#makes wordcount go brrr

[wobbly-little-writer]

Personally, I just have one massive Chaos Document which I put all of my recent writing into.

I used to use this method, but I ended up with parts that I liked and didn't want to transfer (because I'm lazy) and then made another doc with another timeline and another after that etc, etc. So. I decided to just. Go for it.

I didn't want to be tied down to one story or idea or timeline (or even have it listed chronologically through the story) and so behold: The Chaos Doc.

I have a new idea for a story. I write it there.

I have no idea what to write, but I know I want to. I just start with a sentence. I end with a paragraph.

I've just been through the worst experience of my life, and I'm mortified and want to figure out how to process this? These new characters I'm making are processing it for me!

I want to outline the brainlings and their plotline? I actually DON'T put that in this. Once they've become fleshed out enough to have personality and motivation and OMG A PLOT?! They move out of their parents' doc and onto their own. But otherwise, everything pertaining to their own created universe turns up on that document.

It's mostly just a way for me to get actually writing, rather than outlining or just thinking. I write what I want, when I want, and this ensures I don't have to worry about where.

Do keep in mind though, this is mostly for the first draft of anything. Once you get to the second, you'll likely want a more organized document.

TLDR; Don't bother with organization (when you're beginning), just make sure you're writing. MAKE A CHAOS DOC. WRITE EVERYTHING AT ONCE.

here's a tip if you struggle with being too scared to write bc you want it to be perfect and you don't know where to start: try opening a new document, copy paste what you have so far, and start writing from there. it takes SO MUCH pressure off knowing it's just a separate doc where you can experiment and do whatever you want, trust me but also just write what you love, even if it turns out "bad." write that scene you daydream about or want to read, even if it comes later in the story or you're not going to share it with anyone. let yourself have fun with it

[hard-core-super-star]

kate who gets horny when she sees reader wearing her hoddie 🙏🙏

-💜

what your hands were made for [K.Bishop]

pairing: bottom!kate bishop x top!reader

summary: kate ruins a cute moment by getting a little too excited about you wearing her hoodie.

warnings: SMUT -> minors, this isn't for you [grinding/humping; pet play is more than a little implied...my hand slipped :); kate gets needy and cums very fast; teasing; kate's praise kink goes brrr; subby puppy gf kate]

wordcount: 1.6k

a/n: i've missed writing for kate so much that i blacked out and wrote most of this in one sitting. i literally can't tell you who the dominant one is supposed to be here and i feel like that's exactly the way kate would like it lmao. anywho, i'm still thinking about the marvels so have this while i recover. i hope you enjoy <3

* * * * * * *

It’s a cold early morning in New York when your eyes open to the sight of your adorable, sleeping, girlfriend. A small smile pulls at your lips as you take her in, everything from her disheveled hair to the subtle crinkle between her eyebrows sends your heart soaring.

You can’t resist the urge to reach out and tuck a piece of her wild hair behind her ear. She stirs but only to wrap her arms tighter around your waist, an incoherent murmur of a complaint tumbling out of her parted lips. 

Kate Bishop is many things…except a morning person, something you’ve had to learn the hard way. It’s honestly a miracle she’s managed to make it to most of her early morning missions on time considering how many attempts it takes to get her to even consider getting up in the morning.

It’s hard to find her bad habit annoying when she looks so damn cute, though. 

Unfortunately for her, you’re awake, you’re hungry and Clint’s supposed to drop off her beloved golden retriever in a few hours.

You don’t necessarily understand the arrangement the two archers have but you know it can’t do Lucky any harm to be taken to the Barton’s home every once in a while. Especially during weeks when Kate is swamped with superhero work and can’t find the energy to be dragged around Central Park for a few hours.

So, you disentangle yourself from the brunette’s strong embrace and get up. 

You hear her grumble again while your hands reach for the warmest thing in sight: one of Kate’s purple hoodies chaotically thrown onto her bedside table. Any other day you’d be fighting the urge to scold her for never putting her clothes in her ridiculously large closet but today, the hoodie saves you from the cold air that nips at your skin.  

The tell-tale sound of sheets rustling around fills the room for a few seconds before Kate speaks up.

“Where are you going?” She groans, her voice carrying traces of that sleep-filled raspiness you've come to love. 

“To get ready. Clint’s coming to drop off Lucky.”

“Yeah, but that's not until later and your girlfriend wants cuddles right now.”

You turn around to face her, ready to tease her for being such a grump in the morning, only to find the archer watching you with wide eyes.

“Um…you okay, babe?”

Your voice brings her out of her thoughts and you catch sight of the pink hue that threatens to overtake her beautiful face. “Yeah…yeah, just…that hoodie looks really good on you.”

“Thank you, I stole it from my grumpy girlfriend.” 

You're technically making fun of her but all she can focus on is the way her hoodie looks on you. On the subtle smirk that pulls at your lips and the small token of possession it represents. 

She's not a jealous person or an overly controlling partner but the thought of you wearing her things, of showing you're her partner and no one else’s…stirs something inside her that she's never felt before.

You can see it. 

The way her face slowly changes from a sleepy and dazed look to hungry eyes that seem to try to devour you with a single glance. It would be startling if you didn’t know her so well.

“Come here,” she says as she extends her arms out to you.

“You’re not even going to sit up?” You can’t resist the urge to tease her even while you do exactly what she asks of you.

She merely shakes her head in response, stable hands grabbing your waist and pulling you down on top of her. You don’t even get the chance to come up with another teasing remark before she’s leaning up and stealing your thoughts away with a kiss.

You sink into her, an almost inaudible sigh slipping out of your mouth and into Kate’s as the two of you mold together. Her hands mess with the fabric of the hoodie adorning your figure but she makes no move to remove the barrier just yet.

You assume she’s just waiting for your permission to take it off until she starts caressing you over the fabric. There’s no time to question what exactly she’s doing though since her lips detach from yours only so she can nip at your jawline. “God…you look so good in my clothes, baby.”

“Yeah? Is that why you’re trying to hump the air right now?”

The groan you hear in response is exactly what you’re expecting. 

What you don’t expect however is for her hips to literally buck against the air. Your words were supposed to be a joke but of course, your girlfriend would be into it. There’s a reason you call her your golden retriever girlfriend and it’s not just because of how loyal she is.  

Her hands go from soft and exploratory to demanding in an instant and you let out a groan of your own as she maneuvers your body until she’s able to trap your knee between her legs.

She’s been awake for less than ten minutes and she already has you right where she wants you.

“Kate-” She smothers the rest of your sentence with her lips and yet you can’t find it in yourself to be mad about the interruption.

You’re too busy kissing her back to attempt to tease her once she starts moving against you, impatient hips rocking every which way to find some relief. It’s hot and adorable in ways that make your heart clench and your clit throb with need. 

“Fuck,” she mumbles against your lips.

You take the opportunity to glide your hands underneath her shirt and remove it from her in one move. She shudders, both from the cold air and the pleasure overtaking her body, and it’s a sight you don't ever want to forget.

Kate’s desperation is palpable but you enjoy watching the way she writhes under you too much to touch her the way she needs. You merely let her grind against you while your hands explore her chest, basking in the beautiful, needy, sounds you draw out of her.

You're in the middle of teasing her hardened nipples when she breaks. 

“y/n…babe…please…” There’s no sweeter sound than the sound of your girlfriend giving in to the pleasure only you can make her feel. 

“Already?” You ask through a chuckle, watching as your words make her eyes clench shut. “I haven’t even done anything yet.”

