#like i’ve never not once despite everything heard seb

[killa-trav]

listen ferrari failed seb but the love seb will always have for ferrari is stronger than anything

[yeehawbvby]

Falling Away With You | Ch. 30

Sebastian x F!Reader and M. Rasmodius x F!Reader

Rating: Mature/Explicit

Chapter Summary: What you feared would be, comes to fruition

Author’s Note: I’d love to hear your thoughts on plot twist #2 (Although, I guess it’s more so confirmed here than it is revealed. The last chapter probably did that ^^” My request for input still stands though)

I hope you enjoy this one, take care x

Table of Contents + Work Summary

Check it out on ao3!

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“Merrrp.”

I groan. Feeling something fluffy tickle my nose, I crinkle it and reach to the source.

Opening my groggy eyes, I’m met by Cannoli sniffing around in front of my face. I stretch my arms up a bit, then snuggle the cat close to me, closing my eyes again as he situates himself as my little spoon.

A few heartbeats go by before my eyes snap back open.

This isn’t my bed.

This is Magnus’ bed.

This isn’t my bed and Cannoli is in it with me.

Why would Magnus have grabbed Cannoli and brought him here… unless he heard everything I was thinking—

Oh fuck.

With Cannoli still in my arms, I sit up, situating him onto my lap. We both do a quick scan around the room. We’re alone. My phone is next to me, and the little window behind me is dark. It’s been fairly dim all day, with this strangely timed autumn storm going on, but it’s dark now. Must be nighttime.

I do a double take at the nightstand when I notice more than just the purple lamp on it. The dim light source is now accompanied by a small piece of paper and a glass of water. I shimmy over to reach them — this bed is so big oh my lord — and pick up the water, taking a sip while I grab the note too. 

In Magnus’ typically neat cursive and black ink, it reads:

“Good morning(?), (y/n).

I’ve gone to the basement to work. I apologize for not waking you, but I did not want to disturb your slumber. You seemed in dire need of it.

You’ve likely figured out by now, as your little friend is somewhere in my quarters with you, that I heard some of your anxious thoughts this afternoon. As I’ve said in the past; sometimes they’re too loud for me not to hear. I truly do my best to refrain from psychic intrusion, alas… shit happens, as you might say. :) I hope I did not overstep by retrieving him for you.” 

I hate how, despite the dread brewing in me, my lips curl up softly.

“I couldn’t keep this information to myself in good conscience, given the contents of your mind, and assumed the best way to make it up to you — for now, at least — would be to abide by your earlier wants. I only pray he doesn’t excrete in any way during his visit…”

I look at the gray feline in my lap, and he looks up at me. 

He meows.

…Can’t promise anything. Sorry, wiz.

“Whenever you’re ready, feel free to either come see me or head home. I could teleport you to your farm as well, if that would be more apt. If you choose to stay, we need not discuss anything you don’t want to. 

Please take all the time you need up there. Your comfort is my greatest desire at the moment.”

My tummy does a flip at Magnus’ concern. 

Almost immediately after, I feel sick.

He didn’t deny any of my worries. I wonder if I was right, if we are soulmates, but he just didn’t want to tell me because of how I reacted to the information. Can’t exactly blame the dude for that. Could never imagine how it feels to be alive for centuries, searching for “the one,” and finding her only once – possibly twice, now – in all that time, just for neither instance to work out. 

At least… not yet? I don’t know what to do with this info.

Polyamory seemed to be at least somewhat on the table for Seb, and the more I think about what’s going on – about Magnus himself – I kinda feel warmer to it. But, having the spirits fucking around with it will put a huge wrench in things, if I had to guess. 

Likewise, I love Seb with all my heart. I don’t want to or have intentions to leave him, at least in the near future. 

But if I’m falling this hard, this fast, for someone who the universe is maybe quite literally shoving me to, I don’t know how much of a choice I’ll have in the matter… Especially given what Magnus said, about the spirits trying harder each time and with growing proximity. 

At this point, keeping things totally platonic only seems less doable.

…Which means my only options would be to completely avoid Magnus until further notice, which I don’t want to do, or possibly leave Seb, which I also don’t want to do, obviously. Neither option is fair for anyone involved, either. 

I keep having to remind myself that I don’t even fucking know if this Big Theory of mine is true or not… not like doing that eases my anxiety about it at all.

Without noticing, I’d started crying all over Cannoli; he’s rubbing his little head on my sweater, trying to get the tears off his fur. I lay down again, pulling him close to my belly. Then I pick up my phone. The only notification is for some texts from Seb:

Sebastian > i drank water with my coffee and got food from Gus

Sebastian > praise me 

Through sniffles, I laugh out loud at his blunt message and reply:

< LETS FUCKING GOOOO YOU DID SO GOOD BABY

< sorry i didn’t see this sooner

< rough day

Almost immediately, Seb answers back.

Sebastian > you alright?

< no lol

< pls don’t worry about it though. I promise i’ll fill you in some other time

Sebastian > already worried, but i gotcha 

Sebastian > got some more work to do, but call me if you need anything 🖤

< thank u, will do 🖤

I feel like a wretched beast right now. A creature who doesn’t deserve any of the love or care I’m receiving from anyone. I’m caught in the middle of a weird situation and I don’t like it.

After drinking some more water, I creep across the hallway to borrow Magnus’ bathroom. Similarly to my own, his doesn’t really match the rest of the house. There are hints at his aesthetic — such as a small hanging plant in the shower — but nothing major. 

Tiles resembling those that are in the displayed grimoire room make up the floor, while similarly crystalline white tiles line the walls. His crinkled, half-opened shower curtain appears to be a plain sky blue. The bath mat is white and seems to be very soft from the looks of it.

If I had to guess based on its color and shape, the bar of soap that sits on Magnus’ porcelain sink is homemade. I pick it up to take a curious sniff. Very citrusy and a tad earthy... For some reason I thought Magnus would be more into floral scents, but this makes more sense, given how he himself tends to smell.

Now that I’m done investigating, I splash some cold water on my face. Wanna get the puffiness from sleep and crying outta my eyes, and hopefully rid myself of this groggy post-nap breath while I’m at it. I peek at my disheveled appearance in the mirror before me. My mascara is looking real crunchy... It’s waterproof, but it isn’t immune to being rubbed around a bunch, that’s for sure.

Cannoli joins me while I’m trying to at least fix my hair a little bit and begins peeing in the bathtub. Great. At least I can easily wash that away.

“If you shit here, I’ll be so upset with you,” I grumble. 

Cannoli meows at me as he continues his piss, staring me in the eyes the entire time.

After he hops out, I quickly spray down the afflicted area with the shower head and pick the cat up. Hugging him close and peppering the space between his ears with kisses, I bravely make my way downstairs. 

I wanna get the little guy home before he causes any more trouble, so I’ve decided to take up Magnus’ offer to teleport me. Dunno if I trust Cannoli to stay in my arms the whole way on foot. Assuming the wizard teleported to my house and back to grab the cat, I hope the lil’ guy can handle more arcane travel.

I tread quietly down to the basement, not wanting to interrupt any important spells or whatever. Ignoring the fact that he might have already sensed that I’m awake, maybe even heard me spiraling some more from down here. If that didn’t give me away, a hearty meow from Cannoli just as I enter the doorframe to the basement sure does.

“Shut up, oh my god,” I whisper to the little man.

When I look up, Magnus is at the far end of the hallway. There’s a book open in his hand, but he’s looking at me, shock clear on his face before he beams one of his award-winning grins. 

I wonder if he was expecting me to just leave without a word… I feel my shoulders drop at the thought, but I mentally shake it from my head.

When I get closer, I offer a weak smile, and an even weaker “Hey.” Magnus parrots me. I furrow my brows. “Sounds weird hearing you say ‘Hey,’ instead of ‘Hello,’ or ‘Greetings, weak mortal,’ or something.”

He chuckles, closing his book and returning it to the shelf. “In what situation have I said the latter in your presence?”

“Never,” I shrug, “But you probably think it a lot.”

“Ah, yes. How could I have forgotten how lowly I think your people are?” Magnus glares down at me with a cheeky smugness, arms crossed and everything… Makes me feel funny.

I look at the cat in my arms with tingly pink cheeks and hold him closer to my face. When he looks back, I start mumbling, “You heard the mean man, right Cannoli?” 

My fuzzy court witness. 

From my lowered head, and while Cannoli chirps in response, I playfully glare up at the wizard. Earns me more of a giggle than his usual proper laughs.

“He understands what you say, you know.”

Scratching beneath Cannoli’s chin and bringing my head upright again, I tilt it in confusion. “What?”

“That potion – the one you had, er… an adverse reaction to – may have granted you the ability to communicate with other beings, to an extent.”

“No fucking way.” I look at the cat. “Meow twice if you understand me.” Cannoli meows once. I stare (e/c) daggers at The Liar again. “You scoundrel.”

“‘Scoundrel?’ You’re beginning to sound like me.”

Repositioning the cat in my arms a bit, I lean on the bookshelf next to me. “Yeah, don’t get used to it,” I roll my eyes through a grin.

A short silence passes before either of us speak up. We both try to in unison. “Sorry,” we, again, say simultaneously. 

“You go ahead,” Magnus mutters softly. 

“Um… I was hoping you could maybe teleport Cannoli and I home?” Noticing periwinkle-colored worry in the wizard’s eyes, I continue. “I do want to talk about… y’know.” I sigh deeply. “Get another existential conversation out of the way.” I lower my gaze to the cat. “He’s getting antsy, though. Peed in your bathtub.” 

Magnus looks relieved by my answer, but then realization sets in. “Shit.”

I briefly take note of how, in the short few weeks I’ve known him, Magnus went from hardly cursing around me at all to saying a swear at least once a day (around me, at least). I wonder if I did that to him.

“I washed it away, and I don’t think he did it anywhere else,” I reassure him. “I just don’t want him to do any more than that.” I wince this time.

With a soft smile at the creature in my arms, Magnus nods. “Fair enough. Come on,” he invites me, holding out his palm. 

Before taking it, I reposition Cannoli so he’s safely cradled in one arm. Magnus places a gentle hand on the cat’s head. Once we’re situated, the elemental offers me a quiet “Ready?” 

I nod, look down, and clench my eyes shut while he brings us to my house. I know I don’t need to shut them every time, but I feel like I’d be too freaked by whatever teleporting looks like. 

Magnus gives my hand a squeeze to indicate that we’ve arrived, and I shoot him a thankful smile. When Cannoli decides not to scurry away, I keep him held close to me for comfort.

“Um…” I look around, feeling sheepish about how shabby and vaguely mismatched my home is. “We could stay here, if you want. I know my house kinda blows, but, uh…” I trail off.

Shaking his head, Magnus comforts me with a laugh. “Your home is lovely, (y/n).” He looks around a little and adds, “In fact, I quite like what you’ve done with it.”

What? I haven’t changed anything about it in the past, like, two days since he was last here.

“What do you mean?” 

“Ah, that has yet to come up, I suppose,” he murmurs more to himself than to me. “Your grandfather was a dear friend of mine. I had spent plenty of time on this farm over the span of his late life.”

My brows raise and eyes widen. “Whoa, seriously?” 

“Indeed,” he nods. He looks proud of himself. “He had a great connection to the valley and the arcane, just as you do.”

That’s so cool to think about. Just Grandpa and Magnus shootin’ the shit at that rickety little table in the corner. Maybe discussing magic and farming and junimos and whatever. After a sec, though, a creepy thought invades me.

“Wait. We didn’t, like, meet when I was a kid, did we?” 

“No,” Magnus’ eyes widen before his cheeks and eyes flush. “No,” he shakes his head, repeating himself. “He was very secretive of our friendship, just as I’d requested. I barely knew a soul in town then, aside from himself, Marlon and Linus.”

“Thank god,” I mumble under my breath, looking down at Cannoli. 

My feelings would have been made a lot more complicated if I’d been pining for somebody who knew me when I was that young. Super gross.

Realizing we’re still just standing in the middle of the room, I ask Magnus if he wants anything to drink, or whatever. “I’ve got tea, coffee, water,” I think about the fact that there are some taller cabinets here I’ve never opened, even while climbing, because… short. “Um, I’ve probably got some old wine or something hidden in there somewhere,” I add, nodding towards the kitchen.

“I’m alright, but I appreciate the offer.” 

“Sick, no problem.” I feel sooo fuckin’ awkward. “Uh, we can sit at the table, or my bed, or, like, outside…? Wait, no. Not there.” It’s raining you dumbass, I think to myself. I add on in a whisper, “I’m not sure why this feels so formal but I don’t know what to do and I am so sorry.”

Laughing, Magnus puts a hand on my head. I look down at Cannoli, feeling my face turn crimson. “Relax, my dear,” he whispers. 

His voice was low, and there was something silky about the way he spoke. And, like… suddenly, I am relaxed. 

He just soothed my nerves with a head pat and three dumb words. 

“The fuck did you just do?” I prod, assuming he casted a spell on me or some shit.

Genuinely confused, the tall man tilts his head. “What do you mean?” 

“I…” I scan his face for a second.

Oh. 

He’s serious.

So he actually just has that effect on me, I guess. 

Cool. Great. 

COOL. 

“Nevermind,” I mumble, shaking my head. Using Cannoli as a stim, I play with the fur behind his ears. 

Taking initiative, since I fuckin’ can’t apparently, Magnus moves to sit at the table. I follow suit, and somehow Cannoli is still content in my hug. He must sense how much I need him. 

I pull my chair over a bit so it’s closer to my guest’s before popping a squat. Neither of us say anything for a moment. I purse my lips, avoiding Magnus’ eyes. Fuck. I’m nervous again. 

“I… I believe you may have been correct. Let’s start there.”

Magnus doesn’t say what I might’ve been right about, but I know exactly what he means as my heart drops to my stomach. 

“There’s no way of knowing for certain, but just as I was nearly positive about my bind with Marie…” I’m assuming that’s the last soulma— a previous version of me that he met, oh my god??? “...I’m even more so sure that I’ve the same connection with you.” 

I nod, slow. Exhaling, also slow. My head is spinning and my heart is racing and thoughts of both Magnus and Seb are flooding my head and I don’t like this. I thought I just had a stupid schoolgirl-ass crush on this guy, and it turns out we’re legitimately made for each other?

“I’m so, so sorry, (y/n). I’m aware that isn’t what you wanted to hear.”

Something in my heart breaks hearing the earnesty in Magnus’ whispers. My head snaps towards him, my brows upturned. He’s not looking at me, but his irises are a deep blue. 

“Magnus,” I sigh, and take a second to gather my thoughts. “You don’t need to be sorry for anything. I can’t imagine this being any less hard or strange for you than it is for me.” My eyes zigzag his face before I continue. “S’probably worse for you actually, considering how long you’ve been looking for… uh…” I swallow harshly. “For me...” The last two words come out as a meek whisper.

Magnus sighs, meeting my eyes. As he begins explaining more, he sounds solemn. 

“I had always been rather adverse to romance. For a long, long time, I’ve found it difficult to commune with potential partners in that way. Many had become disinterested once they learned of my dedication to my work, while others simply used me for petty means,” he says matter-of-factly. “My services, such as potions and teleportation. Protection from other elemental beings. Sex.” 

I blush at the last part. I wonder how many partners he’s had, aside from his ex-wife and Caroline. Dude’s probably a pro by now…

“What I am trying to tell you is that I’m more than familiar with solitude. By no means do I want to put pressure on you to have any association with me, if that isn’t what you desire, (y/n).” His eyes shift to their natural, red wine-esque color, as he becomes more determined to say what he needs to. “But… even then, I cannot help but feel hopeful.”

At a loss for words, I bring my feet onto the chair below me and tuck my knees to myself, strategically avoiding squishing Cannoli. Trying to find solace via curling into a ball where I sit.

“Oh! Um.” Magnus clears his throat. “Y-your skirt, my dear…”

…Juuust perfect.

After my brain buffers for a solid few seconds, I put my legs back down at the speed of fucking light. My eyes are bulging as I stare blankly ahead. Cannoli, annoyed with the frequently  changing terrain, ditches me, so I move on to fiddle with the hem of my skirt in place of his fur.

“Magnus I am so sorry.”

He exhales a breathy laugh. “It’s… y-you’re fine.” Then, his chuckles turn heartier. 

It’s contagious. I’m still terrified of the situation at hand, and mortified that I just flashed him by accident after he essentially confessed that he’s falling for me in the same weird and almost nonconsensual way I am for him. But the timing of that could not have been any worse and it’s somehow hilarious. 

I bury my face in my hands and lean my elbows to my knees, muffling the sounds escaping me.

“God fucking damnit,” I whine through my fingers.

My face is just as red as the wizard’s, and we’re both in a fit of giggles now. The fact that we’re laughing so hard over something so fucking stupid, during such a genuinely serious and life-changing discussion, is at least pretty comforting in its own way.

Cheeks and abs on fire, I stand up and walk to the dresser. “I’m, uh, I’m gonna change,” I announce to him through near-tears. 

“Right there?” he teases.

I lean my head on the wardrobe for support as my chest shakes from flustered laughter. “No yeah, totally!” I sarcastically proclaim, “After nearly dying on the spot because I bared my whole ass to you, I’m gonna strip too. No better timing!” 

After I grab the first pair of pants I see — my gray sweats are the lucky winner — I scurry off to the bathroom and quickly swap out my bottoms.

Before I come back, I grab some water for us both. I know Magnus said he didn’t want anything, but like, just in case he changes his mind he’ll have the option now. When I enter the main room again, Magnus is leaning on the table, his forehead in his hands. 

As I sit down, I less promiscuously hug my knees to myself. I slide Magnus’ emergency-water near him while sipping from mine. When he lifts his vision to look at the cup, and then at me, I choke on my drink, cutting off his ‘thank you.’

Why are his eyes the horny red again?!

“Are you alright?” he asks tentatively, his irises fading back to normal.

“Y-your eyes,” I stop to clear my throat, but don’t bother continuing. He probably knows what I’m talking about.

Taking a minute to answer, Magnus sighs, and finally, carefully defends himself. “Please forgive me.” His eyes flutter shut. “I am very tired, and today has been a fucking whirlwind of emotions.” If he weren’t smiling and blushing a bit, it would sound like he’s mad at me for all this.

“Gotcha,” I grin. A little proud that I’ve accidentally made him all red-eyed again. Soon after, my mood dampens. “Sorry.”

“For what? Need I remind you what you walked in on, when you came into my home this morning?”

“Well, everything. Like obviously for today, but not just today.” 

Picking at my nail polish, a minute or so of silence goes by before I air my dirty laundry. 

“I just don’t know what to do about all this, Magnus. Sebastian and I literally had a conversation about us,” I gesture between my guest and I, “the other night because he picked up on my feelings while we were all together.” 

When I peer over at Magnus, his cheeks and eyes match. Can’t tell if he’s embarrassed that we spoke about him, or if he legitimately didn’t know that I… kinda like him. A lot. Kinda. I wouldn’t be surprised if he thought ‘til now that all I feel is attraction, seeing as it’s something I’m not even used to admitting to myself yet.

“He said he’s fine with me taking interest, but being a little frazzled around you and being soulmates are two completely separate things.” Feeling selfish and crappy, my eyes start to tear up. “I don’t want to hurt either of you, but no matter what, I’m gonna have to.” 

My voice broke a little during my last statement. Fuck, seriously? I was keeling over from laughter a minute ago, and now this is happening.

“Neither of you deserve to be in this situation,” I continue. “You deserve to be happy with your soulmate, but she’s me and I’m in a relationship with someone I really love and he doesn’t even fucking know the severity of this yet!” 

I have to stop to sniffle a bit. Afterwards, I lament, “As far as Seb’s aware, I just have a stupid crush on you, which is already bringing him a bit of insecurity. And as far as we know, I might not even be what you want, and you could just not seek anything with me, which I wouldn’t blame you for. I mean, my heart is in a billion places at once, I’m—”

I wipe my face with my sleeve and pause to try and calm down. Before I can fully, Magnus gets up and kneels in front of me. 

He pulls my hands from my face. Fixes my hair out of my vision, as he does now, apparently. And at last, he gently weaves my fingers into his larger ones, tracing the back of my palm with his thumb. Can’t tell at this point if Magnus knows the slight movements are meant to be comforting, or if it’s a fidget of his. 

His eyes are glossed over, and they’re bluer than sapphires. Was he crying too?

“It’ll be alright,” he murmurs. “I completely understand your stress and frustration, and while I was delighted at the prospect of having finally found you, I’ve no wish to break up a happy relationship.” 

Before I can realize what the fuck I’m even saying, I reply, with full, unanticipated sincerity:

“But I want to be with you.”

[nooneelsecomesclose17]

Am I a fool to think that there's a little hope - Part 4

This fic is growing yet I feel like I'm only writing a tiny bit at a time. Anyway I'm playing fast and loose with prison visiting here because Victoria has feelings and her brother needs to hear what an idiot he's been...Aaron's had his turn.

Robert's surprised but also he's not when the guard tells him he has a visitor the following afternoon. The rule is one visit a fortnight and he's got two in two days. He knows it's Vic even before he goes into the visiting room. He dreads to think what she's done to wangle another visit and decides he's probably better off not knowing.

Since Aaron left the day before he's done nothing but worry about what he'd said, about Liv, about the business and cursing himself for thinking Aaron would be better off. It sounded like it was anything but. He'd wanted to ask, wanted to know everything but Aaron couldn't get out of there fast enough.

He'd barely had chance to think about his case, if there was one, too focussed on Aaron, and he knew Victoria would be wanting answers, answers he just didn't have. He needed to talk to his solicitor. He'd asked for her to be contacted but nothing moved that fast in here, it'd take time for her to visit he knew that.

"Robert!" He smiles as she hugs him, gently pushing her away when one of the guards glares at him.

"Hi Vic. Are you alright? Aaron said you weren't up to much."

"Oh no, I'm fine now. Speaking of Aaron, what did you say to him, he was in a foul mood all night long."

"Never mind that." He can't stop smiling, her mood is infectious like that and he realises just how much he's missed her. "Just how did you manage to get another visit?"

"Oh...well I tried explaining that I'd been ill and when that didn't work I got on to your solicitor and...well she might've implied that it was a family emergency."

"Vic! You can’t do things like that."

"You would." He opens his mouth, then shuts it because she's not exactly wrong. "Anyway, it is. You could get out Rob! That's massive."

"Hold on, Aaron said it was a tiny chance, and besides, are you alright? Must've been a shock, Luke coming out like that and all this." He's stalling, he knows she wants him to jump for joy but he just doesn't have it in him.

"Oh I'm fine, I'm better off. You need to talk to your solicitor, and then we can get started on an appeal."

"Vic, slow down. I pleaded guilty, I took responsibility. Are you sure anyone's going to care?"

"I will, your nephew will." She paused. "Seb will."

"Don't." There wasn't a day went by without him thinking of his little boy, wondering what he'd be doing, if he was still cheeky, if he even knew who he was anymore. In his darker moments he imagined him calling Ross 'Daddy' and the three of them being the perfect happy family. "How is he?"

