#like the davey one when angel got back from their business trip

[riverflowsanywherebuthere]

Thinking abt morning after audios

The soft cuddly feels and “didn’t tire you too much last night did I?”

The “I missed holding you/feeling you against me”

The domestic attempt to plan the day and ultimately giving up cause they’re too tired/they’re too comfy

Ahhh

[starlitangels]

(Like The) Fairy Tale Movies

L i s t e n. Yesterday’s video got me soft and Davey had to tell his kids about how it happened in canon. 2.1k words

—

“Angel—no, Natalie, get down—angel can this please be the last time you leave me alone with the kids?” David asked over the phone. I laughed, watching my screen as he had to move and snatch our daughter.

“I’ll be home tomorrow. I thought you said you could handle them both for a four-day business trip.”

“I can. But Asher decided to bring Evelyn over for a playdate—and Asher decided to also bring a Halloween-sized bag of candy.” The video jerked. “Gabriel, stop pulling your sister’s hair.”

“Davey, you know sugar highs aren’t actually a thing, right? Like, placebo effect maybe but the kids don’t even know what the concept is.”

“I’m well aware. But that doesn’t mean the kids don’t get overexcited when we get unexpected friendly visitors bearing candy, and you’re not here to help me rein them in,” David grumbled.

“Uncle Aaaaash!” Natalie shouted somewhere in the background.

The video call lurched again—I was gonna have to look away soon or risk getting motion sick. “Natalie Jean Shaw. You do not try to jump off the counter!” David snapped. My daughter’s maniacal giggle was all that she gave him in response. I heard him sigh heavily.

“Whaaat?” Asher’s voice asked off-screen. “C’mon buddy. Sometimes, ya gotta let her learn the hard way! She jumps off and takes a tumble and she learns not to jump off the counter anymore! Problem solved!”

Natalie giggled again. I caught a glimpse of her pigtail braids on the screen.

“I do not need her breaking her arm and the three-hour lecture from Marie about being a more careful father when she has to come heal it.”

“Just call Sam, then,” Asher said with a laugh. “He’s got Micah. He knows how these girls are.”

David pinched the bridge of his nose on my screen. “We are not having this discussion, Asher.” He turned to look at me. “Can I call you back in an hour, angel?”

“Of course. I’m just at the hotel for the rest of the night.”

He gave me a soft look. The one he reserved for only me. “Thank you.”

“I love you, Davey.”

“I love you too. So much.”

I blew him a kiss. He smiled and pretended to catch it before disconnecting the video call.

—

David flopped down width-wise across the bed. After Asher and Evelyn left and David finally got his nightmares ready to go to bed, he’d called his angel, finished their conversation, chatted a little more, and then they had to get some sleep—being several timezones ahead.

He was tired in a way that he hadn’t been since Natalie was an infant. He loved his spouse and was proud of the work that they loved so much, but he missed them terribly when they weren’t home. He enjoyed having some one-on-two time with the kids—but it could get exhausting fast. Natalie was so curious and always had questions. Gabriel was easier but damn he could get rowdy when he wanted to. Especially when Evelyn was around. Those two were a Dynamic Duo if he ever saw one.

He knew he needed to get up and shower before getting in bed, but his muscles kept saying, “One more minute,” whenever he tried to get them to respond.

Finally, he grumbled and got to his feet. His shower was quick and thorough, as usual. He threw on his pajamas and plopped back onto the bed. Considering a short nap before going back downstairs to finish the paperwork he’d been falling behind on.

He felt his eyes fluttering closed.

“Daddy?” a small voice asked from the door.

David took a deep breath and sat up.

Natalie was standing there in her smiley-face-star-patterned purple pajamas. Her comfort blanket was in one hand, the small wolf plushie she’d dubbed “Sheldon” in the other. The hand with the blanket was up under her eyes.

“What is it, baby girl?” he asked gently, holding his arms out.

She toddled into the room, stumbling on the hem of her blanket every couple steps. When she got to the tall king-sized bed, David bent down and hoisted her up into his lap.

She sniffled. There were tears in her eyes. “I... I miss them,” she said quietly.

David sighed, a melancholy smile appearing on his face. “I know, Natty. I do too.” He wiped her eyes with the opposite corner of her blanket.

A floorboard creaked, muffled slightly by being under the upstairs carpet.

“I know you’re there, Gabriel. You can come in,” David said.

Gabriel ran in, jumping as high as he could to try and get up onto the bed. He was tall for his age but still too short to make it, and bounced off the corner like a rubber band. David put Natty on one leg so he could bend and scoop up his son, putting him on the mattress next to him. “You missing them too?”

Gabriel nodded, eyes wide and staring up at him. David never quite got over looking down into his own exact eye color at his son, or his mate’s when looking at his daughter. He wondered if he ever would. Probably not.

David pulled Gabriel in close to his side, keeping Natty secure with his other arm. “It’s okay, Gabriel. I miss them too.”

Both of his kids clung to him, small fists balling in his pajama shirt.

David scooped them both up, one in each arm, and scooted across the bed until he could get under the covers with both of them. They each rested their heads on his shoulders.

“Daddy?” Natalie asked.

“Yeah, baby girl?” He gave her damp braid a gentle tug, acknowledging he was listening.

“How did you know you wanted them as your mate?” Her voice was small.

David smiled, a soft chuckle rising, unbidden, from his throat at the memories. “Because they acted a lot like you do, and you know how much I love you.”

“But I wasn’t born yet,” she protested.

“Nope. Not by a long time. But they were bright and happy and sweet and playful—and they liked teasing me. No one had teased me in a long time because I was the alpha and my friends thought they couldn’t anymore. My mate didn’t know anything about magic or wolves when we met.”

Gabriel nodded. “Like how we can’t mention it to our cousins on their side of the family.”

“That’s right, buddy,” David agreed. “But when I met them, I knew I was going to like them. Then, the more time we spent together, the more we fell in love.”

Natty giggled. “‘Are you hungry’?” she asked, trying to drop her voice in a low imitation of his. But it sounded more like how his angel imitated his voice than his actual voice.

David heaved a heavy sigh. “Of course they told you about that,” he muttered under his breath. “Yes, that’s what I asked after I told them I loved them for the first time.” Gabriel giggled too. “I didn’t know what else to say. I’d never told anyone I was in love with them before.”

“Were you scared?”

“A little.”

“Awww! Daddy, why? Didn’t you know they loved you too?”

“I hoped so. But... sometimes it feels complicated when it comes to love.”

Natalie shook her head. “No it doesn’t. If you love somebody, you say it!”

You’ll understand what I’m talking about when you’re older, David thought, but didn’t say out loud.

Natalie squirmed out from under his arm and climbed up onto his torso. Even resting her head on his chest, she was so small that her toes didn’t even reach his knees yet. She put her chin on his sternum and looked up at him with wide eyes. “Did you ask them to marry you or did they ask you?”

