#jess' reading log

[betterthanthemovies]

books read in 2024:

out on a limb - hannah bonam-young

keeping 13 - chloe walsh

picking daisies on sundays - liana cincotti

done and dusted - lyla sage

flawless - elsie silver

funny feelings - tarah dewitt

call it what you want - brigid kemmerer

a love letter to whiskey - kandi steiner

once upon a broken heart - stephanie garber

mile high - liz tomforde

night shift - annie crown

heartless - elsie silver

afterglow effect - alecia gabrielle

too wrong to be right - melonie johnson

just go with it - madison wright

powerless - elsie silver

just friends - tiffany pitcock

magnolia parks - jessa hastings

twisted love - ana huang

the duet - hailey gardiner

love redesigned - lauren asher

happily never after - lynn painter

camp let you go - kristen lucero

more than just us - allie otoski

the infinity between us - n.s. perkins

older - jennifer hartmann

wild love - elsie silver

diving in - bianca miller

funny story - emily henry

the seven year slip - ashley poston

the rule book - sarah adams

next of kin - hannah bonam-young

twice shy - sarah hogle

rewrite our story - kat singleton

the truth & lies duet - c.w. farnsworth

just for the summer - abby jimenez

the deal - elle kennedy

the cruel prince - holly black

the consequences of falling - liliana rose hastings

the summer of perfect mistakes - cynthia st. aubin

the right move - liz tomforde

the summer of broken rules - k.l. walther

this summer will be different - carley fortune

catch the sun - jennifer hartmann

every last word - tamara ireland stone

like i never said - c.w. farnsworth

a thousand broken pieces - tillie cole

caught up - liz tomforde

the art of breathing - cali melle

she followed the moon back to herself - amanda lovelace

the cinnamon bun book store - laurie gilmore

where time stands still - n.s. perkins

the irish goodbye - amy ewing

blue sisters - coco mellors

all too well - corinne michaels

forget me not - alyson derrick

i fell in love with hope - lancali

reading goal: 57/50

[themyscirah]

People need to stop putting Batman in everything this is painful

[xylathesilkwing]

I HATE THE MOLD

[sunflowerwinds]

realizations | e.w

summary: the campfire causes a tension between you and abby. aquarium day causes you to be honest with how you feel about either girls.

pairing: ellie williams x fem!reader

word count: 3.7K

contains: mature language, joel supremacy, ellie being the cutest there is, reader again being so indecisive (last time i swear), more inaccurate portrayals of camps but this is MY story :)

a/n: school has been kicking my ass already. i cranked this out for you lovelies <3 i hope all of you enjoy!!!

under the summer starts masterlist

Approaching the circle of kids around the campfire, Jesse was hovering over a few kids to make sure they were a reasonable distance from the flames, Steve and Robin were messily hounding down an extra-large s’more concoction, Abby carefully helping a few kids with the placement of their marshmallows, Ellie strumming away at her guitar singing ‘Black Bird’ and Dina softly humming along with some of her kids was a sight to behold. You even spotted a bunch of the campers with smears of chocolate and melted marshmallows on their cheeks and chins.

You had told Joel that you were going to be taking a ‘nap’ so that he could watch over your kids for a bit. In reality, you had just wanted some secluded alone time with your phone; texting your anxious dads that you were in fact not dead. You had a comfortable thin sweater over your tank top, the neckline slightly hanging off of your shoulder. You made eye contact with a soft singing Ellie and her lips stretched into a small smile.

You couldn’t believe that you were even considering yearning for Ellie for another summer or letting yourself find comfort in Abby.

What snapped you out of it was Abby, waving you over to the space next to her on the log. You send her a small smile at the tall blonde, making your way over. Your tennis shoes crunch under the twigs and fallen leaves as you clasp your hands behind your back.

“Wow, you kept your promise.” You tease as you seat yourself next to her.

Abby chuckled and shrugged her shoulders. “I’m very trustworthy.”

“Well, now I know. I’m still holding you for helping me prank Ellie later.” You point a finger at her accusingly.

Abby held one of her fingers in front of her mouth as she glanced around at the campers.

“Don’t mention the ‘p’ word. We don’t want to have another ‘bubbles’ incident.” Abby lightly chuckled.

You wince as you know she was right. As far as you could tell, the campers weren’t even close to thinking about pulling a prank. Well, not close to pulling a prank on you which you could live with. If it was any of the boys, you could definitely live with that.

“Can I ask you something?” Abby whispers.

You try to ignore Ellie’s singing to tune into what Abby is about to say.

“Yeah, what’s up?” You grin kindly.

“I don’t want to make assumptions or read into anything but,” Abby sucked in a deep breath, scratching at the back of her neck. “Is there… anything at all going on between you and Ellie?”

You froze your itching at your sleeve, every muscle in your body becoming tighter.

“Not that I know of,” you joke, trying to recover from how tense you got.

Abby weakly chuckled. “Right, yeah. I don’t know. I just assumed if you guys really aren’t, can I take you somewhere when the kids leave for the weekend to get more clothes? You don’t have to but I don’t know. I feel like you’ve been… hitting on me?”

Was she really doing this right now? You don’t deny the flirting but why didn’t she ask you once you two were alone?

“Can I think about it?” You respond quickly.

Abby noticeably falters at your unsure response but attempts to her disappointment. You swore you saw a slight twitch in her eyebrow.

“Yeah, of course.”

Before you could formulate an apology, Ellie finished up Black Bird and looked around with a sheepish grin as everyone clapped and cheered. Robin and you snapped your fingers as if you were at a poetry slam, cheeky grins on your faces.

“Sing ‘Time In A Bottle’” Dina suggests, glancing over at you.

You agree as that song is so beautiful to you. Dina knew this as did everyone you ever had the opportunity to speak to. Ellie’s eyes, too, pointed at you. She shakes her head playfully as she clears her throat, adjusting the guitar strings a bit.

“Okay everybody, this is the last song of the night then it’s straight to bed.” Joel walked around the large circle, making sure every child heard his words.

There were a few whines of ‘no’ and ‘just a few more songs’ but the stubborn man put his foot down. Ellie told them all that she was going to be playing again in two nights so she’ll play more songs then. They all seemed to agree for the most part. You clasped your hands together, leaning forward on your elbows and resting them on your upper thighs. The nails of your thumbs brushed past your bottom lip as you listened to the soft strum of the acoustic.

Every lyric settled into your chest as Ellie repeatedly made sure your attention was on her. Her eyes were focused on you, only leaving yours for a few seconds at a time through the duration of the gentle song. It was clear that the tune had romantic undertones which had you more than overwhelmed at her intense eye contact. It didn’t help that Abby’s larger shoulder was pressing into your own, the contact not helping with your nerves.

Were they aware that there were kids around?

The night ended with a final strum of her guitar, blinking out of the trance her voice put you in. Everyone clapped and attempted for the second time to convince Joel to let them stay up a bit longer but he wouldn’t budge.

“No, no more whining ev’rybody. Time to hit the hay,” Joel shook his head and motioned for all the campers to stand up.

With shuffles of tennis shoes on the grass and dirt, you, too, stood up on your feet, wiping your sweaty palms on your shorts. You made your way over to Ellie carefully adjusting the strings of the guitar. She glanced up at you for a second, smiling small. You had missed Abby’s longing gaze before following her campers back to their cabin, too distracted by the auburn-haired girl to notice the blonde.

“Hey, did you like the song?” Ellie questioned knowingly.

“Eh, a little pitchy at some parts,” you jokingly critique.

“I never said I was a professional singer,” Ellie was quick to snap back, clearing her throat. “You, uh, excited for tomorrow?”

You nod as you had already forgotten that tomorrow the camp was going on a tour of an aquarium that was about an hour away from camp. You were a bit of a fanatic of the butterfly exhibit and Ellie knew this. She got a photo of you on the Polaroid every year beaming at the fluttering insects.

“I am, yeah.”

You knew you were beaming after your response, clasping your hands behind your back and practically bouncing on the soles of your feet.

“It’s very… fitting, you know?” Ellie added with a small grin on her face.

You furrow your brows at her words.

“What is?” You question.

“You loving the aquarium. It’s very princess-like of you,” Ellie added but she avoided your gaze, feeling ashamed to admit that.

“Wow. Princess-like?” You sarcastically quipped before Ellie started letting out a string of ‘neverminds’.

“Forget I even said anything,” Ellie rushed out, standing up from the log to grab the pail of water that the camp used to put out the fire.

You reached for her arm as she carefully poured the lake water over the logs, dampening them and watching the fire die down slowly. Now only a porch light from a cabin and the beautiful moon lit up your faces. Your fingers lightly grip onto her wrist to tug her towards you.

“I thought it was sweet.” You say seriously, hoping she wouldn’t refrain from cute compliments anymore.

Not to sound like a conceited bitch but you soared through the sky when you got compliments, especially from Ellie.

“Well, I can’t help the truth,” Ellie slyly states.

You pressed your lips into a thin line, watching Ellie kick up the dirt from underneath the grass. Ellie could be cocky, a little irritating but when she got like this, it made you feel like maybe your crush on her is reciprocated.

“You want to partner up tomorrow?” You offer, releasing her wrist and fiddling with your sleeves.

Ellie, finally, turned her neck to look you in your eyes, eyebrows shooting up. Joel usually randomly chose partners but you were going to ask him right after this if he could make an exception just this once.

“Yeah. I’d like that,” her smile widened ever so slightly, one of her hands grasping onto the strap of the guitar.

“Okay, cool,” you let out a smitten chuckle, rocking on your heels.

A couple of crickets chirped in the unseen of the grass, causing you to snap out of your weird behavior.

“I gotta go and put the guitar up in the arts cabin but I’ll see you first thing tomorrow, okay?” Ellie double-checked with you, grinning adorably.

“Bright and early, Els,” you confirmed.

Ellie gave you one last nod before trudging in the distance to the cabin. You let out a breath before practically sprinting off to the complete opposite side of the camp to the main office where Joel usually would be at this time of night, prepping for the next day. You run up the wooden steps to the front door, raising your fist to knock on the screen door.

You hear a muffled ‘come in’, pulling the screen the door open to open the beaten down wooden door. There Joel was sitting at a desk with a pair of thin glasses sitting on the bridge of his strong nose as he scribbled on sheets of paper. He looked up over the rim of the glasses, waiting for you to say something.

“Hi. I’m sorry to bother you right now but I have a question,” you cleared your throat, scratching at your arm.

“Is somethin’ wrong?” He questioned, setting his pencil down.

“No, um, everything is perfectly okay. I just have a favor to ask,” you awkwardly chuckled.

“Okay…” Joel sounded hesitant but urged you to just spit it out.

“If it's not too much trouble, could Ellie and I be paired up tomorrow for the aquarium?” You could feel your face heating up at how middle school this all felt.

Joel raised a brow at you before he picked his pencil back up and pointed the eraser end at where you were standing from across the table.

“Are you and Ellie datin’?”

Your eyes bugged out of your head before you shook your head slowly. What the hell?

“Really?” He pressed once more, seeming to not believe you.

“Yes, really,” you emphasized. Joel just stares at you without moving as you continue your explanation. “We just wanted to partner up and I was hoping you could make an exception. Do we seem like we’re together?”

At this point, Joel had his rough hands up in the air at your reaction to his question. You were, in your defense, becoming very defensive over the initial question.

“Alright, alright. I was just confused is all,” Joel shook his head.

“I just want to make it clear,” you add on before shutting your mouth.

“I know. I’ll… pair your groups up. No goofing around though.”

You nod to assure him even though you knew you and Ellie would be attached to the hip. You quietly thank him before leaving the cabin with one last ‘goodnight’ to Joel.

Hopping off of the suffocatingly humid bus, you took in the entrance of the aquarium with jittery excitement in your veins. You waited by the side of the bus for each of your campers to step down, holding a hand out for those who needed the support.

Once all of your friends and their campers got off the other buses, you had to round up your and Ellie’s group to get all of the all-day tour bracelets. It isn’t as packed as it was last summer but there was still a decent amount of families there to enjoy the experience of the aquatic life.

You wave sadly across the way to Robin and Steve who, to no surprise at all, were partnered up. Steve pretended to cry without your presence and you simply mouthed ‘dramatic’ before they disappeared into a different entrance to the aquarium.

“Okay everyone,” Ellie raised her voice. as she spoke to your mixed group of campers. “A few rules before we go in. One; please do not wander on your own. Two; if you need to use the bathroom, let either of us know and one of us will go with you to make sure you don’t get lost. Three; with the few cameras we were given, do not have the flash on because the animals are sensitive to them and we don’t want to hurt them, right?”

A string of ‘no Miss Ellie’ rang in the air which caused you to bite back a smile. Seeing her be such a natural leader made her weirdly more attractive to you.

“I didn’t think so. Let’s go inside everyone. Single file.”

Ellie’s own satisfied smile spread onto her face as she clapped her hands together before motioning everyone to follow the two of you. You nudged her with your shoulder with a small smile before standing back to walk behind the group to make sure no one wandered off.

As much as you wanted to be paired up, you sort of forgot how much time you weren’t going to spend with each other. It constantly left your mind that you were at a summer camp for children; not someplace to find a girlfriend.