"I don't know. Rebecca's pretty much cut us all off. Diane managed to get to see him a few months back but she's heard nothing since. You know she stopped Aaron seeing him, not long after Christmas last year, right after the divorce papers arrived." He stares at her, wished she'd say it was a joke. He knew they hadn't had any kind of formal agreement but he'd never expected Rebecca to do that. She knew how much Seb loved Aaron. He was beginning to realise just how much he'd messed up, and Aaron had every reason to be mad at him.

"I've made such a mess. Is he...he said the business isn't good and Liv's in a mess." He reaches for her hand. "How is he really Vic?"

"Things are...difficult right now. We've not really been close the last few months, he had issues with Luke and Wendy and everything, and now I realise how much of an idiot I've been."

"It's not your fault, Vic."

"He's lonely. Even with..." She trails off and he knows she was going to mention a bloke, he's not stupid. He'd wanted this after all, he just hadn't realised just how much it would hurt.

"He's with someone?"

"Sort of, I think. Ben. He's alright, and they're...I don't think it's anything official, they're just hanging out, and Ben's helping with Liv. You can't be mad about it Rob."

"No I know. Hurts all the same."

"You might be my big brother but you're a proper idiot. Cutting him off like that, and me! What were you thinking?"

"I've been through all this with him, don't you start."

"I will start. You'll say it was for the best and that, but it wasn't. Not for me, and definitely not for Aaron. Neither of us care that it'd be a pain making the journey down here, or that it's for years. We love you, but you won't let us!"

He shakes his head, he knows she's right. He knows why, it's always been the same. Ever since he was sent away all those years ago, he just never feels as though people will stay with him, that they'll get fed up, that he's not worth it. So he gets in first, pushes them away, cheats, anything rather than be hurt.

"Vic, stop, please."

"No. You're my brother and I lost you before. Andy's gone, you're stuck here and it's just been me. I needed you, even if it was just a phone call or a letter. You've been all alone because you're stubborn."

"It was for the best. All of you should just get on with your lives and forget about me."

"Well tough, it doesn't work like that! You know, Aaron wasn't going to come with me, even though I asked, but he did because he wanted to see you despite everything. Left Ben to do it, what does that tell you?"

"That he's a good mate."

"No, that he misses you. First mention of you and he goes all Aaron, storming off and hiding away. He still loves you, you idiot." He shakes his head, doesn't want to believe it. He's managed to push all those thoughts aside and he doesn't want them coming back up again and torturing him.

"Didn't feel like that yesterday."

"Of course it doesn't. He thinks you don't want him. Honestly the two of you drive me mad. Look, say you do get out of here, wouldn't you want him back?"

"Of course I would, but he's with this Ben now."

"Pfft." He laughs a little and her face. "He'd take you back the second you walked in the village and you know it."

"Maybe once."

"You're so infuriating."

"So are you. I don't want to talk about Aaron anymore. Tell me what's been going on in the village." He let her chatter wash over him, too much going on in his head to even start to sort out. If he was lucky enough to get out, would he want to go back to the village where most of the residents didn't like him. He wasn't stupid he knew they tolerated him for Aaron. No doubt the Dingles hated his guts, and then there was Wendy. Maybe it'd be better all round if he just started afresh, or stayed where he was. He just didn't know what to do for the best. He needed time.

--------

Aaron throws his keys on the table, glad the house is quiet. He's exhausted. Vic had tried talking about Robert all the way home, so much so he'd contemplated getting the train home. Trying to tell him he still loved him, knew he'd been an idiot. He didn't care, no that was a lie, of course he did, but he was afraid to believe it. Besides what good would it do unless Robert changed his mind and let him back in.

He should call Ben, try and explain, try and make it up to him, except he really wasn't sure he wanted to anymore.

He's half asleep when his phone rings and he doesn't recognise the number.

"Hello?"

"Hi." The gasp sounds loud in the quiet room, the voice so familiar and so unexpected. "So, you married an idiot."

He can't help it, he starts laughing, hears Robert joining in and that's all there is for a good few minutes.

"I missed you." He doesn't say anything. "I know it's my fault, all of it and it shouldn't have taken my little sister pecking my head about it all afternoon, but...I'm sorry."

"I know. I missed you too." He feels the tension leave him, Robert always managed to do that.

"If I'm...Vic said, about Ben. If I'm...if you want me to go that's fine, I will, I just...I...wanted you to know."

"Yeah. Ben's...he's a mate." Not strictly true, but deep down he'd known it'd never be more than that, no matter how hard he tried. "I'm still mad at you."

"Yeah. Kinda mad at myself too. Listen, Vic said...about Rebecca stopping Seb visiting. I'm so sorry Aaron, I never thought she'd do that."

"Yeah well, I think she was just waiting for the chance. You know she never really liked me all that much." It hadn't mattered when Robert was there, he'd put up with it because as long as Seb was happy he didn't care.

"Still...if things go the right way, that's the first thing I'm changing."

"You're going to appeal then?"

"You have met Vic, right? As if she'd let me do anything else." He sighs and Aaron can hear a commotion in the background. "I've nothing to lose have I? If I lose I'm still in here the same amount of time. If I win then I get my life back, at least some of it."

"All of it." Robert pauses, and Aaron knows he's thinking he's misheard.

"Yeah?" His voice sounds just like it had so many times, when he couldn't quite believe what was happening.

"Yeah. I'm still mad as hell at you and we will be talking about you making stupid decisions all by yourself, but yeah...throughout our lives together, remember?"

"And if it takes a while? Or...if it doesn't work?"

"I'm not going anywhere."

They talk a bit longer, about nothing at all, just chatting like they used to and he realises just how much he's missed it. When they finally have to hang up he's smiling. He knew there was one more thing he had to do.

"Ben? It's me. Can you come over? We need to talk."

--------

It'd taken months, of legal wrangling, of trying to find Luke, months of visits to the Isle of Wight, of expecting every time to be turned away because Robert had changed his mind, but now it was the last time.

"Quit your pacing, you're making me dizzy."

"I can't help it. What if..."

"What if nothing. You heard the judge. He's free. He'd be here now if he'd been in court." He nodded, he knew that, but the restrictions still meant video appearances, so here they were waiting for all the paperwork to be finished before they could see Robert.

Vic had wanted to come with him, only Harry having a raging temperature had stopped her, so he'd asked Cain, the only member of his family who hadn't tried to talk him out of it all.

"Daddy coming?" He turned to see Seb poking his head out of the car window. Robert had somehow managed to convince Rebecca to restart their visits and he and Seb had been slowly getting to know each other again.

"Soon mate, promise."

"I'm hungry."

"I know. We'll get something as soon as he's here." Satisfied the little boy goes back to the game on Aaron's phone. "Do you think...is it wrong that I don't want to go back?"

"To Emmerdale? Why."

"You've seen what it's like. Mum, Paddy, everyone telling me what they think, how bad he is for me."

"Do you care what they think? You know the truth, they'll come round. If they don't, you've got your family Aaron. Your Mum's the one who'll lose out."

"I know. I just wish she'd try."

"Yeah well, she's stubborn. Just like him." Aaron follows his gaze, sees Robert standing outside the entrance to the prison, looking around, as if he can't quite believe he's out. "Go on then, go get your husband back."

He doesn't need telling twice, runs across the road, probably startling Robert as he throws his arms around him.

Everything would be alright now. He had Robert back.

[pluviophile-bookworm]

HSMTMTS 2x10: New and a bit alarming... ok, very alarming

I don't even know at this point if I'm more nervous or excited for this episode. I've done my waiting and, well, whatever lies ahead, good or bad, or a little bit of both, I just can't wait anymore, even though I haven't been so scared to press play since... well, since last week. Guess I should just go for it, then:

Ooh, shady Seb doing the recap! We love to see it. Like, seriously, I'm anxious about the Seblos fight, but shady Seb is kind of my new favourite Seb.

I just... Ashlyn's acting is top tier. Emotional connection to the material? Superb! Chemistry with her co-lead... well, he'd have to be co-leading for any chemistry to be possible. I love Ricky, and I feel for him with all he's been through, but he's just not lead material right now. And it shows. Especially next to Ashlyn, who is killing it!

Miss Jenn is on the verge of a bloody mental breakdown and I just... wish I could do something to make things better. She reminds me of my mum when a deadline approaches for her to submit an article, and I just feel for her right now. Gosh, I'm feeling for everybody today. My empathy seems to be at its peak and I might just burst from all these emotions this episode is making me feel even before the 5-minute mark.

Ok, but Miss Jenn being stressed means Carlos is stressed for two, which means... this is a really bad time for him and Seb to have personal problems. My heart just can't handle it.

Wow... I never thought I'd see the day! The two leads are actually talking to each other! This is a mid-July miracle!

Why does everyone keep pretending their HSM was good? It was a flaming hot mess! A child could see that.

Miss Jenn needs a lot of work on her 'gracious face'. I, like Carlos, have quite some notes. Only mine aren't exactly, how do you say... verbally formulated quite yet.

Did Carlos just refer to Miss Jenn as 'mother'? Because yes.

I've been in a couple of local theatre productions in my day, but none of them had actual physical sets — we relied on the audience's imagination quite a lot — so I wouldn't know what a good set is made of... but even I can tell that plywood and Elmer's glue = not good.

Kourtney is a multi-tasking icon and we love her. I feel like I don't say this enough, but she deserves all the love.

Ooh, shady Seb is... well, shady! 'Quit school and get a job at the pizza shop?' — I mean, you don't see Reddy or Kourtney (or Howie, for that matter) quitting school in order to work at the Slices! Those kids juggle it all and, as someone who's never had to balance school and a job all at once, they have my deepest admiration.

Still, I think they should have thought about 'inventing' something re: transformation earlier than this point. The personal drama has taken up too much of their time.

Why does everyone keep inviting people over to Ashlyn's? I mean, it's not like I've ever heard her complain, but the girl needs some rest! And her house is not a public space.

Oh, so they're making this into a contest? I mean, I have never been a fan of competition, but to each their own. And Redlyn are hosting! This is going to be so beautiful! (You know, unless the boys try to sleep — see my post from yesterday about Reddy's background noise machine)

'I'm not worried. But North High should be!' Ooh, I love this look on Ashlyn! See, there's a lead to take notes from! And Ricky should be the first to do so. Take notes about what a lead acts like, I mean.

Oooooh, Big Red claps back! We love to see it. Although, you know, it stems from the fact that he's nervous about coming up with a solution to the transformation problem. 'I get bossy around the power tools' — Yes, sweetie, and I love that look on you. Maybe you should be around power tools more often, if that helps.

Ughhh, look what the cat brought in! Lily (I wish I knew her last name so I could refer to her by it exclusively, but we'll have to make do). I hate that girl. She reminds me quite exactly of the girl who bullied me in seventh grade to the point where I wished I'd die before having to deal with her at school again. She and Lily both bring out my aggressive side, and I hate that about them.

Ricky — 'so good at being a leading man'? I don't know what Lily is playing at here, but Ricky has not shown himself to be a very good leading man this season. He has the potential to be, but he has not fulfilled it by this point. Sure, he supports his friends and they support him, but that's basic decency. Not yet good leadership. No hate on Ricky, just the truth.

'I vaguely remember him' — please tell me this is setup for Ricky leading Lily on and then slamming the door in her face with the truth. The way I see it, he's been given a chance here. A chance to be the supportive, protective best friend Big Red deserves. I just... have a lot of ideas about this and I don't want it to end badly instead.

'I'm just not well-liked here, and I don't know what to do' — well, of course you aren't well-liked, you little— (ok, ok, calm down, breathe, 10, 9, 8...) whatever. I mean, she hasn't even considered basic decency, as it seems. Must be a new concept to her.

'Don't start with me, Carlos!' Wow. As much as I hate it that my two faves' only interaction in so long is so hostile, I kind of like this side of Big Red. I wonder what other sides of himself he's been hiding.

Listen, I don't like Seb being patronised and babied, but... 'Chip, this is your mother speaking: go call your mother!' made me laugh so hard. They're leaning into the on-stage family dynamic and I live for it.

EJ's idea of using old skateboards for the spinning contraption is... a brilliant callback to the fact that Ricky and Big Red were first characterised as skateboarders... you know, before diving headfirst into the theatre thing. And it feels like it might actually work.

Miss Jenn's excitement at seeing Mr Mazzara ('Benjamin!!!') is perhaps only topped by the fact that he was halfway home, got a text from her and instantly went back to the school. I mean, these two have something that's really big.

Miss Jenn referring to the kids as 'my children', combined with Carlos calling her 'mother' earlier just warms my heart so much! Those guys really are family. I live for it.

Ok, but... as clear as it is that the Wildcats are very far behind NH in terms of budget, rehearsal time and who knows what else, I hate seeing Miss Jenn resigned to them losing. I want to see her have faith in them, talk about how they will win, and, in her own words, 'trust the process'. I mean, I guess it's good that, as a teacher, she wants to prepare her kids for a possible defeat (and I mean really possible if they don't step up their game immediately, especially some of them * cough* Ricky *cough *), but a team that goes out to the field expecting to lose has a very minimal chance of winning.

Despite everything I've been saying again and again about Nini lately, the fact that she just delivered a very different 'No, Seb' has just redeemed her. See, this one wasn't dismissive or patronising — this was like, 'no, Seb, don't put yourself down' and I love that spin on the catchphrase I'd grown to hate. See, many things can be redeemed. And some simply cannot. * cough* Devil's spawn Lily *cough *. Also, Seb being self-conscious about the fact that Carlos 'doesn't have many options' at East Hight is the perfect setup for In a Heartbeat — meaning they will either have a chance to talk about their issue, or they have a telepathic connection, in which case, what kind of soulmate stuff is that?

'You're my sister; he's my cousin' — yeah, Ash, putting it like that makes it sound a lot weirder than it should, but I do get what you're trying to say. This is not a drill! Ashlyn is a Portwell shipper (heck, maybe even the captain of that ship) — but I feel like we already knew that.

'Why'd I never hear about this?' — and there it goes. Within the same scene, Nini was redeemed and then made aggravating again. What does she care if Gina thought Ricky sent her chocolates? He didn't. Because he and Gina can't be anything but very good friends. And I feel like good friends is what Gina needs. Maybe that's why I wanted EJ to be that for her initially (or it was because I'm aroace and don't tend to notice romantic attraction between fictional characters — or real people for that matter — unless it's explicitly stated to be there). But I've been on board of the majestic S.S. Portwell for a few weeks now and it's finally about to set sail.

Yeah, Nini, get a root beer, calm the heck down and get over it!

'Your other clockwise!' — Why does this even need to be said? How many 'clockwise's are there? I absolutely understand why Big Red gets the way he gets around power tools. I'd be on edge too, if the people I was trying to work with didn't know what way clockwise is. Still, I feel like by the time I'm 30, nobody younger than me would have a reason to know what way clockwise is, and I don't know if I feel bad or neutral about it.

Oh, so there's no telepathy involved in Seblos' problem resolution — it's been Redlyn's good communication all along. I might have known.

Ooh, Portwell is being discussed on both sides! PORTWELL NATION HOW WE FEELING

Nini? Why is everything about Nini? There's no way everything is about Nini. In all seriousness, though, EJ's worries about letting the next girl go seem valid in regards to Gina, given that she explicitly stated (though not within earshot of EJ or anyone who could have tipped him off) that she needs someone who will show up and stay. But they'll figure it out. They'll find a way. I know it. They will, or I will riot, and I know I won't be alone in that.

Ooh, Howie is giving Kourtney the original blueprints! Looks like Reddy isn't the only one who has a spy on the inside.

Ahhh, Ricky! Not 'Let You Go' again. I haven't cried to it in three days and I was not ready to break that streak. But... wait, this is where Carlos approaches Ricky to ask him for help with writing a song for Seb, isn't it? I am definitely ready for this.

Oh, is it... is it Ricky who suggests Carlos write a song for Seb? Now that is what a good leading man looks like.

'I'm adjusting to being called bro' — me too, Carlito, me too. But... this scene must have been so emotional for Josh, given that he hadn't come out yet. I remember him crying during The Climb and... all I'm saying is I want Ricky to come out at some point, too.

Oh gosh oh gosh oh gosh... they were just talking about love languages and that's when Carlos shows up? Cinematic. Wait, there's Portwell too? This is what dreams are made of.

My oh my oh my! Risotto! For real this time. I might have just teared up. (Full disclosure: I did.) I've only had Portwell for about three weeks, but if anything happens to them, I will... you know how the meme goes. [side note: Wait, when I said 'for real this time', I was not expecting EJ would say it, much less word for word. Am I... writing this show now? It's usually my dad who predicts people's lines in TV shows]

'Not that I know of'... excuse me while I hyperventilate! These two are literal soulmates. They might share a brain, too, for all that I know. Portwell nation you ok guys?

I love that Ricky helped Carlos out with this song and is supporting him through it, but... I just might have preferred for him not to be there. I kind of need Seblos to have this moment to themselves. But, you know, with the way they feel about each other it might as well be like they're alone in the universe, let alone the room.

Ok, but Frankie's voice... brings out feelings in me that I didn't know I was capable of. Make of that what you will. Also, I'm not sobbing my eyes out, you are.

Ahhh Reddy my sunshine my sweet boy I love you but why did you have to cut Seblos' moment short? They were going to kiss, I know it. Oh well, they probably will, later on. Off-screen probably, but who cares? Not everything is for us to see. At least Carlos and Ricky had a moment there... Carlos calling Ricky 'bro' made me more emotional than I expected. It's like Miss Jenn says in s1: 'They're best bros, and that's a sacred thing... for reasons I will never understand'.

Ricky's acting sounds like a cat about to spit up a hairball, and it's so funny... in a scene that is supposed to be arguably the most dramatic of the entire play, that is not a good thing.

Oh my, oh my... you did not! You did not just end the episode with Ricky taking a fall from who knows how high. I was not ready. This episode was entirely too much for me. I will need 10 to 15 business days to recover from this, and we all know there aren't that many. But in the meantime you'll find me obsessively listening to In a Heartbeat for hours on end. Seriously, this episode is too much.

[extremelyblackandwhite]

handmaid - 11

PAIRING: mob!sebastian stan x ingenue!reader

WARNINGS: age gap, mentions of violence, gun mentioning

A/N: i watched endings, begginings again solely because of the scene we get a close up of seb making out with shailene and that scene will forever make me want him in unholy ways. hope you enjoy this chapter xxx

NEXT CHAPTER

    - What? - Y/N stared at him, not because she hadn’t heard what he had said but because her brain seemed to have stopped mid synapse. She wondered if this was the hopeless romantic in her mixed with the lack of sleep that were making her hear things. But no. That confirmation came to her through his actions as he stepped close enough to her she could feel his breathe on her cheekbone. His hand cradled her face, looking at her with the uttermost adoration, almost like a scene straight off Springtime by Pierre-Auguste Cot. 

   - I’m here, nothing and no one can harm you. I don’t think you understand the things I would do for you. - he traced her bottom lip with his calloused thumb causing her small hairs to raise up as a shiver rolled down her spine. 

   - I ... You shouldn’t. - she was too immobile to even try and step back, but in all honesty, even if her nerves weren’t stopping her from moving, she herself would’ve stopped herself from moving. It felt nice. - You make me very nervous, Mr. Stan.

She took a step forward, hearing the shift of the gravel as her sock covered feet moved so her toes touched the point of his shoes. She wasn’t entirely sure what to do but there was an overwhelming need to be close to him. As so, she stretched her arms to him, wrapping them around his neck and burying her head in his pyjama shirt. It was a very baggy shirt with the logo of Regis High School. She guessed it had probably been his during his high school years and the little holes and slight thin patches of fabric spread across the tee contributed to that guess of hers. Sebastian sighed at this motion, his hand coming to rest upon the small of her back while his lips pressed against the crown of her head, slightly inhaling the faint scent of her lavender shampoo.

They remained in that same position as the bird slowly awaked as the very first sun rays broke through the night sky, the sounds of nature making them both forget they had just escaped a crossfire. They continued in that embrace until his phone loudly rang from the backseat where he had thrown it before. 

With much regret, he broke the embrace, hand taking slightly longer to her waist as he grabbed his phone, angrily answering it. Y/N just stood there, hand hoovering over his like someone who really wanted to hold his hand but was too shy to do so. Of course she was to shy to do so, this was her friend’s future husband. The same future husband who she would have to kiss and some day give a child to and here she was fully considering the idea of entering some sort of Anna/Vronsky relationship minus the opium and suicide.

   - I’ll be there in a few. - his words as the phone beeped off took her off her thought pattern.

   - Is everything alright? - she questioned, worry laced into her sleepy sounding voice. It was 4 AM after all, Y/N guessed that all in all, she’d probably gotten about an hour or two of sleep. 

   - Yeah. - he sighed, rubbing the side of his neck out of tiredness. - We need to go. 

   - Where are we going? - what was she doing? she asked herself as she noticed she was already sat in the shotgun seat without getting an answer. Was she that enamoured that she would get in the car without any response? Maybe, yet he did let this particular sight of safety. 

  - Airport.

She watched as his eyes were kept on the brightening road. Y/N didn’t know exactly what to say, all she knew exactly was that he made her feel warm and nervous but not in the way that being next to a mob boss. You should fear contact with one not crave one. 

Things were rather silent until the crash of noise from the airport made her look at something rather than the side of his face, watching as various airplanes landed a bit closer than she’d ever seen them land. He just drove as if a plane couldn’t misdirect or mislead and hit them, he drove with that sort of confidence that made you want to throw your arms in the air in great Taylor Swift music video fashion. He drove with the confidence she wished she had. 

The car slowly yet surely came to halt and as she turned her face to the window she could see the airplane from a few days before. She guessed they were going home for safety and despite her love for Paris, right now she wanted to go somewhere familiar. 

   - Gwen’s already inside. - he put his hand on the glove compartment, picking the music box and handing it to her. - Make sure you don’t lose this one too.

   - Are you not coming? - she noticed his hand was still very much gripping the wheel of the car. 

   - After this, I think I have some matters that need resolving. 

   - Why won’t you come with us? Surely it is Mr. Williams’ job to look over the Paris affairs. 

   - He’s very useless, angel. If I leave him to do anything, I’ll have to fly back and fix it. Besides, I’m sending him to New York for a bit after his disastrous deal.

   - Oh ... - she cradled the music box closer to her chest. - Are you gonna be alright?

   - Are you worried about me, angel? - he smirked at her, immediately causing her cheeks to heat up. - I will be just fine, you need only worry about Gwen.

   - That’s not what I meant. - Y/N faintly smiled at him, leaning over to kiss him on the cheek which took Sebastian off guard. It was so sweet and so young that half the rage he had accumulated towards whoever shot at his hotel. She just stared at her lap, lightly tracing the golden details of the box. - I don’t exactly want to go to your funeral.

   - I think I’ll be fine, angel. 

He is a mob boss, he will be fine. One does not become notorious by being easy to wound or easy to kill. Nevertheless, so had been the man who raised her and Gwen and he had still gotten a pretty bad wound shot every once in a while. No one is invisible. Achilles had his heel and Odysseus, Perseus, Theseus all had a lot more and they were all heroes who were eventually defeated. Dynasties fall and Y/N had seen it plenty of times.

She opened the door of the car, her sock covered feet reminding her that she was about to walk into a private jet in her pyjamas and socks. Gwen surely had thrown her into some wild situations yet none seemed to quite match up to this one. 

