#me shaking Albert by the shoulders *tell me your secrets*

[silver-inked]

Albert tell me your secrets. Tell me about the time after your sister left. Did your parents’ worry about your sisters whereabouts have a toll on you? Did they act the same? Did they worry about you more? Did her absence ever become normal? Was there a gap at home you could not fill? Did you ever forget what she sounded like? Does that haunt you? Tell me about your time on the streets. What did you do when your parents vanished? How did you join the gang? Did you have friends there? Was the food ok? What did you think happened to your parents? Did you think about your older sister? Did you think about what she might be thinking? Did you ever wonder why everyone suddenly vanished? Was there any guilt, confusion, anger, sadness? Who made you smile during those times? Who were your friends? Do you still meet up with them? Have they been lost to time, now that you and them are different people? Do you ever see them on the street and wonder what your life would be like now if you had never been found by your sister? Tell me about your life now. What do you want to do with your fashion major? Does anyone know about your past? Do you ever worry anyone will find out about your past? What still haunts you til this day? How are you doing with your parents? What’s it like living with your sister? Is it ever too much living with someone who cares about you so much but was gone for so long?

All of this to say, please tell me, I beg of you Albert, I need to know how you got your scar.

[graysnetwork]

Imagining Wesker have a crush on you 😽

SECRET ADMIRER

Notes— I saw a story where Wesker leaves a bouquet of flowers on readers desk so this is inspired by that fic (I cannot find it which sucks) (also I’m working on requests rn)

Warnings: mention of almost dying(if you squint), reader is depicted as a women, nickname/pet name; good girl, and sweetheart.

Summary: it’s your birthday and a few gifts have been left on your desk, but there’s no name signed off in the card left for you. It seems like you have a secret admirer.

You entered the building, you were a few minutes late since you drank a bit last night, you had some drinks when it turned to 12am because it was finally your birthday, you were 24 and hopefully Jill and Chris would stop teasing you.

You knew they only teased you cause you were the rookie but it still got annoying sometimes.

Jill and Chris were smirking, and whispering to each other, you ignored them because they always talked but kept their voices quiet as to not draw attention, perhaps they were talking about an assignment?

You reached your desk and saw a bouquet of flowers, a teddy bear, and your favorite candy. You turned to Jill and Chris again and they were already staring back at you; still smirking, so you assumed that they gave you the gifts. Jill walked up to you as you were about to say thank you to the both of them “you got a boyfriend rookie?” Jill asked, your brow’s furrowed, and you were more confused than ever.

“W-what? No! I thought you guys got me these?” You told her, Jill’s smirk dropped and now she was the confused one, Chris got up from his seat, and was already chuckling “so you got a secret admirer?” Chris said. And you looked back at the gifts.

You noticed the card, you picked it up and began to read it, Jill and Chris read it as well over your shoulder and it said

“happy birthday Y/n, I hope you enjoy the gifts I got you, please don’t get too drunk today”

Chris chuckled again at the ending of the note, but you were still not laughing, you were confused and wanted an answer, who gifted you all of this?

Meanwhile Wesker was watching from afar, you had always been his favorite member, it only took him a few more months to realize that he just had a crush on you, but he denied it himself, Albert Wesker; with a crush? Nope! Not possible.

Plus you were too young for him, and it would probably be breaking rules to ask a coworker on a date, and you were probably uninterested in him.

He watched you ask Chris and Jill “are you guys serious? Like you guys didn’t get me these?” and watched them shake their heads no.

He wanted to go up to you and tell you it was from him, but that was definitely gonna end weirdly, for both you and him. So he stood there, still watching.

“Y’know what! I’ll just figure it out later! I have to finish my reports, I don’t have time to figure out who these are from” you told the two and sat down in your chair as they left to their own desks, to work on their own files.

—

Still the thought was in the back of your mind, the flowers were lovely, and the bear was cute, and the candy was nice, but you still wanted to know who this was from. you couldn’t get it out of your head the whole time you were finishing your papers.

You finished a while before six twenty and you were checking through all your reports making sure that you didn’t have anything left, Jill came up from behind and put her hands on your shoulders, “y/n, we’re going out to the bar, come with us!” She told you, you obliged and got up, “don’t forget your gifts rookie” Chris told you and walked out the door, you went back to grab your things off your desk and Jill continued to walk out.

“I’ll wait for you outside” she said before leaving, you picked up your gifts and suddenly felt a pair of eyes on you, you turned around and caught your captain walking by you, “oh, sorry you scared me sir” you apologized. He didn’t say anything and his eyes fell on your hand which we’re grabbing the flowers.

“You enjoying your gifts?” He spoke suddenly, “uhm, yeah, I wish the person had signed their name though” you said looking at the card remembering what it’s said inside.

“I was, planning on writing my name but, I thought Chris would peek and read it, so i didn’t” he said, your eyes widened, and you could feel the heat rising on your cheeks, your superior gave you these?

“It was you?” You asked, as if he hadn’t already said so. He nodded, “oh” you said, swallowing your saliva for your throat that had turned dry. “Do you like the flowers? I didn’t know what kind you’d like” he asked, “mhm” you nodded as well, this was a bit awkward for you.

“Thank you sir” you said, you wanted to try and keep this as professional as possible but it was getting incredibly hard. Seeing as you had crushing on him for quite some time now.

“Happy birthday” he told you as he wrapped his arms around and gave you a hug, a hug, was this some kind of joke? Or was this a dream? What was going on, your stone cold captain was giving you a hug, the only other time he ever gave you a “hug” was when he saved your ass from getting killed and he had to carry you.

What the fuck was going on?

“U-uhm, thank you” you repeated and hugged him back, it felt perfect, the temperature, cause you were warm and he was cold and it was the perfect balance, and you felt the heat from your cheeks start to disappear when his cold grasp was on you.

He pulled away but his arms were still around you, or, more correct, they were around your waist. And the blush came back, “i-” you barely managed to get it out before you were cut off by his lips on yours, you didn’t even know who leaned in. Let’s just say it was mutual and the two of you both wanted to go in for the kiss!

His lips on yours were amazing, felt so euphoric, and he could taste the cherry chapstick that you used. His hands let go of on another other and he placed them on either side of your hips with a firm grip. And you placed your hands on his shoulders.

You pulled away first to catch your breath, and now that you weren’t entranced by him, you thought to yourself. This had to be a dream.

There’s no way you were actually making out with your captain and he was kissing you back, were your gonna wake up in your bed and have to face him at work later? You hoped not but you were afraid this was too good to be true.

He chuckled and you were knocked you of your thoughts by his voice “you alright there sweetheart? You look a bit red there” he teased you. And you looked down to hide your face but he quickly reacted and took your face and lifted your head up to look at him. “So adorable” he said, he sounded like he was telling himself that. And your face got even more flushed and heated.

“Maybe I should get going… I don’t want Jill to ask anything” you told him, and he chuckled. He knew you just didn’t want anybody to suspect anything. Especially since you two were the only ones left inside the building.

“How about I take you to dinner? Wouldn’t want you to go to the same shitty bar again? I’ll take you somewhere nice” he asked. You were so stunned right now, you were still waiting to wake up.

“I- I don’t know Wesker-” you said, and his brows went in such a way that made him look like he was begging you to say yes.

“Yeah, I’ll go out with you” you said, your mouth moved faster than your brain, “great, now go tell Jill and the others, you have something very important to do” he ordered. “okay, I’ll go do that” you said nodding as your hands traveled down to his forearms to get out of his grip.

“Good girl” he said, and you realized right then and there, that you wanted to be praised so much by your captain.

[mickimagnum]

Devin's Dude Ranch: Episode Ten

*the episode opens with a shot of Echo Valley Ranch. The sun has just set and crickets can be heard singing in the background.*

Devin, in the diary room: "Today is our second group date and I'm so excited to spend more time with my four guys tonight. They're all still here because I still want to get to know them and events like tonight are the perfect chance to do just that. I'm hoping they're going to be able to cut a little loose."

*the next shot opens with the contestants lined up. they're waiting for Devin in the backyard. she approaches and they all greet her with smiles*

Devin: "Hi guys!"

Devin (continues): "Wow, you all look so nice tonight. I can't believe I get to spend another evening with you fine gentleman."

*the contestants grin and chuckle softly*

Devin (continues): "For tonight's group date, I thought we could cut a little loose with a backyard hoedown. What do you fellas say?"

*the group cheers in reply*

Devin: "Alright then, let's party!"

*the next scene opens with Devin sitting at the bar, joined by the contestants*

*Devin sips at her glass of nectar while Albert looks on, a smile playing at the corners of his lips*

Albert: "So, how was your day," *pauses and tips his invisible cowboy hat* "darlin'?"

*Devin chuckles and shakes her head*

Devin: "It was good. Just a typical, busy day. Worked the horses. Did some nectar business. Although, I did actually have time to go for a jog this afternoon which was nice. What about yours, cowboy?"

*Albert makes a show out of pausing to ponder*

Albert: "Also busy. I hung out with these goons all day," *motions to the other contestants* "and...thought about you nonstop."

*Devin grins ear to ear*

Devin: "Is that a fact?"

Albert: "Yes. Admittedly, you're all I've been able to think about since I've gotten here."

*Devin blushes and tries to hide it behind her hand*

*After a beat, she recovers, leans forward and asks:*

Devin: "And what exactly were you thinking about?"

*Albert grins, leans closer to her, and they lock eyes*

Albert: "Well, I'd love to tell you, but I'm sure these guys don't want to here it," *glances around at the other contestants* "Why don't you come dance with me and I can tell you?"

*Devin nods as a smile breaks out across her face*

Devin: "Deal."

*the next scene opens with Albert and Devin slow dancing out on the dance floor. They are gazing at each other intensely and smiling.*

Devin: "So tell me. What thoughts have been going through that beautiful, twisted mind of yours?"

*Albert chuckles*

Albert: "Twisted?"

Devin: "You heard me."

*Devin winks at him and the pair share a laugh*

Albert: "Well. I think about that first night, and how natural it felt to have you in my arms. How right it felt. I think about your brown eyes...a lot. And your laugh. Man, I love the sound of your laugh. I think about how amazing it would be to have a life with you, from the crazy adventures we'd have to just waking up next to you every morning. But, mostly, I think about how I can get more time with you, because honestly, it feels like the air I'm breathing right now."

*The camera cuts to Devin. Her eyes are shining and she is smiling widely*

Devin: "Albert...I had no idea you felt that way. That has got to be one of the sweetest things anyone has ever said to me."

*Albert suddenly scoops Devin up. She wraps her arms around his shoulder and they hold intense eye contact*

Albert: "Oh, I do. Maybe I should let you in on a little secret."

Devin: "And what's that?"

Albert: "I'm f*bleep*ing crazy about you."

*Devin smiles and leans forward to kiss him.*

*The camera zooms in to Stan standing in the background watching. His face is etched in anger.*

Albert (in diary room): "What a night. I opened up to Devin about my feelings for her and I feel like it took our relationship to the next level. And she kissed me....best kiss of my life too. These other guys better watch out. I'm not leaving without my girl."

*the next scene opens with Devin and all of the contestants dancing to modern ranch music; all except Stan who can been seen drinking heavily at the bar with a dark look on his face*

Houston: "What do you mean you've never read The Grapes of Wrath?"

Devin: "Don't judge me, mister. I'm admittedly not a huge reader. I don't have time."

*Houston acts wounded*

Houston: "But you have that beautiful library upstairs!"

*Devin chuckles*

Devin: "I do. And I would love to read the books I have in it but alas."

Houston: "I think I know a solution."

*Devin looks at him puzzled*

Devin: "Now you've got me curious."

Houston: "You're too busy to read, so why don't I read to you? I'll be your living audio book. I can read some to you every night before we go to bed."

*Devin pauses a moment as a smile spreads across her face*

Devin: "I think I love this idea."

*Houston smiles back at her*

Houston: "We can start with The Grapes of Wrath. It's a classic and I think you'll love it."

Houston (in diary room): *stares at the floor for a moment before a smile begins to spread on his face. he then looks directly into the camera*

"I think I'm falling in love with Devin."

Stan (ranting to bartender): "Ya know, I don't even know why I'm here. I mean, I came to find love, but it's like competing with a pack of wolves. It's f*bleep*ing ridiculous. I'm too old for this s*bleep*."

*Stan drinks deeply from his mug of beer*

*The camera cuts to Handra and Devin, who can be seen embracing each other, both smiling deeply*

Handra: "I've missed you. Is it too early to admit that?"

*Devin chuckles*

Devin: "Never. I've missed you, too. Your presence...it calms me. You make me feel safe."

*Handra smiles down at her*

Handra: "You're always safe with me, Devin."

*She bites her lower lip and blushes. After a pause she says:*

Devin: "Wanna swing?"

*Handra grins*

*the pair can then be seen swinging, giggling, and talking indistinctly*

*After Handra and Devin get done swinging, he takes her hands and looks into her eyes*

Handra: "I just wanna say, Devin, anytime I spend time with you, I feel like the luckiest man alive. I love how genuine you are to yourself, and with others. You inspire me."

*Devin smiles*

Devin: "I love spending time with you too. I think we get along so well because you are also a really genuine person. It's a rare quality."

Handra: "That it is."

*His eyes sparkle at Devin and she can't help but keep smiling up at him*

Handra (in diary room): "Being with Devin just makes me happy. I really hope she feels the same way about me. And I want us to keep making each other happy. That's all I got to say."

*Devin sits down next to Stan and greets him with a big smile*

Devin: Hi there, stranger. You've been awfully quiet tonight. Everything alright?"

*Stan glances up at her*

Stan: "Just haven't had the energy to claw my way through the wolfpack tonight for your attention."

*Devin cocks an eyebrow at Stan*

Devin: "The wolfpack, huh?"

*Stan shrugs*

Stan: "Everyone's fighting for your attention all the time. That's what it feels like. We're wolves circling prey. You're a prize to be won." *he looks down at his drink* "It's exhausting."

*Devin studies him for a moment*

Devin: "Is it the competition that's bothering you or that you don't feel like you're getting enough time with me."

*Stan snorts*

Stan: "Hell, both, if I'm being honest."

*Devin looks slightly annoyed as she rests both hands on the bar. She takes a deep breath before speaking*

Devin: "I'm sorry you feel that way. I'm doing my best to spend time with everyone. It is certainly challenging. But, this is a two-way street, Stan. You have to put in effort, too. You said you don't feel like you've gotten enough time with me, but also said you don't feel like 'clawing your way' through the others. This is, unfortunately, what we all signed up for. So, do you see my problem? I mean, which is it? Do you want to spend time with me or not? I'm going to do my part, but can I count on you to do yours? I guess that's my question."

*Stan clenches his jaw as he eyes her, choosing his next words carefully*

Stan: "I'm not sure this arrangement is for me. This whole thing is more difficult than I bargained for."

*Devin looks stunned*

Devin: "So, are you saying you want to leave?"

Stan: "I'm not sure what I'm saying."

*Stan abruptly gets up from the bar*

Stan: "I need some time to think."

*he then turns and skulks into the house, leaving a stunned Devin still sitting at the bar*

*the camera cuts to the other three contestants on the dancefloor, looking on in shock*

Handra: "Wait, is Stan leaving?"

*Stan can be seen in the bathroom, clinging to the sink while glaring into the mirror*

Stan (voiceover): "I'm so angry I want to smash everything in this room. I had no idea this was going to be this hard; seeing her with the other men. I'm not sure I can keep doing this. I'm going insane."

Devin (in diary room): "I'm so surprised at the way Stan behaved tonight. I mean, no, this is not an ideal situation for any of the contestants but it is what everyone signed up for. Yes, it's hard. But, we're all doing our best. Really, I'm disappointed in him for acting so...immaturely. If he decides to leave, I will be sad to see him go, but if he doesn't think I'm worth it, then maybe it's not worth the emotional investment. I don't know. I'm really confused righ now."

Stan (in diary room): "I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet. On one hand, I really like her and I want to see what's there between us. On the other, I'm tired of competing with these other dudes, of seeing them with her. It's too hard. I hate it. I don't know what I'm going to do..."

Albert submitted by @bakersimmer Houston submitted by @invisiblequeen Handra submitted by @bloomingkyras James "Stan" submitted by @natolesims

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[slifarianhawk]

Chapter 28: Choices

Once we were clean I gave Albert a kiss on the cheek hopping out of the shower. I put on a starched white lab coat as well as a midnight black tank top and leggings. I gathered my belongings and threw on a pair of black tinted shades similar to the one Wesk normally wears. With a quick jog, I placed my old clothes into a locker and headed toward the containment chamber.

"Are you ready dearheart?" Albert asked resting his hand on my shoulder.

"Yes, just shaking off some rust. I have a plan you go in first and introduce yourself to them. Dr. Cordell and the rest will follow suit. Maybe Galeforce will be here in time to help."  I said placing my purple sunglasses in my lab coat pocket.

"Fine just be sure you keep your emotions toward him front and center. It will be a while before you can deal real damage to him." Wesk said handing me a black briefcase, "These are the vials of your blood and several vials of opioids I have a rough idea of where you are going with this but I will follow your lead lotus."

I smiled gently sighing, "What intel do you need my beloved Albert."

"What did Sergei do to you exactly, dearheart? Even if you were Alistar this would of happened either way. The files you gave me were redacted from Sergei's hard drive. Those were secrets he took to the grave. I am sure Cordell is the only other person who knows." He said stroking my cheek.

"And the wife is just collateral, or in this case our key, my love," I smirked wickedly.

