#oh my god an lola needs to be there too how could i forget about her. shes insane shes doing some dee reynolds shit in this scenario

[the-pea-and-the-sun]

conjuring an alternate dimension version of the looney tunes show in my mind where bugs is a washed up celebrity in LA and daffy and porky are out of work actors a la its always sunny on tv and the show follows bugs' transition journey

[piratefishmama]

Finders Givers | Part 4

Steve Harrington had faced a lot of daunting things in his lifetime. He’d dealt with a lot of intimidating people, criminals of all shapes and sizes, he’d dealt with the lot of them with a calm finesse that earned a level of respect he didn’t really think he deserved. A lot of it was posturing. An insane amount of right out of the gate confidence that covered up just how much of an idiot he could actually be at times.

The confidence was all those people saw. It was his own people that knew how much of an overprotective dork he was, so it was his own people who felt most at ease around him. Like sure, he had Lola, his baseball bat riddled with nails for intimidation, and sure he’d used it a few times, but only in self-defence, and only against the most unsavoury of people.

The last one was Creel, and he hadn’t even been the one to use it.

Seeing the cause of his current insanity just… there, in the flesh, no longer in a groady fast food place uniform, looking good enough to eat well… he was only human.

Forgive him if he forgot how to word for a minute.

Luckily, once Robin recovered, she rose from her seat, rounded it, and motioned her arm as if presenting them to him.

“Steve, meet Eddie Munson and his roommate Chrissy Cunningham, tenants of the block of apartments you purchased. Eddie Munson, Chrissy Cunningham, please allow me to introduce my very own single—” she winked at Eddie, both in reference to his own earlier quip about Chrissy, and because hint hint, he’s pathetically single and clearly pining, Steve’s eyes snapped to her face, although she gave him no time to shut her up as she continued “—platonic life partner, Steve Harrington, the guy in charge.” Eddie loved her already, Chrissy was cutely hiding her smile behind her hand. “They’re here asking questions about the letter we sent regarding the rent forgiveness and renovations.”

The one she’d not looked over. The one Nancy had rushed out. The one she wished she’d have seen before it went out just to make sure she had some kind of explanation ready and waiting should anyone pop by asking questions.

“O-oh! Oh yeah, yep, I know, your door isn’t soundproof hence the uhm—the entrance, I can probably answer a few questions, maybe even get some ideas and opinions from you guys, we don’t wanna go into the renovations not knowing what our tenants need so—” he let the sentence just hang there as he motioned out toward the hallway.

“Wait so you’re not just… doing stuff randomly, you want us to basically ask you for things, and you’ll give them to us?” Chrissy asked, rising from her seat since Eddie was still a little struck stupid over the most beautiful man on the planet and the fact that he was single. Eddie was also trying to figure out where he’d seen this guy before too because that was a face you didn’t just forget.

“Well… that’d make the whole process a lot smoother, right?”

Eddie finally shook his head free of his barnacle-like thoughts to ask a very simple, “Why?” If he didn’t have Steve Harrington’s attention before, he did now, those beautiful baby cow eyes staring right into his soul, warming it up like a soul toaster oven. “Ehem—why are you doing this? Why should we believe that you’re just… doing it for the sake of doing it? Nobody is that philanthropic, especially rich people, no offense but that’s like… the opposite of what rich people usually do.” Toaster oven was just slow enough to let him get those icy thoughts out before they could be fed to it to be warmed and buttered up. God he wanted some toast.

“Key word being usually.” Steve shot back, hazel eyes dancing in amusement, criminally handsome smile on his lips, damn him. “They won’t be palaces, they won’t be penthouse suites or comparable to five star suites, but I’d like to make them comfortable, safe, I’d like to make sure the electrics work, the heating system is up to date and make sure you have all the amenities you could need, I’d ask you not to take the piss with your requests, of course… but… if it’s reasonable I��m quite happy to provide it.”

“And what do you want in return for this?” There was always a catch, a devils contract for sure, too good to be true, there had to be a catch.

Steve looked at him for a moment, smile slipping from his face as he looked Eddie up and down, then… a slow, almost deadly grin seemed to curl at his lips, damn near predatory in its appearance, it sent a shiver down Eddie’s spine, dread licking at his bones.

Evil. That was evil, he was—

“Your soul, Eddie Munson.” Holy shit holy shit holy shit holy shit ho— “snerk” Steve snorted, that expression disappearing, replaced by one drenched in amusement “I’m kidding! You’re so easy, Munson. I’m not the devil, calm down.” Chrissy was giggling, the traitor, Robin looked exhausted, probably used to the antics, Eddie could feel his heart trying to escape his chest through his throat, could feel his cheeks warm in embarrassment.

“You—you didn’t answer my question.”

“I own where you live, I don’t have to answer your question.” Steve winked at him. The beautiful bastard. “I would however love it if you worked with me here. It’d just be nice for my tenants to get along with me, don’t you agree?” He was like some kind of snake, a sneaky little snake, charming but scheming “I’m also buying a local bar too, I don’t intend to change it all that much but—”

“You’re the one buying the Hideout?” Chrissy’s eyes widened, cutting him off as if she couldn’t help herself “why?”

“I want it.” So simple. He really didn’t have to answer any questions. And if he did answer, he wouldn’t give the full story. Suspicious, he was suspicious. “Owner isn’t staying on staff when the purchase goes through though obviously, I believe he’s retiring to the tropics, so I’ll need new staff, wouldn’t happen to know of anyone who needs a job would you?” A scheming, snakey snake of a man.

Eddie didn’t have to play to his tune though “Nope, I don’t know a single person in this whole world who needs a job right now thanks though.”

Chrissy didn’t share his scepticism though, happy to offer a chipper little “we just lost our jobs!”

“Traitor” he hissed.

“Oh hush, Teddy-bear, he’s harmless!” Steve grinned, oh yeah, totally harmless that one “we know a few guys who’d be great at it too, Gareth has bartending experience, remember?”

“Mixing two cocktails at a house warming party does not count as bartending experience.”

“They were good cocktails though, Eddie, you had like, six of them.”

“And I stand by the fact that each one tasted different!”

“But you LIKED them!”

“That’s not how bartending works! They have to taste the same each time!”

“Fine, he knows how to make SIX slightly different cocktails.”

Across the room, Steve leaned just a little closer to Robin just to quietly ask “is this what we look like to outsiders?”

“God I hope not” Robin knew better though, it was exactly how they looked to outsiders.

“Alright guys!” Steve stepped forwards, closer to the bickering pair. “I have quite a bit to do today as you can probably imagine, so how’s about we discuss this further over… say… dinner?” He could feel Robin’s incredulous stare boring holes into the back of his head. Ignoring it. Ignoring it. “You’re both more than welcome.” He was clearly looking at Eddie though.

“I’m busy” Chrissy was quick to answer before Eddie could object “but Eddie… Eddie is totally free, aren’t you Eddie?” His mouth still open from where she’d beaten him to the punch, now looking between them both in bafflement.

“Uhm—I… uh—heh—no, nope, nope not free, not free at all in the slightest c’mon Chrissy let’s just go home!” He grabbed her hand in a flurry of flustered panic “we’ve gotten all we came to get so thanks for the rent free living!” Steve didn’t stop him as he pulled an objecting Chrissy along with him out the door in a rush “We want a dishwasher!” He yelled over his shoulder as he pulled her down the hall to the elevator, leaving Harrington and Buckley behind, missing the exact moment when Robin whacked Steve around the back of the head with her papers, and called him an idiot.

Part 6

[xelasrecords]

Once again I forgot that September 29 is this blog's anniversary, so I'm celebrating now woo! Thank you guys for sticking with me and being my friends. This year has been tough and I probably would've hit an even rockier bottom without tumblr and the people I've talked to here. No matter how short the interaction was, it helped. (MAJOR shoutout to @brighteststar707 @juminies and Lola)

When I hit a milestone, I like to look back on what has happened, so I decided to write unserious summaries and commentaries on my fics based on my recollection of them.

MYSTIC MESSENGER

As One So Half - Oh my God my loved ones are dead it's time to kill V and make Jumin mourn so I have an outlet to grieve.

Violent Need - Insane MC to match a controlling Jumin. The most passionate smut I've ever written. The passion is violence not lust.

Locus of Pain - She's so bitter and they're borderline toxic but at least Jihyun has his GE persona!! My possessive awakening, as in it turns out I don't hate possessiveness if it works for both sides.

Secrets and Sacrifices - I couldn't breathe so I suffocated everyone.

The Oasis Is Beautiful From Up Close - I easily forget about the fics I've written, so what I remember in this one is Jumin/MC/Jihyun, jokes, sexy scene almost sex but not, thoughtful conversation, then jokes again. Also my first romantic smut.

The Final Night - My life finally got a bit better so I allowed Jumin and MC to have a fleeting happiness before plunging them into a final battle.

All That Is Lost - Alas, Jumin is the target of my grief again. He's the one I'm killing now.

As Daylight Comes - Jumin and MC wish they could fuck in front of Jihyun but they respect their friendship too much to ruin their breakfast time.

The Love We Live For - Jumin, MC, Jihyun are falling for each other. I looked back on this with nostalgia because I don't think I can perceive love with as much altruism anymore.

Tea! Would You Like Some? - Jumin excessively promotes his tea because he forgets he likes wine after reader enters his house.

Haven Burning - Finally got the guts to write about Jihyun and it was about being codependent to hell. The start of my angsty smut as personal comfort.

Thank You for the Food - My most romcom fic ever. Wrote it as a pick-me-up to my younger self when I had to juggle a lot of things when I was sick and fantasising about Jumin taking care of me. Looooved writing the banter. My fics haven't been this happy since.

Wedge the Knife Under My Skin - Pent-up anger needed to go somewhere and the best course was through cheating on an abusive boyfriend with Jumin. This nourished my suppressed need for revenge. I was also interested in exploring the grey areas of cheating.

Greatest Kindness - I had an obsession with breakup stories that time so I had to give Jumin one.

Wedding Scene - My friend got married so my brain dramatised the whole thing. I was also grappling with guilt about something else so I smashed them together and it turned out to be a post-breakup fic set after Greatest Kindness.

In the Dead of Night, You Bring Me Back Alive - Tipsy thoughtful conversations inspired by my two brain cells debating each other. Might as well get them out. Oh, and the reader dazzles because we shouldn't be damsel-in-distress all the time in Jumin's fics!!

Cold Wrath - Jumin and the reader try to fight healthily. I got triggered writing the fight and reached a revelation™.

The Worth of Gifts - I haven't deleted this purely to show myself how much I've improved. A part of me wants to slam on this, but it was also my entry into fic writing so I'm just gonna be grateful that my past self got covid and was so bored that she entertained the idea of writing fanfics.

THE SSUM

The Great Anguish of Our Separation Means Nothing to Me - I was soooo excited when I saw Harry's potential for HUGE angst! Break them up, as I like to say.

Go, Go, Stay - A moment of relief when I finally understood Harry's inner working.

Lovely Walk - Persistent reader with a douchebag guy whom I would never recommend to pursue IRL, but this is all fun and games so it's aight. Beat this man into a pulp—metaphorically.

[emberunderscore]

midas villain thoughts have been consolidated into 3 seperate ideas

number 1 - "Lost to the Decay" Midas was the same as canon at the beginning, they were kind and their moral compass was strong enough they wouldn't bring a child into the worldport. then the decay starts, as we know it goes for their eyes first and when it takes their eyes it takes their soul too - or at least a part of it, stripping them down to some of the core things that make up a sherbert: denial, how okay they are with being alone (and how much of an asshole they are) and i need to cook on the other two a bit more but their denial is high, its like they've been reverted back to default settings and high denial feels right to be the default for a sherb. the decay causes them to forget why they stayed as quixis in the first place so they convince themself it was a choice they made because they wanted the power and the control (and the spite that fuels them to not let anyone be quixis ever again). especially when they're unable to pull icarus to be quixis they use that time to convince themself that theyre the one in control and even if they could they wouldnt give away their position. this one is probably the one that convinces themself that they want to carve a name for themself and if youve seen my recent ramblings this is probably the one that'd (tell themself that they should) be proud of being the longest quixis and the damage they've caused think like coughing up blood (weird decay goo or smth) and laughing hysterically kinda thing also this midas would be more decayed than canon because i imagine they abuse their power and dont try to stop the decay as much so like if c!midas was pretty close to being fully decayed this midas would probably be dead before the finale (alternatively they just begin literally falling apart . you can probably tell this is the one i like to think about body horror stuff for the most) probably the closest to epic au midas (whos scylla if you dont know my epic au) song: Oh Ana by Mother Mother / Lonely King by CG5

number 2 - "Overcome by Anger" Almost everything the same but Midas is just more angry in general . they get so sick of being yelled at and ignored and having their intentions assumed all by icarus and then fable getting released just causes them to fucking snap . they decide that if icarus wants to see them as this malevolent god-being then why try to be anything else (can you see the similarities between them and s3 icarus deciding that if they keep fucking up then why try to be anything but a villain?) and the wings would've been intentional . they were done with not being listened to and they were done with trying to help . they still hate fable's guts and as icarus gets closer to him they start to hate them more as well . songs: Angry Too by Lola Blanc / ANTI-HERO by Sekai No Owari

number 3 - "Chaotic Neutral" chaotic midas who just wants to fuck up everything and be a little chaos gremlin, just somewhere between chaotic neutral and chaotic evil type shit . this is the version with the least amount of coherent thoughts regarding it. most of it is based on vibes and songs those songs: Entropy by Awkward Marina / Whose Eye Is It Anyway??? by Jhariah (/ Haunted by Laura Les)

[autisticlenaluthor]

What's your take on Episode 7? 👀

I thought it was the best episode yet. it wasn't my favorite episode (I think the bus chaos episode is) but I think this one was the best in terms of writing/story/characterization.

(im gonna do my best to articulate my thoughts. idk how welll I'll do bc im in a verbal shut down but like i do have so many things I wish I could say)

first off, we saw so much vulnerability and so much insight into all of the girls.

the entire episode just had me wanting to reach out through the screen and give Sadie a hug. this episode humanized her (as it did all the girls) so much. it was the first time to me that I felt a true connection with her, rather than just a "she is my blorbo and I love her" favorite character vibe. Melissa is such an incredible actress, especially when given a good script, and you could just feel Sadie's stress through the screen.

the moment at the end with loafers was almost hard to watch. hearing him pile up on her, when you know what she's been through, and then watching it all come crashing down with the reveal of her needing an abortion was gut wrenching.

lola's storyline was also so important. we knew that there's a reason beneath the surface that she is the way she is, and I'd always kinda assumed her ferocity and how stubborn she is was a defense mechanism. but actually seeing it play out and confirmed was something else.

the scene where she went off on her candidate was a lot (for me to watch, not like, a lot in a bad way) but it all made so much sense. I think this episode also kinda showed us Lola being all high and mighty about everything stems from her trauma induced imposter syndrome. like-- the logic of calling her sister a nepo baby is fucking insane, because it means Lola, is a nepo baby too and just too stubborn to see it. but the scene with grace afterwards made it make so much sense.

and grace!! oh my god!! I loved all of the moments with her and Sadie. I loved her offering Sadie a hug, working side by side with her, and being her friend. the scene where she comes at Sadie hard again, is a lot, and for me was hard to watch, but it shows that even though Grace is changing. she is still her. she's written so consistently in her development, and I just love it.

also, the contrast between grace being too disconnected from her down daughter to be her mom, but taking Lola in, and mothering her so naturally. that juxtaposition was everything.

like it's so clear that Grace is afraid of vulnerability. but with Lola, it seems like there are just enough degrees of separation that Grace is able to be there for her the way she should be with Annie.

finally, Kimberlyn. I'd suspected her and Eric would come crashing down but truly, she just deserves so much better. everyone in her life keeps blaming her for going right back to work after her wedding-- seeming to forget, they weren't even supposed to get married that day. Eric dropped it on her out of nowhere, which means technically, Kimberlyn has absolutely no obligation to be being there for him as his wife right now.

but I love seeing Kimberlyn start to recognize her worth. she's been growing so much the past few episodes. and throwing out her passion planner-- it seems like she's getting ready for a fresh start??

idk. but im excited

[aoyama-division]

ARB Birthday Special: Luis Kōkyū

~~ October 25th ~~

"Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity."

Login Lines:

"...What do you mean I don't have to work today? In case you forget, Wednesday is one of our busiest days. ...No, I didn't schedule or request a day off. ...What? My employees told me to take today off? Why? ...Because... it's my birthday? ...Oh. October 25th. It's that day, already?"

Voice Lines:

*Sighs* "31 years old. I can scarcely believe it. It doesn't feel much different from any other age, to be honest. I know they say you get wiser as you get older, but I don't believe it. My teammates are living proof of that. ...Still, I can't help but feel as if I've gotten better at controlling my temper this past year. Though... that would be a lot easier to do if there weren't so many people out there trying to get a rise out of me."

"My parents didn't even bother to wish me a 'happy birthday'. I'm not even sure if they knew today was my birthday. I can't say I'm surprised, though. They didn't do anything last year. I'd be a fool to expect anything different this year. I stopped my Abuela from getting upset. Like I told her before, their actions aren't a reflection on either her or me. I know she knows that's true, but I can suspect she still doesn't like it."

"Tomi. ...Yeah, thanks, I guess. ...Look, I'm really not in the mood to deal with any of your shit today, okay? So if you just came here to be an ass, then please leave. *Sighs* ...Fine, what did you get me for my birthday this time? What is this? ...An electric lighter? For grilling food? ...Huh. Okay, I'll admit. You've outdone yourself this time. Thanks a lot, Tomi. ...Yeah, I said 'thanks'. Don't let it go to your head. If it gets any bigger, it may explode."

"Hey Karada. ...Thanks. Glad you took the time out to do so. ...Maybe because you did miss your birthday this year? It may have something to do with the fact that you were too busy bugging me about helping you find a gift for Lola this year. ...Yes, it took the better part of the day, remember? ...Right. So, what is it? ...An electric massager? ...Huh. I did say that, didn't I? It completely slipped my mind until now. ...Thanks, Karada. I really appreciate it.

Tomi Lines:

A most joyous and welcome birthday to you, Luis. ...'Thanks'? That's all I get from going out of my way and wishing you a 'happy birthday'? How tasteless. ...Ugh, nice to see your vulgar language is still the same as usual. But fine, if it meets that much to you, I'll cease being a... lesser animal for you. Now would you like my birthday gift to you, or not? ...Good. Now take this."

"The other day I ate some grilled meat at your restaurant, and I could taste the burnt wood on it. So, I had Hino purchase this for you. I hope you use it and make the taste of your food much better. ...I'm glad you think so. ...What's this? You actually 'thanked' me? ...Ugh, your crude way of speaking still does you no favors, my friend."

Karada Lines:

"Happy birthday, Lu! I had to cancel my afternoon lesson with one of my clients to come wish you a happy birthday. ...It's no problem, man! You're one of my best bros! Besides, we have to celebrate birthdays any chance we get. I don't think we celebrated mine this year. ...We didn't?! Why not?! ...Oh right. We needed to find those roses for Lola. Man, I hope she liked them! Thanks for that, by the way."

"Anyway, here's my present, bro! I noticed you been rubbing your arms and necks lately. You mentioned that you've been getting aches and pains, so I got you this massager to help you after a stressful day. ...Glad you like it, bro! And no problem! You deserve it! Hope you enjoy the rest of your day, man!"

[fantasies-fairytales-n-fics]

Thranduil and Josie Pt. 127- Three Kings

Summary: Josie shares another dream memory. She awakes in Narcisse's bed. Josie is still angry with him but the persuasive warlock soon wins her over. Legolas receives three visitors. A long awaited secret is revealed, with a price. Catherine's evil reign continues. She tries to break a curse but it is too late. Stephane is injured. Catherine pays. Thranduil arises and demands answers. The Elvenking soon finds himself in a self induced predicament.

*Warnings* Angst, language, violence, poisoning, mentions of death,

Stories Stories Stories Masterlist

"Thranduil....Thranduil where are you my King...please, take me away from this awful place, I beg of you." you weakly cried out in your dream as you lied upon the forest floor, your head throbbing in pain and bleeding. Someone knelt beside you with an overpowering floral scent but you couldn't force your eyes to open. Something cool and soothing softly touched your forehead and then you began to float.

Muffled voices echoed about you, sounding of a man and a woman. The woman's was so beautiful and angelic.

"My lord, she is human. Are you sure this is the right thing to do?"

The man's was deep and decorative, yet so heavenly and protective.

"Do not question my authority. She is injured and needs my help, and I am going to offer it."

"Yes my lord."

You then realized you were not floating, but that he was carrying you.

"Thranduil!" you shrieked in panic as you awoke, forgetting where you were for a brief moment until Narcisse came running to you.

"Jo..it's alright, you're safe." he assured as he placed his hand on your cheek, in which you quickly threw your arms around him, remembering what happened with Asher. After a few moments, you then also remembered what Narcisse had done and how he treated you. Shoving him back, you swiftly stood up to realize you were now in a robe and not your bloodied dress.

You looked at him in panic. "How did I get into this?? Did you undress me??!!"

"Calm down Jo, of course I did not do such a thing. I had a female servant tend to you while I left the room. I know you think the worst of me, but I would never violate you like that."

