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conniespringerblkwife · 4 years ago

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Drummer Boy

(Connie Springer x Female Reader | NSFW)

A/N: So i was using the bathroom and then BOOM Connie fic idea. In conclusion, using the bathroom=best ideas.

Also I wrote this awhile back and since it’s Connie’s bday today, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to post it.

Warnings: Connie with eyeliner, Smut: Fingering, rough sex, and Connie grabbing the headboard

Summary: Y/N and her childhood best friend, Connie grew apart when once they began college. Three years later, Connie sees Y/N practicing and his feelings return for her.

*2,785 words*

Songs I listened to while writing:

Bubblegum Bitch by Marina and the Diamonds

Bad Romance (Lady Gaga) by Halestorm [Cover]

You and Connie used to be close friends since you were three all the way up to college.

Even though you two were best friends, you were polar opposites. He was an extrovert and you enjoyed quiet time by yourself. You had straight As, and Connie on the other hand, struggled in school. A D was an A to him. And although Connie was more popular than you, there was always one thing that brought you two together. Music.

Music has always been something you two can bond over. You played the violin and he played the drums. Even though you two enjoyed different genres of music, you understood each other's passion. Connie always wanted to play in a band and you always wanted to travel with a big orchestra and be first chair. You two understood each other's motives and worked hard everyday.

When you two started to grow up, you guys made a promise to never forget about each other when you two become famous. But that promise was broken, when you went to college. You and Connie both attended the same university, but became distant as you two joined different groups. You guys didn't realize the relationship died, it just gradually happened.

You both were caught up in different careers and lost time for each other.

You two met again, while you were practicing your solo, for an upcoming concert. You didn't realize anyone walked in until you heard the sound of clapping and a voice. "Wow!"

Your eyes adjusted to the figure below and you realized it was Connie. "That was amazing Y/n, you really have grown." He flashed a smile and you gave him a small one in return.

"Thanks Connie." You started to place your instrument in the case.

"How you've been?" He asked softly.

"Fine. And you?" You turned around to make eye contact with him.

"Good." You two stood in awkward silence. It's been so long since you two interacted with each other. You didn't know what to say. You guys haven't talked since freshman year of college, you're a senior now.

"Well, I'll go now." You gave him another small smile and proceeded. As you were heading out, you heard him call out your name.

"Wait Y/N!" You turned around and saw him jogging towards you. "Come to my gig tomorrow night."

"I don't know, I think I have practice tomorrow."

"Well if you don't." He pulled out a folded piece of paper out his pocket and handed it to you. "You're always welcomed." You studied the flyer and saw at the top, "10 pm: Riot of the Red Heart will be performing, 'There's a Hole in My Stomach.'"

"I'll see." You smiled and left the building.

You plopped on the bed and studied the flyer. "Riot of the Red Heart," you said to yourself. You decided to look them up and was amazed how popular they were on campus. You noticed they had an Instagram and clicked on their page. There were three members: Connie, a girl and a guy. The guy hair was pretty long and he had a beard, and also played guitar. The girl, you assumed was the main singer, had light brown hair and in her right hand was a potato.

As you continued to scroll through their page, you took note how happy Connie looked. Something in your heart twisted as memories came back, but you suppressed them and told yourself that you were happy that he was happy.

Unlike Connie, you didn't make any close friends during your four years of college. You had one friend named Mikasa and that was because she was your stand partner in orchestra, but outside of practice, you two never talked and if you did, it was only about what time practice was.

You put your phone on the charger and placed the flyer on the nightstand next to you, heading off to bed.

The next day you found out you didn't have practice and a part of you was happy that you could have a break. You decided to head back to your dorm and take a nap. It was rare for you to go a day without practicing, but you deserved it. You've practiced so much that your shoulders hurt more than usual. You would always forget to do stretches before and after practicing and would have to suffer the consequences because of that. As you drifted off to sleep you thought about Connie and wondered what he was doing right now.

"You guys excited for the night?!" Connie said wrapping his arms around Jean and Sasha's shoulders.

"Yep!" Sasha exclaimed, "Also after our performance can we go out to eat? I was thinking about that steak house down the street."

"Do you wanna go there because you've been crushing on that waiter?" Jean teased.

"What's his name?" Connie scratched his head and then smirked, "Niccolo?"

Sasha elbowed Connie in the side and walked off, " That's not true, I just liked the food there." Sasha crossed her arms while staring at the pavement trying to hide her embarrassment. "

"Mhmm, whatever you say." Jean remarked.

"Oh guys I invited someone." Connie spoke up.

"OOO who??" Sasha said.

"Her name's Y/n, she's a childhood friend." Connie rubbed the top of his head. "I want you guys to meet her."

"Oh she must be really special," Jean teased Connie.

"Yeah she is actually."

"Well I cant wait to meet her." Sasha said while throwing her arm around Connie's shoulders. Ever since Connie saw you yesterday, he couldn't get you out of his head. Connie used to have crush on you from middle school all the way to high school, but it left as you two grew apart. But those feeling returned when he saw you playing.

He didn't say anything that day when he entered the building and saw you practicing. He just stared in awe as you engrossed yourself in the music. Although you music was placed in front of you, your eyes were closed. It made him think how hard you have been working that you didn't even need to look at the music. He hoped you come tonight because he really missed you, and wanted to start over with you and possible relationship.

When you woke up , you saw that it was 9:00 pm. Your eyes then traveled to the flyer next to your clock. Connie's performance started in an hour. "I guess I could go." You said to yourself as you got ready.

You threw on a sweatshirt and jeans and fixed your hair before grabbing your purse.

Connie's band was performing at a small place called, The Corps Club.

When you entered the club, there were a lot of people, but it was pretty calm. Everyone was genuinely having a good time and you cursed yourself for not bringing Mikasa with you. You felt awkward as you sat at the bar fiddling with your purse, hoping to see Connie.

"Can I get you something?" A bartender said while cleaning a cup.

"Just a lemonade please, thank you." You were so focused on watching the bartender pour your drink you didn't even notice the presence beside you.

"Y/N Hey!" It was Connie. You took in his appearance and noticed he had on black eyeliner and wore a gray shirt that no sleeves along, a sliver necklace around his neck, and a chain that hooked to his pants. "I wasn't expecting you to come." He leaned on the table, "Hey Levi I'll pay for it."

"Oh no Connie that's okay." You protested but the man already took the money. "Thank you." You said softly while taking a sip of your drink.

"Thanks for coming y/n, I really appreciate it."

"Of course."

Connie then grabbed your arm and pulled you through the crowds of people. "I want you to meet my friends." He shouted and lead you through a door. "Guys I want you to meet y/n."

You seen them before, but it was different seeing them in person. "Y/N this is Sasha and Jean."

"It's so nice to meet you!" Sasha said and then pulled you into a hug. "Any special friend of Connie's is ours too. You want some chips?"

"No thanks," You said, your face heating up slightly at the thought of Connie talking about you to his friends.

"I'm Jean." He said as he held out his hand. You didn't imagine him to be so tall you thought as you shook his hand. "Connie you didn't tell us your friend was hot." Your eyes widened at his words.

"Jean please shut up you're making her uncomfortable." Connie said while hitting the back of his head.

"Anyways y/n, we're performing a song called There's a Hole in My Stomach. It's about a guy and girl who are twin flames, but the girl gets shot in her stomach and the boy basically loses another piece of himself." Your mouth opens slightly at the sad, but oddly specific, story behind the song. "I know right depressing, but it was Connie's idea." Sasha continued.

"We have five minutes 'till we perform...Y/N I'll show you a good spot to watch us." Connie said while grabbing your arm. He led you to the front row, "This seems like a good spot." He then pulled you into a hug and you felt your heart beat quicken. "Thank you y/n," he whispered into your ear. He pulled away and ran off, leaving you stunned.

You were blown away how good Connie's band was. Although the topic of their song was depressing, they played as if it wasn't. The three complemented each other so well. Sasha's voice was also beautiful and powerful. Jean played the guitar with a smirk plastered on his face as he rocked his head back and forth (let me stop before i turn this into a jean fic).

You then looked over to Connie and saw how intense he was as he hit the drums. It was like he was different person. You seen him play the drums before in high school, but that was nothing compared to now. His muscles flexed as he drummed. You thought he looked sexy, especially with the sweat gliding down his face and his eye liner starting to smudge. As if he heard your thoughts, Connie made eye contact with you and winked and quickly looked away.

After the performance you met up with the three and congratulated them. "You guys did amazing and Sasha your voice is so beautiful."

"Thank you." She said while wiping the sweat off her forehead. They all were sweating and you saw how Connie's eyeliner was now smeared across his eyes. "Are you coming with us to eat?"

"Oh no, it's late, I need to get back to my dorm."

'Are you sure Y/N?" Connie said while patting his neck with a towel.

"Yeah..Thank you."

"Well let me walk you back since it's late." He said while throwing his towel on the couch.

"Bye y/n!" Jean and Sasha said as you and Connie headed out.

The walk back to your dorm was silent until Connie said, "Thank you for coming. I'm so happy to see you again."

You smiled, "Of course Connie."

"It's been a long time since we seen each other." You hummed in agreement. "I missed you so much y/n" Connie stopped walking and stared into your eyes.

"I missed you too." There was tension between you two and you didn't know why, but you continued walking anyway.

You two were now in front of your dorm's door. "Thank you for inviting me Connie. Good night." As you were going to open your door Connie then said, "Y/n wait." You turned around in confusion.

"I want to start over."

"What?"

"I really missed you. Like a lot." You nodded your head, confused to where he was going with this. "Fuck it." He then pulled you by your waist and pressed his lips against yours. Your eyes widened at his sudden actions. You knew you should've pulled away but you couldn't.

You two were now in your dorm and you made out with each other as you straddled his waist at the edge of your bed. His tongue explored your mouth as he rubbed and squeezed your thighs.

Wanting more friction, you decided to rock against him and he groaned in your mouth. "Keep doing that." He said against your lips as he slid his hands under your sweatshirt to unstrap your bra. You were still in shock that you were making out with your old best friend, but that thought left when you felt his big hands cup your breasts and his thumbs circle your nipples.

He pinched and twisted your nipples as his mouth traveled from your cheek to your neck to suck on the skin.

You ran your hands through his hair and noticed that it was longer than last time you remembered. You giggled as a memory of you calling Connie a bald penguin popped up in your mind.

He then took your sweatshirt off and stared at your breast and then he squeezed your hips, urging you to keep grinding on him. "Stop staring."You whispered in embarrassment. He then attached his mouth to your nipple and you gasped at the wet feeling. His hands traveled your body up and down, his hands rubbing your curves and then cupping your ass as you continued rocking against him.

Your panties were wet and you wanted nothing more than for him to touch you where you most needed it. He didn't notice you unbuttoned your pants until you grabbed his hand and slid it down to cupped you down there. He felt how warm and wet you were and began caressing you gently through your underwear.

He then pulled your panties to the side and rubbed a finger up and down your folds before placing his middle finger inside of you. You hid your face in his neck as you rocked against him while he placed another finger inside of you. He rubbed his other hand up and down your back to ease you. "You're so beautiful," he said softly before placing a third finger inside of you.

"Connie" You moaned his name and that's when he lost it. He pulled his fingers out of you and laid you on your back. He shoved your pants and underwear down while he peppered kisses on your neck. You kicked the remaining clothing off your legs and pulled his shirt off while you wrapped your legs around his waist.

You two were now fully naked as Connie teased your folds with his penis. You bit your lip in anticipation. "Connie pl-" before you could finish he pushed himself inside of you and you clawed at his back as he stretched you out. He moved slowly first and you watched as his chain dangled in front of your face. You took that opportunity to grabbed him by his chain and pull him into a kiss.

He started to pick up his pace and you had to hold onto his shoulders for support. "So fucking tight." He said as he watched how you took him so well. When he felt you loosen up, he took the opportunity to lift your legs over his shoulder and pound into you. This new angle had you gasping for air as his hips snap against the back of your thighs.

His hand was gripping the headboard to go faster and his other hand also had a death hold grip on your waist, you knew there will be a bruise there tomorrow but you didn't mind. The more you said his name, the faster he would go.

He slowed down a bit when he felt your walls clench around him. You were close and he had to control himself because he wanted to make you cum first before him.

Your eyes rolled to the back of your head as you came intensely and then a few moments later, Connie also came.

Connie then pulled out and collapsed on top of your body, then proceeded to give you small kisses between your breast. You both were breathing hard and you felt a small smile slowly form on your face. "I know this wasn't the proper way to build our relationship back up." He said against your skin. "Let me make it up to you and take you out tomorrow." He looked up at you through his long eyelashes.

You smiled and brought his head up to kiss him again, "I would love that."

Follow me on Instagram @//jungjaehoe127

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draco-kasai · 3 years ago

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Hero Collaboration Program

Chapter 2 pt. 1: Welcome to The Program! -->

Chapter 2 pt. 2 Find Chapter 1 here!

Story Summery: High School Hero Collaboration Program! Helping Sophomore hero students connect with others around the world! Come join us for a two-week-long trip to one of our schools for an amazing once in a lifetime experience with students of Yuuei! Only a lucky 40 students will be selected for this program. They will be split into two groups of 20 and sent to different schools to have completely unique experiences!

AKA; A very bitg crossover fanfic I started because I can’t help myself. I adore all of these characters and hope I had done them justice, though I did take many backstories and threw them into the meat grinder to remold them in a way that fits this universe. Also, I love 1-A but I also want to take them down a peg or two... I also just want to see them get their asses handed to them.

A/N: Here it is! Chapter two! I hope anyone who decides to read it enjoys!

Alfred Freedom Jones practically bounced out of his bed in excitement. All the exchange student’s had arrived around 7PM last night in hopes for them to receive enough rest and get used to any sudden time change and jet lag. He and Valerie - a teacher of the school where they conduct part of the program - had wanted to be the ones to pick up and welcome all the kids. However, They were tasked with any last minute decorating to make the dorms presentable and welcoming and preparing dinner, that way the kids would have food in their bellies before they headed to their dorms and began unpacking and going to bed.

The dorms of the school are located right behind the school itself. Although they were especially made 15 years ago since the program had begun, they are used for other purposes throughout the year to not go to waste. When students find themselves in situations where they need a place to stay, they are welcome to speak to a counselor to explain the situation, where they are given a room key and a ‘job’ as a tutor or teacher's assistant as well as have mandatory counseling to ‘pay off’ their stay. Sports clubs are also welcome to apply and stay in the program dorms during the summer for training camp, and many clubs even enjoy having sleep-overs for a few days as a bonding activity.

This year has been one of the few where nobody has found the need to stay in the dorms throughout their school year. Alfred could almost cry for joy at that fact. Not only is there no student in the school facing such problems, but there won't be a random kid trying to sneak into all of their activities. It’s endearing when it happens the first few times, but the moment you have every one of those students trying to sneak into amusement parks and other field trips with the exchange students they’d become attached to, making you buy them a ticket on the spot to not just send them back, it becomes a little of a problem. Needless to say, he and Valerie have started carrying extra money with them on field trips.

Last year was a new one. Instead of them just buying a ticket on the spot, the two seniors that were with them had been snuck onto the bus and into six flags. They had somehow convinced the shy Brazilian boy to use their quirk to turn them into mice for an hour, so they could sneak in.

Everyone that enters a theme park nowadays are given quirk suppressant bracelets, that are custom-made for each theme park with designs, shapes and looks, that they must wear during their stay and return when they leave. The senior students were somehow able to get their hands on some when they transformed back, inside the theme park.

Everyone was very smug when they explained to Alfred and Valerie how exactly two seniors not in the program and without tickets got into the theme park. Even the shy boy seemed proud that so much was accomplished with their quirk. As illegal as that is, he couldn’t help but feel a little proud of how they had just outsmarted the system. Although that didn’t stop, he or Valerie from lecturing them. His kids were very apologetic, and tried to make up for it by paying the teachers for the two students tickets by all pitching in. He had avoided Aizawa’s questioning stare at the two students the whole day and allowed Valerie and the kids to keep him busy.

All things considered, Alfred and Valerie might not be the best choices as chaperones for the students, since they let them get away with shit when they know they’ve been outsmarted. Their superiors don’t have to know. Although the teachers praise them for being so innovative, the two teachers always make sure to drill it into their brain how important following the law is and how they shouldn't abuse their quirks in such ways. They also make sure to explain what kind of consequences such actions can cause, especially if they were pros.

The reason they don’t kick them out of the program or anything, though, is because they are kids in training for a dangerous profession. They deserve the opportunity to have fun and act their age every now and again. Sure, they usually end up realizing how idiotic many of their ideas turn out to be, but it’s best they start learning now than mess up later and have their careers ruined for it. He and Valerie have kept in contact with kids who had graduated too! They have all become wonderful heroes, even if they had pulled quite a few pranks during their time in the program.

Adjusting the prescription glasses on his face, Alfred grabbed all the lanyards with cardholders attached to them and made sure each of the students program ID’s, room and key cards were there. He was going to hand them out last night after dinner, but all the kids seemed too exhausted, so he and Valerie had led them to their rooms to go unpack and rest. Once he was sure all of them were there, he grabbed his own lanyard. Wrapping it around his jeans' belt loop, he grabbed a folder and stepped out of his dorm.

Looking at his watch, he realized it was 9:01 AM. They had told the kids to set their alarms, so they should be awake and getting ready by now. Going over the schedule he had memorized, he noted that they all had to be in the cafeteria at 9:45 for a late breakfast. After, they would head over to the large field separating the two dorm buildings for group activities. Since the students are all jet-lagged, they are free from classes till Friday, tomorrow. It may be a program for training, but they're students, can’t let them all fall behind.

Making his way down the hallway, he began knocking on doors to the boys rooms on his floor. “Head down to the common area in ten minutes! Wear something comfortable for physical activity!” he called out as he made his way down all 12 doors. He could faintly hear Valerie doing the same downstairs to the females.

As he walked towards the stairs, he spotted a few students already following behind him. He had even spotted a few of the girls walking behind Valerie, already attempting small talk. Once in the common area, he and Valerie smiled at the kids that followed them down.

“You kids are free to enjoy yourselves with anything you’d like while we wait for the others.” Valerie’s chipper voice practically sang as she spoke. “The remote to the TV is on the coffee table, the pool table racks are on the wall over there, the ball for the foosball table should be in one of the goals, and you are free to explore the field, just don’t go too far.”

Both adults watched in amusement as the students stared around in awe. By the time the ten minutes had passed, all the students were scattered throughout the field, or common room. It hadn’t taken long for the two adults to gather them all up outside. One of the students had been quite sociable, going around speaking to everyone.

“Alright students ~!” Valerie sang as she closed and locked the sliding glass door behind her, “Since we still have time before we have to head over for breakfast, let’s all introduce ourselves properly to one another.”

Alfred gave the kids a two finger salute as his partner took her place next to him, “Wassup guys! I’m Alfred Freedom Jones! Call me Mr. Jones! I’m a representative of the Hero collaboration program! I’ve been to both schools and have been doing this for 6 years! I was actually a student of this program when it was established! I hope you all enjoy yourselves while you are here!”

“Hello~! I’m Valerie Felicity Frizzle! Please, feel free to call me Miss. Frizzle or even Frizz, as many of my kids call me. I have been teaching in Marina high school for 19 years now. I was actually the teacher that had convinced my coworkers and the district to sign our school up for this lovely program! Truly, it has been a wonderful joy to meet and work with such wonderful children! I hope you all have a glorious experience and take home with you something new~!” The woman curtsied, showing off her dark purple dress that depicted outer space in beautiful patterns and colors.

“Now then! Your turn guys! Anyone want to go first, or shall we popcorn it? Maybe left to right? Choose someone and let them choose after? Whatcha guys up for?”

Both teachers watched in amusement as they watched the kids glance around at one another. They had seen some of them already starting to make some friends. Five of them seemed to get along well while playing foosball. Two had played 8-ball while conversing with two other students that watched with interest. Some of the others kept to themselves while watching TV or hanging around outside. Hopefully they are able to make some friends too. Just as Miss. Frizzle prepared to call on someone, a green arm raised up.

“Me! Me! I would love to go first!” The boy’s grin widened as everyone's gaze landed on him. Everything about him was a different shade of green, from his skin to his hair and eyes. He wore a white tank top with an unbuttoned short-sleeved button up that has Disney dogs printed all over it, and loose, knee-length jean shorts. A boy at the other end of the crowd of students with green eyes and a serious face jolted in surprise and sank a little into his seat once he noticed him.

“I like your enthusiasm, kid! Alright! Let’s hear it! Ah, don’t share any quirk information, though! We have a little activity planned later, and staying anonymous would be the best course of action.” Alfred grinned just as wide in response.

“Okay!” He bounced over to stand between them. It was unnecessary, but it looks like it’s a thing now. Both teachers could see the discomfort that had settled on a small handful of students at the thought of standing in front of strangers to introduce themselves. “Hi! My name is Garfield Mark Logan! You guys can call me Gar! My name can be quite the mouthful. My hero name is Beast Boy and I came from San Francisco, aaand oh yeah! I’m Vegetarian! It’s nice to meet you all -! Oh my gosh, Damian! Hey dude!!”

Said boy groaned as he facepalmed. A few people in the group held back their laughter as best they could as Garfield rushed over to him. Grabbing the sleeve of Damian’s jacket, he dragged him to the front of the crowd, “You practically ghosted us, dude. This is your punishment. Introduce yourself.”

Damian almost stumbled when Garfield pushed him before retreating back to his spot next to a boy with green highlights in his hair. Letting out a heavy sigh, he fixed the sleeve to his hoodie and straightened his black V-neck shirt. Clearing his throat, he spoke, “Hello, I am Damian Wayne. It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I suppose if I am going off of Garfield’s introduction; my hero name is Red Bird, I came from Gotham in New Jersey, and I am also Vegetarian.” Green eyes scanned the crowd before pointing to a boy with light brown hair wearing a tie diy shirt. “You go next.”

“O - oh! Um, okay.” The boy stood to his feet from his place on the concrete, “Hi, uh, My name is Rudy Tabootie. I live pretty close actually, Burbank, to be exact. Uh, I’m not vegetarian… sorry? Uh, my Hero name is Snap. It’s really cool to meet you all.” and just like that, all the introductions went, and the group found themselves in the cafeteria for breakfast with their new lanyards. It wasn’t long till all the student’s exited the cafeteria and made their way to the field between the dorms.

“Alright guys! We want to explain a few things with you before we start today’s first activity!” Mr. Jones clapped his hands together, excitedly.

“I’m sure you have all noticed how the special guests, the main reason for this program, Yuuei isn’t here yet. Well, they will all be arriving tomorrow. However, you will not be introduced to them until Monday.” Miss. Frizzle smiled widely, the students before them began murmuring to one another in confusion.

“Um, Why?” A girl with pearl white skin asked. She wore light gray joggers, a sky blue tank top and had her cobalt blue hair tied up in pigtails. Jenny Walkman.

“The answer is simple! The students of Yuuei have had the whole school year to train and get to know one another, as well as their abilities. Needless to say, they all know how to work together.” Miss. Frizzle explained, “For this reason, our program is set up to allow all the exchange students to have time to get to know one another as well as each other's quirks and skills, so you may be able to work together when needed. This way, when we do battle training, everything would be on as equal footing as we can get.”

Mr. Jones nodded beside her, “Which is why all weekend, as they rest from their long flight, get accustomed to their surroundings and have fun sightseeing, we will be doing a bunch of group activities to get to know one another better. That way, when we begin battle training…” He trails off, hoping someone would finish for him. He wasn’t disappointed.

“We’d at least be on equal footing against them.” A girl with long red hair that she had tied up in a ponytail responded. Wearing a green crop top, and dark blue cargo pants, she crossed her arms over her chest, a smile crossing her lips slightly at the plan. Kimberly Anne Possible

“Precisely!” Miss. Frizzle and Mr. Jones sang together.

“Today’s activity, drum roll please,” Miss. Frizzle happily made the sound effect for her coworker. Mr. Jones held up a dodgeball, where he got it, nobody knows, “Dodgeball!”

Chapter 2 pt. 2

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emachinescat · 4 years ago

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Wind + Water - Tree in the Road

A MacGyver Fan-Fiction

by @emachinescat

@febuwhump day 12 / alt. 5 - hostage situation

Summary: AU of 2x21. The bank robbers make their escape with Mac, but this time there isn’t a tree in the road to slow them down. The rest of the team arrive at the marina just in time to see the robbers procuring a boat - and they have every intention of taking their hostage with them.

Characters: Mac, Jack, Riley, Bozer, Matty, the robbers from 2x21 (apparently their names are Booth, Pike, Dean and Ash)

Words: 4,129

Note: The Spanish is a mixture of my own adventure learning the language (I’m getting there) and a more advanced translator than Google. Hopefully there aren’t any mistakes, if so - I apologize to any Spanish speakers.

Keep reading here, or on AO3!

If you enjoy, please consider liking, commenting, or re-blogging, and you can follow me for more content like this! :)

“So, for the record, this wasn’t part of the deal,” Angus MacGyver informed his captors testily as he carefully steered the stolen Chevrolet down the narrow, debris strewn backroad toward San Juan Marina and Boat Rentals. Even though his eyes were on the road, he kept the gun pointed at him in his peripheral vision. He felt the eyes of the four bank robbers on him, so he continued, very aware that no appeal to logic or conscience that he made at this point would have any effect, largely because these men had depleted stores of both. Plus, they were desperate. “I said I’d get you out with the money if you left all the hostages behind,” he continued, then added pointedly, “All including me.”

One of the three robbers in the backseat, Pike, leaned forward to give their hostage a hearty slap on the back, which sent waves of agony shooting through his battered body. Mac’s sides, stomach, and back felt every kick and weighted punch, and his mouth tasted like blood. “Guess you shoulda been more specific,” he taunted, and Mac glanced back long enough to see the amusement on the man’s face.

“Honestly,” said the leader – his followers had called him Booth – “After giving us a glimpse of what you’re capable of, you really think we’d just let you go?” His tone made it clear that it wouldn’t have mattered if Mac had drawn out and made them sign an extensive contract expressly stating that he was to be left behind with the other hostages, nothing about his predicament would have changed. He’d gotten them out of a seemingly impossible situation, he’d made himself a valuable asset, and if there was one thing Mac understood about desperate people, it was that once they had something they saw as an advantage, they would never let it go.

The realization left a distinctly sour feeling in Mac’s stomach. He’d been seen and used as a tool before – in the army, he was a bomb defuser; for Phoenix, he was a kind of real-life troubleshooter. But even in the army, he’d still been a person whose life mattered. And now, he knew he was valued for so much more than just his skill set by his friends.

Here, though, with these four men who looked at him with a kind of contemptuous greed in their eyes, he was nothing but a tool, something to be used to their advantage, over and over, until his usefulness had run out, and then he would be discarded like a broken drill bit. To Booth, Pike, and the others, Mac was less than human, and it made him feel dirty and used and caused his chest to tighten anxiously despite his cool demeanor. He knew he had to find a way to get away, and soon. Otherwise, one of two equally unfortunate things was going to happen to him: Either he would be used to bargain their way off the island and then, as soon as they were safely away, he’d be shot and tossed overboard, or they would decide to keep and use him, and his life would become a living hell. Neither option was a possibility that Mac was willing to entertain, so he would keep his eyes out for the first chance of escape.

Noting once again the scattering of wreckage in and lining the road, Mac found himself hoping for a large piece of debris – perhaps a fallen tree or power line – would end up in their path. If they ended up having to get out of the car for any reason, that might give him the chance to plan an escape. Until then, with the five of them in such close quarters, with all but Mac armed, it was too risky to try anything. He’d wait for his opportunity, and then make his move.

