#my room is next which was the main storage room so uh RIP to my back when i start that next week

[sheyshen]

pulled everything out of my mom's room (we'd been using it and my room for storage while going through the garage since she's in another room while it's warm and. i kinda just shoved a bed into a small spare room until we're done cleaning.) washed down the walls, windows, vacuumed and shampooed the carpet over the past 2 days.

once the carpet is dry we're going to go through everything we pulled out and start putting stuff away and set up her room to be used as her bedroom again. it feels nice to have finished another step in our streamlining the house so it's more manageable but man it's hard work to do alone and also the house is such a mess in the meantime since everything's everywhere as we dig through stuff (it's been years since we did this level of cleaning, there's a ton to do and clean up)

still aiming to have it done before winter but man i'm already tired and all i've done is half the garage and one room so far oof

[countrymusiclover]

27 - All Riding Together

Part 28

Country Rancher

Tags @whateverthecostner @rosie-posie08 @kaycejdutton @kayceduttonn @kcloveswrestling @the-morning-star-falls @kaymudd @artoldfartsandunicornhearts @hcwthewestwaswcn

"Momma, are we really gonna ride with grandpa tomorrow?" Elsa asked jumping up and down like she had eaten a bunch of sugar.

Dallas was beside Ryan helping him load up his gear for tomorrow. It was where we would brand the cattle and sleep in just tents like real cowboys. That's what Lioyd told me once. Pulling my brown fur jacket closer around myself while tipping my brown hat up. "Yes sweatshirt. We will be going alongside your daddy. Now why don't you go play with your brother."

"I'm suprised you're letting them get on horses, baby." Footsteps approached from behind me with familiar arms wrapping around my waist from behind.

Leaning into his embrace I sighed in relief just enjoying the moment for a few seconds then turning around in his hold. "From where I stand you got on a horse young. Bree was riding horses at age ten if I remember correctly. I think it's time they start learning. I'll have Dallas ride with me and you can have Elsa." Draping my arms over his shoulders with a small smile.

"Sounds like a deal, Mrs. Dutton." He leans forward whispering in my ear making me blush. "Why don't you and I go spend our last night for a while in the bed."

Hitting his chest I tugged him back inside the main house knowing we needed to start packing our own gear. "We'll have time for that when we get back, Kayc. Let's go." Exiting the main house a few hours later I saw my father in law talking with his daughter and she had a very true point. That they didn't want to live beside him they simply wanted the land and for us to be gone.

"She's got a point you know. They want us all gone, John." I mumbled leaning against the stone wall watching his daughter leave heading towards a storage barn where Rip was getting supplies ready for Carter.

He sighed running a hand down his face staring at me longingly. "I just hope I can keep this for you and your children. I only have one son now and my daughter can't have her own children. So you're children will get all of this."

"I appreciate your work, John.." I trailed off twisting the fabric of my jacket knowing he was expecting me to give him some answer on me becoming livestock commissioner. I wasn't sure that Kayce should completely give it up. But I really wasn't sure if I would be good at the job. I was only used to be following what my husband thought was right for the cattle and horses because he was raised to do the job, not me.

The evening came sooner than I expected and I figured it would be an interesting dinner considering John had freed Summer and put her on house arrest here. Leaving her and Beth to most likely get into it sometime tonight. John was at the head of the table. Kayce and I took the chairs on the end. Carter was sitting next to Bree who had Rip on her other side and Beth beside him. Elsa was sitting on the other end facing her grandfather. Finally there was an empty chair on the opposite side of Dallas that Summer ended up taking being close to the governor like his daughter. Gator entered the room sitting down multiple trays of meat noticing Summer sitting at the table. "Oh I'm sorry ma'am. If I had known I would have made you something else."

"Give her what we feed the horses, Gator." Beth scoffed glaring across the table at the girl.

Biting my lip I forked some food on each of the twins plates so they were distracted with eating rather than watching what was about to happen. "Gator she'll be here for 6 months so could you make something that she can eat in the future?" John asked the cook.

"So uh what we have prepared here is an esuremain of game. There on the left vension-"

Summer interrupts him. "Which is to say a deer you shot that was just minding its own business."

"Yes that's right...beside that we'll have roast duck-" He started again but it didn't matter.

She asked a question intertwining her hands together. "Do you realize duck's mate for life?"

"If it helps I killed them both-"

She scoffed as I covered my mouth with my hands trying to not laugh at how ridiculous she was being. "It doesn't make it better. It makes its twice as bad. And what is this little creature that can't even feed one person?"

Kayce glanced at me then shifted his gaze to Bree and Carter who were just watching like the rest of us. "Actually I serve four per person.."

"So you kill four and what is this mystery?" Summer points towards the plate in front of her.

Gator slumped his shoulders and I felt bad for him that she wasn't being a very good guest. Because she could go back to prison if she liked. "Uh that's a dove."

"Dove, the bird of peace."

Beth sat down her napkin eyeing the girl. "Summer, let's you and I take a walk. Maybe I can educate you on our different ways of life."

"Our different cultures.." She snarled back letting her lead her out of the house.

Tate reached forward alongside my husband taking some of the duck from the plate. I forked some deer on mine about to take a bite until Elsa and Dallas both showed their empty plates. "Can we have seconds?"

"How about you let others get some first you two." Kayce chuckled through a bright grin.

Rip focused his attention back on his boss asking softly. "Sir, do you want me to go after them?"

"I think that's a terrible idea, Rip." John chuckled shaking his head getting some meat on his plate. I couldn't hold in my laughter anymore so I just start hitting my fist on the table hearing him tell Gator I'll have four.

Carter watched Bree raise her hand asking like she was in school. "Is there any cake tonight?" Everyone at the table just smiled and laughed at her innocent question.

"Yes granddaughter, Gator is making cupcakes tonight don't you worry." Her grandfather replied as Rip got up to go check on them outside. When he came back both girls were beaten pretty bad and you could see blood on their faces. Summer ended up just eating some mashed potatoes until John returned with a first aid kit.

After dinner I slowly sit down in the porch swing just looking up at the stars in peaceful silence until the front door gently closed. Turning my head that direction I smiled seeing my husband who sits down beside me. "Woah...I'm sorry about tonight. I didn't exactly want the twins to see that tonight."

"You've got nothing to apologize for, Kayce. You couldn't have known those two were gonna butt heads again." I smiled up to him running my fingers through his hair since he wasn't wearing his hat at the moment. He had put the twins to bed and told Tate and Bree to go to bed once they finished packing for tomorrow morning.

He sighed enjoying the feeling where he rests his head on my shoulder intertwining my freehand with his left. I crossed my fingers that tomorrow would just be about us and the family. Riding horses and doing what we loved and teaching that spirit into our four children. "If Carter and Bree try to share a tent I'm gonna punch him."

"He's a kid, Kayce." I scoffed not taking him seriously.

He lifted his head up not changing his facial expression meaning he was dead serious about this. "I ain't kidding darlin'. I'm not comfortable with the idea."

"Overall your just not comfortable with her growing up." I replied tucking hair out from in front of his eyes where he nodded softly yes.

We allowed the familiar silence to surround us again just watching for any shooting stars. He wrapped his arms around my waist tugging me to sit on his lap. Laying my head against his chest he put his chin on top of my head until I start giggling thinking back to our children all covered in chocolate from the cupcakes and how the twins were bouncing off the wall wanting to have more meat. "I can't believe our twins were eating like wild dogs. Tearing all that meat apart so easily."

"Yeah that was pretty fun. Summer would have probably thrown up at the sight. Don't you think Y/n?" Kayce chuckled with a huge smile and my heart swooned seeing him happy again.

Lifting my head up I softly kissed him. He leans into it resting one hand to cradle my cheek in his hand. "I agree with that, cowboy. I wonder who they got that instinct from hmm?"

"Don't act you wouldn't tear up my mother's biskets exactly like that." He teased me while twirling some loose strands of my hair in between his fingers.

Wrapping my arms around his neck I smirked when he leaned forward kissing me deeply. I moaned into the kiss twisting my fingers in his brown curls. But he broke the kiss before we got too heated and ended up making love tonight. "Let's get to bed darlin'. We've got a long ride on horse back tomorrow."

I am pretty sure it was four in the morning when we woke and everyone was there for breakfast including Summer. But nobody really talked and headed to saddle their horses. Tate and Bree were riding Lucky and Holly since they were old enough. Throwing my saddle over I tied it off quickly allowing me to pick up young Dallas and sit him in front of me on my horse once I climbed on. Moving my brown hat up Kayce was holding a sleeping Elsa against his chest riding his own horse. Glancing over my shoulder I saw Summer just standing off in the distance watching so I moved my horse to walk her way. "We could saddle you a horse if you've changed your mind."

"I already told John I don't want to ride a creature he forced into submission...but thanks for the offer Y/n." She grumbled giving me a weak smile crossing her arms over her chest.

Dallas yawned snuggling into my chest where I brushed hair from his face letting him sleep. "Summer, there's something you should know. I didn't know that I would enjoy working here, living here but I do. And do you know how I discovered that?"

"No." She shook her head staring up at me.

Tilting my head a little I wrapped one hand around the reins of my horse as he made a noise. Swinging his tail a little bit. "Because I tried something new to see if I would like it or not. You're parents may be vegans but it doesn't mean you are completely right. You have to try and see both sides of something. Just keep that in mind." Kicking my horse in the belly she walks over to Beth who I was joyed to see was coming with us even though she didn't like horses.

"I don't know what to do while he's gone...I don't know what to do when he's here." Summer bends her head down dropping her hands at her sides.

Beth glanced my direction where I nodded tipping my hat to her following to ride alongside Kayce. "Well I think you got that part figured out. Why don't you take a walk around this place. You'll understand us better. Tell me if there is a forest in America in better shape or more loved. Then tell me we're the enemy."

"You ready for this, Y/n." Kayce asked kicking his horse in belly starting the ride off.

Kicking my horse John lead the charge with Rip. Bree and Carter were riding in front of us so we were the last two on the riding trail. "I'm ready for anything so long as you and our family are with me Kayce." The wind blows through my hair as we focused our eyes on the land ahead of us.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[neonacity]

HYACINTHE | Chapter 1: Jaemin x Reader

Summary:

Na Jaemin is far from being your typical 20 year old. Instead of slaving through college, he wastes away his hours cracking safes. Weekends that should be spent partying with friends consist of illegal races on good days and small scale bombings on bad ones.

Na Jaemin is far from being average, unless you consider being a member of Seoul's top organized crime family normal.

There is no such thing as a sense of normality and peace in his trainwreck of a life, so when he met a barista who was brave enough to call out his dangerous taste in coffee, he was like a moth to the flame. Everything about her is normal, which means she is forbidden to him, in all sense of the word.

So why, then, does he always find himself in the front steps of her shop, breaking all his personal rules even if he wishes he could stay away?

A/N + Disclaimer: this is a side story to Black Daisies, my main mafia fic feat. 0T23. While the plot is based on the main story, this can also be read as a standalone fic. As usual, this is purely a work of fiction and in no way am I implying any member of NCT to behave the way I write them here. tw: crimes, heists, potential death, mentions of drugs and other illegal activities.

PAIRING: Jaemin x Reader

BLACK DAISIES MASTERLIST

___________________________________________________________

I've known him for almost a year and a half when it happened. 

The small bell of the cafe's back door dinged so hard, I thought it would get ripped off from the wall. I looked up, eyes wide with panic and hands still wrapped around the cold corners of a metal tray when a head of jet black hair appeared on the entrance. It took me half a second to register what I was seeing before I found myself flying to his side in a heartbeat. 

"Jaemin! Oh my god, what the hell is going on!"

My first thought was that he was injured. He was doubled over and I quickly hunched to his level so that I could peer at his face. He looked paler than usual, beads of sweat stuck on his forehead, eyes glazed with a slight look of panic as he tried to keep himself from falling over. I threw out my hands to hold him by the shoulders and that's when my gaze caught it; the small black package that he quickly tried to hide inside his bomber jacket before I could even fully see what it is. I didn't give it much attention back then—I was far too focused in trying to see if he was hurt anywhere to worry about anything else. When his gaze finally focused on me, I thought I saw guilt there.  

"I need your help. Sorry, I don't know where else to go."

My brows furrowed together. 

"What the hell is going on—"

He reached out for one of my hands helping him up and squeezed it tight. 

"Please don't ask me questions. Just—can you trust me?" 

"I don't understand—" my voice started to rise. Is he hurt? Bleeding? In pain? 

"Please."

My lips parted then pursed again. 

"Okay."

Jaemin tugged me closer to him and threw a panicked look outside. He then pulled me farther into the now closed cafe, back into the storage room, the location of which he shouldn't even know in the first place. 

"Let me hide here for a bit. Just a bit."

That encounter was my second mistake since meeting Na Jaemin. 

I should have asked questions. 

Lots of them. 

___________________________________________________________

The first mistake happened about a year and half ago. 

"Welcome to Brick and Beans, what would you like to have today?"

I plastered on my practiced smile and looked at the stranger in front of me without actually looking at him. Working in the service industry sure does things to your head once you get used to it. Despite having to deal with people all the time, you also get to develop a kind of numbness and detachment to human interaction. A face just becomes a face, a customer simply becomes just another passing responsibility. I tried to blink a few times to make myself seem more interested on the boy standing in front of my counter, patiently waiting for him to give me his order so we can go ahead and get on with both our business. 

"Uh… I'll have an iced americano. No water. Eight shots of espresso."

My lips parted and curled on the sides to give him my service smile. My hand automatically reached out for the plastic cups stacked on my side while my other whipped out the marker clipped on the pocket of my apron to scribble his order. 

"That's one iced americano, no water, eight—"

I stopped and blinked once. Twice. My gaze shot up at the customer in front of me again and really looked at him for the first time.

"I'm sorry, that's eight shots of espresso?"

He nodded, seemingly unbothered by my question. 

"No water?"

A slight shake of the head. 

"...eight shots. Of espresso."

"Eight shots, yes." 

For a moment we both just stared at each other. He was looking at me patiently, probably only slightly weirded out by my question while I gave him a look that's a mix of worry and disbelief. Working as a barista has exposed me to my own fair share of weird coffee requests, but this is by far the one that takes the cake. 

I softly cleared my throat and turned my attention back to the words I was scribbling on the cup. As strange as it is, I really am not in the position to judge a customer. 

"That'll be 4.50 dollars. Is that for here?"

"Make it to go." 

"Got it. I'll get you your order soon…"

"Jaem." 

I smiled and scribbled his name on the cup. 

Foot traffic was pretty slow on the cafe so I was able to quickly finish the order on autopilot. As I worked on mixing, I found myself humming softly to myself, my tune shifting into short whistles every time I would dunk an espresso shot down into that cup. I didn't even realize that the customer didn't bother taking a seat on one of the empty tables, opting to lean on the wall by the side instead, hands shoved in the pockets of his jogs as his eyes followed me. 

"One iced americano for Jaem," I called out and pushed the packed drink into his hand. He handed me his card and I quickly worked on swiping it. 

"You sure like your coffee explosive, huh?" I shot him a question for the sake of making small talk as I punched some buttons on my terminal. 

"It's the eight shots, isn't it?"

I answered by giving him a shrug and a smile.

"It's the first time I ever did one like it. I can only imagine how it tastes like."

His lips slightly quirked into a smile. A...really cute smile if I might add.  

"Is there anything wrong?"

"It's really good." 

"Sure, Jaem. I'm not here to judge," I gave him a wink before handing back his card and receipt. "Well, thank you for dropping by. We hope to see you here again." He took both wordlessly and slipped them on his wallet. 

I was waiting for him to walk off with his drink with the practiced polite smile plastered on my face again. He turned, coffee in hand, took about five steps, before turning to me again. I blinked in mild confusion as he placed his cup back on my counter. 

"Actually… I'll have it here." 

___________________________________________________________

"I'm not going to try your death coffee, Jaemin." 

I didn't look up from the page I was reading but I could feel it, that deadly pout and puppy eyes combo drilling onto the side of my head. I flipped a page of my textbook over and I heard a sigh come from the boy beside me. 

"I bought it for you. You said you need to finish a paper tonight."

"I do. That doesn't require me to be awake for the next week and a half," I answered back with a quirk of my lips as I finally looked up to meet his gaze. We were seated at one of the far tables of the cafe for my 15 minute break, away from the handful of customers scattered on the smattering of tables and high chairs. This has become quite a routine already… but how it started, I can't really explain.

Ever since that first order, Jaemin had made it his routine to drop by almost regularly. At first the banter started similar to how a regular customer and his favorite barista would have, but since he would always come and visit during slow hours, we would always have more time for longer conversations. Casual talk turned into light-hearted jokes, and finally into a kind of banter that comes with familiarity with each other. Slowly, I came to know the complexities of Na Jaemin, and boy, is he an enigma and a paradox rolled in one. 

You never really know what to expect with him. There are days when he would be a bursting ball of energy—most of the time when he would order his drink from hell—but there are also moments when he would be quiet and reserved. I found it odd at first, but slowly accepted it since it didn't really hurt me in the first place. In fact, if I am going to be completely honest, I find this kind of personality set working for me. Imagine gaining two friends, except they're only in one body. 

But that's not the only odd thing in our dynamic, too. If someone would ask me now to describe the kind of friendship I have with him, I wouldn't really know how to explain it. We joke together, laugh together, sometimes even tease the crap out of each other like we've known each other for years. We work well together, but at the same time… I know almost next to nothing about him. I don't know his address, who his other friends are, if he's going to school or not… hell, I don't even know what his number is. Outside of this cafe and his regular visits, I don't have anything to prove that he actually exists. He didn't share, and I also didn't ask. 

Until today.

"Fine. I'm just going to drink this then."

I gasped before shooting him a squinted glare. 

"You are going to burn a hole in your stomach, I swear to god—"

He simply shrugged and made a huge show of sipping the previously untouched tears of Lucifer. 

I reached out to tug at the hood of his jacket in an attempt to call him out when I noticed it. His hair was initially masking it at first but now I could see it in full view: a purple bruise just on the side of his eye, almost to his temple.

"Oh my god, Jaemin. What happened?" I asked in a hurry as I tried to take a closer look at it. His expression changed in a heartbeat as he realized what I saw and he quickly leaned back and pulled the hoodie again over his head. 

"That's—it's nothing." 

"It looks so bad. How did you get that?"

He didn't answer. His eyes avoided my own and his hand gripped the plastic cup between us a little bit tighter. 

"Did you get into a fight?" I pushed, gently this time. 

His gaze moved to meet mine again for a few seconds. It's obvious he was contemplating what and how to answer. 

"Yeah… I got into a bit of a tumble with some friends."

I frowned and crossed my arms over my chest as I leaned back on my seat. He threw me a look that silently asked what else I want from him.

"Look. You don't tell me shit but at least I know enough to be sure you are lying."

Jaemin looked away and started tapping his finger against the table. 

"Why are you… why do you even want to know?"

I looked at him incredulously for a few seconds before leaning over. 

"Because you're my friend and I want to make sure you are okay."

"I am okay."

"Your black eye says otherwise."

"Come on, don't push this. Can't we be friends without," he waved his hand between us. "This?"

"Jaemin, I don't even know who you are."

That made him stop. He stared at me for what felt like a full half minute and that's when I saw it for the first time. The dilemma in his eyes. 

"It was because of work…" 

The look of confusion I made must have been so intense that he quickly tried to jump over it.

"Work—why, what do you—"

"I'm sorry, but that's really all that I can tell you." 

The sound of desperation in his tone wasn't lost on me. He looked so torn that I felt almost guilty for pressing.

"Fine… I won't ask again… As long as you are sure you're fine."

He peered at me once more as if assessing if he was finally off the hook. 

"So...we're still friends?"

"Huh?"

"You and me… we're still friends?"

"Uh, yes…" 

The look of relief on his face made me smile despite myself. He caught it and he made it a point to answer it with his best eye roll. 

"Don't laugh at me. I don't know how to do friends."

"You're so cute~"

"Shut up."

And that was the exact day I decided—I'm never going to let Na Jaemin feel alone again. 

Chapter 2

[romiithebirdie]

From the Furthest Tether: Part Five

Everything was dark, the only light coming from a few dull-looking lights that continued to flicker constantly like a dying flame of an old candle.

Water droplets fell from the rotting ceiling of a rundown warehouse where the villain group known as the Paranormal Liberation Front had chosen to lay low while they recovered from their earlier injuries.

Izuku felt like he was floating, watching the villains converse with each other while Tomura Shigaraki heaved over his elite Nomu creations whom were currently being used as nothing more than a makeshift throne for the leader.

One of the Hero Killer's main followers had stood up, attempting to call out Shigaraki's odd behaviour while Izuku's insides twisted with discomfort and fright, while the other villains didn't seem to sense the scent of death in the air, the teen could.

Shigaraki's entire aura was completely different; calmer than usual, yet had a dangerous edge that the teen could feel, even in his current phantom form.

Speaking of which, was this the doing of One for All? Or some kind of link that Izuku had with Shigaraki due to them meeting back in the subconscious of both Quirks?

Thinking about it made his head hurt…

"Now that your concerns have been duly noted there is a more pressing matter that needs to be addressed."

"Which is?" The blunt voice belonging to Dabi piped up from the background. The eldest Todoroki child looking completely unbothered by the many pairs of eyes staring widely at him, the other members of the group fearful of Shigaraki's response to his tone.

Thankfully, All for One who was currently using Shigaraki like a puppet, chose to wave off Dabi's remark as if he were nothing. "Just the little spy in our midst," Shigaraki's crimson orbs suddenly honed in and immediately connected with Izuku's own fearful emeralds.

He can see me?

Was that even possible? Izuku fought back a heavy gulp.

That being said, the teen wouldn't have put it past All for One to have some kind power that allowed him to sense the strange link between the two successors…

Either way, this was bad. Really bad.

"No need to worry, though," he looked in the direction of the teen, his rough voice sounding as if he'd swallowed sandpaper. Pointing a finger from the mangled hand, old burned scar tissue littered across his remaining fingers as they twitched erratically; "Soon everything we've strived for will be in our grasp."

Snap out of it, Ninth!

Izuku gasped loudly, clutching his head and cursing darkly as he gripped the bedsheets of his hospital bed tightly.

Why was this happening to him?

Everything was moving so fast, his brain was completely overwhelmed.

Tears of frustration stung his eyes and he blinked hard, fighting them back with all the energy he could muster as he breathed out sharply. Every time something was going right for him and his friends, there was always something that completely tore that newfound hope to shreds.

It wasn't fair.

Especially when the talk with All Might, once he'd arrived at the hospital, had gone down so well. Aside from Izuku's own worries, he had been quickly pacified by his mentor's comforting and reassuring words.

To Izuku's relief, they had discussed the Eri concern and addressed it straight away, with All Might immediately getting into contact with U.A and his acquaintances from the Police Force. His mentor had also informed the boy that Aizawa had been discharged a day prior and was currently recovering back at U.A, albeit with the Pro undergoing physiotherapy to help get him used to his temporary leg prosthetic.

"There are measures being taken to protect Young Eri so try not to worry yourself," his mentor had explained, offering the boy a faint smile tugged across his thin face. All Might had left after Izuku had gotten a visit from his doctor who'd then informed the pair that the teen would more-than-likely be discharged from the facility a lot sooner than they had thought.

About an hour or so later, his mother had arrived and Izuku finally allowed himself to lean back against the plush pillows to finally relax. However, this was quickly short-lived when his mother announced something that nearly made Izuku choke on his own air;

"Your father called me last night," Inko's voice was soft as she folded Izuku's old nightshirt into a neat little square before placing it in the bag that she had brought with her. "We talked for quite a while."