You burst out laughing. "You mean like when you drew me naked and left it for all of Dorwinion to see?! I should never have came here. I need to get to my daughter, my god where is she??"

"Relax, relax Jo, she is safe with Lola in her chambers. I made sure to go find her when you collapsed at my door...and I also had my guard remove Asher and the soiled rug from your room. Everything is alright."

"Oh...." you softly said as your anxiety eased a bit. "Well, I still should never have come here."

Stephane arrogantly smiled in disbelief. "That's it? No...thank you?"

"I did not ask for your help nor do I want it."

"Oh but you did by coming to me and no one else. Not Haldir, not Garrett....me."

"Yeah well, Haldir is upset with me as if you didn't know that because of what you did and Garrett...well...." You thought quickly on that and made up an excuse. "I...I had blood all over me. He wouldn't have been able to handle that."

Honestly, you really weren't sure why you did not call for Garrett. He could have handled the blood. For being a vampire, he had self control like no other which you believed was the human that still resided within him, considering he would only seek out evil people to exist off of..... There was so much involved with what you felt for him. You told yourself it was about Raven...but deep down you knew it was guilt about Legolas and Thranduil.

"You can tell yourself that all you want Jo but you weren't thinking clearly at the time to worry about all that, and yet here you are. Your instincts brought you to me because I make you feel safe." Narcisse said with confidence.

"HA! Don't flatter yourself! You are the last person I feel safe with. You intentionally hurt me and it didn't even phase you in the least...you sat there and gloated over my humiliation! I am so over this and I am going to go get my daughter now and..."

"And what Jo? Where are you going to go? Back to the room where you just killed a man? You can't even get into your bath over a simple rat!"

He was right. Where were you going to go now? You definitely could not stay in that room ever again after that, for you knew you would see that horrible man laying there in every waking moment.

"Then I guess I will have to swallow my pride and go to Haldir. He may be perturbed right now, but he would not turn me and Leean away. I will just go to Lorien with him as planned and be free of this awful place!"

"First of all, he is not here right now. Lola said he went into the city...and secondly, you're going to go to him looking as you do, in a robe with dried blood underneath all over your skin that soaked through from your dress? I can see it on your neck Jo."

You gasped and placed your hand over your throat, which made you flinch as it was still tender from Asher's death grip.

"Are you alright??" Narcisse asked in concern as he came to you, pushing your hair back away from your neck. "Are you hurt? Show me."

You slowly removed your hand and pointed to a spot on your throat.

"Here...he grabbed me."

Narcisse tenderly glided his fingertips over your neck, noticing the newly peaking bruising underneath the flaky blood. His lips pursed in anger as his hand dropped.

"I wish I would have ended him myself and much sooner, back on the boat. I should have fed him to the sharks, but no, I wanted to make him suffer instead. This is all my fault."

He rubbed his hand over his mouth in frustration and turned away from you.

You stood quietly for a moment, taking in the fact that he was genuinely remorseful for what happened.

"Stephane....this. This is not your fault. You...you took care of him and he shouldn't have even been able to even walk but....somehow he escaped."

"Not once, but twice!" he reeled as he spun around. "It is my fault Jo because I am certain of how he escaped this time and she will pay ohhhh so dearly."

"You mean...Catherine? You think she set him free?"

"Oh I do not think it, I know it." he snarled. "I..I should have listened to you and done what you said by handling her, and yet I did nothing out of avoiding her wrath and what she holds...."

He quickly ceased his words which insanely perked your curiosity.

"What she holds? Stephane....what is going on? Has she done something to you or have something on you? or threatened you...or me? Is that why you did what you did to me??"

His eyes fell as he walked to the window. You followed him and made him turn to you.

"That's it isn't it? I felt something was off because I knew you were not acting yourself and that you wouldn't be so cruel to me like you were. Don't bother denying it because I saw it Stephane...in your eyes. It hurt you in doing what you did....and I see it now too. Please, tell me the truth."

The turmoil he was in had now greatly multiplied for he knew he could not tell you the truth, not all of it anyways so he offered half of it.

"You are right. It is Catherine. I believe she has placed some kind of dark magic upon me with your spell book that went missing, for I have not felt myself in days, and it all occurred shortly after you informed me of the missing book....She also had threatened you if I did not make you leave, but...I..I could not bring myself to do it, for I did not want you to go, so I cowardly tried to make you want to leave by doing what I did to you. Jo...I took no joy in hurting you like you believed...or still believe I did...I will make this right. I swear it to you."

You wanted to believe him, in fact, you did believe him but you were still scared to trust him, especially if he was right about a spell being cast upon him.

Your silence and your eyes told him that you were still wary of him.

"I can see you still do not trust my words."

"Can you blame me? You have been far from honest about all this...and now...you believe you are under some black magic curse. I mean...what if I made you angry..."

"I would never hurt you and you know that." he defensively replied as he stared directly into your eyes.

"If you were mine, I would protect you with my life and much more. I will even do so regardless of how you feel about me."

"S..Stephane...I...I do not know what to say to that."

"You do not have to say anything. You may have this room. I will relocate to my private home across the lands."

"How is that protecting me with your life if you are not here with me?!"

He gazed at you for a moment, not sure of what to say.

"You will have Haldir and Garrett and the guard... I will not be far. I'm a warlock, remember? I can be here in a matter of minutes and of course I would still remain here most of the time. I fear that you fear me and you have lived in fear long enough."

"Stephane, this is stupid. I..I don't feel you would hurt me and I don't want...."

You paused and walked away.

"You...don't want me to go?"

You slowly turned to face him. "No..."

"Well now...was that so hard? You know...you could always bring Leeanduil and reside with me at my place. Of course, you would have your own chambers. The only others that stay there are the help and guard. It would be much quieter, smaller....and private. The offer will remain open no matter what you decide. In the meantime, why don't you entertain another bath and I will go and check on Leean for you while you think over your options."

"Or....you could just remain here....with...me. I...I mean of course, I would sleep here on the sofa and Leean has her crib."

"Nonsense. You will not sleep on such discomfort. If...I were to agree to this, you may have my bed and I will sleep on the lounge. You can let me know what you decide when I return or later if you wish. Please, go enjoy another bath and relax. I will be back in one hour....and I will also see if Haldir has returned. The door will be secured behind me and I have a guard out there as well....Mayyyybe we could enjoy a peaceful dinner and drinks later this evening?"

He didn't give you time to respond and abruptly left.

"My lord Legolas, Bard the Bowman has arrived, wishing to have word with you...and Moose, he has been somewhat unruly since his return here with you. The beast attempted to bite me and kicked the stableman." Feren relayed in frustration to the new King of Mirkwood.

Legolas was lost in thoughts of you in his father's chambers as he sat at his desk trying to organize the piled up mess of duties since his father's absence....but he was getting nowhere as his mind kept wandering to the kiss you both shared. It played over and over in his mind and then so did the one you and Garrett displayed right before his very eyes. He saw you crying, and heard your words echo of begging him not to leave you.

"My lord??"

"What? Oh...Feren, my apologies. Yes, I will be right there." Legolas replied, still seemingly lost in a daze.

Feren huffed under his breath and left. Legolas sighed as he closed his eyes, fondling a bottle of your perfume that he must have smelled a thousand times since he had returned, then forced himself to put you out of his mind for the time being.

"King Legolas, it is good to see you my friend."

"Bard, it has been a long time. Please, you can just call me Legolas as you always have."

"I am very sorry to hear about King Thranduil. I wanted to come and offer my condolences to you and the Queen when I received word that you had returned from Dorwinion...and also congratulate her on the birth of the magical princess."

"Josie and Leean did not come with me." Legolas replied with a sorrowful tone.

"Where did she go?"

"Narcisse's castle. It was too painful for her to come. She and my sister will be going to Lorien with Haldir."

"Lorien? I am sure you are aware of the dragon fire upon the goblin kingdom. The realms are not far apart. Forgive me for asking but is that really the safest option? I have heard of Jareth's destruction atop Lestat's mountain and now a dragon attack upon goblin town. I do not feel that was a coincidence, but the wrath of Lestat and Lothlorien lies dead in the center. Why else would the serpents of the North come all this way and attack his kingdom? Lestat is the only other besides Thranduil that would dare summon them."

"She has all the protection she needs. Narcisse, Haldir and....Garrett. I was not needed."

"Garrett? It is none of my business, but of course you are needed. The Queen adores you and would be safest with you, especially here in the magical protection of Thranduil's halls."

"She does not feel that way about.....it does not matter now. She has made her decision and I was needed here."

"I see." the bowman skeptically stated.

Bard could see alright, that the former prince was deeply in love with you and running away from his feelings.

"Does she know?" Bard presumptuously asked.

"Know?"

"How you feel about her?"

Legolas was taken aback by the bowman's assumption...a very correct assumption.

"It is irrelevant. The Queen and I share only friendship. I do not know how you have come to such a conclusion."

"We both know that is not true Legolas Greenleaf." Tauriel called him out from the edge of the forest.

"What are you doing here?" Legolas growled as he glared at her.

'I am sorry my lord, she followed me from Laketown. I told her not to come but she would not listen. I was about to inform you." Bard explained.

"You are not welcome here or was my banishing of you not clear enough? I suggest you get back on your horse and leave before I have you escorted out of the woodland realm."

"Legolas, I come in peace. I too had heard of your return and wanted to offer my condolences about King Thranduil...."

"Do not say my father's name...and your sympathy is not wanted nor needed after what you have done. In fact, I would prefer it if I never had to see your face again."

"Surely you will not make me travel back alone with night falling soon after I came all this way? I do not know if you are aware, but since you have been gone, the spiders are becoming an enormous menace and their abundance of new nests have hatched, not to mention, Shelob has been spotted in the vicinity. She has been here for quite some time and I have reason to believe she has relocated here from Mordor out of spite towards all of us for destroying her nest and injuring her."

"There is no us and I have been aware of her presence for a long time now. Tauriel, you are a warrior of great skill and stealth. Do not expect me to believe you cannot handle her and a few arachnids."

"I think you missed the part where I said their were multiple new nests that hatched. Legolas, you have a serious problem and if you had been here instead of dealing with issues that were not your problem, you would know that. Even your elven guard cannot keep up with all of them."

"What I do is none of your concern! and neither is this realm, for you are no longer a part of it! I am very much aware of the issues at hand here but I had to deal with other threats that put my family at risk, so yes, it was very much indeed my problem."

"Then why is Josie not here with you? Instead, she is in a warlock realm. No risk there. Why is it really Legolas, that Josie would not come back with you?"

"Again, none of your concern...but if you must know, what I speak is the truth. The memories here are too much for her to face right now and... maybe part of it is that she couldn't face the fact that you slept with my father right here in his halls."

Bard was flabbergasted by Legolas's comment as he was unloading barrels and couldn't help the "wow" look that formed on his face.

"You...you told her?"

"I did, and I bet that makes you quite happy to know the pain you have caused someone that you once called your best friend."

"I do not take pleasure in that. What I do take pleasure in is that you got exactly what you deserved after pining for her while I was your wife."

"Oh, you mean like you did for Kili....and my father both while you were my wife??" Legolas swiftly retorted.

"I am sorry to interrupt this happy reunion, but I must be going now Legolas. As Tauriel said, darkness will soon fall. I will be back in a few days."

"Very well. it was good to see you Bard. I hope your son Baine is well. Bring him with you sometime so he and I can catch up on our archery tournaments."

"Indeed. He is becoming quite the archer as it is. After all, he did assist in taking down Smaug."

"Yes he did. A brave warrior he will be like his father.....Tauriel, glenn hi!" (leave now)

"Do you hate me that much that you would let me die?"

"Do you really want me to answer that? Then go with Bard."

"And what of my horse?? Legolas, it is only for this one night. I will leave in the morning at first light when the spiders are less active."

"You will not stay within my halls, nor even enter them. Make use of the guest hall and then be gone as you said...and do not return."

Legolas then whipped around and marched back to his business. He was soon stopped by none other than the Seelie Queen whom awaited him at the back entrance, her appearance yet again changed to an older version close to that of Legolas's physical age.

"Amara? Why have you come here?"

"I have stumbled upon some news that I think you will greatly desire and even pay a hefty price for."

Legolas tilted his head at the faerie who now strikingly resembled you with her big blue eyes, copper red hair and similar moonstone necklace she wore about her neck. She even dressed like you. In her twisted mind, she thought she may have a better chance with her dream prince turned King, if she appeared like the one thing Legolas loved more than anything, you.

"I am listening."

"Well as you know, I hear things from the birds, bugs and trees as they're all in my service. I can give you back someone you love dearly that you have believed lost forever. Someone you thought was dead dead dead, but in fact is not. In return for this information, you will give me what I have so long desired."

Just then, your crow cawed and circled about high in the sky. Legolas glanced up at him and then back at Amara in utter confusion.

"Amara, respectfully, I can offer you nothing until I know what it is that you think you know."

"Oh I do not think it, I know it. I cannot lie, remember?"

"That may be true, but you can always be mistaken, believing what you have heard to be true."

"It is true. There is a witness and he chose to tell me because I am the only one who can understand him."

"Amara, please. What do you know? If you do not tell me, I cannot help you."

"Very well. The King of Mirkwood, your father, is very much alive....but I will tell you no more without an agreement."

Legolas forgot to breathe for a moment as he gawked at her in disbelief.

"Now I know you must be mistaken. I saw his lifeless body before me with my own eyes, so did his Queen."

"Illusions my dear King Legolas. True witchcraft was at play."

"Who told you this??!!!" Legolas now raged as he felt it to be some sick game of hers like she displayed with you and Garrett.

Amara glanced up at the crow who now sat in a high tree, peering down at the two of them.

"I think you know he will not lie as well, for he is in the Queen of Mirkwood's service."

"This cannot be...." Legolas whispered and staring wide, feeling like the wind had been knocked out of him. "If this is true...where...where is he?!"

"As I said, there is a price for such information. A contract per se, that can never be broken or there would be consequences."

Legolas was losing his patience with the faerie Queen.

"What is it that you want! I agree to nothing until I see me father standing before me with my own two eyes."

"That can be arranged and we can have the ceremony once you have found him, but you still must agree to my terms or no deal."

Legolas was now fuming just like his father would do when backed into a corner.

"Ceremony?? What ceremony???"

"It's simple really. You and I will become husband and wife, in every way."

"Have you lost your mind?? or do you just enjoy being cruel?? Using my father against me to get what you want. I think you need to leave here at once and take your mind games with you."

"Oh it is no game Legolas, but suit yourself. I guess you will never know then."

Amara began to walk away, knowing she was about to get everything she's always wanted.

"Wait!! Alright....I will give you what you ask, but ONLY if I find him very much alive and well."

She grinned from ear to ear as she held her hand out to shake on it, which would seal the deal. Legolas reluctantly took her hand and shook.

"Now tell me."

"Remember, Legolas. Do not cross me. If you think I am cruel, you know nothing of what I am capable of....but you knew that already."

Legolas slightly gulped and nodded...and so the Seelie Queen began her tale.

Catherine was in the kitchen, still up tp her evil ways as she mashed up a poisonous concoction and placed a heaping teaspoon full of Oleander into a bowl of hot soup.

"This is going to hurt a little bit Josephine. Maybe this time you take me seriously and leave."

Catherine then began to chant as she stirred. ..."Haldir of Lorien sat on a wall. Haldir of Lorien had a great fall. All the marchwarden's horses and all the marchwarden's men, couldn't put poor Haldir of Lorien back together again."

The servant that had been preparing the evening's appetizers returned to the kitchen after Catherine had stirred in the deadly poison that she picked up in the city, an idea she got out of the spell book she stole from you.

"Ahhh William. Have you brought me what I have requested."

"Y...yes my lady." he stuttered.

The servant reluctantly handed her a small phial filled with a red substance, appearing to be blood.

"Perfect. Did anyone see you with the body?"

"No my lady. Asher was left in the dungeon, rolled inside of a rug."

"Good...Now...make sure this steaming hot soup gets to our guest, the elven marchwarden....and you will be rewarded generously."

The nervous servant did as he was told, for he too, feared the notorious Catherine de Medici after hearing Narcisse's horse was made into steaks.

"Mother, did you hear what happened to Asher??" Claude anxiously announced as she came rushing in.

"I did. Pity that he was not able to finish the simple task I gave him. I guess I will have to handle Cinderella myself. If only Narcisse would have cooperated, his precious Jo would be long gone from here and the attack would not have had to happen, but the stubborn bastard insists on turning me away and that simply will not do. If I cannot have him, neither will she. But first, I have decided to make her suffer more than she already is."

"Well, be warned. I saw Narcisse earlier and he was looking for you and...he had a vicious look in his eye, one like I have never seen. He has seemed so off lately, and honestly, a real dick, pun intended as I still cannot get over what he did to Asher."

"Where is he now?" Catherine asked in concern.

"I saw him speaking with Haldir just a bit ago and their conversation was not pleasant. The quite handsome elf seems to blame Narcisse for what happened with Asher, from what I overheard."

"Oh really? hmmm....this could actually be a bonus soon enough. Time will tell, but first, I must take care of something."

Catherine raced off as if her life depended on it. Out of curiosity and worry, Claude secretly followed her to see what her devious mother was up to now.

Upon entering her mother's quarters, she saw Catherine take something out of a box and rush to the fireplace, tossing it in.

"What are you doing sneaking into my chambers?" Catherine snapped when she saw her.

"Mother, what was that?! What have you done?"

"Don't you worry your curious little head about that. I am just hopefully undoing something before Narcisse winds up out of control."

"My god, did you...cast some spell on him or something? because that looked to be like...like a voodoo doll. Mother what have you done to him?? And don't tell me nothing after seeing this, because you look seriously worried."

"Claude, it was nothing but a silly spell that I didn't even think would work, but now it's handled and he will go back to his delightful self." she sarcastically said.

"And what if he doesn't? After his actions lately, I fear you have created a monster, and even if you have reversed this sick and twisted thing you have done, it will not stop him from taking his vengeance upon you for what you have done....and black magic does not just go away, it comes back three fold. What were you thinking??"

"I can handle Stephane...now go. I do not want you involved in this."

"I think it's a little too late for that considering what I know now."

"And you will keep that knowledge to yourself, understood!? If anyone, including Narcisse, asks you if you have seen me tonight, you tell them no, that I am still in the city. Now go Claude!"

Claude reluctantly left and Catherine quickly put on her overcoat, then headed out to hide away for the time being until she knew if the spell had been broken, for there was no said way of reversing it in the book, but she knew her daughter was right. Narcisse would still come after her for the Asher incident, and if that happened, she would the use her knowledge of the whereabouts of one certain letter to coerce him into sparing her life.

Just as she opened the door, there stood a ruthless and raging Narcisse.

"Going somewhere, my....love?" he snarled as his nostrils flared.

"S...Stephane...I...I...."

"Shut your mouth!" he snapped and and slowly approached her. For every step he took, she took one backwards, watching his hand like a hawk as it rested upon his sheathed sword.

"Did you really think you could try to kill Josephine by setting Asher free, and get away with it??? Did you think I would not know who was responsible?? I have lost all patience with you. This was the last straw! She has a child for christ's sake!! All so I would love you?? Anything I ever felt for you is long gone, has been for a very long time, and it certainly was never love. You are as wicked as they come and I should have rid of you long ago."

"Stephane stop! You, you do not know what you are saying."

"Oh Catherine, I know of every word I speak, even under the evil spell you have cast upon me. Did you think I would not figure that out?? You take me for a fool and act as if I am your property. Well no more, for you have crossed a very thin line."

"And what line would that be? Josephine?? You ARE a fool! She will never love you warlock King! Once she knows that her true King is..."

"She will never know!!"

He wielded his sword towards her, placing it at her neck as she fell to the ground in panic. It was clear to her that her efforts in breaking the spell had failed and he was going to kill her.

"If..if you k..kill me, you will never know where the letter is! I can guarantee you, Josephine will find it and you will lose her forever!"

Narcisse knew this was true, so for the time being, he had other plans for Catherine to try and force the information out of her.

"Get up!"

Catherine wobbled her way up as he lowered his word. She then stood in his face.

"You act so innocent, spell or no spell. We both know you planted that rat and then blamed me so that you could scare that silly girl into your arms."

"Guard!"

"Take her away!" Narcisse ordered to Bash, his new deputy.

Catherine gave one last effort to save herself from being thrown in Narcisse's desolate dungeons and picked up stone candle holder, smacking him in the head.

Narcisse wailed in pain and fell onto Bash, giving her the chance to run. She made it outside but did not get far as Bash came out of nowhere and reprimanded her.

"Unhand me!"

"Not today Catherine! Let's go!"

"Why am I here and where is my elk and my swords? I demand to leave here this night." Thranduil dictated as he appeared from nowhere, circling about Jareth, Julian, Raven and Harker in both an appetent and mistrustful manner.

Raven's eyes bulged at the arresting vision of him as the elf lord had physically transformed back into his Elvenking mien. She had taken multiple baths to dissolve his scent in order to keep Jareth from knowing of her once again infidelity but her nerves intensely took over her in worry that Thranduil would reveal what had happened between them. Instead, Thranduil offered her not one glance or word, as if she were not even in his presence.

