#my coworker is hearing all about teen wolf

[honestlydarkprincess]

there’s no better feeling than infodumping to someone who actually seems interested

[ryuttaeng]

First of all welcome back,

Can you a friends to lovers with g!p ryujin, both are in the same pack kinda like Teen Wolf.

-🦋 anon

gp!ryujin x fem!reader

a/n: dare i say that i’ve never watched it 🫢

warnings: g!p, slight enemies to friends to lovers, lowkey made it switch!ryujin, unprotected sex

you turn around, hearing someone’s presence in the room. "oh, it’s you… you can at least announce yourself before entering, you know?" you say, as you look at ryujin’s smiley face. "what are you smiling at, ryuddaeng?" you ask, seeing older girl that shrugged. "nothing… do i need a reason to smile?"

you sigh, as you sat down bedside ryujin on the couch, examining her face. it’s actually hard to tell for you why you started liking her overnight and when that hate between you both ended. ryu looks like an epitome of your type but you don’t like her that way, do you? you’d rather have her as your…

"earth to y/n! are we here?" ryujin waves her hand in front of your face, trying to draw your attention to her. "sorry, just wondered about… stuff." you reply, turning away from her. "oh really? mind sharing your thoughts with me?" does she really need to be this… appealing? you pinched the bridge of your nose, sighing once again. "wanna make you sigh in a different way." you hear ryujin say, instantly turning your head to her direction. did you hear that right?

there was something about you that made ryujin irritated or was it just a reaction to your attitude towards her. you two weren’t on a good terms with each other but ryujin wouldn’t deny that you are exactly what she wanted in a girl. she secretly cheered when you started talking with her more and eventually became friends. of course, there still were some things that she hid from you, but maybe it’s you who’s a little ignorant about ryujin’s intentions or whatever.

ryujin’s hand playfully took your strand of hair, "do you really don’t get my intentions?" she asks, making you more confused than ever. now it’s ryujin’s turn to sigh, yet she’s patient, "i like you. not as a friend or coworker you know… we both work together but it would be hard to me to stay as friends." her hand was on your cheek, as she shyly turned her head away. is it real? or she just messing with you? you just open and close your mouth, unable to form any coherent sentences, as you feel ryujin grabbing your head and laying it on her chest. "ya hear that? that’s how fast you make my heart beat." ryujin’s voice softened as you look at her. "are you kidding me? i thought i was weird for feeling something… towards you." you almost whisper, now looking at ryujin differently. ryujin takes a deep breath before saying, "no, im not kidding you i just-"

the rest of the sentence ryujin hummed into the kiss, her hand grabbing your hair, moving you closer to her, if it’s even possible. older girl carefully lays down, you break the kiss to go down to her neck, holding back to leave any marks. ryujin’s breathing becomes more intense, she’s almost whimpering, "hold on… y/n, i-" ryujin tries to push you away but you resist. she sits down, holding onto her pants, hesitating to speak. she just takes your hand, moving it lower, until you sense her hard-on. older girl awaits for your negative reaction and she sighs in relief when you smile at her, "i’m totally okay with it, don’t worry about it. you’re as gorgeous as you always were." you sink yourself down, slowly rubbing the clothed cock.

ryujin whimpers, mumbling your name under her breath, as you unzip her pants, pulling them down along with boxers. you kiss ryujin again, pulling down your pants, slowly aligning her cock with your entrance as you adjust to her length. "oh my… god…" you moan out, ryujin’s hands placed on your waist, she slowly starts moving her hips, nearly ready to finish already. "ryujin… can you go faster, please?" you whisper, closing your eyes. it’s all too much for your liking.

who ryujin is to deny your plea? she starts pounding into you, making you moan even louder that she has to muffle you by kissing. your breathing becomes more intense, you getting closer to your release with each ryujin’s thrust. "oh- f-fuck, i’m gonna cum now!" ryujin moans out, her cock sips out of you before she shoots her load on her tummy, you both came at the same time.

you lay down, heavy breathing when ryujin’s hand caresses your hair. she placed a kiss on your forehead, holding you. "i love you."

"i love you too."

[ragnarokhound]

hello i came here from ao3 which makes this kinda feel like i’m following a coworker home and letting myself into their house but i’ve been rereading all your jaytim fics yet again and am! not! normal about it! and i just wanted to say that i love love love the way you write jason so much. it’s also really fun starting with your first jaytim fic that’s more like general fanon jason and tim and then following the ways you flesh both of them out so much as you write more. i feel like the true jaytim shipper arc is using tim as the self insert at first bc jason hot but then realizing jason is the one with issues that kind of make him the best to dig into and chew on and yeah. i just really really love how you write him and i wanted to let you know! ah! ok bye!

HI?? I'M GONNA CRY???

omg okay first of all-- first of all, THANK YOU for letting yourself into my house, i left the key under the mat on purpose so that folks from ao3 could come in whenever and rummage through my fridge and chat about jay and tim and jaytim over tea and charcuterie with me, so, sincerely, thank you for fulfilling that dream for me <333

second of all, ah? aaahhh?? aaaahhhHHH???? I am the one who is not normal actually! Hearing that you're rereading ALL of my jaytim fics? TuT THANK YOU omg, I'm so happy that you like my evolving take on Jason!! Because you are very right - I barely knew who Tim and Jason were when I first started writing fic of them, and was (w)riding high on DEEPLY HORNY VIBES ALONE. Coming from Teen Wolf and Sterek, I think it's quite obvious how my fandom pipeline got me to that first fic lmao >.>

(popping some rambling about characters & writing under the cut:)

Tim is such a fun character, but I do find him more personally relatable, and I find Jason more personally attractive, fjdslfjsa so YEAH. YOU'RE SO RIGHT. My motto is, as ever, "Tim Drake gets what I want, and what I want is Jason Todd" so while I find writing Tim POV to be the most comfortable, I find Jason more fun to obsessively write about. I think about Jason a lot because, to me, Tim is also thinking about Jason a lot U_U You can really see the turning point where I started thinking about Jason as a character more fjdlsfjafd

(that dog fic was a distraction from an as of yet unfinished Friends w/Benefits -> Lovers WIP from Jason's POV... maybe someday I'll finish you...)

Jason is so cool (/literary /he's actually a dork). He has a lot of mixed emotions and motives and confusing traumas and life events to navigate. His death is one of THE most important moments in comic book history, a decisive turning point in tone and theme, and people just can't help themselves when it comes to him and that moment (and the crowbars. christ. how many times are we going to hand jason a crowbar and expect him to want to use it fdjslfsa I DIGRESS).

You can write Jason a lot of ways, because how do you even react to that? How do you even come to terms with your literal death and resurrection and the messy mcfreaking history you left behind and then came back to? It's believable when Jason is edgy and sexy and volatile, THE Bad Boy of the already Bad Boy Batman franchise - but it's equally believable when he's just a scared, secretly dorky kid who came back to a family that moved on without him, his murderer still out there and killing people who aren't lucky (?) enough to have cosmic connections. Even better to me when he's both lol

OKAY i'm done i swear, but you followed me home, you signed up for this lmao

THANK YOU AGAIN, omg, I remember your comments on ao3 too, thank you SO much for your kind words, both over there and now over here!! <33 TTuTT You're gonna make me waterworks, dude ;A; <333

[unpopularshipbracket]

Round 1a Match 1

Rashmi Jamil/Amelie Macon (Entropic Float)

Fic count: 0

Liam Dunbar/Hayden Romero (Teen Wolf)

Fic count: 336

Propaganda under the cut

Rashmelie:

"this essay is going to be reused whole cloth from the submission of them to the 17 million years of pining poll! because unfortunately i do not have the energy to go insane enough to write up anything new oh.

my god. where the fuck do i start with them for real.

okay so, theyve been friends since early childhood, and before either of them came out (Rashmi is agender, they/them, while Amelie is a trans girl, she/her, and they are both mspec which is a bit less relevant but is also there). the earliest time that we know that they have feelings for each other is when theyre both 14, and Rashmi - already out, with their entire family (parents and grandma) supporting them without question - is moving. uhhh 90% of american geography names are the same to me so i might lie there. from Nevada, where they both grew up, to New York, where Rashmi is planning on studying dance further, which has always been their plan; around 14 is when they ran out of teachers at home.

they quietly hope Amelie doesnt confess her feelings for them, as they fear it might tempt them to stay, which they cannot allow themself to do. Amelie, meanwhile, is very carefully not thinking about gender, because her parents are quite frankly the worst. over the course of the years before they meet back up, Amelie has had some dates, but each time, they dont work out, and in her own words, put logs on the flame she carries for Rashmi.

Rashmi, meanwhile. gets married. one of Rashmi's biggest struggles in their romantic pursuits has been the fact that they are both Indian and queer. it has been a struggle for them to find someone who respects both - someone who respects their gender identity while not throwing their culture under the bus. that is one of the factors contributing to the way their relationship with "Ajay" (we learn that this name isnt his real one, but it was magically replaced in Rashmi's memories of him and we dont know it) played out: he is also Indian, and the first thing he asked them upon meeting them was what their pronouns were. and it was all good.

until it wasnt.

i would love to get into that deeper, but the important point is that "Ajay" is kind of a piece of garbage, whose crimes include finding Rashmi's address when they didnt give it out, deliberately not sending Amelie her wedding invitation because Rashmi told him they used to have a crush on her, driving them to drop out of dance school, and general possessiveness (notable being the fact that, whenever he is home, he always asks them to stay home too, which leads to them dropping their social circle and their hobbies). one of the places it grows from is "Ajay" being ace and not quite believing that Rashmi accepts that. he also has a substance abuse problem.

all of that culminates as they return from a short visit to their parents, and he in a fit pushes them down a long flight of stairs.

in the meantime... god, i cant even figure out what parts of information are important about Amelie here. i would put as notable the fact that she only figured out she was a girl something like a year before the events of the game - and only ever came out to Rashmi, who in turn told their parents...

and who didnt realize that Amelie's workplace didnt know. her workplace is just. terrible in social terms. she loves the work itself (its food industry, a restaurant in a casino, dont remember the exact job description) but her coworkers are being the absolute worst. a cesspool of toxic masculinity. also an environment for Amelie's undiagnosed psychosis. she is prone to auditory hallucinations.

after being outed to her boss while also hearing from Rashmi's parents that their husband is... lets just say bad for them, she, while safely at home, hallucinates that her boss or maybe her father is breaking down the door.

simultaneously with Rashmi as they are falling down the stairs, they make Wishes.

these are not widely understood; from the context of the game, it seems as though some people get a Wish when in significant peril, or in distress. you do not need to use the Wish immediately as you get it, but they both did.

essentially, what Rashmi Wishes for is a way to escape from their husband that wouldnt raise a fuss; and Amelie Wishes for a place where she and Rashmi can both be safe. (i am very muddly on the details there) their Wishes create the anomalous clocktower where the game takes place."

Layden:

"THEYRE SO FUN !! liam and hayden went to the same middle school and absolutely hated each other because they got into a fight right before picture day in 6th grade and they had black eyes and bruises and shit in their yearbook photos. they meet again in their sophomore year of high school and both of them are still holding that grudge a little bit, before liam tries to make amends. plot stuff happens and liam ends up saving haydens life, and their romance kinda begins. teen wolf has this lore where werewolves can take pain from people (it’s a weird show with weird lore) and they both take each others pain by kissing. hayden (temporarily) dies in liams arms and when she comes back she says nothing feels right anymore, except for him. during their first season they also have this fun romeo and juliet/opposite sides dynamic. and in their second season hayden puts her literal existence at stake because she trusts liam enough to save her. theyre so good."

[fivefeetfear]

Fighter Chp 3

………………..

“LISTEN UP BITCHES! WE ARE CANCELING WHATEVER WE HAVE TODAY BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO THE PISS AWARDS!”

Blitz shouts as he kicks the staff lounge  door down spooking his coworkers and daughter in the process.  

“You mean THE PISS awards? Where they only exclusively invite famous people?”  Millie ask as she sipped her coffee.

“Yes!” Was his only response as he rocked on his heels and toes. Moxxie raised a finger as he spoke up.

“Sir, the probability of us going to the PISS awards are zero. We aren’t well know enough to be invited and we can’t even afford one ticket let alone 4. So how in heaven are we getting in?” Moxxie questions not in the mood to be sneaking into places they shouldn’t be. Again. Blitz look at Moxxie with a long blank stare not saying a peep. It was unnerving.

“Moxxie I’m gonna level with ya, I didn’t hear a single fucking thing you said nor do I give a fuck.”

Blitz then whips out 4 VIP tickets from behind his back flashing the golden tickets to his peers.

“To answer your question Mills, yes they do only invite uptight snobby fuckers to these shindig but I just so happen to be BFF with the opening act. Obscure Heart!” Luna finally tunes in to the conversation at the mention of one of her favorite singers. Her ears pointed up as she glares at Blitz in disbelief.

“No fucking way! You know Obscure?!” Blitz place his hands on his hips as he lean forward for dramatic effect.

“Yes I do. And you would have known that if you came home last night!” He shouts like a baby.

:readmore:

“She was at our house!?”

“How do you know so many celebrities?” Moxxie pipes back in genuinely confused.

“Look it’s a long story and I rather not get into now. All you idiots need to know is we were childhood friends that lost touch, ok?  Glad we had this talk, now let’s go to the PISS AWARDS!”

“FUCK YES!” Millie shouts in excitement as she grabs Moxxie by the hand ready to go home to get all doll up for the award show! Luna stands up and follows Blitz out the room still texting on her phone.

“I’m considering this my birthday gift since the last gift you gave me was a box of fucking spiders.” She informs Blitz.

“Sounds good to me!”

……………

“Obscure you have visitors.” One of the body guards informed me. I was currently having my revealing skin tight outfit fitted for the show. I carefully turn around and saw Blitz and his friends. Oh thank Satan! I felt like I was gonna vomit all day!

“Blitz and friends! Thank you for coming!” I say nervously as I wave my hands to get my nervous out.

“Whoa Damn (N/N) you’re a real fucking knock out! My, my how you’ve grown~” he purrs as his eyes traces the curves of my figure.

“Keep it in your pants B, now are you going to introduce me to your friends or not?”I ask trying to get my mind off the show.

“Oh right these dummies. This is Millie and her short dick bitch baby of a husband Moxxie.”

“HEY!” The white hair imp protest but went unheard by his boss. Kind of felt bad for the guy.

“And this is my special wittle girl Loony. She a big fan!”

“Da-Blitz!” The hellhound hisses in embarrassment. I giggle as offer my hand out for a shake.

“Nice to finally meet you Luna. If anyone should be given an award it be you for putting up with Blitz and his bullshit.” I crack making the teen wolf give a small smile.

“Yeah but I can’t say he doesn’t keep it interesting.”

“Oh I know there’s never a dull moment with the cheeky bastard.”

“Ok ok can you two stop talking shit about me like I’m not here.” The imp himself complains with a pout. I giggle as I pet his forehead.

“Sorry B it’s not our fault your a little bitch. Oh I almost forgot! These are the free liquor badges! So save me some shots! Ima need them mid performance to keep the tempo and shake the nerves!” Blitz swap the cards out of hands loops the lanyard around his friends and daughter neck.

“Awe thanks hon! I’ve seen your videos, I’m sure you’ll do great!” Millie cheers excitedly.

“I’m not into the pop genre, it’s no Mozart or Beethoven but I too am excited nonetheless.” I wanted to physically roll my eyes on how pretentious he sounded. But kept up the smile not letting what he said bother me.

“Thank you! I hope you enjoy!”

“Obscure your on in five!” I felt my heart drop as I took in deep breaths. Oh shit oh shit oh fucking shit! This is happening!

“N/N you ok?” I heard Blitz say as he snap his claws in front of my face.

“Yeah just really fucking nervous. Can you stay with me until I go on?” I ask softly still feeling like ima pass out.  

“Of course!” He response happily.

“A security guard will escort you all to the table. You guys have front row seats I made sure of that.” With a quick thank you the others left to their table to enjoy the show.

……..

Blitz walk me to the stage we stood off to the  as everything was getting set up.  The band was checking the sound and my dancers were either chatting or warming up along with my backup vocalist.

“This doesn’t seem too bad.” I mutter as I look out to the crowd, I could barely see them because of the lights.

“Oh I couldn’t fuck tell by the way your breaking every bone in my goddamn hand!” Blitz says trying to pry his hand our my grip. I quickly let go and apologized.

“B I am so sorry! I’m so nervous it’s about to-“

“HELLLLOOOO YOU SEXY BITCHES!”

Oh no. My blood ran cold as I stop talking.

“Are you fucking kidding me.” Blitz whispers  as he watches the clown himself slide down a pole onto the stage. The jester smiles wide as his stupid hat jingles.

“Before we get things rolling, I want to give a quick announcement! Due to Murder Mayhem being missing or some shit Ill be subbing in to be all your dirty lil fuckers host for the night!!” The crowd cheer as the clown soaks in the attention. As Fizzarolli lives his best life I am living my worst nightmare!

“Blitz I wanna go.”

“Go? Go where?” He ask trying to read my body language. I wrap my tail around me as I took a step towards my dressing room. But Blitz blocked me.

“Get out the fucking away!” I whisper yelled at him not trying to draw attention.

“No! I’m not gonna let you back out because his sorry ass is here. You made it this far. So you are going on that stage even if I have to drag your  bitch ass on!” Blitz hisses as he pulls out a tiny bottle of liquor.

“I snuck this in, I didn’t feel buying drinks but thanks to you I don’t have to. So drink this shit up, take a breath and make the PISS awards your bitch!” I crack a smile at Blitz version of a pep talk. He was always so honest and that’s what I fucking needed now. I grab the drink from his hand and took a big gulp. Uhhh it’s disgusting. But the liquor brought warmth to my chest and ease the anxiety. There’s no better remedy than liquid courage.

“Thanks B.” The red demon gave me a large devilish smile and spun me around toward the stage.

“Yeah yeah enough with the sappy shit. Now get out there and fucking sing.”  I smile as I stood besides my dancers and vocalist waiting to be introduced.

“Now without further ado please welcome to the stage the hottest singer on screamtube OBSCURE HEART!” Fizzarolli shout as a roar of applause echos in the building. I took a quick breath before following my dancers to the center of the stage with my head held high.

“Go get’em sexy.” Fizzarolli said as he walks by giving me a hard slap on the ass. It took everything in my begin to not react.

He’s so Disgusting. Once I took my position on stage the music began.  Fizzarolli turn around and caught sight of Blitz. Before he could confront the idiot he was pull aside by the stage director for next coming announcements.

I nodded to the DJ signaling to him I’m ready. He gives me a thumbs up and pushed a few buttons. I could feel the stage vibrate from the bass beneath my feet. The sensation filled me with adrenaline. I double check the ear piece holding the mic close to my mouth as I prepare to perform.

Ring the alarm (and I'm throwin' elbows)

Ring the alarm (and I'm throwin' elbows)

Ring the alarm (and I'm throwin' elbows)

Ring the alarm (and I'm throwin' elbows)

Ring the alarm (and I'm throwin' elbows)

Where my dawgs at?

(Uh, let me loose)

Oh, I'm overdue

Give me some room

I'm coming through

Paid my dues

In the mood

Me and my girls gonna shake the room

DJ's spinning (show your hands)

Let's get dirrty (that's my jam)

I need that, uh, to get me off

Sweat until my clothes come off

The lights are blinding and the bass of the music was deafening. It made the stage fright I had simply vanish as I sang to the audience. I expected to push my limits while performing but Singing and dancing an intense choreography is hard not to mess up. Having so many eyes imitated the fuck out of me but I had to push those feelings aside to make it look effortless. Me and my dancers move quickly to the beat of the song. We had gotten on the floor, shaking our asses, crawling, bending our bodies every which way to angle our assets to the audience. It built sweat easily as we continue to move as a unit.

“Holy shit this is so fucking hot! FUCK IT UP BITCH!” Blitz yells. Millie was cheering loudly in her seat while Moxxie couldn’t form a proper sentence. Luna was playing it cool as she recorded and post it on her social media. She would smile when she got envious comments on her stories.

And I bet you somebody's gonna

Call the cops

Uh oh (uh oh)

Here we go (here we go)

Yo, hot damn

Doc a Jam like a Summer Show

I keep my car looking like a crash dummy drove

I was able to step off the stage while the rappers took over their parts. I knew it’s gonna last a while so I made my way to my friends panting with a large smile on my face.

“Hey how are y’all liking it so far?” I ask softly. Blitz immediately went into mom mode as he grabs a napkin and dabs the sweat from my neck and forehead

“You are killing it!!” Millie says as she slide me a shot glass. I threw it back welcoming back the warmth in my chest.

“Your doing great sweetie just a few notes smile with your eyes and  ass. And bring those leg kicks higher, do that and your  golden.” I giggle as I shook my head.

“Thanks B, I can always count on you for a laugh. Mind giving me a hand on the table my part is coming up.” Blitz offer me a hand as I carefully step on the sturdy table.

Gonna get rowdy (rowdy)

Gonna get a little unruly (ruly)

Get it fired up in a hurry (hurry)

Wanna get dirrty

It's about time that I came to start the party (party)

Sweat dripping over my body (body)

Dancing, gettin' just a little naughty

Wanna get dirrty

It's about time for my arrival

Gonna get rowdy

Gonna get a little unruly

Get it fired up in a hurry

Once I was back on the stage it was just a mass of bodies and hands touching me snd my hands are on my dancers. Their palms caress me from my breast to my ass. I kept up my vocal riffs as I fell into a easy split before crawling forward on my hands and knees to the front of the stage. I felt so powerful being so openly sexual in front of millions of eyes. It didn’t matter to me if they like the show I had all their attention and I’m all they can think about and that was fucking hot.

Wanna get dirrty

It’s about time that I came to start the party

Sweat dripping over my body

Dancing, gettin' just a little naughty

Wanna get dirrty

It's about time for my arrival

Gonna get rowdy

Dance and getting a little unruly (wanna get dirrty)

Get it fired up in a hurry

Let's get dirrty

It's about time that I came to start the party (oh dirrty)

Sweat dripping over my body (wanna get dirrty)

Wanna get a little naughty

Wanna get dirrty

It's about time for my arrival

Uh, what

When the song came to an end the arena filled with roar of applauses. Hearing such a thunderous sound was such an outer body experience. I couldn’t  help the large smile plaster on my face from hearing the cheering. I could see why Fizzarolli was chasing this high, there’s nothing like it. It was so euphoric.

“Now that’s what I call one hell of an opening right folks??!” Fizzarolli ask the crowd making them cheer louder in my honor. I could feel my ear drums vibrating. Holy shit this is amazing.