"With Dad, uh...You did?" Izuku's mouth and brain suddenly felt as if it had been set on autopilot. Was it weird that he felt oddly...numb to that revelation? He hadn't heard from his father in years, surely he should have been happier about hearing this?

Inko nodded, humming delicately, sliding another one of Izuku's shirts into the open bag, "He was concerned, of course. I caught him up with what's been happening, he's…" she paused. "He proposed something that I've been thinking about since last night."

Izuku's heart thudded under his freshly laundered nightclothes. He dreaded what he was about to hear but had to ask nonetheless: "What was it?"

His mother inhaled sharply, nibbling on her bottom lip, "He wants us to come overseas so we can be together as a family. Like before," her hands began to tremble. "There's so much that Hisashi and I need to discuss but right now, Izuku, I feel it would be for the best."

"W-What are you saying?" Izuku felt queasy, was his mother seriously suggesting that he pack up all his things and move abroad? To live with a man that he barely knew?

"Izuku-"

"I can't just leave!" Izuku's voice grew louder. "What about U.A? My friends?" All Might.

Inko's own temper flared and she glowered at her son, gesturing to his bandaged limbs, "Look at yourself, Izuku!"

The younger Midoriya visibly flinched, swallowing the retort back down his throat and averting his guilty gaze away from his mother. His eyes wandered along the lines of thick gauze around his knuckles and he shakily exhaled; unsure what to say next.

Was there anything he could say? He was completely tongue tied.

Thankfully, Inko was the one who broke the awkward silence by running a hand gently through his curls, "I'm sorry, Izuku."

He tried not to wince at those words. It honestly felt like he'd been punched in the gut.

"But I don't know what to do at the moment."

"Mum-"

"Stop," her voice was quiet but firm. Izuku's eyes moved along each part of Inko's face, noticing the blotchy skin from crying, the heavy bags under his mother's eyes and the way her hair just hung limply over her face like a set of old curtains, dreary and aged.

Was there anything he could say to her right now?

Aside from…

I'm sorry.

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

"Here are your discharge papers, Midoriya-san."

It was as simple as that.

Before he knew it, Inko had been given Izuku's hospital paperwork and had then quickly ushered her son into a cab alongside All Might. After a short and frankly slightly awkward car journey, they had eventually arrived back at U.A High School where they had then escorted Izuku to the dormitory facilities.

To Izuku's relief, his classmates had respected his space and quietly offered greetings to him as he limped towards his dorm room, his adult supervision carrying his luggage for him due to his arms still being heavily bandaged.

His mother hadn't mentioned their earlier talk and Izuku wanted to keep it that way for the time being. She had left after barely speaking and All Might had offered to walk her to the gates, which she begrudgingly accepted. Izuku noted the hardness in her voice when she spoke to the retired hero, a tone that Izuku had rarely heard Inko use in all the years of his life.

He prayed that she didn't give All Might a hard time once they were out of earshot. They had left quite a while ago…

From the other side of his locked door, he heard the distant sound of his classmates calling out loudly to each other, Izuku recognised Kirishima's cheery voice and he felt his lips tug into a small grin.

Maybe he should have gone downstairs and taken part with the others…

Izuku glanced at the red and blue striped clock on his wall and sighed, his chest tight as he shuffled over to his drawers to begin loading his clean clothes back into storage. Although it wasn't the same as his bedroom at his mother's apartment, he was glad to be back in a familiar place…

For how long? Came the unwelcome and unwanted nag in the back of his already-racing mind as he clenched his teeth together. He had no time to worry about the what-ifs right now, what mattered was getting back on his feet and concentrating on his Quirk control.

DANGER!

Izuku blinked, ears buzzing. He could hear laughter in the distance, was One for All reacting to something else? Maybe it had something to do with the connection he was sharing with Shigaraki-

A loud slam against his window completely destroyed his own concentration, his heart jumping in time with his body.

The walls violently quaked and Izuku soon stumbled. He had barely enough time to react as a massive hole seemed to be forcibly ripped through the wall to the outside.

The impact shook off the teen's balance as he fell to the floor, kicking back against the carpet as he shuffled up against the door. A large, scaly hand clamped around the broken pieces of plaster and a familiar face peered in that sent waves of absolute terror up Izuku's spine.

It was another Nomu. Did that mean the League were here? Speaking of that, how could they know that he'd returned or where his dorm room was?!

Izuku moved his hand towards the doorknob of his dormitory door and the creature screamed loudly squeezing itself through the small hole with little resistance. Izuku pressed himself up against the door frame, bandaged arms and legs screeching at him as the Nomu loomed over him. Sharp pieces of broken brick dug into it's thick hide, small trickles of blood forming around it's body as it slammed a heavy palm straight against Izuku's jaw, the movement cutting off any attempt that Izuku had at crying for help.

A crackle filled the air and Izuku's attention was drawn away from the fact that the Nomu currently had him pinned to the door by his head. With a narrowed gaze, the teen's eyes fell upon a tight-fitted collar around the creature's massive neck. Due to the odd crackling noise, Izuku soon noticed the device attached to the thick leather, which looked to be some kind of radio device.

"Excellent work, No. 1977. Remember this one needs to be alive. For now, at least."

Izuku paled, recognising the person talking immediately.

That blend of eerie voices, like an unhinged duet completely out of sync with each other.

He attempted to speak, a choked gasp cut off as the creature tightened it's grip. He knew that voice all too well; the man who planned out multiple attacks on his friends, the one who was involved in the incident in Kamino and most recently, the Jaku attack...

Tomura Shigaraki.

[secretpeachtea]

Onigiri Miya Tidbits Ch 2

Title: the duplicate

Genre: gen fic, reader insert

Word Count: 3.1k

Summary: Onigiri Miya is now hiring and you just happen to be the right person for the job. The business has been gaining popularity since its grand opening, and many customers travel from different cities just to have a bite of Miya Osamu’s delicious recipes. You did expect some craziness from working in food services, but what you didn’t expect was to be bombarded with frequent tomfoolery from a bunch of attractive volleyball players during your shifts.

disclaimer: manga spoilers

A/N: I know the twins (or anyone from Hyogo for that matter) have a very specific accent, but I have a bit of trouble translating that into my writing, so I hope you guys can still use and hear that accent when you read their dialogue!

Previous///Next

It’s been a little over a week since you’ve started working at Onigiri Miya, and thankfully, things have been going well. There have only been a handful of problematic customers, but you were able to handle them quite efficiently, much to Osamu’s satisfaction. You’ve even been able to get acquainted with your boss much more since it’s only the two of you working long shifts together. You can definitely say that things have been working out really well at your job.

Today is another typical day for you as you walk towards the entrance of the shop, ready to start another day of work. You had actually left your apartment a lot earlier than usual, so you were a bit surprised to see that the door was already unlocked since Osamu usually arrives on the dot. You’re a little concerned that you might’ve jumbled up your alarm this morning and was actually late, but your phone displayed the right time. Not wanting to prolong your anxiety, you slide open the door and meet an unexpected sight. 

Sitting at the counter is a man who looks like a carbon copy of your boss but with blonde hair. He’s sporting a mustard-colored tracksuit and is carrying a confident aura.

“Miya-san?”

The stranger looks up and makes eye contact with you. There’s a brief air of silence before he breaks out into a wide grin. “Oh! Hey, new girl!” 

Not knowing how to respond, you just lift your hand awkwardly. “Um...hi?”

“I heard from a friend of mine that ‘Samu hired a new worker.” The blonde runs a hand through his hair. “Didn’t think you’d be such a cutie though.”

Before you even had time to react, your boss walked out of the storage room with a bag of rice on top of his shoulder. “‘Sumu, you got rice all over your chin.”

Miya Atsumu flushes red from embarrassment and proceeds to grab a napkin to clean his face. Now that you’re paying more attention to your surroundings, you notice that there’s an empty plate on top of the counter and you can assume that Osamu gave him food prior to your arrival.

“I’m gonna take a wild guess and say that this is your brother.” You shrug off your jacket as you walk further into the building and address Osamu casually.

“What gave it away? The nose or the ears?” Osamu jokingly teases as he shoves the bag of rice off his shoulders to one of the lower shelves. 

“You never told me you had a twin,” you respond with an equally playful tone.

“Never asked.”

You briefly glance to check the clock on the wall. “You’re here pretty early. Did I miss something?”

Your boss shook his head as he straightened up. He then pointed towards his brother who was just watching you two converse with intrigued eyes. “Nah. He’s here to eat something before practice and wouldn’t stop nagging me to make him something, which is why I’m here earlier than I should be, sleep deprived and all.”

“Sounds like you had a rough morning,” you laughed.

“Um, hello? I’m still here,” Atsumu interjected with a slightly sassy tone. “By the way, I didn’t catch your name, and your boss kept telling me to figure it out myself.”

You take a mental note at how petty your boss could be with his brother and stifle a laugh. “It’s (Surname) (Name).”

The corners of Atsumu’s mouth lifted upward. “Glad I could finally put a name to your face, (Name)-chan.”

Okay, you were definitely not used to someone calling you by your first name in such a casual manner, so you couldn’t stop yourself from getting a bit flustered. This did not go unnoticed by both twins, their eyes taking in the pink tint on your cheeks.

Not wanting to expose yourself any more than you already have, you look away and head towards the back room. “I’m just gonna go get ready really quick!”

Once you’ve put your things down and secured the apron around your waist, you walked back to the main room. The brothers have occupied themselves with other things in the meantime. Atsumu is scrolling through his phone with a bored expression, while Osamu is prepping the display case to get ready to open soon. You figured you should stay productive too and make your way to the fridge. You peek inside through the glass door and notice that there’s a shortage in beverages. 

“Miya-”

You’re at a loss of words when both brothers set their gazes on you once again.

“Atsumu’s fine by me, sweetheart.” The blonde man smirks at your conflicted expression.

“Stop flirting with my employee. And, she wasn’t talking to you, you scrub.” Osamu sighed and brushed his hands on his thighs before turning his body to face you. “What’s up?”

“I think we forgot to pick up some drinks yesterday.” You pointed towards the bare shelves in the fridge. There were a couple green teas and carbonated drinks, but it definitely wasn’t enough to last the rest of the day. The last thing you’d want to do is disappoint any of the customers.

“Ah, shoot. You’re right. I was supposed to take care of that last night.” Your boss looks up at the clock and sees that there’s still some time before you have to open. “I’ll head out and bring those in really quick. You think you can babysit this guy for a bit?”

“Hey! I’m not a little kid!”

“Yup! Leave it to me!”

“Woah, woah! Hold up now!”

Completely ignoring his brother’s protests, Osamu leaves the shop in your hands to bring in the drinks from a convenience store a couple blocks down. This left you and Atsumu in each other’s company for the time being. Not really having much to do until the drinks come in, you just position yourself in front of the register as usual, checking to see if everything is set up correctly. Atsumu seems to take this as his cue to have a one-on-one chat with you. 

“So, what’d you do to get the job? Bribe? Save a life? Cast a spell?”

You tilt your head in confusion and blink once. “Huh? What do you mean?”

Atsumu raises his arms in emphasis. “‘Samu doesn’t just let anyone work here. This place is practically his child. Protects it at all costs. It’s the reason why it’s just been him for so long even though it can get pretty busy around here”

“Oh, uh, I just applied and he accepted me.” You would be lying if you said that you weren’t surprised when you found out that he was the only other worker when you got the job.

“Interesting…”

Feeling a bit uncomfortable over how Atsumu was practically trying to analyze you and borderline interrogate you, you try to switch topics. “Seems like you know your brother pretty well.”

“Yeah, it’s kind of inevitable when we share the same face. Although, I personally think I am the more good-looking twin.”

You sweatdropped. “Well, despite the way you look, you guys are definitely different in a lot of ways.”

“For sure! Sometimes we can be complete opposites!” Atsumu nods his head in agreement.

“Does that mean you’re a bad cook?” You take this opportunity to tease the blonde, but start to regret it after you see a competitive glint in his eyes.

“No way! I’m a great man in the kitchen! Just watch! I’m gonna whip up an onigiri that’s on par with that fool!” Atsumu stands up from his stool and marches over to the other side of the counter.

“That’s probably not a good ide-”

“Relax! I got this!” Famous last words.

As soon as Atsumu was in reach of anything on the work space, all hell broke loose. As he placed some sticky rice into his hands, his elbow knocked over an entire container of sesame seeds, while his other arm ripped a couple sheets of nori* during his attempt to catch the tumbling seeds. A couple eggs fell out of a carton that Osamu had left aside due to the ruckus, painting the floors with yolk, and somehow the rice on Atsumu’s palm had ended up splattering onto his chin. 

You watched everything unfold with distressed shock. “What are you doing?! Are you trying to get me fired?!”

“I didn’t mean to do that, I swear!” The clumsy man just furrowed his brows as he frantically tried to stop anything else from going wrong. Trying your best to calm him down and avoid making more of a mess, you closed the distance between you and held onto his forearms.

“Hey, calm down, or you might trigger something else. Let’s just clean this quickly before your brother comes back or we’re both good as dead.”

That surely got Atsumu’s attention and the two of you quickly began to clean up the mess. You grabbed the nearest cleaning cloth, while he took a hold of the trash can. In just a matter of minutes, the workstation was already starting to look as neat as it was before. If it wasn’t such a ridiculous situation, you could honestly say that you and him were a pretty good team when faced with Osamu’s potential wrath. 

It wasn’t until you were finished sanitizing the counter space did you notice the pieces of rice that were stuck on Atsumu’s face. “Hey, you still have some rice on your face.”

“Again?” He tries to wipe off his face with a napkin like he did before, while he occasionally asks you if he got everything. You point out the ones he misses, but he keeps missing one rice grain on the corner of his mouth. 

Feeling a bit impatient, you lean towards Atsumu and he stiffens his movements. “Here, let me help. Hold still.”

You cup his cheek with your fingers to make sure he doesn’t move. Using your other hand, you gently remove the last rice piece, your fingers lightly brushing over his bottom lip unintentionally. Atsumu just stays completely quiet as you do wonders to his poor heart. He even unconsciously leans into your touch, but you’re too focused on the task at hand to notice.

“Got it.” You give him a triumphant smile, but falter as you notice Atsumu’s expression which held a certain softness to it with something else you can’t quite pinpoint.

Atsumu snaps out of his trance when you let go of his cheek and his entire face heats up, red crawling up to the tips of his ears. You pull away and discard the rice into the trash.

“T-t-thanks.”

Atsumu quickly turns his back towards you and wipes a small smudge on one of the containers, willing his heart to calm down from its fast beating. You think he’s acting a bit strange, but brush it off for now.

The only thing left to clean was the sticky floor. You’re about to mop up the egg remnants when you hear a voice call for your name at the front of the restaurant. “Hey, (Surname)-san! Can you open the door? My hands are kind of full.”

You and Atsumu look at each other with wide eyes, both realizing that you haven’t finished cleaning and Osamu was right outside the door. You hunch over and Atsumu mirrors you. Cue the furious whispering.

“What do we do?!”

“What do you mean, what do we do?! We gotta scrub the floor clean until he sees it!”

“But, he’s right outside!”

“Well you better figure something out, ‘cause if I don’t open that door right now, he’s gonna get suspicious!”

With that, you straightened up and made your way to the entrance, making sure to take your time with each step. You hear quite a bit of shuffling behind you but choose to pray that everything will work out. Once you reach the door, you slide it open for Osamu to enter. He was holding three boxes of drinks, the bulging veins in his arms indicated how heavy they were. 

“You sure took your sweet time.”

You laughed nervously. “Sorry about that. I was in the back room.”

When the two of you walk back to the counter, the blonde is nowhere to be seen. Thankfully, it seems like he was able to get everything done. The floor was spotless, maybe even a little too clean.

Suddenly you hear the bathroom door slam shut and turn your head towards the sound. Atsumu is walking out with slightly wet sleeves, so you assume that he just washed his hands. 

“You’re still here?” Osamu just gives his brother a blank look as he places the drinks down next to the fridge. “Don’t you have to go to practice soon?”

The other twin just shrugs his shoulders. “Eh. Not for like another hour.”

“Then, why the hell did you make me wake up so early to make you food?” One of Osamu’s eyes started twitching.

“I was hungry.”

“Die.”

Ignoring his brother’s bitterness, Atsumu sat at one of the stools near you and leaned his head against his arm. “(Name)-chan, you should try my favorite onigiri flavor!”

Your eyes light up at the mention of the first onigiri your boss made you. “Oh! The Minced Tuna and Spring Onion one right?”

Atsumu looked a bit surprised. “Yeah...how’d you know?”

“Your brother let me try it about a week ago after my shift.”

“Wait,” the man in front of you paused for a moment before a realization hit him. “You’re the reason why I had to eat cereal for dinner that one time?!”

You’re a bit stunned for a moment and direct your next question to Osamu who’s not even trying to hide his smirk. “I thought you said he’d get takeout?”

“Not my fault. This idiot dropped his wallet in the toilet and couldn’t remember where he kept his credit card.” Your boss just casually crosses his arms. “Turns out I conveniently forgot my wallet at the shop that day too.”

“Yeah, you made up for that today, you scrub,” Atsumu scoffs. You just watch the petty banter between the twins, discreetly enjoying their strange way of communicating.

Their conversation was interrupted when Atsumu’s phone vibrated indicating an incoming message. He checks his phone and quietly reads its contents before abruptly standing from his position and stretching. “Well, this was nice and all, but Bo-kun is asking for some extra spiking practice, so I’m gonna head out. I’ll be back soon, (Name)-chan, so don’t miss me too much!”

As Atsumu pocketed his phone, he leaned against the counter where you stood and held out a fist. “I had fun today.”

You laughed softly with a small smile on your face and reciprocated the fist bump. “See you around, Atsumu-san.”

The blonde just waved an arm at his brother, who couldn’t care less, and left without another word. Although, Osamu did nod his head in acknowledgement.

You didn’t think you’d have to deal with so much drama before the shop even opened, but at least you got to meet the brother with good taste.

Today had been another successful day at work. There were quite a few customers and all of the onigiri sold out by closing time. You stretched your arms to relieve some of the tension from standing in the same position all day. Osamu seemed to be doing the same as he rolled his shoulders back and forth.

There was a lingering question that you’ve wanted to ask him since this morning. “Just out of curiosity, is your brother a volleyball player too?”

“Yeah. Do you remember that owl-looking guy from last week? They’re on the same team.”

“Oh, so that’s why you were pretty familiar with him.”

Osamu nodded his head. “I’m surprised the whole team hasn’t come in yet. They frequent this place since it’s convenient and has decent prices. You’ll probably meet all of them pretty soon.”

You just hummed at his words.You were ready to start sweeping and moved your arm in the direction of the broom. 

“My turn to ask, then.” Osamu stated. “What’d you guys talk about while I was gone this morning?”

You hand froze in the air. “With Atsumu-san?”

“The one and only.”

“Oh...um…” You tried to think of something to cover up any suspicions Osamu may have, but he was already on to you.

“He did something stupid.”

You looked at your boss in the eye and sheepishly laughed. Might as well just tell him the truth. “Maybe crack some eggs and ruin some rice?”

Osamu sighed. “I figured. I did think it was a little weird when I saw the trash half full when we hadn’t even opened yet. There was also a very conveniently placed newspaper at the very top covered in yolk. Not to mention the eggs shells tangled in the mop.”

You silently cursed at Atsumu’s carelessness, but didn’t hold it against him since you both were in a rush to get everything clean. Before you had the chance to defend yourself, Osamu spoke up once again.

“Glad you told me the truth though, or I might’ve fired you.”

Panic. You are struck with panic at the mention of possibly getting fired. Your mind reels with everything that could possibly go wrong in your life if you were to lose this job, but Osamu’s amused laugh cuts off your thoughts.

“I’m just messing with you. I know how insufferable ‘Tsumu can be when he sets his mind to something.” He pats your head lightly. “Don’t worry, I don’t plan on letting you go so easily.”

“Thanks, Miya-san.” You silently let out a small sigh of relief. There’s a short pause as the two of you just stand in place facing each other. Osamu looks a bit tense and turns his head away to look at the fake plant on the counter to his right.

“...Osamu.”

You pause with bewilderment and look up to catch his eyes. “...what?”

He moves his arm to rub his neck and avoids your gaze. “You can call me Osamu.”

You hesitate a bit and take in Osamu’s shy attitude. “But, you’re my boss…?”

“I wouldn’t mind if you called me by my first name. P-plus my brother shows up way more than he should, so it’ll probably get confusing,” He quickly rationalized, but his red cheeks said otherwise.

At this point, you’re both a bit flustered. In any other situation, something like this probably wouldn’t be that big of a deal, but this conversation seems oddly intimate.

“O-okay. Then, you can call me by my first name too, O-Osamu...san”

“Sound good, (Name)-san.”

Nori = the seaweed stuff

A/N: I know this is supposed to be a gen fic, but I couldn’t help but add in a bit of fluff when it involves the twins

[sweater-daddiesdumbdork]

We Gotta Watch The Wet Bandits

Summary- 2k Me (calling him Mike) x Y/N. (Playing It Cool AU)  Beginning of the Christmas Season, and Mike is about to finish up a script. It's all just fluffy and such. No warnings. Written for @jtargaryen18​  30 Days of Chris. 

A/N- Part One, I will be writing a couple more chapters.  

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow... 

You hummed to yourself as you walked along the main street, bags in your hands, and taking your sweet time while looking in window displays. Of course California, it never snowed, and you had to say you missed it, which caused a bit of a sigh as you looked at a scene with the backdrop looking like a little New England town. Old church, a general store, horse and sleigh just about to enter a covered bridge, snowy covered hills in the background that appeared to have kids sliding. The one next to it was New York City, Rockefeller Center with it's big beautiful tree made you sigh a bit wistfully.  Mike always claimed he never want to see snow again after some disastrous ski trip his grandfather had taken him on when he was eight. But you felt that just about anything that happened to him when he was seven was ruined for him, due to being an abandoned boy and still trying to process his feelings. 

Mind getting away from you, you jumped when your phone buzzing in your hand startled you, tearing your gaze away from your dream Christmas and down to the phone to see Mike's picture flashing. Hitting the accept call, you tucked it up to your ear as you continue. This time heading straight for the car that was just another block up. “Hey Mike, I'm just finishing up. You need me to grab something before I get home?” 

You could hear clacking in the background, he was about a quarter of the way done from finishing his newest piece and at the stage where you would probably have to drag him to bed to get him to take a break. When he was close to finishing, he got lost into it trying to get it done. “You don't mind picking up dinner tonight? Sorry, I know I promised, but I'm so close to getting done baby. And you're going to love this one, I promise.” You roll your eyes a bit, but you weren't mad about it. 

“Alright, but the moment you're done with that, you're taking me out to that nice place over on 5th street. And what do you want?” 

“You mean that tie joint? You would make me promise to take you there. And uh... beef and broccoli. I can call it in.” 

“Yes, that tie joint. Besides, it's all in your favor. I might let you use that tie on me later.” Your digging for your keys and you can hear a stutter in the clicking of keys, making you smirk. You just knew he was thinking now of what he could do with that tie and had the biggest grin on his face. “And order me sesame chicken. Eggrolls to.” 

“You just had to say that, making me lose my train of thought!” Hearing him joked while you dropped the bags into the back and shut the door, you giggled into the phone. “Just keep imagining it, more incentive to finish.” You offer as an apology.

