#neal's smile and his little laugh at the end there

[nicedeviledhamrightthere]

uh...neal? remember, that's not real.

[sexy-monster-fucker]

Ok but Lee Russell and fem teacher reader supervising the prom?? Maybe sneaking away (leaving gamby to fend for himself l m a o) for a little canoodling

Lee Russell x Fem!Teacher

omg YES I love love love this, I was thinking of writing something like this and now with the requestI have to follow through!

cw: smut, nothing too crazy, cream pie, p in v

~~~

To your dismay, you were one of the teachers chosen to chaperon the Prom this year. It being mandatory for you to actually dress semi-formal and look presentable. Flustered with the fact you would be spending your Saturday night surrounded in a lake of horned up teenagers trying their hardest to do anything and everything sneaky.

There was one bright side though.

Your secret hookup buddy would also be chaperoning. Lee Russell, one of the Vice Principals at North Jackson High School. Someone you had grown rather fond of in the last year. After payday drinks one night, you had found yourself tangled with him in the backseat of his car. Over the next couple of months, you had continued casual hookups at any opportunity.

You examined yourself in the mirror. Fixing any lose hairs you had, wiping the lipstick off your teeth. You thought you looked good. Heading out to meet your fellow chaperones. You and Neal Gamby pulled into the parking lot around the same time. Looking over at each other and exchanging awkward waves. Neither of you wanted to be there.

You walked in side-by-side, complaining about the night you had ahead of you the whole way in. Lee Russell stood in the hallway right outside the gym, directing the DJ where to take his things. Turning with hands on his hips to meet you both, "Bout time y'all got here." He wore a nicer black suit with an orange tie popping in color. "Gamby, get in there and sort things out," Lee pointed into the gymnasium. Neal blew his breath out, stomping his way into the dark room.

Smiling as he walked over to you, hands finding your hips instantly. You smiled widely at him, "You look handsome this evening." Lee pressed his lips to yours tenderly, "And you look ravishing, my dear." Kiss was short lasted as Neal Gamby came back yelling for Lee.

“Russell! Get your ass in here and help me with these god forsaken decorations,” Gamby’s vein popped out on his forehead.

“Jesus, Gamby can’t you do anything on your own. Always needing me to come to your rescue,” he looked over his shoulder smiling at you. The three of you walked into the illuminated gymnasium. Disco strobes painted the walls, tables with clothes over them on the floor. Other teachers were decorating as the cafeteria staff brought in the food for the students who would be arriving shortly.

You spent the next hour making sure everything was in place. DJ had started playing some music to set the mood. All of you bobbing your heads to the beat of older hits, some faculty singing along. Everyone was designated an area to make sure things went smoothly. You and Lee ended up being the one to check students in, making sure they all had tickets before entering. For an hour, students dressed in their finest clothes rolled through the doors. Giddy for the dance they had been waiting all year to arrive.

Double checking that every name was marked off the list, you and Lee sat alone at the fold out table.

“I think that’s everyone who signed up. Guess we can lock the doors now,” you stood up, stretching your back. Lee spun his keys around his finger going over and making sure no one could get in. Turning around and bearing a bright smile.

“Ready to go out to the dance floor?” Lee’s hands rested on your hips, leaning down and placing a tender kiss on you. You rolled your eyes, “Been looking forward to it all week.” Sarcasm painted your tone as Lee laughed, “I know you didn’t wanna be here, sweetheart. But I didn’t wanna be here without you.” Your cheeks grew hot with his sweetness. You both walked into the loud gymnasium. Seas of students dancing to pop hits, some awkwardly sitting at table or leaned against the stacked up bleachers. Meeting Gamby at the base of the stage directly next to one of the booming speakers.

“List all clear?” He shouted over the music. You nodded, “We double checked it and everything.”

“All these little fuckers are trying to dance awfully close,” Gamby scowled.

“Calm down, Gamby. It’s prom. After graduation next week we won’t half to deal with half these kids,” Lee propped a hand on Gamby’s shoulder.

Lee looked around the room, face falling into shock. “Oh my God, Gamby, look over there!” He pointed at some students with a flask attempting to pour it into the punch bowl.

“Motherfuckers!” Gamby rushed through the crowd of students to get to them. Lee chuckled, scanning the area around you both. No one was paying attention to either of you.

Lee interlocked fingers with you, pulling you behind the stage. "Where are we going?" you questioned, your voice not above a whisper. Lee's free hand went up to his lips shushing you. He opened the door to the band storage closet, pulling you inside with him. Complete darkness. Your eyes fought to adjust to the void. Feverish lips latched onto yours. Hands finding your hips and pushing your back against the wall. Clanking of some metal instruments filled the room as Lee's tongue found its way into your mouth.

"You have no right looking as good as you do tonight," Lee growled between kisses. Lips finding your neck, sloppy kisses decorating it. Lee's hands groped at your chest, pawing at the tender skin there. Pinching at your nipples through your dress, pulling a moan from you. "Yeah, now that's what I like to hear," Lee cooed at your sounds.

“Don’t we need to be out there watching the kids?” You spoke softly.

“Fuck those brats. They’re all gonna do what they want anyway doesn’t matter if we’re out there. Besides, Gamby can handle it,” Lee pressed his lips back into yours. His hands roamed every inch of your body, lips never breaking away from yours.

Gamby screaming your names in the hallway broke you away for a second. Both of you turning to stare at the door. Lee’s hand going to cover your mouth. His other hand fondling your soaking core. Fighting the moans that begged to creep out of you. You both held your breath when you saw the shadow of his shoes walk past the door. Stomping feet and the slam of a door letting you know he had gone elsewhere. You both sighed in relief.

Lee’s mouth latched back onto your neck, fingers teasing up under your dress. Tracing your clothed folds. “This pussy’s always so wet for me,” he purred against your throat. Lips climbing to your jaw, soft kisses planted along is landing below your ear. Your hands ghosted down his body, resting on his tent in his slacks. Palming him through the material. Lee groaned at your touch, hot breath against your skin. Your lips found their place on his throat. His hand tangling in your hair as you nipped at his jugular. Leaving tiny purple marks on him.

“Fuck… you know how to use that mouth, sweetheart,” Lee praised lost in the feeling. “You know I do,” you whispered against his skin. Hands found the buckle of his belt, undoing it and unzipping his pants. You ran the tips of your fingers around the band of his underwear, pulling a shaky breath from him. Diving deeper and wrapping your hand around his hard member. Lee sighed at the contact. You stroked him pulling moans and praises from him. His eyes squinted shut taking in every movement you gave him.

“God, let me fuck you,” Lee pressed his lips into yours. Hands scooping up your dress and pushing it as high as possible. Pulling his cock from his drawers, stroking himself as he watched you pull your panties down your legs. He grabbed one of your legs, hitching it around his waist as he lined himself up with your entrance. The head of his cock brushing your sensitivity before delving in. He bottomed out with his first thrust. Loud moans filled the small storage room. Mouths breathing the same air as he lingered inside you.

He began a slow and steady pace, stretching you perfectly around him. Lips desperate as tongues explored mouths and teeth clanked together. “Fuck, I missed this. Missed burying myself inside this God sent pussy,” Lee breathed heavy, his hair falling down in front of his face as he picked up his pace. With each harsh thrust squeaks and moans left you. Lee’s fingers found your aching clit, circling it in an attempt to make you finish around him.

“Need you to cum around me, doll. Wanna feel you come undone,” Lee huffed catching his breath. He knew exactly how to get you there. Fingers working rhythmically to pull an orgasm from you. You wrapped your arms around him, meeting his thrusts. You called out to him as you came undone. Walls fluttering around him, pulling him deeper inside you. Lee sheathed himself as deep as possible savoring the way your walls constricted his sensitive dick. He bucked his hips into you searching for his own high. Not far behind you. Warms ropes of him shot into you, his cock twitching as he coated your walls. Your name a moan on his lips. He lingered inside you for a moment, not ready to pull himself out. You could feel your juices leaking down his member most likely staining the front of his pants. Soft lips pressed into yours, his hand cupping your cheek. Hesitantly pulling himself out of you, eyebrows furrowing at the loss of warmth. His cum leaked down your thighs.

Helping you get your footing and flattening out your dress. Lee rested his forehead against yours, swaying back and forth with you in a small ballroom style dance. He hummed along to the song that you could hear through the walls. You ran your hands down his arms, interlocking fingers with him. Smiling at the softness of hand holding.

The door next to you slammed open. Both of you squinted at the bright fluorescent lights shining into the dark room.

“What the fuck are you two doing in here?!” Gamby gritted his teeth.

“Mind your business, Gamby,” Lee rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest.

“We’re here to make sure these kids aren’t fooling around and doing illegal shit. I shouldn’t have to worry that you too snuck off!” Gamby stomped his foot.

“Then don’t worry about it, Neal,” you mimicked Lee’s stance. Lee looked over at you with a shocked smile, slowly laughing at your snarky comeback.

“Get the fuck out here,” a jumble of frustration as he pointed to the hallway.

You laughed with Lee as you exited the storage closet, pulling Gamby’s tie as you walked out. Lee raised his eyebrows, tussling Neal’s hair as he walked past him.

Gamby growled under his breath as he straightened his tie back up and slicked his hair back, “You guys are the worst.”

You and Lee turned back to look at him, laughing together at his frustrated manner.

~~~

[End]

~ Thank you so much for the amazing request. I really love answering these! ~

[tags]

@its-in-the-woods ~ @hiddlebatchedloki ~ @justme12200 ~ @vaultdwellingghoullover ~ @one-of-thewalkingdead ~ @toogaytofunctiondangit ~ @ryankaylamartin96 ~ @heif ~ @itsyellow ~ @cat-shepard ~ @dichromaniac ~ @ivyinthesun ~ @vivalanegan ~ @nerdragenewvegas ~ @tindropp ~ @megangovier ~

[hellfirecvnt]

Teacher Work Day

Lee Russell x Fem!Reader pt. 3

Summary: "Is that bitch pissing on that cop car?"

Notes: Whoops. This one's long. Idk why I keep doing that lmao.

Part one here. // Part two here. // Part four here. // Part five here.

The next day, the aforementioned Teacher Work Day, you show up hungover as all hell. You groan out a pained sound as you step inside the school underneath the bright, fluorescent lights. They claw and beat on your skull with every pulse of your heart. Your sunglasses do little to stifle the ache.

"Hey!" A voice that's far too excited for your liking. Whereas you're usually a tame person, this hellacious hangover has you out of character. "I just wanted to introduce myself to the new secretary. I'm Bill Hayden."

"My God, you are awake, aren't you?" You do your best to smile, peeling the useless sunglasses from your face. Across the foyer, watching from the large glass wall of his office, Gamby holds a phone to his ear. Lee's voice chimes a greeting from the other end.

"You're gonna be pissed if you get here too late and Bill fucking Hayden's made his move on Ms. Y/L/N." He taunts.

"Yeah, maybe I can show you around town sometime. Show you all the cool spots," he says with a smooth laugh. The young teacher's try-hard flirting is enough to make you gag, hangover or not.

"I just heard him offer to show her around town." Neal shakes his head.

"What are you talking about?" Lee ponders, sounding obviously stressed.

"Bill Hayden is making a pass at Y/L/N. Where are you?" Gamby's voice becomes urgent.

"I fuckin' told your stupid ass I had to meet with the lawyers today."

"I thought you said your divorce was finalized," he says, still watching as you wait for Bill to stop talking.

"Yeah, they usually like to get paid after they do that for you, dumbass. I'll be there in 20 minutes." He's about to hang up until Neal starts talking again.

"She's probably only talking to him because I told her you were into her, but when she asked you out, you said no."

"What?"

"It's okay, I told her that you are probably not into her anymore." Neal nods, pleased with his own actions for some reason.

"Gamby, what the hell? Why?"

"What do you mean 'why?' She asked you out and you said no. Did you want me to lie?"

"I want you to stop fucking talking!" Lee hangs up and tosses his cell phone into the back seat of his car as he drives down the highway. "Bill Hayden, you shifty little bitch."

He whips through a local coffee shop, because fuck Starbucks, and grabs some coffees for whoever. He just doesn't want to show up empty handed after Neal has taken to intruding on his dynamic with you. He quickly throws the car in park and speed walks inside with a peculiar amount of energy in his hips.

When Lee walks through the door, your face lights up. It doesn't go unnoticed. For just a second, Lee's eyebrows threaten to knit as he watches your expression change. He wonders if he underestimated his chances with you.

"Good morning, Ms. Y/L/N," he chimes, leaving one of the hot drinks on your desk.

"Thank you, Mr. Russell." You grin, genuinely thankful for the caffeine that you're praying will set you right for the rest of the day.

"Why don't you come with me, darlin'? If I don't claim you now, you'll be stuck running bullshit errands for Gamby." A wave of relief washes over you as he says this. You whisper a quick thank you and slip out from behind your desk. After grabbing your coffee, the two of you head down the hall.

You reach a set of double doors and as he holds it open for you, a student walks in. You're still learning names, but you recognize him as Todd. A freshman that loses his phone and has to come to the office to pick it up relatively often.

"Todd, honey, you can't be here," you say in your soft, teacher voice.

"Todd Frechett, what are you doing here?" Lee interrupts.

"I'm going to school." The short, blond kid looks around, confused.

"It's teacher work day, we did announcements about it every day this week. Go home." Lee shifts his weight onto his hip, waiting for the student to exit.

"But my mom's not home and the door's locked."

"Okay, well, then go bowling or play stupid video games, or go masturbate in your car- whatever it is that teenage boys do." He explains. "You can't be here."

"Uhh, uh-" he seems genuinely at a loss for what to do.

"No, no, no. Not 'Uh, uh, uh.' Go home." He finishes, shoving Todd out the doors he came through. "Open this door, open the next door. Open the door after that."

Lee and the student go back and forth for a while as the kid walks away, exiting the school.

"We need a day without children please!"

"Alright!" He shouts back, the door closing behind him, ending the interaction.

"Um, Lee. I don't think you're allowed to say half the shit you just said to that kid." You look at him with concern, sipping your caffeinated drink as the two of you continue walking.

