#just a quick one for tonight cause I got distracted by a wip from a week or two ago XD

[daily-tango-doodles]

Day 231: I’m baaack

[drabbles-mc]

Lucky For You

Tyler Owens x F!Reader

Warnings: 18+, fluff, mentions of hospitals/injuries, no use of "y/n"

Word Count: 1.4k

A/N: earlier tonight i lied to myself and said i wouldn't work on any new oneshots until i finished a wip. but I've been marinating on this idea since last week and i just had to write it down. just a short cute little fluffy somethin'! my first twisters fic. hope you enjoy!

You were shaking your head as you walked back over to the side of the picnic table that Tyler was sitting at. You had a beer bottle in one hand, the other resting on Tyler’s shoulder as you stepped in so you could plop back down beside him at the table.

“I’m still trying to figure out what you guys told Lily to say,” you gestured to Lily then Kate with the bottom of your beer bottle before taking a quick sip, “to get Kate to cave so quickly.” You gave Lily a playful smile. “What’d you say to convince her? Hm? ‘Cause lord knows it wasn’t either of these two,” you said as you nodded to Tyler first, then Boone.

Both men looked at you with dramatic looks of offense. “What?” Tyler asked, grin starting to curl his lips as he spoke. “You don’t think we were charming or convincing enough on our own?”

You rolled your eyes as he draped his arm around you. “No, I don’t.”

It got another wave of laughter. Tyler took the momentary distraction as an opportunity to lean in and kiss your temple. “Seemed to work just fine on you.” He reached across and stole your beer bottle from you, taking a sip before allowing you to snatch it back. “And you said yes to a way more dangerous proposition.”

You shook your head even though you were smiling, even though you could feel your cheeks warming. It was no great secret, or even breaking news at this point after the last few years you’d spent married to the ridiculous man sitting on the picnic table bench next to you. Sometimes, though, you couldn’t help the cheesy grin that crossed your face when you became a little more aware than usual of the wedding band on your hand.

“That’s different,” you said, not that it mattered, not that it helped your case at all as Tyler continued to nettle you good-naturedly.

“How’d you two meet, anyway?” Kate asked.

It was a fair question. You didn’t chase with the rest of them, never had. You’d met and fallen in love with Tyler before he decided to make a career out of it. The journey wasn’t always a smooth or easy one, but you never doubted him, or your relationship, not even for a second. Even in the hard times. A lot can happen over the course of six years, but you still clearly remembered when you first met him.

Tyler had started watching you the second he realized where Kate’s question was going. He watched the little twitches and shifts of your hands and facial expressions as you went rapid-fire back down memory lane. When you ended up with a little smirk on your face, he knew that you were all too happy to tell the story.

You took another drink from your beer bottle before just handing it back to Tyler, rather than trying to make him steal it again. “When I met Tyler, I’d say about, oh, seventy percent? Yeah, seventy. About seventy percent of his face was covered in bruises and bumps. Fractured cheekbone, split lip.” You turned and looked at him even though you were talking to Kate. “He was lookin’ real cute.”

She laughed, but you could see the mild confusion in her eyes as she looked back and forth between the two of you. “You find him after a rough chase, or…?”

You smiled and shook your head. “We met back before he was the infamous Tornado Wrangler.” Leaning forward, you braced your arms flat on the picnic table, Tyler’s hand sliding from your shoulder down to the center of your back, his palm warming you through your tank top. “They brought him to the hospital that I work at after he got stomped out by a bull at the rodeo.” You felt his fingers drumming against your back and your smile stretched a little wider. “I wasn’t even supposed to be checkin’ in on anyone in the wing he was in, but the nurse who was supposed to help discharge him had to leave.”

Tyler had a cocky little smirk on his face. “Lucky for you though.”

You gave him a look that didn’t pack nearly as much of a punch as it should of since you were grinning. “Yeah, real lucky for me that Jay’s kid got in a fight at school so he had to leave and he left you to me.”

Tyler laughed. “He was cute but I gotta say, I think you’re a little cuter.”

You gave him a playful shove, which he responded to by looping his arm around your waist and pulling you closer again. You shook his head at him before looking back at Kate. “Anyway, as I was saying. I go into his room to talk through some of the paperwork with him, and with one eye practically swollen shut still this man right here is tryin’ to get my number.”

“Actually, if I remember right—”

“You were concussed into next Tuesday—I doubt you remember much of anything right.”

“If I remember,” he repeated with a laugh, “I was actually tellin’ you that you should just jot my number down from my patient forms so you could call me sometime.”

You looked at Kate with a feigned nonplussed look. “Told me somethin’ about making a ‘house call’. Real bold for a man who was about half an inch away from some serious brain damage.”

“Probably what gave him the confidence to ask in the first place,” Lily piped up with a laugh.

Everyone was laughing, and listening. Kate might’ve been the only one in present company who hadn’t heard the story before, but it wasn’t as though it was something that the two of you were constantly rehashing all the time. The two of you usually kept the retellings amusing enough anyway, allowing the rest of the crew to throw in their two cents even though they hadn’t been there when it all started. After all, Tyler might’ve been the one you met first, and under some pretty dire conditions, but you’d been around to help out the rest of the team plenty of times since then. Whether you were making sure they were all alright after a rough chase, or meeting up with them in the towns that had been blown through to see who you could help even if you weren’t off the clock. You might not have chased with the rest of them, but you were still part of the team.

“How long did it take for him to wear you down, then?” Kate asked.

 The shit-eating grin on Tyler’s face grew tenfold. He lightly bumped his shoulder against yours. “Go ahead. Tell her.”

You dropped your forehead so that it rested on top of your forearms for a moment before looking up and at Kate again. “I gave him my number after I pushed him to the lobby in his wheel chair.”

“Doctor’s orders, by the way,” he interjected with a shake of his head. “I didn’t need it.”

You rolled your eyes but kept going. “He was pretty persistent the whole way down, so I told him if he still remembered my name and number by the time his fractures all healed up, I’d meet him for a cup of coffee or somethin’.”

“Cup of coffee ended up bein’ a split six-pack and a failed bonfire at her cousin’s place, by the way,” he added on with a chuckle.

“Yeah, and your lip still wasn’t fully healed.”

He smirked. “Didn’t stop you though.” You lightly swatted his chest with the back of your hand but you didn’t say anything to refute his statement. “So really, what I’m hearin’, is that you shouldn’t be havin’ any doubts about our charms.”

“Sayin’ yes to a date is nothing like—”

“You also said yes to marryin’ him,” Lily added on, always happy to stir the pot just a little. “Y’know, with the ring that he almost lost in a chase.”

Tyler rolled his eyes. “If I left it at home I was sure she’d find it!”

“Yeah,” Lily laughed as she argued, “and if the chase went wrong somebody on the other end of the county would find it. Then what?”

Tyler laughed and shrugged. “Corner store sells Ring Pops.”

You had no shot at tamping down your smile. “Prob’ly still would’ve said yes, too.”

(divider by @saradika 💞)

Twisters Taglist (please let me know if you'd like to be added to any of my taglists): @garbinge

[falsegoodnight]

a new header??? it matches better <3 these are the fics I read or reread and enjoyed this month! like last time, i’m separating it into different sections: main list, wips, and non-1d. rereads will be included in the main list and marked with a star (*). 

*note: this list encompasses the fics i’ve read from the 1st to the 28th only

—

main list ~

✰ Don’t Wait Up by reliablyimperfect | NR | 1k

Without Harry’s warmth next to him, he felt the chill of the air creep over his skin. He tugged the blanket down from where Harry kept one draped over the back of the couch for him, grateful. With the blanket, he instantly felt warmer, but it backfired when his eyes began to droop again. Trying to keep his eyes open was impossible, and he was consciously aware of how long his blinks were becoming. They stay closed longer and longer until, eventually, they didn’t open again.

so soft and sweet and lovely! made my heart feel so warm <3 will return to this for some quick comfort in the future!

✰ my ugly mouth kept running by @hadestyles | E | 4k

Sometimes second chances are more important than the first.

rori’s lush writing + abo + exes to lovers = absolute perfection. my fic cameo gives it a bonus too :’) definitely one of my rori favs 

✰ i’ve loved you three summers now honey, i want them all by @softloubabie | M | 4k

The restaurant was small and bright, soft colors filled the walls and tables and fairy lights hung from everywhere. From what Harry had read, the food wasn’t overly expensive but it was still comparable to what you would get at one of the more expensive places. If Harry could he would take Louis to the biggest most expensive and extravagant restaurants to do what he planned to tonight, but this would do.

After being led to their table Harry nervously tapped his jacket pocket, sighing in relief when he felt the small box still there. Tonight was the night. He couldn’t wait till it was time to surprise Louis with all the gifts he got for him. Then finally the big surprise.

so cute and sweet! their kids were so adorable and the proposal so lovely!! they love each other so much <3

✰ love me in between the future and the past by navigator & quitter | E | 11k

Harry's scared of history repeating itself.

this honestly hurt to read but in such a raw and emotional way?? was mad at harry and then sad for him :( this writer duo’s fics never fail to amaze me!

✰ sunshine on my mind by @raspberryoatss | E | 13k

Louis visits Harry in Portland

this was so sweet and lovely! the perfect addition to this wonderful universe! pip’s characterizations and fluff never fails to make my heart feel warm <3

✰ rapture in the dark by @stylinsonsupporter | T | 13k

Harry Styles is a breakout musician who has shed his boyband label in favor of embracing his inner brooding rockstar. His PR team think that his rebrand is the perfect time for Harry to come out of the closet and have devised the perfect plan for doing so. Enter Louis Tomlinson, up and coming (and very openly homosexual) model whose public image as America's Sweetheart is the perfect foil for Harry's new edge. From a PR standpoint, it's a dream come true - a power couple that can slowly coax the public into accepting Harry's altered image. The only problem? They hate each other.

always love a good fake dating au and this is no exception! and model louis >> really enjoyed this!

✰ Maybe, Baby* by thoughtsickles | M | 16k | mpreg

It all feels too easy, too good to be true. It all feels like a scene from Louis' daydreams, the kind of life he'd always imagined he'd have when he was younger and bored at his momma's work, sneaking around the hallways of the maternity ward until the nurses let him in to hold the babies. He'd felt so important being allowed to touch them. He'd told them stories of the lives they were going to have, houses with nice wallpaper that wasn't peeling, yards filled with sunshine and flowers and grass that never went yellow. A hammock to nap in, cuddled up with his husband.

You can't stay here, he tells himself, but Baby doesn't want to listen.

have reread this one quite a bit of times now and it still makes me so happy <3 this Louis and Harry deserve the world <333

✰ Let Me Inside by reliablyimperfect | E | 18k

Louis is Harry’s boss, but Harry is the boss of Louis. 

loved this one! really enjoyed the balance between h&l and how they maintained their dynamic in subtle ways outside of the bedroom while also keeping it separate. very much enjoyed the jealousy as well <3

✰ a scintilla of predilection by @dehydratedpoolfics | T | 20k

There, in the far back of the room, next to the only available seat left, is none other than Harry Styles. Harry, who grew up next door to him, who knew all his secrets as a child and played FIFA with him on Saturday mornings after he would spend the night Friday evenings every week, whose curly hair would tickle his nose as they held each other during bitter cold nights that made his room glow a haunting blue.

love ex-childhood friends with misunderstandings!! louis was so cute and i loved his poetry <3 harry too was so stupid but so smitten and lovely :’) really enjoyed this!