“Shut up,” she grumbles before another moan tumbles out of her.

She grips the front of your hoodie with an iron grip, pulling you down against her so she can kiss you again. You let her do what she wants while enjoying every beautiful second of her borderline frantic movements. 

It’s unreal how fast she crumbles under you, how quick she is to lose the confident act and let herself drop into a state where all she wants, all she needs, is you. Even the air she breathes is incomparable to how alive you make her feel during moments like these.

Your lips leave hers right as you push your knee against her center. You’re sure she’s seconds away from soaking through her sweatpants considering how hard she’s humping you. 

“y/n-” She gasps, her back arched and her muscles strained while she rocks against you. “Please, I can’t…”

You admire her for a few seconds before giving her the permission she not so secretly craves. “I know, you’re just a needy pup, aren’t you? You can’t help yourself, can you, Katie?”

Her eyes fly open at that and the dazed look in her eyes is more than enough of a reward for you. She nods furiously in response, clearly only a few mess thrusts away from falling apart. “Yes, yes, I am, please, baby.”

“Good girl,” you say with that proud grin that makes her melt every time. “Go on, cum for me, puppy.”

The reaction your words coax out of her is instantaneous and it’s more than enough to leave your own underwear soaked through. Your arousal is the last thing on your mind though when you have a whiny, shaky Kate Bishop wildly grinding against you while she succumbs to her orgasm and the searing pleasure it leaves behind.  

You watch her for a few seconds, doing everything in your power to commit the sight to memory, before leaning down and pressing a few feather-light kisses to her sweaty skin. “So pretty for me, you did so good, puppy.”

The only sound that comes out of her is her heavy breathing and the quiet whine she can’t keep in every time she hears you call her puppy again. It takes her a few seconds to come back down to Earth and you wait patiently for her, pressing soft kisses all over her face and mumbling all the words that soothe the gentle storm inside of her.

Her hands finally release your hoodie and she wraps her arms around your waist, pulling you impossibly closer and groaning when you move so you’re not pressing up against her cunt anymore.

“You okay?” You whisper against her.

“Mhmm. More than okay, actually.” 

Kate doesn’t give you a chance to respond. She doesn't give you a chance to do anything but let out a gasp as she rolls the two of you over and triumphantly lands on top of you.

She wastes no time in burying her flushed face into your neck and nuzzling the warm skin she finds.

“We’re gonna have to get up eventually, puppy,” you remind her even though you’re already running your fingers through her messy hair and basking in the intimacy of the moment. 

“That sounds like a problem for later.”

She’s technically not wrong and it’s obvious she’s mere seconds from falling asleep again so you bite your tongue and let her have her win. As far as mornings go, this might be your favorite way of spending them, tangled up completely with the archer that owns your heart.

[rems-writing]

JoongGi go brrr

Pairing: Hongjoong x Mingi

Genre: Fluff

Wordcount: 500 words

Rating: sfw

Nets: @mirohs-aurora-society @othersideoutlawsnetwork @illusionnet

Prompt from Illusion Net: "Be careful, you could-" *loud crash* *sighs" "-...hurt yourself..."

When Yunho told Hongjoong that Mingi was the clumsiest man in the entire group, he didn’t believe it at first. He figured San would be the clumsiest one in Ateez. After all, the man bumps into everything. From the fan in KQ’s dance room when they played some blindfold game to the mic that Buzzfeed used for the group’s puppy interview, Hongjoong figured that was it. However, as time passed, Hongjoong slowly started believing Yunho. 

Especially since the two rappers started dating. 

Long story short, Mingi had the biggest crush on Hongjoong for the longest time. He looked up to the captain and even told him that he inspired the second tall man to start producing music of his own. From Youth to Royal, Mingi would make sure to leave his mark in the production part of the music industry. It warmed Hongjoong’s heart to know that he was inspiring someone. What made it even better was that it was someone within his own group. The pride he felt in his chest made him realize that Ateez was his family for life. Every day, he always wished for Ateez to stick around as long as they could until they couldn’t anymore. But let’s not get too sappy. Instead, let’s focus on these two. They were currently chilling in the dorms right now. Seonghwa and Yunho were playing video games (Seonghwa with Animal Crossing and Yunho with Valorant), Wooyoung was yapping Yeosang and Jongho’s ears off, San was sleeping, and Hongjoong was currently taking a break from producing music. He was watching a movie with Mingi. In the middle of it, Mingi told Hongjoong to pause it so he could refill his snacks. Hongjoong paid him no mind at first. Then, he realized that most of the snacks were shoved all the way back in the cupboards and Mingi would definitely have a hard time reaching back there since they were practically buried underneath the amount of cans within those cupboards. Feeling his captain instincts kick in, he swiveled his head around to warn Mingi. 

“Be careful, you could-”

A loud crash could be heard from the kitchen and Hongjoong winced as he got up to inspect the damage. He sighed upon seeing a sheepish Mingi scratching his head nervously. 

“-...hurt yourself…”

As Hongjoong bent down to pick up the cans that fell from the cupboard, he set them all on the counter, making a mental note to have Seonghwa or Yunho rearrange these so Mingi or any other member wouldn’t have a hard time digging through the cans so they could get snacks. After he set the cans down, he had Mingi bend down a bit to check for any injuries. The cans might’ve hit his head. 

No Mingis were injured in the process of getting snacks. 

“You ok?”

Mingi nodded and Hongjoong couldn’t help but kiss the pout off his plush lips. He grabbed his hand and walked back to the living room so they could finish the movie. 

[awiola]

Normal update, autumn??? XXIII

Okay, so I thought it would be a nice, winter quarterly update but turns out the last one was titled summer and I guess going by calendar, winter barely started so it's??? autumn??? I guess??? Last day of the year but autumn, sure, let's go with that. That being the case, I have no new year's pic for y'all cause I can't draw I was devving uhh, rly hard, let's say. Totally.

Anyway, the mushroom jam has ended and I planned to have a release update BUT THEN I DIDN'T FINISH THE GAME ON TIME YET AGAIN, who would've thought, so, like, there's nothing. I mean, something exists but yeah >_> I'll write a devlog when it finally looks presentable. Moving on...

Current game stuff

The spooktober game has been finished, kinda - The enmity of dead things. It, well, it works and it contains the full script and everything but lacks both art and music cause I couldn't finish it on time laziness goes brrr. Then I wanted a break and worked on other games and kinda left it like that... So that's the first item on my "Finally finish it in 2024, you stupid fuck" list. All in all it wasn't a total failure and I had fun for the most part. Committing to my bad decisions [look at the textbox] is actually the main cause the game wasn't finished on time... You live and don't learn.

The failure of the year... Or quarter at least - Mushroom game. Despite being technically published to add it to the jam, it's so unfinished I won't even link it here. And it's all my fault cause I was being lazy and, as usual, forgot I can't actually program. Yeah...

Helped with Cool Days. There's really not much of my work there, I honestly considered making a new category for games I kinda helped with but tbh the amount of work actually finished was close to zero but hey, it's still more than nothing so Check it out, it has cool graphics.

The ace teens game got shelved/postponed and it's not my fault this time but instead we're working on a fantasy kinda thing for Ace jam [and maybe also Zack jam while we're at it but that might've been said in jest]. Fortunately it's small enough I don't expect any delays. I can say it involves a golem who isn't a humanoid (灬˘╰╯˘灬)♥｡･ﾟ

Now for the big thing.

Fanfares, please.