"He won't remember it tomorrow. Kid's got ADHD and two Christian hippies for parents." Lee's words confuse you and you nearly get a headache trying to decipher what he means.

"So, you were a little late today." You change the subject. "Everything okay?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. It was nothing." He shrugs. Nothing, you repeat inside your head. Nothing kept him from having a drink with you last night, he just didn't want to and that's fine. You try to bury your embarrassment under a smile, knowing it'll pass in a short while. Rejection is part of the human experience.

"So, uh, listen. About those drinks," Lee starts. He's got a stupid smile on his face as if he's almost in disbelief that he's already finding himself speaking so boldly to you. The divorce had been drawn out for a while, his feelings for his ex-wife have long since fizzled. But it just seems so fast. Too good to be true.

"Oh, please. No worries. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I'm still not allowed to talk to teachers, I think. I just didn't want to drink alone," you say, hoping to ignore the situation and allow your humiliation to fade out with dignity. You let out a fake laugh.

"No, I mean, this weekend. Maybe you and I could get those drinks." Strangely enough, his palms sweat with nerves.

"Drinks this weekend? I'm in. This week has already been a shit show," Gamby appears from seemingly nowhere. "Y/L/N, grab a clipboard-"

"Not today, Gamby. She's the secretary, not your personal assistant. Get an ISS kid to do it." Lee waves him off.

"Fine. Payday drinks this Friday. I'm in." Neal snatches one of the coffees from Lee and takes off down the hall. There is no way out of it, as arguing with him is like negotiating with a brick, you might as well accept that Gamby will be crashing your date.

You and Lee share a knowing look and he rolls his eyes. You can't help but laugh.

"At least we know it'll be a fun evening," you chuckle.

"I'm certain he will turn the night into a shit show the minute we get there, but sure. It'll be interesting."

The rest of the week is filled with nonsense and plotting from your two higher ups. They can barely seem to agree on anything until Neal learns that Dr. Brown has a history of alcoholism. The three of you gather in Lee's office.

"That's perfect, Gamby. Invite her out to payday drinks, we'll knock that bitch right off the fucking wagon." Lee looks elated.

"I hate to rain on your parade, Lee. But if she's been sober for this long, there's a high chance she'll say 'no' to going out and drinking," you chime in.

"Listen. That bitch is going down one way or another. Let's just invite her to dinner and see where it goes," Lee stares deeply into your eyes and you almost forget to respond.

"Y/N's gonna have to show up separate from us. Brown doesn't fraternize with staff under her VPs," Neal injects.

"Okay, well. Don't call yourself a VP. That sounds too important," you sneer.

"Too impor-? I am important."

"Yeah, but it sounds like you see yourself as like a Vice President or something." You can't help but tease.

"I'm close enough. I'm fuckin'... Vice President of this school." Neal fumes.

"Whatever, whatever. I'll be there before you guys get there. I can't let my bosses know how high my tolerance is anyways." You shrug and the two men look at each other for a moment and then back to you.

"Go see what she says, Gamby, and report back," Lee instructs and Neal just about listens to him, but then he stops in his tracks and turns back around.

"You've been sending me off a lot. Bossin' me around. Makes me think you might think you're in charge or something." He squints his eyes. "Or are you just trying to get some alone time with Y/N even though you rejected her and she drank alone about it last night?"

"Je-sus Christ, Gamby." You stare down at the floor in front of you with wide eyes and a flushed face.

"Will you please get the fuck out of here?" Lee pinches the bridge of his nose. "Go, go!" He ushers Neal out the door, closing it behind him. Lee returns to his seat behind his desk and glances up at you where you stand, smiling from the embarrassment and humor of the entire situation.

"He's the fuckin' worst, right?" You chuckle, only half joking with that statement. You take a seat across from his desk. "I was going to drink anyways, by the way. It wasn't because you weren't there." Lee laughs at your clarification.

"A fucking idiot, just an absolutely stupid motherfucker. I'm bewildered," he huffs, leaning back in his chair.

"I guess I'll get back to the desk. Mrs. Frechett will probably be calling us after a while." You straighten the stapler on Lee's desk and he watches your delicate hand as you do it. Just as you're taking a step toward the door, he speaks.

"What if I did just like being around you? Alone? Would that make you uncomfortable?" His words cause heat to rise in your face, you feel it all the way to your ears. He's posed his question like a hypothetical, but you're no fool.

"Gross," you say in jest with little thought at all. Lee's face immediately drops to one of confusion. "Oh, my God. I'm kidding. I'm sorry, I don't know why I said that." You shake your head, clearly taken aback by your own actions. "It doesn't make me uncomfortable at all, Lee. You're the best part of my day, usually."

"Usually?" He questions as an uncontrollable smile creeps onto his face.

"Yeah, sometimes Neal just sweeps me off my feet. All that shit about leadership definitely does it for me." You fan yourself, playfully. Lee can't help but laugh, utterly charmed. Time slows down, it seems, as the two of you laugh together. In the same moment he allows himself to feel comfortable with you, his mind is flooded with doubts and anxieties.

He and his ex-wife, Christine, haven't been divorced for long, but the marriage itself was over long ago. His feelings for her are all but a memory. What troubles him now is the fear of being left again. No, not in an overdramatic, help him feel whole again type of way. It's just a lingering fear. When Christine left, it was hard on him. With the divorce freshly finalized, he wonders if he can handle the stress of doing it all again should something go wrong.

The next day, after the school day concludes, you leave work and head home to get ready to meet the guys and Dr. Brown for drinks, staging it as an accidental run-in. After changing into some comfortable, casual clothes, you make your way to the bar.

To your satisfaction, none of the cars in the lot are recognizable. You park on the far side in the darker corner, hoping your car doesn't stand out too much. Inside the bar you order two drinks, slamming them down as quickly as possible before your coworkers arrive.

"Ms. Y/L/N? Is that you?" Principal Brown's smooth voice rings behind you. You turn around, flashing a face of convincing shock.

"Dr. Brown! Oh my goodness!" You chime, reaching to bring her in for a friendly hug. "Let me buy you a drink!"

"No thank you, Y/N. Now, you all know I don't drink," she laughs warmly. A sense of pride in her words. You begin to wonder if opening your mouth is the right thing to do, but after one glance at Lee, you do it anyway.

"I hear you, ma'am. I have a terrible history with drinking as well," you admit, only half lying. Is it really history if you're still drinking? Oh well. Brown's eyes go wide as she takes in your words. "I was clean as a whistle and straight edge as they come for years after initially getting sober." You finish your third drink. "But then I realized that if I have to force myself to not even look at the bottle, then alcohol still controls my life. Moderation is what I strive for."

You set the glass down on the bar and shrug with a smile, insinuating that it's your first drink of the night.

"Moderation, B. It's a beautiful thing," Lee announces, having just ordered a round of shots. "I know that whole book fiasco got you down. Leblanc fuckin' humiliated you at that tribunal."

Belinda seems to weigh her options before snatching the last remaining shot, and joining the group as you all toss it back. She releases a hyper sound, whooping like a sports fan as the clear, burning liquid enters her system for the first time in years.

"Yeah, Dr. Brown!" You cheer, signaling for another round. Round after round, with fruity cocktails in between, even Lee and Neal find themselves more buzzed than planned, but you're still stone-faced. Dr. Brown wavers on the cusp of belligerent and blackout.

You and Lee step outside to have a cigarette, mostly to escape the overwhelming nature of a drunk Dr. Brown.

"Did you really have a drinking problem?" Lee asks, wanting to dissect how much of your monologue was just a performance.

"Shit, I think I have a drinking problem right now," you joke. "Nah, that was all bullshit." He bursts into laughter, impressed by your quick-witted nature.

"Sure wasn't hard to convince her, huh?" Lee gestures to the door where a drunken Principal Brown terrorizes the locals.

"Not at all. She was basically grabbing the glass while I was still talking."

"I really appreciate your help, Y/N," he speaks softly. "Gamby's a fucking idiot, there's no way we'd make it this far if it weren't for you."

"Thanks, Lee," you smile with pride. You look down at your hands as a thick silence grows between you. "The other day, when you were late to work, did you really have something to do, or was it an elaborate rejection? I've learned you're pretty elaborate."

Lee sighs.

"Y/N, I'm newly divorced. My wife left me one day... Unexpectedly." He knows that's a lie and he's pretty sure you know that too. "I was paying my lawyers, filling out paperwork." He shrugs, waving his hand around as if to dismiss the matter.

"Okay, yeah, sure. Except you can do all of that over your phone nowadays." You lean against the railing outside the bar.

"I know, I just-" he searches for anything to say besides admitting it scared him to pursue you so quickly.

"So you could've had a drink with me after all," you smirk, reading his hesitation. Understanding his explanation, even if you've never been in that situation.

"Guess so," he mirrors your smile, slowly drawing closer and closer to you. Before either of you are aware, you're nearly pressed against each other. Lee's chest rises and falls at a rapid rate and you watch his eyes dance back and forth from your eyes to your lips. Your face feels hot and the heat only grows more intense until you finally close the gap, pressing your lips to his.

His well-tended hands wrap around your body, pulling you closer to him, and deepening your kiss. You reach your arms around the back of his neck, resting them there comfortably as your heads move in sync, albeit sloppily. Lee's grasping at any part of you he can, pulling you as close to him as possible. Your breathing quickens and a small moan escapes your mouth until you hear something strange and pull away.

"Lee."

"What?" He sounds annoyed to have lost contact with your mouth.

"Did you just hear Belinda say a slur?" You squint as if it'll help you hear better. At that moment, the door flies open and Brown is quite literally thrown out the door, Gamby close behind.

"Jesus Fucking Christ, Gamby!" Lee exclaims, laughing maniacally at Brown's physical state.

"Oh, fuck. My purse is inside!" You run to the door and beg for them to let you inside just to grab your belongings. They're hesitant, but after seeing you so coherent, they let you in to recover your things, demanding that you leave right after. You show no protest and quickly make your getaway as promised.

Stepping out onto the sidewalk, you scan your surroundings for your group, more importantly, Lee. They're a few blocks down the sidewalk doing something you're not close enough to decipher. As you speed walk up to them, you realize Dr. Brown is standing on top of a cop car and...

"Is that bitch pissing on that cop car?" Your jaw drops.

"Fucking pig!" Belinda chants as she urinates down the windshield of the police cruiser. Lee makes sure to gather every bit of evidence he can, while Gamby stands off to the side, looking a little guilty. You understand his empathy, but you crave Lee's approval over social acceptance and that's just something you've come to terms with. Maybe you're not so far off from him on the crazy scale.

Right after her golden shower, Principal Brown passes out, tumbling down the front of the cruiser.

"Oh, shit!" Gamby runs to help her up.

"Cut me out of that shit, I want no part in it," you point to Lee with a serious expression.

"I need to get her home, ASAP." Gamby says, helping her to her feet.

"I'll drive Lee home. You get her to a bed." You shake your head, leaving the men to help Dr. Brown to Gamby's car. You jog over to your own vehicle in the dark corner you parked in and fumble with your keys, finally feeling your buzz. Worst timing ever.

"Let's see that purse," an unfamiliar voice speaks from behind you. You turn around with a raised brow and see a tall, skinny man in a hoodie, hiding his facial features. In the shadows, you can still see his pale hands as he lunges toward you.

"What the fuck?!" You attempt to fight the man off as he tugs on the strap of your purse. He wrestles it off your shoulder and the two of you play a sort of tug of war. "Fuck off!" You scream, echoing through the parking lot.

"Was that Y/N?" Lee's head pops up from the car he's helping Belinda into.

"I heard it too," Neal scans the parking lot.

"Let go!" You wail, out of sight. Neal rummages through his center console and then takes off toward the sound of your voice. Lee's not far behind, squinting his eyes to attempt to see further into the darkness. "I swear to fucking God when I get my concealed carry license switched over-"

"Hey!" Lee's voice booms across the lot as they close in on you. The man quickly releases your back, causing you to jerk and stumble backward, falling to the ground with a hard thud. Lee runs to your aid while Neal, broken out in a full drunken sprint, hunts down the assailant and bashes him once in the back of the head with his brass knuckles.

"Hey, you okay?" Lee kneels beside you, placing a soft hand on either side of your face, searching you for wounds. "Did he hurt you?" He asks with an eccentric amount of worry.

"No, dude. He couldn't even get the bag out of my hands," you break into a laugh and he joins you, just from the relief of seeing you okay. Eventually, Neal returns with his brass knuckles ever so slightly bloody. It was less about defending you and more about getting to use his new brass knuckles.

"The thief has been taken care of," Gamby says with his eyes narrowed.

"Mr. Gamby, did you just kill that man?" You ask, shocked.

"No, but I could've." He walks away without another word, heading out to drive Dr. Brown home. You climb into your driver's seat and Lee slips into the passenger side. It's quiet for just a moment before you speak up.

Maybe it's the alcohol and adrenaline talking, but you do very little to stop it. You bite your lip before finally speaking up.

"Lee?" He looks at you, buzzed and smiling. "Do you want to come back to my place?"

(Part 4 coming soon!)

•••

Taglist: @its-in-the-woods // @justme12200 // @sixx-writes // @littlenosoul // @itsyellow // @blackwoodtree

[buzzyb33]

I’ve been so obsessed with sidemen recently it’s so bad😭 specifically Tobi if I’m honest, hes literally so sweet I love him sm

anywayss I was hoping for a friends with benefits type fic w tobi, where him and reader kinda just will do whatever they feel like with eachother, whether that be cuddling, being each others plus ones to events, doing other fun things (😳). they’re basically dating at this point but neither of them have the guts to flat out say anything about it.

maybe tobi is talking with the other sidemen and casually mentions that he’s shared a couple kisses with reader (or more idk🤭) and they all encourage him to just ask her out on a real date

just wanted to send something in bc I’ve been obsessed with this man for a while now😭 you don’t have to write this if you don’t feel like it! thank you!!

ps: love your work, your writing style is so amazing and perfect 🩷

TOBI? OF COURSEEEE

Prompt: since Tobi used one of his passes to be Y/ns plus one to a wedding the boys have been suspicious. Though she was already a friend of them then two seem closer than ever

Warnings: suggestive content,

Tobi sighs as he gets to the set, he hasn’t seen the boys in roughly a week as he went out with Y/n to a wedding as her plus one, his mind was full of her still.