***

Mac’s opportunity for escape never came, and as he reluctantly directed the vehicle into the marina, the knot it his stomach had imploded into a cavernous pit. Real tendrils of fear radiated through him, and a furious sense of injustice made his knuckles white and his fingers cramp from the grip he maintained on the steering wheel. Normally when he was out in the field and in a risky situation, he’d end up finding what he needed to make an escape or at the very least to put a significant hitch in the bad guy’s plan. It was something he’d come to take for granted, he realized, this bit of luck, that he always had something to work with. This time, he hadn’t been asking for much – just a piece of debris, a block in the road, on an island ravaged by a natural disaster! Something should have stood in their way. The statistical probability of the road being blocked at some point in the twenty-minute drive – especially considering the situation in Puerto Rico – was incredibly high. He’d counted on that blockage.

And while there had been a couple of branches scattered in their path, none were large enough to hold them up for long at all, and at no point had Mac been allowed out of the car. In the back of his mind, he remembered what Matty had said to him when she had first taken over. She didn’t want to be there when Mac’s luck ran out. He’d been quick to assure her that it wasn’t luck, that he was good at what he did, but now he had his doubts. If he wasn’t given anything to work with at all, how was he supposed to do what he was so good at?

Still, Angus MacGyver had never been one to give up, and he continued to keep his eyes peeled for anything at all he might be able to use to his advantage. Even if he couldn’t escape here and now, he would find a way to survive and get back to his friends. He always did.

“Stop here.”

Mac did as he was told, putting the car in park and waiting for further instructions. The gun was still trained on him, and he knew that none of his other captors would hesitate to put a bullet in him from behind if he made one move they didn’t like. “Dean, grab the kid,” Booth snapped, and the youngest of the robbers, the one who had been gearing up to kill all of the hostages and who couldn’t be any older than Mac himself, got out of the car, went around to Mac’s door, pulled the hostage out of the seat and shoved him forward. Mac forced himself not to fight back, because Dean’s gun was now pressed into the small of his back, and his voice was deadly as he ordered, “Move.”

The marina was fairly deserted, which would have been odd any other time, but it was midday and most people were either already out on the water or further inland, helping with cleanup and rebuilding. The only person in sight was the young woman working boat rentals. She had an open, kind face with eyes that had seen their fair share of suffering – it was a look Mac had seen in Carlos’s more vulnerable moments, and in the eyes of everyone he’d met while on the island.

“Hola,” she greeted, a bit flustered at the new arrivals. “¿Te puedo ayudar?” Mac thought that she probably didn’t see a lot of business nowadays. Tourists were the ones who rented boats more often than not – the locals usually had their own – and tourism had plummeted since the hurricane. Mac noticed that the bank robbers had hidden their weapons, other than the one at Mac’s back, and to the girl it must have looked like Mac and Dean were just walking close together, side by side. Maybe she thought they were a couple. Mac made sure his face was neutral, not wanting to give anything away and put this poor girl in danger. If only the marina had been deserted, with no one else in the crosshairs!

“Do I look like I speak Spanish?” Booth snapped impatiently.

The girl blinked, eyes wide, taken aback by the rudeness. “I – I’m sorry,” she stammered in heavily accented English. Mac’s heart went out to her even as he felt his revulsion for his captors grow. It literally would have expended the same amount of energy to treat the girl with an ounce of respect. These men were assholes just because they could be.

“We need a boat,” Booth ordered briskly. “Now.”

“Bien – ah, okay.” She looked scared that her accidental slip was going to get her yelled at again. “Our skippers are not on site at the moment, and most of our boats are being repaired. We do have one –”

“We’ll take it,” Booth growled, and the girl flinched back at the harshness of his tone. Tears forming in her eyes, she glanced around briefly at the other men in the party, her eyes landing on Mac last. He offered her a sympathetic half-smile, knowing that the girl – Mia, her name tag said – was probably having her worst day on the job yet. At least she didn’t know the true colors of the difficult customers she was dealing with.

As if worried Mac was trying to tip Mia off, Dean tightened his grip on Mac’s arm and rammed the barrel of the gun painfully into his back. Mac didn’t react other than to break eye contact with their hostess, who abruptly got back to her task. “Do you have a boating license that I can see?” Her dark eyes plainly showed she was afraid of the answer – afraid of what would happen if they did not have the proper documentation and she had to tell them no.

“I don’t have a damn license,” Booth answered, impatience rising with his voice.

“Lo siento – I’m sorry, you can’t rent a boat without a skipper if you don’t have a license.” At the fury on her tormentors’ faces, her eyes darted desperately to Mac, as if she had sensed he wasn’t like the others and would step out and ask his friends to give it a rest. Not wanting to risk her life, Mac felt guilt rise in him as he pointedly avoided her gaze. Her voice thick with emotion, she regrouped and offered, “But I can call and have someone here within the hour to take you out.”

Booth lost his temper completely. Slamming his fist down on the counter, he leaned over the cowering girl and hissed in a deadly tone that brooked no argument, “You will get us a boat now.” Mia stood frozen in shock, and Booth glanced back over his shoulder at his three men and their hostage. Collectively, they came to a silent agreement – obviously, the subtle approach wasn’t working, and they were running out of time. With deft movement, so seamless it could have been rehearsed, Dean let go of Mac’s arm and shoved him into Booth, who twisted his greedy, filthy hand in Mac’s hair for the second time that day. Mac grunted in pain as his head was yanked back and stilled his instinctive struggling as the sun-warmed barrel of Booth’s gun found the left carotid artery in Mac’s neck. “If you don’t,” Booth added grimly, “I’m going to kill him right before your eyes.”

Mia’s eyes darted to Mac’s once more and he saw the barely controlled terror just beneath the surface. She hesitated, and the gun jabbed deeper into Mac’s neck as the safety clicked off, and Mac fought the urge to squeeze his eyes shut as his heart jumped into overdrive. “You’ll be scrubbing his blood off this dock for the next year,” Booth promised, “and you’ll never get it off your pretty little hands.”

Mac thought for a terrifying moment that Mia was going to pass out or break down, as she swayed slightly on the spot, but then she steeled herself, an inner strength that Mac was proud to see flowing into her. She straightened her spine, offered a small, scared smile that was probably meant to be reassuring at Mac, and nodded curtly. “Okay,” she said in a thin voice, and it barely shook, though her hand did as she reached for a set of keys hanging on the wall behind her. “Just… don’t hurt him, please.”

As she slowly moved away from the wooden counter and motioned for the men to follow her along the dock to their new vessel, Booth yanked Mac’s head back fiercely and whispered, “I knew you would come in handy in some way,” and then shoved Mac forward, finally releasing his hair – Mac’s scalp ached and his neck had already developed a painful stiffness from being twisted back in such an uncomfortable position. The gun moved to the back of Mac’s head. The safety remained off.

Everything moved far too quickly after that. It seemed that no time had passed until Mac was being forced onto the deck of a small craft barely big enough for the five of them. Mac graciously offered to stay behind, and received a crack to the back of the head with the pistol butt in response. At some point, one of the robbers – Ash, Mac thought his name was – had stepped in and tied Mac’s hands behind his back with sturdy nautical rope. Mac hadn’t had a single opportunity to attempt escape throughout the whole process, as not only was Booth’s gun still at the base of his neck, but Pike’s own weapon was on the helpless Mia who stood on the dock, tears streaming down her face as she watched the men prepare to leave with their hostage. Mac knew that if he even thought about doing something stupid, she would be killed without a second thought.

And then many things happened at once – a battered orange car swerved into the parking lot, the sound of screaming sirens not far behind. Mac couldn’t help but grin when he saw who jumped out: his team, Riley, Bozer, and Jack – who had death in his eyes. Mac had seen that look many times before. Someone had threatened his partner. Mac didn’t envy Booth and his goons once Jack Wyatt Dalton got his hands on them.

Jack already had his own gun drawn as he raced onto the dock. His boots thunked hollowly against the boards as he sprinted for the boat, keen sights already on the bastard who had his paws on his kid.

But Booth had all the power here, with Mac in his clutches, and he knew it. And with the innocent civilian being held at gunpoint, he’d doubly covered his ass. Mac’s hope at seeing his team faltered when he realized that Jack’s being here really didn’t change a thing. It would just make this so much worse, because Jack would be forced to watch as Mac was taken, and when he could finally chase after them, it would probably be too late. As if to solidify this knowledge, Mac felt Booth’s hand twine in his hair, again – what was it with this guy and Mac’s hair, anyway? – and the gun was back beneath his jaw, Mac could feel the artery rapidly pulsing against the unyielding metal.

“You make one more step, and Boy Wonder here dies,” Booth shouted right in Mac’s ear. Mac locked eyes with Jack, who stuttered obediently to a stop, Riley and Bozer following suit. Even now, Mac knew that his partner was desperately searching for any opening, any shot he could take to save his friend.

“I’d put that gun down, if I were you,” Ash called out.

Jack glared at him, unrelenting. “Who invited Papa Smurf to the party?” he joked, but Mac clearly saw the anxiety in every line on his face.

A shot rang out. Mia screamed. A smoking hole had appeared inches from her feet: The bullet had buried itself into the planks. “He said,” Booth repeated, “put down your gun.” He punctuated his words with a brutal yank of Mac’s hair. “Next time, I put a bullet in your friend. No more warnings.”

Loathing poured off of Jack in waves, but he did as he was told and lowered the weapon, though he didn’t put it down. The sirens drew nearer, and Mac knew his captors were going to have to make their move before the police arrived, or things would get even messier. “Ash, start the damn boat,” Booth ordered.

The man did as he was told, inserting the key, and the engine spluttered, coughed, and fell silent. He tried again. Nothing.

“What the hell, man?” Dean barked, an edge of panic creeping into his voice.

“I’m trying!” Ash shot back, making another attempt to start the motor.

For a split second, Mac felt Booth twist behind him, trying to get a look at what was going on, and in that moment, Pike was distracted as well. Just one look away from their hostages was all that Mac and Jack needed – maybe the universe was looking out for them, after all. While Booth was distracted, both his grip on Mac and on the gun momentarily slackened, and Mac inched over and made himself as small as possible to give Jack a better shot at the man behind him. The gun was far too close to his face for Mac to lash out himself; now was a time to stand aside and let Jack do what he did best.

In the span of five seconds, Jack brought his gun back up and shot both Pike and Booth in quick succession. He hit Pike first in the gun hand, and the man toppled over the side of the boat, howling in agony. Booth’s bullet too had been perfectly timed and aimed – it hit him in the side of the head as he turned back around to deal with his hostage. He dropped, the gun clattering from his hand, dead before he hit the ground. It had been a tight shot, and quite the gamble considering the gun that had still been at Mac’s throat, but Jack had timed it perfectly, and Mac never doubted him once.

***

The next half hour was a blur of police sirens – “‘Bout time you got here,” Jack griped testily – painful but welcome hugs from his friends, and a collective promise of painkillers, a four-way lecture, a hasty debrief, and much-needed rest, in that exact order, on their flight to their next op.

Jack had been livid, insisting that Mac needed more than on-the-go treatment, but Matty was firm – this op couldn’t wait. Her fierce eyes did soften when she got a good look at the state that her agent was in, though, and assured him that he was getting a thorough check by medical the second they got home. Until then, she ordered, with no room for argument, he was to rest and recuperate, and so help her God, if he purposefully threw himself into this kind of mess again.... She didn’t actually finish her threat, which made it all the scarier, and Mac had promised to be good on the next mission. (Nobody really believed him, though.)

Secretly, though, he was glad that he would get a chance to rest on the flight, because every single bruise, cut, ache, and pain called out, vying for his attention. A cursory check by Jack and a frazzled EMT revealed that though no ribs were broken, he had severe bruising along his back, sides, and torso. Booth had chipped a tooth when he’d kicked Mac in the mouth, and Mac did not look forward to spending some quality time with the dentist when he got home. And there was a nasty, bloody welt on the back of his head from where he’d been pistol-whipped.

Added to that, his entire body, from his scalp to the tips of his toes ached with a bone-deep weariness that came from the physical abuse and stress of his time as a hostage. As Jack had reminded him on more than one occasion when Mac had tried to brush similar experiences off, just because it wasn’t his first rodeo, it didn’t make it any less traumatic for his mind or his body – he was still human, after all. Now, Mac found himself reluctantly agreeing – emotionally, mentally, and physically, he felt in that moment every single thing that had been done to him from the second he’d snuck into that bank.

As usual, though, Mac filed away everything he was feeling to deal with – or even more appealingly, to not deal with – later.

While Matty finalized the details of their flight, Mac tied up a few loose ends of his own. First, he called Carlos and spoke to him for a few moments, reassuring his friend that he was really okay and getting the same reassurances in return. Mac wanted to see Carlos and his family one more time before they took off, but Carlos was just now being released from the hospital, and the Phoenix team was on a very tight schedule. He did promise to come back and visit soon, and was able to reveal the exciting news that Matty was sending another team in their place, to continue to help with rebuilding.

Next, Mac made his way over to Mia, who was sitting on the edge of an ambulance, her sandaled feet dangling off the side and a bottle of water cradled in her hands. “Hola,” Mac greeted, and she offered him a small smile. Mac realized that she was even younger than he’d thought – she couldn’t be more than eighteen or nineteen years old. “I’m, uh, really sorry about everything,” he stammered, feeling that his words were thoroughly inadequate.

“You have nothing to apologize for!” she exclaimed, dark eyebrows furrowing over kind hazel eyes.

Mac didn’t agree – as always, that incessant feeling that he could have done more reared its ugly head – but he changed the subject anyway, because Riley and Bozer were approaching, and he knew his time was running short. “Quiero darte las gracias.” It was important to him that he thanked her in her own language, after the way Booth had treated it. She deserved better.

She tilted her head, dark brown ponytail swinging with the motion, but a soft smile touched her lips at his fluent but accented Spanish. “¿Para qué?”

Unable to call the exact words to mind in Spanish, courtesy, he knew, of the light concussion he almost certainly had, he switched back to English apologetically, but Mia didn’t seem to mind at all. “That was a risky play,” he admitted, “giving them the keys to a boat that didn’t work. But it was brilliant – and it bought my friend enough time to take control of the situation. Great job thinking ahead. You saved my life.”

A brilliant blush colored her cheeks at Mac’s praise.

***

Twenty minutes and a couple of painkillers later, Mac found himself curled up in his seat on the Phoenix jet waiting for the inevitable lecture to start. He know it had been a stupid and dangerous risk, sneaking into the bank and making himself a hostage. But he knew that his actions had saved lives, and he would make the same choice if anything like it happened again.

Jack dropped down into the seat beside him. “You look like hell, brother,” he observed. Jack Dalton didn’t sugar coat anything.

“Yeah, well,” Mac admitted, too tired to put up his normal unaffected front. “Feel like it too.”

The lines around Jack’s eyes deepened. “The kids are already settling in for the flight,” he said. “Get some sleep?”

“I thought you guys had a lecture all primed and ready,” Mac muttered, already feeling his eyelids dragging themselves down. He was exhausted, from everything he’d been through, the pain, and the drugs.

“Aaah,” Jack waved his hand dismissively. “What’s the point of lecturin’ you if you’re too strung out to actually hear what we’re trying to drill into that big brain of yours?”

Mac quirked a half-smile. “Or you could just skip the lecture all together. You know that you would’ve done the exact same thing in my shoes.”

Jack shrugged. “Maybe, but tryin’ to get you to look after yourself has become a kind of bonding thing for the rest of us. And it’s fun seeing you squirm.”

Mac groaned. “You know I never listen.”

A long-suffering sigh. “And that’s why my hair’s going gray, hoss.”

Letting his eyes fall shut, Mac couldn’t help but squeeze in one last, murmured jab. “No, it’s definitely an age thing.”

Mac didn’t hear Jack’s indigent retort, or the quiet cackling of Riley and Bozer from the seats behind.

He was already asleep.

20 notes · View notes

embersrpg · 4 years ago

Photo

IT’S TIME ----

No one feels ready or prepared for the Reaping that has come on the early summer day. For some, the sun shines bright and hard, beads of sweat running down temples, sweat causing shirts and dresses to stick to backs. For others, it’s raining hard and there’s no refuge, leaving everyone soaked and shivering as they await for the bitter fate of the two tributes that will be heading into the Quarter Quell.

The Escorts stand amongst the crowd, before them, a massive bowl stands, littered with papers of the names of the victor’s loved one. No questions have been answered. Will Capitolites be in the pool? Will victors be in there? What about loved ones crossing over districts?

The moment is tense but it goes forward without question.

ONE:

Saffron Sky

The name which is first drawn in One summons Saffron Sky to the stage. Thirty-nine, she’s beautiful, tall, fit. She’s wearing a long silk dress as she blows a kiss to her cousin, a victor from a time long before she was able to win. She holds her head high. There’s absolutely no telling what the expression on her face says. She is a complete wildcard. Maybe that’s what she wants.

Gold Farlock

Gold is built. Standing at 6′6, people have always wondered if the Farlock family bread, or maybe even genetically altered, a perfect soldier. He’s standing beside Tiberius, who looks prideful as she shakes his nephew’s hand and he ascends to the stage. He’s far past the age of being able to fight in the Games in a normal year. It can’t help but raise questions; coming from a family such as this, why hadn’t he fought back then? And why were they so excited now?

TWO:

Osa Pittsmith

Elegance has never looked so clear on a face before. Osa Pittsmith, older sister to the brutal victor, Teal, was always rumored to be brighter, more charming, more attractive, but what she made up for in personable skills and looks, she lacked in sheer brute force. As far as you can tell, she’s an enigma. But both she and her sister share a long, meaningful glance that is hard to define.

Terra Ivornary

The audience freezes as they all cast their eyes to the older woman. In her early sixties, she’s plump, but she walks with pride up the stage. She’s a baker from the square, but she has confidence. The only noticeable mark of her age, regardless of the graying hair and withered skin, is her trembling hands. To come from a Career district, reaping a simple baker seems shocking.

THREE:

Zero Holloway

Someone clears their throat when the name gets drawn from the bowl. The young man fixes his glasses before he starts for the stage. Someone tries to reach for his wrist but he slips from their grasp before it’s too late. It’s cold. It’s quiet, but Zero stands among the rest, accepting fate.

Citron Gulwether

No one even knows who Citron is, who they’re connected to. Seventy, withered, and looks tired. There’s someone far off that you could mistake for calling to volunteer as tribute, but it goes ignored. Citron moves slowly towards the stage, but manages with no help. Their breath is loud, they’re running out of steam but it’s all for the game.

FOUR:

Marina Tidestrum

She emerges from the crowd, but not confused. Just a slow step forward as if this is a declaration of sorts. The ex of Roux Selkirk Her fingers rub together nervously as she tries to search for eyes that will give her the answers. She doesn’t get them. She just gets to the stage where she’s championed like an icon. It feels far from that.

Abe Iss

Abe stands tall. He’s built well enough that there are some that clap at his reaping. A lot more reassuring of victory than the previous draw. He’s smiling, or at least, it looks like it’s supposed to be a smile. He’s not particularly attractive or charming, but he’s built. He’s a mentee to an old victor, much like a grandson. His fists clench and he looks brutal, but also, for some reason... uncomfortable.

FIVE:

Darby Skiberry

Darby Skiberry was a nurse. Specifically, one that took care of the children. She was in her mid-forties, been a nurse for thirty years. She was a mother figure to many, including the victor for the 67th Games, Ambro Forge. There’s some sobs from the crowd as she climbs to the stage, her fear is evident.

Kin Rosesand

The youngest child in the Rosesand family, youngest sibling to Aven, perhaps the most needy in the bunch, but now a young adult, trudges onto the stage and cries. Openly. They do not want to be there, and the eyes of hundreds on them, gives them a visible tremble. This was not what they were prepared for.

SIX:

Helena Clearwater

She’s forcing a smalls mile on her face, dusting off her dress as she starts for the stage, no guidance needed. Pista Clearmark’s mother, ever the beacon of warmth, has now found her time. It’s hard, judging from the audience, if she’s happy or heartbroken.

Cabil Stulvurg

Stulvurg is an old name. Cabil is young. Twenty. Everyone knows that boy is twenty. He was birthed in the river from his mother who didn’t get to see the face of her new baby boy. Stulvurg designs the very trains they build. Baster Stulvurg, Cabil’s father, was intense but never terrible. But Cabil was warmth. Cabil, who made the mistake of falling in love with Haldi Commonbo, the winner of the 70th Games. Haldi, who shrieked and cried as her lover sauntered onto stage. Baster, a cold and collected man, yelled for his son’s freedom. For once, power couldn’t buy safety.

SEVEN:

Nettle Blume

She can’t exactly see straight. She walks with a cane even though she’s in her thirties. After a lumber accident, Nettle was considered useless. Her family was going to perish after she couldn’t work any longer. Caspan Roseleaf, who was a victor over forty years ago, hired her to tend to his home in the victor village. For over a decade, the two have had a tight bond, and watching her struggle to get on the stage makes the crowd uneasy.

Harbor Gazel

There’s confusion that settles over every one. But Harbor... he’s not around anymore, is he? Doesn’t matter, next thing everyone sees is a frail, weak figure being tugged onto the stage. Harbor Gazel, is hard to recognize. There’s no hair to be found on their face. None from their head, their eyebrows. There’s wisps of eyelashes but they look near transparent, and there’s small adjustments to his face. Different cheekbones, mainly. He looks... kind of like Harbor. Then raises the question, has he been in Seven this whole time? No one can know, because before questions start being asked, he looks to the camera, and raises his hands, beginning to form gestures and movements. And then---... the camera cuts out.

EIGHT:

Beck Baxwoll

A younger sibling to Emory Baxwoll, not so small anymore, looks tired and worn from the day’s work as he steps onto the stage. It’s like there’s no room to process the pain of it all before he stands there. This is just another job he has to do, isn’t it?

Chrysanthe Silverhair

The local clothes maker. Sewist of all things even remotely appealing within Nine. Chrysanthe became friends and primary caretaker of Dahilia Feher years ago. A victor, now in her nineties, with no living family. Chrysanthe has always been a beloved force within the community, and there are sobs heard when they step onto the stage.

NINE:

Sola Honimoore

The reaping of Perri Honimoore’s son is met with silence. There are some in the crowd who are old enough to remember the story. The birthing of the young boy who became attached to Perri’s leg. The boy scooped up in the wreck of the Games. And now, as much as Perri has fought against it, it seems his ties to the Games is not ready to release yet.

Holly Nightwing

“It’s not fair!” She shouts only seconds after her name is drawn. “I didn’t ask to be loved!” She’s young. Maybe her mid-twenties. She looks at stocky as the grain that blows in the wind behind them. Only in whispers do they know of Holly’s secret companionship to victor Kuds Full, a victor from the 72nd Games. A Victor who had been married to someone else only monthsafter returning from victory.

TEN:

Ginger Flatlock

The daughter of the 32nd Hunger Games winner, Archer Flatlock, ascends to the stage with trembling knees, if only for a split moments before her back straightens into something that resembles forced confidence. Looking to her father, his face is pale, almost green, but makes no noise. He’s frozen in silence.

Bire Wildvale

Tall, but not especially built. Bire had a tendency to work on the fields. Just a simple man, in his late twenties. Bire married Fennel two years ago, the son of Archer Flatlock. Bire, while not blood related, was just as much a son in the Flatlock house as his husband. His eyes are read and he’s squinting from the son but he stands beside Ginger, hand on her shoulder. The Flatlock family, and specifically Archer, feels no mercy this year.

ELEVEN:

Birch Peaceroot

It’s a swift reaping. Elven is far too sued to their loved ones and their promising youths being ripped from their cracked fingertips. The young Birch, Rigg’s Nephew, hurries to the stage. It’s hard not to spot the horror that’s on his face as he looks out to his expansive district, and their forced apathy.

Parsley Fairwillow

There’s not many victors in Eleven. Not that are alive anyways. But Parsley, who’s close to middle age, peppered with silver makes in her hair, looks confused as she steps onto the stage. Her father, a victor of the 13th hunger Games, had died thirty-four years ago. As she’s lead on the stage by Peacekeepers, the horror registers on the face of some of those in the crowd. Even in death, your loved ones aren’t saved.

TWELVE:

Wren Thornewood

There’s an audible wail that comes from the crowd the second the name is drawn. Though it’s hard to find, without much fight, the young girl ascends to the stage, her hands joined together at her front. The crowd looks disturbed. The girl they came to know and adore. The girl who just barely got by last year from her sister. Her time as finally come.

Gage Overgrove

It’s horror on the man’s face as he starts for the stage. He looks back towards his wife, who looked plump with her pregnancy, that she was about ready to give birth at any moment. The Overgrove family doesn’t console, only stands frozen, and Gage can’t even look their sibling Hudson in the eyes as they stand beside the young Wren.

OOC --- THE MEAT AND BONES

Let’s just get into it. You guys voted, shockingly unanimously, wow. So, this is just a quick drop! We will have this plot drop for two days (two for my sanity because the next drop is huge and I need some time to write it all up), which is mainly meant to give you some time to write a self para reacting to this drop. It’s not mandatory. If you’d rather take the break, by all means, please do! I just ask, if you plan to write a self para, please take this time to get it up before the next drop.

For in character timeline, from here there will be quick movements. Characters get rushed to the train and there will be no meeting with loved ones (similar to Catching Fire, Katniss didn’t have a chance to talk to her family before being sent in again). You can write of your character getting on the train but do not write further than the first night on the train. The next drop will begin on the morning of the train ride to the Capitol.

Plot with other members if you’d like to mention conversations or interactions between characters in your self paras. I do not recommend this time to have threads since there will be so little time. But hey, if you can write a thread in two days, go off.

If you have an fc for your designated npc, send it my way (or if you want me to pick, bc I can def feel some vibes from the ones you guys have). I might make a graphic since I definitely have some npcs in mind for some folks on this list. Not guaranteed but... I might make one.

You might be wondering if you will be able to write against any of these npcs. The answer is... maybe. 24 npcs sounds like a lot to me so I’m trying to figure out how to best write npcs that doesn’t burn me out and gives everyone a chance to write with and npc (doesn’t have to be the npc tied to your muse, could be any of them). If that’s something you might be interested in, message me. By gaging how many people are interested in how many npcs will give me an idea of the work it’ll take. It’s not a guarantee but it is a check for level of interest.

Many characters talked about volunteering in their threads, it’s up to you whether they did or not but if they had, it wouldn’t have been successful, and their volunteer would have been rejected. I am kind of bending some rules because I assure you, putting your character in the games would be really boring and not as much juice as what I have planned for what happens outside of the game. I don’t plan to metagame/godmod this hard as an admin beyond this, but hopefully you guys understand that I am just trying to keep everyone from writing themselves into a corner.

Also just want to say, I know not every character has a loved one that were reaped. I had tried to keep things pretty strategic and fair. The hope is that this creates an interesting dynamic to potentially cause conflict. Those who have loved ones at stake vs. those who have love ones that were spared. I am always open for feedback and if you feel that this plot doesn’t set your character(s) up for success, please let me know! We’ll try to work something out.

I think that’s all I’ve got to say. You know where to put questions. Happy Hunger Games. Heh

Start date: Right now

End date: April 28th

Tag: The Reaping (this is not a chapter because there is no time threading.)

#embersplot #heheeheheh

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arty-e · 5 years ago

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Tada! Mary Queen of Scots and Lady Jane Grey. Mary Stuart song inspiration was Katy Perry while Jane Grey was Marina and the Diamonds (Oh No! and Teen Idle)

I would love to hear your opinions on their designs and if you think i should change anything about them?

