#left in Emily's and James' little cheers because why not

[cerenemuxse]

Engine of the Future - Season 20 Episode 23

he's so silly, your honor

[themetaphorgirl]

I'm having a very difficult day and I cannot tell you how much it helped to have a new chapter of psolc show up in my inbox. thank you, thank you, thank you, and happy third anniversary 💗 prompt-wise, I would looove to read some spencer angst if you're up for it!

I am SO happy it can make YOU happy!! I hope your day gets better, and hopefully this helps cheer you up!!

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If they thought midterms were bad, finals were even worse.

Everyone was subsisting on junk food and caffeine. No one was sleeping. Penelope had given up on wearing eye makeup for the week because she kept crying on her study guides. Hotch had an ear infection again, which made him cranky and irritable. If they weren’t in class, they were studying in the library, at the Honeybean, in the dining hall. It was madness.

It was bad enough for the teenagers, but it was even worse for Spencer.

Sometimes they forgot he was nine- well, ten, now, barely ten. He was so smart, smart enough to tutor kids who were six, seven, eight years older than him. But completing homework easily and getting high grades on normal tests and quizzes was completely different from going through finals. He was overwhelmed, to put it mildly.

Alex was trying to work at the circulation desk, but she could hear Spencer’s crying from across the vast room, and she couldn’t concentrate. He’s okay, she kept telling herself as she recommended books to frazzled students and scanned their checkouts. Just an hour left, and then we can take him to dinner and put him to bed.

Emily leaned over the desk. “Hey, I’m so sorry, but we need you over there,” she said in a low voice. 

Alex brushed her hair out of her eyes with the back of her hand. “Did Hotch send you?” she asked.

“No, but he needs backup, I can tell,” she said. “He can’t get the baby to calm down, he’s starting to freak out, and I’m starting to worry that the kid is going to cry till he pukes again.”

She set her scanner down. “Give me just a second,” she told the bleary eyed sophomore holding a stack of books on Manifest Destiny, and followed Emily back to their usual corner.

Instantly she could tell why Emily called for her. Aaron was sitting in an armchair, his shoulders hunched over as he tried to hold onto Spencer. “I know, I know,” he was saying desperately as Spencer sobbed and tried to go limp in his grip. “I know you’re tired, I know you’re stressed, I just need you to take a deep breath.”

“I’m not tired!” Spencer shrieked. “Let go of me, let go!”

Alex touched Aaron’s back lightly; he jumped in surprise and immediately sagged in relief when he saw her. “Please, help me,” he said in a panicked, strangled voice. “I don’t know what to do.”

He scooted over in the armchair and she sat down next to him. “Spencer,” she said in a soft voice. “Baby, I need you to take a deep breath.”

He was a pitiful sight, his hazel eyes bloodshot and ringed in blue bruises as tears rolled down his cheeks. “I’m not tired!” he sobbed.

“I know, I know, but do you want to sit with me?” Alex asked softly. He nodded, raising his arms to be held, and she lifted him easily onto her lap; Aaron pulled his skinny little legs over his knees as Alex leaned his head on his shoulder. She held him tight and rocked him gently. She’d learned that he did better when he was squeezed tight, like his soul was getting crushed back into his body. 

After a while he started to go limp, his sobs dying down. “I’m not tired,” he whimpered as he clung to the front of her shirt. “I h-have to s-study.”

Alex kissed the top of his head. “I know,” she said. “I do too, but I have to keep working.”

His grip tightened. “Don’t leave me!” he wailed.

“I won’t, I won’t,” she said. “You can come with me, okay? Do you want to do that?” He nodded into her neck. “Okay, darling, let’s do that.”

She looked up and caught James’s eye. “I’m on it,” he mouthed, and he started gathering up the blankets and pillows they had brought from their dorms.

“Thank you,” Aaron said. “Thanks, I- I didn’t know what to do…”

Alex patted his cheek lightly. “You should take a break too,” she said. “You’re still getting over being sick, you need a rest. I’ll take care of him now.”

“Want me to carry him?” James asked. He handed Emily the blankets and picked Spencer up easily. “Come on, buddy.”

“I wanna stay with Alex.”

“You will, baby, you’ll be with Alex.”

Emily immediately busied herself with setting up the pillows and blankets under the desk to make a little nest. “Here, squirt, you think you’ll be comfy there?” she said. Spencer nodded, rubbing his eye with his fist. “Here, climb on in.”

James set him down and Spencer crawled into the little fort, making himself comfortable. He handed him his favorite blanket. “Lie down, kiddo, I’ll tuck you in,” he said. 

“I forgot my book,” Spencer said plaintively as James drew the blanket up to his chin.

“We’ll get your book later, just take it easy for right now,” Alex said. “And I’m going to be right here, okay?”

He nodded. She leaned in to kiss his forehead, and then the three teenagers stood up and looked at each other in exhausted frustration. “How many days until finals are over?” Emily said. “Too many?”

“Three,” Alex sighed.

James slid an arm around her shoulders. “And then you and I will take him home to my parents’ house, and then we’ll have my parents to help put him back together,” he said. He kissed her temple. “And in the meantime, you’re doing a great job. He’s going to be okay.”

“I hope so,” Alex sighed.

“Um…can I check out my books now?” the sophomore asked meekly.

Alex went back to work, a little overwhelmed now that the line was ten people deep. She still didn’t really feel like she was doing a good job, but as she stood at the desk she felt Spencer reached out and rest his hand on her ankle. She tried to stay as still as possible so she wouldn’t break the tether.

When library hours were finally done she crouched down on the floor beside him. He was asleep at last, his face flushed and his lips parted as he snored a little. Alex smoothed his tangled hair away from his face and smiled at him. He would be okay. She would make sure of it.

[rygoespop]

Thomas and Friends: Legends of Sodor (Story 30): Thomas and The Railway Museum (79th Anniversary Special)

Since May has arrived, here’s this story to commemorate 79 Years of Thomas and Friends, Enjoy

Scene opens at Evening, as Percy puff down line pulling 2 Mail Cars and Bruno, puffing past Eagle, who is pulling 2 Lynton Vans, a 12 Ton Van, and 2 NER Vans, as they blew their whistles to greet each other

Narrator: Thomas and The Railway Museum

Scene shows Percy racing through the level crossing as George waited

George: Railway hog!

Percy: Sorry George!

Bruno: We’re sorry!

George rolled down through the Level Crossing

George: Tch! The mail would be done delivered if it’s by road!

Scene shows Percy arriving at Knapford

Percy: Sir sir! I got a letter!

Sir Topham Hatt was surprised as he knew he received a letter

STH: This letter

Bruno: What can it be sir?

STH: It’s from the Mainland Controller

Gordon/James/Molly/Rosie: *excited* The Mainland Controller!

James: Is he coming to see us again?

Gordon: Who will be pulling the special train this time?

STH: Hang on, let me read it *he opens the letter and he reads* “Dear Sir Topham Hatt, you are invited to come to the Railway Museum in London for a New Addition”

The engines cheer

STH: Quiet! There’s more *he reads it again* “And by the request of the Railway Superintendent, he requested”

The engines wait to see who it is

STH: Thomas the Tank Engine

The engines gasp in surprise, but Gordon was flabbergasted

Gordon: What?! Thomas?!

Thomas puffed in

Thomas: Sorry I’m late sir, I took long enough with Jack and the Pack and- I’m not late am I?

STH: No Thomas, I want you to have an early night, because tomorrow, we are off to the Railway Museum in London!

Thomas was surprised as he puffed off to Tidmouth Sheds

Narrator: The next morning, it was time

Scene shows Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt both getting ready, with Thomas having a wash and having the Coat of Arms on him, while Sir Topham Hatt chose his best suit and Top Hatt

Thomas and STH: Perfect!

Scene now shows Thomas at Vicarstown, now pulling one of Spencer’s Coaches

Percy: Wow Thomas, look at you! All fancied up!

Emily: Yeah, those Coat of Arms suit you well

Gordon: Pah, I don’t know why they didn’t chose me, I know the way

Toby: Oh not again with the stations again Gordon, you remember the last time

Gordon: Still, that didn’t answer my question, why Thomas? He doesn’t know the way

STH: The Superintendent has requested it and I must comply *he enters the coach*

The guard blew his whistle

Thomas: Well, time to get going, bye everyone! *he blew his whistle and sets off to London*

Percy and Emily: Good luck Thomas!

Thomas puffs onto the Vicarstown Drawbridge and puffs into the Mainland

Narrator: Soon, they were off to London

STH: Dear Superintendent, it’s with great pleasure *hears a duck quacking* Uuuhhh, Thomas, are you sure you know where you’re going?

Thomas: Yes sir, but I seen this canal before, and yet it looks-

Before Thomas can finish, a boat dropped in front of him

Beresford: Halt! Who’s goes there?!

Thomas: Beresford?!

Beresford: Hold on, is that? *he lifts Thomas up* It is! It’s my little friend Thomas! I’m glad you came back to see me again! Oh, what’s with the shields? *he shakes Thomas*

Thomas: *sees one of his Coat of Arms came off and splashes into the Water* My coat of arms!

Beresford: Coat of Arms?

STH: Thomas? What are you doing with that crane?

Thomas: Sorry sir, this is Beresford, and he-

STH: Nice to meet you Beresford, but we are in a hurry and can’t be held up *chuckles*

Thomas: So Beresford, is there a shortcut to London?

Beresford: Yes! Go right and go left! *puts Thomas down and lifts the boat up*

Thomas: Thank you Beresford! *puffs off*

Beresford: Right on Thomas!

Scene transitions to Thomas puffing down the line as he sees a familiar location

STH: Thomas, are you sure that Beresford gave you this way?

Thomas: Yes sir, but I seen this place before- *bumps into a familiar engine*

Lexi: Well hellooooo- Thomas! You came! *rang her bell* Merlin, Theo, Hurricane, Frankie! Thomas is here!

Theo: Thomas! *he puffs up*

Merlin: I don’t believe it, Thomas came from the Island of Sonar to see us!

Frankie: Thomas!

Hurricane: Good to see you again!

Thomas: Merlin? Lexi? Guys?!

STH: Thomas? Who are these engines?

Thomas: Oh! Sir, meet Merlin, Lexi, Theo, Hurricane, and Frankie!

STH: Oh yes, I remember them from Last Year!

Merlin: *see STH* Oh, hello Sir TopHat Hatt!

Hurricane: So Thomas, what’s with the coat of arms?

Thomas: I’m off to London, the Railway Museum is adding a new addition

Theo: Ooooooh

Lexi: Sounds nice

Frankie: Well you better get there!

Thomas: I will, and it’s nice seeing you guys again! *blew his whistle and puffs backwards*

Scene transitions to Thomas puffing down the line through a forested area, he was getting his paintwork scratched, and a branch knocked his other Coat of Arms off

Thomas: Oh no! My other Coat of Arms!

STH: What’s the matter Thomas? *a branch ripped his suit* Ah! My suit! I gotta hide it so the Superintendent doesn’t see it!

Scene shows Thomas puffing into a junction

Thomas: Well sir, we’ll be in London at no time!

Duchess of Hamilton puffs down the line quickly and splashed mud on Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt

STH: Oh bother…

Scene transitions to Thomas arriving at a Station, Sir Topham Hatt got out of the coach, and Thomas’s Fireman got out of Thomas’s cab

STH: Well Thomas, I’m gonna find out where’s the next tailor for a new suit is when we get to London *he enters the station with Thomas’s Fireman*

Thomas: I wonder if this is Doncaster, or Crewe where Henry was-

Soon, Duchess of Hamilton puff up next to him

Duchess of Hamilton: And just what do you think your doing with my coach little tank engine?!

Thomas: Your coach? This is my coach, well it was borrowed from Spencer

Duchess of Hamilton: I don’t have time for this, just couple it up to me-

Stationmaster: Pardon me Duchess of Hamilton, your coaches are at the Carriage Sheds being checked over

Duchess of Hamilton: Oh, right! *puffs off*

Thomas soon puffs off to the Washdown at a nearby yard, where Splatter and Dodge were shunting cars

Thomas: Now, I can get a good wash *he unknowingly gets bumped into a coal car*

Duchess of Hamilton: *sees Thomas* Oh, I’m so sorry! I’m sorry for my behavior earlier!

Thomas: It’s alright, I was about to go first, but I’ll let you go first, uuuuuhhhh

Duchess of Hamilton: Duchess, Duchess of Hamilton, and you are?

Thomas: Thomas, Thomas of Sodor

Duchess of Hamilton: Nice to meet you Thomas of Sodor, now I must collect my important passengers *blew her whistle and puffs off*

Thomas: Now then *puffs up to the wash*

Washer: Sorry chap, but we’ll have to refill the tank before we can clean you

Thomas: Awwww *puffs backwards to the station*

STH: Oh there you are Thomas, did you get- *sees Thomas covered in Coal Dust*

Thomas: There was, an incident

STH: Ah, well it’ll not be long until I find a new tailor when we get to London, at least my Hat is in One Piece *chuckle*

Caitlin raced down the line with her coaches, her speed caused Sir Topham Hatt’s hat to fly off, causing a Passenger to knock a suitcase down

STH: *slow motion* Noooooooooooooooooooo!

The suitcase crushed Sir Topham Hatt’s hat

STH: What?! Ah! Doh, my hat! *picks up his crushed hat*

The clock struck 2:00 and chimed

STH: Oh no! 2 O’clock, we have less than one hour to get to London! Thomas! We got to get going!

Thomas: But sir! We have to wait, the Fireman!

STH: Lets go!

Thomas: But sir!

STH: Now Thomas, now!

Thomas blew his whistle and puffs off without his Fireman

Thomas’s Fireman: *came outside and sees Thomas* Wait a minute! Come back, come back Thomas!

Scene shows Thomas down at a countryside, he was puffing very slow, as Thomas’s Driver had to shovel coal in his firebox

Narrator: Without his fireman, Thomas was moving at a slow pace, as his driver has to do all the hard work

Duchess of Hamilton, now with her coaches, puffs up next to Thomas

Duchess of Hamilton: Oh, hello Thomas!

Thomas: Oh, hello!

Duchess of Hamilton: Heading to the Railway Museum?

Thomas: Yeah

Duchess of Hamilton: Well, I’ll see you there! *puffs away*

STH: Come on Thomas, can you go any faster?

Thomas: Yes sir, I mean No Sir! The thing is, you were in such a hurry we left my Fireman at the station

STH: Oh dear.. *his Top Hat pops up* Then I’ll be your fireman!

Thomas: *stops as he sees STH walking up to his cab* But sir, you’ll get dirty!

STH: You can’t run a railway without getting your hands dirty, but what’s important is that we get to London on time! *enters Thomas’s Cab*

Thomas smiled

STH: Right! Hand me that shovel my good man, and let’s make pace! We got no time to lose! *he shovels in coal into the fire*

Thomas blew his whistle and puffs off again, this time in a fast pace

Narrator: At last, Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt were finally up to full speed

Thomas sees the Duchess of Hamilton, who has stopped, this made Thomas come to a stop

Thomas: Oh, hello Duchess of Hamilton? What happened?

Duchess of Hamilton: My safety valve broke, I am unable to get my passengers on time

STH: Thomas, what are you doing?

Thomas: Sir, this is an emergency! We must help this engine! *puffs backwards and onto Duchess of Hamilton’s line*

Duchess of Hamilton: I appreciate your help

Thomas: Of course, because little engines can do big things! *buffers up to Duchess of Hamilton’s coaches and pushes her*

Scene shows Thomas shunting Duchess of Hamilton into London, as they puff pass Patriot the Big City Engine who taking 3 Red Express Coaches, when the 2 engines arrive at the Railway Museum

Duchess of Hamilton: Thank you Thomas of Sodor

Thomas: *puffs onto the other track next to Duchess of Hamilton* Your welcome

STH: *exits Thomas’s cab and pulls out his watch* Just in time! I wonder if there’s a tailor nearby *sees the Duchess of Hamilton’s nameplate* Huh? *gasps as he sees a British Policeman open the door on one of the Duchess of Hamilton’s coaches* Thomas, do you know what train we saved

Thomas: No sir, what?

STH: The Superintendent’s Train!

Thomas: What?! We saved the Superintendent’s Train?!

STH: Shh!

The Mainland Controller: Ah, Thomas!

The Railway Superintendent: Sir Topham Hatt?

STH: Oh, hello Mr. Superintendent!

The Railway Superintendent: I see you look a bit of a mess

STH: Y-yes, and there were some delays

The Railway Superintendent: Well, it is known to be hard work, for you and your North Western Railway

The Mainland Controller: And since your here, we are ready to unveil a new addition to the Museum

The workers remove a tarp, revealing a Replica of Thomas without a face

The Railway Superintendent: I present to you, our replica of Thomas, to our Museum!

The crowd cheered

Thomas: Oh, thank you sir

The Railway Superintendent: Knowing this, you are a Really Useful Number one on Sodor

The crowd cheered again

Duchess of Hamilton: Hooray! *blew her whistle*

Thomas blew his whistle too as the camera pans to the Flag of the UK as the scene fades to black

Story End

Happy 79th Anniversary to Thomas and Friends and The Railway Series

[tillthelandslide]

Jersey Love (Part 5) : I Lost a Friend

Warning: this chapter includes references of suicide so please do not read if it will trigger you. Here for anyone who needs to talk <3

Author’s Note: Hope you enjoy it, I’m struggling with part 6 atm so please be patient with me :) love you all so much and I know I saw it all the god dam time but your support truly does mean the world to me

Tag List: @harrysthiccthighss​ @thereisa8ella​ @magdelen69​ @henrythickcavill​ @hc-geralt-23​ @kissthatlifeaway​ @darkbooksarwin​ @august-w-princess​ @speakerforthedead0​ @pixie1484​ @constip8merm8​ @tigerbroadwaybaby​ @agniavateira​ @summersong69​ @aestheticallywinchester​ @stephartrave​ @al-wiisa​ @henrycavillfanpage​ @intenselikes​ @anat2507​ @ellixthea​ @aguspalazzo​ @1ookatthestars00​ @wintersoldierslut​ @michelehansel​ @cavill-sass​ @thecavillstache​ @xelizabethvalentinex​ @sesamepancakes​ @tumblnewby​ @thefangirlsblog​ @sugarmelonwater​

(if you would like to be added to my tag list, feel free to message me,   if you are new to my blog then I post Henry Cavill fanfics and make   Henry Cavill fake Instagram posts, my requests are open so feel free to   request anything  and I will try my best to make your vision come to life. Edit: requests are still open but there might be a delay as I am working my way through the current ones and all other stories I am writing)  

Part 1: Durrell Challenge

Part 2: Coffee Date

Part 3: Life With You is a Walk in the Park

Part 4: Movie Night

It was Saturday night and you had been invited to a karaoke night with your friends, you had invited Henry so he could get to know your friends better. You were getting ready, you had decided to curl your hair and apply a little bit more makeup than usual, not too much, it still looked natural but you had darker eyeshadow on than usual. You opted to wear black skinny jeans, a striped deep-neck blouse and toeless heels. You couldn’t stop thinking about last night and the events that occurred, you wondered if Henry was thinking about it as much as you were.

You had text Henry to meet you at the pub, planning to get there earlier than your friends, you ordered a cab whilst you got your things ready, ensuring your cats had everything they needed. The cab arrived shortly after and took you to the pub. You walked inside, greeting the staff as you entered, you sat down at a booth big enough for all of you. Henry arrived shortly after, dressed in black jeans and a grey cotton shirt, his chest hair on display which made you have to take a deep breath trying to compose your thoughts.

He waved at you a huge smile on his face, he came over to you sliding in next to you and hugging you tightly.

“Hello gorgeous” he says, pecking your lips making you blush.

“You look hot Henry” you said, which got the reply of a deep cough and chuckle.

“So do you” he said, his eyes flicking down to your chest making you and him smirk.

“Keep your eyes up here Hen” you joked, making him smile.

“Want a drink?” you asked “yes please” he said. “Guinness?” you asked, making him say yes please again. You left the booth and Henry couldn’t help but check out your bottom as you walked, he thought about last night as he did. You caught him as you turned your head round slightly, making him look into your eyes and shrug as if to say “I don't regret it”.

You ordered a Guinness and a pint for yourself, carrying them over to the table. Sitting down next to Henry his hand immediately panting itself on your thigh as the other arms hooked around your shoulders on the headrest of the chair.

“How are you?” you said, your own hand resting on his thigh, which somehow looked bigger in his tight jeans.

“I’m very good, how are you my love?” he smirked, placing a kiss to your neck where he could see the bruise he planted yesterday.

“I also happen to be very good. Coincidence?” you said making him chuckle.

“Hmm, maybe” he said his lips still moving against your lips.

“Henry people are looking” you said, your hand threading through his hair at his neck as your eyes fluttered closed.

“Let them look” he said, beginning to suck against your neck when you heard someone across the room cough awkwardly, making him pull away. 

His timing was impeccable as you heard the door of the pub opened and in walked Lewis.

“Hi guys.” he said nicely, shrugging his jacket off when he made it to you. 

“Hi Lew. This is Henry” you said, standing up to hug him before gesturing to Henry, he stood up and shook Lewis' hand.

“Nice to meet you mate. Yn has told me a lot about you” Henry said, smiling and sitting back down. Lewis sat on the opposite side of the booth.

“You too mate” he replied before the both of them said “good things I hope” at the same time making them laugh.

“No I bitched about both of you” you said, all of you laughing, the pub door opened and Amy walked in with James and Liam.

“Oh shit, I forgot to tell you that Emily can’t make it, she had to look after her sister's kids for the night” Lewis said, all of you standing up as they walked up.