It was interesting regardless of all of the facts about a variety of sea creatures. You felt like an impatient child wanting to get to the tour, fiddling with your camera. You watched as the kids all took turns using the camera to take photos of the stingrays before they fed them.

The excited gasps and squeals of the children made your heart grow tenfold as they dropped the food into the mouths of the stingrays.

“Guys, be careful, okay? Don’t put your hands all the way in, please.” You hurry out, anxiety flooding through your veins at how slightly careless they were being.

You didn’t want to have an incident like last summer when embarrassingly enough, you allowed a small boy to leave your eyeliner and he fell directly into the small pool. Thankfully, he wasn’t injured but his mother was not happy to hear this. You got screamed at by an angry mother when she was told by Joel about the accident. Of course, you took the blame but Steve had been your partner at the time and took the fall for you.

“Can I eat this?” A little girl with big hazel eyes asked you as she held up the stingray's food to you.

“Uh, no, sweetheart. That’s for the stingrays. It wouldn’t be tasty.” You shake your head.

The girl's smile falters as she glances at the food in her hand and then back up at you. She looked uneasy. It didn’t take long before it clicked in your head that she already had eaten a bit of it. You let out a soft sigh, bending down to her height.

“You already ate some, didn’t you?”

Ashamed, she slowly nods her head and avoids your gaze. You weren’t sure what would happen to her but you were assuming and hoping her body would reject it or she would just poop it out.

“Well, if you feel like you’re going to throw up or need to use the bathroom, let me or Miss Ellie know, okay?” You whisper to her, rubbing her back to ease her.

She nods one more time before walking back to the feeding area, giving the rest of the food to the awaiting animals. Ellie makes her way over to you, folding her arms and motioning to the sweet child.

“What happened?”

“She, uh, ate some of the stingray’s food.” You wince at your words.

Ellie’s eyebrows shoot up as she turns her head to stare at you with disbelief. She raises her palm over her mouth to hide her cheeky grin. You roll your eyes as you nudge her shoulder, quietly telling her to ‘shut up’. It had taken everything in you to not laugh initially when the poor girl had told you.

“You better hope we don’t have another insane mom on our hands when she finds out about this,” she teases with a soft grin.

“If you care about me, you’ll take the fall for me like Steve did last year,” you shrug your shoulders, keeping a good eye on the group.

There was a moment of silence that made you turn to Ellie. Her eyes were wide with admiration but she avoided your gaze like the plague when she realized that you were staring right back at her. A blooming fire rose to her pale freckled cheeks as she scratched behind her ear.

“I definitely care about you more than Steve does,” Ellie muttered angrily which caused you to giggle at her, leaning your head on her shoulder.

You were a fool not to notice her immediately tensing when you did so, side-eyeing the slope of your nose and the length of your lashes. Everything in you wanted to stand here forever, listening to the pattern of Ellie’s breathing.

“Is someone jealous?” You playfully tease.

Ellie scoffed before she confidently stated: “Yeah, I’m jealous of a guy who runs around in 3-inch inseam shorts and crop tops.”

“Hey, he’s bringing the 80’s fashion back and flawlessly.” You defend your friend.

Ellie paused for a moment before nodding slowly in agreement. As much as you did love Steve and who he is, you couldn’t even imagine being with him. Maybe if you were to get married when you both turned 40 and neither of you were with anyone but you were 99% sure he and Robin had already solidified that pact.

You could only imagine being with the freckled girl whose shoulder you're resting on. You have imagined it for the past three years. Quite vividly, you might add.

“C’mon. It’s time to move on to the smaller fishes,” Ellie leaned her head to yours, the skin of her cheek pressing up against your temple.

You hold back a disappointed sigh and lift your head from her clothed shoulder. After calling after the children one by one, name after name, everyone walked through a tunnel that was illuminated by a soft blue hue between the crevices of the dark walkway. The cylinder cases of fishes swimming freely amongst the probably fake coral and rocks.

You hear a few gasps as someone points out a clownfish and blue tang swimming amongst one another.

“It’s Marlin, Nemo, and Dory!” Beth exclaimed with a bright smile, pointing at the fish swimming above.

“They aren’t real. It’s from a movie,” Carter snarks, folding his pale arms across his chest.

Vanessa practically snapped her neck to give Carter a dirty look. “Umm, I see them right there.”

You pursed my lips to push back the laughter that was threatening to come out. Girlhood at its finest.

You, too, watched as they swam circles around one another, channeling their excitement for the fish. It didn’t take long before you heard a shutter come from next to you.

You side-eye the freckled girl and immediately tell her ‘no’.

“‘No’ what?” She questions as she is very openly holding up the film camera to you.

You hold back your eye roll before raising your brows at her: “‘No’ means ‘no photos’, Els.”

“But you look pretty,” was her only response back as she snapped another of you appearing rather smiley.

Who were you to blame for your cheeks hurting from the terrifying grin on your face? The girl you swore up and down that you were getting over.

“Just make sure you get my good side,” you give in embarrasingly easy.

“All of your sides are good. You’re the most annoyingly photogenic person I know,” Ellie teases, sounding pissed off but you knew the intent behind her words.

“It is really hard being perfect,” you sigh playfully.

“Yeah, yeah,” Ellie shook her head but didn’t stop with the photo-taking.

While you were having photos being taken non-stop, you thought about how exhilarating having Ellie praise you this way shamelessly. You also believed this was exactly why everyone thought the two of you were dating.

“Alright, enough. Your turn,” you reach for the camera but Ellie pulls back.

“Fuck no,” Ellie says quickly but covered her mouth to look at the children who were staring at the fish in awe.

“Fuck yes,” you repeat.

After a small struggle, you were able to pry the camera from Ellie’s hands to point the lens right at her blue-lit face. She immediately began to put her palms over the camera, pleading for you to not take the photos.

You couldn’t even understand why Ellie hated photos when she, too, was insanely photogenic.

“Let me take one. Please?” You aim the camera away from her face for a moment.

Ellie was clearly hesitant but the second she heard the ‘please’ come from your sweet lips, she knew she couldn’t say ‘no’ to you. She would do anything for that ‘please’.

“One.” She reaffirmed her statement, holding up her pointer finger.

“Just one. Maybe two,” you rushed out that last part of the sentence before aiming the lens at her.

Before Ellie could protest, you took a photo of the pretty freckled girl pointing at the fishes. Her jaw was tilted ever so slightly and her smile was small but she was a perfect vision. You needed this sight stamped permanently into your brain.

You knew you were telling Abby that you couldn’t go out with her. You were kidding yourself with Abby. She was more of a friend and you knew that now more than ever.

The only problem now was when the hell were you going to get the guts to tell her?

tag-list: @abbyshands @ih8chickentenders @elliesprettygirl l @justhereforinspopics @be3flow3r @hearts4joongie @plutolovesyou @bready101 @joanvisitsrome @elliewilliamssrealgf @hysteriawillnotsuccumb @shady-lemur @melanie-watermelon @elliescoolerwife @ucannotcompare @sakiigami @joordynn @ummlover @thisiscarlatrying @phattywithawham @mxquelo @kisssssessssssyj @xyaxyn @claymoreshaze @a-little-bit-of-everybody @seraphicsentences @ravyaryn @womenlvrrr @saviourcomplexgf @shalalala-sana

[hgfictionwriter]

Maybe This Time - Part Six

Jessie Fleming X Reader

Summary: Jessie’s on top of the world and simply cannot wait to see you. She can finally hold you in her arms and call you hers. Final confessions as you reunite.

Warnings: Nothing but Fluff (capital ‘F’) and emotions, folks.

A/N: Romance! Slow burn finally pays off! Hope you all enjoy. I loved writing this. Other parts are available here.

Jessie's body felt like it was buzzing as she rode down the street. She cleared her throat as she tried to fight off an impending smile, but was only half successful.

She got to her destination and hopped off her bike, walking it to a nearby rack to lock it up. Her phone vibrated and she smiled before even looking at it. She unlocked it and read the last few messages in your conversation.

"Made it back to my apartment 👍 Are you done work?"

"I'm glad! I hope you're planning to take a nap. And do absolutely nothing this evening other than rest. I know you slept on the plane, but still. Sorry for the delay – I just got out of a meeting. I'm logging off for the day. Hallelujah lol."

"No worries at all. I know you're a busy and important lady lol. And no naps just yet, but I did laundry! What are you up to this evening?"

"Of course you did laundry already lol. Why am I not surprised haha. Promise me you won't do chores all evening. I'm not up to much tonight. TBD, I suppose lol."

Jessie smiled to herself furthermore as she called you.

"Hello?" You said, a curious laugh in your voice as you greeted her.

"I promise I won’t do chores all evening," Jessie replied, pulling a laugh out of you.

"Very good," you said in approval. "Cause, you know, I'd hate for our first fight to be about laundry. That would just be silly."

"First fight?" Jessie inquired. "That seems like something that usually requires more than one date, so that sounds promising."

You laughed. "True. Well, if you play your cards right we'll have enough dates that we'll eventually hit the 'first fight' milestone. Where are you anyway? It sounds like you're outside."

"Yeah, just finished biking," Jessie relayed, smiling into the phone. "Are you done work yet?"

"Yeah, I've shut everything down. I'm just looking for something to watch. I'm too lazy to start dinner just yet," you explained. "Wait, hold on, I'm getting another call. Oh, it's my buzzer. That's weird."

"Maybe you should answer it," Jessie suggested. You gave a weary sigh, that made her stifle a laugh.

"Fine. Okay, hold on."

Jessie stood there as the call on her phone went silent and your voice came through the buzzer speaker.

"Hello?"

"Hi," Jessie said, voice cheerful as she tried to tamp some of her excitement.

"Jess? Wait. Hold on, I thought I switched over to the buzzer. Just a sec."

Jessie stifled another laugh and waited patiently as you sorted things out. She finally laughed while you muttered to yourself.

"Buzz me in," Jessie said.

"Wait. What? I'm confused."

She laughed again. "Y/N. I'm at your apartment. Buzz me in."

"What?" Your voice was high with surprise. "You're kidding me."

"I'm not," Jessie chuckled. "I mean, if you want me to go..."

Instead of receiving a rebuttal, Jessie simply heard the click of the door along with the tone to alert her that the door was unlocked. She stepped inside and headed up to your apartment. She was about to knock on your door when it swung open to reveal you standing there with a scrutinizing look.

Jessie wore a complacent smile on her face as she held up a bag of take-out in front of her.

"I brought you dinner."

"What the heck," you exclaimed as you stepped out, bypassing the bag and pulling Jessie into a tight hug, which she readily returned.

Jessie tucked her head against yours and couldn't resist the content sigh that escaped her as you fit into her arms and pulled her close. It felt new and yet entirely familiar and natural at the same time. The hug lasted several, long moments until you pulled back, though only enough to look Jessie in the eye, arms still around her waist and sending further jolts of electricity up through her body.

"I didn't know you were coming," you said, eyes bright with wonder. Your smile widened. "I didn't think I'd get to see you until next week."

"I know." Jessie nodded. "We were landing and I just..." She paused, gaze flicking away as heat built in her face before she felt something click inside of her and she looked to you, a sudden feeling of ease and comfort coming over her as she took you in. "I just kept thinking about how much I wanted to see you. I know our date's only a week away, but we've waited long enough. I've wasted enough time and don't want to waste any more."

Jessie nearly beamed at the way your cheeks reddened and the way you looked at her. She'd waited years for you to look at her like this. And, well, while maybe she'd seen hints of it years before, now it was unhindered and there were no 'maybes' left.

Jessie's posture straightened and her breath hitched momentarily as your soft hand came to rest on her cheek.

"You're incredible. You know that, right?" You asked, eyes gentle and warm.

Jessie swallowed. She could hear her pulse pounding in her head as she held your gaze.

"I'm just being honest," she eventually managed to say.

"Well, I love it. And I agree, we've waited long enough," you said as you pulled back and led her into your apartment by her hand.

She followed wordlessly, watching you the whole way through and eventually jerking her head to the side when you finally turned back around. Despite her attempt to hide her staring, she caught the smirk that had snuck across your lips as she turned away. You took the bag of food from Jessie and set it down on the counter, releasing her hand in the process and leaving her missing it immediately.

"If I had known you were coming by I would've tried to look a bit more presentable. You know, not immediately changing into my worst sweats and t-shirt immediately after work finished," you said with a chuckle as you leaned back against the counter. Jessie's head immediately snapped back to you with a deep frown etched on her face.

"What are you talking about? I love it," she said unequivocally. She hesitated momentarily before relaxing into the moment. “You always look good,” she said assuredly. She frowned deeper as you gave her a look that was both disbelieving and affectionate. Eventually, you relented with an eye roll and a faint smirk.

"I suppose you've seen me in worse states than this," you admitted. A wry grin crossed your face as you folded your arms across yourself. "Remember the night after Teagan's year-end party?"

Jessie practically snorted a laugh. "Remember holding your hair back while you puked your guts out all night and morning? Running all over getting whatever remedies for you? Yeah, I remember."

"Yeah, it was like the exorcism," you said plainly before turning haughty, holding your head high. "Well, I learned to never try to out-drink an Aussie."

Jessie laughed and a moment later she smiled wider. "Oh, and remember when you had that extreme flu for like two weeks?"