Hearing him resume typing. “You got a deal, ordering right now. Love you, baby, see you when you get home.” Once you returned the sentiment, he hung up and you checked the time, you had time to see how long you had to kill before food would be ready. 

By the time you got your bags stashed away in the spare bedroom, Mike pulling away from his small office space in the living room to attempt a few sneak peeks, you shooed him away and sent him down to the car to get the food instead, and was sure to strategically hide the few things you had gotten for his stocking when you heard him out in the kitchen. “Back, you got everything hidden so I can try to find it, Babes?” You are sure to click the door shut a little hard and sauntered into the kitchen to grab plates. “If you go looking I will know. I booby-trapped the entire spare room.” 

“Well fuck, don't threaten me with a good time Babygirl.” He teased while opening the bag, and pulling out the containers while you grabbed to plates. “I can and I will... you want a fork?” Grabbing spoons to plate the food. Mike unwraps a pair of chopsticks and clicks them together. “Nah, I got this, and I'm getting good at them.” 

Snorting in a laugh, you shrug and just bring over the spoons, picking up the second pair and fitting them in your hand. “I told you that you would, it's not that hard.” He reaches over with his and pinched your arm with it, and you jab back at him, the two of you teasing and poking at each other in retaliation, till Mike called a truce, letting you get the last poke in. “Harder then it looks Y/N” Popping open containers and scooping stuff out, he grabs a piece of beef in the chopsticks and holds it out for you, that you grab and chew while scooping out the rice. “Damn I love when you order beef and broccoli.” 

“I know, that's part of why I choose it.” Mike shrugs, taking some of the sweet chicken and plating it for himself. You pause with a furrowed brow. “Wait, you're not choosing it cause you want it?” 

“Well of course I do. But I just know you happen to like it to. Don't question what I do.” Unwrapping egg rolls from the wax paper, he set one on your plate, and you still looked at him with a hint of doubt. 

“What would you order if you're not sharing with me?” you question while grabbing the plates and handful of the sauce packets while proceeding to the living room, setting your two messy with piles of food plates on the coffee table. Mike followed along behind with two beer's, what's fast food Chinese without a beer to wash it down after all. “Beef and Broccoli... maybe generals tso's.”

You immediately wrinkle your nose at him, and he crashes on the couch next to you, handing you the beer. “See Weakling, why I don't order spicy food. You wrinkle your nose every time.” You push him back against the couch after sitting down the beer and move to straddle him, smirking as you pin his wrists down. 

“Weakling? Not me Stud, just cause I don't wanna burn my taste buds off.” He can't help but grin at you acting tough, with your pinkish cheeks still from the cold, and your hair up in a ponytail, giving you a more girlish look. Easily he could have taken over, twisted to pin you beneath him, and cover you in kisses, tickling your hips till you were begging for mercy. But you to know all his weaknesses, and that lets a mischievous daring look in your eyes in case he challenged you. Twisting his hips quickly, he toppled you over and breaking your hold, he tickled along your sides, making you squeak out, grabbing at his hands and weaving your fingers with his to keep him from trying to tickle you again. 

“You sure about that?” Mike asked as he hovered over you, leaning to catch your lips with his own, and you arch into the kiss. It was hard denying when he took over like this, you liked it. Flexing your fingers weaved with his, you sighed into the kiss, letting your head fall back and look up at him. “Okay fine, a little bit. But it is really hot.” Your nose wrinkled again and Mike kissed the tip of your nose, chuckling while pulling back, bringing you up with him. You curled at his side and reached to grab the remote, flicking through the holiday movies. “Next time that's what I'm ordering you,” you say as your searching. 

“And I don't want to see you claiming you can handle it when we both know you cant.” Of course, it was an empty threat, as if he could ever tell you no when you wanted something. Mike waited to see what you were picking, seeing as you were on a mission for something specific, as soon as you got to your movie, he groaned and you giggled, hitting play. “You do know this is the one movie I'm watching tonight with you, I gotta go finish the last couple of chapters.” You lean forward and grab the plates, handing him his, and curling back up against his side, drawing your feet up, the all too familiar theme song playing. “Yes I know, and you know it's a tradition for me to watch The Wet Bandits as the first Christmas movie of the year.” 

Twisting the chopsticks in his fingers to pick up his first bite, eyes focused on the screen. “What, no love for The Sticky Bandits?” Mike popped in his bite and chewed slowly while you were ripping into some duck sauce and pouring it onto your rice, offering him some that was denied with a shake of the head. “They are tomorrow night.” 

“Oh, okay... watching in order.” 

“Exactly, we can't watch New York before this one.” You scooped up some of your rice that was all sticky with sauce, licking your lips clean between chews.

Mike's gaze fell to the scenic picture, a large house, set in a great neighborhood, all decked out in white lights. “Is that what you want someday Babes?” he asked, and you tilted your head to look at him. “Mmmhh, no. Not like that. Right now I'm rather happy with our little apartment Christmas in Sunny California with Mallory and Samson getting tipsy and crashing on the couch, Scott trying to reenact A Christmas Carol, and Lyle redoing our tree. Which we have to get out of storage soon.” 

“I can get it next weekend, and I don't mean this year... like down the road,” Mike asked, and set his plate aside, clearing his palate with a swing of beer, and you watched the mayhem of the family rush out of the house, leaving behind Kevin. “One day maybe, but I'm not in a rush to make all that happen.” You wave your chopsticks towards the tv, all the parents looking traumatized. “Someday though. Although I picture it more like the Griswolds. Everything is messed up, but fuck if we still aren't having a great time at life” You chuckle while popping your last bite of eggroll and set it on top of his.

His arm lifted around your shoulder and your head rested on his chest. Mike's fingers trailed up and down your arm while watching the film. “Although I wouldn’t hesitate to go back for a holiday sometime.” You said it so absently, just finishing a train of thought, but Mike caught it. 

And with his newest work almost being finished, maybe sometime would be sooner rather than later. Brian had said that this was a well-anticipated script, and Mike had put his heart into this one. He didn't want to get ahead of himself, but he had high expectations for when it was going to be read. The thought stuck in his mind, once the movie was finished, food taken cared of, you turned to him after washing the plates. “I'm going to call it a night, don't forget to come to bed tonight.” You teased while giving him a slow kiss, and he nodded, rubbing his hands along your hips. 

“Just one more chapter and I will be in, promise.” dropping a kiss to your shoulder, and a nuzzle to his neck, you leave him to continue writing, and get ready for bed. Once Mike hears the door close, he's immediately on his computer, pulling up a search engine. 

He's groaning as most everything is the book for what he's looking for, but then one listing popped up, and he debates, his mouse hovering over the button. Should he jump on it or wait? He was very confident that it was good, that Brian would send it right out and it would be his payday. His finger itched to his the button, knowing just how much you would love this and not be suspecting anything like this. Without another moment's hesitation, you hit the okay button, and he got excited to tell you. But it was going to have to wait. 

Now, time to finish that script.  

[dieonsysus]

bubble baths and broken glass

Hello! I haven’t had a personal post here in awhile. I’m mostly active on my side blog: @velvetrose. Anyway, I’ve been itching to write and my notes app on my phone is full of short excerpts. I figured I could share some of those here is anyone is remotely interested. <3

bubble baths and broken glass. 

 “Well, here it is.” 

The pair stood at the bottom of a moss covered stairway. The concrete steps rose up above them to unveil a large building, that of which resembled a castle. Windows decorated the stone exterior that housed a deep growth of vines and leaves. Flowers budded and bloomed from the surface and turned to reach for the slivers of fading sunlight that painted the architecture. It was a truly beautiful structure. 

“Hm.” Hummed the young woman of the two. She stood looking up at the building, feeling a slight pang in her chest. She didn’t feel like she belonged. Her clothes were dark and slightly casual, jeans ripped and she adorned an oversized t-shirt. She slung her backpack down her shoulder and rested it on top of her chunky combat boots. 

“What? Not what you expected?” The boy who accompanied her, glanced in her direction. He was tall and in a way didn’t really look like he belonged there either. His gray shirt and jeans were all clean and fit his figure nicely, but he too seemed maybe a tad too casual to grace this fairytale home with his presence. 

“Not really. I guess, I thought maybe we would be in an apartment complex considering we’re in the middle of downtown.” She turned to admire the small courtyard behind her, adorned with a gate and small fountain along with some small lawn furniture around the rose bushes. This place was hardly something you’d find in a city that isn’t a tourist trap or historical landmark. “Maybe like .. A penthouse or something..” She muttered as she picked up her bag. 

The boy laughed lightly. “No penthouse, but I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”

He began to walk up the stone steps and she followed in a huff, the platforms on her boots echoing against he large door. 

“You know,” she began, “I like my privacy, and if I happen to be sharing a room we are going to have a problem because I-” She was immediately silenced by the sight in front of her. 

Behind the large double doors was a long hallway that led into the building. The interior was well balanced with new fixtures to light the foyer, and deep red velvet carpets that covered the center of the main hall. She stood in a trance for a moment before she felt fingers on her wrist. He beckoned her inside and closed the door behind them with a loud click that seemed to bounce off the marble walls infinitely. 

“So, no, you will not be sharing a room. There are plenty of spaces here, no need to mix and match residents.” He began to walk ahead into the hall. “Speaking of, I can show you to your room now.” 

She was still mesmerized by the beauty of the space, she almost lost him when he began walking up the stairs ahead of them. 

“Ugh, wait up!”

They climbed the steps and found themselves in another hall. This one was a bit more tame than the entrance. The walls and floor were lined with stones, and windows on both sides of them lit the way into the main boarding hall. 

She tagged along a step behind and investigated the doors she passed. All of them were a bit different, whether it be the color, what it was made of, or the door knob. 

“You all live here together?” She chirped from behind him. 

He glanced to the side, but didn’t look back at her. “Looks like it.”

“Like children who go to a dorm school.” She said passively. 

He made a sound in the back of his throat that she thought was the remnant of  a laugh. “Sure, but we are not children.”

“Well, I’m 21 and I still feel like a child.” 

“To each to his own, I guess.” 

After he spoke, his steps stopped abruptly causing her to almost bump her forehead right into his shoulder lade. He finally took a moment to turn and look at her, reaching his hand out to the door. It was tall and yellow with a crystal doorknob that sparkled from the light of the window across from it. 

“This is it?” She whispered. 

“All yours.” 

She reached out for the knob on the door, and she felt a flutter of nervousness race through her. Everything was too new, things were changing too fast. She pushed the door open and found a quite sizeable bedroom. There was a large bed with white sheets and pillows in the middle of the room. A vanity with a couple clean towels and a robe folded neatly on the seat. There was an open closet and well as a single dresser for storage. The most tantalizing feature, however, was the small nook that housed a window seat that looked over the courtyard and just over the stone walls to see the water at the edge of the city where the sun was dipping into the night. 

She was snapped back into reality when he began to speak again. 

“You have your own bathroom here,” he opened the door and flicked on the light. “There’s a bathtub. Maybe you can take a bubblebath and relax.” 

She scoffed loudly before tossing her backpack onto the bed and flopping her over tired body next to it. “You really think that’s how girls relax? A bubblebath a day keeps the undeniable pressure of the world away!” She joked. He didn’t laugh, just shrugged. 

“The kitchen is downstairs and fully stocked, feel free to help yourself.” She pulled her legs up onto the bed as he made his way to the door. 

“Wait!” He stopped in the archway of the door, leaning his shoulder against the frame. He raised his brow slightly, and she had to break eye contact. “I- uh .. I don’t have anything. I- I just left with what’s in this bag.” She toyed with the end of her frayed shirt. 

When she looked back up at him he gave her a warm smile. “No worries, I’ll take you out tomorrow and get you some things. There should be enough for you essentials wise for tonight.” She nodded like an obedient child. Why did she act this way with him? 

“I don’t have any money.” She remarked. 

He silently took his weight off of the frame of the door and placed a hand on the knob. “Did I say you were going to be paying for it?” He asked tilting his head.

Her cheeks grew hot. “No.”

He looked pleased. “Then don’t worry about it.” She just blinked, speechless. “I’m at the end of the hall if you need anything.” 

And with that he left, closing the door behind him. 

Silence filled the room. It creeped up the walls, and over the bed making an almost physical appearance. She took another look around the room - her room. It was nice, cozy. She’d never had her own bathroom before. Once again her eyes caught the window seat that let in the light of the evening. She rolled across the bed and made her way to the little nook. She seated herself inside the white transparent curtains and let her mind wander. Her thoughts were louder than usual in the quiet room, they almost seemed to bounce against the walls. 

What am I doing here?

Why me?

How am I going to fix this?

She no longer recognized the person she was supposed to be. It was like looking at her reflection in the broken glass of a mirror. The distortion made her dizzy. 

Life was no longer just about living. 

Now, it was about surviving. 

thanks for reading! hope you enjoyed that little ramble. <3

[noonawriter]

Delicious Rendezvous

WORD COUNT: 4638

WARNINGS: flashbacks to torture, shameless flirting, over-worked and stressed main character

DELICIOUS RENDEZVOUS

Chapter 4

“Bad news,” Siwon said as soon as he was in earshot of Heechul. “Our contact in 223 has been transferred and is locked out of the local system here.” He bit his lip, a rare slip of control. “As I’m sure you know, we’re cutting it too close to develop a new one just yet.” His first creation walked up to him with a look of hesitation on his face.

No mystery as to why.

Back when the terror of it was fresh, Siwon informed Heechul of a raid that had occurred a decade ago and how badly it had ended. The whole thing played like a movie reel of memories and fears. It wasn’t the sex work that sank them that time - no one runs that kind of operation without a contingency plan. No, it was who was doing it that led to tragedy.

Several of the employees ended up in a specialized prison only to be slowly tortured to death because supernatural creatures weren’t known then... And groups of humans have the capacity to do terrible things when they’re afraid of the unknown. Ingenuity, put to exactly the wrong purpose. What little inside data could be gleaned was... It was... Unspeakable, to this day.

Heechul considered giving him a moment of comforting touch, but it would be crass to make it so very evident that his right-hand man’s thoughts were left entirely unlocked. They sure as hell didn’t have time for a fight, either.

Not a creature anywhere didn’t hear about that disaster. The Council exploited those fears, the prejudices borne of it, but for the rest of the community, lacking that level of power... Whatever there was where Heechul’s stomach used to be turned just the same way at being bombarded with it all over again, shrunk into a few nauseating seconds. If his hair could still stand on end, it would. Even the humans that supported that establishment had been fined so heavily that they were out on the streets, and then... disappeared. Maybe to the same place. Who knows? Siwon visibly winced at that last thought, but forced that idea to the side. There were days that his confidence that his master would never let anyone harm him or their brethren was all that allowed the leader to make it happen.

Yet, sometimes, Heechul really wished Siwon had more magic potential. This was one of the rare moments where he’d very much like to be able to not hear these thoughts. Keeping his hands from ripping his own hair out was as much as he could manage here, arms stiff at his sides. Was he even capable of crying anymore? Did he have what it would take to stop a repeat of such horrors between his very own walls?

It was all too much. Too much. Heechul had to set it all aside too. Rather than comfort, he ended up having to tap Siwon’s cheek just to bring him back to the present.

“Sorry,” he mumbled with a shake of his head. ”I remembered it again.” That raid was the last time Siwon tried working for anyone else, is the only other thing he would say about it out loud. He broadcast the rest louder than an echo in a cave, though, he just didn’t know he was - right to Heechul like an open book, at least. Not a hint of a side gig since.

The grass only looks greener, as it were.

Finally, that portion of mental agony was over, tucked away back in its box. Upon realizing the massive amount of work that their contact being pulled out from under them meant, Heechul’s shoulders slumped. There was too much weight upon them.

However, he only allowed himself those two seconds of self-pity before squaring them back up. “Shit. That means there’ll still be a raid tomorrow night.” He checked, unwittingly holding his breath, but couldn’t get much detail. “That only gives us about a day and a half.” He counted off on his fingers as he called out instructions. “We need to put up glamour and force barriers on the rooms, make excuses, reschedule appointments, make sure all my kids have somewhere to stay for the night..."

A groan slipped out. But only one. How he dreaded this last part. “I’ll have to handle the backstage regulars. They would feel slighted if informed through an intermediary.”

While he was appreciative of his higher-paying customers in that they kept the show running, literally and otherwise, they always looked down their noses at him when complications came up. Fuck, he felt a headache coming on already. He pinched the spot just above the bridge of his nose. He’d have to add on the promises of a free service to make sure they kept silent about where they went and who ran the show - and he hated burdening his kids like that.

Hated it with everything in him, but the alternative was worse. He’s not risking any kind of prison cell for anyone.

“Of course, Master. I’ll initiate the protocol and distribute the workload immediately.” A floating schedule appeared next to Siwon, its constituent lines made of light if light could be smoke.

“Thank you. Time for me to get to my part of the work as well.” Heechul watches as Siwon carefully inspects the list and moves to assign each task. He stretches his arms out wide, a satisfying crack sounding in response, as he rotates his neck and searches his mind for where Alyssa is and what she’s doing. He needs her now more than ever. 

While her training had, of course, been intended to prepare her for bigger and better things, he needed that untapped power she was sitting on to pull this off on such short notice. It felt as though he had more to hide this time, more at stake, when in reality, the only new addition to the club was his little witch. A flush took over his cheeks quickly. He’d not felt the need to protect anyone quite so strongly since he’d made Siwon. “Stupid sex magic. Everything is amplified.”

He tried to sound mad about it, but inside, even if only to himself, he had to admit that he was more amazed at just how much change the ritual had wrought in the first place. He also decided then and there that he would not perform any sex magic with another person, ever.

Definitely not if it turned out like this. He didn’t want this with anyone else.

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

No better way to learn, Heechul had insisted, than throwing you in to help with glamouring the back rooms to look like cramped offices and storage space. Everything was tightly coordinated - regimented, even, which was surprising to see in a place usually so loosely and chaotically run. Time constraints would do that, you supposed.

He rattled off instructions and even showed you exactly what you needed to do and say, but your brain was foggy with all the veins of magic flowing through the club. There was an anxiety running through the employees that you couldn’t help but soak up to some extent. “Let’s add empath to the list of things to deal with. That’ll be fun,” you said under your breath, none too pleased with the discovery. Your eyes rolled, but you continued with the task, pride not allowing you to step back and admit defeat.

Maybe even that little voice inside that was happy that Heechul was the one who needed you, for once, instead of the other way around. Just the thought made your ears burn.

Putting up the glamours was the easy part, though. Imbuing them with enough power to stay up for two entire days left you sweating and ravenous. You huffed, taking a second to wipe the sweat off your forehead and sip from the water bottle Mi had brought you hours ago, tossing it on his way past with a small smile and a congenial nod.

When all this work was done, you for sure had to get him to show you that one shade of purple again so you could try to find a matching dye. His hair had only held it for a second earlier.

You were getting distracted again. And you finally noticed that your hands were shaking, too. The strain was getting to you.

“Fucking hell. This shit is for the birds.” Your voice was tired and wavering. Hands on your hips, you stood there admiring the iridescent sheen from the last barrier you put into place. “God damn, I should have eaten first.”

“Such dirty words coming from such a pretty little mouth.” Of course, when you’re a sweaty mess, that’s when Heechul shows up to inspect your work. On his face blooms his signature smirk; after holding your attention on it for a second, he adds, “I like it,” with a ridiculous waggle of his eyebrows.

Damned if it didn’t make you want to kiss him again. You whimpered at the thought and immediately flushed, thinking that while he was still there.

As usual, though, he was gone before you could give the thought any weight.

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

You were carefully not thinking about the absurdity of taking a coffee break in a... house of pleasure where your magic training is happening, the legitimate front half of the building notwithstanding. Even after all the upheaval, there was something sort of amazing about creatures of all sorts here milling about, living their ordinary lives and being themselves. The comfortable atmosphere in this room left you feeling bold enough to lean back against the counter near where the siren was, the dull gray microwave buzzing on the other side of him. You were protected now, right? And his boyfriend was really friendly with you, so that’s gotta count for something.

"Hey," you said, wiggling your fingers in a sheepish wave. He acknowledged you with a sideways glance, but nothing more. After hours working quietly side by side, following his occasional directions about images and dimensions, that didn’t seem odd anymore. "Look, you can tell me if this is out of line, but I'm really curious about something."

"Hmm?" Ryeowook answered absentmindedly, watching Henry and Donghae play-fighting across the room with a fond half-smile. You may have even heard a faint, tuneless humming; couldn’t be sure, but you felt a little bolder, a little more free either way.

"Does the, uh, backstage work affect you at home?" This was so embarrassing to ask about, but you'd been dying of curiosity and this seemed like your best bet to get some answers. Usually, it was your training regimen that left you too drained to make conversation. To be honest, you were still kinda drained; it was hard to tell whether your thoughts made sense, your brain-to-mouth filter just about gone.

When Ryeowook turned to you, though, his brow was furrowed in confusion. "Why would I do work at home? Heechul’s wards and security are far better than anywhere else, even clubs supposedly owned by the very wealthy,” he pointed out, crossing his arms. “I only do work here."

"No, I mean, um," you blushed as your composure slipped further, not wanting to have to spell it out, "you know, you do-" You waved towards the hallway of back rooms. "You do this for work, so does it, uh, when you're at home, does it get in the way of, wait, no, does that cause any problems for you with," you were definitely red as a tomato now, your entire face aflame, "making love?"

But Ryeowook only blinked twice. "If he wanted to, we could."

"Oh! Oh, sorry, I didn't think- Sorry. I shouldn't have assumed. You probably think I'm a jerk now, huh," you admitted clumsily, pursing your lips. I sound like an idiot! This was such a bad idea.

But he only hummed nonchalantly, turning away once more. "Hmm. Well, you wouldn't be the first to assume, only the first to apologize for it," he said offhandedly, taking a sip from his mug. "But it doesn’t matter to me. I suppose I take after my mother that way," he continued in a wistful voice, a touch of sorrow coloring his features. "Keeping my mate safe and happy is my heart's greatest desire."

"That's so sweet!" You cooed, genuinely touched by the sentiment, only to be met with an icy stare as he whirled around to face you.

"Don't know why I'm telling you all this," Ryeowook said while he pushed off from the counter, his tone acrid and sharp as though the words were meant to cut to the bone, his eyebrows drawing together in anger, startling you when he slammed his mug down on the hard surface. "I don’t care if you’re Heechul’s newest, shiniest project. If that's your power,” one peak of his upper lip curled up towards his nose in contempt, “let's not do this again. I need to get back to work."

"But wait, I didn't-" He'd crossed the short distance to the doorway in three quick strides and left before you could finish your sentence. "-do anything," you finished dejectedly, dropping your raised hand. Not that you knew what you were going to do with it anyway. You muttered under to yourself, “‘Make friends,’ he said. Do this, do that, blah blah blah.” Wait a second. Newest project?

What happened to the others?

“Don’t take it too personally,” a genial voice said next to you, cutting off your train of thought. Guess your muttering was louder than you’d realized. “He takes a while to warm up to most people.”

You turned to- not the butler. Mi. Seriously, still not a butler, you hastily reminded yourself. More of a jack of all trades? Maybe it was better not to call a shapeshifter that, so you went with, “You really think it’ll be okay? I feel like I screwed up pretty bad.”

“Welllll, maybe warm up isn’t the right word. But he’ll probably stop being an ass.”