“HELL YEAH SHE FUCKED IT UP!” I look to front and saw it was Blitz this made me smile wider. Millie and Moxxie were clapping loudly as Luna gave me a thumbs up. It was so nice to have friends to share this experience with, it made it all the more surreal. But I was yanked out my blissful feelings when I felt something cold wrapping around my hips. It was Fizzarolli Extendo arm pulling me to his side.

“Now before we move onto the next act how about a quick Q&A with the feisty demon herself. Obscure how are you fucking feeling?”

I grunt softly as I try to pry myself out of his hold but he just tightens it.

“Uhh yeah I feel fucking fantastic. This has always been a dream of mines.” I answer offering a small smile.

“Awee how sweet! That’s just the godly work we do here down in hell making dreams come true.” He crack earning some chuckles from the crowd.

“So we’re gonna dive into something a little more personal, you here with a boyfriend? Girlfriend? Fuck buddy?” He rapid fires as he squished our cheeks together.

“No.” I mutter out.

“Mhmmm want one? A fuck buddy that is?” I roll my eyes as I push his face away from mines. Fizzarolli only laughs in amusement.

“I came with friends actually.” I answer his stupid question not wanting to give off a bad impression on live tv.

“Ohhhhh and who are these friends of yours?” He questions as he zips to the front on the stage with a pair of binoculars.

“Well well well why aren’t I surprise. Blitzo how do you manage to keep snaking your scummy ass into the spotlight. Are you the celebrity bootycall or something?” He cackles having a spotlight shine on my table of guest. Blitz stood up on the table as he shout back.

“And what if I am you limp dick jester? At least I’m not the one making sex toys of myself to sale to desperate suicidal virgins!”

“Whoooaaa seems like I hit a nerve there! Be careful Obscure he is not the kind of guy I would get too serious with. He doesn’t know where his loyalty lies.” He took a jab at Blitz. A crook smile spreads across his face as he publicly shamed the red imp.

“Oh like your one to talk.” I spoke unintentionally. The clown turned his attention to me and tilt his body to the side.

“Ohhhh? Care to elaborate?” Fizzarolli challenges.

“Tsk never mind.” I back track as I began to turn away from him.

“No please, explain to me how I managed to piss you off when you were a total nobody to me until five minutes ago toots.” Nobody. I fucking hated that word. It just made my skin crawl having it be said by him again!

“That’s fucking rich coming from you. At least this nobody got by being herself until like you. Remind me again are those limbs natural or were you trying to impress someone else, Ollie?” I let the old pet name roll of my tongue and I could see the gears immediately turning in his head.

“Do I know you?” He ask as he move the mic away from his mouth. Not wanting to share personal information about himself in front of a live audience. That’s right he as rep to up hold. I snarl at him baring my fangs in anger.

“Not anymore.”

…………

…………

And that part 3! Hope you like! Please like, comment, reblog or share!

The song is Dirrty by Christina Aguilera

Look up Dirrty Christina Aguilera l Choreography to get idea of what’s going on.

[uselesssomebody]

𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕪 𝕓𝕠𝕪, 𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕪 𝕘𝕚𝕣𝕝 - stiles stilinski x reader

complete masterlist | teen wolf masterlist

“𝕪𝕠𝕦’𝕧𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖

𝕤𝕚𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕨𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕪-𝕠𝕟𝕖” - shoegazer | beach bunny

words || 𝟙.𝟠𝕜

summary || stiles walks into a coffee shop and tries to get some studying done

a/n || it's been like two months i am so sorry guys writer's block's a bitch. also, the ending to this one is a bit rushed, but i've had the idea for a long time and finally decided to write it. also, fun fact, i never finished season 6b of teen wolf, so i know that this is probably not timeline accurate. this fic includes fbi intern stiles. hope y'all enjoy!

warnings || fluff/angst

the rich smell of coffee emanated from the machines behind me, the softer aroma of the pastries in the glass display providing a perfect complement. the room was nearly empty, save for a young man glued to his computer, and a couple of middle-aged women holding a low, cheerful conversation over their coffees. it was empty to the point where my manager really didn’t mind me scrolling through my phone, an earbud in as i tried to pass the time.

luckily, it was nearly the end of my shift, and i glanced at the clock every once in a while. once the hour hand rested neatly over the elegant ‘3’, i’d be able to pack my bags and go home. deciding that doing nothing was just a waste of time, i placed my phone into my back pocket, turning around to tidy the workspace and clean the dishes that had accumulated from the much busier rush in the morning - when i’d see the regulars.

a group of friends - likely from a nearby college - would come in during their morning breaks almost every day. they would gossip, joke, and tease each other for nearly an hour, always making sure to ask about my day as i handed them their drinks. a friend - my coworker - had suggested that one of them had a bit of a crush on me, but i always brushed it off.

then there was an elderly couple who would come in early in the morning, saying that they were popping in for breakfast after a walk by the lake. they always made me smile, the both of them extremely charming and caring.

other than those, we always had an influx of people coming in to work in a quiet environment - always the least needy customers, and always quite polite. i tended to noticed the new faces, but could never really remember any of them.

the dishes were easy enough to clean, and i stacked them on the drying rack, before going into the back room. i smiled at my coworker, tamara - the same friend who’d attempted to goad me into flirting with the student from earlier. she was in charge of baking the goods, always in earlier than me to ensure all the ingredients were in the right place.

“where’s mickey?” i ask as i pass her, looking into the oven as i watched the cakes slowly rise. mickey was our manager - always tried hard not to be overbearing, but was also always nowhere to be found. she snorted.

“i went into his office 10 minutes ago - poor guy’s passed out.” i smiled along with her. mickey’d just had a baby, and the little rascal - adorable, but a rascal nonetheless - had resulted in one too many sleepless nights for him.

“guess we’ll let him be then,” she nodded in agreement,and i remembered what i’d come in here for, “hey, anything done - that i can take out yet?” she nodded, pointing to a tray that she’d set aside to cool down.

“was gonna give them to you, but they need a few more minutes.” i shrug.

“no one’s out there anyways, they’ll cool down before they’re needed.” i use a pair of tongs to pile the pastries onto a plate, when i hear the familiar chime that always accompanied the door opening. rushing a little, i give tamara another smile and walk back out to the counter.

i can see the figure of a man by the door, his face being obscured by the lighting. deciding to wait until he came up to order, i slowly open the display and started gently placing the pastries. out of my peripheral, i can see him walking up to the counter. i place the last pastry in, and dust my hands, turning so i was facing him.

his dark brown hair seems paler in the dim lighting of the room. he has a bit of a shakiness - a nervousness - to him. he’s got the same dark circles around his eyes that mickey does.

he’s really pretty.

i attempt to brush it off, putting on a more professional face, and give him a small smile.

“hello, sir, what can i get for you?” he looks at me, blinking a little, as his mouth opens. nothing comes out for a second, before he clears his throat.

“uhm, i - do you have any suggestions?” my countenance is quizzical for a half-second, before i lean closer to him and tilt my head back to look at the menu above our heads. i knew it like the back of my hand, but, right now - i felt like i’d forgotten everything.

“well, are you looking for something sweet, or for something to wake you up?” he thinks about it for a second.

“i guess something to wake me up.” i fight the urge to smile, knowing it was the obvious answer, as i lean back.

“well, i guess then you’d be looking for an espresso. but, between you and me - i’d suggest the cappuccino.” he nods.

“sure, i’ll take that, then.”

“anything else? a pastry, a sandwich, maybe?” he glances over the display, before settling on an almond and caramel bun. i take it out for him, placing it on a plate, and handing it to him, “i’ll have your coffee in just a moment.”

drink in hand, i go over to hand it to him. his half-eaten pastry is on one corner of the table, and a couple of textbooks surround a notebook right in front of him. he seems lost in thought, and jerks a little when i ask for him.

“hey! i have your coffee.” he nods, taking the cup from me and placing it onto one of the few empty places left on the table. i know i should get back to the counter, but curiosity gets the better of me, and i peek over his shoulder to glance at the contents of the textbooks.

‘the factors that lead to a spot on the fbi’s most wanted list include…’

‘officers dealing with hostile subjects should…’

‘even after getting a face-altering surgery, certain things will allow a suspect to be identified…’

“uh - i promise i’m not a criminal.” the man makes a lighthearted comment, and i smile - both at the joke, and to mask the embarrassment of being caught.

“sorry, sir. it just seemed interesting and -”

“no need to be sorry! i - this is technically homework?” i raise an eyebrow, confused as to what kind of school would assign this stuff as homework, “tell you what, if there’s no one coming in, maybe you could sit here with me? i’ll buy you a coffee.” i pause for a second, shocked that this cute guy was willing to buy me a coffee. brushing it off, i nodded slowly.

“i’d love to.”

he didn’t end up buying me a coffee, as i’d insisted that i didn’t really want it. funny enough, working at a coffee shop had made my previous enjoyment of coffee dim significantly.

he’d explained the work he was doing. apparently, he’d been chosen for an internship at the fbi, and the branch he was working with was based out of this city. he’d told me his name - stiles - and he had rolled his eyes as i suppressed a smile.

“i’m so sorry, i-”

“don’t be, even my friends tease me for it.” his face dropped a little, “well, they used to, anyways.”

he’d told me that he was newly 18, a sentiment that i had shared, and that he used to go to high school in california.

“- and there’s my best friend scott; he’s a menace sometimes, but i love him to bits -”

i’d responded in kind with stories of my own - similar stories about school, quirks of the city that i’d been exposed to and, of course, the coffee shop.

he seemed so self-assured by the end - a complete juxtaposition to the man who’d come in. the clock minute hand on the clock indicated that the end of my shift happened ages ago, and one of my coworkers had come in to take over for me, but i stayed at the cafe for at least another half-hour. while i knew this wasn’t the best way for stiles to be studying, him being able to explain the concepts and details that he’d been learning about seemed to really boost his confidence concerning the subject matter.

i’d had to leave after that, but not before i’d scribbled my number on the same notepad i usually use to take customers’ names, and handed it to him. he sent me a soft smile, and i could see him clutching it in his hand as the bell above the door clinked, and i stepped out into the warm afternoon.

stiles looked at the number in his hand, shocked that someone so pretty would want to talk to him - him! he smiled, adding it to his contacts, before taking a once-over at his recent calls.

lydia - 20 days ago

scott - 18 days ago

malia - 12 days ago

scott - 12 days ago

scott - 11 days ago

fuck.

it still jarred him a little that his best friends - the people he used to speak to everyday, multiple times a day - were slowly becoming more of a distant memory. of course, they were probably all busy, and the work from the internship was aggressively kicking stiles’ ass.

he tended to get a little - well, not upset, but maybe a bit nostalgic. this internship was both a blessing and a curse. he’d always have to remind himself that he was working at the fbi, his childhood dream - something the hours of true crime shows, detective novels and investigating for scott and the rest should have prepared him for. but, during those quiet moments, he’d always ask himself if it was worth it. leaving his friends behind, not knowing what was going on, or what was happening to them.

not to forget, his almost nonexistent social life. stiles’d never been two great at making friends, and his stubborn personality was a bit of a deterrent. besides, he knew everyone else at the internship was just as swamped as he was.

in fact, he’s pretty sure that this coffee shop conversation had been the first time in a few weeks he’d sat down and actually talked to someone. strangely enough, instead of that upsetting him, it made him happy to know he wasn’t a total hermit. it made him happier to know that of all the people he could have been talking to, it was her.

for a moment, he thought about the pretty smile she’d given him every time he’d made a joke.

that was when he’d decided it would probably be best for him to start turning over a new leaf - having a new start. something about her had plastered a smile of his own over his face, and he was determined to try a little harder. he glanced back at his phone. he wasn’t sure if he’d call his friends anytime soon. he might, he might not.

but he knew for sure he’d call her.

[theinternetisfulloftrash]

Far Away From L.A.

Story Summary: Dylan arrives ahead of production to a new filming location to get a break from L.A. It’s a small town in eastern Canada that’s remote and serene. While he’s enjoying the touch of anonymity that comes with filming in a rural town where most people couldn’t care less who he was, he meets Amelia.

Pairing: Dylan x OFC

Warnings: eventual smut, RPF, slight angst, general naughtiness

Index: Chapter 1 / Chapter 2 / Chapter 3 / Chapter 4 / Chapter 5 / Chapter 6 / Chapter 7 / Chapter 8 / Chapter 9 / Chapter 10 / Chapter 11 / Chapter 12 / Chapter 13 / Chapter 14 / Chapter 15 / Chapter 16 /  Chapter 17 / Chapter 18 / Chapter 19

Chapter 3: Impressions (Amelia POV/Dylan POV)

“Sorry I’m late, A.” 

Amelia sighed, sinking into the seat. Her sister was always apologizing for one thing or another. She loved her, even though every new excuse was more exhausting than the last, but she wasn’t upset about having to wait tonight. Despite having been up and on her feet since 8am.

“It’s fine, Bre.” Amelia said. 

Her sister looked sideways at her. “That’s a first,” she said, turning off the main road. “I was ready for you to tear my head off.” 

Amelia smiled. “You did promise you wouldn’t be late today, so maybe I should,” Amelia jabbed her lightly with her elbow. 

“I got tied up. I’ve been working on this essay for Mr. Parker and you know how he is.” She flicked the signal light to indicate her turn onto their street. “He’s a fucking tyrant.” 

Amelia laughed. “You better not let mom hear you cussing. She’ll start to think I’m a bad influence.” She smiled and turned to look out the window, watching the street lights flash by, still trying to process what had just happened. Did I actually just have a conversation with Dylan O’Brien? 

“Who was that you were talking to at the pub?” Bre asked. “Coworker?”

Amelia felt her heart stutter. Part of her wanted to spill to her sister, she might actually be a bigger Teen Wolf fan than Amelia was, but she stopped herself. She didn’t want to compromise Dylan’s privacy, and she knew how Bre could be. 

“Uh, yeah, new co-worker,” Amelia lied. 

They pulled into the driveway and Bre hopped out without turning out the headlights. Amelia sighed, reaching across the center console to turn them off. 

“You know, if you had your own car, you wouldn’t have to worry about me being late,” Bre winked. 

“I’m working on it, trust me.” Amelia shook her head and followed her sister in the front door. 

Amelia had found herself back in a situation she never would have expected at 26. She was living in her parent’s basement, her childhood bedroom long ago converted into a craft room for her mother. When relationships explode, there’s always fallout. Her 5-year relationship had ended about 6 months ago, and despite her better judgement, she’d abandoned everything to do with it. She left their apartment, didn’t want their car, their furniture, nothing. She left with two suitcases filled with her clothes, and a lamp her grandmother had given her. That was all she could stand to look at. 

She’d pickled up a second job at the pub to try to save up enough to start rebuilding her life, and she reluctantly accepted her parent’s offer to stay with them until she did. Before her breakup, she worked as a botanical curator for the Natural History Museum in the city, but so did her ex. That’s how they met. Just like everything else, she left that behind as well, replacing it with a position at a garden center and nursery. She actually really enjoyed the work, but it was a hell of a paycut. 

She flopped down on the pull-out couch. Her feet ached. She’d been on them since 8am. Working two jobs was taking its toll. She dug out her phone, pulling down her notification bar. There was a weather alert about the rain tomorrow, a push notification from google about some new political shenanigans that she didn’t even have the strength to read, and a gmail notification. She sat up a little straighter as she read the subject line: “2 BR Apartment - Application”. She clicked the alert and read:

Dear Miss Carter, 

Thank you so much for your interest in the apartment at 134 Westlake Avenue. We have reviewed your application and would love to have you come for a viewing. The apartment has some interest, so the sooner the better. 

Let us know when you might be available over the next couple of days, and we can arrange for you to come and have a look. If it works for you, I will be over there painting tomorrow afternoon. I’ll probably be there from around 2-5pm, you can swing by whenever it works for you.

All the best, 

Stephen Parsons

Amelia smiled, checking her calendar for her work schedule. It was Saturday and she worked the brunch shift, but was off at 2pm. She sent her reply. She took the family’s only car to work on Saturdays, so she could swing over after she got off. She hurriedly sent her reply and set her phone on the coffee table. If she could get the apartment, that was step one to gaining back some independence. 

She sighed, kicking off her sneakers and throwing her legs up onto the couch. She laid there for a bit, staring up at the ceiling tiles. The last thing on her mind before she drifted off to sleep was Dylan. 

**---------------**

Dylan flicked the light off to the ensuite bathroom, wiping the water from his stubble. He was shirtless with his sweats hung low around his hips. He sat down on the edge of his bed and dug through his luggage to find his phone charger. He plugged it in behind the nightstand and started piling the collection of pillows onto the chair in the corner until they were spilling onto the floor, replacing them with the one he always brought with him. He slid out of his sweats, tossing them onto his open luggage at the foot of the bed before he slipped into the sheets. 

The only light in the room emanated from the lamp on the nightstand. He tucked himself in and reached over to shut it off. He laid there for a few minutes in the dark, looking toward the windows. His eyes slowly adjusted until he could see the wind shifting the sheer curtains. It was a bit chilly, but he always slept better in a cool room. He nestled into his pillow. He always had a hard time sleeping away from home. 

He usually tried to avoid his phone before bed, but he felt himself reaching for it anyway. He entered his passkey and opened twitter. He scrolled lazily through posts for a while, smiling at a few, but choosing not to engage. He wasn’t ready for his alerts to be filled tonight. He watched a couple of highlight clips from the Mets game the night before and then locked his screen and set it aside. 

He sighed deep and full, crossing his arms behind his head, staring up at the ceiling. He was content, his stomach full and his feet happy to be off the floor. If his first day here was any indication, he was going to enjoy his stay. 

That night he dreamed of the ocean, the Atlantic, of a trip he’d taken with his family to the coast. He could feel the sand between his toes, could hear the waves crashing against the rocks. He loved the beach, but there was always something special about the Atlantic. The water was cooler, it broke with a little more force. He missed it.

Then he shifted through the haze of his consciousness and found himself staring out over a river, standing on its high banks, watching the sun set in the tall grass, when someone tapped his shoulder. He turned to see Amelia’s face glowing with her bright smile. The muted sound of his phone's alarm began to pull him from his subconscious. 

He woke in a room filled with the dreary light of a gloomy day. He could hear the rain pattering outside the open window. He got up, taking his phone with him to the bathroom, setting it to play a friend’s podcast as he shuffled around getting ready for a shower. He turned up the volume and climbed into the clawfoot tub, pulling the curtain and stepping into the steamy water. He let it run through his hair and wash over his back.

He didn’t rush like he usually did. He didn’t have anywhere to be. He slowly washed himself, scrubbing his scalp and letting the soap run down over the planes of his face before rinsing it off. His podcast was coming to an end when he finally shut off the water and stepped out onto the mat. He wrapped the towel on the back of the door around his waist and wiped the steam from the mirror. He looked at himself, contemplating shaving off his scruff. He was meant to be clean shaven for the movie, so he decided to let it ride for now. He kind of hated shaving anyway. 

He picked up his phone to check the time. 11:45am. Shit. He always slept late the night after a flight, so he’d missed the included breakfast. An 8am breakfast was ambitious on the best of days. He’d have to find somewhere else to eat, and he already had a pretty good idea where he was going to try first.

[clumsyclifford]

helloooo bella, it’s luke a like anon (back to being a mysterious anon after forgetting last time lol) (don’t worry tho, i don’t mind you knowing who i am and i doubt anyone else cared).

how are you doing??? i am alive and have not forgotten about you, just sent those last asks and immediately got hit with real life and just.. yeah i’ve had some weeks oof. but all is well now and i’m seeing 5sos in hamburg tomorrow i’m so PUMPED! its my first show after over 2 years and the fact that it’s 5sos is so so special to me, they really kept me afloat through these goddamn plague times, i love them so much!!!

luke a like and i are still talking, still in that weird are they aren’t they stage, but he’s coming home from his internship today and will be back at work next week so that’s that. we met a few times while he was away and i can report that he gives incredible hugs and smells very good. honestly this crush is getting very embarrassing (what am i, 14???) and our coworkers make fun of me 24/7 bc apparently i’m very obvious so i’m just gonna have to suck it up and make an actual move some time soon.

in other news, i actually got into the maine recently after seeing them on your blog so thank you for that, your music taste is just *chefs kiss* might start watching teen wolf too, just for good measure

anyway, what have you been up to since i so rudely left you on read? tell me about itttt (if you like). sending lots of love and a promise of luke pics if i can get close enough tomorrow xx

LUKE A LIKE ANON!!!! HELLO!!!!!! and don't worry, i literally do not remember what your url is, so it's just like you never revealed your identity. sometimes there are benefits to having a swiss cheese memory after all

i'm doing rather well!!! today is the last day of a show i'm doing ushering/front of house work for at my school (as part of a drama "class" where people have to work certain crew assignments) which means that strike is today, and i have never participated in a show strike in college but my friend says it will probably take, like, four hours, which i am not at all excited about. and then after that i have to study for an exam i have on tuesday, AND i have to figure out what i'm writing for three short papers that i have that are ALSO due on tuesday. so i have a fair amount going on ! but honestly overall i'm okay. once tuesday is over so will most of my stress be, so that's nice.

ahhh!!!!!!! finally seeing 5sos!!!!!!! i'm so happy for you 😊 that really is so so special i hope you have the most amazing time.

omggggggggg i am on the EDGE OF MY SEAT about luke a like.........but hey i'm glad to hear you managed to keep talking while he was away. and even meet up! and now he's coming BACK!!! i agree with your coworkers you are gonna have to make a move sooner or later. i am sending you strength.

you're joking sfdkglhfg this is fantastic news i'm so happy to hear this please say more, what did you listen to what was your favorite song you heard can i entice you into listening to other songs/albums of theirs perhaps. i would probably cry real tears of happiness if you started watching teen wolf that is a threat and a promise. wow this is crazy i really am a one-woman street team where are my royalties @ johno

anyway i have to get ready to go to the show now and hopefully eat something beforehand. please do provide luke pics if you take any good ones eyes emoji or really just any good pictures you get at all, i would like to see them. hey have the most fun EVER tomorrow!!! i'm so stoked for you that you get to see 5sos, it's gonna be so amazing

[momentofmemory]

the post about MJ is great, but i don't think Iris West belonged there. there's a strong argument to be made that she's a terrible *character*, regardless whether she's canonical or not. it's not about being Black, it's about the character being consistently annoying. the better issue to take with her is WHY they write Black women to be awful. in fact, candice patton deserves an oscar for what she's done with the terrible awful writing she's been given. she's amazing. Iris is the WORST.

Hi nonnie, thanks for stopping by. :)

Whether or not Iris is a poorly written character is a matter of debate—I certainly don’t think so, or at least no more than anyone else on a CW show—but for the purposes of the conversation, I’m more interested in the fandom’s response to her.