"Ahhh, King Thranduil. Glad to see you are feeling up to rejoining the land of the living and seemingly back to your oh so delightful personality." Harker jested.

Thranduil was in no mood for small talk. "Answer my questions warlock." he blatantly replied with an expressionless face.

"You do not recall? Your elk left with your son Legolas after the fire that we rescued you from, which is why you are here. You have had a long road of recovery from your injuries, specifically head trauma from a terrible shock you took during my lightning storm atop the vampire mountain." Julian now added in an all out lie.

"Your swords are in safe keeping for you, no need to worry about that. It would seem your memory is still a bit hazy. You should not be traveling in such a condition at the moment." Jareth chimed in.

"My memory is well enough to remember that neither of you before me is in my circle of trust, which is quite far and few between, but in fact, you are viewed as natural sworn enemies, so again, why am I here and why would you rescue me if that is even of any truth...and more importantly, why would my son leave me on that mountain?"

The four of them all glanced at each other, leaving Thranduil to glare at them through slitted lids.

Harker stepped before the skeptical Elvenking.

"Legolas, and everyone else believes you to be dead. In fact, you were for a brief time until Jareth revived you with his ring of power. He and Josephine had saw you with their own eyes, and then just left you there, for the prince was more concerned about your wife and getting her to safety."

"Do not speak that wretched woman's name or refer to her as my wife! and if my son believes me to be dead, then do explain why he has not been informed that it is not of truth??" Thranduil barked.

Harker was very pleased to hear Thranduil speak of you in that manner, now more sure than ever that the conditioning had worked.

"We wanted to make sure you would recover before notifying him, in case our efforts to heal you did not work. Certainly you would not have wanted him to go through the pain of your loss all over again?"

Thranduil's stance stiffened as he leered at Harker, seemingly agreeing to the warlock's reasoning.

"I am quite capable now of returning to my Kingdom and reclaiming my throne. But you still have not offered me a logical explanation as to why any of you would aid in my recovery."

"Because we are allies, with similar interests and enemies. Together, we can rule all of middle earth in the way it was intended to be, full of death and destruction. Is that...not...what you desire...Elven...king?"

Harker was once again testing him, for his obedience and loyalty was still in question.

"It is everything that I desire and more, but I will continue to rule my realm in solitude as I always have with no assistance from your kind."

Now Harker was extremely displeased with the arrogant elf lord.

"You will remain King of your realm, but you will in fact rule alongside of us in all that surrounds it."

"I take orders from no one, especially that of witches!"

"Have you forgotten who's realm you are in now sprite??! You are no King here, for that title belongs to me! Unless you would rather return to the afterlife, as I can arrange that!" Jareth reeled and hurled one of his crystals in anger.

"You dare threaten me goblin King?! I am no ally to filth and I rule under or with no one! Now return my swords to me."

Harker was now conflicted with the elven adversary, for Thranduil was doing everything he was expected to do, yet still non compliant in joining forces with them.

"It seems you are still not ready to leave here. You make no commands here elf nor are you in any position to attempt to, for you will not make it out of here alive, but if you think you have the power to do so, by all means, give it a try and see how far you get. This can all be so much easier for you if you swallow your pride and obey, or it can get ugly. Certainly, you do not want your realm to fall under our wrath? Which would you prefer? It would seem your at quite a disadvantage for making an irrational decision."

"I would prefer your head on a stake and to shoot arrows at it while enjoying many glasses of wine." Thranduil snarled.

"Those are your emotions acting without the benefit of intellect." Harker raged.

"Think of Legolas and Leeanduil. Do not fail them."

Raven stupidly intervened. "Thranduil, just do as they tell you and you will soon be on your way home to your children."

Thranduil's head jerked to face her. "Whom are you to speak to me? You are no better, if not worse, than the damned and miserable beings before me, for you are two of a treacherous kind all rolled into one revolting vision."

Raven gasped at his words for he certainly did not find her that way the night prior when he fucked her madly. She suddenly saw it in his loathing eyes....he did not remember it.

"You dare speak to my queen in such a way before me?!" Jareth fumed as he walked up to him.

"Queen? I was under the impression she was your whore since your true queen, Ravenna is away, also being a whore." Thranduil antagonized Jareth without a care.

Even Harker's eyes slightly widened at the bravery and boldness the Elvenking displayed, almost enjoying the foreseen response, for this side of Thranduil could not be blamed on his conditioning. He was just being what he had always been. Ruthless.

Jareth was just as ruthless and charged his hand out, zapping the Elvenking with his ring once more. Thranduil fell to his knees and weakly but domineeringly peered up at Jareth with a wicked grin as a group of goblins were ordered to take him away.

"Well that was productive." Harker snarked in annoyance. "We have broken every part of him except his obdurate will, which has only seemed to have intensified. Any more bright ideas brother?"

"Indeed I do. Administer an entire new round of therapy. It seems the King has not learned his place."

"He is a liability and cannot be trusted. Why not just kill him?" Julian asked.

"Where's the fun in that?" Jareth chuckled. "Harker...go get me my book and moonstone since our incompetent brother here failed." Jareth then glanced at Julian in disappointment as he wrapped his arm around Raven's shoulders and walked away.

[starlingsrps]

i can see you.

bachelor parties are necessary evil for bartending and rebecca isn’t new to this. if she were tipped properly, she could retire off of how many absolute dumpster fires she’d borne witness to over the years. limelight just attracts a better dressed crowd with black cards rather than worn out bank cards. they think they’re better than everyone else because of their tech jobs and thousand dollar suits and because they went with burlesque rather than a strip club but either way rebecca slices it: it’s still a bunch of over-served jerks paying to look at boobs. she’s already had a few in her time at the club so a pack ordering bottles off the reserve list and ogling lola, sadly, isn’t anything new.

“you okay?” she asks when lola comes back from a round of table checks with a pissed off expression and rubbing her wrist against her skirt.

“yeah, yeah, it’s whatever.” lola joins her behind the bar and grabs a ticket to start working on. “table two is a little handsy.”

rebecca frowns at the red finger marks on lola’s wrist. lola drives her nuts sometimes but, god help her, she feels like a little sister. like rose, if rose weren’t tucked into a convent in massachusetts and had spent enough time on yachts to have opinions on layouts and engines. “oh.”

“it’s fine,” she says, flapping a hand. “forget it. they’ll be out of here soon. i heard them bitching about how inez wouldn’t give them the time of day.”

“if they can’t touch the girls, why do they get to touch us?”

lola turns to her with a startled expression that turns into a frown when she sees rebecca put down the shaker she’s been building. “rebecca, don’t you fucking dare.”

it’s too late - rebecca is already crossing the floor to table two. bachelor party or not, she doesn’t care. there’s absolutely no reason to get rowdy, especially with lola and inez. 

“gentlemen,” she says, voice sweet but firm as she arrives at their table. “are we behaving tonight?”

the rest of the table has the grace to keep their focus on the stage but the one who had slapped down a black card and told her, loudly, to keep it open turns his attention to her. he looks her up and down and it makes her feel a little dirty, like she shouldn’t have rolled the waistband tonight. “just looking for a little company, baby. did red tattle on us?”

rebecca doesn’t need to look back to know that lola is grimacing at the bar. “i’d appreciate it if you kept it civil, boys. and if you can’t, i’m happy to close you out so you can take the party elsewhere.”

the way his face changes scares the hell out of her but she stays out, even if something even slimier slips into his smile. “you want to come with? i’m sure we can do something about that stick up your ass, baby.”

if bachelor parties come with being a bartender and she’s gotten too used to them, rebecca is unfortunately familiar with having her ass grabbed. it doesn’t lessen the shock when his hand shoots under her skirt and sinks into her skin. she slaps black card’s hand away and storms back to the bar. she hears him yell at her but doesn’t stop moving, even though she can feel her knees shake. by the time she gets there, black card has called over marco from table one and she sees her job slipping away.

“lo, i’m taking my fifteen.” rebecca says, blood thrumming in her ears. she doesn’t want to be fired in front of everyone, especially during a lana del ray song. “close out two and have one of the guys take it over.”

it doesn’t take marco long to find her in the service hallway. she’s leaning against the wall with her eyes closed when she hears the click of his shoes on the tile. she waits until they stop in front of her to open her eyes. “am i fired?”

he shakes his head like she’s an idiot for even asking. she exhales - she hadn’t even realized she was holding her breath. “what happened?”

“what did they say?”

he shakes his head again. “i asked you.”

rebecca exhales again, sharper this time.

“they were being jerks all night. they tried to start with inez - you know she can just ignore it - and then one of them grabbed lola. it’s been happening to her a lot lately and i know that they’re not supposed to touch the dancers but it’s really not fair that they think they can touch us or do whatever they want-“

“no one gets to touch you either.”

rebecca’s stomach flips in a way that has nothing to do with the adrenaline but she keeps talking as though she wasn’t interrupted. “so i got sick of it and went over to tell them that they can either behave or i’d close them out. the one with the black card tried to grab my ass and told me he’d help me get the stick out of there. called me a -“ she flushes. she doesn’t like swearing and what black card had called her is a notch above that. “rhymes-with-hunt when i told him i’d close them out.” it looks like he’s waiting for more so she shrugs. “that’s all.”

he nods and takes a few steps down the hallway before pacing back. his hands stay planted in his pockets but she can see them bunched into fists. he stands just a shade too close to her - not crowding her but she’d have to be blind if she didn’t notice that he tends to do that. she doesn’t mind all that much, if she’s being honest. he has a way of looking at her that makes it feel like he doesn’t see anyone else. it’s hard to break that eye contact once it’s made.

“lola backed you up,” he starts. “said she tried to get you to back off but you were charging over there before she could stop you. dick with the black card tried to say you started it out of nowhere but i saw his hand up your skirt and it pissed me off.”

that makes her break eye contact with him, turning her eyes somewhere over his shoulder. it keeps her from asking why exactly it pissed him off, at the very least. 

“hey, don’t. look at me.” she drags her eyes back to his. the look there is cold and angry but something like care is around the edges. “no one gets to touch you. same rules as the dancers. someone pisses you off, someone fucks with you - tell me and i’ll take care of it. got it?”

“got it.”

marco leans in now, just a little bit. it would be crowding now, if it were anyone else but it’s been a long, weird night. she can have this, just for a second. “they’re gone but i don’t want to make a habit of kicking out paying customers for you, got it?”

she bites her lip and nods, tries to not notice when his eyes dart there before he steps back.

“get back out there.“

she really doesn’t know how her legs work well enough to get her back behind the bar but when lola hugs her tight and gives her a little sway, the smell of her fruity perfume clears out the warm musk of marco and it snaps her back to attention.

“you’re not fired!” she crows. “it was so fucking cool - marco kicked them out and made them leave us a tip. and you’re not in trouble!”

rebecca laughs, just a little high pitched and nervous. “i’m not!”

for now.

[thera-daydreams]

PLUS ONE

》 A TRESE TWOSHOT 《

[Maliksi x Reader]

📝 Summary: In which your beloved best friend snatches you from your apartment at dawn asking you to be his plus one for his cousin's wedding. Unbeknownst to the clueless you, everything is just going according to Maliksi's ultimate masterplan. With the help of friends and family, the Prince of the Tikbalang finally gets the girl he's been longing for. And oh, Señor Armanaz gets his dream daughter-in-law and the promise of grandchildren within the year.

📌 Warning: May contain some slight NSFW for spicy suggestiveness and cussing. No smut or anything super SPG—this girl can't write that for her life—but just be prepared. It's Maliksi we're talking about. We've got friends-to-lovers, obliviousness, pining, fluff, and a tikbalang simp. Figure it out. 😃

(word count: 7,454) ♥︎ Part Two: ?

》 AUTHOR'S NOTE 《

Not an Inday spinoff, but a lengthy oneshot in celebration of this blog getting 90 followers. Just ten more to 100, yay! Thank you so much for the love and support, everyone. I also promised that I'll be making this brainrot that @binibiningbabaylan and I have fangirled over a few days ago (find the original post here) when I finished the latest chapter of Inday. Here it is! 🥰

Before I forget, I was also inspired by the cute fic made by @crispybasil titled "Sunshowers" and the "Trese Boys As Things My Guy Friends Do" made by the amazing @smolla-than-a-bug (I bow down to your wonderful works in the Trese fandom). I definitely see Maliksi to be the type to go on spontaneous roadtrips and be the boyfriend to drive you around eveeeerywhere (while also driving you crazy). 🚘

There are also some songs mentioned throughout this work. You should probably listen to them while reading for the full experience. Ending was somewhat rushed but eh, I'm too exhausted and I've rewritten it too many times. Also, if someone makes some actual tikbalang smut, tag me please. Anyways, enjoy! 💕

The way it all started was hilarious. Absolutely fucking hilarious. It happened like a blur. Literally. One second, you were snoozing in your bed. The next? You had a seatbelt on in the shotgun seat of a sophisticated-looking car. Your brain didn't even get to process it yet.

"... So let me get this straight," you grumbled, still half-asleep from your sleep marathon. You just finished a hugely successful project at work yesterday, got promoted, and wanted to make up for the restless nights you spent overtime in the office. Of course you were irritated from being disturbed. You were on vacation leave for two entire weeks, originally planning to go into temporary isolation by deactivating your social media accounts and reserving a beach cabana for yourself in Batangas.

Well, turns out, you weren't going to Batangas anytime soon. All because your unreasonably spontaneous bestfriend of ten hectic years stole you from your apartment at 2AM. Was this considered kidnapping? Was this him just being more in touch with his tikbalang side, taking unsuspecting women in their sleep and leading them to their inevitable death? (He was going over the speed limit, so it was a valid thought.) Will wearing your shirt inside-out save you today? Lord, masyado ka pang pagod para mag-isip ngayon.

"Go on."

"You abducted picked me up in the middle of the night because you want me to be your plus one at your cousin's wedding in Tagaytay?"

"Yup. And technically, the venue is right on the outskirts of Cavite going to Tagaytay," he corrected you as a matter-of-factly.

"Same thing, whatever," you huffed tiredly. "Your cousin's wedding is at 6AM today. In a few hours. In four hours."

"Uh-huh."

You groaned exasperatedly, "Mal naman, eh! You didn't even let me bring anything. Could've at least given me a heads-up a few hours ago. I'm practically emptyhanded right now save for my phone! Sinungaling ka, you said this was just a normal midnight drive—not a freaking wedding!"

The Prinsipe ng Mga Tikbalang, son of the Great Stallion, heir to the Armanaz herd, and the Top Drag Racer of C-5 Expressway—if that was even one of his Game of Thrones-like titles—grinned as he continued driving beside you. He let you continue ranting in the passenger seat while he mulled over his ultimate masterplan that would change his entire life later on. He was a spur-of-the-moment kind of guy, so all this wasn't his thing. But for you? He'll make plans, alright.

"Wala man lang akong dinalang masusuot o kahit konting makeup para maging presentable sa harapan ng buong pamilya mo," you exclaimed, in absolute despair. "Do you know how out of my league you are? Your rich-ass family might judge me—hell, your dad might see me as a hampaslupa if I show up there in my pambahay and tsinelas!"

"Psh, I'm not out of your league," Maliksi waved it off, smoothly turning a corner. "And calm down. We've known each other for a decade! My dad practically loves you as his own daughter. Heck, the entire family knows you and keeps telling me they want you adopted in already. Lolo Andres and Lola Perlita said they'd have the paperwork settled. You just need to sign them."

It would be even better (and easier) if you married into the family. To him, specifically (as if he'd let anyone else have you). God, he was already being so obvious in his advances, but you were just so damn oblivious whenever it came to romance. None of this needed to happen if you just got it through your thick skull that he was madly in love with you.

"That's not the point, idiot!" you slumped back into your seat, hopeless. "Do you think the bride and the groom will get offended? Shit, baka masumpaan ako kung magagalit sila, Mal. Mukha akong patay galing sa South Cemetery."

The long-haired tikbalang rolled his eyes, "Huwag kang mag-alala. Nothing's going to go wrong. Chill ka lang diyan. I've got everything under control, babe."

Babe. Yes, he even called you babe but you thought it was him being a himbo and a massive flirt. Now, it was his common term of endearment for you, but you still assumed it was him just being irksome to you and that you couldn't stop the man from saying it anymore. Thus, you let it be (the most obvious hint of his attraction to you, bestie).

"... Ugh, why didn't you ask Hannah or Amie to go with you?"

He just smiled knowingly, shrugging and making up an excuse, "Nagmamadali ako, eh. Hannah and Amie are also coming, but they already have the other tikbalang as dates."

"'Luh, ako pala ang backup choice mo?"

"Heh. Whatever you want to think."

Little did you know that you were always his first choice. Always. Even when he pursued Alexandra Trese many years ago, trying to convince himself you were just his best friend, it was always you. How did he come to that realization? Well, an international band he was a fan of released a song a couple years ago and he heard it being played in a club in BGC. The song title?

It Was Always You by Maroon 5.

Needless to say, after hearing the song and being unable to get it—get you—out of his mind at night, he stopped courting Alexandra. Unfortunately for him, that time, you'd started dating other men. Therefore, he was left on the sidelines... until your latest and most painful breakup, at least. That was five years ago. You still hadn't dated anyone since then, kind of traumatized from getting into another failed relationship like that.

In the present day, as if the fates were playing on you two, one of your favorite artists played on the radio. A very ironic song given the situation you two were in.

Best Friend by Rex Orange County.

Maliksi knew it was a favorite of yours. He knew it by the way your eyes lit up like a star brightening the twinkling night sky. Like the sun first rising in the morning at Apolaki's command. Like the moon extending its gentle rays from the magic of Mayari herself. If there was anything he wanted to ask of the old gods, it was you—everything else be damned.

"I wanna be the one that makes your day, the one you think about as you lie awake," you half-sang and half-screamed happily, somewhat out-of-tune. "I can't wait to be your number oooooone! I'll be your biggest fan and you'll be mine—"

Maliksi glanced at you, not minding that his eardrums were probably getting microscopic ruptures from your aggressive singing. As much as he wanted to stare at you all day, he had to keep his eyes on the road. But the lyrics you were singing were wrong; the Prince of the Tikbalang was already yours from day one.

"Babe, McDo drive-through tayo for breakfast. Let me make it up to you. Gusto mo ng caramel sundae for your promotion gift? Sige. Ako bahala. Chicken nuggets din? Mabubusog ka ba niyan? I don't think they serve those this early..."

》》》

"Sandali lang!" you shouted out from inside an empty room. You'd just arrived at the venue—the Alta Veranda de Tibig in Silang, Cavite (practically the gateway to Tagaytay)—an hour or so ago. The hired makeup artist just left so that you could privately change into the outfit that had been bought specifically for you. Curse Mal and his ability to buy anything (perhaps anyone) he wanted. "Bwiset, Mal, you didn't tell me we'd be part of the damn entourage. We have to be walking the aisle in thirty minutes, simbako! You just love rushing me, don't you!?"

If only you were the one walking down the aisle today towards him.

When you exited the room, Maliksi couldn't help but let his jaw drop as he skimmed your figure, clad in the luxurious, silky satin blush midi dress he bought in one of those fancy stores in Makati yesterday. He imagined that it would look great on you, but now, seeing it on you in person... you looked divine (and frankly, he wanted to see it off your body to see what was underneath—but don't get too ahead of yourself, Mal). It was a whole 'nother level from his imagination. The deep cowl neckline and thin spaghetti straps showed your lovely collarbones... as well as a peek of your cleavage. His favorite and the best part of it all? It was backless, allowing him to gaze at the tempting curve of your spine.

He hadn't realized he had grown silent until you smiled and closed his mouth, tapping his chin.

"Lalangawin ang bibig mo, Mal," you laughed softly. Never had you seen him so speechless. You then flicked your hair back, ridiculously posing for him like you were on the cover of Vogue magazine (haba ng hair mo, gurl!). "Do I look that good? Char lang."

"... You look absolutely ravishing—I mean, uh, stunning. Hot. Yeah." That was all he could say. He mentally punched himself for not showering you with more suave compliments.

Still, your face brightened up, not knowing that the man in front of you just fell for you a thousand times harder, "Wow! Really? Damn. Ang galing talaga ng MUA na kinuha mo, ginawa akong artista. Give me their contact number later! May work event pa naman ako in two months. I'm shocked, it's like they made me rise from the dead! Even my eyebags are gone, Mal! How'd they do that?" Heck yeah, your confidence was boosted. He offered his arm to you like a gentleman, making you half-heartedly roll your eyes (you took it anyway). From holding it alone, you could tell that your best friend was a sinewy man (well, you knew that already after seeing his tikbalang form before—the little shit didn't even wear a loincloth like all his clanmates; your poor eyes were eternally scarred).

You looked him up and down. You wouldn't lie—Maliksi is and always has been an attractive man. Now? With his hair in a ponytail (pun not intended), definitely one of the hunkiest men you've ever known. "You're not looking too bad yourself, horsey."

"Ako pa!" He puffed his chest out in pride. You chuckled at his reaction.

"By the way, how do you even know my dress size and my shoe size?"

"Babe, I've known you too long. You know almost everything about me, I know everything about you."

You snorted at his confident tone, "'Di nga? You don't know every single thing about me, Mal. Assuming ka masyado."