"Oh yeah, let's not forget that," you deadpanned, giving her a comical stare before slipping back into a smile. "I get it, you've seen me in some very unflattering states."

"And I still-" Jessie caught herself, smile tightening and she cleared her throat. "I'm still interested."

You held her gaze, smiling softly at her before dropping it momentarily as you gently pushed off the counter and took a step towards her. "I'm glad."

The room was silent and the air around you began to infuse with anticipation and brightness. Your smile grew as you held her gaze.

“And I’m still super glad I got up the nerve to tell you about my delusional moment years before.”

Jessie let out a breathy laugh though she didn’t break eye contact. “Not delusional at all. I would’ve done anything to take you on a date.”

“Anything except ask me out,” you replied with a wink. Jessie blushed and her gaze dropped momentarily before she smirked up at you.

“Well, I’ve asked you out now,” she said. You took a step towards her and nodded with a quiet smile.

“You have.”

“And I’m really excited for it,” Jessie added. Her blush deepened a bit despite herself. She didn’t let it stop her this time though. “So excited in fact that I just couldn’t wait the few days to see you again.”

Your smile grew and you closed the space between you, wrapping your arms around the back of her neck. Jessie beamed before quieting her smile while she wrapped her arms securely around your waist.

“Well I'm glad I'm not the only one,” you told her. “Because I didn’t want to wait either.” You swallowed your hesitation. “I missed you. I know it’s silly, b-”

“I missed you too,” Jessie cut in, smiling brightly at you. “All the time. Janine’s always making fun of me because I check my phone way too often to see if I missed anything from you.”

You chuckled and sent a shiver down Jessie’s spine as you began to caress the back of her neck.

“You are far too cute. I love that you do that. I’m the same,” you confessed. "It's hard to believe now that there was a time - too long - when you weren't a constant in my day."

Jessie’s face hurt from trying not to smile too much. She gave you a nod. "I know the feeling."

She took you in, the softness in your eyes as you stood in her embrace. One that wasn't fleeting or masked as something it wasn't. She could hold you, truly hold you. Emotions began to rise in her throat and she let them out in a rush.

“I just can't believe this. I can! But I can't. I just-" She lost her words and shook her head affectionately at you. "I’m glad it’s not too much. You know, me calling you in the middle of the night. Me showing up unannounced. If it’s ever too much, just tell me. I’ve never really dated, so I don’t really know if I’m coming on too strong. Not that I think we’re dating. I know you didn’t agree to that, but-”

Jessie’s words ceased as you brought a single finger gently to her lips. Her breath stilled in her lungs and her heartbeat pounded in her ears as you slowly leaned in, dropping your hand to rest delicately on her shoulder and suddenly your soft lips were upon hers. The kiss lingered and Jessie’s eyes fluttered shut as you leaned subtly into her.

No thoughts registered in Jessie’s mind and she belatedly realized that you’d slowly drawn back, though remaining in her arms. When she gradually opened her eyes she saw you looking at her in what she couldn’t help but interpret as adoration. It made her feel weak in the knees.

“For the record, that’s confirmation that you’re doing great,” you said with a soft laugh.

Jessie was stunned. Elated. She’d pictured kissing you countless times, countless ways, but no dream of hers, no matter how vivid, lived up to this. It wasn’t even a heated, passionate kiss, but it was everything and she felt it down to her toes.

Jessie leaned in and kissed you once more. Deeper this time. Longer. Pulling you closer in her arms, feeling the shape of your body fitting perfectly against hers.

When she finally broke off the kiss, she smiled upon seeing you breathless, a dark pink tinge colouring your cheeks. She wished she could take a picture of you like this.

“Wow,” you breathed. Jessie beamed before tamping her excitement and ultimately just looking smug instead. You gave her a soft shove as you rolled your eyes, but leaned into the embrace further.

“So, dating, huh?” You asked, cheeks still pink.

Jessie’s smugness immediately shifted. She was about to speak, but you beat her to it.

“Don’t get me wrong, it sounds amazing. But I want to be really clear. I know we’ve shared a lot recently, and I don’t know if it’s like this for you, but things feel so natural and right and such a long time coming, but I also know you have your career and you’re at a really special and important time during it. You weren’t exactly looking for a relationship - you have a lot of obligations you need to balance. I don’t want to take you away from anything or be the reason you don’t do the things you want to do. That would never be my intention and I’d never ask you to sacrifice anything, but I don’t want you to make different decisions because of me.”

Jessie waited patiently, ensuring you got everything off your chest before she spoke.

“Y/N, I’ve been searching for this for years. How I felt for you all those years ago, it felt right. And it feels unequivocally right now, too,” she gave a breathless shrug and felt her throat constrict under the strain of her emotions. "And now that you're back in my life. I don't know how I managed without you. And I don't ever want to do it again. It’s you. It’s always been you.

"And I hear you - you don’t want me to compromise my career. But I don’t have to. You have your career as well. We both have obligations, but we already make time for each other. I’m going to keep playing, but if I’m not on the pitch - I’m yours. That’s what I want. And if you’re okay with it, then that’s how it’ll be.”

Jessie’s chest tightened exquisitely as you captured her lips once more.

“I am more than okay with that,” you told her. You narrowed your eyes playfully at her. “So did we just skip the first date and go straight to girlfriends?”

Jessie’s heart jumped into her throat in the best way possible.

“I am perfectly okay with that,” she said, doing her best to keep her voice steady despite the excitement that coursed through her. She couldn’t help herself.

“If I’m being honest, I’ve pictured you as far more than my girlfriend many times.” She paused. “I saw how your exes were with you. I saw how they disappointed you and frustrated you. I’m human and we’re new to this, so of course I won’t be perfect, but I know I can and I do love you better and more than they ever did. I know how to make you smile when you’re feeling your worst, I know how to make you laugh when you’re trying so hard to be stern and serious with me, I know you so well, even after all this time. You’re a part of me. And I want nothing more than to make you so happy.”

She watched your reaction. She expected herself to be blushing, but the things she said were so deeply rooted inside of her it seemed second nature to say. She waited as you stood there speechless, staring back at her with shimmering eyes.

“So, head over heels really did mean you loved me,” you said with a gentle laugh. Jessie didn’t waver.

“Yes. And still do.”

You swallowed, but immediately kissed her once more.

“I know it’s a lot,” she said when the kiss ended, but you spoke before she could go on.

“It is. But it’s real. You were my person all those years. And here you are again. You’re perfect for me. So you’re silly if you think I don’t love you, too.”

“Then say it properly,” Jessie challenged teasingly. “I’ve been waiting a long, long time to hear it.”

You cupped her face in your hands and smiled affectionately at her.

“I love you so much, Jessie,” you professed softly, your words followed up with another kiss from her.

When she pulled back her eyes were bright.

“Let’s get through date #1,” you laughed. “And if the topic of rings comes up at some point over the next few months, well,” you kissed her softly, "so be it."

[mushies-stories]

Not leaving this one behind

chapter one

Slasher!Simon ‘Ghost’ Riley X F!Reader

summary: Simon moved to America after retiring and had taken up serial killing and stuff and you caught his eye. Simons been realizing some things about himself and he's sure your just what he needs.

warning: murder, gore, suggestive, no smut yet, kidnapping

word count: 3142

Happy Halloween

The sun was finally setting and you all seem to have found ways to entertain yourselves. After a long day of walking around and seeing the nature around you and taking some pictures of rivers and waterfalls and whatever else caught your eye, you were about ready to rest the second you stepped back into the camp.

You chose to bring a few books and picked your favorite out of the pile. You settled for being inside the camper while the others set up tents and partnered up. You figured it would end up this way, not like you minded, reading or finding something creative to do was enough enjoyment and you were just happy to get out of the house for a while. So cozied up on the bed with a thick blanket and your book was how you chose to spend your time. 

About two hours had gone by of no one coming into the camper for some reason or another and you were starting to get a little worried, it was getting late and you even heard a sound from outside. You mark your page and place your book on the bed and to the door. You slip your boots on before exiting the RV. 

You shivered as you stepped into the night air. Looking around there wasn't a sight of anyone and the fire was just about out. You shuffle over to the firepit and gently place a few logs in. pulling out your phone you check for any messages but there's nothing, and you have no signal. 

Something felt wrong. 

You take a deep breath and choose to go down the right bath path. There's only two ways out so it was likely someone had to be down either of them. 

Using your phone as a light you follow the windy path and look for any sign of somewhere your friends could have gone down. “Jess? Molly, anyone out there?” you try to be loud but it was starting to get more cold and creepy the farther you got and you were starting to get really scared. “C’mon guys it's getting late.” you try again, a bit louder this time. 

A noise to your left startles you. 

“Y/N?” a muffled voice says your name. 

You head in the direction of the voice. “Andrew, Is that you?”

“Y/N, dont-” Andrew starts to say.

“Don’t? Are you-”

“RUN!” His voice is raspy and breathless.

You stop in your tracks and freeze. There was no more sound from Andrew, it was silent again. You didn't want to over react, what if this was just a prank? You were always the more gullible one in the group, you were teased more often than not. “Are you messing with me andrew? You ask and take a few cautious steps forward. You don't make it far however, just at the edge of your phone's light you could see Andrew. He was laying on his stomach, eyes wide and looking right at you. He was covered in blood, it looked like it was coming from his back the most. You took a step closer, your own breathing becoming uneven. He was dead, you knew it. 

What you hadn’t noticed was someone else in the dark with you, circling you and getting closer without you even noticing. Simon stopped you right when you turned to flee. You ran right into his chest with a soft thud. You stumbled back a little and looked up at the man in horror and recognition. Now in a different mask that covered almost all of his face with a horrifying skull on it. 

You remembered him. How sweet he thought.

“You… I don't understand.” you take a step back and then another. He follows your movements and steps forward, but with much bigger strides than your own. You turn and start sprinting and to your utter surprise were not caught yet. You figured someone his size would snatch you up in a second but you had to try anyway, right? But he hasn’t, you didn't even hear him running behind you. You chanced a glance back and saw nothing nor did you hear anything. Really weird you thought. 

It took awhile but you managed to find the RV again after getting lost not taking the same way back. Slowly and quietly you snuck around it to the door. It was still closed with the lights still on and the fire was once again dimming. You didn't waste your time on it now, instead you slowly crept onto the RV. It didn't look like anyone had been in there. Everything seemed as it was before.

“HELP” 

You make for the door but before you can reach it Jessica comes flying in. 

“Jess, oh god what happened?” you rush to help and lock the door behind her before helping her to the little bench and table. 

“Some masked freak, he,” he sucked in a breath and clutched at her side. Looking down you can see her clothes were stained with blood. “He fuckin stabbed us.” she finished. 

You shake your head in disbelief, this can't be happening. “You're hurt right? Maybe we should take a look at that before we do anything.” you say, trying to think rationally and stay as calm as you could. 

“Fucking bastared, Andrew better be fine.” Jessica curses. 

You look at her but can’t bring yourself to say it. She noticed something in your features and knew something was wrong however. 

“No… he’s fine isn't he?” she asks, wanting anything but to hear the truth that was written all over your face. You wanted to lie but you knew it would do no good too. You slowly shake your head and avert your eyes, unable to bear the sight of your friends' lives falling apart all at once. “Damnit! What the fuck is going on, who is that guy?” she's shaking and more blood is soaking her clothes. 

“Okay, let's get this looked at.” you instruct her to move her arms, not wanting to waste any more time.

A bang on the side of the RV startles the both of you. 

“What the fuck?” Jessica shouts in a whisper.

“Sshh.” you shush her quietly. 

Another bang near the back. 

“He’s fucking with us.” Jess whispers, you shush her again. 

You sit and listen but there's nothing. After another moment you hear someone try and open the door but the lock stops them. You let out a sigh of relief too soon because the sound of the door being unlocked makes your heart almost stop right there. The keys were in the RV when you left, so that means he managed to get here before you did and swipe them. You both stay still as the massive masked man fills up the space of the entrance. 

“Fuck, i cant die Y/N im sorry!” Jessica yells before pushing you up and straight back into the killer. She turned  and ran for the back of the RV and behind the bed where there was a small window just big and long enough for someone to squeeze out of. 

You stumbled right into his arms and the hold he has on you gives you no wiggle room to get away. You look up at him with horror in your eyes as tears begin to form at the corners. “Please don't.” Were the only words you could manage to rush out. You were in disbelief, you were in the arms of a killer and your best friend just threw right at him. The man doesn’t say anything. Instead he crouches enough to lift you up by the legs and fling you over his shoulder, causing you to let out a very audible squeak. 

You were tossed onto the bed next to your friend who was still struggling with the window, only getting it about halfway open before she was being dragged from right beside you with a scream. She reached out for you but it was too late, she was already hitting the floor before you could get there. You almost go after her, but then the image of her pushing you into harm's way plays and you freeze. You watch as he drags her away and lifts her with a hand on her neck. The skull mask makes the whole scene look even more terrifying to witness as he pulls a knife from his vest out and brings it to her face. She tries to scream and reach out to you but you can't seem to make yourself move. 

When you looked up to the masked man again he was looking back at you, watching your reaction. 

“Pl-ease He-” Jessica tried to say but the grip on her neck was tightened. 