History dump under cut:

Both queens were Cousins of the Tudor Siblings through Henry’s two sisters (they were they grandchildren (Margaret Tudor - Mary Stuart, Mary Tudor - Jane Grey))

Lady Jane Grey had been an intelligent woman (especially in humanities) however she was victim to her parents and father-in-laws power hungry fantasies. Her father in law was John Dudley, a power hungry man who had disposed of Edwards uncle Edward Seymour as regent and took of controlling the young king and his government. He had such a strong grasp on the young king that as Edward was on his death bed he manipulated him into changing his will to ignore his two sisters rights to be monarchs and usurp them with Jane instead giving him power over her and her husband (his son). Jane was Queen for nine days before her privy council (all who were part of the scheme) abandoned her. Mary (Elizabeth in tow) marched into London with no fight as everyone saw her as the rightful Queen, protestants and catholics alike. Mary had originally been merciful towards her cosuin seeing she had been manipulated and was meant to be used as a puppet. She was less merciful to Dudley and those who had tried usurping her. Jane’s father felt guilty for pushing his daughter to be Queen for his own ambitions and wanted to save her and started an uprising that failed and ultimately lead to the 15-17 year olds execution

Admittedly i don’t know that much about Mary Queen of Scots just pieces here and there. Mary had originally be engaged and briefly married to the Dauphine of France, King Francis II however he died when he was 16 and she was sent back to Scotland. on her return many english Catholics wanted her to claim the english throne as they considered Elizabeth illegitimate and a bastard. However in her own country she regarded with suspicion as Scotland was slowly becoming much more Protestant and she was a devout Catholic. She had also been living in France since she was five so knew little of Scottish politics. She ended up marrying Henry Stuart (lord Darnley) and they had a son James Stuart (I of England and VI of Scotland). Henry was power hungry and wasn’t content being her consort and below his wife and demanded more power. He even had her close friend David Rizzio murdered in front of her while she was pregnant with their son. It is unclear if she had planned Darnley’s murder or if it had been a conspiracy behind her back but when she remarried to Lord Bothwell shortly afterwards made her people suspicious of her and demand she abdicate to her son who was only 1 years old. She never saw him again. She ran away to England in hopes Elizabeth would help her reclaim her throne however Elizabeth was wary of Mary and how unpopular she was in both England and Scotland. She was imprisoned and Elizabeth refused to execute her despite her council and allies begging her to do so. Only when evidence was found that Mary had been plotting to usurp that she ultimately signed her death warrant. Apparently Elizabeth had sent a messenger on the day of Mary’s execution in order to stop it but they were too late. She had worn red at her execution and apparently her pet dog had been under her skirt when she had been beheaded. A myth of Mary was when he blood hit the ground Scottish thistles grew where her blood fell.

yeh this was long... Hope you like the designs! :)

#Six #Six the musical #Six: Queens #Six: Kids #Six the kids #Lady Jane Grey #Mary Queen of Scots #History dump #My art #designs #Katy perry #Marina and the diamonds #costumes #opinions?#mary stuart #Jane grey #nine day queen

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polyamquackity · 5 years ago

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An anon requested Logince + Oh No! by Marina and it turned out significantly longer than expected.

Title: Oh No!

Warnings: Potentially panic attacks, implied bullying

Word Count: 1627

Read on AO3

It was common knowledge that Roman Williams was meant for better things. He had a genuine talent, his acting abilities bringing an abundance of new patrons to the school’s shows. He, in his own right, was relatively famous. Both locally and online. It was a surprise that he hadn’t left on some sort of show offer, he certainly had them. Rumors circled, but no one ever confirmed the reason. And of course, with fame and gossip, comes a torrent of people wanting a piece of the fun. If you asked, the students of Jonesville High would tell you that Roman had friends crawling out of the woodwork. His clique was that of the infamous popular kids, the preps. It wasn’t often that a queer theater kid was truly a school’s primadonna, but he managed it just fine.

Logan Arthur on the other hand, was significantly less well known. Most kids wouldn’t even know his name if you asked. This was by no accident, Logan didn’t want to be known. The only thing he wanted was to keep his head down and get the hell out of this city. To go to college and make something out of himself. The kids who did know his name, would be able to tell you that he was incredibly smart. 4.1 GPA smart. Had the knowledge to correct the teacher smart. He worked hard and had a seemingly never differing routine. This was a kid with no friends, a loner in the truest sense of the word.

Rumors followed Logan throughout high school as well, although these were significantly more malicious than those about Roman. One of the more memorable being that Logan was an emotionless robot. It could be argued that these were more insults than rumors. After taking day after day of comments such as this, without so much as blinking, even the most experienced performer would need a break. A moment to be himself and to let everything out. So one day, instead of heading to his usual lunch spot in the library- Logan headed swiftly towards the empty auditorium.

If you were quiet and paid attention, you would notice that the performing art kids talked about how easy it was to get into the catwalk when it was left unattended. And you would know that it was the perfect place for a breakdown. Conveniently, Logan was aware of both of these things. People tended to talk in front of him as though he wasn’t there.

He shimmied through the broken gate-like door, with relative ease. It was very broken. As he maneuvered up the steep, winding stairs, his tears began to fall. It was a slow thing, one tear slipping out at time. Finally escaping the dam that had been built long ago. Logan supposed that this was about far more than a few mean comments. Logically this was probably years in the coming, it wasn’t healthy to push everyone away as he had.

What none of the students' gossip could have prepared him for, was that upon breaching the entrance to the catwalk, Logan would find one Roman Williams. One Roman Williams who was equally as, if not more intensely upset than Logan.

There was an odd beat where they just started at one another. If Logan had not already been in tears, perhaps Roman would have said something needlessly cruel. And if the opposite were true, Logan may have simply left. But, as it was, they were both distraught.

“Do you want to come sit with me?” Roman offered, awkwardly gesturing the area beside him.

“I’ll just find somewhere else,” Logan mumbled, already beginning to back down the stairs.

“Nonsense, you’re already here, aren’t you? And it’s not like there’s anywhere else to cry without being caught. Well, more caught than we already have been.”

Logan squinted into the dark, assessing the actors' offer. He sighed, making his way back up the few stairs he had descended, “If you’re certain.” He took a seat next to Roman and a silence rose between them. Sitting in the dark, crying silently next to a stranger is a weird scenario for anyone to be in. But, it was especially odd for these two.

It was surprising to say the least, when this quiet was broken by Roman giggling, “What the hell are we doing?”

Logan raised a brow at him, “I thought it was obvious? We’re crying.”

More laughter bubbled out of Roman, “I know that! I just. We could at least be trying to help each other and instead we’ve elected to wallow in our miseries privately.” Roman wiped at his tear stained face, “Do you want to talk about it?”

“You don’t even know my name, why would I tell you about my feelings?”

Roman turned to get a better look at him, “Huh. I actually don’t think I’ve seen you around set before. Were you part of the crew freshman year or something?”

“No, I’ve never been involved with the theatre club.”

“Then how do you know about this place?”

Logan looked away and reached to fidget with his watch, “Hearsay.”

“So you were eavesdropping?” Roman accused, leveling the other with a look.

“Is it eavesdropping if people talk directly next to you, as if you aren’t even there? I’m certain that they noticed me, it’s not as if I was hiding.” Logan asked sheepishly.

“Hm. I guess that isn’t.” He reached out his hand, “I’m Roman then, if we have to exchange names before feelings.”

The other hesitantly gripped his hand in response, “Logan.” Another beat passed, “So, which of us should go first?”

Roman shrugged, “I asked you first.”

Logan ran a hand through his hair, “I suppose that I’m feeling rather upset at the moment. People tend to make assumptions and opinions about people who differ from them and I differ pretty heavily from our peers. Their incessant mocking seems to have gotten the best of me.”

Roman nodded, “People are assholes. I’m sure whatever they’re saying about you isn’t true.”

“You don’t even know me.”

“Yeah, but I know our school. And I haven’t met a kind person in a long time. I’m not sure if anybody is really anything more than a fake anymore.”

It was Logan's turn to nod. Both parties had ceased crying since they began talking to one another. Logan wasn’t much for talking about his emotions, so he decided to urge the conversation forward, “Do you want to talk about your feelings now?”

Roman took a breath, “Sometimes! Sometimes having to be perfect is too much! I have to act a specific way or else- Or else I lose my reputation. And that’s everything in show business. I need to be the best, to never falter or. Or I’ve failed. And I can’t fail, I have too much on the line to fail.” Roman looked close to crying again.

Logan carefully put his hand on the other's shoulder, “I’ve dealt with a similar issue, although at a much different level. I’ve pushed people away because of it, but from what I know you’ve done the opposite. Would you like my advice?”

This was met with a shaky nod.

“You are human Roman. Despite your reputation, you are going to fail sometimes. That is an entirely human thing to do. And people who truly care about you will be understanding of this. If there are people in your life that are making you feel otherwise, they probably aren’t good for you.”

“That makes sense.” Roman admitted. For the third time that day, a silence occurred between them. Although, this was the most comfortable out of all of them. The five minute warning bell rang in the distance and Logan shifted to stand up and head to class.

“Wait, before you go, can I have your number or something?”

Logan stared at Roman, mouth agape, “Are? Are you being serious?”

Roman rolled his eyes, “Dude, yeah. This might have been really weird. But, it was also the most genuine conversation I’ve had in awhile.”

“Yeah, okay then. My numb-”

“Just give me your phone and I’ll give you mine.”

Logan handed his phone over, standing awkwardly as Roman put his number in.

“There you go! Make sure to send me a text soon Logan!” Roman said far too brightly for someone who had just been on the verge of tears. He handed Logan his phone back before practically running down the stairs.

It wasn’t until the end of the school day that Logan took the time to text Roman. What the loner saw in his contacts made him freeze up for a moment, Roman had put a heart emoticon next to his name. That probably meant nothing he reasoned with himself, it’s not like they even talked for that long.

Logan: Hey this is Logan from earlier. You told me to text soon, so here’s a text.

Roman<3: Hey!! I’m glad you texted!

Roman<3: I wanted to tell you that you really helped me out earlier and I’m feeling a lot better. Although, I wish I could have helped you out more. It doesn’t even seem like you got to talk that much

Roman<3: Also, I wanted to know if you maybe wanted to get coffee sometime?

In the future, it would be common knowledge that Roman and Logan were made for each other. No one knew high school sweethearts who had a bond as strong as theirs. Forged in fire some would say. The two found success and comfort in one another. A sense of home that neither had ever felt before.

But, that was the future. For now, what they have is this first coffee date. A gentle start to something wonderful.

#logince #logan sanders #roman sanders #sanders sides #thomas sanders #ts sides #ts sides fanfiction #my writing #ash writes #oh no!

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phillipsgraves · 4 years ago

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new year's kiss

presenting my super super late birthday gift for @jmcolt: a small drabble featuring his girl jacey 🥰 i know technically you've already read it i still hope you like it!! i just wanted to do something simple for you bc you've been an amazing friend these past few years 🥺 ily

wc: 1,338

warnings: none

In a town as small as Wayhaven, Bobby didn't see the point of a masquerade party.

He could just about make out everyone beneath their masks, which made the whole thing redundant, but Amelia had been insistent on keeping the tradition alive. He decided he certainly wasn't going to rain on her parade, especially at her own party.

Speaking of her, it appears as the host herself has disappeared somewhere. Interestingly enough, Adam was nowhere to be seen, either. True enough, gatherings such as this wasn't exactly his style, but Bobby had been certain he'd spotted a tall, blonde fellow not too long ago.

Regardless, even without Amelia around, it seems like her party was doing perfectly fine at keeping itself going, some people gathered around in groups while the others were helping themselves to the food. Bobby's feeling a little partial to a drink himself and so he makes his way to the table, where he spots a familiar head of dark hair, face partially covered by her mask. With his best grin, he saunters over.

"Well, hey there, stranger," Bobby remarks, almost a coo as he places a hand on her waist. "Fancy seeing you here."

The girl snorts, and it unmistakably sounds very much like Jacey. "You say that like it's a big coincidence," she says, leaning against his embrace. "Whole town is here, someone's gotta cover it for the paper."

"Oh, c'mon, Jace," Bobby starts, gently squeezing her hip. "It's New Year's Eve, for crying out loud. Worry about work another day, would you?" He gestures over towards the party. "Besides, you don't need the papers to tell you how great of a shindig this is. Amelia's definitely outdone herself this time."

Jacey hums, as she takes a sip from her drink. "That she did," she says, but then she breathes out a sigh. "Can we take these masks off yet? Mine's all itchy."

Bobby hums as he pretends to think about it, looking at his watch. "Mm, not for ten more minutes, baby," he teases before giving her arm a small tap. He moves to lean in and close the distance, but Jacey merely stops him.

"Ah-ah, not for ten more minutes, baby," Jacey echoes, voice teasing. "You can wait a little longer. Kiss me when the clock strikes twelve, huh?"

"Oh, I don't know, Cinderella," Bobby teases, "don't you have a pumpkin to get to at twelve?" He laughs when Jacey merely punches his arm in response.

"Jackass," Jacey says with a laugh of her own. "So, I'm guessing that's a no, then? Mm, alright. Guess I'll just find someone else to kiss." She wriggles out of his embrace and gently pats his cheek. "Be seeing you," she says before trying to walk off.

She doesn't get far, however, when Bobby merely pulls her back in. "Hey, hey, I never said no," he says, grinning at her. "Like you'd wanna kiss anyone else at this party."

Jacey giggles. "Mm, I might. You never know, really."

Bobby rolls his eyes, partially blocked by his mask as he looks at his watch-- the very same one Jacey had gotten him for Christmas. "11:55. Only five more minutes, babe."

Jacey hums, settling back in his arms as they absentmindedly sway to the music. "You figure out what your New Year's resolution is yet?" She asks, drumming her fingers against his bicep.

Bobby lets out a hum of his own. "Be less attractive?" He answers with a snort, gesturing to himself. "I don't think Wayhaven can take much more of this."

Jacey shakes her head with a laugh, smacking his arm again. "Tone it down there, Narcissus. C'mon, I was being serious."

"Really? So was I," Bobby teases, laughing some more when she threatens to hit him again. "Okay, okay. I haven't decided yet," he finally answers, kissing the top of her head. "I guess… I'll try to be nicer?"

He looks down at his watch again. Three minutes left. He gives Jacey a small squeeze, resting his chin on top of her head. "Even if they don't deserve it." They exchange looks, and Jacey knows who exactly 'they' is. She doesn't comment on it. "What about you, then?"

"I figured I'd try not to work so hard this year," Jacey replies, and she only leans into him. "I know how much you worry. But I'm… trying to be better."

"Something we've both got to work on, then."

11:58. Bobby looks up with a slight furrow to his brow-- but it was an expression of determination more than anything.

"Actually, I had another one," he says, holding onto Jacey tighter, as if she'd disappear if he were to let go.

"Two minutes left, baby," Jacey teases. "Let's hear it, then."

Carefully spinning her around so she was facing him, Bobby brushes her hair behind her ear. Even behind the mask, he could still see the curiosity twinkling in Jacey's eyes as she clearly waits for him to continue. He's silent for a few moments, drinking her in.

"I wanna be a better boyfriend." Bobby holds a hand up when it looks like Jacey wants to say something, shaking his head. "I know I've messed up in the past, and uh-- well, considering we've already dated, but…" he sighs softly, taking her hands and squeezing them. "I love you. A lot, Jace. I wanna do better for you."

"Bobby…" Jacey starts, but she doesn't say anything else. Instead, she pulls him back into her arms, nuzzling her. "You're doing just fine. I couldn't ask for a better boyfriend." She looks up at him, then, grinning. "Hey. Do you hear that?" She asks, giggling when Bobby merely raises an eyebrow in confusion. "They're counting down."

Bobby looks around, and surely enough-- he hears the large group up front counting down. "Ah, so they are," he remarks with a chuckle. He looks back at Jacey, then, expression nothing short of adoring. "Happy New Year, baby."

Jacey doesn't think she could look-- or feel as happy as she does now. "Happy New Year," she says, and she can barely hear the people cheering as they ring in the new year when Bobby's right in front of her, pulling her in for a kiss. Finally.

Bobby takes his time with it, carefully angling her face up towards his so he could reach her better. His fingers thread through her hair, pushing it away from her. He gives Jacey's cheek a gentle caress, and when he pulls away she's tempted to tug him back in for more. She grins up at him.

"Okay, now can you please take my mask off? I wasn't kidding when I said it was itchy."

Bobby snorts. "Okay, okay, hold your horses. Remove mine, too, and we'll do it at the same time." He waits for Jacey to reach up for his mask before continuing. "Alright. Three…"

Jacey giggles. "Two."

"One," they say in unison, and Bobby breathes out a mock sigh of relief when he sees Jacey's face. It hadn't been long at all, but-- he's definitely missed the sight of it.

"Oh, thank God it's you," he says, though Jacey can easily hear the teasing in his voice. "Almost thought I kissed the wrong Torres sister for New Year's."

Jacey snorts, gently punching his arm. "Idiot. Like Marina would've let you go that far." A pause. "Or Mason, for that matter." Then, she sighs in relief, gently rubbing her face. "God, finally. My face was screaming."

"Hey, I can't help that I'm so charming," Bobby says, laughing when Jacey hits him again. "In all seriousness, though," he starts, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm glad I have you with me. I'm not letting you go again."

Jacey gives him an adoring look. "Better not, because I'm not giving you a choice."

"No, of course not," Bobby replies, and he leans down, kissing her nose, then her cheeks. "But, let's get out of here, huh?" He suggests, giving her a knowing look. "I've got other ideas on how we can celebrate the New Year's."

Jacey laughs. There was the Bobby she knew and loved. "Pig," she tells him, but she's already halfway out the door with him.

#boom. first fic of 2021 done #even tho i started it 2020 LMAO #but i want everyone to know i love jacey torres #my writing #friend oc: jacey torres #jacey x bobby

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abdicatedarchive · 4 years ago

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Twisted Tuesday || Olivia, Gabrielle, Marina, Juliette, Stevie, Wren, Chase, Jonah, Chanel

𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍: da club // 26th of january.

𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆: olivia x gabrielle x marina x juliette x stevie x wren x chase x jonah x chanel ( @kleidoscpe @gabriellehale @chrysolites ).

𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐒: underage drinking and a crying juliette

𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒: the girls make plans to go out to the club to make olivia feel better about her breakup. cue kisses with random guys and lots of drinks, but when two girls can’t handle their drinks and decide to make a big life change, the boys come in to rescue the girls from the club, much to the chagrin of one’s girlfriend. secrets are spilled and chaos ensues and it is all culminated with wren and chanel’s first i love you.

olivia was excited about getting dressed up and hitting the clubs with the other girls. she needed to not think about jesse for a bit and she needed to just have some fun with friends. and, she needed to just give him space and she needed to remind herself that he wanted out. he wanted them to break up. olivia finished the wine bottle that she had brought with her for the ride and when the uber pulled up outside of the club they were hitting up first, olivia gave the driver a nice chunk of cash before climbing out of the vehicle and brushing her hands over her dress, before looking around for her friends. when she saw gabrielle, she called out for her, " gabbie, " before she ran over to where the girl was. " hey. wow, you look bomb. even better in real life and that says a lot because you looked breathtaking.”

Gabrielle was a bit nervous about going out without Chase. It might have just been her anxiety acting up as she fought every impulse in her brain telling her not to go. She didn't like being away from Gene but she just kept telling herself the boys got it, they can take care of her. Gabrielle got ready and took an Uber to the meeting place, she got out with a smile. "Livvy, hey, You look fantastic too." She said with a smile. Marina was pretty excited to go out with the girls. Ever since she’s been back in town, all she wanted to do was party and let loose. But she also had to remind herself that things were going good with Antonio. She couldn’t mess that up. Maybe she’d cave and text him to come, but as for now, she wanted to focus on the girls. Once she got out of her Uber she walked over to Olivia and Gabrielle, “You guys look amazing! This is gonna be so fun. We definitely deserve a nice break like this.”

Stevie would have came with Juliette, but her girlfriend said she wanted to surprise her with the outfit she was wearing. She knew the other girls could get a little wild, but Stevie was here for the ride. “Hey guys, thanks for inviting me. Looking amazing, as usual.” she said with a smile.

Juliette had gone to her brothers room to see if he has any wine. He did not. He gave her two double shots of tequila. He agreed to drop her off as a repayment for her driving him and Lexi a month ago. “Ladies” said Juliette showing up in a black body suit and a short leather skirt and she was already giggly. She put her arm around Stevie’s waist, “Hello beautiful” she whispered into Stevie’s ear before she hiccuped. Juliette put her hands back on her own waist, “everyone proud of the outfit? I think i suit the dress code” she said with a smile as she spun around once. olivia turned around and the grin on her lips widened s she looked over at stevie, to see her reaction. a giggle fell from her lips as she put an arm around stevie's waist. " wow, look at you ms. hastings, you look incredible, " she said and whistled before a laugh fell from the girl's mouth as she watched their friend spin. " you did amazing, juliette. we are proud of you. now, " she said and clapped her hands together. the girls looked bomb – " ready to go inside and cause some havoc? " she asked and wiggled her brows before she started to walk towards the entrance of the club, her stride was confident. olivia was used to this. before she met jesse, she had partied a lot and she also knew how to flirt her way in. she had done it since she was 16. Gabrielle'a jaw dropped when she saw Juliette. "Even better in person." She said with a smile as she tossed a wink at Juliette. "Yes, lets get inside." She said with a smile. Gabrielle had done this quite often during her party phase when she would piss her parents off. Since then she had calmed down a lot, thanks to Genevieve. Gabrielle talked to the bouncer with a smile and handed over her ID before getting into the club, waiting for the others to follow. Before heading towards the bouncer, Marina popped a pill and took her fake ID out. She gave the bouncer a sweet smile and handed them the ID before walking into the club. Stevie raised her brows at Juliette, she couldn’t hide the smile that was growing on her face. “Beautiful? Me? The beautiful one here is you. You look amazing.” she whispered back. It was so hard to hide the relationship she had with Juliette, especially with her looking like that. Sure her friends knew about it, but she was still the mayor’s daughter. Everyone knew her. She handed her girlfriend the fake ID she got for her before showing hers to the bouncer, “This one’s for you.” she said before walking in. “You guys wanna get some drinks first?” Juliette showed her ID at the door, "Miss Hastings ... or should I say Miss Henderson" said the bouncer and Juliette looked up at him with big sad eyes. "Tell your brother he owes me" the bouncer said with a nod. Juliette felt like she finally caught her breath as she followed Stevie in. "That was so scary, I never want to do that ever again" said Juliette as she met back up with the girls. "Drinks please" she replied as they all headed towards the bar. "What are we thinking?" Juliette asked with a small hiccup. olivia stood on the inside of the club, looking at her friends and when the bouncer stopped juliette, she bit her bottom lip. she was ready to jump the bouncer, if she needed to. when she got in, and the girls were all reunited, olivia leaned over to juliette and spoke loudly, " i would have gladly flashed him to get you in, you know, " she said and laughed, obviously teasing her a little bit before they headed towards the bar. olivia pulled out her card and turned to look at the girls. " okay, drinks on me. as a thank you, for being amazing and incredible friends. " turning to look at the bartender, " give these ladies whatever they want and put it on this, " she said, holding the card up, " and we want five shots too, pretty please,. " she said and batted her lashes at the man. Gabrielle watched as Juliette got stopped. "And that is why you should invest in a real fake ID with your real name on it." Gabrielle said with a laugh. "But see, you got in anyway because bouncers really don't care." She added in. "Flashing would not have been necessary, I could have slipped him a bill or two." Gabrielle added in. Gabrielle followed Olivia and the others to the bar as they got drinks. Marina smiled at the two girls once they met up with them, “Juliette having a fake ID is probably hard in general since the whole town knows who she is.” she said with a laugh. “But I guess you’ll have to thank Montag for this one. Who would’ve thought?” Marina took hold of her shot and clinked her glass with the girls before downing the shot.

“Sorry, that’s on me. I thought your name was too obvious so I tried Henderson. It’s a nice last name.” she said with a smile. Stevie took her shot with the rest of them and looked over at Juliette, “You want something else or are you taking it slow? I know how much of a lightweight you are.” she teased the girl, nudging her side gently.

Juliette nodded, "Yeah, I think that guy has bounced a fundraiser at our house" said the girl with a sigh. "But yeah, thanking Montag who would have thought he would help me out tonight" replied the girl as they did shots together. "No it was cute, I like that name" said Juliette putting her hand on the other girl's shoulder. "I can do something else, I'm doing okay" she said, up to the challenge. She didn't want to seem like such a dork in front of all of them. "But sugary, I think that's smart. Something that covers up the alcohol taste" the girl said with a nod and a smile. "Once we're done up here, dancing right?" she asked Olivia with a huge smile on her face. She wanted her friend to have a really good night.

olivia giggled softly. juliette was adorable, honestly. once we're done up here, dancing, right? nodding her head, the blonde pushed her hair away from her face. " oh yeah, definitely! " she said and took the shot glass, throwing the content back before she turned to look at the bartender. " hey, handsome, " olivia said and flashed a bright smile at him. " wanna give us another one? " she asked and giggled, and it didn't take much before she got the glasses filled. " thank you darling, " she said as she winked at him. turning to look at the girls, she held up the shot glass and said, " here's to a girl's night we'll never forget! " she said and then winked at juliette, making sure only she could see it. " lets find somewhere to sit and then go dance. " Gabrielle smiled as she threw back her first shot and waited for the second. She looked around at the club full of people, guys and girls, and it made her a bit nervous. She knew once she got a bit more drunk, she would feel a bit better. She took the second shot and threw it back with a smile. "Yes, lets go dance." She said with a nodd. Marina noticed the expression on Gabrielle's face as the girl looked around the club. She wasn't aware that Gabrielle got nervous in such crowded places, but she placed her hand on her shoulder and gave her a friendly smile. "If you ever need to take a breather or go to the bathroom, let me know. I know I need breaks every now and then." she said, trying to reassure the girl.

"Yes to dancing!" Stevie handed Juliette the second glass as Olivia got more for the group. She took the second drink and waited until Juliette was finished as well. "There's an empty spot right over there." she pointed out. As they were all walking over to go get a spot to sit, Stevie leaned closer to Juliette, "I can't believe I have to keep my hands to myself when you look this good. What a tease." she whispered in the girl's ear.

Juliette braved up and took the second shot, "I don't think I should have a glass of anything anymore" she said quietly to Stevie. She giggled when Olivia winked at her, "Rinaaaaaa" the girl called out, "And Brielllllllllleeee" she was just so happy and she put her arms around the two and smiled. "I am just soooo happy we're all here to celebrate Livvyyyyyy" she said with a small woooo coming out of her mouth. She was just like her mother. When they headed over to the table to sit for a moment, Stevie got close to Juliette and the girl immediately blushed, "First of all, I want you to know just in case. There are six shots of alcohol in my body right now" she said touching her own nose and then touching Stevies, "scientifically, I should be dead. But I'm not. I'm a fighter and it's girls night!" she slurred with a happy expression on her face. "Third of all" Juliette added, loosing track of her talking points, "people have to go to the bathroom more when they're drunk, so we could go to the bathroom and not go to the bathroom as many times as you'd like" she said with a less than innocent smile as the two sat down with the rest of the girls. olivia giggled at how happy juliette seemed. i am just soooo happy we're all here to celebrate livvyyyy she shook her head. " celebrate me? " she said and looked at her friend. " what are we celebrating? " she questioned curiously. when they headed over to the table, olivia looked at the two of them and smiled at how cute juliette and stevie were. shaking her head, olivia sat down at the table, leaning her forearms against the table in front of her when the bartender came over and gave them the drinks they had ordered. " i can't believe we haven't done this before now. " Gabrielle let out a little laugh seeing Juliette. "Someones fucked up already." She said with a wide smile. "We are celebrating your singleness!" Gabrielle said with a smile. "You are a free woman, now lets go get you a hottie to take home tonight." Gabrielle said with a laugh. "I know. Its so much fun." Marina giggled as she saw Juliette call out to the girls and put her arms around her. She missed hanging out with Juliette. They had grown apart for a bit, but she was glad they were reconnecting, and now Marina had gotten to know Olivia and Gabrielle better. It felt good. "Tonight is about you. I already see a couple cuties nearby." she said as she was scanning the club for cute girls and guys.