"Alam ko nga anong cup size mo. Wala lang 'yang shoe and dress size."

You slapped his shoulder, cheeks quickly flushing red, "Huy, umayos ka! Walang hiyang tikbalang na 'to." With this guy as your best friend? You heard dirty jokes at least once a day. "Don't be inappropriate here!"

"What? It's only fair I know!" He looked down on you suggestively, wiggling his eyebrows. "You already know I always go commando, so of course I know that your bra is a size—"

"Shhh! Baka marinig ka, 'nyeta."

"So? Let them hear. My best friend has a nice set of melons!" he shouted. You were grateful there was no one around. Hopefully.

"Oh my God..."

Your best friend chortled at how flustered you'd become. He led you to where some of his family was waiting, with a couple of his relatives already greeting you. You instantly and quite easily mingled with them, your worries of them not accepting you far from even true (they all knew how much their prince loved the innocent you).

"Kayo na talaga, pare?" one of his older tikbalang clanmates asked while you went away to be fawned over by his aunts.

Maliksi chuckled, crossing his arms as he watched you from afar, "Heh. Hindi pa."

Another one of his clanmates—a younger one—laughed, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, "Talaga? That's cap, bro. You two are like a married couple already and you guys still aren't a thing?"

"Ilang taon na ba kayong magkakaibigan?" the older one asked him.

"Almost ten years," Maliksi responded, a smile unconsciously pulling his lips up as he remembered your moments together. He watched you converse with his female relatives (who adored you the moment Maliksi brought you to a family event many moons ago).

The two tikbalang snickered as they saw the look on the Great Stallion's heir.

"You're down bad," the younger one said, snapping a photo of his lovestruck kuya. "You've got it so bad for her, dudeparechong!"

"Balak mong ligawan anytime soon?" the older tikbalang inquired.

"Heh. Balak ko na ngang pakasalan. Kung pwede, ngayon."

They looked at Maliksi as if he was crazy. He was very much serious, though, even if there was a huge, lopsided smile on his face. The Prince of the Tikbalang raised a brow at them.

"What? Don't give me that look. Our ten years of being best friends is practically the courting and the dating stage already."

"Eh... you're right. Don't waste anymore time. Go and marry her today, dude. Suporta kami sa'yo, basta groomsmen kami sa kasal niyo, ha!"

"Ge. Without question."

Meanwhile, on your end with the ladies of the family, they started pestering you on your love life (like all typical Filipino aunties). Chismis everywhere.

"O, iha, single ka pa ba?"

"Kailan ka magpapakasal? Malapit ka nang pumasok sa thirties mo."

"Do you want kids? How many?"

"Are you and Maliksi a couple? You look good together! Kayo na, 'di ba?"

"Will you be getting married next? Are you engaged? When's the wedding? Invite niyo kami!"

Before you could get overwhelmed by their questions, Maliksi swept you off your feet to lead you to the entourage that was lining up outside the chapel area. Again, it happened like a blur. He laughed at the partially nauseated look on your face.

"You okay there?" he asked, grinning.

"Your family thinks we're together," you muttered quietly, not meeting his eyes. You weren't sure why you felt... tingly about their statements.

He tilted his head at you curiously, gently setting you down on your feet and helping you stand.

"Do you hate the idea?" It hurt him to ask you the question, but he wanted your thoughts on it. Perhaps doing this was a bad idea. Maliksi was competitive in many things, including wanting you to be his, but if you were so opposed to it, he would never force you into something you didn't want. He let go of your hand; you didn't even notice he'd been holding it until he let go. "Am I making you uncomfortable?"

Your wide-eyed gaze snapped back to look up at him, "No! No, it's not that! And... it's not bad." Your hand felt strangely empty now that his was gone. Biting your lip, you disclosed, "You're not making me uncomfortable, Mal. Don't ever think that."

With that, you shyly interlocked your arm with his, tearing your eyes from his to mask the growing warmth you felt spreading in your veins. You two didn't say anything else when the ushers let you walk down the beautiful, petal-covered aisle together.

The man beside you was starstruck. Hopeful. Maybe both of you did have a chance. Maybe somewhere in the depths of your soul, his feelings for you were being reciprocated. For the rest of the sacred ceremony in the gorgeous main pavilion, both of you relished in short, comfortable, and low conversations. He even cracked jokes every once in a while—really funny ones that made it challenging for you to you stifle your laughter.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride."

Maliksi fervently prayed to Bathala that he'd experience the same opportunity he was seeing with you someday. One day.

Even while the sun was brightly out, the sky began showering down light rain onto the land. You were in awe as you looked out the window.

"Hala, totoo nga pala! Tignan mo!" you laughed, tugging Maliksi's suit sleeve, pointing at the window.

"Na ano?" he curiously inquired, not understanding what you were referring to.

"Na kapag may tikbalang na kinakasal, umuulan habang may araw pa," you replied, eyes filled with childlike mirth and wonder. A rainbow had even begun to form by the clouds. "Look, it's magical! Ang ganda pala ng view dito kasama ang old Spanish architecture. Timeless na timeless. It's so pretty, 'no? Picture tayo 'maya, Mal."

Unlike you, it wasn't the sky outside that the prince was looking at. Amidst the loud cheers for the newlywed couple and the bubbles the guests were blowing, his vision could only focus on how magnificent you looked while being amazed. You were his best view. (Ed from 90-Day Fiancé, kabahan ka na, may katapat ka sa pickup line mo.)

》》》

"Smile for the picture!"

You giggled as Maliksi was dragged into a photo-op with the bridesmaids and the important older wedding sponsors a few feet away (funnily, he looked a little constipated around them). All of a sudden, when he was heading back to your direction, you were roughly pushed into the said man's arms. When you turned around, there was nothing (except maybe a gust of wind that came out of nowhere).

"Ooh, gotcha. Careful," the tikbalang steadied you, strong hands holding your biceps. "Natapilok ka?"

"... Huh, hindi naman," you wondered suspiciously, looking around. "I think someone pushed me? Parang tinulak ako... but wala namang tao."

"Weird. Maybe it was just the wind."

It actually was. Really. Maliksi knew for a fact that it was those two taong hangin who were spying on you from the corner, trying to pair you up. He gave them a thumbs-up while your back was turned in the opposite direction. Hannah and Amie returned the thumbs-up before vanishing. Suddenly, the two wedding photographers had moved on from the bridesmaids and were right beside you.

"What a lovely couple you two are!" she praised. Before you could correct her, she held up the black contraption she held towards you two. "Pose for the camera, lovelies!"

And so you did, the photographer guiding you two on what to do. Maliksi wrapped his arm around your waist and you leaned on his side, looking sidewards to the camera with one leg cocked in front of the other. Her assistant, who was holding a polaroid camera, printed out two photos for you.

"Thank you," you told him, taking the photos from his hands then flicking them rapidly to make the images develop. You and Mal were about to walk to the reception area when the photographer stopped you, handing the male beside you a business card.

"If you two need a photographer or a videographer for your wedding, call me," she signaled to both of you before running to another guest, bringing her assistant with her.

You gawked, "Mal, did you just hear what she said?"

"Loud and clear." A grin was on his face. He seemed very pleased at what he heard.

"... How can she even tell if someone is married or not?"

Maliksi's free hand took your left hand, tapping the ring finger, "Nothing here."

"Ooooooh. I get it now." Your brows creased. "Huh. This is like the fifth time today the people here have mistaken us for a couple."

Maliksi shrugged, teasing you, "Who knows? Baka may potential tayo, babe."

Before you could ask him what he meant, he was hurriedly towing you to the reception venue. While he was doing that, you stared at the now-developed polaroid photos you were holding. Huh. Maybe you two did look like a couple.

"Come on, they're serving some snacks at the welcome reception area. Peach pie and mango float-flavored. Paborito mo, babe."

》》》

The rest of the night went by without a hitch. You were actually enjoying the event—the host was great, the food was great, the music was great. Everything was great... that was, until the games.

"Alright! Now that the bride's garter has been removed, let's have the bouquet and garter toss... starting with the females!" the host announced. "Dear bride, please stay here in front. And all single ladies—and by single I mean ready to mingle and are not married—please rise and stand here on the dance floor. Let's play matchmaker tonight, everyone!"

"Uy, single ladies daw," Maliksi nudged your side. "Sign mo na 'yan." You snorted like a pig.

"Nope, ayokong madamay sa bouquet toss," you whisper-yelled at your best friend. "Do you know how embarrassing that is?! Besides, they won't notice if I don't join! Special tactic ko 'yan sa weddings: pretending I'm not single. Katabi naman kita."

More women came to the front, making you feel assured that you didn't need to participate. The host was about to say something, when the bride interrupted to whisper something into his ear.

"Hala, halaaa! Sabi ko all single ladies, pero may isang single lady na nagtatago pa!" he announced, making you freeze. Please don't let it be you. "What's her name, beloved bride?"

"Y/N L/N." You nearly spat out your champagne. You? Did they just call out your name? How did they know?

"Oh fuck," you cursed quietly.

"'Di ka makakatakas dito, babe," Maliksi jabbed, making you stand up. "Tinatawag ka na."

"Baka may ibang Y/N L/N dito," you resisted, attempting to sit back down. "I can't do this, Mal."

"'Sus, ikaw pa. And it's just a symbolic ceremony!" he encouraged, as if he didn't have any underlying intentions. "I doubt the bouquet will go to you anyway."

Sheesh, what a big fat liar you are, tikbalang prince.

You expressed your dissatisfaction with the situation, "Bwiset, fine. I'll just... dodge it. Or evade it. God, I swear..." You calmed down, confident. "I'm not going to worry. I've never caught the bouquet at my own friends' weddings anyway."

When you were at the dance floor, Maliksi snickered, seeing the bride—his cousin—wink at him. After all, he had thoroughly bribed her earlier.

《《《

"It's about time you settled down with someone, Mal," the bride commented while he slipped her the newest Hermés designer bag filled with a bunch of jewelry (plus some bills) two hours ago, right before the reception began and while you were in the restroom freshening up. "Hehehe, this is why you're my favorite cousin."

"Do we have a deal?"

"Of course. I'll make sure she participates. I'll also try to throw it in her direction."

"Good. Thanks."

"You better invite me to your beach wedding. I can tell how much you love her."

"Not a problem. I'll even make you a sponsor."

The bride stared at her bouquet, already practicing how she was going to throw it, "Tito's going to thank me so much for ensuring that he's going to get grandkids soon, hihi."

》》》

Back to the present, on the other end of the room, Maliksi saw a familiar duo give him a sign that they were ready. Bingo. Time to execute the most important part of his plan.

《《《

"I don't care how you do it," he told the two wind elementals after he bribed the bride. "I've already instructed the bride on what she should do, pero siguraduhin niyo lang talagang lumipad sa kanya ang bouquet."

"Mmhmm," Amie flipped her hair, a hand on her cocked hip. "And what do we get in return, oh great Señorito Armanaz?"

"Sagot ko bar-hopping niyo for one month."

The two girls pretended to think about it, making Maliksi roll his eyes. He had to pull out the big guns, huh?

"Fine. Magbibigay ako ng cash deposit plus pwede niyong gamitin ang black card ko for a one-week shopping spree in Ortigas." There. Bullseye. That's what they liked.

"Deal!" they exclaimed excitedly.

Hannah let a cool gust of wind enter one of the nearby windows, testing out how they're going to do this. "Ano pa bang pinaplano mo for Y/N mamaya?"

Maliksi hummed, "Basta."

》》》

You tried your best to hide within the densest part of the group of women. The bride seemed to have her eyes on you, weirdly enough, and she looked almost feral wanting to throw her flowers into someone's face.

That someone being you. Most likely.

"Target locked on," you saw her mouth move. She positioned herself like she was about to throw a football at someone (ahem, you). Holy shit, was she talking to you? Miss ma'am, it was a bouquet toss not a bouquet throw. The bride seemed to notice this, and once more regained her elegant composure.

"3, 2, 1," the host counted down. "Go!"

Surprisingly, the bouquet flew very high into the air (it was a wonder it didn't get tangled in the ceiling decor), but quite a distance away from you. You grinned, knowing it was too far to even touch you. Squeezing through the crowd of women eagerly awaiting the bouquet, you went to return to your assigned table.

Ah, what a wonderful evening.

Sike!

Something painfully landed right into your face, leaves and flowers getting into your hair and mouth.

... Wait, leaves and flowers?

Before you could comprehend it, the bouquet dropped right into your arms. What kind of ungodly, inhuman force allowed this to even happen?

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have our lucky girl for the night!" Everyone clapped, with some—those guests you knew—even cheering your name unbelievably loud. The host approached you, a glint in his eye which you couldn't understand. "Miss Y/N, kindly sit here while we await the lucky guy who catches the garter from the groom."

What just happened?

"All single gentlemen, please proceed to the dance floor. Remember, the man who gets the garter gets to slip it onto the lucky lady's leg later!"

Oh, God. You pinched the bridge of your nose. What you'd give to be back at home or to be in that resort in Batangas you'd planned on going to for a solo vacation.

"To make this even more exciting," the host stated, handing you a black blindfold. "Our lucky lady has to keep her eyes closed until her lucky man for the night captures the bride's garter! When the music plays, only then can she uncover her eyes."

See? Humiliating, just as you expected. Still, you wrapped the blindfold around your head (albeit hesitantly). You attempted to guess who it might be, thinking of all the tikbalang friends Maliksi had introduced to you back then whenever he invited you to his clan reunions.

"Groom, are you ready?" the host asked, microphone loud and clear.

"Ready na ready!"

"Single gentlemen, are you ready?!"

"Ready na ready! Awoo, awoo!" they loudly chorused, exactly mimicking Spartans about to engage in battle. You sweatdropped in the seat you were in. This was actually kind of scary. Maybe you felt a bit objectified.

"3, 2, 1, go!"

There was a brief moment of silence, which made you concerned. Ba't ang tahimik? Then, everyone erupted into roars and bravoes much louder than when you caught the bouquet—perhaps even louder by tenfold. What the heck was happening?!

The music played. Very raunchy, spicy, babymaking music. You expected it to be the typical Careless Whisper by George Michael or Pony by Ginuwine (corny songs which you could probably laugh at, at least), but no. Nuh-uh, this was probably worse. The DJ must be pretty young, the song of their choosing being a slowed, bass-boosted, sexier remix of Earned It by the Weeknd.

Ano 'to, bold? Fifty Shades of Grey? The hell was this?

Alright. This was embarrassing. Thank the heavens there were no children at this party. From the music alone and its implications, this was strictly for adults.

You removed your blindfold (that was okay now, right?) as the guests whistled playfully. You peeked one eye open reluctantly, then inwardly groaned. Oh, no. You should've expected it to be him of all people from how loud the reactions were. And all those yells from the crowd were from his family.

Son of a—

"Well, this has proven to be a very interesting arrangement!" the host proclaimed. "Our lucky man for tonight is none other than our great clan leader's heir, Maliksi Armanaz! Congratulations, sir! You get to slip the lacey little garter on Miss Y/N!"

The said very smug tikbalang stood a few feet away from the chair you were sitting on, smirking at you. His hair was no longer in that mesmerizing ponytail—instead, he'd tied it into a more sinfully attractive man-bun, loose strands framing his face and accentuating that sharp, angled jaw of his (say yes and thank you to Manny Jacinto's jawline, besties).

"Let's cheer him on in his new mission, everybody!" the host pushed. Was this that glint in his eye earlier? And was that a one thousand peso bill sticking out of his pocket?

The groomsmen, Mal's cousins and uncles whom you've met before, hollered words of encouragement to the tall man (who was, oddly enough, not one bit fazed). In fact, Maliksi seemed like he was famished as he stared you down.

You swallowed, feeling like you were going to get eaten (heh, say that again). Maliksi had shrugged off his dark suit blazer to the beat of the song (holy fuck, he also unclasped the suspenders attached to his pants right before your eyes—asdfghjkl). Were you prepared for this? No. Will you ever be prepared? No!

"Mr. Armanaz, before you begin," the host interrupted. "We have an additional challenge for you in this mission. Kaya mo ba? It was a request of the newlywed couple."

"What is it?"

"Use your teeth!" the bride and the groom cheerfully shouted, clapping with the other guests. Whatdidtheysaaaaay???

The cocky bastard didn't even hesitate, his smirk at you growing wider; those pearly whites of his on full display. Was it just you or were his canines a little sharper than usual?

"Anything for the newlyweds. Challenge accepted," he dashingly replied, winking at you. You sputtered indignantly. Pisteng yawa. Putangina. Putek. Pakshet. You swore you thought of every swear word in the book at that moment. What did that YouTube parody song about Filipino mythological creatures say again? About the tikbalang? Ah, yes. Half-macho dancer and half-stallion. Maybe the joke was true, especially when you saw what Maliksi did next.

He bit the shred of lace, loosening his necktie (bestie, you good there?), unbuttoning some top buttons, and rolling up the sleeves of his collared white undershirt up to his elbows (consequently showing off his toned, veiny forearms—those lucky bridesmaids behind him nearly fainted). Honestly, you felt like you were about to lose your mind from embarrassment. With how tantalizing your guy best friend was being? Let our response be: San Pedro, kunin mo na ako. Was he doing all this to tease you? To rile you up?

Because damn it all, it was working. In your ten years of knowing Maliksi Armanaz, withstanding all his daily dirty jokes and flirtatious attempts, never had you seen him like this. So... wolfish. Ravenous. Like he was a man that hadn't been fed in years.

He stalked closer towards you, falling to his knees in front of your legs. Your gown had a long slit that extended up to an inch or two below where your left leg began—your best friend was eyeing his target already, knowing where to place the garter. Normally, you would never even wear something as revealing as this gown. It just wasn't your type, but Maliksi was the one who bought this for you for this specific occasion, so you had no choice. It was this or your pantulog he stole you in just hours ago. At first, you were confident in the gown. Now? You felt too... naked.

Somehow, in the heat of it all, you'd muted out the noise of the venue. Maliksi teasingly lifted your foot up, fingertips slyly grazing the thin shoe straps around your left foot—his calculated touch leaving fire in its trail. Once the garter had been successfuly inserted past your high-heeled stilettos, the man kneeling in front of you kept his hands to himself. Despite the fact that now there was absolutely zero skin-to-skin contact between you and this man, your body felt hotter than it ever was before as he expertly slid the lacy bit of cloth up your ankle at an agonizingly slow pace.

Maliksi's warm eyes had turned dark, his pupils blown, a tinge of red in them—of his true beast—while he maintained striking eye contact with you, pulling the garter up your calf with his teeth. Smoothly tugging... tugging... tugging. Tangina, it was like he was undressing you with his eyes alone; like he was telepathically telling you to keep your eyes open.

To keep your eyes on him, where he was knelt inbetween your legs, his hands intentionally locked on his back. Did you ever imagine this? Him between your legs? Maybe. Once or twice. But you never thought about it seriously; Maliksi dated girls left and right in the past.

His lips... his lips were so close... so close to your leg that you could feel the heat of his breath along with the lace. Were you about to die? Perhaps you already did. Maybe you were in heaven. Up... up... up... snap!

Suddenly, he stopped, grinning up at you mischievously and letting the elastic bounce back to the skin of your left knee.

"I'm not going any further, don't worry, babe," he whispered, noting that your eyes had become misty and glazed over. Internally, he grew worried. "That's enough." Did he think it was from discomfort? From you being uncomfortable? Bitch, no. It was the exact opposite. You had never been this turned on in your entire life.

You felt like your soul had left your body at that moment. Did you just have a heart attack? Was your blood pressure okay? Before you or Maliksi could stand, however, someone bellowed from the wedding sponsor tables.

"Higher! That's an order!"

Fucking hell, it was Maliksi's father who shouted. He wasn't in the huge tikbalang form you'd normally meet him in, but he was still very intimidating in his humanoid form, commanding attention and subservience wherever he went. You could tell where Maliksi got it from.

Instantly, the other guests—already half-drunk and wanting the spirit of partying to continue on—joined in.

"Higher! Higher!"

The host cheered, "You heard Señor Armanaz! Higher!"

Maliksi gave you a questioning look. Even if it was his father who spoke up, he still wouldn't do anything you didn't want. Well, you two made it this far; there was no point in getting embarrassed now. You bit the inside of your cheek, nodding. You probably couldn't erase the redness on your skin with how much you'd blushed from this night. It was as if the heat was tattooed onto your skin.

"Go on, Mal," you whispered to him, bending your torso down closer to his face, eyes half-lidded from want. "Finish what you started, babe."

With those sultry bedroom eyes he'd never once seen you show him before—plus you turning the tables with that familiar term of endearment, how could he refuse? Like a switch had been flipped inside him, he immediately complied, taking the frilly scrap of stretchy lace between his teeth once more, moving it further up to your thighs until where your high slit ended—centimeters below the warming juncture between your legs.

Your legs felt wobbly... boneless, as you stood up from the chair, the fabric of your gown cascading over where the lace sat securely on your upper left thigh. The party was still going strong even after you two finished the garter wearing tradition.

"'Atta boy! That's my son!" Señor Armanaz blazoned, standing up and raising his glass for a toast. "Cheers to the newlywed couple! May they last forever!"