✰ Keeping The Flame Alive by @crazyupsetter​ | E | 20k

Recording with One Direction never felt like this. There’s a couple reasons for that, Harry thinks. One is that they did most of their recording on the road, rushed and in busses and hotel rooms, never in one place long enough to really get an argument going. The other, larger and more important one, is that back then he had the sweetest, meanest little omega around to distract him from all of that frustration.

The first time around, when he’d been recording his debut solo album, it hit him pretty hard. He likes to think he’s better adjusted to it now, but frustration is warring under his skin nonetheless. He doesn’t want to be told what to do most of the time, and he especially doesn’t want to be told what to do when it comes to his music.

What he does want right now is that sweet, mean little omega right in front of him with his mouth on Harry’s cock. Unfortunately, the best he’s got is his own hand and a shared toilet. So. That’s really not going to work.

✰ like it’s a game* by @soldouthaz | E | 32k

There is little Harry hates more than truth or dare.

And Louis.

queen of enemies to lovers! it’s been a while since i’ve reread this but too absolutely no surprise, it’s just as amazing as always <3 sarah never misses!

✰ Too Young To Know by @2tiedships2 | M | 35k

Harry doesn’t present as an alpha… until he does.

really enjoyed this as per usual! exes to lovers is my jam and the added angst of Louis dating someone else at the beginning... love <3

✰ Some Things Take Root* by  navigator & quitter | E | 50k

Louis' ex doesn't get jealous of anyone besides Harry. Harry helps Louis use that to his advantage.

stumbled upon this randomly and decided to reread on a whim... ended up staying up to read it in one sitting! so good!

✰ Safe and Sound (You’ll Always Be) by @all-these-larrythings | E | 58k

When a failed case and a guilty conscience leaves Harry more than a little lost, his boss presents him with a new, less taxing assignment to help him cope. An escape from all the madness is just what Harry needs to get his life back on track. It's just too bad his new client has a grin like the devil, a pair of electric eyes that Harry simply can't get over, and no intention whatsoever of letting him catch a break.

i don’t know how i’ve never read this before??? it was absolutely amazing though! perfect blend of humor and fluff and tension and angst <3

✰ Mind Over Matter (You Under Me) by @youreyesonlarry | E | 74k

It’s dark outside when Harry finishes practice for the day. 

the slow burn in this fic killed me - which is to say, it was perfect! loved how they progressed from working together to being friends to something more and how much they genuinely cared for each other! the hockey was so fun too!

✰ Call Out My Name by frenchkiss | E | 102k

Apparently, it's bad PR to fall in love with the omega you hired to help you through your rut.

Harry Styles begs to differ.

ellen truly knocked it out of the park with this one!! had everything i could ever want: abo, famous/non-famous, fluff, humor, angst, drama, and more! i loved it from beginning to end!

wips ~

✰ ‘cause all our tomorrows lead the way by @loubellies | E | 64k | 7/11

So maybe Louis’ in over his head.

He had signed up for the Bachelor on a whim after his second bottle of wine and well, here he is. He’s just been announced as the twenty-sixth Bachelor and his ass is sweating. Like, literally sweating. He’s positive that if he was to turn around, the entirety of Bachelor Nation would get a nice peek of his ass sweat.

am thoroughly enjoying each chapter!! it’s been a wild ride so far and although things are currently calm, i am still on edge!! but i trust mar with my life <3

✰ Truth Behind Golden Eyes by @lwtisloved | E | 83k | 8/16 

Louis is a royal servant born with magic in a kingdom where his sole existence is outlawed with a war he has no idea he has a part in upon him. Harry is the prince on whom the burden of mending a broken kingdom falls upon and he might be willing to risk it all for a simple servant if only he admitted it to himself.

caught up last night! still really enjoying every chapter and can’t wait to see what happens next!! things are *happening* with h&l and answers are being given!! (love the jealousy too!)

non-1d ~

✰ Keep Me Close (I Need Your Faith) by @princelouisau | E | 23k

Somewhere along the way he had fallen in love and in doing so, had broken the one rule he knew he couldn’t come back from. As quickly as he realised, he decided that he must never dare speak it. He resigned himself to loving Draco in silence.

first foray into reading drarry... and, to no one’s surprise, i loved it! beautiful writing as always and beautiful atmosphere! it’s really not a shock that i fell for these characters and their story when danielle is behind it <3 it had me entranced from beginning to end!!

finally, i myself actually posted a fic this month:

my fics ~

✰ yesterday came suddenly by me | E | 49k | mpreg 

Harry the deadliest member of the NYC assassins’ guild, is forced to face a seemingly impossible task in hopes of finally leaving the underground behind for good, but when ghosts from the past come back to haunt him, escaping the darkness becomes that much harder.

If you read any of these beautiful works of art, remember to leave kudos and comment to show your appreciation!

*if i made any errors, please let me know :)

enjoy!

[upcloseandchaotic]

Girls’ Night

This idea has been bouncing in my head for a while mostly as a distraction from doing my other WIPs. It was also originally supposed to be short.... I don’t know what happened 🤷🏼‍♀️

Summary: After helping Bucky with a rough round of nightmares, you decide that you need to have a Girls’ Night with your friends.

One Shot; 2,478 words 

Disclaimer: Bucky, Natasha, and Wanda are not my characters.

Characters: Bucky Barnes, Natasha Romanova, Wanda Maximoff, Female!Reader

Relationships: Bucky x Female!Reader

In the sunlight his hair was a soft chestnut color, but now as you ran your hand through it and wrapped the silky locks between your fingers, the night seemed to darkened it to where someone could mistake it for black, almost as dark as the night sky. You hummed to yourself, imagining what his hair would look like filled with falling stars and circling planets, but then quietened down as you heard his voice start rumbling in his chest, a pained groan building in his throat.

Soon Russian words started falling sharply from his lips. His arms and legs started twitching, his brow furrowing. You quickly grabbed your phone from the side table, pressing the button to open your notes app and started writing down everything that seemed important, like names or locations. It looked as if his nightmare from a couple of hours before was coming back, but this time his dream went more in depth. You were able to pull some ideas of where this “vault” was located, names of people, random words that you think were once used to help program him. It hurt for you to watch him twisting and turning, crying out in pain, it left you feeling helpless even though you knew from experience that waking him up would just make it worse.

The longer it continued you felt a rage start simmering down in the pit of your stomach. It burned as if a coal had finally caught a flicker of a flame and grew until your hands were shaking and you were silently fighting with yourself to stay there with him and not go find the people responsible for his pain. 

Once his murmurs turned into more like whimpers and his twitching started to slow, you started whispering sweet nothings into his ear and gently combing his hair back from his sweating face. Slowly, without waking up from his dream, he started to relax back into the bed and eventually you can hear light snores signalling that he has fallen back into a dreamless sleep. Before you slide back into your spot beside him you grab your phone and send a message to Wanda and Natasha. Girls’ Night soon?

Wanda was probably still asleep, seeing as it was around five in the morning, but you weren’t surprised to see three dots flashing. Natasha seemed to have an uncanny sense of when Bucky was having nightmares and always seemed to be awake.

Yes! I’ll bring the nail polish! 💅

You smiled and sent back a gif before turning your phone off and threw it back onto the nightstand. Reaching out to Bucky, you smiled as he unconsciously moved to accommodate you; his arm wrapped around your shoulders and when you tucked yourself into his right shoulder he turned, curling up around you and throwing his metal arm around your waist. You could feel the warm huffs against the top of your head and his usual scent of spice, leather and gunmetal surrounded you. With the sound of his heartbeat in your ear and the warmth of his body seeping into you you close your eyes and drift off into a deep, dreamless sleep.

You were standing in the kitchen putting together a cheese and cracker plate when you felt two hands circling around from behind you, one warm and soft and the other cool and hard. They wandered under his shirt you were wearing and started creeping upwards slowly with gentle caresses.

Smiling softly, you put the crackers and cheese down to place your hands over his, halting his movement and . “What are you doing, Buck?”

Bucky’s chin dropped onto your shoulder and he whispered into your ear. “Do I really have to go, doll? You know I don’t care about what you all talk about. I’ll even let you and the girls paint my nails.”

You sighed and twisted around so you could stare into his aquamarine-colored eyes, which were trying to pretend to be charming but actually belied his nerves. He always required some more physical reassurance after having a bad bout of nightmares, and as much as you wanted to allow him to stay so you could comfort him you knew that this Girls’ Night was necessary and that he couldn’t be here. To ease some of his discomfort, though, you pulled him towards you and reached up to cup one cheek. He sighed and leaned into it and you watched as some of the tension in his jaw relaxed.

“Baby, I wish you could. If it was any other night it would be fine, but tonight it really has to be just us girls.” Bucky gave a dejected huff and closed his eyes, leaning a little bit more into your hand, “But I will take up your offer to paint your nails. I have a really pretty blue color that would match your eyes.”

When he opened his eyes again you could see a glint of mischievousness flash briefly and before you could blink he had a grip on your thighs and had you up in the air. You squeaked and quickly wrapped your legs around his waist. He laughed and sat you on the counter next to your half-done cheese and cracker plate. You gave him a mock glare and lightly smacked his chest.

“Don’t be like that, Doll,” Bucky crooned. He stepped forwards so that he was standing between your legs, pressed up against you. Leaning forwards, he hovered his lips so that they were a hairsbreadth apart from yours. You got a clear whiff of his favorite cologne and the mint toothpaste he used. “I was just havin’ a bit of fun. We both know how much you like it when I pick you up like the babydoll you are.”

“That’s true, but the girls are going to be here any moment and I still have a lot of stuff to finish getting ready. Also don’t you have to meet Steve and Sam in about 20 minutes anyways? You still have a 15 minute drive, Buck.”

He hummed, pulling your wrist off of his face to read the time on your watch. When he saw that he was going to run late he grumbled but backed off, allowing you to hop down from the counter but close enough that he could keep his hands on your arms in case you lost your balance.

You hurriedly finished up making the plate of appetizers while Bucky begrudgingly went and collected his wallet and keys and then you both met up at the doorway.

“Have fun with Steve and Sam, baby. Call me if you need me,” You say, leaning up to give him a chaste kiss. Before you could step back, though, he snuck a hand into your hair, keeping you close as he proceeded to deepen the kiss. After a few minutes though someone knocked loudly on the door, startling both of you into separating. When you and Bucky gathered enough braincells to answer the door, Natasha and Wanda were standing there, smirking and giggling at the dazed look on both of your faces.

