#one of the people in my department is sick so we pulled a out of department coworker to do her shift today

[wall-eye]

If you annoy people for fun, don't be surprised when people don't like you

Work rant in tags. Didn't know there was a 30 tag limit lol

[cxrrodedcoffin]

Jealousy, Jealousy - Spencer Reid

Likes are always appreciated but reblogs and feedback keep artists going!

Summary: Spencer and reader are both BAU agents in a secret relationship and a charity gala has reader tired of hiding.

Word Count: 2.4k

A/N: Trying something different with the first person perspective here! bc of that I did have to use y/n twice so sorry for that lol. This is later seasons but pre-prison Spencer, so he’s a little more sure of himself and in return more dominant without being fully there. I promise I’m working on a few sub!spencer fics right now but I stumbled across this old fic of mine while going through my past works and I was dying to rework it because I wasn’t happy with what it was before lol.

TW: jealousy, angst, kissing, penetrative sex, unprotected sex, afab reader, use of “girl” in reference to reader.

Rating: R, 18+ only please!

——

We’d already been here for three hours and I was growing weary watching Spencer make awkward conversation with every person at this charity gala. There were hundreds of people neither of us knew in this room, but bureaucratic duty required the both of us to make small talk with everyone no matter the department. Heaven knows Spencer didn’t have any intention beyond professional with these people, and I certainly didn’t either as it came with the territory of being BAU agents, but somehow I couldn’t help but find the jealous side of me rearing its ugly head with every attractive colleague that looked his way.

I’d kept my distance, allowing him the space he needed to not seem too attached. I knew how important it was that everyone assumed we were both single, interpersonal relationships between agents aren’t exactly looked highly upon here. Still, watching him talk the ear off of another woman had that familiar blossom of insecurity blooming in my chest. No matter how clueless he was, I knew just how many women and men in our professional vicinity would risk a lot to be with Spencer, and they figured that maybe given the right set of circumstances, perhaps they’d have the opportunity. He never gave them that privilege of course, even though we weren’t public with our relationship, we knew what we were, and he never betrayed that trust.

Still, as he was approached by a particularly tall, gorgeous redhead I found myself growing more and more jealous. He said something and she laughed a little too hard, laying her right hand on his bicep and tossing her hair over her shoulder with the other, and the green eyed monster returned, fiercer than ever. A tear slipped down my cheek as I watched, but I quickly wiped it away, fighting to keep my composure.

When he finally broke away from her, I made my way through the sea of elegantly dressed attendees, whispering his name to catch his attention. He turned to me, features softening as he registered my features.

“Is something wrong?” He asked, concern lacing his tone.

“I’m not feeling well, I’m going to head home.” I told him, forcing a reassuring smile so as not to worry him.

“Would you like me to come with?” He whispered, brushing his hand against my arm, just as the redhead had done to him. Such a simple, loving gesture, and the thought of someone who was not me doing it to him made my blood boil. I shook my head, giving him one last look of reassurance before gathering the top of the skirt of my overly detailed gown in my hands and making my way out of the ballroom and ordering an uber.

When I got back to his apartment, I kicked my heels off haphazardly the second the door locked behind me before stumbling to his bedroom. I don’t know why I’d come back to his apartment, I should’ve gone to mine, but I didn’t want to. I was sick of the hiding, the secrecy. I wanted him. I wanted to live with him. I wanted to be with him.

I reached around to the zipper on the back of my dress, roughly pulling it down halfway before it got caught, the expensive fabric bunching under the hardware. I pulled as hard as I could, desperate to get out of the increasingly suffocating garment, but my attempts seemed in vain as the zipper stayed put.

All the emotions I’d been holding in throughout the night boiled to the surface, showing themselves in the form of hot, frustrated tears. I collapsed face first onto the bed, letting the plush bedding consume me as I folded my arms beneath my cheek, feeling the wetness gather against my skin. I let it all out, quiet sobs wracking my body as I groveled in my jealousy, the physical pain of the restrictive fabric only doubling my emotions.

I didn’t know how long I’d been laying there, but his hand on my shoulder broke me out of the jealousy fueled haze I’d been locked in.

“Y/n? Why didn’t you go home? What’s wrong?” His voice sounded fuzzy as I quickly stood to face him, wiping away my tears.

“I don’t want to go back there Spencer, I want here to be home. I’m not home if I’m not with you. I’m so sick of hiding. I want to be yours.” I blurted, too overwhelmed to think about what I was confessing.

“You are mine.” He whispered.

“I don’t believe you.” I responded.

“There’s no one else y/n, you know that.” He continued, but it did little to calm me.

“All those women at the gala, touching you, flirting with you. I don’t want to have to sit back and watch it anymore. I die a little every time I see it.”

“Y/n, you know I don’t-“

“I know! You don’t enjoy any of it, I get that, but they do! They want you, Spencer, and I can’t bare the thought of losing you to one of them.” I confessed, tears welling in my eyes again.

“That won’t happen.” He said, a kind of sureness in his tone.

“How do I know that?” I asked.

“Because you’re the only one I want. You’re the only one that understands me for who I really am. I don’t care about them, not the way I care about you. I’ve never cared about anyone as much as I care about you.”

“I love you, y/n.” It rolled off his tongue as if they were the truest words he’d ever spoken, and as he placed his hands on my hips I practically melted under his touch.

“I love you too.” I breathed, looking up at him doe-eyed, lip quivering as I held back the tears of contentment fighting to escape my waterline.

“I’m yours.” He whispered, pulling me into him before crashing his lips to mine. I turned to putty in his hands, hanging on his every touch as he pulled away and spun me around, large hand resting on my exposed shoulder as the other worked carefully to untangle my zipper, finally allowing the fabric of the gown to fall from my frame.

His lips met my neck, sucking hungrily against my blushed skin and I brought my hand to rest in his brunette curls, holding him steadily against me. He pressed his hips flush against my lower back, his member growing hard as he marked my neck, drawing his swollen lips over the purple patches forming across the sensitive skin of my neck.

I whimpered as he nipped at my pulse point, nimble fingers undoing my bra before letting it join my gown on the floor, immediately cradling my breasts in his soft grip. I rolled my hips back against him, earning a deep groan as my free hand moved to palm him through his fitted slacks.

“Let me prove how devoted I am to you.” He breathed, spinning me back around before laying me slowly onto the bed. I propped myself up on my elbows, watching as he removed his suit jacket, then undid the buttons of his dress shirt one by one, maintaining eye contact as he undid his belt and dropped his pants and underwear, leaving him bare for me to take in.

He knelt at the edge of the bed, taking my ankles in his grip before parting my legs, placing a soft kiss to the small dip on the inside of my ankle. He looked up at me, his gaze never leaving my face as I watched him plant wet kiss after wet kiss up the expanse of my leg before repeating the action on the other, the intimate act arousing me more and more by the second.

When he finally reached my left upper thigh, he lingered, drawing his tongue over the apex of my thigh to my panties, licking a flat stripe over the soaked panel of fabric, drawing a panting moan from my throat. He locked eyes with me, placing a kiss over my clit before taking the waistband between his teeth and letting it slap back against my hip, earning a whimper from me.

He gripped either side of my hips, taking my underwear in hand before pulling them slowly down my legs and discarding them across the room.

I watched transfixed as he kissed his way up my body, leaving soft magenta marks blooming like peonies over my damp skin, paying special attention to my breasts.

“You’re perfect.” He mumbled, tongue tracing around my nipple as I blushed at his words.

“I want to devour every inch of you.” He continued, taking the stiff peak gently between his teeth and tugging, sending a delicious mix of pain and pleasure to every nerve ending in my chest.

“Then do it.” I gasped, relaxing back into the bed. He hummed against me, flicking his tongue over my breast as his other hand slid between my thighs, cupping my cunt. He dipped his index finger to part my folds, already swollen and sticky and dripping with need. I wanted him, and although this certainly was not the first time we’d had sex, I was finally going to have him, all of him.

“So wet…” He trailed off, dragging his mouth up the expanse of my neck before drawing me into a kiss, deep and warm and full of a fire I’d never felt from him before. It’s like his confession had set something free in him, torn down a wall or two, uncaged the animal of desire within him.

“All for you.” I whimpered, pulling him down into another kiss.

He pressed two fingers in slow, pressured circles against my swollen clit, his full lips swallowing every last one of my needy moans and whimpers. Any other night I would’ve reveled in it, secretly loved the slow burn of his teasing, but I was far too emotional for that tonight, and I couldn’t put up with not having him inside of me anymore.

“I need you.” I whined, rutting my hips up into him.

“What do you want me to do, my love?” He asked. I huffed, knowing the game he was playing.

“Please Spence, I need you inside of me. Fuck me, show me what I mean to you.” I practically moaned as he continued rubbing harsh circles against my clit.

“That’s my girl, always so eager.” He praised, snaking his hands around the back of my thighs and lifting to wrap my legs around his hips.

He rubbed himself slowly through my folds, properly coating his cock with my slick before aligning the head at my slit, ready and inviting him in. He pushed slowly into me, a low groan slipping from his clenched jaw as he savored every inch of my wet heat and I met him with a tight embrace, gasping at the way he filled me.

I’d never felt so connected before, like I could feel him in every fiber of my being and as he was seated fully inside of me I felt whole, like we were made for each other.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him down into a kiss before he pulled almost completely out, pausing before pushing back in, my wetness making it almost embarrassingly easy. He angled his hips upward, knowing how quickly I’d crumble beneath him with the repeated brush of his cock against that soft spot inside of me.

He looked down at me, a certain warmth spreading over his dilated pupils as he halted his hips and opened his kiss-swollen lips to speak.

“It’s only you. Forever.” He purred, pushing the stray hair from my face before kissing my temple and pistoning his hips forward, punctuating his words with a deep thrust.

Each roll of his hips against mine had my muscles contracting, pulling him closer in every way, never wanting this to end. His rhythm remained steady as he picked up his pace, driving the pressure building inside of me ever closer to bursting.

I snaked one of my hands into his hair, gripping tight as the other found his bicep, matching my grip. I needed to hold him, to feel him, to know that having him here like this wasn’t all a dream. His groans and pants filled the thickening air, like a melody in my ear, mingling with my own and the almost feral “mine” that ripped from his throat on a particularly hard thrust had me crying out for him, clawing at his arm as he repeated the intensity.

I was close, so close and as I felt his cock twitch inside of me I knew he was too. I locked my ankles around his hips, holding him inside of me as he rolled his hips quickly, head dropping onto my shoulder. The continued stimulation of that spot, the sweet spot inside of me only he could hit became too much, bringing stars to my eyes as I cried out his name, euphoria so strong I couldn’t feel my legs as I dug my nails so hard into his arm that I had surely drawn blood.

“I’m yours.” He groaned, hips faltering as he filled me, my cunt still pulsing around him with every spurt of warm cum.

Everything after that was a blur of being held in his arms, whispered I love you’s, and gentle caresses.

“We’ll go to HR as soon as possible, I don’t care what paperwork they want us to fill out or how much shit we’ll get from Morgan, I want everyone at that gala tonight to know that I love you.” He broke the silence, his words a final cementing comfort.

No more hiding, no more sneaking around, no more secrets. Only the two of us.

——

Tag List: @pleasantwitchgarden

DM me or send me an ask if you’d like to be added to my general or spencer reid taglist :)

[adarafaelbarba]

“come and sit on my face and i’ll show you how much i missed you”

With barba? Slight age gap, he keeps canceling dates and she’s mad that Carmen had to tell her and not him

A/N: Rafael is 48 in this one (it's right before he leaves for Iowa) and reader is 33 😊 Warnings: Smut, minors DNI! Some arguing in the beginning, looks like they won't make up, but spicy in the second half, Rafael using his skills to win her back.

You were beyond pissed at Rafael. Of course, you'd expected there might be some hiccups early on in the relationship, you were both busy people, and some nights might be harder to plan dates on than others.

But this was the fifth time this month that something had come up, and he'd have to cancel. Worse still was the fact that he'd gotten his assistant, Carmen, to call you about it.

On a normal day, you and Carmen got on like a charm, but you could hear in her voice when she called you, that she did not want to make this call.

So when Rafael finally showed up at your place, at 11pm, you nearly slammed the door in his face.

"Amor! Please! I'm sorry okay, something came up with the case last minute and I couldn't just leave it!" He tried, but you couldn't even look at him.

"Always something to do with work. I understand you have a demanding job, Rafael, but so do I, and I still make time for you. You couldn't just have asked one of the 25 paralegals working under the SVU department at One Hogan Place to fix it for you?"

"It's not that easy, this case is too delicate--"

"If they don't get to try the hard cases, how will they learn?! I asked for time off, you could've done the same!" You didn't want to yell at him, but this might be the last straw.

"Please, let me make it up to you, amor--"

"I don't know if you can."

He shot forward and grabbed your hand, pulling at it until you looked at him. "This can't be it--amor, please give me another chance!"

You bit your lip, looking at him, he looked like he was about to cry, a weakness of yours when it came to him, "Rafael--"

"Please, amor, I'll do anything--."

You shook your head, needing time.

---

Three months after you last saw Rafael, you were at the Manhattan SVU, covering a shift for Sonny who had to call in sick, something that honestly never happened.

Upon entering, you spotted the last person you wanted to see, standing in Liv's office. The two looked so homey, it stirred something inside you that you didn't like.

Sitting down at Sonny's desk, you tried your best to ignore the feeling, and going about the case you were working instead, when suddenly there was a tap at your shoulder. You looked up to see Amanda nudging you.

"Barba is looking at you, what gives?"

You flushed slightly. "It's complicated," you murmured, not wanting anyone else to hear, least of all, Rafael.

"Wait?! You two?!" Amanda exclaimed, making you want the earth to eat you up whole. "Aren't you like 15 years younger than him?!"

"Is that any of your concern, detective Rollins?" Rafael's voice sounded stern, like an angry school teacher, stirring something completely different from earlier inside you.

Amanda managed to get an "I'm sorry out" before she sat back down to work on her own stuff.

"Can we talk, y/n?" Rafael was right in front of you now.

"What's there to talk about--." But you got up regardless, not wanting to have an audience as you broke down.

The two of you made your way to the on-call room, no one would be using it for the next hour, so he could try and explain himself in peace for now.

Once the door was closed, he trapped you between it and his body, looking down at you. "Sit on my face, amor, and I'll show you how much I've missed you." he whispered, then you heard the lock clicking behind you.

"We're at work--"

"I can be quiet, can you?"

As if on queue, you let out a whimper. "we shouldn't--"

He dipped his head, his nose brushing against your cheek, his breath hot on your skin. "Let me show you how much I've missed you", he repeated.

It felt like your legs were turning into jelly, and you leant up to finally kiss him. The kiss turning desperate as you made out. Rafael taking the opportunity to grab your waist and walk you to the bed.

"Strip for me." He was as demanding now as he was in court, which honestly turned you on more than you wanted to admit.

Doing as you were told, you stripped for Rafael while he laid down on the bed, getting ready for you.

"Now be a good girl and sit on my face, but keep quiet, won't want the others to hear you."

You nodded, straddling his head. As soon as you did, he pulled you down onto him, beginning the onslaughter on your pussy. A small yelp coming from you, but you were quick to clamp a hand over your mouth. Your eyes rolling back at how good he made you feel.

It would take no effort at all from him to get you to the edge, and he knew that, which made him so much more lethal when he gave you pleasure.

And sure enough, you soon found yourself on the edge of your release, on of your hands going into his hair, holding him there while he helped you through the best orgasm you'd ever had.

Getting off him, he had the biggest grin on his face, and you wanted to stay mad, but in that moment, you only felt love for him.

He got up after you, pulling you in for a heated kiss as he rubbed your heated body up and down. "I'll never betray you again, amor, please give me another chance."

