#now I guess I’m just gonna rot in bed with my cat and not let him out of my sight

[gingerwerk]

A day of very high highs and very low lows 🫠 stumbled upon the yellow raincoat from the first Jurassic park movie at the thrift store and it actually fit me (I will be riding this high for weeks to come lemme tell you) and then went over to one of my best fiends houses to say goodbye to her cat because she’s putting him to sleep so I just sat and cried in her fiancés closest for about half an hour so….

[chifuyuzu]

leap of faith — sano manjiro x reader.

word count — 1.3k.

genre — fluff fluff fluff, i love sweet mikey.

contains — cursing, timeskip SPOILERS present, reader is gender neutral.

description — sano manjiro is in love with you, and he realizes how much he loves you at the ass crack of fuckin' dawn.

author's note — hey besties, this is my first published fic here, kinda short but mikey brain rot is heavy. i hope you enjoy this cute fic before i rip your hearts out with some angst in a few days :^) reblogs and likes are always appreciated! and please give me feedback in my inbox! hehe, enjoy.

“it’s late.”

you know. but you still wanted to hear the sound of his voice before bed.

“mm… i missed ya’, is that a crime?” your voice echos through the receiver, the sound of your duvet crinkling in the background as you shift in place. sano manjiro was a busy man. always has been, always will be. being the leader of a biker gang was never easy—let alone some “new age” criminal organization.

you didn’t understand why manjiro persisted to play this game of russian roulette with his life. but it was never your place to overstep, especially since this was his life. it was all he knew, all he understood. you’re not sure what he’s doing, or if he’s even allowed to talk on the phone at this hour, but you still wanted to hear him. just so you know he’s alive and well.

you hear him chuckle, the sound of his feet scurrying against whatever floor his sandals were clacking against. the background noise that accompanied him earlier has dissipated; you realized he probably went outside to hear you better.

“your crime is loving a fool like me way too much. don’t think you’re sane.” he’s right. you’re actually crazy for even pursuing him. there was a lot of push and shove in the beginning, both parties scared of being hurt and getting hurt. but you were always there, even when manjiro went through whatever darkness was eating at his soul.

“crazy for you.”

“corny.”

“you love me.”

a pause. eerie enough to send shivers down your spine. why wasn’t he responding? did something happen? did you smother him too much? is he regretting—

“marry me.”

… not what you were expecting. especially not over the phone.

“sano manjiro, did you just propose over the phone? what kind of shitty rom-com are we in?”

“is that a no?”

“... never said that.” you wanted to marry him. but you wanted him to put that lifestyle behind, for the sake of the family you might have in the future. kids, dogs, cats, etcetera. you wanted him to be in, one hundred percent. but you knew he was too deep into this world to run now—especially since he’s so well-known as the ‘invincible mikey.’ you still longed for a happy home with manjiro, and a normal life.

“maybe you’re right. it’s not my style to ask you this over the phone.”

“try again later. when you’re really ready.”

the gag is, he is ready.

manjiro hurries home, blond locks hidden underneath a thin, black hoodie. he’s shaking, like a pomeranian in the presence of fireworks. his hand meets the left side of his chest, back pressed up against the grey colored wall of your shared apartment as he slides down to sit on the floor. it was four in the morning, and manjiro was about to shit himself.

he gulps, eyes peering around for you, double checking that you were fast asleep before he makes a phone call. his fingers tapped the back of his iphone, impatiently waiting for the other caller to answer. though it was the crack of dawn, he still needed some moral support.

“mikey? fuck you callin’ for at this hour? haven’t heard from you in mo—”

“ken-chin. i’m proposing.”

a loud ‘flop’ rang through the receiver, accompanied by the bedsheets seemingly slipping underneath draken’s feet. it was a huge bomb to drop, especially when the duo has been separated for months on end. manjiro hears more shuffling, followed by a few curses. “you’re fucking lying. the one you’ve been one since—?”

“yeah. i’m crazy as hell. but i love them. head over heels. i’m a goddamn simp.”

“why the hell am i the first to know, man?”

“you’re m’best friend, even if i need to stay away from you. and, also… you’re not the first to know. i asked them already.”

“you WHAT? don’t fuckin’ tell me you did it some dumb way like over the pho— you did. you’re impulsive enough to do it like that, too.” regardless of how long it’s been, draken still knows and understands manjiro like nothing ever happened.

“yeah… not romantic. but i can’t see myself with anyone else. i trust no one else. but i… am…”

“scared? man, you’re the head of a criminal organization. ‘course you’re scared. you don’t want the love of your life… to get hurt…” his voice trails off and manjiro’s heart tenses even more. the memories of the past still felt fresh. all the people they lost in tokyo manji… could never be replaced. not in a million years.

but the living must live.

“i love y/n. never felt like this before. i’d quit everything. but i would have to make sure they’re safe and whatever future we have together is secure. i know i promised takemichi that i’d protect everyone and that future he worked so hard to save… but what about mine?”

manjiro really did sacrifice everything for his friends. being the type of person who carries everyone else’s burdens takes a toll on his mental. he felt selfish for wanting to leave it all behind. but maybe being selfish was beneficial once in a while.

“listen—”

“do you think i’m stupid?”

“mikey. you’re not stupid,” draken sighs, shuffling again in place. “you just want to love someone and be loved in return. nothin’ stupid about that. what is stupid though, is you proposing over the damn phone.”

he’s not wrong. it was a spur of the moment decision that could drastically change his life forever. but with you, he doesn’t care. as long as you’re his, forever.

“how do you think i should do it?”

“well. i guess, tell me some sappy shit. how do you feel about them, and whatnot.”

“i don’t think i could ever imagine me with anyone else. a lot of people have tried to grab my attention but i only have eyes for y/n. sometimes when shit gets real hard…” manjiro takes a deep sigh, fingers threading through his hair, tilting back the hood to let it fall onto his back. “i think of y/n and i remember that even in this shit world, someone is here for me. someone cares about me. they make me feel like i’m not alone anymore.

i have dreams ‘bout us, y’know? me and y/n… kids running around. a little mikey clone. pissin’ them off because we want little flags on our meals. going to the park and letting kids be kids. maybe i’ll teach ‘em at a dojo like gramps did for me and my siblings. maybe i’ll teach ‘em about bikes—with your help, of course.”

draken laughs, letting his friend continue his little speech as he gets comfortable in bed again. don’t think i’ve ever seen mikey like this, ever, draken muses.

“man, we can own a whole zoo if we wanted. chifuyu could hook us up, in secret, of course. still have to protect everyone,” manjiro is grinning from ear to ear, head resting against the wall. “i wanna grow old with them. honestly, i didn’t think i’d make it to my twenties. more so, i didn’t want to live past twenty-something. but now… things are different. wanna be old and gray. see grandkids terrorize our children. die together.”

the tension in manjiro’s chest has faded away, only left with warmth that only you could bring him. his free hand reaches into his pocket to fumble with a small box, snapping it open to reveal the engagement ring his grandfather handed down to him.

he wasn’t the marrying type. but for you, he was.

“that all? you sound good like that, man. make an exception and let us come to the wedding.”

manjiro wants that more than anything. his friends, you... all safe. all happy. but again, the fear creeps up. he doesn’t know what to do with himself if any of you get hurt.

“... how do i tell y/n that?”

“you already have.” your voice makes him jump, knocking the velvet box out of his fingers and onto the hardwood floor. his face pales, followed by a huge lump forming at his throat when he sees your figure emerge from your shared bedroom.

“i-uh… i thought you were a-asleep.” manjiro mumbles, earning a huge laugh from draken on the other side. he hears him say something along the lines of ‘my cue to leave. good luck. send me an invite.’

“i was waiting for you.” 

he’s sweating now, a small bead forming at the base of his neck. his phone is now at his side, the screen flashing from draken’s caller id to the lockscreen photo of you on your first date together, a few years back. your eyes zone into the box, though.

“i was going to do this… better. god, i fucked up, huh?”

you’re laughing now, rubbing your tired eyes before you join him near the wall, picking up the box. “what makes you think that, dummy?”

now he’s confused. you wanted him to ask when he was serious, but in his head, serious meant rose petals, candles, someone singing celine dion in the distance.

without a word, you slip the ring onto its appropriate finger, holding up to the small rays of sunlight that peaked through the window from the approaching sunrise. manjiro’s hands fly up to your face, holding his whole world in his hands. his eyes are shiny, on the brink of tears. you nudge your noses together, foreheads connecting tenderly. your hands hooked onto the hem of his hoodie, bringing his frame closer as you whisper a soft ‘yes.’

“yes?”

“yes, i’ll marry you.”

manjiro’s lips curl up into the silliest grin you’ve ever seen him sport, before he presses a soft kiss to your lips. now he’s kissing you quite desperately. as if he’s trying to make sure you’re real, that this isn’t a dream. you feel his words vibrate against your lips, “gonna make you so happy, i promise. i love you. i love you so, so much.”

“forevermore.”

“forever yours.”

[concernedbrownbread]

Come Home With Me

For @adrienaugust Day 3: Umbrella

Summary:

“Adrien,” Plagg said softly, “It’ll rain soon.”

“Let it.”

His voice was vicious. Desperate.

He wanted to go home. But he really, really didn’t want to go back.

The rain started hitting his face harshly, punishment for his indecision. Adrien wanted to curl up in his bed and cry, but he didn’t want to ever see his too-white, too-big room again.

“Adrien?”

His eyes snapped open, focusing past the blur of water to the person who had spoken.

“Marinette?”

Or, Adrien finds himself alone in the rain, trying to find home, and Marinette lends him her umbrella.

Word Count: 1397

Relationship: Adrien & Marinette (Platonic, but can be interpreted differently), Adrien & Plagg

Warnings: Implied/Refrenced Emotional Abuse

Read here or under the cut

---

“You’re gonna catch a cold out here, kit.”

Adrien’s lips pulled into a bittersweet smile, “I think that’s the least of our worries.”

Plagg sighed, hovering just above his shoulder, “At least transform into Chat Noir.”

Adrien shook his head, “You’re tired, and I’m running out of cheese.”

Plagg sighed, and didn’t say, then maybe we should go back.

Adrien’s never going back to that manor. Father could try dragging him kicking and screaming, but he was never going back.

(He had said that before. So many times.)

The wind picked up, the chill of late October stinging against Adrien’s exposed skin. He was underdressed and overwhelmed, with nothing but his school bag and his phone. His calls to Nino and Chloe had both fallen through, the reception bad because of course his luck ran that way. Adrien truly did feel alone.

Alone, but away from that wretched house.

He closed his eyes, leaning his head back against the park bench. At least he was free here.

(A terrible, nagging part of his mind that sounded so much like Father told him, you’ll go back eventually, he’s your dad, you’ll forgive him like you always do .

That part of his mind, cold and quiet, called this little stunt for what it was - a childish tantrum.)

Tears stung at his eyes.

“Adrien,” Plagg said softly, “It’ll rain soon.”

“Let it.”

His voice was vicious. Desperate.

He wanted to go home.

Plagg said nothing, finally realising that Adrien was serious about staying out. He settled onto Adrien’s shoulder, a comforting weight. He didn’t try to talk Adrien out of this stupid bit of rebellion, but he didn’t encourage him either.

Plagg always gave him space to figure things out for himself.

He appreciated that, but after a life of being told what to do, Adrien wasn’t sure how to figure things out.

The first droplets of rain are kind, a gentle warning. Adrien refused to budge. His heart hammered against his ribs, a steady rhythm that only picked up with the downpour.

Go back, Adrien tried to tell himself. Back to the manor, where it was cold but at least not drenched. Back to Father, who would hug him and say never leave me and it would be more suffocating than comforting. Back to his life, as Adrien Agreste, the perfect little model.

But he really, really didn’t want to go back.

The rain started hitting his face harshly, punishment for his indecision. Adrien wanted to curl up in his bed and cry, but he didn’t want to ever see his too-white, too-big room again.

“Adrien?”

His eyes snapped open, focusing past the blur of water to the person who had spoken.

“Marinette?”

She shifted her umbrella awkwardly, “Uh, hi. You’re wet - no, I mean, er - getting wet - “ she trailed off.

Adrien smiled fondly, “Yeah. What are you doing out here?”

“I was running an errand for my parents,” Marinette managed to say, with minimal stammering, “You?”

Her eyes were wide and concerned and warm against the autumn wind.

Though he counted Marinette as a friend, he couldn’t say they were close. He didn’t know how much to tell her, if anything at all. Had he been behind his mask, he wouldn’t have hesitated at all, but he never knew where Adrien stood with her.

Still, Marinette was dear to him, and always had a habit of showing up when he needed her most.

“I’m not sure what I’m doing here,” Adrien admitted quietly, “Or what I’m doing at all,” he scoffed, "Or where to go."

“Come home with me,” Marinette said boldly. Then, "Not - not home WITH me - I meant - come to my house - the bakery that is - at least, it’s out of the rain - and it’s close - "

She trailed off, smiling nervously, angling her umbrella so that it was covering him.

He couldn’t really say no. And the thought of macarons were always enticing.

“Thank you, Marinette,” Adrien said, “I promise to be out of your hair as soon as the rain clears.”

“Don’t be silly, you can stay forever - um, as long as you like, I mean.”

The bakery was much closer than Adrien had thought. Stepping into its warmth, Adrien was hit with the aroma of freshly baked pastries, which made him instantly hungry.

“My parents aren’t in,” Marinette said as she left the umbrella by the door, “Do you want something to eat?”

Everything, “Sure.”

“I’ll get you a towel too.”

Marinette got them so much tooth-rotting sugary goods that Father would flip if he saw them, which only made Adrien devour them with glee. Marinette giggled when Adrien got cream on his nose and tried to lick it off, completely forgetting he didn’t have Chat’s tongue right now.

They sat by the window, the steady pitter-patter soothing the last of Marinette’s nerves - enough for her to crack a pun about pastries, one that Adrien had to use next time around Ladybug. She laughed when he shared the story about the time he and Chloe had eaten enough sweets to make them sick, and he gasped at her story about how her dad invented a new kind of muffin recipe.

By the time they were finishing off the last macaron, Adrien had forgotten all his previous worries.

It all came crashing back however, when Marinette said, “I noticed your dad didn’t sign the form today. For the trip to Nice.”

Adrien flinched, “No, he didn’t.”

“How come?”

She was more curious than judgemental, which was why Adrien felt comfortable enough to confess, “I think he’s punishing me.”

Marinette drew back, “What? Why?”

“I messed up a photoshoot the other day. There was an akuma attack and I had to … go hide - I guess it’s not really an excuse - but - “

Marinette slammed down the glass she’d been drinking from, “That is SO unfair!”

Adrien shrugged, “It’s nothing new. He might just be being protective, I don’t know. Though … I sort of decided to not go back home today, because of it,” he laughed, “Overdramatic, I know.”

“He’s the one being overdramatic!” Marinette frowned, “Does Nino and Chloe know? I’m telling them, we’re kidnapping you. I’ll tell Alya too, she’ll tell the whole class,” she paused at her phone, “Should I tell Kagami and Luka? They’re not even on the trip …”

Adrien felt his insides warm. Hearing their names out loud … he sometimes forgot how many people he had, that cared for him.

Had he really been worrying over where home was, when he had already known?

“Marinette,” he said softly, “It’s okay. Thank you.”

“It’s not okay,” she pouted, but relented by putting her phone down.

“I know he loves me,” Adrien sighed, “I just wish he’d show it more.”

“Oh Adrien,” she reached over, covering his hand with hers, “I’m so sorry you have to go through that.”

“Yeah,” Adrien smiled, “Thank you.”

“You can stay here tonight if you like.”

Outside, the rain had slowed to a drizzle.

“It’s okay,” he said softly, “I think I’m okay now.”

Marinette didn’t seem to be pleased, but she didn’t push it, “At least take the umbrella with you.”

“I couldn’t - "

“It’s yours,” she blushed, “You - uh - gave it to me. First day of school.”

“Oh,” he grinned, “You kept it.”

“I forgot to give it back,” she softened, “Anyway, I think you need it more than me. For the next time it rains.”

Adrien gulped, blinking back the stinging in his eyes. He cleared his throat gently, “Um, before I go. This might sound weird, but do you have any cheese?”

Marinette laughed, “I do, actually! I keep it around for ... stray cats.”

It took Adrien a moment to realise she was talking about Chat Noir.

“You’re an amazing friend, you know that?” Adrien blurted out.

Marinette grinned, “I’ve been told. And you are too, don’t you forget it!”

Outside, holding plenty of cheese and pastries and one well-used umbrella, Plagg peeked out of Adrien’s jacket.

“Feeling better?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

Plagg snorted, “Then let’s go home. Your dad’s worried.”

“I doubt Father even noticed.”

“Other dad.”

Adrien had no idea what Plagg was talking about until he checked his phone, only to be bombarded with seventeen worried messages from the Gorilla.

“I’m in trouble, huh?”

Plagg only laughed.

Adrien grinned back, looking up at the sky. The rain had come to a stop now, leaving the skies grey, but the world clearer.

---

Author's Note: When I tell you this fic refused to cooperate with me, I mean that I had 5 stories in my head and came up with the 6th this morning. At least I had fun writing the rain as a metaphor!

Platonic Adrinette is an under-used gem, they are such a wholesome duo. The ship is fine, but nothing beats friendship <3

Also, on Gabriel - I don't doubt that he cares about Adrien, but sometimes caring isn't enough. In this case, it DEFINITELY isn't enough.

[littlespaceporgs]

This.

Congrats on the follows! Could you write 15. “how much did you drink?” With kit Fisto? That tall drink of alien fish man would be so good at taking care of me while I try to confess my love and refuse drinking water

A/N: Pre-warning, this is fluffy as all shit, super tooth rotting, chest skipping fluff. Now, I’ve deliberately made the first half to read, as you are a lil bit drunk, so if you stick it out, you’ll get to the part that’s actually good, Hope you like!

Want to Request? See Here.

This.

Prompt: #15 - “How much did you drink?”

Word Count: ~1.8k (wow I was just gonna do a little drabble) Pairing: Kit Fisto x reader Description: A trip out with Aayla typically ends in some form of drunken shenanigans. This time it may have ended better.

Tags: @mcu-padawan​ and everyone I’m tagging in the comments because I posted this when everyone was asleep 😅

Through the cloudy haze of drunkenness, this all seemed quite fun.

It started with a successful mission out on the Outer Rim and returning home. Upon making it back to the temple, you very quickly discovered that Aayla and yourself were finally planet-side on Coruscant together for the first time in months. And then it was a short briefing with the council, and she was waiting outside your quarters. After a somewhat tearful totally unattached reunion, you both came to the decision to go out and celebrate still being alive and both of your recent victories. It all went down-hill from there.

What began as one drink out and then back to the temple, very quickly became four drinks here and then find a new bar. That’s how you found yourself stumbling back to the temple in each-other’s arms after the fourth place. Somewhere, behind the foggy recollection of the night, you idly thought about the regrets you’d likely have tomorrow. But that, as Anakin Skywalker would say, is future you’s problem.