“Come on, Barnes, it’s our turn with Y/N. You can have her later tonight,” Natasha joked, pushing past you and Bucky to place the wine bottles she brought with her on the living room table. Wanda snuck past too, dropping her bag onto the couch before starting to search for wine glasses in the kitchen.

Bucky chuckled, ignoring the two girls as he dropped another kiss onto your lips. “Yeah, yeah, I hear ya. Bye, babydoll, I’m countin’ down the seconds until I come back to you.”

You rolled your eyes but smiled as you heard a mixed chorus of fake gagging and awe-ing behind you. “Go on, Buck, I’ll see you later.”

“Don’t use all of the nail polish, ladies! I look forward to my manicure when I get home!” he shouted as he walked away, smiling brightly as you laughed. You stayed there, leaning against the doorway to watch him until he disappeared on the stairs.

“Hate to see him leave?” Wanda asked as you closed the door and stepped back into the apartment.

“But love to watch him go,” You sighed dreamily. Natasha groaned and threw a pillow at you, causing you and Wanda to break out into laughter.

“Okay, okay! Truce!” You cried, throwing your hands up.

“Fine,” Natasha conceded, “You live to see another day, Y/N… Now, what information did you find the other night?”

As Wanda opened the bottle of wine and set it to the side to let it breathe, you pulled up your notes and explained what Bucky had said during his latest nightmare as well as what you had been able to find from an initial search. Natasha stayed quiet during your explanation, responding with nothing but the occasional nod, and Wanda pulled her laptop out of her bag, starting it up and opening the files you all had compiled and sent them.

At the end of your report Natasha poured the wine into the glasses and took a quick sip. “This place sounds familiar to me, but I’m not 100% sure I have been there. I think maybe they used it as a threat in the Red Room? What were the names he mentioned again?”

When you repeated them, Wanda chimed in with “I think I’ve heard about that place, it’s in Siberia. Pietro and I were almost sent there a couple of times, they told us it was their top training facility.”

“Could you point it out on a map, Wanda?” You asked, quickly pulling up a map of Serbia on your phone.

“I think I could…here let me see.”

Wanda looked over the map and you bit your lip, twisting the wine glass between your fingers, anxious to see if you guys would have a break through.

“Here,” she said, pointing at a spot in the Balkan Mountains, “It’s closer to Serbia and it’s hidden deep inside one of the mountains.”

“I’ll try and see if I can pull some layout plans from the upload you did, Nat,” You said, reaching for Wanda’s laptop. As you did your deep diving into the files, Natasha and Wanda made a quick order for food from the Italian place around the corner.

Right after the food came in and Wanda had refilled all of the glasses, you gave a short cry of triumph and flipped the computer around to show them the layout of the Hydra base, as well as the information needed to get in. The three of you smirked while raising your glasses in a toast, celebrating that for once you were able to get all of the information needed..

The rest of the night was spent making a plan of attack and then double and triple-checking to make sure everything would go as planned.

You slipped into your apartment silently, placing your heels next to the door and padding softly down the hallway. The whole apartment was dark except for the lights of the busy New York street shining through the window. Using the little bit of light and muscle memory you managed to weave around the furniture, setting your jacket and purse gently on the living room table on your way to your room.

You could see Bucky, sprawled on his side of the bed, body facing the door as if he had tried staying up so he could make sure you got in all right. You sighed, letting your body sag against the door frame briefly even though you winced as your sore muscles ached, a reminder of what you had gotten up to tonight. Even though, originally, it was supposed to be just Wanda and Nat infiltrating the base, you had had to go in to hack some computers. It was just bad luck that those computers were guarded by some giant, beefed up Hydra goon who seemed to be immune to effects of a fucking taser. Needless to say, it was extra satisfying when he did eventually succumb to Natasha’s famous thigh chokehold.

Bucky was snoring lightly, but it seemed as if his sleep would be undisturbed tonight, almost as if his body sensed that one more nightmare was no more. You stepped forwards and cursed loudly as you tripped over his combat boots and went sprawling across the floor. As Bucky startled awake and flipped on the light, you sat there hissing and briefly wondered how satisfying it would be to just throw them in the trash right in the moment.

“Babydoll?” he asked, his voice rough and low as if he were still half asleep, “Is that you?”

“Yeah, it’s me,” you huffed, wincing as you climbed back up,, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you. Go back to sleep, Buck.” 

“Don’t worry about it, I was waiting on you anyways.” Bucky pushed himself up the bed and sat back to watch as you started to gather all of your supplies to get ready for bed. “How was your Girls’ Night? Did you get some free drinks tonight?”

“You know it,” you shot back, winking over your shoulder. You heard his breath hitch as you drew your dress up and off, revealing your black lace thong and push up bra. You turned around and before he could say something you know would lead to both of you not getting any sleep that night, you pointed a finger at him and said, “Not a word, buster.”

Bucky raised his hands in the air with an innocent expression on his face that was quickly overtaken by a charming smile, “I wasn’t goin’ to say nothin’, doll….but now that you mention it, that set does looks stunning on you.”

“Ah ah!,” You cried, wagging your finger once more, “It is 2 AM, James Buchanan Barnes, and we are both exhausted. We’re getting some sleep before anything else, ya hear?” Bucky laughed but agreed, sinking further into the bed the closer you got to finishing your nightly routine. By the time you were climbing into bed yourself his eyes his body had sunk into the bed and his eyes were slowly blinking. Once you were comfortably resting on your side facing him he tucked an arm across your waist and pressed his hand between your shoulder blades, pulling you closer to his body until you both were unable to figure out where one started and the other ended.

“I’m glad you had a fun night with the girls, babydoll,” Bucky whispered into your hair groggily.

“Thanks, baby,” You whispered, smiling as you heard the soft huffs of his breath above your head. You kissed the shoulder closest to you and sighed as you sank into the warmth of his body, the bed, and the knowledge that Bucky was now safe from one more nightmare.

tags: @babiiface95

Dividers by: @whimsicalrogers

[nightingaletrash]

why work on wips when I can feed my new hyperfixation instead? :)

AO3

---

It was like someone was raking a nail against the inside of her skull, and the more she tried to ignore it, the more insistent it became. A hollow shriek that verberated against her brain, and a throbbing pain blossomed behind her eyes.

Lorna turned onto her side for what had to be the hundredth time now and screwed her eyes shut, willing herself to fall asleep. Just for a moment. But no such luck was had, and the irritating raking at the inside of her skull continued.

Finally sick of lying in bed with no resolution to the god-awful noise, she sat up and pushed away the bedsheets. She dragged her feet over the side of the bed and held her hands to her face, fingers pressing into the inner-corners of her eyes as a sigh dragged itself from her lungs. The pressure didn’t relieve the deep-seated exhaustion behind her eyes, but it helped… somehow. Like causing a brief reset of her senses.

Behind her, her sleeping companion whined and pawed at her hip as he stretched out to settle at her side. His wet nose pressed under the hem of her night shirt and he snorted inquisitively.

“I’m fine, Lexel,” Lorna giggled, scratching behind his ears; his tail thumped happily against the mattress in response, but he kept his big brown eyes fixed on his mistress nonetheless. 

She heaved another sigh - something that was becoming all too common place as of late with the threat of the Crawler looming over her - and felt around for her slippers. It didn’t take long, as they’d been placed at her bedside by the servants who were seemingly determined to ensure that everything was perfect for their new Queen, though she doubted that it was loyalty or their work ethic that drove them.

The apprehension that lingered in the castle was beginning to thin as life resumed its course, but Logan’s tyranny had left a mark here. The day that Logan had Elliot executed was the day that everyone in the castle realised that they were expendable; if the King was willing to have a noble killed, no one was safe, maybe not even the Princess. Her running away with Walter and Jasper in tow had not helped things, and that was before she had returned with an army at her back.

It would be a long time before the wounds truly healed and the staff trusted their Queen, if they ever did. She’d been Queen for little over a month. There was still plenty of time for her to become her brother and no doubt there were bets being made over how long it would take.

But that wasn’t something she could afford to be worrying about right now, she reminded herself as she slipped a gown over her pyjamas and beckoned Lexel to follow as she left her chambers.

The cool night air nipped at her skin, and there was a promise of winter in its teeth. Even so it was preferable to the stuffy confines of her chambers. 

She would have thought that she’d enjoy being able to sleep in her own bed again, surrounded by all the comforts of home, but now it didn’t feel like it fit anymore. She’d gotten used to sleeping above barrooms full of drunken singing and the rustle of a tent over her head. The castle was too quiet. Too static. Her time with the rebellion had seen her outgrow her childhood home, and now she was chained to it.

Her hands ran over the cold stone of the balustrade and she gazed out over the garden below. Logan’s statue was still in place on the plinth in the centre of the courtyard, despite numerous questions over when she planned to have it removed. The answer… well, she wasn’t sure of it just yet. It kept getting pushed further into the back of her mind where it would gather dust until there was nothing else to preoccupy her. By not deciding, she could still decide how she felt about her brother. 

What Logan had done, she still struggled to forgive. As angry as it had made her, as righteous as the rebellion had been in overthrowing him, in light of what they knew now, it was easier to empathise with her brother and the enormity of the task he had faced.

Lorna and Walter’s encounter with the Crawler had been brief, but it had made an impression all the same. The suffocating darkness, the rasping voice crying out in mockery of her fears, Walter - fierce, unyielding Walter who never flinched away from his duty - screaming as his nightmares came to life; whenever sleep did find her, it always brought her back to Shadelight. To the Darkness. And she imagined it was no different for her brother or her mentor.

No one who brushed with such horror emerged the same person. She hadn’t, Logan hadn’t, and Walter hadn’t either, no matter how much they all tried to pretend otherwise.

Her fingers curled and her nails dug into her palms. Why hadn’t Theresa warned her as she had warned Logan? Why did she and Walter have to stumble blindly into that creature’s lair to learn the truth? Why did she have to stagger across the sands alone, tormented by the wailing cries of the friend she had abandoned and the dead whispers of the Darkness?

Before her bitterness towards the Blind Seer had a chance to take hold of her mood, however, she was drawn back to reality by Lexel, who was barking from the top of the stairs.

“Is something the matter boy?” she asked, moving away from the balustrade to follow.

He just barked again and bounded down the steps with his fluffy white tail held high. Once he was sure that Lorna was following, he took off at a swift trot into the gardens themselves, barely pausing to make sure that she was keeping up.

Lorna shivered with cold but followed regardless. Anything to distract her from own dark thoughts.

The gardens were usually a bustling hub of activity, where visiting nobles milled about and exchanged the latest gossip, or the gardeners pruned the rose bushes, tended the flower beds, and generally kept the space immaculate. Guards would stand at attention, eyes sharp for trouble, but always amenable to a quick greeting from their Princess. It was a place of community within the castle, and it was odd to see it so empty. 

That being said, the quiet wasn’t unwelcome. The trickle of fountain water, the whistle of the wind and the crunch of gravel under her feet kept it from a stifling silence that allowed the raking nails in her head to grow overwhelming, but it wasn’t so loud that it hurt.