You nodded at that, "one more chance, no more." Which he agreed to, helping you get redressed.

~~~

Tagging:

@plaidbooks @storiesofsvu @cycat4077 @thatesqcrush @alwaysachorusgirl @im-just-a-mississippi-girl @bisexual-dreamer02 @misscharlielulu @xoxabs88xox @muchadoaboutcj @beatrice-san @meetmeatyourworst @thats-jaywalking @cursedashes @mysoulisasunflower @crazy4chickennuggets @imaginelover88 @beccabarba @itsjustmyfantasyroom @detective-giggles @guitita @ladylionstar @achataa @nessamc @peauxheaux @silversprings-mp3 @polkadotpenguin16 @pepperbstark @im-a-slut-for-this-man2 @chickensarentcheap @irishavengersassemble

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[st-eve-barnes]

I always make this end of the year post on here looking back on the good and bad things that happened that year but I don't really know where to begin this time. Ever since we buried my aunt in February and had a car accident on the same day this year has felt very off and it hasn't changed since.

Even yesterday we celebrated Christmas with the family and it ended in drama, which just does not happen in our family, ever. (it involved my sister's bf, our family is fine). But it just feels in line with the rest of this weird year.

There's been several deaths around us this year and I've never had as many sick days before, nothing big (I'm lucky here) but many smaller things piling up.

I've been quiet on here lately in fandom as well because I feel like I lost my fangirl vibe a bit. I stopped writing months ago and just been feeling very meh about it all (of course the disappointing season 2 and now lack of content doesn't help). It is what it is, I can't force it.

But let me end with the positive because there have been a lot of good things and many beautiful moments as well. One of the major things for me this year is that I managed to kick my depression. I was in a very dark place last year and the beginning of this one, crying so often for no reason and feeling very out of touch with everything. I'm glad to say I've been feeling much better in that department. The goal for next year is to now kick my anxiety because that one has been on a high this year (how could it not with the state of the world right now??)

But back to the positive, while I've been quiet on here I've been more present in real life, focussing on other hobbies and spending more time outside. When I stopped writing I also picked up reading books again and I'm really enjoying it and indulging in it. My husband has been through it all with me last year and it only confirms what I already knew, that he is the best guy in the entire world. We've grown closer this year (if that was even possible), he is my rock and the absolute best thing in my life.

I'm not quite sure what next year will bring, my anxiety makes it hard to feel entirely positive, but we have a lot of things to look forward to and I hope fandom can pull me back in and I might even write something again one day. But I'm not forcing the muses to come back, things are good as they are now and you might get more aesthetic than fandom posts on this blog for a while longer ;)

I want to tag some people that have kept me company during this year. I hope your holidays are everything you want them to be and the next year will bring you good things❤️ (this goes for all my mutuals not just the ones I tag because I will forget so many people)

@neonhairspray @whitedarkmoonflower @koediepatoedies @sihtricfedaraaahvicius @boundlessfantasy @arcielee @bouncehousedemons @lipstipsky @felteppsters @kaelatargaryen @ms-oswald @lovebittenbyevans @aemonds-fire @dr-aegon @vhagar-balerion-meraxes @lord-aldhelm @persephonerinyes @poppy-in-the-woods @anjelicawrites @gemini-mama @mrsarnasdelicious @livmondcole @sylasthegrim @thenameswinter99

[theblue6ook]

A Sick Day

It’s not a cold. It’s not. It’s just… allergies or something. Y/N definitely does not need to stay home. Bruce disagrees.

B (24) & Y/N (22)

A/N: recently got a puppy and he has taken all of my free time <3 Also, this fic is unedited and proud.

“Get your coats and turn on your radiators, Gotham. An ice front is coming in and it’s coming in hot. Or should I say cold? No, this isn’t the work of Mr.Freeze, he’s still in Arkham and we hope he stays there. This is the work of a winter storm. While the snow will be beautiful, it will also be dangerous.”

Y/N scoffed at her computer. The newscasters always made such a big deal about winter storms. Nothing can be worse than what they had to deal with when Mr.Freeze escaped a year ago. She was stuck in her apartment for three days with no groceries, splitting a box of stale Triscuits with Carrie three meals a day. If anything, cold weather is more an inconvenience than a danger. Plus, it’s been teetering on 45 degrees out the past week. How much colder would it get?

-

So… It got fucking cold.

Gotham had hit record-low temperatures. So low it hadn’t been a natural occurrence since the 60s. Lucky for Carrie, she had chemo this week and the hospital had gotten spooked by the recent weather reports so they asked her to stay overnight. While the hospital bill wouldn’t be nice, it’s way better than what Y/N is dealing with. 

Her radiator is shitting out on her. The whole building's radiator system actually. Normally when the weather is this bad she would opt to work at home, like everyone else, except she can’t take the cold. Her body in particular can’t take the cold. It could be from the shitty surroundings in her apartment building or from sniffly Nathan who works in Wayne Enterprise’s marketing department, but she thinks she’s coming down with something. What’s worse is that the cold weather is making it worse.

Her whole chest felt like it was burning, which is a real contrast to how cold she was walking to work. She couldn’t get her car past the snow and she needs warmth and warmth is at Wayne Enterprises. So, she trudges into the empty building, up the elevator, and sits at her desk with a groan.

Breathing heavily, she shrugged her coat off her shoulders and pressed her freezing fingertips underneath her armpits. She looked at her reflection in her desktop monitor. Her cheeks were bright red and she had dark circles under her eyes. At least no one else was here to see her. No one else was here to see her…

Would it hurt to take a nap? No one would know. No one would see. 

Y/N stood and stepped out into the hallway. Not. A. Single. Soul. Oh, she is so napping.

-

Bruce had chained up his tires this morning and headed to Wayne Enterprise. It was too bright for The Tumbler and he needed to gather a few equipment items from Lucious Fox’s bunker. It’s not like anyone was here anyway. There was not a single car in the garage, not even Y/N’s, which is really saying something. 

He perused the bunker, grabbing a few small but powerful heaters, fleece-lined leather for his suit, and a couple of other items, stuffing them into his duffle bag. He was used to the cold, training in it, even living in it on one occasion, and the people of Gotham needed him so he’d be there. 

Pulling the duffle bag over his shoulder with ease, he headed out of the bunker and towards the elevator. He left a particular file that wasn’t meant for Wayne Enterprise in his office, while no one was here, you can never be too careful. Except… There was someone here. 

He could only assume the head poking out from her coat was Y/N and she was sleeping? In the office? Stepping closer to her, he noticed, even under all her layers, she was trembling. Pulling her coat collar from her face, he finally got a good look at her. She was flushed and had broken out into a sweat, even her ears were bright red. He held onto her shoulder and shook her lightly.

“Y/N,” Bruce spoke softly. She ground turning away from him. He slapped a hand to her forehead trying to gauge her temperature. She definitely had a fever, it couldn’t be lower than a 100. Slowly her eyes opened at the disruption, then became wide at who was standing over her. 

“What are you doing here?” 

“I’m not the one sleeping in the office.”

“Sorry,” she mumbled embarrassed, “I don’t know how that happened-”

“Y/N you’re burning up. What are you even doing here?”

“Why does someone come to work, Bruce?”

“You’re not working. You’re sleeping.”

“I had the intent to work-”

“Y/N.”

“I just felt like coming in,” she snapped. In truth, she was embarrassed. Here was her billionaire boss. If he didn’t feel like sleeping in his mansion, he could stay the night at his penthouse. She was sure he had other properties as well, meanwhile her radiator couldn’t even stay on when it gets chilly outside.

Bruce held her stare with a firm gaze and narrowed his eyes.

“You’re going home.” It wasn’t a question and he definitely didn’t ask as he lifted her under her armpits from the couch and stood her up on the floor. He took her coat roughly from the couch and threw it over her shoulders. Bruce turned to pack the rest of her things up. Y/N was so tired, but she was also so frustrated. She had just gotten here. It had taken her so long to walk here. “Let’s go. Where’d you park?”

She remained silent and looked away from him. 

“Y/N. Where did you park?”

“I’m not going home. I just got here.”

“You’re sick you’re going home,” before she could speak he added, “and don’t say your car is in the garage because I know it’s not in there.”

“...I parked on the street.”

He tilted his head examining her, “No you didn’t. The snow us up to the stairs. Where’s your car?”

His question came out as more of a statement, demanding of an answer. She wouldn’t look at him and he grew both frustrated and disappointed. “For the love of god, please tell me you did not walk here.”

“My car couldn’t get past the snow!” she loudly admitted, “Is that what you wanted to hear-”

“Y/N. When your car can’t get past the snow, it means you stay home!” 

He held his hand to his brow, trying to sooth the tension in his head. Throwing his duffle bag and her work bag easily over his shoulder, he didn’t give her much of a chance to say anything as he grabbed her by the hand to pull her toward the elevator. Even in his frustrated state, shaking his head and rolling his eyes, his grip on her was still gentle.

Stubborn as ever, she would let him pull her to the car. She would let him buckle her in. She would let him drive her to her broken, cold home, but she wouldn’t say a damn thing about the radiator. None. Of. His. Business.

[She’s even more stubborn when she’s sick.]

And she did just that. She let Bruce Wayne take her hand, blaming the warmth in her face on her high fever. She let him tug her to his expensive McLaren 650s Spider with a new shiny set of winter tires. She enjoyed seeing it too and part of her enjoyed annoying him. And she let him plop her into his expensive shiny car, buckle her in, and drive her home. What she didn’t expect was him wanting to walk her inside…

“I can get inside just fine, thank you.” Y/N attempted to push him back towards his car. Her hand held to his chest and pushed firmly. He didn’t even budge. Not even a sway.

“You’re not walking up three flights of stairs alone in your condition.”

“My condition?” she paused. “How do you know I live on the third floor?”

“You put your address on your resume,” he lied smoothly.

“I didn’t know you read my resume-”

“Stop stalling.”

She tried to keep him out, she really did, but he was so persistent. They made it to the front door, thank you Mr.Wayne I can take it from here. Nope, he needed to help her up the stairs, so they made it up the stairs. Thank you, Mr.Wayne I think I can make it inside by myself. Nope, he had already made it up the stairs; he might as well finish the journey. They made it to her front door. Thank you, Mr.Wayne you can go now. Nope, there’s no reason he can’t sit her things down for her.

In her heart, she knew there was no way he didn’t notice the cool, crisp air in the hallway. The way not a single apartment radiated heat and she knew he had to be suspicious. Her hand shook in shame as she unlocked her apartment and opened the door up, head down. 

Letting himself in, she heard a deep sigh, radiating from his chest, “Y/N, you can’t stay here-”

“Stop-”

“It’s freezing in here-”

“You don’t think I know that?” Once again, he grabbed her hand pulling her into the hallway, shaking her head. He took the keys straight out of her hand, locking the apartment door. “What are you doing? We just got here?”

“You’re staying with me this weekend.” 

“Are you insane?”

“I have a house with over fifteen bedrooms. I think you can find somewhere to sleep.”

“This is so unprofessional.”

“I don’t care.” With her apartment keys he walked back toward the stairs at an alarming pace. She had no choice but to follow.

“Bruce, I swear to God I am not staying at the manor.”

-

“Welcome to Wayne Manor Miss.Y/N.”

@pank0w @moejoeflow @padsfirewhisky @maxinehufflepuffprincess @pastelsweaters-and-bubble-t @mariadvorak @100520s @st0rmyt @stxrsberkshire

[thewulf]

Pretty Girl || Aaron Hotchner

Summary: So, the request/idea is an Aaron Hotchner x F!Reader where the reader is actually a criminology or psychology professor and is good friends with Spencer... Read Rest Here

A/N: Loosely based on one of my favorite story lines because I sat here for an hour trying to come up with a good enough story that’d stump Reid and failed. Mosely Lane. Doesn't get fluffy until the end. Hope you enjoy!

Pairing: Aaron Hotchner x Y/N

Word Count: 5.4k +

Dismissing the class for the weekend you sat back at your desk in the front of the auditorium strumming away at the keyboard. You heard the clapping before you saw him. Eyes crinkling a touch you smiled brilliantly at your longtime friend.

“Another excellent lecture Professor.” He grinned at you.

“Spencer!” You laughed shooting out of your seat hugging the tall lanky man tightly, “To what do I owe this visit to?” You asked after breaking apart from the hug.

His face shifted from one of joy to a downcast expression, “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t serious.” He sighed taking a seat on your desk, “We need some help.”

You nodded listening, “Go on.”

He looked down as if he was ashamed to ask for help. As if he should’ve been good enough to solve it. But nobody was perfect. Sometimes cases can get away from you. You’ve had it happen once when every decision you made was the wrong one. It was always awful when you realized you might’ve made a mistake that got somebody killed.

“Kids. They’re just kids.” His voice wobbled as he looked back up to you. You felt your heart clench at the voice crack, “Another child was found off the Potomac just north of here.”

Your cocked your eyebrow in curiosity, “A local case? How many children?” You asked quickly hopping from professor to profiler in your mind.

He drew a deep breath, “Ten.”

Your eyes widened, “Over how long?” That was a lot of murdered kids. Who in their sick minds could do something like that? You’d been around a lot of sick people in your years in criminology, but this was already coming to the top of the twisted pile. Killing kids was another level of sick you despised coming across.

“A year and a few months.”

Your eyes bugged even further, “Christ.”

He nodded solemnly tossing the case file down on your desk. He watched as you meticulously poured over everything the team had put together in two weeks. You hummed and hawed as you fingers ran across the pages. Reading everything.

“These poor babies.” You let out an equally defeated sigh looking at the pictures of the mutilated bodies of the innocent.

He hummed in agreement, “We can’t figure it out. Another girl just got abducted in the same way the last boy was. We just found his body. I’m missing something here. I can’t see it.” You looked up at him. He looked utterly defeated. Tired eyes gave way to the lack of sleep he’d been getting. Messy hair and wrinkled clothing also adored his figure.

“I’m in. Let’s go.” You shoved your laptop in your bag before closing the massive case file to read in the car.

He gave you a confused look, “Right now? Don’t you have to teach?”

You nodded, “I’ll cancel it. Let’s go. Time is ticking for the girl. First to the office.” Hurriedly, you stood next to him eyeing him to lead the way. He nodded seeing your seriousness, You followed him all the way back to Quantico after calling your Dean. It had some perks, being the Director of Criminology at Georgetown. It almost made you giggle it sounded so ludicrous.

You flashed your badge having consulted on a few cases for different departments of the FBI. Security let you through in a flash. You’d never worked with Spencer on an actual case of his. Hell, he’d normally figure it out before he’d ever dream of pulling an outsider into the team. But even he knew he was missing something. A puzzle piece he couldn’t seem to find. That’s when he thought of you. His longtime friend from postgrad. The two of you were ostracized early in your studies. You for being an incredibly intelligent female and him because he was a know it all. The two of you found each other and the rest was history. You stayed in academia while consulting on the side and Spencer went the FBI route. Luckily, you’d stayed in touch through all the years. You found it easy to love him as a friend once you knew how to deal with the boy genius.

“Team, this is Y/N. Y/N, the team.” Spence said quickly once he all but yanked you into the large conference room on the floor. Your eyes glossed over each of them quickly before falling to the one on the end. Tall, dark hair, dark eyes, and a smoldering look? Whew, he was just your type. He’d make you nervous. You didn’t see a ring on his finger as you scanned him from head to toe quickly.

You nodded bashfully. You could lecture hundreds of students but the eyes of six profilers right on you was rather intimidating, “Hello.” You nodded quickly walking over to the white board that listed intricate details of the case you hadn’t skimmed across in the file.

“Director of Criminology at Georgetown?” The handsome man stood next to you. A quick nod before turning your eyes back to the board.

“Yes, sir.” You cringed at your own voice sounding so unsure of herself. That wasn’t like you, not at all.

You noticed the hard stare turn to curiosity for a second before the stoic gaze returned, “Aaron Hotchner, BAU Unit Chief.”

Ahh, the infamous Hotchner. You had to admit it was almost fun putting faces to the names you’d heard from Spencer throughout all the years. At no time did he mention that Hotch was as striking as you’d found him to be. It never crossed your mind to find them online. It seemed too invasive on Spencer’s life but now you were second guessing that decision.

“Nice to meet you Agent Hotchner.”

He wasn’t being unfriendly, but he certainly wasn’t warm. You could tell he didn’t want you here but agreed out of necessity. They weren’t able to save the seven-year-old boy and Aaron was sure as hell not going to let the little eight-year-old girl meet the same fate because of pride. Even though it stung.

He didn’t reply though, only giving you a quick nod. He stood there rereading the same damn sentences he’d read over a thousand times over the last week.

“This is the order they were taken and killed?” You pointed to the wall seeing the boy-girl pattern curiously.

“Seven-year-old boy and then an eight-year-old girl every time. Over and over.” It sounded like the case had depleted him entirely. Haunted eyes scanned over each of the children’s faces. Helpless. All looking eerily similar too each other.

“And you all interviewed 21 suspects in northern Virginia.” You stated more than questioned as you looked up to the curious eyes. They were expecting you, but they weren’t expecting you.

The blonde woman nodded with a gentle look settling on her face, “All dead ends.”

“Can I read their case files?” You asked ready to spend the next few hours scouring over the notes. Maybe a fresh set of eyes could pick up on something they’d missed.

She nodded running out of the room to grab them. Spencer watched you before joining you at the table as you read through the entire file from where you left off in the car. You thanked JJ when she set another

“Y/N will stay here with Reid. The rest of us, we’re heading back out.” Spencer nodded reading what you were. Still not seeing anything. He watched as you scrunched your eyebrows and highlighted certain words on the page. Gray Honda. Black scooter. Pink bike. What were you onto? What did you see? He wracked his brain as you worked seamlessly between pages.

You read over the next potential suspect. He must’ve heard the small gasp escape from your lips. As he immediately urged you to go on by asking, “What is it?”

“The Darcy’s. We need to go back. There’s something here Spence.” Your finger held over a simple line in the interview. One that’d been glossed over. A seemingly useless detail in a sea of muddled mess of facts and fiction.

He shook his head not getting it continuing to urge on with his eyes, “He messed up. He slipped up and said gray.” You started reading from the transcript, “He said, ‘I took the car out for a spin at that time.’ And then JJ asked, ‘What kind of car to you drive Mr. Darcy?’ He responded, ‘A gray… shoot I mean black Honda Civic. Sold the gray one last year to a family member.’”

His head cocked, “A gray Honda Civic... oh, shit.” He dove into the papers finding exactly what you were looking for, “The interview with the witness who found the body. She spotted a gray Honda along her route.”

You nodded, “She thought it was odd because it was so early in the morning. Nobody is ever out.”

“We need to call Penelope.” Spencer gaped.

He pulled out his phone, “Garcia, who did David Darcy’s sell his car to last year?”

She hummed, “Well hello to you too! Give me a second boy genius.” You heard her typing away through the speaker phone, “Looks like it’s Mike Darcy. His brother.”

He looked at you with nothing but approval. He knew you were good at your job, but this was exceptional. You’d pieced it together so easily he was almost embarrassed he hadn’t caught that himself, “What do you have on him?” He asked. Again, silence with more typing before another really long silence and the faintest gasp.

“Garcia?” Spencer was finding it rather infuriating he was the one on the other side. He was the one who couldn’t seem to piece it all together. It wasn’t like him.

“He lost his entire family in a car accident two years ago. His wife and two children.”

He was shaking his head know all too well the aged of those two children, “An eight-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy?”

“They don’t call you boy genius for nothing right?” Her laugh sounded strained but relieved. It wasn’t an easy life. Often times so much harder than you could ever dream of. The horror of humanity never ceased to amaze you in the worst ways imaginable.

“Thanks Penny. We gotta call Hotch.” Reid’s eyes were huge before as he dialed his boss’s number, “Hotch, you’re never going to believe this.” He walked off spouting off everything you’d just concluded. Letting out a huge sigh of relief, you listened to your friend off in the distance. It had to be the brother. That had to be the missing puzzle piece.