A curse from the Twi-Lek next to you brought you from your musings. Lazily swivelling towards her, you sent a small wave of confusion through the force. The response she had was to look up at the temple stairs, look back to her feet, gesture angrily upwards, and curse once more. Snorting to yourself, you began pulling each other up the many stairs, giggling and nearly falling over every second step. After the first 10 minutes of only making it 15 steps, you both slumped to the floor. Leaning over each other, you pressed your backs to the step.

“Ah shit, Aayla, we’re not even haf-way yet, we’re never gonna make it!” She groaned and threw her head back.

“I know,” she dragged out the ‘o’ sound, “but we can’t sit here all night either.” Sighing in unison, you fell into an easy silence.

Oh wait! You could call Kit! He was always so nice, he probably wouldn’t mind coming to pick you up off the ground. He did so when you were injured, he would do the same when you’re drunk right? Aayla hummed.

“Good idea, I’ll comm him.” You felt a brush of confusion, ah, must have said that out loud. Reassuring your shields, you put your head on her shoulder while she typed in the number. Your feelings for Kit had always been there of course, and at this point, he’s seen you in more embarrassing situations than you care to admit. Despite this, you couldn’t ignore the flutter in your chest and the churning in your stomach when you thought about him coming to get you. It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen you drunk before, there was that time when you were Padawans and.. but you weren’t at the point of saying what you were thinking at the time.

“Aayla, is something wrong?” His voice rang out clear from her wrist.

“Yes – well no, not really,” She stopped for a second, and you could almost feel the confusion from the Nautolan. Gathering your voice, you tried to not slur as much as possible.

“Hi! Um – we went for a few drinks and now we can’t go up stairs.” There was silence again, before he snorted. Vaguely, you felt a ping of annoyance.

“Of course, and I suppose you want me to come and get you?” Without thinking, the two of you nodded, before Aayla noticed that he couldn’t hear nods and said yes.

The next thing you knew, he was kneeling on the step below you, holding his hand out to you. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Aayla steadily pushing herself off the ground. You grinned widely.

“Hey Kit! Where’ve you been? It’s been ages,” he only grinned back and pushed a small bottle of water into your hands.

“You only called me two minutes ago, my very drunk friend.” You chest stung very lightly, but you did not wipe the grin off your face. Wrapping one of his arms around your waist, he pulled you from the ground.

“How much did you drink?”

You shrugged with waved him off. “Not enough to deal with your sarcasm.” He snorted and shook his head, before directing a look at Aayla.

“Are you going to be ok to get yourself back to your quarters? I think this one is going to need some help,” Aayla turned her head, just enough to sneak a small smirk at you, before nodding and walking up the stairs, with perfect balance.

“Alright little one, let’s get you to bed, and please drink that,” he said, starting to move towards the sleeping quarters wing. You spared a confused glance at the bottle.

“But, but I don’t want to drink this? Oh wait! Kit, there’s something I gotta tell you!” His entire face smiled and he let out an airy laugh.

“Do you think you can wait until we get back to my quarters? Then, you can tell me all about it.” You nodded proudly. At the time, it hadn’t even registered that you were going to his quarters and not your own.

The next thing you remember was a very soft blanket that was covering the bottom half of you. If you turned to your left slightly, you could see the edge of the Coruscant starry sky. The palest moonlight streamed in and made shapes on the floor. It wasn’t until you sat up that you realised you weren’t actually in your room. This was Kit’s.

You could vaguely remember seeing him on the stairs, but you figured you must have just passed out not long after. Getting to your feet, you wondered out into the kitchen, where the light from the window was reflecting off his tentacles. He wasn’t wearing his robes now, just a plain pair of pants and a sleep shirt.

“Good to see you can actually walk.” Breathing heavily out of your nose, and mock-glared towards the Nautolan. When he spun back around, he was holding two cups of steaming tea. Idly, you noted that it smelt like the flowers you found on your home planet.

“Good to see you’re as jovial as ever.” He snorted and handed one cup to you. You both walked over to the spot near the window, and made yourselves comfortable on the floor, one knee pressed together, and one of your legs draped across his lap. Just like how you’d done so many nights before.

You watched the few speeders that were out at this hour fly past, and watched as the misty clouds seemed to become fluffy balls of light as the stars shone through. The steam from the tea warmed the tip of your nose, and you could feel your muscles relax as you sighed, smiling to yourself, staring out the window. With a passing breeze, you noticed that this was the most relaxed you’d felt since the war began.

You didn’t notice, but instead of watching the sky, Kit was watching the moon lighten you.

“So, I’m guessing you had a good night?” Moving your gaze to Kit, you noticed the loth-cat-like grin he wore. You snorted airily.

“I’m sure I did, it’s a little foggy for me though,” and it clicked, “wait is Aayla ok?”

“She’s fine, I commed her as soon as I brought you back here.” Sighing in relief, you nodded and fell into silence.

“Thanks, by the way, I would still be on the steps if it weren’t for you.” He laughed and gently nudged your knee.

“You’ve done it for me before, I was only evening it out! And don’t thank me yet, you’ve only slept for 15 minutes, you have yet to wake up with the true aftermath.” Groaning, you shoved him back, rewarding you with another laugh. When the laughter ceased, a comfortable silence fell again. You broke it once more, swallowing your fear.

“I mean it though, I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you.” Your face felt suddenly all too warm, and you noticed all the spots your skin was pressed against his. Your right knee pressing into his thigh. Your left ankle against his stomach. When he opened his mouth to speak, you waved him off. “Seriously! You- you’re just, amazing, you know? If I had to be stranded on a planet with nothing else, you’re what I’d bring.” He snorted, but covered one of your hands with his. 

“I think I know what you mean.” This and the lopsided smile made your heart stop in your chest, and something in your abdomen lurched. More quiet, with the exception of the occasional speeder engine. Turning, you moved so your head was instead on his shoulder, and you became a tangle of legs and various parts in front of the window. After a second, he pressed a kiss on the top of your head. From where your head was, you could feel his heart beating faster.

You both knew what you meant. You didn’t need to say it. It was there however, the knowledge of each other’s feelings. It probably always had been. The hands on shoulders, the sides of your legs pressed together when sitting, the favourite teas, the same place to meditate in, the knowing what expressions meant, the knowing of how you were feeling, it was all this. Just, this.

Your eyes were beginning to drop now, and all the tension in your body was gone. You yawned as he pulled you closer. With one last piece of confidence, you asked.

“Can we please talk about this tomorrow? I’d say now but I have a feeling I’ll want to remember.” He laughed much gentler than before, so as to not move you too much.

“Yes… I think we should.”

BONUS:

You were no stranger to a hangover, nor a stranger to waking up in Kit’s room. Again. Brushing your forehead with your fingertips, you sighed contentedly. The sun was much brighter than it needed to be, but the warmth was a welcome you wouldn’t soon forget.

He appeared in the doorway, and with a voice just above a whisper, he said something like a good morning. You replied and looked at him, he was leaning on the frame, his arms loosely folded, and a very gentle smile on his face. He usually smiled like that when you were together. You noticed that he seemed almost nervous.

“Can we talk? About this?” he vaguely gestured at the space between the two of you. You heart skipped as you remembered the conversation from much earlier hours, and you patted the spot on the bed beside you. His shoulders dropped in relief, and he took the first half-a-step in your direction. You smiled, and gave a look that had always been reserved for him, and replied.

“Yeah, I think we should.”

[kaweeella]

Haunted

Chapter 2- Ghosts Are Real And They Are Jerks

Warning for talks of dying, drinking and swearing. Let me know if I missed anything!

When Virgil wakes up he finds Remus and Janus organizing the kitchenware.

“Remus, we have a knife block for a reason.” Janus hands it to him, as he’s placing knives on the counter.

“Boo…” He pouts, putting them away properly.

“Hey.” Virgil says.

“Oh, good…” Janus checks his phone. “... afternoon, Virge.”

“Good to see this place is already feeling like home to you.”

Virgil laughs slightly. “Eh, actually I couldn’t sleep well last night.”

“Really? What was the problem?”

“There were these noises from the halls.”

“What was it?”

“Ooh! Was it a racoon?”

“Well, I checked but there wasn’t anything there.”

Janus hums. “So do you think it was the ghosts?”

Virgil chuckles. “Yeah, maybe.” He looks over to see Remus putting things in the cupboard. “Hey, don’t put things in places where only you can reach it!” Remus responds by sticking his tongue out at him.

The three of them part ways, Virgil going back up to his room and the other two heading out. He sets out some of his things and decorations.

He places his fake tarantula on one of his shelves and takes out his phone, reviewing different colors to paint the walls. Though after a few minutes he hears something fall. Looking up, he sees that it was his tarantula, knocked off the shelf.

“What the…?” He gets up and places it back, only for it to be knocked off again. He puts it back, and again, it falls. “Fuck it.” He sighs and goes downstairs. The floorboards creaking doesn’t help his headache. He gets to the kitchen and opens the fridge. “Come on, one of them has to have gotten some… yes!” He finds a bottle of wine. Not necessarily his tastes but he isn’t gonna complain.

He opens up the cupboard, finding the glasses he’s looking for on the top shelf. “That asshole…” He mutters as he reaches up for it. “Remus you beanpole of a person.” He’s about to climb on the counter when he feels a glass fall gently into his hand. After a moment of staring at it he sighs. “Thanks.”

When Janus gets home he finds Virgil downing a glass, refilling it, and repeat.

“Isn’t it a bit early for that?”

“Is it?”

Janus checks the time, it’s about 5:20, and shrugs. “Well, what happened?”

“The… the fucking ghosts… the ghosts kept knocking my tarantula off the shelf…” He grumbles.

Janus hums. “Well, running around at night and knocking things over, one might almost assume we’re being haunted by cats.” He chuckles.

“Though they did get this cup off the top shelf for me, because someone put it where no one else could reach it!”

“Remus isn’t here, you don’t have to passive aggressively complain.”

“Yeah…” On that note, Virgil lays his head on the table and falls asleep. Janus sighs and goes to pick him up. With some struggle, he brings him to his room. He then puts away the glass and wine, grabs a book and sits down.

After a while, Janus hears someone walking behind him. Given that he didn’t hear the front door open and they haven’t said anything, he guesses it’s Virgil.

“Hey Virge? Could you hand me something to use as a bookmark?” He’s handed a receipt. “Thank you.” He turns and sees no one there. “Well then.”

Then he hears Virgil stumble down the stairs and into the room. “Holy shit Jan, I can teleport.”

“You’re drunk, Virgil, go back to bed.”

“No!”

Remus bursts through the front door, startling both of them and causing Virgil to fall over.

“Alright, it took awhile but I found some!” He grabs a small box out of a grocery bag.

“Whazzat?” Virgil asks.

“Soap that won’t agitate my skin.” When he was at the shop, the box fell off the shelf. He glances down at him. “Are you drunk?”

“Yeah.”

“The ghosts were bothering him.”

“So we really have ghosts?” He bounces on the balls of his feet.

“Mayhaps. Help me get him back to his room.”

“You know,” The two pick up Virgil. “You guys are great.”

“Thanks, Virge.”

“Great great friends.”

“How much did he drink?”

“Most of the bottle.”

They carry Virgil as he sings the Friends theme song off-pitch.

“Alright, Virge, back to bed.”

They close the door behind them, muffling Virgil’s singing, having moved to another song.

“And if you threw a partyyyy… and invited everyone you kneeeew… you would see, the biggest gift would be from me and… and…”

“And the card attached would say…”

“Right, thank you for being a freeeeeind!”

He hears a small giggle, but he’s too drunk to really care.

Meanwhile Janus and Remus sit at the table.

“So the house is haunted?!”

“Well, maybe.”

“Cool! When do you think the ghosts will start trying to kill and maim us?!”

“Well, based on my previous guess we have two more days.”

“Yes!” Remus pumps his fists. “Who do you think they’ll go after first?”

“Well seeing how things have been going so far probably Virgil.”

“Maybe it’ll be like The Shining and they’ll try to get him to kill us?”

“Wasn’t it Danny who saw supernatural stuff first?”

“Maybe, but he is drunk right now.”

“Guess so.”

“You think they’re listening right now?”

“Maybe. The only other thing they could be watching right now is Virgil singing…”

“When you’re lost out there, and you’re all alone, a light is waiting to carry you home!”

“... the Full House song.”

“What kind of ghosts do you think there are?”

“A professor from the 60’s and a college student from the 90’s.”

“Wow, that’s really specific.”

“Yeah, they died here. That’s why the place was so cheap.”

“Cool!”

“Yep.”

Remus hops on his feet. “Whoo!”

“Alright, Remus, I’m gonna turn in for the day.”

“Nighty-night, Jan-Jan!”

Janus closes the door gently behind him and sits at his desk. He pulls out his phone and looks something up.

The owners who died there. Professor Williams died having fallen down the stairs and landing head first. He died instantly.

Mr. Harper fell through the rotting floorboards from the second floor. The fall knocked him unconscious and the wood had cut him up. When neighbors found him he was wavering in and out of consciousness. By the time ambulances showed up he was already gone.

Janus doesn’t worry about the second one happening again; the floorboards seem to have been replaced and even if they were still rotting there are three of them living there.

He is, however, somewhat worried about the first one, as just yesterday Remus jumped down the stairs, though he only left with bruises and Virgil is very vigilant.

Meanwhile Remus is still downstairs, taunting the ghosts.

“Come on! Come and get me! I’m all alone at night!”

“Remus…”

He looks around. “Finally!”

“Remus, please…”

“Please what? I can please many things.”

“... shut up…”

“Well that’s rude!”

[sincerlypadfoot]

Never Alone (1)

Words - 2132

“You know it didn't do it!” I shouted standing infront of the counsel. “Sirius Black is innocent, he would have never gotten his two best friends killed and you know it!” I screamed as tears went down my face. “He was a loving person, my best friend and James and Lily's and Peters and Remus, everyone loved him,” I took a deep breath. “Let me talk to him please, please,” I pleaded. 

“Miss y/l/n, you have no proof that he didn't do this,” Barty Couch Jr said to me standing up. “Unless you would like to join him, you better go home, the full moon is tonight,” He said looking at me, gripping his wand in his hand, following my actions.

“You know i’ll be back, Sirius Black is my best friend and he did nothing wrong!” I shouted taking a step infornt of him, scaring him and bit then taking off running.

“What happened?” Alice asked bumping into me in the halls of the department of magical laws.

“They wont let me talk to him, can we talk later, I really have to go,” I said looking at my watch, it was a hour tell the moon came out. “I’ll find you tomorrow okay,” I said to Alice taking off running again into one of the fireplaces and bringing myself home. “Shit!” I said to myself running up to my room and grabbing my bag and filling a blanket, pillow into it and taking off.

“Are you here?” I heard from down my stairs making me jump. “Y/n?” I heard recognizing the voice.

“Minnie?” I shouted dropping everything in my hand and running down the stairs, McGonagall, Dumbledore and Hagrid were all standing in my kitchen with a wrapped blanket. “I’m really busy right now, make yourselves at home but I really need to go,” I said about to run upstairs.

“We need your help,” Dumbledore said making me stop in my tracks and turn around. “Harry Potter, James and Lily's son, they wrote in their will that they want you, Mr Lupin or Black to take care of him if anything happened. we cant find Mr Lupin and you know Mr black is in azkaban,” Dumbledore said.

“You want me to take Harry?” I asked looking at the wrapped blanket with Hagrids hands, realizing it was Harry, I couldn’t even hold him when James asked and now they’re giving me their son.  “I can get Remus but not until morning,” I said to then walking up to Hagrid and the baby. 

“We’ll be back here with Harry in the morning, it’s either here or the muggle family of Lily's sisters, and we really don’t like that option,” McGonagall said putting her hand on my shoulder. 

“I really have to go now,” I said noticing the moon was starting to rise. “I promise that I will take Harry, promise,” I said kissing the top of baby Harry's head and running back upstairs.

“What is so important?” McGonagall said following me upstairs. “Oh dear,” She said as we walked into my room, Remus was locked in my room one night, before it was my room, scratched up walls and messed up floor boards from a bad night.

“Please don’t tell but I can’t let Remus do this by himself, its the first full moon since that day and it would kill me to know he’s doing it by himself,” I pleaded grabbing my bag.

“I understand,” She said smiling. “Harry gonna grow up in a happy house, James and Lily would be happy for you right now,” She said leading me out of my room. “Go on now,” She said tossing me some pouder for my fireplace.

“Thank you, it means a lot,” I said giving her and hug. “I’ll see you in the morning,” I told her as we walked down the stairs, everyone else was gone.

“See you in the morning,” She said walking out the door, I watched my door for a second, picture Sirius and Remus run in laughing with James behind them angry, I chucked a bit then walked around to my fireplace. 

“Shreaking Shack,” I whispered tossing the powder to my feet, opening my eyes to the familiar smell of Remus and the rotting wood of this place. “Remus!” I shouted running out of the fire place and looking around. “Remus!” I shouted again running upstairs and downstairs not a sign of him was in here.

“What are you doing here?” I heard behind me, the feeling of guilty washed through my body and relied washed in making me turn around with no hesitation and jump into his arms. 

“I couldn’t let you do it by yourself, it would have killed me,” I whispered putting my head on his shoulder and letting tears out. “I would never let  you do it by yourself,” I whispered as his arms wrapped tightly around me and letting out a little whimper.

“Thank you,” I said letting out a long breath. “Please don’t leave me again,” He whispered moving his face and mine so we were both looking at each other, making me feel guilty again.

“I’m sorry,” I said putting my hand on his face. “I was scared and angry, almost getting sent to azkaban today but I wont leave you again, I promise,” I said looking at him and smiling. “Did you bring any wolfbane, because if you didnt I did, I brought a blanket and pillow too,” I said to him looking around for my bag.

“I did, it’s my last bottle though from the house, I didn't take any from your room so I don’t know how much you go,” He said letting me go and taking the wolfbane out of his pocket.

“Come and sit down, i’ll set up the blanket and we can go to sleep,” I suggested taking my blanket that Lily had gotten me for my sweet 16 and laying it on the ground, I smiled remembering all the times where we would all sleep in the ground huddled together cause it was freezing.

“Hey,” Remus said putting the empty bottle of wolfsbane down and sitting down, already revealing claws. “It’s gonna be okay,” He whispered as he laid down on my lap tossing the second blanket over the both of us, in a second his head was now the head of a wolf and the blanket over him grew five times the size.

“I know everything's going to be okay,” I whispered kissing his head and laying down, looking up at the roof, thinking about Sirius and Harry, and how i’ll have to tell Remus in the morning about him.

~

“Hey y/n, you should wake up,” Remus whispered in my ear, waking my up from my dream. “You were crying in your sleep last night,” He said as I opened my eyes and turned my head to him sitting beside me.