Lexel disappeared into the hedgerows, the tip of his tail whipping around the corner just as Lorna caught up. He led her towards the overlook, where the garden fell away to a lower rung and Bowerstone Industrial was visible in the distance.

A year ago it was where she had met Elliot on that fateful day. The day that had changed everything. He’d been waiting for her with news of the rumours regarding the fate of a factory worker and asked her to speak with her brother about it. He’d really thought that Lorna could get through to Logan… And she had believed the same. 

Funny how innocent they had been back then. Funny how quickly it had all changed.

But tonight it wasn’t Elliot standing at the balustrade, staring out over the city below. It was Logan.

It was funny really. He didn’t look nearly so intimidating as he had when he was King. Maybe it was the way he was slumped against the balustrade, staring blankly out at the city. Or maybe it was the fact his hair was tousled and he was wearing his pyjamas instead of his usual regalia. 

All things considered, it was probably both. He cut a much less striking figure now than he’d done in years. But then maybe that was just how he looked since coming back from Aurora, and it was only now out here, in the dark of the deserted garden, was she getting to see it.

Lexel bounded over to Logan’s side and barked in greeting. Logan startled and, in a moment of raw instinct, leapt away from the dog and reached for the sword he usually carried at his hip but was presently absent. Then he blinked as he processed what he was looking at.

“Ah, Lexel. Shouldn’t you be with Lorna?”

Lexel just barked again and bumped his head against Logan’s knee insistently until he acquiesced and reached down to pat the collie, his long fingers digging into the ruff of fur around Lexel’s neck.

Lexel sat, then edged closer to Logan, his tail thumping the ground in joy as he revelled in the attention. It had been a long time since the former King had bothered to give him any attention beyond a brief brushing off or to send him back to his mistress, and he was taking full advantage of the rare display of affection.

Lorna lingered at the periphery, unwilling to intrude right away. Only when Logan glance up at her did she move forward.

“You should be asleep,” he said, straightening up even as Lexel whined in protest. “A queen needs her rest.”

“So do her advisors,” she shot back.

He jerked his head and turned away, resuming his vigil from the balustrade. But there was no clear dismissal as he might have previously offered, so she decided to join him. 

For a while there was silence, and not the companionable kind that felt comfortable and unintrusive. Instead it was awkward, festering in the air with a growing awareness of each other’s presence.

It was rare for them to be in the same room before she’d left, and now their conversations often revolved around policy, budgeting, and strategy. She couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt like a brother rather than a guardian, or an advisor. Or an enemy.

“You didn’t even listen to Reaver’s proposal in court today,” Logan pointed out. “He barely got to speak before you decided to agree to Samuel’s request.”

Her jaw clenched at the mention of Reaver; she found the man to be completely repugnant, and if it weren’t for the looming threat of the Darkness and the lack of anyone more suited to head up Bowerstone Industrial, she’d have had him arrested by now. He was an unpleasant necessity within the court… for now.

But as sleepless as she was, she was too tired to defend her decision to steamroll over Reaver.

“Can we just… not talk about work? For once?” she sighed. “I made my decision, it’s done. Now we move on.”

Logan paused for a moment, then nodded.

“Of course. Though your assistant, Hobson? He was telling anyone who’d listen how you’d so generously donated to the royal treasury to cover the costs of reopening the Academy. If you were wondering what people are saying.”

She had been, and rarely did her mind come up with anything good to say. A little confirmation of the opposite ought to have been a relief, but she’d learned quickly to not put too much stock in Hobson’s flattery or his criticism. He was, as he’d said so himself, a toady, so he’d say whatever kept him in her good graces all while remaining fixated on the state of the treasury.

For a while they lapsed back into silence as they stared out over the city. In just under a year, it would be a warzone. And unless they could build the army they needed before then, it would become a graveyard. Ravaged and lifeless with only the remnants clinging to life on the fringes, trying to hold out against a foe they knew almost nothing about.

The task seemed insurmountable. The money she had raised to aid the rebellion had found use in keeping the coffers full, but would it be enough? How many could she save, realistically? How many would they lose? Would there be a kingdom left to salvage when it was all over?

She wasn’t the only one consumed by such thoughts. 

At her side, Logan had gone stiff, and his blank stare was fixed on one spot. His hands were clenched so tightly that his knuckles had gone white, and after a moment passed, Lorna realised that he wasn’t breathing.

“Logan?”

He didn’t respond and when she placed a hand on his shoulder, she could feel him trembling in spite of himself. His face had gone white and whatever facade of self-control he had managed to maintain had finally began to crumble.

“Logan. You need to breathe,” Lorna said with a gentle firmness, squeezing his shoulder. “It’s not here yet. We’ve got time to prepare. Breathe in.”

It took him a moment to do as she instructed, and it clearly took a lot more effort than he would ever admit to.

“In. Then hold it. And out slowly.”

Her hand slipped into his, and he unconsciously gripped it as a drowning man might grip the hand of his saviour as he was pulled from the depths. Lorna squeezed back and continued to repeat the simple instructions.

Bit by bit, Logan began to uncoil. The tension trickled from his frame and the trembling in his grip finally began to subside as the colour returned to his face. He blinked hard a few times as if to clear his eyes of the stray tears that had gathered there, then flinched slightly when Lorna reached up to thumb them away before melting into the contact.

A low breath shook itself from his lungs.

“Thank you,” he murmured. “I shouldn’t have-”

“It’s okay.”

When she had faced the Darkness, she had had Walter and Lexel at her side throughout the ordeal and they had come out the other side alive. Logan had gone to Aurora with his men and returned alone as the sole survivor of the Darkness, only to be burdened with the knowledge that it would follow him back to Albion. She might begrudge her brother for many things, but this wasn’t one of them. She didn’t want to imagine how she’d be dealing with all of this if she had been in his shoes.

Still… it was so strange to find herself standing opposite him like this when so much had changed. From brother and sister to King and Rebel Princess to Queen and Advisor… When was the last time they had just been siblings?

She was drawn from her thoughts when Logan addressed her again.

“Strange how well you remember that exercise,” he murmured. “Do you remember where you learned it?”

She paused then shook her head.

“It was after Mother died. You were inconsolable for months. Every time you wanted her and realised that she wasn’t there anymore, you had a panic attack,”  he explained soberly. “I remember asking everyone I could think of if they knew anything if there was anything I could do to help. A friend of mine had the answer, funnily enough. Lady Shaw. She said that breathing is key to keeping a level head.”

“Smart woman, Lady Shaw,” Lorna said with a small smile.

“She was.”

A ghost of a melancholic smile touched his lips before he straightened up. His hand slipped from Lorna’s and all too quickly he began to reclaim that facade of calm control.

“It’s late, and we have much to do tomorrow,” he said evenly. “You should get back to bed-”

“Logan, wait.”

He froze, and Lorna swallowed hard.

“I just…” 

She floundered, unsure of what it was she actually wanted to say. That she wanted him to be her brother again? That he didn’t need to carry his burden alone anymore? That no matter what, they were in this together? That she needed him?

Ultimately words were insufficient. Too clumsy, too formal, too limited. So instead she wrapped her arms around him, buried her face into the crook of his neck and held on tight. 

Logan was all angles and lean muscle, wound tight like a spring at first, before he surrendered to whatever base desires he had long deprived himself of and gripped Lorna tightly to his chest, firm and solid and warm. Once he had been a place of safety; a place to flee when the world was dark or overwhelming and she needed someone to turn to.

Maybe he could be again. And maybe now, she could be the same for him.

[therealsaintscully]

[TJLC] Distracted by AGRA (or the many hints about personification of death in The Six Thatchers)

PLEASE CONSIDER THIS A WORK IN PROGRESS. IT’S NOT PERFECT BUT  I HAVE SOME GOOD IDEAS HERE, I THINK, SO KEEPING IT FOR NOW.

A FEW DISCLAIMERS: - I’m not a native English speaker and this wasn’t betad, so excuse the less-than-perfect English (although you’re about to find out what native language actually is). - I’m very new in the fandom and in reading/writing meta, this would be my second meta post tbh, so excuse the amateurism. - Everything I’m about to write here is based on very quick and easy Google searches. I’m BY NO MEANS AN ACADEMIC! I’m not well versed enough in any form of literary analysis to claim more than that, but perhaps this post will be a breeding ground for new ideas. If you are an academic and you find these interesting - please go ahead and expand on them. - Lastly, this may have been picked up before by other meta writers and if so - I’m not aware of it, as I’m quite new to this fandom.

tl;dr: The Six Thatchers seems to be full of hints about the personification of death and cultural/religious representations of it, in a way that may even hint that that Mary = death, and/or that Moftiss were very preoccupied with the idea while writing it. It should be noted that I find these tidbits interesting in the context of well-established TJLC theories I’ve been reading up on a lot lately, namely EMP and M-Theory. I found these details interesting in the context of reading TST as something that’s happening in Sherlock’s MP as he’s dying and suspecting that Mary is dangerous and perhaps even linked to Moriarty.

AGRA > Samarra > The Four Angels of Death

As these things always go, I’ve been re-watching episodes while researching my WIP fic ‘Turned’. I have this new habit these days of only listening, instead of actually watching the episode in search of a fresh perspective. This time I was blown away, once again, by Sherlock and Mycroft’s conversation about AGRA. It’s a VERY odd conversation considering the topic, and what caught my ear this time was Mycroft mechanically reciting facts about the city of Agra. Why Agra, I asked? What’s so important about it? Nothing, the way I see it. One search led to another and I looked up Samarra, thinking perhaps I’ll find some connection between the two cities, but couldn’t.

The search for Samarra and the parable about it led me to the Appointment in Samarra wiki page, which mentions that the title of the book comes from a retelling of an ancient Mesopotamian tale by W. Somerset Maugham (the source of the next quote is here):

"The Appointment in Samarra" (as retold by W. Somerset Maugham [1933])

The speaker is Death

There was a merchant in Bagdad who sent his servant to market to buy provisions and in a little while the servant came back, white and trembling, and said, Master, just now when I was in the marketplace I was jostled by a woman in the crowd and when I turned I saw it was Death that jostled me. She looked at me and made a threatening gesture, now, lend me your horse, and I will ride away from this city and avoid my fate.  I will go to Samarra and there Death will not find me. The merchant lent him his horse, and the servant mounted it, and he dug his spurs in its flanks and as fast as the horse could gallop he went. Then the merchant went down to the marketplace and he saw me standing in the crowd and he came to me and said, Why did you make a threating getsture to my servant when you saw him this morning? That was not a threatening gesture, I said, it was only a start of surprise.  I was astonished to see him in Bagdad, for I had an appointment with him tonight in Samarra.

There is also a very interesting study guide link from this website, which asks some very interesting questions about tale, such as Maugham’s decision to make Death a non-omniscient narrator of this tale, as well as a woman. I’ll return to Death being referred to as a woman later. However, since I have no expertise in literary readings, I’ll leave it to others who might be to add some more here.