"Then let us begin dear heart."He walked through the door of the containment room.

"Thaddeus, where are we?" The wife asked blindfolded as Albert stood between the tied-down love birds.

"I don't know but no matter what happens to me you must not say a word especially not to this traitorous cockroach." Dr. Cordell snapped at Wesker.

"Now Thaddeus that is no way to speak to a former colleague." He said removing his sunglasses.

"So you are a freak! Just like your wife. I miss watching her squirm every time I brought you up. She was loyal to you till she wasn't Tabitha anymore. All that remained was love for those wasted assets Alistar and her son. All she was, was agent seven hundred forty-eight. Lord Vladimir's prized bitch." Dr. Cordell laughed.

I zipped over and punched him in the nose sending his head jarring back, "You should check your facts, Cordell. This man is no freak but a marvel of the natural world." I said setting down my virus vials and torture kit.

"That voice has changed but it's unmistakable. You did run back to him my greatest creation. Just as lord Vladimir said you would." Thaddeus laughed louder.

"We will see how long you're happy for. Something you didn't realize is I'm the sole person with the angelis samples and I have seven. ." I said pulling off the shades, my eyes flaring blue, "After all you never told me what a lovely wife you have Thaddeus."

"You wouldn't! After all, you preached about not being like lord Vladimir. You have turned into a creature more vile than him. You would infect someone completely innocent. "  Cordell shouted.

"Turning on your creation Thaddeus such a shame. My wife is a goddess who you created. You should be proud and I would not speak too much, after all, my darling lotus never experimented on anyone." Albert said walking up to me and stroking my cheek.

"At least before I was infected. I'm going to make you tell me everything you and my rat bastard uncle Sergei did to me." I said cutting the wife's shirt and bra off, "And maybe she will receive my mercy. Which was a luxury you and Vladimir didn't grant me. Albert, please hold her head down. I have syringes to prep."

He smiled wickedly, eager to play in my game of chess against Thaddeus, "As you command, lotus.".

I opened the case and prepped the seven vials of my blood. I didn't have to worry about blood rejection. I was a universal blood donor and the Angelis virus was most easily transmitted through blood. With grace and agility, I assembled the needles with their blood cartridges.

"I am ready to begin Wesker. Keep her pinned, love. These won't be too hard to do." I said walking up behind the wife.

"Please don't do this seven forty-eight. Kathleen had nothing to do with what I and Sergei did. If you do this you WILL be just as bad, if not WORSE than Colonel Sergei." Cordell shouted as I stabbed six of the syringes between the ribs on the back and the last one into Cordell's wife's neck.

Pressing the plunger down, the wife begins to have a seizure. The signs of viral rejection were starting. She wasn't a match. Smirking I turned to face Thaddeus, "Tell me what he did he made me into."

"ALRIGHT I WILL TALK!!! JUST STOP THIS!!! I'M BEGGING YOU SEVEN FORTY-EIGHT NO LADY TABITHA!!! PLEASE DON'T MAKE THIS SITUATION LIKE WHAT WE DID TO YOU!!!" He pleaded like a dog before me.

"Oh don't worry Thaddeus, it'll be nothing like that. unlike you bastards I have mercy in me," I said pulling out the needles.

"Vladimir made you a sleeper agent that's all I know after he infected you he had me track your mental progress and he programmed a chip and planted it in the 'r' in your Sergei scar. I have the message on a pendant in my belongings your people took from me. It explains everything." Thaddeus said crying staring as his wife started to growl and lurch forward.

I smirked and undid her chains. Her skin was now a ghost white matching her eyes, " Such a pity no match at all don't worry Dr. Cordell I'm sure she'll recognize oh wait that's only for Equinoxal and Arch Angel, not B.O.W.".

"YOU BITCH!!! YOU LYING BITCH!!! KATHLEEN STOP IT IS ME YOUR THADDY!!!" Cordell screamed.

With a smirk, I went equinoxal shredding the lab coat with my wings, and simply looked at the wife. Pointing at Dr. Cordell was all I needed and she bit down on his neck causing him to scream out in agony.

"Sorry Cordell. It appears I am my husband's wife after all." I said motioning for Albert to grab the pendant, "Just as bad, worse, don't make me laugh. I am a Phoenix. All I leave is a burning wake of destruction and I will always keep coming back to do it."

While Albert was walking over to the briefcase in the corner of the room, I reverted from my mutated form the wings and excess bone shattering into ebony-colored obsidian. I pulled my samurai edge from its holster with an ammo mag in it. I loved this gun, it has gotten me through a lot of hard times. I aimed and shot Mrs. Cordell in the head. her brain and coagulated blood splattering across the doctor and the white concrete floor. I secretly flicked on the safety and placed it in front of Cordell.

"Now we both are broken and had some of the things that mattered the most to us ripped away. For me, my daughter, my son as well as my brother, and my sister were taken. For you, you lost your career, became a wanted fugitive always on the run, your research being used against you and now you learn actions have consequences." I squatted down next to him, "I put her out of her misery as an act of mercy to you Cordell. Now you have three choices. Number one, you kill me with my gun. Number two join us and work to fix what you did. Then number three is, you kill yourself with my gun. I think you know the smart option."

He lunged for the gun and pointed it at me, "You! You are just like your damn uncle. all business and no mercy. Now I'm going to enjoy putting you down like the bitch you are."

I smirked and started waving as Wesker dashed over and ran his arm through Thaddeus Cordell.

"That woman you call a bitch is a goddess you filthy cur and you are just a waste of our precious time. You can die just like Sergei and Spencer." Albert said dropping Cordell's corpse on the floor.

"Here is the pendant my lotus," Albert said Cordell's blood dripping on the pendant.

"Blood sample recognized, thank you for your service Umbrella researcher Cordell." Red Queen's voice rang out.

"No, it can't be," I said Vladimir's figure appeared as a hologram,

"My anemone, agent seven forty-eight. This will be my last address to you. Your cockroach has found us and I'm sending Cordell out with this message." The hologram spoke.

Albert placed his hand on my right shoulder, "I'm here for you this time my love."

"I know, I just have a bad feeling," I said worriedly pulling away.

"You will avenge Umbrella my tsennaya suka," Vladimir spoke with erie joy.

"tsennaya suka,"  I repeated ringing in my ears as I fell into darkness.

(Wesker's P.O.V.)

"Now agent seven forty-eight, Umbrellas anemone, squash that cockroach like you should of on Rockfort Island."

"Yes, Colonel." My lotus spoke and walked over to her torture kit.

"I'm sure you are watching comrade. I warned you Umbrella wasn't going anywhere. She was my backup plan from the beginning." Sergei laughed, as my lotus picked up her scalpel and turned to face me, "Now choose comrade living another day or killing your precious lotus. End transmission."

Sergei vanished. His last words awaken the sleeping monster inside Tabitha. The B.O.W called agent seven hundred forty-eight.

Her blue eyes were like ghostly hallows of themselves. She quickly stepped towards me her blade tucked under her right index finger.

The next thing I see is a blur of black and red slamming into Tabitha. The speed was immense even topping my own. The blur slammed her onto the floor. When the blur stilled it revealed a young-looking male with black hair with deep red highlights. He held her in an advanced sleeper hold, somehow managing to get behind her.

The man quickly grabbed a syringe from his belt and jammed it into her neck. She elbowed him in the plexus and flipped him over, "Damn you agent nine seventy-one."

She dropped to her knees clutching her neck, the male sped behind her again resuming the sleeper hold, "T look who you're targeting."

She opened her eyes and for a moment she regained her sense of self, "Alb...Albert.".

"That's right the man you love. now rest it's time I got that damn chip off your spine." He said completing the sleeper hold as he gently laid her on her back.

He stood up and looked around at the containment chamber.

"Damn, I've been gone for three months, I knew I'd find a mess when I got back." The man said turning toward me revealing a light blue and a dark green eye.

Then I recalled what my dear lotus said when we entered the containment chamber.

"Late again Chambers or has Rebecca not instilled manners in you yet," I spoke crossing the room and picking Tabitha up bridal style.

"Sorry boss, bitches love guys who are fashionably late." Gale Chambers said shooting the pendant with Tabitha's samurai edge, "Let's get her to medical so I can get the last remnants of that bastard Sergei out of her."

Well there we have it. Hope everyone enjoys the new chapter and character. Next chapter will be out soon. My name is Silfarianhawk and I'm not so far away

[causeimhappinesss]

Shaking like a leaf (Albert Wesker x reader)

Pairing: Albert Wesker x autistic!reader

Disclaimer: I’m french and even though I've been learning English for ten years, it’s not perfect and I’m sorry if there are spelling or grammar mistakes. If English is your native language (or if you’re bilingual), I would really appreciate it if you could help me by correcting my errors. Just don’t be too harsh, please. :)

In order to write this imagine, I had to do some research. I sincerely hope I didn't make a mistake or something that would offend someone. If I did, I apologize.

____

• Albert isn't someone attracted to “weak” people. He avoids them, so you would to hide your autism from him, sorry :(

• Would get attached to you because you're intelligent, even very intelligent, but less than him because he wants to stay superior to you. Remember, he has a God complex

• Doesn't understand why you're being this sensitive to new routines and sudden changes in your planning, he just thinks you're stressed because you're putting too much pressure on your shoulders

• "Why don't you take a few days off? You know what? I'm giving you those days off. Go have fun somewhere." Yep, that man knows he wants productive people around him. To achieve this, he needs them to be relaxed and happy...

• "Still anxious? Okay, let's have a talk. What's wrong?" and he becomes suspicious

• Within the months, he's getting closer to you and sees how upset you could become over small things and also how you can be obsessed with some things. He loves when you escape his gaze, enable to look at him in the eyes for too long. He always likes to take your chin between his hands and give you some tasks with his raspy voice.

• Wesker notices there are things you don't get, especially some jokes and sarcasm. That's how he understands you're not like everyone and being a doctor, it clicks in his head. He knows.

• In the end, it doesn't prevent him to get closer to you and asks you on dates. He tells you exactly what's gonna happen, so you don't have to stress yourself. The only surprise at the end of your first date is a soft kiss on your lips, before he tells you how hard he desires you.

• "I figured out what's your secret, Y/N. I don't really care, I like you. Now, can you stop shaking like a leaf?" Presses a kiss on top of your head.

• Wesker is a patient man. Look, he waited for so long to leave and betray Umbrella, same thing with Excella. So, he doesn't mind explaining things to you, if you're ready to listen to him.

• He's not the most social man, he doesn't like 90% of filthy humans, tolerates only 7% and likes around 3%... So, he won't help you to develop social skills. Sorry.

• Albert Wesker isn't that much a sex addict, but he likes some good 🐱. So, weither you're a virgin or not, he would slowly introduce you to sex with him and be soft, always testing the waters with new things to make sure you won't get scared, anxious, and will enjoy yourself! After all, sex should be only about passion and fun!

___

Hey, you, reader! I hope you enjoyed that headcanon! Also, I created a ko-fi account with commissions at $1, $2 and $8 to support me and my work, or you can tip me here, since I'm broke. 😊💜

My Ko-fi: carolinemertz | My AO3: BetrayedWriter | My Instagram: carolinemertz_

[kenmas-consoles]

Hello honey! I hope you don't mind me requesting something with this topic but my father told me today that I should kill myself just because I bleached my hair and then that I should care about other's opinion and not my own so can I request how would William react to his s/o saying this to him? If you don't feel comfortable writing this it's fully okay, I understand 🤍 Thank you in advance though 🤍

Pairing: William Moriarty x Reader

Summary: You bleach your hair and your father disapproves and says harsh words that lead you crying and William is there to console you.

Word Count: 1,878

Warning: Mentions of death/ act of suicide

It was never a secret to anyone that being born into a prestigious lineage meant that you had watchful eyes on lock with your every move. Every action you made was like a public statement and it was quite restricting, never being able to act out in the open in fear of public judgement. It has been that way since you were young, (y/n) (l/n) the eldest daughter to a famous business tycoon in England.

Though upon meeting William a few years back right after a business transaction made by your father and William’s eldest brother Albert you had become close friends, and maybe something even more. The time you’ve spent with him made you feel free, free enough to express yourself because you knew he wasn’t one to judge. It was a breath of fresh air, you never had to worry about the public eye whenever you were with him. These days you have a little skip in your step, after gaining the confidence to just be yourself.

You had made a big decision of getting your hair dyed and you were quite jittery upon entering your estate with your newly done hair. The little adrenaline rush of somewhat planned impulsivity of getting it dyed thrilled you though you know that others may have mixed feelings about your new hair. It hadn't mattered to you much since you were sick of playing the perfect daughter role. You knew your parents would have to find out one way or another you just hoped they would be accepting. Besides, it was just hair and it wasn’t that bad. If anything you thought you looked 10x better a blonde.

Still, you made an effort into hiding it for the day and probably dropping the gun and talking about it tomorrow since you were still pretty tired.

Closing the doors silently you enter your room and just as you set out a sigh of relief you hear a clatter and a piercing shriek.

Maggie, your personal maid, was in your room with tea now stained on the carpet floor as she looked at you with wide eyes. Upon realizing it was just you, her young mistress, she had calmed down and rushed towards you. Holding you by the shoulders she inspected you in amazement.

“You- you’re hair!” she exclaimed in excitement, “You’re blonde! How-”

You giggled lightly at her amazement and loss of words and babbling as she held a few locks of your hair in her fingers.

“I’ve had it done earlier,” you said, giving a little spin. “How does it look?”

“Absolutely stunning dear!”

Her response brings a smile to your face.

“What in the heavens?!” A deep male voice exclaimed from behind the door and your smile had grown shaky as you realized that the voice belonged to your father.

You mustered up a smile and took a deep breath before facing him.

“Do you like it?” you asked. “It’s preposterous! outrageous! What were you thinking?! Or did you even think at all?!” “Please calm down it’s just- “Hair?” Pinching the bridge of his nose he turned away from you with a shake of his head. “ You’re being selfish again, why can’t you just listen?”

In a much quieter tone he says “why can't you just get it through your head that your actions greatly affect the family! your brother is months away from getting married and you-

why can't you just think about what others might think and stop with this nonsense.”

Each word brings a pang in your heart as your eyes sting with tears. You couldn’t bring yourself to face him either as you grew small in his presence, self conscious even.

A silence passed and neither of you spoke. The tension in the room was suffocating, your father looked as though he had more to say but he just clicked his tongue before moving towards the door.

“Maggie, please clean up this mess,” your father said without turning back to look at the now scampering maid.

Sparing one last look he sighs and says, “I’m done with this conversation, with you, you can go jump out the balcony for all I care.”

Once the door clicks shut, you fall on your knees. Never before had your father said anything so harsh nor has he raised his voice towards you before. The tears threatening to spill had already made its way down your cheeks and you choked up a sob. All the confidence you had built over the past years felt like it was deteriorating and the only feeling that ate you up was guilt and shame.

Maggie comes back in and rushes towards your side as she sees you crying. “He doesn’t mean that sweetie,” she says all while cooing consoling words and holding your crumpled form.

You couldn’t fall asleep that night, your fathers words replaying like a broken record. Were you selfish? Was it your fault? You couldn’t help but think that and once again the ugly feeling of shame was boiling up within the pits of your stomach.

Watching from your balcony, your father who was talking to the coachman below. Downcast, he hadn’t spoken to you all day. Thinking back to last night where he couldn’t even look at you during family dinner nor even say a word to you during breakfast.

As though you were drilling holes into his head from above he had turned to face your balcony. You stepped back to avoid being seen but you saw him shake his head and then you felt the shame creep up again.

You were frustrated. At your father’s silence, his words, at yourself for letting it get to you so much. It was so really unlike you and you felt tears start to sting at your eyes. You knew your schedule was free today so you had decided to head for the Moriarty manor, your safe haven.

You made your way there without delay, gripping at your skirt as you sped through the streets of London, ignoring the weird stares and whispers of those who had recognised you. Nothing was more important now than getting there, since you were minutes away from breaking down once more.

Upon reaching the manor you were greeted by the familiar face of Louis who was tending to the gardens by the gate. Delighted you made your way towards him. “Louis!” He turned his head and stood with a shocked and bewildered expression as he blinked twice almost as if checking if what he saw was correct. “(y/n)?” he asked and you happily nodded.

“What happened to you, you look like you have been crying?” he asks.

You scratch your head a bit and mention how it was a long story not even denying the fact that he found out you were crying. Louis offers you another understanding smile as he walks with you to the manor telling you he’d go fetch William for you.

“I forgot to mention,” he says as he led you through the long hallways of the manor, “You look beautiful by the way, I’m sure my brother would think so too.”

You in turn blushed in response to his words.

“You can stay in the living room (y/n), I’ll go inform William of your presence now,” he says with a curt nod and a smile.

“Thanks Lou,” you say as you both exchange another set of smiles before he takes his leave.

A few minutes pass and you hear the sound of quick steps, the door of the living room bursting open to reveal none other than William Moriarty with the most agitated expression ever.

His agitation morphed to shock as he took one long look at you and he slowly moved towards the couch you had been sitting on.

One of his rare small smiles grace his face as he takes your hand in his, rubbing his thumb over the back of your hand tenderly.

“You look different,” he jests, then takes a lock of your hair between his fingers and rubs them. You both sit in comfortable silence and he takes this time to inspect your face, he notices the little circles around your eyes and how puffy they look not to mention your slightly rosey tipped nose. It wouldn’t take a detective to know you had been crying.