“Minnie wants us to take Harry,” I spit out, rembering my dream of a tennager Harry at hogwarts, acting like James and Sirius and us having to go back there.

“What?” Remus said. “She wants us to take Harry, Harry Potter, James and Lily's baby?” He asked.

“She came to me before I went here to see you, Dumbledore, Hagrid and her were standing in the house, and they want to see this morning,” I shot up looking around. “We have to go,” I shouted standing up and grabbing my bag. “Get off the blanket, we really need to go,” I said to Remus who got off the blanket quickly.

“I’ll do it,” He said as I tossed my pillows and blankets back into my bag. “We support each other through this, we take care of him together,” Remus said grabbing my hand.

“Together,” I said smiling at him. “Come on,” I closed my bag and walked into the fireplace taking the last of the powder Minnie gave me. “Home,” I shouted grabbing Remus hand and opening my eyes to our house.

“You know I came here every day looking for you, stayed in my old room and everything but you never came home, where did you go?” Remus asked helping me out of the fireplace.

“James and Lily's, I stayed in there house, on the couch for the month, grieving,” I honestly said. “We’re not ready for a baby in this house,” I chuckled as the front door opened and the familiar three faces walked in.

“We brought you some things,” McGonagall said waving her wand as boxes after boxes appeared in our living room. “Hello Mr. Lupin,” She said with a smile.

“Can I hold him?” Remus asked walking over to Hagrid who had the baby in his hands. “Please,” He smiled looking at the baby.

“Take good care of him now, don’t let him get hurt,” Hagrid said handing Remus Harry. “See you in eleven years now little one,” Hagrid whispered smiling and watching Remus unravel him from the blanket.

“We will send owls for you, it’s unclear how safe the world is right now but in eleven years he’ll be at hogwarts, take care of Harry Potter,” Dumbledore said nodding his head and Remus and I as the three walked out.

“Hi Harry,” I cued touching my hand to his nose making him laugh. “He’s about a fourteen months huh?” I asked smiling at the baby Remus was holding in his arms.

“You should hold him well I see whats in the boxes y/n,” Remus said turning to me and handing me Harry but I pulled away.

“I haven't held him before,” I said looking at Harry, he looked so much like James from the pictures I saw when he was a baby, and had with mothers eyes.

“Come on, i’ll show you,” Remus said walking to the couch. “It’s easy, just let him sit on your lap, make sure he doesn't fall on the floor,” Remus instructing sitting me on the couch and placing Harry on my lap.

“Don’t let him fall,” I repeated smiling at the baby Harry. “Hi i’m your auntie y/n,” I said smiling and shaking my head at him. “We’re gonna take care of you,” I said to him as he smiled and laughed.

“Look,” Remus said pulling out a swing for the Harry. “Do you want me to put him in here?” Remus said placing the swing on the floor, decorated with a wand, wizard and cat dangling toys for him to touch.

“I think I can hold him for a bit, what else do you got?” I asked looking back at the boxes. Remus pulled out tons of clothes for Harry, a crib, a bed and everything else McGonagall thought we needed for eleven years. “Magic boxes huh, should have guessed,” I said to Harry as he laughed, a laugh that was contagion. “Why don’t you take Harry and set up his crib, i’ll make breakfast for the three of us,” I suggested standing up with Harry hanging in my arms.

“That sounds like a good idea, i’m starving,” Remus said using his wand to levitate the crib box as he took Harry. “We’re gonna do good,” He said smiling at me.

“Eggs and toast with some fruit it is,” I said smiling back and walking into the kitchen. I took strawberries,bananas and milk out for Harry and Eggs with some toast for Remus and I. He was the better cooker than me but also the better builder.

“Hey we’re done, I put the crib in your room, thinking you know we could both stay in there,” Remus said walking into the kitchen with Harry hanging onto his leg beside him.

“Yeah i’d like that,” I said cutting the rest of Harry's food. “Here's your food little man,” I said handing the plate the Remus. “I set the highchair up at the table,” I said pointing to the table setup across the room.

“Thank you,” Remus said holding Harry's plate in one hand and helping him walk with the other hand. “Happy I moved my stuff back in a couple weeks ago,” Remus chuckled placing the plate on the table and helping Harry into his highchair.

“You could have stayed here forever, this house is way to big for just one person,” I said taking the eggs off the pan and placing two on two plates. Remus took his and sat across from me at the table. 

“I’m glad, and so is Harry, takes just after James,” Remus chuckled as Harry as his yogurt all over his face laughing as we noticed.

“Eleven years and then hogwarts, this is gonna be fun,” I said smiling as we watched Harry make a mess with his yogurt and having the time of his life.

[arsonistslut]

Chapter 15: A false truth

Meanwhile, Jeff lay awake in his hospital bed. He didn't even properly feel angry anymore, or sad, or..anything. He just felt numb. He was getting a hair transplant, but the doctors wouldn't be able to perform proper plastic surgery until a good year or so, so natural healing of his wounds was the only viable option. His parents hadn't visited once, so he had only the staff to keep him company. Whenever one of the nurses came to change his bandages, as was procedure, he could see the look of pity in her eyes. His burns were horrific to look at, he assumed, but not once did he ask to see his own face.

When they put him under for his hair transplant, the demon, apparently calling itself "Zalgo" when asked, had returned to that space they'd talked in before. The same dark corner, red swelling around Zalgo's presence like a plague. Last time Jeff was here with the demon, he took it's hand and pledged bloodshed upon the world..but now he was second-guessing his decision.

"...How do you know Liu hates me, Zal? I mean..he could be in therapy, for all I know! He doesn't hate me, he can't..I'm his brother.."

"He sure is getting therapy.."

Zalgo reached toward one of the walls and swiped over it, opening a sort of..one way window to the sight of Liu and Natalie, gazing at the stars together, Nat running her fingers through Liu's hair as he curled up in her arms like a cat.

"He's forgotten about you, Jeff..remarkably quickly. Another thing.."

Jeff then saw into earlier in the day. Liu was talking to Randy, the kid that set him on fire, and apologized to him. Did it all mean nothing to him...? Did all the times they helped each other, the bond they had, the fact that his brother was rotting in a hospital and was going to be for a year mean nothing to him?

"A reminder, Jeffrey..he's doing this on purpose. They all do, all the couples at school that see a lonesome soul like you with nobody to go to prom with, your family that irrationally hates everything you do and paints you as a monster, the police who arrested you, mocked you for your disorder, they think it's funny. This world hates people like you, and it won't stop beating you down until you're dead."

Chapter 16: Fresh meat

Keith smirked as he saw the new girl with the black-and-red stockings pass him by in the locker. Nina Hopkins, another transfer from 9th grade. She was what you would call the "alt-girl", and if the rumors were true, had similar issues that Jeff kid had. Keith taps his friend Troy's shoulder, and the two follow her as she heads outside to eat her lunch.

"Hey! Where ya goin', anorexic?"

Nina turned to look at the boys who followed her outside, sighing as she ignored them and muttered to herself.

"Same shit as before.."

"What is it, Jeff? You finally got that sex change?"

"Jeff? who's Jeff?"

"Oh, right, that's your 'dead name'. Sorry, nInA!"

Randy saw the two outside, approaching and looking at the situation. At this point, Troy and Keith were hardly people he wanted to associate with anymore. He didn't want to bully people anymore, to hurt anyone else with these two dopes.

"C'mon, you two. We've got bigger fish to fry."

"What? We're just..introducing her to the neighborhood."

"We're going."

"You her boyfriend or something?"

Randy approached Keith, looming over the ginger with a subdued anger in his eyes.

"Maybe I should beat your fucking ass, Keith. Teach you your fair share of respect."

When his "friend" stepped back in surprise and fear, Ellsworth couldn't help but feel just a little bit satisfied with himself. Damn, that felt good.

"Alright, I'm coming..Jesus."

When the three left, Nina, who was just..caught up in all of this, looked on in confusion as she took a bite out of her sandwich.

"Sheesh..who is this Jeff kid, anyway? Heh, maybe I could buy some drugs or something off of him."

She joked to herself, the rest of school carrying on without incident.

Chapter 17: Breaking away

It was the same walk home as usual. The same cool air, the same autumn leaves flowing through the wind, the same desolate suburbia that New Orleans had become. Liu passed the Wallace Street sign that signaled the closeness of his house, his hands interlocked with Natalie's. He was about to cross the train tracks, but then he heard a familiar voice behind him.

"Liu fuckin' Woods. How the hell've you been, little man?"

Keith Winchester. Alone. With a baseball bat.

"This is the same street your brother attacked me on. Poetic, ain't it?"

Liu felt that he wasn't gonna get out of this without violence, but he didn't expect this kid, who from what he remembered hearing, had a pretty cushy life, was going to try and attack him and Nat, of all people with a baseball bat. It was metal, too, so he had to have gotten it from his dad or something. Natalie was more annoyed than frightened, however, and began walking toward the bully.

"Oh, you think you're-"

What came next horrified Liu; the awful sound of aluminum striking flesh full force rang out as Keith bashed her upside the head with his weapon. Liu's conscious quickly gave way to let Sully in, and he charged at Keith, who raised the bat above his head to strike Liu down as well, but a hard punch to the gut quickly doubled the boy over. Sully quickly followed up by grabbing Keith's ears and headbutting him, knocking him to thee ground in a daze. Liu felt like he was outside of his own body, just..watching it all unfold. Sully grabbed the baseball bat and struck Keith in the ribs, then again in the shoulder, again to his ribs. A strike to his ankle came next, causing Keith to cry out in pain louder than before. Sully then heard the loud bells of a train arriving and grabbed Keith's leg, grabbing him and then throwing him down against the tracks, placing a foot against his back so he couldn't escape. The train grew closer and closer, the panic of the situation began slowly rushing back to Liu, as Natalie's voice called out to him;

"LIU, NO!!"

Suddenly, Liu regained control, and before the train could kill Keith, he pulled him out of the way of the speeding train, the shock on his face mirroring his. Keith limped away as Natalie rushed over to Liu's side.

"Liu, what the hell was that?! You nearly killed him!"

"I-I don't know, I just..s-snapped!"

"...I've never seen you that..angry, before..that scared me, Liu. It's like..you were a different person."

"I...I guess it was.."

"C'mon, I'll be fine. He hits hard, goddamn it..you got an ice pack or something?"

Liu grabbed an ice pack from his backpack and gently pressed it up to his girlfriend's face, half of him internally cursing himself for not killing that Keith motherfucker for hitting Natalie, and the other just happy that this whole event was over and done with.

3 days passed, and Keith hadn't gotten any better. He could tell Randy was about to split, and Troy..Troy was as dopey as he usually was, that relentless apathy toward all the cruelty and the violence, it was disturbing at times. Still, Keith had agreed to drive the three out to this junkyard he frequented, helped him separate from the outside world. They'd decided that a couple of good-for-nothing cars in an abandoned junkyard would be the perfect tourniquets for their frustrations, and Keith's father played lots of baseball, so they had weapons to use in such..venting. Troy and Randy were having a fair bit of fun there, making crude jokes and smashing old cars to pieces, but Keith was busy letting out all of the frustration, the anger he had for the Woods brothers and what they'd done to him. The car he was smashing apart was nearly about to collapse on it's own as Winchester screamed curse word after curse word, striking the derelict with hit after hit. Once he was finished, he noticed the two other teenagers looking at him. Troy looked amazed at what his friend did, whilst Randy just seemed...concerned.

"Are..are you alright, dude?"

"No, I'm not alright!! Jeff, Liu, those two fucks have been on my mind ever since the shit with the forest happened! Everybody thinks I'm a fucking weakling, thanks to those two! Well, news flash, I am NOT a weakling!!"

"Keith, we'll get those two eventually, alright? They've hurt you, and that means they hurt all of us. Nobody hurts us."

"Right..they're the bigger fish you mentioned when you pussied out over that Nina girl, right?"

"I didn't pussy out, Keith! We need to get after those shitters and not after some weird 17 year old!"

"You..You lie through your teeth, don't you?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You left your journal in my car, Randall. I decided to pore through it, and what do I find? Page after page of you whining about us, saying you want me and Troy gone from your life! We were friends!"

"People change, Keith, and I changed. A-After that fire, I realized that it was wrong..all of it was wrong! This bullying shit, it isn't okay! We're making other people feel like shit for our own enjoyment, that's sick!"

Randy let out an exasperated sigh as he sat on the roof of a car, clasping his hands together as he searched for the sort of words he thought could properly express how he's changed. Maybe his story would..resonate with Keith. Troy let out a small chuckle as he laid on a car hood and watched the drama unfold.

"I've never been the best with expressing myself, Keith. People would get mad at me when I said some shit that pissed them off, I didn't have a goddamn clue as to how I was supposed to talk to people. That's why I started all of this, why I started bullying people. People didn't really like me, but it was for a reason I could understand for once! But, now..after I lit Jeff on fire, it just doesn't seem worth it anymore."

"Oh, that's why?! You can't fucking talk right?! Randy, I've gotten arrested for you, you know that?! I took the fall for you for those vandalism charges when we set that old shed on fire, and was because you apparently had a fucking speech impediment."

"Keith, calm down-"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!"

Randy just shook his head as Keith stormed away, snatching his baseball bat out of Randy's hands. Troy soon got up and followed, looking Ellsworth dead in the eyes as he passed him.

"You suck some off, y'know that?"

"And you swallow, prick."

Once Keith and Troy left, Randy smiled to himself, something he hadn't done ever since the incident. It was like a giant weight had been lifted from his chest, so after taking in the bliss of being free of those two, he stood up and began heading home. He'd finally broken away from those two.

[opheliawritesxo]

When In Paris

Prompt (in bold): 26 – “I call dibs.”

Pairing: 12 – STUCKY

Summary: After Bucky’s first mission back with the team, the quinjet breaks down so the Avengers have to spend the night in a hotel and of course the two boys from Brooklyn pair up; but there’s a problem. There’s only one bed which causes Steve to have a goddamn crisis and Bucky does what he always does, save the punk’s ass.

Warnings: pure fluff that it’ll rot your teeth, an extremely over used trope, implied smut (if you squint but read between the lines y’all), strong language

Word Count: 1.9k

A/N: This is day 1 of 30 prompts. The list is here if you wanna check it out (x) I’m hoping y’all will get smut by day thirty but even with eleven years of fan-fiction writing experience under my belt smut is something I’ve never tried so y’know have some fluff for now (which is a rarity in itself so count yourselves lucky). ALSO DID I REALLY MANAGE TO WRITE LESS THAN 2K I AM SHOOKETH

Sitting outside on the fire escape, Bucky relished in being back in Brooklyn after so long away. Once again sharing an apartment with Steve, it truly felt like being home again. Except instead of Bucky heading to the docks and Steve staying at home, their roles were switched. Bucky still wasn’t called out on missions, not yet anyway. He’d only recently passed his med and psych evaluation, but he knew Steve was wary about him being back in the field.

           “Buck?” He heard the sleepy voice of his best friend call; it was only then that Bucky realised it was 3am and he should probably be in bed.

“Yeah?” He called back, pushing himself to his feet and heading towards the window.

“There’s a mission, kinda big.” Bucky raised an eyebrow at the towering blonde as he stood in front of him, half in his suit.

“You wanna bring me in?” Steve sighed, rubbing between his eyes.

“It’s a hydra base, we kinda need your expertise here but you don’t have to actively go inside. You could stay on the quinjet and just feed us information.” He rambled; Bucky couldn’t stop the small smile that was forming.

“Nah I don’t mind. S’not like they can put me under, all the words are gone, and I got the fancy new arm from Shuri. Is everyone going?”

“Uh yeah.. think so.”

“Well then punk, looks like my biggest worry is gonna be Stark.” Bucky grinned as he squeezed Steve’s shoulder, heading to pull on his uniform for the first time. It was safe to say he was nervous about what was going to happen, but he’d always had Steve’s six and he’d had his.

The mission itself went exactly to plan, a rarity but it did happen occasionally. The only thing that went wrong was the quinjet breaking down before they headed back causing them to have to stay at a hotel for the night whilst Tony sent for a replacement. They were in a beautiful hotel in the outskirts of Paris, the most romantic city in the world. Tony, as expected, took a room to himself with Bruce and Thor partnering up same with Natasha and Clint which left Steve and Bucky.

           After being handed their keys, the two boys from Brooklyn headed upstairs. Their room was on the top floor with three floors between them and any of the other Avengers which Tony helpfully pointed out with a wink. Steve was used to Tony’s innuendos and just took the keys with a shake of his head, but Bucky was certainly confused at the implication. So, what if there were three floors between them and the others, what was the big deal? It wasn’t until they both walked into the room that Bucky’s brain finally decided to catch up with him.

“Tony, you son of a bitch.” Steve grumbled as he looked ahead of him. Bucky raised an eyebrow, peaking to the side of Steve to see what cause the ‘I’m-disappointed-in-you’ grumble; a staple for 30’s Steve. Mainly seen whenever Bucky would work longer at the docks without telling Steve.

There was only one bed.

“I call dibs.” Bucky helpfully called as he made a beeline for it, jumping on top of it and stretching himself it. He didn’t understand why Steve was so disgruntled by it, not like they shared a bed for their whole childhood and even before Bucky shipped out. Saved a lot of money on heating when they could just share body heat.

“I’ll take the floor.” Those words from Steve stopped Bucky in his tracks. Pushing himself up on his elbows.

“No, you won’t.” Bucky muttered as he looked over at the man. “C’mon Stevie, this bed is big enough for both of us. You’re gonna fuck up your back if you sleep down there.”

“Seriously Buck it’s fine.” Groaning, Bucky pushed himself to his feet. Grabbing pillows off the bed and placing them on the floor. “What ya doin’?”

“Well if you’re gonna be a dumbass and sleep on the floor then I am too. Either we both sleep in there,” He smirked, motioning to the bed. “Or neither of us do.” His hands were placed firmly on his hips, mimicking Steve’s most famous pose.

           Groaning with his head in his hands, Steve rubbed at his face before throwing his hands in the air. “Fine! If we’re playing that game then I guess we’re both sleeping in the bed. You win jerk.” He mumbled.

“Always do punk.” Bucky’s cheshire cat grin slipping straight onto his face as if it hadn’t been dormant for seventy years. That only served to make Steve’s heart skip a beat. “Now c’mon, I’m beat.” Steve gulped and made for the bed still in his full uniform, but Bucky stopped him with just a look.

“What Buck?” He sighed.

“You’re not wearing your full tac gear in bed.” Steve felt a blush rise up his cheeks.

“I-“

“Stevie for fucks sake just take it off and get into bed. I’m going into the bathroom if it’s your modesty you’re worried about.” The former assassin grumbled as he made his way into the bathroom. Groaning Steve quickly pulled off his suit leaving him in just his undershirt and boxers. He chastised his past self for not wearing looser boxer briefs.

