#more of aly thought blurts

[uselessnocturnal]

NOT GONNA LIE i had to reread the most recent case multiple times because i simply could not understand what this crypto finance bro was doing but Uhhhh rip my man at least it wasn’t mr bonzo that got you (hopefully)

[luludeluluramblings]

tbh I’m more intrigued by the idea of college-age Reader getting pregnant while unmarried still living in the manor and NO ONE has any idea who the father is (maybe she does, but she’s withholding that for now or maybe he’s not in the picture?) and it’s the biggest freak out ever. that just seems so fucking wild and potentially hilarious to me. and nobody noticing she’s pregnant until she’s farther along? or them finding out randomly?? imagine:

damian: you look pregnant. what is wrong with you.

reader: i am pregnant though

the batfam: ????????!!!!!!!!!! and then she proposes that now that she’s old enough and starting a new chapter in her life raising a baby and all she should just move out! (cue everyone disliked that meme)

Neglected!Pregnant!Reader x Yandere!Bat Family

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

Part Two

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

A/N: Okay, I think I'm about to become a Pregnancy!Reader writer. Which, I'm not mad about. Kind think it would be fun, but I know the trope isn't for everyone. So, if it’s not your thing, I’m sorry.

A/N: Some of this is based off of things from my own pregnancies.

A/N: Oh, no. Frick, I wanna make this a series now. Check the bottom, cause I have a plot idea for this and I want opinions on it. I spiraled, this was supposed to be a quick blurb. I got carried away. Gonna build up to the yandere shenanigans because I’m turning into a writer with a million WIPs.

A/N: Tagging @skay-ali because I like their The Forgotten Daughter series.

Warnings: Fem!Reader, Very minor Yandere Themes (like barely there), minor NSFW, graphic descriptions of pregnancy and medical procedures, Vomiting.

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

You don't really remember that night it happened. But, it only happened once and after you swore you'd never drink again. The hangover after that night had been one of the worst of your short life.

In fact, the sticky feeling between your legs and bitter taste on your tongue had also added to your decision to swear of these college parties. Luckily, you have enough of your memory to remember that you and your partner from that night had both been willing even when wasted. Even if you couldn't remember their name. Or, their face.

It takes you a while to notice. One missed cycle wasn't anything to freak out about, and it was exam season. The stress had probably caused the nausea. It wasn't until you were heading down to breakfast one morning and smelled the burnt eggs in the kitchen that Stephanie had burnt that you realized something might be wrong.

You, of course, ignore it. It was just a fluke. Burnt eggs weren't appetizing to anyone. But, then you nearly faint walking through the perfume section after looking to restock your favorite bottle of scent.

The doctor you finally went to another week later had asked about your cycle and the last time you had been intimate with someone. That's when the reality of things started to set in. You hadn't even thought to do an at home test to check. Your doctor was kind though, saying they could just do a quick urine sample and blood test just to make sure. It might be something else.

The next few minutes felt like ages. But, when the Doctor came back to tell you the positive results you panicked. Not as in panicked as in you broke down, but you threw up a mask. You're good at doing that. You must get it from your father.

When she asks you if this is good news or bad news you can't help, but blurt that it's good. Great even. Which causes her to beam at you. Before you know it, you're being handed a complementary diaper bag with formula and tiny bottles while being given the rundown on your possible due date and future appointments. You nodded you're head along with the information, sliding the paper's into the diaper bag as she hands them to you.

But, then she turns to you with delight and tells you that the Ultra Sound tech has an opening and you're just far along enough they can do your first ultrasound. It'll only be a thirty minute wait.

After nodding along once more, you go back into the waiting room. Holding your new bag with white knuckles and falling into deep thought.

This is happening. But, how? Are you even fit to be a parent? You've hardly ever been loved. How are you going to love someone else? How are you going to do this? What will the family think? What will your few friends think? You don't even remember who their father is. This is impossible. You're not ready. You'll never be ready. That churning feeling is in your stomach again and you feel that single piece of toast you had for breakfast about to come back up.

The thirty minutes fly by with those thoughts in your head. They still swirl in your head as your go back into the ultrasound room.

It's dark, but the tech had few soft lights on in the room. Its actually kind of... cozy.

What's not cozy it the tech telling you that she's going to stick a wand up your bits so you could see the baby. Your eyes screwing shut at the cold invasive feeling.

But, when you open them, she turns the screen for you to see. It's almost amazing how fast the image appears on the screen.

And, their moving. Actually moving. You end up laughing at the sight, causing the screen to flicker and the little blob to move. When the nurse plays the heart beat you can feel yours stuttering in your chest.

Watching them bounce in there with each laugh, it’s easy for the next words to spill out of your mouth.

“Oh, I’m gonna love you.”

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

Every step after that feels remarkably less lonely. It’s not just you anymore. You have someone who you’re going to love.

You don’t bother telling the Family. Bruce would just lecture you on being reckless while the other’s would judge you for it.

Honestly, you don’t care if they did. This is your baby.

Funnily enough, for a house full of detectives and highly intelligent vigilantes no one actually notices. Not even Cassandra. It’s a bit insulting how much they don’t pay attention. But, your symptoms soon make it so you don’t care.

The waves of exhaustion, the way everything smells strong and certain things make you want to gag. Heartburn that burns your throat. The subtle cravings that make you cry when you can’t fulfill them. Thankfully you finished your exams because you were too tired to even move from your bed most mornings due to strange nightmares.

Eventually, someone does notice. And, it’s not anyone you would expect.

Of all things you cried over on the pantry floor, it had to be salt and vinegar chips. They hadn’t been what you wanted, but it was too late to go get french fries and a smoothie at this hour in Gotham. And, you stuffed them down your throat with angry tears.

It was Stephanie of all people to find you. You gave her a sharp glare when she seemed to grow wide eyed. Normally you avoid her gaze, but you were quite pissed about having chips in your mouth and not fries. As her eyes grew wider, your nose wrinkled in further annoyance at her.

Just as you’re about to tell her off, she speaks.

“Do you— um, want something else?”

It’s pitiful how fast your snarl turns into a pleading pout.

“Yes, please. I want fries. I want Jokerized fries so badly.” You practically blubber when she gives you a pointed nod towards the car garage.

It takes you a bit to get off the floor despite the fact that your bump is hardly noticeable, but Stephanie noticed the extremely subtle curve.

“How far?” She asks hesitantly, looking from the bump to your face.

You also hesitant for a moment, looking up at her with tears on your cheeks and a serious look in your eyes. “14 Weeks.”

Her eyebrows raise and a wiry pout appears on her face. “Damn. You’re smaller than I was at that time, so not fair.”

The slightly surprised that information gives you almost makes you pause. But, if you had you would’ve probably toppled back down to the pantry floor.

“Explain on the way?” You ask, still a bit nervous. The two of you had never been close since you moved into the manor less than a handful of years back.

“Sure.” She grins, leading the way.

As you both walk, she whispers. “Does Bruce know?”

“Don’t know. Don’t care.”

“Ah.” Stephanie managed to hide the winces from you.

When you two finally make into the car, you’re already feeling better about life. You’re about to have your fries, and possibly a shake too. You didn’t expect to have any company, but surprisingly it’s nice.

Stephanie drives, and get the fries to go. Munching on them as Stephanie drives you back to the manor. Her sharing her own pregnancy experience.

"Wait, so Tim dated you when you were pregnant with another dudes kid? Babe, forget being me being small, you got game."

"Damn right I do." She says smugly, stuffing her own fries in her mouth. "So, um, do you wanna talk about what happened with you?"

And, just like that your mood shifts.

"No."

"Oh- Oh! I'm sorr-" She starts up, and you can tell she's assuming the worst.

"Don't you start, Stephanie." You interrupt with a pointed glare. "I don't want to talk about it because it's none of y'all's business."

That makes her cough on her french fry. "Wait, wait, what do you mean? Don't you want help?"

"Nah, I got it." Comes your stubborn reply, glaring out the window as you dip your fry into the cheesecake milkshake.

"... You should tell Bruce." She suggest after a moment of awkward silence.

"What? So he can ignore his grandchild, too?" Your filter is none existent with your hormones all out of wack.

"He doesn't ignore you-"

"Oh, yes the fuck he does." Your firmly state. Growing a bit heated. "Y'all all figgin do."

Stephanie is about to roll her eyes, chalking your words to you just being unreasonable. But, then the thought starts to creep upon her with each passing building when she realizes this is the first time she's actually hung out with you. Ever.

"I'm sorry." She murmurs to you. The silence falling over you both as the cars continues back to the manor.

"... I'm only forgiving you because you bought my fries..."

"Really?! That's all I had to do?"

"What? I was desperate for this- Wait! Hang on. Stop the car. Stop the car-"

"What? Why?! Are you- OH! Fuck!"

You ended up regurgitating up all the fries you had just eaten. Right into your lap.

"Oooo, that's nasty." Stephanie says, cracking the windows.

"Is it bad that I still want to eat them?" You mumble to her, eyeing the remaining fries.

"Please, please, wait till we get back or I'm gonna hurl, too."

"Fine." Comes your reply. Your eyes drifting shut for a moment. "If you tell anyone I'm gonna tell Cassandra about your crush on her."

"How did you- Frick, you are more like Bruce then I realize." Her voice going from panic to begrudging realization.

"Now, that's offenseive."

"Oh, come on. You're kids gonna have some of Bruce's DNA too."

"Eww. Eww. Don't remind me."

The banter between you both coming back with ease.

When you make it back to the manor, parting ways for the night. You feel at ease. You may have made have finally made a new friend in all this and gained a pillar of support.

As you shower and finish off your fries, you can't help but think about the apartments you had been looking at. Wondering what Stephanie will thinking of your nursery ideas.

Down in the cave, Stephanie slowly walks down the steps. Realizing this might have just gotten complicated.

"You okay, Steph?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m okay.”

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

A/N: Soooooo, what if, and hear me out, wee add some baby daddy drama to this?

A/N: Please note, I write a Reader that DID NOT grow up with the Bat Family, which means we could have some really really juicy drama here. But, we could just keep the options limited to just close friends of the Bat family.

A/N: What do y'all think? Baby Daddy drama? One of the Bat Boys the Daddy? One of the other vigilantes? Should I do a Baby Daddy poll? I just feel like this is an opportunity.

A/N: Also, Stephanie was a teen mom in some comics from my research. Which I think adds to this and gives her a better chance of bonding with Reader until shit goes down.

[endless-ineffabilities]

Official Business

President Aemond Targaryen x f!reporter reader

a/n: I caved in and listened to the depraved gremlins in my mind. I hope you enjoy this official intro, you're welcome.

also, thank the gods for Rue (@peachysunrize) for creating the hottest gif of all time.

themes/warnings: language, barely-there smut, infidelity, unequal power dynamic, gross misuse of a fancy desk, getting involved with a politician (also gross)

main masterlist

Update! - upcoming series

President Aemond demands the company of his favourite reporter, whom he has been eyeing for quite some time.

You try to walk with your head held high, but your clammy hands and racing heartbeat betray your nerves.

“President Aemond wishes for you to grace his suite,” was all they said. They, being two imposing bodyguards in impeccably tailored black suits, occasionally touching their earpieces as if confirming orders.

“What does he want?” you asked, your voice coming out weak and tentative. More importantly, why you?

They only shrugged, impassive. Whether they didn’t know or didn’t care, it wouldn’t matter anyway. The President always gets what he wants.

You’d only spoken to President Aemond in your capacity as a reporter, part of the small circle allowed to amplify his words to the public. The first time was at the annual Westerosi Gala, where he arrived with First Lady Floris Baratheon on his arm. Your colleagues whispered incessantly about how the uncut footage showed his gaze barely straying from you, even with his stunning aristocratic wife beside him.

Your supervisor even had the footage edited. “You don’t need the media vultures swarming you,” he reasoned, trying to sound reassuring.

Now, after covering yet another event in Highgarden, it seems you’ve been summoned for an exclusive interview in the President’s suite. You hope that’s all it is.

After all, you can’t be another victim of President Aemond’s wandering eye. Socialites like Alys Rivers and Lara Lannister had been publicly shredded after being exposed as his mistresses.

You never understood his affairs. They seemed so juvenile, reckless even for the youngest President ever elected. Barely thirty and in the highest position imaginable. And yet, what truly baffled you was why Floris stayed.

“Ma’am, the Presidential Suite,” one of the guards states as he opens a set of ornate ivory doors for you. “The President is waiting inside.”

Your feet move automatically, sparing you from blurting something that would inevitably fall on deaf ears. But as you cross the threshold, you turn and ask, “Will you be waiting to escort me back to – ”

The doors shut behind you. Of course.

The suite is grand – no expense was spared for the President. A perfect blend of classic Valyrian architecture, all white marble and gold accents. It’s more impressive than you could have imagined, having marvelled at the Highgarden Hotel from the outside for years.

“Come,” you hear a voice command, smooth and authoritative, from the room to the left of the main parlour. 

You head in that direction, mentally steeling yourself. Just get this over with.

There he is, leaning casually against a wide desk, dressed sharply in a tailored blue suit and crimson tie. The moonlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows catches the scar across his left eye, the glint of his prosthetic eye giving him an almost sinister allure. The kind that draws people in despite themselves.

Maybe it wasn’t immaturity driving his affairs. Maybe he was just too beautiful to resist. You roll your eyes at the stupid thought, surprised with yourself.

“Something amusing?” His voice is tinged with laughter.

Gods, you just rolled your eyes in front of the President.

“N-no,” you stammer, immediately flustered. “I’m sorry, Mister President. It’s just... I thought of something funny. Not about you! I mean, I’m sure you can be funny, but - ”

“Relax, angel,” he chuckles, raising a hand to stop your rambling. The term “angel” lingers in the air, branding itself into your mind.

You quickly introduce yourself, fumbling through your full government name like a nervous schoolgirl.

“We’ve met before,” he reminds you, smirking. “Am I that forgettable?”

“No, I know we have,” you nod quickly, “just not in such a… private setting.”

The corner of his mouth quirks at your choice of words, and his gaze sweeps over you with an intensity that sends heat rushing through your body. He hums softly, and the sound settles uncomfortably low in your stomach. Gods, get it together.

“I was told you wanted to see me, Mister President?”

“Aemond,” he corrects. 

You nod, offering your nickname in return, but he only smiles, shaking his head slightly. “Thank you, but I think I’ll stick with ‘angel.’”

Weird, considering how this is your first proper conversation with him, you think, but nod regardless.

He gestures to the plush chairs in front of the desk. “Sit, please.”

You comply, smoothing your dress nervously. Thankfully, it’s modest enough – a safe choice that flows just above your knees.

