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0nlythrowharrybeaux · 1 day ago

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Twelve Days: Part 5 **^

Here's the next part! Sorry it took so long 😭 But A LOT happens in this part and it might make y'all a little angry but I think the ending makes up for it!

Full Series Masterlist

WC: 10.5K

Warnings: Infidelity, mentions of slight germaphobia, mentions of unkept/untidy home life, fear of abandonment, sex (unprotected, penetrative), mentions of divorce.

It didn’t take as long as you had been expecting to hear back from Harry. Just another few days, you had just gotten into your car after a dinner service at a client��s home when his call came in. You were excited but feeling a bit nervous regarding the purpose of the call, it could be very casual but given the precarious situation you all found yourselves in, it could also be a call about things getting even more complicated. Regardless of what it was, you wanted to hear his voice.

“Hello?” You answered as you started to take off.

“Hi, how was your day?” He asked and you smiled.

“It was alright. And yours?” You asked.

“Busy. I had two lectures today, I’m just getting my things together before going home.” He shared.

“Okay. I am just heading home myself.” You shared.

“Good, I’m glad we get to accompany each other on our drives.” He said and you smiled.

“So how was it when you got back home?” You asked.

“We had a fight…she AirTag-ged my car.” He disclosed and your features twisted in concern.

“What?!”

“Right? Said she needed to confirm that I would go see you. I told her that I would’ve been honest about my plans if she asked.” Harry explained.

“It’s not like we did anything bad.”

“That’s what I told her. She seemed surprised for some reason.”

“Maybe because I’ve always been the more…liberated of the two.” You explained and he chuckled a bit and you smiled. “This would also disprove her theory that you’ve been spending time with me to make her jealous. I feel like that pisses her off more than anything.” You explained. “She’s always been first choice…” you said, “I get it though. She just puts herself out there more and whatnot, she’s easier to notice. I don’t mind that. I’m definitely more of a background girl, it’s where I thrive and feel comfortable so I’ve never competed her for it and I think she might…sense this…us as me trying to compete with her.” You explained.

“Well that’s shitty for me.”

“It is. And I promise you, I’m not trying to compete for you.” You assured him.

“I know, love. It just sucks thatshe is…” he said solemnly.

“I’m sorry.” You whispered.

“Don’t feel bad for me, love.” He hummed.

“I do because you don’t deserve it. No one does! I just hopes she…gets some clarity soon. This is getting so insane.” You sighed.

“I don’t want to…create a bigger divide but she’s being pretty harsh towards you. She thinks it’s stupid of me to invest all this time in you because according to her, you’re a flake.” He said and you pouted.

“A flake?” You asked for clarification, you were shocked.

“Yep…she’s just saying things at this point.”

“Yeah.” You hummed.

“Well, I’ve given her a month, in my head. To just get her ducks in a row, meet with the lawyer, figure out what she’s going to do…if she doesn’t, I’m going to talk to your parents and ask them to please…reason with her.” He shared and you hummed, “Do you think they would?” He asked you.

“I think so…they love you so much. My mom has always said you’re the son she never got to have.” You shared and he chuckled.

“Did she?”

“She did! Has actually said it on multiple occasions.” You reassured him.

“Well that does make me feel better.” He hummed.

“Good.” You grinned.

After getting that over with, it was just some light conversation about the good and bad parts of your days until he had arrived home. You were going to do some grocery shopping before getting back to your apartment but assured him you’d let him know when you’d made it home.

Thankfully, Ash hadn’t shown up again. You half expected another visit and had been feeling on edge arriving at your apartment the last few days, but with each passing day you tried to let the anxiety diminish. You were loving your quiet life alone so far. You also liked your apartment and were sad that you might have to move if he ever showed up again, but you just needed to not see him again. It was disrespectful really, his inability to honor your wishes after he had left you the way he had. You were feeling even more upset by Bea telling him where you had moved to. You let her know that what she had done was completely unacceptable and just blocked her on everything. You’d observed the way she always got a little more flirty when Ash was around but didn’t think it’d get to the point where she’d share your private information just to get on his good side. Especially when she knew you wanted nothing more to do with him. Hopefully, you’d seen the last of him so that you could actually focus on the dilemma at hand. Your sister.

You were genuinely feeling really worried over what Julie’s next steps would be. You wanted to talk to her but she wasn’t answering your calls or responding to any of your texts just yet. Of course she had the right to be angry with you, but to think you were just using Harry for attention or to make her jealous? That wasn’t in your nature at all. To call you a flake? You were steadfast as can be, she knew this. You were raised the same. You were definitely hurt by her remarks, but you founds some solace in the knowledge that she was projecting her own insecurities about Joe onto you. This was the man who she had personally told you had some commitment issues! The man who undoubtedly made his way back into her life when he saw the seemingly perfect life she was leading with Harry via her social media, through the outlet she had used to allow him back into her life.

You wanted to correct this narrative Julie had made up of you so badly because she ought to know you better than what she was choosing to believe of you. You had never had the type of sister relationship that made you best friends, like you’d mentioned to Harry, there’d always been an air of competition. Being just three years older than you, you’d coincided academically on a few occasions and you really didn’t start to “fight back” until high school. Naturally, you were a bit more likable because you were more laid back . You were great in your classes without imparting as much effort, which surprised your teachers. You soon learned that they expected you to be a little more of a wooer as she had been but when they learned you weren’t they eased up on you, the other students did too. Comparison was a killer and after one awful fight she told you that you had ruined her senior year. She had been cold towards you after that until she was off at college. And well, you decided not to go that route, you went to culinary school instead. And that gave her enough of the sense of superiority that she needed to have over you to placate her.

It had been a week after your conversation with Harry that you had your appointment with your therapist and had gotten to speak to her about what your sister had been saying and how you were feeling about it all. She had been supportive of you trying to go speak with her and so you had done just that. It was the end of her workday and though you felt like a stalker for being parked next to her car waiting for her…this was the only way you’d get anything from her. When you saw her approaching the car you hopped out of yours. As soon as she caught your gaze she noticeably became deflated.

“What are you doing here?” She asked you and you offered a slightly nervous smile.

“Hi.” You greeted Julie. “I was just hoping we could go for dinner and talk?” You asked hopefully.

“About?” She asked cooly.

“What you saw.” You said and you saw her lips purse a bit as she gnawed the inside of her cheek pensively.

“I don’t know…I mean…I know what I saw, I don’t think we need to rehash it.” She stated as she crossed her arms.

“Well you’re still not talking to me so…”

“Because you kissed my husband!” She scowled.

“I know and I’m sorry-”

“No you’re not.” She cut you off.

“I’m not sorry for kissing him. I’m sorry that my actions upset you and angered you.” You clarified.

“So you’re sorry you got caught?” She asked.

“Not necessarily…I mean, I know that you actually don’t care that I kissed him. You don’t love him, so I know that it didn’t hurt you.” You said and she glanced away, “So I’m here to figure out what exactly you’re still so offended with me over.” You said and her gaze found yours again.

“You couldn’t have gone for anyone else?” She asked.

“I didn’t go for him, Julie! We were literally just talking about the things that we were dealing with. I mean, we’ve always had a good relationship as friends, you know that! But through these experiences we’ve been through we bonded on a new level. The attraction was just…there. It wasn’t on purpose. It wasn’t a plan of any sort! And the fact that you believe I would do something like that…” you said sadly, “I’m not calculating like that. You know that. And to be quite honest with you, I feel like…your anger actually has nothing to do with me. It’s just being directed at me and that makes me upset.” You said and her jaw clenched a bit. “Well…that’s all I wanted to say so…” you trailed off and she just nodded but said nothing else.

After standing there in silence for a few seconds you just got into your car and left. You had done your part and now, the ball was in Julie’s court. You hoped that she would give what you’d said some honest thought and consideration. You had only been on the road for a few minutes when a call came in from Harry.

“Hey.” You greeted him.

“That was enthusiastic.” He chuckled sardonically and you couldn’t help but smile.

“Sorry. I’m just heading home from ambushing my sister.” You informed.

“Ah…I take it didn’t go too well?”

“Not really…” you confirmed. “She didn’t say much apart from the usual accusations of me interfering in your marriage.” You sighed. “I also presented to her the idea that maybe the things she’s been saying of me are actually her displacing her anger with her situation with Joe onto me. That one did upset her, I saw it in her eyes.” You elaborated.

“Yeah, she doesn’t love to be in the wrong…” Harry chuckled.

“Yeah. And have you made any headway with her?”

“I don’t know…we’ll see tomorrow. She has an appointment with the lawyer. I’ve already asked mine what I can do if she refuses to sign.”

“And what did the lawyer say?”

“I can petition through the court for them to serve her the divorce papers. If she does’t sign within a certain timeline then the judge can make a default ruling to dissolve the marriage. So there is a way to proceed if she doesn’t abide by my timeline. I just…I don’t want to put her through that humiliation because the only place I know where to find her apart from our house would be her job.”

“Yeah, that’s low…” you agreed. “I mean, you can AirTag her…” you chuckled and he laughed.

“I could…that low has been reached.” He hummed in amusement. “We also have to get a court date if I go that route and who knows how long that would take.”

“Yeah…let’s just hope she does the right thing and comes around.”

“Yeah.” Harry agreed. “I’d like to see you again soon.” He said after a beat of silence.

“I’d like to see you too.” You hummed.

“Been seeing those videos of the couples painting each other…” Harry shared and you giggled.

“Is that what you want to do?”

“Yeah! I think it’d be fun, don’t you?” He asked and you giggled some more.

“Yeah, I think so too!”

“And I can cook for you this time.”

“Love that.” You hummed.

“And we can ask each other all the questions we have for each other over dinner and the painting.” He added to his suggestion.

“Yeah! That sounds like such a fun evening!” You agreed excitedly.

“Good! So let me know when you’ll have at least two days in a row off so that we can also have a little extra time the day after.”

“Okay, I’ll check my work calendar when I get home.”

“Perfect.” Harry smiled. “How are you holding up? Did Ash show up again?”

“I’m alright, still feeling a little…annoyed, I guess. But no, he didn’t come back.” You shared.

“Would you want him to come back? I mean, just so you can clear the air?”

“The more I give it some thought, not really. He’s said what he wanted to say…that he made a mistake, that he loves me and wants me back…” you said with a sarcastic, sing-song-y cadence.

“Do you want to say anything to him?”

“Just how much he hurt me but if anything, that gives him more power over me and I’d hate that.” You confessed.

“I’d hate that for you too. But if you need that for your closure then it might be worth thinking over before completely disregarding it.” Harry advised, as much as he really did hate the thought of you giving Ash another morsel of your time and attention. He wasn’t jealous, more protective than anything. You were still a shell of yourself and he hated that Ash had done that to you.

“Maybe you’re right…but I mean, just saying it out loud is enough for now.” You said, “Thank you for…making me feel comfortable and safe enough to be able to say it.” You thanked him.

“Of course, love.” Harry replied.

Harry was happy that he could make you feel safe and looked after. But he also wanted that same reassurance from you. He understood why you weren’t leaning into that

and into your feelings for him just yet though. You had every right to feel wary about what you two had going, especially with the stance Julie had taken. But that also meant that right now he had no one to really talk about his heavier and darker feelings. He knew for a fact that if he communicated that to you, you’d be there for him but he also didn’t want to overburden you while you yourself were struggling.

“And what about you? I know that maybe your feelings for Julie are not what they used to be but…it also can’t be easy for you.” You said and he bit his lip as he gave some thought to what he wanted to say.

“You’re right about that…It hasn’t been easy. I mean, because of my family and all, it’s created this…fear of being left behind.” He explained. “That weekend that I went to see you?”

“Mhmm?”

“She didn’t come home until Monday afternoon and when I got in she’d left her suitcase by the garage door and I was just filled with dread that she was leaving without saying anything to me.” He explained. “It felt…confusing…because, while I know that the love isn’t there anymore I still…invested a lot in her. In our home…”

“Yeah, I get that.” You assured him.

“And again, it was just that fear of not having a family again. That after everything I did to build a happy home life for myself, I’d still end up…alone.” He disclosed. After a few seconds of quiet he cleared his throat. “Sorry, that was a lot.”

“Don’t be. I was just…processing, empathizing…” you said and he hummed, “If anything, I’d like you to say all of this to me as it comes. You’re always here for me. I want to be here for you too.”

“I want to tell you more but I don’t want to put more on your plate.” He explained.

“I appreciate that but I am feeling better…mentally.”

“Yeah? Since when?”

“Since…you.” You said and Harry smiled.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. Honest. It’s nice to have a friend and someone to care for with reciprocity.”

“It is. And for the record, I know that you’ll always be in my life. But a part of me is also scared that we won’t be able to have more down the line. Like, what if that gets ruined?”

“So my same fear?” You asked and he hummed.

“Guess so.” He confirmed.

“Well, there’ll always be space for you in my life. I mean that. I feel good when I’m with you and I can only imagine that it’ll only get better if we…are more.” You said timidly.

“I think so too.” Harry hummed and you smiled. “I understand that we both have things to heal from though and that it might take some time to get anywhere near where we might want to get eventually…” he trailed off and chuckled, “I don’t know if maybe I’m getting ahead of myself but I really like you and I like that I can fully be myself around you.” He explained.

You could feel your heart pounding so hard at what he was saying. You could feeling a warmth growing inside of you and spreading all throughout your body. This crush you had on him had you so affected. To hear him saying this was more of a relief than a cause for anxiety. You hadn’t allowed yourself to think that far out of fear that maybe it was intense for now but would fizzle out at some point down the line. But to hear him say that he wanted to give you two an honest shot when things got better, it made you feel a little less delusional. You loved his vulnerability with you. You could also be yourself around him in a way that was so pure. You knew he wouldn’t judge or make you feel bad for it. There was a baseline safety with him that helped your closeness grow quickly.

“Ummm…sorry. D-did I lose you?” He asked nervously and you shook your head quickly.

“Oh my god, no sorry! I was just…so happy to hear you say that.” You giggled.

“Thank god…” he chuckled in relief.

“So sorry.” You laughed through an apology again and he joined you as well.

“Ummm…a-are you far from Santa Barbara?” He asked and you bit your lip.

“Like…almost 30 minutes?”

“Hmmm…do you work tomorrow?”

“I actually don’t…” you shared.

“Can I come see you?” He asked.

“Now?”

“Yeah!” He chuckled, “If you don’t mind the company, it’s gonna be a long weekend. I won’t have class until next Wednesday.”

“You want to spend a whole ass week with me?”

“Yeah. If you’ll have me.” He hummed.

“What about Julie? I don’t want to instigate any bigger issues.”

“She hasn’t really been staying at the house since she returned from her weekend getaway.” Harry shared, “So…I think she’ll be fine.”

“Well then, I’d love to have you over.” You confirmed happily.

“Great! I’m just getting home so I’m gonna get showered, pack, and head over to you.”

“Perfect! See you soon!” You chirped, not even bothering to minimize your excitement.

“Alright, I’ll be seeing you soon.” Harry chuckled.

***********

It was nearing 8pm when Harry was calling to tell you he was outside of your building. You hurried down with your visitor’s badge to ensure his car was safe while parked there and soon enough you were heading back up to the warmth of your apartment.

“Have you eaten?” You asked him as he followed you in.

“Not yet. Do you want to order in?”

“We can but I’m not too hungry to be honest.” You explained.

“Has that been constant lately?” He asked as he set his luggage against your couch and his tote down on the couch.

“No, it’s actually been better. But I’m just…coming off my anxious wave after I ambushed Julie. I feel like it was alright but maybe I’ve made things worse.” You explained your concern as he came up to you and grabbed your hands.

“I get the anxiety but I must say that I’m proud of you for making an effort. And well, you know your sister, and whatever she does with what you said is out of your hands now, love. So try not to be too worried about it.” He advised you and you exhaled and nodded. “I know it’s a lot easier said than done, but you’ve said what you needed to and done your part, yeah?” He asked you and you nodded. “That’s all there is to it.” He said with an encouraging smile.

“I know…” you sighed and glanced down as his hands ran up your arms and rubbed over your shoulders soothingly a few times.

“Y/N?”

“Yeah?” You asked as you turned your gaze back to him.

“I’m really proud of you for doing that. I know it wasn’t easy for you.”

“Thank you.” You whispered happily.

“Can I kiss you?” He asked next and you smirked a bit.

“Of course.” You hummed as one of his hands grabbed your chin gently and angled you up, “Kiss me whenever you want.” You said softly and he smiled.

“I don’t think you know what you’re unleashing…” he responded and you giggled.

“Show me then.” You smirked and he leaned in the rest of the way until your lips were meeting.

You loved to kiss Harry and thought of it often when you’d get lost in your day dreams. The shape of his lips fit so nicely against yours. The pressure of them pressing to your own, the eagerness and need that you could feel flooding the atmosphere between the two of you was addicting. If only he knew how much you were affected by this. Your mouth parted easily to let him in as his tongue swiped against your bottom lip. He moaned in relief in perfect unison with you when his tongue smoothed against yours. He had been longing for your taste as much as you had been longing for his. You grabbed his hands and guided them around your waist and he was quick to hug around you, pulling you even closer to his body as your kiss deepened. It was so easy to get lost in the moment with Harry. You were not sitting on your counter with him standing between your legs as you made out. His hands were up your shirt and yours were feeling over his biceps. You hadn’t ever been with someone as muscular as he was. He didn’t even have to flex for you to feel how strong and built he was.

You were suddenly startled apart by your phone ringing loudly across the counter indicating that it was time for you to begin your “no screen” time. It was easy to find yourself doom scrolling, especially when you struggled to sleep, so you’d made the resolution to cut down your screen time starting at 8pm each night.

“Can you grab it for me?” You asked Harry, your lips smearing into his as you asked your question and he nodded.

“Sure.” He responded and slid his hands from beneath your shirt and walked around the counter to grab your phone before bringing it back to you.

“Sorry, I’m trying to stop using my phone by 8pm each night.” You explained as you stopped the alarm and proceeded to turn on “Do Not Disturb” mode for the night.

“Smart!” He said as his hands landed on your thighs.

“It’s hard but research says cutting off screen time before bed helps.”

“Well, that’s true.” He assured you and you smiled. “And it’s 8 already? I should order something in.” He said before stuffing his hand down his back pocket and pulling out his phone. “Are you hungry now?” He asked you with a smirk.

“Yeah, more now.” You chuckled.

“Hungry for anything in particular?”

“Tacos?” You suggested.

“Ooh, perfect! What’s good in your area?” He asked and soon you had selected a little mom and pop, hole in the way a couple miles away that had never failed you before.

After placing the order you suggested Harry get into something more comfortable and then get settled in.

“Sorry, I don’t have any space for your toiletries.” You mumbled, “But you’re more than welcome to put your clothes in a drawer! The one of the top right should be empty.”

“It’s fine. As long as you don’t mind the bag staying up here. If not I’ll just keep it in my soot case.” He said with the Baron Trump meme accent. You looked to him and burst into laughter at this.