           You see the problem here was that Steven Grant Rogers had been head over heels for one James Buchanan Barnes since he was fourteen. Now he’d never acted on it because he was in fact; a big ‘ole scaredy cat. With his myriad of health problems back pre-serum he never had to worry about sharing a bed with Bucky because at the time it was just sensible and any appendages that might take interest in snuggling into the most attractive man Steve had ever come across in his life, didn’t particularly work; see previous myriad of health problems. Then came war and they didn’t really get a chance to share a sleeping bag or even a tent for the short time they were together with the Howlies. Now in the 21st Century with actual honest to god proper heating that you could control at the touch of a button, there was no need to share a bed.

Steve made his way under the covers and buried himself in as far as he could go. As Bucky came back out he snorted at the mound under the covers.

“What are you doing?”

“Nothin’ m’just tired.” The man with the apparent plan let out an exaggerated yawn as if to say ‘look at me this is not suspicious at all no sir, nothing to see here.’

“Uh huh, whatever you say punk.” Unlike Steve, Bucky was quite happy to strip off his tac gear in plain view for Steve. Opting to go shirtless and in the tightest pair of tighty whities Steve had ever seen causing a very unmanly squeak to fire its way out of his throat. He was doomed.

Bucky just rolled his eyes, sauntering over and pulling at the covers so he could get in, since Steve had them in a white knuckled grip. Settling in, Steve moved himself right to the edge of the bed. Bucky had, had enough. This couldn’t go on any longer.

“Okay I’m sick of this. What the fucking hell is up with you!?” Bucky snapped. “Ever since I came back it’s as if I smell of shit! You can’t get far enough away from me. Gonna tell me what’s going through that idiotic mind of yours or are we gonna continue playing these games?”

Steve was both heartbroken and slightly turned on at Bucky’s tone. He hadn’t meant to have been that obvious in his avoidance but in Steve’s defence it was for Bucky’s own good. The 21st century might be more inclusive than it was back when they were bunking together in Brooklyn, but Steve was still Captain America. He still had a reputation to uphold.

“Buck.. I’m sorry.” Steve muttered as he scooted closer to the other man. “I didn’t mean to be a dick ‘bout it I just.. I’m.. well.. there’s things about me you’re not gonna like.”

“Stevie, I like everything about you. Try again.”

“You don’t get it Bucky! I-I’ve been keeping this secret since I was fourteen and I don’t- I’m scared alright?” He croaked, closing his eyes so he didn’t have to look at the eyes that gave him his last happy thought before he crashed the Valkyrie into the ice.

           Bucky sighed, placing a soft hand over Steve’s which was lying in between them. “I’ve known you since you were seven punk. There ain’t no secret about you that I don’t already know.”

Steve scoffed, wishing he had the strength to pull his hand away. “So, you know I’m gay then?” He snapped.

“Yup.” Bucky replied, exaggerating the P at the end. “You’re not exactly subtle when you’re trying to check out my ass.” Steve’s heart stopped and he truly was a sixteen-year-old kid from Brooklyn again.

“W-What?”

“Oh, come on Steve, you’re smarter than this. Your sixteenth birthday in ’34, we talked ‘bout kissing remember?”

“Uh huh..”

“Remember I kissed you on the couch, told you we had to get practice in before we went out and got ourself some dames?” It was all coming back to Steve now. The looks Bucky used to give him, how Bucky always flirted with the girls but never took them home.

“So you-“

“Yip.”

“All this time?”

“Yes sir.”

“But.. how.. why..”

“’Cause I never found the right time to blurt out ‘hey stevie, see instead of practising kissing can we actually kiss for real ‘cause you’re my best guy and I wanna spend the rest of my life with ya even though we’ll probably get arrested but fuck it’.” Bucky exclaimed, grabbing Steve at the hips and pulling him forward, wrapping his arms around the blonde’s waist.

           Steve couldn’t quite believe this was real. He was pretty sure he’d knocked himself out back at the base and this was all a fever dream. Bucky chuckled softly as he moved to cradle Steve’s face in his hands.

“You like me?” Steve squeaked causing Bucky to erupt in belly aching laughter.

“I think I a bit more than like ya punk. I love you Stevie. Have done ever since I was seventeen.” Steve closed the very small distance between them by practically launching himself at Bucky. Kissing him with every ounce of love and adoration he had to give; which was over seventy years’ worth of it.

“I love you too Bucky, have since I was fourteen.” He whispered, peppering kisses to the others jaw. Bucky was the one to initiate the kiss this time around. It was deeper and more passionate than the one Steve had initiated but it held no less love. The kisses didn’t stop there, there was seventy odd years of making up for lost time to do.

           If they slept through their alarm in the morning and opted to stay in the hotel for a couple of days longer because, when in Paris; there would be nods of understandings and shouts of ‘have fun!’ from the others. In reality though, Natasha would find herself with a lot of favours to call in from the others since she’d been the one to ‘break’ the quinjet. Safe to say, everyone at SHIELD and in the Avengers were wholly aware of how much those two idiots needed to declare their love for each other and just bone for heaven’s sake.

[takadasaiko]

Love Me Twice: Chapter Eighteen

FFN II AO3

Summary: The Keens have dinner with Scottie, Red takes a trip down to Texas, and Ressler runs into trouble.

Chapter Eighteen

Liz had just wrapped Agnes in a fluffy towel after her bath when she heard the sounds of someone in the kitchen. She kissed her daughter's hair that had - somehow and miraculously - stayed dry through the bath - and told her to put the clothes hanging up on. Grandma Scottie was coming for dinner.

Tom still looked tired, albeit less frustrated than he'd been while they were at Dr Orchard's. She stood watching him move around the kitchen and he almost looked like he knew where things were. She thought it might have just been his quick learning curve until he went for a specific cabinet and then looked very confused by what he found there.

"What are you looking for?"

"One of those big saucepans. I could have sworn-"

"I moved it up because I don't use it very often." She watched him follow through to the cabinet she motioned at. "You remembered where it was."

Tom blinked, surprised, and Liz felt a small smile creep into place as he said: "Guess I did." He grabbed the pan he needed and set it on the burner. He looked so natural there, almost like he had never left. He had, there was no denying the damage done to their lives, but as he started working in the sauce Liz felt a rare tug of peace. She wanted to hold onto that as long as the universe would let her.

"You don't have to cook, you know," she said as she moved to lean against the table, never taking her eyes off of him.

She could see the barest smiles pull at the corner of his lips. "I feel like you're not much of a cook."

"I've gotten a little better."

"Not sure if it's a memory or just a survival instinct, but I'm gonna play it safe on this one."

Liz flashed a grin that felt a little more forced as someone knocked on the door. Well, Scottie was early. "Aggie, you dressed?" she called into the little girl's room as she passed.

"My ears!" Agnes' voice sounded from inside, but Liz was already tugging the door open to reveal her mother-in-law on the other side.

She had never seen Scottie Hargrave look anything less than ready to stride straight into a boardroom in her tailored outfits and heels and tonight was no different. She stood in the doorway with her head held high and her thousand dollar purse on her arm, but under it all the younger woman thought she saw a hint of nerves. Okay. At least the last sliver of suspicion could be put away.

Liz flashed a smile. "Hey, come on in. Tom's in the kitchen."

"How is he—?"

The question was cut off as Agnes' door was thrown all the way open and she piled out of her room in the clothes that Liz had laid out for her, though with an addition of her own by way of the cat ears headband. She wrapped herself around Scottie's long legs and grinned up at her. "Hi."

"It's like you didn't see me today," Scottie teased with a smile and knelt down to pull her granddaughter into a hug. "I hear you've had a visitor."

Agnes nodded. "Daddy's in here," announced, surprising Liz and taking Scottie by the hand to lead her in. They hadn't said anything, there was no way she should have known, but Liz supposed with all the oddities that surrounded her daughter since birth there was no reason that she shouldn't have believed it either. Just another strange happening in the Keen household.

Liz followed at their heels to find Agnes already chattering away, pulling up a chair to stand on so that she could see what Tom was doing. He stirred at the sauce that was simmering, teasing the little girl playfully while Scottie stood frozen next to the kitchen table. Her dark gaze was fixed on him, following every tiny move, until he finally turned around as he wiped his hands on a dish towel. "You must be Scottie."

"Agnes, why don't you go play until dinner's ready," Liz prompted softly.

She looked ready to argue, but finally hopped off her perch with a loud and dramatic huff that lasted almost to her room. Scottie's lips twitched up at the show the four-year-old has put on and her attention snapped back toTom. "She's always reminded me so much of you," she said softly.

"I don't know how much Liz has told you…."

"I know that someone has manipulated your memories and that you're missing a considerable amount of time."

Tom's dark blue gaze flickered to Liz and she tried for a reassuring smile. "Yeah. I, uh…. I don't remember you. Sorry."

"It's not your fault," Scottie answered immediately, but Liz didn't miss that subtle anger just under the words. Well, when they did find who was responsible for Tom's missing memories, Scottie looked ready to go to war with them. It couldn't hurt to have the CEO of Halcyon Aegis in their corner.

Scottie plastered a struggling smile on her face as she shifted the subject. "So, what's for dinner?"

-------

Howard Hargrave had been a civilian engineer when Red had first met him. Halcyon was in its infancy and its young, still-optimistic CEO had happened by and offered to play translator for a Polish woman with intel that Reddington's team had needed. Their interaction had been so brief that it wasn't until years later that the two men pieced it together and had gotten a good laugh over it. Yet another amusing story in a collection of them that they cultivated over the years.

Many things had changed since those days, and it had been years since Reddington had even seen his old friend. Christopher's disappearance from the beach house coupled with a variety of other factors - both connected and otherwise - has left Howard unpredictable and not entirely stable. It had only gotten worse with time. Red had finally put distance between them when it became clear that Howard didn't have any intentions of adjusting the dangerous trajectory that he had been hurdling in. Tom's return had been too late and Howard suspected too much to put him right again. Red feared that losing his son a second time - even at a distance - might have done him in.

That's why he was surprised to find out that Howard wasn't rotting away in some deep, dark hole like the government often threatened to throw him into, or even a mental institution for that matter. He found him in a little military town in Texas working for the government. He was tethered by an ankle monitor and given a very small stipend for his efforts if the shabby, bachelor-styled apartment was anything to go by. Perhaps they really had thrown him in a hole, just of a different sort.

Reddington had time to explore the small space before Howard arrived. There was nothing there that would have convinced him that his old friend lived within the walls. Howard had always been a nostalgic man in his own way, but none of that resonated here. Red saw no sign of hidden research or projects he was tackling on his own. Just the mindless day in and day out with a little food and an uncomfortable bed between it.

By the time the door opened Reddington had settled into the lone chair at a two-person breakfast table that could be folded up and shoved in a corner if it needed to be. Howard shuffled in, shouting over his shoulder at someone, before fumbling with the locks behind him. He turned and flipped the fluorescent lights on, freezing as he did. "Red?"

Reddington plastered one of his more charming smiles into place. "Howard. You are a difficult man to find. I thought you'd be in prison."

The other man snorted, tossing the keys down on the cheap counter next to the door. "Why lock me away when I'm still of some use?"

He moved further into the living space and Reddington gave him a once over. For the first time since he'd met him, Howard looked his age. His hair had receded years ago and what was left had turned grey, but the lines in his face looked deeper now and there was a weight against his shoulders. Worse yet, there was none of that old spark in his eye. As far down as his enemies had driven him over the years, that clever spark had remained. Reddington had seen it a little over three years before when he had stood before the cameras and declared war on his wife for the whole nation to see.

"You look like hell," Reddington said, his tone more pointed than light. Nothing about this boded well.

Howard shrugged and moved to the fridge. He stuck his head in and returned with a couple of beers in hand. Reddington did his best not to turn his nose up. Ah well. When in Rome. Or Texas, as it were.

"Long days, meaningless nights. They weigh on you like life," Howard answered heavily and leaned against the table, his sole chair occupied.

"What if I told you I could change all that?"

"I'd ask you what you get out of it," Howard answered sharply.

"Katarina has resurfaced."

"So now you're playing fetch for her?"

Reddington's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You know what it means. This isn't a game."

"Sure it is. One I bowed out of agesago." He took a long swig of his beer. "Save your effort, Red. And whatever money you intended to bribe my guards with. I'm done. I'm out. She's won."

"Your war was never with Scottie," Reddington answered softly and Howard quirked a grey eyebrow.

"Wasn't it? It was her secrets that stole our boy away and the same that ended up getting him killed. You and I both know this Garvey was more than what he seemed." Howard had always been fascinated with conspiracy theories, and while he often found a trail that turned out to be more than it appeared, Garvey was gone. Dead. Reddington had made sure of it. Digging into the man himself would yield very little.

"None of it would have happened if you hadn't reached out," Reddington pointed out.

"None of it would have happened if you'd been half the friend you claimed to be thirty years ago and gotten my boy back!" Howard countered, the old argument rearing its head. "But no. You were too busy learning from my mistakes. Then you turn around, years later, and tell him that Scottie was his mother while telling him to stay clear of me! Of course I went to him. She'd have gotten her claws in and…" He stopped, the fit of rage he had been boiling to fizzling out abruptly and he turned a dark look on Red. "My boy is dead, my wife a traitor willing to kill me. That's what your war brought to my doorstep, Red. I'm not going to help you."

Red sat very still for a long moment. He'd underestimated the pain and suffering Howard had endured these last two and a half years. At the very least he had hoped to push the right buttons to encourage a lust for revenge, but he was too hurt. Too broken. He had heard the charges levied against him at his trial. Accounts of reckless endangerment, theft, perjury, espionage, and the list went on. Tom had testified against him after everything that had happened. He'd stood in front of an open jury as Christopher Hargrave and no one had warned him the dangers of it. Clearly Howard thought it was what had gotten him killed, and that was a hell of a weight to bear. Red didn't need to know the specifics of what he'd done to know that, at least in the recesses of his own mind, Howard had thought he was protecting his child.

Red leaned in. "We're past the point of no return on this."

"I don't care."

"You're willing to rot here?"

"Here. There. What's the difference?"

Red toyed with his options. He could tell him. It was a risk in his state. He knew Katarina we'll enough to know Scottie would, eventually, be brought into the middle of this as well. Howard would be difficult to convince, but perhaps if he could manage to connect him with his son before Scottie… that might work. It was time for a calculated risk or he'd be walking out of this place empty handed. "He's alive."

Howard didn't perk at that. "Who?"

"Christopher."

Now he looked up. "Don't lie to me, Red."

"I'm not, he—"

There was a change, a flash of rage, and Howard hurled the beer bottle so that it shattered against the floor. "My son is dead. You don't get to use him as a bargaining chip, Red. You don't get to manipulate me into sticking my nose into the same chaos that got him killed in the first place. The three of you made your bed. Lie in it or don't. I don't care, but get the hell out."

Reddington sat there for a long moment before he finally stood, fitting his hat back on his head. "For what it's worth, Howard, he can't remember anything. He's lost time."

"Convenient way of using a double to try to fool me."

And there were the conspiracies again, even if it weren't as far fetched as some might have thought. Red has used a double, but just not here and now. "Point being that he doesn't remember your last interaction." He sighed. "Not everyone is your enemy unless you choose to make them. I may be one of the few friends left in this world. Reach out when you finish wallowing in your self pity."

He turned and left before Howard could respond. If he would given way or buckled down, Reddington wasn't sure, but if there were anything left of the Howard Hargrave he had once known he wouldn't be able to shake the hope of his son being alive. It would gnaw at him until he had no choice but to act.

-----------

Ressler hadn't realized just how easily spoiled to flying private he'd managed to become over the years, but the delayed flight out of Germany and delayed layover at LaGuardia International had left him missing Reddington's jet, even if not the interference he certainly would have thrown into their case. No, after what he'd done to their Blacklister when they had refused to give him five minutes with the man. He might have given them the name that took them to Bonn, but Ressler's be damned if he forked over the jumpdrive Weiss had risked so much to get to him.

Still, it was late and Ressler was exhausted. He could miss the convenience of a private jet without missing the man that provided it.

He shifted his bag on his shoulder and fumbled for his keys just outside of his front door, but as he slid it into the lock and turned, he could feel that the mechanisms had already been released. That wasn't good.

The bag dropped to the hall floor as Ressler reached for his sidearm, readying himself as he pushed the front door open. The living room looked clear as far as his line of sight reached and he inched in, every muscle taught and finger ready on the trigger. He cleared the kitchen and the living room, the bathroom, and that only left one more room in the apartment. He flexed his fingers around the handle on his gun, adjusting his grip and he pulled a deep breath in through his nose as he started into the bedroom. He made it half a step through the door frame before the door swung out hard.

The blow hadn't been what he expected, but even as he stumbled off balance he kept his grip on his gun. Ressler spun, leveling it, but his attacker was already there. He was a tall and thick man, well out of Ressler's own weight class, and the shot went into the ceiling when he slammed his arm upward. He spun faster than he should have been able to and Ressler heard his own yelp of pain rattling in his ears before realizing that the intruder had followed through and wrenched his arm around so hard that it must have popped it out of socket.

Ressler didn't have time to test the theory as the man descended on him again, but he managed to avoid the blow if only just barely. He bobbed, finding his right arm utterly useless, and was sent sprawling to the floor hard. He lay there for a moment, stunned, and blinked hard against the pain as his attacker loomed over him. "The drive," he said simply and Ressler grimaced. He could see his gun on the floor, but he'd have to be faster.

"Don't know what you're talking about, pal."

The other man snorted and pulled his own weapon from its holster. "I don't believe you."

Ressler roller for his gun and the shot went off.

---------

Dinner went surprisingly well. They tiptoed around certain subjects until Agnes went to her room to play, but as soon as she was out of earshot it was clear that Scottie Hargrave expected more. She had been pleasant and chatty about a lot of nothing right up until that point. A cover. A well designed mask. Tom knew it well, even if no memories seemed to be shaking loose about her just yet.

He worked his way through what he knew, he and Liz reading each other's small tells to make sure they didn't let information slip that shouldn't. He was careful never to mention Katarina Rostova by name, but something like recognition flashed through Scottie's eyes as Liz shared a few choice details about the woman that had called herself both Maddie Tolliver and Rostova.

Liz excused herself as her cell phone rang, stepping into the bedroom to take the call. Almost immediately Scottie turned to him. "The woman that hired you."

"Tremblay?" he asked carefully.

"Are you certain that's her name?"

"Are you certain it's not?" he countered.

"I understand your… caution," she said slowly, almost as if she were tasting each word. "This woman. I need to know what you know."

There was something strangely familiar about the way she was looking at him. Her gaze was calculating and careful, like she thought she could unearth any secrets by sheer determination. He held it though, and felt like he might be on the verge of remembering something important about her.

"Scottie, we're going to have to cut this short," Liz said as she blew back into the room.

"Elizabeth-"

"Ressler was just attacked in his apartment. I have to go."

