#just chill there ms curiosity

[kelmcdonald]

The Better to Find You With Page 33: Who's Asking, Lady?

The City Between is also available to read here!

[thecameronchronicles]

Eggnog 2

Part 1!

TW: smut. Language. Public sexual acts. Degrading kink. Cheating.

SUMMARY: your affair with JJ continued.

WORD COUNT: 2000

REQUESTED

Anonymous asked:

Can you maybe do like a part 2 for „Eggnog“ where reader wakes up the next morning and remembers everything. She try’s to act like she didn’t like it and that she doesn’t have a crush on JJ. The whole day (u can choose what they are doing) JJ is whispering things in her ears about the night they had together and other dirty thing he wants to do to her and then it comes to smut again, while topper is near. It would be awesome if you would put some degrading in it! Thank u love!!🫶🏻

Eggnog 2

 Nothing happened. 

This was what you told yourself as you awoke within the bed of the otherwise vacant hotel room. But no matter the repetition in which this mantra was spoken, it would not make it true. Not when the evidence of that night before wore well in the space around you. The sheets stained in sweat and cum, the clothes discarded and crumpled from the rush made of undressing. Of course, these evidentiary momentos could be hidden in a swift cleanse, but the same could not be said for what remained behind of internal proof. 

The way your thighs ached to every movement and even the heat of the shower had only worsened the memory of hsi touch left imprinted within your skin. Or course, you could speak away those marks he left by his greedy fingers and eagerly overzealous lips, as your boyfriend paid little attention to you as is. And for the first time, you didn't feel pain in that realization. You found excitement in the thought of this secret tryst well remembered into your silent reminiscence. But you would be damned if you let JJ Maybank know he held such an affect on you. 

Unlucky for you, you had signed on to help the Thornton family decorate the ballroom of the Island Inn Resort for the coming night's Christmas fundraiser. This meant you would be forced to spend an unbearable amount of time nearly alone with JJ. The only other set of eyes having been your boyfriend’s mother, who was already looking for a reason to ruin your already crumbling relationship. But you were too stubborn to allow either her or JJ any level of satisfaction. Even if the aforementioned had offered that tenfold. 

"Morning, princess." His voice forced you to swallow hard. You recalled how the timbre spoken the night prior was heavy with lust. And now, he spoke almost to taunt you. 

"Can you get a chair?" You asked as the first excuse to distance yourself from him left your lips as you moved across the space. But where you had a relationship and reputation to risk, he saw nothing but opportunity before him. 

"If you can walk, I guess I didn't do a better job than him, did I, sweetheart?" He inquired over your shoulder. His presence made you gasp as he was present in an abrupt appearance but his words had chilled you. The flutter of your eyes was a natural reaction to his breath on your neck as you recalled it not even twelve hours prior. That familiar heat making you pulse with need, panties ruined once again. If he hadn't stolen them…

"I could fix that-"

"Nothing happened." 

"I know damn well you remember…it's why you're shaking…" You clenched your jaw, "Why you can't look me in my eye…" You rivaled him, stubborn enough to challenge him. 

"Looking at me just like you did with my cock-"

"Everything okay?" Cynthia asked as you nodded, unable to formulate anything but a faux nod as you distanced yourself from him. 

"I wanna bend you over this table and make you ride my fingers to the knuckle…" His vulgarity froze you solid in your attempt to focus on anything but him. But his consistent presence worsened this newfound crush on him. That usual curiosity had not only intensified, but obliterated any sense of reason. 

"I want everyone including the good Ms. Thornton to hear those sexy little whimpers you make and how you beg so fucking pretty…and I want them to know it's because of me…"

"JJ…please…"

"Still trying to pretend you don't remember?" He asked, his fingers climbing into your skirt from behind, the height of the table hiding hid ambitions. 

"Kinda hard when you're dripping for me, princess…fuck, you're even more soaked than last night…" He moved his lips impossibly close to your ear as you tensed completely in place. 

"That's because you know how hard I can make you come, isn't that right?" You clenched your teeth. 

"You know how good I feel inside you…" Upon that word, his fingers moved against your sex. One slow insertion making your eyes screw shut. 

"I could get you off right here, and look at that…" His hand came to the back of your neck, drawing your focus across the room, "He's been here ten minutes and hasn't even looked at you once. Good thing, though…because he'd know I was making you wanna come…" He forced you to face him while keeping you pinned before him. 

"Oh, that's right, he's never made you come…Maybe I should let him see it just once. God knows he'll never get you there.. " He scoffed. 

"Please stop, JJ…" You groaned, hand tighter around his wrist. 

"All you have to do is stop me. Push my hand away…" You attempted this, but he  only quickened his fingers. 

"But it feels so good, princess…doesn't it?" You slowly nodded, drunk on the sensations his fingers and his alone could allow. 

"How's she coming?" A voice made you illuminate a bright crimson.

"Oh, she's coming…" He smirked as this had been a reference to the decorations, but a double meaning to both you and JJ. 

He would retract strictly to torment you as you watched his grin widen as he moved to the corridor secluded from most guests. Even those more prestigious as guests or benefactor wouldn't dare venture the halls of the employee quarters, which made it safe for you to follow him. It wasn't as if Topper paid any real mind to you anyhow. 

You wouldn't make it even a foot out of Topper’s eyesight before JJ had you pinned against the wall. Your palms flat at the cold surface as his fingers returned into your skirt. 

"I can't get this tight little pussy out of my mind, princess…I'm going to have a taste…and you're gonna be quiet." Before you could fight this, he was on his knees from behind. 

"Turn around. I wanna watch you come." He pulled your leg over his shoulder as he bunched your skirt at your navel. 

"Jesus! You wanna drown me? You're this desperate for me?" 

"Please…"

"I'll never get tired of hearing you beg for me…EVER!" He growled before suffocating himself into your sex. Tongue began slow but direct, targeting that aching clit. The satisfaction leading you to grip strongly through his hair. 

"Still want to tell me you don't remember?" You were silent, aware if you attempted to speak in any context that it would only emerge as a whimper or a screech. Either way, your body rejected the idea. 

"In my face. I wanna watch you."

"JJ-" His ringed fingers ate sharply into your thigh. 

"You wanna come. You're gonna help me here. Least you can do for lying. Come on,princess, let me see how desperate you are for me…" His eyes narrowed as you obliged. 

"Wider…" Using one hand to spread your lower lips, you used the other to pleasure yourself. 

"You make it look so fucking good…want my tongue?"

"Then beg."

"Please…"

"Careful…sounding like such a little whore, Top might hear you…" He was quick to learn you favored the degradation. 

"You want him to hear you?" His blue irises blew with excitement. The idea of being with any Kook was enough to inflame his ego. But to be with Topper Thornton's girlfriend, this would be something he wanted to savor. 

"I'm not ready for him to hear you come yet. But don't worry, princess, he will." You were guided onto your knees as he stood.

"Just like you did last night-"

"Someone could see…"

"Then you might want to make it quick, sweetheart. Or I'll make it impossible for you to be quiet. God knows you already are a slut for me…"

"Just so hungry for this pogue cock, aren't you?" He asked as you kicked your lips at the sight of him. Never before had a cock been alluring to you. But his was. Large. Intimidating. The source of such pleasure reminded by the taste immediately familiar to the palate of your tongue. 

"Fuuuuck…." He groaned. "Look just how desperate you are. Rubbing yourself and now you're on your knees for me…But you don't get to make me come this way…so slow down " But you denied him your obedience. Perhaps it was vengeance from the night before as alcohol lowered your inhibitions. But you wouldn't grant him your acquiescence. Not now. You were now holding the reins. 

"Princess-" You ou ignored his warning with a screwing motion made of his shaft, teasing his tip with kitty licks before moaning when tasting that salty excess. His cock was angry, crying for you in a beaded gathering, as you couldn't help but smile. 

"Proud of yourself?" 

"Very."

"Oh yeah? Let's see how fucking proud you are when everyone hears you come for a pogue-" You we're lifted off of the ground and taken into his cock with a gasp. 

You knew him well from the night before, having been stretched to accommodate him, but this was different. He hadn't spent the majority of the interaction preparing you. He needed to feel you. He needed to own you. To control you. And please you. But more than this, you needed to let him. 

"You wanna whine like a little slut for me, don't you, sweetheart? Want everyone to know how good I feel so fucking deep in this tight little pussy, right?'

"So good-" 

"Then tell 'em. Because I'm not stopping until you squirt or scream-"

"JJ-" Your teeth clenched to his motions increasing. His cock reached the depths of your cervix where pain and pleasure joined in a steady rhythm. His hands at your breasts or at your curves accommodated the ache as his lips distracted you from any discomfort. He acted as a magician of sorts with such lustful talents as you had no choice but to be consumed by him. If not for his brazen eagerness than for your own need for rebellion. Opposites attracting in a collision of pelvic association as he continued into you with stride. 

"You want this or are you going to keep pretending this isn't the best cock you've ever had?"

You groaned, back arching as he continued. 

"Tell. Me."

"More."

"Than I don't want anyone to know. Not yet. But you WILL come on my cock." His hand slipped across your cheek and into your hair. A single display of care and final domineering spirit as he gripped a hold of your hair. 

"Your cock. Use me, princess. Right fucking now before I lose my patience-" You clenched around him as he tensed his own jaw. 

"That's my girl." Be endorsed before you found that release in a wave of ecstasy washing him into his own.

"You gave me something to look forward to coming to work…" 

"JJ-"

"But if you show up here with panties, know I'll rip em right off. And if you let him touch you after this…you won't like me…"

"Who says I do?" You fixed your attire as he remained wearing your mixed cum on his shaft as if it has been some battle scar. 

"My cock wearing you."

"Don't get used to it "

"You're right. Next time, it's your throat. Maybe that ass.." 

It took you a moment to rejoin the small collection of fellow Kooks that now accumulated in your absence. It had taken only a second for Topper and Rafe to hold JJ in their joined predatorial cross hairs. But where they found a need to protect their social homestead, your face paled as you had watched JJ. His angle chosen kept his actions secretive to only you, but bold enough to be seen by anyone if they became curious enough. 

Your panties from the night before had been set as an ornament on the tree. Ones you knew Topper could recognize, but also ones that JJ had made stained in a way your boyfriend never could. And it was the way JJ turned in a final moment before returning to his occupational task that told you he knew this… 

Taglist: @hopebaker @iovdrew @penny4yourthoughts @magnificantmermaid @pickingviolets @lovedetlost @trikigirl271 @maybankslover @slut4starkey @slvtherinseeker @obxiskewl @bluesongbird @slut-era @ailee-celeste @camilynn @sweetestdesire @onmykneesforrafe @drews1love @pankhoeforlife @pankowperfection

MASTERLIST

CHRISTMAS MASTERLIST

JJ MAYBANK MASTERLIST

JJ MAYBANK AND KOOK READER MASTERLIST

[reallygroovyninja]

The Lottery

Lexa returned home from her job at the local library, tired after a long day of shelving books and assisting patrons. The comforting aroma of her homemade dinner filled the small apartment as she settled down at her modest dining table. Just as she was about to take her first bite, a sudden, unexpected knock on the door interrupted her evening. 

Startled, Lexa rose from her chair and made her way to the door. She peered through the peephole, finding a tall and imposing alpha standing on her doorstep, holding an official-looking envelope. He wore a serious expression, and his presence radiated an air of formality. 

Taking a deep breath, Lexa opened the door just wide enough to peer outside, her heart racing with a mixture of curiosity and unease. The alpha glanced at her, his gaze unwavering, and asked, "Are you Alexandria Woods?" 

Lexa nodded slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, that's me." 

The alpha's stern features softened just slightly as he extended the envelope toward her. "Congratulations, Ms. Woods," he said in a low, authoritative tone. "You have been chosen for the National Marriage Lottery." 

Lexa's hand trembled as she accepted the envelope from him, her fingers brushing against his for the briefest moment. She felt a chill run down her spine as the implications of the moment sank in. The envelope bore the official seal of the Ministry of Matrimonial Partnerships, confirming the gravity of its contents. 

As she started to read the letter inside, the alpha turned and walked away, disappearing into the dimly lit hallway. Lexa's mind was reeling as she closed the door, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't believe she had been chosen, and the thought that she would have to be at the Ministry's office in just seven days to learn the name of her future alpha left her with a whirlwind of emotions. Her once quiet and ordinary life had been irrevocably altered, and the journey into the unknown had just begun. 

Lexa's dinner lay forgotten on the dining table, growing cold and untouched. She made her way to the living room and sank onto her couch, her eyes never leaving the letter now resting on the coffee table before her. The weight of its significance seemed to press down on her, and she couldn't tear her gaze away. 

The apartment was quiet, save for the soft hum of the city outside, and Lexa's thoughts raced. She replayed the alpha's words in her mind—congratulations, chosen for the National Marriage Lottery. It was a phrase she had never expected to hear, and the implications of it left her feeling both apprehensive and intrigued. 

Her fingers traced the edges of the envelope, almost as if she expected it to reveal more secrets by touch alone. The official seal of the Ministry stared back at her, a symbol of the life-altering journey that lay ahead. Lexa couldn't help but wonder about the alpha on the other end of this unexpected twist of fate. Who was he? What would he be like? Would they be compatible, or would this be a tumultuous forced partnership? 

Minutes turned into an hour as Lexa sat there, lost in thought, her heart a mix of uncertainty and curiosity. The future was suddenly uncertain, and her once familiar routine had been disrupted. But beneath the anxiety and apprehension, a flicker of excitement simmered. Lexa knew that whatever lay ahead, she was about to embark on a journey that would forever change the course of her life. 

Anya leaned against the sleek, metal frame of the window, her gaze fixed on the bustling city below, aglow with the neon lights of the signage. She turned her head, her sharp alpha features softened by concern as she looked at Lexa. "You know it's tomorrow, right?" she asked, her voice carrying the weight of the unspoken – the National Marriage Lottery.  

Lexa nodded, her fingers absently twisting a strand of her hair. "I know," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. The room, adorned with minimalist decor and the latest technological advancements, felt colder than usual.  

Anya pushed away from the window, her movements decisive, a natural leader's poise. "Are you ready for this, Lex?" she asked, her eyes searching Lexa's face for any sign of doubt or fear. "Being paired with a stranger, an alpha you've never met... it's not something to take lightly."  

Lexa's eyes lifted to meet Anya's, a certain resolve burning within them. "I don't really have a choice, do I?" she said, a hint of bitterness lacing her words. "It's either enter the lottery or face the penalties. And you know how I feel about the government dictating our choices."  

Anya sighed, her protective instincts as an alpha kicking in. "I just don't want you to be forced into something you're not ready for," she said, her voice tinged with concern. "Especially with an alpha. Our kind can be... overwhelming, especially for an unpaired omega."  