“Hello gorgeous girl” Amy said, hugging you tightly, squeezing her as she did, placing a friendly kiss on her cheek, her eyes flicked down to your exposed neck and she wiggled her eyebrows at you, making you chuckle and flick your hair in front of your neck to cover it..

“Nice to see you again” she said, leaning over to hug Henry too.

“You too.” Henry replied.

“This is Henry” you said, introducing him to Liam and James who both shook his hand. They all sat down but you remained standing.

“Drinks?” you said, to which they all replied quickly with what they wanted.

“I’ll get it” Henry offered, making you shake your head and place a kiss against his cheek making him blush in front of your friends. You walked over to the bar ordering everyone else's' drinks, you leant against the bar, turning your head back to the table, Henry was laughing with your friends which was a good sign, he was sat next to Lewis with Amy, Liam and James on the other side of the booth, a space next to Henry for you to sit. The barman came back a short while after with all of the drinks.

“Cheers mate” you said smiling to him as he placed the drinks on a tray.

“Need a hand?” he said, being friendly.

“That’s okay, I’ve got it” you said, carrying the tray effortlessly to the table. You placed it down and sat next to Henry a round of “thanks” and “cheers” being heard.

“For someone as clumsy as you I’m surprised you managed to carry this back without getting it all down you” James said making everyone including Henry laugh.

“Ha Ha” you said sarcastically, taking a sip from your drink.

You all then began talking between yourself, your friends asking kind and interesting questions about Henry and his career, helping him to be comfortable around them which you appreciated.

“How long have you been together?” Henry asked James who was holding hands with Liam.

“4 years” he replied, smiling at each other which made you and Henry smile.

“They are so cute. They got moved to different sections at work because they couldn’t keep their hands off each other” Amy said, making everybody laugh.

Little to your knowledge, your friends had put your name into the hat that was being passed around the pub, you hadn’t known this as you were getting another round, so when your name was called you were shocked.

“I hate you guys so much” you said, putting your middle finger up to them as you were prompted to go on stage. This karaoke night had a machine but also had a guitar and a piano which you could play.  You walked on stage, still hating your friends, Henry smiled at you as he was laughing along with your friends.

“May I?” you gestured to the piano making the karaoke man nod.

“Introduce yourself and the song” the man said, making you smile.

“Hi everyone. This is super awkward, my friends put me up to this and I hate them for it. But um, my name is Yn, this is I Lost a Friend by Fineas” you said, making your friends and Henry cheer at you.

“She plays piano? Is she any good?” Henry asked Lewis.

“You didn’t know. Oof sit back and enjoy Henry” Lewis said making Henry confused. You began playing the first chords of the song and soon after your voice filled the room. Henry was instantly blown away by your voice, it was beautiful and he looked to your friends who were smiling at you.

I lost a friend Like keys in a sofa Like a wallet in the backseat Like ice in the summer heat I lost a friend Like sleep on a red-eye Like money on a bad bet Like time worrying about Every bad thing that hasn't happened yet

You sang, your fingers easily drifting over the keys, your eyes closing as you got into the song.

I know I'll be alright, but I'm not tonight I'll be lying awake counting all the mistakes I've made Replaying fights I know I'll be alright, but I'm not tonight I lost a friend, I lost a friend, I lost my mind, and nobody believes me Say, "I know that he don't need me 'Cause he made a little too much money to be 20 and sad" And I'll be fine without 'em But all I do is write about 'em How the hell did I lose a friend I never had? Never had

You continued singing. Henry leant forward in his chair, everything around him seemed like it disappeared as he heard you sing, every new piece of infomation he learnt about you he loved but he thinks this might be his favourite. Why doesn’t she do this for a living? he thought to himself she’s truly amazing. This song was sad and you sung it with so much emotion, the room went completly quiet, everyone on the edge of their seats, listening carefully to every word that fell perfectly from your mouth.

I'm on the mend Like I'm wearing a neck brace Like I'm sleeping in my own place Like I'm pulling all the stitches out of my own face I'm on the mend Like I'm icing a new sprain Like I'm walking on a new cane Like it's been a couple days Since I slipped and said something sorta like your name, I know I'll be alright, but I'm not tonight I'll be lying awake counting all the mistakes I've made Replaying fights

You sung, swaying slightly in your chair, really getting into the song. Your friends started swaying too which made you smile.

I know I'll be alright, but I'm not tonight I'm on the mend, but I lost a friend, I lost my mind, and nobody believes me Say, "I know that he don't need me“

Cause he made a little too much money to be 20 and sad

And I'll be fine without 'em But all I do is write about 'em How the hell did I lose a friend I never had? I'd apologize if I thought it might make a difference Or make you listen I'd apologise if it was black and white But life is different Just try to listen to me now, I know I'll be alright, but I'm not tonight I lost a friend, I lost a friend, I lost my mind, and nobody believes me Say, "I know that he don't need me 'Cause he made a little too much money to be 20 and sad" And I'll be fine without 'em But all I do is write about 'em How the hell did I lose a friend I never had? Never had 

You continued to sing the song until the end and everyone applauded you when you had finished, making you blush deeply.

“I wasn’t expecting that, that was amazing” the karaoke man said as you stood up making you laugh.

“Thank you” you said, smiling at him before walking back to your friends, sliding in next to Henry.

“I really hate you guys” you said laughing, you felt Henry staring at you so you looked to him as his hand rested against your thigh.

“Oh shut up, you were amazing” Amy said, making everyone nod.

“What?” you said, tucking your hair behind your ear, he leant in and kissed you firmly making your friends coo which made you blush.

“You never told me you could sing or play the piano. That was amazing Yn” Henry said making you kiss him again.

“What can I say? I’m full of surprises” you said, using the phrase you and him always said as a joke, your elbows on the table, leaning against the palm of your hand.

“You truly are” he said, leaning forward to place a kiss against your forehead as his arm rested over your shoulders.

You looked to your friends who were smiling at the both of you.

The night carried on like that, all of you laughing, singing along to the songs people went up to sing, drinking and having fun. Henry fit in well with you friends, there was never any moments of awkwardness, his hand rested constantly on your knee or on your thigh, occasionally wondering up (whether intentional you don't know) and every now and then he'd turn and smile at you, placing a kiss against your cheek or lips.

It was now later on that night and you had invited Henry back to yours, you entered your house, your cats nowhere to be seen, probably on your bed. You threw you keys in the bowl next to your door, hanging your jacket up, Henry doing the same. Little to no words were exchanged but it was a comfortable silence. Henry looked around again, he really did love your house, he had only been in your living room and kitchen but still.

“Bare with me while I go get changed okay?” you said, making Henry nod and walk to your living room. You got changed into a black pair of sweats and a loose top, cleaning your face of all makeup. You walked back downstairs into the living room seeing Henry stroking one of your cats.

“Ooo, you like nice and cozy, how are you still so pretty without makeup?” he said, making you smile, he sat back against your sofa, pulling you into his lap, his hand running across the soft fabric of your sweats which covered your legs.

“How do we always end up in this same position?” he said making you chuckle

“Hmm think yesterday looked a little like this” you said, swinging your leg over his thighs so you were straddling him again, you both laughed this time though, liking how this position didn’t always have to be sexual.

“You were truly amazing this evening Yn, that song... so good, very emotional, almost cried, I can’t lie” he said, you smiling at how sweet he always was.

“Thank you” you replied, pecking his cheek.

“I want to hear you sing more now” he said “You’re so talented, you know you could do it as a career right? I know you love conservation but it's true” he said, a crimson blush arising on your cheeks as he spoke

"Can I show you something?" you said as if reading his mind, your voice came out in a whisper and he nodded. He stood and you jokingly wrapped yourself around him like a koala, slowly dropping yours legs to the floor, taking his hand in yours leading him upstairs into a large room, you turned the lights on and Henry smiled at the sight. It was a studio, guitars were framed on the wall and an old standard size piano was placed at the back. Across one of the walls was a glass panel and a door which led to what looked like a recording booth. Brown leather sofas furnished the room and a coffee table was placed in front of them, sheets of paper lying across it, Henry picked one up and saw song lyrics.

"Wow" was all he said, sitting down on the sofa.

"Spent my first three paychecks on this room” you laughed “I don't really come in here anymore" you said, wiping some dust off your piano before coming to sit next to him. Henry didn't say anything, he knew it wasn't the time, it was the time to let you talk and for him to listen.

"There's something I haven't told you Hen, I was really scared too. I hadn't really told many people, only my family knows and Amy and Lewis" you said making him not.

"It's okay, take your time" he said kindly, you nodded and took a breath before talking again.

"Back in London, I was engaged" you said, he didn't gasp, he didn't get angry, he just nodded, trying to be as understanding as he possibly could.

"We met at University, he was studying to become a Marine Biologist, we became friends pretty quickly and we both loved music. Us and a few of our friends made a band" you said smiling at the memory which made Henry smile.

"We weren't huge, but we were quite popular around campus" you laughed "we performed in local pubs and clubs and at uni events."

"His name was Adam, he was the lead guitarist in the band. We left university, we moved in together, he proposed and I said yes. We were so happy" you said, a tear running down your face.

"Umm... One day, I um... I came home and Adam had taken his own life" you said, as you began crying. Henry didn't know what to do but he pulled you close to him, wrapping his arms around you, it was just what you needed.

"So the band broke up... And I began travelling the world, doing conservation, occupying myself with work. But every time I would go back home to London I hated it, I was reminded of everything about him. It got easier as time went on but I was hardly ever in London, always on the road, working for different conservation projects. I finally started to be happy again, I loved Adam and part of me always will... But I couldn't let it stop my life, he wouldn't have wanted that, he always said to me “we’re here for a good time baby, not a long time, you’ve got to make the most of your life”. I realised that I couldn’t spend all my time thinking about him and what happened, I had to accept that I loved him but he’s not around to love me anymore. I have to make a new life for myself. So when I got the job here, it was a blessing, I had my dream job, somewhere I could start a new... I made amazing friends and now... Now I have you" you said, now crying happy tears. Henry's hands resting against your face.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner" you said, making him shake his head and place a sweet, gentle kiss on your lips.

"It's okay. It's okay. I'm glad you told me now. I'm so sorry that happened Yn, I really am" he said, kissing you again.

"I'm happy now though" you said smiling.

"I'm glad. Me too. Me too" he said, pulling you into his chest.

You got up, staking a guitar off the wall, walking over to Henry, sitting down next to him.

���This was Adam’s” you said, your fingers hovering over an engraving on the guitar which said “Those we love never truly leave us” which you got engraved.

“Tell me about him” he said, making you smile, you placed the guitar back on the wall before joining Henry, he moved you so your legs were draped over his, his hand holding you against him, beginning to play with your hair as your own hands landed on his chest, your head rested against his shoulder.

“He was a really nice guy, a good guy. He wanted to change the world. He always told me that I was too kind for my own good, but he was the king one” you smiled, making Henry smile too.

“He was an awesome guitar player, really good at singing too and writing songs” you continued.

“What did you do in the band?” he asked kindly.

“I was the lead singer, played keys and sometimes played guitar” you said, making Henry smile.

“What happened to everyone else?” Henry asked.

“After everything happened, the band broke up, we all went our separate ways for a while, just trying to move on from what happened, heal y’know” you said, making Henry nod.

“Just before I moved here, we all met up again, and it was like it was before, we all spoke about Adam, with nothing but love, we were no longer sad. I know that sounds bad, but why ruin his image with negativity?” you asked Henry who sighed and kissed you.

“You’re perfect” he whispered against your lips. 

“What’s everyone up to now?” he asked.

“Louie was our drummer, he’s a musical teacher, Ollie played guitar too, he’s got his own band now and Gemma, she played bass, she’s a full time mum now” you smiled.

“They’re coming to my birthday party, Amy has organised Ollie’s band to play, they live in London but are going to come for it which is really nice” you said, making Henry nod.

“It will be nice to meet them.” he said, making you smile.

“Thank you for being so supportive Henry, you’re the best” you said, resting your head against his warm chest. He held you in his arms, placing kisses against your head, his warmth radiating off him, into you, sending you into a gentle slumber. Henry picked you up bridal style, carrying you to what he assumed was your bedroom, he placed you down on the bed, tucking you in and placing a sweet kiss against your forehead.

He didn't look around your bedroom, he didn't feel comfortable doing that whilst you were sleeping. Instead he walked downstairs, grabbing a piece of paper and pen from your kitchen writing you a note.

“Good morning my sweet love. I hope you slept well and had wonderful dreams. I didn’t want to overstay my welcome, I tucked you into bed and went home. Thank you for sharing that with me last night, it means more to me than you will ever know that you trust me like that. It makes me sad that you went through that but I understand now how you are the strongest, most amazing person I know. I realise it more and more everyday, the more I learn about you, the more I realise I need you in my life - Your Henry” he put the pen down, grabbing his jacket, walking to the door and slowly closing the door to your home behind him.

Part 6

[cherryblossomflowers]

Day 2: Family

Pairing: Jensen x Reader

Summary: Jensen is nervous about meeting YN's family for the first time, but he soon learns he has nothing to worry about.

Warnings: Fluff, Anxiety

A/N: Day 2 of my writing challenge! No hate on any SPN Cast/Character. The names are actually from my own family. Feedback is greatly appreciated! Enjoy!

***ASK OPEN***

*LET ME KNOW IF YOU’D LIKE TO BE TAGGED*

December One Shots Masterlist

YN's Family Tracey- YN's Mom James- YN's Dad Teresa- YN's Older Sister Emily- Teresa's Partner Riggen- YN's Younger Brother Elijah- Teresa & Emily's Son

YN looked away from the road for a moment at her boyfriend in the passenger seat, bouncing his leg and staring out the window. He was so nervous about meeting her family for the first time.

The two had only been dating for 5 months, but YN's family invited her and Jensen over for the holidays. And she couldn't say no.

"Honey, I wish you would relax. My family already loves you. If they didn't, they wouldn't have invited you over for Christmas," YN tried to reassure Jensen.

He turned to look at her, "How do you know they didn't invite me out of sympathy? They could've just been inviting me because you wouldn't have come otherwise."

"Jensen Ross Ackles, you know better than that. I've done nothing but talk about you to them, and from everything they know from me, I'm in a happy, loving relationship. And that's why they invited you. They want to meet the man that makes me so happy."

Jensen sighed and leaned back in his seat, "I just...I don't want to mess this up."

YN smiled as she pulled into her parent's driveway, "You won't, babe. Just be yourself. And if you get overwhelmed, we'll make an excuse and leave."

She put the car in park, turned off the engine, and stepped out of the car. Jensen stepped out as well and walked around to the trunk to grab the bag of presents for YN's family. YN waited for Jensen so they could walk hand in hand.

He took her hand in his, took a deep breath and walked towards the house. YN gave his hand a comforting squeeze as they stepped on the porch. She rang the doorbell and instantly felt Jensen tense next to her.

"Just relax, take a deep breath. They're going to love you, I promise," YN whispered to him.

Suddenly the door flew open and YN's mother was standing in the doorway, "Hi honey! It's so good to see you. Come on in, don't be standing out in the cold."

"Thanks, Mom," YN spoke as she walked inside, "Merry Christmas."

"Oh, Merry Christmas, baby," her mother hugged her.

Jensen stepped inside behind YN, but didn't move from her side. He felt his anxiety was sitting like a weight in his chest and stomach.

YN's mother spotted Jensen out of the corner of her eye, "And this must be the famous Jensen Ackles."

He took a deep breath and extended his shaky hand, "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. YLN."

"Oh, please, call me Tracey. Bring it in, honey," she extended her arms out for a hug.

Jensen hugged her and smiled as his anxiety was slowing down a big. YN smiled at her mother and Jensen, happy to see he was relaxing a bit.

"Where's Dad?" asks YN.

Tracey rolled her eyes, "Either sleeping like the old fart he is, or playing video games with the boys," she pointed to the living room, "Go on and see everyone. Lunch will be ready soon."

"Need any help?" Jensen asked.

Tracey smiled and shook her head, "No thank you, honey. I think I can handle it. But I'll yell if I need something."

YN took Jensen's hand as her mother walked back into the kitchen. They walked into the living room and saw YN's father, younger brother, and her nephew were sitting on the couch playing a video game.

"Oh come on!" her brother yelled out, "I totally won that. You cheated," he pointed to his father.

YN's father scoffed, "You think I cheated. In Mario Kart. There's a difference between cheating and just being better."

"I agree," YN spoke, "If Dad were going to cheat, it would be in a poker game. Besides, little brother, you have yet to defeat the queen of Mario Kart."

"Well, if it isn't my baby girl," YN's father stood from the couch and walked over to her, "How are you, sweetheart?"

YN hugged him, "I'm doing well, Dad. How's life?"

He chuckled, "Oh, you know. The usual business at work."

YN turned to Jensen, "Dad, this is Jensen. Jensen, this is my father, James."

James stuck out his hand, "Put her there."

Jensen shook his hand, "It's great to meet you, sir."

"Sir? Don't make me laugh, boy. I'm not that old yet. Just call me James."

YN pointed to her brother, "That's Riggen, my younger brother. And sitting next to him is Elijah, my nephew."

The two boys waved at YN and Jensen before focusing back on their game. YN rolled her eyes with a chuckled as she knew the boys wouldn't actually acknowledge her presence until lunch.

"Has Teresa shown her face yet?" YN asked.

James shook his head, "What do you think?"

"I think her and Emily are upstairs doing something that's not...age appropriate," YN whispered.

"And you'd be right on that one," James mumbled in response.

Tracey walked into the living room, "YN, can you help me for a moment? I need help with the table."

"I'll come too," Jensen said quickly.

"Nonsense. You can stay in here with the boys for a bit," James laid a hand on Jensen's shoulder.

Jensen turned to YN with fear in his eyes, "Oh, uh-"

"It's fine, babe. I won't be gone long," YN whispered and kissed him on the cheek, "You can get to know them a bit."

YN turned and followed her mother back into the kitchen. She took the plates from the counter and started setting the table.

"So?" Tracey spoke quietly.

YN looked at her, "What?"

"How are things going with Jensen?"

"Fine, I guess? Why do you ask?"

Her mother turned back and focused on the ham, "Oh, no reason. Just curious is all."

"Mhmm. I know that face, Mom. That's the face you and Dad both gave me when my last boyfriend and I started dating," YN crossed her arms.

"I was just making sure everything was going well, honey. That you're happy. And maybe Jensen-"

"Could be the guy I'm going to marry?"

Tracey pointed at her, "Hey now, I never said that."

"But you implied it."

A silence fell between the two. Then a sigh escaped YN and her mother's mouths simultaneously.

"Listen, Mom. I really like Jensen. So I'm beginning you to just not say anything about a future. I want this to work, I really do. But it won't if you get involved like you always do," YN walked over to her mother, "I love you. Please just let this be a normal Christmas."

Her mother nodded, "I will honey. Go ahead and finish setting the table then go get everyone, okay?"

"Yes, ma'am."

YN quickly set everything they needed on the table, including the food, before she walked back into the living room.

And the sight in front of her was a picture worth a thousand words.

Jensen, James, Riggen, and Elijah were all playing a video game together. The smile on Jensen's face made YN feel so happy. He finally had relaxed and was having a good time with her family. Emily and Teresa had finally come downstairs as well and joined the family.

Jensen looked up when he saw YN standing in the room, "Hi, YN. What's up?"

"Mom sent me in to get everyone. Lunch is ready."

Just then Jensen threw his hands in the air and cheered, "Yes! Victory is mine!"

"No fair," Elijah yelled, "This is why I never play Rainbow Road."

"Elijah," Teresa snapped, "Mind your manners, mister."

He sulked, "Sorry, Mom."

YN walked up to her nephew, "Don't worry, kiddo. One day you'll be able to take the Mario Kart crown."

"I thought you have the crown," Riggen raised an eyebrow at her.

"Oh, I do. But you know," she kissed Jensen, "Every queen needs a king."

Her brother and nephew made grossed out noises at YN and Jensen as he father laughed at the boys.

After turning off the game, everyone left the living room and walked into the kitchen for lunch. They took their places around the table, of course Jensen and YN sat next to each other, and began to prepare their plates with food.

As Jensen was reaching for a bread roll, he whispered to YN, "I'm sorry I was so anxious about coming here. You're family is so nice and welcoming."

"I told you not to worry," she whispered back, "I already knew they loved you. Now if we can get through lunch without my parents poking at our relationship, it'll be a miracle."

He gave her a confused look, "How do you mean?"

"Oh, Jensen?" YN's mother spoke.

He turned to her, "Yes, ma'am?"

"I was just curious," she began, "Are you planning on...moving forward with YN?"

YN mentally face palmed as she closed her eyes and sat back. Jensen looked at her, understanding what she meant now.

He cleared his throat, "By moving forward you mean what exactly?"

"Well, marriage of course! Big wedding, honeymoon, grandkids. The whole thing," YN's mother said enthusiastically.

Jensen felt the color drain from his face, "I, uh-"

"You do see a future with my daughter," YN's father interrupted sternly, "Don't you, son?"

"Exactly! James, you get it," YN's mother turned back to Jensen, "Maybe by next Christmas there will be a ring on her finger or at least one grandkid."

Jensen sat there wide eyed while YN covered her face and shook her head. She felt him nudge her and she looked up.

"Help me," he spoke quietly and desperately.

YN took a breath and sighed, "Welcome to my family, Ackles."