“How are you?” he asks, his voice polite but edged with something else. Part of you wishes he’d just get to the point, but another part – one you’d rather not acknowledge – wants to stay, to drink in the sight of him. Aemond Targaryen, the most powerful man in Westeros, and he’s looking at you like you’re the only person in the world.

“I’m doing well,” you reply, your smile faltering under his heavy gaze.

He hums again, eyes dipping to your lips. That same maddening hum that sets your nerves alight.

“You must be wondering why I asked for you tonight,” he says, leaning forward slightly. “I wanted us to get better acquainted. You’ve caught my attention, angel. I find you… intriguing.”

“But you don’t know me,” you counter quickly, heart racing.

“I know more than you think,” he says, eyes narrowing playfully. “You studied at the Casterly Rock Institute for Journalism. Top of your class, until your grades dropped in your final year because you were taking care of your ailing aunt. That says more about you than any degree.”

He continues, “You’re an only child. Estranged from your parents, especially your mother, after she remarried. You’ve moved city to city since, keeping your distance. Avoiding attachments, especially romantic ones.”

You freeze, his words hitting too close to home. There’s an amused lilt to his voice at the end, and you desperately want to respond with a defensive retort, but you hold your tongue. You like your job after all. He’s the President. One call and he could have you right back in the unemployment pool.

“Am I correct?” His lips curl into a knowing smirk.

You manage a small nod. Damn him.

“How do you know all this?” you ask quietly, stunned. You wonder if there are hidden cue cards somewhere in the room, informing him of the details of your relatively uneventful life. There is no way he actually made the effort to memorise all these details about you. But then again, he is the Commander-in-Chief of the country. He must have trained himself to know everything about everyone. You’re not special – just another face in his immediate vicinity. 

“I make it my business to know people,” he replies smoothly. “Especially those who interest me.”

He reaches out to take your hand, pulling you gently to stand before him as he perches on the edge of his desk. The proximity is intoxicating. “And you, angel, have caught my eye. You’re the object of my desire. Can you say the same of me?”

His words leave you breathless, the floor slipping from under you. You’re no better than the others, drawn into his orbit. “I’d be an idiot not to find you attractive, Aemond.”

He smirks. “I adore the way you say my name.”

“There’s nothing special about the way I say it.”

“There is,” he insists, his voice low and rough as his hand moves to smooth a stray hair from your face. “You’re so fucking beautiful, angel.” His expletive takes you aback, so unbecoming of someone of his status. 

“I’m not a fool,” you shoot back, forcing yourself to remain steady. “I’ve heard about your... doings.”

“My doings?” He raises an eyebrow, amused.

“You’re married obviously,” you say bluntly. “And you’ve had affairs. Women like Alys Rivers, Lara Lannister…”

He doesn’t flinch. “I’ve had lovers, yes, but my marriage is... loveless. Floris and I, we’ve always been an arrangement for political convenience.”

“That doesn’t justify anything.”

He steps closer, his eyes darkening. “I’m trapped. I can’t leave her. It would destroy my reputation. But she has her own lovers too.”

“And so you feel entitled to have yours?”

He breathes deeply, gaze unwavering. “Not just anyone. I want you, angel. Only you.”

You feel yourself dangerously close to giving in, especially when his gaze drops to your lips and he shamelessly licks his own. Desperate to stay composed, you ask, “Am I just another lover to add to your collection? I may be a lowly journalist compared to you, Mister President, but I have a reputation to protect too.”

“I know this, angel,” he whispers, his voice softer now, yet drawing closer with every word. “I’ll protect you.”

“Did you protect Alys? Or Lara? Or the others?” you challenge, though your voice falters.

“They orchestrated their own downfall,” he says coolly, his expression unreadable. “They used me for power. That was out of my hands.”

Oh. His words momentarily rattle your resolve, but you shake your head, trying to pull yourself out of the spell he’s weaving over you. “No, this is wrong,” you murmur, the words weak on your tongue. But his warm breath fans your face, luring you into the same madness he claims to feel.

“Is this wrong?” he whispers, his lips grazing yours – featherlike, teasing, barely there. Then, as if something shifts within him, he kisses you again, harder this time, his mouth pressing hungrily against yours. His tongue traces the curve of your bottom lip, sending a rush of heat through your body as you teeter on the edge of reason.

You cave, for a few seconds, letting your lips dance with his own in a battle for dominance. You elicit a growl out of him, and he picks you up and swaps your bodies so that you are perched atop his desk. 

“Gods,” he purrs, against the heat of your neck. “Sweeter than I imagined. You’re a fucking angel.” His gaze is arresting as his hands slide from your ankles to the hem of your dress, lifting it higher and higher until your moist panties are exposed to the cool air. 

You collect yourself as if hit by a dizzying wave of whiplash, pushing him away with a sharp shove. “Stop – wait, Mister Pres – Aemond…”

He stumbles, lips swollen and slick, his good eye darkened, pupil blown wide. “Right, sorry…” His breath comes heavy as he averts his gaze, and you smooth your dress down, feeling the weight of the moment between you. He straightens, his posture stiffening as if suddenly remembering who he is. “I didn’t mean to push you, angel.”

“You didn’t –”

“It was wrong of me to –”

“Aemond,” you cut in softly, your hand slipping between you to squeeze his in reassurance. “It’s okay. I wanted it too.”

A genuine smile blooms on his lips, innocent and sweet, but it fades just as quickly at your next words. “But this can’t happen again. We can’t happen.”

"Why not?" His voice is low, measured, but there’s an edge to it. "Why can’t we? You say you wanted it too."

“We both know why,” you murmur, your voice trembling despite your best efforts. You turn to leave, but hesitate just long enough to say, “Goodbye, Mister President.”

“Angel,” he calls softly, and it’s the only word he offers.

As you step out of his suite, the door closing behind you with a quiet finality, a thought begins to take root, unsettling in its persistence – he never actually said goodbye.

And deep down, you know this isn’t over. Something stirs in your chest, an uneasy certainty - while this is the first of these kinds of encounters, it won’t be the last. 

Taglists (refer here to be added)

vhagar - @gwaynehightowerswhore @kravitzwhore @litchifaerie @g-cf2020 @noxytopy @fan-goddess @m00n5t0n3 @diannnnsss @nsr-15 @the-awkward-barbie @rockstwrsz @yellowstonebaby @urdeftonesgrrrl @eddieslut69 @callsigncrushx @starwarsdinosaur @qweq-6802 @tulips2715 @hotdismylife @joyismm @itseunaimonia @just-mj-or-not @crystal-siren @zaldrizzes @all-for-aemond @ajantanijhum @darylandbethfanforever9 @vhwyrm @purpleskiesandroses @technicallystrangereview @jjkysnk @anukulee @decaffeinatedparadisepost @iloveallmyboys @inesdiary96

Targaryen - @angel6776 @different-tale-student @binchissimo @teasweeter @raging-panda @rhaenys-nyra @gelacat0413 @simplymurdock @yariany02 @barnes70stark @stupid---person @lonan-hane @thescooponsof @donalesaa @rosey1981 @misssanzthings @urmomsgirlfriend1 @wabi-sabi1090 @girl-lost-not-found

Some notes in the margins...

Knowing me, this will inevitably turn into more than just a oneshot. Do bookmark this or my masterlist to keep updated! Or you may join the taglist using the link above ~

[flowerandblood]

Robbed and gifted (2/6)

[ arranged marriage • modern!Aemond x female ]

[ warnings: mention of sex and cheating, fluff ]

[description: (Anon Request) She and Aemond are faced with a situation, where they must form a fictitious marriage. They are complete strangers to each other, who cannot find themselves in a new reality. When his wife stands up for him at a family dinner, something changes between them. Smut, angst and a lot of sexual tension.]

* English is not my first language. Please, do not repost. Enjoy! *

Previous and next chapters: Masterlist

_____

Aemond woke up feeling more guilty than ever. He cheated on his longtime partner. He wanted to justify himself with alcohol, but he knew that he wasn't drunk then. No matter how he looked at it, he wasn't seduced either.

He put his hand in between her thighs, he literally threw himself on her like an animal and even though he assured her that he would stop, he didn't.

The truth was he'd been frustrated ever since he'd seen her at the Registry Office. He hoped to see an empty, defiantly painted, stupid girl who only wanted his money and his family's company.

When he saw her he thought painfully, that she looked surprisingly normal. She was pretty, had a soft face and large eyes, with a pleasant figure. She looked pale and ashamed, just like him.

When she came to his apartment to ruin his life, he felt like he was going to lose his mind. He was a loner, his apartment was his sanctuary and cave, even Alys he brought there reluctantly, preferring to meet at her house.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a stranger entered his private space, took one of his rooms, making him no longer feel at home. The first nights he went to Alys because he couldn't stand it.

"What is she like?" Alys asked, looking at him with a slight, rakish smile, seeing his frustration as she took a swig from her glass. He rolled his eye, frustrated that he was bringing up the subject again.

"I don't know. We don't talk." He said coolly, toying with his glass in his hand. Alys giggled, running her long fingers along his arm.

"Should I be worried about her?" She asked softly, almost in a whisper, sensually. He swallowed harder at the sound of her voice, feeling the desire.

"Don't be silly." He murmured as slid his hand into her hair, pulling her firmly against him, pressing his lips against hers.

After a few days, however, he needed to work in peace, and being in Alys's apartment he couldn't concentrate. He went back to his apartment, resigned.

He agreed to all this only for his father. Because his father asked him for something for the first time in his life. Before, Aemond had felt like he might not exist to him.

Of course he talked to him, but just like to everyone else. He didn't understand when other parents said, that their children were special to them. He didn't know what that meant.

If he was special to anyone, it was Alys.

When he got up and saw her in the kitchen, he wanted to back out. He decided he couldn't be that oversensitive, and he wanted a cup of coffee anyway.

He walked over to her, pretending not to see her and the pile of sandwiches that she had prepared for them. He knew that she was already thinking something up in her head, and he didn't like it. However, it was the remark about her college that unnerved him.

As was his habit, he blurted out his words faster than he thought. He locked himself in his office, sat down in front of his desk, and ran his hand over his face.

He knew full well that he was taking it out on her. Even if she did it for money, no one forced him either - he could refuse.

He immediately felt remorse.

He even considered standing up and apologizing her for the outburst, pointing out that any warming of relations between them was not real for him.

However, she herself made his task easier by closing herself completely, disappearing from his line of sight. He felt like he was living alone again.

He tried to pretend to be content and indifferent, but he knew that he was treating her like an unwanted dog that he had locked in one of the rooms and pretended, that she wasn't there. He knew that she didn't deserve it, but he didn't do anything about it.

When his father invited them to dinner, he knew he couldn't refuse. He wanted to vomit at the thought that they both had to pretend, or worse, that something might come out. There was nothing he could do.

They went there together.

He didn't know what possessed him to put his hand on her thigh. He decided that since he hardly said anything to her or looked at her, he had to at least physically pretend that there was any closeness between them. He tried not to think about how warm and soft her skin felt under his fingers, how close his hand was to her panties.

For some reason she was wearing a dress without wearing a bra, which immediately caught his attention. She looked pretty and girlish, the complete opposite of his gloomy and mutilated appearance. He thought that in normal life she would never look at him, and the thought made his lips tighten.

When his father said out loud, in front of the whole family, that he wasn't dedicating himself to the company as much as he should have, he wanted to burst out laughing.

Something inside him snapped then, and he was on the verge of doing or saying something very, very bad. When his wife spoke suddenly with a certainty and directness that he had never seen before, he was completely stunned.

Alys, though so faithful and devoted to him, would never speak to his father that way, because she would lose her job.

She wouldn't risk her good position for him.

He told himself that he didn't blame her, that she was older than him and had a right to stability, not wanting to take a risk. For some reason he felt pain, that the only person who had publicly defended him from his father was a complete stranger. The thought broke him.

He thought about it all the way back to the apartment. He thought that maybe she was right. Maybe he demonized her too much, wanting to personalize her as the source of all his problems when, in fact, it had always been his father.

He decided that at least he would try to treat her more gently, like a colleague from work who rented a room with him.

That at least he owes her that much.

When she told him about her mother, how she'd pretended that she didn't exist, something snapped inside him once again that evening. He felt that he had to touch her.

That he had feel her.

He fucked her so greedily that he couldn't breathe and she moaned so sweetly, her body tightening around him so wonderfully, that he just came inside her. He forgot about Alys, about his father, about everything.

Then he realized what he had done and locked himself in his bedroom again. He got into bed and just lay there, staring at the ceiling. He wondered how he could do this to Alys.

He had never cheated on her before, never even thought about it. Although they often went to business banquets where there were plenty of pretty, rich girls, he was never tempted by them, feeling their vanity.

He couldn't get the smell of her hair out of his nose, her sweat, her sweet perfume that she had to use before leaving for dinner.

He couldn't forget how hot her thighs and insides felt as he slid inside her, how tight her fleshy walls pressed against him, how fervently she responded to his every thrust. He felt despairingly as his cock throbbed painfully hard in his pants.

He wanted to cry.

In the morning he heard her softly open the door and go into the kitchen. He heard the sound of the fridge opening. He wondered if she would try to talk him into having breakfast with him again. He knew he would not agree.

But she didn't do anything like that. He heard her silently shut herself back into her room a few minutes later. He decided that he had to get up now if he didn't want to be late for work.

This time he went out, took a quick shower and made himself some coffee. He found himself glancing at her room door from the middle of the living room, but she didn't come out to talk to him. He wondered if she was as devastated by what had happened between them as he was.

Resigned, he drove to the office feeling terrible. He thought that he had to tell Alys everything or he would go crazy. He decided that she knew him well enough to see immediately that something was wrong.

He thought of himself so far that he was a good partner and a man. That although he was good at it. It turned out, that he was also crippled in this regard.

He entered the bank's office building, tapping his card, the automatic door beeping open for him. Aegon greeted him inside, hungover as usual, pressing a cold bottle from the vending machine to his forehead. When he saw him, he smiled at him.

“Oh, this is our lucky newlywed. Although your wife has balls in this relationship." He said with a smile as he sat up with a hiss, clutching his head.

"Fuck, my head is about to burst." He spoke low, but Aemond said nothing at all to his words.

He opened his laptop and sighed as he saw ten new e-mails. He was annoyed to see that some of them were Aegon customers, who had been unable to reach him.

"Would you mind finally doing your job, instead of drinking yourself to death every night?" He hissed as he sat down at his desk, going through the papers that his assistant had just laid out for him moments earlier. Aegon rolled his eyes at his words.

"Once you talk to them, once I talk to them, it's teamwork." He said lightly, and Aemond looked him up and down.

