#matt really rushed into that proposal

[babyjapril]

what Matthew thinks April sees in Jackson vs what she actually sees

[samandcolbyownme]

Summary: anon request - "Hey so it's my birth day tmr and was just wondering if you could write something for me like Zach justice x reader and he has a guest on the podcast and he gets jealous and the at the end of the podcast they have a cute moment before leaving and going home for like a rough but passionate smut" 

Warnings: SMUT18+, strong language, Matt Rife Warning, Zach being Zach, banter, guest flirting with reader, Zach getting jealous, kissing, biting, hair pulling, slight choking, slightly rough and unprotected sex, fluff with a dash of filth 

Word count: 4.9k | unedited

╔═══━━━─── • ───━━━═══╗

"So are you finally going to tell me who the special guest is?" You ask as you look at Zach through your phone screen. 

He laughs, "Mm, what's in it for me?" 

"Because tomorrow is my birthday and you'll be making me happy?" You say slowly and laugh, "come on." You pout into the camera and Zach sighs, "Stop being cute." 

You smirk slightly and tilt your head as he continues, "or at least come be cute in my bed." You let out a laugh, "I think that that's my cue for going to bed." 

"Laaaame." Zach drags out loudly. You scoff, "excuse me?" He laughs, "I said saaame. Goodnight." 

You roll your eyes, "goodnight." 

.·:*¨ ✘ ¨*:·.

You show up to the house and walk through the door. Tara is standing with Alyssa and you walks up to them, "Hey." 

"Hey!" Tara says, "Are you excited for today's show?" 

You roll your eyes, "Zach wouldn't tell me who's coming." Alyssa laughs, "Really?" You nod, "I called him last night to see if he would tell me.. nope." 

"Oh, well it's Matt Rife." Alyssa fills you in, "I have a feeling that Zach is going to be very jealous today." 

Your brows furrow and you look between her and Tara, "Why.. um, why do you say that?" Tara rolls her eyes, "Please. That man is head over heels for you, y/n." 

You laugh, shaking your head, "There'a no way." 

"Alright party people, let's get ready to get this show on the road." Zach yells as he walks to his seat, "Special guest will be here in five." 

You roll your eyes and make your way to your seat. Matt is going to sit where you normally sit, which is right next to Zach, so you sit in the seat next to Matt's. 

"Fuck, sorry I'm late." Matt says as he rushes in through the door, "I'm here now." 

Zach holds his hand up, "There he is. What's up, brother?" Matt walks up to Zach and give him a hand shake. He looks over at Jared saying hello to him and Tara before he look at you. 

You're not looking at him, but you can tell his eyes are on you, and Zach secretly hates it already. Matt sits down and he waves to Alyssa, "Hey." 

Alyssa smiles and puts her headphones on, along with everything else.

"What's up everybody, welcome back to drop outs." Zach says and you all cheer, "We have a special guest with us today, and it also happens to be very special day for someone else." 

"Haaa-py biirthday.." Jared initiates by singing and soon everyone joins in. 

"Happy birthday dear y/n. Happy birthday to you!" 

"Thank you." You smile, "Thank you." 

"Alright, now moving on to the more special part." Zach says and motions to Matt, "Matt Rife everybody." 

"What's uppp." Matt smiles before looking to Zach, "Don't be mean to her. It's her birthday." 

Zach looks taken aback for a split second before covering it up, "Yeah, you're definitely new here." Zach rolls his eyes, "Anyway." 

"Oh. Wait!" Tara yells and stands up as she takes her headphones off. She runs off the set and over to her bag. Everyone is watching her and she comes back over with a tiara that says Birthday Girl in cursive, "Here!" 

"Weird way to propose, but my answer is still yes." You laugh and look up at her from the tiara in your hands, "Thank you." 

She takes it from your hands, placing the tiara gently on your head and fixes your hair, "You heard it here first everyone, this bitch is mine." 

Zach raises an eyebrow as you look over at him and you roll your eyes as you smirk, "Zach." He shrugs, "What? You were thinking it too because you wouldn't have accepted Tara's marriage proposal if you didn't." 

You tilt your head, raising your hand as you shrug, "Okay." You look over at Tara, "You got me there." 

Tara puts her headphones on and leans in with a smirk, "I think I actually just fell in love with you, y/n." She laughs and you smile as you look around. 

As the rest of you get lost in conversation, Zach's eyes zone in on the tiara resting perfectly on your head. His mind goes to watching you drop down to your knees and bob your head on his dick with it on. 

"I think Zach fell asleep on us." Jared teases, "What the hell man? Are we that boring today?" Jared laughs and Zach looks at everyone, "I'm just not feeling it today." 

"Everyone hold on." Alyssa laughs, "He's up to something." 

"Are you okay, Zach?" You ask looking at him and he nods slightly, "Yeah," Quickly changing the subject, "So Matt, your profession is comedian, right?" 

Matt nods, "Something like that, yeah." 

"Huh." Zach nods, "What is your favorite thing to do within the show?" Matt purses his lips as he thinks, "Crowd work." 

"That was my favorite thing to do at our live show." Tara nods, "getting to interact with the people was so fun." 

"Exactly, exactly. And most of the people who come to my shows, know exactly what they're in for." Matt continues and you nod, "I can can agree that." 

Matt turns his head, "You've been to one of my shows?" He smirks slightly and you smile, "I have." 

"Which one?" He tilts his head and you laugh, "Liberty, I think? Cincinnati or something. I don't know but you went back and forth with someone who was a stripper." 

Matt laughs and that causes Zach to clench is fist. He reflexed when Tara started talking, but he resorted to picking at his nails. 

"Wait wait wait you need to eleborate." Tara laughs, "Please." 

"Yeah we need context of this stripper incident." Jared laughs and Matt sighs, laughing as he starts to tell the story. 

You look past Matt and stare at Zach. 

His stare is on you and you squint your eyes at him. He  purses his lips slightly and quickly winks at you. You smirk and so does he because he has you blushing. 

"so yeah, but like I said, people basically pay to come get bullied by me." Matt nods, eyes flicking from your eyes to your chest. 

"Have you ever hurt anyone's feelings by doing that?" Zach asks and Matt laughs, "Dude, are you not caught up with me?" 

Zach sighs, "What the heck." He pulls out his phone and starts to google him, "Matt Rife Controversies." 

"I love how he made controvers-ies, like more than one." Alyssa laughs and Jared nods, "Uh huh. Right." 

"So while we wait, "Y/n. Are you excited about your big birthday bash tonight?" Tara says moving around to get comfortable, "I can tell you that I am so fucking ready to drink." 

You nod, "Oh my god. I actually can't wait. I just got pictures of the venue being set up and it looks so good so far." You pull out your phone and go to the pictures. 

You hand your phone to Tara and she swipes through, "Oh hell yeah." 

"What time does it start?" Matt asks and you look at him, "You can come anytime after eight." He nods, "anytime after eight, got it." 

This had Zach's blood boiling, "So you have made a lot of people mad." Zach chuckles, really wanting this podcast to be done and over with already. 

Matt laughs, "Yeah, yeah. But I mean, that's honestly party of the gig." He shrugs, "I'm not for everyone and that is something that actually took a while for me to come to good terms with." 

You carry on the conversation and a few others for the next hours and a half. 

Zach couldn't wait until Alyssa said you all were good so he can finally get you alone for more than a few seconds. 

Once the time comes he rips his headphones off of his head and rests them on the mic, "Thank you for coming onto the podcast, Mr. Rife." 

Matt stands up, shaking his hand, "Thanks for having me." He points to you, "I hate to rush off but I have a few other things to do, but I'll see you guys later, yeah?" 

You nod, "See ya." You wave and Tara waves, "Bye, Matt!" Alyssa waves and says by to him and right before he walked out he turns back, "Happy birthday, sweetheart." 

Zach wanted to mock him horribly, but that would just be so out is the blue that people would start to question it, so he turns his eyes to you. 

You smile and nod, looking back at him, "Thank you." 

Matt gives you a wink and you turn back around, "Are we getting ready at my place or.. where do you want to meet?" You ask Tara and Alyssa. 

"We can do it at my place." Alyssa nods, "Plus, I am close to the venue, so if we did need to we walk it's not far at all." 

"Yes that works." You nod, "Okay. I'm going to go home and get my stuff ready. I will meet you guys at Alyssa's say.. six?" 

They both nod and you give them a thumbs up, "Love yas. See yas." You go to turn and walk away but Zach walks up to you, "Hold your horses for a second." 

You laugh and you turn around, mocking him, "I don't have horses." He smirks and tilts his head, "C'mere for a sec would ya?" 

"Why?" You sigh, tilting your own head, "I need to go shower." He smirks, "You'll get a shower, I promise now come here." 

He pulls you into the hallway leading to the stairs and he looks down at you. You and Zach have been good friends for a while now, even made out when he took you home drunk the one night. 

You know the look he's giving you. You take a quiet breath, "Who told you?" 

He smirks, "Eyes talk, sweetheart." 

You bite your lip and you smile, "So are you coming home with me because I need to get my shit around." 

He tilts his head, "Do you want me to come home with you?" You chew on your lip, this wave of boldness washing over you. 

You lean in, "I have my own house. No one can hear anything." You lean back and smirk as you tilt your head towards the door, "Come on." 

He follows you out to the car and gets into your passengers seat. You get in and look over at him, "So can I ask you something?"

You start your car and start to back out of the parking space and Zach nods, reaching over to slip his fingers into the rip of your jeans. 

His gentle touch right above your knee driving you absolutely insane, "So, why now?" You glance over at him and he furrows his brows, "not following." 

You sigh, laughing slightly, "why did you wait until now to finally tell me that you liked me, too?" 

"I didn't say a word." 

You look over at him, tension building rapidly the longer your eyes hold on his, "You didn't have to." 

You lick your lips and look away, beginning to drive when the light turns green. His finger still brushing against your leg, itching for you to grab his hand and hold it within yours. 

"So how do you feel about Matt being on the podcast?" You look over at Zach and he shrugs, "It is what it is." You roll your eyes, resting your arm on the consol as you dangle your hand right above his wrist, finger tips barely grazing his skin. 

"Why are you acting like it wasn't a good podcast? I mean other than you being pouting and flirting with me on the down low." 

You poke his arm and Zach groans, "Alright, you yanked my dick enough." He laughs and you roll your eyes, "You wish I did." 

He points to you and smirks, "And that my friends, is a true statement." 

You laugh, "Get on with it." You say as you pull into your driveway. You put the car in park and reach down to unbuckle, "We're not leaving this car until you tell me what I wanna know." 

Zach opens his mouth, repeating exactly what you say at the same time you do, "It's my birthday, Zach. You have to be nice." 

Your mouth drops and he gives you a nod, "Yes, princess. It's your birthday. Now.." he tilts his head, fighting back a laugh, "we needed to talk, and it needed to be somewhere you could take your clothes off.. " he fights back a smirk, "So, we can fuck in here or we can fuck in there." He points to your house and looks back at you. 

You smirk, "who said anything about fuckin'?" He lays a hand on his chest, "Oh is this not why you brought me to your house? My apologies." 

You roll your eyes, "You sound so jealous right now." 

He scoffs, "Jealous of what, y/n?" 

You press your elbow into the center console and rest your chin in your palm, "You know, you flirt, I mean.. fuck around with me every time I'm on the show and every time you see me, but never.." You hold up your pointer finger, and right now he's doing what you're doing and his face in an inch away from your finger. 

"Not once." You move your hand and look into his eyes, "Did you pull me aside and give me that kind of a look." 

"Explain this.. this look." He tilts his head, cheek now resting in the palm of his hand, "But you might want to make it quick because I don't want you to bitch because I made you late." 

You roll your eyes, "You looked at me like you were in love." He slowly grows closer and you lick your lips quickly as your eyes bounce from his to his eyes. 

"You ever think that maybe I am?" He whispers and you can't help but smirk, "I mean.. not like I was going to make that my birthday candle wish or anything."

He laughs, "Okay. I'll give you that one, that one was funny." You laugh and look at him, "Was Matt flirting sure me the final straw?" 

You see him nod slightly and you bite your bottom lip.

His eyes flick down to your held lip and back up to your eyes, "Hey, um don't you have a party you need to get ready for?" 

"Fuck." You laugh, nodding, "Yeah." You look at the house and back to Zach, "Come on." Zach stays still, "Where are we going?" 

You smile and lean in, "So I can show you that you are the one that I want." You press your lips to his and his hand lays on the back of your head, not wanting you to pull away. 

"Mm. Zach." Your giggles muffled by his lips on yours and you manage to lean back, "Hey. Come on." Zach huffs, "way to be a cock block, sweetheart."

He gets out, following you up to your door and his hands are roaming all over your body as you get your key from your key ring. 

His hands slip under you shirt, "Runnin' outta time." Zach mumbles against your head and you push your door open. 

He walks you in, hands on your hips and he uses his door to swing the door closed. You spin around and his body is on yours, a hand on your hip and a hand on the back of your neck, holding you to him as your lips meet his once again. 

By this time, you had totally forgot you were still wearing the tiara that Tara got you and Zach's eyes fixate on it as he remembers what he first thought about. 

"Knees." Zach says as he places his hands on your shoulders. You slowly drop down and you look up at him. He bites down on his bottom lip at he watches you undo his belt, "You know. As soon as that thing sat on the top of your head, I picture you exactly like this." 

You feel your cheeks grow warmer and you let out a breath, "I totally forgot I had that on." Zach smiles, "I didn't." 

You work to get his throbbing dick from his boxers move you've tugged his pants down. Your hand gently gripping the base of it, squeezing gently as you rise up to run your tongue over the head of his leaky head. 

He lets out a groan and bites down on his lip, groaning lowly, "Mm." He looks down at you, "That's it, baby." He lays a hand on the back of your head, fully taking in everything about his fantasy that's coming true. 

He moans lowly as you bob your head up and down, earning a gasp as you take him in fully, "Fuck, babe." Zach throws his head back, "That's my-" he looks down at you and pulls your head away from him. "-girl!" 

You smile up at him and bite down on your lip, saliva dribbling down your chin. He swipes it away with his thumb and he nods towards your bedroom, "Lead the way."

You stand up, taking his hand into yours before you lead him up the stairs and into your bedroom. 

You pull him in and close the door before Zach pulls you into him, lips meeting yours once more. 

You let out a whine, gripping his shirt, "Zach." You whimper, "Please." You push your hips into his, reaching down between you to stroke his cock a few times. 

He groans, hands gripping the hem of his shirt to rip it up over his head, and he places his hands on either side of your neck, "Shit." He breathes out, moving his hands down to your hips, "Get back there." He walks you backwards and it wasn't long until your knees buckled from hitting the bed. 

Your back meets the mattress and Zach's lips meet your neck, "I really.." he speaks in between kisses to your neck, "..want to watch.." he kisses up to just below your ear, "..the birthday girl ride me." 

You nod eagerly, "Please." You beg, "Please; Zach."

Zach chuckles, "And if I'm being honest, your whining and begging is completely boosting my ego-" he very quickly corrects himself, "I mean completely makes me want to cum inside that pretty little pussy." 

You roll your eyes, "your head is swelled either way, Zach." You laugh, "But I'll take the second option please." 

You bite your lip and his grip on your hip tightens before he rolls over to pull you on to his lap. He stares up at you for a few seconds before he nods while glancing towards your shirt, "C'mon now, you just told me you want me to cum inside you. Don't be shy now." 

You smirk, laughing slightly as you pull your shirt up over your head, discarding it to the floor, "Happy now?" 

You smirk at him and his hands move to your boobs with a nod, "oh hell yeah." 

You watch as he looks up at you and with a swift motion, his hand is pulling you down to him by the back of your neck so he can kiss you. 

Your lips move in sync for a few minutes then you suddenly remembered, it's my birthday!

But in panic mode, "Mm." You lean back, "What time is it?" You ask and Zach, obviously frustrated, lets out a short sigh, "Do I look like Father Time to you?" 

"Well if you didn't still have your pants on, I could be on top of you already." You roll your eyes, leaning over to check your phone. 

Zach scoffs, planting a gentle slap to your ass, "Sor-ry, I didn't know taking our time to enjoy this, wasn't on your agenda,too." You bite down on your lip to hide your laugh and you lean back over, looking down at him. 

"I have a little under two hours." You whisper and he nods. His hands move to grip your waist and he slowly rocks your hips over his dick, that's straining against his pants. 

"Zach." You whimper out, "stop teasing." 

He rolls you over onto your back and his hands move to take off your jeans. He slips them down your legs and tosses them. 