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

Masterlist

My Cherry Blossoms

@mlovesstories​ @smollestbean-2​ @kitwithnokat​​

​​​@idksupernatural​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @desiredposion​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @thevelvetseries​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @let-me-luve-you​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

@obsessedwithfandomsx​​​​​​​​​​​​ @mangueweaschester​​​​​​​​​​​​ @starchildwild​​​​​​​​​​​​ @deans-baby-momma​​​​​​​​​​​​​

@spnbaby-67​​​​​​​​​​​​ @unicornmadness2444​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​​​​@emery--nicole--morrison​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @spnfamily-j2​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @akshi8278​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @avocadogirl216​​​​​​​​​​​​​

@imthedoctorlove​​​​​​​​​​​​​ @wecantgiggleitsafandom

[brywrites]

Omg you made me so happy with that story of Eliza, now I know this is a stretch but can we get a update on Halloween where you left off with them going trick or treating with everyone🥺🙈 ?

Ask and you shall receive, anon! I really never get tired of writing Spencer and Bianca, and I really didn’t give myself the space to explore what their lives as parents would look like so it was fun to to take that a little further with this one! Here’s just some pure domestic Halloween fluff.

----

They arrived at JJ’s house just as the sun was beginning to paint the autumn sky golden. Before the door had even opened, they could hear Henry shout, “Mom! They’re here!” Seconds later it swung open, and Henry, dressed in red, white, and blue, greeted them with a grin. “Hi Uncle Spence! Hi Aunt Bianca!” He gave each of them a quick hug. “Wow, you brought a tiger!”

“It’s me!” Eliza said, giggling. Henry pretended to be shocked as she threw her arms around them.

“Let me guess… Captain America, right?” Spencer asked as they stepped inside.

“Yeah, he’s my favorite superhero!” Henry’s excitement faltered for a moment and he straightened up a little taller. “I mean, I know I’m kind of old to go trick-or-treating, but I promised Michael I’d come.”

“Henry, if I have taught you anything you should know by now that you’re never too old for Halloween,” Spencer replied.

His words brought a smile back to Henry’s face and he said, “Wait till you see my shield! I painted it all by myself!”

The inside of the LaMontagne-Jareau househould was already bustling. JJ, dressed as Black Widow, was finishing Michael’s Hulk-green face paint. Hotch and Jack had moved back to the DC area two years earlier, and Garcia was excitedly talking to Jack and his girlfriend Mabel. The two teens had donned the costumes of Ben Solo and Rey from Star Wars, while the BAU’s former tech wizard wore a bright pink dress and golden crown as Princess Peach. Hotch and Beth, masquerading as Han Solo and Princess Leia, were being regaled by one of Rossi’s stories while Krystall laughed. Rossi’s suit and tie didn’t quite make sense as a costume until Bianca realized that Krystall’s white dress and curled hair made her Marilyn Monroe, and Rossi must have been JFK.

“It’s about time you showed up Pretty Boy!” Morgan quickly cut through the room to make his way to them, ruffling Spencer’s hair. “And my favorite little lady,” he said, embracing Bianca. Then squatting down to Eliza’s height, “And littlest lady, too, Miss Eliza Lou!”

He lifted Elizabeth up into his arms. “Why do you have hair Uncle Derek?” she asked, pointing to Morgan’s head.

“Because zombie Michael Jackson has hair in the “Thriller” music video,” he replied, as though that context meant anything to a five year old. “And that’s who I’m dressed as for Halloween.”

“You look funny with hair,” the little girl replied.

Morgan put his free hand over his chest, and feigned melodramatic offense. “Oh, ouch! You wound me, Eliza Lou!” Eliza giggled as her godfather set her back on the ground. “Now what exactly are you two supposed to be?” he asked, gesturing between Spencer and Bianca.

Spencer wore a red zippered sweater with a tie and blue Converse, while Bianca had on a floral pink 70’s style prairie dress. “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood,” Spencer replied.

When Morgan just raised an eyebrow, Bianca said, “Mr. Rogers and Lady Aberlin, from Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood!”

“You see,” Reid explained, “Elizabeth had her heart set on being a tiger, so we tried to come up with costumes that could go along with it. And Fred Rogers used a number of puppets on Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood to help act out situations of learning and vulnerability in healthy ways, one of which was Daniel Striped Tiger who was the most recognizable from the show. It’s actually funny, the tiger puppet was a gift to Mr. Rogers the night before the very first episode was s-”

“I get it,” Morgan said, holding up a hand. “I’ll read the Wikipedia article later, I promise.”

“Oh come on now, babe, I think it’s cute.” Savannah appeared beside her husband, linking her arm with his. “It’s good to see you two.” She still wore nurse’s scrubs and had a stethoscope around her neck.

“Did you just come from work?” Bianca asked. Savannah and Morgan’s daughter, Ainslie, had just turned one and Savannah had gone back to full-time shifts at the hospital.

Savannah laughed, shaking her head. “Thank god, no. Hank wanted to be a zombie, so Derek came up with the idea of going as “Thriller” MJ to match. I figured if it’s the zombie apocalypse in our household, I might as well be the nurse on the frontlines trying to fight them off.”

“Uh oh,” Morgan said. “I don’t know how long you’ll last out there. The zombies are pretty handsome, I hear.” He kissed her cheek as she rolled her eyes. Turning back to the Reids, he asked, “So are we ready to take on trick or treating?”

Bianca winked. “Well Spencer here was born ready, and I think that after seven Halloweens together I’ve learned a thing or two.” The four of them had been chosen as the designated chaperones for the kid’s festivities while the rest of the adults finished up a Halloween feast at the house. Once all the kids were accounted for and everyone had a pillowcase in hand, they set out into the DC streets in search of spooks and sweets.

Spencer’s boundless enthusiasm was contagious, spreading even to Jack who seemed torn between being excited about Halloween and trying to look cool in front of Mabel. But once it became clear Mabel was into the scary stories Spencer told while they walked, Hotch’s son visibly relaxed. It was a good group of kids – at every house Henry, Jack, and Mabel made sure that Michael, Hank, and Eliza got candy first, and a chorus of thank you!s followed them from doorstep to doorstep.

Spencer’s delight for the present was carrying over to the future. “When she’s a little older,” he was saying, “we can go to a haunted house or two. Maybe even a haunted corn maze. And we can watch a midnight scary movie screening and she’ll be able to carve her own pumpkins!” Bianca laughed and he glanced her way, bashful. “What?”

“I just love seeing you excited about this,” she said. His eyes always lit up in a way that made her heart skip a beat after all this time. “And thinking about all the holidays we’re going to have together and how we’ll get to make all these new traditions as she grows up.”

Spencer stopped suddenly on the sidewalk and before she could react he was hugging her close. The fabric of his sweater was soft against her cheek. “What was that for?” she asked him, looking up, her arms still wrapped around his waist.

“I wouldn’t be doing any of this without you,” he said. “I would probably still be at the BAU. I wouldn’t have anything worth leaving for. I wouldn’t have someone I get excited about growing old with. But I have a home because I have you. I have a home and someone who will plan obscure Halloween costumes with me and I have a daughter and it’s all because I fell in love with you. Because you loved me.”

“And because you loved me,” she echoed. She wouldn’t have wanted it with anyone else. He was the only person who made her feel safe enough to trust him with every part of her. He made her feel brave enough to take on the world and to start a family. When nothing else made sense, he was there to anchor her with a warm embrace and all the words she needed to hear and promises to stay. He knew her better than she knew herself. Bianca stood on her toes to kiss him sweetly, not caring that there were people all around them.

“When you two are done being all lovey-dovey,” Morgan called, “we’ve still got one more block to hit.”

“Lovey-dovey, lovey-dovey!” Eliza sang, skipping beside them. Spencer smiled and kissed Bianca’s forehead as he interlaced his fingers through hers with one hand and reached down to hold their daughter’s hand with the other. When the final houses had been visited, they descended upon the LaMontagne-Jareau household once more, with pillowcases full of candy.

During their absence, more familiar faces had appeared at the house. Prentiss and Mendoza were drinking wine with Rossi in the living room and Luke, dressed as Mario, had his arm around Penelope while they talked with three of the newer BAU members.

“Aunt Alex!” Eliza’s bag of candy was temporarily forgotten as she ran to hug Alex Blake who was at the kitchen table with JJ, Will, and her husband James.

“Why Elizabeth,” she said, “aren’t you the most ferocious tiger I’ve ever seen?”

“I’ve been practicing!” Eliza replied. She furrowed her eyebrows and held her hands up by her face like claws. “Rarr!” Her godmother gave her around of applause for her performance, happily doting on her while everyone gathered around the table for dinner.

It was warm and inviting in the living room, feeling every bit like a cheerful Thanksgiving dinner except for the costumes and the spooky decorations. There was plenty to be discussed, whether it was Emily’s new position as Director of the Bureau or the book Rossi and Matt had just published. The Simmons clan were the only ones absent, their children having made plans already to spend Halloween with their friends in their own neighborhood. Bianca felt right at home among the people who had come to feel as much her family as they were Spencer’s. She swapped stories of international travels with Alex and James and was delighted to talk to Tara and her girlfriend, Elena. The two women were dressed as Cinderella and Prince Charming, and she had to admit that Tara could certainly pull off a suit. When Penelope begged Morgan for a chance to babysit Hank and Ainslie soon and Rossi said, “You know you could just have some of your own,” she and Luke both turned red.

“Hey now,” Luke said. “We’re just trying to get through the wedding first, okay?”

“Yeah, you never know, I could still change my mind,” Garcia teased, elbowing her fiancé.

“You say that at least once a month,” Luke laughed. “But I don’t think we can get our deposit back on the venue at this point, so it looks like you’re stuck with me.”

There was enough food and to go around, and a generous amount of libations courtesy of David Rossi. Bianca’s contribution was an array of desserts – pumpkin cheesecake, salted caramel brownies, and chocolate cupcakes with vampire fangs and raspberry filling – that were immediate hits, and Spencer’s contribution was agreeing not to consume them before the party. After dinner the kids went down to the basement to watch Hocus Pocus, Jack and Henry promising they’d look after everyone, while the adults settled into the living room.

“Eliza,” Bianca called. “How about you pick out a few pieces of candy for now, and we’ll keep the rest up here so you can have some later, okay?” The little girl was about to follow her cousins downstairs with her whole bag of sugary treasures. “If you eat too much candy at once you’ll get a bellyache.”

Eliza considered this, then nodded. “Okay, mama.” She dug through the pillowcase, choosing a few treats, then handed the bag back to her mother asking, “But how come daddy gets to?” She pointed to Spencer who sat on the floor of the living room, gorging himself on a plate of sweets. He looked up sheepishly, caught red-handed about to take a bite of oversized brownie.

“It’s because I’m old enough to anticipate the consequences of my actions,” he said. “I know when to stop before I feel sick.”

“You go have fun with your cousins, okay?” Bianca said, giving her daughter a quick hug before watching the tail of the tiger costume vanish the stairs. She sat down next to Spencer, shaking her head. “You’re such a bad liar,” she laughed. “You’ll be complaining all night that you feel awful.”

He shrugged. “What can I say? I just can’t help myself around something sweet.” Spencer put his arms around her waist and pulled her into his lap, leaning in to kiss her. “See?”

She smiled. “You’re lucky, Mr. Rogers, that I like you just the way you are. Insatiable sweet tooth and all.”

Spencer grinned. “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.” Mimicking the song from the old children’s show, he sang, “Would you be mine? Could you be mine?”

“You know what my answer is,” she said. She let her head fall against his shoulder. Nestled close in his embrace, she sat listening to the BAU recount stories of the glory days and valiant acts of the past. Spencer traced circles on the back of her hand, resting his cheek against the top of her head with a sigh of contentment, and she knew he was thinking the same thing she was – that there was a relief in knowing that the monsters were in only in their yesterdays and nightmares. That there was no danger waiting around the corner for him anymore. Nothing to steal him away too soon. There were endless tomorrows stretching out ahead of them, but for now they could reminisce with the family that had been built by that shared past. And Bianca could think of few sweeter treats than that.

[theonethatwatchesalotofshows]

The wedding was perfect and nothing like Rory had imagined for her mother. The first wedding that she had planned was supposed to take place in late August, the second on June 3rd, but sadly both weddings got called off. Lorelai's mother had said that she had always imagined a Russian winter themed wedding for Lorelai which Lorelai said was really out of her character, but Emily and Rory couldn't disagree more. Lorelai was infamous for her love of snow. When Lorelai did finally tie a knot with Rory's father it was in Paris and none of their family members were there. The marriage didn't last very long.

The date of this wedding- the one where Lorelai finally ties a knot with the love of her life and Rory's stepfather Luke- was November 5th. Rory had never imagined Lorelai getting married in fall. Granted, this wasn't their official wedding with their extended families and the entire town there to witness it. This was a small, intimate, impromtu wedding, which made it even more perfect. Lorelai wasn't wearing her wedding dress, she chose a dark blue lace dress instead. And Rory was still in her PJs since they literally dragged her out of bed late at night saying: "We're getting married now." Michel was there by Rory's side as Lorelai's bridesmaid, well-groomed and wearing a suit as always and Luke's best men were Rory's best friend Lane and Luke's nephew Jess.

Of course they had woken up Jess. Jess had to be at Luke's wedding. Luke was pretty much his only family while he was growing up. He took him under his roof and gave him the guidance and structure he didn't know he needed. They had their ups and downs while Jess was still a brooding angsty teenager, but now that he had grown up, they were best friends, just like Lorelai and Rory. It came as no surprise that Luke had called Jess up in a middle of the night, saying he's getting married and wants him there and Jess had put on a tux he had saved for his actual wedding the next day and went to the gazebo.

"You may kissed the bride," the reverrend said and the four of them cheered. Jess and Rory's eyes suddenly met. He still had that James Dean spark in them, the spark that had drawn her to him when they were young. Jess's lips curled into a smile. He was just as charming as fifteen years ago. Rory looked away, hoping that the dim lighting would mask her blush. Luckily, nobody was paying attention to her. This was her mother's big day. All eyes were in her.

It was a beautiful night. Even Michel looked happy, which was very uncharacteristic of him. Reflecting Light, by Sam Philips was the song Luke and Lorelai chose for their first dance. It was an unusual pick but it had significance for them. They both remember that this was the song that was playing when they first danced together at another wedding.

Everyone was having fun for the rest of the night. Lane was a DJ, Michel was making everyone laugh with his weird dance moves and Lorelai and Luke were dancing like there's no tomorrow. Despite all this, Rory couldn't help but feel kind of wistful. Of course she was happy for her mom and Luke, but seeing them together also made her feel alone. She looked around and realized everyone there had someone. Her mom had Luke. Lane had Zach. Michel also had a husband. Who did she have?

"Hi."

She turned around. It was Jess.

"Hey."

"Shall we dance?"

Rory was surprised by this question. She didn't know Jess could dance. They had never danced together.

"Come on, Rory. I want to make up for the prom."

He offered her his hand and this time, she took it.

The song that was playing was Girl from Mars by Ash, except it was some kind of slow version that was good for slow dancing. Jess put his hand around her waist and lead her to the dance floor. Rory put her left hand on his sturdy and muscular arm. They danced. Kind of awkwardly at first, but it got better as the song went on.

"I never imagined going to prom in my PJs," Rory joked.

"Life is full of surprises. I never imagined your mom and Luke being at our prom, but here we are."

"I kind of did. It wouldn't have surprised me if they had decided that we needed a chapperone."

They both laughed and blushed at the same time. Jess knew exactly what she was talking about. They really couldn't be left alone for more than ten minutes when they were young.

"So, on scale Carrie to My Fat Greek Wedding 2, how do you rate this prom?" asked Jess.

"Mean Girls," said Rory with a shy smile.

"That wasn't a prom, that was a Spring fling dance," argued Jess.

"Wow, someone seems to know a lot about chick flicks," teased Rory.

"What do you think I was doing when Luke called me here? Watching Almost Famous, what else."

"Again?"

"Well, I can't help it, I'm addicted!"

"I thought you had grown out of that by now."

"Well, old habits die hard."

The song ended. Another song, something by Yoko Ono, which Jess definitely wasn't a fan of, played.

"Hey, wanna get out of here?"

"What? Why would I want to get out of here? This is my mom's big day."

That brought a painful memory back. Jess suddenly remembered his mother's big day (there were several, actually, but this was the last one and therefore the biggest one) and how he had snuck away from her wedding to go see Rory at Yale and ask her to run away with him. It wasn't exactly his proudest moment.

He supressed the painful memory and shrugged with a devil-may-care smile.

"It's Yoko Ono. I mean, come on, who wants to listen to Yoko Ono?"

"Lane does and if she does, then I want too. She's my music guru."

"You do know she broke the Beatles up right?"

"Beatles are overrated and they would've broken up anyway at some point."

"You're kidding."

"No, that's what Lane says."

"Okay, well if you change your mind, I'll be at the gas station."

Rory stood in the middle of the dance floor and watched him walk away. She felt stupid dancing by herself, so she walked off the dance floor and wandered around the bushes with little twinkle lights in them for a while. Kirk did a really good job decorating. But while it was all really pretty, there wasn't much to do, so she chose to follow Jess to the gas station.

While she was walking there the song changed to Then She Appeared by XTC, one of Lane's favorite bands.

She found him there, fiddling with a cigarette in his hands.

"I can't believe you still smoke," she said.

"I'm telling ya, old habits die hard."

"Don't you find it a little irresponsible to light this right next to a gasoline?"

"Maybe I'm not going to light it."

"Oh, so you're just going to put it in your mouth unlit because: 'It's a metaphor?'"

Jess laughed: "Maybe, I'm not going to smoke it at all."

"Oh. And what is that decision depending on?"

"What's gonna happen."

"When?"

"Now."

Suddenly, Rory had a déjà vu. Fourteen years ago, after her interview with a Yale dean she and her mom had stopped by at Luke's. She and Jess had just started dating and her mom and Luke werent very supportive, so they used their lame kid code to sneak away to the gas station and made out. It was kind of their first date. Who knew a date at a gas station could be so romantic?

His dark brown eyes locked with her bright blue ones. He put his hands around her slim waist and she placed hers on his shoulders. They locked lips in the most passionate kiss Rory has had for a very long time. Just a few months before Rory asked Jess in the middle of a rant about everything that went wrong in her life: "Passion? Is that really a thing?" Now she knew it is. And this was it.

"Wow," she gasped after they pulled away, "you were right, old habits really do die hard."

"Yeah. You're glad I didn't smoke that, aren't you?"

"Yeah," she laughed.

Jess put his cigarette back into his pocket and kissed her again. They made out for a while in the dim light of twinkle lights in the background with Then She Appeared playing in the background. Then Jess broke the kiss and said: "Well, that part still works."

"After everything that's happened between us," she added, with a smile.

[lovelylogans]

where you lead, i will follow

previous chapter / chapter six / next chapter

start from the beginning!

ao3 | read my other fics | coffee?

warnings: food mentions, complicated parental relationships, mentions of transphobia and homophobia, verbal fighting, top surgery mention, classism, 

pairings: moxiety, logince

words: 5,414

logan's second birthday is altogether a bit noisier, a lot less well-dressed, and with much better food.

patton sends logan out to harass rudy (well, he mentioned maybe going to hang out with roman or talking to rudy, and picking at the errors in the courant won out when rudy managed to misspell something on the front page again) and virgil comes over to help patton decorate, toting the materials he needs to cook/already prepped food from the diner. 

"what was his face like, last night?" virgil asks, as he's onto patton's ploy.

"confused," patton says, pleased with himself. "i really think i got him this year, v."

"it is a pretty good plan you came up with."

"hey, you helped too. you have, like. split custody of the plan. we communally raised this plan."

like the person the plan's for, patton thinks, but virgil's cheeks have gone red so he probably gets what patton's hinting at here.

but anyway, they prep the food and douse the house in streamers and patton nearly forgets until—

"oh god."

"what?" virgil says. "we didn't forget anything, we checked twice. but maybe—"

"no, no, not that, it's just," patton says, and chews at the inside of his cheek. "i might have tipsily invited my parents over to the party tonight."

"oh," virgil says.

"i—they've never been to the house before. the inn, a few times, when logan was a baby. the town square, that once. but never the house."

"that's... big," virgil says cautiously.

patton blows out a long breath. "yeah."

"should i...?"

"no way," patton says immediately. "you're staying. you're a part of logan's life too and i need someone to help my frayed nerves."

if your parents and i fight it'll do a lot more than fray your nerves, virgil thinks, but doesn't say. instead, he says, "do we need, like. a plan? backup plan? multiple back up plans?"

patton shakes his head, flattens his hands on the kitchen table. "i just—this is big," he repeats.

"yeah," virgil says. 

"it's probably a while coming," patton says, and chews the inside of his cheek some more. "and it's been going so well lately."

"it'll be fine," virgil says lamely, as if he isn't mentally calculating every way this can possibly go wrong, and a few ways it can't.

"right," patton says, and blows out a forceful breath. "right, right. okay," he says, and claps his hands. "crisis over, time to hang up space-themed banners."

they do, and by the time patton's finishing affixing glow-in-the-dark stars to the ceiling guests are starting to trickle in—roman, who is also in on the plan, first—and patton gets some (logan-approved) music on, and then he kind of loses himself in greeting the citizens of sideshire that he and logan spend the most time with and get along with best.

logan and rudy walk in, to cheers, and patton surreptitiously checks his watch. 7:01. his parents are almost never late. he gets a drink for rudy instead of thinking about it.

logan's staring, eagle-eyed, at the pile of presents that's accrued by the fireplace. roman, cheerfully, is running interference to keep him from going over to shake them, or discreetly peel back a corner of wrapping paper to examine it, or—

roman's running interference, anyway.

someone rings the bell. patton jolts for the door, because there is one person (two people) who would ring the bell for a party in sideshire.