He looks at you expectantly and you take it as a sign to start spilling the beans. You tell him of how you had dyed your hair the other day to sneaking into the family manor that night uptil how your father had scolded you for your actions.

William just sat there with his hand in yours, staring at you lovingly as you replayed the story. Squeezing your hands ever so lightly when you had told him that your father had told you to kill yourself. He was appalled with your father to say the least, you the most brilliant person he had met and someone had the audacity to say such hurtful things to.

As you move your arms around animatedly to show your frustrations he found them rather cute and amusing, another smile moves up to his face. You were too caught up in retelling the story to notice him bring his hands to your chin. He moves your chin to face him and this action silences you.

Smiling at you once more he moves the hand holding your chin to caress your face. “Listen,it's true you have to consider others' opinions but that's just the tip of the iceberg, think about it... do we have more confidence in their opinions than we do our own? self-care is never a selfish act.”

You sigh, taking his hand that was on your face in your own, “It’s different when those people are your family. I don’t know how I could go back and face th-” “You don’t have to go back,” he grumbles under his breath but enough for you to hear.

“...then where would I go?”

“Simple,” he says with a compelling dangerous glint in his crimson eyes. “You are of age now, stay with me. I will marry you.”

Your eyes widened in surprise and awkwardly laughed it off thinking it was another one of Williams jokes but the look in his eye told you that he was dead serious. Your cheeks then set aflame as numerous butterflies crashed around your stomach and chest.

“I know it is much too early for a proposal but I promise to love and cherish you for as long as my heart keeps beating,” He then stands and extends a hand for you to take, almost a silent sign of asking you to accept. And once you do slip your hand in his he holds you by the waist for an embrace and whispers in your ear.

“Besides, I think you look lovely as a blonde.”

This comment leaves you in a fit of giggles. William James Moriarty will always continue to be your safe haven, a pillar of support.

Hey there angel I hope you’re feeling alright please remember that you cant let others decide your self worth for you so try not to let huetful comments let you down. I’m pretty sure you look amazing and hopefully your father will come around with getting used to seeing your hair that way. I hope this story was to your liking as well have some moriarty love!

Also I pretty much crammed this cause I only saw the request today and aaaaaaa im sorry anywayz hope you like it again sweetie!!

[buckleyblueyes]

Buddie, 2, 11, or 4 please! 🖤🤗

Sorry this took forever!! I used 2. "Is the room meant to be spinning?" and 4. "Dance with me."! This is tooth-rotting fluff, feat. tipsy clingy Eddie and I really hope you like it!

The summer sun is fading out into long shadows as a cool evening breeze blows through the vineyard. The string lights overhead twinkle to life, and the whole place seems magical. Really, the whole day has been magical. Buck bounces the two year old flower girl on his lap and watches Chimney twirling Maddie around on the outdoor dance floor. His heart swells with how happy his sister looks.

“Your mommy and daddy are married now,” Buck whispers to Jee-Yun.

“We married!” She giggles in response. She’s wearing a tulle dress in a soft pink shade that matches May’s bridesmaid dress, and Buck, Albert, and Hen’s ties.

His eyes shift from the happy couple and find Eddie, the way they always do in a crowd. He’s dancing with Christopher, of course, both of them laughing as they sway back and forth to the music. Eddie’s cheeks are red from the wine he’s had and he looks so light and carefree. It’s a good look on him: pleasantly buzzed, overwhelmingly happy, wearing a well tailored tux. Buck wants to see him like this again soon.

“Hey,” He looks back down at Jee. “You wanna be a flower girl again for me and Uncle Eddie?”

She beams up at him. “Yeah!”

“You can’t tell anyone yet,” he adds. “It’s a secret.”

She nods, gravely serious. “Secret!”

It’s then that Albert strides across the courtyard to them. “Quit hogging my niece.”

“Worried I’m her favorite?” Buck quips.

“Not possible.” Albert rolls his eyes and makes grabby hands for Jee-Yun.

“You wanna go with Uncle Albert?” Buck asks.

She nods, so Buck hands her off. Albert takes her onto the dancefloor and begins to spin and sway, much to her delight. Buck laughs and shakes his head, hoping Albert is prepared for her to ruin his tux. After a moment, he realizes he doesn’t need to keep sitting at the table now that he’s not watching Jee.

He makes his way over to Eddie and Chris, and taps Eddie on the shoulder. “May I cut in?”

Eddie grins, and moves to put a hand on Buck’s waist, to pull him in. But Buck shakes his head, smirking. “I meant with Chris.”

Christopher laughs at his dad’s disappointed frown. He looks so old in his crisp back suit, leaning on his new, taller royal blue crutches. He’s thirteen now, and normally that means he’s too cool to hang out with his dad and Buck, but he’s made an exception for tonight. After all, it’s Chimney and Maddie’s wedding, and everyone's a little punch-drunk on happiness and love, even the kids. He knows Eddie, terrified that Christopher is now a teenager, is glad for the days when he can hold onto Christopher’s childhood just a little longer.

Buck is, too.

Buck spins Chris around the dancefloor, gratified by the way he laughs. Christopher’s laugh has always been one of Buck’s favorite sounds. He grins in return, wishing he could capture this moment in a bottle and keep it forever.

“I think Dad wants to dance with you,” Chris says after a few minutes, glancing to where Eddie seems caught between fond and annoyed.

“Well, too bad, I’m playing favorites.” Buck winks.

Christopher rolls his eyes.

“Besides, Eddie can dance with me all he wants when we do this,” Buck says, without really thinking about it.

Christopher grins. “You and Dad are finally gonna get married?”

“Well,” Buck flushes. “We’ve been talking about it recently. All Maddie and Chimney’s wedding talk got in our heads, I think.”

“That makes sense.”

Buck swallows. “Would you be okay with that?”

“Duh.” And, God, he is such a teenager. “We’ve been a family for years. It’s about damn time we made it all official.”

“Language!” But Buck is too overjoyed to convincingly scold him. Christopher’s choice of words we and all haven’t gone unnoticed. It’s not the time for that conversation--the one about adoption and paperwork and lawyers--but it makes Buck’s heart full just the same to know Christopher is thinking about it, that it’s something he wants.

They dance back over towards Eddie, who steps forward and closes the rest of the distance between them himself.

“Buck,” Eddie must be closer to drunk than tipsy because he turns Buck’s name into an honest to God whine. “Dance with me.”

Buck rolls his eyes. “Sorry, kid, looks like my second favorite Diaz is demanding a turn.”

Christopher snorts. “I’m gonna go get more sparkling cider.”

Buck watches as Christopher crosses the dancefloor and heads to the drinks table before turning to Eddie, who is doing the same. The sky is dark now, the moon big and full overhead, and Eddie’s brown eyes shine in the starlight. A slow song begins to play, and Buck knows the universe doesn’t scream, but maybe it does give gentle nudges.

“May I have this dance?” He asks.

Eddie grins. “Finally.” Eddie’s hands find their way to Buck’s waist and pull him in. Buck leans into it, wrapping his arms around Eddie and beginning to sway. Eddie nestles his head on Buck’s shoulder, lips pressed against the crook of his neck.

“Tired?”

“Mmhmm,” Eddie answers, muffled by Buck’s skin.

“Jee-Yun wants to be our flower girl next,” he says softly, carding a hand through Eddie’s hair.

Eddie moves his head slightly, so he can speak properly. “You haven’t even proposed to me yet.”

“You want me to propose?”

Eddie’s wine reddened cheeks darken further. “I already proposed to someone once. I think it’s my turn to be wooed.”

Buck chuckles. “How drunk are you?”

“Not sure,” Eddie mumbles, lifting his head from Buck’s shoulder. “Is the room supposed to be spinning?”

“Oh boy.” Buck shakes his head. “We’re not even in a room, love.”

“Oh, damn.”

Buck hums fondly. “I think it’s time to say goodnight to Maddie and Chim.”

Buck finds his sister and his new brother-in-law sitting with Albert. Maddie is holding Jee-Yun, and she looks exhausted in the best possible way. He makes his goodnights and goodbyes for himself and his family, sends a wink Jee-Yun’s way, and then drags his partner and their son upstairs to their hotel room.

Buck wakes up the next morning to a text from Maddie that says: I can’t believe you stole my flower girl and one from Chimney: I think the inability to keep a secret must be genetic. He smiles softly, and looks over at Eddie, who is still fast asleep, the morning sun drenching him in golden light.

He responds to Maddie first: Help me plan the proposal?

[homerforsure]

for the Fun Fact Prompts ! why are you in a tree?

Dear Anon! It's more of a first line prompt than a fun fact prompt, but given that I instantly knew the second line of this as soon as I read the first, I'll allow it.

This got very silly and very far away from me, so the bulk of it is under the cut <3

“Why are you in a tree? No, wait, wait don’t tell me. K-I-S-S-I-N-G?”

“Maddie, can you focus please?” Buck whines into the phone. “We’re stuck.”

“Okay, okay, okay,” she laughs. “Tell me again. Where are you guys?”

Buck explains their location in the park, the fallen ladder, and Maddie agrees to come and rescue them as soon as she can.

“Of all the times for Albert not to answer his phone,” Buck grouses as he shifts on the tree branch to get his own back into his pocket. “He wouldn’t show up and sing at us.”

“Sing?” Eddie asks.

“K-I-S-S-I-N-G.”

“Ah.”

“Yeah.”

“Did she say how long-?”

“Just whenever she can. She’s gonna have to pack the baby up so we could be here for hours. You didn’t have anywhere to go right?”

“Me? No. Sitting in an oak tree was my only plan for the day.”

“Sorry,” Buck winces.

It's his fault that they’re stuck. It started with a kite. A big blue one lodged high in the branches of a tree that he spotted when he was biking through the park. A couple of kids were standing below it, looking up with sad expressions and making valiant efforts to boost each other up onto the lower branches. The tree was too big for them though, the branch too far from the ground. Buck had slowed to a stop beside them.

The branch was out of reach for him too, even when leaning his bike against the tree and trying to climb up on the seat. Fortunately the park had a concession stand--closed now, open just for little league games--and the stand had a ladder leaning against the side of the building. It was nothing for Buck to jog over and loosen the rusted brackets holding the ladder in place, then to brace it against the tree and start climbing.

The tree was full of sturdy branches, easy enough to climb. He just… needed to find a route. The kite was further up than it had looked from the ground, tangled in leaves and dangerously far out on the limb.

As Buck stood contemplating, another strong breeze had come through (it was perfect kite flying weather after all), making him wobble on the branch and sending his ladder crashing to the ground.

The kids had shrieked and run off without their kite, completely ignoring Buck’s pleas to just put the ladder back and then vanished over the nearest hill. The stiff wind and unseasonably cool weather had left the park more deserted than usual and Buck had had to swallow his pride and call Eddie who only laughed at him a little.

That wind blows hard again, chilling Buck through his training jersey and making the branches sway. He reaches up to grab the branch overhead, trying to feel a little more stable and Eddie reaches out toward him automatically, even though he’s too far away to reach. The other man is sitting against the trunk of the tree, leaning back, serene and stable, as though he’s on the ground and not 10 feet in the air.

“You were wrong, you know,” Buck says, once he has his balance back.

One of Eddie’s eyebrows quirks up as if to say, Wrong? Me?

“You could never have gotten up there from the other way.”

“Well it’s not like your way worked out that much better.”

When his boyfriend (and wow did that term send shivers up and down Buck’s spine every time he thought it, new and fresh as it still is) had turned up at the park, he’d righted the ladder immediately, expecting Buck to climb back down. Instead, knowing he had a stable route down, Buck had turned his attention back up toward the kite and called back that he’d be down in just a minute.

“Which way are you going?” Eddie had asked. So Buck had pointed out the route to him.

“No. No way. You’re gonna get stuck at that skinny branch and you’ll never make it. You’ve got to go up the other way.”

“What other way?”

Eddie pointed it out and Buck scoffed, “Now that’s ridiculous. You’re not even going to be able to reach it from there.”

“Wanna bet?” Eddie had said.

So now they were both stuck on the branch, kiteless.

“You should come over here,” Eddie says, frowning as the wind shakes the tree again and Buck holds on against the sway. “The branch doesn’t move as much.”

“You worried about me?” Buck asks, smirking over at Eddie who just rolls his eyes.

“It’s not a secret anymore, Buck. You breaking your spine is going to seriously fuck with my weekend plans.”

His weekend plans with Buck. The two of them alone. For the first time since Eddie had pinned Buck against his kitchen counter and kissed him senseless. If Buck had ever had any incentive to stay out of the hospital it was for this promise of whatever Eddie wanted to do next.

“Well I’d hate to do that,” he says, looking over at Eddie through his lashes with faux remorse. “I already ruined your afternoon.”

“Will you just get your ass over here?” Eddie replies, trying not to look ridiculously pleased as he holds out his arm to coax Buck over.

Buck needs very little coaxing. He stands because it’s easier than scooting, walking the tightrope of the tree branch until he’s directly beside Eddie, then dropping down again. “Hi,” he says.

“Hi,” Eddie replies.

It’s dangerous to let himself get distracted when he’s perched so precariously, but Buck can’t help it. With his right hand reached overhead to grab the next branch for balance, he holds out his left for Eddie to take. That Eddie does without hesitation, that he squeezes tight, that he smiles at Buck with that soft, happy smile he doesn’t give to anyone else, still feels like a precious gift. It’s so new, what they have. Buck wants to melt into every moment. Cherish it like it may never come again.

“So,” Eddie says, running his thumb over the back of Buck’s hand. “How do people kiss in trees do you think? It seems pretty dangerous to me.”

Humming as though he’s giving the matter serious thought, Buck says, “A tree house probably makes the most sense.”

“Sure. If you were smart enough to plan ahead. But if you weren’t…”

“If you weren’t,” Buck says, taking his hand back so he can move again, carefully, carefully swinging one leg over so he’s straddling the branch. “I think there’s still a few options. You should, uh, get as close to the trunk as you can. With your back to it, probably.”

Once he’s sure that Buck’s stable, Eddie takes the instruction, using that taller branch to lift himself up just a little, turning, shifting one leg over the branch like Buck has, and settling back against the tree trunk. At the stoutest part of the branch, Eddie almost has a stable seat, though he still crosses his legs tightly below the branch to hold his position. “I can see how this would work,” he says. “If you were careful.”

“Oh careful is the most important thing,” Buck says, inching forward, hand over hand above his head. “It helps to have a strong partner. One who won’t let you fall.”

When he reaches Eddie, he keeps his knees pressed close to the branch so he can try and fit himself between Eddie’s legs, so they can get as close as possible. Buck sees Eddie’s eyes flash with concern when he moves his hands from the branch down onto Eddie’s shoulders and immediately feels one strong arm behind his back.

“One hand on the branch,” Eddie says, his breath close enough to tickle Buck’s ear. “Please.”

“Chicken,” Buck says, lifting his left hand again to clutch the branch.

“Daredevil,” Eddie replies, lifting his own hand and clutching Buck’s fingers over their heads.

“You like it,” Buck teases, unable to stop himself from grinning as he stares into Eddie’s eyes to see exactly how much he does.

“You’re awfully full of yourself.”

“You like that too. You pretend like you’re so mature and by the book, but you like me getting you all riled-”

The rest of his sentence is lost to Eddie’s mouth on his. Buck gives himself over to it immediately, letting Eddie’s firm hand on his back push him forward just a little bit more. He lets his own arm slide behind Eddie’s neck, feeling the bark bite into him on one side and Eddie’s soft hair tickling on the other. Buck loses himself to it, quickly losing his balance as he does and he squeezes tightly to Eddie’s hand anchoring him in place.

“I like all of it,” Eddie whispers, once they pull apart. “I like you.”

Buck has just enough time to enjoy the little shiver that those words send through all his nerves before Eddie’s kissing him again. The chill of the wind, the height from the ground, even the uncomfortable feel of the branch beneath them all fades into the background. Eddie’s kissing him and Buck’s as secure as he’s ever been.

It’s only Maddie’s voice that pulls them out of the moment, sing-songing from the bottom of the tree as she lifts their ladder, “Buck and Ed-die, sittin’ in a tree…”

If you know any fun facts, send them to me and I'll see if I can't make a ficlet out of it!

[thisissirius]

because 4x01 happened and i had feelings about it. the therapy stuff is taken directly from my own counselling sessions. i might not have gone through a tsunami and a truck bombing, but i’ve seen some shit lol. ANYWAY. i hope y’all like this. 

for @capseycartwright who always deserves the best buck content and quality sassy eddie <3

need help (but can you help me? [ao3 link] buck, buck/eddie, hurt/comfort, therapy

Eddie leaned against the doorjamb to his bathroom, arms folded across his chest. “I hear you’re cheating on me with a Covid crush?”

Buck snorted. “You’ve been talking to Chim.”

“More like had to listen to him,” Eddie corrected. He met Buck’s eyes through the mirror.

“You know I would never—”

“I know, Buck,” Eddie said quickly. He straightened up, came to stand next to Buck at the basin. Buck looked to the left, lips quirking up. Before he could say anything, Eddie leaned in, resting his head on Buck’s shoulder, their eyes meeting in the mirror again. “I trust you.”

Fingers curling around the edge of the basin, Buck sighed. “I should just tell them.”

Eddie kissed Buck’s neck. “You don’t owe anybody anything.”

Silence lapsed between them.

“When you’re ready to tell people, you will,” Eddie said, sliding a hand up Buck’s back, scratching through his hair and then pulled back. “Breakfast in half an hour. Chris is already up.”