You felt somebody watching you as you cleaned the files up. You’d begged Spencer to let you go but he straight up refused. Hotch wanted to talk to you or some bullshit like that. You’d, very reluctantly, agreed.

“We looked for days.” His voice sounded harsher. A bit meaner than it did earlier. You turned to meet his eyes that looked how his voice sounded, unhappy with you.

“Just needed a fresh set of eyes was all.” His eyes didn’t change. His state only seemed to harden as he took you in.

“Thank you. She was found safe.” It sounded as if it was torturing him to give you the thanks.

You nodded quickly turning back around to clean the mess up, “Anytime.” He didn’t look bad by any means. Must’ve been a pretty easy arrest. You’d seen Spencer at his worst after unsub’s had been confronted. It was inevitable when you hunted the worst of humanity.

“We won’t be needing your services any longer.” Your heart both sped up and dropped a little at that statement. He didn’t like you. Plain and simple. Had you done something to piss him off? Upset him somehow? You ran through the events of the last few hours and came up miserably short. You’d just have to ask Spencer later.

Before you could respond though an older, almost more intimidating than him, woman walked into the room shaking her head, “That’s not what we agreed on Aaron.” She turned to smile at you, “Erin Strauss, BAU Section Chief.” She walked over to shake your hand eyeing you up. You’d were curious to what she was thinking as she approached you.

“I didn’t agree.” He all but mumbled out. That didn’t sound like the intimidating man that had just tried to put you in your place moments before.

“One vote matters more.” She turned to him. She must’ve given him a look you couldn’t see because he mumbled an agreement. It was surely a sight to be seen. Spencer would eat this one up later. Your longtime friend loved gossiping even though he’d never admit to it.

“That was impressive.” She kept sizing you up, profiling you. She wasn’t shy about doing it either. She’s the big boss and she knew it, used it.

“A new set of eyes can do wonders.” You’d downplay it, for Aaron’s sake. Not that he deserved any of your mercy at this point. He hadn’t exactly been the nicest too you.

She nodded quick, “Sure.” She didn’t have the time to go back and forth with you, “You teach close?”

“Yes I do. Georgetown.” You kept it short and sweet not bothering to elaborate with details she clearly didn’t care about.

A smile broke out on her face, “Dean Willow is a dear old friend of mine. I’ll give him a call. We may call in the future. That is if you want.”

She was giving you the option now, “I would like that. Real world examples are invaluable for my students.” You could’ve sworn you heard a scoff from over her shoulder.

She smiled though, “Wonderful. I’ll give him a call later. Nice to meet you Doctor?” She questioned trying to find out more about you.

You nodded giving her the confirmation you too were one, just like Reid. He wasn’t the only one with a PhD, “Nice to meet you as well Erin.”

She walked off quickly leaving you alone with Aaron. Instead of chatting with him you turned back to the table trying to finish what you’d started long ago, cleaning the damn table up.

“You have no right.” His voice was much louder, much closer now.

Heart hammering in your chest you had to be strategic here, “It was an offer.” Your voice was soft, too soft, and gentle for the moment. You hated confrontation this aggressively, it always seemed to get the best of you.

His lips pursed as he considered his words, “Stay out of the way.” Was all he said before walking out just like Aaron. Yikes. That couldn’t have gone worse.

You’d been called back for almost every local case and even a few further away ones that needed urgency on the clock. That’s where you’d seemed to thrive when the clock was ticking. It never seemed to get better with Aaron. He was cold with you. Never downright mean but brushing the line that he knew he couldn’t cross. Still, you’d never seemed to grow to dislike the man. Spencer let it slip that he felt like he let the entire team down when I came in and solved a case in hours.

You knew how finnicky pride could be. You knew just how dangerous that emotion could turn out to be. You’d let it get the better of you a few times. That was the difference between life and death though. The difference between bringing a family back together or giving them the worst news of their lives. So, you’d give Aaron a pass even if he didn’t really deserve it.

You’d also grown to adore his team. You’d made sure to ask Spencer time and time again to confirm that you weren’t overstepping but he shook it off each time telling you that he enjoyed having you on some of the cases. It brought him back to the fun they had in post-grad all those years ago. Naturally, you’d gravitated towards your friend during the cases you’d been asked to join. Aaron’s eyes always seemed to be glaring at you whenever you caught him. You had a sneaking suspicion you didn’t catch him nearly as often as you did.

Spencer would always just tell you that it was just Aaron. But it had been months now and he was still as ice cold as he was on day one. One by one you’d become close with each of the other members but never dreamed of approaching him. He’d let you know just how much he disliked you. You’d gotten the message loud and clear.

A call came through in the dead of night waking you from the light sleep you were in, always ready, “Hello?” You sounded groggy.

“Y/N. It’s Strauss. Another abduction. Fifteen-year-old girl this time.” She didn’t elaborate waiting for your response.

You sighed, “Why is it always children? I’ll be there in forty.”

Sleepily, you drove into Quantico. You were delighted to see you were the last on there, the team already at work. Yawning you slipped into the conference room greeted by a rather

“Y/N! You’re here. I was getting nervous.” Emily smiled patting your shoulder before moving over next to JJ.

Derek laughed, “Pretty boy was just about to call.”

You grinned looking over at Spence, “Sorry guys, the apartment is closer to Georgetown than it is here.” Your commute was just under an hour. Forty minutes if you pushed it.

“We’re just glad you’re here.” JJ chimed in patting the seat next to her, “We think we have a lead, come take a look.”

Hotch watched in awe as you moved to sit next to her. You’d seamlessly integrated yourself as a semi-permanent member of his team. They’d all seen you an integral member to specific types of cases. Cases that had time constraints. And unfortunately for you that seemed to be child abductions more often than not. Had he been too harsh on you? Was he doing it to protect his team that didn’t even need it? He had a sinking feeling he already knew the answers to those questions, and it wasn’t going to be what he wanted to hear.

He continued to watch as Rossi joked with you, Reid smiled far more often than he’d been used to, Derek already gave you the nickname ‘pretty girl’ to match Spencer’s own pretty boy. You brought ease and order to the team. You took the stress and siphoned it out of a situation. Even Aaron had to admit you were a hell of a profiler. He wasn’t blind either. He found you exceptionally beautiful. A detail Spencer conveniently left out.

He knew he might’ve already burnt that bridge with you though. He’d been nothing but an ass to you. You’d never snapped back though. Always taking everything in grace. You knew the pecking order and it wasn’t up to you to dismantle that or shake up the status quo.

Spencer noticed Hotch’s apprehension to his friend. Spence felt awful that his boss had yet to warm up to you. You were nothing but kind and incredibly good at your job. A combination that Hotch was usually a sucker for. Was his pride really that badly wounded?

He heard you let out a string of cuss words seeing the pictures of the last crime scene. Brutal. Absolute brutality. Whomever was doing this to children was beyond help.

��Jeeze Y/N, you kiss your boyfriend with that mouth?” Derek smirked laying it on thick. That comment brought Hotch right back into the present far too curious to hear what you had to say.

You threw your head back in laughter, “Hardly Derek. Between the teaching, directing and this. I don’t have the time to go meet anybody.”

Derek’s eyes flicked to Hotch’s so quickly even you didn’t catch it, “Who says you haven’t met him already?” Your eyes found his, a fiendish persona reveled in your bashfulness after tops of your cheeks turned a twinge pink.

You couldn’t let him win like that. Not with all those eyes listening in to the conversation intently, “In your wildest dreams Morgan.” A wink sent him into a fit of laughter. He too loved your ability to give and take. Knowing how to play along with him seamlessly.

Hotch coughed drawing all those curious eyes back to him, “Let’s get moving. Reid and JJ head back to police station and update the chief on the latest. Emily and Rossi go update the family. Morgan and Y/N you’re with me. Unsubs house.” You gave him a twisted look. You’d never been with him, and you’d certainly never been to an Unsubs residence while on a case. You were a profiler. A professor. Not a cop. Not comfortable with confrontation your heart was already picking up the pace just thinking about it.

“I don’t think this is a great idea sir…” You’d managed to mumble out once most of the team had cleared the room. You were sure your nervousness was full front, and center displayed across your facial features.

He cocked his head studying you again. Always studying you. Always on guard around you, “I think it is.”

You cursed under your breath almost embarrassed to admit it to him, “I’ve never done that before, going to an active scene.”

He shrugged loosening his gaze a smidge for the first in front of you, “First time for everything. You’ve been through the training in the last few months. You can do it.” He nodded eyeing the door but making sure your head was in it before he left. Last thing he needed was you not 100% ready and getting injured. He knew you were ready for it though. He’d had a daft curiously of how you’d handle that type of pressure.

The three of you sped to the crime scene. Morgan forced you to sit up front by diving into the truck and taking the entirely of the back seat up shooting you a sly grin before shutting the door. You felt the weight of the bulletproof vest

“Stay behind me, pretty girl. We’ll go room to room on the main level.” Derek spoke with conviction once the three of you made it to the front of the home. Your heart was hammering so hard you could hear the blood echoing in your ears. Focus. You could do this. Aaron believed you could.

Hotch nodded, “I’ll take upstairs. Listen to Morgan.” He ordered before nodding at Derek. All hell broke loose as you went room to room clearing. Before you heard the gunshots upstairs. Morgan rushed upstairs with you behind him. Hotch stood with his gun pointed at the now deceased unsub who had a shotgun in his own procession.

“The girl. Where is she?” You asked turning away from the blood spatter that laced the wall behind the body.

“Go, find her.” He barked turning away from the kill. You prayed that was something you never had to do.

You ran out downstairs searching. It wasn’t until you found the basement door that you flew down there. A strangled gasp came from your throat as you spotted the girl in the corner on a bloody mattress. You shuddered at the thought that it wasn’t only her blood coating that mattress.

“Hotch! Morgan! She’s down here!” You bellowed out dropping the gun immediately and softening your expression after witnessing the shaking, bound girl. She’d been beat up. Quite a few times by the look of differently faded bruises littered haphazardly around her hardly dressed body.

You unzipped your jacket clutching it in your hand. Putting your hands up you dropped down to your knees keeping a distance away letting her know you weren’t a threat. You put your hands up, “Hi sweetheart. My name is Y/N. I work for the FBI and we’re here to help you. Can I bring you this jacket to cover up?” You asked her in your most gentle voice. Like you were talking to the most helpless soul on the planet. She might’ve been at that very moment.

Aaron and Derek watched from the stairwell as you stood up walking over to her with slow small steps. Once you reached her you dropped down again, “Is it alright if I touch you? What hurts the worst sweetheart?”

She shook her head before breaking. Breaking down completely. The tears turned to ugly sobs. She reached out for you, and you grabbed her quickly. Pulling her right into your embrace. She fisted your shirt like her life depended on it unaware of the two men watching the scene unfold before them. They’d called for an ambulance and just had to wait. But you were there for her. He felt a light flutter in his stomach as he watched you caress her face and play with her hair. Whispering in her ear and hold her tight. You were a natural. Aaron could see it plain as day now.

Slowly her harsh wails turned to strained tears. Almost all her energy depleted as she leaned on you. You wrapped your jacket around her small frame to cover whatever decency she had left. The poor babies life was over as she knew it. Her life was going to be an uphill battle from this point going forward. Your heart shattered as you brought her back into your chest. Whispering those sweet reassurances to the utterly broken girl sitting in your lap.

Once the ambulance took her away Hotch turned towards you observing once more. Your usually chipper grin was downturned. It had affected you more than he had sensed. It was hard. Impossible sometimes. And this was a good outcome. An exceptional one even.

“Are you okay, Y/N?” He asked finally letting that guard down.

You nodded so softly he didn’t know if you truly meant it or not, “Yeah. I just… I’ve never done that. Spence always told me stories, but I guess… I don’t know.” You sighed at a loss for words.

He stepped forward placing a hand on your shoulder this time, “It’s okay. It’s difficult. We all know. But think of the good you’d done. You were there for her when she needed it most. We didn’t train you for that. You’re just a good person. Don’t let this job ever take that away from you.”

Your mouth almost dropped as listened to him. He was always a man of so few words this felt like an all on speech for you. So long was that hard gaze you grew to expect over the last few months and was replaced with something much softer and kinder. The look he gave him other agents. The ones he’s known and worked with for years. Maybe Spence was right, maybe he was warming up to you a bit.

Things had been going well. Another month had passed, and you’d been called on for few more cases. You’d refused pay simply because you came and went as you had time. You called it tunning up for your professorship.

Aaron had completely warmed up to you over that time. You were still terribly timid around him. Old habits died hard with you. But he was trying. Making small gestures when you were around. Getting you coffee, holding open the door for you, smiling a little bit more.

It wasn’t lost on the team. They’d seen the change even if you refused to. Spencer constantly bugged you about it once Morgan put a big in his ear. Planted a seed that bloomed in that beautiful brain of his.   

Aaron had a scowl on his face watching you and Spencer joke around in the conference room. Why weren’t you even remotely like that with him?

“You could just tell her instead of shooting daggers at Reid.” Derek clapped his bosses back cracking a smile at him.

“She doesn’t like me.” The scowl dropped as he turned towards his agent.

“So, you think. More intimidated by you than doesn’t like you. You were kind of an ass there for a while.” Derek egged his boss on. It wasn’t often he was able to get under his skin.

Aaron rolled his eyes, through gritted teeth he answered him, “I know Morgan.”

“Why were you anyway?” He asked, digging for more and more. The true king of gossip at Quantico.

He shrugged, “To protect you guys. She was an outsider. We didn’t know anything about her.”

Derek let out a laugh that even drew your attention away from Spencer and over to them. Giving them a sheepish wave, you looked away back to Spence quickly. Aaron’s hard eyes turned soft made you feel a certain type of way. He was back to being that handsome man you first laid eyes on. A man who seemed so far out of your league it was laughable.

“Whatever you want to tell yourself boss man. But we both know that’s not the case. It’s okay to have feelings after Haley. It’s been years Hotch.” Morgan squeezed his shoulders urging his friend on, “I’m going to go grab Reid. Go apologize and tell her how you feel. You might be surprised. Go be happy instead of being jealous.”

He mumbled something incoherent but didn’t stop him. Spencer gave Derek a knowing look. You waved him off turning back to the case you were reviewing. It wasn’t a moment later the same chair Spencer

“I’m sorry.” He spit it out certainly not afraid to beat around the bush with it.

Tilting your head to the side you asked, “What for?”

“Being an ass your first few months here.” Again, he was com

You were a bit stunned, “Oh, thanks. I’m happy to be here.”

“You are an exceptional profiler Y/N and an incredible asset to this team. You’ve got a heart of gold. You work with victims better than anybody I’ve seen. Do you know how heartwarming that is to witness? You’re a natural with it all. So, I’m sorry. I’m so happy to have you here.” He let out a breath after airing it out there.

Your heart rate sped up to that rapid rate that made you feel almost uncomfortable, “You mean it?”

“Every last word.” He looked at you expectantly. It could go either way. Either really good or horrifically bad.

You gave him your first genuine smile. One he’s seen come out for everybody else except for him. Until now, “Thank you Aaron. That was very kind.”

He nodded, “Of course. It’s the truth.” You could tell he wanted to say more but didn’t know how to.

You felt a weird surge of confidence brush over you, “For the record. I’ve really enjoyed working for you. With you. I’ve learned a lot.” You too wanted to say something more, but the words were impossible to think of.

The tension was thick. But Aaron decided to cut it. Throwing caution to the wind, “Since you technically don’t work here I don’t think what I’m going to say next is really crossing the line.” He breathed taking a second before gathering the courage he needed, “You are absolutely beautiful Y/N. Inside and out. You’ve been chipping away at my heart ever since you stepped into this world. You are exceptional. I like you. Way more than a boss should. Way more than a friend should.”

Your mouth did drop this time. That was everything you wanted to hear and exactly what you expected not to hear. He liked you? You’d thought back on the month and didn’t see the signs. It seemed so obvious once he spoke it so clearly.

You started giggling at the hilarity of it all.

“What?” He asked smiling, easing back in his chair feeling eased by the lightness of the room.

“I can profile everything but my own damn life.” You kept giggling only to be stopped when he grabbed your hands.

“You’re even prettier when you laugh like that.”

Your blush was mad by now, “Thank you Aaron.”

“Would you let me take you out sometime? On a date? A proper one. Where we get dressed really nice. I’ll take you to a fancy restaurant. All that jazz.”

You smiled even wider, “If that’s really what you want.”

Squeezing your hand as a confirmation he nodded, “Pretty girl, it’s all I want.” His grin was everything as you both sat there smiling at each other like two lovesick fools.

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[eliza-and-her-monsters]

the tortured poets department

Info Post

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Part I

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Contains/TW: damn okay… where do i begin because this is a WRECK. on a serious note though this chapter contains graphic depictions of self harm and suicide attempts so please please PLEASE be careful whenever you read this. i tried to keep it as vague and non-gory as possible to make it more accessible but it may still be triggering for some people so read at your own risk! this happens in a flashback specifically and is clearly marked with spaces and labeled with the month it took place (april) so you can skip past this part if you’d like! this also isn’t meant to be disrespectful or to romanticize these topics in any way! all things in which i am writing from personal experience as well. if you or someone you know is struggling please don’t be afraid to reach out for help. you are loved 🖤 (also serious stuff aside- definitely a lot suggestive at the end teehee we’re getting there.)

WC: 5.1k

part VI

this is me trying

The ice rink almost felt eerie so empty at night, especially had it not been for the motion sensored lights flicking on every time we entered a new room. Vi didn’t hesitate to hop the counter the moment we made it to the rental booth, already missing the feeling of her arm around my shoulders as I anxiously rocked back and forth on the balls of my feet. “So, what’s your size?”

“That’s a very bold question to ask a lady, sir.” I teased, attempting to put myself at ease as I leaned against the counter. “Six… and don’t make fun of me either.”

“Damn, okay, I’ll see if we have any kid’s sizes.” She laughed immediately causing me to raise both of my middle fingers with a glare.

“I said not to make fun of me.”

“I gotta give you a little bit of shit, who would I be if I didn’t?” She said with a wink that made my heart flip in my chest as she hopped back over the counter. “Here… with extra ankle support… for your sensitive-”

“These could be a pretty sick weapon, don’t you think?” I let an almost maniacal grin stretch on my face as I lifted one of the skates from her hands.

“Wow, first date and you’re already threatening me? That’s hot. Where have you been all my life?” Vi snickered as I felt one of her hands sliding around my back as she pulled me into her side. Her subtle displays of dominance and exertion of control. I wasn’t the one in charge here. She would make me think I was occasionally, but it was never true.

“Geez, how the hell do you guys walk on these things?” I questioned the moment I had laced up the rental skates once we made it into the rink.

“Well… 10 years playing hockey certainly does help.” She chuckled a bit before holding her hands out for me to take. “C’mon, I’ve got you. I won’t let you fall.”

“You better not.” I tried to tease, though my legs still tightened and shook the moment I rose up onto the tough blades. I encircled my hand around her bicep, cursing the moment she pulled me onto the ice. It nearly caused my arm to fly around her back until it was gripping her shoulder, nails sinking into the leather of her jacket. “Vi-”

“Hey, I said I’ve got you. Just breathe.” She looked amused, yet her smile remained soft all the same. Her hands drifted from my elbows to cautiously slide around my waist, a small shiver spreading over me the moment she pulled me in, the top of my head just barely grazing underneath my chin. “Just act like we’re ballroom dancing or something… I’ll hold you up.”