His bottom lip between his teeth as his eyes focus on your lace panties lying perfectly against your skin. He leans down, his lips lacing your skin with fiery, open mouth kisses as his fingers drift up your legs. 

His fingers slip into the band of your panties and your hips rise as he pulls them down. His eyes flick up to you and back down to your soaked cunt. 

He drops your panties beside him and locks eyes with you as he pushes both his pants and boxers down before moving to make his way in between your thighs. 

You smirk, tilting your head as he lifts your hips slightly, "You know, you're incredibly hot when you're jealous." 

You feel his dick brush against your clit and you gasp. Zach smirks and pushes the tip between your folds, "Me? Jealous?" He fakes a laughs and leans down, pressing a kiss to your lips, "Over you? Yes." 

He thrusts into you and you let out a loud moan, "Fuck." You whimper out, "That's why it's so hot." He smirks and presses his lips to yours, and you accept his invite to make out. 

His hips roll slowly into yours and you moan into his mouth. He swallows your moans with ears, kissing back towards your ear, "You're so beautiful." 

His voice is low and you slide a hand down his arm and grab his wrist. You drag his hand up your body and place it around your neck.

You look up at him with such a pleading look, Zach can't help but not resist. 

His hand tightens around your throat and you moan out, and your moans quickly grow quieter the harder he squeezes. 

He leans up on his free arm and watches down at how your pussy swallows him with such great ease, "Fuckin' hell baby." 

He looks up at you and his jaw literally falls slack to the scene below him, "Shit." He breathes out as his she's scan over your slightly reddened face, your eyes are rolled back with your lips slightly parted. 

You're just absolutely loving being fucked by him right now. 

His thrusts remained slow as he loosens his grip and you let out a quiet gasp. Zach stops thrusting and gently taps your cheek a few times, "Oh no. I killed her." 

You smile and he sighs, "Phew. Great, because I did not want to have to put necrophiliac on my resume tonight."

You let out a laugh and lean up to push him to him to his back, "I mean, you know you have consent either way." You laugh as you straddle him.

Zach sits up, his face close to yours as he fixes the tiara that's slightly crooked on your head, "Hold on, baby." 

Zach calling you baby and even sweetheart and especially princess, gave you butterflies. Even his jokey insults like slut, and bitch, and yapper number two, but especially slut because you would be his slut. 

Any time of day. 

"Better?" You ask watching him lay back, an arm tucking behind his head, "Better." He bites down on his lip as he watches you lift your one leg to reach down and hold his dick steady. 

You spit into the tip of your fingers and smear it on him which causes him to gasp slightly. You smirk as you slide down onto him, eyes locking with Zach's. 

His hands fly to your hips. You grip his forearms as you pant, gasping out at how deep he feels inside of you. 

"Move. Sweetheart." Zach squeezes your hips, urging you to move in some type of way. You let out a whine as you roll your hips slowly, crying out Zach's name and other curses lowly. 

"Use me to get yourself off, sweetheart." He winks, "I just wanna watch." 

You smirk and you lean back, placing your hands on his knees for support. You bite down on your lip and keep your eyes locked on his as you start to move your hips up and down. 

Zach positions one arm behind his head again, and places his hand under your thigh. His eyes move down to your pussy taking his dick, then he looks up at your tits bouncing each time your body meets his. 

His eyes roll closed and his hips buck upward, "Goddamn." He groans out, "S-swe-etheart.. you're gonna make me cum." 

You lean down, pressing kisses to his before you lean up, "Isn't that the point?" You ask, rolling your hips into his, moaning out quietly, "Zach." 

He sits up and flips you over so your hips are pinned to the mattress, "I'd say you got about, maybe an hour to shower and get all your stuff around before you have to leave to get ready." 

"Just fuck me." You whine, sitting up as you pull him towards you. His lips crash onto yours and you feel his hands push your thighs back, knees to chest type of deal. 

You moan loudly, arching you back as Zach slides his dick back in to you, "What's the birthday princess want, baby?" Zach pants out and you dig your nails into his back, "I-I need you to cum in me." 

Zach bites his lips, laughing slightly, "It's a risky move. I love it." He picks up the speed of his thrusts and sloppily presses a kiss to your lips, "I love you." 

You freeze, "W-h- wai-" you laugh slightly, "Zach." He kisses up to your lips, "Mm. Wh-Wai- what, baby?"

"What di-"

Zach cuts you off, "I'll tell you later." He presses his lips to yours and you let out a loud moan as he thrusts his dick into you fully. 

"Your arms tighten around his neck and you whimper in his ear, "I love you, too." 

You feel his body tense and his grip on your hips tightens, "Say it again." He mumbles, turning his head in to kiss your neck, "Please." 

You slide your arms down, laying your hands on his neck, moaning out as you squeeze his dick with your, desperate for release walls, "F-fuck.. Zach." You whimper out, "I love you." 

You let out a moan, arching your back as you feel yourself quickly become engulfed with an intense pleasure. 

Zach fucks you through your high, listening to every sound he can pull from you, "So fuckin' pretty." Zach grips your chin and his thrusts grow sloppy and slow. 

You bite your lip as you feel his dick twitch inside of you and you look up at him. He raises his brows and lets out a sigh, "You told me to." 

"I know." You laugh and reach over to grab your phone, "Fuck." You jump up, "If you're showering with me, let's go. But we're not fucking around." 

Zach stands up, following you to your bathroom, "Yeah, you say that now. How much time you have?" 

"Forty five minutes." You turn the shower on and Zach bites his lip, "Give me five of those minutes while we're in here."

You smirk and pull him into the shower with you, "Let's see it."

—

You were still shocked that Zach got you both off in five minutes before you rushed around and went to Alyssa's, but that was only after Zach trapped you in the car for another make out session while dropping him off. 

Your party was going very, very well. 

Everyone was having the time of their lives, and honestly so were you, you loved the attention but the only attention you wanted was from one person and his eyes have been on you all night. 

His stare begging to get you alone. 

You had to admit, Zach losing his final straw today was the best birthday gift ever, his jealously was super sexy.

"You look bored." You say walking up to him, "My party not good enough for you?" Zach laughs and leans in, "Nah, I just can't stop thinking about how pretty you sounded earlier." 

You feel your cheeks darken and he smirks, "Happy birthday, Princess." 

.·:*¨ ✘ ¨*:·.

I hope you liked this! I'm going to get some Sam snippets out so in the mean time, tell me what you thought about this. Ilysm! 🖤

likes and reblogs are majorly appreciated!

[snowysosturn]

Speeding Car - Matt Sturniolo Part 22

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25 Part 26 Part 27 Part 28 Part 29

Pairing : y/n x Matt Sturniolo

Summary : After six years with your boyfriend Alex, you start to mentally check out. At a UCLA party, Alex reconnects with his childhood friend Emily, who proposes a double date with her boyfriend Matt. Your attraction to Matt grows as he pays you the first real attention you've had in years, sparking a complicated emotional journey.

Warnings : MDNI, angst, tension, anxiety, mentions of car accident/reader in accident, aftermath of accident, trauma as a result of accident, memory loss, mentions of cheating, guilt

The hospital room was quiet, the only sound coming from the faint beeping of the machines monitoring my vitals. My head throbbed with a dull ache, and the strong smell of sanitizer filled my nose. Everything felt off, disjointed, like I was missing a final piece to a puzzle. I tried to piece together what had happened, but my mind was a mess of confusion and half formed thoughts.

I stared at the ceiling, my mind wandering aimlessly, when the door creaked open. I turned my head slowly, expecting to see a doctor or maybe Alex again. But instead, a guy I didn’t recognize walked in.

There was something familiar about him, but I couldn’t place it, maybe it was because he looked exactly like the boy who was in here earlier. His eyes softened when he saw me, and he offered a small smile.

“Hey” he said, his voice gentle. “I’m Nick.. I just wanted to check in on you.”

“Hi” I replied, my voice hoarse from disuse. I stared at him, searching my mind for any recollection of who he was, but nothing came. “Do I know you?”

His smile faltered slightly, but he recovered quickly. “Yeah, we’re best friends.. we’ve known each other for a few months now.. We’ve been hanging out a lot lately.. with my brothers.. um Matt.. you met him earlier.. But then Chris too.”

I nodded slowly, trying to absorb his words. “I’m sorry.. I don’t remember you.” But it made me realise maybe that's why that boy Matt was in here earlier.

Nick shook his head, waving off my apology. “Don’t worry about it, I just wanted to see how you were doing. I know this must be really confusing.”

“It is” I admitted, feeling a pang of frustration. “Everything feels.. wrong. Like I’m missing pieces of myself.”

Nick’s expression softened even more, and he took a cautious step closer. “That’s totally understandable. You’ve been through a lot. But you don’t have to rush anything, okay? I’m here to help, but I won’t push you to remember anything. We can start fresh if you want.”

I studied him for a moment, unsure of what to make of this stranger who seemed to care so much about me. “We were really friends?” I asked hesitantly.

“Yeah” Nick said with a nod. “We got pretty close over the last few months.. We met at a party in my house a few months back.. I was actually with you at the party last night before… before the accident. We were having a good time.”

“Last night?” I echoed, trying to grasp at the memory, but it slipped through my fingers like sand. “I don’t remember any of it.”

“That’s okay” Nick said, his voice soothing. “You don’t have to remember right now. What matters is that you’re here, and you’re going to be okay.”

There was something comforting about his presence, like a warm cup of tea on a cold day. Even though I couldn’t recall anything about him, his kindness was undeniable.

“If you ever want to talk or need anything, I’m just a phone call away” Nick added. “You have my number, and I’ll be around. We can rebuild our friendship at your own pace.”

“Thanks” I murmured, feeling a flicker of hope amidst the confusion. “I’d like that.”

Nick smiled again, this time with a hint of relief. “Me too. Just take it one step at a time, alright? We’ll figure it out together.”

I nodded, grateful for his understanding. As he turned to leave, I felt a strange mix of emotions. Relief, uncertainty, and a small glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t as alone in this as I felt.

As the door closed behind Nick, I stared at the spot where he’d stood, my mind on overdrive. I still couldn’t remember him, but his presence had brought a sense of calm to the storm raging inside me. Maybe it was possible to start over, to rebuild the pieces of my life that had been lost.

For the first time since waking up, I didn’t feel entirely hopeless. Maybe, with time, I’d be able to find myself again. And maybe, just maybe, I’d find my way back to the people who cared about me, even if I couldn’t remember them right now.

Matt's POV

I can still see it. The earring in Emily’s hand. It was Y/n’s, no doubt about it. My heart had skipped a beat when she held it up.

"Who's earring is this?" she demanded, dangling it in front of me like a weapon. I could see the gears turning in her mind, calculating, plotting.

"It’s Y/n’s." I said, my voice steadier than I felt. There was no point in lying, not anymore.

"Y/n’s?" Emily repeated, her tone icy. "So, you’ve been fucking her too, haven’t you?"

"Don’t turn this on me, Emily." I snapped back, the frustration boiling over. "I know about you and Alex."

Her eyes widened, just for a second, before she quickly masked it with a smirk. "And what, you think that justifies what you’ve been doing? You think you can cheat because I did?"

"This isn’t about cheating, Emily. This is about the lies, the manipulation. You’ve been stringing me along while you were with him, long before anything between Y/n and I. I’m done."

But she didn’t back down. Instead, she stepped closer, her voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. "You think you can just end this and walk away, Matt? You think I won’t tell Alex what you and Y/n have been up to? I’ll make her life a living hell. I’ll ruin her reputation, her friendships. I’ll make sure Alex gets everything she owns, she’ll never be able to show her face in Los Angeles again. You have no idea what I’m capable of."

I wanted to call her bluff, to tell her to go to hell and leave us both alone. But I knew Emily too well. I knew the things she could do, the people she knew, the damage she could cause. She’d always had this power over people, this ability to twist the truth until it suited her narrative. And I couldn’t risk that. Not when it came to Y/n.

"So here’s what’s going to happen." Emily continued, her voice like venom. "You’re going to act like the perfect boyfriend. You’re going to act like none of this ever happened and you’re going to stay away from Y/n. You will never see her again. Do you understand?"

I stared blankly at her, but she could tell by my demeanor that I agreed.

“There’s a big influencer party tomorrow night that I heard you’re invited to. We’re going. It'll be a great way to rekindle our relationship.” She said while wrapping her hands around my neck, her fingers intertwining with my hair, almost like a snake sizing up their prey.

Again I didn’t answer, just stared at her, feeling trapped, cornered. I should have ended it then and there. I should have walked away, let her bluff, let her do whatever she wanted. But I was a coward. I couldn’t stand the thought of Y/n being hurt because of me. So I nodded, and that was that. The decision was made.

But now, sitting in this morbid hospital waiting room, two seats away from Alex, all I can think about is how badly I screwed up. I should have ended it with Emily that night, consequences be damned. If I had, Y/n wouldn’t be lying in a hospital bed right now, fighting to piece together a life she can’t even remember.

“Can we go outside for a minute for some air?” I asked Emily. She nodded and followed straight behind me as I walked through the hospital halls.

We stepped out of the hospital, Emily took stance leaning against the side of the building, her arms crossed, her face set in that familiar expression of defiance. She knew what was coming, she probably sensed it the moment she saw me walk out of Y/n’s hospital room. 

“Matt” she started, but I held up a hand, stopping her before she could get another word out.

“This ends here, Emily.” I said, my voice firmer than I felt. “We’re done.”

Her eyes narrowed, a flicker of anger flashing across her face. “So, you’re just going to walk away? After everything?”

“After everything?” I repeated, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. “Everything is so toxic Emily, I cant allow this to continue after you threatened to ruin Y/n’s life? Especially after the way things ended tonight, so yeah, Emily, I’m walking away. I should’ve done it a long time ago.”

She pushed off the wall, stepping closer, her voice dropping to that dangerous whisper I’d grown to hate. “You think you’re going to get off that easy? You think I won’t tell Alex what you and Y/n were up to? He’ll leave her now when she needs him and I’ll make her lose everything. I can still make her life hell, Matt.”

I stared at her, trying to remember what I ever saw in this girl, how I ever let myself get so deep into her twisted games. “She doesn’t even remember who I am, Emily. You’ve got nothing to use against me anymore. Fucking hell she won’t even know who you are Emily. You have no ammunition with Y/n now. What you need to do in this is just leave her alone, things are bad enough.”

For a moment, she just stared at me, her eyes searching mine, as if she was trying to find a way to twist this to her advantage. But then something shifted in her expression - maybe she realized she had finally lost this round.

“Fine.” she said, her voice flat, devoid of the fire it usually held. “But don’t think this is fully over, Matt. You don’t just get to walk away from me.”

“I’m not asking for your permission." I replied, my voice cold. “It’s over, Emily. We’re over. And I don’t want to hear from you again.”

Her eyes narrowed, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she turned on her heel and walked away, her head held high, as if she hadn’t just lost everything she thought she controlled. I watched her go, assuming to get an Uber, feeling a strange mix of relief and dread settle over me. Ending it with Emily should have lifted a weight off my shoulders, but it didn’t. If anything, it just made everything more real, more final.

We could have been together Y/n and I, just the two of us, no secrets, no lies. But instead, I let Emily manipulate me, and now Y/n doesn’t even remember me. There’s a part of me that feels relieved, some twisted sense of comfort in the fact that she can’t recall the horrible things I said to her last night, how I broke her heart. But that relief is fleeting, overshadowed by the gut wrenching realization that she also doesn’t remember any of the good times, the moments that made everything worthwhile.

Helping her with her golf swing because she was scared she’d mess up, our first kiss after hesitating so long, skating together, every stolen glance and shared laugh between us. All of it, gone. Erased from her memory like it never even happened. The guilt is suffocating, and I can’t shake the feeling that this is all my fault.

I should have protected her, should have walked away from Emily the moment I realized what she was capable of. But I didn’t. And now Y/n is paying the price.

But that doesn’t make this any easier. I thought maybe ending things with Emily would lift some of the weight off my shoulders, but it didn’t. It just made everything more real. I’ve lost Y/n, not because of anything she did, but because of my own mistakes. And now, the only thing I can do is walk away. Maybe it’s better this way. Maybe she’s better off without me, without the mess I’ve made of everything.

But that doesn’t make the pain any less sharp, doesn’t make the guilt any less crippling. All I know is that I need to leave her life, for good this time. She deserves better. Not someone who let her get into this position. 

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself as the memory of that moment replays in my mind. It’s a nightmare I can’t escape, a constant reminder of how badly I’ve failed her.