“I’m dead! I love that video!” You cackled.

“It’s funny!” He laughed along, “One of my students showed it to me…s’been stuck in my head ever since.” He explained with a smile.

“It is a gem…well, I don’t mind you having your things out for easier access!” You assured him.

“I’m tidy. I promise.” He chuckled and you rolled your eyes playfully. “Tell me what your pet peeves are in a shared space, so that I can avoid them.” Harry requested.

“Ummm…just don’t be gross. Ash used to do this ridiculous thing where he’d leave his dirty laundry beside the hamper…” You recalled and Harry chuckled, “That pissed me off. Like it’s right there!” You expressed.

“Yeah, that’s stupid.” He chuckled.

“Or leave his towel on the ground, like he was in a fucking hotel.”

“Oh god…” Harry grimaced, “The smell…”

“Yeah! Mildewy and ugh…thinking of it is giving me the ick.” You frowned. “One time he did not unpack it from the gym and-”

“I know where it’s going, you don’t need to tell me.” He said and you giggled.

“I discovered it, so I have to tell you.”

“Fine. Go on.”

“It grew mold. The whole bag! And who discovered it in the garage?”

“Not Ash!”

“Exactly! And it was so humid that week…God, that was horrifying. Then he had the gall to be pissed at me for throwing away his Alo gym bag…ridiculous.” You huffed.

“If he cared so much about it why did he leave it in that state? What a prick.” He said and you nodded in agreement.

“Exactly what I said…he probably left it in his trunk, encountered the smell and just left it in the garage for me to find and wash.” you rolled your eyes. “And like, he wasn’t like nasty apart from those things. Like, you could tell his mom would do those things for him and his brothers.” You explained and he nodded. “What about you?” You asked.

“Ummm… well growing up my house was very neat until my mom met that prick of a man and then it was pretty unkept. I did a lot of the cleaning up so uh…I guess just clutter and dishes in the sink. That invites ants and cockroaches, which I detest. And well, one time I was going to treat myself to some biscuits and was met with a mouse in the packet so uh… yeah, I’m a little bit of a clean freak.” He explained. You could see that when he talked about these things he got a distant look in his eyes. Like he had to remind himself that, that wasn’t his life anymore. “Also, no eating in bed.” He added, “Because that is literally inviting bugs.” He explained and you nodded.

“Noted. Though I must admit, I have eaten in bed…specially when I’ve gotten sick and no one’s around to look after me.”

“Well you’ve got me now so…no need for that.” He said and you smiled.

“Yeah.” You hummed. “But being in the valley, there are just critters around so it is important to keep things extra clean. I haven’t had any encounters, thankfully! I’m very averse to them.” You explained.

“Yeah, they’re gross.” He agreed.

“Anything else?” You asked.

“Oh! Getting on the bed in outside clothes.”

“Okay, yes!” You agreed, “There are “safe” spaces for me though, I don’t know about you? But like if I visit my parents or friends that don’t have pets, I wouldn’t mind a quick sit on my bed, not gonna roll around in it either…” you said and he chuckled, “But that’s not as gross as if I had gone out to a restaurant or the movies, for example.”

“Well, wouldn’t your car seats have all the germs from everywhere else? So when you sit in the car that gets on your clothes, even if you were in a safe space…” you pouted after he explained.

“Oh god…we could be laying in filth right now…” you said with feigned concern.

“When did you last wash your comforter?” He asked, you knew he was trying to come off pretend-horrified but his eyes said otherwise.

“I’m messing with you! Literally over the weekend. I promise!” You laughed as he looked at you skeptically.

“Pinky promise?”

“Yeah!” You said as you extended your pinky out to him and he wrapped his around yours.

“If I get pink eye, we know what happened here.” He joked and you rolled your eyes at his dramatics as he sniggered. He then interlaced his fingers with yours and just held your hand in his. You could see that there was a lot going on in his mind and you wanted to help however you could.

“Is there anything you want to talk about?” You asked him tentatively.

“Tons! But ummm…time and place.” He said as he glanced down at your hands. You squeezed his hand and he glanced up at you.

“Tell me.” You insisted and he sighed.

“Just that…when your sister leaves, for good, I was thinking about how long I’d have to be alone in that house. Like…I saved up a lot for that with the hopes of having a life and a family there, you know?” You nodded in understanding. “I don’t know if I could be there as comfortably if I were alone. I’d hate to sell it but…what would be the point in keeping it?” He asked and you hummed. “And you really don’t have to say anything about it, I just…am a little nervous to be all alone again. And like, I know that I wouldn’t be totally alone, but in a way I haven’t been in a decade you know?”

“Yeah, I get that.” You assured him.

“Like things would be missing that have been there since we moved in together…half of the things would be gone…and well, I couldn’t very well ask or expect you to be able to visit as often as I’d probably like…” he added.

“I get it. It’s scary.” You said and he nodded.

“How’d you do it?” He asked and you smiled.

“Well, I’m in the middle of that and well, I am depressed!” You chuckled and he smiled, “So…still learning how to cope, I guess. This, with us? It’s helped. I don’t feel so alone anymore.” You explained.

“Good.” He hummed.

“Yeah, so if you… need me to go out there and hang out you can ask. Whatever the reason in your brain is that’s holding you back from asking me for reciprocity? It’s wrong. If being there and enjoying the home you worked so hard for is important to you, then it’s important to me too.” You assured him with a sincerity that he hadn’t seen from anyone in years and you saw his lips turn up a bit.

Harry just felt this sudden rush of warmth overcome him. He definitely wanted you over more, he just felt a little bad about it right now while things were still up in the air. He wanted to live there forever, he hadn’t committed to buying a home thinking that he would one day grow sick of it. It was heaven on earth to him. He could step out onto his balcony and see the ocean from it! Of course he had made compromises along the way to accommodate Julie like in decor, in paints, upgrades…but he still loved the house. And to know that you’d be willing to make the drive out and spend time with him there simply because he loved it and was comfortable there, well, that was almost more than he could ever ask for. So he was really glad that you had offered it.

“I’d actually really like that.” He finally said and you smiled.

“Okay. Then we’ll make it happen.” You assured him and he smiled and let go of your hand but only because he was pressing himself up to kiss you again. And as your new normal seemed to be, you got lost in it until the delivery person’s call was interrupting you.

You had initially been concerned that maybe you’d pushed him too far or said too much but by the way he was acting now, it seems you had said the correct thing. Harry was a protector, he always had been that way. He was very concerned for your sister, for you, your family… it was never in a way that made you feel incapable, but he just liked to show you all that he would take care of you all if shit hit the fan. You knew that it had been hard for him not to be able to do that for you in the last year, even when he was going through his own stuff. So now, you wanted to allow him to make up for lost time and as you had said, you wanted to reciprocate the way he made you feel and were glad that he felt like you were.

“M’afraid you’re not gonna get a turn, love…” Harry practically slurred with his cheek smushed up against your stomach. You were currently laid on the couch, longways of course, and had put on “Miss Congeniality”. But you had agreed to give each other massages. However, Harry had elected for you to massage his head and it was putting him to sleep.

You giggled, but kept on going. “S’alright.” You responded softly. You could feel him growing heavier against you. “Maybe we should move to the bed though. Don’t want you to have a rough night.” You explained.

“In a minute.” He mumbled.

“Okay.” You agreed.

Soon enough you’d made it to your bed and as soon as you got under the covers he was reaching for you and pulling you against him. You smiled as you snuggled in against him. You felt him kiss your shoulder before he exhaled and you knew it would be so easy to fall asleep tonight.

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

When you woke up the next morning it wasn’t because of your alarm, it was just a force of habit. But you were shivering from the cold and were pleased that it was apparently raining. You could heard the soft patter against your bedroom window. And then, you heard Harry humming along to John Mayer just a few feet away in the kitchen. Despite wanting to stay tucked away in the warmth of your bed, you got up and hurried into the bathroom to relieve yourself and freshen up a little bit. When you emerged, Harry was back in bed, topless and smiling at you.

“Morning.”

“Good morning.” You smiled.

“You were snoring.”

“I was not…” you mumbled bashfully as you headed back over to the bed.

“You were! But not like, loud or scary, it was just soft.” He described with a grin. “It was cute! Like a cartoon.” He assured you and you rolled your eyes as you got back in bed. “I just put on some coffee.”

“Thanks.” You hummed as you turned on your side to face him.

“Course.”

“Now, c’mere, please. It’s cold.” You requested and he smiled and hurried over into your side.

“What do you wanna do today?” He asked.

“Be lazy.” You said and he chuckled. “I do have a client to cook for tomorrow, s’just dinner prep, so I should be back around 6-6:30 the latest.”

“Would you be up to doing something after?” He asked.

“Yeah!” You hummed.

“Something lowkey, yeah?”

“Yeah, that sounds good.” You confirmed.

“Perfect. Now, I’m gonna kiss you.” He mumbled.

He moved closer and leaned in until your lips were meeting slowly but still eager and saturated with passion. Your hand landed on his chest and slid over his shoulder, tugging him into you, inviting him to settle over you. Your legs tangled momentarily as he started to straddle you. He was holding your jaw as your kiss deepened even further. His hands were sliding up your body, dragging your top up as he went. You sat up to help him pull it off and as soon as he was able, he was back on you, his lips littering your chest in kisses and delicate but playful nicks to your breasts. Your fingers combed through his hair, relishing in the sensations he was giving you. You were absolutely desperate for him and your skin was tingling, you were desperate to feel the warmth of his hands over your arms. You wanted to kiss him again and so you tried to tug him up and he quickly got the hint and kissed up your chest, neck, and jaw before kissing you sloppily. You ground up against him to feel the bulge in his thin pajama pants against you. He grinned and ground down against you with more intent.

“Is that what you want?” He asked and you blinked up at him.

“More.” You whispered and his gaze softened.

“You sure?” He asked you and you nodded.

“Yes. Please.” You beseeched and Harry smiled before kissing you once more. In moments, he was helping you undress. You were both moving impatiently and albeit a little clumsily, but you were absolutely desperate for each other. And as his naked body hovered over yours you finally felt a little bit better. Relieved. “Please get inside me.”

“Okay.” He hummed and kissed your lips once more, “Didn’t think to bring condoms. D-do you have some?” He asked and you huffed.

“No.” You muttered in slight irritation. You hadn’t planned to ask him to have sex with you, if you had, you would have stocked up, just in case.

“Would you care if we didn’t use one?” He asked and you bit your lip pensively. “Obviously, we don’t have to if you’re not comfortable with it. And well, I can go buy some really quick and give you some time t-to really think about if you really want to do this. You know, in case you maybe have s-some doubt?” He asked.

“I don’t have any doubts.” You assured him with a smile, “D-do you?” You asked and he shook his head, his little smirk mirroring your own.

“No. I can go get the condoms.” He said again and you bit your lip for a second.

“Ummm…that’s alright.” You assured him and as happy as he was to hear you say that, he gave it a few seconds to let you change your mind.

“Sure?” He asked again and you nodded.

“I’m so fucking sure.” You whispered through a nervous chuckle and he smiled and kissed you again.

“I’ll be mindful to pull out, okay?” He mumbled into your lips.

“Yeah.” You agreed as you raised your leg over his hips to give him space to get inside of you. You could feel the heat and weight of his cock pressed up against you. “I want you so bad.” You whispered.

“I do too, baby.” He hummed as he ground down, letting his cock settle between the sticky and swollen folds of your pussy. You shivered when his tip kissed at your clit with his soft thrusts. “Right there?” He asked and you nodded frantically.

“Yeah, that feels good.” You confirmed breathily and he smiled as his eyes bore into yours.

“Go on then, get what you need.” He hummed lowly and you wasted no time in grinding along with him at your desired pace. You whined lowly as you started to feel the pleasure escalating from the friction. Just when you were getting close you stopped yourself.

“Want to stop?” He asked you, looking into your eyes to ensure everything was okay.

“No, but I don’t want to come like that.” You explained a bit bashfully.

“Oh…I see.” He hummed with a smirk on his face that made you blush. “Get me inside then.” You smiled and reached down between your bodies. You grabbed a hold of his cock, he was so fucking hard. You raised your hips a bit as you guided him down to your entrance and when you felt that slight dip you rubbed him over your slit a few times. Your eyes flickered up to his only to see his brows furrowed together at the feeling of being just on the edge of slipping inside of you.

“Do it.” You whispered and he let his weight drop down to his hips and just like that he was being swallowed up by your hot and wet muscle. The two of you moaned in unison when he sunk in all the way and collided with your back wall. He held inside for a few second before groaning as he drew back and sunk in again. You exhaled shakily and grabbed his face to kiss him deeply. “Harder.” You said and he nodded before fucking into you with more force and that was absolutely what you were after. You moaned in relief and he kissed you deeply again.

“Good?” He asked.

“Yeah, it feels so good!” You whined and he hummed in satisfaction.

You were already so close, but you wanted to be closer, as close as was physically possible. You wanted to feel overwhelmed by him in the best way possible. And when he delivered his next thrust harder than before you couldn’t help the moan that fell from your mouth. Harry groaned and went again and again, relishing in the satisfied, little grunts you were making. You were absolutely drenching his cock but you couldn’t help it because he was thrusting up against the most sensational spot inside of you. It was almost too deep for you but you welcomed the feeling, you wanted to feel the ache after he was gone in a few days. And it’s almost like he could read your mind as he thrust in and held himself inside of you, grinding into you, watching as your eyes squeezed shut and you shuddered at the sensation of him fucking you that deep.

“Fuck y’feel so good!” You whimpered as you squeezed your legs around his hips and he grinned as he watched your brows pinching together.

“Not as good as you feel, baby.” He hummed lowly, “So fucking wet and hot…” he grumbled, “Shit…gonna need you so fucking badly. All the time. Gonna be dreaming of how nice it feels.” He muttered against the column of your throat.

You were completely covered in goosebumps, you were trying to stop your legs from trembling but you wouldn’t be able to hold that off for much longer. It just felt too fucking good…he was hitting a part inside of you that even had your clit tingling, if you rubbed on it, it would truly be too much. As badly as you wanted and needed to come, you wanted him to keep fucking you. For him to be your first fuck after all this time, it was well worth it. You could hear the wet squelches of your arousal slicking up his cock and helping him fit inside of you. His girth and length were to die for and absolutely addictive.

“Fuck, you’re gonna make me come!” you warned him and he grinned down at you, very pleased with himself for how fucked out he had you already.

“Already?” He gloated slightly and you smiled and nodded. Your vision was even blurry at this point as tears of ecstasy and joy welled up in your eyes. “You’re already so fucking gone f’me, S’gonna wipe you out.” He said smugly and you hummed with a slight smile.

He was right, this orgasm would absolutely ruin you and melt your brain. He was literally fucking you better, quite literally forcing your brain to flood your body with that deliciously and slightly terrifying cocktail of oxytocin and dopamine. You swore your skin was tingling, every single cell in your body was going to contribute to this orgasm. But the longer you held off the more intense everything felt. Your walls were throbbing uncontrollably and you were trying so hard to just hold off for a second to make it last longer but it made it worse, as you squeezed the deep plunges of his cock became even more pleasurable and your legs started to tremble and your breathing to shallow.

“Come on, baby. Give it t’me.” He encouraged you and you nodded before pulling him down to kiss you and as your lips met urgently in a messy kiss you started to come. You emitted these pathetic whines and whimpers you’d never ever made before as the ecstasy took over every single part of your body. You were trying not too make too much noise but you were on fire and it had never felt like that before, it was almost too much! Harry’s lips parted from yours so that you could breathe and properly release your sounds as your hips ground up into his to keep the pleasure going. One of your hands pressed down on his butt, holding him close to you and the other was tangled in the curls at the back of his head. He groaned as you squeezed hard around his cock. Your tight, hot muscles were suffocating and contracting around his girth, he nearly fucking drooled from how delicious it felt to be buried in you like this. “M’gonna come.” He panted.

“Come inside of me.” You slurred and he moaned at the mere idea of getting to flood your hot, little pussy with his sperm. He got goosebumps as he thought about how good it would feel to have you take it all. To pull out and see it dripping from your swollen and wrecked little hole only for him to push his cock back into you and get his load back into you. “Please, come in my pussy.”

“Fuck, baby…” he chuckled as he pressed his forehead to yours, “I’m gonna come so hard.” He panted, “Gonna drown your little pussy.” He mumbled as his abs started to clench and his toes to curl. And moments later he was grunting through three hard and pointed thrusts before stilling. He pressed right up against you and moaned deeply in satisfaction as he came undone. He felt his muscles spasming, struggling to hold his weight as he started to gush inside of you. You could feel the dramatic twitches of his cock lodged up deep inside of you as he filled you up, just as he promised and it was so good, his hips were moving by his own accord at this point and he was enslaved to the feeling of being inside of you, no matter how sensitive it was starting to feel for him. “Fuck…” he panted lowly.

You could feel his arms trembling and just hugged him tight, encouraging him to drop his weight over you and he did easily. Your fingers danced and tickled over the heated and slightly damp skin of his back as he came down from it. You were finding comfort in his deep inhales as he continued trying to catch his breath. After a few more moments of this he was still completely silent. You knew there was nothing wrong because he was practically melted against your body, and you smiled and kissed the top of his head as he started to sponged a few sloppy kisses along your jaw. With the little strength he had built up again, he pulled you both onto your sides. He slipped from you with the change in position but you draped your leg over his hip and his hand immediately ran up your leg soothingly while he rested his head over his other arm. You were smiling as you just watched him, he still had his eyes closed as he regulated his breathing.

“You alright there?” You inquired, your voice was a whisper but he could hear the slight hint of smugness in it.

“Just a little light headed.” He chuckled his confession and you giggled and reached for his face. You caressed the side of his face lovingly with the backs of your fingers.

“Want me t’get you some water?” You asked.

“No, stay here with me.” He responded and you smiled.

“‘Kay.” You whispered. You just watched him for a few seconds until he slowly blinked his eyes open. You smiled as he squinted a bit.

“Jesus, I’m seeing spots.” He laughed lowly through his admission and you started to giggle along with him. “Don’t laugh at me.” He griped and you leaned forward and smooched over his pouted lips.

“M’not. I’m laughing with you.” You mumbled against his mouth and he quickly kissed your lips back.

“Sure…” he hummed and finally opened his eyes and met your adoring gaze.

“We’re going again later, right?” You asked and he laughed for a moment before kissing you again and nodding.

“Oh absolutely. I might not be able to walk but it’ll be worth it.” He mumbled into your kiss-swollen lips.

“God…but good.” You giggled, completely satisfied with his response.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you.” He whispered and you glanced away bashfully and instead focused on the swallow tattooed over his left pectoral.

“Neither do I.” You admitted and he smiled as you leaned closer and buried your face into the crook of his neck and took a deep inhale before placing a kiss at the base of his throat.