Lexa managed a small smile, appreciative of her cousin's concern. "I'll manage. Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and be paired with someone decent. Someone who understands that this... arrangement is as new and awkward for me as it is for them."  

"Or maybe you'll find someone who's more than just decent," Anya suggested, a playful glint in her eyes. "Someone who could actually make you happy."  

Lexa's smile grew, a rare moment of optimism breaking through her usual guarded demeanor. "Maybe," she conceded, allowing herself that sliver of hope.  

Anya placed a reassuring hand on Lexa's shoulder, her alpha presence both comforting and empowering. "No matter what happens, I'm here for you, Lex. We'll face this together, as family."  

As Lexa nodded, a silent bond of strength and support passed between the two women. Tomorrow would bring uncertainty, but tonight, they found solace in their unbreakable familial bond. 

[sl-newsie]

Behind Masks (Dr. Jonathon Crane x OC) Ch. 1: Introductions

“You can’t keep me here! I demand a lawyer! I am an associate of the Hell’s Gate Psychiatric Institution and will not tolerate this denial of justice!”

The security guard bangs his baton against the bars again. “Quiet, Prentiss! You’re lucky you get your own cell. Or would you rather have to share?”

My gaze throws daggers. “I’ll have you know that I am perfectly sane and do not belong in this asylum. I will not cooperate until I speak to a lawyer.”

“That’s too bad,” the guard taunts. “‘Cause I got strict orders not to allow you any visitors.”

I gawk at his idiotic face. “On whose authority?”

“You’ll meet him once his current session is over,” he says as he walks down the hall away from my cell. "I think it’s with Croc if I’m not mistaken.”

Croc? As in Killer Croc? God, why didn’t I just play the game? Why did I have to go beyond my jurisdiction? I already knew Gotham was a rigged and twisted system the second I got here. I’ve gone from a respected psychiatrist to the very type of person I’m supposed to be above. Now all I have to my name is an orange jumpsuit, a pair of cheap sneakers, a toothbrush, and a small copy of the Bible. 

How long have I been waiting? There’s no clock, no windows. No clue to anything happening outside. All I see are beige hallways spanned into a webbed labyrinth that’s meant to keep patients from escaping. Keep me from escaping.

Thud-thud. Thud-thud.

Muffled footsteps echo down through the hall, potentially signaling my approaching contact. At first my heart soars at the hope of finally talking to someone in authority who can get me out; yet as the footsteps grow louder there’s something about them that sends a chill down my spine. It can’t be him. God, I hope it’s not him-

It’s him.

I’ve heard rumors of the dark secrets that go on at Arkham. Crackheads slicing open arteries, schizophrenics keeping doctors up for days on end. One that always highlights itself above the rest is the Scarecrow. And he just opened my cell door.

What I notice first is the eyes. Cold, icy-blue eyes so full of curiosity yet still impassive. Those cold and calculating eyes stare straight through and scan me. It’s a silent battle of how hard his stare can press until I break. I also see how he’s managed to keep his job. One might say he’s handsome but I know better. Just because you were a clean suit does not mean your soul is spotless. He may be able to charm his way into Arkham but I’ll never give in.

“Good afternoon, Ms…?”

The voice doesn’t help either. He does it well. Calm, soft, and smooth. Typical therapist nonsense I see in my line of work every day. Let’s see if I can win this game.

“You should have access to my file, sir. Introductions should not be necessary.”

The man’s eyebrows raise in response to my equally calm tone. Keep the voice calm, keep the eyes alert. I need to discreetly establish dominance in this conversation in order to gain leverage.

“I do have your file. But I prefer personal introductions with my patients.” The man sets a briefcase on the nearby table and takes a seat, then gestures for me to join him. “No need to hide. I’m here to help.”

Straight to the point I see. No use trying to beat around the bush. I step away from the corner I’m leaning against but refuse to sit down.

“There was a mistake.”

The man frowns and pulls out a pad to start taking notes. “What do you mean?”

He wants me to talk, so I will. “I mean I’m not supposed to be here. Someone paid off the judge to have me locked up, and the judge has had it out for me ever since I dug up his affair with the mayor’s wife.”

This intrigues the therapist as he jots down more notes, still looking up to keep his eyes piercing into me. “Are you a reporter?”

“Far from it. I am- was a psychiatrist in Metropolis. I was called to Gotham to help the mayor’s son. No one else was willing to work here.”

“And you are?” He asks with slight surprise though he tries to hide it.

“Metropolis can only take my curiosity so far,” I mutter. “Gotham is unique.”

More scribbling. I must say he’s much more organized than other professionals I’ve worked with. All the more reason to be concerned with the outcome of this conversation.

“I’m going to ask you some questions to start forming your profile.” Crane turns over an hourglass and clicks his pen open.

Basic protocol. There’s no way I’m giving him everything. Thankfully I’ve learned to avoid the telltale signs of lying.

“Full name?”

“Calico Marie Prentiss.”

“Pretty. Family name, I presume?”

Trying to soften me up and dig into my family history. “My father likes unique names, my mother prefers traditional ones. So they compromised.” Use present tense.

“How is your relationship with your family?” the man asks softly.

He has my family history. My job required me to keep an updated profile on personal matters to validate my own mental health. In other words just an excuse for the bored guys at the top to snoop.

“Currently undecided.” They’re dead. What else am I supposed to say?

“Ms. Prentiss, your parents-”

“With all due respect, sir, can we move things along and save that topic for later?” Just get to the part when I can get out of here!

My stern request doesn’t seem to faze the man. “Do you have supportive people in your life?”

Trying to bring me down by addressing empathy links. “People, no. I have other methods of support. And before you ask, I have never done drugs.”

He nods. “Current relationship status?”

This trips my mind a bit. Must be a new questionnaire protocol? 

“Single,” I enunciate in a cold voice.

“Interesting…” More scribbling. Jesus, is he writing a book about me? “Normally people like you are either engaged, married, or divorced. Very rarely do I see any single psychiatrists. Attractive, smart, rich. Very appealing characteristics for a relationship, don’t you think?”

Hm. He asked a question that isn’t based on my profile. Is this for genuine curiosity or a topic of interest for him? After a few seconds of silence go by he continues.

“Your toxicology screening came back clean, as you mentioned before. How many partners have you encountered?”

The question rings in my ear and for an instant my mask slips, but I’m quick to recover.

“None.”

Once again the therapist is surprised. “Catholic, are we?”

“I have my morals. I’m too busy to be worrying about sex, sir. My job comes first.”

More scribbling. God, how much longer?

“Are you having suicidal thoughts right now, or have you had suicidal thoughts within the past month?”

If this questioning goes any longer I may consider it.

“No.”

“Are you having homicidal thoughts, or have you had homicidal thoughts in the past month?”

“Never.”

“How do you cope with stress?”

“Exercise and hard rock. You should try it sometime.” I’m starting to lose my patience and I have to take a slow breath. This is just what he wants. Calm down.

The man hums. “What are some of your strengths?”

“I’m punctual and have a traditional mindset. This tends to drive away disagreeing parties, which is why I’m here.” I step closer and place my hands on the table to face him directly. “You are a head staff member here whether it’s morally correct or not. All I ask is to please allow me to speak to a lawyer, or at least a transfer to Gotham Penitentiary. I am not insane.”

“Morally correct…” he lingers on the thought and tilts his head. “Why would you say that, Ms. Prentiss?”

Just as I thought before, no use beating around the bush.

“I know who you are. Jonathan Crane, a former professor of psychology who’s obsessed with fear. Now you work here experimenting on patients behind the warden’s back.”

Crane’s eyes spark at the mention of fear. Must be a trigger word, perhaps for old memories. “Are you sure you’re not a reporter?” he asks, still in the same soft tone.

I shake my head. “Just a woman who’s not afraid to step on any toes.”

“Ah.” Crane stands up slowly and rummages through his briefcase. After tucking away his notes he looks up with a look that makes my blood run cold. 

“Would you like to see my mask?”

[susiequaz12]

Solomon and Lo- Marlowe the Immortal, Vampire AU

This is the next chapter in the installment for Marlowe the Immortal, and Solomon the Vampire. The latest chapter chronologically is here. Marlowe's masterlist is here. CW: nonbinary mc, vampire whumpee, whipping, restraints, blood. (Vampires are seen as animals, and are treated as such)

After making the climb over the mountain Marlowe and Solomon had come upon the village, settled in the valley at the bottom. They'd been living in the village for a few weeks. It was a short amount of time, but the village was so small, so remote, that it didn’t take long for them to figure out how to seamlessly blend in. 

Solomon was not allowed outside of the house. Not unless Marlowe took him out with a collar and a leash around the vampire’s throat. Sol refused- he would not be paraded around like a dog- so he stayed inside.

Anyone in the village with a vampire was required to register them with the head council of the town. That vampire’s behaviors were required to be appropriate, and fitting within the beliefs of the town’s laws and regulations. 

These laws and regulations meant that all vampires had to remain docile. They were given a set amount of pig’s blood as all they were allowed to eat. They had to be submissive and obey any order- especially ones from their owner. Any act of defiance from a vampire towards anyone in the town was threatened with punishment. As they witnessed their first week- that punishment often included a public whipping in the middle of the square. 

Solomon was grateful not to have seen it, but Lo remembered that poor vampire’s screams piercing the air. 

The sun was dipping low behind the mountain, and Marlowe had just finished their work for the day. They had taken up a quiet job cleaning the tavern at the edge of the town and were walking back to their small house. It was a simple job- didn’t pay too much, but it was enough to pay for some food and clothes and the rent on the house they had been provided with. The village, despite having their strict laws regarding vampires had been hospitable. And the townspeople were more than happy to provide Lo with a dwelling, providing them and their vampire earned their keep. 

Lo was passing through the town square when they saw the large gathering. It was most of the townspeople and all the shop owners, they reckoned. There was an eerie glow amongst the horizon as night fell, and a soft chill from the breeze. Marlowe wondered what all the fuss was about- and then they heard the screams. 

It was the familiar sound- the crack of the whip followed by a piercing shriek. 

Marlowe’s curiosity had outweighed their horror and they inched forward towards the crowd, perching on tiptoes until they could see the vampire, strung up by his wrists in the middle of the square, bare from the waist up. The whip crashed down again, blood spattering as the lashes burst open. 

“It’s a shame isn’t it?” One woman in the crowd said, turning towards Lo. Lo turned their head towards her and caught her eye. “That poor farmer’s dog. Did you not hear?”

“What happened?” Lo asked. 

“That vampire went on a rampage, killed and completely devoured Farmer Brecken’s sheep dog. The monster went crazy.” She shook her head, turning her gaze back to the display of cruelty. 

Lo recognized her-  Ms Floreta- she was always one to gossip, but it was easy to keep your nose in everyone’s business as the town seamstress. Lo remembered being sent to her to get their clothes when they arrived with nothing but the rags on their back. 

“You’ve got your own at home, don’t you?” 

“Hmm?” 

“A vampire.” She hissed, like it was vulgar to say. “I remember seeing you arrive with it when you first got here. Yours has that really pretty dark hair, doesn’t it?” 

“Oh, yes ma’am” Lo nodded. “Sorry, I should be getting home. Dinner should be ready soon.” 

Ms Floreta turned, her hand coming to clutch her heart as she gasped. “You trust your vampire- that creature, to cook your food?” 

Lo chuckled, hiding back a smirk. “Yes ma’am, he’s very… well behaved. Excuse me.” 

Lo dipped out and around the crowd before she could utter another word of disgust towards them and their vampire, and quickly made their way around the crowd. 

That first whipping had been a few weeks ago, and Lo was grateful that another one had yet to occur. 

It had been over a month, and still every day Solomon would be waiting for Marlowe to get home. He would have dinner ready for Lo right after work, and then they’d spend a few blissful hours together before Lo went to bed, and Sol resorted to doing the cleaning. He would sleep during the day while Lo worked, and together they kept their quaint little house in order. 

It was a simple wooden structure, with a little hut outside for their bathroom, a washtub, and a kitchen with a small table and two chairs, a living space with a fireplace, a pile of wood, and a straw mat by the door. A single bedroom with a simple bed and just a few blankets, a chest for their clothes, and a small table with a few books. There were two windows, one at the front of the house, and one in the bedroom, with dark curtains that stayed permanently drawn closed.

This specific night Lo came home tense. There had been talk of that same vampire- the one from the whipping nearly a month ago. Lo had seen a wagon pull into town, the vampire dragged out of the back, and tossed at his owner’s feet. The poor vampire had been shaking, he looked so small and frail. 

As they opened the door and set their satchel down Solomon greeted them with a smile. 

“How was work?” He asked.

“It was fine, nothing unusual.” 

Solomon set down the spoon he was holding on the table and walked up to Lo, cupping their face in his hands. 

“What’s troubling you? Something happened, I can tell. Come, eat and tell me what happened.”

Lo melted as they looked into the vampire's piercing gaze. They sighed following Solomon into the kitchen. He dished them up a bowl of the stew he had been cooking over the fire, and broke off a piece of their bread, setting it down on the table and sat across from his human.

Solomon enjoyed cooking for Lo- he found it entertaining to try new recipes, and then see how they tasted from Lo afterwards. The stew had been both of their favorites so far. Full of meat, potatoes, and an herbaceous broth. Lo’s blood afterwards would always be rich- full of deep flavors and earthy undertones. 

Sol folded his hands, resting his chin on top and glanced across the table at Lo, an eyebrow raised as Lo took a tentative bite of the stew. 

“It’s good.” Lo mumbled. “Thank you, Sol.”

After a few more minutes of silence Lo finally sighed, setting their spoon down. 

“Do you remember that vampire I told you about a few weeks ago?” 

Sol shivered. “The one in the square? With the farmer’s dog? I remember.” 

Lo nodded. “I saw him again today. A big wagon pulled right up in the middle of the square. He was dragged out of the back, and- and given back to his owner I guess. The poor thing, he just- he looked so scared, and malnourished and it- it made me wonder what they’d done to him.” 

Sol shook his head, “I don’t blame him for what he did. Killing that dog- it’s sad but with the amount of food provided, it’s- it’s not nearly enough to sustain off of. He had to have been starving to get to that point.” 

Lo nodded, looking over to where they had Sol’s food sitting. 2 pints of blood a week. Vampire’s were not permitted to be given any more. It was something in the rules about keeping them weak and docile. Solomon would drink double that amount every week from Lo. He would drink the pig’s blood only out of necessity, so as not to arouse suspicion when the town council did their inspections- or when Sol was required to collect his weekly supply. But the pig’s blood was nothing compared to Lo. It was nearly sour- almost rancid and bitter, whereas Lo had always been sweet. So incredibly rich, and divine, and beautiful. 