🎉🎉🎉

IMPOSTOR SYNDROME - is a game for winter jam which also happens to be a demo cause we ran out of time but! - it will be finished soon-ish. I'll share more details in the release devlog so if the link to the game works already, that means the page's up and so is all the info. If it doesn't work, check again in a few hours but I'm assuming most people who actually read all that will do so post winter jam anyway.

Genre wise it's an otome chat sim comedy that's extremely self indulged and I'm not ashamed of that. Gotta make games for yourself and all that. Though, again, my own conribution to the development process remains minimal. I'm truly becoming the idea guy.

The "Finally finish it in 2024, you stupid fuck" list aka the stuff that should've been finished already but isn't

Umm, yeah, everything. Or, to be more specific, Mushroom game and Enmity take priority here but all the other games that needed some quality of life adjustments like making the web build work on mobile etc are also included [which is kinda funny cause a lot of them could be corrected in like an hour if I actually sat and did just that].

It's been more than three years since I released Argousze and yes, you gessed it, it's also unfinished. Which is extra funny in a pathetic way cause it was supposed to be a low effort game with, like, 2k words of wordcount. To be fair I kinda dropped it cause I couldn't design my aliens but maybe I'll actually get a good idea for once and manage to release it on its fourth anniversary. That'd be nice.

Other than that, well... That's more of a resolution than anything but I should stop constantly joining new teams and all... And either take a proper dev break or work on ye olde projects waiting for me since the beginning of HS. I'll become older than my oldest LI before I finish them at this point lol

Pariiish noootiiiceees

This year we're gonna have two new jams instead of one. Stuff happened and yeah. No links just yet cause not only are the pages not finished but there's also no planned date/duration beyond 'sometime in the later part of the year'.

The first jam is Tentacle jam which, I'm pretty sure, would bring us eroges. This was not my intention and all kind of sfw tentacles are allowed but tbh as long as there's a proper story, even a nukige would pass. Basically the rules remain like in all the previous jams I hosted.

The second jam is Insect [adjacent] jam which actually accepts all kinds of arthropods but it started as just insect jam and I wanted to keep the name. So yeah. Obviously more detailed rules of what's allowed would be written on the page when it's up properly and not in a half dead state like right now.

Incidentally, whatever the date ends up being, both of these jams would be hosted at the same time so if you wanted to make a story taking place underwater or something, you could submit it to both of these jams. Neat, right?

That's it for this year.

Over.

[lebenspurpur]

Could I request some somnophilia with the Huntress?

AN: hehe, Anna makes my brain go brrr

Warnings: this is all happening with consent and after talking about it ofc, AFAB reader, lots of praising, not really proofread

Wordcount: 800-ish words

The sleepy daze you're in is slowly dissolving as warm pleasure flutters in your tummy. You can't tell why or how yet but you sigh regardless, feeling delighted to be woken this way.

As you grow more and more aware, the soft rain hitting the cabin and the smell of wet earth penetrates your senses, as well as an alluring, wet sensation in your groin. Humming softly, your hands trace down and stop as you feel soft, silky strands between your thighs.

You smile as you realize what's happening, growing a little bit flustered at the sounds emitting from in between your thighs.

Anna couldn't care less though and, humming as she realizes you're awake, laps her tongue out again, making you groan with how messy and intense she is.

"Good Morning to you, too..." you breathe out, and vibrations run through your sex as Anna chuckles in response.

She lifts her head and, while ignoring your disappointed whines, sends a cheeky grin your way.

"Good Morning дорогой².", she purrs, voice husky and rich this early in the morning, "Hope you slept well."

"Mhm.", you hum, smiling as she leans up to you, pressing a hot kiss to your warm neck, "Though I feel pleased to wake up to this."

"I know.", Anna's lips move to your face, kissing the corners of your mouth while she murmurs the words against your skin, "I should continue then?"

She laughs quietly as you nod, head dipping between your legs again. Her lips find your genitalia, and unhurriedly and gently, she starts pleasuring you. Her tongue moves with the knowledge she's earned over the time you've spent with each other, knowing exactly what to do to make you moan out in ecstasy.

Sighs and breathy moans spill from your lips, growing in volume the longer her mouth works on you. Warm, dizzying pleasure floods your abdomen and spreads to the rest of your body, leaving it tingling and excited.

You're so relaxed and focused on her actions, you don't see her hand slowly creeping down to join your sex until you feel her touch you, making you whine. Her fingers are cold and nimble as they join her tongue and you buck your hips in a desperate attempt to get more friction.

"Nuh-uh.", Anna's other hand moves to your hipbone and presses it down, pinning your body to the bed, "Be good."

You shudder at her dominant words yet you comply with a shy smile. Anna watches you closely and smiles when she feels your body relaxing again, submitting to her strength.

Her fingers work their magic as she kisses your sex and you cry out as her lips latch onto your clit, sucking feverishly.

"Fuck, Anna...", you groan and your fingers start pulling her hair slightly.

Anna hisses at the action and her mouth grows messier.

Her fingers curl inside of you and you suck in a breath, legs nearly closing around her at the feeling of utter, blazing hot bliss. She hums and repeats the action enthusiastically. Soon, you're a moaning mess beneath her, crying out whenever her fingers buck just a little bit deeper.

"Anna...", you breathe out, warning your buff lover.

"I know, I know.", her fingers grow a bit slower and you pout until she hits even deeper and you're mewling out into the chilly air of the cabin.

"You ready to let go, hm?", she murmurs and her lips, wet from your juices, press a snug kiss onto your pelvis, "Ready to cum for me?"

Not having any control over your voice you whine as an answer and Anna coos at your desperate expression.

Her fingers bend again and you see black dots in your vision as she massages your velveteen walls, calloused skin rubbing against your insides. The Huntress pecks your abdomen.

"Come on then.", she whispers, voice vibrating against your tingling skin, "Let go, дорогой. Let go for me."

You reach your peak with a sob, legs shaking and clamping over her hand and fingers as pleasure washes over your senses. Anna keeps thrusting inside of you, unoccupied hand rubbing gentle circles into your hipbone as you trash against her.

"That's it.", she whispers hoarsely, smiling with adoration as she watches you unwind, "You're doing so well."

You moan her name sweetly and her smile turns into a lovesick grin. Her fingers gradually pull out of you. She's delighted to watch your muscles shiver in overstimulation as you whimper, sex glistering with juices.

"Good job.", she moves up and kisses your forehead, "Вы сделали так хорошо.³"

You lean up, desperate for a kiss, and Anna chuckles while bending down and connecting your lips. Her mouth is criminally hot and you can taste yourself on her tongue. Anna leans back, gazing at you for a few seconds before leaning back and tugging your underwear back up your legs.

The huntress crawls up next to you, careful not to hurt you with her much larger frame as she slides beneath the blankets next to you, smiling as your head immediately finds her chest. Her hands ruffle your hair, cupping one cheek tenderly.

"So...", she starts, smile turning into a sly smirk, "Do this again?"

You look up at her, eyes lidded with satisfaction and tenderness, "Oh, definitely."

2 - Darling

3 - You did so well

[djs-sideblog-for-pog-trains]

Friends (that we made up for along the way) Chapter 4

Part 1 |  Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | >>

hey i somehow forgot i had a whole ass fic to post chapters from my bad my bad. anyway have some spicy edward’s exploit angst

Characters: Gordon, Edward, Henry, Thomas, Percy, James, Duck, Sir Topham Hatt, (mentioning all characters who have and will appear, even if they haven’t yet)

Relationships: platonic gordon&edward a major focus, some possible allusions to 2x3 later on.  