“Fuck you,” Buck said with a laugh.

Eddie blew him a kiss and tapped the doorframe on his way out.

_________

Buck wasn’t keeping it a secret deliberately.

Quarantine was difficult. It wasn’t as bad for him as it was for a lot of people given that he was still able to work, but he hadn’t been alone since the quarantine had started. It had started to get too much for him to handle around the second month.

“I used to think I was lonely,” he said, leaning on his desk.

Lisa nodded, sitting back in her chair. “And now?”

“I havent been for a while,” he said. “But not because of quarantine. That’s just made me realize I love my workmates but living with them has been difficult.”

“You’re ready for them to go home.”

Buck huffed a short laugh. “Yeah, I am. Well. I’m sad Eddie’s gone, but I know why he had to.”

Lisa’s face remained impassive. It was one of the reasons Buck liked her. “Do you miss him?”

Missed was an understatement. Though Hen and Eddie had gone home and Buck had been glad to have his apartment mostly to himself, that didn’t stop him missing Eddie like a phantom limb. It had been difficult without Chris around, moreso for Eddie, but Buck had missed him too. That would change now, as long as they were careful and took precautions, and Buck wanted to go back to having Eddie and Chris to himself—without Chm around. “I just wish Chim would leave.”

“Hmm,” Lisa said.

“Not because I’m sick of him,” Buck said. “It’s just hard when he’s here. I feel like I can’t be myself.”

Lisa stared at him. “You can with Eddie?”

“Yeah,” Buck said. “I can.”

“Then start with that,” Lisa said. “Keeping it a secret is taxing on you, and I can imagine on Eddie, but if the two of you have decided it works for you, then only you get to decide when you tell your friends and family.”

“I know.” Buck blew out a slow breath. “Thanks, Lisa.”

“It’s what I’m here for, Buck,” she said with a smile. “However, that’s the end of the session and I have to go. If you need anything, text me, alright?”

Buck nodded, thumb hovering over the mousepad. “I will. Thanks again.”

The sign off was always awkward over Zoom, but Buck hadn’t dealt well with face to face sessions. When he closed his laptop, he sat back in his chair, hearing Maddie’s laugh through the speakers of Chim’s laptop. Great. Rolling his eyes, Buck cast a quick eye at the clock. Not long and they had to be at work.

_________

“Well,” Eddie said. “At least it’s not a tsunami.”

Buck gave him a look. “Are you kidding me?”

Eddie was smiling, the dick, and Buck elbowed him. “Ow,” he said through a laugh. Sobering quickly, he reached out, squeezed Buck’s arm as best he was able in their gear. “It’ll be alright.”

“I can’t do it again, Eddie.”

Eddie turned. “Buck, look at me.”

Buck winced but did as asked. They didn’t have long before they’d be on the roof.

“I’ve got you, hear me? No matter what, you’re not on your own this time.”

I wasn’t before, Buck didn’t say. “Okay.”

“You hearing me?”

“Yes, Eddie, I got you.”

Eddie smirked. “Don’t sass me, Buckley.”

“I’ll do whatever Ilike,” Buck said mulishly, but he couldn’t stop the smile from forming. “Thanks, Eddie.”

“Anytime,” Eddie said, dropping his voice. “Now let’s get this done, alright?”

_____________________

Buck massaged his temples. “It was a disaster. Literally.”

“It was,” Lisa agreed.

“With everything that went on, it reminded me of the tsunami.”

Lisa nodded sympathetically. “That must have been difficult.”

It took Buck a minute to find his voice. “I had a job to do this time as well and I didn’t have Chris to look out for.” When he realised Lisa looked ready to speak, Buck powered on. “Not that I resented looking out for Chris. I know—you know how I feel about that and that I’ll probably always regret it, but I had Eddie this time. I had—a job and someone to help me.”

“Okay,” Lisa said. It wasn’t a dismissal, and Buck nodded. “I know how much trust you have in Eddie, Buck. I just wonder how much you have in yourself.”

“What do you mean?”

“We’ve talked about the truck bombing, the tsunami. We’ve talked about the blood clots and the lawsuit,” and Buck winces at the reminder, “and throughout all of that you mention everything you’ve done wrong.”

Buck frowned. “Yeah?”

“What about the things you did right?”

There was a long silence.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“I want you to do something for me, okay?”

Buck waited for her to finish, not knowing how to answer.

“Before you next call me, I want you to write down five things you’ve done right in the time you’ve been working. I would prefer it to be related to those incidents we discussed, but I will take other things as well.”

“I—” Buck started.

“If you can’t, it’s okay. I just want you to try.”

“Okay,” Buck said eventually. “I’ll try.”

_____________________

Maddie narrowed her eyes. “So when do I get hear about it?”

“Never,” Buck said, not having to ask what she meant. “It’s private, Mads.”

“Even from me?” Maddie sounded hurt. Buck hated himself just a little but he was taking to heart the things Lisa told him; he and Eddie were the only ones with the right to tell people that they were in a relationship, nobody else could decide for them.

Reaching out, he touched the screen, wishing he could hold her hand. “It’s not what you think, I promise you that. When I’m ready to tell you, I will.”

There was a long pause, but Maddie shut off the call and she didn’t look annoyed. “Okay. I am here if you need me.”

“I know,” Buck said. He missed his sister terribly, but was determined to make Chim leave before he met her himself. . “I wish I could convince Chim to come home.”

Maddie’s face shifted. She looked sad and Buck wished he could change that too. “I’m just as scared as he is. I shouldn’t be doing this alone.”

“Want me to kick his ass?”

Shaking her head, Maddie at least let out a little laugh, so Buck counted it as a win. “No.”

“Maybe this,” Buck said, waving a hand behind him to encompass everything that had happened. “Will shake him up. He hasn’t come home yet.”

“He hasn’t?” Maddie frowned. “Didn’t he finish work with you?”

“I think Hen took him out,” Buck said. “Maybe she’s doing the yelling for you.”

There was the trace of a smile on her face. “I just want him want this as much as I do.”

“Hey,”Buck said, leaning forward. “If there’s one thing I do know about Chim right now, it’s that he’s desperate to be a dad with you, Mads. He’s been going through all my parenting books while we’ve been in lockdown.”

Maddie paused. “Why do you have parenting books?”

“For Chris,” Buck said, rolling his eyes. “Stop it. They were so i could help Eddie.”

“Oh,” Maddie said, and there was the sister he knew and loved so much. “If it’s for Eddie.”

“I’m going now,” Buck said, waving a hand. “Go do whatever it is you and Albert do.”

Maddie laughed and cut off the call.

___________________

“It’s my therapist,” Buck said.

Eddie looked up from cooking dinner. “What?”

“The person I’m calling.”

Eddie didn’t say anything for a long time. Buck worried it was because he was mad, but realised he was just turning off the burner. “Come here.”

Buck went, standing awkwardly next to Eddie, until Eddie reached up, wrapping his arms around Buck’s shoulders. Like a string had been cut, Buck fell against him, sorry when Eddie had to adjust his stance or send them toppling. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

“You didn’t have to,” Eddie assured him, ghosting a kiss across his head. “I’m proud of you.”

“For seeing a therapist?” Buck scoffed.

Eddie pulled back, touching a hand to Buck’s face. “For telling me. I know it’s not an easy thing to do.”

Buck’s breathing was shaky, he could hear it, and he wanted to look anywhere but at Eddie’s face, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away. “I wanted to make everything less messed up.”

“You’re not messed up,” Eddie snapped, then sighed. “I’m sorry. You might feel that way, but I don’t see messed up.”

“What do you see?”

“I see the man I love hurting and struggling.”

The words came out so easily that Buck was almost physically struck by them. “Eddie.”

“I love you,” Eddie said quietly. Buck knew what a gift it was to be loved by someone like Eddie. “I’m behind you no matter what.”

“I know,” Buck said, just as quiet. “I love you too. I just needed—quarantine got to me and I know it did to you—”

“You’re allowed to feel things too. It’s not a competition.”

Buck shrugged. “I know you had Chris.”

“And you had Maddie and me.”

“You were there.”

Eddie nodded, but made a face. “Not in the way we both wanted. It killed me not to be able to touch you or hold you in the way I’m used to.”

“Same.” Buck leaned in, pressed a soft kiss to Eddie’s mouth. “We’re together now.”

“Yeah, we are,” Eddie said, the smile on his face as brilliant as Buck felt. “Come on. Dinner’ll be ready soon and then you can challenge Chris to a lego battle.”

Buck snorted. “I’ll lose. I always do.”

“The joy of being a father,” Eddie said.

Again, Buck was struck by the words, and thought of Maddie. “I am, huh?”

Turning back to the stove, Eddie looked over his shoulder. “You will be.”

It sounded like a hell of a promise.

The next time Buck spoke to Lisa, he was sure he would have those five things she wanted. But if he didn’t, he could talk about Eddie. About Chris, his family, the future. He had something to look forward to and that made everything look brighter.

[captastra]

Day Three

Fandom: Resident Evil

Pairing: Jill and Carlos

Prompt:  Word: outside | setting: wedding

Words: 2k

Warnings: drinking

@writersmonth

Soft music floated around the room, mixing in with the murmur from the people gathered to celebrate Chris and Albert's wedding. A sunset wedding had melted into an evening reception but no one showed signs of slowing down or heading home. Jill glanced about the room, taking in the people sitting at the tables chatting, people scattered about the rest of the room, and ending on the happy couple in the middle of the dance floor.

Chris and Wesker seemed lost in each other, laughing and chatting about something. Jill was too far away to hear what they were saying, but she was surprised to see Wesker smile. Hell, she didn’t think she had seen Wesker smile once before he became engaged to Chris. She never liked; always seemed to have a secret or something, Jill wasn’t sure...

“Earth to Jill.”

Callous fingers touched Jill's chin and gently turned her face up until she was staring into a pair of brown eyes. Carlos's eyebrows were furrowed as he searched her face. Once he saw that she was looking at him, his face broke out into a warm smile. He held her close against him, arms wrapped around her waist while hers were wrapped around his neck. They had been swaying to the music for the past 10 minutes or so, neither in the mood to go all out, more enjoying being in each other's company. Or at least one of them was.

Jill gave him an apologetic smile as she spoke, “Sorry, what were you saying.”

He raised an eyebrow at her before shaking his head. "You can't keep worrying about him. I know you guys have been friends for a long time, but he's a grown man. Besides," he pulled her close until their bodies were nearly flush against each other, leaning close enough so he could whisper in her ear, "wouldn't you rather be staring at the most handsome man in the room?"

Jill had to stifle a giggle, not wanting to give into him just yet. "The most handsome man here? No clue who that could be." She pulled back from him, making a show of looking around the room. "Hmm, not saying anyone here. You sure there's someone like that here?"

"You wound me Jill." She felt his arms wrap tighter around her before he lifted her up off the ground and spun her around for a moment. A yelp escaped her lips that drew a couple eyes from other dancers but no one said anything. He set her down after that, chuckling to himself at Jill's wide eyed expression.

"If I tell you you're the most handsome man here, do you promise to never do that again?" She clung to his arms tightly, still trying to right herself from the spin. Looking up at him, she saw he was wearing that lopsided grin that she was sure won most people over. She hated to admit it worked well on her too.

"Can't promise never, but for tonight, maybe." She tensed when he wrapped his arms around, which drew a laugh from him. "Ok, I promise."

Trusting him, they settled back into their position from earlier. Soft music stilled played through the speakers and they began swaying to the music again. Jill found herself searching the dance crowd again but was able to stop herself this time. Carlos was right.  She couldn’t keep focusing on Chris and if he made the right choice or not.  He was like a brother to her, one of the most important people in her life, but he made a choice and seemed happy with that. The least she could do was be happy for him.

Letting out a sigh, Jill asked, "So what was it you were saying to me earlier?

“I was saying you look lovely tonight. “ His gaze trailed down her dress and he gave her a teasing smile. “Nothing else I’d prefer to stare at tonight.”

Jill let herself relax. She could have fun too, no matter what others might say. She leaned forward until they were close enough to kiss him and reveled in the way his eyes snapped from her lips to her eyes. “Oh really now? No one else is catching your eye tonight?”

She expected him to tease her the same way she teased him but was happy to see he kept his attention on her. She leaned forward, brushing her lips softly against his and pulled away. He followed her, ready to capture her lips with his, before a voice interrupted them.

“Jill there you are!” Turning, she saw Claire rush towards her. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” She had to stop for a moment, catching her breath from running over to them. “Leon - oh boy - Leon’s had too much to drink and now he won’t stop being sappy about the wedding. I don’t want to bother Chris because, well you know” - she motioned towards him and Wesker dancing- “please help.”

"Uh," Jill glanced up at Carlos. He rolled his eyes but shrugged. Neither of them could say no to Claire and the last thing they needed was a scene disrupting the wedding. And seeing Claire's frantic bobbing on her heels, Jill worried that would happen. But as she spoke up, Carlos beat her to it.

“Guess we should go save him from himself.”

She gave him an apologetic smile and mouthed thank you as they followed Claire through the dining tables.  At a corner table near the open bar, Leon was sitting there nursing a glass of water. Even from this far away Jill could tell that he hadn't taken a sip from it. He had his head rested on his hand, a wistful look on his face as he stared at nothing in particular. There was a pink hue on his cheeks and every few seconds he let out a soft sigh.

“I don’t think he got any sleep last night or much food in him since then,” Claire offered as they watched Leon sit there. He sniffled and started to teeter to one side before righting himself. “He’s been so busy trying to help Chris and you with the wedding, he neglected himself, as usual. I’ve tried to get him to eat something or at least drink some water” - she motioned to the glass in his hand - “but nothing. He's just a sappy mess right now and I don't know what to do.” Claire threw up her hands in exasperation. "The man never listens to me."

“Maybe I can ta-” Carlos stopped talking when Jill placed a hand on his chest.

“Let me.” She let out a sigh and walked over to Leon. He didn't notice her approach, even as she stood right next to him. “Hey Leon, how’s it going?”

He continued to sit there, teetering on his chin. Realizing he hadn't heard her, Jill tapped his shoulder as gently as she could. The last thing she needed was to scare him. But he didn't jump at her touch, instead it took him a few more seconds before finally, he turned around to face her. They stared at each other for another few seconds, Leon blinking rapidly a few times as he looked at her. It must have dawned on him who she was because his face lit up as he smiled up at her.

“Jiiiillll, I’m so happy to see you,” he slurred his words slightly, “isn’t this wedding just, just so romantic.” He let out another sniffle before attempting to get up out of his chair. “I can’t believe Chris is married. Our dad is married, Jill. We have to accept a new parent in our group!”

He fumbled with the chair but as soon as he was standing on his legs, he immediately started to stumble. Not wanting him to fall, Jill pushed him back down into his chair and sat down next to him. Thankfully he didn't fight her, too caught up in mumbling something about "new dad" and "changes in the friend group".

Jill understood what he was saying but didn’t know what to say to comfort Leon while he was in this state. She opted to pat his back as he continued to ramble about Chris and their friend group.

“It’s a big change for all of us, but Chris is happy. That’s what matters.” She continued to rub his back as she spoke. “We’ll see him at work once he’s back from his honeymoon. We’ll mana-”

Leon suddenly wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her tightly, “I know! I’m so haaappy for him. But what about you Jill?” He looked up at her with big, sad eyes. “When will you get married? You’d make such a pretty bride. Then both of the parents will be tied off!”

A slight cough came from behind them, but Jill didn’t dare look. She knew it came from Carlos and she didn’t need him to see how red she was. It’s not that they hadn’t talked about it, but they were happy with life at the moment. Now wasn’t the time to bring it up, especially by Leon who wouldn’t even remember this conversation the next day.

“Ok Leon" - she patted his back awkwardly - "I think we should go for a walk.” She unwrapped his arms from around her and stood up. “Maybe some fresh air will help.” She held out her hand to him, still determined to not to look behind her, but Leon only stared at it confused.

"But I don't wanna."

"C'mon Leon, it'll do you some good." He opened his mouth to argue, but when he caught the look on her face, he stopped. Instead he moved his whole body to look at the two people standing behind her. He glanced at her, back at the two people behind her, and back at her. “Oh...Should I not have…”

“It's fine buddy.” Jill felt someone walk up behind her before a warm hand, Carlos’s hand, squeezed her shoulder. Glancing back, she saw Carlos calmly looking at Leon. His faced was relaxed so she knew he wasn't mad, but there was something there she couldn't quite read. “Go for a walk outside with Jill.”

Leon sniffled again before jumping out of his seat to wrap both his arms around the two of them. They both let out grunts of surprise; Claire laughing at their expense.

“I love you guys." Leon mumbled into Carlos's shoulder. He lifted his head up to find Claire, pointing a finger at her when he did. "You too Claire. Come give us a hug.”

"Oh no," Claire covered her mouth as she laughed, "This is one family hug I'm happy to watch from the outside."

They laughed as Leon stuck his tongue out at her. "Guess you'll just miss out on all the fun then!" He squeezed Jill and Carlos to prove his point and this set off another round of laughter.

They continued to laugh as Leon mumbled about how much he loved them, Chris, apparently Wesker too. After another few moments of that, Leon seemed more inclined when Jill suggested they go for a walk again.

"Alright mom."

This set off another round of giggles from Claire but Jill ignored it.

Holding him up slightly, Jill and Leon set off to walk around the outskirts of the reception.