David chuckled. “I asked them, sweet pea. We’d been together for... nearly four years.”

Natty wiggled on top of him. “How did you ask? Was it like the fairy tale movies?”

“It felt like it, but it wasn’t as... fancy,” David replied. “You remember the big party we have with the whole pack in December for the MoonBound solstice?”

Natty nodded fervently. “Uh-huh. I love the party!”

David reached up with his now-free arm and set a hand on her back to hold her in place before she slipped off his torso and landed on her brother. He nodded slower. “Well, it was after the party. The rest of the pack had gone home. It was just me and my mate in the house—the one we owned before this one. We were just having a quiet rest of the night before the strength of my magic started to fade again after the pack run. We were just... sitting on the couch... relaxing.”

Natty scrunched her whole face up, not having mastered just scrunching her eyebrows yet. “And you just... asked? You didn’t get down on one knee?”

David smiled and laughed softly. “Let me finish, baby girl,” he said. “I did get down on one knee. I said some mushy things about how much I loved them and wanted to spend the rest of our lives together, then I got down on one knee and asked if they’d marry me.”

Natalie gasped. “Did they say yes?!”

Gabriel scoffed. “Of course they did, stupid,” he snapped. “They wouldn’t be married now if they didn’t!”

“Gabriel, we don’t call people stupid,” David chided.

“But... Uncle Ash calls Uncle Milo stupid,” Gabriel pointed out.

“Uncle Asher needs to learn how to talk nicely to other people,” David said firmly.

“Are you going to wash his mouth out with soap?” Natalie asked.

David couldn’t stop the snort that made both his kids jump. “No, Natty. His mate might, but that’s their job, not mine.”

“Oh, okay.” She moved her head so her chin was no longer on his sternum but instead rested her ear to it. 

The three Shaws were quiet for a few minutes. Gabriel seemed to have fallen asleep.

“Daddy?” Natty asked again, quietly.

“Yeah, baby girl?”

“I’m glad you got married.”

He smiled. “Me too.” He smoothed some of her messy flyaway hairs off of her face.

“You could have been more fancy when you asked though. Like the fairy tale movies.”

“I could have. But keeping it simple felt right for us.”

Natty yawned. “Okay,” she said.

David chuckled lightly. “Get some sleep, baby girl.”

She yawned wider. “Okay.”

Within seconds, she was breathing deep on his chest. Sound asleep.

David’s small smile grew. “I love you, baby girl.”

“Love you too, Daddy,” she whispered in her sleep.

—

I crept into the house at five in the morning, waving to Sam in thanks. He waved back and drove off. He’d volunteered to come pick me up since it would be before dawn and he hadn’t wanted David to have to pack up the kids that early.

Once the door was eased shut and locked behind me, I abandoned my suitcase next to it and snuck up the stairs.

Gabriel’s room was the closest to the stairs. I poked my head in to see if he was sleeping.

His bed was empty, the sheets rumpled. Wolfy McFloof—the larger wolf plushie Asher had given him when Natty was born—was jammed haphazardly between the bedside table and the bed itself.

My heart started pounding louder. I took a step and a half across and up the hall to Natalie’s room.

Her bed was the same. But her small comfort blanket and Sheldon were also missing.

A pit formed in my stomach and I ran to my and Davey’s room, ready to throw open the door and see it empty. To see my family snatched in the middle of the night while I was gone. By whom, I had no idea.

I grabbed the knob and shoved the door open.

A large, misshapen lump sat in the middle of the bed, covers draped over it.

On quiet feet, I slipped over.

The anxiety eased away when I saw David’s face. Gabriel tucked under one of his arms—and Natalie lying on his chest with a small smile on her face. Sheldon and her blanket in each hand. I sighed with relief and sagged down, kneeling beside the bed.

Davey heard me. One of his lush green eyes peeked open.

He gave me a soft, lovestruck smile. The same one he only ever gave me.

“Welcome home, angel.”

—

Tag list: @zozo-01 @arialikestea @mainhoesstuff  @darlin-collins (I’m adding you tentatively because this is David even though you didn’t specifically request the Pups AU. If you don’t wanna be tagged in this kinda stuff, you can let me know if you’d like)

[ktrsss1fics]

Cake By The Ocean: Seven.

It was four o’clock in the afternoon and Georgina Ferguson was dancing her way around the kitchen. Her boyfriend was gingerly cutting vegetables beside her while Fleetwood Mac filled the air with happiness.

It had been three days since their secret was out. The entire house had gone through an array of emotions during those three days. Everyone did their own thing. Jenna, Keith, Mags and Jamie hit the beaches hard. Brittany and David went on a tour up the coast. Niall whisked Georgina off on a flora and fauna adventure hoping to put her in a better mood. 

It didn’t work though. 

She still spent a good amount of time in their room afraid of what was going to happen next. It wasn’t until a heart to heart phone call with her mother that she realized the best way to smooth things over with her friends was to show them how much she loved them. 

Because she did. She loved them more than they could ever know. They had become family and she was stupid for ever thinking they wouldn’t approve of her relationship with Niall. They had been rooting for them to get together from the moment they met. She should have known better.   

After a brief conference with her boyfriend, Georgina decided that a nice home cooked meal and a quiet night in was the best way to show her appreciation. They spent a majority of the morning preparing to do just that. 

By the time afternoon hit, Maggie and the rest of the gang were curious as to what was happening in the kitchen. Before anyone could ask what was going on, their favorite Irishman beat them to it. In his best posh accent, Niall informed the crew that they were expected to be back in the kitchen at 4:30 wearing their best lounge wear for the cocktail hour. Unsure if he was being serious, David led the troops back to their rooms until the time was right. 

After changing into something more comfortable, everyone made their way into the living room where they waited anxiously for the cocktail hour to begin. 

“We goin’ to a five star restaurant or what? I don’t need a starter hour. I need a main course. I’m bloody famished.” Dave groaned resting his head on Brittany’s shoulder.

“Oh, let them have their fun.” Jamie said. “I’m sure it’ll be lovely.”

“The Baby can’t properly season chicken.” Jenna quipped. “This meal is all Ferg— assuming we’re getting a meal.”

“Her secret talent is that she’s an ace in the kitchen.” Brittany said running her hands through David’s hair. “Rumor has it she’s making Lydia’s roast dinner.”

David’s eyes lit up. “I fucking hope she is.”

“I’m quite pleased with the dress code.” Keith said smoothing out the fabric of his joggers.

“Um excuse me, not to change the subject, but are you guys seeing what I’m seeing?” Mags said snapping towards the kitchen where  Niall was acting like a goofy boyfriend. “He’s beaming.”

“Forget, Ni. Look at how happy she looks.” Jamie said nodding towards Georgina. 

“I’ve never seen her like this.” 

“You’ve never seen her truly happy then. That little Irish shit has fought long and hard to keep the rain clouds that used to follow her around away.” Brittany said as she looked at her best friend. 

