#oc: eva lean

[angelicadamposting]

Eva Lean & Lucifer ཐི♡ཋྀ | Strike 3

art by the talented @kandavers <3 !!

From before Eva ever fell from Heaven, she'd always had a hatred for Lucifer. She had been Adam's third wife after Lilith and Eve were 'stolen.' Lucifer was the very person responsible for her 'ex'-husband's anguish and subsequent (even if not admitted...) insecurities. So, of course, once she was in Hell and living in the King's daughter's Hotel, she was still quite adamant about her distaste for Lucifer. Bickering with him, nitpicking, mocking or teasing him until it leads to her shouting at him in her own frustration or rage -- all while he stands just a FEW goddamn inches taller than her, with that stupidly handsome, smug grin plastered on his damned face.

For once in her damned existence in that pit, Eva was relieved in her so-called 'sinner-form,' hopeful it'd keep her identity a secret from Lucifer. Still only wishing for few to know of her being a fallen angel, or associated with Adam. Only Vaggie, Valentino, and Sir Pentious are aware by the time she meets the King of Hell. And it did work, the man was too focused on his daughter - as he should be - or arguing with Alastor. It worked all the way until the extermination day when Adam called her out and recognized her on the damn spot. (and we don't know what'll happen after the finale yet so... gotta wait to finish her story</3)

[nano30cm]

just kidding ;P

pg 1 / 26

[drewsbuzzcut]

I Can See It In Your Eyes

Drew Starkey x Evangeline Sinclair (OC)

Warnings: none that I can think of (this is also lightly edited so sorry for any mistakes)

“Evangeline!”

“Ms. Sinclair over here!”

“Look this way!”

The young starlet walks down the red carpet, the train of her gown in her hand as she makes her way to an interviewer. The buzzing crowd does nothing for her nerves, but she focuses on the pride she feels as everyone calls out for her.

“We’re here with Evangeline Sinclair. She walked the red carpet for the first time just yesterday for her premiere of her brand new horror movie. Everyone seemed to love it and the reviews are to die for. How do you feel?” The interviewer dives in straight away.

Evangeline only has a millisecond to catch her breath.

“So excited. This movie is special to me and I want people to really feel that. I hope that transcribes well through all the hard work that was put into that project,” she breathes out, hands clutched over her heart to show that her words are heartfelt.

“Today you’re here as well to support your fellow Loewe crew and Luca who you’ve previously worked with.”

“Yes, I am. Luca is a fantastic director and he’s perfect at having a vision and making it come to life. I’m honored to be here to celebrate and support such an amazing film and an amazing cast and crew”

“If you don’t mind shifting gears, rumor has it that Drew Starkey is your newest costar for another horror movie coming out sometime next year,” the woman says excitedly.

“Well I guess it isn’t a rumor anymore. Yes, he’s my costar and we’re actually in the middle of filming. Our lovely cast and crew were gracious enough to allow us to be here supporting our other projects,” Evangeline grins, a little flutter growing in her heart at the thought of Drew.

“Well the chemistry must be strong between you two. I can just feel the electricity buzzing when you walk by one another,” the interviewer points out, making a blush form on the actress’s cheeks.

“He’s amazing to work with. What can I say? Our chemistry is unmatched and that’s why we’re starring in a major movie together,” she muses through a big grin.

“I think I heard my name,” Drew chimes in, popping up behind Evangeline.

His hand finds the small of her back and he places a chaste kiss to her cheek, furthermore making her face blaze.

“Drew! How kind of you to join us. What’s it like working with this generation’s scream queen?”

Both Drew and Eva share a quick glance, their eyes quickly flitting away from each other. The girl is highly aware of his large hand still present on her back.

“Ah man. She’s- yeah she’s perfect. Someone that everyone wants to work with, and I just so happen to be the lucky one to do so. She’s super talented and she really knows how to put dedication into the craft,” Drew compliments, directing his gaze back to her.

They all look at each other just about speechless. Evangeline wasn’t expecting for him to say that and it clearly caught the interviewer off guard.

“He’s such a flatterer. I should be saying that I’m the lucky one, being able to work with him,” she shakes off her surprise.

“And soon everyone will be the lucky ones when they’re able to see your film in theaters.”

Evangeline turns her body into Drew’s, her hand landing on his chest in an affectionate manner. Although their touches seem to be mostly platonic, everyone will still be able to see the tension bouncing between their eyes.

“We can’t wait for everyone to see it,” Drew gleams and squeezes the actress into his side.

“Thank you, Drew and Evangeline. It was nice talking to you both,” the interviewer concludes her interview and the duo bid their goodbyes.

“You should pose with me for pictures,” Drew leans down to whisper in her ear.

The girl blushed furiously this time, heart practically beating out of her chest. Whenever she’s around Drew, her senses go haywire.

“No way. You’re the star of the night,” she huffs out.

“And you’re always a star.” Can he be any more perfect?

“One picture. Only one, Drew,” she gives in.

After a few pictures- after the paparazzi couldn’t get enough of them -the duo make their way inside, away from any prying eyes or lenses.

“I didn’t get a chance to tell you that you look beautiful,” Drew sighs as if it's been weighing on his chest.

“Thank you. You look handsome as well.”

His hands find their way back onto her back, slowly tugging her into him for a long overdue hug. Evangeline doesn’t dare stop herself from looping her arms around his neck. His hair tickles her fingers in a pleasant way, reminding her of all the times she’s played with his hair on set.

If someone were to see them, they’d think they’re a couple. Hell, sometimes her mind even tricks her into thinking they’re a couple. Truth is, their bond has become so strong, a catalyst from co-starring in a movie together. Their characters are each other’s love interest, and they’ve had their fair share of onscreen kisses that have pushed their relationship to toe the line between fiction and reality.

Snapping the girl out of her thoughts, Drew slides a hand down her arm and interlocks their fingers.

“Shit. I need to get going and meet up with Luca and Daniel and everyone else,” he mutters, lowering his head in slight annoyance.

“Nervous, Starkey?” There’s a tease hidden in her words and Drew catches it right away.

He fights off a bubbling laugh and just presses a hard kiss to her cheek.

“It’s okay if you’re nervous,” she adds after he fails to respond.

“I’m fine. I know you’ll be in there, seated right behind me,” he says and gathers her in his arms once again. Even in heels, Eva still has to be on her tiptoes to press her forehead to his.

“Mmm right. I almost forgot that I’m your non-date,” she laughs. Drew had asked her to accompany him during his film's premiere day, knowing that her presence will keep him calm. He also can’t deny that he adores seeing her dolled up and by his side.

“Date,” he corrects her. She stays silent, just peering into his baby blues.

“I’m proud of you,” she whispers and finally returns his cheek kiss.

“I have to get going.”

“Go superstar,” she playfully pushes at his chest.

He squeezes at her hips, reluctantly pulling away to catch one last, longing gaze at her before meeting the cast and crew for Queer.

a/n: I haven’t written for Drew in a while, so I hope y’all truly enjoy it

Let me know if there’s anything specific you want to see with Drew and Evangeline!

[call-sign-shark]

The Gentle Art of Terror

summary: Jack and Eva Nelson have an unpleasant encounter during a posh party. Her name? Tina Cacciatore, Luca Changretta's right hand. || Based on the "ask about your OC and mine to receive a one-shot + small moodboard". Also exploring Eva being scared is super cool. (@evita-shelby)

Words: 1.5k

“What are we doing here?” Eva asked, her sly and perfectly manicured hands tightly wrapped around the American’s muscular arm as they navigated in the dim light of the damp wine cellar. Warm but feeble lamps were hanging from the concrete ceiling, softly swinging from left and right at each gust of wind, casting their yellowish hue on the walls. The sumptuous witch’s voice was underlined with a palpable annoyance for she didn’t understand why they should waste their time in this shit hole while one of the most expensive parties ever held in Boston was taking place two stories above them. Jack Nelson‘s only reply was a little “shhh” before he walled himself in silence again, his green eyes surveyed his hostile surroundings with great attention. Even though the letter stipulated that their encounter would be peaceful, only aimed at discussing the terms of territory limits, Jack didn’t trust the man for his life of his. While merciless as an enraged bull and sly as a fox, he knew far too well that Luca Changretta, the most efficient soldier of the Spinetta’s family and the one rapidly climbing the Mafia’s highest ranks, wouldn’t shy away at the idea of slicing his throat at the slightest moment of inattention and Jack couldn’t have that. Even less when his mesmerizing wife, as powerful as him but embodying his only weakness, was with him at this moment.

“Jack.” She called him, her tone firmer as to remind him she wasn’t some kind of docile trophy wife but a Queen who could have almost everyone eating from her cursed hand. The sole power of her voice made him oblige — Nelson pinched his scarred lips in a thin line before replying.

“Remember when I told you Changretta wanted to talk? Well, here we are,” His gaze, usually hard and unyielding, softened at the sight of his wife’s expression, which was a combination of surprise and discontent, “I told you to stay at the party.” 

“And I told you I’m not some meek girl. If you are in trouble so I am, and I won't hesitate to make the fucker atone for the sin of thinking about harming you.” She stated, unbreakable and with the fury of a harpy. To this, Jack couldn’t help but grin: if the situation wasn’t so dangerous he would probably have fucked her right here, right now. With every day passing by, Eva’s reactions comforted him in the decision of belonging to her and only her. 

“Let’s stay careful. I don’t know where Changretta is… Might be as well looming in the dark and waiting to attack—“

“Oh. He’s here.”  She cut him off, one brow raised, her face composed but her gift of Clairvoyance unpleasantly rattling against her bones at the unpleasant sight. In a profound, almost animal instinct, She dug her nails into Jack’s thick sleeve as she felt her husband’s entire body tense when his eyes met with what she saw.

Luca Changretta stood against the wall like he belonged there, a tall and slender figure made of shadows. The swinging lamps of the ceiling threw their warm light at his face, bringing out his sharp traits, accentuating the hard line of his jaw, the predatory gleam in his eye, and the charisma he effortlessly exuded. With an air of casual indifference, the Capo was leaning back, his arms loosely crossed — Surprisingly, his posture was rather relaxed, while still bearing something threatening, like a panther that could spring to action in a blink the moment it smelt blood. A toothpick rolled lazily between his teeth as he carefully watched a third man across him, a man tied to a chair, his form broken and pathetic for he had been reduced to little more than a shell of fear and trembling flesh. 

Eva froze, an imaginary alarm ringing relentlessly in her brain as her genius mind quickly put two and two together —no blood on his face or on his ridiculously pricey tailored suit, a rather long distance from the victim: There was someone else. And that someone was responsible for this twisted scene, probably under Luca’s commands, but if so where was that monster?  Jack should have had the same thought for he quickly checked his surroundings to make sure no one had trapped them but, hopefully, there was no one. However, the echoing footsteps of the powerful couple had drawn the mafioso’s attention for a fleeting second. His piercing green gaze, shining in the dim light, flicked to them and paused just long enough to make sure they understood that he saw them—really saw them. Then, a grin slowly spread across his face in a chilling, knowing smile that curled his lips and reached his eyes in a way that was anything but friendly.

“Good evening, Mr.Nelson. I didn’t expect you to come to our little meeting in such a good company.” He finally said, his smooth voice slightly resounding in the cellar as he nodded at Eva’s direction to acknowledge her presence. Enemy but still a gentleman. As unexpected as it was, Luca wasn’t particularly surprised considering how skillfully manipulative and equally dangerous the new Mrs.Nelson was. Another shiver ran down the Mexican beauty, who couldn’t help but shift their focus from Luca to the tied-up victim, sobbing in muffled and exhausted squeals through the cloth that gagged him. She felt it — this presence, this fourth person hidden somewhere with a stare so burning she almost nervously scratched herself to get rid of the sensation. 

“Luca Changretta.” Jack simply said, spitting the name with so much disgust and disdain it seemed he had just taken a bite of a rotten apple, “I didn’t know you would put on a show in a pathetic attempt to scare me.” Jack stated with a raised brow — if his enemy had the slightest idea about who he was, he would surely know that cruelty didn’t impress Jack Nelson for he himself used to inflect it for business purpose. Ironically, what he loved the most was the Italian way.

“If you think all of this is to impress you let me tell you that you’re wrong,” The mafioso waved off the cutting remark with a elegant movement of the hand, “This unfortunate soul betrayed me so I had to make an example out of him. Nothing to do with you.”

That was how the men started to talk and while Eva was aware of it, the rest of their conversation blurred into unintelligible background when she noticed the tied-up man’s sudden agitation. The latter jolted and his breath hitched, muffled behind the ragged and saliva-coated cloth gag stuffed in his mouth. The air suddenly became heavy with a primal, animal fear that suffocated Eva. As her clairvoyant senses urged her to flee, her dark eyes still followed the panicking victim’s gaze until they fell on the slim and rather short frame of a woman. 

“Amore,” Luca called, interrupting his conversation with Jack Nelson due to the annoying noise he heard in the background, “Silence him.” He just ordered in a Sicilian — as a polyglot, Eva understood it — with as many emotions as if he had asked her to close the door, before focusing on his business talk again.  Two words, one command, and the girl moved closer, her steps light, almost graceful, as she entered his line of vision. She was rather small, standing no taller than 5”5, and harmless at first glance with her slender frame and radiant, ever-present smile. But Eva knew more than to trust a smile, especially this one who was nothing but deceptive - a mask to hide the hideous. She had long dark hair that cascaded down her shoulders, framing a cute but bratty face with mismatched eyes — one as dark as night, the other a brilliant, unsettling golden sun — and blood splatters.

“What…” Eva breathed. 

The man’s breathing quickened as she approached, his chest rising and falling in sharp, panicked heaves. He pulled harder at his restraints in a desperate, useless struggle but it only seemed to amuse her. The broken doll-faced woman tilted her head, her smile widening and a look of near delight crossing her face as she took in his terror.  “That’s okay.” She simply said with a fake soothing tone before pulling a sharp knife out and slicing his throat before Eva had the time to bat her eyes. The strong metallic smell of blood came in a wave so strong that Eva took a few steps back with her expensive heels clicking, eyes wide open, and nausea hitting. Jack must have borne witness to the same thing judging by the instant and worried glance he gave to his wife.