There was only one thought at the forefront of his mind right now and it was that there was absolutely no world in which this didn’t end with him falling absolutely and hopelessly in love with you. He loved everything about you and what he’d seen of your life so far, he couldn’t wait to experience it for the rest of the days he’d be here with you.

Several Days Later…

You didn’t want to verbalize just how perfect the last several days had been with Harry in case you were to jinx it, but you were certainly thinking about it with each passing minute. You had clients that day so you had to leave Harry at your place for but it was so lovely to return to a clean home and a meal. As soon as you walked in you could smell the lingering fresh scent of cleaning products but were mostly overpowered by what you were kind of hoping was a bolognese sauce. Thankfully, you were able to make off from your last client with a little extra dessert, so you had something to contribute for tonight.

“Smell’s amazing!” You announced your arrival as you slipped out of your shoes.

Harry didn’t respond so you figured he was in the shower or something. And as you walked further in you saw that the table was set and two long stick candles were lit, giving the setting a more intimate feel. You bit your lip to hold back your excitement. It was your last night together, so you weren’t surprised that Harry was pulling out all the stops until the next time you got to be together. You headed towards your bedroom to change into a fresh and more comfortable outfit and when you stepped inside you saw Harry just standing at the window and glancing out towards the busy street below.

“Harry?” You called in question and he sniffled and turned around.

“Sorry, I was trying to collect myself-”

“What happened? What’s wrong?” You asked quickly as you let your purse drop to the floor and rushed over to him.

“Your mom called,” he said and you immediately though the worst, your heart dropped, “Julie told them that she’s pregnant.” He said and you stopped right before you reached him. Not as terrifying as you thought but still incredibly fucking awful. Your features furrowed in disappointment and your stomach turned as the information processed. Harry hurried over to you, “Baby, it’s not me. It couldn’t be, we haven’t slept together since like August!” He explained and you nodded and let him take your hands. “But they don’t know that.”

“Ask for a paternity test.” You said right away.

“I will.” He assured you. “I guess she said she wasn’t feeling well so your mom drove her to the urgent care and they found out. Your mom called me all excited about it… I just don’t want to humiliate her.” He explained.

“And that’s very noble and considerate of you, Harry. But you do realize that she’s trying to put you in an impossible position.” You said and he frowned. “You deserve to do this. To have a family on your own terms, Harry.” You said and he nodded.

“I-I don’t even know what to do about this.” He stammered, still in shock.

“This is going to sound awful but…tell your lawyer.” You said and he sighed. “She’s willing to force you into this situation when you had nothing to do with it. If she has to prove paternity she will have to be honest. She loves Joey and she did this with him, they need to figure this out together.”

“You’re right.” He conceded. “Ummm… I’m not feeling too hungry any more. I’m sorry.” He said and glanced down at the floor.

“That’s alright. I understand.” You assured him. “I also understand if you…need some space.” You said and he glanced into your eyes again.

“Yeah… I ummm…I should go.” He said and you nodded, “They’re expecting me to look after her since she isn’t feeling well. And the drive’ll help, I think.” He muttered, but he was quite absent.

“Okay.” You said softly and he just walked around you and into your closet to grab his suitcase. You just watched silently as he robotically and haphazardly just dumped his things into the luggage before shutting it and wheeling it out. You followed after him as he headed to the entrance and slipped into his sneakers.

“Harry.” You said and he glanced up at you. You could see his eyes welled up with tears. “Please be safe.” You said and he nodded before rushing out. As soon as the door shut your own tears started to trickle down your face.

You were relieved when he texted you that he’d gotten home and assured him that if he needed to talk at all that you’d be there for him. But you felt so angry at your sister for this one. How could she do this to him? It was awful and selfish behavior. You wanted to call her but this wasn’t your battle to fight.

Harry’s POV:

Harry felt completely blindsided by Isabel’s phone call about Julie. He felt sick to his stomach as he parked in the garage because Isabel was still at their house, her car was up front and he had no idea how he would swallow down all that devastation and dread he was feeling. He didn’t want to ruin Isabel’s excitement but pretending that he was happy about this…having to hold and kiss Julie, congratulate her for something he had nothing to do with, it made him sick to his stomach. He texted you to let you know that he’d made it safely and you immediately loved his message and with that he made it inside.

“Oh good! You’re home!” Isabel greeted him excitedly as soon as Harry made it inside from the garage. He put on a smile and nodded, approaching her to greet her.

“Yeah, sorry it took me a while. I was out in LA.” He explained.

“No problem, as long as you made it safe!” She said as she opened her arms and he ducked down a bit to hug her and kiss her cheek. “Congrats, mijo.” She hummed happily as she gave him a firm squeeze.

“Thank you.” He responded as they pulled away slowly.

“I’m just making her some ginger tea, she’s been very nauseous.” Isabel explained.

“Thank you, I’m gonna go see her now.”

“Yes, please!” She insisted, beaming from ear to ear and he smiled and made his way out of the kitchen.

Every step he took up towards the bedroom made him even more sick to his stomach. He hoped there was extra of that ginger tea because this was getting to be too much. When he made it to the top landing he saw the bedroom door open and he made his way over to see Julie scrolling through her phone.

“Hey.” She greeted him solemnly.

“Hi.” He said quite cooly.

“Look-”

“What the fuck is the matter with you?” He cut her off and she frowned.

“Not while my mom is here, Harry.” She sighed.

“No. We’re doing this right now.” He insisted as he pushed the door back leaving it slightly ajar.

“Then close it all the way.” She said.

“Then we won’t hear her coming. I won’t raise my voice if you don’t.” He said and she sighed. “There is no way you didn’t know.” He insisted, “When did you find out?”

“On Monday.” She said, “I missed my period last week and I took two tests on Monday. One positive and the other inconclusive. Sometimes it can be stress or other things that impact so I figured I should go and find out.”

“And you had to take your mom to do that?”

“I was scared!” She defended herself.

“Then you should’ve asked Joe.” He retorted.

“I didn’t want him to freak out!”

“But you’re okay with your mom thinking that I got you pregnant?!” He asked angrily and her eyes started welling up. “You have to tell your parents now, Julie.” He said.

“Harry, please-”

“No! I’m not going to take responsibility for this!”

“And what if he leaves me?” She asked and Harry’s eyes softened for a moment.

“I-I don’t know but you have been cheating on me for months! We haven’t slept together since last year! This has nothing to do with me, Julie!” He was trying not to raise his voice but he was so hurt and angry at her. “You don’t love me and I know for a fact you don’t want this with me.” Harry finished and she started to sniffle as her tears fell. “You have to tell your family the truth!” He urged.

“Do you know how humiliating that will be!?”

“If you had agreed to the divorce when I brought it up not as much as it might be now! If you don’t come clean to your parents about this I will involve my lawyer and demand a paternity test! And we both know what the result will be.”

“I need more time.” She said softly.

“You have until the end of the month.”

“Harry-”

“You tell them or I do.” He said sternly.

Isabel’s POV:

She hadn’t meant to eaves drop, she just wanted to come ask Julie if she would want some toast with her tea to settle her stomach when she heard the hushed argument.

“Harry, please-”

“No! I’m not going to take responsibility for this!” She heard Harry respond. She almost intervened when she heard this, feeling so much anger rising up in her at the sound of her son-in-law being so disinterested and cold after finding out he would be a father!

“And what if he leaves me?” Julie asked and she stopped from reaching for the door. She was momentarily frozen in shock as she processed Julie’s concern.

“I-I don’t know but you have been cheating on me for months! We haven’t slept together since last year! This has nothing to do with me, Julie!”

Isabel could hear it in his voice that he felt bad but if this was not his child, he truly had no obligation to her. Especially if she had been having an affair for who knows how long.

“You don’t love me and I know for a fact you don’t want this with me.” Harry added. “You have to tell your family the truth!”

“Do you know how humiliating that will be!?” Julie cried quietly and Isabel frowned and started to back away, hearing faintly about previous discussions of a divorce. This was very private and she had heard more than she probably should have.

She was completely taken by surprise and immediately felt so bad for Harry and the situation that she had unintentionally put him in. She could only imagine how devastated he felt knowing that his wife was pregnant with another man’s child. A man that might not even stick around to help her or support her with this. Obviously she would always love her daughter, but it didn’t mean that she would always support her choices and this choice…to have an extramarital affair. To not grant Harry the divorce he had seemingly asked for before when she didn’t even love him anymore. The gall to ask him to stick around if the other man didn’t… it did not sit well with her and made her feel so frustrated at her. She hoped that Julie would say something soon because there was no way she could keep quiet for too long. Harry had been so good to all of them and he did not deserve that.

FINAL PART...

---- TAG LIST ----

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acracana · 3 days ago

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//twst book 7 ch.12 spoilers

My Word Vomit on Ch. 12

I had a feeling with how they kept bringing up how much Silver has been using his um (over 20 times now) in the last chapter that there would be some type of repercussion for him. After this chapter, I’m 99.9% sure that they’re building up to it.

Idk what the repercussions would be, though. Maybe he just won’t be able to use his um for a while and his magic is depleted (though Ace’s um might solve the dream hopping part if that’s 's the case). There’s a chance he overblots ig but I doubt that’s the route the game takes. Silver reawakens his curse and falls into a deep sleep again? Weird turn but sure, I could see it happening under the right writing.

we also still don’t have Silver ssr card for book 7 (malleus and silver better be getting cards). I feel like we’ll be wrapping up book 7 soon. Hopefully, it’ll be less than like 50 more chapters. It’ll be interesting to see how they incorporate “knight of dreams” and “king of the abyss” for them. I sorta want to see them clash as a parallel to their parents, but I also think they should also just hug it out and talk about their feelings about Lilia leaving them. In the end, I feel like Silver understands Malleus’s feelings the most because they are losing the same person.

Ace’s discovery of his UM was so well executed. He’s having his character development guys 🥹. I didn’t think it would happen this quickly after his dream though—I thought we’d get a couple of more chapters without it. It’s very op, but I wonder if he needs to have a similar magic pool for him to completely use the other person’s UM. If not, then there’s the trump card for defeating Malleus but I really hope it’s not that easy.

I have a feeling that now that Ace has his um, it’ll play a big part in the fight against Malleus—whether he uses it for Malleus’s magic, Silver’s magic, or even someone else’s, but I hope that, in the end, the main conflict is between and resolved with the diasomnia members. For a book whose main themes revolves around them, family, and their lack of communication, the message has kinda been pushed to the back burner as they hopped between other characters’ dreams.

ALTHOUGH, I think Riddle’s Dream is good to tie back the book’s theme of family (maybe even its theme of forgiveness, but idk). Riddle obviously cares for his parents, and I don’t doubt that he still loves his mother despite everything. I feel like the fandom treats Mrs. Rosehearts as a one-dimensional villain (she’s a horrible mother, don’t get me wrong), but she acts as she does because she genuinely thinks that is what is good for her son and his future. But she ignores/dismisses her son’s attempts to communicate his wants/needs to her, which I feel is the main issue. I could draw some parallels between her and Lilia’s parenting methods, but I’ll open that can of worms on another day.

Ok, rant done. This chapter was so good, and the cliff-hanger is also *chef’s kiss*. I’m so excited for the book to be coming to and end soon. I still hope they go to crowley’s dream just because it would be funny (lore drop pls).

#twisted wonderland #twst #silver twst #malleus draconia #ace trappola #riddle rosehearts

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danikamariewrites · 3 hours ago

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In Enemy Hands

Mob!Azriel x reader

Warnings: kidnapping, guns, violence, a lil murder but nothing graphic, not proof read

Azriel knew. The heavy feeling in his gut twisting and turning as he paced the driveway.

The mini convoy pulling up had him stopping, his eyes widening at the sight of the damaged Range Rover Cassian was driving. His heart clenched at the destruction.

It was rare Azriel let his men see him in this worried state. He was doing a good job of keeping his mask in place, but Azriel felt like he needed to scream. Like he was going to drop to his knees and let this feral thing inside him out.

Rhys silently stepped up next to his brother, clasping his hand on Azriel’s shoulder. As soon as the cars stopped Azriel pulled away from Rhys to inspect your car. Cassian had already given Az a full report of the damage and how you were taken. He just needed to see it with his own eyes.

Azriel frantically searched the car for any clue that you could’ve left. “Az there’s nothing in here,” Cassian says gently.

“No,” Azriel roars, whipping around to give Cassian a deadly glare. “There — she has to,” Az fumbles over his words.

For the first time since he was a child a tear slid down his cheek. For the first time since he was a child Azriel felt fear.

Anger quickly mixed itself in. Azriel quickly sees red. His breaths were bordering on pants as he cast a pained look at your car.

“I am going to kill every single one of them.”

You push your chest against the ropes keeping you to the rolling chair. All that does is slowly spin you in a circle. You pull at the duct tape binding your wrists to the arms of the chair.

Even though your whole body ached from the collision you fought. And you’d keep fighting.

The door squeaks open as Beron stands over you. He's supposed to be a myth these days. Living out his exile in a quiet town, cut off from his family.

When Eris overthrew his father to become head of the family he showed Beron mercy. Something he never showed any of his sons. The fact that Beron was in the city, and with a small army backing him, meant trouble.

“Eris might actually kill you this time,” I break his brooding silence. “Do you not want to live, or are you just itching for round two with the head of the Vanserra fam—” your words melted into a piercing scream as Beron gave your knee a hard kick.

Pain blinds you. Thanks to the crash you’re pretty sure your knee is somewhere between dislocated and broken. Focusing on breathing through it you regain your composure.

“The bastard that took my spot is weak. Your boyfriend even weaker. I know they owe each other. And the pretender has no one, you were next on the list.”

You groan, absorbing the information. Nesta was good at laying low then. And you’re not a rat.

“Finacé.”

Beron gives me a disgusted scowl. “Fiancé now. Do you not get the newsletter out in the suburbs?” You shoot him a shit eating grin. Beron’s growing rage tells you to quit it with the quips.

“The title doesn’t change anything. My plan is already in motion.” Your heart skipped a beat.

“Aahh the facade does crack.” He grins. Your glare turns murderous. “If you hurt Azriel you won’t have to be afraid of the family’s. Just me.” Beron lets out a cackle as he leaves you to your pain.

It’s already been a full 24 hours and Azriel hasn’t slept. He angrily paced the house as Eris ran point, commanding men to watch Beron’s old hideouts. To comb the city and leave no stone unturned.

Rhys and Cassian have been taking turns to try and ease their brother’s anxiety. Mostly it was to make sure Azriel didn’t run off to take Beron on alone.

Right when Azriel was about to implode Eris ran into the office to report that you’ve been found.

“I have a man on the inside with Beron. We need to move now to catch them off guard, I’ll explain on the way.” Azriel didn’t wait for Eris to finish before he was out the front door.

When the warehouse comes into sight Azriel has to restrain himself from jumping out of the car. “Remember,” Eris’s stern voice sounds down the comms. “Wait for the signal.” Azriel rolls his eyes, knowing that command was targeted at him.

They stay out for almost an hour before Eris’s informant gives the signal.

Entering the building Azriel almost threw up his heart at the sight.

Once Atlas finally gained your trust you let him cut you loose and help stabilize your knee. Thanks to the pain you had to put your weight on him.

Shuffling out of the room you were hidden away in being out in the open made your heart race. Some guards patrolled the upstairs, a few weaved between the stacked pallets.

Atlas dragged you behind a stack of boxes to send a text to Eris. “Stay here.” Atlas whispers. You make yourself as small as possible. Pressing you back against the boxes as you watch Atlas cut through the room to silently cut down those foolish enough to side with Beron.

A second person took down the men upstairs. Silently laying them down as their bodies went limp in his arms.

When Atlas returns you immediately push yourself up, leaning your weight on him again.

Halfway through the warehouse angry footsteps sound from behind. Followed by the click of a gun. Atlas whipped around, shoving you behind him.

“Beron, you don’t want to do this.” He said, raising his gun. The laugh that escaped Beron sent painful chills through your body.

“Enough games. Where’s the boy? Or is he not brave enough to face me?”

“Eris will be here soon enough.”

The two stare each other down. Neither wanted to shoot first. Atlas pushes you, silently asking you to hide and leave him.

Turning as quickly as your knee would let you hobble down the center of the room, aiming to dive behind another stack of boxes.

Two shots sound behind you. One followed by the thud of Atlas’s body. The other right next to your foot. You let yourself fall, putting your weight on your uninjured side.

Beron grabbed you by the back of your neck, hauling you to your feet.

“Any second.” He panted into your ear. Beron’s arm wrapped around your neck, his gun pressing into your temple.

The door slammed open to reveal Azriel, Eris, and the rest of their men. You let out a small sigh of relief at all the familiar faces.

Your eyes meet Azriel’s rage filled ones. “Beron,” he roars. “Let her go!”

“When I have you both where I want you?” You claw at Beron’s arm attempting to loosen his grip.

Azriel was struggling with what to do. He wants to shoot Beron but he was petrified of hitting you by accident. If he moved, Beron would likely kill you.

Eris opens his mouth to threaten his father when a gun goes off. Beron howls and Eris rushes forward to pin him. Everything plays out in slow motion for Azriel. Once he realizes you fall he runs to you.

Azriel scoops you to his chest, rocking you and running his fingers through your tangled hair. “Y/n, oh my sweet y/n. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.” Azriel keeps repeating the apology. You cling to him, breathing in his comforting scent.

He pulls away from you to look you over. Tears prick at Azriel’s eyes when he sees the small gash on your forehead and hurt knee. “Oh my angel.”

“I’m ok, Az.” He shakes his head pulling you back to his chest. Picking you up bridal style Azriel briefly talks to Eris. The next time you look up Azriel is buckling you in the car, never taking his arm from around you.

Az doesn’t let you walk in the house, carrying you tight to his chest again. Bringing you to the spare room you see the family doctor is already set up. An hour later she determines your knee has a bone bruise and the cut on your forehead just requires neosporin and a bandaid.

Before the doc leaves Azriel brings you to the bedroom, helping you change and tucking you in with a heating pad.

You stare at him holding his hand. “Sit, love.” He does as you say, the tears he’s been holding back finally falling from eyes. “I’m so sorry,” he whispers again. “I’m so sorry I failed to keep you safe.” You shake your head at him.

“You brought me home. I’m with you.” Az nods. “I brought you home.” He says more to himself than you.

He stays by your side for days. You can’t even get out of bed without Azriel supporting you or carrying you where you want to go. You let him for his sanity.

Weeks later, you get up without Azriel beside you for the first time. Your knee still hurts a little but you keep moving through the pain.

As if he could sense what you’re doing, Azriel pokes his head in. You smirk at him. “Hi Azzy.” He blushes slightly at the nickname.

“What are you doing up so early?” You roll your eyes playfully. “Can’t I get up and have breakfast with my fiancé?”

“Of course,” he whispers, cupping your cheek. Azriel has been trying not to hover since you’ve fully healed. You can see the hesitation in his eyes as his other hand twitches to wrap around you.