“I’d say this is probably the happiest she’s been in about a decade. Right, love?” David said with a sigh. 

“Just about.” Britt smiled. Although she didn’t appreciate being kept in the dark, she was genuinely happy for both of her best friends. They deserved each other. 

“She’s in love with him.” Maggie said looking at Britt for confirmation. The blonde just nodded. 

“This is fucking brilliant.” Jamie said happily. 

The group of friends sat in silence as Georgina coached Niall through the prep work for her grandad’s special Yorkshire pudding. Her tone was gentle. Seeing Georgina’s soft side was a real treat for a majority of the group. The cold and standoffish woman they had first met was no longer there. Her guard was down and it was the most fascinating thing they had ever seen — and that was saying something.

“How are we gonna protect them?” Keith asked. 

That was the question that had popped into each of their heads as soon as the news broke. They knew how difficult it was for Niall to balance his public and private personas. Adding a serious relationship to that equation wasn’t going to be an easy feat. They didn’t know how they could help but they were going to try their hardest to keep their friends safe.

“Well for starters, no more randos.” Mags said glancing at Keith. 

“Yeah, Ferg made that real clear on Day One.” Keith said dryly making Jenna laugh. 

“I don’t think there is anything we can really do besides support them.” Jamie pointed out. They had  never really interfered with Niall’s life before and he didn’t think they should start now.

“No we can do more than that.” Jenna said as she was met by an assortment of confused glances. “We are going to stop inviting Marco and Ash to get-togethers and on vacation.” 

“I second that!” Mags said as her eyes lit up. “They are suppliers of constant drama and honestly she is bloody annoying now that she got her tits fixed.”

“I think the one way to protect Ferg and Niall is to not let Marco and Ash find out about them.” Keith said. “The less people that know the better.”

“Miller’s right. I don’t know how we are gonna do that though. I want them to be free around us but like how?” Jenna said. 

“I think we should just treat them the same as we’ve always treated ‘em.” Brittany said. “They are gonna need that now more than ever.”

“Britt’s right. Ferg and Ni are gonna need normalcy. Shitting on him and poking fun at her — that’s what will help protect them.” Dave said. “Moment we start acting weird, they might change. Then the foundation of their relationship could start to crumble and before we know it we have two broken hearts. Personally, I don’t want to deal with that shit.”

“How—How do we do that with the knowledge we have?” Maggie asked sounding hesitant. 

“Well if you lot didn’t shit on The Fearsome Foursome so much then you’d know how to do it.” Keith said with a smug smirk. 

“They neve—“ Britt started to say confused. 

“You wouldn’t know because you twats always ditch us.” Jenna said before nodding at Keith. “They get extra flirty and we just let it be. It’s our thing.”

“I find that hard to believe, Jens.” Maggie said. 

“It’s the fucking truth, Margaret.” Keith said a little louder than he intended. The group froze as they felt eyes on them from the kitchen. 

“Y'alright over there?” Niall asked munching on a carrot. 

“Bloody brilliant, babes.” Keith winked playfully. 

“Starters are ready.” Fergie called out as she walked past Niall. “Just finishing up the sangria.”

“She’s already drank half of it so hopefully you get a taste.” Niall popped off— earning himself a smack across the back of the head. A soft giggle escaped as he went back to finishing up his task.

“So to sum things up, we’ve  missed out on a lot of cute shit.” Dave said with a grin. “And personally, I’m excited to witness it first hand.”

“Why the fuck do you keep sayin’ personally? Is that your word of the day, mate?” Brittany teased looking down at him. 

“Georgina, Brittany is being rude to me.” Davey whined making the others laugh. 

“You probably deserve it, mate.” Fergie called back. 

“He most certainly does not. David is a goddamn angel. Never does anything wrong.” Niall said. 

“Exactly! Well except for when I told her to sit on your face in Aruba — that wasn’t a good comment to make.” Dave laughed. “I’ll admit that.”

“Yeah, that wasn’t a good look.” Jamie said scrunching up his face. “Or that time you made him take his top off before we FaceTimed her so he’d look like a proper lad.”

Niall’s eyes went wide. “We promised we would never speak about that day ever again, James.”

“What the fuck?” Jenna said looking around the room. 

“You guys always end up being shirtless together. I’m starting to get concerned.” Maggie said looking at her fiancé. “Why are you lot always shirtless?”

“Don’t ask me about my business, Kay.” Jamie said in an attempt to sound like Al Pacino. 

“What kind of business do you have that involves you getting your tits out?” Jenna asked. 

Keith shrugged. “Just lads’ stuff.”

“But like what’s—“ Brittany said before Niall stormed into the room cutting her off. 

With the Irishman leading the ship, a very passionate chant about being lads began while the group of men danced around the room. 

“You boys are fucking weirdos.” Georgina said as she looked at her girls. “Um, we’re ready for you.”

Ignoring the awkward mosh pit taking place around them, the girls headed quietly into the kitchen where a very delicious looking spread was waiting for them. Four glasses of sangria were sitting on the counter. 

“Next time we plan a vacation, let’s make it a Hen House only trip.” Georgina joked as the boys continued to act like fools. 

“Either that or we rent our own house without them.” Jenna said taking one of the glasses of wine. 

“It’d be drama free. That’s for sure.” Britt said.

“It would just be a lot of Spice Girls and wine.” Jenna said. 

“Sign me the fuck up for that.” Georgina said passing wine glasses to Mags and Brittany. 

The four women watched in silence as an impromptu jam sesh to Toto’s “Africa” filled the living room. 

“They are such idiots sometimes.” Jenna laughed as David placed Niall on his shoulders. 

“And to think they are all sober.” Mags said shaking her head. 

“They might be idiots but I wouldn’t change them for the world.” Brittany said scooting over towards her best friend. 

“You know, I’m really happy the universe brought us all together.” Georgina said clutching the glass in her hand. 

“Like think of all the little moments that were added together to get us to this point.”

“You on drugs, Blondie?” Brittany said eyeing her best friend playfully. 

“I’m just sayin’ I’m really thankful for this moment and for all of you and—and—“ Georgina said incapable of finding the right words to say. “I know I’m shit at this kinda stuff but thanks for putting up with me for all these years.”

“We love ya, Georgie.” Britt said resting her head on Georgina’s shoulder. “We’re always gonna love ya.”

“I’m sorry.” She said glancing at her friends. “I should have—“

“No, you shouldn’t have. I would have kept it a secret too.” Jenna said keeping her eyes on Niall. “He’s like a rare gem and I wouldn’t want anyone to find out about him until it was necessary.”

“Would we have liked to know you were in love with our best friend? Obviously, yes.” Mags said softly. “But like your safety and comfort are the most important thing to us. I would have waited to tell too. His life is hard and I wouldn’t want to jeopardize my relationship with him just to tell my friends.”

“Exactly!” Jenna said with a smile. 