The two were close, she held him when his mental health declined and he was feeling down, in the comfort of their little relationship.

He also held her when she was getting trolled on the internet, which was massively getting her down.

And when Tobi got a little tipsy at the sidemen 10 year party you two got frisky in a corner- ending in you going back to his hotel room with him which ended in expected sex.

When you got nominated and won an award for the female content creator of the year along with Eleanore Neale he buried his head between your thighs to congratulate you.

Also when he scored the sixth goal in the sidemen charity match- to congratulate him he got back to his hotel room when you came to speak to him, he shut the door and you instantly sunk to your knees before him.

“Well done tobi.. my way of saying well done? I’m not good with my words..” you peered up at him as you worked on his jeans.

But as he stood before you during one of your old school friends wedding in your blue thigh high dress, your beautiful smile accompanying that.

Sighing, he walked into the house for the recording and was met with a cheer.

“Tobjzl! What do we owe the pleasure!?” Ethan calls with a grin on his face.

Rolling his eyes in response and sitting down on the settee next to josh and Harry.

“Where was you last week?” JJ questions with a surprising amount of genuine confusion in his voice.

“I was at a wedding.” He replied.

“Who got married?”

“My friends friend.”

“JJ he was with Y/n the whole weekend.” Simon interjects with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

Tobi's response is a simple eye roll but as JJ laughs and Simon seems to be waiting for a confirmation or even a denial he reluctantly speaks up: "she asked me to be her plus one- Simon just called me when we was talking."

"She your girl?" Josh grins with a nudge to Tobis side.

“No.”

He wants her to be.

During the recording he checked his phone briefly and seen a message from no other than the girl he was infatuated with reading out an innocent “will you come over later?”

-

Meeting Josh for lunch the next day after having a night with Y/n, his mind a nice set of bliss.

The way her lips moved with his- her hands on his shoulders in a desperate way, how she whispered how much she missed h-

“Tobi, are you listening?”

“Tobi?” Josh’s voice sounds through his clouded mind.

“Yeah- sorry mate- what?”

“I was just saying how lannan was flying down soon- tobi, are you alright?” Josh’s voice masks concern.

“Yeah- I’m just a bit distracted..”

“With what?”

“… y/n.”

Josh smiles slightly. “What? Have you got a date?”

“That’s the thing- we’ve you know- but I don’t know if it’s just.. physical or she wants something- I do, I’m ready to commit but-“ he sighs.

“Have you shagged?” He urges.

“Well- yeah.”

Josh nodded slowly.

“Tobi- she initiates conversation just as you from what you say so just- ask her but make sure it’s clear of your intentions,”

“Okay- yeah, okay..”

Tobi forced the thought of you to the back of his mind as he spoke to Josh over food, nice conversations flowing.

-

I get a knock at my door and flat out my grey vest.

I open the door and see Tobi, a surprising factor as he normally messages me.

“Tobi! Did you leave something here or?..” I ask with a smile.

“No, no, uh can I come in?” He questions with a nervous smile, both hands behind his back.

“Yeah- course.”

I step out of the way and he exhale deeply, pulling his hands from behind his back and handing me a beautiful bouquet of light blue and pink lilies.

“Will- do you wanna go out? Properly? On a real date?” He taps his foot lightly as I look in awe at the flowers.

“Tobi- of course I will… You got me flowers?” I whisper as I feel my water line fill with tears.

“Great! And yeah I got you flowers- do you not like them?” A smile adorns his lips as he speaks, nervousness still swimming in his dark eyes.

“I- love them.. I’ve never got flower’s before..” I reply with a hint of emotion.

“A beautiful girl like you should get flowers every waking minute.” He grins softly as I hurry into my kitchen to put them in a vase.

I feel his eyes on me and as I cut the tips I turn to face him, hugging him tightly.

“You- wanna get serious? Not just.. what we do?” I ask as he squeezes me back.

“Yeah, I do, if you’re okay with that.” He murmured softly into my hair as he sways with me in his arms.

“I’m great with that.”

A/n:

JAMES MARRIOTT IS UP NEXT!!

Anyway I really hope you like this I’m sorry it’s short I was struggling a bit feel free to request some more!!

Requests are open

Masterlist!

[thesymphonytrue]

81. “Hold still.” Peter & Neal :)

Hold Still

Read on AO3

For the Drabble challenge here. (pre-canon) Peter groaned and pried open his eyes. The feeling of cold metal against his wrists and a throbbing headache blurred his vision as he tried to make out his surroundings. It was so bright, too bright. Shards of light stabbed his corneas as he shifted his weight, attempting to stand, but his hands were cuffed behind his back. “Woah there, Agent Burke,” a smooth voice said as a hand gently pushed him back against the brick wall he’d been leaning against. Peter squeezed his eyes shut, blocking out that light and tried to place the voice. It sounded familiar but… “This will sting a bit, but I’m almost done,” the voice said again and Peter saw a flash of a smile in the recess of his mind.

Charming grin. Dark hair. Blue eyes that danced with delight. Peter let out another groan as recognition dawned on him. Neal Caffrey. He struggled against the handcuffs again, the fog from his mind beginning to clear. Neal Caffrey had cuffed him, not the other way around. Peter squirmed this way and that, but his still-muddy brain inhibited his movements and he ended up just wiggling back and forth like a worm against the wall. Finally, Neal grasped the sides of Peter’s head, forcing Peter to still, forcing Peter to stare into those blue eyes. “Hold still,” Neal said, cocking his head like he was commanding a dog to “sit and stay.” Peter scowled. Neal’s face was still a bit blurry, but his brows were furrowed in….concern?

"You're a terrible patient, you know that, right?" Neal said lightly under his breath, his fingers nimbly assessing some painful, wet wound on Peter's forehead. “Well you’re…” Peter grunted painfully, “Under arrest.” Neal laughed, bright and clear and Peter’s head erupted in pain as a result. “Ahh Peter,” Neal shook his head, his usually coiffed dark hair falling around his face as he brought his hands up the corner of Peter’s forehead, “If you can catch me after I am done stitching up this head wound, then I’ll come with you to prison fair and square.” Just then, Peter felt a tiny prick and winced, closing his eyes. A little tug on his head, and then Neal sat back on his knees and observed his work, narrowing his eyes and humming to himself. “Just saved you an emergency room trip and from the mob that we were both running from minutes ago,” Neal said, an edge of cocky pride to his voice. Neal clicked open the cuffs restraining Peter, leaning in so close to Peter that his heart pounded and he could smell Neal's cologne. Peter had never been this close to someone he'd chased and not cuffed them.

It was thrilling. Neal tucked the handcuffs into his own pocket, shrugging. “Never know when these will come in handy.” “Hmph,” Peter reached up to find a neat row of three stitches close to his hairline. Neal smiled brightly, eyes dancing as looked at Peter. “You won’t even have a scar,” he said boastfully, light and energy radiating from him. He patted Peter’s shoulder, “See you next time, Peter.” “Caffrey….” Peter bemoaned, trying to stand, but his head was pounding. Neal grinned and bowed politely, “Please. Call me Neal.” And then he was gone, leaving Peter with a throbbing headache, near-perfect sutures, and…a warmth in his chest. Peter smiled, not even angry that Neal had gotten away. Neal had left an aura of sparkling energy, falling to the ground like soft snow and enveloping Peter in light. Since Neal Caffrey got away this time, that meant Peter would see him again. And Peter didn’t seem to have a problem with that at all.

[jackiequick]

Blah Blah Blah [ Once Upon A Time Fanfic] ❄️

Pairing: Snow White/Mary Margaret Blanchard x Prince Charming/David Nolan

Set during Season 4, Episode 11 - "Shattered Sight"

Characters: Cadence, Anna, Kristoff, Regina, and Baby Neal.

Summary: With the spell cast, tension runs high as Snow, David, and Cadence are trapped in the Storybrooke police station, bickering and revealing hidden grudges.

Note: I just wanted to have some fun, I didn't think much of it, it's some of my favorite scenes from season 4. Also I just wanted to make Cadie the annoying little bitchy sister in this fic haha

Click here to get to know Cadence Nolan

------

The spell was cast. People were pissed off. Outside in the town of Storybrooke, everyone was partially trying to kill each other. Inside the station that had just a few seconds ago been filled with smiles and laughs, now held eye rolls, yelling, and full-blown surges of anger.

Snow and David were seated, separated in cell blocks next to one another. Cadence was handcuffed to a front table, near Kristoff who sat on the other end of the table as she was trying to smack the crap out of him. Meanwhile, Anna, who wasn’t affected by the curse, paced back and forth, keeping watch, sort of stressed out.

The only one calm was baby Neal, who was peacefully napping, without a single care in the world.

“Finally, I’m seeing you clearly,” Snow stated with a scoff.

“What do you see?” David replied with a half-smirk.

“A fraud. A shepherd who has no business being royalty.”

“Well, I see a spoiled little princess who ran away from her troubles. WHO ALWAYS RUNS AWAY.”

“I can’t believe I had a child with you.”

“Who knows? Maybe you didn’t? Could be Whales!”

“Oh, shut up! You’re one to talk, David. You ran away from the farm and the castle more than anyone,” Cadence yelled, standing up but being pulled back to the table.

“Whose side are you on?” David yelled.

“Neither! You fell for THAT little brat? Katherine was much better.”

“KATHERINE?! You never liked me,” Snow shouted, “You were jealous because I stole your brother from you and that your EX-boyfriend’s mother hated you.”

“Oh, please." She remarked, "You fell for the wrong TWIN BROTHER! You thought it was JAMES NOT DAVID for months, he lied. You lied back.”

“At least I didn’t shoot my man!”

David glanced at her, “Your man? Oh look, she cares!”

“Shut up, I wasn’t talking to you!” Snow yelled, turning back to his sister-in-law, “So?”

“You shot him with a bow and arrow. You’re an annoyed little princess who thinks she’s always right. NEWS FLASH NOW, you ain’t. If you were right, you wouldn’t have married him or met me,” Cadence yelled.

“YOU LITTLE—you never let anyone help you.”

“I should’ve left you to drown years ago in that lake.”

“I should’ve let you get caught by those wolves.”

Both girls kept arguing with David jumping in shouting at both his sister and wife.

Kristoff rolled his eyes, “If this is what marriage is like, I’m glad you keep postponing ours.”

“You were gonna marry him, Anna?” Cadence asked with a laugh.

“Oh, don’t you start.”

“He sucks.”

“Hey!”

“He farts so bad, never shuts up about his reindeer and oh—“

“DON’T.”

Anna sighed, “You know what? I’m gonna go find my sister. And you two stay here, where you can’t annoy anyone. Expect me with your words.”

“You ran away from me! Anna, he’s a cheater, you wanna marry that?” Cadie said, spilling the beans.

Anna gasped, “You cheated on a princess, Kristoff?”

“He moved to Arendelle the next day.”

“I’m so sorry. Kristoff never ran away from me…I think?”

“That’s because he always had a thing for redheads, sweetheart.”

Kristoff shouted, “HEY! That’s it! You are a spoiled little rat-”

“You’re the one who couldn’t settle on a career!” Cadence yelled back

“You were a child farmer.”

"And you chose to be around ice and snow. You know who can do your job better? January!"

“Ice work seemed better at the time! So I studied it!”

“The whole town is FROZEN! Why are you selling ice for?”

“Farmer.”

“Stable boy.”

David and Snow kept fighting, while Kristoff and Cadence kept bickering. Anna tried to handle The Charming couple, but Snow kept making remarks, saying she was a murderer, causing Cadence to snicker with David barking over her.

Anna said sheepishly, “But you’re in love right? That has to count for something.”

“Love?! Ha! The moment I met her, she hit me with a rock!” David shouted.

Snow sighed, rolling her eyes, “Someone slip me a poison apple and put me out of my misery.”

Kristoff yelled, begging, “Me! Pick me.”

“Oh, shut it, Iceman!” David barked.

Kristoff bit back, “Oh ‘Iceman’? Who are you calling ‘Iceman’, ‘Stableboy’?”

“You! AGAIN the whole place is frozen! What are you selling ice for?!”

“IT’S MAKING ME GOOD MONEY!”

“You left us like it was nothing!”

~~~~~

It went on for a while. Until a certain figure showed up. Running into the station dressed in a black gown, was Regina with a fierce growl and a smirk. Cadence scoffed, Snow and David looked annoyed, Kristoff was searching for something to knock himself out with, and Anna was plain out confused.

Cadence muttered, “This is gonna be interesting.”

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t my lucky day. I originally came here to kill Emma, but now I get to kill the two idiots who started it all! And their personal sidekick!” Regina yelled.

“HEY!”

“You know who you are!”

“I served your ass for years.”

“But you went running back to them.”

David scoffed, “Well, in our defense, we didn’t tell Cora about your secret boyfriend.”

“Yeah, it was her!” Cadence agreed, pointing to her sister-in-law.

Snow furrowed her brows and remarked, “ARE YOU SELLING ME OUT?!”

“SHUDDAP! You all deserve to die, not just for what you did, but for your whining!” Regina shouted over them, pointing around to the trio, “But your punishment should fit your crime. You took my first true love from me, and now I’m gonna return the favor. By taking your baby.”

The trio yelled and shouted over one another for Regina to stop, as she poofed Kristoff and Anna away, throwing Snow’s door open and tossing Cadence into the same cell as her brother.

Snow and Regina squared off, with swords. The fighting soon commenced, dueling out in front of the shared cells. Soon enough, Regina towered over Snow nearby the desk. Across the desk stood the stroller.

“CAREFUL! The stroller's not under warranty anymore.” David called.

Snow strained, “You said you bought it new!”

“It was slightly used!”

Cadence recounted, “It was gently used!”

Snow grunted, kicking Regina off her, swaying the sword towards her midriff as she pushed back.

Regina glared, “Tell me when you’re tired of missing, Mary Margaret.”

Snow half-smirked, “I only have to hit you once.”

She swung and missed, Regina pushed her away, and both slipped on the flooring of the station. They used everything around them to fight: stacked papers, clothes, and small figurines. One of them was a tiny dog and a deep blue sweater.

“Hey!” Cadence called out.

Snow looked over her shoulder, “Is that my sweater?!”

“You never used it.”

“I was saving it for an occasion.”

“Like when?!”

Regina looked around to see if Cadence stole anything from her as well. However, as she was distracted, Snow took the upper hand, wrapping her arms around the woman and slamming them both against the cell block.

David and Cadence tried to take the upper hand, helping Snow as Regina pushed herself away from the trio.

The fight kept going back and forth, with David and Cadence watching like two school kids. They tried breaking out of the cell, but it was no use.

They screamed and shouted the whole time, even making remarks to Snow and Regina.

“Uppercut! Lock her onto the table,” Cadence yelled toward Snow. “Seriously?!” David looked at his sister.

“I’m helping!”

“At least tell her to swing the sword upwards to cut her cheek or something!”

“Oh, good idea! Snow, do that!”