In the blink of an eye the man had plunged the knife right into the side of Jessica's head. You can't hold back the screech you make when it happens, or your reaction to crawl as far back onto the bed as possible. You shook and watched as he tossed her body out the door before turning to face you. He took up so much space in the RV even with being across the thing.

Simon can't help but think about how cute you looked. Dirt from the woods and your friend's blood all over your sweater, shaking like a leaf. You were perfect and everything he could have asked for. He wanted you, the thought taking up a now permanent spot in his mind. He needed to bring you home, no more leaving what he wanted behind. 

Slowly he took those long strides to where you sat still in fear. His eyes were trained on yours the whole time until he was towering over you as you cowered back, as far away from him as you could be. “Please dont… dont hurt me.” you plead, tears now staining your cheeks. This was it, it was all too much and you couldn't run anymore. The killer reaches for your ankle and pulls you back down the bed towards himself. He yanks your boots off and now what was your once white socks are now covered in bright red. 

Simon can't help the way his cock switches at the sight of your big glossy eyes staring up at him in horror. He noticed how you pulled at your skirt to make sure you stayed covered after he dragged you. Your cardigan was falling off your shoulders, you were too scared to move to even fix the garment. Simon reached down and wrapped his large gloved hand around your throat. You flinched and squeezed your eyes shut, waiting for him to start choking you. Once again the monster of a man surprised you and no harm ever came. Instead he seemed content to just rest his hand there enough to move you a little better just so he could see your face. You slowly blinked your eyes open and shuddered a little when your eyes met his. They didn't look like the eyes of a psychopathic killer, they looked calm and almost… warm. You shake the thought out of your head. No, he was a killer, nothing warm about that. 

Something in Simon told him he needed this, needed to be close to you, to touch you. His cock was getting hard just looking at your adorably frightened face. Slowly his hand starts to slide to your chest, dirting the exposed flesh of your collar bone. You stiffen even more as his hand makes it to your breasts, staining the light fabric of your shirt. He smirks at how much you're shaking, so scared but letting him touch you like this. If he keeps going he doesn't know if he’ll be able to leave you, he's tired of leaving what he wants behind.

Your breathing was getting even more unsteady, you were starting to panic. 

In a solid and precise motion Simon had picked you up, taken your spot on the bed and placed you straddling on his lap with your face buried in his chest. One arm held you close by wrapping around your lower back and the other rubbed soothingly at your upper back. You were effectively trapped against him. 

You stay as still as possible, even though with how much you were shaking made it actually impossible. Why was he holding you like he was comforting you? Was this some kind of trick so when he did kill you it was more fun? 

“Not gonna hurt ya.” The masked man tells you. His voice is deep and a little raspy with an accent you weren't expecting”

You peaked up at him with a little curiosity. “Why… why not? I mean... My friends.” you try and say but finding the words is becoming difficult. 

Simon looked down at you, his eyes void of emotion. “There was no reason for their lives to be spared. Why, ya feelin left out love? Wanna join those friends of yers?” he asks, a hint of teasing in his tone. 

You shake your head as more tears slip down your cheeks. “No, please, I don't want to die.” you tell him with a soft sob. You grip onto the front of his vest.

Simon chuckles, It's unnerving and sends a chill up your spine. “Didn’t think so. No, I think I gotta take ya with me.” 

Your eyes widen even more. “What…” Your voice is hardly a whisper. 

You feel his hand run up the back of your neck and his fingers tangled in the hair at the base, forcing you to stay in place with a firm grip. “I keep havin ta leave sweet little things like ya behind. Think the universe was giving me a sign when ya stepped off that camper.” He says, not making any sense to you at all. 

“I don't understand, why take me? I wouldn't be of any use, right?” You squeak out.

“Oh but ya would be.” He confirms. His other hand slipped under your ass and gave it a gentle squeeze. Just enough to have you letting out a shaky breath. “Be good and no escaping or trying to kill me and you’ll even be treated very well.” to add a little emphasis he pulls you in closer by the hand on your ass and rolls his hips up a little. You can feel his bulge pressing against your clothed pussy. 

You shutter a little but keep any sound from escaping you. Your brain tries to make sense of everything going on but with his hand continuing to message and squeeze your ass you find it difficult. You were scared but the way he was embracing you was almost comforting, even his scent aside from the dirt and blood wasn't bad. He smelt clean and natural and being in the woods and near the fire gave him an alluring scent. 

His other hand let go of your neck and reached behind him. You see a gun being pulled from  some holster and pointed behind you. You flinch and cling closer to the killer on instinct and in return he wraps his free arm back around you to keep you secured to him. 

“Y/N? Are you really sitting on that fuckers dick?” You turn to see Zac practically crawling inside. 

You try to move, to go to him and defend yourself but the hold on your waist is too strong. You shook your head and looked panicked between the two men. “No! That's not what's going on!” you start to tell him.

Zac coughed up some blood. “You know Molly's dead right? And I guess you saw Jess huh?” he seethed. You watched as he pulled himself to the driver's seat and reached for the side door.

“Zac, I didn't do anything, I swear.” you tried to reason with him as you struggled against the masked killer.

“Shut up! You're lying, look at you!” he shouts as he struggles to find something. When he did however it was useless. As soon as he pulled back and Simon saw a handgun he shot Zac right in the forehead. 

You couldn't help it, as soon as the gun went off you were clinging to the man holding you hostage once again. This time you buried your face into him as much as you could and your hold on his vest was like steel. 

You shook and cried against his chest. He tried to be soothing, cooing and patting your head. “Alright little one, gotta calm down and get yer things.” He told you after a few minutes. He figured he could wait to tear those clothes off of you for a bit longer. He may be a killer but he's not an animal, not when you were just what he's been needing. 

You look up at him with watery eyes and a little pout. “Where are you taking me?” You ask, voice hoarse and quiet. 

“Home Y/N, you’ll be comfortable, just be good yeah? Now get yer stuff.” He says and lifts you to your feet to stand in front of him. Even when he is just sitting he’s tall you notice. You don't move, not sure exactly what you're doing or how to react. Should you run, or try and fight back? Would it even matter, he was so much stronger than you and clearly knew what he was doing out here. “C’mon love, I'm trying to be nice. Grab whatever ya don't want left behind and put yer boots back on.” He instructs with a pointed gesture of his head. 

You nod slowly and reach for your boots. Once they are on and adjusted you turn around to find your duffel bag. Once you do you come back to the bed and reach around the man for the book you had been reading earlier and slide it back in your bag. “Okay.” you say. Having everything you came with now packed back up for wherever this man’s home was. 

He stands up and takes your bag from your shoulder. He reaches into your pocket and takes your phone out and tosses it into the pool of Zac's blood. “Alright, let's start walking.” he says and guides you out of the RV. You avoid looking at Zac and Jessica as you pass by their dead bodies. It was going to be at least a few days before anyone would probably even notice their bodies. 

“It's about a five mile walk, watch yer step and stay close, got it?” he informs you. 

“Okay.” you say softly. You looked into the dark woods and shuddered. What was going to happen to you? And then your dark and cold walk began with enough time for you to think about every horrible thing that could happen.

~thanks for reading~

[lightwise]

They Call Themselves The Bad Batch

Parallels between TCW S7 E1 and TBB S3 E11

Watching the latest TBB episode, I realized there are some striking parallels between the very first time we meet our boys in season 7 of the Clone Wars, and watching them be hunted down on Pabu after everything they’ve been through. I know this isn’t the last episode, but this is the countdown to wrapping up this part of their story. Let’s take a look at the first time we see them on screen vs. now:

TCW: The Bad Batch is brought in to help find an algorithm on Anaxes that has been causing the GAR to lose tons of battles by “learning our tendencies and using that data against us”. Rex was one of the army’s best tacticians and he was being defeated by his own strategies being copied. 

TBB: CX-2 uses every tactic that the Batch possesses against them (tracking, data decryption, sniping, hand to hand, demolition). The Batch was the best the army had and they are defeated by CX-2 in this episode. 

TCW: Cody asks his superiors (Mace and Anakin) to let him take a team and go behind enemy lines in order to try and find/defeat this algorithm. 

TBB: Omega convinces Crosshair to help her give herself up to go back to Tantiss so they can finally rescue the clones still imprisoned there. 

TCW: Rex looks at a picture of his “family” - Cody, Fives and Echo. Also, this is where we get Cody’s famous line “sometimes in war it’s hard to be the one that survives”—which is exactly what the entirety of TBB has been about. 

TBB: Omega puts memorabilia of her family—Tech’s goggles and Lula—into the Archium for safekeeping and remembrance.

TCW: Cody and Rex have a conversation about Rex’s theory that Echo might actually be alive. Cody’s response begs him to not have “misplaced hope. I need you to be focused on this.” 

TBB: Omega and Crosshair discuss their limited options as the Empire closes in on them on Pabu. “Think about the greater mission. I’m just a small part of it”. 

TCW: Tech brings the Havoc Marauder brought in onto the platform with the infamous Tech turn. 

TBB: CX-2 has his ship brought in by remote with a menacing turn mid-air so the ramp faces them after capturing Omega.  

TCW: Wrecker’s (and any Batch members’) first line - “The Cavalry Has Arrived”

TBB:  - The last episode of the series will be titled this. 

TCW: Crosshair is introduced as being able to hit precise targets from 10 klicks away.

TBB: Crosshair misses the most important shot he could ever make.

TCW: One of Wrecker’s first “feats” that we see him perform is rescuing Cody from a downed gunship before it explodes. Cody is then severely injured, flat on his back, and out of commission for the mission.

TBB: Wrecker risks his life and rescues Gonky before the Marauder explodes. He is unconscious and flat on his back for the rest of the episode.

TCW: Tech tells Jesse and Kix that “maps can be wrong. Hunter never is”. 

TBB: Crosshair immediately notices when Hunter’s senses go off and asks “what is it Hunter?” “Not sure, but I don’t like it.” 

TCW: Rex states “We should move out before reinforcements arrive. Our position has been compromised”. 

TBB: Omega tells Lyana that it’s safer if they leave, and Crosshair notes to Hunter that ships don’t blow up by themselves and therefore they’ve been compromised. 

TCW: Tech is easily able to hack into the computer and give Rex a reading of the algorithm and pinpoint its location, in the process finding out that it is actually Echo on Skako Minor. 

TBB: The episode opens with CX-2 hacking into Phee’s ship and decrypting her data logs and flight patterns to Pabu. 

TCW and TBB: The episodes end with ships flying off into the sunset with eerie red lighting, and the Bad Batch theme music playing is a somewhat melancholy version of their theme rather than the standard one. 

✨ Tag List ✨

@drafthorsemath @freesia-writes @ladyzirkonia @jedizhi @the-little-moment @sunshinesdaydream @the-bad-batch-baroness @heyclickadee @burningfieldof-clover @dreamless-daydreamer

[connorswhisk]

and so it goes (miguel o’hara x spiderman!reader)

hi note this is a fic specifically for transmasc readers. don’t come anywhere near this if you’re a cis woman. you have a million fics you can read that aren’t this one. thank you 🍻

@spokentothewoods here you go ☺️

WARNINGS: Angst, slightly sexual situations >:)

That ever-present tenseness is visible in his shoulders; in truth, you don’t think you’ve ever seen him without it, for as many years as you’ve been working with him. You’ve been working late tonight and could really use a break yourself, but with Jess away for an ultrasound, someone had to stay behind and keep an eye on Miguel.

Perhaps you volunteered for the job a tad too hastily, if the smirk Hobie had flashed in your direction was any indication, but Hobie’s always smirking at things. You’ve gotten pretty used to it.

In any case, even Margo’s signed off for the night. You know Miguel’s the Big Boss In Charge, but…couldn’t he benefit from some chill time?

“That’s it,” you say, yawning. “That’s the last of the logs done. Think I’ll turn in for the night.”

Miguel says nothing. He either is so immersed in his work that he didn’t hear you, or he’s ignoring you - both are likely in their own way.

After a moment’s more of silence, you frown, and web yourself up to his platform. He’s always brooding, that’s pretty normal, but…

Oh, you realize, because you recognize the video footage he’s watching. You’ve never seen it yourself, but you know what it is, where Miguel came from. You know why he is the way that he is.

You contemplate leaving and pretending you saw nothing, but then Miguel turns his head and fixes you with his dark, exhausted eyes, and it’s too late to act innocent.

“Sorry,” you say quietly. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. You just…”

“What.” He phrases the word as a statement, not a question. “I just what.”

You sigh. “I worry about you, Miguel. I mean, when you first found me in my universe…you were sad, sure, but you weren’t this angry. I don’t know what changed, but if you ever need to talk…”

“I don’t.” His stare is fixed somewhere past your shoulder, his jaw hard as steel. “Nothing changed. I’m fine.”

“Oh, bullshit,” you tell him, and you can’t help but roll your eyes. “How long have we known each other? I know when you’re lying to me.”

Miguel shakes his head. He’s been working with Jess the longest and all the Spiders respect him as their leader, but he’s never gotten as close to anyone as he has to you. You know this because he told you so himself, a year ago when MJ was killed and you were stumbling around HQ in a haze, the big empty pit in your stomach threatening to swallow you whole.