Brittany wrapped her arm around Georgina’s and stood up straight. “Bottom line baby, we’re just happy that you’re happy.”

“So serious question, Georgina.” Maggie asked reaching out for a piece of pita bread. “You two made out in Vegas, yeah?” 

“I plead the fifth.” Georgina blushed.  

“What are we lying about in here?” Niall asked appearing in the kitchen with the rest of the boys. Each of them significantly out of breath. 

“She won’t admit you two made out in Vegas.” Mags said with a smirk. 

“He got her flowers. Obviously, they made out.” Dave said popping an olive into his mouth. 

“How’d you know he bought them?” Brittany asked. 

“C’mon babe. It’s Fergie and Niall.” Dave said making Georgina laugh. 

“They made out in Aruba. Beats your little Vegas obsession.” Keith said pouring himself a glass of sangria. 

“How do you know that?” Jenna asked confused. 

“Context clues, babygirl.” Keith winked. 

“Keith, you’re a fucking idiot, mate.” Georgina laughed. 

“Georgina! You cheeky little minx.” Mags said in shock. 

“He kissed me first!” Georgina said in defense. 

“Atta boy.” Keith said patting Niall on the back. 

“I don’t know why you lot are shocked over this. It was bound to happen — especially when these two use plant talk as foreplay.” David said.

“Hey! I’ve got more game than that.” Niall said in mock offense. 

“Oh I’m not discrediting that at all, babes.” Dave smiled before nodding over at Georgina. “But you start talking about a fuckin’ bougainvillea plant and this one nearly creams her pants.”

“David!” Brittany said with a sigh. 

“That’s rich coming from the lad who got a hard on when the pictures of that black hole were released.” Georgina shot back earning a few snickers from their friends. 

Dave opened his mouth to defend himself but nothing came out. Georgina took a sip of her drink while the rest of their friends laughed at the sight of a speechless David Watson. 

“Did Davey just get lawyered?” Jenna asked in shock. 

“More like annihilated.” Brittany said with a smirk.

“Speaking of annihilation, did you lot see the score of the Laker game the other day? Yikes.” Jamie said as a very detailed conversation about basketball began. 

Ignoring the conversation, David walked over and wedged himself between the two women he knew the longest. He slid an arm around Georgina, pulling her into his side. 

He leaned down and whispered,“You know I love you, right?”

Georgina nodded as she took a sip of her drink.

“We’re having a date at Perch when we get home.” He said with a smile.

She looked up at him in shock. “Really?”

David nodded. “Your personal growth deserves a lot more than a few drinks at a dive bar.”

Georgina leaned up and kissed Dave on the cheek. 

“Oi keep your mitts off me girlfriend, mate.” Niall popped off causing the room to grow quiet. 

“Your what?” Dave said with a smug look on his face. 

“Fergie’s my girlfriend.” Niall said with pride.

The look on his face let everyone know that things were going to be alright.

[yandere-tech]

Villainous Thing [Villain!DanielXHero!Reader] [Part 1 of ??]

The life of a normal human is precious. It's short lived and often unfair. You know this, you've watched it come and go. For years.

Of course, you had been normal once- you weren't inherently born into this life with the knowledge of what you'd come to be. Just how much power you would hold. No, no, it all happened in middle school- during the shooting...

You had been terrified- the door had be barricaded and you were forced to a corner of the room without everyone else. Shaking, crying and clinging to each other. Everyone seemed to drop the whole 'too-cool-for-you' attitude at these situations. All you could hear was the breathing, muffled cries and teacher gently trying to soothe everyone. Your heartbeat was thundering in your ears in the rather quiet classroom.

That's when the first gunshot sent your heart to your throat. It wasn't even that far away. If you hadn't been shaking before, you surely were at that point. Tears had formed quickly as you heard screams next, followed by more gunshots. It was like the whole world had turned itself upside down as you were left to cower in corner with other small mice, only waiting to be taken out by the cat slowly stalking your mouse hole.

Once the gunfire stopped, you had clung to the closest person to you, burying your face into their sleeve as they hid id their own in your shoulder. Their tears only being soaked up by the dark red cotton shirt you wore. It was still so vivid- every last detail. You even remember the way the kid you clung to you started telling themselves 'everything will be okay!' while digging their nails into your arm.

The thud of what sounded like combat boots clunked down the hall, something rattling with each step. Coming to a stop in front of the door- everyone held their breath as the madman jiggled the handle.

You still remember the way he sounded. His voice was something that could easily put you to sleep. Slick, sweet and syrupy.

Perhaps that's what made it all the more horrific.

"I'll give you until the count of three-"

"One..."

The teacher had gotten up- standing in front of you all. She was shaking- a fragile woman,a young woman, a teacher who only started that year.

Her body couldn't handle gunfire.

"Two..."

And it didn't.

"THREE!"

The moment the door started to get kicked in she had flinched, but remained resilient. In that moment, all those cartoons of the men and women in colorful clothing seemed so fake. True heroes were people like her. Facing death with a brave face to try and save even a few lives.

It wasn't spoken- but it seemed everyone had the same idea- try to get past the gunman for the door- run and don't stop. Don't look back, get somewhere safe and call your parents if you could.

A cold shiver ran down your back as the door flew off it's hinges and that man- a dark grin plastered across his face, eyes seeming to reflect hell itself as he opened fire. That poor woman... Her body seemed to move in some unnatural ways as each bullet sliced through her body, knocking her back. She eventually landed on the ground, blood pooling around her corpse- holes covering her. Staring at her body, it felt so hard to move. Like the Earth itself had melded you to the spot. However, it was when the bullets started raining down that you found the energy to run. Screaming wouldn't do anything and you were finding it hard to even do something as simple as keep your breathing even. Or run properly-

You had tripped over yourself and gone sprawling just at the doorway. Everything seemed to go in slow motion as you pulled yourself up and scrambled to get away. But that damn sound of combat boots was right behind you.

"Come on!" Someone had stopped and helped you to your feet. Some boy who you hardly ever spoke too. Some kid you hardly knew the name of.

Someone who took a bullet for you.

As soon as you were to your feet, they shoved you out of the way- making you stumble down the hallway as you turn to grab their wrist- hand extended. Only to have their blood splattered across that deep red cotton shirt.

No, you had to run. The gun was aimed at you-

The bullet lodged itself between your ribs, sending you back against the wall. Sliding down against it as the man continued on his way.

That pain you recall to this day- so vividly. Blood drenching you. Some from your teacher- some from your little unnamed savior who was dying for nothing but to have you follow a few seconds behind.

All you could do was stare at his body- watching the way the red bled into his white shirt almost matching your own shirt. His opened eyes staring at the ceiling as he gave a few raspy breathes, dying a slow, likely painful death. Much like you currently were.