Genre: Human AU, hurt/comfort

Chapter’s Wordcount: roughly 1600 words [under the cut]

Chapter Warnings: talk/discussion of injuries, intrusive/spiralling thoughts, angst go brrr

Chapter 4/?

 Chapter 4 - i’ve run out of funny tag-ons

Gordon, he had to admit, had gotten into the habit of sitting up and waiting for Edward’s shift to be over. James had since moved out, leaving just the two of them as roommates once more (like the good old days, Edward had laughed), and, well, it just sort of brought Gordon peace of mind to see Edward home for the day.

So when he was still waiting up at 1am for Edward’s 8 o’clock train, he was getting pretty damn worried.

He’d never admit it, of course. But the number of times he’d unfolded and folded the newspaper, pretending to read it, or picked up his book and set it down again, or gotten up from his seat to boil and reboil and reboil the kettle after it kept going cold because of course Edward would be home any moment now I better get some tea ready for him, spoke loudly enough on their own.

Hell, he was even physically pacing up and down the living room by the time the front door finally opened.

“Edward, where the hell have-?” Gordon turned, anxiety boiling over in frustration, before he finally set sights on what was in his doorway, and the words dropped back down his throat to choke him into shocked silence.

Edward was there, yes, and so was Henry. And Henry was there, because he had to prop Edward up, because it was clear he couldn’t walk by himself, if the cast on his leg was anything to go by.

Gordon’s mouth was hanging open.

“Oh,” Edward said lamely. “Hello. You… you didn’t have to sit up, Gordon.”

“Cinders and ashes,” Gordon choked out, eyes darting between Henry’s grim face and Edward’s apologetic expression. “What the hell happened to you?”

Henry helped him in, and Gordon rushed to close the door behind them, sealing the bad weather firmly outside, to pull out a chair for the two of them, to… to…

“It’s a long story,” Edward smiled – cinders and ashes the man was still smiling even though some of the lacerations he had on his face must mean that that must hurt – “let’s say I was lucky it was just the leg.”

“And your hands,” Henry added firmly. “And your ribs? Cracked, remember?”

“We were late because we had to come back from the hospital after Henry pulled his train,” Edward offered, and Gordon replied with a smile that he hoped wasn’t as pinched as it felt, before he rubbed his face and hurried into the kitchen so he could put his back to the two of them.

His hands were shaking. Crash? Was it a crash? Lucky? What did he mean by lucky? The tea was made before he knew it and he had set down a cup each before the two of them. He was amazing he hadn’t spilt any by how badly he felt he was shaking.

“Gordon…” Edward said softly, and Gordon’s head snapped up to meet his gaze. “I’m sorry. I clearly made you worry.”

“Don’t you go apologising,” Gordon said firmly, before retreating to his armchair, making a show of sitting down and getting comfortable, and clasping his hands in his lap to hide his tremors. “Now, do you mind answering my question of what in the seven blazing hells happened to you?”

And, well, Edward did.

And by god, Gordon had no idea how strong Edward was. He… he did that? By himself? Injured? And he still made it home?

“Hatt says I’m not to work til I can walk again,” Edward finished morosely, sipping his tea.

“I should hope so,” Henry exclaimed. “Why, he should do more than that for you.”

“Heavens knows you deserve it,” Gordon said quietly, looking down at his hands, and he could feel the Look that Edward gave him, like he was re-evaluating something about Gordon in his head.

“And…” Henry cleared his throat softly, before hesitantly continuing, like it was something he didn’t really want to have to broach to Gordon himself, “Hatt has.. given permission for me to take time off to look after him, too.”

Shouldn’t it be me? was the first thing that nearly left Gordon’s mouth, before he closed it again.

He supposed, whilst they were roommates, that was about as far as their connection seemed to go, at least to the outward observer… to someone such as, oh, perhaps Sir Topham Hatt? And to the outside viewer, it did seem Edward and Henry got along well – better than Gordon did with them. Plus, Gordon being the one who basically ran the Express Line, it’d be harder to replace him indefinitely like that. And Henry was still struggling with his own health at times, so it made sense for the two of them to be the ones… so…

“That’s a good idea,” Gordon said instead. “…Will you still stay in your own place?”

Henry looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him up, and it had Gordon wondering what sort of expression was on his face right now. Had he always seemingly scared Henry that much, and never noticed? Or had he just never felt bad about it before?

Before he could stop himself, he was rubbing his face and trying to school his expression into something more kind – though that wasn’t necessarily an expression he knew well.

Edward was still watching him closely. It made Gordon’s skin crawl, just a little.

“We had maybe thought,” Edward then started, and Gordon turned his attention to Edward because he knew at least that Edward knew how to handle him, “that Henry might move in for the month or two it might take, though I have been warned it may be more.”

Month or two. Maybe more. Gordon could do that.

“We were also worried,” Edward had limply folded his hands on his lap – as best he could as they were quite heavily bandaged, “about Thomas and Percy, seeing as Henry would not be there to…”

Edward glanced at Henry, who was searching for a word and eventually settled on “supervise.”

“So…” Gordon glanced between the two of them.

“We could swap,” Henry blurted, like he was ripping the bandage off.

Gordon blinked. And thought about it. And before anything more could drag his thoughts into a dark mess he didn’t want to unpack, he took a sharp breath, and agreed.

“Okay.”

“I mean, if it’s… okay?” Henry’s rushed explanations fell limply to the carpet. “Just… okay?”

“Okay,” Gordon agreed, and he had to admit he was proud of himself – his voice didn’t shake an inch. Was he actually upset over this? Why? It made perfect sense as to why it was panning out this way. “…Is this active of right now?”

Henry let out a gentle curse, rubbing his face. “I… maybe? Thomas and Percy are on their own, still, I came straight here, I forgot, and-”

“You can call now,” Edward cut Henry off gently, gingerly patting him on the leg. “Use our landline.”

Gordon stood. “I’ll pack and head that way, if you explain,” he said hollowly, nodding to Henry, who also rose to his feet.

“Okay,” Henry replied, his eyes unusually soft. “…Thank you, Gordon.”

Gordon tried very hard to swallow down the feeling that he was being kicked out of his own home, and did his best to smile. “Of course,” he said evenly, before turning on his heel and striding out of the room.

It took him fifteen minutes total to pack everything he’d, and it was then that Gordon was beginning to realise that he… really didn’t have a lot. He had his uniform and casual variants of, he had his basic necessities and such, and… as he looked around his room to scan for anything he missed, and bar the fairly-packed bookshelf by his desk (which he had decided against bringing any - not enough space in his bag), it looked like it had barely changed.

Like Gordon had barely been here in the first place.

God, where was all this coming from? He was Gordon. He was a Gresley. He was the fastest and the best. He was the poster-child for North Western Railway. The Express would not run without him. He was valued and important.

And, Gordon thought miserably as he stared in the mirror, what did he have to show for it? How many friends did he have? Edward? Out of necessity. James? Well, he supposed that was maybe the closest to genuine. Henry? It still felt on thin ice and they’d known each other for years.

And god, Thomas and Percy. And the others. Maybe his brain was stuck in doom-and-gloom mode, but Gordon felt like he barely knew them. Hell, he barely kept in touch with the one member of his family he could half-stand. He had always been so bad at people, he didn’t understand why he was surprised about it now.

He rubbed his face and shook his head, before flipping his suitcase closed and shrugging on his big blue woollen overcoat. It was still raining, and he had to walk over – though the distance wasn’t far.