Closing the door behind her, she walked to the stairs that led to the door of the plane, turning around to briefly wave at Sebastian before he took off. Maybe it was best they were separated for a bit, maybe it was just a little crush that would vanish with a bit of time. What she wasn’t expecting was to walk into Gwen having her neck peppered and sucked by one of the bodyguards, Christian. 

    - Morning, Y/N. - she pushed the man away, giving her an enthusiastic smile as Y/N sat in the leathered seat in front of her. - Where have you been? Elias said Sebastian took you during the crossfire.

    - Yeah, are you okay? Sebastian said you were, I’m really sorry I didn’t come to find you.

    -  You two are sure buddying up. - she opened one of the magazines that were on the stand as the plane prepared to take off. 

    -  Oh, it’s not that. - she bite her lip looking at her feet.

    - Of course it is. You better not tell him about any of the boys or Christian, the last thing I need is to have someone dead because my fiancée is jealous. 

    - I’ve told you I’ll never tell on you besides he’s not jealous, he’s just worried about you. 

   - Well ... - she smirked, lowering the magazine. - He does employ some very fine men, specially at the art of bedding.

   - See, this is why your dad didn’t want you to watch Sex and the City when you were younger. - Y/N laughed, remembering when a teenage Gwen would sneak in at night along with her to watch Sex and the City reruns on the TV which would constantly annoy Mr. Forrest. 

   - You can’t be such a prude, you must have someone on your radar. Seriously, has there never been a guy who made you want to take a cold shower just from looking at him?

   - Guys don’t tend to look at me Gwen, they look at you. 

   - Bullshit. I could just bet you have someone and you’re just not telling me. 

Y/N just laughed it off, leaning against her pillows and the sleep finally won her over, throwing her for a nice slumber. She was awoken by the faint sound of rain hitting glass and as she slowly opened her eyes, she came to see the airport of what she called home for now. 

Rather quickly and wearing one of the bodyguards jacket in order to not look like a public threat to society in her pyjamas and socks, both her and Gwen were hushed into the limo which drove them back to their penthouse. The building looked darker and the weather was even darker. She prepared to go inside the bed and sleep more, despite having slept for 9 hours on the plane from Paris to NY. 

   - You look terrible. - Y/N heard a familiar voice as the lift doors opened. A big smile stretched on her face as she saw Dan standing there. - Are you even wearing any shoes?

  - You’re here! - she jumped into his arms, wrapping hers around his neck before stepping away for a bit. - I wasn’t expecting you to be here this soon.

  - After the crossfire, I decided to spend some time with you and Gwen at least until Mr. Stan returns

  - Oh great. - Gwen rolled her eyes. - Another babysitter. 

  - It’s good to see you too, Gwen. - he turned his gaze back to Y/N. - You look unharmed. Survived your first crossfire

  - Yeah, it’s been a crazy few days. Enough about me, did you bring Sophie? 

  - No, she’s staying at her mum’s for a while but we can go and visit I’m sure she’ll love to see you. 

  - Just set the date. 

  - So ... - Daniel took a seat on the living room’s coach while Gwen returned to her room, Christian in her foot. Y/N guessed she would be better sat by Dan’s side than in her room where she would possibly hear sounds of things she didn’t really feel like hearing right now. - I heard from Gwen that Sebastian was the one who took you during the crossfire. 

  - Yeah, his room was closer to mine ... - it wasn’t, it was as further from hers as it was from Gwen’s but she didn’t exactly felt like telling Dan that she had kissed his sister’s fiancé. - He’s not as bad as you think, Dan. 

  - You always try and see the good in people, Y/N. It is remarkable but please be careful. Seriously, there are things in this whole world that you are not used to. 

  - I’m not exactly clueless, Dan. He hasn’t been rude to me, he’s treated me as well as he treats Gwen. Besides until he mistreats any of us, I refuse to have such a deep dislike for him. 

  - Y/N, c’mon. I know you don’t get to see it but his kill count? It’s high even when compared to my dad and grandfather’s count all together. You step out of the line, you get erased. 

  - That’s not true. Mr. Williams stepped out the line in France and he’s still not dead.

  - Mr. Williams? When have you even met Thompson Williams?

  - At Gwen’s engagement party. What I mean is, I’m safe here, Dan. I would love if you stopped treating me like I’m the most clueless thing ever.

  - But you are clueless, Y/N. We’ve sheltered you and Gwen for most of it, you don’t ...

  - Oh ... - Y/N interrupted, getting up. - Since I’m that clueless, I think our conversation is over.

  - Y/N, don’t take it personally. 

  - I’m going to bed. I’ll see you tomorrow, Daniel.

tag list: @lilya-petrichor @xoxohannahlee @irespostthingsiwanttoseelater @nikkipea @madisonpillstrom @cevans98 @thelostallycat @sideeffectsofyou @anxiousdreamersworld​ @sarge-barnes-sir​

[azulsartdump]

A Rose for a Rose

A little sequel to a scenario that @r0setarts write a while back. You can find that post right here featuring Trey, Riddle, and Cater visiting the Valley of Thorns for a renaissance faire with our OC’s Azul, Marsella, and @tri3tri ’s OC Mirabelle! 

This time.

This time Marsella’s plan was going to work out.

After the disaster of the last summer festival she attended, Marsella had been plotting for the day she’d have the chance to put her matchmaking skills to work once again. No longer would she be foiled by accidentally eating faery fruit or drunkenly starting bar fights. She was a more informed woman now, and her scheme to couple up her friends was going to come to fruition this time.

Trey and Mirabelle had gone off on their own to enjoy the festival. Riddle and Azul were really starting to enjoy themselves as the faery shot down another prize from the booth’s game, and there wasn’t a fruit stall in sight. Everything was going so smoothly. That was until Sebek had come running toward them, fully suited up in armor, and loudly shouting that he needed Azul’s help.

“Lady Attwood!” the half-fae’s voice boomed across the walkway, clear as day despite the bustling noises of the festival’s crowds. After pushing through the sea of people, he saluted the group before voicing his request. “Some of the knights are having trouble with their armor. Do you think you could spare some time to help us?”

Much to Marsella’s dismay, the older woman eagerly agreed.

“Of course, Seb-chan!” Azul began leading Sebek back the way he came, calling over her shoulder as they left. “You guys can go ahead and enjoy the festival without me for a bit! I’ll come find you once I’m done!” 

Once they were out of view, Marsella clicked her tongue. Of course Sebek would sweep in out of nowhere and ruin her plans, the party pooper. 

“Hey, I heard that the jousting tournament is going to start soon. We should probably make our way over there if we want to see it.” Cater seemed to sense Marsella’s displeasure, and was quick to suggest an activity to take her mind off the unexpected bump in the road.

“Jousting tournament?” Marsella had read about them in books, but she’d never witnessed one in person. The loudmouthed half-fae may have ruined her scheme, but she was going to at least enjoy looking at the dashing knights of the Valley of Thorns Azul always told her about.

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

Marsella’s tantrum successfully avoided, the group made their way to the main stage, a small section was fenced off in the center where a jousting ring had been set up. The trio found a section of the fencing that wasn’t already occupied as the trumpets signaling the start of the competition sounded. The crowd around them muttered excitedly as one of the festival workers loudly read the tournament’s rules.

“Oh, is that?” One of the festival attendees nearby pointed to a particular knight. Unlike the usual black and green armor that most knights wore, this one in particular donned their black armor with accents of red and a long blue plume atop their helmet. 

“Ehhhh, it’s been a while since that lady knight participated.”

“What? The lady knight is going to be jousting today?”

“Hurry! It’s been forever since we’ve seen the lady knight joust!”

All around them, people began to gather to see the knight in black and red. Marsella knew that the Valley of Thorns didn’t necessarily bar females from becoming knights, but it was indeed rather rare for one to prove themselves worthy of representing a noble family in an official competition. If the murmurs among the crowd were anything to base her assumptions off of as well, this lady seemed to be rather established amongst the regular festival attendees as well.

The first few rounds progressed smoothly. The sound of horses galloping, wooden lances breaking, and metal clanging loudly against the ground resonated through the square as cheers and whistles sounded from the audience.

“Knight of Bloodworth,” the announcer gestured to the red knight as she trotted up to the jousting barrier. Marsella couldn’t quite put her finger on where, but she had heard that name before. Bloodworth.

As the bell sounded, the horses charged toward each other, the crack of a shattered lance and the clanging of metal on the ground brought the round to a close. The red knight sat proudly upon her steed as her opponent quickly righted himself, another two knights making their way over to help him off the ground.

“16 points to Bloodworth for a shattered lance and an unhorsing!” 

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

The rest of the tournament proceeded similarly. At some point, they had spotted Sebek, waving to him as he removed his helmet after his rounds were completed. As the tournament finished and the judges began to tally the points, a lull in the excitement had given the group a chance to chat.

“Bloodworth...” Marsella repeated the name once again.

“The female knight, right?” Riddle asked. “Do you know her?”

“I’ve definitely heard the name before,” Marsella held the bridge of her nose as she contemplated, hoping if she concentrated enough, an epiphany would wash over her. “I just don’t remember where.”

The announcer made his way onto the main stage again, drawing the attention of the crowed back to him with the sound of the trumpet. 

“Thank you for your patience!” the man unrolled a small scroll and cleared his throat. “After tallying the results and factoring in penalties, I’d be a great honor to announce the results of today’s jousting tournament!”

The crowd waited with baited breath as a small parade of drummers built up anticipation. 

“The winner of this year’s jousting tournament is the Knight of Bloodworth!”

The crowd cheered as the knight in red made her way to the stage. 

“Allow me to congratulate you for bringing honor to the Bloodworth name once again!” The announcer took the knight’s hand to shake. “And to present you with the prize for this tournament, a rose to give to a fair maiden of your choosing!”

As the knight took the rose, she looked around the crowd, scanning as if she were searching for someone. Marsella couldn’t make out her face under the helmet, but the knight’s gaze seemed to land on her before starting to approach. Marsella started to panic a bit. It’d be rude to reject a gift in front of so many people, especially after such a display of skill and strength to win the aforementioned gift. She was sure that Malleus would be upset if he heard she accepted a rose from a knight, though, and that was the last thing Marsella wanted to happen.

The knight stopped in front of her and Marsella held her breath, mind still racing as she contemplated weather to accept or reject the flower. Before she could say anything, though, the knight instead held the rose out to the short red-headed boy beside her. 

“Eh?” The brunette looked between the pair, unable to decide if she was relieved or offended through her confusion.

“Uhhh.. I- Um. What- Wh..?” Riddle stumbled over his words before managing to collect himself and accepting the flower. “Thank you. May I have your name?”

The sound of familiar bright laughter echoed from within the helmet.

“Whaaaaat? I only left you for a little while and you forgot about me already?” the knight reached up to remove her helmet, revealing that the helmet’s blue plume was not actually a decoration, but was in fact a ponytail. A ponytail belonging to a very familiar female faery.

“Eh? But your last name is Attwood, isn’t it Zu-chan?” Cater’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “The guy said Bloodworth.” As Marsella stared at Azul in her armor, it finally clicked.

“Ah! I remember!” she shouted as she pointed toward the older woman. “Bloodworth is your mother’s name!”

“Y-Yeah. I thought you knew.” Azul blinked in surprise at the exclaimed statement. “Did you not realize I was participating until just now?”

“Ahahaha... Yeah,” Marsella embarrassingly twirled as strand of hair around her finger. “For a second, I thought some random knight was about to declare their love for me with a rose. You know, like in all the stories you used to tell me about these festivals.”

The faery let a loud whoop of laughter escape her, wiping a tear away with her sleeve. 

“Oh darling,” Azul began to calm herself as she spoke again. “I normally would have given it to you. But since Riddle was here, I thought it’d be more fitting. A rose for a Rosehearts, you know?”

Marsella proudly gazed upon the red-faced Riddle as he spoke to the older fae before him. Even if things didn’t go exactly as she planned, she had to admit she was quite satisfied with the result. She didn’t think she’d ever do this, but she’d have to thank Sebek for his help later.

[murswrites]

The Masque of A Songbird ⎯ Jaskier Headcanon

Pairings: Jaskier x Reader Fandom: The Witcher MASTERLIST Warnings: None? SUMMARY: You see him at a ball and once more at dinner. Request from anon @bravelittlesunflower​: Hi, could I request a Halloween Blurb where the reader goes to a spooky Halloween themed Masquerade ball, and she and Jaskier (The Witcher) fall in love with each other, please? Thanks so much!! & Halloween Mini-Fic: Could I request some headcanons of falling in love with Jaskier, when you meet him at a Halloween themed ball, please? Thanks so much! x

A/N I totally didn’t base the title off of The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe,,, I’d never do that. Also if Jask seems a big OOC it’s because I haven’t written for him much.... and IK this seems kinda rushed and I apologize for that, I’ve been having trouble writing recently </3

Masquerade balls weren’t your usual scene

But you were invited (more like forced) by your friend who happened to be an up and coming characterture artist

You were bored, despite the fun nature of the ball until you heard a beautiful voice

A man -- a bard more specifically, wore the mask of a songbird... and his voice drew you in immediately

Even though you had complained and moaned about going to the ball, you ended up spending more time there than your friend

Maybe it was the wine, or the lovely smell of lavender in the air that made you so entranced by the songbird’s voice...

You soon learned who the bard was, the famous Jaskier and it made you even more curious as to how he ended up at such an event

It took nearly all night for Jaskier to take a break as the people begged for more songs and you hadn’t meant to run into him, or at least you think it was an accident

The beautiful doublet that matched Jaskier’s eyes was now stained purple from the deep red wine in your cup

“Oh! I’m so sorry, I wasn’t paying any--” (you)

Once you finally looked up through your mask, you realized who it was and felt even more embarrassed that you ran into the man you’d been gawking at all night

“Finally an excuse to leave, my throat’s gone sore from all the singing.” (Jaskier)

“You sounded amazing even up until the end!” (you)

“Oh good, I thought I sounded like a cock in the morning!”

He was funny too, oh gods... you were in for it

“How can I repay you for the damages?” (you)

Jaskier just shrugged you off, saying it was fine

It wasn’t until a week later when you saw him again

And it felt like the first time since you finally got to see more than his eyes

The entire seven days you thought of his beautiful voice and haunting lyrics... the entire seven days you dreamed of being able to know the man behind the bard

Jaskier was as kind as before, even more so it seemed as he joked and explained (again) that no payment was necessary

But you managed to convince him to have dinner with you, it was all you could manage anyway

And so you two had dinner and he proved to be an interesting character but his adventures made your heart race and his storytelling skills made you able to imagine everything he spoke up

By the end of the night, you felt like you’d been introduced to a whole new world

“I’d love to travel as you do,” (you)

“That’s a wonderful idea! You should join me! That witcher I mentioned is the one who’s shown me quite literally the entire continent.” (Jaskier)

“The entire continent!?” (you)

Jaskier laughed and said he was exaggerating before inviting you once more

You knew it was an offer you couldn’t refuse

“Oh gods, yes! I’d love to leave this little town and join you, Jaskier.”

Witcher Taglist (open)

@historianwithaheart

@spookypeachx

@innaminitus

@storiesforallfandoms

@seb-owns-these-tatas

@whoaitslucyy-blog

@woahitslucyylu

@simonsbluee

@bravelittlesunflower

[sporadic-writer]

Age is but a Number

Sebastian Stan x reader

No warnings other than a swear or 2 and the age gap thing

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

You began working for Marvel in about 2015. At that time you were 17 pushing 18. At 18 going on 19 Civil War was your first full film, but it worked because you were playing a character who was older than you actually were, but needed to look young. Your character was also Bucky's love interest. Well, sorta.. In the comics you were, but the movies had a slower build, more subtle. Regardless, the producers had you both hang out before filming to gain a sense of familiarity. He was cool and you both got along quite well. He liked how you didn't act as young as you were. You liked how funny and down to earth he was. A lovely friendship built as time went on.

But here you were, 5ish years later, dealing with press stuff for Avengers: Endgame. You were 22, managing college with being an actress, and trying to have a life with your friends still. You loved being a student and having this job, everyone was cool with you doing most of your filming and work during your breaks. Yet, it still could get overwhelming. Luckily, Sebastian and you had always remained close. He helped you manage everything and deal with the intense world of acting. As you got older, he noticed how well you handled everything. Yes, you still acted like a 22 year old girl at moments, it was normal. But most of the time you always seemed older and more mature despite being the youngest cast member. He respected you, and even grew to like you. The media caught on about how you both hung out more outside of set. Obviously, dating rumors and notes of the age gap spread out and around the world. Yet, neither of you stressed about it or let it get to you. Brushing it off, both of you went about life as usual. Neither of you talked about the relationship possibilities. You wouldn’t admit it out loud, but you liked seeing some fans point out details about how he acted in a flirty, or different manner around you. It added to your girly fantasy of you being with someone like Sebastian Stan. Things never really shifted between you guys until a Jimmy Fallon appearance with Mark Ruffalo.

Walking backstage with the two men you turned and looked at Sebastian. “Your ass nearly got us fired! Not in a single trailer, yet you almost blew a plot point. I know we don’t know if it’s true or not, but still! When we come back for the game, I am not taking blame if something goes to shit.”

Mark looked between you guys, “The fact that I held up better than you is sad dude. Thank God Y/N jumped in. But how is that the topic you are focusing on? Don’t look at me like that. Jimmy brought up you guys being a thing now that she isn't seeing Tom's friend anymore and I felt your hands stop messing with each other behind me on the couch! You froze! Just admit you like each other. We’ve seen it all but confirmed since the kiss that got cut in Infinity War.”

You both stopped and you looked to Mark, “We were messing with each other. So what? Then he brought us up so we focused on him. And that kiss was only a casual peck for the scene. Shut up man, I’m gonna wait in the green room for the game. I hope it’s that film noir truth or lie game! I wanna see what they dug up on me haha!"

You walked off and Sebastian kept his eyes on you until you turned the corner. “She didn’t deny it did she? That she likes me?”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.. You’re over 30! Just grow a pair and talk to her.”

He hesitated, “She’s 15 years younger than me... I've known her since she graduated high school."

“What’s your point? Blake Lively is 11 years younger than Ryan. Jay-Z is 12 years older than Beyonce. George Clooney and his wife are 16 years apart. No one cares if you both like each other. Hell, Nick Jonas just married a woman 11 years older than him.” Mark looked at him like he was an idiot. “You like the girl, we all do. Go for it! She wouldn’t say no.”

“Really??” Mark simply nodded. Next thing he knew, he was heading to your green room.

He knocked and heard you say come in. You were sitting comfortably on the couch, scrolling on your phone and munching on snacks left by Jimmy and the crew. You looked up and said hey to him. He didn’t speak back and you looked up at him again. “What’s up man? You look like you saw someone get stabbed by the main curtain. "

He laughed a little and made eye contact with you. “Nah, I feel just a nervous though.”

You put your phone down, sat up, and looked up at him. “You were fine out there. What’s going on?”

“We get along really well right? And we have a lot of fun hanging out and talking right?”

“Yeah of course. What are you getting at here Seb? You’re being more random than usual.” You smiled at him in a questioning manner and invited him to sit next to you.

“Wow this is harder than it seemed in my head. I was just wondering if you would want to maybe, I don’t know...” He doesn’t really look at you, just the floor and rubs his hands on his pants. Suddenly, it seems to click for you.

“Wait. Are- are you asking me out?” You smile as you see him nod, still not really looking at you. “Hell yes I’ll go out with you. Since when are you so nervous to ask a girl out? You told me how you asked Jennifer Morrison out easily after meeting her.”

“Yeah well she wasn’t my friend first, and she isn’t 15 years younger than me.”

“Oh. That isn’t an issue is it? I mean well clearly not, you just asked me out. Hell Ellen and her wife are like 15 apart too." A knock on your door interrupted you. A guy with a headset on came in and told you to go to the main stage area for the game. You nodded and said you would both be out soon. You turned back to Sebastian and put your hand on his knee. “I would love to go out with you. Let’s just skip the awkward actual going out parts for the first date. Let’s do something slightly more serious than when we just hang. Sound good?”

“Yeah, damn you’re easier at this than me. But that sounds good.” He took note of how you said first date. The hope of more lingered. He stood up and held his hand out to help you up. Grabbing his hand he pulled you up and hugged his arm around your waist. Then the two of you met Mark and Jimmy and played Drinko much to your excitement!

SKIP TO THE DATE

You looked at your phone and remembered that Sebastian told you to just come in when you made it to his place. He insisted you come over and he could cook you dinner. Between all the press things, a dinner was a great choice. Neither of you had a home-cooked meal in forever. Plus, he wanted to show off. So walking in, you clutched the bottle of wine and tried to remain calm. 

“Sebastian?” You called out your heels clicked as you looked around. You could faintly smell something being made. Considering you saw no kitchen, you walked upstairs. The sight before you was adorable. He was dancing around to some music while stirring something around in a pan. He turned and saw you smiling as you watched him, but he also stopped dancing. “No don’t stop on my account.”

“Ha ha how clever. Sorry I didn’t hear you come in.” He took the bottle you brought and took your coat off for you. You thanked him and he laughed at the bottle. “Barefoot? Really?”

“Hey it isn’t pink is it? I had to pay some tuition bills yesterday, less funds than I anticipated. Figured this was better than nothing. Plus, my mom told me it’s rude to come to someone’s house for dinner empty handed.”

“Aren’t you such a lady. But I’m just messing with you, you brought it, so even then pink would have been fine. I’m just finishing this up, so you’re right on time. As long as I never drink peppermint schnapps again I’ll be fine. Mixing that with hot sauce, clam juice, and grape soda was horrible.” 

Looking at the kitchen area, you smiled. “Ha yeah I lucked out. Sunny D, whipped cream vodka, grape soda, and mountain dew? Hell I’m pretty sure I had that last semester at a Halloween party. But forget the gross stuff. Whatcha cooking? Creamy garlic shrimp, one of my favorites. How did you know?”

“I know you.” He said it so surely. And the bastard had the nerve to wink. Make you flustered. Well, two could play at this game.

You walked to get a couple glasses for the wine, making sure you sway your hips as you went past him. From your side eye you saw him check you out. “Like what you see old man?”

He didn’t even try to hide it. “I do. You look good Y/N, you always do.” As you went back to sit down and pour some wine for you both, he sat a nice plate of food in front of you. He went next to you and told you to dig in.

Taking the first bite let out a small, appreciative moan. “Holy shit. This is fantastic! I’m serious. Thank you for this. I’ve never actually had a guy cook for me, so really, thanks.”

“No need to thank me. Just keep going out with me.” His smile was so sweet. You just simply said of course.

"Can't say no to that." You smirked at him to the side of you as you both ate.

Once dinner was finished and cleaned up by the both of you he suggested you move to the living room balcony.

"Wait, you said a specific balcony. Do you have more than one?" He laughed as you both walked out. Wine glasses full with his better stuff after finishing the Barefoot you brought.

He stood next to you enjoying the view. "Yes there is another connected to the main bedroom."

"Wow. And I thought my campus apartment was fancy. This sure beats dorm furniture and faulty heating."

He chuckled, looking at you as you looked out at the city. "Why do you live on campus? I mean, you can afford a nicer place to finish school."