Stevie took another drink as the bartender came around, the alcohol was slowly starting to kick in. "Do not tempt me with a good time, Hastings." she said with a small smirk. "Once everyone's doing their own thing, we could sneak off for a bit. I'm sure no one will notice." Stevie would take any opportunity to get some alone time with Juliette. "We deserve some fun too." "Uh no you're fucked up already" joked Juliette, she knew she was the drunk one but it was still fun. "And yeah Livvy! Celebrating that you're single and can kiss as many boys as you'd like tonight!!" she encouraged. She was on team get back together, but Olivia deserved to have some fun first. Once they were sitting, Juliette put her hand on Stevie's thigh, "I would agree, let's go" she said faking getting up before sitting back down, "This night is all about Olivia, not about my gay agenda" she said quietly to Stevie. "Are we ready to dance?" she asked the group, she wasn't having another drink so she was ready to go. olivia turned around and looked at the people in the club, her eyes looking at a cute brunette in the corner. she smiled at him then a laugh fell from her lips. she shook her head and turned to look at the girls. it felt wrong, to look at other guys but she was single and jesse didn't want her anymore. she should be able to flirt with guys. are we ready to dance? " yes, " she said, clapping her hands together excitedly before taking a sip of the drink. she got up again, swinging slightly but making sure to not fall over. she sat down and bit her bottom lip, as the next couple of words that fell from her lips, weren't what she had expected, " do you think jesse has hooked up with someone? " olivia looked at her friends and bit her bottom lip. " i know i said i wouldn't talk about him, i just... it kind of feels a little wrong. " she then shook her head and sighed, " i'm... i'm sorry, let's dance, " she said and put a smile on her lips again as she grabbed gabrielle's hand and marina, before pulling them towards the dance floor. Gabrielle looked at Olivia. "Does it matter if he has? You are single now. He gave you up. It shouldn't feel wrong." Gabrielle said looking at Olivia. She personally didn't know, but she also didn't think it mattered. "Like I said earlier, You are free." She added in as the moved to the dance floor. Marina smiled as Olivia took everyone to the dance floor. "There's nothing wrong about it. You could do whatever you want, have some fun, girl! This is your night. Plus, it never hurts to make him a little jealous." she winked at Olivia. She wasn't the best influence, but she thought Olivia deserved a fun night. Stevie looked over at Olivia and sighed. If she was completely sober, Stevie wouldn't say it, but she was feeling a little rebellious right now. "Um, actually... He may have... already hooked up with someone else." she said awkwardly. She turned over to Juliette, "Sorry, I never got to tell you. I wasn't sure when I should tell anyone, but Jesse has royally pissed me off." she shrugged carelessly. "It's that cheerleader, Savvy." "Oh my god! Men are the absolute worst! That is such garbage" said Juliette in a drunk stupor. She was so annoyed by that, Jesse had the most amazing girl ever (Stevie not included) and he just ... dropped her? Out of no where? "You SHOULD make out with someone!" she said confidently, "Can someone tell me which boys are cute? Like cute enough to make out with? Lets get them over here" she added addressing the girl as they all started to dance. olivia nodded her head at what gabrielle said. " yeah. no, you're right. it shouldn't matter. i mean, i'm single. he's single. he's allowed to do whatever he wants, " olivia said and nodded, giving the girl who had spoken a soft mile. she looked at marina who said that she should do whatever she wanted and it never hurt to make him a little jealous. a soft laugh fell from olivia's lips as they went to the dance floor. but then, the next words caused olivia to stumble a little. " oh. " olivia blinked and looked at stevie, before swallowing against the lump in her throat. she had to admit, it had hurt, but at the same time, he hadn't really done anything wrong. " savvy.. the petite brunette? " olivia asked, her voice soft. " i've seen her around. she's pretty, " she said and nodded, before sinking her teeth into her bottom lip. " no, no, he's not. not really. i mean, he didn't do anything wrong. we're both single, you know? he's... he's allowed to hook up with whoever, " she said as she could feel the walls around her heart begin to re-build. as the girls started to dance, olivia decided that she didn't want this to ruin the rest of the night. " let's not talk about jesse anymore. this is about us, having fun. i'll deal with the whole jesse thing tomorrow, " she spoke softly as the music turned to a more upbeat one. Gabrielle jaw dropped as Stevie dropped the news. "Ouch, was not expecting that one." She mumbled. "Yeah, It doesn't matter Liv, You are both single and free to do what you want. Now you don't have to weird or guilty about it." Gabrielle said trying to keep it positive. Maybe that was the drama chase was talking about in the guy group the other day. Weren't Jesse and Stevie close? why would she expose him so hard? Gabrielle knew the group has a whole was going through a lot and she saw how it affected Chase. "Forget Jesse. Have about you go get a taste of him." Gabrielle said pointed to a hot guy on the dance floor. Marina looked at Stevie with wide eyes, she didn't expect that to come out of her mouth. She wasn't exactly one to start any potential drama, but maybe it was just the alcohol taking over. Marina didn't exactly know how bad the drama was in the other groupchat. "We're gonna find you the hottest guy here." she looked over at Olivia with a sad smile.

Stevie felt pretty bad telling Olivia about it, but maybe it would help her move on. She knew this could potentially bite her in the ass, but maybe it wouldn't. Stevie didn't care right now. She looked over at the boy Gabrielle pointed out and nodded, "Yeah, he looks... attractive." she said as more of a question. "Any guys in school you find attractive? I could always trying hooking you up with them." Juliette was livid about the whole thing, how dare he hook up with someone. But she put the rage away and was supportive of her friend, "yeah someone you can tote around school who can carry your books and stuff" Juliette said as she tried to be helpful. Juliette moved her hand to interlock her fingers with Stevie's for comfort. "Yeah, Stevie knows all the boys. There's got to be a guy around school who would drop everything for you" she added. Olivia made a mental note to talk to stevie, to tell her work things out with Jesse because she hated knowing that they weren’t on talking terms. Listening to what the others were saying, she hummed and looked over at the guy in question. “ he’s cute. “ but nothing like Jesse, she thought. When Juliette said that stevie had to know someone at school, she shook her head. “ I’m good. Honestly. “ taking a deep breath, she then went over to the guy they had talked about and introduced herself. A couple of minutes later, she leaned in and pressed her lips against his. Pulling back, she thanked him and went back over to where the girls were. “ now, let’s dance?” It was weird. Olivia hasn’t kissed anyone but Jesse the last couple of months. It felt wrong. But, Olivia needed to move on. Besides, Jesse didn’t want her and he most likely wouldn’t care if she kissed someone. She couldn’t help but wonder if he thought about her? Even the tiniest bit. Though, she wouldn’t be able to sleep with anyone. Not yet anyway. Gabrielle listened to the conversation progress. Once Olivia walked away to talk to the guy she turned and looked at the other girls. "So..." She trailed of awkwardly. She knew tonight was supposed to be fun, but she just felt a ot of tension, but it was mostly in her head. "shit be crazy" She said with a soft smile. Once Olivia got back Gabrielle smiled and nodded. "Yeah sounds good." Marina downed her drink before she got on the dance floor with the girls. From the pill she took earlier to all the drinks she took, Marina was pretty out of it. She danced to the music with a big smile on her face for a while, before taking her phone out. Marina suddenly had the urge to text Antonio. She was feeling great and her confidence was booming, so she thought he'd appreciate it. Stevie danced with Juliette for a bit before wrapping her arm around the girl's waist to pull her in close, "Bathroom time?" she whispered in her ear. She couldn't wait any longer, she wanted Juliette now. "I just need you all to myself." While Olivia was off smooching that guy, Juliette couldn’t help but things were awkward. She worried there was something she didn’t know about, and she wondered if Stevie actually wanted Olivia and Jesse together... but then her thoughts were distracted by Stevie’s hand on her waist, being pulled in close. She giggled and nodded when Stevie said bathroom time, “as you wishhh” she said drunkenly as the two scurried off to the bathroom, “we’ll be back in like 5, I gotta pee!!” she called out to the group. Olivia was having a lot of fun. And she took both Gabrielle and marinas hand out on the dance floor, dancing along with the music playing. Honestly, this was just what she needed. A night out with her friends. For a split second, she forgot about the heartache and Jesse and EVERYTHING else. Gabrielle put a smile on as she went out on the dance floor. She danced with the girls, periodically checking her phone for the half hour updates from Gino she forced him to do. She also periodically checked twitter while anxiously waiting for Gino's texts. She saw shit was going down but felt it was better not mentioned. - GROUP TEXT -

wren: stevie are you okay??? juliette: steve is doin v gr8 rn i swr ittt stevie: im doing fucking great! stevie: why? are you okay? lol wren: i would actually would love to hear from juliette about how you're doing wren: seems like you two ladies are having fun out with olivia juliette: we're dancing!!! but we were just in the bathrooooooommmmmm :))0000)) (smoochinnnn) juliette: POLL: isn't stevarinnnoooo the prettiest girl of all time?? wren: GASP, stevie did you turn another straight girl??? Stevie: omg WTF JULIETTE Stevie: YOU'RE the prettiest!!! juliette: i'm gay u dummy, and i'm gonna tell EVERYBODY Stevie: shhhhh wren, go to sleep Wren: snoozin Chase: my eyes aren't working Chase: jonah? are your eyes working? Chase: because i have become blind and deleted half the chat on accident Jonah: im suddenly jared. 19. juliette: chase is such a GOOOSEEEEE Chase: i am a silly goose! good job juliette (is she okay??) Jonah: omg juliette hahaha so funny! (idk...) Juliette: jonah why aren't you at girls night???????? i miss youuuuu Juliette: i'm gonna go tell my parents, wanna come???? Jonah: miss you too Jonah: don't worry, you have fun with stevie Jonah: dont tell your parents anything :-) Juliette: i'm gonna go home and tell them!!!! it's gonna be so fun! maybe montag will come downstairs for the family hug!!!! Wren: she can sleep here, don't let her go home Wren: nana's got that gay safe space sticker on the door for a reason Chase: i also have a spare room for lesbians Stevie: wren, it's okay! this is all gonna work out Stevie: we can finally be happy and everyone will know!!! Stevie: i could hold her hand in public omg dude this is amazingJonah: do we need to pick some people up at a club?? :-) Jonah: what club are they even at??? :-) Wren: that is so cute, should we come pick you up??? Wren: we will take you right to the Hastings house :) Stevie: fuck yeah, you guys can come over and we'll all have a group hug! Stevie: [location] Stevie: whoooooo Chase: you two should just have fun and dance and whatever until we arrive! Stevie: dude thank you so much, you guys are really the best ever. i fucking love you guys Stevie: but i LOVE juliette hastings Juliette: are we about to kiss right now???? Juliette: getting off the phones, we're CELEBRATING Stevie: byeeeeee

Wren and Chanel got into the car, he knew he was upsetting her. "I promise I'll make it up to you" he promised as he put his hand on her upper thigh, moving it under her skirt a little. "You don't even have to touch me, I'll do everything" said the boy as he deleted texts with his other hand and passed her the phone. "But you are on phone duty" he said reluctantly as he started the old family mini van. His truck didn't have enough seats. Wren leaned over and kissed her, "You're the best girlfriend of all time" he said as he gave her thigh a squeeze. Chanel had her arms crossed over her chest, pouting her lips like a little brat. She thought they were have a great night... but now Wren had to pick up a bunch of girls? One of them being Juliette Hastings? Chanel would've swatted her boyfriend's hand away, but she liked the attention too much. "Mhm." she hummed as she grabbed his phone. "Why did you have to pick them up? Couldn't Chase do this? Or like, anyone else in that groupchat of yours?" she asked, in a whiny tone. Chanel kissed Wren back and held back a smile, "I really am. I'm like, the absolute best. Just so you know, I'm only letting this slide because it's you." "Baby, I'm the one with a minivan in the garage" he said as he moved his hand up her skirt more, "I promise that there's plenty in it for you. But please dear god, no rumor mill on this?" he asked with earnest eyes. "I swear I am going to spend the next month making it up to you in sexual favors alone" said the boy moving his hand up to her cheek as they kissed. Wren put the car into drive, "So ... long story short your worst enemy is closeted, like severely. She's dating Stevie, and she's trying to come out to her parents tonight because she's very in love and very very drunk. I'm not gonna let her fuck over her living situation over it. Even Montag is closeted at home, and he might be the biggest bottom we've ever witnessed" Wren explained as he pulled up to the Hale's house and Chase popped in. "You've told her?" Chase asked as he buckled up, "Yeah it's a whole thing" he said as he looked over to Chanel. "Don't worry, Wren's just on pick up and carry. I'm on night time care, so you two can get back to bed noise" he said with a proud smile, "proud of the 10 second nut king putting himself back out there" he said with a smirk. "CHASE" said Wren as he pulled out of the driveway. Chanel looked over at Wren and noticed the expression on his face, she of course wasn't going to break his trust by blabbing her mouth to the rest of town. "Okay? I promise, I won't say anything." she said truthfully. As she listened to Wren's whole story, her mouth was completely dropped. She tried her best to avoid the Hastings, but she was completely caught off guard with all this information. Of course she knew Montag wasn't straight, but everyone knew about that whole relationship with Lexi and Kiran. "Oh... my god. Oh my god, what the fuck? Seriously? Like Stevie Summers? Striking vipers Stevie? They're in love? I cannot believe I've been missing out on this." she said with wide eyes. "Okay wow. I get it, I won't say anything. It's not like I wanna talk to her parents anyways. So the secret is safe with me." Chanel looked over at Chase once he got in the car, nodding her head as he asked if she knew about everything. "CHASE OH MY GOD!" she reached over and hit his arm. "That's not funny. It's like, really traumatic, okay?" she whispered to her best friend. "Okay, so you're picking up Jonah & Jesse?" she asked. "Or is Jesse a no?" she asked. Wren had been pretty stressed about his groups drama lately so she didn't know if Jesse was coming along, especially with Olivia being at the club. "It's really cute" said Wren with a small smile. The boy just loved love, it made him so happy to see people happy and in love, especially because he was so in love with The Chanel Hampton that it was stupid. "You are the best, Chanel Hampton. That's why I l-like you so much" said Wren, stumbling over the words. Before he knew it Chase was in the car making fun of how he nut early. "Chase mind your own fucking business or I am going to start bullying you at school for shits and giggles" Wren threatened playfully. "Fair enuf" replied Chase with a laugh, it was way too funny to make fun of the quick nut. Wren gritted his teeth when Chanel asked about Jesse, "Just Jonah" he replied quickly, not adding anything else. "Do not get me started on that, I'll get heated" Chase added before also shutting up. Wren pulled into Jonah's driveway and clicked open the sliding door. Chanel was glad that Stevie was at least happy, and if this somehow took Juliette's mind off of everything that goes down in her family, Chanel was pretty cool with it too. She knew being with Wren helped her a lot, maybe it was the same with Juliette. She looked over at Wren with raised brows, a small smile forming on her face. She thought he was going to say it, but he didn't. She had been too scared to tell him, but she had been feeling ready to tell him he loved her since the day they got together. Crazy, but maybe that's what happens when you have a crush on someone for the majority of your life. "I like you too, babe." she nodded and looked out the window awkwardly. "At least I'm down to dress up for sex." she told Chase as she immaturely stuck out her tongue. That was not something she really discussed with Wren, but she was down to clown. "Right... Got it. No talk of the other brother." she said, referring to Jesse. Once his friends arrived, Jonah got into the car, looking like a wreck. This was such a stressful night, and he had a test tomorrow in chemistry. He could not believe this. "I have brought water for everyone. Stay hydrated, please. This has been a very stressful night for us all." he got into the car and let out a sigh. "Oh, hi Chanel. Do you... know?" he asked. "Hey." Chanel gave the boy a small smile. "That Juliette's gay and in love? Yes." she nodded once. "Ahh. Just perfect." Jonah couldn't imagine how Juliette was going to feel in the morning. "We have the address to this club, right?"

"That's a low blow, we had a full on fight the other night because she basically told me I'm an Olivia and she's a Jesse like I took a buzzfeed quiz, and thennnnn she told me she won't dress up to fuck" said Chase shaking his head, "This week has been a fucking shit show". Once Jonah got in the car, he looked like shit. "Dude are you okay?" asked Chase as the car pulled out of the driveway. "Hey it's a fair trade for her not waking up the Hastings at this hour and getting potentially kicked out or sent to boarding school" said Wren, his Nana had seen Montag around town and talked about the family at dinner one time. It sounded pretty bad, and through what Stevie had said .. he was nervous for the two. "Chanel has the location pulled up that Stevie sent" said the boy, "it's one tab over" he instructed. Before they knew it, they were outside the club. "I’m just on edge right now." Chanel said with a pout, the girl just wanted sex. Jonah then looked over at Chase and shook his head. "I'm gonna be honest, no." he shook his head at Chase. "All this shit with Jesse happened on twitter, and now he's mad at me, but now he's also Jordan. Then this happened. Just a little too much for my anxious brain to take in." Jonah nodded in agreement with Wren, "Yeah I know, but her initial reaction won't be great. N-No offense, Chanel. You're great. But... you know. Juliette's just..." Chanel rolled her eyes, "You don't have to explain, I'm very aware of how she feels about me." Once they got to the club, Chanel walked up to the bouncer and showed her fake ID. She wasn't sure if everyone else had one so she simply batted her eyelashes and smiled sweetly at the bouncer. "They're cool, right?" she pointed to the boys, before the bouncer let them all through. "Wow, thank you so much." she said before dropping the act and walking in. "Alrighty, they can't be too hard to find. Stevie's tall, just look for her." Wren gave her a pouty face in return, he knew this is not what she wanted. Chase put a hand on Jonah’s shoulder, “don’t worry once we get them all home safe you can get some sleep, your brother is going to be okay. I promise” said the boy. He didn’t understand the severity of the situation at all, but he had seen some alarming tweets. They got into the club with ease, Wren not only looked older but he had a fake as well. Chases fake looked horrible, and he was very glad Chanel was here. Gabrielle said she got the girls together, but they were a little all over the place. “Livvy!” said Wren, “you all ready to get home?” He asked. After the last post in Instagram, Olivia’s phone had died so she made sure to stay around the girls. It also meant she hadn’t seen the drama with Jesse online. Turning her head around, she smiled softly as wren approached her. “ wreeeeen hey!” Olivia was drunk but in a good mood. Well, as good as one could be. She hugged him tightly. “I’m ready to gooooo.” Gabrielle tried wrangling up the girls but they were all so drunk and kept moving or running away. She took an exhale as some guy came up to her and put his hands on her hips from behind. Gabrielle spun around and stepped back but this man wouldn't leave her alone. She pushed him away again just as she spotted Chase. Marina was having a great time but she hadn't noticed that some guy was being touchy with Gabrielle. If she did, she wouldn't have hesitated to swing at him. Sometimes she got extra violent when she had this much alcohol in her. Once she saw the group walk up to them, she opened her arms out, "How long have you guys been here? Come dance with us!" Stevie was dancing with Juliette, looking like two fools. Two happy fools, but fools nonetheless. "I'm so in love with you Juliette, I just want everyone to know." she said, showering the girl in quick kisses. "I'm so fucking lucky to be with you, you're the best girlfriend ever." Chase saw a guy bothering Gabrielle as he quickly bee lined for her, "Hey baby" he said as he shoved the other guy away and pulled her in for a deep kiss, his tongue moving into her mouth. He just wanted the other guy to know that she was his girl. Wren smiled, he was glad she wanted to head out. He was worried he was going to have to convince a bunch of drunk girls into his car. "What's the estimated time it will take to get the two love birds into the car? You think they'll be ready to leave?" he asked Olivia as he looked over to see the absolute shit show that was PDA. Juliette giggled when Stevie was peppering her faces with kisses, "I love you so much it's stupid" said Juliette with another giggle leaving her lips. "I can't wait to tell everybody ever" said the girl as she pulled Stevie in for a kiss. "Hey love birds, time to head out" said Wren interrupting.

Olivia shook her head, laughing softly at wrens question. “ honestly I have no idea. It’s nice though, to see them so happy. They deserve it.” Olivia smiled and looked at wren, giving him a gentle bump of the shoulder. “ you too, you know. It’s nice to see you smiling,” she said, slurring the words slightly.

“Babe!” She said as she threw her arms around him and engaged in a passionate kiss. The dude walked off angry. She pulled away from him. “God I missed you,” she said pressing another kiss to his lips. “You are all here? So we can leave now?” She asked, she was in a rush to get out of there. Stevie cupped the sides of Juliette's face as she kissed her back. She then turned her attention to Wren and put her arm around Juliette, "This is a huge day, man. This shit is gonna go down in history." she nodded her head, excited to leave the club. "I'm so fucking proud of her, it's finally the big day." she told her friend. "Let's go babe." "Yeah, I'm just worried about it. They're really drunk" said Wren to Olivia with a shrug. "You're cute, but you know who is not smiling? Chanel right now" Wren replied with a laugh as he saw her getting a drink from the bar. "We can go, but where is Marina?" said Chase as he looked around. He saw Jonah near her but Marina was still dancing up a storm. "Come on Rina" said Chase as he headed towards her, "It's time to go" Juliette stumbled out of the club with Stevie when she saw Chanel at the bar, "Fuck no" she said petulantly, letting a curse word fall from her lips. Juliette took off running down the street. "Fucking hell" said Wren as he chased after her, scooping her up and putting her over his shoulder. "NO!" she said angrily as she hit his back, "You're mean! Put me down! STEEEVIEEEEEE" she called out. " ooh gosh, poor chanel, " olivia said and laughed softly, shaking her head in the process. " but yes, we should*definitely get going, " she said and nodded as she started to walk in the direction of the door with wren.once they got outside, olivia's eyes widened at the commotion that juliette was making before she took off running down the street. Gabrielle followed chase around as the started to collect the group. “Do we have everyone? Can we go?” The former blond questioned. Jonah was trying to get Marina’s attention to tell her that they needed to leave, but she just wasn’t listening. Once she heard Chase’s voice, she pouted her lips, “Aww no, but Jonah and I are dancing.” she said as Jonah exhaled deeply. This was exhausting. Marina eventually gave in and went to the car with everyone else. Once Chanel had gotten inside the club, she ordered herself a drink from the bar and immediately went back to the car. She was on her phone, checking through all the twitter drama while she waited for everyone to come back. She then looked out the window to see Juliette running the opposite direction and Wren scooping her up, “What a hot mess.” she said to herself as she looked back at her phone. Once Wren came back with Juliette, Stevie shook her head. “Dude... Low blow.” she said, referring to the fact that he brought Chanel here. “It’s alright babe, I got you.” Wren put her down, "Okay Juliette, no running" said Wren as he returned her to Stevie, "I was about to have sex with her, I couldn't be like heyyyyyyy i gotta dip and you can't come" said the boy shaking his head. Wren got into the car and they all filed in, it was all a lot easier than expected. Thank god. Juliette crossed her arms and sat in the back, pouting. "So everybody have a good night?" asked Chase to the car full of people. olivia got into the car and she leaned against the seat, looking at wren and then over at the others as chase asked if everybody had a good night. " i did. it was definitely what i needed. and i found out that jesse hooked up with someone. so there's that. and, i kissed a guy, which was weird, it felt really wrong, but... " Gabrielle saw Chanel from a distace before they approached the car. "You brought Chanel here? Juliette is going to have a melt down." She informed chase. This is what she had been avoiding, Chanel and Juliette in the same place at the same time. She still hadn't told Juliette about her and Chanel's conversation. Gabrielle got in the car and moved to the back silently.

“Ohhhh I get, make sure not to bust on her face 20 seconds in.” Stevie patted Wren’s shoulder and looked over at Juliette, “Oh shit babe, I never told you about that.” she held back a laugh. She really seemed to have lost her filter. Once Olivia mentioned that Jesse hooked up with someone, Stevie raised her hands, “Sorry boys, that one’s on me. I thought she deserved to know. Cause fuck him. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with you kissing someone else, Olivia. Kiss as many people as you want.” she gave the girl a thumbs up before beginning to play with Juliette’s hair. Chanel looked over at Gabrielle with a small smile on her face as the girl got into the car, “Hey.” she said softly. All while Marina and Jonah were having a lovely little chat about Star Wars. Wren was a little sad to hear she had already kissed someone else, but Jesse had already fucked someone so it ... seemed well more than fair. "Good for you babe!" said Wren to be supportive and he smiled at her. "How many people in this car are going to talk about the ONE TIME that I nut fast?" said Wren as he started the car, "Because I am not afraid to drive us to the middle of no where and leave you all" he joked. Juliette saw Chanel smile and say hey to Gabrielle quietly. Juliette looked over to Stevie with tears in her eyes. "What is going on?" she whispered quietly, "I think they're friends" she said as a tear rolled down her cheek. Chase turned to the back and started talking about Star Wars with Marina and Jonah. "Jonah you saw the falcon right? Dude it's fucking sick" said Chase talking about his Christmas present. olivia looked at wren and gave him a weak smile. she could feel that he didn't think so, and honesty, olivia wished that she hadn't done it, mostly because she didn't want to ever kiss anyone else. " yeah, i guess so, " she mumbled and shrugged, before putting a wide smile on her lips. she had managed to perfect the fake smile. she giggled at what wren said and she reached out and ruffled his hair a little. " oh, come on. you know we all love you. "

