually spent a lot of time together, getting to know each other, and he even invited you for this trip, so that had to mean something. On the other hand, since you hadn’t seen Sunghoon interact with other girls before (except for smiling awkwardly when the cheerleaders had tried to hit on him), you didn’t know how he acted around them.

Nevertheless, you couldn’t keep Jay’s words out of your head for the remaining day, so when it was just the two of you left in the living room as Sunghoon was making his bed (aka his couch) and you were refilling your water bottle, you felt like you had to ask the boy the same.

“Sunghoon…” You started tentatively as you halted beside the couch which was now covered with a bedsheet, a fluffy blanket and a pillow. The boy looked up from his haphazardly made bed, finding your eyes. He tilted his head like he always did when he was confused, but there was a hint of curiosity in his midnight-black orbs.

“Hmm?”

“Jay said that you seem happier since we started talking,” you said it in one-go, fiddling with the protective layer around your water bottle. “Do you agree with him?”

Silence settled over you two after your question, and even though it was probably just a few seconds, your heartbeat felt twice as heavy as before as you were waiting for his answer. Sunghoon’s confused features easened into a more natural state, but there was a hue tinting his cheeks pinkish when he answered:

“Yeah, I’m happier.”

Your shoulders immediately dropped in ease despite the fact that you couldn’t imagine him saying something hurtful even if he might not have agreed with his friend. It’s just… you felt like you hadn’t really been paying attention to his feelings in the beginning of your fake dating since you had been buried under all the hurt from Jaehyeok. When you had managed to pick yourself up from that dark hole, Sunghoon had already been acting the way he did nowadays, so you couldn’t tell whether he was happier or not. Not to mention that you hadn’t really been looking his way in the first semester because you had been dating a different rugby player.

Now though, you couldn’t imagine not seeing him and not looking for him. His presence could always bring a sense of comfort, and he didn’t even have to say anything, you were just fine being beside him. On top of that, you could be yourself beside him, you knew that. He had seen you when you had been vulnerable and torn, and he hadn’t taken advantage of that, nor had he said anything that might have implied that you should change your ways around him.

“Well, me too,” you admitted as your thoughts kept circling back to the warmth he spread, the gratitude he made you feel, the happiness he bloomed in your chest and… to him. “I like you,” you found yourself saying as you overcame with all the emotions leading up to this point, but you immediately bit down on your lower lip when you realised what you had just said.

Sunghoon seemed shocked for a moment, then shy, then baffled again as if he didn’t want to believe his ears.

“Oh, I, well…” He blabbered coyly, not finding the right words to say. Even in this state, you found him cute because he was trying. He was just nervous like you, but you could wait for him to say what he wanted to say. Not like you could budge, you were entranced either way.

Sunghoon cleared his throat to regain his courage, then as he stepped closer to you, he finally said:

“I like you too.”

And then his arms were around you, strong yet gentle, and you inhaled his sandalwood perfume, your heart thumping against your chest, wild and free. You realised then and there that you had been secretly waiting for this moment, and you wanted to stay in it as long as possible.

“So no more fake dating, I assume?” He murmured into your hair, his voice a bit raspy yet laced with joy.

“No more,” you agreed with a slight bob of your head, and let him hug you tighter, stronger as if he never wanted to let you go.

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'tis the damn season | Chapter 9

Pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x Julie/Cece (OC, no physical description)

Word count: 6K

Synopsis: After six years away from home, Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin was finally going to make his parents happy and surprise his family by spending Christmas in Magnolia, Texas. Introducing his pregnant fiancee to his family is a culture clash, with rural Texas meeting California influencer. Though unhappy in his relationship, Jake knows he has to buckle down and do the right thing with a baby on the way.

The last person he expected to run into was his high school sweetheart and the one that got away, Julie.

The holidays are already going to be hard enough for Julie. Her home baking business, which had started as a fun side project, exploded after a few TikToks went viral. Just when she was getting the hang of juggling her job and business, tragedy struck. Facing her first Christmas as an orphan, the last thing Julie expected was to hear that once familiar nickname - Cece.

After almost a decade apart, Jake and Julie can't help but feel that old familiar spark. Even with the realities of their lives pressing in, they can't help but wonder what might have happened if just one of them had fought for their relationship all those years ago.

Chapter 8 | Master List | Ao3

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Chapter 9

"Hangman, my office - now."

Jake closed his eyes as the door to the Ready Room slammed shut, the silence after Cyclone's order already overwhelming. He could feel the other aviators staring and set down his nearly full cup of coffee, scrubbing a hand down his face. The soft clanking of his g-suit clips was the only sound in the room as he forced his head high and strode into the hallway, following in the air boss's wake. 

Cyclone barked for him to come in when he knocked, and Jake stood at attention in front of his desk. He tried to keep his eyes on the wall over his shoulder, but he could see how the vice admiral clenched his jaw and heard the tap of his pen on the desk. "Sir -"

"Did I say you could speak, Lieutenant?" Silenced, Jake forced himself to take a breath and make sure he didn't slouch. It was another minute of tapping before his superior spoke. "I want to know why the hell the base is getting calls about your personal life…legal, the gate shacks, and even the base commander's office. And then I hear that it's not only us - Coronado is also hearing about your sex life. So why is that, Hangman?"

A wave of dread hit him. He hadn't thought, perhaps naively, that what Shayla did would get back to his job. He didn't live online - hell, his social media hadn't been updated in months, except for his ex tagging him in stuff, though his follower account was high. Cece's business was connected to her social media, so it had made sense for them to make that connection. But him? Why the hell would anyone call the fucking base? "Sir," he started again after clearing his throat. "I -"

"Save it. I've seen both videos." Cyclone ran a hand down his face before resuming his pen tapping while looking out the window. "Conduct Unbecoming," he muttered, and Jake froze. Catching this, Cyclone turned his gaze back to the younger aviator. "Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer and a Gentleman. They're tossing around the idea of hitting you with an Article 15." 

Anger battled with worry at his pristine record being marked with disciplinary action. Being known for violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice. If he accepted it, an Article 15 would save him from a trial and court-martial, where he would face fines or confinement at best, lose a rank, or be dishonorably discharged at worst. The Article 15 still held a penalty. He could deal with a 30-day restriction or even his paycheck being halved for two months - it would hurt, but he could do it. But it could impact his ability to be promoted. Every time he went up for a rank, there would always be an asterisk next to his name and accomplishments. It would be on his Fitness for Duty report, marked under behavioral. 

Because his fucking ex lied. 

Her fucking lie made them think he'd acted dishonorably. Brought shame to the Navy. Impacted his ability to command subordinates. That her posting the video would impact his mission capability. 

Jake swallowed hard, refusing to acknowledge the angry tears pricking his eyes. For years, he'd always thought his greatest regret would be letting Cece go in Virginia, but now he knew it was talking to Shayla that night at the Hard Deck. 

The clicking of computer keys snapped Jake out of his shame spiral, and Cyclone's lips pressed into a thin line. "Activation orders are in your inbox. A new mission came in before the holidays, and I was going to wait to issue orders until after the new year, but the timing's perfect for getting you the hell out of my sight. The SEALs need aerial support and requested two of my best. Unfortunately, that includes you. You'll need to do a SERE refresher before deploying." 

Jake's throat tightened at the mention of SERE. Like all pilots, he'd participated in Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training. While the experience was invaluable, he could never entirely forget the feeling of being waterboarded or the screams of the woman in their squad who had been captured by the instructors and thrown into a pit. The rest of the team had been forced to listen, hiding in the grass as the instructors poured buckets of water over her until she was treading to keep her head above water, yelling at her to give up the intel. 

"How long is the deployment, sir?" 

"The earliest refresher course is in Kittery, so you'll be headed to Maine in three weeks, then back here for a month of training before deploying. The mission length is unclear, but we expect to be on radio blackout for its entirety. Now, get the fuck out of my office."

"Yes, sir."

"Oh, and Hangman?" Jake paused with one foot out the door. "Keep your private life off the goddamn internet." 

"Sir."

Julie's eyes were heavy as she stared at her computer, resisting the urge to drop her head into her hands. Rather than head into the bank, she'd called out of work. She knew it was putting her supervisor in a bind, especially since a lot of the parents were still out taking care of their kids who were out of school for the holiday. Still, she would sit at the counter covering for the tellers instead of processing loan applications in her office. Opening herself up for that amount of scrutiny was too much. 

Not only that, but she was so tired. After Jake left and Lucy finally went home to her family, Julie crawled back into bed. She could still smell Jake in her sheets, and when it became overwhelming, she got up and stood outside of Daddy's bedroom. After Lucy had helped her clean it the first time after he died, she'd only gone in to dust and change the sheets occasionally over the last 11 months. Daddy's clothes were still hung in the closet and tucked into the drawers, his wallet and watch still on the dresser. After a long moment, she crossed the bedroom, running her fingers along the furniture before slipping into the bed like she had so many times as a little girl after waking from a bad dream. 

But this time, Daddy wasn't there to hold her until she went back to sleep, banishing the monsters from her imagination. "I miss you," she'd whispered, resting her hand on his pillows.

Sighing, she pushed to her feet and went to refill her coffee. She was almost out of creamer and knew a trip to the grocery store needed to happen. While her appetite was nearly non-existent, she knew she needed to eat. Without a working oven, her options were limited. Ally offered to drive down to the store with her truck to pick up a new oven and Will and Mr. Seresin to install it, but Julie was reluctant to see the Seresins. She had yet to answer Jake's call that morning or respond to his text.

I love you so much, Cupcake. We'll get through this. I'll call you later.

It was still on her mental list of things to do, along with replying to people requesting to cancel their orders with her. While her first instinct was to agree and issue a full refund, Lucy had put her foot down on that and pointed out that they'd signed contracts that outlined penalties for cancelations - they would get partial refunds if anything. Settling back at the kitchen table, Julie clicked on her next order email and scanned it before deleting it. And the next. And the next.

The fourth email was an actual inquiry for cake pops. The person had included a note in the comments.

I hope you and Jake are happy. His video made it look like you guys are meant to be. I hope this all dies down soon. I've always wanted to try your stuff, and I figured now would be a good time. Thanks for being my comfort creator on here! 

Tears pricked her eyes as she reread the note. When Jake had sent her the link to his video after he'd posted it, she'd been too numb to react. After showing what his apartment looked like after Shayla had destroyed it was bad enough, but he'd lost his temper and laid out exactly what happened. His work with the greenscreen was wonky, but he shared the screenshots where she'd admitted to lying about the baby. He'd talked about their relationship, how he was never comfortable with her filming, and her begging to continue. How she'd cheated, and they'd broken up before telling him she was pregnant, and he wanted to do the right thing.

He admitted to not being open about who Julie was to him when they went home but pushed back on the idea that his family was rude to Shayla. Instead, he told them how she'd posted the "pregnancy announcement" video before they could tell them the news and how she hadn't respected their privacy. He confirmed that he was the one in Julie's video - she could have kicked herself for not catching when his wrist had briefly appeared in the background as she piped out macaron shells and he grabbed a cupcake pan to put in more liners - and anger colored his words when he talked about Shayla destroying her work. 

"I want to be clear," he'd said, staring directly at the camera. "That I kissed Ce… Julie that night. But that was as far as it went. And it was a mistake that we both regretted immediately because I was still engaged to Shayla at that point. But nothing. Else. Happened. I…” He looked away and cleared his throat. "I was ready to agree never to see Julie again if that would have made Shayla feel more secure in our marriage. But we never got to that because she left her computer open, and I saw the texts to her best friend. And I did yell at her. And took my ring back. I was only at Julie's house that night because I couldn't stand to be under the same roof as someone who tried to trap me into a marriage with blackmail. Julie was my friend that night, and I needed that."

"I won't apologize for not staying with someone who lies and manipulates and intentionally hurts my loved ones. And that's what Shayla did. She hurt people to get you to watch her videos and get brand deals and free shit. She doesn't care about you or me or anyone but herself. But I do owe an apology to my family for bringing her with me, making you uncomfortable, and not being the son you raised. And, of course, to Julie - who has been family since we were kids and I've been in love with almost that long. I'll never be able to make up for the hurt I've caused, not just over the last week. I wasn't always honest with you when you deserved that, and I put myself and my career before you. You didn't do anything to deserve all of this except be there for an idiot who is still in love with you and couldn't hide it well. And I'll spend every day trying to make it up to you if you let me. I've been bad at keeping promises, but I want to keep the one of being your first and last kiss, Cupcake." 

"And to everyone else, please just… leave her alone. Julie's the most selfless person I've ever met and doesn't deserve this. Hate me, hate Shayla, but leave her out of it. She's a good person, and those are hard to find." 

He looked so defeated, hair a mess from running his hands through it and the dark circles under his eyes again. From the extent of the damage, Julie knew he wouldn't have gotten much sleep last night, either. Unlike herself, he probably didn't take the easier route and call out of work rather than face real life. He was probably facing it head-on with that bullheaded stubbornness he'd been known for as a kid. 

After typing a quick quote for the cake pops with multiple decorating options, including a short 'thank you for your support!', she clicked into the next email. She closed when she saw a request for a macaron cake that read 'Happy Homewreckers!'. Tears trickled down her face as she breathed like Jake had taught her. She could get through this. 

Lunch was rough. Jake could feel eyes on him as he took his tray to their usual table, sitting with his back to the wall and forcing himself to meet the gaze of everyone who looked at him. A few had the decency to look away quickly, but others leaned toward their buddies and whispered. 

The Daggers circled around him, providing their unspoken support. Still, he knew they had questions for him and were just waiting for some privacy to ask. But he could have put up with it if Cece had just responded to his text. She hadn't said a thing since he'd sent her the link to his video, and he was starting to regret doing it without talking to her first. It was his fault this was happening, and he wanted to protect her as much as possible - but he should have at least given her the option of not doing it. 

And now… now he had to tell her that he was deploying. Again. The very thing that had ended their relationship all those years ago. This time, though, he was going to tell her. Jake had to show that he'd changed for her to trust him. But, fuck… the idea of going through SERE again and then a blackout mission? Not being able to contact Cece or Will, his parents? Possibly missing Tyler's birth? 

Cyclone may have picked him because of his record, but it also felt like this was a punishment. 

Julie pulled her daddy's baseball cap low on her brow, ducking her head as she walked into the grocery store. The cart rattled loudly as she hurried down the aisles, avoiding as many people as possible as she stocked up on snacks and anything she could make in the microwave. 

For as fast as she moved, the whispers moved faster. Clinging to that numb feeling, she tried to block them out, not even wondering how the older Magnolia population would be aware of internet drama. She would put money on Betty Roberts having spread the news far and wide. All she needed to do was get her stuff and get home, where she could go back to bed and pretend that this was a bad dream. 

"- showing her face after all that?"

"Did you see his, though?"

"We all know the Seresin boy's been known to tell tall tales. Besides, you know what those two are like - they've always been all over each other."

Cheeks blazing, Julie ignored the loud conversation from the aisle, recognizing the town gossip's voice. And sure, as teenagers, she and Jake hadn't been the most conservative about public affection. But Betty made it sound like they'd been groping each other in public. She hadn't even touched Jake in public in over seven years, and that had been down in Austin. Keeping space between them had been her goal since he'd come back home. Because Jake's touch, his kiss was… well, it made her lose her head. It made her want to do things like pack a bag and start driving out to California to escape the scrutiny of their small town. It made her want to hide in his bed, covers pulled over their head and his sleepy gaze holding hers until the rest of the world fell away. Until she forgot why the walls she'd built so high were needed. It made her want to ignore the fact that the man she loved had the power to hurt her as no one else did. 

There was a loud scoff, and Julie pressed her lips together, eyes closing as she willed herself not to feel. Not to acknowledge the women turning on the aisle and staring at her, shopping baskets dangling from their arms. She felt their stares like cobwebs on her skin as they neared, their whispers like daggers in her heart. 

And then one struck true. "Her parents would be so ashamed." 