He opened his mouth to tell him what he thought of him, but saw Alys through the glass wall walking down the hall. She smiled at him and waved at him. He felt a tightness in his pit. Aegon spoke up, amused.

"Does your wife know that you're fucking her? Or do you do triangles? You'd invite your brother, wouldn't you?" He asked, but Aemond just got up and walked past him, following her out.

He caught up with Alys, and she looked at him, surprised. They determined that they behaved professionally in the office and tried not to talk to each other, with small exceptions for sex in the toilet.

"I want to talk to you. In private." He said low, his jaw clenched. Alys frowned at his tension.

"Something happened?" She asked, looking around.

Aemond took her by the arm, and they both entered one of the storerooms. He closed the door behind him, leaned against a metal bookcase and ran his hands over his face, sighing heavily. Alys looked at him expectantly. He thought it was pathetic, but he wanted to cry.

"I slept with her." He whispered without looking at her, his face still buried in his hands. He heard her inhale sharply. She stopped with her arms folded, he heard her breathing differently.

"She seduced you?" She asked, her voice trembling slightly. He swallowed loudly. He couldn't get the words out that were burning in his throat.

“No.”

There was a long, awkward silence between them. He glanced quickly at Alys and saw that her full, lightly colored lips were twitching slightly.

He couldn't bear to see her suffer.

He knew that he had hurt her.

"Is that all you have to say to me?" She asked and laughed under her breath, but it was laughter through tears. He looked at her with pain.

"I don't know what possessed me." He said, but immediately heard how pathetic it sounded. She shook her head at his words.

"Something possessed you? A demon entered you and suddenly when you regained consciousness, you fucked her?” She asked in pain, trying not to cry, covering her mouth with her hand.

She ran a finger through her lashes, not wanting her makeup to smear. Her entire body was trembling. He didn't dare touch her.

"Why? Because she's younger and prettier?" She asked, and he squeezed his eye shut, feeling that he was about to cry himself.

"No." He whispered weakly, exhaling loudly, feeling he was out of breath. She stared at him in disbelief.

"Can you promise me that this will never happen again? Will you divorce her and it will be as it used to be?" She asked, standing with her arms folded. He cleared his throat, running his hand over his chin.

“In two years this marriage will no longer exist. I promise." He whispered, looking pleadingly at her. Alys pursed her lips.

"Are you kidding me?" She asked in a trembling voice. "Aren't you going to divorce her now?"

Aemond stared at her wide-eyed, completely stunned. He closed and opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.

"You know … you know, what I agreed with my father." He mumbled.

"And what have you agreed with me? It doesn't mean anything anymore? You promised!" She said covering her face.

She shook her head, walked past him and left the room, leaving him alone. He squeezed his eye shut, leaning the back of his head against the bookshelf, trying his best not to start sobbing like a baby.

After work, he returned home. Alys didn't answer his calls, he knew, that she didn't want to see him. The truth was he didn't even have the strength to apologize to her or fight for her forgiveness. He thought it was pathetic, but he decided to leave it like that for now.

When he entered the apartment, he saw that the light was on in the kitchen. He shuddered at the thought that she was there, that they would look at each other for the first time since the thankless night of yesterday.

He walked slowly into the living room, glancing towards the kitchen. He saw her big, frightened eyes, her pursed lips and pale face. She was wearing a crop top and shorts, her hair loose and slightly damp, as if she had just taken a shower. He thought that she'd taken a bath before he got home, so she wouldn't run into him.

"You came back early." She spoke softly, her voice trembling slightly. She sounded like she was explaining why he'd seen her at all.

"I'm going to finish making dinner and go to my room in a minute. It's cauliflower soup, if you feel like it, help yourself." She said, swallowing hard as she turned back to the pot.

He looked at her impassively. Her long, shapely legs, soft, shiny hair. He smelled her shampoo again in his nose, the same smell that he had felt yesterday when he fucked her. He felt his manhood pulse again in his pants.

He thought that he was distraught and desperate.

He had no strength left.

He approached her slowly, saying nothing. She looked at him in surprise over her shoulder, he saw her purse her lips and blush slightly, embarrassed, dropping her gaze. He knew that she was embarrassed by what had happened between them. She couldn't even look at him.

He felt her draw in a sharp breath and jump in place as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, pressing his face against her hair. He felt the warmth of her body, her ass against his hard cock, the scent of her hair and her skin filling his chest again.

He wondered what he was doing, but decided that he just wanted affection. He knew for some reason that she could give him what he needed, and he flocked to her like a moth to a light.

"It's been a terrible, terrible day." He whispered softly, tired and resigned.

He felt her body tremble before him, her breathing ragged. He knew that she felt how hard he was. He heard her swallow loudly. He felt a pleasant shiver as she placed her small hand on his, stroking it gently.

"I know." She whispered just as softly, and for some reason that two words, that warmth that came from her lips, her understanding of his condition made him cry.

He began to sob quietly, unable to stop himself, squeezing his eye tightly. He felt her flinch, all scared. She wanted to turn to him but he wouldn't let her.

He buried his face in her hair, hugging her so tightly, that he felt as if he would strangle her. She wrapped her arms around his, stroking them soothingly.

"Shhh. I know." She said, her voice breaking on the last word.

Only when he heard her quiet sobs did he let her turn towards him, all red with tears, snuggle into his chest. She hugged him so tight that he was out of breath. He threaded his hands into her hair, her fingers tightening on the fabric of his shirt. He pressed his face against her neck, letting his disappointment and tension flow for the first time in many years.

He cried, because he realized that despite having made such a great sacrifice, he had not earned his father's love and respect. His father tricked him by waving it in his face.

He cried, because he had hurt Alys, but he knew,that it wasn't the betrayal that hurt her the most. He couldn't assure her that it wouldn't happen again, because he wasn't sure what was going on between them.

He could imagine the next day with her, but not their old age together. Not their children. He put off getting engaged until he married a total stranger and made her watch.

He cried, because he was overloaded with work and couldn't keep up anymore. He wanted someone to help him, but neither Aegon nor Helaena could do that for him.

Helaena was even mentally weaker than him, and Aegon was totally fucked. Jace and Luke were triumphant, but only because Daemon was putting things under their noses. They never worked for anything on their own, like he did.

He grabbed her by the hips and slowly carried her towards his bedroom. She wrapped her legs around his waist, sniffling loudly, and looked around the room in shock. She couldn't see much from crying, everything was blurry.

Aemond placed her on his bed and lay down next to her. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to his chest, burying his nose in her hair, stroking her head reassuringly.

He knew that she was crying now too, for her own reasons. He knew that he was one of them. He kissed her forehead, pressing her body tighter against him, wanting to feel her as much as possible.

"Sleep with me tonight."

_____

Aemond Taglist:

(bold means I couldn't tag you)

@its-actually-minicika @notnormalthings-blog @nikstrange @zenka69 @bellaisasleep @k-y-r-a-1 @g-cf2020 @melsunshine @opheliaas-stuff @chainsawsangel @iiamthehybrid @tinykryptonitewerewolf @namoreno @malfoytargaryen @qyburnsghost @aemondsdelight @persephonerinyes @fan-goddess @sweethoneyblossom1 @watercolorskyy @astral-blossoms @randomdragonfires @amirawritespoorly @apollonshootafar @padfooteyes @darylandbethfanforever9 @fudge13

Others: @thedamewithabook @godrakin @snh96 @statixcane @toodlesxcuddles

[vhagarlovebot]

Could you write something like this: modern Aemond and reader spent one night together and when Aemond was sleeping, she saw Alys calling him on telephone and she assumes he had invited Alys for sex and she leaves immediately and thinks how stupid of her it was to think that Aemond may like her and not play with her feelings. Then she ignores him for like 1 week, although he called her many times but she didn't answer. And when she is in campus again Aemond of course is there and confronts her about her behaviour and then she learns Alys isn't Aemond's secret lover and fluffy ending?

it was an horrible week for you. it all started to go downhill the second you decided to grab aemond’s phone and take some selfies while he was in the shower. everything was going fine until he received a text from alys rivers. that same alys you know is his ex-girlfriend. it was compromising and even though you sweared you wouldn’t let aemond break your heart, it happened.

you left before aemond came out of the bathroom and didn’t answer his phone calls or texts, you still haven’t answered anything; it’s easier to just cut everything that way. at least that’s what you say to yourself, because you won’t be the one he settles for just because he can’t have her. you really thought things were going well between you two, but oh how wrong you were.

you’re walking to your first class of the day with your head hanging low and trying to go unnoticed. if it were up to you, you would have stayed in bed all day, just as you‘be been doing for the past couple of days, but your best friend dragged you out of your dorm the second she saw you awake. ‘you can’t hide forever’ she has said.

“i was wondering when would you leave your room.” aemond says, showing up in front of you. he has a smirk on his face but his brows are furrowed as he scans your face.

“i was sick.” you simply answer, walking around him and not waiting for him, or for anything he has to say. but you know aemond doesn’t give up so easily, so he follows you, walking by your side.

“you were perfectly fine two days ago picking up your take out.” you stop for a second, looking at his bright blue eyes surprised. “i know you weren’t sick, so please stop with whatever this is,” he gestures between the both of you and takes a step closer. “and tell me why were you ignoring me?”

you roll your eyes, shoulders tensing as you avoid making eye contact. but aemond grabs your chin, his touch sending shivers down your spine.

this is exactly what you didn’t want.

“i have nothing to say.” you pull away, heart aching. but you don’t miss the change in his demeanor.

“i thought we were—”

“what?” anger bubbles in your chest the more he presses on the matter. “you really thought i was going to be okay with being your little consolation prize?” you blurt out, starting to walk again, using his shock to get away from him.

just when you think he’s finally going to leave you alone, you are stopped by him again, this time grabbing your wrist. but you don’t turn around and he feels like everything is just too much, so aemond simply wraps his arms around your waist, head resting on top of yours.

“i really don’t know what you’re talking about.” he’s being honest, you can sense it in his voice. but you are too stubborn to just let everything go.

“alys rivers.” that’s all you need to say for him to understand.

“she doesn’t mean anything to me.” aemond turns you around in his arms, his intense gaze making you feel small.

“it seems she still—”

“alys is my past and i can’t change my past.” his serious face makes you want to hide and cry, but then his expression softens and his hands cup your face. “you are my present and my future.” he caresses your cheeks with his thumb and you melt into him, hiding your face in the crook of his neck, inhaling his perfume. “silly girl, what is it going to take for you to believe my feelings are real?”

but you don’t answer him, you are going to have plenty of time to talk about it. right now you just want to be held by him because being in his arms it’s all you need to forget about the world.

[naiatabris]

Day 1: "First Time"

Fellow BG3 addicts! Have you seen the BG3 February Writing/Creativity Challenge? 29 days of prompts for creativity of all kinds!

This is a little drabble that I couldn't quite mold into a full fic (it was actually a discarded part of "be selfish for me"). It technically responds to the NSFW day 1 prompt, "First Time," but it's a SFW look at how I think the leadup to the first time would have gone for Gale and my sorcerer Alys. I hope you enjoy!

***************

"I can't do this, Gale." Alys shifted away from him as she fought the urge to cry. Tears sprung to her eyes; through the moisture, Gale’s brilliant sky looked even more lovely, and seemed even more devastating. "If you're planning to kill yourself, don't ask me to help you accept it.”

"Alys. I—you know what we face." Gale's expression was sorrowful. "Gods know I have no wish to do this. But Mystra's orders…"

"I don’t give a damn what Mystra ordered," Alys snapped.

She hated how her voice sounded in that moment—childish, petulant, jealous. Once she would have thought that jealousy was beneath her. But she'd spent weeks—months, really—longing for Gale, drawn to his kindness and his brilliance, wishing he would look at her and see more than a magical colleague.

It felt hopeless, though. Alys didn't lack for self-confidence, but even she doubted her ability to compete with a goddess for Gale's heart. She didn't think he was blind to her charms; he'd given her compliments here and there, told her she was radiant after battle. But none of it had led to anything more than words, and blaming Mystra was the easiest and most satisfying way to deal with her disappointment.

Then again, Mystra damn well deserved some blame.

"I don't know what she's playing at, casting you off without a word and then popping back up to tell you to end your own life, but I am not going to help her talk you into it," she continued heatedly.

Gale’s expression pleaded for understanding; his eyes were wide and open, his expression pained. "Alys, I…"

"Stop," she ordered, fighting tears as a torrent of emotion rushed through her.

"If you would just listen…"

 "I'm in love with you, Gale Dekarios," she blurted, the words pouring from her like water from an upended jug, fast and messy and impossible to stop. "And you don't feel the same way and that's fine, but don't you dare ask me to—to sit here under a sky you made to help yourself make peace with dying."

"I made the sky for you!"

Alys had been planning to spring to her feet and storm off. But that changed things. She felt her mouth gape open in the most ridiculous way. "For… me?"

"Yes, for you," Gale said, exasperated. "Because I'm trying to tell you that I'm in love with you. Only now you've said it first and I'm going to have to discard the entire speech I had planned." He shook his head, a little smile playing on his lips despite his irritated tone. "You have the most infuriating yet delightful way of putting me off balance."

He reached for her hand, taking it in his, and Alys twined her fingers against his, scarcely daring to breathe. Gale’s eyes met hers, and she saw an apology in them.

“You really didn’t know?” he asked softly.

Alys shook her head. “I—I thought you could, maybe, if things were different. But it seemed that you had so much else on your mind. I couldn’t imagine there might be room for me.”

“Oh, Alys.” He swallowed, closing his eyes briefly. “I wish—gods, how I wish I had the time to do this properly. To say it all better, to court you the way you deserve. But time is…”

Alys didn’t want him to finish that sentence. She didn’t want to hear him say that his time was short, that his sacrifice was the only way. So she leaned forward and stopped the words with a kiss, gentle and eager, filled with all her affection and warmth and longing. 

And Gale kissed her back, and for that moment as their lips touched, it felt as if they had all the time in the world.

[amihyperfixatingagain]

A love confession

“I threw that fight… with the halfling.” I blurt it out without thinking. Her face says she was lost in her own thoughts before I interrupted. 

“What?”

“The halfling,” I poke the fire with my stick, trying to decide how to continue, “I could’ve beat him without even breaking a sweat. A couple good punches, and he would’ve been out. It was supposed to be short and sweet. Something to keep the people entertained between the bigger fights that night. Everyone put their money on me to win, but I fucked it up.”

The firelight dances across her face as she sits there staring at me. She’s focused. I continue. 