We all lose people, he’d told you, his voice the gentlest you’d ever heard it. But we persevere. You’re strong, Y/N. You can survive this.

I bet you tell all the Spiders they’re your favorite, you’d joked half-heartedly, desolate and depressed, sure you were right. But Miguel had given you this look that had told you plainly: I am completely serious. And then he’d started to say something, stopped as if he’d thought better of himself, and swung away.

You don’t know what he’d been about to tell you…though maybe you kind of do. The pair of you have never necessarily been the emotionally vulnerable types, but the connection between you is one that cannot be denied.

“I’m fine,” he’s repeating now, still hiding from the truth. “Just tired.”

“Which is exactly why you should call it for the night. You’ve done plenty.”

“I haven’t done enough.”

“Look, just…” You exhale deeply, pull off your mask so you can meet him eye-to-eye. You don’t miss the slight change in his demeanor when you bare your face, the fleeting look of quick relief. “Do you…want a massage or something?”

He blinks. “What.”

“I asked if you wanted a - “

“I heard you.”

You quirk an eyebrow. “Ok. So? Your shoulders could really use it, dude.”

“I…” You can pinpoint the exact moment he decides to give in, posture slumped and scowl deepening. “…Fine.”

He turns back to face the screens - thankfully, the video from before is long gone. Miguel says nothing for a long time, ‘til he finally snaps, “Well?”

You lay your hands on his shoulders. You’re no trained masseuse, but your Aunt May does a wicked back rub and you’re sure you can replicate her technique, more or less. And so you try.

Are all shoulder muscles this knotted? Or is Miguel just overworking himself per usual? You’re not sure, but you press as hard as you dare, first with your fingertips, then kneading in and out with your knuckles. Miguel is silent as you work. The only sound he makes is the measured course of his breathing, up-down, up-down, up-down. You can feel it thrumming through your neurons, slow and steady.

“What, sorry?” You didn’t catch what Miguel just mumbled under his breath.

“Can you - go harder?” he repeats, practically spitting the words. He sounds as exhausted as you’ve ever heard him.

Wordlessly, you begin to apply even more pressure, and Miguel moans. You’ve never heard him make a noise like that before, and in your shock, you start and almost back away from him entirely. You manage to keep your wits, though, and you press again in the same spot, feeling the knot aching to unravel beneath his skin.

“Y/N,” he groans - but before you can begin to wrap your head around that, Miguel’s body is freezing up under your fingertips, and suddenly, he’s wrenching himself away from you.

“Woah - you ok?” You drop your hands to dangle by your hips, but you can still feel the buzz in your head, concentrated and slightly painful like a migraine, a hit off a cigarette.

“You should go,” Miguel says quietly, his back to you. “This…you should just go.”

“Ok.” You’re finding it hard to breathe, beneath all the spandex and bindings and confusion. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No.”

“Did I hurt you?”

“No.”

“Then what the hell is the prob - “

“GO, Y/N,” Miguel seethes, his hands tightening into fists at his sides. “Just leave me alone.”

You scowl. “Fine.” Pulling your mask down over your face again, you shoot a strand of web over in the opposite direction, pull yourself through the air until you land against the wall and cling there. “Fine, Miguel. Whatever you want. As usual.”

If he looks back at you as you leave, you don’t know. At the moment, you’re too hurt and angry to waste another thought on him.

[the-boy-who-drank-the-stars]

what if i told you heaven's not a place but a feeling?

Am I post blocked? -> Not yet bitches ^^

long intro below the cut

07/15/24 update: name + pronoun change :3

click here for follower event or search up # 100 stars join the sky

Finn/Quinn/Jess • he/she • audhd + madd + bpd • genderfluid + bisexual + polyamorous • minor • chronically confused I don't really care what names or pronouns you use, just mix it up please Nicknames include but aren't limited to: finnie boy, finnterest, shark finn, star, finn the human boy, finndus the crow king, finnie, finnalicious, finjestinn, jesserescogot, jessie, quintonton, quintum physics, and quinnie. (feel free to add more)

current hyperfixation: dead gay wizards spam sideblog: @hewhoswallowedthemoon i like to write, read, draw, and design things

gryffindor + cabin 11 + intp

fandoms:

harry potter

marauders

grishaverse

riordanverse

marvel

outer banks

hunger games

maze runner

wednesday

high class homos

don't

dm me (unless we're mutuals or you have express permission)

dm me constantly

be hateful/rude on my posts

use passive aggressive tones/remarks

do

interact with my posts

talk to me via asks, reblogs, or comments

use tonetags (mostly during jokes)

send me asks for ask games

anything but the don'ts, really

dni

homophobes

transphobes

ableists

sexists (especially misandrists)

racists

zionists

pedophiles

zoophiles

anyone else who supports hateful/immoral things

tagging system:

# the stars answer the call <- i answer asks

# the stars are rambling <- i shitpost

# the stars fade away <- i log off

# the stars aren't so bright tonight <- i vent post

# the stars find one of their own <- ask game

# the stars are musing <- random thoughts of mine

# the stars are writing <- my writing

mutuals

love you all to bits and pieces but i'll just tag a few

@darrencrissishotasfuck <- my wife, lovely person <3

@themortalityofundyingstars <- my dad, favorite person on here

@aesthetic-writer18 <- my soon to be wife, james to my sirius

@murderous-butterfly <- my favorite dove here <3

@vivusmortuusexcrucior <- awesomesauce loser <33

@rheas-chaos-motivation <- shakespearan rival who has yet to sue me in court

@moon-sun-star-rat <- my favorite beta and lowkey aspire to be him

@tequilaqueen <- getting secretly unhinged older sister vibes from her

@picklerab23 <- not active rn but still a huge sweetheart <33

@jamespotterbbg <- I LIVE FOR HER MICROFICS

@prongspie <- feral dog vibes but he's cool

@ang3lic-t3ars <- supplies me with the foffers, pretty awesome sauce for that

@definitionoffuckup <- bro is ridiculously nice

@justaboymadeofhoneyandglass <- GAY (also cool)

@totalcharliespringsimp <- fellow richie tozier AND kit connor simp (he got me frfr)

sorry if i didnt tag you, you can ask to be added if you want

shoutout to my 3 lame ass siblings

luis (i forgot how to spell his name)

jarp who is Gender Personified

francis

moodboards

made by @gildy-locks

made by @aesthetic-writer18

made by @strawberryapologist

made by @cheekyboybeth

made by @moon-sun-star-rat

made by @jamespotterbbg

made by @wistfulenchantress

made by @stars-on-my-bedroom-ceiling

drawings of me

made by @definitionoffuckup

[themyscirah]

This is such a "nobody else has read this comic" moment but like. It kills me every day that we never see Simon's conversation with Amanda Waller in JLA (2013) #5. Like I NEED to know what she said to him in that room. He goes in fully intending to detach himself from all the drama of his origin arc and get the government off his back yet when he leaves he joins Waller's JLA (which is a different, rival entity of the JL at this time). And THEN in JLA comic he's not just on the team, he's one of the more pro-Waller/pro-authority members!!! Which doesn't sound like Simon!!! Like at all! But again this is the Wall we are talking about. And they had a private conversation together! For an unspecified amount of time! That we know nothing about! Like this is Amanda freaking Waller if anyone could say something to make this make sense it would be her. SO I NEED TO KNOW WHAT SHE SAID. but also also also we see ANOTHER change of heart from Simon towards Waller (and the government) in Green Lanterns #1! (I think.) Here he's shown being fed up as the government tries to manipulate him for information and to gain power and such and is like keeping tabs on him and his family etc. So obviously he's become disillusioned with this and is not happy about it, which is the kind of reaction you would expect from him! Like that actually makes sense!!!

So its like logically you figure that his characterization in JLA is bad (it is new 52) and doesn't make sense and stems from an ignorance of his character (who had been in literally 16 comics before this. Including cameos. Like bruh just read them) and that's why this doesn't make sense. BUT THERE'S STILL THAT CONVERSATION WITH WALLER. Like I want this to my sense so bad. And my brain knows what Amanda Waller is like like it KNOWS that something could have plausibly happened in that room to make this line up! Like it's Amanda freaking Waller anything could have happened there. I need to know what happened there. I will NEVER know what happened there.

[xylathesilkwing]

I HATE THE MOLD

[inaflashimagine]

lo mejor (i)

pairing: miguel o'hara x gn!reader (can be read as reader being latine)

summary: nueva york had no shortage of places that sold empanadas. unfortunately, that didn’t equate to all of them being good.

but he continued to find himself going to your restaurant, a few of the other spider-people less than convinced that it's just for your food.

a/n: as a latina who also eats empanadas to cure their hanger, i just needed to get this off my chest. will be a multi-part fic!

3k wc. no warnings for this chapter, other than a litany of english + spanish curses

masterlist | one | two

–

“I’m in hiding. He’s angry at me…again…”

As much as the kid was growing on Jess, she sent an unimpressed look at the flickering hologram. “In other news, water is wet.”

“But seriously, how can he expect me to write a report only 5 minutes after I finish a mission? He’s worse than my AP Lit teacher, and Ms. O’Connor was—”

“Gwen, I’m gonna stop you right there. Because we’ve been through this before. You know how to fix this.”

Though her face was covered by her mask, the widening of her goggles before her shoulders sagged in defeat showed Jess that Gwen knew exactly what to do.

“But can’t you come with me? What if I mess up the order?”

“Are you kidding me right now? Didn’t you want me to ‘chill with the hovering’?”

Gwen sighed, already starting to swing her way through Nueva York to get to her destination. “I know, I know, I’ll go. Do you want anything?” 

“No need, it sounds like you might have to buy the whole store to be in his good graces again. Good luck.”

Her mentor logged off before hearing her star pupil groan in frustration—what was supposed to be an effortless day was quickly becoming a pain in her ass.

Like countless times before, Gwen quickly changed into her set of ‘futuristic’ civilian clothes to blend in with the rest of the long line at the tiny, but packed, restaurant. If it weren’t for the enticing smell of freshly baked dough, Gwen wondered if this would all be worth it. She’d have to cancel the jam session with Hobie if this plan didn’t work, lest she face the wrath of the villain of the week, Miguel O’Hara.

But when she finally saw a familiar smile and a warm pair of eyes greeting her behind the counter, she realized that Jess was right—she knew how to fix this.

Or rather, you did.

“Mi gringa favorita! It’s been a while. How many empanadas does el jefe need?”

–

Miguel was having a bad day. 

It started with the usual suspect: Peter B., un pendejo who believed that Miguel and Jess actually wanted to hear about his daughter’s bowel movements.

Not to mention the impromptu comedy club Miguel had to break down so everyone could get back to doing the jobs they forgot they signed up for. (Nothing was more irritating than being surrounded by unfunny people who genuinely thought their endless quips and corny jokes landed. Every. Single. Time.)

Then for the umpteenth time, he had to tell Gwen to turn in her reports on time. Yet that was nothing compared to her latest efforts in convincing Miguel to let Miles visit HQ and gently explain (gently because, “He doesn’t know any better!”) that he’s the biggest threat to the multi-verse. These poor attempts, unsurprisingly, fell flat. O’Hara warned Jess that the girl would be a liability, and each day he grew closer to sending the kid back to Earth-65 if she decided to pull any tricks. 

But the worst part of this dreadful day was when a nervous, slightly cowering Chef Spidey told his boss there were no more empanadas. 

“What?” Miguel’s brows furrowed in confusion, indifferent to the uncomfortable silence that enveloped the cafeteria at the sound of his incredulity. “What do you mean, there’s no more empanadas? Who ate the last one?”

“He promised me not to tell you!” 

And with that, Miguel stalked to his office where he was currently sulking in, seriously considering changing Peter B.’s portal watch to a day pass as punishment for apparently eating over a half dozen empanadas.

Just as he was about to give Lyla the command, his associate in the heart sunglasses suddenly appeared. “Gwen Stacy will be here in a minute, might want to start lowering your platform.”

“Maldita sea, didn’t I tell you to not let anyone in?” He pinched the bridge of his nose—he’d much prefer for his ears to be rattled with Peter B.‘s ramblings and even Ben Reilly’s moping over Gwen’s incessant whining about how crappy the current Spider Society establishment was. (She was spending way too much time with Hobie.)

“Hey pal, that’s not a nice word, and she comes bearing gifts that you’ll like.”

“Oh really?” he remarked dryly, arms crossed as he began his descent. “She finished the ten detailed reports she owes me?”

Yet Miguel caught the heavenly smell of beef empanadas before seeing Gwen’s sheepish face. And did he also catch a whiff of chorizo and cheese?

“Hi, Miguel. Heard you haven’t had lunch yet, sooooo…” Shaking off her nerves and avoiding that terrifying gaze, she held out the two large boxes as her apology. “And I’ll submit those reports by tonight, I promise.”

An eyebrow raised, he webbed the boxes toward himself and held them even more tightly when he saw where they came from. 

His eyes glossed over the mascot of Mama’s Empanadas, a smiling and waving empanada that almost seemed to assure him that his hanger would quickly be cured. But it was the words hurriedly scribbled at the bottom that displaced the rage he’s felt all day with a weird pang in his chest:

“Buen provecho, Jefe :)”

Miguel quickly turned away, hoping he seemed more composed than he actually felt. As the floor to his office slowly began to ascend, he said, “I’ll give you one more day to finish those reports. But don’t think it’s because this bribe worked.”