I let her pull me deeper onto the ice, my hands curling around her shoulders while I seemed to feel every muscle in her toned back while I kept my face tucked into her chest. “Were you this freaked the first time you went ice skating or-”

“No, it’s not like Ellie would’ve let me fall either.” I scoffed though instantly regretting the choice of words as I momentarily cringed. You have to stop talking about Ellie while you’re on a date, Amelia. “I just mean I was, you know, a-a little bit cocky the first time we went skating. Reckless, I guess you could say.”

“Wow, you actually taking a risk? I’m kind of surprised.” She lightly teased, just in time to reach for my hand to send me twirling like we really were at a ballroom dance.

“Vi!” I exclaimed, wobbling a bit on the blades before stumbling back into her arms.

“You didn’t fall.” She said with a cheeky smile, almost drawing a tiny laugh from my own lips before I let my shaking hands curl around her shoulders again. “So, what were you saying? You were reckless? Let me guess actually… you didn’t want any help so you wouldn’t let her hold you up. Because that I can believe.”

“Maybe you’re at least a little bit right.” My cheeks flushed before I briefly let my eyes roll. “I don’t know, I guess I just spent so much of my life needing to be held up I just- I wanted to be able to do at least something on my own. Even if it was just ice skating. But I got ahead of myself, I was tense and couldn’t balance to save my life so- I fell. Curled my ankle while I did it and I didn’t end up trying it again. I’d occasionally catch Ellie on the ice though because she stayed at our place before the school year started after we both got out of the hospital so… s-sorry I’m probably over explaining things.” I apologized with even deeper heated cheeks.

Vi’s gentle smile never departed as she simply shook her head. “Don’t apologize… I think it’s cute. I wanna learn more about you anyways so- tell me everything.” Her arms seemed to pull me in closer if that was even possible, muscular but soft at the same time. My chin brushing against her chest as I peered upwards at her. “It’s not like Caitlyn’ll tell me anything anyways so-”

“You’re asking my sister for information about me? Are you sure you’re not a creep?” I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Oh I’m definitely a creep.” She spoke shamelessly causing me to let out another giggle before resting my head against her toned chest, our bodies absentmindedly trailing around the rink in whatever direction she wanted to pull us. She could’ve pulled me straight into the ground if she wanted to… and I would’ve let her.

“I don’t know, there’s not a lot of positive stuff to talk about, I guess.” My cheeks heated hidden in her jacket as if in mild shame.

“You know, I did say I wanted to see all of the dark parts too.” She muttered, just in time to feel her hand threading through my hair as she held my head to her chest. “I’m not afraid, Mills, of any of it.”

I let out a soft sigh as I let my eyes flutter shut for a moment, I didn’t even know if there was a method to whatever direction we were going in. A pattern of some sort. All I knew was how easily her touch was managing to loosen me up, hands slipping low to slip around my hips though she still held me so close… and so innocently at the same time too. “Caitlyn… she- she means well. She’s just- I-I’ve put her through a lot.” I spoke after a moment of hesitation, catching my bottom lip in between my teeth.

“She made it her goal to learn everything she could about autism and adhd and whatever other diagnoses I had run into. For a second I almost thought she was gonna major in psychology instead.” I added with a weak smile, gluing my eyes to the ice below. “In doing all of that though I guess she started to think that everything else was a threat… and maybe she wasn’t entirely wrong, I-I don’t know. It certainly seemed that way after a while so… over the course of winter and spring things escalated. I-I was in a really bad place. I was drowning in rejection letters and my parents don’t really do rejection so there was that. More or less I felt like I was just, a ticking time bomb. Caitlyn took the brunt of all of my bullshit though, like she usually did or- does. And then in April I tried to- to-” the words halted in my throat, shaking, too scared to actually continue on for fear of what someone like Vi would actually think. How could you say something like that anyways? Something so drastic and so permanent without even a second thought.

“It’s okay… you don’t have to say it if it’s too difficult.” Vi only whispered as she let a gentle hand slip around the side of my face. Another thing that just felt like she was holding me to her, and possibly the only thing that made it possible for me to stand on my two feet.

“Looking back on it now… I know I didn’t want to die. I just didn’t feel like this planet was meant for me so it would be better if I just… didn’t stay.”

~

April

“Millie! Millie, it’s me- please please answer the door!” I swore it was one of the first times I had ever heard Caitlyn cry as she slammed against the locked bathroom door causing me to flinch as I drew myself towards the opposite wall. She had gotten there in a flash, but not fast enough to completely prevent any damage.

“Caitlyn don’t- don’t come in here- I don’t want you to see this.” I whimpered as I held a hand to my mouth. Deep down I was terrified. Horrified as I starred down at the mistake that I couldn’t undo. Selfishly, I wanted her here. I wanted her in here to hold me until it all went away. If she was she would try to stop me though, up until the bitter end she’d fight for my life even if I didn’t want it anymore.

“Fuck that.” I heard her curse from the other side through a sob as she slammed her shoulder against the door once more. “You’re not leaving, you aren’t fucking leaving me!”

“Y-You’re better off… you’ll realize it eventually, I promise!” It was getting harder to argue, to even keep my eyes open as I slumped against the bathroom cabinets. “Caitlyn please…”

I was in no condition to fight her off, to get her to push back. The door even started to buckle as she sent another strong kick towards it causing me to flinch once more. I should’ve known with all of her training if anyone could’ve gotten the door to break it would’ve been her. “You’re not leaving me, you’re not- fuck that.”

The door splintered at the last kick, my resolve starting to fade as the world was beginning to sound like it was underwater. Fuck, I really didn’t want to die. I really wanted to stay… selfishly and hopelessly. I wanted to get published. I wanted to meet new people. I wanted to have new experiences I was always too afraid to beforehand. Fuck, I wanted to live. I wanted to live so selfishly.

“I’m scared.” I choked the words out, trying not to look at the mess. The disaster that I had created. The embarrassment. The shame. Fuck, what have I done? What did I do? Could I even take any of it back once it was all said and done? Or was this all there was?

The door busted open with a loud crack as she tore inside, my eyelids briefly fluttering open as the first thing she went for was the first aid kit buried underneath the sink. “I know, I know, lovey… but we called the ambulance and they’re on their way you just- y-you just have to hold on a little longer for me, okay?”

“I’m sorry.” I choked out through a sob as she took my shaking body into her arms once she pulled out the first aid kit, nearly taking the entire sink out with her. “Please don’t leave, please… Caity, I’m scared.”

“I’m right here. I’m right here, darling. I’m not going anywhere. This might hurt, just take some deep breaths, okay?” She was the only thing propping me up, the back of my head lolling against her chest while she pressed the gauze to the wound. It didn’t even hurt as much as I thought it would… I just felt tired. All I wanted was to sleep.

My parents were angry in the aftermath, so Caitlyn took on the concerned parent role. The first person I saw whenever I opened my eyes in the hospital next as she brushed the excess hair out of my face. Her eyes were red and bloodshot, like she hadn’t stopped crying for a long while. And I committed that face to memory. My sister was the strongest person I knew, and yet I had managed to break her.

~

“Now since this is a long term care facility, we do come fully equipped with a courtyard, several hiking trails as well since we do believe sunshine and activity to be the best medicine.” The nurse drawled on as she lead the two of us through the long hallways. I clutched a cardboard box to my chest with all of my approved ‘personal belongings’ besides clothes and so on. Mainly just stacks of various books and diaries and such that I hoped they wouldn’t go as far to read through.

The bed closest to the door was already occupied, the green eyes of the girl widening before she sat up and quickly shoved the comic she was in the middle of underneath her pillow. “Oh, and this is Ellie! She’s one of our newer patients as well… she’s been hoping for a roommate actually.”

“Yeah, it gets pretty lonely in here without one.” She said with a tiny smile before pushing herself up to her feet and extending an eager hand to shake before awkwardly flushing at my occupied arms. “Ummm… I-I can help you carry your stuff in if you’d like!”

“I’ve got it, but thanks.” I spoke softly before shuffling over towards what I assumed was my side of the room.

Caitlyn thankfully responded quickly with an enthusiastic handshake of her own before Ellie could retract her own. “Hi! I’m Caitlyn, Amelia’s sister. It’s nice to meet you. I’ll probably be visiting a lot so you might see a lot of me too.”

“That’s great actually, we uhhh, we don’t always get a ton of visitors here.” Ellie added as she nervously wrapped her arms around herself before she noticed Caitlyn’s general confused expression and her eyes went wide once more, “Woah, Ellie, that was some serious projection there. Sorry about that… umm, I-I’ll give you guys some privacy to settle in and- yeah. I-It was good to meet you, Caitlyn.”

“Take care of yourself, Ellie.” Caitlyn added, watching her nervous figure slip from the room. “Well, she seems nice. I think you guys’ll get along.”

“Maybe.” I whispered, eyes still glued to the floor as if I was waiting for it to swallow me up. And I wouldn’t have minded if it did.

“Listen, I know this is gonna be new and- probably difficult but… I really do think this might be the best place for you right now. A long reset before college isn’t a bad idea and you might even meet some new friends also starting at Oxford too. I- I really think this could help you. I do.” She slipped her hands into mine, almost seeming like she was trying to convince herself more than anything.

“I hate it though… not being around you. I mean, I know that it was my own fault and I traumatized you and-” The tears were finally starting to come now that we were alone. Big fat shame-filled ones that she quickly caught before shaking her head and pulling me in.

“Hey, hey… this isn’t a punishment, okay? You’re not being punished. I promise, this is just some extra help and- an added precaution to keep you safe.” A shuddering sob spilled from my lips the moment I buried my face into her chest, keeping it hidden tucked away in her shirt for fear the second they saw me it only solidified the fact that I belonged here. “I know, I know it’s scary, love. Just hold on just a little bit longer for me, okay? You might even write the next greatest tragedy while you’re in here.”

I let out a weak tearful chuckle against her arm before shrugging, “Maybe, it’d definitely be fitting.” I sniffled, letting the tears soak into the fabric of her shirt. But she didn’t dare let go of me. “Caity, I- I really am sorry, for what happened. I- I really wanted to keep you from ever seeing it get that bad.”

Her quiet shush only felt like it was bringing out another wave of sobs. Meanwhile she just simply continued to rub soothing circles on my back and rock us back and forth on her feet just like she would whenever I was having meltdowns whenever we were kids. “Listen, I’m your big sister, okay? It’s my job to protect you. Not the other way around.”

“I thought we were supposed to protect each other.” I spoke, every last sob made me hate myself more and more by the second though. Every sob solidifying just how incapable I truthfully was.

“You can’t do that if you aren’t here.” Caitlyn sighed, finally prying the two of us apart before taking my face in her hands. “Can you?”

It was the first thing anyone had said about the situation that had made sense. For a while I was certain she was the only reason I hung on until I finally got close to Ellie. Even though it was sometimes hard to see where the improvement lie in the aftermath. And as much as Caitlyn would never say it, I knew it relieved a lot of weight off of her shoulders… me being in that hospital over the summer.

“I’ll be back Wednesday with all of the summer gossip, I promise. Also if you finish any of those books let me know and I can bring you more.” Caitlyn reassured me for the millionth time as she let me trail behind her towards the exit, a soft hand holding mine the whole time while I clutched onto her arm for dear life.

“Do you think you could bring me something like, dark academia maybe? That way I can get prepared for Oxford?” I wondered, gnawing on my bottom lip as each step seemed to make my heart ache more and more by the moment.

“I’ll see what I can do.” Caitlyn said with a tiny chuckle before placing a soft kiss to my forehead. “Call me the second you can tomorrow, okay? So I can hear about your first day?”

“Sure, promise.” I answered with a little nod of my own. It was almost embarrassing, being so reminiscent of a parent dropping their kid off at school for the first time. Caitlyn had taken on almost every role that my parents should have throughout the past few years. Yet another thing that only made me feel guilty.

“Okay, I love you, pipsqueak. More than anything.”

“I love you too, Caity.”

I tried not to hug her again before she left, an action that I could tell stung but in reality I just wasn’t sure if I would be able to pry myself off of her again. My face was red and blotchy by the time I made it back towards the room, eyes bloodshot, glassy, and tears that showed no plans of stopping just yet.

Ellie was already back on her bed once I made it back, knees hugged to her chest with a look on her face that I could only describe as puppy dog eyes. “Hey- are… are you okay?” She stammered, swiveling towards me as she dropped her legs to swing off the side of the bed before letting a soft sigh with a shake of her head. “Never mind, don’t answer that- I- I know you aren’t okay.”

“I’ll be fine.” My voice sounded hoarse from all of the crying as I took a seat on the edge of my own bed. Surprisingly not feeling like a lump of concrete as I wrapped my arms around myself, preemptively curling myself into a ball as if to prepare myself for where I’d probably spend the first week.

“For what it’s worth, which I know isn’t much because we just met but still…” Ellie began with a clear of her throat as she seemed to anxiously wring her hands in her lap. “If you ever wanna talk or- or anything really… I’m here.”

At the time I had no intentions of accepting her offer, nevertheless though I let myself nod before closing my eyes. “Thanks.”

~

Figures it would’ve been a nightmare that brought us together, I just never expected the codependency to kick in as quickly as it did.

I was still sleeping a lot during the day, not sure if it was a symptom of the depression, the infinite amounts of pills I was on or what. Every day we met with therapists, social workers, doctors, case workers, you name it. Not to mention there was also the group therapy sessions that weren’t mandatory. None of which I had managed to go to which probably wasn’t helping my case any. Ellie had seemed to be here long enough to make a decent amount of friends though. She was anxious, but infinitely more social. So if I needed to be social to spend more time with her I would.

So that afternoon I tried to rouse myself from my bed and shuffled towards one of the large community rooms they usually held group art therapy in. Every inch of me felt like it was shaking as I stepped into the filled room right in the middle of the several different conversations it felt like. Way too many eyes swept over towards my probably supremely tense figure than I was comfortable with. Ellie’s stuck out the most though, sat at a long table with a bunch of other rowdy girls where she was bent over a sketchbook.

“Millie! Hey! You finally came!” She exclaimed with a bright smile on her face as she quickly darted upwards to pull over an extra chair. “We were actually just working on our DnD characters because we all wanted to start a campaign this summer. You should join actually!” She added enthusiastically causing a girl with cropped ginger hair to wrinkle her nose.

“I thought you said we were full.” She sneered in a scottish accent already causing an anxious lump to form in my throat.

“Yeah, just like your file of public disturbances, Maddie.” Ellie shot back immediately causing a few of the girls to erupt in laughter as Maddie’s face went red with embarrassment.

“Jesus Ellie, just because it’s true doesn’t mean you need to say it.” A girl with shoulder length hair spoke up across from Ellie, and if it wasn’t for Ellie’s typical little half bun on the back of her head they could’ve almost been twins.

“Oh no, Max, I think she definitely needed to say it.” Another girl with also short but strikingly blue hair snickered from next to Max as she sat forward as if tuning into a dramatic tv show.

“Have you even played DnD before?” Maddie added, eyes scanning me up and down in a way that had me bristling.

“Uhhh no but-” I was interrupted by her scoff, already picking at the walls of my fragile emotional state.

“Oh get fucked, Nolan, it’s not like she’s playing DM.” Ellie rolled her eyes before I felt the weight of a protective arm slipping around my shoulders.

“Steph, you’re DM… you decide.” Blue directed towards a bored looking girl sat at the end of the table, a red beanie shoved onto her head and the outline of a hummingbird tattoo inked onto the side of her chest.

“I mean, one extra player is hardly going to derail my storyline so… I say the more the merrier.” She spoke with a shrug causing a weak smile to stretch onto my lips.

“Good, glad to hear it.” Ellie spoke before shooting what seemed to be a cocky smile towards Maddie’s rolling eyes.

~

Present

I seemed to disassociate in the process of telling the story. At some point Vi caught onto my shivering though and didn’t hesitate to pull me off of the ice. The two of us now sat in the empty yet fancy lounge for the hockey team complete with plush blue couches and the famous coffee bar Ellie had raved about earlier. I had apologized profusely, constantly wondering if I should stop, if I was going in too deep, Vi only encouraged me though. Even slipping a steaming cup of hot chocolate into my cold hands and draping her leather jacket over my shoulders. More of a gentleman than some men.

“Do you still keep in contact with any of those girls? Besides Ellie, obviously.” I heard her ask from behind me where she lounged against the back of the plush chair, calloused fingers tucked underneath the jacket as she ran her hands up and down my spine.

“Yeah actually… or I, I try to at least. Ellie’s more social than I am but a lot of the patients at that hospital are students. Or about to be either one. We even talked about starting a DnD club ourselves since nobody else has bothered to. And it’d probably be overrun by incels.” I chuckled a bit to myself before lifting the cup of hot chocolate to take a sip just as a small chill rushed through me. “You should join whenever we do.”

“I don’t know if it’s really my thing but Jinx and Ekko might be into it. You should ask her. Actually… definitely ask her if Maddie’s involved because I’d pay real money to see them duke it out.” Vi snickered with the soft smile remaining on her lips as she sat forward, “C’mere, let me warm you up.” I almost flinched again whenever I felt her big arms slipping around me from behind, a little gasp lodging in my throat as I placed a shivering hand over top of her forearm causing her eyes to soften a bit. “You okay? Sorry… I-I should’ve asked first, it’s a habit.”

“No, it’s- it’s okay… I’m trying to get more used to it- with you.” I said with a little nod as I tried to sink back into her warm embrace. Slowly letting the muscles in my body loosen one at a time as I let the back of my head rest against her chest, lolling against her thick bicep. She was surprisingly soft, every inch of the cold feeling like it was melting right off of me. From behind me I felt her chest rising and falling with each soft breath, enough to pull me to sleep right then and there almost.

“Baby?” I heard her whisper from above me, gulping another lump down my throat as I felt her calloused fingers brushing underneath my chin and along the curve of my jaw. I tensed again for a moment, my hand wrapping around her forearm with my nails nearly sinking into her flesh in mild anxiety. Let her. Just let her touch you. It’s okay. Let her. “Shhh, I’m not gonna hurt you.” She spoke, probably feeling the shuddering breath I let out against where her arm stayed wrapped around my front. “Can I kiss you?” She whispered, a little flush spreading on my cheeks at the way she still asked.

My eyes widened almost eagerly as I nodded, body consumed with heat just as I felt her lips brushing against mine. Soft at first, arms almost feeling like they were consuming me entirely as they tightened around my body. My hand shook as I lifted it to rest against her head, tangling through her surprisingly soft hair as if I was pressing her further into me. I almost whined whenever her lips disconnected from mine, instead only drifting over to trail along my jaw as if in a pattern.

With every kiss my breathing grew more and more shallow, a small gasp catching on my lips as I felt her lips wrapping around the pulse point of my neck. I almost wanted to slap a hand over my mouth in embarrassment at the way a moan prodded at my lips, fingers curling into her hair as that same ache flared up in between my legs. “Vi-“ Her name seemed to fall from my lips with a whimper as her teeth lightly prodded at my skin.

“Does that feel good?” She whispered, and I seemed to feel my head shifting to give her more access as I nervously and probably awkwardly nodded. Another soft moan spilled from my lips the moment I felt the pinch of her canines against my neck.

Her hand curled into the excess fabric of my sweater, tugging at it as if she wanted to pull it right off. Slipping underneath, her callouses drug along my stomach, my sides, towards my hips, brushing over the bones like she wanted to trace them all the way down. “Vi… please.” The words came out through the airy moans as she continued to let her hand explore my body and her lips decorate my neck in repeated kisses. My head arching against her chest in need, almost leaving me tugging at her hair.