“Hm?”  The killer girl said as if she suddenly remembered that other people were in the room. She finally raised her bicolor eyes towards the Mexican beauty and paused, quietly observing Eva’s face whose exquisite color had turned two shades paler with lips parted in shock. The grotesque scene in front of her didn’t make sense — even with blood on her own hands, she could never understand such unleashed cruelty. Such a bright glimmer of pleasure when inflicting pain.  Eva was frozen, but Tina’s reaction to her presence was instant: her bloodied face lit up with gleeful recognition and her wicked grin turned into an innocent smile. She lifted her hand; still dripping with blood, and waved cheerfully.

“Oh, hey!”  She exclaimed in a light and musical voice, as though she'd just bumped into an old friend on the street. There was no malice in her tone, no hint of the brutality she had just shown.

Eva’s heart missed a beat for the first time in a while at the dissonance between her casual, innocent demeanor and the horrors she had just witnessed. It was wrong. Wrong. So fucking wrong, even for her. After all, she wasn’t a good person but she wasn’t…That. 

And “that”  was a whole other level. “That” was the kind of monster who could not be bribed, not be stopped. An abomination that no money nor power could restraint. 

And “that”?

That was Tina. 

tag: @runnning-outof-time, @evita-shelby, @peakyswritings

[stargazing-sapphire2]

Legacy - 1/?

Summary: With the disappearance of Logan and with Rorke still out there, the Ghosts soon find themselves back at war with the Federation. Amidst the chaos and death, Beth and Hesh will soon find their relationship put into question when an unexpected surprise finds its way into their lives...and whether or not they will live to see the end of this conflict.

[A Post Call of Duty: Ghosts fanfiction; David "Hesh" Walker/OC]

TRIGGER WARNING(s): Canon-Typical Violence, spoilers for the Ghosts campaign, Unplanned Pregnancy, Alcoholism/Drug use, Psychological Torture/Brainwashing, Rorke is a whole ass trigger warning, PTSD *more to be added for future chapters*

TAGLIST: @thatonesillyducko @deeptrashwitch @gunnrblze @maymaylyn @blacktacmopsi @milkteaarttime @imagoddamnonionmason @me-is-confused @seraphiixiao

“So…is this it?”

Hesh lifted his head as he heard her speak. He glanced over at her curiously, noting the frown on her face.

“About what?” He questioned.

Beth shrugged, reaching over to push back her bangs from her face.

“You’re going after Rorke.”

“Yeah?”

Beth went silent, as if contemplating her next words. Hesh watched her passively, but some part of him knew deep down he was not going to like what she said.

It was the way she is, after all.

“I could go with you,” she offered softly.

Hesh immediately sat up with a start, and she mimicked the gesture.

“No,” he said, a little too quickly for his liking.

Beth frowned, sitting up next to him.

“Why not?” She demanded.

He hesitated.

How so badly he wanted to tell her…

“This is mine and Logan’s fight,” he replied.

Her eyes flared.

“It’s my fight too!” She snapped. “You’re not the only one who has a stake in this!”

Hesh’s hands grabbed at her shoulders, and Beth froze, eyes widening as she stared at him.

“I can’t..” His voice was shaky, breathless. “I can’t lose you. Please, don’t make go through that…”

Beth stared at him, her eyes softening monetarily as he said this. The pair sat in silence, waiting for the other to speak first.

Finally, Beth exhaled, reaching over to grip at one of his wrists as he slowly released her.

“It won’t come to that,” she murmured, squeezing it lightly as if to reassure him, or herself.

Perhaps to reassure both of them.

Hesh gripped both her hands now, his green eyes staring into her blue ones.

“Don’t make me go through that…” He repeated, voice wobbling as he looked her in the face. “Please…

“You won’t lose me,” she told him, leaning in closer and--

~*~

Hesh opened his eyes.

The first sight he was greeted to was the black canopy of a tent, and a dull, aching throb in his abdomen. Breathing heavily, he slowly sat up, flinching as his hand instinctively went to his torso as pain shot through it.

Where…?

A startled gasp came from a few feet away, and he turned his head, locking eyes with the source.

“Eva..?” He spoke, wincing at rough his voice sounded, and his throat felt like sandpaper.

“You’re awake,” Eva replied, sighing in relief. She set the clipboard that she was holding down, and made her way over to him, checking over his vitals and the wound in his abdomen, which was currently wrapped up. “How do you feel?”

“Awful,” Hesh admitted as she pulled away. Before he could ask for water, she departed from the tent, most likely going to inform someone he was still alive.

He was left alone with his thoughts, and everything came rushing back to him.

Rorke’s boot smashing into his jaw and knocking him back; his own screams echoing in his head, and laying there, helpless and useless, as Logan was stolen away from him.

All because he did nothing

He did nothing.

What kind of brother am I?

The tent flaps opened, and Hesh lifted his head to glance at the intrusion, his eyes meeting the sharp emerald gaze of Henry Ashford.

After the death of Elias, the other Captain had been named his successor, and as of now, remained the current acting commander of the Ghosts. Despite having grown up with the other man as another authority figure in his life, Hesh had seldom ever seen the man in person ever since he enlisted; having only ever spoke to him on the comms when they were out in the field.

To see him in person now meant it was important.

The Ashford patriarch looked tired, his eyes bloodshot and his hair slightly disheveled and a five o’clock shadow on his face. However, he offered a wry smile to the younger man.

“It’s good to see you alive, son,” he said. Hesh sat up, wincing as pain ripped through his abdomen, but he did his best to ignore it.

“Sir-“

“We’ll be moving out as soon as you’re recuperated,” Henry said, cutting off whatever Hesh was going t say. “We put a dent in the Federation’s forces, but—”

“Henry-“ Hesh tried to get out, frustration bubbling inside him.

“-With Santa Monica destroyed, we’ll need to find another base of operations. I’ll be getting our guys from DC on the line soon and—” Henry continued to drone on.

“Henry, where’s Logan?”

Henry paused his yapping, immediately focusing his attention on Hesh.

“Lieutenant?” The older man questioned.

“Where’s my brother?” Hesh repeated. “Where’s Logan?”

Despite his earlier thoughts, Hesh clung to the hope that maybe, just maybe, they managed to catch up to Rorke, and managed to rescue Logan.

Maybe he was nearby, maybe he was outside the tent right now, waiting to be called in.

His heart sank when Henry remained silent.

“Henry, please,” Hesh begged, desperation bubbling inside him. “Where’s Logan?”

Henry closed his eyes, inhaling and exhaling as if contemplating what to say next. Finally, he opened them again, looking Hesh dead in the face.

“He’s gone.”

His heart shattered.

‘What do you mean…” Hesh stammered, trying to keep his voice steady. “That can’t…he has to be—”

“He’s gone, David,” Henry repeated, a little more sternly this time. “Wherever Rorke took him, he was long gone by the time we got to you.”

Hesh stared at him in disbelief, and Henry shook his head, glancing away from the younger man.

“I’m sorry…” He continued. “But I can’t afford to squander anymore resources looking for one man on a wild goose chase, nor is it a top priority. I’m sorry, David, but Logan is gone.”

He’s gone.

The words repeated in his mind over and over, like a broken record.

Anger, sadness and despair all welled within him, cracking at the wall he tried to hold up; damned if he would weep in front of his commanding officer.

Henry watched him passively, although there was a glean of sympathy in the green of his eyes.

“Take all the time you need alone, son…” He said in a low voice after a heavy pause. “Just shout if you need any assistance.”

He seen exited the tent, and Hesh was alone again.

Bringing his knees up to his chest, Hesh buried his face in them, his body shaking as heaving sobs began to tear their way out of him.

I’m sorry, Logan, he thought sorrowfully. Mom, Dad…I’m so sorry…

He let them down.

He had failed all of them.

What do I do now?

The dam broke, and the tears finally fell.

And he began to weep.

“I’m sorry…” He cried.

[choicesficwriterscreations]

June MC of the Month: Eva Archer

Please welcome June 2024's MC of the Month: @dutifullynuttywitch's Eva Archer

Each month, we highlight one MC or OC on our Meet My MC / OC List. They are selected randomly on the Wheel of Names, and eligibility requirements can be found here. We accept MC / OC profiles on an ongoing basis. Please feel free to send yours in!

Learn more about Eva below

1- In your own words, tell us what you like most about your MC / OC.

She’s an idealist, preoccupied by social justice. While at the Tower, she constantly fought the authoritarian leaders, which resulted in her and her sister needing to flee so she wouldn't ‘get disappeared’. Now that she’s leading her own colony, she is still trying to find the right balance, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard and feels welcomed.

2- Do you feel your MC / OC is like you at all? How are you alike or different?

I think we both lean towards social justice and fairness in our decision-making. And I definitely gave her some of my musical tastes! (Though I have more grunge and alternative in my repertoire.)

But other than that, Eva is much cooler than I could ever hope to be!! 🙂 She’s a fighter, brave, willing to put her life on the line for others.

3- What is most important to your MC / OC? What is their motivation in life?

Eva is not the bravest, but she is fiercely loyal to her friends. Being forced to leave her fatally injured sister Brynn, her only family, behind after narrowly escaping The Tower was the hardest thing she’d ever done. It left her deeply scarred. She refuses to lose anyone else she's close to and will put her own life on the line if she can save her friends or members of her colony.

Her friendship and frequent quests with Eli and Angel help her gradually feel more confident in her fighting skills. As a leader of the newly established Olympus Colony, she speaks up against injustices and tries to be conciliatory. What are their biggest pet peeves/dislikes?

She despises cruel, self-centered people. Unfortunately there are too many in her post-apocalyptic world, who will do anything, kill anyone just to survive a day longer.

While she generally loves Troy’s easy-going attitude, she absolutely loses her temper when he shirks on his chores - which he unfortunately does regularly.

4- If your MC / OC could change one thing - anything - what would it be?

She would find a cure for the parasite that converts people into zombies. She’s in no way a scientist, but she wholeheartedly supports her best friend Shannon Fox in her ongoing investigations.

5- What is your MC / OC’s favorite quote or song?

Wild Horses, The Rolling Stones.

It’s a bittersweet reaction, really, having lost both of her fathers in a horrible way (one became a zombie and killed his husband), and more recently her sister. She holds on dearly to the lyrics that “wild horses couldn’t keep me away”. It’s how she feels about Troy, and her friends Eli, Shannon, Angel, little May…

Her favorite quote is more inspirational: “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.” – Emily Dickinson

6- Is there anything else you’d like to share about your MC / OC?

I adored the Choices book Wake the Dead. Such an interesting, dark concept, where your choices matter, with tons of potential for world-building… I wanted to create a character that had lived through terrible things, resulting in deep-seated trauma, but at the same time could see the light in the world and continue to strive to better her life and that of those around her. This is how Eva was born!

7- Other facts about Eva

Eva was born close to Reno, Nevada before the zombie apocalypse.

She previously worked in pest control from the age of 18, then became a scout at 25 at her former colony, The Tower.

Eva is dating Troy Hassan, her childhood best friend from her Tower days. This was a slow burn, friendship to love. Troy’s an absolute charmer, knows her better than anyone and is her emotional support. He’s much more carefree, which brings out her lighter side – necessary with all the stress and pressures of running a colony during an apocalypse!

She dearly misses her sister Brynn, who died shortly after escaping the tower. Eva admired her fierceness and how she bravely ventured out as a scout every day to support the colony. Eva hopes to become as tough as her sister.

Thank you so much for reading through my MC profile, I had a blast sharing Eva Archer with you!! And thank you @choicesficwriterscreation for giving us the space to gush about our fictional babies!!

[soulc-hilde]

Ch. 05 - Locked Down

Pairing: Jey Uso / Josh Fatu x Aries / Ezmeralda Bey

Synopsis: Devoted to her craft and her family, WWE Superstar Ezmeralda has a library of accolades accomplished on her own and by the side of her family like never before. As she leads the Women's Revolution to glory, romance seems to find her at the most unexpected moment... in the ring.

Warning(s): SFW, OC is a black woman, swearing, WWE-canon violence, Non-scripted fights, body shaming, body insecurities, WWE's consistant misogyny is blatant until later chapters, etc.

Cross-posted: Wattpad

Ch. 01 | Ch. 02 | Ch. 03 | Ch. 04 | Ch. 05

Atlanta, GA 

Unfortunately, Ezmeralda couldn't attend Jojo and Eva's housewarming party as she originally planned to spend time with her family and spend some time with a certain man. For the afternoon, the triplets had set out to teach their eldest nephew, Leon, how to drive and out of all the cars they had, Ezmeralda's had to suffer.

And to think, she just replaced the breaks on her Ford F-150. 

The custom painted evergreen and silver accented truck was filled with Ezmeralda, Ezra, Ezekiel, Leon, and their older brother and his father - Elijah while Josh and their other older brother, Emry, sat in the bed. Pulling into the empty parking lot, the boys begin to set up their own course of cones while Ezmeralda turns on the cameras.

Once everything was set, they begin the video with Ezmeralda in the passenger seat as Leon takes over the driver seat. Emry and Josh sit in the backseat while Ezekiel and Ezra sit in the bed of the truck. 

"Alright, nephew," Ezmeralda starts. "If you can drive a pickup truck, you can drive damn near any car on the planet. Now, with my truck, the gear shift is in the steering column. That is known as a column shift, not every car has this design, but the function is universal. You just grab and pull down."

Leon nods, "okay." 

She points at his feet. "There are only two pedals. On the left is the brake which your foot's already on and the gas is on the right." Emry cuts in, "no, the brake's not... what?" 

Josh laughs, trying to appear relaxed. "Nope, she's right. Brake's on the left, gahdamn."  "Yuh," she resumes her lecture. 

"So, when you remove your foot from the brake, the car will move. Not full throttle, but it will roll forward. Go ahead and give it a little, right now." He begins to press on the gas, forgetting to shift the vehicle into drive. The engine revs, its healthy growl was loud and deep as it settles in their bones.

"Oh, it's still in park," Emry notes. "Ok, a little rev. Little rev. How'd that feel though?" Leon laughs, "that felt like it was about to take off."

Ezmeralda shakes her head, "gahlee, you got a heavy ass foot. I know y'all felt that shit." The two men laugh, Josh's eyes widening with fear he tried so hard to play off. "What you mean did we feel that? Hell yeah!"

"Aye, son," Emry leans forward, tapping Leon on the shoulder. "You remember that episode in Spongebob? Where they were like 'big toe. Only the big toe?' You gotta do that, son. Do that, just your big toe." 

"America," Ezmeralda huffs, rubbing her face with frustration. "We gon' die. And I just fixed my truck, too!" 