“This whole town just makes me worried.” Lo muttered, picking at their piece of bread. “If someone were to find out- about- about us, what would happen to you? Would they cart you away, or- or string you up in the square?”

Lo’s mind flashed to the nights spent curled up next to each other- the lazy mornings spent with sleep in their eyes, Sol’s body entwined with theirs. There was the gentleness of his touch- the strength of his hands, the feel of his lips, and Lo felt their heart racing. 

“The- the things we’ve done, Sol- To these- to these people, in this town, it’s- it’s criminal. I can’t imagine what they’d do- I- I can’t see you get hurt, I-”

“Shh, Marlowe-” Sol quickly moved around the table, kneeling next to their chair, cupping their chin in his hand. “Look at me- they’re not going to find out. Here, in our home, we are safe. I will ensure of that. I promised to protect you and I will do whatever I can to ensure you stay safe.” 

Marlowe reached a hand up to the back of Sol’s neck, entwining their fingers in the dark strands of hair. “I need you to stay safe too, understand?” Lo leaned forward, pressing their foreheads together. “I need you here, Darling, - and not just so you can cook me dinner to see how I taste afterwards, all right?” 

Solomon chuckled, a smirk playing across his lips. 

“I promise. We've been through hell and back to get here, I won't let anything change that. I’ll ensure it.” Solomon closed the distance between them, pressing his lips to theirs and Lo hummed softly, smiling beneath the kiss. 

Marlowe let their lips part softly as Solomon slid a tongue between their lips, tasting inside of their mouth, breathing them in like air.

Lo let themselves be held. As long as they were here with Solomon, in his arms- they'd be safe.

-

Tag List: @imagination1reality0 @thecyrulik @whumpsday @termsnconditions-apply @spectral-whumpy-writer @raddyscoops

[derpatron731]

Out of curiosity, was there anything that inspired Ms Dove?

So glad you asked! The main inspirations for Miss Dove was Miss Frizzle from The Magic School bus, and Calliope from The Muses - Hercules. I wanted to make a teacher that radiated creativity and fun, like Frizzle, but with a more chill and mellow personality. I chose Calliope specifically because she just gave of the most motherly vibe out of the group, like those brief moments where she sternly corrects the other muses and takes charge to introduce the scenes while still maintaining a kind exposition. And overall the muses are what inspired her story time segment in the show.

I loved the way the muses were able to convey Hercules’ story through song along with brief narration. It’s exactly how I imagine Dove’s segment would be performed. In fact, I personally headcanon the animation cels we see of “Julie-rella” were originally from Miss Dove’s segment.

Another inspiration (and arguably the main inspo ) for Storytime Funktion would be Disney’s American Legends, a collection of animated musical shorts of American Tall Tales. Specifically, the one about John Henry. I saw the shorts on VHS as a kid and this one stuck with me in particular. I adored the way they told the story through music paired with vibrant animation. Highly recommend checking these shorts out!

[mywifeleftme]

285: Gregory Isaacs // The Lonely Lover

The Lonely Lover Gregory Isaacs 1980, African Museum

I’ve got a cool Jamaican copy of Gregory Isaacs’ Lonely Lover that, if I’m honest, I mostly picked up because the object itself snagged my curiosity. If I knew Isaacs at all it was from a shoutout on Mos Def’s “Ms. Fat Booty,” but the battered, bootleg-quality sleeve spoke of a record that had soundtracked many a party and maybe even a few conceptions. Reggae’s not my wheelhouse (the only LPs I have are this guy and The Harder They Come), so I couldn’t tell you how this stacks up against any of Isaacs’ dozens of records, let alone against the reggae canon as a whole, but to my ears it’s lovely.

This feels to me like night-time music, perfect for taking in the scene once people have started to chill and the dance floor’s given over to couples. The Cool Ruler is backed by some of the era’s great session players, including Sly & Robbie and the Roots Radics, and while the arrangements are minimal and the tempos consistent throughout, each has a few masterly little touches that make them stand out: the clucking rattles on “Hard Time” and dubby organ wobbles on “Tune In” for example, or the clip-clopping beat of “Poor and Clean.” Isaacs was famously one of the genre’s greatest singers, and you can almost always hear a smile in his voice and a tear in his eye—if you’re suffering he’s suffering with you, but if you’re making moves he’s supplying the vibes.

This is a fine representative of a classic analog lovers rock sound that I have to imagine was just about on its way out in favour of the synthier textures taking hold of pop music the world over. If that’s your thing, you’ll almost certainly like this one.

285/365

[doodlegirl12345]

Doodle’s Anthology: Winter Things {3/3}

Last but certainly not least as it’s common knowledge that sometimes the best things come in threes. Hello my Miraculous Lovelies, this is the last part of my first set of anthology entries. If you have read the previous parts I hope you enjoyed it. If this is your first time encountering one of these parts then welcome.

This is the last installment and other parts links will be provided below. Due to all the entries length I had broken up into three sections and will place links below to make everything easier here:

Section 1. Section 2. Section 3.

I hope you enjoy what I have been working on. So let’s continue with the third story: Winter Check In.

Winter Check In

Theme: Winter Things

Winter, just like any season, has many of its gifts that do not last forever. Time marches on no matter the placement of the year. Within the air, a wintery chill still permeated throughout the formerly snow draped Paris. For the past couple days, layers of snow began to dissolve little by little. Only a few spots appeared to be untouched. A natural closure to one of life’s many chapters.

Tonight, the city was gifted with a starless sky leading its glow to become a guiding light for those above it. Night had fallen quickly, like a thick stage curtain. A little cover was given to a certain black cat. However, this was no mere cat, instead it was Astrocat: the flying suit version of Chat Noir. He glided through the air while carrying a filled brown paper shopping bag by the handles. Each second that passed his mind continued to become more and more within a stir.

He wondered about the relevance of tonight. It wasn’t like he had seen her yesterday when plans could’ve been verified. It was all based on the assumption. Something he had learned multiple times was not always the best indicator of the truth. His curiosity had peaked about the state of everything. But he would rather have pure intentions rather than retreat due to the fear of looking foolish.

A few moments went by as the airborne feline passed over a few blocks taking advantage of switching from his usual tread on the rooftops. Astrocat had learned that lesson this time last year after slipping on an unsuspecting patch of ice. Almost falling off the rooftop in the street during the process. Once he had gotten close to his destination the cat made his descent, swooping down before landing. His boots hit against the gray wooden floors of the lavish rooftop patio before scanning the area. Not much had changed since the previous month that he was here. Two gray L-shaped couches still sat parallel to each other.

Although this time they were covered with about ten winter themed pillows each and thick fluffy gray blankets. Replacing the autumn themed pillows and macaroon blankets from the previous visit. Between the couches was an built in gray wooden table with a rustic black tray that had an array of lit plastic LED tea lights. The patio’s safety railing around the perimeter was wrapped with white string lights giving the patio a snowy glow look. In the middle of the table was a long flat rectangular box wrapped in blue and white snowflake wrapping paper, tied with silvery ribbons.

Nestled between the ribbons and the wrapped box was a white notecard with red ink scribble across it. The cat picked it up reading the words:

Hey, I got your note and gift. Here’s a late holiday gift for the both of you. Thanks for everything.

Sincerely,

-Ms. M

He couldn’t help but smile before placing the card back between the box and the ribbon. After reverting back to his default suit, Chat Noir started to unpack. He pulled out of the brown shopping bag a few plastic food storage containers that consisted of pretzels, crackers, pre-sliced cheddar cheese and grapes. Before taking out a box of assorted winter themed sugar cookies. Plastic wrap was peeled off the large black thermos of hot chocolate in the cat’s hand as he had sat it on the table with the others. Followed by a can of whipped cream and a bag of mini marshmallows. The pang of worry still ran through as he pulled out a bag of disposable to-go coffee cups.

It had been nearly two weeks since he had seen her.

But before the burden of this thought could leave much impact, his cat ears perked up. A familiar zipping sound filled the perimeter. Followed by a soft thump behind him. Chat Noir turned around to greet the familiar presence behind him.

Ladybug.

The cat smiled as his worries had been dispelled. “Hey Ladybug.”

“Hi Chat,” the bug greeted while wrapping the yoyo around her waist. “It’s been a bit. How are you?”

“I’m fine. But I’ll admit that I was wondering if you were going to show up.”

“And miss our monthly check in? At this point it’s better to assume that something horrible happened to me before I willingly flake on you. But maybe I shouldn’t tempt fate like that.”

“Agree. I know that it’s just been almost two weeks since Shadow Moth has done anything. But it did not stop me from missing one of my closest friends.”

Ladybug gave a gentle smile. “I missed you too.”

“Yeah, there’s nothing like going without the fun of several near death experiences and violent explosions for over a week to make the heart grow fonder.”

“Leave it to you to say that’s fun. You’re always been the risk taker between the two of us. And that’s saying something.”

“What can I say, it’s part of my charm.”

“I thought you had said it was telling jokes?”

“Well, that too.”

“Is that all for us?” the bug asked while her eyes lingered over the table.

“Yep after the stuff you bought last month,” he told her. “It’s only fair that I stepped up.”

“It wasn’t that much,” she waved her hand nonchalantly. “It’s just the stuff I had put together that night. It would’ve been better if I didn’t have other commitments.“

”So you don’t think the Christmas tree cupcakes, the eggnog, peanut butter fudge, chocolate chip cookies and that cracker candy wasn’t a lot? Not that I’m complaining.”

“Well, that was the holidays. It’s never been a competition.”

“You still raised the bar but before I forget,” the cat reached over to pick up the wrapped box. “Look what I found when I got here.”

Ladybug looked over the box in his hand reading the card. “Aww from Ms. Marseille. She must’ve liked the flowers that we left last time for a thank you for letting us use this place. Do you know what it is?”

“Nope,” Chat Noir shook his head. “I was waiting for you.”

Both of the heroes started to undo the ribbons and tear at the wrapping paper to reveal a white box with a brown cursive font : Houde’s Assorted Chocolate Sampler.

“A box of chocolate,” Ladybug announced. “From the size I’m going to guess that there are about fifty to one hundred chocolates in here.”

“That’s sweet,” Chat Noir smiled.

“Pun intended?” Ladybug asked.

The cat’s eyes widened, completely baffled. “Actually no, but that was so oblivious. Why didn’t I think that? Wow, I haven’t been out of the suit that long and I’m already rusty.”

“As long as your fighting skills aren’t rusty, the bug plucked the card from the wrapping paper pile. “You’ll be okay.”

This had no intention of this becoming a habit, meeting up like this. It had started a few months ago when Chat Noir had noticed his partner suffering from another round of serve burnout. Instead of her liveliness she could be easily described as weary, stressed and paranoid. He had tried to approach the topic a few times as time sailed by but it seemed that she became more and more sealed off. However, there was one attack that made all his concerns impossible to ignore. It seemed that day Ladybug was suffering from a creative block as she was struggling to find a use for her lucky charm.

Their time crunch had almost become disastrous as their opponent had geared up for his final attack while his partner’s timer was running out. Instinctively, Chat Noir snatched the cinderblock from her hand and chucked it at the villain knocking him out. Before pushing the bug into a nearby alleyway to prevent her from revealing her identity. Crisis was averted but clearly something had to be done for the benefit of everyone. So the same night instead of doing patrol he led her to the patio so they could talk. This wasn’t an intervention but to have a conversation partner to partner, friend to friend.

Ladybug admitted that multiple people in her personal life had already asked the same thing. She had still been reeling from losing Master Fu and stumbling through not only her guardian duties atop of everything else on her plate. That she had been feeling like a lost soul. After their discussion, it felt nice to bring those feelings out in the open. The next patrol night Ladybug had given him a bag of chocolate chip cookies as a thank you. This became a pattern of them meeting up and talking. At first, it seemed this was a way for his partner to air out some grievances.

Eventually it had gotten to the point of becoming therapeutic for the both of them. Chat Noir had opened up about a few things himself. Not having the fear of what he would say would tarnish the Agreste brand. Or even worse, it somehow got back to his father. It had turned into a monthly custom coming here with permission from the apartment building’s owner Ms. Marseille. Chat Noir had met and struck a deal with her a few months ago after falling asleep on the patio due to exhaustion.

The heroes communicated with her through a string of notes, giving her as little information as possible for everyone’s safety. If she fell under Shadow Moth’s influence there would not be not much to tell. The point of this was not about romance although a version of himself from not so long ago would have jumped at the opportunity. Instead things had changed, starting with his partner’s unceremonious shift to guardian.

“So…do you think he’s hibernating?” questioned Chat Noir as he sat on one of the couches. He had finished up the sugar cookie he was eating in one hand while holding a cup of hot chocolate in the other.

Ladybug looked up from the cup of hot chocolate in her hand. She had wrapped herself in one of the fluffy blankets. “Who…wait are you talking about Shadow Moth?”

“Well we haven’t heard from him since a few days before the snowstorm,” he said. “Maybe that’s why we haven’t heard from him lately.”

“It’s not like he’s a bear, Chat. If he was it would be some shapeshifter bear,” she told him. “We have seen him in person multiple times and he looks human.”

“You seem to be forgetting that we live in a world where magic beings can grant people superpowers through jewelry. That with one word I can automatically destroy whatever I touch. You can fix millions of euros of property damage and heal the injured by a magical swarm of ladybugs.”

Her eyes shifted to the side. “Well, when you put it like that.”

The cat’s lips spread into a smirk. “So a shapeshifting bear doesn’t sound so crazy now, does it?”

Ladybug shook her head. “I don’t know if I can accept that without legitimate proof. Even if you might be right. Remember the last time that I had jumped to conclusions. Does Gabriel Agreste ring a bell?”

Chat Noir’s smirk tightened into a lip bite. “Yeah…it’s good we realized it was a dead end before accusing him. He definitely would’ve taken offense.”

“Who wouldn’t? It’s not like it’s a compliment. I thought it made sense at the time. But the truth is it really could be anybody and that is what makes it scary.”

“Have you ever considered that it could be someone that we actually know?”

“It has crossed my mind a few times,” the bug took a slip of her hot chocolate. “I also would have passed him on the street. My earrings could be taken anytime if he knew. It would become the beginning of the end. There was even a moment when I thought it was.”

“Wait really? When did this happen?”

“A few weeks ago. It turned out to be a false alarm so that’s why I didn’t bring it up sooner. I wouldn’t have kept it from you if it was serious.”

“Can you still tell me?“

“Sure, I went to that popular burger shop downtown with my friends. When it was my turn to order and pay, the cashier who looked around his forties asked me where I got my earrings. I just froze, since no one really comments on them.”

“What happened next?”

“It turns out that he was asking because his daughter’s birthday was in a couple weeks and thought they would be a nice gift for her. I told him that they were a family heirloom. I directed him to the Sparkle Boutique across the street as they sell a lot of pretty earrings. After I got my food I stayed close to my friends making sure I couldn’t be caught alone, just in case. Nothing came out of it but…”

“You can be too careful?” the cat finished her sentence.