"I'm sorry- I'm so so sorry- I'm sorry- I'm sorry" You had repeated over and over to the boy as he slowly closed his eyes. Breathing and speaking became even harder with each 'sorry' you uttered. Your breathing becoming more and more shallow as you close your own eyes.

Unsure of how long you sat there, you eventually hear a voice.

It was the most gorgeous voice you had heard. It still is the only voice that you know of that you can say belonged to an angel.

An angel by the name of Sariel.

"Not yet, dear." It was velvet enveloping your body, seeming to bring a warmth back to the cold in your body. His touch was the lightest thing you had ever felt. Even as it dug through the hole in your chest. Even as he pulled the bullet out. Even as he got your heart beating again.

"Get up."

It wasn't like you could say no. Your body felt- fine. With that light touch of his, he helped you to your feet.

"How...?" A soft chuckle escaped the angel. "Don't you worry. You'll soon find out."

As he walked you out of the school, he explained everything.

Archangel Physiology and what it meant to be his One. At such a young age, you hadn't any idea what it meant, you hadn't even tried to understand.

That's why he sent you here, you supposed. To master your new powers. So you could become the guardian he was trusting you to be.

"Hey- Hey are you even listening!?"

A hand waves in front of you as you snap out of your thoughts. "Huh? Oh- sorry Gwen." You say, sitting up quickly, hands clasped together. The entire team had its eyes on you now. "Everything okay, [Y/N]?" Asked David at the other end of the table. "Of course, why do you ask?" You raise an eyebrow only to have Max speak up. "You're fucking crying."

Blunt as always...

Reaching up, you touch your wet cheek and mentally curse. "Ah, I guess I just zoned out, it's all okay." You swat at the air. "Continue the meeting." You smile, hoping that David will understand and just get back to the topic.

After a look that said 'you'll talk to me about it after this', the redhead went back to the large holographic map of the city. "Well, as I was explaining, this new guy is kind of a huge threat. So far, from what Neil gathered from the few minutes he got to collect information, he's isn't exactly something we've dealt with before. Does anyone know what a Demigod is?"

"Oh! I got this one!" Nerris said, standing up quickly, clearing her throat. "A demigod is a mortal divine status. Either by a god and mortal having offspring or a mortal being raised to divine status." She explains happily with a smile.

"Very good, Nerris! Ten points to Team Magic!" David smiles, hands clasped before his smile dropped slightly. "Well- as Nerris explained- this is exactly what we have on our hands. The townsfolk have taken to calling him 'The Killing Spree In White' or 'Ethereal' depending on who you talk too." The redhead explains, tapping a few times in the air with the fancy green gloves he wore- bringing up a few reports. "Wow, he looks like you Davey." Laughs the male beside David, Jasper. This doesn't amuse David it seems. "Neil has found that he has only been around for about a month. Hasn't really done anything terrible until last week, where he was found in the middle of the massacre in the middle of Sleepy Peak Park."

"HE did that?!" Snapped Preston, who slammed his hands on the table. "Forty six people were found dead by suicide! Are you telling me-" He stops as David speaks over him.

"As I said before, he isn't something we are use too. And I honestly don't want any of you near him yet..."

"Bullshit! We can handle him!" Max shouts. "Team Adrenaline can take it!" He says, as if nominating his three man team."Hah, as if, Team Magic has a better chance." Harrison rolls his eyes. "Oh fuck off, Harrison." Neil snaps. "Personally, I think team Rad can take it." Ered says with a flip of her hair. "Ja! Agreed!" Dolph grins. "Unbelievable. Team Cosmic is far more capable." Preston scoffs.

"ENOUGH!" Snaps Gwen, standing up. "None of you are going anywhere near this guy. From what we gather he has the ability to get in your head! I'll be damned if we're sending teens in to get killed by their hands- or their teammates hands!" She looks between you, Jasper and David. "I think it's us who have to get involved."

As she's talking, you're busy looking through the information that was able to be retrieved. Your eyes scanning over it, feeling a writhing hatred build in your chest, which is slowly doused as his voice calms you.

'Volunteer.'

"David, I want to fight him." You say out of nowhere. "Wh-what!? [Y/N], he's-"

"He can't get in my head." You simply state. It was already occupied. You had the best defense against such an ability. "I- I think I can take him."

"But-"

"I can handle it, David."

Not only did you have a defense, you had started working on your healing abilities. It was weak at the moment, only really able to fix first and second degree burns and small cuts. But you were working on it! And your Earth manipulation was getting better by the day. You were able to terraport easily nowadays!

"I can't send you alone..."

"I'll go with them." Shrugs Jasper, arms crossed over his chest. "When I'm in ghost form, he can't really get into my head." He jabs a finger against his temple. "Not exactly anything for him to get into!" He laughs, making a slight smile tug at your lips. David huffs, but seems to back down. "Fine- fine. Just keep each other safe when you DO have to go after him, okay?" He demanded.

"Always am." You smile.

Jasper gives a lazy smile. "We'll see." He jokes, making David glare at him.

You chuckle lightly before you look at the profile before you. Examining it like your life depended on it.

Only for your alarm to go off. The song breaking the focus you had and making you jump up. "Oh crap! I'm gonna be late for practice!" You says, grabbing your bag from under the table. "Sorry guys! You know how to get a hold of me!" Tapping the side of your wristwatch, you smile.

With that, you bring your feet together and let the material at your feet swallow you. It was still weird for you. To allow the Earth to move you to where you needed to be and all. Terraporting was useful but took a great amount of concentration and not getting stuck under the ground where you'd likely suffocate... But you tried not to think of that as you feel yourself shoot up through the Earth, pulling yourself out and huffing lightly as you look around the campus of your college. Dusting yourself off, you quickly take off to practice-

Band Practice.

[idorkish]

Little Munson - Chapter 4

A/N - There will be a lot of time jumps in this one!

Need to catch up on this story? Check out The Reaper’s Angel Masterlist

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Angel was tired of everybody. It felt as if she hadn’t seen her dad or anyone in the club in weeks. One arguing match with her dad and she was banned from the clubhouse. Angel laid sprawled on her bed as she stared at the ceiling. Why couldn’t her dad just see that there was something off about the new woman he was seeing and that she always tried to control Angel. Of course, he wouldn’t listen. He was like the other guys in the club, as soon as a new woman gave them attention, their minds seemed to disappear and that’s all they thought of. Angel debated actually apologizing to her dad, but in her mind, he should have been the one apologizing.

The trip to Arizona had been good for them and gave them time to talk. It was the last leg of the trip, on the way up to Tacoma, that Bobby dropped a bombshell. He and Precious were going to get married. Angel hadn’t talked to him the whole way back to Charming. How could he just spring this on me?! He barely knows her! Everytime Angel thought of her dad marrying that woman, she became angry and would storm out the room. Precious wasn’t a bad woman but she and Angel just never got along. Angel knew they hadn’t been dating long, so the marriage announcement didn’t sit right with her.