It’s a well recognized trend that fandom disproportionately hates on female characters, usually for the very same traits that get praised in male characters, but it’s overwhelmingly worse for Black women. You can’t hardly step two feet into the Flash fandom without hearing someone ragging on her, and it’s just not proportional to Iris’s faults. Darcy Lewis from Thor can be seen as annoying; she became the fandom’s favourite Little Black Dress. Felicity Smoak from  Arrow can be seen as clingy and controlling; fans adored her so much she elevated from a side character to the canon OTP. I’ve never, ever seen a Black woman receive this kind of treatment in any fandom—in fact, it usually goes in the opposite direction, like Angel Coulby’s decreased screen time in Merlin.

Her coworkers were just as bad. When Chris Pratt got called out for his actual  sketchy ties (in a meme of all things), his co-stars immediately rushed to defend him. When Candice Patton experienced death threats, hate brigades, calls for her character to be killed off, and was treated as genuinely less than? Grant Gustin didn’t do anything to defend her until as late as 2019 when fans actually called him out on it.

When a white male character is written “poorly,” fandom has no issue promptly fixing it and decrying the writers—think defense squads for Loki from Marvel, or Peter Hale from Teen Wolf—but when a Black women is “poorly” written, the hate is always directed towards the character herself. There aren’t thousands of fix-it fics. Meta writers don’t flock to justify her. She’s just seen as a problem, and usually the solution is to bully or kill her off.

I think it’s fair and valid to dislike a character, but when it becomes a pattern, and one filled with unjustifiable hatred, it’s worthy of considering where that dislike came from. If a petty action they took had been done by my favourite character instead, would I have excused it? Do I like irreverent humor better when it comes from a guy? And, if I genuinely dislike a character, how do I go about dealing with it?

Fandom is transformative. Fandom is power. If all Hollywood ever hears about is how much I hate women/bipoc, then all I accomplish is even fewer women/bipoc onscreen.

[atlafan]

Take it Slow - Part Twenty-Nine

a/n: okay this is my first shot at a harry:y/n fic, and it will be multiple parts. y/n had a bad experience with an ex over a year ago, and finally accepts her coworker and good friend Niall’s invitation to go on a blind date with his friend Harry.

Warnings: Smut, and a whole mess of fluff.

Masterpost (all previous parts can be found in the masterpost)

“C’mere.” You say to him. You sit up slightly. “I want you to like hover over me while I suck on you.”

“Are you sure you want my balls in your face like that?” He chuckles.

“Won’t bother me.”

Harry comes closer to you, and grips the top of your headboard. You grip him in your hand at first, and then put your mouth right on him. He sucks in a breath when he feels your hot, wet mouth around him. Sometimes you think back to when you were younger. You absolutely hated sucking dick. Some guys just had bad hygiene. But you loved doing it for Harry. He really made you see how hot it was to pleasure someone else orally. He also kept things trim and clean, which you very much appreciated.

He rocks against your face, going deeper down your throat. You groan against him, and he grips your headboard tighter. His eyes are screwed shut, trying to picture his dick inside of you where he really wants it. It’s not that he didn’t love it when you blew him, he just wanted to feel how tight you were.

It doesn’t take him long to come down your throat. You swallow up every bit of it, and he climbs off of you. You get up to rinse your mouth out.

“Holy shit!” You scream, and he rushes into in the bathroom to make sure you’re alright. He finds you inspecting the back of your body in the mirror. Your front wasn’t nearly as fucked up. “Jesus, Harry.” You say rubbing a spot on your shoulder. “I look like a leopard.” You start laughing.

“You said I could…”

“I’m not complaining.” You assure him.

“Looks good on you anyways.” He gives you kiss on the cheek and pats your bum. He leaves you to do your thing in the bathroom.

You wash your face and brush your teeth. When you come out of the bathroom you pick up his t-shirt and throw it on over you. He’s sitting up in bed reading.

“Harry, you look so cute in your glasses, have I ever told you that?” He looks at you and smiles.

“Maybe once or twice.” He teases. He finishes the last page of his book and sighs.

“What?” You ask getting into the bed.

“Nothin’, just sad. This was the last book in this series.”

“Did it have a happy ending?”

“As happy as it could be, yeah. It’s my second time readin’ it, still gets to me.” He takes his glasses of and wipes a tear away.

“I wish I liked reading as much as you do. I much prefer television.”

“I just like getting’ lost in the pages. I mean, I read garbage novels, but they’re just so addicting. Has a television show ever moved you to tears?”

“Oh, tons of times. I think TV has made me cry more than film.”

“Really? What shows have made you cry?” He pulls you into his chest and turns the light off. God, you loved pillow talk before bed.

“Okay, don’t laugh, but when I was in high school, and college too, I was really into Glee.”

“That show about the nerds in the acapella club?”

“Yeah.”

“That show made you cry?”

“I think just about every episode in the third season made me cry, and I sobbed during the season finale. To be fair, I was like sixteen.” You giggle. “There were a couple of scripted series on MTV too that made me super emotional.”

“Like what?”

“There was a show called Awkward that just really fired me up. And there was Teen Wolf.”

“Teen Wolf? Isn’t that a movie with Michael J. Fox?”

“Yeah! But then MTV made a show based off the movie, much darker though. It was really good. Well, it got worse as the seasons went on, but I watched through to the end. Same with Awkward.”

“Do you watch anythin’ now that tugs at your heart strings?”

“Um…I really like that show Roswell: New Mexico. I didn’t think I would like it so much, but it got to me. The first season is on Netflix, maybe we could watch it sometime.”

“Sure, I’d like that.”

“I used to like live blog and write reviews for the shows I’d watch. I still do sometimes.”

“Where do you blog?”

“On Tumblr mostly.”

“That’s cool that you do that.”

“It’s funny because I hate reading reviews of things. I like to try things out for myself. Oh! Do you watch Stranger Things? That’s a good one. Niall and I always binge watch it together when a new season comes out.”

“That’s right!” He starts laughing. “I remember he like blew me off during the day on the 4th this summer to go meet up with you.”

“That was an incredible binge, if I do say so. Speaking of him, he wants to have a movie night Friday so we can all celebrate our good news. I was thinking of having everyone over here. What do you think?”

“Works for me.” He smiles at you.

//

Your period was a killer this week. There were several times during the week you found yourself on the floor in your office. You had run out of your stash of ibuprofen, and hadn’t had time to get more. You were forced to just suffer in silence. The pain would pass eventually, and then you could get on with it.

Harry was good about not getting on your nerves too much. He was slowly learning what you needed while your hormones were at their peak. Every morning you’d examine your body, almost becoming sad at seeing the marks slowly fade away as they healed. You were incredibly horny, but there wasn’t anything you could do. You’d had sex on your period before, but you certainly weren’t going to let him use his fingers or mouth on you right now. You had contemplated maybe in the shower, but you were afraid of residue. You didn’t tell him this, but you got yourself off a couple times in the shower on your own. You had to, the ache between your legs was just too unbearable.

Your body was trying to tell you something for sure, but your mind tried its best to keep you at bay.

//

You were delighted when your period ended Friday morning, but your stomach felt like shit. The first week of a birth control pack was your least favorite thing, even more so than your period. Your dosage wasn’t even that high, but it still would make you feel like you were going to vomit.

“Anythin’ ya need me t’pick up for tonight? I can do a run to the market before ya get home from work.” Harry says to you sitting up in bed, watching you pick your outfit for the day.

“Think I have everything we need. I have chips and dip, we’ll probably order pizza or something.” You decide on a pair of dark jeans and blouse/blazer combination. You throw your hair up in a high pony, and take a few strands out to frame your face.

“Know what we’re watchin’ yet?”

“Nope.”

“Who’s comin?” You sigh and look at him.

“Harry, I love you, but you’ve reached my capacity for questions this morning, okay?” He blinks at you.

“Sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, I just feel gross and I’m hormonal. Not a great excuse.”

“One more question.” You nod. “Is Aunt Flow still in town?”

“No she left early this morning, thank god. This was a rougher month.” You sit on the edge of the bed. He places a hand on your thigh.

“Sometimes I wish I could just take all your aches away.” You smile at him.

“You do, in more ways than you know.” You stand up and give him a light kiss. “See you tonight.”

“Love you.”

“Love you too, babe.”

//

You felt better as the work day went on. You were excited to have a little double date with Niall and Sarah. Harry got out of work around 4PM, so he went straight to your apartment. He knew you’d want to have the place ready to go so you could relax when you got home. He fluffed up the pillows on your couch, and folded up the couple of blankets you kept on the back of it. He made sure all of the beer for him and Niall was in the fridge, and he picked up your favorite wine.

You keyed into your apartment around 5:30, and kicked off your shoes. Your nose was pink from the cold air outside. Harry had his legs slung over one of the large chairs you had near the couch. He had his laptop, and was working away. He looked up at you and gave you a smile.

“Hi, love.” He says.

“Hi honey.” You yawn.

“I tidied a bit for ya.” You kiss the top of his head.

“Thank you. M’just gonna go change quick.”

You change into a pair of leggings and a t-shirt, and come back out to Harry. He puts his laptop on the coffee table, and gestures for you to come sit with him. You sit in his lap, and rest your head on his shoulder. He rocks you back and forth slowly, and you let out a calming sigh.

“How’s my baby girl today, hm?”

“Tired.” He rubs your back. “But I’m happy to have friends over tonight.” You nuzzle into his neck.

“I bought that wine you really like.”

“Mm.” Is all you muster out as you start to doze off in his arms. He chuckles, but lets you drift.

Your eyes snap open when you hear Niall and Sarah walk into your place. You practically jump off of Harry.

“Sorry, did we disturb you two?” Sarah giggles. “We brought a veggie platter.” She hands it to Harry.

“No, I fell asleep. I was exhausted.” You stretch, and hug your friend.

“Alright, what are we watchin? TV, movie?” Niall says.

“Oh! You know what was on the other night that I’d love to watch all the way through?” You say.

“What?”

“The Forty-Year-Old Virgin. I refrained from watching it because it was halfway through. It’s on Netflix, do we feel like a comedy?”

“Works for me.” Niall says.

“I love that movie!” Sarah says.

Harry and Niall grab their beer, and you and Sarah fill your glasses with wine. You and Sarah sit in the middle of the couch, and your boyfriends sit on either side of you. Your apartment was filled with giggles right off the bat.

“God, we love a young Paul Rudd.” Sarah says.

“We love a Paul Rudd at any age.” You clink your glass with hers. Harry pinches your arm, and you giggle. “What?”

“I’m sittin’ right here. You’re attracted to him?”

“You’re not?! He’s beautiful!” You and Sarah start laughing.

“Isn’t he like fifty?” Niall chimes in.

“So?” You and Sarah say at the same time.

“He’s a hall pass for sure.” Sarah says, kissing her boyfriend on the cheek.

“Agreed. What I would give for a night with Paul Rudd.” You look up at Harry and burst out laughing.

“Jesus, mate, here I was thinkin’ she liked the tall, tan guys, but clearly I was wrong.”

“Now you’ve learned your place.” Niall says laughing. You kiss Harry on the cheek.

You and Sarah laugh so hard you both cry when Jonah Hill makes his small cameo. The guys end up laughing pretty hard at several moments too. You get up to grab the veggie platter out of the fridge and set it up on the coffee table for everyone.

“Thanks for bringing this by the way.”

“Oh no problem, figured it would be better than pizza. Are you excited for Hanukkah to start tomorrow?”

“Yes! I look forward to the gift card my uncle gives me every year.” You giggle.

“Is Harry going with you?” Sarah asks.

“Yup.” You two share a look and start laughing.

“Alright, why does this keep happening? Has everyone been to this party but me?”

“Pretty much, lad.”

“What’s the big deal? Is there somethin’ I should know?”

“Y/N’s great uncle is just a really funny guy. I would just watch out when he greets you.”

“Sarah!”

“You’re not even going to warn him?”

“Warn me of what?”

“If she didn’t warn me, she doesn’t get to warn him.” Niall says.

“Harry…just…” Sarah giggles. “He’s just an older Jewish guy with different ways of saying hello. That’s all.”

“What’s he gonna do? Hug me? M’fine with that.”

“Sure, he’s going to hug you.” Sarah shrugs. “It’s a really great way to know you’re part of the family.”

Sarah and Niall leave around 11PM. You and Harry clean up the living room, and head to the bedroom.

“What time should we leave tomorrow?”

“Party starts at six, so we should probably leave here at like quarter of five, might be traffic.”

“Oh great, so we can sleep in a little?”

“Yup.” You kiss him and turn over. He wraps himself around you, being the bigger spoon.

“That was fun tonight.”

“Yeah, I’m glad we were able to do it. Gotta make more time for them.”

“Definitely….so, Paul Rudd could have you huh?” You turn over to face your stupid boyfriend.

“You’re not serious?”

“Nice to know how you really feel.” He fake pouts.

“I’m sure you have your own celebrity crushes.”

“I suppose. None I would leave you for to go fuck though. Wouldn’t be worth it.” You bite your bottom lip to keep from smiling. “You would really ask me for a hall pass for Paul Rudd? Of all people?”

“Hypothetically speaking, if he wasn’t married with kids, I would consider it. More than anything I think I’d like to just have dinner with him, pick his brain.”

“So you want to go out on a date with him?”

“Sure!” You giggle.

“Who else do you swoon over?” He gives you a crooked smile.

“That’s a very personal question.” You tease.

“Why?”

“Because you’re essentially asking me about who I’ve fantasized about.”

“Jesus, if you tell me you’ve touched yourself thinking about Paul R-“

“I haven’t! Not with him.”

“Who then?” Your cheeks flush. “C’mon, I wanna know who my competition is.”

“Harry, it’s embarrassing.” You shove your face into his chest.

“Please, I’m so curious.” He begs.

“You’re going to laugh at me.”

“Promise I won’t.” You lift your head and look at him.

“I would bone Andy Samberg if I had the chance, again, if he wasn’t married with a child. I will not be a homewrecker.”

“What is with you and older Jewish dudes?”

“Don’t know. It’s not because they’re Jewish. I just find him really attractive, plus he’s funny. You’re funny.”

��Right, the key to a girl’s heart is humor.” He rolls his eyes.

“Harry, if you didn’t make me laugh on our first date, I wouldn’t have seen you again, attraction or not.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously. Sense of humor is very important to me. You’re so quick when you joke around, you could be a comedian yourself.” He lifts your chin up to kiss you.

“So, you were pretty hot f’me when we first met, huh?”

“So hot.” You roll your eyes. “I had never seen a man quite so handsome. What about me? What did you think of me when we first met?”

“I wanted to hit Niall for not doing you justice. I mean the lad told me you were beautiful, but shit, when I saw you, I nearly got the wind knocked out of me.”

“Oh stop.” You swat your arm at his chest.

“M’serious. And you were so cute at the end of the night, when you simply kissed me on the cheek. It was so innocent and sweet. Not somethin’ I had really experienced before.”

“How do your first dates typically go?” You giggle. Harry scrunches his face.

“Do ya really wanna know the answer t’that?”

“Are you seriously going to tell me that you usually bone on the first date?”

“That’s usually the only date I want, so yeah.” He says a little too honestly.

“What about the girl you dated for like seven months, or whatever?”

“Uhh, we got frisky…didn’t do it til the second date I think. I don’t know, I was such an asshole, I basically just thought of her as the girl I was consistently hookin’ up with.”

“Were you sleeping with other people?”

“Nah, just her.”

“And she thought you were dating, but you didn’t think you were?”

“I just thought of her as the girl I was seein’.” You often wondered what made you so goddamn special. You and Harry had talked about it before, but it still baffled you. “I know what you’re thinkin’. You know what I really liked about you, like, right off the bat?”

“What?”

“You were just so open and lovely. You were genuinely interested in what I had to say. I thought it was sweet that you complimented m’nails, like not in a judgey way. I couldn’t wait to see you again, honestly. I’d never felt that way before.”

“So you didn’t want to just fuck me then?”

“I wouldn’t have turned the opportunity down. I mean, you looked so fuckin’ sexy in that little black dress you wore.”

“I’ve never seen a man wear a pair of pants the way that you do.”

“What?” He laughs.

“You have a bubble butt babe, and it’s incredible. Love sinking my nails into those cheeks.”

“Are you still drunk?”

“Maybe just a bit buzzed, but I mean what I say.” You prop yourself up to really look at him. “You have a chonk, my dude.” Harry burst out laughing.

“Who talks like that?” He says with a big smile.

“Me and my friends. You’re not the only with a dirty mouth.” You wink. “You know what, I think that’s why I like Paul Rudd and Andy Samberg so much. They both have pretty big butts.”

You both giggle about a bunch of different things until you fall asleep.

//

The next morning you both happily slept in. You got up before Harry. You decided to do a light workout in your living room since you didn’t go to the gym much last week. You put on a pair of spandex shorts and sports bra, and tip toed out. You were just finishing your cool down when Harry walked into the living room, blanket wrapped around him. You guzzled down some water. Your body was drenched in sweat.

“Morning baby. Thought I’d get a quick workout in, we’re going to be eating a lot of food tonight.” He squints at you.

“You…you weren’t in the bed when I woke up.” He rubs his eyes, his voice was still thick with sleep.

“I was just out here, did you think I went somewhere?” You turn the TV off, and walk towards him.

“I don’t know what I thought. I just reached for you and you weren’t there.” He pouts. “I like when we snuggle in the mornin’. You’ve deprived me.” You giggle at him.

“Is baby a little cranky this morning?” You pinch of his cheeks and walk by him.

“Where you goin’ now?” He whines.

“Harry, I’m caked with sweat, I need to shower. You can join me if you want.”

“Not awake enough to shower.”

“That makes no sense. Showers wake people up all the time.”

“Too much work.” He curls up on the couch, and closes his eyes.

You take your shower, alone. You take full advantage of having the privacy to shave every last inch of yourself. You blow dry your hair, and throw your robe on, not really feeling like putting clothes on yet. Harry was still wrapped in your blanket, but he was sitting up and had a mug in his hands. He was watching something mindless on television. You sit down next to him and smile. You throw your legs over his lap.

“Feel how smooth my legs are, I just shaved them.” He gives you a funny look and giggles, rubbing his hand up and down one of your legs.

“Mm, so soft.”

“You’re a sleep boy today.”

“Yeah, I am. Not really sure why, I’ll perk up once the coffee’s in me.”

“Want me make something for breakfast? I have oatmeal and grapes.”

“If you don’t mind, that’d be great.”

You turn on the electric kettle Harry had sneakily bought you. He said it was for him so he could have tea quick, but you know he wanted you to have one of your own. Once the water was boiling, you poured it into the two bowls of quick oats you made up. You but a dash of cinnamon in each, and topped it with some grapes. You come back over and hand him his bowl.

“Thank you baby.”

“My pleasure.”

You both scarf down your breakfast, and sit on the couch a while longer. Harry gets up to clean the bowls, and puts them in the dishwasher. He stretches out, and lets out a moan.

“Alright, guess I’ll shower now.”

You bring the blanket back to the bed and make it up. Harry’s in and out of the shower quick. He has his towel wrapped around his waist. You’re sitting on the edge of your bed, filing your nails, he sits down next you.

“How long we been together now? Little over four months?”

“Yeah, it’ll be five in January.” You smile. “Why?” He twiddles his thumbs.

“Well, it might be too soon to be bringin’ this up, but s’not like that’s ever stopped us before. I’m here a lot, and I love your place. I still like my place, but I love your place because this is where you and all your things are. I didn’t know if maybe when we got back from holiday, maybe we could entertain the idea of finding a place of our own?” He looks up at you. You’re speechless. “I mean, I’d say let’s just live here, but I need a space for my desk and monitor. I think a two bedroom where we could split the other room as a conjoined office or somethin’, would make the most sense.” He chews on his bottom lip. “I’ve totally freaked you out haven’t I?”

“How long have you, um, felt this way? When did you realize you wanted to live with me?”

“Can’t pin point it. Just somethin’ I’ve been thinkin’ about. I know it seems fast, but we’re practically livin’ together as it is. We can talk about it later if you’re not ready now. Just wanted to put the bug in your ear.”

You were amazed. You hadn’t even fully slept with the man yet, and he already wanted to live with you. You put your hands on his shoulders and push him back on the bed. You crawl on top of him, and kiss his face all over.

“Harry, I would love to live with you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah! Maybe like towards the end of January we could start looking for a bigger place. You know, once all of the holidays are over. Can you break your lease at any time?”

“Pretty much, yeah. Why?”

“Well…you could move in here before we find another place. Doesn’t make sense for you to keep paying rent. It could take us months to find a place, I’d rather have you here during the in between. We can rearrange the furniture to fit all of your things. And I have that storage unit, we could keep your bed and bulkier furniture there for a little while.”

“I love you so much.”

“I love you too.” You kiss him. “Um…not that I don’t wanna tell the world, but I’d like to keep this quiet from my family for a bit. I still have to tell my dad about England. I’d rather ease them into something like this.”

“Of course. Better keep it quiet from my mum too. Keep everything nice and light.”

“I’m so excited!”

“Me too!”

Harry always seemed to be able to read your mind. It was a conversation you were hoping to have with him after you got back from England. You just couldn’t believe that he beat you to it. You were practically living together, and it didn’t make sense for you both to be paying rent separately. You’d miss his little place, but you’d eventually find a bigger place you both liked. You still loved the idea of potentially living in Niall’s building. Once you start making more money, you’d be able to afford it no problem.

[rocknrollsalad-moved]

“Halloween costume party meeting a blind date but oh it's my high school squeeze who broke my heart and is only back in town to shut down the candy factory”

Thanks to a lovely conversation with @moongoddess2k4 we are now blessed with this amazing, amazing prompt, if you will, for a Halloween Hallmark story if they did them like the Christmas ones. 

Read on to see how I ran with that idea and created a quick little something for the season. It was super fun to write and I wish I could have done a whole thing with it but there’s too much on my plate right now. 

Word Count: 3400 Triggers: some mentions of drinking/being drunk, loss of jobs, and implied future money struggles

Halloween wasn’t going to be the same this year. Decorations still adorn most doors, yards, and windows. Costumes seemed to disappear from shelves along with bags of candy. The traditions carried on as neighbors helped neighbors, a silent thing to keep a town that was built around Halloween in the spirit.

Hanging over the head of every resident, a joint burden, was the knowledge that this was the last Halloween for them. Stark Sweets and Treats would be closing its doors on November first. In those storm clouds not chased away by the sun was the reality that many of the people living here would be out of a job. Generations of candy makers, sorters, and wrappers now left on their own, without a severance package, one last bonus, or even a thank you card.

There was no future in candy anymore. Processed sugars were falling out of fashion and while no child wanted a box of raisins or an apple, parents wanted to hand out sustainably grown, sugar-free alternatives. Buzzwords, Bruce knew as much as people online spouted recycled rhetoric about saving the planet with their shift to these different treats. He’d argue with each post. Typing his nights away about the jobs they were taking, about the fallacy of that sustainable or organic sticker. GMOs weren’t what people were saying they were.