~~~

Suddenly, a burst of magic flew across Storybrooke, hitting the Police Station, causing everyone to feel like they were slapped across the face and pushed forward like they were asleep. Breaking the short spell.

They all looked around, oddly confused, seeing swords in hands, papers on the floor, small figurines, and the front desk being pushed backwards.

Regina looked down at herself, seeing herself in her Evil Queen dress with her hair all messed up and dropped her sword. Cadence saw herself snickering as it turned into a set of giggles and laughter.

Regina looked ridiculous, honestly.

“What am I wearing?” Regina asked.

Snow looked at her, breaking into a small fit of chuckles that turned into laughter, followed by Regina laughing alongside her.

David was leaning against the bars of the cell, snorting and laughing so hard, he rolled onto the floor.

~~~~~

That's all folks! Let me know what you guys think Remember to like, comment and share

Tags: @gaminggirlsstuff Paul @gcthvile @missstrawbs2001 @djs8891 @starkleila @cherrysft @mandylove1000 @yetanotherwells @topgun-imagines @hardballoonlove @buckysteveloki-me @sherloquestea @nakiaswg @carellmcu @ximehs @sofia-falcone @rooster-84 and etc

[booksteaandtoomuchtv]

In The Lonely Hour (10/10)

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | AO3

Summary: A collection of canon-compliant(ish) one-shots that provide glimpses of Killian's life based on the album "In the Lonely Hour" by Sam Smith.

Latch What came (wink-wink) after the party at Granny's ended?

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS CHAPTER IS MATURE/EXPLICIT.

Author Note: As mentioned at the end of the last update, this story will end happily so that you don't have to dig for the happy ending in the canon. You, dear reader, have endured enough. Thank you for coming along on this journey with me. This was, I'll admit, an odd little, pet project. But, it gave me a fantastic outlet on the days in which I was struggling to find the words for Witchy Woman or having a shite day at work - it has been a bloody trying year, love. I am going to miss this strange little series.

Emma had not stopped touching him since Regina stormed off from Granny’s Diner. When she wasn’t touching him her gaze was heavy on him, as physical a thing as the little brushes when she was near him and the warm hand she placed on his shoulder when she reached for an onion ring from his plate.

“Hook, are you…blushing?”

The dreamy haze that had settled around him since Emma had kissed him earlier in the evening cleared instantly. His attention snapped to Snow; her face was the very picture of innocence, but her eyes were dancing with a mischievousness of which he hadn't thought her capable.

He could not well say, "Your daughter covertly brushed her hand over my lap. When she caressed a certain aspect of my anatomy before pulling her hand away, I found suppressing my reaction to her boldness was difficult. It is my embarrassment at such a quick response to her ministrations that has heated my face, Your Majesty."

"Oh, look! Neal has finally drifted to sleep." Emma's voice was soft and dripping with adoration for the infant in Snow's arms. Killian could feel, more than hear, the laughter in her words that were so clearly - to him, anyway - said only to save him from answering Snow.

Snow dropped her interest in him immediately and pulled David from his conversation with Leroy to gather their belongings. They were out the door dramatically whispering goodbyes a moment later. The gathered court of townsfolk started to make their own exits with the naming ceremony seemingly at an end.

"Thank you, Love," Killian said as they left the diner, his arm wrapped around her waist as they walked. She dismissed his gratitude with a shrug that brought her closer to his side. Holding her tight, he directed their steps toward the docks. He didn't have a plan; he just couldn't let this evening come to an end so soon.

"Wrong way."

"I thought we could walk the docks before you returned home for the night, Swan."

"I'm not going home tonight." Emma held up a room key from the Inn with a suggestive smile that promised him all manner of things.

Raising an eyebrow, he tugged her into him so that her chest was pressed firmly against his, and he could show her exactly how much he liked the ideas floating through his mind at her offer. His voice was low and filled with dark desire when he asked, "Love, are you certain?"

She pressed her hips into him, his cock jerked at the contact, a groan rumbled through him, and she laughed, a wicked little laugh, at his responsiveness to her touch. She pushed herself up so their lips could touch, but caught his lower lip between her teeth. She'll kill me.

"Show me that I was right to stay," she challenged him.

"As you wish."

At last, they pushed open the door to their room for the night and he realised that he really was going to have Swan all to himself for the night. He bit his lower lip against the smile pulling at his lips at the unexpected outcome of this evening. Her eyes tracked the movement. When he released his lip and ran his tongue over his teeth, her gaze darkened with desire. He kicked the door closed behind him, his eyes locked on hers.

"You've been thinking about this, us. Haven't you, love?" He crossed to her, pulling her against him again - a feeling he was growing addicted to already. He kissed her deeply, pouring his need into each kiss, tasting her desire in return, as he slowly backed toward the bed. She pressed further into him, a whimper escaping her when he broke from their kiss to nip at her neck. Soothing the bite with a warm kiss, he continued, his voice low, "Ever since you pulled me into your beautiful, cruel, lips in Neverland."

"Lips that I saw every time I closed my eyes for the last year. Lips that I will never tire of kissing." He returned to kissing her, any response she may have formed lost to the demands his kiss issued.

The bed hit the back of his knees. He turned them so that her back was to the bed and he nudged her gently onto the bed. Kneeling before her, he pushed off her jacket. A sudden vulnerability entered her gaze and he gave her a questioning look, hand teasing the button of her shirt, as he waited for her confirmation to continue.

She shook her head; he stilled immediately.

Killian cautiously removed his from her shirt and sat back on his heels. Stay the night, anyway. The words were right there, reassurance that he only wanted her presence. He wasn't going to ask for anything more from her. He licked his lips to speak, but she let out a breath and pulled off her shirt - let me do this and you do all that, she gestured vaguely at his assemble.

He complied with quick efficiency, managing to disrobe before her. He was rewarded with time enough to watch as she wiggled out of her tight jeans, peeling her underthings off with them. She stood up, looking at his face as if searching for any indication that he was not absolutely entranced by the goddess before him. She could search for days and she’d still fail to find one.

“Even more stunning than I imagined.” When she glowed at his words giving him her rare full smile (she had likely realised he hadn’t exaggerated or lied), his heart soared - she was trusting him, giving him a small part of herself. He was suddenly desperate to hold her, to feel her skin against his, to know how she tasted, to hear every sound she would offer him, to know every perfect inch of her.

He closed the small space between them and tumbled her onto the bed with him. She let out a surprised laugh and rolled on top of him, her legs straddling his waist. He drank in the stunning sight above him and the comfortable weight of her on top of him.

“Everything you imagined, Hook?” She smirked with confidence that hadn’t been there moments before, confidence that he helped her find. He pulled her down to him; it had been too long since he’d tasted her lips on his. His thumb rubbed soothing circles on the back of her head as his fingers dug gently into her hair, clutching her close to him. He dragged his hook lightly along her back and she gasped into his mouth.

“You enjoyed that, did you?”

She rolled her hips, dragging her pussy along his shaft, his hips jerked up, providing friction for her. “Take what you need, Love,” he purred, before sucking her nipple into his mouth.

As she repeated the motion, with increasing pressure in each repetition, he scraped his teeth on the sensitive skin on her breast before teasing her nipple once more with his tongue. His hand was occupied with her other breast, rolling and pinching the nipple between his fingers. When her movements became more erratic and her breathing turned ragged, he flipped their positions and settled his head between her thighs. “Killian, wha-?”

“I need to taste you on my tongue, Swan,” he answered, his arms sliding under her hips and opening her up to him. His hook was heavy on her thigh, holding it in place, as he licked her dripping pussy with the flat of his tongue.

A satisfied mmm escaped him at the headiness that accompanied the first tangy taste of her. “Bloody delicious, bloody perfect,” he muttered into her centre.

He looked up at her answering moan - his name somewhere in that intoxicating sound- her eyes were closed and one hand reached down to fist his hair, pushing his head back down between her legs. He reached his hand up to her other one, gripping her tightly in his while he resumed licking and sucking her folds. She kept his head firmly in place, a demand to continue, as she began to ride his tongue, a sharp sweetness filling his senses.

“That’s it, love,” he encouraged as her movements became irregular again. Freeing his left arm from under her leg, he dipped his tongue into her core and provided her with the pressure she needed on her clit with the flat of his hook. She bucked hard against him, her creamy release on his tongue, and his name falling from her lips. She untangled her fingers from his hair as he softly sucked her pussy clean of her cum.

“Killian,” she whimpered, squirming away, sensitive after her orgasm. Killian pulled away from her, reluctantly, and dragged himself up to lie next to her. He rested his head on her chest, listening to the wild beat of her heart, enjoying the knowledge that he affected her so much. Her hand now playing gently with his hair as she basked in the pleasant haze following her orgasm.

“That was,” she breathed, “fuck, Killian. That was…”

“You were absolutely incredible, Love.” He wiggled his head, as if nestling further into her chest, and started to slowly, very lightly, drag the tip of his hook along the inside of her thighs, across her mound, and down the other thigh in a teasing pattern. After a few iterations, she slid her legs together capturing his hook for a moment, before relaxing her legs down again, a new slickness visible on her thigh.

“Look how eager you are.” He ran the back of his hook between her legs and lifted it up between them so they could both see the evidence of her desire on its surface, “so wet for me already, Swan.”

He shifted onto his elbows and slide his legs between hers. He kissed her again, hips gently moving his head against her slick entrance, the warm wetness coating him. “Love, may I -“

Emma wrapped her legs around his hips and slammed him into her tightness, they gasped in unison, and the warmth and wetness that enveloped him wrecked what remained of his control. Yes, Killian. He lifted her hips and continued hammering into her and she met him at every thrust. Killian, please, more. He tilted his hips, exploring new angles and depths with each stroke. Whatever you need, Love. Her inhale told him that he found what he sought and he focused his thrusts there. I-oh-Killy. He kept up the pace. You’re stunning. Demanding more. He lowered his hand between them, stimulating her clit with his thumb as he continued his deep strokes. I will give you everything, Emma, you only have to ask. Her walls tighten around him, squeezing him, his release following hers, as he watched her shattered, completely and openly, beneath him. “Go ahead, mo grá. I’ve got you.”

When he finally separated from her, rolling them so he could hold her close to him, he stilled. He realised the words that had slipped from him, words he’d never spoken to a woman - my love. It was unlikely this realm contained the same languages as the Enchanted Forest. It was unlikely that she would know the rare language that his mother had whispered for only him when he’d wake far into the night all those centuries ago.

Her head was heavy on his brace and her breathing had become soft and even, Killian smiled. She had fallen asleep, so quickly, wrapped up in his arms. He watched in awe- Emma Swan, the constructor of the most impenetrable walls, was curled up in his arms, sleeping peacefully, trusting him to keep her safe through the dark of the night. An honour bestowed on him that he didn’t deserve but would gladly accept any night she’d offer it to him.

He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead and whispered into her hair, “Go ahead, mo grá. I’ve got you.”

[headknight-oh]

First time posting Daryl fic i guess

So so so out of order for what I want to map out, but the chittering whispers of the muse would not be silenced until they were appeased, so early Alexandria Daryl x OC fic be upon ye. Still need to do simple mathematics to add those 6 votes from the initial poll to see what this funky little queer will be called, but sex la vie or whatever.

I didn't really attempt to write out his dialect other than dropping a couple of gs at the end of gerunds. I'm not Zora Neale Hurston; dictating dialects is not my specialty.

Also, the quote they say is from Romeo and Juliet is actually from Hamlet. Onto the scene. Enjoy!

He’d been hiding in the tree line for a while now, shifting nervously from foot to foot, debating going in. He was just about to leave, to call the whole thing a waste of time when the rustle of leaves nearby caught his attention. 

“I can hear you,” Daryl said to no one in particular. It didn’t matter who it turned out to be; the drunken cadence of whomever had found him was familiar enough. 

“No you can’t. I’m being super quiet and stealthy actually. I think you might be experiencing auditory hallucinat-“ They were cut off by the crack of dry wood and the rustle of leaves as they fell somewhere close off to his right. 

A snort and a giggle quickly followed. A small smile of his own cracked the harsh line that he’d pressed his mouth into.

He heard them stand back up, and moments later, they stood at his side. He tore his gaze away from the house, from the throngs of people in the window, dressed in their Sunday best or whatever they would call it. They stood next to him, swaying on their feet, staring through the branches above to see the stars. Their face was flush with alcohol and awe as their finger traced constellations with no names. They always looked at the sky the same way, with a sense of wonder and fondness, as if they were seeing it for the first time. Daryl found it endearing, but reasoned that the pleasant tightening in his chest was a gentle amazement that anyone was able to maintain that level of wonder after living through the end of days so long. 

“Yer drunk,” Daryl said plainly, not quite sure what else to say. 

They snorted. “Heh, yeah. Rick is finally watching his own fucking baby. Love that kid, don’t tell her I said that. And I’ve been going drink for drink with good ol’ Abe. Haven’t been this drunk since undergrad.” They swayed a bit. “Came outside to smoke. Saw you. Decided to bother you.” They leaned against a tree as they fumbled in their pockets. They placed a joint between their lips, fiddling with the lighter.

“You doin a good job at that already,” he said, watching them struggle with drunken fingers to hold a flame on the lighter.

They laughed again, failing to light the lighter once more. “Mission accomplished then.” They considered the lighter for a moment. “If I share, will you light this? I fear I’ve lost control of my fine motor functions.”

He huffed a laugh, taking the offered lighter. He held the flame cupped in front of him. They leaned in a little unsteadily, not that their coordination was great to begin with when sober. The soft skin of their cheek grazed against his hand that blocked the wind as they breathed in the first drag, humming pleasantly. Daryl’s fingers felt tingly where they’d made contact with their face. He flexed them to rid himself of the feeling, trading the lighter for the outstretched joint. 

They stood in silence for a while, passing the joint back and forth. “So,” they began, exhaling smoke through their nose, “you gonna come in? I’ve been pissing off rich milktoast democrats all night. It’s quite fun, if I do say so myself.”

He scoffed and shook his head, taking the joint as they passed it to him. “Not my crowd.”

They hummed as they watched him exhale, eyes trailing his profile. “Not mine either.” The two considered each other for a moment. “Glad you came close though. It’s nice to see you trying.”

His eyes narrowed, “The fuck’s that supposed to mean?”

They shrugged. “You’ve been pissed off and uncomfortable since we got here. It’s a nice change of pace. You’re more fun when you’re not all angsty and brooding.” They kicked his boot playfully, smiling as they took the joint back. They used both hands, fingers grazing both his palm and knuckles in the process. They thought for a moment. “Hot and sexy maybe, but not much fun.”

Daryl felt his face heat. He shook his head. “Yer drunk.”

They laughed. “And high. Figure that out all on your own, hey Sherlock? I’m serious though.” They took one more drag and handed it back over. “Here. You finish this.” They exhaled up into his face as they pushed off the tree they were leaning against. He grumbled, and they chuckled. “Maybe now that you’re getting comfy, you can finally take a shower.”

“Don’t count on it,” he said, feeling a small smile tug at his mouth. 

They hummed again, studying his face. Their expression was the same pensive curiosity they showed when archiving some textbook they found. He could feel a slight fuzziness in his head that he blamed on the weed.

“What?” He looked away, not liking the way his face was heating under their gaze or the way his stomach flipped. 

They started to say something, a single “I” slipping out before they seemingly changed their mind on what to say. “You, Rick, and Carol. What are you guys planning?”