Tears gathered behind her eyelids at the cruel words, a contradiction of Daddy's letter in her purse. Slowly, she turned to face Betty and her friend Joanne, the second-biggest gossip in town. "Are your lives so small," Julie said softly as they stopped behind her, "that you have to make yourself feel bigger by talking about others?" 

"Excuse me?" Betty demanded, recoiling slightly.

Tossing the bag of frozen corn into her cart, Julie turned fully to face the two, her tone flat as she spoke again. "Do you think that people actually like you? That they look forward to seeing you coming toward them, knowing that they have to watch every word, every action, every breath they take in front of you because if they don't toe the line of what you deem appropriate, you'll tell the whole town?" Joanne's mouth fell open as Betty flushed bright red, drawing herself up.

"Why, I never -"

"Shut the hell up. You never shut the hell up," Julie sighed. "You talk, and you whisper, and you judge, and you make people feel horrible for just living their fucking life. And for some reason, you think that people care what you think, but the truth is that we all think that you're a nosey bitch." 

"Julie Ryan!" Betty sputtered. "I don't know WHAT's gotten into you, young lady, but -"

"I'm done." And then, without another word, she turned and walked out of the store, abandoning her cart and her last fuck. 

Holy shit, word on the street is that Julie FINALLY stood up to Betty Roberts!

Jake stared down at the text from his sister-in-law as he sat in his truck after work. While Cece hadn't contacted him all day, apparently, she'd been out and about in Magnolia. He let his head fall back and sighed, scrubbing a hand down his face. He wanted to return home - not in his apartment but Texas. Because if Cece had finally said something, things would have been bad.

Jake, have you heard from Julie? I stopped by her house, but she wasn't there. I wanted to check on her after what happened at the store.

The text from Mama worried him. Turning the ignition, he waited until his phone connected to Bluetooth before calling Cece. As it rang, he let his head fall back on the rest, and his eyes closed, anticipating her voicemail again. When she said they needed space, she'd promised not to disappear on him again, but it was starting to feel like that's what was happening. After managing seven years without her, it had only taken one week for Jake to miss her as much as he had when she'd left him back in Virginia. And now… now he didn't know if he would survive losing her again.

"Hello?" 

"Hey, babe." Just the sound of her voice had his muscles relaxing and a tired smile creeping onto his mouth. "You okay?"

"I'm…" There was a long pause, and Jake's grip on the steering wheel tightened when he heard a choked inhale. "I think I did something stupid?"

"What's wrong? What happened, honey?" Cece didn't say anything, but he heard her take a shuttering breath. "Cupcake, is this about the grocery store?" 

Her laugh was watery and brittle. "Of course, you heard about that already." 

"Only that you did what everyone should have done to Betty Roberts a long time ago, but not specifics." He heard her chuckle before gasping, and his heart broke at her sob. "Cece…" The only sound on the other side of the line was her crying, and Jake wanted to pull her into his arms so badly. Instead, he pinched the bridge of his nose and swallowed hard. 

"I-I called her a n-nosey b-bitch." Jake snorted, which made her wail, "It's not funny, Jacob!" 

"I'm sorry, honey," he laughed. "You're right, it's not funny. It's fuckin' hilarious and well-deserved. You're a goddamn hero for finally sayin' it to her face when everyone's been sayin' it behind her back for decades." 

Cece sniffled, and his hand flexed around the wheel. "You… you don't think Mama and Daddy would be ashamed of me?" 

Rage blinded him. "Did that bitch say that?" he demanded. When she hummed an affirmative, he slammed his fist onto the top of the steering wheel while cursing under his breath. "Honey," he said through clenched teeth, "you know that's not true, right? Your parents loved you and would never have been ashamed of you. Your daddy told me all the time how proud he was of you. And your Mama loved you so damn much that she probably would have told Betty off herself, just like she did that woman who said somethin' about the pie you submitted to the fair."

"What?" There was confusion in her voice, and Jake chuckled.

"You know - when you entered a kids' baking competition when we were eight or so for the summer fair. I heard one of the other girl's mom's makin' a comment about how your pie wasn't as pretty as her daughter's, and your Mama told her that it's a good thing that she wasn't picked as one of the judges because she wouldn't know a pretty pie if it was shoved in her face." 

"My mama said that?" Cece asked, laughing wetly. 

"Yup. That's why we spent so much time by the quilts that year - our mamas weren't quiet about how much they thought her submission wasn't up to snuff."

"I… I remember the quilt but didn't know about the pie." 

"Your mama was proud of everything you did, Cece." When she was quiet, he sighed and started to pull his truck out of its spot. "What're you doin' tonight, honey?" 

"Um… not much." 

"Any chance you'd be willing to let me see your gorgeous face? I'm driving home now, but we could do a video call in about an hour." 

“I… um…” The hesitation killed him, but then she spoke again. "I'm not sure what my internet situation will be tonight." That made him laugh.

"I know Magnolia's a bit behind the times, but the wifi wasn't bad."

"I'm not in Magnolia." Easing onto the road, he frowned. 

"Did you go get your oven?" Her groan made him smile. 

"No, but that probably would have been the smarter thing to do."

"Where'd you go?" 

"Arizona."

"Ari -" Jake's foot slammed on the break before he blew a stop sign, and he stared down at his phone as though he could see her face. "What the hell are you doing in Arizona?" 

"Well, I'm not there yet," she said after a beat. "I'm still in New Mexico, but close to the border, so I'll be there soon." 

“Why…what the… Cece, why are you in New Mexico? Why are you going to Arizona?!"

Her nervous laugh was drowned out by someone hitting their horn, and Jake glanced in his rearview mirror before slowly moving forward. He tried to keep his attention on the road, but it was hard. "Did you know the Grand Canyon is only about 10 hours from Magnolia? And I've never been." 

"The Grand… you're going to the Grand Canyon? In December?"

"Why not?" Her tone was defensive, and he knew he needed to tread carefully.

"It's not… the best time for sightseeing." His reasoning felt flimsy even to himself. "And what about work?" 

"I need to concentrate on driving," Cece replied after a long pause. 

"Baby -"

"I'll call you later when I stop for the night."

"At least tell me you're gonna get a hotel. I don't want you to sleep on the side of the road. I can get you one -"

"I can afford a fucking hotel, Jake!" Shocked at her outburst, he stayed silent, listening to her heavy breathing. "I'm not a child. I can take care of myself."

"I know that."

"Do you?" she hissed. "Or are you just like everyone else, thinkin' I've been waiting for you all this time? That poor, pathetic Julie Ryan always needs someone to look after her? That my whole world stopped the day I left Virginia, and I've just been waiting for you to come back to me? Do you know that everyone - EVERYONE - thinks that you left me? And I let them because you weren't there to defend yourself, and it was too hard to convince them otherwise?" 

"Ce -"

"I didn't tell them that Golden Boy Seresin was a liar who couldn't even tell the woman he was supposed to marry that he was leaving AGAIN. That I had uprooted MY WHOLE LIFE for you, and you didn't even have the decency to tell me that you were leaving. You just let me look like an idiot in front of all the other spouses. Let me think that we were gonna have the wedding and start our lives together - all while you were keeping a huge secret from me." Jake's heart shattered when her voice cracked. Pulling to the side of the road, he slung an arm over the steering wheel and rested his forehead on it.

"Honey, I'm sor -"

"I protected you all this time. I put my dreams aside for yours and was okay with that. All I asked for was honesty, and you couldn't even give me that. And when I finally - FINALLY - had something that was mine and only mine, something that I loved and built and put in the hard work for… you ruined it, Jake. You took it from me." For a long time, there was only the sound of her panting breath over the line.

"I'm so sorry, Julie. I never meant to hurt you," he rasped.

"I know that, and that's the hardest thing about all this - you never had to try to hurt me. I just let you." 

Tears dripped down his face as he listened to her cry. "I…I don't know…baby, I'm sorry. Tell me how to fix this, and I'll do it." 

"I don't think you can. There's nothing… we've been moving toward this since we were 18, Jake. And maybe now it's time to just throw in the towel." 

"No." Clearing his throat, he spoke firmly and sat up. "No, I'm not givin' up on us, Cece. I love you. You're the only woman I've ever loved, and I won't lose you again." 

"You love who I was when we were teens. You don't know me now." 

"Then let me. Come out here, and let's figure this out."

Her laugh was brittle, "That's the problem right there. You always ask me to do the hard thing without realizing it - I have to come to you. I can't have a career because yours is more important. I have to make myself small so you can be the big shot you always wanted to be." 

"I… I can't get leave to come home, Cece. Please, you know I would if I could. But I -"

"I don't know you would. You've never had to make the sacrifices in our relationship." Her words were like a slap to the face. 

"That's not true." That only made her laugh, and he felt a rush of anger. "You think I wanted to be away from you all the time? Is that what you think? When you said you thought you were pregnant, I was ready to give it all up - the Academy, flying, all of it. And you're saying I didn't make any sacrifices?"

He could feel the hurt across the open line and opened his mouth to apologize when she cut him off. "Well, it's a good thing I wasn't pregnant then or after we fucked at the bar, so you never had to decide between me or your dreams. Because, unlike you, I don't think I could have lived with ruining yours." 

The call ended as Jake stared out the windshield, trying to comprehend what Cece said. Had she thought she was pregnant after they'd hooked up in Austin? Was that why she'd run away from him in the grocery store? Scrambling for his phone, he dialed her number, hanging up and calling again when it was sent to voicemail.

Just like his next ten calls.

Cold seeped into Julie's skin as she watched the sky turn indigo as the sun rose. Snow blew around her, and the news warned of a blizzard that day. The smart thing to do would be to head back into town and climb back into her hotel bed, but she couldn't tear her gaze away from the beautiful sight before her. 

There was something so peaceful about sitting there, her racing thoughts finally silent. Tears pricked her eyes as the wind whipped her hair into her face. As the light started to kiss the canyon's rim, her eyes were drawn down into its depth. Snow dotted the upper rim, disappearing further down. 

Gorgeous. And only a day's drive away from home. 

The thought had her reaching into her pocket and retrieving her phone. Daddy's lawyer had sent her the bank account info for Mama's travel account. Ignoring the red bubbles alerting her to the missed calls and texts, she navigated to her email and clicked on the encrypted message. Cell service was spotty, but she memorized the login information. 

Her finger hovered over the texts, curiosity warring with peace. She'd seen the preview of Jake's message as she lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. It had started with an apology, and it took everything in her not to apologize to him. She'd never meant for him to hear the arguments and thoughts she'd bottled up for years, but they'd spilled out at the first opportunity. Julie's resentment toward him had been overwhelming and now was tinged with regret for hurting him with the truth. But she'd carried that hurt in silence for so long. Everything about their relationship from the moment he was accepted into the Naval Academy had been about him. Hell, even their spring breaks in South Carolina had been to make his life easier - the times she'd asked to meet in Florida or for him to come to Texas, he'd pleaded for her to go to him. He was so tired between school and training, and he wouldn't have the summers to relax like she would. So, she went across the country every March to spend time with him instead of going on trips with her friends. He'd only met her college friends at graduation, while she'd spent a week with his every year.  

Instead of looking at the texts, Julie took a picture of the sunrise and sent it to Lucy. When she'd called from the road to let her know that she was heading out of town, her best friend had been worried and made her promise to check in. The picture was slow to send in their text thread, and Julie took the opportunity to scroll through their messages. Pictures of her kids and husband were sprinkled throughout. There was a video of Joey asking for a monster truck birthday cake and Julie crouching next to Emma at her ballet recital. 

Sniffling, she shoved the phone back into her pocket and stared at the sunrise, trying to force away her thoughts. But they raced in opposite directions - ten hours east to Magnolia and nine hours west to San Diego. If she was at home, she would be getting up soon and heading to work, or having breakfast with Ally. Out west, Jake was probably waking and getting ready to go to the base. 

Her breath misted in the air when Julie sighed. The wind was picking up, and she knew she'd need to get back to town before the storm blew in, but it was hard to tear her gaze away from the canyon. A car door slammed, and she jumped, turning to see two people climbing out of their vehicle. They nodded, and she smiled back as they stood a bit further from her and looked at the sunrise. 

When her fingers started losing their feeling, and the sky was a beautiful pink and orange, Julie returned to her car. As it heated, she took a deep breath and pulled up Jake's texts. They were full of apologies and pleas for her to answer the phone. He wanted to know if she'd thought she was pregnant after they'd seen one another in Austin. That made her cringe. She regretted telling him like that, especially after everything that happened with his ex. He promised to try harder if she would just pick up. He wanted to come home, but he was just told about a mission he was being sent on and wouldn't be able to.

I only have 3 weeks until I leave, and we won't be able to talk. Please, baby, don't let it end like this. I love you, and I know I haven't always been the best at showing it, but I want this to work.  

A lump rose in her throat at the thought of him leaving again, and she paused before sending him the same picture she'd sent Lucy. We'll talk before you go, but I need space right now.

The technology gods were clearly on Jake's side because the message went through quickly and was marked as read almost immediately. Three dots appeared on the screen, and Julie bit her lip while watching them flicker. Finally, the message appeared. Beautiful, but not as beautiful as you. I love you, Cupcake.

After a moment, she typed back Love you too, Farm Boy.

Quickly closing the message, she pulled up the banking app and entered her Mama's travel account information. She hesitated before closing her eyes and hitting the login button. Slowly, after a few seconds, Julie peeked at the screen. The amount made her breath catch. Tears flooded her eyes as she stared at the number. 

Fumbling for her purse, she grabbed Daddy’s letter, skimming the words until she found what she was looking for. 

I put her life insurance payout there and have added a little every year. All you have to do is contact my lawyer, who'll give you the account numbers and start the transfer. I should have given it to you before, but… well, the reason always changed. But now that you have it, I want you to do whatever you want with that money. If you want to travel like your Mama wanted? Do it. You want to go back to school? Perfect. Start your bakery? You'll be so successful. Buy a house? I only ask that it's somewhere other than Magnolia. Sell the house and put the money toward your next dream. 

Be selfish, baby. Treat yourself to whatever you want - as long as it's what you want. 

Looking over the dashboard at the sunrise over the Grand Canyon, Julie started to cry at the memory of her Mama reading her books before bed, building worlds in her mind. Her daddy pinching pennies as she grew up and helping her bake late into the night. Lying in the back of Jake's truck and talking about all the places they would see when they were married. 

The money wouldn't solve everything, but it was enough to give her space to breathe and figure out what she wanted to do. It, along with her moving fund, would give her what she needed most—time. 

As she pulled out of the parking lot, she could almost hear Mama's voice. "You and me, baby girl, we're gonna see the world one day." 

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

Author's Note: Soooo... thank you for you patience with me getting this out. I had some difficulty with this chapter, because I was struggling between going with my original ending and one that was less angsty. I went with the original (the other option was Cece driving to Jake's after because they didn't have a fight, and her meeting the Daggers). But Cece needed to finally let Jake know how she was feeling, and Betty may have been just the push she needed.

SERE training is no joke. I stole the story about the woman being thrown in the pit from my best friend's husband (former military intel guy), who still has issues with the smell of peppermint to this day because he hid in a patch of it while it was happening. They no longer waterboard soldiers, but that practice only stopped in the 2000s, I believe.

Also, the next chapter will be the last one in this series 🫣 (Edit, there will be an epilogue)

Read Chapter 10

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[tyblackthornsheadphones]

Hiya! Maybe some hurt and comfort fic with the moon boys after the reader got hurt in a street scuffle thing? :)

i reread this only once and yes, i did notice the inconsistent verb tenses but honestly i don’t have the energy to go back and change it. i tried to keep physical descriptions of the reader to a minimum so it should be gender neutral and any race. if not, please let me know so i can fix it.

i also kind of forgot the reader was supposed to be hurt and wrote it more emotional but i hope it’s fine anyway. (i’m so bad at following requests i’m so sorry)

if you wanna support me you can buy me a ko-fi.

the two men had come out of nowhere, forcing you into an alleyway under the dark cover of the night. your only comfort was the thought that your boys were watching the city for these exact types of people, maybe they would come save you. and if you managed to hold off the two men for just long enough, you could get out of this alive.

you weren’t a fighter. marc had taught you basic self-defence, but even so you wouldn’t have been able to take on two big, buff men with guns and eyes that spoke of deranged thoughts and lack of care for any life but their own.

the rest was a blur. a white caped hero throwing punches, a body jumping in front of your own, blood on the concrete and on gloved hands.