“You know I can’t fuck you in here, right, baby?” She whispered into my neck, giving my hip a subtle squeeze that also left me gasping.

“Then take me to where you can fuck me.” I almost didn’t recognize myself with the words that came out of my mouth as I shifted around to face her. Her hands still staying firmly on my waist meanwhile she only seemed to have a smug expression on her face as she settled back against the arm rest of the couch.

“You want me that bad, princess?” She spoke with a quirked up brow, a delicate finger tracing along the curve of my waist. My hands curled around her shoulders in frustration, certain she could almost feel my thighs tightening around her waist. I was probably a whiny mess as I nodded, the warmth of her hand nearly covering the width of my back.

“Please… Violet.” I knew saying her full name would tug at her. It was usually aggressive whenever other people said it, angry, a sign she had fucked up or pissed somebody off. Whenever I said it though it was needy, a plea almost. I slid my hand from her shoulder to press against her chest, almost like I was trying to grab at her heart. Sink my fingers through her ribs until I could feel it beating in my hands, and I swear I almost felt it quickening the moment I did.

“Fuck it.” I heard her whisper underneath her breath just before I could feel her pressing her forehead to mine. “Wanna go back to my place?”

A/N: okay SORRY SORRY i had to edge you guys 😭 i promise this next chapter we WILL be cranking it up a notch and there might even be some smau vibes as well so… stay tuned please?? </3

i’m so sorry for the emotional rollercoaster and if this isn’t the best as well because i definitely think it’s far from my best work but c’est la vie can’t win them all 😭 love u anyway lesbians!! 🖤

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[jaegeraether]

Sunsets and footballers (Part 16)

Lucy Bronze x Reader (16)

Masterlist (other parts here)

Lucy was paying when she heard the yelling. Usually, she wouldn’t think much of it, but in that moment, her body reacted instinctively as her head whipped around. She couldn’t see outside but at the distinctive smashing of glass, she ran before she knew she was. Her knee complained as she negotiated the corner of the restaurant to the front door at pace, and the cold night hit her hard, but not harder than the sight of her girlfriend, limp in the front seat of her car, covered in glass and… blood. Lucy was shoved backwards as three girls took off up the street, but Lucy couldn’t give a fuck, she was at YFN’s door in a heartbeat, grabbing at the handle. The door was locked, fuck. She was starting to panic out of pure fear for her little Australian splattered in blood, tears welling in her eyes. She reached her hand through the broken glass, earning herself a few scrapes but not caring. She pulled the lock and almost wrenched the door off its fucking hinges.

“No! No - little one.. fuck….fuck!”

Her head was tilted, almost resting on her shoulder, and the blood. It was everywhere. She spotted the brick on the driver’s seat and her stomach dropped.

“No - please no…” She was crying as her hand found the far side of her head, hoping her spine wasn’t damaged. YFN shifted, lifting her head a little and Lucy let herself breathe the smallest sigh of relief. No neck injury. She gently lifted her head. The brick had left a gash just above her eyebrow, though the impact area had been slightly larger. Lucy ripped off her shirt and pressed it to the wound, trying to stop the blood running like a river down her face. Lucy was covered in blood and was shaking, terrified.

“Please wake up… please.. I’m so sorry. I…”

As if she’d heard the words, YFN groaned, her lips trembling as she slowly became conscious again. Her eyes fluttered open for a second and shut immediately, squeezing tight from the pain.

“L….Luce…”

“Right here. I’m right here, I’m so sorry my love. This is all my fault. I’m sorry-” Her voice broke. “Please stay awake. Please.”

“I f..feel sick. It hurts.”

“I know, my love. Stay strong for me, please. We’ll be at the hospital soon.”

A crowd had gathered around but they were all useless, standing back and taking photos rather than helping. Especially when they realised it was Lucy Bronze.

“I’m going to get you to the hospital. Little one, do you think you can hold this to your head for a second?”

She helped to lift YFN’s trembling hand to the shirt on her head and ran around to the driver’s side, throwing the brick in the back seat and jumping in. She placed her hand over YFN’s, pressing it down and pushing her head into the seat. She whimpered.

“Sorry… sorry my love, we need to keep your head up. We need to keep the pressure on. Stay awake for me please..” She tried to sound calm under pressure but everything she said was rushed with fear. She’s just glad her neck wasn’t broken.

Lucy sped towards the hospital, not giving a fuck about traffic or lights or laws. She picked up the little Australian who’d stolen her heart and again, ignoring the pain throbbing through her knee, she carried her into the Emergency Department, shouting.

Several hours, scans and stitches later, they were in a private room. YFN was unconscious. They’d made her stay awake for several hours during the questions from staff and police, treatments and for monitoring purposes afterwards, but now she was sleeping softly, a bandage covering the stitches across the top of her left eyebrow. Lucy couldn’t sleep. She couldn’t stop her thoughts. Her eyes drifted over YFN. Here she was, the woman who’d dropped into her life out of absolutely nowhere. She’d had no idea who Lucy was. No idea about football. Nothing beyond that big, kind and caring heart of hers that always wanted the best for the people around her, regardless of herself. She’d seen Lucy at her best, and her worst, and loved her through all of it. But better than that, she’d understood her through all of it. Lucy would be lying to herself if she hadn’t thought about ending it, purely for YFN’s own sake. But that was just a flicker of an option she knew she’d never have the strength to do. The baggage that came with Lucy was significant, and she knew that, but she could never have expected something as dramatic as this. God, she loved the woman. She loved her. And she hadn’t even had a chance to tell her yet. She wanted to go to sleep next to her and wake next to her every day. She wanted to travel with her, experience new things, new foods, new movies… anything. Anything. With her. And no, they hadn’t known each other long at all, but Lucy knew. She’d been around. She understood. This was it, this was her home, her future. She’d accomplished a lot in life, football having been the most important thing to her, but she knew she’d drop it in a heartbeat for her. The tears fell silently as she thought about YFN and all she’d been through. She struggled to comprehend how she was single, and so closed off from letting people into her life. But she’d let Lucy in, and Lucy took that seriously. She wasn’t going anywhere.

Lucy had sent a few messages to her lawyers; they were going to press charges. She’d also messaged Jordan, knowing that she needed to tell her before she saw the photos online. Jordan had lost her mind, wanting to come back, but Lucy had said no. YFN wouldn’t want that. She wouldn’t want to inconvenience her and her training, and they both knew it. Jordan agreed eventually, offering to tell Katie and Caitlin, though she also wouldn’t be getting much sleep that night.

The photos leaked quickly with Lucy receiving multiple texts and phone calls. She ignored almost all of them except her family, Sarina, Alexia and her Barca coach. She even ignored Keira.

Her body uncontrollably shook with another wave of sadness, and she tilted her cheek into YFN’s palm. Her thumb stroked her cheek.

“Luce..?”

Lucy’s head whipped up. “You shouldn’t be awake…”

Her eyes were sleepy, and her brow furrowed in pain as she saw Lucy’s red eyes. “Come here.” She whispered. Lucy opened her mouth to argue but YFN wasn’t having any of it. “You need to sleep, and I need you. Come here.”

Lucy made her way carefully into the bed next to her, sliding under the covers. Her bicep pillowed itself under YFN’s neck and wrapped around her collarbones, while the other pulled her gently back into her. Her lips kissed her sun-kissed hair, and her cheek rested itself gently on her temple.

“Sleep please…” She mumbled as she drifted off to sleep again, much more comfortable and warm than she was before. Lucy slept.

Her head was pounding when she woke. Lucy was already awake, of course, pacing on her phone, talking in hushed whispers to not wake her up. She spotted her and ended the call, immediately by her side. YFN had some water, and painkillers, with the doctor coming in to explain the damage. They were concerned about the impact to her brain, though the results from their scans thus-far had been positive. They wanted to keep her in for another night to assess her. The main thing she craved was a shower and clean clothes, and she told Lucy the same. She’d said that clean clothes were on the way, and seemed a little like she was omitting some details, but YFN was in too much pain to care.

Lucy helped her out of the bed and to their shower. She undressed her with care and showered with her, making sure she was never too far away in case she stumbled or needed her. It was exactly what YFN needed. She needed Lucy right there; she needed to feel her and know she wasn’t going anywhere. Lucy’s hands glided over her in the shower, soaping her up and massaging her tight neck and shoulders after sleeping in a hospital bed. YFN groaned at the feel, turning around to face a tired looking Lucy. Lucy’s green eyes met hers a little blurry as she realised that she must have taken her contacts out and didn’t have her glasses.

“I can hear you thinking from here..”

“Lots to think about.” Lucy murmured.

YFN felt her stomach drop a little, worry seeping in. “Please don’t leave me..”

Lucy was startled by this, and then she understood where it was coming from. “I’m too selfish to ever do that, even if it is what’s best for you.”

Lucy admitting weakness was a rarity, but it just proved to YFN that Lucy was just as self-aware as she was. She breathed an obvious sigh of relief. “What now?”

“Now… we have clean clothes coming-”

“-and glasses I hope.”

Lucy chuckled. “And glasses. Firstly, I want us to leave this fucking city as soon as you’re discharged tomorrow. My lawyers are working on pressing charges. I’m unsure about the rest. I was supposed to leave for Barca in 3 days, and I need to cancel my session today, so I have a few phone calls to make.”

YFN kissed her jaw, her lips brushing up to her ear and back. Lucy shuddered. “I’m really happy to be leaving the city, I’m excited for Manchester and Birmingham and your family, and Dory. As for the charges…” Lucy gave her a look that said it wasn’t an option, but she was already in agreement. “…I’m fully on board. We need to talk lawyer costs though.” Lucy shook her head, but she continued. “But Luce, you’re not cancelling your flight to Barca. And you’re not cancelling your session today. I know its hard because of how fresh this is… but this is your career, and I will not accept you pushing that aside. We’ll still have our third date. You’ll still get me settled in with Dory.. and I’m safe in the hospital. I need to know that these… maniacs… haven’t affected our lives because they don’t get that. They can smash my head open with a brick-” Lucy winced, “-but they’re not taking anything else from us. They’re not affecting your career. They’re not getting me deported. And they’re definitely not ruining what we have..” To be honest, they were even closer than they would have been without all of the drama happening.

Lucy wasn’t keen on the idea, but she knew there was no arguing. If YFN was safe, and they were okay, then she was right, the stalkers didn't get to take anything else from them.

They finished up in the shower and dried off when a knock came at the door. Lucy lifted YFN up, leaving her sitting safely on the sink before exiting in a towel to get the door. YFN heard murmurs and then Lucy was back with a bag of clothes. They got dressed and YFN found Lucy’s glasses, putting them on her gently. She could see Lucy’s eyes coming into full focus again as she placed them on her. A smile crossed her face, followed by a little wince at the sight of the swelling around the bandage. Lucy took her head incredibly gently between her hands and kissed her eyebrow near the wound. Lucia Roberta ‘Tough’ Bronze. In reality, she’d been the most gentle human when it came to YFN.

They exited the room to see Leah sitting in one of the chairs, patiently waiting. YFN couldn’t help the confusion, but Lucy was quick to explain. “Leah’s still off with her ACL, and she lives in town. She called when she saw the photos, and Leah being Leah, offered to help.”

“We definitely appreciate it… thanks Leah.” She gave a genuine smile to the England Captain, feeling a little wobbly.

“You’re welcome, and I don’t want to intrude.. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” She stood looked a little awkward, her hands going to her back pockets, and then out to her front pockets.

“You’re not intruding at all, I think Lucy is headed off soon..” She looked at Lucy who frowned at that. “So I appreciate any company I can get.”

Leah relaxed a little and wandered over to the bed as YFN climbed back in, sitting up. “I heard you’re in here overnight?”

“One more night.” Lucy replied for her. “She’s still dizzy and sick, and a little foggy.” She turned to YFN, fluffing the pillow up behind her back. “I need you to eat today, please. Plenty of water also. Let the nurse know if you feel like you’re getting worse. I’m just a call away.”

YFN nodded, leaning forward to accept the kiss she planted on her forehead before her lips trailed down and found her lips gently. “Anything goes wrong. You. Call.”

YFN smiled at her persistence, her dimple on full display. Lucy admired her a little longer before she gave Leah a look that demanded she also do the same. Leah nodded and Lucy left, albeit unwillingly.

“I understand if you can’t stay.. I just wanted Lucy to feel a bit better about leaving me here after…” She gestured to her head.

Leah smiled and YFN could see what Jordan meant when she’d spoken about her falling for her smile. Leah was adorable.

“I’m happy to stay a while, it keeps my brain from going all sorts of funny places while I’m not training.”

YFN gestured to the bottom of the bed and Leah joined her, crossing one leg, keeping her other extended.

“You’re not training at all?”

“Off and on. I’m allowed two days a week at the minute. The rest is cardio and gym work to keep myself fit.”

“You must be dying to get back out there.”

“Yeah, it’s very difficult to be honest. I miss it so, so much. I’m dying to get back out there with the girls.”

YFN and Leah chatted for a while, getting more comfortable with each other. From their conversation, YFN realised that Leah was quietly intelligent, incredibly kind, and humble. She could see clearly why she was the Captain of the England squad. They spoke about her knee, her career, her Captaincy, as well as YFN’s life in Australia, her motivations and even her relationship with Lucy. Leah had known Lucy for a long time, and even though she was Jordan’s best friend and had no doubt seen Lucy at her worst during the years, she was a big advocate of hers. This surprised YFN as she was Keira’s best friend, and they had been together for several years. Though, Leah’s willingness to advocate so loyally for Lucy made her feel like Keira must have been fine with their relationship.

The more she got to know her, the harder it was for her to understand why she would have left Jordan. They seemed like two pieces of a puzzle. She brought Jordan happiness and support; Jordan brought her peace and kindness. Eventually, of course, the topic shifted to Jordan. Leah admitted that she’d wanted to talk to YFN a while about it because she’d become so close to Jordan and was ‘healthily on the outside of the female football drama’.

YFN knew it took courage and trust to admit what she did, but she did it anyways. Leah had felt overwhelmed in the position she found herself in, being Captain of England, and seeing that her girlfriend was so upset being the last choice for both Arsenal, and England when she worked so hard. Leah felt like she was being torn apart as she was in the biased position of dating one of the players least used by the teams. She knew Jordan was a fantastic player. She had nothing but kindness to say about her as a person, and a player, but she felt like she was betraying Jordan by not sticking up for her with Sarina, and with Jonas. It was absolutely not her place to choose squads and she knew that, and she knew that Jordan knew that also. She’d said that Jordan tried to not show how upset it made her, she’d keep it to herself because she didn’t want any pressure on Leah. Leah knew that Jordan never expected her to be an exception, but it still didn’t stop the pain in her heart and the thoughts in her head being stuck in the middle.

Leah admittedly didn’t cry often, but she was crying as she spoke about Jordan.

“It was the biggest mistake of my life. I was so weak." She said as YFN handed her tissues. “I loved her. I… I love her.”

YFN knew that it must have taken a lot for Leah to admit this all to her, especially when they didn’t know each other well. She was pouring her heart out to her because YFN was currently the closest she could get to Jordan. She knew this and told Leah how much she appreciated how open she was being.

“I can’t…speak for Jordan. She’s her own person. But I can tell her your side, Leah. Maybe then she’ll be willing to listen and have a proper conversation with you. I think you two both need to be in a room to talk this out because regardless of what happens, I know that you were really good friends, and you shouldn’t lose that..”

Leah was appreciative, and YFN knew that the outcome was exactly what she’d hoped for. They spent a bit longer together, playing cards and such before Caitlin arrived with someone YFN had never met before, Kyra Cooney-Cross. They’d said that Katie was stuck in interviews and couldn’t make it until later. Leah greeted them and took her leave, needing to go for a suit fitting for an upcoming carpet event.

Kyra was a cute little Australian also, with the personality of a cheeky kid. Caitlin had apparently been trying to ‘keep her in check’.

“A brick?!” Kyra asked, shocked.

“Fucking unbelievable. This is bullshit. Are you takin’ them to court?” Caitlin asked as they were all sitting on the bed, playing Uno.

“Lucy’s pissed. She’s spoken to her lawyers and yep, they’re pressing charges. First problem is they need to actually ID the girls. They all have fake accounts and the fan photos they have with Lucy don't help when they don't know their names.”

“They’ll get ‘em for sure.” Kyra said, dropping a +4 on Caitlin who groaned. “But it’s so wrong, and so scary.”

“Have you had more fans and fanatics since moving to Arsenal?” YFN asked.

“Oh yeah, I didn’t even used to have a chant and now they’re yelling it every game which is so sick.”

“I think it all changed after the world cup, to be fair.” Caitlin chimed in. “Now it’s not just wanting to watch us as players but wanting to know our personal lives as well. I can’t even get a coffee without being papped or recognised.”

“Ah, no privacy..”

“Yep. I’m a football player, not a celebrity. It’s turnin’ more into how the men’s game is which isn’t great, but I guess it just shows how far the women’s game has grown over the past few years.”

YFN nodded, able to understand their situation just a little bit more after being the victim of some Lucy fanatics. Thinking of Lucy, she checked her phone. She had multiple messages from Jordan and Katie, as well as other players she’d met. She responded to Jordan, agreeing to the phone call once she’d finished training, and texted Katie back also. Then she answered Lucy’s check-up message with a quick selfie of the three of them. Kyra had apparently never met Lucy before and was a big fan, getting nervous at the idea that she may meet her if she hung around long enough.

“Lucy’s going to bring food, are you two hungry?”

Although they’d missed half a day of training, they were more than happy to accept any food Lucy would bring them.

As they started their fifth game, Katie arrived with a hug and joined in on the game after checking on YFN. At the end of their seventh game, Lucy arrived. Her eyes immediately found YFN, relaxing at the sight of her okay. And of course, she was carrying pizzas from the restaurant she and YFN had tried to get them from the night before. Hopeless romantic. The Arsenal girls eagerly took the boxes from her hands while YFN shook her head and grinned at Lucy’s thoughtfulness. She grabbed her face and pulled her in for a ‘Hello, I missed you’ kiss. Lucy tenderly kissed back, and then inspected her bandage and head. Her black eye had developed, but YFN gave her the good news from the doctor regarding her progress. Lucy said hi to the girls, clapping hands and they introduced her to Kyra who looked like a star struck kid. Lucy chuckled at that, agreeing to a selfie before she joined them on the bed. They all knew they shouldn’t be eating take-away during the season but as Katie had said with a mouthful of pizza, “We’re eatin’ this in support of our friend who recently won a battle with a brick so dig in, girls!”

The pizza was incredible and according to Lucy, completely free after the restaurant had seen what happened the night before. YFN couldn’t blame them. If she was serving Lucy Bronze, she’d also give her whatever she wanted for free. They ate pizza, laughed, bantered and YFN made sure to massage Lucy’s knee a bit after her session. Kyra asked Lucy an over-eager amount of questions, which kept Lucy well entertained as she began winning all of the Uno games.

At one point YFN took a selfie of them all, Lucy making a point by putting her arms around her in the photo while the Arsenal girls fake-strangled each other in the back. She sent it to Jordan along with a message to tell her that Leah had also visited. Then, just to spite her stalkers, and with permission, she posted the photo to social media and tagged them all.

The girls all went along with the public ‘fuck you’ and reposted to their stories, commenting on the original post.

KatieMcCabe: YFN 1 – Brick 0 *brick emoji*

JordanNobbs: *red heart emoji* love you chicken

CaitlinFoord: they build us aussies tough *bicep emoji*

KyraCooney-Cross: Lucy cheated in Uno

LeahWilliamson liked your post.

Ridley: I want names and addresses. Now. *angry emoji* *blue heart emoji*

LucyBronze: *red heart emoji x 3*

Jordan replied to her message then.

“Leah came to visit you?”

[felassan]

Image credits: David Gaider [source link below]