Daryl sighed. Of course they’d noticed. “Don’t worry bout it.”

They chewed at their bottom lip. “I wouldn’t if it were just you and Carol. But Rick,” their voice trailed off. They’d never been the biggest fan of Rick's leadership, something they were very vocal about most times, but this was different. This was worry, concern.

Daryl felt his hand move on its own accord, finding perch on their shoulder. He was briefly aware of how big his hand looked on their short frame, but he shook his head. “Rick’s fine. We’re all fine. Promise”

Their eyes narrowed momentarily. He knew that they’d clocked his uncertainty. But they apparently decided to let it pass. All at once, he saw the alcohol and cannabis creep back over their consciousness, as if they’d allowed it purchase again. Or maybe it had always been at least a little bit of an act.

“Alright, Daryl my dear. Whatever you say.” They patted the hand on their shoulder. “I’m gonna go turn this political fundraiser into an actual party. This music is ass. Or maybe I’ll find Deanna and tell her why I didn’t vote for her last election. That would be fun.” They grabbed his hand and stepped back, bowing. “Good night, sweet prince, And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!” They pressed a quick kiss onto the back of his hand, close to the still-healing cig burn from a week or so ago. They’d been the only one to notice that too. “That was from Romeo and Juliet I think. Maybe. I don’t know; it’s all a big mess up here right now.” They dropped his hand to tap their forehead. Daryl felt a strange sadness at the loss, knuckles still tingling from where their lips had touched.

He waved them off before he could register the heat spreading from the back of his neck. He listened to them giggle one last time, waving back at him as they made their way back to the party. “G’night, Daryl. I’ll see you back at home. Well, the house. Not quite home.” They stopped to ponder, apparently their brain and their feet unable to operate at the same time. 

Daryl shook his head, rolling his eyes. “Just get in there. Go have another drink or something.”

That seemed to snap them out of it. “Yessir,” they said, hitting a sloppy salute before laughing and waving as they headed back inside.

Daryl stayed in the tree line a little longer, watching them through the back sliding door, then through the window as they stood on a couch and started their show, ever the performer. As the music changed from a polite jazz to whatever rowdy bar song they started, he sighed and turned away. He began walking towards what would hopefully be home. Eventually.

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #1236: Playing for Tricks (King of Fighters)

7:10 p.m. at the Sidewalk of the Suburbs.......

Misha/Angel: (Eyes Begins to Sparkle at the Large Amount of Candy They've Received inside One Bag) Woooooah.......

Misha: (Dressed as His Hero, the Great Antonov, While Carrying the Bag Himself) There's so much candy in there~

Angel: (Happily Clasps her Hands Together While Wearing April o' Neal's Classic Jumpsuit) And they all look so delectable to choose from!~ (Starts Hopping Up and Down While Raising her Hand Up) Dibs en las barras de chocolateee!~

Krohnen: (Stops his Girlfriend's Hyperactive Hopping with his Hand on her Shoulder While Wearing a Freddy Kroger Costume) Take it down a notch, chocolate monster, the night ain't over just yet. We still got a few more houses to go through.

Angel: (Forms a Teasing Smirk at Krohnen) Well, look at you planning stuff ahead~ (Playfully Pokes Krohnen's Cheek) Are you finally having a good time trick-or-treating so far, Cookie?~

Krohnen: (Shrugs) Mm. It's nothing too special, but I'm not completely bored of it yet, I'll give it that much. Nowhere near as boring as Ant's annual ball party, that's for sure.

Meanwhile at Antonov's Mansion: Ball Room.........

Fancy Attendee: (Sitting on the Table Wkere Antonov and a Few Other Guests are Sitting At) And so, right after I gave that ball a nice swinging hit, my butler applauded and said "Very smashing hit, sir." And I told him" Hmmmmm very smashing hit indeed~"

Other Attendees: (Let's Out Elegant Sounding Laughs)

Antonov: (Chuckles Lightly While Putting on a Bright, Fake Smile on his Face) Yeah.....Smashing. (Why does are these parties alwaus have to end up being so booooring!?)

Back to the Suburbs

Misha: (Walks Over to the Next House with the Rebellious Couple Alongside with Him) Yeah, poor dad. We should keep getting more and more candy, so we can share with him and everyone else back home.

Angel: That sounds like a wonderful idea, Misha!~

Krohnen: (Scoffs a Bit) Yeah, assuming we don't end up getting aching cavities the next morning. (Rings the Doorbell of the House Him and the Others are Standing in Front of)

'Ding-Dong'

Middle Age Man: (Grumbles While Opening his Door) What?

Misha: (Happily Presents his Bag to the Man) Trick-or-treat!~

Angel: Give us something good to eat!~

Both Angel and Misha puts on the most brightest looking smiles they could muster up.

Middle Age Man: I don't have candy. Go away.

The man tries to close the door only for it to get stopped by Krohnen's foot stepping in the way.

Krohnen: Hold it, fat n' bald. What's that over there? (Points at a Bowl of Candy Sitting on the Arm Rest of the Couch in the Living Room)

Middle Age Man: (Immediately Gets in Front of Krohnen, Blocking Him Away From Where the Bowl is Located) Something accessible for MY teeth only! Now, move it! (Tries Pushing Krohnen's Foot Away From the Edge by Using his Own, With Little to no Luck)

Krohnen: (Unfazed by the Man's Efforts) Just give the kid some candy already, will ya? It's Halloween.

Middle Age Man: (Grunts While Still Struggling to Push Krohnen's Feet Away) Think I...give a single damn!? I've already worked my ass to the bone, enough from work as it is!

Krohnen: (Rolls his Eyes a Bit) Congrats on tributing to society. Got yourself a medal for that already?

Middle Age Man: SHUT UP! I finally got the whole night of relaxation to myself and there ain't no way in hell I'm gonna let you, that shitty brat and skank of yours get in the way of that, ARE WE CLEAR !?

Krohnen sliently growls at the bald for a few seconds before calming himself down with a deep breath.

Krohnen: (Finally Moves his Foot Away From the Door and the Man's Foot) Crystal.

Middle Aged Man: W-Woah- (Nearly Trips Before Quickly Getting Himself Back on Balance) Better take my word to heart. Now piss off before I call the cops on ALL OF YA!! (Forcably Closes The Door on the Trio's Face)

Misha: (Lowers his Head a Bit in Disappointment) Aw.....

Angel: (Gently Ruffles the Top of Misha's Hair) Cheer up, niño. There's still plenty of other houses to go, remember?

Misha: (Raise his Head Back Up a Bit) Yeah, and we only have a few more hours before it's past my bedtime. (Went Back to Smiling Again) Let's go!

Krohnen: (Stops Misha and Angel in Their Tracks as He Place his Hands on Both of Their Shoulders) Not so fast, you two. We're done with this house yet.

Misha/Angel: (Raises Their Single Eyebrows in Confusion) We're not?

Krohnen: Hell no. That fatass batmouthed you and denied us our treats, now we'll give him some tricks. I'm assuming that how this whole "Tricks-or-Treats" thing works.

Krohnen then notices the way Angel and Misha are now staring at him. One is smirking and the other's are sparkling up with Glee.

Krohnen: What?

Angel: You big softie~

Misha: So cool~

Krohnen: (Sighs as He Makes his Way to his Bike) You two can thank me all you want later. Let's go!

One Motorcycle Ride to the Nearest Grocery Store Later........

Krohnen: Alright. (Grabs his Chin While Looking at All od the Eggs in Front of Him and Misha) Which of these eggs would cause the most property damages?

Misha: I'm not sure.....(Turns to Krohnen) Have you ever pranked anyone before, Big Bro?

Krohnen: Nope. I was more of the "prankee" if anything.

Misha: Ah man, seriously? That must've sucked.

Krohnen: (Rolls his Eyes in a Bit of Annoyance) In the most egregious way imaginable. All thanks to that dumb ice brat and-

Angel: Ewwwwwwwww!

Misha: (Turns to Angel Along with Krohnen) Big Sis Angel?

Krohnen: What's up?

Angel: They're selling rotten eggs here, look! (Shows the Boys the Expiration Date on the Box of Eggs She's Holding)

Misha: We could pelt them at his own house! That way it could smell as bad and rotten as his dumb face!

Krohnen: That is themost juvenile plan you have ever come up, kid. (Forms a Proud Smirk on his Face While Ruffling the Top of a Now Chuckling Misha's Hair) I'm proud. (Turns Back to his Girlfriend) Angel, how much those eggs cost?

Angel: Hmmmm.....(Looks Down at Where the Rest of the Eggs Are Placed at and Finds the Prices Written Below For Each of Them) About $3-4.50~ ('Ugh') And most of them are expired already!

Krohnen: Perfect. You guys grab as many of them as you can get. (Smirk Grows Even Wider) We got a house to ruin.

Another Motorcycle Ride Back to the Suburbs Later........

Krohnen park his motorcycle right beside the sidewalk, in front of the man's house. He then shushes the giggling Angel and Misha before hopping off, walking up to the front door, and knocking on it.

'KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Middle Age Man: (Opens the Door Once More Before Groaning) ('Ugggh') It's you again? I thought I already told you and your dumb family that I ain't giving you any candy!

Krohnen: Oh, we know and some of us aren't too happy with the poor choices you made earlier tonight. (Smirks at the Man in Front of Him) So, now the only thing you'll be receiving are some tricks. (Tosses an Egg Up in the Midair Before Crossing it With One Hand) On the house.

Krohnen throws the egg directly at grouchy man's face.

"CRACK" "SPLAT'

Middle Age Man: (Grwls Before Grumbling and Wiping the Egg Yoke Off his Cruddy Looking Face) What the!? (Notices Krohnen is Not on his Porch Anymore Before Looking Around) Where is that blue haired basta-

Before he could even finish the rest of his sentence, a couple more eggs starts hitting the not so poor victim down to the ground by the very same brat and tramp he insulted earlier.

Angel: FELIZ HALLOWEEN BURRO!! (Let's Out an Evil Laugh as She and Misha Continuously Pelt the Man With Expired Eggs)

Misha: Yeah-Heah, WOOOOO!!!

Krohnen: (Watching the Chaos Ensures in the Background) That's right, keep 'em coming, you two! (Throws Two More Eggs at the Man's House) Make sure that fucker thinks twice about crossing us while I mess his house up a bit. (Someone Hands Him Another Egg) Thank you. Wait- (Immediately Gets Startled Once he Turns to See the Police Officer Standing Next to Him This Whole Time)

Officer: (Slowly Crosses his Arms While Glaring at Krohnen) Not a problem.

Krohnen: ........Shit.

One and a Half Hours of Arrest and Bail Out Later, Outside of the Police Station...........

'Jail Cell Slams Open'

Ramon: (Pinching the Bridge of his Nose While Standing Next to King of Dinosaurs) Ay mi eterno dios..... We left you three trick-or-treating alone in that suburbs for a few hours and you've already gotten yourselves locked up!?

K.O.D.: (Shakes his Head While Growling in Disappointment)

Krohnen: (Casually Shrugs) Hey, I say lasting as long as we did beforehand was a pretty decent accomplishment in my eyes.

Ramon: Really? (Raises an Eyebrow at Krohnen) And does getting Misha involved in this fiasco count as an accomplishment as well?

Krohnen: ('Tch') Obviously not. (Rolls his Eyes Again) Unless you wanna be that technical about it.....

Angel: (Happily Hugs her Boyfriend's Arm) Oh don't be too hard on him, Ramon. He was only fighting for our honor~

Misha: (Rapidly Nodded his Head) It's true! The guy was being a complete jerk to us the whole way through and never gave us candy, so we pranked him.

Krohnen: He should consider himself lucky I didn't knock his fat ass out where he stands. He was practically asking for it.

Angel: I'm glad you controlled yourself there, Cookie. (Gives Krohnen a Loving Kiss on the Cheek) You make me so proud~

Misha: (Happily Hugs Krohnen) You were our hero tonight, Big Bro! Thank you.

Krohnen: (Heart Starts to Melt a Bit Before Turning Away While Blushing a Little) S-Sure. Don't mention it. (Turns Back to Krohnen) Look, just don't tell Antonov what happened tonight, alright? I'll do anything you want.

Ramon/K.O.D.: (Turn to One Another Before Turning Back to Krohnen With Raised Eyebrows) Anything?/Rawr Rawr Rawr?

Krohnen: ('Sighs in Defeat') Yes, anything. So long as it isn't anything stupid.

Ramon: Don't worry. It's nothing too trivial. (Forms a Friendly Looking Grin on his Face) We just want you to join us on our workout sessions first thing tomorrow morning.

K.O.D: Rawr rarawr rawr- (Starts Flexing Both his Arm Muscles) Rawr rawrawrr!

Ramon: (Nodding and Agreeing to Everything K.O.D. Said) Oh yeah, my thoughts exactly. (Turns Back to Krohnen ) You are in desperate need of more muscle improvement, mi amigo.

Krohnen: My muscles are fine enough as they are, thank you. Not like yours are anything to speak about.

Before Krohnen knows it, he suddenly gets put in a headlock by Ramon shortly. Causing Angel and Misha to burst out laughing and KOD to sigh and shrug at this dispense.

Ramon: (Gives Krohnen a More Intimidating Smile on his Face) What do you think of them now, bobalicón?

Krohnen: (Winces and Choking his Pain) Okay!....I get it.....They're impressive.......Tap out already, christ!!

@tampire

@helsic

@thelexhex

@caleb13frede

[cricketnationrise]

Okay, in the end I couldn't pass up: Kel in New Hope at [I can't remember how they do time and the books are all the way on the other side of the room so the Tortall equivalent of 10:17am]

a little almost post-Scanran war moment. no i don't know if that's how it would work in 'real' life but i like the vibes of this one - (new) hope you like it! 💜

want your own ficlet? rules here

⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️

new hope, third bell after breakfast

Kel opened the next letter on her desk with a sigh; Wyldon never warned her about the sheer volume of paperwork that being in charge generated. But he probably didn’t have to deal with correspondence that was downright rude about his person, his title, and his command. Even after returning from Scanra with over four hundred of her refugees, the hate mail addressed to Kel continued, especially once New Hope had been built and she had a fixed location once again.

She doesn’t get further than ‘ought to be ashamed of yourself’ before she throws the letter on the pile to be burned. Lighting the nonsense on fire was the simplest way Kel had found to deal with the avalanche of hate sent her way. It had been Neal’s idea, originally, all the way back in Corus when they were still pages. It still baffled Kel that people bothered to spend time on an insulting letter to a stranger (and a child) purely because her life didn’t look how they thought it ought to.

The next letter made her smile – Fianola had sent her an update on her page training, with a veiled plea for more bruise balm. Kel made a mental note to have Neal make some more up and send it out with the next messenger to Corus. The next were all inventory reports she would have to collate and parse through before sending her end of month report to Wyldon. Thank Mithros for clerks – Kel didn’t know how she’d ever done without them.

Finally, she got to the last letter and Kel sat up straight when she saw the official seals of the King and the Magistrate’s Office. She opened it carefully and felt her eyes widen when she read the opening line. She needed to alert the camp. Still clutching the letter, Kel ran out of her office and rang the bell at the center of the practice yard, summoning the residents.

Less than five minutes later, the entire camp was assembled. There was a low-level of curious muttering among the people, but Kel’s lack of weaponry and armor and the smile she couldn’t quite control made any worry of an attack fall by the wayside.

“Everyone’s here, Kel, except the duty watch on the wall.”

“Thank you, Merric. I’ll catch them up right after this,” she replied before shifting her voice to a Command volume. “Thank you for assembling so quickly. New Hope got some news this morning, and I wanted to tell you all straight away.” 

“Are we being granted a new shipment of mud?” Neal asked. The gathered refugees and off-duty soldiers, her people, laughed at his impertinent tone.

“Not until the next rainstorm, Sir Nealan. But we are being granted something.” She beamed out at them all, proud beyond measure that they’d all gotten to this point.

“King Jonathan and Queen Thayet send their regards, and advise that following the signing of the Peace Treaty with Scanra that is currently being negotiated, New Hope will become an permanent Town – meaning that once the war is officially over, you all have the option of remaining here and building a more permanent life.”

“And who would be in charge?” Fanche called out.

Kel could feel herself blush but stood straight, reading directly from the letter. “‘The Crown suggests Lady Knight Commander Keladry of Mindelan to serve as New Hope’s first mayor, pending approval from the residents and her own acceptance of the role.’” She paused there, unsure how to go on. 

“Well that settles it, I’m staying,” Seafas said, breaking the silence. Ripples of agreement went through the crowd.

“You’ve proved worth your feed, right enough,” Fanche agreed with a sly smile. “Might as well stick around a little longer.”

“I’ll need to think about it – I never thought about this possibility—”

“For once you haven’t pondered through every angle? Say it isn’t so,” teased Neal.

“Oh shut it, Neal. I promise you all I will seriously consider it. For now, think seriously about what you want your post-war lives to look like. You don’t have any obligation to stay here, you could return to your home fiefs, or somewhere new altogether. Your new hope doesn’t have to be at New Hope. Thank you.” Kel hopped down from the low wall, grinning at the cheers that went up amongst the refugees and soldiers alike. She strode in the direction of the outer wall, thinking hard as she went.

What did she want her new hope to look like?

[sexy-monster-fucker]

👉 👈 🥺 for the pining prompts, what about number 8 with lee russell? (i love the way you write him!!)

yes yes yes!!! Also thank you so much I’m glad you like the way I write for him :))))

Lee Russell x Teacher!Reader

#8: Glances that linger on longer than intended.

also @dichromaniac you're a saint for making this GIF I am in love