But no one listened.

What did a small-town high school science teacher know about genetically modified anythings? Never mind the multiple doctorates he held. Never mind the qualifications he had to speak on the subject. People couldn’t be reasoned with on the internet. Bruce was shouting into the void and doing nothing more than boiling his own blood.

It was mad worse by everyone pointing out he didn’t have a horse in this race. Not directly. There would still be children to teach. Year after year of the same projects and battling against boring lesson plans. He wasn’t losing anything. Instead, he’d be left to watch. Left to stand in front of his classroom trying to teach kids who carried the same weight as the adults, without the ability to bear such a thing. That’s who he fought for. These children didn’t need to know this level of hardship while trying to navigate their way to adulthood.

Most of their parents, their baby sitters, and classmates were putting on a brave face, though. Halloween kept this town afloat and while it was their last, they weren’t going to roll over and let it pass. Every annual event went just like they had for decades. Some people had done so well at pretending they weren’t waiting for the hammer to drop that they were actually having fun. And for it a moment that normalcy and false happiness rubbed off on the cranky science teacher who was never one for holidays of any sort. Even in a town built around Halloween.

As an outsider, Bruce wasn’t born with the Halloween spirit. It was gifted to him, though, year after year. Townsfolk who took pity on his pathetic attempts at decorating. Neighbors who baked treats and desserts left on his doorstep. Coworkers who brainstormed costume ideas and dragged him to parties. Each year that passed it got easier and easier for everyone to twist Bruce’s arm until they didn’t have to.

For the past few years, he’d been leaving cookies for his neighbors. A little charred on the bottom, decorated simply, but not a single house complained. The change must have emboldened some of his coworkers though as they recruited him for a night of costumed speed dating. It was the last time the town was doing something like this. They laid the guilt on thick. 

Bruce was among four other staffers who weren’t married, even one of the teachers who was dating someone went to witness it all. Many emails were exchanged for days leading up to the event. Who would wear what, despite Bruce’s numerous protests that knowing that would ruin the event. How they’d get there and which bar they were meeting at to discuss all the details. A never-ending stream of planning by people who should have been teaching their classes but everyone coasted around the holidays. 

The night would be simple enough. Bruce would go dressed in a ruined bed sheet, make sure that no one was interested in him, skip the gossipy drinks, and then two nights later at the big Halloween bash everyone would get to see their matches without obstruction.

In reality, this was a smart idea. Everyone was given a fair chance. Not to be judged on the superficial, with the exception of those few distasteful costumes that tried to sneak in, but on their personality. Answers to questions, conversational skills, it was what dates should be founded on. Not that Bruce thought he’d find a date here, no matter how ideal it was. Tagging along, instead, because his social circle was going. Because participating and being a part of the events was better than hearing about them the next day.

So he sat through a grueling two hours of three-minute dates. Listening to people both mock him for not trying and appreciating his classic callback sheet-ghost costume. Having insufferable conversations with people who didn’t understand how to listen or have the spotlight off of them. The worst was the number of Scream villains that were there, leaving a few to accessorize just to stand out. Which should have made Bruce’s costumes one of the better ones, at least he was unique. 

There was a particularly sweet Jason Voorhees that Bruce could have stood to have another three minutes with and that was far more than he’d expected to happen. He gave her favorable marks but, again, didn’t expect them to be returned.

In the last fifteen minutes, though, when Bruce was eyeing the door and thinking there was no way the last five people were going to be better than anyone before them, a werewolf sat down at the table. Promptly explaining that he wasn’t any werewolf but the Teen Wolf, hence the basketball shorts. Teen wolves were apparently very crucial to the basketball team. It was a reference Bruce didn’t get and the man seemed used to hearing that, if not still a little dejected. Running through the basic questions got them to Bruce’s job, to his doctorates, his expertise, and somehow to an argument about the merits of various alternative energy forms. A solid two minutes was spent citing facts and studies, managing to get heated enough that the host had wandered over to stand by their table.

What the host didn’t know was it was the most exciting conversation Bruce had had all night. An unnecessary argument that neither needed but both wanted. They were both right and though he couldn’t explain how, he knew they both understood the pointlessness of their argument. Both sides were right but the conversation was well informed, the Teen Wolf didn’t back down, and if Bruce thought he wanted to talk to Jason for three more minutes, he could have fought with this werewolf for three hours.

The few dates that followed were a blur, Bruce wasn’t sure he even spoke to the one. More than once he caught the werewolf looking back at his table. Whether the spirit of Halloween was watching over the town or it was fate, Bruce left the event with an unexpected feeling of success and far too many thoughts in his head. The one thing he didn’t count on had happened. He found a match.

He’d gone home, as he’d planned, but his coworkers brought the gossip to him the next morning. Waiting in his classroom with coffee. Everyone gushed (quietly as there was more than one hangover in the room) about the people they spoke with and Bruce made sure to wait until just before the first bell to say he found a werewolf who caught his interest.

Never before had his computer chimed with so many alerts. He had to mute it in order to teach but he was distracted and the kids weren’t any better. They dissolved various Halloween candy staples, carved pumpkins because someone donated their overflow and no other teacher wanted to deal with the mess, and Bruce kept the day easy. Everyone’s mind was on the party quickly approaching. And for the first time since moving here, Bruce found himself wishing it would come just a little faster. Not just so it’d be done and life could go back to normal until Christmas break.

For those few days, it seemed like no one talked about the factory closing. It wasn’t who was out of a job anymore but who was driving the tractor for the hayrides. Collectively a town decided to ignore their impending doom and had Bruce not been so wrapped up in it himself it would have been an interesting study.

Though underneath the excitement were murmurings that a Stark was in town. No one knew what for. Some hoped for the best, that’d they had seen things clearly and were going to announce that the factory would remain open. Others didn’t even try to mask their threats. The rest used logic, the town hall meeting on the first day of November was likely going to be led by Tony Stark as he thanked the community for their years of loyal service, offered nothing, and made himself feel good before going back to one of his many mansions to never think about them again. Comments that passed as quickly as they came, replaced by where to find a recipe or if the grocery store had taken eggs off the shelf yet.

Eventually all the gossiping and planning came to it’s natural conclusion. Halloween arrived and without sight or word from Stark. Bruce thought he must have some sense if he’s staying out of the way. Yet another thing to add to their list of Halloween blessings. Had Stark not been doing what he was, Bruce would have given him a bit of credit for allowing the festivities to carry on without him.

For most of the day’s events, Bruce stayed at home. He graded papers, watched a few shows, and kept things on an even keel. Not because he didn’t want to go out, he had no reason to since he didn’t have any children. He stayed home for his sanity. Crowds were never his thing and because he’d decided last night to attend the big dance in hopes of a speed date match, Bruce needed all the energy he could store. Though it did afford him far too much time to think about what it would feel like to learn no one wanted the reveal.

Staying home until he couldn’t handle the busy work anymore, Bruce made his way to the center of town. Talking to kids he currently taught, kids he’d taught in the past who were carrying children of their own, and running into a couple of people from work all helped to wrap the event in a warm feeling of welcome. The brisk air mixed with the food and blew around leaves, creating something nothing short of picturesque. As he took it all in, Bruce’s heart broke with the knowledge that the town would never feel like this again.

He bought popcorn balls from some grade school kids, drank what felt like a gallon of apple cider, and stocked up on candies for the rest of the fall. Bruce found a greater sense of peace and calm out among the crowd than he did at home but slowly families started to make their way home. Children were left with babysitters, teenagers went off to their parties deep in the woods that they thought no one knew about, and left the adults to their barn dance.

The nerves Bruce had been trying to avoid found their way to him as he wrote his name on a sticker, drew a little ghost and pressed it over the pocket of his flannel shirt. When the matches were posted right at center stage, Bruce held back. Maybe if everyone else paired up he wouldn’t even need to see. Except he needed to know. Before he could force his legs to carry him up to his fate someone stood in front of him.

“You? You were under that sheet?” the man asked

“I was. You were, uh? I don’t see your name tag.”

“Yeah, I didn’t think it went with my outfit.”

“Who says stuff like that?”

“I don’t know, me I guess.”

“I feel like I know you,” Bruce said, squinting in hopes it would help him figure it out.

The man stood there, watching Bruce with a single arched eyebrow, holding his breath in waiting. It took a minute, far too long if you asked either of them, but Bruce’s eyes went wide.

“Tony? Tony Carbonell? No! It can’t be. What are you doing here?”

“Business,” Tony said. Not exactly lying.

“God, I haven’t seen you since high school.”

“Science High. Home of the best or something like that.”

“Only if you applied yourself,” Bruce laughed at his own joke and it didn’t feel like it was his voice. He’d not laughed like that since...high school.

Repressed feelings came flooding back. The memory of how badly he wanted to talk to Tony when they were fifteen. They were from two different worlds but in constant competition for the top of their class. Bruce would have let Tony win if it meant they got to talk though. He hadn’t pinned for anyone as much or as hard since. Now he was standing face to face, talking to him like they were long-lost friends.

If that realization wasn’t enough, Tony decided to pile on when he said “If I’d have known it was a classmate under that sheet, I’m not sure I would have marked you down as my match.”

Bruce almost dropped his drink. “What?”

“Yeah, you were the only interesting conversation the entire night. I was just bummed we didn’t have another minute. We could have got ourselves kicked out.”

“Wh-” before Bruce could finish repeating himself he sucked in a hefty breath. “The werewolf?”

“Teen Wolf. I told you, man. C’mon, I thought you were smart enough to hold a thought for a day.”

“It’s been two and a half.”

“That’s still not that long.”

Scanning the room, Bruce desperately tried to find a familiar face. Anyone to help out with this situation. He was in over his head and had forgotten why this was a good idea. He wanted to bolt for the door. Not even the door, if he could break through the nearest wall and just run home it’d be preferred.

None of that happened. He was left to stand there with his first crush and talk about flirting with each other. In the course of the conversation, Bruce had fully regressed to his teenage self. He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t know where to put his arms. Why didn’t he have something stronger than cider to drink? Of which he needed another gallon because his throat had never been this dry.

“Who was your pick?” Tony asked.

“Huh?”

“Who did you write down on the form? Who’d you wanna meet?”

“Um, you. The Teen Wolf.”

“Really?”

Bruce nodded to the stage, nearly clear now as everyone had found out whether or not a match had been made, silently telling Tony to go check if he didn’t believe him. Which Tony did. Walking away without a word. As soon as his back was turned, Bruce doubled over, hands on his knees, and breathing like he’d finished a marathon. Now was his chance to run. Yet, again, his feet didn’t want to move. Glued to the spot, waiting for Tony to come back and confirm what Bruce knew to be true. After all these years they’d finally matched.

Before he could coordinate his mind and body, make a swift but likely clumsy exit, Bruce stood up to find himself staring at one of his coworkers. She thought she’d put down a guy she had great chemistry with but they didn’t match and she was distraught. Not that she knew which of the men in the room were the one she was looking for so they were all suspect. Each of them awful in a randomly assigned way.

She’d made the assumption that Bruce hadn’t made a love connection either given he was standing alone and Bruce could have used this as an out. Escort her to the bar, drowning her sorrows, and lay low. Yet those words didn’t come out. Instead, he explained the situation. That he was waiting on confirmation from the tall, dark, and handsome man walking towards them. They had both written down each other’s disguise. Though he did leave out the part that they’d gone to high school together.

Tony came in just in time, nipping the protests and cries of how unfair it was that bordered on insulting. A charming grin that Bruce did not remember him having in school. In fact, Tony had little in common with his high school version. Whereas Bruce wanted desperately to grow another foot, Tony had. He looked like he worked out. Not in a lab, like Bruce, but a gym like people were supposed to. Everything was immaculate, his hair, clothes, smile, all of it. A far cry from just another one of the nerds. If Bruce didn’t know better, Tony almost looked like the kind of person to shove nerds in lockers.

But that couldn’t be true. Tony extended a hand towards Bruce. The slow music, a room full of people swaying back and forth as they excitedly talked about the speed dating and its outcome, Bruce knew what that meant. He’d watched enough movies. Trying to hide wiping his hand on his shirt before putting it in Tony’s, he accepted the dance. Gliding through this dream. So many other places boasted the magic of Christmas but in this moment, it didn’t hold a evergreen scented candle to Halloween.

The last time Bruce had danced with anyone, he’d been a child playing pretend with family. And yet it came easy, his hand in Tony’s, their arms around each other, and just enough distance to talk as they moved around. Like everyone around them, they talked endlessly. The conversation came easy, as unusual as that was for Bruce.

Somewhere between memories brought up by the songs the DJ played, what they’d done since high school, and watching as the dance floor emptied, the sun had gone down. Replacing that warm autumn light with string after string of lights above their head. The perfect glow as the smell of popcorn and funnel cakes had burnt off and bonfires had taken over.

“So what brings you here?” Bruce finally asked. The question had been sitting behind everything else they’d discussed. “It’s pretty far from where we met and I know my path here but you...you don’t live here, I’d have seen you before.”

“I don’t, I live in New York. Would you buy that I came for the spirit of Halloween?”

“Plausible. It is why most visitors come but you strike me as more of an Amityville Horror Halloween than caramel apples and corn mazes.”

“You’re not wrong,” Tony laughed. “Have you been there?”

“No, and you’re changing the subject.”

“And you’re too smart to fall for it. What if I told you no one has called me Carbonell in so long I almost forgot it was me?”

Bruce stopped the lazy circle they were shuffling in. “What do you mean?”

“It’s my mom’s maiden name. I went by it in school because my dad’s last name is, uh, recognizable and I didn’t want to be recognized. I mean, I still don’t want to be recognized as his but I’ve got his company, I’m trying to make it better. Make the name better.”

Facts were connecting for Bruce and he didn’t like where they were going. The data made sense but he needed to hear it. “What’s your last name then.”

Around them, the world seemed to stop and slowly fade away. Without the music, Bruce had come to a complete stop, staring at Tony and daring him to give the answer they both knew he would. The answer that would ruin Halloween.

“Stark.”

[criminalmindskink]

Dominant Doctor NSFW

This was an idea that came from a conversation with the beautiful, amazing, and loving @fussy-and-a-writer-sometimes , if you haven't given her page a go please do. She writes some AMAZING teen wolf imagines.

Warnings: This is smut. Choking, slight toy play, unprotected sex, kink talk, cursing. Wrap it before you tap it loves. 

As always my request remain open, as does my inbox. Enjoy my furry profilers. 

His hands travel up my body before grabbing both of my wrist and slamming them to the bed. “Spencer please, let me touch you” I moan out to the genius that has me a writhing mess. I guess all that reading has paid off in some ways. 

He clicks his tongue in response before biting down on my throat “I don’t think so darling. What did you think you were doing dancing in that dress tonight? What, just because I’m your coworker I can’t have you writhing up under me? You’ve been teasing me all week little girl, now you’re gonna cum until you cry” he growls out at me in response. “No touching, take your punishment like a good girl.” He finishes before sliding back down my body. 

“Yes sir” is all I can moan out before he’s absolutely devouring my core.

I’m shaken from the recent memory as a hand forcefully grabs my thigh and wrenches my legs apart. I look up from the hand to see it attached to the man himself, Spencer Reid. He gives me a sly smirk before directing his attention back to Hotch, who’s currently briefing us on a case. 

That night that left me sore and satisfied was four days ago and counting. Half of me wants to take him to an empty office and drop to my knees, while the other half wants to ask him what this means. I mean we’re coworkers, can this honestly be a regular thing? 

Hotch finishes up the briefing with stating that wheels are up in thirty. We all disperse from the room and head to our go bags. I pass by my desk and head to the restroom, desperate for cold water in my face. I should really have paid more attention to Hotch, but I can’t get Spencer off my mind. I haven’t been able to since that night. 

I walk into the rest room and rest my back against the sink while thinking back to that night. 

After cumming for a sixth time I feel hands travel up my body in my dazed state. With the hands are a pair of lips that are tracing soft and wet kisses up my stomach. I opened my eyes to see the man above me wearing a look of unadulterated lust. 

He presses his mouth to mine as his tongue fights my own for dominance. He leans back a bit before studying my face “have you learned your lesson love?” He asks in a tone I’ve never known him to wear. 

It draws a moan from my lips “Yes sir, please take me. I’m yours Reid.” I gasp out in response. He gave a moan of his own before I feel the tip of his length at my entrance, a feeling I’ve only dreamed of for so long. 

Suddenly I feel a mouth latch onto my throat, the feeling drawing a loud moan from within me. A hand shoots up to my mouth while the other grabs my hip. “Shhhhh, you don’t want the team hearing you do you?” He whispers into the shell of my ear. 

I desperately shake my head while biting my lip in response. He chuckles before turning from me to lock the door. Once he turns back to me I see an animalistic lust in his eyes. He walks back to me before lifting me onto the bathroom counter and locks his lips with my own. 

A lone hand trails up my arm before slowly dragging itself down my torso. It stops it’s journey for a split second to roughly grab one of my breasts through my shirt. I whimper again in response and grind myself onto the man. 

The hand continues down my body and goes under my skirt where the thumb roughly rubs my core through my lace thong. Spencer moans in appraisal “You wear this for me? You know I’ve been craving to have you under me again since that night. Your body accepts me in a way I thought was only written of.” He whispers back into my ear. 

His thumb is now making slow circles of my clit before his fingers move my panties aside and slip through my folds. “Oh baby, you’re absolutely soaked. Is this all for me?” He questions in an aroused tone. 

I nod my head profusely in response, dying to have him inside me again. Two of his fingers are suddenly planted inside me, curling in just the right spot to have me arching into him. I grabbed both of his shoulders as I whimper out “Spence please, I need you” his fingers slowly begin to move in and out. 

My hips begin grinding on their own accord and he hums approvingly. “See what I mean? Your body craves me just as much as your brain. It’s absolutely beautiful.” He smirks cockily before retracting his hand. The action draws another whimper from me before he brings his hand to his mouth and sucks on his fingers. 

This man may actually kill me. He brings his mouth back to my ear before lowly whispering “see you on the plane agent”. With that, he’s unlocking the door and leaving me craving for him to come back. I let out a soft sound of discomfort before hopping off the counter and taking some short breaths. This is gonna be a rough case if he continues this torture the entire time. 

Once everyone gets to the plane everything is peaceful. After about an hour it seems everyone is asleep but myself. Seeing this, I move to the couch and lay down fully allowing my consciousness to slip from me. 

I wake up a bit startled to feel a body under my legs. A hand attached to the body slowly trails up my legs before wrapping around the back of my thigh and gripping harshly. I tense slightly before looking up to the owner of the hand that is currently assaulting my senses. 

Spencer smirks to me before placing a finger to his lips, quietly silencing me. I feel my face contort to a look of pleading before he shakes his head at me. One of his hands slowly palm himself, drawing my attention to what I am craving the most. 

Hotch coughs before making a sudden movement to sit up. This action causes us to depart a second before his eyes open and take in his surroundings. I sit up and try to gather myself before looking up. 

This day has been total hell. Between Reid’s lip biting to the six times he’s cornered me, i’m on my last leg. We’ve made bed at a hotel for the night and I honestly could not be more grateful for everyone having their own rooms. If the lovely doctor won’t help me, I’ll just help myself. 

With that thought I strip down and head for the shower. The only object I brought that could help me is a tiny bullet vibrator I had bought on the go from a previous case. Fully nude and in the shower I turn the little bullet to it’s maximum speed. I can’t help but let my mind drift back to the reason of all my tension. As the vibration hits my clit I let out a low moan of appreciation. 

Spencer stills himself once he’s fully sheathed in me. He makes eye contact again while raising a hand to my cheek as if to check if I’m okay. I guess the caring side of him will show through after all. “You ready kitten?” He moans out as my walls tighten around his length. 

The only response to his question is a girlish whimper, a sound I didn’t even know I could produce. I lift my hips to slowly grind down on him, causing his head to drop to my neck. He softly kisses behind my ear before pulling almost the entire way out of me. Before I can even question the action, he thrusts into me full force. Both of us let out filthy moans as he performs the action again. 

I’m shaken from the memory as I’m slammed into the shower wall and a mouth places a searing yet angry kiss upon my own. Once the body draws away from mine, I open my eyes to see Spencer. “Spence” I begin but I’m silenced by a hand on my mouth and a low shushing noise. 

His hand trails down to mine that’s holding the ruby vibrating bullet. “Now now, who said you could do this?” He asks with a dark tone coating his voice. He doesn’t let me respond before he continues “Did you honestly think I wouldn’t take care of you sweetheart? I think you just want a round two of the other night. Is that it?” He brings the bullet to the palm of his hand before placing it back at my core. My head bangs against the wall as my hips hopelessly grind against his hand, begging for a release. 

I grabbed both of his shoulders before trailing my eyes over his chest. When I look back at his eyes I can see he’s expecting me to answer. “I’m sorry spen, I mean sir, my body is just dying to be released. You’ve been teasing me all day” I half way sob to the man before me. 

He clicks his tongue in response before driving to fingers inside me. My knees buckle and my throat let’s lose a filthy moan. “I bet it does, but you see obviously you don’t need me for that right? Coming in here to pleasure yourself with this bullet. I don’t think you deserve to cum baby girl.” He hisses into my ear. His fingers are still inside me, going at a pace I didn’t even think possible. 

He twists his hand at the perfect angle to hit my sweet spot causing me to see stars. The vibration on my clit plus the pace he’s set his fingers will cause my end to come soon, if he’ll let me have it. At that thought I grind down on his hand and give him the best puppy dog eyes I can muster. His only free hand comes to my throat in response and grips just enough to bring my pleasure to its max. 

I know I can’t last much longer so I thread my fingers into his hair. “Spencer please, I'm begging you let me cum” I breathe out to the man. He shakes his head to me in response and shows a pensive look. I feel the knot forming inside me getting ready to bust. I let out a whine and place one of my hands on the wrist that’s connected to my throat. 

Just as that knot is about to bust he removes himself from me completely. My head falls to the wall again while another whimper falls from my lips. Before I can open my eyes to speak I’m flipped face first against the wall and my ass is being brought out on display for him. 

A precise finger slides through my folds while another rubs one of my ass cheeks. “If you can take this punishment like a good girl, I’ll think about letting you cum. Do you understand?” He states from behind me. 

The term causes my back to arch to him “yes sir, I understand” I moan out with my cheek pressed to the shower wall. Before I can even question what he plans to do, a harsh slap comes across the right side of my rear. I yelp out in response before another one comes down. The pain mixed with the pleasure is enough to drive my libido into over drive. 

Without thinking twice, I let a filthy moan come from me “Doctor please, I won’t do it again I promise. I’ll be a good girl for you.” I moan into the wall as his hand comes to score me again. The phrase causes the man to pause in his action. 