More below the cut:

The version of the story in TST is a bit different; the servant is absent from the tale; it is instead the merchant who has the nighttime appointment with Death in Samarra after being startled to see Death that morning in the Baghdad market. (This note was taking from a wikipedia entry about another - apparently-  very deterministic play by Maugham, Shepey.)

Anyway, the Appointment in Samarra wikipedia mentions that Maugham’s story comes from a much older version recorded in the Babylonian Talmud, Sukkah 53a.

The Talmud is the central text of Rabbinic Judaism. I’m a Hebrew speaking Jew, though an atheist one who isn’t well-read in religious texts at all, but I was intrigued enough to look up the Hebrew Talmud version of the text (in fact it’s originall in Aramaic, but wikipedia offers a Hebrew tranlsation). A quick Google search led me to the wikipedia page about the personification of death, and that’s when things got interesting.

Under the section about the grim reaper in Judaism, a story from the Talmud is mentioned, which seems to be another version of the Appointment in Samarra story. Here’s the story, translated by Google Translate, because I couldn’t find an English version:

The Babylonian Talmud tells of a sage, Rabbi Bibi, the son of Abiy, whose angel of death was often in his company. Rabbi Bibi heard the angel of death ask his emissary to name a woman named Miriam (Mary) who was a hair dresser (the future mother of Jesus). The messenger of death accidentally killed another woman named Miriam (Mary) who was a teacher. The angel of death said to his messenger: "I asked you to kill Miriam the barber and not Miriam the teacher." The messenger of death replied: Then I will bring Miriam the teacher back to life and bring before you Miriam the barber. The angel of death said to him: If you have already brought Miriam the teacher, leave her with me along with the rest of the dead. The angel of death asked his messenger: How did you manage to kill the teacher Miriam even though it was not her time to die? The messenger of death replied: She was killed before an opportunity to kill her - she was fiddling with the stove with ember in her hand to clean the stove. Inadvertently she caused a burn in her leg - and when a person was harmed and his determination of his time to die was undermined - so I had a chance to kill prematurely. The sage, Rabbi Bibi, asked the angel of death: Do you have permission to kill people before their pre-determined time has come? The angel of death answered, "Yes, for it is written, 'There is no one who has perished without judgment.' 

(According to wikipedia, this story is taken from תלמוד בבלי, מסכת חגיגה, דף ד, עמוד ב – דף ה, עמוד א).

AGR(A?M?)

Alright, I said, two Marys, escaping death but then meeting it eventually. It happens.

But as I read on… that Hebrew wikipedia page mentions another personification of death, the angel of death Azarel. Azarel has three ‘colleagues’ (e.g archangel) in Islam (and in some variations, they also exist in Judaism and Christianity): Jibrail (Gabriel), Israfil, commonly thought of as the counterpart of the Judeo-Christian archangel Raphael, and Mīkhā'īl (Michael).

So wait, that’s -- that’s Azarel, Gabriel, Raphael... as in AGR(A)?  Whoa.  That fourth angel mentioned in Islam is Michael - which doesn’t hold up with AGRA - but could that be a coincidence? We’re told two things about BBCSh’s AGRA, but we can’t really know they’re actually true. The first one is that Mary claims it’s her initials, which we later learn is possibly not true - John gets mad realizing it’s another lie. The other thing is that Mary claims to be ‘R’, for Rosamund, but we can’t be sure about that either. However, another cool detail: in Christianity, Raphael is generally associated with an unnamed angel mentioned in the Gospel of John, who stirs the water at the healing pool of Bethesda. Yes - I know, the M really doesn’t fit there, but M really is a character that stands out in the BBCSH universe, doesn’t it?

Moving on to more cultural references of the personification of death the Hebrew wikipedia page offers, note that I haven’t read the first and it’s been years since I watched the second:

Death with Interruptions

In Death with Interruptions by José Saramago, they mention, death is a woman, and she falls in love with one of her future victims. She decides to spare his life: Every time death sends him his letter [notifying him of his imminent death], it gets returned. Death discovers that, without reason, this man has mistakenly not been killed. Although originally intending merely to analyse this man and discover why he is unique, death eventually becomes infatuated with him, so much so that she takes on human form to meet him. Upon visiting the cellist, she plans to personally give him the letter; instead, she falls in love with him, and, by doing so, she becomes even more human-like.

Chess and The Seventh Seal

Another reference is the film The Seventh Seal, about a knight returning from a crusade, and discovers his land his ravaged by plague. The knight encounters Death, whom he challenges to a chess match, believing he can survive as long as the game continues. Does that remind you of any particular promo pics?

What I find interesting in all these references, is that they all seem to deal with questions regarding ‘dealing with death’ that, in the context of EMP for example, can be seen as Sherlock ‘running simulations’ (or asking philosophical questions) on how to deal with his current situations:

- ‘Do you have permission to kill people before their pre-determined time has come’? (Can people time die before their pre-determined time? Can people escape pre-determined death?)

- Can you interrupt death with love? Was Mary supposed to kill John, fell in love with him and thus his death was postponed? Is John still in danger?

- What can one do to postpone death - perhaps challenging it to a game, hoping for survival as you distract it?

Tagging other meta readers/writers who I think might enjoy this ; let me know if you don’t - I won’t tag you again): @sarahthecoat​​, @devoursjohnlock​​ @inevitably-johnlocked​​ @possiblyimbiassed​​ @waitedforgarridebs​​ @tjlcisthenewsexy​​  @loudest-subtext-in-tv​​ @therealsaintscully​ 

[that-writer-who-never-posts]

Oh, darling

Tom Hiddleston angst/fluff

Hello! I'm back after ages (sorry!) to post this mix of two requests by @sxperncturalimpala67 and @evolovediamond... hope you like it!

Prompt: The reader loves Tom, but the pressure she has to deal with to be with him may be too much.

Warnings: Mentions of panick attack, like one swear word. AND BEATLES.

Like 2k words.

---

"Please don't be home, please don't be home..." You whispered to yourself, watching your hands shaking on the wheel.

You shouldn't be driving in that state. But you needed to get home as soon as possible. Nowhere else was safe. Safe from what? You couldn't think.

Their voices still echoed in your head when you stopped in front of the house.

"Have you seen Tom's girl? She isn't pretty enough for him."

"Tom should be with an actress."

"I hope she enjoys while she can."

Nobody knew anything about your relationship. Still, everybody had an opinion.

You gathered all your strenght and got out of the car. Almost there. Please. Don't be home.

You loved him. You loved to see his face. But you wouldn't be able to handle it today.

When you opened the door and saw him sitting on the sofa, you broke down in tears, shutting it behind you and sitting on the floor, right where you were. You could tell Tom rushed to your side, but you couldn't see very well... Everything was blurry and his voice seemed to come from another room.

"Y/N!" He kept calling you desperately, looking for some kind of bruise on you. "What happened, love? Please, talk to me..."

He tried to pull you into a hug, but you pushed him away, physical contact burned.

"Are you hurt?" He sat in front of you, but keeping a safe distance.

He realized you wouldn't reply to his questions. You didn't even listen them. You just hugged your knees and continued sobbing. He just waited, watching you with pain in his eyes. He was suffering as much as you.

You didn't know what was happening, you had never felt that way... You thought you were dying, but you couldn't stand the idea of going to the hospital, you needed the most empty and quiet place on earth, that's why you didn't want him home. You didn't want him to see you like this. You just wanted to leave your own body, because every feeling was unbearable.

"Listen to me." Tom tried to get your attention and you gave him a quick nod. "Take a deep breath. Calm down, my love. I'm here with you."

You shut your eyes and tried to breath deeply. At first, your sobs made it impossible, but with time, your heart slowed down and you could focus on his voice and your lungs expanding.

"You're doing a great job." He encouraged you. "Can I touch you now?"

You opened your eyes slowly and nodded, facing the floor. He put his hand on your back and started stroking it gently.

"Does it hurt?" He asked, still thinking you were physically hurt.

You shook your head. You wanted to sit closer to him, but you were afraid to move a muscle and cause all that to come back.

He wrapped his arms around you, keeping his eyes glued to your face, looking for a sign he should stop, but since you were emotionless, he picked you up and put you on his lap, hugging you tightly. Your head was on his chest and you could feel his heart racing. He was terrified. And you felt nauseous because it was your fault.

"Sorry." You said weakly, if your mouth wasn't that close to his ear, he wouldn't hear it.

"Don't apologize." He hugs you even tighter. "Whatever happened... It's over now. I'm here."

"Nothing happened." You wipped your eyes.

"Y/N." He removed your hands from your face, so he could stroke it. "I promised to be here whenever you needed. I can't sit here watching you suffer... I want to help you. Please."

You sighed. He was too good for you. Not that you didn't know that before, but these days had been too much, and you didn't want to upset him.

"Tom..." You closed your eyes and enjoyed his touch. "I appreciate what you're doing. But I think you should move on with your life."

"What are you talking about?" He said worried.

"Finding someone who is right for you." You said at once.

"What happened?" He said almost furious. "Did the papparazi suffocate you out there? You haven't been reading comments about us online, have you?"

"This is not for me. I can't handle it." You cried.

"We'll get through it... I promise, I'll help you..." He realized what just heppened. "Did you have a panic attack? Did it happen before?"

You shook your head.

"I'm sorry..." He continued. "I hate that this is all my fault."

"It's not your fault." You interrupted him. "You're going so far... And I don't want to ruin everything. You will find someone who will be able to be by your side."

Someone who won't be weak like me, you thought.

He tried really hard to change your mind, told you you were the only one he would ever want. But your mind was already made up. You left him. It was over.

---

Three months passed, the three worst months of your life. Being with him was hard, but being without him was impossible.

But you left with nothing but good intentions. Now imagine him, who ended up lonely and guilty for screwing your mental health, even though it wasn't his fault.

It was another lonely and sad saturday night when your phone rang.

"Hello?" You said emotionless.

"Y/N! How are you?" A familiar voice replies.

It was Matthew, a friend from work. The two of you were already great friends, but after your break up, you grew closer and he tried to help you in every way he could.

"Hi, Matt. I'm fine." You lied.

"No, you aren't." He sighed. "Yet. You're going to get out of that bed right now and put on a party dress."

"We already talked about this." You rolled your eyes. "I'm not in the mood."

"You've been saying the same thing for three months now." He argued. "I don't want to hear any of that. You can't ask Tom to move on while you're still stuck."

"I'm not interested in meeting anyone right now." You said annoyed.

"You don't have to." He used all his charm to convince you. "All you have to do is go out a little bit. Just to distract yourself. Will be fun, come on..."

---

"I wish I was harder to manipulate." You say to yourself, checking your clothes in the mirror.

A simple blue dress, no make up on. You weren't trying to impress anyone, if it depended on you, you'd like to be invisible.

You hear a car stopping in front of your house. Taking a deep breath, you go towards it.

Matthew was sweet. You knew your face was a disaster and your dress wasn't the fanciest one, but he insisted on complimenting you.