Ezekiel and Ezra sit in the bed, chewing on honey buns while singing: "Guess who's gonna die, tonight? Uh, die tonight."

Ezmeralda's House

After spontaneously gaining the car back with no markings and unanimously declaring that Leon could not drive until he's reached the age of 40 which is a good age seeing as the whole Bey crew would be dead and gone, Ezmeralda and Josh decided to have a little date night to about, well, them.

"So," Josh starts, sipping some of the peach flavored Moscato. "When you think about us and our relationship, where do you see us? What do you see?"

Keeping her eyes on her plate, Ezmeralda nods and takes the moment to answer. "I can see myself being happy when I think of us. I don't know if it's because of how long we knew each other or what, but there's an unsaid understanding between us. Like, I know what you're thinking or feeling before you even say a word and vice versa."

"Before you, I never thought of myself with someone and felt real happiness and infatuation," her voice falls into a whisper as her face slowly begins to turn red. "Seeing the way you get along with my family, treating them as if they're yours and the way you don't judge me for my career and my looks. I just... I feel loved."

Josh grins, taking a hold of her hand from across the table. "Baby, gon'head and look at me," he coos. Once her toffee brown eyes meet his dark ones, he begins to speak. 

"Ezmeralda, since like '08, you've been my rock. Now, don't tell Jonathan that cause he'll throw a fuss, but from the moment we stepped into FCW and you became our mentor, I'd fallen in love with you." Her eyebrows raise, ellicting a soft chuckle.

He shrugs, "I already had a little celebrity crush on you beforehand, but seeing you in person, watchin' you work in the ring, and getting to actually have a conversation with Ezzie - The Chaotic Beauty instead of Aries - The Future Hall of Famer... I knew I had to make you mine."

"It for sure doesn't help that our families are so connected, girl, you can't get rid of me even if you tried," Josh giggles. "I know being vulnerable ain't your thing and expressing yourself like this is something new, but I want you to know that I see you. I see the effort you put in letting me know that you're feeling me, too. I see you opening your heart for me despite your fear. And I appreciate you, okay?"

A tear escapes down her cheek as she nods. Josh's grin, if possible, stretches even further as he walks around the table and pulls her into a hug. "I appreciate you, boo," he pecks her on the forehead. "And I love you." She whispers in his chest, voice trembling with her tears. "I love you, too."

"Joshua," she sighs, a timid smile taking over. "As a little girl, I've always wanted to find happiness like parents have and that includes their marriage, you know? And for the longest, I could never find it. I never found someone who looked at me like I was something valuable or treated me like so. I was always too masculine or aggressive or looking for too much - hell, there's one who complained that my family and I was too close!" 

Ezmeralda bites her lip, "and for a long time, I believed that my career was going to be my first and my last love. I even made a to-do list of accolades I wanted to do before I retired or died, but meeting Josh was like a blessing, I guess. My first love introducing me to, probably, the love of my life. I'd say that it's very poetic."

After dinner, the two were cuddling on the couch, watching tv. "Since TJ and Nattie's bachelor party's comin' up and we're officially locked in," Josh jokes with a light giggle. "How do you wanna go about the vacation?"

"For one, we can definitely share a room," Ezmeralda hums. "Ezra's bringing Charlene, rightfully taking personal time for themselves from the kids, while Ezekiel's a freak. I'on't, no, we're not kids being forced to share a room anymore." Josh laughs, shaking his head at the adorable yet disgusted grimace that takes over her round features. 

"Okay, what else?" He laughs. She adds on, "we can fly out together. Instead of us meeting down there, you can just bring your bags over here and then we can leave together." 

He nods, "say less. I'll probably start packing either tomorrow or the day after." Josh leans more of his body weight onto her as an exaggerated pout shifts onto his face. "You gon' help me, boo? You know, I forget things. Please?" 

"Yes, yes," she laughs, pushing him off. "All up on me." He kisses his teeth, side eyeing her. "Girl, please. You love when all this delicious caramel is all up on you," he rubs up and down his puffed out chest. 

Ezmeralda snorts, her head falling back as the outburt switches into a hyena laugh. "Get away from me before I kick you out my house, JJ!" He shakes his head, smiling. "Nah, come on and get you some girl. Last night, you couldn't get enough," he begins climbing on top of her as she screams, laughing. 

"Omg! Josh!" She laughs. She wraps her thick thighs around his waist and her arm around the back of his neck, rolling their bodies off the couch. He begins fake choking, arms wiggling as he goes to tap out. "Nah, go to sleep. Take yo' Niquil."

Las Vegas, NV

Touching down in Vegas, both the bride and groom's parties road to the hotel in a shared limosine. As they infiltrate the hotel, rowdy and disturbing the poor patrons, they make their way to Natalya and TJ's room. The room was decked out with a bar and an open space living room where everyone settled for the moment. 

Josh and Ezmeralda sit down at the table as Jojo and Justin check out the shower room with a stripper pole incorporated in the center while Bri and Nikki sit with Bryan, accidentally popping open the bottle of champagne. Ezra and his fiance, Charlene, sat beside, laughing at the chaos that surrounds them.

Nikki starts a quick toast, "oh, here's to boners, shit. Bachelor and bachelorette, yay!" Everyone laughs, joining in. 

After everyone settled into their rooms, they decided to head down to soak in the pool. Ezmeralda was dressed in an emerald bikini with gold accents, the swimsuit came in a set with a sheer skirt, and matching flip flops. Her and Charlene walk side by side, flanked by Josh, Ezekiel, and Ezra. Both of their men kept an arm around their waists, eyeing down any man who dared look their way. Ezekiel, on the other hand, trailed after them mindlessly as his hands rub over his pecs and his torso, hoping he didn't appear ashy. 

The group settles beside Trinity and Jon's shared layout. While Jon, Ezra, and Ezekiel set out for the water, Josh lays beside Ezmeralda, his eyes staring her down. "Look at you," he hums, moving his sunglasses up. "All glowy, girl yeh look goodt."

She laughs, nudging him with her shoulder. "Boy, hush," she playfully scolds. He shakes his head, "you want me to be quiet while you here, lookin' like a full course Michelin Star meal."

He leans over her ear, "I won't lie, though. Some folks got one more time to be starring like they got eye problems or else they really gone need that vision checked." She snorts, smacking his chest, "ignore them. At the end of the day, you the one that finna eat this meal."

"Oh," he leans back, eyebrows raised. "Is that so?" She raises her eyebrows, shrugging. "Depends... if you're hungry." He cheeses, nodding. "Girl, I'm always hungry." 

She shakes her head, "well you just ate breakfast this morning, so you gone have to wait. In the meantime, gon'head and take yo' ass for a swim. You look dehydrated." Charlene snorts, leaning away from them as Ezmeralda lightly pushes the younger Fatu away from her.

Pre-Game | Hotel

Everyone was dressed and back in the party room, pre-gaming before the parties were to separate for the night. Ezmeralda dressed in a dark purple dress that stops at the knee with a cheeky slight on the side, the top of the dress was off the shoulder with thin long sleeves and paired with black booties. They all cheer Nattie to take a shot before mingling.

Trinity, Ariane, Nikki, Charlene, and Ezmeralda sit on the couch beside Bri, talking. "So, are we gonna see Bri Mode, tonight?" Trin asks. The twin smirks, "maybe not tonight," before taking a sip of her champagne. 

Ariane and Ezmeralda laugh while Trinity groans. "She's like, 'maybe not tonight,'" Ariane mimics the Bella twin, the group laughing. 

TJ calls for a toast, raising his pink solo cup. "A toast to Natalie Neidhart, who has definitely kept me level," everyone 'aw's at his moment of vulnerability. "And from flying off the deep end. And, the one person who's the reason I'm still here and still kicking, so..." Everyone raises their glasses, sending their praises for the childhood sweethearts. 

Nikki then stands, walking off to the side. "I'm sorry, but, us girls, are getting ready to go to Chippendale and we can't be late for the show. We love you guys, but you gotta go." 

Josh shakes his head, arms gripping Ezmeralda's waist. "Y'all really kickin' us out, twin." Nikki shrugs, laughing, in response. Josh turns to the older woman, pecking her on the lips repeatedly. "You just gone let her kick us out?" 

Ezmeralda shrugs, laughing, "aye, that ain't my fight, Uce." He playfully glares at her, pinching at her sides. "Girl, shut up and give me my kiss." She does so, laughing against his lips. "Be safe, alright? And call me if you need, I love you."

"I will and I love you," she whispers, gently backing away. She watches as he leaves out the door with the rest of the men, trying to ignore Trinity's bouncing eyebrows.

While Jojo couldn't participate in the activities because of her age and Eva personally stayed away from alcohol, the two decided to just walk around and enjoy each other's company while the others partied and enjoy the show. As the night continues, Bri becomes lost in the alcohol and the music as her, Nikki, and Ariane dance on top of the mini tables in the section. She even ran across the couch with the drink in hand. 

"Oh, Lord," Ezmeralda laughs, shaking her head as Nikki falls off the couch. Trinity shakes her head, "y'all we gotta wrestle next week." 

Before the girls... Bri, could get too far gone, they decided to retreat back to the bachelorette room where they continued to drink and have fun in a safer space. Bri and Ezmeralda sit beside Natalya, noticing that her mood turned dark quick. 

"I don't know what it is," Natalya laughs, "but Brie, Ezzie, please don't get mad at me.  I know you guys are gonna get so mad. But, I honestly can't get Jaret out of my mind. I don't know what it is and what's wrong with me?"

Both women's faces drop, eyes slightly widening at the bomb. They don't say anything yet, allowing the woman to continue. "I don't know why, but I wanna text back and Nicole told me not to text back. But I already have."

"This is your bachelorette party," Brie points out. Nattie takes a seat, "Yeah, I feel so overwhelmed to be honest. I feel like there's nobody on the planet that I love more than TJ. Bit, I feel like I'm not ready for it." Her phone vibrates. 

Brie and Ezmeralda follow her to the master bedroom. "What's wrong with me?" She asks, eyes tearing up. "Like, I wanted to have this fairytale wedding, but part of me is like so scared." 

"When we were seeing the Chippendales, I was not looking forward to it. But when we went there, it was something fun, right?" Brie speaks. "The way the guys looked at you and it was like... ugh and you're just like, 'whoa.' You feel wanted. And you just feel like, 'wow, in these guys' eyes, we're it.' And that's what Jaret's making you feel."

Ezmeralda chimes in, nodding. "Nattie, you and TJ have been rocking with one another for 13 years," her eyebrows raise, "there's some marriages that don't even last that long, but y'all have. You guys have spent so much of your lives with one another, that a part of you becomes jumpy when this new spark of attention is given to you."

"Once TJ had his injury, your relationship took a bump and he wasn't willing to actually hear you. Instead, he kept shoving you onto the back burner. So, when a guy like Jaret comes through and he's saying all these nice things, he's giving you the attention that TJ should be."

Nattie nods, "and it's funny to me because no matter how many times, Jaret tells me all these nice things, at the end of the day, it's just TJ that I love. A part of me, though, feels like, scared to totally seal the deal."

"And you have the right to be," Ezmeralda smiles. "For all these years, you both had the opportunity to leave one another. Try to find someone else to start over with, but you didn't because y'all are meant for each other. With marriage, that's not something you can just get up and leave when things become tough."

Nattie nods, wiping her face. "I think I'm just becoming overwhelmed with everything." Ezmeralda nods, "that's okay, I'ma head to my room with Josh. Have a goodnight, Nattie."

Ezmeralda makes her way out, reaching the hotel room. Unlocking the door with her card, she walks in, trying to be as silent as possible with every step. Just as she turns the corner to the bed, Josh's body flashes from behind the wall as he screams. Her body freezes, leaping in the air as a delayed shout explodes from her lungs. 

"Oh my God," she pants, hand over her heart as it pulses against her ribs. Josh laughs, clapping his hands before pulling the woman into his chest. "I'm sorry, mamas. I'm sorry, I had to."

Calming down as her soul returns to her body, she sends a chop to his chest, teeth gritted together. "Joder tu madre, cabron!" She curses as he laughs, following her to the bed. "I'm sorry, baby!" He apologizes once again, collapsing on the bed beside her.

"How was your night?" He asks, lightly stroking her exposed thigh. She smiles, "it was good. Brie went into Brie Mode, I ain't never seen someone run across a couch with heels on and a full cup of liquor in hand." 

He laughs, shaking his head at the image that pops into his head. "Y'all was cutting up, huh?" She shakes her head, "I was not cutting up, sir. Do not add me into that equation, I was innocent."

He hums in disbelief, pulling her in closer. "However, I ain't worried about all that. Since you back and we both got some energy left, how about that meal I was promised? What's on the menu?"

She hums, making her way to her feet, slowly stripping herself from the dress. "The chef has yet to prepare the food, sir. Not even the meat has been cleaned." He jumps to his feet, "don't even worry about the mean. Salmonella ain't never killed nobody."

"Shut up!" She laughs, backing up for the bathroom. "Just wait, it won't take long, just like 20-30 minutes." He takes slow steps forward, "nah. I want my meal now." He goes to lunge but she evades him, ducking into the bathroom.

As she goes to shut the door, he bursts through, arms wrapping around her naked waist. "Joshua!" She screams as he kicks the door closed. 

◼︎◼︎◼︎

How are we liking the story so far? I've always wanted to do a fanfic based off of Total Divas since I got into wrestling, but nobody was making Jey Uso fics except for like a few quick imagines on Tumblr.

I'm happy that my man is getting his shine in the spotlight; however, it's coming at a great cost because he still has yet to win a solo match for a solo title whereas Baby Fatu is spearheading a main event storyline with Roman, chasing after the title and he's only been in the main roster for about a year, I think. 

Like, what's the purpose of being Main Event Jey Uso if y'all not finna give him a winning chance? He's leaving his family for damn near 5 days a week to put that work in and nothing to say for it except the crowd reception. 

And don't even get me started on the rumors folks have been starting about his marriage. Like, Ms. Takecia has never been one to have her face all up in a camera even before Jey's big solo push. Even at events such as HOF, there's photos on Pinterest of her posing with Trinity and Galina, but there's none of her being caught on live camera because she's not into it. 

But she was there by Jey's side in one of those WWE vlogs, her and both of his sons. Leave that family alone and stop making lies about his marriage because Takecia is that man's high school sweetheart and doesn't owe y'all her damn appearance. She's living her life as a wife and a mother, leave them alone!