A dark almost growl comes from his lips as a hand weaves into my hair. He pulls me to his body fully, his length coming between my thighs. He takes a harsh breath before allowing a groan to come from his lips. “You dirty girl, call me that again princess” he moans into the shell of my ear. 

I smile slyly before laying my head on his shoulder  “Please Doctor, take me. I’m yours” I whisper into his ear before nibbling on his ear. His hands come to my hips and grip harshly. Another shaky breath comes from his lips before I’m lifted and placed over his shoulder. 

He turns the shower off and heads to the bed. Once we are at the edge of the bed he moves to place me onto my back. His teeth assault my neck before his hand comes to take their place. His cocky smirk returns to his face as he places his length at my entrance. He makes eye contact with me, “good girl” he states lowly before thrusting into me completely. 

He sets a relentless pace before he hitches one of my legs over his hips. He bends the other at the knee before bringing it up to my chest. His body leans down fully, stopping me from moving it, before bringing the bullet back. Seeing what he was about to do causes my nails to score down his chest and arm, drawing a moan from him. Once he turns it back on and places it back to my clit a loud moan releases from my lips. “Doctor oh my god yes please” I yell out incoherent sentences. 

He brings his free hand up to caress my cheek, a harsh difference from the pace he’s set. “Careful darling, what will the people next door think?” He playfully questions as I lose myself in him. While his tone is playful I can feel him tense from the way my walls are closing around him. He was right earlier today, my body accepts him in ways I thought were only written about in books. 

With the knot coming from within me at an alarming rate, I give my doctor a pleading look “please” is all I can get out in my current state. His pace increasing as he brings a hand up to pinch one of my nipples. 

He bites harshly on my neck and brings his mouth to my ear “you wanna cum? Go ahead, you deserve it. You’ve been a good girl. Cum princess.” He moans out. 

My body reacts as if it had been awaiting his command. The knot that had been forming completely busts, the feelings more euphoric than it had ever been before. I latch onto his arm and shoulder as he continues to devour my senses with his cock. After a second he groans as he releases himself within me. 

He softly grabs my legs and lays them down onto the mattress, his head coming to place light kisses over my chest and neck. He finishes his oral adventure at my lips, giving me a passionate and loving kiss. His head moves back to take in my state as my hand caresses his chin. 

“Are you okay? I’m sorry if I was too rough.” He states as he looks over my body and kissed my hand. The statement causes me to smile at the man sweetly and let lose a chuckle. 

I place my hand on the back of his neck and bring him in for another kiss. He rolls onto his back as he accepts the kiss. I pull back and gaze at his face “I’m perfectly okay Spence, thank you for taking care of me.” I whisper to him before my head falls to his chest. 

His hand begins to trail light patterns up and down my spine. “Anytime beautiful” He states softly before kissing the top of my head. My face rest in the crook of his neck as I feel my consciousness begin to fade out. I feel a blanket being placed over the two of us before I’m down for the count. 

Anyone who is observant, who discovers the person they have always dreamed of, knows that sexual energy comes into play before sex even takes place. The greatest pleasure isn’t sex, but the passion with which it is practiced. When the passion is intense, then sex joins in to complete the dance, but it is never the principal aim.

― Paulo Coelho

Taglist: @fanfiction-promptsx

[screamxqueenx94]

The Tell Part 1/ Teen Wolf Series Rewrite

A/N: Finally got access to the show again nd wrote this in like a day lol! I'm working more, but I'll post as soon as I can

Bold= texts; italics= inner thoughts

Warnings: arguing, blood and a dead body

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

Charli's POV

I had just fallen asleep after I finished cleaning up the broken glass in my room when my dad comes through the front door.

"Charli! Hey, come down here, I got good news!" He calls cheerfully. 

I come downstairs, messy bun bouncing, zip up hoodie hanging off one shoulder and a pair of plaid boxer shorts I use for pajamas on, half asleep and rubbing my eyes. 

"Can this wait until morning? I just got to sleep." I reply in a groggy voice. 

"No, it's too good to wait." He answers happily as he shuts the front door. He gently, but excitedly, pulls me into the living room by my sleeve, then stops right in front of me. 

"I talked to the owner of the video store in town and he said he's hiring. Now normally, he'd only hire someone who's 18 or older, but I got him to reconsider and…" He explains excitedly as I just stare at him, eyes half open and barely holding my head up on my own. 

"And what?" I ask sleepily.

"... And he agreed to hire you!" He finishes. "I got you a job!" He holds his arms out as if he's one of those models showing game show contestants what they won. 

My eyes grow wider. Suddenly I'm more awake. "I'm sorry, what?" 

"I got you a job at the video store!" He repeats cheerfully. 

I just stand there in stunned silence for a moment. 

"So…you woke me up at--" I look at my phone to see the time, "11:36 at night to tell me you got me a job?" I ask sassy. 

He nods his head happily. I just turn around and slowly walk back upstairs while giving him a sarcastic thumbs up. I should've been more excited, but all that activity from today wore me out. I'll have to remind myself to really thank him in the morning. He really didn't have to go through the trouble.

I lay in bed, not able to go back to sleep. My phone pings for a text alert.

Isaac: hey, u still up?

I text back.

Charli: ya. wats up? 

Isaac: i was wondering if u wanted 2 go 2 the movies w me next saturday? 

Charli: sure :) id like that 

Isaac: great! I convinced my dad 2 let me borrow the car so I'll pick u up at 7? 

Charli: ya sounds good 

Isaac: great! C u then

~

I wake up the next morning, get cleaned up and head to my dad's office as he is finishing up a phone call. 

"Do you have a minute?" I ask when he looks at me.

"Sure." He answers as he removes his glasses. I step forward into his office, picking at my nails. 

"I'm sorry about last night, I didn't handle that well. I should've been nicer…" I sigh and sit in the leather padded chair across from his mahogany desk. "You went out of your way to do something nice for me and I was rude--" he cuts me off by putting his hand up. 

"Charli, honey. I'm not mad." He answers smiling.

My eyes shift. "Y--you're not?" I asked surprised.

"No, I get it. It was late, you were tired. I was just excited for you is all." He answers, putting his glasses back on and opening up a manila folder sitting in front of him. 

"I'm excited too though!" I reassure excitedly.

"You are?" He asks, looking up over his glasses with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah! Completely!" I answer back.

He smirks, takes his glasses off and reaches into a bottom drawer in his desk.

"Perfect!" He places an ugly purple and golden yellow button up on the desk and slides closer to me. "Because you start tonight!" He adds. 

I reluctantly take the shirt and set it in my lap. I look at it for a moment then look back up at my dad when he speaks up again. 

"Your shift starts at 3. They close at 11." He puts his glasses back on and looks at the case file again. "Dress code is jeans and sneakers." He looks up at me one last time before turning his attention back to the file. "Have fun." 

I trudge back up the steps and get to work on my weekend homework. I regret all of this morning…

~

Three o'clock rolls around and I'm inside the video store wearing my shirt open to show off my Rolling Stones t-shirt with ripped jeans and vans with my hair up in a messy bun. I'm greeted by my new coworker, Leveque, who gives me my orientation and shows me my locker. After that, we just head back to the counter and wait for business. 

~ 

Hours have passed and we've had maybe two customers, which was Scott and Stiles coming to bring me food and to rent some dumb bro movie. Meanwhile, Leveque is changing the flickering lights while I'm checking the returns and preparing to put them back on the shelves. 

"Dammit." I mumble as I get down to pick up the DVD I just dropped. As I hit the floor, the phone rings and the bell on the door rings to inform me a customer has come in. Fuuuck me…

"Can someone help me find 'The Notebook?" I know that voice. 

A few seconds pass, I put the disc in the box while on the floor hurriedly. 

"Hello? Is anybody working here?" Hold on, douche nugget. 

I pop up and set the box on the counter, making Jackson jump a bit. I let out a snarky chuckle.

"The Notebook, huh?" I ask, striding from behind the counter. "Didn't realize you had a sensitive side there, Jax." I reply sarcastic.

"Are you gonna help me find it or not?" He asks sharply. 

"Check the romance aisle." I tell him as I head towards the phone to answer it. 

He just rolls his eyes and walks the direction I pointed. "Gotta be kidding me." He mutters under his breath. 

I go to answer the phone when Jackson calls out terrified. 

"Charli! Come over here!" 

I run over to where he is and when I'm about to ask what's wrong, I instantly smell blood. I slowly turn and see Leveque laying on the floor with a big gash in his neck. I put my hands over my mouth. Jackson and I slowly back up and he trips over the ladder, making a lot of noise and making the lights short circuit. I help him back up, but as soon as he's standing, we both see something in our peripheral vision and slowly start to turn to face it. We look at it in utter fear, when suddenly Jackson grabs my hand and has us run and hide behind a horror movie shelf. 

Him sitting on the outside with an arm reached out to hold me back. Thanks, Jax, but I could've totally had this one. He sneaks a peek around the corner only to quickly whip his head back around. He looks at me with a finger to his lips when a bunch of movies fall on us. We cover our heads while staying quiet. Once they stop, he looks back again, only for the shelves to start falling like dominos. I start crawling the other way and slide behind a wall. When the shelves are about to fall, he jumps to the side only to get his legs stuck under a shelf. He lays there, clearly in pain, but remains still as the creature walks over him. The creature stands over him for awhile, which made me decide to come up with a plan. 

Why I'm saving him, I'll never understand, but I'm going for it. I crawl to the counter and quickly grab the emergency industrial size flashlight that's under the counter. I crawl back over to where I was and start flashing the light, making it look at me and I shine the light in its bright red eyes, scaring it away. It runs and bursts through the window as I hear a girl scream. 

I run over to Jackson to check on him. "Jackson?" Silence. "Jackson, are you okay?" He must be in shock. I lift up the shelf and throw it off of his legs. He's still breathing, but not moving. I focus my attention on the broken window, then I see Lydia in her car, screaming. I grab my phone out of my back pocket and call 911.

~

Lydia and Jackson are both being seen by EMTs while I'm talking to an officer, telling them what I saw. I stop mid sentence as I start to smell blood again and I become nauseous again, covering my mouth like I'm going to vomit. The officer looks at me concerned, then leads me to his cruiser and opens the door so I can sit down and puts a blanket over my shoulders.

Suddenly, the Sheriff's car pulls up. "Paul, let's get this area locked up." I hear Sheriff Stilinski say. I quickly jump up and start running towards him, when the officer who was interviewing me tried to grab me and stop me.

"Mr. Stilinski!" I cry out. He turns towards me and signals the officer to let me go. I run to him and hold his forearms with tears in my eyes. 

"Charli, what happend?" He asks concerned. 

I don't answer his question. I just beg him in panic, "please don't tell my dad! Please don't tell him what happened! He can't know! He'll make us move!" I'm in tears again, makeup running down my cheeks. 

"Oh--okay, Charli, listen to me, alright? Deep breaths." He coaches me through taking deep breaths. 

"Why don't you let an EMT take a look at you, okay? I'll be right over to talk to you… I promise." He calmly tells me. I listen and go see an EMT. As she examines me, I'm listening to Jackson complain. We just went through a traumatic moment and you wanna complain? Suck my balls, Jackson…

"Why the hell can't I just go home? I'm fine." Jackson bitches to Noah. 

"I hear ya, but the EMT said you hit your head pretty hard. They just want to make sure you don't have a concussion." He answers back, understandingly.

"W--what part of 'I'm fine' are you having a problem grasping? Okay, I wanna go home!" He sounds like a literal child.

I wince as the EMT pulls splinters out of my palms. " I understand that." Noah answers.

"No you don't understand! Which blows my mind since it should be a pretty basic concept to grasp for a minimum wage rent-a-cop like you!" Jackson yells, shoving his finger in Noah's face. "Okay, now I wanna go home!" He continues to scream. 

"Jackson! Shut the fuck up and show some respect for once in your life!" I scream back as I rise to my feet while the EMT was wrapping my hands with gauze. Noah looks back at me and signals to me that he's got this under control.

As I sit back down I hear a familiar voice yell, "Oh, whoa! Is that a dead body?" As other EMTs roll out a stretcher with Leveque's body on it, covered with a sheet and his arm hanging off the side. Fuckin aye, Stiles. 

I start to feel sick again. "Do you have anything for nausea?" I ask the EMT as I cover my nose and mouth with the blanket. She hands me two pills and a bottle of water. I take them like candy and chug the water like my life depends on it. After I finish off the water, I see Derek and Scott on top of the video store, watching everything happen. The hair on my neck starts to stand. I watch them leave and see a familiar face in the crowd. Dad…

He tries to come over to me, but an officer holds him back. "Dammit, that's my daughter!" He pushes through and comes straight to me. He wraps his arms around me and I just burst into tears. I hold him tight as his hand rests on the back of my head while the other wrapped tightly around me. He holds me until I let go.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt? What happened to your hands?" He asks frantically as he holds my face inbetween his shaky hands. 

"I--I'm okay… I just had some splinters from lifting a shelf off Jackson." I tell him quietly as I direct to Jackson with my eyes, making him look over at Jackson, who's still bitching about wanting to go home. 

He pulls me in close again, kisses the top of my head and hugs me tight again until Mr. Stilinski comes up to us. He relaxes his hold a bit and faces him, shaking his hand. 

"Ambrus." He greets.

"Noah." My dad greets in return. "What happened here?" He asks.

"An employee here was murdered and the kids not only stumbled upon the body, but we're also attacked." He answers, resting his hands on his belt.

"Well who did it?" My dad asks conceringly.

"We don't know yet, but Mr. Whittemore and Miss Martin described it as some type of man-dog creature. Mr. Whittemore said it had bright red eyes." 

My father looked at me with concern, but I just looked down at my feet and turned slightly away from him.

"Charli, can you confirm what they saw?" Mr. Stilinski asks. 

"I--It..it was d--dark. I--I couldn't tell w--what it was…" I stutter out, turning away from them. But I knew exactly what it was. An alpha… 

"Can you try and remember?" Mr. Stilinski asked again, stepping closer. 

I start to shake my head. Then my body shakes and I put my face in my hands and start crying. My father comes to me and puts his hands comfortingly around my shoulders and leads me towards his car. 

"Noah, I think she might need some rest. I'll bring her in another day to talk to you, once she's in a better frame of mind." My father insists.

"Of course. I understand." He then looks to me. "Get some rest, Charli. We can talk another time okay?" 

I don't look at him. I just sniffle and nod my head. My father wraps his arms around me again and leads me to the passenger side of his car. He opens the door and guides me in while slipping the blanket off me as an officer hands him my things from my locker. He takes them and puts them in the backseat, then comes around front and starts driving home. 

The car ride is quiet. I just keep my hands balled tight in my lap, shaking, not looking up. My father keeps looking over at me. I can tell what's going through his mind. He wants to move again, I know it. Once we get home, he pulls into the garage and shuts the car off. We're quiet for a moment as we just sit there. 

"It was an Alpha wasn't it?" He asks. 

I'm quiet, but I nod my head. He punches his steering wheel, making me squeeze my eyes shut. He puts his hands over his face and slides them down until one hand is back in his lap and the other is resting on the steering wheel. He looks at me and is quiet for a little longer. 

"Did he hurt you?" He asks. I shake my head. He exhales deeply. 

"Does he know?" 

"I don't know…" I whisper.

We sit in silence again. Too long. 

"Please don't make us move again…" I whisper.

"That's not up to you." He answers harshly.

"Of course it's not…" I comment back, still never looking at him.

He looks at me with anger in his eyes.

"What the hell is that suppose to mean?" He asks with fire in his eyes.  

"You know exactly what it means, Dad." I spit back, still not making eye contact. I pull the door open and slam it shut then head inside the house. 

He punches the steering wheel again and follows me in. By the time he tries to catch up to me, I already have my bedroom door locked. He knocks on my door. 

"Charli?" I don't answer. "Charli… I'm sorry, okay?" I still don't answer. "C'mon, Charli, let's talk about this...please?" He waits before he talks again.

"Look, honey I'm not mad at you okay? I was just scared…" I get off my bed and listen by the door. 

"I was scared because I thought I lost you…" I can hear him tearing up. "I already lost your mother, I don't wanna lose you too, okay?" I continue to listen. 

"If I lost you… I--I could never go on. You're all I have left. We are all each other has, I don't wanna lose that, okay?" I start to tear up too. 

"Look, if you don't feel like talking anymore tonight, I understand… but can you at least let me know that you're okay? Please?" He starts to beg. I stand up and unlock the door. As I open it, we just cry in each other's embrace, falling to the floor and doing what we should've done a long time ago. Letting ourselves cry. 

After I finish crying, I wipe my eyes and look at him. "Promise me that just because this happened that we won't move again… I'm sick of running, Dad." He puts his head down. "Dad...please…" I rest my hand on his. He looks into my eyes and brushes some loose strands away from my face and wipes away the last few tears trying to escape. 

"I can promise that we can try this out…" he pauses. "But my main concern is your safety. The last thing I want is something happening to you." 

I nod my head. "I know, Dad, but please… promise me we're not going to just run away anymore." 

He sighs, wipes his face, then looks back at me. "If we stay… then you start your training after school." 

"What about my new job?" 

"I have a good feeling you probably won't be going back there ever again." He informs me with a half smile, resting his hand on my shoulder. I half smile back at him. 

"Well, get some sleep, you have school in the morning." He kisses my forehead, helps me up and heads off to his room. 

~

I couldn't sleep a wink last night. I try focusing on getting ready for school, but I can't cover my dark circles to save my life. I just throw on a beanie again with a hoodie and jeans with my beat up converse. I say goodbye to my dad, grab my bag and start heading to the Stilinski house. Just as I reach their driveway, Stiles is coming out, keys in hand and backpack over his shoulder. He spots me and looks like he's seen a ghost. 

"Charli! Hey…" 

"Could you give me a ride to school?" I ask quietly. 

"Uh, y--yeah, sure." He speedwalks over to Roscoe and opens the passenger door. 

He helps me in, closes the door, then jogs to the other side and hops into the driver seat. He starts Roscoe up, backs out and heads to the school. It's a quiet ride. There's not even music playing and for once, I welcome the total silence. Just the sound of the engine. We pull into the school parking lot. Stiles shuts off Roscoe. 

"Thanks for the ride, Stiles." I tell him as I'm gathering up my belongings and reaching for the door handle. 

I push the door open slightly, only for him to reach over and pull it closed. I look over at him and he looks calm on the outside, but his whiskey colored eyes are drowning in worry. 

"Charli, last night--" I cut him off.

"Stiles, thank you, truly, for caring… but I'm not ready to talk about it. Not yet." He looks down, almost disappointed, but he turns to me and his eyes are filled with understanding.

"When I'm ready to talk about it, I promise you're the first person I'll come to." I reassure him, resting my hand on his that's resting on the center console. He looks at me with reassurance.

"Promise?" 

"Promise." I tell him, holding out my pinky for a pinky promise. He looks at it with a raised eyebrow, then chuckles and wraps his pinky around mine. We smile at each other then head inside the building.

~

"Just a friendly reminder, Parent Teacher conference is tonight. Students below a 'C' average are required to attend. I won't name you because the shame and self disgust should be more than enough punishment." Mr. Harris drones on as Stiles and I are sitting at our lab tables. 

"Has anyone seen Scott McCall?" He asks, putting his hands on his hips while eyeing Stiles who's highlighting literally everything in his book. 

I start biting on my thumbnail while Stiles looks up at him with the highlighter cap in his mouth. As I'm about to speak up, everyone's attention turns towards the door opening and in walks Jackson. He walks over to his table and sits down. Mr. Harris walks over to him and gets close to him and places a hand on his back.

"Hey, Jackson. If you need to leave early for any reason, you let me know." Jackson just nods his head. 

Mr. Harris then looks at me. "Charlotte, same goes for you too." I just give him a slight nod. 

Stiles looks at me in confusion and I just shrug to tell him I don't understand why he's being nice either. He starts walking up to the front of the room. 

"Everyone, start reading chapter nine." Everyone opens up their books and starts reading. 

"Mr. Stilinski…" Stiles looks up. "Try putting the highlighter down between paragraphs… it's chemistry, not a coloring book." Stiles spits the highlighter cap straight up and catches it with ease. It's weird that I think that was kinda hot isn't it? Yeah...it is…

I start reading, but of course, Stiles is distracted. "Hey, Danny… can I ask you a question?" Oh no…

"No." He says blatantly. Wise choice, Danny Boy.

"Well I'm going to anyway…" I should've known better…

"Um, did Lydia show up in your homeroom today?" Okay, that's not at all what I was expecting. Good question. 

Danny sighs. "No." Stiles and I just look at each other with a knowing look. 

"Can I ask you another question?" There it is. I knew it was coming… 

Danny is clearly getting frustrated. "Answer's still no." 

"Does anyone know what happened to her, Charli and Jackson last night?" Wow, okay another good question…"He wouldn't tell me." Weird.

"But he's your best friend…" Exactly, that's really weird. 

Danny just shrugs and goes back to reading. "One more question…" Based on his body language, I think it's safe to assume that Danny is rolling his eyes. 

"What?" He replies a little too loud. 

"Am I attractive?" There it is, I knew it was coming… Danny is quiet. As the silence grows longer, Stiles keeps leaning forward, then falls off his stool. 

I cover my mouth, trying not to laugh, but at the same time, worrying if he hurt himself. I look over and Jackson is giving Stiles a dirty look. God I wanna punch him in his face so bad…

~

As we leave class, Stiles is trying to get ahold of Scott while I'm trying to get ahold of Allison. Stiles calls Scott while I'm texting Allison, Stiles and I keep looking back and forth at each other. 

"Finally! Have you been getting any of my texts?" I hear Stiles say. Must've finally reached Scott. 

"Do you have any idea what's going on?" He asks. I try to listen in but he's pulling the phone and himself away, so I poke him in his ribs to make him react. "Lydia's MIA and Jackson looks like he's got a time bomb inserted into his face, another guy's dead and you gotta do something about it." 

"Something!" He continues, frustrated. "Hello?" He then looks at the phone and makes an angry face at it. 

"He hung up, didn't he?" I ask snarky with my arms crossed, genuinely enjoying seeing Stiles feel the way I felt the night we helped Derek. 

"He better not make a habit of this or…" I cut him off.

"Or what? What are you gonna do?" I ask with a smirk. He looks at me through his lashes and licks his lips.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" He asks.

"A little bit, yeah." I continue to smirk, then walk ahead. He pauses for a moment then catches up with me. 

"So…" he rubs the back of his head nervously. I look at him. "Do you wanna go with me to go talk to Lydia?" 

"And miss out on you making a fool of yourself in front of her again? Of course I'm coming." I chuckle. 

"Maybe I'll just leave you in the car." He shoots. 

"Maybe I'll go talk to her myself while you wait in the car." I shoot back.

He scoffs. "You're not gonna make me wait in my own car." 