"Yeah but I cover rent for my roommates who truly depend on me for campus living so they can keep their scholarships. Going off campus would screw them over. Plus, I have too much money anyway. They wouldn't let me help with their tuition, so rent'll do." As you spoke you continue sipping the wine. It was enchanting and sparkling to see the lights of the city.

"How do you do it?"

"Do what?" You pondered as to what he could mean.

He turned fully to you and you did the same. He looked at you earnestly. "Stay normal when being a Marvel star? You balance getting a college degree and doing press tours world wide. I only do this and sometimes cannot stand it."

Shrugging you spoke, "Eh it isn't always easy. But managers and people working out schedules around my schooling have really helped. Plus, my folks, friends, and you guys have really helped. Especially you." You brought the glass to your face to hide a blush forming.

Sebastian pulled you by the waste, closer to him. You looked up and smiled at him. "Hey I was forced to be with you when we were younger. Only fitting I actually shaped you properly for the biz and so I wouldn't hate you." Ah that charm you fell so easily for. "I'm kidding. I like you for soo many reasons. I'll tell you them on the second date."

You put your wine glass down. "Good. I will love to hear those then. Because right now I don't wanna talk that much."

He laughed lightly. "Are you trying to make out with me Y/N? Ah darling, here I thought you were mature!" His hold around you tightened as you smiled.

You sighed as you ran a hand over his really toned pec. "Yeah.. mature. Not blind!" Your heart fluttered at the way he looked at you. Luckily, no more words were exchanged on the balcony til a while later when the sun finished setting.

[chain-unchained]

December 12 - Part 3

This one’s long and dramatic. And it’s still not over. Longest. Day. *Ever*.

The elevator continued its descent; the rocky surfaces all around them began to shift in color, going from light muddy browns to burnt umber and musty reds.

“Holy shit, Ashe, how far have you been digging in here?” Sebastian could hardly speak, Sam was so tightly wound around his neck.

The farmer anxiously rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet. “Not far enough, honestly. And I can’t take all the credit for this,” he fiddled with the scarf around his neck, contemplating whether or not to remove it for the time being, “Percy’s been coming down here a lot lately too.”

“I think it’s cool.” Abigail reached out and let her fingers brush against the moving rockfaces. “You get to actually fight real monsters and stuff. Like looking at you, no one would think that you’re actually a badass warrior.”

“I-I’m not though, really. I try to avoid the monsters as much as I can.”

“Whaaaat? Okay, that’s kinda lame.”

Sebastian flicked her forehead. “Not everyone is as bloodthirsty as you are, y’know.”

“I’m not bloodthirsty!” Her cheeks puffed out in a puff as she rubbed the red spot left behind. “I’m just so bored of the quiet country lifestyle. You have to be bored of it too, right Ashe? You used to live in the city after all.”

“Actually,” he smiled bashfully, “I really like how peaceful it is here. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Her pout intensified. “Well—well, you’re just saying that cos you get to cheat and come kill monsters whenever you want. And your farm work keeps you super busy, too!” She pointed a finger at him. “You’re just a big cheater.”

“Uh—“ At a loss, he gave another awkward smile, “sorry?”

“Hmph.” She turned away and folded her arms across her chest. “Cheater.”

Sebastian rolled his eyes as the elevator came to a shuddering stop at the bottom of the mine shaft. “Okay Sam, we’ve stopped moving—you can stop suffocating me now.”

“We are? Oh thank Yoba—”

Both Sam and Abby fought to be the first ones off of the elevator. It was dark and warm where it let them off, dimly lit from the torches that Ashe had put up from his last visit.

“I’m never getting back on that death machine ever again,” Sam wheezed, knees buckling from the legitimate fear that had been gripping him.

“Well that sucks for you,” Sebastian jerked his thumb back towards the elevator, “cos that’s our only way out.”

“Noooooo…!” He dropped to the ground in a heap of despair. “I can’t, my heart can’t take anymore of that…!”

“It’ll be okay, Sam.” Ashe knelt down beside him and patted his shoulder gently. “We’ll distract you the whole time so you don’t have to think about it. Okay?”

“No, not okay,” he sniffed with a shake of his head, “but… okay.”

Ashe helped him back to his feet and brushed some of the dirt from his knees. “Alright. You guys all stay behind me, and stick close. There are some really nasty monsters roaming around down here.”

“Laaaame…” Abigail took her hand off of the hilt of her sword with a dramatic sigh. “You gotta at least let me get the first kill in. I need this.”

“Abby,” Sebastian put his hand on her shoulder, “you need to calm down.”

“More like you guys need to get more pumped up!” Despite what Ashe just said, she pushed her way to the front of the group. “C’mon, we’re exploring a real life monster-filled mine! And Ashe has been coming down here by himself all this time, why are we so freaked out when there’s four of us here?”

Ashe hesitated. “That’s… a good point, actually…”

“Right?” Abby fell back enough to walk beside him and flashed a wide grin. “We can take on anything that comes our way with the power of friendship! And anime! But not Yoba. That asshole can stay out of our way.”

“Pfft—” The last bit was enough to make Ashe dissolve into a fit of laughter. He didn’t realize just how badly he needed to laugh.

“There we go! That’s much more like it.” Her grin got even bigger as she began to walk backwards—it was easier to talk this way. “Seriously, you’ve been so down in the dumps lately that I thought you’d forgotten how to laugh.”

“Yeah, we noticed that too.” Sam wrapped an arm around the farmer’s shoulders. “What’s been on your mind?”

“N-Nothing—it’s nothing—oh no, I can’t breathe—” He had to stop walking, doubling over and hugging his stomach until the laughter began to subside. A few giggles lingered as he straightened up and wiped the tears from his eyes. “I-I don’t know why that got me so good… ahhh… I’m okay. I’m okay, really.”

“You sure about that, buddy?”

“Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “And really, nothing’s been on my mind lately. It’s just that winter’s a bad time for me.”

Abigail put her hand on her hip. “Because your mom died around this time, right?”

“Abby!” Sam and Sebastian were appalled. The smile faded from Ashe’s face.

“What?” She asked.

“You can’t just say that kind of shit.” Sebastian rubbed his face. “Have some goddamn tact or something.”

“Life’s too short and we could die down here, so what’s the point of beating around the bush?” She turned back to Ashe. “It’s not hard to put 2 and 2 together. Look, if you need someone to talk to about it, you can talk to us. Or Shane. That’s not the kind of shit that you should keep bottled up.”

“I-I don’t—”

“Like seriously, you should know this since you’re dating him and all. Isn’t this the kind of stuff that you had to beat into his head?”

“That’s not—”

“Just how long do you think you can keep going like this? You’re just going to get depressed next winter if you keep ignoring it like you have been—”

“Rrrr—CAN I PLEASE SAY SOMETHING?!”

Ashe didn’t mean to explode, but that was exactly what he did. His voice rose uncontrollably, bouncing off of the narrow corridor they stood in as his friends stared at him with wide eyes and slightly slack jaws.  

“Uh… y-yeah, sure, go ahead.”

With shaking hands Ashe rubbed at the lower part of his face. “I don’t want to talk about it,” he said simply, his voice and chin quivering with each word. “I don’t—it’s still too painful.” His voice broke, and his eyes stung with tears desperately fought back as he whispered, “I d-don’t want anyone to see me cry…”

“Aww, Ashe…” Sam pulled him into a hug, and Sebastian shot Abby a dirty look. “C’mon, it’s okay. This is what friends are for, y’know.”

“N-No—please, I don’t—want—”

It was too late. The floodgates had been opened, and just as he had dissolved into laughter not five minutes ago he dissolved into sobs that were muffled by Sam’s shoulder. It was embarrassing. There was nothing that felt good about breaking down like this in front of others. But there was nothing that he could do to stop the tears, or the emotions that brought them on.

“That’s it, just let it all out.” Sam patted his back with a faint smile. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. Just know that we’re all here for you.”

It took everything Ashe had in him to eventually stop the tears, and a minute later he pulled back from Sam to rub at his reddened eyes with a sniff. “Sucks… S-Sorry, I tried so hard…”

“Hey, there’s nothing to apologize for.” Sebastian took a puff on the cigarette he’d lit. “Sometimes you just gotta cry.”

“Oh?” Abby elbowed him with a smirk. “That something you have a lot of experience with, Seb?”

“Fuck off.”

The exchange was enough to get a half-laugh, half sob from Ashe.

“Hey, there’s another laugh.” Abby’s smirk softened to a smile. “So do you feel any better now?”

“N-No, not really…” With a shuddering sigh, Ashe dried what was left of his tears on his sleeves and did his best to smile. “But I really don’t like to cry, so. I’m okay now.” He moved to the front of the group and unsheathed his trusty sword. “Besides, there’s no time to waste. We’ve got monsters to slay and loot to find! FOR THE G!”

“Hell yeah!” Abigail was right there beside him, her own sword drawn as they led the charge. Sam and Sebastian had to break into a brisk jog to keep up with them.

 ####

 It wasn’t long before they ran into trouble. A few red-tinted slimes, some magma bats, nothing too major. It was largely disappointing for Abby, who stood off to the side pouting as the others dug into a fat gold vein.

“This sucks,” she huffed, “I was promised monsters and all I’ve gotten are weak level 1 mobs.”

“Y’know,” Sebastian grunted with the swing of his pickaxe, “most people wouldn’t be complaining about that.”

She flicked her hair over her shoulder. “Yeah, well, I’m not like most people.”

“’I’m so quirky, I’m not like other girls’,” Sam teased.

“Hey, that subreddit doesn’t apply to me because I’m actually not like other girls.”

“That’s what they all say, you know.”

Having fallen largely quiet in his concentration on mining, Ashe just sort of listened to them playfully argue. It was fun to just be a party to the conversation, and it helped with keeping his mind occupied.

‘This should be enough to trade for some better tools, I think.’ He picked up a few chunks of mined ore and inspected them with a hopeful glint in his eyes. It was more cost-efficient to trade materials like this for upgrades instead of paying for them outright. ‘Would be nice if we could hit a gem vein while we’re here—’

The conversation lulled, and in the brief moment of silence Ashe heard a strange noise in the distance. It was a noise that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

“Get down!”

Once more his voice reverberated around the space as he tackled his friends to the floor. Not a second later, a giant flaming fireball whizzed over their heads, ricocheting against the walls and bouncing all around before it exploded a few feet away.

“Holy—” Sam coughed as a thick smoke filled the air. “Where the hell did that come from?!”

“Keep your head down,” Ashe pushed him back down, straining his eyes to see through the smoke. He could faintly make out a round form hovering in the air at the far end of the tunnel. “Marlon calls them ‘squid kids’. It won’t notice us if we stay still.”

“Oh, to hell with that.”

Against his warnings, Abigail scrambled to her feet. With hand on the hilt of her sword again, she darted right towards the monster.

“Abby, don’t!!!”

Letting out a battle cry that would make any warrior proud, she drew the sword and cleanly cut the Squid Kid in two before it had a chance to get off another fireball. The three stared in stunned silence as she skidded to a stop, coolly sheathing her blade and turning to look back at them.

“C’mon, it was one mob. We’ve got the power of friendship and anime on our side, remember?”

Ashe let out the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding—only for his heart to stop in his chest again as a shadow moved behind her. He was on his feet in the blink of an eye, racing towards where she stood triumphant. There wasn’t time for him to yell out a warning. The others did it for him.

“Shit—look out!”

Sebastian and Sam scrambled to follow in his footsteps as the shadow fell over Abigail. Realization dawned on her face, and she turned to find a pair of angry beady eyes glaring down at her from within the amorphous blob that was Slime EX.

After a second, she turned to look back at the boys racing towards her. “Really, guys?” She asked, wholly unimpressed. “You’re panicking over a slime? What’s it gonna do, squish me to death?”

Almost as if her words caused the Slime deep offense, its entire body jiggled with a gurgly roar—the sound was enough to send dust crumbling from the ceiling above. The color started to drain from her face as it jumped, much higher than she thought it could.

There wasn’t enough time. The slime came down on top of her before any of them could reach her, absorbing her into its gelatinous center as they came to a screeching stop just a short distance away. It was horrific, watching her clutch at her own throat as the Slime’s insides slowly suffocated her.

But the Slime wasn’t content with just one meal, and its sights shifted to the three still standing before it. It leaped again, and they began to backpedal as quickly as they could—but it wasn’t fast enough. There wasn’t time. Sam grabbed hold of Ashe by the back of his shirt and hurtled him backwards, a split second before the Slime squished down on him and Sebastian too.

The throw was enough to send Ashe through the air, and he hit the ground in an unceremonious heap. “Oh my Yoba—GUYS!” He screamed, picking himself up in time to see them swallowed up.

With each jump, the Slime’s massive size had sent tremors throughout the mine. The second time, the quaking didn’t stop, sending chunks of the walls and ceiling tumbling down all around. The entire mine was starting to collapse.

[aquilamage]

I finally finished my Sebastian birthday fic!!!!! a little behind schedule but who’s counting? Special shoutout to @unnecessarygayfeelings for all the conversations we have had about this concept and other Seb-Kay friendship stuff, she really inspired and encouraged me to actually write this whole thing

Also on ao3 and ff.n

When Kay finds out Sebastian's never had a proper birthday before, she knows that something must be done about it.

It had become something of a ritual for the two of them: spending their weekend evenings at Mr. Edgeworth’s house, usually with Kay bringing something over to further her quest of catching Sebastian up on all of the stuff he’d never seen before. Tonight was Pink Princess (admittedly in part as an appeasement tactic, since last time she’d gotten them into a lively roasting of the Steel Samurai franchise before Sebastian realized Mr. Edgeworth been in the adjoining room for a while).

They were partway through a filler arc – the one involving the non-powered secondary characters having to defend the town by themselves – and the episode’s ending credits just started to roll when Sebastian slumped forward with a huff.

“Yeah, I know. This isn’t the best writing in the series,” she said, using the break in action to check her phone.

Another little sound. “It’s not that. It’s… they’re the same age as me, and they’re doing all this important saving the world stuff.” When she glanced over at him, he’d wrapped his arms around his knees, resting his head on them.

She shook her head. “Well yeah. But it’s made up, right? Besides, I think the cases we’ve been helping with lately have been pretty cool and important too.” Seeing him still looking downcast, she slid the popcorn closer to him.

That cheered him up, at least enough to be watching with some interest as the opener for the next episode started.

As the theme song started, Kay processed something else about what he had said. Oh. Despite herself, she couldn’t help but breathe out a laugh. When he gave her a look, she waved a hand. “Sorry. You just said you were the same age as these characters, so, you know...”

He only kept staring, tilted his head to the side. “What do you mean?”

“Uh. Just that they’re eighteen, actually. Which is fine,” she added quickly, seeing him frown, “it gets mentioned like once, so it makes sense you might mess it up, especially when it’s that close anyway.”

A long silence. “But…I am eighteen.”

The smile dropped right off her face. “What?” she breathed, then “I’m serious; it’s fine.”

Mouth quivering slightly, he brought his hands up to his collar. “I am too.” The very beginnings of tears formed.

“…that you’re eighteen?” She huffed, flopping herself back against the couch. “Since when? Because I seem to remember you saying you were seventeen before.”

“Since…my birthday? Last month?”

She stiffened. “Wait, your birthday was last month and you didn’t even tell me?” An exaggerated pout. “I thought we were friends.”

He ducked his head. “It’s not like it’s important.”

Kay opened her mouth, then closed it. Looked down, frowning, hand on her chin. Tilted her head back up. Only managed an “uch-” sort of sound before giving up again. Finally, after a series of very expressive eyebrow and nose wrinklings, constantly shifting back and forth: “what do you mean it’s not important?!” When he jumped at the force and volume, she immediately backed up. “Sorry,” she whispered. “But really, it’s your birthday. Your eighteenth! That’s a big thing!”

With an uneasy frown, Sebastian half-shrugged.

“Aw, come on.” She softened a bit. “Look, I know it wouldn’t have been the same, but I know we all would’ve done something to celebrate if we’d known.”

There was a long silence. Then, slowly, he relaxed his shoulders and his arms wrapped around himself, a bit at least. “Can we not- not talk about this anymore?” His voice was thick and strained.

“Uh- Okay.” Much as she was suddenly curious and a little concerned, Kay knew she shouldn’t push. The number of times she’d actually seen Sebastian assert boundaries could be counted on one hand, and they were supposed to be encouraging him about that. She held up the remote. “You…wanna keep watching?”

After a steadying breath, he nodded once, sharply.

---

It was about an episode and a half after Mr. Edgeworth had gone to bed, tone suggesting that he thought they should too (although the droop of his eyes betrayed he wasn’t expecting that of Kay, nor did he see it as being worth his energy to try very hard to convince them), when Sebastian spoke again.

“I’ve never ca- celebrated it before.” The admission almost got lost in the onscreen dialogue, not helped by the fact that he didn’t give any real indication that he was doing anything but watching the tv.

Kay turned. “What do you- oh. Oh.” With only the flickering screen as lighting, it was hard to make out any expression. “What, like, ever?”

That habitual little half-flinch of arms to his chest. “Not that I can remember.”

She stared at him. In her mind flashed memories of every birthday event she’d ever had: family, school, friends – especially the ones when her dad had still been alive. She tried to picture all that, gone. Her brain couldn’t even grapple the concept, it was so foreign.

How did she respond to that? She’s noticed over the past few months, how much Sebastian had going on in his life that she couldn’t even imagine, but still. “…that sucks.”

He shrugged, but even in the darkness it was very obvious how hard he was struggling to keep his face neutral. “It’s fine. I- …I’m used to it.” Another deep breath, and then he broke down crying.

Cursing under her breath, Kay pushed herself up, but then stopped herself immediately. Too abrupt. Right, she’d messed this up last time and they’d talked it over after. Do that instead. She pulled the blanket off the top of the couch. “Can I, uh…?” She held it up.

He nodded. When she draped it over him, he kept still, but when she sat back down (a bit closer than before but still giving plenty of space), he pulled the blanket tighter around his shoulders. Not quite relaxed, but free of tension.

As that happened, she shuffled around for the remote and switched off the tv. She didn’t know what else to say, so she sat there bouncing her leg, hands on her knees. It felt awkward, though she couldn’t say why until she finally realized that Sebastian’s crying was awfully quiet.

Which was why she immediately perked up when he moved.

“Do you ra- r- …where are the tissues?” He had one hand keeping the blanket on, the other on the arm of the couch propping himself up, and his face was a mess.

“I’ll go get them!” Because if nothing else it gave her something to do, and the situation did nothing to curb her usual fidgety tendencies. She found the box quickly, bringing it back over to him.

He practically cradled it in his lap. “Thanks.”

“Yeah.”

They resumed their positions. This time, Kay’s thoughts went back to the crux of the situation: Sebastian’s lack of proper birthdays. It was a smaller cruelty than many of the others he’d suffered, she knew that. But that didn’t make it not awful. Besides, unlike some of the ‘bigger’ stuff, this seemed – unlike some of the others, as she started to think it over – like one she could do something concrete about.

But first, she needed some information.

---

A stream of people poured into the lobby as the trial let out. Kay stood against the wall at just the right angle to keep out of their way, watching the crowd intently. The place practically cleared out, but then she spotted her. “Judge Courtney!” she said, rushing over.

“Ah, Kay. What brings you here?”

She crossed her arms. “Some questions. You’ve known Sebastian the longest out of anyone I know. What does he like?”

A pause, barely noticeable except for a blink and a slight tilt of the head. “May I ask what this is for?”

“Sebastian’s birthday.”

“Oh. Kay,” she held up a hand, “perhaps we should sit somewhere more comfortable.”

Hoo boy, that was code for ‘Serious Adult Conversation ahead’ if she ever heard it. “Alright.” Kay shrugged. Then as they started walking, she dropped her voice. “I already know it was last month.” She didn’t know Courtney knew that part about him, but considering how things were going, she figured it was a pretty good guess.

Courtney didn’t respond until they reached one of the benches outside, draped over with trees. As she sat, she smoothed out her dress. “I certainly trust that you have the kindest of intentions. However, I have to question if…whatever it is you have planned...is for the best.”

“I just want to throw him a party! He deserves to have one for once in his life.” Really, she’d thought Courtney would be more chill about this.

That gave her pause. “I don’t know what your understanding of the situation is, but,” she sighed, then put a finger to her lips. “I mentioned it to him before the date, and he simply told me not to bother about it.” As she spoke, she traced patterns on her gavel, face downcast. “It’s wonderful that you want to do something for him, but this might simply be too close to everything that’s happened for him not to be reminded how much things have changed.”

Kay frowned. “I guess.” That tracked, even if she would’ve thought that Sebastian dismissed his birthday because he didn’t think it was worth Courtney bothering. From what she could tell, though, it seemed like she wasn’t aware of the whole ‘hadn’t actually had a birthday before’ part, and honestly Kay wasn’t sure if it was her place to mention it now. She slid one foot off the edge of the chair and onto the ground. “But I can’t just not do anything. It doesn’t feel right.”

A car started up in the nearby lot, and the wind rustled through the trees, brushing Kay’s hair against her face and ruffling her scarf.

Courtney sighed. “I’m not going to be able to stop you.” She bowed her head, slightly, slowly, then looked back up at her. “Perhaps, then, I can at least convince you that whatever you choose to do, to remember to keep his best interests at heart.”

Of course she was doing this for Sebastian’s interests! That was kind of the whole point. Kay frowned.

“Including not pushing him further than he would be comfortable.” Folding her arms in her lap, she sat with an even more proper posture, a presence wholly focused on her, waiting expectantly to appraise her response.

Despite herself, she shrunk back a little. What Sebastian would be comfortable…hm. She supposed she hadn’t thought of that, at least not in the details of the situation which, yeah. Might be a bit much. Kay cleared her throat, and said, meekly, “yeah. I can do that.”

---

“Alright, so we’re gonna have to make some adjustments.” Sprawled out on her bed, she regarded her open notebook. The page was absolutely covered in notes of different ink colors, some highlighted, with little drawings in the margins and white spaces. On a post-it note, she scribbled “save for next year?”, stuck it on top. She flipped to a blank page. “Let’s try this again,” she muttered.

For a long time after, the room was quiet but for the light scratch of paper rustling and a lot of pen clicking. Finally, she sat up. This page had a short bullet-point list, made seemingly longer by the lines she’d crossed out.

Kay smiled. “Now we’re talking.”

---

Mid-knock, the door was yanked open. “I have a flight to catch in half an hour, so this had better be-” Franziska paused. “Kay Faraday. How can I help you?”

She grinned. “You can sign something for me.” With a flourish, she produced a blue-and-pink envelope.

A huff. “Well, let me see what…” Holding the paper stiffly, she looked at Kay with narrowed eyes. “Kay Faraday. Are you sure this is an appropriate thing to be doing?” In a lower voice, “I’m not sure I am the best person for this.”

“Aw, don’t be like that!” Kay sidled around next to her. “I just hit you up first because I had a deadline. You don’t have to do anything besides sign your name. Ok?” Seeing Franziska still waver, she leaned in further with the last line, tilting her head.

“…Very well.” Moving to her desk, she scribbled something down. For a second, she paused, pen hovering over the paper. But then she shrugged and resumed like it was nothing. “Here you are.”