[drabbles-mc]

Interruptions

Angel Reyes & OC Evangeline Reyes & Ezekiel Reyes Franky Rogan x OC Evangeline Reyes

Warnings: 18+, pining, language, this really is just a fluffy little something

Word Count: 2.8k

A/N: For my next trick! I will pull out of my bag of wonders a character that the show-runners seemed to have forgotten about but I sure didn't! 😂 Shout-out to Franky Rogan- I hope he's doing okay lmao. I'm not really planning on turning this into a multi-chap per se, but I do plan on just writing some snippets/one-shots that all exist in this universe. This is our first look into this au, but definitely not the last if I have anything to say about it 😂 Enjoy! xo

As far as Evangeline was concerned, there was no real reason for Angel and EZ to be in her shop. She’d told them as much about five minutes after they’d walked in and started causing more ruckus than she wanted to be dealing with. She tried to shoo them away, tried to get them to pop one more door down to go and bother their father instead, but they weren’t budging.

Angel was sitting on one of the chairs by the dressing room and EZ was standing off to the side of the sewing machine that she was currently using. Angel was gawking around at everything as though he didn’t stop by every week, and EZ was studying over her shoulder like he was thinking of becoming the next family seamstress. If the shop had belonged to anyone else, the two of them never would have bothered to set foot inside. Not to mention if the shop had belonged to anyone else, they would’ve barred the two of them from entry ages ago.

“I can feel your breath on my neck,” she said, sounding annoyed for a split second before she started laughing.

EZ chuckled, stepping back and instead starting to pace around the shop. “Sorry.”

“Vete—go be sorry somewhere else. You’re gonna scare people off before they even set foot in here.”

Angel shook his head dismissively. “C’mon, Eva. Don’t think of it like that. Think of it like…we’re like protection, you know?”

Head still angled down at the pantleg she was hemming, her eyes lifted just enough to look over at her brother. “What, you two in the mob now too? MC wasn’t enough?” She shook her head and looked back down at the garment draped over the machine. “Protection,” she mocked. “Who you guys gonna protect me from, anyway? The high school girls coming in for me to tailor their prom dresses?”

EZ laughed as he watched his two older siblings go back and forth. “I don’t know,” he chimed in. “Think those girls might have Angel out-gunned.”

He sucked his teeth. “Fuck both you guys.”

She finally leaned back in her chair, taking her foot completely off the sewing machine pedal. “If you’d left when I told you to, you wouldn’t have to be going through this.”

Angel was finally laughing with her and EZ. “Nah, you know if we never stopped by you’d—” He stopped mid-sentence and stood up from his chair when he saw a police patrol car pull up to the curb right in front of Evangeline’s shop. “What the fuck is this?”

Evangeline mirrored his actions, standing up and carefully draping the pants she’d been working on back over the hanger she’d took them off before she had company. The tailoring job for them was a quick one, or at least it would be once her brothers left and she could actually do her job. She ran her hands over the fabric of her own pants, smoothing them out before looking out the window to see whatever it was that had elicited that reaction from Angel.

She laughed when she saw the cop car parked out front. “Oh, good. Maybe someone will finally be able to make you leave. You think if I ask real nice they’ll give me a couple pairs of cuffs specifically for you two?”

EZ was smiling and shaking his head at his sister, but then when he saw that Franky was the officer getting out of the car, both he and Angel became way more amused than they were annoyed at the cops being there. “Oh,” EZ said with a nod, “yeah I’m pretty sure he’ll give you whatever you want.”

Angel was on the brink of cackling as he nudged his sister’s shoulder. “He’ll give you a pair of cuffs as long as you promise to use them on him just once.”

She rolled her eyes. “I can’t stand either of you sometimes. I hope he knocks your bikes over,” Evangeline muttered with a tiny smile as she moved away from her little brother and went back behind the desk where the cash register was.

There were only a couple seconds between Franky shutting the door to the patrol car and him walking into the small boutique that Evangeline owned, but it was long enough. Angel was sitting back down again, this time just in a different chair that was towards the front of the store. He was leaning back, practically sinking into the soft cushions of it. His legs were spread farther apart than necessary, one hand on one knee, his other on the arm of the chair that he was sitting in. Meanwhile EZ was standing behind his brother’s seat, hands holding onto the edges of his kutte—his default these days.

Evangeline was looking at both of them with a mildly amused look on her face. It looked like they were pulled right out of a movie or a cartoon—stereotypical goons trying to look tough and not quite hitting the mark but they didn’t realize it yet. Her attention shifted off them when the soft chimes above her door signaled Franky’s entry.

He stepped inside, immediately looking around and greeting her with a casual, “Hey, Evangeline,” as he did. He looked at Angel and EZ, seeing the image they were trying to put off and also not being overly convinced by it. When it was just the two of them separate from the rest of the club, they weren’t nearly as intimidating. It was hard to be scared of the same boys he went to school with. He’d known them long enough to know that whatever macho act they were putting on, really was just an act. They had the same look in their eyes that they did back then when they were about to cause trouble after school.

It didn’t take long at all for his gaze to land on Evangeline, the real and only reason he’d even pulled up to the shop at all. She was standing behind the counter, leaning forward onto it so that her elbows were propped onto the wood and her chin rested on top of her interlocked fingers. Her hair was pulled back out of her face, a convenience style when she was using the sewing machine, but there was one unruly lock that had managed to escape and it was hanging just enough to the side so that her face wasn’t obscured at all. She smiled at him, head tilting slightly as it rested in her hands.

He'd known Angel and EZ for most of his life, and it made it hard to find them intimidating these days. In the same vein, he’d known Evangeline for almost his whole life too. Only instead of that fact making her less intimidating, it almost made her more intimidating—it was a different kind of intimidating than her brothers were aiming for, but still. Sure, it’d been so long since high school, and they were all such different people now in a lot of ways, but sometimes when she was looking at him like that Franky still felt like he was the dorky kid in class who was a little in love with his friend’s older sister. They were older now and he was much less dramatic than the teenage version of him had been. In love was an overstatement these days of course. Not that the semantics of it all really mattered in moments like the one he was in.

“Something I can do for you, Officer Rogan?” she finally asked, proving one more time over that she was the only Reyes sibling who could address him as such without using any sarcasm.

He turned so that he was completely facing her, purposely ignoring the looks he was getting from her two younger brothers. He shook his head as he walked over to her, standing on the opposite side fo the counter from her. “No. Just making the rounds and thought I’d stop by.”

She hummed in amusement as she stood upright again. “Got it. Thought your ears might’ve been burning somewhere out there.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “You talkin’ about me?”

She laughed and shrugged. “Was talking about getting someone to throw these two,” she nodded towards her brothers, “out of my shop. And then you rolled up.”

“Yeah,” Angel chimed in from where he was still sitting, “like an answer to all your prayers, right?”

Evangeline shot her brother a look. “An answer to one of them, at least.”

Franky turned and looked at Angel and EZ. “You know it’s bad when even your own sister is waiting for you two to get picked up.”

Angel stood up out of his chair. In two easy strides he put himself right in front of Franky. There was just enough of a height difference for Franky to have to tilt his head to look Angel directly in the eyes. It was something that would never stop amusing Angel in any close encounters the two of them had.

“I bet you’d be real happy to do that for her, huh, Officer?” he goaded.

Evangeline was standing, arms crossed over her chest as she shook her head at the two of them. EZ was watching her just as intently as he was watching his brother and Franky. The scene was amusing from every angle for different reasons. And, as much as he would’ve loved to see how far Angel was going to take things, he liked his sister too much to let it happen in the middle of her shop. It was one thing when they were at the clubhouse, or Vicky’s. But not here.

“C’mon, Angel,” EZ inserted himself into the conversation, “let’s go. Pop still needs help with the compressor anyway.”

Evangeline cut a small sigh of relief, flashing EZ the quickest of smiles to thank him. “Yeah,” she agreed, “go make yourselves useful somewhere. Por favor. I’m begging.”

She was half expecting Franky and Angel to crash shoulders as the two Reyes boys made their way to the door, but they didn’t. Franky did manage to get the last word in with them, though. Rebutting Angel’s, “Stay safe, Officer,” with an easy, “I’m sure I’ll see you two soon. With the lights and sirens on.”

The door chimed again to signal the two of them leaving. Through the glass windows that made up the storefront, she and Franky were able to watch as the two of them made their way next door to their father’s shop. They were both shaking their heads at the pair of brothers, but for very different reasons.

“Nice to see you boys all getting along still,” Evangeline joked once they were out of sight.

Franky laughed as he put his attention back on her again. “Saying that like I’m the one who started any of that.”

She shook her head as she made her way around so that they were both on the same side of the counter. She leaned back against it, crossing her arms once more out of habit. “That’s not what I said.”

He watched as she crossed one leg over the other, the bright silky fabric of her pants distracting for only a moment before his gaze traveled back up to her face. He saw her knowing smirk and he cleared his throat, hands resting on his belt as he looked down at the floor for a second before getting himself together again.

“They give all the cops that hard of a time? Or just me?”

She laughed. “No one has an easy time with those two…” she trailed off for a moment before continuing, “but yeah you get it a little worse.” She saw the incredulous look on his face and she couldn’t pretend that there wasn’t something endearing about it. “C’mon, Franky. I know you were all friends in school but, you know, they grew up and became members of a motorcycle club. And you grew up and became a narc.”

He laughed, placing one hand on his chest. “Ouch, damn.”

She shook her head as she laughed right along with him. “Their words, not mine.”

They shared another quiet laugh about it before the conversation hit a pause. The only noise in the shop was the music playing from the speakers scattered around, a playlist the Evangeline changed from day to day depending on the mood she was in. Franky looked down at the floor, then around the shop, and then back at the woman standing next to him. He didn’t know for sure but he was fairly certain that she’d been watching him the entire time.

“Talk to me, Rookie,” she said, gently nudging his shoulder with her own. “What’s going on?”

That got him to chuckle. “Evangeline, I told you, I haven’t been a rookie in—”

“Franky, I told you, it’s not gonna make me stop calling you that.” She smiled. “I remember when you were slugging your way through the academy, before they got stupid enough to give you a gun,” she joked. “You’re always gonna be a rookie to me.”

“Almost as hurtful as your brothers callin’ me a narc.” There was a brief pause and he cleared his throat. “I really was just checking in. I think they told me that something about this job has to do with protecting and serving or some shit like that.”

She laughed. “Yeah, I heard the rumors.” Reaching back, she took her hair out of the loose, messy ponytail that she’d thrown it into earlier in the day. She continued to speak as the long, loose waves of hair fell down around her shoulders. “I appreciate you checking in. I’m alright, though. All quiet on the strip.”

“’Til your brothers get here.”

She cracked a smile. “Yeah, ‘til my brothers get here.”

He stepped away from the counter and reached into his pocket for his keys. “I’ll let you get back to work then. Don’t wanna be another distraction.”

Her smile was warm as she shook her head at him. “Very considerate of you.”

He stepped backwards towards the door. “Call if you need anything.”

“911 still a good number to reach you at?”

He grinned. “Yeah, that’s the one.”

She was laughing, mostly to herself, as he turned and let himself back out of the shop. She watched as he went back to his patrol car, noticing how he shook his head at her brother’s bikes on the way. There was a split second when she thought she was going to get exactly what she’d asked for earlier, that he was going to knock them over. But of course he didn’t, not looking to kick up that kind of trouble.

By the time that EZ and Angel came back over to her shop, Evangeline had not only finished altering the pants that she’d been working on earlier when they’d stopped in, but also taken care of another pair in between customers filtering in and out. She considered it a successful day, and the shop wasn’t even closed yet. Judging by the looks on Angel and EZ’s faces, she wasn’t sure if they’d had the same amount of success she did.

“Compressor got you beat?” she asked.

Angel scoffed. “Fuck no. We fixed that shit.”

She looked over at EZ. “Did you really?”

He flashed a grin. “Limping it along until the new one comes in.”

Angel’s head dropped back and he let out a dramatic sigh. “Dude, what the fuck?” He ignored the way that they were both laughing as he focused on his sister again. “So, what’d Rent-A-Cop want, anyway? Y’know, besides your hand in marriage.”

Evangeline rolled her eyes. “He was just checking in.”

Angel scoffed. “Yeah, gotta make sure his precious Evangeline is all good over here.”

She tilted her head. “Why are you saying my name like that?”

Angel gestured to the curb even though Franky’s car was long gone. “That’s how he fuckin’ says it! Swear to God, ‘mana, I haven’t heard that guy refer to you as Eva since he was like, twelve.”

Evangeline laughed. “How dare he call me by my actual name.”

“You know what I mean,” he shot right back, attempting to sound more annoyed than he really was.

She tried to divert the conversation rather than going deeper down whatever rabbit-hole Angel was trying to drag them down. “Why are you guys still here, anyway? Don’t you have motorcycle business to attend to? Parties to throw, windows to smash, all that fun stuff.”

“Party’s tomorrow,” Angel replied with a shrug. “You should come through.” He nodded towards EZ. “Prospect is playing barback.”

Evangeline laughed and nodded. “I’ll think about it.”

The two of them hugged her, taking her gentle cue to get going. Angel pressed a kiss to the side of her head. “Just don’t bring the narc as your plus-one.”

She laughed as she pushed him towards the door, but chose not to acknowledge his last comments. “Be careful out there.” She waited until the door to chime shut behind them before she muttered a quiet, “Pendejos,” to herself and got back to work.

Mayans Taglist (please let me know if you'd like to be added!):

@garbinge @withmyteeth @darqchilddaydreamz @artemiseamoon @proceduralpassion

@fanfic-n-tabulous @danzer8705 @justreblogginfics @cositapreciosa @narcolini

[cloveroctobers]

TURN THE TV ON — RICHIE JERIMOVICH [Summer Writings]

A/N: Continuing the relationship between Richie x oc (Freya) from a previous summer prompt here. This season ofc was a lot (when is it not?) although many felt like it was missing something I think that was the point of the season to be frustratingly lost or stuck because it’s about subtracting like Carmy said. The removal of a already built foundation to get to the potential of greatness. At what cost though? We’re seeing it.