“let’s get you home, amor.”

jake was angry, you could hear it in his tone, but you were still frozen in fear from the encounter, your mind buzzing yet simultaneously unable to string together any coherent thoughts. so you didn’t respond, and he carried you home in his arms, jumping into the loft through the window you always kept open for him on nights like these, the one you’d forgotten to close before leaving.

you have a routine for when your boys come back from their duties as moonknight. the suit heals their wounds, but it doesn’t wash away the blood. you run a warm cloth over their skin until the blood and grime is all washed off, a slow repetitive process that gives their mind the time to deal with the violence they committed and store away the memories somewhere far back.

it’s easy to let your muscle memory take over.

“you don’t have to do that tonight,” jake says, “let us take care of you. we want to make sure you’re alright after that.”

you shake your head. there’s still a part of you that’s numb, and you don’t think you could put your feelings into words, you don’t think there’s any real way to voice the way you were convinced you were going to die, the way your brain flashed through everything you regret and your friends you haven’t seen in a while and the goals you’d never accomplish.

the suit falls away and it’s just your jake. not the hero of london or the fist of vengeance, just your worried boyfriend.

you clean his knuckles of the blood that always somehow manages to seep through the bandages that make up their suit. his body tenses, and when you look up, you meet marc’s eyes. his jaw is clenched in a way that you recognise, he wants to speak but doesn’t quite know how to say it, he’s worried talking about it might not be what you need right now.

“i’m sorry,” you say finally, “for going out. a friend needed my help and i thought i could walk back home after. i didn’t think…”

“not your fault,” marc replies, “we should’ve gotten them before they even had the chance to touch you.”

“it’s not your fault either, you know,” you put the dirty cloth down.

he shakes his head. there’s no point in having this argument, it’s the same every time. you argue that it’s impossible to save everyone, that london is a huge city and they’re just one body that can only accomplish so much. marc’s dumb guilty conscience convinces him that any person he can’t save in time is blood on his hands, not the fault of the criminals who committed the act, but his for not being able to save them.

you understand why, and the fights always come back to the same thing.

the last remnants of adrenaline are fading and your hands grow shaky. marc leads you to bed, but you know this is the part where he leaves, back into the headspace while one of the others (usually steven) hold you under the safety of the blankets. he likes to take care of you, to provide, but he still struggles to be soft.

“i was so scared,” you finally admit when the lights are turned off and the room is dark and the boys can’t see your face. it’s easier to admit when you don’t have to look into the eyes of the men who act as london’s protectors, constantly in dangerous situations. you don’t have to deal with the feelings of inferiority, like comparing yourself to marc’s strong and brave ex-wife who would surely have been able to defend herself.

you don’t even know which one is fronting. maybe they all are. when the tears start to fall, all you care about is the comforting familiarity of the strong arms around you and the scent of the men you love.

[kenmarlenn]

Ik this isn't TSAMS or TALES, but, what are your puppet headcanons or FC ones? Maybe Frankie from MAaGRs if you have 'em?

I'm on a roll, putting FC and Frankie let's goooo!

FC

(EAPS spoilers for today) Spent that 3 weeks in the dying dimension jumping around and sort of talking to Andrew. OK, Andrew tried to talk things out, FC made it clear that honestly, no amount of talking could fix how things happened between them. They ultimately settled on treating each other like cousins who will bully each other but play together at family gatherings because there's no one else.

Similarly to Earth's experience with negative star power, FC permanently has pain ever since the Stitchwraith sent all that NSP directly through him. Putting the core in him helped, but he is near-constantly (unconsciously) using some amount of star power to stop the pain.

FC was mentally around 5 at creation, and after his incident with NSP, he quickly progressed to being mentally 10. When Monty made his new body, he ensured FC's AI would progress gradually, year by year, like a human's. This can be adjusted if he ever decided he wanted to become a teenager overnight, or just grow up, but given he basically skipped the first ten years of being a kid, he's alright taking it slow.

School didn't really work out for him. He was dealing with trauma, lack of structure, lack of parental figures, and had very different needs than human children regardless. He would lash out and harm other students, and refuse to listen to the teachers. After repeated issues, he was expelled from two different schools before Foxy began to homeschool.

He really did look up to Stitchwraith and want his approval. Sometimes he still feels that urge when talking to Andrew.

BUT, now that Andrew's visually a child, and is acting a lot more like one too... Well, it's a lot easier to snap back and stand up for himself to a bully his age rather than his mysterious creator(s).

FC hasn't had a lot of time to process how he feels about Jake. The first one. Jake, who created him. Who was, sometimes, actually kind to him. Who more often than not, wasn't. Who almost, but didn't quite, stop the torture he was going through. Who used his last bit of energy to save his life.

He's determined to be a good actor, because he understands that his mom being happy again, and his dad returning, depends on them all pretending... But he feels a horrible guilt each time he successfully convinces Puppet he hates her. It's just so easy.

FC really, really misses sleeping on the couch with his mom.

FC actually really likes the Captain. He thinks he's cool. Not as cool as his father, the great Foxy, of course. But pretty cool.

Frankie

Gets advice from Ennard over the phone on how to deal with the chaos that happens in that household. Also gets prank advice in return for doritos.

Designed his own new body (which is canon), but spent a really long time doing so. His first few ideas were combinations of Roxanne and Glamrock Freddy, trying to go back and forth wondering how much of each parent he wanted to incorporate. Eventually Michael looked at his designs and remarked that he's just designing a mishmash - he wasn't designing himself. Michael had used parts from Roxanne and Freddy, and they'd accepted each other as family, but Frankie doesn't need to be a mix of them - he should just be whatever feels right. After that, it only took a few more designs... a couple... dozen.... Building a body is a big deal okay!!

(based on the MAGF livestream today) is really enjoying school, especially science and tech classes! His knowledge of technology, due to living with Michael and for a while almost purely being surrounded by robotics and coding, is way beyond what the class teaches. But that just means he's made a lot of friends by helping out struggling classmates!

He called Michael his dad without thinking about it while talking to friends at school, and just kept that up when referring to him. Then he did it in front of Michael one day, and immediately stopped in his tracks and apologized. Michael, while surprised, just reassured Frankie that it was okay.

Frankie's magic practice is going way too slow for his tastes. He is pretty interested in seeing what ways he can make magic and technology integrate, which Glamrock Freddy is not totally sure is a good idea.

Look what you've done, Michael. This bearwolf has anxiety.

[tmwcs]

to continue with that other anon, what if y/n actually sent her nudes to one of Heethans friends by accident??

and tried to rile him up more abt it by saying “it’s not THAT big of a deal”……

“No Big Deal.”

SMUT MDNI 18+

Theres mentioning of smut, slight description of smut/smut things, and mentions of photos being sent to others, overstimulation....umm....Heethan is kind of a brute.....but ofc.....he's not sorry. #sorrybutnotsorry.

".....no....oooohnononononooooo....what have i done?"

Your hand shook vigorously as you held your phone and observed the name and number of the recipient who you mistakenly sent a wide variety of photos to.....nude photos.

You could have sworn you typed in the first three letters of Heeseung's name, which would have autofilled to his contact name "Heethan" which you had saved to reflect the two loves of your life. Yet somehow, you must have fat fingered punched a different letter as the photos were all sent to someone else....someone who shared the same class as Heeseung. 'Hewitt'.

Quickly, you reacted by sending a message to Hewitt, explaining the situation.

"Hi, so sorry. this is a mistake, i meant to send those to Heeseung, I have no idea why it was sent to you, please erase those and do not open them."

Biting the tip of your thumb, you anxiously await for a response back.....but not one single message was returned.

"Shit....."

You waited in the room patiently. Since Heeseung went to the store, he ensured that his housemates were all home and residing downstairs so that you were safe and not alone inside the house.

...................

"I'll be back in fifteen minutes. Just stay here and if anything happense, my house brothers and their girlfriends are all downstairs. Just call me."

....................

He had been gone for ten minutes already, and Heeseung was always very prompt when it concerned matters of leaving you alone. Whenever you were in class or left in his room, he never played around with timing. Preferably, he always wanted you with him, yet this time around, with the intentions of surprising him with some sexy photos, you feigned a headache and opted to stay behind.

....................

"I'll get you some medicine while I'm at the store. Did you want anything else, pretty baby?"

....................

The image of his concerned look as he leaned down and kissed your forehead made this whole ordeal excruciating as you reflected on your careless mistake.

"Maybe...if i just....don't act like it's a big deal........maybe he'll reflect that it isnt....based off the vibe....because if I'm freaking out it only enhances the negatives.....but if i'm calm, maybe he'll feed off of that energy."

......................................

Exactly at the fifteen minute mark, you hear his car pull up. You peeked through the blinds, ensuring that the lights in the room was shut off, careful to make sure that your silhouette couldn't be made out as you knelt down on the bed and peered through the window.

Watching him, he had a plastic bag in hand with the contents from the store. He looked calm, or at least it was all you could make out as he wore his hat in the traditional manner of covering his eyes. His casual attire along with the exposure of his strong arms made him look irresistible, no girl could ever blame you for wanting to send him nudes......you kicked yourself for feeling so stupid and careless....how could you have done sent it to someone else?

Your eyes trailed after him as he walked towards the front door. You quickly laid down on the bed, checking your phone once more to see if Hewitt had responded.....to your despair, he did not.

"Dammit....."

You should have erased his number long ago. Reflecting the moment when you had gained Hewitts number, it was back when Heeseung was assisting one of his teachers, so he had you coordinate with Hewitt to pick up the materials for one of his classes as h/n used Jake's car and drove you, since the latter was with Heeseung, also assisting the teacher.

That was the only time you and h/n ever interacted with Hewitt, a calm and quiet individual who seemed like a decent young man. Hopefully he honored your request and erased those photos.

Yet the lack of response from his side furthered your anxiety and made you even more worrisome.

Suddenly the door opens, you remained lying still on the bed, and to your surprise, he didn't immediately turn on the lights. Leaving the room in darkness, you wondered if he genuinely thought you were sleeping from the 'headache' you were experiencing, possibly not wanting to wake or disturb you.

He was always that way, so considerate whenever you were in pain or if something had been on your mind, Heeseung was always your biggest supporter. Obviously, he was always going to be as such, the man was insanely obsessed with you...infatuated.....totally in love with you to the point that, while you haven't seen it yet, you wouldn't put it past the man to resort in developing a 'killer instinct' in order to have you all himself or to 'protect' you. It was the look in his eye that he would get sometimes that made you wonder....

The footsteps breaching in your direction snaps you out of your zoned state of mind. You tried to maintain a relaxed and steady breathing pattern, which had escalated once you felt him sit on the edge of the bed next to your body. Hearing the plastic bag being set down on the floor, you felt the movement of his body as he leans in, and gently caresses your face.

"You awake, pretty baby?" he spoke so calmly.

"Mmm....mmhmm...." you managed to mumble out.

"How are you feeling?"

".....Fine....."

His face closes in and you felt his lips meeting with yours. Gently kissing you, he embraces you with his arms and shifts his position to lay on top of you.

It was...interesting.....only due to the mere fact that he didn't seem to know, but also....normally, whenever you had complained about not feeling well, he usually opted to let you rest. Perhaps when you answered 'fine' he took that in a literal sense and decided to not hold back any longer. The man did have such a high sexual drive when it came to you, according to Jake, who confirmed that while Heeseung always did have a potent libido, since meeting you, it had been stronger than ever.

"You need any medicine for your headache? I got you a few." he calmly speaks against your lips.

"...N-no....it's fine...i'm fine...thank you." reaching your arms around his neck, you pulled him in for a tight embrace, slightly shaking from the fear of whenever he was bound to find out what you had done.

"You're shaking. You cold?"

"mmmm.....no....."

"mmm........good."

Getting up, he walks over to the light switch and flips them on. Turning back around to face you, you saw that horrendously frightening grin of his Ethan side.

"Baaaaaaaaaaaabyyyyyyyyyyyyy......"

"...Y-yes..?"

Walking over to you, he takes out his phone from his pocket, all the while making direct eye contact with you.....those eyes....they were wide with a taunting smirk to accompany that sadistic and malevolent look in his expression.

Kneeling down before you as you positioned yourself to sit on the edge of the bed, legs dangling and your feet delicately resting on the ground, he crouches down with his hand gently placed on your thigh.

Without saying anything, he shows you the contents of his screen......a message from Hewitt.........

..................................

"Kind of careless.....aren't we?" his voice was low. You felt his fingers slightly digging into the skin of your thigh as he spoke.

"uh.....yeah...it was....a mistake.....it was supposed to be a surprise for you...but......i guess if you look at it...it's not....really a big deal..."

"NOT........A ......BIG DEAL?......." his eyes widened as his smirk transitioned to one that reflected irritation and amusement.

"Well...yeah....i mean...if you think about it....he didn't look at them....he sent to them to you....and he's not sharing them with anyone.....so.....its......its all good....." you mumbled out in a soft....a very quiet tone.

"Hmmm......that right?......"

"......y-yes...."

He gets up and tosses his phone on the desk.....the loud clank of the device landing on the surface was hard, you'd be surprised if the screen made it out without any cracks. By the way he threw it and scoffed out an irritating sigh as you watched his backside walking towards his computer, you could tell.....he was mad.

By the direction he was walking in, you figured he was going to sit down and perhaps play some of his video games to take the edge off.....instead, he walked over to the dresser, grabbing on to the hem of his shirt and lifting it off and over his head, removing it. The flex of his back muscles as he took off his shirt nearly caused your mouth to gasp open as you saw the definition of each muscle, lined perfectly and lean.

Tossing the shirt off to the side, he remains standing with his back facing you, digging something out of the top dresser. Turning back around, he maintained a malicious grin as he bites down on his lower lip and as usual, draws blood from his bite.

Walking over to you, he fully extends and displays the satin sash he had in his hand, it was an eye mask, but from where?

"Wh-where did you get that?"

"Mmm......a friend.....who likes to play with toys....."

"A friend?.....Is it....."

"Shhhh.......come here....lets have some fun....."

................................................................

You're not sure how long it had been since he placed the eyewear over your lids and started to 'punish' you with his ravaging performance, yet you didn't care as long as he was finally done. The overstimulation of his dick thrusting into you at such vibrant speed, all the while he flexed and twitched inside of you as he burrowed deep into your tissue muscles, it all caused you to grow weak and sore just within minutes....let alone the hours that passed by.

Breathing deeply, trying to regain your oxygen intake, you lay still with the mask still covering your eyes. He wouldn't let you take it off during the entire session.

"Ready for some more?"

"N..no....no more....please....."

You felt his eyes shift down onto your cavity as he held your legs spread wide open, the shifting sound of his head tilting is what gave it away. Reaching down, you felt his finger probing at your womanhood, scooping up the thick and creamy substance that was caused by the constant throbbing friction of his thrust, his skin, and his muscle merging into your opening as he practically 'melted' into you.

"Lets see if we can go deeper."

"Ethan no! T-too deep! You're too deep! T-take it out! Pleaase!"

"Fuck keep talking like that and I'm going to explode."

"Ethan no more!"

"I love seeing how it looks when I do it to you.....it looks like i'm melting into you, you know that?"

"Uuuugh!"

"Yeah? You fucking like that dont you? hmm? DONT YOU?"

"N-no.....UGH!!"

"Yeeeeeeeeeeaaaah you dooooooo......come here baby, come here......i'll go harder, just for you."