“Probably?” Despite yourself, you laughed, smiling back at Mi’s toothy grin. He patted your shoulder in a friendly way before saying, “Excuse me, I need some tea,” his hair color and the shape of his arms changing three or four times between the microwave and what you’d come to call caffeine central more towards the back of the room.

Still, after the- intimacy you and Heechul had shared so far, the idea that you were one in a long line of projects, to be set aside whenever he decided he’d had his fun, rubbed you the wrong way.

Which not only lingered through your meal, but grew. And grew. And grew bigger still.

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

You stomped down the extravagantly decorated hall, footsteps echoing off the marble tiles that probably set him back more than you cared to think about. A red haze settled in your mind as you mulled over the words Ryeowook spat to you. Hands curled into tight fists, you didn’t bother knocking before making entrance into his office. Hopefully, whatever sights awaited you wouldn’t be something you’d regret seeing, because you were way past caring now.

"So I'm your latest project, am I?" You flung the words at Heechul the very second you walked into the room.

"Feisty today, aren't you."

You wanted to slap him. Something. Anything. Instead you settled on a seethed, "What happened to the others?!"

Heechul laughed. "What happened?" He asked condescendingly, moving his upturned palm in a horizontal arc, his eyes following before landing back on you. "Look around you, darling."

"Argh!" You clenched your fists. Eyes rolling as you wanted to tear your hair out.  "Can't you just say what you goddamn mean for once?!"

But Heechul only sighed. "Really, you could stand to learn to read between the lines. Can't always rely on your power, you know." But as you glared, he seemed to relent a bit, his smile turning amused, his eyes a touch fond. "Haven't you noticed? Those who sincerely come to me for aid... I don't take that lightly. Why, I develop them to the fullest of their talents. How else could I build all this?"

Silence enveloped the room as you looked deep into his unwavering sight. Dammit, you sighed under your breath. He was being honest - well, his version of it anyway. Relenting yourself, you breathed out a long exhale. "...That's it?"

"Yes, that's 'it'. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement. My favorite kind," he finished with a smirk, alluding to extremely pleasant memories of the 'arrangement' already between the two of you.

You took a moment to gather what you wanted to say. His aura gave you a reason to pause. Your words needed to be chosen carefully. You gestured your hands between the two of you. “This? Us? Just me scratching your back and you scratching mine, I’ll assume?”

“We both know what assume means, sweetheart. Let’s not do that.” He turned to walk out, but before he made it through the doorway, he called out over his shoulder, “Good job out there. You’re doing better than I expected.”

Might’ve been better that he looked away before you could flip him off. You tried sending it mentally anyway, pleased to faintly hear his distinctive laugh. At that point, you didn’t know if the warmth in your heart that you felt a moment later was his or your own.

He kept getting you all mixed up like that.

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

Donghae was speaking in hushed tones with Heechul when you rounded the corner. He noticed you coming in and moved to intercept you as the man you wanted made his smooth escape, right back into the office you’d just vacated. Damnit. “Come on, Alyssa, follow me. You need to let off some steam.” Objecting, you pointed towards the doorway where you were trying to go, because Heechul kept escaping conversation like some sort of extremely beautiful eel, but Donghae wrapped his hand firmly around your wrist, steering you in a completely different direction. “Your work is done for now. The boss has some things to tend to. He asked me to help you get some frustration out.”

Before he crossed the threshold to a room new to you, he looked at you, waggling his eyebrows. “I’m more than happy to help, Lys.” He giggled at your huffed response as he pulled you out a side door and a few buildings over into what looked like a gym at a country club, just on a smaller scale. Taking in the sights before you, your brain reeled at the possibilities of what Heechul was going to have you working on now.

“It’s not like I’m not appreciative for a break, but is physical fitness really important to my training? I’m fit enough, but…” Donghae shushed you with a finger to your lips.

Eyebrow raised, he explained. “This isn’t just gym class. Boss asked me to evaluate your skills. See where you are so we’ll know where to start.” You wondered what he was talking about. Surely you wouldn’t be stranded without your powers? He grinned as though he knew exactly what you were thinking. “Come on, just think of it as a bit of stress relief. Let me show you what I want you to be able to do.” He proceeded to throw a few punches, one sequence after another. A minute became more as he got more focused. 

You allowed your eyes to roam his form as he continued his session. The thick, corded muscles from his biceps down his back, his ass just as shapely as his chest was, even to his hips as they tightened and flexed as he danced around the hanging heavy bag. A small sheen of sweat coated his forehead as he threw hit after hit. You even noticed how his tongue was situated between his teeth at the corner of his mouth. It was cute, but then, you took his figure in again in its very nice entirety.

If anything, you were getting more frustrated, though certainly not the way he’d intended.

You weren’t blind. Donghae was fit. That was the simplest way to put it. But the way he moved around the bag gracefully almost had you forgetting he was a supernatural creature. His eyes had a dangerous focus blazing in them, and you shuddered to think of those who would be on the receiving end of an angry version of this barrage. You couldn’t help but find it attractive, mentally thanking Heechul for suggesting this break; truth be told, you didn’t even try to stop your gaze from going wherever it was drawn to. Oh, the things you could imagine...

He stopped at hearing a whine from you, his eyebrow raised high. For a second, you were irrationally terrified that he could read your thoughts too. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were staring, hard.” He looked none too surprised by that - amused, if anything.

Fuck. At least he couldn’t see what I was thinking. You stuttered out some nonsense, words failing you at the fact that he’d caught you drooling over him.

Eyes shut in embarrassment, you didn’t notice him move, which is why you ended up jumping in surprise when you heard his voice in your ear. “This is delicious. Thanks for the free meal.”

“I...” Damn this anxiety. “Hey wait, I didn’t tell you that you could do that!” He rolled his eyes, and, really, you could tell you needed to concentrate so you could get done and leave. For your sanity’s sake. You stepped to the bag and looked at him, wide-eyed and ready for his instruction without any further distractions. Hopefully.

He chuckled. “Let’s see what you got. Give me a few good sequences and we’ll call it a day. And I promise I won’t tell Heechul that you were eyeing me like a piece of meat. Besides, it’s my job to do the ogling around here.” He winked, making you feel a bit weak in the knees.

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

“As I mentioned, we unfortunately have a highly contagious bout of illness, and thus, those facilities are unavailable for a couple of nights. We can reschedule your appointment if you would just come this way.”

“You’re a goddamned liar! Lemme back there!” Regular though this man may be, at the moment, he seemed to be doing his best to make the saying that hell is other people a reality. Heechul’s temper reached its last frayed thread.

“You, sir, need to calm the hell down. You’re at a fifteen and I need you at, like, a seven,” Heechul snidely commented as the regular patron threw every excuse in the book at him as to why he should be allowed inside even if no one else is there. The growl that rumbled at the back of his throat was deep and raspy, full of rage as the patron tried to push his way from the front waiting room onto the main floor. Heechul called out in a dead language - and suddenly, the snarling long-time customer was frozen on the spot.

The thread snapped.

No longer willing to hold back, Heechul took a deep sigh of relief as he got right in front of the now confused man. “I told you, countless times,” he emphasized as he bared his teeth, “we are closed for the next couple of nights. I can see that you refuse to take my words seriously, not even attempting to cooperate.” His hand glided up to the patron’s face as his nail traced his red, splotchy cheek. “What you fail to realize is just who,” Heechul took that same nail and raked it from the patron’s temple to his lips, leaving a deep, seeping wound behind, “I am.” Taking the customer’s chin in his other hand, he jerks the man’s head in the direction of the floor.

Seconds later, Heechul had drawn a crude symbol on the marble. “You will never step foot in this establishment again. Should you even try, I will know. I will hunt you down and tear you limb from limb. And I will enjoy every single second of it,” he hissed, face contorting in unbridled rage. Then he stood, straightening to his full height as the doors flew open.

As Heechul walked towards the doors, the man who was still immobile was moved to the opening. His body seemed to fly as he let out a terrified scream. 

“I don’t ever want to see you here again.” Heechul turned on his heel to walk away. He tilted his head a few degrees towards the sound when he heard Mi’s firm “Sir”, but didn’t falter in his step, as he had more important things to deal with. His favorite shapeshifter could handle the situation however he saw fit. Trash disposed of, Heechul added the area to be monitored more closely in addition to his typical security alert set, along with making a mental note to check his crew for potential teleporting capability or an ability to learn quickly so he could evaluate offering security training and shifts. There were plenty enough to rotate at the front and connecting doors, but in the back rooms...

That’s where danger turned on a dime.

Breathing slowly, Heechul ran his hand over the back of his neck. Problem after problem continued to appear. If he couldn’t entice some of the other customers to fill in those appointments, cover the disruption, it’d be two months at most before he had to evaluate dipping into the stash. The guilt of it ate at him whenever he couldn’t keep it entirely at bay. The ex-noble’s possessions were Heechul’s by right, but he hated exercising that option; Siwon was loyal, and good at his job, and would never turn down the request.

That it benefitted his safety as well as everyone in his employ was not as comforting as it should have been. Taking from it, even with permission, still felt like stealing. I need a drink.

No time. Back to work.

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

The static took over your vision as you saw bits and pieces of something happening. Grainy images and darkened tones did not help. Even as your eyes closed, you squeezed them tighter and found you could see through someone else at the moment, someone tall and weighed down by something. Equipment? What could- You could hear a sinister cackle to your right but the current head you were occupying wouldn’t turn so you could see who it was. Though, if your memory served you well enough, it sounded like Claude and he was headed somewhere with a mission.

You studied the surroundings of the overly dressed-up group of men you were envisioning. Sidewalks, street lamps, old brick. “Shit!” You yelled out, gasping for breath as your feet began to move without you willing them to. You couldn’t be bothered to apologize for knocking into the others as you dashed to where Heechul’s magic was emanating strongest.

The doorway to his office was shut with a supernatural energy, but somehow, your inner self anticipated it. Without breaking stride, your palm came up and a small glow emanated from it. Light enveloped the door, causing its edges to hum, opening to you silently but swiftly.

“They’re coming.” Your eyes darted around the room, taking in the sights of Heechul’s closest and most trusted. Gulping, feeling like you couldn’t get enough oxygen, you panted, “It’s happening early. The...” A boom against the barred doors down at the end of the hallway sounded throughout the club. “The raid. Claude got- someone to bump up the time frame.” Heechul was by your side in an instant as the rest of the crew flew out of the room, knowing exactly what they needed to do.

Author’s note: mad props to @thesirenandtheking​. An amazing sounding board, wonderful aesthetic maker when it comes to setting, and SUJU knowledge!!! Couldn’t do this without you.

[blessed-but-distressed]

Cross My Heart (3/31)

All Sheriff Emma Swan wanted was a bit of the quiet life. Why else would she take a job in Storybrooke, Maine, where deer outnumber people? But when a local woman turns up murdered, Emma quickly realizes she might be out of her depth. Enter Killian Jones, 17th century buccaneer turned vampire, who might just have the kind of unique perspective on the crime she is looking for. It’s a shaky alliance, but when Emma’s past comes back to bite her, she might just discover how handy having a vampire around can be. 

A Captain Swan Supernatural Summer AU.

also on ff.net and ao3 

Rated M for Mature Readers. Trigger warnings for blood, gore, violence, sexual references, blood sharing, mental manipulation and major character deaths.

This here is a murder mystery with vampires in it, and it plays out accordingly. You get what you pay for.

This is my contribution to the Captain Swan Supernatural Summer event. Many thanks to my pseudo-attorney @distant-rose for her art, her positivity, and her commitment to getting the gross details just about right. A big thank you also to @kmomof4 for putting the @cssns together, and for asking me to take part. And thanks to Eric Northman, for some inspiration.

Chapter Three

On the whole, Emma tried to avoid spending too much time in morgues.

It wasn’t just the cloying smell of formaldehyde, which clung to her clothes for the rest of the day. Or the thermostat set at a chilly 40 degrees. It wasn’t even the idea of being trapped in a windowless basement with a whole bunch of dead people. Though, gross.

For your garden variety deaths, your heart attacks and car accidents, the body was usually farmed out to the funeral parlor the next town over, who would handle everything. For the more interesting cases though, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner would get involved, transferring the body down South for an autopsy.

Kathryn Nolan’s was an interesting case.

Which meant if Emma didn’t want to wait a month for the official autopsy report, she would have to get in good with the Medical Examiner. The Medical Examiner who was currently dodging her calls.

“I’ll flip you for it?” she pleaded, as Graham rummaged in the break room cabinet in search of more coffee filters.

“You already owe me for the press conference,” he pointed out, emerging from the cabinet empty handed and scowling. “Do we still have that paper towel in the storage closet?”

“They have a Dunks in Augusta…” Emma cajoled.

She sensed a flicker of interest from him, but only a flicker. In the end, his principles won out, and he shook his head defiantly. “I’ve been pulling doubles for you all week. I’m not driving to Augusta and back just because you want to avoid seeing one of your old hook ups.”

She really needed to stop telling him things.

She held his gaze for a long moment, but his resolve didn’t break. Son of a bitch.

“Fine!” Emma relented, reaching over to grab the keys for the patrol car off their hook. “I’ll go. But don’t think I’m bringing you back any Boston Kremes. You’ve shown where your loyalties really lie.”

Graham seemed to realize his grave error then, face contorting in pain at the very mention of his favorite treat.

“Nuh, uh,” Emma warned, waggling a finger in front of his face. “You had your chance. I hope you like jelly, you traitor.”

To call Dr Victor Whale an old hook up was pushing it. It was a one time thing, ages ago. A darkened bar, two counties from home. He was just a charming smile after a long line of shots. It wasn’t her fault he worked at the State Police Crime Lab. It wasn’t like he’d volunteered that information at the time. There hadn’t been a whole lot of talking, from what she remembered. Though if she was being honest, that wasn’t a lot.

He must’ve remembered at least a little, though, because a definite look of panic crossed his face when he saw her standing by the door to the laboratory, file in hand.

“Relax, Doctor,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “I’m not here for a paternity suit.”

He chuckled, but the way his shoulders relaxed underneath his lab coat convinced Emma she’d been right on the money with that one.

“Emma Swan,” she said, reaching over to shake his hand, saving him the trouble of having to remember her name. “I’m actually here about a dead woman.”

“No shortage of those here,” Whale said, breaking contact to stretch his arms wide. “We’ve got every make and model. Cheerleaders. Housewives. Grandmas. Society queens. Or if you’re looking for something a touch more exotic, our night time receptionist is of the walking, talking, bloodsucking variety. So, what can I do you for, Sheriff?”

He’d clocked her badge at her hip, then. Always a good sign to have a medical examiner who noticed the little details.

“You’ll remember mine. Kathryn Nolan? She had her heart missing. I heard you were the one who did the autopsy?”

It was almost comical, how fast his devil-may-care grin slid into a grimace.

“Kathryn,” he nodded solemnly. “Of course.”

“Great. Feel like answering some of my questions?”

He hesitated, running a hand through his short platinum hair. “I feel like I should warn you my full report won’t be ready for a couple weeks. The labs are still backed up from Christmas, and…”

“And I’ve got someone in my town who likes to carve out women's hearts,” Emma interrupted. “I’ll take your work-in-progress.”

He blinked. Just once.

“Alright then. She’s down in the freezer. Follow me.”

The building was labyrinthine, and Emma quickly lost her bearings amidst the institutional grey speckled walls, and rows of identical white doors. But as they descended the stairs down into the sub-basement, she came to understand why they called it “the freezer.” She hugged her arms more tightly around herself as the good doctor led her into a pristine white examination room that had never known the joys of central heating.

Probably for the best, all things considered.

“Kathryn Nolan,” Whale repeated to himself, picking up a clipboard and running his finger down the page. “Seems to be behind door number 3. You want a look at her?”

In Emma’s mind, want didn’t really come into it. Fighting her better instincts, she nodded, then stood back as Whale tucked the clipboard under his arm and pulled open the nearest cold storage locker. With a small grunt of effort he slid the steel drawer free until the figure under the white sheet lay between them.

Dragging her eyes from the shape beneath the sheet, Emma looked up to see Whale watching her. Waiting for some sign of distress, maybe. She figured this was probably the juncture where most people would start with the hyperventilating and the vomiting. Fortunately, Emma was not most people. This wasn’t her first rodeo. And even it is had been, she would never give him the satisfaction.

She held his gaze firmly as he pulled back the sheet.

“This your girl?”

Kathryn looked better than the last time Emma had seen her. Not that that was all that hard. But someone had definitely cleaned her up, removed all the river debris and brushed her hair out.   

“I’m guessing you’ve established cause of death, Doctor?”

His grin was wry. “Well, I might’ve gone to a State School, but even I couldn’t miss the gaping hole in her chest where her heart used to be.”

Emma blanched. “They took out the heart while she was still alive?”

“That’s my working theory. Massive chest trauma. She was definitely dead before she hit the water, anyway. The condition she arrived in made it a little hard to determine whether her other injuries were sustained before or after her swim in the river, but I didn’t spot anything else that looked particularly lethal.”

Seeing the look on Emma’s face, Whale hurriedly continued.

“Of course, there’s every chance she wasn’t conscious at the time. We’re still waiting on the toxicology to come back, but she might’ve been drugged. There weren’t any ligature marks on her wrists or ankles, and that’s rather telling. I doubt your girl would’ve just kept still while someone hacked into her.”

Emma remembered the woman who outpaced her on the treadmill, week after week. No, that didn’t seem like Kathryn’s MO.

“So they used a knife? Like a hunting knife?”

“That’s probably a good bet. I’ve taken some moulds of the grooves left in the ribs. I might be able to narrow that down for you. But my best guess at the moment is you’re looking at a substantial blade. 10 inches maybe. They weren’t fucking around.”

Emma wondered if that was the medically appropriate term.

“Good news is,” Whale pointed out, “whoever your killer is, they probably aren’t too smart, and they’re definitely not medically trained. I did some reading about this. It isn’t easy to rip out a human heart directly from the chest. There’s the sternum and the ribs to contend with. It takes a lot of strength to cut or break through them, and a lot of  time. It’s messy. The victim doesn’t die right away. Compare that with, say, the Aztecs, who practised heart-extraction as part of some rituals. They’d slice below the ribs with a sharp rock, and rip the heart out from below. It’s fast, efficient, and relatively easy to accomplish with little more than a scalpel and your hand.”

He indicated the angry wound marring Kathryn’s chest. “That’s not the route your killer chose to take. Ergo, not too bright.”

Or maybe they just appreciated the spectacle of it.

“You get anything I could use to find this guy?”

Whale shrugged, lifting the sheet back over Kathryn’s face. “After a couple of days in that river, you’d be lucky to find any useful trace evidence. We sent everything we had off for analysis, but I don’t like your odds. ”

Emma frowned. “You think she was in the water the whole time, then? She was killed the day she disappeared?”

“That’s my opinion. It’s hard to say for sure. The decaying process is delayed when the body is submerged in water, especially when it’s this cold. But the body was already showing signs of putrefaction, so she’d probably been out there the full five days. That’s not forgetting the lack of ligature marks, which suggest she wasn’t held for any length of time. If you’re thinking this was a kidnapping, then I’d say they used some kind of drug to incapacitate her, in the short term. Unfortunately, the condition of the body makes it hard to determine how it might’ve entered her system. You’d have to wait for the tox screen to know what you’re dealing with.”

“So you’re saying it could be anyone?” Emma sighed, rubbing her eyes with the heel of her hand.

“Well,” Whale considered. “Anyone with a hunting knife and a certain amount of patience. They didn’t do this by accident. They meant to rip her heart out. If you consider how much strength it would take to saw through the sternum, you’re probably looking at a male, or especially strong woman. Hard to gauge height by the angle of grooves in the ribs, because she was probably on her back at the time, but the marks definitely skew left. So he was probably right-handed.”

“So he’s strong, right-handed man, then?” Emma summed up.

It didn’t really narrow down the field much, and the apologetic look Whale shot her way said he knew it.

“And he probably knew her,” Whale added. “Or surprised her. I didn’t spot a lot of obvious defensive wounds. So whoever they are, they must’ve gotten pretty close before they incapacitated her.”

A strong, right-handed man, who was familiar to her, then.

As if that didn’t describe nearly the entire male population of Storybrooke to a T.

Swallowing back her disappointment, Emma extended her hand again. “Thanks for your time, Doc. I look forward to your full report.”

He looked at her hand, but he didn’t accept it. Instead he let his lips curve into what could only be described a salacious grin. “I get off in an hour. I don’t suppose you-”

“I think that would be a spectacularly bad idea,” Emma said firmly, snatching her hand back and cutting him off before he could dig himself any further. And then, because she couldn’t help herself, “Do you normally try to seduce the police officers investigating the deaths of your patients?”

“Only the hot ones,” he replied, maybe a little too honestly. “And I seem to remember we had fun together.”

Emma doubted he remembered that much. She certainly didn’t.

“Yeah, I’m not really interested in jeopardizing my murder investigation with a repeat performance.”

Whale held a finger to his lips, letting loose what she was sure someone had once told him was a panty dropping smile. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”

The next time Emma got it into her head to take a man to bed, she was going to make sure she was across state lines first. Hell, maybe even across the border. Anything to ensure she never, ever found herself in this situation again.

“As tempting as that sounds,” she said, with forced sincerity, “I think I’m gonna pass. No,” she said, holding up a hand as he moved closer. “It’s okay. I can see myself out.”

Twenty minutes and a few wrong turns later, Emma was back in the patrol car again, heater blasting, scrolling through her contacts with numb fingers.

“Graham, hey. Bad time?”

“Is there any other time?” he drawled.

Emma stifled her eye roll. “You’re funny, you know that? I knew I kept you around for a reason.”

“That and my charming personality,” he pointed out.

“Of course,” she agreed. “Can’t forget that. Any chance you put those charms to work and got Michael Tillman to open the garage for you?”

“Yeah, but I don’t know what I’m looking for. Didn’t we already dust and bag everything in Kathryn’s car?”

“We thought so, but back then this was just a disappearance. Now it’s a murder. Check again. Especially the backseat.”

“The backseat?” Graham repeated.

“Kathryn was driving from home to the office when she disappeared. It’s a straight line, and she had no reason to deviate. So either she stopped for someone, or they were already in the car when she got in. Check the backseat.”

“If I find anything, do I earn myself a Boston Kreme?” he asked hopefully.

“You find anything, I’ll buy you a whole box.”

[bittykimmy13]

Gallery Walk (GT) (Part 1/2)

This is prompt from the 100 (GT) Themes Challenge. Feel free to send a number/word from the list for me to write about, and a specific character to go along with it, if you like!

This is the 8th installment of An Extra Roommate! Introducing Zoe!

Here are the other prompts that I’ve filled for the challenge!

Cassandra's heart fluttered with a sense of trepidation that never quite eased when she was away from her nook. There was something particularly nervewracking about being in Zoe's room, though the borrower found herself returning to it for the third time that week.

The room was cluttered as ever--a borrower's dream, as far as hiding places and knickknacks to claim. The bed existed in a permanent state of unmade with the sheets tossed haphazardly atop it, and the desk was cluttered with sketchbooks and crumpled papers, which only left the floor free for art projects in need of drying.

Lily had been the one to suggest that Cassandra visit Zoe's room if she was bored--but only while the dorm was completely empty, of course. And bored Cassandra was. She was stocked up with plenty of supplies and food.

She would be picking way through perishables for the next few days, which meant she didn't have borrowing to occupy her time. She didn't want to read, either; it was much more enjoyable to share a novel with Lily.

So while the humans were away at their classes, Cassandra had taken to exploring--something she never would have seen herself doing for fun until Lily inspired the confidence in her.