~~

Carlos watched them walk away, loving how patient Jill was being with Leon in his current state. Wedding and marriage had been the topic of discussion for months now, to the point they had lost all meaning. But with Leon’s question, it all came flooding back; what was next for him and Jill? He wasn’t ready to answer that today and knew Jill wasn’t either.

“Leon is going to hate himself in the morning,” Claire sounded amused at the prospect. The two of them enjoyed teasing each other and Carlos was sure Leon would not hear the end of it from Claire.

But his thoughts remained focused on Leon’s words and his own future. Their time would come, but for now he was content to know that he was the luckiest man in the world by having Jill by his side.

[livesincerely]

always yours, always mine

Also on Ao3. Rated E.

Disclaimer, this is another A/B/O fic, which I know isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, so feel free to skip over this one if that’s not something you’re into <3

00000

“Okay,” Davey says after the third time one of the boys flinches away from him: Albert, this time, who lets out a panicked yelp and all but tucks and rolls, head over ass, in his attempt to keep Davey from touching him. Given that Davey had only gone to clap a friendly hand on his shoulder while they line up to get their papes, this seems like a drastic overreaction. “What aren’t you all telling me.”

They actually have the gall to look surprised—as though they’ve been anything even approaching subtle in the not-quite fifteen minutes that have passed since Davey arrived in the square—and their guilty, hang-dog expressions might’ve been comical if he wasn’t so annoyed.

“Well?” Davey says, arching an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over each of them in turn. “What is it?”

Race snatches Albert’s cap off his head and thwaps him with it. “Nice goin’ Albie, you done gave it away!”

“What was I s’pposed’ta do?” Albert says, disgruntled, rubbing his forehead. “Jus’ stand there?”

“No, but you were s’pposed’ta handle it discrete like, dumbass—”

“Oh, sure, ‘cause it’s just that easy—”

“None of you would know discrete if it socked you in the jaw,” Davey cuts in, his hands making their way to his hips as he stares down at them. “Now, what’s going on?”

There’s a long silence as the boys all glance at each other, shifting guiltily, but none of them willing to be the first to break.

Finally, Racetrack sighs. “This was a stupid idea anyway,” he mutters. He rolls his shoulders back and looks Davey straight on, opens his mouth to speak—

Henry elbows him in the side, hissing, “Race! Don’t tell him!”

“Albert already ruined it, we might as well come clean—”

“I didn’t ruin it!” Albert cries.

“You kinda did,” Finch says with a shrug. “You were really obvious, Al.”

"What was I s’pposed to do!”

“I say we just tell him,” Buttons chimes in over Albert’s protests. “Davey’s gonna figure it out eventually—”

“—and he’s gonna be more upset the longer we keep it from him.” Specs adds. Buttons points at him as if to say, yeah, see?

“You just don’t want Davey to be mad at’cha,” Romeo says, accusatory. 

“Do you want Davey to be mad at’cha?”

“....No.”

“I’m gonna tell him,” Race announces to the group at large.

Multiple voices interject all at once, shouts of disagreement and words of encouragement all jumbled together.

“Race, you can’t,”  Crutchie says with a shake of his head, his quieter tones just barely heard beneath the others’ bickering. “Yesterday was bad enough and you heard what Jack said! He doesn’t want to say anything—“

“Yeah, well maybe if Jack wasn’t such a moron, it wouldn’t’ve gotten so bad in the first place—”

“So, this is about Jack, then?” Davey asks, loudly, and the silence that falls is so sudden and absolute that it almost seems to echo.

The boys all look at each other, apprehensive. Then Racetrack blurts, “Jack’s in rut!”

“Jack’s… what?”  Davey says, startled, because out of all the possibilities he’d suspected, this wasn’t anywhere on the list. “I thought he was sick?”

“He didn’t want us to tell you,” Crutchie admits, apologetic. “He didn’t want’cha to know.”

“Jack’s in rut and he wasn’t going to tell me?” Davey says, confused and a little hurt. “But… why?”

“Because he’s an idiot?” Race offers, rolling his eyes. “He wasn’t exactly forthcoming with any typa explanation but he’s probably freaking out about some stupid alpha thing—”

“Hey,” Mush protests weakly. Sniper just shrugs as if to say fair enough. 

“—and he’s been all keyed up since Tuesday, stinking like frenzy and frustration—and not the fun kind,” Racer continues, wrinkling his nose at the memory. “Plus, he can smell you on all’a us when we get back to the Lodging House every evening; he nearly tore Buttons’ arm outta its socket yesterday when he caught your scent on his sleeve, just from wantin’ it so bad.” 

“He didn’t hurt me,” Buttons assures him when Davey looks his way, alarmed. “Nothing like that—you know Jack would never. But he’s driving himself crazy stayin’ away from ya, and havin’ your scent around without you there with it is only makin’ things harder on him.”

“But, why doesn’t he just…” Davey asks, trying to think of a delicate way to say fuck it out, even as something in his chest bares its teeth and snarls at the thought of Jack even considering a rut partner. 

“You’re kiddin’, right?” Race says flatly, thoroughly unimpressed. “Please tell me you’re kiddin’, because I can only deal with one of you bein’ stupid at a time and Jack’s already called dibs on this week.”

“So, what, he’s trying to just wait it out when he knows that I would—“ 

Davey stops himself, flushing. It’s no secret, how he and Jack have been circling each other—teetering on the brink of becoming  more,  just waiting for something to finally give—but he’s reluctant to talk about it too openly, the possibility of him and Jack still feeling oh so fragile where it’s tucked away in the deepest corner of his heart.

Because he’d thought that they were on the same page, thought that there was an unspoken understanding between them that one day, eventually… But if Jack didn’t want him to know about his rut, hadn’t asked Davey to keep him company through his cycle… Davey chews at his lower lip, stomach twisting up in knots.

“Didn’t I just tell you not to be stupid?” Racetrack asks—frowning, but with no real heat to his words—and Davey realizes that his scent has taken on a sour, anxious note as his thoughts spiralled. “You can’t possibly think that he’d want anyone but you riding this out with him.”

“Except, he doesn’t want me there,” Davey points out. “You just said that he didn’t want me to know—”

“Yeah, but not ‘cause he don’t want you,” Racetrack assures him, as though this is plainly obvious. “‘Cause he really, definitely does: he’s puttin’ up with the rest of us ‘cause he loves us and ‘cause he don’t gotta choice since we all live together, but he wants  you.  I think he wants you so bad that it scares him.”

Davey tilts his head, running his tongue over his teeth as he considers Race’s words. But it’s not even a choice that needs contemplating, really, not when it’s Jack.

“I’ll go over and check on him,” Davey decides, a little voice in his head whispering yeshelpprotectfixsoothe. “See if I can convince him to let me help him.”

The boys all sag as one—it’s clear that they hadn’t wanted to go directly against Jack’s orders but are relieved that Davey’s going to step in.

“Thank fuck,” Elmer mutters. “I can’t take anymore of his goddamn pacing.”

“Felt like I was havin’ sympathy pains, watching him prowl around,” Mush agrees, rubbing a hand over his chest like he can feel an ache there. “Don’t know how he’s managed to hold out so long—I can’t imagine tryin’ to get through a cycle without Blink now that we’re together—”

“I’ll handle it,” Davey says, determined, the feeling in his chest crystalizing into something solid and certain and unshakable. 

“We’ll let your folks know where you are,” Crutchie tells him, clapping Davey on the shoulder. “Just go an’ take care of him—god knows he ain’t gonna take care of himself.”

“And don’t let him run you off,” Race advises. “You know how he gets.”

“I’ll handle it,” Davey repeats firmly.

00000

Davey smells Jack before he sees him: the air is heavy with his cedar and summertime scent, undercut with the smoky sweetness of his rut, so potent that Davey almost goes dizzy with it.

“Jack?” he calls out, announcing himself out of politeness rather than any real need—he’s positive that Jack smelt him the moment he arrived. “Jackie?”

The hair on the back of Davey’s neck stands on end, his heart skipping a beat in his chest, and Davey turns just as Jack steps out of a side hallway, his face shadowed with tension.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” Jack rumbles, watching Davey with dark, dark eyes. He’s only wearing a pair of thin sleep pants, his skin dewy with a sheen of sweat, and even from where he stands, Davey can feel the heat rolling off of him in waves.

“Oh?” Davey says, arching an eyebrow. “Because I’m pretty sure this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

“Which one of ‘em squealed?” Jack asks with a growl of frustration, raking a hand through his hair. “No, don’t tell me, it was Racer, wasn’t it?”

“Why didn’t you tell me your rut was coming up?” Davey asks, getting right to the point. 

“I didn’t wanna put’cha in that position,” Jack says evasively, gaze falling to the floor.

“And what position would that be?” Davey questions, crossing his arms over his chest.

It takes Jack several seconds to answer. “Didn’t want’cha to feel… obligated or nothin’. Like you hafta be here, like you hafta help me with this, jus’ ‘cause we’re...”

“I don’t understand,” Davey says, watching him carefully, a spark of realization starting to dawn. “How is this any different than you helping me through my heat last month?”

Jack’s spine stiffens, tension thrumming through him like a live wire, but he lets it go just as quickly as it arrived. 

“Come on, Davey,” Jack says, voice heavy, his mouth pressed in a thin, unhappy line across his face. “You know what I mean. You know why it’s different.”

“Sweet, stubborn, overprotective alpha,” Davey murmurs with a sad sigh, shaking his head. “Jackie, you’re not going to lose control and go wild just because you’re in rut, it doesn’t actually work like that—”

“Are you sure?” Jack says darkly. “Are you absolutely positive? ‘Cause I’m feelin’ pretty fuckin’ outta control, here, Dave. Feels like I might bust outta my skin any second, my instincts are goin’ goddamn nuts, I can barely sleep, can barely keep my fuckin’ head on straight, and there’s this hollow, empty spot between my lungs that aches every time I breathe, and I can’t— I can’t—”

“Jack,” Davey says, low and soothing. “You have to stop fighting your instincts. I know you think you’re protecting me by holding yourself back, but I promise that there’s nothing to worry about. Let me help you, darling. Please?”

Jack wavers—not like he’s convinced, not like he’s found any sort of faith in himself, but like he no longer has the strength to keep arguing—and that more than anything has the alarm bells going off in the back of Davey’s mind.

“Jack,” Davey beckons, soft but firm. “Jackie, love, come here.”

Jack takes a stumbling, hesitant step forward. Davey meets him halfway and draws him into a tight embrace, one arm wrapped securely around Jack’s middle, the other guiding Jack’s head to rest against the curve of his throat. 

Jack’s hands settle cautiously against the small of his back, his nose tucked right against Davey’s scent gland. He takes in a single, shaky breath, then crumples like a puppet that’s had its strings cut, that salty, bitter note of distressed alpha finally fading from his scent.

“Dave,” Jack whines, snuffling desperately at his neck. “Davey.”

“I know, Jackie,” Davey murmurs, hugging him even tighter. “I’m here, I’ve got you.”

They stand like that for several minutes, just holding each other—Davey pressing gentle kisses to the top of Jack’s head while Jack clings to him, relaxing more and more with every inhale. 

“Can you look at me for a second, love?” Davey asks, craning back as much as he can without letting go. Jack grumbles but obediently tilts his head back—now that they’re closer, Davey can see that his eyes are glassy with fever, his skin flushed beneath his tan. “When’s the last time you ate something? Or had anything to drink?”

“I dunno,” Jack says, shrugging. “A while, I guess. H’ven’t been keepin’ track.”

“Let’s get some food and water into you, okay?” Davey says. “You’ll feel better once you’ve eaten.”

Davey leads Jack along the hallway and down a set of stairs into the basement, following the traces of Jack’s scent in the air to find wherever he’s been hunkered down for his rut. 

He quickly discovers what must be the Lodging House’s cycle room. It’s cold, cramped, and uncomfortable, not a hint of carpet or wood or  anything  to cover the wall-to-ceiling concrete that encloses the space, and Davey’s heart aches at the thought of Jack waiting out his cycle here, alone, for these last couple days.

He takes stock of the room: there's a wooden bed frame with a lumpy mattress pushed up against one of the walls, covered in a plastic mattress protector and made up with a cheap set of sheets that are stale with sweat, and a single threadbare blanket to go with it—no pillows. There’s a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter sitting on a table in the corner, a mostly full pitcher of water and a glass next to it, and there’s a stack of towels and linens tucked underneath the table with a wash basin.

“Think you can eat something?” Davey asks.

Jack shrugs again but doesn’t answer. Davey decides to interpret this as a  yes. 

“Sit down for me, darling,” he says, making quick work of fixing Jack a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of water. 

Jack hovers close for a second, then finds a spot right on the floor, leaning with his back against the far wall. 

“Go ahead and eat this for me,” Davey instructs, handing over the food. Jack accepts it from him by route, but makes no move to actually take a bite. “Jackie, please. You need to eat something.”

“‘M not hungry,” he mutters.

“I know you aren’t, but that’s just the rut talking,” Davey says, running a hand gently along his arm. “You’ll feel differently once you’ve got some food in your stomach.”

Though he’s clearly not thrilled about it, Jack manages to choke down half of his sandwich and two glasses of water. Once that’s taken care of, Davey starts stripping the dirty sheets off the bed, piling them into the corner to be washed later, then remakes it with a fresh set.

“Do you want to try laying down for a while?” Davey asks as he finishes, smoothing away a wrinkle near one of the mattress corners. “You said you haven’t been sleeping well—”

“I think you need to leave,” Jack interrupts, the words coming out in a low, gravelly rasp. 

Davey goes very, very still, a sudden flare of heat prickling low in his stomach. 

He slowly turns around. Jack rises to his feet with all the grace and power of a jungle cat, his eyes shaded dark with hunger and his scent burning like a wildfire, staring at Davey like he might devour him whole, the air between them growing heated as the next wave of his rut kicks in. 

Davey barely resists a whimper, his own scent spiking sugar-sweet in response as desire pulses through him. He wants to rub himself all along Jack’s front, until that smoky-spicy-cedar scent is imprinted into his skin. Wants to lick the taste of it right out of Jack’s mouth.

“David,” Jack growls. His eyes are scorching. “You gotta go, sweetheart. You gotta leave right now.”

Davey swallows around a suddenly dry throat, his tongue feeling heavy in his mouth, but his voice is remarkably steady when he says, “What if I don’t want to leave?”

Now it’s Jack’s turn to stiffen. “Davey,” he says sharply. “I know you’re tryin’ to help, but trust me, this ain’t like your heats. You don’t wanna be here for this.”

“You haven’t actually asked me if I want to be here for this,” Davey points out, taking a single step forward. Jack’s hands ball into fists at his sides. “You’ve just assumed that I don’t.”

“Because you don’t understand how—” Jack’s jaw snaps shut as he cuts himself off, expression tight.

“Answer me this then,” Davey says when Jack doesn’t continue, stepping closer and closer until they’re standing toe to toe, chest to chest. Jack’s nostrils flare, the muscles in his arms tensing and flexing, and that mouth watering scent spikes even stronger. “Do you want me, Jackie?”

“Of course I want’cha,” Jack groans, and one of those big, hot hands finally curls around Davey’s waist—not pulling him any closer, really, but like Jack just can’t help himself. “What kinda question is that? This ain’t about not wantin’ ya.”

“Then why is it so hard for you to believe that I want you too?” Davey asks. “That I want you like this? That I want everything you’re willing to give me?”

“You don’t know what you’re askin’ for,” Jack insists, stubborn. Davey would admire his dedication if it wasn’t so exasperating. “I’m— I can’t control myself as well when I’m in rut, I get rough, possessive—”

Davey rolls his eyes. 

“You’re my alpha, Jackie,” he says dryly. “Possessive kind of comes with the territory.”

Jack’s eyes go wide. Two seconds later, Davey realizes what he’s said: this is the first time either of them have openly acknowledged what they are to each other, and voicing it aloud, saying it so plainly… something in Davey’s chest thrums with energy, with  connection.

“You... “ Jack’s throat works for a moment. “You think of yourself as mine?”

“Jackie, I’ve always been yours,” Davey says, cupping his hands around Jack’s face, so true and so tender that he aches with it. “And, I think you’ve always been mine.”

Jack pulls one of Davey’s hands away from his face and curls his own around it, pressing a kiss to Davey’s knuckles, then to his palm, and then to the inside of his wrist, his gaze growing more heated with each one. 

“Mine,” Jack growls, a hint of teeth scraping against Davey’s pulse as he pulls away. “You’re mine.”

“Yours,” Davey breathes. “All yours.”

Jack’s eyes flash red, then he’s drawing Davey in for a hard, demanding kiss, pressing a thigh between the hot space between Davey’s legs. Davey gasps at the first brush of Jack’s lips against his neck, the slide of Jack’s hands shifting down to palm at his ass, his fingers digging into the swell of Jack’s biceps for purchase. 

“Take these off,” Jack growls, yanking Davey’s shirt out from where it’s tucked into his pants. “Take them off before I tear them off you.”

Davey fumbles for the buttons on his shirt, liquid heat pooling low in his stomach. Jack’s hands trail greedily at every bit of his skin as he uncovers it, thoroughly distracting and too good to ignore, and after several minutes of scrabbling, interspersed with long, frenzied kisses, they eventually manage to get their clothes off. 

“Bed, cielito,” Jack says. “We need to— Bed.”

Davey hums in acknowledgment but doesn’t move, his face buried against Jack’s shoulder, biting at the skin there until it bruises.

“Dave,” Jack tries again.

“I’m busy,” Davey mumbles, mouthing at the sharp line of Jack’s collarbones.