"N-no! Ethan!"

"Yeah...I'll go deeper...just for you."

"Ugh!"

"I'll go faster....I'll fucking cum.....really deep inside...just for you baby."

"Ethan!!!"

The overstimulation you suffered from was immense. He must have released at last eight or nine times, though you wouldn't be surprised if it was more....considering you lost count after the sixth round.

Between tapping into Heeseung and switching back to Ethan, it felt as if each time they swapped personas, the face you were at mercy from came back fully energized and renewed.

Feeling him re-inserting, he slides right in at ease. What with the amount of moisture from your body's natural lubricant, the white discharge from all the thrusting, plus with your opening a bit loose from his constant flexing and entry, you were rendered helpless as he found himself 'home' immediately.

"Ah.....my girl is a little more open now that I broke you, huh?"

"S-stop......Heeseung....please...I-I'm.....so tired....and sore."

"Shhhhh....its okay now.....I'm here to take your mind off that."

Thrusting at a high momentum, with a ferocious vigor, your vision remained enveloped in a shroud of darkness from the satin mask as you hear Heeseung groan against your ear.

"Fuck......you like listening to what I do to you?"

After suffering for the final time, he cums once more and you remained nearly breathless, drenched in sweat and covered by the colors of his 'love'.

You hear his hand extend past and past your head, it sounded as if he reached for something, though you were too exhausted from wondering what it was. Another toy? God.....you hope not. Fearful of what he had planned next, you let yourself go and black out from the effects of tiredness and the euphoric overstimulation........

................................................

The next day.......

Waking up, your eyes opened to the naturally lit room as the morning sun was just nicely rising. Heeseung's arm caresses your waist as you lay against his chest, your backside spooned by his broad frame, as he remained deep asleep.

"Thank God...."

He too must have succumbed to the effects of exhaustion considering the number of times he ravished you. Although the effects always hit him differently than it did with you. For him, there was less pain and agony, it was just pure pleasure, unlike for you, where you got the bitter end of the stick by receiving a mixture of pain and euphoria, something that Heeseung and Ethan took great delight in giving you whenever you had broken the rules or 'misbehaved.'

Reaching up for your phone, you were shocked to see over 23 messages that came in.

"Oh no....did Hewitt...?"

Fearing the worst, you opened up the messages.....if what you had suspected was true......you had a feeling that Heeseung.....and Ethan were going to repeat their performance from last night....meaning you would get no rest....and will be sore for alot longer than just today.

The most recent message was from H/n.... the first bit of her message confirmed your worst fear....

"Oh my God.....he did.....Hewitt did share them....what am I going to do? Is Heeseung going to kill him? What is he going to do with me? What is he going to do?"

Reading on, you continued to examine the messages from H/N....it only brought you emotionally lower.

"Oh my God......why Hewitt...why?"

Unable to read on, you dropped our phone and buried your face into your hands. You felt like crying.

"How could Hewitt do this?.....How am I going to calm Heeseung down now?"

A ding comes in, signifying another message, although this time, it wasn't coming in through your phone. Heeseung's phone was resting on the nightstand beside the bed, which was odd considering the last time you remember seeing it was when he tossed it on the desk.

Picking it up, you took advantage of his sleeping status and decided to see the message that came in. His forearm still wrapped around your nude body as you leaned slightly away to grab onto the device and open it; once you had entered the passcode, your face reflected the most horrific shock as you unveil the contents of a certain message from Jake....

....................

Trembling, you read on to find the photos that H/N and Jake were referring to........were not the photos that you mistakenly sent to Hewitt.......

Suddenly, you felt Heeseung's arm that laid around your waist tighten and tug you closer to his body. You turned around slightly to find that his eyes were already open, staring at you with a sly smirk as half his face was burrowed into the pillow.

"Pretty baby...did you sleep well?"

".........wh-what....did you do???"

You stared at him with furrowed brows and wide eyes. How could he do this? This was way too far.

You nearly wanted to scream at him, although that wouldn't have worked out in your favor, yet still, you were on the brink of breaking down when suddenly his words nearly caused you burst into tears.......what could you possibly say in response?.......

"Aw baby, dont be that way, it was an accident. Dont worry, its not like they shared it with anyone else.....remember? Its....NO BIG DEAL."

Enjoyed this piece? Show love and treat your girl to a cup of coffee. ♥️ 

☕ Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/reinbow

[a-reader-and-a-writer-for-all]

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Fandom: Top Gun, Top Gun: Maverick, Jake "Hangman" Seresin Summary: Jake isn't worried when he is called to stand trial for his actions on the Uranium mission. After all, he saved Rooster and Maverick's lives. Who cares if he had to disobey orders to do so? However, Jake's about to learn this case isn't just the formality he thought it was... Word Count: 1864 Notes: Part of @whumpthemusical's event for Day 2- Wicked: "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished". Thank you so much to @green-socks for looking this over! 💗

As Jake Seresin strutted through the doors of the courtroom, his signature smirk spread across his face, he didn’t have a doubt in his mind he’d be walking out these same doors in a few hours with the exact demeanor. This was nothing more than a formality. The worst that would happen was he would get a stern talking to or possibly a light slap on the wrist. But it wouldn’t be anything he couldn’t bounce back from.

The Daggers sitting in the front row of the galley didn’t seem to share in his optimism based on the looks they were shooting in his direction. Ranging from leg-bouncingly nervous to a glare so intense it could burn a hole through steel, all eyes followed him as he passed, and he shot them a wink just for the fun of it.

They had spent the last few weeks warning him to take this case more seriously. After all, if he lost and they threw the book at him, it was almost guaranteed he would be permanently grounded, if not discharged from the Navy. But Jake knew he had nothing to worry about. He had saved the lives of one of the most accomplished pilots in the last several decades and the life of the pilot who completed the mission without the help of a targeting system. He was the hero who saved the two lost Dagger aviators, heroes in their own right.

Yes, it was true he had defied Cyclone’s direct orders to do so, but sometimes even in the military, split-second decisions had to be made in life-or-death situations where you didn’t have time to wait for updated orders. Everyone knew that. So while Jake understood why they had to go through with this court-martial trial, he already knew what the outcome would be.

Rooster was the first person to take the stand. He recounted every detail leading up to Jake’s just-in-time rescue, including a detailed and moving description of what it felt like pulling the ejection straps just for them to fail and knowing, with all certainty, that he was about to die—only for Jake to arrive and save them just as the enemy fired on them. Jake couldn’t believe it, but he even found himself moved by Rooster’s words and the way his voice choked up a little when he mentioned being spared a similar death to his father. And if this touching story was getting to him, it must be heartrending to the panel of judges! 

Then it was Maverick’s turn and his deposition was just as powerful as Rooster’s. He praised Jake’s skills during training and his quick actions that saved his and Rooster’s lives on the mission. But the part that made Jake sit up a little straighter and his grin get a little bit wider was when Maverick cited an instance when he had done something similar in the past and it had been deemed a necessary action by the former Admiral Kazansky. And the icing on top of the cake was when Maverick added he believed Iceman would have approved of Jake’s actions that day. 

As Maverick stepped down, Jake turned to look at the other Daggers, wishing he had one of his toothpicks to flip just to emphasize how sure he was that he had this in the bag.

But Jake had started to celebrate too soon.

Hondo was the next one called to the stand. The Warrant Officer couldn’t even look at Jake as they questioned him. He tried his best to turn things around in Jake’s favor, but there was little he could do when he had been in the control room and explicitly heard Cyclone order Jake to stand down. Hondo was also the one in charge of all of the deck preparations including take-offs and landings, so this whole ordeal didn’t bode well for him if it was determined that Jake was allowed to take off due to a failure on his part. Regardless of what happened today, Jake did hope his actions didn't get the other man in trouble. While he was positive Hondo would have done anything within his power to get Maverick and Rooster back, Jake had acted alone and no one else should be responsible for that. 

Warlock was next to testify. He refused to elaborate on any of his responses, simply giving one or two-word answers that left little for the court to work with. But just like with Hondo, Warlock couldn’t deny the facts. 

Had Jake taken off after Admiral Simpson had refused his request to provide cover? Yes. 

Did Admiral Simpson retract or change his order before Jake took off? No. 

Was it true that while Jake rescued Maverick and Rooster, it was without explicit permission to do so? Yes. 

As he finished and walked out past where Jake was sitting, Warlock gave him a small, sad smile and a nod, and all Jake could do was nod back.

For the first time, Jake wasn’t smiling.

However, despite their less-than-stellar testimonies, it wasn’t until Cyclone took the stand that a pit formed in Jake’s stomach. Everyone knew Cyclone was a hard-ass stickler for rules and regulations and while the man had shown no ill-will towards Jake for his defiance of his orders, it quickly became clear he wasn’t going to defend him either. 

By the time Cyclone was excused, Jake was nearly hyperventilating in his seat. How had he been so certain only an hour ago that there was nothing to worry about and now there was every chance he was about to lose everything. He could feel the eyes of all of the Daggers boring into the back of his head, but he couldn’t bring himself to look at them. Seeing the pity on their faces—he couldn’t handle that right now. 

But then, it was his turn to testify. Walking slowly towards the stand, Jake wracked his brain for anything he could say to justify his actions. To make this all go away. But there was nothing he could do. Except…

When Jake sat down, the prosecutor began her questioning. Each one covered much of the same ground the others had already testified about. They were mostly yes or no questions and any time Jake tried to elaborate, he was cut off. But then they got to the final question:

“Lieutenant Seresin, in your own words, can you please explain to the court why you chose to disobey a direct order from your commanding officer despite knowing the possible consequences of your actions?”

Jake stared down at where his hands lay clasped in his lap. He had briefly practiced what he would say over the last few weeks; just a line or two about saving Rooster and Maverick’s asses, maybe even ending it with a clever jab about the right Dagger finally joining the mission, all told with his usual arrogant charm. But that was before it hit him what he was about to lose if this trial went wrong. How his entire world could come to an end on the word of the five people in front of him. 

He was a pilot. It wasn’t just what he was, it was who he was. He was Lieutenant Jake Seresin. Hangman. The only active duty pilot with one—no, two confirmed air-to-air kills. He graduated top of his class at the academy, placed first during his time at Top Gun. He had medals and accommodations and had completed missions that would leave other pilots pissing their pants from just reading the briefing. He loved what he did, and goddammit, he was great at it. Possibly the best. 

But now all of that was about to be taken away from him. So, he did the only move he had left—he told the truth.

Clearing his throat, Jake leaned forward to speak into the microphone. “I, um, I…I was just…” 

Taking a deep breath, he started again. “Look. I know how this must look. Anyone who knows me knows I’m an arrogant son of a bitch who can outfly almost anyone and I never let them forget it. I understand that based on what you’ve heard, it probably seems like I was just trying to be the hero, to prove to everyone I should have been on the mission all along instead of Rooster. But I didn’t disobey orders to satisfy my own pride no matter what it looks like.”

Glancing down at his hands again, Jake was unable to look at any of the dozens of faces staring at him. “Yes. I was mad when I wasn’t picked for the mission, but I was only mad at myself. This was a team mission and I only ever flew to inflate my ego, not to benefit my team. Maverick made the right choice making me the spare. Then I heard him get shot down and all I could think was if I had just been better, maybe I could have been there and done something to save him. That’s why I originally asked to launch and provide air cover for the rest of the Daggers. Maybe I couldn’t help Maverick, but I could make damn sure the rest of the team made it home. However, I was told to stand down…and then Rooster was hit—”

Jake was surprised to find a lump growing in his throat and tears starting to prickle at the corner of his eyes yet he pressed on. “One of the first things they teach you when you start to fly jets is you never leave a wingman behind. It’s like when you’re a kid and your parents say to never swim alone. So when I heard Maverick and Rooster were alive and back in the air…I didn’t even think about asking for clearance. I had two wingmen who needed me and I wasn’t going to let them face down those 5th Gen fighters alone. I just…I just wanted to be the team member I should have been from the start.”

As he finished speaking, not a sound could be heard in the courtroom. Jake couldn’t remember the last time he had been that honest or raw with anyone and now he had opened up to an entire room of people, most of whom were friends or colleagues. He wasn’t quite sure he would ever be able to face the Daggers again, but if it meant he got to keep flying, it would be worth it. 

With the testimonies finished, the panel filed out to deliberate. Jake rested his head on the table he was seated at and wondered how agonizingly long he would have to wait to learn his fate.

Fifteen minutes later, the panel returned. 

Jake felt as if he were going to be sick. Long gone was the flashing grin and the arrogant gleam in his eye. No, right now Jake Seresin’s heart was racing faster than he had ever flown and he struggled to keep back the tears that were burning in the back of his eyes. 

Rising to his feet, he stood at attention as he faced the men and women who were about to determine the rest of his life. 

Taglist: @valoraxxx-blog, @m3laniehearts, @autumnleaves1991-blog, @rule107, @vintageleather, @impossiblebagelcowboyfreak, @slutforadambanks, @americaarse, @reneki, @ynbutbetter , @sugarcoated-lame, @imagineadream, @sadpetalsstuff, @salty-thembo, @rachelizabethgraham, @duckandrobin, @queenbbarnes, @grincheveryday, @uselesslyromantic, @choochoo284, @littlebadariell, @thescarletknight2014, @dempy, @nik2blog, @dumb-fawkin-bitch, @shirley2996, @kkrenae, @zebralover, @startrekfangirl2233, @memeorydotcom

[ftwd-the-real-deal]

Fear The Walking Dead: The Real Deal - Introduction

Note: This is a fan-based alternative universe or alternative ending to Fear The Walking Dead, nothing here truly happened but it definitely should've happened, also Serena is Laurel, and she's alive in this universe and yes, lots of things are different in here.

__________________________

Basic Information

Location: The Sanctuary (now called Haven)

Canon Characters Involved: Troy Otto, Tracy Otto, Russel, Dwight Campbell, Sherry Campbell, Frank Gottfried, Klaus Gottfried, Jake Otto (honorable mention), Nick Clark (honorable mention)

Original Characters Involved: Laurel Hall, Mia Gottfried, Jeremy Winstons (henchman), Tyler (honorable mention)

Universe Villains: Madison Clark, Victor Strand, Negan Smith (honorable mention), Trent, Jeremiah Otto (honorable mention)

__________________________

Story

Betrayed, that's how Troy ended up dying in front of his loved ones, his wife, his child, they all had to watch him being stabbed by the witch of the apocalypse, he fell to the ground, whimpering from the pain, the last thing he heard was Laurel's scream, the last thing he's seen was how no one gave two craps about what Madison did, again.

Laurel had taken Tracy and hidden behind the trees, away from everyone's prying eyes, worried for her safety, she waited until everyone was off on their own way and she ran towards her dying husband, the two of them dragged the barely alive Troy into a vehicle and drove away, stopping at an abandoned building in Virginia, only stopping every now and then to make sure Troy was still alive.

Once they reached the building, she started to use all of her medical training to save her husband, Tracy helped of course, Troy had taught all the children basic first-aid skills, she was mommy's little nurse, and the two of them managed to keep him alive, although severely wounded and feeling anguished.

After that is out of the way, Lyn signals for Troy's men to join them at the given location and they do, making it one of the most secure locations there is.

One day, while Lyn was attending to Troy's wound, she was signaled to go to the main gate, she did so, and when she did, she found the party of Dwight and Sherry, as well as the people from PADRE, although she was tempted to shoot them at the spot, but they negotiated their way with medicine, food and expertise, things that they lacked currently at The Sanctuary.

A friendship forms almost immediately between Dwight, Sherry and Tracy, which made it easier for Lyn to like them, however, Troy didn't share the same sentiments with his wife and daughter, he tried to get rid of the PADRE people multiple times, only for them to prove their worth, especially once he saw that they didn't kill Russel like they had him believe.

Eventually, MADRE and Troy's band of rascals live together in peace under his leadership, as he had proven himself the leader that no one wants but everyone needed, he ran the place like a tight ship and ensured everyone's survival, while Dwight began to admire the man and eventually a friendship formed between the two even though Troy would never admit it, and Dwight became one of his trustees.