Over the next couple of weeks leading up to the wedding, Angel did everything she could to stay away from Bobby and Precious. Most days she was lucky as Luanne kept her busy with paperwork and most nights she spent at Luanne and Otto’s home. Deep down, Angel knew she was wrong to be avoiding her father like this but she still refused to see him. Luanne and Otto tried to talk her into seeing him and talking it out. They both knew it was hurting Bobby that his little girl was avoiding him. Clay had stopped by a couple times to see Angel and try to talk to her, but with no results.

Angel hadn’t really left their home until David literally dragged her out. Otto had called the young Hale and told him what was going on. David appeared later that afternoon and threw Angel over his shoulder before carrying her out to the yard and dropping her on the grass. Angel yelled out at him as she sat up and turned away from him. “You going to tell me what’s going on or are you going to ignore me like you do everyone else?” When Angel didn’t answer him, David sat next to her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “Angel. Babe. Please talk to me.”

Angel leaned into his arms and sighed. “I’m sorry. It’s just… he waited so long to tell me. They’ve been engaged for months! And he JUST TOLD ME! Why would he keep something like that from me?” David pulled Angel closer and held her tight, pressing soft kisses around her face. “I know babe. But he had his reasons, whatever they are. You can’t stay mad at him forever. Try to forgive him. He’s the only dad you got.” Angel knew that David was right, she was angry but she shouldn’t have been ignoring her dad. “Thank you David,” she sniffled as she wrapped her arms around him. David held her tight and pressed a light kiss to the tip of her nose. “Anytime babe. It’s my job to help be the voice of reason,” he lifted her chin and pressed another kiss to her lip, “I love you.” Angel blushed and wrapped her arms tighter around him, pressing a kiss to his chin, “I love you too Davey.”

_____________________________________________

By the middle of summer, everyone was full into wedding planning. As the wedding day drew closer, Angel did her best to spend more time with Bobby and get to know Precious better. Angel spent some time with Precious shopping for wedding decorations. Bobby was happy to see they were finally getting along, or at the very least tolerating each other.

When the girls finally arrived home, each arm filled with bags, Bobby created them at the door with a huge laugh. “How many stores did you two put out of business today?” He went to grab the rest of the bags that were in the back of Precious’ car. “Oh baby, don’t worry! We got lots of goods deals on this stuff. I found Angel the cutest clothes and things for her room. She is going to look beautiful and like a young lady finally! You can’t keep forcing her to wear overalls and baggy clothes Bobby.”

Bobby rolled his eyes as he followed the two inside and set the bags in the middle of the living room. He knew his little girl wasn’t so little anymore but the idea of her wearing more grown up clothes still made him feel weird. Angel was supposed to stay little for as long as possible. Yea, she had a boyfriend, but Bobby ignored that part as much as he could.

“Dare I even ask what you two bought?”

Angel and Precious both gave him a grin and forced him to sit. “I swear Daddy, the clothes won’t be too much of a shocker!” Angel pulled out different dresses and skirts that Precious had helped her picked out. Long flowing skirts, pastel dresses, sandals, flower crowns - Bobby laughed out loud as relief flooded through his system. Bobby Munson had a hippie of a daughter and that amused him to no end.

_____________________________________________

The day of the wedding was finally here. Angel sat on a stool in the bridal party tent as Gemma stood behind her, curling her hair. “You look beautiful babygirl.” Gemma leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead, “You gonna behave today?” Angel smiled up at the older woman and shrugged. As much as she tried, Angel still had her issues with Precious. But today was about her father’s happiness so she had promised to be on her best behavior. “I promised to behave Ma. Today is all about Dad.”

Angel was the last to walk in the procession. She stood off to the side and watched as Precious walked down the aisle, her dad with a big smile on his face. Bobby shot Angel a wink as she waved to him and they both turned their attention once more to Precious. The past weeks had their ups and downs. Angel and Precious would try to get along but they butted heads, especially when it came to the house. But Angel did her best to put that all behind her. This was making her father happy, and she would put up with a lot more if it meant he was always smiling.

Angel was so caught up in her mind, she didn’t realize that the ceremony was over until she heard “I now pronounce you man and wife!” and the cheers that filled the air. Angel smiled as Bobby and Precious made their way to her, pulling her into their hug before going down the aisle.

Angel giggled and clapped, whistling and Bobby dipped Precious to give her another kiss.

_____________________________________________

After the wedding, all seemed good for the new Munson family. Precious and Angel were finally getting along now that Angel was back in school and it seemed Bobby was around more often.

Five months after the wedding, Precious announced that she was pregnant. Angel was estatic, she would finally have another younger sibling that she could take care of.

Bobby noticed a big difference in Angel’s attitude toward Precious. Angel was always there to help out when she noticed Precious trying to exerte herself. Instead of going out to see David, he was becoming a normal sight in the Munson household.  Bobby didn’t mind, he had grown fond of David being around, especially since he had so many runs to go on. It was a rare saturday where everyone was free and lounging around the house. Angel was sitting on Bobby’s favorite recliner with Precious sitting in front of her as Angel brushed and braided her hair. David was lounging on the couch, handing Precious and Angel bits of nacho. Bobby was in the kitchen, cooking up whatever oddity that Precious was craving.

“Hey guys, don’t forget we’re heading to the clubhouse tonight. Gemma wants us all there.” Bobby poked his head out from the kitchen and was met with a chorus of grunts and “okay”. He couldn’t stop himself from laughing at the three of them. “Alright kids, help the pregnant lady up!” Precious held up her hands and waved them around to get Angel and David’s attention. As soon as she was up, she made her way to the kitchen to find what Bobby was making. Angel sat on the sofa and patted the seat next to her.

David flopped down and pulled her close, “I’m glad you two are finally getting along. It makes your dad super happy.” David whispered as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. Angel was always surprised at how affectionate David was, even when around her dad and uncles. He was never afraid to show his feelings for her. “Yeah. Despite being pregnant she’s not as crazy or hormonal. She’s been...lovey dovey lately.”

“Well, that’s a good thing. I’m glad to see you smiling more Angel. You should never have a frown on your face.” David pressed another kiss to her nose and gave a small wink at her. Bobby walked into the room and cleared his throat, doing his best not to roll his eyes at the two. “Alright you little shits, break it up and help me pack up the food. Unless you want Gemma to skin your hides!”

_____________________________________________

Later that night as everyone was lounging around the clubhouse, the sounds of sirens in the distance grew louder. At first they tried to ignore the sounds of the sirens but as they drew closer, the men stood and made their way outside. Angel noticed the guys moving and made her way toward them, just to be stopped by Jax and Opie. “Stay here Angel.” The boys made their way after the rest of SAMCRO, followed by Gemma, Luanne, and Precious. Angel looked at Bambi, who gave a nod and they both made their way after everyone. David was the last to leave the clubhouse, completely unsure of what was happening. As Angel took a step out of the door, she saw the lot filled with police cars and a SWAT van. “Daddy!” Angel tried to make her way to Bobby but was pulled back by David, who was also struggling to keep Bambi from running toward the men. “Angel, don’t! Just stay back here.” David was doing his best to hold back both girls, who struggled in their arms and screamed for their fathers as they were forced to the ground and being cuffed.