"She's a great artist, you know," Lily had said offhandedly just last week. "If you're ever in the mood to stretch your legs, it'd be worth checking out her stuff. Just don't step on anything--she'll notice."

That wasn't surprising, as Zoe seemed quite protective of her projects. Even before noting Lily's warning, Cassandra had overheard commotion more than once: Zoe shooing her friends away from her bedroom and slamming the door shut, exclaiming that her paint was still wet, or her project was unfinished.

It almost felt like a particularly risky adventure, getting to see what the girls of the dorm were barred from.

It proved to be a nice distraction, too.

Cassandra returned to her home only once since discovering Vince had rifled through her storage, along with the note claiming he wanted to return to her. She wouldn't have returned if she could help it, but all her things were down there. There was no need to bring any food, Lily said. Only her other essentials--clothes, climbing gear, bags.

The hope was that if Vince returned, he would see her belongings gone and think she had abandoned the space in the walls for good. The food was all his if he wanted it. Though resolute in her decision, Cassandra's stomach did backflips while she had retrieved her things, terrified that Vince would be waiting for her or would show up while she was clearing the place out.

He didn't show, but that didn't stop her from thinking over and over what he would say if she found out she was moving her belongings to the bottom shelf of Lily's bookcase.

There was no telling how long the setup would last. Lily assured Cassandra that she was more than welcome to stay as long as Lily was still living in the dorm. With winter break months away, they had time to sort things out.

For now, Cassandra was content enough living behind a stack of books on the shelf. The space didn't feel quite as homey as she was used to. The books could be used to create barriers, she supposed--something to divide her makeshift bed from her storage area--but she felt embarrassed at the thought of asking Lily to accommodate her any further. She was doing Cassandra a kindness enough by sharing her room.

Cassandra shook those thoughts away and focused instead on seeing how Zoe's work was coming along.

A thick sheet lay upon the carpet, along with several cups of all sizes containing murky water. Two sets of watercolor palettes lay beside the sheet, some pans still damp.

"Wow," Cassandra breathed, leaning over the painting while being careful not to disturb it.

Up close, it wasn't easy to distinguish the deep green forest that Zoe had painted, but even so, Cassandra was thoroughly impressed by the detail that had been added since she'd last visited. She needed a higher vantage point, and luckily the bed had proved to be perfect during her previous venture.

No sooner than she'd started unwinding her climbing rope, a noise came from the main area of the dorm that made her flinch back violently--straight into one of the smaller containers.

Water sloshed across the corner of the sheet, staining across the dark forest floor like an unexpected flood.

Cassandra clamped a hand over her mouth, eyes darting over the mess she'd made while a human voice floated from the front entrance of the dorm. It was Lily.

"Can't believe Jones let us out early!" There was an awkward tightness to Lily's voice. It was a warning to Cassandra to hide quickly if she was out and about in the kitchen or living room.

"Uh… yeah," came Zoe's reply, though she didn't pursue Lily's strange tone. "Anyway, naptime for me. Wake me when before noon, huh?"

"Sure thing," Lily answered as Cassandra scrambled to hide under Zoe's bed. There was no way she could sneak past, not with Zoe's footsteps already beginning to tremor through the floor as she approached her room.

Ducking behind the nearest leg of the bed, Cassandra squeezed her eyes shut. The door swung open, and the ground gave a particularly frightening shake as Zoe flung her bag carelessly to the corner. Before Cassandra could begin to hope that the human would simply lay down and fall asleep, Zoe gave a strangled gasp.

Cassandra dared to peek out from the shadows, her blood turning to ice when she saw Zoe's gaze was pointed in her general direction.

But she was looking at her ruined painting.

The human's short black hair seemed to curl at the tips as she stared, her burgundy-painted lips forming a perfect 'o'. Her eyes went from glazed with shock, to glowing like blue flames.

She whirled on her heel. "Who's been in my room!" Her shout made Cassandra cover her ears and whimper. The angrier the human got, the faster she spoke, sentences running into each other. "Who's been in--I'm going to kill--do you have any idea how long it took me to--Lily!"

Lily had already strode into Cassandra's view, standing just shy of the doorway and looking wide-eyed. "Shh! What's going on?"

"I left earlier than you," Zoe seethed. "Did you see Amelie or Nat go into my room? M-my painting--there's water all over--someone spilled--"

"Calm down!" Lily advised, stepping over to see what the fuss was about. She frowned at the painting, and perhaps it was because she had gotten so used to seeking out Cassandra, her eyes landed on the borrower peeking out from behind her hiding place almost immediately.

Even after weeks and weeks of knowing her, Cassandra felt a thrill of fear race through her veins when Lily spotted her on the ground.

They shared a brief look, Cassandra's heart pounding away while tears tickled the corners of her eyes. She ducked away swiftly in case Zoe followed Lily's line of sight.

"Well?" Zoe demanded. "Did you see--"

"I-I… I did it," Lily croaked.

"You… what--what were you doing in my room?" Zoe snapped, and Cassandra could just imagine her eyes widening furiously.

Lily stammered for a few seconds before settling on her story. "I c-couldn't find Slaughterhouse Five, I thought you had borrower--borrowed it, so I came in. I didn't see the cup. I thought it was just a few drops and that it would dry up without leaving a mark, I swear."

With a snarl, Zoe stalked off, maybe to calm down before she ripped her best friend limb from limb. Whatever the case, the ground shook with the approach of a human, making Cassandra nearly jump out of her skin.

"C'mon, c'mon, Cassie," Lily breathed.

The shadows around Cassandra darkened as a giant hand presented itself beside her. She didn't think twice about scrambling aboard, holding tight to Lily's ring finger as she swept her off the ground.

Before Lily got halfway through a whispered, "Are you okay?", Zoe's voice sliced through the air like a knife.

"Why are you still in here?" she demanded angrily, storming back into the room. "You're going to ruin something else--"

Lily let out a cry of surprise as Zoe gripped her shoulder and sharply tugged to turn her around. It left her no time to cover Cassandra or hide her away.

In an instant, the room was drenched with an awful silence. Though Cassandra had her head down while she cowered against Lily's fingers, she was very much aware that she was exposed. The room around her darkened as Lily's other hand draped over her, but it was too late.

The other human had seen her.

[lynestvstoriesblr]

THE SAGA OF ELIJAH AND GERTRUD: PARALLEL LIVES CHAPTER 4B-2:APART AND TOGETHER I DID IT! I REALLY DID IT!! CH.4 IS COMPLETE! AS ALWAYS, COMMENT  AND ENJOY!!!!!!

“Here we are, kids” The landlord let them in to their new apartment. Elijah was glad the guy was in front of him, for the newspaper ad for this place stretched the truth way too much and Elijah’s smile faded way too fast. The whole apartment was basically one room and not too overly big a room in the first place. The ad had implied that this place came fully finished, but aside from the supplies for the tiny kitchen, the only furniture that Elijah saw, was a single lamp, a lounge chair, a small black & white TV set that was perched rather unsafely on top a step stool. A pair of mismatched lawn chairs and one of those big wooden spools they used to store industry cables turned up served as a makeshift dining set. That was it. In fact, Elijah didn’t even see a major piece of furniture.

“Uh, where’s the bed?” He asked the landlord.

“Right behind the curtain. It’s a Murphy bed. When you want to sleep, just move the chair out of the way and bring it down. In the morning, it goes right back up again.”

Elijah silently nodded. He was wondering what double curtains would be doing in the middle of a wall. He supposed it was some of the storage space the ad boasted about but no. So far, the only closet Elijah had found was the small closet opposite the door.

“Well, I’ve got to go.” The landlord announced, “Your extra keys are on the counter in the kitchen. Goodnight.”

Elijah waited until the door closed before he exploded. “Goodnight! As if he doesn’t know that he’s royally ripping us off!  Gertrud, I don’t mean to be a snob, darling, but I think we should go right back downstairs and demand our money back. We can’t live here! You have to make sure the front door is shut just to find the bathroom! In fact, name me 1 good thing about this place.”

Gertrud who had been arranging their bags in the corner, straightened. “I can name 2, Liebchen. The landlord didn’t ask to see a marriage license and this apartment was available sight unseen.”

“Of course it was available sight unseen! For what idiot would come see this place and knowingly return to buy it?” Elijah raged, “This is way too small. We could never keep a baby in here.”

“Then I guess it’s a good thing he or she is not showing up tonight.” Gertrud said sensibly before she walked over to Elijah and took his hands in hers. “All that really matters right now is that we’re together, right?   It’s been an extraordinary long and stressful day, darling, and all I want to is sleep.   Could you please move that chair so we can pull down the bed?”

Elijah had always been a sucker for Gertrud’s prefect blue eyes. He honestly thought that Gertrud could talk him into starting World War 3 if she really wanted to. So, he moved the lounge chair and pushed it up against the wall, next to the lamp. Then he and Gertrud bought down the Murphy bed together or at least, they tried to. It seemed that t he bed was simply too long for the room. The end of it seemed to be struck in the wall between the living room and the kitchen. Elijah went to the edge and tried to push it down by hand. It wouldn’t budge. Elijah got down on his hand and knees to have a closer look. It was shocking to him that the bed was a good 4 or 5 inches off the ground.

“This is just too much! As if the small place wasn’t enough, now they expect us to sleep in an uneven bed? I think we should leave. What do you think, Gertrud? Gertrud? Gertrud!”

Worried when his love didn’t answer, Elijah got up. What he saw drained all his anger and left his heart overflowing with love. For there, on her side of the bed and still fully dressed, Gertrud laid, already fast asleep. It was little wonder, considering the very long and busy day Gertrud had just finished telling him about. They had both been rudely awaken at  6 AM when a nurse came into his room and kicked Gertrud out. Gertrud then walked all the way across town, to the apartment building where he and Gertrud lived with   different roommates under the ruse that they were cousins. When she got there, Gertrud couldn’t say she was altogether surprised to discover that her roommate, Erica, had thrown all of her and Elijah’s things into the gutter. Sitting on the curb, Gertrud patiently sorted out all of their  things. Folding the clothes and placing them and other belongings in their proper suitcases while putting all her jewelry and other finery in her purse. Gertrud went to the Gotham train station to rent a locker where she put the bags for the day with only enough time for her to rush off to start her 9:00 AM shift at Queenie’s hair salon on time. Armed with a phonebook, Gertrud used her lunch and other breaks to call the many; many pawn shops in the huge city, trying to figure out which one would give her the most bang for her buck. She went to the one that sounded the most promising right after getting off work at 3. She augured with the owner a bit. In the end, Gertrud left with less money than she had hoped for but still a fair amount to get the young couple started. With zero time to spare, Gertrud hopped a bus to get to her second job at a bar and grill. Again, all her free time was spent on the phone. This time, Gertrud was house hunting. Searching for apartment with low rent, would allow she and Elijah could live together in the same unit and was move in ready. A tall order, she knew, but at the last possible second, she has found one that sounded perfect. At 8, Gertrud returned to hospital to get Elijah. It happened to be hospital policy that heart patients only be released into the custody of family members so Elijah had to wait all day for his ‘cousin’ Gertrud to show up. When Elijah heard of this policy, he was shocked but very soon, his shock turned to fury. First, a completely unneeded overnight stay and now, this! In Elijah’s opinion, he had wasted an entire day! He was forced to cancel a double shift he was due to work today and leave the entire running around to Gertrud. By 8:30, he was a free man and he and Gertrud went to the train station to collect their bags. It was dark before they found their new building and stepped into the landlord’s office. Add all that on top of her 24/7 job of growing their baby inside of her and it was no wonder why the woman was already asleep!

“Maybe living here won’t be so bad.” Elijah said to himself as he turned on the lamp. Besides, Gertrud was right. All that mattered right now was that they were together. Since there was no other way around the bed, Elijah walked passed the dinning area and through the kitchen, coming out the other side. There, he searched through the bags until he found his nightclothes and one of Gertrud’s nightgowns. He threw the PJs on the bed. Then, because it was easiest, Elijah took off Gertrud’s shoes and stockings first then gently turned her onto her back. Taking her nightgown, Elijah knelt down and he rolled up the nightgown by the neck hole and laid it in his lap. Next, he unfastened the buttons on the front of her dress. Gertrud gave a small moan of protest when Elijah took hold of her forearms and gently raised her up into a sitting position.

“Elijah?” she questioned, without opening her eyes. “What are you doing?”

I’m practicing, darling. Dressing and undressing for when the baby comes.” Elijah smiled at his own answer.

“Oh…okay.” Amazingly, while she still sitting up, Gertrud’s head dipped slightly to the side and she was asleep once more.

It took a bit of tricky moving on his part, but somehow Elijah managed to get Gertrud’s arms out of her dress, got the nightgown over her head and her arms into the correct sleeves. As he did so, Elijah wondered why was it that sometimes it’s more intimate to dress a woman for bed then to undress her. Gertrud was still in his arms when Elijah un-tucked the bed and pulled the blanket back as far as he could before he gently laid her down and rested her head upon the pillow. He then lifted up her rear to slip the dress off of her legs and pulled down the rest of the gown and pulled the blankets back further before he put down her legs and covered her with the blankets. After getting up, Elijah quickly got into his own nightclothes, folded his own day clothes along with Gertrud’s dress and left it on the baggage.

“Goodnight, my love.” Elijah whispered and kissed her cheek as he switched off the main light and journeyed back to his side of the bed. After spending all day doing nothing but waiting in or around a hospital bed, Elijah wasn’t exactly tired at the moment. So, he turned on the black and white TV set as he passed that way, turning off the lamp and relaxed in bed. He watched it on mute, of course, as so not to disturb Gertrud. An hour later, Gertrud rolled over in her sleep and snuggled close to Elijah’s side while he placed an arm around her and rubbed her back. After 2 hours, Elijah’s eyes began to droop and he cursed the fates that his new TV didn’t come with a remote control. After many attempts, Elijah finally got up and turned the television off. Returning to bed, Elijah realized he hadn’t cuddled up to Gertrud like this in ages. Elijah smiled; maybe this rat hole had really good hidden benefits after all.

 It was only 3 nights later, when Elijah came home from working a triple shift. From the moment he opened the front door, he knew something was off. There were certainly signs of life in the apartment.  All the lights were on as was the TV.  Her history books were also all open and on the table, complete with a pad filled with notes and a pen that lay nearby. There was only one problem however; there was no sign of Gertrud.

So, Elijah called out to her. “Gertrud?”

“In here, Lib” the last word was lost to sounds of vomiting and chocking.

Worried now, Elijah quickly pocketed his keys, shut the front door and turned to look in the bathroom. There he saw Gertrud kneeing before the toilet, holding her hair off to one side. Elijah wetted a facecloth and knelt by Gertrud, giving her the cloth and rubbing her back.

“Morning sickness again? Poor Gertrud, I though you outgrew this when you finished your first trimester.”

“Oh, I know.” Gertrud agreed. “But just made a very sudden and a very unwelcome return.”

Gertrud waited a few minutes to make sure she was truly finished then she wiped her mouth again just she sat back and laid her head on Elijah’s shoulder. “Do you think this could be related to the cramps?”

She of course, was referring to the fierce cramps she had the night before. At the time, Gertrud had panicked badly, fearing that she was in the middle of a miscarriage. It was Elijah who calmed her down when he showed her a passage in the pregnancy book that stated that cramps were normal in a pregnancy. Gertrud still wanted to call 911, but Elijah convinced her to wait a bit. Sure enough, the cramps were gone within an hour.

“My poor Gertrud.” Elijah repeated. “This pregnancy been tough on you.”

“It’s alright.” She smiled. “It all fades into nothing when I think of how much I want this baby, our baby.”

Elijah grinned. “Me too.”

They cuddled a bit in silence. Meanwhile, the TV continued to play on in the next room.

“Breaking news this hour, as an apartment fire explodes in downtown Gotham tonight. Police do not suspect foul play. The building located on 58th street and 6 ave.- “ Elijah tensed as Gertrud gasped loudly.

Elijah was the first to recover his voice. “58&6th? That’s”

“The Martin’s building.” Gertrud finished for him.

Quickly, they both got off the bathroom floor and dashed into the other room. They were shell-shocked to see an apartment building engulfed in flames on the screen. A building they lived in only 5 days before.

The reporter went on. “The fire seemed to have started on the 9th floor.”

Elijah’s heart leapt into his throat. “Oh, Gertrud!”

“It’s even worst than seems, dearest. I fear the fire didn’t only start on my floor, but in my apartment, if not even in my room.”

Elijah was beside himself. “What?! How can you tell?”

Gertrud went closer and pointed her finger to the screen. “Look, notice how the window that’s busted up the most was the 5th one on the left? Well, the 5th window on the 9th floor was my bedroom window.”

Elijah listened to the rest of the report before taking Gertrud into his arms. “Well, at least no one was hurt.”

“Yeah,” She agreed with him but Elijah could still feel her shaking.

 There were only 3 windows in the whole apartment and in a desperate attempt to find some cool, fresh air; Elijah had already tried 2 of them. He opened the third and was disappointed to find the same stale, hot air that came out of the other two. How was he supposed to know that such a rainy spring would turn into one of the hottest summers on record? Giving up on air, Elijah returned to the table, took a long swing of his lemonade and went back to work on the dress. Despite all the odds and doubts, he and Gertrud had lived in the tiny apartment for the last 2 months. It about a week after the fire,  in the middle of the night that Gertrud sat straight up in bed. It was her sharp gasp that awoke Elijah. When he asked what was wrong and she answered that it was the baby, Elijah leapt out of bed, threw on some clothes and was halfway out the door to use the payphone in the lobby, to call 911, when Gertrud called him back to bed. She then took his hand and placed it on her exposed belly so Elijah could feel what she was feeling; their baby was moving for the first time. Elijah laughed in wonder. Soon, he and Gertrud’s excited glances turned romantic and he kissed her.  As Gertrud tried to lay back and bring him with her, Elijah heard a cracking sound that he didn’t trust. Still, his passion for Gertrud was stronger than any rotting bed. So, Elijah made a little area on the floor, complete with blankets and pillows, before gently bringing Gertrud down to him and made love to her there. In the afterglow they lay side by side as Elijah absent-mindedly stroked Gertrud’s stomach and expressed a desire to see her with a big belly. It was like his wish came true right on cue. For mere days later, Gertrud’s pregnancy curves blossomed and grew a little more pronounced everyday. Gertrud had a slight worry that her new shape would not be to Elijah’s liking but Elijah found himself more attracted to Gertrud then ever before. He couldn’t keep his hands off of her and made love to her every chance he got.   Yet it was more than just sexual. Gertrud had accused him of being addicted to her bump. She was joking, of course, but Elijah wasn’t quite sure there wasn’t a ring of truth to it. No matter what they were doing, talking, reading, watching TV or lounging in bed, Elijah’s hand always seemed super glued to Gertrud’s mid-section. Elijah’s new favorite thing to do was to wait until the baby was active and kicking, then poke with a finger where the tiny foot had just been and wait for a reaction, which he almost always got. Elijah had stroked, rubbed, kissed, poked, sung, read talked and once tried to look into Gertrud’s stomach by her belly button, much to the soon-to-be mother’s laughter and delighted. Elijah had even developed the habit of falling asleep with his arms around Gertrud’s waist and his hands on her tummy. No matter how busy life got, Elijah and Gertrud always made it to their monthly appointments at the free clinic and both were always thrilled to hear that the baby had a clean bill of health. Recently, someone had asked if the couple wanted to know their baby’s gender. It was Elijah who had flatly refused. Later on, Elijah explained that demanding a son would be what a rich man would do, what his father would do. He was already completely in love with this baby, and as long as it was healthy, Elijah couldn’t care less whether it was a boy or a girl. Extremely touched by his explanation, Gertrud agreed to wait until the birth to discover the sex. Things were great between them but as in every life, a little rain must fall. The bleak point came about a month ago, when Elijah lost his job. It came as a shock, to say the least. Except for the stupid stay in the hospital, Elijah had not even miss one single day of work, never refused any overtime or did anything wrong.  Elijah had been furious to discover the real reason for his termination. The manager’s newly married nephew needed a job and thus, Elijah was let go.  It just wasn’t fair, as Elijah himself was about to be married and had a baby on the way.  He must have told Gertrud all this with an attitude because she snapped back that she had been supporting herself since she was 15. This sparked the first real fight between them. Elijah called himself a loser and accused her of being with him only for the baby sake while Gertrud yelled back that she had no insurance that he wouldn’t soon tire of the ‘poor life’ and return to his parents. When Elijah did finally realized that they were having an argument, he burst out loud laughing while Gertrud gave him a look of bewilderment. Elijah then told her, he was glad they had a fight, it made them more of a couple, somehow, not 2 kids playing house. Elijah then took Gertrud in his arms and kissed any left over anger right out of her. After some lovemaking, they had a calm discussion. Due to their very similar mindsets, Elijah and Gerturd didn’t fight very often but common sense told them they were bound to disagree from time to time. They soon resolved to become one of those couple that never went to bed angry. As they kissed on it, the bed broke off its hitches; they had forgotten to make love on the floor! In the upcoming days, Elijah tried hard to find a new job, but like everything else in Gotham City, the job market was harsh and unforgiving. The newspaper office said he was too old to be a delivery boy, the temp agency only felt comfortable hiring women, and so on and so on. Elijah finally got a job running a newsstand. However, he worked only on Sundays and the hours were crazy. It was not at all usual for Elijah to leave for work before Gertrud even awoke and return after she was in bed. Elijah tried hard to convince his boss to let him work more than once a week but because the owner of the stand was an immigrant who needed the income just as much and didn’t work Sunday because he promised his wife, it was in vain. Still, Elijah knew that working 1 day a week wouldn’t cut it. Their pawnshop money hadn’t lasted long and soon they were back living from paycheck to paycheck. Therefore, it wasn’t a surprise when Gertrud announced that she had changed her hours at the restaurant from part-time, 4 to 8 pm to full-time 4 pm to 12 am. Although, he expected it, Elijah didn’t like it. As her pregnancy advanced, Elijah felt Gertrud should be slowing down not taking even more onto her plate. But, money was stretched so thin; he knew he couldn’t say anything. She wanted to hide it from him, but Elijah knew that after working 2 full-time jobs all day, everyday, Gertrud often came home tired as a dog yet she never, ever complained. How could he not love her all the more for it? As Gertrud worked outside the home, Elijah figured the least he could do was work inside the home. In additional to taking Gertrud’s suggestion of taking in sewing from people in the building for extra money, he also made sure the apartment was kept clean, did the laundry, the food shopping and whatever else needed to be done. Although he was no cook, he always made sure Gertrud had something to eat by the time she came home. One day, as Elijah was dragging the now worthless Murphy mattress to the dumpster behind the building, he bumped into a neighbor. They got to chatting, and Elijah soon discovered that the man had a second, almost like new second mattress to spare and he was willing to part with it, for say, a TV set? Elijah readily agreed to this deal. He barley used the television and he knew Gertrud had no time to bother with it. Besides, they needed a place to sleep far more than they needed a TV. It was while he was in the other apartment, helping to move the mattress, that Elijah spotted them, a balloon curtain made out of white silk. Elijah knew instantly that it the perfect material to make Gertrud’s wedding dress! He paid the man 10 dollars cash for it. Recreating the material into a dress without the aid of a sewing machine seemingly took forever. Elijah still wanted to keep the wedding dress a semi-secret so he only worked on it when he was home alone which unfortunately was a lot lately. With one final cut, Elijah realized he was finally finished. Elijah made a face; it was a fine dress he supposed but it was just so plain looking. How Elijah wished he could pretty it up with pearls, some lace or something, but he and Gertrud had made a pact that unless it was for food or bills, they would save every penny they earned for a new place to live or their fore coming baby. Besides, Elijah felt bad enough not telling Gertrud about the 10 bucks he spent. The opening and closing of the front door shook Elijah out of his thoughts and he glanced up at the clock.