Grabrielle flashed Chanel a quick and small smile before pulling out her phone and texting away. She wanted to not focus about the tension in tthe car between Juliette and Chanel and just tune everything out. Chanel’s smile faded as she furrowed her brows at Gabrielle. She thought she’d at least get a hi back since things seemed pretty good between them. But then she remembered Gabrielle’s friendship with Juliette. She rolled her eyes and leaned back in her seat. “Babe?” she raised a brow at Wren, acting as if she doesn’t throw the word babe out to everyone. “Hm, alright. Okay. Good to know.” Chanel nodded her head as she went back on her phone. She was so over this whole thing. Stevie leaned in as Juliette spoke, “You think so?” she asked looking back and forth between Gabrielle and Chanel. “Don’t cry, we’ll get to the bottom of it. She wouldn’t do that to you.” she shook her head as she wiped Juliette’s tears. Jonah nodded his head, “Of course I did, it’s incredible.” he said with a smile. Marina’s face lit up once the present was mentioned, “You really like it? I will happily make you one, Jonah. But for the right price!” she said with a single nod. “Have you been wearing the bracelet too?” "People love me but they won't let me live down the one time I nut fast" said Wren to Olivia with a laugh, it had become such a big joke between all of them at this point it felt like it hadn't even happened to him. "Sorry, not smart" said Wren to Chanel, realizing what he's done, "love you" he replied with a smile, then realizing he just said his first i love you to Chanel in front of an entire car full of people. "Chanel takes everything" said the girl very quietly all the way in the back seat, "But I've still got you" she added as she curled in closer to Stevie, "and everyone is gonna know, especially Saorise because she won't stop hitting me up" "Of course I have" said Chase with a laugh, "Ooooh, you two should come over and we can marathon Lord of the Rings" Chase added. It would be a fun day, "We can have themed snacks even, I fucking love themed snacks" olivia shrugged her shoulders, and she leaned against the seat, listening to people as they spoke. then, when wren said, " love you," to chanel, olivia looked at everyone before she looked at chanel. it was pretty obvious that it was the first time. she sank her teeth into her bottom lip softly; as her smile felt like it was going to explode. she kept quiet, waiting for what would happen next. Hearing the words 'i love you' Gabrielle was not fully paying attention, she opened her mouth to speak, thinking it was chase but she removed her eyes from her phone to realize it was Wren. She kept quiet and went back to her phone, looking st the baby monitors and spying on her fam. Chanel didn’t let the words fully settle in, she just heard Wren say I love you and naturally reacted, “I love you too.” she said with a smile. It took her a second to realize that it was the first time either one of them had said that while they’ve been dating. She froze up a little before slowly looking back at her phone. Stevie wasn’t focusing on Wren and Chanel, she was too busy listening to Juliette. “Saoirse?” she asked, kind of thrown off by the sudden mention of the girl. “Does she wanna fuck you too?” “Dude I love themes snacks. We have to do that.” Jonah agreed instantly. Marina nodded her head quickly, “Rosie and I have a bunch of good recipes! We love going all out for our movie marathons.” He gripped the steering wheel tighter when she said it back, he can't believe he blew the perfect words on this moment. Wren pulled up to Jonah's house first, "Thank you Jonah for the assistance, please get a good nights sleep okay bud" he said as he hit the button for the sliding door. Luckily it hadn't been too hard to get the girls into the car. "She keeps texting me, and I keep telling her that I'm straight" said Juliette before waving bye to Jonah. "Text me" she called out behind him. "It's a plan then" said Chase to the two of them before Jonah had to hop out of the car. "Marina and Liv, you two are welcome to sleep at the carriage house. Stevie and Juliette, it is required by law that you are not allowed anywhere near the Hastings estate" said the boy. "But I have to go home and tell my parents" said Juliette, drunkenly, "For a gay man you are very homophobic". olivia bit her bottom lip when chanel said she loved him back. " i'll sleep wherever someone wants me, to be honest. marina, wanna cuddle with me at the carriage house? " she asked and grinned widely, before shaking her head as she gave jonah a soft wave, feeling her heart ache as hey stopped outside of jonah and jesse's house. Gabrielle chimmed into the conversation. "Chase is not gay. I got the hickeys and scratch marks to prove it." She said, not removing her eyes from the phone. They also had a child as proof, but she wouldn't outright say that. "Later Jonah!" She said looking up to give him a wave goodbye. Once they got to his house, Jonah let out a small sigh. He was hoping his foster parents weren’t waiting at the door for him. He was already trying to cover for Sailor tonight, so him leaving too wasn’t the smartest idea. But he had to help Juliette. He nodded to Juliette once she said to text him, and waved to everyone else. “Bye guys, see you tomorrow. Hopefully.” “Yeah she’s very stubborn.” Stevie shook her head as she thought of Saoirse. “I can always talk to her. Tell her that your my girl and my girl only.” Marina had texted Antonio that she’d come over tonight but once Olivia suggested they cuddle, she sort of forgot about it in the moment. “I will never say no to cuddles.” she said with a smile. “Hold up, your house? No man, we’re going to Juliette’s house.” Stevie wagged her finger in front of Chase’s face. “Stick to the plan.” "We can just makeout by her locker and show her what's up" said Juliette with a little giggle, she liked being just Stevie's girl, and she wanted everyone to know it right now. Desperately. "You are actually sticking to our plan Steve" said Wren as he drove to the Hale house, "Juliette can talk to her parents when it isn't 1 am on a school night" he said as he shook his head, "But right now what is being offered is a bed, some bread probably, and a lot of water". olivia smiled softly at marina, nodding her head. " ahhh, it's a date, " she said and grinned, before leaning her head back and looking out of the window as they drove off, dropping jonah off Gabrielle waited for them to arrive at her house. “Fuck yeah we can. We can make out wherever we want now. We could do whatever the fuck we want.” Stevie couldn’t contain her excitement, she was so ready to show Juliette off to the entire world. After Wren spoke, Stevie furrowed her brows in confusion, “Are you taking us to some anti-gay jail or something?” Once they got to the Hale house, Marina hopped out the car, stumbling a bit before getting her balance back. Stevie also tried her best to get her and Juliette out the car. Once everyone was out of Wren's car he called out goodnight. "I really meant that, by the way" said Wren sitting in the driveway with Chanel. "Like meant it meant it" he added looking down at his lap, not sure if he wanted to see her reaction. "Whoa there little filly" said Chase in a southern accent, just because it was funny, "Need some help?" he asked Marina after he saw her stumble. "I want to go home" said Juliette with a sad face, but she was being taken out of the car. Then her drunk mind remembered Chase had a spare room, "wait hold up, if we go quick we can get that spare room" said Juliette, "I don't want to talk to my parents, I want to go to the bedroom" she said looking at Stevie with a big smile on her face, nodding her head a lot as she stumbled a little. "Bed, now, pleeeeeease" she said as she pressed her mouth against Stevie's. She dashed over to Gabrielle and Olivia, "I'm gonna have S-E-X" she spelled out to her friends, it was very loud and Stevie definitely heard, but as far as Juliette knew she was having a very nice private conversation with Gabrielle and Olivia. when juliette went over to her and gabrielle, olivia looked at the gabbie and then a juliette. i'm gonna have sex. " oh, are you now, " she said and chuckled softly. she had been loud enough, so stevie had definitely heard her. " are you sure you want your first time to be when you're drunk and most likely not gonna be able to remember anything tomorrow though? " Gabrielle got out of the car, happy to be home. As Juliette came over, Gabrielle let out a small laugh. "Just please not in Chases bed." She said. "Go, Go get it girl. Have fun." She turned to Olivia, "10$ she passes out the second she hits the bed." Chanel sat awkwardly in the car as everyone was getting out. She turned her attention to Wren as he began to explain. “I did too, really.” she said truthfully. “Like, I wasn’t just saying it because you said it. I do, love you.” she looked at him with a small smile. “Ah, is it time to get in character?” Marina giggled. “If so, a princess will always accept assistance from her favorite knight.” she said in British accent. Once Juliette mentioned a bedroom, Stevie completely forgot about going to the Hastings’ house. She kissed her girlfriend back deeply and nodded in response, “Then what are we waiting for? Bedroom, now!” Wren looked up to Chanel, "I love you" he said while he was looking at her this time, "I love you and I really mean it" said the boy as he reached out to hold her hand as they sat in the Hale driveway in a car that wasn't even really his. Wren leaned in to kiss her. Chase put his arm around Marina to put her in a small headlock, "Imposter!" he called out, "Wrong accent, you fail the test" he joked as he went to go unlock the carriage house for the girls. "There are lots of sweatshirts and things, go ham. I'm gonna go sleep at Gabrielle's" he announced as the girls filed in, "Help yourself to anything in the fridge". Juliette and Stevie quickly called dibs on the spare room. olivia waved at them and she smiled at marina, " well, girls' night, right? " she said and giggled softly as she walked over to the fridge. " do you wanna keep drinking or do you wanna sleep? " she asked and looked at marina curiously, as their friends had left the two alone. Gabrielle stood outside and waited for Chase. "Do you think they will be okay in there? Without a supervisor and everything?" She said as she reached out and took his hand. Chanel’s smile grew as she heard Wren say that he loved her. This wasn’t exactly the time or place she pictured this happening, but she felt loved by him, and that was the most important part. “We should probably head home, we have some things to take care of.” she said after leaning over to kiss him. Marina laughed as she tried to break free, “I shall never fail!” she announced before walking into the house. “Sounds good, goodnight you two.” she said with a smile. She then turned to Olivia and yawned, “My heart wants one more drink but my brain wants sleep.” she answered as she tugged on Olivia’s arm. “Tonight was fun, we gotta do it again.” "You mean I have things to take care of" said Wren remembering his promise from earlier, "Remember, no touching" he said after they kissed, "All about you".

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believingispowerfulmagic · 5 years ago

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“The Christmas Cottage” Chapter 2: Storybrooke

Storybrooke was too small to have an airport, so Regina had to fly into Portland International Airport and drive the rest of the way. Tink had already made arrangements for her rental car but Regina still had to fight the holiday crowds to get to the rental desk. When she got there, the harried clerk handed her a key. “You’re lucky. That’s the last car,” she told Regina.

“I didn’t know Maine was such a hot destination for Christmas,” Regina replied, taking the keys from her.

The agent shrugged. “Everyone wants a white Christmas and we’re predicted to get a lot of snow between now and Christmas Eve. I guess they couldn’t resist.”

“I guess,” Regina replied. She held up her keys. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Drive safe and have a happy holiday,” the agent told her, doing her best to smile despite how tired she clearly was.

Regina rolled her suitcases out to the lot and found her car—the last Mercedes there. She loaded her big suitcases into the trunk before placing her smaller bags into the backseat. After settling into the passenger seat, she turned the heat all the way up and turned off the GPS but turned on the radio. Even after years of living in New York, she still knew the way to Storybrooke by heart. As she pulled out of the lot, Karen Carpenter crooned that there was no place like home for the holiday and Regina found it fitting.

It was about an hour drive up to Storybrooke, which was a hamlet located on the Maine coast. She followed the highway for almost a half hour before turning off onto a mostly deserted country road that carved its way through a dense forest. Most of the trees had lost their leaves but were coated in white snow. Snow also covered the evergreens that were in the forest and, along with the Christmas music playing, Regina felt the Christmas spirit more than she had in years. A Maine Christmas clearly had nothing on a New York City one for her.

A thrill went through her when she spotted the familiar white and blue sign welcoming people to Storybrooke. She smiled as she passed it, feeling a sense of rightness and calm wash over her. Though she wanted to get to her hotel and get something to eat, she slowed down so she could get a good look at the town as she drove through it—and so she didn’t get a ticket for speeding from whoever was sheriff now.

It was about five miles from the town line to the first building, which was the ranger station. The building was locked up for the night but one of the evergreen trees outside the building had been decorated with lights and a star, welcoming Regina back. As she turned onto Main Street, she smiled at the other Christmas decorations that filled the town—including the lights, garlands and wreaths that hung over the streets from wires tied to the lampposts lining the curbs. Many of the stores and the apartments over them had lights and other decorations illuminating the dark December night. And she had to laugh when she spotted the familiar sleigh “crashed” into Granny’s Diner. There weren’t many people out at that time though she could see the diner was filled with many patrons. She figured it was too cold and so most people were seeking the warmth of being indoors, whether in their own homes or not.

She left Main Street and entered the more residential area, which was just as devoid of people but just as lit up. Regina looked at their decorations with a pang of jealousy, wishing she had the time and space to really go out like them. One day, she promised herself. Maybe next year if you make partner.

As she drove down Mifflin Street, she tried not to look at the large white house bearing the number 108. She tried not to think of the days she spent running up and down that very street before going to greet her father when he got home from work at the cannery. And she tried not to think of all the happy Christmases they spent together in that house. But she failed and a lump formed in her throat as tears filled her eyes. While she loved the feeling visiting Storybrooke gave her, she also avoided it so she wouldn’t think of everything she had lost—especially her father.

It also didn’t help that Elvis was now singing about how he was going to have a Blue Christmas.

Regina swallowed past the lump as she reached the end of Mifflin Street, arriving at the harbor. Personal boats were moored at the marina, many of them covered in Christmas lights as well. Some of the ships in the harbor were decorated much the same and she smiled through her tears, always appreciating how much the Christmas spirit permeated through the town. It made her feel a little bit better as she made a left turn, heading away from the cannery and toward her hotel at last.

The Mist Haven Lodge rose up before her and Regina took a moment to admire the building. It had been built during the Victorian era, the gables and the two red polygonal towers flanking the main building, painted white with red shutters, attesting to that. Red shingles covered the roof. The porch stretched from one tower to the other, red and green bunting hanging from the eaves. Evergreen bushes grew along the porch, matching the evergreen trees that surrounded the property, and were decorated for Christmas like the rest of the town.

Regina had always admired the Lodge and had often begged her father to stay there. Her mother had scoffed at her request, saying it was a waste of money since they lived in Storybrooke and could just stay in their house. She also insisted that Regina was too young and immature to eat in the restaurants housed in the Lodge. “Our family is very respectable in this town. We don’t need you embarrassing us with your childish antics,” she had said, sniffing in disdain as her husband chided her.

When her parents got divorced, Regina’s father Henry took her to the Lodge for dinner. He told her not to worry about anything and to just enjoy herself. She felt very grown up in one of her favorite dresses (a red one that had been her Christmas dress, she recalled) and she recalled the large ice cream sundae she had split with her father. While others she knew whose parents had divorced had a rough time of it, she was much happier without her critical mother around anymore.

While her father got primary custody, Regina still had to spend time with her mother. Thankfully, her mother was not as big into Christmas her father had been and was often away on a child-free cruise during the holiday, so Regina could celebrate in Storybrooke with her father. She did have to spend a good chunk of the summer with Cora out in California and it became tradition that her father would take her to eat at the Lodge the day before she left and the day she returned.

Yet they still never stayed in the Lodge.

Henry had promised her that they would for her eighteenth birthday, saying he would book a full weekend package so she could be absolutely pampered. She had been so excited and had started to count down to her birthday.

Her father had a heart attack right after that Christmas. She had raced to the hospital when she got the call from his secretary but there was nothing the doctors could do. Regina barely had a chance to say goodbye to her beloved father before he slipped away from her, leaving her. She didn’t feel like celebrating, even when those around her encouraged her to still go to the Lodge for her birthday. Or when her friends offered to send her after they graduated high school. It just didn’t seem right to go without her father and so she never stayed in the Lodge, that childhood dream remaining unfilled.

Until now.

She pulled into the driveway and parked in one of the spots reserved for people who were checking in. Leaving her bags in the car, she hurried up the porch and entered the lobby.

Warmth enveloped her immediately and she paused, taking in the lobby. Gold carpeting lined a large area filled with wood tables, matching chairs and red couches. Old-fashioned lamps and telephones rested one some tables, making it feel like a rather large living room than a hotel lobby. White tile framed the area and a beautiful crystal chandelier hung over head. Her eyes travelled upward, taking in the five floors of the resort. Guests and staff walked along the hallways, some guests leaning against the railing to look down on the lobby from their floor. Everything always seemed so opulent and she now felt woefully underdressed in her black pants and blue shirt under her black wool Princess cut coat.

She kept to the tiled part of the floor as she walked to the front desk, located directly opposite the front doors. The heels on her boots clicked as she passed a little store and what appeared to be a bar area before she got to the desk. Regina pulled out the printout of her reservation confirmation, setting it on the counter as she smiled at the clerk waiting there. “Checking in.”

“Okay,” the young man said, taking her paper. He typed something into the computer before nodding. “You’re here for the Blanchard-Nolan wedding?”

“I am,” she confirmed.

Clicking was the only noise for a few moments as he typed in her information, nodding as he pulled something up on the screen. “Okay, Ms. Mills, I have your reservation right here. I see you made an alteration to your reservation the other day, changing it to only one adult. Is that correct?”

“Yes,” she said, fighting the bitterness and disappointment coursing through her. It was not the time to deal with those.

“Okay, so do you want one or two keycards?” he asked her.

“Two,” she replied. “Just in case.”

He nodded, pulling two plastic cards out and running them through the scanner to put her room information on them. She watched as he tucked them into a cardboard holder, writing something on the back before he placed them on the counter. “Okay, you are in room 323. Most of the guests here for the wedding are staying on that floor. I’ve written the password for our wifi on the card as well. If you have any questions or need anything, do not hesitate to call us here at the front desk. We are here to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.”

“Thank you,” she said, glad to hear there was wifi. She had a lot of work she needed to try to get done in between everything for the wedding.

“We hope you enjoy your time with us here at Mist Haven,” he said before handing over a piece of paper. “This is your parking pass. Parking is in the back. Please park in spaces that are marked for hotel guests.”

Regina thanked him, taking back her confirmation paper when she grabbed her parking pass. She headed back to her car and drove around to the parking lot, finding a spot not far from the side entrance. It took her two trips but she got all her bags out of the car and she settled into Room 323

The room was painted a soft yellow color with an off-white carpet. A king-sized four poster bed sat against the wall, white blankets and pillows covering it. Two nightstands flanked it, a lamp on one and the phone on the other. A beautiful wooden desk lined the wall opposite the bed, complete with a lamp and several plugs there. Regina was relieved to find a comfortable looking leather chair there, knowing she would be doing a lot of sitting in it. She rested her suitcase next to the chest of drawers that had the TV sitting on it. A closet was located to her left along with the mini-fridge, ice bucket and glasses. Yellow curtains were pulled open, revealing she had French doors that led to a balcony.

She walked over and opened them, stepping onto the white balcony. There was a small metal table and two chairs out there, though she doubted she would spend much time out there due to the cold. Regina leaned against the railing, admiring the beautiful view of the forest and mountains behind the resort. Lights from the hotel glistened off the snow and it seemed like a painting come to life.

It was the perfect setting for Mary Margaret and David’s fairy-tale Christmas wedding. It was the perfect setting for a romantic Christmas vacation.

And she was all alone.

Regina pushed that thought away as she grabbed her phone. She hit Daniel’s contact and pressed the phone to her ear, counting the rings. Disappointment flooded her when his voicemail picked up but she tried to sound as cheery as possible as she left him a message.

“Hey, Daniel. I’m settled into my room here at the Lodge. I’m in Room 323 in case you need to reach me. The room is absolutely gorgeous. I can see why people always wanted to stay here, especially given the good views. My room faces the forests but I’m sure the other side has beautiful views of the harbor and ocean.

“Anyway, I’m going to get ready for dinner with everyone,” she continued. “I’m really excited to see them again but I miss you. Hope we can talk tonight. I love you and I’ll see you soon.”

She ended the call and placed her phone on the desk. With a deep sigh, she opened one of her suitcases and pulled out her garment bag. It was time to get ready and to start the wedding festivities. And she was going to enjoy herself.

Continue reading on FFN, AO3 or Wattpad

#once upon a time #outlaw queen #oq au #oq ff #oq advent #the christmas cottage

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theashemarie · 5 years ago

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Meet Me On the Rink Ch. 2 | Pearlina

[“I like to go fast, Marina told her last week, and Pearl sees it now. The long profile of her body as she moves the quad skates, gliding as fast as she can around all the people, in tempo with Wet Floor’s Don’t Slip. She’s built for it, all those long lines, those muscled legs, the pumping of her arms. It’s intoxicating to watch her, especially for someone like Pearl, who loves these skates and this rink like she loves her home. Someone like Marina is exactly who she needs.”]

[Roller Derby AU. A belated offering for Pearlina Week!]

☆ Reblogs appreciated! ☆

[Crossposted on AO3]

↪Chapter 1: [Don’t Slip] ↪Chapter 2: [Pick Me Up, Jump Lightly] (You are here!)

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Chapter 2: Pick Me Up, Jump Lightly

Luckily for Pearl, Marie doesn’t put Marina in for the whole first period. And most of the second. Pearl keeps her mind on her skates and on the match, barely looks at Marina as she skates circles around the track. Really, it might be a good thing that Marina’s there, watching her every move, because Pearl has never been so laser-focused on a match in her life. Purposefully ignoring the eyes trained on her back, on her face, as she skates low, with long strides, Pearl plays the best game she’s ever played.

Eight can’t touch her, mostly because Three is always on top of her. Pearl hears them collide multiple times as she skims past. Once, she even hears Three hiss a low “watch it!” when Eight plows right into her stomach, sending her out of bounds. The next time they make impact, Pearl swears she hears Eight apologize.

Four is a whole other matter. She and Pearl stick close to each other like they’re magnetized, and they even bump into each other a few times when their blockers shove them together. Four grins up at her every time it happens, as if she’s having the best time of her life, and Pearl jokingly tells her, “Get off me. I almost have a girlfriend.” That actually makes her laugh. They’re forced apart after that by Three and Eight, who are trying to set up for whips.

Pearl doesn’t play in every jam because an hour of intense skating would wear anyone out, even her. But she does play when it counts. The score stays pretty even, with each side jostling forward into the lead every couple jams. The crowd is uncontrollable, and Pearl isn’t sure where the lines are drawn. The reaction is explosive no matter what happens on the track.

Callie and Marie even seem like they’ve managed to find some chill, at least for a bit. They grin at each other from across the rink and even nod in congratulations when the other team manages to score. Really, it seems like everyone is having a good time.

Marina slides back and forth between rooting on her own team and rooting on Pearl. When Pearl does anything cool, like slipping underneath Eight’s outstretched arms, she cheers, hops up and down, claps excitedly. When Four scores, she does the same. Her teammates look at her every time she cheers at the wrong time, but she doesn’t seem to care. At one point, Pearl sees Eight approach her and try to talk to her, probably trying to tell her to play it cool, but Marina merely shakes her head and smiles a sunny smile right in Pearl’s direction.

But then, the match is coming to an end and Marina hasn’t played. Pearl knows what’s coming when they get to the last jam and the score is close. Creatures of the Smack Lagoon is down three points. They have to manage a grand slam while also keeping Fresh2Death from scoring. The good news is that Four looks battered and exhausted. She’s taken quite a few spills—mostly thanks to Three—but Marie sends her in anyway.

The bad news is that, as they’re lining up, Pearl and Four behind the jammer line, Three and Eight staring each other down with barely veiled heat right in front of them, Marie waves Marina in. Marina only has eyes for Pearl as she skates onto the track, and she mouths “No hard feelings,” as she takes her place.

“Oh, a wildcard!” the announcer calls. “Fresh2Death has finally fielded their newest player: Cherry Hyperbomb! Bold move during the last jam!”

Pearl grimaces in Marina’s direction but doesn’t say anything back. Her legs and back are aching and she’s pretty sure she could pass out right now if given a soft enough surface, but she has to do this. She has to win this for them, like she did last year. She can manage one more grand slam. All she has to do is beat Four out of the pack so she can be lead jammer. Then she has to score.

Judd blows his whistle and Pearl and Four take off. Four falls behind quickly, most likely because she wants Pearl to be in the middle of the pack, held back by all of the blockers, so she can slide around and get the lead. But Pearl is smarter than that, she jukes to the right before heading left, right toward Three. Three grabs her hand and whips her right past Eight and another of Fresh2Death’s blockers. There’s a patch of pink ink ahead, right before a grate. All Pearl has to do is reach it.

That’s exactly when Marina appears, her long legs easily taking one stride to Pearl’s two. She gets right in front of Pearl, throws her arm out, makes it impossible for Pearl to move right. Pearl can feel herself being herded left, shoved toward out of bounds, where she’ll be forced to reenter the track behind Marina.

“’Reena, get out of my way,” she pushes out between her teeth. Pearl slows just enough and jerks right, where she has a little more breathing room. Marina shadows her, trying to stay in front of her.

“No way,” Marina trills back. “You’re stuck with me now!”

They’ve only been on one date (maybe two, maybe three), but that almost makes Pearl stumble. Almost. Instead, she jukes again and pushes herself left, ducks under Marina’s arm, and lands right in the ink. She pushes her body as hard as she can, moves her tentacles in their quickest rhythm, and swims through. All the practice with Three helps. She’s weightless as a squid—the heavy skates disappear and there’s no drag from her clothes, only her tentacles and her pointed body, sailing through the ink.

When she gets to the end of the patch, she throws herself out of it. Her skates reform, along with her limbs and her lungs, desperate for air from all this exertion, but she’s ready. She lands right on her feet and looks back to grin at Marina.

But Marina isn’t behind her. She’s next to her. “Pearlie!” she sing-songs just from the right.

Pearl stumbles then but doesn’t fall. She plants her toe brake and kicks off, tries to make it look like she meant to do that. Marina laughs again.

They’re close enough to the rest of the pack that it still counts. Above the din of the crowd, Pearl can just hear the announcer, “Oh! And there goes Loch Mess Monster! Kraken Skullz isn’t pulling any punches today!”

Three got Four out of the way, shoved her out of bounds, at least for now. Odds are, Three is falling back as far as she can, trying to put Four at least forty feet behind Pearl because she has to reenter the track behind her. It’s a cheap tactic, but it gives Pearl an opening. All she has to get is get around Marina.

The grate is coming up, followed by the smallest part of the curve. If Pearl can get through the grate, all she has to do is hop the curve and she’ll be free.

Marina is keeping up with her though, followed closely by Eight. Together, they jostle Pearl, trying to move her away from the inside of the track because they know she’s going to try to jump it. It’s a patented Pearlverizer move—and it’s technically legal. All you do is leap out of bounds for a second, never touch the floor, from one part of the track to the other. It’s easy.

But first, the grate. Marina is ahead of her now, so she’ll have to squid through it, which should give Pearl just enough breathing room to get away from her. Eight will fall behind because she never takes the grates and always goes around, so all Pearl has to do is break free of Marina.

Marina gets to the grate before her and Pearl slows a touch to see her jump through it, trying to gauge which way she’ll angle toward.

But, she doesn’t turn into a squid.

She doesn’t jump through it.

Marina jumps over it.

Pearl can’t believe her eyes. Marina coils her long legs and leaps, shoving her toe brakes into the floor one after the other, and sails right over the five-foot-tall grate.

Pearl doesn’t get a chance to see her land. She slams right into the grate, face first, and the last thing she sees is the bright lights of her own rink.

+++

When Pearl comes to, she realizes immediately that it’s only been a couple minutes, tops. She’s laying on one of the benches beside the track and the crowd is quiet, as if in respect for a fallen player. Three is there, hovering above her, and Eight is beside her, and there’s Marina too. She can hear arguing, just out of the range of her detailed hearing—it’s all tone, conveyed by two voices, one calm and one incredibly angry. Pearl is pretty sure it’s Callie and Marie.

“She’s awake!” Three calls and Eight puts her hand under Pearl’s head when she moves to sit up.

“Okay?” Eight asks, helping Pearl all the way up. She leaves her hands out, as if Pearl is going to pass out again. “That was quite the impact.”

Pearl forgets how weird Eight’s speech patterns can get, but it’s reassuring right now. Her overly-formal approach helps ground Pearl. If she can talk like that, then things aren’t too desperate.

“Yeah,” she says and reaches up to rub her head. Her whole face hurts and her chest is throbbing with every beat of her hearts. Carefully, she lifts her tank top and winces. There’s a light crisscross pattern decorating her skin, but luckily only a few of the wounds look deep. Most of them will fade come tomorrow. “What hit me?” she jokes, trying to make everyone calm down.

The crowd, seeing her sit, lets out a smattering of applause. Callie and Marie, who are standing in the middle of the rink with Judd between them, turn and look at her.

“See, she’s fine.” Marie’s voice is calm, with just enough bite to let everyone know that she’s pissed. “There’s no need for all this fuss.”

“Sure there is!” Callie throws her hands up and rounds on Judd, pointing a finger squarely at Marie. “Her blocker broke the rules!”

“There’s nothing in the rules that prohibits jumping the grates,” Marie forces out through her teeth.

“Well there should be! You almost killed my best jammer!”

Pearl groans. She’s been hurt before, even cracked her head open once on someone else’s skate, but it’s been a while. Her father’s going to have a fit.

“Pearl...” Marina is still there, standing awkwardly behind Eight. Hands wringing, she looks like she wants to scoop Pearl up into a hug, or at least check her over for injuries, but she’s holding herself back. “I’m sorry.”

Pearl shakes her head and moves to stand, just to prove to all of them that she’s okay. Her skates slip on the ground and she falls right back onto her ass.

“Nah uh,” Three admonishes. “Medics said you can’t skate for a few days.”

All right, so maybe she was out for a little longer than she thought, if the medics were able to check her over. Still, this whole thing is bullshit. It’s not like she was splatted. She just suffered a mild impact. She’s had worse.

“Then get ‘em off.” Pearl reaches down to undo her laces but her head twinges, sending a flurry of sparks into her vision. She groans and leans back. Eight’s hands easily catch her.

“Here, let me.” Marina pushes through and crouches, still in her skates. Her long fingers pick at Pearl’s laces, easily pulling them free of the tight knot, and she tugs one skate off in record time. Pearl feels her face flush when Marina looks up at her from under her hair, sheepish.

“You must relax,” Eight says, rubbing her fingers into the coiled muscles in Pearl’s back. “You’ve suffered head trauma.”

“Head trauma my ass.” Pearl doesn’t try to argue further, mostly because Marina pulls the other skate free and suddenly, she’s stuck in her socked feet. The sensation makes her feel like she’s fifteen years old again and being fitted for her first pair of shoes. Vulnerable. Excited. Out of her depth with all these new fingers and toes.

Except now she’s overwhelmed for a whole different reason. Marina sets her skates side-by-side and sits down right beside Pearl. She’s so close that Pearl can practically feel her skin, millimeters away, and it puts her whole, aching body on high alert.