You guys weren't the newlyweds, but it did sure feel like it. If the clan leader was hyped up, everyone was hyped up. Heck, the groom and the bride didn't mind one bit what had just transpired on their dance floor. In all the chaos, Maliksi took you out of the reception area and somewhere quieter. More private.

You would need to have a serious, urgent talk with your boy best friend.

》》》

You two silently sat on a stone bench in a gazebo somewhere in the reserved venue for the wedding, trying to cool down and get yourselves back together (at this point, you needed ice from that steamy, half-scandalous event you just went through). Here, there was no one else except for the chirping of crickets, the lush trees surrounding the area, and the golden fairy lights strewn all over the roof. Awkwardness was something you'd expected after what just happened, but somehow, you still felt comfort in this man's presence. For the past thirty minutes, both of you just stayed still, lost in your thoughts and reflecting.

"Mal?" you finally spoke up.

"... Hmm?"

"Ano tayo?"

"Whatever you want us to be."

Your fingers instinctively reached out for his, just like they always did when you were anxious. Sensing this, he grasped your hand and squeezed it reassuringly. Soothingly. He massaged the skin of your fingers, distracting you from your nervousness. It seemed like both nothing and everything changed between both of you. The gesture was the same, but so different at the same time.

"Mahal mo ako." It was not a question. It was a statement. A truth—one that you'd been too blind to see before. One that you only discovered while you stared into each other's eyes in that party not as best friends. You realized with a jolt in your heart what he really felt for you, and now, what you really felt for him. In those thirty minutes of silence, you knew. You just knew.

"Yes. I do."

"... Just as a best friend?" you probed.

"..."

Finally, you gazed into his eyes, previously so dark and full of hunger. Now? Just reluctant. Vulnerable. Open. Unsure of what to do next.

Seems like you had to be the one to take initiative tonight. Taking out your phone, you opened your music app and pressed play on a certain song. Ikaw at Ako by Johnoy Danao. You removed your heels (which were starting to blister your ankles and toes), then pulled him up to stand.

"Dance with me," you murmured, grabbing his arms to wrap them around your waist. He was stiff. Tense. What was he to do when the woman he's been pining after for so long let him hold her? All his gallantry and ability to romance disappeared out the window the moment you let him touch you so intimately.

You two weren't even waltzing. Just swaying. Slowly, you leaned your head on his broad chest, listening to the steady thump of his heart.

"... I love you," Maliksi admitted in the middle of it all, feeling like he was dreaming. Your head on his chest kept him grounded to reality, however. "More than anything in the universe. I fell for you ever since you patched me up when you were nineteen and I was a reckless drag racer who didn't have a purpose in life. 'Nung dinala mo ako pabalik sa Armanaz Tower on the verge of death. Simula noon, ikaw lang."

"I realized that," you smiled, reminiscing the old memory. You were just a broke college student that time, coming back to your dorm from making your group thesis at a classmate's house. Imagine your panic when you found a half-man, half-horse bleeding out by some bushes on the way home at night. Despite your fear and your little money (only enough to feed you for the week), you went out of your way to buy a first-aid kit at the nearest 7/11. It was scary, but you managed to mend the creature's wounds by the side of the road. When he was finally able to speak, turning fully human (which you admit, freaked you out initially), you arduously carried him back to his address—to his father and his clan, even if you had classes the very next morning. Because of your heroic deed of saving their precious heir, the tikbalang clan had become indebted to you: a teenage girl on the verge of a mental academic breakdown, just making her way through the cruel adult world. How old of a memory that was, you thought, yet you still recalled it in perfect detail. "Just a while ago."

"Ah." He swayed you gently.

"Lahat ng ito, plano mo?"

"... Yes," Maliksi fessed up. "Except for this part where we're here dancing in this belvedere. Wala sa plano ko. Gusto ko sanang magconfess doon sa may fountain para sweet, pero..."

You lifted your head off his chest, smiling at him with one brow raised, "You know, between both of us, you're supposed to be the spontaneous one. Planning isn't usually your thing."

"I know. It's a failure, huh?" Maliksi sighed.

"Nah." You shook your head, then suddenly locked lips with him. It was so fast and surprising he didn't even get the chance to return your first kiss. For once, you caught him off guard. You pecked him on the lips again. "It's not a failure."

"Wha—"

"I'm sorry for making you wait, Maliksi. Ten years. We're twenty-nine now, and only tonight do I realize how blind I've been. We've been going around in circles, wasting so much time. Ayoko nang mag-aksaya ng oras," you whispered guiltily against his lips. How could you have been so blind? Andaming nasayang na taon. Making up your mind, you told him, "Yes. Sige, I accept. I'll be your plus one."

The tikbalang was flustered and baffled from the kiss, as well as your revelation, "... But, you already are?"

"No, silly. I meant that I'll be your plus one for life. For as long as you'll have me," you laughed, now processing that you were currently dancing barefoot with your boy best friend and had just kissed him in a wedding you didn't even plan on going to. The universe had a mysterious way of doing things. "Guess I'm the spontaneous one now, huh?"

Maliksi was tongue-tied. "Seryoso ka ba? Is... Is this a marriage proposal?"

"Whatever you want it to be," you echoed his words back to him. "Best friend, plus one, girlfriend, wife—mmpf!"

He kissed you so hard your lips bruised. After an impromptu makeout session which was definitely more in character for Maliksi, you both pulled away, panting heavily in search for air, still desperate for passion. He cupped your cheeks, giving you a sweet, featherlight Eskimo kiss.

"You're missing one more title."

"Hm? What do you mean, Mal?"

"Love of my life." He kissed you again, this time lifting you off your feet and spinning you around (his sneaky right hand was resting on your bum, too, giving it a tight squeeze). You know in the Princess Diaries where the main character's foot just... pops whenever the prince charming kissed her? Yeah, that happened to you on that humid summer night. This was right. You two were meant to be together. Everything was falling into place.

The bungalow you reserved for your Batangas vacation leave ended up being the site of your very eventful honeymoon with the Prince of the Tikbalang (with his libido, it wasn't that difficult to continue where you'd left off in the garter toss; that scrap of lace came off your leg the same way it went on). Actually, nauna pa ang honeymoon sa actual wedding (it was definitely spontaneous). Right after your confession in that alcove, you two went to Maliksi's father to ask for his blessing (which he gladly gave, cackling and saying that it took you long enough) before you guys went driving off to Batangas that night. You and Mal indeed had lots and lots of fun in that resort (I'll let you imagine the rest). More beautiful memories were made from that point on—this time, not just as best friends.

All that and your small, intimate wedding occurred in early April. Just when you thought that it'd be impossible to fulfill Maliksi's life goal of having a baby within the year (nine months of pregnancy meant that the earliest you'd give birth would be January next year), the impossible happened.

Exactly thirty-two weeks later, on New Year's Eve, the Armanaz herd welcomed one prince and two new princesses into the world. Triplets who were instantly adored by everyone in the clan.

Señor Armanaz had never been happier, and so were you and your husband. Your best friend. The love of your life. Your forever plus one.

Maybe being spontaneous wasn't so bad after all.

Taglist: @belladaises @binibiningbabaylan @4kodzuk3n @sparklingmallow @severuslovebot @holyshxtangel @marinac15 @space-flamingo @pippethealien @kashasenpai @disappointmentpastry @hornehlittleweeblet2 @seijohoe @monimiin @ibelievein2dmensupremacy @tinybonksharkcop @methehipster @banisuoh @genshin-idiot @lemonnie-kimmie

[rebelwrites]

OPERATION: Find The Kids!

Bravo Team x Reader

A/N okay so I saw a TikTok yesterday and this gave me the idea for the chaotic fic you are about to read. Seven tier one navy seals looking after four kids. What could go wrong? So I give you nearly 2k words of utter chaos. Trying to keep track of what 11 people are doing is stressful 😂

Join The Group Chat Here - If You Want Tagging Manually Let Me Know 🖤

SEAL Team Masterlist

This Months Writing

Sipping on your coffee, you ran your hand over your face as you try to finish off the paperwork from the last deployment. You tried to get this done in your home office but it was no good when your house was used as base when the boys were home. Or as Metal kept putting it “the home of Bravo” but it did make your life easier meaning you didn’t have to worry about finding a sitter at short notice as you had at least one of the boys crashing at yours for whatever reason.

And at the moment it was a godsend, especially as you were looking after your Brother’s triplets whilst he was going through the divorce. But having four kids under the age of 7 in the house was chaos, but you lived around big kids all the time so you could just about cope.

“Guys, someone has to take the boss some coffee,” Clay said, as he placed the plate of toast in the middle of the kitchen table. “And to swipe the walkies.”

Everyone fell silent. That silent you could hear a pin drop.

“Oh hell no,” Sonny said, breaking the silence. “You know how she gets when she’s doing the reports. And it was your idea Blondielocks, so you should do it.”

“No way,” Clay exclaimed, “I value my life thank you. “

“Guys let’s settle this like adults,” Metal said, with a serious look on his face. “Rock, paper, scissors. We go around the group and do it as a knock out style thing and whoever is left standing has to take the boss some coffee and swipe the walkies.”

So that's how it was decided that Sonny was the one to go into the lion's den, armed with coffee and breakfast to hopefully make things go smoothly.

“Quinn, I see you.” You said not looking away from your screen.

“How the fuck?” He muttered, “I swear you have eyes in the back of your head.”

“You have to when you look after children,” you laughed, “now I’m busy so what do you want?”

“We know you left without breakfast so I thought I’d bring you some,” he shrugged, placing the food and coffee on the table.

“I don’t buy it,” you said, raising your brow at him. “You are up to something.”

“Nope, just bringing the boss coffee.” He grinned, he had already swiped the walkies and needed to get out of here. “You have a good day, and don’t worry about anything, we have it all under control.”

“That’s what makes me worry Quinn,” you glared. “Just don’t burn my house down and don’t lose a child. That’s all I ask.”

“Hard copy, boss.” He nodded before leaving the room.

“Mission success boys,” Sonny shouted walking back into the house, “Oh and final words from the boss were don't set the house on fire and don’t lose a child but she had no idea I swiped the walkies.”

“Well then, time to gear up boys,” Jase said, slapping his legs as he stood up. “Kids have requested we wear our camo bottoms so hurry up we head out at 0900.”

Twenty minutes had passed and everyone was gathered in the living room.

“Right, let's just run through this one more time,” Clay said looking at the list on his phone.

“First aid kit”

“Check”

“Snacks”

“Check”

“Drinks”

“Check”

“Sun cream”

“Check”

“Kids dressed”

“Check”

“All walkies on the same station”

“Check”

“Well boys I think we are ready,” Trent nodded, “So Brock has Cerb and Pepper, I’ve got the bag, so the rest of you get to keep an eye on the kids.”

Your daughter, Riley instantly clung onto Clay like a koala bear, your nephew Joey gravitated to Metal, Sonny scooped up your niece, Amber and Ray took your other Niece, Lola.

“Let’s hit the park,” Jase nodded, leading everyone out the house.

“What could go wrong,” Sonny laughed. “It’s not like we are gonna lose any of them. There’s four of them and seven of us.”

“Don’t say that, you idiot,” Metal said, hitting Sonny around the back of the head. “Don't jinx things, now If things go south it’s your fault.”

“Anyone got have eyes on HVT one?” Jase asked down the walkie, as he scanned the park.

“HVT one is south moving toward the tyre swing,” Metal replied, “I’ve lost eyes on HVT two.”

“I’ve got eyes on HVT two, she is in need of refilling. Lure her back to base Three,” Clay said, as he squinted from the sun.

“Copy six,” Sonny called, as he calmly headed for Amber, who thought this was the best game in the world as her Uncle Sonny chased her. “HVT two inbound,”

“My eyes are peeled,” Jase laughed, as he spotted Amber running towards him.

“For the love of god don’t forget the suncream.” Ray responded.

“Copy that,” Jase said, routing around the bag for supplies. He literally only took his eyes off her for two seconds but by the time he looked up she was gone. “All call signs I have lost eyes on HVT two. I repeat I have lost eyes on HVT two.”

“I don’t have HVT three or four,” Brock sighed “They just vanished.”

“Is HVT one still at the tyre swing?” Ray asked.

“Fuck, she’s gone to.” Metal cursed.

“Guys we fucked up, boss is gonna kill us if we don’t come home with a full head count.” Ray breathed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Three you know this is your fault,” Metal growled.

“How is it my fault?” Sonny snapped. “You're the one meant to be watching HVT One.”

“You jinxed things, idiot,” Metal huffed, “Told you this would happen.”

“Guys, stop fighting,” Jase sighed, “Look just everyone reconvene at base and we put a plan together, they can’t have gone far.”

You couldn’t believe what you were hearing, you knew Sonny was up to something when he came in this morning but the big idiot forgot to pick up all the walkies meaning you could hear everything.

Pinching the bridge of your nose, you messed with the station trying to get a clearer sound. You wanted to see how this would play out, they all sounded pretty panicked but they should be. One of the rules was they could do whatever, go wherever but just don’t lose anyone.

“You okay Y/L/N?” Eric asked coming into the briefing room with some fresh coffee.

“Define okay when the boys are looking after the tribe today, Sonny managed to swipe the walkies and now somehow they have managed to lose all four kids at the park,” you sighed, pinching the bridge of your nose.

“Well at least they had the sense to get the walkies I suppose,” Eric laughed, “you know they will have a full head count by the end of the day, they won’t leave until they do.”

“I know,” you laughed, “but I’m gonna get them back.”

“How the fuck have we managed to lose four kids,” Clay said running his hand over his face. “I don’t get it,”

“Because children like to fucking run off,” Jase snapped. “Look, we don’t need to go into how it happened, it happened. Let’s just work the problem and get these kids back before we all get brutally killed. Operation find the kids is a go.”

“Riley likes water right?” Trent asked.

“Yeah, she’s a proper water baby, why do you ask?” Clay questioned.

“She might have gone towards the lake.” Trent nodded.

“Right, Clay and Brock head to the lake and try to get Riley. We all know you are her favourite Uncle Clay so she might actually come back to you.” Ray said, making a call. “We divide and conquer boys.”

“Copy,” Brock and Clay nodded, before running off in the direction of the lake.

“What about Joey?” Trent asked.

“The woods definitely,” Jase nodded.

“I’m on it,” Metal nodded before disappearing.

“Okay so that leaves Amber and Lola.” Jase said.

“Fuck I have no idea,” Ray sighed. “They are both so quiet.”

“We are just gonna have to split up.” Sonny said, “we will find them.”

Two hours had passed and everyone apart from Brock and Clay were back at base. Three out of the four kids had been located and now sitting on the grass with Metal eatting some cookies.

“I’m gonna need a medic,” Clay said, his voice full of panic and cry’s could be heard in the background.

“How far out are you?” Jase replied.

“About 5 mikes,” Brock replied.

Clay looked down at Riley in his arms, she was screaming and the tears kept coming.

“Hey Riley-roo, it’s okay, Uncle Clay has got you. You are gonna be okay.” Clay cooed trying to calm down his god daughter.

“What’s the sitrep?” Trent asked.

“Not sure if it’s a broken wrist or just a sprain. She fell pretty hard on it whilst running.” Clay sighed down the walkie. “It’s official boys, we are dead meat when the boss gets home.”

The house was quiet when you got home, far too quiet. The only sound was the hum from the TV but even that was on low volume. Quickly glancing in the kitchen you rolled your eyes at the state of it. It looked like a bomb had gone off. There were plates and mugs everywhere along with McDonald’s discarded wrappers.

Quietly you walked into the living room to see all the kids awake and all the boys fast asleep on the sofas. Riley was tucked under Clay’s arms, Joey was laying across Metal and Brock, Amber was sat in between Jase’s legs and Lola was tucked under Ray’s arms.

“Mummy” Riley grinned as she saw you. “Look what I got,” she giggled, waving her casted wrist in the air.

“What happened baby?” You asked, crouching down to her level.

“I tripped and broke my wrist.” She pouted, “But Uncle Clay took me to the hospital.”

“Well it looks like you all wore your Uncles out today,” you laughed, “but just cover your ears for me kiddos.”

Once they all covered their ears with their hands, you pushed yourself to your feet.

“Wake up you lazy shits!” You shouted, startling them all awake. “Did we have a good day?” You asked playing dumb.

“Yeah it was amazing,” Jase nodded. “We went to the park.”

“So you did lose any of the kids?” You asked, placing your hand on your hip.

“Nope,” Clay said, with a sheepish smile on his face.

“Well can someone explain this?” You said, pressing play on the recording.

The whole room fell quiet as they heard the conversation playback from early.

“So wanna change your answer boys?” You glared. “I only have two rules and you fucking broke one of them. And my daughter has a bloody broken arm!”

“Sorry, boss.” Sonny mumbled, not making eye contact.

“You better be you idiots,” you laughed, “At least you came home with a full head count. Now Clay move, you are in my seat.”

Once Clay had moved, you settled down in your spot.

“Oh and another thing, I’ve had a long ass day typing up all the incident reports from J-Bad, I swear your band list gets longer each deployment,” you laughed, “but I’m not happy about the state of my kitchen so you can all get in there and sort it out.”

“Yes, boss.” They all said, making you smirk. Not many people could make Bravo team sulk off with their tail between their legs but you could and it always made you laugh.

“And someone make me a bloody coffee, because I am not moving off this sofa for the rest of the night”

@chibsytelford @mrsmarvelous1995 @supervalcsi @talicat713 @disasterfandoms @bravo-four-seal-team @jasonbabymama @jayhalsteadfan-2417 @lotsoflovefromlea @seik-o @velvetcardiganbucky @phoenixhalliwell @pancakeisreading @itsonautopilot @pinkrockstar19 @galaxysanduniversesinmymind @softi92 @abby-splace @theysayitscrazy @thelovelyleo23 @innerpaperexpertcloud

[calyssmarviss]

Spoilers for Obi-Wan Kenobi Part V

So last week i had two people to scream at bit now I’m back to shouting at the internet instead.

I’ve seen, uh, not exactly spoilers but hints and inside jokes because i went on tumblr a bunch of times today forgetting it was Wednesday and i have high hopes for this one

Recap

Oh yeah Obi-Wan and Leia were both pretty badass in the last one, trench-coat incident notwithstanding

STOP SAYING HE'S AN OLD MAN OH MY GOD I CHECKED LAST WEEK HE'S ONLY 48

Titlecard

ARE WE IN CORUSCANT

WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT

HELLO DARLING

AH

SHUT UP THAT'S FLIRTING

Karen Miller was on that balcony in spirit

See, Vader’s blowing hard just thinking about it

Mhm I’ve fought GoH battles on that bridge

Vader: onto more important matters: where’s my boyfriend

“Kneel.”

Kinky.

Ew. Grand Inquisitor, really?

Field trip to Jabiim let’s go

Haja!

Why didn’t they drop her to Alderaan before. I could probably answer that but i would need to go to my maps and, oh, fuck it

Yeah so it would have not taken much more time to drop Leia first but idk maybe it would be harder to travel through the Core worlds with the increased imperial presence… like, checkpoints on the lanes and pitstop planets

How long can they travel without stopping anyway?

Vader staring into hyperspace is… something. Idk what but it gives me feelings okay.

I’m just like him when i go to new planets in Borderlands 3 i stand i front of the ship and wait for the reveal.

Why is it all so dark on Jabiim i can’t see shit

That second hand lightsaber stand

“It’s not her, it’s Vader.”

Why are they like this. I mean. He’s not wrong but still.

“He’ll attack next. He hasn’t the patience for a siege.”

why is this so funny to me

“How do you know?”

*flashback to Wild Space*

Oh it’s a little bit weird to see them both with blue lightsabers and i watched some Clone Wars a few days ago.

Man that haircut. I know people who must have wept with joy from seeing the return of Wolfman Kenobi.

That back to back.

“Mercy doesn’t defeat an enemy, master.”

Oh Hayden, I’ve missed you so

“Which is why you’re gonna lose.”

I feel like I’ve written a scene just like this.

God we’re only eight minutes in.

I paused on a really pretty shot of the destroyer right in front of Jabiim i wish i could take a screenshot so bad rn

I’m such a fucking nerd i see a pretty planet and a couple fighters and i want to cry

Ooh, this feels very Last Jedi suddenly. Without the salt and the foxes.

Why? Are they blowing up the door when they apparently can lock down the place? How could they lock it down? What the fuck are they doing.

“I’m going to need a ladder.”

Oh right, it’s Lola. Already forgot.

Yeah so they couldn’t ask Lola to keep the front door open?

Why is it so dark?

Bail mail!

“We’re in trouble.”

No shit. What were we even doing checking our emails and spilling our backstory when the Empire is right at the front door

Here comes the Negotiator!

“Lord Vader will have you at any cost.”

“You mean Anakin.”

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HE GOT HER NUMBER

that’s beautiful payback for episode 2

“I was too weak.”

“They were the only family I knew. And he slaughtered them.”

“You’re not helping him are you? You’re hunting him.”

Well.

“Let me help you.”

“Why would i trust you.”

“Because we want the same thing.”

“Do you, Obi-Wan? Do you really want Anakin dead?”

Girl heard the stories you know. Two halves of a same warrior and all that. Damn, maybe she even spotted the Open Circle insignia on one of the thousands warships you put it on. Who knows.

“Where were you? When he was killing my friends?”