Wrapping your arms around his shoulders you lean into Az. “Will you carry me downstairs?” You press soft kisses to his soft skin to butter him up. Azriel relaxes, scooping you to his chest.

Maybe letting Azriel hover for a little while longer won’t be such a bad thing.

#acotar #acotar fanfiction #acotar reader fic #azriel x reader #azriel acotar #azriel shadowsinger #azriel x you #azriel fic #azriel fanfic #azriel imagine #azriel au #acotar azriel #azriel

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604to647 · 1 day ago

Text

Take It Off (a Strawberry Shortcake Super Bowl drabble)

1K / Frankie Morales x fem!reader

Summary: You host Frankie and the TF boys for The Big Game and are given a choice of which team's jersey to wear.

Warnings: 18+ Content (MDNI pls). Established relationship, nicknames per usual (Shortcake, baby), oral (f!receiving), fingering, wee bit o' dirty talk, one (1) "daddy". Taylor Swift songs.

A/N: I cannot express just how much I do not care about The Big Game 😂, but just like last year, I wrote a Super Bowl drabble while the family watches football 🤗 This is our Strawberry Shortcake couple, but you don't have to read it (all you need to know is that Valentina is Frankie's daughter, Raynor is Reader's son and they're best friends). Apologies for this being barely edited - I'm trying to feign some interest as to what's happening on the field 🤭 Go Sports!

Dividers by @saradika-graphics / Series Masterlist

🎶So take a look what you've done

'Cause baby, now we got bad blood (hey!)🎶

Giggling, hands still soapy, you lean away from the kitchen sink so you can watch the musical performance taking place in your living room.

Frankie and his friends are watching Superbowl LIX at your house, and Uncles Santi, Will and Benny have been doing an admirable job entertaining two overly excited six-year-olds during the pre-game. First up: the Puppy Bowl; cute, but the show inspired increasingly desperate, renewed pleas from Valentina for a dog. When Raynor threw in his own puppy dog eyes to aid his best friend, Frankie, knowing he was in danger, had to hastily switch the channel. After that came a rousing American football lesson using toys found around your living room – the whole thing almost ended up in a Miller brothers fight when Will’s Lego Elsa quarterback got sacked by Benny’s Beyblade before his Jellycat offensive linemen were set up.

The remedy was an impromptu Taylor Swift concert, with each Delta Force boy headlining his Era of choice - Raynor and Valentina their enthusiastic backup dancers. Right now, Uncle Santi is in his 1989 era, twirling the kids around your living room with aplomb.

“You’re driving me crazy with that jersey, Shortcake,” growls the dangerous baritone kissing down the back of your neck.

Turning back to the dishes you want to get done before the game, you chuckle. Frankie looks more than adorable, pouting in his team colours, decked out in Chief’s gear – even his usual Standard Oil cap has been replaced by a bright red snapback. Showing up with a coordinating Santi and Valentina, he brought both you and your son matching jerseys; Raynor donned his happily, eager to match with his best friend. You on the other hand, are wearing a green Eagles jersey, matching the ones Benny and Will have on; with very little interest in the NFL, and even less loyalty to any particular team – you couldn’t say no to Benny when he held out the Philadelphia gear, pouting about being outnumbered. The apologetic look you gave Frankie as you slipped into the green top did not prevent him from shooting back a (somewhat) joking look of disgust.

Frankie’s hands grip your hips, tightening over the jersey material as if to change its colours through force; playfully you wiggle back into his hold, “Maybe that’s why I agreed to wear it, Francisco. So you’d rip it off of me later.”

“You’re trouble, baby.”

As if on cue, Will’s Red Era warble screeches into the kitchen:

🎶I knew you were trouble when you walked in

So, shame on me now🎶

Laughing, Frankie helps you with the dishes, the two of you finish in time to give Will and the kids a well-deserved round of applause as they close out the song, belting 🎶TROUBLE🎶 in canon.

“Going outside to throw the ole pigskin around before the game,” chirps Benny, tossing the football to Santi before scooping up a kid under each arm and heading for your backyard to a chorus of masculine whoops and high pitched first grader squeals and giggles.

“Not you, Trouble,” a hand pulls you back and towards your bedroom.

“Frankie!” you gasp, flushed and squirming when that same hand pushes you onto your bed after locking the door.

“Forget later, you’re gonna take that damn jersey off NOW,” snarls Frankie, dropping unceremoniously to his knees, bear paw hands roughly pulling down your leggings along with your underwear – he helps you kick them off before using those same big mitts to spread you wide.

The last thing you hear before throwing your head back against your mattress in a pleasure-soaked whine is something about how this cunt is the tastiest thing on tonight’s menu.

Frankie slurps and laps at your pussy like a man possessed, as if ravaging your cunt is his own personal contribution to his favourite team’s chances of winning tonight. You try to muffle your cries of ecstasy as your boyfriend positively feasts, talented tongue dancing and dipping between your folds, face fully buried in his own personal heaven. When two thick fingers breach your entrance and curl, you’re already closer that you thought possible – panting, you knock the red cap off Frankie’s head and fist his soft brown curls, “Frankie! Fuck, baby… I’m so close! Please, I’m so cl-“

The bastard slows down and pulls his mouth away.

Your head snaps up, death glare that could make a pro linebacker quake in his cleats aimed at the man between your legs.

“Say you’ll take off the Eagles jersey…”

“Francisco!!”

“… and wear MY jersey and I’ll let you come, Shortcake.”

Desperate, you nod frantically at the man who’s still sawing his fingers in and out of your cunt at an agonizing slow pace, “Yes, daddy, anything you say.”

“Good girl,” Frankie purrs as he resumes his previous pace, hefty digits thrusting through the glide of your dripping arousal – your body arches as you’re thrown back onto your bed with the force of Frankie’s conquest. Strong aquiline nose nuzzling your throbbing clit, Frankie chuckles low at your mindless whinnying; he lays a soft, pitying kiss to your crying nub before latching on and sucking.

You explode.

---

When the kids, Santi, Will and Benny come back in for kick-off, you’re just tipping a Wing Pit bucket of wings onto a plate to add to the spread – now wearing a bright red jersey.

“Awww, no fair,” whines Benny, grabbing a plate to load up, “you changed.”

“Sorry, Ben,” you grin with a happy shrug, “Frankie convinced me.” Frankie stands right behind you, arm wrapped possessively around your waist, one large hand splayed wide over the bright Chiefs colours you’re now sporting, the other holding a chicken drumette – his BBQ-stained mouth stretched wide with a shit-eating grin.

Will walks by on his way to the pizza boxes, hand coming up to smack Frankie on the head, “Cripes, Fish – you’re such a messy eater.” You nearly drop the bowl of dip you’re holding as you choke at Will’s words and Frankie’s belly shaking laugh of a response, “Can’t help it, menu’s tasty tonight.”

Thank you for reading! If you like stories where Pbois eat out their ladies while professional sports is being played, perhaps you may enjoy Hat Trick Part 2 (The Playoffs) 🏒🤭

#frankie morales #super bowl fic #frankie morales fic #frankie morales fanfiction #frankie morales x reader #frankie morales x you #frankie morales x f!reader #pedro pascal characters fanfiction #pedro pascal characters

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11queensupreme11 · 2 days ago

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So I have a question? You know that song lyric “Would you still love me if I’m no longer young and beautiful?” By Lana Del Rey. Okay so I’m gonna give you a scenario I’ve been thinking about adding to my story (as a draft for the next interlude after I finish the next reaction chapter)

So it goes a little like this:

Let say Percy who was a goddess (like in the last ask) got cheated on by Cu and, in her despair, killed herself.

(This is just a draft but I do plan on starting the chapter with her suicide note to her children first. Then to each of the yans individually. And maybe a couple to the friends and family she made on the way. So like a note to Shiva and his wives, Adamas, maybe Hercules and Prometheus, and…Ra(surprise! 🤭) honestly, I plan on making his a mixture of kinda funny/sarcastic, but also nostalgic and sad.)

Everyone finds out of course. And Zeus, devestated by the loss of his favorite neice, incensed by the disrespect shown to the Greek Pantheon by the Celtic Pantheon, spurred on by his son, brothers, and pantheon’s devestation and righteous anger at Percy’s death, along with the Egyptian, Norse, Abrahamic,Hindu, etc. Pantheons’ anger with what Cu did, obviously, declare war. The heavens are split and in utter chaos as the two sides form and each side is gathering allies for the upcoming war (it’ll be known as the “The Divine Schism” later on.

So, as u can imagine, this results in a lot of death, a lot of emotions flying around, and it isn’t even just the gods fighting other gods. Or Percy’s children fighting her other children(wish she begged them in her letter not to do, but she’s gone now; and her children are just as unhinged as their dads) . It also causes the humans to fight too because she was friends with a lot of them and a lot of them blame the Celtic people for 1)encouraging the views that made Cu think it was okay to do that (which is hypocritical because they still believe or once believed and would have done the same thing just due to the time period they were raised/born into, but a lot of them liked Percy so she was the exception) and 2) for not trying harder to keep him under control back when he was still a human on Midgard (Papa Adam is REALLY disappointed).

ANYWAY!

At this point, the war has gotten bad enough that the Fates, the Morrigan, the Norns, and all the other gods and goddesses related to fate and destiny realize that sooner or later the gods are going to end up fighting each other into extinction (with the humans in Vallhalla doing the same) and so they do some research (through their powers which were given to them by “the-Powers-that-Be” (which I actually mentioned in a chapter already but basically that’s the power that created them, their universe, and all the other universes that exist or will ever exist) and find out that, while Percy did die when she killed herself, for whatever reason, she didn’t end up going to Niflheim and instead got reincarnated into a different universe and nope🤭🤭it’s NOT the PJO universe. Which universe it is, I’m going to keep that a secret for now but I wouldn’t mind doing a poll to see which universe everyone would WANT her to be in. It might even help me decide. (just know it’s gonna be an anime universe. So either One Piece, Bleach, Naruto, or something else. It’ll have to be one I’ve read or watched before tho.) but it’s a secret, even to me, until I actually sit down and write this chapter.

Anyway, they find her reincarnated soul (in this I think I’m going to make it so that she only remembers SOME of her past life as a goddess and a demigod and it comes to her in her dreams) and, in order to stop the godly war that threatens the very foundations of their universe, they sit the Pantheons down (what’s left of them anyway) and tell them about what happened and where she is now. This, of course revitalizes the yans (ESPECIALLY CU!!!) because they see it as a second chance to get her back and make SURE she NEVER leaves them EVER again. (I’m talking they might actually lock her in a palace where they watch her every move 24/7 for the rest of eternity)

So they come up with a plan to basically kidnap her from this other plane. In this other universe tho, she’s lived a full, happy life. Sure it had some challenges (if she’s in One Piece I’m gonna make it so that she was Ace’s sister so she def fought in Marineford (love interest: Shanks), if in Bleach I’m making her the Captain of one of the divisions (Love interest:Sosuke Aizen 🤭🤭), if in Naruto ( I honestly can’t see her as an assassin/killer which is literally all ninjas are trained to do when u get to the crux of it so maybe like a political figure of peace? A daiymo maybe? Idk I’d have to figure it out (love interest: Kakashi Hatake, Itachi Uchiha, or Madara Uchiha depending on what time period I want her to be reincarnated into)

I plan on having her influence a lot of stuff, fall in love, have children with said Love Interest, and be an old lady by the time they start looking for her ( might have to write this in three parts since I do want to dedicate a chapter to her life in that other universe).

I’m still trying to figure out all the logistics since I want it to be believable and not just super random and unorganized because there are a lot of moving parts.

But my question to u is what do u think the yans will think (at this point in time) or do about an old, grandma version of Percy? Will it matter to them? She won’t be the same Percy at this point. She might remember some things about them but for the most part she won’t remember them and tho she might have the same morals as the last Percy, because of the stuff she went through in this new universe, she isn’t just physically different (old) but mentally too.

EVERYTHING HERE IS PERFECT BUT I JUST HAVE ONE CORRECTION:

"while Percy did die when she killed herself, for whatever reason, she didn’t end up going to Niflheim and instead got reincarnated"

it's niflhel!!! niflhel (or oblivion, nonexistence, whatever) is where all gods and mortal souls (after dying in the afterlife) go to when they die!

anyway.................

AIZEN SOSUKE????????? AND KAKASHI????????????

dude i genuinely don't know who to vote for, kakashi has been my anime crush SINCE I WAS A LITTLE GIRL, and aizen's so fucking daddy too omg why would you make us pick between them that's so cruel 😭😭😭😭😭😭

as for your question, age wouldn't matter much to them cuz they can just forcefully revert her back to her prime or back to whatever age/appearance they last saw her as!

the issue is the mentality 😞 if she's too different (like if she's not the same sweet, cheery, uwu, and infuriatingly annoying and troublesome girl that they know, then they might actually feel defeated. it's percy.... but at the same time it's not THEIR percy

tbh they'd probably try to find a way to revert her back to the percy they know, but if that doesn't work or they can't do it, then it's back to despair and anger 💀

#👸🏻| asks #👸🏻| arsenic blues

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narutothoughts · 2 days ago

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Au where Naruto is insane about all his teammates (not just sasuke) so when Tsunade refuses the hat and kakashi is basically forced into it he goes a little wacky and joins anbu to help Kakashi better.

In the past, Kakashi swore himself to his village four times. Has the Konoha headband that he received at graduation from the academy as proof of the first time. Has his first chunin vest as proof of the second. His Jonin greens as proof of the third and his anbu tattoo as proof of the fourth.

He never expected to do it again with the Hokage’s hat as proof of the fifth. But he does. His village needs him and he’s never once turned from her, even at his worst.

Kakashi has the reputation. The skill. The intelligence. The heritage. The connections. The power.

With kakashi as Hokage and officially off active duty, the situation is more strained than before. It becomes readily apparent to all the higher ups just how much heavy lifting Kakashi was doing when it came to completing all the A and S rank missions.

Naruto…well he sees the grief that shadows Kakashi’s eye more than the hat’s veil could ever hide. The exhaustion in his perpetually slumped shoulders.

He refuses to let this be where they part ways and allow himself be shuffled off to a new genin sensei as if team seven wasn’t the best thing he ever had.

So he doesn’t. He lets getting sasuke back become a second priority and focuses on being able to help kakashi as best he can. Sasuke chose to leave but kakashi…he doesn’t want the hat or the distance it’s forced. It’s obvious to anyone who knew him as more than cold blooded Kakashi.

He will help his sensei.

It’s odd how much things shift after that. Time feels more compressed, like he’s fighting against it and working with it all at once. But somehow he finds his own teachers, both conventional and not.

After all, the old granny whose perfume he complemented and ended up learning about poisons from in Suna wasn’t exactly a normal teacher. Although he did find a bingo book entry that looked just like her minus a few (dozen) wrinkles. The fact it said she was both originally from Konoha and now dead was…interesting. The dock workers he met in water when he was disguised as a fisherman’s son looking for work taught him all kinds of knots that he adapted for his traps wasn’t conventional either. Not to mention the blacksmith he was hired to protect…or the bounty hunters he fought…or the missing nin…or that other missing nin…

Anyone that can teach him anything, he listens to. He internalizes. And he grows from it all.

It’s inevitable really that he joins ANBU. It’s where he can help his sensei best and so he does. He takes on the missions that are a few steps left of a suicide run and comes back with fewer and fewer injuries each time.

Things settle in the village again with another major player able to take on the workload. Kakashi hates it but can’t help but feel grateful for it anyway. He mourns the new darkness in his most cheerful students eyes but smiles as false bravado solidifies into quiet confidence and genuine contentment.

They both learn to lean on eachother. Kakashi knows any mission he gives Naruto will not only get completed, but also result in at least two more allies and a trade deal with a small village that’s not even on their maps. Naruto reveals in the unhesitant trust placed in him.

Time passes and the fourth war comes. Kakashi dies in front of Naruto, only alive long enough to pass him a blood stained hat with blood seeping through his face mask.

Naruto takes on the responsibility passed to him and leads his village in the war for 5 yrs.

Blah blah blah apocalyptic hell scape, he kills madara and rabbit goddess, no one’s left, Kurama suggests time travel, he takes it, gets sent to the past as a red haired and purple eyed version of himself, picks out a name, gets in bingo book, kills everyone he needs to to prevent it blah blah blah

This was entirely inspired by one scene I was imagining where Naruto gives a speech before his entire shinobi force and asks his anbu to step forward. It’s almost silent as people turn to each other in shock as they watch their friends and family step forward at their hokages command. Even quieter still when it’s clear the vast majority of the shinobi left alive are all ANBU.

#naruto #naruto uzumaki #kakashi hatake #au

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beemochi-art · 18 hours ago

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Did Jazz just up and leave Snow and Punch without notifying them? Run away? Or had some sort of agreement for going no contact with them?

Snow saw Jazz again when Jazz was an autobot. He begged for a second chance and to make things right. Even if it just between the two of them. Jazz missed his sire and agreed. But Snow is on thin ice.

Under no circumstances does Jazz want to see Punch. Snow knows this and if he wants to keep building a relationship with his son Snow has to respect that.

Snow gets the picture loud and clear. Jazz has threatened bodily injury towards the both of them if Snow brings Punch around him or his conjunx. Snow has passed on the message to Punch.

The incident that split them up. TW. Major abuse stuff.

When Jazz was a teen Punch was berating him, (it really doesn’t matter for what,) this time tho Jazz chose to argue back. Because of the perceived disrespect Punch yelled louder and said more horrible things. Punch had a talent for making Jazz cry. Jazz was tired of it. The only time punch would pay attention to him was to yell, he always looked at him ugly and everything he did was wrong. He was tired of Snow either fence sitting or choosing Punch over him. He was so over them. Jazz just wanted to have a break, he wanted to just go stay somewhere else for a little while.

Jazz started to pack his things while getting yelled at. Punch realizing what was happening tried to stop him. Punch at the time decided that if Jazz could get past him, he could leave. Jazz was shocked his Carrier would ever purpose a fight. They had never payed hands on each other. Jazz begged to not fight. Punch didn’t leave his a choice.

Jazz has always been afraid of his carrier. But his own anger boiled up. Snowcat came back from work while the two were brawling. Snow split them up. Although it was more like he was pulling Jazz off of Punch.

Jazz tried to explain to Snowcat what the hell happened but couldn’t get anything clear out in between his sobs. Punch interrupted him and told Jazz that he was free to go. But to never come back. Saying things like, it would make his life easier and other things like that.

Jazz was beyond dreaded by hearing that. Jazz looked to Snow to help. Hoping he’d tell Punch no or just say anything. But he didn’t Snow didn’t even look at him. Snow chose Punch again.

The last thing he told Punch is that he was dead to him, and that he never wanted to see him again.

Jazz left and he hasn’t seen Punch since.

Punch is much older now and hates himself for how he treated his son. He understands that he may never see Jazz again. He hates himself for it. But he is glad Jazz has allowed a relationship with Snow and his daughter.