“It was just one of those days. I couldn’t stop thinking about my sister, and I got stuck in my brain. I purposefully missed punches. I left my flanks open and took blows I should’ve easily dodged. It’s not like he hit hard, but he was fast. I think he knew he would lose, and that’s why he brought those claws. Anything to give himself even the slimmest chance.” I pause, holding the memory behind my eyes and reliving the burn of the claws raking up my face. “These scars remind me daily of my failures. How I couldn’t save my sister. I wanted to feel something so bad; I just had to go and make it permanent.” a nervous chuckle escapes, trying to mask the anxiety in my stomach. “But I’d much rather have these scars than lose someone I love again.” 

“Why are you telling me this?” Her words were soft, full of gentle curiosity. 

“I would take all the scars in the world to keep you. Any slice. Any stab. Any tear of my flesh, I would take it tenfold for you. To keep you safe. To keep you alive. To love you.”

———

After debating posting this for a hot minute and with the kind encouragement from an internet stranger and from my dear friend who told me to post it to begin with, I decided to finally share a piece of writing. I've never considered myself a writer (I'm very much a math kid), but this OC has been living in my head rent-free for years. I could easily talk about her for hours, as I'm sure many people could about their own OCs.

For a smidge of context, my OC, Aly, is a half-elf fighter in a D&D 5e campaign (I don't want to hear anything about us playing 5e; get over it). She has existed at the edges of my mind for as long as I can remember, but I only finally discovered her name and wrote a fully fleshed-out backstory a few years ago. Anyway, she and my DM's PC, Christina, are stuck in a slow burn (I love it so much), and I have been ruminating on how Aly might admit she loves Christina in the future. Hence the above.

Beyond this first piece of writing, I've written a POV of Aly's "Canon Event," as I like to call it, and almost 30 poems from her perspective. I've even painted her a few times. Maybe someday I'll be brave enough to share those too.

If you made it this far, my appreciation for you is more than words could describe. Thank you for reading.

[melissacameron4]

the one with the jenna thing part 1

warnings: (some but not limited to) death, implied death, sex, lying, swearing, angst, smut

The five of us were sitting around The Grill. There weren't many people there, just an older couple, and a few waiters and waitresses standing around. Even then, we still weren't talking loudly.

"Why was Jenna there?" Aria asked the question we were all thinking.

"I guess she's back," Spencer responded.

"I don't like it." I said, and they all stared at me. "What? With her around, we have something to lie about. Something to be guilty about. We ruined her life."

"That cop acted like we were suspects or something." Hanna stated, and she wasn't wrong. He totally did.

"Do you think we looked guilty?" Emily asked, panicking a little.

"Why would we?" Aria asked her. "We haven't done anything wrong."

"Ugh, except you know, we ruined Jenna's life." I snapped. Aria acting like we never did anything to Jenna made me mad. Yeah, Jenna wasn't my favorite person and never would be, but we were all there that night.

"Except lie about "The Jenna Thing"." Hanna defended me and made the point to Aria.

"We promised we'd never bring up "The Jenna Thing" again. Remember? It never happened." Spencer told us.

Emily, who was sitting to my left, reached over and grabbed my water, and took a drink. "This conversation is making me paranoid."

"I'd say I'd order us another one but we're talking about things that we promised never to bring up." I glared at Spencer and Aria.

"Have you found a way to forget? I still wake up sometimes in the middle of the night - " Aria told us.

"Aria, it was an accident." Spencer told her, trying to make her feel less guilty about the situation.

"Was it though?" I whispered, but only Emily and Hanna heard me.

Emily looked down at the friendship bracelet that Alison had made each of us. They were identical . Hanna took the opportunity to dump the rest of the alcohol from the funeral in her soda. The old man stared at her, judging.

"It's medicinal." She told him, but he clearly didn't believe her. "Cramps!" I had to stifle my laugh as the man finally looked away.

"I don't get it," Emily said.

"Don't get what?" I asked her, because there were a lot of things that I didn't get.

"How does A know something about me that only Alison knew?"

"Ali knew all our secrets, but," Aria started, she took a breath. "We never knew any of hers."

"I knew some." Spencer told her.

"Me too." I said quietly. I didn't like knowing Alison's secrets.

"Go on," Aria prompted us.

I looked at Spencer and all but pleaded with her to talk. I did not want to.

"I can't," She finally admitted after our staring contest.

"I'm not sharing what I know until you share what you know!"

"She'd kill me if I told you." Spencer told the girls.

"She's dead." Hanna deadpanned.

Spencer thought for a second before she blurted it out. "Ali was seeing someone that summer."

"I knew she was keeping something from me!" Emily said, upset. I chose to ignore the fact that Emily liked Alison because I knew she would tell me when she was ready to. "I mean us." She added quickly.

"Well, why didn't she want us to know?" Aria asked Spencer, also ignoring Emily's comment.

"He was an older boy." Spencer admitted. "And he had a girlfriend."

"Who was it?" Emily pried.

"Can we at least have his initials?" Hanna asked her.

"She never told me his name." Spencer responded.

"That's only half a secret." Hanna deadpanned again.

"It's more than you ever got from her!" Spencer defended herself. "Well, except for maybe you, Lily. But you would've told Hanna."

"True, and I did tell Hanna. But... I think Ali knew what she was doing that night." I said slowly. "I think Ali wanted to hurt Jenna. And I know she said that she didn't know that Jenna was there." I said quickly, taking a breath. "But part of me thinks that she wanted to hurt both Toby and Jenna that night. She didn't care who was in the garage."

"And you know this how?" Spencer asked me.

"She made a comment the next day about how Jenna had it coming."

The girls were quiet for a moment before Aria spoke up again. "How is it that Ali told us nothing, but we told her everything?"

Emily hit the nail with the hammer with her comment, "Because she made us feel like we were a part of something special."

"We were." Hanna and I said in unison.

"I miss that," Aria sighed.

"Me too," Spencer agreed.

"I miss Ali," Emily told us.

Hanna glanced at Emily's wrist to wear her bracelet from Ali sat. "I can't believe you still wear that."

"Ali still wears her too," Emily defended. "Wore." She said quietly, realizing her mistake.

Spencer filled the gap of silence. "When Ali didn't come home that night, I knew something terrible must have happened, but there was always some part of me that imagined someday she'd just show up."

"Yeah. I used to think that maybe she'd just...Run off with some guy." Aria told what she wished for Ali.

"She was laying on a beach somewhere." Emily added wistfully, nodding along.

"Or getting a tan out by the pool with that hot lifeguard." Hanna laughed, making me giggle.

"Oh, yeah. What was his name?" Aria said smiling.

"Who cares?" I asked, laughing.

"Save me!" Hanna said dramatically, pretending to pass out in my arms, making us all giggle.

Next thing we knew, Jenna was tapping her way into The Grill. We glanced at each other before quietly making our escape.

[theycallme-thejackal]

4

Pairing: Lenny Bruce & Midge Maisel Rated T Warnings: Mentions of Drug Use

Symptom of Your Touch - Aly & AJ Why am I never capable of doing the right thing just for once? Why am I never capable? It's just the symptom of us. It's a symptom of your touch.

Once, just once, Midge would like to make the right choice.

But every night spent in Lenny's bed makes it harder to control the urge to spend another.

She came over to end it. She really, really did. She's sure he's high more often than not these days. He feels thinner now than he did that night in his blue room. But when he opened the door and his face lit up at the sight of her, all rational thought left the building in favor of the carnal urge to feel him inside of her.

After, when he discards the condom, she sits up and lights a cigarette, trying to force the blood back to her brain and away from the parts of her that did all of the thinking for the last two hours. She's hurting. She's hurting so much, but she's also the happiest she's ever been when she's with him.

She should have just left it at that one night. That one perfect night should have been enough. Instead, she's fallen in love with him. She's got an addiction of her own, and it's Lenny fucking Bruce.

Gently, he takes her cigarette, having a puff for himself as he lies down beside her. "Something's on your mind."

The air is hot from the summer heat and thick from their activities, and it's not the ideal way to have this conversation, but apparently they're going to have it anyway. She takes the cigarette back, inhaling as she gathers her courage. "I came over here to end it," she admits quietly.

The way his face falls breaks her heart. "Oh," he breathes.

"You're not well, Lenny. I can see it. You've lost a lot of weight. You're antsy all the time, like you're itching to - "

"I quit," he blurts out, and she looks at him in confusion. "That is - uh, I mean..." He takes a deep breath, composing himself before sitting up.

"A few weeks ago, a buddy of mine overdosed," he explains quietly. "He was...trying to quit. And some guys wean themselves off the shit. They take smaller doses to make it easier, but he must've..." He sighs and scrubs his fingers through his hair. "Anyway, I'm sitting at this funeral, and his wife and his kid are sitting there crying in the front row, and all I could think was I never want to do that to my family."

Her lips part in surprise at the implication. "Lenny..."

"I know. We're not dating. We're just..." he waves his hand. "But...you care about me. Hell, you're one of the only people I know who gives a shit about me and not just my career."

Midge taps her cigarette into the ashtray in her lap. "Of course I care, Lenny," she says quietly. "You're...very important to me."

He smiles a little sadly. "So I came home from the funeral and flushed my stash. Threw everything out. I've been skipping drinks after my shows so I don't accidentally run into any of my dealers."

She considers him for a long moment as she takes a drag with shaking fingers. Then she hands it back to him. "Why didn't you tell me?" She asks gently.

"I didn't want you to get your hopes up," he answers on the exhale. "And...if I'd told you, you would have wanted to help."

"Would that have been so bad?"

"Sweetheart, I slept on the bathroom floor three nights in a row so I wouldn't throw up in bed."

She bites her lip gently, thinking about him going through that alone. "Still...I would have..."

He smiles at her gently as he taps the cigarette. "I know," he promises. "And you would have been great at it, but...I didn't want you to see me like that," he admits.

Midge finds herself reaching for him, tenderly brushing her fingers through his damp curls. "So...you're okay?"

He nods slowly. "I don't have much of an appetite these days, but...yeah," he promises. "I'm okay. For the first time in...ever...there are no drugs in this apartment, and I'm not itching to re-up."

Midge sighs through her nose. She takes the cigarette back, inhaling a long pull before stubbing it out and returning the tray to the nightstand. "Promise me something?" He gazes at her and nods once. "If you need help, tell me. I...I don't want to fix you. I just...want to be there when you need someone."

He nods again. "Okay," he whispers.

Her thumb strokes his cheek, and she leans in, kissing him softly, lovingly, but it deepens almost immediately, and she's sliding into his lap. "I thought you wanted to end this," he chokes out as she rocks into his lap.

"That was before you called me your family," she replies softly.

"Well you are my...what state are we in again?"

"New York."

"Wife, then," he finishes with a smirk.

She laughs softly and kisses him as he tightens his arms around her.

[shivunin]

Shut-Eye

Alistair & Tabris, 996 words | no warnings

Alistair was already on watch when Tabris extricated herself from her tent and joined him.

Watch was not something either of them particularly enjoyed, but Alistair thought he might be a touch more used to it than she was. Certainly, he endured the inconvenience of it with fewer scowls than Arianwen managed, though he’d long since learned not to comment on her expressions. He preferred to avoid arguments with her now that they were actually getting along, thank you very much. 

The assassin slipped from the tent behind her, passing a hand over her back as he went. Wen turned her head to watch him go even as she strode toward the fire, and if Alistair didn’t know better he might think that her expression was almost a smile. Zevran turned to look at her as he stepped into his own tent, his gaze appreciative, and then it was just the two Wardens and the night and the fire. 

See, that—that there was still an utter mystery to him. How could you want to bed someone who’d tried to kill you? How did she know he actually meant her no harm now? She’d batted the questions away with her characteristic irritation before, but Alistair wondered nonetheless. 

How could someone tell if they were wanted for who they are instead of what they could do for the other? He’d been wondering that for a long time. He didn’t suppose she was going to answer the question for him now. 

“Alistair,” she said, sitting on the log several inches away. 

Wen drew one of her blades as he watched, and passed it over the knuckles of her right hand even as she yawned. 

“Arianwen,” he said in reply, and hesitated. 

Tabris cast him a look from the corner of her eye. Her sigh was exaggerated.

“What?” she said.

“Oh. Nothing.”

“Don’t,” she nudged him with her elbow, the knife still flipping through her fingers, “Come on, Ali. Spit it out.”

“I just—” Alistair grimaced, glancing back at Zevran’s tent. It was as still and quiet as any of the others, but he had little doubt that the man was still listening, somehow. He always seemed to be listening when you least expected it, ready with a clever comment. 

“Are you happy?” Alistair blurted after a moment, his voice lowered. 

Arianwen caught her throwing knife between her thumb and forefinger and turned to stare at him. 

“What?” she said, “You mean—in general, or…?”

“With, ah,” he nodded to the tent, “You know.”

“Hmm,” she said, and paused to yawn again, pressing the back of her hand to her mouth, “I don’t know. How does anyone know if they’re happy?” 

Well, she had him there; Alistair braced his elbows on his knees and peered at the fire, frowning. For several minutes, neither of them spoke. 

“We could die any day,” she said at last, “You and I. Or Zev, for that matter. How do you…how can anyone be happy knowing that? I could have…what did Duncan say? Thirty years, maybe, at the most? That’s if we actually walk away from this. After everything we’ve seen…”

“Hey,” Alistair said, nudging her back, “Don’t say that. Look at us; we’re practically invincible. Just ask Loghain.”

Wen snorted and rolled her eyes, but the knife made a slow pass over her fingers again. 

“Are you happy?” she asked. 

Alistair looked at her for a moment, then back at the fire. It had seemed like a reasonable enough question when he’d asked her, but…well. It did sound a bit absurd in return, didn’t it? This was a Blight, whether anyone else wanted to admit to it or not. Happiness was irrelevant.

“I don’t know,” he said at last. She moved a little closer, likewise leaning her elbows on her knees. 

“I guess,” she said at last, her voice heavy, “Yes. Much as I can be. Maybe I…don’t know how to be happy.”

She paused, looking across the fire at the assassin’s tent again. Alistair couldn’t read the expression on her face. 

“Sometimes,” Wen said slowly, “I wish I’d known how little time I would have with my mother. Or—or with anyone. Maybe I would have appreciated it better while I had the chance. Maybe it’s a gift, to know how little time we really have. Not many people get that.”

Alistair glanced at her. She looked tired—she always looked tired, but her eyes were heavier than usual now. Ever since the last bad nightmare, she’d been sleeping worse than usual. Or—that’s what her near-nightly screaming told him, anyway. Alistair might have been tempted to approve of the assassin simply on the grounds that his presence in her tent seemed to make the nightmares less frequent. 

“Here,” he said abruptly, and swung one leg over the log so his back was toward her, “Lean. I’ll wake you at the first sign of trouble.”