Oh, she was going to have to resist real hard not to immediately read whatever was on there. Then again, if other people would be seeing it anyway, maybe… She plucked it out of her hands. “Awesome, thanks! Good luck on your investigation!”

Franziska crossed her arms. As the door shut, she sighed. “You might need it more, if you are doing anything like I might think,” she murmured to herself lightly.

---

“..and that’s when they switched over notation styles. Well, except for- Uh, Kay?”

Her train of thought flew away like the bird on the windowsill. “Hmm?” She looked back at Sebastian.

He still had his hands out in front of him from talking, his eyebrows slightly raised now. The lack of his voice in the air hung in the silence like an afterimage on the back of her mind. As that quiet went on, the line of his mouth gathered into a slight pout.

Kay’s thoughts felt like they were swimming through honey as she tried to process herself back to what was happening. The whole thing started from Sebastian getting antsy about Mr. Edgeworth’s meeting taking so long, she recalled, the stiffness from sitting in the rigid waiting room chair settling back into her awareness. He’d started fidgeting with his baton. So she’d asked him about it. Sebastian had immediately been distracted talking about the few concerts he’d been to- Oh, right. She had been listening intently, but after a while of having nothing else to do but listen, she’d found herself staring through the window behind him and that had been the end of her attention.

Seeing him start to tense, she cursed herself about it. “Sorry,” she rubbed the back of her neck. “I kind of spaced out for a bit. What were you saying?”

For a terrifying moment, his face went blank. Then, he blinked, and smiled. “Oh, that’s ok! I get disgruntled a lot when Justine’s explaining things, so I get it.”

“You mean distracted?”

“...Yeah! That.” He hummed something under his breath. When Kay didn’t say anything else, he stared down at his feet. “Do you actually want me to keep talking?”

Well, she had mostly been trying to occupy him, but there had been some curiosity there too. Besides, it was fun to see him so excited about something. Kay stood, stretching. “Give me a second, but yeah.” As she pulled her arm behind her head, “but, maybe a little more beginner level, if you can?”

---

“Wow pal, I can’t believe you’re asking me for help with this.”

“Of course I am!” Kay threw an arm around Gumshoe. She meant it too: he was the most friendly, enthusiastic person she’d ever met. Yeah, he didn’t know Sebastian as well, so it might be a little more difficult to- and he was already writing, brow furrowed in concentration. Huh. Cool.

With a thoughtful noise, he held it up to reread, chewing lightly on the end of his pen. Then, with a nod, he handed it over. “How about this?”

It was only a quick scan, but she could tell “Perfect. Thanks, Gummy.”

---

A spoon clattered to the table.

“Yeah!” Kay threw her arms in the air, sending her spoon skittering across the floor. “Oohf, I got it.” Ducking under the table, she picked it up.

Across from her, Sebastian watched with his eyebrows raised, putting his own spoon back where it belonged.

She flung herself back up. “So! If you really want to make it stay, the secret is to-”

“How was everything tonight?”

Immediately she put her hands down, smiling politely. “Great, thanks!”

The server nodded. “Great. And are we having dessert today?”

“Yeah!” Kay said, at the same time Sebastian dipped his head with a “no, thank you.” They looked at each other.

Kay spoke first. “Can we get a menu?”

“Sure thing!”

When they’d left, she leaned over. “Aw, come on, you should get something.”

“Eh.” Half-shrugging, with an uneasy frown, he looked away. “No, it’s fine.”

Hmm. She let him be for the moment. Scanning the menu, she made her own decision, then continued staring, counting to a minute(ish) before she moved. The laminated paper slid across the table. “I’ll pay if that’s the issue, but seriously. We’ve been working so much, we deserve something nice.”

Sebastian looked at her, briefly at the menu, then back to her. “Are you sure it’s okay?”

“…What, to order dessert? Yeah. That’s why it’s there.” She rested her chin in her hands. “You could show up and just get desserts, if you really wanted.” She paused. “Huh.” Then, she shook her head. File that in future developing plans.

“Okay.” Not sounding entirely convinced, he started examining the options anyway.

To give herself something to do, Kay pulled out her phone. She bounced between a couple game apps, refreshing the same website three times, replying to a conversation thread she’d been having with someone about Steel Samurai, checking a different site…

“Ready to order?”

About to answer for herself, she noticed Sebastian frowning, the menu making wobbling noises from him bending it in his hands. “Uh, can we get another minute?” Then, she picked up her chair from under her and dragged it over to sit next to him. “What’s up?”

Seemingly reflexively, he clutched the menu to his chest. “Sorry.” He relaxed slowly. “I don’t know…”

“Well,” she tapped one of the items, “they’ve got a sampler tray. How about we get that?”

An uncertain nod. But then, a tiny smile.

Kay insisted on handing each of the desserts to him individually, putting on her most exaggerated game show host voice to ask ‘the celebrity judge’s opinion on the contestant’s dishes.’ It took him a moment to warm up to it, but soon enough they were trading remarks and dishes back and forth with ease.

It made her feel energized and light to see Sebastian enjoying himself so much, and even more grateful to herself for this idea. Even so, she didn’t let that distract her from keeping notes about the whole thing in her head.

---

“Hey, Mr. Edgeworth.” Her usual singsong greeting had a little extra touch of sweet to it, in the cadence that led up to something rather than being a sentence on its own.

“Kay. What food have I run out of this time.” Sure, he did sound a little tired at that, but the sarcasm weighed that pretty lightly.

She leaned on his desk, taking a tone of false indignation. “No.” She paused. “I mean, you might want to pick up more cereal next time you go shopping, but that’s just my thief’s intuition.” Wagging a finger, she leaned forward just enough to push some of his papers askew. “I came here to ask a favor.”

Now, he finally looked up at her. All he did was raise an eyebrow (and narrow his eyes a little, but this instance felt more like squinting – because she was pretty sure at this point that he needed glasses), but it was pretty obviously leading up to a ‘Kay, what kind of trouble do you expect me to help you with now?’

“Kay, what trouble do you expect me to get you out of now?”

She laughed. “Hey! It’s not like that this time, and besides, it’s not even for me.” In one motion she pulled the envelope out of her bag and dropped it so it fell perfectly in front of him.

Still with a bit of trepidation, Mr. Edgeworth looked inside. He frowned, until he got to actually examine the contents properly. “Oh.”

“Yeah.” Sliding off the desk, Kay wandered over towards the bookshelf. She started poking at files randomly, mostly as an excuse to not look at him without just pointedly not looking at him. Although she did peek over her shoulder. Just for a second.

All she saw was him glaring down intently, anyway.

Several minutes later, he cleared his throat. “Here you are.” When she stepped back over to take it, there was a moment of hesitation from him. The hand holding the envelope faltered. “Kay. What else do you have planned?”

“Why, are you offering to help?”

“Ngh. No, I simply…wished to be forewarned.” He looked off to the side. “Rather than being thrown headlong into who knows what.”

Surprise party for Mr. Edgeworth: no, but it might be funny to let him think you’re planning one. She grinned. “You’re such a stick in the mud.” Before he could react, she snatched the envelope “but thanks for the help anyway!” and bounded off.

“Kay!”

She stuck her head back in the door. “What?”

“Do you have something else planned?”

“Yeah,” she said, drawing out the pause. “But nothing involving you, unless you really want.” This time was sincere, rather than teasing.

He relaxed, slowly sitting down. “I…think I will pass this time.”

“Alright, suit yourself.” That made things easier, since she hadn’t planned for him saying yes anyway. And then she was off again.

---

“Hey!”

Sebastian froze, head darting from side to side.

“Up here.”

He gazed up the stairwell to where Kay was, leaning over the railing to wave at him. “Uh, hi. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I-” With a shake of her head, she jogged down to his level, skipping a few steps as she went to land next to him. “So,” she huffed, “I was wondering. Instead of going to Mr. Edgeworth’s Friday, can we do my place?”

For a moment, he wrung his hands together, expression mostly empty with a tinge of confusion. But then, he nodded. “Sure.” He breathed in through his nose. “Uh, where is that?”

She blinked. “Right. Here, get your phone out.” And she dictated the address for him. “Good?”

“I...think so.” Furrowing his brow, he clutched his phone in a way worryingly like he would his baton if his grip were any tighter. “Is there anything I have to do?”

“No? Just show up.” She did her best to smile reassuringly. Sebastian had never been over to her apartment before, but it wasn’t that big of a thing. Well, for her at least, she supposed. “It’s not as fancy as Mr. Edgeworth’s, but I’m not going to get as uptight about things either. Actually, let me know if you want me to pick up any specific kind of snacks, but otherwise yeah. Same time and everything. Trust me, it’ll be great.”

---

“Was there something else?” It had been a while since their last conversation, but considering that one had been about Sebastian, and that those were the only times Kay had approached her on her own before, she supposed it was fair for Courtney to assume so. Besides, she was right.

Kay held out the envelope. “I had an idea. If you could get that back to me by the end of the day.” With a playful salute, she turned to go. “Drop it with Mr. Edgeworth, if you need to.”

She raised an eyebrow, but slowly opened the envelope. As she scanned the contents, her expression warmed into a soft smile. “I see.”

---

The door to Kay’s apartment swung open. “Hey! Come in.”

Shoulders tight, Sebastian stepped inside. “Uh, hi.”

She smiled. “Make yourself at home, okay. What do you want to drink?”

There was a bit of a pause before he said “water’s fine,” leaning over to take off his shoes.

Well, that was something at least. In the kitchen, she filled up both glasses – she’d get him to drink something else later. It was pretty quiet, Kay noted as she opened a cupboard. But then again, it made sense that Sebastian wouldn’t be a ‘having conversations from different rooms’ kind of person. Balancing the drinks and as many snacks as she could fit in her arms, she reentered the living room to find him standing in the middle of the floor. “Sit down, stay a while.” She dumped everything on the coffee table. Then she collapsed on the couch, patting the other cushion.

He followed her lead, tucking his legs under him. The glass of water was accepted, and as Kay started up the tv, he even reached for the bag of grapes.

“So. Do you want to start off where we were watching or do you want to play a game first?”

---

Three episodes of Jammin’ Ninja, a pizza, several rounds of Mario Kart, and five Guitar Hero losses in a row later, Kay dropped her controller in her lap. “I think I’m done with this one,” she said, flopping back.

“Hey, you are pretty good at this.” Sebastian leaned forward with his fork to slide another piece of pizza onto his plate (Kay was tempted to poke fun at him for that – it felt like such a Mr. Edgeworth thing, and she definitely would’ve gotten at him for it – but dropped it, considering). He smirked. “I guess I just happen to be better.”

Kay opened her mouth, but failed to find a smart remark that wouldn’t end up unnecessarily mean. Instead, she stuck her tongue out.

He stuck his tongue out back at her, and when she repeated the action, but more exaggerated, he burst out laughing. As he calmed, he simply sat watching her. Then, with a yawn like a cat, he stretched, arms over his head and back arching. “I’m gonna go to the bathroom.”

“Alright.” Kay stayed slumped against the couch until she heard the door shut, at which point she dashed to the linen closet. She had just enough time to throw herself into approximately the same position before Sebastian returned. “So, I have something for you.”

He tilted his head. “What?”

Grinning broadly, she lifted the gift bag from behind the couch. “I know it’s a little late, but,” she plopped it in the spot between them. “Your birthday present.”

In the background, the game’s menu music looped through again. Right, she’d meant to turn that off before. Not that Sebastian seemed to care or notice, with the way he stared wide-eyed at the multicolor balloon print. Finally, he started to lean forward. “Are you sure?” His voice was very small, a scared hesitancy that nearly broke her heart.

“Yup.” She nudged it closer to him.

Still cautious, he picked up the bag into his lap, and just…held it there, for a moment. His hands were still curled around it, but loosely, and he watched Kay over the top of it, as if waiting for her to…do something, she didn’t know.

“There should be a card on top; start with that.” She wasn’t sure prompting was exactly what he needed, but…

“Oh,” he said softly. “Oh, right.” He pulled it closer to himself then. With a delicacy that she hadn’t started showing until- wait, no, she still tore into presents like an excited three-year-old. Anyway the point was that Sebastian was very careful in opening the envelope flap and taking out the card. It was a rather generic design, but only on the outside. Sebastian looked at her, and she motioned for him to open it. When he did so, he let out a tiny gasp.

Kay tried not to stare at him as he read, but every time she tried to turn her attention away it kept skittering back. It was impossible to tell exactly what part he was reading when, but she already knew the contents. The card had only come with a simple “Happy Birthday” on the inside, but that was fine. They’d done plenty to fill the rest of the space

In the top left corner, written in smooth black ink and typographical quality cursive, was Franziska’s. It simply read, “All good wishes on your birthday. -Franziska von Karma”

While not much more in content, Gumshoe’s big round handwriting took up a lot bigger of a space, occasionally spilling across the fold line. “Happiest of birthdays, pal! Have a great day – you deserve it!”

Mr. Edgeworth’s looked as though he had lined up a ruler as a guide for writing it (honestly, she would bet money he had), and the actual lettering, while angular, was equally neat and consistent across the bottom right side. “We’ve only been working together for a short time, but even in that I have witnessed your great strength and dedication. It is an honor to continue to be a part of your journey.” There was just the tiniest dot of extra ink at the end of the sentence, the closest thing to an imperfection in the writing. “Happy Birthday, Sebastian.”

When she’d taken a peek at the card this afternoon after Mr. Edgeworth had handed it back to her, she’d been surprised to see that Courtney’s handwriting was somewhat jumbled. Then again, the fact that she’d had to make do with working around the space of everyone else’s notes probably didn’t help. She’d written, in pen that looked like some very dark color that was just off from black, “Sebastian. When we spoke about your birthday previously, I hope that my misunderstanding did not seem like a lack of care. If it did, I can only offer my deepest apologies, and the promise to try harder in the future to become the kind of person you would be more comfortable being open around. I wish you the best belated birthday possible, with love. Justine.”

And taking up a good third-bordering-on-half of the bottom right side (helped by the fact that she’d put a sticky note reservation there before handing it out), was Kay’s cursive-print hybrid, alternating sparkly gel pen colors every phrase or so. “Hey. I hope this isn’t overstepping, but you’re someone important to all of us, so I had to find some way to include everyone. You deserve to have your birthday celebrated, okay? This isn’t enough to make up for past stuff, but it’s still something, right? Happy Birthday. -Kay” In the space under the words, she’d doodled a little picture of herself making a heart with her hands.

Sebastian started crying very early into his reading. The first couple tears steadily developed until the paper shook and had to be in danger of getting wet (if it wasn’t already). Taking a big, shaky breath, he put the card on his lap.

At this point, Kay reached behind her for the box of tissues on the lower shelf of the side table, and held it out.

With a nod, he took it. He hadn’t stopped crying, so it was more damage control at the moment as he blotted at his face.

While he was busy with that, Kay took the opportunity to gradually turn down the tv volume. That didn’t take very long, though, leaving her to sit and wait. At least it was less awkward than last time.

Finally, he got his breathing and the tears mostly under control. Although when he sat up and looked at her he quickly ducked his head again, eyes watering. “I- uh… He sniffled. “…thank you,” he whispered, voice thick.

Oh, now her eyes were starting to sting. “It’s no problem at all.”

Sebastian smiled weakly, although his mouth still trembled.

They sat there for some time. Kay held in her impulse to say something, wanting to give him time to finish processing and let him move on at his own pace.

And eventually he did. Very carefully, he set the card on the top of the back of the couch and opened the bag. A few sheets of tissue paper, pulled out and scattered across the couch later, he held up a small box. He looked at Kay just long enough for her to give him a ‘go on’ nod, then opened it. “Huh,” he whispered upon seeing the contents. His mouth pressed together, clearly trying to keep steady as he examined a pair of dark blue socks patterned with tiny orange cats. “I love it.”

She grinned, leaning on the back cushion. “Yeah. That one made me think of you.”

A heavy breath, although the tears were framing a smile. It took him a minute, but he managed to steady himself again without fully crying this time.

“Hey,” she fake-whispered. “There’s more in there.”

He carefully lifted the socks, only to squint at finding just paper. The moment he saw what was on it, though, his hand flew to his mouth in a gasp. “Oh, this is…”

“That’s the right one, right?”

With a soft noise of agreement, he started studying it further. “I’ve never gotten to hear them, but I’ve heard the orchestra performance is- Wait, why are there two tickets?”

“So you can take someone with you,” she murmured.

The smile wavered just a little. He opened his mouth, then closed it. Carefully, he repacked the box. Still not looking at her, he said, “do you- would you want to go?”

Kay had figured it would come up, and she picked her words carefully. “If you want. But you know I don’t know a thing about your fancy music stuff.” It wasn’t that she wouldn’t go and at least have a decent time, probably. But for Sebastian’s sake, if he just wanted someone to talk at, it wouldn’t make much of a difference if Kay had actually been there or not. “You gotta know someone who would get more out of it than me.”

Chewing on his lip, he stared down at the cushions. “Well, there’s-” he paused, the little flinch of frustration that usually popped up when he started talking about some part of his life only to remember that, since the mess with his father, it wasn’t the same anymore. “...Uh. I’ll have to see,” he said, barely audible.

“Or you can go by yourself. It’s meant to be something nice for you, so if dealing with that part’s a problem, don’t bother. I can handle returning it and I’ll buy you lunch or something instead, alright? Focus on the cool music stuff.”

He mimicked her pose, hands on his hips. “Yeah!” The smile returned as he closed his eyes, arms drifting until he was doing tiny little conducting motions, probably not even aware.

When he’d calmed a bit to merely bouncing a little, she leaned forward, chin resting on her head. “You’ve still got one thing left.”

“Oh!” Again, he put the box to the side and shuffled through the paper, this time retrieving a much larger translucent plastic container. Sliding the bag out of the way on the floor, he pried off the lid. And stared at the contents.

The look on his face was so blank… “I picked cupcakes because I thought they’d be more fun.” Plus, a couple of them were much easier to fit in a gift bag than a whole cake. “The rest are in the kitchen, but I put one of each flavor… What?”

As she talked, he’d bowed his head, and his shoulders were shaking, breaths coming fast and unsteady.

“Uh, Seb?”

Then he looked up. Sure enough, there were tears at the corners of his eyes, but the light in them…

Kay stared. “What is so funny?”

“You-” He covered his mouth with a hand. “They’re, uh,” laughter tripping up his words, he tilted the box so she could see.

Nothing about it seemed out of the ordinary to her- three medium size cupcakes of different flavors (carrot, spice, chocolate: not Sebastian’s top three, but she’d gone with what he seemed to like and then whatever other likes that let her use the same frosting), although you couldn’t tell from this angle due to the teal frosting she’d painstakingly decorated with sugarwork music notes. “What are you talking about?”

“No, it’s-” he shrunk back slightly. “It’s really nice, but” his voice got quieter “you did write this all wrong.”

She crossed her arms. “But I looked at references and everything!”

“Well, you got the notes right, but if you actually look at the way the measures are laid out across these, none of them have a combination of notes that gives them the same amount of beats as the other ones, so it’s…” He trailed off as it was Kay’s turn to start giggling.

“I’m not laughing at you,” she said as she scooted next to him. “I did really mess those up, though, huh?”

At that, he relaxed. “Yeah. A lot.”

“I’ll get it right next year.”

There was a moment of silence. Then, he reached up to wipe away a single tear. “You better,” he said, smiling.

[calpalirwin]

Dances, Dates, and Everything In Between

Summary: It’s been almost seven years since Sebastian Irwin thought he might be gay. High school hasn’t made figuring that out any easier.

A/N: Labels are confusing. So I say (as long as it’s consensual on all ends) love whomever you want to love, and fight those who make you feel bad about it.

Content: Dad!Ashton, Teenage!Seb

Word Count: 2.5k

And away, and away we go!

__

“Hey, can I use the car Saturday?” Sebastian asked as he leaned in the doorway of his parents’ bedroom.

“For what?” Ashton asked.

“Homecoming dance. I made court, remember?”

“Right! You going with Ben and the rest of the guys?”

“Ben’ll be there, but we’re not going like together or anything. Was actually gonna ask Nat, but I wanted to make sure I had the car first.”

Ashton raised his eyebrows in slight surprise, sharing a glance at his wife, who just shrugged in response. “Who’s Nat?”

“Just a friend. She made court too, and we’re the only ones who aren’t already dating someone else on the court. And like.. She’s cool or whatever. It’s just a dance.”

Ashton nodded. “Yeah, I guess you can borrow the car, then.”

“Cool. You know this would be a whole lot easier if you just got me a car of my own.”

“Keep dreamin’, kid,” he laughed. “Maybe for your graduation.”

“Yeah, yeah,” the sixteen year old said with a roll of his eyes. He half turned, ready to head down the hall to his room before he turned back like he had forgotten something. “Oh! Mom, is it cool if you drop me off in the morning instead of Dad?”

“I leave like a half hour before you and Dad do, Seb. Will you be up and ready?”

“Yeah. Nat gets there early and I wanna ask before school starts.”

“Sure, bud. I can drop you off,” Y/N nodded. “When you ask her, make sure you ask the color of her dress so you can get the right color corsage and suit to match her. I can take you after school, or you can go with Dad.”

“I think I’d rather go with you. Feel like you have better experiences with corsages. I don’t wanna mess this up for Nat.”

“Hey!” Ashton said in feigned offense. “I picked out a few corsages in my day.”

Sebastian snorted. “I don’t want some vintage nineties corsage. I need something that’s cool now.”

Ashton’s feigned offense was slightly less feigned now. “I went to high school in the late two thousands, early twenty-teens! How old do you think I am?! Vintage nineties…”

Y/N let out a loud laugh. “Alright, that’s enough. G’night, Seb.”

“Yeah, night guys. Love ya.”

“Love ya too, bud.” Ashton waited until he heard the click of his bedroom door before whispering, “He’s taking a girl to Homecoming? He’s never taken a girl to a dance before…”

“Maybe he’s never wanted to?” she offered.

“Maybe,” he shrugged. “But doesn’t that make it weird that he’s taking one now?”

“You heard him. Everyone else on the court is already paired up. Like he said, he’s just taking her as a friend.”

He let out a sigh. “I know. I ju- I don’t want him to feel like he has to do what’s expected of him or hide who he is.”

“Maybe he’s not. Maybe he’s still figuring out who he is. That’s what high school’s for, isn’t it? And when has Seb ever shied away from who he is?”

“Yeah… I suppose you’re right. How’d I ever get such a brainiac for a wife?”