"mom, dad!" he says, smiling, conscious of the fact that he's in a sweater and jeans, casual in a way he basically never lets himself be at their house. he refuses the urge to start adjusting everything to make sure it’s all neat and tidy. "glad you could make it, come on in."

"traffic really is dreadful between our houses," emily says, and they file in. 

"grandma, grandpa," logan says, rising from the couch, and suffering through the hugs he receives.

"grandma, look," he adds, and holds out his wrist to display the watch patton had helped emily pick out for him, the one with the galaxy-studded background that reminds patton of the opening theme of doctor who.

"why, it looks lovely," she says, sounding a little surprised that something that cost $13 could possibly look lovely.

"um, everyone," patton says, "these are my parents, emily and richard sanders. mom, dad, this is... everyone."

"hi," the room choruses.

"hello," richard says back. 

"i'm emile," says emile picani, local therapist who had helped patton through a number of dilemmas free of charge back in the day, offering the first hand to shake. "we love your son and grandson."

"thank you," emily says.

"they're like our own belle and maurice!"

"without the beast, i'd hope, i don't want my son taken prisoner," patton intercedes, smiling at emile. "mom, dad, can i get you a drink?"

"stoli on the rocks with a twist," emily says.

"right," patton says, and escapes back in the kitchen, mouthing an exaggerated THEY'RE HERE at virgil as he does.

"how's logan?"

"happy," patton says.

"well, that's something," virgil says with a sigh.

"you'll be nice, won't you?"

"i will if they will," virgil grumbles.

"okay, well, their version of nice is different from my version of nice, so—"

"patton, i just tried some of these hors d'ouevres, they're unbelievable," emily announces, bursting into the kitchen. "who is your caterer?"

patton jabs a thumb toward virgil. "you've met him, actually."

she looks abruptly put out that she's complimented him. "ah."

"hi, mrs. sanders," virgil says. he only sounds a little stiff.

"we eat at virgil's practically every day," patton continues. 

"something healthy, i hope."

"not if patton was in charge of it," virgil mutters, and patton "accidentally" jabs him in the ribs with a playful little glower.

inexplicably, emily smiles. "he always had a terrible sweet tooth."

"mom," patton groans.

"i have to sneak him his vegetables in a smoothie every morning," virgil says, cautiously friendly.

"virgil!"

"ah. it was waffles, for us."

"it was—wait, what?" patton says, blindsided by this revelation.

"we used to instruct the chefs to sneak vegetables in your waffles for years," emily says. "you never noticed there were seeds in your syrup?"

"okay, first of all, i was nine, second of all, you said they were maple seeds!"

"patton," virgil says, trying not to laugh.

"that's what they were?" patton demands. "i thought it was just that you had really fancy maple syrup or something!"

"patton," richard says, walking into the kitchen, "your fireplace doesn't look structurally sound, i have someone you can call to inspect it—"

"i'll get right on that, dad," patton promises, and passes over the drinks he's poured for them. "come on, we shouldn't all be hiding back here, it's a party!"

"once these are out of the oven," virgil says, and patton sighs but accepts it. not much of a party guy, his virgil. he'll let him have his introvert time but eventually he will come back in here and drag him out to sit in a corner by remy aserinsky, local café owner, supplier of coffee beans to the inn and the diner, and source of an slightly joking, intensely confusing feud with virgil that patton has no hope of tracking, even after almost exactly sixteen years of living in sideshire. (three more weeks, to the anniversary. he and logan and virgil have a little celebration about it.)

"let me know when they're done?" patton requests. "i'll plate them and bring them out."

"sure," virgil says absently, already moving on to prep the next thing. patton squeezes his shoulder, but drifts after his parents to head into the living room. 

it's like a veritable merry-go-round of patton introducing people to his parents—or, well, a line actually kind of forms for people to shake their hands, his parents looking increasingly bemused with each. it ends up in a kind of pattern—people shake hands with his parents, wish his son happy birthday, split off into corners of the room to get food or drinks, and then find a place to settle.

"i'm larry, and this is my wife, dot, we live right across the street. such a good pair those are, nothing like my days back with pop-pop..." 

"...taylor doose, grocer. very nice to meet you, it must have taken quite the pair to raise someone like your son, such a good man. i hope you're proud of him, we certainly all are...."

"...sookie st. james, i'm the chef at the inn, i really cannot tell you how much i love working for your son, best boss i've ever had, and logan's so smart when it comes to food combinations..."

"...jackson melville. no, taylor, i really think she's more of a meryl streep than a julie andrews, but of course—ow, you don't need to kick me!..."

"...babette dell, and this is morey, and this is our sweet little baby cinnamon." (patton cannot help but reach out to pet and coo at cinnamon, even if he sneezes immediately. stupid allergies.) "we're their neighbors, just on the left side. oh, morey, do you remember the time that logan decided our old tree stump was gonna to be a lightning rod? used to sit in the rain until patton would herd him back inside and even then he'd be glued to the window, waiting, he was such a cute little thing, always running experiments on the plants in our garden, and patton always tagged along as his lab assistant, kept helping us replant anything that got uprooted..."

eventually, patton ducks out of the receiving line. logan looks after him, and he's been splitting his gaze between people greeting him and his pile of presents. patton can't help but wiggle a little bit in glee as he enters the kitchen. logan has no idea.

"those done yet?"

"just about," virgil says. "how're things, out there?"

patton grins. "my parents are being thrown straight into the deep end of the people of sideshire."

"they met ms. prince yet?"

patton's grin widens. "nope."

virgil snorts. "well, good luck to them," he says, and turns back to the oven right as the timer starts beeping, tugging on a pair of oven mitts to pull out the latest batch of jam tarts, before plopping them all onto a wire rack to cool.

"this is the last thing, right?" patton asks, sidling up beside him.

"should be," virgil says. "we've got these, the hors d'ouevres are out, we've got chips and dip, we've got dinner, we've got dessert..."

"then i pronounce you done," patton declares. "thanks for being my caterer."

"i can't believe your mom actually liked my cooking," virgil says.

"well, it's probably genetic," patton decides. "sanders loving your cooking, i mean. logan does, my mom does, i do..."

virgil smiles at him, and it strikes patton very suddenly how close they're standing, without a counter or a table to separate them, the way it always does when they stand like this. so much of their lives are spent divided by a counter, or by patton sitting in a booth, and when they’re together like this, in a space away from everyone watching, in a space where it’s just them...

"plus you're a good cook," patton adds, forging valiantly ahead, trying to make his heart not react.

"am i?"

"the best," patton amends. "the best cook."

virgil's smile quirks at the corners, turns a little sweeter, a little shier, and patton's failed remarkably at making his heart not react. 

"well," he says, a little gruff. "thanks. i guess."

"you're welcome, i guess," patton teases back. "we should head out into the living room, i bet logan's practically foaming at the mouth to open presents."

"i want to see the look on his face," virgil says, and double-checks that the oven's off (a habit) before following after.

logan does indeed look about five minutes away from foaming at the mouth. the receiving line's faded, and his parents are floating about the corners of the room—his dad looks like he's about five seconds from bolting, which patton gets, and goes to tug a little at his suit sleeve.

"here," he says, and presents him with a copy of the latest tabloid that taylor doose stocks at the grocery store. "i know it's not exactly national geographic, but there is a story in here about how people who are trying to help climate change are actually shape-shifting reptilian aliens who want to destroy all life on the planet."

richard blinks at it. "logan allows you to have this?"

"logan buys them," patton says with a laugh. "or at least, he makes a beeline for them when we're getting groceries and reads the headlines and gets increasingly gleeful with outrage, so i have to buy it for him, so he can rip it apart without holding up the line."

"ah," he says, and takes it. "well, thank you."

patton refills his drink, before he claps his hands to silence the party, and declares, "presents time!"

logan brightens, straightening up. roman's about to get up to grab his present, but patton wags a finger at him, mockingly stern.

"uh-uh, young man. you're last."

"but—"

"do you remember what happened last time you went first?" patton says, because he sure does. "you go last."

roman slumps back into the couch, mock-disappointed, and emile fetches his present for logan instead. 

logan is delighted. logan gets to guess what his presents are (90% of the time, he's right, and 100% of the time, he's at least close enough that he isn't actually very wrong at all) and rip up a bunch of fancily-wrapped paper and monologue at length about it. patton's getting pretty delighted himself, because logan still doesn't suspect a thing.

the presents pile has dwindled down, and it's now the order of people that it's settled into for years.

rudy grunts from the corner, and hands over a tiny box to logan. logan frowns at it, and then at rudy.

"you never get me anything physical," he says, which is true. the usual gift from rudy is a story pitch of logan's choice that he can run on the front page. last year, he'd managed a profile of a chemist at the local state university who'd won some prize or other, and patton had been walking into recreations of experiments on his kitchen table for weeks.

"well, special circumstances," he says, and patton readies his camera, like he's been doing for all the presents.

logan rips off the paper, opens the box, and stares down at it, and then up at rudy, and then down at it again, before lifting up the professional blue lanyard.

"is this—?" logan breathes.

"press pass," rudy rumbles. "it's about time you stop heckling me to do more stories at the state level and do them yourself."

logan cradles the id in his hands, flipping it over to look at the photo—and then he looks to patton, because he surely recognizes where rudy would have gotten a photo from.

"now that you have a driver's license, i figured it would only be fair," patton says. "as long as you don't let it interfere with your schoolwork, which i know you won't, and as long as you don't become a total workaholic, i think you can ask me if you can take the car to run up to the capital if there's breaking news, don't you?"

a massive grin splits over logan's face, and—

"really?!"

"really really," patton promises.

"there's a press conference on monday afternoon, if you're free," rudy begins.

"yes!" logan exclaims. "yes, i'm free, what's the conference about—?"

"i'm forwarding the pr release now," rudy says.

logan's cradling the press id, and slings the lanyard around his neck, like he doesn't want to lose it.

"okay," virgil says, and nudges over a fairly sizeable box. logan gives him a curious look, but reaches over to take it, ripping the star-dotted paper.

he unearths a lamp that displays constellations around the room, and a leather bomber jacket covered with space patches: nasa and galaxies and one little “i want to believe” patch. it’s hand-stitched, but, well. of course it is.

"cool," roman declares, then seems to remember who it's from and coughs. "um, i mean—"

"no take-backs, it's cool," virgil says smugly, as logan's shrugging it on, and smooths over the collar, tugging his press id so it's still front and center. it does look cool. a perfect balance between nerdy and cool.

logan smiles at virgil, just a little—the fact that virgil’s the closest thing that logan has to another dad has been an unspoken truth between them for years, now—and virgil clears his throat, trying his hardest not to look emotional.

“yeah, happy birthday, kid,” virgil says gruffly, and logan’s smile widens.

"we should plug this in," logan declares, holding up the lamp.

"not yet," patton chides gently, "you've still got a couple to go."

logan frowns. "no, just roman's. rudy, virgil, you, then roman. but you've already given me my—"

but he falls silent to see emile and remy carting in two boxes, and—

logan's jaw has fallen open. patton snaps a picture.

"you," he begins, and then, "you—"

"i got you!" patton bursts out gleefully. "for the first time in sixteen years, i have managed to get you!"

logan's jaw is still hanging.

"you didn't really think i'd just get you a puzzle, did you?" patton teases him gently, taking the larger of the boxes and setting it in front of logan. 

"you," he says, stunned, "tricked me."

"i did," patton says. "i got a decoy present and i hid the real presents at the prince's apartment—"

logan swivels to glower accusingly at roman, who snickers, holding up his hands.

"—and i got you," patton finishes. 

"i," logan says, and then, "i'm—"

"are you mad?" patton checks, suddenly worried that he's pulled one over on his son, and logan doesn't like being made a fool of, but he wasn't trying to do that he was just trying to surprise him, nicely, and logan—

logan just grins at him.

"you've finally managed subtlety for once in your life," logan declares. "i never thought i'd see the day. at last i have taught you something."

"hey," patton chides, but he can't help but laugh. "it might be your birthday, but that doesn't mean you can't get grounded."

logan scoffs and the rest of the room laughs. 

"i could!" patton says defensively.

"that boy's never been able to stay in trouble with you more than a day in his life," babette says in the corner. 

patton turns to virgil for someone on his team, but he just shrugs, putting his hands up in a don't look at me kind of way. 

"fine, i'm a softie," patton declares, "but one who managed to surprise our own logan sanders, modern-day sherlock!"

there's a cheer. logan rolls his eyes at everyone in the room. (one man has escaped to the porch, and one woman is watching this display in the room, feeling very... thrown off.)

"open this one first," patton says, excitedly patting the box. for once, he has managed to surprise his son. he's absolutely over the moon (ba-dum-tsh!) with his success.

logan tears off the paper, and then he gapes at patton.

"no."

"yes." 

"no!" logan says, tearing off the rest of the paper to stare in absolute delight at the telescope that patton's bought him—the one he'd gone on and on and on about when it first came out, excited over all the features and its capabilities.

"you like it?!"

"i love it!" logan says, so excited, so openly happy in a way he never lets himself be. patton's heart soars. "but it's way too expensive—"

"i know, that's what i told them," patton teases. "so i hunted until i got a discount."

"it's perfect," logan says lovingly, tracing his hands over the box, looking ready to cart it outside and set up shop to examine the constellations and ignore the rest of the party. 

"you've still got another one from me," patton says, holding the smaller one forward. it's still pretty sizeable, but not to an absurd degree.

"dad, the telescope's already too much—"

"hey, it's your sixteenth birthday, that only happens once," patton scolds. "plus this one wasn't very expensive. c'mon, open it."

logan gives him a little smile—soft, private—and looks down, ripping open the paper to see the back of a frame for a poster. he flips it, and he stares.

"it's," patton begins. "it's the way the stars were in the sky, on your birthday. that morning, i mean, when you were born."

"dad," he says, soft, tracing the shiny silver lettering reading november third, the year of his birth, the astrological details of the placement of the moon and the sun, the shiny little five-pointed stars connected into constellations.

"happy birthday, kiddo," patton says. "eight."

logan's lip twitches up. "sixteen," he breathes back, and patton ruffles his hair, just a little, before he backs up closer to the wall makes a gesture at the rest of the room.

"and now, what we've all been waiting for," patton says, and begins a drumroll on his thighs. the rest of the room echoes it. roman hands over his box with a flourish, and logan tears open the paper eagerly.

"what's all this?" a familiar voice asks, and patton nearly jumps. he'd almost forgotten his mother was here.

"roman's present," patton says, in an undertone, but can't explain anymore because logan's lifting the lid off the box eagerly, unearthing a massive, massive sheath of paper. the cover of the book is decorated with roman's lurid doodles of stars, and galaxies, and what look like the gears of a watch, and stickers plastered over any available space.

"doctor who?!" logan says eagerly, and looks up at roman. "you wrote me into doctor who?!!?"

"i did," roman says. "you're a companion."

"with which doctor?"

"please, i know your passionate opinions about the benefits and drawbacks of each doctor better than that. all of new who, obviously, with cameos from the old ones."

logan beams at him, and cradles the papers in his arms, hugging them close to his chest, like it's something precious, something to be savored. and he does: logan has a space on his shelf saved for the birthday stories of years past. roman has to go last for presents, because logan will start reading the story right then and just about ignores all his other presents to get to the end so he can babble happily about it with roman. 

logan's staring down at the papers, and roman's staring at him, wide-eyed, like he's seeing an eclipse, or a blood moon, or a meteor shower, or something equally cosmic and amazing, something that you only get the chance to see only every so often and something so beautiful that it stuns you, makes you think about the whole wide universe and everything that is and was and ever will be and how lucky you are to see this, this precise moment.

"what," his mother says, and she narrows her eyes suspiciously at them. even a totally oblivious stranger could see it then, at that moment, and emily sanders is not a totally oblivious stranger. "are they—"

patton taps his finger to his lips, eyes twinkling. later, he mouths at her, and she shuts her mouth grudgingly.

"hang on," virgil says, because he knows that the best way to keep logan from getting completely engrossed in the birthday story is to interfere before he can read it. "hang on, cake!"

"cake," logan says, distracted, and tears his eyes up away from the cover page. roman, similarly, tears his eyes off logan. "right, cake."

virgil ducks into the kitchen, and emerges carrying the traditional cake, stuck with sixteen lit candles, and sets it carefully before logan. patton switches off the lights and takes in a deep breath, and logan only pulls a little face that somehow seems magnified by the light of the candles, the only thing in the room ignited.

"happy birthday to you," the room sings, "happy birthday to you, happy birthday, dear, looo-gaaan... happy birthday to you!"

logan huffs a breath, then another one, and patton flips the lights back on as everyone cheers.

"okay, first cut," virgil says, handing over a knife.

"then toast," patton says, "then you can escape to a corner and read your story."

logan smiles at him and cuts himself a large slice, before passing the knife back to virgil so he can distribute the cake equally.

once everyone who wants a slice has got a slice, patton calls out, "okay, everyone, attention please!"

the room quiets.

"okay, i'll keep it short, because we all know how amazing virgil's cake is," patton says. "and technically someone stole the birthday toast on logan's actual birthday this year."

roman grins at him sheepishly.

"so i would like to propose a little toast to the one thing in my life that is always good, always smart, and always eager to take on the whole world. without him, i don't know what my reason would be to get up in the morning. my kiddo, logan. cheers."

"cheers!"

"and now in honor of this very special boy, i invite you all to dig in!" patton declares, and people split off into their own conversations, chattering away.

when the attention's surely off him, logan leans in to hug patton briefly before sliding off the couch to sit in a quiet corner with roman, eating cake and commenting aloud on the story, and patton rolls his eyes fondly at virgil.

he also notices that someone is not standing where she was before—and that that someone is climbing the stairs. patton follows after. 

he turns a corner into his room to see his mother, holding up a quilt.

"i made that."

"really?"

"from logan's old baby clothes."

"how nice," she says, blankly, then, "that's quite an assortment of characters you've assembled down there."

"they're great people," patton says affectionately. "i really lucked out on living here, mom."

"that prince boy," emily says. "are they dating?"

"ah," patton says, and sits on the bed, shooting a discreet look out into the hall, before looking up at his mother with the distinct air of someone telling a secret. "no, but—and don't breathe a word to logan that i'm telling you about any of this."

she nods.

"no, they aren't dating, but logan's had the biggest crush on him. for ages."

"really?" she says, even more blankly.

"really," patton says. "i think logan's been in love with him since they were little, and roman's just as hopeless about it."

"really?"

"really," patton repeats, and sighs. "but roman went out and got himself a boyfriend, just last month. asked me about advice, actually, he said that he feels like he shouldn't wait around for logan to maybe like him back when someone he could grow to really like was right there, wanting him, and making moves to want him."

"what did you say?"

patton sighs even more. "i told him that he should have fun and to be careful, and to call me if he did anything that made him uncomfortable."

"did he?"

"he fell asleep without going home," patton says.

"he what?!"

"literally fell asleep, nothing else," patton says hastily, "but that's not like it particularly endeared anyone to that boy, i'm telling you."

"you don't like him?"

"he's part of the reason roman broke my son's heart for the first time, so no, i don't like him. and he..." patton hesitates, huffs out a breath. "you're going to be so smug about this."

"about what?"

"he reminds me," patton says, scowling just a little, "of those boys you always tried to warn me off of, and now that i'm a parent, i don't like them, either."

emily smiles, and patton waves a hand.

"i know, i know, you were right, et cetera, but. that's the situation with roman and logan."

"hm," emily says. then she says, “why were you and logan talking about numbers? when you gave him his present.”

“have we never done that in front of you before?” patton asks, distracted.

“obviously not.”

“huh, i guess. but, um, you know logan’s not the most effusive kid, and i’m a pretty effusive parent. so we made a code so that we could have the best of both worlds in public—i could tell logan i love him without embarrassing him, he could tell me he loved me back without admitting to feeling an emotion.”

“why those numbers, though?”

“there’s eight letters in i love you. and i love you too seems to imply multiplying by two, so—sixteen. eight, sixteen. just some sanders shorthand.”

she blinks, before picking up one of the (many) picture frames that patton has dotting his room.

"what's this?"

patton squints at the photo. "me, mom."

"i know that's you," she snaps, "you're wearing a cast."

"oh, yeah," patton says, and laughs. "yeah, that's when i broke my arm."

"you broke your arm?!"

"yeah, three years ago," patton says. "you know what a klutz i am, i stepped wrong on some ice outside of virgil's diner and now logan and virgil won't let me walk anywhere alone in the middle of winter if i'm not holding onto a railing or someone else, or something."

"i never knew that you broke your arm," she says, and patton can see the way she's drooping.

he's never seen her like that.

"oh, hey, mom," he says, awkward. "it wasn't a big deal, if i got really sick you would have known."

"yes," she says, "well," and sets down the frame. "i should check on your father."

"it was really nice that you came tonight, mom," patton says quietly. "it meant a lot. to logan," he tacks on.

"well, he is my grandson, after all," she says. "i should be here."

patton smiles. "i definitely agree."

he follows her down the stairs, and gets briefly waylaid by refereeing the terms of a feud he doesn't understand, and then gets waved out for being biased, and by the time that's happened patton looks up to see his parents approaching his son, and he hastens over in time to hear richard say "absurd, but entertaining," holding the tabloid back out for logan.

"hey, are you guys heading out?" patton asks. 

"we had a lovely time, patton," his mother tells him, with a straight face.

"get that chimney inspected, i've sent you a number to call," his father says.

"well, thank you," patton says. "and i'll get right on that."

logan and patton watch as they leave, and then they both throw themselves back into a night of fun, and friends, and happiness.