I can say it’s not my favorite season but I’ve picked up on what I think they’re trying to do and we all know “Napkins” + “Ice Chips” were the best of this season—some might disagree with ice chips and wanted that wrapped up in five minutes but it’s significant to explore Nat’s struggle with motherhood and her as a character. Everything is always in glimpses with the Berzatto’s upbringing. Nat’s part of the bear as well, physically and figuratively—more than ever now. Anyways you didn’t see this with the intent of a mini analysis thrown in but that’s just my two cents! I also enjoyed seeing richie bond with Eva 🥹, Nat and Syd. I expected the fallout with him and Carm though, Carmen’s really showing his ass!!! :/

WARNINGS: language, falling into a slump, blocking out emotions, a mention of Palestine, mentions of c*ncer & a mention of an intimate moment between the two characters.

*GIF BELONGS TO: @sharpesjoy !

<- read my previous anthology piece here.

⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧

Freya doesn’t blink twice when Richie latches onto her elbow, gaining her attention in her kitchen. His voice is muffled as she slightly turns her head to him, watching his mouth move but not picking up on the words just yet.

She keeps her gaze on Richie as he reaches over her to turn the knob to the stove off. When Freya brings her gaze back to the burnt paper in the frying pan, she realizes what she’s been up to for however long she’s been standing in front of the stove.

“Frey,” Richie coughs, fanning the air some, then letting his hand slip to the middle of her back, “what’s going on?”

Her eyes have been dry for the past few weeks, that over the counter drops did not do her any justice and she couldn’t see a doctor since her insurance through her lackluster job was now over. However after finally hearing Richie’s voice and blinking, it feels like a storm is coming behind those dark eyes.

In due time but not today.

“Your uh, friend? Bahja I think? Reached out to me, said she hasn’t heard from you in a couple of days.” Richie continues while the woman breathes, dragging her eyes away from the pan to turn back to the table in the center of the kitchen.

Richie watches her, as she almost springs back into action, rearranging the placement mats on the table, the utensils, and center decor piece before pushing the maple chairs in as if they weren’t in as a far as they could go.

“Freya!” Richie snaps, making the woman sharply lift her eyes to his face, he was never one for patience and seeing her like this felt like a distant reminder of when they first met, “what is it?”

Freya scoffs out some laughter, folding her arms and placing her clef chin into her shoulder while trying to find the words, “…where do you want me to start?”

He leans back against the counter, clasping his hands in front of him, “start with you serving paper for dinner?”

“Those are letters from Jayden.” She informs before pulling her bottom lip in while Richie widens his eyes, “he’s got cancer and he doesn’t have much longer according to his doctors. He put me on the list, tells me he’s never taken me off. A invitation to see my abuser, before they deport him back to Portugal to finish out his last months of life. Isn’t that lovely?”

Richie lets that soak in.

He didn’t know what this poor excuse piece of shit of a person was thinking honestly. Jayden had a lot of nerve and Richie was tempted to take a visit himself. Richie can tell that it was taking a toll on his friend. She doesn’t appear as if she’s been sleeping, her usual wing lined eyes were not in motion, bare and skin rimmed red and he’s been so caught up in his own shit that he couldn’t remember the last time she’s even responded to anything he’s sent her way. He just assumed Freya was busy but she was the kind of person who didn’t just disappear, not when they just got back on track after richie was too much in his head about where they took their friendship.

He still remembered what her moans sounded like and he knows he has no business thinking about it, alright!

Not when she was the person he told what Carmy said to him instead of keeping it to himself. He went into detail with Freya and just dropped crumbs in the group chat.

Not when she’s met Tiffany and Frank.

And especially not when Tiffany gave her stamp of approval, although Richie didn’t ask for it or expect Tiffany to show up after Freya was dropping something off to his apartment.

After losing Michael, Richie vowed to pay more attention his friends.

“Mum’s not talking to me again since she’s not getting any more funds from me, talked my sibs out of coming here to spend Amina’s birthday with me, and I got fired thanks to my views on Palestine and participating in protests.” Freya informed the taller blue eyed man.

He rubs his own face in frustration with her, “well, fuck. Why? Why didn’t you tell me any of this sooner instead of me dumping all my shit with pacifier wearing Carmy on you?”

“It’s not your problem.” Freya shrugged and it’s not like Richie went into a whole turmoil about what happened that night either. It was so clear he was angry, hurt, and even being passive-aggressive about the situation.

So she left her shoulder open, as always.

Richie furrows his brows at that, pushing off the counter, “are you kidding me?! Don’t say that shit to me, okay? Anything that involves you is my problem, you’re important too Frey.”

Freya gives a small smile, feeling the weight of emotions being worn on her face then and if she had any more tears left to cry she would. She’s a sniffing mess and would blame it on sinuses if she was out in public, digging her knuckles into her burning eyes with no tears; to save those feelings for when she’s alone.

Richie’s rubbing and squeezing at her shoulders while Freya is taking that moment to herself. She ends up staring at the brash man asking, “so uh, tell me about Ever. Sorry about bailing by the way.”

He asked her to come with him two days before the funeral, she didn’t pick up his call so he knew a text would do, figuring she was at work and not going back and forth with HR over wrongful termination.

“After everything that you’ve been keeping to yourself? I don’t blame you, kid.” Richie responds while Freya lets out a humorless laugh, “enough about me…what are you going to do?”

Freya lifts her shoulders as she glanced to her left where her living room sits, “what I’ve been doing…taking time to figure it out. People take all the time so I guess now it’s my turn.”

Richie feels like he should know what this means, wondering if this will lead to a sense of better direction for his friend or worse. She’s always been soft hearted and that certainly wasn’t a bad thing but she felt closed off right now—almost cold and Richie began to wonder if he should have checked in earlier.

“Stop that,” she snaps her fingers at Richie seeing the guilt in his eyes, “I’m responsible for my own life. I’ll get through this whenever the time is right…just have to feel it for a bit, ‘tis all.”

Leaning forward, she tucks her head underneath Richie’s chin and he doesn’t hesitate to move his hands to lock against her lower back, resting his cheek right on top her now chopped dark hair. The embrace feels nice, right and says that no matter what jar of emotions spilled, they still had each other.

Freya deeply exhaled, eyes closed as she numbs it all out, almost sinking into Richie’s frame as if she’s ready to clock out of the world for at least a few hours instead of feeling it melt away from her. Pulling back she fixes the scarf on her head and heads over to her couch, tucking a leg underneath her before gazing at the black tv and not liking the smidge of a reflection of herself on the black screen, she reaches for the remote and turns the tv on.

Her eyes are in front of her but uses her free hand to pat the cushions for Richie to join her.

He’s in dark attire: a black t-shirt and a gold chain with dark blue washed jeans but as good as Freya knew the older man, he probably kept an extra black blazer in his car somewhere. The suits and blazers were a good look on Richie, gave him a sense of purpose and professionalism—never snobby—while still holding a welcoming nature in his bright blue hues and gestures to strangers.

Freya was no stranger.

It’s the same when he plops down beside her though with a groan, lanky long limbs stretched out in front of him as he folds his hands on top of his growing hair. He also turns to the tv, watching as Freya loads some app to play a movie.

Richie reads the title of choice out loud, “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg…is this one of those sappy musical movies you’re into?”

“Are you judging me Richard Lawrence? Do I grill you when go into your deep dives of Sci-Fi?” Freya points the remote at Richie, with slits in her eyes, making Richie raise his hands in surrender.

“Damn, I can’t ask questions, Freya Freyay Mazari?” He says in a mocking tone, throwing a nickname in place of if she had a middle name would be while Freya rolls her eyes, shuffling over to toss a pillow in his lap before laying her head there.

Richie shakes his head at the woman before bringing his attention back to the screen. The open credits are filled with the sound of flutes and the sunset over a water town, followed by a shot of cobblestone, people walking and the vibrant shades of umbrellas popping open as rain pattered over their heads.

“…Tiff says I should bring you to the wedding.” Richie interrupts as the credits drag on.

Freya curls her feet up and nuzzles her face against her folded hands she’s laying against, “yeah? The one you still won’t RSVP to?”

Richie scoffs, “I’m gonna!”

“When? It’s in September.”

“…how do you know that?” There’s a scowl on the bearded man’s face.

“Oh Tiffany and I are tight.” The British woman tells, “Ever since we first met back at your flat, accidentally. Apparently her and Frank sent me requests on Facebook not too long ago but I wasn’t sure if Frank was thee Frank you referred to and I really didn’t expect him to look like that so I accepted Tiffany’s first before getting confirmation.” Freya rants while richie pinched at the space in between his brows.

Frank’s request was still pending on Richie’s account and Frank never brought it up when they were face to face. It’s not like Richie would lie if the guy ever did bring it up. He personally had enough of Frank whenever he saw Tiffany’s profile picture when she commented on whatever post Richie decided to share to his two-hundred and six “friends.” Frank was kissing her cheek, her hand holding onto his shoulder, oval rock on her finger was shining as she gently smiled at the camera.

Tiffany deserved happiness, this Richie knew, he was just numbing it down until the feeling was gone.

“I’ll RSVP if you agree to be my plus one, you fucking crumpet.” Richie lifts his hips, making Freya complain now that he was ruining her comfortability, only for a second as he pulled out his phone.

Freya debates, “now I dunno if I want to when you just insulted me.”

“What?” Richie unlocks his phone, “crumpet is a cute nickname! A loving term of endearment! You won’t teach me any Arabic anyway so that’s your fault.”

Freya just hums as she tries to focus on the tv.

It’s gone quiet besides the clacking from Richie’s phone as he goes through his texts, trying to find the old link Tiffany sent him. The tv continues playing its dream-like music and Freya even starts to feel her eyes close until Richie grabs her hip, pulling so that she can see the invitation right in front of her face.

“You’ll go with me?” His eyes quickly go from her lips then to her own eyes.

And she looks into his eyes, knowing that it’s genuine, that he wants her there beside him, needs her there with him. Freya knows the man isn’t too proud to beg and they never pity each other.

“Go on and save the date then, yeah? So I can get back to my movie.” She teases with a wave of her hand, the faded henna on her fingers were still noticeable and pretty. She tucks that same hand underneath her face again, turning back to the screen.

Richie deeply exhaled, tossing his phone to the side after tapping on the screen to lock in his new spot—officially being a ex-husband—as he lets this action finally sink in. He was going to watch his ex-wife love someone else for however many years the creator upstairs allowed.

Yet he wouldn’t feel as alone this time.

He pinches Freya’s cheeks together, her complaints were ignored as he pressed a lingering scratchy kiss to her cheek, “thank you, Kochanie. There is that better?”

Usually part of Richie’s native tongue was only reserved for his baby girl, Eva. Most of the time insults were his way of showing his love and Freya was no different, regardless of how sensitive she often was.

Freya uses the sleeve of her beige zip up hoodie to wipe some of the saliva off her cheek, “I guess? No need to thank me, that’s what mates are for, babe.”

Mates.

Something Richie wanted because he knew he wasn’t over Tiffany and knew he wasn’t when his mouth went to work on Freya’s lower region back during that freezing winter. However he was positive that Tiffany wasn’t in his head when they did that they did. The pair came to an understanding back in July and leaving each other alone wasn’t the answer.

He also knew what Freya deserved but he’d be lying if he said he wouldn’t be crushed if she hit him up one day to tell him that she found someone else too.

So he lets one hand rest on her hip, absentmindedly caressing the bone while flicking his attention to the tv.

Until the feeling is gone.

If ever.

⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧⋆𖧧

Continue with my summer anthology writings & prompts here.

[slutouttanowhere]

Pairing: Drew McIntyre x Desiree Faith Simons(oc)™️

Warnings: toxic work environment, manipulation, coercion, alcohol consumption, being exposed on social media, this chapter gets a wee bit angsty. Mandy Rose, and Eva Marie are big time heels in this story, this is no hate to their actual on screen characters or them as people by the way. Please enjoy, leave comments, reblogs and follow for more 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

Previous chapter here: chapter 3

Chapter 4: But wait…there’s more

Desiree and Drew arrive at the arena together, their arms link together, and a smug look on Drew’s face. It was no big secret to everyone else how badly he missed Desiree while she was gone; his mood was incredibly somber, and volatile. Those were considered to be some dark days, but as he peers down at her, a warmth that he hadn’t felt in a while, settles in his chest. He is happy she’s back. “Double Dee!” Naomi’s voice carries through the hall, she’s leaning against a production crate off to the side. She hasn't changed into her attire for the night, but her make up is already done.

Desiree detaches herself from Drew, and jogs towards her best friend. “Baby!” Desiree squealed happily, they met each other halfway, and collided. Their arms wrap around each other, the both of them squeezing as hard as they can. When they part, Drew gives Naomi a high five, but he stretched his arm up well above his head.

“There’s no way you’re reachin that las.” He teases, a playful smirk on his lips. Naomi was no taller than 5 '5, no matter how great her hoops are, the Scottish warriors arms are just too long.

Naomi groans, “this is cheating somehow.” She rolls her eyes, but didn’t fight the grin that stretches across her lips.

“I got you, I got you!” Desiree shoutes, her arms are open, and she lowers into a squatting position. Naomi, trusting her friend, braced herself on Desiree’s shoulders, and with all the strength in her thighs she lifted Naomi. Quickly she slaps Drew’s hand before Desiree lets her go, carefully placing her back on the ground.

Drew was taken aback by such a display of Desiree’s strength. My girlfriend just deadlifted another human being, that’s hot. He internally moaned, that is quite possibly the most attractive thing he’s seen a woman do. “watch out folks, the gun show is in town.” He deeply chuckles, on cue Desiree began to flex her muscles, and pose arrogantly. Okay, she definitely didn’t have those muscles before. His phone buzzes in his pocket, the ladies continue their conversation on their own when he becomes distracted.

Unknown number: you didn’t tell her about us?

Drew stares at his phone quizzically, it’s unusual he’d get a text from some random person. It’s not like a whole lot of people have his personal number, he’s itching to text back, but he had a bad feeling about that. Whatever, maybe it’s one of the guys fucking around. He dismisses it all together, then deletes the text.

“I’m gonna go get done up.” Desiree’s voice brings his attention back to the present, he barely replies before she reaches up, and pecks him on the lips. He can see how eager she is to go gossip with one of her girls, so he didn’t fuss. He understands just how important her friendships are to her above all else; that’s how Drew and Desire started. A dumb, little friendship where he’d tease, and kid with her all day long. Then somewhere down the line things got intimate fast, he was so attracted to her that he just let it happen. It was too late when he realized what was happening, that he had fallen in love with her. If it hadn’t been for him starting over in NXT, they never would have met.