“And I’m about two seconds away from pushing you down and fucking you right through the floor,” Jack says, voice laden with promise. “So get on the goddamn bed.”

“I really don’t see what the issue is,” Davey teases, still not moving an inch. “The floor is closer, isn’t it?”

Jack snarls, curling a hand around Davey’s nape and pulling him back up into another frenzied kiss.

“Mouthy— little— smartass—“ he pants, his teeth dragging along the tendon in Davey’s throat. “I’m gonna eat you out ‘til you cry.”

He wraps his hands under Davey’s thighs and hoists him up and back. Davey lands on the mattress with a soft bounce, barely given any time to situate himself before Jack is on top of him, pinning him down with rough hands and spreading him wide before following through with his threat, tongue lapping at Davey’s entrance in broad, greedy strokes.

“Ah,”  Davey gasps, fingers tight in Jack’s hair, scrabbling for some kind of anchor as Jack licks him open.

Jack lets out a low rumble of approval that vibrates right against where he’s most sensitive, his body growing even wetter, even slicker at the sound and feel of it. Jack swirls his tongue around his opening, making Davey’s toes curl against Jack’s sides, then presses in—Davey cries out, a harsh, desperate sound that tears out of him as he grinds up into the sensation.

“Jack,” he gasps, mindless, hips jerking uselessly in Jack’s unrelenting hold, body pulled taut and stretched loose at the same time, pleasure coiling in his belly. “Jack, I’m— I can’t—”

One particularly filthy swipe of Jack’s tongue has Davey’s breath hitching in his chest, head thrown back as the feelings swell and crest, and it only takes one more teasing flick before Davey’s coming with a broken moan.

“Jack,” he croaks when his lungs reinflate. “Holy shit.”

Jack’s mouth and chin are shiny with slick, his pupils blown wide and shaded with satisfaction. 

“Told you,” he says smugly. 

Davey tugs him down into another messy kiss, needing to lick that handsome smirk off his face. Then he rears up and flips them over so that he’s the one on top now, kneeling over Jack with his legs straddling Jack’s lap.

“My turn,” Davey murmurs, reaching down and taking Jack’s length—thick and hard and wet at the tip—in hand, lining it up at his entrance.

Then he takes a breath, leans back, and sinks down onto it in one slow, smooth downstroke. 

“Mmn,” Davey sighs, his eyes slipping shut as his body adjusts to the stinging stretch of finally being filled. He’s thrumming with tension, with heat, his thighs quivering where they’re spread wide around Jack’s hips, hands splayed against Jack’s chest for leverage, and it feels so good he could almost choke on the pleasure of it. 

Jack’s hands flex jerkily against Davey’s sides, then go wonderfully, bruisingly tight, thumbs pressing hard against the divots of his hips.

“Fuck, Davey,” he groans, staring up at Davey with dark eyes tinged with red, lovely and wanting. “You’re gorgeous, sweetheart. So fucking gorgeous and absolutely perfect for me.”

“For you,” Davey agrees, grinding down in a tight, deliberate circle, ass flush against the cradle of Jack pelvis, and Jack’s scent burns even brighter, smoky and sweet. “And you’re all mine, aren’t you darling?”

“Always,” Jack promises.

Davey rises up then drops back down, carefully at first but quickly finding his rhythm, rocking his hips in a  steady back and forth motion that sends liquid fire sparking up his spine. Every slip and drag of Jack’s dick inside of him feels like being shaken apart and pieced back together all at once, aching desire coursing through him with every slap of skin against skin.

“Davey,” Jack pants, his hips bucking up to meet Davey’s own as he rolls down again, and Davey moans through the bursts of bliss that explode behind his eyelids. “Oh, fuck, that’s good.”

“Jack,” Davey gasps, leaning forward to tuck his nose against Jack’s neck, nipping at his pulse point as he grinds down in his lap, the scent of summer and cedar and mate, mate, mate anchoring him even as he goes a little scent drunk on how  right  it all is. “Jackie, I— oh, yes, just like that.”

Jack pulls him down into the next thrust, hard and fast, and Davey cries out, twisting his hip as he sinks into it. 

“Perfect,” Jack grunts, those hot, rough hands squeezing tight. “God, Davey, you look absolutely incredible. So fucking pretty, sweetheart, feel so good riding my cock.”

Davey works his hips that much faster at the praise, so much so that the bed starts rocking underneath them, the squeaky creak of the wooden frame echoing through the room in time with his own heaving breaths. He’s so wet now that he can hear Jack fucking him, hears the slick, dirty squelch of Jack’s knot pressing a little deeper inside of him every time they clash together, driving closer and closer to completion.

“Harder,” Davey pleads, his thighs burning from the effort of keeping up his pace but still needing more. “Jack, please—fuck, alpha, please—harder.”

Jack snarls—a low, rumbling, dangerously sexy sound—and his eyes bleed red, his scent washing over Davey like blazing fire. He leverages his legs up, bending them at the knee with his feet flat against the mattress, and when he thrusts up into Davey on the next roll of his hips, it feels so impossibly good that Davey’s mouth falls open around a broken, guttural little keen.

“O-oh,” Davey says, the word catching in his throat, barely able to think with how completely and utterly Jack is destroying him, his knot starting to thicken and swell against his rim as their bodies meet again and again. Davey arches his back, planting a hand against one of Jack’s bent knees for balance, chasing blindly after his pleasure, and Jack makes a noise like he’s going out of his damn mind, a possessive growl tearing its way out of his throat. “Oh fuck.”

“Say it again,” Jack orders, eyes on fire.

It falls out of Davey’s mouth, desperate and true: “Alpha, alpha, my alpha—”

“My omega,” Jack says, his voice low and gritty, rut and desire clouding his gaze. “Mine.”

They’re both teetering on the edge. Jack’s knot is catching on every thrust, fucking him open in torturous, delicious increments, and Davey wants, wants,  wants.

“Jack,” Davey’s head hangs heavy between his shoulders, his lower lip caught between his teeth as he pants and sighs. “Jackie, yes, give it to me, give it to me, please, yes—”

Jack’s hands slide lower, clench harder, and Davey has one second to delight in how much he loves the feel of those big hands curled around him before the world spins and he lands flat on his back again with Jack braced above him, his eyes wild and vivid red. He grabs the backs of Davey’s thighs and pushes his knees up towards his ears, hardly faltering at all before he’s driving back inside again, fast and hard and so, so deep, and Davey’s boiling, blistering from the feeling of Jack, always Jack, pulsing inside of him, etched right into the seams of his heart.

“Mine,” Jack growls again, nipping viciously at the base of Davey’s throat, tongue swirling over his scent gland like he’s already trying to taste his claim. Davey tilts his head back with a needy whine, unable to do anything except offer himself up to him, freely and wholly. “Mate. Mine.”

“Jack,” Davey whimpers. “Jack, I— I’m—”

“You’re going to come for me,” Jack orders, pistoning his hips even harder, and the new angle means that he’s tagging that sweet spot inside on every other thrust, fierce and relentless. 

“Yes,” Davey moans, sparks flying at the edges of his vision. “Yes, I’m— Don’t stop, don’t stop, please don’t—”

Jack presses him down, snaps his hips forward, sharp, and his knot finally catches, swells, and locks inside of him. Heat thrums, then surges through him, white hot, at the searing stretch of it and Davey comes so hard he goes lightheaded, body rippling and writhing through wave after wave of pleasure. Jack manages a couple more filthy grinds of his hips before he’s tumbling over the edge right after him, capturing Davey’s mouth in a breathless, bruising kiss as his orgasm rocks through them both.

When he feels like he can move his limbs again, Davey lets his legs slip down to wrap around Jack’s waist, looping his arms loosely around Jack’s neck. He turns his face towards Jack’s temple and inhales, smiling softly when he catches the smoky, spicy, cooling-embers scent of a sated, happily exhausted alpha.

“How are you feeling, darling?” Davey murmurs, brushing Jack’s sweaty hair off his forehead with a gentle touch. “Alright?”

Jack mouths something unintelligible against his collarbone, a solid, grounding weight sprawled bonelessly on top of him. Davey cups his hand around the nape of Jack’s neck, then strokes soothingly down his back, his mind a wash of hazy contentment. 

“‘M good,” Jack grunts. “I’m… fuck, Dave.”

Davey huffs out a laugh, then presses a kiss to the high point of Jack’s cheek. “Fuck,” he echoes hoarsely, still recovering from his high.

“You?” Jack asks, nuzzling clumsily at the column of Davey’s throat. “Feelin’ okay?”

“Better than,” Davey decides, his body aching deliciously around the hot, hard knot pressed inside of him, stomach sticky with with own release, his thighs wet with slick and come, neck littered with marks, the air thick with their combined scents, spring and citrus and cedar and sweet  melded perfectly together, and he feels totally, entirely, completely— “Feel claimed.”

Jack’s body twitches, his knot throbbing as he spills another burst of pleasure deep inside of him. Davey hums, pleased, some base omega instinct purring with satisfaction at how wonderfully full he is.

“Jesus, sweetheart,” Jack eventually gets out, voice rough and raspy and  wrecked.  “You can’t just— Have mercy on your poor alpha.”

“My alpha,” Davey agrees. “All mine.”

[frankchurchillsaysrelax]

wherever you’re going i’m going your way

That night Buck dreams of a person he’s never met, of a life that was never lived. He has nothing to work with apart from a photo and a name, but he’s always had an active imagination and tonight it carries him to places that could have been.

.

The house Buck stands in front of is dark and cold, shadows creeping out of the ground, curling mysteriously along the siding as the wind whistles secrets against shuttered windows. He doesn’t know this place. He doesn’t like this place. He knows he should walk away but his feet feel stuck, anchored to this spot.

“Evan!”

He turns to look down the street and sees a boy on a bike riding straight towards him. He looks familiar and just his presence breathes warmth into the air. Buck feels like he can move again and when he does he’s just a little boy, gangly limbs tripping him up as he moves to be closer to the older boy, desperately wanting to be caught up in his orbit.

Gravel kicks up where tires come to an abrupt stop. The sun shines brightly behind the boy, reflecting off of sandy blonde curls and expanding that feeling of warmth all around them. He knows this boy, he just can’t remember where from.

“You know mom doesn’t like you being out here by yourself,” the boy says. “Get inside before you get yourself in trouble, kid.”

“I’m not by myself!” Buck laughs, running up to the bike, reaching out with stubby fingers wrapped around the handlebars, his feet only just skimming the ground. The boy’s balance never waivers, seemingly well accustomed to this move.

“Can I ride on your handlebars, Danny? Please?” Buck looks up, squinting against the sun. He draws the last word out with an exaggerated pout of his lips and he knows, just knows, that this boy will do whatever he asks.

The boy, Danny, shakes his head but is smiling. “Don’t tell mom,” he orders seriously before reaching out to pick Buck up and put him in place on the bike. Buck feels like a king on his throne from way up here with no fear of any danger coming to him. Danny would never allow it.

Wind whips against his cheeks catching the corners of his smile as they ride together down the street.

Buck feels the wind against his face but realizes too late that he is falling. He’s falling and there is nothing to catch him, just his hands meeting pavement. There’s the burning feeling of skin breaking and then his knees hit the ground sending pain ricocheting up his legs. Laughter is the next thing he’s aware of, coming at him from all sides, pushing him down further into the hot blacktop beneath him.

“Stay down, you freak.” Buck looks up and oh, he instantly remembers being here before. Sam Powers hovers over him with a sneer on his freckled face. It’s third grade and Sam has once again decided he’d rather not look at Buck’s birthmark any longer. Dread builds at the memory of what comes next. Behind them a bus door closes as the oblivious driver pulls away from the curb, little faces pushed up against glass to watch Buck’s torment.

“Get away from him you little creep.” The words sound like a roar, louder than any bus or laughter or shame.

Buck looks up from his spot on the ground to see Daniel striding towards them through the circle of onlooking children. He looks like a god from down here, Buck thinks. He’s so tall that his golden hair touches the sky and his letterman’s jacket draws a chorus of unsuppressed awe from the crowd. He’s nothing but impressive and Buck feels only pride at the knowledge that this is his brother, come to save the day.

This never happened back then, Buck thinks sadly. The thought floats away as quickly as it came and then he’s back in the present watching as his savior finally reaches him, bending down to help him up and dust him off. The other kids watch on but Daniel pays them no mind as he takes Buck’s small hands in his and frowns at the angry, red skin peeling away from his palms. The skin feels cooler under such careful attention.

“Come on, kid.” He puts an arm around Buck’s shoulders and leads him away from the scene. They stop long enough for Daniel to level Sam with a glare so threatening it leaves the bully visibly shaken, freckles more stark against his pale drawn face.

Buck smiles the whole way towards the jeep he himself drove through high school. Once he’s settled in the passenger’s seat, Buck shares a look with his brother, feeling like he’s being included in a secret and instantly feeling infinitely cooler than the sad memory of the little boy curled up on the ground surrounded by his laughing peers. Daniel closes the door with a wink.

Buck slams the door to his jeep and clicks the button to lock the door with an echoing beep. His shoulders are heavy beneath the weight of his backpack and the general stress of being a senior in high school. He drags his tired feet across the driveway and lets himself into the side door of the house.

“Hi, honey,” his mom’s voice carries out from the kitchen, cheerful and soothing like warm tea and honey on a rainy day.

The backpack has disappeared from his shoulders but the oppressive weight remains and Buck is drawn to her, seeking out the palliative nature that fills the house with only two words.

“Hi mom,” he says quietly, pressing a brief kiss to her cheek. It feels totally normal, habitual, like they have been this affectionate his entire life.

She looks different, wrong somehow. She’s older than she should be, her hair shorter than she used to wear. She’s smiling, he realizes. Her smile is warm, comforting, and safe, highlighting the creases at the corners of her eyes, and before he knows it he is dragging her closer for a hug.

She wraps her arms around him without hesitation, her hands rub gentle circles between his shoulders and it feels like Maddie or Athena but more. It feels like a hug from his mom.

“There’s something for you on the table,” she tells him. He separates himself from the embrace reluctantly, arms moving to a script he doesn’t want to follow, and walks towards the kitchen table. On it is a large white envelope, the blue and white Nittany lion staring up at him, bold and proud. His mom’s hand rests easily on his shoulder and stops him from floating above solid ground.

“Congratulations, honey.” He was alone the last time this happened. “Your father and I couldn’t be more proud.” The words have him spinning with an unknown happiness.

He spins around and there is Maddie in her old nurses’ scrubs looking exhausted but healthy and so young.

“Maddie! You’re here.”

“Of course I’m here, Evan,” she says tiredly. “I work here.” She’s evasive, walking around him without looking directly at him. Her sneakers squeak against the too clean hospital floors as she walks further away. The wide, white halls surround them but in the corner a shadow looms, waiting for a chance to reach out and swallow them in its darkness.

“You haven’t been answering any of my calls. Or mom’s. Or Daniel’s.” He reaches out for her, unsurprised but still guilty when she flinches slightly. The shadow coils like a snake ready to strike. “We’re worried about you Maddie.”

“There’s nothing to worry about, Evan.” She finally looks at him, a familiar perfectly fake smile spread too tight across her face. “I’m happy,” she promises. She takes a step closer to the shadow. “I’ve just been busy, that’s all.”

“I don’t believe you. Please, Maddie, talk to me. I know something is wrong with him, I know you need to get away. Please just leave him,” he pleads. All the words he never had the guts to say come flowing out as a river of truth.

A pinky wraps around his though Maddie does not move. The shadow curls around her leg, claiming her. Buck looks to his right and there is Daniel in his white doctor’s coat standing strong and silent beside him. It’s like that day on the playground all over again only now Buck stands tall beside him. Together they are unstoppable. A united front. They each reach a pinky out towards their sister.

“Come with us, Maddie,” Daniel tells her with an authoritative big brother voice. Sunshine pours from his mouth cutting at the shadow with sharp rays of light.

She looks between them and finally, finally closes the circle, pinkies locked together with theirs allowing them to pull her toward warmth and safety, a light brighter than any other emerging from her to scare the darkness away.

The flash nearly blinds him. Maddie takes photo after photo of him and the small bundle in his arms. His niece is like air his hands try too hard to hold onto, far too fragile for someone so big to be holding all by himself.

“Be sure to cradle the head.”

Daniel is here, of course he is. Present at the official welcoming party for their tiny, precious niece and as always steady at his side. Athena and Bobby’s back yard is bursting with life and love once again as everyone Buck loves gathers in one place.

His mom and dad, now holding the baby, stand off to the side, bright smiles on their faces that Buck has never seen before. Maddie glows at the center of everything as Chimney, Hen and Eddie orbit around her. Bobby and Michael are at the grill while Athena, Karen, and May play with the kids. Everyone here, happy, healthy, and alive, the air buzzing with energy.

“This is a pretty good family you’ve got here, kid.”

Buck turns to look at his brother but instead finds that young boy on the bike watching the group of people around them with a wistful look on his face.

.

Buck wakes to the early morning light shining through his windows. Despite this and the noise Albert makes downstairs, he squeezes his eyes shut tight, desperate to not let the dregs of his dreams slip out of reach.

[chaoticgremlinwholikescheese]

The Dare

A/N: I am so sorry I am so bad at slowburn. Also Katharine is kind of a jerk in this one. 

JACK’S POV:

“Race, truth or dare?” He considers for a moment. “Truth.”  Davey searches his brain for a good dare. “Favorite flavor of ice cream?” Everyone at the table groans. “They’re supposed to be scandalous questions, Davey!” Albert laughs. “I don’t know what to ask! Um. Are you a top or a bottom?”