As he emerged from his room and dragged his case into the living room once more, Edward looked up at him, Henry still in the kitchen.

“Are you really okay with this, Gordon?” Edward asked quietly, and Gordon felt the uncomfortable sensation of Edward looking through him.

“Of course I am,” Gordon huffed, faking a pompous and disinterested air (an old classic, he didn’t know where he would be without it). “Why would I not be?”

“Gordon,” Edward said.

God, there was so much in that one word that Gordon nearly broke then and there.

“…I’ll see you,” Gordon said instead. “Around. Hopefully. I’ll… I’ll, um-”

“You’re always free to drop in,” Edward offered, shifting in his seat. “It’s our home, after all.”

Gordon adjusted his coat and said nothing.

“Alright.” Henry emerged from the kitchen, looking exhausted. “They understand and they’re waiting for you, Gordon.”

“Then I best be off,” Gordon stiffly replied. “Look after him.”

“I…? Of course,” Henry blinked, almost bewildered.

Gordon nodded to them once more, before bundling himself out the door before he dared to get emotional in front of his… colleagues.

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

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

top 10 gordon angst moments - this might be OOC as fuck but it’s my fic and i get to choose how to make the characters sad /j

@theflyingkipper @freedreamersuitcasething @mean-scarlet-deceiver @togetherness23

[bonesthebeloved]

Over the body of a fallen god

Summary: Tommy and Tubbo make it into the prison to kill Dream. Things don't go as planned. Wordcount:  1560 CW/TW: Blood and injury, vague description of a dead body, mention of manipulation, trauma, being trapped. AN: New hyperfixation go brrr.  This is about the characters only. However is any of the CC that are mentioned here express discomfort with anything in this work I’ll take it down immediately. 

-

They’d gotten in. He really doesn’t know how they managed to get this far but they’d gotten in. 

Realistically he knew from the start that this plan was doomed to fail; the prison was inescapable. Sam and Dream himself had made sure of that. Layers and layers of practically unbreakable stone and obsidian with a lava riddled middle. Nothing should be able to go in and out without the warden knowing. 

This is why Tommy was so baffled that they were stood here: The giant staircase leading up to the main cell behind them, fire resistance, and netherite sword in hand. 

They were going to do this. Dream would finally be dead and they’d never have to worry about him or Wilbur or (gods forbid) Schlatt, ever again. 

Maybe- he thought- Maybe Sam had stopped caring about if Dream was kept safe. Maybe he’d stopped checking in on him except to give him his food. Maybe Tommy dying had something to do with that. 

Not that he cared. Why would he care? It wasn’t like Sam was there for him when he’d needed him the most!

Tommy shook his head to try and clear it a bit, Looking at his friend stood next to him, waiting patiently for him to give the sign for them to continue. 

So, after a moment, Tommy took a deep breath, downing the potion and feeling its effects settle in. Throwing the bottle to the side to grab his friend's hand, his other one clutching a netherite sword as he gave a nod.

And with that, the switch was flipped and the platform ascended into the lava. 

He closed his eyes tightly. Focusing on Tubbo’s hand in his as they moved through the deadly wall of heat.

He and lava didn’t mix too well you see? Dreams voice echoing vaguely in his head with all the lies he’d fed him. Flashes of memories of just how far the man had pushed him flickering under his eyelids like the bright swirling orange of the lava around them. The slight tingling feeling of it on his protected skin far easier to handle than the scorching heat of the nether had been when he’d stood on that edge. When he’d been in the prison, back to the deadly wall they were now moving through as if it was nothing. 

A slight pulling on his arm, let him know to step off the platform, Tubbo leading him into the prison-cell. He could hear heavy breathing. He could hear the barrier between them being put down. He could feel the potion effect wearing off and the heat from the lava starting to heat up his back. He could feel Tubbo squeezing his hand even tighter than before. 

“Tommy...?” His friend said. Sounding awfully unsure suddenly.

“Just give me a moment Tubs.”

“-No Tommy I think you really should-”

“Hello, there you two.” Said a voice that he’d hoped he’d never have to hear again. 

His head shot up and his eyes flew open as he felt himself freeze in place. Finally taking in the scene before him. 

Dream was...on the floor. Dream was on the floor and his mask was off, shattered into pieces laying a little further off. His mask was off and his eyes were staring blankly at a spot in front of him. Unseeing. Grey.

Dead.

There was blood on the wall to their right. Splattered and trickling down. The same blood that was in a pool that seemed to be steadily growing around Dream’s head. The wound that it must be flowing from mercifully on the side of his head that was facing the floor. Hiding it from sight. 

His clothes were bloodied as were his knuckles. His nose seemed broken and he was...

Dead.

Dream was dead.

And the figure above him was casually wiping the blood off of his hands and onto his long brown coat. 

“Good to see you again Tommy. We never finished that round of solitaire,” Wilbur said, smiling in a way that Tommy had come to assume meant danger as he casually stepped over the corpse of their enemy-turned-god and moving closer to the two kids that stood in front of him. 

Both of them took a step back. Now inches away from the lava and Tommy suddenly became painfully aware that they’d not brought any more potions with them. 

The plan had been to wait it out until Sam would come to check on the prisoner and then be led out.

In hindsight, they should have thought this through some more. 

Tubbo seemed to recover from it all slightly faster.

“You’re- but you’re”

“Dead? supposed to be rotting in hell? Oh, I’m well aware Tubbo.” Wilbur said. A laugh in his voice made Tommy’s skin crawl.

“But Dream over here was so kind to revive me. So I thought, why not make it everyone’s problem.” 

“Why would he- you killed him. He revived you and you killed him.”

“You’re stating the obvious there, big man,” Wilbur said. His tone mocking as he said the last bit. 

“Dream might be smart. But he’s a bit of an idiot sometimes,” he said, sitting down crisscross as if he wasn’t partly leaning against the dead body of the most powerful person on the server. 

No way in hell Tommy was going to sit down and get comfortable with that man. 

“He thought I’d help him escape. Fella still doesn’t seem to realize that I have my own agenda. Had to resort to the only language the people here seem to understand.” he motioned to the blood on the walls and his bruised knuckles and Tommy saw Tubbo’s grip on his sword tighten. 

“You’re not getting out of here Wil. Sam is just gonna keep you locked in here instead of Dream. We’re never letting you out of here big man and you can go FUCK YOURSELF if you think you’ll ever have an ounce of power again.” Tommy said. Feeling the rage finally fizzle to life. The rage of all the wrong Wilbur had done to him during their stay in limbo. The rage of the only chance of getting closure, of plunging his sword into that green bastard's chest and seeing the light leave those cold eyes being taken from him. 

The rage of his best friend standing beside him now. In danger again because of him.

“Hmmm. Maybe. But unless you lot want to stay here forever as well, the cell is going to have to open up someday. And no way in hell that I’m not coming with you when it does.”

That’s the moment when Tubbo seemed to suddenly perk up. His eyes widening as he began to rummage through his inventory. Placing down an enderchest and frantically searching for something before he, with a silent ‘yesss’ fished out a potion bottle. 

“Oh, he’s leaving alright?” Tubbo said, pressing the potion into Tommy’s hand and giving him a nod. Tommy, suddenly incredibly glad that he’d decided to take Tubbo with him after all, was about to down the potion when he realized something. Slowly lowering the bottle again and looking over at his friend. Sword pointed towards Wilbur to keep him at bay as he hungrily eyed the little flask of freedom. 

“You only have one of these, don’t you Tubs?”