“You had a cute son, and luck on your side,” she grinned at her husband.

~~~

“Well, do you like her?” Ben asked as the teenagers sat around Sebastian’s room.

Sebastian shrugged his shoulders. He couldn’t even begin to count how many times he’d been asked that question since word had broken out that he had asked Natalie to the dance and it had only been two days. “I mean, I’ve been friends with Nat almost as long as I’ve been friends with you. You know her as well as I do. Do you like her?”

“Yeah, I like her. But not enough to ask her to Homecoming as my date. I don’t like girls that way, dude.”

“I didn’t ask her as my date. I just asked her,” Sebastian continued to deflect.

“Do you want her to be your date? Or like your girlfriend or whatever?”

There it was. The million dollar question everyone was really asking. “I don’t know. Maybe?”

Ben’s jaw twitched at the words. He forced a painful smile, pushing up onto his feet. “Cool,” he said tightly. “I’ll see ya at school Seb.”

“Wait! I thought you were staying for dinner!”

“Yeah, I forgot I promised my moms that I’d uh…” he fumbled for an excuse as he flung his backpack over his shoulder and headed for the door. “Tell Dad and your mom I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, whatever,” Sebastian said flatly, lying across the bed so he could stare at the ceiling and not watch his friend basically walk away from him.

Ashton’s heard the hurried footsteps rush down the stairs. “Hey guys, dinner’s just ab- oh!” Ashton got caught off by the front door slamming shut. “‘Hey, Dad, I forgot I promised my moms I’ll be home for dinner.’ Don’t worry about it, Ben, we’ll see ya next time,” he carried out the fake conversation under his breath, listening hard for his actual son upstairs.

“GOD DAMN IT!” Sebastian’s voice hollered before something slammed.

“Think Ben just found out Seb might actually like this Nat girl?” Y/N asked as she turned off the burners on the stove.

“Sure sounds like it… I’m gonna go check on him. Go ahead and eat without us.”

“I’ll make you guys a plate to heat up when you’re ready.”

“Thanks, love.” Ashton pressed a kiss to her hair before heading to Sebastian’s room. “Seb?” he called out, his knuckles knocking lightly against the door.

“I don’t wanna talk about it.”

“Fine. I’ll talk and you can listen. Now, open the door.”

There was a small shuffling before the door opened before Sebastian shuffled mutely back to his bed. “What the fuck?” His voice shook as he covered his face in his hands.

“Thinking you might like Nat, doesn’t mean you like Ben any less.”

“Tell that to Ben…”

“Seb…”

“Dad, I don’t know what to do… I like them both. I don’t want to hurt anyone… I just… I don’t know what to do! Tell me what to do!”

Ashton held his son while he fell apart, wishing against all hope that he had the magic words to make his son’s heartache go away. “You know we’re always on your side, bud. We’re always gonna love you no matter what. And if Ben and Nat are really your friends, they’ll be on your side too. Just give Ben a little time. But don’t disregard Nat in the process. You owe it to yourself to see this through.”

“How did you know the difference between loving Uncles like your brothers, and loving Mom like Mom?”

“I just knew Seb. And you’ll know too. It may not seem clear to you right now, but when it is, you’ll realize that you knew it all along.”

~~~

Sebastian clicked his phone shut, a small smile on his face from the notifications of Ben both liking and commenting on his post. “Having fun?” Natalie asked, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

The kiss felt weird. Off. But he didn’t let it break his smile as he nodded out towards the dance floor. “Yeah! Wanna go dance?”

“I’d love to!”

He caught a glimpse of Ben as he led Natalie out on the floor, offering him a half smile and wave. Ben’s smile back didn’t quite reach his eyes the way Sebastian liked, but it was better than nothing at all. Baby steps. “You and Ben okay?” Natalie asked. “You guys have seemed off the last few days.”

“It’s nothing,” he brushed off. His fingers grazed her waist the way he had seen other guys do, swallowing the feeling of how awkward it felt.

“A lover’s quarrel is nothing?” she teased.

Sebastian laughed. “Lover’s quarrel? Me and Ben? You’re joking.”

“Oh, c’mon. Everyone knows you two have been a thing since grade school. You’re gonna tell me you guys aren’t actually together?”

“You think if we were I would’ve asked you here?”

“Oh, so you’re bi?”

“I- I don't know what I am…”

“You don’t really think that. You know. You just don’t want to say it out loud.”

“Does everybody know but me? God, I’m going fuckin crazy…”

“Seb, did you really ask me to the dance because you like me? Or did you ask me because we were the only ones on the court who didn’t have a date?”

“What kind of question is that? Of course I like you, Nat!”

“Then why haven’t you asked me out before?”

“Because I-”

She reached her hand up to caress his cheek and he leaned into the touch, closing his eyes as his bottom lip started to quiver. “Seb, I’m not mad.”

“I’m sorry…” he whispered.

“Don’t be. Only Seb Irwin would be sweet enough to ask me to the dance so I had a date even though he’d rather be with the boy across the room. So go. Be with Ben.”

His eyelids fluttered open to look at her sorrowfully. “I ruined your night, didn’t I?”

“You didn’t ruin anything, you giant goof. I said yes to coming with you, didn’t I? Rather be here a good friend who has no interest in me than some tool of the football team.”

Sebastian chuckled despite himself. “I’m still sorry, Nat. I do like you. But…”

“But you’ve been in love with Ben since fourth grade. Yeah. We all know. Well…” she looked over at Ben who quickly averted his gaze like he hadn’t been watching his friends. “Maybe not all of us. Now go. No sense in your and Ben’s night actually being ruined.”

“You’re the best, Nat,” Sebastian told her, pressing a swift kiss to her cheek. He shuddered as he pulled back.

Natalie laughed. “Yeah, you didn’t like that too much, did ya?”

Sebastian pulled a face, shaking his head. “Nope. That actually really sucked. Alright. I’m gonna go talk with Ben. We’ll have that dance later?”

“Course,” she told him, before giving his chest a shove. “Now go!”

“Hey,” Sebastian said once he got within earshot of Ben.

“Hey. You know if you really wanted to match with your date, you should’ve gotten yellow Chucks, not red ones.”

“Nat’s not my date. We’re just here as friends.”

“What happened to maybe wanting her to be your girlfriend?”

“It became a definite no. Cuz, uh… apparently I’m gay.”

“Wow. No one could’ve seen that one coming.”

Sebastian pushed Ben’s shoulder lightly. “Shut up,” he laughed.

“Well I’m glad you finally figured yourself out, Seb.”