#asks #forte-verse #Jazz #punch #snowcat

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trinlovessoobin · 3 days ago

Text

reunited.

{yunho x fem!reader y/n}

you’ve had a crush on yunho for as long as you could remember but you were always too young for him, he never showed you any attention even as friends till one day you both were back from collage and he was excited to see how grown up you looked.

3.3k words

[warning of content] smut, degrading, backshots, bickering, rough, cream pie, protected, oral receiving, pet names, y/n is down bad, yunho is an f-boy.

You’d known him forever, your dad’s best friend's son he’d come over for dinners often, and you’d end up never talking since he was a few years older and you were too shy. But your mind wasn’t shy, you thought about him all the time the way his hands would feel all over your body, and you would watch his hands while he ate his food. Watch his lips as he spoke you thought about him all the time. He was your guilty pleasure for years.

You hadn’t seen him in 3 years since he’d been off in college, but so were you now. You were a freshman but you're coming back for break. Though he wasn’t always on your mind like he used to be, he would still cross it reminding you that no man you’ll be with or meet will meet his level and your standards remained high. When your father told you over the phone that he and his dad along with his mother would be coming over for dinner you were nervous but maybe this was your chance, you’d finally grown into your skin. You dated a couple of guys while away but none of them were as attractive as Yunho.

“Dad, mom, I’m home!”

You said walking in, your hands full of bags, your dog ran around the corner jumping on you. And your father followed.

“Hey honey, looks like Sugar missed you”

Your dad says as sugar continues to jump and lick you.

“Well I am her favorite, isn’t that right sugar,” you say in a baby voice to her.

“Where’s mom?”

“She’s at work but she’ll be home soon. I’m so happy you home, now go wash up that drive must’ve been tiring, you smell after 4 hours in a car”

“Oh wow thanks Dad missed you too”

He was right though you did smell and Yunho was coming over for dinner you had to look your best. After your shower you put on your favorite pair of jeans the ones that hug all your curves and a black long-sleeve, nothing too crazy this is a family dinner, so you do light makeup and style your hair. You knew you’d get him. Going to college made you a lot more extroverted and men threw themselves at you the friends that you made in collage got you to go out more so you quickly lost your virginity after just a few months being there. Men would fight for your attention at party’s, you were a lot more confident than the last time Yunho has seen you. You walk down the stairs and see that your mom is home you sneak up on her and hug her.

“Oh my goodness y/n you scared me”

She cups your face and looks at you with a motherly smile.

“I’ve missed my girl”

“I’ve missed you too mama.”

“Do you want to help me make dinner we have guests coming so I have to cook tonight”

She laughs softly.

“I know I'm excited to see Mr. Jeong and tell him about my studies, if it wasn’t for him I would’ve never even thought about majoring in engineering.”

“my girl is so smart, you also get to see Yunho. I remember when he first started coming over you were so shy the little crush you had on him was so cute”

Your face gets a little flushed.

“Mom I was like 13 leave me alone anyways I am a little excited to see him, I know he’s a junior in college so I want to see how that’s going for him but other than that Mom. I’m mostly just excited to be here with you.”

Was it a bit of a lie…..yes, but you did miss your mom a lot.

Once dinner was almost ready you heard a knock on the door your heart sank suddenly getting nervous. Your dad went to get the door so you continued helping your mom in the kitchen. You heard the door open and the voices of greetings, your dad's voice, Mr Jeong’s voice, Mrs Jeong’s voice, and… Yunho’s voice. It sounded a little deeper than before.

“Honey why don’t you set the table since they’re here”

“Okay mama”

You are setting down the silverware when you feel a pair of eyes on you, you look up and meet Yunho’s, he’s leaning against the wall in the hallway just staring at you it looks like he’s gotten taller, and more attractive for sure. It takes you a moment to speak, his gaze had caught you completely off guard.

“Oh hi Yunho, how are you?”

He smiles and walks over to you.

“I’m good, can I help?”

“It’s okay i’m almost done. How’s your dad?”

“he’s good he’s good. I heard you’re majoring in engineering like him. How’s that been going for you y/n”

“It’s been really good, super tough but i’m learning a lot and it’s so interesting. how’s college? What’s your major again? I forgot”

You didn’t forget how could you i mean he was going to college to be a surgeon?! The thought of Yunho in scrubs made you drool.

“pre-med, I want to become a surgeon. Remember? And it’s been good. Super stressful and a lot of work but it’ll all be worth it…”

He pauses for a moment and just stares at you again with a stern face.

“y’know I don’t think we’ve ever had a conversation last this long. Did y/n finally find her voice?”

You roll your eyes and laugh. Finishing up the last of the table setting.

“College has helped me come out of my shell I think. I found a good group of friends who are all very extraverted, they make me go out all the time at first I hated it but now I love it”

“ohh so you’re a party girl now” he looks at you up and down judging.

“I’m not crazy I go out when I need a break of studying. Don’t give me that judging look, because you look like the epitome of a frat boy”

He scoffs and rolls his eyes.

“I am not a frat boy.”

“Are you in a frat?”

He looks away holding back a smile.

“I fucking knew it. You’re probably a fuck boy too, I mean come on those looks, you’re in a frat and you’re becoming a surgeon I bet you have every girl wrapped around your finger”

He looks back at you and smiles.

“you think I’m attractive?”

“oh come on you know that you’re attractive, you’re ego is basically oozing out of you”

“nothing wrong with a big ego.. and y/n careful, your ego is oozing too”

Just before you can make another comment your dad and his dad walk him.

“Mr Jeong, Mrs Jeong, it’s so good to see you guys,” you say with a smile

“oh wow would just take her in for a moment, she is gorgeous, look at your daughter have you seen her? It’s only been 3 years but you’ve grown up haven’t you, come here hug me”

You quickly go over to her and hug Mrs Jeong, you weren’t that close with her because you always thought she was a little strange… she always speaks her mind.

“oh wow y/n looks like you’ve grown into your boobs as well they look great I’m jealous they’re so perky”

Your face instantly turns red and you hear Yunho hold in a laugh, thankfully your mom comes in to save you.

“Dinner is ready why don’t we all sit down”

You end up sitting next to Yunho. The conversation you had with him earlier was far from what you wanted you two were bickering not flirting.

“These potatoes are really good,” he says looking at my mom.

“Well y/n actually actually made those!”

“you look at him and smile, thanks Yuyu”

Yuyu… the nickname you gave him when you were kids, he hated it because he was just a grumpy teenage boy but now it seems to have gotten him flustered.

“oh- um yeah”

Yunho’s mother speaks up again.

“Hey, y/n so how's the boy life, I remember your mother telling me you were seeing a boy named James right? he even came down and visited. Must be serious.”

“Oh well, that was a couple of months ago me and James broke up.”

“oh no sweetie I’m so sorry are you okay?”

“I’m great, I broke up with him. really it wasn’t serious”

The room went silent a little awkwardness hung in the air before your father and Mr. Jeong went back to the friendly conversation, Yunho nudges your arm.

“So tell me about James”

“He’s not impotent”

“well he met the parents”

“Because he asked to, like I said he’s not impotent, he was obsessed with me and I don't know, I just never really liked him so I broke up with him not interesting like I said”

“so you’re a heart breaker”

“would you want to be in a relationship with someone who didn’t like you back?”

He didn’t say anything.

“See I’m right, so what about you? Considering you’re a fuck boy you probably don’t have a girlfriend but do you have someone you’re seeing?”

“I’m not a fuck boy… yes I sleep around but I don’t play with people's feelings they all know I don’t date”

“Oh wow they, that’s multiple. You’re not helping your fuck boy case at all”

He scoffs and leans in closer lowering his voice.

“You’re starting to piss off y/n”

“That wasn’t my intention”

“Then what is your intention?”

You don’t answer him and continue to eat, you see that your parents have opened a bottle of wine.

After dinner, you and Yunho were asked to clean up while they went out on the patio to drink. While you were washing the dishes and Yunho was putting away the food it was quiet. Neither of you were talking to each other. You take a deep breath before finally breaking the silence.

“I didn’t mean to piss you off Yunho.”

“It’s okay i really wasn’t that pissed, I mean it’s the truth I like to fuck, there’s nothing wrong with that.”

You felt your heart racing as he said that, all you wanted was for him to fuck the life out of you. he spoke again.

“Was James your first?”

You turn around from the sink and face him.

“He was far from that. It’s true that I didn’t really like him. But another thing is that we wanted to wait for marriage a traditional type. And before he and I started dating I had slept with quite a few guys…. there was just no way I could wait and I couldn’t even seen myself marrying this guy so what was the point y’know?”

He was a little shocked by your honesty.

“So here you were calling me a fuck boy when you’re a little slut”

You shrug and turn back around to finish the dishes. You felt two hands slide around your waist. And his face leans into your neck to whisper.

“You didn’t answer me earlier at dinner. What’s your intention y/n”

You breathe heavily as his thumbs rub your sides and he breathes down your neck.

“Yunho… both of our parents are outside right now and could come in at any moment don’t be stupid”

He places a soft kiss on your neck and starts to suck marking you, your hands grip the counter as one of his hands moves to your breast squeezing it.

“Yunho- I’m serious”

He pulls away and walks over to the fridge just then your mom walks in, thank god he was off you when she did, you can see Yunho quickly turn around, both of our faces were flushed and out of breath. You went back to the dishes.

“Hey, honey do you know where I put that other bottle of wine?”

“Um oh! Yeah it’s over here”

You get it and hand it to her she looks at you for a while not saying anything and you get nervous.

“y/n… why don’t you and Yunho go watch a movie in your room we’re probably going to come in soon and hang out in the living room we don’t want to disturb you. And also they’re probably going to stay the night since we’re drinking. Yunho honey you can sleep in the spare and your parents can sleep in our camper okay?”

He finally faces her.

“Yeah that’s okay thank you”

She leaves with the bottle and Yunho looks at you with a grin on his face.

“I’ve been invited into your room to watch a movie, that’s so sweet of your mom. And if I can remember the spare bedroom is right across from yours right?”

You put aside the last dish before looking back at him with a smile.

“So… movie?”

You walk up the stairs, and he closely follows behind like a puppy. Once you enter your room he closes the door and locks it. You go and grab the remote to your TV and stand in front of it.

“So what movie?l

“You can’t be serious y/n”

“Our house is pretty quiet if you haven’t noticed, unless you wanted our parents to hear us fuck.”

You cock your head to the side and look at him. He gets flustered and scratches his head.

“Um, what about we watch Fast and Furious.”

“Loud action movie, perfect.”

Once you turn it on Yunho walks over in front of you, his hand traces your jaw the next thing you know your lips are smashing into each other, the kiss his rough and sloppy both hungry for each other, you push him down onto your bed and take off your shirt before climbing on top of him straddling him while your hands are on his neck and one of his hands on your waits while the other is on your ass. he quickly grabs you and rolls over him now towering down over you, kissing your lips softer than before than kisses your jaw trailing down your neck making his way to your pants he leans up taking off his shirt, his abs were so defined you trace your finger down his stomach and onto his belt. Starting to unbuckle it looking up at him as he smirks he helps out finishing taking off his belt and he unbuttons your pants pulling them down and off along with your underwear, he moves you up the bed and leans down kissing your inner thighs his touch was everything you had imagined and more, every time you slept with someone you would picture him instead but this, this was so much better just from his touch you’re basically falling apart it normally take you a while to get fully turned on but you were so wet, you were wet from the moment his hands touched your waist in the kitchen.

“you’re so wet for me,” Yunho says making circling motions on your clit you moan you couldn’t help it, it felt so good.

“Yu-Yunho…. please”

He leans forward towering over you again still playing with your clit.

“Please… mmmm.. please fuck me”

He stops touching you and gets off the bed you gasp from the disappearance of his touch. He takes off his pants and boxers revealing his length you bite your lip with temptation you feel like jumping him, you’ve waited so long for this and it was actually happening.

“someone’s excited, you little whore”

He says grabbing a condom out of his wallet and then walking over to you, you didn’t even realize you were completely showing your emotions on your face. You turn your look away from him embarrassed. he gets back onto the bed grabbing your legs and pulling them towards him. He grabs your chin so you face him.

“Don’t be embarrassed love. I think it’s cute. You’ve wanted this for so long and now you have me”

Your furrow your eyebrows looking at him.

“Oh don’t give me that look, it was obvious the way you looked at me every time I came over at first the looks were innocent since we were just kids but then they got more intense you were basically drooling every time I was over”

His comments embarrassed you and got you a little angry, angry enough to try and move but he takes your wrists pinning them down leaning in close to you, feeling his breath on your lips and his cock on your stomach. This turned you on so much but you were still angry.

“Don’t be upset when it’s the truth, I thought it was cute but you were too young, seeing you here tonight made me change my mind, just let me fulfill your fantasy. I want you y/n”

“-okay”

He grins tarring open the condom and sliding it over his cock that was dripping in precum, he aligned his cock with you tracing your entrance before sliding it in, you gasp and grip the sheet his cock was so big and full of girth it stretched your walls, he almost completely pulled out before thrusting again into you.

“god you are so tight y/n… why is your bra still on, I want to suck on those perky tits of yours”

You quickly take off your bra allowing him to access the laches his lips onto your nibble sucking while thrusting into you, you were overwhelmed with sensations the room is filled with your moans and the sound of the tv on high volume. Finally unlatching from your breast he quickens his thrusts.

“Yunho, I’m gonna cum”

He grins going even faster placing two fingers on your clit and making circling motions again you were seeing stars as he continuously fucked you hard.

“come for me, love”

And you do, you cum all over his cock, your back arching with pleasure as he continues to pump in you, he pulls you and flips you over onto your stomach.

“Get on your knees”

You listen to his order and he pushes your head into the pillow thrusting himself deeper and harder into you, he was rough but you loved it, he gripped your thigh causing your walls to clench around him, he whimpers at the sensation he feels.

“fuck y/n-“ he groans again cumming, filling the condom with his seed, he pulls out and lays beside you, you roll over onto your back, your pants are almost in sync, till you hear a knock on the door. You both scramble to get your clothes on.

“Honey it’s me, what’s going on in there why is the door locked?”

You finish changing and quickly try and fix your hair. Open the door slightly.

“Sorry, mama it’s a habit I didn’t mean to lock it but Yunho fell asleep watching the movie I can just sleep in the spare I don’t wanna wake him, I was almost falling asleep myself.”

Her face was red from the alcohol you could tell she was drunk so you could use this.

“y/n are you lying to me why is your face so red?”

“okay I’m sorry I was lying… we grabbed one of your bottles of Tito’s and were drinking, and he passed out from the alcohol guess he’s a lightweight”

“y/n im disappointed, but thank you for being honest. The guest room is ready for you”

“love you, goodnight mama”

You close the door and let out a big exhale.

“Wow, she believed that.”

“she’s drunk so it was easy, now… you need to go to the guest room”

“thought I passed out?”

“I woke you up”

#yunho #jeong yunho #smut #ateez smut #ateez yunho #ateez

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strikingly-rhys · 3 days ago

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The witch wanted to argue Uriel's words, say that his mother was indeed weak, becoming a shell of who she was when, in reality, he was the confused one. Rhys knew this, but all he could rely on was the fight, his anger, and his revenge. Anything else was too confusing to come to terms with, like his mind was too broken to wrap around the implications that the First family was wrong. "I don't know how," he finally responded, voice distant like it almost hurt him to admit it. Rhys was the First Son– he didn't admit shortcomings or faults, and everything was done with intention, but it simply never was that way with Uriel. He was always forced to face the things no one else prompted in him when he was in the presence of the other witch. His gaze moved from Uriel's face to where their hands were connected over El's chest, feeling the slight change in his heartbeat. Rhys frowned, both at what he felt and at Uriel's words. Things were starting to add up to something that shouldn't exist between them with so much time past, wouldn't exist in their future. Not with what he had to do next. "Maybe you shouldn't have come back. You'll hate what I need to do to the coven to get Celeste back." It was something that even Rhys of old never thought himself truly capable of. He and Celeste were both powerful in their own right, but he was always the outwardly dangerous sibling. The one that could kill without barely a thought, needing to suppress himself so he didn't snap on unsuspecting coven members, but even this... a complete annihilation of men and women to get enough power for a resurrection? Sure, it wasn't just him along during the siege, but it was him leading the charge. Every death hung on his shoulders. "Maybe you'll see that Rhys again one day, but it won't be anytime soon. Not yet, if ever, but I guess we both share that you are a soft spot."

Normally, Uriel would be a little more hesitant undressing the witch if others were present in the room, but this was a private moment between two people with a long history of the back-and-forth game. His push and Rhys' pull on a constant cycle that even in his absence, they were picking up right where they left off. "Her change of heart is not a weakness. I know you're exhausted, Rhys, I know this anger you've been carrying seems as if it is sucking the life right out of you. You cannot fully experience the happiness until you give yourself the permission to feel it." El's fingers slowly fanned along the back of the male's hand, his heart skipping a beat from the close proximity. His body betrayed him, no doubt, how much he missed having Rhys in his world. The foolishness he can successfully run from the problems, from his feelings, and the family he left behind. "I can pretend that the whispers something big was about to happen in the city were why I returned, but you were the only reason I came back." The witch confessed. "I don't hate you, Rhys. I could never hate you." I think I'm falling for you. Those were the unspoken words Uriel couldn't bring to his lips. "You are the same First Son I knew somewhere deep down through the rage. I see it in your eyes, I feel it in your touch. It's in the fact that you haven't told me to leave."

#c; uriel

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eddiediazismyhusband · 2 days ago

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i’m probably gonna lose more followers over this but i don’t think people are understanding where i’m coming from so i’m gonna tall about this again:

TO PREFACE: i do not hate eddie diaz, i hate what the writers constantly to him

eddie choosing to move to texas is not the automatic fix-it to his and chris’s relationship that a lot of people seem to think it is.

eddie’s entire narrative is built around the fact that he and his son do not belong in texas: we spent an entire episode in s3 showcasing how eddie and chris do not belong there.

chris knows that. eddie knows that. if they actually had a conversation about it, they would both come to that conclusion that neither of them want to be in texas permanently. the fact is, however, that every time we saw eddie speak with chris this season, he skirted around the topic- ignoring the elephant in the room, rather than addressing it.

chris ran away bc he was hurt. his dad hurt him, and being a rebellious teenager, chris chose to hurt him right back by calling eddie’s parents when he knows that they and eddie are not in great terms. he wanted to hit his dad where it hurts, and then wanted his dad to beg for him to come back- it’s the same reason why a lot of kids “run away from home” to grandma’s house; they want their parents to know they’re hurt, and they want the parent ti grovel.

chris wants his dad to ask him to come home- to tell him that he needs him to come home.

what chris DOES NOT want is for his dad to completely uproot and leave their lives in LA behind.

he doesn’t need his dad giving up on fighting for him just to settle for seeing chris a couple hours a day or every other weekend like some split-parent custody agreement. all that does is show chris that the only answer is to run away frok your problems, which is not true.

you face your problems head on- even if that means putting your foot down and telling your child that it’s time to have a serious talk.

is that something that a temporary trip could do? yes, absolutely- but moving there? no.

now i know we know that eddie comes back- but eddie also rented a moving trailer. if eddie truly were only going there temporarily, he would gonfor maybe a couple weeks to see chris and talk in person- get the hatd stuff out of the way, and then after those couple of weeks, they would get chris ready to come back home- yeah, when they get back they may not be completely healed from the hurt but they would be home and able to heal in an environment that they know they have a support group in.

what’s not healthy is forcing eddie to return to the place that hurt him to begin with- that is not the key to healing trauma.

so the solution would be to go for a long visit, right?

so then why does eddie have a uhaul? look, i know it’s a small uhaul but- eddie doesn’t have anything in his house. it is very realistic that the important things are packed carefully in the trailer and more valuable items would probably live in the truck (like wallets, jewelry, fragile items, etc).