Tom was on his feet in an instant. "What happened?"

"I'm not sure yet, but I need to get a babysitter and -"

"Go," Scottie said firmly. "I'll watch Agnes."

Tom watched Liz hesitate for a long moment before she nodded, accepting the offer. Within five minutes she'd kissed Agnes goodbye, grabbed her gun, and pulled him out the door behind her.

--------

TBC

Notes: Well, Becca called it in the reviews: my whump quota strikes again. Aimed at Ress this time :P

I don't know if I've mentioned this here (I chatter about it quite a bit on Tumblr), but I'm been working towards a move to California for a while now. This weekend I'm flying out and signing a least if all works as expected. Wish me luck! :D

Next Time: A new clue emerges in the case, Scottie sets a clandestine meeting, and Liz forces Red's hand.

[dogboytits]

2 and 7 between Miasma, Cajja, and Seabury! Also Dandai and Church if I'm not asking way too much chdnfjdvdj

HEEHOO OK... YES... these are two REALLY fun questions and im v excited abt them!! ok lets go

2) What is the OC’s house like? Lots of plants, spacious/cozy, built for comfort/built for function, etc.

My oc world isnt too crazy in terms of fantasy stuff and honestly my ideal home is "a humble house or apartment" so most of my ocs dont have terribly interesting houses, as a warning lmao but

Miasma- hmmm.. I think Miamsa lives near a river. Kaprosuchus are thought to have mostly been land predators instead of aquatic ones, but I think Miasma still likes to soak in the water now and then. As for the house itself… I’m honestly pretty unsure. Miasma’s whole deal is pretty up in the air so I’m not totally sure what kind of house she would like, but something medium sized, with cushiony couches and chairs. Lots of natural lighting, and a number of house plants. A cozy and not super fancy house.

Cajja- Cajja and Balthasar have a medium sized home together. It's pretty basic and humble, but they are both very happy with it. They're both pretty tall (Cajja is 6'3 and Balthasar is 6'5) and they both take up a lot of room- Cajja with his snail shell and tail, and Balthasar with his shark tail, so they've had to make some adjustments and renovations to their house to deal with this. Like larger doorways, a bigger bathroom, and, for Balthasar, a large outdoor bath tub enclosed by wooden walls. The outdoor bath also features shelves for products, and a couple of benches for sitting. They also have their pet cat which they adore, and they both spoil the hell out of their cat. so they have numerous cat trees, beds, scratching pads, and toys around for their kitty :) (who i still need to draw!! I want to draw kitty cat)

Seabury- Seabury currently lives in a dorm room, which is on the smaller side. He does, however, have a personal bathroom inside his dorm, which he very much appreciates. He lives here with one other person- maybe Alioth?? I'm honestly not sure. But they have a bunk bed, and two desks- one for each person. Seabury's childhood home and where their parents live however, is a lot more interesting. Seabury's home town is a fishing town inhabited mostly by sea dragons. Most of the houses of the town are smaller wooden homes that are out over the water, standing up on poles to keep them dry. But since sea dragons obviously enjoy swimming, they also have a downstairs / basement section of their homes, which are actually underwater. These parts of the homes are much more natural looking, with furniture mostly being like rocks covered with moss and things like that. I'm not TOTALLY sure how it all works, but. hopefully thats a good enough answer lol

Dandai- Dandai lives in a pretty small and rinky dink apartment near where they work, (like biking distance) but more outside of town. The like economy and whatever in my oc world is better than it is irl, but even so the kind of apartments one can afford with a job working at McDonald’s are not exactly high class lmao. Dandai doesn’t mind it though, and they keep their living space very clean and tidy. They also have a number of house plants- about 4 or 5. They would like to get more, but fear that they wouldn’t be able to take care of them all. Dandai really treasures their plants, and taking care of the plants reminds Dandai to take care of themself, too :]

Church- Church also has a pretty small apartment, although its a bit bigger and nicer than Dandai’s. They also live relatively close to where they work (Church and Dandai work down the street from each other). Church doesn’t really care a whole lot about their living space- they’re content with it the way it is, and they don’t really long for a bigger one or anything like that. Their apartment is very very messy. It’s not like disgusting, there isn’t rotting food lying around and they wash the dishes and do laundry and stuff, but there is very little order to where they store all their things, and there have certainly been times where the dishes got… a bit behind. Church would like house plants, but every time they buy them, Church forgets to take care of them and they die. The one exception, however, is a small jade plant which is a present from Dandai. Church hasn’t had the jade plant for long so its yet to be seen if they will kill this one too, but for now, Church takes very good care of it.

7) What are the OC’s favorite smells? Scents of incense, foods, candles, plants, etc.

Miasma- I think Miasma really likes vanilla and other smells similar to it… I guess vanilla is technically floral, but in general I don’t think they like floral scents. More like, baked bread. Like… homey smells? You know?

Cajja- I was literally so stuck on this one and I’m still not really happy with my answer here but I’m gonna say rain. Rain and like, roses, esp beach roses.

Seabury- No surprise here, but saltwater. Saltwater and like seafood- they absolutely love the smell of like Marlin steak or smoked parrotfish- a staple of their home region.

Dandai- Dandai is a big fan of the smell of pine, and like… dirt. Like, really rich soil. However, they also really like the smell of baked goods. They aren’t very good at cooking nor baking, however, so they prefer to get scented candles. Things like vanilla cupcake, cinnamon sticks, maple sugar, milk and honey, etc etc. They have a fairly sensitive sense of smell, however, so they’re pretty conservative with their scented candle usage. Oh, and they like the smell of freshly cleaned linens.

Church- Church really likes the smell of pine as well, and they also like the smell of moss. They prefer natural, earthy scents, things you would smell on a walk through the forest. While this isn’t technically a smell, I guess, they also really enjoy like a cool breeze at night. Maybe it’s just me, but that kinda has a distinct smell. Like how water has different “flavors” depending on the temperature? Church also really likes the smells of some of their favorite foods- steak, hamburger, and kielbasa.

[devourer--of--books]

So, I just started to play Obey Me! Shall We Date

And well, I have thoughts

Im currently stuck on the first levels of lesson 5, so my knowledge of the plot is limited to that + some spoilers I accidentally got while going though the obey me! tag. Do I have a deep understanding of this game? No. Am I gonna rant anyway? Yeah. See me do another one of these soon after I play it some more, but for now, I need to put this out there:

First, mechanics-wise, the first thing on my mind was "Mr. Love from Hell", which is honestly not too far fetched. Maybe it's because I'm playing in my old ass tablet (I need a new phone, this thing ain't gonna survive 2020) but it's just so slow??? I've tried downloading full data, and it kinda helped, but still, it just annoys me so much! It's not crashing like crazy (cof cof Love Island The Game cof cof) but it could be better, it takes forever to get the itens to level up cards because it just ????????? takes forever for them to load???? anyone else got this problem or it's just my device? Anyway, that aside, I quite like it, if you played MLQC, it's pretty easy to manage, and while it takes a bit more of attention to win battles, I think that's a good thing. Getting shards has a been a bitch, like, I keep on suffering with the loading and my competitive ass wants to finish begginer's missions, and again I think Mr. Love has spoiled me. Also, someone please tell me how to level up skills, because I have no idea???

Now, moving on to the actual tea: what do I think of these boys?

Let's go in order, shall we:

So, I open the app and I see Lucifer in all his red and black glory, furry cape, Dom-Daddy, Big D Energy for days and go "Oh, Demon!Nobunaga, fun!". I'm immediately drawn to him beacause Nobu was my first ever otome guy and while I eventually grew out of the whole "this man is so controlling and sexy and dark" phase, nostalgia ya know? So, turns out the vibe I keep getting from Lucifer is more like all those dark-kinky-Jumin-Han-fanfics (as in, the only parts of Jumin Han that I hate) rather than Nobu? Idk man, this guy just seems shady?? They all do honestly but Lucifer is just plain scary. Dude, I know you've got the whole "most-powerful-oldest-control-freak" going for you but, like, can you chill?

Yet I can't really blame him, cause, Veronica (that's my MC's name) why, girl???? She be going up those stairs, and I'm just ??? Real talk, I'm kinda of a rule follower? I don't wanna make this guy mad, man, all I wanna do is hit on Satan (which we shall discuss soon) and see some family drama shenanigans. Lucifer says "don't go up those stairs" I'd be like "okay???" because up until now he hasn't given me a reason to not trust him (aside from being shady)??? But I have no choice but go talk to Belphegor (don't even get me started on this one) and I can just tell I'm gonna get in trouble for this. Could I not get there accidentally? Do I have to go there against Lucifer's direct orders? I don't think this is gonna go well, I just don't wanna get on his bad side hskshskshk

Lucifer's room, however, is everything to me, the deco is lovely (skeleton aside) and that bed, maaaannnn

Mammon started really annoying but he's been growing on me. I have a soft spot for dumb bitches like him, I guess? He just cracks me up? Not to be cheesy, but I like him as a friend? Maybe that'll change in the future, who knows, but for now that's how I see him, the best friend guy who is gonna be in love with you in every single route (read, Seven, but dumber). Can't wait for the angst. Looks wise I kind got him mixed with Solomon at some point (my dumbass though it was a bug) but all those Surprise Guest moments have me thinking he's way cuter than I gave him credit for at first.

I always feel bad for ratting him out to Lucifer, but boy, you and Veronica practically share one single brain cell, okay? I need to get my girl into Lucifer's good graces, I ain't about that troublemaker life

Levi is gonna be brief: No. He's not my type (otome or real life wise) and he annoys me. He reminded me a bit of Yoosung at first, and I'm trying to power though it like I did with him, but I can't. He keeps dragging me into his stuff and it's not cute, it makes me resent Levi. I'm not much of a tsundere enthusiast by nature, and I really don't like when they portray fans and gamers in this kinda "I'm weird, look at me I'm so weird and different" light ("have you ever seen me without this stupid hat on? that's weird" jsjdndmsksjdnsmskdjnddm). It comes across (to me at least) as childish and dumb (not endearing dumb, like Mammon). Idk, maybe I'll change my mind? Don't come for me, Levi stans

So Satan

I love Satan

Otome makes you say the strangest shit hm

Still. I haven't interacted much with him but I'm obsessed with this man. Let me date you, okay? You look like posh book-cat-candle super model I wish existed. Let's be petty together. Since I haven't been playing long I hope I don't end up regretting putting my heart and soul into loving you. I'm doing all kinds of jobs to get intimacy go up with him, because guyghbkhiugiygufgfydddyghvjgvjg I'm all about that soft dom energy he has going for him, it's basically everything I love about Jumin Ham, but less CEO and more cute-bookstore-guy. Ideally, Satan is 100% my type, even if not the usual otome route I take first. Also, he is the Avatar of Wrath, which, along with Pride, is my most prominent sin, so I might be projecting

Pls babe don't turn out to be terrible

Kay, so Asmo. Asmo gives me all the Shingen vibes but realistic Shingen. Like, of Shingen is all about worshiping his MC, Asmo looks like he wants to be worshiped himself. Not judging, tho. That thing he said about loving himself above all things, I feel like it was supposed to be shady but I kinda agree? He's onto something. All this self-sacrifing thing is so romanticized. Can't we all be in healthy non co-dependent relationships? Love yourselves, kids. Which is why, while I said Satan is my ideal type of man, in real life, most of the people I've been with are Asmos. That being said, that's why he doesn't really work as an otome LI for me (at least for now). I'm here to live a fantasy of dating demons, not to see my exes. He is tempting tho. Who doesn't want a friend to do face masks and fuck from time to time, no strings attached until, "oh no, we both caught feelings, whatever shall we do" and then have it end well? (can you tell I'm projecting? my therapist is gonna love this). Poor Asmo, it's not his fault. Darling I'm sure you'll turn out to be lovely

On Beel, not much. I'm not into him, at least for now. his personality so far is that he's hungry. So what, man. I'm not here for that either. I don't find food particularly fun or sexy, it's just here to keep us alive (unless it's sweets, sweets are the best, but I'm having to cut down on sweets so), so he's not doing much for me. Gotta wait for that character development I guess

And to end this rant, Belphegor. Bitch, I've seen you on my demon cards, don't you dare tell Veronica you're human. But she's a dumb hoe, my girl Veronica, so she just doesn't question it???? I swear, this girl. Shady doesn't even cut it with him. Sorry, you're telling me what to do? Dude, lol, you're lucky this is Veronica and not me, because I'd be out of there as soon as you started this bull about me doing pacts with demons to get your ass out of that room. Don't prey on my empathy, it pisses me off. Spoilers tell me he's like a human-hater or something? Boy, fuck you, okay? Am I going to end up loving him? Who knows. For now he can rot in that room for all I care

Anyway, that's pretty much my first impressions of this game. I'll be playing it for some more time, until I get up to date on lessons and story or until colleges comes to drag me to literal hell, whatever comes first

Peace, my dudes

[stannyramirez]

ｎｉｐ／ｔｕｃｋ： ｐｉｌｏｔ

tw: plastic surgery, relationship drama, blood, murder, death, body image issues

❝Tell me what you don’t like about yourself.❞ ❝The Rogaine… it didn’t work.❞ ❝I’m not comfortable having you speak for your brother.❞ ❝What will they think of next?❞ ❝We need to switch.❞ ❝Will do, partner.❞ ❝I’m sorry?❞ ❝You save my ass again.❞ ❝Wanna talk about the real reason you came here?❞ ❝I prefer to let my money talk.❞ ❝One last time, why are you running?❞ ❝I’m still trying to get to the bottom of this?❞ ❝Can I buy you a drink?❞ ❝I don’t drink.❞ *while drinking* ❝May I buy you an appetizer?❞ ❝I don’t eat. I’m a model.❞ ❝Are you finished, honey?❞ ❝There are advantages to having a bouncer boyfriend.❞ ❝You think a girl like me has to wait?❞ ❝The perfect 10. That’s what he calls me.❞ ❝You fix the flaws, you could absolutely be a 10.❞ ❝I don’t want to be pretty. I wanna be better. I want to be perfect.❞ ❝Beauty is symmetry.❞ ❝Am I really this ugly?❞ ❝I was Homecoming Queen.❞ ❝Don’t be upset.❞ ❝Let your shortcomings and flaws fuel you. Let them push you further than you ever thought you could go.❞ ❝When you stop striving for perfection, you might as well be dead?❞ ❝And that’s more shit for me to clean up.❞ ❝It’s manageable.❞ ❝Dad never listens to anything I say.❞ ❝This is not appropriate breakfast conversation.❞ ❝Killer, slow down.❞ ❝Like it or not, we have to talk to your dad about this.❞ ❝He’s such an asshole.❞ ❝Don’t call your father that.❞ ❝You don’t know how luck you’ve got it.❞ ❝Besides, your dad’s not an asshole. Robots can’t be assholes.❞ ❝You’re gonna let me drive?❞ ❝Looks like you’re doing really good for yourself.❞ ❝And thank you for your precious time.❞ ❝Shame on you.❞ ❝A lot goes on in your family that you don’t know about.❞ ❝Basically, he’s self-conscious about his dick…❞ ❝Appearance is everything to a kid. It’s how you fit in.❞ ❝How cool is fatherhood?❞ ❝I don’t want my family infected by what we do here.❞ ❝What else do we do here other than make people feel better about themselves?❞ ❝What we do here is let people externalize the hate they feel about themselves.❞ ❝Do you want it fine, or do you want it perfect?❞ ❝It’s drug money, isn’t it?❞ ❝That’s a ridiculous, unnecessary expenditure.❞ ❝You stay out here and moralize.❞ ❝I’d love to listen, but I have a business to run.❞ ❝I know you say that to all the girls.❞ ❝Tell me what you like about yourself.❞ ❝Look, Dad, I’m grateful that you’re treating me like an adult, but if we have to do this, can we skip the psycho-mind-probe stuff?❞ I could’ve handled it.❞ ❝Why did you go to ______ with your concerns instead of me?❞ ❝He’s cooler than you,a nd he listens to me.❞ ❝I don’t get that father knows best bullshit from him.❞ ❝He treats me like a man.❞ ❝You’ve never bowed to peer pressure before.❞ ❝I think something’s going on.❞ ❝Look, I just want it, okay?❞ ❝Are you having sex with girls?❞ ❝Trivial? This is my life, okay? This is not trivial.❞ ❝Look, for once… just give me something that I need.❞ ❝He’s pissed. All they have is vanilla ice cream.❞ ❝Where’s your brother?❞ ❝Are you the bogeyman?❞ ❝You okay, sweetheart?❞ ❝You’ve got to calm down.❞ ❝I don’t understand this!❞ ❝I thought we were gonna be together.❞ ❝If it’s any consolation to you, honey, you’re not the first girl he’s done this to.❞ ❝Heal in more ways than one and just go one with your life.❞ ❝You’re out of line.❞ ❝I’m starting over before it’s too late.❞ ❝It’s my turn to talk now, okay?❞ ❝The mute finally speaks.❞ ❝So listen up!❞ ❝Thank you for being so ruthlessly ambitious that you would accept drug money.❞ ❝Thank you for being so repugnant to me that I’m finally taking charge of miy life.❞ ❝What are you gonna do?❞ ❝Starting today, I’m transforming myself!❞ ❝I wanna make people’s lives better. I wanna make a difference.❞ ❝You look beautiful.❞ ❝I feel silly.❞ ❝I’m sorry, sweetheart. I presumed you knew.❞ ❝I think our boy’s having a midlife crisis.❞ ❝If I find him screwing around, you have my word, I will kill him.❞ ❝You think he’s having an affair?❞ ❝That was out of line.❞ ❝He told you that?❞ ❝He used to tell me everything.❞ ❝I miss him.❞ / ❝I miss him, too.❞ ❝Have you seen the thing for the thingy? I can’t find it.❞ ❝You didn’t get the response you wanted?❞ ❝I’ll be objective.❞ ❝I want you to give me a big hug.❞ ❝Come here, let me look at you.❞ ❝You have to talk to him, he listens to you. He always has. You’re his compass.❞ ❝I just want to be happy.❞ ❝Next to giving birth, it’s the most difficult thing I’ve done.❞ ❝It’s your problem.❞ ❝Okay, what is wrong with you?❞ ❝You take me for granted.❞ ❝Did you think I wouldn’t find out?❞ ❝What are you doing, __________? When were you gonna tell me?❞ ❝I was waiting for the right moment.❞ ❝How about last week when you screwed me but wouldn’t kiss me? We could have talked then.❞ ❝This is the right thing for me.❞ ❝What the hell is it with people I this house throwing things at my head?❞ ❝Finally, some passion! Congratulations! You’re not bloodless after all!❞ ❝Do you know how long it has been since I have heard you laugh? Since I have seen you be emotional about anything?❞ ❝I haven’t seen you cry since _______ was born.❞ ❝I’m not going to apologize for that.❞ ❝If I get emotional, people die.❞ ❝On your watch, a death has occurred… the death of you and me. This relationship doesn’t even have a pulse anymore.❞ ❝I know that. And I’m sad about that.❞ ❝I realize that we do need to fix something.❞ ❝We need to fix us.❞ ❝I need us to be like we sued to be.❞ ❝How can we have equality when you don’t even respect me enough to, at the very least, tell me you’re thinking of walking away from everything we’ve sacrificed our lives for?❞ ❝Are we being completely honest?❞ ❝I guess I don’t respect you like I used to.❞ ❝Finally. Floodgates open.❞ ❝What do you do with your days?❞ ❝Sorry, that seems like easy street to me. Yet, when I come home, you’re stoned.❞ ❝You don’t show me any respect even though I think the life I’ve given you is pretty goddamn sweet!❞ ❝You gave me nothing! I made this life with you.❞ ❝Did you think this is what I wanted? It’s not.❞ ❝Then change your life!❞ ❝This isn’t change. This is a whim.❞ ❝Apparently you’ve forgotten about that.❞ ❝When was the last time we went to bed that you didn’t hate me?❞ ❝I hear your relationship/marriage jumped the shark last week. My condolences.❞ ❝I’m not coming back.❞ ❝Although you won’t admit it, you need me. Just like I need you.❞ ❝We fit. We always have.❞ ❝You’ll do fine without me.❞ ❝You think a big change like this will be easy? it will not.❞ ❝Brother, we’re on the cusp of the American dream.❞ ❝It’s not my dream anymore.❞ ❝What are you saying?❞ ❝I don’t want anything but a clean start.❞ ❝Tough shit. You pay up. You’ve got one week.❞ ❝You’ve got one week, or I hire a lawyer and freeze your assets.❞ ❝Let him rot.❞ ❝Mom, I’m going to _______’s after school, okay?❞ ❝But, Mom, I can do that when I get back.❞ ❝I’m sick of doing everything around here.❞ ❝I am not gonna clean up your shit anymore!❞ ❝Get over here.❞ ❝Bring the good stuff? And it had better be good.❞ ❝This is the best there is.❞ ❝You cat like this is a drug deal.❞ ❝Let’s see how you’re healing.❞ ❝How did you hear about me?❞ ❝Tomorrow you’ll be one hot bitch.❞ ❝Didn’t know you smoked.❞ ❝What are you doing here?❞ ❝What’s stopping you?❞ ❝Don’t let me stop you, Dad. You go ahead and do it.❞ ❝I was contemplating a work-related matter.❞ ❝I shouldn’t have to clean up after your mistakes alone, right?❞ ❝I’ve been gentle with you, my friend. I’m going to ask you one more time.❞ ❝You don’t know shit!❞ ❝You were repeatedly mentioned by your colleagues as someone lacking ethics.❞ ❝I’ve always been the one who could calm him down.❞ ❝I have no problem with the sight of blood.❞ ❝Why would that be a problem?❞ ❝How long does that take?❞ ❝I was looking out for her.❞ ❝Interesting. That’s very sweet of you.❞ ❝That looks painful, man.❞ ❝Wait! What are we supposed to do with this body?❞ ❝That’s your problem.❞ ❝We have to go to the police. They’ll believe us, right?❞ ❝I’m not going down for this.❞ ❝I am not gonna have my entire life destroyed because you screwed up! Fix this!❞ ❝So, what do we do?❞ ❝I need to believe that.❞ ❝You’re a little too good at this. You’re scaring me.❞ ❝Good. It’s good you’re scared of me.❞