He parked in front of a pub that you and Tom loved to go with friends. Your heart was heavy as you tried to keep the memories away. You couldn't just ask Matt to take you home now.

"There's live music tonight." Matthew said excitedly when you both entered the small place. "You're gonna love it."

You just nodded and gave him a quick smile. You knew about the live music on saturday nights, you danced with Tom countless times, right behind the table you were now sitting at.

As the time started to pass, you mentally thanked the band, because you could just pretend you were watching they play, instead of having empty and awkward conversations with your friend. But even him noticed that your head was somewhere else. Especially after the band started to play one specific song...

*Flash back on*

"No!" You blushed. "Thomas, everyone will see us."

"Y/N..." He laughed. "Everyone here is drunk, they won't remember anyway."

He was right. The band had just started to play "Oh! Darling" by The Beatles, and there was a crowd of drunk people around them, thinking they could hit those notes too. Tom suggested that the two of you should join them.

You stood up, grabbed his hand and took him to the back of the pub, away from the band and the drunks.

"Oh." He smiled. "I'll get a private show."

You laughed and hugged him, starting to move together in the rhythm of the song.

"Oh, darling... If you leave me," He sang to you. "I'll never make it alone."

*Flash back off*

When you told me that you didn't need me anymore,

Well, you know, I nearly broke down and cried.

When you told me that you didn't need me anymore,

Well, you know, I nearly broke down and died.

Oh, darling...

"Y/N!" Matthew had to scream to wake you from your daydream. "We should leave."

"Why?" You looked at him, pretending it wasn't all you wanted.

Before he could answer, your eyes landed on a table a few meters away from yours. Tom was there, looking straight at you, and you could swear he had been crying. When your eyes met, he looked at Matthew, then back at you, giving you a little nod, then getting up and walking towards the door.

You couldn't tell if Matt, or even your own conscience, tried to stop you. But the next thing you knew was that you were running in the middle of the pub, not giving a damn if you bumped on someone or something. When you got to the door, he had just walked out, and you spotted him walking to his car.

"Tom!" You screamed, knowing you would never catch him.

He stopped and turned around. But didn't take a single step closer to you. So you ignored your heavy breathing and your legs begging you for some rest, and walked towards him slowly, like you were trying to approach a wild animal that could run away if you got too close. But he didn't move. When you were close enough, you confirmed that he had tears in his eyes.

"Why did you interrupt your date to come after me?" He said sarcastically.

"It wasn't a date." You tried to explain.

"You don't have to explain yourself." He shrugged. "We don't have anything anymore."

"Don't say that..."

"That's how you wanted it to be." He continued. "Now I see why. You were interested in someone else."

"Shut up!" You almost yelled, and he did exactly what you said, with a surprised face on. "Do you think I wanted to leave? I fucking loved you. I still love you. So much, it was driving me crazy. That's why my GAY friend, Matthew, offered to bring me here. It's the first time I get out of my house, except for work."

"I came here by myself every saturday night on the last three months" He confessed. "I needed to feel close to you. It hurted more than helped, actually."

You looked in each other's eyes deeply, seeing nothing but pain and regret.

"If you didn't want to leave, why did you?" He took a step closer to you. "We were so happy..."

"I thought it would be better for you." You admited. "Those people didn't annoy me for being mean, I can take mean comments. They annoyed me because they were right. Look at me... I'm not the most stunning or successful or any kind of incredible girl that matches you. I don't know how to behave on those fancy events you ask me to attend with you. I can be bad for your image and..."

You were interrupted by his arms wrapping around your waist and bringing you for a deep kiss. You tried to fight it for a second, but you really didn't want to.

"Y/N..." He said when your lips disconnected against your will. "None of that is true, you are perfect for me. I've never loved nobody half as much as I love you... When you left, I got to see how empty my life would be without you. So why should we care about what the trash media and unhappy people say about you online? They are so small compared to the way you make me feel..."

"What if I can't handle it?" You asked sadly. "What if I panic again?"

"I'll keep you safe." He promised.

You hugged him tightly, not being able to believe he was actually there. It wasn't a dream.

"Oh, darling." He quoted the lyrics to you. "Please, believe me... I'll never let you down."

---

Taglist: (I've been having some trouble to tag some people, I'm so sorry!)

@spidey-holland7

@theoneanna

@inlovewith3

@too-cold-for-youhere

@princetale

@drakesfiance

@kcd15

@hiddlestylesbaby

@yzssie

@crescent-night

@thepowerofawkwardcompelsyou

@hiddlesbitch1

@schizophrenicstoryteller

@damyzzzzz

[collecting-stories]

Magnolia IX | Modern!Hvitserk

Ragnar pays a visit to the reader at her work, revealing the reason he’s come around this time. 

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20

"I thought your whole family still lived in Sweden." You commented, following Hvitserk through to the back kitchen in the bakery. He had volunteered to take Nesbitt for a walk this morning so you could sleep in a little bit longer.  

"My mom lives in Sweden and my oldest two brothers. My dad lives wherever he decides to." Hvitserk shrugged. He grabbed a stool and dragged it over to the work table so he could sit while you worked. It was early for him to be up, considering his own work didn't start until evening and it was just 4am now.  

"He seemed nice." You replied. With your back turned you missed the sour expression on Hvitserk's face. "Better than my family at least." 

"He's only around when he wants to be and it's usually at the expense of one of us. Fucked my youngest brother over a few years ago when he showed up for his graduation." Hvitserk replied. "He was great when we were kids but..." 

"It's always different when you're a kid." You wanted to ask more about his dad and what exactly he had done to Hvitserk and his brothers but you didn't want to pry. If he wanted to tell you he would when he was ready.  

"When I have kids someday I'm gonna be the best fucking dad there is." He finally said, reaching over to dip his finger in the bowl of cupcake batter you were mixing. You swatted at him but he just smiled at you as he sucked the batter of his finger. "Strawberry?" 

"Yes, thank you for contaminating my cupcakes." You replied, moving further away from him on the work table. You didn't comment on his mention of his own future children for fear you'd say something embarrassing. After all, just cause you were dating didn't mean this was forever.  

"My hands are clean! I washed them before we left the house." Hvitserk replied. "Do you have any leftovers? I'm starving." 

"You ate that whole container of fried rice before you left with Nesbitt." You commented, though you still went to see if there were leftovers from yesterday. You came back with a bagel, handing it over to him. Hvitserk headed right to the refrigerator, grabbing the cream cheese on the bottom shelf. "It scares me how familiar you are with this kitchen." 

"I'm here every day." It was true. Every day you worked he stopped in to visit after his run, sitting in the kitchen with you. He had breakfast then went back to his place to sleep, though not before swiping your house keys so he could let Nesbitt up to his flat.  

"I know. I'm gonna have to start paying you if you spend any more time here." You replied. 

"If you want I have a few ideas of how I could be compensated." Hvitserk said around a mouthful of his bagel.  

"I'm sure you do." 

The rest of the morning went by in relative silence, Hvitserk enjoying just sitting there and watching you work. Arguably it was one of his favorite things, which was one of the reasons he woke up early nearly every morning to go with you. Another being that he didn't like you being alone in the bakery when it was still dark outside. You returned the favor when you could, showing up to Hvitserk's work at the end of the night with Nesbitt. The first time you had, Hvitserk had excitedly introduced everyone that he worked with to "my girlfriend and our dog".  

Mostly though, it was the watching you that he liked. Sometimes when both of you were home early enough to have dinner together, and actually cook, Hvitserk would just sit at the counter watching you make dinner. He said it was because he cooked all the time at work and he wanted you have the opportunity, but that wasn't true because he cooked plenty at home too. Whenever he thought of some recipe that he was sure would impress you.  

"I can practically feel you staring at me." You stated, back to him as you loaded the oven.  

"That's cause I am." He replied.  

"Right, well, quit it." You sputtered, a little caught off guard by his bluntness. You shouldn't have been, you knew Hvitserk well enough, but you were. 

"Fine, but only because I'm going home." He commented, finishing off the rest of his bagel.  

"I'm off early today." You accepted the hug that Hvitserk offered, letting him wrap his arms around you and lay a kiss on your forehead. "Maybe we can do something." 

"Sleep?"  

"Something more productive than that." You laughed.  

"Hmmm...sex?"  

"I'll see you later." You replied, pulling out of the hug, "give Nesbitt kisses from me." 

"Will do." Hvitserk promised. He stole a quick kiss of his own before heading out the door, offering a 'hello' to Martha as she came in.  

You went back to work once he was gone, finally able to fully focus on the task at hand without being distracted by your boyfriend. Martha opened the front while you stocked the display case with fresh desserts. Mornings were only rushed on Mondays and Fridays when you opened an hour early to accommodate the crowd. It was just a Tuesday today, a slow day by any means but that meant you would be able to get more done.  

It was about half way through your day, after a meeting with a very giddy couple who wanted a wedding cake, that you got a rather unexpected visit. Martha was popping her head in the back office, excited smile on her face as she told you that the some 'incredibly hot dad' was asking for you.  

"He's gotta be fifty-something but I would climb that any day of the week." Martha commented as you followed her back into the store front. "What do you put in these cupcakes seriously." 

"I don't..." You trailed off as you walked through the curtain and saw Ragnar standing there at the display case, appraising the desserts. He looked up and smiled when he saw you, the same sort of mischievous smile you recognized from Hvitserk when he wanted something. "Hello." 

"You've got a lovely little shop here."  

"Thank you, did you want anything in particular or?" 

"Just a minute of your day." Ragnar replied, smile still intact. 

"Oh well, Hvitserk's not in till tonight so, he should still be home." You said.  

"I'm sure he is then. I wanted to see you though."  

"Right okay, of course." You nodded, "Martha I'm gonna take a 5 minute break." 

You gestured to the curtain you'd come out from and Ragnar came around the counter to follow you into the back kitchen. He took up a seat at the same stool that Hvitserk had been sat in earlier but you chose to stand, arms crossed in front of you as you waited for him to speak. 

"I'm sick." Ragnar began.  

hmmmmm........

tags: @oddsnendsfanfics @thinkingsofamadwoman @kawennote09 @niamandthings @imagoodassninja @pebblesz892 @vikingsmania @dina-m16 @tinymoonshine @strangunddurm @thoughtsmeander2tumblingblindly @danceyreagan (I was gonna post a snippet of this for the WIP tag but I was done so I’m posting the whole thing.) 

[safarikalamari]

Coincide - Chapter 2

Previous - Next

Chapter Summary: Senior year begins

Words: 1555

A/N: lmao i almost forgot it was sunday cause i was getting caught up another wip sigh

-

AO3

or

“Race, I got my intern placement!”

Mush bursted in Race’s dorm room, waving his phone. Tugging his headphones down, Race beamed at Mush as he freed himself from his own mess of electronics, almost tripping over his extension cord as he rushed to hug him.

“Mush! Congrats, man!”