If eddie were truly going down for a temporary visit to talk with chris, he would take at most a few boxes of clothes, and maybe some things from chris’s room that he thinks chris would like again. this is the age of the air b&b- why would eddie need a uhaul unless he was moving into an unfurnished house or apartment; something you don’t invest in for a temporary stay

not only that, but if it were intended to be temporary, they wouldn’t be putting so much emphasis on the goodbye between buck and eddie- yeah, buck would miss eddie while he was gone, but he would know eddie was coming back soon, so why make it a huge deal? why have him crash out over eddie driving back fo texas unless the intent of it being permanent was there?

again- yes, buck would be sad and depressed regardless, but regressing back into a sex addiction is not a reminiscent if missing someone who’s gone away for a few weeks

so that’s why i say that eddie’s intentions are for this to be a permanent move

now back to the chris of it all; i guarantee you that if eddie said something to chris about moving to texas in any capacity, chris would freak tf out bc that’s not what he wanted- he wanted his dad to come after him and take him home; not uproot everything

and we also know that if chris said that’s what he needed eddie would do it in a heartbeat.

which is why i aks: why the uhauk? why the explicit final goodbye scene?

just because eddie does eventually come back doesn’t mean that the intent wasn’t originally to be permanent- and all a permanent move would do with absolutely zero input from chris would cause an even bigger rift between them, because it’s taking away chris’s agency in the situation- surrendering both eddie and chrs to ramon and helena’s wishes- again which is the very antithesis to eddie’s motivations of the entire series.

i am tired of the writers constantly shoving eddie further and further into a depressive pit- never allowing himself to move forward because they consistently have him make decisions that read more like self harm than anything else. i want him to actually have development and for his plot to move forward, and making things worse with christopher is only going to drag this plot out even longer than it even needed to be;

chris could have realistically been back home by the end of 8a, but instead they chose to focus all their time and effort on brad- stretching the chris-in-texas plotline along even further by having it take u part of at least 2 or 3 episodes of screentime, and now the writers are trying to stretch it even more by causing more unnecessary angst for then rather than fixing the issue.

anyway, i just had to say all of that bc i don’t think that people are understanding where i’m coming from and think i’m just trying to be a hateful bitch when i promise you i’m not… i hope all of this makes sense it’s like 3:20 am and im running on fumes of energy so i’m gonna go to bed now

i just love these characters and i hate when i see the writers giving them angst that’s both unearned, and fails to move them forward.

#911 abc #911 on abc #911 #911 discourse #911 discussion #eddie diaz #edmundo diaz #eddie diaz 911 #eddie 911 #christopher diaz #eddie and christopher #eddie and chris #chris diaz #christopher 911 #chris 911 #christopher diaz 911

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dykekarkat · 2 days ago

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HI um. can i ask about your httyd aftg au?

omg yes ofc!!! this is one of my fave aus rn i love httyd so much :) here's the first post i made about this au for reference i have maybe two chaps written but i want to get solidly into it before i post anything on ao3 cause im planning for this to be a longer fic!!

just some basics before i get into it neil = hiccup, andrew = astrid, kevin = toothless, nathan = stoic (i love stoic and i do believe he loves hiccup and is trying his best however im having a lot of fun making nathan the evil chief/father)

OKAYYYY this au is actually so fun to write for i love dragons and i love being able to fuck around with the traditional aftg character dynamics :) the fic largely follows httyd 1's plot not aftg's. the most fun to write so far has been neil and kevin's dynamic. ive decided the dragons use dragonese here and neil is fluent in it like hiccup from the books. neil's fluency comes from mary pre-death (wink) and pure spite for his father. while nathan has whipped berk into a dragon killing frenzy and never ending war, neil is going behind his back (at major risk to himself) to try and foil his plans.

neil does still hit kevin and injure his tail but it's a lesser of two evils situation, where lola was aiming at the same time and she would've for sure killed kevin. neil immediately is running off to try and find the night fury and get it the fuck outta berk before his father can kill it. this leads to kevin and neil are fighting like cats and dogs in the beginning but there's this consistent underlayer of "why havent you killed me yet??". kevin is also frantic to get back to the Nest and due to the fact they can communicate they end up making a deal where neil will try and make a mechanism for kevin to fly again and kevin will give him info on dragons. the first time they fly together its like Oh. I Get It Now. Besties for Life.

while this is happening dragon training is basically a punishment for neil Not a privilege. all of the teens/young adults are forced into dragon training so that they'll continue popping out soldiers for war with a few exceptions (aaron training to be a healer, neil originally training to be a blacksmith but is forced into it). for the longest time neil forcibly distanced himself from his peers (the foxes) because he was terrified of nathan using them against him or hurting them because he made friends. the fact he's nathan's son is also offputting to a lot of ppl (its not quite as us vs them as the upperclassmen and the monsters but its similar). so we're emphasizing the neil weird loner who seems desperate for connection but every time ur nice to him he flat out runs away dynamic.

neil does his best to stay under the radar during the training sessions which eventually fails miserably (not spoiling this part bcus its one of the first scenes i thought of. its good tho prommy). andrew is basically quietly obsessing over him and trying to figure out what the fuck is going on with him. he sees himself in neil but he also doesn't understand Why. neil of course is fully oblivious to this, until uh oh. neil's pet kevin has been found out. cue andreil truth games :)

anyway this got long and idk if i even said anything of importance or coherence but its one of my fave aus just because its really fun <3

#aftg #asks #httyd au #started writing and it got away from me so hope this. isnt terrible. and u enjoy my rambles.#i also mightve repeated myself idk anymore.#neil josten #andrew minyard #andreil #yapping

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grlwtskulltattoo · 1 day ago

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Fly Low Carrion Crow

Note: What have I done… Only attempting to combine my two favorite things, SOA and The Last Kingdom…Okay so this is definately going to be a multi part story. Too many ideas floating in my head on how this may all play out. Just hope I can do it justice. I did edit the beginning just a smidge from the preview I posted earlier. Just trying to get some background laid out. There will be drama…and a little trauma in the future, cause that how I roll…all about the drama… oh and for sure some smut in the future…can’t forget that part. Haha.

Warnings: slight assault from creepy Sven, but nothing major

Pairing: Sihtric x OC (Octavia)

Summary: We get our first introduction to the Sons of Valhalla MC. Octavia, the sister of Ragnar and Uhtred, visits a bar on the wrong side of town. (oh and I kind of suck at summaries)

Wordcount: 3k

First part of many....

Walking out from one of the dorm rooms in the back of the clubhouse, Octavia, is greeted with hoots and hollers from the bikers hanging out at the bar. Loud music is already playing, and the members of the motorcycle club are slapping back shots to celebrate another shipment of guns received with no issues. She playfully glares at the men giving her cat calls, as she grabs her leather jacket off of one of chairs near the bar. She knows they are just teasing her. Glancing towards the chapel, she sees through the window that Uhtred and Ragnar are in a deep conversation at the table. A serious look on both of their faces. She’s not sure she wants to know what that’s all about.

“Hey, hey….where are ye off to?” Finan asks, holding his hands up to stop her.

“I’m going out with some friends… to a bar.” Octavia answers her older brother’s best-friend. She doesn’t miss the way he appraises her outfit; tight black jeans, black button down low cut sleeveless shirt and her riding boots. The darkness that comes to his eyes as he licks his lips, gives her a little thrill, even though she knows they are both off limits. She gives him a little smirk, just to tease Finan a bit.

Once he snaps out of Octavia entrancing appearance, Finan gives her a confused look as he motions to the fully stocked bar they are standing next to. “Invite yer friends here… I’m sure we can entertain them.”

“Yeah, no… I’m not bringing my friends here for all you guys to hit on. I keep my friends separate from this.” Octavia motions to the clubhouse.

It’s bad enough one of her best friends has already expressed an interest in meeting her brother, Uhtred, but Gisela has no idea the kind of stuff they are mixed up in. Gun running, distribution, and rival clubs trying to come after them. It’s not an easy life, but it’s all they know. Her older brothers took over the MC and the business after their parents died in an accident. Their father was the founder of the club.

Finan gives her a look like he’s going to argue with her, but he stops himself. He knows he can’t win this fight, she is just as stubborn as the rest of them, and she’s not wrong. All of the men will be hitting on her friends.

“You know….we could go in the back, like old times…” Octavia bats her lashes at Finan as she places her hands on his hips drawing herself closer to him. She slowly licks her upper lip seductively before giving him a flirty smile. One of her hands creeping up his chest, smiling as she remembers his hard muscles.

Finan almost forgets that Octavia is off limits as he lets her pull his body closer to hers. The memories of them hooking up in the past quickly coming to mind. He starts to lower his face to hers to kiss her, but he growls before making contact. He forces himself out of her hold reluctantly. “Tavia… yer brothers will have me balls if we do that. Can’t take that chance.”

“That’s too bad… I was really hoping.” She teases the Irishman with her eyebrow raised. Putting on her leather jacket, she prepares to leave. “I’m going to the bar then…tell my brothers not to wait up for me.” She says as she walks towards the door.

Finan lets out a groan as he watches her walk away, having to adjust himself from the effect she has on him. “Hey…” He shouts out to her. “Be careful…things are a bit unsettled right now.” There is a darkness in his eyes as he gives her a stern look.

Octavia looks back at Finan before she walks out the door. All of the men are protective of her, with her being Ragnar and Uhtred’s little sister. “I will…” She assures him with a seriousness in her voice as she looks in his eyes.

Even though she’s not a member of the club, she is still part of it. It’s the family business. They never tell her all the details of what they do, but she knows enough, especially when there is the potential for retaliation for something they have done. Not to mention, there is always the threats from their rivals.

Stepping outside the clubhouse, Octavia takes a deep breath of the cool evening air. The heat of the day finally wearing off. Walking over to her bike, she takes her helmet off the handlebars, before cinching it on her head. Straddling her dark red Harley, she starts the engine, then she kicks up the kickstand. Twisting the throttle she revs up the bike a little, loving the sounds coming from the exhaust.

Loud pipes, saves lives…. She lets out a bittersweet chuckle as she remembers what her dad always said.

Pulling her phone from her pocket, she sends a quick text to her friends Eadith, Gisela and Aethelflaed, letting them know she’s on her way to the bar they are meeting at.

The bar that Octavia rides to is on the other side of town. The part of town where she really shouldn’t be, but hopefully nobody recognizes her and tries to start trouble. She parks her bike and shuts off the engine. After pulling off her helmet, she shakes out her long dark brown hair, before hanging the helmet on her handlebars.

As she walks to the front door she can already hear the loud music and voices within. Glancing around outside she takes in her surroundings before heading inside to find her friends.The atmosphere in the bar reminds her of the clubhouse. Loud rock music, rough looking men, and skimpily dressed women hanging all over the men. Spotting her friends, she quickly walks over the their table, feeling a little unsettled here.

“What made you guys decide to come here? Seems a little sketchy.” Octavia asks, as she finds herself constantly scanning the bar looking for possible threats. The place makes her feel uncomfortable.

Aethelflaed gives her a sheepish look. “Erik invited me here, and I didn’t want to come alone… Here have a shot.” The dark haired woman slides over a shot glass filled with amber colored liquid.

“Erik? The guy you’ve been seeing for the past couple of weeks?” Octavia asks. “Where is he?” Her friend hasn’t said much about this new man she’s been dating.

Aethelflaed points to the man behind the bar, pouring shots and grabbing beers for the customers. When the large blond haired man notices, he gives her a wink and a soft smile. “He said we could drink for free…” Aethelflaed giggles, as she glances back over at him with a dreamy smile.

Octavia shakes her head, not too sure about her friend’s choice in men. Not that she is one to judge, given the type of men she hangs out with all the time. She’s just concerned that her friend might be a little naive to the kind of stuff he maybe tied into.

The friends fall into a comfortable conversation, laughing and joking as shot after shot is downed. Octavia tries to pace herself, not wanting to let her guard down too much. Gisela of course mentions her brother again, wanting to meet him, which Octavia brushes off that he’s been busy with the business lately. When Eadith mentions Finan, Octavia finds herself bristling a bit. She’ll always have a soft spot for the Irishman, especially since he was her first, before he joined the Sons of Valhalla with Uhtred. After which Ragnar and Uhtred forbade them from dating, not wanting to cause a riff in the club if they ever broke up.

A group of men walk into the bar, and Octavia’s keen senses take notice. Her eyes are instantly drawn to one of the men. It’s hard not to notice him with his dark half-shaved hair, and eyes that almost look mismatched. He glances in her direction and she blushes when he smiles at her, before she quickly looks away. Her friends notice the exchange and start teasing her that she should go talk to him, but Octavia shakes her head no. She didn’t come here looking for a hookup.

Focusing her attention on her friends, Octavia tries to avoid looking in the sexy man’s direction, but she can’t help stealing glances at him. She does notice that he and the other men he arrived with are hanging around the pool table talking to some of the other patrons of the bar. One of the men, wearing an eye patch gives her the creeps when he starts leering at her, making her feel uncomfortable. When she glares back at him, she finally notices the kutte he’s wearing. She glances at one of the other men whose back is to her and see the flash emblazoned on the back of the kutte. Midnight Raiders. Kjartan’s crew. Her stomach drops, as she quickly stands up.

“Shit… I have to go….I can’t stay.” She quickly says to her friends, as she grabs her coat from the back of her chair.

Her friends look at her in confusion, with disappointment on their faces. “You just got here… the night is still young.” Eadith pipes up.

Octavia knows her friends don’t really understand the danger she is in. If those men figure out that she’s the sister of Ragnar and Uhtred Ragnarson, that she’s tied to the Sons of Valhalla, they may try to harm her. She can’t help the look of disgust she gives the man with the eye patch, as he gives her a sinister smile. There has always been a suspicion amongst her brothers that the Midnight Raiders had something to do with their parents deaths, but of course they couldn’t prove anything. She just knows that they have been enemies for as long as she can remember.

“Sorry, ladies… We’ll get together another time. Somewhere else… I’ll call you, later.” Octavia takes a nervous look around the bar. Her eyes land briefly on the sexy dark-haired man, standing in the corner near the pool table. She feels a little disappointed that he’s with the enemy. She really would have been curious to get to know him, especially with how drawn to him she already feels.

Quickly striding to the door, Octavia takes a deep calming breath of air once she is outside, resting her hand on her pounding heart. If her brothers knew she was here, at a bar that is obviously controlled by the Midnight Raiders, she will be in so much trouble. They’ll start making one of the prospects babysit her, to keep her safe.

As she walks to her bike, she doesn’t realize at first that she’s being followed. When someone grabs her arm to stop her, she feels a panic enter her chest. Looking up, it’s the man with the eye patch that was leering at her. Her heart starts pounding in her chest in fear, but she does her best to hide it as she glares at the man for daring to touch her.

“Let go of me!” Her voice growls out, each word clipped.

“Where are you going, pretty lady? I thought we could spend sometime together…have some fun.” The man’s voice turns her stomach. The tone of it is almost sickly smooth.

The look in his eye as he looks down her body, sends a chill down Octavia’s spine. “Get your fucking hands off of me.” She spits out with venom in her voice. Her other hand sneaking into her jacket pocket to grip the knife she always keeps on her.

Squinting his one eye at her, he looks at Octavia as if he recognizes her. “Do I know you from somewhere?”

Her stomach drops at his question, and she feels a fresh wave of panic come over her. His grip on her arm tightens, as he tries to pull her closer to him. Octavia digs in her heels, as her other hand is about to pull out her knife. Before she does they are both distracted by a voice calling out.

“Sven!…Sven, let her go!”

Looking towards the door of the bar, she sees the sexy dark-haired man from earlier. The look on his face as he strides towards them would be frightening if it was directed at her, but she can tell his anger is directed at the other man.

“This is not how you treat a lady.” He growls out as he grabs Sven’s arm, squeezing until the other man releases her. “Get back inside and leave her alone.” He pushes the larger man away.

Rubbing the sore spot on her arm, Octavia watches as Sven slinks back into the bar. She releases a sigh of relief when he is no longer in sight.

“I’m sorry… did he hurt you? He’s nothing but a brute, has no idea how to treat a lady.” The sexy man says as he glares towards the door of the bar, making sure Sven is gone.

“No…I’m fine.” Octavia says softly, not wanting to draw more attention to herself.

“I can walk you to your car…make sure you’re safe.” He gives her a concerned look.

Octavia feels a little flutter in her heart that she tries to ignore. This can’t happen, she reminds herself. He is the enemy. “I…I don’t have a car.” She replies as she points to her bike in the distance.

He gives her a surprised smile as he starts to walk her to her Harley. “You ride?” He asks excitedly.

Softly nodding her head, Octavia can’t help but smile at the way his face lights up in excitement. His smile is infectious and his mesmerizing eyes are doing things to her stomach, despite her efforts to ignore it. “I’ve been riding since I was a kid…it kind of runs in the family.”

Octavia can’t help but chuckle when he haunches down to look over her bike once they reach it. Her bike is anything but stock. Her and her brothers have spent hours customizing the bike to her liking. Adding a custom exhaust, changing out the air filter cover and fuse box. There are too many details to list, but someone with a trained eye could pick up on them.

“It’s beautiful….just like its rider.” He smiles at her, with his sly little comment.

A little blush colors her cheeks at the compliment as she looks away, trying to hide the smile coming to her face. “I should really get going…”

“Oh, shit…where are my manners. My name is Sihtric…” He holds out his hand with an endearing smile on his face.

Looking Sihtric over, Octavia can’t help the smirk that comes to her face looking at his haircut. It is definitely unique, but she finds that she likes it…almost too much. She reluctantly holds out her hand, giving his a little shake. She is caught off guard when he brings her palm to his lips and leaves a light kiss. She feels her cheeks turn a shade redder, as she glances away.