When Dwight was on a run for supplies, he saw a car in the middle of the night with two males in it, when he went to investigate further, he learned that they were Frank and Klaus, Strand was nowhere to be found, he helped them back to the Sanctuary then learned that Strand had shown them his true color and therefore, the duo escaped as far as possible and their car broke down, Troy reluctantly accepted them as refugees as long as they pull their weight around.

Ever since then, the group resided in The Sanctuary, living a mundane life, whatever that meant in an apocalypse, and fought against different, unimaginable challenges to protect their home and peace.

__________________________

Tags

ask the haven - haven mundane - haven story - haven edits - haven memes - haven art - haven hcs - haven characters introduction

__________________________

Masterposts

Headcanons - Characters Introductions

__________________________

Started on: 25/4/2024

Last update: 27/4/2024

Creators: @muselesswriter & @all-that-is-gold-is-now-gone

[toomanysurveys9]

Long time, no post.

What did you have for dinner tonight?

Pizza. Jacob went to talk to the Papa John's owner(?) by us to see if he could start sooner.

If you were given a million dollars, what would you spend it on?

Definitely pay off all the debt. Buy a new house for Jake, our kiddos, and I. Buy a house for my parents, so we didn't have to keep living together. Fix our car. Buy Jake a truck. And savings for each of the kiddos.

Have you ever cried in front of your parents over a boyfriend or girlfriend?

I'm sure.

What does your bedroom smell like right now?

Not great - I need to clean it. Pretty sure Nora left a milk cup in there but I can't find it.

Have you ever shaved off your eyebrow before?

I have not.

Do you want to have a boy or girl whenever you have kids?

I have four kids. We have one boy and three girls.

Your pregnant with twins: What do you name them?

I have no idea. I don't want to have anymore kids. Four is more than enough.

Describe your outfit.

Maternity leggings that are now too big and one of Jake's work shirts.

What gigabyte is your memory card?

Don't have one.

What brand is your digital camera?

I just use my phone so I told the camera I did have because we needed the money more.

When was the last time you hung out with your best friend?

A couple weeks ago. Had a baby shower for one of them.

What is a movie you're waiting to see?

I honestly don't even know what's out right now.

Who was the last person to cook something for you?

Whoever made the pizzas from Papa John's.

Do you ever sit and think what if about something?

All the time. It's terrible.

If so, what is it?

So many things. It'd take too long to list but most are bad.

What’s on tv right now?

Jake's playing Rocket League on PS4. I'm waiting until my grandma is allowed to take her meds after I helped my youngest sister do her homework because my mom got pissed at me because she's spying through the ring camera in the dining room and saw I took my 3-year-old and almost 5-month-old up to bed and evidently my grandma then also tried going to bed. And because I didn't feel like fighting my youngest sister about her homework, so I didn't check it.

Do you ever stop and smell the roses?

Not so much.

Where do you download music from?

I use Pandora and Amazon Music.

How many channels do you have on your tv?

Too many. And most of us only use streaming.

What are you most scared of?

Something bad happening to my babies.

If you were given a chance to bring someone back to life, who would you choose?

Justin. He's my cousin that committed suicide.

Do you talk to any of your ex-boyfriend/girlfriend?

Nope.

If so, which one?

None.

What is your mom doing right now?

Probably watching the ring camera and talking shit or complaining to my dad. Because they're in TN right now. And I'm just a big failure that is ruining their vacation and going to make them come home early, which I won't hear the end of for the rest of my life probably. Even though they usually go out of state at least every six months, usually more often. By themselves.

Are you currently listening to music?

Nope.

What is the weather like right now?

45 degrees.

Do you like new music or older music?

Both.

If you could make a law, what would kind of law would you make?

Oof. Where to start with the shit-show that is about to occur in the US in January..

What was the last video game you played?

I don't remember.

What is currently going on in the room you're in right now?

I'm doing this and Jake is playing video games with one of his buddies. I'm about to go to bed when I finish this.

Do you know where your best friend is?

Home. And hospital. My friend in the hospital might be having her baby boy early.

Who was the last person to comment you on Facebook?

I'd have to look but I left my phone upstairs.

What is your display picture of on Facebook?

A picture of Jake, the kiddos, and I from when we went to the apple orchard.

Do you ever sit and think about the past?

Too much. Lately it's been especially bad.

If you could relive any moment in time: what would it be?

Hmm. Has to be one of the times after giving birth to my kids. Like when we went home for the first time. Probably after Olivia since she was our last so we'd have all of our babies.

Are you a talker or a listener?

Listener for sure.

What is one food you will not eat?

I don't do seafood.

Do you eat anything now that you never used to eat?

Lots of stuff. I was super picky before Jacob.

Have you ever kissed the same sex?

On a dare.

When does school start this year?

Whenever I can find a new internship site. Love my life right now.

Do you ever shout for absolutely no reason?

No.

Have you stuck with your new years resolution?

I don't make them.

Do you need to lose any weight right now?

Yeah.

What is something you want right now?

Not have so many extra people living in our house.

Do you hate when you see teachers in stores?

I never cared.

What always puts a smile on your face?

Hugs from my babies. Smiles from them.

Where can I find you on a Saturday night?

At home.

What is the best thing about Sundays?

Nothing really.

What is your music provider (itunes, windows media player)?

Pandora is my preferred if Jake isn't using it. We share his.

How many songs do you have?

A lot.

When was the last time you had a period?

I guess right after I had Olivia if we want to count that. Otherwise it's been over a year.

Why do you think the sky is blue?

Whatever science says..

If you could change the sky to any color, which would you choose?

Maybe a pretty light purple. I don't know. Or just nighttime all the time.

Is there anything wrong with you right now?

My life is a fucking disaster and I feel completely alone. So a lot.

Do you hate when people stare at you?

It makes me uncomfortable, so yes.

[leviathanlazarus]

Touch Me & You'll Never Be Alone - Part III

No matter how much heartbreak the Kiszkas go through, there’s one person who is always there for them, who’s never going to leave.

Part III - I Keep Him Forever

Read Part I here / Read Part II here / or on AO3 / wattpad

Pairing: Danny Wagner x Sam Kiszka

Word Count: ~4100

Warnings: SLASH (don’t like it, don’t read it!), dirty talking, oral sex, fingering, rimming, unprotected sex (did someone say "bottom Danny??") 18+ ONLY.

A/N: I mean, it's Sanny...you already know <3

---

Sam was not used to being broken up with. He wasn’t used to being in relationships long enough for that to even be an option, but here he was, completely out of sorts, emotions charged and every word in his mind jagged and scattered around because he’d been dumped. The audacity! The sheer, absurd audacity of anyone to think they could discard him, Sam fucking Kiszka, like trash! It was unfathomable as far as he was concerned and yet–yet it had happened. 

Quite frankly, Sam didn’t know what to do with himself. At least his girlfriend had had the decency to save this news until they had a break in the tour, but that almost seemed worse–instead of getting all of the physical needs out during shows and the relief of being immersed in musical, transcendent catharsis, Sam was left to fend for himself. Mostly. Because also as far as he was concerned, Jake and Josh were useless, and Danny, after numerous unsuccessful attempts at building Sam’s ego up, was spending more time away from him. And through his mental turmoil, Sam could understand why. Danny had never seen him like this. But whether Danny or Sam liked it or not, they still lived together and Danny had to bear the brunt of Sam’s feverish emotions–the relentless shit-talking, the raging outbursts both verbal and physical, the bouts of tears that Sam wasn’t even sure the source of and that he tried desperately to hide. 

But he knew Danny saw. Danny saw it all, ever-watchful though apprehensive and his nature, Sam knew, urged him to try and provide comfort any way possible. But Sam couldn’t find that in what Danny kept offering–drinks, joints, bowls, bongs, hugs, even the occasional, silly kiss. 

While they were both high as a kite, lounging on the couch with the remnants of a joint stamped out on the table between them, Danny abruptly lunged over to Sam and got him in a loose headlock. 

Sam grunted and flailed, trying to get Danny off him, but even a loose hold of Danny’s was quite a strong one. “Get off!” 

Danny only laughed, that extra loud, snorting stoned laugh. “Cheer up, Sam! It’s been like, two weeks already.” When Sam successfully shoved him, Danny broke away with a huff, then another laugh. “I’m sick of the bullshit. You’re Sam rock-god Kiszka–you don’t get your heart broken.”

“My heart isn’t broken,” Sam said, rolling his eyes and kicking Danny away with one foot. “I’m not in fucking middle school.”

Danny sighed, head propped up in his hand, elbow on the back of the couch. “Everyone gets their heart broken, Sammy. But not everyone reacts to it like you do.”

“If it bothers you so much,” Sam began, stretching his legs across Danny’s lap. “You’re more than free to leave, Daniel.”

“I don’t think I should leave you unsupervised. You might burn the house down.” Danny patted Sam’s shins before lifting them off himself, getting on his feet. “I need to take a shower. Will you be alright if I leave you alone for, oh, I don’t know, fifteen minutes?”

Sam huffed, curling his legs up onto the couch. “I can’t promise not to start any fires.”

Danny stretched in front of Sam, exposing a generous strip of tan belly and dark hair. “Then I’ll make it ten minutes.”

Just that brief sight was enough to make something rouse in Sam’s own belly–not rage, not vengeance, not sadness, not confusion. Definitely not confusion. Danny was the clearest thing in Sam’s life. Always open and honest, he was as clear as a cloudless dawn, and Sam valued his friendship and companionship above all others. So while Danny was showering, Sam was trying to think of how he could smother himself in that clarity, ultimately deciding that an ambush was best.

Sam waited outside the bathroom, tapping his foot against the floor, tapping the wall behind him with his fingertips. It wasn’t impatience that had him so fidgety and losing the lull of his high–it was nerves and that was a bit of a foreign experience as well. The last time he’d been so nervous to make a move on Danny was the first time it’d ever happened, but since then Sam had felt a constant assurance that if something else happened between them again, which it semi-frequently did, all would be well and Danny would always love him. He still knew that now, stalking his best friend outside the bathroom, but the guilt of his motivation began to creep up on him. Their past liaisons had been so organic. Now, Sam was questioning if he was just being selfish and wanting to use Danny as the ultimate distraction or, worse, the ultimate way to get his physical needs of total release out.

But the sight of Danny stepping out from behind that door in nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist made Sam ultimately not give a fuck. He rushed forward and collided with him, body-slamming Danny back against the wall, hands yanking his wrists up over his head and pinned his knee between Danny’s legs. Danny grunted at the collision but didn’t try to fight Sam’s grip on him which was–well, interesting, Sam thought. The utter surprise of his strategy and probably Danny still being so stoned seemed to have slowed him down, putting him in more of a freeze mode than fight mode. 

Now that Sam had Danny where he wanted though, he wasn’t sure what to say or what to do. In the silent few seconds of his mental struggle, Danny intercepted by simply asking, “Are we fighting or fucking?” and with that, Sam released his hold on Danny’s wrists and kissed him with all the fury he had left in his body. It was hot and forceful, more so than any other time they’d shared a first and next kiss, but as soon as it began, Sam could feel how badly he needed more, and not just with anyone–with Danny, who he was lucky enough to have unexpectedly wanton in his arms and pulling his own damp towel aside.

Fully clothed, Sam pressed his whole long, extra-lean body against Danny’s bare one. Danny was evidently trying to slow him down with softer, more languid kisses, but Sam was having none of it–his tongue slid into Danny’s mouth harshly and his best friend groaned, big hands gripping Sam’s denim-clad hips to just hold him still, which Sam also fought against. He needed to move. He writhed against him, grinding his crotch against Danny’s vulnerable and growing erection, getting hungrier by the second.

“Ow, ow, ow,” Danny complained, shoving Sam away, looking down at himself. “You’re gonna rub my dick raw.”

“No, I’m not,” Sam protested, teeth gnashing as he lunged for Danny’s neck, his hands jutting down below to grab his cock. But his dry hands proved not to be any better and Danny hissed, hips wiggling against the wall in discomfort.

“Goddammit, Sam, if we’re gonna do this, can we do it right?” Danny asked, grabbing a fistful of long, silky chestnut hair. 

“Fine. I wanna fuck you,” Sam said between pointed bites to Danny’s neck and shoulder. Everything about his coveted drummer was exhilarating and intoxicating even while sober, but Sam’s stoned, vulnerable brain was finding Danny even more alluring–so warm, skin so soft, muscles so hard, so strong. He could feel that strength resisting, Danny’s hands gripping Sam’s arms as Sam sunk his teeth into his shoulder, so before he could lose the upper hand, Sam grabbed Danny’s waist and pivoted him around, face pressed against the wall. 

He then found himself lost in the vast expanse of the golden-bronze perfection at his fingertips–he traced delicate lines down and around Danny’s shoulders, the center of his back, down to the slight dip between his hips. When Sam pressed his mouth between Danny’s shoulder blades, dark, damp curls clinging to his forehead as they spilled over those sturdy shoulders, he wanted to get lost. Sometimes he wondered why he even bothered with girls these days. Danny gave him everything he wanted–attention, affection, affirmation, excitement, companionship, creative fuel and collaboration and, yeah, even sometimes, sex. 

Danny’s hips bucked and he let out a rough sound of surprise when Sam dropped to his knees and brought his teeth back into play. He bit into the meat of Danny’s ass, kneading the other cheek with his hand; he was getting hard in his jeans, his erection quickly stiffening hard and uncomfortable against the zipper. He’d gone commando–why not?--and was glad he had, because it was so much easier just to undo his fly and whip himself out. He jerked himself off and spread Danny open with his free hand. There was no more time to waste–his tongue made a fierce journey downward, licking over Danny’s rim to his balls, spending extra time tonguing those until those solid thighs were trembling. 

Sam was about to insist that Danny touch himself too, but his friend took that initiative all on his own, wrapping a hand around his cock while Sam worked his way back up, mouthing at him like Danny was a piece of ripe fruit. And perhaps Sam’s appetite was stronger than he’d even realized, because he was surprised at his own gusto during this act–he seldom did this for Danny, not because he didn’t want to but because he usually assumed Danny didn’t want it, and now he was literally drooling. Spit streamed down his chin and around Danny’s rim; Sam licked harder, deeper, getting him wet, making Danny moan softly, but when he tried to add a finger, Danny jolted and reached back to grab Sam’s hair.

“I’m gonna need more lubrication than that,” he said, and Sam’s dick twitched at how rough Danny’s voice already sounded. 

“So you wanna fuck?” Sam asked, teeth finding Danny’s flesh once more. “You want me to fuck you?”

“Seems like that’s what you want.”

Sam bit again, harder, and Danny yelped. “No, I wanna hear that you want me to, Danny.”

“I do,” Danny said, tenderly running his fingers through Sam’s hair. “I always want that.”

Sam stood up and pressed himself against Danny’s back, his cock rubbing against his ass. “God, you’re so hot,” he muttered, face in the curtain of dark curls. “You’re all mine, right?”

The split-second of hesitation wasn’t lost on Sam, but he didn’t have the mental capacity to analyze it now. “Yeah, Sam. All yours all the time.”

Danny was the one to lead the way to Sam’s bedroom, pushing him along while keeping their mouths locked in a series of haphazard kisses. Sam managed to kick himself out of his jeans while Danny pulled his shirt off, then Sam was shoved backwards onto the bed and Danny was climbing over him, so strong and beautiful that Sam felt something deep in his stomach ache even harder than his dick. 

Kisses moved from his lips to his neck and Sam sighed, closing his eyes and allowing Danny to whisk him away into his perfect fantasy world. Danny spent what felt like considerable time there, nurturing Sam’s neck and throat with soft kisses that made him begin to whine; Sam’s hands tangled in Danny’s hair when that talented mouth kept moving down, making a detour at Sam’s chest to nip at his skin and lick his nipples, all while Danny gently ground himself on his thigh. Sam’s belly was quivering by the time Danny got that far and his cock was weeping and twitching even before it was swallowed.