“Of course.” Gwen hoped the amusement wasn’t clear in her voice, smirking at the shoulders of the tall man lose their tension as he began eating the ‘bribe’. Would Hobie even believe her if she told him what just happened? 

“Thanks, Miguel. See you tomorrow!”

He didn’t even register her last words, eyes closed as he savored the explosive taste of smoked chorizo and finally allowed fond memories to flood his brain.

— 

Nueva York had no shortage of places that sold empanadas. Unfortunately, that didn’t equate to all of them being good.

It’s not that he didn’t know how to make them–he’s sure that he could follow his abuela’s recipes that his ma once gave him–but he just didn’t have time. After all, nothing was more convenient than cashing in the perks of the suit to cut a long line and grab free food. But once Lyla finished the goober she was working on (“It’s not a goober, Miguel, it’s a gizmo!”), he’d have even less time to do anything other than jump into different dimensions, some of which would certainly not sell empanadas.

This explained why after changing into sweats following a grueling shift, he found himself staring across the busy street at Mama’s Empanadas, the hunger in his growling stomach overwhelming. The small restaurant was engulfed by flashing neon lights and signs boasting the quality of their food in both Spanish and English. The place was always swarming with people whenever he swung by, but as closing time approached only a few stragglers remained. 

And so did you.

Miguel hoped that you were the owner of the shop rather than an overworked employee, considering that he couldn’t remember the last time someone else took your position behind the counter. But even from this distance, he could see your cheery smile while you welcomed new patrons and the regulars, almost as if you were genuinely happy to be serving them on a late Friday night. 

With all the running around he’s been doing lately, he couldn’t even remember the last time taking on the Spider-Man mantle gave him the same joy he spotted on your face miles away.

O’Hara felt his phone vibrate as he saw the latest message from Lyla illuminating his screen.

“Got some news to share! Might want to deliver the bad stuff in person though.”

“Que chingada,” Miguel cursed, rubbing tired eyes as he contemplated whether to reply. How could the news get even worse after Earth-1610 lost Peter Parker, their only Spider-Man?

Raising his head, he watched you approach the storefront to activate the electrified gates that would close the shop. 

And for reasons his brain would never be able to explain, he felt himself panic, almost as if his body jolted awake as he deftly weaved through honking cars and found himself in front of you, the only barrier being a pesky glass door that would take a millisecond for him to break.

Yet he was surprised to see you hold your ground, and even more shocked to see you flash him an annoyed look he’s never seen you give to any other customer. Shoulders tense, he was ready for you to begin berating him for being a nuisance and to leave the fuck off the premises. 

“Eres un idiota? ¡Casi te atropellan!”

Miguel blinked, not sure he heard you correctly. Sure, calling him an idiot is warranted, but he was not almost run over by those cars. Even if he did get hit–which, again, he wouldn’t–then the car would be hurt, not him. 

Instead of explaining himself without implicating his alter persona, or at the very least say something remotely coherent in English or Spanish, Miguel found himself even more gobsmacked when you opened the door and ushered him inside, frantically asking him questions in a random jumble of Spanglish as you tried inspecting a man seemingly twice your size for any injuries.

“¿No hablas español? Should I call 911, mierda, is this guy catatonic? Should I have moved him? Are you hurt?”

Feeling your hands shake his shoulders finally snapped him out of whatever funk he was in, confusion washing over him as he tried to piece together what just happened in the past minute. Heeding your obvious concern, he sighed and did his best to ignore the absolutely embarrassing predicament he put himself in.

“Estoy bien,” he assured you, his relief matching yours as you let go and immediately exhaled. “I really am fine, I just wanted to try the empanadas before closing.”

There was that exasperation again, your deadly expression sufficient in asking him ‘Are you serious?’ that your high-pitched words of “En serio?” were quite unnecessary, in his opinion.

“Was running across a congested street not serious enough?”

You scoffed before glaring at him for a few more seconds, though he could see the uncertain shift in your eyes. “This isn’t some twisted joke to rob me, right? Last thing I need is having Spider-Man beating you up and breaking my new glass counter.”

Miguel couldn’t hide the wry twist of his lips, fully aware that he could be thrown out at any minute but still curious to hear your opinion. “Not a Spider-Man fan?”

“As long as he doesn’t destroy my property, I wouldn’t even mind defending the dude on J. Jonah Jameson’s stupid podcast.“ You shrugged casually, already beginning to make your way behind the counter after deeming Miguel to be harmless, despite looking like he could crush you with his pinky. 

He didn’t know how to respond, still perplexed about why you hadn't kicked him out yet. 

He soon brushed those thoughts to the side when his mouth watered upon seeing you point at the remaining golden-brown pastries. “Well, these will be on the house, since you almost died in front of my restaurant. We only have 3 chicken left, 2 guava and cheese, and 1 chorizo with potato.”

Miguel felt his phone vibrate again–no doubt it was Lyla. 

And for the first time in a long time, he turned off his phone, not even bothering to view the message as he chose to look at you instead.

“I’ll take them all.”

–

When you first decided to take over your family’s restaurant, your tía taught you how to handle rude customers while also giving you advice on how to treat the nice ones so they always returned.

However, there was nothing in her playbook on how to treat the weird customers.

And Miguel O’Hara was the weirdest by far.

You took a light sip of your café con leche as you stole a glance at him starting his second empanada, the sight of such a quiet, large man sitting in a tiny seat and restraining his urge to inhale the food in one go quite comical. Much like how he ate the first one, he attempted to seem unaffected by the taste of the meaty filling. 

But after doing this for so many years, no one could ever hide their reaction from you. Especially the pure happiness one got from eating a toasty, savory empanada. 

And seeing the dark red-brown eyes of the intimidating man briefly widening and softening in amazement only made you want to find more ways to recapture that fleeting moment. To lengthen it and bask in its warmth, even if that meant countless hours of mincing, seasoning, kneading, and baking. 

“¿Entonces? The only thing you’ve said these past five minutes is your name. ¿Que dice el juez?” you teased, leaning back and smugly folding your arms as you already knew what his verdict would be. 

It was a choice you instantly regretted, almost falling out of your chair as he stopped looking at his half-finished empanada and focused all of his attention on you, a gaze so intense you briefly pondered if you left the oven on with the sudden swell of heat suffocating you.

He pursed his lips and rolled those impossibly broad shoulders, yet another action that made the room feel uncomfortably stuffy for no good reason. “It’s one of the best empanadas I’ve ever had in my life.”

Now it was your turn to be surprised, expecting to hear a ‘good’ or maybe even a ‘great’, but not the highest of praises. 

A pregnant pause ensued before a hearty laugh escaped you.

It was impossible to suspend your disbelief–all of this coming from one of the hottest guys you’ve ever seen enter this shop? Only when pigs fly, or as your abuela preferred to say, “Solo cuando los cerdos vuelan.”

“¡Mentiroso! Lo dices como si fuera la última Coca-Cola en el desierto.”

He had to know that his half-glare really was just him smoldering. There was no way this man was oblivious to the effects of that gaze. 

“I don’t think I’m a liar or particularly funny. Though I actually would appreciate a Coca, si la tienes.”

You desperately hoped that your immediate sigh sounded one stemming from annoyance rather than relief–having an excuse to get up and look for a can of soda rather than the brooding dude a mere foot away from you was the only way you’d stay sane through this strange night.

“I do appreciate the kind words,” you said after recollecting your composure, the cool air blasting from the fridge reminding you to retain at least some semblance of professionalism, “but these aren’t even the freshest batch. No way they’re the best you’ve had.”

Miguel raised an eyebrow as you handed him the can. “I didn’t say the best. And you don’t have any with a glass bottle?”

You rolled your eyes before plopping back into your seat. “If I did, I would’ve hit you in the head with it quite a while ago. And especially now, after your challenge.”

“It’s not meant to be taken as a challenge–”

“Ah, but I’ll take it as one because my family’s reputation is riding on this. Or else mi abuela, que en paz descanse”–you pointed to the framed picture of the sweet, old lady right above the cash register–“lanzará sus chanclas poderosas, and I don’t want to get hit by those, they’re stronger than that car that was about to run you over.”

The roll of his eyes was obnoxiously overt, but you barely caught a glimpse of the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, masterfully hidden by taking a sip of his coke. 

“How would this so-called challenge even work?”

“You’re asking the wrong question because that’s an easy answer. The next time you come, I’ll bake you a fresh batch of your favorite empanadas, no matter what kind and even if you come 5 minutes before closing.” Listing the types with each finger, it’s hard to contain your excitement. “Baked, fried, sweet, savory, you name it.”

“¿Y si no me gustan?”

“¡No seas tonto! Yet another dumb question, because you’ll not only like them, you’ll fucking love them. The right question is whether you’d think they’re the best.”

You swore he inched closer, the once faint smell of sandalwood from his cologne now overpowering your already-fried senses. “And what if they’re not the best?”

“I’ll get two more attempts afterward. If they still don’t meet your palate’s expectations, which honestly isn’t a worry of mine, then you’ll get free empanadas for the year.” It’s said without hesitation, with confidence you have no idea how you mustered all of a sudden. 

Out of all moments to be driven by pride, you choose to do so while tightrope walking on a straight razor.

And you wondered if Miguel read your mind because, for the first time, you heard his laugh. It’s a sardonic one, but its deep timbre was as attractive as his face and meshed well with his incredibly dry sense of humor.

Maybe the walk wouldn’t be as bad as you imagined.

“You’re either extremely arrogant in thinking you’ll win, or too trustful in people to believe they wouldn’t scam you with this deal.”

“But you’re not just some normal person,” you reply simply, amused to see his shoulders slightly stiffened, “and I believe you when you said you’re not a liar. Call it a gut feeling.”

“What do you even get out of this?” he asked, puzzled at how you just weren’t setting yourself up for failure. He didn’t need Lyla for him to visualize the thousands of ways you could lose.   

Your wolfish grin showed a lot more than your words. “Nothing, other than making my family proud. Anddd perhaps receiving a five-star review on Yelp wouldn’t hurt either.”

Running a hand through his hair, he shrugged before lifting his soda can toward you. “That’s the least I could do. But don’t think I’ll make this easy for you.” 

You gently clinked his can with your cup of coffee as your eyes locked with his, wondering what the hell you just got yourself into.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

–

translations (please lmk if you need more):

Mi gringa favorita - my favorite white girl

El jefe - the boss

Un pendejo - a dumbass

Maldita sea - goddamn it

Buen provecho, Jefe - Enjoy your meal, boss

Que chingada - what bullshit/wtf

Eres un idiota? ¡Casi te atropellan! - Are you an idiot? They almost ran you over!

No hablas espanol? - You don't speak Spanish

Estoy bien - I'm fine

Que dice el juez - What does the judge say?

¡Mentiroso! Lo dices como si fuera la última Coca-Cola en el desierto - Liar! You say it as if it was the last coca-cola in the desert

Una coca - A Coca Cola

Si la tienes - If you have it

Que en paza descanse - may she rip

Lanzarla las chanclas poderosas - she'll release her powerful flip-flops

Y si no me gustan? - And if I don't like it?

No seas tonto - Don't be silly/dumb

[boizandgurlzinthehouse]

𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 ; 𝐧𝐢𝐤𝐤𝐢 𝐬𝐢𝐱𝐱 𝐱 𝐟𝐞𝐦!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

!! disclaimer before we start this girliez !!

it's gonna be a multi-part fic

it's based on the movie (i read about the band's and nikki's life, but it'd be complicated)

fem!reader will be half russian and half of another nation (you can insert yours here)

it's gonna have some TW parts as cussing, drugs, sex, miscarriage, depression so please read with caution!!

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟏.

word count: 2.308k trigger warning: cursing, pole dance, smoking

1981, hollywood, sunset boulevard

♡ 𝐘/𝐍 ♡

the fake lashes tickled her eyes as one of her colleagues helped her to ruffle up her hair, well, if you can name the other girls who pole dances with you in a night club 'colleagues'.

"i fucking hate this shit" she muttered, putting lipstick on her lips. jessica, the girl who helped her shrugged her shoulders.

"when you're done with that, you can go off with a guy. old men pays way much more then the broke, skinny rock and roll wannabe-ones."

"it's a good idea jess, but i want to use my young years, and maybe get a normal relationship." y/n knew that this decade had its own fuckboys, just like the teddy-boys in the 60s with long coats and hair with much gale, and the hippies in the 70s with those fucking irritating and bad-looking flares and too much color, and now... they had log hair, black clothes and bulked up with studs, now just on their clothes, but on their face, too. sometimes it was fucking disgusting, even worse than punks, but other times, it was pleasant dig into a boy's long hair while he ate her out.