“That’s more like it. And for your information, I am a switch.” He winks at his boyfriend Spot. Spot rolls his eyes with a smirk. “Jack’s turn. Jack, truth or dare?” I immediately say dare. These boys already know pretty much everything about me. I’d like to keep the few secrets I have secret.

Race glances around the room. He gets a mischievous glint in his eye. “Ask her out on a date.” He points to a girl across the room. She’s reading a book titled ‘The rise and Fall of Germany, ww1 and ww2′. It looks like it weighs as much as Spot.

“That’s Alex Kaminski. Every single guy who’s asked her on a date has been rejected. If you can get her to say yes, I’ll pay for your lunch.” I look down at my empty plate. “I already ate it.” 

“I’ll pay for your next lunch.”

Satisfied with the bet, I get up. Asking out a girl is no problem. I’m the flirting extraordinarie. I make my way over to her table and sit across from her. I put on my flirtiest smile. “Hey.” She peeks over her book. “Can I help you?” 

“Yeah. I lost my phone number, so I was hoping I could get yours.” She blinks slowly. “That was one of the worst pick up lines I have ever heard.” She closes her book. I finally get a good look at her face. She’s actually really cute. 

She has brown hair tied back in a bun. Her green eyes are bright, staring at me with an emotion I can’t quite identify. Freckles dot her nose. I half expected her to be the stereotypical nerd, braces, zits, that kind of thing. I was very wrong. 

“You’re Jack Kelly, right?” I nod my head. “How can I help you, Jack Kelly? Do you need a report written? Or a tutor to help bring up your grades?” 

“As tempting as those offers are, I’m actually here to ask you out on a date.” 

She raises an eyebrow. “A date?”

“Mhm. I’ll pick you up at eight-”

“Hold on, Romeo. I didn’t say yes.”

“Are you going to say no?”

She thinks for a moment. “Usually I would. But something about you intrigues me. Pick me up at eight. Here’s my phone number.” 

She slides a piece of paper across the table. Then she goes right back to her book. I take the hint and get up, walking back to my table. They all look at me expectantly. I place the number on the table. Race’s eyes widen. “She actually said yes? I was counting on her embarrassing you in front of everyone!”

“Thanks, Race. And she did in fact say yes. I’m picking her up at eight.”

“Don’t you guys think this is kind of mean?” Davey chimes in. 

“Aw, it’s just a date. Not like it’ll get serious or anything.”

Alex is waiting out front when I arrive. I wave. She climbs into the passenger seat. “Good afternoon, milady.” I look at the clock. “Or good night? I don’t know. Anyways, hello.” 

“Hi. So, where are we going on this date?”

“I was thinking we could grab some pizza at Jacobis.”

She nods in approval and switches on the radio. An up beat pop song comes on, and she starts to sing along. She has a good voice. I hum along under my breath. She starts swaying to the music, and I join her. Soon the two of us are full on rocking out. The song ends and we both start laughing.

We pull up to Jacobi’s and park. I hold the door for her like a gentleman. We grab a table in the corner.  A waiter comes over for our orders. “I’ll take a slice of pineapple and an orange soda, please.” Alex raises an eyebrow. “Pineapple?”

“Before you say anything, it’s delicious.” 

“I’m not judging. I was actually going to get the same thing. Make that two slices of pineapple, an orange soda, and a lemonade.”

The waiter scribbles it down and rushes off. Alex crosses her arms on the table. “So. You like pineapple too.” 

“Yup. And Race says that makes me the spawn of satan. Honestly, I take that as a compliment.” 

“Fun fact, Hawaiian pizza was actually created in Canada.”

“My whole life is a lie.” I dramatically place a hand to my forehead.

The conversation flows easily, like tomato sauce. Not the best analogy. You know what I mean though. We actually have a lot in common. We both like art, we’re both bi, and we’re both failing math. She’s actually a really nice girl. I find myself enjoying the date.

We talk for hours. I only notice how much time has passed when Jacobi’s starts to close. We’re the last people in the restaurant. We quickly pay the check and leave. I drive her home, and we talk the whole way. When we get to her house, I realize that I don’t want the date to end.

“Thanks for tonight. I had fun.” She smiles. God, her smile is beautiful.

“D-do you maybe want to do it again? A second date?”

“I’d like that.”

“So? Was she crazy? Is she a serial killer? Or is she actually a secret spy for the FBI?” Race hounds me with questions. “I bet it wasn’t that nice. She’s not even cute.” Katharine mutters. “Actually, I had a really good night with her. We’re going on a second date.” Everyone’s eyes widen. “Now you have to tell me everything!” Race squeals.

“There’s not much to tell. We got pizza at Jacobi’s and had fun. She’s kind of awesome.” I blush when I admit that. “Jack’s got a crush! I told you I was an expert matchmaker, Davey!” 

“What? You- but it was all a joke, right? You aren’t actually planning to date her, right?” I sense a tone of jealousy in her words. “I really like her.” I run a nervous hand through my hair. Davey pats me on the shoulder. “She’s a nice girl. You chose well.” Katharine scoffs under her breath. I choose to ignore it.

We all head into the cafeteria. I see Alex at her normal table, head buried in her book. I walk over and invite her to sit with us. She hesitates, but then she says yes. She takes a seat next to me at the table. The boys stare at her like with interest. She awkwardly waves.

“Everyone, this is Alex. Alex, this is. Well. Everyone.” I gesture widely around the table. They all give various greetings. “So, what are you reading?” Davey asks. She shows him the cover. “I read that a while ago! It was super interesting.” 

“Look at the two nerds bonding,” Finch chuckles. “You’re Katharine Pulitzer, right? We have english together.” Katharine pastes on a fake smile and nods.  When lunch ends, we all split up. Katharine and I head to Science together. “What’s your deal with Alex?” 

“She’s nice. I just don’t like her vibe.”

“Her vibe?”

“She’s not really your type. I don’t really get what you see in her.”

“Once you get to know her, you’ll like her as much as I do. She’s great, I promise.” 

ALEX’S POV:

I offer to pay for the movie tickets, but Jack insists on paying. We buy tickets to see a new comedy with Jack Black. We get some popcorn and candy. We have seats near the back. While we wait for the movie to start, Jack throws some popcorn and catches in his mouth.

I try but miss. He laughs and catches another piece. The two of us go back and forth, trying to see who can catch the most. By the time the trailers start, we’ve dropped almost half the popcorn. 

About halfway through the movie, Jack places his arm around my shoulders. The classic date move. I don’t mind though. I lean against him, and I see his big dopey smile. I probably have one of my own. 

Jack drives me home, and we chat the whole way. I feel like I’ve known him for ages. He walks me to my front door. We stare at each other for a moment. The air is tense, electricity zapping between us. My heart starts to beat faster. Blood rushes to my cheeks.

“Can-can I kiss you?” Jack chokes out. I don’t give him an answer. I just press my lips to his. He places a hand on my cheek. His lips are gentle, loving. When we pull away, both of us are breathing heavily. 

“Wow.” Jack whispers.

I blush and avert my eyes. 

“You’re going to take me out on a third date, right?”

ALEX’S POV:

Katharine is waiting for me outside our english class. “Hey, Kath!” She doesn’t say hi back. She ushers for me to follow her. She leads me to an empty hallway. “What’s with the secrecy?”

“I have something to tell you. And I’m only doing this because I consider you a friend.” I can see straight through her acting. She’s as fake as Regina George. “What is it?”

“I know you really like Jack. And that’s why I’m really sorry to have to tell you this. But the date he asked you out on? It was a dare. From Race.” I force a laugh. “You’re kidding right?” 

She shakes her head. “Do you have any proof?” Katharine pulls out her phone. She scrolls for a few second before handing it to me. It’s a group chat between the gang.

RACE: I still can’t believe she said yes

JACK: I told you, I’m the dare master

ALBERT: that’s a terrible name

JACK: whatever, I still won

RACE: you can’t win truth or dare

FINCH: what are you going to do for the date?

JACK: Take her out for a cheap date, say it’s not working out, win the game

RACE: there’s no winning in truth or dare dude

I fight the tears gathering in my eyes. I hand Katharine her phone back. She stares at me with fake pity. “I’m-I’m going to go.” I rush out of the room. I head to the nearest bathroom and sit in the stall. I let the tears fall. I thought he loved me. I loved him. I was just a joke. He just used me to look cool.

For once I felt loved. Like someone liked me for me. I’m the weird kid, the one people ignore and make fun of. I should have known that he didn’t actually love me. I’m the oddity. All I’m good for is a joke.

I spend the rest of the period in the bathroom. I finally run out of tears. I splash some water on my face. My reflection stares back at me. I look like a ghost. I guess I am in a way. No one really sees me. 

I walk to Jack’s science classroom. I wait outside. The bell finally wrings and people start to exit. I see Jack come out. He smiles and walks towards me. 

“Hey, hon-”

“Don’t.”

JACK’S POV:

I think I’m in love. That may sound crazy, but it’s true. I’ve only been dating Alex for a month. Best month of my life. I’ve never connected with someone like this. The whole gang likes her too. Except for Katharine. She has something against Alex, I don’t know what.

The bell finally rings. I walk outside and see Alex leaning against the wall. “Hey, hon-”

“Don’t.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Was I just a dare to you?” 

My face goes white. “Alex, it’s not like that! It started as a dare, but I really like you. I was going to tell you, but I didn’t want to mess it up-”

“You messed it up when you used me to win a fucking game, dare master. You’re a dick, Kelly. I thought someone finally saw me as something other than the school freak. I guess that’s all I am. A freak people use for their own gain.”

“Please. I love you.”

“Just stop. No more lies.” 

She turns her back and walks away. I start to run after her, but the crowd of students pushes me back. I force my way through the crowd. I run into Katharine. Before she can get a word out I ask if she’s seen Alex. 

“I haven’t. Is everything alright?”

“No. She found out about the dare. She broke up with me.” 

“That’s terrible. I’m so sorry.”

“I don’t care about being dare master, I care about her.” I pause. How did Alex know about the whole dare master conversation? She couldn’t have. Unless someone showed her the texts. And she has her first period with Katharine.

“You told Alex.” 

“So what if I did? She wasn’t the right girl for you. You need a girl like me.”

“You don’t get to make that decision! I loved her, and you took that away! Did you really think breaking me up with Alex would make me love you? I don’t love you, Katharine. I never will.”

Katharine tries to defend herself, but I run off. I need to find Alex. I search everywhere, but I can’t find her. Then I look out the window. She’s sitting under a tree. Her knees are pulled to her chest. Her arms are wrapped around her body like they’re the only thing holding her together.

I race outside. She looks up when she hears me coming. “What do you want?” She hisses. “To talk. Please.” She bites her lip. “Fine.” I take a seat next to her. I can see the tear stains on her shirt. My heart breaks. I did this to her. I hurt the woman I love.

“You have five minutes.” 

“Alex, it started out as a dare. And I was stupid to take it. I didn’t think about how it would affect you. And I am so, so sorry. And what I said about loving you? That wasn’t a lie. I really do love you.”

“How can I believe you?”

“You can’t. And I don’t expect you to forgive me. I understand if you never want to talk to me again. And I’ll respect that. Whatever you want, I’ll do.”

“God damn it, Jack. You make it so hard to hate you.” Alex tearfully laughs. “What you did, it hurt. I’m willing to give you a second chance because I love you. Don’t make me regret it.”

I gently hold her hand. She leans her head on my shoulder. We’re not perfect. We probably never will be. But all that matters is that we love each other. That’s more than enough.

[multifandomrandomgirl]

Ise Prefer You As a Boy - Newsies PT3

The second we get inside the Manhattan lodging house, a massive group of boys come bounding over. "Thank God you're back." Davey hugs me first, Les clinging onto my legs. Crutchie hobbles over next and hugs me. "I missed you so much." He whispers. "I missed you too Crutch."

The last to come over was Buttons. "I'm glad you're back Freckles, I missed you a lot and honestly don't know what Ise would do if youse weren't here." I hug him tightly. "Can I sit on your bed with you?" Buttons asks. "Of course you can." I say. We both go and sit down on it.

I pull my hair out of the ponytail it was hiding in underneath my cap and Buttons takes a piece of it and fiddles with it.

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

"Aw, cute." I wake up in the middle of the night to see Race and Albert stood over me. "What are you two 'awing' over?" I glare at them. "You and Buttons are cute." Albert smirks, I look down and realise that I had fallen alseep cuddled with the boy.

"No. Albert, we are not cute." I sigh. "True, you are, Buttons isn't." Abert winks at me. I roll my eyes at him, lie back down and close my eyes again. I feel a hand in my hair, my eyes shot open. "Sorry." Albert mouths to me before backing away to his own bed.

What was up with him? I shrug it off and go back to sleep.

"Albert." I screech the moment I woke up. "Yes dear?" He walks over with a cocky look on his face. "Why were you stroking my hair last night?" Albert's cocky look drops and his face turns bright red to match his hair.

"Uh, Ise uh, sorry?" He stutters. "No, it's fine. I don't mind. I was just wondering why youse did it." I put my hand on his arm. "It doesn't matter." He says, walking off.

"Freckles! D'ya wanna sell with me today?" Buttons comes bounding over excitedly. "Of course she will." Albert says, rolling his eyes from another corner. I glance at Albert before leaving to buy papes with Buttons.

"Paper! Paper!" I yell out to the busy streets of Manhattan. A large crowd of people flock around me and hand me over money in return for a paper. "Thank you, Sir, thank you." I thank people as they leave.

"Good going." Buttons says from behind me. I smile and sell another paper. "How many have you sold?" He asks, I count my remaining papes. "I've sold twenty of my forty." I say. "Already? Wow."

-------

"You know, Ise still prefer you as a boy." Buttons sits down on the pavement next to me giggling. "Nice to know." I laugh. "I mean, youse a pretty goil but also, youse a pretty boy." He nudges me jokingly.

"Aw, thanks." I grin at Buttons, giggling slightly. "I also think someone has a crush on you." He stares down at the floor. "You've already told me this."

"No Freckles, one of the boys likes you as a girl." Buttons looks up to me. "W-who?" I ask, getting more interested. "Albert." I gape at Buttons.

"No. No. How could he like me? You're lying." I say hurriedly. "You really think I'm lying? Did he not stroke you hair? Or call you cute? Or seemed jealous when I asked if youse would want to sell with me today?" Buttons sighs, shaking his head at me.

"He's joking, obviously." I shut down the theory of Albert having a crush on me. "You're so oblivious." He mutters. "I am not! Why ever would Albert like me?" I ask. "Why don't you ask him yourself?" Buttons rolls his eyes at me before going to sell more papers.

"Fine. I will do." I glare at Buttons before shouting out the headline once again.

-----

At the end selling day, Buttons and I make our way over to Jacobi's Deli to meet the rest of the boys. When we arrive, I go and sit on one of the empty tables in the corner, away from the boys.

"Are you okay? You normally sit with the boys." Jacobi sits opposite me, he'd known my secret for longer than the boys as I'd come in one afternoon by myself with my hair down.

"Yeah, just not really feeling up to hanging with them today." I sigh, feeling a pain just below my stomach. "Do you want me to sneak you out so you can go back to the Lodging House?" Jacobi asks. "Please."

We both stand up and he shuffles me towards the kitchens. "Take this and go out that door there." He hands me half a loaf of bread. "Thank you Sir." I smile and he ushers me out of the door. "No problem, see you soon."

I take off quickly, running as fast as I can toward the Lodging House. Once I reach it, I pay lodging fee and then go to my bed, change and hide under my thin blanket and try to fall asleep. I wake up a few hours later with all of the boys stood over my bed, a few sat on the edge of it.

"Freckles! You're okay!" Jojo is the first to notice that I'm awake. "Yeah." I mutter. Davey immediately puts his hand to my head. "You haven't got a temperature Freckles."

"Figured that one out." I mumble. "What's up with her?" Albert says, eyes filled with worry. "Let me talk to her alone for a moment." Davey clears all  the boys away from the bed except from Jack.

"How do you know that something is wrong with me and that I wasn't actually just tired." I glance up at Davey. "Freckles, you never go to sleep this early." Jack puts his hand on my shoulder.

"Okay, fine you got me. I'm just having a minor problem right now, but I'm fine." I roll my eyes at the two boys, who might as well be my parents. "Ohh, it's that, right?" Davey's eyes widen. I nod ever so slightly.

"I see. Do you think you can still sell?" Jack asks. "Dude, it's not going to kill me to sell, so yes, I can still sell." I say. "Okay, but we're going to keep an extra eye on you this week." Davey says. "Okay Mum." I sigh.

"What?" Jack sniggers. "You two literally act like you're our parents, I'm not even kidding." I explain. "We do?" Davey asks. "Yep! But that's okay, I appreciate actually having parents now." I smile and hug him. "Get some more sleep." Jack says. "But I've just slept for like two hours." I complain.

"Sleep, or I'll ground you." Jack threatens me "Fine, night Mum, night Dad." I say under my breath. "Night Freckles." Jack kisses my forehead. They both leave the side of my bed and Davey leaves the lodging house altogether with Les in tow.

Albert comes and sits on the side of my bed and strokes my forehead. "You okay Freckles?" He asks. "Yeah, I'm all good." I smile at him. "Okie! I was worried." Albert blushes.

We sit in silence for a few minutes, Albert running his fingers through my hair. Buttons comes running over and sits with us too.