“Exactly, after all we’ve been through,” the bug sighed. “All that we had lost… there is no such thing as being too careful.”

There was a beat of silence between them, for the oblivious.

“I know how you felt, a while back after getting my ring my father noticed and asked about it.”

“What did you say?”

“Something along the lines of was the only thing that he noticed about me. It’s been a while since it happened.”

“What about things with your dad? You mentioned last time we did this you were concerned about the holidays with him after an incident the previous year.”

“Things were fine, we had a holiday party. He was actually pretty involved in the planning. Something that he had never really done before.”

“How was the party?”

“It was fun but it didn’t go off without a hitch. Behind the scenes some of the presents had gotten switched around. So I fixed that before the gift exchange. The caterers came late so we had to eat later than planned. Luckily, there were snacks to tie people over until the food got there. However I had heard nothing but good things from my friends so it seemed that no one but us noticed.“

“That’s a relief right?”

“Yeah. But since then he has been nothing but closed off. I guess his work has spiked up after the holidays as he mostly stays in his office. There’s nothing much to report besides that.”

“Was it at least better than the previous year? From the tiny bit that you had told me it was pretty bad. Not only that but we also had to fight Santa Claws.”

“It was. Honestly, I was expecting to slip out at least once that night. I was surprised that I didn’t. Maybe Shadow Moth was able to spend time with some family or friends. Those poor souls.”

“Chat-“

“What? Considering all that he had done. Do you think that he’s a good friend? A nice uncle, a sweet grandson or a generous father? I don’t think someone like that can keep all that evilness in until putting on a mask.”

“It’s possible, don’t think that I’m defending him. I’m not, but it’s also possible that he was hiding in plain sight. A lot of people put on facades to hide their wrongdoings. For all we know he might be one of the sweetest seeming people around.”

“What would happen if it was someone you knew.”

“Huh?”

“When we eventually unmask Shadow Moth, what would you do if it’s someone that you know?”

“It depends on who it is. If it was someone that I liked or respected. I would be deeply disappointed especially if we were close. Or the only way that I know them is because they’re close because of someone like a friend. That would hurt.”

“What if it was someone you didn’t like?”

“It certainly will be a lot easier. Depending on who it is, everything might suddenly make sense. Either way the outcome would be the same. I can’t let that slide and they need to be punished for their crimes.”

“Even if it’s someone that you know?”

“All the damage and harm that’s been done doesn’t suddenly vanish because he was one of my school teachers or a friend of my parents. I already gave someone a second chance against my better judgment and we both know how that turned out.”

The cat’s eyes shifted to the side, aware of what his partner was alluding to. After the events of Miracle Queen and the fallout from it. It had made him question the legitimacy of second chances when it comes to this area.

“I’m not saying that people shouldn’t give others second chances. But I learned from what happened after the Miracle Queen incident to be more selective with them. In my opinion, Shadow Moth shouldn’t be allowed not to face any consequences for what he did. Why? Are you trying to tell me something?”

Chat Noir shook his head. “No, lately it’s just I’ve been wondering what could happen when we get to that point.”

“It probably won’t be happening for a good while.”

“How do you know?”

“Based on what we learned during the Time Tagger attack. It’s clear that we are going to be doing this for the next couple years.”

“That actually doesn’t sound so bad. Who wouldn’t want to be a hero for the next couple years.”

Ladybug seemed to slightly flinch. “So what about you? What would you do?”

“About what?”

“We haven’t really talked about this much as we don’t know how the scenario is going to play out. There’s a possibility that you might have to make the decision in retrieving the butterfly miraculous, alone.”

“Alone? What about you?”

“It’s not like I’m going to try not to show up. But depending on the situation. I might not be able to do it. So, what would you do if Shadow Moth is someone that you know? You think that you can put your feelings aside?”

“Of course,” he spoke brazenly before faltering. “I mean…I like to think that I would be. If not, that would mean what I’ve been doing for over a year would be for nothing.”

“It wouldn’t be for nothing. The city had been saved multiple times by us. Many times I would’ve been in danger if you hadn’t been there with me. You had stepped up the day I had trouble figuring out my lucky charm. So don’t base your worth on something that hasn’t happened yet.”

“You’re not the first person that has said something like that to me. But you’re right. I feel the same way as you. Shadow Moth has done so much for him not to face any consequences. How many times have we almost died because of him?”

“About two hundred and fifty times.”

Chat Noir’s eyes widened. “You actually counted?”

“Well…it’s a rough estimate,” Ladybug admitted. “So take it with a grain of salt. But I do have a knack when it comes to keeping records. Remember, I’m the one who put together the villain database for the reserve heroes.”

“Based on that fact alone, I would rather it be a stranger. That’s easier than knowingly fighting who I thought was good, at least deep down. But again, maybe it was fate for me to be picked to do this if that is the case. If it’s true then it’s really my responsibility to bring them in. At least that won’t have to be for the next couple years, luckily.”

“You didn’t seem bothered about still having to do this for the next couple years.”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be? Are you?”

Ladybug bit her lip before putting the cup in her hands on the table, like she was stalling. “I should just say it. Especially since I recently had a discussion about not swallowing my feelings with important stuff like this.”

“With who? Was it Guitar Strings, Sneakers, Cap, Glasses…”

“Wow, when you list my friends’ fake names like that. It sounds like my whole social circle is made of things you find in a scavenger hunt.”

“You were the one that picked them for privacy. Which is fair as I don’t know anyone named Hand Sanitizer.”

The bug chuckled softly. “That’s why I chose it. But…I don’t like the uncertainty of it all. Naturally things are going to change in a few years. So what else that I might have to give up because I’m Ladybug? Even not hearing from Shadow Moth kinda has me on edge.”

“Really? I figured you of all people would have enjoyed the break.”

“I do, it’s nice to have a couple days off. To be able to rest and not rush through everything so I can drop it at a moment’s notice. But it gives me this uneasy feeling that this break is because he’s planning something big. I don’t plan to leave Paris hanging. It’s just the uncertainty that gets me. How does it not get to you?”

“It’s probably because of the life that I had. Before getting this ring I never had many choices. There were many times I wanted to get away from it. Where everything had been planned for me without my input. The next thing that I knew there was a random box in my room.”

“So it gave you a chance.”

“Exactly, for the longest time that I thought that would be enough. It wasn’t until recently that I realized there’s more than that. The problems don’t disappear once I put on the mask. In fact, more happens because of it. But me becoming Chat Noir was one of the few choices that I solely made on my own. So I would rather sit with uncertainty knowing it’s my decision rather than going back to structure without choices.”

“I never thought of it like that.”

“You don’t have to see it the same way. Those are my personal reasons. You just have to find your own way to make peace with the situation.”

“Hopefully I will, someday.”

Seconds ticked by, as the two looked at each other with a new understanding with each other. The type couldn’t be achieved without taking heed of one another.

“Whoa, things got super heavy all of a sudden,” the cat quipped, breaking the silence. “So how about we lighten the mood a bit? I didn’t come here today just for the heart to heart confessions.”

“Really?” Ladybug raised a brow, almost if she sensed the direction her partner was trying to lead them. “What else did you come for then?”

Chat Noir reached forward grabbing the brown shopping bag on the table. He pulled out a deck of playing cards bound by a rubber band. “We have a score to settle.”

A smirk spread on the bug’s face. “You mean the score where I had beaten you 30-19 in cards?”

“That’s the one,” a competitive spark gleamed in his eyes. “You in?”

“Only if we can open up the box of chocolates from Ms. Marseille to share,” Ladybug bargained.

“Deal,” Chat Noir undid the rubber band. “By the way, nineteen isn’t so bad against a strategist like you. Have you ever considered that all this time I have been luring you into a false sense of security?”

“Well, let’s see. I’m always glad when we get to hang out like this. So you pick the game especially since you brought the snacks.”

“How about… the game of pure strategy,” the cat shuffled the cards. “But I must warn you that I have been practicing since the last time we played.”

“Bring it on,” the bug dared. “You’re not the only one around here who isn’t afraid of a challenge.”

“Good, I was waiting for this all week,” Chat Noir started to deal the cards. “There’s nothing better than checking in with a friend.”

It’s a suitable way to keep the light fading in the overwhelming darkness.

The End.

Thanks for reading! 😊

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you enjoy all the stories that I have written. I thought this was a nice story to have Ladybug and Chat Noir just simply talking like good friends. I have noticed in my recent works I didn’t have them really socialize. They interacted but it’s more like here what we do to reach our mission statement. So I had to fix that. They’re still talking about hero stuff but it’s in a more relaxed environment.

This story is also available on Wattpad.

Since this is the final part, will do the closing statements here. If you are reading this the day it was originally posted then you are aware that today is Saturday. After posting my previous story Promise? on Saturday. I realized that I like posting on that day gives me more time to put everything together. So my official post day will now be Saturday.

At least for now. Another change is I have decided to do once a month posting. I’m going to face big changes in my personal life soon. And while I don’t want to give up posting, it seems more fair for everybody to just post once a month. This way each story can get the proper time it deserves without me being overwhelmed by prior commitments. Readers won’t get large gaps between content.

I will still be on the platform reading and appreciating other people’s posts. But posting myself will be a once a month period now. For those who have been following me all this time. I really appreciate your patience and support.

The song for this week is “Winter Sound” by Of Monster and Men. I believe it gives an all encompassing feel of all three stories.

See you next time. 👋

[ericac318]

Miss Alabama

Summary:

Happy April, 25th! In honor of Miss Congeniality Day, I’m putting out this short fic that’s been on my mind for years. Ella Westbrook won the title of Miss Alabama and she’s ready to compete for the crown and become Miss United States. She met Stan Feilds while competing in Alabama and they began a fling … one that needs to remain a secret,

Continue reading here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/46752172/chapters/117750235

Chapter 1

Ella walked into the breakfast that would start off the competition, wondering how long until she’d be able to find a minute alone with Stan.

She sat down at a table with contestants from Hawaii, Rhode Island, Texas, and New Jersey.

“Ladies, I’d like you to meet Gracie Lou Freebush from New Jersey,” Cheryl began, “She’s awesome and you’re all going to love her!”

Ella introduced herself before she zoned out of the conversation while her eyes wandered to Stan where he stood next to Kathy Morningside, causing her to feel just a bit jealous. She had to resist laughing to herself because she didn’t even know if she and Stan were exclusive.

Ella’s thoughts were interrupted when Ms. Morningside took the stage before introducing Stan. Ella held back her enthusiasm as she applauded with a normal amount of excitement.

“Good morning!” Stan exclaimed, “I’m so honored to be your Master of Ceremonies for one last time. Sadly, this will be my last pageant as I’ll be retiring at the end of this season,” he glanced out over the crowd and saw Ella’s expression which was a mix of surprise and sadness. “Don’t cry for me … Alabama,” he added, making a pun on the famous song and reaching out to Ella at the same time.

“He’s not gettin' fired,” Mary Jo blurted out, “I talked to him this morning and the poor man blurted out the whole thing. They’re firing him for a newer, younger host.”

Before he could continue, Gracie shouted, “Jesus Christ!” She quickly stood up, apologizing, “I’m so sorry. I had a bit of my bagel without praying.”

Once she was done with her prayer, the rest of the opening ceremonies finished. Ella wanted to check on Stan, but she had to rush to dance rehearsal.

After the many activities included in the first official day of the pageant, Ella made her way to her room where she discovered she was roommates with Gracie Lou Freebush.

“I’m glad I got a good roomie,” Ella stated, relief clear in her voice, “I am not the most beauty-oriented girl and some of these ladies are just too much,” she added, hoping she’d read Gracie’s personality correctly.

Gracie let out a long sigh, “You’re chill! Thank goodness. I’m ok with all of the beauty prep before the events but my sleep is sacred and it will not be interrupted by any kind of night routine,” she shared, causing both of the women to let out a laugh.

Their joy was interrupted by a knock at the door, which Gracie answered. They were joined by Cheryl offering hot chocolate.

“You two are so awesome,” Cheryl stated as she poured them all a drink from her thermos, “One of you will definitely win,” she nearly lamented as she looked at her competition.

Ella shook her head, “Don’t you dare count yourself out, Rhode Island. You are adorable and witty. What’s your talent? I’m sure it’s amazing!”

Cheryl blushed before she answered, “Don’t make fun of me, but it’s baton twirling,” she replied, her tone timid.

“That’s really cool,” Ella responded, “I’m going to sing. Do you use flaming batons?” she inquired.

Cheryl shook her head, “I can’t do that. My parents would be horrified. They don’t like anything ostentatious and they really don’t like fire,” she confessed before turning back to Gracie, “What’s your talent? I know it’s something astounding.”

“It’s a …” Gracie fumbled for a moment before she settled on a response, “It’s a surprise.”

Ella stood from her bed and announced, “Alright ladies, I hope you two have fun gossiping. I have somewhere to be.”

“Where?” Gracie questioned, her brows raised in curiosity.

Ella sighed, “Can you both keep a secret? Like, really keep one?” Once they both nodded and fulfilled a pinky promise, she continued, “I’ve been seeing Stan Fields since I was in my competition. I can’t go to his room like I’d like to tonight, but we’re meeting by the pool since that can look like something that just happened,” she revealed, awaiting judgment from her new friends, shocked she’d chosen to share her deepest secret.

“He’s not a judge and he’s a very nice man,” Cheryl began, “Do what your heart tells you to do.”

Gracie merely nodded in agreement.

“Thanks, ladies,” Ella whispered before she made her way out of their room which was right beside the pool, no idea that her innocent fling made her a suspect.

Ella saw Stan sitting in one of the lounge chairs on the opposite side of the pool so she walked over to take a seat on one next to his.

“So, you’re retiring?” she asked once she was settled, keeping her voice low while wishing she could join him on his chair.

He shook his head, “I’m not really retiring but that’s what they want me to say. It shouldn’t matter too much to you. You can’t compete twice,” he added as he resisted the urge to reach out and take her hand in his own.

“I suppose you’re right,” she responded, “I guess I just had this picture in my mind of life after this pageant. My plan was going to be to help girls and stay by your side. I suppose I’ll need to figure to figure out something new,” she shared before continuing, “I really wish I could climb on top of you,” she whispered, enjoying the way his breath caught from the mere suggestion.

He chose to change the subject instead of giving in to the thoughts racing through his mind, “Are you going to be singing my song tomorrow for the talent competition?”

Ella’s lips curled into a mischievous grin as she replied, “Would you like it if I sing ‘There You’ll Be’? I’m prepared to do so,” she responded as she caught the roll of his eyes.

“Why do you enjoy being such a tease?” he challenged as he held in a frustrated groan.