"your choice, baby. two minutes and simon will come in, so prepare yourself." simon was the guy who talked with them; when to go to the stage and when their shift ended, handing out the girls' 'salaries' to them, always in cash, of course. dancing here wasn't her first option; y/n wanted to go to somewhere, where an audience could tell that she had a good voice, or just tell her to fuck off, getting into dancing and singing, acting universities were difficult and expensive to get in. but since she had to pay the bills in the house she shared with two other girls, collecting money wasn't that easy.

in two hours, she was dancing in the big area on the counter, letting men tuck money into her panties and throw it in the front of her legs. shaking and crawling her body to the music, she almost completely shut the world out from her own world. at least she could dance, and she liked dancing, as soon as...

a bolting light shone through the bar. it was impossible to miss that is was a camera light. what the fuck, she turned and saw a couple of guys standing there, making pictures in front of where she was dancing.

"the guys will be so jealous when they're gonna see this! okay, brad, could you-"

"what the fuck do you think are you doing?" y/n stopped dancing, getting their attention.

"just making some pictures, don't worry, babe."

"don't fucking babe me! you can't take pictures here, do you understand?" she hollered, climbing down from the counter.

"could you take a picture about us with your friend in the back? or could you call down her?"

y/n snatched the camera from them.

"if you don't fuck off, i'm gonna trash this piece of shit."

"i'd listen to the girl." two other guy stepped in, they had long hair just like the rockers they probably listened to. one of them, the curlier and brown one carried a drumstick with himself, tucked into his belt.

"sorry, but what the fuck are you?" fuckface brad's one friend asked him.

"just a guy who walks in here from time to time and doesn't break the rules."

"i don't fucking care, could you please go away? we have to take some pictures, give me back that shit!"

"this?" y/n asked, looking at the camera, then, with her heart stomping in her chest, she trashed it down to the ground, breaking it into thousands of pieces. the fuckfaces got shocked.

"are you fucking mad?!"

"you deserved it anyway", the drumstick-boy's friend said, but the next moment, y/n got a punch into her face, crashing into the counter where people stood before it. looking up, she felt something warm running down to her lips, but instead of crying being hurt, she grabbed the nearest bottle she could find, breaking it, she successfully scratched the boy's arm.

"fuck you!" she screamed, aggressively waving the bottle in front of her. "fuck off, right now, motherfuckers!"

"y/n, what the fuck are you doing?" simon got in the picture. y/n looked around; some of the guests and jessica stared at them, the rocker boys stopped punching the other two guy as she fretted the third of them with a broken bottle. "if you do it again, you are gonna get fired!"

the girl looked at him, laughing, grabbing as much as money she could.

"yeah? then you won't gonna get the chance to fire me, because i quit! fuck you, simon, and fuck everybody in this craphole! i'm done!" screaming, she walked back to collect her things. not saying a word to anyone, carrying her clothes and her wallet, she walked beside simon, pushing his shoulder with hers as he tried to talk with her. but now, she was mad and unstoppable.

"you can never go back here if you quit now!" simon yelled to her as she stood at the door, now everybody staring at them.

"you know what simon?" she asked, licking her lips. iron from blood. with money in one hand, she dropped her things for a second and showed up both of her middle fingers.

turning around, she left the place that was her second place to go, but not her second home. out the door, she saw that people were staring into the bar, probably they heard the fight.

"hey dude! give me a fucking cigarette." getting one, they lit it to her.

"do you know what happened? we heard yelling and screaming." a woman asked, y/n nodded, blowing out the smoke.

"yeah, it was me. and don't come here, because the motherfuckers replace half of the whiskey with water." then walking away, she sat down on the side of the road, smoking the stick between her lips as she put on her skirts, top and her jacket. she couldn't think about what's gonna be with her. there was always a place for a crawling, dancing girl who could dress up as a slut.

"hey, are you okay?"

turning around, it was the same two guy who tried to defend her. she couldn't blame them, she blamed the brad-kinda assholes. holding the cig with her hand now, she bit her lip.

"except that the fact that now i'm jobless, that my face hurts and got rearranged, i'm pretty good, thanks." they sat down beside her.

"we're sorry for what happened. but we beat them up."

"you were cool, too! with that broken bottle. i'm tommy, by the way, and he's nikki."

"i can talk myself too, tom."

"i'm y/n. and that's my job... well, was."

"sorry that we couldn't stop it." nikki looked at her. he had pretty, green eyes, not the ones she could see everyday.

"don't worry, it was just a matter of time. otherwise, if i have to handle those three, maybe i'd be in jail now. and i hate this shit", she added, tearing down the fake lashes.

"would you actually stab them?" tommy asked.

"of course. if they break the rules, i break them head." at that, the two of them looked each other. "what? you don't meet girls everyday who smash others for being a motherfucker?"

"no, most of my girlfriends cry and scream, or throw something at me." tommy shrugged his shoulders. "i'm gonna borrow some cigs, do y'all want some?"

"yes, please." y/n said, and nikki nodded, also. now, it was just the two of them. she turned to the guy.

"and you? any troubled girl?" he shook his head.

"not one yet. but an upcoming band, and it's gonna be fire."

"upcoming band? you drive in bands?"

"yeah. but the last one was shit, it was called london."

"bands with names of towns never work, didn't anybody tell you that before?" nikki laughed at her question. "well, now you know. and any plans about the new one?"

"it's gonna be... the best band you've ever seen. but i still need some members in it, now i only have tommy. so tell me, can you sing?"

it this the hand of fate? y/n was far too much played to believe in some guy's promises and questions.

"well, nobody wanted to beat me when i was carousing in my rent." laughing at this, nikki turned to her.

"maybe if you can really sing, i'll count a frontwoman into my band."

"frontwoman? don't joke with me." y/n shook her head at his words.

"why would i joke? why do you think it's a joke?"

"because i got fucked up by some people before, and i don't believe to empty promises. see, i'll go there, and if the band is cool, then i'm in."

tommy came back, handing the cigarettes to them, showing up a bottle alcohol.

"guys, i found this on the ground, it's only half empty!" he said, making y/n grimace.

"watch out, maybe it's piss. happens a lot of time." the two guy laughed again.

"were did you learn these comments?" tommy asked. y/n shrugged her shoulders, letting nikki light her cigarette.

"anywhere. i spent my childhood with people i learned a lot from."

"were you in orphanage?" nikki asked, and she nodded. another piece of ash falling to the ground.

"kinda. i grew up in sacramento, and getting out from it, i came here."

"that's fine. i sent my mother into jail, but she was an asshole anyway." nikki added, making y/n pull up her eyebrows, nodding approvingly.

"hard."

"do you wanna go to party? tommy?" the guy asked, tommy shook his head.

"sorry, but i gotta be home. i think that girl broke up with me, but anyway, it was nice to meet you, y/n."

"see you again, toms."

"how so?"

"your friend just invited me to sing in his upcoming band, the one that never anybody has seen before." she teased nikki.

"wow, that's cool! i thought we're gonna have a guy, but that's okay."

"can't i be as good as a guy?" she asked back, making tommy look at nikki. "whatever, it's only a trial."

as tommy got away, y/n finished her second cigarette. "it was a pleasure to meet you, nikki, but i gotta search for a new place to work."

"really?"

"why? until 4am, they're open. it's not a big deal."

"come and party with me instead of it. or just sit down and talk, hm?" the girl smiled at this, rolling her eyes.

"are you trying to fuck me? other guys just pay me the drinks and help me to get to the bathroom."

"no, i just wanna get to know more about you. you're probably not pure american, judging by your accent." nikki answered, helping her stand up. y/n looked at him.

"it's true that i'm a half-blood. half russian, half (y/na). every cop asks for my id, everybody thinks that i'm a fucking illegal immigrant, but i'm just as an american citizen as this fucking ford!" she said, pointing at the car beside them.

"fuck the police anyway. and... you said that you were a foster kid, how so?"

"i don't want to talk about it. besides, not everybody's choice to get their parents int jail."

the truth was that her mother was truly an illegal immigrant, and in the short half and a year she was in the states, she got pregnant with her from a fellow guy she met with. when y/n was born, her mother had a beautiful, lovely six months with her baby, but then, one day the police knocked on her door. having no father and living in a mother's home, it was an instant way to get into orphanage.

"i'm sorry about that. do you want to forget these things with some booze?" nikki asked as they turned down on the road.

"do you have an actual place to live?" she asked him.

"do you have a place to stay?" nikki asked back.

"hell yeah, just because i'm stated as a slut by the society, i'm not a homeless one!" y/n spread her arms beside them, almost slapping a guy. they both laughed at that. "lead me to your place."

"right away, princess." he replied, setting his arm around her shoulder. "can i?" nikki looked at her, y/n looked up to her from her real eyelashes.

"what?"

"people can think that we're going up to me to fuck." y/n laughed, shrugging her free shoulder.

"and do i look like i give a fuck about what they think?"

♡ 𝐍𝐈𝐊𝐊𝐈 ♡

y/n could be only one girl from all those who he met through the years, but she wasn't. he was unsure about that he really should invite her to the band, because if they really would get famous, everybody would bully her do death. and maybe she wouldn't get it on herself, but he would blow up from all the shit she'd get. looking at her, he only knew her a couple hours ago, but the way she protected herself from the creeps in the bar in underwear, the way she talked, she could be a pure ghetto chick, but she was more than that. it was like... she born into the wrong place, wanting to be more than she was now.

"is something bad? or are you just thinking?" she asked him.

"what? no, i just hope that i locked the windows before i started the night."

"i fancy the simple fact that you are a guy who is capable of thinking."

he wasn't a fan of fast and strong emotions, but if she doesn't stop replying sarcastically, he's gonna marry her.

it was just a matter of time...

...and tons of drugs, music and trouble.

𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓.

a/n: i gotta get into writing since i just got back, but i hope you still like it. if you want to get on the taglist, dm, comment or write here

take care and stay safe girliez

[little-miss-dilf-lover]

hello wifeyyy!!

it's quite literally only 9:30pm here but i am already in bed and reading fanfics… anywaysssss…..

i had a Tan thought and i wanted to share hehe! how do you think he'd be as an ex? why would you have broken up? would he have done it? would he still be obsessed? would he be nonchalant? would he get over you easily? i have my own thoughts but i wanna hear yours!

need your wisdom 🫶✨

my darling angel!! that’s what life is all about

well as always I have very many conflicting thoughts but there’s so many components lmao so

I think he’d be a terrible ex. terrible in the sense that he’d be so hard to get over. def texts that he misses you and that he regrets what happened (assuming the reason for splitting was bad) calls to see how you’re doing, orders you food to your house bc he knows you’d be sad. sidenote you seen new girl? like when nick and jess break up and he gives her tissues and asks about dirty dancing (he knows it’s her after breakup movie) i kinda imagine it like that, like he knows you so well that even after breaking up he’d still be doing things for you

if it was an amicable breakup it would be very very hard to get over him. especially harder if there’s still love there

depends on the reasoning, like if you no longer suit each other purpose (like outgrowing one another kinda thing) or something that ruined trust (but I don’t think he’d be disloyal)

I feel like he’s the kind you’d have to block in order to get over him. like after splitting you’d need a decent long getaway holiday, a self discovery kinda thing

that man is OBSESSIVE with a capital O so he’d be keeping logs on you to make sure you’re okay, texting to see how you are etc. also no way he’s getting over you easy, he’d be a mess. chain smoking, hair grown out, beard, depressed, dirty house (which is unlike him) lem would be concerned

[fisherrprince]

hey, any advice for ppl just getting into ffxiv? there's so much happening I'm a Little intimidated lmao

yes! actually! ok ok

Slow down. Don’t worry too much about terms and mechanics. The very beginning of FFXIV is very good at teaching you how to fight and how to do things, so long as you pay attention (and read your tooltips! Hover over your skills to read what they do)

if you’re getting lost in the lore, Jesse Cox has a very in depth and spoiler free video on Hydealyn’s history. I would argue you don’t need it, because you can coast by and learn everything you need by osmosis, but if you’re one of those ppl who wants a solid background before going forward it’s a great video!

The very beginning is a little overwhelming because you’re doing job AND main story quests at the same time right off the bat. You can do them at the same time and you’ll be fine, but the stories can get tangled, so you can choose to do blue job quests (they will teach you moves and buttons and stuff!! And unlock moves and buttons!) until you can’t do them anymore then use MSQ to get the experience in between. After you’re around 25-35 you can get a hang of spacing those out and just go ham on MSQ

you’re also learning the map which I can’t help you with i got lost in the shroud and ul’dah so often. click the blue text under the quest name to bring up where it is on the map

and it’s throwing new terms at you a lot. If you need them, it’ll come up again. If they’re not 100% necessary, like crafting and materia melding and stuff, it’ll be there for you to figure out whenever you want to.

If you miss a line of dialogue in a cutscene, which I did sometimes because I was speeding and then something important happened, hit / and then click “event” in your chat log. A log of dialogue will appear!

if you miss a cutscene entirely, go into any inn and click on the unending journey book.

when doing your outfits, go into character and then click the button near the top of your outfit display that says recommended gear. Always wear that. You can glamor over pretty looking outfits later

if you go into system -> HUD layout, you can move hud items around. It’s a little complicated, but I had to move a bunch of stuff to get comfortable!

spending your Gil is fine. you’ll earn it back, just save some for aetheryte teleporting fees for now

i swear you can ignore leves. you can. you can

and fates

you can sell any items (like beastkin blood or animal leather) you get from combat at any vendor by dragging it from your inventory into theirs. Keep food (to eat!), and clothes until they’re far too low level. animal parts you are not going to need ever unless you’re into crafting

hall of the novice is good for getting your grips but dungeons at level 15 are way more effective for learning how to play your class in the actual game

don’t be afraid of being a beginner in the beginning dungeons!!! You are either queuing with other beginners or people who know they’re going to be in an arr dungeon with new players. You have a sprout you’re safe people will 90% of the time be super nice. Let people know you’re new and they’ll help! You got this!!!!!!

once you get your chocobo go find “my feisty little chocobo” it will let the bird fight with you AND OR HEAL YOU (HELPFUL <-BLACK MAGE)

say hi to merlwyb for me-

[lolasimms]

a lots gonna change pt.8

Summary: Married life isn’t great, infidelity ensues, and things change.

next part

I need to know if we’re team Abby or Ellie?