“20 after 12, right on time as usual darling.” Elijah expected a witty comeback or at least, a greeting. When nothing but silence followed, he started second-guessing. Maybe Gertrud wasn’t home yet; maybe that noise he heard wasn’t his door but something out in the hallway. Elijah looked up and there, by the door, indeed was Gertrud. She seemed out of it and because the main light was on, Elijah saw that her eyes were red and puffy, as if she had recently been crying.

“My love? Is something wrong?”

It was as if his voice jolted her out of her daze. For she ran to him and knelt before his chair. “Marry me, Elijah. Please marry me!”

Elijah blinked. “Of course my love.”

“Really?” Her smile was one of disbelief. “You will.”

“Of course.” Elijah repeated. “We’ll marry as soon as my name change comes into effect.”

That is when Gertrud’s smile faded. It was clear that she and Elijah weren’t on the same page. “That name change could still take weeks, if not months to go through. It won’t do. Marry me now, Elijah, tonight!”

Elijah was stunned. “Tonight? Darling, you know as much as I do than I cannot marry anyone yet. Not with my father’s ban still in effect.”

Gertrud shook her head as she rose to her feet. “Surely, your father can’t know everyone on earth. I mean, his ban can’t be in place all over the planet. We could move, Elijah, go to Europe, maybe even go back to Germany.”

“Sweetheart, we’ve discussed this,” Elijah said gently. “We don’t have the money to make such a major move. Besides, why would you want to? You’ll going to take citizenship test in 3 days and you’ve worked so hard for it already.”

“I don’t care!” Gertrud shrieked. “I don’t care about name changes or citizenship tests. All that matters to me is you and our baby. I can’t lose this child, Elijah. I just can’t!”

“Why would you? Every doctor we’ve seen says you’re completely healthy.”

“Oh, Elijah, you just don’t understand.” Then Gertrud burst into tears.

Elijah got up and took his sobbing beloved into his arms. “You’re right, I don’t understand,” he admitted gently. “But I want to. I can’t hear you if you cry so. Go into the bathroom and try to calm down. Slash some water on your face or better yet, go take a nice, cold shower to wash some of the summer stickiness off of you.”

Gertrud said nothing but turned and headed for the bathroom.  As soon as she was out of view, there was a knock at the door. Elijah answered it and it turned out to be a woman he had never seen before.

“Excuse me,” said the woman. “I thought I saw Gertrud Kapelput come in here.  Does she live here? I really need to talk to her.”

“Yes, she lives here.” Elijah nodded. “She’s taking a shower right now but she’s be out in a minute. Would you like to come in?”

“Thanks.” The stranger sailed past Elijah into the apartment. ”This place is a complete dump!” The stranger mumbled this but it was still louder enough that Elijah could hear her. “She doesn’t even a bed, just a mattress on the floor. Gertrud is insane if she thinks she can raise a baby here.”

Before Elijah could ask her who she was, she   beat him to it.

“And who are you? The boyfriend?”

“No. I’m Gertrud’s fiancée.” How Elijah hated referring to himself like that! He knew that in every way that mattered, he already was Gertrud’s husband.

Before another word could be spoken, footsteps were heard in the hall.

“Well, Elijah, when you’re right, you’re right. That shower did me a world of good.” Gertrud was toweling off her wet hair but as soon as she saw the stranger, her eyes grew dark, her smile turned into a deep frown and she froze on the spot.

“You!” Gertrud hissed. “What the hell are you doing here? You followed me home? Are you stalking me now? Are you some kind of psycho?”

Elijah had never seen Gertrud explode like that. Still, he knew his beloved wouldn’t go off without good reason, making him wonder even more whom he let into the house.

“It’s your lucky day, Gertrud. I talked the Keans into giving you another chance.” Said the woman.

“But I don’t want another chance!” Gertrud objected. “My answer for them and for you is the same one I told you then, NO!!!!”

“Oh come on, I know you need the money, especially after seeing this place.”

“That’s none of your concern!” Gertrud snapped.

“What money?” Elijah heard himself ask in a gentle voice.

The stranger’s eyes widened. “You didn’t tell him? What’s the matter? Are you afraid your boyfriend will be more sensible and take the deal?”

That did it. “Elijah,” Gertud said through clenched teeth. “This is Carrie Stone. She’s a co-worker and she spent most of tonight’s shift trying to convince me to sell our child.”

“What?” At first, Elijah was sure he misheard but once he thought back to Gertrud’s earlier behavior, then the true horror dawned on him.

“How dare you!” Elijah took a step forward and wrapped a protective arm around Gertrud’s waist. “How dare you come in to our home and threaten to take our baby.”

“Hold on,” Carrie insisted. “I didn’t even tell you how much the Keans are willing to pay.”

“Was it a penny?” Elijah asked angrily. “For if it was, it was a penny too much! Now, get out of here, before I call the police.”

“The police?”

“Yes!  For the last time I checked, selling babies were illegal!”

To the surprise of both Gertrud and Elijah, Carrie laughed at them. “What are you two, children? The police won’t care about this. The GCPD is so messed up they spend more of their time covering their own asses. In fact, this whole damn city is corrupt!”

“That doesn’t mean we have to go down with it!” Elijabh mumbled as he let go of Gertrud and moved to open the door. “Now get out!”

“If you accept the offer, you could see how the other half lives.” Carrie tried again.

“I’ve seen how the other half lives,” Elijah countered. “It’s not so great!”

“Fine!” Carrie exploded and headed for the exit. “Enjoy spending the rest of your life as a bartender!”

Elijah slammed the door behind her, locked it and looked back at Gertrud. “Darling, I’m sorry.”

“What on earth for?”

“When she said she need to talk to you, I assumed it was for a shift change or something innocent like that.” Elijah picked up the skirt from the table and helped Gertrud step into it.

With a gentle smile upon her face, Gertrud shook her head. “There is no way you could have possibly known what she truly wanted. Believe me, Liebchen, there is nothing to be sorry for.” Gertrud had played model for Elijah so many times that she didn’t even question it anymore. She just tried to stand still as he made his alterations.

“That’s why you can home pleading about getting married tonight.” Elijah guessed correctly.

“Yes” she admitted softly. “Forgive me for saying this but it’s easier to take a baby away from a single mother than a married couple.”

“Oh, I know” he agreed. “That’s why first thing tomorrow, I’m going down to city hall and see what I can do to speed up this name change. However, I don’t want you to panic if we don’t see results right away. No one will ever take our baby away from you. They’ll have to kill me first!” Finished with the skirt, Elijah put the top on her.

“Please don’t say that!” Gertrud pleaded. “I can’t lose this baby but I can’t lose you either.”

After a soft chuckle, Elijah gave her a peck on the cheek. “It’s only an expression.” He whispered. “I’m not going anywhere. You’re never going to lose me. I hate to admit this but Carrie was right about one thing. This is no place for a child. Maybe if I had a 2nd job”

“Don’t!” Gertrud ordered firmly. “I will not allow that woman to waltz in here and let you second guess yourself. You’re doing the best you can. We both are!”

“Is this the part of the conversation where you say you have all the faith in the world in me?”

Elijah was joking but Gertrud was deadly serious.

“Completely! And I have faith in us, as a couple, as a team even more!”

“There’s just one thing I don’t understand. She wished me well bartending. I’m not a bartender.”

“That’s another reason why I dislike Carrie” Gertrud grumbled. “She has a big mouth.”

“Meaning?” Elijah prompted.

“Oh, all right!” she sighed. “Remember I told you about a cook at work, Sam, and how his catering business has a gig this Saturday? A gig I said I would serve at.”

Elijah nodded. How could he forget? They had argued about it. Gertrud wanted to work a side job on her first night off in weeks. It was Elijah’s opinion that for a woman in her 7th month of pregnancy, Gertrud didn’t rest enough.

“One of the bartender came down with the flu at the last minute.” Gertrud continued. “They wanted me to ask you to fill in but I wasn’t going to.”

“Why not?” he wondered.

“Elijah, this is a black tie event at the Gotham Museum of Art. We’ll be serving the rich. Your crowd and you’re bound to run into someone you know.

Elijah laughed. “Darling, I don’t have a crowd. I’ll be happy to take a paying job even if it’s just one night. A paycheck is a paycheck. As for running into someone I know, I don’t care. All I care about you, our baby and how wonderful you look in this dress.” Finally finished, he spun her around so she could see herself in the floor length mirror that hung in the kitchen, 10 feet away.

“What am I looking at?”

“Your wedding dress, madam.” Elijah said with pride.

“My wedding dress? But you changed the design. Wasn’t it a one piece?”

“It was,” he confirmed. “Then I started thinking. We don’t know when we’ll get married, but when the big day finally comes, it will be easier just to let out the skirt.”

“Elijah, you’re a genius!” Gertrud declared before kissing him with glee.

  As a blue blood, Elijah had attended many of these social functions over the years and they never failed to bore him to death. Now, Elijah was learning that he could be just as bored working at one of these events. As he was tending bar, Elijah didn’t bump into as many people he knew as he thought he would and the people at the party that he did know seemed very surprise, shocked even to realized that he not only serving but was in Gotham City at all. Apparently, his father had spun a tall tale of him being abroad in Europe for several months, studying foreign fashion or some such nonsense. Those who stuck around to learn the truth from Elijah walked away looking more confused than ever. It was just well, Elijah had nothing to hide or be ashamed of. of, so why not tell the truth? If his father got caught up in his own lies, that was his problem. Elijah tried not to be bitter but he had been in a foul mood almost all week. Ever since the people at city hall had told him that his name change would not be valid for at least another month. The only good news to come in that week had belonged to Gertrud. She had finally got the chance to take her citizenship test and she was feeling pretty good about the fore coming results. Anyway, it was the middle of the party and Elijah was behind the bar, working, with his back to the people, when he heard an all too familiar, all too annoying voice.

“Well, well, well. How the mighty have fallen.”

Elijah rolled his eyes. Great, this was the 2nd most dreaded voice Elijah didn’t want to hear tonight. The first would be his father, who along with his mother was thankfully absent.

Turning around, Elijah put a fake smile on his face. “Hello, Constance.”

“Your poor parents have been worried sick for 5 months and here I find you, slumming with the help.”

It didn’t take long for Elijah’s smile to fade. “I’m not slumming with anyone, Constance. I am the help. Now, do you have a drink order?”

She studied him for a moment before replying. “White wine.”

While he went to get the bottle, Constance continued speaking. “So, are you and that maid girl still together?”

Elijah tightened his grip on the bottle, wishing it were Constance’s neck. “If you are referring to Gertrud, who was a cook, then, yes, we are still together and doing quite well.” He gave her glass, hoping she would go away, no such   luck.

Constance raised her eyebrow. “No ring, I see. It’s been months. If you truly serious a bout this woman, you would have married her by now.”

Elijah sighed as he put the wine bottle away; he turned to look Constance straight in the eye. “Why do I get the feeling that you know why I’m   not married at very moment?”

Constance only smiled.

“It doesn’t matter,” Elijah continued. “I’ve found a way around my father’s ban.”

“Really? Like what?”

“As if I would tell you!” Elijah sneered. “You’re probably anxious to report every word of this conversation to my parents!”

“Well I think we know how the maid feels about you. She’s perfectly happy to let you work yourself in a early grave while she’s at home eating bonbons.”

The idea was so absurd, Elijah laughed. “You couldn’t be more wrong. Gertrud works harder than I do. She’s a server here tonight.  In fact, she’s right behind you.” ”Really?” Constance couldn’t turn fast enough, but frowned when she saw 3 female servers in the nearby crowd. “Which one?”

“My Gertrud is the drop dead gorgeous blonde whose face and body would make any Greek goddess seethed with jealousy. She also had a kindness, humor and character that no amount of money could buy.”

“The blonde?” Constance repeated, “but she pregnant!”

“Nothing gets past you.” Elijah mocked before sidestepping to aid another customer. It was after that customer left that Elijah realized, almost gratefully, that he was out gin. Elijah was desperate to end this pointless conversation and since Constance wasn’t moving, the idea of carrying a box of empty bottles to the kitchen and returning with a fresh supply seemed like the perfect excuse. As Elijah prepared the box, Constance uttered her most shocking line yet.

“Are you really going to throw your life away for someone who cheated on you?”

Elijah blinked. “Whoever said Gertrud cheated on me?”

Constance gave him a look of pity. “Oh come now Elijah, look at her or better yet, look at the size of her! And we all know you couldn’t have fathered that child.”

“How do we all know that?” Elijah demanded, wishing she would get to the damn point already.

“The fact that you’re sterile.”

Elijah’s jaw dropped. “How the hell did you know that?”

“Your parents told me.” Constance shrugged. “They figured I had a right to know, seeing how we were about to be married.’

“We were never about to be married, Constance! Our parents made up a romance for us and then forgot to tell me about it.” Elijah picked up the box and made his out of the bar.

“Don’t   be mad at me, I’m just stating the facts.”

Elijah spun around on his heel. “I’ll give the facts. There is not a doubt in my mind that’s my baby. Why? Time. As in every time my parents wondered why their dinner is late, Gertrud was in my arms. Every time my father wondered why I wasn’t in the sewing room, I was with her. Every night, when she wasn’t in my bed, making mad, passionate love to me, I was in her bed, making mad, passionate love to her!”

This last statement seemed to shocked Constance into silence so Elijah turned, smiled and continued to the kitchen.

Elijah had to go all the way down into the kitchen basement to collect a new case of gin. By the time he made it back upstairs, two women burst in

“Oh, look at it!” The first one said, referring to her shinning green dress. “It’s ruined! What is it with men? Are their feet so heavy they have to stomp on everything?”

“Don’t worry, we’ll fix it. somehow.” The second one spoke.

He didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but Elijah was struck in the corner so he saw everything. He saw the tall brunette who fussed over her dress, which had a tare so large it exposed almost her entire backside. He also saw that friend, while trying to be comforting, had no idea how to fix it but maybe, Elijah could.

Not exactly sure how to make his presence known to the 2 ladies, Elijah cleared his throat. “Excuse me, I don’t mean to interrupt-“

“Yes, excuse you!” snapped the friend.

“Jane! Don’t be rude!” The woman in the torn dress scolded.

“Kate, I’ve seen this guy out there. He’s only a bartender.”

“I may be only a bartender tonight” Elijah said, losing control. “But I was raised to be a tailor and what I was going to say is I can help you.”

“Can you please fix my dress, sir?” Kate asked kindly.

Elijah nodded. “I believe so. You see, I believe that your train is just long enough that if cut it at the right angle, no one will miss it and I could use the material to fashion a bow large enough to cover the…exposed area. I can’t promise you that you’ll be walking any Paris runaways but it should get you home. That is, if you want my help.”

“Oh yes, please!” was Kate’s plea.

Elijah tried to move, but Jane watched him. “Watch yourself buddy! She’s dating the mayor’s son.”

“Well, I’m engaged to the woman of my dreams, so maybe you should ask your friend to watch it.”

Kate chuckled as Jane frowned. “Jane, why don’t you go back to the party and I’ll come find you when we’re finished?” Kate suggested.

Jane took one final dirty look at before heading to the door. As Elijah moved closer, he reached into his jacket pocket and took out a mini sewing kit.

Seeing this, Kate smiled. “You really are a tailor, aren’t you?”

Elijah returned her smile and nodded. “Just stay still a moment. Cutting the train should just take a moment, miss-“

“Oh, do call me Kate.” She insisted. “And I do feel like I must apologize for my friend’s bad behavior. Jane’s from old family money. She’s been to a million of these things, I afraid they just make her bored and cranky.”

“And you’re not? From family money, I mean.”

Kate bit her lip and shook her head. “Afraid not. Daddy just got elected to the bench and Mom just joined the DA’s office. This is my first black tie event ever which is why I nearly had a heart attack when I heard my dress rip. Thank goodness you were around to help, Mr. Um”

“My name’s Elijah” he said getting up. A scrap of cloth that had been her train in his hand. “Look, I’m done with the cutting and I don’t have to stand up to make this into a bow so why don’t we sit down?”

It may have appeared to be a mere suggestion but Kate saw it for what it truly was. As the dress was now, her whole butt was on display for the whole world to see. By offering her a chair to sit on, it was meant to lessen her embarrassment and Elijah had asked in such a gentlemanly way that Kate couldn’t help but be charmed. Kate nodded and they both sat at the pushed off to side table. At this moment, the kitchen was oddly quiet and deserted. They sat in silence for a few moments until Kate found something to break the ice.

“So, do all the bartenders in this city wait around kitchens hoping to rescue damsels in distress?”

Elijah laughed at that. “I don’t know about that, seeing how tonight is my first and possibly last night as a bartender. I have no idea what I doing.”

“Then why are you here?”

Elijah shrugged. “I go where the pay is. Aside from the hot, little newsstand I spend all day Sunday in, this is my first night of employment in more than 5 weeks.  The job market is pretty rough right now. It’s a bad time to be unemployed.”

“I see. And this poor job market, does it affect your fiancée?” Kate had no idea what she was doing; what Jane had said before was true, she did have a boyfriend but she suddenly found herself wishing that Elijah had fibbed about his engagement for Jane’s sake.

Elijah on the other hand, genuinely had no idea that his new acquaintance had any romantic interest in him. “Gertrud?” he answered. “Heavens no! She works all the time. I swear that woman is a force of nature! She works all day, every day at 2 different jobs and I’ve never, ever heard one word of complaint. Tonight was supposed to be her night off but instead of taking a well-deserved break, she signs up to help a friend because she knew we needed the money. Add to that Gerturd is dealing with some nasty side effects due to her advanced pregnancy. I don’t know how Gertrud does it all. Of course, there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t thank my lucky stars that such a warm, beautiful, intelligent, wonderful woman chose me.”

Kate could not believe it. Not the fact that he was unavailable, she could get past that. No, it was the fact that Elijah gushed when he spoke about Gertrud, actually gushed! As far as Kate knew, no lover of hers, past or present, had ever gushed over her. It was still worrisome to see that Elijah was unemployed, especially after learning there was a baby on the way. Kate wished there was something she could do. Then she saw something that gave her a great idea.

“Could you please pass me the phone book? It’s on your side of the table.

“Sure.” Elijah looked up from his work and slid the book over to her.

“Thanks.”  It took Kate no time at all to look up what she was searching. After reaching for a nearby napkin, she took out a pen from her evening bag and wrote down the information. 20 minutes later, using the fridge’s steel door as mirror, Kate stood, admiring Elijah’s handiwork.

“Like it?” He asked.

“Like it? I love it! It’s like a whole new dress!” And it was, unless they had been staring at her since she arrived at the museum, no one would ever guess that this wasn’t the dress’s original design. She turned to him. “You really do have a talent for this.”

Before Elijah could reply, the kitchen door swung open and one of the night’s employers, whose name Elijah could not remember at the moment, came closer. He did not look happy.

“Elijah? What happened to you? You said you were on a gin run and be right back. That was a half hour ago.”

“Excuse me sir, but I’m afraid this is all my fault.” Kate instantly jumped in. “You see, Elijah was on his way out when I came in. I had a dress mishap and Elijah was kind enough to help. I just need another moment to thank him properly.”

The employer studied Kate before showing Elijah his palm. “5 minutes.” He said and left.

Then Kate dug in her bag and put three bills into Elijah’s hand. “Here, 30 dollars for 30 minutes of your time. It’s only fair.”

“Oh no, I can’t take this.” Elijah protested. “I was only too happy to help.”

“Yes, you can.” Kate said firmly. “Payment for a job very well done. And I also want you to have this” she passed him the napkin she wrote upon. “Ask for Joe Lawson, he’s a old friend of the family. He was telling my parents the other day how he was getting on in years and he needed a right hand. I think you two will be a great team. Thanks again.”

Once Kate left, Elijah unfolded the napkin. There it was, in bright blue ink, a telephone number and right above the number, a name. Not a name of a person but of a business; JOE’S SEW SHOP.

 When he told her about it on the walk home, Gertrud was thrilled to hear about Elijah’s new job prospect. Not only was this a chance at long term employment but it was a tailor’s job! Making clothes was Elijah’s true passion and although he would never admit it, Gertrud knew he would never truly be happy at any other trade. Elijah cautioned her not to get her hopes up. Just because she had gotten her job at Queenie’s in a similar fashion, didn’t make him a shoe-in. Gertrud grew quiet but wore a all knowing smile, for she knew no self-respecting tailor, would dare turn Elijah away, he was just too talented. The couple got home a little past 1 AM. As both were dead tired, they went straight to bed. Elijah dragged himself out of bed at 5:30 to ready himself for the shift at the newsstand that started in an hour. He kissed a still sleeping Gertrud and was off. By midnight, he somehow dragged himself home and plopped into bed. The next thing Elijah was aware of, he smelled coffee. He opened his eyes to see that it was morning and a smiling Gertrud was holding the mug under his nose.

“I’m off to work,” Gertrud announced. “I thought you might want this.”

He sat up and took the cup. “Thank you, Gertrud.”

“You’ve been working on very little sleep for the past 2 days, Liebchen. Promise me you’ll take it easy today.”

He promised and kissed her goodbye. When Gertrud had gone, Elijah slumped down and causally sipped his coffee. When he had drained the mug, he placed on the floor and went back to sleep. It wasn’t until later, on that Monday afternoon, after Elijah had showered and dressed, that he did indeed call the number he had been given. Joe Lawson himself answered after the 2nd ring. They chatted for a short while and after Elijah got the address, the two men set up a meeting. The next afternoon, Elijah was delighted to learn that Joe’s Sew Shop was only a block away from Queenie’s salon. Right before opening the door, Elijah noticed that there was an apartment for rent sign in the window. Hm, he would have to look into that. When Elijah entered, he found himself in a short, narrow hallway. Before him, he saw 2 staircases, one leading downstairs and the other upstairs. Off to the right side was a glass door. Painted on it, in big white letters, was Joe’s Sew Shop. Elijah went in. The first thing he saw was 2 men.

“Oh I don’t know,” the 1st man, who was obviously a customer, moaned. “I just can’t decide between the navy blue and the black,” he said, switching blazers. “And there’s both too big.”

“As I’ll told you before sir, I would be happy to cuff either one for you.” It was clear that the vendor was getting weary.

“I just don’t know” the customer moaned again. “If only I had a 2nd opinion.”

Well, here was a golden opportunity! Elijah cleared his throat. “Excuse me, gentlemen, I don’t mean to pry, but I couldn’t help overhearing and if I were you, I would go with the black.”

The customer’s eyebrow arched. “Really?”

“Oh, yes” Elijah continued and came closer to adjust the jacket personally. “While it is true that the sleeves on both jackets are a little long for you, I’ve noticed that the navy hugs you in some unflattering areas while the black drapes off you beautifully.”

“But isn’t blue more in fashion this year?”

“Maybe so, but a black dinner jacket is a classic and a classic never goes out of style.”

They talked a little more but ultimately, the man brought the black jacket. Elijah waited patiently waited for the vendor to ring him up. Then the vendor rejoined him. ”That was quite impressible, young man. I have been trying to make him choose for an hour. Have we met before? You look familiar.”

Elijah shook his head. “I don’t think so. Anyway, can you tell me where I can find Joe Lawson? I have an appointment.”