Jax, Opie, and Luanne were trying to keep hold of Gemma and Precious, who were fighting just as hard. “Damnit, you two, please!” David pleaded with Bambi and Angel again as they struggled more.

“Girls just get back inside! Jax, Opie, David - GET THEM INSIDE AND STAY THERE!” Clay bellowed out as he was tossed into the back of the van, followed by the rest of the Sons. David threw Bambi over his shoulder and dragged Angel by the waist as best as he could. “Angel, please. Let’s get back inside,” he begged. Angel just stared as the men in her family were all cuffed and roughly shoved. “B-but he promised...he promised me no more illegal shit! You promised me daddy!” Angel screamed as she broke free from David and tried to make a run for Bobby. David passed Bambi off to Gemma and ran after Angel. He caught her right before she could lunge at Bobby and did his best to hold her back. “You promised me! You said this wouldn’t happen anymore! You promised not to leave me again!” Bobby tried to take a step closer to his daughter but was pulled back and pushed into the back of the truck.

The last thing any of them heard before the doors shut was Angel screaming at them and sobbing for the police to let her dad go.

[yeswritingsandwritings]

A Good Drive To LA

Kendra was impressed when I told how much cocaine I’d taken en route to her apartment. Arcata, CA. Some bumfuck hippie town far too similar to where I’d come from. I was itching to get out. Still far too far from Los Angeles. I wanted the soullessness. Fuck if I ever took a hallucinogen again. Never thought too much about why I was going. Just wanted the high of leaving everything behind me. I’d stormed down the coast, gripping corners of the 101 so tightly I got hard. “Yes, the new life, yes!” I said to myself. And now here I was with these girls, ripping the bong getting a different type of faded, and the girls were laughing at everything I said. Good shit. Shit every man deserves. Don’t you think?

I had to think quick on my feet as the girls got tired and decided to go off to their rooms. Another bump in the bathroom and the impossible calculation: How to get in this girl’s room? How to get her to bring me along? I mean, it wasn’t too long of a shot; she’d already sucked my dick once, on one of those stupid trips I’d taken to LA with the Xanax and the rented Mercedes and the strip clubs and the tired thumbs from swiping right on Tinder. Say yes to life!

But Kendra had a boyfriend now. I said “I’m not tired, would you care to watch a movie?” Fuckin’ easy. Classic and easy. Another bump in the bathroom and stifled maniacal laughter. Of course! How could I ever have doubted myself?! I was in.

We moved into the bedroom like some stoned sex robots. Nervous little whispers falling from our mouths, vanishing into eternity before God got a chance to look at them. Neither of our memories would function. Too strung out from years of this weed and these goddamn little benzodiazepine tablets. I stuck it in her soft and holy. She whimpered like a beautiful dog, lost in the night. Our foreplay was all of our lives leading up to this point. And a single touch collapsed the entire foundation. So we fucked quick, and automatically it was morning and the sun spewed ugly light thru the blinds, and Kendra rose to go to class. Gnawing down a granola bar I packed up my bag and got back to the car, finally wiping the heaving sweat from my forehead. Below me lay Los Angeles, all glitter and glam from where I was standing. Behind me all green and brilliant, a life squandered. Too precious to look at, so I dove southward to the dry desert, where everything is simple and you can pretend your soul isn’t there at all. A dream come true.

The next night I spent with my cousin in La Honda, a quiet backwoods town in the dense forest beyond San Francisco. La Honda, California, where everyone stays high and crashes at each other’s houses. Coming into the place from the outside world is like entering Disneyland. A little independent state within America, with a language and a currency in common, but something far different afoot, which would take years to uncover, and which I had no interest in fully knowing. I guess you have to have a certain level of enlightenment to maintain composure in this place, because I got shaky eyed in a matter of minutes and trembled to my car to retrieve the etizolam solution. Ah sweet relief among the Redwoods.

And my cousin showed me Paradise PD as his roommates, the owners of the town’s only general store, went into Frisco to dig the weed convention, and came back holding huge bundles of paraphernalia. I slept on the couch, passionately sedated, and awoke to say goodbye as quickly as possible. Our grandmother had recently died. We were both hurting, but what could we say to each other? I myself had called my mother in the middle of the night, weeping, and then, in a moment of desperate clarity, had taken up stronghold with a local girl, ostensibly bent on building something meaningful. It fell through, and I had my savings and I kept going south.

That evening I arrived in Los Angeles. The road rage sunset had left a flurry of red and yellow pastels on my face. My cousin Megan saw my road-weariness and guided me to the shower. “Fuck a shower!” I protested. “I’m in Los Angeles!”

And I was. My new home, I suppose, if I wanted it to be. I had enough money that if I were bored in a month I could dip off to some other American city, chugging my Svedka and imagining peace. It helped that I knew someone living in this city though, so I crashed on Megan’s floor with the rats. And in the daytime I went out with the pickup artists, until I was entwined enough in their group that I sought housing with two of its junior members. Josh, a portly Philipino from the Valley, and Aaron… a portly Philipino from the Valley.

We took up lodgings in a three bedroom apartment in Culver City, a stone’s throw from Santa Monica or Koreatown, or Hollywood if we wanted to go. Fuckin’ A, I’d tricked the landlord into thinking I was a big business entrepreneur, but now I needed a real source of income. Falling back on music, which was ostensibly what I’d come here to do, I took work as the head music director for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Conejo Valley. But the goddamn band only rehearsed once a week, for a fabled performance months and months in the future. “I need more work,” I said to the upper management. So they put me with Henry at a school in Calabasas, where the tap water runs gold and Drake and Kanye plot their next revolution.

“Calabasas is the new Abu Dhabi.” The neon words illuminated Kanye at his show.

I’ll tell you the truth. The tap water in Calabasas was far from gold, but it was useful in swallowed the massive amounts of Clonazolam and DXM I had decided was needed to get through the day. An ordinary day as an ordinary Boys and Girls Club worker, watching the kids play Super Smash Bros, stacking the chairs up and down and dissociating. In the bathroom I would snort cocaine straight from the bag and watch myself in the mirror. That crazy motherfucker with all the talent in the world, come to rot in Los Angeles. Yeah, yeah, a classic story.