“Don’t be stupid,” she said behind him, “Two to a watch. I can’t go to sleep.”

“I seem to recall you walking off watch before,” he said drily, “Come on. We’ll have plenty more nonsense to wade through when we reach Orzammar. May as well rest while you can. My word that I’ll wake you.”

Even then, he thought he might have misstepped; not even two months before, he never would have dreamed of turning his back to her and hoping for the best. Now, though—things were different now. As if in confirmation of the thought, he felt her back press against his. Her head thudded slightly when it hit his armor. 

“Not the most comfortable pillow I’ve ever had,” she muttered, but he could already hear the sleep dragging her down. 

“I suspect you’ll survive,” he told her, retrieving his sword and setting it before him just in case. 

A light snore was his only response. 

Alistair watched the firelight flicker across the blade, still frowning. 

How does anyone know if they’re happy? she’d asked. 

He wished he knew the answer.

[celiamae99]

season 1, episode 2 : the one with the jenna thing

The five of us were sitting around The Grill. There weren't many people there, just an older couple, and a few waiters and waitresses standing around. Even then, we still weren't talking loudly.

"Why was Jenna there?" Aria asked the question we were all thinking.

"I guess she's back," Spencer responded.

"I don't like it." I said, and they all stared at me. "What? With her around, we have something to lie about. Something to be guilty about. We ruined her life."

"That cop acted like we were suspects or something." Hanna stated, and she wasn't wrong. He totally did.

"Do you think we looked guilty?" Emily asked, panicking a little.

"Why would we?" Aria asked her. "We haven't done anything wrong."

"Ugh, except you know, we ruined Jenna's life." I snapped. Aria acting like we never did anything to Jenna made me mad. Yeah, Jenna wasn't my favorite person and never would be, but we were all there that night.

"Except lie about "The Jenna Thing"." Hanna defended me and made the point to Aria.

"We promised we'd never bring up "The Jenna Thing" again. Remember? It never happened." Spencer told us.

Emily, who was sitting to my left, reached over and grabbed my water, and took a drink. "This conversation is making me paranoid."

"I'd say I'd order us another one but we're talking about things that we promised never to bring up." I glared at Spencer and Aria.

"Have you found a way to forget? I still wake up sometimes in the middle of the night - " Aria told us.

"Aria, it was an accident." Spencer told her, trying to make her feel less guilty about the situation.

"Was it though?" I whispered, but only Emily and Hanna heard me.

Emily looked down at the friendship bracelet that Alison had made each of us. They were identical . Hanna took the opportunity to dump the rest of the alcohol from the funeral in her soda. The old man stared at her, judging.

"It's medicinal." She told him, but he clearly didn't believe her. "Cramps!" I had to stifle my laugh as the man finally looked away.

"I don't get it," Emily said.

"Don't get what?" I asked her, because there were a lot of things that I didn't get.

"How does A know something about me that only Alison knew?"

"Ali knew all our secrets, but," Aria started, she took a breath. "We never knew any of hers."

"I knew some." Spencer told her.

"Me too." I said quietly. I didn't like knowing Alison's secrets.

"Go on," Aria prompted us.

I looked at Spencer and all but pleaded with her to talk. I did not want to.

"I can't," She finally admitted after our staring contest.

"I'm not sharing what I know until you share what you know!"

"She'd kill me if I told you." Spencer told the girls.

"She's dead." Hanna deadpanned.

Spencer thought for a second before she blurted it out. "Ali was seeing someone that summer."

"I knew she was keeping something from me!" Emily said, upset. I chose to ignore the fact that Emily liked Alison because I knew she would tell me when she was ready to. "I mean us." She added quickly.

"Well, why didn't she want us to know?" Aria asked Spencer, also ignoring Emily's comment.

"He was an older boy." Spencer admitted. "And he had a girlfriend."

"Who was it?" Emily pried.

"Can we at least have his initials?" Hanna asked her.

"She never told me his name." Spencer responded.

"That's only half a secret." Hanna deadpanned again.

"It's more than you ever got from her!" Spencer defended herself. "Well, except for maybe you, Lily. But you would've told Hanna."

"True, and I did tell Hanna. But... I think Ali knew what she was doing that night." I said slowly. "I think Ali wanted to hurt Jenna. And I know she said that she didn't know that Jenna was there." I said quickly, taking a breath. "But part of me thinks that she wanted to hurt both Toby and Jenna that night. She didn't care who was in the garage."

"And you know this how?" Spencer asked me.

"She made a comment the next day about how Jenna had it coming."

The girls were quiet for a moment before Aria spoke up again. "How is it that Ali told us nothing, but we told her everything?"

Emily hit the nail with the hammer with her comment, "Because she made us feel like we were a part of something special."

"We were." Hanna and I said in unison.

"I miss that," Aria sighed.

"Me too," Spencer agreed.

"I miss Ali," Emily told us.

Hanna glanced at Emily's wrist to wear her bracelet from Ali sat. "I can't believe you still wear that."

"Ali still wears her too," Emily defended. "Wore." She said quietly, realizing her mistake.

Spencer filled the gap of silence. "When Ali didn't come home that night, I knew something terrible must have happened, but there was always some part of me that imagined someday she'd just show up."

"Yeah. I used to think that maybe she'd just...Run off with some guy." Aria told what she wished for Ali.

"She was laying on a beach somewhere." Emily added wistfully, nodding along.

"Or getting a tan out by the pool with that hot lifeguard." Hanna laughed, making me giggle.

"Oh, yeah. What was his name?" Aria said smiling.

"Who cares?" I asked, laughing.

"Save me!" Hanna said dramatically, pretending to pass out in my arms, making us all giggle.

Next thing we knew, Jenna was tapping her way into The Grill. We glanced at each other before quietly making our escape.

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

"Dad, I'm telling you, she slept with that detective!" I informed my father.

"Well, even if she did, she did it to save Hanna's ass. And let me tell you something, if you ever do anything illegal, I will kick your ass so hard, especially if you don't tell me." I thought of The Jenna Thing. Should I tell my dad the truth? Just then, my phone buzzed.

I pulled it out, looking at who it was from.

"Thinking about telling Daddy about Jenna? Might want to consider all the other beans you'd have to spill... starting with this one." The picture attached, was a picture of Noel and me hooking up in his car.

- A

Crap.

"Hello?" My dad called me. "Anybody home in there?" I snapped out of my gazed and looked 

to him. I quickly put my phone away.

"Yeah, yeah. What were you saying Dad?"

"Who was that?" Crap.

"Just, just Spencer." I said quickly.

"Spencer? I thought you guys weren't friends anymore?" Dad asked, confused.

"We... We started talking again." I said absentmindedly like it was nothing.

"Okay." He said, suspicious of my behavior.

We turned to the morning news, where Detective Wilden was making a statement to the press. "The coroner did release his findings this morning, and although Alison Di Laurentis' body did show signs of a blunt-force head trauma, the cause of her death was suffocation." Dad shut the TV off.

"Enough of that. Is Noel picking you up today?" Dad questioned.

"No," I said absently. "He's got practice so Hanna is."

"Then why is she picking you up?" Dad asked, confused. "Lily! For God's sake put your phone away!"

"What?" I asked him, startled, looking up from my phone.

"Put the phone away and have a conversation with me."

"Okay."

"Well?" He asked, waiting for me to respond.

"Well, what?" I asked him, confused.

"Why is Hanna picking you up?"

"Oh, because Hanna doesn't do sports and Noel has early morning practice. Noel is bringing me home after school. That, and we have a biology test tomorrow, and I don't know anything that's going on in that class."

"I presume that's one of the five classes you have with Noel?"

"Yep, and while science is not his forte, he definitely knows more than me. And enough to help me."

"Okay," Dad nodded. "I work late tonight, so I'm going to see if Hanna and Ashley can come over."

"What?" I demanded. "Why?"

"Because I don't want you two home alone together." Dad said plainly.

"Dad!"

"What?"

"I thought we got over this."

"We did. Until I found out you were having sex."

"Dad!"

"Well, you are."

"I'm going to kill Hanna."

"I'm getting you birth control, one of us can pick it up tomorrow at the pharmacy. But until then, I don't trust you two alone."

"Oh my God, Dad."

"When you decided to have unprotected sex you lost my trust."

My phone buzzed.

I'm here

- Han

"Hanna's here." I snapped at my dad. "I'm leaving."

"I know that you're mad at me," Dad started to say.

"That's a freaking understatement."

"But I'm doing this because I love you."

"Ya know, maybe you should talk to Mrs. Marin again, and this time you can tell her that you took away my life." I slammed the door behind me and all but ran to Emily's car.

"You're being dramatic!" He yelled out the open window.

"Where do you think I get it from?" I yelled  straight back at him.

"What's got you in a mood?" She asked as I got in, giving me her concerned look.

"You're mother."

"What?" She said, puzzled. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Just drive, before my dad takes any more of my life away."

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

After we got to school, I beelined straight to Noel, who was at my locker.

"We're going to study tonight, right?" He asked, hugging me.

"I'm going to try. Dad said we aren't allowed to be alone together." I sighed, still completely annoyed with the situation.

"Why? I thought we got past that months ago?"

"We did." I deadpanned. "But Hanna saw me ditch the other day and long story short, her mom told my dad and now my dad won't let us be alone together."

"That's," He started to say.

"Don't say it. Okay? Just, don't." I rubbed my forehead. "Let me talk to Hanna. Maybe we can do a study night at Sean's and we can slip away for a while, okay?"

Noel slid his hands into my back jeans pockets, thumbs close to my back. "If not, we can always skip health class again," He whispered in my ear. "Or history. Or even a whole day." between each sentence, he kissed me. When he finished, my hands were at the nape of his neck and I was breathless. I pulled him close to me and just as we started to kiss, the intercom interrupted us.

"Will the following students please come to the office : Emily Fields, Lily Grey, Aria Montgomery, Spencer Hastings, Hanna Marin." I groaned and pulled away from my boyfriend.

"Talk to Sean please." I begged him. 

He nodded at me. "Promise."

"Okay, good!" I kissed him again, before Spencer grabbed my hand and dragged me away from Noel.

As we caught up with the other three, Aria's phone went off. "Wait, it's from - A."

Hanna looked over Aria's shoulder and read the text aloud. "Dead girls walking."

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

Once we were all in the office, we were interrogated by Detective Wilden, who was easily becoming my least favorite human being.

"So let's see..." He said, looking at the file before pointing at Spencer. "You thought you heard her scream?" 

"I - I said that, yeah." 

"And when you four woke up in the barn, Alison was gone, and so was Spencer?" He asked the rest of us. I wiggled in my spot. I hated this. I squeezed closer to Hanna and Spencer.

"Yes, I woke up before them." Spencer saved us from having to talk. "And I realized that Ali was missing, so..." She trailed off.

"So you went looking for her." He filled in the blanks.

"That's what happened." Spencer said with a fake smile.

"I got that. So," He said, looking at us. "Was this a slumber party, or...?" I did not like this man. How on earth did he become a cop, much less a detective?"

"Is this an interrogation?" Spencer asked him.

"It feels like an interrogation," I mumbled to the girls.

"No, just a routine follow up. Why did you guys fall asleep?" He asked another question, making this really feel like an interrogation.

"I guess we were tired," Aria told him.

"Tired? Really." He didn't believe us. "Is that how you remember it? Hanna? Lily?"

"Yeah," We said in sync, quietly.

"Yeah, you guys were tired." He said in that same condescending tone as before, like we were lying about that night. But little did he know, we didn't lie about that night, just a different night. 

"Look," Spencer said, trying her best to sound like her mom. In her defense, her mom was a lawyer. "We've told you everything we know, just like the night she went missing."

"I know, and you see, the thing is, it's almost exactly what you said last year -- almost like it was rehearsed." This man was getting on my every last nerve.

"Like Spencer said, we've told you everything we know." Aria added.

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

In the cafeteria, we were all together again. "He knows we're lying." Aria stated the obvious.

"No shit, Aria. You should be a detective." I snapped at her.

"Lying is not a crime." Hanna said.

"It is when you're giving false statements to the police. It's called obstruction of justice."

"And it is a crime." I added as an afterthought to Spencer's statement.

"Oh please!" Hanna snapped. "We lied about drinking. But the truth that matters is we don't know anything about what happened to Ali that night." She, like me, was losing her temper. It was never good when the two of us lost our tempers about the same thing.

"We also know about someone who might have wanted to hurt her." Spencer told us.

"We should have told the police the truth about Jenna's accident the night it happened." Emily scolded, as if none of us had wanted to tell the police.

"We wanted to," Hanna explained, pointing between the two of us. "Remember?" I nodded in agreement. We did want to tell the police when it had happened, but Ali had talked us out of it.

"We had a chance to do more than just tell the truth. We had a chance to stop Ali." Aria revealed, as if we actually had a chance to stop Alison from doing anything she wanted to do.

"But we didn't." Spencer interrupted my thought. "And telling the police now about what happened to Jenna isn't going to make her see again. It'll just ruin our lives."

"Will it? If Jenna knows that we weren't involved and that we genuinely feel bad about what happened to her, it might make her less angry about the situation." I explained my thought process.

All of a sudden, we heard a cane tapping on the floor. Jenna. Aria stood up and walked over to Jenna. 

"Jenna?" Aria asked her. "It's - it's Aria. Do you.." She tried to find her words. "Want to come sit with us?" I glanced across the table to Hanna with a WTF look.

"Sure."

"So you're gonna be between Hanna and Emily. Spencer and Lily are right across from you."

"Thank you." Jenna told her. "So... This would be Alison's chair, right?" She sat down and Spencer nudged me.

I cleared my throat. "No," Emily said. "We're not even sitting at that table."

"We don't sit there anymore." I commented.

"You know, she came to visit me in the hospital after the accident." I looked down at my lunch. I knew that. Alison told me after the fact that she went to see Jenna. That was another reason why I thought that Alison didn't care why Jenna was in that garage that night.

"Alison did?" Spencer asked, confused. I glanced at Spencer before looking down again. Hanna kicked my foot from under the table. I looked up at her and gave a small smile.

"Mm-hm," She hummed. "Everyone misunderstood Alison, but I knew exactly who she was." That was weird. Why would she say something like that to Alison's best friends? Nobody would know her better than us.

Spencer changed the topic away from Alison and back to Jenna. "When did you get back Jenna? We heard that you were in Philadelphia, a school for the... visually impaired."

"You can say blind Spencer." She laughed a little. "It's not a dirty word." Que the awkward silence. I locked eyes with Emily and she bit her lip. "Wow. It's so quiet. You guys used to be the fun table. What happened to you girls?" 