[artisticestheticreads]

ROXANNE: Chapter Three

A/N: Haiiiiiii, Loves. So,I know my third chapter is late but I been sick while working some crazy, long hours and was depressed all at the same time BUT I feel better now. So, here is chapter three.

Warning: Mentions about death, weed and drug use, sexual innuendos and more. 

Song Recommendation: I listened to Hey There, Lonely Girl by Eddie Holman.

Word Count: 4884

*Gun shot noises*

Erik was at the gun range, getting target practice trying to kill time before his “appointment”. He took his ear guards and shades off while pressing the button to bring the wounded paper closer to him. He placed the paper between his hands and smirked at the shots he made into a cross. He took the sheet placing on the ground beside him and adding a new sheet to the mix. He put his head phones back on with his shades, played his music and continued.

He soon found himself at a cemetery with peonies in hand. He walked up the deep hill; to a graveside with a tomb stone molded into the ground, two sat by one another.He stood with his hands in front of his pelvis and look down to see the names, Annie Marie Stevens and N’Jobu Udaku. He cleared his throat to stop the tears and said “uh, hey, ma. Hey, pop. I’m here for our monthly talk. Y’know like when I was younger. Well, life been coo lately and what not but, uh, I’m just trying to still figure out life I guess.” He looked around and all the tombstones and sighed. “What is the point of leaving life? We just all gonna end up here anyways. When we are long gone, is there actually heaven and hell or are we just done for? Do we become something or someone else or do out corpse just rot and decay away?” He shook his hand, stating “I still don’t get this shit, y’all. Life’s hard especially with y’all not being here. I mean y’all here but just... just not physically. There was so much y’all didn’t get to teach me. Like love and shit. I just wished we all had more time. Y’know I always wonder how life would be if y’all were alive, man. Would we be happy? Would I still be an angry ass person? Maybe not since ma was into self love and meditating.” 

He smiled at the thought of his family sitting on the ground, meditating early in the morning. He began thinking about Roxanne too out of no where and uttered out “I met a girl. Her name is Roxanne. This woman is bad and beautiful too. Her voice is like, is like honey drizzling onto some toast. Her eyes, they got so much passion and fire into them. Her smile is just like freshly cleaned diamonds and she just so beautiful. She strong too, y’all. She reminds me of…” He looked at his mom’s grave and sighed again, missing her more and more.

 Erik placed the flowers down on their graves and kissed his fingers to place by their names. “I hope I make y’all proud. See ya next month.” He began walking away when he noticed a golden miniature motorcycle that sat on a grave plot; something told him to stop and read the headstone. “To, a brother who made others smile. To, a son who warmed his mother’s heart. To, a friend who made people calm and to, a man who lived his best life. Here lies…” He stopped and knelt down when he read the last part. He read it again while holding his hands together. “Here lies, D’Angelo Fosters.” He shook his head while holding his hand to the grave and closed his eyes, mentally saying his hi and goodbye.

                                                     ______

Roxanne was in her kitchen, in a wife beater, no bra and booty shorts cooking lunch for herself and Raymond. She had her hair wrapped in a towel to dry it as her hips moved to her reggae playlist. She was in the middle of making ox tails, with dirty rice and corn bread. She was winding her hips to the beat of Bonafide Love by Beenie Man. She was feeling herself as she turned the music up louder.

“I don’t why. Ooooh whyyyy”, she sung with her hands out and wooden spoon tossing in the air. “Aye, sis. I’m ba-“, Raymond said but stopped when he saw his sister vibing. He chuckled as he gently put the bag on the ground. He slowly walked behind her and began dancing like her until she turned around. “Bumbaclaat! Ray, you scared the shit outta me”, she said holding onto her chest to catch her breath.

“You was gettin’ it. girl. I was like aight then”, he said chuckling as she turned around. “You idiot. Anyways, how was the gym”, she asked, stirring the rice. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and said “ah, man. It was whatever. Just like every other day. Of course, niggas was crowding up in there. Tryna pretend to be healthy and shit knowing damn well they ass gonna quit that shit in mid February.” Roxanne couldn’t help but laugh at that. Ray went over to the fridge to grab a water bottle and chugged it in one sip, shooting the bottle in the recycling bag. “So, how was the race since I can’t go up there?”

“Fine, 12 almost caught me but you know me. Gotta thank Erik for that.” Raymond looked to her with a rose brow and asked “Erik, Erik Stevens is back?” Roxxx nodded and said “yep and breathing too.” Ray slightly smirked and said “Damn, I ain’t see E in a minute. How he doing?” Roxxx checked the rice. “Good, I guess. He pretty cool. Just like bro said.”

“Invite him over”, he said as he took a spoon, dipping to the rice and eating a chunk before tossing it in the sink. Roxxx was mixing the cornbread batter as she spoke. “RayRay, he probably busy. Probably in some pussy right now.” Ray Ray smacked his lips looking her up and down. “Then he can come for dinner, Roxxx. C’mon I ain’t seen him in years. If you love me, you’ll invite him.” She looked at him and down and said “fine, I will try and invite him for dinner. No promises he will be here though.” RayRay kissed her cheek and ran to his room, leaving Roxxx with a smile.

                                                    _______

“Uh shit, daddy. I can feel you in my gut. Fuck”, said the light skin girl, nude and behind in the air. Erik held his fist into her lower back as they fucked to DaBaby in the background. He bit on his lip as he watched her pussy stretch around his dick, creaming all over. Yes, her pussy was good but he would get turned off when she ran. He would have to hold her in place.

All of a sudden, the ding from his phone caught his attention. He tilted to his right to see a text from ‘Roxxx’ with emojis of a chocolate and a yam . He began thinking about her so much at that moment. From her eyes, her frame to when she touched his marks. The way she smelled even made his dick hard. He smacked the girl’s ass, pretending it was Roxanne. He began pounding into her pussy as he thought about Roxanne. The way she took control in every situation got him about to explode all over. He muted out the girl’s moans and heard Roxanne’s voice in his head. He pounded in her harder while holding her hips close to him. He then released into the condom in one pump.

Minutes later, he locked up the house and lied in bed, freshly showered. He grabbed his phone and began dialing the number; he then heard “hey, baby boy. What’s up?” Erik chuckled and said “you like calling me that huh?”

“Maybe, maybe not. Anyways what you doing?” He sat up in bed, back against the headboard and said “shit nothing. Why? You wanna see me or something?” He chuckled when he heard her say “boy, hush.” He smirked as he rubbed his abs. “Well, I was wondering what you were doing tonight. You remember D’Angelo’s little brother right?”

“Ray Ray? Yeah, I ain’t seen him since graduation.”

“Yeah, well he wants to see you and invite you for dinner and whatnot. If you can’t come, I understan-“.

“Nah, I can come. What y’all plan on having”, he asked sitting up, feet planted on the floor. “I was thinking about making some pot roast, with potatoes and greens and rolls. Ray Ray wanted a cheesecake so of course I made one for later. Then I made some iced tea and what not.” The line got so quiet until Roxxx asked “you still there?”

“So when we getting married”, he said making Roxxx laugh. “Boy, I’ll send you the address.” He soon hoped in the shower again and threw on a crisp black tee, jeans and of course some all black Timberlands. He finished the look with his father’s chain and his matching watch. He looked in the fridge and grabbed a bottle of chilled Jack Daniels before heading out; he placed the address in the GPS and was off.

Erik soon pulled up to the matcha toned home and saw the garage door open. Once he parked in front of the home, he grabbed his gift and looked around as he got out. Coming from the garage was some Doja Cat playing; Streets to be more specific. As he made his way to the front door, he saw a pair of female legs under a car with her right knee bent. The car was lifted up as she worked. Erik walked up to her right side, biting his lip. He can see her print under her shorts and thick thighs slightly jiggling.

“Are you gonna say hello or are you gonna keep checking me out”, Roxanne said catching him off guard. He chuckled and asked “can ya blame me?” She rolled out carefully and looked up to him with her brown eyes. Erik liked seeing her natural beauty where he can see her beauty marks and apple cheeks more clearly with her hair pulled up in a high ponytail. Roxanne sat up on her elbows with a slight chuckle and said “do I have something on my face again?” He rolled his eyes with a smirk and helped her up. She wiped her hands on the towel beside her, clean and dusted her legs off. He looked down at her frame then back to her eyes.

“So, what you doing there”, Erik asked as he watched her. She looked back to the car and let it down before opening the hood and propping it open. “Eh, just doing a monthly check up for RayRay. He had some gas leaking so I fixed that up. Had to clean out the AC vent so the air got a lot cooler.” She bent down over the edge slightly with her flash light as Erik checked her out more. Her cheeks looked so nice and plump enough to bite and never let go. “Now, I’m just checking the alternator and making sure the car won’t overheat easily.”

“How you know so much about cars”, he asked once she turned around and wiped her hands again. She leaned against the car and explained. “My pops. Used to do a lot of work on cars, detailing and shit. He used to tell me ‘baby gyal, ya will neva need a man for any ting. Make dem need you.’ ” She smiled at the memory and Erik saw that twinkle again. “Is he still around or nah?” She was about to speak until they heard “aye, Roxy. Have you seen”, Raymond asked as he walked to the garage. His eyes grew big as he walked up to the pair and looked Erik up and down. Erik smirked and said “damn you got big, Ray.”

Raymond gave him a brotherly hug and said “welcome back, bruh.” Erik patted his back as Roxanne stood back watching. Erik looked at Ray and said “damn, you gotta be at least-.”

“16.”

“Yeah, ain’t seen you since you was like three almost. How Momma Dukes doing?”

“She’s good. I mean she in the hospital again and is in a home to be watched more but she doing better.” Erik looked to Roxanne then back at him. “Why she there?”

Roxanne looked at Ray and saw the hurt in his face as he looked at her. She rubbed his back and looked to Erik. “Ma losing her memory. Between me working every so often and baby boy in school, we couldn’t watch her all the time. She had slipped and fell apparently and was unconscious for hours until I got back from work years ago. She was out cold for like hours then when we took her to the hospital, we found out she had dementia.”

Erik looked to the pair and shook his head while saying “I’m sorry to hear that.” RayRay looked to him and smiled a little before he saw the bottle in Erik’s hand. “Is that for us?” Roxxx smacked the back of his head and he rubbed it. “Damn, bruh. I was kidding, sis.” Roxanne folded her arms and said “Ima kid my foot up ya ass. Go take the bottle and put in the fridge and clean up for dinner.”

“You ain’t the boss of me.”

“I promised ma I will be and I ain’t breaking my promise any time soon. Now go.” Erik chuckled as he passed the bottle to him and watched him walk away. “Mean ass”, Ray muttered under his breath and Roxxx threw a basketball at his back. “He must forgot I can hear anything.”

Erik followed her into the house and removed his shoes before placing them at the front door. Roxanne looked back at him and said “I see you was raised right.” He smiled and sat on the couch watching her in the kitchen as he got a text from the last jump off. Daddy, I miss that dick, he read in his head. He looked over at Roxanne as she grabbed the mitts and removed the pot roast, making his stomach grumble more. He made his way over and leaned against the corner as she stirred the greens. “You got it smelling good in here”, he complimented. She thanked him with a grin. “Who taught you how to cook?”

“Well, it was a combination of ma and my mom. Taught me all my life. I would just watch ‘em and all”. Erik looked around to see frames of multiple people but one caught his eye more. In the photo, looked to be an younger Roxanne with two other people. One was a man with soften ginger head of hair with medium brown skin. He wore a polo shirt with jeans and flip flops; the bottom was cuffed. The other person was a woman with skin like Roxanne and long braids down her back. She wore a long flow sundress that showed her frame; her and Roxanne could easily pass for twins.

Roxanne took noticed and said “those are my folks” as she drizzled juices over the roast. Erik looked back to her, with a wondering mind. He wondered if he should ask or not; he left it be.

Once they finished eating, Roxanne and Erik sat on her couch as Ray sat in his room. Roxanne came back from her room with a pencil case. She sat beside Erik as he poured the chilled dark liquor into the glasses. She opened the case to reveal a snack size baggie if weed, plenty of blunts and a R shaped lighter. She began rolling as she leaned her back against the couch. Erik took a sip of his drink and watched her. The concentration she had was immaculate. “So, what was the Navy like”, she asked as she lit the thick blunt and taking a hit. Erik took another sip and said “awe well. Kinda reminded me of MIT. Niggas tryna be all big and bad and shit. We trained a lot. I bulked up and grew my hair out.” She nodded as he thought to himself.

“Where are they now?”

“Who?”

“Ya folks”.

Roxanne still was rolling her blunt when she said “back home in Jamaica. We, uh, we got separated when I was thirteen. They ain’t had their papers, some folks found out and they were gone when I came back from school.” Erik noticed how her shoulders slumped but her demeanor stayed the same. “Sorry to hear that.”

“It is was it is. Niggas were upset to see a woman with her business of owning a restaurant and a man with a car appreciation business basically. I was put up for foster care and hopped around from home to home”, she said before stopping in mid memory. She looked to her dagger as Erik sat closer and rubbed his shoulder. “When did ma take you in?”

“Took months. I was hopping from Malibu to Vegas, the ATL and every where on this hell hole. My last name changed so much but then D’Angelo reconnecting when he saw me at the mall out here. I was down the way around that time. Been through some dark times, even thought about taking my own life until I got away. I was 17 and in a real dark place. Then ma took me but wasn’t able to be released until 18; but still stayed around.”

Roxanne passed the blunt to him so he can take a hit. Erik let the air out through his nose as he asked “when was the last time you saw them?” Roxanne took a shot of her drink and said “last year. I go out there every once in a while but since ma got worst, I gotta stay back and watch RayRay.” Erik leaned his head back looking at her face as she let out some air. “I race because my mom did it.” She smiled at the memory and said “I remember when my mom and ma was actually competing one another. My mom was a biker and that’s when I fell in love with it. She was incredible. Seeing her decked out in all black leather was like inspiration for me. My pop and I used to go a lot with her. Every race, she called us her lucky charms.” Roxanne looked over at Erik’s eyes and asked “tell me about your folks.”

Erik’s demeanor changed slightly but he pulled his eyes away from hers to look at the ceiling. “They dead. My, uh, my moms was murdered in prison and my dad was murdered in our apartment. They found these deep ass marks in his chest while I was playing basketball. Not sure what happened but when I ran up to get something to drink, he was drowning in his own blood. It was everywhere. Niggas took my dad out and I never found out who. I was just like you, hopping from place to place. Some were what ever and some was bad as hell. Had one family where they adopted all kinds of kids and made us food that was worst than the food my moms had when she was locked up. I had some dark times until my last guardian took me in. Some young cat, about 32 to at the time. Taught me how to be book and street smart.”

Roxanne looked over at him then at the tv screen. “Where he at now”, she asked folding her arms. He looked to her and then where she was looking. “Died years ago. When I was in service over seas.” She closed her eyes and took a hit of the blunt again, letting the smoke out. She shook her head as she opened her eyes and handed the blunt to Erik. “Life’s a strange thing, E. We are put on this world just to get hurt, to feel then to die. Makes no fucking sense. Never will. Like seriously what is the point of living if we just gonna rot in the ground anyways.” He looked at her to see her eyes on him and nodded, agreeing.

“So, E. How come you single anyways? I mean you seem like a cool dude”. She asked folding her legs together and looking at him. “It’s simple. Never could find the one. I like being myself. I like being to myself. Like staying lowkey. I mean I fuck from time to time but that’s just fucking to me; no strings attached.”