At this time I was still going out like mad, approaching and wooing girls with a surgical ambivalence best witnessed, but still a thrill to be told about. On this particular night we were in Hollywood, wandering around Davey Wayne’s after spending the day tripping acid at the Getty Museum, then weaving eternal circles on the freezing Santa Monica beach. I saw a blond girl, approached her like a brilliant robot, smiling dazzling euphorias through my teeth. The blond girl’s name was Ezmerelda. Of fucking course it was. A creature so exotic she couldn’t exist as a Sarah or a fuckin’ Emma. She was active in the conversation, and she spun me to a fuckin’ thread when she stared in my pupils. She was the embers of the ghost of some girl I once knew, who I thought I knew well, but who was now a shadow presence to me, vaguely haunting my every decision and filling the background of life with nonsense. The crew went to Denny’s and we spoke of universes unseen and unfathomed. Pure life poured forth from her eyes, but when I went to lap it up the devil clamoured and hollered. “Fall back,” he said. “You’re not worthy.”

And maybe he was right. I awoke the next morning dazed as ever, alone, having nothing to do but take a walk and think of the night before. Gently ripping my blunt I sauntered off to Vons, down the street, and I gazed into the eyes of the checkout clerk, who was very tied up in the hustle and bustle of it all as she scanned my wine. Outside, the February sunshine penetrated all, and I thought of past wonders. The glories and the humiliating defeats. And I thought of what was to come. And a strange smile cracked over my face. It would be a long life, labyrinthine and impossible, but I wanted all of it. “Thank you,” I said to the clerk, clear as I’ve ever said anything. And, in the intangible euphoria of day, headed southward, to the apartment, out of which branched irreconcilable potential. And I lay and slept.

[junker-town]

Dodgers continue to keep Dave Roberts waiting

Option takes Roberts’ deal through 2019 with LA

Dave Roberts will be back to manage the Los Angeles Dodgers, in 2019, with the team exercising his club option per multiple reports from the GM meetings in Carlsbad, Calif. The expectation is that the Dodgers and Roberts will work out a long-term contract, but the fact that it hasn’t happened yet is pretty ridiculous.

The Dodgers had a Wednesday deadline to exercise Roberts’ 2019, worth a reported $1.1 million, per Jon Heyman. Roberts made $1 million in 2018, putting him in the lower third of major league manager salaries per USA Today.

Roberts and the Dodgers will have a few holes to fill on his coaching staff. Third base coach and infield instructor Chris Woodward was hired to manage the Rangers, and hitting coach Turner Ward left to take the same position with the Reds. Both were on Roberts’ staff for each of his three seasons as manager.

The Dodgers’ early offseason plate got even more full with general manager Farhan Zaidi leaving to lead the baseball operations department in San Francisco, which was finalized on Tuesday. For now, Roberts waits.

The Dodgers under Roberts have lost the last two World Series, their only trips to the Fall Classic in the last 30 years. Before Roberts, the Dodgers hadn’t won a National League pennant since 1988.

While Roberts was busy leading his team to a third National League West title in his three years and a second straight World Series trip, two fellow first-time managers who were hired at the same time as Roberts got contract extensions before he did.

“From all of our standpoints we reached a point where focusing on the season and what we were trying to do was more important,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said last Thursday. “We felt good about the working relationship and the prospects moving forward, and it wasn’t an issue at all to table it and pick it up after we were done playing.”

Six days later, Roberts and the Dodgers still don’t have a long-term deal.

Roberts was one of four managers hired in the 2015-16 offseason, and is the only one to make the playoffs since. Scott Servais had a three-year deal with the Mariners and signed an extension in July 2018. Andy Green, like Roberts, had a three-year deal plus a club option for 2019, but he signed an extension in August with the Padres through 2021.

Don Mattingly was Roberts’ predecessor in Los Angeles, and signed a four-year deal that offseason with the Marlins, through 2019.

Roberts has credentials that dwarf his cohorts hired when he was, and the Dodgers in his tenure have the second-best record in the National League, three wins behind the Cubs. Under Roberts the Dodgers have won the National League West in all three of his seasons, including back-to-back World Series trips. He was named the NL Manager of the Year in 2016.

Roberts’ 287 wins are the sixth-most all-time in a manager’s first three full seasons, and the most since Davey Johnson (296) from 1984-86 with the Mets.

Decisions, decisions

The World Series is such a large, hyper-focused stage that any mistakes — actual or perceived — get amplified to the point where criticism for losing the Fall Classic can drown out the accomplishment of getting there in the first place.

Roberts had a few missteps in the World Series, including bringing in reliever Ryan Madson in a key situation in Game 1 without ample time to warm up in the bullpen.

Controversy surrounded Roberts’ decision to pull Rich Hill in the seventh inning of Game 4 despite allowing only one hit in what to that point was a scoreless performance. Things completely unraveled after that, with all six relievers to follow allowing at least one run, turning a 4-0 lead into a loss and a crushing 3-1 World Series deficit.

“We can’t judge things based on single moves here and there,” Zaidi said. “We have to trust an overall process, and as far as that goes we have complete confidence in him.”

Lost in the minutiae is that Roberts for the most part nails the larger, more important things. Lauded for his communication skills, Roberts has waded superbly through the sometimes choppy waters of getting several regulars to sacrifice playing time for the sake of the team.

He works well with the front office too, which sometimes prompts some to label Roberts a puppet, as if collaboration is a negative trait.

My favorite Roberts anecdote comes from someone who didn’t even play for him, except for a month in spring training in 2016. Jamey Wright pitched 19 years in the big leagues, including an incredible streak of making eight straight teams as a non-roster invitee in spring training, and had two stints with the Dodgers.

Wright didn’t pitch in the majors in 2015 but tried making the Dodgers again as an NRI in 2016, Roberts’ first year as manager. Wright didn’t make the club, and retired at the end of camp. Wright with his two decades of big league experience had seen it all, yet was still quite impressed with his few weeks with the rookie manager.

“I’ll be sad that I don’t get to play for him this year, because he is a class act,” Wright said. “I’ve known since the first day he addressed this team they’ve got something to look forward to this summer in LA because he’s as good as they get.”

The wait is over

For someone who preaches sacrificing for the greater good to his players, Roberts practiced it too, continuing to waiting in line even after the Dodgers were done playing. Looming option decisions for Clayton Kershaw and David Freese in the first week of the offseason led to new contracts for both, including Kershaw at three years and $93 million.

“We talked [with Roberts] throughout the year about how optimistic we are that we’re going to work together for a long time, and we remain that way,” Friedman said Thursday.

The wait extended further with Zaidi leaving to join San Francisco.

After the final game of the World Series Roberts deflected any talk of contract talks, saying “there’s time for all that stuff” on Oct. 28.

“My plan is to manage the Dodgers. I love the city. I love the organization, and everything that it’s about,” Roberts said. “I love the high expectations. And that’s the way it should be.”

Zaidi said during the World Series that talks with Roberts have been ongoing for a few months.

“We would prefer to work out something longer team than just picking up the option. Both sides feel good about it,” Zaidi told MLB Network Radio during the Series. “Obviously he’s done a tremendous job with this club.”

A new, longer deal for Roberts could (and should) still come any day now. He’s certainly earned it.