NOT WITH HIM AND THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THIS PROBLEM. He went to Utapau and took Anakin’s single braincell with him.

Hey no not the mute droid

I swear those two motherfuckers have been having a… Force bond discussion of a sort since Obi-Wan has been aware of Anakin being alive.

“Tell her to stand down. Kenobi is already ours.”

What was i saying?!

“There’s no way out, Master.”

Yeah this is not a memory i think. That’s mental battle.

Oh no his face when he says

“Admit you are beaten.”

That’s unfair man.

Who wrote this show? I have no idea. Anyway.

Here i paused to full on cry for two minutes and then realized why the girl were talking about praise kink regarding this episode

Also this show is making me feel strangely validated about past writing choices

“It’s over. I’m going back.”

“Vader wants me.”

Joby and Andrew we need to talk.

Obi-Wan said there were other ways to fight than lightsabers and m’y thoughts immediately turned dirty until i remembered the state of Anakin right now

Man i hope those Force ghosts are having the best time

“You’re not bringing him to me. I’m bringing him to you.”

Well fuck for a second there i misheard i thought he was bringing her to him like hi babe here’s the traitor in your inquisition but no what he’s actually doing is breaking my heart again

“We could end this together.”

Ben you’re tearing this family apart

“Because all he’ll see is me.”

We get it okay. He’s obsessed with you.

Think none of the stormtroopers hear that little convo?

And… they just bring him back inside?

“There. Your weapon’s gone. It’s over.”

Hayden has such a pretty smile.

“Your need for victory, Anakin it blinds you.”

So much could have been avoided if he’d just told him he was a good boy.

“Where is he.”

He asked once more, with feeling.

Leia baby, they need you to haul ass. Not me though. Take as much time as you want. This is fun.

Leia vs Lola

From spy to lamp torch

Why weren’t those people already on the ship

That’s SO sexy 🤩

I found my next desktop picture Vader’s back on main stage

I’m so disappointed this was so hot listen i don’t give a fuck about those innocent people Anakin deserved to win this one for sheer badassness

He didn’t even get to see him :(

So what they’re saying is that he’s still a Padawan lol give him some pearls to clip to his helmet

Hahaha Reva what did you think would happen.

Well i guess he did give her to him in the end

Hahahahaha he’s playing with her

He doesn’t even have his lightsaber out

🎶 This is the Vader Show 🎶

And it’s beautiful

Bye Reva

“Did you really believe i did not see it, youngling?”

Hey, the Rebels fans were right about that guy! He’s not dead!

“Our hyperdive is down. And they’re behind us.”

So what say you, General Kenobi?

What is that?

Oh it’s his comm

Back to Tatooine we go!

“I’m sure it’s nothing.”

Right.

You look like you’re gaving more than a bad feeling about this.

Hey Luke.

I / II / III

[tealenko]

Somebody that I Used to Know (Chapter 3)

Chapter 3: Port Observation

Wow... chapter 3 already. This one is more funny than the previous one. I thought this chapter would be difficult to write at the begining but in the end it was one of the easiest.

Summary: James wants to know if the rummors about Shepard are true, so he ends up getting Steve and Garrus drunk to find out. Things get a little unconfortable when Shepard enters the room and overhears part of the conversation.

Words: 2757 Rating: Teens and Up Warnings: Alcohol

Previous chapter -> [link] All chapters -> [link] Read in AO3 -> [link]

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“So you don’t know” James asks Steve while he is dealing the cards.

“Why should I? You know her longer than I do.” Steve takes a look at his cards, deciding how many he should discard. “Why do you ask? Curiosity? Or do you have ulterior motives?”

“Are you crazy? Well, if she wasn’t my C.O, maybe, but I mean… I’m wise enough to don’t get involved in that kind of mess.” James throws away two of his cards. “Maybe I’m trying to distract you with gossip. Well, how many do you want?”

“Just one.” Steve says. “I didn’t think you were smart enough to make that kind of decision Vega, you seem more of an accion guy, rather than a thoughtful one.”

“Looks can be deceiving, I mean, look at Mr. Major specter.”

“Wait, Alenko? No… He looks too, mmm...”

“Serious, right?”

“But it cannot be, I’ve never seen a more ‘by the book’ type of guy. No, it must be… well, It would make sense...”

“What?”

“No, no. This isn’t right James. We shouldn’t be talking about this stuff. Just… just place a bet.”

“You’re gonna leave me like this Esteban? Come on, I’m sure she won’t mind… maybe she’ll tell us if we ask nicely.” James throws a couple of poker chips to the center of the table.

“Yeah sure, I won't be the one who discovers if that's true.” Steve raises the bet. “And why did you think of Alenko to begin with?”

“Ah nah… If you don’t tell what you know you can’t expect me to do so.”

“Do you see the bet or not?”

“I do.”

“And you have good reasons to think if she had something with someone it was with the major?”

“I do.” James matches the bet. “You said it makes sense, before you stopped talking.”

“She is going to kill us.”

“She’ll never find out.” James looks at his cards smiling. “Tell you what, if I win this round you tell me, if you win ask whatever you want.”

“Ok, let me see your cards.”

Both of them place down their cards onto the table.

“Ha! So spill, what did you hear Esteban?”

“God, I should've known better that to bet against you.”

“Spill it out.”

“Well… I met someone who was part of the Normandy crew, the first one, and he told me there were rumors about her having a thing for someone in the ship, he didn’t say who, only that the person in fact was a lower rank… so in theory Alenko fits the pattern, but also do so many others, why do you suspect of the major?”

“Now you wanna know, eh?”

“Come on Vega, why?”

“Why wouldn’t I. Man, you weren’t there on Mars.”

“Mars?”

“Yeah, I’ve never been more uncomfortable in my life, you could cut the tension with a knife.”

“Just because of that?”

“He seemed really pissed off with her.”

“Ay James, what kind of telenovela are you writing in your head?”

“Just saying what I think.” Steve starts laughing.

“I don’t even know if you are serious or if you're messing with me.”

“About what?” Says a third voice entering the conversation. Both of them raise a hand a little to say hello.

“Ey Scars, spying on us?” Says James, standing up to go to the bar.

“Just stopping by for a drink.” Garrus says, sitting in the bar area and turning his head to talk to Steve. “What are you two up to?”

“You don’t wanna know… I think I need a drink too.”

Steve sits next to Garrus, in the meanwhile, James, who moved quickly to tend the bar, starts mixing drinks in front of them.

“This will be my first time making a dextro cocktail, wish me luck Scars.”

“Just… try not to kill me Vega.”

“Relax hermano, I’m a pro. Ask Esteban, he was at one of my famous parties.”

“How was it?”

“I couldn’t say… I don't remember much of that week to be honest.”

“Eh eh eh… I see, the best kind of party.” Garrus taps the bar with his hand. “Okay James, do your best. If you’re able to mix something that makes me forget the reapers by the end of the shift I’ll put you in for a medal once this is all over.”

“Sure… this is going to be fun, I’ve never seen a drunk turian.” James finishes mixing the drink and offers it to Garrus. “Are you even able to get drunk?”

“Well… you’re about to find out.” Garrus takes the drink and downs it in seconds. “Not bad, Jimmy...” He points at his glass to ask for another. “By the way, what were you two talking about before I got in? Steve seemed distressed.”

They all start drinking, and Steve succeeds to avoid the conversation for a while, until the drinks begin to kick in, loosening Vega’s tongue. By the time they’ve explained their whole conversation to Garrus, none of them is sure if they will be able to stand up without difficulties.

“You don’t appreciate your life, eh Vega?” Garrus says, finishing yet another drink.

“Come on Scars, we wanna know!”

“I don't. The commander's business shouldn’t be of our interest.” Steve tries very hard to stand up, letting himself fall onto the couch when the whole room starts spinning.

“I agree. And I’m sorry to disappoint you James, but I have no clue If what you say it’s true or not. Why do you wanna know?”

“Well, I’ll be hella funny to tease her about this when I have the chance. And him. I wanna get my info right before I do so.”

“Oh no, no no no… You really wanna die.” Garrus looks at James with an alarm expression on his face. “Listen to me Vega, do not get into that, never, don’t even think about it. I’m not joking.”

“You said you didn’t know anything.”

“No, don’t go there Vega.” Garrus tries to escape the conversation by leaving the room, but in his state he is only able to take a few steps before he gives up, sitting in front of Steve. “You ehm… should leave it.”

“Look at it this way, if you tell me what you’re sooooo afraid of maybe i’ll understand your reasons and put the subject away, but if you don’t…. well… I’m sure Lola knows if It’s true or not.” James walks towards the coach, grabbing his drink, and sitting next to Steve. ”So?”

“So… this is something that doesn’t concern you, and I don’t even know that much but…“ He takes a second, questioning if he should keep talking. ”There was, in fact, something between them,” he finally says. ”But the only thing you should know It’s that it ended up pretty badly, so you shouldn’t insist on the subject.”

“Well, that doesn’t surprise me. I mean, he ended up pointing a gun at her, what a revelation.”

“Not what I was talking about, and to be fair with Kaidan, she was pointing hers at the council.”

“And he backed her up once she explained herself.” Ads Steve.

“So what were you referring to?”

“You aren’t going to quit, eh?”

“Nope”

Garrus sighs and takes a second to process everything. He shouldn’t tell him this, but he is way too drunk to get to that conclusion and is also starting to think that he will indeed ask Shepard if he doesn’t tell him.

“You see… Shepard and Kaidan only met once when we were on Cerberus and well… How do I put this? Ah yes, have you seen the big dent at the access cargo wall, right at the entrance of the ship?”

“Yes.”

“Shepard’s response to their conversation… She… She broke her hand hitting the wall as soon as we got back on the ship.”

“You’re shitting me!” Says James, half laughing half in awe.

“No, no I'm not. And THAT’s how it ended, so I wouldn’t bring it up anymore or talk about it with anyone, especially with Shepard.”

“What is it that Vega shouldn’t talk about with me, Garrus?” Shepard says, appearing out of nowhere, and sitting next to the turian. “Well?”

The tree of them freeze, and after a few seconds of general panic, James starts talking.

~

“Let me get this straight… “ Shepard says, looking at James. “We are at war with the reapers, probably facing extinction, and your priority right now is to know whether or not I hooked up with Alenko back in the day?”

“Yes… Well no, Garrus already confirmed that part.” Shepard turns her head towards the turian, who is trying his best to avoid her eyes. “What I really wanna know is where you stand right now.” Says Vega, without even thinking.

“Please Commander, he’s… Well, we’re… a little bit too drunk right now. Don’t listen to him, he doesn’t mean it.” Steve pleads, trying to save his friend from the mess he’s in. “You know Vega, he doesn’t really have a filter, now less than ever.”

Shepard sights and takes a big breath.

“No harm, no foul, eh?” She says, examining the three men one by one. “ And you seem, in fact, pretty drunk. Well… I guess you really needed to blow off some steam, eh?” She starts laughing at the situation, and the mood of the room lightens a little.

“Do you want a drink, Lola?”

“Sure, why not? Pass me a beer if there’s any”

“Don’t you wanna one of my cocktails? Garrus really likes them.” Says James on his way to the bar. “They seem to loosen his tongue.”

“Don’t push your luck, Vega.”

“I had to try, here you go.” James hands the beer to Shepard and sits again next to Steve. “So… you are mad, aren’t you Shepard?”

“No, I’m not… I can see why you would be curious about that kind of subject.”

“Not, with as… With the major.” Steve and Garrus look directly at James, trying to make him stop talking with their gaze. “I mean...”

“Oh please Vega stop talking before she kills you and everyone else in this room.”Garrus pleads, seeing James isn’t going to stop on his own. “Hey Shep, I’m so sorry about all of this, seriously. I thought if I explained the situation a little he would be satisfied and would not bother you… but I think he, we, are way too drunk to function like propper beings, I’m truly sorry.”

“Yes, please James, stop talking.” Steve adds.

“I’m just saying that as members of her crew, we should know this kind of thing. I don’t know… maybe we have to protect the guy if she tries to shoot him again.” All three of them start laughing at James' comment, with Steve almost falling out of the couch and Garrus trying really hard to look away from Shepard’s direction. “I’ll be also nice to know if we have to pad the Normady’s walls.”

Shepard is looking at the whole scene in silence, drinking her beer with a thoughtful expression on her face. They continue like this for a while, with James making endless jokes and the other two trying not to laugh, and failing miserably.

After a few minutes the room gets filled with quietness, and as the effect of the alcohol begins to fade a little, all three of them start to realize what a terrible idea it was to say all that out loud, in front of her.

Shepard smiles a little, as they are desperately trying to find something to say. James is the first one to talk again.

“Lola, I...”

“I am not.”

“What?”

“You ask if I was mad at Kaidan, didn’t you?” All three of them stare at her in awe, not believing what’s happening. “Well I am not, so you shouldn’t worry. Now, I think you should go to sleep this one off.”

Steve and James make a sigh of relief, nod at her, and disappear in a few seconds, thanking whichever god was able to let them off of that situation. Garrus, on the other hand, stays where he is, looking at her while she stands up to throw her empty bottle away.

“Why aren’t you?” Garrus asks, with more concern than curiosity on his face.

“What?” Shepard says, turning to look at him.

“Why aren’t you mad with Kaidan?” He takes a second, trying to analyze what he knows about the situation. “I would be, If I were you.” Shepard moves to sit in front of him but doesn’t say anything. She just nods at him, waiting for him to carry on with his argument. “I mean… I was there in Horizon, Shepard. I saw what you went through, for months, when we were with Cerberus.”

She looks at him, smiling a little. But she doesn’t say anything.

“Don’t get me wrong, I like Kaidan. He’s a good guy, a good soldier but… I just can't wrap my head around the fact that you aren’t mad at him.”

“Why should I?” Shepard takes a moment to think and Garrus smiles, waiting for her to order her thoughts before exposing them. “I won’t deny Horizon was a low blow but, after thinking about it, I can't say I blame him for any decision he made. I mean… When you look at it from the outside... I magically came back from the dead, joined a terrorist organization, destroyed a relay, killed thousands of batarians and ended up arrested on Earth.”

“When you put it that way...”

“Yeah… I’m actually surprised he didn't shoot me at the Citadel.” They both start laughing. “I did give him a lot of reasons.”

“I’m glad he didn’t.”

“Aw, thanks Garrus, I knew down there you cared about me.”

“Funny, Shepard… Very funny. You know what I meant. You’ve lost enough people you care about.”

“Yeah.” Garrus sees how Shepard’s smile fades away, looking at the door for a second before talking again. “Well… I’m also glad… that he didn’t.”

The turian stares at her for a second, trying to read her face, and Shepard doesn’t know how to act. She looks to every corner in the room before looking again in his direction, his expression it’s still the same.

“You’re creeping me out Garrus, what on Earth are you..”

“Do you like him?”

“What?”

“Kaidan… do you like him again?”

Shepard is suprised, to say the least. Garrus has never been the type to talk about feelings, and even less in such a blunt way.

“Why do you ask and what have you done with Garrus?” She says laughing a little.

He laughs in return, knowing how uncharacteristic it is of him to have this kind of conversation.

“I just… Shepard, look, we’ve been friends for years now, so allow me to say this, and then you can do whatever you like with my advice.” She nods at him. “If we all die in a week...”

“Don’t jinx it”

“Again, funny… But, if it happens, what would you do, if you knew it before time?”

Shepard looks at the ground, she can’t deny she has wondered about that type of situation, but in the end reality was always stronger than the ‘what if’s.

“I see what you mean Garrus… but if I don’t die in a week and he doesn’t... well… I still need to be able to work with him, you know? There’s more at stake here than my feelings.”

Garrus nods, knowing he won’t convince her and stands up as she does.

“Thanks for the conversation anyway, I know what you were trying to do and I appreciate it Garrus, I truly do.”

“One day you’re gonna have to put yourself first than the rest of the galaxy Shepard, if anyone has earned the right that’s you.” As they walk out of the room he decides to attempt again. “You haven’t answered my question,” he says when they make it to the door, trying one last time before they part ways. “Do you like him again?”

She looks away for a second, a thousand thoughts going through her mind, before she decides to give in and tell the truth.

“Not again.” She turns to look at Garrus, who’s waiting patiently for her response. The look on his face is a mix between kindness and concern, free of any kind of judgement, and after a few seconds in silence she gives him a melancholic smile, taking a big breath before looking directly at Kaidan's room. “I… I’ve never stopped.”

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I'm in love with the friendship between Garrus and Shepard, one of my favourite moments in ME3 is Garrus cheering you up in a conversation between missions. This gives me the same vibe.

I'm also very glad I was able to get Vega in this history, he's always very funny to write about.

Previous chapter -> [link] Next chapter -> [link] All chapters -> [link]

As always feel free to ask for fics or give me suggestions!!!

[ljandersen]

Very Aboveboard

Pairing:  FemShep/Kaidan Alenko, ME-3 Word Count: 1500 Summary:  Shepard and Kaidan get caught doing something inside the shuttle.  The something is up for debate.

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Kaidan threw the shuttle door open to the cargo bay.  They tumbled out flushed and laughing.  Kaidan broke mid-laugh and stopped dead in his tracks.  Cortez glared at them with crossed arms and a sour expression.

“Lieutenant Cortez.”  Kaidan gave a strained smile.  “How long have you …”

“Long enough.”

“Long enough for what?” Shepard said unperturbed.  “I thought you were at Vega’s poker thing.”

“Hey, Lola.”

Kaidan craned his neck to see around Cortez.  James stood at his workbench polishing armor with a rag and an alarmingly wide grin.

“Get this,” James said, “Buggie, who I didn’t invite but came anyway, guess what he did?  Apparently – don’t know how I never knew – but aces are low cards.  That’s what I’m being told anyway.  Everyone agrees with me, he throws the table over.  Chip hits Doctor Blue right between the eyes.  And she was only there to watch him.”

“So, he says aces are low, huh?” Shepard said.

“Says in his cycle, ace is low.  Since his cycle came first … I’m like, ‘Whoa, whoa, hold on.  Ace has always been high.  Right, Doc?’  But she’s vamoosed.  Then it’s just he said, he said, you know?  Just called it a night.  Don’t know why I never thought of inviting him.”

Shepard chuckled and tugged the zipper up higher on her hoodie.  “You know Javik’s messing with you, right?  Don’t need Liara to know the Protheans never had poker.”

“How should I know?  Hard to argue with a Prothean about Protheans.”

Kaidan edged toward the elevator, but he couldn’t catch Shepard’s eyes.  Cortez was still giving them a dark look.  James dumped the armor on the bench and came over.

“So, Lola and L2 in the shuttle.”  James whistled through his smile.  “Guess we shoulda picked the card table back up, huh, Esteban?  Kept playing.  This is gonna stick with you a long time.”  James patted Cortez's back.

Shepard sighed and put a hand on her hip.  “Uh huh.  What’s all this whistling and winking going on, Vega?  Everything’s very aboveboard here.”

“Sure, ha.  Whatever you say,” James said.

Cortez face scrunched.  “Respectfully, I’d sooner believe Protheans play poker.”

“Eh.  Fine.  Believe whatever you want.”  Shepard shrugged.  She tugged on Kaidan’s arm.  “We should go.”

James laughed and his grin deepened.  “Ha, Lola.  Look at L2’s face.  Knew I was right!  That’s what I’m believing.”

“What?”  Shepard spun to Kaidan.  “Hey, don’t look so shifty there, Kaidan.  You're giving James an ego and Cortez an aneurysm.” 

Kaidan tried to smooth whatever it was playing in his expression.

“So,” James said wolfishly, “what sort of aboveboard thing were you two doing in there?”

“Well,” Shepard said.  She adjusted her hoodie and put her hands on her hips.  “My hamster got loose.  We were looking for him.”

“In the shuttle?”  James cocked his head with a serious expression.  “Huh, weird.  How’d he get all the way down here?  Long ways from your cabin, right?”

Shepard shifted on her feet and threw Kaidan a sideways look.  She focused back on James.

“Funny story,” she said.  “Forgot to close the cage.  Damn critter’s more athletic than I gave him credit for.  Escaped.  He likes to run around the ship.  Making my rounds, I saw his cheeky, little hind end crawling into the shuttle.”

“And L2?”  James waved at him.  “Where’s he come in?”

“Hamster crawled under the floor panels.  Needed someone dexterous in biotics to, you know, pluck the hamster out.”

“Why close the door?”  Cortez asked with a hardened stare.

“Couldn’t let the hamster escape.  Obviously,” Shepard said.

“That the right story, Major?”  James smirked.

Kaidan cleared his throat.  “Yep.  That’s about it.”

“Uh huh.  Sure, sure.”  James shared a look with Cortez.  “Oh, yeah.  Just one thing.  Where’s that hamster now?  You shut the door so he couldn’t escapar, right?  L2 not as, uh, dexterous as you thought?”

Kaidan frowned.  “Not appreciating the air quotes on that, Vega.”

“Major Alenko is plenty dexterous.”

“Not appreciating the air quotes from you either, Shepard.”

“What?  Don't worry.”  Shepard laughed and elbowed him.  “You did a good job.”

Cortez buried his face in his hands.  “Oh.  My shuttle.”

“Why're you crying, Cortez?” Shepard said.  "He was out before he could make a mess." 