And as much as it kills me, I know I have to let her go. For her sake, and for mine.

a/n: YOU FINALLY KNOW THE EARRING STORY (dw it’s not the end either)

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[bunmurdock]

hiii, bun!!! so i was wondering what your thoughts were on matt being with someone who’s not used to (therefore maybe not comfortable kinda???) with receiving pleasure, since he’s very much a giver <333

this is such a valid question. i think his specific approach would depend on why reader is not comfortable receiving pleasure. there's no doubt he's a consent king, and he'd prioritize your emotional and physical safety, taking a gradual, supportive approach to making you feel desired, loved, and worthy of pleasure.

first of all, his heightened emotional awareness would make him really well-attuned to your discomfort. he'd pick up on small cues—changes in breathing, tension in your body, shifts in heartbeat—and adjust his actions in real-time, pulling back when needed or offering reassurance without necessarily needing to verbalize it, which helps if you're shy and struggle to articulate your hesitation 🥺

i honestly don't see him as someone who rushes into physical intimacy either. he'd take a gradual approach and only gets more intimate if his partners give him signal—implicit or explicit—that they want to get freaky (remember, with jen he offered to take her to dinner, before she dragged him over to her place. alos, he turned down karen's likely-proposition in s2 because he didn't want to risk ruining a good thing because of how much he cared for her).

i think, for matt, the emotional connection would be just as important as the physical one, so he'd spend time building a foundation of trust, reassuring and making you feel extremely desired. if it's bodily insecurity, i think he'd be extra vocal about his admiration for you, making sure you know just how attracted he is to you.

if it's performance anxiety or because past partners haven't been able to make you cum that way and you're worried about letting him down, he'd ask if that's the only reason. he'd propose trying and getting you off some other way if it doesn't work. of course, he proves you wrong. multiple times in a row.

if it's trauma or something deeply-seated, i think he'd encourage open, honest communication. he'd talk you through your fears and worries, listening without judgment and allow you to share at your own pace. no matter what, he'd be committed to supporting you through it for as long as it takes. plus, he'd probably see it as an opportunity to explore plenty of other fun, creative ways to make you cum.

masterlist | share your mm fantasies

[55sturn]

✮ TO KNOW THINGS LIKE LOVE 0.2

pairing: matt sturniolo × female!reader (past tense)

synopsis: in which matt’s life is turned upside down in a split second and it leaves him a shell of the person he uses to be.

warnings: angst. angst. angst. ANGSTTTTT. death of main character, car crash, panic attacks, funeral, matt being absolutely heartbroken, broken relationship with hygiene and food, survivors guilt, suicide contemplation, no happy endings, get your tissues ready.

if you or a loved one is suffering from suicidal ideations, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me, to a friend, to a professional, or your regional/national suicide hotline from this list. the world is a better place with you in it and you are so loved.

THIRD PERSON POV

matt smiled at his girlfriend, hold the door open for her, as she made her way down the stairs leading from her front door.

“hey pretty lady.” matt whispered, making her playfully roll her eyes at the corniness of his actions, but the affection and intention behind his words and actions made her heart swell deep in her chest.

“you’re such a goof.” she laughed, pressing a quick kiss to his lips as she reached him, her way to say hello while simultaneously thanking him for being such a gentleman.

the two sat in comfortable and peaceful silence as they slowly made their way toward matt’s top secret date destination of the night. y/n couldn’t help but notice the way matt kept chewing his nails as he weaved his way down the busy los angeles roads. smiling, she wordlessly took his hand away from his mouth and intertwined their fingers.

“baby what’s wrong?”

“i’m just nervous honey, that’s all.”

“why?” she hummed, watching as they made their way into the turning lane, waiting a couple of cars away from the intersection.

“because i love you and i really need tonight to go well.” matt smiled, his plan of proposing staying well hidden in the back of his mind.

“baby, i love you so much that i would be fine if we ended up at some greasy fast food restaurant. i’d go anywhere with you.” she laughed, the sound easing his worries as he began to move his car forward.

“baby i love you t-.” matt started, attempting to pull up to the line before the intersection, but was soon cut off, watching in horror as a car barrelled toward his, his hand squeezing her as they had no time to move before the sickening sound of squealing rubber and breaking glass filled the air.

for a moment, matt struggled to open his eyes, the sharp ringing in his ears causing such a strong vibration that it was impossible for him to focus. taking in his surroundings, he realized his car had been pushed into the one beside him, the damage on his was minimal but still severe enough to write off the car. as he turned his head, it was as if all time had stopped. rushing to unbuckle himself, he pushed himself up in his seat, reaching to press the fingers of his free hand to y/n’s throat, struggling to find a pulse.

he pressed his fingers to every pulse point he could reach, not one single thump was found. his hand that still held hers started to tremble as he tapped her face lightly, watching as her head fell limp to her opposite shoulder.

“no, n-no baby, c’mon. wake up please.” he stuttered, thrashing around in his seat as people were able to successfully push the smaller car on his side out of the way, reaching him.

“sir are you okay?”

“yes but i think my girlfriend’s dead. she’s not breathing and i can’t find a pulse. please call for help.”

“the police and ambulance are on their way. do you want help getting out?” the stranger asked, reaching for the handle.

“no! i’m not fucking leaving her.” he screamed, running a shaky hand through his hair.

AFTER THE CRASH

matt sat on the curb, covered in a blanket watching as the coroners wheeled his girlfriend away in a body bag. abruptly, he stood up and keeled over, bracing himself up his hands and knees as he emptied the contents of his stomach for a third time since getting pulled out of his car.

matt had already talked to officers and every person that had questions for him, explaining in detail what happened as he waited for nick and chris. his injuries had been checked and cleaned and he had been cleared to wait on the curb.

the sound of glass breaking echoed in his mind, thankful in some sick way that y/n went quickly, not being able to stomach the thought of her screaming in agony. he never wanted to be in pain and he prayed that the few fleeting moments she had before she went were painless. the sound of nick and chris yelling brought him out of his traumatized stupor as he rose to his feet, quickly barrelling through the crowd of people into his brothers’ arms.

“matt what happened? where’s y/n.”

“a car came out of nowhere and hit her side and she-she’s gone.” matt sobbed, his knees crumbling beneath him as his brothers held him for support, their own hearts breaking for him.

“oh matt, i’m so sorry.” nick soothed, his voice cracking as they realized the severity of what had happened.

TWO WEEKS LATER

the triplets had flown home back to boston on separate private flights, per their requests. news had broken out about matt’s car crash and they weren’t ready to deal with the stares.

over the two weeks of preparation for the funeral, matt had drastically fallen apart. he wasn’t eating, wasn’t showering, and he has even contemplated taking his own life multiple times. but he couldn’t go through with it. he knew he had to live for y/n, carry on her love for life and everything it brought, no matter how hard it was for him.

matt had opted to fly home with y/n’s parents and her casket on a private jet that the hospital provided for them. not much was said or heard on the flight home aside from y/n’s mother’s and matt’s sniffles. matt had held tightly onto her mom’s hand the entire flight home. he had agreed to speak on her behalf at her funeral that was planned for the day after they arrived home

matt sighed as he straightened his tie, one that y/n had picked out out for him the night of her formal event at the university she was attending. it was a pale blue, almost silver, and she had claimed it matched his eyes perfectly. sadly he smiled at the piece of fabric before picking up his speech.

he left the small room that the funeral services had provided for him to prepare himself in and headed for the staircase at the end of the hall. as he made his way down the stairs, he was met with his brothers and y/n’s sister. after reassuring nick and chris that he could handle this, he turned to y/s/n and took a shaky breath.

“y/s/n i am so sorry, i meant to check in with you yesterday but being home was just too much.”

“matt, don’t you dare apologize. you are dealing with the worst thing imaginable. i wasn’t even there with her and i can’t even get myself to leave the house most days.” she whispered, tears falling from her eyes as she pulled the middle triplet into a tight hug.

“i miss her so much.”

“i know matty, i do too.” she spoke softly, patting him on the shoulder before making her way to where her parents were going to be sitting. matt took a seat at the back of the room as they began the service. matt stayed in his seat until he was called to the front. sighing he grasped the edges of the lectern, his speech laid out in front of him before he crumpled it, deciding to speak from the heart.

“hello everyone, i am matt sturniolo. most of you may know me as y/n’s boyfriend, some of you may know me as the guy she wouldn’t stop talking about all throughout high school even when we got together in tenth grade.” he laughed sadly, earning a few laughs from the people in front of him.

“we are here today,-“ he paused, clearing his throat as tears welled in his eyes,

“to celebrate the life of y/n m/n l/n. she was, and still is, pretty much always will be one of a kind. she was the love of my life. i was actually going to propose to her that night. and there was a time that i thought i would know her forever, but now i will just know her memory, and while that breaks my heart. it will be an honour to carry her memory with me forever. there are many stories i could tell you about her but i think she would curse me from above if i told those stories in front of her parents. i don’t think i can get through much more of this without falling apart so i will leave you with this, everyone in this room has had the pleasure of knowing such an incredible, gentle soul. if you were loved by y/n, you knew it. she might not have said it outright but you could feel her love for you in everything she did or said. she had such a big heart and did anything she could to share it. some may say it was a curse to love so deeply, but not y/n. god she always looked at it like it was her sole purpose in life. she treated it like it was breathing. loving any and every thing was second nature to her. and i hope, that i can spread even half as much as she did.” matt spoke softly, not bothering to wipe the tears that fell down his face as he turned to face her casket,

“y/n, my love, i will always cherish everything you have said and done for me, and i will love you in this lifetime and the next, may we meet again.”

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© 55STURN 2024 [ you do not have permission to copy or save or share my work to other platforms and devices! ]

[fairvstairs]

DAN AND MATT WEDDING!!!

The events take place about 4/5 years after their graduation.

You could say that their wedding is the most anticipated of the year.

Because of their careers a lot of journalists tried to crash the wedding to get good pictures of the foxes. Neil was in charge of hiring the security but one of them disguised himself and got past them. Andrew smashed his camera and almost punched him.

The wedding is amazing, almost everything is perfect, but the proposal couldn't have gone more wrong. After buying the ring, Matt goes to Neil's apartment to show him. Andrew lives in another city, they are in different teams, but they share custody of a cat. Of course, with their luck, when Matt goes to leave... the ring is no longer in its container. The cat swallowed it. Of course he did. They go to the vet but they just have to wait for... nature to take its course. When it finally does- it is not Matt's ring. It's a normal ring. Not his very expensive engagement ring. They look everywhere in the house for it but it's just gone out of thin air. He starts to think, what if it's a sign? What if he's not meant to marry Dan? What if this is the way of the universe to tell him that he shouldn't even ask her? Neil slaps him to make him come to his senses. It works.

Later that night, at dinner, while he's sitting in front of Dan, he has to pretend that everything is fine. She, of course, notices that something is wrong but he just blames it on a rough round of practice. After they finished cleaning he gives a kiss and then goes to take a shower. He has only taken his pants off when he hears something hit the floor. He takes a good look around and that's where he spots it: his ring! He inadvertently screams out of joy only for Dan to come rush into the bathroom, thinking he has fallen. They both stare at each other for a couple of minutes: her, still with her hand on the door handler, looking at him with wide eyes and him, in only his shirt and boxes, with the ring in his hands. Matt lets out a breath, kneels and asks her.

Neil is the best man, Allison is the maid of honor and Renee officiates the wedding. Nicky cries after her speech. Very loudly.

Bee, Abby and Wymack are sitting in the front row, he walks her down the aisle. He doesn't immediately let her go, he just looks at her while nodding his head, he then gives her a kiss on the forehead and goes to take his seat. He takes Abby's hand between his own and doesn't let go for the entire ceremony.

Dan is the most beautiful bride ever and, even if their wedding is considerably small, everything looks and feels like a fairytale. Of course, Allison was the wedding planner.

They do a private first look and Matt immediately starts crying. They don't really talk much, they just hold each other while silently crying. Tears of joy, of course. Dan's cheeks hurt by the end of the ceremony.

They get married in late June, at the beach. (I don't even like beach weddings but it's just perfect for them!)

Dan's vows are absolutely amazing but Matt's just leave everyone speechless. Witnesses claim they saw Kevin Day wipe away his tears. He will later be seen scream at Aaron Minyard that some sand got in his eyes.

Matt doesn't even wait for Renee to finish her sentence ("You may now kiss the bride") that he immediately lunches himself at Dan. The kiss lasts for a long time. And I mean a very long time. Nicky whistles.

During the reception, Matt takes Neil aside and thanks him for being the best best man. He knows it's not easy for him being in the spot light and he really appreciates it. Neil thanks him for giving him this opportunity. He looks for Andrew and spots him walking towards the beach with his phone at his ear, away from the eyes of everyone else. He, of course, follows him. They stay in silence for a while.

"Would you want to do this one day?" the blonde asks.

"Would you?"

Neil expects Andrew to say "I asked you first," but, instead, he takes out a box and hands it to him. Inside there isn't a ring but a key, it's bigger and heavier than the others. On it there is a writing that says "Stay forever".

"My coach called, the transfer was accepted. I'm moving to your team."

Five months later, they enter their new house for the first time. Just them, two cats and two rings on their fingers.

[babyhedonistt]

Too Close to Touch // FIVE

Warning : SMUT, swearing

authors note : this took all day to finish, but I hope you guys like it🤍

—

PRESENT DAY

“ There’s nothing to revisit Matt.” Noah explains in a stern whisper. Matt brings his voice down to a whisper, understanding that you were in the room right next to theirs.

“ it’s already bad enough that you both had to sign a nondisclosure agreement about your relationship but the fact that you can’t even get along for the sake of the band is really starting to take a toll on her involvement with Nick’s absence.”

Noah sighs. “It was just so sudden… I didn’t think out of everybody who knows how to play the drums that she would be the only one we would be able to use.”

Matt nods his head before scratching the back of his neck. “ I think you care for her a lot more than you let on I mean it’s written all in your music.” Noah’s color drains from his face as he stares at Matt. “ what are you talking about?” Matt raised an eyebrow before scoffing, followed by a laugh.

“ That one day in the studio? Back in the beginning of February before the death of peace of mind was released? You would not lighten up on how you wanted just pretend to sound.. do you remember that? that was not that long ago. The day we had just found out that Folio had broken his wrist.” Matt continues to point out.

“ I’m just picky about my work. I’ve always been like this.”

“ Noah, you changed the whole sound of the song.”

Noah cocks his head back and rolls his eyes. “ Look, all Im saying is that you two broke up almost three years ago. The least you could do as well as a FAVOR to your injured band mate would be to suck it up with your ex girlfriend for two more shows.” Matt pushes at Noah’s shoulder

Noah thought back to the previous night, where Y/N had made a proposal in which he wasn’t sure he agreed with.

“After the tour is done. I promise you won’t have to see me again” her voice rang in his ears.

What did she even mean?

“Come on.” Matt slaps Noah in the back with a reassuring slap. “ Get some sleep, okay? Im sure Jolly and Nick will return shortly.”

Great.

Before Noah could respond to Matt, he was already walking out of the room. Noah did not want to deal with the repercussions of an upset Ruffilo so he decided to just get into bed and pretend to be asleep until his body actually calmed down enough to. He couldn’t understand why his body was so heated, rushed with adrenaline whenever she was around him.

He just couldn’t figure out why.

Noah pulled back the covers on the bed before he snaked in and just stared at the dark ceiling after turning off the lights. His mind was scrambled. He tried sorting through his thoughts but they all just kept coming back to the one memory that suck out like a sore thumb.

Jolly and Ruffilo eventually came back to the room. Ruffilo seemed to have calmed down because the two shared a laugh when they came back.

Noah could hear the covers move from the bed next to him before he looked over and saw the two trying to sleep. His gaze wandered to the alarm clock resting on the nightstand, the bright red letters glowing in the dark room.

12:47am.

He felt a long sigh leave his mouth before he found himself throwing the covers off his body. he put on his slides and rushed out the front door of the hotel room. It didn’t take him long but eventually he found himself standing in front of yours. His mind was scattered as he mentally debated between trying the door handle or just knocking like a normal person.

Knock Knock Knock.

You jolted awake. You look over at the front door, debating whether or not the sound you just heard was real or if you were simply experiencing a weird dream. Reality was confirmed when the knock happened again, this time more assertive, and frantic.

You thought it to be Matt so you put on your flip flops before making your way to the front door, yawning and trying to wake yourself up.

“Matt?” You groan attempting to look through the peep hole. “Try again.” Noah’s raspy voice sounds on the other side of the door.

“What do you want?” You call, not opening the door. “For you to open the door.” He shoves his hands in his pockets. “I promise I’m not going to kidnap you.” He states.