She shrugged as she stood from her seat, “It must have something to do with my youth. See you tomorrow,” she added with a flirty little wave as she made her way back to her room.

[justlydiasworld]

AVOID ME

Pairing: Robin Buckley x F!Reader

Summary: An ex-best friend of yours-Robin Buckley, tries her best to avoid you at all cost. You don’t know the reason behind all of this,but you’ve been playing along. Not until you had no other choice but to share a queen sized bed with her. Will secrets be shared? Who knows? Let’s dive in.

Warning(s): angst, hurt reader/robin, bit of fluff,etc. (if I miss anything, please don’t hesitate to tell me.)

part 2 -

please let me know if you would want to be tagged on the next part!

Authors note: This idea randomly came when I was talking to a mutual of mine @crow-the-birdie . We were talking about the enemies to lovers dynamic and then the bed trope. I immediately thought of Robin and f!reader because it fits perfectly. Or that’s what I think. My inbox/messages are still open. If you need any ideas or request rules, press the link down below. 👇

Links: angst prompt list | fluff prompt list | requesting rules | nsfw prompt list | date idea prompt list

“And that is it for this class, you guys may be dismissed.” Mr.Marley neatly stacked the homework sheets and sat them on his wooden desk. Pushing back his glasses Mr.Marley notices the field trip forms in the corner.He widens his eyes for a seconds and clears his throat.

—-

You were packing your things swiftly,and ready to head out of this class. A sudden swoosh breezes pass your exposed skin. Leaving chills down your spine. It was Robin. It seems like she always tends to leave this class earlier than most students- maybe because you’re in her classes. You let out a huge sigh and roll your eyes. Ever since last years prom- she never tries to approach you again. Robin often glances time to time but she never tried to shoot a conversation. You’ve convinced yourself she hates you. Robin excludes you out of group projects, leaves you to each lunch alone, talks over you whenever you get the chance to answer questions- so on and so forth.

As Robin tries to leave the class- she was stopped by Mr.Marley. “Uh uh uh, not so fast ms.buckley.” He took his hand and placed it in front of Robin, almost leaning forward. “u-uh, did I do something wrong Mr.Marley? I know I alway leave your class super super early- but I swear I have a good reason. Or-or that’s what I would like to say but-“ Mr.Marley raises an eyebrow,giving Robin a look. “You aren’t in any trouble ms.buckely. I just have to make an announcement before anybody gets the chance to leave today.”

He grabs the field trip form and holds it up in the air. “Everybody listen up.” You turned your head to see the brown haired teacher holding up a form. “We will be having a fun field trip for this year,and I would like you to have this signed and turned in by tomorrow morning. We’ll be checking out museums, stores , and sleeping in a hotel.” Your mouth opens slightly- this was so sudden. You raised your hand in the air in curiosity. His eyes roaming around in the room-finally noticing your hand being raised.

“Yes.Question?“ he points at you with a blank face. “You mentioned sleeping in a hotel right?” Your arms now flung down onto the side. “Yes,yes I have.” His arms now crossed and held close. “I’m sure all of these students won’t have a singular room for themselves- are we sharing a bed?a room? Are their two beds? Could you explain please?” You grabbed your book bag that was sitting on your chair, brows furrowed- you can see Robin avoiding eye contact. She’s playing with her rings, a nervous wreck. That’s what she was.

“Good question,Ms. y/n/l.” A small grin tugs his mouth in the corner. Robin takes a seat near the door and slowly swings her back pack onto the desk. “We will be sharing a room. Two girls in one room. Two guys in one room. And unfortunately there’s one room with only one bed. You may have to sleep with the other person or either you or them can sleep on the floor. It’s up to the person who gets the room.” He eyes at Robin and it seems like he was pulling something. Silence filled the class and you were pretty satisfied with the answer- convinced that you might share a room or even a bed with other students besides Robin. Or hopefully not Robin.

After all, you did tell Mr.Marley about the whole situation many many times. Surprisingly-Robin didn’t interrupt you this once. Which was a bit shocking but you didn’t give it much of a thought. “Get those signed.” He handed each students a form- now leaving the room one by one. Now it was you and Robin left in the room. Why didn’t she leave like always? As you took the slip from his hands- you gave him a nod and left class. It was just Robin left behind.

“M-Mr. Marley?” Robin twisted her rings and gave an awkward smile. “Yes Robin?” He raised his brows once again and noticed the nervous brunette. “Am I sharing a bed with..uhm-“ she turns her head, making sure you aren’t there to listen to the conversation. “-y/n?” Mr.Marley grinned at the brunettes flushed face. “Not that I care. I definitely don’t like her. Yeah. Not a bit. She’s a butt. Mhm. A pain in the a-“ as she was about to finish, Robin saw the soft head shake that the teacher made. “Yeah sorry..” she muttered underneath her breath. “Robin, I think it’s time to talk it out with her. It’s now or never.” He took a seat on his swivel. She lets out a sigh and her head down low. “I made this field trip specifically for this situation.” He stapled some sheets together and does the same thing to the other sheets that were now laid perfectly down flat. “Oh w-wow,uhm, you would go that far for us Mr.Marley? I mean of course you would. We’re you’re students. And it would be stupid if you didn’t care for us because you’re our teacher so if you didn’t-” She tilted her head and gave a toothy smile. “I’m doing it again,arent I?”

He looked at the brunette and looked at her and said,” Robin,if there’s one thing you should know about me.” He stopped and continued to staple more sheets of papers. “I don’t put in effort into something meaningless. Trust me. I know how much you love that girl.” He chuckled and pushed back his glasses with his index finger. “Lo-Love? No,I hate her. I absolutely despise her. I cannot stand her.” She stomped her feet softly on the ground, trying her hardest to convince her teacher that she totally did not love you.

He sighed and got up from his chair and leaned on one of the desks. Robins eyes following his every step. “You have to tell her the truth. The reason why you pushed yourself away from her,Robin. That’s all I can say. I’m merely you’re teacher, this field trip is my part of helping you out. Do your part,will ya’?” He crossed his arms and stared at the freckled brunette. Robin on the other hand knows that you deserve the truth, but there’s no point in telling you now. You practically hate her. Or so that’s what Robin thinks.

—- NEXT DAY —-

“Thank you for turning the forms in on time.” Mr.Marley says as each students walk in his class with the signed form. Robin nervously taps on the desk and waits patiently. A few seconds later, you ran in the door and apologized for being late. You handed him the form and you can see Robin just examining your face. It’s like she never got to actually see your face. You rolled your eyes,expecting the brunette to say something stupid and put you down again. “ I don’t like your smile. “ or “ what is that smell? “ and she turns to stare at you and says “ oh it’s just you.” As you broke the small moment of eye contact, Robin’s body froze up. That eye roll and pissed face, she didn’t like that at all. Her body felt so heavy, her heart filling with guilt and regret.

—-IN THE BUS —-

You couldn’t believe what Mr.Marley said. “We have specific seats on the bus?” One student called out, sitting on the rubber cushion. “Yes,we do.” He grabs the sheet of paper and fixes his glasses to call the names out and point out where they’re seating and who they will be sitting with. A groan left all of the students lips and yours too. You couldn’t believe it.

—

You couldn’t believe this at all. You were paired up with buckely. Robin buckley. You thought it was a mistake but now you couldn’t say a thing because all of the other students were happy with their seating arrangements and the bus took off.What’s worse is that Mr.Marley already went and took a seat on the front row. You were in the back.

You sigh and look down on the floor. Your thighs almost touching robins. She nervously watches as your sorrowful eyes meet the cold flooring. It struck Robin that she made you feel this way. She did this to you. Robin was near the window and she tried her best to avoid your soft gaze. It seemed quieter for the both of you when the bus were filled with other students,yelling and laughing at jokes that weren’t funny and laughable.

- 11:00 pm (still heading to the hotel.) -

“so, why’d you avoid me for 3 years.” You had no clue where you had this sudden confidence burst from,but you were dazed, closing and shutting your eyes slowly.But she couldn’t see that because you turned your head away from hers, avoiding to make eye contact to the person who left you with no explanation.Robins eyes widened and turned to see your trembled hand. Trembling. “ I’m so sorry (y/n). It’s such a childish reasoning but I hope you’ll forgive me. Please.” Robin wants to take your soft hands and hold them tenderly, and with care. She never intended to hurt you, but she did. She thought maybe if she acted cold towards you, maybe the feelings she had for you, would also turn cold. And that logic didn’t work. It only broke robins poor heart to see you in this kind of state, what’s even worse is that she did this to you. She caused this all. As soon Robin opened her mouth. Your head gently falls on her shoulder. A slight weight on Robin. She froze up once again and smiled. Hesitantly but now kissing the top of your head and gently placed her head on top of yours.

- 2:00 am ( still on the bus ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )-

Soon enough,all you can hear was the rain pouring outside of the school bus. Hitting gently on the glass windows. Like rushing waters that had a slight soothing sound that came with every drop. You opened your eyes roughly, waking up to the sound of thunder. Making you jump a bit, clinging onto robins arm. “I’m- im so sorry.” You looked up and you weren’t expecting the both of you being so close to each other’s faces. Hearing the heart beats bouncing off the bus. Silence roaming around but the soft breathing that Robin made, only you and her being able to hear. Another lightning appeared outside, but this time you could see how the light was shown on robins freckled face. Nose to nose, breath to breath,body on body.

[whatsgoingoninsiderikkishead]

Tape of Love

info + warnings: Fluff but will going to be a smut/18+/MINORS DNI on its next chapter. All aged up ofc. Daddy Han in the house!

summary: y/n is the sassy bi Bestfriend of our resident Tape boy.  One day, the two got drunk and out of curiosity, slept together. And it was on fire. But y/n shitty timing on drinking her baby chill pill, a baby was made. Now, are they fucked or what?

"I'm What?"

"You're pregnant, Ms. L/n." Your Family Doctor repeated. "Are you not expecting the results?" She asked. 

"Well, hell-the-fuck-No!" 

"Are you even aware of who the Father is?" She lifted her chin, trying to look down at you. 

"Don't fucking look down at me, Morgan. At least, I have a great idea who the Father of this child." Now it's my time to look smug. The audacity of this bitch. 

And the Bastard. That little shit. 

Well, not really little. If you know what I mean ;)

I got all I needed from the Doctor's and sped up home to mine and the lil' shit's shared apartment. All thinking nothing but 'That little shit. That Bastard.' over and over again until I parked my car and headed in. 

Inside is the Bastard and his squad huddled in the Living room playing video games. MY Video games, mind you. 

*sigh* Sorry. I'm not usually like his hot-headed blonde friend, but I think the hormones that my body is now creating are making me cranky af. 

Yells and loud banter echoed in the doorway as I entered. I stomp towards the living room entryway and call out the main source of my current stress. My Best friend. 

"Yo, Soy sauce! I need to talk to you." I bellowed over the loud gun sounds coming from the tv. 

The four stopped and in sync looked over to where I'm standing. 

Hanta stood up from the couch so quickly, Eiji didn't expect a controller to fly on his face. 

"Y-yeah sure." He said and stumbled over to me. He looked like a kid getting called to the Principal's office. 

"The fuck is wrong with you?" I asked as I started walking up the stairs. 

"W-what? Nothing." He shrugged. "How's the Check-up?" He asked as he followed me upstairs. "You don't have Covid, do you?" 

"What? No! The hell? Did you see me leave the house aside from buying the necessities?"

"No… "

I pulled him inside my room and locked the door. He looked back to the door and back to me. 

"Well, Bub if you want me alone just say so." He smirked, pulling me to him, and started kissing my neck. "I can kick them all out you know.." he whispered. 

"Stop. You lil shit." I pushed him away. "That's not why I pulled you here." I grabbed my bag and pulled the strip of ultrasound pics that was given to you. "Here. Take a look."

Hanta looked at the black and white photo of a blob. He stared at the photo gobsmacked and frozen, so long that I've already managed to get out of my clothes and changed into PJs. 

"Any moment now." I said as he kept on staring at the ultrasound. "Just tell me when... " I started fluffing my pillows "You can breathe you know." I added as I got comfortable on my bed.  You know what?  This is getting ridiculous. "This is getting ridiculous. Hanta!!"

Just like that, he was unfrozen. "Is this what I think it is?" He asked. 

"What do you think that is?"

"A baby. "

"Well, close enough. But yeah that's a baby." I nodded.  

"Who's baby is it?" At this point, I don't know if he's kidding or not but my hormones get ahead of me. 

"Are you fucking serious? Really, Hanta?"

"What? What did I do? "

"I dunno, man. What did you do?" I mumbled, getting tired of the conversation. I stood up as I started pushing the confused Hanta back out the door. "Look Han, why don't you just go back downstairs, and when they ask where I am you can just tell them that I'm not feeling well and if you want you can show that to them too and they might have helped you process what just happened. How 'bout that?" Then shut the door on his puzzled handsome face.  

Oh, Hanta.  I'm sorry for what my hormones made me do. Wait, do pregnant women do things like this? I need to google this shit. I don't need to blame this all on all hormones. Tomorrow. I'll do it tomorrow. I felt drained just from going to the doctor.

I laid down on the bed and let the sleep take me. 

It was still dark when I felt the bed dipped. A large hand started to pet my hair. I was now lying on my stomach and I could feel the heat coming from the second body that was now lying beside me. A familiar sigh came out from the person. 

"I'll just say this now because I know that I won't be able to say this to you, face to face."

He paused. "You are important to me, y/n." He whispered. "Very much, and I'll be here with you every step of the way. I'll be the bestest damned Daddy in the whole wide world and that's a promise." A soft kiss was placed on the top of my head as they stood up. Another sigh was released. I can feel them looking at my sleeping form before they walk towards the door and silently close it as they go.

I turned over, looked at the ceiling, and smiled. Damn.

a/n. I might be continuing this and do it like a series. What d’you think??

[oreoambitions]

Previous Draft // Ao3

The courthouse doors open with a bang, and the sound of conversation tumbles out of the atrium and onto the courthouse steps. Security flanks Lena on either side, two uniformed bodies ahead to break the crowd, two behind to keep it from closing in around her. Lena keeps her head up, confident in the knowledge that she will appear to take this all in stride. In truth, she crosses the atrium in a sort of daze.

There are moments in a person’s life when time sticks and stutters, moments that linger beyond their natural boundaries, that creep and haunt and niggle at the mind. As she steps out through the courthouse doors, she understands that this is one of them. Time hesitates for her even as she passes into the chaos of lights and cameras outside, towards the waiting crowd of journalists shouting over one another in a fashion not conducive to anyone’s questions ever actually getting answered.