“Still talking about the hamster, right?”  James leaned a palm on the shuttle.  His molars showed his smile was so wide.  His eyes shifted to Kaidan.  “Ow, Man.  Hamster-diving’s got some mean restrictions.” 

“My shuttle,” Cortez moaned.  “Do I need to clean it?”

“Not much.”  Shepard shrugged.  “Did kind of get exciting at the end though.  May have missed some things.  There was a lot of writhing and screaming in Kaidan’s hands.  Kaidan’s dexterity in finest form.”

James’s palm slipped.  He stumbled against the shuttle.  Cortez only moaned louder.

“Shepard!” Kaidan hissed.

“What?”  Shepard lifted her shoulders.  “Deny any of that’s true.”

Kaidan stared at her a long moment.  He reached for her sweatshirt.  “Just give me … Hey!  Don’t fight me on this.”  She slapped him away and stumbled out of his grab.

“What’s happening?”  James’s eyes widened.  “Yo, L2, you trying to get her clothes off?  Lola’s got a private room.  You know that, right?”

Kaidan snared her hood.  She shoved him away with both hands.

“Shepard, just show—”

“Don’t show anythin’.”  James put his hands up.  “Difference between real and joking around.”

“My shuttle,” Cortez said mournfully.

“Shepard!”  Kaidan lunged at her.  She slipped under his reach, but he hooked her hood.  His hand closed around a furry ball nestled inside.  It squirmed in his fist with a shrill squeal.

“What the …”  James’s eyes bulged.  “You really—That the—Damn.  There really was a … Whoa.  Did not see that coming.”

Kaidan waved the beady-eyed fur in front of James’s face.  He thrust it into Cortez’s face next.

“Then …”  Cortez’s face brightened.  Kaidan’s towed him to the shuttle and flicked on his Omni-Tool light.  It illuminated the inside of the shuttle.  Panels gaped open in the floor with the covers stacked in the corner.

“Sorry about the panels,” Shepard said in a deflated tone.  She crossed her arms with a huff and gave Kaidan a sideways frown.  “We could have taken this much further.”

“I didn’t want it taken anywhere.”  Kaidan pet the fuzzy head with the pad of his thumb.  “Keep leaving the cage cover off, he'll be on your next ground mission.”

Shepard shoved Kaidan lightly and flashed him a smile.  “Come on.  I know you'll still help me find him again, despite me giving ‘dexterous’ air quotes.”

“So you really …” James’s mouth hung open.  “Looking for a hamster.  Damn, kind of feel disappointed in you two now.  Horrified to bored.  That fast.”

“Thank all species’ gods and spirits,” Cortez mumbled and crawled into his shuttle.  “It was only a hamster.  Only a hamster.”

“Come on, Alenko.  Let’s put him back behind bars.”  Shepard tugged his arm and tilted her head toward the elevator.

Kaidan followed her inside.  She turned her hood to him, and he plopped the wiggling fur back inside.  The elevator doors slid shut.

“See,” Shepard turned to him, “got away with the hamster-rescue celebration after all.”

“Yeah, but then I had to catch him a second time,” Kaidan said.  He grinned despite the heat stinging his face.  “I’m not following you alone into a shuttle again.”

“Hey.  I can’t help if hamster-hunting heats my blood.  Your ass was in the air rooting around in the floor.  I had to start undressing.  Couldn’t orphan my hamster dying from hyperthermia.”

Kaidan rolled his eyes and laughed.

“So,” Shepard sidled up next to him.  “You did save him a second time.  Second hamster-rescue celebration?”

The elevator door opened to the landing.  Kaidan pressed her against the cabin door.

“You look hyperthermic.”  He zipped her hoodie down, fingers grazing her skin.  With his other hand, he reached for the hood in back.

“Hey!" Shepard said.  "You’re worried about putting the hamster away, aren’t you?”

Kaidan laughed.  “I draw the line at three times in one day.”

“Really?”  Shepard adjusted his collar.  “That’s too bad.”

“Three hamster rescues.  Three hamster rescue celebrations, different.” 

The cabin door opened at her back, and he peeled off her hoodie as she stepped into her room. 

Shepard patted the lump in her hood.  “Back to the block, Little Guy.  Then just crank the TV the up and plug your igloo door with plenty of woodchips.”  

Shepard sprang down her steps and dove on the bed.  She rolled onto her back.  

“Hey, Kaidan.  Don’t forget to snap the cage shut.  You forget every damn time.”  

He gave her a flat look through the glass case.  Shepard only grinned.

From “About Mars:”  AO3 and FF

[infinitestarsintheskye]

Agents of Shield Series Finale thoughts (finally)

Or alt title Skye finally sits down to write this after two days of being overtired, overwhelmed and as a result, anxious! Feeling a WHOLE lot better today after a few anxiety naps and watching Phineas and Ferb on Disney + (that show is just pure serotonin I swear) 

God what can I say that hasn’t already been said. I’m so beyond happy. I have no idea what my expectations were but by god were they exceeded. I cannot say enough how happy I am. They saved the world with empathy. How utterly beautiful. The endings everyone got were all just so utterly utterly deserved. I’m still in shock really. 

If you haven’t already guessed it, I did not make it to my alarm at half past 6 on Thursday morning. I woke up at quarter past 5 after barely three hours of sleep and just could not help myself. I finished, cried for two hours and collapsed for another hour and a half. And she wonders why she’s felt like utter shit the past two days...

ANYWAY

DEKE DEKE MY WONDERFUL MY MOST DEAREST DISASTER SON!!!!!!!!! I love him so much. I know he’s happy in alt. 1983 but losing him was honestly such sweet sorrow. I had a feeling that he would sacrifice himself but I could not have guessed that it would happen in honestly such a good way. He still gets to live, gets to be the director of Shield (god help them) and I’m equally happy and devastated for him. I love Deke so much, he is very dear to me, and the money I would pay for a miniseries of him just absolutely killing it as Shield director in the 80′s with his side business of being a popstar, like the amount doesn’t exist. Also his impersonation of Fitz was so incredibly hilarious, Jeff Ward actually does a not bad Scottish accent and the IMMEDIATE adoption of the pregnant lady pose just ABSOLUTELY SENT ME!!!!!!!!!!

Mack. I’m so happy he lived. His team up with Sousa will forever give me life. Them taping goddamn chronicoms to the missiles to blast a hole in the ship, like whoever came up with that idea, you are now my favourite human on this earth. It is so supremely dumb but I love it so much. As much as there was BIG concern going into this that he was going to die, ta Henry, I never once felt worried for him. Like he never even came close???????? Also a raise to whoever put him in that big long jacket at the end like oh my god are you serious, AMAZING

Yoyo. I had NOT A SINGULAR CLUE, NOT EVEN AN INCLINE of what was going to happen to Yoyo. Her little team up at the end with Piper and Davis (DAVIS ROBO!DAVIS YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSS BICKERING WITH PIPER WE LOVE TO SEE IT) was beyond incredible. Yoyo had such a great arc this season, and I’m just so happy to see it concluded so well, plus that shot of her zooming out of the car at the end was beyond A+ it was beautiful.

May. May, wonderful May. Her appearing OUT OF GODDAMN NOWHERE TO JUST ABSOLUTELY END SIBYL IS JUST FOREVER GOING TO GIVE ME LIFE. THE CAVALRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was so intrigued with where they were going with her arc this season, like I enjoyed empath May but I was so curious to see where it was going and oh what a pay off it was. I literally shouted AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH at my screen when she put her hands into that machine and Coulson explained it, BECAUSE IT ALL JUST MADE SENSE. Also it was 100000000000000000000% her idea to name it Coulson Academy, and no one disagreed with her. I loved her little call back to S1 with her just being the pilot. In general I thought all of the call backs were very well handled and placed, nothing felt too fan servicey it was all very natural and organic bc these writers really just know what they’re about and are just so incredibly good at their jobs. ANYWAY MAY. I’m happy that she’s getting a little bit of rest from the field, she absolutely deserves it. 

Coulson. I’m not gonna lie, I wasn’t sure about Robo!Coulson when he was introduced at the end of last season, but my god am I so happy for him now. He is truly the heart of this show, the whole thing began because a stubborn group of fans refused to accept that he had died. And really isn’t that a theme that has carried us through this entire show haha? I was so terrifed for about 30 seconds that Sibyl was going to turn him against the rest of the team, so the RELIEF of May popping out of the ceiling to JUST END HER ENTIRE CAREER WAS INCREDIBLE.  The reappearance of Lola ABSOLUTELY SENT ME. I also love that after years of Coulson refusing to let Mack work on Lola, Mack just went “Fuck it” and built one from, I assume, scratch. He is going to be the best Grandpa to little Alya Fitzsimmons and you can tear that headcanon from my cold dead hands. Again, what a deserving ending. I could not be happier for him, that last shot was just perfect. 

Daisy. Oh boy, we’re getting into my heafty emotions now. I would just like to say that her entire arc throughout this entire show is one of the most incredible, most amazing and well crafted and well thought out characters arcs in television history. Watching her go from this lost little hacker with a bit of a smart mouth, to this strong and powerful LITERAL SUPERHERO has actually been a privilege and I cannot stress enough how much I have loved watching her grow and evolve over the past seven years. That being said, I am low key FURIOUS that they made me think that she was dead for even just a SECOND. I WAS SOBBING NO AT MY PHONE FOR THAT ENTIRE LITTLE INTERLUDE LIKE NO FUCKING WAY ARE YOU GOING TO KILL HER OFF AND LEAVE HER BODY IN SPACE I WILL NOT LET YOU, LET ME GO SHARPEN MY PITCHFORK I AM COMING FOR YOU. I will now invite you to imagine the look of absolute and utter joy and relief on my face when I saw she was alive. Skye/Daisy holds such a special place in my heart. Her whole thing with Sousa this season was SO UTTERLY OUT OF THE BLUE BUT SO INCREDIBLY DELIGHTFUL AND DESERVED!?!?!?!??!?!!?!? Like out of everything I think that little plot detail is what surprised me the most, and I surprised myself by really loving it as much as I did. I would have been happy if she had ended the series single but I’m so happy that she has this wonderful partner who loves her so much and has her back and just looks after her like it’s just like the most wonderful added bonus which she deserves. Sousa is also like a whole ass snack and as I have been saying in my tags for the past few weeks, DAISY GET IT!!!! I love that she ended the series with her own little family, her sister and Sousa. I just. I cannot even think about that without welling up. Daisy has a family, and she chose it and she loves them all so much. I know it was last weeks ep too but I will never get over her calling Simmons her sister. Never ever ever for as long as I live. I’m so happy for her. So beyond happy.

FitzSimmons. Here we, here we, here we fucking go. What to even say apart from big, long and loud sobbing noises, cause that’s all I have really been able to do in regards to them for the last two days. Happy isn’t a strong enough word. There is no word big enough, nor all encompassing enough to say how utterly UTTERLY happy I am that they got their most beautiful happy ending. Fitz guiding her through her memories, the second Jemma said Alya I started screaming, I just I knew that was her name, and him just being so gentle with her whilst she was remembering, like oh my heart. I excuse them everything, the lack of Fitz (WHICH WAS NO ONE’S FAULT I WILL NOT HAVE ANYTHING ABOUT THAT HERE) this season was honestly just paid back tenfold in the scenes that we got of him. His frustration IMMEDIATELY at everyone not understanding their plan was so amazingly hilarious. Simmons half remembering everything was both heartbreaking and hilarious, the scene of her asking for a supersuit like Daisy’s was incredible and both Deke and Daisy responding to her like she was a child they needed to trick into doing something for them, like yes if you come with us you’ll get a supersuit and a bit chocolate, incredible. The acting in both episodes from both IDC and Elizabeth was just truly something else. The fact that neither of them have been nominated EVER for their work on this show is nothing less than criminal. Her face when she remembered Alya. Dear god my heart. I have watched that scene of them reuniting with her at least 3000000000000000000000 times since Thursday morning. I won’t ever forget it. What a beautiful scene. What an incredible scene. “You were guarding our everything.” SHE’S THEIR EVERYTHING. THEIR UTTER EVERYTHING! I’M ACTUALLY LIKE SOBBING WRITING THIS I WILL NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER FOR AS LONG AS I LIVE GET OVER THE FACT THAT THEY LET FITZSIMMONS LIVE IN PEACE FOR FOUR WHOLE ASS YEARS, LET THEM HAVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, MOST PRECIOUS LITTLE BABY GIRL AND THEN LET THEM LIVE IN PEACE AGAIN I JUST!!! I HAVE WANTED THIS FOR THEM FOR SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO VERY LONG!!! (also @ marvel I’m not in a place where I want any kind of continuation or spin off at the moment but I would watch a FitzSimmons miniseries of them just being happy and domestic and working in space for 4 years. Just SOMETHING to consider) I cannot thank the writers enough for finally finally letting them have their happy ending. They have been through so much, and it was all worth it because it led them to their happily ever after and to their little girl and I just, that is everything. ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!! I have talked a lot in this post about people deserving their endings but honestly none more than FitzSimmons. Fitz playing with Alya in their little garden whilst Simmons watches with the biggest smile on her face. How perfect. I could not have dreamt a better ending for them I’m so so so so so SO beyond happy for them. And god that little girl is just the most precious. Her gleefully exclaiming “Mama!” at Simmons is the EXACT moment that I started sobbing and did not stop for the rest of the episode. Also I know they didn’t explicitly say it but they are 100000000000000% at their cottage in Perthshire, again you can pry that headcanon out of MY COLD DEAD HANDS!!! I’m just so so so so so so so so SO beyond happy that FitzSimmons got the ending that they deserved so much. They can be at peace now. I have loved them since LITERALLY day one, and I cannot imagine what would happen if I got to tell little 15 year old me how they ended up. I’m sending her good vibes to the past, I know she got them, because I never ever ever gave up on that hope for them. FitzSimmons, to me, represent so much goodness and hope and just everything I aspire to have in a relationship (without the constant separation and the death and all that fun shit), but just the utter love they have for each other. (thanks for the impossible standard to which I hold all men now JedMo). I have been on just a rollercoaster with these two characters, their relationship and each of them as individuals have taught me so much and brought me so much comfort, especially during some of the hardest times I have ever experienced. I’ll tell some of those stories one day. Not yet. I’m not ready. I’m still honestly just reeling. I have wanted A Happy FitzSimmons ending for SO LONG and I just cannot believe that we got it. Thank you. Thank you thank you thank you THANK YOU. 

Writing this felt very cathartic. It’s almost been good to just get ALL OF THE EMOTIONS OUT. I think I’m actually going to take a nap now. I forget how tiring it is to be so emotional. What can I say to end this except reiterate again just how happy I am with that finale. I’m so thrilled that they gave us such a beautiful ending, it really was just a love letter to the series as a whole and to it’s message. I think it was quote from Jeff Bell that I saw and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since, because of how true it is, and really that’s why I hold this show so dear and why I have done for the past 7 years, and that is that this show is ultimately about hope. What a beautiful thing. 

[dxlansdarling]

not that easily | e.d

Summary: after a night stand in the middle of a break, things aren’t going as you have wanted. Remembering your words, with Grayson on your side; you will do the right thing.

Warnings: a little angst, but fluff. Some FRIENDS reference and spoiler?

Word count: 2932

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“I don’t want to be without you” he said “Not now, nor never”

You looked at the picture in your hands, and with a long sigh, you closed your eyes. Sitting on the steps of the house’s gallery, you regretted leaving your coat inside your house. November nights started to get colder and colder, and being outside at 3am, freezing to dead and a tear-stained face; you were going to get sick. But you couldn’t care less, not when your heart beat slowly and painfully against your chest.

“You think you would get rid of me that easily?”

It’s been months since the last time you saw him; two months if you wanted to be precisely. And still, you couldn’t forget that day. Both of you sitting on his bed, a bad luck on his shoulders and someone carrying a one-night-stand on her belly. No, he said he didn’t cheat on you. No, he wouldn’t do that to you.  But it felt like he did; the pregnancy test on his hands was enough to feel the heartbreak. She was four-months pregnant.

“And you think I would let you go that easily?” I mumbled, his lips caressing mine.

The both of you dated for long three years, and after a few stupid fights; you were on a break four months before that night. Yes, you felt like Rachel on Friends as he tried to explain he was drunk and didn’t know what he was doing. You knew about what happened as soon as that break ended, you knew about the one night stand, but you never thought it would end on a fucking baby. So, not only you were heartbroken at first; you had to do the right thing and leave.

She was from a really religious family that, as soon as they learned about what happened; the engagement came two weeks after you left. You could have stayed and fight for him? Yes, but you couldn’t do that to him, nor the baby. The little human needed a family, and if he fucked up, he needed to make up and do the right thing. You told yourself every night after leaving his house.

Trying to warm up you hugged yourself, shivers down your spine, and your eyes travelling to the magazine on your lap; you couldn’t help but bit the inside of your cheek on anger. Or jealously. Or regret. You didn’t know what you were feeling anymore, but it wasn’t the only thing you didn’t understand.

How funny it was when, out of nowhere, this girl appeared on his Instagram and all of his social media. Not only she was showing her growing belly -which was super small for someone who was six months pregnant- but she was also promoting their wedding. In less than forty-eight hours, she was going to be Mrs.Dolan. You didn’t want to think the worst, but something wasn’t right; and you weren’t the only one who thought that.

Grayson never lost contact with you. Even after weeks, he would still pick you up from your parent’s house and would go to an ice cream parlor to cheer you up. And mostly, on updating you on how things where and how he hated this new girl his brother had to date. Even if you agreed on everything he said, you still kept quiet and thought that you were doing the right thing. But, where you?

Speaking of him, you couldn’t help but smile down at your phone when it rang and a message appeared on your screen.

               Gray-Gray: plz tell me you’re awake.

 Your hands felt frozen as you typed back.

                 You: unluckily, yes.

                 Gray-Gray: we need to talk.

               Gray-Gray: like asap.

 Confused, and a little worried, you read his texts again. Was he on trouble?

                 You: r u okay?

               Gray-Gray: ill pick u up tomorrow afternoon.

               Gray-Gray: believe me, ill be okay as soon as we meet.

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

You rubbed your eyes as you stood outside of your house, this time smart enough to grab a big sweatshirt that belonged to him. It was the only thing that you wanted to keep from him and keep on using it. It didn’t help you look any better, if you were honest. You couldn’t sleep at all the night before, not only because the wedding date was coming closer and your heart was crashing a little bit more every minute; but because Grayson didn’t say anything more after those texts asking you to meet him. So you stayed up, with pain and curiosity.

When his car parked in front of you, as soon as you jumped in, you smacked the back of his head.

“Hey!” he groaned, fixing the beanie he had over his hair, “What was that for?”

“For worrying me and keeping me up confused” you replied, putting on the seatbelt when he sped up again, “So, what’s up?”

“It’s not Ethan’s child.”

You choked on your own saliva, feeling how your heart stopped the moment he spoke.

“What?” you blurted out, “What do you mean it’s not Ethan’s child? Of course it is!”

“It’s not, Y/N, listen,” he grabbed a few papers that were on the back seats and handed them to you, “I had my suspicious the moment everything happened, but couldn’t talk about it because it was all a disaster at the moment. No one needed me making more drama. Or asking for a few tests.”

“You didn´t’-” you started, but Grayson shrugged.

“I may have tricked her into going to a doctor –who’s a family’s friend- that convinced her to make a few tests to see if the baby was healthy,” he said, “She’s not six months pregnant; she’s three.”

Looking at the papers in your hand, you read the medical form and almost stopped breathing when you recognized what you had in your hands. Part of you felt relief, there was a little bit of hope, but the other part of you that still needed to do the right thing came up again. You looked over at Grayson again, the papers in your hands being not enough.

“Grayson, this is- it is not enough” you said, “this could be fake, anyone can write informs these days. What makes you believe that they would trust a piece of paper?”

Grayson laughed bitterly, and turning the car into a parking lot, he grabbed something from his jeans and you raised your eyebrows at the floral phone case.

“New case?” you joked.

“Not my phone,” He shot back and winked.

Your mouth opened widely.

“Are you fucking crazy, Grayson?! It’s her phone! It’s her privacy!” you almost yelled, “She will be looking for it, smart ass, and if she has the find my phone app-”

“Y/N, I swear to God, I will slap you if you try and take her side on this one” he spoke up, turning on his seat and looking at you, “I’m sure this bitc-woman is trying to get my brother into a marriage that it’s not fair and that he doesn’t want. Yes, you’re right, the papers aren’t enough, but this phone has the information we need to end this shit.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I saw her texting someone the other day, and not only I know her passcode after seeing her type it so many times,” he laughed, typing the passcode and unlocking the phone, “but I also learned that she has a contact blocked, and by the looks of it, it’s someone she wants to hide.”

He pressed on the blocked number, unblocking it, and when their conversation opened; you took the phone from Grayson’s hand and started reading the last discussion they had. It was the supposed baby daddy, and you felt like you could breathe again. You felt your heart bursting with hope, and as you looked at Grayson, you smiled.

“Does this mean-?” you stuttered. He nodded, a small smile on his cheeks.

“We can end this bullshit,” he confirmed, hands still on the wheel, “Also, this doctor that ran the tests, has done a paternal test. I knew my brother wasn’t stupid enough to not wrap it before he taps it.”