“Ok…well… it was nice to meet you, Sihtric, but I really must get going…” Before you figure out who I am…

Octavia can feel herself falling more and more under his spell. He is beyond sexy, and he seems to have a tenderness about him. She feels a war of emotions playing inside her being near him. She would love nothing more than to go home with him and see where things lead, but the risks involved are just too great.

“I’m sorry…I didn’t catch your name.” He tries to prod, not quite ready for her to leave.

Letting out a sigh, Octavia bites her lip. He definitely isn’t making this easy. “Octavia…but my friends just call me Tavia.” She avoids telling him her last name, wanting to prevent the shit-storm that will stir up.

“Tavia....I like that.” Sihtric grins at her, his smile turning a little flirty. “Any chance I can get your number?” He smoothly asks.

Yeah…no. “Sorry…I don’t give out my number to random men I just met.” She rebuffs him as she shakes her head. The more questions he asks her the more nervous she gets, she can feel her heart starting to race.

“But how will I get ahold of you? Take you out sometime?” He asks, the disappointment clear in his voice.

“You won’t. This can’t happen. You’re cute and all…..but I just can’t. Sorry…” Octavia walks with resolve to the front of her bike to grab her helmet, quickly cinching it on her head. “Thanks again for saving me back there… I appreciate it, but I have to go now.”

Starting up her bike to drown out any more attempts from Sihtric to coax more information out of her, she gives him a quick nod before straddling the seat. She backs out of the parking spot, then revs the bike a little before putting it in gear and taking off. She takes a quick glance behind her, a little sad at how forlorn Sihtric looks watching her ride away.

This is how it has to be. It would never work. He is the enemy. My brothers would kill me if I hooked up with a Midnight Raider. Gods, he is so hot though…

Sihtric stands there in stunned silence as he watches Octavia ride away. He’s never had a beautiful woman flat out refuse to give him their number, and it makes him want her all the more. She’s not like the other women he has seen, who practically throw themselves at him. Just the little bit of interaction he had with her, he can tell she’s a little sassy, and he kind of likes it. Not to mention she rides a bike, which makes her that much more sexy in his eyes.

To say he’s intrigued by her, would be an understatement. He can’t get her out of his head.

But how can I find her?….

It takes everything inside him not to jump on his bike and follow her, but he doesn’t want to come off as a creep and freak her out. He’ll find her… Somehow. Someday…

Note: If you'd like to be tagged in this let me know. I can start a tag list.

Comments and reblogs much appreciated. :)

#the last kingdom #tlk fandom #sihtric #sihtric kjartansson #sihtric x oc #sihtric tlk #sihtric fic #Biker/tlk AU

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zepskies · 3 days ago

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Ooh I'm excited to get into more Shaw drama! (I still need to read those books. 🤔)

Ahh so him wanting to solve his father's murder is what drove him to distance himself from his wife and kids, in order to help him reconcile with Colter. It does make sense, even if it is heartbreaking.

“What about your mother?” Russell let out an exhaustive sigh that was half amused. “Geez, you haven’t changed a bit. You still ask the most uncomfortable questions possible.”

lmfao she really does! I was literally just wondering about how he views his mom in all of this. She literally let Colter believe Russell had something to do with Ashton's fall, and then basically told him to get gone. What kind of mother does that? She seems very suss in all of this.

“Ha-ha, funny. Fuck you,” you huffed and tossed Russ the walkie-talkie. He caught it with one hand. His boyish grin widened as he pushed the button. “You know, Drone-5, you could’ve told me you were actually working this thing.”

LMAO. I don't know who Manny is, but I already love him! 😂 And I'm even more intrigued by the hints of Russell Family Trauma mixed in with the family mystery, piecing together the puzzle of his mom along with his father's killer...

“It’s lasagna,” Russell said simply, grabbed a fork from the drawer, and dove right in.

Very on brand that Russ shares a Dean-level love of food. 😆

“Listen, things were obviously a little complicated between me and her the last few years,” Russell (under)stated. “But I’ve brought you here for a reason, okay? Figured it’s time you meet your sister-in-law.”

LOL God, Russell isn't good at this, is he? It's tough to say which one of the Shaw boys got more childhood related trauma affecting their ability to communicate, let alone be emotionally available. 😭

Russell inhaled deeply, nodding. “I knew she was pregnant. When she told me back then, I-…” He paused, licking his lips. It wasn’t something he had ever talked about with anyone before – not even you. “Well, shortly after that, I had a breakdown and I-… I almost hurt her.” He choked on the words, fighting the sting in his eyes.

Oh my God, Russ... I wasn't expecting you to take it there, but it's an understandable consequence of his PSTD, especially for him as a soldier. It also explains why she picked up Lewis and left him to pull himself together.

“No, I told you. I don’t,” Russell repeated, and while he didn’t know everything, he omitted that he knew something.

Ooh again with those lies of omission...

“Well, you were a kid,” Russell said and hoped it would curb the blow slightly, although he knew better than that. “He always took something as far back as I can remember. She used to prepare his pills every evening after you and Dory went to bed. But when we moved to the cabin, he started refusing to take them. Said they made him ‘not clear-headed enough.’ Kinda ironic,” he shared and snorted. “When it got too bad, though, she’d still crush ‘em into his food.”

Dear Lord, their mother is more and more suss to me. How she could ever justify making her eldest son be a scapegoat is beyond me. 🥲

But I'm glad Colter and Russell are getting just as much of an honest heart-to-heart as Russ and the reader did. 💜 Now I can't wait to see what you did with the finale of this series!

The Exit Strategy – Part 4

Summary: Russell is ready to hang it all up and retire, open up a brewery, and enjoy the rest of his civilian life. However, there’s one important thing missing before he can take the big plunge. Luckily, he knows just the right person to help him find it.

Pairing: Russell Shaw x Female!Reader

Warnings: 18+, language, fluff, some angst & feels, family secrets, spy stuff, a bit of spiciness

Word Count: 6.5k

A/N: Welcome back, friends! We're diving a bit into Shaw family secrets this week – fully Wayne's version, though. While I did read the books, there's no major spoilers**, so don't you worry. I just played with an idea here 🤓 I also won't be fully diving into the Shaw family life, but some things are heavily hinted to be... fishy here 👀 Enjoy & let me know what you think! 🤍

**There's a small part where Russell tells Colter about their parents. It's mentioned in the books that their mother was a psychiatrist. I took that and ran with it 🤷‍♀️

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Part 4: This Is Not an Exit

“You’ve been walking down memory lane a lot tonight,” you teased with a nudge of his ribs, still tightly cuddled in his warm embrace in the freezing basement.

“Haven’t you?”

“No, I have,” you admitted with a melancholic sigh. “Maybe we should stop dwelling on the past so much. Think more about the future…”

Russell scoffed a small chuckle. “Dory said something similar not that long ago. Actually the reason why I came here.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” he sighed, his fingers absently drawing circles on your arm. “I think it’s time we retire, sweetheart. I mean, after everything we’ve been through, I think we deserve to, right? You know, sometimes I wake up in the morning, and I’m surprised we’re even still here, considering how many war zones we’ve been in.”

“Well, you know what they say – beware the old soldier because he’s old for a reason,” you said with a smile.

“Yeah, think I might be getting a little too old…” Russell chucked lightly, running a hand through his long hair. “So? What d’you think? One last hurrah, and then we hang this up? I was thinking maybe we could open up a brewery, you know? A family place. Bet the kids would love it.”

“Sounds nice,” you said with a yearning smile. You wanted all of that and more. “I’d love to retire with you.”

“But?”

You laughed slightly at his anticipating look. “But I don’t think you can yet.”

His eyebrows drew together till they met above the bridge of his freckled nose. “What d’you mean? I just told you I’m ready.”

“You say you are, but you aren’t,” you replied like the annoying Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. “Have you solved the murder yet?”

Russell licked his lips, which was his telltale sign that you caught him there. After all, you knew him better than anyone in this world – knowing when he needed to be pushed and shoved was part of it.

“No, but I don’t need to anymore. Look, the only reason I wanted to solve it was because I thought I had to prove my innocence to Colter. And well, turns out I didn’t. He believed me anyways, so…”

“That wasn’t the only reason,” you reminded him with a scrutinizing look.

“Maybe, but like I said – Dory thinks we should keep all this bullshit in the past, and after the last three years, I’m starting to agree with her,” Russell said, dragging a hand over his face.

“Look, if that’s what you want–”

“It’s what I want,” he assured you and placed a hand on your thigh, gently squeezing it. “Having my little brother and sister back is enough. I don’t need more. Nothing good ever comes from being greedy.”

You nodded in understanding, clearing your throat. “Still, in the name of our deal to always be honest, I kinda have to confess something.”

Rising from your seat, you dusted off your awful, flowery skirt and wandered to the wall safe once more, retrieving a thick folder from it. You took your place next to Russell again, his questioning eyes meeting yours as you handed him your research.

“When you didn’t come back after a year or so, I started looking into it as well. Might have done a full deep-dive,” you admitted with a bite of your lip.

Russell shot you a chiding look, shaking his head, but most of all, he was worried. “I told you to leave it alone. You don’t know what sorta people we’re dealing with here, but we do know they’re dangerous.”

“I know. I just wanted to help. Figured I could speed it along. I do have more access than you,” you countered softly. “I’m sorry, okay? But I was careful. I promise.”

“Good,” he said and looked at you, interlacing your fingers with his. “‘Cause the last thing I want is losing you over this bullshit, too.”

Nodding, you squeezed his hand in reassurance. “There’s something you should know, though.” He raised his brow anew – you’d always been full of surprises. Life certainly had never been boring. “Someone accessed the files after me.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know. Definitely had a higher clearance than me, though,” you replied.

Russell threw his arms up, and you could see he was getting more upset again. “See? This is what I’m talking about! The whole point of us separating was to keep you and the kids away from it. Otherwise, we could’ve just stayed together, and I could’ve joined Horizon anyways.”

“I know that, too,” you said remorsefully. “But don’t worry. I wasn’t followed, and no one ever came after me. I made sure of it. It’s been two years now. They probably figured it was nothing after I didn’t reach out to you straight away.”

“Still… I don’t want you involved, alright?”

“What about Colter? Doesn’t he want to know? He doesn’t strike me as someone who just lets things go,” you noted observantly.

Russell clicked his tongue – a sign of defeat. “He isn’t, but he’s not gonna find anything either. I mean, the only reason I know is because you were so relentless and kept digging.”

“You haven’t told him what we found out?”

Russell licked his lips and admitted quietly, “No. I don’t think it does anyone any good to keep looking into this.”

Leaning forward and hugging your knees, your head bobbed pensively. “I thought you guys talked about what happened?”

“We did. Kinda… It’s complicated,” he stated, swallowing. “Dory was easy, you know? I guess she never really believed it… But it took a while till Colter even picked up the phone, let alone answered a goddamn text message. Had to get a little annoying.”

You smirked. “Well, you’re good at that. That’s how you won me over.”

“By being persistent?”

“Exactly. Like a tardigrade.” You grinned. “I mean, you kind of are doing it now again, too.”

He chuckled quietly. “Yeah, guess so.”

“Is that why you haven’t told him about me and the kids? Because you’re not sure about him yet?”

“Partially, yeah,” he admitted. “I guess I wanted to protect you. And maybe myself a little, too… Not sure I’m ready for those two worlds to meet yet, you know? I mean, you and the kids are the best things that ever happened to me, and when I look at Colter or Dory, I’m sometimes reminded of the worst things in my life.”

“What about your mother?”

Russell let out an exhaustive sigh that was half amused. “Geez, you haven’t changed a bit. You still ask the most uncomfortable questions possible.”

You laughed a little. “Gathering intelligence in uncomfortable ways is kind of my job, Shaw.”

“Yup, and no one’s better at it than you, sweetheart,” Russell quipped.

“So I’m guessing it’s a no on Mommie Dearest?”

Russell licked his lips, shaking his head. “I don’t wanna see her. Mostly because I don’t even know what to fucking say anymore,” he said. “I don’t want her to meet the kids either.”

“It’s okay,” you assured him and took his hand in yours. “It’s your choice, Russ. We go at your pace, alright?”

“Thank you.” Russell brought your intertwined hands to his lips, kissing the back of your hand before he looked at you deeply, a smile dancing across his plump lips. “I love you.”

You mirrored his smile, your heart fluttering like a wild butterfly in your chest. “I love you, too.”

“I’ll tell them – Dory and Colter. I want this to work,” he promised. “Just… after we finish this. I want him to have a clear head. I prefer not to get him killed, you know?”

“I get it. I thought the same thing when I first met you, too,” you joked, patting his chest. “But you brought him into this. It’s kinda on you.”

Russell scratched his bearded chin. “Yeah, but I didn’t exactly know what I’d bring him into.”

“Didn’t you, though?”

Amused, Russell bobbed his head. “Yeah, maybe I did,” he acknowledged. “You know, when Manny called me–”

Your eyes widened. “Manny called you?”

Russell blinked at you, brow creased in confusion. “Yeah, why?”

“That motherfucker…”

Furiously, you stomped to the desk and grabbed the radio. “Drone-5. This is Queen Bee-1. Report to Hive.”

The static of the radio cracked almost instantly, as if the idiot had been waiting all night for this call. “Yo, Queen Bee-1. How’s my boy?” Manny’s laugh echoed through the basement.

Russell’s glowing cheeks reached his eyes when he heard his friend’s voice. He’d known the guy almost as long as Doug.

“You’re the one who fucking told him?!” you yelled into the radio, almost crushing the device in your hand.

“To be fair, I told him not to engage with tango,” Manny sheepishly replied.

“Ha-ha, funny. Fuck you,” you huffed and tossed Russ the walkie-talkie. He caught it with one hand.

His boyish grin widened as he pushed the button. “You know, Drone-5, you could’ve told me you were actually working this thing.”

“Aw, you know I can’t do that. But I guess congrats on crashing another operation. You’re Worker Bee-3 now. Old habits die hard, huh?” Manny chuckled.

“Yeah, I guess…” Russell replied with a lighthearted chuckle, but his teeth tugged pensively at his lips.

“Great to have you back, brother. Hope this works out for you. See you on the other side, man. Oh, and could you move like three feet to the left and turn the washer off? We can barely hear and see you guys, and Drone-2 just ran out to grab popco–”

“No, absolutely not. Out,” you snapped as you grabbed the radio from Russ. He laughed as you put it furiously back on the desk. You knew what you had signed up for, but you still deserved some privacy. Annoyed, you took off your cross necklace – another bug – and settled down beside him again.

“What did he say when he called you?”

“Nothing much, really. Just told me your coordinates and that you like to pick up your mail at three o’clock at the local post office,” Russell replied.

You shook your head, smiling. “Well, he always loved you, so…” You started to chew on your lower lip, the anxiety in your belly returning. For the sake of your mind and heart, you had to make sure Russell was fully back, and this wasn’t just a fluke. “You know, I worry sometimes that if you don’t face this thing with your family, you’ll always feel this way. I mean, after Lewis was born–”

“I know.” Russell nodded, swallowing thickly. He saw the worry shimmering in your eyes, and it cracked his heart a little. “I know I kinda lost it there. Took me by surprise, too. Trust me. Figured I had dealt with all that shit already, you know? But I guess seeing you with him and feeling all that love myself, I just-… I don’t know. I don’t know how she could do it… Ashton was one thing, but she just stood by. And I don’t even know what the hell she was up to while he took us out into those woods…” He shook his head as if to rattle the answer out of his brain. “And then when we found out you were pregnant again… I mean, I’d barely held it together with Lewis. Everything just became a blur. I couldn’t think straight anymore, and I worried all the time I’d be like them…”

“I tried to help,” you said softly.

“I know you did. Guess this was just something I had to figure out on my own,” he replied with a beat shrug.

“How’s your vision now? Still blurry?”

“Clearer than ever.” A smile flickered alive on his lips, green eyes boring into yours as he leaned in and kissed you slowly like he meant every word. Blowing a raspberry, he then turned his attention to the file in his lap. “So, what am I gonna find in there?”

“Honestly, nothing we haven’t already puzzled together,” you replied, teeth gnawing on your bottom lip. “But I found a couple of names associated with your parents. Thought maybe you could look at them and see if you recognize the person you saw in the woods.”

“I already know where this is going…”

“Russ, please, just–”

Russell interrupted you, placing a soothing palm on your thigh that curbed your enthusiasm. “I’ll think about it, alright?”

Satisfied, you raised two placating hands. “All I was asking…”

“How was the lasagna?”

After four hours in the basement, you and Russell quietly treaded up the stairs a few minutes after midnight, finding Colter in the kitchen, eating leftovers out of the ceramic form in the warm glow of the stove light. Tom, on the other hand, had passed out on the couch, only the blue flickers of the TV and the soft noises of a peaceful nature documentary filling the silence of the dark living room.

“Excellent,” Colter stated, swallowing down a mouthful of lasagna before speaking. “I told Tom he should be a chef in a restaurant or something.”

Russell’s brow knitted in doubt. “Really? Lemme try.”

“You just ate two entire bags of junk. You can’t still be hungry,” you argued with a giggle, shaking your head.

“It’s lasagna,” Russell said simply, grabbed a fork from the drawer, and dove right in.

That man would eat anything. You’d seen him do it, too. He didn’t even go hungry when he was lost in a desert.

“Wow, that is good,” Russell announced his judgement with a full mouth. “Maybe we should hire Tom for the brewery, huh?”

“I’m guessing this means you two talked?” Colter asked with a carefully arched brow.

“Hmm. I don’t know,” Russell mused in jest. “What d’you say, sweetheart? You taking me back?”

You rolled your eyes at his antics. “Guess I have to. God knows returning you is impossible.”

Russell laughed and slung an arm around your waist, pulling you closer. He kissed your temple.

But then you noticed Colter’s smile falter, his brows creasing in question. “Is your hair different?”

“Shit!”

Wide-eyed, you bolted back down the creaking stairs to the basement, hearing Russell’s laughter fill the kitchen.

“Was she wearing a wig? And her eyes too, right?” Puzzled, Colter tried to piece it all together. He had already figured by your extensive vocabulary of swear words that you might be a better match for his older brother than he had initially surmised.

“Yup, all fake, man,” Russell confirmed and smirked. “Still think she’s not my type yet?”

“No, I can see it now,” Colter admitted, chuckling. “So, you guys are good?”

“Yeah, I think so.” Russell nodded and shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket, swallowing.

Colter’s smile widened, filling the older Shaw’s stomach with more guilt. “That’s great. Happy for you, man. Guess that means you’re retiring now, huh?”

Russell scratched the back of his neck. “Uh, we’ll see. Always depends on what the wife decides, you know?”

Yup, he sprinkled that important bit of information into a joke. Then, he watched his little brother take a stumped step back, brow furrowing and unfurrowing and then furrowing again.

“Wha-, wife?”

Russell produced a popping sound with his lips like the noise of a bottle when the cork was pulled. Welp, this bottle was surely open now.

“Yup, got married in Thailand in 2011,” he added another helpful tidbit of information, but Colter’s jaw dislodged all the same.