"I may be smaller, but I'm definitely stronger than you." I inform him with a smirk and slight bite of my lower lip. 

He scoffs again. "You're not stronger than me." 

"You really wanna debate that?" I ask, looking at him with a raised eyebrow. 

He's quiet. I think he remembers what happened over a week ago when Scott almost attacked him in his room because he's pursing his lips. He looks down, then back to me. "Nah, I'm good. I think you made your point." He replies, knowing I'm right. 

We go over to Lydia's house and are greeted by her mom, who is actually really sweet. She leads us to her room where she's just laying across her bed, looking at her nails and resting her head on her other hand. 

"Honey, there's a Stiles and Charli here to see you." Lydia's mom informs her. 

Without looking away, she mumbles, "What the hell… is a Stiles?" I try not to laugh, but Stiles elbows me. 

Stiles looks at Mrs. Martin, almost offended. "Uh, she took a little something to ease her nerves." She moved so we could go in. "You can go in." She continues. 

We both thank her and she leaves the door open behind us. Stiles looks back as she walks away while I make myself comfortable in a chair that's in the corner of her room as Stiles approaches her. Lydia looks back at him and places a hand on her hip. 

"What are you doing here?" She asks.

"We were making sure you were okay." Stiles replied. You came to make sure she was okay. I came because this was my only source of entertainment for the day. 

"Hmm." She barely replies and makes a weird sound with her mouth. "Why?" She continues as she pats the bed. Omg, she's is so freakin high… this is gonna be interesting

He sits down where she patted. "Because we were worried about you today." He tells her. I roll my eyes. Uh… you care about her. I'd push her in front of a bus if I knew I could get away with it… 

"How are you feeling?" He asks her. She starts caressing his arm. Okay, this is starting to get uncomfortable…

"I feel…" She gets close to his face. "...fantastic." Oh yeah, she's definitely high…

Stiles clicks his tongue and inhales sharply, letting out a chuckle. "Oh!" He quickly snatches up her meds that are on her bedside table. He reads the name of it and shows it to me. I almost start laughing, but instead I come up with a winning idea. 

"I bet you can't say I saw 'I saw Susie sitting at the shoe shine shop ten times fast." I smirk. Stiles gives me dagger eyes, then reverts his attention back to Lydia. She takes a minute before she replies. 

"I saw Shusie…" she stops. Stiles and look at each other. I raise my eyebrows and he whips his hand under his chin to signal for me to cut it out. "I shaw…" She tries again. I giggle. Stiles puts the pill bottle back. 

"I saw…" she trails off, staring into space. Stiles and I notice something isn't right. 

"Lydia, what did you see?" Stiles asks, placing his hand on hers. 

"Something…" she trails off. 

"Something like… like a mountain lion?" Stiles ask. 

"Mountain Lion…" she repeats.

"Are you sure it was a mountain lion or are you saying that because that's what the police told you?" I ask her as if I was talking to a child. 

"A mountain lion." She repeats again. 

Stiles grabs her stuffed giraffe. "What is this?" He shows it to her. She looks at it dazed. "A mountain lion." She replies, almost childlike. 

"Okay..." Stiles retorts, then puts the stuffed animal back. 

"She is so dru--" I begin to say, but stop as soon as she puts her head in Stiles' lap, passing out, making his whole body react. 

I walk over and help her off of Stiles as he slides off of the bed, which wakes her up, makes her prop herself up with one arm and face us. 

"Okay, well we're just gonna go, uh, let you get back to the whole… Post Traumatic Stress thing." I tell her as I start closing the door. 

"Mmm, stay." She replies weekly. Stiles is quick to go back in while I'm still standing in the doorway, waiting on him so I can get home and start my training. 

Stiles looks around, shocked and then points to himself, "Me? Me stay? You want me to stay?" He asked surprised. 

"Mhm." She mumbles, patting the spot on the bed in front of her, weakly smiling. Is he really dumb enough to go for this? 

He quickly sits down. "Yes, please." She tells him as she inches closer. I roll my eyes and close the door then go sit in the jeep and text my dad. 

Charli: sorry Dad. Running late, needed to stop & drop off homework 2 Lydia

I lean back and rest my head on the headrest as I wait for Stiles to finish up his little rendezvous with Lydia, who apparently wants to get with everybody. I'm getting ready to text him when I see him rushing out. He hops in on the driver side.

"Wow, thirty seconds… that's the best you could do?" I joke.

He gives me a look, then starts up Roscoe. "We gotta try to call Scott again." He informs me.

"Why?" I ask. He looks me in the eyes. "Because I think I know what that was that attacked you guys last night."

"Well, you're on your own for this one, cause I promised my dad I'd be home right after school." I remind him as I look out the window.

"C'mon, Charli! I need your help in this too! I mean, you know more about this supernatural stuff than I do." He begs as he drives us home.

Sorry, Stiles. After last night, my dad needs to know exactly where I am and what I'm doing at all times…" I look at him. "In fact, I can guarantee that he's gonna be pissed that I wasn't home twenty minutes ago." I continue in a matter factly tone. "Do you really wanna piss off my dad?" I finish.

He exhales sharply. "No, I guess not." He mumbles.

"Okay, then I need to go home." I insist. 

~ 

My dad is in the kitchen when I get home. 

"For someone who doesn't eat, you sure do spend a lot of time in the kitchen." I remark as I cross my arms over my chest.

"Well you seem to be back to normal." He chimes.

"Not really…" I sigh and sit at a stool placed in front of the kitchen island and put my head down. "I couldn't sleep a wink last night." I continue. 

I pick my head back up and rest it in my hand, looking down at the counter, picking at the skin around my thumbnail. "When I did, all I could see was that face...those red eyes." I tell him, starting to tear up. 

He comes around the island and places a comforting hand on my back and rubs in small circles and just looks at me with understanding eyes. I look up at him. 

"How do you get used to it, Dad? How do you get used to facing creatures like them and not have nightmares or PTSD?" I ask softly.

Honey, I don't sleep. I never did, but your mother…" he trails off, looking away. I look at him, hoping he'll finish that sentence. He does, "...your mother would always say 'it comes with the territory, but if I can live, knowing that I'm protecting others and protecting my family, then it's all worth it'..." 

I look down at my hands. He pats my back. "One day… one day, you'll understand what she means, Charli." He tells me softly.

"But for now, I want you to get your homework done before I get back." He pats my back then starts walking away. 

I quickly turn around. "B--but what about training?" I ask cautiously.

That can wait. What can't wait is parent teacher conference." He explains as he puts on his black peacoat and adjusts the collar. 

"Shit…" I mumble as I put my head down. 

"You forgot didn't you?" He asks as he grabs his keys from the wall hook. I just nod my head slowly, looking at him with my bottom lip poking out. 

"Well, I'm assuming I'm going to hear all good things,right?" He asks, placing his hands on his hips. 

"You should...unless of course there's a teacher that's out to get me." I joke. He rolls his eyes and chuckles. 

"Stay here. Be good. Get your homework done…" he says as he starts walking down the hallway, then stops and points at me. "...and no boys." He finishes sternly.  

"Not even Stiles?" I ask sweetly.

"Especially Stiles. I see the way you two look at each other." He uses his hands to signal the eyes to eyes motion. "Why don't you call Allison or Lydia, or another girlfriend or something? Why does it always have to be boys?" He asks, with his arms half out. 

"Because boys don't care about shopping or makeup or what dress is perfect for homecoming." I inform him. 

He rolls his eyes. "Whatever you say, kiddo. I'll see you later. Love ya." He calls back as he walks out of the kitchen. As soon as the door closes, I run upstairs, jump onto my bed and text Isaac...

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

@softpeteparker @mummybear @ficus-fig @stiles-o-dylan24 @cry-btch @sporadiccookiebagel @inschi @wil2space @mrs-mitch-rapp93 @nicole-lynne @fullangelimagines

[writingforthepack]

Beacon Hill’s New Alpha Prologue

Alpha!Reader 

ReaderxStiles(platonic)

Author’s Note: This chapter acts as background for the rest of the series. A few of your favorite Teen Wolf characters (which I don’t own the rights to or whatever) will be introduced in this chapter but the entire pack will be introduced next chapter. 

The fading sunset peeking through the foliage, the running water of a creek nearby, chirping cicadas and groaning frogs.

You had walked this trail thousands of time with your Aunt but something felt off tonight. You continued your leisurely trek as she rambled on about her coworker's antics.

"I couldn't believe it she had swallowed the entire fax machine-"

"yeah good old Miranda" you muttered, still lost in thought.

Your Aunt gave you a quizzical look. "So you really have not been listening for the last 10 minutes have you?"

"uh- well I mean I remember what you said about Jim's new beard and how it makes him look like a gnome." you stuttered.

"So you haven't been listening for the past 15 minutes!" Aunt Jane threw her head back and laughed.

Jane had been taking care of you for almost as long as you could remember. She was the only family you had and that was more than okay with you, you cherished her more than anyone else on this planet. She was nearing her 40's but her fun energy always made her seem a bit younger.

 You didn't like to talk about what happened to your parents. You doubted anyone wanted to hear about your father's absence since the beginning and how your mother died from cancer when you were young. Not exactly what you'd call a lighthearted conversation.

 "I'm sorry," you chuckled, "I've just had a lot on my mind with school lately"

She raised her eyebrows "oooh boys?"

"Biological sciences" you correct, stepping over a root with a small laugh.

 This was the part of the path that always got a bit more dense and bumpy, it didn't help that the sun was staring to rapidly set. The brush was starting to catch on your ankles and the bugs were nipping on your limbs.

 You both had quickened your pace, you assumed it was to get out of the woods before the bugs got to bad but your gut was telling you there was something more.

"Is it just me or do you get the feeling something is following us" you whisper.

"Seriously? Are you trying to get casted in a horror movie because that is so-" Jane stops in her tracks looking ahead of her.

"Jane?" you follow her line of vision, a few yards into the brush on your right two scarlet orbs float in the darkness. Eyes? You question before it charges at the two of you.

You get knocked to the ground as you watch a hand clasp around Jane's leg and drag her deeper into the brush, her screams echoing throughout the secluded pathway.

"NO!" you yell, pushing yourself up and stumbling to where you heard her.

You're met with the sight of your aunt collapsed on the ground, her head pushed to the side and her glassy eyes open but unfocused. A figure of a man is hunched over her in an animalistic manner as he digs his hands through a gash in the body's side.

Not the body

Jane's body.

You grab a nearby fallen branch and charge the man-creature?

You bring it over his head splintering the branch but the creature seems unaffected as he sets his scarlet eyes on you.

Shit

His arm pins you to the ground by your throat and you feel the other grasp your arm. You feel a sharp pain in your shoulder but everything seemed to be spinning. All you knew was that you couldn't go out like this. Your free arm reaches to your side trying to find anything to defend yourself with.

Your hand grasps around a stone the size of your fist and you don't waste any time before bringing it over his head.

It disorients him enough for you to push him off of your body. You stood over him, he gave a sick bloody smile as he started to push his body up.  You didn’t give him the chance bringing the rock over his head with all the might left in your body.

The scarlet fades from his eyes as you let out a sob, crawling over to Jane's body you cradle it and continue crying.

You try to wipe your tears away as you pull your phone from your pocket, ignoring the blood on your hands and the way they shook as you dial for the police.

"Beacon Hills Sheriff Station, what's your emergency?"

You open your mouth but no words come out  all you could do is stare at the scene before you, thoughts rushing through your mind. What the hell is happening?

The world seemed to fade away as the events of what just happened played on a loop in your head.

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

You sat in the back of the EMT still in shock.

The police had traced the call and arrived. They guided you out of the woods, getting you checked out by the paramedics. They said there wasn't a scratch on you although you could have sworn there being a wound on your shoulder a few moments prior to your check up.

A deputy with kind eyes who’s nameplate read "Parrish", had stopped by a bit ago to try and get a statement from you but all you could sputter out was "his eyes, his eyes were glowing" which made him back away cautiously and pull the sheriff aside, probably to discuss how I sounded absolutely crazy. 

Maybe you were crazy, the image of the red fading from the creature's eyes haunted your thoughts. At least it was clear everything that had happened was out of self defense.

 The sound of boots on gravel finally shook you from the vision taking over your mind. Sheriff must have finished his discussion with Parrish.

"So glowing eyes huh" he sighed.

You gave a small nod.

He gives you a once over before speaking again

"Well seeing as we don't know why this specific pair of glowing eyes

 were set on you we should-"

"I'm sorry did I hear that right? GLOWING EYES?!!

You look at the teenage boy in front of you, to call him energetic would be an understatement. He seemed to be a ball of energy from his high tops to his spiked hair.

Sheriff pulls him back from the ambulance by his arm. "Stiles what the hell are you doing here?"

To be fair you had been wondering the same thing.

"Oh hey Dad didn't see you there."

Dad? I guess that makes a bit more sense you thought to yourself

"Under any other circumstance I would be unmeasurably pissed about you snooping around crime scenes but seeing as I'm still relatively new to this…other world, I could use backup"

Okay that was enough to snap you out of your stupor.

"Um I'm sorry, how did you become sheriff if you're new and isn't your backup right behind you in uniforms and why are you asking a teenager for help regarding a murder case. Because that's what happened remember? My aunt was murdered right in front of me…" you couldn't stop the tears from spilling down your face as you spiraled.

The kid crouched in front of you and offered you a piece of gauze as a tissue. His voice softened "Hey y/n was it? y/n we're going to take care of you alright?"

Why was this kid being so nice to you.

Sheriff spoke again "speaking of which, do you have anyone you can stay with for tonight just so you aren't alone?"

"I am alone, it was just my Aunt and I" you sniffled

The two in front of you exchange a look.

"You can stay with us." Sheriff states.

"What?" you say slightly miffed.

Stiles rises back up. "Yeah, Well you see a lot is going to change in the near future, and we want to help you as you go through this transformation." He gestured a lot towards his father throughout his explanation.

You stand up, tired of his antics.

"Listen, I appreciate the concern but I think that I can handle this on my own". You turn to Sheriff, "Am I free to go?"

He gives a slight nod and you sprint to your car, ignoring  Stile's squabbles behind you.

You drive the familiar route to you apartment and make it in the door. As soon as you stepped in the door memories flooded your memory all at once. The kitchen table where Jane helped you with your math homework. The couch where so many nights were spent watching stupid rom coms. It was all too much, you collapse against the wooden door and settle on the cool floor letting the tears fall.

You allow yourself to grieve for a moment before going to your room to pack a bag.

You couldn't be back here, not yet.

You drive to the Police Station and had barely made it in the door before being greeted by an overly excited Stiles.

"Hey! Hey Y/N. Whatcha doing here"

"I've decided to take you guys up on your offer"

 his eyes travel down to your duffle bag before awkwardly stumbling into his Dad's office to let him know.

"Alright let's get going" he said swinging his car keys.

You parked your car in the road and met Stiles by the front door.

"This is weird" you state.

"What never been to a sleepover?" he jokes and you shoot him a glare.

"I mean I just met you and now I'm staying with you"

"Hey don't worry about it" he says guiding you into the house to the guest room, "Maybe tomorrow you could even meet my friends."

"We'll see" you say mustering up a small smile.

"Well bathroom's  right there if you want to wash up and the rest is here"

"Thank you" you say. "For everything"

"Goodnight Y/N"

"Goodnight Stiles"

[kmomof4]

Well, I did it again...

I wrote another fic... 

Well, here we are again. I honestly didn’t think I’d ever write another fic, and I still can’t believe I did it, but when I finally bought and downloaded one of my youngest’s favorite movies, the ending gave me massive CS feels. So after plenty of hand-holding, encouragement, cheerleading, and brilliantly executed beta duties from none other than @hollyethecurious, @winterbaby89, and @shireness-says, I present to you my second CS fic. I hope you all like it. There are two instances of strong language and the fic is rated T because of that. Many thanks to @winterbaby89 for the use of her original character from The Red Dress Affair. This is an unapologetically stupid disaster movie fic, based on the 1997 Tommy Lee Jones movie Volcano. I have taken a massive amount of liberties with LA geography, field trip protocol, and established scientific fact to fit the purposes of the fic. Apologies to anyone who lives in the area and/or cares.

Tagging some folks who might be interested in reading something else from me. @artistic-writer @ilovemesomekillianjones @doodlelolly0910 @let-it-raines @profdanglaisstuff @resident-of-storybrooke @seriouslyhooked @branlovestowrite @flslp87 @whimsicallyenchantedrose @searchingwardrobes @pocket-anon @donteattheappleshook @kymbersmith-90 @snowbellewells @sherlockianwhovian @teamhook

Read more line after the first scene unless Tumblr ate it. Part 2 will be up on Tuesday.

State of Emergency ao3 link

Thursday, February 7, 2019

Emma Swan stood at the stove listening to the morning news in the background while scrambling eggs for herself and her son, Henry, before she sent him off to school. He had a big day ahead of him with his Kindergarten Buddy Field Trip to the La Brea Tar Pits. As a “senior” at his school, the entire sixth grade class had been assigned an upcoming kindergartener as a “buddy” to help them adjust to full day elementary school. There had been many functions and events over the course of the school year to foster the relationships between the seniors and their buddies, but this was the first field trip away from the school. Henry and his buddy, Roland Loxley, were very excited because of their shared love of fossils and anything prehistoric. And the fact that Roland was going to be spending the weekend with them while his parents were out of town didn’t hurt either. Emma turned toward her son as he sat himself down at the table. “Nothing better than a good breakfast, kid.”

“Yeah, yeah Mom. I know.” The signature eye roll complete with shrugged shoulders made its way across the face of the twelve year old.

“Most of you probably didn’t even notice, but we had a small earthquake this morning. The US Geological Survey reported a 2.8 magnitude earthquake centered under Beverly Hills at 4:37am.”

“Why are they even talking about this? It didn’t even wake me up! Think fast Henry! What do you do in an earthquake?” Emma asked him, placing his plate in front of him.

“Get under a door frame, put my head between my legs, and kiss my ass goodbye.” Henry then dug in to his eggs and toast with all the gusto of a teen boy who hadn’t been fed in 8 hours or more. Emma rolled her eyes as she sat down to her own plate, deciding the argument over his language wasn’t worth having this morning. The eggs and the rest of his breakfast were soon gone and she wondered if the clothes she’d bought him for this spring would still fit him come the end of March.

“Gotta go Mom. I’ll call you when Roland and I get home from the field trip.” Henry grabbed his bookbag from where it was hung on his chair and made his way toward the door, opening it to find his friends waiting to walk to the bus with him.

“Bye, kid. Have fun and make sure to keep track of Roland!” she shouted as she heard him greet them before they headed down the hallway.

Gulping down the rest of her coffee, Emma got up from the table and thought about the day she had ahead of her at the Office of Emergency Management; the next-to-last day before a two week long vacation that she and Henry had been looking forward to for months. Putting the dirty dishes in the sink - They can wait to go in the dishwasher - Emma grabbed her purse and phone just as it started ringing. Emma’s best friend and assistant Ruby’s name flashed on the screen before she swiped across it.

“What’s up Rubes? Isn’t it a little early for you to be calling me?” Emma shut and locked the door behind her as she walked down the hall toward the elevator. “I’m getting in the elevator, so I’m gonna lose you here in a second. I’ll call you when I get in the car.” Emma hung up as Ruby sputtered. Once in her car and headed toward downtown, she dialed Ruby back.

“Emma,” Ruby didn’t even say hello, and the urgency in her voice was very apparent as Emma sped down the I-10. “There’s some kind of leak near the intersection of Wilshire and Fairfax. Where they’re working on the red line. Paramedics are on their way, but the supervisor of the work crew is saying that 2 men have very serious burns. He’s pretty shaken up Ems.”

Ruby’s words trailed off and Emma heard a disturbing sound coming from the other end of the line. “What’s that sound?”

“The supervisor,” Ruby replied with a tone of disgust. “Expelling what was left of his breakfast.”

Emma frowned. “I’ll be to the Fairfax exit in about 10 minutes. Load up WOLF and meet me there.”

“You got it boss,” Ruby replied before hanging up.

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

“What’s going on?” Emma shouted as she got out, slamming the door of her vintage yellow bug behind her.

Ruby pulled up right behind her in their equipment truck, affectionately nicknamed WOLF. Jumping out and taking long strides to catch up, Ruby commented, “Just before the call came in, the Geological Survey measured a 2.2 earthquake centered under the tar pits.”

Emma stopped, startled at what she had just said. “What? The tar pits?”

“Yeah,” Ruby replied. “Not enough to be felt, but close enough to here that maybe they’re connected?” Emma could feel the blood drain from her face, and based on the way Ruby was looking at her the she noticed it, too. Grabbing her arm, Ruby asked, “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“What?” Emma shook her head. “Oh, Henry is going on his Kindergarten Buddy field trip to the pits today. An earthquake underneath them isn’t exactly what a mother wants to hear.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” her friend said. “I mean, after all, if we discover that there is any real danger to the public, we’ll shut down both the pits and museum. Come on. Let’s see if we can figure out what happened here.”

Emma and Ruby made their way to the crest of the hill where they saw orange work crew tape around the open maw of the entrance to the sewer and subway workstations down below. Off to the side they also saw emergency vehicles and paramedics working feverishly over a body that, from this distance, was unrecognizable as human. As they ran down the hill, they could already see a black body bag being zipped up. Just catching a glimpse of the charred body within was enough for Emma’s breakfast to roll in her stomach and for Ruby to lose hers completely. Swallowing down the bile, Emma asked, “What happened here?”

The white-as-a-sheet man wearing a supervisor’s vest turned toward her and seeing her department issued jacket, swallowed heavily before answering. “We’re doing routine maintenance on the red line. Munk, Ham, and Foster over there were down there with Ramirez and Franks.” If possible, the man before her went even more pale as he gestured toward the paramedics. “Kitchens and I were up here.” The man gulped again. “W-w-we could hear the screams from here.”

“I’m so sorry.” Emma laid her hand on the shaken man’s shoulder. “I truly am, but I have to figure out what happened here so I can direct city resources if need be.”

“You’d best talk to one of them then,” he replied, lifting his chin in the direction of the men he’d just mentioned. His wide, frightened eyes made their way back to where one of the paramedics was sitting back on her haunches.

“Time of death,” she said, glancing at her watch, “8:22 am.”

Emma made her way over to the men the supervisor had pointed out. “I’m Emma Swan from the Office of Emergency Management. Can you tell me what happened?”

The tall, sandy haired man pointed to himself then his companions, “Mark Munk, Hollis Ham, Sam Foster.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” She grimaced, looking away. “Wish it was under better circumstances. What happened down there?”

“We were heading toward to maintenance platform. Franks and Ramirez were in front, then Ham and Foster, then me. It was hot. So hot.” He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as if he was relishing the cool morning air. “We couldn’t see much. All we had were our flashlights and helmets,” he trailed away, turning toward his companions.