You turn the door knob just slightly as you peek your head out to the hallway. “what do you—“

Noah pushes his way into the hotel room and closes the door behind him. “Tell me what you want or I’m gonna fucking scream.”

“ I figured out why you make me so angry.” He bluntly stated. It takes you aback. “Well then.” You scoff.

“It’s the fact you don’t make me angry at all. You make me FRUSTRATED.”

“I don’t…” You shake your head confused.

Noah grabs your face with his hands as he starts backing you away from the door.

“You frustrate me. sexually. you arouse me. you make me crazy. you make me wild because there’s this deep, daunting fire inside of me that wants to push you out of my life so I won’t have to deal with any repercussions of wanting to kiss every bit of your body. A part of me wants to scream from the rooftops that this relationship won’t last. that it’s wrong to want my best friend’s sister. But the other part of me couldn’t care less. And this time, I want to listen to the other part of me.”

You were dumbfounded. Noah has lied to you before. Noah has looked you dead in the eyes in your past and they were filled with hatred.

This time was different. His eyes were somber. his eyes were pleading. His eyes were soft.

This was the Noah you remember.

You don’t say anything, and you latch your hands onto his wrists as he held your face and proceeded to kiss you.

He kissed you like he was hungry, like he had been starved of your touch for too long.

And he has.

His lips were soft. His large hand snaked to the base of your head as he deepened the kiss and you closed your eyes. He keeps backing you up until your legs hit the side of your bed and one of his hands holds the small of your back before resting you gently on your bed. He finally breaks the kiss, resting his forehead against yours. He was warm to the touch.

“what are you thinking?” you breathed heavily, your hand falling to his chest as his eyes scanned your face, almost looking for any hints of doubt before he proceeded.

“you. i’m thinking about you. I want you, Y/N.” He moved between your legs and took your hand gently with his, snaking it down to the drawstrings of his pants. He placed your hand against his bulge, not breaking eye contact with you once. “This is how bad I want you.”

Your heart sped up and you felt hot at the touch of him beneath your hand. His erection pulsed with agony as you felt the heartbeat and blood flowing through him.

There’s just one thing stopping you.

“Noah…. I’m a virgin…”

That took him aback. He tried to hide it but you could see it in his eyes. It was silent for a minute before he nodded and sat you both up, so you were sitting in his lap.

“It’s not that I don’t want to with you Y/N.” He starts.

“We never did before.” You finish, feeling slightly embarrassed before he moves the hair from your face.

“I know I’m an asshole. but with this I don’t want to be one.” He explains, his voice still hoarse from it being nighttime.

You nod in response as you play with your fingers looking at your lap.

“but.” he states lifting your chin with his finger to make you look at him. “When the time is right. I will make it better than you have ever dreamed.”

You felt red cloud your face as he kissed your forehead. “i’m sorry. i let everything get in the way of what we had.” he apologized and you nod, exhaling.

“I hope you still mean it in the morning.”

He stares at you before biting his lower lip embarrassed. “Y/N. We can’t let Matt, Folio, or anyone know that this is happening.”

“but-“

“It will just complicate things.” he explains. “Especially with our NDA, I don’t know what could come from this with the tour still happening. Just for now okay?”

You felt dirty. Keeping the two of you a secret, especially after knowing how it would affect not only the status of the band but the relationship between the boys. Although considering how you feel about him and how he seems to feel about you……

Fuck it.

——-

To be continued ;)

[themultifandomgal]

Kelly- Proposal/Wedding

Our first holiday together takes us to Vegas. We're only going for a few days while Connor has taken the kids and Nyx to have some uncle, niece, nephew bonding time. They're 2 years old now and I can't believe how big they have gotten

Kelly and I are having an amazing time although we are missing the kids. After having many drinks the night we met is recreated, although I'm on birth control now so no babies right?

Due to how much we had to drink we find ourselves in a chapel with Elvis

"You sure about this?" Kelly asks

"Hell yeah I am. I love you Kelly our lives together has been fast paced, but I truly believe that this is meant to be our lives"

"Yeah. Me too. Let's get married"

"Let's"

That night we get married and the following day we arrive back home.

"Hey guys" Kelly and I hold hands walking into the firehouse both of us smiling so wide is crazy

"Ok you either won a lot of money or your married" Gabby crosses her arms trying to hold back a smile. I lift my hand up wiggling my figures to show off my engagement ring and wedding band

"Oh my god" Gabby and Sylvie squeal running over to me to hug me

"Congratulations man" Cruz pats Kelly on the back

"Don't you think you guys have rushed this a bit?" Matt comments

"We haven't really done things in the conventional way have we?" I reply losing my smile

"I'm just looking out for you guys"

"Either way we are connected since we have kids. I love her Matt so please try to be happy for us" with the the bell goes and we all get ready to go put out a fire.

A few weeks later Kelly and I find out we aren't technically married which bums us both out. Kelly promises that we will get married properly one day and Hattie can be our bridesmaid, Oscar will be our ring bearer. Dropping the kids off at Jay and Erin's I head to Gabbys to have girl time

"Ok I know your sad about not being married so let's get you all dolled up"

"How's that going to help?" I ask

"It will trust me"

Gabby gets me all dressed up in a sexy ass dress which only confuses me more "No put this on" she hands me an eye mask

"Why?" I frown

"Just do it"

"Ok ok" I place it on my face and feel Gabby guiding me out of her room, down the stairs and out of the house. I feel myself getting into a car and now I'm even more confused.

After a bit of driving the car stops. I'm pulled out of the car and walked somewhere. I am finally allowed to take my eye mask off. There's Kelly stood in front of me smiling

"Hey" he smiles

"Hi. What's going on?" I look around

"We're gathered here today to whiteness the union between YN Rhodes and Kelly Severide" Matt starts saying "as we all know their love story is like a very fast paced film. Some would say like a Disney film" everyone chuckles while tears just start to fall "YN Kelly is there anything you'd like to say?"

"Yeah. Erm first of all I'm sorry our first wedding wasn't actually a wedding, but I guess that's what you get for getting married in Vegas. I love you so much YN and I want to spend the rest of my life with you and our kids. I want more children with you, I want a huge house, a white picket fence, a dog I want everything with you"

"I love you so much Kel" I cry

"YN do you take Kelly to be your lawfully wedded husband"

"Hell yeah I do"

"And do you Kelly take YN to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"Of course I do"

"With the power vested in me thanks to the web I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss one another" with that Kelly dips me and we share a kiss. That is until I feel someone tugging at my dress. I look down and see Hattie smiling

"Mamma my kisses now" Hattie signs to me I pick Hattie up and Kelly picks Oscar up and both give them a kiss each. My little family, but will be growing in the next 8 months.

[slxt4chriss]

So high school? Pt. 2

Summary: In current time, y/n is performing at her biggest show yet. But so is her past lover Matt sturniolo.

Warnings: SMUT, p in v, angst, use of Y/n, swearing, drinking, smoking, talk about running away and getting married, Multiple POV’s, mentions of the word kill, THIS WARNING GOES FOR ALL PARTS!! Also pretend the triplets are back on tour.

Word count: 744

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

“I told my friends I hate you, but I love you just the same.”

Current day 2024 Toronto Canada:

Five minutes. Five minutes until another performance of the biggest tour I’ve been created starts. I’ve done about 100 times in the past, so why am I nervous now? Well maybe because my ex lover and thought to be soulmate is also on tour, in the same stadium just in a different venue.

Tonight’s performance is special because my newest member of the crew Gracie Abrams is singing with me tonight. Her newest album has a special feature that I’m bringing her out for! All of my albums are about Matt. I mean if you listen to them you can hear it, but nobody knows I’ve dated him so they thinks it’s a different ex. About halfway through my show durning the longest album, my mic stops working. Great. With the technology problem it had also started raining but I loved there rain and it looked like i could control lightning so that’s a plus.

Matt’s pov:

The music was blasting through the stadium walls, her voice was beautiful. I didn’t know who it was and frankly I didn’t care I was just mesmerized by her voice. Her songs were all about heartbreak though. She sounded a lot like y/n. Maybe it was. That would be crazy, she’s a doctor or something, at least that’s what she wanted to be. I think.

5 months before the breakup, 12th grade year:

He thrusts into her at a relentless pace, her voice cracking with the pleasure he induced into her. “Matt oh my,” she moaned quietly as her parents were in the room down the hall.”fuck y/n I’m so close” he whimpered into her neck. A few sloppy thrusts, and two mind shattering orgasms later, they lied in each others arms sloppy kisses placed onto each others body’s. Warm I love you’s and other sweet nothings spilled from their mouths.

“y/n?” Matt questioned his fingers tracing meaningless circles on her thigh. “Matt.” She whispered back her voice harsh and rough. “Promise me when we’re older we’ll get married and run away together?” His words were warm and inviting. Promising. “I promise” she spoke opening her eyes to look at the flustered boy in front of her. God did she love him.

Current day 2024 Toronto Canada Matt’s POV:

‘Imgonnagetyouback’ that’s a song I knew. I know who sings that because Chris sent it to me saying it sounded like the promise we had made after our first time tangled in her baby pink flower sheets, her purple and pink painted walls dark and dim while we entwined together in the dirtiest dance. I had told Chris about our promise, he promised to keep a secret from nick.

Nick never liked our relationship, he said if I ended things his and y/n’s relationship would end. We had been together for more than four years and really had grown to love each other more than anything. She proposed the idea to me after I had snuck through her window. I had thought about it many times late at night after I knew she was asleep I would go through my gallery and touch myself to the photos of her. Embarrassing really.

Y/n’s POV:

‘Imgonnagetyouback’ was my favorite song from my latest album. It was about the broken promise’s from my past. The adrenaline rush of nights with him, and how I always knew the love would fade. I always believed that after a love had faded you had to hate them. But with Matt it was different.

I still love him. But the love fades little by little day by day. The excitement of seeing him again one day disappeared years ago. The nights before the breakup we were fighting more than usual. He had kissed Sarah a while ago, I had thought nothing of it. It was a game.

Three days before I ended it I found out he had hooked up with Sarah a month before. He claimed he was drunk, it ment nothing. I was devastated. Then I cheated back, because I grew up in a household where you get revenge even on the coldest things. And a day before the breakup he told me that he wish he had never cheated. I thought he was lying. I was lying. I had never told him I cheated. And he never found out. We kept it like that. -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

A/n: this is short I think 😭 I wrote it in two hours, so if there’s any mistakes please dm me and tell me. ILY 🫶 part three out soon!!

@hoeforchrizz @chris-hallelujah

-Stay kind stay hot xoxo gossip girl 💋

©Slxt4chriss

[arazialotis]

Get Him to the Con - Part 5

Pairing: Jensen × Reader

Word Count: About 7500

Summary: The reader stumbles into Jensen at her favorite bar, a very drunk Jensen. She soon realizes Jensen was booked for a con this weekend and has to be eight hours from town in only two.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Warnings: Language, Mutual Pining, Creepy NPCs 

I intend no hate or ill wishes to him or his family. This is purely just for writing and wasting my time as hobby. Maybe some of you will enjoy it too. I apologize in advance for any mistakes or grammatical/spelling errors. I appreciate any feedback or suggestions!

-----

What the hell was he thinking? What the hell did he just do?

Jensen paced the length of the cramped motel room. His hand trailed through his hair and down his jawline. He really wanted to call Jared, but based on their last conversation, he already knew how that would go. Leading up to it, he had been so at peace. The whole day had simply been magical. And you, your smile, your laughter, your teasing, and your thoughtful remarks had cemented how his heart yearned for you. Even so, he knew he should take things slowly, slower than a snail’s pace. Yet how you were seated there, lost in another world, the sun glowing against your skin and shining on your lips; he couldn’t, didn’t help himself.

Jared was right, he thought. You were a fan, naturally, which put you both at a disadvantage. Aside from your conversations, what did he know about you? He could be falling for Superfan99, and Jared was the logical one here. Maybe he should have run a background check. Maybe he should have had someone look into your internet identity. Maybe Jared’s proposal of a non-disclosure agreement wasn’t such an outlandish idea after all. And then there were the power dynamics that you had hinted at earlier in the day. His status, wealth, and privilege put him at an advantage and could influence your behavior. One wrong move and it could all backfire in his face with lawsuits or defamation.

He sat on his bed. No. No. This was stupid. He did know you. He did like you. A lot. He was just panicking. Not only from the look of horror on your face after your lips parted but from the fact what he really wanted to do was knock down your door and spend all night entwined together. All these thoughts that Jared had planted in his head, out of brotherly concern, Jensen reminded himself, were surfacing simply because, in fact, you were correct earlier today. His balls were very blue indeed, and he needed to think with his head instead of them.

Jensen flopped on the bed, his hands weaving through his hair yet again. Hastily, he grabbed his phone and quickly googled ‘celebrities who married their fans.’ Okay, now he was definitely rushing and overthinking things. You weren’t even dating, nor had you indicated any interest outside of a friendship. Despite this, he scrolled anyways, needing some affirmation that if this did progress, it could work.

“Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.” He scoffed allowed. “Come on, that doesn’t count.”

Make-up artists, producers, designers, and public relations. All these people were in the film industry. They got it to a certain extent. Understood the life, the pressure, the criticism. He kept going. Bartender? That caught his attention.

“Matt fucking Damon!” Jensen exclaimed. “Get it, man. Get it.”

The phone clicked off, and relief flooded him. Yet the peace was temporary. He closed his eyes, and all he could feel were your soft, plush lips against his. And how it had been too short, far too short. He wanted more. His heart raced inside his chest, and he attempted to take long, deep breaths to steady it, but it was futile. It was going to be a long fucking night.

---

The anticipated knock on your door startled you nonetheless. You were close to ready but still needed a few touch-ups. That wasn’t really what was on your mind; you weren’t sure how you could possibly face him again. The butterflies had completely taken over your entire being. What had happened last night was unreal. It couldn’t have possibly happened. But it did. He had kissed you. And then practically ran away! What the hell was that supposed to mean?! Were you a bad kisser? Did he regret doing it? Was he just being a gentleman? Should you make the next move? It was too much.

The weight of the door was heavy as it slid across the carpet. The morning sun radiated off him. How was he so perfect, especially this early in the morning? He was in a denim button-up that made his skin glow. Skin you so badly wanted to taste. Oh god, did you swoon in front of him?

Jensen cleared his throat. “Mornin'.” His voice was gruff.

You couldn’t find words to speak.

“I brought coffee.” He held it out like an apology or peace offering.

You eagerly grabbed it from him. “God bless you.”

He chuckled. “Ready to hit the road?”

After finishing a sip of coffee, you responded, “Yeah. First, gotta tackle this mess.” You gestured to your hair and headed back for the mirror.

“Don’t do it for my account; I think bedhead suits you.” He squinted his eyes shut and tilted his head. Filter, filter, he reminded himself.

You were glad your back was turned as to conceal the blush wishing it was him who had given it to you rather than the restless night.

Say, something, anything else. He floundered, "Sleep well?"

"Mhmm." You responded with a high-pitched lie. "You?"

"Absolutely," He also lied and added to sell it. "Surprisingly comfortable mattresses."

"Right?" You agreed. "So rewarding after a long day."

As is with most mascara wearers, it was only natural for your mouth to part while applying it to your lashes. Jensen was honed in, his mouth matching yours. Quickly, he shifted attention to your luggage lest his body start to betray him. A few more finishing details, and you caved. Your hair was as good as it would get for the day. Besides, you'd be in the car mostly if yesterday were any indication. Jensen wrestled with your suitcase out the door, his muscles straining against the denim. What had you swooning early now had you envious. You bet he just woke up like that versus the forty-five minutes it had taken you. It wasn’t fucking fair. After a final sweep of the room, you joined him in the car.

Learning from yesterday, you didn’t pull up a map to navigate, for your only destination was west. However, during your restless sleep last night, you took advantage of the motel’s Wi-Fi and downloaded a few playlists and podcasts, assuming service would be spotty again at best. Jensen was back at the wheel, starting the day again. As he reversed, his arm stretched to the passenger seat, the gravel crunching underneath the tires. The toned definition of his arms demanded the most attention, yet yesterday you had overlooked the rich tan he had developed over the summer. The scent of cedar and rosemary plagued your mind again, and if you came away with one thing from this trip, you hoped it would be the name of whatever hygiene products he was using because, god, you needed more of it in your life.