“They were just swamped, they meant to get back to all of us sooner but, anyway...they put me at the hospital just down the road! Riverside!” Mush excitedly explained as Blink then crashed into Race’s room, leaping onto the two of them.

“Isn’t it great?” Blink beamed at Mush as the two met each other’s gazes.

“Mm, fantastic,” Race was quick to interrupt lest they start making out then and there in his room. “Part-time or…?”

Turning slowly from Blink, Mush shook himself back to reality and smiled at Race. “Yeah, part-time. They’re working around my classes surprisingly.”

“Oh, yeah, Mush’ll be moving in with me too,” Blink added, an arm wrapping around Mush’s waist.

Race stared at Blink, wondering when he got so behind on his friends’ business. “You live kinda far from the hospital. How’s Mush going to get there?”

Mush shrugged, unbothered by this detail. It didn’t slide so easily under Race and he bit down on his tongue, wanting to remind the two that Mush didn’t even have his permit.

“I’ll take the bus.”

“The bus doesn’t go that far out,” Race retaliated, frowning a little at the thought of Mush walking the rest of the way.

He knew Mush could handle himself just fine, but it was still a trek and after a long day, Mush didn’t need the added exhaustion.

Blink seemed just as calm about this as Mush was, his head resting on Mush’s shoulder. “We’ll figure it out. I’ll see if I can get different hours at the shop.”

Race held himself back from rolling his eyes, knowing that there was no chance of that. Blink liked his chaotic schedule and the last time he had tried to change his days, it ended with a cranky Mush in Race’s bed, hogging all the covers.

“No, don’t– I’ll drive him,” Race blurted out, then rubbing his forehead at his sudden offer.

He was busy enough with school, but his concern for Mush was overpowering and he held his gaze as his friends looked at him.

“Race, that’s–” Mush began before he and Blink exchanged a look. “Well, let me pay for the gas then, okay?”

Race’s familiar grin came back then as he held out his hand. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

Finally, the tension in the room had broken and the three went back to their exuberant hugging, a few tears of joy shared between the three of them.

“What say we go out and celebrate?” Race suggested, his mind begging for distraction from what he had just promised.

Mush and Blink’s face lit up at this idea and Race made a note to remember where his medicine was for the impending morning hangover.

~

After several scheduling arrangements, Mush and Race finally figured out a way for Mush to get to work and for Race to not stay out too late for Mush’s sake. Ever thankful, Mush buried Race in gifts until Race had to plead for him to stop, explaining that the friendship was simply enough.

“Yeah, but...what if I don’t get off until midnight or something?”

Race quirked his eyebrow, laughing a little at his friend. “Then we’ll get Blink to pick you up. You do know he gets off then sometimes, right?”

“Oh,” Mush giggled a little and shook his head. “Sorry. Just nervous I think.”

“You’ll be fine,” Race reassured, throwing an arm around Mush’s shoulder as they walked up to the hospital. “Hell, they won’t want to let you go. Before you know it, you’ll be a doctor here!”

“I’m just going for nurse right now,” Mush smiled. “Doctor’s a bit much.”

Not quite finished with his teasing, Race poked Mush’s side. “Whatever you say, Doctor Meyers.”

“Oh my god, you’re so weird,” Mush rolled his eyes, despite the smile that stayed on his face. “But thanks, I really appreciate it.”

Falling into their signature handshake, Mush and Race said their goodbyes, Race watching Mush until he disappeared into the staff room.

While a small worry grew at the back of his mind, Race knew Mush would be able to handle whatever came his way. Mush was more than qualified with his caring heart and strong soul. Even when they were kids, Race could see how much Mush needed something like this, just like he need his dancing. Except, Race had almost given up and no matter how much time had passed, that regret would never leave him.

Maybe it was just him getting caught up in old memories, but Race didn’t rush to leave the hospital. He took his time through the lobby and into the parking lot, squinting a little at the sun that brightened the day. A few birds flew overhead and Race smiled, accepting the sign of reassurance as he made his way over to his car.

With each step his heart became lighter and he whispered a small “Thanks, Andre,” into the passing wind, turning back to look at the hospital once more before climbing into his car.

~

“He should be finished in just a few, we’re a little short staffed tonight,” the secretary smiled, sympathetic, though her eyes did not share the same sentiment.

Race didn’t really mind if he was being honest. With Friday night upon them, there wasn’t any pressing matters at the time, he was just looking forward to seeing Mush. Returning the secretary’s smile, Race went to settle in to one of the lobby chairs and tugged out his phone.

He switched idly between apps as he adjusted in the chair until his legs were draped over one arm and his back pressing against the other. He paid no mind to the stares as people passed by, he was comfortable and it was their loss.

As if true to the secretary’s word, Mush showed up less than five minutes after Race had settled in and he laughed at his friend.

“Why do you always do that?” Mush asked as Race got to his feet.

“What, enjoy the comfiness of a chair?”

Mush looked back at the chair, the fabric worn and cushions lumpy. “Didn’t look like your position was too comfortable.”

“Look who’s talking, Mr. Drapey,” Race poked back. “Surprised Blink’s lap hasn’t collapsed yet.”

“You’re just jealous,” Mush laughs as the two cross the parking lot to Race’s car.

“You wish!”

As they drove to the apartment, the teasing continued on only with the occasional break for Mush to talk about his day.

“They’re thinking of moving me to another floor, but I’m not sure I can handle it,” Mush sighed, propping his elbow on the car door.

“What do you mean?” Race asked, turning a little from the road for a moment.

Mush grimaced, a hand running through his hair. “The patients in the ward aren’t terminal. Well, yet.”

Race raised his eyebrow a little at this, but kept his mouth shut as Mush shook his head.

“Some of them will get better, leave the hospital for good, but it’s the ones who won’t that worry me. I don’t know if I could handle losing a patient, even if I’ve only known them for a day.”

Pursing his lips, Race thought of what to say, if there was anything to say. His brother had gone so abruptly, to watch someone die, slow and painful, was unfathomable. All he wanted was to reassure Mush, but at this point, Race felt his words would only go so far.

With a sigh, Race held his hand out across the partition, glancing at Mush when he could. Mush took Race’s hand, his hold only relaxing as Race rubbed a thumb along the back of his hand.

“It’ll be tough, but I know you’ll be able to do it. It’s always hard to say goodbye, but you’ve given them the best care and they’ll thank you for that.”

“Thanks, Race.” Mush’s voice was small and he squeezed Race’s hand.

The ride became quiet, the two unbothered by the silence shared between them. Their hands held firm and it wasn’t until they finally pulled up to the apartment that they took their hands back.

“You’re the best, Race. See you tomorrow,” Mush grinned as he got out of the car and Race gave a little wave.

Waiting until Mush was safely inside, Race started the journey back to his dorm. He still didn’t know how to feel about Mush’s situation, filled with worries that would’ve never crossed his mind, but he knew he and Blink would be able to support Mush through and through.

Race himself had grown, and while the loss would never leave him, he had found his way with family and one friend in particular that never gave up on him. He was ready to take on new challenges, borrow from his own experiences, be a shoulder for someone to lean on.

All Race hoped was that his efforts weren’t in vain nor seen as prideful. He just wanted to help the ones he loved and surely there was no shame in that.

[thewrittenpost]

For the song lyric: I gravitate towards you or you'll miss me when I'm gone

Alright, I had to do a Violet one; now I’ve got one for every WIP I’ve got! Yay! :D

Send me a song lyric and I’ll write you a mini AU for my OCs based on that lyric

Read More to keep things small!

I can’t believe I’m back here already; I worked very hard to make sure I wouldn’t have to come back, not yet at least. I had planned on finishing college, getting that degree and coming back as a success in every way… a way of rubbing it in the faces of everyone who had told me I couldn’t do it.

It was sad when the villains were the only ones encouraging you, telling you that you could do anything.

But here I am -for a short time-  because my brother had gotten engaged. Engaged of all things, to some girl he’d only met a year before… and had sworn he loved in the first month.

Right. There was a reason I don’t talk to him about relationships. It just annoys and confuses me.

“Vivi!” My brother came up from behind, ruffling my hair with a laugh. “There you are! I was beginning to think you were going to miss it!”

“I had finals.” I combed my hair back down with my fingers, tired from the testing, the long drive, and our parents. “I came as soon as I could.”

“You passed no doubt,” He answered the unspoken question for himself, messing my hair up again. Mom called for him from the kitchen, and he started moving, calling over his shoulder, “Don’t forget the party tonight!”

“Do I have a choice?”

()~~()~~()~~()~~()

I know everyone here; that was the problem with these functions. My parents keep a strict social circle, and it never changed. These people had all been coming to parties and special occasions since before I was born.

I sighed, checking my phone and earning a disapproving glare from my mother. I’d texted the others as soon as I got here, hoping they’d have some kind of diversion I could use to escape this, but so far, nothing.

To distract myself, I used my telekinesis -still a secret- to trip up an unfortunate bridesmaid who was currently tormenting one of the caterers. It caused enough of a disturbance to bring a smile to my face; it’s always fun seeing others get what they deserved.

“Violet?”

Oh no.

”Peter. Hi.” I forced myself to turn, the cool polite smile I’d learned years ago on my face. It wasn’t fair that these years hadn’t ruined him somehow; couldn’t he have gotten a beer belly, or been a pool boy, or something? The familiar butterflies came back, dancing in my stomach, and I forced herself to ignore them. “Long time, no see.”

“Uh yeah. Graduation.”

“Uh-huh. Went apartment searching right after; I couldn’t wait to get ready for school. It’s been a crazy few years. You?” Don’t babble, don’t babble, not worth it, calm down!

“Uh yeah, me too. Working, helping my parents out at the restaurant. I’m taking some business classes.” Was it my imagination, or was he as awkward as me? No, that was crazy.

“Mm-hmm. Nice.” I resisted the urge to scratch my head, a habit Rosita had hated and constantly smacked my hands for. I settled for adjusting my glasses, looking up at the chuckle Peter let slip. “What?”

“Nothing. Just… you used to do that, when we were little. We’d be hanging out, and you’d rattle some random fact out and fix your glasses like that,” Peter laughed, bringing back memories that I hadn’t thought about seriously since high school.

“Yeah, Stefanie never liked when I did that, so… you know. Know-it-all me.” The silence was beginning to be uncomfortable… not like it ever wasn’t. But for once, it wasn’t just me feeling it; Peter was shuffling his feet, a nervous habit he’d never managed to break. “Um… how is she by the way? I know you guys were a thing.”

A thing that always hurt because she knew and asked you out anyway, but whatever.

“Oh, um. She dumped me. Right after graduation. College parties. She needed to be single for them.”

“Oh.”

Awkward.

I bit my lip, glancing back down at my phone. Still nothing; were they ignoring me? Or were they somewhere nearby, enjoying my misery?

“-for someone?”

“Huh?”

Peter gestured at my phone, raising his eyebrows. “Waiting for someone?”

“Oh! No, I just texted some old friends -not that we aren’t!- but you know. The people from my internship senior year. Yeah. I told them I was in town, so I figured someone would reply, but… they’re probably working.”