You blushed, “Well…”

“Spare me the fucking details!”

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

 You sat on your room that night too, but it was different from the other nights. That night, you had hope. A lot of it. The part of you that wanted to do the right thing went flying out the window the moment you read the conversation this girl, Lola, had with her true baby daddy, Stephen. You had sent the conversation to your mail, not only via screen-shots, but the written one too. You wanted to have all the proofs you needed to get your man out of there.

You were short of time, the wedding being the next day and what stopped you from running into the twins’ house was that you needed one more proof. The test that Grayson talked about in the car wasn’t ready yet, and after he asked; everything got more complicated when the doctor answered that it was going to be ready the next morning. The same morning that bitch was going to say ‘I do’ to Ethan.

Thinking about him, you were sure that night was his bachelor party. Grayson told you after he left you on your house again, and for a few seconds, the pain came back. You never spoke nor asked about Ethan when you were with Grayson, the idea of him marrying someone else that wasn’t you made your stomach turn and almost throw up. You couldn’t bare that image.

After a nice dinner with your parents, you went to your bathroom so you could take a quick shower before going to bed. But as you were grabbing your clothes, your phone started ringing. Thinking it could be Grayson, you furrowed your eyebrows as you read the unknown number on the screen. You quickly put it on your ear as soon as you answered.

“Hello?”

“Y/N…”

You fell back on your bed, your knees wobbling and heart beating so fast you had to put a hand over it. Even after months without talking, you remembered perfectly his voice.

“Ethan…” you mumbled, more to yourself as you couldn’t still believe it.

“Oh baby, how I’ve missed your voice,” he slurred and you couldn’t help the feeling that bubbled on your chest. You missed his voice too, “and all of you. I miss you so much, do you miss me too?”

Like you have no idea, you thought.

“Where are you calling me from?” you wanted to know, “I never deleted your number.”

“I may or may not have stolen a phone from someone”, he mumbled, sounding like a child. “Lola blocked your number, and if she knew how many beers I’ve drank tonight, she would kill me. She’s crazy…”

You really don’t know how much.

“Drunk again, Dolan? Let me remind you what happened last time” you blurted bitterly, even though you were smiling a little bit. You couldn’t tell if you were still mad at him for sleeping with Lola, after all you were on a break, but Rachel didn’t forgive Ross for a couple of episodes. Would that count as months or weeks?

He groaned on the microphone, “I’m sorry, so sorry. I-I- hate myself for that,” he said, “I regret it so much. I don’t want to marry this bitc-” he hiccupped and laughed, “shit, sorry, I shouldn’t be talking that way about my future wife, huh?”

The sarcasm made you laugh a little, and pressing the phone tightly against your ear, you looked at the papers that were on your bedside table. Every word he said pushed you into getting him back.

“You will be happy, Ethan” you said, “You will see.”

“Not without you” he slurred once again, making your heart skip once more. You could hear the music that was blasting on his bachelor party but he was talking louder than the music. He kept silent for a few seconds before talking again, “I can’t believe I let you go that easily.”

You wanted to say something back, but before you could open your mouth, he hang up. On purpose or not; he said the right thing to convince you completely. You were getting Ethan Dolan back on your side.

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

 “So, have you ever imagined yourself walking down the aisle?” Ethan asked, his head on your lap and your hands playing with his locks, “I mean, do you want to get married?”

“Yes, I want to, and yes, I have pictured myself walking down the aisle” you laughed. His eyes landed on you, a sweet smile on his cheeks and blushing a little bit.

“And who is waiting for you at the end?”

You caressed his cheeks.

“The only man I have pictured being married to.”

 Standing outside the church, with papers in hand, you knew that you were going to be on the cover of every magazine on the country. Man, privacy wasn’t going to be a thing for months. But you didn’t care about that when Grayson emailed you the test results, the last proof needed, and you printed it before leaving your house. You were late, and you make sure you were; you wanted to end this as Lola had wanted it. On every social media.

With only some old jeans on and Ethan’s sweatshirt, you ran over the church’s steps. A lot of photographers were waiting outside, and as they didn’t recognize you because you were wearing the hood over your head, it wasn’t hard to get into the church. Cameron was waiting for you on the entrance, Grayson had already told her our plan, and she smiled at you when she pulled the hood down.

“Go and get the love of your life back, girl” she said. You smiled at her, and as the both of you walked into the aisle, everything seemed to stop.

He was standing next to Lola wearing a dark suit, and as you stared at him, the bags under his eyes broke your heart. Grayson was by his side, obviously being his best man. It wasn’t until you were two steps into the aisle that gasps were heard, a lot of the guests recognizing you and making everyone turn their heads to look at you. And when his hazel eyes fell on you, opened with surprise and happiness, you couldn’t move your eyes from him.

“Cam, would you do me a favor and read this out loud?” you smashed the papers against her chest and started walking his way, down the aisle. You could hear Cameron reading the test’s result out loud, and how everyone started gasping and whispering. But your attention was in the man that kept on looking at you even when the woman beside him started to scream at him.

“Ethan! It’s not true!” she had said, grabbing his hands but he would pulled them back, not even giving her a quick glance, “Look at me!”

He didn’t. You kept a serious face, mostly when Lola took a few steps in your way and wanted to stop you, but you dodged her hand and as soon as you were only feet away from Ethan, you grabbed the back of his head in your hands and pulled him into you, kissing him in his own wedding, in front of his guests, and don’t giving a damn fuck about it. He was your man, and it was clear when he hugged your waist and pushed you into him, deepening the kiss.

You heard Lola crying and shouting, the photographers inside the church not wasting any minute to take their pictures. Grayson hollered and laughed behind his brother, happy that his twin got his girl back and that Lola wasn’t going to ruin his happiness. Everyone was shocked, disappointed, except for Ethan’s family. They all knew who was the one that could make him so happy, and it was only you.

You pulled away from his lips, a smug smile on your cheeks, and raised one of his eyebrows.

“Did you really think you would get rid of me that easily?” you joked, “or that I could let you go that easily? To marry someone else?”

Ethan smiled, pulling you against him once again and lifting you off from the floor. Your arms hugged his neck instantly, and as he made his way out of the church, all eyes on you, he kept on kissing you.

“You have no idea how much I fucking love you, Y/N” he mumbled against your skin, the claps of his family echoing and making the both of you laugh, “You’re the only one that I want to marry someday.”

You smirked.

“I told you I would walk down the aisle to the only man I pictured being married to,” you helped him open the church door, still in his arms, “Not being the same scenario, but the same man at the end of it.”

The photographers that were outside were on you instantly, the questions almost unrecognizable as everyone spoke at the same time. Ethan pulled you into his side, almost running into the car that was rented for the wedding day, and you couldn’t help but laugh as you jumped inside. He jumped inside too, throwing his suit jacket on the backseats and driving away from all the drama that was starting.

You would never let this man leave your life, and he would never let you leave his, not that easily. Not now, nor never.

[angrylizardjacket]

Run to Paradise {Nikki Sixx} Part 26

26. everything i wanted felt like a nightmare

Summary: Lola learns what happened to her dad because of Doc. She really does not take it well.

Warnings: mentions of death, emotional, psychological, and physical child abuse, heavy drinking and discussions of trauma

ragtag bunch of misfits: @starlalove  @toofasttofallinlove   @xrosegoldwolfx  @obsessivesky   @trpwthme @lovehelpmewrite  @angelicjoonie23   @marvelismylifffe   @lilytalebi  @glitterdreamsz   @freddiessmallnipples  @crazysaladchopshop  @inthebackofmycarlaytheirbodies. @dramatique-moi  @missqueeniewrites @calspixie   @aryssav  @catsoo12   @sweetshutter  @silvertonguedserpent   @shamelessobsessions  @lavenderbones22   @keepcalm-and-beyou  @scarecrowmax   @nicholeh7  @unknownoblivion  @sighsophiia

For the remainder of the tour, Lola's more subdued than Doc thinks he's ever seen her, and he wants, if nothing else, to reward her quiet nature, encourage it. So when they arrive home, when the dust has settled and everyone's unwound from the stress of the tour, Doc starts making calls.

The first is to Lola.

"What did you say your dad's name was again?" Is one of the first things he asks, and Lola freezes, frowning automatically at his direct and blunt tone.

"I didn't. I don't tell you shit about my dad, Doc," Lola tries, but Doc sighs, trying again, gentler this time.

"You may not remember it, but at least twice since I've known you, you've gotten very high and told me how much you miss him," and at least this time she doesn't react with hostility, "Lola," Doc's voice is much more gentle this time, "I'm trying to find him for you, I know you don't care for your mother, but I thought I could at least try and track down your dad." 

"That's..." Lola swallows heavily, "that's actually really nice." She admits, and there's that honesty that Doc is trying so hard to encourage in her. "Thank you."

"I manage the band, I try and do what's right by them, and occasionally that means you too," is what he says, but his tone is surprisingly sweet, "now I just need his name, and maybe a bit about where you grew up, the last time you saw him incase your mom put in a missing person's report."

"Sounds like something she'd do," Lola scoffs, before taking a deep breath, deliberating, "uh, Maleko; Maleko Fields. Last time I saw him, like, in person, was sixty-eight, June-ish, I think. Boston." She's surprisingly forthcoming, but Doc can hear her grimace, even over the phone. He doesn't keep her long, let's her go back to whatever dangerous or scandalous activity she has planned with Nikki and Tommy, and he hires someone to look into it.

There is absolutely no way in the world that he is prepared for what he finds out about the former Fields Family of Boston.

Maleko Fields, known to his friends and family as Leo, born and raised in Hawaii, moved to Massachusetts at the age of nineteen to open a business with his childhood best friend, and worked there for fifteen years. When the friend left for college, Leo had bought him out, renamed the shop with his friend's blessing to Leo's and became a staple establishment, favoured within his suburb. Irene was an accountant he'd hired to help with the buisness, though it wasn't long before they started dating, and the two had married when Leo was 23. Two years later, their first and only daughter was born.

Keola 'Katie' Mavis Fields, the apple of her father's eye, and unofficial mascot of 'Leo's' until its closure in 1968, was declared missing in 1977. Her missing person's report comes with a photo of what is unmistakably a teenage Lola.

This is where the information gets darker; every newspaper in the city, and many across the nation, report on the trial of Irene Fields. Assult on a family member which caused serious bodily harm. Testimonies of family and friends who speak to Irene's tenuous grip on reality and her possessive, obsessive control over her daughter, health professionals confirming her delusions and issues with aggression that had manifested due to trauma. Countless pictures of burn marks that were now all too familiar to Doc, and so many photos of a much younger Lola, in crisp button-up shirts done up too tight over bandages. Irene recieves a six month sentence at a mental hospital, and Lola is placed into the care of a group home when none of her family can provide her adequate care.

All because Leo had died when Lola was nine.

Irene had never been able to process his death, instead, when asked to identify his body after he'd been in a terrible car accident, she'd refused to believe it was him. The trauma of seeing Leo so horribly disfigured had broken Irene, and she'd managed to convince herself that he'd simply run away, even after both his sister and father had confirmed it had been him.

Testimonies had revealed that she'd fed Lola this delusion, blaming herself and the child for his disappearance when she couldn't find an adequate reason for his 'departure'. Family was no longer able to visit or interact with Irene or Lola at Irene's insistence;

"She thought we were trying to poison Katie against her," Leo's sister had told the court in tears, "she thought we were hurting her when we tried to help her through her grief, but we wanted to help so she would stop blaming Katie; the things she had said to that girl were- oh God, they'd break Leo's heart if he'd heard them."

When asked to describe some of the things she'd heard, Leo's sister answers;

"Katie had been taking piano lessons for about two years before my brother died, and he was always loved how she played, even if it wasn't great, but I mean, she was seven! But I attended a recital when Katie was fourteen, she'd played so, so beautifully, but I- I heard Irene - God, I'll never forget it - 'why'd we even invite the family if you were going to embarrass yourself lile that', she'd said, 'its a wonder your father didn't come, he'd have thrown stones if he'd acctually accepted my invite'- he, please you have to believe me, my brother just loved music, and Katie, he'd never -!"

Lola, in court at the time, didn't even seem to process the reality of the situation, judging by her firm belief she still held.

Her statement at the time had been simple:

"My mother had tried to keep me from leaving the house; she shoved me, which knocked over a candle, and when my bag caught fire, she held me so tight that I couldn't escape it." But she adds quickly, "but this isn't dad's fault." Of course there was more to it, but Doc was horrified enough that he wasn't sure if he wanted to continue.

Less than three days before Irene's release, Keola 'Katie' Fields is reported missing by the group home she'd been staying at.

When Doc finally reads through all the gathered information, with Lola's entire sordid childhood spread out, everything made a horrifying amount of sense.

Lola's father was dead, and she didn't even know it.

How the Hell was he meant to deal with this information?

He sits on it for a month, for a full month, and tries not to look at Lola with pity in his eyes. Tries.

"How'd you come up with Lola?" He asks one afternoon; the band is in the studio, writing new songs, developing new material, and Lola's behind the sound desk, spinning idly in her chair. She only really wears singlets around the band, still self conscious about her scarring that he now probably knows too much about, and he can't look at her directly, though her gaze has snapped to him.

"What?" Her voice is sharp, before she seems to realise, "oh, you found me - my dad?"

And, yes and no. But he can't say that.

"I'm still looking into it," is what Doc goes with, before he repeats the question, though he's pretty sure he knows the answer. The sound engineer isn't here, and the band can't hear them. Lola still gives them a furvative glance anyways.

"It was a nickname dad gave me, I'm actually Hawaiian on his side, and even though I sort of went by a different nickname back then, that was more because dad was, you know, gone, and mum just called me Katie, and I didn't exactly argue about it." She shrugged.

"Keola." Doc turned the name over slowly, and Lola stopped dead, eyes wide as saucers. "Am I saying it right?" He asks, but gets no response. "It means 'life', so I've heard."

"Whatever," Lola hissed, and was quick to leave the room after that, joining the boys, taking a seat by the piano and idly tapping out a piece, which Doc found to be a curious response.

However its Nikki who Doc talked to about the situation; he knew Lola best, and for the longest, almost 7 years if the missing person's report was to align with the time they ran away to LA together.

Nikki seems surprised that Doc wants to talk to him alone about Lola, but obliges anyways.

"Nikki, if you had found out something terrible had happened to, let's say, a family member of someone you loved, how would you tell them?"

"Depends on the family member," Nikki answered without a shred of hesitation, "this is still about Lola, right? You were looking for info on her dad, weren't you?" And Doc feels like a deer in the headlights, because of course Lola would have told Nikki about it. "Be honest with her."

Doc's pretty sure that's a one-way ticket to being put in hospital; Lola doesn't exactly handle bad news well, and he's not exactly on good terms with her right now.

"Lola, I don't know how to tell you this," is how he starts the conversation. They're in his office less than a day later, and Lola looks antsy.

"Did something bad happen to my dad?" She asks, and fuck, fuck, fuck, of course Nikki told Lola about the previous day's conversation. The manila envelope on Doc's desk is practically at bursting"and he fans his fingers out over the cool cardboard, nervous and pitying energy coiled in his chest.

"I don't know how to tell you this," Doc feels like he's stuck on a loop. How in thr fuck do you tell someone that all they know is a lie?

"Just tell me," Lola tries to put on a brave face, but all Doc can see is the sixteen year old in a court room photo.

"Your father... passed."

Silence. Lola swallows thickly.

"Oh." Again, silence fills the room. Lola's looking at the folder. It has her father's name printed on it. "When? How?" She's so quiet.

"Car accident." There's an unmistakable tremour in Doc's voice. "Fifteen years ago."

And he watches the wheels tick over in Lola's mind, the dawning realisation, the dawning horror.

"You're an asshole and a dumbass for thinking I'll believe that." But her lip is trembling, "how fucking dare you lie to my fucking face about my father? Did he find out I'm a slut and a junkie and decide he wants nothing to do with me? Pay you to lie to me?" She stands so abruptly that her chair goes crashing to the ground. "God I can't believe my fucking mother was right." She hisses, and that hurts Doc to hear her say, knowing what he knows. "Give me that fucking folder."

"I'm not lying." Doc tells her, calm, which earn him a punch in the face. He topples back on his own chair, and Lola snatches up the folder.

"He's here, isn't he?" She waves the folder at him, filled to the brim with news clippings, fliers for Leo's, funeral and wedding programs, and the full, printed transcript of Irene's court hearings.

"Yes," Doc wheezes, and satisfied with that answer, Lola storms out, folder in hand.

Lola arrives back at the home she shares with Nikki, crackling with anger and electricity. Later, Nikki comes back from drinks with Tommy, and finds Lola in the study, surrounded by proof of her worst fear.

"Lo?" Nikki's voice is low, is actually concerned; Lola, from what he can see, is shaking. When she turns, she looks genuinely ill, ashy with puffy eyes and red nose. She's holding a folded piece of paper.

"I'm seeing things; I need you to read this and tell me if I'm crazy," she offers the paper to Nikki, who steps inside, "I'm just crazy, right? This doesn't say nineteen sixty-eight."

Its a funeral program for Maleko 'Leo' Fields, born in 1934, died -

"Nineteen sixty-eight." Nikki read, the reality of the situation suddenly hitting him.

"No." Lola muttered, and snatched back the paper. "No, we're both crazy." And its heartbreaking to hear that be the option she favours.

"Lo-"

"Because if he died," she sniffles loudly, trying to hide the way her voice is shaking, "when I was nine, that means-" and there's a faint patter as Nikki hears her tears hit the paper, "that means everything... everything..."

"Lola..."

She's trying so desperately to come to terms with her own reality, but its tearing her apart.

"It was never my fault."

And its like she can't even believe it, sobbing now, voice so soft but rising quickly. The paper is crumpled in her fist as she gets to her feet, voice turning to a yell, a scream, as she cries and throws herself around the room.

"It was never my fault! It was never my fault! It was never my fault!" Picking up pieces of paper, she hollers. Angry and distraught in equal measure, she shoves the select pieces into Nikki's confused, worried arms, looking at him through bitter, blood shot eyes.

"It means it was never my fault."

And with that she shoves past him, leaving him shocked, and by the time he hears her angry scream from the kitchen, he's started to look at what he'd actually been holding.

The transcript of testimonies from family members who knew about what was happening Lola, but who had, to Lola's knowledge, never tried to help. Photos of Lola's burn scars while they were still fresh. The statement of the coroner who'd asked Irene to identify Leo's body, noting her refusal to acknowledge the truth of the matter.

Downstairs, there's the smash of a bottle.

And Nikki's reading the rest of the scattered documents. All of Lola's history.

Every few minutes, there's another smash.

By the time he's done, he finds Lola in the living room, feet covered in cuts from shattered glass, almost catatonic with coke dusted around her nose.

"Lo!"

"I can be - fuck -" she slurred heavily, "whoever th' fuck I wanna be' 'cos da's not gonna be 'round to give a shit," she snapped, "he never was." It had only been fourty-five minutes since Nikki had been home, and judging by both her state, and the kitchen, she'd drunk almost two bottles of JD, and he wasn't even going to begin to guess at how much coke she'd had, only that had been a lot. Never in all the years he'd known her had Nikki seen Lola this fucked up this quickly. Oh, he knew Lola could handle this much liquor, but never in this short amount of time.

Sitting bolt upright, she looks around wildly, as if searching for answers Nikki can't even fathom, before she can even say anything, she's crashing back down, heaving and writhing. Nikki's quick to turn her on her side, so she doesn't choke when she throws up, and her voice is raw between bouts of illness that Nikki can't quite catch what she's saying. He gets her a glass of water and calls 911.

"I need - I need - I need -" she keeps stumbling over her words,voice raspy and hands shaking.

"You're going to hospital," Nikki told her, and Lola gave him a weak shove, expression contorted with anger.

"Fuck you," she growls, "'need go Boston -"

"You need to go to hospital, you look like shit -"

"No! I need to go Boston! I'm gonna kill Irene!"

Lola's unresponsive by the time the ambulance arrives, having not even moved from the sofa despite her best efforts. Nikki's got his head in his hands in the waiting room, feeling nothing but nauseous as they pump her stomach and put her under anesthetic to remove the glass from her feet. When she wakes, she's crying and screaming, but he's by her side.

"I just want... I just want..." And she can't even say it, weak and sore,and Nikki thinks he should call the band, call Doc, call someone else, but he cant leave her side. "All I wanted was him to come back, tell me it wasn't my fault, and it would be okay; everything that had happened, it wouldn't have been right, but it would have been okay."

Nikki takes her hand.

"Nikki, just tell me I'm dreaming, please, tell me if I work hard enough he'll come back." Lola's all but begging, and Nikki's prettt sure he's nevet felt moved like this for anothet person before; it fucking hurts. He hates seeing her like this.

"I'm not gonna lie to you, Lo, you don't deserve-"

"I don't deserve half the shit I've been through!" Lola cries, before crumbling, curling in on herself as best she could with all the medical equipment attached to her. "If you're not gonna lie, then at least make me believe its not my fucking fault. I didn't drive him away. It was never my fault."

Nikki pets her hair gently, his hands trembling.

"Lola, it was never your fault."