For an instant she’s back on the witness stand: the defense is demanding Supergirl’s name, and the judge is not intervening; the words I plead the fifth are heavy on her lips. That moment has passed, and it hasn’t. There will be ripples. All Lena can do about it now is try to keep those ripples to a minimum, for Kara’s sake; she must say nothing to anyone until they’ve had a chance to talk alone.

“Ms. Luthor.” 

The officer at her side encourages her forward, not quite touching her back with one hovering hand. Lena realizes with a start that she’s paused halfway down the courthouse steps. At the bottom, Supergirl drops out of the sky in a dramatic, press pleasing fashion. That soft warm smile is another echo of the courtroom, and Lena is reminded that Kara intentionally slipped out of the courthouse another way and circled back for the cameras. Lena has, rather uncharacteristically, committed a critical error in a critical moment, and now Kara is covering for her with theatrics.

It’s working. The cameras turn on Kara as Lena makes it down the last few steps and into her waiting embrace.

“I’m sorry,” she begins, half stumbling as Kara pulls her close, closer than usual, one hand hot at the back of her neck.

Kara turns her shoulder to shield Lena from the bulk of the cameras. “Not here,” she murmurs, so low that Lena is almost not certain she’s heard it. And then Kara pulls back, not quite far enough, and Lena is acutely and self-consciously aware of the sound of camera shutters snapping all around them, the closeness of Kara’s body, the gut wrenching feeling that the eyes of the nation are on them and the stage lights are all lit up and she doesn’t know her lines.

The judge should have intervened. Her mind keeps catching on that point, on the heavy pause in the courtroom, Kara’s expressionless face, the pounding of her own heart, the irrelevance of the question. It feels as though if she stays in that moment long enough, pictures it clearly enough, the judge will step in and this story will play out another way.

Time, of course, does not work like that. It stutters and sticks only in her mind, while in the real world the press clamors and Kara’s cape flutters in the quickening wind. 

“I’m so proud of you,” Kara is saying, her voice pitched so that the waiting journalists might catch words that, God willing, sound hollow to Lena’s ears only. “You were amazing in there.”

Lena is thinking about what the headlines are going to say tomorrow. Luthor and Super: Partners in More Than Crimefighting. Or perhaps, Luthor Makes False Marriage Claim on Witness Stand, Investigation to Follow.

Kara cups Lena’s face with one hand, and she snaps back to reality. She has about half a breath to catch up with what’s happening before Kara is closing the distance between them, and she hates to be a walking cliche, but oh. This is not how she has imagined their first kiss might go - not that she’s ready to admit to anyone except maybe Sam that she’s imagined their first kiss at all - and for a sickening second she feels nothing but regret. But then Kara’s lips are on hers, softer than her imagination has ever accounted for, and Lena is melting into her, kissing her back just at the edge of what might be considered chaste.

It’s an act, of course. If Lena’s heart flutters where she knows perfectly well Kara can hear it, can feel it, that’s just the nerves of the whole situation. Kara is, after all, kissing her on the mouth right there in front of God and everybody, shutters clicking all around them, reporters laughing and cheering in the background. It’s not unreasonable to feel a little something; her secret is still safe.

When Kara breaks the kiss, Lena chases after her mouth, and not for show. There’s that soft smile again, lipstick a little smudged, and perhaps she’s imagining things but Kara’s eyes seem warmer than they did before. 

Kara drops a second kiss onto Lena’s forehead. “Can I take you home?” she asks, her voice still pitched for the journalists on the steps.

“Please,” Lena replies. 

She tucks herself back into Kara’s chest as strong arms close around her. If anyone asks, it’s for the cameras. There’s a car waiting for her, and a driver who will have to be well compensated for the waste of his time, but it’s better if the press sees that she and Supergirl are leaving together, isn’t it? And nothing could be more memorable, more pressworthy, than flight.

And, Lena thinks, it’s better because, selfishly, she wants to prolong this moment of closeness. She wants to soak it all in: Kara’s smell, the brush of her hair across Lena’s cheek, the preparatory breath before takeoff. This is the moment Lena wishes would slow down for her, just this last moment when she can imagine to herself that what happened in the courtroom was a bad dream of little consequence, and that nothing between her and Kara will ever have to change.

///

Kara does not take Lena home. They fly instead over the wide arc of National City’s suburbs and into the foothills, and from there a little further still until they’ve reached the mountains above the city. Kara deposits them in a valley on the leeward side of a low peak dotted half with shrubbery and half with scraggled conifers, the names of which Lena has to admit she does not know. She rubs feeling and warmth back into her arms and resists the urge to ask where they are while Kara paces, the agitation and anxiety in the lines of her body a clear departure from the soft warmth on display outside the courthouse. When she rounds on Lena, it feels like the inevitable fruition of Lena’s mistakes.

“You told them we were married? Lena!”

“Technically I didn’t use those words.”

“Oh okay, so between my wife and my priest, which role did you think the court was going to assume you were alluding to?”

“What was I supposed to say? They had me backed into a corner.”

“It wasn’t relevant to the case! This was about Lilian. It had nothing to do-”

“It doesn’t matter that it wasn’t relevant, because the judge wasn’t intervening. I just- I panicked. I had to say something. I wasn’t going to lie under oath, and even if I were willing, what could I have said? Should I have thrown out some other name, thrown someone else under the bus? And what then, when it became obvious to the nation that I’d lied-”

“Oh, and you thought this was better? What are you going to say when they want proof? There’s no documentation. There was no wedding to document. Supergirl doesn’t exist as a legal entity, you can’t just-”

“Kara, I-”

“It’s just not like you not to think things through.”

They stand there staring at one another, Kara’s jaw clenched, Lena’s arms crossed tight across her chest. The sun is going to go down soon; Lena is already shivering a little in the shadow of the mountain. This is a mess, and it’s a mess of her own making, and she doesn’t know how to unmake it out here in the gathering dark.

“I’m sorry,” she says. “I could have - I should have refused to answer. But then they’d have held me in contempt and thrown me in prison. And I’m willing to go to prison for you, Kara, believe me, but then you’d have broken me out because you’re a beautiful idiot, and where would that leave us?”

Kara’s mouth twitches up a little at the corners, and then she laughs outright. “I would have,” she admits. “What a mess that would be.”

“I know I messed up,” Lena offers.

“You were trying to protect me.” Kara scuffs one boot in the dirt. “They’ll try to hit you with perjury charges; you know they will. You might wind up in prison at the end of this anyway.”

Lena nods. She does know this. Some part of her knew it the moment the words I plead the fifth left her mouth, and yet, everything she’s protested to Kara is true. Those words were the only road open to her so long as that judge remained silent.

“Well,” Lena says, “You don’t grow up in the Luthor household without learning a thing or two about the loopholes of the legal system. Burden of proof lies with the prosecution; it would be very difficult to prove that a wedding didn’t happen.”

Kara tsks and turns on her heel to stare out over the valley. “Supergirl isn’t a legal entity. They could challenge you on the grounds that you can’t be legally married to someone who doesn’t legally exist. And if they found a judge more sympathetic to Lex than to you….”

“Not a difficult thing to find,” Lena admits. She stands in the fear and the evening chill for a long moment “I meant what I said, Kara. If I go to prison over this, so be it. Anything to protect you.” Anything for the woman I love, she wants to say, but Kara isn’t ready for that. Might never be ready for that. And neither, truthfully, is Lena.

Kara’s fingers have found the edge of her cape, and now she’s worrying at it in the fading light. She doesn’t look back at Lena for what feels like a long time, and when she does her expression is guarded. “I want you to promise me you’re going to hear me out before you say anything.”

“Okay….” Lena says. She tries to wrestle down her questions, her curiosities, her reservations. Anything for Kara, after all.

Kara takes a deep breath, looking for all the world like she’s readying herself to make a national address. “I have a terrible idea.”

[thecraftymagician]

A request for whenever you want: modern M6 and their favorite TV shows?

(Tumblr needs to stop deleting my stuff ugh!)

Okay let's try this again! I tried to use different genres and there are a few listed I haven't seen but have heard of that just make sense. I'm not sure especially after everything if anyone will be into things that are too intense or dark but their are a few

Modern M6's Favorite TV Shows

Asra💜

I can totally see Asra being into trashy reality romance shows. Mostly out of morbid curiosity or flat out hate watch, his favorite being 90 Day Fiancé. The one they actually do enjoy is Catfish and might get too invested/emotional with some couples.

Their all time favorite is probably heart felt like The Good Place or maybe This Is Us. They primarily enjoy rom-coms like Gilmore Girls, Jane the Virgin, New Girl, etc.

Likes to watch Rick and Morty or the Midnight Gospel to just chill and vibe with.

Nadia💖

She would love most thing's Shondaland; Scandal, even Bridgerton (she doesn't care if it's a guilty pleasure) yet isn't as into Gossip Girl. She also likes Castle and detective dramedies like it. Even House of Cards is just so intriguing to her.

She likes Private Practice and Grey's Anatomy much to Julian's dismay. I can see her liking royalty biopics too like the Crown. It might not be completely accurate but it's entertaining.

At the same time she's kinda picky. She'll try most things but sometimes she just can't get into a show for whatever reason.

Julian🖤

His favorites are things he doesn't have to think about after a long day but still enjoys a good anthology. He likes the Great British Bake Off for this reason and because they're all so nice to each other!

While he loves certain concepts and characters he just can't sit through most medical dramas (Scrubs however, he loves because it's a goofy fun time). He's open to most things and actually can get into alot of different shows. I'm almost convinced he'd love Sherlock or Doctor Who, definitely loves The Mandalorian and Andor.

I can see him liking period shows like the Marvelous Ms. Maisel or Downton Abbey (Nadia recommended it). I also get the feeling he'd like Better Call, Saul!

Muriel💚

He'll watch whatever is on but isn't super partial to anything. When he watches something on his own or gets to pick there's a pattern in themes or aesthetics though.

Hilda, Anne with an E, and to an extent Outlander (sometimes might skip through scenes) are his favorites. He prefers light hearted, cozy shows but isn't opposed to some good plot heavy shows. Will cry when his favorites end or get cancelled.

At the same time just PBS cooking, travel, and gardening shows specifically are his favorite to put on in the background.

Portia🧡

She gets really into the darker, spooky scary stuff like Black Mirror and American Horror Story alongside the Walking Dead. She has her own theories for everything! (Nadia also got her into Good Girls.)

I can see her getting really into Cartoon Network shows like Infinity Train, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Adventure Time, Over the Garden Wall, ect. She'd also love Summer Camp Island.

Besides that she's just really into Fantasy and Adventure. She's pretty open to trying out any show especially if it has those elements.

Lucio❤️

He has seen all of Jersey Shore and every single spinoff. No one is shocked, those are his comfort shows. He likes other reality TV like Big Brother too. I could see him liking Shameless for the same absurd antics and comedy.

As much as he loves adult comedies like South Park, and Big Mouth he does like other animated shows. Ren and Stimpy, Rocko's Modern Life, Cat-Dog, and obviously Fairly Odd-Parents to name a few. Basically, any cartoon from the 90s.

Still sometimes he gets invested in other shows but usually it's because someone else got him into it like How I Met Your Mother. In which case it'll be a struggle to get him to not binge it on his own.

Shows they all enjoy or even get together to watch:

Steven Universe, What We Do In The Shadows, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Friends, The Office, Parks and Rec, The Witcher, Game of Thrones, Stranger Things (maybe), Bojack Horseman (They refuse to let anyone/each other watch it alone though), Gravity Falls, Avatar the Last Airbender, Legend of Kora, The Good Place, Archer, Bob's Burgers, Bluey (I said what said), The Owl House, Letterkenny, Cheers, etc.

They are acutely aware of which characters they match up with each show and find it hilarious. Well everyone but Lucio for obvious reasons. (If anyone wants those matches, just let me know! lol)

[absolutepokemontrash]

The Seven Demon Lords’ Pet Human

So I’m quite fond of the idea that the lesser demons see MC as the brothers’ dumb pet human up until MC is revealed to be a five star badass who can control the brothers on a whim. But Himiko isn’t okay with being referred to as anyone’s “pet”, and after a very bad day, she’s going to let the brothers know that.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Genre: Half Crack Half Fluff

Warning: This story features my MC, who uses she/her pronouns, if that makes you uncomfortable no harm no foul, see you next time

“Just their pet human,”

“Aw, they let their cute widdle pet walk around all by herself~.”

“The brothers’ new pet looks so delicious…”

Himiko Nanami was not one for demeaning nicknames. She had told Luke over and over again that the reason people kept calling him a chihuahua was because he gave them a reaction, but she just couldn’t follow her own advice. A pet… the brothers’ pet… what complete and utter shit.

She had forged pacts with the seven lords of Hell. She had escaped death more times than she could count. On her first day at RAD, she had gouged out a demon’s eye with her headband for trying to eat her. She had walked Cerberus and survived. Himiko was no dainty little pet.

It was a tragedy that some of the demons that wandered the halls of RAD couldn’t see that. Not all the demons were irredeemable anti-human trash, some were quite sweet. But it only took one weird squishy grape to make Himiko refuse to eat the rest of the bowl. That’s how that saying goes, right?

It was supposed to be a good day, it was a Friday for Christ’s sake! But no, the world at large was conspiring to make Himiko’s forehead vein burst.

First period with Satan went normally for the most part, until the two paired up for an assignment and Himiko decided to give Satan a few pats on the head. A few snickers coming from a few rows behind her drew her attention, and right after Satan left to use the bathroom, that’s when she heard it. The first comment of the day.

“Aww, a pet petting her master, how sweet.”

When Satan returned, Himiko was holding a broken pencil.

To her credit, she didn’t dignify those idiots with a response, but their comment managed to burrow its way into her brain and settle there right when she snapped the pencil.

Second period shouldn’t have been so shitty, Himiko had friends in that class. Friends other than the brothers and the other exchange students, but no. Everything sucks in the Devildom.

Paimon had so sweetly offered to share some of his chips with her when he heard she had skipped breakfast. Himiko was in the middle of happily chowing down when some asshole decided to ruin the cute friendship moment.

“Geez Pai, I thought you’d be more responsible than that~.” A demoness a few rows ahead cooed. “Feeding other people’s pets without asking~.”

Paimon choked on the chip he was chewing on while Himiko gave the demoness a bone chilling glare.

“Sh-she’s not- I’m not-”

“How about you mind your own fucking business?”

The demoness only rolled her eyes and turned back to giggling with her friends. It was truly a shame that at least 60% of all the demon ladies in the school were incredibly mean and/or homicidal, a shame for Himiko because she’s a raging bisexual.

With her appetite lost, Himiko forfeited the rest of the chips to Paimon.

Lunch went by as normal as it could have gone. She sat with the brothers as usual and happily watched their antics. When she left the table to throw her trash away was when all hell broke loose.

“-Pet,”

“-Pet…”

“-Pet.”

“-Pet!”