Three, who Pearl completely forgot about, appears with Pearl’s sneakers, which she drops at her feet. “Don’t expect me to put ‘em on you,” Three says. Then, she looks at Marina. “You either. She can leave once she can get them on.”

“Yes Mom,” Pearl mutters.

“Don’t make me call your father,” Three says, dark, a clear threat.

Marina places her hand on top of Pearl’s but doesn’t close her fingers. Pearl doesn’t react, mostly because her brain is a bunch of fuzz and she can’t quite comprehend the meaning behind that. “I can take her home,” Marina offers.

“No!” Pearl and Three says at once, loud. The force of it makes Pearl’s head twinge again. “No,” Pearl continues, “I have a car.”

“Don’t you drive a motorcycle?” Three adds helpfully. “I don’t think she can handle that right now.”

Marina sighs but acquiesces quickly. She doesn’t have any idea that Pearl is a Houzuki—the only Houzuki heir—and Pearl would really like to keep it that way. Hime Houzuki is nothing like the real Pearl, and she doesn’t want Marina to get her confused. Plus, she likes that Marina only sees her as the roller derby girl, like this is her whole life. She wishes this was her whole life.

Her head is starting to hurt now, finally, and she can’t really focus. There’s no way she’s getting her shoes on anytime soon. She groans again.

+++

Her father puts her under the rich equivalent of house arrest, which means that she’s only allowed to do things on-grounds, which includes tennis, basketball, bowling, laser tag... There are so many places she can hide on the estate that she doesn’t bother even trying to. Instead, she just leaves. None of the drivers are allowed to take her anywhere but she has a license and all the keys.

She spends Sunday and Monday at The Lagoon. Three texts her, but she doesn’t reply. Eight shows up, sees her skating around on Monday, and joins her. They don’t talk, but afterwards Pearl thinks that she understands a her a little better. Skating and Three—that’s her whole world, and Pearl is part of Three’s world. But, Eight also knows that sometimes people have to do what they gotta do—and that involves defying direct orders from a medical professional. Skating clears her head, medical advice be damned.

“There will be a rematch,” Eight says as she’s kicking her skates off that evening, “once you feel better.”

Pearl nods, because she knew there would be. Technically, Fresh2Death won the last one, but Marie is fair. And, she has to live with Callie and with her team, all of whom are chomping at the bit for a fair rematch. There’s no point in winning if it’s cheap.

“Wanna hang out on Wednesday?” Pearl hears herself ask as she walks Eight to the doors. “Three will be here.”

Eight grins and nods, sending her strange hair bouncing. “I would like that. We can race.”

Pearl pushes the door open and gestures her through. “Since I’m hurt, you’ll actually stand a chance.”

Eight laughs, a high chiming sound. It puts Pearl at ease. She can see why Three likes her so much.

“Should I invite Marina?” Eight asks.

Pearl swallows once. “I’ll do it.”

+++

Here’s the thing. Pearl isn’t someone who gets embarrassed easily. Between a childhood marked by isolation and etiquette training, a young adulthood marked by derby and screamo concerts, and an adulthood characterized by time split between the two—etiquette and derby—she hasn’t had time to learn to be embarrassed. She just does things and deals with the consequences as well as she can, often with a stubborn refusal to really dwell on her own screwups. Her whole life she’s been a reactionary, and she tries not to think too much because hindsight is 20/20 so there’s no point. She’s too busy racing forward.

But this whole thing with Marina has her thinking. That evening, she lays in the middle of her bed, staring up at her ceiling—where half of the glow-in-the-dark stars are gone and the rest don’t glow much anymore—and she can’t stop.

Because the truth is that she’s embarrassed and she’s upset with herself for how the last jam went down. She was so preoccupied with Marina, with her long strides and her fast skating, and that jump—

Marina jumped the grate and Pearl was so enthralled that she forgot herself. She forgot the match, she forgot the rink, she even forgot her skates. She slammed into the grate and knocked herself out because she was so distracted by Marina.

She let her team down. She let herself down. The one part of her life that she has control over, and she blew it.

And now... Now she has a date with Marina tomorrow. Coffee, like they planned last week, a lifetime ago. Marina texted her fifteen minutes ago asking if they were still on and Pearl, in all her infinite dumbass wisdom, answered yes! right away. Now, she’s here—lying on her bed, staring up at the ceiling and trying to think her way out of this whole scenario.

Because she likes Marina. She’s only known her for three weeks, but she can feel herself falling fast and hard. Hell, when she first laid eyes on Marina she felt that magnetism. It’s a dangerous feeling, especially when Pearl is feeling brave, that magnetism—it pulls at her and she can’t say no.

And then she ends up running face first into a grate at high speed during the most important match of the year.

She’s been letting herself down for a while now. All this pretending—pretending not to be Pearl on the weekdays, pretending not to be Hime on the weekends. Now she has to pretend not to know Marina on the rink. Or else she’ll ruin everything.

She’s getting very tired of pretending.

But she just has to make it work.

+++

Pearl wears a crown to coffee.

She’s not sure why, but she dons her favorite one, the one that makes her feel invincible, along with her ripped jeans and her nicest crop top—midriff bare, skating abs on full display. Crowns are usually reserved for when she’s playing the role of Hime—ribbon cuttings at her father’s newest homeless shelter, business meetings in her father’s stead, where she functions as a figurehead more than anything, over-the-top birthday parties in honor of her father’s associates’ children—but today she needs it. She needs to feel like she’s in control of the room, like she isn’t a grungy little brat on a second date and is, in fact, an heiress about to impress the girl of her dreams.

Or, something like that.

It feels weird to be wearing the crown without hair brushing the backs of her knees, but she gets used to it quickly. She takes public transit and ignores all the second looks and the cell phones pointed at her. She puts her hands in her pockets and slumps into the train seat, legs spread, like a proper butch, and feels more like herself than she has in years.

That helps with her whole embarrassment issue. She doesn’t have anything to hide behind, dressed like this, so she has to face everything head on. Her jeans are tight, her hair is short, and she has a crown. She is Pearl (birth name Hime) Houzuki, and she’s going to get over herself and find some kind of balance. She’s going to learn to be like Three, to be like Eight, to separate all the pieces of her life into their appropriate boxes so she can enjoy each moment to the fullest.

“Isn’t that Hime Houzuki?” she hears a woman ask her friend. She grins up at her, a shark bite of a thing, and leans forward on her knees.

“The name’s Pearl.”

+++

Marina beats her and already has a table picked out. Pearl orders something random off the menu and ends up with a chai latte, which she doesn’t touch once she sits down. She faces down Marina with her hands clasped around her cup, taking strength from its warmth. Marina grins softly at her and doesn’t say anything right away, just watches her.

It makes Pearl fidget and her leg begins to jostle the table, which just makes Marina chuckle.

“I like the crown,” Marina finally says. “It looks good on you.”

Pearl brings her cup to her lips, just to give herself a chance to think. She doesn’t drink though. “You been waiting long?”

“No, not at all. It’s nice to see you.”

“Likewise.” Pearl’s leg is bouncing at a crescendoing tempo and she forces it to slow down. “Look, about Saturday—”

Marina waves a hand. “That doesn’t matter. We were both surprised. I’m really sorry about startling you during the last jam. I feel awful.”

Pearl adjusts her crown a little and sighs. “It was my fault for not paying attention.”

Marina reaches across the table and takes one of Pearl’s hands. “It wasn’t. Honestly, when I was practicing that move, I didn’t think I’d be using it on you. The whole game, I considered not doing it. But then the moment came, and I just wanted to win so I did it anyway.”

Pearl looks down at their hands, at the way Marina’s fingers could fit all the way around Pearl’s small palm, and it calms her some. Her leg’s jiggling slows down. “Why didn’t you go through the grates?”

It’s a genuine question and Pearl looks up to see Marina’s face harden a little. Her mouth falls into a grim line and Pearl opens her mouth to backpedal, to take it back, but then Marina speaks before she can.

She adjusts her bandanna, pushing it back and making sure it stays over her ears. “It’s because I’m an octoling,” she says, voice as serious as her face.

That makes Pearl laugh. She snorts and leans back in her seat, careful not to pull her hand out of Marina’s. “Pssh, yeah right. Okay, don’t tell me.” Marina’s face doesn’t change, but Pearl is already plowing ahead. “Anyway, no hard feelings. And I won’t go easy on you next time either. I’m wise to your tricks now.”

Marina sighs and smiles, as if a great weight has been lifted off her shoulders. “I wouldn’t expect any less from The Pearlverizer.”

Pearl grins and flips her hand so that she can run her thumb over the back of Marina’s hand. She doesn’t answer, mostly because hearing Marina say her derby name fills her with an extravagant amount of pride.

“One thing though.” Marina pulls her hand free. Pearl tries to ignore how cold her fingers feel. “You could’ve told me who you were.”

Pearl feels a spark of fear, which makes her whole body go cold. She considers lying, trying to hide it, but Marina has this look on her face that says don’t fuck with me on this. Pearl sighs in defeat.

“Was it the crown?” Pearl asks, trying to make light of the situation, for her own sake.

Marina’s eyes travel up and rest there for a second. “Well, that certainly helped, but no. I’m not blind. The car, the driver, you didn’t want me to take you home. Plus...” Marina fishes her phone from her pocket and offers it up. Pearl takes it and grimaces when she realizes what’s on screen.

A picture, taken last week at the grand re-opening of Camp Triggerfish for the summer, Pearl in a floor-length sundress, hair down to her thighs, her smallest crown on her head, sandals on her feet, with a gentle smile on her face, standing at the microphone and giving the same speech she gave every year. The act is good, really; Pearl barely recognizes herself. But Marina is smarter than most people.

“You caught me.” Pearl pushes the phone back. “I do it for my dad.”

“I prefer the short hair,” Marina says. Pearl blinks in surprise. She expected some kind of blow up, some kind of argument, but instead Marina is smiling down at the Hime-Pearl on her phone. “When it’s long like that it makes you look tiny.”

Pearl rolls her eyes and leans on her elbow. “Try telling my dad. He says long hair makes me look regal. I hate it. It’s such a pain to sleep in.”

Marina chuckles and pushes one long tentacle out of her face. “I had short hair for most of my life,” she reveals, and Pearl is momentarily distracted by her hands as they twirl the tentacle around her finger. “It’s nice to change sometimes, y’know?”

Pearl looks down at her drink. Still warm, but she doesn’t have the stomach for it. Not anymore. “You’re really not mad that I lied to you?”

Marina shrugs and leans back in her seat. She crosses one leg over the other and Pearl can just see the top of her knee. “What’s there to be mad about? Necessary secrets aren’t lying, at least to me. Sometimes, they keep you alive.”

“I wouldn’t go that far...” Pearl mutters. She squints at Marina, trying to puzzle through that. So cryptic, so serious. “Just a double life,” she says eventually, when Marina reveals nothing. “No biggie.”

“We all have those, I think.” Marina takes a long suck of her drink through the straw and Pearl watches her throat move as she swallows. She shifts in her seat, trying to make herself comfortable again. “Yours is just obvious to those of us who know how to look. I admire it. You’re taking control.”

Pearl sits up a little straighter at the praise. “Well, you know how it is. Derby is my life. The rest of it is just what I have to do.”

Marina nods. “I get that. A few months ago, I had to pick one: what I wanted or what I had to do. So far, it’s been working out.”

Pearl can’t imagine that. She doesn’t know what would happen if she decided to give up her public life as the heiress of the Houzuki fortune. She thinks the world might implode—or, at least, her father would.

“What’d you pick?” Pearl asks. She sits back in her seat and crosses her arms, trying to shield herself from Marina’s piercing gaze.

Marina answers easily, without a pause. “What I wanted. It was an easy choice, mostly because I realized that they were the same—what I wanted was what I needed.”

Pearl swallows thickly. If only her choices were that simple. “Well, I’m glad you made that decision. I’m glad I got to meet you.”

Marina smiles then and leans forward to grab Pearl’s hand again. “Me too. I’m glad I got to meet you, Pearl. Or is it Hime?”

She’s clearly teasing, and Pearl lets out a peel of laughter. “Pearl, if you please. Only reporters call me Hime.”

Marina squeezes her hand and doesn’t let go.

+++

Wednesday again and Pearl opens the rink with a jangle of her keys. Three is there, waiting outside the door, with her skates in one hand and a splattershot in the other. She pushes in as soon as Pearl clicks the lock open, nearly hitting Pearl with the door, and she throws her stuff on the closest bench.

“You invited Eight,” she accuses, with one finger leveled in Pearl’s direction, “and didn’t tell me.”

“I invited Marina too.” Pearl pushes Three’s hand away and goes toward the rental counter. There are a few orphaned skates that she needs to reunite and it’s safer back there, away from Three’s wrath.

“What is this? A double date?”

One problem: Three follows her like an angry shadow. Pearl tries to ignore her as she scoops up a skate. Size six.

“Don’t ignore me, Pearl. Or else I’ll tell Marina about the time you brought your boyfriend to a match and he—”

Pearl whips around. She holds the skate up like a weapon. “Don’t you fucking dare. I’m trying to forget about that.”

“What? The boyfriend? Or the fact that he was so threatened by you that he ran away?”

“The heterosexuality. I was seventeen. Let it go.”

“No way. Not when you pull shit like this. Why did you invite them?”

“Head trauma?”

That makes Three laugh, which takes the tension out of the situation. “You have the hardest head I know. If it didn’t kill you, you’re fine. What’s going on? You know we have a rematch coming up. We can’t afford to get all buddy-buddy.”

Pearl sighs and looks back down at the skates. She easily spies the matching size six and stoops down to grab it. “I just have a lot going on, okay? I wanna spend time with my friends. And I think Marina and I are... Y’know. Gonna end up like you and Eight. At least I hope so. I’m trying my best out here to make it happen. But I don’t know if I can do like you. Pretend we don’t know each other during a derby, I mean.”

Three makes a small noise of understanding. Carefully, she bends down to pick up a skate, checks its size on the tongue, and searches for its pair. “I think it’s a little unfair. But if you like someone enough, you make it work. At least, that’s my reasoning. It’s only an hour a year anyway.”

When she says it like that, Pearl isn’t sure what she’s so worried about. But then, she’s not sure she can continue to do all this compartmentalizing. Three has more experience and it’s still hurting her—she often attends Fresh2Death’s matches to support Eight and has to hide from Marie. Otherwise it’ll get back to Callie and she’ll never hear the end of it. Pearl isn’t sure she can do all that.

“It’s more than that,” Pearl mutters. She pairs up another set of skates and shoves them onto a shelf with the others of their size. “Don’t you think it’s weird that we have to hide? I’m not saying this is some star-crossed love story but...”

Three shrugs and picks at the laces on a skate, trying to get out a double-knot. “Maybe, but you know how Callie and Marie are. They don’t want us going easy on each other.”

Pearl snorts and stretches her arms above her head. Her t-shirt is long and big, big enough to fit two Pearls inside, and it barely lifts past her knees with her stretch. “But they’re allowed to be best friends outside of derby? Doesn’t seem fair.”

“They’re cousins,” Three reasons. She kicks at a skate and sends it rolling.

Pearl shakes her head because that’s not an excuse, but there’s no use in talking about this anymore. Three idolizes Callie to a certain degree and her life is going perfectly right now. She has her girlfriend, her team, and her time with Pearl, who’s been her best friend for a while. She isn’t about to start throwing shade in any direction other than her own, even with Pearl.

But Pearl... Pearl is trying to learn how to do this. It was hard enough when she thought Marina was just a derby fan and Pearl needed to keep her other life from her. Now, Marina knows about the Hime side of her, but things still seem complicated.

“Let’s focus on the good. You two kiss yet?”

Pearl sputters and drops the skate in her hands. “What? No!”

“Really?” Three looks at her like she doesn’t recognize her. “Usually, you would’a been all over that by now. You getting soft on me?”

Pearl looks down at her hands, at her short nails and her soft, moisturized palms (because she has to shake a lot of hands). She shrugs in response.

“You like her that much, huh?” Three claps a hand on Pearl’s shoulder. “You’ll figure it out. C’mon, let’s finish this before Eight and Marina get here.”

+++

When Marina and Eight arrive, the skates are put away and Three is in the booth setting up the music. They take to the rink and skate circles, doing tricks and racing. There’s no tension and no hint that they’re on opposite teams. Eight and Marina seems to be close, closer than Pearl realized, and they mutter to each other in some sort of code—or is that a different language? Pearl isn’t sure. But, once, Pearl cuts Eight off around a curve and she lets out a loud sound that’s all consonants. That sends Marina into fits of laughter that double her over and Pearl and Three can only watch in bewilderment.

“Octo thing,” Three mutters to herself. Pearl shakes her head because she isn’t sure she heard right but she doesn’t have a chance to ask because Three pushes off the wall and plows right into Eight. They go down in a heap of laughter and Pearl looks away as their faces meet each other.

Marina and Pearl don’t touch the whole time, painfully aware of Three and Eight. They keep a respectable distance between them and skate viciously when it’s just the two of them, trying to outpace each other around the track. In the end, Pearl wins, but only because she jumps the corners. Marina smiles at her when she’s declared the winner by an excited Three and the sight of it helps strengthen Pearl’s resolve.

As they’re taking their skates off, a ritual that Pearl is starting to become way more aware of, Three leans into Eight’s side and lets out an exhausted laugh. “Y’know, I was kinda skeptical about this because this is mine and Pearl’s thing, but it was nice to have you here. I miss you.”

Eight chuckles low in her throat and gives Three such a tender glance that it embarrasses Pearl to see. “We see each other every day.”

“Yeah well! I still miss you!”

Marina, who is sitting across from Pearl, seems amused but uninterested in their conversation. Instead, she leans across the gap as if she has a secret. “Do you want me to take you home?”

“You really want to get me on that bike of yours, huh?” Pearl stretches her legs out, toes pointed to the sky, to release her muscles of their tension.

Marina leans on one of her hands, elbow against her knee. “Maybe. We both like speed.”

That much is true. Still, the image of Marina leaning over, focused only on Pearl, makes her face and neck go warm. She sees Marina’s eyes travel down, watching the blush, and it just makes her blush more.

“Yeah...” Pearl eventually answers. “I mean, I’d like you to take me home.”

Marina smiles and it’s so indulgent and happy that Pearl has to look away. Three and Eight are watching them now, beaming, and Pearl stands up so she can get away from all this. There’s only so much she can handle at once.

As she goes to tidy up the already tidy skate counter, she hears Eight mutter something in that language again. Marina lets out a chiming bell of laughter and Pearl decides that she is very, very much (probably) falling in love.

#splatoon #splatoon 2 #pearlina #off the hook #ashe writes #ashe talks #i'm really tired omfg #long post #i'd prefer that you read this on ao3 but if you insist on tumblr i won't judge

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hookedonapirate · 6 years ago

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To Play the Game (and win your heart)

Summary: Some people would call it a job, but to Emma and her sister, Milah, it’s a game of the heart. Play by the rules and you’ll never get hurt.

Whatever you call swindling wealthy men out of their money, this con-artist duo has it down to a tee. Milah sets up an available, rich man and gets him to marry her. Emma seduces and lures the husband into having an affair so he’ll get caught in the act. He then loses his money in the ensuing divorce.

The sisters wear a coat of armor around their hearts to keep them intact, but when they set their sights on their next mark, professional golfer Killian “Hook” Jones, Emma never imagined how hard the game could be and how easily her heart could be stolen—especially when she switches roles with Milah and becomes the one exchanging vows with the gorgeous multi-millionaire. Heartbreakers AU.

Artwork by: @distant-rose

Rating: Mature for connivery, vixen behavior and sexual themes.

Content Warnings: This story deals with conning and manipulation and also mentions/includes children with various disabilities, and also .

Author’s Notes: Wow, we're on chapter 8 already? Where did the time go? Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments and thanks for following along! You've all been very patient to find out how things go down, but I promise we'll get there soon. In fact, there's a lot happening in this chapter to move the story along at a quicker pace.

Thank you @captainswanbigbang and all of the moderators for organizing the event and for all of your help throughout the process.

A huge shout out goes to @ilovemesomekillianjones for all of her help with this fic. She really kicked some butt while beta reading, and if not for her, this story would not be what it is. And thank you @wellhellotragic for pointing out a few dumb mistakes as well.

Thank you @distant-rose for stepping in as my artist. She is so talented and I can’t wait for everyone to see all of the art she has planned for this fic. She even made me a playlist for this story including Emma’s and Milah’s theme song, Homewrecker by Marina and the Diamonds, and some other great tracks that fit well with the theme of the fic.

Thank you @onceuponaprincessworld for all of her feedback and for her constant support and for letting me bounce ideas off of her during the process. Thank you @teamhook for her help and ideas with scenes I was struggling with.

There are 12 chapters, and I will be posting every Tuesday, so let me know if you would like to be tagged.

Ch 1 Ch 2 Ch 3 Ch 4 Ch 5 Ch 6 Ch 7

Also available on: AO3 FFnet

Artwork by @distant-rose

Ch 1 Art Ch 3 Art Ch 4 Art Ch 7 Art

Chapter 8: Accepting the Proposition

~Rule #8: You hold all the cards, so know how to play them. You've spent all those hours trying to catch him, so respect the work you've done. Once you've caught him, reel him in, wrap him around your finger and make him bend to your will. Make him chase you, make him travel to you, make him pick you up, not the other way around. It's important to put your needs first and just do you, not him.~

“No way! I strictly forbid it!” Milah throws Emma a glance, eyes full of fury from across the jacuzzi.

Why is Milah acting like this?

The mood had gone sour far too quickly for Emma’s liking. And here she thought they could have a civil conversation about this. She thought if she could lure Milah into the relaxing jacuzzi along with some expensive champagne, Emma would be able to coax her into saying yes. Of course when Milah sobers tomorrow and realizes her mistake, it would be too late. Emma would already be gone.

Emma’s eyes widen and she stands from the seat in the tub, the water cascading down her bikini clad body as she quickly climbs out and grabs a towel from the nearby bench to dry off.

So much for soothing bubbles and massaging jets.

“You’re not my mother!” Emma reminds her, shivering from the cool air hitting her heated skin as she wraps the towel around her form.

“I’m your sister and I’m only looking out for you.” Milah’s voice is much calmer as she leans her head back, resting on the ledge of the tub. “And I don’t want to see you following this guy around like a lost puppy dog. He comes to you, you do not go to him!”

This only makes Emma furious, and her blood boils with anger. “You’re not looking out for me. You just don’t want me to succeed! Being apart from him is going to be a huge setback,” Emma bites out angrily. “His schedule is jam packed with tournaments, and I’m not sure when he’ll be back!”

“You should have thought about that before you decided to go after a pro golfer! Besides, if he really wants to see you, he'll do what it takes!”

Emma's eyes practically pop out of their sockets. “This is Killian’s career and his life! He can’t just leave when he feels like it.”

Milah raises her head, her eyes narrowing at Emma. “What did you just call him?”

Emma’s eyebrows furrow in confusion before she realizes her mistake. She’d called him Killian. “Hook, I meant Hook.”

Milah’s eyes widen when she scans Emma’s features. “No, it wasn’t an accident, was it? You’ve never called him Killian before, only his nickname.”

Emma looks down, tearing her gaze from her sister’s. “It was an accident. It meant nothing, I promise.”

Milah still does not look happy when Emma finally lifts her chin, and the brunette’s arms are folded over her chest.

“Really? So you’re not developing any feelings for him?”

Emma quickly shakes her head, her features twisting in defense. “No, of course not!”

Milah laughs, but it’s a far cry from being playful as she emerges from the tub and grabs a towel to dry herself off. Wrapping it around her waist, she walks to a table near the front door and grabs a piece of paper, going back to Emma and showing it to her. “Then why was this on your computer screen this morning?”

Emma takes the page, scanning it over before glancing up at her sister again. It's a confirmation of her purchases for a coursebook and class about caring for children with disabilities she’d signed up for. “Because I wanted to do some volunteer work. I wanted to make it believable that I care about disabled children. I did it to impress Kil—Hook. I did it to impress Hook,” Emma claims, but even she knows she’s not fooling anyone—not even herself.

Milah nods, but her features are drowning in sarcasm. “I’m sure spending $100 for that will be worth it.”

Emma’s eyes widen incredulously. “It’s a small price to pay.”

Milah scoffs. “Yeah I’m sure it would be, considering you’re in love with your mark.”

Emma tightens her lips, taking in a deep breath through her nose, the anger bubbling inside of her once more. “I am not in love with him. I’m playing my part, and I refuse to be chastised for that.”

A taunting smirk tilts Milah’s lips as she drops her arms and strides over to Emma, her eyes steely and cold. “Fine. Then prove it. Do not go on that trip. Show me you are not emotionally attached to him. Then I’ll believe you.” With that, Milah turns and walks away.

Emma is heated. She huffs and rushes to the table slamming the page on the surface.

$*$*$

“Killian, we can’t wait much longer.” Mary Margaret looks down at her watch to catch the time. “Emma’s a nice girl and all, but we’re scheduled to take off in five minutes.”

“She’ll come,” Killian states confidently to his agent. “I know she’ll come.” At least he hopes so. No, he knows she’ll come. He can feel it in his gut.

The sound of the aircraft engines roar to life, the wind picks up, momentarily deafening him, and little traces of hope chip away within him. Knowing he might have to leave without her makes his stomach recoil. He doesn’t know how long he can be without her. Granted, they only started dating yesterday, but he knows he won’t be able to vanquish her from his mind. Especially not after last night. He can still feel her soft lips on his, he can still feel how bloody fantastic her body felt pressed to his, he can still smell her perfume. His heart flutters rapidly just thinking about her.

Two minutes pass and Emma’s still not here.

“It’s time to go!” Mary Margaret shouts over the drone of the jet, her white blazer fluttering around her, revealing the intricate wiring of her earpiece.

He nods reluctantly as she and David board, and Killian starts moving towards the large aircraft. His heart sinks and his features are worn with disappointment, but what other choice does he have? He begins to ascend the steps towards the opening of the aircraft.

“Killian!”

His ears perk up at the sound over the engines and he quickly turns around to see Emma rushing towards him, with Tiny from ground personnel escorting her. A smile blooms over his lips, his eyes lighting up with excitement as he rushes down the steps.

“I’m here!” Emma calls out. She desperately makes her way towards him, frazzled as she hauls her rolling suitcase along with her across the tarmac.

When she approaches, Killian scoops her into his arms, crashing his lips into hers. They both sigh in relief, and he doesn’t know just how much he had wanted her to join him until that exact moment. The wind is blowing around them, whipping through their hair as he tightens his arms around her, pulling her closer, savoring the taste and feel of her lips before he has to let her go.

“I don't mean to interrupt, but we gotta go, Hook!”

The sound of his agent's voice over the jet pulls them apart, and he looks over at the brunette, flashing a small smirk. “Apologies, love. We’re coming.”

Killian and Emma are both blushing and smiling as Tiny takes her luggage to load it on the aircraft. Killian takes her hand in his, threading their fingers together as they make their way towards the jet.

Emma gapes at the large aircraft in bewilderment as they sashay up the steps. He can sense a bit of fear glazing over her bright green eyes.

“Wow, I never thought I’d be flying by a private jet,” she tells him as they board. “Truthfully I never thought I’d be flying at all. I’ve always preferred road trips.”

$*$*$

Inside the jet, it’s significantly quieter, and she’s still in complete awe. Her stomach is doing somersaults as she takes a seat in the luxurious leather seat next to Killian and plugs in her seatbelt.

“We’re glad you could make it,” Mary Margaret chirps, her bubbly personality much too bubbly this early in the morning.

Emma gives her a tired smile and leans her head back, anxiously waiting for takeoff.

She can’t believe she’s going with Killian to Ohio, and she knows Milah will try and make her regret it—when Milah finds out; Emma had left a note for her on the breakfast table. The plane jolts forward, and Emma gasps, desperately grabbing Killian's hand in hers.