Article: 'Who is qualified to make a world? In search of the magic of maps'

"You're travelling with your imagination..."

An extensive feature article about maps, map creation and world-building. It refers to David Gaider and the team's early world-building and early-days process of creating the universe that would become Dragon Age. It includes this early series of original sketches of the map of Thedas through time that Gaider drew when the world was being created.

Excerpts under the cut (due to length):

"Dragon Age. That's the game Gaider was working on - or rather, it was the world he would dream up. Ideas had been swirling about what Dragon Age would be for a few months. The team knew it would be like D&D but would not be actual D&D, because BioWare was sick of licensed games at the time. They knew they were going for Tolkien rather than Conan or Diablo. "We definitely had at least some idea of the kind of RPG this was going to be," Gaider tells me when in a video call. But BioWare didn't have a world. One day, Gaider was handed a historical atlas of Europe and tasked with going away and coming up with a fantasy world for players to explore. And almost immediately, he sketched a map." - "What is it about a map that gives it magical powers to bind us and pull us in? I wanted to know more, and through talking to David Gaider and learning about his creation of the map for Dragon Age, I hoped I might find out." - "In fact, he corrects me, "I sketched a lot of maps." But they were the same map, replicated over and over, because in order for a world to make sense to Gaider, it needed history. "I drew this coastline and then made a bunch of photocopies of it," he says, "and did this series of sketches, like, 'Okay in this era, this is where people lived and where they migrated and created different cultures,' and those cultures changed over time as they got conquered. Much like the book of European maps I had, I was doing it in eras and forming an idea in my mind about how these groups all mingled together. David Gaider was kind enough to share his original sketches of the Dragon Age world with me, and in them, you can see an emerging flow of history. You can see the spread of the Tevinter Empire as the race of Men lands in the north and then begins to spread out. You can see, in the earliest images, there's still a kingdom of Elves in the forest of Arlathan, nearby. Then, they are forced out by the growing Tevinter Empire, south to the Dales, where we encounter them in the Dragon Age games, subjugated to being a kind of slave race. Tribes give way to kingdoms, and names we're familiar with begin to appear." - Caption on the sketches: "David Gaider's original sketches of the Dragon Age world. Wherever you see a name typed in, it's because it was changed by EA's in-house sensitivity team, which cross-checked place names with real-world names in case there was a clash. The area of Antiva, for example, used to be called Calabria, but Calabria is the name of a region in southern Italy. "Well, if you do something with the Calabrians that real Calabrians don't like, they might get upset," the sensitivity department at EA told Gaider. "So I was like, 'Oh fine, I'll change it,'" he says." - ""My feeling on history when it comes to worlds," Gaider says, "is that you need to have a lot of it." Without it, he says a world will feel like a facade. "Sometimes you'll see worlds where they've made only what is needed for their current story, and it's like an old Western set: it feels right, it looks right, but then you slowly get a sense of, 'Oh, there's nothing behind those doors.' Before he sat down to draw, Gaider already knew some of the geographical elements he wanted. He knew he wanted a topsy-turvy 'South was cold and North was hot' idea for the continent, to play with people's expectations, and he knew he wanted a large waterway - that he likens to the Mediterranean - carving its way far inland. Today, we know this as the Waking Sea, and it's an incredibly important feature in the Dragon Age games. Gaider also knew he wanted islands far up in the north, from which an unknown race could invade. "I knew that I wanted an 'other' race that would come along," he says, "which ended up being the Qunari." Gaider also knew he wanted untouched areas for adventure, like forests and mountains, just in case the game would need them. "I didn't want every place to be so civilised that when it came time for 'we need ruins' or 'we need massive wilderness', we've got nowhere to go because I've civilised the entire thing," he says."

"Because remember, the team didn't yet know where the game they were making would be set. That's why so much of the continent you see in the sketches is as yet unused in Dragon Age games - the series hasn't needed all of it by this point. Continents are vast, after all, and realising them in 3D for players to explore is a mighty task. "I guess in my head," Gaider says, "we would be probably either on the north of Ferelden, on what became the Free Marches, or maybe off in the west more towards the Tirashan Forest or the Hunterhorns. That was a very wild area and I was like, 'That's a good place for an adventure to be.' Atlas at hand, photocopies in front of him, Gaider set about his work of growing a game world from a bunch of maps, and with not a small amount of trepidation. There was a lot riding on the world after all; it was a far cry from the worlds he'd created and freely abandoned as a teenager. "This is going to form the foundation, ideally, for a lot of games," he says, "and a lot of people are going to do work [on it]. And the trepidation is like, 'I don't know what I'm doing.' I'm essentially the equivalent of a 13-year-old just going, 'La la la, I'm going to call this Ferelden!'" - "Some things bother David Gaider about the Dragon Age 1 map, still, and they occurred when artists prettied his sketches without his involvement. "Oh," he said awkwardly when they were presented to him. "I didn't want it to look like this, exactly." He says they added a lot more rivers and mountains, and flipping between his sketches and the Dragon Age: Origins map, you can see some have moved around, or gained prominence, and places like Redcliffe have shifted. Apparently people would take to the BioWare forums after the game came out to complain about the map's geography. "And I'm like, 'You know what? You got a point,'" Gaider says. This is mostly anger at himself, though, for not doing more about it. Similarly, he wishes he'd been able to sit down with artists and work out what the rest of the continent you don't see in his sketches looked like, so they didn't have to have "the continent just keeps going..."-like messages at the edge of it. "But to where?" Gaider says. But it speaks to something he's noticed in his decades working in games about artists and writers. "They really speak two different languages," he tells me. They process things differently and they tend to care about different things. There were reams of history and lore written in a "world bible" for the Dragon Age team, but getting artists to read it was another matter. They wanted clear visual cues, not piles of backstory. Dragon Age: Origins eventually found its setting in Ferelden, the kingdom in the bottom right bulge of the sketches, so it left a huge portion of the sketched world unused, which the team presumed no one would ever see. "We thought that was going to be the only one," he says of Dragon Age: Origins. "That's why when you get to the end of Origins, there's so many epilogues that cast off far into the future, which, if we'd known that we were going to keep going and keep going with history, we wouldn't have said, 'Oh, in fifty and one hundred years, this is going to happen.' I think we would have played our cards a little closer to our chest. EA apparently found the game very old-fashioned and thought no one wanted turn-based role-playing games like that any more, which of course now seems ridiculous given the success of Baldur's Gate 3. "Baldur's Gate just goes to show how wrong people are when it comes to industry wisdom," Gaider says."

-

"Nevertheless, when Dragon Age 2 eventually was green-lit, the scope of it, and the focus of it, would completely change. With it, BioWare and EA would push towards a console RPG experience that stopped and started less, and had more action-packed combat. And EA only gave BioWare 18 months to make it, so BioWare decided to make a much smaller, more tightly focused game. It seemed like a good idea at the time. "People at BioWare convinced themselves that the fans would be okay - it'll be fine if it's a smaller game," Gaider says. "And I don't know why we thought that was the case, but for a moment there in time, we were like, 'Yeah, sure, it'll be fine.'" As for the mapping, a tighter focus meant centering on one place rather than a whole region, so the city of Kirkwall on the Waking Sea became the heart of the game, and BioWare developed a time-jumping idea for the game so you could see it at various different points in your character's lifetime, which I still think is really neat. And because there wasn't a large region to explore, the game didn't need a sprawling map, so BioWare turned the map on its side to give Kirkwall some height and majesty instead. It wasn't particularly memorable, but it looked nice. The game didn't go down well. "Its highs were really high, and its lows were really low," Gaider says now. "It was very unpolished. If it even got six months more polish, I think the reception would have been a lot different." More importantly, it meant everything would need to change again for Dragon Age 3." - "In Dragon Age: Inquisition, the third game in the series, the map plays a starring role. It's built into the game world specifically so you and your Inquisition advisors can gather around it and push pieces about as you choose where to go next. Thematically, this fits neatly with the theme of running an organisation like the Inquisition, but the map was also required to cover a lot of ground. One thing BioWare knew the moment it started making the game was that it needed to be bigger than DA2. This time, the game would spread across areas of Ferelden we hadn't been to as well as some we had; up to Kirkwall and into surrounding Free Marches, and then west to the city of Orlais and onwards until it reached past the Waking Sea and arid desert land. But the sense of scale was an illusion. Dragon Age: Inquisition wasn't a continuous, open world, but a fragmented one, made up of a few open-world-like zones, some small parts of cities, and many 'you can't actually explore there, but you can read about it' text-window interactions. Again, this was Gaider's idea, to give the game "a feeling of breadth" without needing the art department to render it all in 3D. By the time Inquisition came out in 2014, the world of Thedas - the name an amalgamation of "the" and "Dragon Age Setting" by the way - had been reinterpreted for three games and touched by many pairs of hands. Gaider's writing team had plugged the holes he, as a single writer, couldn't fill, and the art team had shown us what the world looked like. There was even, fittingly, a Dragon Age encyclopaedia released, compiling the teetering piles of lore and backstory, and maps and imagery that BioWare created for it. People were now joining the team who were already fans of the series. This was no longer an imaginary world; Thedas felt real. And perhaps it no longer needed Gaider to steer it."

- "So Gaider left BioWare in 2016, having worked there for 17 years, most of it spent on Dragon Age. Really, he'd had enough of wizards and demons, and Anthem wasn't the tonic he sought. Eventually, he'd move all the way from Canada to Australia for a fresh start, where he'd start Summerfall Studios and make a role-playing musical called Stray Gods, which was released last year. That game, incidentally, only featured a small map for travelling between city locations. Today, he awaits the arrival of a new Dragon Age game - Dragon Age: Dreadwolf - like the rest of us, having had no direct input. It's an anxious wait, as you can imagine. "I was Mr Dragon Age for ten years," he says, "so there is a certain amount of attachment. I'm not sure how I will feel when Dragon Age 4 comes out. I have a hard time believing that if I play it, I won't spend a lot of the time second guessing any choices I see, like, 'Oh, hmm, I wouldn't have done that.' What if they bring back some characters that I wrote? They're going to Tevinter so what if Dorian's there? Gah! I don't know; I am of two minds as to whether or not I will even play it." "It makes me wonder about these people who create worlds, who draw them into existence - whether that's in a preliminary sketch or a lavish piece of artwork - and whether there's always a point where success comes with the consequence of ceding control. Had Gaider kept the world of Dragon Age to himself, a photocopied map, folded and stuffed in a back pocket, we'd never have played it. And had millions of people not played and enjoyed it, I wouldn't be writing about it now and have that feeling when I look at an image of one of Gaider's photocopies, that I'm in the presence of something special, something powerful. But it's no longer Gaider's map, and no longer Gaider's world. It's all of ours."" - "For Gaider, maps are snapshots of history, photocopied slideshows explaining how places came to be. And of course they are, because he was thinking about Dragon Age when he started in on maps, which meant that he was thinking about geography, sure, but also the passing of time, and the way the latter affects the former."

[source and full article]

[five-rivers]

Prompt for the most embarassing situation in which Danny has gotten will-o-the-wisp-drunk? That's one of my favorite headcannons you've made :]

The first sign of trouble came when Tucker was standing at his locker, trying to remember what classes he had that day. One minute, he was bemoaning the A/B schedule forced upon them this term by the ghost-induced teacher shortage, the next, something cold and heavy was draped over his back and shoulders.

His first thought was that the jocks had bought a bunch of bargain bulk ice from the corner store and decided to dump it on him all at once. But ice didn't shift its weight or say things like, "Hmm, Tucker, you're so warm," or "Tucker, are you sick? Do you have a fever?"

"I'm not hot, you're cold." Crap. "I mean, I am hot, but not, like, temperature." He wriggled around to face Danny.

Danny looked up at him (because the only person in their grade who Danny beat out in the height department was Mikey, and Tucker didn't think that would last much longer) with an expression that managed to be both dreamy and concerned, and a pair of massively oversized pupils.

"Tucker, you shouldn't come to school if you're sick."

"I should be saying that to you. Are you concussed?"

"Mmm?" said Danny. "Sorry, I couldn't hear you over the singing."

Yeah. Okay. He was concussed. Ugh. At least he wasn't prophesying yet. Danny's concussion-induced clairvoyance could get uncomfortable.

Tucker took him by the arm and pulled him into a classroom that hadn't been used since Mrs. Hogarth took early retirement way back at the beginning of the year. He led Danny to a desk and sat him down.

“I’m going to go get Sam, okay? Stay here, don’t scare any freshmen.”

“Uh huh,” said Danny, leaning forward to stare at the table. “Wow, there are a lot of little dots here.”

“Yeah, okay,” said Tucker. “Just. Stay.”

He peeked out into the hallway, hoping that Sam would magically be there, even though her locker was in a different hallway. She wasn’t. Heck. He shut the door behind him and started power walking. He wanted to run, but he didn’t want to get detention… or start a mini-panic because people thought he was running from something. Both things that had happened this year. To Tucker.

Jeez, he hoped Sam was already here. He did not do terribly well with concussed Danny. Then again, Sam didn’t, either. No one did, except maybe Jazz. But he wanted the backup.

Luckily, Sam was there, glaring at her locker with the same sort of strained, half-awake confusion Tucker had been experiencing less than ten minutes ago.

“Sam, we have a problem,” said Tucker.

“Huh? What?”

“A Danny problem.”

That got a greater portion of her attention. “What happened?”

“I don’t know yet. He seems concussed. Kind of, you know, help. Need it.”

“Right,” said Sam, ramming books back into her locker, heedless of bent pages or order. “Where is he? Locker?”

“No, Dash isn’t here, yet,” said Tucker. “At least, not that I’ve seen.”

“Great.” She slammed her locker. “Do you know how he got concussed? He was fine when we left last night, wasn’t he?”

“Yeah, but he said something about doing another loop.”

“But he didn’t call us.”

“I can’t control that.”

“I know, I know,” said Sam. “Sorry. Where is he?”

“Mrs. Hogarth’s old room.”

“Great. That’s out of the way, at least. And it’s too early for the couples to start in on each other…”

“Uh huh,” said Tucker, following her as she strode down the hallway. “Sure is.” Like he knew when the couples ‘started in on each other.’ Actually, why did Sam know?

They got back to Mrs. Hogarth’s room, and Sam walked right up to Danny, who was bent over the desk and was staring at it intently, his nose less than an inch from the surface. She knelt next to him.

“Hey, Danny?”

“Hm?”

"What happened last night after we left?" asked Sam, shaking him slightly to free his attention from the wood grain of the desk's veneer. "Who did you fight?"

"Didn't fight," said Danny.

“What?”

“What?”

“What did you do last night?” asked Sam.

“I went and played– I played with the wisps in the park. We had lots of fun. Mhm.” He nodded. “They’re my friends. They’re– They’re good friends.”

Will-o-the-wisps were lovely, friendly ghosts. They attached themselves - socially, not literally - to more powerful ghosts. They filtered ambient ectoplasm and emotional energy into more readily usable forms in exchange for protection. They also cuddled, chimed, sang, ate candy and earwax, and played tag. They were multitalented like that.

However, when half ghosts were given lots of ghost energy at once they experienced some side effects. It was something to do with the interaction of their human bodies with their ghostly ones. If wisps weren’t careful with their energy output, they could trigger those side effects.

That was to say, Danny wasn’t concussed, he was high.

This was bad.

“How long did this take to wear off, last time?” Tucker asked Sam.

“I don’t know,” said Sam. “I was too busy to time it. Danny, when did you play with the wisps?”

“Huh? Sorry, the music is too loud, what did you say?”

“When did you play with the wisps?”

“Last night.”

“When last night? Like, how long? What time did it say on the clock?”

Danny frowned at her for the first two questions, then brightened at the third. “Clockwork’s my friend, too,” he said. “But I didn’t see him.”

“Dude…” said Tucker. “Maybe you should call in sick or something.”

“But I’m not sick,” said Danny, “and I have, I have a test. A test. I can’t miss tests.”

“Danny, you are high. You can’t stay here. You’ll get in so much trouble.”

Danny sniffled. “I can’t miss tests.”

“His attendance is really bad right now,” said Tucker. “Remember what Lancer said a couple days ago about parent teacher conferences.”

“Oh my gosh. Frick. Okay. We’re going to figure out how to hide this.”

Danny brightened. “Sam, you’re the best.” He leaned forward and planted a kiss on her cheek.

“What,” said Tucker, before Sam could explode or immolate or however it was she was going to react to that, “none for me?”

Danny blinked up at him brightly, then stood up and walked right through the desk (and Sam’s arm), and leaned forward to plant a kiss on Tucker’s nose.

“You’re both the best,” said Danny, happily. Then he sat down on the floor.

Sam sighed. “That always feels weird. Do you have any hoodies? Mr. Falluca won’t ask him to take down the hood.”

“I might,” said Tucker. “Let me go check.” He dashed back across to his locker, and shoved his books to the side. There, under his chemistry text, was a hoody… an older one, yeah, and it could probably do with a wash, but it wasn’t like Danny would notice until he was back to normal.

He freed it, shook it out a couple times, turned - and was knocked on his back by Skulker and Danny as they swooped by, locked in an aerial wrestling match. They zoomed down the hallway, then turned sharply right, phasing through the wall and into a classroom. An occupied classroom, judging by the screams and how people started pouring out. There were some more, more distant, more muffled shouts.

The courtyard.

Tucker grabbed his lipstick laser from his locker and started running to the doors at the end of the hall. Sam passed him, wrist ray active, but pointing steadily down at the ground. She burst through the door long before him. By the time he got out, Skulker had Danny-as-Phantom in a net and was alternately monologuing about how he was the best hunter ever and berating Danny for not giving him a good hunt. Typical, really.

Less typical was the way Danny let Skulker swing him around, smiling vaguely and humming all the while.

“Spectators,” hissed Sam, glaring at all the other students in the courtyard. “I’m going upstairs.”

“Got it,” said Tucker, breathlessly, his PDA in his offhand. Skulker had gotten most of the Purple Gorilla malware out of his suit’s systems, but not all of it. It was actually kind of funny. He must have rebuilt his suit a dozen times, and he got new tech and new software every time, but somehow, he always put something in that had the Purple Gorilla programs back into it. It’d be better for him to start from scratch, but of course Tucker wasn’t going to tell him that.

There it was, the tiniest backdoor he could get into with just a touch of bluetooth.

Sam started shooting at Skulker from above. Good, good… He wouldn’t be able to react nearly as quickly when Tucker did this.

Skulker’s hand, the one holding the net, and, by extension, Danny, fell off. Danny stayed exactly where he was in the air, the net now hanging off him, and Skulker’s mechanical hand hanging from the net.

“Aren’t you supposed to be doing something?” Sam asked, frustrated.

“Oh,” said Danny. “Yeah!” He pulled out the thermos and hit the suction button. The net was, of course, still in the way, so it sucked the net in first… But Danny was behind it, and the thermos was inside the net, so, effectively, all it did was tighten the net around Danny, who finally dropped.

Tucker continued to press buttons. One of these… No, one of these…

Skulker’s fallen hand sprung open, and the net got sucked the rest of the way in. Danny pointed the thermos at Skulker, and he was promptly sucked in as well.

Then Danny stood there, blinking, in the middle of the courtyard, as various teens cheered and shouted things like “that’s so cool, Phantom” and “you’re the best, Phantom” and “date me, Phantom!”

And Danny wondered why Tucker got jealous. Like, Tucker loved the guy, but he didn’t really do anything this time.