Foster picked up the story then. “It was hot, but once we felt the earthquake stop, the heat was much worse.”

“You felt the earthquake? It was only 2.2!” Emma exclaimed.

“Yeah, we could feel it. Nothing major, but enough. Once it stopped, the heat really intensified. Franks and Ramirez were really having a hard time with it. It sounded like they were having trouble breathing, gasping and stuff, then they were hollering and fell down. It looked like they were trying to rip their clothes off. Ham and I grabbed them under their arms and dragged them back toward the ladder. It was so hot by then, none of us could hardly breathe.”

“We got back up topside,” Ham continued, “Hernandez had already called the paramedics.” His eyes widened as he saw the second body bag being zipped up over his coworker. “I’ve… I’ve never seen…” He turned away, hunched over as a barking sob escaped him.

Ruby had returned from cleaning herself up by this time, just as Ham finished his part of the tale. Emma turned toward her. “Ok, we need PPE and the thermal radiation temperature gun. We’ve got to go down there and see what’s what.”

“On it,” Ruby replied turning back toward the truck.

“Thank you very much gentlemen. You’ve been a great help.” She looked at each of them in turn. “I’m very sorry for the loss of your coworkers.”

Turning away from them, Emma headed back toward Ruby and WOLF. Arriving at the truck, Emma climbed in after Ruby as she was getting down the Personal Protection Equipment they’d need before they went underground. “It sounds like the earthquake may have had something to do with it, but whether it did or not, what those men felt down there, and was enough to kill two of them, certainly needs to be looked at.”

“Oh, you’re not gonna get any argument out of me, Emma.” The fear that Emma was also feeling was well banked behind the determination in the brunette’s eyes. Determination that Emma felt as well. “We can’t let this happen to anybody else.” Ruby took down the thermal radiation gun as she spoke, turning toward her friend.

“Agreed,” she said, “let’s go.”

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

“Damn! They weren’t kidding! What’s the temperature down here?” Emma shouted at Ruby as she made it to the bottom of the ladder.

“117° according to the gun,” Ruby hollered back.

“Ok, let’s go. I don’t know how far we can go before we have to turn back. This is something else!”

“No kidding! 132° and climbing fast!” Ruby shouted. She took a few steps forward. “I’ve got a reading here!” Shaking her head while studying the screen intently, Ruby said, “There’s some sort of fissure here. Gas and… something… I can’t tell what exactly… 748°!” Ruby’s eyes went as round as saucers. Her mouth falling open in an ‘o’. “EMMA! Back! Get back!” Ruby screamed, “Your suit is melting!”

Upon hearing Ruby’s scream, she noticed the smoke rising from both suits. “So is yours! We’ve gotta get out of here!” They both took off running toward the ladder; neither of them had realized they had moved about 15 feet away from its rungs. Reaching it, they both clamored to the top, collapsing onto the grass around the workstation.

Gulping in huge gasps of air as they tore off their helmets and suits, both women stared at each other wide eyed as Hernandez ran up toward them. “What?! What did you find? Are you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah we’re fine,” Emma answered, still breathing heavily. “There’s a fissure down there. Hot gas and something else coming up out of it.” Raising herself onto her elbows, she started pointing all around the park they were in. “This Park needs to be evacuated. The red line needs to be shut down from South La Brea Avenue to South Crescent Heights. And get me the Geological Survey on the line. A geologist. Someone who can tell me what the hell is going on down there!”

Ruby scrambled away down the hill as soon as she was recovered enough to move. “Yes ma'am!”

Emma collapsed back on to the grass, before making her way to her feet and down the hill herself. Emma shook her head. Well, my day just got about a hundred times more crazy. Henry and the group should be at the tar pits by now. Should we shut them down? No. We’re far enough away from them, there’s not a concern for their safety. Yet. I’ll wait until I talk to the Geological Survey. Then decide.

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

“Good morning! My name is Killian Jones, and I’ll be the docent leading your tour of the La Brea tar pits today.” Killian looked out over the sea of about thirty faces, some bored, some looking anywhere except at him, and maybe five or six looking at him at least halfway interested.

He enjoyed volunteering at the tar pits on his day off from the US Geological Survey. Especially when the kids were already in love with the things he was going to be talking about. I mean, how can you not love a kid who can correctly pronounce Paramylodon Harlani? The two brown haired boys at the front of the group however, stared at him with rapt attention. Brothers maybe?

“We’ll be starting our tour in just a few minutes. As soon as the group ahead of us moves through. In the meantime, feel free to look over the masks from the PaleoIndian village in the display case on your right.”

The crowd moved over to the case, all except the two boys who did not seem eager to lose their places at the front of the group. “I’m Roland Loxley,” the little one said holding his hand out for Killian to shake.

“Well, hello there Roland,” Killian answered, a grin breaking out over his face as he reached out to grasp his hand. The kid had a surprisingly strong grip for one so small. “It’s nice to meet you. Is this your big brother?” he asked turning his attention to the older one.

Roland giggled and cut his eyes toward him as the older boy looked embarrassed. “No, he’s my buddy, Henry.”

“Oh, I see! It’s nice to meet you too, Henry,” Killian said, holding his hand out for him to shake as well. Henry looked a bit surprised as he took Killian’s hand in his own and shook.

“You too,” he replied. The glint he had noticed in the boy’s eye a few minutes earlier was back as he asked, “Do we get to go inside the fossil lab today?”

“Ah ha! Do we have a future paleontologist in our midst? Or a geologist maybe?” Killian’s delight at his speculation was hard to disguise as Roland looked to be prepping for takeoff, bouncing on the balls of his feet with his hand in the air like Horseshack from Welcome Back Kotter, Killian’s favorite late night binge show on Hulu.

“Ooo! Ooo! Me! Me! Me! I’m gonna be a paleontologist when I grow up! I have my very own Smilodon fatalis tooth at home! And a fossilized Venerupis philippinarum! And a Carcharocles megalodon tooth too!” Roland exclaimed. Poor Henry looked absolutely mortified at Roland’s excitement.

“Roland, can’t you please shut up?” the boy hissed, glancing back at Killian apologetically.

“Ahh! A saber tooth cat, clam, and giant shark tooth, huh? Well, it looks like you’re well on your way to a brilliant future in paleontology my boy,” he said, placing his hand on Roland’s shoulder. Turning back to Henry, Killian returned to his original question as most of the group started making their way back towards them. “Unfortunately, we will not be going inside the fossil lab today, but we will observe some of our scientists working in it. We will be on the observation deck outside. We will also be visiting the Lake Pit, Observation Pit, Project 23, and the Pleistocene Gardens. After lunch, we’ll enjoy the Ice Age Encounters and Titans of the Ice Age in the 3D theater. Is everybody ready?” he asked, getting everyone’s attention again, “Let’s go!” Killian swung his arm expansively as though to draw them all along and turned on his heel leading the way toward the first stop of their tour.

“Sorry about Roland’s enthusiasm earlier,” Henry halfway mumbled after he caught up with Killian. “He’s a cute kid, and he loves anything prehistoric, but he just doesn’t know when to turn it off.” Henry shrugged, while glancing over at his buddy chattering a mile a minute about how much he was looking forward to seeing the Columbian mammoth skeleton named Zed. “I mean, I love fossils and the Ice Age too and even have my own collection at home, much bigger than his,” he rolled his eyes, then glanced over at Killian obviously trying to gauge how his revelation was being received, “but I can at least control myself so I don’t look like an idiot.”

Killian chuckled, realizing that Henry was just as excited and enthusiastic about this field trip as Roland was, and was maybe a teeny bit jealous at being overshadowed by someone he saw as not as well versed in Ice Age history.

Killian looked down at the boy as they kept walking toward the Observation Pit. “Well, Henry, he’s young. And over-the-top enthusiasm is par for the course at that age. But I get it. I have an older brother that wanted to put a muzzle on me on a daily basis whenever I’d get wound up over something when we were kids. But keep in mind, that you have the same interest in what he is so enthusiastic about. You are in a very unique position to encourage that love or to quash it. He obviously idolizes you.”

“Really?” Henry asked, wide eyed. “How do you know?”

“Haven’t you noticed how almost every time he opens his mouth, he’s looking at you?” Killian replied.

“Oh… no, I guess I hadn’t. Well, all right. I’ll try not to let his enthusiasm get to me so much then.” The pensive look on Henry’s face evaporated as he looked up at him and smiled.

“That’s the spirit, lad!” Killian returned the smile and placed his hand on Henry’s shoulder and gave a light squeeze in support.

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

“What do you mean ‘he’s not there’?” Ruby shouted into the phone at the unfortunate underling who was bearing the full weight of her wrath at Dr. Killian Jones’ absence. “Where is he? Isn’t this his full time job? We have something major happening underneath the tar pits today, and he needs to be here! Not galavanting around on his ‘day off’!” Ruby put air quotes around ‘day off’ as if the person on the other end of the line could see them. “There are two city workers who are dead this morning and my boss and I were nearly killed as well because of whatever is going on down there! Does he have an assistant? Anyone who might know where he is?” The other end of the phone went silent for a moment while Ruby huffed out her frustration.

The phone was picked back up again and a masculine Irish accented voice spoke. “This is Graham Humbert, Killian’s assistant. What can I do for you, ma’am?”

Ruby tried to roll back her irritation by taking a deep breath and beginning again. “This is Ruby Lucas, assistant to Emma Swan, director of the Office of Emergency Management. There is something going on under the tar pits. Something major. I’m sure you know about the earthquake a couple of hours ago. After it stopped, two city maintenance workers were killed because of leaking gas and something else, something burning that nearly melted Emma’s and my PPE suits off of our bodies. We need Dr. Jones down here to figure out what is coming up out of the fissure we found. Where can we find him?”

“He’s actually at the tar pits today,” Graham replied. “There was a huge school group coming today, and all docents were called up to work today. He normally volunteers on the weekend, but with the size of the group…” he trailed off.

“All right. Thank you very much for your help, Mr. Humbert.” Ruby was texting the information to Emma before she even hung up with the man.

“No problem, Ms. Lucas. Once you find him, I’m sure we’ll all be in touch.” The phone line went dead while Ruby continued to compose her message.

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

Emma had stayed at the park overseeing the evacuation and rerouting the red line to avoid as much disruption to the transit schedule as possible when Ruby’s text came in.

Dr. Killian Jones is at the tar pits today volunteering because of the field trip.

Glancing at her phone to see what Ruby had found out, Emma continued her litany. “This way. Thank you for your cooperation. Everything is perfectly safe, this is only a precaution. Thank you, this way please.” When she got to the end of the line, she jogged over to one of her coworkers. “The geologist we need is at the tar pits today. I’m going to head over there to find him.”

Taking off at a slight jog down the hill, Emma pondered what she would find at the tar pits when she got there. Will there be any sign of what’s going on over here? Or under there? Just how big was the tour group for the head geologist with the US Geological Survey to be called up to work when there’s this kind of activity going on?

When she arrived at the picnic area outside the museum it was filled to capacity with kids and adults enjoying lunch in the late winter sunshine. Scanning over the teeming area, she spotted Henry and Roland sitting with a very attractive dark haired man she didn’t recognize as another parent or their teacher. Henry spotted her and waved shouting, “Mom! Hey Mom! Over here!”

The man looked up at her and seemed to choke on his sandwich, turning bright red as he tried to bring the coughing fit under control. Henry turned surprised eyes on him as the man tried to wave aside his concern all while Roland stood up on the bench and was beating him, very enthusiastically, on the back.

“You okay, Killian?” Henry asked.

“Fine lad, just went down the wrong pipe,” he replied, still trying to get his breath back. The huskiness of the accented voice did something crazy to Emma’s insides, and she couldn’t help but wonder if the gorgeous man’s voice sounded similar in the throes of passion. Down girl, she thought as she approached the table. He had black hair that looked artfully mussed, or he may have just had a habit of running his hands through it. Dark scruff lined his jaw with just a hint of ginger that she could see from where she was. He looked tall and lean in dark jeans, brown boots, and a blue henley underneath a black leather jacket.

“Hi Henry. Who’s this?” And why are you having lunch with my son went unspoken as she turned her gaze upon him, sending him into another coughing fit, all while scratching behind his ear.

“This is Killian, our d-, do-...”

“Docent,” Killian rasped out. He had finally gotten his coughing and breathing under control enough to speak.

“Docent,” Henry echoed. “He’s leading our tour today. We saw the mammoth skeleton and the fossil lab, and Project 23, the actual working dig Mom! It was so cool! I’m gonna work there when I grow up!” he gushed.

“Aye,” Killian replied still clearing his throat, “it’s kids like them that make the volunteering so worthwhile. Bright, inquisitive, with enough knowledge already to really make it fun. And there’s been a lot of that today hasn’t there lads?” he asked. The grin that split Henry’s face told Emma all she needed to know about how his morning went.

Emma smiled at her son’s enthusiasm. “Well, it sounds like you’ve had a great time today, kid.” Emma turned toward Killian, who was also smiling widely at the boys before he turned his blue eyes upon her. Emma was stopped in her tracks as she recognized the joy and affection in their depths. Affection, she realized, that was directed toward the two boys next to him. She shook her head briefly to get her thoughts back on track. “Did he say your name was Killian? You wouldn’t by any chance be Dr. Killian Jones would you?” she asked.

“That’s me,” he replied. “Can I help you with something?” he asked, standing from the table and extending his hand toward her. His azure gaze ran up and down her form, leaving a pleasant tingle in its wake, but when his eyes met hers, she saw nothing but openness and appreciation in his gaze. Not the greedy lust that she was normally subject to when checked out like that. She appreciated the distinction.

Emma grasped his hand firmly in her own as she answered him. “Just the man I’m looking for.” Killian flushed bright red again at her statement as he glanced away from her. “Emma Swan with the Office of Emergency Management. I need you.” That last statement seemed to send him into yet another coughing fit before he was able to bring it back under control.

“You need me?” he squeaked, about an octave too high, his face still flushed red, eyes wide.

“Well, I need your expertise.” Emma was secretly delighted at his apparent attraction, but schooled her features as she prepared to drop a very serious problem in the handsome man’s lap. “There have been two small earthquakes today. The second of them was centered here at the tar pits and is most likely responsible for the deaths of two city workers this morning. My assistant and I found a fissure underground near MacArthur Park, and the heat coming out of it nearly melted the suits we had on. We need you to figure out what is coming out of that fissure and help us manage this.”

Killian blanched and sat back down at the table. “I can’t leave right now…” he trailed away, obviously trying to figure a way out of the dilemma. “The school group is too big. I can’t…” He shook his head. “I can’t hand my group off to another docent, and there’s no one to take my place. Let me get my assistant on the phone and see what he can do. I’ll be done here in about an hour and a half,” he said, glancing at his watch, “and I can join you… where, exactly?”

“At the Office of Emergency Management, across the street from City Hall,” Emma stated.

“Barring any mishaps along the way, I should be there about three,” Killian replied. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and started dialing. “Graham, we have a situation down here at the tar pits. I need you to get to the Office of Emergency Management, across from City Hall and find-” he turned his eyes back toward Emma.

“Ruby Lucas, my assistant,” she whispered to him.

“Ruby Lucas… Right,” he said, after a pause to listen. “What’s her number,” he whispered back to her.

She wrote Ruby’s number on a napkin that he repeated back into the phone. “I’ll meet you all there as soon as I’m done here. Probably about three.” Killian paused again. “Okay, I’ll see you then.” Killian put the phone back in his pocket. “Graham will get down there and find your assistant. They can get preliminary data pulled up, and they’ll have a better idea of what we’re looking at by the time I get there.” Killian’s cerulean gaze met her own. The seriousness of the situation was not lost on either of them as Henry interrupted the unspoken moment.

“What’s happening, Mom? Did you say two workers died, and you nearly did because of what’s happening here?” Henry’s brown eyes were way too bright, Emma realized, for him to not have been affected by what he heard her say.

Damn… he always was too smart for his own good. I should have taken Killian aside before I talked to him. Well, there’s nothing for it... Emma placed her hands on his shoulders. Crouching before him and making sure he was looking in her eyes she answered, “Yes, but I’m fine, and Ruby is fine. We’re gonna do all we can to find out what’s going on here to make sure that no one else is hurt or killed. Okay?”

Henry nodded hesitantly. “O- okay, Mom. Be careful, alright?”

“Always, kid. I love you,” she said, pulling him into her arms and hugging him tight.

“I love you, too,” he murmured into her shoulder. “I’ll see you tonight?” he asked, looking at her again.

“I don’t know, kid. It depends on what we find here. When you get home, call me first then Uncle David. He can come stay with you until I get home.” Emma got back on her feet and turned toward Killian as Henry whined.

“Mooooom! I’m twelve years old! I can-” the petulant face of the pre-teen nearly made her laugh, but she smothered it under a light cough. The smirk and raised eyebrows from Killian, indicating that her cough didn’t fool him for a minute, was almost her undoing.

“Exactly, you’re twelve years old and you’re not staying home by yourself for who knows how long.” Emma turned back toward Killian and said, “I’ll head over to the office too, and see you there about three. Let me give you my number, in case something happens and we need to get in touch.” Emma held out her hand expectantly.

A glimmer of glee flashed in Killian’s eyes as he got his phone back out and handed it over to her to type in her number. “Sure, and I’ll only use it in case of an emergency. Although,” he lowered his voice and moved more into her personal space as she typed, "I do hope that when this is all concluded, you might let me keep your number to use in a more... personal fashion."

Emma looked up and handed his phone back to him with a smirk of her own. “We’ll see, Casanova. Take care of my kid. I’ll see you later. Bye Henry. Have fun.” Emma turned away from them and walked away. And if she injected just a slight swing to her hips for Killian’s benefit, then no one needed to know that but her.

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

Killian watched as Emma walked away from him with a swing in her hips that made him grin from ear to ear as he enjoyed the view. Turning back to his group, he called, “Okay everyone. Time to clean up. Make sure all your trash is collected and thrown away. Let’s leave the picnic area better than when we found it.” After cleaning up, the group marched back in to the museum to continue their prehistoric adventure with Ice Age Encounters and Titans of the Ice Age, the 3D movie.

After the movie, Henry and Roland were chattering excitedly with Killian smiling down at them when the ground beneath them started to shake. Killian turned quickly toward the group and shouted to be heard above the din of the shaking building.

“Everyone come over here, follow me, cover your heads with your arms. Adults, cover your own heads and get kids underneath you as best you can.”

Killian led them all to the wall next to the glass case they had examined that morning containing the masks from the PaleoIndian village. As they reached the wall, a particularly violent tremble sent Roland careening forward into the display case. His forehead connected with the corner of the case as the trembling in the earth started to taper off. Roland’s cries were more than enough to compensate for the sudden lack of rumbling underneath them. Killian grabbed Roland up, cradling him in his arms as he looked for where all the blood was coming from.

“Is he okay Killian? Will Roland be okay?” Henry’s scared voice piped up from beside him.

“If his cries are any indication, he’ll be just fine, Henry. We need to get him cleaned up and get some ice on the cut. If he needs stitches, we’ll make sure he gets to the hospital.” Killian turned his back to the door of the bathroom and pushed his way through it, as Roland’s cries only increased in volume, maybe at the prospect of stitches. “Go to the main desk, Henry, and ask for Belle, tell her what happened and that she needs to enact emergency contact protocols for Roland, then ask for an ice pack.” Given his marching orders, Henry disappeared through the door as one of the parents in his group pushed his way in.

“The tour is over right, Killian?” the frightened man asked. “We’re done? Free to go?”

Killian was wetting a paper towel to clean off Roland’s face, as he turned to the man. “Yes, that’s correct. Thank you for your time and attention today. If you would spread the word to the rest of the group, I’d appreciate it,” he said, turning his attention back to the boy. As he got the blood wiped away from his charge’s face, he saw a long, jagged cut just above Roland’s left eyebrow. Henry made his way back into the bathroom with a bag full of ice just then and handed it to the boy. Killian noticed Belle hovering just outside the bathroom.

“Here, put this where it hurts Roland. You’ll be fine,” Henry said, reassuringly.

“Aye, lad. Just a cut. But it looks like it’ll need stitches. I’ll be right back after I talk to Belle.” Killian’s calm gaze was doing a lot to settle both boys down after the fright they’d had.

Killian stood in the bathroom doorway as Belle began, “I’ve contacted Roland’s parents, but after dropping him off at school this morning, they left town for the weekend. He’s staying with Henry and his mother until they get back on Sunday. They gave their consent to go to the hospital if he needs stitches, but I can’t find anyone from the school to take him in all the chaos.”

“Don’t worry about that, Belle. I’ll take him to Cedars Sinai. My mate’s wife works in the Emergency Room. She’s a doctor.”

“Really?” Henry, overhearing, turned wide eyes upon Killian. “My aunt works at the Cedars Sinai Emergency Room too. Maybe they know each other.”

Killian chuckled, “Aye lad. Maybe. Okay. Let’s go.”

Roland’s tears had been reduced to occasional hiccups as Killian hoisted him off the counter. Holding out his hand for the little boy to take, Killian led them out of the building toward the parking lot. He unlocked his classic SS Chevelle and ushered the boys inside, admonishing them to buckle their seat belts before heading toward the hospital.

About ten minutes later they were pulling up outside the Emergency Room bay. Henry and Roland, still with the ice pack pressed to his forehead, climbed out while Killian left to park the car. When he joined them a few minutes later, they made their way inside to the admit desk.

“We’re looking for Dr. Mary Margaret Nolan,” Killian informed the nurse at the desk. He didn’t notice Henry’s wide eyed stare as he spoke.

“She’s with a patient right now, sir. May I ask what this is in regards to?” the red haired nurse questioned him.

“She’s my friend’s wife and-”

“And she’s my aunt,” Henry exclaimed. Killian turned stunned eyes on the boy. The nurse turned her attention to him as well.

“Really?” he questioned.

“Yeah! I told you my aunt worked here in the ER,” he laughed as he realized how low the chances of this happening really were. Killian and the nurse joined in as well.

“Hi, Henry! Who’s this? And what do you need M’s for?” the nurse asked.

“Hi, Ariel!” Henry waved from where he stood. “This is Killian. He led our tour of the La Brea tar pits today. Roland, my buddy here, fell into a display case during the earthquake and Killian thinks the cut needs stitches. Did I say all that right, Killian?” His brown eyes turned upward, brimming with hope that he hadn’t left out anything important.

“Aye, lad. You sure did.” He turned back to the nurse. “Can we see Mary Margaret about those stitches? Or at least let her have a look at him?” he asked.

“Oh sure,” she replied. “Come on through here, and I’ll send her in as soon as she’s done with her patient.”

Just at that moment, a petite black haired woman came out of a door further down, making notations on her iPad.

“Oh, there she is now,” Ariel said to the man and boys behind her.