“Girl, I’m so glad you and Drew are back together. Maybe now he can stay out of trouble, I was really starting to worry about him, you know?” Naomi sat across from Desiree in an unoccupied makeup chair. It was true, Drew had a cloud hanging over his head; most of the male locker room steered clear of him, Naomi was one of the ones that refused to leave him hanging.

Desiree feels uncomfortable, feeling guilty that she wasn’t there for him, but she swallows that down. “Technically we never were officially a thing.” She mumbles, embarrassed, to which Naomi rolls her eyes

“Doesn’t matter, you’re back, so now he can stop getting suspended damn near every month. Drew is like a big brother to me, and you know I love you Desipooh. I just wanna see everyone happy.” Naomi said lovingly, her words genuine, and sweet as always. If there is anyone who could put a smile on her face, it’s Naomi, and Desiree loved her for always being such a light when needed.

As Ashely works on Desiree’s eyeshadow, Desiree sat with her eyes closed, and a small grin on her lips. “What else do you have to tell me about my time away?”

“You know I don’t gossip…” Naomi trailed off, she did want to tell her about the rumors about Drew and Seth, and who their drama was really about; however, she felt like it wasn't her place to talk about a man's business. Instead she said,"mmm I think you should be asking Drew a lot of what went on while you were gone.”

"What does that even mean?” Desiree pressed Naomi for information, but she didn't budge, the silent denial of Desiree request for information shocked her. The two of them shared everything, so the fact she was holding back now made her feel a mix of emotions she didn't know how to describe. Betrayal being at the forefront.

When Desiree opened her eyes Naomi was still sitting across from her, an apologetic expression on her face, and a sheepish smile stretching across her glossy lips . "Drew will tell you everything, I promise.” If only she knew I’ve been trying forever with him. She felt defeated when it came to that topic, Desiree parts her lips to speak, but is cut off by the sound of someone's laughter. "Are you sure about that, Naomi? He wasn't even man enough to tell her that another woman was doing what she couldn't.” Mandy Rose, shasways towards Desiree and Naomi. Mandy and Eva Marie stood with their arms linking together, a prideful expression adorning her features when Desiree became visibly upset. She stands from her seat, and so does Naomi, ready to get in between them if things get too heated.

Desiree chuckled dryly, "yeah if I were Drew I wouldn't claim a bitch that didn't know how to blend her nose contour either.” It's a lame rebuttal, but she'd be lying if she said this whole situation wasn’t making it feel like someone is clutching her heart. She’s trying to maintain her composure, but Mandy is not making it easy at all.

"I can't wait till you wake up and realize that a man like that won't wait for you to make up your mind.” She laughed lightly, she whipped her long blonde tresses over her shoulder, and folded her arms over her chest.

“It’s giving background character to be honest.” Eva giggled, her hand over her mouth trying poorly to suppress her laughter.

Desiree tilted her head, “I’m sorry who are you?” She asked with feign confusion, Eva’s bright red lips pressed into a flat line, Naomi could be heard snickering from the sideline.

"I know Drew better than you Desiree, when he's feeling needy he can't help but spill his deepest darkest secrets with me.” Mandy whispered so only the two of them could hear her words, Naomi didn't like the way this was going. Mandy Rose was a habitual liar, and would say anything to control the narrative in her favor. Naomi and Jimmy were victims of that a long time ago, but she didn't understand why she was locked in on Desiree so much?

"You may have had his dick, but I’ve always had his heart, try again.” Desire spoke fiercely, she just about had enough of Mandy's bullshit, there was a momentary pause, and she's never found it so difficult to be in someone's presence before. Mandy took a step back from Desiree. She grimaced, at a loss for words as Naomi tugged at her best friend's arm to leave. Desiree didn't have to look over her shoulder to know that the fitness models, Mandy Rose and Eva Marie, still had their eyes on her. Desiree, and Naomi kept walking until they reached the ring. With it still being the afternoon, there weren't any fans yet. A production team busied themselves with their work, a few of the officials were standing off to the side discussing that night's show.

Seth was in the middle of the ring, he looked to be discussing a match with Cody Rhodes. “I'm gonna talk to Seth.” Desiree muttered, Naomi wore an uneasy expression, but she nodded her head. She let go of Desiree's arm, she watched as Desiree approached the ring, and climbed up on the apron. Naomi hoped Mandy's words didn't affect her too badly. “Hey blockhead.” Desiree called out to him, he pulled out of the headlock Cody had him in.

“How did you know she meant you?” Cody asked looking dumbfounded, his gaze moved between Seth and Desiree, and he wondered if everything he's been told about her were true. That she only after the spotlight, and had no problem cutting people off to get to the top of her success. Brandi referred to her as an Ice Queen. Cody thought about the conversation he and his wife were having the night of Desiree’s return, but he’s heard the complete opposite from some of Desiree’s closest friends. Seth definitely only had nice things to say about her, which is nothing new under the sun when it came to him, the man known as The Architect is very kind hearted.

Seth snorted, "I’m gonna beat Seth Rollins because he’s got an ego the size of his blockhead, and I’ve got an asswhooping big enough to match.” He repeated Desiree’s words from their first promo together years ago, verbatim. Cody's eyes shined with amusement, seeing some of her current work proves she hasn’t lost her touch being out for a year.

“Don't blame me, Dusty told me to be myself, and lucky for me he paired Seth and I together. That was the first thing that came out.” She shrugged her shoulders as she climbed inside the ring, she leaned her back in the corner, and draped her arms lazily over the top ropes.

“Dusty had been calling me ‘blockhead’ for weeks after that.” Seth smiled to himself recalling the memory, those were good days for him, and he didn't regret a moment of it. Things with Desiree were easier too, he wasn't sure when they had drifted so far as friends, but he'd be lying if he said it didn't have to do with a six foot Scottsman. Ah yes, the thorn in my side for many years. Seth thought sourly to himself, “anyways, what do you want?” He asked half heartedly, just at the thought of his drama with Drew he was exhausted.

"Is that how you talk to your friend?” she asked softly, a small smile on her lips, and blarney in her chocolate brown eyes. Whatever it was that she wanted from him, it must be difficult for them both for her to be so nice to him.

Seth chuckled deeply, "oh, is that what we are? Friends?” he asked bemusedly, Cody took this as his cue as he was starting to feel more like a third wheel in the conversation. He slapped Seth on his shoulder, then waved a friendly hand in Desiree's direction before leaving. “Are you happy? You scared Cody off with your Wednesday Adams ass smile.” The second Cody was out of earshot her face changed, her lips fell into a pout, and her eyebrows pinched together. The way she denied his banter this time was different than the last, she looked pissed, but she was at least doing a good job at holding it back.

"What happened between you and Drew? And don't give me any shit about him being the one to tell me because I've tried that, and he won't budge. I'm sick being the one left in the dark.” She whined, he felt bad about not saying anything, though he's surprised she still doesn't know.

“You wouldn't be if you'd just open your eyes Des.” He breathed, he sat in the middle of the ring with his legs crossed, Desiree came to sit in front of him, mirroring his movements. “Would you believe me if I said all this?” He gestured between the both of them, his index finger making circular motions. "Has everything to do with you?”

“Plain English please.”

Seth exhaled through his nose, he turned his eyes up to the arena lights as he silently prayed for patience. “Listen, way back when, I maybe had a crush on you or whatever, and Drew didn’t like that.”

Desiree gasped, “what? You had a what?” She shouted, some people turned their heads in their direction out of curiosity, but quickly lost interest.

“Jesus this ain’t a telenovela, it’s not like being attracted to you specifically is weird. You’re charming in an annoying way, goofy, and you’re pretty damn talented too.” Seth spoke honestly, he would never feel the same about her as he once did, there was too much distance between them now. But he wasn't going to lie about his past feelings either.

She looked down at her hands, her fingers were tangled together, she felt vulnerable under his gaze. “I didn’t know…” she whispered, she felt dumb that all this time she never saw it, but then again her thoughts were preoccupied by her career.

“It’s not your fault really, now that I look back on it, I don’t think I tried hard enough. I let my jealousy of whatever the hell there was between you and Drew get in my way, and I just sorta gave up on trying.” He shrugged his shoulders, they were all so young back then, he knew in his heart that had that been now, he’d fight for her harder. “The man I am today never would have let you go.” Seth thought that would have been difficult to admit out loud, especially to her face, but instead it felt like a weight had been lifted.

“So what about you and Drew, did he ever say anything to you?”

“Of course! Drew always has something to say, he was nice about it at first, but then when you started hanging out with him less and less, he blamed that on me.” Again he looked up at the arena ceiling, this time he wished for a lifeline, he’s been saying Seth was the reason for their wedge this whole time, and now he was right. “The heat between us just carried on through the years, we never reconciled, and when you got injured a while ago things just got worse.”

Desiree’s eyebrows pinched, “that’s not fair Seth, you had nothing to do with that.” She felt second hand guilt, she could just about guess how those arguments went; Drew would never start off yelling, but if it prolonged he’d be shouting and roaring like a bull. As stubborn as Seth was, she knew he’d never back down from Drew’s fury.

“I know, listen Des, I may have caused an argument a while ago that I should warn you about if you bring this up to him.” He paused for a moment, the countdown clock for all talent to clear the ring, and head backstage began ticking. “A few months before your return, we got into it again. I don’t really remember how it started, but I lied and said you talk to me all the time. Then he jumped me, then we got into a huge fist fight.” He cringed towards the end, he was holding his breath, and waited for her to yell at him.

“Colby! Why would you do that, you know how he felt about me…you’re such an idiot.” She punched his shoulder as hard as she could hoping it actually hurt him.

“Ouch! I know, okay! Not one of my finest moments to lie about something so dumb—

“To you! It’s dumb to you, it really tore him up inside, and you might have made that worse. You owe him an apology, and the truth.” She got up to her feet as the clock reached two minutes, she swallowed back the tears that threatened to roll down her cheeks. She wasn’t sure what to expect when she approached him about this, but she sure as hell didn’t expect that.

“Fine, I’ll apologize.”

“Tonight.” She hissed through clenched teeth, and fire in her eyes, Seth thought better than to crack a joke right about now, the pain in his harm from where she punched him was still throbbing.

“Yes, I swear, when I find him it’ll be the first thing I do. Pinky promise.” Seth held out his pinky finger, he wiggled it encouragingly, but eventually Desiree caved. They enter locked fingers, “I really am sorry I’m part of the problem Des.” He said after a while, their fingers were still interlocked, he needed to let her know it wasn’t his intention to hurt her in any way. She matched his gaze, she hadn’t been mentally present in so long that she forgot how comforting Seth’s eyes could be.

“Friends?” She offered.

“Best friends actually.” He grinned, when Desiree didn’t argue, he pulled her in for a hug. They were the last two of the talent to leave to ring as the production team finished things up for the show. They walked side by side through the curtain, Hunter wasn’t there yet, but some of the other creative team sat around the gorilla.

“I’m gonna go get dressed, you find Drew?” Desiree confirmed, as she held onto Seth’s shoulders pulling his focus in, Seth nodded his head with a determined look, and then they split ways.

Fortunately for Seth he didn’t have to try that hard to find Drew, as soon as he rounded the corner, there he was. Talking to Mandy Rose, they seemed to be arguing about something as they aggressively spoke in harsh whispers. “Just the man I was looking for.” Seth chuckled, his eyes darted to Mandy with curiosity, but they didn’t linger for too long. The less he knew the better, besides he was crap at lying when it came down to it.

Drew for once, appeared relieved to see Seth, “saved by the bell.” Mandy mumbled, without a glance in his direction she practically stomped past him, her lips were deeply turned into a frown.

“I’m not even gonna ask about that.” Seth started before Drew had a chance to try and clarify anything, “I actually came here to talk about the one person we’ve been killing each other over for years.” He always tries to keep it light with Drew nowadays, since apparently anything could set him off when it came to Seth in particular.

“I have zero interest, now get out of my way.” Drew said gruffly, he was kind enough to not just shove Seth kid his way the second he opened his mouth. That doesn’t mean he’s out of the water yet.

“No can do my man, I refuse to leave without the two of us at least being frenemies.” Seth breathed out, a hint of a smirk on his mouth, and a gleam of determination in his hazel eyes.

“That’s fine, I can always move you myself.” Drew’s lips stretched into a smile, but it didn’t match the look in his eyes. Seth knew Drew would make this harder than necessary, he was prepared to stand his ground, because he felt it utterly useless for the two of them to fight over a girl that left them both.

“She doesn’t want us fighting Drew.” He called out melodically just as Drew was turning to leave, he paused, he couldn’t just not have anything to say in regards to Desiree. Drew always has an opinion, or a comment about something, it’s unlike him to not say his thoughts out loud.

“Why were you even talking to her in the first place?” Drew asked, that same jealousy he thought he had buried, was slowly bubbling inside of him. He could feel himself burning hot, but he remained calm to the best of his ability.

“You know why, you won’t man up and tell her the truth, so she found someone who will.”

Drew’s eyes snapped downwards at Colby, his icy eyes were like daggers sharp enough to kill as he looked at him. It’s always the same song and dance with you, Seth thought to himself, “you be real careful of your next words, or we’re gonna have a part 5 right here, right now.” He mumbled in a low whisper, his accent making half of that sound like gibberish in Seth’s ears, but he didnt need a translation for the threat he just received.

“C’mon Drew, what did you expect? She was gonna find out every single thing that’s been happening while she was gone. You of all people should know what it feels like to have people say shit about you when you’re not even around to defend yourself.” Seth couldn’t tell by the blank stare if he was penetrating Drew’s cold walls, but all he could do was continue to be honest. “All that aside, I genuinely wanted to apologize, so here it is.” He took a deep breath trying to gather his words, and prepare for Drew to completely reject everything he’s about to say.

“I’m sorry.” Colby unfolded his hands from his chest, then placed a hand to his chest where his heart would be. Drew seemed to have come back to life, and out of his meditation, an expression of shock settled onto his face as Colby continued to speak his apology. “First of all, I lied about those messages she was sending me, that was low, and I knew how much her communication meant to you. I just wanted to make you angry, and embarrass you in front of everyone.” Becky had told Seth months ago to tell Drew the truth, “it’s not just about him, speaking your truth out loud will really take a weight off you never knew you had.” And boy was she right. There was a long pause, it was evident that Drew hadn’t found the words to reply, he had almost forgotten why they had that fight to begin with. Now that he recalls that day, he remembered feeling like someone had shot him in the heart.