(out in the car, emily stares out of the window and is silent for so long that richard has to say her name three times to get her attention. she's too entrenched in thoughts of that cheerfully cluttered house, small and lived in and messy in a way her and richard's house has never been, with frames fighting for space the walls, photos of logan and patton in the midst of stories that emily would have no hope of identifying, of her grandson's first heartbreak she's told about like it's a piece of errant gossip and her son's broken arm that's a funny story and the way patton had looked, here, dressed in that absurd sweater and those terrible jeans and with his hair a frightful mess, talking to that motley crew of neighbors that had been full of nothing but glowing, delighted praise for her son and grandson, the way patton had looked so right here, so comfortable and happy with himself and free, and how securely he has made his own little world and didn’t even seem to notice that she’s been shut outside of it, and the way he squirms and hunches over and avoids her world until he can't anymore, and how she has seen her son smile more in this night than she has since he was very small, and how her grandson had smiled more this evening than she had ever seen from him, and—

"he was right," emily says, choked up, wilting in a way that richard has only ever seen her wilt once, and his stomach plummets. "patton. he's right. he's a mystery to me, and i don't know him at all.")

[wild-aloof-rebel]

y’all asked for a recap of the austin up close and personal shows, so i’m gonna do my best to give that to you. it was pretty similar to the other shows (which already are similar to things you can find in other interviews) so there isn’t a ton of new info here, but here it is anyway. under a cut because it’s gonna be long (and my immense apologies to people on mobile for whom we all know this won’t actually include a cut):

the show begins with the recap clip package from before s5 aired. i was a little sad to see they hadn’t updated it to include any new stuff, but it’s understandable i guess. even though i’d seen it before, did i start crying as soon as it started playing anyway? absolutely. was it amazing to be in a room full of people cheering for david and patrick’s first kiss? fuck yes.

dan and eugene come out on stage first for some father and son shenanigans. eugene jokes that dan is a big longhorns fan, to which dan replies that he doesn’t know what that is. they laugh at both shows about various sections of empty seats, even though the theater is supposed to be sold out. eugene jokes that he came up with the idea for the show while dan makes Dan Faces at him. dan says that they’ve been drinking frosé at the hotel all afternoon. eugene talks briefly about how proud he is of dan, and during one of the two shows you can basically see dan trying to shrink back into his leather jacket and hide--it’s so fucking cute how badly he takes compliments. (also, inserted side note that dan looks incredible, as usual, and i have to commend his commitment to his aesthetic for wearing a leather jacket in 80+ degree weather). and then they introduce the cast--noah, emily, annie, and finally catherine, who for good and obvious reasons gets a standing ovation at both shows.

the discussion starts with eugene and catherine talking about filming waiting for guffman because it was filmed in lockhart, texas, which is part of the austin metro area. they talk about eating a lot of barbecue during filming, and catherine says that that restaurant had a huge mural of like, bloody butchers on the wall, which was of course horribly unappetizing. from there they move into talking about all the couples they’ve played. dan asks if they have a favorite aside from johnny and moira, and they both agree it’s gerry and cookie from best in show. during one show, eugene tells the story of how he and christopher guest came up with the two left feet gag, and catherine jokes that moira’s backstory is similar to cookie’s, in that she has a trail of ex-lovers who consider their time with her to be the best sex of their lives. then they sing “god loves a terrier”

next they move into audition stories from annie, emily, and noah. annie talks about the bad spot she was in before the audition (during which emily cracked up, as is tradition for telling this story)--house burned down, $500 in the bank, blown her first screen test, and considering changing careers--how she read and tested for both alexis and stevie, and how it took 2 1/2 weeks for dan to call her back after her screen test, during which time she of course came to the conclusion she didn’t get either part. and dan when he called, of course was... well, dan, and left her hanging for as long as possible before asking finally asking if she wanted to play his sister. (he defends himself by saying punk’d was popular at the time, and he thought it would be funny.) emily talks about her similarly bad spot before her audition--divorce, no jobs, $800 in the bank--and the rumor that she took her top off during it. dan jumps in to clarify that in reality, she had a great audition and instead of saying thanks and leaving the room at the end, she sat down on the sofa, pulled the collar of her sweatshirt up over her head, and began rocking back and forth saying “that was awful, that was so bad, oh god...” dan also points out that her taking her top off would have done absolutely nothing for him, lmao, which then leads to noah joking that the first thing he did in his audition was take his top off. (I LOVE THEM) dan says noah was “underprepared” for his audition, to which noah argues that he prepared a lot--learned his lines, thought a lot about the character, etc.--but he didn’t watch any of the show, for which dan apparently still holds a grudge against him. he says dan also gives him shit for not having seen paddington 2, and dan reveals the ultimate travesty that noah has also not seen pretty woman.

for the next segment, each actor talks about their character. eugene talks about playing the straight man for once and how that differs from all the other roles he’s played. emily, during the second show, feels the need to clarify what he means by “straight man” since there are other connotations to that phrase, lol. 

there’s a brief moira clip package, and catherine talks about the origins of moira’s voice/pronunciation/vocabulary, dropping into the voice to refer to it as “mementos of her world travels” that she “bestows as a gift on the less travelled and less educated [which has about sixteen syllables in it]” as “an amuse bouche of what it’s like to walk in her givenchy shoes.” she also jokes during the second show that it’s a good thing dan didn’t make her audition to play moira because if she had come in with that voice/inflection, they would have thought she was having a stroke. dan asks her if she has a favorite wig--she doesn’t because it would be like asking her to choose her favorite “bébé”--but she does talk about how much fun it is to wear them in ways they weren’t intended, including as a hat, a look she refers to as her “director’s beret.”

annie talks about the influences of the kardashians, lindsay lohan, and the olsen twins on alexis’s speech and mannerisms. she talks about her vocal fry and how it’s essentially such a “lazy fucking way” of talking, as well as the origin of the alexis hands and how it came from the way they all hold their handbags. (her thought process: what if there was no handbag? and what if i turned my hand over? and what if i added another hand?) she also mentions that someone recently contacted her on instagram very concerned for her health because apparently her wrists being like that could be a symptom of some terrible disease. (she clarified that she doesn’t have any of the other symptoms lol). dan says it looks more like she was in a horrific accident, broke both wrists, and just decided not to get them fixed. annie insists that it’s actually very relaxing and that we should all try it before we fall asleep at night, lol. then there’s a whole conversation about the popularity of “ew david” and all the places it’s popped up--lapel pins, doormats, needlepoint, license plates--and annie says someone pointed out on twitter recently that she only actually says it twice in the show. [that’s actually wrong, she says it three times plus an “ew, no, david,” but the point still stands that she says it far less than people think she does.] dan jokes about how he didn’t realize when they wrote that line that people would someday be yelling “ew” at him when he walks by on the street.

emily talks about her similarities to stevie, starting with how they dress, and how much she loves just getting to sit behind the desk playing sudoku and solitaire all day. she says sometimes directors will be like, what if stevie was dusting in this scene? “why?!” maybe she wants to make coffee. “not that coffee!” and so emily stays happy and comfy behind the desk all the time, calling it the best job she’s ever had, and eugene confirms that hanging out behind the desk is indeed pretty nice.

dan asks noah about what it’s like to play basically the only sane person on the show. he talks about how interacting with the roses is a bit like watching a tv show or a family of aliens--it’s entertaining and you’re always waiting for what reference is gonna pop up next to what celebrity they did what with. he says that the day david walked into ray’s, for patrick it was like “discovering a unicorn.” he also mentions that one of his all-time favorite lines from the show is “it’s a general store, but it’s also a very specific store.”

they cover some fan creations, including the taxidermied rats that dan talked about on james corden, a couple of dogs dressed up like the roses, a planter with eugene’s face drawn on it, a little crocheted david and patrick, and a romance novel cover-style manip of david and stevie “behind the scenes” of the turkey shoot.

they talk a bit about cabaret, which is the only part of s5 that really gets discussed anywhere. noah and emily talk about how difficult the dancing was for the “money” scene (dan jokes that it was particularly difficult for emily since it didn’t consist of sitting behind a desk), how they both watched the video of the professionals doing it and thought it looked easy but that it was not. they talk about dan sending them for vitamin drips, and noah demonstrates a bit of the dance that they had particular trouble getting and that led to the choreographer trying to get emily even to just walk rather than doing the move and she still struggled. (here’s a brief video of that bit.) annie also joins in the discussion to talk about “willkommen” and how the choreographer was always so upset that they weren’t nailing the moves the way he wanted them to (her kick toward the end of the routine gets a special mention there), and they would just use the excuse of “well my character wouldn’t be a great dancer” to cover up for the fact that they couldn’t really do it lol. dan laughs about the fact that he wrote himself out of alla that mess.

dan asks noah to talk about his version of “the best.” noah says he knew how much the song meant to dan (they joke in one show about how dan is the kind of person who would hear the original in a club somewhere and beg everyone around him like “okay, but actually listen to the lyrics...”) and how difficult it was to figure out how to take something that’s so poppy and far from his usual style and transform it into something that would work for him. he talks about how dan finally texted him to ask if he could hear it, and he played it in his bedroom 17 or 18 times before finally sending dan one run of it and then didn’t hear anything back for like 4 hours. he jokes that at that point he basically is assuming he’s been fired. and dan jumps in to say that in reality he’d just been sobbing alone in the dark after listening to it and that you shouldn’t just spring that song on someone when they’re sitting at home alone marathoning downton abbey. noah says that what he thinks makes the scene particularly great on the show, however, is dan’s performance as david reacting to the song. dan then talks about the moment when moira reaches out to touch david’s arm and how that wasn’t scripted but was such a beautiful and important moment of support from a parent for their queer child. eugene then jokes that the scene would have been even more poignant if johnny had been included in it, and they argue over why he couldn’t have been there (he was back at the motel with stevie. eugene: “he could have slipped out for ten minutes.”)

dan asks everyone about their most memorable day on set. emily (along with contributions from noah and annie) talks in both shows about filming the cabaret scenes and how it was so great because it was the last day of shooting for s5 and they were in an actual theater with a whole audience to watch them and so it felt like a real, actual theater performance. they were rehearsing it up until the last possible minute, and they only got three takes at it.

in both shows, they talk about the junebugs from the filming of “surprise party” and dan a) not initially knowing what a junebug actually was and b) having a fear of flying bugs. (per dan, “so does nicole kidman. sue us both.”) they talk about all the takes that were ruined because there were so many flying around and how eventually one flew down dan’s shirt and he freaked out, which leads to eugene doing a reenactment of dan freaking out, complete with “fuck this fucking shit!” (the actual version of which you can of course watch in the s1 bloopers) eugene says he wanted to get t-shirts made that said fuck this fucking shit.

in the first show, eugene brings up the golf scene with johnny and roland and talks about the director yelling at them because they couldn’t stop laughing, take after take (which you can watch in the s3 bloopers). he jokes about how it ultimately didn’t even matter because “it’s my show.”

in the second show, catherine brings up the scene of moira and david trying to sell the allez vous products to everyone and how she couldn’t stop laughing because dan looked “insane” with all his tanner and his [intentionally] bad acting (again, s1 bloopers are your friend).

after all that, they play the multi-season blooper reel (which is great because i do always enjoy watching dan say “i never said i was bright, guys, just really fucking pretty” lmao). during both shows, annie and emily sit on the floor to watch it, which is super cute.

then there’s the audience vs cast trivia game. annie picks five audience members to come on stage and compete against the cast. i don’t remember all the questions dan asked, but between the two shows there was at least what’s alexis’s middle name? what does alexis call the mennonites who they get the peanut butter things from on the way to heather’s farm? what was the gift that patrick gave david on their first date? who was the person moira decided to perform a show about for asbestos fest (and a bonus point for the actual name of the show)? what does twyla put in glasses of champagne? what was moira’s character’s name on sunrise bay? and my personal favorite since i got the acknowledgement from dan for knowing the answer, what was the name of alexis and david’s nanny when they were kids? emily hands out t-shirts to the five audience members who played, and the prize for the audience “winning” is of course noah playing “simply the best” and he jokes beforehand that he’s been working on an acoustic arrangement of “a little bit alexis,” which noah, please, actually do the thing. (here’s a tiny video of him performing.)

the show ends with just a few quick words of thanks from dan. in the first show, he mentions that they’re filming the “sixth and final season,” which uhhhhhhhh does not get the warmest of reactions, which is probably why he doesn’t really mention it in the second show.

aside from the discussion of cabaret, there was very little discussion of s5. i think they’re basically still running the script from the shows they were doing at the start of the season, so i guess that makes sense, but it would have been nice to see a little more talk about it. in one of the shows, dan does briefly bring up annie having done both the song and the choreography for “a little bit alexis” herself, and he says they have more footage of her dancing and that maybe they might release some of it as a treat. and then he kind of realizes what he said and goes, “well i guess now that i said it we actually are gonna have to do it...” so maybe we have that to look forward to?

also since there was no discussion of the engagement in the first show, i submitted a few questions for the second show to try to get them to talk about it (some questions more direct than others), and dan did somehow manage to pick one of mine to read, which was asking noah what it was like having dan carry him up a mountain repeatedly. (i know we’ve heard him talk about it already in some of the bts videos, but like i said, some questions were more direct than others, and that was my indirect way of being like, binch let’s talk about what happened on that mountain lolol.) i actually missed the first several seconds of noah’s response because i was too busy dying about dan reading my question (if someone else who was there wants to fill me in, please do, lmao), but i think he made a joke about dan actually carrying him allllll the way up the mountain, and then more seriously he did specifically say that it was impressive for dan to do it take after take because “i’m not a light man.” he also talked about how they got up there and started filming them looking out at the scenery, and that turkey vulture just swooped so nicely right into the shot and circled back out again and how auspicious that seemed. (there you go, @jcams88, confirmation just for you, straight from noah’s mouth, that that they did not edit in the turkey vulture flying around back there.) unfortunately there was no further discussion of the proposal from there, but hey it’s at least a bit more s5 talk than we would have had if i hadn’t asked lol. all the thanks to dan for picking my question and at least giving us this much.

one other random thing that happens throughout the show and made me laugh a lot is that when annie or noah talks about something dan has said to them, they say it in their best impersonation of dan’s voice, and after they’re done, dan’s immediate response is, “okay, first of all, i don’t sound like that,” in the exact same tone of voice they were impersonating. as a running gag, it was solidly funny every single time. i love them all SO much.

[solarflarefanfiction]

Solar Flare 6

AN: So there’s some timeline stuff in here, which may not be perfect. In terms of Paul, in particular, the information seems to disagree. I’m pretty sure he is mentioned as being one of the wolves present to rescue Bella (or at least she remembers 3 tall figures, one of whom was Sam). But on the Wiki page it says he turned in 2006. Anyway, I find a lot of the timeline stuff in the Twilight Saga confusing/odd, so while for the most part I am going to try to keep it relatively canon, I’m might discard it whenever it doesn’t make sense. Or because I want to.

Thanks for reading, and I still don’t own Twilight.

-------

It was a few days later when the reality of Jacob and the pack’s fears was driven home for me.

Charlie’s harrumph over his newspaper drew my attention off of the novel I was reading. Charlie and I had reached a comfortable, if unconventional accord, which allowed us to avoid awkward breakfast conversation, when neither of us were really awake enough to appreciate the effort of making small talk.

While Charlie often huffed over sports losses, or a particularly frustrating current event, I usually took little notice, preferring my escape into romance, fantasy, or both.

But today, something about his wordless distress compelled me to respond.

“What’s wrong, Dad?”

“It’s this situation in Seattle,” He made the noise again, then looked at me across the table from him.

“I don’t want you going up there by yourself, you understand, Bella?” Since Charlie rarely attempted to curtail my activities in any way, I was surprised. A cold feeling of dread stirred in the back of my mind, like part of me knew what he was talking about already.

“Why? What’s going on in Seattle?”

“Well, it’s not just Seattle, really, Portland too, and-”

“Dad! What is it?”

“I don’t want to scare you too much, Bella, it just, it looks like they’ve got some kind of serial killer or something up there.” The cold feeling intensified. A serial killer…or something.

“They’ve had quite a few disappearances up there, the last few weeks. At first it was just some disappearances among the homeless, a couple runaways, so they couldn’t be sure if there was really something…going on. But now…” He sighed, and turned the portion of the paper he’d been reading so that I could see it. It was a picture of several young people, under a headline that read. Disappearances and Deaths Continue to Rock Pacific Northwest.

Charlie pointed to one picture, separated from the others.

“This boy, Riley Biers, he disappeared last year from Oregon, but a couple witnesses claim he’s been spotted in Seattle, near where some of the more recent bodies were found. Not that witnesses are necessarily that reliable on stuff like that. ”

Charlie looked sad and grim.

“Talked to the Department up there, not sure if it has anything to do with the missing hikers. Thought they were animal attacks, but the bodies they’ve recovered up there have some similarities.” He frowned at me in concern. “Now, don’t go telling your school friends Bella, we’re trying to avoid causing a panic.”

“Yeah, don’t worry, it’s not exactly good lunch room talk.”

“Just be careful, kid, okay.” Charlie said, carefully not looking at me, as he ventured onto the dangerous ground of emotional talk (now that I seemed to not currently be in a mental breakdown of any kind, we had gratefully returned to avoiding discussing overly personal topics). Much better to talk gruesome murder than to express emotion to your teenage daughter. I smiled fondly at Charlie, then glanced away.

“You too Dad.”

The upside of this rash of murders and disappearances being tied together, callous though it seemed to think it, was that Charlie and his deputies had officially ceased hunting for out of control wolves in the woods, making both them and the pack more safe.

On the other hand, seeing those faces was haunting somehow. Probably because I had a much better idea than Charlie how and why these people were dying. And why some of them weren’t dying at all.

In school I struggled to focus, thinking about the pictures of the missing persons. The relatively few, odd bodies.

I was very, very afraid that I knew what might be going on.

I said as much to Kim and Emily that afternoon

Kim looked surprised, but Emily just sighed.

“Sam’s been worried about this. It would explain a lot, actually.”

“Explain what?”

I glanced at the window, Quil and Seth were on house patrol today, and playing some wolfy game at the edge of the woods. Jacob, Sam, and Jared were on patrol, since them running patrol together made it easier to consolidate their major vulnerabilities, us, into one spot, which could be easily guarded.

“It doesn’t make sense, that the shifts kept happening, after…they... left. The one leech passing through, three or four wolves could have easily taken it out. Sam was a little surprised when Jacob showed signs that he was going to shift, actually, but he figured he was just so close already, it was too late for him. Plus, of all of them, he has maybe the best lineage for it.”

I felt cold suddenly.

“Even once we knew that the other one, the female, was here, was hanging around…It doesn’t make sense. Why do we need eight wolves, for one bloodsucker?” I could hear Sam’s voice, underlying Emily’s words. Leech, bloodsucker, the calm logistical sense, the instinct.

“The Cullens were here for almost three years. Sam thinks just one or two vampires, passing through the area, it wouldn’t necessarily activate the wolf genes, unless they were hunting nearby, or came onto our land. Which is rare actually, almost as if it might be instinctual...anyway...A large family, living nearby, you’d think it would have activated more quickly… Sam shifted for the first time a little over a year after the Cullens arrived. But Jared only shifted in spring the next year, about sixth months later-”

Oh, God.

“When the nomads came through.” Kim and Emily give me blank expressions.

“Victoria, Laurent, and James. They were a group of vampires, the Cullens called them nomads, came to Forks in March, last year- James wanted to kill me. The Cullens killed him in Phoenix. That’s why Victoria… and Laurent was the one they killed earlier this year.”

“Right. Well, Paul shifted about week or so after Jared, then nothing for almost a year, and then Embry shifted, then Jake, then Seth and Leah, then Quil, about one a month. It was spread out, but now this rapid increase. The Cullens are gone. It could just be some sort of flaw in the shifter genes, that it takes a while for it to get going-“

“Which doesn’t make any sense, because it’s magic, as much as it’s a gene, right?” asked Kim, suddenly, looking frustrated. “They turn into giant wolves to protect our land, and you’re saying they didn’t turn much when the Cullens were here for three years, but now they’re turning like crazy.”

“Because Victoria, or someone, is turning a bunch of people, and they are holed up in Seattle?”

“Yes, but why would pack magic care about Seattle. Unless…”

Unless they weren’t just in Seattle. Or unless there were so many of them that whatever mystical power or energy controlled the wolf transformations considered it a risk.

Or both.

They were here, or had been here, or coming here. Watching. Hunting.

To kill me. And anyone who got in their way.

How many vampires could the wolves really fight against and win?

I looked at Emily’s scarred, still somehow beautiful face. At Kim’s startled round face, which made her look years younger than she was.

They’d become my friends.

To Victoria they would only be "in the way”.  

I ran out of the house

“Bella!”

“Bella, wait!”

Why hadn’t I thought? This was all because of me, and now an army of vampires was gathering in Seattle. Because of me.  

I wanted to run and run. Not until Victoria wouldn’t find me, because she always would; I was pretty much doomed. But until she would never find this cosy little house, where they let me be quiet and alone when I needed it, or where I could talk and laugh over books with Kim, seek warm counsel over muffins with Emily, where Leah would burst in with her scathing attitude hiding her soft, damaged heart. Where the peace would be happily shattered by a rough and rowdy tumble of the overgrown wolf boys,  weary and too brave, filling the house with welcome and family. Away from Jacob, who’d somehow pulled me back from endless despair, and who made the future look beautiful and full of sunlight, instead of dark nothing.

I stopped on the front porch.

I had nowhere to go.