“God fucking damn it, Daniel,” Sam burst out raggedly, his limbs thrashing until Danny pinned his legs down and Sam steadied his hands in his hair. Sometimes Sam selfishly hoped that he’d be the only one to ever know how intuitively good Danny’s blowjob skills were–this was one of those times. He laid back and let his beautiful best friend carry on, those soft lips mouthing at his shaft between long, teasing licks all the way up, then back down. One hard flick against the head and then Danny was sinking back down; Sam’s hips bucked hard at the tight, wet sensation of tongue and throat around him.

Danny gagged and pressed Sam’s hips down with both hands, but the contraction only made Sam’s body convulse again. He was moaning and breathing hard, uninhibited, lost in the most intense pleasure someone could experience, exhaling praise until he must have pulled too hard on Danny’s damp hair.

“Okay, whoa,” Danny remarked, resorting to jerking Sam off. Sam looked down, worried he’d actually caused a real offense, but then Danny laughed. “Can’t stay still for me for one minute, Sammy?

Sam threw his head and arms back. “Please keep going. I’ll try to be good.”

Another chuckle–this time, a dangerous sounding one which made a whimper catch in Sam’s throat. He was so whipped and again beginning to wonder why he even tried to make it with anyone else. Danny never let him down in any way, ever. 

“Will you really?” Danny asked, to which Sam nodded and reached back down to stroke those curls as best he could. Danny seemed satisfied. He stroked Sam easily, spit and precum giving just the right grip and momentum, and Sam looked back down again to watch Danny’s face disappear between his legs.

“Oh my fucking god, Danny,” Sam eeked out, thighs twitching as Danny sucked on his balls.

“You wanna finish getting me ready?” Danny asked, bringing his mouth to Sam’s inner thigh.

“Sure, fine, fuck,” Sam answered, scrambling to sit up, hauling Danny up with him. He roped Danny into a deep but hurried kiss, trying to catch his breath before he pushed him off to the side, rolling him onto his back. Sam was just making his way down when Danny raised his eyebrows and gave a pointed look; Sam paused for a second, then groaned and shot up from the bed. “Lube. Yeah. Got it.” 

“Thank you,” Danny said, and when Sam successfully retrieved the bottle and was returning to the bed, he could see the smirk on his drummer’s face.

“You look like that now,” Sam remarked, pushing Danny’s legs apart and crawling between them. “But I’m gonna make you scream, Daniel.”

“We’ll see,” Danny said, but whatever doubt he held wasn’t something Sam was worried about. He was geared up now, rock hard and burning with lust and love that only this one person could set alight for him. He was sure Danny felt the same even if neither of them said it in such explicit terms. 

Sam began by squirting a generous glob of lube on Danny’s cock and it twitched when the cold goo made contact, which made Sam smirk in turn; he took its weight in his hand, stroking slowly a few times, which made Danny’s cheeks flare and his eyelashes briefly flutter. Encouraged even more, Sam took his newly wet hand down and wet Danny’s rim, circling gently while he stroked his cock with the other hand, watching for another reaction. Danny didn’t disappoint–on the next upward stroke, when Sam’s palm smothered the head of his cock, Sam watched Danny’s fingers grip the sheets tight. At that, Sam moved ahead with one finger, the resistance not as harsh as he expected. Danny was breathing evenly, evidently quite relaxed despite the unusual act, and his eyes were locked on Sam’s. 

“Not screaming yet,” Sam remarked, giving Danny a second finger and bringing his left hand back to himself to bring some much-needed relief. Although Danny was not screaming, he was breathing harder now and he’d brought his hands up over his head to grip the pillows. Sam was sure it was as uncomfortable as it felt good; he returned his hand to Danny’s erection, stroking while he moved his fingers below to shallowly thrust. Danny was still too quiet for Sam’s liking when he added a third finger; Sam could tell he was holding back, his chest visibly tight now and cheeks even redder, a sheen of sweat on his forehead. 

Sam slunk up Danny’s body, keeping his fingers inside, licking one long trail up his hip and torso until he got to his mouth. Danny’s hands threaded through Sam’s hair, pulling him in to begin kissing his lips and Sam smiled a little before giving him some room, and letting Danny take the lead there and slide their tongues together, manipulating the positioning of Sam’s face and sliding one hand down to rest around his neck. 

“Ready?” Sam asked.

Danny leaned back against the pillows. “As I’ll ever be.”

Sam kissed him again before moving back down, slowly pulling out his fingers while he sat on his knees between Danny’s legs. He ran his hands up those thighs, looking over his best friend. “I know from behind is probably easier,” he said, looking up and into Danny’s curious eyes. “But I wanna see your face while I fuck you.”

That flush returned to Danny’s cheeks. “Whatever you want, Sam.”

Sam reached over him, grabbing one of the pillows from beneath Danny’s head. “I love when you say that.” He brought that pillow down, tapping Danny on the leg so he’d lift his hips; he did and Sam propped him up, his own dick twitching with anticipation. He grabbed the lube and slathered himself up, pushing one of Danny’s legs back as he inched forward, Sam teasing Danny’s rim with the tip of his cock. “Tell me what you like.” He didn’t even necessarily want dirty talk–Sam felt that he needed reassurance more than anything. Reassurance that what they were doing was okay; that how Sam had started it was okay; that no matter what happened, they would have each other. That they belonged to each other.

As Sam hovered over him, slowly sliding in, Danny’s hands held onto those skinny forearms. “I like you,” he said, and Sam looked up again to see Danny wince. He pushed forward a little harder–neither of them needed that initial breach prolonged, Danny especially. Danny’s grip on him tightened and he groaned softly before he added, “In fact–in fact, I love you Sam. Always have.”

Sam traded Danny’s leg for his cock. “Yeah? You do?” The question came out more teasing than he’d intended. He pushed forward again, working them both through the thick of it and into Sam’s own personal bliss, at least–he began to jerk Danny off to get him there too. 

“Idiot,” Danny said with a grunt, still holding Sam in a death grip. “You know I do. Now fuck me already.”

Sam snorted and shoved his hips forward, quickly working up to a steady, snapping pace. “Fine. You asked for it.” He kept his hand stroking Danny’s cock steadily while he kept looking at his face, studying his features. So much had changed since they were young–the shy, awkward, fumbling boy was still there. Sam saw him so frequently and each time he did, he felt his heart clench; Sam had retained his own ridiculous penchant for chaos and silliness, but these days it was so weird to have it made public. He loved it–they all did–but sometimes Sam wanted all of it all to himself. He wanted Danny to himself, and realizing that in its totality as he was fucking him felt like a little too much to handle.

“Oh god,” Sam moaned, already out of breath and sweating too much for comfort. In the second he closed his eyes, he felt Danny pulling him down and stealing his breath away even more as he kissed him hard. Sam had to let go of Danny’s cock but his best friend took that over, squeezing his arm between them to jerk himself off, his knuckles grating against Sam’s stomach, while Sam buried his hands in Danny’s hair.

“That’s really good, Sam,” Danny encouraged between sloppy exchanges of lips and tongue. “No one fucks me like you do.”

After a sharp bite to Danny’s chin, Sam said, “I’m the only one who fucks you.” While he kept thrusting and Danny stayed silent, he pulled back to look him in the eyes. “Right?”

Danny rubbed his free hand down Sam’s shoulder, petting his arm and then his waist. “Yup,” was all he said, then moaned quietly and brought his hand back up to try and coerce Sam’s mouth back down to his.

But that one word wasn’t enough for Sam and Danny still hadn’t gotten loud. He picked up the pace even more, pounding into him with all the strength and energy he had in his body; now Danny couldn’t even kiss him. Moans and broken curses were spilling out of him, a rough, low song in Sam’s ears that made his entire body tingle. 

“Yeah, that’s it,” he encouraged, his own voice rough too. “Keep jerking off for me while I fuck you, Danny. You wanna come?” Danny nodded in response, biting his lip and blinking up at Sam. Sam kept himself hovering, his hair hanging in both of their faces, their noses almost touching. “Tell me.”

Danny strained his neck against the pillow, head tilting back while his back arched upwards, his hips taking Sam’s ferocious thrusts easily, though Sam was sure they’d both have bruises tomorrow. “I do, Sammy,” Danny said, knuckles still sliding beneath Sam’s increasingly tensed, sweaty stomach. “I wanna come. You gonna make me come?”

With a huff, Sam leaned back and smacked Danny’s hand away to take over. He stroked as hard as he thrust, Danny’s cock leaking and getting even harder somehow. He was close, and Sam was impressed with himself. Sam was close too, the impending orgasm rumbling low in his belly, tingling down into his balls, but Danny was still facing away, eyes closed, and Sam needed to fix that.

He took Danny’s jaw in his hand and tilted his head back to face each other. Danny whimpered and that impending orgasm in Sam’s body reared its head so fast, he didn’t even realize it was happening at first, not until his heart caught up to his head. He panted, struggling to get oxygen into his lungs, and his hips twitched and stuttered until they stilled, but then Danny groaned and clawed at him. 

“What?” Sam asked, his act of stroking Danny bringing him back down to earth. “You want more?”

“I’m so close, Sam,” Danny said, almost sounding like he was going to cry. It was so fucking hot Sam knew he would get hard again if he had any spare moment, but now it was Danny’s turn. He pulled out, flaccid and dripping, but pushed himself between Danny’s legs again to hump him with the same fervor he’d fucked him. Sam almost asked, but Danny did just what he wanted regardless–he kept looking into Sam’s eyes. When Danny’s gaze wandered down to his lips, Sam felt the hot, wet release begin to coat his fingers.

“Fuck yeah, baby,” Sam cooed, the words coming deep from his chest. Another few strokes and Danny was pushing his hand away; Sam spared him too much more stimulation, settling to flop entirely on top of him. 

“God, you’re heavier than you look,” Danny noted, but Sam felt those strong arms wrap around his waist just the same. Danny snuggled against his shoulder and Sam sighed, heart still thumping hard. 

“You’re so perfect,” Sam said, closing his eyes. It wasn’t just post-sex nonsense–he really meant it. “I really don’t know why I fuck anyone else.”

Danny chuckled, petting Sam’s hair. “Why do you?”

“‘Cause you do.” 

A snort. “Not even half as much as you do, Sammy. Get real.”

“Calling me a slut?”

Danny kissed his collarbone. “Yeah. I don’t mind. Just like it best when you’re my slut.”

Sam rolled over onto his back, keeping one arm lying across Danny’s stomach. “I can be your slut whenever you want. Just tell me when.”

There was such a long pause that Sam had to worry if he’d somehow said the wrong thing, but then Danny asked, “All the time?”

Sam turned his head to look at him. He knew what Danny was asking. “Really?”

Danny nodded, looking at the ceiling. “Yeah.” Sam couldn’t answer yet, pondering what it would entail, and during his pontification, Danny added, “Will you at least consider it?”

Sam snaked over Danny’s upper body to kiss him. “I will definitely consider it,” he said. When he looked at him again, Danny looked so much softer than usual, like Sam’s fucking had actually been what he needed too. “Will you consider taking another shower?”

Danny smiled. “With you in there with me?”

Sam snapped his teeth against Danny’s jaw. “Duh.”

Danny began to sit up, lifting Sam with his hands underneath his armpits, his touch ticklish and making Sam laugh. “Request granted.” 

[jimintomystery]

DS9: The Visitor

A warp core discharge seemingly kills Captain Sisko right in front of his son Jake. Months later, it becomes clear that the accident pulled Sisko into subspace, but also created a link with Jake that intermittently draws him back to normal spacetime. As the decades pass, Jake Sisko devotes the rest of his life to finding a way to rescue his father.

I've been putting this one off for over a year, and I might as well be honest about the reason. "The Visitor" was always tough for me to watch because it's so sad, so it's been a very long time since I actually tried to get through it. Which means this will be the first time I've seen it since my own father died in 2015.

I'm not the only one who's lost a parent, and unlike Jake I wasn't a kid when it happened. But here's the deal: Nothing could prepare me for the dreams. I sometimes dream that I'm hanging around the house with my dad, and I remember he was dead but now he's not, and it feels like some big mix-up that was cleared up weeks ago. Then I wake up, slowly regaining my senses, until I remember that, wait a minute, my dad is (still) dead, and it sucks. A lot. I mean, these days it's barely an occasional nuisance, but I still wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. And I realize now this is more or less what Jake is going through in this episode.

It's taken me most of my life to figure out this isn't simply a "let's visit a possible future" sci-fi story where they just happened to find a poignant angle. This is a story about grief, and learning to let go of a loved one. All Ben Sisko wants--whether he's eventually rescued or lost to subspace forever--is for his son to move on with his own life. What Jake does with his life--whether he has kids or writes a bunch of books or pursues a doctorate in subspace mechanics--doesn't matter, as long as he doesn't waste time trying to reclaim the past.

The tragedy of the story is that Jake simply cannot honor his father's wishes for him. It takes fifty years for him to seriously consider it, and even then saving his father is still his top priority. The best Jake can do is send Ben back in time to change history, so Jake won't end up like this. So Ben has to watch his son die, which is obviously worse than Jake having to watch his father die. Jake doesn't even seem to appreciate the cruelty of his solution, which makes the story all the more tragic--for all that he means well, he's lost his perspective.

"The Visitor" routinely ranks high on lists of the best episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Personally I'm reluctant to agree. Although it's one of the best stories in the series, I can't say it's a story about Deep Space Nine. It's more like a great sci-fi story about a boy and his father that happens to be told using DS9 characters; it'd work just as well as an episode of The Outer Limits or something. I'll have more to say about this when we get to my pick for the best episode, later on.

I've finished watching the episode and I've managed to write five paragraphs about it. So I'm relieved I made it and I'll probably have to put this one away for a long while. Watching "The Visitor" now makes me think too much about Sisko encouraging Jake to work on his writing. My dad also encouraged my creative pursuits, even when he didn't understand them. I'd like to think he'd be pleased with my efforts, such that they are. And I think he'd feel guilty about the dreams, so it'd be a load off his mind to know they're not bugging me so much anymore.

[skibidihan]

# note ! : this will be a written chapter! used third person. wc 1,010. warnings ? just swearing, proof read but i might have missed some errors !

010. live stream.

as always within eclipse’s streams, you have a few of them bickering nonstop. this time was no different. y/n and taesan were yet again at each other’s throats, while the other members just watched.

“i’m telling you guys, WHY would he need to do that?” y/n cried out, shaking her head towards the camera.

“me? you’re the one who let all my pets loose!” taesan fought back, glaring at the girl next to him.

sohee, who was next to y/n, just rolled his eyes. this was nothing new for the group or for the fans. y/n and taesan have grown so close that they bicker like real siblings. (which they would most likely yell at you for calling them that.)

fans loved the dynamic. being in a coed group was risky within the industry. even though they are only a group made for promoting the company and new games, its still risky. scandals come left and right, so the fans are very appreciative of how open the group is with their bonds and dynamics.

“guys, can we please play now?” anton sighed, getting slightly bored with no games happening. the other players nodded with him and all looked at y/n for an answer.

“since when did i become the leader?” y/n joked, but regardless—she nodded. “what game should we play?” she asked the chat of fans, but also the members if they had any suggestions.

enhafan : you should play in the mc public servers! nishiwishes : omg yes !! plzplzplz wonbinsgf : PLZZZ ROBLOX PLZZZZ sunghoonluvr : MC PUBLIC SERVERS !!!

“well… it looks like we might play in the public servers of minecraft..” ningning softly spoke as she read through the chat, seemingly to have all agreed for them to play in the servers. “this will be new..”