All those damned whispers reached Himiko’s ears and if she had any less patience she would have pulled her hair out and screamed. When she got back to the table, she spent the rest of her lunch period in silence.

What’s worse was that her next class was with Solomon, and the only seat available was next to him. Great…

“Grouchy today, ms. Nanami?”

“Annoying today, mr. Wizard?”

Solomon let out a quiet and carefree laugh and rested his head on his hand. “Oh Himiko, you know I’m always up for being a little annoying.”

Himiko rolled her eyes and tried to pay attention to the teacher. “Whatever…”

Class went on, but Solomon didn’t let up on his quiet pestering.

“Himiiiiii, tell me what’s wrong, I won’t laugh.”

“Go to hell.”

“Poor choice of words, you’re there with me.”

“I hate you.”

“So mean, I’m just trying to help. Solomon the Wise is known for giving great advice!”

Himiko turned and looked at the immortal sorcerer next to her and saw his pitiful attempt at what looked like puppy dog eyes. She rolled her eyes again and turned back to her work.

“I thought you were known for ordering a baby to be sawed in half.”

“Hey!” Solomon huffed, crossing his arms. “The baby did not get sawed in half. The saner of the two women got to keep the baby, I was being smart.”

“Sure, sure.” Himiko couldn’t hold back a bit of a smile. To her own surprise, Himiko began to weigh the pros and cons of actually telling Solomon what was going on. Hm, on one hand, Solomon was the only other human that might possibly understand what Himiko was dealing with, on the other hand, Solomon was a known shifty bastard and could barely be counted as human at this point. In the end, human solidarity won out.

“Solomon,” Himiko began. “Have you ever gotten called a pet before? Like a demon’s pet..?”

Solomon thought for a moment, then shrugged. “Probably. I’ve been alive too long not to have been called every name under the sometimes lack of sun, but I’ve always been more widely known as someone who makes demons into his pets.”

“Mmm, sure.”

“But fret not Himiko, those closest to you know the truth. You’re no pet.”

Not exactly the heaps of comfort Himiko wanted, but at least Solomon answered truthfully and didn’t say anything that would get on her nerves-

“I don’t know why you’re so upset about that nickname though, you’d look amazing in a collar.”

For what happened to poor Solomon right after he said that, let’s just say a palm reader could read Himiko’s future off Solomon’s face.

In fourth period, Himiko had to hold herself back from bitchslapping someone else who decided it would be a good idea to test her. A quick word of advice to anyone in the Devildom who would like to survive an encounter with Himiko, never, ever, fuck with her headband.

“You fiendish demon!” Luke yapped, trying to help get Himiko’s headband back from the nasty awful no good demon who decided to pluck it off her head and hold it out of reach. “Give that back!”

“N’awwwwww, pet buddies!” The taller demon laughed and dangled the headband a little closer. “So cute! Someone get a picture for Devilgram-”

Luke slammed his foot directly into the demon’s kneecap. The demon practically shrieked and doubled over only to be met with Himiko’s knee in his gut. She daintily plucked the headband from his grasp and quickly pulled Luke out of the room.

“Are you okay?” The moment the two were far enough down the hall, Luke began to fuss over Himiko like a tiny nurse. “You didn’t get hurt, did you?”

“No buddy, I’m fine.” Himiko held out her hand for a high five. “Up high,”

Whack!

“Down low,”

Woosh!

“Too slow.”

“Hey!” Luke whined. “No faaaaaiiiiir!”

———————

No one wants their human to be grumpy, especially not the brothers, so when Himiko spent the rest of the time until dinner holed up in her room, they were a tad concerned.

“My human’s all saaaaaaaaad,” Mammon rested his chin on the table and whined. The rest of the brothers sans Asmo were sitting at the table awaiting dinner. “Himiko said she didn’t wanna play the Game of Life, and it’s like, the one game she’s good at…”

“Yeah, she’s been pissy all day.” Belphie added before quietly yawning. “What’d you do, Mammon?”

“Me?!” Mammon sputtered, practically scrambling out of his seat and pointing an accusatory finger at his brothers. “I didn’t do shit! What about you idiots?!”

“Well, let’s look at what we know,” Satan said, waving off Mammon. “During first period we partnered up for a project, I left to use the restroom, then when I came back she looked upset. During lunch when she left, she came back and didn’t speak the rest of the lunch period. Any theories?”

Beel raised his hand, and Satan nodded to him. “Himiko has terrible separation anxiety now, she can’t go too long without us.”

Satan gave Beel a few nods, then turned to the others. “That’s one guess. Anyone else?”

Mammon raised his hand, and Satan promptly ignored him.

“Oi! Pay attention to me!” Mammon stuck his hand in the air and waved harder. “She’s angry because she’s failin’ a class! Every time we’re not distractin’ her, she remembers!”

“I would have heard if she was failing a class.” Lucifer finally piped up from the head of the table, his face was buried in RAD’s newspaper. “You on the other hand, Mammon, are failing three of your four classes this semester.”

Mammon slid back into his seat and scratched the back of his neck. “About thaaaaaat, I need money for uh… for new books n’ pencils n’ shit. That’s why I’m failin’, you’ll lend me money, won’t ya big bro?”

Lucifer didn’t get to respond as Asmo burst into the door of the dining room with a pot of pasta that was almost half his height. “DINNER IS SERVED~!”

As everyone settled in to eat, Himiko finally made her appearance and plopped herself down in her usual seat next to Mammon and helped herself to the pasta with rosé sauce.

“It’s good! It’s good right?” Asmo peppered the group with questions about the food and how good he did. Himiko had to admit, this was damn good pasta. Smooth, creamy, cheesy, all that was missing was garlic bread. In a matter of minutes Himiko had cleared her first bowl and was going in for seconds.

“So Himiko,” Satan said as Himiko continued to shovel pasta into her face at a pace that could rival Beel. “We’ve noticed you’ve been looking a little upset today, care to satiate our curiosity?”

Himiko paused mid bite, which wasn’t doing wonders for her appearance considering she had sauce on the tip of her nose. But still, how sweet of her boys to notice, it made her cold dead little heart swell with love.

“Oh you know, just idiots at school not worth my attention.”

“What have they been saying?” Asmo asked, his voice unusually stiff.

“They’ve been calling me you guys’ pet.” Himiko grumbled. “How ridiculous is that?”

The clattering of forks and the chewing of food halted as the boys went completely silent. Himiko shifted uncomfortably in her chair as she looked around. Had what those demons said been a greater insult to the boys than she-

“Pfff- HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Mammon erupted into laughter and the rest of the brothers followed suit.

“G-Geez,” Belphie snickered, feigning wiping a tear from his eye. “Humans are so sensitive.”

“Excuse me?!” Himiko gripped her fork so hard she was sure it would leave indents.

“I mean, don’t take this the wrong way, Himi,” Levi said between bouts of cackling. “But you are a teeny tiny little normie human surrounded by well… us.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?! That I should just roll over and take it!?” Himiko immediately turned and pointed at Belphie. “Don’t you dare.”

Belphie’s mouth was open to make a comment about Himiko’s poor choice of words, but the pact activated and any words died in his throat. Belphie flipped her off and Himiko returned the gesture.

“Himiko,” Beel was sweet enough to not laugh at Himiko’s predicament. “It’s not that big of a deal. Besides, people love their pets.”

As sweet as Beel thought his words were being, Himiko really wanted to send him to bed without dinner.

“Yes, yes, Beel’s right.” Satan took a deep breath and collected himself after his laughing fit had finally ceased. “It’s nothing to worry about, Himiko. It shouldn’t be bothering you. Just don’t listen.”

Himiko somehow gripped her fork even tighter as she levelled her ice cold glare at Satan. “Thank you so much for demonsplaining how I should deal with and feel about the very human problem of people seeing me as some toy.”

The venom in her words seemed to snap the rest of the table out of their giggly stupor, and Mammon gave Himiko a few pats on the back.

“Ah don’t worry about it, Himiko. I’ll fight any bastard who says anythin’ like that.” Suddenly realizing he hadn’t been a tsundere for five whole minutes, Mammon went red and snatched his hand away. “Ya know, just because you’d probably use the pact and order me to anyway…”

“I’m not a dere~” Levi began to softly sing, Himiko perked up and grabbed Mammon’s cheek.

“A tsun-tsundere~”

“Not that song again!”

That should have been the end of that whole debacle. Himiko’s decent mood had been restored and all was well! The gang chatted amicably for the rest of dinner. Himiko made sure to heap loads of praise on Asmo for his amazing pasta. She felt a part of her die when she went in for fourths and the spoon scraped the bottom of the pot.

Too bad nothing ever goes smoothly in the Devildom.

Since it was Asmo’s night to cook, it was Himiko’s night to do dishes, so she got up and began to clear the table. As she began to collect the unused knives, Lucifer, not looking up from his newspaper, handed Himiko his plate.

“Thank you, pet, that’ll be all.”

Himiko stopped dead in her tracks and her grip on the plate tightened. “Repeat that, Lucifer?”

“Thank you, pet, that’ll be all.”

A tiny smirk spread across Lucifer’s face, which only served to make Himiko’s blood boil. If he thought he could make a joke about that while she was still mad he had another thing coming.

As quick as a flash, she had whipped the plate straight at the ground, shattering it into dozens of tiny pieces, before Lucifer even had a chance to say anything, Himiko was standing in front of him with a frigid glare on her face.

“Lucifer, put your hand flat on the table and spread your fingers. Keep quiet.”

With no choice but to obey, Lucifer slapped his hand down on the dining table, though, the glare he was giving her wasn’t any less murderous. Not caring, Himiko’s gaze remained cold and calculating, she turned to the other brothers, who were rooted in place from sheer shock. “Stay.”

“I’d just like to get something out there to you seven,” Himiko said calmly, holding one of the knives in her right hand and waving it around like it was the most casual thing in the universe. “I, am no one’s pet,”

Himiko turned and slammed the knife right between Lucifer’s middle and index fingers, imbedding it deep in the table.

“Arm candy,”

The second knife was slammed right in between Lucifer’s middle and pointer finger.

“Or accessory.”

The final knife went between his index and pinkie finger. Himiko’s next words were slow and deliberate as she stared the strongest of the brothers directly in the eyes.

“I am your friend, and equal, I won’t accept being anything less, whether it’s a joke, or not. You agreed to those terms the day we made our pact, didn’t we Lucifer? Have you changed your mind?”

It was so quiet you could hear Henry 2.0 swimming around in Levi’s room upstairs. No one dared to breathe as the seconds ticked past.

Finally, Lucifer responded, his voice tinged with exasperation. “No Himiko, I haven’t.”

“Good,” A small triumphant smile appeared on Himiko’s face as she removed the knives from the table and finished up cleaning the table. “That goes for the rest of you boys too, got it?”

“Y-yeah…”

“Mhm.”

“Yes…”

As Himiko walked into the kitchen to do everyone’s dishes, they quietly reminded themselves exactly who they were dealing with. Himiko Nanami was no dainty little human, no no no, she was the one master to rule them all, and by god was she going to make sure no one ever forgot.

——————

AAAAAAAA THIS WAS SO FUN TO WRITE!!!! I really need to write more stuff with Himiko! Inspiration struck at like… 10 this morning and I just ran with it.

Now on one hand, I can see that people might think that Himiko overreacted to Lucifer’s little joke a tad. Buuuuuuuuuuut she’s gotta shut down that shit early, right? She doesn’t want “pet” to be the next “chihuahua”.

Lucifer’s probably trying to stick his nose back in his newspaper as he wonders whether he’s incredibly enraged or unbelievably turned on.

Hope you all enjoyed! Now back to the regularly scheduled shitposting.

[gryffindormischief]

raconteur | ch 9

A/N: Jily AU I prompted myself to do...kinda nothing but it's fluffy and based on this.

FF // Ao3

--

Lily: you were fab today, love

James: thx I am currently eating my feelings

Lily: Whyyy? I said fab!!

James: this was going to happen either way except with success I eat goat cheese pizza and drink wine

Lily: and failure?

James: something oily to clog my arteries and probably a boozy milkshake

Lily: so

James: yes…

Lily: can i come over or are you beat?

James: I’ll put the second pizza in

By the time Lily arrives, the pizzas are out of the oven and James is freshly washed, skin warm and dewy from too hot shower and probably an overabundance of body butter. But it smells delicious and he earned the pampering.

He’s comfortable enough with Lily at this point that the Spongebob pajama bottoms are on display, but not so complacent that they’re the ones that shrunk up in the dryer so his ankles show. Some of the magic has to make it past nine months.

Lily’s at a similar level of comfort it seems, since she arrives in a pair of dark leggings and a jumper that’s large enough to be his. He’s tried to convince her that stealing his is fine but the only response he got was a raised brow and a click as she ordered a sweatshirt two sizes too big.

Still, he can’t help but needle her when she arrives. “Literally that jumper is in my closet right now.”

She scoffs and drops her backpack in the hall. “Yes and it’s yours. You still wear it.”

“But -”

“Plus now we can be twins.”

“How about we trade?” James tries as Lily claims a seat at the dining table - he’d bought it large to host those dinner parties society said would be a large part of adult life when in reality half is constantly filled with books, paper, and mail. Of course Lily snagged the comfiest of the mismatched chairs.

“You get a new jumper and I get your sweaty hand me down? Sounds fair.”

“It’s perfectly clean Ms. Uppity,” James shoots back as he pulls on his oven mitts, “The wine should be done chilling.”

“James.”

He sets the pizzas on top of the stove with a clatter and turns to find Lily shaking her head at the freezer. “You’re lucky utilities are included in my lease.”

“How many frozen pizzas are you planning to eat?”

“One less than before,” James answers lightly, gesturing toward the dual sets of silverware and the extra plate. “Because of the depth of my affection, I share.”

“You’re an adult human with a bloody doctorate,” Lily groans, working the corkscrew, “Shouldn’t you have non-frozen foods in your repertoire?”

“First, I can’t believe that you as a fellow doctorate holder are acting as if higher education doesn’t contribute to my frozen food default choice,” James says, rolling the cutter through the pizza. “And second, I would like to point out that I’m now a published author so schedule and high flying cuisine are very far off my radar.”

“You’re just bringing up that you’re an author because you know it gets me all hot.”

“Happy side effect to my argument,” James adds as an aside before his voice returns to it’s normal volume, “And third - you’re a bloody hypocrite Ms. Tesco Mashed Potatoes.”

“That’s Dr. Tesco Mashed Potatoes and I was in a hurry!” Lily corrects as she grabs two glasses and the bottle of wine.

James plates a few slices each and follows behind Lily. “They were frozen ‘alleged’ potato bits and there is no emergency so great as to justify those atrocities. Unless they’re being used as projectiles, or on my face when Sirius pulls out his t-shirt gun.”