I couldn’t protect myself. I couldn’t protect anyone

The wolves would come, to rescue me, no matter where I ran, because they’d promised me.

Because Jake loved me.

I didn’t have to leave. Relief

But it was only because I’d already doomed us all.

I sat down on the front porch and stared off into the forest. Waiting.

------

Of course, the world refused to stop for the impending doom of almost everyone in the world I loved.

I tried to shake off the fears I’d awakened, or at least to not think about it, but that had never been my strength, and I felt myself slipping, not into the despair of last fall, but into a sort of vague melancholy, which made the world recede a bit. Now that I’d been without it, I recognized it as the odd numbing sense of distance between me and the world, like I was reaching to it through plastic wrap, or wrapped up in thick, stiffling, wool.

“Death Toll on the Rise, Police Fear Looming Gang War” the morning paper had announced. The article had detailed several homicides from the last two weeks alone. No one I knew. Not yet.

It shouldn’t have surprised me when I noticed the brightly colored flyers that appeared all over the school one morning. But the bright pink and black flyers still caught me off guard, because of one potentially terrifying word, spelled out in big, overly cheerful lettering (in which I suspected the hand of Jessica).

“Only 3 weeks to PROM!” the poster’s exclaimed.

“A Night to Remember!’ Don’t miss Fork’s High School’s Senior Prom. Saturday, June 3rd! Tickets for sale at lunch in the cafeteria!"

I stared at the posters, cheeks hot and throat dry.

“Bella!” said a soft, but cheerful and welcoming voice beside me. I spun around, blush deepening.

“Do you think you’ll go? Ben and I are so excited, and I know Jessica is already making a list of possible dates!" Angela asked, smiling at my flustered face.

“Oh, um, well. Dancing you know…"

“Of course,” she replied, comprehension clear on her face. “But you should come you know, senior year and all. And I think your boyfriend would like it."

“Jacob?”

Would Jacob like it? I had not considered that. The only time I’d danced with Jacob had been when he was still an awkward, non-supernatural human. Plus he’d been delivering a warning he didn’t understand. And I’d been dating--

It was almost an afterthought to push aside the thought of his name now. A familiar ripple of pain across a familiar worn path in my brain. Funny how it was almost comforting, compared to the thoughts I’d been keeping company with lately. At least he was, as far as I knew, safe.

“Bella? Bella? Are you alright?” Angela touched my shoulder gently.

“What? Yes! I…I never thought about it before, prom." Jake, smiling down at me. Holding me, Saving me.

Jake, dying for me.

“Well, no need to worry too much about it. But think about it?"

“Yeah,” I said, sounding vague and ditzy to myself. “I, um, gotta go."

Angela smiled and patted me on the shoulder.

-----

Two days later I slumped down on the couch at Emily's feeling exhausted. All aside from the possibility of impending disaster, figuring out what to do after graduation was looming more and more eminently. I hadn't applied to any colleges, or even spent anytime thinking about the future since even before the Cullens had left. And now that I was thinking again, it seemed clear that that had been a bad idea. I was tired, and the thought that if Victoria had her way it wouldn’t matter what I planned, was panic inducing rather than relieving, which was at least proof that I wasn’t totally lost.

“-Bella?” I heard, coming out of my unhappy reverie.

“Huh? Sorry...."

“I was just wondering if everything was okay. You seem distracted.” Emily looked concerned and I wondered if she knew as much about me as I knew about her, and thought she probably did.

“I just…” my eyes were stinging. I pushed away my more painful worries and instead asked “Do you think Jake wants me to ask him to prom?” It sounded so stupid.

“Prom?” Emily blinked at me, surprised.

“You know, dancing, badly decorated gyms…” I mumbled, feeling more and more foolish. “I’m not really a dance kind of person...but do you think...I thought maybe Jake might want…would he like it?”

Emily’s face softened, and she smiled encouragingly.

“I think Jake would love to go to prom with you, Bella. But I think he’d also love to not go with you.”

My face felt so hot. Why couldn’t I ever stop blushing?

“I know they’ve been busy, and that you’re worried, Bella. But you know he loves you.”

I nodded. Yes, I knew. The fears I’d entertained about imprinting, or my persistent sense of inferiority had been pushed to the background, and it gave me an odd clarity.

If I wasn’t so selfish, so needy, would I be able to push him away, to get him out of my life, of the fight? I wouldn’t. And I knew it.

And the worst part was, that I was glad that it was too late anyway, that Victoria would come and the wolves would fight no matter what I did.

No part of me was ready to say goodbye to Jacob Black. And if it came down to it. If I needed to say cutting things in order to keep him safe, like I had an infinite year ago to Charlie, well, I was pretty sure I couldn’t do it.

A tentative, gentle hand on my arm pulled me back to the present yet again.

“I think I hear them coming back.” A benediction and a curse.

Sure enough, a moment later the door banged open and four boys stomped in, laughing and shoving and taking up much more room than seemed possible.

It was a comforting distraction. It was hard to feel as afraid when they were here, filling up the kitchen, seemingly without fear, enormous and healthy.

Sam, sweeping in, his usually serious face collapsing into a boyish grin as he swept across the room to Emily.

Paul, making a beeline for the food, only pausing to wink at me, to tug one of Kim’s braids.

Quil, making a ridiculous bow and then sweeping me up into a bear hug.

And Jake, growling, but his eyes smiling, as he pulled me out of Quil’s arms, into his own.

“I’m not a doll, you know.” I protested, not upset in the slightest, raising my face for a kiss.

“Sure, sure, Bells,” he murmurs, bringing his burning lips down to mine.

Suddenly I was not out of step with the world, even if it was just for this moment.

I pushed my head into Jake’s warm shoulder. Even though he was the person I was most worried about, in moments like this I still felt like somehow...I felt safe.

---

“Do you want to go to Senior Prom?” I asked, out of the blue, blush safely concealed by the dark of my truck’s interior. I felt Jake look over in surprise, but kept looking straight ahead, eyes on the road serving as an excellent excuse to not melt in embarrassment.

“You want to go to prom?” he laughed, “Bella Swan, who hates crowds, dancing, and dressing up?”

“Well,” No. That was  the truth, so it doesn’t make any sense why I’ve asked. Except, they’d wanted so badly for her to go, last year, even with my leg in a cast. It made them happy, having me do normal things, even if I grumbled and complained.

I wanted to make Jacob happy. Wanted to give him all the happy memories he might want, just in case…

It felt like all the air had been violently sucked from the truck’s interior, like I might collapse in on myself, like a dying star. But I’ve had a lot of practice now, and I don’t want Jacob to know how I’m slipping to being...damaged again, so I managed to hold still enough that my hands barely shook, and when I gripped the steering wheel tighter, they couldn’t even do that.

“Bella…” Jacob murmured, gently. “If-if you want to go…”

I blew out a breath.

“I don’t Jacob, I just thought...you’re right, prom is kind of my least favorite things all rolled up together, but I thought...something romantic...you might...want...”

Oh crap, this was humiliating. What was I even saying?

Jacob laughed though, looking pleased instead of confused or annoyed.

“Awww, that’s sweet Bells.” he grinned at me, and I wanted to turn my head to look more fully at that grin, but familiarity with the limits of my own driving skills kept my eyes (mostly) on the road.

“You’re a jerk” But the tight discomfort in my chest fades.

“Tell you what,” he slings an arm across my shoulders. Holy crow his arms are long.

“Let’s do something that night. Just the two of us, or we can do something with the pack, or with your friends. But we won’t go to the dance. We’ll spare the town of Forks that much at least.”

I’m too pleased with this new scenario to care about the teasing. “Like a date?”

He’s grinning again, and just for a moment I turn to bask in that glow.

“Yeah, like a date. It’s about time, right?”

—

The warmth of that moment dispelled the half-gloom I had been stuck in, at least for the evening.

I saw something imperceptible relax in Charlie’s face at dinner, and I knew that he’d noticed.

I went to bed humming, hoping that this was one of those nights when Jake would sneak in during his patrol, waking me up in his arms.

Naturally, this was the night my nightmare came back.

It was dark, but not full night dark, more like a deep in the forest dark. I knew, somehow, that a battle was going on somewhere, in the distance. I needed to get there. To protect them.

A growl, behind me, and I spun. I recognized that growl.

“Jake?”

“Isabella”

I turned back and an angel was standing in front of me.

“Edward!” He smiled his angel’s smile and something in my heart (still) leapt.

“You shouldn’t trust them Bella. They’re animals. They can’t control themselves.”

“Who?”

The growl again, and this time when I turned A familiar red-brown wolf was there, muzzle curled back, teeth as long as my forearm.

“It’s for your own good.”

“Wha-“

“Bella” the wolf said, gasping and broken for a moment, somehow speaking human words without moving his muzzle. Still snarling at Edward, Who snarls back a lion’s roar.

Hurtling toward each other, with death in their eyes.

A too loud crash. Blood.

Jacob, falling.

“Edward, no!”

I jerked awake, panting, swallowing a scream.

There was someone in the room.

Before I knew what I was doing I was cringing back, curling my legs under myself. Preparing to- to run? Jump out the window?

Yes. Outside, away from Charlie. Away. Jake would find me.

Large hands caught me as I leapt. I started automatically, fruitlessly, to twist.

“Bella - Jesus. What are you doing? Bella!”

“Jacob?” I relaxed marginally, then all the way as he pulled me into his warm chest. I curled into him. Safe.

And started crying.

“Bella, shh, you’ll wake Charlie. It’s okay, shh, I’ve got you. Just don’t want to be murdered, Bella”

He kept up a stream of comforting nonsense, mixed with my name, his hand stroking down my back.

I raised my still probably splotchy tear streaked face to look at his. Reassuring myself that he was real, and here.

There was something in his eyes, something broken.

“Jacob? What’s wrong?”

He blinked down at me, shakes his head.

When he looked at me again, his eyes were clear of whatever I saw before.

He scowled,  still gently stroking one hand down my back.

“What were you thinking Bella?”

“Thinking? About what?”

Oh right, my aborted leap for the window.

“Someone was here. But I didn’t see you. I thought- I thought- ” I’d barely been thinking, the combination of the dream, the shock of feeling myself not alone.

I pulled Jacob more firmly to me, with all my pathetic strength.

“Can you stay?” I asked, pressing my face into his chest to hide my blushing. Even though what I was asking was totally innocent.

He sighed  against me, and seemed to sag a bit. All the wolves were getting tired, with this endless high alert.

“Yeah… I’ll stay.”

He moved easily toward the bed, lowering us both down, and the relief was so great that I no longer even felt embarrassed.

I was already drifting off, curled firmly into Jacob, still holding onto him, like I could keep him safe from my nightmares.

“I love you, Bella.” He murmured, and there was something, something I was missing…

“Love you” I sighed, and fell asleep.

—

When the sun made one of it’s rare, full appearances in Forks and La Push, it was hard to remember to feel worried, or haunted by nightmares.

I woke up as the sun was rising, completely warm, and with only the fading traces of pleasant dreams.

I was curled against Jacob’s side, in a way that should have been strange, but wasn’t, knees resting against his thigh, my hands curled between my chest and his side, and my forehead resting against his rib cage. I could feel his arm resting behind me, by the radiating heat.

I tilted my head up to look at his face, still relaxed in sleep, bathed in the unusually bright morning sun.

I’d told Jacob before that he was sort of beautiful, but in truth that was an understatement. I’d always found his skin beautiful, not only because it was a warm, sun-kissed rich brown, even in the gloomy La Push weather, so different from (and therefore interesting compared to) my own nearly translucent pale. But it was also so smooth and even (heaven forbid a supernatural creature ever suffer a pimple or dry skin). His face was a bit too broad, as was his nose, and his wide mouth and soft lips a bit too generous for the classic Hollywood beauty Edward had possessed. His high cheekbones could have made his face look stern, especially in combination with his straight nose, and his thick, dark eyebrows, but in contrast with his lush mouth and luminous skin, they made him breathtaking. It was a face made for emotion - meant to be laughing, talking, or as I’d realized lately- looking at me in the intent way that made my face flame and heat curl inside me.  

But then again, I was in love with him.

I knew when other people saw Jacob these days, they saw his body - ridiculously tall, prematurely mature, supernaturally muscled, usually shirtless- I ran a hand up his chest to cover his heart.

I forgot sometimes, or took for granted, how beautiful he was. Because he’d brought so much beauty into my life that had nothing to do with the strength of his arms and abs, or the masculine beauty of his face.

“Mm. Bella?” he mumbled sleepily, blinking his eyes at me in sleepy affection, their deep brown a shade or two darker than my own.

I leaned up to press my mouth against his. The dream the night before and this perfect morning stirred something in me, between peace and desperation.

His hand curled around my back.

“Good morning, Jacob” I said against his lips, propping myself up to brace against his chest.

His chest rumbled under my hand with laughter.

He picked me up, and sat my on his stomach.

“You can say that again, Bells. Watch out, I could get used to this kind of morning.”

“Me too”

I wanted him. I blushed hard at the thought but there it was.

I leaned down over him, pressing my lips to his chest. It was so warm, his heart beat strong and true.

Jake’s body stiffened beneath me and he closed his eyes like he was in pain.

His hands ran up my legs to squeeze my hips (such as they were) and he sighed.

Several interesting parts of me went up in flames.

I groaned and dropped my head against his chest.

“We can’t do this, Jake. Charlie.”

“I’m not doing anything, Bella, this is all you.” he chuckled again.  I kissed his chest again.

He sucked in a breath and his fingers spasmed against my hips. I smiled in satisfaction, not lifting my head.

“Charlie’s not here. Maybe he had an early shift?” He was still laughing at me.

I kissed him again, sliding lower on his body, until his hands caught me.

My brief fear of rejection was squashed by the look in his eyes.

He lifted me up as if I weighed nothing, my legs dangling down to the mattress on either side of him.

“Don’t you have to go to school?”

“Oh, shoot! What time is it?” I squirmed until he put me down, then promptly rolled off the bed.

“Ow!”

Now he was definitely laughing at me. He sat up and peered down at me. It really wasn’t fair that almost everyone I hung out with was supernaturally graceful.

“You okay, Bells?”

“Shut up, Jake.” I had about half an hour.

“Don’t you have to go to school too?” he stretched, sliding out of bed and rolling his neck and shoulders.

“Yeah, yeah. Guess I should. Sam’s got me on patrol tonight. Again.”

“You won’t be in trouble for staying with me last night, will you?”

“Nah. I was done when I came by anyway.”

I pulled clothes out of drawers blindly, and remembered just in time that I couldn’t change while Jacob was in my room.

But I didn’t want him to believe this little bubble of safety and happiness we’d woken up to.

“Stay.” I told him, ducking out of my room to the bathroom, grateful to the gods of police department scheduling who’d gotten Charlie out of the house at the right time, yet again.

Jake’s laughter followed me to the bathroom.

We didn’t have time for anything fancy for breakfast. But Jacob happily bolted down the jumbo bowl of cereal I put in front of him, while I ate my own more modest portion.

He drove me to school (in my truck), despite my half-hearted insistence that he leave for his own school day.

So when I stumbled into first period, with just 5 minutes to spare, it was warm and still blushing from a breathless kiss he’d given me in the parking lot before melting into the forest.

Jessica smirked at me as I slid into my seat. I tried to bite back my smile. Smiling too much in pre-calc was never a good idea.

“Morning, Bella. You look happy today. Was that Jacob dropping you off for school?” Angela asked, too innocently. I tried to muster a glare.

“He stopped by this morning...yeah.”

“Oh my God!” Jessica replied, in a restrained shriek.

“Shhh”

“I really want to hate you sometimes, Bella Swan. Are you bringing him to prom? Can he bring some friends, preferably ones that look like him?” Apparently she and Mike were off again. He threw a disgruntled look at her, which she didn’t notice.

I laughed, imagining the chaos of the La Push pack descending on the Forks High prom.

“I think we’re going to do something else, just the two of us, or with some of his friends from La Push.”

“WhA-” but her exclamation was mercifully cut off, by the start of class.

It resumed promptly after, and continued, with more restrained but still supportive input from Angela.

“I think the kids from La Push are allowed to come, as long as they buy tickets, I think they have to be invited by someone from Forks.”

“Yeah, there was like totally a lawsuit or something.”

“I’ll ask Jake and maybe the others. But I hate dancing, and I hate dressing up, and I hate you guys.” I grumbled, walking into last period. They froze for a moment, looking at me.

“Did Bella make a joke, Ang?”

“She really did.”

“Haha.”

---

[mrswalkers-blog]

A Golden Cage

Chapter 6 - New Beginning

Book: The Royal Romance (AU)

This is the story of Emily, daughter of Drake and Riley. She just celebrated her 18th birthday. She is young, beautiful and full of energy.

Summary:  Emily is excited about attending the social season as James suitor. So is James. He advises her to be prepared. Jackson doesn't seem so excited for his sister. Emily spends a day with Daniel before preparing for the social seasons.

Warnings: PG. 

This series will be NSFW. It will have mentions of sexual abuse and violence. I will tag the chapters accordingly.

A/N: Thank you @blubutterflyy @glitterythief for commenting. This series means a lot to me, And be assured the better is yet to come.

Word Count:  3000+

Previous Chapters Link to previous chapters can be found in the master list on my blog page.

Emily Walker

Daniel was offered the job as a security guard of Emily Walker. His heart started beating faster. His hands shaking a bit putting the letter back in the envelope. You got this. She might not even remember you.

‘Your duty starts Monday. But you can join us. We are going to Valtoria with King Liam for Jackson’s party. It’s tomorrow.’ Bastien informed him. 

‘I will join you. Thank you so much.’ he smiled.

The next day he was back to Valtoria. Feeling little uncomfortable in the suit he was wearing. Completely out of place in the party. But Bastien insisted he came. Although the main reason for attending, which he wouldn't want to admit even to himself, was the girl dressed in a pink silk gown.

He stood with other guards at the back, watching her talking to her friend. He noticed her expression changed after her friend started talking to a noble and she was left alone. He sensed her getting lonely, looking at her parents and her brother, with a hint of sadness in her eyes. He couldn't stop himself walking towards her. he didn't know how she would react seeing him after such a long time.

All his worries vanished when she turned and their eyes met. The moment she saw him, her face beamed, a smile spread across her face. She ran towards him, all excited and pulled him in a hug. He skipped a bit as her body collided with him. He wanted to hold her, wanted the time to stop. But she pulled away, almost immediately. It was a friendly hug, you idiot! He reminded himself.

All the time they talked, his mind noted down how she was the same as before yet she had grown so much. He also noted her blush when she saw James Rhys. He is the crown prince. Go compete! He reminded himself of the reality. And then he heard Emily was going to Social Seasons to compete for the Prince's hand. He could see how excited she was. She is over you. It has been 3 and a half years. When will you move on? His mind scolded his heart. 

---

Next day, Emily woke up early. Her happiness knew no bounds. Her best friend was back and James asked for her number. Can life be any more beautiful?

Her feets barely touched the ground as she bounced and skipped all the way to their dining room, where her family had gathered for breakfast.

‘Emily! you are in time for breakfast!’ Riley chimed looking at her daughter. Normally she didn't wake up this early even tough Riley called her every day to ask her to join them for breakfast. This was a pleasant surprise for them. 

‘Who are you and what did you do to my sister?’ Jack teased her.

‘I just woke up early so I thought I should have breakfast with you guys.’ Emily smiled not taking the bait. She walked to give a hug to her father. Drake placed a soft kiss on her forehead. She went on to hug her mother. Sitting next to Riley was Jack, she just scrunched her nose and stick out her tongue to him.

‘That is a great look on you!’ Jack chuckled,’ I am sure the court will love that look on James’ suitor.’

Emily picked up a butter knife and pointed it to Jack, eyes glaring. 

‘Are we really going to sponsor Emily?’ Riley asked Drake.

‘That is for Emily to decide.’ Drake stated. 

‘She is just a kid!’ Riley exclaimed.

Drake placed his hand on Riley’s squeezing it gently.’She is all grown up now. I trust her. She can make her own decisions now.’ Emily smiled gratefully to her father. 

Riley turned to Emily,’ Emily, I want you to understand that this is not just a competition. It is not only James and court who will choose one of the suitors. You also have a choice. You can withdraw from it anytime you want. You don’t need to...’

‘I know mom!’ Emily said annoyingly cutting her off.

Riley frowned, but Drake squeezed her hand again,’ Let's not spoil our moods. It's a beautiful Sunday morning and we four are together for breakfast after a very long time. '

Drake turned to Emily, ‘Angel, tell me what's new.’ 

‘Oh! You know the new security guard you appointed for me, Dad!? He is Daniel, you remember? My old friend!’ 

Jack looked down, trying to hide his smile. He silently finished his breakfast as his sister spent the next 30 minutes talking animatedly about Daniel and their childhood stories.

---

After a fun breakfast, Emily was in her room, lying on her stomach on her bed, looking at pictures of James on Instagram when she heard a knock on her door. 'Come in!' she called.

Jack peaked in, 'Hey kiddo', he came inside, hands in his pocket, 'Wanted to have a chat with you if you are free.'

'Ok. But I am busy, so please make it quick.' Emily said a little annoyed. She sat up straight, attentively to her brother.

'Actually, I wanted to talk about James. I think you should not participate in  the social season.' he said sitting on a chair in front of her.

'What? Why?' 

'I have a feeling James is not right for you.' he said softly with concern mixed in his voice.

'Ha! You have a feeling! I think you are just jealous!' she pointed a finger to him in accusation.'Why would I be jealous?' he asked brows knitted.

'Because you know I am going to win. And then I will be a Princess and soon will be a Queen. While you will be just a Duke.' she said with a stern voice.