“soul’s played in there a few times, so we might be okay?” chaewon spoke, her voice slightly worried but also confident. thats right, they had soul. shota was the best gamer out of them all, even though he is only 19 years old, he has mastered all the games they have ever played.

down to intak’s papa games, wonbin’s dress up games, y/n’s weird horse simulators, ning’s subway surfers and taesan’s home… minecraft.

the group looked over at soul, whos face was smiling right back at them before nodding. “you might need to pair up though.” soul said, giggling as the group grumbled. they could never trust one another in games.

“JAKE WHAT FUCK???”

that would be sunghoon. who was now fighting for his life, trying to save his builds from jake. the duo is known for their bad teamwork skills, but that never stops them from trying.

“GET AWAY FROM MY HOUSE, DUDE.” sunghoon yelled, leaning forward to look at jake from in front of jungwon. jake only stuck his tongue out at sunghoon before running away from his house.

“you guys never have a peaceful gaming day.” jungwon shook his head. jungwon wasnt too fond of gaming, he never had the time to sit down and play like the others did, he was always busy, but jake didnt want him to keep missing out on ‘bonding’ moments as he would say.

so jungwon is now here, trying to learn. which he didnt want to do it alone so he brought heeseung! who wasnt a big gamer either, but still played time to time.

after what it seemed like for hours to jungwon, (it was only ten minutes..) the group had finally decided to stop trying to ruin each others builds and play other things.

“how about bed wars?” jake suggested.

“what the fuck is bed wars..” jungwon asked, his eyebrows squished together as he tried to think of any possible idea that could be of that game.

“you’ll see when we get there.” heeseung shook his head, he loved but hated this game. it was a complicated relationship for him. the members of enhypen had saved their previous game within their realm and all clicked on the public servers. now time to wait.

“STOP PUSHING ME.” anton frowned as he and sohee kept nudging each other, typical friends. as the two boys kept doing their own thing, the rest of the players had finally saved their games and clicked on the public servers.

“bed wars? seriously?” beomgyu sighed, he was GREAT at this game, but he had just spent the entire weekend playing it.. to none of their knowledge.

“what c’mon, it’s fun!” y/n laughed, looking around the other members screens to see if they all arrived in the lobby—which they all successfully did! thank god, right?

the members of eclipse and the other streamers took a small break to read through the comments, answering questions and just talking with fans. then they saw some… weird ones.

wonbinsgf : is that…. jake’s username? nishiwishes : BRO ??? enha is live rn too.. jakeyjakey : THATS ENHYPEN WTF sunghoonluvr : WHY R THEY HERE TOO…

the comments seemed to catch y/n’s attention, as she looked at her phone for a minute then back to the chat. “well, it seems like enhypen is also playing right now…” she mumbled.

“wait, are you serious?” sohee asked, a big fan of enhypen. well, they all were, but sohee would like to say he is the “BIGGEST” fan of all time.

“oh shit, yeah.” beomgyu laughed, “jay did say that a few members were going to stream today. i totally forgot.” he ruffled his hair.

“maybe we ask to play with them?” ningning suggested, which sohee shot up in his chair.

“NO! i mean, how could we? it’s enhypen.” he nervously asked.

“and they’re just gamers like you too.” beomgyu smiled, being a close friend to enhypen. “should i text heeseung?”

“sure! more the merrier, right?” wonbin asked, looking around at everyone. which they all seemed to agree. beomgyu then pulled out his phone and texted heeseung.

y/n was nervous. enhypen. she loved that group, and she was about to play with them, it shouldn’t be too bad…. right?

LIVE NOW! ✔️

previous | masterlist | next

SUMMARY. hybe debuts a gaming coed group. jake and ni-ki end up streaming along with them on enhypen’s days off & the rest of enhypen following soon after. but you end up catching jungwon’s interest.

sending to … @enhaas @starchasing-cryptid @lavendersloane @addorations @winuvs @firstclassjaylee @seunghancore @jwsflower @heeheesang @dimplewonie @academiq @jiamini @skzhoes @enahaku @ilovejungwonandhaechan @fae-renjun @wtfhyuck @sol3chu @iheartjayke @vveebee @naviiy @catzisb1og @i03jae @onlyhoonie @horijiro @rairaiblog @heelariously @gyuvision @charlizefaye ( send an ask, dm or reply to be added ! )

[serenfire]

imo from what we've seen jake only comes out when he absolutely has to, and only long enough to keep them alive. only reason he didn't come out when they got shot was that there was nothing he could have done to save them from two gunshots to the chest without superpowers, but i'm gonna guess he saw what went down. maybe khonshu is holding that over his head; "if i really leave this avatar, i won't be able to save any of you again, and who knows what kinds of trouble marc and steven might get up to now that they're getting along? but if you work with me, we can let them live their lives and protect them at the same time"

there have been moments where khonshu threatens to leave marc to die if he doesn’t follow his orders, so this would be an effective way to both reveal the khonshu’s ulterior motives & characterize jake… hmmmm…

(there have also been comic runs where marc is like: yes i am the fist of khonshu ✌️ yes i do not give a shit about him ✌️ what’s he gonna do about it? kill me? well if he’s gonna do it he should hurry up i’m helping and rehabilitating the vampires instead of killing them)

[melbee]

My Purpose

pairing: Neteyam x EywaHealer!Reader

summary: The same way Ewya had brought you your gifts, was the same way she brought you to Neteyam. So, when sacrifice leads to fatal injury, you will stop at nothing to make sure your love is safe.

note: thanks @directioner5life for the request! You asked for a fix-it fic, and I am happy to oblige :)) (I have my thoughts on the whole death scene, and I'm going to be writing my theories soon.) Hope you enjoy my loves! xx

warnings: Mention of being shot, blood, Angst, and some sadness. Fluff at the ending though *cries*

word count: 1,984

Your mother had said you were chosen for something. Ewya had gifted you to her in a time of great sorrow, and that the seeds of the sacred tree had blessed you during your birth ceremony.

You had flourished in medicinal value, your powers having the ability to heal the sick and injured. Your mother was proud of your accomplishments, but you couldn't help but feel the oddity in your abilities.

Growing up you were protected because of your gifts, sheltered from the world, and picked on by other Na’vi kids because of it. It didn't help that with every recoup in another's health, you could feel your body drain in tiredness.

Some days were worse than others. And some days you wished it would all disappear.

That was until you met Neteyam.

The eldest son of Toruk Makto, leader of the Omatikaya Clan, Neteyam was the poster boy of being groomed for greatness. At first glance you had felt him to be too protective, but you realized his earnest love and commitment he had for his family was admirable.

That was one of many reasons that made you fall in love with him. Your mother often joked that you two would make a great pairing as Tsahik, and that you should start counting down the days until you two would mate in front of Ewya.

If only your mother knew there were quite a few close calls.

So, when the RDA had arrived back on Pandora, and Neteyam's father, Jake Sully had to step down from his position as Olo'eyktan, you were shocked. The Sully Clan was leaving, and you were determined to follow them anywhere.

So, you did.

This led you to the Metkayina clan, where you along with the Sully clan sought refuge in order to save your people. You had gone, much to the disheartened approval of your mother. Her last words before you left were,

"Help the Toruk Makto and his family. Ewya has given you the gift to do so."

Now the RDA and their task force of recombinants were beginning to close in on you and using every Pandora creature and village to push you out.

"Ma Neteyam, please." You cried out in earnest, latching onto him as the surrounding sounds of war cries were evident all around you. The RDA had kidnapped some of Neteyam's family including Lo'ak, Kiri and little Tuk. Tsireya had also been caught, and evident by the Metkayina's response they were just as displeased.

"No. I have to go y/n. I have to save my family." Neteyam who was getting ready to leave with the rest of the clan, held close to you. He wrapped his arm around you, his hand gliding over your face before leaning down and pressing a soft kiss against your neck. "Go help the injured, there will be casualties."

You frowned, tears beginning to well in your eyes. You knew you couldn't ask him to stay, Neteyam was always the strongest in your relationship, and in life. He couldn't let his family die. You reached for the same hand he held to your face and pulled it toward your own heart. "Eywa has led me to you. Now you must be strong and lead your family to safety."

Neteyam smiled leaving one last kiss on both your eyes, a sign of earnest love and affection. "When I come back, and this is all over..."

You stopped him, your tears mixing in with your mournful laughter. “I would do anything for you Neteyam. Just promise me you won’t-” Your voice cracked, your head shaking as you tried to stop any unnecessary emotion from spewing all at once. “Just come home.” You looked up at him and smiled, holding his hand tightly.

Neteyam nodded his head, his eyes beginning to shine with unshed tears, before he pulled you both up from your sitting positions and stood back. You followed him as you both walked together, the sounds of rushing feet and the splashes of water as clan members of the Metkayina latched onto their Elu’s and the warrior’s prepared their tsurak (skimwing).  Neteyam had gathered with a few of the friends and siblings of Tsireya’s, and they began calling to their Elus. 

Before you knew it, they had left, and you were stranded to deal with those who stayed, and the frightful response that endured. You quickly made yourself available however, and it came to the point where many had left to join the fight. You knew you should’ve stayed like Neteyam had said, but something in you felt you needed to go.

Watching as a few members of the Metkayina left you, you went over to an Elu you had learned to ride previously and got on. Latching on you swam quickly after them. Neteyam and the rest of the clan had traveled north to where the Tulkuns were located, and evident by the smell in the air, you could tell one of the RDA ships was nearby.

You braced the Elu tightly, its soft squawks, reminding your beating heart to be careful.

Arriving at the scene, nothing could’ve prepared you for what you were about to see. So much so, you had troubles choking back the sob bursting from you.

Why great mother. You thought to yourself in anguish.

A fire had struck out, and multiple RDA ships crashed out into the rocks. However, what made your heart burn was the sight of a Tulkun and its newborn laying cold as it drifted away in the water. Your heart burned, and the unshed tears began to fall.

You had long known the RDA and group of humans posed a threat to your home world, but you never knew how much damage they could create.

Up ahead you heard commotion, you saw yelling, and the sounds of gunshots, and the familiar voice of the Sully family. You gasped, clicking at your Elu to swim forward, as you swam slowly toward the sight before you.

You could see Lo’ak much to your relief and the rest of the Sully family, including Tsireya, your eyes squinted as you scanned for the familiar face of your beloved, but couldn’t see it.

Up ahead you saw an Ikran swoop by, Neytiri perching onto the jagged rocks, as she crouched down. It was then you could finally see the circle of commotion around a singular body.

No.

Your heart fell silent, your body taking over as you began whispering prayers underneath your breath that the reality wasn’t true. Tsireya, who had been consoling Lo’ak looked up when she heard you. Her eyes softened as tears welled in her eyes, the look of apology written on her face.

“No...” You whispered, you left unto the rock, your eyes blind to everyone around you except for Neteyam. “No... my Neteyam.”

You looked upon his shaking body, his eyes squinting beneath the setting sun, as you tilted down to see his hand as well as Lo’ak’s trying to put pressure on the obvious wound. Blood was spilling everywhere, mixing in with the waves of water that crashed next to you.

Jake who was right next to you, put a hand delicately on your shoulder, you looked up shaking your head. “I can fix this... I- "

Jake nodded in earnest, “Please.” He looked over to Neytiri who looked blankly in disbelief. “Please. For our son.”

You crouched over Neteyam, the tears in your eyes now hitting his chest as he shuddered, his eyes dilating as he began to go unconscious. You gasped pushing your two hands onto his chest, urging him to stay awake. “Please, my love. Stay awake.”

Neteyam’s ears twitched at your familiar voice, a ghost of a smile evident on his face. “Y/n I- "He began to choke on air. This was enough for you to close your eyes and begin reciting your prayers.

Everything about this was familiar to you, you couldn't put on one hand how many times you had recited these same prayers to injured Navi, but this was different. Neteyam was everything to you. He had been the one pillar that stood tall throughout the entire time you had known him.

Your visions began to burst in colors, the familiar songs of ancestors reaching out through your mind as you felt your body move in harmony. You were asking, no demanding for Ewya to heal him. You felt the sensation reach through your chest and to your fingertips.

You heard Neteyam continue to struggle, as your voice grew louder as well as your tears. You would not give up on him.

Visions flashed through your mind, memories of the first time you met him, the first time you loved him. You could see it crystal clear in your mind, his adoring smile, the way he caressed you, his laughter bubbling out into a crisp day outshining any cloudy thoughts in your mind.

“Ewya gave me a purpose.” You used to joke with Neteyam, on one of the many excursions through the forest. “And initially I thought I was some sort of vessel but… I think she wanted me to meet you.”

Neteyam smiled, his hand reaching over to grasp your face. “You are my purpose.”

You felt the memory fade, as white invaded your visions, you felt your head reach up in shock, your hands trembling as you felt your powers surge into Neteyam. You smiled, before your vision began to fade, and you felt reality come back to you.

Your vision wobbled slightly, feeling the pain and tiredness roll over you. The sun had now set to twilight, the fire beside you from the RDA ship twinkling menacingly in the corner of your eye. You looked around realizing most of the Sully clan had left, which most likely had to do with the fact that little Tuk and Kiri were not evident on your arrival.

You tried focusing on one thing at a time, your mind feeling as if you had been run over by a ship. You looked down at your hands, which still laid peacefully on Neteyam’s chest, layered with his blood. You moved your hands, to see much to your relief, that the bullet wound was gone. Your eyes then cast their gaze on Neteyam’s face, who other than a few bruises, slept peacefully.

To make sure that it wasn’t a dream, you pushed your head down to his chest where his heart laid. You could feel the resounding thump in chorus to your own, and you couldn’t help the tears fall once again. You felt yourself smile, nuzzling into his chest. “Oh, my Ewya… thank you.”

You didn’t know how long you laid there, until you felt a hand creep up your neck, and to your hair, where it patted gently. You gasped, looking up to see Neteyam’s eyes fully open and a smug smirk placed happily on his face. “Well look at that, my own savior.”

If it wasn’t for the way his playfulness exacerbated from his body, you wouldn’t have furrowed your brows in frustration. “Neteyam!” You slapped him in the chest, as he groaned. You gasped, before scowling as he let out a laugh, pushing up from his lying position.

“Y/N…” He grasped your hands with his own, oblivious to the fact that blood still caked your fingers. “I was right.”

“Oh?” You thought curiously, smiling in disbelief that Neteyam still faced your own. “What is that?”

“You are my purpose.” Neteyam grinned, reaching up to caress your cheek, before leaning in to grasp your lips with his own. As you kissed you couldn’t help but feel he was right.

Perhaps that was it. Your mother had said you were a gift. You had a purpose in life. And maybe that purpose in life was in fact intertwined with his.

You were Neteyam’s, as much as he was yours.

taglist: (comment or dm and ask if you want to be in my taglist!)

@neteyum

[sometimes-i-write-good]

Where I’m From

Top Gun: Maverick - Hangman x f!reader [no use of y/n]

3.6k | Jake Seresin could handle lots of things. He was the only naval aviator of his time to have a confirmed kill - two, actually. He kept forgetting about that second one. It was newly under his belt, and, considering the circumstances surrounding it, he hadn’t felt too inclined to brag about it. Still, the point remained. Jake could carry the weight of taking a life, of saving a life, and of putting his life in harms way. 

What he could not handle was the weeping girl in front of him, brushing away tears on their first date.

===

Genre: Fluff, slight angst

CW: swearing, kissing, mentions of past relationships (neglect)

Author’s Note: Is Jake slightly ooc? Yes. I just wholeheartedly believe this man would be a gentleman on a date. Also, soft!Jake >>>>>>> || cross-posted on Ao3

Part Two

===

===

“You’re early.” You said, opening the door wider and waving him in once you realized it was Hangman (a story you were hoping to pry out of him on your date tonight) standing across the threshold. “I’m almost done, I promise. I’m so sorry.”

“No need to apologize, sugar.” Something about the careless way he slung around terms of endearment like that heated your cheeks.

Jake stepped in with that same easy grin he was wearing when he’d asked you out. You look good, but I think you’d look even better sitting across from me at dinner tonight. Cocky, arrogant. A toothpick rolling back and forth between his teeth. Not your type at all, but it had been so long since you last dated someone.