The air was silent as you waited for him to say something, anything. It’s not like you had anything to discuss. It’s not like anything monumental had occurred last night. Oh, wait. No, that’s right. He kissed you! He kissed you and then ran away. Not giving you a second to process or respond. Just up and left as it was the most casual thing in the world. And how he sat across from you now, one hand on the wheel, the other adjusting the temperature. So nonchalantly, like what happened wasn’t a big deal. Maybe he was waiting to return to the highway to bring it up so he didn’t have to multitask thinking about directions. Or maybe he had regretted it and wanted to pretend the whole thing never happened.

The highway came into view, and the open road called your spirit onward. Jensen brushed his knuckles against his lips. Oh, those lips you wanted so badly to feel again with your own. He placed his grip back on the steering wheel, pinching his lips together and then licking them as if they were chapped. From last night you knew they were anything but. You squirmed in your seat, needing pressure and relief. The son of a bitch let out a huff of a chuckle, then covered it up as if he was clearing his throat. It was like he was teasing you, goading you, knowing exactly what he was doing, making sure you’d be the first to bring it up.

Well, two could play at that game. You fished through your purse, finding a sheer lip tint. You flipped the sun visor down and then meticulously and precisely began running the stick over your lips before pressing them together to spread the light shade and releasing it with a pop. You could feel his eyes on you, and you tried with all your might to keep a smirk from spreading. To top it off, you delicately ran a finger along your lip’s edge as if correcting a mistake. His chair creaked, and from the corner of your eye, you caught him adjusting the seam of his pants. There it was. You snapped the visor shut and threw the tint back in your purse. And you thought it was silent before.

Play it cool, you told yourself, but you couldn’t handle it anymore. “You wanna listen to a podcast or something?”

“Yeah,” He squeaked out and then adjusted his voice, grateful for a distraction. “Yeah. What do you got?”

You scrolled through your Spotify. “Hmmm… Ooh, um, The Cult of Multi-level Marketing, a few Lore episodes, one on the philosophy of simulation theory….”

“Simulation theory?”

“Yeah, like this reality isn’t the true base reality. We’re living in a computer program.” You explained.

“So, like The Matrix?” He asked.

“Kinda, except that it’s most probable that humans are controlling the simulation, and we don’t have actual bodies that need to be awakened and are not being harvested by machines. Think more along the lines of humans creating a computer program very similar to their world but then introducing situations and factors to see how it would play out in reality so that they can better prepare for, I don’t know, a global pandemic or World War III.” You tried your best to give an overview. Or like a fan and a celebrity randomly bumping into each other and going on not only one but two road trips, because what other possible explanation was there for this?

Jensen raised an eyebrow at you skeptically. “You believe in that crap?”

“First of all, it’s not crap. Neil deGrasse Tyson believed in it for years.” You defended.

“Oh, well, if Neil deGrasse Tyson…” He mocked.

But you cut him off because you weren’t finished. “Second. Of course, I don’t believe in it, but it is fun to think about and keep an open mind.”

“I don’t think I’ve had enough coffee to explore the metaphysics of life quite this early in the morning.” He went to sip from his cup.

“I also have a conspiracy theory regarding Princess Di.” You offered.

“I’m noticing a trend here.” He waved his hand around your space. “I’m not sure what the theme is exactly, but it is saying a lot about you.”

“And here I thought avoiding my regular cold cases would be enough to dissuade your concern.” You both chuckled. “I did also download a 30 for 30 series.”

He snapped his fingers, not needing to hear the further details. “That’s the one.”

“Fine,” You rescinded. “It’s only a matter of time before I turn you to the dark side, and then you won’t be able to stop.”

Two episodes in, and you were bored out of your skull, having solely downloaded a sports podcast for his benefit. But at least the tension had lifted. If he wasn’t ready to talk about it, you weren’t going to force him. You were making good time too. It wasn’t even noon, and you were already past Omaha.

“At this rate, we’ll be in Denver a day early.” You remarked. “Which is cool; I’m sure there’ll be a lot to do and explore tomorrow.”

Jensen chewed it over. “Say, which way is Kansas? We gotta be nearby.”

You thought about it for a second and then confidently pointed south.

“You up for a detour?” He asked.

“Lebanon or Lawerence?” You questioned, voicing your agreement.

"I've been to Lawrence once," He recalled. "At least I think it was Lawrence… Can't say the same about Lebanon."

"It's settled then."

Thankfully, you were still close enough to Omaha for a signal when you brought up maps. Despite Jensen’s spontaneity, you were glad you still had a signal; looking at directions now, you’d never have been able to find your way. It wasn’t like there was a direct highway leading there. It would require a lot of zigzagging on country roads used primarily by farmers and truck routes.

You stopped in Lincoln for brunch and, more importantly, a second cup of coffee. The conversation was casual and playful, yet not as flirtatious as if you were tiptoeing around a cliff's edge. One false move and you’d tumble off to your inevitable demise or learn, very quickly, how to fly. After brunch, you found a quaint park with a lake that you strolled, stretching your legs before another long jaunt in the car. Jensen learned about your aversion to geese and teased you incessantly until one started hissing and honking at him. Then his attitude changed from ‘We're not in a hurry to be anywhere’ to ‘We should get back on the road.’

With a third cup of coffee on the go, Jensen finally surrendered and let you listen to the podcast on simulation theory. A heated debate followed it; Jensen, the logical skeptic, and you, the blind follower, simply for the pleasure of pushing his buttons and riling him up. Needless to say, further podcasts were not queued up. As predicted, cell service became less frequent, so you switched to the downloaded playlist with the theme of road-tripping. Songs included There She Goes, Life in the Fast Lane, and Take Me Home, Country Roads. Carefreeness overtook you as you opened up, signing along with Jensen, unworried about your voice or inventive lyrics.

It felt like flying off the highway, with the windows rolled down and Jensen pushing the modern Impala to its limits. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky therefore requiring sunglasses, and Jensen placed his ballcap on your head to keep your hair from flying all over the place. You crossed your legs up on your seat, and your hand hung out the window.

He chuckled. “Just like Jared. I don’t know how y’all do that.”

“Occasional yoga,” You answered. “Keeps me flexible.”

“There are benefits to being flexible.” Jensen pondered and cleared his throat as you both thought about the same thing. Sparing you the need to respond, he turned up the radio, “Oh, I love this song.”

What was it? Oh, right, Go Your Own Way. He fumbled through the second verse but gave a decent performance, so you were none-the-wiser.

It was midafternoon when you neared Lebanon. Out of the farms and fields sprouted a sign on US 281.

“Geographical Center of the Continental US.” You read aloud.

“What on earth?” Jensen asked.

“We have to go! Hang a righteous!” You instructed, fearing he would miss the turn.

“The more you talk, the less you are making sense.” He said.

You flailed your arms. “Take a right, right here!”

He had to press the brakes harder than he would have liked, but he made it.

He giggled and repeated, “Hang a righteous. What do you say when need to go left?”

“Leftovers for breakfast, obviously.” You responded.

“Obviously.” He chuckled.

“Oh my god,” Realization dawned on you. “This is why they picked it for the show, isn’t it? The center of the US, not counting Alaska and Hawaii, of course.”

“Yes,” He drew out unconfidently. “That is exactly why.”

“You didn’t know either!” You playfully accused.

“I knew.” He brushed it off. “At some point, I’m sure.”

You approached the park at the T in the road. Kansas stretched on for miles around you. Not a single car or person was in view. Thankful to get out of the car, you stretched and walked around the small plot of land with the smallest little chapel, one monument dedicating the space, and a bulletin board with news clippings with pieces of paper shoved in saying ‘so-and-so’ was here.

You wandered over to read the monument; Jensen trailed behind.

“So, how does it feel to be at the center of the country?” He asked.

You gritted your teeth and whispered, “Anti-climatic.”

“At least we didn’t have to pay for this tourist trap.” He remarked.

“Shut up. You loved the mystery spot.” You teased back.

You inspected the bulletin board closer, seeing the visitors' names and everywhere they came from, surprised at how far some people had traveled, and hopefully not just for this.

“Hey, you got a pen and paper?” Jensen asked.

“I think so.”

After quickly running back and forth, you brought a sharpie and a torn journal sheet to him. He jotted something down and signed his name before shoving it in along with the rest of the notes. You got a closer look, and it read ‘Dean Winchester was here,’ today’s date, and signed by Jensen Ackles.

“One for the fan girlies.” He announced, proud of himself.

“Very kind of you,” You agreed, for it made your own fangirl heart flutter.

Turning back on the road, you headed for downtown Lebanon. It was smaller than you expected, though you weren’t sure what you were expecting to begin with. A few houses were cute and quaint, and most needed work like paint touch-ups and a good weeding. Some needed a lot of work. The stretch of downtown truly brought to life the meaning of a one-horse town.

Though there were some recent renovations for tourists, Jensen leaned against the main city sign, avoiding stepping on the flowers and shrubbery. You happily snapped a few photos for him, and he returned the favor as you got a couple in the historical city jail replica.

“Does this count for the bucket list?” He asked.

“Pfft.” You leaned against the frame, arms sticking out between the strap-iron bars. “Hardly.”

“I could ask if they’ll keep ya overnight.” He offered, pointing over his shoulder back to city hall.

“Oooh, we could plan an intricate escape plan and heist, becoming the next Bonnie and Clyde.” You elaborated. “I like it.”

“Alright,” He started to walk away, calling your bluff. “I’ll go get you arrested for something.”

“Wait,” You squealed. “No. Jensen! Let me out!” You strained to reach for the latch keeping you caged.

“Not a chance.” He kept walking. “You gotta prepare for the real deal. If you can’t survive a night here, there is no way you will survive the feds.”

“Wait until I get out of here.” You threatened. “You are in for it.”

You poked your arm through another gap and stretched for the latch. Your fingers grazed it, and you pushed a little further, finally unhinging it. As promised, you ran after him, fully meaning to tackle him. However, he braced himself, knowing what was coming. A small grunt escaped him as you jumped up on his back. He gripped the underside of your thighs, supporting you, and carried you on his back to the car.

“Now you’re really caught.” He chuckled.

“Bull.” You said and wrapped your arms a little tighter around his chest. “We could play this out like Westley and Fezzik, and I’m telling you now, I’d win.”

“Inconceivable.” He said.

“You keep using that word…” You quoted.

And he finished. “I do not think it means what you think it means.”

You laughed as he set you down on the pavement. “So… which way to the bunker?”

He flipped the keys in his hand, mentally preparing for another few hours at least in the car. “Aw, I’m sorry. Insider secret. You have to be a person of letters to get that knowledge.”

You faked a pout but chuckled, then stretched your back, not quite wanting to get back in the car. “I reckon the only bunkers round these parts are corn-filled.”

“Or poultry-filled… I reckon,” He matched your southern drawl.

“They should add one, though. Reach a wider range of tourists. Or, at the very least, make a little museum. Maybe that’s what I’ll plan for my midlife crisis. Move to Lebanon, and open a bookstore slash cafe slash flower shop slash Supernatural museum.” You rambled. “And then I will finally start leeching off our relationship, and you can bring me free stuff from set that I can stock in the museum.”

“That's a lot of slashes. I’m either impressed that you made that up all on the spot or concerned that has been your plan from the get-go.” He said. “And I’m equally concerned that you are planning a midlife crisis, not letting it happen spontaneously as nature intended.”

“I’m trying to be spontaneous, okay?” You whined. “This is a big step for me. Having things planned out and knowing what to expect helps a lot with anxiety. I’m learning to find the fun in stuff like this.” You waved your hands around as if to showcase this whole trip.

“I’m sorry,” He apologized. “I was teasing you, Y/N. It’s good to have a balance of both. I have my whole day to days planned out by someone other than me, so trips like this with no agenda to follow are refreshing. But I realize if you lived like this 24/7, it would be more than chaotic, and you’d potentially miss out on a lot.”

You huffed.

“It’s a good thing.” He observed. “We balance each other.”

You could accept that. “I am trying. And there’s a lot we’d have missed out on, too, if I had planned everything out.”

“I could have missed out on the mystery spot.” He agreed.

“You are never going to let that go, are you?” You envisioned.

“Never.” He grinned. “Let’s get back on the road and grab a snack…”

“I’m not hangry.” You said, but his eyes challenged you. “Okay, maybe a little.”

Stopping on the way out of town for gas, you both went inside to grab a cold drink for the road. Jensen nudged you with his hip once you went for your wallet and beat you to the draw. You blushed from the contact and linked your elbow around his, placing your hand in his. He interlaced his fingers with yours. And you weren’t sure if it was his pulse or yours that you felt violently pounding against your wrist.

“Well, aren’t you two just the cutest little lovebirds,” The cashier remarked, and you pulled your hand out of his, realizing what you had done. “What brings you two out to Lebanon?”

Jensen grabbed it back as he responded, his voice leaning more into that Texas accent that rarely peeked out, “Passing through. On our way to Colorado.”

“Oh, well, if that is the case, you gotta play clouds or mountains!” She exclaimed.

“Clouds or mountains?” The question barely left your mouth, too focused on Jensen’s thumb now brushing the length of yours.

“Sounds like a drinking game.” He remarked.

“It better not be since you play it when you’re driving. But anyways, me and my friends play it anytime we’re headed out that way. Trust me, when you grow closer and closer, you can’t tell the difference if it’s a cloud or mountain, especially in the spring with the white caps, but I suppose your a little late for that.” She explained.

“What does the winner get?” You asked.

“Oh, trust me. You’re both winners at the end of that game after driving hours on a flat road.” She chuckled. “Though I suppose you could make a bet to sweeten the pot for whoever guesses mountains correctly first.”

Jensen thanked her for the advice and drinks, but she wasn’t finished yet. “Say, don’t I know you from somewhere?”

“Nah,” He waved it off. “I have one of those faces.”

“Sir,” She scolded. “Trust me. You do not have one of the faces. Sweetie,” She directed at you. “You better keep him on a leash. More than a few ladies round these parts would be more than happy to take in a stray.”

Your brain stopped functioning. How on earth were you supposed to respond to something like that? First off, it was completely derogatory. It’s not like you would claim him, or any man for that matter, as your property. Second, he wasn't even yours to claim. You both shared a wide-eyed look, and he smirked, intervening with that natural charm.

"I don't need a leash to heel for this one. She buys the brand name kibble and gives the best belly rubs." He boasted.

Your cheeks flushed with magma.

“Lucky son of a gun. If you ever find yourself in the doghouse, you come back around here anytime.” She offered.

Jensen winked at her, thanked her again, and the door chimed as you exited. You were both about to return to the car when your exasperated huff stopped Jensen. Your brows were furrowed together, and you were shaking your head. The heel of your foot squeaked as you turned sharply, marching back.

“Hey, hey.” Jensen chased after you and became a wall in front of you, blocking you from the building. “Where are you going?”

“I am going back in there and telling that woman,” You pointed furiously, “Exactly what I think.”

Jensen chuckled, this new fury in you surprising yet equally adorable. “And what exactly do you think?”

“You don’t talk to people like that!” You nearly shrieked.

“It’s fine Y/N,” He tried his best to diffuse the situation. “She meant no harm.”

“That doesn’t make it right.” You protested, glaring into the storefront.

He grabbed your shoulders and leaned down to capture your gaze. “Make like Elsa, and let it go.”

You tried so hard to hold onto your anger but failed, a snicker escaping.

He physically turned you and forced you back to the car, your feet dragging the whole way.

“‘Sides,” He remarked, “I’m a Doberman. I can fight my own battles.”

Now you snorted. “You’re a corgi at best.”

A sharp tinge pinched at your ribs, and you yelped in response. “That’s a lot of smack coming from someone ranking in as a chihuahua.”

You gasped, “How dare you!”

“A little furball of fiery rage ready to defeat the cosmos one ineffective ankle bite at a time.” Jensen laughed harder at his own antics when you shook your head. “You even got the shakes down!”

“I’m so done with you right now.” You fake fumed and slouched into the passenger’s seat.

“You love it.” His tongue peeked out between his teeth.

You tried again to hold onto the anger, but then it melted into a cheesy smile and confirmed with a head nod. Once he knew the beast had been tamed, he shut your door, and you headed for another long stretch of road. Consulting your map while you still had service seemed like the best bet, but directions were simple enough.

“Few minutes south outta Lebanon, then west on 36. Straight shot to Denver from there.” You tucked your phone away. “Let me know when you want to switch.”

“I still got a while in me.”

Time flew by as the scenic pictures of rural America repeated; fields, run-down farms, junk piled to the sky, and an occasional wealthy, newly renovated estate. Small towns came and went, some lasting a mere crossroads, others three blocks maximum. The estimated arrival time was slowed by the inconvenience of no longer having the expressway. Rusted-out trucks from the 80s and semis carting full loads of goods from produce, dairy, to livestock slowed the traffic. At least Jensen was still driving as he had the gall to pass the slower vehicles. Conversation was frequent but not constant. The time was filled with more tunes, podcasts, shared pining, and wondering if you could feel the other’s lips properly the second time if it ever came.