“Alright, got this all figured out,” you said, sauntering back into the kitchen with a pastel pink towel wrapped around your head and a matching bathrobe. You’d just grabbed them from the dryer, the fluffy material still cozily warm. It was the best option, considering you didn’t want to mess around with your wig as well after popping the lenses back in had already cost you most of your patience. In your little bubble of bliss, you hadn’t instantly noticed the brothers staring at you. But once you did, your brows morphed into a frown. “What’s going on?”

“You two are married?” Colter asked, a pointed finger flicking from Russell to you.

You threw your arms up, looking at your husband. “I was gone for five minutes! What happened to telling him after the operation?”

Russell offered you a sheepish shrug. “Well, this old soldier’s getting weak too, apparently.”

“He said it like a joke…” Colter mumbled, still in the middle of processing this new revelation. His older, estranged-but-now-less-strange brother had a wife. A family. Friends. And he knew none of it. What else was there? Kids?

“Yeah, he does that...” You shot your husband a scolding sideways look. “Should I leave you two alone for this?” you then offered, hoping the answer was a goddamn yes.

“Why would you? You’re family, right?” Colter retorted with a dry smile and a sharp look.

You pursed your lips. While you could see some similarities between the brothers, you took note of one big difference: Russell wasn’t as sarcastic and sharp-tongued. Probably because Russell had always been more concerned with what he should, would, or could share with people in an overthinking loop, while his younger brother seemed obviously free of that burden.

“Don’t take it out on her,” Russell stepped in gently, which really was a warning. “She didn’t know about any of this. Kinda pushed her into it.”

“Seems to be your style,” Colter scoffed.

“Can’t work for the CIA without going through a baptism of fire, little brother,” Russell said simply, giving an unapologetic shrug of his shoulders.

“Why would you not tell me?” Colter stared at him, his look a mix of reproach and agitation.

“Look, you weren’t exactly welcoming during our first meeting,” Russell argued with a bit of bark in his deep voice, although confrontation was probably not the best approach. But why should he always have to take the blame for everything? He’d already done that for more than two decades.

“That was months ago,” Colter countered, scowling. “I’d like to think I’ve come around since then… Coulda told me after we saved Doug.”

Russell let out a small sigh of defeat, rolling his eyes back slightly. He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “No, yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry, man, alright?” he apologized earnestly.

With a questioning brow, you carefully nudged your husband’s arm. “What happened to Doug? Is he alright?”

“Yeah, uh, he went to work for Horizon with me. I’ll tell you later, okay?” Russell replied, his voice a lot quieter as if sharing a secret, and if Horizon was involved he probably was.

“Is Tracy okay?”

“She’s fine. Little shook up. You should probably give her a call. Smooth things out,” Russell told you.

Tracy thought you worked in marketing at some company for the government. Whenever you, Russell, and Doug were stuck on a mission, the boys made you call her to “smooth things out” – aka reassuring her everything was certainly fine with her husband and he wasn't in any danger at all. They’d once made you call her from a Black Hawk. The noise had been fun to explain away – you’d told her you were picking up a client from a helicopter pad.

Colter chewed on the insides of his cheeks. “So she knows Doug, too?”

Russell nodded. “Yeah, me and Doug were mostly Delta, but SAD liked to borrow us from time to time. We ran in her team for quite a while. She was actually the one who recruited me.”

At his little wink your way, you smiled. He’d come along way from the sweet boy you had once teased like a special-forces-trained kindergartner.

Eyes drifting from you to Russell, Colter pursed his lips – a tell he shared with his brother.

“Are you mad? I can’t tell.” Frowning, Russell tilted his head.

“No,” you absentmindedly replied for Colter, who gave you a curious look but steered his attention back to Russell.

“No,” the younger Shaw repeated your assumption. “I mean, not more than I was before, you know?”

Russell’s creases only deepened. “No, I don’t know.”

“He means he’s indifferent about knowing or not knowing we’re married because he’s already pissed about not knowing about my existence in general,” you explained.

“Ah. Your nerd is showing, sweetheart,” Russell teased you with a smile that made your heart melt.

“Dory would like her,” Colter commented like the thought had just popped into his head – something else he didn’t share with his brother.

You’d always wondered about the youngest Shaw of the three. Russell could never tell you much about Dory. His memory had been one of a smart and feisty nine-year-old, not a young woman and physics professor.

Thumbing at you, Russell cocked a brow at his brother. “Is she right, though?”

“Spot on, actually.” Colter’s tongue poked his cheek, his gaze flickering with a hint of astonishment and new-found respect for you. “And I guess I’m not really mad either way. Just… surprising, you know? I should’ve asked. That’s on me.”

Russell seemed more than a little baffled to hear this, considering he had to pause to find an appropriate response. “No, uh, we’re good. I could’ve just told you, anyways.”

“Yeah, no, that’s alright.” Colter swallowed, sending his older brother a smile of forgiveness. “Honestly, I was glad to hear you weren’t alone all this time, so…”

Russell’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he pushed down the lump in his throat. With a nod, he averted his green eyes to the kitchen floor. “Thanks, man. Appreciate it.”

“Aw, aren’t you guys adorable,” you teased.

Colter wanted to retort something dry-witted, but Russell held up a warning finger. “Ah – wait for it… Trust me. She’s not done.”

“You girls need tissues or a tampon, maybe?”

“Oh, Dory would definitely like her,” Colter repeated his earlier statement with an amused grin.

Russell, on the other hand, shot you a pointed look, but that had barely ever stopped you before. “Okay, you can lay down. You don’t have to give him the initiation. No hazing my little brother,” he ordered you sternly, and you stifled a snort. “And no one better kidnaps him tonight and puts a bag over his head, alright? I don’t wanna pick him up beaten and bloody from some warehouse tomorrow morning.”

“Hm, what?” Colter’s brow furrowed. For the first time, you could see slight panic spread in his pupils.

Who was hazing who now?

You rolled your eyes in feigned annoyance. “Fine, we’ll leave him alone,” you acted your capitulation.

The younger Shaw blinked at you. “Thank you?”

“Should we at least tell him about the other thing while we’re at it?” you asked Russell with a suggestive look.

Thoughtfully, he paused for a beat, then clicked his tongue. “No, I got it from here. It’s getting late. We’ve been here long enough,” he decided. “This is less becoming a friendly ‘welcome-to -the-neighborhood’ dinner and more starting to look like an orgy to the neighbors. Especially since you’ve put on the robe.”

“It just came from the dryer. Look, it’s so soft and warm,” you argued, pouting, your palms caressing the fluffy material on your arms.

“Uh-huh.”

The little bob of his Adam’s apple made you grin slyly. The way his jaw ticked and his pupils widened with a primal hunger, you could tell he wanted to tear that robe right off of you. The thought caused a shudder to run down your spine.

“What, uh, other thing do you have to tell me?” Colter asked and smiled expectantly, tapping his fingers on the the counter.

Russell, however, grabbed his arm and dragged his curious little brother toward the exit. “I’ll tell you in the car,” he said and thumbed to the front door behind his shoulder. “Wait outside. Gimme five minutes, alright?”

Wordlessly, Colter nodded without argument, gave you a quick goodbye-wave of his hand, and strolled leisurely back to his car as if he knew exactly what his older brother intended to do.

As expected, Russell impatiently conquered your lips, roughly pressing you against the foyer’s wall, your arms draping around his neck.

“What’s the bedroom situation in this place?” he asked between kisses.

“First floor, west side, third window from the right. I’ll leave it unlatched,” you replied, smiling against his lips. “Tom’s always sleeping on the couch. Part of our cover is going to marriage counseling with Pastor Jeff, which happens to work out great for us.”

You exhaled a shuddered breath when one of his hands wandered past the robe and splayed warm against your ribcage, just underneath your breast. His thumb fought an itch to get closer.

“Wouldn’t do that, baby,” you murmured into his ear with an amused smirk. “That boner’s not gonna go away in five minutes.”

“Mmm, I know,” he groaned and dropped his head between your boobs, lips pressing a chaste kiss to your collarbone. If he continued on with this, your arousal would surely streak down your bare thighs soon. Luckily, he had mercy on the both of you. “I’ll talk to him and then come back, okay?”

You nodded with a smile. He kissed your lips, then your forehead, and then disappeared through the door with the same cometary velocity he had entered your vision.

And all you could do was hope you’d see him one more time in your life.

“So?”

4.3 seconds after Colter killed the engine of his pickup in a spot a block away to the west side of your house – as per Russell’s very specific instruction – he stared scrutinizingly at his older brother.

Impatience was also a family trait – one even their father had despised.

“Look, uhm, there’s no easy way to break the news…”

“Is this about you having two kids?”

When Russell’s eyes met Colter’s, he didn’t recognize any anger, hurt or resentment in them – just pure slyness. At least that was good news. His little brother was just going to be annoying about this whole thing.

“Yeah, remember those five minutes you left me alone in the car? I called Bobby. Had him check some things out for me. Wasn’t easy to find. I’ll give you that…”

As expected, Colter was going to be a smartass about it. He figured it out on his own. He won the game.

“Hmm.” Russell pursed his lips, nodding. “You do know the CIA is on your guy’s ass now, right? Shouldn’t have done it in their perimeter, man. Manny’s probably all over this by now…”

Then his brow knit as if the thought of his old friend had provoked an idea, his head tilting with narrowed eyes at the air vents on the dashboard. How long had that car been parked outside and out of sight again?

Like a game of Operation, Russell then used thumb and pointer finger as his tweezers to retrieve a tiny bug – the spy kind.

“Gotcha,” Russell muttered, smirking. He then held the bug close to the speakers of the radio before turning up the volume to its highest setting – only for a second. He switched the radio off, rolled down the window, and threw the unwanted listening device onto the pavement. “That should teach ‘em a lesson…”

Colter cocked an incredulous brow at his brother. “They bugged my car?”

“Oh, trust me, they bug anything they can get their greedy little hands on,” Russell retorted. “Would probably check for a tracker underneath, too.”

“Great, thanks,” Colter huffed wryly.

“Hey, you wanted in. That’s what they do,” Russell reminded him, shrugging, but there was a smile of amusement on his lips.

Colter only bobbed his head. “So, you and her? You guys are good now? Just like that? Seemed… easy. Sorta…”

Russell chuckled lightly, brushing a hand through his beard. He knew his relationship with you was unconventional, but it had always worked for you and him.

“Me and Y/N have a deal, you know? It’s not all black and white. I mean, we became aware a long time ago that the two of us operate in a lot of gray zones. But, uh, we always know we can rely on each other, you know? Doesn’t matter if we’ve been separated by time or space,” Russell explained to the best of his abilities.

“So what happened?” Colter prompted with the same amount of confusion. “Why did you guys split up? I saw on the birth certificate your daughter was only two years old. I mean, did you-… did you even know?”

He’d tried so hard to forget, wasn’t even sure he had ever really apologized for it to you because he so badly didn’t want it to exist that he’d tried to wish it out of literal existence, and hence, never really blamed you for leaving like you did. He understood. In fact, he had even wished you’d leave. He had convinced himself you’d be better off without him – something he still believed to be true – but he also knew he wasn’t better off without you.

He’d been lost and alone. And maybe, he was being selfish by crashing back into your life now. Or Dory’s. And Colter’s.

“I mean, nothing ever really bad happened. It’s just-… That night I came scarily close,” Russell confessed, swallowing thickly. He still hated himself for that night and everything that followed. “It’s like a switch flipped, you know? I couldn’t do anything against it… And Lewis saw parts of it, and I was already impatient with him and short with her the weeks before, so I just left that night and disappeared for two months. Volunteered for some mission. Figured it was best for everybody.”

It’s better off if he never comes back…

Russell licked his chapped lips. The next part was the hardest.

“When I got back, she told me she got a job offer in another country, and that she would be taking it and taking Lewis with her. She wanted me to use the time to… I don’t know… solve this, I guess.” He let out a humorless scoff at the painful memory.

Russell hadn’t seen it at first, maybe because he hadn’t wanted to, his anger and pain blurring the truth. After his son had been born, Russell knew you could see him struggling, so you started digging deeper into his family and what really happened. And when you’d found something – Horizon – you’d told him you could infiltrate. Naturally, Russell had passed a hard no – it had been a five-hour long fight, but he'd emerged victoriously by the end. So, you’d told him he should do it, but he didn’t want to leave you, and he didn’t want to endanger and jeopardize his family.

He’d told he was fine, but he wasn’t. It kept gnawing on him – and gnawing and gnawing and gnawing… till you eventually pulled the plug and ended his suffering.

“I was exhausted, so I told her we’d talk about it in the morning. When I woke up, they were gone. Didn’t even notice she’d already packed.”

Colter was silent for a beat. “Was it PTSD or something?”

“Or somethin’,” replied Russell.

“But you’re good now?” Colter checked with a warily raised brow.

“Guess so…”

Truthfully, Russell didn’t know if he was or wasn’t. He’d tried hard to figure out what it was exactly that had set him off that night and fix it, but he didn’t know if that feeling would ever disappear for good. He just knew he had never felt that way again since then. But could he guarantee it would never come back?

He didn’t know.

“Look, all I know is, seeing you and Dory again helped, so…” Russell twitched his shoulders and sighed. He didn’t know what else to say, how to explain it better, but Colter seemed to understand anyway, reading between the lines.

Russell worried he’d be like their father.

“I think I get it.” The younger Shaw nodded and licked his lips. “You know, you’re not crazy like Dad was, Russ. I mean, don’t get me wrong, you’re crazy in your own way, but I wouldn’t worry about the other stuff.”

“Well, thanks,” Russell said, not convinced but appreciative of the vote of confidence. “Makes at least one of us…”

“I-, uh, I noticed their names,” Colter then said and clarified, “Lewis and Amelia. Like explorers. Like us.”

“Ah.” Russell smacked his lips and brushed it off, “Wasn’t really my idea. I told Y/N that story once. Guess she took a liking to it..”

“Are you, you know, gonna tell Mom?”

Russell was almost surprised by the question. The brothers had barely talked about their mother since they’d reconnected. Considering Colter had never brought her up again after their first meeting, Russell figured there was a reason for that – and he thought he probably knew the reason, too.

Russell scoffed a chuckle and looked at his little brother with an almost incredulous look. “I think you can guess the answer to that one,” he replied and figured it said enough. “Did you tell her I came back?”

Colter pursed his lips, and Russell took it as a sign of admission. So his mother knew. Great…

“Sorta,” Colter admitted hesitantly.

“What d’she say?” Russell almost smiled out of amusement. He already knew the answer, but his brother still seemed reluctant. “C’mon, you can tell me. I’m not gonna be butthurt after twenty years…”

“She told me to ignore you,” Colter finally confessed, but the words left a bitter taste in his mouth. They had ever since his mother said them, but even more so now that he knew his brother – and parts of the truth.

“Hmm,” Russell hummed with tight lips and ground his jaw.

Granted, the confession stung more than Russell would ever be willing to admit. The tiny, naive part inside of him had constructed a hopeless fantasy of his mother having a sudden change of heart over the last two decades and happily welcoming her firstborn back. Apparently, not a thing had changed, though, and he cursed himself for feeling disheartened.

“But I actually haven’t talked to her in a while now,” Colter added with a small shrug, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel.

“Huh, really?”

“Yeah, uh, and when I did, I didn’t exactly tell her I didn’t take her advice, you know? So…”

“Why not?” Russell’s brow furrowed a little more as he analyzed each word, simultaneously realizing why he had been so reluctant to share his life with Colter before – his subconscious had been afraid his alienated little brother would report back to the mothership.

Colter’s lips pursed. “Because I disagree.”

“Ah.”

Colter chewed on his lower lip. “Look, I know you and Dory wanna keep all of this in the past and play family – and trust me, I want that too,” he assured, but his heart was beating fast in his chest. “But I need to know, man. I need to know why she lied about this for twenty years and, you know, did all of this,” he insisted, and yet, Russell could tell he wasn’t done. He might have broken the dam. “She did it to you. I mean, aren’t you mad?”

“Of course I’m mad,” the older Shaw admitted, but there was no fire behind his words.

“Then why are you so calm?”

Amused, Russell chuckled, shrugging. “Probably ‘cause I’ve been dealing with this a lot longer than you, little brother.”

“So, what are we gonna do now?”

“We ain’t gonna do anything,” Russell clarified, his voice stern. He’d die to protect his family, you and the kids, and do anything in his power to keep you out of it, but Colter was a grown-up – a free agent. If he didn’t want to listen, Russell couldn’t force him. “Look, you wanna find out, you go find out. And if you do find something and need help, you call. But I can’t be involved in this,” he explained, his firm expression morphing into something more vulnerable and sincere. “And frankly, I don’t care that much. You, me, Dory, Y/N, the kids – that’s all that matters, trust me. You’re not gonna feel better or more… whole after finding those answers.”

“How do you know? Do you know what really happened?” Colter instantly asked, and Russell knew in that moment, it’d be hopeless. His brother wouldn’t stop till he found it – forever restless.

“No, I told you. I don’t,” Russell repeated, and while he didn’t know everything, he omitted that he knew something.

“What about Y/N?”

Russell froze at the bare mention of your name, his protective instincts kicking in. “Leave her out of this,” he all but snarled.

But Colter didn’t think about stopping. “Did you ever ask her? I mean, she’s CIA. She could probably find out something, right?”

“Yeah, I asked her once, alright? Was a long time ago,” Russell admitted, sighing. The intended lie would stick better if there was some truth to it – you had taught him that.

“C’mon, Russ… And?” Colter impatiently threw his arms up, brow raising higher and higher as he waited for an answer.

“She never found anything,” Russell said with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders.

This time, it wasn’t just an omission. It was a blatant lie.

“I think whatever Dad was involved in – or both of ‘em – was just some activist shit. I don’t think the government cares.” Lie. “We both know he had a mental thing. Paranoid, probably schizophrenic… I mean, Mom used to pump him full of meds sometimes when he got too out of hand.” Truth. He then stole a glance at his little brother and saw the confusion shimmering on his face. Russell scoffed. “You didn’t know that, did you?”

Quietly, Colter shook his head.

Colter took everything in with a nod but didn’t say anything more.

“You good over there?” Russell checked after a full minute had passed.

“Yeah,” Colter said and even tried to form a reassuring smile before the attempt failed. Instead, he swallowed. “Just a lot, you know? I didn’t know. I mean, I had some idea, but not-… not that.”

“Yeah, I figured,” Russell said, his voice almost a whisper in the silence of the night. “Like I said, you were a kid…”

When Russell finally left the car to sneak back to you, his shoulders felt a little lighter and his heart a little calmer. He might just float through that unlatched window tonight.

The bad news was, though, he might not be able to retire just yet.

Part 5: This Is a Start

Honestly, I should've called this chapter "Heart-to-Heart Part II" 😂 I'll see you for the finale next week, but as you know, it's not the end for them – only just the beginning 😉

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