He chuckles and slides his fingers in between hers. “Relax, love. We’re just starting to roll down the runway.”

Some classical music starts playing, which calms her a bit, along with Killian’s soothing voice and his touch. Emma had managed to pack early that morning, way too early, as quickly as she possibly could, and jammed everything she could into her suitcase. She’s sure she’s forgotten some things, but she’ll have to do without or buy the items where they are going. She’s lucky Milah didn’t wake up, but the brunette is not really an early riser, so Emma knew she had a chance of escaping.

“So, what you made you change your mind?” Killian asks, tilting his head towards her and curving a brow in curiosity.

Emma looks over at him, flashing a small smile. “I wasn’t going to, but last night I couldn’t sleep, and I just thought why not? Why not take a chance? Really, the main reason I didn’t want to go is because…” she leans in, whispering in his ear, “I’m terrified of flying.”

Killian’s eyes widen in surprise as he scans her features, swallowing audibly. “You’re terrified of flying and you still came?”

Emma nods. “Yeah,” she answers timidly.

Killian appears to be touched by this, a wide smile blossoming over his lips as he leans in, pressing a kiss to her temple, murmuring against skin, the soft vibrations of his voice soothing her nerves a bit more. “Well, I promise you won’t regret it.” He raises their joined hands and drops gentle kisses to her knuckles. “Just relax and take deep breaths.”

Emma hates the idea of planes, hates the idea of flying and hates the idea of having her feet anywhere but planted solidly on the ground. The jet makes another turn to head straight, and Emma does what she’s told, breathing in slowly to calm her anxiety. Her fingers grip tightly around Killian’s hand as the plane bounces off the runway and begins to ascend.

“Just breathe, love. I got you.”

Emma squeezes his hand a little tighter and sinks back in the seat, closing her eyes. She takes in another deep breath, her nerves slowly dwindling.

Once they reach cruising altitude and Emma’s ears stop popping, she’s able to relax a bit more, and they move to more comfortable seating—on a matching leather couch.

They sit back and Killian wraps his arm around her shoulders as she leans her body into his. Now that her fear of flying has simmered, she starts to feel the weariness in her eyes and tiredness sinking into her bones. She covers the yawn escaping her mouth and rests her head on his shoulder, enjoying the warmth from his body through the cotton polo he’s wearing. She’s not really sure what to do with her right hand as she lowers it from her face, so she slips it underneath the hem of his shirt, feeling his washboard stomach and abs underneath and hearing his breath catch in his throat.

“Would you like some coffee, Emma?” he asks, placing his left hand on her arm, running his fingers over her skin as if to secure her hand on his stomach.

Emma shakes her head against the broadness of his shoulder, deciding he’s more comfortable than a soft pillow as she runs her hand over his stomach. “No, I think I might take a nap if that's okay.” She could really get used to this position.

“Of course, love. If you want to lay down, I can move.”

Again Emma shakes her head, already feeling the pull of sleep taking over her body as her eyes flutter shut. “That’s okay. You make a really good pillow,” she murmurs, and Killian chuckles, placing a kiss to her hair.

“As you wish.”

With those soft words, Emma nuzzles her cheek further into his warmth and they snuggle each other tighter as she allows herself to slowly drift off to sleep, thinking about how Milah’s taking the news, hoping Milah will forgive her.

$*$*$

Dear Sis,

I left for Ohio to be with Hook, but please know I didn't do it because I have feelings for him. I did it for us. I did it for you. You've always been the big sister, you've always taken care of me and made sure I had everything I needed. Well, now it's time for me to take care of you. So, I ask you, please let me do what I have to do. Please trust me. The money’s in our reach and I'm so very close. Hawaii will be too. Very soon. Let me do this and I promise I won't let you down.

I love you.

~Emma

Milah’s eyes prick with tears as she scans the letter. She wants to be mad, she wants to be furious, she wants tear up the paper into a million pieces.

But she can't.

She told Emma not to go, begged her, pleaded with her but now everything is out of her hands. Now she has to trust Emma to make diligent decisions. She has to let Emma do this. She knows that. So she will.

Milah retrieves her phone from her back pocket and types a message to Emma as she reads her words out loud.

“I'm trusting you, sis. Just don’t fuck it up.”

With a tap of her thumb, Milah presses send and hopes for the best.

$*$*$

One week later—Memorial Tournament, Dublin, OH

Killian “Hook” Jones stormed to a six-shot victory at the Memorial to reclaim the top spot in the rankings after being leapfrogged by Robin Locksley at the Players. —pgatour.com

Two weeks later— FedEx St. Jude Classic , Memphis, TN

No player has ever won the week before the U.S. Open and gone on to claim the second major of the year, but after his win at the St. Jude Classic, Killian “Hook” Jones is aiming to break that streak. His return to world No. 1 has given him added confidence of making U.S. Open history at Shinnecock Hills next week. “I mean winning this week, I think, is a bigger confidence-booster than being number one in the world,” Hook said (via Sky Sports). “The U.S. Open is a tough place to win, but I don't know why it hasn't happened before, so why not be the first bloke to do it?” —pgatour.com

Three weeks later— U.S. Open , Southampton, NY

It's day one as Killian approaches the par-4 eighth hole and tees off with a swing, smart and efficient, sending his ball through the air a little more than two hundred yards. It falls to the very edge of the fairway and rolls off to the left, straight into a bunker.

He remains confident and is able to hole the shot, grabbing a share of the lead with Locksley at two under par.

On day four, Hook and Robin are tied until the seventeenth hole, much as they had been during the previous three rounds. Locksley’s drive on the seventeenth hooks into the bunker to the left of the fairway, giving Killian just the advantage he needs. Killian is able to birdie the short par three, where Robin overshoots his way out of the sand bunker, and double putts for bogey.

As the men begin the eighteenth, two strokes apart, all eyes are on Hook. After the first shot, a horrible drive sliced to the trees, it takes Killian an additional two shots—one out of the woods, and one to the green. The ball makes a smooth landing thirty feet from the cup.

It’s the third shot for Robin as he lines up his putt for roughly twenty seconds. His patience and measurement pay off, and he makes the long putt for birdie. He walks to the hole, enjoying the crowd cheering on his possible victory. Grabbing his ball out of the cup, he holds it up to the crowd and nods graciously.

Killian must now make this monster putt to win; if he doesn’t, the round will go into sudden death to break the tie. The audience grows restless, shouting for Killian to “put it in the hole!”

He glances around the crowd, anxious to see his beautiful, blonde talisman. Spotting her, he grins, realizing she might be as nervous as he is, as she bounces up and down on the balls of her feet, her hands laced together under her chin as though she is praying. She throws him an excited wave, and he winks in return.

Taking a deep breath and centering himself, he focuses on lining up his putt. With a solid stroke and follow through, the anticipation is heightened as the ball slowly rolls down the green and swivels around the cup before sinking in.

The crowd goes wild, whistling, cheering and applauding as Killian raises a subtle victory fist into the air. He waves to the crowd, and looks to Emma once more, blowing her a kiss.

World number one, Killian “Hook” Jones has broken several records today. He successfully defended his title at Shinnecock Hills on Long Island , and is the first golfer to win consecutive U.S. Opens since Curtis Strange in 1988 and 1989 . He is also the first player ever to win the U.S. Open having triumphed the weekend before. “I think it was a big win,” Hook says. “It was a big statement by myself. I'm proud of the way I played, the way I handled it.” —pgatour.com

Killian’s relieved when he can finally escape the thralls of a reporter of Palm Beach after she questions him about his game at Shinnecock Hills, but at this point, the questions are no different than the zillion other questions he’s been asked since he’d gained yet another win the day before. He’s relieved when he can finally mingle with the people he'd rather mingle with—namely his friends and the gorgeous blonde who's been checking him out from the other end of the room.

A few other people stop him along the way to congratulate him, but finally he manages to slither his way through the crowd. First, he has to greet Locksley, who he somehow hasn't really spoken to since the other night before the game, with a hug and a hearty clap on the back. “Good game, mate.”

“You had a nice play too, Hook, but only after you almost fucked it up in the first round,” Locksley taunts playfully with a laugh.

Killian shakes his head, chuckling. “And yet, I still beat you by two strokes,” he reminds him, lifting a glass of wine from a waiter's tray before turning towards the dinner table.

“Because I let you,” Robin remarks with a grin.

“You're just still sore I reclaimed the number one ranking at the Memorial,” Killian retaliates before taking a sip of his wine.

Robin sighs, and Killian pats him on the arm and steps away in the direction of the woman with the long blonde curls and a stunning black dress.

She’s smiling radiantly as he reaches her, finally, wrapping an arm around her waist and kissing her cheek. “How's my beautiful good luck charm?” he asks, and her cheeks are tinged with blush as she wraps her arms around the back of his neck. Killian had lost his lucky glove the same week he’d lost his number one ranking, but he was able to win it back in Ohio, the same week Emma first joined him on the tour. Needless to say, his long lost glove was no longer missed.

“Missing her star golfer,” Emma answers softly, pressing her lips to his. He sighs into the kiss, missing how she tastes, missing how she feels in his arms. Even though he’d seen her on the greens as she watched him play, and gave him sweet pecks on the cheek every time he could catch a break, to wish him luck, and even though they flew back home together, he can never fully get enough. “I'm also starving,” Emma adds.

Killian grins widely, a small laugh escaping is lips. “Then come, love. Let's eat.” He takes her hand, leading her to their table where the Nolans and Locksley and his family join them.

The dinner at the Mills Ranch after a tournament is tradition, the salmon's perfect and the wine is almost as good, and well, Killian doesn't think it can get any better than this.

Round one of the Open had started out rocky, but he was quick to overcome it. Every shot on Shinnecock was difficult starting with number eight during the first round, the conditions were tough and the courses were long. And normally, he'd rather be out hitting a bucket of practice balls, but right now, he has other things planned for the evening. They fall into easy conversation, discussing golf stats and other nonsense. When Emma’s with him, he doesn't like to let the golf chat drone on forever, but she seems to actually enjoy it and always finds a way to add to the conversation.

Killian could not have picked a more perfect woman.

“I have to use the restroom, babe,” Emma murmurs, trying not to announce to the whole table as the wait staff starts to whisk their dinner plates away. She removes the napkin from her lap and sets it on the table as Killian places a hand on her back, leaning in to kiss her lips.

“Don't keep me waiting for long,” he teases lightly in her ear and Emma shudders, smiling brightly as she caresses his cheek.

“I won't, I promise.”

He watches as she gets up and walks away, and Regina rises from the table, informing the group she has to use the ladies’ room as well.

Part of him is wishing she’d stay, but it doesn't matter. She’ll find out after it’s all said and done. Perhaps it’s better this way.

“So, things are still going well between you and Emma, I see,” Mary Margaret comments happily.

“You could say that.” Killian blushes and offers a tentative smile as he reaches into the inside of his jacket. It’s been the most amazing three weeks of his life. The item inside the square velvet box he’s currently grasping onto and slowly pulling out is a testament to that. His cheeks are burning as he keeps his eyes on the corridor to the restrooms before opening the box and holding it over the table for everyone to see.

The group gasps in shock as they take in the sight of the eighteen karat white gold with a spherical diamond connected by bands which are laced with smaller diamonds. The metal speaks for strength of promised love, and the precious gem speaks of his lady love—pure and one of a kind.

“In fact, I’m proposing to her tonight.”

$*$*$

Emma emerges from the stall, glancing down at herself and smoothing out some wrinkles in her dress. Looking up again as she walks towards the sink, she stops suddenly in her tracks, breath catching in her throat as she presses her hand to her heart, seeing Regina leaning against the counter. “God, you scared me,” she breathes, continuing to one of the sinks to wash her hands.

The other woman's arms are folded over her chest, lips hinting to a wicked smirk as she watches Emma like she’s up to something. Emma’s not surprised because the woman’s been glaring at her all night. She’s just not sure why.

She tries to ignore the brunette, but Emma can sense her deadly stare, and it gives her goosebumps. She dries her hands with a paper towel and throws it away before moving towards the exit.

Regina suddenly steps in her way.

“What is your problem?” Emma asks bluntly, her brow arched in confusion.

Regina grins, a wide, devilish grin that sends a shiver down her spine. “I’ll tell you what my problem is.” She steps closer, dropping her arms and engaging Emma with a threatening stare. “My problem is your intentions with Hook.”

The lines of Emma's forehead rise, and as she studies the woman’s face, it dawns on her—Regina knows what she’s up to. “What are you talking about?” she feigns innocence, hoping she is wrong about her theory.

Regina's grin only widens. “Tell me, Miss Swan, how exactly do you sleep at night knowing you're about to break Hook's heart like you've done to several others?”

Emma starts to grow angry as she crosses her arms, glaring at this woman defiantly. “I care about Killian.”

Regina mocks her with a dramatic nod. “Right I can see that, and does your sister know that?”

Emma's eyes widen, her face going pale, heart dropping to her stomach. “How did you—”

An evil, hearty laugh escapes Regina's lips as she makes a gesture with her hand, as though she's a goddamn queen or something, and starts strutting past Emma across the restroom, away from her and the door. “Let's just say, I have friends in high places. Friends who know how to dig up dirt.” She spins around on her heels, her smile never fading. “But I guess you already know how to do that too. Because why else would you be here? You certainly did not fly here on a whim.”

Emma's blood sizzles, but at the same time, her stomach is clenching with fear. “You don't have anything on me,” she challenges.

“You’re right, I don't have anything on Emma Swan.” Regina resumes her previous movements, slowly pacing back and forth. “Except that she was tossed around to different foster homes until she was sixteen when she and her sister, Milah Raven, were adopted by Ingrid Frost, and then went to live with Mal Page after Ingrid died in a tragic accident. Then Emma and Milah left for Boston after graduation and became bartenders,” Regina adds, her nose scrunching up in distaste. “But after that, there is nothing on Emma Swan and Milah Raven.” Regina turns and looks at Emma again. “It turns out there’s a huge gap of time from when you and Milah left Boston in 2016 to when you both came here.” She lifts her chin, perching it in her hand and rubbing her fingers over the skin like she’s solving a mystery. “I found this to be very curious, so I had my friend dig even deeper. Milah’s been married five times in the last two years, using five different identities and she divorced each one because of adultery, running away with their money. And all of the husbands were connected to your aliases. Assistant, gardener, housekeeper, student. It’s a very clever setup really. I do have to give you and your sister props for that,” Regina says approvingly.

“You have no proof,” Emma scowls, not believing the audacity of this woman taking the initiative to dig up dirt on her and her sister.

“Oh, but I do.” Regina pulls something out of her pocket bag, and presents it to Emma—a manila envelope. “You see, everything in here is proof of what you've been up to.”

Emma takes it and pulls out the papers, scanning them over. Sure enough, Regina is right—she has everything from their first con to when Milah fled from Storybrooke after the divorce.

She closes her eyes briefly and takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She’s totally fucked. So, with acceptance of this and with a feeble voice, she asks, “How much do you want to keep this to yourself?”

Again, Regina laughs, the menacing sound slithering over Emma’s skin. “Oh, honey, you think I did this to get a cut of the money? You forget I inherited this club and come from a wealthy family of high stature. I have all the money I could possibly need.”

Emma’s jaw tightens, not sure what else to offer this woman. “What do you want, then?”

There is no longer a smile on Regina's face, instead it’s replaced by anger and irritation. “It’s simple really.” Her tone is serious and threatening, and Emma can feel the effects of her words slithering all over her skin. “You see, if you break Killian’s heart to the point of devastation, he may stop doing the things which he loves. He may sell his yacht, he may stop coming here to the country club, and who knows, he may even stop playing golf. If that happens, I lose my members, and the Mills Ranch suffers because of it. And I will not allow some skinny blonde twat to ruin everything my family has built.” Regina steps closer, her eyes cold and steely, until she’s only a hair's breadth away from Emma. “I want you to call off the con. If you don’t, I will let everything in this envelope leak to the press and the police, so your newest fashion style will be orange jumpsuits as you both rot behind bars,” she threatens through clenched teeth. “Is that clear?”

Emma tries to gulp, but there's a large lump in her throat and her mouth's as dry as sandpaper, so all she can manage is a nod as she hands the documents back to Regina. “Like crystal.”

The woman steps back, sliding the papers into the envelope, shoving it into her purse and flashing Emma a superficially sweet smile. “Good. I'm glad we’re on the same page.” The woman walks out of the restroom, leaving Emma completely frazzled.

She takes a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves as she heads for the door. At first, nothing but anger takes over her, but when she escapes the restroom and sees Killian standing there with his gorgeous smile as he extends his hand to her, she relaxes immediately. Emma takes his hand as he leads her across the room, and she starts to feel guilty, her heart full of regret.

She also feels like a failure.

Four weeks down the drain because she made one simple mistake. She used her real name. Why didn't she just listen to Milah, why did she have to be so naive? Now their secret is going to destroy them. She's not sure what will happen now. Three weeks ago when she had decided to get on that jet, she made a vow to herself—to not get attached. She wasn't going to let Milah down, and so far everything has been working perfectly. Emma had been so close, she could taste it. Now it doesn’t matter. Now she will have to end the con and probably go back to Boston. She'd probably go back to being a bartender making minimum wage because that and conning are all she knows.

Killian leads Emma out the door to the golf course, and she eyes him in confusion as they walk towards the practice range. “You want to practice? That’s kind of difficult to do considering you don't have your golf clubs with you.”

“No, I won’t be practicing tonight. You'll see, love.”

The sharp colors of the sunset spread across the sky as Killian walks her to the very same spot Emma was when she was practicing her golf swing . The very same spot where they officially met.

Emma gulps when she sees the red rose petals on the grass turf, shaped like a giant heart, and her brows weave together; she’s still perplexed. “Killian?”

When they reach the petals, stepping inside the heart shaped trail, he turns to her and takes her hands in his. He appears to be a nervous wreck, flashing a frail smile. “Emma, I brought you here because… this is where we met.”

“Technically we first met inside the club,” Emma reminds him.

Killian lets out a suppressed laugh, his cheeks colored with blush. “Well, if you want to get technical, we can go inside and I can ask you in front of everyone.”

Emma raises a brow, her voice shaky as she speaks, but she has a feeling she already knows the answer. “Ask me what?”

He takes a deep, wobbly breath, his beautiful cerulean eyes piercing into hers, and she can actually feel his hands trembling. “Emma, the first time I saw you was when you were walking along the beach as I was walking down the docks. You were the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, you looked like an angel. You still do.”

Emma’s eyes widen; he’d never told her this before. She’d thought the first time he’d seen her was at this very country club. “You saw me before we met?”

Killian nods. “I did. And ever since then, I’ve been drawn to you like a moth to a flame.” His voice cracks as he continues. “My entire life has been nothing but loss and golf and traveling, and I’ve always had everything I ever needed. But, I always felt like I was missing something. I’ve always craved to have someone by my side...” he pauses briefly, swallowing hard and exhaling another deep, quivering breath to gain some more courage, “...someone supporting me and encouraging me, and not just because they have to or because it’s their job. The best part of winning the Open was not the prize money or the cup or even the ranking; the best part was having you there by my side. I’ve always wanted someone to share all of my experiences with, someone I could also support and encourage along the way. I’ve always wanted to have someone along for the ride.”

Killian takes another shaky breath and gets down on one knee, looking up at her with stormy eyes. He takes out a small, black velvet box, opening it up to display what's inside—a stunning white gold diamond ring. “Emma Swan, will you do me the honor of being by my side from this day forward? Will you be my wife?”

Emma gasps, not believing he’s actually proposing after a month, and right after Regina had given her the ultimatum to end the con. She's been waiting for this moment ever since she’d decided to be primary, but now she realizes she was never really prepared. And she certainly can't let Killian see anything but pure shock, so she has to play her part to the tee. Luckily she’s genuinely surprised by his proposal, but for different reasons than he may believe. “Killian, are you crazy?! We’ve only known each other for a little over a month and we’ve only been dating for three weeks?! We stayed in separate hotel suites, we haven't even had sex yet and now you want to get married?!”

“Emma, I know it’s crazy, my whole life has been crazy, but being with you calms me more than I can even describe. I’m crazy in love with you. My heart aches at the mere thought of not being by your side.” He offers a soft smile, glancing down at the ring. “And we haven’t had sex yet because I never want you to feel pressured or rushed.” He peers up at her as though he’s afraid of what her reaction will be.

“Says the man on one knee asking me to spend the rest of my life with him,” she breathes, still bewildered it only took one month.

This is by far a record for her and her sister. And she didn't have to make up any fantastical lie to speed up the process. Normally Milah tells the mark she’s a catholic and doesn't believe in sex before marriage. With their former marks, knowing sex was off the table until then suddenly made them a willing participant when it came to marriage. One time Milah even learned French and faked an accent, leading the mark to believe she was about to be deported. She's even gone as far as telling a mark she had an incurable illness when three months had gone by and she still had no ring on her finger to show for it.

“Emma, if you say no, I would understand, and we can go back to the way things were, I just… I want you to know I’m in this for the long haul. I will never abandon you.”

Her heart tightens at the sincerity of his words. She knows she should say no. She knows that everything could easily go up in flames, but she also knows she’d made a promise to her sister. And she refuses to let Milah down. She refuses to accept failure.

“Love, it’s okay if you’re not ready—”

“Yes,” Emma blurts the word out, quickly cutting him off. “My answer is yes. I will marry you.”

Killian’s face lights up, a smile blooming over his lips. “Really?”

She nods with certainty.

His reaction is infectious, and she grins as he slides the ring on her finger, securing it in place before rising and pulling her into a kiss. Emma responds, parting her lips for him and returning his affection, but her heart feels very heavy, and Regina’s threats are weighing on her mind. If that woman finds out about this, the whole thing will be ruined.

Pulling away, Emma gives him a tentative smile, as he blushes back at her.

“Love, we don’t have to get married straight awa—”

“But, I want to,” she assures, cutting him off. “I think we should.”

He scans her eyes, appearing to be surprised by this. “You really want to?”

Emma nods. “I do. I don’t want a big wedding. You have a break from the tour, and I don’t want all of the publicity. In fact… I just want a small, simple wedding with only a couple of witnesses,” she says. “So maybe we could just elope? You know, not tell anyone until after it’s done. Then later on, we can have a big wedding with everyone there,” she offers, hoping he will accept her suggestion— praying he will accept it.

Killian’s lips crack into a wide grin, and a swarm of relief rushes over her. “My love, I believe you’ve just read my mind,” he murmurs, his voice completely wrecked as he presses his forehead to hers.

Emma’s eyes widen in bewilderment. “Really?”

He chuckles. “Really. You are absolutely right. It will be difficult to get married while I'm on tour, with reporters and fans all over us. I do not wish to do anything that will make you uncomfortable or want to run,” he confesses, curling his hands around her hips. “I just found you and I’m not letting you get away so easily.”

Emma laughs and sighs into him as she presses her hands against the warmth of his chest. “I haven’t ran yet, have I?”

“No, ma’am.” His lips crash into hers and she sighs pleasantly, indulging in the kiss and pulling him in deeper. And to think, she was sure everything was ruined. Turns out it's just the beginning.

They reluctantly pull away, catching their breaths, and Killian takes her hands in his, eyes buzzing with excitement. “It’s settled then, we’ll have a discreet wedding. But Mary Margaret and David can know and be witnesses, do you agree?”

“Yes, of course,” she answers, swallowing thickly.

“No worries, they can keep a secret. And whatever we do, we can’t let Regina know.” Emma’s eyes snap to his; she’s taken off guard by his words. “Her friend is a reporter, so if she finds out, we can say goodbye to a private wedding.”

Emma nods in agreement, sighing in relief and grinning from ear to ear. She’s so glad they’re on the same page. “Then we will make sure Regina doesn’t find out.”

$*$*$

Emma is wearing a giddy smile as she’s making breakfast in the kitchen at the condo the next morning. She’s done her best to forget about Regina’s threats and she’s decided to remain confident knowing Regina will not find out about the wedding until it’s too late. Regina won’t know any better until Milah and Emma are on their way to Hawaii.

Emma’s heart hurts at the thought of leaving Killian. But she has to ignore those feelings. She is not allowed to feel that way about him. She has to remain positive.

She slides some plates of food on a tray, along with a glass of orange juice. She’s made all of Milah’s favorites—eggs benedict and french toast—and sashays down the hall to Milah’s bedroom bearing the tray of food.

“Milah… wakey, wakey, eggs and bacy,” Emma chants as she balances the tray with one hand and stealthily turns the doorknob with the other. Using her back to open the door, she shuffles inside the room and approaches Milah’s bedside.

The brunette’s eyelids are flickering open and she groans as Emma offers a big, bright smile.

Milah yawns, her features creasing in confusion as she props herself up on her elbows, seeing the tray of plates in Emma’s hands. “You brought me breakfast?” she asks groggily.

Emma nods and places the tray in Milah’s lap. “Breakfast that I made myself. I even cooked your favorite—eggs benedict and french toast topped with strawberry syrup and whipped cream.”

Milah’s sleepy eyes light up and she sits up even more, leaning back against the headboard as Emma hands her the steaming mug of coffee. Milah takes a slow sip, closing her eyes to savor the taste. After a few seconds, her eyes fly open and she looks at Emma suspiciously, brows weaving together as she speaks very slowly in an accusing tone. “What did you do?”

Emma shrugs casually as she sits besides Milah, looking down at her left hand. Pursing her lips she toys with the ring on her finger. “Can’t a girl just wanna do something nice for her sister?” She stands up and reaches the head of the bed, whisking her left hand very casually at the tray. Milah’s chewing on a bite of french toast as she watches Emma’s movements. “This was really nothing.”

The brunette’s eyes fall on Emma’s hand and widen in shock. Milah quickly takes Emma’s hand, stealing a closer look. “He proposed?!”

“Well, I don't like to brag, but…” Emma answers nonchalantly before returning her gaze to Milah, a broad smile crawling across her lips, her words louder than before. “Killian proposed!”

Emma hadn’t been quite sure how Milah would take this information, but when the brunette moves the tray to the bedside table, there’s a natural eruption of excitement between the two of them—lots of jumping up and down on the bed and screaming and laughing and hugging.

Their plan is set in motion, and Emma’s doubts are instantly vanquished. She’s got a bag packed for when she and Killian elope; she's not sure when and where, only that it will happen. And soon it will be time for Emma and Milah to start packing all of their belongings and leave Palm Beach.

“Hawaii, here we come!”

Tagging: @mayquita @freakassbuthunter @libbcoxnet-blog @goldengirlschildhood @courtorderedcake @florenzu @marcella2727 @veryverynotgood @i-would-cross-realms-4-her @hooklineandswan @wonderfullycarriedaway @0swald-c0bblep0t @cs-forlife @andiirivera @snotelek @capswantrue @nikkiemms @capswantrue @swansong12 @lg-campbell @lassluna @followbatb @harshini01 @betchesgetshitdone @coliferoncer @ultraluckycatnd @resident-of-storybrooke @kinkyhiddlesgirl @teamhook

#cs ff #cssb #heartbreakers au #captain swan #emma and milah are con artists #to play the game (and win your heart)#my fic

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distant-rose · 6 years ago

Text

Seal of Fate Prologue (1/8)

Notes: Hi guys! I know I haven’t updated in awhile but I decided to do it with a multi chapter fic. Why? Because I’m insane. Anyway, this is my entry for Captain Swan Supernatural Summer. I hope you enjoy it. I apologise for the late posting on this, I’m visiting friends in Toronto at the moment. I’m hoping to update this fic every Saturday around 5-6pm EST. Please note this hot mess is un-beta’d. I know this prologue feels like an info dump but it’s setting the stage - hence why it’s a prologue. I promise there’s Killian next week. Anyway, special thanks to the admins of @cssns for organising this. Thank you to @welllpthisishappening, @katie-dub and @shireness-says for being my rocks and constant cheerleaders. And last but not least, thank you to @drowned-dreamer for being my amazing artist whose work will be showcased next week when Killian shows up next week. Summary: Emma Swan is looking for only one thing - answers. Abandoned outside a police station in Menemsha, Martha’s Vineyard, Emma has dedicated her life to finding out where she comes from and why she was given away. She finds an unlikely partner in Killian, a selkie she inadvertently summons in a fit of frustration over her cold case. Word Count: 2,700+ Chapters: Prologue | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Epilogue Rating: T+

Emma Swan groaned as she escaped from the driver’s seat of her ancient Volkswagen Bug and immediately pulled her arms into a long stretch. It had been a long drive from Maine to Massachusetts and apparently all the moving around she had done on the ferry from the mainland to her destination had been cancelled out by the last forty-five minutes she had spent driving from the ferry to her final destination - the small secluded town of Menemsha.