Breaking into a bank or something.

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

The awkward silence was back! If I could just find an excuse to get away… far away… at least until I wasn’t a mess. Why was I a mess? It wasn’t as if we’d talked in years! I didn’t even like him anymore; I couldn’t like him anymore. It was just a ridiculous sense of nostalgia, that was all.

I would convince myself of it. Eventually.

“Why did you stop?”

I looked up, and Peter wasn’t looking at me, but the party instead. “I’m sorry, were you talking to me?”

Peter looked over, and I nearly took a step back. What is he thinking?

“Why did you stop talking to us?”

“Me?” My voice got louder than I’d planned, and I waved off a few concerned looks from nearby partygoers. I looked back over, irritation overriding the nerves. “I stopped talking to you? That’s not the way it happened. Stefanie was… you know what? I’m not getting into this at my brother’s party. Or ever. If you’d wanted to talk to me before, that’s your loss, not mine.”

I started to storm off, ignoring Peter’s half-hearted attempts at calling me back. I hesitated inside the house for a moment, hoping he would at least follow. He didn’t.

I spent so much time hoping he wouldn’t listen to her, and for what? I laughed, couldn’t help it as I walked out the front door. The whole situation was absurd; my brother getting married, Peter showing up tonight, me actually being here… it was absurd and somehow I couldn’t hate it. I’d somehow missed this place, the people, after all those years wanting nothing more than to escape.

I guess it’s true what they say. You only miss what you had until it’s gone.

I was walking down the street -my mother would notice if I took my car- but soon enough, I heard my phone chiming.

Hey, you’re back. Up for a quick job tonight?

They saw it. Jerks. The timing was too perfect… they had to have been watching the whole awkward affair.

Sure thing boss. You owe me ice cream for ignoring me for five hours btw

The response was quick -as they normally were- but it still made me grin.

There’s Rocky Road in the freezer. Suit up.

Ah, the job of a super-villain never ended… and it never ended for his associates either.

Some things never changed.

[rose-demica]

Nerves,

Fandom: Ouran High Host Club

Series: Unnamed WIP

Pairing: Kyoya Ootori / Violetta Tatsuya 

Tags: @evilskank-inthemegacoven​

This is probably not cannon with the future fic, but I love it. 

A magazine article reveals Kyoya and Violetta’s best kept secret, as the world comes to terms with it, our couple fight over who leaked the news, how it became public knowledge. This is set a week after that fight. 

Lady Violetta Tatsuya wasn’t normally one to feel nervous, the only times she normally did was when she had to deal with her father. Everything else had been so easy compared to what she faced every time she walked down those overly white corridors towards the room her addled father permanently occupied.

Yet today her nerves fluttered in her stomach like thousands of butterflies seeking nectar. A smile tugging on her lips as her hands tugged her hair from its tight ponytail, barely noticing her nervous reaction as she poured over paperwork.

This was the first formal occasion that they were going to together. As an actual couple rather than business partners. Where they didn’t have to hide the adoration and love they felt for each other or had held. She couldn’t quite be sure anymore.

They’d practically been avoiding each other since the news of their relationship had broken, press releasing their best-kept secret out into the big wide world. The outrage that accompanied was insane, their relationship had always been the subject of gossip, but once it had been confirmed...

It didn’t help that neither of them had each others back, Violetta had blamed him for the leak in the same breath he’d blamed her. The fight that they’d both put up to defend themselves had her household staff shrinking away in fear, priceless trinkets shattered as she’d thrown them at him, kicking him out of her house as she felt her relationship crumble. Forced to deal with the ramifications of such a big secret alone and without her partner at her side. Neither willing to back down and apologise to each other, even as the truth about where the gossip magazines had got their information from came to light. It was how they were, neither of them could swallow their pride and admit they were wrong.

Therefore it was a massive surprise when a bunch of lilac roses were delivered to her office in the early hours of the morning, a handwritten note within asking her to accompany her to the party that she had to attend that night regardless. A text message following within the hour; ‘I mean it Vi, I’ll pick you up at six.’

The nerves hadn’t stopped since. Violetta knew that this was as close to an apology as she was going to get from her other half. They’d never been very good at apologising if it was something they had done. Comfort and support they both could do, but when it came to actually apologising for a mistake, that was something they hadn’t yet encountered in their relationship... but now?

Violetta had never felt so scared before.

The nerves stuck with her, growing stronger with each passing tick of the old clock that sat in her office, reminding her once again she’d always meant to get rid of the grandfather clock, still standing in the same corner it had when her father had inhabited this office. Her attention continually flicking up to it, before dropping back down to the cases she was meant to be dedicating her attention to.

She waved off the offer of lunch, she was too nervous to eat. She hadn’t seen her lover since the fight, hadn’t spoken a word to the man she usually couldn’t go a day without seeing and while getting a bunch of flowers out of the blue wasn’t a surprise, the terror that came at the thought of seeing him again was.

They’d never fought before, not truly, and never for more than a day. Yet it had been a week, a week where she was too scared to contact him, despite the multiple attempts at typing an email or sending a text. Fingers shaking as she attempted to dial his number, only to hang up before it could ring properly. She had had no idea what to say to him then, how to fix everything, and she had even less now.

Her hands were still shaking when people arrived at her door, makeup artists and hairstylists that were escorted to one of the guest rooms. Butlers hesitating at her door with orders to force her from her work and to get ready, but no one knew how to deal with their Lady in tears. Water droplets rolling from her eyes as her hands shook, rereading the same message from him over and over again. ‘I should have known better.’

Three years, three years together and all she got was a text message to end it. She thought he was better than that. That they had meant more to him than that. Her phone buzzed once more in her hand, a picture of him lighting up the screen as a call came through. She’d taken the photo on one of their ‘business’ trips away, he was curled in the centre of the large bed, arm stretched out to one side almost invitingly, his black hair a mess, only slightly smooth at the front where her fingers had combed through it. One eye cracked open slightly to reveal the dark brown iris beneath. It was her favourite photo because it showed a side of him only she got to see. When his guard was truly down.

Her finger hovered over the answer button, wondering if she could really handle talking to him right now. It had been a week without hearing his voice, Her hesitation took too long, the call ending before she could decide whether or not to answer.  

Almost immediately after a text popped up from him. ‘Answer your phone.’ A call barely seconds behind it, the message replaced with the exact same photo of her lover. Her hands shook, but she answered the phone lifting it to her ear.

“What?” She snapped, masking her tears with anger, she wouldn’t let him see her cry, not anymore.

“I wanted to explain myself.” His voice, velvety smooth as always, held notes of distress, and Violetta could hear yelling in the background.

“You made yourself perfectly clear. I just never imagined you would-” Violetta’s voice broke as she tried to say the next words.

“I’m not breaking up with you Vi, not now, not ever.” He knew what she was going to say, cutting her off before she could force the words to leave her throat. Still, her breath caught, he’d said the words to her before, but never with such force and determination. “The message sent before I could finish typing it, and I knew after this week that you would think the worst. I wanted to say that I should have known better than to think you’d let our secret slip. I should never have blamed you, and I definitely shouldn’t have ignored you for this long. God, I thought about you every moment of every day, but I just - I couldn’t-”

“Me neither.” Violetta sat back in her chair, releasing her hair from its ponytail so she could run her fingers through it, smoothing out the knots she herself had caused. Nothing but breathing on the other end of the line, neither could quite bring themselves to say the words that they both knew needed to be said.

“I’ll see you tonight?” He asked softly, and she could almost hear the weight slide off his shoulders as it lifted from hers. No matter what happened, they would get through it, even if they never apologised to each other with words.

“Yeah, yeah you will.” Violetta hung up the phone, putting it down and lifting her hands to wipe the tears from her eyes.

“My Lady, the help Sir hired is here to help you if you are ready.” The butler spoke softly, at ease with the title they’d all given to her partner with each passing moment he spent at her side.

“Very well.” Violetta tucked her phone into her pocket, a light smile on her lips as she headed down to the spare room.

Her smile didn’t falter as she got ready, light chattering around her. The nerves finally settling when she realised he wasn’t mad at her. That despite everything, they were going to be okay.

Her smile grew as a custom made ball gown from her favourite designer was delivered, the woman herself on hand to oversee how the gown fitted. A smile of delight as she saw how her halter neck dark violet gown hugged the woman’s curves, before flaring out slightly at her waist, red and gold beading around the bust and up the collar seeming to highlight Violetta’s auburn hair, matching golden heels winding their way around her legs, visible through the slit along her right leg.

Her smile faltered when the clock chimed six and her date wasn’t at her door, he’d always been punctual, always, if anything he prefered to be early. Her hands drifted to her phone, pressing a button to check and see if she’d missed any messages or calls.

At five minutes past, she was pacing, heels clicking loudly on the marble floor of her foyer. Fingers typing messages on her phone before deleting all of them. A butler took the phone from her fingertips as she walked past him again, taking away her distraction.

At ten minutes past she was sitting on the stairs, legs crossed and purse abandoned at her side. Every bone in her alight with the same nerves and fear that had overtaken her that morning. He must have changed his mind, decided she wasn’t worth it unless the whole thing had just been some sort of prank-

She felt as though she’d been stood up, the flicker of hope she’d fed throughout the afternoon dying out as the minutes ticked on, sitting on the stairs inside her mansion, she’d never truly felt more alone. Her driver stepped forward, keys in hand, but the gentle shake of her head stopped him. She knew how important this engagement was, and she would be the first to accept it if she had to go alone, but right now, she just wanted to give him a few more minutes to appear.

A car door slamming pulled her from her thoughts, footsteps quick up the stairs and her front door thrown open. A sigh of relief falling from her lips when she saw him standing in the doorway. His normally impeccable black hair was slightly mussed, dark brown eyes sweeping over the foyer from beneath his glasses, a rare smile pulling at his lips and flooding into his eyes when he noticed her position on the stairs.

“You’re late.” She stated simply, standing and picking up the golden clutch bag that accompanied her dress.

“I am so sorry. I got forced to change at the last minute and-” He cut his excuse off, pushing his glasses up his nose. “You look beautiful Vi.” She smiled, walking down the stairs and reaching up to straighten his tie. He smiled, leaning down slightly to steal a gentle kiss from her lips.

“I have something for you.” His hands rested on her waist, spinning her slightly so her back faced him, she lifted her hair automatically as he let a chain fall over her neck, doing it up with the same ease he always had. A tender kiss pressed to her neck as she lifted the small necklace. It was simplistic, the infinity sign tangled in amongst the chain, and as her fingers ran over it, she could feel an engraving on the back.

“Our names, Vi I am so sorry. I should never have-” She cut him off with a kiss.

“I’m sorry too.” She whispered, fixing his hair before slipping her arm through his, “and we can make it up to each other later, but we are going to be late.” He smirked at her, kissing her temple before leading her down towards the waiting limo.

The nerves in her stomach settling for good now that his arm wrapped around her.