“Are you done?” Drew’s voice sounded hoarse, like he hadn’t talked in years, and he was using his vocal chords for the first time.

“Not quite, you know I’ve had feelings for Desiree in the past, and I can assure you it’s not like that anymore. That ship sailed long ago, but can you live with Desiree and I being friends?” Seth held Drew’s unwavering gaze, he hated the idea so badly.

Drew breathed out, at this point he just wanted the conversation to be over so that he could have time to himself. “Listen man, as much as I want to lock Desiree up, and throw away the key…I’m not gonna do that. Everybody loves her, it’s just who she is, if I can share her with millions of strangers, I can share her with family.” His body had relaxed, he had fallen back into his slouching stance, which only shrunk him by a few inches.

“So…frenemies?” Seth asked excitedly, he wiggled happily as he could see Drew breaking that icy exterior of his. Drew took a step forward, his hand out to Seth, and a sly grin on his lips. Seth didn’t hesitate to meet him halfway, satisfied with the way this conversation ended.

“Of course Colby, frenemies it is.” He smiled, but when he didn’t let Seth’s hand go, a chill ran up his spine; when Drew got that murderous stare in his eyes, it’s best to stay out his way. “But if you get my business again, in any way, I will kill you.” And he said it all while smiling still.

“No more trouble from me, scouts honor.” Seth grinned, he held the three finger salute up, Drew rolled his eyes, but finally let Seth go. The two men wordlessly parted ways, there was a pep in Seth’s step after making amends with a long time foe. He didn’t think anything else of it, and went about his night, Drew on the other hand had more thinking to do. He found himself in the men’s locker room, thankfully for him it wasn’t crowded yet. He took a seat near a corner, his elbows digging in his knees, and his palms covering his face.

Desiree’s face came to his mind. Her beautiful deep brown skin, her pretty wide eyes, with chestnut colored irises. Her lips always set in a pout, but boy when she did smile it was bright. He knew it was time to officially ask Desiree to be his girlfriend, they somehow managed to skip over that all this time, but he was going to rectify that. He also had to find a way to permanently end the Mandy situation; she has been extra naggy lately, and there’s only so much he can say to her as a man. Put that on the todo list of ‘things to talk to Desiree about.’ He pulls out his phone to send Desiree a quick message, but she had already texted him.

Deedee: i wanna cook when we get back home! 🩷

His heart fluttered, she had never offered to cook for him before, he’s overheard a lot of her girl friends talk about her cooking, but he’s never had the chance to taste it himself.

Drew: of course whatever you want sweetheart. 🫠

Later that night, after the show, Drew and Desiree finally touched down in Florida by 2 am. Without question they went straight upstairs to the bed after showering, and changing into fresh clothes. They immediately fell asleep, their arms and legs tangled. By the time Desiree woke up, it was well into the afternoon, and when she peeled her eyes open the sunlight burned her eyes. “Ugh.” She groaned rolling over expecting to feel Drew’s large, warm body next to her, but his side of the bed was empty. The strong scent of coffee brought her out of the bed, she followed it all the way downstairs, and into the kitchen.

“You need this.” On cue Drew turned with a cat shaped mug in his hands, her hands sleepily reached for the mug, but he pulled back. “Ah, kiss the chef.” He grinned, his lips already perked, and ready. She didn’t fight him in her groggy state, instead she pecked him on the lips like he requested, and finally she was rewarded.

She took a sip, and then another, “morning.”

“Oh! She’s alive everyone, whew, thought we lost you there for a second.” Drew feigned relief, he fist bumped their tabby, he reached out and tapped his tiny paw to Drew’s large knuckle. “Awe, she’s never been a morning person has she?” He brought her in to him, he pressed a kiss on her forehead, took her mug, and carefully sat it on the counter.

“Can we just stay like this forever?” Her words muffled as her face was pressed into his bare chest, her arms wrapped around his waist, and her full weight leaning against him.

Drew let out a hearty laugh, “I wish princess, but we’ve got adult things to talk about.” His hand placed gently atop her head, the bonnet she put on her head last night undoubtedly ended up on her side of the floor near the bed. Her hair was a mess of coils all over head, which is how he knew she was tired because she didn’t even bother with it this morning.

“Fine, I’ll finish my coffee, and cook while you talk.” She rolled her eyes, pushed away from Drew’s embrace, but made sure to grumpily kiss him on the lips one last time. He thought she was so adorable in the mornings, her face is still puffy, and her grouchy attitude is easily fixed by just letting her be.

Desiree busied herself with the food while Drew just got right to it. “The problem is Mandy Rose—

“That heffa still stalking you?” She cut him off, the stainless steel knife in her hand pointing at his eyes, he gave her a pointed look. “Sorry.” She mumbled, then went back to chopping sweet potatoes, then she drizzled them with olive oil, and threw them in the air fryer. She flipped the burgers in the skillet causing the meat to sizzle, and hiss.

“Yes, she keeps trying to get me to tell you some dark secret I’m apparently hiding but I already told you about…that.” He didn’t meet her sharp stare, he’s not sure if he’ll ever get over the embarrassment of sleeping with Mandy.

“Are you sure that’s all there was?”

“No I swear, not that I can think of.”

“Well you better think harder, because this bitch isn’t playing around, and neither the fuck am I.”

“Damn it Desiree, if I knew I’d tell you!”

“Would you?” Her question was simple, yet loaded. Maybe there was a microscopic part of her that still ached that she went looking for the comfort of another woman simply because she wasn’t available. Truth be told she blamed herself more than anyone else.

“C’mon Dee…it was one mistake, and I’m standing here trying to tell you I want to get rid of her before she ruins my career. Before she ruins us.”

“Drew, I forgive you, I do. And no matter what, I’m on your side. It’s just hard to forget that you did that, especially with her ass prancing around like she’s Santa’s favorite reindeer. Shit, you’re the one with a Criminal Law degree, use it.” Desire held his gaze for a moment longer before putting her focus back on the food. She thought it was pathetic how Mandy practically preyed on Drew while he was weak, but she had no idea how to even help Drew.

“Listen, let’s just try to enjoy our time off for now.” Desiree presented Drew with a steaming plate of food; burgers, sweet potato fries, and onion rings with sriracha and mayo sauce. His troubles were instantly forgotten about, his eyes eating for him, as she pushed the plate in front of him. She joined him after plating her own food, and pouring drinks.

“This is so good.” He moaned, his mouth full of food, and his eyes rolled in the back of his head. Desiree had only managed to eat half her burger and her fries. She enjoyed watching him eat, and enjoyed her food.

“Ouu I was thinking we can go sit on the patio tonight, and enjoy the stars?” She kissed his forehead, already cleaning their plates, Drew damn near licking his clean.

“Sounds good.” He mumbled partly distracted by his phone as he scrolled through twitter, he choked on his spit from the post he keeps seeing as she’s scrolling.

“What is it?” Desire turned, she was washing dishes when she realized he was being way too quiet, his skin looked sickly pale. His body became rigid as he continued to scroll, “Drew.” She called him, but he couldn’t dare move. His body felt like a ton of bricks, all the food he just ate felt like it was about to rush back up. Before he had time to react she had taken the phone from his hands, her eyes flickered over to him for a beat, then back to the phone.

She couldn’t believe what she was watching, “you gotta be fucking kidding?” A three minute and twenty-six second long video of Drew and Mandy in a wedding chapel, in Las Vegas. It was evident that Drew was very drunk, it’s a possibility Mandy was too, but she was more coherent than her groom. She watched in utter horror, and shock as Drew drunkenly said ‘I do Elvis’then hiccuped. Again her emotions were all over the place, mostly she felt rage that Mandy would even do this.

The sound of Drew’s voice made her jump, she had forgotten that he was sitting there. His eyes wet with tears, an expression of distraught, and his voice weak. “My career is over.”

[angelicadamposting]

EvaVal 🎀❣️ | Sometimes۶ৎ

art credit to @nattycat08 <3

tw // cw — implied ab*se (?)

Sometimes Valentino was good. Sometimes he showered ‘his Eva’ with gifts, carrying her around and taking her on shopping sprees. Sometimes he complimented her. Sometimes he’d defend her, stand up for her. Sometimes she stayed in his bed all night instead of returning to her room… Until Eva wasn’t his ‘fun girl’ anymore.

Sometimes Eva Lean was tired. Sometimes she wasn’t in the mood to film or dance. Sometimes she just wanted to smoke and sleep. That… ‘sometimes’ slowly, after years upon years, turned into ‘most of the time.’ Val began to choose new favorites.. and Eva moved into the Hazbin Hotel.

She still worked for Valentino, even while living away from him now — much like her friend and coworker Angel Dust. However… Val still had a way to tug at her heartstrings. His sweet words, lying or not, could always pull her back in. The fact he made her scars never visible in any photo shoots or videos posted of her was just one of the many small ways he continued to hold power over her, making her feel as if she was special in some way — that he’d take such an effort to keep her secret… But perhaps, in reality, he just liked being the only one to know about her past in heaven. It made her dependent on him, no? And was that such a bad thing?

[zablife]

The Last Supper

Requested by @evita-shelby for my 2K celebration An Evening at Arrow House. Warning: This is a dark fic 💀

A/N: Eva Shelby is an OC belonging to @evita-shelby. She is the new Mrs. Shelby in this fic instead of Y/n. Guest list for this party: Darby Sabini, Alfie Solomons, Michael and Gina Gray, Jack Nelson.

“Are you ready for tonight, my love?” Eva asked, straightening Tommy’s bow tie. She studied his face for any sign of hesitation or anxiety. His family had been cruel in recent weeks, unaccepting of his choice to marry a foreign woman they’d never met. Eva could have cared less what they thought, focused only on her new husband and the unique bond they shared. However, she worried about his fragile mental state, the breakdown which caused him to flee the UK less than a year ago still too fresh to be tested by caustic relatives and duplicitous business associates.

Tommy grasped her hands and kissed the inside of her wrists tenderly. “I’ll be fine as long as I have you. I only need you,” he reminded her. Eva inhaled deeply, a sense of love and devotion overwhelming her. In her whole life there had only been one man who stirred these emotions within her. Sometimes the need to protect him frightened her, the deeds she would be capable of without compunction. She leaned forward, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him toward her in a searing kiss. 

“I love you, Tommy,” she murmured against his lips.

“I never doubt that, Evie,” he replied, with a squeeze to her hip. 

———————

Eva had spared no expense for their dinner party, a footman for every guest, the finest wine and carefully planned menu were all part of her plan to create an unforgettable evening. In an attempt to recreate the meal over which Tommy had proposed in Paris, she even hired a French chef. Not everyone knew how to prepare ortolan and it had to be done correctly as it was to be the pinnacle of the meal.

Satisfied that the cocktail hour had passed without incident, Eva sat listening to the ebb and flow of conversation at the dinner table. She busied herself watching those gathered before her, ensuring their comfort like any good host. When the waiters finally placed the next course before Tommy’s carefully chosen family members and associates, gasps could be heard echoing through the room. Some murmured whispers of confusion and others of mild disgust at the cadaverous little golden bird at the center of their plate.

Michael, who was seated next to Tommy, was the first to voice a complaint. “She couldn’t have served a roast?” he spat.

Tommy smirked at his cousin’s reaction to the dish, a gentle shake of his head indicating that wasn’t how his wife operated. “That’s my Evie. She’s quite unique,” he boasted.

Suddenly Eva’s voice rose above the din. She straightened regally in her chair at the end of the table like a queen holding court as she explained her unusual choice. “It’s ortolan, a most sinful delicacy I thought all of you might enjoy. Would you like to know why they're so delicious?” she asked no one in particular. Her lips curled into a devilish smile that left her companions shifting uncomfortably in their seats as she continued. "They capture these tiny creatures and force them into darkness where they gorge themselves on grain and figs. When they’ve doubled in size, they’re drowned in Armagnac and roasted whole.”

Thoroughly unimpressed, Gina scrunched her nose at the sight of her food before rolling her eyes. “I suppose they eat this vile sort of thing in Mexico?”

Eva’s jaw clenched momentarily, eyes flicking up to meet Gina’s as the candlelight reflecting in her irises seemed to mirror the fire inside her. “I told you, it’s French and very exclusive. Try it,” she insisted through clenched teeth.

“It’s true, it's quite rare. People are lucky to taste it even once,” Tommy explained.

“And how is it that Thomas Shelby is fortunate enough to have tasted this delicacy twice in one lifetime? Isn’t that a bit gluttonous?” Darby Sabini asked, his prominent lisp making his last word sound particularly accusatory.

“You would speak of my husband’s greed at his own dinner table?” Eva asked with raised eyebrow, moments away from telling everyone in the room what she knew of his own cupidity and egotism.

A booming laugh came from further down the table as Alfie Solomons exclaimed, “Fuck me, a bloody parrot on a plate! Well, I'll give it a go. How do we eat this, dove?” he asked, gathering his knife and fork with gusto.

“You pick it up by the head like so and eat it feet first,” Eva demonstrated, wincing slightly at the scalding temperature before delicately placing it back on her dish. “When the bones begin to crack ever so delicately in your mouth, the fat will mix with the delicious flavor of the organs on your tongue. There’s nothing like it,” she assured him.

“That’s monstrous!” Gina cried, staring at her host in horror.

Eva grinned wickedly. “Don’t worry, that’s what the napkin is for. To drape over your head to hide your face from God.”

“Can’t say it’s the worst I’ve ever done,” Jack Nelson chuckled as he grasped his napkin in his right hand, ready to accept the gruesome challenge.

“Exactemente,” Eva said with an encouraging nod of her head. “On my count everyone,” she said, manicured hand reaching for her own napkin as she gave a wink to Tommy. She counted down from five as she watched her hesitant guests fumble slightly, a few nervous glances exchanged as heads disappeared quickly under the linen cloths. A rush of quick inhales permeated the air as everyone rushed the piping hot delicacy to their mouths. Eva’s muffled voice could be heard beneath her own napkin as she finished the count. “Two, one,” she said breathlessly, covering the steps of the waiting footmen behind each guest.

For a brief moment the only sound that could be heard all around her was the abrasive crunching of bones, evidence of the devoured birds and the little sin committed. Just another in a long list for these damned souls, she thought.