I wake up in the morning to find Buttons and Albert both curled up either side of me on my bed. I smile at the two boys and try to sit up without waking either of them up. "Morning." Albert whispers. "Did I wake you? I'm so sorry."

"Don't worry about it. Would you like to sell with me today for a change?" Albert asks hesitantly. "Of course I will!" I grin. "Yay! Let's go and get ready." Albert jumps up and pulls me up too.

Once we got ready and got our papes we hit the street immediately.

"Freckles, can I uh, tell youse something?" Albert says after a while of selling papes.

"Of course." I sit down on the pavement next to him. "Okay, so uh, Ise kinda likes you, like likes you." He flushes a bright red, almost matching his hair.

I feel my face heat up as well. "Forgets it, shouldn'ta said nothing." Albert stands up and begins to walk away.

"Albert." I jump up after him.

"What?" Albert snaps.

[prettyinlimegreenboots]

“You were the one that left all those notes for me?”

Minor cussing.

Back in High School

For the last two weeks, he has been finding colorful envelopes in his locker, under his windshield wipers, in his backpack, and even teachers have given him some. They were random messages - quotes, inspirational messaging, wishing him a good day, and everything in between. There was even a recipe for homemade lasagna in one of the notes. He started to look forward to getting the notes and seeing what the message of the day would be.

Opening his locker, a salmon colored envelope fell out and landed at his feet. “You still getting those?”

“Yea.” Race picked it up and grinned at Jack.

“Any idea who Prince Charming could be?” He asked leaning against the lockers, watching his brother twirl the envelope in his fingers.

Shaking his head, Race grabbed the books he needed for the morning. “Nah. It’s not like they’re coming out of the woodwork to tell me it’s them.”

“What’s happening, party people?” Albert, Race’s best friend threw an arm around Race’s neck in greeting.

Jack and Race both laughed as Race pushed Albert’s arm away. “Racer’s got another love letter.”

“It’s not a love letter.” He rolled his eyes. “It’s a wish you well letter.”

Albert tilted his head. “Isn’t that the same thing?”

“No. Now I’m going to class. See you later at lunch?” Race asked, hiking his book bag up on his shoulder, not waiting for a nod from either of them before walking to his Science class.

Sitting in his designated seat, he slid his finger under the envelope flap and opened it, revealing an index card with a quote on it - “Shoot for the Moon, even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars,” by Les Brown. He heard his table mate sit down with a groan. “You still getting those?”

“Yea.” Race stuck it back in the envelope, turning to face Spot with a grin.

Spot shook his head. “Well whoever is giving you those has it bad for you. Frankly, I don’t get the appeal.”

“Hey I’m a catch. You’d be damn lucky to have me in your life, Spottie.” Race gave him a look, pulling out his textbook and notebook from his bag. “You don’t know what you're missing out on.”

“Uh huh sure.” Spot said dryly, pulling his notebook out. “I know you’re a total klutz, yet you’re an amazing dancer and a smart aleck who doesn’t know when to shut his mouth. Sure, keep telling yourself I’m the one missing out.”

Race rolled his eyes, raising an eyebrow in Spot’s direction. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you know who’s dropping the notes.”

“Nah, it’s just funny watching you be utterly clueless on your secret admirer.” Spot grinned, turning to the front of the room as their teacher started the lesson. “I wouldn’t worry too much about it if I were you.”

Race was distracted. Anyone within 10 feet of Race knew that he had a crush on Spot. But Spot had pushed off his advances for the last year, and Race knew he’d never see Race as anymore than a friend.

Shaking off those thoughts, Race picked up his pen and started writing down notes as the teacher flipped through the PowerPoint.

Lunchtime

He had stopped by his locker where another envelope, this time lime green, had fallen out. He had grabbed his lunch before sitting at the usual table. He was the first one there and had started to open the envelope when Kat sat down and gave him a look. “Two in one day?”

“Yea.” She was just as intrigued as he was to find out who the secret admirer was. “I was just about to open it.”

Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme

I heard through the grapevine

You’re going to be the Beast in Beauty & The Beast

Break a leg handsome

Kat squealed at the adorable message on the index card. “Racer, you have to find out who’s leaving you these. That was adorable.”

Race smiled, rereading the message before scanning the cafeteria. The school had over a 1,000 kids and it could’ve been any number of them. “But how Kat?”

“Hmmm ….” She was in deep thought as Jack and Crutchie slammed their trays down on the table and looked between the two.

“What did we miss?” Jack asked, kissing Kat’s cheek with a grin.

Race held up the lime green envelope before sliding it over to him. “Who all knows you’re gonna be the Beast?”

“I mean if anyone is paying attention during announcements, everyone could know.” Race rolled his eyes. “That doesn’t help me narrow it down. Is it bad that I’ve got a crush on whoever this is?”

“Trust me, I’ve got a crush on this person.” Kat grinned, pushing Jack’s face away. “But I’m happily taken.”

“Damn straight you are.” Jack mumbled.

Kat rolled her eyes before looking at Race. “You need to catch this person in the act. I think that’s the only way you’re gonna find out … unless they start fessing up.”

Race started thinking ahead to the next day. He was going to try to catch the person responsible for all the heartwarming notes in the act.

“By the end of the week, I’ll find out who’s doing this.” Race looked between his brothers and sister with a grin.

The Next Day

A yellow envelope greeted him as he stopped by his locker. So whoever was responsible for this got to school before 7:30, clue number one. His tongue stuck out between his lips as he opened the envelope and leaned against the lockers.

Happy Wednesday! I heard you’re curious about my identity! You’re bound and determined to figure out who I am. I’ll give you three clues. First, my nickname comes from an animal. Second, Slingshots usage should be a lesson in PE class. And thirdly, To Kill A Mockingbird is the best book ever written.

Putting the index card back in the envelope, Race was even more confused than when he started reading it. He read it again, trying to figure out if any of the clues meant anything to him.

“Didya get another one?” Kat asked, stopping by his locker, grinning at Race. She took the card when he offered it to her.

She read it, her eyes lit up at the message on the card. “Any idea?”

“None. Not even sure where to begin with that.” Race shook her head, frowning. “Do you have any clue?”

She bit her lip, shaking her head. “Let me think about it and we’ll regroup at lunch.”

He headed to English, twirling the envelope, thoughts confused with who it could be. Whoever it was, they had completely infiltrated his thoughts.

Just before lunch

He got his hall pass signed fifteen minutes before the lunch bell would ring. He was heading to his locker when he saw someone very familiar slipping a navy blue envelope into his locker. “You were the one that left all those notes for me?”

His secret admirer, one Spot Conlon, looked up at him with wide eyes. “Racer, what are you doing out here?”

“Had to go to the bathroom. What’s your excuse?” Race gave him a look, leaning up against the locker.

Spot grinned. “Had to drop this in your locker. Knew you’d stop here before lunch.”

“But why?” He tilted his head looking at one of his best friends. “You’ve been doing this for the last few weeks, why?”

Spot looked up at him. “Two reasons, really. One, I wanted to cheer you up - the last few weeks have been rough for you. And two, I like you, just didn’t know how to tell you. It was really nothing.”

Holding up the green envelope, Race laughed dryly. “These aren’t nothing, Spot. These made my heart warm and made me look forward to these. Have you seen me these last two weeks? I’ve been a damn mess. Also, I like you too. I just didn’t know how to tell you.”

“Yea, you have been. We’re both idiots.” Spot grinned, stepping closer to him. “Can I kiss you?”

Race nodded, as Spot leaned up and cupped his cheek before leaning forward, pressing their lips together in a sweet kiss. Race moved to deepen it as the lunch bell rang. Pulling back, Spot sighed. “Rain check for more?”

“Absolutely, hot stuff.” Race winked, opening up his locker, grabbing the envelope before slamming it shut. “So will these stop now that I know?”

“Only if you want them to.” Spot shrugged, walking beside Race towards the cafeteria.

Race shook his head adamantly. “Over my dead body. Don’t stop them. I actually love them and look forward to them. But you know Kat is all over trying to figure out who it is.”

“I’ll throw some in to get her off my tail.” Spot grinned. “Will you be my boyfriend?”

“Only if you’re mine in return.” Race winked, heading over to their normal table. He dropped his bag to the ground before starting to open the envelope.

Spot snatched the envelope and gave him a look. “One rule, you cannot read those around me.”

“Why?” Race reached to grab the envelope back as Spot gave him a look.

“It’s weird for you to read that while I’m around.” Spot shook his head. “Deal?”

Grabbing the envelope back, Race nodded. “Deal.”

Spot headed towards the lines to grab food while Race grabbed the index card.

You tell me that you're hurt and you're in pain

And I can see your head is held in shame,

But I just wanna see you smile again

See you smile again

Please just smile for me? You don’t know how bright your smile is in this crazy world. Never stop smiling, Racer.

Race smiled bright as Spot came back to the table. Sitting beside Race, Spot nodded to the card. “Good note?”

“I’ll never stop smiling.” Race grinned. “Good pick of lyrics. You’re a closeted boyband aficionado - One Direction lyrics. I’m impressed, Spottie.”

Present Day

“I cannot believe you kept all of those notes.” Spot shook his head, looking at the shoebox full of notes. “Why?”

Race grinned at his husband. “You poured your heart and soul into these. These led us to be boyfriends, there was no way I was getting rid of these. These index cards, in a way, made me fall in love with you.”

“Well when you put it that way.” Spot kissed him. “I did have a way of words. I just can’t believe it took Kat two months after you found out to figure it out. ”

“Jack found out before her.” Race chuckled. “You haven’t lost that at all. Love you Spottie.”

“Love you too Racer.”

Thanks @wide-eyed--wonderer for the prompt. I do not own the One Direction or the Beauty & The Beast Lyrics!!

[wonkasmissstarshine]

The Chocolatier’s Rose {Willy Wonka x OC} Ch.18

GIFs not mine. Credit go to owners.

Summary: Rose discusses her upcoming birthday with Willy, and he promises to her that he’ll make it the best birthday she’s ever had.

Tagging: @holdmeicant​ @willymywonkers​ @sleepiesapphicxoxo​

Charlie leaned against the window, watching Willy and Rose. The two of them were still hugging, then Willy whispered something in Rose's ear, causing her to smile. Then, their hug ended and Willy offered Rose his hand. She happily took it and then the two of them walked out of Charlie's sight.

"What are they doing now, dear?" Mrs Bucket asked as she got started on making breakfast.

"They're going for a walk" Charlie said. He stepped away from the window and sat at the table with Mr Bucket. "Rose's birthday is coming up very soon, and I want it to be really special for her this year"

Mr Bucket smiled at his son. "What were you thinking of doing for her, Charlie?"

"I was thinking of writing down a list of some of her favourite things and giving it to Mr Wonka. That way, I can help him plan a perfect day for Rose, and the two of them can spend it together" Charlie explained.

"That's a great idea, Charlie" Mrs Bucket said.

"I've got to start planning right away" Charlie grabbed a pen and notebook. He flipped it to the first empty page. "This needs to be a birthday that Rose will never forget"

******

Willy and Rose walked hand-in-hand along the chocolate river. It was a silent walk for the most part, as they were just enjoying each other's company. Rose started humming the tune to the song she was humming the night before.

"You have the most lovely hum I've ever heard" Willy complimented her.

"You could hear me humming?" Rose asked, becoming flustered. She only ever really hummed or sang in front of Charlie. "Well, I'm happy, and when I'm happy I tend to hum"

"Do I make you happy?" Willy asked her shyly.

"Of course you do, Willy" Rose told him. "Truth be told, I don't think I've ever been as happy as I am with you"

Willy furrowed his eyebrows. "Doesn't your family make you happy?"

"They do, yes" Rose nodded. "But it's a different kind of happy I feel when I'm with you"

"You make me really happy too, Rose" Willy confessed. Rose smiled at him, but then her expression changed. She became deep in thought. "What's wrong, starshine?"

"Oh, it's nothing important" Rose said quickly.

"Now, that can't be true" Willy gave Rose's hand a gentle squeeze. "You can tell me"

"Well, it's going to be my birthday in a matter of days" Rose explained. Willy smiled excitedly at the mention of it. "But, it's not something I like to make a big deal over"

"Why not?" Willy asked her as if she was the craziest person on the whole planet. "It's your birthday! It's meant to be a very special day!" His violet eyes sparkled with excitement "You know what I'm gonna do?"

Rose couldn't help but smile. She loved how excited Willy would get, even over silly things like her birthday. "What?"

"I'm going to make it the most special birthday in the history of birthdays!" Willy cheered, grabbing both of her hands. He began spinning her around. "Just you wait and see, my starshine! I'll make it a birthday you'll never forget"

******

Later that afternoon, Rose made her way to Mrs Mason's Magical Pies. She was still going to work at the shop. She just wasn't going to be there as often as she used to, considering that she now lived in the factory. The moment she entered the shop, her friends looked at her as if she was a ghost.

"I told you guys she didn't move!" Priscilla said.

"Then how do you explain the house, Cilla!" Eleanor challenged.

"What on Earth are you guys going on about?" Rose asked everyone.

Danny began to explain. "Well, we know that your birthday is coming up shortly"

Felix then added. "So we wanted to come over and ask you what kind of things you liked. You know, so we could plan a surprise party to your liking"

Danny groaned. "It not going to be much of a surprise party now, is it Felix?" He narrowed his eyes at his friend.

"Oops, my bad..." Felix muttered.

Rose laughed at her friends. She didn't realize that they cared for her that much to come, well, try to come to her house, just so they could ask her things to prepare a party for her. "If you guys must know, my family did move. In fact, we moved into the factory"

"Really?" Danny asked in surprise. "You all live in the factory now?"

Priscilla and Eleanor crowded around Rose. Both of them were boiling with curiosity. "And you took the house with you?" Priscilla asked first.

"That's bloody amazing!" Eleanor said. "How did you do it?"

"Actually, Willy was the one who moved the house into the factory" Rose explained. "I'm not sure how though, but he did have help from the Oompa-Loompas"

Felix's face contorted in confusion. "Oompa-Loompas?"

Rose nodded. "Willy's workers. They come from Loompaland" Her friends all just looked at each other, still confused at what Rose was talking about. Eleanor even mouthed 'Loompaland' unsure if she even heard Rose right. "Maybe you could all and come visit the factory some time. I'm sure Willy would be okay with it"

"We'd love that, Rose" Priscilla said, draping an arm over her shoulder. "And we can't wait to finally meet the man that has stolen our dear Rose's heart"

"I know Mrs Mason can't wait to see Mr Wonka again" Danny said, counting the cash in the register. It was something he did numerous times throughout the day. "She keeps going on and on about you two, saying things like "I can hear the wedding bells!" and "They remind me of my Albert and I when we were young and in love!" Honestly, that woman just doesn't stop"

"Where is Mrs Mason?" Rose asked. She hadn't come out to greet her yet. She usually was the first one who would.

"Out on a supply run" Felix explained. "She's needing to buy more and more because the shop gets busier and busier every day. So, that means she needs to double up on the supplies"

"In fact, business has been booming so well that she's decided to make and sell other desserts as well" Eleanor added. "You know, cookies, cakes, puddings. All that!"

"Speaking of cakes," Felix piped in excitedly. "Mrs Mason is making you a birthday cake! Says it's going to be the biggest one she's ever made!"

"Felix!" Priscilla, Eleanor, and Danny shouted at him.

"I wasn't supposed to say that, was I?"

Rose laughed again. Priscilla sighed, shaking her head and then she looked at Rose. "Try to act surprised when you see the cake?" Priscilla said. Rose put on the best surprised expression she could. Priscilla giggled at her. "Perfect!"

******

The Buckets were just about to sit down for lunch when there was a knock on the door. "I'll get it!" Charlie volunteered and then he went to the door. "Hello, Mr Wonka" He greeted the chocolatier.

"Hello, Charlie" Willy smiled, stepping into the house. "Hello, everyone" Willy greeted the other Buckets with a wave.

"Hello, Willy!" the Buckets greeted back.

"We were about so start lunch" Mrs Bucket said. "Would you like to join us?"

"Yes, please" Willy said. He sat down at the table with the others, sitting where Rose usually sat. "Rose isn't here, is she?"

"No" Mr Bucket said. "She went to see Mrs Mason and her friends"

"Good, because there's something I need to discuss with you. Rose has informed me that it will be her birthday in a few days"

"We were just discussing her birthday this morning" Grandpa Joe said. He looked at Charlie. "Weren't we, Charlie?"

Charlie nodded. "I want to give Rose a special birthday this year"

Willy smiled. "I was thinking the exact same thing! Perhaps we could think of something to do for her together?"

"Why don't you show him your list, Charlie?" Grandma Josephine suggested.

Charlie quickly grabbed his list and showed it to Willy. "It's a list of all her favourite things"

"This is wonderful!" Willy said once he read through the list. Some ideas were already starting to stir up in his head. "Of course, I'm still going to need your help, Charlie. No one knows Rose better than you do"

"I'd be happy to help" Charlie said.

"Oh, good!" Willy smiled. "I've also been making something very special just for Rose. Actually, I've been making something for her since the day after the tour..." He admitted with a shy blush. "Rose's birthday will be the perfect time to show her"

Charlie asked curiously. "What did you make for her?"

"Can you keep a secret?"

"Of course"

Willy then proceed to tell Charlie and the other Buckets about the special thing he had made for Rose. He really hoped that Rose would like it. But Charlie knew, just from what Willy described, that Rose absolutely would.