“Oh. Did I leave out the part where I was in love with you? Damn, coulda swore I sa-” Sebastian’s eyes went wide when Ben’s lips collided with his. When Ben started to pull back, Sebastian hooked a finger under the other boy’s chin, pulling him back in. “Nuh-uh,” he whispered as their lips reconnected.

~~~

“Huh, so Seb’s gay,” Luke nodding approvingly at his phone.

“Did you loan out your brain cell again, Luke?” Michael joked, chucking a throw pillow at the other man. “Course the kid’s gay.”

“Remember how we all teased Ash when he first told us he was gonna have a kid? How we said he was gonna have a hell of a time when that kid started dating? Well, how goes it Ash?” Calum laughed. “Your kid’s been on two dates in two days.”

Ashton gave a shake of his head as he laughed. “I’m just glad it’s Ben this time.”

Luke inhaled deeply as an idea came to him. “Oh! I should take Seb out shopping!”

“Gonna get him some glittery boots and turn him into an eccentric cowboy?” Michael scoffed. “Nah. I’ll take him shopping.”

Calum snorted and rolled his eyes. “Yeah, cuz gamer goth is so much better than eccentric cowboy…”

“At least I won’t buy him blue jeans with holes in the crotch!” Michael shot back.

“Oi!” Ashton spoke up. “For one, Seb doesn’t need glittery boots. He’s sixteen. Which means he definitely doesn’t need jeans with holes in the crotch.”

“Ha!” Michael grinned in triumph.

“For another, Michael,” Ashton kept going, “Seb has plenty of clothes. And he doesn’t want us to make this a thing, guys. He’s still Seb.”

The other three men shared a look, smirks on their faces. “So all of us are taking him shopping, then?”

“Taking who shopping?” Sebastian’s voice asked, making all the men jump.

“How was your date with Ben?” Ashton asked.

“Good… just went for coffee.” Sebastian waved his empty cup as evidence. “Who’s going shopping?”

“Your uncles thought that you could use some new clothes.”

Sebastian raised an eyebrow skeptically, but decided to see how far he could push his uncles sudden burst of extra generosity. “Can I drive the Tesla?”

“Sure,” Michael agreed, tossing him the keys.

Sebastian grinned, and Ashton mentally prepared himself for just how far the teenager would push his uncles, as he watched the four of them embark on their shopping expedition.

Only an hour, and thankfully one shopping bag later, the small army laughed their way back into the house. Ashton took one look at his son and understood why his son only had one shopping bag, as Sebastian now sported a small stud on one of his earlobes and a matching one in his nose. “What the fuck, Luke?!”

“What?” Luke asked innocently.

Sebastian rolled his eyes. “It’s not a big deal, Dad. You have your ear pierced.”

“It’s not your ear I’m concerned with, it’s your fuckin’ nose!”

“So? Uncle Luke had a lip ring and Uncle Mike had an eyebrow piercing when they were my age.”

“Coulda been worse, mate. We talked him out of the tattoo,” Calum smirked.

Ashton’s eyes went wide. “Tattoo?! Sebastian, you are sixteen! What the bloody hell do you need a tattoo for?!”

Y/N, who had been watching the scene unfold from where she was at the kitchen table grading papers, couldn’t keep her giggles in anymore, her loud laugh erupting across the house. “Ash, you need to relax. They’re teasing, love.” She dabbed at her eyes as she caught her breath.

“Well the piercings are real, Mom,” Sebastian told her.

“And they look great, bud.” She ruffled his hair affectionately as she passed by him on her way to Ashton. “Why don’t you text Ben, and invite him over for dinner.”

“Cool. I’ll be up in my room.”

“Seb, wait,” Ashton said, quickly following after him.

Sebastian paused at the staircase. “Yeah, Dad?”

“If you’re serious about a tattoo, I’ll take you.”

Sebastian laughed. “Dad, we were just fucking with you. I don’t actually want a tattoo. Not right now anyway. And even if I did, you really think I’d rather go with Uncle Luke than you? He hardly has any himself.”

“Alright. I’ll call up when dinner’s done.”

“Okay. Hey, Dad?”

“Yeah, bud?”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Seb.”

__

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[sinner-as-saint]

Run To You

Part 1: Back For You.

Part 2: Want You Back.

Part 3: Kill For You.

 Run-through: As more and more revelations were made, regarding the tainted past of your family; your heart and your mind found themselves in dilemma. Trust issues, lies, manipulation; who to side with? Family, or the tall, dark and broody mob boss who just stole your heart . . . ?

Themes: mob!Seb, violence, , SMUT (I mean come on), slight fluff, slight angst, family issues

   She watched him as he left.

Stay…

She wanted to say it louder but she knew that that would only entail more and more problems.

Sebastian left, promising that he would take care of this mess. He said he loved her. And he wanted nothing more than to just have her safely by his side when the time is right.

 ^^^

 That night, when Liana walked in your room, you both talked for what felt like hours and hours on end. It probably wasn’t that much time; but with the amount of secrets that were shared, the revelations made; it all made it feel like that much time had passed.

Liana told you about the dual nature of her ‘job’. She told you everything. And you listened without questioning anything.

 Soon, your uncle knocked on your door and called the both of you downstairs for dinner. Reluctantly, and with much convincing from Liana’s side; you agreed to go downstairs and eat with the ‘family’.

And ever since that night; the one where all the dirty secrets were out, the one where so many promises were made – a routine was developed.

 Your uncle wouldn’t let you leave the house unless you were accompanied by one of his ‘people’. He rarely left the house, and among many things, you noticed that his hand was recently put in a plaster.

“Slipped and fell on my way in from the jog yesterday morning,” he made up an excuse. But you knew damn well that it was not a simple minor incident.

 Your uncle grew more and more protective, and soon – Ellie was nowhere to be seen.

 Connor took away your phone; like as if you were a child and wouldn’t even let you roam around in the backyard unless you were accompanied by Liana. You felt trapped, like as if your freedom had been stripped away from you; and you were now left in a dark place, with little to no one whom you could trust, probably really far away from the one who stole your heart and surrounded by murders.

Your little trips out in the backyard proved not to be so bad, given that that was the only time you could talk to Sebastian over the phone; with Liana masking your exchange with the mob boss.

Over the course of a week; talking to Sebastian every day at around 8 p.m. became a habit. One you weren’t sure you could get rid of.

You found yourself, often, desperately waiting for when Liana would show up with her phone and hand it over to you.

You found yourself falling more and more for the mob boss. And every day, through every phone call, he repeated his promise multiple times.

He promised to get you out of there. He promised that you’d be home soon. He promised that he will take care of Connor and the rest of them.

---

 “Seb, it’s been a week! Where are you?” you asked; worry, sadness and utter exhaustion lacing your words.

It broke his heart to hear the desperation in your voice.

 “Still here baby, I’ll always be here. I know it hurts, I just need you to stay strong for me, okay? I’ll come and get you soon, babygirl, I promise,” he promised yet again.

His words reassured you enough to keep you from totally crumbling down.

 “I know. I- uh, I miss you,” you spoke back into the phone and you heard him sigh.

 “I love you,” his gravelly voice came through the phone.

I love you too. . .

 ---

  Mariah tried her best to mend your bond but you always managed to escape her fake approach with the help of Liana.

 “Where’s, uh, mom?” you asked one day at dinner, and you could’ve sworn your uncle almost choked on his food.

You kept a neutral face, refusing to let any emotion show when he replied with yet another pathetic made up lie.

“She wants to be away from this life, peanut. So, she’s gone for, uh, a while,” he replied and the words echoed in your head for a while.

 Ellie has played her part, I have a feeling they’ll get rid of her soon. . .

Sebastian’s words replayed over and over again in your head.

Connor really did that, didn’t he?

 Despite knowing that the woman wasn’t your mother, and despite also knowing that she played a huge part in the façade that Connor pulled off to cover the murder of your parents by his hands; you couldn’t help but feel sorry for whatever happened to her.

 Just the thought of it made your stomach churn and all you wanted to do was to throw up the food you just had.  You excused yourself from the table and rushed out of the dining area; knowing perfectly well that Connor, Mariah, and Liana’s gaze all followed you as you walked out and rushed upstairs.

 You walked into your current bedroom and broke down immediately.

How did you go from having a completely boring life, working at a local pub, to getting caught up in the crossfire between mob bosses and murders?

 It was borderline hilarious how crazy life can be.

 Soon, Liana walked in your room as well, sheepishly. With her phone in her hand.

“Call him, tell him to meet you somewhere. I can tell you need him, Y/n. I’ll handle Connor and the rest of the fucktards. Be quick,” she muttered and walked out almost as quickly as she came in.

 You stared at the silver phone in your hand and almost instinctively, your thumb swiped and scrolled until you came upon his contact.

Tapping on it, you moved the phone to your ear and waited patiently as it rang. Once, twice.

 “I swear to God, if anything happened to Y/n, I will kill all o-,”

 “Seb! It’s me, can we talk? Please,” you tried your best to fight back a sob, but it seemed like he caught the despair in your voice.

“Hey, are you okay? Did he do anything? Did anyone touch you? Where’s Liana? Baby, what is it?” you sensed the worry and clear confusion in his voice as he spoke.

“I-, it’s, God! Can we meet, please? I just, I need you,” you whispered as you sobbed, unable to hold it all back.

It was getting a little too much.

  ^^^

 I need you.

I need you. . .

 The words replayed in his head. Just three little words, yet once he heard them he knew that he wouldn’t think twice before giving up everything he had of it meant that she would be safe.

She needed him.

The little sob which escaped her mouth after saying those words broke his heart. Well, he thought, if his girl needed him – he had to be there.

 “Okay baby. I’m gonna send an address and I need you to meet me there in 2 hours, okay? Have Liana drive you there, I’ll be waiting. I love you,” he spoke fast, just as desperate to meet her.

 He noticed that Y/n never told him she loved him back. It created an uneasy feeling in his gut.

What if she didn’t love him back, ever? What would he do with all the plans that he made for the two of them?

 Shaking the alarming thoughts, he ended the call and quickly typed in the address to his loft to Liana’s phone. The loft was in the heart of the city, Connor would never find out; he was sure of that.

 He rapidly drove there, the spine-chilling thoughts of his girl not loving him back never left his mind no matter how hard he tried.

 Oh how he missed her as well.

 ^^^

 Liana was a woman of her words. She had indeed taken care of Connor and his clique and managed to get them out of the house yet again.

 And she was currently driving you to the address that Sebastian had texted.

Your emotions were all over the place by then; your dilemma regarding the mob boss who claimed to love you, the hatred you had to hide from Connor every single day, and your surprising grief towards the disappearance of Ellie.

 “What do you think they did to her? Ellie?” you asked and Liana took a rather lengthy pause before answering.

 She sighed out loud before speaking; eyes never leaving the road.

 “This side of life is quite like a game. A dirty, unfair and ruthless game. One where there are very few rules, and where you are allowed to use anyone and everyone as pawn. And once you’re done with them, you discard them like they were nothing. This is not like the movies, Y/n, here enemies are real,” she explained and through her words; countless questions were answered.

But her reply gave rise to other queries as well.

 You looked out the window and saw that it was starting to drizzle a little bit. The weather does mimic emotions sometimes.

 “Am I one of those to Sebastian as well? Am I just a pawn, just a step, just . . . nothing? Will I be discarded once he’s done winning this time?” you asked questions you didn’t want the answers of.

 You knew what you and Sebastian shared was not just some fling, but you couldn’t help but feel insecure.

 “No,” the amount of certainty in Liana’s voice did not go by undetected by you.

You turned to look at her. Her auburn hair in a braid, and suddenly she wasn’t the one who was part of a, well two, gangs. She was just Liana, your co-worker at the pub and one of your few friends.

 “Trust me, I’ve seen Sebastian do many things. But I’ve never seen him be so captivated by a woman before. You control him, Y/n. He, well, is different. He’s been through a lot and I’ve seen him be hesitant before trusting people. I’ve seen him push people away. But with you, it’s like he’ll be ready to kill, or get killed just to see a smile upon your face,” Liana spoke, taking a left turn as the skyscrapers raced past you.

“There’s so much I don’t know about him. Or you, or how come you work with him?” you hoped Liana would clarify some of the things and she did, enough.

 Liana chuckled. And it didn’t sound like she laughed because what you said was funny, but rather because answering your queries would entail huge nostalgic waves to hit her.

 “I don’t know much about him, just basic things. I know that he has no parents, his dad was a mob boss and his mom, well she was against his profession but they still stayed together until she passed away. Sebastian grew up alone, no siblings and no friend, but that was until he met that pain in the ass Chris. I, well, Sebastian found me right after I was kicked out of a foster home. And, well you know the rest,” Liana briefed you on the past of Sebastian and your heart ached just thinking about him.

God, I miss him.

  Around 15 minutes later of driving, Liana dropped you off right in front of the loft and you immediately made your way upstairs. Taking the elevator and pressing the floor which lead you to where he said he’d be waiting for you.

As the metal cage whirred, signaling that it was moving upwards; your heart boomed in your chest. You were seeing him after so many days and with all the mess that was going on, you were more than certain that upon seeing him – you’d run into his arms.

You felt a pull towards him, his eyes, his words, his arrogant yet careful manner – he pulled you in like he was gravity.

He was notorious, he had a tainted reputation, you knew. But given how things unfolded, you were stained as well. So, who were you to judge?

 The elevator dinged, letting you know that you were just few steps away from your solace. You rushed out and saw one single dark, wooden door at the end of the spacious hallway.

 1176.

The silver numbers were the first thing you noticed as you approached the door.

He was in there.

You could feel it. How? Well, you didn’t bother about that at that point.

 He had given you instructions to not bother about knocking, that the door would be unlocked and that you were to just walk in.

So that’s what you did.

You pushed the mahogany door open and stepped inside; the entirety of the interior was either white or black.

 Your eyes immediately found the figure standing in the furthest, darkest part of the room. Right next to the all-black piano, stood a built figure dressed in a suit.

He had his back facing you and his head bent down, it looked like he was focused on the screen of his phone. His hands moved at regular intervals so you realized that he was probably typing something into the phone.

You took in his appearance as it seemed at the mob boss wasn’t not yet aware of your arrival. His dark grey suit, his neat short hair, the power which surrounded him – he was perfect.

Perfectly bad.

Bad for you too, probably, you thought, but giving him up was an option you had already discarded right after your little talk with Liana in the car on your way here.

  “Seb?” you voice flew right to his ears as his body tensed, in his spot.

 He turned around and once you caught the worried look in his blue eyes; your emotions resurfaced again.

He whispered your name, you didn’t hear it but you saw his lips moving – as though he whispered it more to himself than to you.

 His eyes soften as they took in your appearance.

Dark jeans and a beige sweater; even in your minimal dress up, in your devastated state – Sebastian thought you were the most sublime thing he ever laid his eyes on.

His arms instinctively spread out in front of him, inviting you in for an irresistible hug.

 “Come here,” was all he said. It was all you needed. Him.

 You ran to him.

 He was just a few meters away. You jogged across the all-white living area, up the couple of stairs which lead to where the piano was; upon the slightly elevated podium.

Your vision got more and more blurry as you approached him; you realized that it was just tears which threatened to fall.

 You threw yourself into his arms as they encircled around you immediately; holding you tight against him. His embrace was all you needed to feel safe.

How funny was the irony? The same man who could make others tremble in fear, was the balm to the wounds you had.

You felt his warmth, and the tears cascaded down your face. Your body shook as a sob left your lips. You tightened your arms around his torso and he tightened his grip on you; letting you know that he was here. Right here with you, and that he wasn’t going away any time soon.

 “I hate him! He-, Ellie is gone! She’s gone and he killed her too! Just like he did to my- God, and he has the audacity to act like everything is fine. I can’t go back there, please don’t make me go, Sebastian please,” you cried, face pressed against his chest.

With every breath you took in, the scent of his cologne filled your head. And it didn’t take much longer for you to shift your focus from all that was happening in your life, to focusing only on his scent. The raw, mystical scent soon became the only thing which kept you collapsing into madness due to all the stress.

 “Shh, hey, I’m here. You’re not alone, babe, I’m right here. I got you, don’t worry. You’re with me now, everything’s gonna be alright. I have a plan, you won’t be there for much longer. I got you now,” he soothed your worries.

Just the sound of his voice was enough to calm you down and stop the tears.

 His hands left your waist and cupped your face, tilting your head slightly upwards so you faced him.

Staring into his deep, blue eyes became a new obsession. You figured that they contained flares of grey as well.

  His hands placed right as your jaws, with him looking down at you intently – he whispered his promise again.

He promised you that you wouldn’t have to stay there for long. He promised that he had this figured out and that you were safe with him here; but eventually, he said, that you would have to go back there for tonight.

 You protested.

 “I can’t go back there! I can’t pretend anymore. Every night we have dinner together, he brings up how much he loved my dad and how much of a good woman my mother was! He fucking killed them! And I know it, but I have to smile and listen to his lies. I can’t do that anymore, Seb, please,” you cried, wrapping your hands around his wrists; him still holding your face.

“Y/n, just please do as I say. I can’t afford losing you, okay? You mean a lot to me, baby. You’ve been doing what I asked you do to for so long, trick him into thinking that he’s winning until I take him out. Just do it for one more night. Things will be different tomorrow morning, I promise you,” he spoke again, his voice soothing but still he spoke with a rather stern tone.

And you couldn’t argue back. So, you just nodded. And with another promise made; he kissed your lips.

You could taste your dried up tears, and you were certain he did too, but he didn’t care. Nor complained. He was more than happy and relieved just to be able to hold you in his arms.

 He groaned as his hands went back to your waist and he pressed you into him even more. Your hand rested upon his shoulder while the other one cradled his face gently.

 The feeling of him brought back the warmth which filled you up yet again.

 Your body tingled as he slipped his cold hand under your sweater, placing his palm against your warm skin right beneath your breast.

You moaned into his mouth and he happily muffled the sounds that came out of your mouth with his own.

 “I missed you,” he whispered against your lips right after he hummed into the kiss.

His gravelly voice sent pleasant tingles down your back.

 He broke the kiss and grabbed you hand, hinting that he wanted you to follow him. You thought about your whole situation yet again, and how you would follow him anywhere, without questioning even once.

You weren’t one who placed their trust in people easily, but with him, it came naturally.

  Sebastian walked you to the bed on the other side of the room, and sat you down on the edge of the bed.

He bent down until he was face-to-face with you. His finger traced an imaginary line on your skin, from your cheek, down your jaw then it hovered over your lips.

You watched him intently. He wasn’t making any move but rather, he was studying you – taking in whatever he could. Almost as if he was trying to memorize you; each feature of your face, the exact color of your eyes, everything.

 “I missed you,” he repeated yet again.

 Your hand instinctively reached out to touch his face as well. You placed your palm against his cheek, your thumb caressing his skin as he closed his eyes to relish the feel of your skin against his.

 “I wanna show you how much I missed you. You’re gonna let me do that, babygirl?” he asked, his eyes darker than usual as he opened them. And his voice deeper than before.

 You nodded, almost too quickly and a smirk found its way on his perfect face.

 “Say it. I need to know if I can touch you like I want to. I need to know if I can show you just how much you mean to me. I need to know, baby, say it. Tell daddy you missed him, tell him he can do whatever he wants with your body,” his demeanor changed.

The worried side of him hid carefully behind the obscene words which left his mouth. His words caused goose bumps to show up along your skin.

The look in his eyes screamed how unholy the thoughts in his head currently was. He looked feral, demanding and hungry for something only you could offer.

Liana was right, you controlled him without even knowing you did.

  “Yes. Please, daddy. I missed you too,” you spoke and leaned you head forward, meeting his lips with your own as you moved your mouth feverishly along with his.

Tongues battling, teeth clashing; even his kiss showed his hunger. And you didn’t complain once.

 He started out slow, roaming his hands all over your skin right after he took your sweater off. He pushed you down on the bed and took his time in undressing himself; knowing perfectly well how impatient that made you.

 You propped your upper body up on the bed using your elbows as you watched him strip. Your breathing sped up with each passing second and the need to have him burned more and more.

You watched as he got rid of all his clothes and you bit your lip as he settled in between your parted legs.

He slowly unbuttoned your jeans and soon began dragging the fabric down your legs, his fingers brushing along your skin shamelessly.

After the jeans, he took off your underwear and bra; dropping both of them carelessly on the floor beside the bed.

His eager gaze took in the sight of your bare body under him; and his member grew more and more thick and firm.

The ridges and veins on it became more and more prominent and you could feel a dampness forming at your core and slowly trickling down your folds.

His eyes bore into yours. His fingers caressing your things as he stared at you intently. You both knew you didn’t have much time, but he needed to take his time on you.

 “I don’t want you to think I left you. I’m sorry you had to stay there for so many days, believe it or not, it was the safest place for you. I’m s-,”

 You quickly sat up and placed your lips on his, stopping the flow of his words. It wasn’t his fault, he shouldn’t be apologizing.

You adjusted your position so you were on top and pushed him down on the bed; not breaking the kiss and straddled his thighs; his hard member pressed against your glistening heat.

 “Hey, it’s okay. I know. I don’t blame you, Seb, okay? I trust you,” you spoke against his lips as you grew more and more breathless when his hands ran up and down your sides intimately.

Mindlessly, you bucked your hips just the slightest bit; craving any sort of friction which would soothe the throbbing, sweet pain which formed at your core.

 Sebastian smirked.

 “My babygirl is needy again, huh? Want daddy to make you come, huh doll? Tell me you want me, baby. Tell daddy who you belong to,” he spoke in a haze, his voice giving away the passion he barely tried to hide.

His words turned you on even more.

You whimpered as he flipped the two of you; with him on top again. His head dipped down and his mouth assaulted the skin at the side of your throat while his hands flew to your wet folds, his fingers making their way in between your folds.

Intuitively, your back arched off the bed; cherishing his touch. Mind clouding with lust, you moaned out loud.

You tried muffling down the profane sounds which escaped your lips naturally by placing your hand over your mouth.

Irritated, Sebastian lifted his head from your and looked down at you with a hint of annoyance in his eyes.

He grabbed both your wrists in a tight grip and placed them above your head, you moaned out loud at the sudden harsh action and opened your eyes to look at him in surprise.

 “There’s no one on this floor, baby. And I wanna hear you scream my name,” he spoke again, resuming his gentle assault on your skin as his hands worked on your dripping heat.

 You moaned out his name as his fingers circled your clit furiously. He liked the sight of your body shaking under him.

 “Seb! Oh fuck!” you cried as he removed his fingers from your core and replaced them with the tip of his cock instead; teasing you relentlessly by rubbing the pink, leaking tip up and down your folds.

 He groaned at the feeling of your warm and wet folds rubbing against his throbbing member. The friction was driving the two of your crazy.

 His grip on your wrists got tighter as he circled your swollen clit with the tip of his cock; your dripping desire served as a means for it to slide better across your folds and over your bundle of nerves – which only drew more and more moans and cuss words out of your mouth.

 Your eyes rolled back but his fixated on your face, and how it held a pleasurable frown upon it.

 Without warning, he slipped into your entrance. Your back arched off the bed yet again and he heard the obscene sound of his name escaping your lips.

With him filling you up nicely, you were in a haze.

He moved carefully. Your lips parted as you felt all of him buried in you.

His hand still gripped your wrists above your head, and the other hand gripped your jaw tightly.

 “Look at me,” he demanded. And the tone he used made sure that there was no way you would defy him.

 You sheepishly opened your eyes and looked up at him. He didn’t move yet, but with every breath he took in; the slightest bit of friction brought back the familiar pressure deep inside you.

 “Tell me you’re mine,” his breaths came out ragged, almost as if it took him all he had not to rock into your tight hole relentlessly and fuck you senseless.

 His words sent tingles down your body, some places more than others.

 “I’m yours. All yours,” was all he needed to hear from you before he started thrusting in and out of you.

 His lips found their way on yours, claiming them as his yet again. Slowly, his grip on your wrists loosened, and your hand intuitively wrapped around his shoulder.

 He placed kisses and loving marks everywhere he could on your skin; your neck, collar bones and beneath your ear – loving marks which would remind you of him for a long while.

Your hair sprawled out on the bed in a careless mess, and he groaned and moaned right at the shell of your ear.

Your moans came out in shreds as your entire body moved rhythmically while connecting with him following each thrust.

 “Seb . . .,” you moaned out loud, feeling him hit all the spots you wanted him to.

He grunted as his mouth left your skin briefly, his face hovered above yours as you morphed into a moaning, hot mess under his touch.

 Your legs wrapped around his waist and the new position brought back the familiar feeling of euphoria. Sebastian moved relentlessly against you.

His thick member sliding in and out of you perfectly; soon you felt your head getting lighter as the sweet pressure became too much to handle.

You were reaching your release and he knew it.

 Your body reacted to him almost too perfectly, and he didn’t want to stop. He didn’t want to let go of you. If asked, he would say that if he had to spend forever somewhere, it would be here with you. With him buried deep inside you and filling you up nicely. With the sight of your body squirming beneath him – a sight so intimate and so risqué.

 He looked down to where your bodies merged into one; where his member rocked in and out of you; stretching you perfectly.

The scene was so filthy and he loved it so much.

 You cried out his name against his cheek as you came, your core pulsating around him and your walls milking him of his seed. He came right after you as well, his load shooting at your walls and filling you up perfectly.

His. All his.

 He slowly pulled out of you; the sight of his cum flowing delicately out of your entrance and down your folds was something he would never get used to – and he loved it so much.

He collapsed onto you, his body weight pushing you down further into the soft bed. His head nuzzled into your neck and it drew a chuckle out of you. His rough hands ran along your sides lazily and you heard him trying to catch his breath.

You sighed in delight, tightening your arms around his broad shoulders and you placed a kiss on his skin, right underneath his ear.

 “I love you,” you simply said and you could’ve sworn he stopped breathing for a good 2-3 seconds.

You chuckled again as he flipped the two of you over. Your limp body on top of his as you laid your head down against his warm, sweat covered chest.

His arms encircled around you once again and he pressed you further into him. He sighed in satisfaction.

Placing a kiss on top of your messy, sex hair – he whispered his promise again.

 “I love you too, babygirl, you have no idea,” he whispered, his voice deeper than usual; words laced with an emotion you couldn’t figure out.  

    Leaving the loft was hard; leaving him behind was heartbreaking. You simply couldn’t get enough of his warmth, his voice, his tough yet benign manner. Him.

But you both knew that you couldn’t stay behind. At least not yet.

Sebastian helped you get cleaned up, and dressed. Then he walked you out of the building, where Liana was waiting, leaning against the black car, with a smirk on her face.

 You kissed the mob boss goodbye and hopped into the car; making your way back to the hellhole you were forced to call your temporary home.

 The car ride was silent, and soothing.

You blushed every time you thought about your recent activities with Sebastian. It’s crazy how you found love where it wasn’t supposed to be. A sensible person would turn the other way and would run like hell if Sebastian ever expressed his love to them; but not you. Oh no, you fell in the love with the Devil himself. And you wouldn’t change a thing.

   Reaching Connor’s home, you reluctantly stepped out of the car and made your way upstairs – to your current bedroom, and immediately stepping into the bathroom because you desperately wanted to soak your body in hot, peach scented water.

 As you undressed yourself again, you smiled as you saw the marks which Sebastian left on your skin. Funny how just a couple of weeks ago, your life was completely different.

  Once down with the shower, you slipped into your PJs, ready for bed as the day took a toll on you.

You slipped under the covers and sighed as you allowed the much needed sleep take over you.

  . . .

  Your deep slumber was ruined by someone shaking your body in a desperate attempt to wake you up.

Your eyes burned as you peeled them open. The lights in your room was dimmed and all you could make out was a feminine figure hovering above you.

 “Y/n! Wake up, please,” the female voice pleaded.

 Liana?

 You sat up and squinted your eyes as you slowly adjusted to the light.

“Liana? What’s going on? It’s mid- Liana what the hell? Why are you bleeding? Li-,” you panicked as you saw the blood trickling down her arm. There were fresh blood stains on her light blue shirt as well.

 What the actual fuck?

  “Shh! He might wake up. You need to get out, now! Here’s my phone, there’s Sebastian’s actual address in the notes. My car’s outside, I need you to get out through the window, and drive straight to him, okay? Don’t stop anywhere, don’t answer any calls unless it’s Sebastian, you got me? Now, go!” she explained quickly, in a hushed tone.

 What the hell?

 “What? Why? Are you hurt, what- Liana, please tell me what’s going on?” you asked, in utter confusion as you paced around the room, throwing all your belongings into your travel bag.

 “We don’t have much time, I stabbed him. You need to leave, now! He knows, he knows he’s been played. Okay, he’s aware that you know everything. Go, now!” she spoke again in a hushed tone. Her words gave you chills.

 She stabbed him?

 “You stabbed Connor? Liana! What the hell?” you were worried about the consequences, but she looked rather put together for someone who just confessed that she just shot a man.

 “You should be glad I did, he was making his way upstairs to you. God knows he would’ve done. And God knows what Sebastian would’ve done if anything happened to you. Don’t worry, Sebastian sent some people, we’ll handle it. I need you to go, now!” she spoke again, and opened the door to walk out of your room.

You seized your travel bag, slipped into a pair of Vans and rushed to the nearest window. Before stepping out, you turned around.

 “Liana, thank you so much. For everything,” you said and she smiled faintly.

 “Take care, Y/n. Now go, and don’t stop until you’re with Sebastian. And be careful, I’ll do my best to see to it that no one follows you. Sebastian knows, he’s waiting. See you soon,” she spoke and closed the door as she stepped outside.

The sounds of her footsteps signaled that she jogged downstairs. You took in a deep breath, secured your bag and Liana’s phone and stepped out the room through the window.

 You made it past the guards, who didn’t know yet that their boss was stabbed inside; thanks to the bushes.

 You saw Liana’s black, shiny car out on the street and you hopped in immediately. You pushed the ignition and immediately backed out of the driveway.

 You followed the directions she left in her notes and shook your head at how unpredictable your life had become.

You almost laughed at the irony, weeks ago, you ran from Sebastian the same way – desperately trying to escape him.

But here you were now, craving the comfort of his embrace – running to him.

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[nooneelsecomesclose17]

I’ll leave what I’m chasing - part 6

This is the part that kind of started the whole fic. I wanted a fic where Sarah went up against Chas. It’s kind of got out of hand, but here it is. I’m the most nervous about this part!

(AO3 link)

“I’ve been thinking.” Sarah announces after their food has arrived. 

“Always a worry.” Robert snorts back a laugh at Aaron’s reply, his husband innocently eating his meal as if he hadn’t spoken.

When they’d arrived the pub had fallen into silence and he still felt uncomfortable, as if everyone was watching, judging. Aaron’s hand had been firmly in his until their food had arrived and that had helped, but now he can’t help notice Chas’s glare in his direction from where she’s standing talking to Sam and Lydia. Sam, bless him, had raised the glass he was holding in his direction when they’d walked in but Chas had said something so he’d put his head down and that was it.

A few people had come over to the table and said hello, some he knew, some he didn’t, but he’d plastered on his fake smile and made polite conversation, mind whirling with thoughts of what they thought of him. He wished he didn’t care so much, wished he could ignore the looks, the whispering. Chas had let Bob serve Aaron and he’d seen the look he’d given his Mum, a mix of disappointment mixed with indifference and he’d just felt bad about the whole thing all over again. If it weren’t for Aaron he would’ve left by now.

“Rob, you listening?”

“What? Sorry.”

“I was just saying, your sister is back next week, so I was thinking, how about having Ana christened?”

“Why?” He’s trying not to think about seeing Vic again, they’d not exactly parted on the best terms and he couldn’t help but feel this trip back to their Gran’s villa in Spain for a couple of months had been timed just so she could avoid him despite his Mum’s assurances that it wasn’t