So, when the blond in a military uniform slid into the booth across from you this afternoon at lunch you agreed. Without a single care for all the alarm bells ringing and desperate reminders from your subconscious that all men sucked.

And now you were standing in front of him with a half-zipped dress, half done hair, and nerves that made your hands shake so badly it was hard to finish anything at all. “Give me 5 minutes?”

Jake nodded, then, as though remembering why he’d gotten here so early to begin with, he moved his hand from behind his back and presented a small bouquet of flowers to you. Simple and sweet. “These are yours, darlin’.”

The accent brought you back to reality. Tied you down to earth and kept you from tearing up. “Oh, you didn’t have to do that.”

“I’m a gentleman, mostly,” Jake said, “so tell me where I can find a vase and I’ll get this set up. You go get ready.”

“Under the sink.” You waved your hand off in the general direction of the kitchen eyes still a bit too wide in shock. Someone had given you flowers. A complete stranger had given you flowers.

The stranger made towards where you vaguely gestured to but came halting to a stop shortly after. “Problem, doll?” He asked, turning back towards you with slight concern. Warranted concern, really, seeing that the noise that just escaped you made you sound like you’d been stabbed in the side.

“I’m sorry-”

“You need to stop apologizing.”

“I know, I’m sorry.” You ignored the look he shot you. “I- just… can you take your shoes off? Please?”

An easy smile crossed onto his face. More human than those prideful grins his flirting game so heavily relied on before. “Yes, I can do that.” Jake laughed, but it wasn’t rude or condescending. A kind-hearted, ‘I am so glad that’s all the problem was’ kind of laugh. “Go get ready so I can make everyone in that restaurant jealous that I’m takin’ the most beautiful lady out on a date.”

There wasn’t much arguing with that. You’d tried to come up with something witty to say to him as you finished getting ready, but every time you thought of what Jake had said to you your heart would beat a little faster and your head would spin. It was pointless. You could hardly remember your name when you looked his square in the face. If you were to actually stare into those green eyes of his you’d surely melt into the floor. Exactly what happened when you finally emerged from your room, shoes in hand, and let him at the front door.

Jake had been lingering in the foyer staring at all the pictures on your wall and the decorations that comprised who you wanted the world to see you as. A bit to honestly now that your eyes followed his to the goofy selfies or the ‘boofa deez nut’ candle you’d gotten as a gag gift and proudly displayed as a middle finger to the friend that had gotten it for you. The embarrassment should have killed you, but instead it was Jake’s eyes flicking up to meet yours that did you in.

You stumbled slightly. In your attempt to cover the movement to make it seem like you were bending over to put your shoes on, you’d stumbled more. Jake moved forward almost unconsciously to steady you, let out a low whistle and said, “You clean up nice.”

“You’re only saying that ‘cause you’ve seen me looking like half a disaster.”

“If that’s half a disaster, then you truly do put the ‘hot’ in ‘hot mess’, sugar.” Jake laughed and opened the door for you. He held it open, closed it behind you, and waited as you locked it. Then walked with you to the car to open the door for you there as well.

You thanked him, short and polite and completely caught off guard. Everything he said in that short walk from your front door to his car completely escaped you. Something about how you made a casual dress look like the most elegant outfit on earth. Just another charismatic comment to deepen the warm pool in your stomach. As though there weren’t enough butterflies flapping around in there already.

“You can pick the music.” Jake nodded toward the radio.

“I like classic rock,” you said. “It’s my favorite, actually.”

Jake grinned. “After my own heart. See, I knew there was somethin’ about you.” He turned slightly to put his arm around the passenger seat as he reversed, and you caught a whiff of his cologne. Subtle. Yet entirely welcomed, up until he winked at you.

Maybe this was all a game to him. Jake seemed like the type to charm a girl and leave her heartbroken. The prying eyes at the counter back at the diner had almost confirmed that for you. Whispers and nudging that you had wished you’d seen before you agreed to go out with him. This whole evening could very well be some big bet for the hot shots in the Navy to cash out on. All at your expense.

“So.” Jake cleared his throat. “You from around here?”

Once again, an awkward reminder that the two of you knew nothing about one another besides your names and addresses. Well, just Jake knew your address. He’d insisted on picking you up.

“No,” you told him. “Midwest, born and raised.”

“Stir crazy so you moved out West?”

“Something like that.” You nodded. “I’m going to take a shot in the dark and say you’re from down south?”

Jake laughed. Your heart skipped yet another beat and if it didn’t stop doing that you were going to have to schedule an appointment with your doctor before the night was out. “You’re a good shot.” He glanced over at you out of the corner of his eye. “Texas.”

“Oh, a cowboy?”

“Hardly.” He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel to the best of the radio. “I know my way around a horse, but I like to think I belong in the sky.”

“So, I should call you flyboy instead?” You ask with a slight giggle to your voice. More nervous than anything but there’s no mistaking the way the corners of Jake’s lips pull back at the sound. You want to take a detour to base just to ask those friends of his if he normally smiles this much or if you can allow yourself to feed into the delusion that someone as stunning as him saw you in a rundown diner having lunch and was so enamored by you that he simply had to ask you out.

“Only if you put a ‘my’ in front of it.”

Conversation flowed easily after that. The drive to the restaurant wasn’t long but still let you have a good idea of who Jake was. A flirt, first and foremost. He couldn’t go thirty seconds without calling you ‘darlin’’ or ‘sugar’ and any way Jake could make a comment about how wonderful you were, he was taking it. You stared at him the entire ride, studying his profile. He was a handsome man. There was no denying that. Old-fashioned in the way where you and your friend would flip through history books and point out who you would have fallen in love with during that time period. If someone were to show you a grainy photo of a navy pilot, his was the kind of face you’d imagine.

He pulled into a spot, and you immediately set to unbuckling and letting yourself out of the car.

“Ah,” Jake said as he shut off the car, “stay where you are.” And he hopped out to jog to the passenger side. “Here you are, darlin’.” He opened the door, offering you a hand, and helping you out of the car.

“Do they teach chivalry classes down in Texas?” You ask. He’s too busy positioning your hand on his bicep and leading you into the restaurant, where he holds open the door for you again, to answer.

“Sersin. Party of two,” he tells the host, who leads you to a table with a single, unlit candle in the middle.

Jake pulls your chair out for you, then settles in across from you in a strange mimicry of earlier today. You half expect him to spew the same cheesy pickup line but instead he fishes a lighter out of his pocket to light the candle.

“That’s better,” he says and turns his full attention on you with a grin. “So, tell me everything there is to know about you.”

You laugh, genuine this time. “About me?” He nods. “There’s not much to know about me. I’m kind of boring.”

Jake shakes his head. “I don’t believe you.”

“I’m serious! My life is eat, sleep, work, repeat.”

“So is mine.”

“Yeah but you’re flying fighter jets and I’m too nervous to ask my boss for a promotion when I’m doing the work of two people.”

Jake’s eyebrows shoot up. “The work of two people, huh? You’re a hard worker, and I’m guessing you’re damn good at what you do, too. I wouldn’t call that boring.”

You roll your eyes at him, but the compliment brings a smile to your face. “I guess you could say that.”

“Okay, so, you’re hardworking, talented, and beautiful. What else is there to know about you, doll?”

“Actually, flyboy, I want to know why they call you Hangman.” You lean forward and rest your chin in your hand. “That’s what everyone was calling you earlier today.”

He nods, leaning back in his seat. You drink in the movement. The way Jake squaring his shoulders has his nice green button down straining against his muscles and how he runs his tongue over his lips as he conjures up a thought.

“The real story, Seresin.” You raise an eyebrow in his direction.

“You remember my last name?”

“I texted it to my friend just in case you were secretly trying to murder me.”

He nods slowly. “You can never be too careful now a days.”

“Yup.”

“Well, you can tell your friend the only reason I’ll be making you scream is because my tongue is magic.” The waiter chooses that moment to appear over your shoulder asking if you and Jake are ready to order anything, leaving you a stuttering mess as you struggle to order something to drink. You can hardly form the word water to the point that Jake does it for you. “Thanks,” he tells the waiter as he walks off. Then he focuses his full attention back on you. “You held yourself together well.”

“Oh fuck off, you did that on purpose.” By the way he doesn’t deny it, you can tell you have him pegged. “Back to your true story.”

“It’s not as interesting as the one everyone else likes to tell.”

“I don’t care, flyboy. I want to know you, not everyone else.”

Interest sparks in his green eyes. “If you insist.” He leans forward, mimicking the way you’re on the edge of your seat. “In flight school we were running drills out in an old hangar when this nasty storm rolled him. Hurricane level winds and shit. Came out of nowhere. None of us were feeling too inclined to make a run for it in that kind of rain so we figured we’d hole up in the hangar for a few hours. There was an old radio that worked for a little bit, and we figured there was no time like the presence to get some maintenance on this jet done until the weather down, but the power went out.

“We had some flashlights and lanterns and things so it’s not like we were totally in the dark, but the stories ran out fast. We were bored out of minds. So, I recommended playing hangman. Something easy and simple ‘cause you can’t get too competitive with these guys. They take it way too far.”

“By them,” you cut in, “I’m guessing you mean you?”

He nods. “I won every single round and stumped them with all my puzzles.”

“Impressive,” you say, “I bet that pissed them all off.”

“Let’s just say everyone else’s version of why they call me Hangman holds a slight hint of disdain.”

The rest of the dinner flows naturally. You two talk without a single lull in conversation. He makes you laugh. He continues to compliment you every chance he can. But the real thing that works its way under your skin and lodges itself in your chest is the way he offers to switch plates with you when you take a bite of your meal and realize you don’t like it.

“No, Jake, you don’t have to. I’m a big girl. I’ll just deal with it.”

“Nonsense. It was my recommendation anyway.” Jake stares at you, jaw set, and voice firm. “I am not having you starving on this date. Give me your plate.”

And so, you swap plates with him taking a bite out of the steak he’d been raving about in the car when something in you breaks. You can hear how excited his tone of voice was. “It’s hard to get a decent steak when you’re on base.” He had told you. “The chow hall is okay if you like shoe leather and all, but now I hardly have time to make a decent cut of meat for myself.”

He gave it up so easily. The minute you set down your fork after three or four bites. Jake was telling you he’d switch. It… it was too much and you couldn’t help the sweeping off tears pushing at the back of your throat.

“Ah, shit.” He whispered. “Do you not want the steak? I can order you something else-”

You cut him off with the wave of your hand, which you quickly used to press over your mouth and stifle and unflattering sob. “No,” you whimpered, “this is perfect. Everything is perfect.”

“Are you sure?” Jake asked. “Because most ladies don’t start crying on dates when things are going well.”

You could tell he meant well. There was a joking lot to his voice and the bastard grin was back in his face but it only reminded you of how out of your element you were right now.

“I’m sorry.”

“I already told you to cut that out, sugar.”

“I know.” You sniffled, but tears kept falling. “I’m sorry. I really am.”

“It’s okay. Just take a deep breath.” Jake softened a bit. He reached out across the table, palm up waiting for you to slip your hand in his. When you did, he squeezed softly. “Want to talk about it?”

With your free hand you swiped at your cheeks. “I haven’t been on a first date in- actually, I’ve never even been on a date.”

There was no denying the way Jake’s eyes widened. “You’re tellin’ me men aren’t breakin’ down your door to take a pretty thing like you out on dates?” You shake your head. “See, that’s the issue with California folk, they’re idiots.”

He grins gently at you, which you return in full. “I wouldn’t say that.”

“I would.”

“I’ve had a couple boyfriends, but we never did relationship stuff.” Jake’s brows furrow in confusion and you rush to explain. “They would never want to leave the house. If I wanted to go out it would have to be by myself. They never asked me on dates or called me ‘darlin’’-” Jake rolls his eyes at your imitation of his accent- “or tell me I look beautiful. None of them ever held a door open for me. This is the first time I’ve even gotten flowers…” you trail off and bite down on your lip.

“I guess I should have seen it coming,” you fill the silence. “Everyone I’ve ever been in a relationship with has cheated on me. I guess I’ve always been a side chick or a rebound or whatever and you don’t really take side chicks out on dates. I always figured I wasn’t worth the romantic stuff, but there you are taking me out to a nice dinner and swapping dinners with me and… and I got overwhelmed.”

Jake is staring at you with a strange mix of anger and confusion. The gaze is lacking pity, which you appreciate. If he were to think of you as a poor girl who couldn’t land a date, you’d walk home before finishing this dinner.

He says your name so softly for the first time that night. There’s a thousand times more emotion in that name than all the pet names he’s been calling you.

“This isn’t romance.” The words make your heart sink. “This is the bare minimum. Basic kindness, sweetheart. You deserve this and nothing less. I- it makes me so frustrated to hear you talking about a relationship where some asshole let you believe you didn’t deserve to be treated like a princess.” Jake’s voice wavers slightly as he talks, anger bleeding in but not raising his voice to an unacceptable level. “Where I come from this isn’t chivalry. This is the way things are done. If I’m taking a beautiful girl like you out on a date, you better believe I’m going to make sure you know that I’m the lucky one.”

More tears prick at your eyes. Your bottom starts to quiver and when you open your mouth to apologize for getting weepy again Jake shakes his head at you. “I don’t know which one of those ducks told you that you had to apologize all the time, and I’m sure it was one of them, but you never have to apologize for things like this, doll. You’re allowed to have feelings. You’re allowed to talk about them.”

“Yeah, but it’s not good etiquette to bring up your exes on a first date.” You slip your hand from his to better wipe at your face. This sinking feeling of shame seeps into you. You probably look like just as much of a wreck as you were turning this date into.

“So this won’t be our first date, then.” Jake says it so simply. The easiest solution in the wonderful despite it not making sense in the slightest.

“What?”

“We’ll call this afternoon our first date. I stole food for your plate and took a couple sips of your drink, so it counts.” Jake grins at you. “This is our second date, which means it is completely okay to talk about your exes.”

With a small sniffle you manage to meet his eye again. The intensity that he looks at you has your face warming up again. “I have to say, Jake. I think I’m the lucky one tonight.”

“You’re not sitting on my end of the table.”

===

Bonus:

Jake insisted on opening the door for you again when he pulled up to your house after dinner. The two do you had lingered as long as humanly possible, but the wait staff looked as though they were going to run the pair of you through with a kitchen knife, so you reluctantly chose to head back towards home.

“Thank you.” You grabbed his hand as you stepped out of the car.

“Gives me an excuse to walk you to your door, pretty girl.”

“Oh, so this was all part of your masterplan?”

He laughs and stops under the light of your porch light. You’re fiddling with your keys, not too eager to open the door and end the night. Jake steps closer towards you, saying your name again for the second time that night. It’s a magnet, pulling you towards him so that his hands can settle at your waist. Those green eyes of his flick down to your lips. “Can I kiss you?”

“I was waiting for you to ask that.”

Jake slides a hand from your waist to cup your cheek and he brings his lips to yours. No kiss you’ve ever had feels the way this one does. Right. Even your long-term relationships were twinged with shame or doubt. Kissing Jake feels like forgetting your own name is completely normal because you want to be washed up in this feeling of bliss for forever. He pulls away after a few seconds, resting his forehead against yours, and it takes him a moment to finally open his eyes.

“Do you want to come in?” You ask, voice cracking slightly.

“I don’t know,” he says, “I don’t want you to think I’m only trying to hook up with you.”

You smile and press another soft kiss to his lips. Once again Jake takes a few seconds afterwards to fully look at you. “I don’t think that’s going to be a problem.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because you’re having hesitations about sleeping with me on our second date and that’s something only gentlemen do.”

Jake laughs. The sound is like the bliss of your kiss personified. You want to drown in it.

“Plus, I think you promised me that I’d have a story to tell my friend about how good your tongue is… or do you only use your mouth to talk big game?”

He nipped at your bottom lip. “Unlock that damn door right now, dollface.”

You thought he’d never ask.