~~~

Smitten. Completely head over hills. Practically floating on a cloud of blushed cheeks and awkward laughs every time you were together. Butterflies levitating you above.

You had transferred from a different school to take over the science teacher position at North Jackson High.

That was when it started.

Being guided around the building by one of the Vice Principals, Lee Russell. Tall, eccentric, and extremely handsome. Starting off your interaction with a compliment.

“Nothing would make me happier than showing a beautiful new thing like you around,” Lee grinned from ear to ear as he placed his hands on his hips. You could not deny the heat that rose to your cheeks with his words.

You followed him around the school. Stopping at showing you all the important parts of North Jackson High School. Cracking a joke or two along the way. Showing you your classroom with the lab connected. Admiring how much space you were given. Ending your tour in Lee's office.

"And this is the most important place in the whole building. My office. If you ever need anything done, or just want to spend a little time with me," he winked, "Right here is the place for you, my dear!"

"You really are the sweetest, Mr. Russell," you swooned.

Catching the attention of Neal Gamby from the hallway.

“Lee Russell, you fake ass bitch,” Gamby laughed. You saw Lee's face turn a shade of red you had not yet seen. His teeth clanked together as he bared his teeth at his coworker. "You've got this poor girl convinced you're some sweet guy. Hah! Please, you are an a-grade liar, Mr. Russell," Gamby cackled.

"Shut the fuck up, Gamby!" Lee rose to his feet fast. Catching you off guard with the sudden attitude change. Not bothered by it, just a little surprised.

Lee’s eyes darted back down to you, noting the way your brows pushed together at his demeanor. Softening his stiff shoulders and putting on a smile as to not scare you away. “Sorry about that, sugar. Sometimes I lose my temper,” he smiled at you.

“Sometimes?” Gamby began again.

“Get out of here!” Lee pointed.

Gamby stomped his foot like a child before leaving the two of you alone. Slamming Lee’s door behind him. Both of you exhaling in relief.

“So,” Lee questioned, “Got anything else you need to know?”

…

A few weeks had passed and you were growing into the rhythm of North Jackson High School. The utter lack of professionalism from your coworkers was your hardest adjustment. Your fellow teachers attempting to welcome you in at their lunch table, but finding yourself not enjoying the conversations. Unable to stop thinking about Lee. Anytime he was in the room your full attention was on him. Admiring the eccentric ways he dressed, the frosted tips of his hair, and how he let no one get off easily.

Since you had started, Lee would often visit you at the end of the day. Coming by your classroom to check on how things were going. Making sure you were comfortable. You adored his visits.

But as you got later in the year, Lee’s attention had gone elsewhere. Not stopping by as often. Having more important principal responsibilities to tend to. You did not mind, you just missed him.

No matter. You still had his attention. It had become a tradition now. When either of you walked down the hallway at the same time, you could not take your eyes off each other. Not often did you find yourself in the hallway at the same time, but when you did…

You walked from opposite sides of hallway. Unable to look away as soon as you caught each other’s eyes. Time slowed. Hazel eyes locked into yours. Body still moving with the motions of hallway traffic, but your attention was his. Watching as a closed mouth smile crept across his face, cheeks turning pink. Feeling like a teenager bumping into her crush in between classes all over again. If you could capture a moment in time, it was this. Mutual exchange of longing looks. A silent understanding that you shared feelings. Smiling brightly as you finally got close enough to each other to pass in the hall. Both of you turning your heads to keep your eye contact going.

Heart fluttering in your chest. Hand going up to grip at your shirt over it. Thinking that maybe it would calm the feeling down. You hurried back to your classroom. Waiting for your next class to join you. Mind running wild at the moment you had just shared.

Later that day…

You sat at your desk grading papers. The end of day announcements had just finished over the intercom. Getting slightly flustered when Lee’s voice took over your class room. Unable to forget how his eyes fixated on you so often. Waving off one of the lingering students in the hallway when you heard a familiar southern drawl.

“Why the hell are you hanging around Miss Y/L/N’s room? Boy, it’s late in the day, get out of here,” Lee’s sass hissed off his tongue at the student.

Arm resting on your door frame now. Bright white teeth meeting your gaze. Your cheeks bright with your crush for him.

“Hi, Mr. Russell,” you smiled ear to ear.

“Oh, call me Lee, sweetheart. No need for you to be that formal with me,” he continued his smile as he entered your classroom. Closing the door behind him. Nonchalantly touching some of the things that decorated your classroom as he closed in on your desk. Large hands splayed out on it in front of you.

“So, what’s a young thing like you doing tonight?”

Your body radiated heat. Stuttering and stammering awkward noises. “N-Nothing. I live alone and don’t know many people,” you awkwardly laughed.

“I wanna take you on a date,” Lee was so straight forward. Butterflies danced in your stomach.

“Really?”

“Absolutely. You’re beautiful and I want to get to know you better. We can’t just keep eye-fucking each other in the hallway,” he laughed.

You grinned. Flustered at his proposal. Giddy like a young girl getting asked to prom. Unable to believe he really was that interested in you.

“I’d love to, Lee.”

~

{tags}

@boydcrowderapologist ~ @toogaytofunctiondangit ~ @megangovier ~ @justme12200 ~ @castle-of-ruin ~ @its-in-the-woods ~ @itsyellow ~ @hiddlebatchedloki ~ @iwmflbb

[snowbellewells]

Self Promo Sunday: "Still Here in Spirit"

This week's promo fic is just a bit of a missing moment/divergence from early season five. I was feeling a bit of angst at the end of 5x02 when Emma was left outside the diner watching the rest of her family together, and I think this was mostly born out of that feeling. I've always had a bit of a soft spot for this little one shot, and here's hoping you may enjoy it too....

Summary: Though Emma cannot be with him as he wonders just what wrong makes his love keep her distance, Killian and all her family and friends still keep the Savior close to their hearts...

Can also be read on AO3 or ff.net if that is your preference...

by: @snowbellewells

Chuckling good naturedly in spite of himself from where he leans casually against the staircase railing in Regina Mills' spacious foyer, Killian Jones watches the festive bustling and last minute preparations before the Hood-Mills-Charming families can head out on the streets of Storybrooke trick or treating. He had truly held no interest in the odd modern day custom of dressing up in unusual garb and wandering the streets begging others for sweets. Of the many strange and ridiculous-seeming practices he has been introduced to in this realm, this so-called "Halloween" seems to be one of the most ludicrous.

However, when Henry had looked at him hopefully, urging his mother's boyfriend to join them on this nighttime excursion, Killian found he could not deny the lad. There is a certain expression Swan's boy possesses – fervent, wide-eyed and engaging – that reminds him so much of Emma that day Storybrooke had been on the brink of destruction and she had looked straight into his soul and urged him to be a part of something, that he is hard-pressed to deny Henry anything, despite what his original inclinations might be. Though his weary soul had balked at laughing with light heart and playfully making merry when his love was out there somewhere, alone, cloaked in darkness and lost in her bitterness at wrongs the rest of them cannot remember committing, watching the group straightening each other's outfits, gathering Roland and little Neal's baskets for candy, and warmly trying to enjoy what they can of this moment of relative calm – even if one of their number is missing – makes him smile through the twinges of pain.

Reaching out affectionately to straighten Henry's green woolen cape and then the quiver slung over his shoulder, Killian feels the corners of his mouth pull up in a reluctant but sincere smile at the picture the boy paints in his get-up with his assorted motley band of outfitted family. There had been heated debate whether Henry should dress as knight like his Gramps or a pirate like his adopted stepfather until the boy had eventually settled the dispute by dressing like Robin as a bandit of the forest. His other surrogate parent had tried to appear casual about it, but the glimmer in his eyes as he loaned his old cape and quiver had given away how flattered he was, not to mention the Queen's grin of joyful satisfaction and the couple rogue tears she had brushed away. It warmed Killian's ancient pirate heart as well, even though he had lost out on having a miniature double for the night's festivities.

The boy gives him a nod of thanks, and pirate and young prince's eyes meet for a charged moment of bittersweet understanding, both knowing Emma should be there with them and yet not wanting to voice how much her absence hurts. Not wanting to speak sadness into an evening that is trying to enjoy the good moments.