Tubbo nodded at that and gave Tommy a sad smile. One that seemed way and way too reminiscent of the one he’d given him in the artifact room then Tommy was comfortable with. 

“I’ve been willing to do this before and I’ll do it again Tommy. Go. You’ve been through enough in this room as it is.”

Tommy was shaking his head as soon as Tubbo had opened his mouth. A decision slowly taking shape in his head. One clad in iron and crystal clear. 

“No. No way. I can handle this, Tubs. You’ve got a kid now. And a platonic husband, weird as it is and how much I don’t like em put aside.” They both laughed at that quietly. Wilbur looking on from his spot on the floor patiently. Curious to see how this would play out. A sick sort of fascination at their struggle in his eyes as he scanned their faces.

“You’re building a nation. You just got a new mansion. I’m not letting you get all messed up in the head because of your stupid selfless morals. Not this time and not ever.” Tommy said, the decision made as he held out the bottle to Tubbo and after his friend had reluctantly taken it, sitting down on the floor in front of Wilbur. Staring the man down. 

“Tommy I don’t-”

“Go Tubbo. I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll be back as soon as posib-”

“Go.”

“See you soon Toms.”

And with that, Tubbo downed the bottle. stepping on the platform again and disappearing into the lava. 

Leaving the two men in the cell. Staring each other down over the dead body of a fallen god. One with curiosity and a barely hidden madness behind his eyes. The other with grim determination. He wasn’t going to break. Not this time. Not again. 

“I’m not going to let you manipulate me Wil. I’ve had enough of that shit to last me a lifetime.”

“Good. Makes it more fun that way.”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“So, about that solitaire match...”

[hard-core-super-star]

Can I please request reader taking Hailee's strap for the first time or Hailee taking reader's strap for the first time, whichever you prefer! I really really enjoy all of your fics 😁

sinking deeper into you [H.Steinfeld]

pairing: top!hailee steinfeld x bottom!reader

summary: your girlfriend is the sweetest person you've ever met and yet you can't help but try to get her out of her shell for a night.

warnings: smut -> minors look away [porn with two inches of plot and by plot i mean fluff; sweet, needy, dorky hailee turns into borderline daddy hailee very quickly so keep that in mind; strap-on sex {R receiving}; like 2 seconds of strapwarming; so many pet names; praise kink go brrr; is loving degradation a thing?]

wordcount: 2.2k

a/n: not gonna lie, this is exactly what i think about every time i listen to the coast bridge so...yeah. you can't tell me it's not intentional. i sincerely was going to write this the other way around but i got too carried away and committed to this instead. thank you, lovely anon, for being my first smut request [and for the lovely comment], hope you enjoy <3

* * * * * * *

There are a lot of things to love about dating Hailee. There's the long list of ridiculously cheesy pet names she loves calling you, the constant hand-holding, the soft reassurances whenever you're having a particularly rough day, and, of course, the way she's always so considerate about your feelings.

Sometimes, you don't even need to tell her you're uncomfortable with something for her to know she should step in. She'll just quietly change the conversation or lead you away from whatever was causing your discomfort. 

Your girlfriend is lovely and supportive and you would have absolutely no complaints about it if she weren't so blinded by her need to make sure you're always comfortable. It's a strange thing to complain about, you're very aware of that, but sometimes you wanted more than the brunette was willing to give you. 

Especially in the bedroom.

You’ve heard every possible excuse under the sun about why she’s so hesitant to take certain steps with you but you’re pretty sure she’s just trying to keep her dominant side in check when it comes to you. It’s truly sweet but also attractive in a way that only makes you want her even more. 

Which leaves you stuck in the best yet worst cycle of your life. One that’s filled with soft pleads that fall on ears that are too busy relishing in your moans of ecstasy to actually listen to your words.

Tonight was going to be different though.

At least that’s what you told yourself. You had rehearsed the words you were going to say to your girlfriend over and over all day but unfortunately for you, they flew away the second she walked into your shared home.

She’d been gone all day, bouncing from one boring business meeting to another and while she loved her job, she loved being with you even more. So, the second she found you lounging on the couch wearing one of her old shirts, she practically pounced on you.

“Hello to you too,” you say through a laugh. “I take it you missed me?”

“You already know the answer to that, baby.” Her voice is softer than usual, traces of her earlier annoyance still noticeable in her tone. You don’t have to ask to know she’s had a rough day and you both already know you’ll do everything in your power to help her feel better.

You merely hum in response, content to just lie there with your overly affectionate girlfriend situated on top of you. Hailee seems just fine with having her face buried into the side of your neck but it takes no less than two minutes for her true intentions to come out.

She shifts a little seemingly trying to wrap her arms around you so she can feel you close to her but you know her well enough to know she’s not merely trying to cuddle with you. You’re proven correct when her hands start to mess with the hem of your shirt. “Have I ever told you how much I love it when you wear my clothes?”

“Once or twice,” you reply with a grin.

You feel her chuckle against your neck, her warm breath dancing against your skin but now quite touching you yet.

It’s been five seconds and you already want more.

Hailee, never one to leave you hanging, gives in to both of your desires and begins to press feather-light kisses onto the side of your neck. You instantly tilt your head back for her and pretend not to notice the smug smirk plastered on her face. She’s slowly winding you up like you’re her favorite toy and you can’t find it in yourself to complain.

Especially once her hands begin to move.

“Is this okay, love?” She whispers between soft kisses.

The tips of her fingers are just barely grazing against your stomach and it takes all your strength not to arch into her touch. “Mhmm…”

“I need words, baby. Tell me what you want.”

That’s all she has to say to get you to turn into putty in her hands.

“Keep going…please.”

“Good girl.” Your reward comes in the form of her helping you slide out of your shirt. She leans back and kneels between your spread legs to admire your body, her smirk growing once she realizes you’re not wearing a bra. “Always so good for me. So beautiful under me.”

“Is that why you’re taking forever?” You ask, unable to keep your inner brat in check.

She rolls her eyes at your question but you don't miss the way her hands wrap around your hips in a tight grip. It's a subtle warning but it's a warning nonetheless.

You can't help but wonder what would happen if you pushed her, though. If you truly pressed all her buttons until she had no choice but to strip away that sweet facade and put you in your place.

But that's a plan for another day.

For now, you bite your tongue and let her have her way.

She watches your face closely, her lack of words only adding to the intensity of the moment. She’s barely even touched you and you’ve already made a mess in your underwear.

A mess that only grows once her hands finally move again. They glide up from your hips, her nails lightly scratching your stomach, until she finally reaches her destination.

It takes all your self-restraint and then some to stop yourself from bucking your hips as her fingers tease your sensitive nipples. A barely audible whine slips past your parted lips the second she starts pinching and pulling at your flesh, though.

The sound makes her stop which only serves to draw out another needy sound from your throat. “What was that? Do you need something, love?”

All you can do is nod but, of course, Hailee’s not letting you get off that easy. It’s part of her charm, even though it’s also ridiculously frustrating in moments like these.

“Go on, baby. Tell me what you need.”

Here it is. The moment you’ve been searching for for far longer than you’ll ever admit out loud. You ignore the flush on your cheeks and the throbbing in your cunt long enough to ask for what you truly want.

“Your strap,” you reply, your voice barely above a whisper yet full of that subtle desperation your girlfriend loves bringing out of you.

She doesn’t say anything for a few moments but the glimmer in her eyes stops you from overthinking your words. “Are you sure? I don't want to rush you, love.”

“I know but I really need to feel you inside of me.”