The other man smiled. “You’re looking at him.” Joe Lawson was a kind, grandfatherly type.  Kind of like Santa, except without the beard or weight problem. Instead of red velvet, Joe wore a business suit, minus the jacket and with rolled up sleeves. A thin pair of glasses and a measuring tape draped around his neck completed the look.

Elijah shot out his hand for a shake. “My name is Elijah Cobblepot. We spoke yesterday, on the phone.” ”Oh, yes.” Joe said and took his hand. “Come round back with me, to my office. I can hear the bell from there if anyone comes in.”

Elijah nodded and moments later, slid into a chair before Joe’s desk.

“My first question is a simple one.” Suddenly, Joe’s voice was cold and hard, quite the transformation from the warm and friendly tone he had used just moments earlier. “Why would a Van Dahl want to work for me?”

Shocked, Elijah’s eyes widened. “You know who I am?”

“Remember how I said you looked familiar? Well, I just placed you, from the society pages. Not to   mention that your father has tried to buy every private and me tailor in Gotham out at least a dozen times. So, if he thinks he can outsmart me by sending his son undercover with a fake name, you can tell him to forget it!”

Hearing about Frederick’s behavior didn’t shock him at all.  Elijah looked the other man straight in the eye and told the truth. “I understand you being suspicious sir and if I were in shoes, I would be too. But I swear, I hadn’t seen or spoken to my father in over 5 months and quite frankly, I don’t care if I ever see him again. As for Cobblepot, that is my real name or at least, it will be in a few weeks time.”

That was the entire introduction Elijah needed to tell Joe everything; how he fallen in love with Gertrud, the heartbreaking betrayal he felt when his parents forced him to choose. How he had gone after Gertrud after she had been fired, the cruel marriage ban, the name change, the couple’s rough first months in the city and how Elijah was desperate to find a good, steady job to help ease the strain off of his pregnant beloved.

“All I ask, Mr. Lawson” Elijah concluded at the end of his story, “is that you give me a chance to prove myself as me, not judge me for being Frederick Van Dahl’s son.”

At first, Joe did nothing but sit back in his chair. Something dark and angry twinkled in his eyes but it was gone so quickly, Elijah barely noticed it was there.

“That’s quite a story.” Joe said at last. “And I feel the need to apologize to you for basically accusing you of being a spy.”

Elijah shook his head. “Not at all. Like I said before, I understand completely.”

“Yes,” Joe said slowly. “I don’t know why, maybe it’s your sincere tone, but I feel like I already can trust you.”

“Sounds like a promising start.”

“Indeed.”  Joe gave a small smile and then was all business. “Mr. Van-Cobblepot, I afraid any job I could give you wouldn’t be exciting for a young man like yourself. Buying walk-in customers are few and far between. Most of my business comes from repairs and special orders.”

“That’s fine.” Elijah assured him. “You said you were impressed by how I handled that customer, well, if I may say so, I’m a much better tailor than a salesman.”

They chatted a little more before Joe said he would think it over and call in a few days. Elijah was about to exit the office when he turned back, suddenly remembering.

“I noticed a for rent sign in your window as I came in. Can you tell me where is this apartment and could I possibly take a look?”

Joe nodded. “Sure. It’s right upstairs and I don’t see why not.”

“Oh, thank you, Mr. Lawson.”

“Do me a favor?” Joe asked as he got up and headed to the key holder behind his desk. “Enough of this Mr. Lawson staff. I’m not a very formal guy. Call me Joe, everyone does.”

“Only if you call me Elijah.”

“Deal.” Joe led the way out of the office.

They left the store and Joe flipped the sign to close for good measure. “The apartment is right up here.” Joe pointed to the staircase that was going up.

“I noticed the staircases when I first came in.” Elijah mentioned casually. “Do you mind if I ask what’s downstairs? Storage?”

Joe shook his head. “Nah, I keep all my storage in the back room of the shop. Down there is another apartment, mine to be exact.”

“So,” Elijah said slowly, thoughtfully. He wanted to be clear without assuming anything. “If I get this job, there’s a chance we could be neighbors as well as co-workers?”

Joe wore a teasing smile. “Maybe. Anything’s possible.” Joe opened the door to the upper apartment and both men went inside. “Here we are. I know it’s small-“

“Small? This place is a palace compared to the shoebox I currently live in!” Elijah was going overboard but it was a nice place. The first thing Elijah noticed was how much natural light flooded the place due to the 2 big windows on the fore wall. Joe explained that he kept some of his old furniture up here that he and Gertrud could keep or change whatever they wanted. That explained why there was already a couch on the

floating wooden floors. There was also a chest of drawer safely under a TV. Elijah looked around to see that the dinning set included a real table and 4  (4!) proper chairs. The kitchen was done in blue and white tile. It also had an island and lots of counter and cabinet space. On the other side was a door and when Elijah opened it, he was delighted to find a bed and a beautiful handcrafted white painted wardrobe. In the corner, was another big but narrow picture window and below that was a built-in bench with a padded top   to sit upon. Joe showed Elijah how to lift the top for even more storage. Besides   that was the door to the bathroom. It was a full bath complete with a tub, something his current apartment didn’t have. Elijah knew he really liked the place when he found himself mentally arranging baby furniture around the bedroom.

“Elijah?”

That bought him out of his daydreams and Elijah noticed that Joe stood in the doorway.

“What I said before about needing a few days to think about it then I’ll be in touch? Forget it, I don’t need time to think. The job, the apartment, they’re both yours if you want them.”

Elijah was floored, to say the least. “Really?”

“Yes. What do you say?”

“Well, the job of course! I mean, yes, I mean, when do I start? I mean, I accept! As for the apartment, I really like it, but I can’t give you an answer either way until Gertrud sees it.”

Joe smiled. “I see.”

 Elijah starting working with Joe the very next day. As it was just a block away from Queenie’s, Gertrud came by on her lunch break to look at the apartment. She and Joe didn’t meet that day because he had run out to go to the bank. Gertrud liked the apartment as must as Elijah did and they immediately put in an offer. The offer seemed to be accepted just as quickly, which surprised Elijah until he learnt that it was Joe who owned the entire building.  Luck seemed to be with the young couple, as it was almost a new month and therefore a perfect time to move. All it took was a simple, quick conversation with their current landlord for Gertrud and Elijah to discover that they could move out as fast as they moved in. So, it was on Saturday, one mere week after Elijah first heard about Joe Lawton and his shop that he and Gertrud moved into that upstairs apartment and it was on that moving day that Gertrud and Joe finally met.

“So, you’re Gertrud! Elijah speaks of you so much I feel as if I already know you.”

Joe charmed her by lifting her hand to his mouth and kissing it. “Likewise.” Gertrud smiled.

“Expect Elijah forgot to tell me of your beauty.”

Elijah came in behind Gertrud. “Flatter her all you want, old man, but she’s mine!”

“Elijah!” Gertrud exclaimed, shocked and appalled. How could he speak to his new boss like that? However, when Elijah locked eyes with Joe, both men burst out laughing. The very notion of a jealous riff between them was absurd. It was uncanny how fast a friendship formed between Joe and Elijah. How they were able to tease and joke with one another after a mere 4 days.

“Gertrud,” Joe called, refocusing, “I wonder if you could do me a favor?”

“If I can.”

“As a lifelong bachelor, it’s hard for me to get a home cooked meal” Joe explained. “Elijah tells me you’re an excellent cook so I was wondering if one of these nights I could impose and invite myself to dinner.”

Gertrud smiled. “That very easily can be arranged.

Later on, that night, when they were alone, Gertrud wrapped her arms around Elijah’s neck. “Do you have any idea how proud I am of you?” She asked. “In the span of just 1 week, you managed to get yourself a good job and found us a decent place to live.”

Elijah grinned. “Who knew I was capable of such greatness?”

“I knew,” she whispered, “I’ve always known.” His lips were on hers as Gertrud heard and felt the back of

her dress being zipped down. “Um…what are you doing?”

“Call me paranoid, darling, but I’ll be damned if I’m moving into another place with a bed I can’t make love to you on” Elijah chuckled and gently ushered her into the bedroom. Hours later, around 3 AM, Elijah shut off the bathroom light and strode, naked, to the bed where Gertrud lay, tangled up in the sheet and only half asleep. He soon lay beside her and rubbed her back.

“Happy, my angel?”

Her reply matched perfectly with her smile.” Completely.”

“We gave this bed quite a workout and not a peep. Plus, we have enough room for the baby’s things. Do you know what that means?”

“Yes,” she nodded. “We’re home.”

 Over the next few days, Elijah and Gertrud settled into and were quite content in their new home. Joe was quick to cash in on his dinner invite, and between the good food, laughter and sparkling conversation, all had a great time. So much so, that they decided to do it again and again.  Joe was fast becoming more than a boss, more than a friend even, he was becoming part of the family and a constant figure at their dinner table. One night, Joe, fearing he had imposed too much, didn’t come up, so Elijah and Gertrud simply picked up their plates, traveled to Joe’s downstairs apartment and had the meal there. It was at one such dinner upstairs, that Joe sat back, slipping his coffee while watching the others work in the kitchen. The young couple was clearly in love, sharing in jokes and glances, stealing kisses. They always seemed happy, even now doing something as simple as the dishes.

Elijah caught Joe staring. “Something the matter, Joe? You look like you want to say something.”

“No.” Joe shook his head. “Not really. Expect Elijah, because of the way you met, do you feel superior to Gertrud?” There, he had finally said it but the moment the question reached his own ears, Joe turned red and wished he could take it back, “I’m sorry, Gertrud, I didn’t mean to offend.”

“Nonsense” Gertrud dismissed as she slowly lowered her pregnant frame in a chair. “It’s a perfectly valid question. One I’m asked myself dozens of times.”

Elijah came up behind Gertrud and kissed her cheek. “Such a valid question deserves a valid answer, which is no, of course not. I’ve never felt superior to Gertrud or to anyone else for that matter. I don’t know who taught me to be humble, it certainly wasn’t my parents, but I do know that I’ve never felt I was better than anyone else just because my parents had money. Besides, I always believed that I was the lucky one when this goddess chose me.” Elijah was seated now so he reached for Gertrud’s hand and squeezed it tight. ”Likewise,” Gertrud agreed. “I’ ve always felt that I had Elijah’s respect, if I didn’t have that I don’t know if I could have fallen as hard as I did for him.”

“The two of you are amazing! I mean” The words died on his tongue and his eyes watered as Joe rose from the table. Gertrud and Elijah had both never seen him so somber.

“Blue blooded and blue collar romances are as old as time itself” Joe tried again. “Yet, for some reason, it never ends the same way twice. You see, I was born a butler’s son. During my whole childhood it was just kind of understood that I would follow Dad into service. Anyway, I was barely 19 when the old man my father worked for died and another family hired him. That’s where I met Miranda, the boss’s daughter and the prettiest creature I’d ever met. It wasn’t long before I was head over heels in love. We were involved for 7 months before fate intervened and we were caught. Then, what Miranda did to me, oh it still makes my blood boil.”

“She chose her parents over you.” Elijah guessed.

“No. It was much, much worse than that.”

“What could be worse?”

“She denied me and our relationship, completely. I couldn’t believe it. I was ready to marry this woman. I would gladly walk though fire for her and she was pretending that she barely knew my name. She made me look like a crazy, obsessed stalker, a madman, in front of her parents.”

“Didn’t you confront her?” Gertrud asked.

Joe nodded. “I found her in her bedroom, burning all the love letters I’d written her. She told me, very bluntly, that I meant nothing to her. That the relationship I so cherished, was only a distraction to her. A fun little fling she had before she got down to serious business of finding a husband of the correct breeding. She was so cold, so cruel.” Joe sighed.

Elijah, meanwhile, had his arms. “She sounds cruel. She sounds like a selfish, spoiled brat who expects to be handed the world on a silver plate. She sounds like a lot of people I know. A great deal too many! What’s the family’s name? Perhaps I know them.”

Joe shook his head and smiled slightly. “Doubtful. You see, all this happened very far away from here. Thankfully, my own parents, such wonderful people, believed me and knew that I couldn’t face Miranda so they gave me over half of their hard-earned savings so that I could move. That’s how I ended up in Gotham. For years, I worked for a dry cleaner and I discovered I had natural gift for sewing. When the dry cleaner retired, he allowed me to buy the building and I turned it into Joe’s Sew Shop.”

“That Miranda woman never deserved you.” Elijah stated.

“You never knew her.”

“No but I know you. You’re beloved in this community. Not one of our customer has a bad word to say about you and I think you mean the most to Gertrud and me.”

“That’s right” Gertrud agreed. “In the 6 months we’ve been in the city, no one has done more for us than you have and perhaps one day, you meet a woman who can see what a great guy you are.”

Joe grinned. “Thanks guys and for what an old man’s opinion is worth, I’m damn proud of both of you. How hard you fight just to be together is a thing of beauty.”

“It’s worth a lot.” Elijah told him.

“A whole lot.” Gertrud added.

Joe left shortly after and Elijah and Gertrud cleaned the coffee cups and other dishes before readying for bed in a comfortable silence. As Elijah exited the bathroom, he saw Gertrud sitting on the side of bed, holding her stomach. “Is the baby active tonight?”

Gertrud smiled at him. “Kicking up a storm.”

Elijah came round to Gertrud knelt and placed a hand on her bump. “Now see here, young man or young lady, it’s considered impolite to kick your mother.”

Gertrud laughed loudly. “Elijah!”

“You’re doing wonderfully, my love” He assured her as he rose. “1 more month, just 1 more. Would you like a backrub?”

“Yes, please.”

Elijah climbed up on the bed and got behind Gertrud who seemed to purr with pleasure as soon as he touched her back. “I really wasn’t expecting what Joe told us tonight.” Elijah said. “It was quite shocking. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you had denied knowing me.”

Gertrud smiled. “I know it’s been 6 months darling, but you must remember that you were the heir, you could of deny me.”

“Never! Besides I was the one who was too much in love.”

“Do you doubt that I love you?!” There was tension and strain in her voice.

“Not at all” Elijah assured her, getting back on his side of the bed. “It’s just a fact that no matter how much you love me, I love you more.”

Gertrud opened her mouth and quickly closed it again. Did she really want to start a fight about who loved whom more? “I don’t know about that.” She said simply and then let the whole thing drop. Gertrud lay down, waited for Elijah to turn off the lamp and gather her in his arms before she spoke again. “Elijah?”

“Hm?”

“Do you think we’ll make a good marriage…when the time comes?”

“No, we’ll make a great marriage…when the time comes. When the damn name change comes in.,” he grumbled.

“Now how did I know you would bring that up?”

Elijah chuckled in the dark. “Hush now.”

 The following Thursday was August 16th and it began like any other day. Joe had his breakfast and then when upstairs to unlock the front and store doors. Then he picked up the mail from the mailbox.  He shifted through the bills and other things, uninterested until he saw something that stopped him dead in his tracks.

“Elijah!” Joe yelled. “Elijah!” He took off like a shot, climbing the stairs to the upper apartment 2 at a time. He was so excited that he forgot to knock, letting himself in the young couple’s home, something he would never normally do.   Inside, Elijah was just finishing off a cup of coffee while Gertrud readied herself to leave for work.

“Elijah, this letter just came for you” Joe explained. “It’s from the city and it looks official! Gertrud, this is yours.” He handed her a second piece of mail.

Suddenly, Elijah’s last interest in the world was coffee. “From the city? Official? It could be my name change.” He ran across the room to rip opened the letter. “It is! I’m now legally Elijah Cobblepot! Gertrud, we can be married, now!” Gertrud, who was   been silently staring at her own letter, now turned her eyes to the man she loved. “Well, Elijah, it looks like you’re going to marry a US citizen.”

Elijah swore he could feel his heart stop. “Your citizenship test?”

Gertrud smiled as the tears of joy began. “I passed.”

Overwhelmed by happiness, the couple kissed and hugged. Both wore huge smiles as Joe offered his congratulations. The threesome all talking excitedly as they bounced down the stairs. The last thing Gertrud heard as she left the building that morning was Joe’s delighted answer to be Elijah’s best man. Gertrud got another happy surprise that day as Elijah and Joe showed up at Queenie’s just at the start of her lunch break. They soon convince her to go downtown to get the license and then Joe would treat them to lunch. Once they arrived at city hall, Elijah went stiff beside her and Gertrud knew why. Elijah was afraid of something going wrong, if they were served by the same clerk as before or if someone recognized him, then the name change would be nothing but a big waste of time. But everything went smoothly. They were in and out in 10 minutes. Later, at lunch, Elijah surprised Gertrud by telling her that he had already arranged most of the wedding plans and just needed to finalized a couple of details.

 2 days later, in the early evening hours of Saturday, August 18th, Gertrud Kapelput could be seen rushing home after her usual night shift. She opened the main door and then felt though her purse her keys and when she found them, let herself in her apartment. She was about to toss her bag and keys on the small table when she noticed a plastic container with a flower within. Curious, Gertrud lifted the container and opened it. She soon discovered that the flower was a white lily with a lace band on the back making it a wrist corsage. Only then did she noticed the note:

 I know, I know, we agreed that we had no money for wedding flowers, (or anything else for that matter) but I figured that 1 couldn’t hurt. Just don’t ask me how much it cost. See you at the altar.

 I love you,

Your future legal husband.

 Gertrud pressed the note to her heart. She bit down on her smile and released a squeal of glee. It seemed to be her millionth one today. She just could barely believe it, after all this time, all this waiting, she and Elijah would finally, at long last, be married tonight! When Gertrud checked her watch and it read 8:17, she frowned; Elijah had told her that he had booked the  minister for a 10:00 o’clock ceremony and to beat city traffic, Joe was picking her up at 9:30, which gave her a little over a hour to get ready. No time for daydreaming.  After putting down the flower, Gertrud walked directly into the bedroom. She intended to go straight into the bathroom until she saw a patch of white in the corner of her eye. Gertrud turned her head to see her wedding dress laid out on the bed, waiting for her. She couldn’t help smiling. Elijah had complained that the dress   was so plain but Gertrud adored the garment. The mere fact that Elijah had lovingly designed and made this dress just for her to wear on the day she was to wed him meant everything to her and its lack of pearls or lace could not demean its value in her eyes. It was only then that Gertrud realized it; she hadn’t put the dress on the bed before she left for work this morning. Elijah insisted on sticking with tradition of the groom not seeing the bride before the ceremony, so he slept down at Joe’s last night. He must’ve sneaked back up here after she had gone to deliver the lily and lay out the dress. Grunting, she shook her head. Okay, no more distractions! Gertrud marched straight into the bathroom and turned on the tap to begin filling the tub. She knew she had no time for a bath even a quick one but she had to. Despite it being her wedding day, Gertrud had still worked both jobs today. Plus, the city’s ongoing record breaking heat wave showed no signs of stopping, making her feel all sticky. Gertrud supposed she could just take a shower but being almost 9 months pregnant and being on her feet all day, Gertrud feared her back might snap in half if she didn’t get off them for a brief time.   The lukewarm soak felt amazing but Gertrud allowed herself only 10 minutes then she toweled off, carefully put on her dress, placed 2 peal studs in her ears, combed her hair and set it in a bun. She then reached under the sink and pulled out a bag. Gertrud had brought a dozen or so white paper roses cheap from a craft woman at a flea market about 2 weeks ago. Now she set about decorating her hair with them. Gertrud was only half done when she heard a knock at the front door. She looked up to a small clock. 9:30, Joe was right on time.

“Come in!” she called as she raced to meet him in the hallway, stopping briefly to collect her shoes. Gertrud saw Joe just as he was closing the door. Under his arm, he had a long blue box.

Gertrud greeted him with a kiss on the check. “Hello, Joe. I just need a minute to finish my hair.”

“Actually, I was wishing you weren’t ready yet. Here.” He held out the box to her. He helped her opened it and Gertrud grasp as she beheld yards of tulle.  With an approving nod from Joe, Gertrud took out and unfolded it. It was a wedding veil and what a veil! It was fragile, pure white and letters and flowers were hand-stitched all over it. It may have been too long for St. Alan’s small hall but Gertrud didn’t care. It was too beautiful not to be worn.

“Joe, it’s simply breathtaking! Thank you. Where did you find it?”

“Well, the tulle was imported from Japan and I made the rest.”

“Made it? How? Hand stitching takes hours and hours and there’s so much of it. How could you possibly do all this in the 3 weeks we known each other?”

“Well, I must confess, I had a head start. On that day that I first met Elijah, I felt so touched by his story that I started work on the veil that very day, you and I haven’t even met yet, and I just finished my last stitch about 10 minutes ago.”

Extremely touched, Gertrud came forward and gave Joe a big hug. “Thank you so much. It really is perfect. I know that Elijah sees you as the father he wishes he had and that’s why he picked you for his best man and I was wondering if you would pull double duty and do me the honor of walking me down the aisle?”

Now it was Joe’s turn to be touched. “The honor would be all mine, Gertrud. Elijah told me how you lost both your parents when you were young.”

Gertrud nodded, and then something caught her eye. “What’s that?” She pulled the veil closer to study it and found a tiny sapphire on top a rose. There were no other jewels in sight.

“It’s your something blue. Elijah said how your dress was new and your earrings old but you couldn’t find something blue so I just added it on.” Joe explained.

“I still have nothing borrowed.”

Joe shook his head. “Not so, Elijah borrowed my old tux.”

Gertrud smiled. “You two have thought of everything.”

“Enough chit chat. We have a wedding to get you ready for.”

Together, they went back into the bathroom. When Gertrud finished putting the roses in her hair, Joe helped her put the veil in place. They were practically out the door when Gertrud suddenly remembered her lily corsage. As she slipped it on, she couldn’t but notice the time.

“Oh no, we’re going to be late!”

“Don’t worry,” Joe assured her, “it’s not like Elijah can get married without you.”

In spite of herself, Gertrud laughed. “You mean, you don’t think he’ll marry the 10:15?”

Joe laughed back. “No, but he’s been so hyper today that we might find him running laps around the church.”

 The next surprise came in the cab.

“Downtown please.” Joe told the driver.

Gertrud looked up sharply. “Downtown? But St. Alan’s hall is in the market district.”

Joe shrugged. “These are the directions Elijah gave me. You’ll have to take it up with him.”

Gertrud said nothing, just sat back wondering what surprise Elijah had for her this time.  Finally, the taxi stopped and Joe helped her out. Gertrud’s eyes widened as she beheld the massive structure.

“Elijah and I are to be married here?” She breathed in wonder. “It’s a palace!”

“No, it’s not a palace.” Joe corrected her. “It’s a cathedral, Gotham cathedral to be exact. The head minister is a old friend of mine.”

Smiling, Gertrud cocked her head. “It seems that everyone in this city is a old friend of yours.”

“So it may seem” Joe chuckled good-naturedly. “Are you ready to go in?”

“I’m standing here in the most beautiful wedding gown and veil, both were made with so much love it makes me want to cry just thinking about it. I’m about to be married to the man I love more than anything in the most glorious building I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Somehow, ‘ready’ just doesn’t cut it.”

Joe chuckled again as he took Gertrud’s elbow and led her inside.

Gertrud waited in the small front hall with Joe went inside to tell everyone of his or her arrival. He was back within seconds.