He was rubbing his own lips and lost in that exact thought when you broke his concentration.

“Hey, Jensen?” You asked.

“Hmm?”

The last remaining rays of sun brought out the dusting of freckles on his skin and the gold flecks in his eyes. No Instagram filter could compete. He looked at you almost as if he was thinking the same thing. Wishing he could capture this scene forever, but no photo could truly do it justice.

You cleared your throat and nodded ahead. “Clouds or mountains?”

That shocked him out of whatever thought he was lost in. He looked at the clock and wondered if he had missed the state line. Surely, you were not in Colorado yet. But then he looked ahead and whistled. The sun was disappearing between purple and blue luminous clouds towering into the atmosphere.

“That is one big ass storm system.” And you were headed right for it.

---

Rain pounded against the windshield that the wipers futilely attempted to clear. The sky had gone as dark as the middle of the night, and the wind howled as its only goal was to force the car off the road. The headlights only scouted out a few feet ahead, and the tail lights in the distance indicated others were just about as thrilled as you. Jensen’s knuckles were stark white, gripping the steering wheel as tight as he could. There was no conversation, no music, the only focus on making it out alive. Even at the slow pace of thirty-five miles per hour, your eyes squeezed shut as gusts of wind pounded into the side of the car, or thunder roared up ahead. Lighting cracked across the sky, and the world lit up as it made contact with the lone tree in the field next to you.

“Jesus!” “Shit!” Both of you swore in unison.

Jensen slowed as you watched embers spark from inside the tree despite the downpour. That was the final straw. You pulled up your map, and though it shouldn’t have surprised you at this point, there was no service.

“Remind me to switch phone plans if I get back.” The irritation in your voice rose through. “Is yours any better?”

Jensen fished his out of his pocket and unlocked it before handing it to you. No luck.

“And here I thought you’d have some fancy-schmancy satellite plan. For god's sake, they send people to the moon and have had full conversations; you would think Verizon and T-Mobile could get their shit together!” You ranted.

He chuckled, but it was tense.

“Oh, oh, my map is loading, just not directions.” You tried to give him some semblance of hope. “We’re coming up on a town on the right, just a few miles. There might be a motel or a least a place to stop and wait for the rest to pass.”

A few more miles and the semi-truck ahead of you turned right, looking for an escape as well.

“This must be it.”

“What the fuck?” Jensen whined upon seeing red sign after red sign lit up with no vacancy.

“There!” You pointed.

He pulled in, and it was obvious you were the only car in the parking lot. With all the other hotels full, it sent a shiver down your spine. Before either of you committed to brave the rain, you connected to the motel’s wi-fi to check the weather radar. The storm was going nowhere. Not tonight, at least.

“Purple?” Jensen asked. “Is purple even a radar color? That can’t be good.”

You both ran to the motel’s office, soaked instantly from head to toe. The door was locked and but the office light was on. You were about to read the sign to Jensen, but thunder boomed around you, so instead, you just pointed, saying honk for service. Unlikely that anyone could hear it over the sound of wind and pounding rain. Yet Jensen ran back to the car, blazing the horn a few times before rejoining you under the awning.

A light appeared in the house next door, and soon a figure in a bright yellow poncho appeared, frantically looking for his keys and corralling you inside.

“Wow,” The toothpick of a man gasped out of breath. “You sure know how to pick a time to check in.”

If you had to guess, the office around hadn’t been updated since the 70s. Burnt orange carpet matted down, wood paneling that went halfway up the walls transitioning into yellow floral wallpaper, and the smell of cigarette smoke embedded into everything. Taxidermy birds and sketches adorned the walls. Ducks, a kingfisher, a pheasant, and an owl who stared down at you with spread wings and haunting yellow eyes. You stepped closer to Jensen.

“We’ll take two rooms for the night.” Jensen requested, and you started shivering as the cold wettness of the rain soaked through to your bones.

“We’re currently under renovations and just have the one, but it’s a double.” He went through a paper ledger; there was no computer in sight.

Jensen had joked about the twilight zone yesterday, but now it was as if you had actually stepped into it. You shared a look and silently agreed to make it work, not wanting to risk going out again in this. The thunder and flash of lightning outside confirmed your decision.

“We’ll take it.” Jensen decided and laid his card down, wondering if they even accepted cards.

When the man accepted it and slowly typed the numbers into a machine, Jensen noted he needed to carefully review his next few statements. He seemed to be in his late thirties but still had a boyishness. You wouldn’t be surprised if he had never left this town.

“Jensen Ackles.” The man remarked. “An unusual name. I have a plain old name. Anthony Perkins, though I suppose you don’t hear the name Anthony so much anymore. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Charmed,” Jensen said tersely.

“And what might your name be?” He asked innocently enough, but his eyes bore into you similar to the stuffed owl’s.

“Y/N… Ackles.” At this point, you didn’t care if it made Jensen uncomfortable; you didn’t like how this man looked you up and down.

Jensen’s jaw flexed.

Anthony laughed sheepishly, “Then I suppose you won’t mind sharing a room, that is, unless you’ve had a fight recently or little ones in the car.”

He was right; your lie didn’t make sense. “Siblings, actually.” You stuttered out.

“Ah,” His eyes lit back up, and handed Jensen back his card.

Your eyes flashed him a help me sign, but he didn’t catch on. Anthony began writing down in the ledger and passed it to Jensen, indicating where to sign. He watched impatiently, bouncing as Jensen wrote his information and signed.

“You folks in town for the cattle auction tomorrow?” He asked.

“Yes.” Now that you had started a lie, apparently, you couldn’t stop, but you wanted this man to know nothing about you.

“You don’t look like the rancher types, if you don’t mind me saying.” He remarked, and you very much did mind.

“We recently got back into it.” Jensen finally caught up to your uneasiness. “Our great-grandfather started a ranch north of Dallas and passed it down to his son and then our father. We both tried to leave, Y/N for a law degree and me for… veterinary services, but we got roped back in.”

“That’s nice, though, and your areas of study fit the business.” Anthony said. “My mother started this motel, and now I run it for her that she is unable. There’s nothing like a family business.”

“Right.” You agreed. “That’s what our ranch is. The family business. Saving cattle…” What the fuck was coming out of your mouth.

You looked at Jensen for aid, and he thinly smiled. “Hunting… deals.”

“Saving cattle?” Anthony asked, confused.

Your eyes blinked rapidly. “Oh, you know, from the big corporations, like McDonald’s. Small farm life, pasture-raised, so much more ethical for the animals. So finding deals at auctions like this for a cow nobody wants is rewarding in its own way.” You swallowed hard. Nobody in their right mind would believe this bullshit.

But Jensen was having the time of his life with it. He leaned against the counter. “Our dad was supposed to come up this way for the auction but went missing three weeks back. So you see, I came looking for him but got no leads. Y/N, with her fancy Hartford law degree, has better luck with the police usually.” He paused, looking back at the ledger and scanning the other names. “Say you haven’t heard about any missing people around here?”

You covered your face, looking contemplative, but truly you were hiding a smirk. Anthony swallowed and shook his head no.

“What about anything unusual?” He pressed further.

“Unusual?” Anthony repeated.

“Yeah,” Jensen’s voice cracked. “Problems with the electricity, smells of manure, phantom mooing.”

He chuckled. “With the cattle auction nearby and the fields all around, it always smells like manure, but I don’t see what that has to do with your missing father?”

Okay, this had gone on long enough. “You like birds, Anthony?” You attempted to divert the conversation.

“Oh yes, very much so.” He grinned. “Their elegant, delicate, free creatures. I do most of the work myself, though some I purchase. I’m quite pleased with the owl and the sketch of the flock of crows. You almost remind me of a bird. I’d like to sketch you if you have the time.”

And that was enough fun for Jensen. He stood up straight. “Maybe next time.” He said firmly but didn’t want to offend your host. “Let’s grab some food…”

Anthony grabbed a key from behind the desk and handed it to Jensen. “I think most restaurants closed early tonight for the storm, but Mother and I were just sitting down for dinner before you came. I’m sure she would be happy to share.”

“Thank you,” You offered. “But I’m not that hungry, and we have plenty of food in the car.”

“If you change your mind, feel free to come up to the house; we don’t bite.” He offered one last time.

You were towing your luggage and the snack basket as fast as you could out of the car and under the awing next to room number 6.

When you were certain Anthony was back in the house, you exhaled, “What the fuck was that?”

“Saving cattle? Really?” He critiqued your improv skills.

You slapped his shoulder. “That’s not what I’m talking about, but while we are at it, phantom mooing.”

But then you and Jensen laughed until another roll of thunder caused you to jump.

“Get us inside,” You coaxed him. “After all that, I’m glad there’s only one room.”

Jensen fumbled with the keys. “Renovations, my ass; he just doesn’t want to clean two rooms. But I would have insisted on one after all that anyways. That guy gives me the creeps. I’m not leaving you alone near him.”

The door swung open, and Jensen stopped at the threshold.

“Bates motel much?” And then you saw why Jensen froze. You stuttered, “When he said double, I was thinking two twins.”

“Yeah,” Jensen agreed. “Double as in a full-sized mattress.”

You surveyed the town around you. Aside from house lights, nothing else was open except the motel down the street, with its sign still reading no vacancy. The parking lot filled to the brim with livestock trailers now made sense. As if the night couldn’t get worse, the wind picked up again, and the thunder grew in intensity and frequency.

“We... We’ve, we’ve,” You couldn’t spit it out. “We’ve shared a bed before.”

“Yup.” Jensen gulped.

“We’ll make a pillow barricade.” You suggested.

“Pillow barricade?”

“Is something the matter?” Anthony called from down the porch. “You’ve been standing out here for an awfully long time.”

You squinted your eyes shut.

“No, thank you, Anthony,” Jensen yelled over the wind, guiding you inside.

Once inside, you shivered from the chill. The decor matched that of the office. Jensen wrestled with the window on the far side of the room. It was futile. The window was completely busted, stuck open.

“Son of a bitch.” He muttered to himself.

Your teeth chattered.

“Why don’t you get a shower,” He instructed. “It’ll warm you up.”

You didn’t need to be told twice, yet you carefully got all the necessary items. Now that you were in here, the steam rolling up to the ceiling, you couldn’t bring yourself to do it. Only the door separated you and him. And you found yourself shaking again. You encouraged yourself with deep breaths and let your jeans fall around your ankles, followed by everything else.

You survived, taking a quick shower to leave hot water for him before snuggling into your pajamas, much more comfortable than before. Jensen looked up for the edge of the bed once you exited. He licked his lips and found he had trouble breathing. You couldn’t help but blush. He seemed to want to say something but decided against it.

“It’s all yours,” You offered.

“Thanks.” He rushed past you.

The water started again, and your mind wandered imagining the two of you joined in the water’s steam. Heating yourselves not just with the water but the with each other, your mouths exploring every inch of skin, tugging on hair, pressed against the tiled wall. A new shiver ran through you, and you had to distract yourself. You flipped on the TV and rested against the headboard.

When Jensen came out, he did not have the courtesy of fore planning. His waist was wrapped in the white cotton that was practically a dish towel. The drops of water accentuated the lines of his muscles. The v that traveled down… You forced your gaze back to the TV, though you couldn’t see the picture, the image in your mind too distracting, the pounding of your heart too loud to hear the words.

He seemed completely unaffected by this precarious situation. He dried his hair with the spare towel.

“Silence of the Lambs, really?” He scoffed. “You’re not going to be able to sleep tonight.”

Oh, I won’t be sleeping tonight, but that is not the reason why. “It was this, the weather, or Fox News.”

He rolled his eyes before returning to the bathroom to change into gray joggers and a white undershirt. “Hannibal it is.”

You squinted your eyes shut; the joggers were as sinful as the towel. The weight of the bed dipped, and the springs creaked as he slid in next to you. His arm snaked behind you and drew you in. It felt natural; it felt like home. You leaned your head against his shoulder, and your racing heart stilled, perfectly content.

“I ate his liver,” Jensen quoted along with the movie. “With some fava beans and a nice chianti.”

You huffed a laugh. “Jensen?”

“Yeah?” He asked.

“Will you protect me from Norman Bates and Buffalo Bill?”

“Not Hannibal?” One of his brows raised.

You snuggled in further to him. “Give it fifteen to twenty years, and I think you’d be perfect for a remake.”

He chuckled. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You should.” You explained. “He’s protective, polite, intelligent… occasionally spontaneous and the only man in the movie not to objectify Clarice, though objectifying can be nice if the occasion calls for it.”

“Sounds like you have a crush on him,” He observed.

You snorted. “No, absolutely not. Oh, but that one scene where he grazes Clarice’s finger...” You exaggerated a shiver.

“Macabre,” He suddenly announced. “That’s the theme I was looking for early. You’re very macabre.”

You giggled. “Goes hand in hand with your show, I guess.”

“Fair,” He agreed, and then his stomach grumbled. “Where did those snacks get off to?”

You reached for them, never leaving the bed, and settled them on his stomach, producing a grunt. Jensen dug through the basket, and you cuddled in closer. Underneath the sheets, his barefoot rubbed against yours, and even though the wind whipped through the open window being next to him would keep you warm all night.

Heat followed Silence of the Lambs, which Jensen was thrilled by, but even though it was earlier for you than usual, you began dosing off, your head rising and falling with the breathing of his chest. His scent surrounded you and lulled you further. He gently stroked your hair and pulled you closer.

------

Continue here to Part 6

GHTTC Tags: @maggiegirl17

[centrally-unplanned]

I have begun watching House of the Dragon btw - it is fun! I like it just fine. I think the core cast is very good - Emmy D'Arcy & Olivia Cooke imbue a ton of pathos into their roles while keeping everything grounded, and Matt Smith, I mean he is Matt Smith I don't think anyone alive holds a candle to him when it comes to bringing aggressively compensating levels of caustic superiority to a character. They work these scripts really well.

I think the core of the changes are right. The Dance of Dragons, in the books, is a Madness of War story; everyone is an asshole. Rhaenyra is a murderous autocrat, Alicent is a scheming backstabber, both sides are run by awful people. Those awful people sometimes do glorious things, but their glory or loves are in service of foolish ends that destroy the Targaryen dynasty and ruin the country for the common man. It is told as a history book after the fact, and I really like it - I know some don't, but I think as a match to the medium it works well.

That was never gonna work on TV. There is the idea of doing the "everyman" approach, where the main characters are commonfolk soldiers trying to survive or the like. Not saying no one could make that work, but it is a problem of adaptation; the source material gives you nothing to work with there. It is a story of queens and battles, it would tonally be a mismatch to the previous Game of Thrones show as a brand, as an audience expectation, but (unlike say the Hobbit) a mismatch with the source material as well. And doing like a high concept "historian's tale" ehhhh again someone could do it but that is a risky bet. Telling a period drama is what the market can bear, and the story's details are amazing for a period drama; it just needs protagonists.

So you change up the characters. Rhaenyra is now motivated by justice and a desire to rule well alongside ambition, Alicent believes Viserys changed his mind at the last minute, miscommunications and the chaos of war cause the most heinous early actions as opposed to pure malice. I think this works well because the core darker elements are also preserved; the fear that Rhaenyra must kill Alicent's sons to preserve her rule motivates Alicent to roll the dice, her character doesn't matter so much for that dynamic, and so on for other changes. The story's core is still there, but now it has more depth to it, more realistic political dilemmas causing the level of tragedy.

I do think they are going a bit too far on a few of these tracks though? The latest episode (S02E03) screams of modern morality mucking things up as Rhaenyra, despite the fact that she murdered the King's son and the opposing faction is openly mobilizing armies to attack, is not only saying "let's give peace a chance" (that is fine) but refusing to do anything proactive to prep for the alternative. Her counselors propose flying around via dragon to make houses join her cause, and she is like "no, we can't use them, it's too violent"...then don't use them. Just threaten to use them, fucking bluff, get people on your side. Burn just one little household, as a treat. Be trying to make deals with Lord Paramounts, be gathering sellswords, show us something active so you don't look incompetent.

I feel the same way about Viserys deathbed statements to Alicent that trick her into thinking he changed his mind - why do you need this? You already did all that work showing me that Alicent felt she had to put her sons in power to protect them, that most of the council was already planning to do it, and all that season of buildup. Just let that good, justified stuff happen without a silly name mixup from a dying guy. Let Alicent be a little evil.