“Because it’s nice, and it’d show everyone that you’re a family.”

“What happened to not caring what everyone thinks?” 

“Nothing wrong with showing them you’re settled though is there. Besides, like I said it’ll be nice to have a family occasion, and don’t tell me you won’t like the chance to show her off. You could always have Seb christened too if you wanted as Rebecca never got round to it.”

“Do you get a deal, two for the price of one?”

“Charles might actually offer that.” He looks across at Aaron, who surprisingly looks interested in the whole idea.

“Who’s Charles?”

“The new vicar.”

“New vicar? What happened to Harriet?” He hates this, hates that he doesn’t know the people in the village any more, that’s he’s totally disconnected from everything that’s been happening.

“It’s a long story. Charles is ok though, he and his son lived next door for a couple of months until they found a house in the village. You’ll like them.”

“So, the christening? Shall I talk to him about dates? The weather’s nice, we can have people back to the house after.”

“What’s this?” Robert’s annoyed that he jumps at the sound of Chas’s voice as she appears at the table. She makes a show of clearing their glasses but he’s not convinced, he’s sure she’s just being nosy. He sees Aaron look at Sarah, and he’s willing her not to answer. He knows her better though, there’s a glint in her eye.

“We’re talking about a christening for Ana and Seb.” She tells her and turns right back to them, effectively dismissing Chas and a part of him wants to laugh.

“Nice. Where are they then?”

“With their Grandma. Less likely to hear things they shouldn’t with her.” He can’t help himself, hopes Aaron doesn’t mind, the hand on his knee says he doesn’t.

“Are you going to let him speak to me like that?” He catches his Mum’s look, telling him to leave it to Aaron.

“He’s not saying anything that isn’t true, Mum. What do you think it would’ve done to Seb to hear those things you were saying? It was bad enough that I heard them.”

“I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true and you know it. Maybe I’m not the one that needs keeping away from them.” He’s not quick enough to stop Aaron jumping to his feet.

“Don’t! Those children are loved and safe and that’s all any kid needs.”

“With him as a father?”

“That’s enough.” Aaron’s voice is quiet, almost a whisper. “I told you I won’t have you talking like that. Come on Robert, let’s go home. Sarah, I’m sorry, I know you wanted to try and have a nice dinner but I’m not staying here and listening to this.”

“Of course not love. You go on ahead, I’ll collect the children from Diane and bring them home.”

Robert follows him, almost in a dream, still a little stunned. It’s not like Aaron hasn’t stood up for him before but even so it’s still a surprise to him when it happens. 

“Aaron, wait!” Chas’s shrill shout makes him wince and he waits for Aaron to go back like he would have done once upon a time, but he doesn’t, he holds onto his hand a little tighter if anything.

“Ignore her. We’ll get the kids and when they’re sleeping we’ll curl up in front of a film.”

They’re halfway home when he realises he’s left his jacket, assures Aaron he can fetch it himself and tells him to pick the film while he waits. The pub is quieter when he gets inside and as he pushes the door open he can hear why.

“...does whatever he wants. He can’t go around hitting people with shovels and expect to get away with it. I’m just looking out for the children.”

“No you’re not. You’re just holding a grudge you’ve had for years. You never wanted Aaron with Robert, and ok maybe he made mistakes in the past, but not this. They should’ve given him a medal for it, not locked him up.” It makes him feel warm inside hearing his Mum defend him. She always has, but for so long no one else did and now he knows he has Aaron who will always be there.

“He hurt someone!” He winces at how high her voice gets. He should leave, go home to Aaron, but something stops him, something makes him want to hear what she says.

“A rapist who had harassed my daughter for weeks, who taunted Robert to the point of breaking. I’m just sorry I wasn’t holding the shovel myself.” He almost laughs because he knows if she’d been in the village she would’ve done the same as him. It had only been Vic and him assuring her she should stay where she was that stopped her coming back.

“You can’t just take the law into your own hands.”

“Well that’s rich coming from a Dingle! Do I need to point out to you that you sent your brother round to deal with your ex? That you graffitied his car? I always knew you were a hypocrite Chas Dingle, but I never realised quite how much of one you are.”

“You don’t know anything about any of that. You weren’t even here back then!”

“No, I wasn’t, but I still have friends here. It’s really no skin off my nose what you do, but if you don’t want to lose your son and your grandchildren then you’d better do something about your behaviour towards Robert because Aaron’s not going to change his mind”

“Not with you and your son poisoning Aaron against me.”

“Oh Chas, he doesn’t need us to do that, you do a pretty good job yourself. If anything Robert wants you both to make up. This is all Aaron, because despite what you and Paddy think he’s an adult and fully capable of making his own decisions and has been for a very long time.”

“How dare you! You’ve only been here a few months and you think you can come in here and lecture me.”

“Oh I dare. I dare because I’ve talked to him, because unlike you, I’ve been there for him when Ana wouldn’t sleep, when Seb played up because he didn’t understand where his Daddy was, when he just wanted his husband. Where were you?”

“Where was Robert more like. Aaron wouldn’t have been in that state if he’d not cut him off. Left him alone to deal with a newborn baby and his son. In my book you don’t do that to the people you love.”

“Well, I guess you’d know more about that than me. At least when I left my husband my kids knew where I was.”

“Mum.” He’s quiet, but she hears him because the pub is quiet, too interested in the show that’s playing out in front of them. He has to stop them before it turns into something more ugly that they can’t come back from. Not because of him, he can’t handle it. The rest of the customers are agog at them and he’s surprised no one is trying to defend Chas. There’s a couple more Dingles in, but even they’re keeping out of it which surprises him. “Let’s go.”

“I’m sorry love, but it needed saying.” She leaves Chas standing there, fury all over her face and joins him at the door. “Am I in trouble?

He wants to hug her if he’s honest with himself but he doesn’t, just wants to get out of the place. When they’re out on the street he does, holding on that little bit longer. “Thank you.”

“I didn’t say anything that isn’t true.”

“Did leave him though, didn’t I? She was right about that. I left him, and I left Seb.”

“She’s got no room to be lecturing anyone on leaving a child. Or anything else for that matter.”

“How much did I miss out on?” He links his arm in hers as they make their way to pick up the children.

“Oh not much.”

“Oh great. You really went to town didn’t you?”

“I gave as good as I got, yes. Robert, I’m not going to stand by and let her say those things. I’ve not been here all the time I should have been, I’ve a lot to make up for.”

“And you’re doing that by going toe to toe with Chas Dingle? You know, you really don’t have anything to make up for Mum.” He pecks her cheek. “Thank you anyway.”

[suitofvibraniumarmor]

Boston Boys [Part Nine]

Summary:  John helps Aurelie track Chris down.  Pairing: Chris Evans x OFC, John Krasinski x OFC Word Count: 1660 Chapter Warnings: Gun violence, gunshot wound, angst.  Square Filled: The entire series (well, bits and pieces of it) will fill my Crossover square for @marvelfluffbingo​​. A/N: This story contains a character who lost her hearing as she got older. I do work closely and regularly with the D/deaf community (I’m a sign language interpreter), but my own hearing problems do not involve significant hearing loss. It is not my intention to offend anyone, only to bring in a character with a quality I don’t see often in other fics. If you have questions about her, feel free to ask :)

Boston Boys Masterlist

By lunchtime, Aurelie still hadn’t slept. Chris’s phone was going straight to voicemail now, and a casual drive by the shop told her he hadn’t shown up to work yet. Her other step-siblings were there; Scotty wouldn’t have minded her stopping in but Shanna and Carly certainly would have been less than welcoming. She was set to meet John at his bar for lunch, so she picked up a couple sandwiches from the corner deli and snuck in the back.

“Hey, you,” John greeted with a smile, leaning over the desk to kiss her.

Aurelie couldn’t manage more than a small smile in return. She gave him his sandwich before tearing into hers. She checked her phone often and no matter what conversation John tried to start, her answers were quick and short before they fell back into silence.

“Everything okay?” he finally asked.

Aurelie set down her sandwich and ran a hand through her hair. “I’m sorry, I know I’m distracted. Not a great lunch date.”

John shrugged. “It’s all right. Wanna tell me about it?”

She chewed on her lip, deciding how much she should include him in things like this. She was pretty sure she trusted him, but that didn’t mean the rift between the two families went away.

John reached across the desk to hook a finger under her chin and direct her eyes to his. “It’s just me, Aurelie. Let me help you. Whatever it is, let me help you.”

With a ceding nod, she licked her lips. “Seb came into the trauma room last night - he was shot twice. Random bar parking lot altercation, of all things. Anyway, I texted Chris as soon as Seb headed to surgery, he never texted back. I haven’t heard from him at all, and he hasn’t been up to see Seb.”

“Maybe he’s staying away to keep heat off the situation.”

Aurelie shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. PD is always suspicious of my family, but not enough that Chris would stay away from something like this. I’m sure the same for you. And … there’s more.” She leaned back in the chair. “He went to see RDJ yesterday, and that was the last time anyone heard from him.”

John leaned back in his chair, too, rubbing his hand over his chin. “Nothing?”

Aurelie shook her head. “And now his phone is going directly to voicemail. I’m not going to lie to you, Johnny -- it’s taking everything in me not to march into Downey’s office right now and demand to know where my brother is.”

“No, don’t do that,” John pleaded. “Listen -- I’ll put some of my guys on it, all right? I’m sure he’s fine. Robert needs him too much to take Chris out.”

Aurelie’s eyes watered at the thought, but she only nodded. While John made the necessary calls, she cleaned up her part of their lunch mess, leaving his sandwich out for him to finish. Her appetite was gone.

John sat back down to finish his sandwich after the calls were made, watching her as though she might explode at any moment. She shook her head.

“I know you think I’m crazy. I know how you feel about my brother. You have to understand -- Chris is the one thing, the one person I have to rely on. When my hearing really started to go, he was the only person in my family who learned to sign. I communicated through him, pretty much solely, after my cochlear surgery. I’m fine on my own, but I don’t know how to be in a world where my brother doesn’t exist anymore.”

“Chris is fine, he’s gonna be fine,” John assured, taking her hand in his. “Nevermind me and your brother -- that’s a whole other thing. Finding him is important to you, and I’m gonna help you do it. All right?”

Aurelie ran a hand through her hair and nodded. “Yeah, all right.”

A full twenty-four hours after he arrived, Chris finally forced himself to leave Elsa’s apartment. She had called off from work for the day, and he had been perfectly content to waste the day with her. They spent hours in bed, cooked together, watched movies together. Checking his phone didn’t occur to him even once when he was with Elsa, and he cursed himself when he realized the device had gone dead.

He stopped at the gas station to fill up his truck and grab a pack of cigarettes. He invested in a car charger so he could catch up on any messages he missed, but he wasn’t prepared for the onslaught of notifications when the phone had enough battery to power back up. Before he pulled away from the pump, he read through all of the text messages. There was no point in listening to his voicemail, he knew what was going to be there.

He peeled out of the gas station lot and headed straight for the hospital. He couldn’t believe that Seb had been near death and he hadn’t been there. Visiting hours were already done for the day -- or not started yet, depending on how you wanted to look at things -- but he could always finagle a way to get what he wanted. If nothing else, Chris decided, he would grovel to Aurelie and see if she could get him in to see Seb.

His sister was already waiting for him at the entrance between the parking garage and the hospital. Chris knew that look on her face; he was really in for it.

“How’d you know I was gonna be here?” he inquired, signing since he was coming from a distance.

“Fuck you, first of all,” Aurelie began, signing right back but moving her hands with fury. “Do you know how long we’ve been trying to get a hold of you? Do you know how fucking worried I was?”

“I’m fine, Aur--”

She pushed him back, hard. “Do not give me that ‘I’m fine’ shit. The last anyone heard from you, you were going to see RDJ, and then you fell off the face of the earth. And where were you? Hanging out with your little girlfriend. Are you fucking kidding me?”

Chris held out a hand in a feeble attempt to calm her down. “How do you know where I was?”

Aurelie shook her head and put her hands in her pockets. Signing was something she had always shared with Chris, and she didn’t want a part of it right now. “I can’t believe you. I really can’t. She must be something really special.” With a sigh, she motioned into the hospital. “Seb is in SICU. I’ve got you on the visitor list, and Scar is gone for the night. You should be fine to go up and see him. He’s awake. He’s been asking for you.”

Well, that pierced him to the bone. Not to mention the fact that Aurelie was fighting tears. She never cried, in front of anyone. He had really let her down this time -- something he had promised time and time again he would never do. He reached out to pull her into a hug, but she stepped away. Knowing it was best to leave well enough alone for the moment, Chris walked through the automatic doors and made way for Seb’s hospital room.

Chris had stayed late the night before, into the wee hours of the morning, which made Elsa exhausted. She considered calling off another day, but she didn’t want to waste a personal day. She was going to be running on coffee and fumes until the bank closed at five.

“I’m running late, what’s up?” she answered her ringing phone on her way out to her car.

“Hey, it’s me.”

Chris’s voice was tired and something else. Sad, maybe? “Hey, you okay?”

“Yeah, everything’s gonna be fine.” He blew out a deep breath. “Next time I’m there, remind me to keep my phone charged. I missed a bunch of calls and messages, and a big family emergency. My brother -- ah, fuck. My brother was shot. He’s gonna be all right, but that wasn’t so sure in the beginning. I let him down, I let Aurelie down. I seem to be doing that a lot lately.”

The tone in Chris’s voice told Elsa that this man who had taken her by complete surprise was losing that confidence that had seemed to ooze out of him when they had met. She dropped her things in the car, started the engine, and then stopped.

“You’re not letting her down. She loves you -- you’ve told me before how close you two are. How were you supposed to know something was gonna go wrong? Chris, you do everything for them and you took a day off. What’s really so bad about that? Take some deep breaths. Seb is going to be fine, the situation was handled. You can’t blame yourself for everything. You can’t take on all of the responsibility.”

He didn’t answer right away, but Elsa knew he was there -- she could hear him breathing. She said nothing, just gave him the time he needed to process what she had said.

“Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry to call you now, I know you’re trying to get to work.”

“Hey, don’t apologize. You’re there for me, I’m there for you. Whatever this is, that’s how it works. Okay?”

“Okay.” He let out another breath. “Maybe sometime we can discuss what this is, where we see it going.”

He sounded optimistic now. “Yeah, I would really like that. You gonna be all right?”

“You kidding me,” Chris scoffed, “I’m the shit, babe.”

Elsa laughed. “All right, good deal. I’m gonna get to work, but I’ll check in with you later.”

“Thanks, Elsa.”

“Anytime.”

She disconnected the phone and put the car in reverse to get out of her parking spot. Despite the somewhat tense nature of their phone call, Elsa couldn’t get her smile to stop.

AlloftheThings: @captain-s-rogers​​​​​ @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan​​​​​@letsgetfuckingsuperwholocked​​​​​ @hurricanerin​​​​​@horsesandbandsforlife​​​​​ @im-not-an-armrest-im-short​​​​​ @captain-rogers-beard​​​​​ @shynara51​​​​​ @sea040561​​​​​  @pinknerdpanda​​​​​ @xtina2191​​​​​ @jackryanplz​​​​​ @beakami​​​​​ @heartsaved​​​​​@fullprunerebelstatesman​​​​​ @blackwidowismyhomegirl​​​​​

Boston Boys:  @the-murder-strut-murdered-me​​​​​ @becs-bunker​​​​​ @shield-agent78​​​​​ @patzammit​​​​​ @crazyandanonymous4u​​​​​@ntlmundy​​​​​​ @jennmurawski13​​​​​​ @okay-maybe-i-like-marvel-too​​​​​

[twittytelly]

An Unexpected Gain

Chapter Two – Bathroom Surprises

Colin Shea X Female Reader

Previously...

Series Masterlist

A/N:Hi! Remember when I said this was going to be a two-parter? I lied. This is going to be at least three parts.

Warnings: Swearing, slight sexual and vomiting references, idiocy.

Mood board by @imanuglywombat​

“Y/N?”

You were quickly pulled from your thoughts as Colin's voice reverberated through your apartment,  the aroma of pizza quickly hitting your nostrils. Had the pizza from Seb's always smelt so strongly, or was this some weird pregnancy thing? You pushed the thought to one side, as you got up from where you had installed yourself on the bathroom floor, regretting ever giving Colin a key so he could stop by whenever he wanted.

“I'll be out in a minute.”

You looked in the mirror and cleaned yourself up, trying your very best to conceal the fact that you had spent the past few hours sobbing on the bathroom floor. It was pointless. You looked like shit. Your eyes and nose were red, you had dark circles under your eyes and to top it off you were green around the edges from the nausea. Wasn't this meat to be MORNING sickness? Taking a deep breath you failed to still the five million thoughts that were racing through your brain. You knew that you had to tell him, but you rationalised that you needed a day or two to process this – what use would it be if you were both freaking out?

Using every ounce of courage within you, you slowly exited the bathroom and made your way to the living room, where Colin was waiting for you with the offending pizza and your favourite beer. You would've been touched by the gesture if you were not internally freaking out over how you would have to explain not being able to drink it. Before you had time to think too much, Colin looked up, his happy-go-lucky smile turning into concern.

“Is everything okay Y/N?”

Despite your resolve to try and keep it cool, you couldn't help but to break down, the tears you were trying to force back were now running amok down your cheeks. Concern turned to worry as Colin got up from his seat, making his way towards you.

“Oh Y/N” he said dejectedly, wrapping his arms around you. You couldn't help but melt into his embrace as you sobbed into his shoulder. Colin wordlessly comforted you as he held you tightly, swaying you from side to side. You couldn't help but imagine him doing this with a small bundle of blankets as  it wailed in the middle of the night. Eventually the sobs decreased into whimpers and Colin pulled away from you. Placing his fingers under your chin, he gently lifted your face until your eyes met his bright blue eyes, as they silently probed you for an explanation.

“I've had a really weird day and I feel like shit,” you truthfully explained, praying he wouldn't question you further. “And I'm really sorry, but I'm really not in the mood to do anything tonight -  if you want to go I won't be offended,” You said apologetically, before quickly adding on “not that you could ever want me when I look this horrendous.”

Hurt flashed across Colin's face as he placed both hands on either side of your face. One hand started to wipe away the last few straggling tears, while the other tucked a stray wisp of hair behind your ear. “Y/N our arrangement is more than just the sex. I love hanging out with you Y/N. You really mean a lot to me” he confessed. “You know I'm always gonna be here for you if you ever wanna talk abut anything or you need a shoulder to cry on” he affirmed, giving you that same small sympathetic smile he had given you many months ago on that fateful night in the bar.

“Thanks Colin” you said, returning the smile as he brought you into a bear hug, the butterflies beginning to swarm in your stomach. “And for the record, you always look so beautiful” Colin said quietly. You were convinced that you heard the smallest hint of vulnerability in his voice. Your heart started to thud against your chest, and you hoped that Colin couldn't feel it. No. You must have imagined it. You broke away from the hug and looked into his eyes. Everything inside of you was screaming to tell him the whole truth, but you ignored it.

“You're always such a charmer,” you joked, now desperate to move on from this before you spilled it all. Colin chuckled but his smile didn't reach his eyes.

“Well if you're not feeling well, why don't we eat this pizza and drink this beer while we watch something light-hearted on Netflix” he suggested. You nodded in agreement, walking into the kitchen to get yourself a glass of water before settling next to him on the sofa. Luckily he didn't question this or the fact that you were only able to stomach a couple of slices of pizza. He soon put his arm around you as you noticed that he had put on your favourite rom-com, a film that you had told him few weeks ago never failed to cheer you up. Had he remembered this or was this purely a coincidence?

You tried your hardest to concentrate on the movie, but your brain was still running at a thousand miles an hour as you tried to figure out what to do next. Colin could tell you were still on edge and drew you closer to him, fingers tracing shapes on your thighs. You let yourself relax into him and you marvelled at how easy it was to just sit in silence together. Soon enough the credits were rolling, but you were not ready for Colin to leave.

“Stay with me-don't think I wanna be alone p-please” you sputtered. For some reason you felt completely exposed. You usually didn't have any problem telling Colin your deepest desires, but this was different. Despite you not telling Colin about your situation you couldn't help but feel that something had shifted between you.

“Of course” he smiled as if it was obvious that he was going to stay with you. As you turned off the TV he got up from the sofa and held out his hand for you. Nervously you took it and let him lead you to your bedroom. As he stripped down to his boxers and you changed into your comfiest pyjamas, you couldn't help but feel how intimate this was. Sure you hadn't even kissed, but there was something oddly domestic about this. The pair of you climbed into the bed an snuggled up to each other. After exchanging your good nights, the air was soon filled with Colin's gentle snores.

As you lay awake you couldn't help but imagine various different scenarios. Colin's hands placed on your swollen stomach as he felt small kicks against your belly. Colin watching you adoringly as you fed a small baby in the early hours of the morning. Colin comforting a crying toddler as they climbed in between you, recounting their nightmares. You smiled at the images in your mind as Colin's warmth enveloped you and you succumbed to sleep.

-

Your alarm dragged you awake after the best night's sleep you had in ages. You grumbled as you turned the alarm off  and pulled yourself out of bed, careful not to disturb Colin. Colin's work in a local recording studio coupled with the fact he was often playing gigs late into the night meant that it was often nearly lunchtime by the time he'd get up. You made your way to the bathroom and had a shower. It was here you resolved to call in sick at work and go to the doctors. Talking about your options with someone impartial seemed like the most reasonable option and once you had figured things out, you would tell Colin everything; giving him the space to be as involved as he wanted.

You were making breakfast, when Colin emerged from your room. You couldn't help but grin to yourself as you noticed how adorable he was half-asleep with his short, brown bed-hair all over the place. Colin looked at you and gave you a sleepy smile that made your heart skip a beat.

“Would you mind if I used your shower?” he asked sheepishly.

“No, go ahead.” You replied turning back to the kettle to finish making tea for the both of you.

However as soon as you heard your bathroom door close it sprung open again as Colin rushed back to your bedroom. He was power-walking to your front door cradling his clothes in his arms.

“Sorry just remembered that I have to be somewhere.” he rushed and before you had a chance to respond, your front door slammed shut and he was gone. You thought it was a bit odd, but you brushed it aside; it was not the first time Colin had forgotten an early morning recording session. Besides, you had more pressing matters to think about.

-

Later that day, you returned home from your doctors appointment; a weight partially lifted from you. Talking things through with the doctor had helped with your anxieties; but what had cemented your desire to keep the baby was hearing the heartbeat during the scan. You couldn't help but cry again, but this time they were happy tears. But now came the hard part. Telling Colin. As you racked your brains about the best way to tell him a wave of nausea hit you and you sprinted to the bathroom.

You were trying to get the vile after taste out of your mouth by brushing your teeth, when something out place caught your eye. You turned to put the item back in its place when you froze, a wave of terror crashing over you.

“Oh no, no, oh fuck no!” You exclaimed to no one. It was the pregnancy test. That's why Colin had acted so strangely and left so suddenly! God why were you so stupid?!

Well that was it, you had to tell Colin now. You hoped he wouldn't be too mad at you for keeping this from him. Maybe if you explained to him that everything had happened in less than twenty-four hours he would understand. Clutching the picture from the scan you made your way to his apartment. Taking a deep breath, you knocked on his door. After what felt like a lifetime, Colin slowly answered the door in nothing but his boxer briefs.

“Hi” you said nervously, “do you mind if I come in? There's something that I need to talk to you about.”

Colin almost looked guilty as he opened his mouth, but before he could utter any words a female voice beckoned from his bedroom

“Are you coming back to bed Colin?” the voice asked seductively “you promised me a least one more round.” Horror spread across Colin's face.

“Y/N I can explain-”

“It doesn't matter” You interrupted “I think I might have made a big mistake.” Before Colin had the chance to respond you turned and ran back to your apartment, fighting back the tears that were threatening to spill.

-

Thank u, next

-

Tag you’re it: @whiskey-cokenfanfic @mrs-captain-evans @captainrogerrspumpkinslut @supersoldiersruined-me @southerngracela @katiew1973 @kelbabyblue @amiquette

[lullabieswrappedinlies]

Boston Boys [Part Nine]

Summary:  John helps Aurelie track Chris down. Pairing: Chris Evans x OFC, John Krasinski x OFC Word Count: 1660 Chapter Warnings: Gun violence, gunshot wound, angst. Square Filled: The entire series (well, bits and pieces of it) will fill my Crossover square for @marvelfluffbingo​​. A/N: This story contains a character who lost her hearing as she got older. I do work closely and regularly with the D/deaf community (I’m a sign language interpreter), but my own hearing problems do not involve significant hearing loss. It is not my intention to offend anyone, only to bring in a character with a quality I don’t see often in other fics. If you have questions about her, feel free to ask :)

Boston Boys Masterlist

By lunchtime, Aurelie still hadn’t slept. Chris’s phone was going straight to voicemail now, and a casual drive by the shop told her he hadn’t shown up to work yet. Her other step-siblings were there; Scotty wouldn’t have minded her stopping in but Shanna and Carly certainly would have been less than welcoming. She was set to meet John at his bar for lunch, so she picked up a couple sandwiches from the corner deli and snuck in the back.

“Hey, you,” John greeted with a smile, leaning over the desk to kiss her.

Aurelie couldn’t manage more than a small smile in return. She gave him his sandwich before tearing into hers. She checked her phone often and no matter what conversation John tried to start, her answers were quick and short before they fell back into silence.

“Everything okay?” he finally asked.

Aurelie set down her sandwich and ran a hand through her hair. “I’m sorry, I know I’m distracted. Not a great lunch date.”

John shrugged. “It’s all right. Wanna tell me about it?”

She chewed on her lip, deciding how much she should include him in things like this. She was pretty sure she trusted him, but that didn’t mean the rift between the two families went away.

John reached across the desk to hook a finger under her chin and direct her eyes to his. “It’s just me, Aurelie. Let me help you. Whatever it is, let me help you.”

With a ceding nod, she licked her lips. “Seb came into the trauma room last night - he was shot twice. Random bar parking lot altercation, of all things. Anyway, I texted Chris as soon as Seb headed to surgery, he never texted back. I haven’t heard from him at all, and he hasn’t been up to see Seb.”

“Maybe he’s staying away to keep heat off the situation.”

Aurelie shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. PD is always suspicious of my family, but not enough that Chris would stay away from something like this. I’m sure the same for you. And … there’s more.” She leaned back in the chair. “He went to see RDJ yesterday, and that was the last time anyone heard from him.”

John leaned back in his chair, too, rubbing his hand over his chin. “Nothing?”

Aurelie shook her head. “And now his phone is going directly to voicemail. I’m not going to lie to you, Johnny -- it’s taking everything in me not to march into Downey’s office right now and demand to know where my brother is.”

“No, don’t do that,” John pleaded. “Listen -- I’ll put some of my guys on it, all right? I’m sure he’s fine. Robert needs him too much to take Chris out.”

Aurelie’s eyes watered at the thought, but she only nodded. While John made the necessary calls, she cleaned up her part of their lunch mess, leaving his sandwich out for him to finish. Her appetite was gone.

John sat back down to finish his sandwich after the calls were made, watching her as though she might explode at any moment. She shook her head.

“I know you think I’m crazy. I know how you feel about my brother. You have to understand -- Chris is the one thing, the one person I have to rely on. When my hearing really started to go, he was the only person in my family who learned to sign. I communicated through him, pretty much solely, after my cochlear surgery. I’m fine on my own, but I don’t know how to be in a world where my brother doesn’t exist anymore.”

“Chris is fine, he’s gonna be fine,” John assured, taking her hand in his. “Nevermind me and your brother -- that’s a whole other thing. Finding him is important to you, and I’m gonna help you do it. All right?”

Aurelie ran a hand through her hair and nodded. “Yeah, all right.”

A full twenty-four hours after he arrived, Chris finally forced himself to leave Elsa’s apartment. She had called off from work for the day, and he had been perfectly content to waste the day with her. They spent hours in bed, cooked together, watched movies together. Checking his phone didn’t occur to him even once when he was with Elsa, and he cursed himself when he realized the device had gone dead.

He stopped at the gas station to fill up his truck and grab a pack of cigarettes. He invested in a car charger so he could catch up on any messages he missed, but he wasn’t prepared for the onslaught of notifications when the phone had enough battery to power back up. Before he pulled away from the pump, he read through all of the text messages. There was no point in listening to his voicemail, he knew what was going to be there.

He peeled out of the gas station lot and headed straight for the hospital. He couldn’t believe that Seb had been near death and he hadn’t been there. Visiting hours were already done for the day -- or not started yet, depending on how you wanted to look at things -- but he could always finagle a way to get what he wanted. If nothing else, Chris decided, he would grovel to Aurelie and see if she could get him in to see Seb.

His sister was already waiting for him at the entrance between the parking garage and the hospital. Chris knew that look on her face; he was really in for it.

“How’d you know I was gonna be here?” he inquired, signing since he was coming from a distance.

“Fuck you, first of all,” Aurelie began, signing right back but moving her hands with fury. “Do you know how long we’ve been trying to get a hold of you? Do you know how fucking worried I was?”

“I’m fine, Aur--”

She pushed him back, hard. “Do not give me that ‘I’m fine’ shit. The last anyone heard from you, you were going to see RDJ, and then you fell off the face of the earth. And where were you? Hanging out with your little girlfriend. Are you fucking kidding me?”

Chris held out a hand in a feeble attempt to calm her down. “How do you know where I was?”

Aurelie shook her head and put her hands in her pockets. Signing was something she had always shared with Chris, and she didn’t want a part of it right now. “I can’t believe you. I really can’t. She must be something really special.” With a sigh, she motioned into the hospital. “Seb is in SICU. I’ve got you on the visitor list, and Scar is gone for the night. You should be fine to go up and see him. He’s awake. He’s been asking for you.”

Well, that pierced him to the bone. Not to mention the fact that Aurelie was fighting tears. She never cried, in front of anyone. He had really let her down this time -- something he had promised time and time again he would never do. He reached out to pull her into a hug, but she stepped away. Knowing it was best to leave well enough alone for the moment, Chris walked through the automatic doors and made way for Seb’s hospital room.

Chris had stayed late the night before, into the wee hours of the morning, which made Elsa exhausted. She considered calling off another day, but she didn’t want to waste a personal day. She was going to be running on coffee and fumes until the bank closed at five.

“I’m running late, what’s up?” she answered her ringing phone on her way out to her car.

“Hey, it’s me.”

Chris’s voice was tired and something else. Sad, maybe? “Hey, you okay?”

“Yeah, everything’s gonna be fine.” He blew out a deep breath. “Next time I’m there, remind me to keep my phone charged. I missed a bunch of calls and messages, and a big family emergency. My brother -- ah, fuck. My brother was shot. He’s gonna be all right, but that wasn’t so sure in the beginning. I let him down, I let Aurelie down. I seem to be doing that a lot lately.”

The tone in Chris’s voice told Elsa that this man who had taken her by complete surprise was losing that confidence that had seemed to ooze out of him when they had met. She dropped her things in the car, started the engine, and then stopped.

“You’re not letting her down. She loves you -- you’ve told me before how close you two are. How were you supposed to know something was gonna go wrong? Chris, you do everything for them and you took a day off. What’s really so bad about that? Take some deep breaths. Seb is going to be fine, the situation was handled. You can’t blame yourself for everything. You can’t take on all of the responsibility.”

He didn’t answer right away, but Elsa knew he was there -- she could hear him breathing. She said nothing, just gave him the time he needed to process what she had said.

“Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry to call you now, I know you’re trying to get to work.”

“Hey, don’t apologize. You’re there for me, I’m there for you. Whatever this is, that’s how it works. Okay?”

“Okay.” He let out another breath. “Maybe sometime we can discuss what this is, where we see it going.”

He sounded optimistic now. “Yeah, I would really like that. You gonna be all right?”

“You kidding me,” Chris scoffed, “I’m the shit, babe.”

Elsa laughed. “All right, good deal. I’m gonna get to work, but I’ll check in with you later.”

“Thanks, Elsa.”

“Anytime.”

She disconnected the phone and put the car in reverse to get out of her parking spot. Despite the somewhat tense nature of their phone call, Elsa couldn’t get her smile to stop.

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