“Same here. I mean yeah I got my crew and Ray but sometimes I just like being alone. I can think clearly with a book and some bomb ass music while smoking or drinking ya know? It’s just that when I by myself, I feel like-“

“You can breathe with focus “, he interrupted to add and looked over at her as she smiled small. They continued smoking for a while listening to old school music. “Aight, let’s see if you got good taste. Top three old school r&b artist, go,” Roxanne said before passing him the blunt. “Easy, Joe, Tyrese, and Usher,” he said all confident before she smacked his chest. “Nigga, I said old school not 90’s r&b. Just for that you get no more weed”. He kissed his lips and said “fine, muthafucka. What’s your top three?” She looked at him and said “Marvin Gaye, Eddie Holman and Donny Hathaway, boom!” Erik shook his head chuckling and said “aight, but picture this. You get high as fuck right? What will be your playlist? Top 5, any genre of music, any decade.”

“Awe damn, E. Shit. Let’s see, um, ok I got it. Yearning for Your Love by the Gap Band, Frontin’ by Pharrell, It Was A Good Day by Ice Cube, Computer Love by Zapp and Roger and Time Machine by Willow. Your turn.”

“Aight, of course we got It was a good day, Hands on the wheel by Schoolboyq, Gangstas Paradise by Coolio, Passin Me By by the Pharcyde, I wish it would rain by The Temptations and , I guess, Stairway to Heaven by the OJays”, Erik said rubbing his abs through his shirt. Roxxx took noticed, bit the corner of her lip away from before taking a deep breath. “So, Erik. About ya marks, are they everywhere?”

He looked to her to see that she was looking at the ceiling. Her legs were wide enough for him to see her mound print. She looked good enough to eat, literally. “Nah, they not.” As he looked away biting his lip, Roxanne turned her head to him. “Did they hurt?”

“Nah, well only for like a second but the more I did it, the less it hurt.” Roxanne nodded in agreement as she started to play music, rolling another blunt. She hit shuffle on her phone and The Gap band played. She placed the blunt between her lips and lit the end waiting for the spark to pop up. She placed her lighter inside the box and leaned her head back on the couch playing the air guitar with closed eyes and tapping her feet. Erik watched her as he chuckled making her look at him with a smirk; she handed the blunt to him. He noticed the scars underneath her left forearm tattoo; he counted at least twelve. He took a hit letting the smoke leave his nose. Roxanne was too busy lip syncing the lyrics to notice Erik’s glare. Roxanne was a beautiful woman who was a boss all in one. She had everything he was looking for but it was too early to mention it. They only knew each other for like a couple of weeks or so. With eyes like the glass of Jack Daniels she held in her hand. Her lips would look like two plush pillows around him and with a body like hers, she would be the only woman he fucked with. Erik always had a thing for independent women because it showed they didn’t need a man or anyone to be around so it made him feel special in a way.

  For hours, they just sat in comfortable silence, enjoying one another’s company. Roxanne was hanging off the couch with legs on the wall while Erik rested his head on her legs looking at the window, at the dark skies. “Aye, Roxxx?” She looked up at him like in slow motion and said “yeah?” His eyes fell on hers and said “we been getting fucked up all day, ma.” He smirked and she started laughing, agreeing with him. “Shit, the sun just said fuck y’all niggas, I’m going to bed”, she commented making him laugh. “Like I’m out this bitch. Y’all with the shenanigans”; they laughed again out loud enough for Ray Ray to come out. He was dress in a clean tee and sweats as he rose his brow to them. “Y’all niggas fucked up, man.” Erik and Roxxx looked at him and started laughing again.

Ray Ray rolled his eyes as he made his way to the door and he opened it, he reached out for a slender woman’s waist. Roxxx looked towards the door when she took in the faint smell of Bath & Body Works’ Japanese Cherry Blossom body spray, making her sit all the way up. The woman had icy blonde hair and medium brown skin. She wore a green tube top, jeans that hugged her curves and matching fuzzy slides. “There go my baby”, RayRay said kissing in her neck. She giggled while trying to get out of his grasps. Erik looked over at Roxanne who held a stank, irritated face; he chuckled while leaning back. RayRay looked into Erik’s face and said “Erik, this is my baby, Angelica. Angel, this is my brother, E.”

 Angel saw Erik on the couch and said “hello, Erik. I see Roxxx finally found a man instead of acting like one.” Roxanne was about to hop off the couch with her knife but was pulled back by Erik. Erik whispered in her ear low enough for the others to not hear. “Chill. We good, aight.” She looked back at him then rolled her eyes leaning forward. “And it look like ya finally got some good hair instead of that dusty crusty one you been rocking since Obama was in office the first time, huh?” Raymond chuckled but waved it off. “Sis, chill. My baby still looked good.”

“Since when has she every looked good. I’m amazed her pussy ain’t start a huge as tornado with all that hot air going in and out. More niggas ran through her than a white bitch in an all black porno gang bang.” Erik spit out his drink before covering his mouth. Angel placed her hands on her hips and said “you got jokes, huh? Well, I got one for ya. What you call a bitch that ain’t had dick since the ‘incident’?” Roxxx looked up at her with an irritated look then to Raymond. “You told her about that?” Raymond looked to her and said “nah, she probably over heard-“.

“Over heard what”; he was silent looking at Angel. Roxxx leaned forward picking up a new wrap as Erik watched. “Raymond, you need to go pack a bag. You need stay with that bitch for the week.” Roxanne began wrapping the blunt as Ray shook his head before looking to Angel, signaling her to go to the car; she went as he went to pack a bag and leave, slamming the door shut. Roxanne’s lit the blunt between her lips and lied back. Erik wondered what they all meant but decided it wasn’t his place. “You good, Roxxx”, he asked with a rose brow. She looked to him and said “I’m good. Just-“, she stopped and blinked away a tear he couldn’t see on the other side of her face. She stood up and handed him the blunt before saying “you can stay the night if ya want. We been drinking all day and I can’t let anyone get hurt drinking and driving out here.” He nodded and said “I’m down” She took a deep breath, clearing her throat and said “I’ll go get you some blankets and shit. I- uh- just washed so you good.” She smirked a little before straightening her face again and going to fetch the new sheets.

 Hours later, Erik was lying on the couch with his tall frame knocked out as Hey There Lonely Girl by Eddie Holman played from her room. Roxanne looked up to the ceiling in deep thought, right arm behind her head and left head arm resting against her stomach. Her lips were tight as she bit on her bottom one, nostrils flaring and eyes red, soaked with tears and brows stitched in anger.

~

I hope y’all enjoyed this chapter because the next would definitely make ya emotions stir up. 

*𝕋𝔸𝔾𝔾𝔼𝔻 𝕃𝕆𝕍𝔼𝕊*

@muse-of-mbaku @im5ftbutmythroat66 @chaneajoyyy @melanin-samii @theunsweetenedtruth @doux-ciel @unicornluvin8765 @vikkidc @wakandantings @thadelightfulone @mzamethystp @simbiann @tropicalsun10 @babydoll756​ @notoriouslynay @vminax @quinsly @pinkdemolition @quietstorm-73​ @chaoticcashfancroissant @bugngiz​ @chocolatedippedinhoney​ @yafavcocoa @lostgalaxies​ @mbakuwife @youreadthatright​ @babygotl01292003 @acceptyourselfloveyourself @madamslayyy​ @yoyolovesbucky​ @theogbadbitch @wakanda-inspired @bitchacho25 @toniilaney @wakandascrystal​ @girlsneedlovingfanfics @raysunshine78​ @melodyofmbaku @hearteyes-for-killmonger @silenceisplatinum @thickemadame​ @shookmcgookqueen​ @heykillmongerluhme​ @fonville-designs @cutewylie @allhailqueennel @10bsatatime @nickidub718 @lildashofmelanin @allhailqueennel @amirra88 @hakunalive4eva @thickemadame​ @ghostfacekill-monger @cherrystainedlipsbaby​ @nahimjustfeelingit-writes​ @fd-writes

[vvitchmemes]

ｎｉｐ／ｔｕｃｋ： ｐｉｌｏｔ

tw: plastic surgery, relationship drama, blood, murder, death, body image issues

❝Tell me what you don’t like about yourself.❞ ❝The Rogaine… it didn’t work.❞ ❝I’m not comfortable having you speak for your brother.❞ ❝What will they think of next?❞ ❝We need to switch.❞ ❝Will do, partner.❞ ❝I’m sorry?❞ ❝You save my ass again.❞ ❝Wanna talk about the real reason you came here?❞ ❝I prefer to let my money talk.❞ ❝One last time, why are you running?❞ ❝I’m still trying to get to the bottom of this?❞ ❝Can I buy you a drink?❞ ❝I don’t drink.❞ *while drinking* ❝May I buy you an appetizer?❞ ❝I don’t eat. I’m a model.❞ ❝Are you finished, honey?❞ ❝There are advantages to having a bouncer boyfriend.❞ ❝You think a girl like me has to wait?❞ ❝The perfect 10. That’s what he calls me.❞ ❝You fix the flaws, you could absolutely be a 10.❞ ❝I don’t want to be pretty. I wanna be better. I want to be perfect.❞ ❝Beauty is symmetry.❞ ❝Am I really this ugly?❞ ❝I was Homecoming Queen.❞ ❝Don’t be upset.❞ ❝Let your shortcomings and flaws fuel you. Let them push you further than you ever thought you could go.❞ ❝When you stop striving for perfection, you might as well be dead?❞ ❝And that’s more shit for me to clean up.❞ ❝It’s manageable.❞ ❝Dad never listens to anything I say.❞ ❝This is not appropriate breakfast conversation.❞ ❝Killer, slow down.❞ ❝Like it or not, we have to talk to your dad about this.❞ ❝He’s such an asshole.❞ ❝Don’t call your father that.❞ ❝You don’t know how luck you’ve got it.❞ ❝Besides, your dad’s not an asshole. Robots can’t be assholes.❞ ❝You’re gonna let me drive?❞ ❝Looks like you’re doing really good for yourself.❞ ❝And thank you for your precious time.❞ ❝Shame on you.❞ ❝A lot goes on in your family that you don’t know about.❞ ❝Basically, he’s self-conscious about his dick…❞ ❝Appearance is everything to a kid. It’s how you fit in.❞ ❝How cool is fatherhood?❞ ❝I don’t want my family infected by what we do here.❞ ❝What else do we do here other than make people feel better about themselves?❞ ❝What we do here is let people externalize the hate they feel about themselves.❞ ❝Do you want it fine, or do you want it perfect?❞ ❝It’s drug money, isn’t it?❞ ❝That’s a ridiculous, unnecessary expenditure.❞ ❝You stay out here and moralize.❞ ❝I’d love to listen, but I have a business to run.❞ ❝I know you say that to all the girls.❞ ❝Tell me what you like about yourself.❞ ❝Look, Dad, I’m grateful that you’re treating me like an adult, but if we have to do this, can we skip the psycho-mind-probe stuff?❞ I could’ve handled it.❞ ❝Why did you go to ______ with your concerns instead of me?❞ ❝He’s cooler than you,a nd he listens to me.❞ ❝I don’t get that father knows best bullshit from him.❞ ❝He treats me like a man.❞ ❝You’ve never bowed to peer pressure before.❞ ❝I think something’s going on.❞ ❝Look, I just want it, okay?❞ ❝Are you having sex with girls?❞ ❝Trivial? This is my life, okay? This is not trivial.❞ ❝Look, for once… just give me something that I need.❞ ❝He’s pissed. All they have is vanilla ice cream.❞ ❝Where’s your brother?❞ ❝Are you the bogeyman?❞ ❝You okay, sweetheart?❞ ❝You’ve got to calm down.❞ ❝I don’t understand this!❞ ❝I thought we were gonna be together.❞ ❝If it’s any consolation to you, honey, you’re not the first girl he’s done this to.❞ ❝Heal in more ways than one and just go one with your life.❞ ❝You’re out of line.❞ ❝I’m starting over before it’s too late.❞ ❝It’s my turn to talk now, okay?❞ ❝The mute finally speaks.❞ ❝So listen up!❞ ❝Thank you for being so ruthlessly ambitious that you would accept drug money.❞ ❝Thank you for being so repugnant to me that I’m finally taking charge of miy life.❞ ❝What are you gonna do?❞ ❝Starting today, I’m transforming myself!❞ ❝I wanna make people’s lives better. I wanna make a difference.❞ ❝You look beautiful.❞ ❝I feel silly.❞ ❝I’m sorry, sweetheart. I presumed you knew.❞ ❝I think our boy’s having a midlife crisis.❞ ❝If I find him screwing around, you have my word, I will kill him.❞ ❝You think he’s having an affair?❞ ❝That was out of line.❞ ❝He told you that?❞ ❝He used to tell me everything.❞ ❝I miss him.❞ / ❝I miss him, too.❞ ❝Have you seen the thing for the thingy? I can’t find it.❞ ❝You didn’t get the response you wanted?❞ ❝I’ll be objective.❞ ❝I want you to give me a big hug.❞ ❝Come here, let me look at you.❞ ❝You have to talk to him, he listens to you. He always has. You’re his compass.❞ ❝I just want to be happy.❞ ❝Next to giving birth, it’s the most difficult thing I’ve done.❞ ❝It’s your problem.❞ ❝Okay, what is wrong with you?❞ ❝You take me for granted.❞ ❝Did you think I wouldn’t find out?❞ ❝What are you doing, __________? When were you gonna tell me?❞ ❝I was waiting for the right moment.❞ ❝How about last week when you screwed me but wouldn’t kiss me? We could have talked then.❞ ❝This is the right thing for me.❞ ❝What the hell is it with people I this house throwing things at my head?❞ ❝Finally, some passion! Congratulations! You’re not bloodless after all!❞ ❝Do you know how long it has been since I have heard you laugh? Since I have seen you be emotional about anything?❞ ❝I haven’t seen you cry since _______ was born.❞ ❝I’m not going to apologize for that.❞ ❝If I get emotional, people die.❞ ❝On your watch, a death has occurred… the death of you and me. This relationship doesn’t even have a pulse anymore.❞ ❝I know that. And I’m sad about that.❞ ❝I realize that we do need to fix something.❞ ❝We need to fix us.❞ ❝I need us to be like we sued to be.❞ ❝How can we have equality when you don’t even respect me enough to, at the very least, tell me you’re thinking of walking away from everything we’ve sacrificed our lives for?❞ ❝Are we being completely honest?❞ ❝I guess I don’t respect you like I used to.❞ ❝Finally. Floodgates open.❞ ❝What do you do with your days?❞ ❝Sorry, that seems like easy street to me. Yet, when I come home, you’re stoned.❞ ❝You don’t show me any respect even though I think the life I’ve given you is pretty goddamn sweet!❞ ❝You gave me nothing! I made this life with you.❞ ❝Did you think this is what I wanted? It’s not.❞ ❝Then change your life!❞ ❝This isn’t change. This is a whim.❞ ❝Apparently you’ve forgotten about that.❞ ❝When was the last time we went to bed that you didn’t hate me?❞ ❝I hear your relationship/marriage jumped the shark last week. My condolences.❞ ❝I’m not coming back.❞ ❝Although you won’t admit it, you need me. Just like I need you.❞ ❝We fit. We always have.❞ ❝You’ll do fine without me.❞ ❝You think a big change like this will be easy? it will not.❞ ❝Brother, we’re on the cusp of the American dream.❞ ❝It’s not my dream anymore.❞ ❝What are you saying?❞ ❝I don’t want anything but a clean start.❞ ❝Tough shit. You pay up. You’ve got one week.❞ ❝You’ve got one week, or I hire a lawyer and freeze your assets.❞ ❝Let him rot.❞ ❝Mom, I’m going to _______’s after school, okay?❞ ❝But, Mom, I can do that when I get back.❞ ❝I’m sick of doing everything around here.❞ ❝I am not gonna clean up your shit anymore!❞ ❝Get over here.❞ ❝Bring the good stuff? And it had better be good.❞ ❝This is the best there is.❞ ❝You cat like this is a drug deal.❞ ❝Let’s see how you’re healing.❞ ❝How did you hear about me?❞ ❝Tomorrow you’ll be one hot bitch.❞ ❝Didn’t know you smoked.❞ ❝What are you doing here?❞ ❝What’s stopping you?❞ ❝Don’t let me stop you, Dad. You go ahead and do it.❞ ❝I was contemplating a work-related matter.❞ ❝I shouldn’t have to clean up after your mistakes alone, right?❞ ❝I’ve been gentle with you, my friend. I’m going to ask you one more time.❞ ❝You don’t know shit!❞ ❝You were repeatedly mentioned by your colleagues as someone lacking ethics.❞ ❝I’ve always been the one who could calm him down.❞ ❝I have no problem with the sight of blood.❞ ❝Why would that be a problem?❞ ❝How long does that take?❞ ❝I was looking out for her.❞ ❝Interesting. That’s very sweet of you.❞ ❝That looks painful, man.❞ ❝Wait! What are we supposed to do with this body?❞ ❝That’s your problem.❞ ❝We have to go to the police. They’ll believe us, right?❞ ❝I’m not going down for this.❞ ❝I am not gonna have my entire life destroyed because you screwed up! Fix this!❞ ❝So, what do we do?❞ ❝I need to believe that.❞ ❝You’re a little too good at this. You’re scaring me.❞ ❝Good. It’s good you’re scared of me.❞

[themoonandotherslikeit]

The Daughter of a Righteous Man- Chapter 26

*SEQUEL TO THE LOOK IN HER EYES*

After her husband is drug to Hell, Ava Winchester and her brother in law Sam try their best to do right by Dean and raise her daughter, only to find that good intentions aren’t always enough. Loving someone isnt always enough.

Chapter Twenty-Six, The Winchester Way

Sam

Present

Dean and Ava had been calling, trying to get me to disengage. Lilith was coming for me. I didn't understand how they knew, but it didn't really matter. I knew I could take her. I'd been working up to it. So I sat in the dark in my motel room. I knew she would find me, so I didn't bother looking for her. It was up to me. I knew I was the only one to stop her, and if Dean and Ava were here I wouldn't be able to. We were weaker together.

The door opened and a blonde entered. "Hello, Sam,” she purred.

She was no longer a little girl, but I'd recognize those white eyes in the darkness anywhere.

"I've been waiting for you."

Lilith smiled a bit, she looked almost coy. It made my blood run cold. "Where's the knife, Sam?"

"On the nightstand. By the bed." There was no use lying. I didn’t need the knife, anyway. 

She walked toward the bed, eyeing the knife that gleamed in the moonlight through the window of the motel room. She paused and knelt down. She lifted the corner of the rug to expose my, evidentially not so cleverly placed, devils trap. She rolled her eyes, and met mine as she pressed her finger to the trap. I watched the mark seem to ignite in front of me and burn away to nothing. "You're gonna have to try a lot harder than that,” Lilith said sweetly.