There is more than one whiff of "boys rush to war while women in their wisdom counsel restraint" in this show, and it is a bad look. For one it is a little sexist, and for two by mixing it with modern sensibilities, they look like rubes in their non-modern war. God forbid a woman do a single coup, that is my gender equality.

Hopefully they get this out their system as the war ramps up - I do think they will.

[jjaylove27]

Stressed and out in the open

What happens when the crew doesn't know about Casey and Severide being married and Casey goes on a call.

The day started like any other day. Casey was waking up in Severide’s arms. His favorite way to wake up. There was no better place than being in his husband’s arms. But they have to get up and get ready for the 24 hour shift that is ahead of them. 

“Hey, Kel, it's time to get up.” 

“Five more minutes please.” 

“If you sleep for any longer then you are gonna miss me in the shower.” 

He perked up at that but he didn’t move yet. So Matt kissed Kelly and slowly got up out of bed and slowly started walking towards the bathroom. He heard Kelly whistle at him. So he stopped at the bathroom door and shook his ass at Kelly. Then he heard Kelly rush to get out of bed and Matt took off into the bathroom. Kelly chased him into the bathroom and had a fun start to their morning. 

Once they were done in the shower they finished getting ready for work. They walked to their separate cars to drive to work since they can come in the same car. While Casey was on his way to work he thought about his and Severide's relationship. They went to the academy together. Casey was never into men growing up. But then he saw Kelly it was game over. 

They had a mutual friend Andy in common at the academy. Every night after they were done with training they would go out to the bar and hang out. Well one Friday night Andy couldn’t come out and join Casey and Severide so they decide to stay at Casey’s house and drink.

Boy did they drink! They were sitting on the couch joking around when Casey stood up quickly and lost his balance and fell on top of Severide. They both just laid there laughing until their eyes met and Casey slowly leaned down and kissed Severide. The next morning when they woke up they had no idea what happened the night before. 

They talked all of Saturday trying to figure out what this meant for each other. On that day they started dating. They had a lot of fighting but Andy brought them back together every time. Andy helped Kelly get ready to propose to Casey. They got married a year after that. 

They kept their marriage a secret from everyone. They didn’t want it to affect their jobs. They had to tell Chief Boden about their marriage but that was all. All it looked like was two best friends who really cared for each other and no one thought different. 

They got to work that day and everything was going normal until the truck got a call and was gone for hours. Severide was going crazy. He was snapping at everyone. Everyone was whispering about what could have made him so pissed. 

Severide had his radio on the whole time listening to the orders given out at the fire. But at one point Casey stopped responding and no one had heard from him or seen him. Kelly was getting more and more upset by the minute. The truck was gone for five hours. Squad had no calls during that whole time. Which meant that Kelly had nothing to distract his brain. When the truck finally pulled in, Severide was the first to greet them. 

“Are you fucking stupid Matt?” 

“Excuse me?”  

“I would love to but you are so damn stupid that you don’t fucking use your radio!” 

“Because I was saving lifes!” 

“For five hours! You stopped talking on the radio three hours in! Then no one had seen you! What were you thinking?” 

“What were you doing listening to the radio?” 

“Guys why don’t we calm down.” 

“Stay out of this Herrmann! I was listening because I was concerned for my husband who was on a call for hours! Sorry for caring and loving you!” 

“Wait, you guys are married? What is going on here?” 

At that moment the men stopped fighting and looked around. All eyes were on them. If no one knew about them before they sure did now. That is when all the questions started. But Kelly just shook his head and went to his bunk. He just collapsed on his bed and started crying. 

He was so stressed about Matt not coming home he didn’t even think about keeping their marriage a secret now everyone knows about it. He knew Casey wanted to keep their relationship quiet. But Kelly wanted everyone to know. He could have just screwed their whole relationship. Kelly laid down and fell asleep knowing that Casey was safe. 

Casey was back answering everyone’s questions. They were having a hard time wrapping their heads around lady's man Severide not only being married but gay. Casey was able to slip away and find Severide in his bunk asleep. Casey slipped into Severide's room and saw him curled up into a ball sleeping. So Casey went up behind him and fell asleep with him. 

When Severide woke up he felt someone behind him and knew it was Casey. He flipped over to see that Casey was starting to wake up out of his sleep. They just laid there looking at each other. 

“I’m sorry for freaking out on you.” 

“It’s okay. You weren't there so it freaked you out I get.” 

“I’m sorry for outing us.” 

“It’s okay but we might want to go to the kitchen because I answered a lot of questions but I think it’s time to just tell them.” 

“Yeah, let's go.” They walked out hand and hand to the kitchen. 

“Before you guy’s start asking questions. We have been married the whole time we have been working here. We have been together for ten years. We didn’t say anything because we didn’t want it affecting the crew and everyone looking at us differently. We don’t want anyone to treat us any differently. We will act like we always have at work.” 

After that everyone said congratulations and went back to work. No one even batted an eye at them anymore. They kept it professional but when they hung out with everyone they were a happy couple.

[self-shippy]

Best-Case Scenario

“Court will now adjourn for recess!”

Lora sighed as she left the courtroom, trying to ignore all of the things being said about Phoenix. They’re only seeing him defend a criminal, she thought to herself. It’s reasonable they would think that he’s evil.

Still, she knew those words were affecting her boyfriend more than her. He needed a pick-me-up. As the jury was chatting amongst themselves, she discreetly slipped out to go meet Phoenix in his lobby.

As Lora approached the door, preparing to knock, she heard Phoenix’s and Edgeworth’s voices speaking, and listened in.

“I just don’t know what the right choice is here,” Phoenix’s muffled voice said. “Do I save Maya and let Engarde go free, or do I indict Engarde and let Maya die?”

“It’s a tough dilemma, yes,” Edgeworth said. “Gumshoe and his detectives are currently on their way to De Killer’s hideout. All we have to do is stall for time.”

As Lora was about to enter, Phoenix spoke again.

“Before this whole fiasco started, I… I was planning on proposing to Lora, but after this, I don’t know if I’ll be able to face her.”

Lora’s heart stopped. Propose? Did she hear that right? She heard Edgeworth say something else, but she was too shocked to actually decipher what he said. She quickly walked back to the jury lobby, where the bailiffs ushered her back into the courtroom. As she sat back down, she couldn’t help but smile as the words that Phoenix said processed in her mind.

From there, the battle between Phoenix and Edgeworth continued. As time passed, it became increasingly obvious that Engarde was the one who hired a hitman, and that Phoenix was just grasping at straws. The murmurs from the jury were getting louder and louder, until eventually everyone erupted in shouts. Lora gazed down at her boyfriend, who was face-down on his desk, holding the back of his head. Now was the time he really needed a pick-me-up.

As the judge banged his gavel and the yelling died down to murmurs again, Lora stood up from her seat and yelled out, “Niiiiiiiiick!!”

Phoenix looked up once again, and Lora flashed him a smile.

“I’ll marry you, Nick! I’ll marry you, so don’t give up just yet!”

It didn’t take long for the bailiffs to grab Lora’s arms and pull her towards the door. She didn’t resist, but as she was being pulled away, she continued to shout. “I love you, Nick! I know you can do this! Don’t lose hope!”

As the doors closed in front of Lora, she could catch a glimpse of Phoenix’s dumbfounded face. Well, at least it was better than despair. She finally turned around to face the front. One of the bailiffs stayed behind while the other loosened his grip on Lora’s arm.

“That was the weirdest thing I’ve had to remove someone from court for, you know,” the bailiff said. “I hope you actually know the guy.”

Lora stayed silent, humming to herself. Once she was finally outside the courthouse, she found the nearest bench and sat, waiting for court to be over. As she waited, a car pulled to the front, and from it emerged a man holding a radio. When he left, the radio was no longer in his possession. Then, a while later, another car pulled up, and out came Franziska von Karma, holding Gumshoe’s coat like a bag.

Franziska ran up the steps, but abruptly stopped when she saw Lora. “Lora Wing?” she exclaimed. “What are you doing out here? Aren’t you supposed to be in the courtroom?”

Lora shrugged. “I got thrown out.”

Franziska stood, mouth agape, for a few moments, before shaking her head and saying, “It is not my business what a fool foolishly does before getting their due punishment. I have other matters to attend to.”

Lora let out a small laugh as Franziska rushed into the courthouse.

Some more time passed, and suddenly, an influx of people left the courthouse. Among those people were two police officers carrying a cuffed Matt Engarde to a cop car.

Lora’s heart immediately sank. “Oh, no,” she whispered. “Maya…”

“Birdie?”

That voice came from the other side of the bench. Lora whipped her head around, laughing when she saw Maya Fey standing next to her.

“Maya!” She shouted, embracing the girl in a hug. “You’re alive! Then, Engarde…”

“Matt Engarde is also getting his due punishment.” Lora’s head turned around again at the sound of Edgeworth’s voice. “I was told that if you accompany me to the defendant’s lobby, Miss Wing, you’ll be allowed access to the courtroom again.”

“Again?” Maya asked. “Wait, what were you doing out here, Birdie?”

Lora gave a sheepish laugh. “I… I was thrown out.”

As Lora and Maya followed Edgeworth, Lora retold her account of what had happened.

“WHAAAAT?” Maya shouted. “He didn’t even actually get to propose?”

“I know, I know,” Lora said. “I really shouldn’t have done that. I just couldn’t hold it in anymore.”

Before they knew it, the three had reached the defendant’s lobby. As Edgeworth opened the door, a relaxed Phoenix appeared on the other side. He turned around, his face brightening immediately. “Maya!”

Maya ran to Phoenix. “Nick!” She practically tackled him as she wrapped her arms around him, Phoenix doing the same to her. Lora stood back with Edgeworth, smiling.

“Mystic Maya!” Pearl slammed into Maya the way Maya did to Phoenix, letting Phoenix’s arms go free. He gave a smile to the two, then looked over at Lora.

“Birdie,” he said. He very calmly walked over, pulling their lips together for a kiss. When he pulled away, he had the sweetest smile. “You ruined the surprise.”

“I know, I’m sorry,” Lora said. She gave Phoenix another kiss. “It’s just… from what I heard, it sounded like I wasn’t going to get the surprise at all.”

“From what you heard?” The smile went away, being replaced with a puzzled look. “You were eavesdropping?”

“It wasn’t on purpose!” Lora laughed. “I was coming to give you encouragement, and I was only listening to see when you were done talking to Edgeworth.”

“Well, accident or not, you shocked me out of my despair in the courtroom, so thank you.” Phoenix took a deep breath. “And since you’ve already said yes, you’re only missing one thing.” He rummaged through his back pocket, and pulled out a little box. He opened it up, revealing a glimmering ring, then grabbed Lora’s hand, slipping it on.

“You did it, Nick!” Maya shouted from the other side of the room. She ran to give Phoenix another hug from the back as Lora hugged him from the front. And all of the sudden, the shoulder that Lora was resting on started to wet, and muffled sobs 

“Oh, Birdie.” Phoenix ran his hand through Lora’s hair.

“I love you, Phoenix,” Lora cried. “I love you so, so much.”

Phoenix placed a kiss onto Lora’s head. “I love you, too, Lora.”

Lora’s cries abruptly stopped as a growl came from Maya’s stomach.

“Oh, right! You were starved for two whole days!” Lora lifted herself up and rubbed Maya’s head. “We need to get you something to eat!”

“Right!” Maya said. “I say we make up for lost time and have a gourmet feast, like the one we had right before I got kidnapped!”

“Another one?” Phoenix asked.

“You’re coming too, Mr. Edgeworth!” Maya grabbed Edgeworth’s suit sleeve and Pearl’s hand, pulling them both out of the courthouse. “We’re gonna have a party with everyone!”

Lora let out a laugh. “She never loses her energy, huh?”

“For better and for worse,” Phoenix sighed. “I’m just happy she’s alive right now. For that, she can eat whatever she wants to.”

The two dawdled behind Maya in front, staying within sight. After some time had passed, Phoenix spoke again. “You know, when you said you eavesdropped on Edgeworth and I’s conversation… I was surprised you didn’t mention what Edgeworth said after what I said.”

“That’s because I didn’t really hear what he said,” Lora replied. “I kind of stopped listening after you said ‘propose’ and ‘I don’t know if I can’.”

Phoenix made a small laugh. “Well, what he told me was that punishing myself for something that was punishment in and of itself was an idiotic thing to do, but doing something that would punish you in its wake was downright evil. He said that you really loved me, and if I were to disappear on you, proposal or not, it would hurt you. I decided that, even if the worst case scenario happened, I wouldn’t leave you, and I’d wait until I was ready again to propose.”

“And look at that,” Lora said. “Not only did the best-case scenario happen, but you now have a fiancee.”

“I wouldn’t call this the best case scenario. I didn’t get to actually pop the question myself.”

“Oh, shut up!” Lora bumped Phoenix’s shoulder. “You had a court as an audience when I said yes! Isn’t that poetic?”

The two of them laughed, and Lora intertwined Phoenix’s hand with her ring-adorned one. “I really do love you, you know.”

“I know.” Phoenix said. “I really do love you, too.”

And the two walked, hands together, both deciding that this was the best case scenario.

[skylarmoon71]

Matt Murdock (Daredevil) - Chapter 8

Saturday couldn’t come soon enough.

You’d spent the better part of that afternoon going through outfits. Finally you’d settled on a nice blouse and some jeans.

“Keep it casual, you’re not trying to overdo it.”

Even though that’s what you say, you’ve checked yourself in the mirror at least ten times already. The knock on your door pulls your attention.

“Coming!”

You rush to the door, grabbing your phone off the counter. You expect a casually dressed Matt, but he’s actually wearing a suit.

“Hey.”

You’re definitely blushing again. You’ve always thought that Matt had this boyish charm, but dressed like this, he looks very much like a man.

“You..look really good Matt.”

“Thank you. I don’t think I really need my sight to appreciate how beautiful you are.”

If he uses more lines like that, you won’t last the night. You accept it shyly, as you move to close your door.

“My car is parked over by the student union, I hope you don’t mind a little walk.”

He takes your hand.

“I don't mind at all.”

His fingers interlock with your own and you lecture yourself to maintain your cool.

“I’M NOT GONNA MAKE IT!!”

Tonight will surely be interesting.

~

The trip into town takes maybe twenty minutes. The ride there you both share stories. A few of them involve Foggy and his little adventures. You have to admit that you’re thankful. If you never met Foggy, you probably wouldn’t have met Matt. You’ll have to remember to thank him.

The restaurant seems a bit fancier than you expected.

“Table for two under Murdock.”

You’re a bit surprised when Matt takes charge. The waiter nods, checking the reservation and then grabbing a menu.

“Right this way.”

You follow along as he provides a seat.

“Can I get you anything to drink.?”

“Just water for me.” You answer.

“I’ll have the same.” Matt states.

The waiter nods, placing the menus down to look over. When he walks away you can’t help but ask.

“You got a reservation?”

Matt nods.

“You’ve been gushing about this place to Foggy for a while now so I did some research. I wanted to make sure everything was perfect.”

You might just cry right there.

“Thank you Matt, that’s so sweet of you.”

“Of course.”

He smiles and you realize at that moment that he can’t really read the menu. You shouldn’t feel so happy about doing something like this for him. It’s become somewhat common now, still, you’re glad. You go through a few of the dishes just as the waiter comes back with your drinks. You both settle on a pasta dish and he takes it, heading off once again.

Once the food is delivered, an easy conversation settles.

“So I don’t think I ever asked, but how did you meet Foggy?”

You’re mid slurp when he proposes said question. You suck up the last noodle with a laugh. Patting your lips with the napkin, you think back.

“Foggy was trying to get with my classmate back in high school. I thought it was funny because she had a boyfriend and he didn’t know. I had to break the news to him. I sat with him eating a break up ice cream even though he never even got to date her.”

Matt laughs.

“That sounds like Foggy.”

“Mhmm, and now he’s one of my closest friends. I’ve never really had a brother, so I really appreciated the way he looked out for me. I was pretty sheltered growing up. Sort of soft spoken. A few of the guys in the class would mess with me cause they knew I never retaliated and he stood up for me.”

Matt feels a bit content hearing something so heartfelt. It’s clear that such a gesture meant the world to you.

“If I’m being honest, when I met you I was kind of jealous. I spent a semester abroad, so we would email back and forth. He kept raving about how great you were. I guess I was worried that he replaced me. Sounds a bit silly right?”

Matt shakes his head.

“Not at all, I get it. If we’re making confessions I sort of picked up on it.”

“What! But you never said anything.”