"Hi, this is Y/n...leave a message"

30

She had called your phone at least 30 times in the past 3 hours. She was sorry, she was scared and she just wanted her family back. The house felt hollow, the sound of laughter had died, the light had dissipated and along with it, the happiness had gone. She had gotten multiple voicemails from Paige and Vic asking what had happened, but she didn't have the energy to re-live it, to retell it. It hurt her so much to see the look on your face, the tears in your eyes, your urgency to leave the house and get away from her. But she knew if it was this bad for her, how much worse was it for you?

-

"Come here, oh my god, come here"

Dina pulls you into a tight hug, as she cries with you. She had instructed Jesse to take Lila upstairs to play with Jj, as she knew you wouldn't have wanted your daughter to see you in such a state. A state of vulnerability and heartache, as you mourned the end of your relationship. You told her everything, from their hotel meetups, office hookups, the lies, all of it. Dina was left bewildered by it all, she honestly looked like she could kill Ellie herself.

"I'm so scared Dina, I- what's going to happen to us, to Lila?"

You frantically ask, as you continue to sob into the poor woman's shirt, she however didn't mind as she held you tightly against her and soothingly rubbed your back. Without her reassurance and comfort you weren't sure you would've been able to cope.

"Don't worry about that right now, Lila's okay. Right now you need to think about yourself Y/n."

Her words are stern and you look up to glance at her eyes. She's dead serious , but you can't help but object. "Dina , I cant, it's selfish an-" You're cut off when she begins to shake her head and interrupts your rebuttal.

"It's not selfish at all, you love her and she broke your heart, you need time to reflect and think about the decisions you are going to have to make Y/n. Think about Lila, whatever you decide in the next coming weeks will impact her"

You sniffle lowly, evaluating her wise words. Deep down, you knew what she meant, what she was insinuating when she talked about the "decisions" you would have to make in the coming weeks. An allusion to the inevitable custody discussions you and Ellie were bound to have in the event that you went through with a separation.

"I just can't Dina,  it hurts so bad,why wasn't I enough?"

You sob, another case of tears spring free, the lump in your throat beginning to feel like a clump of granite that was scratching against the surface of your oesophagus. You weren't even sure how the tears still came in, deep down it felt as though there were no more tears you could possibly shed. Yet every time you pictured the intimate photos, text messages and logs of calls between your wife and that woman, your heart broke a little more.

"You are enough, she was just too selfish to see that, you deserve so much better" Dina's only resort Is to console you, as she knows nothing else will work. The two of you sit in the small nook by the window in a warm embrace, you are interrupted by Jesse who tentatively enters from the corner with a soft knock.

"Y/n, you've got a call" he says lowly, strings  of sympathy can be detected from his voice, and you lift yourself from Dina's chest to thank him and accept the phone from him. The contact reads Joel, and your heart once again shatters, the thought of having to explain it to the only other father figure, aside from your own that you ever had. You excuse yourself to Dina and Jesses brightly lit up alfresco to take your phone call.

"Hello?" You say, trying your best to abstain from breaking out into a rough sob.

"Honey, what happened, are you okay, where are you and Lila?" He asks urgently, his voice sounds as though he too had been crying.

"We're okay, I'm at Dina's, did you talk to her?" You ask, voice just above a whisper.

"I did, she's such a fool, I cant believe she would do such a thing, Y/n I truly can't express how sorry I am" his tone is strong, seemingly angered by the thoughts of Ellie's infidelity.

"You don't have to apologise, this isn't your doing" you clutch the phone tighter, in an attempt to be closer to him, he clears his throat, and you can here the hesitance in his voice when he asks you "Are you... are you going to take her away from us?" Your already broken heart, breaks just a little bit more and you earnestly shake your head, as if he were here with you.

"No, of course not Joel, I would never do that to you, Lila loves you... and her"

"Why don't the both of you come stay with me for now?"

—

"Y/n, Dina and I are more than happy to have you and Lila stay here if you need, we're always here for you" Jesse says as he hands a sleeping, Lila to you. Dina nods as JJ lay's awake in her arms, the two of them walking you to the door.

"Thank you so much, the both of you. I think we'll stay at Joel's for a while, just until we figure everything out" They nod and you wave them good bye as you slowly place the sleeping child into her booster seat.

The drive to Joel's is quiet, the soft snores of your daughter lull you into relaxation, this car ride being the most tranquil part of the last 24 hours. Once you arrive at Joel's he's out the door and immediately holding on to you while muttering "sorry"

You hated that he thought any of this was his fault, even worse that he thought you would in any way blame him for Ellie's actions. The room he had given you was simple, yet effective. It housed a queen sized bed, just enough to fit you and Lila, a desk, a chair, a lamp and a wall littered in floral wallpaper. It wasn't anything like your home, but you were more than thankful that both you and your daughter were being taken care of. After settling the still sleeping toddler into bed, you decided you were due a long hot shower.

-

The white shirt that she'd been wearing was stained, mainly from her tears and a few lone drips of whiskey that had dribbled down her chin. She was splayed out on the floor of her daughters now empty nursery, a half empty bottle of Jack Daniels sat besides her. Her hair had fallen out of her neat ponytail and her head was throbbing with a migraine.

Ellie had decided to call Joel again, after having him give her the nastiest talking to she could remember since she was a teen just a few hours earlier.He begrudgingly answered, informing her that her daughter and y/n were staying with him temporarily. She couldn't help but feel a weight being lifted off her shoulders. She would've much preferred that the two of you return home to her but she knew you needed time. Being with Joel was much better than being somewhere where she couldn't reach you at all.

She took the time away from you to reflect, to really think about what she had done. But more importantly she reflected on what was to come from her infidelity. She didn't know if you were done with this relationship, she hoped you weren't, but alas even she couldn't forgive herself. So how could you?She contemplated on calling Amelia, asking her to come over, but she realised that it was a stupid idea. She hated her, she had ruined everything and taken away the two people she loved most. Ellie wanted answers, she needed to know if you would stay with her, she needed you to stay with her.

-

The glass enclosing the shower was covered in steam, the hot water cascaded down your body, as you let your tears flow down freely. You let your mind go blank for just a few seconds, trying your best to forget about everything that was going on in your life, even if it was only just for a second. You were brought back to reality when the water began to turn cold. You quickly pushed the tap closed and grabbed the towel that Joel had so graciously given you. Wrapping yourself into its warmth and glancing at the mirror that was now coated in condensation. You looked a mess, you eyes were red and your face puffy from all the crying, you promised yourself you'd get some sleep tonight.

You made your way back into the bedroom and caught a glimpse of your baby's sleeping form. So innocent and pure, you felt sick knowing you would have to make a decision that could possibly negatively impact her. You wondered how Ellie did it for those whole 5 months, how she managed to sleep at night knowing she was betraying this innocent child. Slowly you lifted the comforter as to not wake up Lila and made your way into bed. You tried to sleep but the images of Amelia and Ellie kept popping up into your brain. The ones where she had her head on Ellie's chest as she peacefully slept, the ones where she stood half-naked in the mirror as she held her from behind and the photos of the extensive gifts she had gotten her. You wanted to erase your memories, you wished that you could wake up to find that all of this was just a bad dream. That the woman you loved hadn't broken her vows. You placed your headphones in your ears, your last resort being music, and wrapped your arm protectively over your daughter as you slowly managed to drift off to sleep, the lyrics of each song fading, the closer you got to sleep.

-

You called in sick on Monday and Tuesday while ignoring the extensive texts from Ellie. She called you at-least 4 times a day, texted you endlessly, she even tried coming over to Joel's but he very strictly warned her that as long as you weren't comfortable with it, he couldn't let her in. You had informed your sister and mother begrudgingly, thanks to Joel's insistence.

They were livid, which was to be expected and your sister had already booked a ticket to come and see you. All in all it was hardest on you to see the way your daughter was coping, just four days without Ellie and she would ask non-stop about her. She was snappy and refused to let you get anything done, it didn't help that all you wanted to do was sit in your bed and cry. You were lucky enough to have a friend like Dina, who had insisted to have Lila over for a few days at hers, to give you time to cry it out and think.

-

You wore a pair of dark sunglasses, an oversized deftones hoodie that had belonged to Ellie and a pair of sweatpants that didn't fit you right. The hood was pulled over to cover your wild curls that you hadn't dealt with in days. You looked a mess and honestly didn't care who did or didn't see you, as you pushed a cart around the supermarket.

"Y/n? A voice calls out to you as you're browsing the produce section. You silently groan and turn to make out the voice coming from behind you. When you come face to face with Abby who's carrying a crate of San Pellegrino sparkling water.

-

"Ellie?" Her name being called out and the rough knocks at the door startled her as she jumped off the couch. She couldn't bear sleeping in your shared room without you, so she had taken residency in the living room for the past four days. No matter how hard she had tried to get in contact with you, nothing worked. Not to mention the fact that Joel wouldn't let her see you. She understood she needed to respect your boundaries but she was growing tired.

As she made her way to the front door a part of her hoped it was you who was out there. Holding your daughter in your arms and ready to come back home and be a family again. To her dismay when she opened the door she was met with Satan herself.

"Ellie, I missed you" Amelia says as she flings her arms around Ellie's neck and attempts to kiss her.

Ellie firmly removes Amelia from her and steps away. The blonde is seemingly confused by Ellie's actions and immediately goes red with rage.

"You can't be here right now Amelia, please for your own good, leave." Ellie's arms are crossed in defence, she would no longer tolerate the crazinesses. She had lost too much from this affair and couldn't bare the thought of you coming back to see her here.

"What do you mean I can't be here right now?" Amelia growls as she steps closer to the door, she's now inches away from Ellie and seething.

"This is our home now, we're meant to be together, we love each other" she's now tightly holding onto Ellie's shoulders, her acrylic nails digging so deep that they would surely leave marks.

"No we're not, you told Y/n fair enough. But I don't plan on letting her go that easily. I apologise for how I treated you Amelia okay? But we just can't be together" Ellie removes her hands once more and attempts to close the door.

"Your apology means nothing to me, you don't understand the mistake you're making" with that she turns and angrily stomps towards her car that was parked further down the street. Ellie shakes her head in disbelief and heads back into the house.

-

I hadn't seen you at work for two days, I was worried" Abby says as she helps you load your groceries into your car. You shut the trunk and make your way over to grab the trolley. You push it back to the trolley station and she follows behind you.

"Yeah well, I'm sick" you lie as you firmly return the trolley and then walk back to your car.

"You don't look sick" she removes your sunglasses and you groan in annoyance.

"What the fuck was that for?" You turn to look at her as she searches your face.

"Have you been crying?" She holds your face in her hands and you pull away before she can jump to any conclusions.

"No, just mind your business" you try reaching for your car door but she's opened it for you, standing in between it to prevent you from shutting it closed.

"You know aside from all the petty shit between Ellie and I, I actually care about you Y/n" for the first time her tone sounds sincere and you don't sense any hints of malice.

"Ellie had an affair, happy?" You blurt out and look away, not wanting to see the sympathetic look she would give you. It would just make you feel pathetic.

"You're joking right?"

"Why would I joke about that?" You sigh, as you grab your sunglasses from her hands and place them back on. You could feel another round of tears coming in.

"How long?" She asks tentatively, trying to gauge your reaction.

"5 months" you reply meekly.

"Y/n, I don't know how anyone could cheat on you, honestly she doesn't deserve you-" you cut her off, not wanting to hear anymore of it.

"And you do?"

"What?" She sounds shocked at your quip.

"You said she doesn't deserve me, I bet you think you do"

"As a matter of fact yes, I think I do. Because I wouldn't put you through that shit. I wouldn't take you for granted."

"Abby, it's too soon for all of this, just please give me space okay?" She nods and you buckle yourself in. She remains stood in the same spot and watches as you drive away.

-

"Ellie?" You question as your grip tightens on your phone. You await a response but all you hear is rustling coming from the background.

"Baby? Hi" Her voice is raspy, it's as if she hadn't used it in days.

"I think we should talk" you say as you fidget with you car keys. Your eyes focused on the charms of the keychain as you swung them around.

"Yeah me too, what do you want to talk about?" Her voice slightly perks up and you feel your throat constrict as the next worlds leave your mouth.

"I think we should seperate"

taglist;

@moonlightdivine @maybe-cece @macaroni676 @sawaagyapong @katiemars @ellieseater @dakota-dream @joliettes @hebrokeimup @bratydoll @wakasaaa @catostrophiclesbian @l0v3e1i