Then, with a steadying hand on the lad's shoulder, Killian vows to follow him and make sure this "Outlaw of Storybrooke Forest" rapidly becoming a young man enjoys himself tonight. Emma would wish it, and someday – he swears to himself – he will tell her about tonight's hijinks, and her parents dressed as Bonnie and Clyde (whoever they might be) with Regina and Robin as Romeo and Juliet in tow. Little Roland looks a bit out of place in their group dressed as a "minion" – which Henry had explained was in some moving picture the little lad had just seen – and bouncing around the rest of them as if he simply cannot wait another moment from them to be off.

The night progresses beautifully, with laughter and smiles that Killian knows he will hold in his memory for years to come. Being drawn into and accepted as part of a family, and necessary for its happy celebrations, was a gift he had long since forgotten and never expected to be a part of again. Yet, he cannot help wishing Emma could be here with them, looking on proudly as Henry takes care to see that Roland doesn't get too far ahead and become lost, that his little uncle is given his fair share of their sugary haul, and constantly glancing back at the group of adults who love him as if making sure that they too are happy and content. His Swan would be so proud of the good heart and concern for others her son continues to show, despite moving into those sometimes troublesome teenage years. He wishes so fervently that she was there beside him, her small, strong hand slipped into his, her head laid gently on his shoulder, just barely leaning into his side as they walk, that his hand clenches into a tight fist at the absence. Those easy, safe, and comfortable times together seem so far removed now from the cold distance that the Darkness has formed between them.

Still, there are many good moments too: Granny and Ruby offering wolf-shaped cookies and hot chocolate to all those who come to their door, with Ruby smirking and shooting a playful wink to he, Snow and Charming from beneath the painted wolf face and ears she wears atop her dark curls and asking, "Well, what else would I be for Halloween?" with a playful giggle; Belle meeting every child at the door to the library all lit up with carved pumpkins in each window, eager to give them a handpicked book of their very own, and taking a moment to slip a gilt-edged paperback into his hand as well. "It's The Princess Bride," she whispers surreptitiously to him with a sympathetic smile. "Emma mentioned how much she liked it once, and when I re-read it, I knew that you would appreciate it too, Killian."

By the time the group reaches the mines where the dwarves and fairies are giving lighted tours of the caves and sending their guests off for home with hot apple cider to warm their hands and stomachs, Killian is truly feeling cheered – if only at the happiness of those around him and the comfort of being welcomed wholeheartedly into their midst. When he parts ways with Henry and the rest of Emma's loved ones at the loft, savoring the hug Henry gives him before bounding after Regina, Robin, and Roland to get back to their house and go through all his candy, and possibly holding on a bit too tightly to the lad for just a moment, he pauses in the street lights' glow, peering into the night and mulling his next course of action.

Eventually he turns back toward the Jolly Roger and the docks, walking slowly and trying to keep himself from whispering Emma's name into the quiet evening. He knows that bringing her to him when she is not herself will only bring him more pain; their last encounter in his private quarters had taught him that lesson all too well. However, as he boards his beloved ship, strides across the deck and comes to stand by the wheel, gazing up at the clear night's multitude of stars, he does leave her a small remembrance. "I know you're out there somewhere, Love," he whispers to the breeze. "I cannot hold you tonight as I desire, but you were never far from all of our minds. Enjoy your Halloween treat."

He slips below quickly, knowing that tangling wits and words with her now will only make things worse. Head bowed, he can only hope she will sense how much he misses her in the gesture and that she – the real Emma - will feel a moment of his care. The captain has entered his cabin, leaning against the closed door and praying desperately that she is not lost in torment somewhere with no one beside her, when on the deck above him, a swirl of magical smoke clears, and Emma appears by the ship's wheel, a tentative, tiny smile upon her lips. Picking up the still-hot cup of cider he has left for her there, she takes a sip and imagines that the warmth spreading through her at first swallow is from him being able to hold her close once more. For now, it is the only treat they can allow themselves… so she closes her eyes, thinks of him, and tries to let it be enough.

Tagging a few who might enjoy: @jennjenn615 @searchingwardrobes @kmomof4 @laschatzi @whimsicallyenchantedrose @jrob64 @apiratewhopines @xsajx @bluewildcatfanatic @lfh1226-linda @teamhook @revanmeetra87 @stahlop @sotangledupinit @justanother-unluckysoul @drowned-dreamer @gingerchangeling @gingerpolyglot @blackwidownat2814 @elizabeethan @the-darkdragonfly @donteattheappleshook @booksteaandtoomuchtv @kazoosandfannypacks @tiganasummertree @optomisticgirl @spartanguard @therooksshiningknight

[kazoosandfannypacks]

"Wishing it Wasn't" by kazoosandfannypacks

Chapter 1/18: The Most Dangerous Bluff Pairing: CaptainSwan Rating: Teen (for gun usage in later chapters) Word Count: (1K/19.5K) Summary: Season 2 Canon Divergence: When Neal tells Emma he has a fiancée, she claims to have a new boyfriend of her own, and blurts out the first fairytale name she can think of: Captain Hook. Killian agrees to this ruse, but when feelings grow between the two, will the con be more than they can handle? Chapter Summary: After meeting Neal again and finding out he has a fiancée, she claims to have a new boyfriend of her own, and, upon inquiry, gives the first storybook name that comes into her mind. Unfortunately for her, that name is Captain Hook, but as soon as she remembers her ex's personal family history with him, she realizes this opportunity is too good to pass up. Tags: season 2, canon divergence, gun violence in later chapters, angst with a happy ending, fake dating, mild character death, mildly anti neal Author's notes: When I first came up with this fic, I didn't expect to ever finish it, or even get it past the first few chapters. I then made the mistake of telling a certain discord server about it, and they encouraged me to finish it. Anyways, without further ado, here's the captain swan s2 fake dating au! Taglist: @zahara @kmomof4 @jonesfandomfanatic @booksteaandtoomuchtv @jrob64 @tiganasummertree @anmylica @teamhook @undercaffinatednightmare @gingerchangeling @lonelyspectator @caught-in-the-filter @ultraluckycatnd @cs-rylie @pirateprincessofpizza [if you'd like to be added to or removed from this list, hmu in my dms or askbox!]

Also on Ao3!

 Cars and taxis inched by in the usual hubbub of New York traffic- but Emma hardly noticed them as she stood on a sidewalk, talking to a man who she'd never wanted to see again- until she was called upon to track him down in New York.

 Discovering that her ex was Rumplestitskin's son was quite the shock, but she was handling it like a pro, just like she handled everything else life threw at her.

 "Emma, there's something else you need to know." Neal said. 

 "What's that?" Emma asked. She was already surprised enough that Neal had decided to come back to Storybrooke to be with his father and his son- especially after abandoning both before. What more could he say now? 

 "I, I can't stay in Storybrooke forever." He said. "I have a life here- a job, an apartment, a fianceé."

 "A fianceé?" Emma thought. "It figures that he would've moved on already, found someone else. Why should I care?"

 "That's nice." Emma said. "I'm really happy for you." She was thankful Neal didn't have her superpower.

 "So there's no hard feelings?" Neal asked. "No jealousy or trying to steal me back or rivalry or any of that?"

 "Of course not." And she even faked a laugh as she faked her next sentence, "I have a boyfriend too."

 As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them, but she couldn't take it back without looking like an even bigger fool.

 "Oh," Neal said, looking down at his shoes, "that's nice."

 Emma smiled a little. "Yeah, he's a really great guy."

 "Can't wait to meet him." Neal said. "Does he live in Storybrooke too?"

 "Yeah," she said, because the best way to lie is to stick with the first thing your brain says, so there's no suspicious pauses in the conversation.

 "So he's from the Enchanted Forest too?"

 "Yeah." 

"Who was he in my worl- our world?"

 Emma tried to think of a guy in Storybrooke who she wasn't related to, and blurted out the first fairytale name she thought of. "Captain Hook."

Several curse words ran through her mind. Why hadn't she said "Pinocchio" or "Mad Hatter" or even "The Huntsman" or something?

 "Captain Hook?" Neal asked. He blinked a few times in disbelief, then ran his fingers along the bridge of his nose. "You're dating Captain Hook?"

 "Is that a problem?" Emma asked.

 "Is that a problem?" Neal repeated, then smiled. "I don't mind at all that the mother of my child is dating the same pirate my own mother ran away with. Doesn't bother me at all."

 She'd forgotten he had a personal connection like that with Hook- this bluff might prove better than she'd expected.

 "Glad to hear it." Emma echoed his previous sentiment. "No hard feelings, right? No jealousy? Trying to steal me back? Rivalry?"

 "Of course not." Neal said, seemingly unbothered by her rebuff. "I'm glad you've found someone who makes you happy."

"Yeah, you too." Emma smiled sadly. She didn't know what felt worse, the fact that she hadn't found that happiness yet, or the fact that she was lying when she was glad for Neal's happiness- or the fact that she knew that when Neal said he was glad she was happy without him, he wasn't lying.

 "Well, I guess I'll be seeing him when we get to Storybrooke." Neal said.

 "Oh, yeah." Emma said, having forgotten entirely that now she'd have to, you know act the part. "That's not going to be awkward for you, is it?"

 "Of course not." Neal said. "As long as it wouldn't be awkward for you if Tamara came to Storybrooke with us."

 "Tamara?"

 "My fianceé." Neal smiled. "I didn't want to invite her because I felt it'd be a little awkward for you, but since there clearly won't be any jealousy or tension, I see no reason why she can't join us."

 "The more the merrier." Emma lied.

 Emma had told Neal that Henry was unaware of her "relationship" with Hook, that she'd been intending to tell him about it on the way home from this trip to New York, but the double whammy of meeting his birth dad and finding out about a potential stepdad might be a lot for him, and Neal agreed, so he kept his mouth shut about the whole thing all the way back. When they arrived in town, she sent Gold and Henry to give Neal and Tamara a tour of Storybrooke, while she set out to look for the Captain- unfortunately for her though, she ran into her mom first.

 "Emma!" Before she saw Mary Margaret or even heard where her voice was coming from, Emma found herself wrapped in a hug from her.

 "Oh, uh, hi, mom?" she said.

 "How was New York?"

 "I called you, like, eighty three times while I was there." Emma said. "I found out Baelfire was Henry's father, we brought him and his fiancee to Storybrooke…" she saw Mary Margaret's face fall as she mentioned Tamara. "Are you disappointed?" Emma asked.

 "In what?" Mary Margaret asked.

 "That the father of your grandson is engaged to someone else?"

 "Why would I be…?"

 Emma saw through her lies. "Look, mom, maybe fairy tales are neat, cut and clean, but whether or not we come from them, our stories are still messy." Emma bit her lip and decided to change the topic. "Speaking of 'messy,' is our friend from the Enchanted Forest still in the hospital?"

 Mary Margaret rolled her eyes. "Hook is doing fine. After he got out, he unleashed Cora's giant- who has now befriended us and is one of the dwarves- and we haven't seen him much since. Why?"

 "It's a long story." Emma said, not even trying to consider how a giant became one of the dwarves. "Any idea where he is now?"

 "Probably hanging about near the mayor's office." Mary Margaret said. "He's been working with Regina and Cora."

 "Alright." Emma started to walk in that direction, but her mom called her back.

 "Where are you going?"

 "Long story." Emma said.

[mccoys-killer-queen]

Seeing REO Speedwagon and Styx ON THE SAME NIGHT- Part 1

Firstly this was at the Allentown fairgrounds, and it was the opening night of the fair, so it was CROWDED. I was 5th row which was a major disappointment to me personally bc I'm ALWAYS at the barrier for every show I'm at. I bought these tickets over 6 months ago, so much has happened since then, and the night has finally arrived...

When Rachel and I got to the fair we walked around for a short time until I saw an alley that looked like it led to the grandstands/concert area. I swore I heard music coming from there, so I let it draw me in and just kept walking towards it

It was Music Man. REO Speedwagon was soundchecking. We stood there and watched their soundcheck from afar

I went to search where the busses were JUST IN CASE i was able to give Kevin and Tommy prints of their portraits

^^I called this my Mission or The Mission. But in order to not get my hopes up, my prime directive was: Go to this concert and try everything you can to take whatever you can get under the circumstances you are given.

I stayed true to this Mission right until the very end, so in that sense, the Mission was completed.

I was so excited before REO came on i almost cried. The sky looked so beautiful and you could just FEEL something in the air

they were playing music on the speakers and then suddenly the song cut, and Allentown by Billy Joel started playing, signifying that they were about to come on, and that something you could feel in the air only got STRONGER

I tried going up to the barrier when REO first came out but only front row ppl were allowed to do that so I got turned away by security

should point out i was not exactly within pick-throwing range- like picks went over me but all in all it wasn't an ideal spot for that

I stg i was the only one dancing and jumping

BRUCETHAN ELIZABETH HALL. I had him WHIPPED the whole set. It started with him looking at me probably during the first or second song and nodding at me and smiling and it just rolled from there

The last (and only other time) I saw REO i was right in front of Dave the entire time and I had him whipped too so it was only right that I had Bruce this time

I'd be makin hearts and blowing kisses n shit and he'd laugh and smile and nod at me

At one point early on in their set he was at the back of the stage in between songs and I saw him looking in my direction, so I just kinda fluttered my fingers sheepishly at him and the MOTHERFUCKER COPIED ME SROGNSOGNIDFGIAENTIH i LOVE HIM

during Keep On Loving You- JUST like last time when Dave was singing it to me- BRUCE WAS SINGING IT TO ME AT THE PEAK OF THE SONG YHGFPHFGMHRISRYSM HE STUCK HIS TONGUE OUT AT ME I STG I NEED TO FIND A VIDEO OF IT

I was also being stupid and trying to hold up my prints at the end of the set int he hOPES someone would see it

Bruce definitely saw the Kevin portrait but idk if he could actually TELL what it was

unfortunately Bruce was the only person whose attention i got in REO this time

Kevin saying how Rick Springfield is the best guy to go to for beauty advice

Kevin's patriotism is a little alarming as always soigneorginaergonr he always makes this speech before Golden Country that's like very pro-nationalism yet talks about achieving peace and then plays Golden Country- the most radical song out there- and it's all very confusing tprthrprtkdtdthtsptjh

REO's setlist was short :( they cut out at least 3 songs because they weren't the "headliner" i guess... they didn't play That Ain't Love, Building the Bridge, Keep the Fire Burnin', or even Music Man ?!? they soundchecked with Music Man but they didn't play it ?!!?!? all those songs have been in all their recent setlists so i was disappointed in that

Derek (the replacement for Neal) is also phenomenal

the sky behind them (there were like nylon curtains at the back of the stage instead of a wall bc it's the fairgrounds) looked hEAVENLY- it looked like they were playing iN THE SKY

I cried a bit during their set ngl bc I was just like I Love REO Speedwagon So Much They Are Part Of My DNA

but all in all nothing will EVER top that very first time I saw them. That was my very first concert and it set my expectations EXTREMELY too high for every single concert I go to now

EDIT: they always pay tribute to Gary and when they did that, Bruce put a hand over his heart and looked up at the sky and i think that's when i cried

[melandrops]

Haha so glad you are doing this it sounds so fun!!