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

flashback

We were in Emily's bedroom, clothes were everywhere. We were having a fashion show. We were giggling, having fun. Not a care in the world.

"I see you!" Alison yelled, making us all stop. "Oh my God, I can't believe it." She raked the curtain close to her bedroom.

"Who was it Ali?" Emily asked her. "What did you see?"

"He was in that tree, spying on us! I'm so creeped out!"

"Who was it?" Spencer prodded her to tell us the name.

"It was that perv, Toby Cavanaugh."

"Are you sure?" Aria asked, wanting to confirm who it was before we did anything.

"Yeah, Alison. Are you sure it wasn't just a shadow from the tree?" I asked. I really didn't want to ruin anybody's life, if she didn't know who it was.

"Yes, I'm sure!" She said getting angry. "He was right there! I bet he saw all of us naked." Okay, ew. I didn't want anybody to see me naked.

"Should we tell someone?" Aria asked. We were all wondering what we should do next.

"I mean, we could. But I have a better idea." She smirked, devising a plan.

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

Fireworks were blasting. Everybody was having fun. Nobody noticed the six girls sneaking around, planning an awful prank.

"Are we sure he's not in there?" Aria asked for the millionth time.

"He's not, okay?" Alison soothed. "You've got the lighter, right Spencer?"

"Let's wait a second." Emily pleaded.

"What, Emily?" Alison asked her, exasperated. 

"I don't want to do this."

"Fine. Go back. You're on your own." Once Alison got an idea in her head, she went through with it. The consequences didn't matter. And it was up to us to fall in line, or get out. There was no in between.

"Okay, maybe Emily's right. We should just call the cops. They'll take care of it." Aria chimed back in. 

"Where's the fun in that?" Alison questioned us. "Girls, Toby Cavanaugh is a freak, and we need to teach him a lesson. If he thinks he can come and spy on us while we're in your bedroom, Emily, he needs to know that his little domain is no longer a safe little hideout. Who knows what he does in there all day?" She asked rhetorically. "That little freak."

"Are you sure it was Toby?" Spencer asked one last time, wanting to make sure it was him before we did anything.

"Ali, are you sure? Because this has consequences, if it ever gets out."

"Yes! And it's a stink bomb, for God's sakes, Lily. We're not nuking the place. Now, let's do it. Give me the lighter." Spencer hands Alison the lighter and I sank back next to Hanna.

"I don't like this." I told her quietly.

"I don't either." She agreed with me.

Alison threw something in Toby's garage and whatever she threw in there, it exploded. Alison ran back to us.

"Ali, what did you do?" Spencer demanded.

"Come on, let's get out of here." She told us.

"Let's go," We all said and ran off.

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

Our phones all rang at the same time and I took a deep breath. None of us moved to look at the message until Jenna said, "Aren't you gonna get that?"

If only she could see how guilty you look

- A

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

After that, we all made our way to English.

"Okay, people, let's take our seats." Mr. Fitz told everybody. Noel slid off the top of my desk and into the one next to me. Mona walked in, texting on her phone.

"Am I late?" She asked, dumbly. Why she acted dumb all the time was beyond me. She use to be neck and neck with Spencer before she became popular. She might even be smarter than Spencer, she just dumbs herself down.

"It's - it's Mona right?" Mr. Fitz asked her.

"That's right, Mr. Fritz." All of us laughed a little. "What?" She asked all of us.

"Take our seat, Mona. Please." Mona sat down next to Hanna, who was in front of me.

"It's Fitz, not Fritz." Hanna told Mona.

She gave her a coy smile. "Oops." I rolled my eyes before smiling over at my boyfriend, who was already staring at me.

"If the mockingbird represents the idea of innocence, what characters are innocent? Take a second. Jot down your ideas. We'll discuss."

I opened my notebook and jotted down:

Boo Radley was innocent, as well as Tom Robinson. Tom was innocent because his arm was too short to reach the woman. Boo was innocent. We see his kind nature similar, which is similar to the innocence of a mockingbird. 

I was brought out of my thoughts when Aria entered the classroom. She set down a paper on Mr. Fitz's desk and they stared at each other for a couple moments.

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

"Hey, I'm sorry it's not going to work for you guys to come over tonight." Hanna told me by my locker as I got my stuff out. 

"It's fine." I said, shoving my English and Health binders in and grabbing my Geometry textbook and binder, as well as my biology. "It's my fault. I should have been using protection from the beginning. Your mom did the right thing. It just sucks because it took my dad so long to accept Noel and now I feel like I'm back at square one."

Hanna sighed. "It's hard because your dad thinks of Noel as the guy he was before he started dating you. Noel has really changed in the last year. I think you guys are good for each other."

I smiled bashfully. I looked at the photo in my locker of the two of us from homecoming last year. I was smiling wide, wearing Noel's hat backwards and away jersey, while was in his home jersey. He was smiling widely at the camera. My arms were around his neck and I was perched on his back. "He makes me happy, Han. And not just like, I have a boyfriend and I'm so happy, happy. But in like the, I see his name on my phone and smile, you say his name and I smile. I walk into a room and I look for him, even if I know he's not going to be in the room."

"That's so sweet." Hanna gushed. "Like a sweet Hallmark movie." I pushed the hair out of my face, smiling, before I zipped up my backpack.

"Let's go to Geometry before I embarrass myself even more." I said, closing my locker and spinning the lock.

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

"I feel like I'm doing life wrong." Emily sighed, getting in step with me after math was over.

"We all feel that way from time to time, Em." I told her as we made our way to history.

"No, like midlife crisis." Ah. Well, she's got to come to terms with what she feels.

I linked my arm with hers. "Well, whenever you need to talk, I'm always here for you. Nothing will ever change that, okay?"

"Nothing?" She asked, a scared look on my face. She searched my face, almost if she's convinced she'll find me lying.

"Nothing. You're stuck with me Emily Fields."

"Well, that's a risk I'm willing to take." She laughed at me.

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

"Hey Dad," I told him when he picked up the phone.

"Hey, Bug." He responded. Tired.

"Is it okay if we study at the library tonight? Hanna said that she and her mom are busy tonight and can't come over. I really need to study for this Biology test and I have no idea what's happening."

"How is it that you are horrible at science, but I'm a surgeon?"

"That is the million dollar question that I would like answered." I smiled a bit. "Is it okay if we go?"

"Yeah, just be home by 9 okay? I have something I need to talk to you about."

"Is everything okay?" I asked, nervously.

"Yeah, yeah, it's fine," He said distractedly. "I'll see you when you get home."

"Okay, bye Dad. Love you."

"Love you too, Bug."

"Okay, that was weird." I said putting my phone away.

"What was weird?" Noel asked, turning to look at me.

"Dad sounded off, like he was exhausted."

"He's a surgeon." Noel said, matter of fact.

"Well, yeah," I rolled my eyes. "But he sounded more distant than normal. Like he wanted to talk about something. I have to be home at 9 because he needs to talk to me."

"I'm sure it's nothing." He promised me. "Now, let's go to the library and make out in the car."

I smiled at him. "I have to study for biology. I truly have no idea what's going on."

"So, we make out for a while, study, and then make out some more?"

"Well, we could do that... or we could study for a bit at the cabin and then..." I trailed off, grinning at him with a knowing smirk.

"But your dad..." he stuttered. I raised my eyebrow at him. "Cabin it is."

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

Noel dropped me off at home around 8:50. He promised that tomorrow he would pick me up for school.

I unlocked the front door and went into the house. Dad was in the living room, which wasn't surprising. What was surprising was my brother sitting there with him.

"Justin ... hi." I said, confused. He glanced at me, and then back at dad.

"Hi, Lily."

"Dad?" I questioned, wanting an explanation. I hadn't seen Justin since Alison went missing.

"Justin is back." He said pointedly.

"I can see that." I retorted. "Why?"

"Don't be rude." My dad snapped at me and I rolled my eyes.

"It's okay Dad." Justin told him. I glanced between the two of them.

"Justin is back from Uncle Ben's." My dad told me.

"Okay." I said reluctantly.

"And he's going to be staying here."

"Oh." I turned and looked at Justin. "Well, welcome home, I guess."

"Lily." Justin said quietly.

"I'm not going to... I can't do this tonight, okay? Dad, did you go to the pharmacy?"

"Yeah, your medicine is on the table in a bag. The instructions are in there too."

"Okay," I nodded. "Thank you." I grabbed my stuff from the kitchen before going up to my room. I closed the door and sat my stuff down. I took a deep breath before pulling out my phone and texting the girls.

Justin's home.

- LG

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

flashback

We were all laughing. 

"I got you guys something," Alison told us. She gave each of us a little package.

"What's the occasion?" Spencer asked.

"You'll see," She smiles at us. "Open 'em!" She encouraged.

"We'll be friends forever. Can you put mine on for me, Em?" She asked Emily.

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

Hanna was the first to respond to me, which was no shock.

Why?? I thought he left after Ali disappeared.

- Han

He did, and I'm not sure why he's back. He's gotta be up to something. He always is.

- LG

It's a little suspicious. Do you think he wants something?

- Em

Probably. He always does.

- LG

Maybe he and Mike can reconnect? They could help each other.

- Aria

Hopefully. They were always close before Justin left.

- LG

Is Mike still playing lacrosse?

- LG

Yeah, he is. I'll tell Mike he's back and we can go from there.

- Aria

Thanks, Aria. Hopefully he's not back for all the wrong reasons. I also hope that his time in Radley and then at my Uncle's was good for him.

- LG

Oh man, well, if he doesn't join lacrosse, maybe he can do a different sport.

- Spence

Thanks for the support guys. Guess I better go see what's next.

- LG

We love you Lily!

- Em

I love her the most! Lanna forever! <3

- Han

Love you Hanna Banana! <3

- LG

Hanna and Lily's love for each other > their love for us

- Aria

Lol! So true! We're all chopped liver to them.

- Em

You're just jealous!

- LG

Jealous of your love for Hanna? Always.

- Spence

I love you all more than you'll ever know!

- LG

After I finished texting with the girls, I cracked my neck and went to find Justin. But before I left my room, I got a text.

Hmmm... Your brother's back in town... what does that usually mean? Don't fall back to old habits.

- A

I sighed. This was great. Just great.

[things-stankyle-probably-said]

send me a 💋if you read this

Who between the two is the biggest sweet tooth?

kyle is because he refrains from sweets more than stan so when he actually has them he has a tendency to go overboard with how much he consumes in a single setting

Who has the highest spice tolerance?

stan does, once he starts cooking for himself he develops it through trial and error however he gets acid reflux later in life

How does Kyle’s mentioned diabetes affect his day to day life?

my version of kyle doesn't have diabetes

What is Stan’s relationship with his family? (Do his parents divorce? Is he on good terms with Shelley?)

stan is no contact with his dad and shelley and limited contact with his mom. I see his parents divorcing over something serious that can't be ignored right around stan enters 8th grade. to answer the shelley question: no. not at all.

Which one of their parents are they closer to/have a better relationship with?

out of limited options stan is closer to his mom/has a slightly better relationship with her, meanwhile kyle is that rainbow of an adult that genuinely has a wonderful relationship with both his mom and dad

Does Stan develop addiction problems? And how does this look as he grows up?

lmao yeah. he needs a lot of therapy, rehab, a sponsor, he spends time in psychiatric hospitals for his depression and suicidal thoughts

Does Kyle aim higher academically when they get into high school? (AP classes, school council, extracurriculars?)

kyle is valedictorian, 8.0 gpa, graduated with honors, took all AP classes, did volunteer work, extracurriculars, was varsity captain of the basketball team, accepted to every university he applied to with full ride scholarships, he had panic attacks every night in high school. lost sleep, lost an unhealthy amount of weight and a lot of his hair fell out due to stress and anxiety he hid from everyone but he thought that was normal

Who confessed first?

stan :3

Who proposed first?

stan had the idea to propose first, but kyle proposed first and they got into an argument over it because kyle asked during a very quiet sweet moment and stan wanted to plan out a big sweeping romantic proposal for kyle like in the movies

Who’s the clingier one of the two and who is more physically touchy?

stan on both counts. yes kyle loves being physically affectionate with kisses hugs and cuddling but stan takes longer letting go and initiates the physical touching way more and kyle always leans into his touches

Who was the first person they told when they got together?

kyle is a mama's boy, he told his mom stan asked him on a date, stan blurted out that kyle said yes to being his boyfriend when he was visiting his uncle jimbo at his and ned's apartment

Do they do long distance when they’re off at college?

fluff answer yes angst answer no it depends!

Who’s the morning person/night owl?

kyle is a morning person, stan is a night owl but they don't really do that unless they're going through something stressful they need to deal with

Lawyer Kyle vs. psychologist/councillor Kyle?

nba star kyle. he has a law degree though for when he retires

Would Kyle continue to practice Judaism as an adult?

I feel like he would

Do they have good relationships with each others family?

stan has a better relationship with the broflovskis than kyle has to the marshes but not because the marshes dislike kyle no they like him it's just stan is limited and no contact with them and that means kyle doesn't interact with them either

Does Sparky move out with Stan when he moves out?

y'all think sparky is gonna be ali- no yeah stan takes sparky with him wherever he goes

Which one of the two drives them around the most?

kyle does, but he argues the whole time and yells at other drivers :3c

Who is most open to kids in the future?

neither of them particularly want to be parents given the trauma that was their childhoods but kyle is the least to be opposed to the idea

Would Kyle and Wendy become friends as they grow older because of their similar political and philosophical views?

yes and yes, they would be very close friends that have a very strong bond between them

Is Kyle a good cook?

no lmao his food is edible and tastes good he just doesn't like using recipes that take a long time and he'd rather cook fast easy meals or get takeout

Which one of the two ‘came out’ first/were aware of their attraction to the other?

stan, if he didn't nothing would get accomplished because kyle is oblivious but he always had feelings for stan deep down he just wasn't aware of them, meanwhile stan has known he's in love with kyle since probably 5th grade but he never said anything until years and years and years later

Random Stan and Kyle (+style) questions because I want to know other people’s thoughts, analysis and interpretation of them!!

Who between the two is the biggest sweet tooth?

Who has the highest spice tolerance?

How does Kyle’s mentioned diabetes affect his day to day life?

What is Stan’s relationship with his family? (Do his parents divorce? Is he on good terms with Shelley?)

Which one of their parents are they closer to/have a better relationship with?

Does Stan develop addiction problems? And how does this look as he grows up?

Does Kyle aim higher academically when they get into high school? (AP classes, school council, extracurriculars?)

Who confessed first?

Who proposed first?

Who’s the clingier one of the two and who is more physically touchy?

Who was the first person they told when they got together?