“Tell me what you eat and I’ll tell you what you are,” Tommy and Eva had been told in Paris when they first consumed the dish. The words echoed in Eva’s mind as she braced for the shots that rang out next, followed by the clatter of china and crystal. Removing her napkin carefully, she surveyed the lifeless bodies of her husband's enemies slumped over the table, blood seeping onto their plates through their makeshift executioner's hoods.

The assassins dressed as footmen folded their aprons as Tommy instructed, "Tell Johnny Dogs to light the fire now."

"And tell the chef to prepare the next course," Eva added before they filed out of the room.

When she was finally alone with her husband, she noted how he too still held the delicate bird in his hand, uneaten.

"Shall we?" he asked, raising his napkin invitingly.

"I don't feel ashamed, do you?" she asked, tossing the linen aside with a smile.

"No," he replied with a decisive shake of his head.

"Then let God watch," she answered, eating her ortolan in one bite.

-----------

Tag List:

@shelbydelrey

@alanadetigy

@severewobblerlightdragon

@lovemissyhoneybee

@theshelbyslimited

@kittycatcait219

@notyour-valentine

@areyenotfondofmelobster

@polishcrazyone

@elenavampire21

@little-diable

@lyarr24

@jomarch-wannabe

@helen06dreamer

@raincoffeeandfandoms

@dearshelby

@cillmequick

@call-sign-shark

@peakyltd

@brummiereader

@runnning-outof-time

@emotionalcadaver

@thegreatdragonfruta

@noforkingclue

@thomashelbyswife

[system-of-a-feather]

At this point in our recovery, I'm comfortable listing this, but the fictional sources we have introjected from at any point:

Riku (Kingdom Hearts)

Dark Riku (Kingdom Hearts)

Repliku (Kingdom Hearts)

Data Riku (Kingdom Hearts)

Riku Again, but Generalized and to the Left (Kingdom Hearts)

Riku AGAIN, but Generlized and to the Right (Kingdom Hearts)

Hollow Ichigo (Bleach)

Redacted (OC)

Redacted (OC)

Yut Lung (Banana Fish)

Lucifer Morningstar (Lucifer)

Eva Roux (Code Vein)

Redacted (OC)

Redacted (OC)

Ray (Our System, not fictional but has to be added in here for lels)

I feel like I'm missing one - probably from the branch of XIV's fused parts cause dude has so fucking much, and I guess a hypothetical short lived Nero (DMC5) introject.

But I just really had to make this post cause its fucking funny how our brain just kept printing Rikus

Redacted (OC) are just because I prefer to lean on keeping those more on the private end since two of them are from a story I plan to turn into a comic and the other two I'm keeping with consistency.

This post is more than ok to make light hearted jokes about, this post in itself is a light hearted joke.

[eddysocs]

Tender Persistence — Meredith Grey x OC

Summary: Meredith is fighting to work through her flu symptoms, but her ever present intern Eva isn’t about to let Meredith stay at Grey Sloan while she’s sick.

Word Count: 760

Warnings: None

The day had been a whirlwind. A seemingly endless cascade of surgeries, patient consults, and paperwork kept Meredith Grey on her feet for hours. But it wasn’t just the hospital chaos weighing her down. It was the dull ache in her body, the persistent throbbing in her head, and the scratchiness in her throat that she had been trying to ignore for days.

Meredith knew she was running on fumes, but she wasn’t one to back down from work, no matter how terrible she felt. As the day wound down, the symptoms finally caught up to her. A dizzy spell hit her just as she was wrapping up a patient’s chart. She braced herself against the counter, willing the room to stop spinning. But before she could regain her footing, a familiar voice cut through the haze.

“Dr. Grey, are you alright?”

Eva Santorini, the intern most frequently on her service, watched her with concern in her eyes, and though Meredith knew she had no ill will, it felt like a look of pity. Eva had noticed Meredith’s fading energy and the flush in her cheeks that had nothing to do with stress. Now, her worry was confirmed.

“I’m fine,” Meredith muttered, straightening up and attempting to act normal, though her legs felt like jelly.

Eva crossed her arms, unimpressed. “You’re clearly not. You’ve been pushing yourself too hard, and it’s catching up to you.”

Meredith brushed her off with a weak wave of her hand. “I’m just tired. I need to finish this chart and then—”

“This is non-negotiable, Meredith.” Eva’s voice held firm as she addressed the attending by her first name. “You’re going home, and I’m taking care of you. No arguments.”

Meredith tried to protest, but a cough racked her body, and she could only wince as her head pounded harder. Eva didn’t wait for another excuse. She grabbed Meredith’s coat and bag, taking her by the arm with a gentle but unyielding grip.

“You’re burning up,” Eva murmured, brushing her hand against Meredith’s flushed forehead as they made their way to the elevator. “I can’t believe you’ve been working like this.”

“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” Meredith mumbled, though her voice lacked its usual conviction. She leaned a little more into Eva, allowing herself to show a little vulnerability if only to take the edge off the chills running down her spine.

The ride to Meredith's was quiet, the tension from earlier melting away as Meredith finally surrendered. By the time they got to the house, she was too exhausted to fight back anymore. Eva helped her change into comfortable clothes and guided her to bed, pulling the blankets up around her.

Meredith closed her eyes, already feeling a bit better just by being home. But when Eva disappeared for a few minutes and returned with a tray of soup, water, and medicine, she couldn’t help but attempt a weak smile despite her feverish haze. “You didn’t have to go through all this trouble,” she croaked.

Eva settled beside her on the bed, smoothing the damp strands of hair away from Meredith’s forehead. “Of course I did. You’d never do it for yourself.” At that Meredith frowned, but they both knew she was right. Eva held out the medicine. “Take these. And don’t even think about sneaking out of bed for work calls.”

Meredith swallowed the pills, the genuine caring in Eva’s voice making it easier to accept the help. For someone so used to holding everything together on her own, it was a rare relief to let someone else take the reins, not that she’d ever tell Eva that.

The evening passed in quiet companionship. Eva stayed close, occasionally checking on Meredith’s temperature or simply sitting nearby with a book she’d pulled from her bag to pass the time. As the fever began to break, Meredith reached out, placing her hand atop Eva's, startling her a bit with the contact. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice hoarse but no less sincere because of it.

Eva’s expression softened as she squeezed her hand. “You don’t always have to be invincible, Meredith Grey. Everyone has their limits. Even you.”

With a tired nod, Meredith allowed herself to relax fully for the first time in days. She let the exhaustion pull her under, and as she drifted off to sleep, the thought lingered. Sometimes, letting someone care for you wasn’t a sign of weakness. It was simply trusting the people who cared enough to know what you needed, even when you were too stubborn to admit it.

For @sicktember

Forever Tag: @baubeautyandthegeek, @kmc1989, @curious-kittens-ocs, @fanficanatic-tw, @gcthvile, @kenjioharashotspot, @immyowndefender

[look-at-the-soul]

Matters of the heart

Tommy Shelby x OC (Eva Shelby)

A/N: Although this is written based on an specific character, it can be read as Y/N easily 😉

I wrote this little piece to celebrate @julyzaa / @evita-shelby 1st anniversary on tumblr! 🎉👏🏻🔮 congratulations and to many more!! I hope you like it!This is set on S5. I love this couple well because Eva is great! But also because she’s inspired after actress Adria Arjona, which I also got inspiration from the name to write Look at the soul. ♥️

Thank you @seleneshelby for creating the moodboard to go with this little idea ✨🔮

“Tommy…” Eva whispered out loud, but he didn’t turn to face her. She tried to move him away, but Tommy wouldn’t listen.

Eva woke up startled, something pressing her chest tightly, but there was nothing around her, just the room lighted by the bright morning.

Tommy must’ve instructed Frances to not disturb her, he was always so considerate, but this wasn’t a really good moment to sleep in… she needed to see him, make sure that he was alright. That’s why she rushed to change her clothes and brushed her hair and in record time she was ready to find her Tommy.

The drive was the longest Eva had ever been to, she hoped the chauffeur wasn’t doing it on purpose to drive her mad. Twisting the fabric of her skirt between her fingers, Eva tried hard to remain as calm as possible, right before the car stopped behind the vehicle parked in front of Tommy’s office, Eva was already opening the door, her feet touching the cobblestone.

Her heart skipped a beat as she saw a couple of kids kicking the ball on the street.

Just like in her dream.

“Park the car around please.” She rushed opening the door.

She could feel her heart up in her throat, thundering against her ribs. Taking two steps at the time and it wasn’t fast enough.

Please, let Tommy be fine, she pleaded.

As she was midway the stair, she saw Ben Younger making his way down, it was hard to see he would be dead in mere seconds, he wouldn’t be able to see his baby grow.

It was both a blessing and a curse to see sometimes the shadow of death following people around.

Not that she could go around telling people they were about to die, right?

“What are you doing here Ev?” Tommy found his wife on his way down.

“I needed to see you.” To protect you, she wanted to say.

“Well, how about you wait for me in the office and I’ll be right back?” He announced Ben forgot something at his office so he would bring it down for him.

Panic took over her. “No!” She tried to make him move upstairs, but Tommy wasn’t buying it. “I need to use your phone.” She tried to distract him with the first thing that crossed her mind.

“What is it?”

“Just, you know… that woman never wants to connect my calls.” She rolled her eyes and took a deep breath as she somehow managed to make Tommy walk back into his office.

She anxiously played with the necklace Tommy gave her, listening to a quiet tic tac in her mind.

“Who do you want to call?” Tommy held the phone and looked at her.

She frowned in confusion.

“Ev…” he realized then she was lying. “Is this one of those moments of yours where you see things?”

“I just didn’t want you to get hurt mi amor.”

Tommy walked towards the window finding the kids kicking the ball, he knew how protective she could be sometimes, but by now he had learned to trust her instincts. Just as he turned around to ask her about her vision, there was an explosion.

The window behind his back smashed into a million pieces and Tommy reacted by leaning against his desk, protecting his head. For a mere second, he was back in France.

Eva flinched and closed her eyes, trying to push away the images from her mind, the images she saw in her dream.

“Fuck. Are you alright?” Tommy demanded to know, worry written all over his face.

She could only nod, her heart tight.

She felt sad for Ben, for Ada… and their baby.

But also that innocent child lying across the street. He had a bright future ahead.

“Tommy.” She stopped him before he could reach the door. “You need to see Ada, she will need you.”

He flicked a long and quiet look at her. Over time he learned to read her well, he knew her silences and looks.

Eva finally allowed herself to sit, letting out a shaky breath.

It wasn’t her place to try to change the course of things… she only wanted to protect her Tommy.

****

Thank you for reading!! 🥰 if you like this and you feel up to it, I’d love to hear your thoughts xx

Master list

Tag list: @lyarr24 @runnning-outof-time @cillmequick @gypsy-girl-08 @datewithgianni @cloudofdisney @gretelshelby @ange-thoughts @lespendy @onlydeadcells @fastfan @stevie75 @prettylittlehoneyeyesxoxo @esposadomd @strayrockette @forbidden-forest-witch @elenavampire21 @forgottenpeakywriter @zablife @peakyscillian @moral-terpitude @babaohhhriley @shelbydelrey @shaddixlife @sloanexx @cilliansangel @rangerelik @sydneyyyya (can’t tag) @adaydreamaway08 @mrkdvidal1989 @dandelionprints @flippittygibbitts

[jonquilyst]

OC Deep Dive Questionnaire Tag

A set of 20 questions to get to know your oc! Ty for tagging me @akitasimblr 💖 I'm gonna do Eva (right), since she won't be playing a big role in Chapter 10

What uncommon/common fear do they have? She'd defintiely be afraid of bugs and would have either Wyatt or Jayden get rid of it (mostly Wyatt though bc they'd enjoy bugs and wouldn't kill them [and would scold Jayden for trying to kill them])

Do they have any pet peeves? Some of her pet peeves include when people bump into her and don't apologize and when people arrive to her college class wreaking of weed

What are 3 items you can find in their bedroom? Books, posters of her favorite bands, and her trusty headphones, of course

What do they notice first in a person? Their emotional state. It's the sole reason Eva decided to approach Megyn at the beginning of the story. She noticed Megyn soaking wet and looking frantic, and since she's an empathetic person who loves helping others out, she followed her to make sure she was ok

On a scale of 1 to 10, how high is their pain tolerance? I'd say it's mid, like a 5. Not the worst but not the best

Do they go into fight or flight mode when under pressure? I think she'd fight, even if it's not in her best interest to do so

Do they come from a big family/are they a family person? For the most part yes, she's a family person, though her immediate family just consists of her parents and herself (and she quarrels with them sometimes). However since she's Vietnamese through her dad she's definitely close with that side of the family since everyone visits each other a lot and the grandparents (who are Vietnamese immigrants) host family events with their children and grandchildren (aka Eva's immediate family plus Barry's siblings and their children/Eva's cousins)

What animal represents them best? She definitely gives off excited dog energy, specifically the golden retriever

What is a smell that they dislike? This ties in with her pet peeve, but she dislikes the smell of weed (but she tolerates it if she knows people are gonna be smoking it, like a concert)

Have they broken any bones? Eva was a very active kid growing up and was very accident-prone, so yea, I think she most likely has broken a bone. I can see her having needed a walking boot at some point, so I'll say that she broke her ankle when she was a kid. She would have totally had her friends sign the initial cast before transitioning to a walking boot

How would a stranger likely describe them? Exuberant, lively, energetic, very friendly, and unique

Are they a night owl or a morning bird? Definitely a night owl

What is a flavor they hate and a flavor they love? She dislikes grape-flavored things and loves strawberry-flavored things

Do they have any hobbies? She loves to read, listening to music, and going to the gym

Boom, surprise birthday party! How do they react to surprises? She LOVES surprises and the friends would definitely through a surprise party for her. She'd be absolutely thrilled if they did that for her

Do they like to wear jewelry? Yes. Earrings and necklaces are the way to go for her

Do they have neat or messy handwriting? It's legible to most people but it definitely leans towards messy

What are two emotions they feel the most? Excitement and intrigue

Do they have a favorite fabric? Anything that's soft and cozy such as fleece

What kind of accent do they have? She has a medium-high pitched American accent that's sharp, clear, and lively. It contrasts Megyn's voice which is very soft and a little raspy (so opposite of that)

Tagging @thebramblewood @dreamlandiasims @seyvia (feel free to ignore) and anyone else who wants to do this bc Idk who to tag 🙃