“Why does he even have one?” Lily asks, though her curiosity seems quickly overcome by singular focus on her pizza.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen you look at anything like that,” James chuckles, “It’s a frozen pizza.”

“Don’t judge, I’m starved,” Lily murmurs, groaning happily after another bite.

Once James bites into his own first slice, it’s only a matter of moments before they decide to polish off both pies and in the process end up making a salad to go along. By the time he crunches into a baby carrot, Lily’s sated her hunger enough to return to regular conversation.

“Why did Mia226 say you’re single?”

“Mia - what?”

Lily quirks her brow and slides her phone across the table, screenshot at the ready.

Mia226: I don’t have a question, but I do have the answer to the question you’re all asking yourselves: Yes he is that handsome and somehow IS still single.

James drops his glass to the table with a shaky hand and attempts to keep his cool and execute an eyeroll. “That’s,” he takes a long breath, “That’s my mum.”

“Should I be worried she doesn’t know about us?”

“Doesn’t this clearly illustrate how much my mum and low profile don’t mix?”

Lily shrugs, nibbling on a bit of crust. “I mean it’s not like she’ll do a press release the second she finds out.”

“That’s exactly the type of thing my mother would do,” James says with a laugh, “Plus we’re kinda being secret about it, right?”

“You could tell her you’re seeing someone…”

“Do you think Mia226 seems like the type to leave that information alone?” James asks, fingers finding Lily’s hand. “We can revisit our plan - it is a bit odd of us to be sneaky for so long.”

Lily lifts his hand and presses a kiss to his knuckles. “Do you think I should be offended that my mum did not press me for details on you?”

“You told her about a couple dates - maybe she doesn’t know it’s all me. She hasn’t even gotten to see all this manliness.”

“Or smell that cocoa butter lotion,” Lily adds with a smirk. “I didn’t mean to make your big day about this.”

Waving her concerns away, James answers, “Honestly this is a welcome alternative train of thought, otherwise I’d just be reliving that moment where I mispronounced pedagogical,” she laughs and James smiles softly, “But seriously - we can - do you want to tell people? I know we’re supposed to be being ‘chill’ since the rest of life is so insane - ”

Leaning forward, Lily presses a short kiss to his lips, a bit off center but it gets the job done. “We stopped being chill a while back, don’t you think?”

James taps their foreheads together before he sits back, lifts his mobile, and navigates to his mother’s contact info. “Remember this feeling 20 minutes from now when she’s fully run off the rails, eh?”

“See you on the other side.”

[sequinsmile-x]

Guardian

A mini fic, that is largely fluffy. Because lord knows we all need it. 

Words: 2.5k (not as mini as I first intended)

Warnings: Minor mention of injury, some curse words because of Emily’s potty mouth

Emily hated paperwork. It was, without a doubt, the most boring part of her job. She would usually spend days like this teasing Aaron, sending him texts throughout the day and watching him through the blinds of his office as he pretended not to react, letting the tension build until they got home. 

“Where is our fearless leader?” Penelope asks as she stands by Emily’s desk, a file in hand. 

“He’s at a parent teacher conference.” Emily answers, smiling at her friend. “Jack was thrilled that he was in town for it.” 

“You didn’t go?” Penelope asks, curiosity on her face. Their relationship was something that fascinated the rest of the team, Emily knew that. They always tried to tease details out of her, acting as if her and Aaron weren’t two intensely private people. It had only got worse since they had moved in together, a house they had bought for them both to have a fresh start in. 

“We thought it would be pushing it if both of us took the afternoon out.” Emily answers, almost feeling relief when her cell phone rings. “Agent Prentiss.” 

“I’m calling to speak to Emily Prentiss?”

“Speaking.”

“My name is Natalie, I’m a nurse at Saint Sebastian Hospital, you’re listed as the next of kin for Aaron Hotchner?” 

Emily felt like the air had been knocked out of her. “He’s my boyfriend. Is he ok?” 

“He was involved in a car accident this afternoon, he’s been brought in.”

“Oh my god.” Emily exclaims, feeling the eyes of the rest of the team on her. “His son, Jack Hotchner, would have been with him. Is he ok?”

“I’m really sorry ma’am, I’m not at liberty to discuss any other patients.” 

Emily bites back a retort, a demand to know about Jack, but she knows she won’t get anywhere over the phone. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” She hangs up the phone, tries to ignore the way her hands shake 

“Everything ok there, princess?” Derek asks, as Penelope places a hand on her shoulder. 

“Aaron’s been in an accident, Jack must have been with him but they wouldn’t tell me anything.” She stands, knocking Penelope’s hand off of her. “I need to go to the hospital, I need to see him.” 

“I’ll drive you.” Derek says, standing himself. 

“Derek, I’m fine.”

“Em, I am not letting you drive there. Ok? Hotch would never forgive me.” 

Emily looks at him and nods, letting him guide her out of the bullpen.

________________

She approaches the nurses station, her body practically vibrating with different worse case scenarios over what could have happened to Aaron and Jack. 

“Hi, I got a call about Aaron Hotchner.” She tries to keep her voice even and knows she has failed when Derek throws her a concerned look.

The nurse smiles reassuringly at her whilst looking at something on her computer. “He has just been sent back for some scans, but he’s doing ok. He was even arguing with my colleagues about how much he didn’t need to be here. He should be out in about 10 minutes.” 

Emily breaths out a sigh of relief at that and feels Derek pat her back. 

“See, Emily. Hotch is fine. Everything will be ok.” 

“What about his son, Jack? He would have been in the car with him.” Emily says, her eyes searching the waiting room for the young boy. 

“Are you his mother?” 

Emily falters. “No. I’m not. I’m his dad’s girlfriend. I live with them.” 

The nurse smiles at her again, but this time it seems forced. “I’m really sorry Ms…”

“Prentiss.” She says through slightly clenched teeth. “Agent Prentiss.” 

“Agent Prentiss.” The nurse corrects herself, a slightly nervous look on her face. “I can only let a parent or guardian see him. If you aren’t his mom I’m going to have to ask you to-”

“His mom is dead.” Emily says, harsher than she intended to. She blows out a breath before she continues, attempting to calm herself down a little. “His aunt, Jessica Brooks, is out of town.” Emily says, desperately trying to keep her cool. She reaches into her bag, pulls out her wallet and slams her driving license on the table between her and the nurse, pointing out her place of residence. “I live in the same house as him. I poured him a bowl of cheerios this morning.”

“Agent Prentiss.” The nurse says, her voice remaining so patient Emily wanted to vault over the table between them and hit her. “Be that as it may, you are not his legal guardian, so I cannot let you back there to see him until his father is here.” 

Emily has another idea, and reaches for the FBI credentials she has on her belt, but Derek stops her. His hand grabs her arm before she can threaten someone in a way that her boyfriend would have to reprimand her for as her boss later. 

“Princess, come on.” Derek says as he gently pulls her towards the waiting area. “Let’s just sit down and chill out.” 

Emily sits in one of the plastic chairs and puts her head in her hands, her elbows resting on her knees. Derek puts his hand on her back, rubs comforting circles between her shoulder blades. Time moves like syrup, and the fear of not seeing either Jack or Aaron burns through her. She eventually checks the time on her watch and blows out a breath. 

“This is fucking bullshit.” She seethes. “Jack will be back there by himself. God knows where Aaron is.” She says, her voice wavering at the mention of her boyfriend. “They said he’d only be 10 minutes at least half an hour ago.” 

“Jack will be fine.” Derek tries to comfort. “He’s a good kid.” 

“He is 8, Derek.” She bites at her thumb, worrying the cuticle between her teeth. “This is ridiculous. I live with him. I make him breakfast every morning.” 

“Pouring cereal into a bowl hardly counts as making breakfast, Em.” He says, trying to lighten her mood. She sharply turns her head to look at him, a warning look on her face that has him holding his hands up in surrender. “Ok I get it, no jokes.” 

She lowers her gaze back to her lap. “Do you know it’s me that Jack wants if he’s sick, or hurt?” She asks, and briefly looks at him to see him shake his head.”

“Em?” 

She looks up to see Aaron walking towards them. If Emily had been at 100%, if the fear coursing through her veins hadn’t been so sharp, she would have noticed the stiffness in his walk, how much pain he was clearly in. The relief that flooded through her was so fast she almost felt dizzy. 

“Aaron.” Emily was up and in his arms before she knew what was happening, hitting his body with a force that made him grunt, knocking the air out of him as she wraps her arms around him tightly. She pulls back. “Oh god, I’m sorry.” 

“Em, it’s fine. My ribs are sore, that's all.” He puts a hand on her lower back and stops her from pulling away any further, her eyebrow raised in disbelief. His voice is strained, discomfort laced through it. She lifts her hand to trace her fingers over a bandaged cut on his forehead just above his eyebrow. “My head hit the steering wheel.” He grabs her hand from his face and presses a kiss to her fingers, a promise that they will talk about it later, once they are home. “Where’s Jack?”

Emily scoffs, a look shot back at the nurse who was still at the nurses station. “They wouldn’t let me see him.” She clears her throat as she looks back at her boyfriend. “I’m not his guardian.” 

Another moment of silent discussion passes between them, something else they can talk about later when they are alone. When they are safe at home and their every move wasn’t being watched by Derek, curiosity on his face at how they were around each other that they both hadn’t missed. 

“He was ok when we came in.” He assures her, seeing how concerned she looked. “They were going to look at his arm, it looked broken.” 

Emily nods, some of the concern seeping away. Aaron links his fingers through hers and gives Derek a nod as they walk past him, a silent thank you for looking after Emily when he couldn’t. Aaron approaches the nurses station and clears his throat, getting the attention of the same nurse who Emily had spoken to earlier.

“I’d like to see my son, Jack Hotchner.” 

They are quickly taken to Jack who looks just as relieved to see them as they do to see him, and they sit with him as he gets an arm cast put on. Aaron sits in a chair, failing to cover the wince that escapes him as he lowers himself into it. Emily sits next to Jack on the bed, wrapping an arm around him and pressing a kiss to the top of his head as he tries to be brave, pretending he hadn’t been crying whilst waiting for them to come get him. 

Jack burrows into Emily’s side as the doctors gently wrap his arm, and she can’t help herself when she throws the same nurse who refused her access to Jack a look when she walks by the bay they are in. 

________________

Emily convinces Aaron to go grab a shower as she tucks Jack in for the night, his arm in it’s bright green cast resting on a pillow. It doesn’t take him long to fall asleep, the stress of the day taking all of the endless energy he usually had. Emily sneaks out of the room, gently pulling the door closed behind her as she goes. 

She sighs as she walks the short distance to the master bedroom, the shower still running in the ensuite. Emily sits on the end of the bed and puts her head in her hands, tries to force back the emotion that was threatening to overwhelm her, the knowledge of what she could have lost today settling over her now they were home. Emily hears the shower switch off and she blows out a breath, trying to centre herself.

Emily can’t stop the gasp that escapes when he walks out, just with a pair of sweatpants on, and she sees the extent of the damage for the first time. The bruise across his chest caused by the seat belt looked painful, his ribs almost black, clearly fractured.

“Aaron.” She says softly, her hand reaching out but stopping just shy of actually touching him. 

“It’s ok, Em.” He grabs the hand she's got hovering near him and intertwines their fingers, squeezes her hand in a way she’s sure is meant to be reassuring.

“Ok?” She asks, scoffing at him. “You clearly have broken ribs, Aaron.” She shakes her head at him, interrupts him when he tries to placate her again. “Nothing about today was ok.” 

Aaron cups her face in both hands, wiping away a tear that she wasn’t aware had fallen until his thumb stroked her cheek. 

“Emily, Jack and I are both fine.” He leans forward and kisses her forehead, and she brings her hands to his wrists, stroking the delicate skin there. “We’re a little banged up, but nothing that won’t get better.”

She nods against him. “I...I know I’m not his mother.” She pulls away to smile at him, and she bites her lip in an attempt to stop it from shaking. “But not being able to see Jack today really sucked. I live with him, I love him, Aaron. I should be able to see him when he’s hurt.”

“Em-”

“If you’d been hurt worse, or killed.” Emily feels more tears fall at that, shakes her head at herself. “I wouldn’t have been able to go to him.” 

“Emily.” He strokes her cheek again, a smile on his face that always calmed her. “I agree with you.” 

She furrows her brow, having clearly expected more of a pushback. “What?”

“We should make you his legal guardian. We probably should have done it when we got the house.”

“Really?” I don’t want you to think I’m trying to take Haley’s place.”

“Sweetheart, you have never done that. You love my son, and he loves you. It makes me love you more. We’ll get it sorted.” 

“I love you.” She says, leaning forward to kiss him, keeping it brief and laughing when she pulls away from him when he tries to kiss her again. “Don’t get any ideas, Agent Hotchner. Those ribs of yours have put you out of action for quite some time.” She laughs at him as she pulls herself out of his embrace. “I’m going to get changed for bed.” 

Emily grabs some pyjamas and busies herself in the ensuite, ignoring his shirt in the hamper that had his blood on it. She goes about her evening routine, takes off her makeup and brushes her teeth, piling her hair on top of her head in a messy bun. She sighs as she looks at herself in the mirror, taking in just how tired she looked. All she wanted to do was get in bed with her boyfriend, make sure he took a painkiller he’d probably attempt to say he didn’t need, and fall asleep. 

When she walks in and finds him sitting on the edge of his side of the bed, still only in his sweatpants, with a small velvet box in his hands it stops her in her tracks. 

“Aaron.” 

“I had a whole plan.” He says, looking up at her. He stays sat on the bed, and she knows it’s partially because he’d be in too much pain to stand up. “It seems silly now.” 

“It’s not silly.” Emily says, her throat feeling like it was constricting, the emotion rising in her chest. She stands in front of him, catches the hand not holding the ring box in hers. She links their fingers.

“I’d get down on one knee but I don’t think I’d ever get back up.” Aaron jokes, and it makes her choke out a laugh that becomes a sob on its way out. 

“That’s ok.” Emily sits next to him on the bed.

He opens the box and she gasps when she sees the ring. Simple, platinum band with a good sized single diamond. Exactly what she would have picked herself. 

“Emily, marry me.” 

She laughs. “I think it’s meant to be a question, honey.” 

Aaron smiles at her, his dimples out on display. “Will you marry me?” 

“Of course I will.” She replies, cupping his cheek in her hand. “Yes.” 

He kisses her, and she responds, pushing herself closer to him, her hand travelling to the back of his head. They both get lost in it for a moment until he groans in pain, making her pull back from him. 

“I didn’t think this all the way through.” He says, smiling at her as he pulls the ring out of the box and slips it onto her finger. “My plans involved celebrating with a lot of sex.” 

Emily laughs and rests her forehead against his. “All in good time my love.”