Scanning her surroundings, Emma had to say she was less than impressed. It wasn’t so much of a town as much as a scattering of Cape Cod styled buildings and fishing shacks. There didn’t seem to be a soul around, but then again, she was visiting a bourgeoise tourist trap out of season. It was better this way. After all, Emma wasn’t here for vacation.

She was here on a mission.

Grabbing her bag and closing the car door, Emma headed towards the large building that sat nearly on top of the marina. It was a fairly old building but well-taken care of with a fresh white paint job and newly cleaned windows. The large sign posted in front of the property claimed it was “Granny’s Diner” but Emma was fairly certain it was built originally to be a more residential property than a restaurant.

The establishment was as sparsely populated as the street. There were only three other patrons; grizzled and sullen men who were crowded around a small table by the window that looked out onto the sea. They eyed her warily as she walked towards one of the booths toward the back of the diner but she made a point to ignore them.

As soon as she sat down, a pretty dark haired waitress with vivid red highlights approached her with a small smile that was a shade more inquisitive than Emma would have liked.

“Can I get you some coffee?” the waitress asked, waving an ancient-looking coffee pot in emphasis.

“I prefer hot chocolate,” she replied before glancing up at the clock located above the breakfast bar, scrunching her nose when she realised she has made quicker time in her travels than expected. It was eleven-thirty and her contact wouldn’t be here for another thirty minutes. “Is too early to order lunch?”

The waitress glanced around the diner before looking back at Emma with a wry smile.

“Normally we don’t do lunch until noon but considering that there’s no one here, I think we’ll be willing to make a special exception. What do you want?”

“A grilled cheese and onion rings instead of fries will do.”

The waitress looked almost amused by the order, a smile quirking at her lips as she scribbled it down. Emma merely rolled her eyes in response. She had heard many a remark about her child-like diet in the past but she liked comfort food and the opportunity to eat it was few and far in-between. Private investigation wasn’t as lucrative as it sounded, especially when located in the sleepy state of Maine.

After a few moments, the waitress walked away to bring Emma’s order to the kitchen, only stopping to give the band of men at the other end round of good-natured bantering. The interaction merely confirmed her suspicions about the little fishing village. Everyone probably knew everyone. It was something that Emma hoped would help with her mission.

The waitress returned with her hot chocolate a few moments later with a reassurance that her food would be out within minutes. Emma gave her a brisk thank you, dismissing her with a nod and taking time to drink in more of the diner.

The place looked like it hadn’t been decorated since the fifties with its bold red vinyl seats and monochrome tiling. There was a large jukebox and an ancient looking gumball machine located near the door. Emma was willing to bet her last pay check that there wouldn’t be a single made before 1965 on it. Despite its rather dated decor, it was probably the cleanest greasy spoon that she had never been in.

While the diner had a homey feel to it, its patrons were a lot less welcoming. The men at the other end of the diner were still blatantly staring at her with undisguised suspicion. Unwilling to let herself be intimidated, Emma met their stare with one of her own, locking eyes with a grumpy looking gentleman as she sipped on her hot chocolate. A small surge of pride curled in her chest when the man looked away, obviously uncomfortable and turned to begin talking to his cohorts in hushed whispers.

“Don’t let those knuckleheads get you,” the waitress said when she returned with Emma’s order. “They’re a bunch of old gossips. We don’t get a lot of traffic here in the off-season so strangers are bit exciting to us.”

“I figured,” Emma replied, watching in confusion as the waitress placed down another plate containing a large burger and fries on the table before swinging into the opposite seat. “Um, I know I’m not from around here but is it normal for you to sit and eat with strangers?”

“No,” the waitress replied casually, picking up the burger to take a bite. “But I kinda wanted to get a feel on you.”

“Why?”

“Well, you are Emma Swan, aren’t you?”

“Depends on who's asking...” Emma responded warily after a moment, trying not to let her hackles rise.

“I’m Ruby Lucas.” She held out her hand to shake. “You’re renting out my house for the next two months. Lucky you did that when you did, I was about to take it down for the season. I generally don’t rent it out post-September but I couldn’t resist the extra cash.”

Emma’s shoulders relaxed at this information. She captured Ruby’s hand in a brief shake before leaning back. She popped an onion ring into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully. “So, you’re Ruby.”

“I am.”

“You’re not what I expected,” she admitted, wiping at her mouth with the sleeve of her jacket absently.

When Emma had looked at the advertisement online, she had assumed that Ruby was far older considering the sleuth of rules and regulations that had come with the rental. They weren’t necessarily unreasonable, but Emma had expected them to be picked from the mind of a finicky old lady rather than the vibrant young woman in front of her.

“Neither are you. Though I can’t say I had a lot of expectations. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a person renting out a beach house in October and November in Cape Cod, let alone in Memensha. It’s kinda why I wanted to meet you here and get a feel, make sure you’re not a drug dealer or something.”

Emma’s eyebrows rose at her words. “You get a lot of those around here?”

“You have no idea,” she replied darkly, stabbing a french fry into a pool of ketchup with more force than necessary. “The island is kinda a hub for them in the summer. They generally come through the docks here because there isn’t much regulation despite all the petitions to Gold.”

“Gold?”

“Yeah, Mr. Gold. Owns the docks as well as the biggest shipping company in the village. Might as well own all of Martha’s Vineyard while he’s at it. He doesn’t care much for rules unless they’re his own,” Ruby said bitterly. “I don’t mean to bore you with local issues but they’re good things to note considering you’re gonna be here awhile.”

“I appreciate it,” Emma replied with a casual shrug, filing away the information.

Ruby leaned back, giving her another assessing look. Emma merely nibbled at her sandwich, waiting for the moment to pass. She didn’t have to wait long, as Ruby dropped her elbows on the table alongside her pretenses.

“So. What’s your story? Tortured artist? Romance writer? You’re not really like Janet Evanovich or something right? I love her books even if the plot gets a little repetitive.”

Emma snorted. “No. I’m not a writer. Private investigator actually.”

“Sounds exciting. What the hell are you doing here?” Ruby asked, eyes widening in surprise at her own rudeness. “Sorry that came out wrong. I didn’t mean to be such a bitch.”

“You weren’t. It’s okay,” Emma assured her with a forced smile. “It’s not like you weren’t going to find out anyway. I’m here on a case.”

“Case? In Menemsha? Are you looking for something? Because I’m pretty sure you won’t find it here. Nothing is here except fish and the occasional heroin crisis.”

“Not something. Someone,” she replied carefully, playing with her food and not looking directly at her.

Ruby sucked in a breath loudly, causing Emma to look up at her. “You’re not looking for David Nolan are you?”

“No. I’m not, at least I don’t think so. Who is he?”

Ruby visibly relaxed, eyes darting to the other end of the diner to make sure that the other patrons weren’t listening in on their conversation. She then leaned further forward and then spoke in a harsh whisper.

“David is this guy who went missing awhile back. My grandmother was good friends with his mother Ruth and he actually used to work in the diner. He just up and left one day, which good on him because this place is a shithole...but Ruth has never quite accepted that he left...kept saying there was foul play involved and hiring people to look for him. She died last week.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Emma replied, unsure what to do with the information.

“It’s fine. I didn’t really know her much. She was kinda crazy, you know? I just wanted to make sure you weren’t chasing after something you weren’t going to get paid for. Don’t want to waste your time here if you don’t have to.”

“Appreciate it. But I’m not sure David Nolan is connected to my case.”

“If you’re not looking for him, then who the hell are you looking for? Because he’s the only missing person I can think of.”

“It’s a bit of a cold case but I’m trying to track down anything anyone knows about a baby that was found outside the police station here in October 1983.”

“What’s so special about the baby?”

Emma couldn’t help but bristle at the question, squirming in her seat and scrunching her shoulders as she tried to keep her emotions in check. It wasn’t as if Ruby knew how personal this was for her.

“It’s not so much the baby. I know where she is. It’s her parents that I’m trying to find.”

“Why?”

“So, she can look them in the eye and ask them that exact question.”

Their conversation dwindled from there as they focused on their meals. When they finished, Ruby took away their plates and returned with keys in her hand.

“Ready to go?”

Emma eyed the other patrons before looking back at her. “Aren’t you, like, working right now?”

“Oh yeah, working super hard on three people who come here everyday and drink all of our coffee. They’re big boys and can handle a coffee machine on their own.” Ruby snorted.

“You trust them behind the counter?”

“If anything goes missing, I know who took it. There’s like barely more than 400 people in this village.”

Emma held her hands up in surrender, unwilling to question her anymore before following her out into the street.

“Do you need me to drive?” She asked, eying the main road to where it disappeared up the bend.

Ruby laughed, shaking her hand in dismissal. “No, it’s no more than a fifteen minute walk. You can walk all of Menemsha in about twenty-five minutes, no joke. Like I said, it’s tiny.”

They walked up the main drag until it broke into a fork. Emma knew from the drive down that one path lead to the main route that circled the island while the other hugged the coast and seemed to lead to more residential homes. Emma eyed the cottages that lined up neatly to face out towards the ocean. They looked incredibly cute but she knew from her perusal of the rental site that they cost more than a fortune. When she relied this to Ruby, the other woman gave her a bitter smile.

“Nearly everyone who lives here works for the three main fishing families - the Golds, the Hermans and the Spencers, the Golds being the largest. They cut pay last year to make up for a bad fishing season which doesn’t help when you’re barely making enough as is. So, renting out properties in the summer becomes a primary source of income for these people. You can’t blame them for it really and if people are willing to shell out that type of cash for a week in this hellhole, I don’t see the harm.”

“Huh,” Emma replied before sucking in a breath as she caught sight of the large house at the end of the road. Ruby followed her gaze, smile turning into a scowl.

“Ah, that’s where the Devil himself lives.”

“The Devil?”

“Gold.”

The house, if it could never be called that, was ten times the size of the cottages that lined the street with a Greco-styled terrace porch that screamed opulence. The lawn was manicured with a meticulously managed garden hugged the perimeter of the property.

It was a gorgeous building and would have belonged on the front cover of any real estate magazine if it weren’t for the large rack located on the front lawn covered in dark furred pelts. Emma didn’t know what type of animal they belonged to but looking at them sent a cold shiver down her spine.

“What are those?”

“Seal pelts,” Ruby responded with no small amount of disgust. “Mr. Gold loves to hunt them and show off their pelts like they’re trophies.”

“I take it you’re fan of seals?”

“Not particularly. They’re cute and all but they’re supposed to be protected. Killing them is a literal crime.”

“Why doesn’t anyone do anything about it?”

“Because no one wants to lose their jobs. A few dead seals aren’t worth going hungry. Listen, Emma, this place isn’t like anywhere on the mainland. We don’t work the same way. I’m not saying we’re lawless but certain people are untouchable. Gold is one of them and I know you’re just passing through, but I’m telling you right now, avoid him if you can. And if you can’t, it’s best not to get on his bad side.”

“Duly noted.”

“I’m being serious.”

“Alright, alright, don’t mess with the creepy seal killer. I got the message. Loud and clear.”

They stopped in front of a two-story house that was buttercup yellow and built the standard Cape Cod style. Though it was three houses down from Gold’s creepy seal skin display, there was cheery aura to the place that Emma appreciated.

“You like it?”

“It’s cute.”

“I thought you would like it since it’s the same color as your car. The inside is just as nice.”

Ruby unlocked the front door, leading them inside. The house was sparse in its decorating but just as light and cheery as the exterior.

“Will it do?”

“Yeah. It’s great.”

“Good. Just letting you know the place does have heat but if it gets too chilly, there’s a space heater in the basement. There’s a washing machine down there too but it’s old so be gentle with it.”

“Okay,” Emma nodded, giving her an assuring smile. “Thanks.”

“And don’t hesitate to contact me if you need anything. If you don’t feel like cooking, you’re always welcome at Granny’s. I’ll give you a discount.”

“Thanks Ruby. Really.”

“No problem,” she said as she walked back towards the door. She paused when she reached, looking back at Emma with a perplexed expression. “And good luck with your case. I hope everything works out for that woman who hired you.”

Emma gave forced another smile and thanked her again. She relaxed as soon as the door closed, dropping her head against the wall and sighing heavily.

It was going to be a long two months.

#captain swan #cssns #cs supernatural summer #cs fic #cs ff #cs fanfiction #my fic #my shit #seal of fate

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dr-tardis-who · 7 years ago

Text

Angel of Music: Part Five

Harrison Osterfield x Reader

Summary: It’s the night of the gig, while you’re up on stage you notice a familiar groups of boys. Thank god Storm decided on your outfit for the night. Songs used Bubblegum bitch Marina and the diamonds, no good Kaleo

A/N: Very long chapter, because I’m evil and love you all

Warnings: Swearing, sexual tension, mention of abusive relationship

Y/n/n-your nickname

Tagging: @beardedsteveslut @cubedtriangle @wanderdreamer

Tonight was the night, you were doing a very big gig, and after your little run with the Holland family and Harrison. You were a little nervous, as you were stupid enough to tell Storm and the boys. Storm being, well Storm went into overload and wanted to hear every detail and immediately planned your outfit for the gig. Now here you are standing in front of the full length mirror staring at your reflection, you had to admit you didn’t recognise yourself, as you were wearing a rather revealing outfit, that was still tasteful.

“Don’t want any wardrobe malfunctions.’’ Storm said as he was dressing you, yes he was adamant, due to the fact that if he didn’t you would choose something a little more conservative. Your make up was done to perfection, complete with wings, false eyelashes and smoky eyes and ruby red lips.

“Come on little minx, don’t want to keep that boy of yours waiting.’’ Storm calls from the other side of the door, with a sigh to try to be confident in your outfit as you walk out to the car with DJ, Alex, Storm and Andy, they do a few wolf whistles.

“Look at you, Y/n gonna get some tonight.’’ Andy teases, causing you to lightly punch his arm and roll your eyes.

“Fuck off.’’ You joke, the boys all laugh as you all get in the car. Just like last time you had gone to the venue earlier to set up most of the equipment, it was only your guitars and DJ’s keyboard that had to be set up.

“We mean it though Y/n/n, he would have to be a complete and utter div not to like you.’’ Andy says,

“Excuse me, where’s my praise after all who dressed her?” Storm asks from the passenger seat,

“Yes how can we forget our, beautiful fashion designer.’’ DJ jokes from beside you.

“Oh fuck you, you’re just jealous that you’ll never be my masterpiece, of beauty.’’ Storm says giving you a wink. Causing you to laugh from the back, this is what you loved about been with the guys, the jokes and banter always managed to bring a smile to her face.

“What are you thinking about?” Alex asks,

“Nothing.’’ You reply,

“You’re thinking about a certain blonde, aren’t you?” Storm teases,

“No, I’m just been sentimental.’’ You say looking out the window, watching the world whizz by.

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

“What are you boys all getting dressed up for?” Nikki asks, her sons, who were all dressed in nice button up shirts and various jeans/pants.

“Y/n’s band are playing tonight.’’ Paddy says from his spot on the couch the only one not going.

“Oh how nice, we should all go.’’ Nikki says causing the three Holland boys to stop in their tracks,

“What?” Tom asks,

“We’ll all go, it’ll be nice.’’ She says,

“But mum, it’s not really your scene.’’ Harry says,

“Nonsense. It’s a pub.’’ She says, the boys knowing that there was no point arguing with their mum, unless they wanted to be grounded. And Tom didn’t want to go through the embarrassment of that. He sent a quick text to Harrison explaining the situation, and how they’ll have to alter their plan in order to get Y/n’s attention.

“Really mum, I don’t want to go anywhere just to see my brothers and Harrison make heart eyes at some girl.’’ Paddy says not moving from his spot on the couch.

“Hey, it’s Harrison that’s in love with her, we just wanted to get them together.’’ Tom blurts out in a rush only to be slapped on the back of the head by Sam, and Harry to roll his eyes.

“You’re trying to set Harrison up?” Nikki asks,

“He’s fancied her since the night we met her.’’ Harry admits.

“That’s very sweet of you boys.’’ Nikki says with a smile,

“We’re just doing it, he’ll stop acting like a crazy stalker on her social media.’’ Sam adds.

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

To say that Harrison was mortified, would be an understatement. When he arrived at the Holland house to pick up the boys, he wasn’t aware that they had told Nikki everything, who had told Dom. Harrison shot a ‘really’ look at Tom who offered an apologetic smile, that looked more like a grimace.

“Really, you told your mum?” Harrison asks,

“It’s ok Harrison, I think it’s sweet. She seems like a sweet girl.’’ Nikki says that causes the four older boys to think ‘if you only saw her film clips’ simultaneously.

“So we’re all going then, they start playing in ten minutes.’’ Dom says. With that they all file out of the house locking the door and piling into the car.

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

You all got there a little early so with everything tuned and ready to go, you guys were able to enjoy a drink or two before starting. You weren’t planning on getting completely pissed (drunk) tonight, as you weren’t in the mood to party too hard tonight. Actually all you wanted was to curl up with your current book you had been reading, with a cup of tea and your headphones in. And maybe a cuddle with DJ, he gave the best hugs in the world. It’d been hard for you in the last few months as you broke up with your ex, as they had cheated on you five months ago. You didn’t do one night stands or rebounds, so you focused on your music and just being happy for a change. You weren’t bothered about getting into another relationship, that was until Harrison walked in. Yes after a few encounters you had found him very attractive, and fun to hang out with and all the boys liked him. And that was a big thing for you, as they were like family to you.

“Hey, Y/n/n get your head out of the clouds, we have a show to put on.’’ Andy pulls you out of your thoughts.

“Let’s kill it.’’ You smirk wickedly.

Getting up onto the stage you slip your electric guitar over your torso, in front of the microphone. The drums count you, Storm and DJ in as you begin to strum drawing attention to you and your fellow band mates. DJ starts to sing, he was opening tonight it made sense as he had the voice an angel and the range of Brendon Urie. You couldn’t help getting lost in the song as you played one of your favourite songs.

‘Kiss your baby goodbye, come on love it’s alright’

‘Won’t know unless you give it a try’

Unbeknownst to you a certain group were purely gazing at you as you played the guitar solo, a smile illuminating your face brighter than any highlighter.

“Thank you.’’ DJ says doing his little introduction, it wasn’t until you looked out into the bar properly that you noticed the certain blonde with his friends. Feeling a little braver and flirty tonight, you confidently begun your next song.

‘Oh dear diary, I met a boy,

‘He took my dull heart, filled it joy,

‘Oh dear diary we fell apart, welcome to the life of electra heart’

‘Oh sugar pink, lick-a lips, fill me with your sweet love, steal me with a kiss’

‘I’m gonna be your bubblegum bitch’

When you ended the song, you were all applauded and, you got a few cat calls that you never, really worried about. You smiled brightly at your fellow band mates, Storm merely gave you a knowing wink noticing Harrison sitting completely in awe of you. His plan was working perfectly, so far.

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

You guys take a break for about half an hour before your second set, you’re standing at the bar laughing at something Andy said as you help him carry the drinks you guys had ordered back to your table. When you both get back to the table you see Tom, his family and Harrison with your fellow band mates.

“What the hell did you get?” Alex asks you,

“A mojito.’’ You answer sipping your drink lazily,

“Shouldn’t you be drinking a beer or something?” Sam asks, the group laugh,

“She’ll have to be the only person I know that hates beer with a passion.’’ DJ explains,

“I drink anything but beer.’’ You say a little shy. A slight blush dusting over your cheeks, as you notice Harrison’s eyes on you. The boys tease you lightly for a minute or two.

“It’s ok Y/n beer isn’t for everyone.’’ Harrison says placing a comforting arm around your bare shoulders, a pleasant tingling sensation went down your spine as his fingers made contact with your smooth skin. The air between you both becoming a little thick, the others notice too.

“Come on Y/n/n, we have to get back up there.’’ DJ says pulling you both back into reality.

“Yeah, ok.’’ You reply.

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

As you walk back towards the stage Harrison’s face falls a little, he wanted to hold you a little longer.

“Come on mate, ask her out for fuck’s sake.’’ Tom nudges his friend, teasingly.

“And do you suppose I do that?” Harrison asks frustratedly, as they begin to play another song. Tom did answer his question but Harrison was to enthralled with hearing the beautiful and unique voice, up on stage. Ever since Harry had come across their Youtube, he had spent most of his lazy days watching almost every video they had made.

It was safe to say now he really liked you, and not just because of your talent but because of your personality, how bright and refreshing you are. Not like the other girls that just want that five minutes of fame, to tell a good story. But because you were genuine and caring, not to mention you were gorgeous especially tonight. You outfit was seductive but your face and eyes still held a innocence to them.

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

Packing up was always your least favourite thing to do, since everyone was way too drunk not to spill their drinks, and you been rather petite always had some drunken dumb-ass nearly falling on top you. With a huff you collect the cords from the microphones and place them in their correct containers.

“Hey Y/n?” You hear someone ask you, you turn to see Harrison looking a little tipsy, but not enough to worry you.

“Hey Harrison, enjoy the show?” You ask,

“Yeah it was awesome.’’ He replies,

“I’m glad you guys came.’’ You say with a smile,

“Yeah me too, hey do you need some help?” He asks,

“Are you sure you should be handling equipment in your state?” You question cocking an eyebrow with a slight smirk.

“I’m pretty good actually.’’ He retorts feigning hurt,

“Sure, I appreciate it.’’ You say handing some equipment that’s all ready to go, you pick up some as well. He follows you through the rowdy crowd of drunks, to the door where the cars are. You both continue to talk as you stop with the rest of the boys who are at the cars, watching the scene unfold before them.

“Look at them.’’ Storm sighs dramatically as if he were watching a romance film,

“They do look cute together.’’ Tom admits,

“It’s good to see her smile like that again.’’ DJ murmurs,

“What do you mean?” Nikki asks,

“Her last relationship....was...well shitty.’’ Alex explains.

“Shitty’s an understatement, borderline abuse is what it was.’’ Storm snaps, with malice dripping from every word.

“What?” Tom asks looking back at you and Harrison, in complete shock.

“Our friend is very innocent to a point, but her ex took advantage of her. Even to this day we don’t know the full story. But from what we do know it was borderline abusive.’’ Andy explains quietly. He took the news of your past relationship harder than anyone, he saw you as a little sister. Someone he needed to protect from all the evil in the world.

“But she’s so sweet and beautiful.’’ Nikki says feeling lost for words,

“Trust me, we know. Her ex cheating on her was actually a blessing in disguise, it’s also one of the reasons, we decided to bring her along. To get back the Y/n we know and love.’’ Storm says, smiling as you both approach the group.

“So you guys, leave me to do all the work?” You tease,

“Well we know how much you love packing up after a gig.’’ DJ says sarcastically, causing you to roll your eyes.

“At least Harrison’s more help, than you lot.’’ You retort causing the blonde to blush slightly.

“Hey, you’re not stealing my assistant.’’ Tom cuts in jokingly,

“Oh I don’t know, but I think your bro-mance is way too intense for me to get in the middle of.’’ You reply, causing Tom’s brothers to laugh.

“Hey are you guys going out afterwards?” Sam asks,

“We weren’t sure, it’s up to Y/n.’’ Andy says,

“Oh yeah great idea, let’s ask the most indecisive person on the planet to make a decision.’’ You answer.

“True.’’ Andy says, with a laugh.

“I personally wouldn’t mind a few quiet drinks.’’ Alex pipes up,

“That actually sounds nice.’’ You agree, you weren’t in the mood to let loose tonight, personally all you wanted was to go to bed with a good book and music in your ears.

“Really, never did I think I would see the day that Y/n L/n , would agree to a quiet drink.’’ DJ teases,

“Oh fuck off it’s been a long week.’’ You reply,

“I’m up for some drinks.’’ Tom says happily, the rest of the boys agreeing too, as well as Harrison. You couldn’t help the sense of Deja vu, filling you. You look as Harrison smiling softly.

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

Andy ended up the designated driver with you all in the back as well as Harrison, Tom, Sam and Harry. You were leaning against Harrison who was sitting next to you, you had drunk way more you should of. And after that prick made a pass at you, Harrison had gotten all of you thrown out due to him, kindly telling random man to fuck off he didn’t listen. So you go between both men not wanting Harrison to get hurt, so you had taken the punch that was meant for Harrison, to the ribs. So now you were on your way to hospital, just to make sure there was no serious damage.

“That was still a stupid thing to do.’’ DJ mutters,

“What do you expect me to do, huh?” You ask your words slurred,

“Harrison’s a grown man he can take care of himself.’’ DJ counters,

“Doesn’t matter. You would do the same for me. Makes no difference.’’ You retort.

“Yes it does.’’ Harrison says, speaking for the first time, you look at him trying to focus your eyes due to your drunk state,

“What do you mean?” You ask,

“You could’ve gotten seriously hurt, or worse. Whether you like it or not, you’re a girl and it makes a difference.’’ Harrison says, his heart slightly breaking due to the look on your face.

“Yes I’m a girl, get the fuck over it, believe it or not I’m stronger than I look and am more than capable of defending myself.’’ You snap with anger.

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

In the hospital was tense between you and Harrison as you waited for your scan to come back. You hadn’t spoken a word since you were in the car, you merely drank your small cup of water that the nurse gave you to sober up, slowly. Harrison sat in a chair on the other side of the room observing you, you were tense and upset, something was bothering you it was right on the edge of your lips you just couldn’t bring yourself to say it. You run your fingers through your hair swinging your legs over the edge of the bed, as your feet didn’t touch the ground. Yes you’re a child.

“Must you do that?” Storm asks,

“Yep.’’ Is all you reply with before going back to your own train of thought, for a moment Harrison thought he saw unshed tears in your eyes, but he didn’t want to upset you. He did feel guilty that he made you so upset, but he couldn’t help but voice his opinion. He was about to say something, when the doctor came into the small room.

“The good news is there’s no damage to your ribs, the bad news is that, there is slight bruising. My advice is not to do anything strenuous, for the next few days.’’ The doctor says kindly, you nod.

“Can I go home now?” You ask, your voice smaller than usual, Harrison thought it was to do with the fact that you’re tired.

“Of course.’’ The doctor says helping you off the bed, DJ wraps his arm around your shoulder protectively. As you all walk out of the hospital.

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

Back in the car, you had fallen asleep almost as soon as DJ buckled you in, the car ride was quiet, none of the boys saying anything.

“She did just want to help.’’ Andy says quietly breaking the tense silence,

“She could of gotten herself hurt.’’ Storm counters,

“Yes, but we all know that she doesn’t care about her own safety, when it comes to helping others.’’ DJ adds,

“She’s going to be the death of us all. Even you mate.’’ Alex says nudging Harrison playfully, causing the blonde to blush madly.

“No point denying it mate, we all know you like her. And don’t worry she likes you too.’’ DJ reassures Harrison,

“Not after tonight.’’ Harrison murmurs,

“Give her time she’ll forgive you. Just say sorry.’’ Storm says,

“That’s it?” Harrison asks,

“Yep.’’ DJ answers with a nod.

#harrison osterfield #harrison osterfield imagine #harrison osterfeild x reader

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