Trick or Treat!!! 🎃 👻

Peter/Neal —White Collar

i hope you don't mind but this ended up being peter/neal/elizabeth hehe because i love the three of them together. i just finished season four episode six so i had this little drabble in the back of my mind. hope you like it and happy halloween!!

Elizabeth sank into Peter’s hold, smiling wide and beautiful. Peter looked equally as charming bending to catch her lips. Neal leaned against the side of the wall, unable to stop a sweet pang in his chest at the sight.

“Aw, how charming,” he said, relishing in the way they both jerked, as though they were two teenagers caught making out in the halls. Peter’s grip tightened around Elizabeth for a half second before his face melted into a grin in recognition. “You know this is a crime scene, right? Can’t just go barging in whenever you want.”

Peter rolled his eyes and moved down to grip Elizabeth’s hand. She followed Peter as he made his way over to Neal, her legs slightly shaky. Neal reached out a hand as they approached, catching her slim hand in his own as she tread on solid ground.

“What are you doing here, Neal?” Peter asked, his face still bright from the ice. It’s achingly handsome, and Neal had always been a sucker for the arts. He let a roguish grin play upon his lips and didn’t miss the way Peter’s eyes darted down to catch them.

“Just here to see the sights. I brought my skates, thought I might catch you two lovebirds in the act.”

Elizabeth’s nose scrunched at him as she smiled, her hand still clasped in Neal’s. “You two should go out and skate for a bit.”

“You don’t want to join us?” Neal asked, looking away from Peter to Elizabeth.

She batted her free hand airily. “My legs are getting tired from all that. I think I’ll take a break. You two go on ahead.”

With that, she tromped away to sit on a bench, tugging out a bottle of water and uncapping it. Neal returned his attention to Peter, who seemed half caught between Elizabeth and Neal.

“Shall we?” He asked, proffering a hand. Peter looked at it the way he tended to look at so many things Neal offered. First with trepidation, as if Neal was going to rescind it with a mocking laugh. And then with surety, taking Neal’s hand and twining their fingers together.

“Don’t tell Elizabeth this,” Peter mumbled, turning around to face Neal as they glide in circles around the rink, “But it’s nice to skate with someone who knows what they’re doing. And Elizabeth won’t be jealous if I’m skating with you.”

“She get jealous of Katya?” Neal wondered.

“A bit. But I think it’s normal to be a bit insecure every now and then,” Peter said with a stilted shrug, “Right?”

Neal grinned. “I tell ya, I was almost jealous of Katya for a moment there when she hugged you goodbye. I’ve seen couples at the airport with less enthusiasm.”

Peter huffed. At that, Neal lifted his hand, prompting Peter into a spin. Peter spinned clumsily, but Neal was there to catch him when he stumbled, unable to resist dipping him slightly. In the middle distance, he could hear Elizabeth wolf whistling. It made the two of them smile.

“You want to kiss me?” Peter asked from his position, held securely in Neal’s arms. “Just to really seal the deal.”

“Well, if you’re asking for it,” Neal replied, bending down to capture Peter’s lips. He let his eyes fall gently shut and could feel Peter’s hands around his shoulders and in his hair. Kissing Peter is something he could never really grow tired of. The soft sigh Peter let out between their lips, and the sturdy feeling of his body encompassing him.

“Don’t have too much fun!” Elizabeth shouted, startling both of them. Peter knocked his forehead gently against Neal’s, and they could feel each other’s soft breaths upon their lips if they focussed hard enough.

“Shall we get back to your lovely wife?” Neal asked, righting Peter.

“She may want a tutorial from you,” Peter pointed out, leading the way back to the bench Elizabeth sat at.

“I wouldn’t want to disappoint her.”

“Of course not.”

Neal leaned over the benches, making glittering eye contact with Elizabeth. God, she was so beautiful, even in the dim light. She was glowing, maybe even more than Peter was. God help Neal if he ever had to choose between the two of them. He couldn’t do it.

“Ready for round two, Mrs. Burke?”

Elizabeth beamed, and stood up on shaky feet. “You know I am.”

[devilofthehounds]

God Eater 3 Character Novel | Spinning Bonds: Chapter 5

[image id: A novel cover. Zeke Pennywort from God Eater 3 stands with his back to the viewer, his scarf billowing in the wind. Overlaid within the scarf is an image of a young Zeke with his four brothers, smiling happily. The text, when translated into English, reads “God Eater 3 Character Novel | Chapter 4: Zeke Edition | Spinning Bonds”. /end id]

This is a fan translation. Original text here.

Masterpost 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

A few months passed after our brothers died.

We continued our journey by sneaking onto transports, traveling from base to base.

After losing our brothers, our lives had basically hit rock bottom.

Just three troublesome kids. Even if we were lucky enough to reach a settlement or a satellite base, we wouldn't be seen as reliable enough to be trusted with work, and we'd be too much of a burden to be shown kindness.

Every day, we wandered in search of food and supplies, drinking muddy water, constantly straddling the line between life and death, able to do nothing more than hold each other close.

In a situation like this, I couldn't help but remember how amazing my big brothers had been, winning over everyone they came across.

How Saul could encourage them.

How Rhys could make them laugh.

I had taken their place and tried to keep things the same as when it had been the five of us, but—

I had to be on guard at all times in order to protect my little brothers. There was no telling when someone might try to deceive us... or attack us.

The connections between people. Saul had said it was the strongest weapon one could wield, but I hadn't been able to find it.

If he and Rhys were here, I was sure they would've been able to befriend the owners of the transport we were on, and we'd use it to travel all over.

But there was no way I could do that.

"Huh...?"

At that moment, the ship suddenly stopped, even though we still had a while to go before reaching the next base.

Just as I thought that, the lid on the cargo container we were hiding in was removed. Adults in uniforms peered in at us.

"Well, well, well. We were only supposed to inspect the cargo, but look what we have here."

We were picked up and thrown into another trailer.

It was pitch-black inside, reinforced by a cage-like lattice.

"H-Hey! What are you doing?! Let us out of here!"

"Quiet down. You won't have to worry about being stowaways anymore. We'll keep you nice and safe."

The man laughed coldly. On his arm was a red armlet that brought back bad memories.

We couldn't become God Eaters.

Ever since that day, God Eaters had become a symbol of fear and death for us, even more so than the Aragami. They represented the breaking of bonds.

I'd kept us as far away from Ports as I could. What if we were captured like the kids at the base? Every time I thought about it, my big brothers' final moments came back to me.

But whether we liked it or not, more and more Ports were popping up, and all of them were in the business of rounding up kids and forcing them to become God Eaters.

In the end, we, too, were swept up by the current and ended up here.

Port Pennywort—where profit came first.

None of the guards paid any heed to my cries.

Please, let Neal and Keith go. I pleaded and begged.

They held me down with sneering smiles on their faces and made me listen to my brothers' agonized screams through the door as they were put through the aptitude test.

But still, when Keith and Neal walked back through the door, I was so relieved I started crying.

I was so grateful they were alive, that we were still connected.

After being thrown in a cell, we huddled together and wondered what laid ahead. The memory of Saul and Rhys's final moments came rushing back to me. I could feel my body tense up.

Would Neal, Keith, and I meet the same fate?

Would I have to watch my little brothers die right before my eyes?

Would Neal and Keith have to watch me die?

No way. I couldn't let that happen.

I had to be strong. I couldn't be scared. I had to survive. Survive. Survive. Survive. I had to protect Neal and Keith. No matter how strong the Aragami were, I had to fight. I... I... I-I had to—

"Yo, newbie! What's with the sad look?"

My eyes were bloodshot—probably from crying. I tried to locate the source of the voice when I suddenly felt someone hit the back of my head hard.

"Ow! What was that for?!"

A guy with a cheerful smile on his face crouched down in front of me.

"Hey there! Name's Din! I'm your senior here and one day, I'll be a world-renowned hero! Nice to meet you!"

Din grinned and pointed to his chest with his thumb. Neal, Keith, and I just stared back at him, at a loss for words.

"...What the heck are you talking about?"

"Come on, don't be so cold! At least laugh a little!"

I narrowed my eyes, trying to make sense of this weirdo.

"They only just got here, Din. Of course they're going to be confused by a greeting like that. ...It's nice to meet you three. My name's Oulu. Come talk to us if you're ever in trouble, okay?"

We were taken aback by Oulu's bright, gentle smile.

Even in a situation like this, Din and Oulu's smiles felt genuine.

"Well, anyway, we're gonna be friends from now on! You might be worried right now, but just relax! Oulu and I are here for you! We won't let anyone die, promise!"

It was just for a moment, but I was certain.

Seeing them reminded me of my big brothers, of when all five of us were together.

The prison felt suffocating, filled to the brim with kids with the same awful luck as us.

But even so, Din and Oulu always spread hope to those around them.

"Guess what, guys? We found a case full of preserved food while we were out scouting! The guards haven't noticed yet. Let's split it up while we can! Gather round, everyone!"

The two of them always seemed to be having fun; it was hard to believe they were in the same situation as us.

At first, I thought they were pretty annoying.

"Here, you three. Have an extra, on me."

Din secretly shared some of his food with us.

"But that's yours. ...What's your angle?"

"Truth is, I've got a huge stomachache. If I eat any more, I might just keel over. Trust me, you'd be doing me a favor. In fact, I'm turning in early."

"I don't feel so good, either. Would you mind helping me out, too? Good night."

And with that, both of them pushed their food onto us and quickly went to bed.

"Din and Oulu... They're a lot like Saul and Rhys."

"Yeah... I don't know why, but when they're around, I don't worry as much."

When I turned, I could see Keith and Neal smiling for the first time in a long time.

"Yeah... I mean, whatever! They're nothing like Saul and Rhys!"

How would we survive today? What would happen tomorrow? For a while, things like that had become the only things we could talk about.

But before we knew it, we were once again laughing over meaningless things.

Even after AGE training began in full force, Din and Oulu still looked out for us.

"Zeke, your God Arc is the Boost Hammer. There's a trick to transforming it, okay?"

The two of them knew a lot about handling God Arcs, and they enthusiastically instructed new AGEs.

"Whoa, it works so well now... You don't use a Boost Hammer; how do you know how they work?"

"Our parents worked for Fenrir. We've heard lots about all types of God Arcs and seen tons of experiments. This is nothing!"

"So cool... Oulu aside, I didn't think you were that smart, Din."

"You little—! Say that again, I dare you!"

"Ahahaha!"

"Knock it off, you brats! You're supposed to be training; quit making such a ruckus!"

"Shut up. You're the one making a ruckus, you old fart!"

"W-What did you just say?!"

Sometimes, I got dragged into trouble and punished, too... but it was still pretty fun.

Before we knew it, the cheery atmosphere Din and Oulu created became a driving force that made us accept each other as friends.

Ever since my brothers died, there had been a void in my heart.

It was kinda ironic. No matter how hard we tried, the three of us brothers could never fill that void because we all had the same wounds. Instead, it was filled here, in a cold, dark prison.

I felt like I could finally understand the power of the connections between people.

Maybe coming here wasn't such a bad thing after all.

The longer I spent in this cell with my friends and family, the more I began to feel that way.

Then, one day...

"Alright, everyone, listen up. Thanks to Keith's hard work, we've finally got these radios working."

In the middle of the night, while the guards were asleep, a strategy meeting was held in our cell.

Seeing Keith tinker away, day after day, I never would've thought he'd been working on repairing radios for Din and Oulu.

"We'll get these over to AGEs in other blocks. Then... for the sake of our dream, all of us in this Port will work together to start a rebellion!"

Murmurs spread throughout the cell.

"Your dream?"

"That's right. We're going to build a place where everyone's dreams can come true! That's our dream."

Such powerful words and eyes full of passion. It made me tremble.

"Everyone here's had something taken from them unjustly. So, we'll work together to take it all back!"

"A place where people can reach out to each other and support one another, where we can encourage each other's dreams and wills... That's the kind of place we want to build. A place where everyone can feel safe and be a family."

The two of them described such an incredible dream. Their words reminded me of the dream my brothers and I had given up on without realizing it.

A place where us brothers could live together in peace.

I honestly believed these two could take us there.

"But Oulu and I can't do it alone. Everyone... will you help us?"

It was the first time I'd ever seen the insolent Din ask for help.

We didn't even need time to think about it. Everyone in the cell was smiling, confident looks on their faces.

"Of course we will! Din, Oulu, let's make our dream come true!"

I was the first to speak up. The biggest smile on my face, I offered up my support for their dream.

The courage to trust others—something I never thought I had.

I finally understood that the qualifications to wield the strongest weapon were something you had to be given.

"...Heh. Thanks, Zeke."

"Thank you, everyone. Together... we'll seize our freedom!"

In the darkness, our hope spread.

Keith, and even Neal, who hated conflict—their eyes shined with hope and anticipation.

Our dream as brothers would connect with Din and Oulu's, becoming even brighter, and lead us into the future.

This was where it would all begin. Of that, I was certain.

And so...

There was no way I could accept that Din and Oulu had been killed in battle.