“They’re ready when we are.” Organ music of Here Comes the Bride began to play just as Joe adjusted the front of Gertrud’s veil that fell just above her swollen belly. Joe offered her his arm and she took it. The doors opened and they began their walk up the aisle. Gertrud was so excited that she’d never know how she retained the self-control not to run up the aisle. As they neared the front, Gertrud was surprised yet delighted to see Ben Jackson and Alan Reed were seated in the front row. Both were employee of the Van Dahls as well as 2 of Elijah’s oldest and most loyal friends. Gertrud turned her head and saw Elijah. He looked so handsome in Joe’s old tux it took Gertrud’s breath away. Just as Elijah sprang to life the moment he saw his bride. Elija

h and Gertrud were facing each other when Joe withdrew his arm, kissed her check, shook his hand and went to sit down. For a moment, all the couple could do was stare at one another until the golden silence was broken.

“Good evening.” Greeted the minister.

“Good evening.” Echoed the small company.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and this company to unite this man, Elijah James Cobblepot, and this woman, Gertrud Angelina Kapelput, in holy wedlock. Should anyone know of just cause why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

For one insane, crazy, second, Elijah was afraid that his father would storm in and demanded this wedding come to a stop. Of course, he was just being paranoid. The minister waited his standard 10 seconds, and when nothing happened, he went on.

“The bride and groom have chosen to express their love in their own words. Elijah?”

“Funny, we had all this time to get everything nice and perfect, but now the moment’s finally here and I can barely remember what I was going to say. I will say this; the other day I had a rather disturbing thought, what if you’re not real? I first saw you, after all, when I was on my sick bed, nursing a very high fever. I couldn’t dream up a better soul mate for myself if I tried. Beautiful, smart, funny and loves me not my parent’s millions. Well, if I am dreaming, I hope I never, ever wake up. Both directly and indirectly, you have made me a stronger man, a better man just by supporting me, believing in me. Marriage is sacred because love is sacred and how I love you Gertrud! I love you in every way it’s possible for one person to love another. Our first few months in the city were less than ideal, but I believe it has made us stronger as a couple and for that, I say, God bless it. As for the future, who knows what will happen? But, as long as I with you, my beloved, I can’t wait.”

“Gertrud, your vows.”

“Elijah, I must say that was simply beautiful. It’s funny that you should mention dreams. To me, you are not a dream but a dream maker. I suppose it is the wish of every orphan to desire a new family. A mother and father, who would love, support and are there for me, no matter what. I wanted it so much that night after night I would really fall asleep and dream of it. By age 16, those dreams shifted slightly. Instead of dreaming of my 2 adoring parents, I assumed the role of wife and mother. It used to driving me insane, for as hard as I tried to remember, my husband remained faceless and unknown. But now, there’s a person on earth that can convince me that I wasn’t dreaming of you all these years. Tonight, you make me a wife and within a month because of you, I will be a mother. You’ve fulfilled my dreams without even trying and for that alone I will love you forever. Elijah, you are a fine, gentle man with a huge heart. The money is actually the least interesting thing about you. Only a complete fool would love you for your family’s fortunate.”

“Will you please join hands?” The minister asked and the couple obeyed.

Do you, Elijah, take this woman, Gertrud, as your lawful wedded wife? Do you promise to love, honor and cherish her? For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health and keep thee only onto her until death do you part?”

Elijah smiled at his bride. “I do.”

“Do you, Gertrud, take this man, Elijah, as your lawful wedded husband? Do you promise to love, honor and cherish him? For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health and keep thee only onto him until death do you part?”

Gertrud nodded excitedly. “I do.”

“May I have the rings please?”

Gertrud looked down, as Elijah turned red in the face. “We have no rings,” he explained, embarrassed. “We have no way of paying for them.”

The minister, however, kept his cool. “It’s a mere formality.” He dismissed. “Not important. What is important is by exchanging vows and by the power invested in me, I now declared you husband and wife. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Elijah, you may kiss the bride.”

With great care, Elijah lifted the veil up and away from Gertrud’s face.  As if to steady himself, he put each hand on Gertrud’s shoulders, leaned in at long last, and kissed her. The sounds of clapping seemed very far away as the couple clung to each other during the kiss and when it over, they hugged.

“We’re married! Legal and everything!” Elijah whispered in her ear during the hug. “We did it!”

“We sure did!” Gertrud whispered back.

  They went back in 2 cabs. Elijah and Gertrud in one and Joe, Jackson and Alan took the other. They arrived to discover that Joe had set up a little wedding reception in the back of the shop. The reception, much like the wedding itself, cost little but meant so much. They drank cheap wine from plastic cups and feasted on a $20 cake from a nearby bakery. Sounds of Only You and Le Vie En Rose and other love songs filled the air due to the tape deck. For over 2 hours, they ate, drank and danced. Both Elijah and Gertrud were shocked yet completely delighted and grateful to learn that it was Joe who contracted Jackson and Alan to let them know about the wedding. During the toasts, Alan joked that there were easier way to avoid dating him than marrying Elijah. Everyone laughed at that. A good time was had by all. Ever the good host, Elijah walked Jackson and Alan to the corner and waited with them until they caught a cab. When Elijah went up to the apartment, he found Gertrud in the kitchen, decked out in a short summer nightgown, smearing peanut butter on a piece of bread.

She looked up, caught, embarrassed. “It’s shameful, I know. Considering we just had cake but I just can’t kill these cravings.”

Elijah smiled, shook his head and came forward. “There’s no shame at all in eating for two. Why don’t you go to bed? I’ll finish up here and bring the bread in to you.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind? I’m almost done here anyway.”

“My sweet darling, since you got up this morning, you have endured a day shift and a night shift at 2 different jobs, a wedding and a reception, all on your feet, I have little doubt. Now, if you don’t want to rest for yourself, do it for our child.”

“All right.” Gertrud chuckled and then kissed him on the cheek. “Don’t be long. You’ve a big day too.” Then she left. Elijah was putting away the bread when he got a wonderful idea.

A minute later, Elijah entered their bedroom and handed the plate to Gertrud, who was sitting up in bed. “Here you are.” As his wife ate, Elijah watched her, lying across the bed, prompted up by his arm.

“Hit the spot?” He asked Gertrud when she was done and took back the plate.

“Yes” she admitted, rather sheepishly. “Yes, it did.”

Elijah placed the empty plate on the floor and turned back to his beloved. “I have something for you.”

“Oh, Elijah, no!” Gertrud protested. “The lily was a nice gesture, it really was, but we already agreed. No buying gifts for each other!”

“Oh, I can assure you I spent no money on this. Do you remember when someone said you can’t have a wedding without a ring?” They both knew that Elijah was quoting himself from their 1st wedding under the oak tree nearly 3 years before.

“I seem to remember a little birdie told me that once.” Replied Gertrud.

“Well, tada!” Elijah pulled out from the twist tie from the bag of bread, knotted it and put it on Gertrud’s bare finger.

Before the happy tears flowed, his wife shook her head. “It’s not fair. I have 2 wedding rings before you’ll

have your first.”

“I’ve thought of that!” Elijah announced proudly as he produced a second twist tie.

Gertrud got on her knees, took the little yellow strip from Elijah, knotted it and slid it on to his finger. “I love you, Mr. Cobblepot.” She whispered.

“And I love you, Mrs. Cobblepot” he whispered before he took her in his arms and kissed her deeply.

  The next day was Sunday, or as Elijah and Gertrud termed  ‘their one-day honeymoon’. Both their employers had given them the same thing. It was something Elijah hadn’t had in weeks, Gertrud in months; an entire day off. It didn’t take the couple long to agree on spending the day in bed. They woke up slowly, lazily and spent their first morning as husband and wife making love. After a light lunch, they went right back to it. In the mid-afternoon, Elijah came out of the bathroom to discover that Gertrud had fallen asleep. The pair was just about to have sex again but Elijah was glad his wife was taking a nap. Tomorrow would make it an exact month to her due date and Gertrud still worked too hard, in Elijah’s opinion. He bought the light blanket up over her bare shoulders and bent to kiss her brow, before he continued to the kitchen to see what he could make for dinner. Some time later, Gertrud awoke and after they ate and cleaned up the dishes, the newlyweds had settled on the couch in the living room to take up their endless debate about baby names. By 7, the debate had been put off again as they resumed their lovemaking. At 11, Gertrud let out a yawn as Elijah set the clock’s alarm. Today’s day off had been badly needed but tomorrow, it was back to work and back to the real world.

The rest of August gave way to September just as Gotham’s record-breaking summer heat wave drew to a close. As the nights grew cooler, the residents of Joe’s Sew Shop were struck with baby fever. With no name changes, citizenship tests or when they would get married left to worry about, Elijah and Gertrud could at last, focus on their upcoming bundle of joy. As they began shopping for baby things, they found that their months of hard earned savings really came in handy. They could afford all the basics. Including the big items, like a crib, a changing table and a stroller. Also the little things like diapers, bottles and other supplies. Even Joe got into the action, he gave the Cobblepots an old rocking chair of his after he had repaired and repainted the chair white. Gertrud could not help but smile in approval as she watched her husband put her old teddy bear, Oscar into the new crib. On September 18, Gertrud and Elijah celebrated their first month of marriage. September 19 was Gertrud’s last day of work before the baby came. On September 20th, Gertrud’s due date came…and went. If Gertrud was anxious about her baby being late, Elijah was beside himself. He watched Gertrud like a hawk. One night as Gertrud got out of bed, Elijah leapt to his feet. Gertrud calmed him with a kiss and explained she needed to use the bathroom and would be right back. On another day, the had just finished lunch and Elijah was clearing the dishes. As he stood over the sink, he heard a yelp that made him lose control over the dishes.

“Ow!”

Gertrud got up and ran to him. “Darling, are you alright? You’re hurt!” She studied the scar on his palm.

“It’s nothing.”  He dismissed. “Gertrud, why did you yell? Are you in labor?”

She nodded nervously. “I-I think so.”

[supergirl-imagines]

Lena Luthor/you fic pt. 12

“Don’t!  Don’t fucking touch her!  Lena?  Lena, it’s okay.”

Rope digs into the wounds on your wrists, but you continue to pull against your restraints as hard as your depleted strength will allow.  You’re exhausted, in an incredibly familiar amount of pain, but it can’t possibly phase you at this point.  Not when they got Lena this time.  

A cold laugh rings in your ears at a volume that almost deafens you.  Bright light flashes from above and it illuminates the figure standing behind Lena’s battered form.  Lillian sneers cruelly down at her daughter, who is breathing heavily and struggling to keep her head up.  

“Get away from her!”

The words rip through your throat, which is hoarse from hours of screaming.  You had watched the two masked thugs in the room do unthinkable things to Lena, no matter how loudly you screamed.  

“I warned you.  I warned you both.”

Lillian steps slowly out from the dimmer side of the room, her heels clicking on the cement, and she gripped Lena’s head in bony, pale hands.  Your heart pounded so hard it seemed to rattle your ribcage.  

“No, no, please!  Don’t hurt her!  Lena-“

Her name caught in your throat as a sickening snap accompanied the way Lillian twisted her daughter’s head sharply to the side-

“Y/N, wake up!”

Lena watched your eyes flash open, wild with panic, and found your hand under the blankets as you shot up in bed.  A reminder of the state your body was in send a sharp ache through your chest from the sudden movement, but you were still reeling from the vision of what your subconscious had come up with.  Something in the back of your mind begged you to get a grip, but icy terror continued to pulse through your veins.  You didn’t feel safe.  Lena wasn’t safe.

“—it was just a dream.  Hey, can you look at me?”

Lena’s voice finally snapped you out of your hysterical state and she laid a hand on the less bruised side of your face.  Your gaze found hers in the dark bedroom and you scrambled to wrap your arms around her and hold her close.  She was okay.  She was here.  It was just you and her, safe in her room.

“I’m sorry,” you gasped out finally.

“Shh, it’s alright.  You’re alright.”

Lena rubbed a gentle hand up and down your back and you did your best to focus on the feeling of her touch and the smell of her perfume.  Little by little, the adrenaline in your system faded away and the sickening feeling in your stomach lessened.  Lena continued to hold you in the dark solace of her bedroom, occasionally reminding you that you were alright with soft words.  Once your pulse returned to normal, you pulled back from her and rubbed at your tired eyes; ashamed at how unabashedly fearful you had been in front of her.

“Do you want to talk about it?” she offered.  You could hear the expectation in her voice.  You couldn’t just pretend that everything was fine.

“Just, give me second.  I’m, uh, gonna use the bathroom.”

You clambered out of bed, coated in a cold sheet of sweat, and hopped your way into the bathroom.  With the door shut behind you, you grabbed your medication bottle from the cabinet, tossed a tablet on the sink, and turned the faucet on to mask the rest of what happened.

After splashing cold water onto your face, you dried off with one of the hand towels and hobbled back out to the bedroom.  By the time you laid back down next to Lena, a warm sedation had washed over your and the feeling of Lena’s arm across your waist added to it.

“You said my name, in your sleep,” Lena stated quietly.  You allowed your eyes to shut, but nodded.

“You were there, in the dream.  And so was your—“ you corrected yourself before the word mother could slip out, “—was Lillian.”

“I’m so sorry, Y/N.  But, you’re okay.  You’re safe, with me.”

“I know,” you assured her.  “It’s just…it’s hard not to think about what would happen if she did find us.”

“I understand.”

“I don’t think I’d be able to live if something happened to you, Lena.”

“I know the feeling,” Lena sighed.  You could hear the exhaustion in her voice and reminded yourself that she had to be up early.

“We should go back to sleep.”

You pressed closer to her, now incredibly drowsy, and shivered at the touch of her fingertips brushing where your hip stuck out from under your shirt.  The images of the nightmare continued to fade as she rubbed a thumb back and forth across the small patch of exposed flesh.

“I love you,” you murmured just before succumbing to sleep again.

“I love you too.”

——————————————————————————

“Hmm,” Lillian grunted as she peered at the spread of photographs on the metal desk in front of her.  There were plenty of her daughter outside of her condo complex, but none of the images had caught you.  “No sign of the low-life.  Those two idiots must have taken quite a toll on her.”

“There’s been quite a lot of progress down in the lab, ma’am.  We just need to figure out how to completely restore cognitive function after the personal storage areas of the brain have been over-stimulated.”

“Over-stimulation?  I told you I wanted the brain wiped.”

“Ma’am, that’s just not a viable option, even with this technology.  Not if the subject is expected to be able to retain artificial memories afterwards.”

“Hmm,” Lillian grunted again.  “I expected more of my employees.”

“We’ll keep trying, ma’am,” the senior scientist assures her.

——————————————————————————

You didn’t wake up until almost two in the afternoon.  The vivid nightmare had taken a lot out of you and as your eyes opened, you were immediately hit with a headache and pang of hunger in your stomach.  After a quick face wash, you brushed your teeth and hesitantly took the orange pill bottle out of the cabinet.  It was still over 3/4 of the way full, but you were still uncertain about taking more.  You couldn’t afford to do this to yourself, or to Lena.  You had watched what painkillers could do.  Hell, you had sold them.  After deciding you’d rather deal with the pain than the idea of becoming a pill-popper, you put the meds back and hopped out into the main area of the apartment.

In order to quell the burning in your stomach, you grabbed one of Lena’s weird protein shake things out of the fridge and an apple from the bowl on the counter.  It was only when you sat down at the kitchen counter that you noticed the iPhone 7 box and the note beside it.

I know you got rid of your old one and perhaps Angry Birds will keep you entertained until I get home.  

-Lena

P.S. I put my number and Kara’s into your contacts if you need anything

Wow.  Thoughtful as always.

—————————————————————————————-

A week passed.  Lena began bringing home extra work from her desk to entertain you while she was gone and you made a trip back to the hospital to get the stitches on your incisions out.  The nightmares came just about every night.  It became a routine for Lena to wake at least once a night to the feeling of you squirming beside her; distressed by whatever images were flashing behind your closed eyelids.  She’d pull you against her and whisper just loud enough to pull you out of your terror, and then peace would return to the bedroom.

And in the morning, you would wake up and snort crushed up oxy off of the sink.

You knew it was wrong.  You knew, somewhere in the back of your tangled thoughts that it wouldn’t last forever and it would have consequences.  But, in order to sit down and focus on something and pretend that what had happened hadn’t happened, you needed to.  

Lena wasn’t oblivious to the change in your disposition.  She noticed the way your eyes would slowly find hers and that they didn’t dance around the room as often.  The way you’d stare at nothing, apparently lost in your own head.  She told herself that you were just processing what had happened and the change in your life.  This was an adjustment for you, after all.  Living with someone was just something you needed to get used to.  

———————————————————————————————————

“Lena?”

Kara landed on her newest friend’s balcony just before Lena was about to shut her computer down and throw the files on her desk back into their respective drawers.

“Kara,” she smiled as she always did when the blonde quite literally dropped by and stood from her chair.  “Hi.”

“How’ve you been?  Sorry I haven’t been around too much lately.  Busy city and all,” Kara apologized and pulled Lena in for their usual embrace.  She had come to care a great deal for the Luthor woman in the past few weeks.

“I understand,” Lena assured her.  “Things have been…consistent.”

“What does that mean?  Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine.  Y/N seems to feel a lot better.  I’m not constantly worried about her collapsing anymore—“ Lena bit her bottom lip before continuing, “—but she has been a little…different lately.  I think she’s just trying to deal with what happened.”

“How are you dealing with it?”

“I’m fine compared to her,” Lena scoffed.  “Kara, she has horrible dreams almost every night.  It breaks my heart.”

“Well, that’s understandable.  But, are you sure you aren’t taking on too much?  With work and her physical recovery and—“

“Kara, I’m fine.  She wouldn’t be struggling like this if she hadn’t met me and…you know I love her.”

“I know,” Kara replied and reached out to give Lena’s shoulder a comforting squeeze.  “Let me know if either one of you need anything, alright?”

“Thank you.”

—————————————————————————————————-

Sometime that day, the real guilt hit you.  You were in Lena’s home, sleeping next to her in her bed every night, and lying to her every time she came home and you didn’t tell her what was going on.  

Around five, you sat down at the kitchen table, still high from your afternoon dose, and spun your prescription bottle around in your hands.  The remaining pills rattled around, almost seeming to taunt you, and your good leg shook up and down rapidly under the table.  God, Lena was going to be so disgusted with you.  To be fair, you were disgusted with yourself.

You sat there, waiting and consumed by the river of anxiety in your system, until the door to the condo opened and Lena’s heels clattered to the hardwood floor as she kicked them off.

“Y/N?”

“In here,” you called.  Your stomach was twisting and you sucked in a deep breath to try to quell the nausea.  Oh God, what if you had ruined everything?  

“Hi,” Lena beamed as she entered the kitchen, noticed your disposition, and paused.  “What’s wrong?”

“I need you to sit down and just listen for a second, please.”

“Okay,” Lena took the chair next to you hesitantly and eyed the pills in your hand.  

“I…I need you to take these away from me,” you started and slid the orange piece of plastic over to her.  “Please don’t hate me, but I’ve been—“ your voice failed you and your pulse started slamming in your ears, “—I’ve been snorting them.”

“What?”

“I know, I know it’s bad.  I just…I needed to feel better about everything and I needed you to think that I was okay.  Please, please just don’t hate me, Lena.  I’m so sorry.”

“No, no, it’s okay,” Lena stood up from her chair, pocketed the prescription bottle into her blazer, and wrapped her arms around you.  “I could never hate you, Y/N.  We’ll figure out what you need to get past this together, okay?”

You nodded and let out a shaky breath.  

“Just tell me what you need from me, and I’ll help you.”

“I-I don’t know what I need, Lena.  I can’t stop thinking about…any of it.  And you’ve been so good to me and I just feel so bad for putting you through all of this.”

“Shhh,” Lena shook her head and put a hand on the side of your face so that you’d look at her.  It was hard for you to even match her gaze.  “Don’t.  It’ll be alright, I promise.”

Her face was so close to yours and her voice was so soft, it made you realize how much you missed her intimacy.

“Lena, please kiss me?”

Her lips hadn’t touched yours since before you were taken.  She had been afraid to do anything more than hold you at night, mostly worried about hurting or somehow overwhelming you.  Lena’s eyes searched your own questioningly.

“Y/N…”

“Please,” you begged.  Her thumb moved across your cheek and your breathing quickened when her gaze shifted quickly between your eyes and your mouth.  After a brief second of uncertainty, Lena closed the distance between the two of you and pressed her lips against yours.  

So, decided to make the relationship a little more honest and deeper.  I figured writing Lena trying to help the reader through her mental recovery might be interesting

[fauxkaren]

Buffy Rewatch 4x01 “The Freshman”

Ok, let’s get this out of the way. I LOVE season 4. Like... it’s in my top 3 seasons. This is probably my hottest Buffy take that I have. I just think that it does the post-high school transition better than any other high school show I can think of.

I always get a kick out of this episode because UCLA is used for the shooting location for UC Sunnydale, and when I first watched Buffy I was a senior at UCLA. So I have fond memories of watching this the first time and being like “hey! That’s Bruin Walk!” Like the scene of Buffy walking down Bruin Walk and getting inundated with flyers is 1000% accurate. And yes that IS UCLA’s main library (there are a few other libraries on campus, but that’s the most impressive one) and it is just as gorgeous as it seems irl, but they only really showed the reading room. I mostly spent time in the stacks which are more underground and a lot more depressing.

Buffy is a bit overwhelmed by everything, but Willow, predictably, is just super excited by all the learning. Buffy and Willow go to the bookstore and get to know the joys of paying for textbooks. While at the bookstore, Buffy has a meetcute with a guy name Riley who is going to be TA-ing her psych class. (Another Buffy hot take? I think Riley is fine. He’s not my favorite character, but I think the hate for him is a bit OTT.) Buffy also meets her freshman roommate, Kathy... in a dorm room that it AT LEAST twice the size of any dorm rooms I had. And we had to fit 3 people in there. 😭

Anyway, Buffy’s first day is... it’s a lot. You can tell she feels lost and unsure of herself. Buffy makes a potential friend while lost at night, but uh... then he runs into some vamps. RIP Guy Who’s Name I Forgot. Buffy is disconcerted when he doesn’t show up to class the next day. She goes over to visit the now unemployed Giles and awkwardly runs into a post-coital hook-up/girlfriend of his in the kitchen. She (rightly) thinks that a gang of vamps has been preying on freshmen. Giles tells her that she can handle it and doesn’t need him. Which is true, and he wants her to learn self-reliance. But I think Buffy was looking for familiarity and comfort in the wake of all the changes.

Buffy finds the vamp gang and is nearly bested by them before she runs off. She’s really shaken by getting her ass kicked by some vamps and then sees that Oz and Willow seeming to be adjusting to college so well... so she goes home... and finds Joyce is using her room for some temporary storage. Oof. Buffy feels like she doesn’t belong anywhere rn. She wanders over the Bronze and finds Xander! He’s back from his roadtrip which wasn’t much of a roadtrip because his car shat the bed so he ended up spending his summer washing dishes. And then returned home to find his parents moved him down to the basement and are charging rent now.

Xander is actually really good in this scene. Buffy vents her worries about not being able to cut it in college and as a Slayer, but Xander reassures her. She’s still Buffy and she’s still his hero. So they get into research mode and figure out where the vamps are. Buffy sends Xander to go get weapons from her trunk in her dorm and then falls through the skylight right into the vampire den. oops. Xander finds Willow and Oz at Buffy’s dorm so it’s time for.. Scoobies Assemble! They show up to back her up, but Buffy’s already starting to kick ass. She’s got her groove back!

Then at the very end of the episode, we get our very first glimpse of some military looking guys in black, capturing a vamp. HMMMMM WONDER WHAT THAT COULD BE.