As Tucker watched, wondering when Danny would remember he had to fly off sooner rather than later, a tiny purple spark flew out of Danny’s left ear, and a slightly larger red spark flew out of his right ear.

“Thank you for the music!” said Danny, happily, waving at them.

"You've got to be kidding me," said Tucker, watching the wisps fly away, out of the courtyard.

Danny's head snapped towards Tucker, and he flew over. "Hi!" he said, beaming, and planted a kiss on his eyebrow.

In the middle of the courtyard.

Right after a ghost fight.

In front of all the Phantom ‘phanatics’ who decided to come watch a fight Danny was losing.

Oh. Tucker was going to die. Killed by Danny’s rabid fans. What a way to go.

Danny, for his part, drifted up and away, slowly fading out of sight, either ignorant or uncaring of the fate he had just doomed Tucker to.

Tucker scurried back into the building and down the hallway, and didn't stop scurrying until he was back in Mrs. Hogarth’s room. Sam was, of course, already there.

"How do you always get places before me?" asked Tucker.

"I exercise. We really need to find out if ghost narcan is a thing."

"You think?"

Danny leaned forward and kissed Sam on the ear. He giggled. "They like- my friends, they like earwax."

Sam sighed. "We know, Danny."

"At least he waited until you weren't in front of everyone."

"Oh, yeah, speaking of which, any last requests before your untimely demise?"

"Wisps are banned from my funeral."

[sihtricfedaraaahvicius]

Firefighter chapter 4

Note: it's still spooky season, also in the Firefighter universe. I've proofread this but kept getting distracted, so excuse any errors!

Warnings: fluff/suggestive/angst. mention of alcohol, mention/hint to death by fire, death by drowning, brief mention of child death.

pairing: Modern!Sihtric x you (f)

summary: Your first Halloween with your firefighter fiancé would be memorable.

wordcount: 4,5k

Masterlist

'Like what you see, kitty cat?'

'Trick or treat!' a group of young kids cheered as you opened the door.

'Oh, my,' you laughed, holding a bowl of candy, 'aren't you all dressed up nice as… eh, w-who are you all dressed as?'

'Duh!' one of the kids rolled their eyes, 'tiktok influencers!' 

'Oh,' you smiled sheepishly and handed out the candy, 'now I see it,' you lied, 'eh, spot on!'

You feigned a smile as the kids thanked you and told you something more about the people they were dressed up as, but you didn't hear a single word anymore. Your focus had fully shifted to your fiancé, who just got out of his car after coming home from his shift, and walked up to your porch. He greeted the group of kids you had just given candy to as they went on their way to your neighbours, who had moved back in their home again after the horrible fire. You hadn't even noticed the kids had left your driveway while you stood in the door opening, eyeing up your alarmingly hot firefighter as he closed in on you, dressed in his regular fireman attire.

'Trick or treat?' Sihtric said with a smile and circled his arm around you, then cupped your cheek and gave you a firm kiss, to which he hummed softly.

'Well, that was definitely a treat,' you giggled with a blush on your cheeks, staring up into his mismatched eyes.

'You should see my trick then,' he winked with a grin, to which you felt your cheeks heat up even more. 'Had lots of those gremlins already?' he asked, 'I saw a bunch of kids out on the streets on my way back home, even though it's still early.'

'Yeah,' you snorted, 'trick or treating started early today. Guess they're all eager to get sick on candy.'

'Guess so,' Sihtric chuckled and pecked your lips a few times, 'did you get your outfit today?'

'Yes!' you said, and pulled him inside the house, 'it arrived a few hours ago. Can't wait for you to see it.'

With a big smile on your face, you took Sihtric's hand and guided him up the stairs, into the bedroom. You told him to wait there while you got changed into your Halloween outfit in the bathroom. And Sihtric waited, impatiently. He was over the moon that he finally had a girl this year who would join him to the Halloween party at the firestation later that evening, who also wanted to have a matching outfit with him.

Every year, the fire department threw a big Halloween party at the station for all firefighters and their families. You paid a small entry fee and had to pay for drinks, but all the money that was earned that night was always donated to a charity, a different one each year. Sihtric always loved the yearly festivity, but never had a date to bring. And this year he didn't just have a date, he'll have a whole fiancée by his side.

For the party, Sihtric got himself a Spider-Man outfit this year, one of those tight spandex costumes. And as you had decided to go as a couple, he fully expected you to walk into the bedroom as a sexy Mary-Jane, and he couldn't wait to somehow give you that Spider-Man kiss. So it was quite a shock to Sihtric when you walked out of the bathroom in a tight fitting, leather Catwoman suit.

'Tadaah!' you grinned as you posed as seductively as possible in front of him.

Sihtric stared at you with wide eyes and his jaw dropped.

'Do you like it?' you asked, suddenly a little unsure as he just gaped at you.

'I, well, you-' he stammered, 'babe, you look… amazing, gods, so… so sexy. But,' he chuckled and scratched his head, 'honey, I- I thought we were going as a matching couple?'

'But… we are?' you looked confused, 'you're Spider-Man and I'm Catwoman.'

'Yeah, but,' Sihtric sighed, 'eh, Spider-Man and Catwoman are not a couple. They're not even in the same movie. Actually,' he scoffed, 'they're not even in the same universe-'

'Wait,' you interrupted him, 'what? I… I thought Catwoman was like Spider-Man's on-off girlfriend?'

'No, baby,' Sihtric buried his face in his hands, 'I think you mixed up Catwoman with Black Cat, who was indeed romantically involved with Spider-Man.'

'Oh,' you said quietly and Sihtric looked at you as he held back a laugh. 'Shit. I'm sorry, I fucked this whole thing up,' you said.

You sat down on the bed next to Sihtric and took off the cat ears, feeling embarrassed.

'No,' Sihtric was quick to take your hand and cup your cheek, 'sweetheart, you look absolutely incredible. You were simply made for this outfit. You didn't fuck anything up, I promise. However,' he said with a cheeky smile and leaned in, 'I sure hope you will fuck me up later tonight.'

You giggled and blushed when he pushed you over in bed and climbed on top of you.

'Fuck,' Sihtric breathed, holding your face in his warm hands as he kept you pinned down with the weight of his trained body, 'you look so damn sexy.'

'Thanks,' you smiled shyly and moved your hands up his bare, muscular arms, 'glad you like it anyway.'

'Mhm,' he hummed, 'going to be an absolute torture to have you by my side, dressed like every man's dream, and I'll have to behave the whole night.'

'We both know you never behave, Sihtric.'

'Maybe,' Sihtric shrugged, 'you know I'm a bit handsy. Oh, hey, was there a whip with that outfit?'

'There was. I left it in the box, it's downstairs. Why?'

'Just asking,' Sihtric grinned, 'might be of use later.'

'I'll whip that fine ass of yours if you want, don't worry,' you laughed.

'Oh, meow,' Sihtric chuckled, 'yes, please,' he purred and pulled you in for a kiss, which you broke when it became too spicy.

'Safe that for later,' you teased, 'how was work today?'

'It was fine,' Sihtric said and laid down next to you, propped up on a pillow.

He looked at you with soft eyes and trailed his fingertips over the contour of your face, then exhaled sharply and cleared this throat.

'I just have this bad feeling today,' he said.

'What do you mean? About the party?'

Sihtric shook his head lightly while he brushed his fingers over your lips.

'No, not the party. At least, I don't think so,' he said barely louder than a whisper, 'just a feeling that something is going to happen. Something bad.'

Dog came running into the bedroom and jumped on the bed to lay next to Sihtric. You felt an eerie feeling creep up on you as you believe that animals, especially cats, can sense things beforehand. And you worried that Sihtric's bad feeling might be a prediction. You watched Sihtric pet his cat, and asked if he had feelings like this before.

'Sometimes,' he said, 'but it's… nevermind.'

'What?' you frowned, 'no, tell me. What's on your mind?' you asked and raked your fingers through his short hair, hoping to ease his tension.

'Promise you won't laugh? Or think I'm weird?' he asked. You promised and he continued, 'I notice I get this feeling often during this time of the year. During Halloween.'

'Really?'

'Really.'

'And have things happened?' you asked.

'Yes,' Sihtric said, 'they have. There have been major fire incidents and car crashes for example that I've had to work at, after having felt this… dread. And all of those incidents involved someone I knew. And they died,' he took a deep breath, and his cat quickly rubbed it's fluffy face against Sihtric's, to distract him.

'I'm fine,' Sihtric mumbled as he allowed his cat to do what he was trained for. 'A few years ago,' he continued, 'Ragnar and Thyra's parents died in a fire that happened around Halloween. And… Uhtred was married before he met Gisela, and he had a son. The kid was barely a few months old when the mother lost control over her car, crashed, and landed in a lake, late October.'

'My god,' you breathed and moved closer to Sihtric.

Your legs tangled as you listened to him, softly brushing your fingertips through his hair while you looked into his eyes.

'We got the call as the car was wrecked and the bodies had to be cut out of the vehicle, only then we… you know,' he sniffled, 'saw who it was. And Uhtred was there with us, at work.'

You didn't know what to say. You never really thought about how much work trauma Sihtric secretly carried with him. You knew he went to a psychologist every few weeks, and you knew it was work related, but you never asked about it. You figured he would tell you if he wanted to, which he now did.

'And I'm just,' Sihtric paused and rubbed his eyes, then cupped your cheeks and whispered, 'I have such a bad feeling, and I'm terrified something would ever happen to you.'

'I'm not going anywhere,' you whispered as you held him close, 'I can't deny your feelings, and I believe you have… let's call it a spidey-sense, but we'll be fine.'

Sihtric chuckled softly and buried his face in your neck as he rolled you over, while his cat tried to jump on his back.

'And even if something is going to happen,' you said, 'you can't control it, love. Try not to get stuck in your head over this, okay?'

'I know,' Sihtric sighed, feeling a sense of relief you didn't think he was crazy, and he smiled before he kissed your lips.

And when you pulled him back in for another kiss, and then another after, Sihtric was quick to shove his cat out of the bedroom, as the next kiss led up to a heated make-out session. Which then turned into a hot quickie in bed before he took a shower, which caused a few trick or treaters to miss out on some candy because you were both too busy to answer the door.

After you had dinner, you got the biggest jumpscare of your life when a gigantic spider suddenly ran up to you as you were in the kitchen. Except, it wasn't really a spider. It was Dog, Sihtric's cat, dressed in a spider outfit who came running at you with full speed, followed by Sihtric who was in absolute tears because of his uncontrollable laughter at the cat's costume while he tried to film him. Every time Sihtric had nearly composed himself, the cat would move, causing the long spider legs to wiggle, and Sihtric would lose it again. Eventually his stomach and face were hurting from laughing, and you had to shove the cat into another room, for Sihtric's own wellbeing.

But it all happened again when you left Sihtric alone for five minutes, to change into your Catwoman outfit again, and came downstairs to his wheezing laughter as your fluffy white cat, Thor, was now wearing the same spider costume as Dog. And you saw two cats with huge spider legs zoom through the living room while Sihtric was on the floor, crying, as he tried to film the two beasts.

'Honey,' you shook your head but had to admit they did look hilarious, and Sihtric was just adorable the way he enjoyed it, but it was getting late, 'you have to get dressed, Siht. We have to leave soon.'

'Yeah, yeah,' Sihtric managed to say as he fought another laughing fit.

He wiped his tears before he pecked your lips and sprinted up the stairs, his cat following him without his knowledge. And not much later you heard a terrified yelp from Sihtric upstairs as he unexpectedly walked into his spider-cat, and his yelp was followed by another wheezing laughter, which lasted for minutes. He had some time to compose himself again before coming downstairs, while you answered the door to a few trick or treaters.

When you walked back into the living room you finally saw your husband-to-be in his Spider-Man spandex, which accentuated his body in all the right places. All the right places. And you almost wanted to meow like a cat in heat. When Sihtric looked up from his phone, after having sent the video he took of the spider-cats to everyone he knew, he caught you gazing at him and gave you a cocky smile.

'Like what you see, kitty cat?' he asked and got up from the couch.

'I do,' you smiled and skipped over to him.

Sihtric pulled you in his arms and picked you up, hooking your legs around his waist while you held onto his broad shoulders, and Sihtric held you up with ease, his hands on your leather covered buttocks. You nuzzled his nose softly and kissed his lips. Then, you moved your hands up into his short, dark hair, and the kiss deepened instantly. Sihtric carried you over to the dinner table, upon which he sat you down, and his hands settled on your waist as he kissed you sweet and passionately. 

'This is already the best Halloween I've ever had,' Sihtric whispered as he held your face gently with his tattooed fingers, 'I love you so much. You make me so damn happy, you have no idea,' he smiled sweetly, 'so happy… well, and horny too,' he shrugged with a grin.

When you arrived at the firestation, the first thing Sihtric did was go to his locker to stack it with clean work clothes he had brought. And as this was the first time you really saw the firestation, where Sihtric spends most of his time, you took everything in with big eyes. And your heart melted when you saw that Sihtric kept a picture of you two in his locker, which he had taken at the barbecue a few months ago.

The main hall was decorated with everything spooky, and it was already quite busy when you walked in. You nearly tripped over a few kids who jumped in front of you, while Sihtric had his arm around your waist and pressed into his side, as you were both greeted by Ragnar, Brida, Beocca and Thyra. The men were dressed as medieval warriors and their ladies as medieval queens. You also met with Gisela, dressed in a unicorn onesie, and Ingrith, dressed as a horror nun. They gushed over your outfit but started laughing when they saw Sihtric, and you had no idea why. You decided to ignore it and went to get drinks for yourself and your partner. And when you walked back, you suddenly understood why the other two ladies were laughing moments before. Sihtric, Uhtred and Finan had met up and they all stared at each other, dressed in the very same Spider-Man outfit.

'Oh my god!' you howled, 'it's just like that meme!'

You, and everyone else, had a laughing fit while the three men were not amused. And it only got worse when Stiorra and Sigtryggr showed up, the latter wearing the very same Spider-Man suit. Stiorra was dressed as a pirate, and she also lost it when she saw the other men dressed the same as her boyfriend.

'I just can't believe it,' Sihtric muttered.

'It's not that big of a deal,' you chuckled, 'I just wonder why everyone decided to go for the same outfit. I mean, what are the odds?'

'They were on sale,' Finan mumbled.

'Oh,' you snorted and looked at Sihtric, who shrugged, 'yeah, that explains. But hey,' you nudged Finan, 'at least you guys all look great!'

'Thanks,' Finan grumbled, 'alright, I'm going to get drunk.' 

And with those words, the Irish man left for the bar, and you were alone with Sihtric while almost everyone else was on the dancefloor by now.

'If it makes you feel any better,' you grinned at Sihtric, 'you're definitely the hottest Spider-Man here.'

'Thanks,' he shook his head with a smile and pulled you closer, 'anyway, are you having fun, babe?'

'Yeah,' you smiled, 'it's nice to see everyone again. You?'

'Yeah,' Sihtric smiled weakly, and you saw his face overcome with a sudden sadness, 'fuck,' he breathed and grabbed you, pulling you into his chest.

'Hey, what's wrong?' you asked, your voice muffled as he kept you close.

'No, nothing's wrong. Sorry, just… I don't know,' Sihtric pulled slightly away from you and took your face in his hands, 'I'm just so happy you're here,' he said, 'with me. It's just a little overwhelming, I guess.'

'Are you drunk already?' you chuckled and stared up at him.

'No,' Sihtric smiled, 'not even close.'

And then he kissed you, ignoring everyone else in the room. Especially ignoring any children in the room while he got lost in you as he kissed, licked, sucked and gently bit your lips, while his hands squeezed your ass every now and then. And you had to break the kiss when you felt Sihtric was getting a little too excited as you remembered you were still in public, at a family friendly party.

'Hey,' you laughed softly, 'calm down, sweetheart.'

'Let's go home,' Sihtric breathed, his hands on your waist as he bit down on his lip, 'let's go home now.'

'No, love,' you wrapped your arms around his neck, 'we really just got here. You'll have to behave a little longer.'

With a soft groan, followed by a whine, Sihtric buried his face in your neck. And before you knew it, you found yourself on the dancefloor with your Spider-Man, while you both enjoyed a few more drinks. Sihtric had his hands on you the entire time while you tried to keep your dance moves as decent as possible. After a while, Sihtric's attention suddenly shifted from you to a tall guy with short, blond hair who walked into the room, dressed as a zombie, and everyone started to cheer.

'Who's that?' you asked.

'Oh, shit,' Sihtric laughed, 'I completely forgot that you haven't met Osferth yet.'

'Osferth?'

'Do you remember when I almost had to cancel our first date because there was a guy who had fallen off a ladder?' Sihtric grinned.

'Oh,' you snorted, 'yeah, I remember that story. That's him?'

'The one and only,' Sihtric said as Osferth came up to greet him.

'What is this?' Osferth laughed as he hugged your Dane, 'I'm not at the station for a while and suddenly Sihtric Kjartansson is engaged?'

'That's how long you've been sitting on your ass at home,' Sihtric taunted as he squeezed his friend's shoulder, and then introduced him to you. 

Sihtric left you and Osferth to talk for a moment, while he helped himself to another drink.

'I'm sorry I have to ask,' Osferth said as he turned to you, 'but did Sihtric really kill your cat?'

'He did,' you sighed with a soft chuckle, remembering your beloved Mister Meow Meow, 'it was an innocent but tragic accident, though. Don't be fooled by the wild stories Finan tells you.'

'So he didn't accidentally lock your cat in the oven while baking?'

'What!?' you snorted, 'no, oh my god! No. He ran over my cat while the poor thing was sleeping in the driveway at night. We both hadn't seen him. It's… it sucked, but it really was an accident.'

'Oh,' Osferth chuckled softly, 'yeah that sounds like Sihtric. Although, your cat jumping in the oven and him not seeing it also very much sounds like Sihtric.'

'Unfortunately,' you laughed, 'I assume Finan told you that story?'

'He did,' the zombie boy laughed.

'God, I wonder how many more stories there are.'

You had grown fond of the Irish Man the past few months, but you recently found out he had been making up stories about how Meow Meow had found his death. And they became more absurd with every version you heard. Apparently he had told some people that Sihtric had accidentally shoved your cat in the washing machine along with a pile of clothes. Another story went around how your cat had been under a blanket on the couch and Sihtric had killed him by simply sitting down on the cat. Another story you caught wind of was that Meow Meow had climbed the tree again, and Sihtric had accidentally dropped your cat when he rescued it, and Meow Meow did not land on his four paws. And now, Osferth surprised you with yet another version. You should tell Finan off, but you were kind of wondering what else he could come up with about your poor Meow Meow.

'Oh,' Osferth suddenly grimaced and nodded towards Sihtric, 'you're in for a night it seems.'

'What?' you frowned and followed his eyes, seeing Sihtric down a few shots on his own at the bar.

'Sihtric can drink,' Osferth laughed, 'but those shots are something he can't handle.'

'Oh,' you chuckled, then realised you hadn't seen your fiancé drunk yet, 'wait, what happens after a few shots?'

'Well, if you think he's affectionate now,' Osferth grinned, 'you just wait.'

Osferth was right. About an hour later Sihtric was so drunk, he could barely keep his eyes open or stay up on his feet. What he could do, apparently, was keep his hands on you and pull you in for the sloppiest kisses possible, only for him to stumble a few steps backwards everytime he lost balance, and then he'd grab onto your ass, only to pull you back in for another kiss and repeat the whole thing. Soon, you started to swap his shots for tiny glasses of water, in the hopes to sober him up slowly. You didn't mind him being all over you, but you felt it was inappropriate and rather have him touch you up like that in private.

As the night progressed, Sihtric eventually managed to pull you with him as he stumbled away from the party, a little less drunk than before. He guided you past the lockers and past a few leaving guests, including Thyra, who grinned at you when she realised where Sihtric was taking you. And then Sihtric walked you into the shower area, far away from any people.

'Where are we going?' you chuckled as you followed your half-drunk man, 'why are we in the… showers?'

'Because,' Sihtric slurred slightly, 'n-no one will dis… discuss… dis- disturb us here.'

'Disturb what?'

Sihtric grinned and, when you teasingly rubbed your hand over his arousal, you also couldn't help yourself anymore.

'Well that was a dream come true,' Sihtric chuckled, nearly sober again, as he helped you zip up your Catwoman suit.

'Oh, really?'

'Oh, like you don't know that almost everyone had some sort of sexual awakening when they saw Michelle Pfeiffer in that suit,' Sihtric said and snuck his hands up in your hair, 'except you look even sexier,' he smiled and pulled you in for another sloppy kiss, 'you should dress up like that again.'

'Maybe I will,' you smiled, 'if you're a good boy.'

'I'm always a good boy.'

'Of course you are,' you purred, 'come, we should get back to the party before someone notices we're gone.'