Do they do long distance when they’re off at college?

Who’s the morning person/night owl?

Lawyer Kyle vs. psychologist/councillor Kyle?

Would Kyle continue to practice Judaism as an adult?

Do they have good relationships with each others family?

Does Sparky move out with Stan when he moves out?

Which one of the two drives them around the most?

Who is most open to kids in the future?

Would kyle and Wendy become friends as they grow older because of their similar political and philosophical views?

Is Kyle a good cook?

Which one of the two ‘came out’ first/were aware of their attraction to the other?

lmk if you want more??

[ariamontgomery-x]

A new yeAr.

Aria couldn't remember the last time she felt safe in the town of Rosewood. She was born and raised and technically it was home, though it hadn't felt like home in a very, very long time. At this point she, along with her friends have been pretty much deemed liars through and through and it started so long ago. Time didn't matter to Aria. She knew a lot better. However, things seemed to be good for her and she had hoped it would remain that way. For once everyone could celebrate Christmas with no worry or at least have the worry so far back you don't even remember you worried in the first place. It was silly to view it as a goal but it had been a goal for Aria. To have a time her in life that was not dictated by anything A or the A team had in store.

For a slight moment Aria had felt safe and truth be known she had lived in her own little bubble and she was happy. An emotion that she longed for. That was until Caleb spoke up. She was somewhat glad he was that reminder but she was also wishing that there hadn't been one. She turned her tiny frame to face in his direction. She could tell how the air in the room just felt different. Slightly more sinister in a way. That had been her word to describe anything she had gone through with A. She often had flashbacks and despite the fact it seemed to be decent she knew Mona was out there and if she wasn't? Aria was certain someone would be picking up the piece and continuing on. That is after all the one thing the girls had learned over the many many years.

Aria walked a little bit closer as she started to hear the others talk and she held on to her cup. She looked inside and started to wonder if she needed something a lot more stronger. It was now three of them, heck she was certain even Hanna and the others felt it also. Aria tried to block it out but it was impossible once someone spoke the words. "Guys don't even think that…heck speak it.." She blurted out. She had officially become paranoid. She had stopped her anxiety medication a few months after Alex and Mary had been found. Sure she didn't know exactly what had happened and though Ezra had often tried to get her to find out so she would be at ease she never wanted to. Her head moved around as she looked at the other Ali and Em had invited as well. They seemed normal to her and others seemed to be just genuinely enjoying themselves. It was true. They had been 'those girls' no matter when or what time of year it was. "I mean what we would even do?" She asked out loud unsure if she wanted an answer or not.

"It's been a while do you guys really thing that A could be back?" Her eyes scanned all of her friends a few times before focusing on Caleb. "Should we tell the others? or try to play it safe but cautious? I mean we all know what A and her team is capable of" She thought for a second then added "or we don't know what else they are capable of". There. That sounded better. It was the worst truest statement ever and she hated that.

[togrowoldinv]

So Loved

Natasha Romanoff x Female Reader

You come home after a trip and reunite with your family

Note: I’m back with soft Natasha and this sweet little family. It’s a whole lot of fluff. I hope y’all enjoy it!

Natasha Romanoff Masterlist, Main Masterlist

“Come on, let’s go snuggle with Mama,” you tell your young daughter as you walk to the living room.

“But I wanna play,” Ali says.

“Okay, you can play. But I’m snuggling with Mama,” you smile as you tell her. Ali runs past you and to play with some toys in the living room floor.

Natasha overhears part of the conversation.

“What’s this snuggling with Mama you’re talking about?” She asks knowingly.

“I told her she can play, but I’m snuggling with you,” you say. Your tone drips honey sweet and she swoons like she did the first time she met you.

“Good. Come here, detka,” she says. You sit down next to her and she wraps you up in her arms.

“I missed you,” you say.

“I missed you more,” she says. You’re about to argue that you missed her more when she speaks again. “You can’t go away for that long again.”

“Oh, baby it was only nine days,” you say.

“Nine days too long,” she pouts.

“You used to go away for like months, my love,” you point out kindly and Nat sighs a little.

“Yeah, but that was before Ali even. And now we’ve got Ivan too and I just- honestly I just missed you more than I thought I would,” she explains.

“I know, sweetheart. I really really missed you too.”

You turn in her arms and she kisses you deeply. It’s enough to make your young daughter blurt out an ‘ew gross.’

You and Natasha start laughing and have to pull away from the kiss.

“Ali, come here baby,” you lift her up into your lap and Ivan climbs into Natasha’s. You kiss both kids on the head a couple times. Ali puts her arms around your neck and snuggles into your chest. Natasha holds the baby against her chest and he closes his eyes at the comforting feeling of his mama.

“I guess she wanted cuddles with us after all,” Natasha says. She leans over and kisses your lips.

It amazes you how you can feel all of her love for you in one singular touch.

“I love you,” you tell her.

“I love you more,” Natasha says with one more kiss to your lips.

As you sit there on the couch with your wife and your babies, you think about just how lucky you are to have them. You are so loved.

Tag List: @gracebutnotgraceful @i-wished-for-you-too @idkwhygregg @romanoffscottage @be-missed @likefirenrain @hehehehannahthings @mythosphere-x @readings-stuff @xxxtwilightaxelxxx @madamevirgo @milfloverslut @yelenabelovaisthebettersister @mrswidowjohansson @alotofpockets @wandassitcom @ggrangerdanger @marvelwomen-simp @maia-lightwoood @mortallytremendoussandwich @xxromanoffxx @peanutbutterprincess @karmasgxrl @picnicmic @wandaslittlewhore @exhaustedfangirl @when-wolves-howl @natashalovers @marie45019 @inluvwithfictionalwomen @sammi1642 @itsyourgirlmalise @jujuu23 @the-night-owl-blr @strangegardentaco @avatarsnips @romanoffswoman @natashasilverfox @imthenatynat @natasha-danvers @sayah13 @harleysincairo @rach2602 @cordyandbilliehavemyheart @lovelyy-moonlight @thenazwife @huitzilinthebudgie3

[believinghurts]

Their Daughter

Chapter 5

Author’s note: I use Grammarly to fix my mistakes, but there could still be some so sorry for that. Also, I am getting back into writing and am hoping to have a few more works out soon! Please reblog, like, or comment feedback is appreciated.

Word Count: 4,400

Warnings: None? Sirius being a d*ck? Maybe language, but I don’t think so.

Regulus wasn’t sure how much time had passed as he stroked his niece's hair. He was mad at his brother for basically throwing away the only good thing that had ever come from the Black family. Sirius was too blinded by the past to see what was right in front of him. As children, Sirius often told Regulus that he was their family's favorite and that it bothered him, but if he knew what it was like to be less loved then how can he love Harry more than Ali? He understood that Harry was Sirius's Godson, but couldn’t he love Ali and Harry equally? If Sirius made the effort maybe Ali and the other children could even be friends. His heart ached from the emotional battle that Ali was going through right now. Even if Sirius didn’t see it, he and Remus did. Ali’s light was dimmer than before and when she was lighting up again after finding out Sirius never came for her, Sirius just had to go and snuffed it out.

Carefully sliding out from under Ali and placing a pillow under her head Regulus left the room. He shut the door behind him casting a locking spell so she wouldn’t be bothered. He needed to speak with Remus first before doing anything. They needed to decide what to do about Ali. As much as Regulus wanted to spend time with her before she went back to school he didn’t want her to be this upset anymore. He walked into the study to find Remus and Nymphadora sitting near the fireplace.

“How is she?” Nymphadora blurted the question as soon as she saw her cousin. Remus had owled her after Ali had gone to her room. The older sister in her wanted to go up to Sirius and give him a piece of her mind, but she knew that it wouldn’t do any good.

“She’s asleep for now. All the fighting has exhausted her. I honestly don’t know what to do. I want her here, this is her home, but if Sirius doesn’t stop acting like the brut that he is it is going to hurt her more. Speaking of Sirius, where is he? It’s quiet.” Regulus flopped down on the chair across from Remus and Nymphadora raking a hand through his hair. His worry for Ali was causing him a headache. On one hand, he wanted to send Ali to stay at the Malfoy Manor for the remainder of summer, but on the other, he wanted to hold her close and have her stay in her home where she belonged.

“Sirius left with Harry after you went upstairs. He hasn’t been home since. The Weasleys stepped out to Diagon Alley to get the kids stuff for school.” Remus replied. He was secretly thankful that the house was mainly empty. This way at least Ali could come down if she felt like it without the chance of someone bothering her. Remus was having the same thoughts as Regulus about keeping Ali at home virus's sending her to the Manor. He just wanted his niece to be happy. The hope that he had of Sirius and Ali having the father/daughter relationship was gone. If only Remus could get Sirius to open his eyes to the pain he was causing to the girl, but Sirius was nothing if not stubborn.

“I think I am going to write to Cissa and see if she can keep Ali for the rest of summer. If that’s what it takes for her to be happy then so be it. We can see her off at the -“

“I don’t want to leave,” Ali’s voice interrupted. “I want to stay here with you. Please don’t make me leave. I can handle it, I promise.”

Ali knew that she and Regulus were going to have to talk about the fact that she called him dad, but that was a private conversation. Right now she needed to convince the adults in the room that she didn’t need to leave. She could take Sirius. Yes the words that he had said hurt her and the actions he did tonight furthered that hurt in her heart, but she was done. She didn’t owe him anything, and it was clear she knew that he didn’t want to be her father. She had meant what she said to Regulus. He was her father in all the ways that counted. He loved her unconditionally, was always there for her, and protected her.

She went and sat on the couch in between Nymphadora and Remus who wrapped an arm around her pulling her close to his chest. “It might be best if you went and stayed for the rest of the summer at the Manor, Al. This isn’t good for you mentally. We all can see how drained you are.”

“No, this is my home. I can handle it. I have you all plus the older Weasleys and Fleur. You'll protect me and if I need to get away for a little bit I’ll owl Blaise or Draco to go to Diagon Alley or something. I want to spend time with you. Times are hard right now and you never know when you are going to lose someone and I would like to have as much time with each of you just in case.”

Regulus leaned forward taking Ali’s hand in his, “Nothing, and I mean nothing is going to happen to us. I love you more than you could ever imagine and if you want to stay here you can.” Ali smiles brightly at that before Regulus cut her off, “but you have to tell me, Remus, or Severus, if anything happens. And you have to come out of your room. I am not having you locking yourself away again. Got it?”

Ali pounced on Regulus, hugging his neck tight. She was excited to spend some more time with her family. She had meant what she said about never knowing when something was going to happen. Wizards had been disappearing all over London and she was genuinely scared something was going to happen to her loved ones. She was going to make it a point to take plenty of photos and make enough memories to last a lifetime the next couple of weeks.

Regulus held his niece tight, fighting back the tears when she whispered, “Thanks, Dad,” into his ear. He had been called a lot of things in his life, but this was one title he was going to wear proudly.

Remus’s voice interrupted the moment, “wait for a second, why are you going to owl Blaise? We have an agreement, young lady, no boys till you're thirty!”

Ali’s giggle was music to those in the room with her, and for the first time that summer they all saw Ali smile at home the brightest she had since everyone arrived.

————

The rest of the day was eventful which was something that everyone was thankful for. Nymphadora left shortly after spending some time with Ali since she had something to attend to with Moody, so that left Regulus, Ali, and Remus to watch the Star Wars movies in Ali’s room. Kreacher brought them snacks while they made a fort on the floor. Ali was incredibly content laying on the mounds of pillows in between her Uncles. When she was younger they would have movie nights like this once a month until she started Hogwarts. Even then she and her friends carried on the tradition in the boy's dorm since Draco was often present at the ones hosted at home. She wished that she could have Draco over now, but knew that if she brought him here then everyone in the house would throw a fit about it, maybe it was something to bring up to Regulus later.

Molly called them all down for dinner shortly after the second film ended. Leaving the mess on the floor the trio made their way downstairs with Ali trailing behind her Uncles. She could feel her nerves spike the closer she got to the dining room. She thought about excusing herself stating she wasn’t hungry, but the loud growl in her stomach gave her hunger away. Everyone had already sat down beside Harry and Sirius when they got into the room. Regulus pulled the seat out next to him for his niece. Fleur shot her a smile when she sat down by her uncle with Charlie on her other side. At least she was sitting near someone who didn’t hate her.

Chatter and the sounds of forks on plates filled the room as everyone got their fill of Molly’s meatballs and onion sauce. Everyone broke off into separate conversations. Remus, Regulus, and Arthur talking about the Ministry, the younger Weasleys, and Hermione talking about Quidditch, Bill and Fleur about their upcoming wedding, and Charlie and Ali talking about his work in Romania. “What are you planning on doing after you leave Hogwarts?”

Ali shot a glance over at Remus who was doing a terrible job of disguising his eavesdropping on the duo. “I am thinking about becoming a professor. I like creatures obviously so I was thinking something along those lines, but I also like Herbology. So maybe that. I just know I want to teach.”

Charlie shot her a grin. “Have you thought about where? I know Hogwarts has Sprout for Herbology and Hagrid was doing Care of Magical Creatures, but you still have three more years of school so maybe they’ll need someone by the time you're done.”

Ali shrugged her shoulders. In all honesty, she wanted to leave England and travel for a bit but knew that if she brought it up now it would be a fight or something so she bit her tongue. “Maybe.”

The noise came to a halt when the door slammed open in the living room. Everyone hopped to their feet, wands at the ready. It felt like hours had passed before the intruder walked through the door. “Sirius! Harry! Merlin, you scared us all.”

“Sorry, it’s raining hard and we were in a rush to get back home.” Sirius shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. Everyone retook their seats beside Milly who served Harry and Sirius. Ali tried her hardest to keep from looking at the latest duo that entered, not wanting to cause any more trouble or to give Sirius a reason to lash out at her.

Dinner passed rather quickly, conversations flowed in their small groups. Charlie had gone with Fleur and Bill on a scouting mission shortly after eating, while Fred and George worked on new products for their shop. Ali was in her head thinking about asking to go to meet Pansy in the coming days to look at a new book shop. Pansy wasn’t much of a reader but was always looking for an excuse to get out of her house. She was startled when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up Molly was smiling softly at her while handing her a letter in a dark blue envelope. She instantly knew who the letter was from since only one person used that kind of envelope when writing her.

“This came for you, dear, when you were with your uncles. I didn't want to bother you then I almost forgot just now.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Weasley.” Ali smiled at the kind woman. Despite her feelings towards most of the Weasley children, their parents were quite nice.

Molly patted her cheek before walking off. Ali started to rip the top off when she got Regulus’s eye and he winked at her. He knew who the letter was from having met the boy a few times already. Her cheeks flushed and continued to do so while reading it.