“I wanted you to like me. Foggy loves you and I really wanted to make a good impression.”

You feel a bit embarrassed.

“I can’t believe it. I was so childish.”

You can’t help but laugh at how it all turned out.

“I’m glad that we were both able to meet.”

The statement makes you look up, and he reaches over, taking your hand. Your cheeks are once again a mess of cherry red.

“I’m glad too.”

A smile settles on his face as you both enjoy the rest of the night.

When it’s time to leave, you almost don’t want to go. After you dropped your car back into the parking lot, Matt insisted on walking you home, even though his place was closer than yours. By the time you make it to your door, you feel very satisfied with how the night has gone. It was better than expected. You were so worried that it would be awkward, but it feels natural. 

Comfortable.

“Thank you for the invitation, I had a lot of fun.”

Standing with your door open, you smile up at him.

“I’m the one who should be thanking you Matt. Tonight was great. Maybe we can do it again?” You ask hopefully.

“I thought you would never ask.”

You’re beaming and you can just picture the playful twinkle behind those ruby glasses. For a moment you just stand there, because you’re sure that he’s looking at you, but he’s not really saying anything. He takes a step closer, and you seem to pick up on what’s about to happen. Your eyes widen and panic mode sets in.

“W-Well good night!!”

You step back, slamming the door right in his face.

Curse your cowardly nerves. 

[bacchicly]

The Thing She Did

aka Chapter 4 of "Mountain Air" which can be read on AO3 at: https://archiveofourown.org/works/54640615/chapters/138659386

Summary: Penelope gives Luke a present.

Content: This chapter is mostly fluff - although the story as a whole has some explicit sex scenes.

"I did a thing."

Luke quirks his eyebrows at her words and Penelope quickly lays a finger over his lips and adds in a rush:

"Shush for a sec, k? I am going to need to get something from my purse and then talk for like 5 minutes straight without you interrupting...and then you can say whatever you want, ok? I just want to make sure I explain what I am thinking properly - or at least as best as I can before you say anything. Trust me?"

Luke nods.

Penelope stands up and crosses to where she left her purse when she came in. Carefully takes out the little wooden box which she'd taken from her nightstand and crosses back to the couch. She sits down tucking her feet underneath herself; placing the little wooden box in her lap.

Penelope takes a deep steadying breath and then begins:

"Ok remember the..." she rolls her eyes " ...super great conversation the team had after the bunker case - about how everyone would want to spend the last day on earth if they knew the world was going to end? Don't answer...any questions I ask for the next 5 minutes are rhetorical!

Well Tara said she'd want to be on a beach and you said you'd prefer the mountains...then you showed up with Sergio's new galaxy cat tree...and well that night I found myself watching a - um - nature documentary about the Canadian Rockies and um - found myself combing the web about um Mountain um stuff...

Anyways - while you - um while the team was away fighting crazy snake lady - I um randomly did some more searching and um kinda came across a...um.. and on a totally impulsive crazy and I mean really crazy whim..."

Penelope opens the little box and pulls out a piece of paper that was folded to fit the box.

She carefully unfolds the paper, smooths out the creases, then hands him the paper.

He scans quickly - his eyes getting bigger and bigger as he reads.

Luke can't help himself and voices his main thought: "Wow."

"No talking yet!"

Luke looks back up at her and mimes zipping his lips, locking them, and then throwing away the key.

"Ok so since I did, as my mother would have called it, this dang fool thang I have been going back and forth about whether to cancel payment or actually give it to you so you could use it - I don't know - maybe with a date or Matt or whoever...but ok just give me a second to breathe...don't talk yet!"

Penelope closes her eyes and takes three deep breaths and shakes her hands out ridding herself of tension.

Luke conversely doesn't move; hardly even breathes, just watches her.

Penelope opens her eyes, clasps her hands over the box in her lap, and start back up. carefully forming each word now - pacing herself - the ums evaporate and she is back to sounding confident and calm - if talking at her typical mile a minute rate.

"But based on today and how I am feeling - and how I am sensing you may be feeling ...this is what I want to propose: I think we should use it. Either as laid out there or if a case comes up as soon as we can carve out the time. I think we should take a couple days to explore whatever..." her hands make a motion indicating the space between them "...this is and then I think we should talk it out and make a decision as the intelligent and caring adults we are about what we are going to do or not do about it. And before you get your turn to talk, for my sanity, if you do agree to this crazy plan...I want to have a conversation before we launch into it about ground rules. I want both of us to feel comfy and respected and feel like we have some measure of control over the whole thing and that it will meet each of our expectations."

Penelope holds up one finger indicating that she just has one more thing to say and then she'll hand over the floor to him - so now she rambles in a burst:

"Seriously though this is just a crazy idea that feels kinda sane right now and I can't quite explain why and it may not be sane at all and even more crazy than I think it is - so please please please do not hesitate to tell me - in a moment - if it is a terrible plan or if I'm imagining something that isn't here. Ok? I know I am an I'm um ...an original and um sensitive and stuff - but I am also a big girl - a woman - who can take whatever you or life has to throw at me. And the only thing I know for sure is that you deserve better than I treated you when we first met - so that's the minimum that I promise at this point - no matter what you decide or say. Today was - is - amazing - and always will be Luke Alvez - no matter what happens next."

There is a long pause as Penelope tries to think if there is anything else she needs to say. When she decides that she has said enough for now, she lowers her hand to her lap and says:

"Okay - the floor is now yours. Tell me whatever you want - I won't interrupt - or ask me whatever you want - and I will try to answer the best way I can."

Penelope takes her turn miming zippering her lips closed and throwing away the key and then sits looking expectantly at this man she's spent the day with. Her heart is in her throat.

"Wow. Pen. Just give me a sec. But - just know that...wow. K?"

He smiles at her and takes a deep breath. His heart is definitely in his eyes now.

"I think your plan...your proposed approach... is brilliant. Inspired. And so totally Penelope Garcia."

Penelope can't help a smile - she's hoping there is no but about to follow - but stays quiet as promised.

Luke rubs his the back of his neck - shaking his head - as he tries to decide what to say next to this amazing woman sitting on his couch.

"I can't believe you've booked me a..." he looks back at the paper he's holding to make sure he has the right wording "a...Weekend Rocky Mountain Getaway: Return trip airfare for two to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, two round trip airport-to-hotel shuttle tickets, three nights at the Banff Mountain and the Bear Loft Hotel, a Two Day National Park Pass, two tickets for the Sulphur Mountain cable car, and two passes enjoy the Banff Hotsprings...for...for..." he scans the paper again "...next weekend? What type of crazy miracle insane rich woman are you?"

Penelope raises an eyebrow asking silently if she can answer the question. Luke nods.

"I wasn't completely crazy or expensive - it was a really good deal - even after I paid extra so it could be cancelled or re-booked right up to the last minute - since I hate to mention it - but your job is a little bit hell on vacation planning, Newbie."

Luke laughs.

"My mistake. You were totally practical and forward thinking, Chica."

They both laugh.

"Seriously though...Pen...this is...awesome. I can't believe you...you... Just because of a throw away comment I made after a case? I mean I thought Rossi was the star of that conversation. It is pretty incredible. No one has ever...for me...and..." he checks the date on the paper "And you got this before I even mentioned the whole Phil puppy idea. It's nuts and touching and...and...humbling... But I don't know why I would ever expect less from you - ever."

He reaches out then and cups her face - stroking her cheek with his thumb. He looks at her, takes a deep breath, then keeps on quietly:

"Penny... You're not wrong. Um...there does seem to be something..." he makes the same motion she had between them with his other hand "...here between us. And honestly - while I have some inklings what that something might be - if I am perfectly honest - I'm not totally sure of all of what I'm feeling - but I think you're right that we need to be - what's a good word - mindful? deliberate? Geez. What is it with me and words these days? It's gotta be hanging out with all of you BAU geniuses... Look - the one thing I do know is...it feels like there is a lot at stake...and it would be wise for us to proceed...as you've laid out...as long as you are still ok with that?"

She nods and smiles hard.

There are tears at the corners of her eyes.

Luke leans forward a bit...

"Hey I know we have to talk about the rules and the plan and everything - and I think that is a very very good idea...but would you mind terribly - Penelope Garcia - if I kiss you now? Just once?"

"I only have one question before I answer..."

"Anything."

"With tongue?"

Luke laughs and leans forward and kisses her...

Yes. With Tongue.

Penelope kisses him back.

Yes. With Tongue.

They do just kiss once - although the final numerical reckoning may depend on how one counts very long deep gasping nipping kisses with tongue.

They pull back from each other naturally both flushed and out of breath. Her hands have tangled in his hair. His hands are on her hips.

They grin at each other again. Then Penelope puts her hands up to her cheeks...

"I'm going to have a sore face tomorrow from all this smiling."

"There are worse things, Chica."

"Don't I know it? Blah. Ok happy simple thoughts. What now? And strangely I mean that in a very prosaic non-freakity-outy kind of way - which is not terribly characteristic of me in this sort of situation."

He leans forward and kisses her forehead, then pulls her in so she's sitting back beside him. Head on his shoulder - his arm around hers holding her firm and warm against him.

He really can't stop touching her today.

Luke takes a breath, leans his cheek against the top of her head, and answers her question:

"Well, Garcia, I think we have a logistical planning session for a trip in our future but I think it's too late at night for that particular conversation."

"Amen."

"So for me the question is - do I drive you home? Or do you sleep here tonight - I mean as long as Sergio would be ok? Cats can be alone occasionally right? - and I drop you home on my way to check on Phil tomorrow? Either way - despite part of me really really really not wanting to say this...and I mean really really really really...no more kisses tonight, I think?"

He didn't think Penelope's smile could get any bigger but, before she answers, it does.

"I agree - about the no-more-kisses thing AND the not-wanting-to-say-that thing."

"And the staying over thing?"

"Well - if I did stay here - what would be the plan? Can we sleep together in your bed? And I mean sleep-sleep - not sleeeep- sleeeep."

"We can. Do you want to?

"I want."

Penelope presses her lips firmly to his cheek - warm but purposely chaste - an echo of the kiss he'd pressed to her forehead and a silent confirmation of this first tentatively made agreement

"That makes two of us, Chica. That makes two of us."

They sit together for a bit longer until Roxy, bored of all this human-ness stands up, shakes herself out and pads over to the back door to be let out.

Luke takes that as his cue to stand up. He feels relaxed. There are still a lot of unanswered questions and he truly has no idea where all this will go or even truly where he wants it to go; but unlike his other experiences with potentially romantic relationships he doesn't feel like he's alone to figure things out. Which, he thinks to himself with surprise, is exactly what should be the case when two people are making a decision to be together or not. In an ideal world - where humans truly respected each other and the potential of relationships - you would think this would be the norm rather than the exception.

He has been in a few relationships - although there's been nothing at all for years except some casual flirtations - even less than that since he joined the BAU; but in retrospect, he doesn't think he's ever been in a relationship that he would regard as serious or having long term potential. Although that, he muses - thinking of one particular high school girlfriend and another girl he saw off and on through college - is not necessarily how they felt at the time.

He tries to put his finger on what is so different about where he has found himself tonight - besides the fact that Penelope is Penelope - and it hits him - maybe all that profiling training is changing how he thinks about more than just words - in the past, at this stage especially, it seemed that either he was doing the chasing (which was what he had always felt of him as the man - and sure it was kind of his thing - but it also seemed mildly degrading of both him and his potential partner) or he was being chased (which to his shame always made him feel a little unmanly and also nervous and guilty - especially if it seemed the woman was way more interested than he was - which in turn made the whole being the chaser thing less comfortable).

Sure maybe he has been kinda chasing Pen...but he also understands now how cultural expectations and brain physiology and psychology all would have played a role in his actions and emotional responses - but he knows that even that knowledge does not necessarily promise successful navigation of his day to day relationships - in fact in some ways it makes it harder since it's hard to turn off the analysis of yourself and those around you - plus they all pour so much into their work.

Luke laughs a little sadly to himself as he notes that Rossi's handful of broken marriages is a testament to that.

Drawing his thoughts back to whatever is happening between him and Penelope - it seems if nothing else they are going to at least try to proceed as a team in this and it is deeply reassuring

He also doesn't know why but he is pretty confident that they feel similarly about each other. Obviously they are very different individuals so their feelings and approaches and even preferred outcomes won't be identical - but in this moment it seems possible, at least to Luke and, from what Pen has proposed, to her as well - that they will be able to come up with some sort of compromise that will somehow work for both of them.

After all - being on the BAU together for over a year - means they may not have always gotten along - but they do know bone-deep that if push comes to shove they respect and can trust each other

In fact that is why it goes without saying that they are going to need to discuss potential impacts of them pursuing a romantic relations on their work and the team - and vice versa. He senses neither of them would want to proceed with any romantic relationship at this stage of their lives without doing that thinking at least on their own - so it goes double if they choose to start something or for that matter choose not to.

He looks back at the woman on his couch who has pulled out her phone and is scrolling through something or other.

She looks up catches his eye and smiles.

He smiles back.

"Ok you've got your hairbrush from your purse and I set out a new toothbrush for you and some towels and a face cloth and the good soap... Do you want to borrow some pj's? Or need anything else? There's shampoo and stuff in the shower - although it's the branded for guys kind - so I don't know if you'd like it..."

"No thank you - I'm good in these they are basically pj's and I am just going to take this off..." she snaps her bra strap "...brush out my hair, and wash my face and brush my teeth. Thank you for thinking of the toothbrush. Not every man I know would..."

"Speaking of which...since we are all into honest communication..." he reaches out and gives her bra strap a little snap the way she just did "...I have got to tell you how attractive that coppery colour and green are on you, Lucky Penny. The outfit you were wearing the night I dropped of the cat tree just about killed me. Seriously woman. You should need a permit for some of your outfits.

"Lucky Penny. I like that,.Cool hand Luke. Alrighty - see you on a mo'!"

As they climb into bed and she snuggles up against him - Roxy in her bed in the corner - he realises they need to talk about one more thing.

"Pen?"

"mmmhmm" she answers sleepily.

"Just - just -"

At his tone, she opens her eyes and twists so that he can see he has her full attention.

"You can still tell me or ask anything. It's ok. I trust you."

"It's just - um - I...I mean my body..."

"Might react to this whole bed sharing thing?"

"Um yeah - if fact I don't think it's a question of might."

"Luke? It's the same for me ok? Honest. I get it - or at least I think I do...but it's up to us what we choose to do or not do right? And there is nothing shameful about how our bodies apparently have been reacting to each other. Right?"

"Yeah. Yeah. I just...didn't want to embarrass or or upset you or make you think I was..."

"Me neither. It's going to be ok. Just tell me if you're too uncomfortable or can't sleep or something ok? I promise to do the same. You still ok with the plan?"

"Yeah. Yeah. Really ok. Pen - seriously thank you."

"Thank you too Luke. Shall we see if we can sleep? I feel like I am going to be able to...which is a bit unexpected but somehow really really nice...sleep-sleeping with someone new isn't usually like this for me."

"You're amazing Penelope Garcia."

"Right back 'atcha Luke Alvez. Good night, Luke. See you in the morning - or before if you need me."

"Good Night, Penny. See you in the morning, Sunshine."

They spoon their bodies into each other. He gives her temple one last chaste kiss. She presses her own chaste kiss to the arm her head is using as a pillow.

Then Luke, Penelope, and Roxy all drift into sweet deep uninterrupted sleep.

Note: I hope this made you smile as much as it made me smile (and Penelope) smile. Their poor bank accounts though! I am really playing fast and loose with their savings! Oh well! Thank goodness they are employed. ... and for those of you who are here for the smutty fun...yes there will be more soon...I mean they are going away for a weekend together! How can I resist? How can they?   Take care! Thank you for reading!

[kim-ruzek]

I really hate that the Dylan and Sylvie break-up happened in the same episode as Matt proposing. Like why? What was the reason for dragging this thing with Dylan for so long and then having everything be so rushed?

Yeah, I agree with you there.

I think the writers probably thought it was good because then they could directly parallel Dylan with Matt but honestly that wasn't necessary, especially because we could already work that out and also in a lot of ways it's less about Dylan not being ready then it is Matt proposing. Even if Dylan was ready-- he's not Matt. (Although if Dylan was ready then the proposal wouldn't be a factor because Matt wouldn't propose if Sylvie wasn't single).

I also hate it because other than for the one parallel, Dylan was dead weight that should've stuck being dumped a long time before.

The only way I can make sense of it is if Kara didn't tell them she was leaving until before the last four episodes were written. But even then it's questionable.

Thank you for asking!! 💖