'Look! I had to warn you. You can decide what is best for you.' Jack said giving up, a little hurt with the comment his sister just made.

'This is not new. You never approved of anyone I have ever dated.' Emily was not ready to give up yet.

'That's because all of the guys you dated were jerks.' Jack retorted.

'All of the guys I dated were jerks! You think I always go for the wrong guy! You think I can't do anything right!' Emily’s voice got louder.

'Yes! You would not notice the perfect guy for you even if he was right in front of you!' his voice low but firm. He started leaving, he didn't want to argue with her. 

'Yes! I am that stupid. But James is a prince! Mom and Dad are both excited about this. They cannot be wrong.' she stood up and followed Jack.

'Look! I might not have approved of any guy you dated, but I never interfered. But you are planning to marry a guy you hardly know. I just don't want you to regret your decision.' he turned before leaving, pleaded one last time to her.

Emily opened her mouth to respond, but she was interrupted by her phone ringing. She held it up for Jack to see James number flashing. Jack shook his head and left her room.

Emily closed her door and picked up the phone. ‘Hi,’ her voice soft and timid. 

‘Hi,’ she heard James voice from the other side, warm and cheerful.

‘I thought you would wait for three days before calling me. Standard rule.’ she said teasing him a little.

‘I was not aware of any such rule! I hope I have not offended the lady by my eagerness to hear her voice.’ 

Emily blushed. ‘No. I liked the eagerness.’ she said biting her lower lip.

‘Emily,’ her heart jumped hearing her own name from him, his voice now passionate as he said, ‘I was not able to think about anything else after seeing you yesterday. How have I not noticed before how beautiful you are.’

‘You think you can win me by flattery?’ she smiled.

‘I hope so. Is it working?’ 

‘No.’ she said, hoping her voice wouldn't give away her actual feelings.

‘Then what would you suggest I should do to win you?’ 

‘I am not going to reveal my cards.’ she chuckled.

‘Fair enough. So would I have the pleasure of seeing you at the social season?’

‘Yes.’

‘That is so good to hear. I really wished you would attend. You know I at first refused to select a bride in social season. I mean one would think this ancient tradition would stop now. I want to marry someone I love or at least feel connected to.’

‘I understand. So why did you agree?’

‘As a crown prince, I have to make sure that whoever I marry, the court must approve of her. And Father promised me that I have the right to not select anyone from the suitors if I am not sure. So I agreed to give this tradition a chance. Maybe I will find someone.’ he stressed the last word, giving her a hint?

 ‘I hope you won't get partial to any one of the participant.’ 

‘I will try. ‘, he paused, ‘Emily, you need to understand, all the other girls, they have been preparing for this their entire life.’

‘Unlike me.’ she understood what he was getting at.

‘I realize you went to a public school instead of the Royal School.’

‘Is my attending public school a problem?’ she asked a little displeased.

‘No of course not. But you would have learned certain things in Royal School that would be helpful to please the court.’ he said. Emily remained silent.

‘Emily, you are like a rough diamond. You just need some polishing. I hope you don't mind me taking the liberty to appoint a trainer for you.’ 

‘A trainer? what for?’ 

‘Some Royal etiquette training. It will be helpful. Would you do it? I really don't want the court to judge you just because you crossed your legs incorrectly or waved your hand improperly.’

‘I guess it wouldn't hurt.’ Emily sighed and agreed. She never cared for Royal etiquette. She had seen her mother behaving a certain way, specifically in public. But she was at ease at home. Her mother never asked her to behave under a set of rules. But she understood that not everyone would think that way. And she was ready to change a little for James. 

---

After talking to James, Emily couldn't contain her excitement. She couldn't believe James was as interested in her as she was in him. Could this be real? Could a crown prince choose her over all others? She could become the Queen one day!

She jumped up from her bed and ran to the mirror. She saw herself beaming in the mirror. She bounced up in excitement and ran back to her bed to pick up her phone. She wanted to talk to someone, to share her happiness. She called the first name that came to her mind.

‘Daniel! Where are you? Can you come to my room right now?’ Emily said in one breath, pacing around her room in excitement.

‘Hold on a second!’ he chuckled at the other end, ‘I was unpacking. I have moved in your estate.’ he said.

‘Cool! so I am coming to your room. I will help you unpack.’ Emily said.

‘No! wait.’ Daniel almost screamed, ‘Hold your horses! I am coming to your room.’

‘Perfect! I am ordering some coffee and cookies from the kitchen.’

‘Ok. Give me 5 minutes.’

‘So finally you are here.’ She greeted him when he knocked her door some five minutes later.

‘I came as fast as I could. ‘ he said catching his breath.

‘No silly! I mean back to Valtoria. After so many years! I have so much to tell you’ she turned and walked into her room, gesturing him to follow her. Daniel looked around. The room had changed a little but was still very much the same. This was the place he had made love... Focus. He forced himself back to present where Emily was talking to him about her conversation with James.

‘He said he is excited that I am attending Social Season! can you believe it?’ she said smiling all the while.

‘I am sure he is not as excited as you are.’ he grinned. A pain rising in his chest. He knew she was never his, then why was he feeling jealous? Why he wanted to tell her how he felt? Even though he knew he couldn’t. She was so excited about James. And that was what she deserved. A Prince. 

‘You know I am so excited today! I am so happy you are back. I really missed you. I never thought I will see you again.’ she said sitting on the edge of her bed.

Daniel took a seat on a chair in front of her. ‘I am sorry I didn’t call.’

‘You should be! What the hell were you studying that kept you away for so long? Rocket Science?’ she complained.

Daniel chuckled,’Economics. I was also working part-time.’

‘Ya, you told me.’ she nodded,’ But what is an economics graduate doing as a security officer?’

‘Well, I joined as an intern in two places. But soon found out that I am not made for 9 to 5 desk job. That is when I found out about this training and job.’

‘Good. I hope you don’t plan to leave this job too?’

‘That depends on how many times I have to carry you home drunk.’ he grinned.

‘Oh! Jack was just kidding. I don't get drunk. And in fact, I don't even need security. I can defend myself. Thank you very much.’  she said with a proud voice.

‘So what am I doing here?’ he asked, a little confused.

‘Its a funny story actually. See last month, one of my friends had her birthday in a bar. We were drinking, dancing, the usual. Now a guy started flirting with me. I told him I was not interested. He still wouldn't budge. I tried to leave, but he grabbed me so I kicked him hard... between his legs.’

‘Ouch!’ Daniel couldn't help stop himself laughing. 

‘Yup! he spent next hour or so rolling on the floor, hands pressed to his jewels’ Emily too joined him, their laughter echoed in her room.  

‘So I am supposed to protect the poor handsy guys from you.’ Daniel teased her.

‘Pretty much. I told Dad I don't need security, but he didn't listen. But I am glad it is you instead of some old grumpy guy or a bossy lady.’ 

Daniel bowed a little - gesturing he was at her service. 

‘Oh! But you might have to protect yourself from my friends. They too can get handsy when they see a hot guy.’ she added.

Daniel’s face flushed as he realized she just called him hot. He turned away, trying to hide his smile. When he looked back at her, she was smiling teasingly at him.  

‘So what are you studying?’ he said changing the subject.

‘Arts’  

‘That makes sense. I remember you were a really good artist. the sketches you used to make - they were really nice.’ 

‘If you liked those, you will love my new paintings. Want to see them?’  

‘Sure!’ he said jumping up on his feet.

She led him to a room down the hall. The room was devoid of any furniture except a table that had paint brushes and color spread across. Several easels were set around the room, each with a painting. 

’This is it, My creative den.’ she said arms wide, taking a slow swirl while stepping in the room. Daniel followed her, his jaw dropped at the sight in front of him.

‘You were right! these are amazing!’ Daniel moved around browsing the paintings on easels. There was one with a mother holding a child, one with a girl dancing, one with mountains of Valtoria.

‘Your paintings, they are so full of life! Just like you!’ Daniel said admiring a painting of two lovebirds on a branch.

‘Thanks.’ she said biting her lower lip. She was always conscious about sharing her paintings with the world. Only a few people had seen some of her paintings. Mainly just her family, a few close friends, and her professors. She didn't know why, but she always felt shy showing her paintings to anyone. Daniel was an exception though, she really wanted to impress him. 

Daniel walked around admiring each of her paintings. After going through all the paintings on the easels, he went to paintings stacked vertically on a side. One of the paintings caught his attention. He carefully pulled it out.

‘Is this...? Is this me?’ Daniel said looking at it.

Oops. I forgot that was here. Be cool. Be cool.

‘Yes.’ she stated.

‘Why I am not wearing a shirt?’ he raised an eyebrow, lips curling in a smirk.

Coz that’s how I remember you - she blushed.

‘It was for a college project. It was supposed to be like that. I couldn't find a model, so I painted you from a picture I had.’ she said plainly, trying to hide the redness of her cheeks.

‘It is amazing! May I have it?’ He looked at the painting he was holding in his hands. He could swear he was looking at his own reflection in a mirror. Just that he looked three years younger.

‘No!’ she said with a playful anger on her face. That one is only for me. ‘You may not.’

Daniel chuckled and kept the painting back. A smile that had vanished from his face was back. And it was not going away anytime soon.

---

Disclaimer: The characters belong to Pixelberry. I only own my Original Characters

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[notsodarkacademic]

2018 summer film & tv bops that i watched + my opinions

FILMS

to all the boys i’ve loved before (6/10): it was pretty cheesy and exactly what i expected to come out of a contemporary teen book adaptation. i liked the actors in it and the representation, but otherwise, it wasn’t that unique concept-wise. it felt like i was watching a movie i had already seen before or like i was watching an old wattpad story come to life. i hadn’t read the book beforehand so i went into it thinking that it’d focus more on lara jean’s letters being sent out and her own personal development rather than a fake relationship that turns into a real one. it was just overall a little too unrealistic and cheesy for my taste.

the big sick (9.5/10): hilarious and fresh. i actually laughed out loud during this movie. the relationship between kumail and emily is so cute and their families are even cuter. 

eighth grade (9.5/10): i LOVE bo burnham with a passion and his movie did not disappoint. it was realistic and brought me back to the weird and uncomfortable eighth grade feeling. i’m glad that kayla didn’t necessarily do anything monumental, but started to learn how to deal with her own issues.

baby driver (10/10): i’m kinda biased towards this movie bc i’m in love with ansel elgort AND lily james. setting my crushes on them aside, i loved this movie a lot. it was exciting and had just the right amount of everything. it’s in my top fave movies now so yah. go watch it bc it’s really good and lives up to the hype.

ex machina (8/10): tbh i don’t know what i was really supposed to learn from this movie, but i’m sure there was a lesson in there somewhere. beautiful to watch in my opinion.

emo the musical (7/10): i watched this movie bc i thought it’d be kinda cringey and funny, but it was surprisingly good for what i was expecting. it’s definitely a self-aware movie. definitely gave me some dear evan hansen and be more chill vibes even though they’re all very different. good movie for when you kinda just need to watch something while doing something else.

leave no trace (8/10): really cool story. i got annoyed with the daughter’s voice at first, but eventually just got use to it. i thought it’d focus more about them actually living in forest park, but the rest was interesting too. the ending was kinda weird and most of it felt weird tbh, but still a good movie.

anna karenina (7/10): first off, anna is kinda annoying and vronsky is literally way overrated. i liked the side story with kostya and kitty better. however, i thought the transitions and how to story was told was super intriguing and made watching anna turn into a mess a little more enjoyable. i do sympathize with anna for some parts of the movie, but ultimately, i think that she got the fate that she chose for herself. i did like the look into russian society and the role of women in the male-dominant world. overall, it was visually beautiful and had unique storytelling, but anna and vronsky’s love story wasn’t enough to make me root for them.

TV

anne with an e (8/10): started this thinking it’d be kinda boring because it’s just about farmy people back in the day, but damn.... farmy people got a lot going on. the stories are intriguing and most of the show is pretty wholesome and sweet. anne can be a little annoying, but what 13 year old isn’t? gilbert is my man and i love him. i also love cole a lot. all the characters are well-written and have their own nuances. this show also deals with big issues pretty well like racism, sexism (kinda), LGBTQ+ issues, and more! seriously 

series of unfortunate events (7/10): this show is obviously geared towards younger kids, but it wasn’t any less enjoyable because of it. the show is clever and has a unique charm to it. this show is pretty perfectly cast and has good comedic timing that isn’t kiddish. i especially enjoyed all the references to difference works of writing.

dear white people (10/10): this show is so so so good. idk even know why i love it so much, but the characters are all so amazing. i was really sad when i finished season 2 bc i binged it and didn’t have anything to watch anymore.

i am not a robot (8/10): skeptical about the concept of this show at first, but it turned out to be really cute and good. i also am a fan of chae soo bin (loved her in cheer up and strongest deliveryman). yoo seung ho was also cute in this show and i’m glad that being a rich person wasn’t his only defining character trait. all the side characters were phenomenal, even the ones that i got annoyed by sometimes. 

my only love song (k-drama) (6.5/10): if you haven’t noticed yet, i tend to watch things with my faves actors and actresses in them. i only watched this k-drama because gong seung yeon and lee jong hyun were in it. it was an ok drama. the story wasn’t the most interesting and it felt slow at times. the buildup to on dal and su jeong’s relationship was almost non-existent which was weird. i still liked it for the most part, but wish it were done better.

suits season 8 (usa) (8/10): i’ve been really enjoying this new season. tbh idk why everyone hates katherine heigl, but she’s doing pretty well in suits. i need harvey and donna to just get together already bc if they don’t, i will sue. i miss mike’s character and his relationship with harvey, but i also feel like his story’s ending on the show made sense. even though she’s a great actress, meghan markle’s character honestly was one of my least favorites so i didn’t really even feel like there was anything missing from the show when she left like i do with mike.

the package (k-drama) (8/10): super beautiful to watch since it’s set in france. the characters in the tour group ensemble are so interesting to watch. their stories each slowly unfold throughout the show. it was lighthearted and playful while also dealing with big life issues and it was all done so beautifully.

judge vs. judge (k-drama) (9/10): literally one of the best plots in a k-drama that i’ve seen so far. there’s always a twist every episode and the story is crafted so well. the romance in this drama is very subtle, but the plot is amazing. has a different feel than other k-dramas, probably because it doesn’t have a romance as the main plot point. seriously could not recommend this drama more, especially is you like crime dramas.

super tv season 2 (8/10): tbh i liked season one a tiny bit little more bc it focused on suju more rather than other groups trying to promote, but this season was good too. it was fun seeing suju interact with other groups. my fave episodes were the last two when they went on vacay with ryeowook.

ducktales (9/10): i like watching cartoons as a therapeutic type thing bc cartoons are less serious than live action things most of the time and they’re simpler than real life. ducktales has been a solid one for me lately. it’s a cute show with a good plot. there are definitely a bunch of filler episodes that have nothing to do with the big mystery, but those ones are still pretty fun to watch. if you feel like being nostalgic and just more like a kid, watch ducktales.

[twoheartedalien2-0]

Bringing Her Home

Here’s the first half of my fic giveaway to @queer-trans-amazon :D Some tooth rotting sweet fluff. 

Summary: When Emily returns home from a shift at the hospital to find Lena curled up on the couch, she and Amelie do their best to cheer her up. Pairing: Widowtracerily Rating: T/PG Warnings: Trans Female Character, Gender Dysphoria

Emily let out a relieved sigh as she stepped off the elevator and headed down the hallway to the apartment she shared with Lena and Amélie. It had been a long day at work and Emily was more than ready for a chance to just sit down. She tried to open the door, the key missing the lock several times before it finally slid into place.

Both Lena and Amélie were supposed to be home from Overwatch today after being away for over two weeks, and Emily couldn’t help but feel at ease knowing that. She made her way into the apartment, hanging up her bag and coat and removing her shoes before placing them on the rack by the door. Emily couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Lena’s shoes kicked off randomly in the doorway.

She crossed paths with Amélie in the kitchen first, finding her leaning against the bench with two cups of tea made. Amélie greeted her with a warm smile and pushed the second cup towards Emily before sipping her own.

“Long day at work, chérie?” Amélie asked, leaning in to kiss the top of Emily’s forehead.

“Something like that, yes. Started my shift at six this morning and it’s only,” Emily paused, checking the watch on her wrist, “Nine at night. Luckily I have tomorrow off.”

Emily took a sip of her tea and sighed happily, instantly starting to feel better. She rolled her shoulders to clear some of the tension in her muscles and leaned against the kitchen counter beside Amélie.

“How was the mission?” She asked, knowing Amélie couldn’t offer many details.

“Long. Boring. Hot.” Amélie drawled, finishing off her cup of tea and placing it on the countertop.

Emily couldn’t help but laugh, “I see.” She knew that Amélie hated any missions that took place in hot locations, doubly so if there were any sand involved.

Amélie leaned in and lowered her voice, “Lena has been curled up on the couch since we got home and will not say what is bothering her. She asked to be left alone so I decided you may know what to do.”

She nodded and peered around the doorway of the kitchen, getting a look at the bundled lump on the couch. Lena had wrapped herself up in what looked to be two blankets so that all Emily could see was her hair poking out from the top of it. Emily had only seen her like this a handful of times before.

“Don’t worry, sweet. Just follow my lead, yeah?” She asked, finishing her own cup of tea before heading into the living room.

Emily took a seat at the foot of the couch, saying nothing at first. After a few moments, Emily ran her hand up and down what she suspected was Lena’s calf, trying to comfort her without forcing her to talk just yet.

“Do you want to talk about it, pet?” Emily finally asked. Lena simply shook her head.

She stood back up and headed back to where Amélie was waiting in the kitchen. Emily had seen Lena like this before when dysphoria had gotten to her. Even if Lena didn’t wish to talk about it right now, Emily knew exactly what to do to cheer her up.

Emily pointed at Amélie before giving instructions, "Corner store. Buy biscuits, crisps, the little cheesy things she likes. Get some ginger beer, too. I'll make popcorn and order in a curry."

Amélie shifted from where she had been standing, ignoring the way that Emily rolled her eyes when she saw her grabbing her grappling hook. There was no point in arguing over how the corner store was only a two minute walk if she took the elevator.

Once Amélie had disappeared out the door, Emily pulled out her phone and called the curry place that was Lena’s favourite. She ordered food for herself and Amélie as well as ordering everything that Lena loved from their menu. Emily then found a packet of microwave popcorn from the back of the cupboard and popped it in.

She waited for the popcorn to finish cooking in the microwave before opening the bag and pouring it into a bowl. It had already advertised as extra salt and butter but she knew Lena better than that and added even more for her.

When she re-entered the living room, Lena was still wrapped up in her blankets, blankly staring at the news broadcasts playing on the holoscreen. Her attention was finally broken when Emily took the remote from the coffee table and switched what was playing, putting on Goldfinger instead.

Emily sat down at the foot of the couch and placed the bowl of popcorn on the coffee table within Lena’s sight. She knew it wouldn’t be long before she was enticed out of her tight blanket burrito. It only took a few minutes for Lena to shift so her head now rested in Emily’s lap and free her arms from the blankets to be able to grab handfuls of popcorn.

Amélie returned only minutes later, carrying a plastic bag from the corner store in one hand and a paper bag from the curry place in the other. She took her own place at the other end of the couch, placing the bags on the coffee table and lifting up Lena’s feet so they rested in her lap.

As soon as the smell of curry hit Lena’s nose, the blankets came flying off. She sat up and tore her way into the bag as if she hadn’t eaten in days and Emily couldn’t help but smile at the reaction. Lena sat on the floor, cross-legged in front of the table as she dug into her favourite meal. She even missed her mouth a few times as she watched the movie playing on the screen.

Emily reached out and ran her fingers through Lena’s messy hair, scratching lightly at her scalp and curling the thick strands of hair around her fingertips. Lena made pleased noises to let her know she was enjoying the contact.

Amélie leaned over to Emily and lowered her voice, “How did you know that would work?”

“Because Lena loves food and Pussy Galore. They always cheer her up.” Emily replied, relaxing into the couch.

She hadn’t gotten much chance to sit down during her shift at the hospital and since she got home, her own exhaustion had escaped her mind when she had seen Lena curled up on the couch like that. It didn’t take long for Lena to completely devour the curry and side dishes she’d ordered.

Lena climbed back up onto the bag with the bag of crisps, opening them and offering them to Amélie and Emily who each took a small handful before she began eating those too. A while into the film, Lena finally spoke up for the first time that evening.

“Y’know, Amé, we’re a lot like James Bond and Pussy Galore.” Lena said before shoving yet another handful of crisps into her mouth.

“How is that?” Amélie replied, eyes narrowing.

“Because I’m suave and handsome like James Bond, plus I’m one of the good guys and you used to be part of Talon like Pussy Galore is with Goldfinger and the Flying Circus. Plus she’s real gorgeous, just like you.” Lena said with a wink, clearing out one last handful of crisps from the bag.

“You are wrong, chérie. I am more like James Bond. You are too clumsy to be him.”

Lena pouted and grabbed the bowl of popcorn from the coffee table, tossing the empty bag of crisps aside. She sat up and began throwing pieces of popcorn so it would land in Amélie’s hair, earning her a scowl and a giggle from Emily. Amélie grabbed a handful of popcorn and dropped it down the back of Lena’s shirt in return.

Emily laughed and shifted out of the way, sitting on the arm of the couch when Lena struggled to try get the bits of popcorn out the back of her shirt. Once she picked them up, she tossed them right back at Amélie. She settled back down on the couch when Lena and Amélie had stopped their small popcorn fight and Emily smiled as Lena shifted to be sitting in her lap.