"How 'bout this?" I said, standing from my seated position. I'd been practicing, draining demons, studying with Ruby. Somehow, Ava leaving me may have been the thing that saved the world. I wasn't distracted, and I didn't have anything left to lose.

I held my hand out, palm flat toward her, and I concentrated on her. On the smoke within her, willing it out, willing it to burn up inside the poor woman that happened to be her host.

Lilith's hair blew back, like from a gentle sea breeze, but she was otherwise undisturbed. A grin grew on her cheeks, as she let out a giggle. "You're strong, Sam, but you're not that strong. Not yet."

Rage bubbled in my chest. I didn't make a dent. I wasn't strong enough. "So why don't you throw me around then?"

She moved closer to me, and licked her lips before speaking. "Because I can't, and you know it. You're immune to my charms." She reached out and ran her fingers along my chest. She was taunting me. Testing me. "Seems we're at a stalemate."

"Why are you here?"

She shrugged and turned away, to look out the window at the almost empty parking lot. "To talk."

I frowned. "Yeah, well, I'm not interested."

She put her hands up in surrender. "Hmm... even if I'm offering to stand down? From the seals... the apocalypse... all of it?"

I folded my arms across my chest. "You expect me to believe that?"

"Honestly?" She fluttered her eyelashes before smirking. "No. You were always the smart one, but it's the truth. You can end it, Sam. Right here, right now. I'll stop breaking seals, Lucifer keeps rotting in his cage. All you have to do is agree to my terms."

I examined her, trying to catch a whiff of her lie. Of what game she was playing. She was a demon, though, they were all games, all deceit. "Why would you back down? Why now? It doesn't make any sense."

She pursued her lips. "Turns out, I don't survive this war. Killed off, right before the good part starts."

"What do you want?" I asked skeptically.

"For it to go back to the way it was, before I had angels to deal with 24/7. The good old days, when it was all baby blood all the time,” Lilith said dreamily, staring at the moon out the motel window.

I considered this. It was easier when we were just hunting demons. When there wasn't a war looming around every corner. "And what do you want in return?"

She turned to me, her milky white eyes almost glowing in the darkness, a sinister Cheshire Cat smile growing on her cheeks. It almost was too big for her face, like the corners of her mouth were ripping open. "Your head on a stick. Dean's, too. Call it a consolation prize. So what do you say, Sam? Self-sacrifice is the Winchester way, isn't it?"

I laughed out loud, running my fingers through my hair. "You really think I'm stupid enough to fall for this?" Who the fuck would save everyone if we went up to the chopping block? "Why should I believe you?"

"If I make a deal, I have to follow through. Those are the rules, and you know it. Are you really so arrogant that you would put your life before the lives of six billion innocent people? Maybe it's all that demon blood pumping through your pipes." She smiled sinisterly. "Man after my own heart."

"You think I'm like you? I am nothing like you," I growled my fists clenching at my side.

What if she was telling the truth? She made a valid point... I was willing to die for the cause, but Dean? He just got back. Just got to meet his daughter. From experience, I know that Ava and Nel were almost impossible to walk away from, but if we didn't do it, they would have Hell on earth.

"Then prove it. Going once." She turned and walked to the bed. I raised an eyebrow. "Going twice."

My heart pounded. Make a decision Sam! What would Dean do? "Fine."

Lilith turned to me with a smile. "Swell. By the way, a contract with me will take more than a kiss." She lowered herself onto the bed and hiked up her skirt. "A lot more. Don't worry. The dental hygienist in here? She wants it bad." She petted the bed next to her, and I swallowed hard.

I walked to her.

I had no intention of following through. I couldn't. Dean never would submit to a demon, no matter what. I leaned over her, and she touched my leg running her fingers up my thigh. The hair on the back of my neck stood up as her eyes flickered white in front of me. She grabbed my collar and pulled me down on top of her. She pulled her mouth to mine, and I allowed her to slide her tongue in my mouth. I hoped the distraction would be enough. I grabbed the knife and went for her gut, but she was too fast. She gripped me tightly and flipped us over. She sat on top of me and held the knife to my throat. "Tsk tsk tsk. We could've had something, Sam,” she hissed.

I gasped slightly as I felt the blade breaking the skin on my neck.

The door splintered open with a hard thud, causing Lilith to turn.

"I am the prophet Chuck!" A man with a scruffy beard shouted as he burst through the door. Ava and Dean were on either side of him.

Lilith raised an eyebrow, looking bored. "You've got to be joking."

She moved off of me, releasing the knife from my throat. She walked to the man.

"Oh, this is no joke," Dean said darkly.

Like an earthquake, the room began to tremble. I held onto the headboard to keep from being tossed off the bed from the commotion. A white light poured in through the window, lighting up the room.

"You see, Cas let us know that Chuck here's got an archangel on his shoulder. Being a prophet and all... well lets just say that the angels end up being a little over protective. You've got about 10 seconds before this room is full of wrath and you're a piece of charcoal. You sure you want to tangle with that?"

Lilith gave me a look like, this isn't over, and opened her mouth. Smoke screamed and poured out of her mouth, and through the open door into the darkness.

Dean

We had dropped Chuck back off at home. His Arc Angel didn't need to make an appearance after all. Ava was dozing in the back seat as we drove back into town. "So a deal, huh?"

"That's what she said."

"To call the whole thing off...angels, seals, Lucifer rising, the whole nine?" I eyed him.

"That was the gist of it."

"Huh."

Sam turned to me. "What?"

I clicked the windshield wipers on as rain started to cover the windshield. "You didn't think once about taking it?"

Sam shook his head. "I did for a second, but she would have found some way to weasel out of it and all it would have cost us was our lives. I couldn't do that to Ave and Nel."

I sighed and gripped the steering wheel, squinting at the road. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"Anyway, that's not the point."

I glanced at my little brother. "What's the point?"

"The point is, she's scared. I could see it. Lilith is running."

"Running from what?"

"Don't know. But she was telling the truth about one thing."

"What's that?"

He stared at me intently, curling his fingers into a tight fist. "She's not gonna survive the apocalypse. I'll make sure of that."

I'd never been afraid of my brother before, but there was a darkness in him then that I couldn't place. I swallowed hard and nodded. "Yeah, man. We'll get her."

Sam

About sixteen years later

I leaned forward on the table, with my phone pressed to my ear. "Sorry," I sighed. "I'm just, I'm worried, ya know? Ever since we locked Michael up, Dean's been strange. He just packed up and left, and then he hugged me."

"That's sweet?" Mom said, like she didn't understand.

"Mom, we don't hug." I shook my head, standing up. "I mean, we do, but only if it's literally the end of the word. Ya know?"

"He'll be home soon. I'll look after him."

I wanted to believe her.

"I'll get to the bottom of this,” she promised.

"Maybe you're right." I rubbed my face. "Maybe he just needs some space."

"And for now we have to respect that."

"Yeah," I agreed with a tight jaw. "Thanks."

"Love you," Mom said into the phone.

"Me too," I mumbled before hanging up.

I had no intention of leaving it alone. That's not how Dean and I worked.

"Hey," El said, coming in rubbing her eyes. She'd been studying pretty intensely last time I saw her. "Where's Dad? I was thinking we could order a pizza."

"He, uh, he went to see Grandma Mary at Donna's cabin."

She frowned and crossed her arms. "Why?"

"Just missed her, I guess," I said, distracted as I picked up my duffle bag, that was always ready to go by the door.

"And where are you going, Sam?"

"Huh? Oh nowhere."

"Yeah, bullshit. You're going to the cabin. What's going on?"

"Nothing." I forced a smile and dug a twenty out of my wallet and tossed it to her. "Get some pizza. I'll see you tomorrow."

She narrowed her eyes. "No way. If you're going, I'm going."

"You have school." I shook my head. "I've already let you skip once this month. If you're going to graduate with honors you need to actually go to class."

"Come on Sam!"

"Don't come on, me. I went to Stanford. I know about getting into good schools. That's what your dad wants. He doesn't want you following him around the U.S. He's fine. Order the pizza. I'll see you tomorrow."

I didn't mean to be harsh with her. I didn't want to hurt her feelings, but fuck. Something was wrong. I knew it in my gut, and he already had a head start. I added a few extra provisions to my bag and headed to the car.

I tossed my bag in the trunk and slid into the front seat starting the car. I pulled out of the garage and headed toward Donna's cabin.

We were able to get Michael locked away inside Dean's head. It was obviously not a permanent solution, but it was what we had. There was something wrong, though, more than Dean would say. I could hear him pacing at night, and staring off into space. He seemed to wince at every loud noise. He wasn't all there. He was scared.

Whatever was going on he was trying to ride it alone, and we learned a long time ago that it isn't just up to one of us to solve a problem. We were a team. It was a shame that it took our whole fucking lives to figure that out, but here we were. He was still running away.

He was running to Mom, and I just couldn't figure out why.

I was about thirty minutes from the cabin, when I turned off my podcast. I needed to think.

I frowned and slowed the car down. I hadn't heard the sound before, because the radio was up, but now I could hear a distinct, but soft breathing. I grabbed my gun that rested in the passenger seat, slammed on my breaks and turned quickly behind me, pointing the gun at the intruder in my backseat.

"El? I could've killed you!"

My niece was curled on the floor behind our seats, holding her own gun pointed at me. She grinned widely. "Some hunter you are! You didn't even check the back seat. God Sam haven't you Seen Zombie Land?"

"I'm a little distracted," I admitted, lowering my weapon. She did the same, and scrambled to sit up on the seat. "You were supposed to be at home."

"He's my Dad, Sam. There's something going on with him. He was supposed to be back to tell me more about Mom, and instead he goes on a spontaneous road trip to visit Grandma? It all seems too weird."

I sighed. "I know. Listen, I don't want to worry you..."

"You're worried, though, I can tell. I'm almost seventeen. You should trust me more."

"You're old for your age, kid. You know that?"

"Having three hunter Dad's does that to a girl." She rested her hand on my shoulder, and I felt a bit more relaxed. "What do you think we're walking into?"

"I honestly don't know. How did he seem with you earlier?"

"Sad,” she admitted.

"With me too."

"Well, let's get back on the road. Our best bet is to get to him as soon as possible so he doesn't do something stupid."

I smiled weakly at her. She shouldn't have to deal with any of this. Sometimes I wondered what her life would've been like if we hadn't lost Ava. Maybe she would've had a normal life. Maybe.

We pulled up to the cabin. It was dark. "Maybe they're asleep," El offered. "We should take a look around." 

I scanned the yard. There was a light on in the shed out back. "Follow me," I instructed. "Stick close."

She nodded, and held her own gun. Dean would be pissed if he saw her with that, but I was a little proud, if I let myself be honest.

We crept toward the shed and I peaked in the window. "What the fuck?" I whispered.

"What?" She asked, trying to see over me. I couldn't let her look. "What, Sam?"

"Nothing."

"Fuck off,” she whispered, and took off to the door. It was cracked open, letting a ray of light into the yard. She peered into the shed before I could stop her. "Oh my god." She covered her mouth.

I went up behind her and slowly opened the doors to expose a coffin. I walked to it, examining it. There was a large, intricate marking in the lid. It was made of steel.

"Sam," El said, calling me over. She held a notebook. When I got closer I could see tears rolling down her cheeks.

I took the book from her. The pages were open to the blueprints for the coffin. A magical coffin that can keep anything contained. Even an arc angel He'd written something in the margins.

Bury?

Concrete?

Ocean?

The ocean was circled three times. A pit grew in my stomach. He was going to lock himself in and throw it into the fucking ocean, and worst of all Eleanor saw it. She knew everything.

"We can't let him do it, Sam." She gripped my arm tightly, all the color draining from her face.

"We won't," I promised. There was no way in hell we would let him do it. We couldn't lose him, too.

—————

Chapter Twenty-Seven, The Mistakes We Made

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Epoch- Carnivore

(Previous: Growl, Next: Paranoid)

"I'm tellin' ya Solaina I looked high n' somewhat low an' I can't find a scrap or any hint'a who he even might be. But I mean… c'mon if'e was out in th' desert all alone whadda YOU think?"

"I would not be so hasty into jumping to conclusions. He may have not seen the ghouls who reside out there.”

"Oh I don' doubt he's seen 'em. Kin'a hard not to… Specially if they start chasin’ ya an’ hootin’ n’ hollerin’..."

It started with a voice. The rest of the world began to fade back in after that.

Maybe it was the television. Or the radio... or maybe whoever the owner of the voice was was in the bathroom. It sounded slightly echo-y like that... 

They were talking to someone... or to themselves...

Maybe the phone...

His head pounded as though someone were jabbing their thumbs against the top of his eyeballs. With a groan, he brought his sore arms up to his face to cover his eyes.

Soft...he was laying on blankets. And sheets. It had to be a mattress. It was springy, and far better than the ground.

The sudden wave of exhaustion passed quickly however and he sat up with a sudden jolt, loaded with adrenaline.

The room spiraled and swirled and everything spun and wobbled in a blurry mess of lights, shadows and warm colors until it didn't anymore.

There was a lamp next to him on an end table beside the bed. Across from him was a dresser and a TV sitting on it and tuned into the local news station. There was another wardrobe next to that… a small table next to that… it looked like a hotel room.

Or a motel. Whichever one.

It smelled like one too, save for the faint scent of rot lingering in the air.

The man pulled his legs in so that we was practically hugging them as he glanced around, still in a daze.

He wiggled his toes. Where the heck was his other shoe? He only had one.

Before he could bring himself to wonder any more, he inhaled sharply and slid to the edge of the bed in an attempt to get back on his feet. As soon as he swung his legs over the side, he paused, squeezing his eyes shut. They ached horribly at first as though he’d just run a marathon only minutes ago, but it wasn't enough to stop him.

As soon as he moved a few paces forward, the sound of a door knob jiggling from off to the side of the room made him stop cold in his tracks.

Boot steps came out of the bathroom and onto the carpet, revealing a very surprised dead man.

Monte’s mouth hung open a little lower than usual as his hand quickly flew towards the bandanna he wore around his neck. He had to hide his face. But by then, his guest had already seen him. "Now hold on-" He dropped his phone as a lamp came flying at him, that he thankfully caught. "Son of a BITCH- HEY SI'DOWN-"

The man did not. He made a beeline for the door only to discover it was locked. In a panic he hadn't the sense to even open it (even if the lock was RIGHT there,) and instead whirled around and hissed, revealing a few teeth that were far too sharp for them to be normal. "Get AWAY." He bellowed. 

Monte fumbled with the lamp briefly and set it down, holding his hands up in a gesture of peace. "I ain' gonna do nothin' to ya. Who’dya think found yer ass out there in th' middle of th' desert, huh??"

The question only earned him another hiss.

"Fuck'sake...ok, uh…"

What could possibly sate an angry ...cat? man?? Monte didn’t know if he was ACTUALLY a cat. But he sure acted like one. And his eyes were very reminiscent of one as they reflected the light back towards him.

"Want somethin' ta eat? Got like uh… a chicken sandwich from earlier."

Saying so seemed to snap the cat-man out of his immediate rage. "...What???"

"Yeah, I got hungry but then I like… forgot." Monte backed away towards the table and reached for the paper bag that sat upon it, holding it up briefly before tossing it at the cat-man's general direction.

He caught and rifled through it, pulling out the promised chicken sandwich and turning it over a few times before scarfing it down like a wild animal.

"Hey, hey!! Easy there carnivore!! Ya got a name??"

The cat-man paused and glared at him mid-chew. Then he swallowed. "Grayson."

"Ahuh," Monte watched him a moment longer, making some sort of slight gesture for him to continue. "Grayson…"

"Randal."

"Huh... Well ok then… now listen, you in some kinda trouble or somethin'? Cuz I mean, I know some people who can getcha outta it provided ya ain't a crazy murderer or somethin' else creepy or nasty."

Grayson continued to glare at him, defensively more than anything. "No. I'm just an over-gloried courier.”

"Oh. Uh… right. So uh, you a Were too? Since ya got’em teeth n' all…"

"No. I'm not."

"No?" What did he mean no? He had sharp fangs that seemed more animal-like than human. His eyes were bright green, even in the bits that should have been white. They had slit pupils, his hair was this obnoxious color of red that no real redhead could ever have, he was scruffy, his nails were more akin to claws in that they were semi-sharp, and the bruises were already mostly healed.

He had to have been a Were.

"Well, whatever ya are, pretty sure ya know what the Other Side is an' all that jazz. A ghoul led me ta where you were. Lucky fer you they didn't feel like pickin' yer bones clean." Monte watched as Grayson crumpled up the paper bag and tossed it into a nearby trash can.

"I need to be in Vegas.” He said suddenly, “I was on my way there. For work."

"Vegas? Yer a fuck long way's off friend."

"I know." He grumbled.

Monte held his hands up again. "Easy, easy. Look, my boss lady just wants ta know if yer doin' aright since she helps folk like us alla time. And I did find ya while on the job, so, technically I gotta report that anyway."

“Who’s your boss??”

“Fine lady by the name of DeFleur, I’m sure you know of’em. Who doesn’t, amiright?” Grayson blinked a few times in surprise, before his eyes darted around the room. He was thinking. Or so Monte assumed.

“...She’s real good at helpin’, just sayin’. I mean, I feel kinda bad ya were out there in the dirt n’ such. So I mean...I dunno.”

Monte reached into his pocket for his phone as Gray came back around to the edge of the bed to sit and think some more. Every so often the deader glanced up at him, waiting for a reaction.

Guy woke up, said his name was Grayson Randal. Is he on database anywhere?

I do not know. I will have to check. Hopefully I can find some lead for you soon. Keep an eye on him.

Got it.

“So, Gray,” Monte cleared his throat unnecessarily, “I’m just about done here, an’ was gonna head back ta Kentucky n’ all that, but I mean... if ya need a ride ta get somewhere I s’ppose I don’t mind droppin’ ya off, ain’ like Nevada’s all that far if I pull an overnighter or somethin’. Maybe not even that.” It was late. The highways wouldn’t be jam packed, in all likelihood, but strange things happened out on the desert roads. “But only if it’s a super emergency. Elsewise, I can take ya there in th’ mornin’. We’ll probably be there by evenin’ tomorrow or even earlier.”

Grayson sighed, letting his shoulders drop. “It’s not an emergency. But, if you could, that’d be cool,”

“Guess that’s a word fer it. ...Why don’cha get some sleep an’ I’ll figure it out from there. We’ll call it a freebie this time, kid.” Grayson didn’t look very old. He looked to be around Ray’s age, for what it was worth. But, then again Weres (or ‘Not-Weres’) never did display signs of aging very well. Lucky them.

Without really waiting for another answer, the zombie shrugged once more. “I’m gonna step outside fer a smoke. Be back in a bit.”

The cat-man eyed him warily, but said nothing and instead only nodded, returning his gaze to the floor.

Monte lingered at the doorway for a moment longer before heading out to the motel parking lot.

“I sure hope she calls me back,” He muttered as he lit a half-used cigarette from that morning.