Her eyes widen for a few seconds before her whole face changes. You practically watch her slip into that dominant persona she plays so well when she wants to. And it seems like she desperately wants to tonight.

“Is that so? My fingers aren't enough for you anymore, baby? You need more?”

You force the confirmation she's looking for out of your mouth before you get too flustered to respond. “Yes, please.”

That's all she needs to hear and she wastes no time jumping to her feet, the action so endearing you almost forget about your drenched underwear. You hold in a giggle as she extends her hand out to you and helps you stand only to pick you up and carry you toward the bedroom.

You’ll never understand her fascination with carrying you around but you’re also not about to complain. Mainly because her radiant joy is contagious…and because the view you get of her biceps is more than enough to distract you.

“Stay right here, okay?” She mumbles as she sets you down on the bed. “I’ll be right back to give you everything you want.”

There’s no doubt in your mind that she’ll be true to her word.

The next few minutes pass by far too slowly for your liking but your suffering finally ends when Hailee comes out of the bathroom, looking far too proud of herself and the dark purple dildo strapped to her hips. “What do you think?”

You’re speechless and more turned on than you’ve ever been in your life. You didn’t think the brunette could get any more attractive and yet here she is leaving you dizzy and desperate just from standing in front of you. The smirk, the abs, the pure confidence she oozes, it’s all too much in the best of ways.

“Come here…please.”

All she does is chuckle before finally joining you in bed. She helps you discard the rest of your clothes without pointing out how absolutely drenched you are for her. One hand lands on your hip while she uses the other one to hold herself up above you, staring down at you like you’re the best thing she’s ever seen.

The sentiment is mutual except you’re sure your eyes carry far stronger traces of neediness than Hailee’s. Which is exactly what she likes, if you're both being honest.

For a second you’re sure she’s going to make you beg before moving an inch but thankfully, it seems she wants you just as much as you want her.

She shifts her hips closer to you and you immediately wrap your arms around her as she oh so slowly slides the tip of the strap into your aching cunt. You let out a gasp, the intrusion feeling slightly uncomfortable but not unwelcome.

“I know, I know,” she whispers. “Just relax. I’ve got you.”

“Fuck.” You groan, loving and hating the torturously slow pace she’s set.

“Is that good or bad?”

“Good. Really good.”

Her slow movements allow you to feel the way she stretches your walls with every inch she pushes inside. It takes no time at all for the sound of heavy breathing and quiet moans to fill the room.

Her hand slides down between your legs and her thumb messily circles your swollen clit to help you get used to the feeling of her strap buried inside you. “Was this what you wanted, baby? To have your pretty pussy filled up by me?”

You’re glad she can’t actually feel the way you clench around the dildo at her slightly degrading words. She’s not an idiot though and she’d have to be blind not to notice the way your hips buck toward her.

“Come on, darling. I’m not a mind reader.”

You open your mouth to say something, anything really, but Hailee decides it’d be the perfect time to start moving again. You can’t form a single word or thought once she starts thrusting in and out of you.

The brunette can’t even pretend to be disappointed by your lack of words, too lost in the way your body responds to her movements and the feeling of the base of the dildo rubbing against her clit with every thrust. “Fuck, you feel so good, babe. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this. So wet and needy for me.”

Your nails dig into her shoulder blades as you pull her closer. “Hailee-” Whatever else you were going to say is swallowed up by another moan.

“I’m right here, y/n.” The way she so easily slips back and forth between the two opposing sides of her desire drives you to the brink of pleasure-filled insanity. “Just focus on me.”

She leans down to nip at your jawline while her hips move faster and faster against you. The only thing you can do is arch your back into her touch and beg for more.

A request your girlfriend wastes no time in fulfilling.

Her soft caresses to your clit pick up speed. Her thumb, hips, and lips all work in unison to bring you the release your body craves. “You’re perfect like this. All fucked-out and mine to please.”

You love and hate the way she knows your mind and its hidden desires so well. “Lee, please, babe.”

“Please what?” She asks, clearly loving the way you’re so willing to play this game with her. “Use your words, baby, you know the rules.”

“Please, can I cum?”

A few agonizing seconds pass by before she gives you the answer you’re waiting for. “Go ahead, sweetheart. Show me how much you love the way I feel inside you.”

If her actions weren’t enough to push you to the edge, her words are.

The world outside of her embrace disappears and you give in to the overwhelming pleasure. All you can feel is her strap pushing and pulling in and out of you as you let yourself go, making a mess on both the toy and the sheets below you.

Hailee falls over the edge with you, mumbled words of praise and breathless moans filling the space between your faces.

It takes a few moments for your brain to come back down from such a breath-taking high and once you do, you realize the way your girlfriend has collapsed on top of you. The sight is just as heart-warming as it is arousing but you’re far too tired right now for another round.

“You okay?” You whisper, tilting your head a little so you can truly appreciate the way your girlfriend looks with her face buried into your neck.

“Yeah.” She presses a quick kiss to your sweaty skin to emphasize her point. “That was incredible. How are you doing? Was that too rough?”

“I’m not made of glass, Lee,” you assure her. “And I’m not the one covered in scratches.”

She shivers as you trace a finger up and down her spine. “Feels nice…Do you mind if I stay like this for a little while?”

The way you hold her close is enough of an answer for her. You’re both desperately in need of a shower and some food, but all you want right now is each other and the peace being locked together like this brings.

[djs-sideblog-for-pog-trains]

Friends (that we made up for along the way)

Part 1 |  Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | >>

god knows how long it’s been or if anyone’s still vibing but HEY chapter 5. more gordon angst, ft. thomas and percy! looking forward to next chapter, i think i posted a section of it a while ago but it’s still funny to me

this should pick up pretty directly after the end of chapter 4

Characters: Gordon, Edward, Henry, Thomas, Percy, James, Duck, Sir Topham Hatt, (mentioning all characters who have and will appear, even if they haven’t yet)

Relationships: platonic gordon&edward a major focus, some possible allusions to 2x3 later on.  

Genre: Human AU, hurt/comfort

Chapter’s Wordcount: roughly 1700 words [under the cut]

Chapter Warnings: intrusive/spiralling thoughts, angst go brrr

Chapter 5/?

Chapter 5 - chapter 5

When he knocked, the door was practically immediately yanked open, and Gordon nearly found himself knocking on Percy’s forehead before he knew it.

“Oh,” he said. “Hello.”

“Hi,” Percy said back, trying to smile but very poorly hiding how anxious he looked. “…Is Edward okay? Henry didn’t say much apart from a crash.”

“Edward is in one piece,” Gordon said, loudly enough for Thomas who was lounging in the living room but still listening intently to hear. “He… I think he has a broken leg and ribs and scratched up hands, and his face looked a bit scratched up too, but he’s… fine, other than that.”

They stood there for a moment, Gordon shoving the hand not gripping his suitcase handle into his pocket and blinking rainwater out of his eyes.

“Well,” Percy seemed to shake himself back into gear, flashing him a smile that was nothing short of tired. “C-come in!” And he stepped aside and let Gordon stoop and enter.

It was the same layout as his and Edward’s flat. Well, all the flats for the staff were the same layout, more or less. Saved squabbles in the early days. Each flat had three bedrooms, though not all housed three people. When James moved out of Gordon’s and Edward’s, they repurposed his old room into an office space. Edward spent more time in there than Gordon did, but it was handy for the occasional paperwork Hatt sometimes sent them home with.

Thomas had leapt to his feet as Gordon paused in the middle of the living room, taking it all in. Percy slipped past and stood beside him, and together, they almost looked anxious that he was there.