“Aunt M’s!” Henry shouted, startling the poor woman into nearly dropping the iPad. Henry took off down the corridor toward his aunt as she looked up and saw him running towards her.

“Henry! What are you doing here? And Killian, too,” she exclaimed as she saw them all making their way down the hall.

“A little accident during the earthquake, Mary Margaret,” Killian said amusedly as Henry tackled her, forcing an “oof” out of his target.

“Yeah, we had our buddy field trip to the tar pits today, Aunt M’s,” Henry enthused. “It was so cool, and Killian was our...” he trailed off, looking back at the man he was with.

“Docent, lad,” Killian filled in for him with an indulgent smile.

“Docent. Right. I won’t forget again, Killian.” Henry looked a little sheepish.

“I’m sure you won’t.” Killian chuckled along with Mary Margaret as she showed them into an empty room. “Roland here fell into a display case during the earthquake and sustained quite a nasty cut on his forehead that looked like it might need stitches,” he continued.

“Well, let’s have a looksee, shall we?” she asked, smiling down at the little boy, as she lifted him to the table. Directing her next words to Henry, she inquired, “Did you call your mom? Does she know you’re here?”

“Oh!” he exclaimed, snapping his fingers. “No, I haven’t.”

“Don’t worry about it, Henry. I’ll take care of it,” Killian assured him, “I was supposed to be heading to your mum’s office right now anyway. I’ll let her know what happened, and we’ll go from there.” Killian sent a reassuring smile his way.

“Okay, Killian. Thanks,” Henry replied. Killian slipped out and pulled out his phone dialing Emma’s number.

“Hello?” Emma’s beautiful voice came over the line, causing Killian’s breath to catch just the tiniest bit before he answered her back.

“Emma, it’s Killian Jones. We’ve had a bit of an accident during the earthquake,” he reported, trying to keep his voice as level as possible to keep her alarm to a minimum.

“What?!” she exclaimed. “Is Henry okay?”

“Henry is fine,” he assured the frightened woman. “It was Roland. He fell into a display case, causing a nasty cut to his forehead. We’re all at Cedars Sinai with Roland being seen by none other than your sister-in-law, Mary Margaret Nolan. Who is also my friend’s wife. And, who I gather, must be your brother.” Killian had remembered Emma telling Henry at lunch to call his Uncle David when he got home. When Henry’s relations had come to light, Killian had put two and two together to figure out exactly who belonged to who. Emma laughed delightedly.

“Oh my word! Who would have guessed? That’s hysterical!” Emma declared, trying to bring her laughter under control. Her laugh was infectious and Killian found himself joining in.

“It is. What are the odds, eh?” Killian said, sending her off into more laughter, as he chuckled. “Anyway, what do you want me to do with the boys? I still need to get down there to see what Graham and Ruby have discovered.” Just the mention of the reason behind their meeting and this phone call was enough to bring an end to their mutual mirth.

“Have David pick them up at the hospital and take them home. You or Henry can call him. I know he had meetings about the apartments today, but he should be done with them by now. Then you head down here,” Emma replied. “Ruby and Graham have a very interesting theory that I’m not sure what to think about, but would love your input on.” Killian could almost see the blonde shrug her shoulders through the phone line.

“Okay, love. Mary Margaret is probably about done. I’ll leave here as soon as she is and David gets here. I’ll text when I’m on my way.” Killian hung up and walked back into the room where Henry, Roland, and Mary Margaret were. Henry and Roland sounded like a tag team as they peppered the woman with stories about their day as she finished stitching Roland up. “Henry, I’m going to call your Uncle David to come pick you boys up and take you home. Then I’m going to go meet your mum and we’re going to figure out what’s going on and take care of it, aye?” Killian asked nodding at the boy.

“Sure, Killian. Thanks a lot, for everything,” the boy replied.

“Yeah, thanks Killian,” echoed Roland.

Turning to the boys, Mary Margaret told them, “Stay here. I’m going to go talk to Killian. Uncle David will be here in just a few minutes. He was just across the street at the apartments he’s been working on.” She followed him out into the hallway, forehead furrowed in concern. “What’s this about meeting Emma? What’s going on, Killian? Thank you, by the way though, for taking care of the boys through all this.”

“Oh, of course, M’s,” he answered, putting special emphasis on the syllable while raising his eyebrows at her and grinning.

“Oh, pfft,” she said waving him off, and looking away with a light blush coloring her cheeks. “Mary Margaret was too much for Henry to say when he was a toddler. So we shortened it to M’s and it stuck. Only for family and close friends though,” she said, side-eyeing him closely. “Ehh… I guess you count.” She smirked at him before reiterating her question.

“I’ll have to fill you in on the details later M’s.” Killian’s face fell. “Suffice it to say two men are dead, and Emma was nearly killed today too because of some seismic activity underneath the tar pits.”

The tender-hearted woman gasped, her hand covering her mouth and eyes filling with tears. “Oh, no!”

“Unfortunately, yes,” Killian replied. “So, I need to get down to her office to see what’s going on, and what we can do about it.”

“Of course,” Mary Margaret agreed. “You go ahead and go. I’ll take charge of the boys until David gets here. Tell Emma to keep us updated. I’m off in another hour, so I’ll probably go home with them.”

“Sounds like a plan,” he answered winking at her. “Do you want to call David or do you want me to?”

“I’ll call him. I need to let him know what’s going on anyway.” She pulled out her phone and started dialing. “Thank you, though. Really. It means a lot.” She made sure he was looking at her face so he could see how much she meant the words she was saying.

Killian looked at her, but had to look away from the tenderness and conviction behind her words. ���Of course. They really are remarkable lads. They remind me very much of myself and Liam when we were young. I couldn’t do anything different. I’ll see you later.” Before he turned and walked away toward the entrance, he heard David pick up over Mary Margaret’s phone.

“Hey babe! What’s up?”

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

Killian made his way into the Control Center of the Office of Emergency Management amid all the chaos that the day’s events engendered. Spying the long blonde hair that he desperately wanted to run his fingers through, he made his way over to where she, Graham, and the woman he assumed was Ruby Lucas were huddled over a computer monitor and a paper city map of the area around the tar pits. “What have we got?” he asked.

Emma turned startled eyes upon him, “Uh… oh! You’re here. Ruby,” she said, motioning to the tall brunette, “Dr. Killian Jones. Killian, Ruby Lucas, my assistant and right hand.”

“Nice to meet you, Dr. Jones.” Ruby grinned at him with a wolfish smile as she held out her hand toward him.

“Please, call me Killian. No one calls me Dr. Jones except members of the media,” Killian chuckled as he shook her hand.

“And me, if he’s being especially obnoxious,” Graham interjected, grinning at him, before it melted into more of a shy, sincere smile as he turned his eyes upon Ruby.

“And Graham, if I’m being especially obnoxious,” Killian repeated with humor dancing in his eyes. “So, what have you found out?”

“Okay,” Ruby began, “the last earthquake was a 4.9. That’s up significantly from the earthquakes this morning. Including the one that killed those workers. We may be building up to a catastrophic tremor.”

“Or,” Graham prompted, with a grim expression.

Emma looked at Killian with an expression that had him bracing himself. It was pensive and incredulous all at once. As if she had trouble believing what was about to be said herself, much less saying it out loud as a viable possibility. “What?” Killian asked, “Just tell me.”

Emma started rather haltingly, “The second earthquake this morning opened a fissure in the subway tunnel. Incredibly hot gas and something else, something… liquid… kinda, was coming up out of it by the time Ruby and I got there. After the workers were killed.” She cast dubious eyes toward Graham before continuing. “The temperature reading of the lake in MacArthur Park and underneath the tar pits has increased significantly in the last twelve hours. The lake 6°, the tar pits 10°. Graham says the only thing capable of producing the kind of heat that we saw under MacArthur Park and that could heat that much liquid by that amount in that short a time is…” she trailed off.

Killian and Graham’s eyes met over the ladies. “Magma,” they said together. “Magma would explain the extreme heat you both felt this morning,” Killian continued, “capable of killing two men with no protective gear, and raising the temperatures of the lake and tar pits to that extent that quickly.” He shook his head. “Damn. Have we got our work cut out for us,” he murmured, looking around the room.

“Can’t it be something else?” Emma asked, placing her hand on his arm. Killian tried to ignore the shiver her touch generated across his skin. “Anything else? Do we really need to declare a state of emergency and evacuate that entire sector? That’s a massive undertaking,” she exclaimed.

“The first thing we need to do is confirm. Get a first hand look at what is going on down there. From there, we make the call to evacuate or not and mobilize city resources,” Killian stated.

“You can’t go down there Killian.” The fear in her eyes was palpable. “Ruby and I have already been down there. We nearly died down there. We saw and felt it. I know magma makes the most sense given the facts, but…” she trailed off, shaking her head. “It’s… it’s MAGMA! As in, a VOLCANO! UNDER Los Angeles! It CAN’T be!”

“When the facts all point to a certain thing, even if that certain thing should be impossible, we have to go with the impossible,” Killian asserted. He shook his head. “We have to follow the facts. We can’t try to make the facts fit our preconceived notions.”

“But-”

“No, Emma. There is no ‘but’. This is the conclusion that the facts are leading us to. This is what we have to go with. There is no other possibility. Graham and I will go down to confirm what we’re seeing here. We’ll be in constant contact by radio. Our equipment is more suited to handle the kind of temperatures we may find down there. We’ll be fine,” he said, grasping her arms and looking into her eyes. “If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s surviving, love. We won’t do anything stupid.”

Emma snorted before looking up into his piercing blue gaze. “You know, the argument could be made that what you’re suggesting is stupid,” she said with a frown and a determined set to her shoulders. “But I’m not letting you go down there by yourself.”

“I won’t be by myself. Graham will be with me,” Killian replied.

“No, Graham needs to stay here to analyze the data in real time,” Emma argued, “Ruby can mobilize the city resources under my authority. But Graham is gonna be the one to pull the trigger on whether we need to or not.” Her flashing eyes and stubborn stance told Killian that he was likely to lose this battle, but he put up a fight anyway. He didn’t want her anywhere near what might be happening.

“It’s too dangerous, love. If Graham is right, I don’t want to put you in harm’s way.” He poured the concern he felt for her into his eyes, hoping that she would read it. He saw a flash of hesitation in hers before the stubbornness he had already witnessed settled back in place. “You said yourself that you saw and felt what was down there already-”

“And you said that your equipment is better suited for the temperatures you might find down there,” Emma retorted, “The thermal gun said 748° when we turned back.”

“Our equipment is rated up to 1000°.” Killian tried again.

“Well then, there you go.” Emma crossed her arms, her smug attitude telling him he had lost. “Graham has to stay here and you’re not going by yourself. I have training. I am the best choice.”

“Fine,” Killian acquiesced, after a long moment, his lips pressed in a thin line, “but you listen up and listen good,” he said, getting in her personal space and pointing his finger at her, “I am the boss down there. Not you. You do exactly as I say, when I say it.” While he felt successful in keeping the fear from tingeing his words, he was afraid that he was unable to keep it out of his eyes. She must have noticed because she tried to inject some levity into the situation.

“Aye aye, sir,” she said, with a smart salute and smirk. Killian rolled his eyes as he tried not to smile and turned back toward Graham and Ruby.

Just at that moment, the ground started to shake again. Killian and Graham grabbed the ladies as they all tried to cover their heads and dive under the desks. Emma clutched at Killian as he drew her into his embrace and tried to cover her with his body. Once the shaking stopped, they all came out from their cover and made their way quickly to where the readings for the earthquake were already coming up. “4.6,” Killian said, turning toward the others. “Not as bad as the one a little while ago, but significant all the same.” Emma and Ruby exchanged worried glances before looking back at Killian. “This changes nothing,” Killian asserted, “We still have to go underground and confirm what is happening. We’ll drop off more sensors at the tar pits on our way to MacArthur Park, then head underground where you found the fissure this morning. Graham’s computer will be connected remotely with my suit and equipment.”

“Right,” Ruby replied, looking at the man next to her with a tentative, but genuine smile. “And we’ll still be able to communicate?” she asked, turning back toward Killian.

“Yes,” he answered. “We have radios in the suit that will allow us to talk back and forth through the computer. Everything from the suit will show up right here in real time. Ready, Swan?” he asked.

“Ready,” she answered, nodding.

“Alright, let’s suit up.”

End of part 1

[nightklok]

Chapters: 3/? Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Gil/Jay (Disney: Descendants) Additional Tags: Volunteering at an animal shelter, Fluff, Light Angst, Implied abuse, Implied animal abuse, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Audrey and Jay are exes but good friends Summary: Anon's request of Jay getting Gil a pet. After a year of traveling around the world and settling down in Auradon, Jay and Gil decide to volunteer at an animal shelter. A particular cat catches Gil’s eyes. Chaos ensues.

Jay, Carlos, Audrey, and a worker watched from the window as Gil played with Wolf by using a stick with a feather tied to it in front of it. It was obvious Wolf wasn't used to playing since he was uncoordinated and kept tripping, but with every attempt, he was slowly getting it. It was hard to believe that the cat that was aloof and distant a few months ago had completely turned around. As was instructed, Gil was told to interact with Wolf as he normally does. They couldn't hear the conversations, but Wolf's body language indicated interest and the fact he was playing with him showed complete trust in him.

"I can't say any of us actually expected for him to change so drastically so quickly. This definitely raises his chance of being fostered now before he can be adopted." The worker said, typing something on her tablet as she looked at the two once again.

"It seems like Wolf already picked out his owner, though," Carlos said with a smile only to be matched by a frown from the worker.

"He simply needs to get used to more people besides just one person. This gives him a chance though, but I wonder how much more time he needs."

"He's slowly getting used to the rest of us. Well, only when Gil's around." Jay interjected. He found himself kind of disliking this particular worker; she reminded him of how people initially treated him and his friends when they first arrived in Auradon. Milestones and accomplishments were kept under a checklist and within a specific time frame to look good to the public. Wolf was only lucky he was a cat and that cats can't talk to humans otherwise it would've been just as much of hell for him.

The vibe the worker gave was almost intoxicating and Jay was sure everyone else felt the same. Her response was more so, "He needs to get used to other people. We don't need more bad influences on him, after all."

It felt like whatever background noise there was suddenly stopped. Even the volunteers and coworkers who were doing their own things had stopped the moment those words were said. All eyes were glued to the group as they waited for what will happen next.

"And what do you mean by that? Because clearly, Gil is a terrible influence." He gestured a hand towards where Gil and Wolf were, who were still playing and completely unaware of what was going on outside the room.

“My mom’s Cruella De Vil, remember? Am I a bad influence as well?” Carlos had a look of sheer disappointment etched across his face. He was the one that volunteered at the shelter the longest after all and worked to gain the trust of every person and animal there. Except for one, apparently.

She turned as pale as a ghost and quickly stammered for a plausible sentence, but quickly found there were no words to form an excuse. She looked at her tablet again, muttered something about a meeting that obviously didn’t exist until that very moment, and left. The background noise once again resumed, however, the tone of it carried a different feeling.

“I-I am so sorry...” Audrey said quietly.

“There’s nothing for you to be sorry about,” Carlos answered, “This stuff kinda happens all the time.”

“But neither of you deserve it!” Her voice was much louder than she had intended, “You guys saved Auradon and are volunteering at an animal shelter, not joining a gang! How is some middle-aged worker going to continue judging you like this?”

“We can’t expect people to change their opinions of us overnight. We just gotta be decent people and hope for the best.” Jay spoke up. He was upset obviously and was trying hard not to show it. He didn't make eye contact with either of them; he was looking at the ground and just simply hoping that the conversation and situation would fade away enough for him to leave.

He didn't hear Audrey say anything else after that. Most likely she hoped for the same too, as she also stared at the ground, seeming to feel guiltier for words that hadn't even come out of her mouth.

Luckily, it was Gil that finally let the conversation die out when he stepped out of the room. His usual playful grin had subsided the moment he looked at the three who didn't seem happy for whatever reason. He was luckily spared from the comment, thanks to the fact the door was closed, "What's going on? Are you guys okay?"

"Yeah," Jay looked up at Gil once he heard his voice. He gave a smile at him, but it was one of those tight fake ones he wasn't able to try and hide, "We should probably just go. I think we're not really needed for today."

━━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━━

"Jay, are you mad at me?"

It was either the hesitation in Gil's voice or the fact he said it that made him stop walking. He had been silent since they left the shelter and while he should have suspected the question to be asked, it still surprised him. "No, why would you think that?"

"You've been acting different since we left... so I thought maybe I said or did something to make you angry."

Jay felt guilty for behaving in a way that made Gil think that. His facial expression softened as he sighed, "I'm not mad at you; you haven't done anything to make me angry at all. I'm just...mad at other people."

"Who?"

"Everyone, I guess."

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

He shook his head. The anger he felt towards that worker had long since gone away. The anger, in general, was still there. He didn't know who to pinpoint the anger on now and maybe that was why he was angry. Angry at the circumstances, angry at how little Auradon citizens changed after a year, angry that he still had to be angry about it... just angry. Gil's calmness only added fuel to the already growing fire. Not because of him, but because he felt that it wasn't fair someone like Gil was still hated and judged despite everything.

"We can just sit down somewhere if you want. Not like we have anywhere else to go for the rest of the night." Gil suggested gently.

Jay nodded and let Gil take him by the hand to a spot near the pond. It was a nice park, but it certainly was much nicer when the sun was setting. The lights slowly illuminated the park and the fact, there was nobody besides them made the park feel special in some way. It reminded them of the days back when they explored the world and witnessed countless sunsets alone in different places. Back when they were practically off the grid and didn't have to worry about how people treated them. Now that they were back in Auradon, it was different now.

They sat on the grass side by side, watching the sunset in silence. The noise of the fountain still trickling and the leaves shifting from the slight wind easily filled in between the silence. The occasional dog barking in the distance or a car passing by was mixed in as well, but it didn't take away whatever mood the park had been giving off. It was a calming and scenic park when it was quiet and it was more than worth it to sit around and watch a sunset that they had seen countless times before but never get tired of.

Eventually, Jay calmed down enough to finally speak, "We don't have to stay here."

Gil hadn't expected for him to speak for a while so what he said had completely caught him off guard, "What do you mean?"

"We could run from this place, steal a boat and never have to deal with anyone again. Could just travel and explore more of the world while we still have a chance."

"Uma could easily find us if we tried. And wouldn't your friends would be upset if you just disappeared?"

"True..."

"Come on, what's really going on?" Gil questioned. Just as he asked, he realized something so he threw another question before Jay could really answer the first one, “Something happened at the shelter, didn’t it?”

Jay couldn’t bring himself to tell him otherwise, so he nodded, “Just some stupid worker not trusting us still.”

He could already see Gil being upset even when he was trying to hide it. And he had every right to be; he was the one who put as much effort in volunteering as Carlos does. If changing a cat wasn’t enough, what would be? "...I guess it was stupid to believe people would change opinions in a year, right? "

"These things take time; people just don’t wanna admit they’re wrong so quickly."

"But how much more time? Another year? Another decade? Another century?" Gil laid his head on his shoulder. Like they had done so many times whenever they got a chance to just sit down and watch whatever was in front of them.

All Jay could see in front of him was a bleak future, “I don’t know, and I don’t even think Mal knows either. But whatever we must go through here will be much easier than what we went through at the Isle. It’s not like this whole transitioning thing will be easy, but it’s easier if we have our friends more than anything else.”

“You’re right.” He answered softly.

It wasn’t exactly the best answer to give but it was really the only answer to give. They couldn’t change the opinions of people that were born with it; they could only hope to do enough things to prove them and even then, it wasn’t a guaranteed success. The change wouldn’t happen quickly, but they had to hope that things would start turning over for the better.

They said nothing after that, each trapped in their own thoughts. They said what they wanted to say and were content enough in simply being beside each other. Eventually, they chose to lay down in the grass with Jay resting his head on Gil’s chest as they looked up at the twilight sky. They wouldn’t see stars because they weren’t in an area away from city lights and car pollution. It gave a slight longing to go to a place where they could go see the stars, but for now, they could only hope to be lucky enough to witness a star that somehow managed to be seen despite it being impossible.

The fountain had shut off for the night, but the lights were still on as their only source of light. If there was ever anyone at the park, they would have left by then. All except two men who didn’t seem to care if it was slowly getting late. The slight chill in the air didn’t bother either of them enough to leave, but it was enough for them to move closer together as they have done before. It wasn’t any different compared to those nights they spent in Agrabah,  but the feelings that slowly emerged was something different yet familiar.

They had felt it but had no idea how to express it to the other. It only felt like a situation that once asked would mean that something would change. Maybe they had that feeling back in their travels but were too warped up in planning for the next day they never got a chance to actually confront it. Now that they settled in Auradon, the next day and day after that was already planned because of routine; there was no excuse now.

"Your birthday's this week, isn't it?" Jay eventually asked.

"Yeah." Gil was staring at the sky trying to look for stars.

"Do you know what you want for your birthday?"

If Gil had said that he wanted to travel for another year, decade, or century, he’d drop everything in an instant and travel with him that night. Hell, he’d try and find Atlantis again if that’s what he wanted. There was a feeling that he wouldn’t ask for any of that stuff, however. The feeling had clouded the atmosphere between them, creating a type of tension that was slowly cracking and would soon break completely if he said the magic words.

Gil was silent as if he was actually contemplating it. Eventually, his eyes shifted to meet Jay’s. There didn’t need to be any words to realize what was going on through another’s mind, “I think I do.” He admitted quietly. He was almost afraid to press further. If the silence was any longer, he was sure he would have died of a heart attack.

“… Then does that mean you like me?” It was Jay who broke the tension in the end.

It didn’t mean it was all over for Gil, though. It was up to a point where he was sure his own heart beating could be heard, “Yeah… but do you?” He was afraid of the assumption, afraid he would end up screwing things over and it felt like he already had.

Jay sat up and Gil felt like he definitely jumped the gun. He expected him to up and leave, but he didn’t at all. He sat up as well to meet his eyes, trying to figure out if what he said and what he assumed was right in the end. His hand would end up reaching for Gil’s, squeezing it lightly as if it was a silent confirmation his feelings were confirmed.

“I've liked you for a long time, actually.” Jay spoke with a soft smile, "I was just afraid you wouldn't like me back."

"I was afraid of the same thing too." He couldn't help it but laugh over something that seemed so small to worry about now. They had truly liked each other in the end and were just too afraid to admit it.

God, they were truly the hopeless idiots his friends said they were. If only they could see them now.

They continued watching the night sky with their bodies huddled close together and Jay putting an arm around Gil’s shoulder. They didn’t say a word for the rest of the night until they had to stand up and walk back to their homes for the night. While they wished for the night to simply last forever, there was also the morning to look forward to and it was the one thing that allowed them to part ways.