Dear Supernova,

I hope you are surviving the dreadfulness that is upon you right now with all the people in your house. Yes, Draco told me what was going on yesterday when I finally threatened to out his crush if he didn’t explain why we hadn’t been seeing you a lot this summer. I have to say I am quite hurt that you didn’t tell me yourself. Best friends I thought. Just joking, but seriously you could have told me about him and I wouldn't have said a word to anyone.

I miss you, Supernova. We’ve only got to see each other once this summer and we both know when school starts you will have a book shoved in front of your face in the first three minutes. Could we get together sometime this week? It has been awful at home and if I have to hear Draco's voice one more time without you there to tell him off for being annoying I may throw myself off the astronomy tower.

Your uncle may not agree, but you could come to stay at mine for a night. Mother agreed to it as long as Regulus does and we have separate rooms. If you can't, maybe I can come to you? I don’t really care what the redheads have to say about me being there so don’t worry about that. We have much to catch up on; like the fact that you got Headgirl and also didn’t write and tell me. I had to find that little tidbit out from Parkinson's. Don’t worry we’ll catch up whether that's soon or on the train.

love,

Zabini

Ali felt a pang of guilt hit her square in the chest. She hadn’t meant to forget to fill Blaise in on her life but it had been so crazy recently she hadn’t got to write anyone much. In all the truth no one knew that she had gotten Headgirl. She had gotten the letter from Flitwich a few days after the Weasley’s arrived and completely forgot. Although she told her Uncles she didn’t want to go anywhere spending some time with Blaise sounded nice. Deciding to just rip the bandaid off she looked up to find Regulus and Remus looking at her with amused smiles on their faces.

“What’s you got there, Ali?” Remus asked, causing her cheeks to flame red. She wasn’t scared to say that she wanted to hang out with a boy. She did it all the time whether it was Blaise, Theo, or Draco; it was more to do with the fact that she was about to ask to spend the night at a boys' house. Even if they were going to be in separate rooms and they had fallen asleep cuddled together weeks prior at the Malfoys, something none of her Uncles knew, it was going to be a little fight to get Remus to agree as he made the ‘no dating till you’re thirty’ rule when she was five and asked for a boyfriend for Christmas.

Looking around she noticed all attention was on her even if the other adults in the room were making it seem like they weren’t listening while the children openly gawked. “Uhm,” she was cut off by Severus stepping into the room. Great, now she had to face all three Uncles. Where were Dora and Cissa when she needed them?

Severus hugged her quickly before taking a place by Regulus. “Who's the letter from Ali?” He asked her letting her know there was no getting out of it and that she was going to have to spill the beans.

“It’s from Blaise,” A look of amusement passed Regulus’s face, making her think that he knew what was in the letter already while Remus looked like he was going to snatch the letter out of her hands and read it himself if she didn’t hurry up.

“And what possibly could it say to have your cheeks looking like the inside of Gryffindor common room?” Regulus teased further.

She coughed trying to get her nerves resealed. “He was saying that we need to catch up before school starts, and invited me to come and stay with him and Mrs. Zabini for a night this week.”

Remus grunted while Regulus smiled. Ali had to hide a giggle as she noticed all the other mouths in the room had dropped to the floor. Ali knew that except for Hermione and Harry the Weasley’s never stayed or had anyone else with them.

“Can I, please? His mother said we would have separate rooms and she will be there as well as the house-elves. We only got to see one another once this summer. He said if I can’t he could come here, but honestly, I think the first option is better. Please?” She pulled out her best puppy eyes and pouty lip. She was not above begging for it but didn’t want to do so with everyone staring at her.

Regulus looked over at Remus. Ali could see the silent conversation going on between them. Regulus’s head inclined slightly toward Ali which she hoped to Merlin was a good thing. Remus looked back at his niece with a look in his eye she couldn’t read. “Rosalynn said you’ll have separate rooms?” Ali nodded her head so fast she almost gave herself whiplash. “And you’ll stay in them?” Once again she nodded, although she knew that they more than likely would be in the family room till late hours in the night. He looked back at Regulus, “you have no problems with her going?”

“No, I already knew about it. Rosalynn wrote about two days ago. If she wants to go, that's fine. You know Rosalynn will look after her as she does Blaise. And the Heavens know that boy would jump in front of the Knight Bus for Ali.” Regulus chuckled at Ali's shocked expression.

“Y-you knew? Why didn’t you say anything?” Ali struggled to get the words out.

“Rosalynn said Blaise wanted to ask you. She was just giving me a heads up, knowing how Remus is with boys and you. You know we talked quite often, Als.” Regulus winked at her.

“You may go,” Remus stated. She was shocked she didn’t have to put up more of a fight.

“WHAT?” Sirius shrieked. He knew that Regulus would let her go to the Death Eaters house, but Remus? He thought he could count on his ‘friend’ to at least say no. “You’re letting her go to the Death Eaters house? AGAIN? Who's also a boy and staying the night? Are you mad?”

Remus looked at Sirius with disdain, “No I am not. She is a good girl and Blaise has been her friend for years. Rosalynn loves her as much as we do and would never let anything happen. And for God's sake quit calling everyone a Death Eater.”

“Outrageous.”

“Sirius, you have no say in what she does. You gave that up last night. Ali is a good girl who makes good choices. Not only that but she also deserves a little something since she got Headgirl this year, don’t you think?” Regulus smirked as he saw the Granger girl's face fall.

“You got Headgirl?” Hermione whispered to Ali with disbelief lacing her voice.

“Yeah, I did. Draco got Headboy I believe, but it may be Theo. I haven’t asked yet.”

“Why do you and Draco get Head of Houses? Why not Hermione and -“ Ali cut her dear Godbrother off.

“And who? You? Ron? Why would any of you get Head of Houses with all the trouble you bring in? Sneaking out, stealing things, picking fights. We do have the highest marks in most classes as well as treat others equally unlike the likes of you.”

If looks could kill Ali would be dead three times over. In all honesty, she kinda felt bad for the younger Weasley boy seeing as all of his older brothers, bar Fred and George had been Headboy. But then she thought about the trouble he and his friends had caused her and her friends as well as others over the years. Harry preached about equality among the houses but she had witnessed many times when younger Slytherins were picked on by Gryiffndors. Hufflepuffs generally didn't have any problems with the other houses so long as everyone was being just. Ravenclaws tended to keep to themselves unless it really involved them. Whereas Slytherins preferred to stand up to those picking on other Slytherins especially the younger ones. Slytherins were always made out to be the bullies when in general if you got to know them people would notice that they are a lot more than what their parents used to be.

Ally had heard the stories of how mean James and Sirius were to those in Slytherin even if they never did anything to them. She believed in harmless fun could be had pulling pranks, but tricking someone into going to a place where a werewolf was was downright cruel. She had no doubts in her mind that James and Sirius were once good people like her Uncle Remus is now, but seeing as Sirius still acts like a child those doubts were becoming known.

“I just think that Slytherins shouldn’t be Head of House when all you will do is favor your own, and treat everyone else like dirt,” Ron stated.

“Ronald Weasley! How dare you say such a thing?!” Molly exclaimed.

“It’s alright Mrs. Weasey. I am used to hearing such things come from them and others in their house,” Ali looked Ron in the eyes, “You seem to forget that I’m a Ravenclaw, not a Slytherin. I do not favor anyone and will not when I start Head Girl duties but know this. I will give you as many detentions as you deserve if you are caught bullying, harassing, belittling, any of the other houses. You may think that Gryiffndors are the bravest of the houses and maybe you are in some ways, but you are cowardly in others. Maybe some Slytherins are as bad as you make them seem, but Harry,” she turned her head slightly to the side, “you seem to forget just which house Peter Pettigrew was in when he was the one who betrayed your parents. And Regulus was in Slytherin but seems to be more loyal to his friends and family than that rat was.”

“It seems that Alianova has given you all something to think about as you're getting ready for bed,” Molly stated looking at all the children present in the room. Her face grew red when she saw that none of them had moved a muscle. “Now.”

Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny, jumped from their seats and booked it to the stairs scared of Mrs. Weasley’s wrath. At some point, Charlie, Fluer, and Bill came back from scouting. Charlie ruffled Ali’s hair causing her to grin. “Good job, kid. You’ll make a great Head Girl.” Bill and Fleur nodded in agreement. “Nothing happened while we were out. We’ll give a full debrief tomorrow, but we will be heading to bed as well. Good night everyone.”

Molly walked to Ali and pulled her up out of her chair before placing both hands on Ali’s pale cheeks. “Don’t you worry, dear, I will be talking with all of them in the morning. You made a lot of valid points, and I for one am proud that you are Head Girl.”

She kissed her forehead before taking her husband to go to bed after waving her wand to get the kitchen clean once again. Arthur offered Ali a small smile before disappearing behind his wife. Sirius scoffed at the behavior which everyone heard but chose to ignore.

Ali turned to her three Uncles, waiting for the answer about going to her friends, and the scene that just played out in the kitchen.

“I am proud of you as well, Alianova. You have done excellent, and I know it is Remus and Regulus' decision about going to Blaises’, but I see no problem with it. I will stay in the guest room. Come get me if you need me. Good night, Ali.” He hugged her tightly, making Ali tear up slightly at the thought of Servus being proud of her. It also made her giddy at the thought of rubbing it in Draco’s face since Severus is his Godfather and never said such a thing to him.

Remus followed after Servus, wrapping his niece in a bear hug around her shoulders. The height difference amusing Regulus to no end seeing as Ali only came about midway in Remus’s chest. “You may go as long as it’s okay with Reg, and you stay in separate rooms. I am a little mad though that you didn’t tell me yourself about getting Head Girl, but I am still incredibly proud of you. No one deserves this more than you do, not even Harry.” The last part was whispered in her ear. He kissed her forehead, before heading to his room.

With the three Blacks being the only ones left in the room. “I don’t think you should go.” Sirius’s voice was venomous as he thought about his only child, his legacy, spending time with Death Eaters.

“It’s a good thing it doesn’t matter what you think isn’t it?” Regulus smirked at his older brother. He was not going to take this away from his child. “Ali, you may go so long as you stay in your separate rooms whenever the two of you decide to go to sleep because I know from having all your mates over it will be late.” He walked to Ali cradling her freckled face in his hands. “I am so proud to call you my daughter. Even after all that you have been through in your life you have still managed to form your own beliefs and thoughts as well as stand up for them. You deserve Head Girl over anyone else, and hopefully, you get to share it with one of your friends.”

Ali dove into her Uncle's chest. Tears welling up into her eyes at the thought that he really did think of her as his own even if she already knew it. It was nice to hear out loud. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I love you, dad.” She kissed his cheek before heading to her room to write Blaise.

Sirius felt his anger sore to new heights when he heard Ali call Regulus dad. He had enough courtesy to wait till she was out of earshot before grounding out, “We need to talk, Regulus.”

[crawlingforwardx]

Prom was definitely the big leagues as far as school dances went. Most people might not remember the Homecoming Queen 10 years from now but they would never forget the Prom Queen, whether it was out of pure admiration or bitter resentment. They would just need to play their cards right and not underestimate Tina's determination to overtake Alice this time.

Still quietly scheming to help Alice's comeback, Steve's a bit caught off guard when she suddenly blurts out her request. "I--" He starts to protest, concluding that would take him off the market for the rest of the year and further kill his dating life. Even if he didn't hate the idea because he was actually having fun tonight, more than he would've with some other girl. Effectively squashing that thought before he could expand on it and why he might feel that way, he waits to hear Alice out.

He considers the possibility as well as her points. Steve was pretty much guaranteed to be crowned King, same as he had been tonight. He liked Alice's odds, genuinely believing tonight had just been an odd turn of events because Tina had the pity card in her hand. However, if Alice wanted to maximize her chances then he would give her the helping hand. "Yeah, okay." He said as he took a pull off his cigarette and blew the smoke away from her; tapping the ash from the tip. "But we go as friends. I can't keep up the act for a whole year." Especially when he could barely go five seconds without having some kind of non-platonic thought about her, which wasn't at all helped by all the heavy smooching and touching they did publicly to keep up the act. It was a struggle that went beyond his ladies man image and activities.

As the conversation shifted closer to the present, Steve gives a nod acknowledging her statement. "Cool costumes." Emphasis on the cool because he knew Alice held a fondness for Star Wars when it wasn't exactly his idea of it. "Something that'll outshine her and whatever guy she manages to rope in to be her date." It was definitely something for them to consider after Homecoming.

Steve felt a warmth start to creep in as she teases sharing a chocolate shake at Benny's afterward. Just like they had done for their 'fake date' the other weekend to feed the illusion of being together. He had been so hyper aware of it and the closeness of her in the booth the entire time. "Of course, Ali," he teases back, trying to keep a cool and casual tone as if he hadn't just been thinking about that last time. "What kind of boyfriend would I be if we didn't share one?"

[ @crawlingforwardx ]

When Steve lays it all out, it seems so simple and straightforward. As easy as showing up on Monday in a killer outfit and pretending that Tina winning is just a bump in the road, barely worth stumbling over. His confidence makes it easy to believe and Alice would, if Tina hadn't just blindsided her with the infuriatingly clever play she'd used to take Homecoming.

Clearly, she'd underestimated Tina and it's not something she can afford to do again.

Steve isn't wrong, though. Prom is a much bigger deal to most people than Homecoming and winning that crown...

...statistically isn't something she can do by herself.

"--Go to prom with me?" she blurts out, heat prickling across her cheeks. She holds up a hand, asking Steve to hear her out. "We'll still--" break up "--stick to the plan, but if you're not with someone, I think we should go together. In the past five years, there's only been one Prom Queen who didn't go with her respective King. Your odds are good, but mine are better with you."

She lets her hand fall, trying not to think about how her heart had jumped at the idea of going with him, and lifts a shoulder. "It's forever from now, so I don't expect an answer, but do me a favour and think about it, please?"

Brushing a loose curl away from her face, Alice considers their options for Tina's party. They could throw their own, of course, given that neither of their parents would likely be home for the holiday, and steal Tina's thunder, but that might come across as petty. Petty would look weak. Going to the party and overshadowing Tina at her own event would play better.

"We'll need killer costumes," she states.

Couple's costumes.

Her own smile brightens in response to his, but softens the longer she looks at him. Feeling too warm, she looks down at her feet for a few moments before she looks up at him through her lashes in a way that feels just the right amount of over-the-top to keep it from coming across as genuinely flirty.

"You wanna share a chocolate shake with me, Stevie?" she teases, the nickname he hasn't gone by in years tumbling out. "Extra whipped cream... two straws... just like in the movies?"