There. In their home. Intruding.

Gordon cleared his throat, trying to shake the thoughts, and it made his two shorter co-workers jolt, and that shot of guilt lanced through him once again.

“If you could direct me to… wherever I’ll be staying,” he prompted as politely as he could, and the two of them glanced at each other.

“Probably… Henry’s room, right?” Percy asked hesitantly.

“That makes sense,” Thomas nodded. “You’re too big for the couch.”

Gordon did his best not to roll his eyes and let the comment slide as Thomas turned and gestured for Gordon to follow him.

Down the corridor they went, and instead of right Thomas directed him left – to the room that would be Edward’s back in their flat, and opened the door.

The room was painted a pale green, with rich bottle-green curtains which were drawn tight, and had a desklamp casting the room in a warm half-light. But the thing that really got Gordon was… there was artwork all over the walls. Sketches, mostly, some watercolours too, of landscapes, trees, birds; mostly just… nature.

“This is Henry’s…?” he found himself asking, before doing his best to peter out the question before he seemed like an idiot.

“Yeah,” Thomas glanced around, a smile tugging at his face. “Henry likes to draw.”

He then turned on Gordon with a look that said I’m surprised you didn’t know that already and Gordon could only swallow hard and make a show of checking his watch. Though, admittedly, that made his mouth dry out as well.

“It’s 2am,” he said, probably too loudly, and Thomas blinked at him.

“We should… go to bed,” Gordon continued. “…I don’t know about you two, but I have an early train.”

Thomas tried to stay even-faced, but a yawn screwed up his attempt, and he turned away with a sort-of sigh. “Goodnight,” he called, leaving Gordon in the doorway.

“Goodnight, Thomas, Percy,” Gordon half-called, before hesitating, and blurting, “a-and if you need me for anything, you know where I am.”

And he closed the door almost a little too quickly to be casual.

 --- --- ---

Oh, Henry’s room was nice. Henry made all of these? …Gordon had no idea he could draw, let alone paint. And as he found somewhere to put his suitcase and change into nightclothes, he let his eyes wander. And sitting down on Henry’s bed, oh it was soft.

And Gordon immediately felt guilty for Henry having to stay on his own bed, which was extremely ­un-soft.

But before his brain could torture him anymore, Gordon made the executive decision to firmly lie back and close his eyes. He was pretty good at falling asleep almost on command – a skill he’d honed from when he was young. It was easier than lying there having to process emotions and think about what he’d done, and –

He was asleep before he knew it.

 --- --- ---

The next few weeks… passed. Gordon didn’t know if it was going well or not at all, actually. But nothing had burnt down yet, and Percy and Thomas had yet to launch an anarchist takeover of how Gordon had been running the place, so that was a good a sign as any that it wasn’t going catastrophically.

Edward rang most nights, to chat to him after Gordon got back from work, so he started doing his best to remember little things that had happened to him throughout the day, to flavour the conversations with. He had no idea how much enrichment Edward was getting, but he had to admit at times, over the phone, his old friend sounded bored.

One night, he had said “I saw an interesting bird today, along the coast. Thought it was a seagull, but it was far too big. Would Henry know…?”

“Hm,” Edward replied. “Let me ask.”

And Gordon listened to a muffled version of his question as Edward leant away from the handset, before a pause, and Edward replied, “Henry says it might have been an albatross.”

“Hm,” Gordon said. “I see. Thank him for me, will you?”

Then he looked up at the sound of shuffling feet, and saw a bewildered looking Thomas in the doorway.

“Ah,” he said, “Hello, Thomas.”

“Hi,” Thomas replied.

“Oh!” Edward said over the phone. “May I speak with him?”

“Edward would like to speak with you, if you have time,” Gordon relayed, tilting the handset away from his face.

“Oh!” Thomas’ face lit up. “Sure! Of course! Let me just, uh…”

And Thomas was shrugging off his boots and coat before almost scrambling for the phone, which Gordon relinquished, before rising from his place at the kitchen bench.

“I’m just stepping out for a moment,” he said quietly, watched Thomas nod, before walking out the open door and closing it behind him.

The front garden was surprisingly big on these flats, and it was up to the tenants if they wanted to do something with them. Edward had planted a low hedge in theirs now quite a few years ago, and Gordon helped maintain it sometimes. But Gordon couldn’t help but notice here that Henry’s garden was pristine.

Or, it had been pristine, maybe, before Henry had been gone for a few weeks and no-one had touched the damned thing.

Gordon looked around at the weeds and hummed. He looked down at himself, as if to reassure himself he was in his casual clothes, before walking around the housing unit to the standard-issue garden shed that was always at the back left of these properties.

--- --- ---

Thomas had been watching Gordon garden through the kitchen window for the past while, before finally relaying this to Edward with a tone verging on bafflement.

“I mean,” he reasoned, “it was looking pretty bad. We forgot to look after it. Don’t tell Henry, though.”

Edward laughed a little at that, but Thomas could hear how melancholy it was.

“I just didn’t think Gordon would ever get down in the dirt like that,” Thomas mused, leaning on the kitchen bench as he watched. “He’s… Gordon.”

“Oh, no, you’d be surprised at how willing he is to get his hands dirty sometimes. …But, honestly, I think I’ve seen him like this before,” Edward said softly. “…I worry about him, sometimes.”

“About Gordon?” Thomas repeated, scrunching his face up. “Well, I suppose he has been more quiet than I expected. I thought he wouldn’t shut up, old bossy-boiler and all that.”

“…He usually doesn’t,” Edward admitted. “I fear I’ve upset him.”

“Upset him by getting injured?” Thomas echoed doubtfully. “That sounds like a him-problem and not a you-problem, if that’s the case.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Edward replied. “…Oh, what do I know?”

“You know lots,” Thomas shook his head dismissively. “I do think he’s been acting weird. But I’m… I don’t… I don’t really know if me saying anything to him will help. I don’t think he likes me much.”

“I think you’d be surprised. But… weird?”

“Weird, like…” Thomas struggled for words, pushing his bangs off his face as he thought. “Weird, like he’s trying too hard not to be mean. Weird as in being too quiet. Weird as in spends most of his time in his room – in Henry’s room, I mean – and only coming out for meals. I didn’t think he would be that sort of person. Though he is a better cook than Henry. Also don’t tell Henry that.”

Edward chuckled once more, but seemed to reflect on this information like Thomas had told him something important.

“Oh!” A smile broke out on Thomas’ face as he watched Percy come into view over the low stone fence. “Percy’s home.”

“Wonderful!” Edward agreed. “I hope he’s well.”

“Well, he’s still outside,” Thomas reported. “Oop, he’s talking to Gordon now. He looks confused… Man, Gordon’s looking tired. Anyway, ah, here we go, Percy’s walking in the door now.”

“What?” Percy said, standing there, confused.

“It’s Edward on the phone,” Thomas called.

“Ooh!” Percy kicked off his boots and hurried over. “Hello, Edward!”

Thomas handed him the phone before coming over to lean on the doorway, watching Gordon work. He had to admit, Gordon was fast at this. He’d done about a quarter of the garden in the half-hour Thomas had been on the phone.

And Thomas watched Gordon sort-of freeze, before his shoulders just sort of… sagged, and he continued on with his work.

Had he realised Thomas was watching him? …Had that upset him?

Man, he thought he understood Gordon by now. But maybe, just maybe, he didn’t have the slightest clue about what has going on in that man’s head.

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@theflyingkipper @freedreamersuitcasething @mean-scarlet-deceiver