And so you went back to the festivity, where Sihtric got his hands on some shots again. And he was drunk again when Ragnar climbed on the improvised stage in the back of the main hall. You found out that there apparently was a best costume award, of which Ragnar was about to announce the winner. And you couldn't help but laugh when Ragnar howled that Spider-Man had won, and four drunk Spider-Man's struggled to climb up on the stage, including your own.

Uhtred and Finan slurred some thank you's, Sigtryggr just stood there, holding himself up by leaning against Uhtred, and then your Spider-Man grabbed the microphone from Finan.

'I- I just think,' Sihtric slurred, 'm-my wife should-'

'She's n-not your wife yet,' Finan managed to say, his accent even thicker than usual, and then burped loudly into the mic.

'What?' Sihtric said, then hiccuped.

'She… she's not- not your wife yet,' Finan slurred.

'Oh,' Sihtric swallowed, 'well,' he laughed, then hiccuped again, 'she should have won aaaanyway, oh-' he stumbled a step backwards, but Uhtred managed to keep him on his feet, 'because s-she… she looks hot.'

You hid your embarrassed face in your hands while you earned laughs and whistled from the crowd.

'And we… we,' Sihtric sighed and continued to slur with a lisp, 'we just f-f-f-fucked in the showe-'

'Oh my god,' you said, your eyes wide and cheeks heated up, 'honey, get off the stage, please.'

Ragnar laughed, but then remembered there were still children around, and he quickly grabbed the mic from Sihtric before he could finish his sentence. But Sihtric snatched it back.

'H-honey,' he slurred, 'I'm s-s-sorry for Meow Meow,' Sihtric said with a sudden sob. 

Ragnar grabbed the mic again and made a quick joke, while Beocca helped Sihtric off the stage and walked the visibly drunk and upset firefighter over to you.

'Here's your child,' Beocca said, 'take him home, put him in a cold shower, and tuck him in bed. He's sensitive, and it comes out when he's drunk. Either this, or he gets horny, but I heard you passed that stage already,' the old man snarled and made a cross.

'Thanks,' you smiled sheepishly, and Sihtric wrapped his arms around you.

'H-hey,' he smiled, 'I… I'm sorry?'

'Love, it's fine,' you chuckled, but couldn't say anything else as he planted his lips on yours.

'Sweetheart,' you eventually managed to say in between kisses, 'we should get home.'

As you had a few drinks too, you weren't going to drive home, and you couldn't be bothered to call a cab so you decided to walk home. Which you soon regretted. The walk would usually take about twenty minutes, but with a drunk firefighter who desperately wanted to kiss you, it took nearly an hour to get home. Not only did Sihtric constantly want to kiss you, he also kept saying he wanted to trick or treat whenever a few kids ran by in the night. And more than once you had to help him up after he stumbled into someone's front yard and landed on the lawn.

And then, when you finally made it to your own front yard, Sihtric fell over again and pulled you down with him.

'Do you h-hate me?' he suddenly asked, and it seemed like the cold night air had sobered him up again.

'What are you talking about?' you asked as you laid on top of him.

'M-Meow Meow,' Sihtric swallowed hard.

'Sihtric,' you sighed and cupped his rosy cheeks, 'we went over this already. I don't hate you, I never could.'

'Really?' he sniffled.

'Really. You have to let this go, please,' you said, 'stop torturing yourself, sweetheart. It was an accident.'

Sihtric opened his mouth to speak, but he was interrupted when you heard his phone ring from your handbag. And as he answered the call, you heard firetrucks in the distance, and Sihtric suddenly jumped up.

'What's wrong?' you asked.

'It's… there's…f-fire… T-Thyra,' Sihtric stammered, and then ran to his car.

taglist: @clairacassidy @finanmoghra @uunotheangel @hb8301 @bathedinheat @neonhairspray @anaeve @bubblyabs @travelingmypassion @sylasthegrim @andakth @chompchompluke @willowbrookesblog @lady-targaryens-world @skyofficialxx @diosademuerte @elle4404 @alexagirlie @sweetxime @solango @gemini-mama @cheyennep3107 @little-diable @jennifer0305 @drwstarkeyy @mrsarnasdelicious @verenahx @urmomsgirlfriend1 @moonchildrenandflowercrowns @foxyanon @djarinsgirl27

[rottencoreofalpes]

I'm so so immensely bored today so I decided to write some of my thoughts about Seki Kuneyasu.

Seki Kuneyasu, is a very interesting character. We first get to meet him during the students interviews in which he seems sassy at times. He has this mysterious aura that is quickly shattered after we take a closer look into who exactly he is as a staff working under Dr.Kan, and specifically being Dr.Kan's right hand man.

Seki Kuneyasu, is a psychologist who somehow has managed to work instead under Dr. Kan, in the biology department. We know that the only reason he joined KFTI was to follow Dr.Kan whom he seemed to work under, as an assistant; a pretty interesting position if you ask me, considering he is a psychologist and Kan is a hematologist, which gives place to the very logical question of: How and why was Seki Kan's assistant to begin with.

As the story unfolds we find out that Seki, is oftentimes sick and in need of medication that (possibly) only Kan can provide. And then we find out that Dr. Kan, is a man who does not shy away from experimenting on his assistants (with a prominent example being Dr. Odawara, who Okazaki seems to have met during an endeavour of hers to Dr. Kan's mountain located lab, and who ultimately succumbs to the experimentation Dr. Kan put him under, said experimentation being the change of one's blood type, a topic both Dr. Kan and Yonekura seem interested in.

Dr. Kan often puts his subjects under duration experimentations and victims of these tests who fail to rise up and who are not resilient in the face of these harsh experimentations end up receiving his negative judgement.

Kan is often seen acting cold and hot towards Seki, sometimes offering him compliments, going as far as to reassure him of his love towards him and how Suga, who at the time he took interest in. An interesting reaction is evoked by Seki, who seemed to worry about his position being threatened by Suga, since he immediately turns around and feels uncomfortable and disgust at both himself and Kan.

We are also privy to information from Dr. Poku's reports during which she reports to have been a witness to sexual relations taking place between Dr. Kan and Seki, in which Seki, a heterosexual man, seems a willing participant. However, knowing of their relationship, one starts to wonder if that willingness is nothing but a coping mechanism and a way of keeping Dr. Kan's interest in him active.

Another prevalent issue we see with Seki, is his habit of tattling on his fellow coworkers in hopes of getting a morsel of Kan's approval and praise. He is first seen to tattle on Mikuma, who kindly offers Seki their engineering department as a place for Seki to come to, after Seki is seen at work with "an exceptional shiner", aka a black eye given to him by none other than Dr. Kan. He responds to Mikuma in gratitude only to turn against him right immediately, and to tell on his offer to Dr. Kan, which ends up with Mikuma getting taken down to the basement of Dr. Kan and getting physically tortured for some days.

A vital point to Seki's character is the dislike and disdain most staff have for him, due to his two faced behavior. When Dr. Kan was being threatened to get kicked out of the project after the stunt he pulled with Dr. Suga, Seki attempts to defend Dr. Kan against five people and ultimately ends up feeling unwell, resulting in him leaving as well.

Seki also seems to deeply feel guilt towards his wife and daughter, whom he seems to be neglecting spending time with, due to the project's nature, ending up having arguments with his wife Neneka.

Overall, Seki is both a victim and an abuser, being stuck in his own cycle of hell where he gets physically, sexually and emotionally abused and kept at a leash by Dr. Kan and then in return he goes out of his way to cause harm to others. I believe said behavior can be explained greatly by a recent quote that Dr. Saimi mentioned

if someone was punching you in the head, you'd probably be really happy if they walked off and started punching somebody else, right?

so i don't think it's that weird. To me Seki seems to be acting with that mindset, but in a more active way, by creating interesting victims that Dr. Kan can toy with and by doing so he gets both Dr. Kan's praise and mercy at his hands.

[imarileina]

a long review of what i hyperfixated on to survive med school

Okay, this is my first time completely putting this all out but I am going to share a list of my hyperfixations that I get into PRETTY DEEP at the end of the past year and into the beginning of 2025. There's no pattern, I am just circling around everything.

January to March 2024, I was so into the PJO Series! It was so life-changing to watch your childhood favorite book series come to life right before your eyes and the changes made sense. Leah Sava Jeffries as Annabeth Chase and Aryan Simhadri and Walker Scobell! Also, the part with Medusa T-T (She's one of my favorite girlypopsicles in generally, the greek mythology). I also rewatched the film franchise with Alexandra Daddario in it, because it may have drifted so far away from the book, it's still a favorite.

On November 2024, Arcane Season 2 happened. Which means, yeah, I had my Arcane Season 2 phase ESPECIALLY ABOUT CAITLYN KIRAMMAN AND VI??? Who wouldn't??? (Let's go, lesbians. Let's go!) And also, Jinx! (Up to the point that I have collected souvenirs of printed Jinx's wanted poster photos from an exhibit I attended at my university for the IT Department, yeah, it felt weird having to ask the staff for the posters and not buying on the REAL SOUVENIRS table but kinda pulled it and I POSTED IT UP MY DORM BED WALL). And because of Arcane I am into such an eagerness to study the series' art style because I loved it so much! Also, Arcane plus SpiderVerse, I am collecting their artbooks like gemstones!

December 2024 to January 2025 I am into Wicked. I personally believe that I have listened to the soundtracks of the film so much that it's gonna pop up on my Spotify wrap this year. It's me and the endless belting of Defying Gravity against the world, I love Cynthia Erivo she's magnificent she's enchanting and for me personally, Idina Menzel has a special place in my heart, but Cynthia made Elphaba gleam (if you know what I mean). I cry every time she sings and the songs are just timeless, you canNOT get tired of listening to it over and over again~

Middle of January 2025 to the beginning of February, I am an Epic girlypop. You will hear me sing Warrior of the Mind, My Goodbye, We'll Be Fine, Suffering, Not Sorry For Loving You, The Challenge, and WYFILWM over and over again. Even from when I got sick and haven't recovered my voice since, and I have the nerve to post random video clips of me singing bits and pieces of those songs on my Instagram stories so much that it's getting kind of embarrassing for people following me there expecting to see art (I'm just a girl 🎀) I cannot express how brilliantly made that musical was created, from the lyrics, the story-telling and the music. As a musical fan and a dramatic theatre kiddie, to say I am obsessed would be an understatement.

February 14 - 28 We're back to CaitVi because of the Nasa Fanfic <3 I love lesbianismmmmmm I love them two my one and only my lifeline. I love Cait, will always love my husband BUT WOOT WOOT HELLO MAMA VI She has bewitched me body and soul. I will die for that woman. Gentle and raw, next question (as a conservative person, yes I am going to be very embarrassed about saying that but I felt the need to say that). She's my baby I am genuinely crying for her like OOHHHH MY SHAYLAAAAAA

We're at the beginning of March and I am back to Epic <3 Oh, we are in so much ride once I start with the arts~

[baji-sideblog]

Ignis your coworker

ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹ ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹ ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹ ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹ ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹ ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹ ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹ ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹ ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹ ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹

Adam looked at his ring and his new wife next to him, Amber was a nice woman but she wasn’t his soulmate. His soulmate has long since passed away, and on that day he made a wrong call. His parents arranged this marriage to help him feel better, less lonely, but it wasn’t making him feel anything. But he couldn’t divorce Amber, he’d bring shame to his parents and wife. Before he knew it she gave birth to their son Ignis half dragon half jellyfish. He was an adorable baby, but guilt filled his soul every time he looked at him. He felt like he wasn’t allowed to love him.

So he kept to himself away from the two of them, he gave Amber the ownership of the company his father gave him. He couldn’t run it not when he could barely leave his room. Ignis did his best to get his father’s attention getting fantastic grades, joining tons of sports teams, becoming student council president, everything and anything he could think of. He had won tons of awards just to get any recognition but nothing. His mother was super proud of him, that was at least comforting to him. As he grew up he tried talking to Adam to try to build some sort of relationship, but Adam just cried and said he couldn’t. Not when he lost someone so important and made a bad decision in the past.

Ignis screamed at his father how he was heartless and cruel, how his mother deserved better, how he should just drop dead. Before storming out of the room to cry his father didn’t deserve to see him at his vulnerable. Soon he joined the company and started working that’s when he bumped into Tris, something about him enraged him. Maybe it’s how he looked as pathetic as his father, but there was something.

So he decided to target him especially after he found out more about him. Trying to whoo you was obvious choice to hurt him. And at first he didn’t care about you, it was just to hurt Tris, but before he knew he started to wonder when his feelings became real. How he fell for you without even realizing it.

When you came back from your sick days to yell at him about the fake photos he sent you, he looked at you with shock and horror.

“Wait they were fake?! I had gotten them from Juilie in accounting she didn’t have your number so she sent them to me since she knew I had it.”

Pulling out his phone he showed you the text message and you pause feeling even more confused and tossed around.

“Wait so you didn’t tamper with them? But why would she?”

“Well probably cause she likes Tris I mean we both know how she isn’t the friendliest person with most people expect Tris.”

“I guess..I haven’t really interacted with her.”

“I see, well you two are in different departments. Don’t worry I’ll handle her this is a serious breach in our policies. For her to send fake evidence to sabotage one of my most important workers, you. You just go ahead and take your break while I handle her.”

“I well..”

“Listen it’s just for your own safety. I don’t want her going bananas and blaming you. After all if she was so willing to lie to me to hurt you, I don’t want to think of what else she would do.”

“You’re right, thanks Ignis.”

“Of course, now run along I’ll text you when she’s gone.”

After you leave Ignis sighs with relief he’s glad he came up with a backup just in case, seeing as this plan is an obvious failure. Throwing some poor bystander under the bus was easy, especially if it meant keeping himself in your good graces. He’d do anything to keep that in tact. Looks like though he’ll have come up with a better plan. For now best to focus on firing Juilie like he said he would, he can’t disappoint his future spouse now.

ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹ ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹ ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹ ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹ ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹ ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹ ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹ ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹ ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹ ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི₊ ⊹

[fuck-customers]

Without going into too much detail, my department has to review and approve/deny paperwork that customers send in but we’re understaffed and even more so if 1 or 2 people take the day off or call out. It’s bad enough when customers call in wanting to skip the line and have their paperwork reviewed but when people from other departments call on behalf of the customer, I want to scream. This person from the department next to mine comes to my cubicle while I’m on the phone with a customer to ask where my manager is because my manager usually doesn’t answer calls and therefore is available to help. I briefly put the customer on hold to tell this woman my manager took the day off. She then asks me if she can transfer a call to me directly, even though I’m in the middle of a goddamn call, so I tell her to transfer it into the queue. She tells me she did 4 times but no one picks up so she wanted to transfer it knowing the customer will be taken care of. I told her there are 4 of us including myself because we’re short staffed. We’re not answering because we’re busy answering other calls, not because we’re ignoring calls. Plus when I looked at the department queue, 2 of my coworkers were available now, so it pissed me off that she chose the one person who was on a call to pull this crap. I’m so sick and tired of people asking if they can transfer calls directly to us because the customer can’t get in touch with anyone. We obviously can’t answer a call while on a call.

Posted by admin Rodney.

[wolfoftheblackflames]

And here's what you've all been waiting for. The FINALE! Thanks so much for reading my fun little fanfic, my sweet misfits! Enjoy the tasty desert! (It's been fun writing this ^^)

Dancing with the Devil: Pt. 5

It was a few moments before Charlie whistled loudly summoning Razzle and Dazzle. “Baaaap?!” Both looked shocked but then looked over at the jerk who hurt their mistress. “Baaaaap….” Both growled lowly and followed Seviathan.

Charlie panted softly but then turned to look at Vaggie. “I'm really sorry you had to see me like this…” Her eyes lowered to the ground, unable to face her date.

Vaggie was in shock, sure, but her heart was pounding upon seeing that beautiful demon form. “Cariño…” (Sweetheart). Her hand gently came to Charlie's cheek, her thumb gently brushing away a tear that had threatened to fall. “Don't be sorry. It's actually very sweet that you'd be getting angry over someone like me.” Vaggie stated softly, her hand being lightly grasped by those long black claws.

“What do you mean?” Charlie asked, nuzzling Vaggie's palm.

“Well before I met you, all I had was some co-workers in the military that weren't exactly the nicest. I also did things alongside those jerks that I'm not proud of…” Vaggie started but took a soft breath to calm herself. “I had killed people Charlie, and I hate myself for it, and in some sick way sometimes it felt good to be acknowledged for those kills. I got praised for how flashy they were too…”

Charlie's eyes widen but then soften hearing the regret in her voice. She gently pulled Vaggie close and nuzzled into her hair, her body vibrating because of the soft purring it was doing. “I can see why you don't talk about your life before Hell… But if you're implying that you, the cutest, the most beautiful, and the coolest badass woman I've ever met, doesn't deserve to be loved or respected? Then I'm sorry, but I really want to whack you for ever thinking that.”

Vaggie leaned into the hug and nodded. “There you go again…”

“What it's true.” Charlie stated with a matter of fact tone.

The two jolted slightly, hearing Seviathan scream. “I was promised a dance at this fancy ball. Shall we?” Vaggie stepped back but had a smirk on her face.

Charlie blinked “Just let me put away these first…” She motioned to the horns and tail but stared as Vaggie took her hands into her own.

“You look gorgeous with them out babe. And I do mean it.” The angel smiled lightly, lifting those hands up and twirling only to briefly rest against Charlie's chest with those hands around her shoulders.

The way she moved, Charlie swore Vaggie was either a natural, or very talented in the dance department. The way that ivory gaze looked back up into soft white, it felt like time had stopped. “Thanks…”

The two glided across the stone walkway of the garden, each easily moving with one another to the ballroom music that echoed inside the bustling building. Charlie felt like she was walking on air right now as she was guided by Vaggie with each step. The way Hell's natural light lit up her frame, Charlie swore that in this moment Vaggie was truly the most beautiful being in Hell.

The slow dance tempo echoed as the two swayed close at its rhythm. “So did that asshole really…” Vaggie asked as Charlie scoffs. “Nope, I never once let him do that with me. Seriously the jerk thought if he pressured me enough I'd do it.”

“Good, it makes me a little relieved, babe.” Vaggie muttered, then looked up at Charlie, who looked down at her. The light of Hell made the princess looked so regal and elegant right now, and Vaggie listening to her heart for once pulled down on that chain lightly and kissed Charlie.

It was sudden and brief but it left the princess stunned. Her tail had shot up as now a cute dopey love struck look graced that face. “Whoa…” Charlie muttered but shook her head to get out of the daze quick. “Will you be my girlfriend?!” She blurted out causing Vaggie to laugh.

“I wouldn't have kissed you if I didn't want to be princesa.” The angel teased but yelped when Charlie just quickly lifted her up and spun her around.

“Let's ditch this joint and go on a real date while the night is young.” The demoness grinned as Vaggie laughed at the theatrics Charlie was doing. Right down to the princess bridal carrying the angel out of there when Razzle and Dazzle zipped past clearly looking pleased. “Woooooo hoooo! Best night ever!”

“Charlie babe slow down!” Vaggie laughed as the two hurried out of that place.

Once in the limo, the goofs could relax, but this time, Charlie smirked and gave Vaggie a kiss on the cheek. “Can you do that again? Please?” She asked, giving puppy dog eyes. Vaggie just rolled her eye and gave her girlfriend all the kisses the princess could ever ask for.

(And done! Thanks again for reading my fic guys. I hope you enjoyed it. See you all next time when a new fic drops, until then enjoy the cuteness my lovable misfits!)