They made their way through watching Goldfinger, a movie that they had watched together more times than Emily could count and moved onto another favourite of Lena’s, Top Gun. They weren’t Emily’s personal favourites by any means, but it was hard resist when they lifted Lena’s mood so much.

Lena had buried her head underneath Emily’s chin, curling up in her lap comfortably as they watched the movie. They hadn’t watched Top Gun yet with Amélie around and it was clear to Emily that she wasn’t all that impressed by the film.

The room was silent other than the movie playing and the handfuls of popcorn that Lena was eating out of the bowl. It never ceased to amaze Emily how much food she could manage to eat in one sitting if given the chance. Lena had easily managed to eat enough food for three people that evening.

“I do not understand.” Amélie spoke up, chin resting in the palm of her hand as she watched the movie playing

“Don’t understand what, sweet?” Emily asked her, raising an eyebrow at her.

“They are obviously gay. Why is there a woman?”

“What? Maverick and Iceman?” Lena asked her with a grin.

“Oui.” Amélie’s brow was furrowed, genuinely confused about the film.

Emily couldn’t help but laugh, “It’s an old movie, pet. Perhaps if it were made today, they’d be together.”

Emily smiled and kissed the top of Lena’s head when she heard her quoting most of the dialogue under her breath, glad to know she was enjoying herself. She stretched out her arm, resting it along the back of the couch.

“Come here, Amé, sweet.” Emily beckoned with the curl of her fingers.

Amélie shifted along the couch so that Emily could wrap her arm around her shoulders and pull her in tight. She was far too tall to sit in her lap like Lena does but they made it work. Once they all had the chance to relax, it was clear that Amélie was enjoying the film more than she had been letting on but Emily chose to say nothing, carding her fingers through her hair instead.

When the credits started to roll, Lena spoke up, “Thanks for tonight, loves. Really made me feel better.”

“You ready to talk about it now?” Emily asked, leaning back into the couch cushions to get a look at Lena’s face.

“Nothing happened, really. Just had a bad day where everything felt wrong, y’know. Can’t really describe it.” Lena rubbed at her eyes, sniffing as she held back tears.

“It’s alright, sweet.” Emily ran her hand up and down Lena’s back, soothing her, while Amélie leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Lena’s forehead.

“I know. I just feel dumb even though I can’t control it.”

“It is never dumb, chérie.” Amélie reassured her, brushing her fringe out of her face.

Emily watched as Lena reached out, cupping Amélie’s face and pulling her in for a long, languid kiss. Amélie brought her hand up to run it along Lena’s side, slipping her tongue into her mouth and it brought a smile to Emily’s face, she was more than content to just watch the two of them for now.

Emily ran her fingers through Lena’s hair as they kissed, watching them closely. Eventually Lena pulled away, reaching up and grabbing Emily by the collar of her blouse to pull her in for a kiss too. Amélie ran her fingers up and down Lena’s thighs as she watched the two of them together. Lena tangled her hand in Emily’s hair, curling it around her finger tips and kissed her deeply before resting her head against her shoulder again.   

“Do you mind if we go to bed now?” Lena murmured, obviously exhausted from the mission her and Amélie had been away on. Emily couldn’t deny how tired she was too.

“Of course, sweet.” She replied, tapping her thigh.

Lena groaned as she realised that she would have to actually get up for them to be able to go to bed, “Amé, can you carry me?” She asked, reaching her arms out.

Amélie arched a brow and let out a sigh before giving in, slipping her hands under Lena’s thighs and picking her up from Emily’s lap. Lena gave Emily a grin as she wrapped her arms around Amélie’s neck and was walked into the bedroom. She followed after the two of them not long after, switching the holoscreen off on the way in and getting undressed and ready for bed.

Once they’d all gotten ready for bed, Lena slipped under the sheets first, curling up in the middle of the bed with Amélie and Emily on either side of her. They cuddled up beside her, wrapping their arms around her torso to make her feel comforted. Lena may have had a bad day, but Emily was just glad to have them both home.

[missmarnie-blog1]

MARNIE HUNT: A Family Portrait

top row (left to right): Harvey George Hunt, Marnie Daphne Hunt, Jessica Emily Edwards (née Tate) bottom row (left to right): James Richard Edwards, Penelope Grace Edwards, Devin Elizabeth Edwards

Harvey

Relation: Father (Close)

Age: 52

Occupation: Professor of Religious Iconology at Yale

FC: Simon Baker

Bio: TW: Death, Religion

Harvey Hunt spent most of his childhood in church. His grandfather was a preacher, his father played the organ and his mother sang in the choir. He attended Sunday school, he learnt scripture until he knew it like the back of his own hand, he would hum hymns around the house. Harvey was a good church boy until his grandfather was killed during a missionary trip in South America. He couldn’t understand how God could so mercilessly take him away, when he had been so faithful, when he had been serving him. The crisis of faith began and at seventeen he was left without the security of the one thing he had always been certain about. It wasn’t until his freshman year of college that he began to show an interest in God again, or more specifically an interest in religion. He tried to make sense of the importance that faith had held throughout history, throughout cultures, and while he could never quite bring himself to believe so fully again he did find it fascinating. He switched majors to History with Religious Studies and somewhat unknowingly set the course for the rest of his life.

In the Summer before he started his PhD he met Jessica Tate, funny and lively - everything that he wasn’t. It was love at first sight, for Harvey at least, and he spent the warm months following every adventure her heart took her on. When Marnie was born almost a year later, he decided that parenthood would be the best adventure yet.

Being left with a five year old was hard, losing the love of his life was hard, but when Harvey looked at his little girl and saw her devouring books or rescuing a stray kitten, he couldn’t bring himself to ever forget meeting Jessica. She gave him Marnie and so he has always preached that it’s much better to have loved and lost than never loved at all. He worries about his daughter, that by tethering herself to her soulmate she may end up without that same love in her life.

Jessica

Relation: Mother (Not Close)

Age: 50

Occupation: Event Planner

FC: Ellen Pompeo

Bio:

When Jessica was born her mother had hoped that she would be sugar and spice and all things nice, after four sons all her parents wanted was a calm little angle. They didn’t get one. Instead she followed her older brothers everywhere; she played baseball, she sneaked out to parties, she crashed her father’s car. Anybody could see she was a wild child, always seeking adventure and not wanting to be tied down. So when that little feather darkened and fully developed on her back, when the dreams started so vividly that they couldn’t be ignored, she ran as fast as she could and didn’t stop until she was forced to.

That force came in the form of Harvey Hunt, mild mannered and a total gentleman who walked into her section at the diner and stuttered his way through an introduction. He blushed and she smiled and before she knew it he was her nice big adventure. She had three months left of her six month lease, she wanted to spend them lost in a Summer fling. Unfortunately her own reckless nature meant that this was no fling at all, by September she was picking out names with him and trying not to panic over the little life inside of her.

And she didn’t. When Marnie was born, Jessica wondered how she had ever been worried about this, about the love and warmth that filled heart from the moment she held her daughter. It worked for years, in fact she had almost forgotten about her mark when she literally banged into James Edwards at the local grocery store. And then she felt it, how Harvery had described meeting his best friend, that instant connection that just means you know. Her heart broke, of course it did, when she left Marnie behind, but she wasn’t sure she’d ever recover if she lost her chance with James.

James

Relation: Step-Father (Not Close)

Age: 56

Occupation: Lawyer (Senior Partner)

FC: Gary Oldman

Bio:

The Edwards were not a happy family. They were rich, they were powerful, but they were not happy. James would have liked to say that it was because his parents weren’t soulmates, they were just no people who had say the practical side to marrying each other, but he knew that really some people are just born to be miserable. And so he was determined not to be. He went out of his way to find sources of happiness however small they might be. He partied hard, he jumped out of planes and climbed Kilimanjaro. He wanted that rush of adrenaline and satisfaction, but even he could see that it was all just distraction.

He wanted to meet her. His ultimate source of happiness. The One. His soulmate. He wasn’t sure how he would meet her, but he was sure that it wouldn’t be as unspectacular as going to fetch his ailing aunt some groceries while he was in town visiting. It definitely wasn’t with a pre-schooler by her side. He was sure that it had to be some kind of mistake, that this seemingly happy woman had to have just been a pretty face that made his heart flutter in ways it hadn’t before, but he just couldn’t stay away. He hated how dirty their secret meetings felt, but the more time he spent with Jessica the more he knew that she was who he had been waiting on.

The worst part of finding her, the only part that made his gut retch was how badly it effected Marnie. He wanted to know the girl, his wife loved her so much how could he not too, but she had very little interest and he couldn’t find it within himself to blame her. The one time they attempted to take her overnight she had screamed and cried for her father, her real father, until he had come to get her and after that James learnt to keep his distance during the short time he spent with his step-daughter.

Penelope

Relation: Half-Sister (Not Close)

Age: 19

Occupation: Freshman at NYU (Major: Media Studies)/Part-time Waitress

FC: Stefanie Scott

Bio:

For as long as Penelope can remember there always seemed to be something missing from her family. The lived in a nice house, in the hustle and bustle of San Francisco but on a nice street with other kids her age. Her parents were soulmates, just like almost everybody else’s parents, and she had been a big sister for almost as long as she could remember. So for all intents and purposes they were perfectly average, and yet there was always something that she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

The answer came when she was six and her first grade teacher asked her to do her family tree. She had thought it was easy. She knew her family after all. There was only her mommy and daddy and her little sister. It was only when her mother put down a photo of Marnie, their friend that they went and visited a few times a year, that she understood what was so off. Marnie wasn’t a friend, she was her sister - her older sister - and at first she was confused about how that could be. Her mother and father were soulmates, how could she have a child with somebody else.

As Penelope grew so did her understanding of the situation and with that came disgust. She couldn’t look at her mother without remembering that she had just abandoned her first child, she struggled to understand how her father could justify the hurt he had caused a family. The magic of soulmates was gone, she couldn’t see the beauty when she knew that it had the potential to hurt. Suddenly she felt guilty for all that she had, so totally unaware that Marnie wasn’t miserable without their mother. In hopes to make amends with her sister, as though she could somehow make up for the destruction her parents’ relationship had caused, she moved to New York and almost immediately made the trip down to Kingston. Imagine her surprise when her sister turned down her apology and politely told her never to call in unannounced again, after she’d finished off the plate of cookies herself. Every so often Marnie will get a call from her, but she never answers and Penelope is so unsure as to why.

Devin

Relation: Half-Sister (Not Close)

Age: 16

Occupation: Freshman in High School

FC: Sabrina Carpenter

Bio:

Devin wasn’t like her sister, she wants for nothing. She wakes up everyday with the sun ready to kiss her skin, her hair tied up in a ponytail for cheer practice and most recently her new car keys jingling in her hand. Even as a child she would almost dance around Connecticut during their visits, while Penelope looked to the ground and muttered about how wrong it felt. She takes nothing too seriously and lives entirely in the moment, perhaps a little too much like her mother for her own good.

She doesn’t care if her parents are in love or if they are soulmates, she doesn’t care for who had to be hurt or torn apart for her existence and she certainly doesn’t think much about meeting her own soulmate one day. While some girls in her class count down the days until their dreams will start or others proclaim that the whole thing is a placebo effect created by the markings, Devin dreams of seeing the world and plans out the journeys she will take some day.

It may seem cruel to some, but she hardly spares a thought for her half-sister. While Penelope has grown so close to her, or more accurately the idea of her, Devin barely thinks of Marnie as a sister. It’s been years since the two have seen each other, the most contact being the gift vouchers her older sister sends on her birthdays or at Christmas, and that’s just the way she likes it. Devin’s life is good just how it is, she doesn’t see a need for anything to change.

[mrswalkers-blog]

A Golden Cage

Chapter 7 - Leaving the Nest

Book: The Royal Romance (AU)

This is the story of Emily, daughter of Drake and Riley. She is conflicted between her old friend Daniel and the crown Prince James, son of Liam and Olivia

Summary:  Emily prepares for the social season. And soon its time for her to leave for the Palace. Drake and Riley get emotional as their daughter steps out of their home to find her own journey. Jackson tries to remember when the things between him and Emily got worse. Emily reaches the Palace and meets the other suitors. Will she be able to compete with them?

Warnings: PG.

This series will be NSFW. It will have mentions of sexual abuse and violence. I will tag the chapters accordingly.

A/N: The story is building up. Thanks to all those reading this. I promise you better is yet to come.

Word Count:  2000+

Previous Chapters Link to previous chapters can be found in the master list on my blog page.

Emily rubbed her eyes as she heard a knock on her door.

‘What time is it?’ she fumbled for her phone. It was 7 AM. 

‘Who is it?’ she shouted at the door without leaving her bed.

'It is Samantha my lady.’ a soft voice came from the other side of the door.

‘Samantha Who?’ she grunted and pushed herself from the bed. She dragged herself to the door and opened it with half closed eyes.

‘Good Morning my lady’, a lady in her late twenties was standing in front of her.’I am here for your training.’

‘Are you serious? It is still midnight!’ Emily complained.

‘My lady it is morning. And we have little time. I suggest you get ready as fast as you can. I am waiting for you in the dining room for your first lesson. Kindly be there in 15 minutes.’ her voice was soft but stern.

‘Alright,’ Emily said closing the door and going to the bathroom.

She got ready as fast as she could and ran down to the dining table. Many different breakfast plates were set around the table. Emily sat down at one of the settings.

‘Lets start with what you know, Lady Emily.’ 

Emily lifted the fork and knife and started digging in the meat. 

‘Emily, my lady, with grace!’ Samantha adjusted the knife and fork. 

‘Do not take more than three bites at a time’

‘This is going to be a long day!’ Emily hated every bit of it but obeyed Samantha’s every instruction.

Next two weeks all of Emily’s time was spent with Samantha. She learned and re-learned - how to dress, how to hold a purse, how to walk, how to sit, what to say, what not to say, how to waltz.

It was not that Emily was completely unaware of the Royal Etiquette. She had spent her entire life watching her mother behave in a certain way when with nobles. But she was always laid back at home or even in her office with her staff. She changed completely when in public. But that was the side Emily saw rarely. And to know the etiquette and to live it was a completely different thing.  

From the jeans and tops to dresses, from flats and sneakers to high heels, from paint-stained hands to perfectly manicured hands, from outspoken Emily to speaking softly in measured words Emily -  Emily realized she was completely changed in just two weeks. In just two weeks she was ready for the Social Season. To win James heart and to get Court’s approval. The only thing left now was to pack the bags. 

---

Soon it was the day for Emily to leave Valtoria. All packed and ready to leave, Emily checked her luggage one more time before leaving her room. When she walked down the hall she saw her mother and father in an embrace.

'Mummy! Daddy!' she exclaimed. Hearing her voice, Drake pulled out of the hug. Emily noticed her mothers tears before she hurriedly wiped them.

'Seriously Mom!' she said surprised and ran to her mom to give her a hug. 

'I am going to miss you.' Riley said wrapping her in a motherly hug.

'Mom! I am only going away for a few weeks!' she whispered in Riley's ears. 'It's just that I realized you are a grown woman now. No longer my little girl.' she said cupping her face in her hands, gently kissing her forehead.

'Dad! Tell Mom to relax.' she turned to her father, but fell short when she realized his eyes were moist too.

'Oh, you think your dad is cool because he is not crying?' Riley smiled, 'He hasn't slept all night. He spent the entire night looking through your baby pictures.' She let out a small chuckle.

'Dad! Mom is right. You are a total marshmallow.' she chuckled and gave him a hug.

'Be careful ok? The people there aren't always how they seem.' Drake wrapped his arms tight around his daughter.

'I will keep in mind.' Emily said pulling away from her father.

‘Hey, kiddo!’ Emily turned hearing her brother calling her.

‘Jack’ she said in a plain voice, showing no enthusiasm to see him.

Jack realized she was still angry with him about what he had said about James.

‘I just wanted to say Best of Luck’ he said standing awkwardly.

‘Thanks’ Riley said walking past him, not giving him any more of her attention. She went and instructed Daniel to get her luggage in the car. Riley and Drake went with her to bid her goodbye, while Jack went inside.

---

Jackson went in the parlor. He sat down on the couch and pulled out his phone. He found an old video and started playing it.

Jack was 7 years old and Emily was only 4. They were in their basketball court with their parents. Their dad had installed a special small hoop for them. That day Emily too wanted to play. She had tried five-six times to drop the ball in the hoop without any success. She was too small to reach the loop. With each try, she was getting frustrated. Jack and his parents were cheering her on. But she burst into tears after the sixth attempt. Jack couldn't bear to see his little sister crying. Before his mom or dad could react, he ran to her and gave her a warm hug. In a soft voice, he said, ‘Don’t cry! Don’t cry! I have got you.’ he handed her the ball and carefully lifted her up from behind. He raised her enough so that she could drop the ball in the basket. As soon as Emily made the basket, a wide smile appeared on her tear stained face. Jack carefully dropped her back on her feet and she started bouncing with joy clapping her hands on her little victory. 

‘That was a beautiful moment.’  Jack turned hearing her mothers voice. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

‘I wonder what happened. Why she started hating me so much?’ 

‘I don't think she hates you. This is just sibling rivalry.’

‘But she doesn’t talk to me or listen to me anymore. And I don't understand why.’

‘Jack. Even we are not sure why this happened. One thing we know she was our overprotected little baby. And the next thing we noticed she was obsessively competitive with you. I noticed how she wanted to do exactly what you do and wanted to do better than you. even if she didn't even like it. She just wanted to prove herself better.’

‘But she is better than me in so many things - she is an amazing artist. She makes friends easily. And people trust her, completely. I have seen that.’

Emily’s lips curled up a little,’ Yes. But she doesn't notice that. Even when I tried to make her feel proud of all her qualities. She even refuses to hold an exhibition of her paintings.’   

‘Mom. You think sending her to Social Season was a good idea? ’Jack asked her the question that was bothering him from so many days.

‘Well, I think she is old enough to make her own decisions. We cannot treat her like a kid. She needs to make her own decisions and live with the consequences. We are here to provide her with love and support. And let her find her way.’

Jack nodded in agreement, although he could not shake off a sinking feeling in his stomach that something was not right. That something bad was going to happen.

---

At the Royal Palace, Emily entered the room assigned to her and her face cringed taking in the traditional decor of the room. The paintings of almost nude people on walls and ceiling, the color of carpet and upholstery like that in the 1920s, wooden furniture decorated with exquisite carvings and gold foils.

She flopped down on her bed,’ at least the mattress is of this century.’ Daniel chuckled at her comment shaking his head, ‘Get used to it. You might soon be living here.’

‘If I live here, I will redecorate the entire palace.’ she pushed herself off of the bed and walked around the room. 

‘Well, you do that. Meanwhile, you can see this schedule of the Social Season. So you know what to look forward to.’ Daniel handed her a folder with timetables and pages of instructions. Emily took it with a raised eyebrow.

‘Samantha asked me to hand it over to you.’ he said raising his hands in defense.

‘Sure!’ she said throwing the folder on the bed.

‘Ok. I will be ready to escort you to Mascarade Ball tonight. Call me if you need me before that.’ Daniel said taking leave from her.

---

In the evening Emily got ready in a red dress so tight she could barely move. She sighed as she slipped in her high heels. Now she was more comfortable walking in them. But they were not comfortable like her sneakers or flats. She opened the door to find Daniel waiting for her. She was so conscious about her dress and heels that she failed to notice Daniel’s eyes going wide on seeing her.

‘I am going to ban the heels if I become a Queen.’ she complained to him.

‘You forgot your mask!’ Daniel said coming back to his senses,’ let me get it for you’. He went into the room to get the mask she left at the dressing table. He handed her the red and black mask and escorted her to the ball.

---

‘Lady Emily Walker’  heralds announced her name as she made the entrance to the ball. 

‘I should stand with the other guards. I will see you at the end of the ball.’ Daniel told her. ‘No, please stay. I will get bored to death here.’ Emily grabbed him by his arm.

Daniel softly moved her hand away,’ You should mingle with the other suitors or the people of court.’

Emily made a puppy face pleading for him to stay. But Daniel shook his head and mouthed ‘Go’

She looked around to see some ladies talking in a group dressed in beautiful dresses. Clearly, they were James suitors. She took a deep breath and walked towards them. 

‘Emily, come join us.’ one of the ladies pulled off her mask and greeted her.

She realized she knew her, she was Monica - sponsored by Beaumont House. She had seen her at Beaumont Parties.

‘We were just introducing ourselves to each other. ‘ Monica said introducing her to the other ladies. The other ladies pulled their masks off.

‘This is Sophie. She is the daughter of Duchess Madeleine of Karlington.’ she nodded to a fair lady about twenty years old. Even if she hadn't mentioned that she was the daughter of Madeleine, Emily could have guessed as she had a striking resemblance to her mother - Golden hair, green eyes, even her nose - exactly the same.

‘Hi’, she greeted her politely, but Sophie just nodded in return.

‘This is Megan Garcia. She is from France Royal family.’ she nodded to a beautiful lady in black. Megan smiled and greeted Emily, ‘You look lovely in that dress.’ 

‘Thank you.’ Emily smiled back,’ Your dress is beautiful. It really suits you.’ She said to Megan. She was by Emily’s opinion, the most beautiful of the ladies standing there. 

‘And this is Katie. She is from Portavira.’ she nodded to a lady wearing a blue dress. Emily spent most of the evening talking to the ladies while her eyes searched for her Prince.

She was here, but where was he? Will she be able to win him? or one of these ladies will win the Prince's heart?   

—

Disclaimer: The characters belong to Pixelberry. I only own my Original Characters

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